Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday said that in the absence of political dialogue, the Union Territory will meet the same fate as that of Gaza, which is at war with Israel. In response to a question on whether India should hold talks with Pakistan, Abdullah referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous statement that “we can change friends but we cannot change neighbours”.
“If we live in friendship with neighbours, we will both prosper but if we live in enmity, then we cannot progress rapidly. Modiji also has said war is not an option now and issues. “ Why are we not talking? If we do not resolve it through talks, I am sorry to say that we will face same situation as happening with Palestinians in Gaza who are being bombarded every day. Anything can happen. May Allah have mercy on us!” he added
