Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to reciprocate Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s friendship gesture has created a pleasant atmosphere in embattled Jammu & Kashmir. Political groups and leaders across the board including the separatists have welcomed the initiative and expected it to break ice on Indo-Pak relations.
“Nawaz Sharif has taken a positive decision to reciprocate Narendra Modi’s invitation. The step will go a long way in creating a conducive atmosphere between the two countries and help harmonising their relations”, senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.
Even the Congress, which is yet to come to terms with Modi’s phenomenal win, has lauded the initiative. “I don’t know the reasons and the spirit behind Modi’s invitations to SAARC heads. But the decision taken by Pakistan Prime Minister is welcome and courageous because despite receiving threats from the extremist elements in Pakistan, he accepted to invitation and decided to attend the ceremony,” JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz said.
Another separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who had reservations on Nawaz’s arrival in Delhi, also welcomed the decision. “It was Pakistan’s discretion whether to accept Modi’s invitation or not. Since Pakistan Prime Minister has now given his nod, it is good,” Geelani said.
Observers say that such initiatives would help in breaking ice on India-Pakistan relations and help creating an atmosphere of optimism between the two hostile nuclear powers.
They say that the PM-designate is in a stronger position to initiate dialogue process with democratically elected Pakistan Government led by Sharif.
“Kashmiris are the biggest beneficiaries of friendship between India and Pakistan and major losers of their hostility. Therefore, they are the primary stakeholders in peaceful atmosphere in the subcontinent,” said Abdur Rashid, chief editor of Urdu daily Nidai Mashriq.