Unfazed by the Indian Government’s rejection to Foreign Secretary-level talks over the issue of Pakistan High Commissioner’s deliberations with Kashmiri separatist leaders, Shabir Ahmad Shah, chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to register his name in the annals of history by “resolving the long-pending Kashmir issue in an amicable manner”.
Shah was the first separatist leader to meet Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi on Monday that triggered the row and compelled India to call off scheduled bilateral meeting in Islamabad on August 25. While several political leaders in New Delhi have backed the decision, it has drawn flak in J&K, both from mainstream and separatist parties.
“If Modi succeeds in resolving Kashmir issue, his name would undoubtedly be written in golden letters in the annals of history,” Shah said at a Press conference on his return from New Delhi. He said that Modi has dedicated himself to the Indian nation and it is incumbent upon him to take concrete measures for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Shah said India, and not Pakistan, is pursuing provocative policies and actions inimical to peace process.
“The Indian media tried to corner me after meeting Pakistan High Commissioner. I made them aware about the plight of Kashmiri people and complained to them they have adopted a callous approach towards Kashmir,” he said. Shah said the BJP would never realise the dream of achieving 44 seats in J&K.
Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also returned to Valley after meeting with Abdul Basit in New delhi. “Mirwaiz would inform the Hurriyat leaders about the discussions during the incoming meeting of Hurriyat Conferences to be held soon in Srinagar,” a Hurriyat spokesman said. He said that Mirwaiz told Basit that Hurriyat has always been of the view that Kashmir dispute can be solved through meaningful and result oriented dialogue between the three stake-holders.
Terming the stand of Pakistan on Kashmir dispute as realistic, Mirwaiz told high commissioner that future of 1.5 crore Kashmiris is associated with the Kashmir dispute and in this connection Pakistan’s diplomatic and political activities were up to the Kashmiri satisfaction. Asserting Kashmir was not an internal issue of India, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmir was an international dispute recognised by the world and it should be solved according to the aspirations and emotions of people.
Rejecting the statement of Indian Foreign Ministry that Kashmir was an issue, having only two stakeholders, Hurriyat spokesman stated that Kashmiri was an internationally recognised dispute with a historical background and this position cannot be altered unless the dispute is resolved. He stated that the statement was contrary to the political and historical realities, adding that bilateral efforts and agreements have not borne any fruits in past nor are they going to do this in future.