J&K Can Become Gateway Between Central And South Asia, Says Mehbooba Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that the Union Territory could emerge as a strategic gateway between Central Asia and South Asia. She made the remarks while drawing comparisons between global maritime chokepoints and the region’s geographical significance, stressing that changing global dynamics could reshape the role of Jammu and Kashmir in regional connectivity.

Speaking on the recent letter signed by more than 100 prominent figures from India and Pakistan addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mufti said the world order is undergoing significant shifts. She suggested that such appeals reflect growing concern over regional tensions and the need for renewed dialogue between the two countries to ensure stability and cooperation.

Mufti further compared Jammu and Kashmir’s geographical position with the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting Iran’s ability to leverage its strategic location in global geopolitics. She argued that, similarly, Jammu and Kashmir holds a key position that could be used to build economic and transit linkages between different parts of Asia if regional conditions improve and cooperation is strengthened.

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She added that improving ties between India, China, and Pakistan could open up important trade and transit routes through the region. According to her, such connectivity could significantly enhance Jammu and Kashmir’s economic prospects while also contributing to broader regional integration across Central and South Asia. She described this potential as transformative for the region’s future development.

Mufti also said that unlocking these routes would not only bring economic benefits but also lead to political and emotional change in Jammu and Kashmir. She reiterated that dialogue and peaceful engagement remain essential for long-term stability, reflecting her longstanding advocacy for de-escalation between India and Pakistan.

Peoples Democratic Party, founded by her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has historically supported dialogue-based approaches to regional peace. The party, which rose to prominence under the slogan “Goli Se Nahin, Boli Se” (not through guns but through dialogue), has consistently argued that sustained peace and cooperation are necessary for the region’s political and economic progress.

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