Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, the executive director of the Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center in Washington, D.C. has called for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue through granting self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

The KAC director made the remarks in the opening speech to the 9th International Kashmir Peace Conference, which was held from July 31 to August 1 in Washington, D.C.
Following are excerpts of his speech:
With every passing conference, we at the Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center along with the Association of Humanitarian Lawyers have constantly strived to improve ourselves owing to a belief that stagnation leads to decline. Onwards from that, this 9th Conference shares the eternal commitment and resolve of encouraging a peaceful resolution to the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir in which the aspirations of the Kashmiri people may be paramount. However, it does so in the spirit of reconciliation, not confrontation; equality, not discrimination; and hope, not despair. It is our firm conviction that wisdom will guide decisions rather than myth, superstition or falsehoods.
Overall, our purpose is to encourage the bringing together of scholars, academics, diplomats from India, Pakistan and Kashmir as well as policy-making personalities in Washington, D.C. Our ‘spirit’ is of understanding, our ‘heart’ is motivated by justice for Kashmiri self-determination and our ‘mind’ recognizes the necessity of building bridges of peace and avoiding war.
We are optimistic, that this conference is only the first step, in the long journey towards peace, which may, realistically, only be achievable by establishing a peace process that includes the governments of India, Pakistan as well as the legitimate leadership of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. This may not happen without the deeper engagement of the United States, with both India and Pakistan. Hence, the aims and aspirations of this conference are not to speak against one government or another. On the contrary, our main purpose is to facilitate a sincere dialogue, in the form of a peace process that will liberate Kashmiris from their terrifying predicament.
This, here, ladies and gentleman, is the primary motivation: to establish a peace process that includes major stakeholders along with the movers and shakers in Pakistan, India and Kashmir. In that regard, we are entirely aware that a peace process has been initiated between India and Pakistan. That peace process has chosen to emphasize confidence building measures, increased economic trade and bus travel between Kashmir on both sides of the Cease-fire Line. Following the first high-level meetings of government officials from both countries, remarkable success was achieved in recognizing the following key principles: first, a commitment to peaceful methods of conflict resolution in South Asia; second, rejection of all forms of extremism that are engulfing Afghanistan, Pakistan and India; third, a just resolution concerning the Kashmir dispute including the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people. The importance of these peace initiatives cannot be overstated, particularly when considering the link between regional stability and American socioeconomic and geopolitical interests. Sadly, the potential for violence is ever-present which could catapult South Asia towards uncontrollable destabilization.
The requisite need is for Americans, with all other stakeholders, to prevent the further destabilization of South Asia and fulfill its moral obligation to mandate a peace process in Kashmir thereby, also, protecting American interests in the region. Previous conferences hosted by the Kashmiri American Council have resulted in positive steps forward due to the participation of all stakeholders from India, Pakistan, and leading Kashmiri personalities including scholars, journalists and government officials. Together, with a genuine commitment to long-term stability from the United States of America, this longstanding unresolved dispute could be remedied.
Thank you distinguished guests and, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”