You cannot pre-judge that this initiative will not be successful: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 15 address in which he said the “Kashmir problem can’t be solved either through goli ya gaali (bullets or abuses) but only by embracing all Kashmiris”, the Centre has now decided on a “sustained dialogue” with all stakeholders to help resolve the vexed issue.

Asked why such initiatives had failed earlier, Mr Rajnath Singh said: “Please take it from me that whatever we do, we will do with saaf neeyat aur neeti (good intentions and clear policy)”.

On the question of the reports of earlier interlocutors gathering dust in the home ministry, Mr Singh said: “You cannot pre-judge that this initiative will not be successful. Our announcement shows how serious we are about initiating a dialogue.”

The special representative, Mr Singh said, would hold detailed talks to identify the legitimate aspirations of people, particularly the youth, and try to address them even though no timeframe has been fixed.

He also clarified that there was nothing wrong in a former police officer holding talks since he was an “apolitical person having no political affiliation ... which is his greatest advantage. Besides, he is well aware about the internal security situation of the country”.

Mr Sharma is, incidentally, the fourth interlocutor named by the Centre since 2002. The first was former Union minister K.C. Pant, while the second was N.N. Vohra.