Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s backing unconditional talks with Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan has triggered quick reactions from former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday, stressing that if we can talk with Taliban then why was the centre adopting different standards in Kashmir.

Speaking at the Raisana Dialogue 2019, which is a multilateral conference on international policy matters; General Rawat had on Wednesday morning backed talks with the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan, and called for international curbs on regular and social media to counter radicalisation.

Reacting to the Army chief’s statement, Omar Abdullah, vice-president of National Conference, said that the Government of India bats for talks with others around the world, however, is unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in Kashmir.

Omar tweeted, “We bat for talks with taliban, autonomy for Tibet & Tamil areas of Sri Lanka yet we are unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in J&K. Why is our policy all about ‘do as we say, don’t do as we do’? Engagement for Taliban, Operation All-Out for Kashmir”.

We bat for talks with taliban, autonomy for Tibet & Tamil areas of Sri Lanka yet we are unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in J&K. Why is our policy all about “do as we say, don’t do as we do”? Engagement for Taliban, Operation All-Out for Kashmir. https://t.co/7PMDfWWN4C

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 9, 2019

The PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, also pressed for dialogue with Pakistan and Hurriyat leadership. She took to her tweeter handle saying, “If the Army Chief can advocate for talks with Taliban then why different standards when it comes to our own people? Accept peace offer from Pakistan, initiate dialogue with Hurriyat and other stakeholders, put an end to the vicious cycle of violence in J&K”.

If the Army Chief can advocate for talks with Taliban then why different standards when it comes to our own people? Accept peace offer from Pakistan, initiate dialogue with Hurriyat and other stakeholders put an end to the vicious cycle of violence in J&K. https://t.co/4NJlmvyPVX

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 9, 2019