He went on to say, “Kashmir is not the only thing between India and Pakistan.”
Though welcoming the thaw between India and Pakistan, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the two countries need to step beyond secret talks and sit down for open talks to address all problems, including Kashmir.
Omar, while speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of a party event at the National Conference’s office in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district, said that the NC has always accepted India-Pakistan peace overtures.
“We’ve always said that conflict isn’t the answer and that all problems can be addressed by negotiation. I’m not going to get into how these two nations are getting closer. What I want to say is that India and Pakistani leadership must step beyond hidden talks and enter the table for an open dialogue,” the NC vice-president said, adding, “Dialogue is the only way to address issues like Kashmir.”
He said that there are several issues pending resolution between the two countries. “Kashmir is not the only problem between India and Pakistan,” he added.
When asked about the Enforcement Directorate’s questioning of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah said that Mehbooba is not the only leader who has been summoned.
“Wherever representatives are summoned, they are confronted with questions and other forms of interrogation. The agencies have summoned those who oppose the Centre’s actions over the last eight years. We, too, are prepared to face this,” he dared the BJP-led Central government.