Crisis fatigue

The long-running conflict in Kashmir seems to be fading from the global spotlight. Over the years, the region has symbolized unresolved territorial disputes, human rights violations and persistent regional tensions. However, in recent times, international advocacy for Kashmir has waned, a phenomenon described as “crisis fatigue”. This change is not accidental, but is the result of a variety of geopolitical, economic and, to a lesser extent, narrative-based reasons.

One of the main reasons for the decline in attention is the reorientation of global geopolitical priorities. Increasing pressing international issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, escalating tensions between the US and China, and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific have overshadowed the Kashmir conflict. Meanwhile, the UNSC, which once debated Kashmir, has almost left the issue to the mercy of the grave following India’s abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. However, the Ukraine crisis has been the main focus of the 2022 UNSC as the world has changed. its focus on conflicts considered to be of a more general nature.

India’s growing economic and strategic importance has further contributed to this change. As the world’s fifth largest economy and a major key player globally, India has successfully positioned itself as an indispensable partner for many nations. This has enshrined a culture where no country is willing to offend India by expressing objection to its activities in the disputed region. Another factor that has helped India manage this narrative is that it has been able to insulate this narrative from international influence. Such practices have not generated external backlash for India, as it has presented the issues as domestic concerns related to counter-terrorism. Similarly, it has used techniques such as internet curtailment and restrictions on journalists to help reduce the flow of information coming from the region. These actions have limited the publication of updates on the human rights situation and thus the weak response from the international community.

The contrast with Palestine is particularly telling. Over the decades, Palestine has remained a focal point of global diplomacy, thanks to consistent support from Arab states, active international organizations and a mobilized diaspora. Movements such as the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign have galvanized global support, keeping the issue alive in international forums and public discourse. By comparison, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts on Kashmir have often lacked consistency and innovation. Despite occasional successes, such as the publication of UN reports on human rights violations in Kashmir, these efforts have not translated into sustained international action.

For Pakistan, the way forward is to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to counter this growing crisis fatigue. Diplomatic engagement with international organizations such as the UN, OIC and EU remains critical. However, this must be accompanied by harnessing the influence of the Kashmiri diaspora, particularly in key countries such as the UK and the US. The role of the diaspora in lobbying for international awareness has been underutilized despite its potential to replicate the success of other movements, i.e. the efforts of the Armenian diaspora to keep the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the global spotlight. In addition, Pakistan needs to harness digital platforms and the power of modern media to amplify Kashmiri voices.

The implications of allowing the Kashmir issue to disappear from the global discourse are grave. Failure to act prolongs the loss of autonomy in the region and intensifies human suffering. For all of South Asia, the conflict remains an open wound underpinning the militarization, economic insecurity and extremism that are anathema to peace and sustainable growth.

If Pakistan can adopt a more innovative approach to a sustained global movement, it can reignite the world’s focus on the Kashmir situation. As such, it can guarantee that the voice of its people will not be drowned out in the noise of other crises occurring around the world and that their struggle will continue to be recognized in the field of international justice.