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| Dialogue ball in Pak’s court: PM | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Jun 22: Manmohan Singh today said he had already set the ball rolling for a dialogue with Pakistan and it was now up to Islamabad to respond.
Talking to a delegation of CPI(M) leaders from Jammu and Kashmir who called on him, the Prime Minister said he favoured resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan through dialogue and reconciliation. Speaking to reporters here after their meeting with the Prime Minister, leader of the delegation Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said a dialogue with Pakistan was imperative for peace in the state.
According to Mr Tarigami, Dr Singh told him that India could prosper only in an atmosphere of cooperative relationship in South Asia. Dr Singh told the delegation that he had an open mind on the question of either talking to Pakistan or to Kashmiri separatists. He, however, said Islamabad had to take steps to create such an environment by taking effective and strong action against the ''enemies of peace,'' Mr Tarigami quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
On the issue of talks with Kashmiri separatists Dr Singh said he had already extended an invitation to the Kashmiri leadership, particularly those outside the political mainstream.
The Prime Minister, had on June 17 while returning from Yekaterinburg in Russia, told reporters on board that he was open for talks with anyone in Kashmir, including those outside the political mainstream provided they gave up gun culture and shunned violence. The CPI(M) delegation urged the Prime Minister to reduce the ''disproportionate'' presence of security forces in the Valley and create an environment of confidence to ensure that the dialogue process was resumed.
Referring to detentions of political leaders including that of hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mr Tarigami told the Prime Minister that democratic rights and civil liberties needed to be protected. He also demanded repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
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