The second Round Table Conference (RTC) chaired by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was held in Srinagar on 24-25 May 2006. The killing of over 125 people since May in the run up to the RTC underscored the volatility of the present security situation; while the non-participation of the All Party Hurriyat Conference and the BJP signified serious political problems. Despite these killings and abstentions, the Prime Minister took an important step to 'institutionalize' the peace process. However, questions regarding the non-participation of political stake-holders remain. Why did the separatists boycott the RTC? Was another opportunity lost by them to put forward their views to a wider audience? What are the implications of these political developments and militant attacks on the peace process in Kashmir?

The Hurriyat is split both vertically and horizontally, this was one important reason for its non-participation. Mirwaiz Farooq, chairperson of the Hurriyat (A) stated that the RTC gave the impression that the Kashmir issue was nothing more than a discussion between the state and the Union government. For the Hurriyat, Kashmir is not an internal issue and can only be resolved with the participation of India, Pakistan and people from both parts of Kashmir. Despite this stance, the Prime Minister has kept the peace process open for the Hurriyat and other separatists even after the second RTC. It seems that both the Prime Minister and the Hurriyat are attempting to pressurize each other without compromising on their respective stated positions.

The BJP's refusal to attend the second RTC will only emphasize the differences within the Indian polity on Kashmir. The BJP is against 'self rule' or 'autonomy' in J&K, preferring a tougher approach on these issues. It also favors enhancing the role of security forces, rather than restricting it, in dealing with militants. This position will make further discussions on demilitarization or redeployment more difficult.

Despite poor attendance and militant attacks the RTC was not a failure. The Prime Minister presented a questionnaire to the participants seeking their suggestions on various issues, including confidence building measures across the Line of Control. Participation in this exercise was an opportunity the Hurriyat and BJP lost. The RTC was a significant step forward as an institutional apparatus was provided with the establishment of five 'Working Groups' to deal with various issues in J&K. The first group will deal with CBMs to improve conditions of those affected by militancy as also schemes to rehabilitate all orphans and widows affected by militancy; the second will strengthen relations across the LOC, especially people-to-people contacts with cross-LOC travel and tourism; the third will deal with economic development through employment generation and sub-regional development; the fourth will promote good governance based on PM's assertion of zero-tolerance of human rights violations and the fifth group aims to strengthen Centre-State relations. This group will discuss proposals on self-rule, autonomy and matters related to the special status of J&K within the Indian Union. Methods to strengthen democracy and secularism in the State are also on its agenda

The RTC also witnessed a shift in the government's rehabilitation policy. The PM announced plans to review cases of Kashmiri militants who had crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) over the last 16 years and expressed willingness to facilitate interaction with all groups that were ready to disown violence. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the J&K government are to make review of detainees and their release an ongoing process. Emphasis was also laid on rehabilitation of families of slain militants.

Pervez Musharraf saw the meeting between Manmohan Singh and Kashmiri leaders as a move forward in resolving the Kashmir issue. However, India needs to continue emphasizing that further progress on Kashmir both on national and bilateral levels could proceed only if the level of violence is low. The sudden spurt in militant attacks in the recent weeks does not augur well for the peace process and the positive achievements of the RTC.

The RTC is likely to take the peace process further. Its provisions will also go a long way in realizing the PM's vision for Kashmir based on 'self governance' on both sides of the LOC with greater political and economic interaction between Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. The RTC provided a setting for evolving innovative steps such as considering the perspectives of militant groups. The second RTC was not an end in itself but a means to achieve goals within the larger context of the peace process in Kashmir. Recent government policies and CBMs such as the Poonch-Rawalkot bus service joining the two parts Kashmir should also be viewed in this context. These measures are likely to enhance India's image among the Kashmiri populace, convince them that the Indian government is serious about finding solutions in Kashmir and will not be deterred by terrorists, militants or separatists.