Farooq Abdullah Backs Pakistan Dialogue, Says Peace in J&K Needs Talks With Kashmiris Too
By: Javid Amin | 14 May 2026
NC Chief Supports Calls by RSS Leader and Former Army Chief for Talks With Pakistan; Altaf Bukhari Urges Centre to Directly Engage People of Jammu & Kashmir
A rare political convergence has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir over the need for dialogue as a pathway to peace, with senior leaders across ideological lines emphasizing that military measures alone cannot resolve the region’s long-standing challenges.
Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, has supported recent remarks made by an RSS leader and a former Indian Army Chief advocating dialogue with Pakistan to stabilize the region and reduce tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).
At the same time, Altaf Bukhari, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, has called on the Centre to initiate direct engagement with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that external diplomacy alone cannot deliver lasting peace.
The developments have revived a familiar but politically sensitive debate in Kashmir: whether sustainable peace requires a parallel process involving both Indo-Pak dialogue and meaningful engagement with local stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq Abdullah: “Peace Needs Both External and Internal Engagement”
NC Leader Says Military Measures Alone Cannot Solve Kashmir Issue
Backing the remarks of the RSS figure and the former Army Chief, Abdullah said that peace in Jammu and Kashmir requires addressing both “external” and “internal” dimensions simultaneously.
According to him, while security operations may contain violence temporarily, long-term stability can only emerge through political outreach, trust-building, and sustained communication.
The veteran Kashmiri leader stressed that engagement with Pakistan could help reduce cross-border tensions and ceasefire violations along the LoC, creating a more stable environment inside Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he also underlined that dialogue cannot remain limited to diplomatic channels alone. Abdullah argued that the Centre must also directly engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address alienation, mistrust, and political uncertainty.
His remarks come at a time when militancy-related incidents and security concerns continue to shape political discourse in the Union Territory.
Rare Consensus: RSS Voice, Army Perspective, and Kashmiri Leadership Align on Dialogue
Security Experts Increasingly Stress Political Engagement
The debate gained significance because the call for talks did not come solely from mainstream Kashmiri political parties.
An RSS leader had recently argued that dialogue with Pakistan, combined with strong national security measures, is necessary to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.
Separately, a former Indian Army Chief also emphasized that military responses alone cannot permanently resolve the Kashmir issue and that political engagement remains essential.
The convergence of these perspectives is politically notable because it reflects a broader acknowledgment across ideological and institutional lines that Kashmir’s challenges are multidimensional.
Analysts say such statements may not immediately alter policy, but they help reopen public space for discussions around reconciliation and diplomacy.
Altaf Bukhari Calls for “Dialogue With the People”
Apni Party Chief Says Kashmiris Must Not Be Left Out
The Apni Party leader acknowledged the importance of Indo-Pak dialogue but argued that external negotiations cannot substitute internal reconciliation.
According to Bukhari, lasting peace requires listening to the aspirations, grievances, and concerns of ordinary residents in Jammu and Kashmir.
He called for a broader political process involving:
- Mainstream political parties
- Civil society groups
- Youth representatives
- Business communities
- Social and regional stakeholders
Bukhari also emphasized the need for trust-building measures focused on governance, economic revival, employment generation, and safeguarding democratic rights.
His remarks reflect a growing sentiment among sections of the political class that political engagement with local populations is essential for reducing alienation and strengthening democratic participation.
Why the Dialogue Debate Has Resurfaced
Rising Security Concerns and Political Transition
The renewed calls for dialogue come amid evolving political and security dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Factors Behind the Debate
- Continued concerns over militancy and infiltration
- Cross-border tensions along the LoC
- Restoration of the J&K Assembly after years of political transition
- Public discussions around governance and representation
- Demands for political outreach and confidence-building
Political observers say the restoration of an elected Assembly has revived expectations for greater democratic participation and communication between New Delhi and regional stakeholders.
At the same time, frustration persists among sections of the population who feel disconnected from major decision-making processes affecting the region.
Public Sentiment: Hope, Fatigue, and Skepticism
Kashmiris Continue to View Dialogue as Necessary — But Not Sufficient
Across Kashmir, the idea of dialogue continues to receive cautious public support, particularly among those seeking stability, economic recovery, and reduced violence.
However, skepticism also remains strong because previous rounds of Indo-Pak talks have historically produced limited long-term breakthroughs.
Many residents argue that while diplomatic engagement is important, peace efforts must also address:
- Political uncertainty
- Employment concerns
- Human rights discussions
- Economic development
- Youth alienation
- Regional identity issues
This explains why leaders like Farooq Abdullah and Altaf Bukhari are emphasizing a “dual-track” approach involving both external diplomacy and internal reconciliation.
Economic and Social Stakes of Peace in Jammu & Kashmir
Stability Directly Impacts Tourism, Trade, and Investment
Improved peace conditions could significantly benefit:
- Tourism sector
- Hospitality industry
- Handicrafts and exports
- Agriculture and horticulture
- Local entrepreneurship
- Infrastructure investment
Many business groups in the region have repeatedly argued that sustained peace is essential for long-term economic revival and job creation.
The tourism industry in particular remains highly sensitive to security developments and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
Dialogue in Kashmir: Historical Context
A Debate That Continues Across Generations
The question of dialogue has remained central to Kashmir politics for decades.
Successive governments, political parties, civil society organizations, and security experts have periodically advocated engagement at different levels:
- India-Pakistan diplomacy
- Talks with regional political parties
- Civil society outreach
- Confidence-building measures
- Cross-LoC initiatives
Although many previous initiatives failed to produce permanent political settlements, advocates of dialogue argue that communication remains preferable to prolonged confrontation.
Critics, however, caution that talks without clear outcomes can deepen public frustration if expectations are repeatedly unmet.
Political Significance of the Emerging Consensus
Why These Statements Matter
The current convergence of voices from:
- A senior NC leader,
- An RSS-linked perspective,
- A former Army Chief,
- And the Apni Party leadership,
is being viewed as politically significant because it indicates widening acknowledgment that Kashmir’s challenges cannot be addressed through a single-dimensional strategy.
Farooq Abdullah’s remarks particularly stand out because they seek to bridge the security narrative with political reconciliation, while Altaf Bukhari’s intervention highlights the growing demand for direct engagement with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Together, these statements reinforce a broader argument increasingly visible in regional discourse: sustainable peace in Jammu and Kashmir requires both diplomatic outreach and internal political healing.
Conclusion
The renewed push for dialogue by Farooq Abdullah and Altaf Bukhari reflects a broader shift in Kashmir’s political conversation toward reconciliation, engagement, and trust-building.
While Indo-Pak tensions continue to shape the region’s security environment, leaders across ideological divides are increasingly emphasizing that military measures alone cannot guarantee lasting peace.
For many in Jammu and Kashmir, the real test lies not only in reopening diplomatic channels with Pakistan but also in whether meaningful political engagement with the people of the region becomes part of the peace process itself.
As debates over representation, governance, and regional identity continue, the calls for dialogue are likely to remain at the centre of Jammu and Kashmir’s political future.
