Mirwaiz says Modi, among longest serving PMs of India, should opt for dialogue, diplomacy to resolve issues

In his sermon at the historic Jama Masjid on Friday, June 26, 2026, Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for dialogue with Pakistan, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent achievement of “being among the longest-serving leaders of independent India” and described dialogue and diplomacy as “the most reliable tools to solve problems”.

“Prime Minister Modi is among the longest-serving leaders in independent India today. When he took office, [in 2014]The Prime Minister talked about regional cooperation and expressed interest in improving relations with neighboring countries. These gestures created hope in South Asia,” Mirwaiz said.

With news of new efforts to restart diplomatic talks between the two countries, Mirwaiz said, “I hope that the spirit of interaction that has previously informed Prime Minister Modi and the efforts under leaders such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will find expression once again.”

Mirwaiz said peace may be elusive but “dialogue and diplomacy require patience and remain the most reliable tools for resolving problems and securing a better future.”

Referring to the separatist Hurriyat’s earlier meetings with Mr. Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and Mr. Singh, Mirwaiz said, “Although differences remained, these talks reflected an important principle: dialogue itself is valuable. It reduces mistrust, humanises opposing viewpoints and creates possibilities that would otherwise remain closed.”

Mirwaiz said that the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran reminds us once again that military power, no matter how overwhelming, has its limits. “Wars can change conditions and cause immense suffering, but lasting peace and lasting solutions ultimately require dialogue, negotiation and statesmanship,” he added.

Mirwaiz, who praised Pakistan and Qatar for providing an environment conducive to dialogue, said that the enemies eventually returned to the negotiation table. “This was not a sign of weakness on either side. It reflected the fact that disputes cannot be resolved through the use of force alone,” he said.

Drawing parallels, Mirwaiz said this lesson was applicable to South Asia, especially India and Pakistan. “Our region is home to nearly a quarter of humanity. It has tremendous civilizational wealth, extraordinary human resources and enormous economic potential. But decades of political tensions, insecurity and unresolved issues have prevented the people of this region from fully realizing these possibilities. Societies are suffering not only economically, but also emotionally and psychologically.”

Mirwaiz said that his father, Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, who was assassinated in 1990, was a strong advocate of justice and dialogue instead of violence and conflict.

“The Awami Action Committee and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference have consistently supported this principle despite challenges and pushback for over 36 years. Sustainable peace cannot emerge from wars, force or violence. Lasting solutions require participation, understanding and the courage to listen even to those who disagree,” Mirwaiz said.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz said the tragedy of Karbala, commemorated by Shiite Muslims on Muharram, is “not just an episode of history but an eternal lesson in truth, patience, justice and sacrifice.”

“Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, did not seek war or conflict. He advocated the principle that differences should be addressed through truth, adherence to the principles of Islam and sincerity through conversation,” Mirwaiz said.