NEW DELHI, Nov 26: India on Tuesday ruled out a ceasefire in occupied Kashmir during Ramazan, but said New Delhi was ready for talks with groups opposed to violence.

India’s Minister of State for Home, Vidyasagar Rao, said in parliament that the government had not received any proposal for enforcing a ceasefire from the held state’s newly-elected government.

“And the question of any response (on a ceasefire) by the centre, therefore, does not arise,” Rao told the Lok Sabha (lower house). The Indian media have been rife with speculation that the government would declare a ceasefire during Ramazan, under which troops would not launch pro-active steps against militants, but would take measures to defend people and property if attacked.

The junior home minister, however, said the Indian government was not averse to opening talks.

“The Indian government remains committed to dialogue with any individual or group in (occupied) Jammu and Kashmir who eschew the path of violence.

“But no militant or terrorist group has eschewed the path of violence to come forward for talks,” Rao said.—AFP