DIALOGUE is the only way forward for a resolution to the Kashmir issue, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday (November 28) said even as he held that nothing has been done to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from the neighbouring country while reiterating views that have invited criticism.
"The only way left is to hold dialogue and find a solution (to the Kashmir issue)," the National Conference leader said at a function in Jammu.
"Ever since I came into politics, I have always said that this state (PoK and J-K) can never become one. Neither do we have the power to take back their part (PoK) nor have they (Pakistan) the power to take our part; we are a nuclear power and they, too, are," he said at a discussion by civil society to explore the ways for bringing peace and reconciliation between the two countries.
"How much can the army defend us even if the entire army of India came to our rescue, they cannot defend us against terrorists or militants. The only way left is to hold dialogue and find a solution," he stressed.
He said he was hopeful that the Kashmir issue would be solved during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but that did not happen.
In the wake of his comments on Friday (November 27), he blamed the media for hyping up his statement and said his views about Pakistan continuing to hold PoK and India keeping J-K could not be the only scenario and he would accept any decision which was acceptable to the majority of people in India, Pakistan and J-K.
"I never said it was the ultimate solution that they keep their part and we keep ours. If you have a better solution acceptable to a majority of Indians, Pakistanis and J-K citizens, it is also acceptable to us," he said while urging that dialogue has to be started for reaching a resolution.
