Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Statement adopted at the first Roundtable Conference on Jammu and Kashmir

1. All the participants at the First Roundtable Conference on Jammu and Kashmir welcomed the initiative taken by the Prime Minister to organise this dialogue. This Conference is in furtherance of the Government of India's continuing efforts to find a consensual solution to the problem of Jammu & Kashmir through a process of dialogue. The participation in the Conference covered a broad spectrum of political groups and representatives of civil society from the State.

2. The Roundtable Conference reaffirmed that violence has no place in a civilised society and that all concerned should uphold basic human rights. It was agreed that the views expressed during the Conference should contribute to taking forward the resolution process and that the Government of India will continue its ongoing efforts to engage various sections and groups across the entire political spectrum and civil society. This journey is a long one and requires patience and fortitude and, above everything else, the involvement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Participants hoped that those who chose to stay away from today's conference will participate in future meetings. The participants suggested that a Second Roundtable Conference may be convened soon.