NC MP calls for Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir issue

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi reaffirmed Saturday his party’s call for resumption of dialogue and diplomatic ties with Pakistan to resolve what he called the “unsettled issue” of Kashmir. “People of J&K believe that settling the situation here permanently needs a proper dialogue between Pakistan and India,” he said.However, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had said earlier in the week that “the era of uninterrupted dialogue is over” and cautioned Pakistan about the repercussions it would face if it continued to support terrorist attacks against India.J&K’s first assembly elections in a decade are being held amid a rise in Pakistan-backed terrorism. The escalation resulted in 18 security force fatalities since May and the killing of over 20 Pakistani terrorists in counteroffensives.In its manifesto for the J&K assembly elections, former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP has also pledged to advocate for “diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan”, as well as the establishment of “trade and social exchange”.The MP, representing Srinagar-Budgam, also highlighted his party’s stand on restoring statehood for J&K, which was lost after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 and the region’s bifurcation into two Union territories, including Ladakh. PDP has a similar position.“PDP can’t run away after making such a statement. But it doesn’t have a roadmap. In contrast, NC has a proper roadmap and it wants the proper restoration of autonomy here,” Mehdi said.He also criticised NDA govt as being anti-minority and urged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to “stand up for Muslims” to preserve India’s diversity. Mehdi comes from a prominent family of Shia clerics and lost his father Aga Syed Mehdi, a pro-India politician with Congress, in a 2000 IED explosion near their hometown Budgam.

'Era of uninterrupted dialogue over': What Jaishankar said about Pakistan

External affairs minister S Jaishankar stated that the period of continuous dialogue with Pakistan has ended, emphasizing that actions have consequences. At a book launch event in New Delhi, he affirmed that India would respond to Pakistan's actions, whether positive or negative. He highlighted Article 370 as a settled issue and acknowledged the complexities of relationships between neighboring nations.

NC MP calls for Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir

National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi reaffirms the need for dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue, a stance also backed by Mehbooba Mufti's PDP. This contrasts with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's position. Mehdi calls for restoring J&K's statehood and criticizes the NDA government for its anti-minority stance.

Era of uninterrupted talks with Pakistan over: Jaishankar

India has confirmed that Prime Minister Modi has been invited to the SCO heads of government meeting in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Jaishankar reiterated India's stance of not engaging with Pakistan until it acts against terrorism. The level of India's participation in the event is yet to be decided, considering recent terror attacks.