NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah criticised the United States foreign policy, reacting to the recent hosting of Pakistan Army Chief Asif Munir by US President Donald Trump for lunch at the White House. “But clearly, America acts only in its own benefit and has no regard for any other country,” he told reporters at Srinagar railway station after returning from Jammu.Abdullah had travelled to Jammu on the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat train from Srinagar to Katra, accompanied by his father, Farooq Abdullah.When asked about the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, the National Conference leader called for an immediate halt to the war and the issue must be resolved through dialogue.“This bombing should not have started. Before this, when the American intelligence in-charge was asked if Iran had the nuclear bomb, he had said he did not think Iran could make a bomb for a long time. But Israel attacked Iran within a few months. This attack should stop and the issues resolved through talks,” he said.Speaking on the situation of Indian students in Iran, Abdullah assured that efforts are being made to bring them home safely.“We cannot bring them back overnight, as airports and ports are closed. We are bringing them via road first to those cities where there is no bombing, then they are being brought back through Armenia. ““We are hopeful that today, 300-400 students are returning, a majority of whom are from J&K. We will bring them home safely,” the CM added.
