NEW DELHI – A group of former Indian diplomats, military veterans andacademics travelled to Pakistan last weekend for “relationship talks” thatform part of track II diplomacy between the two countries dating back tothe 1991-92 “Neemrana Dialogue”.
The group of 14 was led by former foreign ministry secretary Vivek Katjuand included a former cabinet secretary and a former naval chief. ThePakistani delegation featured former minister Javed Jabbar, former foreignsecretary Inamul Haque, and the former State Bank of Pakistan governor,Ishrat Hussain, among others.
The meetings took place at a hotel in Islamabad. The Indian delegation washosted for dinner by the Pakistan Foreign Secretary. Sources told NDTV thatthe Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan also hosted the Pakistanis thenext day.
“We have seen the reports. This is a meeting between two civil societies.Functional exchanges continue. It is part of the normal process,” said aforeign ministry spokesperson in Delhi today.
Many believe the revival of track II diplomacy means a realisation in thegovernment that absolutely no engagementlink>withPakistan doesn’t work. But government sources said “they were not involvedin these talks, these are discussions that have happened in the past aswell, the government has no reservations on track II diplomacy.”
Positive signs of back-channel talks have been visible for a few days now.On Monday, the Pakistan Navy delivered medical assistance to an Indian boatwhich developed engine problems and was lost at sea. The fishermen wereclose to running out of food and water after their boat developed engineproblems nine days back.
What is most significant is that Pakistan and India will participate injoint military exercises under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)banner in Russia this September.
The Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson said on the exercises, “It’ll befocused on providing counter-terrorism expertise, hopefully this will be agood forum to exchange information and expertise.”
Pakistan sources also said today that an Indian prisoner, Jetindra, wasbeing sent back to India through Wagah on humanitarian grounds.