Emulate Vajpayee, Talk To Pakistan: Farooq To Modi

Calling for engaging Pakistan in meaningful talks from border belt of Rajouri along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah Monday said peace will remain elusive until the two neighbours sit together and work towards ending their differences in an amicable atmosphere.

“Wars are no solution; wars cause only destruction," Dr. Farooq Abdullah said while addressing a day-long National Conference Youth Convention at Rajouri, adding that border skirmishes and continued shelling have created havoc with people living under perpetual fear.

He said he will continue to vouch for dialogue between India and Pakistan, as he believes this to be the only way forward in heralding lasting peace in the region. He said he won’t be deterred by dubbing him as anti-national for speaking the truth, which is to have a meaningful peace process with Pakistan. He said the beneficiaries of the peace in the wake of friendly relations between the two countries would be people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have decided their future seven decades ago.

Invoking Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the National Conference President acknowledged with "deep appreciation the sincere efforts made by him in reaching out to Islamabad, first by Bus to Lahore and then by holding Agra Summit" saying the statesman Prime Minister had reassured the neighbouring nation on their soil that India accepts the reality of Pakistan. He said Vajpayee's initiatives were pleasant breathers in otherwise choked environment and recalled his now-famous adage that friends can be changed but not the neighbours, which he (Mr. Vajpayee) had stated during his public meeting at Tanghdar in Kashmir.

 “Prime Minister Narendra Modi should emulate the spirit of Vajpayeeji, who too belonged to his party, and start a new era of trust and friendship in the region”, Dr Abdullah said, adding the two nations will have to realize, sooner or later, that nothing but talks hold key to ending hostilities.

 “Let you carry forward the mission of Vajpayeeji”, Dr Abdullah exhorted the Prime Minister and exuded confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would serve and emerge as a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan.