Sir — Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been pressing the Union Government for a resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, without stating what the effective outcome can be. It is true that meaningless talks with Pakistan held a thousand times will ultimately result in more such dialogues. The political establishment in Pakistan lacks the power and authority needed to take an independent decision regarding the sensitive issue of Kashmir. The final authority rests on its Army.
In the Simla Agreement, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, unlike the civilian Government of Pakistan, took a firm and bold decision of repatriating 90,368 war prisoners and withdrawing from the 13,000 sq km of territory captured by our brave and gallant Armed Forces. She sacrificed the interests of our country to appease ZA Bhutto. This was against our national interest. She agreed to extend this generosity when there was no quid pro quo from the Pakistani side.