What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, urging dialogue with Pakistan to resolve disputes.
The NC chief expressed concern, stating, “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.” He questioned the absence of dialogue despite PM Modi’s acknowledgement of war not being an option.
“Prime Minister Modi also said that war is not an option now and the matters should be resolved through dialogue. Where is the dialogue? Nawaz Sharif is about to become the Prime Minister (of Pakistan) and they are saying that we are ready to talk (to India), but what is the reason why we are not ready to talk?” Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Abdullah said at the media brief.
Abdullah added, while quoting former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, “While we can change our friends, our neighbours remain constant.”
Reacting to Abdullah’s remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr Hina Shafi Bhat expressed regret, stating that the current government would not bow down to Pakistan. “Farooq sahab should learn now, this regime is not going to bow down before Pakistan. We tried, they have backstabbed us again and again,” she said.
Abdullah also dismissed claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, stressing the need to address the root cause of terrorism. “Shouting normalcy or propagating tourist arrivals as peace will not finish terrorism. They were claiming that terrorism has finished with the abrogation of Article 370 (in 2019) but four years down the line, terrorism is still there and will not finish till we try to understand its root cause,” said Abdullah.
Earlier this year, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, expressed willingness for dialogues with India, stating that Islamabad was ready to talk to its “neighbours” since “war is no more an option”.
In response, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi reiterated India’s desire for normal relations. However, he also emphasised the necessity of an environment free from terror and violence for such ties.
“India’s clear and consistent position is well known that we desire normal relations with all our neighbouring countries, including Pakistan. For this, an environment free of terror and hostility is imperative,” he said.
