The arch-rivals India and Pakistan may rely on "secret diplomacy" to arrive at a deal on the vexed Kashmir dispute in a a move that emulates the path adopted by the Musharraf-Manmohan administrations to find an ‘out of box’ solution to the conflict that has sparked three wars between the two countries, a media report said today.

The Express Tribune reported that the two countries recently decided to resume peace talks with a new name – Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue – to discuss a range of issues from terrorism to Kashmir dispute.

The report quoting its sources said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif have decided to use ‘back channels’ for in-depth discussions on Kashmir through their respective confidantes.

Further quoting its sources the report said the foreign secretaries will discuss Kashmir but their mandate will be restricted to necessary confidence-building measures (CBMs) for improving the atmosphere as well as situation along both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

“As far as the hardcore issues related to Kashmir are concerned, they will be dealt through backchannel talks,” it said while quoted one of an official source. "The two countries have had in the past used back channels to break a stalemate on Kashmir."

Former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri in his book revealed that Islamabad and New Delhi were close to striking a deal on Kashmir through secret talks during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s tenure.

"The two sides through their respective national security advisers at that time even exchanged non-papers suggesting ‘out of the box’ solution to the longstanding problem," the report said.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s point-man, SK Lambah and Musharraf’s close aide Tariq Aziz reportedly held over 200 hours of discussions on the draft agreement during their over two dozen secret sittings in Dubai and Kathmandu, it said.

It added that the proposed agreement suggested joint management of both sides of Kashmir and demilitarisation of the disputed territory. "However, political upheaval as a result of lawyers’ long march in Pakistan against Musharraf in 2007 disrupted the process."(Agencies)