Nine moderate separatist leaders from Indian Kashmir have returned home after a two-week visit to Pakistan, saying they are ready to have peace talks with India now.
Delegation leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told reporters Thursday they are ready for talks with the Indian government, and that the next move is up to India.
The nine leaders from Kashmir's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, went to Pakistan June 2. There they held informal talks with leaders on how to resolve the territorial dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
While in Pakistan, Mr. Farooq called on the militant Kashmiri separatists to join the peace process. They have been fighting Indian troops since 1989 to press for Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. They say they are also against the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan.
Delegation leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told reporters Thursday they are ready for talks with the Indian government, and that the next move is up to India.
The nine leaders from Kashmir's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, went to Pakistan June 2. There they held informal talks with leaders on how to resolve the territorial dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
While in Pakistan, Mr. Farooq called on the militant Kashmiri separatists to join the peace process. They have been fighting Indian troops since 1989 to press for Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. They say they are also against the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan.