Welcoming the delegates, Dr Singh claimed the round-table conference is part of "our collective effort to find a solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir through a process of dialogue."
He said during the last one year when the second round-table conference was held in Srinagar, a lot of work has been done.
"Jammu and Kashmir continues to remain at the top of our government's agenda. I repeat, the simple vision which guides me and which I have articulated to university students in Srinagar. It is a vision of Naya Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh which is symbolised by peace, prosperity and people's power. It can and must become a model of real empowerment of the people and comprehensive security for them," he said.
Dr Singh said that deployment of security forces is directly related to the scale of the problems on the ground which they are required to tackle. "Terrorism has left deep scars on the minds of the people and it is our effort to apply a soothing balm on these scars and make a new beginning," he said.
He thanked Justice Sagir Ahmed, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, M K Rasgotra, Dr C Rangarajan and Dr N C Saxena, the chairpersons of five working groups set up during the last round-table conference.
Addressing the conclave boycotted by separatist groups, the prime minister said the vision of Jammu and Kashmir was embodied in a broader vision for India and South Asia, which is importantly linked to a "reconciliation with Pakistan" and a "harmonious neighbourhood."
Image: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah along with his son and president of the National Conference Omar Abdullah at the conference.
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