A senior Indian official involved in pushing forward the peace process with Pakistan died of a heart attack on Monday, prompting concern that the peace dialogue could slow. Jyotindra Nath Dixit, 68, was a no-nonsense former diplomat with a hawkish reputation. He was appointed national security adviser last May when the Congress-led government took office.
Analysts said the death of J N Dixit, regarded as the architect of India's post-Cold War foreign policy, could further slow the peace process with Pakistan, which has been in danger of stagnating in recent months, and affect dialogue with China, which was poised for a breakthrough.
Uday Bhaskar, director of India's Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, noted Dixit was handling both the India-Pakistan and India-China talks.
"He brought a certain personal rapport to the talks process," he said. "The person who replaces him will take time to get a grasp and to develop a personal rapport."
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri expressed "profound shock and deep sorrow" and said he hoped the peace process would not be interrupted.
In a statement, Kasuri said he was encouraged that strong peace constituencies had developed in both countries and he looked forward to carrying the process forward with his counterpart Natwar Singh, who visits Islamabad next month.
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