Over 100 Indians, Pakistanis Urge Revival of Bilateral Talks, Mirwaiz Backs Appeal

Kashmir's chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday reiterated his support for the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan , describing sustained engagement as essential for achieving lasting peace in the region amid the continuing debate over bilateral ties.

Mirwaiz said he had signed a June 30 letter coordinated by OP Shah , chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to revive bilateral dialogue and restore normal diplomatic and people-to-people relations.

The letter, endorsed by 61 Indian and 55 Pakistani signatories , states that "sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences" and calls on both governments to take meaningful steps toward restoring peace, normalcy, cooperation and regional stability in South Asia.

Explaining his decision to support the initiative, Mirwaiz said dialogue between India and Pakistan was "not only desirable but necessary" for lasting peace, particularly for the people of Jammu and Kashmir , who, he said, have endured decades of conflict.

He also praised the role of civil society initiatives in keeping alive hopes for peace at a time when official engagement between the two countries remains limited. According to Mirwaiz, such efforts promote the values of peace, dignity, connectivity and a future free from hostility. Appealing directly to the leaders of both nations, Mirwaiz urged them to resume meaningful engagement, restore diplomatic and public exchanges, and address all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir , through dialogue, wisdom and statesmanship.

Stressing that the appeal was not about taking sides, Mirwaiz said the focus should be on the welfare of nearly two billion people living in the region. He added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserved peace, justice, closure and a dignified resolution.

The joint appeal has also been signed by more than 100 prominent citizens from both countries, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti , former RAW chief A.S. Dulat , Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha , former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar , former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri , former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi , and several retired diplomats and civil society representatives.