Former Union minister of state for external affairs and president of National Conference, Omar Abdullah has said India and Pakistan needed to rise above mutual mistrust and work together against terrorism.

Addressing poll meetings in central Kashmir's Chadoora and north Kashmir towns of Tangmarg and Sopore, Omar said, "India and Pakistan must work together to remove the air of suspicion and mistrust between the two countries."

He said India and Pakistan were 'both affected by acts of terror and so should develop a joint mechanism to tackle the menace."

"There are elements who want to destabilize India and Pakistan and create turmoil in the sub-continent which is not in the interest of both the countries," Omar said adding "The countries should jointly identify and isolate such elements because either country being unstable is not good for the other. Kashmiris want peace in the sub-continent, because they have suffered most as and when the relations between the India and Pakistan have been strained."

Abdullah said the NC is the only party which can be a bridge between the two neighbouring countries and assist both in creating a congenial atmosphere for better bilateral relationship.

Abdullah reminded the people about his landmark visit to Pakistan and his one-on-one meeting with former president, Pervez Musharraf [Images] and his subsequent meetings with Manmohan Singh [Images] which helped the two countries come closer.

"In the past my party has played a pivotal role for better Indo-Pak relations and shall continue to do so in the future as well in the interest of the two countries and for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir [Images].