President Pratibha Patil on Monday asserted that the country is determined to create a secure environment in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] and to defeat the divisive designs of terrorism and violence.

"The state has tremendous potential in horticulture, floriculture, handicrafts, tourism and information technology among others. Equally important is our determination to create a secure environment and to defeat the divisive designs of terrorism and violence," Patil said while inaugurating the Institute of Kashmir Studies at the Kashmir University on Monday in Srinagar [Images].

The institute was established under a memorandum of understanding signed on August 21 last year between South Asian Federation and the University of Kashmir. It is the latest of the eight institutions of excellence which SAF is in the process of establishing in the South Aasian Association for Regoinal Co-operation countries.

The President said building a future of hope and optimism for Jammu and Kashmir is a collective endeavour in which every person is a participant and a contributor as well, which  required the government, civil society and all communities and sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to work together.

Referring to the nearly two-decade-long militancy in the state, Patil said "I am aware of the difficulties that the people of this state have undergone due to violence and terrorism. However, we are all proud of the resilient and strong people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have demonstrated, over the past few years, their determination to move ahead on the constructive path of peace and progress. This is the true path."

The President said both the state and the Central governments have taken development of Jammu and Kashmir as their top agenda and enunciated policies and progammes towards this end.