New Delhi
16 July 2009
Former Indian diplomats have responded with a mix of alarm and hope to the
India -- Pakistan joint statement.
Kanwal Sibal, a former foreign secretary, and Satish Chandra, a former Indian high
commissioner to Islamabad, were disappointed by the delinking of action on terrorism
from the Composite Dialogue process, the reference to Balochistan, and equating
Pakistan as a victim of terrorism. MK Bhadrakumar, who has served in Islamabad, took a
nuanced view, suggesting that the joint statement optimally achieved what was possible
under the prevailing circumstances.
Sibal thought the outcome of the talks indicated a negation of India's position. "[It] makes
major concessions on the assumption that Pakistan would act despite the fact that in
actuality, post-26/11, Pakistan has given no cause for us to believe that it is serious," he
said. He felt the inclusion of Balochistan in the text gave validity to Pakistani
accusations (of India's alleged involvement in the Pakistani province) and he feared
Islamabad would use it to counter New Delhi's demands on terrorism.
Chandra felt the text was a "sell-out" to Pakistan and that New Delhi had crossed the
Lakshman Rekha (dividing line) in appeasement of Islamabad. He suspected United
States pressure on India to be soft on Pakistan.
"It (joint statement) is unfortunate, a tragedy, and a complete contradiction of our
position. Reneging on that position sends a wrong signal," he said. "Prime Minister has
gone beyond the goal-post on the other side," he added, referring Prime Minister Singh's
recent statement that he would meet the Pakistani leaders more than half-way if they
responded satisfactorily.
Both Sibal and Chandra unequivocally criticised the indirect acceptance that India and
Pakistan were victims of terrorism, without distinguishing the source of terrorism
directed at both countries.
For his part, Bhadrakumar maintained that the joint statement "creatively attempted" to
address outstanding concerns by giving diplomacy full play. "Coercive diplomacy is out
of the question" and to that extent, the talks achieved some of India's objectives, he
said.
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