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The upcoming visit of India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting has sparked debate and diverse opinions on potential outcomes for India-Pakistan relations. While some, like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairperson of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, expressed hope for constructive engagement between the two nations, BJP leader and former Deputy Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Kavinder Gupta, strongly criticized Farooq's comments.
Gupta, speaking to ANI, asserted that the Indian government is fully capable of handling its relations with Pakistan and that Farooq should refrain from offering advice on India's foreign policy. He urged Farooq to focus on domestic issues instead, highlighting Pakistan's history of fostering terrorism and its role in the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits. Gupta's stance reflects the BJP's strong stance against Pakistan and its perceived support for terrorism.
Mirwaiz Farooq, who recently resurfaced on social media after an extended period under house arrest, expressed optimism about the SCO meeting as an opportunity for India and Pakistan to break the ice and engage constructively. He emphasized the desire of Kashmiri people for an end to uncertainty and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, from the National Conference party, also expressed hope that Jaishankar's participation in the SCO meeting would contribute to better relations between India and Pakistan. Abdullah emphasized the need for peace through friendship rather than hatred. The National Conference, known for its more moderate stance on Kashmir, welcomes the government's participation in the SCO meeting, seeing it as an avenue for dialogue and improved relations with neighboring Pakistan.
However, Jaishankar himself clarified that his visit to Pakistan is solely for the SCO meeting and not for bilateral talks on India-Pakistan relations. He acknowledged the media interest in the visit due to the sensitive nature of the relationship but stressed that his focus will be on fulfilling India's commitments as a member of the SCO. This statement reaffirms the Indian government's cautious approach towards Pakistan, prioritizing multilateral engagements while avoiding direct bilateral discussions on contentious issues.
The ongoing debate surrounding Jaishankar's visit and the potential for improved relations between India and Pakistan underscores the complex dynamics at play. While some hope for a thaw in tensions and a path towards dialogue, others remain skeptical and emphasize the historical tensions and unresolved issues that have plagued the relationship. The outcome of the SCO meeting and the future trajectory of India-Pakistan relations remain uncertain but will be closely watched by observers both domestically and internationally.
Source: 'No need to think about India's foreign policy': BJP' Kavinder Gupta on Mirwaiz Farooq statement