Jammu, Feb 14 (IANS) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Saturday welcomed as "gigantic step" the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and resuming the foreign secretary-level talks.
The prime minister's initiative talking to Nawaz Sharif is a gigantic step to set a new agenda for reconciliation and resolution between the two countries, he said, in a statement issued here.
"The SAARC formatting of the initiative was a very constructive approach which could augur well for realizing the economic potential of the South Asian region.
"The initiatives taken by the prime minister on his swearing in by inviting the SAARC leaders including Sharif had set the right tone for India's leadership role in the region, but the calling off of the secretary level talks soon after had blunted its potential," he said.
"The resumption of talks and the prime minister's telephonic conversation with Mr Sharif has come as a major intervention to revive the stalled peace process between our country and Pakistan," said Sayeed, terming friendship between India and Pakistan of prime importance for releasing the creative energies from decades-long atmosphere of hostility of which Jammu and Kashmir has been the main victim.
"Jammu and Kashmir has borne the brunt of wars, militancy and a destabilized political situation as a result of the conflict between the two countries and it is a good omen that the prime minister has taken up the bold initiative at a crucial stage of the state's history.
"Economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir can generate a political dividend and emotional satisfaction only in an atmosphere of peace which can be anchored in the overall framework of India-Pakistan amity," he said.
Sayeed said his PDP has always placed great trust in the potentialities of SAARC not just on economic front, "but we look up to it as prospective boon for a strategically located state like ours which, unfortunately, has remained a bone of contention and continues to suffer from absence of a stable and peaceful atmosphere".
"Violence along borders since has resulted in casualties and it causes pain whether the victims are from our defense forces, or civilians on both sides of it," he said, adding he hoped Modi's new initiative "would lead to sustained and uninterruptable dialogue with Pakistan which would realize peace and stability in the region".
"Such a peaceful atmosphere would allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to reap fully the benefits of democratic system in which they have repeatedly invested their faith without adequate response so far in terms of solving their problems."
The PDP, which is holding informal talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party on government formation in the state after the state poll threw up a fractured mandate, has been pressing for resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue process.
Haryana to resume work on stuck KMP expressway
Chandigarh, Feb 23 (IANS) Having suffered a delay of nearly five years due to various factors, the 136-km Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway project may finally be completed with the Haryana
Good news: Gujarat government's big announcement, dearness allowance for government employees increased by 3 percent
On the occasion of the foundation day of Gujarat, the state government has given a bumper gift to its employees. Under which dearness allowance for state government employees has been increased by
India-Europe: Free trade agreement between Indo-European countries will prove to be a game changer, Foreign Minister told the importance
Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said during the India Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave on Tuesday that the Free Trade Agreement between India and European countries would prove to
Sonu Sood: After Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood's name came up in the illegal betting app case, ED sent a summons for questioning
After Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela, former MP Mimi Chakraborty, former cricketer Suresh Raina, and Yuvraj Singh, now the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now summoned actor Sonu Sood for
NEET Dress Controversy: National Commission for Women strict on removing innerwear of girl students, report of summon from NTA
NEET Dress Code Controversy: The National Commission for Women has taken a serious note of the issue of several girl students being forced to remove their innerwear during the screening ahead of the
Akhilesh's helicopter stopped in Delhi: Said - this is a conspiracy of the losing BJP, we are going to take a historic flight of victory
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav is stuck in Delhi before reaching Muzaffarnagar. He has been informed through social media that his helicopter has been stopped in Delhi. They are not being
Pakistan News: 'We want nothing else, just Narendra Modi', video of Pakistani is going viral on social media
The video of a YouTube journalist from Pakistan is becoming increasingly viral on social media these days. In this video, she is asking a Pakistani youth about the recent situation in Pakistan, and
IND vs BAN Pitch Reports: Will batsmen rule in New York or will bowlers make a splash, know what the pitch report says
Before the start of the T20 World Cup, the Indian team will play its only practice match on June 1. It will play against Bangladesh at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. In this
Gadar 2 Box Office 24th Day: 'Gadar 2' broke the records of 'Pathan' and 'Baahubali-2', and earned huge money on Sunday
Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel's film 'Gadar 2' is progressing at a stormy pace at the box office. 24 days have passed since the film was released in theatres, but the film's box office earnings remain
Major action in killing of sadhus, CRPF reached Palghar, area completely sealed
Mumbai: CRPF deployed CRPF has been deployed in Gadchinchale village of Palghar, 9 days after the killing of the sadhus. It was here that a fierce mob beaten up three people, including two sadhus.
