ISLAMABAD: The Indian Government’s recent emphasis on inclusion of Bangladesh in any talk on repatriation of prisoners of war is seen here as a hardening of the Indian attitude. There has been no response from the Indian Government to the Pakistan Government’s indications of its willingness to negotiate a package deal, which could include the question of Bangladesh recognition along with questions relating to prisoners of war, withdrawal of threats of so-called ‘war crimes’ trials and some arrangement to resolve economic and financial issues between Dacca and Islamabad.
On the other hand, the Indian leaders in their recent statements on prisoners of war have made out a case for inclusion of Bangladesh in a trilateral meeting on the issue. … The Simla Accord had envisaged only bilateral talks.
In official talks with Pakistan they had never made recognition of Bangladesh a precondition for repatriation of POWs. In fact they had only talked of the desirability of associating Bangladesh with talks on the issue. Pakistan was not opposed to this position, but Bangladesh authorities have repeatedly voiced their refusal to be associated with any such talk unless Bangladesh was recognised by Pakistan formally.
Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2023