The intricate world of diplomacy, traditionally reliant on quiet 'back-channelling', is undergoing a significant transformation, according to senior Congress leader Manish Tewari. He highlights a shift under the Trump administration towards overt 'front-channelling', where diplomatic efforts are publicly attributed, potentially undermining their effectiveness. This comes after Donald Trump claimed his administration brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan earlier this year, a claim of initiating ceasefire, explicitly denied by the Indian government.

Tewari clarified that back-channelling, mediation, and arbitration are distinct concepts, with back-channelling being an informal process that has historically played a significant role in managing India-Pakistan crises, from Operation Brasstacks in 1987 to the Pulwama-Balakot dynamics.

Beyond diplomacy, Tewari expressed deep concern over India's increasingly toxic and politicised national security discourse, lamenting how crucial issues are exploited for political gain. He called for a return to bipartisan statesmanship, recalling Atal Bihari Vajpayee's praise for Indira Gandhi's leadership during the 1971 war, emphasising the need for maturity and restraint in political life.