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Is US using the Kashmir issue to try and get a permanent foothold in South Asia? Post your views

Mumbai: Coming down heavily on "inconsistent policy" of BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government vis-à-vis Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on June 12 questioned whether the Centre was 'working out' the issue of the troubled state with the United States, keeping the people of the Valley in the dark.

"Is Kashmir being discussed in the White House? Why talks are being held keeping the people of Kashmir in dark and how come the US President George Bush walks without a scheduled appointment every time when Indian delegations are talking with their US counterparts in the White House," Abdullah asked.

The former J-K Chief Minister was delivering a talk on "Recent developments in Iraq and its impact on Kashmir and the future of the Indian sub-continent", organised by Rotary Club of Bombay Central in Mumbai.

He questioned the Centre's renewed peace initiative with the neighbouring nation even though infiltration, terrorist activities are continuing and Pakistan not acting on the list of 20 most wanted criminals wanted by India.

"Who is forcing India to talk to Pakistan?" he asked saying what solution the government has on the vexed Jammu and Kashmir issue?

"Both India and Pakistan should understand that they cannot take each other's territory and there is no solution to it," Abdullah said.

PTI