The remarkable work of Ambassador Satinder Kumar Lambah sheds light on the historical and contemporary events shaping India’s relationship with Pakistan, addressing critical issues such as the Kashmir question and Afghanistan.
Renowned diplomat and late Ambassador Satinder Kumar Lambah has left a lasting legacy with his posthumously published book, “In Pursuit of Peace.” Considered an unparalleled resource on the intricate dynamics between India and Pakistan, Lambah’s writing provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical and current complexities surrounding these two nations.
Lambah’s book, which regrettably arrived on the shelves six months after the demise of its author, deprives readers of the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with the writer. Nevertheless, it remains an extraordinary narration of factual accounts, combining Lambah’s first-hand experiences as a sophisticated diplomat with acute insights into the subject matter.
The strength of Lambah’s writing lies in its lack of sentimentality, jingoism, or rhetorical flourishes. The author’s moderate tone avoids excessive theorizing, drowning in citations, or attempts to play historian. Instead, Lambah focuses on recounting his diplomatic endeavors, particularly his work on the “back channel” — an alternative communication channel that can be activated when official channels between countries falter. What makes his work exceptional is his ability to present a fresh perspective based on the facts at hand.
One intriguing aspect Lambah explores is the reason why some of Pakistan’s civilian leaders, such as Benazir Bhutto, have displayed more hawkish tendencies than their military counterparts. Lambah argues that the entry of the Cold War into the Indian subcontinent, marked by the signing of the Mutual Defense Pact between the United States and Pakistan in 1954, shifted Pakistan’s interest away from the Kashmir issue. Furthermore, external powers developed vested interests in the Kashmir question. This serves as a cautionary note against those advocating for third-party mediation, emphasizing the importance of bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan.
Lambah’s diplomatic career spanned six Indian Prime Ministers, beginning with Indira Gandhi. Approximately half of his diplomatic efforts were dedicated to navigating the complexities of Pakistan, a challenging and often hostile neighbor. Negotiating with Pakistan has historically brought despair, frustration, and cynicism to Indian diplomats. Lambah’s key takeaway, however, is that engagement is irreplaceable.
His collaborations with Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao, A.B. Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh serve as testaments to his individual contributions in crafting a peace template. Lambah’s work on the back channel during Manmohan Singh’s tenure, under the guidance of Tariq Aziz as the Pakistani interlocutor, came tantalizingly close to establishing a framework for long-term peace. Unfortunately, domestic troubles faced by General Pervez Musharraf, who held the positions of both Army Chief and President of Pakistan, derailed the progress. Lambah’s book sheds light on the complexities surrounding the role of the Pakistan Army as both a roadblock and an essential entity to engage with.
The book delves into the historical context of the Kashmir issue, highlighting Pakistan’s initial rejection of a plebiscite proposed by the UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) in August 1949. Surprisingly, Lambah reveals that Pakistan later expressed interest in an alternative UNCIP formulation that allowed both sides to retain control over Kashmir’s territory, effectively forgoing the plebiscite option. The reasons for not pursuing this alternative path warrant further exploration.
Ultimately, Lambah’s message emphasizes the need to maintain engagement between India and Pakistan.