Analysis | Backchannel diplomacy played its part in India, Pakistan decision to cease fire along LoC

Both India and Pakistan have given credit score for the ceasefire settlement to navy commanders, but a number of indicators point out that again channel diplomacy led up to the talks and helped produce a joint assertion between the 2 sides, starting with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s name for resolving the Kashmir problem “peacefully” earlier this month.

Also learn: India, Pakistan agree to observe 2003 ceasefire

“Pakistan and India must resolve the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir in a dignified and peaceful manner as per the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” General Bajwa mentioned in his speech on the Pakistan Air Force Asghar Khan Academy in Risalpur of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa on February 3. The remark was interpreted as a transparent signal of considerable background outreach by India and Pakistan. The again channel talks had been first hinted at by the Special Assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on National Security and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yusuf throughout an interview with journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire  final October.

In his interview with the Indian TV anchor, Mr. Yusuf had mentioned India expressed a “desire for conversation” however he had positioned a number of situations for restarting official stage talks.

The remark had come in the backdrop of India’s regionwide diplomacy concerning COVID-19 in which Pakistan had participated underneath the umbrella of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), however had proven reluctance to interact in bilateral exchanges with India on the worldwide pandemic. The remark had come in the backdrop of India’s regionwide diplomacy concerning COVID-19 in which Pakistan had participated underneath the umbrella of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), however had proven reluctance to interact in bilateral exchanges with India on the worldwide pandemic. However, on February 18, Pakistan supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 5 proposals for collaboration on the South Asian stage on containing COVID-19. Pakistan additionally agreed that there was a necessity for such cooperation on a regional foundation for combating the pandemic.

Also learn: India takes on Pakistan at U.N. Human Rights Council

India had known as a digital summit on the COVID-19 pandemic on March 15, 2020, which was held in the backdrop of months-long robust change of rhetoric between the 2 sides over the termination of particular standing for the erstwhile Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders of all of the SAARC nations participated in the talks although Pakistan Prime Minister despatched his consultant with out showing personally. This was adopted by a SAARC Health Ministers’ digital convention.

Followed by General Bajwa’s February 3 feedback, Imran Khan’s newest journey to Sri Lanka was another occasion of softening of attitudes between each side. In comparability to the airspace denial that each nations had imposed on one another throughout and in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror strike, India this week allowed the plane carrying Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan a transparent passage to Sri Lanka, the place the Pakistani chief declared a $50 million defence line of credit score for Colombo.

During these obvious indicators of again channel negotiations, each side have maintained their respective positions on the Kashmir problem. After the Pakistan authorities moved to present “provisional provincial status” for Gilgit Baltistan final November, India hit out saying Gilgit Baltistan was an “integral part of India” although India additionally restored the 4G telecom community in the Valley.

The two sides final related on the highest stage in the course of the Christmas day of 2015, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Lahore for an unannounced go to, met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended the marriage of Mr. Sharif’s granddaughter. Dialogue broke down quickly thereafter due to the Pathankot airbase assault of January 2, 2016, which was adopted by the assault on the garrison in Uri and the Indian response with a surgical strike along the border. Bilateral ties continued to nosedive due to the Pulwama terror assault of February 14, 2019, and the Balakot operation by India.

Hours after Thursday’s announcement of “strict observance” to the 2003 ceasefire settlement, Mr. Yusuf took to social media, distancing himself from any attainable again channel talks with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.