New Delhi, June 23: In what could be the icebreaker in Kashmir imbroglio, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has reportedly softened its stance on indulging in dialogue with the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. The speculations were boosted after J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik said the separatists are "ready" for talks.

Hurriyat, the separatist conglomerate of the Valley, last engaged with New Delhi under the tenure of Manmohan Singh. During the last five years, it had refrained from entering into any peace process in which Pakistan is not a party. Dialogue With All Stakeholders Only Way to Ensure Permanent Peace, Says Mehbooba Mufti

According to Governor Malik, the secessionist group has changed its stance due to the confidence-building measures of his administration over the past few months.

"Things are much better than when I came here. Look at the Hurriyat, (Union Minister) Ram Vilas Paswan stood at their door and they didn’t open the door. Now they are ready for talks," the Indian Express quoted Malik as saying.

The Governor's claim comes a day after senior Hurriyat leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while speaking to a local media outlet, said they would not back down from their primary responsibility to take the political process forward.

"If the Centre shows sincerity (we) will respond in appropriate manner," Mirwaiz told the Daily Excelsior, adding that the massive mandate accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accords him an opportunity to resolve the impasse in Kashmir.

Notably, the Hurriyat has adopted a rigid stand seeking plebiscite in the Valley to determine its political fate. The last instance when the separatist group had admitted to have had "positive dialogue" with the Indian government dates back to the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2019 10:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).