Omar hopes India, Pak dialogue process to start soon

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hoped that dialogue process would soon be restarted between India and the new government in Pakistan to strengthen the ties between the two nations.
"We hope that our Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) who had taken a lot of initiatives in the past, will again commence the dialogue process so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir take a sigh of relief in an environment of peace", Omar said while addressing a public rally here today.
"When we talk of friendship-- we do not have any greed -- we talk of your benefit", he said, thanking people for staying in the rally, braving 45+ degree Celsius temperature.

He said a healthy change in the mind set of politicians in Pakistan has also been observed in this regard during the electioneering process in that country.
"The nature of campaigning by various political parties in Pakistan during electioneering indicates healthy change in the mind set of politicians of that country towards Kashmir issue and Indo-Pak relations", he said.
"I have personally analysed and monitored the Pak elections closely, in the past, Kashmir was always an issue...

"But this time it was the friendship with India which dominated elections there. Whosoever fought elections, raised this issue. Perhaps it is their compulsions but we should take benefit of this compulsion," Omar said.

The Chief Minister said the status of Indo-Pak relations has direct bearing on peace and development in the state.
"When the relations of two countries become unfriendly, the effects are directly on the people of the state-- when firing starts-- when shelling starts-- we people become the target-- shelling does not take place in Delhi-- shelling does not take place in Mumbai-- it does not take place in Madras-- it takes place here-- in the border belt of R S Pura.
"You have to leave your homes and lands-- we go for mining in the areas where you sow crops-- we go for fencing-- your daily life gets derailed," Omar said.

The CM said when borders are peaceful and calm, people carry on their activities smoothly and tension-free.
"We hoped there will be good relations in near future in view of the change in Pakistan-- but we have to be alert", he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also inspected the pace of construction work at the historic Jamia Masjid at Talab Khatian area in the Jammu city.