Doha, Qatar – In the cyclic escalation of hostilitiesbetween the nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, the perspective from Pakistan-administered Kashmir is often overlooked.

That rare opportunity presented itself last week during a visit to Doha by Masood Khan, the 27th president of the semi-autonomous region, also referred to as Azad (or Independent) Kashmir in Pakistan.

The Himalayan territory of Kashmir was divided between Pakistan and India after the end of British colonial rule over the subcontinent in 1947. Both sides have since claimed the territory in full.

In an interview with Al Jazeera against the backdrop of tensions triggered by a deadly suicide attack in India-administered Kashmir’s Pulwama district earlier this month, Khan said a war between India and Pakistan must be avoided. Excerpts: