I was born there and I moved away in 1990 when I was seven years old. After that my family moved away from there to Delhi and Mumbai. Now, only a handful of relatives live in Kashmir and we are constantly worried about them. It pains me to see that my birth-place is not a safe place to be in anymore.

Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours, and Kashmiriyat is also ours.

But I would say my favorite Zeppelin song to play is 'Kashmir.' I have a great time playing that one.

But I must confess that Kashmir is one place that made me reach out for the camera. Such is the setting that no matter in which direction one looks, you get a gorgeous frame.

I was never sent to Kashmir on any secret mission. I want to make that position clear.

My dad was in the Indian Army. He died in a terrorist attack in Kashmir in 1994. After that, my mum and I settled in Noida. I went to Delhi Public School in Noida and then to Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi University. It was in college that I realised I wanted to be on the stage and in front of the camera.

Without resolving Kashmir dispute, lasting peace cannot be maintained in the region.

My dad was in the Indian Army. He died in a terrorist attack in Kashmir in 1994. After that, my mum and I settled in Noida. I went to Delhi Public School in Noida and then to Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi University. It was in college that I realised I wanted to be on the stage and in front of the camera.

I can claim with total honesty that no home minister has visited Kashmir as many times as I have.

The Kashmir problem is a very old one and has been a major challenge for all governments.

In Kashmir, you need utmost cooperation between all centres of authority.

My dad was a Punjabi from Amritsar, and my mom is a Punjabi from Kashmir. My dad was a soldier in the Indian Army.

Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris. Not to Indians. Not to Pakistanis.

Kashmir is an integral part of India, and nobody can take it away from us.

I was in Kashmir last weekend. Went to visit one of my sweaters.

Over last 30 odd years, Kashmir has seen many highs and lows when looked at from the perspective of the security scenario, infiltrations and militancy on the ground.

Pakistan is keen to promote its trade with India, we want economic ties getting stronger with India. Our business community is keen to reach out to their Indian counterparts. And of course, we want to resolve the issue of Kashmir, which is a flash point in our relations.

The traveller who aspires to reach the highlands of Tibet from Kashmir cannot be borne along in a carriage or hill-cart. For much of the way, he is limited to a foot pace, and if he has regard to his horse, he walks down all rugged and steep descents, which are many, and dismounts at most bridges.

As far as Government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don't just want need-based ties but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir.

I said that we stand for strong relations with India, we stand for peaceful resolution of all our problems with India, including Kashmir.