Thursday, September 15 2005 20:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has categorically told Pakistan that continued acts of violence and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir will 'cast a shadow' overthe peace process between the two countries.

In some plain speaking during a meeting marked by 'frank and candor ' last night for over four hours, Singh told Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that the peace process was important and that it should be carried forward.

"The Prime Minister very categorically and clearly put across the standpoint that while we are committed to the dialogue process the continued acts of violence and terrorism, if these acts are not ended, then it casts a shadow over our ability to take the process forward.

"People (in India) would like to know if there is a peace process then why terrorism continues. The process has to have sincerity and some credibility," he told him.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, briefing reporters on the meeting, said the President assured the Prime Minister that he would do everything possible to allay India's apprehensions.

Asked if Musharraf had pressed for withdrawal of troops from Baramulla and Kupwara, as he had done during his meeting with US President George W Bush, the Foreign Secretary said no no specific areas were mentioned.

"The Prime Minister has said that till terrorism is there and if this continues, how it could be possible to reduce troops. It is the responsibility of the Government to maintain safety and security of the people. It will be our decision on the assessment of the situation on the ground."

The Prime Minister emphasised that the issue was linked to elimination of terrorism and violence, Saran said.

To another question as to what was the overall projection of the Pakistan President on his demand for troops withdrawal, if not in specific areas, Saran said this could be one way contributory measure to improving the environment in the valley.

On Siachen and Sir Creek issues, on which there has been considerable media speculation of a possible breakthrough during the talks, Saran said the meeting between the two leaders was focused on the larger picture. However, there was a reference to these issues and the two countries were addressing them taking into account mutual concerns.

But he wanted the media not to expect dramatic breakthroughs every few weeks or every few months. "We are not engaged in event making but we are involved in a process which calls for hard work and incremental progress."

Significantly, the Prime Minister made a reference to the remarks made by Musharraf in his address to the UN yesterday (Sept 14, 2005) on Kashmir and said "This goes back to kind of those days we had put behind."

Musharraf told the Prime Minister that it was not his intention to create a 'negative setting' for the dinner meeting but he had to state issues of importance to Pakistan.

Both agreed that they needed to be sensitive to each other's public opinion in their countries, Saran said adding the Prime Minister repeatedly pointed out that his ability to take the process forward depended on his carrying the people of India with him.

The two leaders went through the progress in the composite dialogue process, which had a successful completion of the second round recently, and they looked forward to the third round in January next. They also felt that apart from Kashmir-centric measures, steps were needed in other areas like people-to-people contacts and cultural fields.

Saran said the discussions between the two leaders were wide-ranging marked by frankness and candor in a spirit of taking the relationship forward. The Prime Minister said the positive and non-contentious atmosphere promised positive developments that should be taken forward.