New Delhi, June 29: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday clarified that the Government of India has no role in Track 2 discussions on India-Pakistan relations involving retired diplomats, military officials or civil society members, stating that such participants attend in their personal capacities and do not represent the government’s views.
Misri’s remarks came in response to reports that retired Indian and Pakistani diplomats, military officials and politicians took part in informal Track 2 talks on the sidelines of a regional security conference held in Colombo last week.
Addressing the media during his visit to Victoria, Seychelles, the Foreign Secretary said such private discussions are held regularly across the world on a wide range of subjects and there is nothing unusual about them.
“As far as we are concerned, these are private events organised by private parties. There is nothing official about them,” Misri said.
He stressed that the Government of India neither officially participates in nor supports such engagements.
“There is no official participation, no official support or involvement in these visits,” he said, adding that he could not comment on the position of the Pakistani government.
Misri further stated that retired diplomats, former military officers or members of civil society attending such events express only their personal opinions.
“Anybody from India participating in these events speaks for themselves and represents their own point of view. They do not and cannot represent the views of the Government of India,” he said.
The Foreign Secretary also made it clear that the government does not attach significance to these Track 2 engagements.
“We really take no cognisance of these events. They do not hold much value as far as we are concerned,” Misri added.
