‘Welcome Ceasefire Between US, Iran’: NC Chief Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR : National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran, saying dialogue was the only option as war has never been a solution.
“I thank God for giving courage to the US and Iran to sit at the table and resolve their issues, because there is no other option than dialogue,” Abdullah told reporters here.
“War has never been a solution, and it will never be. So I, and on behalf of our people, congratulate these countries (the US and Iran) and hope they will sit and talk. I pray to God that they talk about peace as this war affected the entire world,” he said.
The former J&K chief minister said they want peace as many people from the country, especially from J&K, work in Arab countries. “We are worried about the plight of the people who work there and earn a livelihood. We want the war to stop,” he added.
Abdullah, who was a Union minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led cabinet between 2009 and 2014, expressed hope that India would play its part to diffuse the tensions.
To a question about the US reportedly accepting Iran’s 10-point proposal, Abdullah said there are proposals from both sides, and there will be discussions on them.
“I hope India also lends its help as it is a friend of the US, because it will have a huge impact on us as well,” he said.
“May God take them to a point where peace gets established,” he said. Asked about Israel keeping Lebanon out of the ceasefire, the NC chief said Israel is also facing losses, and they have not escaped from it. “There is also much destruction there, and they cannot end that by fighting wars,” he said.
The senior Abdullah also refused to credit any country for brokering the ceasefire, saying it was God’s doing. “I will not give credit to any country, but say that God created a way and they are trying to tread that path,” he added.
Referring to China and Russia, Abdullah asserted that the world is no longer unipolar, and said If India has to develop and prosper, “we have to offer the hand of friendship to every country.”
“We can move forward through friendship, and animosity will take us backwards. I will also tell Pakistan that the time has come for it to let go of terrorism and take the path of prosperity and brotherhood. There is no other way,” he added. (Agencies)