INDIA NEWS
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INDIA NEWS |
HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA, LONDON
PRESS RELEASE MAY 24, 2001
INDIA INVITES GENERAL MUSHARRAF FOR TALKS
In November last, on the eve of
Ramzan, Prime Minister Vajpayee had announced non-initiation of combat
operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. This was subsequently
extended. It has now lasted for six months. It was expected that various
terrorist groups and organisations, mostly foreign, would see reason, and
recognising the imperatives of peace, dialogue and cooperation shun violence.
Regrettably, they have not.
This phase,
therefore, is now over. These terrorist groups have hindered the restoration of
peace in Jammu and Kashmir and have inflicted misery upon the people of that
State. Hereafter, security forces shall take such action against terrorists as
they judge best. They will, in the process, continue to exercise maximum care
that no harassment is caused to the civilian population.
A gratifying
feature of these last six months has been relative peace along the LOC on
account of restraint exercised by both sides. There has also been considerable
lowering of cross LOC exchange of fire. In this regard, the Government has
decided that it will continue to observe maximum restraint has hitherto. The
process of dialogue initiated by the Prime Minister under Shri K C Pant shall
continue unhindered. Our invitation to all sections in J & K to join this
dialogue is reiterated.
India's commitment to peace, dialogue and cooperative co-existence with Pakistan remains unaltered. Prime Minister Vajpayee had set in motion a peace process by his historic and path breaking visit to Lahore in early1999.
In pursuance of
Lahore Declaration and the Shimla Agreement, Prime Minister Vajpayee has decided
to invite General Pervaz Musharraf, the Chief Executive of Pakistan to visit
India at his early convenience. A formal invitation will be delivered shortly.
India is yet again
offering the hand of friendship, reconciliation, cooperation and peace to
Pakistan, in the expectation that this opportunity shall be positively and
purposefully utilised by them.
New
Delhi
May 23, 2001
Press Release No. 33/2001