ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Monday said an effective dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad depended on building an enabling environment to agree on key areas of engagement, address mutual concerns such as climate and water while upholding Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.

The speakers expressed these views while participating in an event titled ‘Roundtable Discussion on Pakistan-India Relations’ organised by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in collaboration with the Beaconhouse National University (BNU).

The roundtable aimed at discussing challenges and opportunities for engagement between Pakistan and India in the wake of the recently-concluded elections in both countries.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, ex-National Security Adviser Gen Nasir Khan Janjua and former finance minister Dr Salman Shah were the keynote speakers amongst a panel of 30 experts.

Other participants included former foreign secretaries Salman Bashir, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Tehmina Janjua; former ISI director general retired Lt Gen Asad Durrani, ex-ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood and former high commissioner to India Aziz Ahmad Khan.

Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change chairperson Sherry Rehman spoke as the guest of honour.

The participants of the roundtable pondered over various approaches to interact with India provided New Delhi adopted a more receptive and responsible stance.

The options discussed included formal dialogues, track II initiatives and alternative backchannel methods.

Some former diplomats also called for seeking assistance from Russia and the US to facilitate talks between Pakistan and India.

They also explored possibilities to resolve the Kashmir dispute as well as other issues, foster economic relations and promote normalisation of ties between both nations. They emphasised on the importance of honouring the Indus Water Treaty by both countries.

The speakers, however, deplored India’s unilateral actions in held Kashmir and condemned its use of proxies against Pakistan and its aggressive military posturing and spending.

Some panelists highlighted the need for clarity on Pakistan’s long-term foreign policy objectives, stressing on a regional cooperative approach to tackle multifaceted challenges such as poverty, human security and climate change. They proposed enhancing relations with Afghanistan and promoting a more strategic approach with China.

The speakers laid emphasis on bolstering Pakistan’s internal socio-economic and military capabilities as well as improving governance.

Earlier IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem and Beaconhouse Centre for Policy Research Director Ambassador Mansoor Ahmed Khan opened the discussion by presenting an analysis on the state of Pakistan-India relations.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024