If US can mend ties with Iran, so can India-Pak: Mehbooba

Suchetgarh (Jammu and Kashmir): Laying a firm emphasis on improving tourism in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday gave a clarion call for peace between New Delhi and Islamabad, asserting that if US could mend ties with Iran then why can't India take a similar step. During her visit to villages near Suchetgarh border to promote tourism, she said that violence at the border and incidents of bullets being fired immediately makes headlines, but the news of border folks sharing land and water seldom grabs attention. "Now Iran and US have become friends. It is said that Muslims oppose US, but Muslim nations are friends of US. If Iran and US can become friends after so many years, then why can't India and Pakistan be friends. A message of friendship should go from Jammu and Kashmir and not of violence," she told media persons here. "Our aim is to promote tourism in Jammu, especially the border tourism. Mufti sahib wanted that our two nations should live in peace," she added. Further asserting that facilities, like road and infrastructure, for people residing in the border areas should be improved, she said that steady flow of tourists would also enhance employment opportunities.