More than 100 prominent citizens from India and Pakistan, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have signed an open letter urging Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to revive bilateral dialogue and restore normal ties. The letter, dated June 30, was coordinated by OP Shah, chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress, and signed by 61 Indians and 55 Pakistanis.
Key Signatories and Demands
The signatories include former RAW chief AS Dulat, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, along with several retired diplomats and civil society members.
The letter calls for the restoration of full diplomatic relations, reinstatement of high commissioners, resumption of normal visa services, and reopening of a comprehensive bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues. It emphasizes that “sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences.”
Focus on Jammu and Kashmir
The appeal specifically seeks discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, including revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007. It also calls for steps towards demilitarisation and de-escalation while addressing the “legitimate security concerns” of both countries.
Trade and Connectivity Measures
The signatories urge the reopening of trade channels, restoration of normal commercial relations, revival of the Most Favoured Nation or equivalent non-discriminatory trade arrangement, and reopening of the Attari-Wagah land border. They also demand resumption of the Delhi-Lahore bus service, Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, Samjhauta Express, Thar Express, opening of the Kargil-Skardu route, and reopening of airspace for commercial flights.
Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges
The letter seeks the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, opening of Sharada Peeth for pilgrims, easing travel restrictions, greater exchanges among students, journalists, artists, and business persons, and lifting restrictions on media outlets and digital platforms.
“The future of South Asia should be shaped not by division and conflict, but by peace, prosperity and shared progress,” the letter states, adding that the appeal is “not an endorsement of any political position” but a call to place the welfare and aspirations of nearly two billion people “above conflict, confrontation and division.”
Demographic and Economic Context
India and Pakistan together are home to nearly one-fifth of humanity, with a large proportion of their populations being young. The signatories argue that continued hostility deprives millions of young people of opportunities, prosperity, and a secure future. They urge both governments to choose engagement over isolation, dialogue over hostility, and cooperation over confrontation.
