The article examines the Kashmir dispute through the lens of India’s G20 presidency and the May 2023 G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar. It argues that holding an international event in Jammu and Kashmir was intended to project normalcy, reinforce India’s territorial position and attract international tourism and investment following the constitutional changes of August 2019.
A central focus of the article is the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. It discusses the United Nations framework on Kashmir, particularly the UNCIP Resolution of 5 January 1949, and presents the dispute as an unresolved question requiring a political settlement consistent with international commitments.
The article also assesses the Kashmir issue from the perspective of international humanitarian law, particularly Article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention. It links this provision with concerns surrounding demographic changes and examines the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 and subsequent legal measures introduced by India. Reference is also made to the International Court of Justice’s 2004 Wall Advisory Opinion in discussing population transfers in occupied territories.
Finally, the article evaluates the diplomatic implications of the G20 meeting for Pakistan. It argues that Kashmir remains a major national-security and foreign-policy concern for Pakistan and emphasizes the need for sustained diplomatic engagement with major powers and international organizations rather than reliance on official statements alone.
