India-Pakistan Talks in Colombo Aim to Build Trust Through Track 2 Engagement

India-Pakistan talks in Colombo through Track 2 dialogue highlight efforts to maintain communication, build trust, and explore opportunities for regional cooperation.

Representatives from Pakistan and India met in Bangkok and Colombo for a new round of Track Two India-Pakistan talks. The main goal was to improve channels for communication during emergencies in addition to strategies to stop and control possible escalations. Both parties took notes during the sessions and had open discussions about water and terrorism-related topics. Additionally, the two parties looked into methods to incorporate ideas from the ongoing conversations into official Track One channels. Serving government representatives from both nations engage directly in Track One dialogue.

Track 2 continues even though formal talks at the government-to-government level between Pakistan and India remain suspended. Relations between the two remain strained, especially after the horrific May 2025 war that followed the Pahalgam terror attack that killed more than 20 people, mostly tourists in India’s union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

The nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged heavy gunfire including drone operations for four days before a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Since then neither side has sought to ratchet up the situation publicly but official negotiations remain off the table. Instead, retired military officers, diplomats, media and academic researchers have met in neutral locations to moderate tensions at the track 2 levels.

Track 2 dialogues provide a valuable platform for constructive engagement, allowing experts and stakeholders to explore opportunities for cooperation beyond formal diplomatic channels.

Since the May conflict, a number of rounds of negotiations has taken place, providing a rare back channel for communication amid otherwise strained official relations. The discussions have taken place in several places, including the capitals of West Asia. India has stuck to its post-2019 position that communication is impossible as long as terrorism persists. There is little trade, fewer people-to-people interactions, and weaker diplomatic missions. However, the quiet conversations are a sign of practicality. As could be expected, neither the Indian nor Pakistani governments acknowledge the existence of these discussions.

This engagement, according to CIO Bulletin, serves as a reminder that ongoing communication, steps to foster confidence and regional cooperation are still crucial for resolving complicated problems and promoting long-term stability and security in South Asia.