Good India-Pakistan ties must to fight IS threat: Farooq

Expressing happiness over the proposed visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad and hope it would revive the stalled dialogue process, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah Saturday said good India-Pakistan ties were must to deal with threats like the IS.

"On behalf on my party, I welcome the upcoming visit of Sushma Swaraj and pray that it will lead to some conclusion for better ties between India and Pakistan," he said on the sidelines of a function to pay homage to his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah here.

He said if both the neighbouring countries have to counter the rising threat of ISIS-like extremist militant outfits, then friendship between India and Pakistan is must for stability of South Asia.

"Improvement in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is directly related with thaw in the relations between the two countries", he added.

Abdullah also urged for opening of all historical road links with Pakistani Kashmir, saying it will benefit easing of tensions and will improve situation in the Kashmir Valley.

He also reiterated his suggestion of maintaining status quo on Kashmir.

"If that side of Kashmir will remain with Pakistan and this side with India and maximum possible autonomy is given on both sides, then borders will get irrelevant and a new dawn of peace and progress can become a reality," he added.

On the incidents of rising intolerance in the country, Abdullah said it is good major political parties have condemned them.

"This land belongs to all irrespective of religion or caste or colour. We all have to be one if India is to prosper," he said.