Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said 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 the separatist Hurriyat Conference will also be part of the dialogue that will also cover issues like autonomy in the State.
He also said the issue of amendments to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which the State would like withdrawn, was before the Cabinet.
However, Mr. Chidambaram refused to discuss the road map 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 discussing this. If we discuss this, it is 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 when the exercise would begin, Mr. Chidambaram said he could not discuss the starting date or the ending date.
Keywords: Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, quiet diplomacy, Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference, AFSPA, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
