Under the resumed dialogue process, the Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad, on 23-24 June 2011 for bilateral talks on Peace and Security including Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges. In India –Pakistan relations, where atmospherics are as important as actual diplomatic agreements, the meeting was surprisingly cordial. Held in the backdrop of David Headley trial and the incident involving PNS Babar and INS Godavari in the Gulf of Aden, the meeting managed to avoid distractions. It struck out as rather routine minus the usual fireworks expected when Indian and Pakistani delegates meet.
In a surprising development, the foreign secretaries decided to jointly address a news conference after first announcing separate briefings. The news conference was in addition to a joint statement and, according to Indian officials, a signal that the usually squabbling countries can face the world together.
There were no declarations regarding ‘historic agreements’, ‘new paths’ or ‘renewed understanding’. The foreign secretaries, according to MEA Spokesperson Vishu Prakash had, “very cordial discussions, substantive talks and forward-looking”. No breakthrough agreements were expected as the meeting was merely a preparatory phase for the upcoming visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister to India in July. However, ‘miscommunication’ and ‘quoting out of context’ are the common spoilers for any India-Pakistan interaction. It was pleasantly surprising that neither the diplomats nor the media contributed any rhetorical negativity to the atmosphere.
A working group is expected to meet next month to work on specific cross-Line of Control (LOC) CBMs. The group will look at the demand for more trading days, additional routes, reducing red tape, and specifying the 21 items of trade to ensure that only goods made in Jammu and Kashmir are traded.
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