Talks without participation of Kashmiris meaningless: Geelani

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 20

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani today said he wished for “strong India and strong Pakistan”. He, however, said talks sans involvement of Kashmiri people were meaningless.

Geelani said his faction of the Hurriyat Conference would only support the dialogue which focuses on the resolution of the Kashmir issue “as per the aspirations of people” and which would respect “their sacrifices”. “Kashmir is not a bilateral border dispute between India and Pakistan which they can solve together or decide for ever,” he said.

“In principle, the Hurriyat Conference is not against talks, but we want to make it clear that talks without the involvement of Kashmiri people have been meaningless in the past and there is no expectation that it will achieve result in future,” Geelani said.

Geelani and other separatist leaders have been invited to attended the Pakistan Day ceremony at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on March 23 where they will also hold meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

In a statement, issued days ahead of Geelani’s meeting with Basit in New Delhi, the hardline separatist leader said he wished for a “strong India and strong Pakistan”.

QUOTE: “In principle, the Hurriyat Conference is not against talks, but we want to make it clear that talks without the involvement of Kashmiri people have been meaningless in the past and there is no expectation that it will achieve result in future,” said Syed Ali Geelani, separatist leader.