Chapter 5: PEACE PROCESS AND SOCIETAL INITIATIVES

Peace Process and Societal Initiatives

South Asia has seen societal initiatives to promote peace between adversarial countries like India and Pakistan.
These initiatives involve academics, former government officials, grass-root workers, technical experts, media, trade, and industry, aiming to promote people-to-people contacts.
The role of society has been marginal but consistent in paving the way for non-conflictual relationships between Pakistan and India.
Civil society's development in India and Pakistan is still in its early stages compared to Western countries, but its role is significant.

Civil Society

Civil society is defined as a set of institutions through which society organizes and represents itself autonomously from the state.
The concept originated in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, distinguishing a sphere of free association rather than fixed legal hierarchies.
The development of civil society is now seen as a significant criterion for democracy.
Democracy requires the consolidation of social relations, including an educated middle class and civil institutions.
In developing countries, civil society's emergence is linked to democratic change, while in the West, its strength is a measure of democratic stability.
Traditional institutions like trade unions and parties have weakened, with media becoming a powerful actor in civil society.

Track Two Diplomacy

Indo-Pakistan normalization efforts can be discussed under track two diplomacy, defined as unofficial dialogue among non-official representatives.
These non-official groups consist of influential persons with government access or the ability to influence public opinion.
Sundeep Waslekar defines track-two diplomacy as "a process of unofficial dialogues between disputing polities conducted, directly or with the help of a third party, by influential citizens who normally have access to their government and/or an ability to influence the public opinion."
The goal is to prevent or resolve conflicts or build confidence between the polities they represent.

Civil Society Initiatives

In the mid-1980s, O.P. Shah organized "Parlance" talks, bringing K.R. Malkani (a Hindu hardliner from BJP) to Pakistan for interaction.
On April 25, 1990, "Academics for Peace in South Asia" passed a resolution in New Delhi emphasizing conciliation over confrontation and the unity of South Asian people.
The resolution stated that the real problems of the people of South Asia cannot be solved by war.
They requested political leaders of India and Pakistan to ensure no future wars.
In mid-May 1990, fifty eminent Pakistanis appealed to India and Pakistan to refrain from seeking a military solution to the Kashmir issue, asserting that wars have not resolved it in the past.
In May 1990, a self-sponsored Pakistani delegation visited India and addressed a public meeting.
In June 1990, a joint statement by fifty-four eminent Pakistanis and Indians was released from Lahore and New Delhi, urging peaceful resolutions, withdrawal of strike forces, and revival of dialogue on Siachin, narcotics, and arms.
The statement was signed by former Governors, Judges, Foreign Secretaries and other prominent figures from both countries.
On September 9, 1991, a seminar in Lahore called for a new regional order for SAARC countries through political and economic cooperation, linking security to democracy, peace, and development.
Bhabani Sen Gupta noted that political parties thrive on conflict due to a lack of programs for societal upliftment and that war is unlikely due to the loss of patrons.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) organized the SAARC opposition leaders' seminar in Karachi on September 8, 1992.
Benazir Bhutto advocated for overcoming the past and focusing on common enemies like hunger, unemployment, and illiteracy.
The joint declaration emphasized the need to tackle human rights and environmental pollution jointly.
On January 30, 1993, Pakistani journalists, intellectuals, and politicians urged improved ties after the destruction of the Babri Mosque, stating:
"The forces of fascism were getting stronger in the subcontinent and had been trying to undermine democratic institutions in both countries by exploiting religion and preaching a narrow, anti-humanist version of nationalism…… it is truly in the interest of India and Pakistan to work for a peaceful solution of all outstanding disputes between them so as to pave the way for peace and tranquility in the region that could benefit the subcontinent and mankind."

Categories of Track-Two Diplomacy

Track-two diplomacy can be categorized into:
- Indigenous efforts of intellectuals.
- Efforts of intellectuals under the patronage of external elements.

Indigenous Efforts of Intellectuals

Attempts made by local intellectuals, diplomats, and scholars.

Shanghai Initiative Round

Held in February 1994 in Shanghai, China, with participants from Pakistan, India, China, and the U.S. in their personal capacities.
The second seminar was held in Goa, India, in February 1995, with Pakistani officials participating in their personal capacity.
Shanghai Initiative Round III was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on February 22-25, 1997.
The subject of discussion was the nuclear weapon issue and its global and regional linkages.
Participants displayed a common concern about any future nuclear catastrophe and agreed on promoting peace and stability.

The Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy

Formed on December 7, 1994, in Lahore, with I.A. Rehman and Nirmal Kumar Mukherjee as co-chairmen.
The objective was to initiate a people-to-people dialogue on critical issues of peace and democracy.
On February 24, 1995, about 200 Pakistanis and Indians met to discuss contentious issues, forming groups on war, Jammu and Kashmir, religious intolerance, and governance.
The second convention reiterated commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, demilitarization, democratization, and resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The third convention in Calcutta, India, ended with participants holding hands and singing, "we shall live in peace".
The Calcutta Declaration demanded a solemn pledge to devote the second half of the century for peace, democracy, justice, tolerance and equal opportunities.
It urged the two states to sign a comprehensive treaty providing for internationally recognized mechanisms of mutual negotiation, mediation and arbitration for conflict resolution that could guarantee durable peace.
The fourth convention in Peshawar focused on the Kashmir dispute and demilitarization.
A resolution was adopted which stated that: "Resolution of these issues cannot be delayed indefinitely and the convention demands that the governments of the two countries make much more serious, transparent and urgent attempts to put an end to the relations of mistrust between the two nations within a short time period".
The Fifth Joint Convention in Bangalore renewed the pledge to work for peace despite hostile circumstances.
The Bangalore Declaration demanded an immediate resumption of dialogue, horizontal and vertical de-nuclearization and a comprehensive no-war pact, effective steps towards internal demilitarization until a complete roll back of nuclear weapons and delivery programmes of both countries, a no-first use agreement, consent to the CTBT, rejoining the . discussions on the FMCT and move towards the declaration of South Asia as a nuclear free zone".
The Declaration further called upon governments of India and Pakistan to order cessation of all hostilities along the Line of Control by all forces directly or indirectly under their control.
It also "called upon the various militant organizations of Jammu and Kashmir to eschew violence. It appealed to the Government of India for release of all political detainees so that the peoples of all sections of Jammu and Kashmir can decide their future in a democratic manner."
A separate resolution on Kashmir was adopted in its plenary session.
Alarmed by the 'limited war' in Kargil area of the Jammu and Kashmir during the summer 1999 by the nuclear weapons states of India and Pakistan, the resolution talks among all concerned and stressed for inclusion of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in its resolution.

Association of People of Asia (APA)

A three-day Indo-Pak Amity Meet was organized by the Association of People of Asia in Delhi.
The joint declaration demanded demilitarization of Indo-Pak borders, reduction in arms purchases, and a halt in the nuclear arms race.
It emphasized the growth of informal public opinion and active participation of people for resolving disputes and asked the governments of India and Pakistan for exchanges of people by gradually relaxing visa restrictions and removal of restrictions on the free flow of information, ideas, books, newspapers, literature and films".

Pen for Peace Conference 2000

Held in Karachi, it was an initiative of Pakistani writers, poets, artists, journalists, and academics to promote peace and harmony.
The conference rejected the 'war option' in settling the disputes between India and Pakistan and urged the rulers of the two countries to put a stop to macho politics and take a rational view of the situation.
The Declaration demanded that:"The governments of Pakistan and India must eschew their mutual antipathy, give up the unrewarding 'war focused' policies that they have been pursuing for the last half a century and give the alternate peace focused' policy a chance and adopt the total of peaceful negotiation for resolving their mutual disputes including the Kashmir dispute all restriction on the exchange and import/export of books, newspapers, periodicals and magazines between Pakistan and India should be lifted".

Efforts of Think-Tanks Under the Sponsorship of External Elements

Initiatives and projects involving Pakistanis and Indians with foreign sponsors, such as American and German institutions.
They played a catalytic role in facilitating peace making exercise in South Asia.

The Illinois University's Programme in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security (ACDIS)

One of the earliest peace efforts, starting projects in 1978.
South Asian scholars, journalists, and strategists interacted with American and regional colleagues.
Scholars from Pakistan and India produced joint projects regarding the Pakistan-India conflict, providing guidelines and alternative options for policy makers.

USIS Contribution

Impressive contributions in track-two diplomacy:
- International Visitor Programme: enabled visitors from South Asia to visit research centers and public interest groups involved in conflict resolution.
- World-net Dialogues: hosted a series of World-net dialogues between Indian and Pakistani experts, facilitated by U.S. experts, on issues such as nuclear proliferation, regional economic cooperation, and confidence building measures.
- Traveling Seminars: arranged traveling seminars which enabled the South Asians to have direct interaction with their academic counterparts.
- Neemrana Process: invited distinguished and influential citizens from India and Pakistan to meet at Neemrana fort in the state of Rajasthan, India. The group identified four major issues for discussion; the Kashmir dispute, nuclear nonproliferation, conventional arms race and defence budgets, and economic relations. The Neemrana process was initially sponsored by the USIS but later it became independent and the funding was undertaken by an American funding foundation. Neemrana process reached a stage where both sides could agree on most issues except Kashmir. However, the process could not continue due to one reason or other.
- The Henry L. Stimson Centre Washington, D.C. has started series of monographs. Under this programme, a young Indian and a young Pakistani scholar are invited to spend a few weeks together at the Centre. This programme provides facilities to study confidence building measures.
- Regional Centre for Strategic Studies was established at Colombo (Sri Lanka) with American foundation funds and efforts of regional scholars for interaction among themselves. Another such attempt is being made by the Asiatic Society.
The motive behind the emergence of peace movement in India and Pakistan is not idealistic but realistic one.
Most of the peace activists have realistic approach towards the importance of normalization of India Pakistan relations.
They believe that both India and Pakistan are nuclear weapon states.
They possess capability of destroying larger territories at exorbitant costs of each other.
Since India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons so neither India nor Pakistan is able to win a war by defeating the other one completely.
Defense analysts of both countries are of the view that both countries should adopt no-win approach and realize that nuclear war cannot be won.
Rather, it would become devastating for the masses of both countries leaving no government either in Delhi or Islamabad.

Barriers to Peace Process between Pakistan and India

The peace process has become hostage to hawkish elements and the negative role of media.

Role of Hawks

Hawkish elements exist in Indian and Pakistani societies, including political parties, religious groups, academia, print and electronic media, military, and civil bureaucracy.
Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are hardliners in Pakistan whereas Rashtriya Swayamasevak Sangh (RSS), Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are in India.
Pakistani hawkish elements consider India's quest for preeminence in South Asia as a barrier in normal relationship between Pakistan and India.
Whereas Indian hawks allege that Pakistan is interfering in its internal affairs so it should be punished severely.
Hardliners of both countries have been against the track two efforts initiated by different organizations in India and Pakistan.
Commenting on the Delhi Convention on 24-25 February 1995, organized by Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid Turabi, said "there should be no official or non-official talks with India till she recognizes the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people and stop terrorist activities".
Normalisation of Pakistan-India relations has been hostage to "the enemy image" about both parties.
Strong vested interest groups on both sides have not only kept the "enemy images" alive rather they have made it a matter of state policy.
The so-called custodians of national interest on both sides have termed all Hindus and Muslims as evil.
Senior Vice-President Pakistan Muslim League Muhammad Ijaz ul Haq, a renowned hawk, told the newsmen that "Pakistanis were receiving Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, with patience by keeping their passions aside. However, Mr. Vajpayee would have to make an unending explanation for an massacre of innocent Kashmiris."

Role of Media

Media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and building adversary images.
In both India and Pakistan, the electronic media, to some extent, is controlled by the governments whereas the print media enjoys considerable freedom.
For years the media particularly electronic media and vernacular press have been contributing in increasing the intensity of antagonistic sentiments in both countries.
The role of the Indian media has been against Pakistan and especially Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI.
The message against ISI has been reinforced through movies.
Hindi movies such as "Fiza" and "Mission Kashmir" have carried forward the theme established in earlier films such as "Pukar".
Each of these movies portrays Pakistani intelligence officers as wicked and evil.
It describes the freedom struggle in Kashmir as terrorism and portrays the Indian intelligence operatives as decent and heroic.
This propaganda has badly affected the prospects of peace between Pakistan and India.
Pakistani newspaper, Pakistan Times opined that "RAW was behind the idea of Indo-Pak non-official talks".
Pakistani press also criticized the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Lahore on 20-21 February 1999.
Nawa-i-Waqt, a leading Pakistani Urdu newspaper, commented on the Indian Prime Minister's Lahore visit in its editorial in these words:"Arrival of Murderer Vajpayee: Prospects for Peace. Murderer of Indian and Kashmiri Muslims, and responsible for demolition of Babri Mosque, is arriving at Lahore today according to already decided schedule. Here, he will negotiate with the Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif".
The role of media in Pakistan and India has been hostile towards peace efforts launched at state and society non-level.
Therefore, the first thing what India and Pakistan should do, is to reaffirm the commitments which Pundit Nehru and Liaqat Ali Khan made.
The 1949 Nehru-Liaqat Pact was triggered mainly because of the communal riots in Bengal, but it had bigger objectives before it. An important section of the pact was that 'neither country would carry out hostile and antagonistic propaganda against the other'.
Therefore, India and Pakistan should reaffirm that commitment in the context of the entire gamut of relationship between themselves and for any kind of lasting peace between the two countries.
Despite the negative role of hawks as well as media in both countries, the utility of the track two efforts cannot be ignored.
The Track two efforts clear the ground for track one leaders to start the negotiations of a meaningful dialogue leading towards lasting peace.
Track-two efforts also help in promoting public understanding on vital international and regional issues concerning peace and security, arms control and disarmament.
These initiatives propose viable, pragmatic and politically acceptable options for consideration by the decision makers.
It is self-evident that the decision-making responsibility exclusively rests with governments or agencies directly concerned with the dispute.
However, the unpublicized second channel diplomacy can, if required, supplement the government's attempt in piecing together acceptable solutions.
The non-official negotiators possess greater maneuverability of approach because they are not supposed to follow rigid policies like government officials.
They exercise their judgements about the national interests of their respective countries.
The solutions proposed by them are ipso facto not binding on their government.
The governments have the choices of rejection, modification or acceptance of these proposals submitted to them. This flexibility is a great asset.
Like Berlin Wall and Iron Curtain, there exists a "mind-curtain" between Pakistan and India. This should be removed.
Peoples' participation should be recognized as a sine qua non for the effective relationship between the two nations.
As role of the masses increases, interaction between civil societies become crucial in relationship between nations.
Encouraged by the people's desires the leaders may be able to take political risks to compromise each other's position on the sensitive issues like the Kashmir dispute.