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Conference II
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Conference II: Finding Common Ground: India’s Global Peacemaking Interests
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The second conference looked at recent or in-process peace agreements,
and the challenges of post-conflict stabilization, with special
reference to Sudan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
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After decades of relative quietude in international affairs, India
has shown a renewed interest in global peacemaking, including
aid and personnel for post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction.
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Between 2000-05, India embarked on an ambitious peace process with
Pakistan, started border talks with China and Bangladesh, entered
strategic partnerships with the EU, US and ARF, and expanded its UN
peacekeeping by sending 2500 troops to Sudan.
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At home, India has a range of ongoing peace processes, and a
history of finding imaginative peace settlements that preserve
its diversity.
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The second conference focused on India’s global peacemaking
interests, with sessions on India-Afghanistan and India-Sri Lanka
as part of the India’s ongoing neighborhood dialogue. The
conference also had a special focus section on Africa (in
particular, Sudan).
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Lt-General Lazaro Sumbeiywo on the Sudan Peace Agreement
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The concluding points of the conference were:
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India has a special role to play, as a good neighbor,
in Peace-Building in Afghanistan.
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The Sri Lankan peace process is set to take a downturn in
the months to come; the Contact Group will be able to do little
to prevent/contain the downturn; while there are expectations of
India, it too will find it difficult to effectively influence
warring parties; again a situation in which competing
international interest will prevent effective collaboration.
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While the international community has a common interest in
Peace-Building in Sudan, and India’s sizable troop presence
in the South makes India an effective partner for peacekeeping,
little pressure can work on Darfur
without China’s support, especially in the UN Security Council.
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