Time not for Pak talks: PM

He made it clear the solution to the Kashmir problem will take time. ‘‘For so many years, no solution has been found. It will take sometime. Even talks have not yet begun,’’ he said. The PM rejected Pakistan’s insistence of discussing the Kashmir issue first before coming to other problems. ‘‘That is what they say. We don’t agree with it. Kashmir is one of the issues which is to be discussed,’’ he added.

The PM said that he has extended the hand of friendship towards Pakistan for the third time, thinking that something will happen. To improve ties with the neighbour some steps have also been taken, he said.

Referring to efforts to restore airlinks between the two countries, he said there should be increased trade between them. It is in their interest, he said, adding that there are many things which Pakistan imports by sea. ‘‘We want to provide them all those things at their doorstep. Though the process is slow, it is better to go step by step,’’ he added. Asked of the Mufti government’s plea for soft borders between J-K and Pakistan to enable divided families on both sides to meet, he said there was no concrete proposal before the Centre in this regard. ‘‘Let the proposal first come and then we will consider it,’’ he added.

On the state’s demand to involve the Hizbul Mujahideen in talks, the PM said: ‘‘We are willing to talk to anyone. However, they (militants) must lay down arms.’’ On the demand for ceasefire in J-K, he said: ‘‘Let them stop firing. There has not been any violence from our side.’’ He said the Hurriyat leaders are also welcome if they are willing to talk. The DPM has already talked on it yesterday, he added. Asked that Hurriyat leaders wanted to hold formal talks and those too with the PM, Vajpayee said even informal talks have not begun with them. Moreover, it was for the Centre to decide at which level talks should take place.

He appreciated the state for doing ‘‘purposeful work’’ and pointed to the change in situation in J-K. ‘‘People are more relaxed and they have expectations from the government, which has not been the case earlier,’’ he said. There has been a decline in violence, he said. Though adequate security was in place along the borders, it was not possible to check terrorist violence everywhere, he said.