The maker of the BlackBerry is seeking to involve other technology companies in its talks with the Indian government, which wants access to the e-mails of BlackBerry users.

Research In Motion Ltd. said Thursday that it has offered to lead an "industry forum" on the use of encrypted communications, which can't be easily eavesdropped by law enforcement.

India has set an Aug. 31 deadline for RIM to give access to the e-mails, or the service would be shut down in the country. RIM says it's being singled out unfairly, when there are many ways of encrypting communications.