Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
3. What do you understand by Backchannel diplomacy? Present an analysis on the existence and importance of back channel diplomacy between India and Pakistan. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of Backchannel Diplomacy and its aspects with respect to India – Pak relations from past to present.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss first the concept of Backchannel diplomacy and analyse the existence and importance of back channel diplomacy between India and Pakistan.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with indications of backchannel talks taking place between India and Pakistan since 2020. Define what Backchannel diplomacy is.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
First discuss the background – India – Pakistan Bilateral relations witnessed a particularly recriminatory period following the 2019 Pulwama attack, the Balakot strikes and capture of an Indian pilot thereafter. Even prior to that, the Pathankot terror attack and the subsequent surgical operation by India had pushed the bilateral relationship to the limits. The periodic violation of the ceasefire agreement along the LoC had further strained the relationship between the two neighbours.
Explain the significance of backchannel talks.
Speak of the inevitability of backchannel diplomacy for India and Pakistan.
Highlight the challenges.
Conclusion:
There is ample scope for improvement of the bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan provided that there is no terror attack in India traceable to Pakistan.
