NEW DELHI, Aug 14: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified to Parliament that individuals engaging in Track-2 dialogues with Pakistan do so in a private capacity, and their perspectives do not represent the official stance of the Government of India. This clarification came in response to an unstarred question posed by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Parliament that engagements between think tanks and academicians from India and Pakistan fall outside the purview of the Government of India. He stated, “Individuals participate in Track-2 dialogues in their private capacity, and their views do not reflect the views of the Government of India.”
The minister further elaborated on the existing diplomatic channels and functional engagements maintained between India and Pakistan. These include the continuation of their respective diplomatic missions in each other’s capitals, DGMO-level talks, mutual exchange of pre-notification for ballistic missile flight tests, and the exchange of lists pertaining to nuclear installations and prisoners in each other’s custody. These established channels underscore a level of operational engagement despite broader diplomatic complexities.
Regarding the critical Indus Waters Treaty, the MEA stated that India has placed the treaty in abeyance following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The government’s position, as conveyed by the minister, is unequivocal: “The Treaty will continue to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” This linkage directly ties the restoration of the treaty’s operational status to demonstrable actions by Pakistan in curbing cross-border militancy.
The parliamentary query had specifically sought information on the status of any official channels of engagement with Pakistan, beyond the DGMO-level hotline established subsequent to the ceasefire understanding in May 2025. It also probed the government’s position on Track-2 dialogues and the current status of the Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the multifaceted nature of India’s engagement strategy with its neighbour.
The government’s response aims to draw a clear distinction between official diplomatic interactions and private initiatives, emphasizing that while dialogue in various forms may continue, policy decisions and official viewpoints remain firmly within the domain of the Indian government. The reiteration of the condition for the Indus Waters Treaty’s resumption underscores New Delhi’s consistent stance on the issue of cross-border militancy and its impact on bilateral relations.
The ongoing discourse around Track-2 diplomacy and the status of key bilateral agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty highlights the intricate and often sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations. The MEA’s statement serves to manage public perception and maintain clarity on the government’s official policy framework amidst various levels of interaction.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
