Kashmir, located in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent, is split by heavily militarized borders with India, Pakistan, and China. Each of these nations has high stakes in Kashmir. The region has Indian-administered territories, Pakistani-administered territories, and Chinese-administered territories. Families are split and broken by these borders, which deny Kashmiris both free passage and autonomy. Constant conflict, violence, and fear churn as outside nations interfere with Kashmir’s very soul.

“The line runs through our hearts,” Abdul, a leader in Teetwal village, says. “It is very traumatic that you can see your relatives across [the border] but can’t talk to them, [can’t] meet them.”

Prior to 2019, Article 370 promised Indian-administered Kashmir the right to a constitution and legislative powers. But in 2019, India revoked Article 370 and stripped Kashmir of its autonomy. To prepare for revoking the article, “India sent thousands of additional troops to the disputed region, imposed a crippling curfew, shut down telecommunications and internet, and arrested political leaders,” Al Jazeera wrote.
Demonstrations for independence were met with police brutality and political repression. The occupying forces arrested many protestors held them without trial. “Children as young as nine have been arrested, protests and tear gas, allegations of torture, businesses shut and no mobiles or internet,” Al Jazeera reported. More than 4,000 people were arrested from August 2019 to October 2019.

Three years have passed since Kashmir was shut down, and while some of the restrictions have been relaxed, the region continues to lack self-determination under Indian occupation. Protests and civil rights are still being suppressed. And in May 2022, the Indian government redistricted Kashmir, giving greater political representation to Hindu-majority areas while suppressing the Muslim minority’s political power.

These territorial disputes can be traced back to the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, displacing millions of people and resulting in the deaths of thousands. When India and Pakistan were divided, Kashmir was a disputed region which both countries claimed. 75 years later, these same conflicts persist.

These nations’ actions have been horrific and contradictory. Both India and Pakistan are familiar with the violence and bloodshed which accompany militarized borders, yet they continue to impose borders on Kashmir. India claims Kashmir when the Kashmiri people resist Indian occupation. India boasts of being a democracy, but it has yet to be held accountable for the countless war crimes it has committed in Kashmir, from which it has withheld self-determination and political autonomy. Pakistan has criticized India’s crimes in the region, but continues to limit movement across borders. China mostly echoes Pakistan’s sentiments and mimics Pakistani policies in its territories. The disregard for human life and the hypocrisy shown by all of these nations are appalling.

The international community has expressed concerns about Kashmir, but their actions fall short. The United Nations has condemned India’s violations of human rights and acts of violence in Kashmir, but allows India to remain a member of the bloc nonetheless. Similarly, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and various American politicians have condemned India’s actions, yet the United States continues to hold strong ties with India. In 2021, President Biden hosted a meeting with Prime Minister Modi in which the two parties agreed upon the Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative. According to the White House briefing, “the United States and India agreed in July to a $22 million project to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles.” This military project will actively contribute to India’s repression of Kashmir.

Kashmir’s occupation has divided families and stolen lives. Many Kashmiri families have been displaced and fear for their safety. The international community must act, and the occupying forces must be held accountable. The United States can no longer send military aid or help India develop “defense” technology that will inevitably be used against persecuted and oppressed groups. The U.S. must disinvest from elite-owned Indian companies. Sanctions will affect the most vulnerable, but applying pressure on Indian elites and higher caste members may convince the Indian government to change its behavior. Likewise, the United Nations must apply pressure by threatening to revoke India’s membership for its treatment of both Kashmiris and Indian Muslims.

In terms of the occupying forces, India must fully withdraw its forces from Kashmir. India cannot have control over telecommunications or resources in the region. Kashmir must be given full autonomy and the ability to establish its government. Indian political and military officers who are responsible for the atrocities in Kashmir must go on trial and face repercussions for their actions. In India’s next election, Modi must be voted out for his Hindu-nationalist ideologies and crimes against humanity. He cannot be allowed to evade responsibility by holding office for another term. Pakistan’s occupation is not as militant as India’s, but nonetheless, its occupation prevents Kashmir from gaining full autonomy. Pakistan must allow for Kashmiris’ free passage across borders. Once movement is allowed, both Pakistan and China must withdraw their forces.

Many of the conflicts in South Asia can be traced back to colonialism. The British destabilized the region and fostered ethnic and religious conflicts as a means to establish a conquering presence. Therefore, the British owe South Asia reparations. Kashmir in particular must receive reparations and financial assistance to address problems of poverty so that it can establish a thriving democracy, one which, ultimately, will allow it to stand on its own.

Kashmir must be granted full independence from India, Pakistan, China, and its colonial past. Kashmir’s people – not occupying forces – should have control over the Kashmiri government and Kashmiri lives.