New Delhi: India on Monday categorically rejected media reports suggesting that unofficial Track-2 or Track-1.5 dialogues with Pakistan had received any form of government backing.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that the Government of India has no official participation, support, or involvement in such engagements, which were reportedly held on the sidelines of an International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) security conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Responding to reports about the meetings, Misri said such interactions are private initiatives organised by non-governmental entities and involve individuals speaking in their personal capacities. He stressed that retired diplomats, former military officials, and members of civil society who attend these events do not represent the Government of India.

“We really take no cognisance of these events. They really don’t hold much value, as far as we are concerned,” Misri said. He noted that similar Track-2 discussions take place around the world on a variety of issues and should not be interpreted as reflecting any official policy or diplomatic engagement.

The clarification comes amid speculation over informal India-Pakistan contacts. New Delhi has consistently maintained that any formal bilateral engagement with Pakistan depends on credible and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism. The government’s latest remarks reaffirm its position that unofficial dialogues do not carry official sanction or diplomatic significance.