Reopen historic routes in J&K: Mehbooba
JAMMU: Strongly advocating opening of historic routes in Jammu and Kashmir, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has pleaded for opening up the state to the outside world and its opportunities.
Addressing the India Ideas Conclave-2017 at Panaji in Goa on Friday night, she said the geographical positioning of the state makes it a gateway to Central Asia, which ought to be used for opening up its people to the outside world.
“By reopening the traditional and historic routes in the state, we shall be writing a new history,” she added.
Mehbooba suggested making Jammu and Kashmir a model state with connectivity all across so that it becomes a model for SAARC cooperation in the region.
SAARC or South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical union of eight nations in South Asia comprising 21% of the world’s population.
“Let’s make it a model for cooperation at a bigger scale in the region,” she said.
‘RECONCILIATION ONLY WAY FORWARD’
On the problems being faced by the people of the state, the chief minister said it is the duty of every citizen of the country to come forward and help Jammu and Kashmir in coming out of these uncertainties.
“People of the state ought to be given a sense of belonging because the idea of India is incomplete without the idea of Jammu and Kashmir. Reconciliation is the only way ahead,” she added.
She exuded confidence in the deep roots of values, which the people of the state have displayed and hoped that with the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma, the way forward for reconciliation has been laid out.