As Kashmir navigates its first election post-abrogation of Article 370, a sense of hope and anticipation emerges amid a complex history of conflict and efforts to restore peace. With a significant voter turnout of 61.38% in phase 1 and 54.11% in phase 2 of polling, along with a diverse candidate pool, this election marks a critical juncture in the region’s political evolution. In an interview with Tarique Anwar, Amarjit Singh Dulat (AS Dulat), former special director of the Intelligence Bureau, ex-secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and a well-known expert on Kashmir, shares his perspective on the region’s intricate geopolitical landscape.