PMO dropping pre-conditions set the stage for talks: J&K leaders

‘The talks would be open-ended,’ a senior National Conference leader and former Minister said on condition of anonymity.

The Prime Minister Office’s (PMO) move to drop any pre-condition or fix agenda for the set the meeting ground between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir parties, according to Valley-based leaders. “It was only after the Centre showed willingness not to put any redlines for talks ... it prepared the ground for the engagement,” a senior National Conference (NC) leader and former Minister told The Hindu, on condition of anonymity. He said the talks would be open-ended. “Neither delimitation nor early elections nor Statehood will be the agenda of talks. It then limits the scope of dialogue and engagement,” he added.