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Pro-Indian leader visits USIP, discusses Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 26: The patron of Pro-Indian political party in Kashmir - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - Mufti Mohammad Sayeed held a meeting with David Smock, Vice President and Director Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Religion & Peacemaking Program at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) today.

During in his interaction with Smock, the pro-Indian leader discussed in detail the current political, security and economic scenario in Kashmir and his party's plan-of-action for the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue. He said that India and Pakistan have made great progress in the recent past towards the peaceful resolution of their problems including Jammu & Kashmir. He also said an overwhelming public opinion in both the countries is in favor of permanent peace in the region so that they can also reap the fruits of globalization and economic liberalization.

Mufti Sayed said given the support it has generated in the public, the peace process has now become an irreversible phenomenon of the sub-continent's regional politics and it is going to make steady progress, despite occasional hiccups. He said, not only the people, but also the leadership of the two countries has also realized that dialogue and peaceful resolution is the only way to resolve the problems and mitigate the sufferings of their people. He said that in the emerging scenario there is great hope for the people of Jammu & Kashmir on both sides as they are going to benefit the most from the peace initiatives.

Earlier, giving a brief resume of the activities of USIP, Smock informed the pro-Indian leader that the aim of the Institute to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and development and increase conflict management capacity and intellectual capital worldwide.

Smock said USIP has been working on Kashmir for a long time and it already has two reports - one by Wajahat Habibullah and another by Shahid Javed Burki- published on the issue. He said presently the Institute is in the process of publishing a book by Wajahat Habibullah and is sponsoring a report on how to make the confidence building process more practical.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.