Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that India should approach third parties, such as the United States and China, to mediate in the Kashmir issue and sustain peace.
Abdullah said India has so many allies across the globe, which can be approached for settling the Kashmir issue to act as a mediator between India and Pakistan.
Watch: Militants play cricket using ‘AK47’ as wicket in Kashmir
He further said, “For how long are you going to wait? Sometimes, you have to pull the bull by its horns. The way is to have a dialogue. India has so many friends all over the world. They can ask them to act as a mediator. US President Trump himself said that he wants to settle Kashmir problem. China also said that it wants to mediate in Kashmir. Somebody has to be approached.”
He then added, “If India is ready to talk to China and does not want to get into a war, then they can talk to Pakistan also.”
He even quoted former prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee statement and said “the stubbornness, exhibited by both the nations, will not lead us anywhere. Remember what Atal Bihari said, ‘Friends can be changed, but not neighbors. One can move forward while maintaining the friendship or can regress by becoming enemies.”
These statements came amid him expressing concern over the ongoing tension in the Valley. Abdullah even appealed to the Government to bring the disturbing elements to light and punish them.
“If the youth of tomorrow are targeted today, how will they run the nation? I would like to urge the Government to expose the perpetrators,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir is embroiled in violent chaos since July last year after militant Burhan Vani was killed in the Valley.
