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Flanked by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and state leaders -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed -- Singh announced Centre's assistance to a series of development measures in the state at a public meeting in Anantnag.
Affirming that "the era of violence and terrorism is coming to an end", the Prime Minister recalled that five years ago his government had committed itself to having unconditional dialogue with "whoever abjures violence" after which the government had held discussions with different groups and implemented a number of initiatives.
"I wish to say again today that we are willing to talk to anyone who has any meaningful ideas for promoting peace and development in Kashmir.
"We want to carry all sections of the people with us in resolving the political and economic problems of Jammu and Kashmir," Singh said.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister and other leaders flagged off the 18-km long Anantnag-Qazigund section of the Kashmir rail project. "The day is not far when trains will run from Jammu to Srinagar through the Banihal pass," he said.
Recalling his peace offer in 2004, the Prime Minister said the "most fruitful and productive discussions" with Pakistan were held between 2004-07 when militancy and violence had begun to decline.
"Intensive discussions were held on all issues including on a permanent resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir," he said adding that for the first time in 60 years, people were able to travel by road across the Line of Control (LoC).
He noted that divided families were re-united and trade between the two sides of Kashmir had begun and overall trade with Pakistan had increased three-fold during 2004-07.
"We were moving in the right direction. For the first time there was a feeling among the people that a durable and final peace was around the corner. However, all the progress that we achieved has been repeatedly thwarted by acts of terrorism," Singh said adding that the terrorists want permanent enmity between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said he strongly believed that the majority of the people in Pakistan sought good neighbourly and cooperative relations with India.
"They seek a permanent peace. This is our view as well," Singh said.
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Indian troops are killing innocent Kahmiris Indiscriminately how can they accept india as their own country
Mr Nimesh Mehta and Mr.Devasahayam and all IndiansWe never accept India as our own country Indian forces are killing Kahmiri innocent people brutally and Indiscriminately and labelling them as the terrorists, kashmiri know the ground reality , kashmiris are suffering from 1947we are peace loving people ,India cannot rule us, Indian troops are the terrorists for kashmiris, freedom struggle of kashmiri people will not stop unless and untill india should set them free.
Peace can neither be bargained for nor negotiated. Peace can only be imposed.
INDIA HAS BEEN TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DO THAT FOR LAST 60 YEARS, NOW IT IS TIME TO NEGOCIATE BEFORE CHINS STARTS BUILDING PROJECTS LIKE SHE IS DOING IN POK.
The alleged dispute about Kashmir is existing for over 5 decades or so. Politics as usual,during the time the government and the politicians all preached their gospel for peace. What happened? not much or rathe nothing.Did we ever ask the people of Kashmir what they really wanted? Maybe not.We try to divide them by religion,ethnic separation etc.That is not democratic principles or basic human right.We had the war with China in 1962 and subsequent wars with Pakistan - creating "Bangladesh" another country with poverty.Maybe we should talk to the citizens of Kashmir to enable PEACE.Peace is not free..We all pay a price for Peace..Let us hope and pray that will happen in our lifetime.
Despite whatever the Goverment and the people of india have done in the last six decades for the state of J
I believe Mr Afzal guru could be a best choice of all; for the talk may increase in number of votes for this Congis govt the lone factor that guides this Govt.
finally truth surfaced....there is need to understand the genuin political problem of Kashmir. Yesterday we observed "Strike" in Kashmir against the landing of indian troops. Today we are observing strike against the visit of "Puppet indian PM". Hope you got what we demand. Peace will never come till India recognize the ground realities. let the Kashmiris decide their political future. Don not force us don't dictate us.....Farook
Though you refuse, like your Pakistani "masters" to accept democracy at all (proven by their murder of it through arrest of Mujib in 1971), and boycott votes (because your masters know one vote DOES make difference)!
Dear Mr. Rashid or Farook, Dont you know that the moment Kashmir is independent, either Pakistan or China is going to gobble? Please stop day dreaming and realize the fact that Kashmir is safest as a part of India. Look at what is happening to Pakistan!
Pakistan is heaven on earth. we love Pakistan madly. first tell me about india 134th ranking human development index Pakistan is on 130th. better than india.Where is Peace in India??communal divide at its peak. What about Poorest Maoists, Poorest Naxalists, Manipori, Nagas, Assam. and Kashmir 7 lakh indian troops for what!! Trouble in Pak due to Russian
Pak's trouble not due to Russians but its own stupidity (as revealed in 1971) compounded by its refusal to learn from its errors (a nation which had 3 war criminals sequentially as army-chief, one as dictator--under whose regime 6 lakhs were added to the 35 lakhs murdered in 1971)--so shut your trap, jillass!
What talks and with whom,the double currency and double faced mufti sayed, the remote controlled hurriat,the proved incompetent farook and his son, the ideolgy defecient,money hungry militants,ideology less commie trigami,orphaned jammu leadershipJ