Message Board

Is US using the Kashmir issue to try and get a permanent foothold in South Asia? Post your views

Srinagar: Calling on Hurriyat Conference to begin talks with Centre's interlocutor N N Vohra, Defence Minister George Fernandes on May 17 said the separatists should join the mainstream and think of the future development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked whether he had come with any special message for the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist groups from Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Fernandes said, "My contact with separatists has been since 1989 in one way of another. I have been telling them secessionism is not a solution to problems.

"I have told them to join the talks process and merge into the mainstream and think about the future development of the state," he told reporters.

An initiative had been taken by Vajpayee, which led to announcement of several confidence building measures (CBMs) by New Delhi, which were reciprocated by Islamabad, he said.

"High Commissioners have been announced. Rail, air and road links would also be restored. It is a good beginning," he said.

Asked whether New Delhi would respond in kind to Pakistani announcement of releasing Indian prisoners, the Defence Minister said, "We do not have any Pakistani prisoners in our jails, so there is no possibility of such a step."

Fernandes expressed satisfaction that at last Islamabad had accepted presence of Indian prisoners after denying it for a long time at the highest level.

PTI