NEW DELHI. Aug 7: Indian Prime Minister Atal Beharl Vajpayee said today there were no conditions for peace talks with Kashmir's dominant militant group, but that any agreement would be bound by the constitution, reports AFP.

"While the, talks with the Hlzbul Mujahideen are unconditional, no decision will be taken outside the constitution," Vajpayee told the upper house of India's parliament

His statement is likely to place further strain on Ove ceasefire process in Kashmir -- already subject to a Tuesday ultimatum by the Hlzbul Mujahideen for India to involve Pakistan Ln the talks.

The Issue of imposing a constitutional framework on the talks Is crucial, as it would preclude any possibility of discussing Kashmir's secession from India.

The Hlzbul leadership has insisted that "unconditional" should mean without any constitutional constraints.

Vajpayee's latest formulation was an apparent attempt to balance the militant demand that the talks can cover any issue, against political pressure not to compromise on the constitution.

Vajpayee appeared to have moved on the Issue last week when he argued that the main touchstone for peace talks should not be the Indian constitution but "insantyat" (humanity).

New Delhi's stance has been muddled from the start, with Vajpayee's ambiguous statements compounded by ministers pushing different lines.

On the question of Pakistani participation in the dialogue with Hlzbul Mujahideen. Vajpayee reiterated Monday that Islamabad could not be Involved as long ;ls It continued to sponsor militant groups In Kashmir.

We have always maintained we are willing for talks, willing for warmer relations, but first we need an environment for these talks to take place.

We have reached out several times to Pakistan and been betrayed." Vajpayee said, adding that public sentiment in India

could not stomach similar betrayals in the future.

Pakistan-based Hlzbul Mujahideen commander Syed Salahuddln confirmed Sunday a 5:00 p.m. (1800 BSD Tuesday deadline for India to sit down for unconditional three-way talks -with Pakistan - after which the ceasefire would be withdrawn.

Hlzbul announced a unilateral ceasefire on July 24 and called for talks, prompting India to suspend counter-Insurgency operations against the group.

The two sides met In the Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar on Thursday and agreed to each set up six-member negotiating teams to thrash out a formal ceasefire agreement.