Indo-Pak relations have direct bearing on J&K: Omar

Welcoming the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the relation between the neighbours has a direct bearing on the state.

Welcoming the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the relation between the neighbours has a direct bearing on the state.

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"The smooth relations between India and Pakistan have good effect on our state and bad relations create an adverse result. So we must welcome the dialogue process between the countries," Abdullah told legislative council in Jammu.

The chief minister was referring to the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks between Indian and Pakistan held in New Delhi, which saw the countries resume deliberations after a hiatus of 14 months after the 26/11 attacks.

Replying to the discussion on motion of thanks to Governor's address to joint Legislative session, he said when the bilateral talks were on, many confidence building measures (CBMs) like opening of Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads and Cross-LoC trade came into being.

Besides, militancy-related incidents reduced and the percentage of infiltration came down considerably having a positive outcome on the progress of the state, he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that India was willing to walk the "extra mile" to open a new chapter in relations with Pakistan if it acted decisively against terrorism, Omar said, "we appreciate and salute Singh for his peace loving gesture which indicates India's intention to improve bilateral ties with Pakistan."