The Abdullahs Bat For Third-Party Intervention In Kashmir Dispute

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday (21 July) said that India should approach third parties, such as the United States and China, to mediate in the Kashmir issue. Adbullah said India has so many allies across the globe, which can be approached for settling the Kashmir issue to act as a mediator between India and Pakistan.

"For how long are you going to wait? Sometimes, you have to pull the bull by its horns. The way is to have a dialogue. India has so many friends all across the world. They can ask them to act as a mediator. US President Trump himself said that he wants to settle Kashmir problem. China also said that it wants to mediate in Kashmir. Somebody has to be approached," Abdullah said.

"If India is ready to talk to China and does not want to get into war, then they can talk to Pakistan also," he added. Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statement - Friends can be changed, but not neighbours, the National Conference (NC) leader said that arrogance and stubbornness would not let any of the nations progress and develop.

"We are being sandwiched. People die every day. The situation is worse in the Valley," he added.

In defence of his father, Omar Abdullah reacting to the various responses from across the political spectrum that have attacked the former chief minister’s statement, in a series of tweets, said "Talk about spinning a statement. Dr Abdullah has said friends can be used to facilitate a dialogue with Pakistan, to facilitate a solution. Dr Abdullah didn't call for mediation. He said "Trump offered to help & China offered to mediate". How is that the same as him asking for it? There is a difference between facilitation & mediation".