Peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir includes confidence-building measures at a nation-state level between the governments of India and Pakistan, track two diplomacy, as well as initiatives by non-governmental organisations, institutes and individuals. The purpose of peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir include conflict prevention and reduction of hostilities in the Kashmir Valley. Many countries such as Russia, United States and China have also played a deescalatory role with regard to tensions in the region.
In 2010, the Omar Abdullah government introduced the "surrender and rehabilitation policy", allowing former militants who had crossed the Line-of-Control into Pakistan, to come back to India. Over 400 militants utilised the policy.
"Valley-centric" approaches have resulted in discontent among other communities in the region such as Ladhaki Buddhists. Formation of "Autonomous Hill Councils" in the Leh district and Kargil district have proven to be a successful peacebuilding initiative in this aspect according to Navnita Chadha Behera. In September 2018, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council was given more powers, making it "among the most autonomous councils" in India.
Operation Sadbhavana in Jammu and Kashmir is an Indian Army initiative which involves welfare measures such as infrastructure development, medical care, women and youth empowerment, educational tours and sports tournaments among other initiatives., Jammu and Kashmir, in New Delhi on 9 March 2009
Indo-Pakistani initiatives in relation to Kashmir
The Karavan-e-Aman, a bus service connecting Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, was started in 2005. In 2006, a second bus line started between Poonch and Rawalakot. In 2008 trade started on these routes, opening Jammu and Kashmir's traditional trading centres to the west for the first time since 1947. The trade is tightly regulated. During times of heightened tension, the routes are closed, such as was the case from July to August 2016.
Many countries such as China have played a role in the deescalation of conflict in the region.
Athwass,, was an initiative by a south Asian think tank, Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace, in 2000, that brought together women from Kashmiri Pandit, Muslim and Sikh communities for the first time since the rise of militancy in the Kashmir valley in 1990. WISCOMP also organises the "Kashmiri Women Writers Meet", aiming to bring together women from conflicting perspectives using literature. On 23 March 2017, WISCOMP conducted a one-day dialogue on ‘Echoes and Resonances: Critical Challenges for Youth and Peace Building in Kashmir’. WISCOMP is an initiative of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of the Dalai Lama.
Various NGOs in the region working on initiatives related to peacebuilding include the Borderless World Foundation, "Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network" and the "Human Effort for Love and Peace Foundation, J&K". The Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation has conducted various initiatives in Kashmir for over fifteen years including peace education training.
According to Susheela Bhan who conducts "ethics and values based education" in government schools in Jammu and Kashmir, students from rural areas are most prone to violence, and "through education they can become important contributors to peace"..
According to an exploratory study by A Subramanyam Raju, first and second generation Indians want to get back Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but the third generation wants to "solve the issue peacefully and amicably".
Tourism is often discussed in the context of Jammu and Kashmir as a peacebuilding measure.
