The Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan has always been volatile, requiring direct military-to-military communication to manage troop movements and localised skirmishes. Since 1948, and especially until 1970, the absence of formal mechanisms led both sides to depend on field-level coordination, often through radio contact or in-person meetings.
The Tashkent Declaration, signed on January 10, 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, was a peace agreement between India and Pakistan that aimed to restore normal and peaceful relations following the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. It was signed by Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Muhammad Ayub Khan. The agreement was mediated by Soviet Premier Aleksey Kosygin. The Tashkent Agreement (1966), mediated by the Soviet Union, restored the status quo but highlighted the need for structured communication. Informal DGMO-level contacts began to emerge, focusing on operational clarity.
Who Are DGMOs?
The DGMOs are senior officials of the Indian Army, usually of the rank of Lieutenant General, responsible for overseeing all military operations in India and along its borders. Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai is the current head of the Indian Army’s military operations. He took charge on October 25, 2024. Air Marshal AK Bharti is in charge of air operations, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod is responsible for naval operations. Pakistan DGMO is Major General Kashif Abdullah.
DGMO Talks
The talks have been pivotal in de-escalating crises (e.g., 2019, 2025), leveraging direct military communication to clarify actions and prevent miscalculations, especially post-nuclearisation. By the 1980s, DGMO talks became more regular, with a practice of weekly hotline conversations, typically on Tuesdays, to discuss routine border issues, ceasefire violations, and operational clarifications. These talks were military-to-military, deliberately insulated from political or diplomatic pressures to maintain professional trust.
Roles
The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) is responsible for planning and overseeing military operations, including counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism efforts. One of the key roles is to ensure the Indian armed forces remain in a state of operational readiness at all times. The DGMO also coordinates closely with other defence wings and ministries to ensure seamless strategic alignment. To maintain communication and avoid misunderstandings during periods of heightened tension, the DGMO conducts weekly hotline talks with the Pakistani DGMO. Additionally, the DGMO regularly provides operational updates to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Ministry of Defence.
DGMO: The Key Military Link Between Two Nations
The DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) acts as the main contact between the armies of two countries. The goal is to build professional trust, especially during tense times. In normal times, DGMO talks help start communication between both sides.
When tensions rise, DGMOs talk to each other to avoid further conflict, explain military actions, or solve urgent issues. Since they are fully informed about their country’s military activities, they are well-placed to talk about operations, ceasefires, and any violations.
