NEW DELHI, 14 January 2004 — Taking a major step toward initiating “peace talks” with separatist Kashmiri leaders, the Indian government yesterday sent an invitation to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by Moulvi Abbas Ansari for talks with Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani on Jan. 22.

The meeting between Advani and the separatist leaders will be the first of its kind.

The invitation said, “pursuant to the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Oct. 22, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani would like to meet you on Jan. 22.”

The decision to hold talks with Hurriyat leaders was taken last weekend at a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Home Ministry and the government’s interlocutor on Kashmir N.N. Vohra.

Confirming the invitation for talks, senior leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq said in Srinagar, “Hurriyat chairman has received the invitation for talks.”