Farooq seeks India, Pakistan peace dialogue

Srinagar: Former J&K chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday urged New Delhi to hold a dialogue with Pakistan to seek an end to militancy and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He warned that if the issues are not resolved amicably through a dialogue a Gaza or Palestine-like situation might emerge in the Himalayan region as well.

“Those who (see) pies in the sky and say militancy is over, I’m telling them over and over again that it is not going to go like that unless they create an atmosphere conducive for holding dialogue. We must find a way,” he told reporters. Referring to Pakistan’s “willingness” to talk, he said: “We must sit with them to find a way so that it (militancy) stops”.

When told about India’s position and how such engagements have failed to yield positive results in the past, Dr Abdullah said: “I read, and you also must have read (in newspapers) that the man who is returning as (Pakistan’s) Prime Minister has given a statement that he wants to have better relations with India and move forward together. Nawaz Sharif has said this, and I don’t see… Why are we not ready to talk?”

He, however, hastened to add: “Just wait… let him (Sharif) take over (as Prime Minister of Pakistan), let elections take place there. Yet, I say again that there is no way forward but through dialogue.”

Reiterating that militancy and violence will not go unless India addresses the root cause of it through dialogue, he said that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had said that friendship with Pakistan should be maintained “to the extent possible”, for you can change friends but not neighbours. “Vajpayeeji had said friends can be changed but not neighbours; hence we should improve our relations with them, and I hope they will reciprocate in the kind”.

He warned: “If we do not find a solution through dialogue, we will meet the same fate as Gaza and Palestine, which are being bombed by Israel. But if we (India and Pakistan) remain friendly, both will progress. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modiji also said that war is not an option now and matters should be resolved through dialogue.”