Argument on Kashmir must stop now: JD (U)

Following the meeting between the Hurriyat leaders and the Pakistan High Commissioner, the Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday asserted that Kashmir is a part of India and the argument on this must stop now.

"Kashmir is a part of India and argument on this must stop now. It does not matter what the Pakistan envoy and Geelani talk on this. The government, in many ways, try to engage the opposition and this is the result of that. I felt happy that there will be discussion on Pakistan occupied Kashmir," JD (U) leader K.C. Tyagi told ANI.

Earlier, a delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) met Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and discussed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's recent meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to an APMC release, Hurriyat leaders Peer Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Shah discussed 'Kashmir policy' with Basit.

"The Hurriyat delegation also handed over a message of their chairman Syed Ali Geelani to Basit, wherein he has stated that Pakistan should continue to maintain consistency and firmness over its Kashmir policy, and should play an active role in highlighting human rights violations committed by the Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir in international forums," the release stated.

The delegation is also said to have apprised the Pakistan High Commissioner about the present situation in Kashmir.

Last week, during Swaraj's visit to Pakistan, it was announced that the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet next month to discuss the details of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue.

According to the joint statement released by both the nations, the discussions will involve peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism, Humanitarian Issues, People to People exchanges and religious tourism.