Omar Abdullah Questions India's Participation in Russia Conference That Includes Taliban, Asks 'Why Not a Dialogue With Non-Mainstream Stake Holders in J&K?'

New Delhi, November 9: National Conference (NC) party leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has questioned Centre's decision to send a "non-official" delegation for the Taliban conference in Russia. Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and asked that "If 'non-official' participation in a dialogue that includes the taliban is acceptable to the Modi government why not a 'non-official' dialogue with non-mainstream stake holders in J&K?" Taliban are in Russia for Talks after 17 Years of War in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, November 8, confirmed that two former diplomats will be sent to Russia to engage at "non-official" level in the talks being hosted by Russia. Moscow has been trying to project the bid as an attempt towards "resolving the dispute in Afghanistan." Afghanistan Peace Initiative: India to Send Ex-Diplomats in Russia For Talks That Include Taliban.

Omar Abdullah articulated his view on the issue through Twitter and asked "Why not a “non-official” dialogue centered around J&K’s eroded autonomy & its restoration?(sic)". Check the NC leader's tweet below:

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar earlier said that, “We are aware that the Russian Federation is hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan.” The MEA spokesperson further added that “Our (India's) participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level,” and that India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan that will preserve unity and plurality, and bring security, stability and prosperity to the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 09, 2018 12:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).