New Delhi, Nov 21: Centre today said it was ready to hold "unconditional" talks with Hurriyat, as desired by the amalgam, and that the parleys would be Kashmir centric only. The talks are likely to be held after the assembly polls in the five states, Minister of State for Home I D Swami told reporters reacting to Hurriyat's announcement that in Srinagar it was ready to hold unconditional talks with the Centre.
"We are ready for an unconditional dialogue. In fact, we have been making it clear umpteen number of times that we have only one condition that the opposite party should abjure violence, which they (Hurriyat) have done," swami said.
"Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani have always maintained that the government is ready to talk on anything without any precondition, and if there are any grievances, any demands, they can certainly be discussed on the table," he said.
Asked when the Centre would send a formal invitation to the amalgam leaders, he said "well, these are small formalities which will be completed soon."
He appreciated Hurriyat for not insisting on tripartite talks involving Pakistan.
Swami said the fresh approach from the Hurriyat was a "good development" as people of Jammu and Kashmir had been "yearning for peace".
Bureau Report