TRACK 2 DIPLOMACY

(INDIA PAK CONFLICT)

There has been a fundamental change in the way interstate relations are being
conducted in modern times. The nature and working of diplomacy between and
among states has undergone some significant changes over the last two decades.
Traditionally, diplomacy was only managed by professionally trained elite groups
of diplomatic functionaries operating at state to state level through official means,
which would usually range from official and non-coercive measures such as good
offices, facilitation, mediation and peace keeping to more coercive measures like
power-mediation, sanctions, peace-enforcement and arbitration.However, in the
contemporary world, management of interstate and international relations has
expanded to include a number of new forms of diplomacy in which multilateral
and non-state agencies, groups, think-tanks and private institutions have come to
play a very important role in relations among states and global society at large.
This is generally known as non-official diplomacy. Track Two diplomacy (also
written as track-two diplomacy, Track II diplomacy, and second track diplomacy)
is part of this non-official diplomacy.
Track Two diplomacy pertains to policy oriented discussions that are non-
governmental, informal and un-official in nature, but which are quite close to
governmental agendas and often involve participation of the people who are close
to governmental quarters and influential in policy matters, such as retired
diplomats, retired civil and military officials, public figures, and policy analysts.
On occasions it may also involve the participation of government officials in their
private capacities.
The concept and practice of ‘Track Two’ diplomacy as a conflict resolution and
conflict prevention approach originally emerged during the Cold War between the
USA and the Soviet Union. Since then, it has been used as an important tool to
advance the dialogue process among parties in dispute in many conflict zones
across the globe, for example Israel-Palestine, Northern Ireland—Great Britain,
India-Pakistan, and so on. The Track Two process is a more comprehensive and
broader approach, encompassing a variety of non-official dialogues between
members of adversary groups or nations which aim to develop strategies, influence
public opinion and organise human and material resources in ways that might help
to resolve conflict. The exponents of Track-Two diplomacy value the
psychological and cultural awareness associated with the Track-Two dialogues in
addressing the human aspects that are appropriate in a workshop setting and in
similar activities, but which tend to create difficulties in official processes. The
agenda of Track-Two work is fluid and responsive to the psychological and
systemic barriers to conflict resolution, thus overcoming them. Moreover, Track
Two proponents are of the view that such unofficial initiatives broaden the range of
participation in the dialogue process among the antagonist groups, allowing
consultation with parties that need to be represented but are not officially involved.
In fact, it is now quite widely recognised by Track One diplomats that it is unlikely
that modern day conflicts can be resolved without the cooperation of Track Two
diplomacy, as it helps in easing the various barriers between adversarial groups.
Given its focus on both fostering relationships and on strengthening civil society,
Track Two is especially useful with regards to India and Pakistan. India-Pakistan
relations have been intricate and strained following independence from British
colonial rule in 1947. It is a well-established fact that over the last six decades both
nations have remained at logger-heads with each other, primarily because of the
political dispensation of the Jammu and Kashmir problem. The two countries have
always used their substantial resources to outwit each other, economically,
diplomatically and militarily. Three full-fledged wars in 1947, 1965, and in 1971,
the first two explicitly over the Jammu and Kashmir issues, were fought between
the two countries. In addition, there have been a number of serious but localised
military confrontations, for example, Operation Meghdoot (1984), Operation
Brasstracks (1986), and a small-scale war at Kargil (1999). During the rest of the
time, the relationship can be at best characterized as a state of Cold War or Cold
Peace. The relationship between the two states came to its lowest point in 1989-90
with the eruption of militancy in Kashmir. It was believed in India that Pakistan
had a direct role in supporting cross-border militancy first in Punjab and then in
Kashmir, creating a dangerous and explosive situation in the region.
Simultaneously, the two nations sought nuclear parity. It was subsequently late in
1998 that both India and Pakistan exploded nuclear devices; on 11 and 13 May at
Pokhran and 28 and 30 May at Chagi in 1998, respectively.
The failure to achieve substantial progress on issues confronting the two countries
made a strong case for unconventional diplomacy, particularly in post-1990
situation when violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir became a medium of
asserting political will. Prevailing tensions between the two nuclear states became
a genuine cause of alarm to the international community and for citizens of the two
states, each with much to lose in an escalated conflict. It was in this context that
the Track Two initiatives began to be mobilized and used to influence the relations
between India and Pakistan in a positive direction.
The first prominent Track Two initiative between India and Pakistan was the
Neemarana dialogue that took place under the auspices of the United States
Information Services (USIS) in 1990 and was later joined by American
foundations and German nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Its first meeting
was held in Neemrana Fort in Rajasthan, India in October 1991. The group was
comprised of former diplomats, former military personnel, media persons, NGO
workers and academics from India and Pakistan. Since then, there has been a
significant increase in the number of Track Two initiatives between India and
Pakistan. Of late, some new such initiatives have started, such as the Chaophraya
Dialogue, the WISCOMP annual workshop, the Pugwash Conferences, Ottawa
Dialogue, and so on. There exist more than twelve highly institutionalised Track
Two groups, as well as over twenty other people-to-people exchange programmes
operating between the two nuclear power, with both external and internal funding.
However, given its western origin there have been varied views and opinions vis-à-
vis the role and relevance of Track Two diplomacy in the South Asian Context.
Critics generally argue that the various non-official dialogues-particularly Track
Two initiatives-have largely remained confined to the quasi-official realm with a
few retired government officials, both civil and military, dominating most of the
activities. The situation becomes further complicated as most of these people have
represented their governments at some point in time, and thus they tend to adopt
positions very similar to those of their governments once the core issues come to
the fore.Furthermore, given the prolonged hostile atmosphere between India and
Pakistan, questions and queries over the role and relevance of Track Two dialogues
have intensified. The ‘track two’ activists, however, hold the view that it is a useful
and effective conflict management mechanism. For instance, it has led to increased
understanding and a prevention in escalation of tensions. Moreover, it may help
resolve on-going disputes by preventing the emergence of new disputes, as well as
build confidence between the parties involved. A general consensus has evolved
among many scholars and peace practitioners that the Track Two diplomacy
between India and Pakistan has been able to:
 Facilitate the track one dialogue process between the two countries
 Keep the channels of communication open even during the times of crises at
the official level
 Effectively break down the stereotypical and enemy images of each other
 Expand the peace constituencies across the border
Just a few years back, it was taboo in both India and Pakistan to discuss peace and
reconciliation with each other. Contrary to that, the situation has significantly
changed. Government as well as civilians on both sides of the border have
recognised the pros and cons of peace and conflict. There is a very strong
realisation among civil society groups operating on either side of the border that
the costs involved in maintaining animosity against each other are much higher
than any gains from the current hostile situation. At a time when the relations
between India and Pakistan have lurched from crisis to crisis, Track Two has been
able to sustain an element of unbroken engagement. For example, immediately
after the Kargil crises in late 90’s, when the interactions at the official level
completely ceased to exist, several dialogue processes through Track Two and
other unofficial means were in progress to prevent exacerbation of the situation.
Similarly, after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, despite complete suspension of
official diplomatic relations, many Track Two initiatives were pursued by the two
governments to ease tensions and resume a state of normalcy.

Conclusion
Despite some of the limitations and constrains within which Track Two diplomacy
operates, it has been an important medium to explore new policy options between
India and Pakistan. It has acted as a platform upon which to have discussions about
many contentious issues such as Kashmir’s political dispensation, demilitarization
of the Siachen glacier, and cross border terrorism. It has been helpful in bringing
down the psychological barriers, bridging the cultural differences, promoting
mutual trade and developing an atmosphere conducive to the betterment of the
region. Furthermore, the bilateral Track Two dialogue processes have also played a
pivotal role in bringing key issues to the forefront and applying intellectual
capacity and civil activism to broad policy stalemates where the state has
essentially failed. While non-official diplomacy should not be a panacea for the
mistrust amassed over decades of hostility, it provides a unique opportunity for the
citizens of India and Pakistan to prevent the bitterness of the past from tainting the
future. The future role of Track Two in South Asia may be minimal without a
concurrent improvement in relations at the official level, as a sustained multi-
faceted dialogue will help build confidence and prove constructive for both sides’
perceptions of one another. This in effect will ease domestic tensions and hostility
and pave the way for enlightened political action.

-AKSHAT JETHLIYA
R.NO-290