Asif Malik
Srinagar, Mar 14 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday inaugurated the historic Badamwari Garden, officially heralding the start of the summer tourist season in the valley. However, expressed concern that rising airfares could deter visitors.
“The government is concerned about the rising airfares. It is a factor that has the potential to impact the influx of tourists,” CM Omar told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) after inaugurating the garden.
He, however, expressed optimism about the upcoming season, stating, “We are now waiting for our tourist season. It is expected that a large number of people will come and take advantage of the beauty of Kashmir.”
The Chief Minister also commended the Floriculture Department for its preparations as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, widely recognised as Asia’s largest tulip garden, prepares to welcome visitors for the Kashmir Tulip Festival starting March 16.
CM Omar stated that the garden currently boasts over 1.7 million tulips across more than 70 varieties, spread over 30 hectares. It will remain open to the public for the next 25 to 30 days, depending on weather conditions.
On Russian Oil Imports
Responding to a query on Friday geopolitics, CM Omar Abdullah weighed in on India’s oil imports from Russia. While acknowledging the economic pragmatism of purchasing discounted crude, he underscored the need for global stability.
“Anything that allows us to keep our prices low is a good thing. But at the end of the day, what we want is peace,” he stated.
Slams Actions in West Asia
The Chief Minister also condemned recent actions in West Asia, specifically the killing of a top Iranian religious leader, asserting that external powers have no mandate to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.
“America and Israel don’t get to decide who the leadership of Iran is. The person they assassinated was an acknowledged religious leader for the entire Muslim Ummah,” CM Omar said, calling for an end to what he termed an “unjust war.”
On Detention of Separatist Leader
The Chief Minister welcomed the recent release of a separatist leader who had been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
“He should never have been arrested. It was wrong to arrest him. It is a good thing that he has been released,” CM Omar asserted. (KNS)
