Religion and international relations between theoretical trends and the reality of practice “The religious factor and the Indian-Pakistani conflict over the Kashmir region as a case study”

Document Type : Original Article

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Political Science Teacher - Faculty of Economic Studies and Political Science - Alexandria University

Abstract

This study argues that religion still represents one of the factors driving international relations and directing the foreign policies of states, despite the passage of many centuries since the adoption of secularism. Religion’s role has evolved from the acquisition of the conduct of those relations and the formation of state identities, through the militants’ explosion of major historical wars that ended to replace it with secularism. It soon becomes clear to us that secularism is an extension of the role of religion in its essence, with its different external form, as secularism is a comprehensive non-religious movement that does not only separate religion from political affairs, but extends its impact to the economy, culture, knowledge and mainly value systems of society. Therefore, secularism did not reduce the religious conflict between countries, but it changed its form. Ultimately, religion’s role became obvious, especially after the September 11, 2001 events, which increased the religious extremist parties in the international sphere, whether they were diplomats, or decision-makers at the individual level, or countries and groups at the international system level.

Indo-Pakistani conflict sheds light on the renewed role of religion in international relations. It is difficult to understand the determinants of this conflict without putting it in its religious and historical context. The Kashmir issue has remained the traditional issue that represents the core of the existing conflict, and the most important dilemma in the relationship between the two countries. Indo-Pakistani conflict has a clear religious dimension, although it is not a religious conflict with a political component, but it considered as a political conflict with a religious component. The conflict between the two parties has historically been mainly due to religious reasons. conflict’s effects also extended to the twenty-first century especially after the arrival of the Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party - headed by Narinda Modi - to power in India in 2014 and 2019, as the right-wing party is associated with Hindu nationalism known as Hindutva, which is one of the most important components for building the Indian state. These issues could create global problems related to terrorism, refugees, security, nuclear weapons and others.

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