Radical shift in India's Kashmir policy

The Indian Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, has been explaining his government's radical shift in its policy on the disputed region of Kashmir.

The Indian policy has traditionally been based on excluding Pakistan from any talks.

But, last week Delhi invited the Pakistani military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf to Delhi to discuss resolving the long-standing Kashmir conflict and other bilateral issues.

Mr Singh , who also holds the defence portfolio, said it was time for India and Pakistan to leave behind confrontation and enter a new era of co-operation.

But, he reiterated that Delhi would not agree to Pakistan's demand for a referendum in Kashmir on its future. He stressed that Kashmir was an integral part of India.

The Indian Government's chief negotiator, KC Pant, is currently visiting Indian-administered Kashmir to asses the latest political developments.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service