Hurriyat Conference welcomes FS-level Indo-Pak talks to resolve Kashmir issue

Srinagar: Moderate Hurriyat Conference on Tuesday welcomed the Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the 'Heart of Asia' conference in New Delhi saying both the countries should attempt to create a conducive atmosphere to carry forward the dialogue process.

"The Indo-Pak foreign secretary-level talks on the sidelines of Heart of Asia conference is a good sign and it is hoped that both the countries will shun the confrontational attitude and adopt meaningful dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir," Hurriyat headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement.

"It is hoped that a conducive atmosphere will be created to carry forward the dialogue process," the statement said.

A file photo of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. PTI

Describing as "reality" Pakistan's assertion that Kashmir is the core issue between the two countries, the Hurriyat said an atmosphere is needed to be created for resolution of the Kashmir issue through meaningful talks.

"There is a need for creating an atmosphere based on confidence building measures to start a meaningful dialogue among India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership to resolve Kashmir issue," the statement said.

On Tuesday, hardline Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, appealed to Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to take "bold steps" to resolve the Kashmir issue for peace, prosperity and development in the sub-continent.

"We appeal to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to shun the traditional and ceremonial ways and take bold steps to resolve long standing Kashmir dispute," Hurriyat said in a statement in Srinagar.

It said Hurriyat is neither against the dialogue nor against the cordial relations between India and Pakistan but "our stand is that Kashmir is the core issue between the two countries and no headway is possible without its resolution in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state".

"The peace, prosperity and development in the sub-continent is linked to the resolution of Kashmir which in the primary cause for political uncertainty in the region," the Hurriyat said.