Omar Abdullah

ISLAMABAD: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Friday said the time has come for India to respond to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's proposals to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Gen. Musharraf has taken Pakistan away from the maximalist position on Kashmir. New Delhi should meet him somewhere if not at least half way," Mr. Farooq, who is here in connection with the conference organised by Pugwash, told The Hindu after an hour-long session with the General.

"Kashmir is a political dispute, though it has military and economic dimension. It requires a political solution."

Mr. Farooq, on his first visit to Pakistan, said resolution of Kashmir depended on the shape of dialogue between India and Pakistan. "With both sides ruling out independence as an option, it could be self-governance, self-rule or autonomy."

The National Conference conceded that Gen. Musharraf has a `history' that makes certain sections of the Indian establishment suspicious of him. "There are elements in India who are unable to put Kargil behind them. But is it a practical and pragmatic approach?" he asked.

Mr. Farooq quoted Gen. Musharraf as saying that nobody could guarantee that a leader who would follow him would be `better' in dealing with India.

The only difference

To a question, he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was ready to do business with Gen. Musharraf and the only difference was on timeframe. According to Mr. Farooq, the General was in a hurry to resolve Kashmir in view of the growing domestic restlessness.

On violence in Jammu and Kashmir, he quoted Gen. Musharraf as saying that it was like `chicken and egg situation.' "We have to live with violence. Irrespective of whatever is done there would be vested interests opposed to the peace process."

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