Kashmir parties, separatists hail ‘positive move’

Jammu and Kashmir’s mainstream and separatist parties and leaders on Friday responded in somewhat unison to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sudden and unexpected visit to Lahore as a sign of warming of relations between the two countries.

“Mr Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan is a positive move. People of Kashmir welcome any opportunity that brings India and Pakistan close,” tweeted chief Muslim cleric and chairman of one faction of Hurriyat Conference alliance Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He also said, “Political will and vision needed on all sides to address issues especially Kashmir”.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who heads the other major faction of the amalgam, said he is not averse to improving of relations between the two neighbours but sought to remind that Kashmir is the core issue and its resolution key to success of the two-way dialogue for establishing lasting peace in the region.

“I’m not against their improving relations but just want to remind them that the basic issue between the two sides is the unresolved Kashmir dispute and unless and until this issue is addressed as core issue and the dispute is solved according to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, such engagements will only prove a futile exercise”, he said. The octogenarian leader asked, “Do I have also to recall that more than 150 rounds of talks were held between the two sides in the past but without achieving any tangible results.”

Chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, while welcoming Mr Modi’s brief visit to Lahore said it was a step in right direction which also indicates the PM’s resolve to improve ties with Pakistan. He added that he was delighted by Mr Modi’s stopover at Lahore as it will further strengthen the bonds of friendship and usher in an era of peace and stability in the region. “This is an evolutionary process and step in the right direction. It indicates PM’s resolve to enter into a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan,” he said in a statement.

Mr Sayeed hoped that “This initiative, besides being a great step towards improvement of bilateral relations, will also give impetus to the concept of SAARC,” he asserted.