Democratic process key to resolve Kashmir issue peacefully

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has said the reiteration of trust by the people of Jammu & Kashmir in the democratic means for the resolution of the State’s problems has opened a new window of opportunity for amicable and permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue.

Interacting with the visiting delegation of the European Union Commission led by Daniele Smadja, last evening, Mehbooba said given its strategic location, Jammu and Kashmir has a pivotal role in forging a new economic alliance in the region for which resolution of the problem is a fundamental requirement. She, however, said that to make it sustainable, the resolution package has to, simultaneously, address both the external and internal complexities of the issue.

“While the external dimensions of the problem have to be taken care of by India and Pakistan bilaterally, on the internal front, measures have to be taken to ensure political and economic empowerment of the people in all the regions and sub-regions of the State,” she said and added that the Self-Rule agenda of her party offers a comprehensive solution encompassing all the dimensions of the problem.

Stressing the need for rejuvenating the Indo-Pak peace process, Mehbooba said this human tragedy has dotted the region’s destiny for over five decades and the time has come to replace the pain with prosperity. “The pain of Kashmiris has reached a level, where the yearning for peace has gained substantial ground,” she said and added that the destiny of not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but the whole region is linked to the peace process.

Mehbooba said the imaginative change in the contours of the present debate on the resolution of the Kashmir issue and the freshness of the approach has made obsolete much of the earlier rhetoric from both the countries. “The challenge before both the countries now is to convert these favourable and refreshing circumstances into a meaningful and peaceful resolution process instead of wasting time on those portions of the maze that they have already visited,” she said and added that it is always better to look ahead instead of looking back.

On the internal front, the PDP President said the Government of India must move fast on reconciliatory measures including revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and reduction in troops deployed on internal security duties in Kashmir. Such measures, she said would be an appropriate response to the people’s yearning for peace with dignity.

Mehbooba said the momentous role played by the PDP after the 2002 elections by voicing the people’s just concerns and aspirations has transformed the mainstream of the State politics from an adversary to a facilitator of the resolution process.

Other members of the Commission who were present at the meeting include Lars-Olof Lindgren, Ambassador of Sweden, Bruce Bourdon, Political Counselor, Embassy of France, Ion de la Riva, Ambassador of Spain and Jan Kreuter, Deputy Head of the Mission in the Embassy of Czech Republic.