Can talk to recognised parties in J&K, not separatists: Govt to SC
New Delhi The government on Friday told the Supreme Court it was ready to talk to recognised political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the crisis but not with the separatists.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi made it clear that the government would come to the negotiating table only if the recognised parties participate in the dialogue and not the separatist elements.
He made the submissions before a bench, comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul, while rubbishing the claim of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association that the Centre was not coming forward for a dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Rohatgi said recently the Prime Minister and the chief minister of the state held a meeting to discuss the situation.
The bench asked the association to come with suggestions to resolve the crisis.
The apex court made it clear to the bar body that it would have to come out with suggestions after talking to all stakeholders and cannot shy away by saying that they do not represent everybody in Kashmir.
It said there was need for a positive start and the bar body could play a vital role by coming out with a a roadmap for restoring normalcy in the Valley.
The bench also made it clear to the Centre that the court would involve itself in the matter only if there was a view that it can play a role and there was no jurisdictional issue.
“If you feel the court has no role and if you feel we have no jurisdiction, we will close the file at
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President Donald Trump said on Thursday a major conflict with North Korea is possible in the standoff over its nuclear and missile programs, but he would prefer a diplomatic outcome to the dispute.
“There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely,” Trump said in an Oval Office interview ahead of his 100th day in office on Saturday.
The President also said he wanted to peacefully resolve a crisis that has bedeviled multiple US presidents, a path that he and his administration are emphasizing by preparing a variety of new economic sanctions while not taking the military option off the table.
“We’d love to solve things diplomatically but it’s very difficult,” he said.
In other highlights of the 42-minute interview, he said he wants South Korea to pay the cost of the US THAAD anti-missile defence system, which he estimated at $1 billion, and intends to renegotiate or terminate a US free trade pact with South Korea because of a deep trade deficit with Seoul.
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