New Delhi is confused about what it wants to talk about in Kashmir, Hurriyat said in a statement. The statement released by All Parties Hurriyat Conference on Tuesday was a reaction to statements made on Monday by Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj.
In a press conference held on Monday, Swaraj, in context of holding a dialogue with Pakistan, had said, “We are ready for talks. But there’s a caveat – terror and talks cannot go together. This has always been our position.”
The Hurriyat said that there was a lot of confusion about not just whether New Delhi wanted to talk, but also about what New Delhi wanted to talk about.
“While Mr Rajnath says there should be dialogue with both Kashmir and Pakistan, he also said that both “Kashmir and Kashmiri are ours”. Ms Swaraj puts a rider and says no talks with Pakistan unless “terror is stopped” then Mr Amit Shah gives a spin to the ceasefire that it’s not for militants but people while state DG had issued a statement that it’s for militants to come back home,” the statement read.
It added, “All this ambiguity leaves little room to consider the talk about talks seriously with a purpose or warrant a response.”
The Hurriyat said that Pakistan has to be involved if serious talks on the issue of Kashmir have to be held.
“Talks that are so held keeping in view the concerns and needs of stakeholders especially the most afflicted party, to the satisfaction of all will surely be successful and result oriented. Any effort that GOI makes in this direction will find takers in Kashmir and Pakistan. Let GoI give clarity on what it wants to talk about and speak in one Language we are ready to join the process.”
Sources in the Home Ministry have said that the suspension of operations, which is being called “Ramzan Ceasefire”, may be extended beyond Ramzan if conditions are favourable. Sources also say that government’s interlocutor, former IB Chief Dineshwar Sharma, is not averse to talking to the Hurriyat.
