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NEW DELHI, Monday (AFP) Kashmir's Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has asked Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to begin "unconditional" dialogue with the newly-elected lawmakers in the troubled state.

"Now that the true representatives of the people are in position -- thanks to the commendable efforts of the Election Commission and the federal government for ensuring the most fair and free elections -- dialogue must be started," Sayeed said.

Sayeed came to power in November after elections for the Kashmir state assembly in September and October which were overseen by the independent Election Commission.

He referred to a promise made by the prime minister on Independence Day on August 15 to initiate peace talks with elected representatives of the people in Kashmir.

"This historic opportunity should not be missed," Sayeed said, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

Sayeed, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) formed the government in alliance with the Congress party, has promised to bring a "healing touch" to the militancy-torn state, where more than 37,500 people have been killed in a Muslim rebellion against Indian rule since 1989.

On the state's economic situation, the chief minister called for greater support from New Delhi.

"We have to take care of those youths who did not pick up the gun and now we should give them jobs for sustenance," he said.

"Foreign investment is available at a nominal rate of interest (in Kashmir). We seek the central government's approval for such investments." 

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