The conflict over the status of Kashmir has eluded a final solution so far, but the evolving global situation will determine its outcome. If the USA and NATO maintain their preponderance and mend their relations with Russia, then neither India nor Pakistan is likely to win the dispute and the status quo will last or might lead to Kashmir's independence. If on the other hand the emerging Chinese-Russian-Islamic axis prevails,the LoC might be turned into a permanent boundary. The independence of the state is not desirable either for New Delhi or Islamabad and hence shared sovereignty over a democratic, multi-religious, secular Kashmir is a preferred option, which in turn probably correlates with the pacification of Afghanistan and Pakistan and may reduce Chinese influence in South Asia.
