Ladakh talks with Home Ministry end without agreement; next round October 22

What happened

Talks between a Union Home Ministry (MHA) sub-committee and representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) ended without agreement on Thursday, October 15, according to Kashmir Observer (PTI), which says the meeting lasted nearly three hours. The two sides are to meet again in New Delhi on October 22, Greater Kashmir reports.

The LAB and KDA lead the agitation for statehood, a legislature and safeguards for Ladakh's land, identity and culture, Kashmir Observer says. Greater Kashmir reports that a September 9 meeting in New Delhi had reached an understanding on a Ladakh-level elected body and safeguards under Article 371 of the Constitution.

What the Centre put forward

The MHA presented a draft proposal on constitutional safeguards and a legislature for the Union Territory, per Kashmir Observer. Ladakh's Chief Secretary, Ashish Kundra, described it at a press conference in Leh on Saturday, October 17, as a 32-page document proposing two stages: a constitutional amendment, followed by a regulation under Article 240. It would create a directly elected territory-level body and include safeguards on land, natural resources and culture, he said, in remarks reported by Greater Kashmir (PTI).

Kundra said the document was meant to facilitate discussion and was not a finished legislative outcome, and that questions remain open, among them the body's name and composition, how it would be elected, representation of women and underrepresented communities, delimitation, and its relationship with the hill councils, panchayats and municipalities.

What the Ladakh groups said

KDA co-chairman Asgar Karbalai said the delegation was "totally dissatisfied with the presentation", according to Kashmir Observer, and that his side's legal experts would review the draft and respond by October 18. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said the gap was far wider than the side had expected, but that the leadership would treat the meeting as part of an ongoing process until a revised draft is reviewed. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey said both sides presented proposals without reaching agreement, and that the demand for a legislature and safeguards under Article 371(K) would not be weakened.

Greater Kashmir (PTI) reports that the LAB and KDA rejected the draft on October 16 and say it does not meet their demands for safeguards and a legislature with executive, legislative and financial powers.

Where the accounts differ

Kundra told reporters the proposal was rejected outright within about two hours of being presented, a day after the October 15 talks, and called the response unfortunate. Kashmir Observer says the MHA shared its draft at the October 15 meeting, after the Ladakh side had submitted replies to a questionnaire and a memorandum of understanding. Kundra said officials had spent three to four weeks preparing the draft and that the Centre was willing to consider changes. A second Greater Kashmir report quotes him citing measures already taken, including raising Scheduled Tribe reservation to 84% and recognizing Bhoti and Purgi as official languages.

What happens next

The next round is set for October 22 in New Delhi, where revised proposals are expected to be discussed. Kundra said he hoped the process would conclude in the coming weeks and months.