Hard line and moderate freedom fighters in occupied Kashmir vowed to work for peace in the revolt-torn region in 2004 and called Saarc summit which opening in Pakistan on Sunday a good start to the new year.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari is among leaders of seven South Asian nations in Islamabad at the meeting which is seen as a chance for India and Pakistan to forge closer links less than two years after nearly going to war over Kashmir.
"I am hopeful the year will be remembered for peace in Kashmir," said the leading Muslim cleric and moderate freedom fighter Umar Farooq. "With India and Pakistan coming closer by means of Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) and other positive measures the year has got a positive beginning."
M Syed Ali Geelani also pledged to back moves to end the rebellion which erupted in 1989 and has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
"I and my colleagues will support any peace process," said Geelani, who heads the hard line wing of the main freedom fighters alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC).
India has rejected formal bilateral talks with Pakistan until Islamabad ends its alleged support for rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir since 1989.
Pakistan, however, says it gives the rebels only moral backing.
Geelani, a staunch pro-Pakistan freedom fighter, urged India to "soften" its stand and start talks with Islamabad and said the participation of Kashmiris in the peace process was vital for a lasting solution.
Ties began warming last April between India and Pakistan which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir after Vajpayee said he wanted to make one last drive for peace in his lifetime.
Since then, the two sides have announced a slew of confidence-building moves, including a cease-fire along the Line of Control (LoC), a military boundary dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Saarc foreign ministers on Friday agreed to co-operate against terrorism, giving fresh impetus to the peace process. In other progress, they concluded a regional free trade pact, long stymied by tensions between Indian and Pakistan.
India has declared it will hold talks with the moderate wing of Hurriyat but analysts say little headway may be made as Muslim freedom fighters support Geelani in his call for three-way talks.
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