The Kashmir issue is a longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan. The region of Kashmir is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent and is currently divided between India, Pakistan, and China. It has been a source of conflict between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India in 1947.

The Partition and the Instrument of Accession:
- After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, the subcontinent was divided into two separate countries: India and Pakistan.
- The princely states, including Kashmir, were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan based on their geographical location and the religious majority of their population.
- In the case of Kashmir, its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially wanted to remain independent. However, due to pressure from both India and Pakistan, he signed the Instrument of Accession in October 1947, which acceded the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to India.

The Conflict and Line of Control:
- Soon after the accession, Pakistan disputed the legality of the accession, claiming that Kashmir should have been part of Pakistan due to its Muslim majority.
- This led to the first Indo-Pakistani war over Kashmir in 1947-1948, resulting in the division of the region along a ceasefire line known as the Line of Control (LoC).
- The LoC has since then served as the de facto border between the Indian-administered Kashmir and the Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Ongoing Conflict and International Involvement:
- The dispute over Kashmir has remained unresolved, leading to several wars and conflicts between India and Pakistan, including in 1965, 1971, and 1999.
- Both India and Pakistan claim the entire region of Kashmir as their own, resulting in a territorial conflict.
- China also plays a role in the Kashmir issue as it occupies the northeastern part of Kashmir known as Aksai Chin.
- China's involvement further complicates the dispute and adds another dimension to the conflict.

International Efforts and Human Rights Concerns:
- The international community has made efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue through diplomatic means. The United Nations has passed resolutions calling for a plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmir.
- Human rights concerns have also been raised in relation to the conflict, with allegations of human rights abuses by security forces and militants in the region.
- The Kashmir issue remains a major source of tension between India and Pakistan and has significant implications for regional stability in South Asia.