Thumbs up to Round 2: Hurriyat

‘‘We are willing to talk and are waiting for a formal invitation from New Delhi,’’ said Hurriyat chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari who led today’s executive committee meeting.

He said the statements of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, his deputy Advani, Pak President Pervez Musharraf and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were indicative of improving relations between India and Pakistan.

‘‘Every one is contributing in his own way to the peace process. We are hopeful of next round of talks,’’ he said. Senior leader Abdul Gani Bhat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Bilal Ghani Lone were also present.

Ansari said that if invited, all the three Hurriyat tiers—Executive, Working Committee and General Council—would meet to set the agenda. ‘‘There are certain grievances which we want to convey to New Delhi during the second round. But we will be able to sort them out and carry the talks process forward,’’ he said.

The meeting also renewed its appeal to all rebels to come back.

On the issue of human rights situation across Kashmir, Ansari said it is ‘‘my individual decision and he hopes New Delhi would look into it.’’ Ansari said when India and Pakistan can move forward with the dialogue process and sort their differences, it means Kashmir issue should not be ignored.

‘‘We would like to hold talks with Pakistani leadership as they control two-thirds of the state,’’ he added.

On the release of detainees, Ansari said he hoped genuine political prisoners, and not ‘‘thugs or thieves’’ would be released.