As tensions persist between India and Pakistan, military diplomacy is once again taking centre stage. Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai, India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), confirmed on Sunday that a fresh round of top-level talks with his Pakistani counterpart is slated for around noon on Monday. This
conversation
will be the second such engagement amid rising hostilities and an increasingly volatile situation along the Line of Control.Click here for India-Pakistan Ceasefire LIVE updatesSTORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe groundwork for this renewed dialogue was laid a day earlier, on May 10, when Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that Pakistan’s DGMO had reached out to India to initiate a de-escalation. That outreach led to a mutual agreement to suspend all military operations across land, sea, and air, with the ceasefire taking effect from 5 pm the same day.More from India
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FirstUp: India, Pakistan to hold DGMO-level talks after ceasefire and other big news of the dayFor decades, the DGMO channel has served as the backbone of direct military communication between the two nations, particularly during periods of heightened confrontation. These officers, tasked with managing critical ceasefire arrangements and responding to cross-border incidents, play a critical role in preventing full-scale escalation.However, the dialogue framework has long reflected an imbalance in military representation: India routinely deputes a Lt Gen—a three-star officer—while Pakistan is represented by a Maj Gen, who holds a lower, two-star rank. This disparity is not merely procedural. It shows deeper asymmetries in perception and power dynamics, subtly influencing both the tone and substance of these critical exchanges.Historical context and evolution of DGMO talksThe institution of DGMO-level talks was formally established in the wake of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, although informal communication lines existed before that. The Kargil War in 1999 significantly heightened the importance of this channel, as it provided a direct military-to-military link for crisis management. In 2003, a formal ceasefire agreement along the LoC further institutionalised regular weekly communications.These talks are crucial for reducing misunderstandings, managing ceasefire violations and maintaining strategic stability in an often volatile region. Yet, while the purpose of these talks is ostensibly symmetric, the framework is not.Rank disparity: Symbolism and substanceIn international and military diplomacy, ranks matter. They symbolise authority, decision-making power and strategic weight. India’s DGMO is a Lt Gen, a three-star officer often seen as one of the top strategic planners within the Indian Army hierarchy. Conversely, Pakistan’s DGMO is a Maj Gen, a two-star officer who typically works under the close supervision of higher-ranking generals such as the Chief of General Staff (CGS).This disparity is not merely semantic. It reflects an imbalance in the level of responsibility and institutional influence. The Indian DGMO typically oversees not just LoC operations but also major operational strategies, often reporting directly to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) or the Defence Ministry. On the Pakistani side, the DGMO has relatively limited autonomy.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADImplications of unequal representationThe perception of asymmetry created by India sending a higher-ranked officer to these talks inadvertently signals greater willingness to engage, which can be interpreted as diplomatic over-eagerness. This can skew public and media narratives in Pakistan portraying India as being on the backfoot.A Lt Gen engaging a Maj Gen reduces the confidence India might otherwise have in the words spoken from the Pakistani side, given reports of internal dissension in their ranks.Comparative international practicesIn global military diplomacy, countries meticulously align ranks during bilateral and multilateral meetings. For instance, Nato-Russia military contacts are carefully managed to ensure rank parity, respecting the chain of command and institutional equivalence. Similarly, US-China military talks generally see matched ranks to reflect mutual respect and strategic equality.India itself has a precedent of adjusting representation based on strategic calculations. Whether in talks with insurgent groups or foreign militaries, rank calibration has been used as a tool to set the tone and seriousness of engagement. There is no reason this principle should not apply to Pakistan.An option: Recalibrating India’s approachGiven the current imbalance, there is a strong argument that India should reconsider its representation at these talks. Appointing a Maj Gen to represent India would restore parity with Pakistan’s DGMO. A Maj Gen in the Indian Army still carries significant operational experience and can represent India effectively without projecting strategic concession.India could also consider delegating routine talks to a Brigadier. For weekly or low-stakes conversations, this would ensure parity while reserving the Lt Gen for high-level crisis engagements. This would be in line with diplomatic practices where the level of representation matches the stakes involved. China routinely deploys officers junior in ranks to Indian military officers whenever there are talks between the two militaries.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADMatching the rank equalises the negotiation table, discourages strategic posturing by either side and promotes more candid and balanced dialogue. With rank parity, discussions are more likely to be tactical and operational rather than politically postured. It also strengthens domestic and international messaging. It conveys that India is assertive and mindful of diplomatic parity enhancing its global image as a mature and balanced power.India taking such a step is not downgrading representation from its leadership role in the region and this interpretation would be shortsighted. By matching ranks, India would signal confidence and clarity in its approach.Military communication should be on equal terms and ranksThe DGMO talks between India and Pakistan serve a vital purpose in maintaining military stability and preventing escalation. However, the current format suffers from an inherent imbalance due to the mismatch in ranks of the participating officers. In military diplomacy, as in broader international relations, perception often shapes reality.India’s decision to maintain a higher-rank for DGMO signals how much importance India gives to such talks. This could be time and opportunity for Pakistan to reconsider its position. We saw that after the DGMO understanding of ceasing fire, Pakistani forces resumed firing at the Line of Control only hours after the announcement.Ultimately, in military talks of this nature, equality at the table ensures clarity in the field. It is time India acts accordingly.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADTagsIndiaIndian ArmyPakistanEnd of Article
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Behind the ranks: As guns fall silent, can unequal negotiators restore trust amid India-Pak tension?
