What Iran means to Kashmir| War, identity, & 5000 years of history| The Kashmir Notebook Ep 12

In this episode of The Kashmir Notebook, Gowhar Geelani is in conversation with Professor Noor Ahmed Baba, a noted political scientist and IR expert, to explore the historical, cultural, and political connections between Kashmir and Iran. Why is Kashmir often referred to as “Iran-e-Saghir” (Little Iran)? What explains the strong emotional response in Kashmir to the ongoing conflict in West Asia? Professor Baba traces these connections back nearly 5,000 years—through ancient migrations, Central Asian linkages, the influence of the Sassanid Empire, and the gradual spread of Islam shaped by Persian cultural traditions. The conversation also moves to the present geopolitical moment. As tensions escalate in West Asia, Professor Baba analyses the implications of the Iran conflict for global power structures, the Strait of Hormuz and energy security, and the shifting balance from a unipolar to a multipolar world. He reflects on the roles of the United States, Israel, China, and Russia, and discusses what these changes could mean for South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan.