Kashmir dialogue must be held only with relevant people: Bhat

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Senior separatist leader Abdul Ghani Bhat today urged India to hold the dialogue on Kashmir only with ''relevant people'' who are ''aware'' of the ground situation, and ensure that the vexed issue is resolved amicably.

''A dialogue with relevant people, who know the actual ground situation, will create the right atmosphere for a broad-based consensus on Kashmir...It will be acceptable to all,'' Mr Bhat, who just returned from more than a two-and-a-half month visit to Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, told UNI.

He asserted that people who participate in the parleys must keep in mind the desire and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

''These people must sit with a purpose to establish peace in the state... People who go to the negotiating table to score victories cannot resolve any issue,'' the former Hurriyat Conference Chairman said.

People on both the sides of the divide want stability and peace, he added.

Asked if he was referring to the February 25 roundtable on Kashmir, Prof Bhat, who also attended the three-day Pugwash conference on Kashmir in Islamabad, parried the query.

''I will not comment about what has happened in the past...

I am looking towards the future... and if issue are pursued with the relevant people the result will be good,'' he said.

All top separatists leaders, including those from the Hurriyat Conference, had turned down the invitation to attend the conclave, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Despite holding separate one-on-one meetings with the Prime Minister, they did not participate in the meeting citing ''lack of preparation'' as the reason.

Prof Bhat reiterated that India, Pakistan and representatives of the Kashmiri people must work towards building a consensus which will go a long way in resolving the issue.

''If this effort takes a proper shape it will go a long way in the permanent settlement of the issue. It is in the interest of the South Asian region,'' he added.

''Peace in Kashmir will ensure economic prosperity and progress of the region... this issue is adversely affecting other matters also hence it must be resolved,'' he said.

He expressed the hope that leadership of both the countries will come up with ''out of the box suggestions''.

''There is no excuse for not finding a way out of this problem.... We all must rise to the occasion and shun old baggage. Courage and imaginative approach is needed to achieve the goal,'' he added.

The former Hurriyat Chairman welcomed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's proposals of self-governance and demilitarisation in Kashmir.

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