20-09-2023 : Omar Abdullah, the Vice President of the National Conference, has emphasized that the responsibility for creating a conducive atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir for the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan primarily lies with Pakistan. He expressed his concerns regarding Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader in Canada in June. Abdullah believes that such allegations could jeopardize the strong bilateral relationship between India and Canada.
While addressing reporters at his party headquarters, Abdullah underscored the importance of a conducive atmosphere for dialogue between India and Pakistan. He stated that both India and Pakistan share the responsibility, but Pakistan must play a significant role in creating the necessary conditions for meaningful discussions to take place.
Regarding recent encounters involving the killing of army and police officers, Abdullah pointed out that such incidents, including those in Rajouri, Kokernag, and Srinagar, do not contribute to creating a favorable atmosphere for dialogue. He expressed his disappointment with Pakistan’s lack of actions that would help create the necessary environment for meaningful talks.
Abdullah referred to former Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee’s words that emphasized the importance of neighboring countries, stating that Pakistan would remain India’s neighbor regardless of the circumstances. However, he stressed that Pakistan needs to work towards establishing a conducive atmosphere for dialogue to commence.
Responding to Trudeau’s statement, Abdullah, a former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, urged him to present any evidence he may have before the international community. He emphasized that if Trudeau’s claims are based on an ongoing investigation, it would have been more appropriate to wait for the investigation’s completion before making such statements. Abdullah expressed concerns that Trudeau’s statement could harm the strong bilateral relationship between India and Canada, which would be unfortunate.
On the topic of the women’s reservation bill recently tabled in Parliament, Abdullah raised concerns about the lengthy timeline for its implementation. He criticized the bill’s provisions, which require delimitation and census activities before its implementation. Abdullah argued that with this approach, it may take at least a decade, possibly until 2034, for the bill to become effective. He questioned the need for a special session of Parliament when the bill’s implementation is so far in the future.
Abdullah also discussed the issue of the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, expressing support for their honorable return. He stated that creating a sense of security and restoring it would be key to their voluntary return. Abdullah emphasized the importance of making the situation conducive for the Kashmiri Pandits to return willingly and live where they choose.