‘Neighbours have no choice’: Push for India-Pakistan dialogue resumption from both sides

The release of the book ‘In Pursuit of Peace: Improving Indo-Pak Relations’, which features 52 articles written by academics and diplomats from India and Pakistan, on Friday evening saw diplomats, political leaders and thinkers from both sides come together to weigh in on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy between the two neighbours, also warning against strategic neglect.

The second volume, coming four years after the first — edited by O P Shah, chairman of Delhi-based Centre for Peace and Progress — was released by former vice president Hamid Ansari.

In his address, Ansari said, “The two nations born accidentally could have managed themselves better but the relationship has been periodically derailed, and there is no political explanation for that.” He argued that the neighbours have no choice.

The event, attended by former R&AW chief A S Dulat and former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar among others, and a host of Pakistani diplomats and activists joining virtually, had most of them batting vociferously for some kind of talks and people-to-people ties.

Former J-K chief minister Farooq Abdullah said, “Nothing will change until we stop hating each other. We were one and are no longer one. It was hatred that divided India and Pakistan.” He also batted for the resumption of the SAARC grouping, quoting former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had famously said “we can choose friends but not neighbours”.

From across the border, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, batted for listening to voices “that move beyond hostility, towards peace and reconciliation”. Jilani, who also served as caretaker minister of foreign affairs between August 2023 and March 2024, articulated the outstanding issues between the two countries, security concerns and economic barriers.

He also mentioned Vajpayee’s “forward-looking speech of 2003”, which harped on “insaaniyat, jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat”. “In the rapidly changing global scenario, a peaceful South Asia is an imperative,” he said.

In another virtual address, Javed Jabbar, former information minister, Pakistan, also spoke on the need for resumption of dialogue — be it backchannel or diplomatic. “Both countries have to take initiative proactively in that direction,” he said.

Imtiaz Alam, senior journalist who helms South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), said SAARC should be resumed at a neutral venue. “Unlike Champions Trophy, which was held at a third place (Dubai), SAARC can be held at the country which is supposed to host it next besides India or Pakistan,” he said. India had recently refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy tournament, and the two teams played at Dubai last weekend.

Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, who served from 2017 to August 2019 and was expelled after the abrogation of Article 370, recalled his “interesting posting”, talking about the paradoxes of relationship, which is equal parts “personal goodwill and institutional hostility”. He also said that Team India didn’t travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy not only because of political reasons but also security concerns.

“The two countries have a 77-year-old history… Despite four wars, terrorism, and other challenges, there is space for leadership, peace and diplomacy,” he said.

However, he expressed serious concern about structural pessimism on both sides of the border about the future of the ties.

“It is a dangerous trap if we continue with a strategic neglect of the other. A calibrated engagement is what is required,” he said.