In 21st century, whenever a picture appears in mind with relentless occupational forces, outright shooting of innocents, aerial bombings, complete siege and civilians under subjugation; Kashmir and Palestine hit the curtain, immediately. Kashmir and Palestine could be linked as either flip sides of the same coin or described as mirror images of each other. They are analogous with each other in so many ways. Both the states have a lot in common but there exists one thing which is more common than others; their strategic position for stakeholders and relation with peace and stability of the entire region. The world is witnessing oppressors are oppressing with all the force they possess, committing grave human rights atrocities, silencing international media and powerful leaders and showing no mercy at all to the weaker ones.

The first and foremost parallel is drawn between the two is the beginning of their conflictual past which dates back to 1947. Kashmir, the then princely state within the sub-continent, became victim of the independence of India and Pakistan from British Empire whereas the tragedy of Palestine began in that very same year with the end of Palestinian mandate of British; over which UN passed a resolution 181 for the division of Ottoman territory into Jewish and Arab states. Kashmir became bone of contention and enclave for direct confrontation in 1948 between the two arch rivals of South Asia. However, the land of Palestine was chosen as a grant in exchange of broken Ottoman Empire as per the publicly made Balfour Declaration 1917. It was reaffirmed in 1947 and catastrophe began with apocalyptic operation ‘Naqba’ in 1948 which was aimed at massive killings of Palestinians and expulsion from their homeland.

Kashmir and Palestine both hold significant position for the regional stake holders. Former holds important strategic and economic importance for the stakeholders. India and Pakistan crave for its waterways, scenic beauty imperative to tourism industry and revenue generation, glaciers and the list goes on. Whereas China claims the area of Aksai Chin and the Shaksgam Valley. Talking about the latter one, the status of the possession of Jerusalem is the actual territorial dispute between Israel and Palestine; which holds religious importance for both the competing identities. The south Asian beauty is paying price for its enormously beneficial land characteristics whereas the sacred land of Palestine presents an appalling site due to Jewish settlements and occupational forces. Nonetheless, both the states are central to the peace and stability of the region.

Occupation of lands always come up with grave human rights violations and atrocities. The India-Israel nexus has always worked very strongly in this inhumane and corrupt practices of massive human rights abuses. Israel is the second biggest arms exporter to India after Russia. The military-industrial complex and selling of cyber spyware have proved advantageous to both the ruthless states at the cost of lives of innocent Indian occupied Kashmiris and Palestinians.  This political act has severe concerns of Kashmiri people and Pakistan as well as blatant ramifications as India has since introduced complete military siege in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) since August 5^th, 2019. Following this bold act of India, mass incidents of raping, kidnapping and killings are observed in the region. On the other hand, Palestine is currently undergoing a war with Israel particularly, Gaza and West Bank. On 7^th of October 2023, a non-state organization Hamas attacked Israel with missiles bombardment owing to unstoppable sufferings of Palestinians since past seven decades. It is not a matter erupted since October 7^th, but a continuous agony and pain that only took toll on the peace and lives of Palestinians since Naqba.

No one is safe over there; neither Muslims nor Christians. The only race which is prevailing over the other two communities and enjoying human rights in that part is, Jews.  It is currently under complete siege, aiming at destruction of Gaza through aerial strikes over residencies, hospitals, schools, infrastructure thus, bypassing all extents and limits of savagery. The worse of all is that residents of both the states are denied for justice even after giving up on their dignities, lives, freedom and land.

Israel since past seven decades have been trying to change the demographics of the entire Palestinian region and so India had attempted on 5^th August, 2019. The Modi government abrogated Article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution which granted Kashmir a special autonomous status and changed its demographics by mass expulsions from Jammu and Kashmir. They have not only deprived Kashmir off of its special status but also granted Indians domiciles that would declare them permanent residents of Kashmir while letting them seize their job and property rights as well. This systematic settling of outsiders in the region is the same recurring practice as being done by Israel.

What shook the world is that the strategic and economic partnerships have silenced western leaders, international media and human rights watchdogs in this regard. As for Kashmir, the first ever report by UN on human rights violations was published in 2018 after major killing of the head of the freedom fighters, Yasin malik by Indian forces.  International news media is portraying exactly what it is asked and paid for. Human rights watch dogs are playing their part but that usually lasts for a short period of time, till the time the matter is highlighted. As far as Palestine is concerned, U.S. and its allies including Britain, France, Germany, UAE, Jordan, Australia etc. all sides with Israel whereas Hamas, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and general public stands in solidarity with Palestine. Even though, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres raised his voice in support of Palestine but all in vain as U.S. and its stakes are related to Israel.

Regional impact of the conflict could be devastating if it continues to escalate. Kashmir is the hot issue between India and Pakistan over which they had fought a direct war in 1948 and reached at brink of nuclear confrontation in 2019. India’s diplomatic clout and economic supremacy favors its position on Kashmir which holds back Kashmiris to have referendum or self-determination of their fate as per UN resolutions. Likewise, if war in Palestine continues, there are chances that regional players might intervene as it disturbs the stability and economy of the region.

Unfortunately, international politics is not a game of morals or human values but interests. The situation in both territories presents an awful sight. The future of Kashmir and Palestine holds a bleak future as western world are not willing to manage these conflicts justly and fairly. It is not about their freedom now rather it is the matter of their existence. The way Neutanyahu led Israelis are treating people in Palestine and Modi led Indian forces are dealing with Kashmiris is absolutely heinous and the world needs to take action now before their lives go unnoticed from this world.