Mixed reaction in J&K to breaking of diplomatic deadlock between India, Pakistan

Srinagar: There has been mixed reaction in Jammu and Kashmir to the breaking of diplomatic deadlock between India and Pakistan. While separatists have cautiously welcomed Sunday’s meeting between the national security advisors of the two countries held away from the public gaze in Bangkok, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed termed it a positive development which, he said, will set the tone for reconciliation between the two South Asian neighbours.

Sayeed told reporters in Jammu that there is urgency of reducing the trust deficit between India and Pakistan and said he favoured sustained and meaningful dialogue between them. “It is a good beginning. I am happy that bilateral talks between NSAs of India and Pakistan were held quietly,” he said.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence that the fresh round of talks will help in preparing ground for engaging the two sides at a higher level, which, he said, will help in carrying forward peace and reconciliatory moves to embed political stability in the region, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

Separatist leader Geelani said though no conscience person can be averse to the dialogue process between the two countries, it will be wise on their part to first look into the causes of the failures of such engagements in the past.

“A sincere and serious effort must be made towards addressing the causes behind the failure in creating trust and confidence in each other and establishing a pleasant relationship between the two nations,” he said in a statement here.

He added that until and unless India and Pakistan “take bold steps towards resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance to the wishes and sacrifices of its people, we can neither expect any breakthrough from the talks in future nor can any such move bring about any considerable change in the relationship of the two countries”.

The octogenarian separatist leader reiterated that the two countries have had more than 150 rounds of two-way talks since 1947 and, in fact, signed many mutual agreements but all these moves failed to bring about any spectacular change in their relationship.

“At one moment, they talk of friendship and peace and at the very next moment they train guns at each other and talk about the war and hatred,” he said adding the leaderships of India and Pakistan should first try to address the core issue of Kashmir which has been the root cause of their poor ties and led to active hostilities between the two sides in the past.

Welcoming the NSA-level talks and forthcoming visit of Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to Pakistan, Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and chairman of his faction of separatist Hurriyat Conference alliance, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said it was a “good beginning” which could revitalize the stalled dialogue process between the two countries on the issue of Kashmir.

He also insisted that unless Kashmir is addressed keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of its people India and Pakistan would not be able to lay the foundation of lasting peace in the South Asia region nor can they become friends for ever in real sense of the term.