Topic: CONFLICT IN KASHMIR- ROOT CAUSES
Relevant Background
• Territorial dispute since 1947 (India–Pakistan partition).
• The region is divided between India, Pakistan, and China.
• Multiple wars have occurred: 1947–48, 1965, 1999 (Kargil).
• Armed insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989.
• UN resolutions called for a plebiscite (never implemented).
• 2019: India revoked Article 370, removing the region’s special autonomy.
• Both India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed neighbors, making the conflict a global security concern.
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Section Focus: ROOT CAUSES
This section is part of a larger essay. Do not include:
• A timeline of the conflict
• A general discussion of the issues at stake
• Policy recommendations
Instead, focus exclusively on root causes.
Analytical Objective
This paper aims to analyze:
Causes of conflict
• What causes the conflict in Kashmir?
• What are the structural causes?
• What are the proximate causes?
Analytical Approach
Conduct a root-cause analysis of the Kashmir conflict using a Long-Arc perspective, prioritizing:
• Non-obvious strategic shifts
• Intellectual architects behind policy decisions
• Critical intelligence points that were ignored or suppressed
Use whatever analytical tools are necessary to pinpoint the exact causes of the conflict.
Key Requirement
Clearly identify and explain the cause (or causes) that you believe lie at the root of the conflict—the factor(s) that would have to be addressed to achieve a lasting solution.
Formatting Requirements
• Font: Arial
• Font size: 12 pt
• Line spacing: 1.15
• Margins: Normal
• Text alignment: Justified (both margins)
Paragraph Spacing
• 12 pt space at the end of each paragraph
• No additional spacing between paragraphs
Length
• Maximum length: ONE side of an A4 page
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Section Titles
• Section titles (e.g., Issues – Section II) must be in bold.
Bibliography Guidelines
General Rules
• Entries must be arranged alphabetically by the author’s family name.
Electronic Sources
• The author’s name must be identified in the same way as for printed sources.
Citation Formatting
• Books: Title in italics
• Journal articles: “Title in quotation marks”
• Journal name: In italics
Spacing
• 12 pt space at the end of every entry
Use of Artificial Intelligence (CRUCIAL INFORMATION)
The use of Artificial Intelligence tools is permitted only for:
• Grammar, style, and language support (e.g., Grammarly)
• Brainstorming ideas, outlines, or drafts (not final text)
• Data analysis support, provided data integrity checks are performed
Academic Integrity Requirement
All process work, including:
• drafts
• brainstorming artifacts
• and final written work
must be generated by the students themselves.
AI Citation Requirement
If AI tools are used, you must:
• Cite the query as a source in a footnote
• Indicate:
• the tool used (e.g., ChatGPT, DALL-E)
• the exact query you used
Suggested Analytical Approaches
You may structure your analysis in different ways, such as:
1. Levels of Analysis
• System level
• State level
• Individual level
2. Objective-Based Analysis
Examine causes in terms of:
• Economic objectives
• Ideological objectives
• Religious objectives
• Political objectives
Recommended Approach
A combination of both frameworks is encouraged.
Important
Be sure to analyze proximate causkoves as well as structural causes