Over 100 prominent personalities from India and Pakistan, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to take meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace and reviving bilateral dialogue between the two neighbours.The initiative of the joint letter, addressed to the Prime Ministers of both the nations, was spearheaded by OP Shah, who is chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress.The open letter, signed by Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, former RAW chief AS Dulat, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Manoj Jha, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Pakistan foreign
minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri besides several retired diplomats and civil society members asked the two governments to take "meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace, normalcy, dialogue and cooperation in South Asia". Calling for an end to continued hostility, the letter seeks restoration of full diplomatic relations and reinstatement of High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad. In addition to this, the joint letter also mentioned the resumption of normal visa services for citizens of both countries."Resume discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, including revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007. Take steps towards demilitarisation and de-escalation to create lasting peace in the region. Address legitimate security concerns of both countries," read the letter.
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