Over 117 people from India and Pakistan have jointly urged their prime ministers to restart dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir. This open letter, spearheaded by O.P. Shah, chairman of Centre for Peace and Progress, was released Wednesday,July 1,2026.
Signatories called for comprehensive talks to tackle all outstanding issues, stressing demilitarization and de-escalation. “Resume discussions on Jammu and Kashmir,including revisiting framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007,” letter stated. It urged both governments to take “meaningful and sustained steps toward restoring peace,normalcy,dialogue and cooperation in South Asia.”
Requests included restoring full diplomatic relations and normal visa services. letter also pushed for more exchanges among families,students,academics,journalists,artists,businesspersons, and civil society groups. It called for reopening Attari-Wagah land border for trade and travel,plus resuming bus services between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad,Delhi and Lahore.
The letter proposed opening Kargil-Skardu route and reopening airspace for commercial airlines to boost connectivity and cut travel costs. “This appeal is not an endorsement of any political position. It's a call to prioritize welfare, aspirations and future of nearly two billion people over conflict,confrontation and division,” the letter stressed.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,a prominent cleric from Kashmir, supported initiative, stating that people of Jammu and Kashmir have “suffered enough” and deserve peace and justice. National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq echoed this, advocating dialogue and noting support from various political factions,including RSS .
But the letter drew flak from some Indian political leaders. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh slammed it, calling it an echo of Islamabad’s narrative that undermines India’s national interests . He accused certain Indian leaders of pushing Pakistan’s agenda while ignoring history of terrorism linked to Pakistan.
Chugh insisted India’s stance is clear: “Terror and talks cannot go together.” He stressed that normal bilateral dialogue hinges on Pakistan dismantling terrorist infrastructure and stopping cross-border terrorism. “India follows a policy of Zero Tolerance towards Terrorism,” he added, asserting national security can't be compromised for political messaging .
Letter's garnered signatures from notable figures,including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah,Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti, and human rights advocate Rita Manchanda. From Pakistan,signatories include former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.
This joint effort shows a growing desire among some leaders and citizens in both countries for renewed engagement and dialogue,despite complex and often contentious history between India and Pakistan. The call for peace and cooperation echoes amid ongoing tensions…
