India to Resume Ladakh Talks on Statehood Demands

Leh, India - Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena announced on Sunday that the Union Home Ministry will convene fresh talks with Ladakh representatives on May 22, aiming to address ongoing demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards. The announcement coincides with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's planned two-day visit to Leh starting April 30, his first trip to the region since violent protests last year disrupted negotiations.

Saxena described the upcoming meeting of the political dialogue subcommittee as a step to foster constructive engagement with key stakeholders, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance. "This will carry forward the process of constructive democratic dialogue with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh," he stated in a social media post.

The dialogue stems from Ladakh's separation from Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which elevated the region to union territory status without a legislative assembly. Local groups have since pushed for full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which...