Manish Tewari: ‘Third-party mediation in India-Pakistan conflict has been a reality since 1990s, whether you like it or not’
India-Pakistan Ceasefire: Manish Tewari Says Third-Party Mediation Has Been a Reality Since the 1990s
Congress MP Manish Tewari, who represents Chandigarh in Parliament, addressed the recent tensions between India and Pakistan and commented on the subsequent ceasefire. As Chandigarh stayed on high alert during the conflict, Tewari—also a former Union Minister—shared his perspective on military strikes, the urgency of de-escalation, and the long-standing reality of third-party mediation in India-Pakistan relations.
Third-Party Mediation: A Persistent Reality
Tewari emphasized that international powers—especially the United States—have frequently stepped in to mediate or influence peace talks between India and Pakistan. “Third-party mediation has shaped outcomes since the 1990s, whether we acknowledge it or not,” he asserted.
He cited events such as the 1999 Kargil conflict, the 2001 Parliament attack crisis, and the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot standoff, all of which saw behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure from global actors. According to him, such interventions helped prevent full-scale war during moments of crisis.
De-escalation: A Strategic Necessity
Tewari argued that while military strikes serve strategic purposes, leaders must shift focus to diplomacy once those objectives are met. “After achieving our military goals, we must prioritize de-escalation to protect lives and maintain regional peace,” he said.
Toward a Realistic Foreign Policy
Calling for honesty in foreign policy discourse, Tewari urged India to recognize how diplomacy functions in the real world. He pointed out that while India maintains a bilateral stance officially, practical diplomacy often involves subtle cooperation from third-party nations. “We must move beyond political rhetoric and accept ground realities,” he concluded.
