Track II diplomacy is an informal channel of engagement involving non-state participants such as academics, retired government officials and members of civil society. It operates alongside official government-to-government negotiations, enabling participants to explore policy options, exchange views and reduce tensions without the constraints of formal political negotiations.
The India-Pakistan dialogue was held over nearly two days in separate sessions at a hotel in Colombo. The Indian delegation included former Army Chief General M. M. Naravane, India Foundation President and former Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary Ram Madhav, and former diplomat Ruchi Ghanashyam. Pakistan was represented by Foreign Ministry Director General for South Asia and SAARC Sajjad Haider Khan, former Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman, and retired Major General Isfandiyar Ali Khan Pataudi.
According to sources, the discussions focused on cross-border terrorism, water-sharing, improving communication during periods of heightened tension and exploring mechanisms to reduce the risk of future military escalation. However, the dialogue concluded without any substantive breakthrough.
The Colombo meeting forms part of a series of informal engagements that have taken place following the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025. The confrontation occurred after India's Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur, who was in Sri Lanka during the conference, attended a dinner hosted for participants. Members of both the Indian and Pakistani delegations were also present at the gathering.
Government sources clarified that the Track II interaction should not be interpreted as an official dialogue. They reiterated New Delhi's long-standing position that there is no formal engagement with Pakistan and maintained that terrorism and dialogue cannot proceed simultaneously.
The sources also rejected suggestions that the Colombo discussions constituted a Track 1.5 initiative. Although Pakistan's delegation included a serving Foreign Ministry official, India did not send any serving government representative to the meeting, they stated.
Responding to reports of the Colombo dialogue, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the Government of India does not regard such Track II engagements as official and attaches little significance to them.
"I have seen the reports. I am aware of them," Mr. Misri said. "Dozens of these kinds of events take place in dozens of places around the world on a whole variety of subjects. So there is nothing new, nothing special about these events."
He described the meetings as "private events organised by private parties" and stressed that "there is nothing official about them as far as we are concerned."
"As far as the Government of India is concerned, there is no official participation, no official support or involvement in these visits," the Foreign Secretary said, adding that while he could not comment on the Government of Pakistan, India's position remained unequivocal.
Mr. Misri further stated that retired diplomats, former military officers and civil society representatives participating in such meetings are distinguished individuals who speak only in their personal capacities and do not represent the views of the Government of India.
Emphasising the government's assessment of such initiatives, he said, "We really take no cognisance of these events. They really don't hold much value as far as we are concerned."
The development comes weeks after senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Dattatreya Hosabale stated that India should remain open to dialogue without compromising its national security interests. General M. M. Naravane has also publicly supported the role of Track II diplomacy and broader people-to-people engagement as important channels for communication, even as official relations between New Delhi and Islamabad remain frozen.
The Colombo meeting underscores continuing unofficial efforts to maintain channels of communication between India and Pakistan despite the absence of formal diplomatic engagement. While the discussions produced no major breakthrough, they highlighted ongoing attempts by retired officials and policy experts to explore avenues for reducing tensions and preventing future military escalation amid strained bilateral relations.
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