Kashmiris are urging Saudi Arabia to use its recent rapprochement with India to help advance their cause and solve the decades-long conflict.
"The Kingdom has a history of playing positive role in disputes, such as Afghanistan and Palestine," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of 15 pro-independence groups in Kashmir, told the Saudi English-speaking daily Arab News on Sunday, March 14.
"Kashmiris would be more than happy if the Kingdom mediated on our behalf."
Farooq said a delegation of Kashmiri leaders will visit Saudi Arabia within a month and hold talks with officials to seek their help.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
Farooq believes a Saudi mediation would be very helpful and acceptable to all parities involved.
"Given the strengthening of ties between India and the Kingdom, New Delhi would be more comfortable with Saudi mediation than any other country."
During a landmark visit to Riyadh last month, Indian Premier Manmohan Singh urged Saudi Arabia to mediate between India and Pakistan.
His Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor even said Saudi Arabia could be a "valuable interlocutor" in improving India’s ties with Pakistan.
Though not mentioned by name, many observers believe Indian officials were glancing at possible Saudi mediation on the contentious Kashmir issue.
Disappointed
Farooq, the Kashmiri leader, also revealed talks with the US to push for a solution of the decades-long conflict.
He spoke of "back channel" dialogue with Washington, but refused to divulge details.
He insists on a "political solution" and believes the formula tabled by former President Pervez Musharraf was workable.
Musharraf suggested identifying some regions on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir, demilitarize them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under a UN mandate.
Despite insisting on peace with India, Farooq is disappointed with its failure to take action to ease the sufferings of his people.
"Nine thousand Kashmiris have been missing over the last 20 years."
He urged India to demilitarize Kashmir and come clean on missing persons.
"The mass graves discovered recently have further infuriated the people of Kashmir.
"They have lost faith in Indian courts and the security system," fumed the Kashmiri leader.
"It’s time New Delhi did something to gain the confidence of Kashmiris."
"The Kingdom has a history of playing positive role in disputes, such as Afghanistan and Palestine," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella organization of 15 pro-independence groups in Kashmir, told the Saudi English-speaking daily Arab News on Sunday, March 14.
"Kashmiris would be more than happy if the Kingdom mediated on our behalf."
Farooq said a delegation of Kashmiri leaders will visit Saudi Arabia within a month and hold talks with officials to seek their help.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
Farooq believes a Saudi mediation would be very helpful and acceptable to all parities involved.
"Given the strengthening of ties between India and the Kingdom, New Delhi would be more comfortable with Saudi mediation than any other country."
During a landmark visit to Riyadh last month, Indian Premier Manmohan Singh urged Saudi Arabia to mediate between India and Pakistan.
His Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shashi Tharoor even said Saudi Arabia could be a "valuable interlocutor" in improving India’s ties with Pakistan.
Though not mentioned by name, many observers believe Indian officials were glancing at possible Saudi mediation on the contentious Kashmir issue.
Disappointed
Farooq, the Kashmiri leader, also revealed talks with the US to push for a solution of the decades-long conflict.
He spoke of "back channel" dialogue with Washington, but refused to divulge details.
He insists on a "political solution" and believes the formula tabled by former President Pervez Musharraf was workable.
Musharraf suggested identifying some regions on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir, demilitarize them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under a UN mandate.
Despite insisting on peace with India, Farooq is disappointed with its failure to take action to ease the sufferings of his people.
"Nine thousand Kashmiris have been missing over the last 20 years."
He urged India to demilitarize Kashmir and come clean on missing persons.
"The mass graves discovered recently have further infuriated the people of Kashmir.
"They have lost faith in Indian courts and the security system," fumed the Kashmiri leader.
"It’s time New Delhi did something to gain the confidence of Kashmiris."
