New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on December 12 lauded the federal structure of the country and advocated that all the states should have economic independence for upliftment of their people.

Stating that investment in Jammu and Kashmir was investment towards peace, Sayeed said, "the federal structure of the country is the best but I also favour that all the states should have independence to lift the living of their people by better economic facilities."

Sayeed, addressing the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Platinum Jubilee function in New Delhi, favoured that the states should have the independence to rope in the overseas investments.

The Chief Minister said recently the US Ambassador Robert Blackwill had come to the state and had offered cooperation in various fields. "I told him that his proposals will be discussed with the Centre," Sayeed said.

Sayeed said a mutually beneficial relationship between the Centre and the state in a true federal state was an important goal of his government.

"This arrangement must be holistic, encompassing political, social and economic spheres," he said, adding, "we need to open Kashmir economy to the rest of the world."

Reaffirming his resolve to weed out militancy, he said, "I want to leave these people with cause to fight. After all, it is we who have to accelerate the process of normalcy."

"Why should those (militants), who have vested interests in carrying out the nefarious activities give us a chance," the Chief Minister asked.

PTI