File photo: Separatist Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
With India asserting that a meeting between Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz and Kashmiri separatists was unacceptable, Hurriyat member Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said there should be no redlines and pre-conditions in diplomacy and politics.
"The reported drawing of redlines by India coupled with its pre-conditions are not non-political. There are no readlines in politics and diplomacy," Mr Mirwaiz said addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
The separatist said Hurriyat feels that if both the countries are able to carry forward the dialogue process with sincerity, the amalgam has no issue whether to join the process of dialogue now or later.
"Hurriyat is desirous of a meaningful dialogue (between the two countries) to settle all outstanding problems, especially the core issue of Kashmir," he said adding "sidelining Kashmir or ignoring the Kashmiris won't help."
"Kashmir is not a boundary dispute or a regional problem but linked to the future of 1.25 crore population. The issue could be resolved only by taking into consideration the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state," he said.
He also said that the people of Kashmir are "not the third but the basic party to the issue and enjoy ownership rights".
"Hurriyat was always desirous of strong relations between India and Pakistan so that a conducive atmosphere is created to pave way for resolution of all outstanding issues," he added.
Terming Kashmir as the "biggest hurdle", he said the two countries cannot improve their relations till the Kashmir issue remains unresolved.
"All the outstanding issues between the two countries are the off-shoots of Kashmir problem. The premiers of the two countries during their meeting in Ufa agreed to resume dialogue to resolve all issues for peace and prosperity. The biggest hurdle between the two countries is not terrorism but the issue of Kashmir," he said.
He said Hurriyat leadership held talks with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy LK Advani besides Pakistani leadership during the previous NDA government at the centre.
"It was the then government which provided travel documents to Hurriyat leaders after Vajpayee talked about resolving Kashmir within the ambit of humanity," he said.
He said the state assembly has no role in the resolution of Kashmir issue which could be resolved only through UN resolutions or talks between the parties to the dispute.