Ready for Kashmir-centred talks?

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. India today declared its readiness to engage Pakistan on the long-standing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and called on Islamabad to facilitate the resumption of dialogue by putting an end to cross-border terrorism.

As part of its initiative to revive the stalled peace process in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government today squarely addressed the question of talks with Pakistan. While insisting on the usual conditions for a dialogue with Pakistan, New Delhi indicated that it may be prepared for talks centred only on the Kashmir dispute. In omitting the traditional reference to the ``composite dialogue'', that would bring in all other issues of contention, the Government may be suggesting its readiness to have focused negotiations with Pakistan on Kashmir. In the past, India had argued that the discussion on the Kashmir dispute must be part of a larger agenda.

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