NEW DELHI, May 4 (UPI) -- The Indian government and Kashmiri separatists have agreed to create a system to ensure continued talks aimed at resolving the Kashmir problem.
The leaders of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of various Kashmiri separatist groups, discussed the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Indian Express newspaper said Thursday that Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was of the view that a structured dialogue process between the concerned parties should continue, to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.
"The process of dialogue has to go on between India and Pakistan as well as with the people of Kashmir. We now need to evolve a mechanism to continue it," Farooq said in his brief remarks.
Farooq called the talks with the prime minister frank and fruitful, adding that a number of sensitive and important issues came up during the discussion.
"We have agreed to work together and to discuss specifics also. We will evolve a mechanism to carry forward this process of dialogue and to ensure a forward movement," he said.
Singh also acknowledged the need for continued dialogue with all parties involved in the Kashmir dispute.
"We have a meeting of minds. This augurs well for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of India and our region," said Dr. Sanjay Baru, media adviser to the prime minister.
Baru said the discussions with the prime minister covered a wide range of issues, including economic growth, cross-border trade and human rights. Farooq added that internal issues specific to the province were also discussed.
