New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said if US and Iran can become friends then why can't India and Pakistan.
"If US and Iran can join hands, I see no reason why India and Pakistan cannot come together to restore stability and begin a new era of peace and prosperity in the region," Mehbooba said while interacting with media-persons on the sidelines of her marathon tour here today.
The Chief Minister invoked the legacy of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, by sending a strong message of peace and reconciliation to both India and Pakistan.
She cited the example of US and Iran, two sworn enemies, who have recently ended hostilities and stitched a new phase of engagement.
Giving wings to her father's dream of making Suchetgarh JK's Wagah, the Chief Minister said she will be delighted if the border town is promoted as a people-to-people meeting point with Sialkot, in Pakistan, across the International Border (IB).
She urged media to highlight the cultural camaraderie that exists between the people of India and Pakistan.
"I wonder if hostilities can become news between the two neighbours, why can't cultural bonhomie," she asked, while touring border areas of Suchetgarh and shrine of Baba Chamliyal, revered by people on both sides of the IB.
Mehbooba described as most unfortunate the recent incident at Handwara, but hoped that peace will be firmly entrenched in the valley, where years of turbulence has brought untold miseries upon the people.
Favouring more transit points for people-to-people contact, the Chief Minister said cultural affinity across the two regions is too strong to resist.
"I hope our good intentions are reciprocated by our neighbour," she added.
(With PTI inputs)
