New Delhi: The Indian government has invited the Ladakh leadership for talks in New Delhi on September 9.
The fresh initative from the Centre comes as the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced a padyatra (foot march) from Kargil to Leh to press for statehood, Sixth Schedule status and other key demands.
“The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has fixed an official meeting of the sub-committee on 9th September in Delhi. This is part of the ongoing dialogue for deepening democratic processes in Ladakh,” chief secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra posted on X.
The Kargil-Leh padyatra is scheduled from September 10 to 24. Led by social activist Sandeep Pandey and KDA leader Sajjad Kargili, the march was finalised during a meeting in Kargil attended by co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai and other stakeholders.
Protests demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards started after Ladakh was created as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.
The MHA formed a high-powered committee in 2023, under Union minister of state for Home Nityanand Rai, to protect Ladakh’s culture, language and strategic interests.
Three rounds of talks have been conducted so far between the Centre and the leadership in Ladakh.
A fortnight ago, Ladakh’s regional leaders met MHA officials in Leh, handing over a list of ‘non-negotiable’ demands. A day later, cases registered against people over the September 24, 2025 clashes were withdrawn.