Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's wavering and self-contradicting remarks on the Kashmir issue have blurred the prospects of composite dialogue on the issue which is the only bone of contention between the two nuclear capable neighbours. In an interview with American TV channel CNN in Washington. Manmohan Singh said that his country was ready to resolve the Kashmir issue but in the same breath asserted that borders in Kashmir cannot be re-drawn.

How could one look upon these views as reflective of a sincere mind and how could one expect result oriented dialogue with India sticking to it's traditional “Atoot Ang” mantra. Manmohan Singh's answer to a question by the interviewer concerning any prospects of dialogue with Pakistan was also utterly vague and evasive. He said that the issues like people to people contact and free trade enabling people of the two countries to lead the life of dignity and self-respect could be discussed and agreements could be reached. This answer bears no relevance to the question of settling the lingering dispute. Earlier in his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousaf Raza Geelani at the Egyptian resort of Sharm-al-Sheikh in July last year, the Indian PM had remarked that “Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.” But later backtracking on the statement he said that resumption of talks was linked to the action against terrorism by Pakistan. In addition the reports of parleys between New Delhi and Kashmiri leaders also contradict Manmohan Singh's Independence Day remarks saying that the assembly elections in Kashmir had made liberation leaders irrelevant? On the one hand Manmohan Singh speaks about the irrelevance of the Kashmir liberation leaders but on the other hand New Delhi is indicating to get engaged in talks with them thereby repudiating the prime minister's claim. This proves the falsehood of India's stand on the issue which is on the agenda of United Nations and for the resolution of which the people of Kashmir have launched their struggle since 1989 and sacrificed over one lacs of their fellow brothers and sisters during the last over twenty years. Moreover how could India conceive a solution of the issue by discussing it with the Kashmiris only and ignoring Pakistan, which is one of the main stakeholders to the dispute. Besides how could India expect Kashmiri freedom leaders to reach an agreement without Pakistan being included in the negotiations process.

The All Parties Hurriyet Conference leaders had always been voicing the need for tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and genuine leadership of IOK. India cannot afford to overlook these hard realities. The recent overtures of holding talks with Kashmiri leaders is nothing but to hoodwink the international community and create an impression that India was genuine about resolving the Kashmir issue. The only viable solution lies in engaging all the three parties to the dispute. Any other recourse would lead to more complications! But Kashmiris' determination to get their rights remains intact which has been amply demonstrated during agitations over the Amarnath and Shopian issues in the recent past.
The urge for liberation among Kashmiris has not weakened with the passage of time but rather it has developed more strongly from generation to generation, which is not difficult for India to see. Therefore any attempt by India to muzzle the voice of Kashmiris is bound to fail. »