Indo-Pak Talks: So Where Were We?

After what seemed like an intractable chill, India and Pak get to the talks-table again.

- Pranay Sharma

A renewed India-Pakistan engagement, promising a thaw in bilateral relations after months of being in the deep freeze, predictably leads to a series of speculations in both countries. As usual, there are many theories trying to explain not just the hiatus but also the decision behind the resumption of the dialogue. While several reasons and developments—both domestic and reg ional—are being cited, many observers are pointing to a crucial decision taken in Pakistan this October that could have been vital in convincing India to pick up the strands and return to the talks-table.

The appointment of Naseer Khan Janjua, a retired lieutenant general of the Pakistani army, as national security advisor, seems to be that pivotal decision. Janjua, a close confidant of Pakistani army chief Gen Rah­eel Sharif, was brought in two months back to replace the mild-­mannered Sartaj Aziz, who is also the foreign affairs advisor there.

In the past, Pakistan has had several retired generals in the NSA’s post. Mah­mud Durrani, Tikka Khan and Rao Far­man Ali are a few names who come to mind. But all of them were brought in, indeed hand­picked, because they enjo­yed the confidence of the prime minister of the day. Janjua, though, was not chosen by Nawaz Sharif but, in a way, was im­ posed on him by the other Sharif, the army chief, who is fast turning out to be the most powerful and trusted man in Pakistan. He accompanied the Pakistani prime minister during his visit to the US in November and also plays a key role in Pakistan’s Afghan affairs.