Srinagar, Dec 26 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan as a “right step in the right direction”.
“It is the right step in the right direction. The goodwill gesture by Modi will definitely break the ice in the relations between the two neighbours, a process started by the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Pakistan,” the chief minister said late on Friday.
Former chief minister and president of the National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah also reacted to the development saying, “The re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step and a very welcome development. However, more than grand gestures, we need consistency”.
Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani said he was always in the favour of good relations between the two countries, but added the same should happen by resolving the Kashmir issue.
“I am always in favour of good relations between India and Pakistan, but this can only happen if the human problem of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved,” Geelani told reporters.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Kashmir’s chief cleric and chairman of moderate group of separatist Hurriyat Conference was the first among the separatists to welcome the gesture.
“It is a positive move, a good step and we should welcome easing of tensions between the two countries, but the basic issue of Kashmir will have to be resolved if the two countries really want to move ahead in good neighbourly relations”, the Mirwaiz told some local reporters.
Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the Pro-Azadi Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has reacted cautiously to the development.
“Nobody wants to oppose peace between India and Pakistan…We welcome the gesture, but assert that such goodwill gestures would only remain cosmetic as long as the people of Jammu and Kashmir divided between India and Pakistan continue to stew in their own soup”, Malik said.
People in the state, however, see a ray of hope in this unexpected gesture by Modi.
“He has pleasantly surprised all of us. We have always believed Modi to be a right wing politician in India. He has done something no other Indian prime minister ever did in the past,” Abid Wani, 48, said here.
Several others also spelt a similar view and suggested more such actions be taken in order to ensure a cordial relationship between the two countries.
“Their anger may cost business to big people, but it costs lives to Kashmiris. I hope and pray the extra mile Modi has walked gets the needed response from Pakistan so that the future of our children is secured”, Professor Muzaffar Ahmad, 55, said.
Modi on Friday surprised everyone with his decision to visit Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back from Kabul. Modi visited the ancestral home of Sharif and held talks with him.—IANS
I shall not believe/buy anything unless and until I see betterment change or improvement. Premiership is not for MBA training. It is for leading, guiding/coaching team members, under him, with him, all finally reporting to the Indian voters, who failed in May nationally. But later when they didn’t find any thing touchable, usable, edible. drinkable water, they punished BJP both in Delhi and Bihar elections, not despite Modi but because of him, his numerous rallying was deemed as waste. All because in most rallies, he didn’t sell the nominee, but himself, himself, himself, as he uses “I”, “I”, I while he talks. Delivery takes only 9 months. 18 months can create two babies to play with. He conceives “ideas”, mostly alone, and “delivers” none, because it requires so many other things beyond conception, requiring 24/7 care, nursing, OB-GYN, hospital, nursery, feeding bottles, the list continues. I wish him well, both inter- and intra-, as time is running out, and against him. May God help him, India, all the way not only to the bank, but to success, after success, not words.