Chill in Indo-Pak ties not a good omen for peace, says Omar Abdullah

Jammu, Sept 30: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today regretted the distance maintained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at UN Peacekeeping Summit in New York and said it was not a good omen for peace in the sub-continent.

"Those vowing to herald a new era of peace and regional cooperation remained confined to just waving their hands. They did not even shake hands," Omar said, adding "this is not a good omen for peace in the sub-continent."

On September 29, assembling for the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping being hosted by US President Barack Obama, Modi walked into the conference hall first.

Sharif followed a few minutes later and waved at Modi. The Indian Prime Minister waved back and smiled. Then there was a pause, after which Modi waved again and Sharif acknowledged and smiled.

Omar, who is also the working president of the Opposition National Conference, was addressing party workers in Banihal area of Ramban District Urging the party workers to maintain unity and amity, Omar said, "We will bounce back and surmount the challenge with confidence."

Omar said there was political uncertainty prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir, and the PDP and BJP were working on a "definite agenda of weakening" special status of the state.

"It appears that the coalition partners have already divided the state with PDP speaking something in Kashmir and BJP something different in Jammu," he said, adding that the two Divisional Commissioners were also issuing different directions on similar policy matters.

The former chief minister criticised what he called attempts of "creating wedge" between people of two regions.

Taking a jibe at PDP, Omar said those talking of 'goli se nahi boli se' (not with bullet but with dialogue) throttled the voice of people by imposing ban on internet and enforcing restrictions even during the festivals.

PTI