Examiner Bureau | Pulwama:
Shopian, July 2: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve their differences and improve bilateral relations, asserting that there should be no objection to advocating peace and normalcy between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking to reporters in Shopian, the Chief Minister said tensions between India and Pakistan were not new and had existed for decades, adding that relations had further deteriorated following last year’s Pahalgam incident.
Referring to a recent letter reportedly addressed to the Prime Minister urging improved ties between the two countries, Omar said there should be no objection to such an appeal. He questioned why similar calls for dialogue from leaders in Jammu and Kashmir often invite criticism, while comparable remarks by senior RSS leaders are viewed differently.
Invoking the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Omar said, “Friends can be changed, but neighbours cannot,” underscoring the importance of maintaining engagement with neighbouring countries.
The Chief Minister stressed that dialogue and peaceful engagement remain the most effective means of resolving differences and fostering better relations between India and Pakistan.
