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- By Vaidika Thapa
- Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Four rounds of India-Pakistan Track-II talks held.
- Talks focused on crisis management, terrorism, and water issues.
- India maintains that informal talks are not substitute for official dialogue.
Jagran Bureau, New Delhi: Since Operation Sindoor, official-level dialogue between India and Pakistan has remained completely suspended. Despite the diplomatic freeze, communication has not ceased entirely. Behind the scenes, informal Track II diplomacy has continued, providing a platform for non-official engagement between both sides.
Four Rounds Of Talks Held
According to Jagran.com report, at least four rounds of unofficial talks involving former diplomats, retired military officers, strategic experts, and political representatives from both countries have taken place over the past year. The most recent round concluded just a few days ago in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Prior to this, contact between the two countries was also established through an informal channel in Doha, Qatar in February 2026 and in Thailand in December 2025.
What Was In Focus?
The main focus of the talks were strengthening crisis management mechanisms, handling situations involving potential future tensions, discussing terrorism and water-related issues and maintaining communication channels during emergencies. According to diplomatic sources, the participation of individuals directly or indirectly linked to the government was limited or negligible in the first two rounds.
These discussions have been largely limited to former officials and non-governmental experts. However, the recent rounds, particularly those held in Doha and Colombo included at least two participants who are currently serving in advisory or consultant-level roles within government institutions. Former diplomats, retired military officers and political figures from both India and Pakistan have played a key role in these Track II engagements.
Track-II Talks Not A Substitute For Official Dialogue
Additionally, diplomatic sources have clearly stated that these Track-2 talks do not in any way imply that there is now a scope for official-level dialogue between the two countries. The key objective of these informal channels is to maintain a line of communication between the two countries, even in the absence of official contact. Furthermore, India has maintained that no meaningful dialogue is possible as long as cross-border terrorism continues.
The back channel provides a means for both sides to communicate with each other in any emergency situation. It is also believed that, based on these discussions, reports are being prepared and shared with their respective governments by both sides. Rapid changes in the global landscape following “Operation Sindoor” have also emerged as a key factor behind the re-establishment of contact channels between New Delhi and Islamabad.
While India is leaving no stone unturned in cornering Pakistan over the issue of terrorism, Indian policymakers have taken note of the improving relations between Pakistan and the US. In such a scenario, maintaining backchannel communication between the two countries is considered strategically beneficial. However, it remains clear that Track II dialogues are neither a substitute for official talks nor can they replace them.
It must be noted that the tradition of Track II dialogue between India and Pakistan is not new, but a clear shift in its focus has been observed after Operation Sindoor, a targeted and calibrated military campaign launched by the Indian Armed Forces in May 2025 in response to a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.