Claim
61 Indians (including Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Manoj Jha, journalists and lawyers) and 57 Pakistanis jointly wrote a letter to the prime ministers of India and Pakistan urging talks, restoration of diplomatic ties, visas, sports and cultural exchange, trade and bus services.
“भारत के 61 लोग जिसमें उमर अब्दुल्ला, महबूबा मुफ्ती, मनोज झा, संजय घोषाल जैसे पत्रकार... शामिल हैं। और 57 पाकिस्तानी हैं। 61 + 57 मिलकर... भारत और पाकिस्तान के... प्रधानमंत्री को एक लेटर लिखते हैं।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The core claim is true: a joint letter dated June 30, 2026 from 61 Indians and their Pakistani counterparts (reported as 55–56, not 57) was sent to the prime ministers of India and Pakistan urging resumed dialogue, restored diplomatic ties, visa services, trade, bus/transport links and cultural exchanges, with Mehbooba Mufti and Manoj Jha among signatories along with journalists and civil-society figures. Minor errors: the Pakistani count was 55–56 rather than 57, and reports name Farooq Abdullah as the signatory while Omar Abdullah only publicly endorsed the initiative.
Evidence
- https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/dialogue-remains-the-only-viable-way-117-eminent-indians-pakistanis-write-to-pms-modi-and-sharif-seeking-peace-initiative Confirms a June 30, 2026 joint appeal by 117 eminent Indians and Pakistanis (61 Indians, 56 Pakistanis) to PMs Modi and Sharif seeking restored diplomatic relations, High Commissioners, visa services, reopened Attari-Wagah trade, Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, and cultural/people-to-people exchanges; Indian signatories include Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mani Shankar Aiyar, A.S. Dulat. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/revive-bilateral-dialogue-restore-normal-ties-politicians-former-diplomats-from-india-pakistan-urge-both-govts/ Reports the letter signed by 61 Indians and 55 Pakistanis, naming Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Manoj Jha and A.S. Dulat among Indian signatories; demands include full diplomatic relations, visas, trade, Delhi-Lahore bus, Samjhauta/Thar Express and journalist/cultural exchanges. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://kashmirobserver.net/2026/07/02/cm-omar-backs-india-pakistan-dialogue-to-improve-ties/ Shows Omar Abdullah publicly defended the dialogue initiative; contemporaneous reports name his father Farooq Abdullah, not Omar, as the signatory former CM. ✓ reachable · archived