Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is in Delhi for high-level meetings with key ministers, signalling his intent to engage with the Centre positively for smooth governance and to seek assistance for the Union Territory's development.
This visit follows the National Conference's (NC) resounding victory in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections where the party secured a massive mandate. He met top BJP leaders in Delhi on Thursday and presented them with a copy of the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet for the restoration of statehood.
Observers, however, believe his visit was aimed at signalling to the Centre that he wants a cooperative relationship and support from the Centre to govern Jammu and Kashmir.
With widespread public support, Omar’s return to power represents a major shift in J&K’s political landscape as the first elected government after the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.
Observers believe that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have placed their trust in NC to navigate the post-370 challenges, and Omar is now focused on engaging with the Centre to meet these expectations. He understands that a cordial relationship with the Centre is a must for governance and to deliver on the promises made to the people.
On Wednesday, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time since assuming office as the head of the new government. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the meeting in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "CM Omar Abdullah met PM Narendra Modi."
The visit marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the new state government and the Centre, especially after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The meeting is seen as an important step toward fostering cooperation between the two governments for the progress of the region.
In addition to the Prime Minister, Omar held discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah.
The meeting took place shortly after he arrived in Delhi, focussing on key governance issues, including law and order and security in the region. The Home Minister plays a critical role in shaping the Centre's policy on Jammu and Kashmir and Omar’s engagement with him highlights the importance of maintaining a collaborative relationship between the state and central governments.
The Chief Minister also met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Their discussions centred around road infrastructure development, a pressing issue for the region critical to boosting connectivity and economic growth. With the NC’s massive mandate, Omar’s government has set its sights on continuing the modernising infrastructure with the Centre’s assistance.
Omar also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Defence Minister shared the details of their interaction on X, stating, "Met with the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah in New Delhi. The NDA Govt under PM Narendra Modi is looking forward to working with him for J&K’s progress." Security concerns, including counter-terrorism operations and defence infrastructure in the sensitive border regions, are likely to have featured prominently in the discussions.
With a clear mandate from the people and renewed political strength, Omar is well-positioned to lead Jammu and Kashmir, however, frictionless relation with the Centre is a must for that.