Talks with J&K separatists at appropriate time, says Chidambaram

The Centre will resume the stalled dialogue with separatists in Kashmir at an "appropriate time", Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said today.

"We are all aware of political issues involved in Jammu and Kashmir that requires dialogue. The dialogue will be held at an appropriate time," he told reporters at the end of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

The talks between the Centre and separatists of Kashmir are stalled since 2004, when the moderate faction of Hurriyat conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had held a round of talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

As the government convened several round table conferences to discuss the issue, separatists boycotted the same on the plea that they will not join "all and sundry".