Modi one of best PMs India has had: Sayeed

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Wednesday described Narendra Modi as one of the best prime ministers India has ever had.

Sayeed told a news conference here that he was happy to work with Modi despite perceptional disagreements which he said were a part of a healthy political edifice.

Asked about disagreements between his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Modi's BJP, Sayeed said: "Brothers can have disagreements but these are amicably resolved.

"Narendra Modi is one of the best prime ministers we have ever had. I have seen many central governments and prime ministers including Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh and (H.D.) Deve Gowda.

"Modi is so much concerned about the development of Jammu and Kashmir that he held two video conferences with our chief secretaries."

Asked to comment on former chief minister Farooq Abdullah's assertion that India can never reclaim the part of Kashmir Pakistan holds, he said: "It is an evaluation on which we need not jump to conclusions."

He said the real priority was to develop better synergy and cohesion between the three parts of the state: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. "We have started doing this. Well begun is half done."

The chief minister said better facilities were being provided for cross border trade with Pakistan-held Kashmir.

"There are many things to be done. We have to improve communication facilities for trade."

Asked about Modi's desire to hold national and international cricket matches at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar, Sayeed said: "Yes, these will definitely be held."