4. Commentary on Dialogue
India-administered Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah stated that the groundwork has been completed for talks between the government of India and the Hizbul Mujahideen.
"Stage set for resuming talks: Farooq"
"Ground prepared for talks with Hizb: Farooq"
"Talks only solution: Farooq"
An article by Harish Khare in The Hindu argued that while there were a number of missteps related to the Hizbul Mujahideen ceasefire offer, actors in India, Pakistan, and Jammu and Kashmir are so overwhelmed with the language of conflict that there had been no discussion of what resources to devote to peace talks should the opportunity arise. Khare argued that fundamentally different skills are needed for this role.
"Preparing for peace in Kashmir"
The Hizbul Mujahideen must find ways to deprive factions within the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference of their veto over peace, and with enough pressure the Hizbul can force the APHC "to fall in line with the popular mood."
"The road to peace is long and winding"
An article in Outlook India reported that despite the recent killings and other stumbling blocks, India and the Hizbul could soon resume talks. According to a JKLF leader, attacks against the APHC by the Hizbul are designed to restart such talks. Indications are that the Hizbul has not increased its militant activities as promised when it ended the ceasefire, and Indian security forces are careful to not antagonize Hizbul cadres.
"Peace Act; Scene Two"
Stanford University hosted a seminar on "Nuclear safety and security in South Asia" in Thailand on August 11-12, with participation by US, Indian, and Pakistani academics and government officials. They discussed their perspectives on nuclear decision-making and deterrence in South Asia, nuclear weapons safety, arms control verification technologies, confidence building measures, and future courses of action.
"Dialogue with Pakistan"