The government is ready for unconditional talks with anyone who abjures violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on the first day of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

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"This dialogue should be and will be carried forward," Singh said addressing the convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar.

"I have already issued instructions to reduce the number of troops deployed in the s tate. If conditions improve and if the incidence of infiltration and violence remain under control it will make it easier for me to seek a further reduction of troops," he said.

The government wants Kashmir to once again become a "symbol of hope, peace, prosperity and cultural pluralism", he said.

"Our government is committed to a purposeful dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues. The only condition is that, as agreed to by Pakistan, territories under its control should not be used to promote cross-border terrorism directed against us," the PM said.

"We are working with Pakistan to see an end to violence in J&K."