THE ROLE OF DIASPORA IN CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Abstract

In the wake of unlimited inflow of knowledge and generation of new perspectives in the academic discourses, International Relations has expanded in its scope and horizon. The inter-disciplinary approaches and inter-connectedness of varying contexts have impacted the IR discipline to be seen with new lenses. The incorporation of peace studies in 1990s has greatly altered the conceptual/theoretical outlook of international relations out of the Westphalian State System. The state is no more the exclusive actor in the international relations; there have emerged transnational, sub-national and non-state actors to make their imprints on the international security environment. Out of these developments, diasporas have emerged as new and powerful actors for conflict perpetuation and peacemaking. Moreover, the unending and protracted conflicts in many parts of the world necessities the need for nontraditional approaches to resolve these conflicts; hence the emergence of conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation to see out of box solutions for intricate and complex issues/disputes. There have been many academic studies on the role of diasporas in violent and non-violent conflicts in the world. The research on Jews, Irish, Tamil, Kurd, and Sikh diasporas has been most visible. However, the role of Kashmiri diaspora, who are residing in the US, Canada and Britain, has remained under-studied and invisible despite being an important actor in the Jammu and Kashmir conflict. This study has endeavored to discuss the role of British-Kashmiri diaspora in the conflict transformation of J&K conflict, which has been endured for the last seven decades. The conflict not only jeopardizes peace and stability of the entire South Asian region but also severely effects Kashmiris living across the line of control along Pakistan-India borders. The study is primarily based on field survey and elite interviews of British-Kashmiris living in the UK. The study has highlighted the structure, role and potential of the Kashmiri diaspora in J&K conflict. Based on the discussion and analysis carried out in this research, it has highlighted some factors, which can play important part in reinvigorating the role of British-Kashmiri diaspora in transformation of J&K conflict.