Don't sideline Kashmir-issue: Separatists to India, Pakistan

SRINAGAR: The moderate Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, today welcomed the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan but cautioned both the countries against sidelining Kashmir issue.

"The recent meeting between the Premiers of India and Pakistan during which both the sides expressed their desire to take meaningful steps to start bilateral dialogue is a positive development.

"However, putting Kashmir issue on the back burner or adopting tactics of delay can prove detrimental to the whole concept of normalisation of relations and the desire of forward movement in economic ties," the Hurriyat said in a statement.

The statement was released at the end of a joint meeting of the Executive Council, General Council and Working Committee of the Hurriyat, chaired by Mirwaiz, at its Rajbagh headquarters here.

"Hurriyat has always supported better relations between the two nuclear powers as it is essential for political stability and economic prosperity of the South Asian region," the statement said.

It said the inclusion of the Kashmiri leadership in any process regarding solution of the Kashmir issue was imperative to make the process "meaningful and result-oriented".

"The bilateral dialogue between the two countries will prove to be a positive beginning towards the solution of Kashmir dispute," the Hurriyat said.

It hoped the resolution of the Kashmir issue would be part of the composite dialogue between the two countries.

"Kashmir will be an important issue on the agenda of bilateral talks between the two countries because in case it is not addressed and wishes and aspirations of the people are not taken into account no dialogue process is going to prove fruitful," the statement said.