Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said he wants the “unjust war imposed on the people of Iran to stop.”
He said any development that helps India keep fuel prices low is beneficial, but stressed that lasting benefit will come only when peace prevails in West Asia.
“Anything that allows us to keep our prices low is a good thing. Whether that means buying oil from Russia or being able to transport our gas and fuel supplies through this strait, which is otherwise closed to everybody else, it’s good for us,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar when asked about two crude oil tankers allowed by Iran to pass through the tense waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, he added that economic benefits should not overshadow the need for peace in the region.
“At the end of the day, what we want is peace. We want this unjust war imposed on the people of Iran to stop,” he said.
Omar also criticised attempts by external powers to influence Iran’s leadership.
“As I’ve said time and again, America and Israel don’t get to decide who the leadership of Iran is. Israel and the US do not get to decide who the supreme leader is. That is for the community, that is for the people, that is for the citizens of Iran to decide,” he said.
Referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Omar said he was not only a national leader but also a religious figure respected across the Muslim world.
“The person they assassinated, Ayatollah Khamenei, was not just a leader of Iran. He was an acknowledged religious leader for the entire Muslim Ummah. So this should not be seen as a conflict with Iran. It has far wider implications,” he said.
Omar maintained that while India may benefit from stable energy supplies, the larger objective should be the restoration of peace.
“Therefore, no matter what is done for India, fine, we will benefit. But ultimately, we will benefit when peace reigns. And we want this unjust war to end,” he added.
Chief Minister also expressed hope that a large number of tourists will visit Kashmir during the upcoming summer season despite concerns over rising airfares amid the ongoing international conflict affecting fuel prices.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism that visitors would arrive in large numbers to experience the natural beauty of Kashmir.
“It is expected that a large number of people will come and they will take advantage of the beauty of Kashmir and go back,” Abdullah said.
When asked whether the ongoing global tensions and rising fuel costs could affect tourist arrivals, Abdullah said there are concerns as airfares have started increasing.
“As far as tourism is concerned, there is hope. But the price of tickets is not only going up on international flights. IndiGo has also started applying a fuel surcharge here. Now we will have to see how much effect it will have on our season,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Omar said the government remains hopeful of a good tourist season.
