Islamabad: A large group of intellectuals and experts in a round table organized in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Beaconhouse National University (BNU) discussed the challenges and opportunities between Pakistan and India after the general elections in both countries.
Federal Education Minister Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, former Defense and Foreign Affairs Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan, former National Security Adviser General Nasir Khan Janjua and Finance Minister Dr Salman Shah were the panel of 30 experts. The guest of honor was Sherri Rehman, former Minister of Information and Climate Change and current Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.
IRS President Amb Jauhar Saleem and Beaconhouse Center for Policy Research Director Amb Mansoor Ahmed Khan analyzed the state of Pakistan-India relations and asked an important question: What is Pakistan’s position now? India and what steps should be taken next? Speakers at the conference discussed various approaches to engagement with India that India provides, adopting a more receptive and responsible position such as formal dialogue, Initiative II or alternative channel methods. They also explored the possibility of resolving the Jammu-Kashmir dispute and other issues, developing economic ties and promoting normalization between the two countries. Some suggested developing ties with Afghanistan and developing a more strategic approach with China. Several former senior diplomats have called for help from Russia and the United States to facilitate talks between Pakistan and India.
Various speakers focused on strengthening Pakistan’s domestic socio-economic and military capabilities as well as improving governance. The participants said that a successful dialogue phase between the two countries is based on agreeing on the main areas of work, solving mutual problems such as climate and water, and building a conducive environment to support Pakistan’s position in Kashmir. Regarding water talk, it is important for both parties to respect the Indus Water Treaty.
Several participants emphasized the need for clarity on Pakistan’s long-term foreign policy goals. They emphasize the regional cooperation approach to the multifaceted challenges facing the region, such as poverty, human security and climate change.
The speakers condoned India’s unilateral actions in the disputed region of Kashmir. They also condemned India’s use of proxies in Pakistan, as well as its aggressive military posture and spending. Some roundtable participants feel that as India grows economically, seeing itself as a regional power, or even an emerging global power, with a good share of its socio-economic components has led to policy acceptance. Issues such as income inequality, oppression of minority religious groups, and widespread poverty remain unresolved.
Roundtable participants included IRS President Amb Jauhar Saleem; dr. Moed Yusuf, WC BNU; Amb Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Director of BCPR, BNU; Amb Salman Bashir, former Foreign Secretary and High Commissioner to India; Amb Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, former Foreign Secretary; Amb. Tehmina Janjua, former foreign secretary; Lt. Colonel Asad Durrani, former Director General of ISI; Amb Ashraf Jehangir Kazi, former Amb in USA, India and China; Amb Khalid Mehmood, Chairman, BoG Strategic Studies Institute (ISSI); Amb Aziz Ahmad Khan, former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India; Amb Shafqat Kakakhel, SDPI BoG Chairman and former UN Assistant Secretary General; Amb Zamir Akram, advisor, Department of Strategic Planning; Amb Abdul Basit, former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India; Mr. Qasim Niaz, Federal Trade Secretary; Amb Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Executive Director, International Center for Strategic Studies (CSID); Dr. Riffat Hussain, Professor, NUST; Amb Raza Muhammad, Presidential Policy Research Institute (IPRI); Dr. Maria Soltan, Chairman of the South Asian University Strategic Sustainability Institute (SASSI); Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Dean, Professor SPIR, QAU; Mr. Jamal Aziz, Executive Director, Research Society for International Law (RSIL); Dr. Shaheen Akhtar, HOD of IR Department, NDU; Airman Khalid Banuri, AHQ Character and Leadership Jinnah Advisory Center; Amb Syed Zulfikar Gardezi, former Deputy High Commissioner for India; Amb Babar Amin, former Deputy High Commissioner for India; and Dr Mujeeb Afzal, Associate Professor, QAU.
