ISLAMABAD, MAY 02 (DNA) – India and Pakistan held a Track-2 dialogue in Islamabad after a long gap, indicating a probable shift in views on both sides towards such an initiative, to address a wide range of issues that are causing concern despite the strained relations that exist between the two countries.

According to Indian media reports, the meeting was a revival of the Neemrana dialogue among former diplomats and military officials on both sides.

The initiative was resuscitated after an Indian delegation of former diplomats, army veterans and academics, headed by former External Affairs Secretary Vivek Katju, traveled across the border and met a group of Pakistanis led by Inam-ul-Haq, who occupied some of the highest posts while working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, until his retirement. Senior former Indian diplomats Vivek Katju and Rakesh Sood attended the meet.

Neemrana Dialogue was the first and one of the most notable Track II initiatives. It was launched at the Neemrana Fort in Rajasthan, India , in October 1991. It also resulted in the emergence of similar programs designed to normalize relations between the two bitter South Asian neighbors.

“There have been other Track II initiatives, but these were mostly funded by third parties. Neemrana had more India-Pakistan character,” said former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, T.C.A. Raghavan.