Another Round of Track II Diplomacy On Kashmir Gets Underway

Srinagar: A three-member team led by BJP leader and former Union minister Yashwant Sinha arrived in Kashmir capital Srinagar on Saturday. It is their second visit to Valley. Earlier they had been here in October when they interacted with top separatist leaders.

Wajahat Habibullah, a retired civil servant, who has served as Chief Information Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, said the delegation is comprised of three members including Yashwant Sinha, journalist Bharat Bhushan and president of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve.

I am arriving on Sunday while other two members including retired Air Vice-Marshal Kapil Kak and senior Congress leader Manish Tiwari will also join the delegation in a day or two, he said adding that this time the members of the delegation will try to meet common people from North, Central and South Kashmir.

Reports said that after arriving in Srinagar on Saturday, the team drove to Aga Syed Hasans Budgam residence. The closed-door meeting lasted over an hour, and reportedly discussed the current situation in Valley and the way forward.

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The conversation took place in a cordial atmosphere. We talked about the current situation and the way forward. I laid stress on the dialogue process and urged upon the delegation to impress upon the Government of India to engage Pakistan and stake holder from State into the dialogue, senior Hurriyat leader said.

I reminded the delegation of the historical perspective of the Kashmir issue and said that the onus of peace lies with those holding power, military might and other resources, Aga Hasan added.

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