KASHMIR: A NARRATIVE OF SOUTH ASIA'S LONGEST RUNNING CONFLICT BETWEEN COLONISATION, TREATIES AND BLOODSHED Edward Azar’s Protracted Social Conflict Theory and The Interplay of Communal Identities, Human Needs Deprivation, And External Interventions

Abstract

          The Kashmir conflict represents one of the most protracted territorial disputes in the world, originating from the partition of India in 1947. This article analyses the evolution of the Kashmir conflict through a historical perspective, examining three principal dimensions: colonisation in the context of British imperialism and post-independence territorial contestation; treaties that have failed to produce lasting resolution; and the continuous bloodshed through wars, insurgencies, and cross-border violence. Employing a historical document analysis methodology, this study examines secondary sources to comprehend the conflict dynamics from 1947 to the 2025 escalation. A thematic chronological approach is utilised to analyse seven key phases of the conflict spanning from The Partition Era (1947-1948) to The Contemporary Era (2019-2025). The findings demonstrate that the Kashmir conflict transcends mere territorial dispute, encompassing clashing ideologies, religious identities, geopolitical interests, and self-determination aspirations that have evolved into a multi-layered conflict with intergenerational trauma. The failure of international mechanisms, dominance of military approaches over diplomacy, neglect of Kashmiri voices, and the nuclear stability-instability paradox have perpetuated this conflict as South Asia's “bleeding wound”. This study concludes that resolving the Kashmir conflict requires a holistic approach prioritising human rights, inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders including the Kashmiri people as primary agents, and genuine political commitment from India and Pakistan to achieve just resolution.