Govt ready to hold talks with all groups in J&K: PM Manmohan Singh

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today said his government is ready to hold dialogue with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir which are outside the political mainstream provided they shun violence.

"I would once again like to appeal to all elements in Jammu and Kashmir that our government is ready for a dialogue provided that all these groups which are outside the political mainstream shed the path of violence," he said at a national press conference in New Delhi ahead of his visit to the state scheduled early next month.

The prime minister said during his visit to the border state, he would review the development programmes and would discuss with the Omar Abdullah-led government issues relating to accelerating the growth process.

"As far as my visit to Kashmir is concerned, it is a visit to one of the states of the Union. I would like to review the development programmes.

"As far as political situation in Kashmir is concerned, we have a democratic government, how it is functioning... I would like to discuss with the government of Jammu and Kashmir, what more can be done to accelerate the pace of development and further more," he said.