BJP reacted to reports of an open letter from 100 prominent citizens calling for resumption of dialogue and peace between India and Pakistan.
The BJP in its response drew a red line on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism as a precondition for any talks with the neighbouring country.
The remarks come after 117 signatories urged the leaders of the two nations to take diplomatic measures, including resumption of dialogue and reconnecting people-to-people ties.
National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, RJD MP Manoj Jha, former TMC minister and current AJUP leader Humayun Kabir were among the 61 Indian signatories on the letter, The Indian Express reported.
Mirwaiz said that the dialogue between India and Pakistan is very essential for the peace and people of J&K. “We appeal that PM Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif restore talks and also restore diplomatic and people-to-people ties. We also appeal to them to resolve issues through talks,” Mirwaiz said.
BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh said peace cannot be one-sided and that water and blood cannot flow together, pointing to the suspended Indus Water Treaty. “We desire peace, but we will not tolerate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism being brought into our country in the name of peace. This will be considered an act of war. For the first time, a government has spoken so decisively against terrorism. We want peace, but not the kind of peace advocated by parties that practice the politics of appeasement where we remain silent while extremism and terrorism spread in our country,” Vallabh said.
In the letter, the group asked PM Modi and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif to consider various confidence-building measures in this regard such as restoring full diplomatic relations and reinstating High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad.
“India and Pakistan together are home to nearly one-fifth of humanity. A large proportion of our population is young…The people of both countries deserve a future defined by peace, development, connectivity and cooperation, rather than perpetual mistrust and confrontation,” the report quoted excerpts from the letter.
“Decades of estrangement has hindered our collective potential and imposed significant social, economic and human costs. We believe that sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences and building a stable and prosperous region,” it stated further.
