Farooq backs Obama stand on Kashmir

National Conference (NC) president and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday supported US President Barack Obama’s assertion that only India and Pakistan could resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir.

“What Obama has said, we knew it right from the beginning. If Kashmir issue is to be resolved, it has to be done by India and Pakistan,” Abdullah said in a statement. He said the Centre has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad and needs to be addressed by the two countries. “Any model is workable but when Pakistan and India declare that, it is acceptable,” he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, however, expressed disappointment over the delay in resolving the issue. “It’s time to address the aspiration of the people and restoration of autonomy is the only viable option that can ensure a win-win situation for all,” he said. “The NC has all along encouraged people-to-people contact and has always facilitated the dialogue process between the neighbouring countries.”