Speaking for the first time on his forthcoming talks with the Hurriyat Conference, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today hoped that leaders of the separatist conglomerate will make ‘‘sincere efforts’’ to end violence in the Valley.On the Pakistan front, Advani said India will not lower its guard despite the thaw in relations. ‘‘While cross-border terrorism and infiltration has continued over the years, the level of infiltration and the number of violent incidents in J-K have perceptibly come down in recent months,’’ he said.Describing the January 6 India-Pakistan joint statement in Islamabad as ‘‘historic and a major breakthrough’’, the DPM, however, cautioned the country’s top security brass against lowering its guard, and said ‘‘vigil must be continued’’.Inaugurating a two-day meeting of Chief Secretaries and DGPs on internal security, he said the government favoured a resolution of all conflicts through peaceful means. ‘‘It is in this spirit that the invitation for talks has been extended to the Hurriyat.’’ ‘‘I am confident the outcome will be good,’’ he added. The implementation of a ceasefire along the LoC and IB has brought peace and raised expectations of the people that ‘‘good times are ahead’’, Advani added.He also termed as a ‘‘major breakthrough’’ the action by the Royal Bhutan Army against North-East rebels. ‘‘The government will continue to pursue with other neighbouring countries to emulate the example set by Bhutan,’’ he said. He added the additional protocol to the 1987 SAARC convention on suppression of terrorism, signed in Islamabad, was an ‘‘important landmark.’’
