Dubai: Pakistani Foreign Minister Mian Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that Kashmiris should be involved in the proposed talks between New Delhi and Islamabad. "I'm sure they won’t mind voicing their views," he said.

A report in' The News’ quoted Kasuri as saying in Tehran that in the past few days his country had taken many steps to contain cross-border terrorism against India. Citing an example he said, "We banned several militant outfits. We've done the best we could. No country can seal its borders completely."

He was in Tehran to attend the 30th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. According to the report, he said this while referring to his Indian counterpart Yashwant Sinha's recent statement that New Delhi would not make a complete halt to the cross-border attacks a precondition for talks with Pakistan.

Kasuri reportedly said that proposed talks with India should begin at the earliest. The groundwork should be completed within weeks, he added. According to him, the recent statements of Indian premier Atal Behari Vajpayee show that he is sincere in continuing with the peace process, and hold talks without wasting much time.

Replying to a question about the involvement of Kashmiris in the talks, the Pakistani minister said, ". I think they have to be involved."

ANI