Indicating that talks with the Hurriyat could be held on the lines of "decentralisation" of power, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Friday said the government had no problems in holding parleys with anyone but that there would be no compromise on the "unity and integrity" of the country.
Advani also said India's fresh peace package to Islamabad was in no way an indication of a change in the government's policy on holding talks with Pakistan.
"Our stance is the same: Pakistan has to stop infiltration, destroy the terrorist infrastructure and build a congenial atmosphere before any talks can begin," the deputy prime minister said addressing jawans at the 42nd raising day function of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Delhi.
On talks with the Hurriyat, he said, "When we can hold talks with Bodo and Naga groups, we can do so with the Hurriyat too."
Advani's comments came a day after the Hurriyat came up with a guarded response to the government's offer to talk to the separatist conglomerate.
Advani said the Centre's interlocutor N N Vohra would continue to be the government's point man on Kashmir. "He (Vohra) has worked very hard and done a wonderful job. We appreciate his vital inputs about Kashmir."
Meanwhile, India is awaiting a response from Pakistan on its fresh proposals for normalising ties. External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told Zee TV that if both sides implemented the measures announced by India, it would help bring people of the two countries closer.
