'India keen to open Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade'

"We would like to expedite" the re-opening of the trade route, Patil said in an interview in Delhi, adding that New Delhi was willing to conclude any formalities and discussions with Pakistan in this regard.

In his first public statement after the accord reached with the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS) on Amarnath Yatra land issue three days ago, the Home Minister said that the Centre's action plan to normalise the situation in the valley included explaining to the people there that the ownership of the land is going to be with the Government. "As in the past, the land will be used for yatra," he said.

The Home Minister was asked about suggestion made by some commentators reflecting that in the backdrop of recent the agitation, the time may have come for giving the people "azadi".

Patil's answer was "Well, you have yourself said what should be our response and that is our response, whatever you have said."

On being asked about Centre's action plan to normalize situation in the valley, the Home Minister said among other things the Government could tell them that the road between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad was being opened for traffic of goods.

"We hope that this will be understood in the interest of the people in Jammu as well as in Kashmir. The normalcy efforts can be continued and conditions would remain to help developmental activities that are taking place," Patil said.

Asked whether the ball for opening of the road for trade was in Pakistani court, he said at no time the Government had blamed Pakistan that it was not cooperating.

"What the Government has said is that we are talking to Pakistan and we hope that this road will be opened. Now if there are any formalities that need to be fulfilled, any discussions have to take place, those formalities will be fulfilled and discussions will take place and the road will be opened," he said.

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