Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his annoyance on Friday at U.S. President Donald Trump inviting Pakistan Army chief General Asif Munir to lunch at the White House.
Abdullah claimed that America thinks in terms of its own interests and is a "friend" to others only if its agenda is fulfilled.
Talking to the media at Srinagar Railway Station, Abdullah said, "The US President is a master of his own desire. Can we inform him whom he should invite for lunch and whom not? It is a different matter that we used to believe the US President was our very close friend, and he would honor our friendship. But clearly, America does what is in its interest. They don't care about any other nation.
Vande Bharat: A Ride Worth Repeating
Abdullah, flanked by his father and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, had also come to Jammu on the newly launched Vande Bharat train. He appreciated the train service for its popularity and luxury.
"If it had not been good, why did I come back by train? The way in which the people are attempting to book tickets for this train, and that the waiting list procedure has commenced, we desire that the length (capacity) and the frequency of the train to be increased," he said.
He further stated, "It is a successful service within a few days; we would like more people to avail it."
Requests for Peace During Israel-Iran Conflict
Moving on to global affairs, Abdullah called for hostilities to stop immediately between Iran and Israel, stressing dialogue as the sole durable way forward.
"This bombing must not have begun. Prior to this, when the American intelligence officer in-charge was questioned whether Iran possessed the nuclear bomb, he had replied that he did not believe Iran would be able to make a bomb for a long period of time. However, Israel has attacked Iran within a couple of months. This attack must be ceased and the matters solved through negotiations," he said.
When questioned regarding the safety of Indian students stuck in Iran, Abdullah recognized the challenge of repatriating them as travel was restricted. "We cannot bring them back overnight because airports and ports are shut. We are bringing them by road first to those cities where there is no bombing, then they are being brought back through Armenia.". We are positive that 300-400 students are coming back today, most of them being from J-K. We will get them back home safely," he assured.
Clarifying Roles in Jammu and Kashmir Governance
On local matters, Abdullah spoke of the requirement for transparency between the Lieutanant Governor (LG) and elected government on administrative roles. He urged the LG to clarify and approve the business rules the cabinet had just passed to remove ambiguity.
"I never stated that LG has all the powers. You verify the J-K Reservation Act. LG himself has stated his duty is only for security and law and order. That is why I am stating that business rules sanctioned by the cabinet must be signed and returned by the LG so that there is no ambiguity," he added.
Abdullah ended by reiterating the division of duties: "The LG has a single task: He should safeguard the people of J-K and enhance the security situation here … Rest of the task is ours."
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