Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly backed dialogue between India and Pakistan,saying all parties should embrace such talks. At an event in Shopian on Thursday,Abdullah stressed that the decades-long conflict needs fresh efforts for peace.
He invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,who said friends may change but neighbors don't . Abdullah urged no resistance to improving relations. "We want relations between neighbors to improve... nobody should have objection on that," he said,calling for constructive engagement.
His comments follow letter signed by 116 from both countries,advocating for dialogue. The letter asks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif to restore ties and engage in meaningful talks. Notable signatories include former intelligence chief A S Dulat,Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha,and ex-Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.
Abdullah noted even Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders have pushed for dialogue,showing a public perception gap. "Recently, a senior RSS leader said India and Pakistan should talk and become friends. When RSS says this,no one objects,but when leaders in J&K say it,it becomes an issue," he remarked.
Push for dialogue gains urgency after Pahalgam attack last year. Abdullah's comments echo growing sentiment among Jammu and Kashmir leaders for conciliatory approach with Pakistan.
The letter urges both governments to take "meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace,normalcy,dialogue and cooperation in South Asia." Abdullah's call for dialogue aligns with broader push for reconciliation. But will it be enough to shift decades of entrenched positions…
