BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

INDIA-PAKISTAN PEACE PROCESS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Author: Shaheen Akhtar

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2008v29n4a3

ABSTRACT

India-Pakistan composite dialogue process resumed in 2004 has been slowed down in last couple of years due to asymmetry of perceptions and expectations in Pakistan and India over the issue of Kashmir and terrorism respectively. The joint statement of 6 January 2004 that set the broad parameters of the peace process had tried to draw a delicate balance between India’s concern on “terrorism” and Pakistan’s apprehension regarding the resolution of the “Kashmir” issue. It had also introduced the principle of simultaneity, implying parallel progress on all issues taken up by the eight joint working groups originally set up in 1997. These included Peace and Security, including Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Wullar Barrage/Tulbal Navigation Project, Sir Creek, Terrorism and Drug, Trafficking, Economic and Commercial Cooperation and ‘Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields. In the last four years, the normalization process has moved forward, but conftict resolution process has not showed much concrete progress. There has not been any breakthrough on even lesser contentious issues. There is an urgent need that India and Pakistan should take concrete steps to build on convergences to resolve the Kashmir dispute and address the question of terrorism in their bilateral relations.