Farooq Abdullah calls for SAARC revival, initiatives for peace with Pakistan
Monitoring Desk
SRINAGAR: National Conference President in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah has called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take bold initiatives for peace with Pakistan.
Farooq Abdullah speaking at the launch of journalist Shahid Siddiqui’s memoir “I Witness India from Nehru to Narendra Modi”, cited examples of global diplomacy, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talks with former US President Donald Trump and subsequent meetings with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to stress the importance of dialogue even among adversaries.
“Time has come when even our Prime Minister has to take such steps that India can walk with the world for peace. Time has come to restart SAARC. We must take strong steps from our side and find the path to peace — for the peace of the whole world,” Farooq Abdullah said.
Established in 1985, SAARC has remained dormant, with its last summit held in 2014, largely due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Abdullah acknowledged the challenges but insisted that “hard steps”were necessary to safeguard India’s future.
Reflecting on the 1947 Partition, Farooq Abdullah said it sowed hatred between Hindus and Muslims, which continues to divide the nation. He contrasted India’s struggles with China’s rise, remarking: “Look at China — once behind us, today ahead in every field. Why? Because they speak with one voice. This tragedy must change.”
He further argued that India should aspire to global leadership not through military or economic might, but through “the power of humanity”, invoking Mahatma Gandhi as a guiding light.
“This is not a world of threats. Gandhi is the light that shines upon the whole world,” Farooq Abdullah concluded, urging the Modi government to embrace reconciliation as a national responsibility.
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