Parliamentary panel seeks engagement with Pak

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 7

The Standing Committee on External Affairs has sought an incremental approach towards revival of dialogue with Pakistan in its report submitted last week to Parliament, while acknowledging the Pakistan army’s hostility as big obstacle to peace.

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Headed by Shashi Tharoor, the committee report says, “The committee were of the considered opinion that peace process should not be held hostage to the acts of terrorism and both the countries must keep the channels of communication open, even during the worst of crises and not let non-state actors and their state sponsors derail or dictate the foreign policy objectives of sovereign nations. They further believed that the engagement between neighbours cannot be stopped indefinitely.”

It further adds, “The committee would recommend an incremental approach to such a resumption of the dialogue process by starting with less contentious issues.”

The government in its response stated that it is committed to resolving “all outstanding issues bilaterally through peaceful means in accordance with Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration” but added this can only be achieved in “environment free from terror, hostility and violence”.

Underlining that there can be no compromise on cross-border terrorism, the ministry in its reply has said, “The government has maintained the channels of communications open with Pakistan, including through respective diplomatic missions, and regular contacts between the border guarding forces on both sides.”

Interestingly, the two National Security Advisers met one on one in Bangkok last December soon after Kulbhushan Jadhav’s controversial meeting with his family. As per sources, despite no structured dialogue in sight, the NSAs have remained in touch interacting in Paris, Dubai and Moscow too since their first delegation level talks in Thailand in 2015. 

The committee has called regrettable the lack of a National Security Framework so far outlining a broad doctrine, response mechanism and Standard Operating Procedures on all possible aspects of national security concerns. It seeks establishing a joint coordination mechanism of Army, Navy and Air Force and security forces guarding borders. It advocates pursuing a pro-active and assertive position on India’s rightful claims to PoK. 

“In view of the fact that India is currently occupying strategic heights and advantage at Siachen, it was Pakistan’s agenda to push for demilitarisation of the glacier. Moreover, the committee observed that the present cooperation between China and Pakistan has assumed worrying proportions,” says the report.

The committee flagged the China-Pak axis on contentious issues. “The committee would also desire the Government of India to continue making concerted efforts through diplomatic outreach to sensitise China about the manner in which CPEC and non-listing of Masood Azhar in UN Sanction List impinges on our sovereignty and security interests,” says the report.

It also raises serious concerns about physical safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear technology and infrastructure.