"We appreciate the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and resuming the Foreign Secretary-level talks," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said here today.
He said this is a gigantic step to set a new agenda for reconciliation and resolution between the two countries.
In a statement, the PDP leader said that SAARC formatting of the initiative was a very constructive approach which could augur well for realising the economic potential of the South Asian region.
"The resumption of talks and the Prime Minister's telephonic conversation with Sharif have come as a major intervention to revive the stalled peace process between our country and Pakistan," he said.
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Prime Minister Modi yesterday called up his Pakistani counterpart Sharif and later announced that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit the country to "push bilateral agenda".
"Such a peaceful atmosphere would allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to reap the benefits of democratic system in which they have repeatedly invested their faith," said Mufti.
The PDP patron said friendship between India and Pakistan is of prime importance for releasing the creative energies from decades long atmosphere of hostility of which J-K has been the main victim.
"Jammu and Kashmir has borne the brunt of wars, militancy and a destabilised political situation as a result of the conflict between the two countries, and it is a good omen that Prime Minister has taken up the bold initiative at a crucial stage of the state's history," the former chief minister said.
He said violence along borders for the last one year has resulted in casualties and it causes pain whether the victims are from our defense forces, or civilians on both sides of it.