Manmohan Singh willing to talk to Kashmiri separatist groups

New Delhi, June 17(ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that he is willing to talk to any group, including the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, if they are interested in a dialogue.

He was addressing a news conference on board after attending twin summits in the Urals city of Yekatarinburg in Russia.

"We would be happy to engage in dialogue with any group and that applies, I mean, any group which is interested in talking to us, that, I think, option is open and we would welcome even those groups who are not in the political mainstream, if they have any views, we are quite willing to, I think, discuss with them," Singh said.

Kashmir's main political separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (freedom) Conference binds about two-dozen Kashmiri political groups, some of them seeking independence and others greater autonomy.

The alliance was weakened in 2002 after hardliners, supported by Islamic militants, walked out opposing talks with New Delhi. (ANI)