More than 100 people from India and Pakistan sign open letter to Modi and Shehbaz; seek dialogue on Kashmir and resumption of bilateral relations

At least 117 people from India and Pakistan, in a joint open letter on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, requested the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to reopen bilateral dialogue, resume discussions on J&K, demilitarize and de-escalate lasting peace in the region.

The initiative for the joint letter, addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was led by OP Shah, president of the Center for Peace and Progress.

The joint letter calls on India and Pakistan to reopen a comprehensive bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues. “Resume discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, including revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007. Take steps towards demilitarization and de-escalation, in order to create lasting peace in the region. Address the legitimate security concerns of both countries,” the letter read.

He called on the governments of both countries “to take meaningful and lasting steps to restore peace, normalcy, dialogue and cooperation in South Asia.”

“We believe that sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences and building a stable and prosperous region,” the text adds.

The letter emphasizes the restoration of full diplomatic relations, resumption of normal visa services, allowing exchanges between families, students, academics, journalists, artists, businessmen and civil society groups.

He also advocated reopening of Attari-Wagah land border for trade and travel, resumption of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Delhi-Lahore bus service, opening of Kargil (Ladakh) – Skardu (Gilgit Baltistan) route and reopening of airspace to commercial airlines to reduce travel time and cost and improve connectivity.

“This call is not an endorsement of any political position. It is a call to place the well-being, aspirations and future of nearly two billion people above conflict, confrontation and division. We believe that peace, dialogue and cooperation offer the surest path to a stable, prosperous and secure South Asia,” the letter said.

The Mirwaiz, who signed the letter, said, “The people of J&K have suffered enough and deserve peace, closure, justice and a dignified resolution. »

NC lawmaker Tanvir Sadiq said his party “has been in favor of dialogue.” “People from the RSS and different groups have definitely endorsed our view, and I think the dialogue should move forward. But as I said, the responsibility also lies with Pakistan,” Mr Sadiq said.

Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary and MP Tarun Chugh termed the letter as “echoing Islamabad’s narrative and damaging India’s national interest”.

“It is deeply regrettable that some Indian political leaders continue to champion Pakistan’s agenda while conveniently ignoring decades of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that has cost thousands of innocent Indian lives and the sacrifices of our courageous security forces,” Mr. Chugh said.

He said the so-called Gupkar Gang and its ideological allies have repeatedly tried to create moral equivalence between the victim and the perpetrator, even as Pakistan continues to harbor, finance and export terrorism to India.

“India’s position is very clear. Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand. There can be no talk of normal bilateral dialogue until Pakistan completely dismantles the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil, puts an end to cross-border terrorism and infiltration and takes credible and verifiable measures against terrorist networks,” he added.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Chugh said, “India follows a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. India’s sovereignty, national security and the safety of its citizens are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised in the name of inappropriate political messages.”

The letter is signed by prominent politicians including Dr Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party, Kashmir’s religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mani Shankar Aiyar of the Congress, Prof Manoj Jha of Rashtriya Janata Dal, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief AS Dulat, Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami of the CPI(M), the defender of human rights Rita. Manchanda etc. From Pakistan, the letter is signed by former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, ex-diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, diplomat Shamsher Ahmed Khan, artist Beena Sarwar etc.

Published – July 01, 2026 at 6:16 p.m. IST