Former ISI & RAW chiefs meet to discuss Kashmir, Cricket and Cooperation.
Suddaf Chaudry
10 October 2017
Former chiefs of intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan graced the stage at London School of Economics to discuss their respective offices openly away from their confines of their covert past. The audience received Amarjit Singh Dulat Former Chief of Research and Analysis Wing and General (r) Ehsan ul Haq Former Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence with rapturous applauds.
Indo-Pak intelligence officials met to discuss a ‘Can intelligence agencies do Good’. A loaded question for these bellicose neighbours, who have a chequered past with a unique international standing. The theme was mislaid during proceedings as Kashmir and terrorism in the region became the dominant issues of the evening.
Ehsan emphasised the need to reintroduce the stalled dialogue between the two countries, he pointed out that since the death of Burhan Wani which was followed with a mass uprising in Jammu & Kashmir situation requires increased discussion. He described the atrocities committed by security forces in J&K as “singular ruthlessness” he further stated that the uprising was encouraged by apathy and Modi’s arrival to power. There was significant focus on the emotional intensity of the crisis the current status quo on the conflict has offered no solutions which have shifted to a new generation.
Amarjit Singh Dulat responded to Ehsan and the audience with a little light humour “I didn’t know what the subject was, but my favourite subject is Kashmir”. He presented Pakistan position as detached “Last 15 months Kashmir was never mentioned in Pakistan”.
Dulat agreed with the sentiment of increased dialogue he said “India had committed mistakes he continued “still not talking to people, high time we started to talking to people…., we need to deal with Kashmir in a more civilised manner”.
From a Pakistani viewpoint the onus is solely on New Delhi for the increased tensions in Kashmir. Dulat agreed with this opinion “I agree with Ehsan Saab Kashmir must be discussed between Srinagar and New Delhi”.
Dulat stated that the solutions to many of the issues on the subcontinent could be resolved with a little ‘imagination’ and ‘dialogue’ a tall order for intelligence agencies who are known to be uncooperative. The former RAW agent exacted the limitations of cooperation by identifying that “interactions between ISI and RAW had produced more than desired results”.
Ehsan entered the intelligence milieu in 2001 in a reshuffle by President Musharraf in the heightened time of 9/11, his posting lasted three years. Dulat reminded Ehsan of the time Musharraf’s life was in danger and the quick footing of a RAW agent thwarted an assassination attempt on the President. Dulat described the events with this statement “ Your friend also tipped you with intelligence which may have saved Gen Musharraf’s life. And I think that is something that even Gen Musharraf in a way acknowledges. So I don’t think we need to deny that. It is a feather in your cap, Sir, and a feather in your friend’s cap.”
Ehsan’s response to Dulat was of laughter.
The threat of terrorism remains a dominant challenge in Pakistan a recent attempt by the military to mainstream the militant networks provided debate on the challenges ahead for the Indian neighbour. Ehsan agreed there were significant challenges ahead “these entities which have been involved in extremist and militant activities”. A consensus is needed on this but such attempts, he said, “should be music to India’s ears” A comparison with Ireland’s attempt on tackling terrorism by General Ehsan was used to clarify his approach on implementing an effective de-escalation strategy.
The limits of intelligence agencies were not addressed with in-depth analysis besides sweeping inconsistencies on both sides by Ehsan and Dulat. Dulat emphasised the continuation of the “communication gap as the main reason behind the strained relations, making a comparison that even during the Cold War KGB and CIA “never stopped talking”.
Broadcaster Aamir Ghauri spoke about geopolitics and rising tide of the international order being run dictatorially. Ghauri pointed out that “We live in a post 9/11 world with different rules of engagement and estrangement, and the new hardline approach is ‘you are either with us or against us”. Other participants were Roy Chaudry a Senior fellow for South Asia who addressed the international connectivity of ISI “RAW is an influential organisation but does not have the power that ISI has”.
India and Pakistan both face challenges on the democratic front with regional tensions escalating. However, the level of politeness from both agents was overwhelming consequently leading to sheepish dialogue. The anticipation of heightened debate on entrenched rivalries is something the audience yearned for, but unfortunately, the spooks did not deliver.
As most discussions on the Indian subcontinent conclude with cricket, this evening was no different. The question of when would the two rivals be playing again; both spooks agreed it should be soon. A naive statement in the present discourse. Can these neighbours be saved by cricket diplomacy, as it stands one side cannot agree to lose to the other.
Suddaf Chaudry is a freelance journalist. This piece was written as an exclusive for the Forum.