NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Leader of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Yasin Malik met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday and called for equal role for Kashmirirs in the India-Pakistan dialogue over the disputed region.

“I presented to the prime minister a CD with 1.5 million signatures of Kashmiris,” Mr Malik said after holding an hour-long meeting with Dr Singh. “The petitioners have pleaded for equal role for Kashmiris in the talks because they are the aggrieved party.”

He said he also stressed on the participation of armed resistance leaders in future talks to discuss the Kashmir issue. “They have a great role in the struggle for our rights and they will be pivotal in bringing peace to the region. Without them the process is incomplete” Mr Malik cited India’s ongoing talks with Naga rebels as a possible model.