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India can't overlook cross-border terrorism: PM

Our Correspondent in New Delhi

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made it clear in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the Indian government cannot overlook cross-border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir while talking to Pakistan.

He said it was conveyed to President Pervez Musharraf in clear terms that India has the 'strength and stamina' to crush terrorism in Kashmir.

"Foreign mercenaries are active in Jammu & Kashmir and they are killing innocent people. You cannot call it jihad or any political struggle. Only two days ago people belonging to a minority community were killed and so were innocent Amarnath pilgrims," said Vajpayee.

Vajpayee revealed to both Houses of Parliament that the Agra talks failed because Pakistan was not willing to acknowledge cross-border terrorism as an issue.

"I am sure that every Kashmiri, whether they be living in the valley, Jammu, Ladakh, Occupied Kashmir or the Northern Areas, wants to live in peace and liberty so that they can prosper economically. And it will be our attempt to give them this opportunity," said Vajpayee.

He also stated that Pakistan had invited him and Jaswant Singh, the external affairs minister, for talks in Islamabad, which he had accepted.

"We want to tell Pakistan that bilateral relations between both countries should not stop on the issue of Kashmir. And therefore, we will keep talking to Pakistan," said Vajpayee.

"We had invited the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference for talks. And, I want to inform the house that we are keen to talk to Kashmiris provided they give up the violence first," Vajpayee added.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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