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India ready to resume talks with Pak
but violence must end: PM

"Internationally India's stand has been recognised and Pakistan has been isolated. There is pressure on Pakistan to initiate talks (with India). We are ready for talks but violence, terrorism and killings must stop," Vajpayee told a large group of newly-elected corporators from Lucknow in New Delhi.

Observing that some peace is prevailing along the LoC, the prime minister said militants were continuing to target security forces and their camps in J&K.

"There are certain terrorist groups based in Pakistan, which are not respecting the ceasefire, are against talks and are indulging in violence," he said.

"But the ceasefire has shown how people of Kashmir and Ladakh have been yearning for peace. The common people in Kashmir are totally against violence," he asserted.

Maintaining that some groups and certain people had a 'vested' interest in ensuring that violence continued, the prime minister said the security forces were taking suitable action against them.

On the domestic political front, Vajpayee said the pace at which governments were changing in the past has 'slowed down but I do not know how long this trend would continue'.

Asserting that the Government was ruling on the basis of the National Democratic Alliance agenda, the prime minister said, "Running a coalition ministry is a difficult job. We are doing our best to take everyone along and our efforts will continue."

Reffering to the economy, he said the situation was not disturbing, the country was self-sufficient in food, the rupee was quite stable against the international currencies as also the U S dollar and foreign exchange reserves were adequate.

On the coming budget, he did not indicate whether tough decision would be taken but said, "The burden has been increasing."

COMPLETE COVERAGE
Government initiated ceasefire in J&K

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