BILATERALISM SECRET DIALOGUE?

It would be interesting to see how the back-channel engagement between India and Pakistan evolves in the weeks and months to come and whether or not Delhi will concede in response to Islamabad’s demands, writes Riyaz Wani

- Riyaz Wani

On April 23, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met around top 20 journalists in Pakistan for an Iftaar dinner and discussed the on-going thaw with India in what was said to be in strict confidence. Only that the meeting and much of what was discussed there soon became the talk of the town. There are many things attributed to Bajwa, the drift of which is that the trade and economics will guide the future relations with India, not Kashmir and terrorism. At the same time, however, the fresh engagement with India is not unconditional: Bajwa like the civilian government in Pakistan wants India to create “an enabling environment” before talks begin.

Now what is this ‘enabling environment’? There are many versions of what Pakistan actually wants. Here is how a story quoting sources in Pakistan government answered the question.

First, a permanent halt to demographic change in Kashmir, where India in April 2020 introduced a new domicile law that would allow long-term migrants from other parts of the country to gain permanent residence.

Second, Indian authorities would have to release political and other prisoners being held since it imposed a strict lockdown in August 2019, when it revoked Article 370 of its constitution, which gave Kashmir a special constitutional status.

Third, the removal by India of blockades on communication and movement in the region.

Fourth, giving back full statehood rights to Kashmir, which were also revoked as part of the August 2019 actions, and “recognising that it is subject to an internationally recognised territorial dispute with Pakistan”.