India should resume dialogue with Pakistan: NC

The National Conference, which is part of the ruling UPA, on Friday asked the government to resume dialogue with Pakistan for estabilishing "permanent peace" in the region.

The National Conference, which is part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), on Friday asked the government to resume dialogue with Pakistan for estabilishing "permanent peace" in the region.

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"We should restart dialogue with Pakistan to establish permanent peace," said Mirza Mehboob Beig, while participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the president's speech to the joint session of parliament.

The Composite Dialogue with Pakistan, covering many issued including Kashmir, has been stalled after the Nov 26, 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai.

The National Conference, the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir, is a key partner in the central government.

Beig said militancy in the Kashmir Valley has come down to "a certain extent."

"There is a conducive environment prevailing in the state," said Beig, who was elected from South Kashmir constituency.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected extremism and communalism.

Citing the unprecedented voter turnout in the April-May Lok Sabha polls and the assembly elections earlier.

Referring to Sajjad Lone, he said a separatist who fought elections even lost his deposit.

Beig added: "Kashmir should have a share in the development of the country."