In his first meeting with Malik, Singh said there was an air of optimism in State and an opportunity to bring lasting and permanent peace in (occupied) Kashmir.
"The Prime Minister would like all men and women of goodwill in the dialogue process to end the period of suffering," Indian Prime Minister's media adviser Sanjaya Baru told reporters after the hour-long meeting. Emerging from the meeting at the Prime Minister's Racecourse Road residence, Malik wanted the Centre to hold talks with Kashmiri leaders in a third country the line of negotiations being held with Nagaland insurgent group NSCN-IM.
Terming his meeting with the Prime Minister as part of "consultations", Malik made it clear that the peace process would become irreversible only after key Mujahideen leaders were included in the talks.
"My meeting with the Central leadership today along with my General Secretary Ghulam Rasool Dar is not a dialogue process but only a consultation process," the JKLF chief added.
Malik said the meeting had given him an opportunity to present a set of compact disc, which contained an "honest, transparent democratic verdict of people" whereby they wanted to be included in the peace process.
"Till now, Kashmiris have only been called for consultation process and are having a photo opportunity and there is no sign of optimism so far," Malik said.
Asked if he was happy over his meeting with the Prime Minister, Malik said, "I have given my suggestions and he (Manmohan Singh) will discuss with his cabinet colleagues."
According to adviser Sanjaya, the Prime Minister said in his opening remarks at the meeting that he would like to engage all political parties and all those who are outside the electoral process in a constructive dialogue process.
"We are seeking ways and means to promote a structured dialogue. You have assurance that we have an open mind and we would like to involve as large a cross section of public opinion as possible in this dialogue", Singh said.
Manmohan Singh was assisted by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National City Advisor M K Narayanan, Home Secretary V K Duggal in the talks. The Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir N N Vohra and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair were also present at the meeting.
The JKLF chief is the second leader after Peoples Conference's Sajjad Lone to be invited by the Indian Prime Minister for talks on the Kashmir issue. Lone had held talks with Singh last month.
The Centre is also likely to call other Kashmiri leaders including Shabir Shah and JKDLF leader Hashim Qureshi for talks, said a news report.