The Diplomat Desk
Jammu,TDD, The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has warmly welcomed the announcement of India’s Foreign Minister’s upcoming visit to Pakistan on October 15 & 16, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
In a statement issued here today, Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of JKNC, expressed hope that this visit will serve as a crucial step towards the long-awaited restoration of dialogue between India and Pakistan.
The senior NC leader recalled the words of late former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji who had famously said, “We can change our friends but we cannot change our neighbors.” He emphasized that a stable and peaceful relationship between India and Pakistan is essential not only for the progress of both nations but also for the overall stability of the state.
He further added, “This visit aligns with the vision of our Party President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who has consistently advocated for meaningful dialogue between the two countries as the only way forward to resolve long-standing issues, particularly those affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Rattan Lal Gupta expressed hope that this diplomatic engagement could pave the way for renewed talks, which would address critical issues and foster an atmosphere of cooperation and peace in the state. He reiterated the Party’s long-held belief that dialogue, not conflict, is the key to resolving differences and promoting harmony between India and Pakistan.
“As we welcome this important diplomatic step, we remain hopeful that this visit will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, ultimately benefiting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been yearning for peace and prosperity,” he added.TDD
