Farooq Abdullah's statement on 'Kashmir issue' triggers controversy

He said nations like China and the US could be used to mediate the Kashmir conflict which has hit the relationship between India and Pakistan for the past 70 years.

"For how many years are you going to wait? Sometimes, you have to catch the bull by the horns," Farooq Abudllah told reporters.

"India has many friends across the nation. They can be asked to be a mediator," he said.

He said the only way to solve the issue by dialogue.

"US President Donald Trump himself said that he wants to settle Kashmir problem. China also said that it wants to mediate in Kashmir," Farooq Abdullah said.

"Somebody has to be approached," he said.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, however, criticised Farooq Abdullah's remark and said Kashmir issue was an internal matter of India.

"Kashmir is India, India is Kashmir- ये हमारा internal matter है, इसमें किसी और का कुछ लेना देना नहीं है (Kashmir is India, India is Kashmir, This is our internal matter, No one has to think about it)," the official Twitter page of the Congress leader posted.

He also attacked the Narendra Modi-led Central government and said its policies have 'burnt Kashmir'.

Defending his father's comment, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "Talk about spinning a statement. Dr Abdullah has said friends can be used to facilitate a dialogue with Pakistan, to facilitate a solution."