Why is Kashmir so important to both Pakistan and India?

Well ofcourse we want Kashmir because it is economically beneficial to have Kashmir in our side of map but then what's the point when Kashmiris themselves are not in favor of it. I think we should leave the final decision on people of Kashmir. If they decided to live be with India or live as independent country, Just let them do whatever they want. There is no benefit in fighting over it now and wasting major part of our budget on defense because of that.

much of our water is coming from kashmir, so its important for us, and not to mention the local pakistani sentiment. The indians have already have had enough of their mata land being divided, they wouldnt want kashmir to go dont you think

More than anything its about EGO. Indians cant afford to lose a place that has been part of their map since 1947, and getting Kashmir is one of the way by which pakistan could say to india:"Up Yours, also upper part of yours is ours" ;)

Yes, strategically having Kashmir would help pakistan in many ways. Water, Hydel Power, Tourism, Agri Products and many more thing. But Indians, wont leave an inch of their land. Kashmir is indian pride, if not in reality but still in theory, movies and on map.

Haing said all, real issues is the extremists from both side of border. Those confused people would have no issues left to stand in society or talk about, and they cant afford going issueless either.

All together its a deadlock, may be a refrendum wud solve this issue. Someday!!

P.S: I am a peace and "map" lover. And believe that no maps should be altered ;) ;)

I am not sure if I am qualified to offer an opinion as I can only offer an outside view looking in. I have not grown-up in your country and do not command a complete sense of the spiritual tribal mind. However I have studied history ... as the archeologists and geologists tell it, so here is my conclusion.

It is the water... as water is the center of life ... particularly in an arid region.

And I believe the long time sanctity of Mt Kailash (the mother source of the Indus and several other rivers) in the heart of India controlled Kashmir, has alot to do with it. Long before there were the 'nonsense political boundaries' of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Kashmir, these were tribal territories and spiritual order prevailed, and the water running through it was sacred.

I believe the continous conflicts are due to the logic and very deep cultural beliefs of the tribe vs the logic of western civilized life for all the multi-cultural adjustments we need for civil order. A multi-cultural environment can not tolerate the sometimes petty differences between tribes; the blood feuds and the retributions. These serve no constructive purpose in our society.

I am by-far not saying that the model for Western Civilization has gotten it totally correct; we are over userous of natural resources and have developed far more 'non-essential trinkets' that we expect our consumers to buy. It is a model tied to the elusive value of money and the capitalists dream to become wealthy and successful. It is not a sustainable model for the planet and it needs a major overhaul.

As we have entered the Anthropocene (a geologic era attributed to human activites) our handi work needs major adjustments. The growth of human population on our planet today, demands that we all sit down at the conference table, and decide on a positive future for all humans (the days of petty territories have past}. In so doing, we will necessarilly have to give up tribalism and very likely capitalism. We both need to give to attain peace.

May be due to strategic positioning of the land...

Its all about ''Water" dats it...!!

Kashmir and Kismirians are with pakistan as they were before. Kashmir is the heart of Pakistan thats why its important. Flags of Pakistan in Occupied Kashmir describe the love of Kashmiri People for Pakistan. If you compare the prosperity analysis of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir you will the people of AJK are more happy, independent and prosperous than Occupied Kashmir. Kashmir will be the part of Pakistan... INSHA ALLAH

On book, its a simple issue .... People of any region have the right to decide their ruler .... If People of Kashmir want to be with PK then its their right .... And our moral responsibility to support them ....

Its the topic of flight between 2 countries .... i dont think kashmir is so important for both of the countries ... ! its the ego for india & Pakistan... !

India is proud to be a country where all religions have equal rights but they dun mind killing thousand of innocent kashmiris. Kashmiri ppl should have a right to live on their own.

Just leave them alone, both Pakistan and India, it won't make any difference to both the countries. This issue been installed...

If India has this attitude, there should be no compromise on the national reputation. India needs to be careful about the relationship.
For more details:
https://innnews.pk/pakistan-should-be-careful-with-india/