Historic Handshake in Islamabad
The 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad witnessed a breakthrough moment on January 6, 2004, when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf met on the sidelines and agreed to begin a comprehensive peace process. The handshake between the two leaders, captured by global media, symbolized a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations.
Vajpayee’s decision to attend the summit in Pakistan - the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the failed Lahore trip in 1999 - itself signaled serious intent for peace.
The Summit Setting
SAARC as Peace Platform
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit provided neutral ground for the leaders to meet without the baggage of bilateral summits:
- Multilateral format reduced pressure
- Other regional leaders as facilitators
- Focus on economic cooperation
- Less protocol-heavy environment
Pre-Summit Diplomacy
Intensive back-channel negotiations prepared the ground:
- Secret meetings in Bangkok and Dubai
- Draft joint statement prepared
- Confidence-building measures agreed
- Both sides committed to announcement
The Bilateral Meeting
January 6 Encounter
The “pull-aside” meeting lasted 65 minutes:
- Began with warm handshake
- Private conversation without notes
- Only interpreters present
- Emerged with broad smiles
Key Agreements Reached
- Composite Dialogue Launch: Structured engagement on all issues
- Kashmir Inclusion: Part of dialogue without preconditions
- Terrorism Commitment: Pakistan assured action
- February Start: Foreign Secretary talks to begin
- Sustained Process: Not hostage to incidents
The Joint Statement issued after the meeting became the foundation for the most successful phase of India-Pakistan engagement from 2004-2007.
Joint Statement Analysis
Critical Language
“The President of Pakistan reassured the Prime Minister of India that he will not permit any territory under Pakistan’s control to be used to support terrorism in any manner.”
This formulation:
- Acknowledged Pakistan’s responsibility
- Didn’t admit past involvement
- Committed to future action
- Satisfied both sides
Composite Dialogue Framework
Eight identified subjects for discussion:
- Peace and security, CBMs
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Siachen Glacier
- Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project
- Sir Creek
- Terrorism and drug trafficking
- Economic and commercial cooperation
- Promotion of friendly exchanges
Musharraf’s Transformation
The Pakistani President showed remarkable flexibility:
Behind the Change
- US pressure post-9/11
- Economic imperatives
- Military stalemate recognition
- Domestic stability needs
- Personal legacy ambitions
Indian Calculations
Vajpayee’s Gambit
The aging Prime Minister saw this as his last chance:
- Legacy of peacemaker desired
- Economic benefits clear
- Military costs unsustainable
- International support strong
- Political capital available
Strategic Shift
India accepted:
- Kashmir on dialogue table
- No preconditions set
- Terrorism not deal-breaker
- Incremental progress acceptable
- Back-channel utility
Regional Leaders’ Role
Other SAARC leaders played crucial facilitation:
King Gyanendra (Nepal)
- Hosted private dinner for both
- Urged bilateral breakthrough
- Offered Kathmandu for talks
Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh)
- Supported peace process
- Shared bilateral experience
- Encouraged flexibility
Chandrika Kumaratunga (Sri Lanka)
- Drew parallels with Tamil issue
- Emphasized dialogue importance
- Offered conflict resolution expertise
Implementation Roadmap
Immediate Steps (January-February 2004)
- Restore full diplomatic missions
- Resume Delhi-Lahore bus service
- Start rail services
- Allow overflights
- Release prisoners
Medium-term Goals (2004)
- Foreign Secretary meetings
- Technical committees formation
- Cricket tour consideration
- Trade normalization talks
- Visa liberalization
Long-term Vision
- Kashmir solution framework
- Siachen demilitarization
- Sir Creek settlement
- Counter-terrorism mechanism
- Economic integration
The Composite Dialogue launched at Islamabad would continue until the 2008 Mumbai attacks, achieving more progress than any previous peace process.
Domestic Reactions
In India
Positive:
- Business community euphoric
- Media largely supportive
- Youth optimistic
- Kashmir parties engaged
Negative:
- BJP hardliners critical
- Some military skepticism
- Terror victims’ families opposed
- Opposition questioned timing
In Pakistan
Support:
- Civil society celebrated
- Traders associations active
- Moderate clergy endorsed
- Military largely unified
Opposition:
- Jihadi groups threatened
- Some political parties critical
- Hardliners called it “sellout”
- Kashmir groups divided
International Welcome
United States
President Bush: “This is what we’ve been hoping for. The US will support this process in every way possible.”
United Nations
Kofi Annan: “The UN welcomes this historic development and stands ready to assist if required.”
European Union
“The EU applauds the statesmanship shown by both leaders and offers economic incentives for peace.”
China
“We support all efforts for regional peace and stability. This serves everyone’s interests.”
Early Implementation
February 2004: Process Begins
- Foreign Secretaries meet in Islamabad
- Working groups established
- Timeline agreed
- Mechanism institutionalized
Quick Wins
- Bus Service: Delhi-Lahore resumed February 2004
- Rail Link: Samjhauta Express restored
- Air Links: Multiple cities connected
- Sports: Cricket tour approved
- Culture: Artists exchange began
Significance Assessment
Why Islamabad Succeeded Where Agra Failed
- Better Preparation: Extensive back-channel work
- Changed Context: Post-9/11 dynamics
- Realistic Expectations: No breakthrough pressure
- Format Advantage: Multilateral setting helped
- Political Will: Both leaders committed
Historic Achievement
- First sustained dialogue in years
- All issues included simultaneously
- Terrorism addressed satisfactorily
- Public support mobilized
- International backing secured
Setting Stage for Progress
The SAARC summit agreement launched the most productive phase in India-Pakistan relations:
2004-2007 Achievements
- Violence in Kashmir dropped 80%
- Trade increased significantly
- People-to-people contact flourished
- Near-agreement on Kashmir reached
- Regional stability improved
Process Strengths
- Institutionalized mechanism
- Multiple track approach
- Political oversight maintained
- Back-channel effectiveness
- Public diplomacy component
The Islamabad breakthrough demonstrated that multilateral forums could facilitate bilateral breakthroughs. The Vajpayee-Musharraf handshake became an iconic image of hope, launching a peace process that would survive multiple challenges until the Mumbai attacks of 2008. While ultimately disrupted by terrorism, the Composite Dialogue framework established at this SAARC summit remains the gold standard for India-Pakistan engagement.