Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for renewed direct dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying diplomacy remains the most effective way to resolve long-standing issues and ensure lasting peace in South Asia. Addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, the Hurriyat leader made the appeal amid reports of renewed Track-II diplomatic engagements involving representatives from both countries in Sri Lanka and Thailand. He urged both governments to prioritise negotiations over confrontation.

Referring to recent developments in the Middle East, Mirwaiz said the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding and diplomatic efforts to end regional hostilities demonstrate the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts. He argued that while wars may alter circumstances and inflict significant suffering, they cannot provide sustainable solutions. According to him, meaningful peace can only be achieved through negotiation, statesmanship, and continued engagement between opposing sides.

Calling on India and Pakistan to embrace diplomacy, Mirwaiz said the two neighbouring nations share a special responsibility for maintaining regional peace and stability. He noted that South Asia is home to nearly one-fourth of the world's population and possesses vast civilisational, economic, and human potential. However, he said decades of political tensions, mistrust, and unresolved disputes have prevented the region from fully realising these opportunities, affecting societies both economically and emotionally.

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Mirwaiz also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier emphasis on regional cooperation after assuming office and expressed hope that the spirit of engagement seen during his initial years would be revived. He also recalled the peace initiatives undertaken during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, saying those efforts reflected the importance of sustained dialogue in addressing bilateral issues. He described Prime Minister Modi as one of India's longest-serving leaders and urged him to take forward the process of engagement.

Concluding his address, Mirwaiz maintained that sustainable peace cannot emerge through force or violence alone and stressed the need for patience and political will in resolving differences. He said diplomacy should not be viewed as a sign of weakness but as a practical recognition that disputes require discussion rather than military action. His remarks come at a time when regional and international attention remains focused on conflict resolution through dialogue and confidence-building measures.

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