'Don't set terms for talks'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today told the Hurriyat Conference leaders not to put conditions like travel to Pakistan prior to talks with the Centre and made it clear that there was "wide scope" for dialogue with Islamabad.

Wrapping up his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, he told a press conference that he had not put any pre-condition for a dialogue with anyone in Kashmir.

"In my speech I have invited all political parties, the J&K government, people even outside political system, and those within the civil society to give us the benefit of their advice. What more invitation can anybody give," he said.

To a question on the Hurriyat Conference's insistence that their leader should be allowed to visit Pakistan before they talk to the Centre, the Prime Minister said: "I do not accept any pre-condition on the part of anyone. It is not fair to put conditions to me that I will travel here or there before talking to us. It is not fair."

To another question, the Prime Minister said: "I still believe it is possible to have purposeful and meaningful negotiations within the limits I have set."