New Delhi, August 21, 2025 : National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take bold steps towards peace with Pakistan to help India strengthen its global standing.
Speaking at the launch of journalist Shahid Siddiqui’s memoir “I, Witness: India from Nehru to Narendra Modi” on Wednesday, Abdullah said, “Time has come when even our prime minister has to take such steps that India can walk with the world for peace. Time has come to restart SAARC. We must take strong steps from our side and find the path to peace — for the peace of the whole world.”
Established in 1985, SAARC comprises India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, but activities have largely stalled due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The last summit was held in November 2014.
Abdullah, 87, stressed that while peace initiatives would not be easy, “only hard steps can save our nation and shape the world.” He reflected on the wounds of Partition, the continuing rift between Hindus and Muslims, and the nation’s economic challenges, contrasting India’s trajectory with China’s rise.
“India should not grow only through military or economic power, but through the power of humanity. Gandhi is the light that shines upon the whole world,” he said.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on Siddiqui’s book featuring Salman Khurshid, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Sanjay Singh, who praised the author’s lifelong commitment to truth and integrity. The book, published by Rupa, is priced at ₹795 and available across online and offline stores.
