India to talk for first time to Kashmir separatists

India offered yesterday to talk to Kashmiri separatists for the first time and to open new border crossings with Pakistan - including one in disputed Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha said the Cabinet had also decided to resume sporting ties with Pakistan.

However, he maintained India's insistence that Pakistan stop Muslim separatists crossing into Indian Kashmir to join a bloody 14-year revolt and said dialogue was not possible with Islamabad unless evidence was seen on the ground that "cross-border terrorism" was being brought to an end.