Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said Saturday ongoing talks with Kashmir's main separatist force Hizbul Mujahideen, in the wake the group's ceasefire declaration, did not undermine national security.
Vajpayee told a meeting of state chief ministers India would never bow to terrorist forces in Kashmir, even while pursuing peace with militant groups willing to lay down their arms.
"Our initiative for a dialogue with anybody who is willing to sit across the table and eschew violence in Kashmir would by no means undermine our determination to fight terrorism," Vajpayee told a meeting of 23 provincial chiefs.
"On the contrary, we will act with added resolve particularly in our effort to eliminate cross-border terrorism. There shall be no let-up in our determined fight against those who seek to harm India's unity and integrity."
Vajpayee chaired a meeting of state chief ministers on Saturday to discuss internal security, in which the Kashmir situation received top priority.
Indian government officials met Hizbul field commanders for landmark talks in Srinagar on Thursday, during which both sides agreed to set up negotiating teams to thrash out a formal ceasefire.
Indian officials were set to hold a fresh round of talks Saturday with the Hizbul Mujahideen
The Hizbul Mujahideen announced a unilateral ceasefire early last week and called for talks, prompting India to suspend counter-insurgency operations against the group.
Vajpayee also said he would allocate 10 billion rupees (22.7 million dollars) for a program to modernize the country's police force.
"Our first task should be to strengthen and modernize the police force in each state so that police personnel have the courage and capability to fight the forces of terror," Vajpayee said.
Vajpayee said additionally a central agency should be formed to fight crimes against the state such as acts of sedition, hijacking, cyber crime and the circulation of faked currency notes -- NEW DELHI (AFP)
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