On human rights, he said the “government was totally committed to upholding the dignity of the individual and the protection of basic human rights in Jammu and Kashmir, as anywhere else in the country. We have again asked our security forces to ensure that their personnel carry out their difficult tasks in a humane manner”.

Pointing out that the vision for Jammu and Kashmir was embodied in “a broader vision for India and South Asia”, the Prime Minister said “a harmonious neighbourhood and a reconciliation with Pakistan” were important to realise the vision of an India and South Asia free from the fear of war, want and exploitation.

He called for resolving differences and overcoming the “trust deficit” that had cast a shadow on Indo-Pak relations.

Referring to the decision of separatist groups including the Hurriyat factions to stay away, the Prime Minister said, “I am impressed by the representative character of all the people taking part in this Roundtable. There are others who have decided not to join the dialogue. I hope they too join this process and contribute to the resolution of issues which affect the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Those who attended today’s Roundtable included Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, CPI (M) leader Yusuf Tarigami, Congress leader and Union minister Saifuddin Soz, state BJP chief Nirmal Singh and Panun Kashmir chairman Agnishekhar.

The Prime Minister referred to the working group on strengthening relations across the LoC which suggested measures to promote people-to-people contact across the LoC. “These are extremely relevant if we have to move towards the goal of making borders and lines irrelevant and just lines on a map,” Singh said.

... contd.