What triggered the conflicts between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir?

The creation of separate sovereign states serves as a significant trigger for the conflicts between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir because it established two nations with deeply divided national identities and political aspirations. When British India was partitioned in 1947, it resulted in the formation of India and Pakistan, with the latter intended as a homeland for Muslims. The princely states, including Jammu and Kashmir, were given the choice to join either nation.

Kashmir, with its Muslim-majority population, became a contentious issue as the Hindu ruler chose to remain independent initially. The subsequent decision of the Maharaja to accede to India in exchange for military assistance led to an armed conflict between the newly formed nations. This initial move laid the groundwork for ongoing territorial disputes fueled by nationalistic sentiments, making Kashmir a core issue of conflict relating to the very foundation of both states and their identities after partition.

While religious differences, colonial legacy, and territorial disputes certainly play important roles, it is the initial separation and the subsequent decisions made during the partition that catalyzed the conflict over Kashmir, marking it as a pivotal moment in the geopolitical struggle that has persisted between India and Pakistan.