Jammu and Kashmir parties welcome EAM S Jaishankar's SCO visit to Pakistan

Former chief minister of Jammu Kashmir Farooq Abdullah on Saturday hoped that the participation of India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Pakistan later this month will help to establish better relations between the two countries.

Abdullah termed Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan as a big and important development for dialogue and peace process, especially given the strained relations between the two countries in recent years and ongoing situation in West Asia.

"I am sure besides SCO meeting Jaishankar ji will also strive for friendly relations between the two countries which will end hatred," Abdullah told reporters here.



The National Conference leader said that the animosity has clouded relations between the two countries and this visit may help the two nations to better their relationship.

"Dialogue is the only way to resolve issues. Wars bring destruction and nothing else. Pakistan should also talk about moving forward. May Almighty listen to our prays and these people talk about this as violence only generates hatred," said Abdullah. The NC leader said that economic issues are important and both sides will address bilateral matters and work towards strengthening ties.


Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who resurfaced on social media after almost five years, most of which he spent under house arrest, reiterated his commitment for peaceful resolution of the conflict.