The government is ready to talk to anyone and on any outstanding issue, including Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted in Delhi on Saturday.

Addressing his first press conference after becoming PM over three months ago, Singh said there are several dimensions regarding the Kashmir issue.

India is not afraid of discussing the Jammu and Kashmir issue but "we do not buy the argument that is the only issue affecting relations between India and Pakistan.

"We have an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. We are ready to talk to all elements not represented in the assembly provided they are ready to talk to us", Singh said.

The government is ready to talk to all groups in J&K and in the Northeast without any preconditions, if they were prepared to talk.

On the eve of talks between foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, he said the government is committed to continue the comprehensive dialogue process. "My government has gone through the exercise of completing the first round of composite dialogue with Pakistan. What we have achieved is not insignificant.

"We have consistently declared our commitment to the peace process and to carrying forward the dialogue process. Our approach to talks will be based on realism and the belief that the people of South Asia are bound together by a shared destiny."

Singh said it is not in his nature "to promise a false dawn, but I do believe in the ancient saying that a road is made by walking step by step".

Expressing "deep regret" and "Deep concern" over the manner in which the Finance Bill and Demand for Grants were passed in Parliament without discussion, the PM said, "All political parities must sit together and work out a new code of conduct for MPs".

External Link: PM's website