Doval-Bajwa a good combination to oversee back-channel dialogue, says former special envoy to PM

[arjunk]

but it's not protocol, bilateral meetings are generally between 2 side of the exact rank.

COAS of India holds less power than COAS of Pakistan. Bajwa and Doval are the "real" leaders of each country behind the scenes.

 

[pakpride00090]

Kashmir forgotten I guess....

 

[magra]

but it's not protocol, bilateral meetings are generally between 2 side of the exact rank.

protocol is for official meetings, not for back-channel talks.

COAS of India holds less power than COAS of Pakistan. Bajwa and Doval are the "real" leaders of each country behind the scenes.

Real leader of India is Modi. Doval is his most trusted aide outside the govt.

 

[-=virus=-]

COAS of India holds less power than COAS of Pakistan. Bajwa and Doval are the "real" leaders of each country behind the scenes.

Bajwa and Modi you mean, Doval acting as his special envoy. Our Army doesn't do diplomacy or politics.

Kashmir forgotten I guess....

What has either side accomplished in all these decades coveting the other's slice of Kashmir ?

I'd be over the moon happy for everyone in the region if the LOC is accepted as an IB but unfortunately most Pakistanis, at least the ones here vehemently oppose any such solution. Not many politicians here would publicly dare speak, the opposition would have come at them all guns blazing. There is, however, a window now open on India's side to get it done because there is no real opposition to Modi, all that remains of the once mighty congress lies in a heap of rubbish.

 

[VkdIndian]

COAS of India holds less power than COAS of Pakistan. Bajwa and Doval are the "real" leaders of each country behind the scenes.

COAS in India holds the powers that a COAS should hold. Nothing more.

However in Pakistan due to repeated military rule, establishment has gained a larger than life role in everything.

Gen Bajwa has played that role when he went on a fire fighting mission and assuage feelings to China regarding CPEC and Saudi for something similar. Unofficially he is bigger than most of the federal ministers.

These roles are never handled by Defence forces in India.

Doval is a Cabinet rank office bearer in the Modi Govt. He knows the power wielded by Gen Bajwa. I am sure he would like to deal with someone capable of delivering results.

 

[magra]

What has either side accomplished in all these decades coveting the other's slice of Kashmir ?

I'd be over the moon happy for everyone in the region if the LOC is accepted as an IB but unfortunately most Pakistanis, at least the ones here vehemently oppose any such solution. Not many politicians here would publicly dare speak, the opposition would have come at them all guns blazing. There is, however, a window now open on India's side to get it done because there is no real opposition to Modi, all that remains of the once mighty congress lies in a heap of rubbish.

If I try to understand a common Pakistani perspective on Kashmir, here it is.

Pakistan was created out of British India as a muslim majority area. Pakistanis feel that all muslim majority areas of British India should belong to Pakistan by that principle (at least the ones which share boundary with Pakistan). If they agree on such a muslim area to remain with India, then the entire basis of formation and continuation of Pakistan as a separate identity from India is questioned.

Thus, accepting the status quo (LOC to IB) is a form of acceptance of defeat for Pakistan. It will hurt their pride. They would much rather want to die than accept the defeat. Although they know that they will never win, they still want to keep the hope alive of win one day.

Understanding this, I feel no Pakistani leader can ever afford to accept LOC as IB without some other concessions from India. If Pakistan ever becomes so weak that they are forced to accept LOC as IB, it will only lead to a temporary peace. As soon as it gets some power, it will work to renege that agreement. It is similar to how Germany was forced to accept Versalles treaty after WW1, but broke that treaty within 20 years after gaining power.

Thus, from Indian side, there are only 2 long term solutions.
1. Give up atleast the Kashmir valley to be independent or merger with Pak Kashmir. This is not acceptable to Indians, so it is unlikely.
2. Change Kashmir's demographic to make it non-Muslim majority over time, so that Pakistan loses all hope and accepts fait-accompli. I think this will happen eventually but will take several decades, as India will not want to use violence or force to achieve this change. However, this process will lead to a lot of violence as any such change will be vehemently opposed by Pakistan sponsored groups in Kashmir.

 

[Robbie]

COAS of India holds less power than COAS of Pakistan. Bajwa and Doval are the "real" leaders of each country behind the scenes.

Doval is not. Modi and Shah are the only 'real' leaders of India. Doval is their appointee to head the intelligence apparatus. So as such he clearly has their confidence and can, in a sense, speak on their behalf but he himself is no power.