Ashok Bhan hails Manmohan’s approach to see Kashmir as gateway to South Asian development
New Delhi: Indian Supreme Court lawyer and Track-II diplomat Ashok Bhan has praised former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s approach to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting his efforts to promote South Asian development through cooperative ties between Pakistan and India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a webinar organized by the Centre for Peace, Bhan commended Singh as a leader with an innovative diplomacy, who envisioned Kashmir as a bridge to peace and prosperity, rather than a battleground for conflict.
This approach starkly contrasts with the incumbent BJP-led Indian government’s policies, which lack inclusivity and foresight.
Bhan said during Singh’s tenure from 2004 to 2014, key initiatives contributed to improved India-Pakistan relations, including composite dialogue and resumed talks on critical issues like Kashmir and trade. Bhan emphasized Singh’s commitment to South Asian unity, which diverges from the BJP’s “narrow-minded and inward-looking” approach.
The webinar, attended by former Pakistani ministers Khursheed Kasuri and Mushahid Hussain, stressed the need for renewed efforts to restore peace between India and Pakistan, with dialogue being the only path forward.
Bhan concluded by urging the Indian government to draw inspiration from Singh’s visionary leadership, which fostered hope for a united and developed South Asia.
