The revocation of Article 370 unwittingly gave Beijing a new weapon.

BY ANIK JOSHI | JUNE 16, 2020, 3:25 PM

Indian paramilitary soldiers in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Indian paramilitary soldiers secure an area near the site of a gun battle between suspected militants and government forces in downtown Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on May 19. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The Kashmir Valley and its surrounding territory have been at the heart of nearly every conflict between India and Pakistan—including three wars in 1947, 1965, and 1999. Colonialism created the problem, but the great powers have had little interest in it, with Britain washing its hands of the issue as soon as it could. But last year’s abolition of Article 370, the guarantee of Kashmir’s quasi-autonomy, has allowed an old player to take a stronger role: China.