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| Manmohan outlines J&K agenda Keen to engage all groups ‘outside mainstream’: PM | | Chidrambram says quiet diplomacy to consider everything on table | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 25:Before he sets out for his visit to Jammu and Kashmir later this week, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in Thailand on Sunday, sought to send out a message that his government is keen to engage with different shades of opinion as also the Kashmir groups which are outside the mainstream. In an apparent reference to Kashmiri separatists, the Prime Minister said, “Government would like to engage some political groups who are outside the mainstream in a constructive dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir”.
He also made it clear that as far as negotiations with any separatist groups is concerned his specific purpose is not to start negotiations or to engage "in negotiations myself".
"I have always maintained that it is our sincere desire to engage all sections of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir to find practical, pragmatic solutions to the problems facing the State," he told reporters at the Thai beach resort city.
He said "I recognise that there are some political groups who are outside the main-stream. We would like them also to engage in a constructive dialogue with us," he said.
The Prime Minister also said he already had two-three rounds of meetings with the Hurriyat groups and he was waiting for them as they promised to come back with specific suggestions.
Singh is coming to Jammu and Kashmir this week to inaugurate railway projects there. The Centre had recently said that it will hold talks with all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir away from the media glare.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister P Chidrambram told a news agency in an interview today that the "quiet diplomacy" promised with "every shade of political opinion" in Jammu and Kashmir will consider "everything that is brought to the table".
He indicated that separatist Hurriyat Conference will be part of the dialogue that will also cover issues like autonomy in the State.
He also said that the issue of amendments to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which the state would like to be withdrawn, was before the Cabinet.
However, Chidambaram refused to discuss the roadmap for the dialogue he had promised to the people of Jammu and Kashmir during his recent visit to Srinagar or the issues that may come up in that.
"We are not (not) discussing this. If we discuss this, it is not (not) quiet diplomacy. As I said there are many sides of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir. We will consult every shade of political opinion. But it will be done quietly, far away from the glare of the media," he said in an interview.
Asked what kind of shades of opinion the government was referring to, he said, "I said every shade of political opinion will be consulted.
Does it include Hurriyat?, he was asked. "I am not (not) elaborating every shade of the political opinion."
When suggested that it is the crux of the issue, the Minister said, "That is the answer. There are many shades of political opinion. Everyone will be consulted."
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