Sringar, July 4: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which has indicated its willingness to hold dialogue with the Indian government, has reiterated its readiness for talks provided if they are held at the "highest level". Speaking to reporters, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the talks should be held directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Mirwaiz recalled the tenure of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, under whose NDA government, meaningful set of dialogue were held between the Centre and the Hurriyat. The government had then even issued passports to separatist leaders, and gave a virtual free-hand to hold talks with the Pakistani establishment as well. Hurriyat Ready For Talks With Narendra Modi Govt, Says Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik

On being asked why the Hurriyat is reluctant to initiate talks with special interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, Mirwaiz said his mandate is not yet clear. Notably, Sharma was deputed as Centre's special representative to J&K in 2017, after he retired as the Intelligence Bureau chief.

According to Mirwaiz, another reason why they refrained to hold dialogue with Sharma is their insistence on a political solution to J&K, and not bureaucratic.

Significantly, the separatists were until a few days ago sharply at loggerheads with the central government. They were subjected to several raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with Mirwaiz also being summoned to Delhi in connection with the alleged handover of illegal funds from Pakistan.

A change in situation was notified last week, when Governor Satya Pal Malik told a gathering that even the separatists are ready for talks with the Centre.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2019 08:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).