‘Remain hopeful for Kashmir resolution during Modi’s tenure’
Srinagar: Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief and Vajpayee’s advisor on Kashmir A S Dulat Saturday remarked that Kashmir’s separatist camp must remain optimistic about the settlement of Kashmir issue during the Modi led government and that they will be taken on board once the talks on this vexed issue are initiated.
Commenting over Mirwaiz’s recent statement wherein he had cautioned that Kashmir is being polarized on religious lines, Dulat told KNS that the Huriyat (M) chief might have expressed his apprehensions and that no such effort shall be taken by the Government of India (GOI) that could trigger any disruption in the himaliyan region.
Dulat maintained that talks over the Kashmir resolution have not be started yet and that the same are expected in the near future. “It is just the beginning of the new government at New Delhi. It would be too early to say when the talks shall be started but yes we can say that the same are expected to be witnessed soon,” said the former RAW chief, adding that Kashmir’s pro-freedom camp will possibly taken on board once the process of talks are started.
“Why not. The separatists should be taken on board. They should be taken on board. The confidence building measures and the related aspects will be keenly looked into,” Dulat said. When asked about the reports over the possible return of Pandits and the various dimensions related to the issue, he stated that GOI is actively working for the safe return of the pundits who left valley during the early hours of the armed rebellion in Kashmir. “There must be consensus over the safe return of the pundits to valley. It would be really a great opportunity for the peace to get prevailed in Kashmir.”
Dulat said that the recent statement of chairman Huriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that the state is being ‘polarized’ could be an apprehension and that no such measure shall ever be taken by New Delhi. “There are the media reports going all over wherein analysis of the future is presented to the masses. Mirwaiz might have expressed his worry and that is it. ”
Dulat served as the Head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) from 1999 to 2000. On superannuation, he was re-employed as advisor on Kashmir in the Prime Minister’s Office from January 2001 to May 2004. He joined the Indian Police Service (Rajasthan Cadre) in 1965 and after a short stint of couple of years in the state; he was seconded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Intelligence Bureau) in March 1969. Dulat served in the security service for 30 years and First Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu (1976-80). He is a member of the National Security Advisory Board.