Indian PM says 'new chapter' opening on Kashmir
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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2L) and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi
SRINAGAR, India — India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh heralded Thursday the opening of a "new chapter" in a peace process to end a two-decade-old revolt in Indian-held Kashmir.
Winding up a two-day trip to the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, Singh reiterated his government's willingness to hold talks with all separatist groups opposed to Indian rule as long as they renounced violence.
"I believe that a new chapter is opening in the peace process in the state and we are turning a corner," Singh told a news conference in Indian Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar.
"We are willing to engage in serious discussions with every group provided they shun the path of violence," Singh said as he announced a series of economic measures to boost the region's economy.
Last month, Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram offered to start a "quiet dialogue" with separatist politicians in the disputed region.
The offer was welcomed by local moderates but rejected by hardliners.