Abdullah added that for dialogue to resume the nation would have to wait at the end of India’s general election cycle in May 2019.
London| National Conference leader Omar Abdullah suggested that Pakistan government must ponder upon the legitimate concerns of India. Omar Abdullah was in London to participate in an event organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Talking at the event, he said that Pakistan needs to do some “soul-searching” to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir.
Highlighting that only a summit based approach may not give a solution, he said that dialogue from both the sides of the border is the only way. However, Abdullah added that for dialogue to resume the nation would have to wait at the end of India’s general election cycle in May 2019. “While we are going through our election process, I think Pakistan needs to do a bit of soul searching in terms of addressing legitimate concerns that India has,” he said.
Referring to the release of 20 postal stamps by Pakistan honoring Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani, he said, “Instead of taking confidence-building measures, we have steps that break confidence.”
Abdullah also expressed concern over difference of approach between the government of India and its representative in the valley- governor Satya Pal Malik and the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He also expressed concern over more educated youths turning towards militancy.
Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief AS Dulat was also among the participants. He said there is an urgent need to resume dialogue between India and Pakistan.
AS Dulat, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief who was among the participants at the IISS event, also expressed hope that dialogue would be re-initiated between India and Pakistan soon. “We should talk and never stop talking. I remain optimistic on a solution in Kashmir,” said Dulat.
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