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Let Pak reciprocate India's friendly gesture 5/4/2016 9:27:35 PM Though Kashmiri separatists do not agree with the statement of union Minister, V.K.Singh, describing them to be citizens of India, still whatever Singh has said carries some meaning. He has said that since Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India all those living in Kashmir are citizens of India. As such they have the liberty to meet leaders and official from Pakistan. This is the major concession that India seems to have given to Pakistan because two years ago India had called off the proposed bilateral talks when the Pakistan High commissioner, Abdul Basit, did not implement tha suggestion from New Delhi that in the interest of bilateral dialogue he should not hold talks with Hurriyat leaders. Kashmiri separatist leaders are now free to meet representatives of Pakistan, as the Indian government has eased its "red line" two years after imposing a ban on meetings between Hurriyat leaders and Pakistani officials. Minister of State for External Affairs, V K Singh, in a written reply to Parliament has said, "Since the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India and these so-called Kashmiri 'leaders' are Indian citizens, there is no bar on their meetings with representatives of any country in India. "Singh, however, went on to clarify that the India-Pakistan dialogue process could not be interfered with by any third party. India has consistently maintained that there is no role for a third party in the bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan as per the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. India's displeasure at Pakistan's attempts to interfere in India's internal affairs has been repeatedly conveyed to Pakistan. In August 2014, the Modi government cancelled talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, following a meeting between the Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit and Hurriyat leaders. This concession has been given to Pakistan to reciprocate New Delhi's gesture so that leaders and officials from Pakistan did not try to interfere in the internal matters of India. The ball is in the court of Pakistan and it is now the turn of Islamabad to reciprocate this gesture. It is something else that the central Government led by Modi has not given any indication on the resumption of talks with the Hurriyat leaders. These talks have been stalled since 2006 and in this case Modi is simply following the agenda set by the Congress led UPA Government. In fact this is a departure from the trend established by former Prime Minister. Atal Behari Vajpayee, in whose term a number of talks were held between the centre and the Hurriyat leaders. If some Hurriyat leaders are to be believed they are not prepared to meet Pakistani officials or leaders as citizens of India. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Pro. Abdul Gani Bhat and other leaders are of the view that since the issue of Kashmir has not been resolved "we are free to meet any leaders from across the border. Geelani is specific in saying that the issue could be settled if the UN resolutions were implemented in toto. That would mean holding a referendum and allowing people to decide whether they would join Pakistan or India. But majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the valley,are for independence and naturally the implementation of the UN resolution may not resolve the issue if the majority of people vote for independent Kashmir and in the UN resolution only two options have been talked about. Either joining Pakistan or remaining with India.In that case majority of people may opt for remaining with India. For the time being India has removed a hurdle in the path of Pakistan by allowing Pakistani officials and leaders to meet Hurriyat leaders. Hence Pakistan should come forward and hold sustained talks for resolving other issues, including Sir Creek, Siachen and water. That will promote confidence and remove mistrust which was necessary for meaningful dialogue.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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