Farooq Abdullah backs RSS leader, former Army Chief on dialogue with Pakistan

Anantnag, May 14: National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday backed comments by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader advocating dialogue with Pakistan, saying war is never an option.

Abdullah also welcomed former Army chief M. M. Naravane for endorsing the remarks made by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.

“It is a matter of joy that the RSS leader and former Army chief have advocated dialogue and talks with Pakistan,” Abdullah told reporters in Anantnag. “This is an appropriate time and opportunity for the Government of India to consider and implement the suggestion.”

Abdullah said that if he had made similar remarks earlier, he would have been branded “anti-national and enemy of the country.”

“Thank God no BJP leader criticised or opposed the remarks,” he said.

He said dialogue remains the only way to resolve conflicts across the world.

“I am glad that somebody is finally thinking that war is not an option. Through dialogue, we have to solve all our problems, whether it is the Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict or the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Abdullah said.

Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had also welcomed the statement by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale calling for dialogue with Pakistan.

Mehbooba has said that her party believes in the dialogue process between India and Pakistan as it has a positive impact on J&K.

In an interview with PTI on Tuesday, Hosabale said people-to-people contact was key to breaking the deadlock with Pakistan and that there should always be a window for dialogue.

Hosabale also said Pakistan’s military and political leadership had lost India’s confidence and that civil society should take the lead in improving ties.

Responding to the ongoing BRICS conclave in New Delhi, Abdullah expressed hope the grouping would help push for peace in the Middle East.

He also welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers downsizing their cavalcades as part of austerity measures, Abdullah said the move was necessary in view of the fuel crisis.

“I think it is very good. It shows that we are short of fuel, and obviously, there is a shortage. I hope everybody will reduce their cavalcade,” he said.