Srinagar (AsiaNews) – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is currently in Kashmir where he visited camps for people displaced by clashes between Muslim separatists and Indian troops. Recalling his own "refugee" background during his post-partition childhood when he grew up without a mother, the Prime Minister said he could empathise with victims of violence, especially women and children.

Mr Singh used the occasion to announce a new US$ 5 billion development package for Kashmir that is expected to create 24,000 new jobs, including 14,000 for women

He also said that his government was ready for unconditional talks with those who give up violence. "There are no pre-conditions," he stressed. "I will talk to any Kashmiri group, so that we can build a new Kashmir. My doors are open to all those who will talk peace. I am open to new ideas based on mutual respect and truth."

In recent days, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has some made a number of proposals to solve the difficult Kashmir question, which has caused two wars and 40,000 deaths. However, Mr Singh said any redrawing of borders in the disputed region, one of the proposals suggested recently by President Musharraf, was unacceptable. He also rejected the idea of placing the disputed area under the joint control of the two countries.

On the eve of his arrival in Kashmir, Mr Singh had ordered a troop withdrawal because of the improvement in the security situation in Kashmir. The first 1,000 of the 10,000 soldiers expected to withdraw left the town of Anantnag. Estimates put the number of Indian troops in Kashmir at between 180,000 and 350,000.

Muslim separatists remain sceptical of the Prime Minister's opening. For a Hurriyat leader, "the PM's assurances will not make a difference to the volatile situation in the Valley. The Army has 'special powers' which are often abused."

Another opposition leader added that "the economic package will not help; money will not solve the problems". (NC)