India can be superpower if it resolves J&K issue, says Mufti

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday said India can emerge as a super power only if the country’s leadership makes tangible movement forward in resolving issues with Pakistan including the Kashmir issue.

“India can attain the position of super power only if it improves ties with Pakistan by resolving all the unsettled issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said while addressing election rallies in south Kashmir.

Mufti, also a former Union home minister, said Kashmir issue has jeopardized not only political stability in the region, but is hampering progress on economic fronts including enhanced regional cooperation for trade and commerce. 

“If India and Pakistan resolve the issue amicably, it will lead to a momentous turnaround in the region’s geopolitical situation,” he said.

Reacting over reports of the rightwing BJP’s proposal to scrap Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister made it clear that PDP would act as a fortress to defend the distinct identity and will not allow anybody to dilute the special status. 

“Having emerged as the representative voice of the people across the State, PDP would, with full might, counter the designs of the divisive forces aimed at diluting the special constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.