An old Kashmir hand, experience is Sharma’s asset

NEW DELHI: Dineshwar Sharma, the government’s choice for starting a dialogue with the people of Jammu & Kashmir, comes to the talks table with considerable experience and sound knowledge of all issues concerning the state.
A Kerala cadre, 1979 batch IPS officer who retired as the director of Intelligence Bureau in December 2016, Sharma was posted in J&K in 1992, when militancy was at its peak.He later handled J&K from the IB headquarters here, including as chief of the country’s domestic intelligence agency.
“I’m open to talks with everybody. I extend an open invitation to all individuals and groups in J&K who are willing to engage in a dialogue. Though I will be based in Delhi, I plan to frequently visit the state for talks, starting some time next week,” Sharma told TOI shortly after he was named the government representative to initiate dialogue. “Let me see how positive change can be brought in Kashmir through talks.”
A senior IB officer who has worked under Sharma said “his soft demeanour and affable approach shall give him added advantage in talking to various shades of opinion in J&K”. The ambit of talks is not restrictive and shall include all stakeholders who believe in peace, development and betterment of J&K.
Sharma has also handled insurgency-related issues in other conflict theatres such as Nagaland and Manipur. His understanding of security-related matters and experience in handling complex issues led the government to appoint him for talks with insurgent groups in the northeast (barring Naga groups) including Ulfa, NDFB(S) and Kuki insurgents from Manipur.
Sharma is the second top officer of the security establishment to be associated with J&K dialogue after former home secretary and current J&K governor N N Vohra who led the talks during 2003-’08.