ISLAMABAD, MAR 22 /DNA/ – Both New Delhi and Islamabad were at a point in their relations where surviving in isolation was not an option and engagement was essential, however, a thorough inward introspection was direly needed for the two countries to progress beyond their deep-rooted animosity, agreed a panel of experts addressing a roundtable discussion titled Track Two Diplomacy: Viability between India and Pakistan. The roundtable discussion was organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).

Dr Arshi Saleem Hashmi, Head of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Department at National Defense University (NDU) Islamabad said that both Pakistan and India required a multi-track diplomacy which prioritized initiation of goodwill on both parts rather than being solely focused on the outcomes of any potential engagement. She said that while previous leaders had tried their utmost to keep the communication networks alive and kicking through track IIs, lately the muting of all such channels was deeply concerning. The growing hyper-nationalism in addition to the irritants impeding communications were deepening a hate-based political culture across borders, she added.

Dr Farhan Hanif Siddiqui, Assistant Professor at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) was of the opinion that zero-sum strategizing had to be eliminated if India and Pakistan wished to progress their diplomatic ties in contemporary times. He said that while Kashmir was and will be a cause deeply significant for Pakistan, it was important to realize that India had already domesticated the issue and that this domestication had led every other effort towards engagement futile. Disassociation with all sorts of engagement with the non-state actors was imperative to ensure working relations with the eastern neighbor, he added.