Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor Saturday said that the centre was ready to hold talks with the Maoist rebels if they abjure violence.
"As far as the union government is concerned, we are ready for talks with the Maoists if they stop violence.
"Development and political freedom is definitely important for everyone. But violence is not accepted," Tharoor told reporters here during a programme organised by West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC).
"We did not have such cross-border terrorism that we have now. We did not have such internal security problems because of the Maoists as we are having now," he said.
"These are new problems and we have to address that. Our task is not finished yet," the minister said.
Tharoor, on a two-day visit to Kolkata, visited the state Congress office here Saturday morning to pay a floral tribute to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 25th death anniversary.