NEW DELHI, April 24: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated on Tuesday that President General Pervez Musharraf’s proposals to resolve the Kashmir dispute were being discussed at several official levels here and possibly with Pakistan too.

“There have been references to President Musharraf’s proposals and statements on Jammu and Kashmir during our discussions,” he told a meeting of officials and politicians from the state at a roundtable discussion on Kashmir. Resistance leaders had boycotted the talks.

“Several ideas having a bearing on improving relations between India and Pakistan are being discussed at various levels. In carrying on these discussions we are giving careful consideration to your views expressed at these roundtables and the meetings of the working groups.

Some public statements in this regard emanating from Pakistan do not give the correct picture. I have said earlier that we are working sincerely towards resolving all pending issues with Pakistan and their resolution will be to the benefit of the entire region.”

Dr Singh said lasting peace would not come through "instant deals" but would come “only when the stakeholders – the people themselves – become the torchbearers of peace.”

He said the roundtable process was such a transparent process “which ensures widest participation among all segments of opinion” in the state.

“We are not trying to mechanically impose solutions from above. Rather, this process is throwing up possibilities which are representative in character. This is the strength of our democracy.

This is the key to the success of India. We are working for the blueprint of a new future. I thank you all for joining in this process of drawing a new future for people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

At one point, Dr Singh spoke of his vision for a "Naya (new) Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh", an unusual reference to the Indian administered state, nominally referred to as Jammu and Kashmir.

The region would become an epitome of unity, peace and prosperity in diversity, the prime minister said. But, he added: “The vision for Jammu and Kashmir is embodied in a broader vision for India and South Asia. A harmonious neighbourhood and a reconciliation with Pakistan are important to realise the vision of an India and South Asia free from the fear of war, want and exploitation.

“For this it is essential to resolve our differences and overcome the trust deficit that has cast a shadow on our relations. I and our government remain deeply committed to do everything necessary and possible to realise this vision.”

Dr Singh said one of the five working groups he set up for the roundtable -- the working group on strengthening relations across the LoC -- had suggested a series of measures to promote people-to-people contact across the LoC.

“These, in my view, are extremely relevant if we have to move towards the goal of making borders and lines irrelevant and just lines on a map. Of course, the measures suggested need to be implemented after they are agreed to with our neighbour Pakistan," he said.

India sees two dimensions to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir.

“One is an internal one and the other, an external one, involving Indo-Pakistan relations," Dr Singh said. "It is our intention and sincere desire to advance on both fronts towards resolving the problems through a process of dialogue."

Dr Singh said the roundtable process was part of an effort to find pragmatic, practical means of improving the quality of life of the people in Jammu and Kashmir so that they could lead a life of self-respect and dignity.

"At the same time, I am conscious that there are difficulties. There are acts of terrorism which derail our efforts towards restoring normalcy. There are concerns about human rights violations and undue harassment of people at large. We are committed to seeing that these are minimized," he said.

"On the external front vis-à-vis Pakistan, we have engaged sincerely with Pakistan to improve our relations and resolve all pending issues. Efforts have been made and will continue to be made to work for a reconciliation recognising the interdependence of our destinies," the prime minister said.

These efforts would not be fruitful unless a peaceful environment was created through "honouring of commitments made, in letter and spirit," to curb terrorist activities.

"I had said a year ago in Amritsar that the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir can, with the active encouragement of the governments of India and Pakistan, work out cooperative, consultative mechanisms so as to maximise the gains of cooperation in solving problems of social and economic development of the region."

This appeared to be a reference to a consultative mechanism that Gen Musharraf has evidently given his assent to. Dr Singh said the working group on cross-LOC ties could take the idea forward.

"The confidence building measures across the LoC that have been initiated and the many more which have been suggested in the working group report will promote a free flow of ideas, people and goods. And this will be for the benefit of one and all.

"The roundtables so far have contributed to taking our dialogue forward. We have reached a stage where tangible measures are now being suggested as a result of this dialogue," he said.