CM Abdullah expresses concern over attack on Iranian warship
Farooq flays US-Israel strikes on Iran
Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the reported sinking of an Iranian warship, saying the vessel and its crew were guests of India for a multilateral naval exercise.
This comes after a major escalation in West Asia after a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in international waters off the coast Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The vessel was returning from the Milan naval exercise hosted by India.
Speaking to reporters here, Abdullah said the incident has caused anxiety within the Union Territory as many residents, including students, are currently in Iran.
“It is unfortunate that an attack was carried out on the Iranian warship. They were our guests and had come here for a naval exercise. While returning, it was attacked. In some way, our country is also being dragged into this situation. What will happen in the future is beyond my jurisdiction,” he said.
The chief minister said the government is coordinating with the Centre to ensure the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents in Iran. He added that the government is working to formulate a programme to bring them home safely. He also appealed for calm in the Union Territory amid the evolving situation.
The chief minister met with members of civil society and religious leaders in Srinagar on Wednesday to ensure peace is maintained.
“The elements trying to disturb the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation,” he said.
Responding to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to file a nomination for the Rajya Sabha, Abdullah termed it an internal matter of the Bihar government and its allies. He mentioned Nitish Kumar’s past association with the INDIA bloc and extended his best wishes for the nomination.
Commenting on the general elections in Nepal, held following the fall of the K P Sharma Oli-led government last year, Abdullah said the polls are essential for the functioning of a democracy.
Citizens in all 165 constituencies in Nepal began voting on Thursday morning under tight security. “As I have read in newspapers, a new leader has emerged there. Let us see what decision the people of Nepal take,” he added.
The chief minister also highlighted the government’s focus on promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in agriculture. He said that under flagship programmes like Mission Yuva, the government is working to develop a startup culture, noting that substantial funding has started flowing into educational institutions for these initiatives.
Meanwhile, Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah slammed the US-Israel strikes on Iran, and said no country has the right to impose its control over another nation.
The National Conference president also said that it was the responsibility of the Union government to present its position on the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
“Iran is an independent country. America attacked it; that is wrong. It is wrong to invade any other country. No country has the right to impose its control over another nation. They have done it with Venezuela too. It is unfortunate,” he told reporters here. Warning of wider consequences, he said the impact of the ongoing war could be felt across the world in the coming days and cautioned that the situation might escalate into a larger global conflict, possibly even a Third World War.
“It may lead to something bigger, and in the end it can start a Third World War. We do not know about it,” he said, adding the situation should be handled with responsibility.
Referring to public sentiment over the developments, he said there is anger among Muslims but stressed that protests should remain peaceful.
“Muslims have anger. Protests should take place, but they should be peaceful,” he added.
Kashmir valley has witnessed protests against the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamnei in US-Israel joint strikes.
Replying to another question on the stand of the country, he said it was the responsibility of the Government of India to present its position.
