Srinagar: Ruling PDP today welcomed the decision to revive the stalled Indo-Pak dialogue process and expressed hope that the two countries will also carry forward the Jammu and Kashmir-specific confidence building measures.
"We warmly welcome the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. We laud the efforts made by our Prime Minister and also the bold response offered by his Pakistan counterpart," senior PDP leader and Education Minister Naeem Akhter told reporters here.
Akhter said the development in the Russian city of Ufa was a vindication of the PDP's view point which forms the basis of governance alliance with the BJP.
"This step can be another defining moment in the Indo-Pak relations. We hope the two leaders will work for a stable region and peaceful borders," he said.
Replying to a question, he said that such bold initiatives were required to counter the situation along the LoC and borders.
"Our borders have been unstable for the last couple of years. Such initiatives are required to ensure peace," he said.
Akhter said his party was hopeful that the two countries will also take forward the Jammu and Kashmir-specific CBMs which have been stalled for many years.
The Minister hoped that Modi's visit to Pakistan next year will mark a new beginning for peace and progress in the region. "We still believe that the external dimension of the Kashmir issue has to be addressed one day. It is not an event but a process. With the maturity shown by the two Prime Ministers, we are hopeful that this will reach its logical conclusion," Akhter said when asked about Pakistan not raking up the Kashmir issue during the meeting.
The PDP leader said that India-Pakistan should now work on expanding travel facility along the LoC to pilgrims and tourists.
"The cross-LoC trade should be upgraded and banking and communication facilities should be provided to traders," he said.
