Omar questions ex-Norway PM’s visit

Srinagar, November 26

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Monday asked the Centre to clear the air around former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Mangne Bondevik’s visit to Kashmir during which he had met separatist leaders.

“What are the Norwegians up to in Kashmir? Would either (External Affairs Minister) @SushmaSwaraj ji or (National Security Adviser Ajit) Doval ji care to put the visit of the former Norwegian PM to both sides of the divided state in the correct context or do we have to rely on rumours & conjecture?” Omar wrote on Twitter.

Bondevik on Friday met senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here.

In a statement, the separatists said Geelani and Mirwaiz told the former Norwegian PM that since his country “has a history of playing a positive role in conflict resolutions”, the Norwegian government should make serious efforts to resolve the vexed Kashmir dispute to mitigate the sufferings of the people and ensure lasting peace in South Asia.

The delegation led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister assured the separatist leaders that “they would use their good offices to ensure that a sustained and result-oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan begins,” the statement claimed. — PTI