By IANS,
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference (NC) said Sunday that improved India-Pakistan relations can not only bring stability to the region but also holds the key to the success of SAARC.
Addressing a public meeting at Nagrota near here, senior NC leader Devinder Singh Rana, who is also a political advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said: “The improved India-Pakistan relations are most beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir particularly those staying in the border areas.”
“This can be achieved by a consistent, sincere dialogue process where both sides give confidence to each other by just not words but deeds to build a bond of trust and mutual confidence,” he said.
The political advisor said the success of South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation (SAARC) also depends on the relations between India and Pakistan.
“If the relations are improved, based on mutual trust and faith underlined with total transparency, the SAARC region can emerge as one more economic vibrant zone in the world,” Rana said.
He said that Omar Abdullah has been a strong votary of better India-Pakistan relations and has maintained that these are imperative for peace and resolution of various issues.
He said: “National Conference and its leadership has always played a pivotal role in the past for better India-Pakistan relations and shall continue to do so in the future as well in the interest of the two countries and for the welfare of the people of the state.”
Rana said the anticipated dynamic changes in Afghanistan in 2014 will have a bearing on the peace and stability in the region. He said the same can be maintained if the two neighbouring countries work together in tandem with each other.