‘Many possible solutions... Delhi-Srinagar pact our goal’

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Srinagar: A New Delhi-Srinagar agreement with Pakistan on board is one of the objectives of the ongoing Track-II initiatives between India and Pakistan and the “quiet” dialogue between the Centre and Hurriyat, says Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq after his talks with Pakistan High Commissioner to Indian Shahid Malik on Sunday.

Speaking at his residence here today, Mirwaiz said there was forward movement on many fronts which could hopefully lead to a substantive outcome. “A lot is happening. Work is going on on many possible solutions, one of which is an agreement between New Delhi and Srinagar with Pakistan’s blessings,” Mirwaiz said.

India and Pakistan have had two rounds of meetings in Bangkok in the past three weeks. The dialogue was held between former Pakistan Ambassador to India Aziz Khan and former RAW chief AS Dullat.

However, Mirwaiz said the basic paradigm of the engagement between the two countries is inspired by former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s four-point proposal for an acceptable solution to Kashmir. “India is not ready for the joint-management part of the proposals which talk about joint control of foreign affairs, currency and communications in Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said. “There’s a broader agreement on the other aspects of this settlement model”.

Mirwaiz said that on Kashmir the new dispensation in Islamabad hasn’t departed markedly from the approach adopted by Musharraf’s government. He said the thrust was on finding an interim political solution that can be revisited and built upon after a period of five to ten years.

As for a Delhi-Srinagar agreement, Mirwaiz refused to draw an analogy with the 1975 accord between the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and National Conference leader Sheikh Abdullah. That agreement, however, didn’t have Pakistan’s approval. “We need something that has every party on board. Pakistan is part of the external dimension of the issue and, therefore, has to be in the loop,” Mirwaiz said.

He said the Hurriyat will travel to Pakistan after Eid to consult the government there. “We are being invited by the Pakistan government for our input in the process,” he said.