Government support for self-determination in Kashmir

Background to the Kashmir dispute

India and Pakistan’s dispute over Kashmir has its origins in the partition of India after British colonial rule ended in 1947. Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region, split into an Indian-administered territory and a Pakistan-administered territory by a 450-mile Line of Control. China also controls part of the region’s land.

After conflict broke out between India and Pakistan in 1947, UN resolutions in 1948 helped broker a temporary ceasefire between the two sides and introduced a plan for a plebiscite (referendum) of Kashmiris to decide the region’s future status. The two sides agreed to the idea in principle but could not find agreement on the practicalities. The UN established a ceasefire line delineating a border between the Pakistan-controlled and India-controlled territories.

After a major war between Pakistan and India in 1971, which included fighting in Kashmir, the parties signed a peace accord called the Simla Agreement, where they agreed to solve the conflict over Kashmir by peaceful means and respect the Line of Control as it stood at that time.

However, there have been numerous clashes between the Indian and Pakistani militaries across the Line of Control in the decades since.

In the late 1980’s an insurgency began in Indian-administered Kashmir that continues today, fuelled by groups that either support independence for Kashmir or wish for the whole region to join Pakistan.

From the evening of 6 May until 10 May 2025, India and Pakistan conducted a series of military strikes against each other. They declared a ceasefire on 10 May.

UK government policy

Successive Conservative and Labour governments have reiterated the UK’s longstanding position that the dispute over Kashmir is bilateral and can only be solved through negotiations by both sides, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Asked most recently in June 2025, if it was the policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office “that the people of Kashmir should have the right to a referendum to determine their future”. The government reiterated its longstanding position:

India and Pakistan are important friends of the UK.

We encourage both to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.    

The UK Government’s longstanding position on Kashmir that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, considering the wishes of Kashmiri people.

For more on Kashmir see Commons Library research briefing: Kashmir: Renewed India-Pakistan tensions.