Kashmiris see Russia as a counterbalance to West’s hegemony - Indian lawmaker

Those emotionally affected by the events in Iran would like Moscow to play a proactive role, Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has told RT India

The people of India’s union territory of Jammu and Kashmir see Russia as a counterbalance to the hegemony of Western nations, lawmaker Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has told RT India.

Mehdi said those emotionally affected by the war on Iran, expect Russia to take a line or stand that would be helpful to Tehran. 

“Because at the end of the day, Russia is a power globally which we see as a counterbalancing factor against this hegemony,” Mehdi said in the latest episode of India, Russia, and the World with Runjhun Sharma. “Russia will not let their friends be alone in this fight for survival and fight for their existence.” 

He added that those with such a line of thought “would preferably see Russia playing a pro-active role in this conflict.” 

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Asked if there is a contradiction in Pakistan acting as a messenger between the US and Iran while bombing a Muslim nation [Afghanistan] in the holy month of Ramadan, Mehdi said Islamabad “had a lot of answering to do” in terms of what is happening in its neighborhood. 

The politician termed India’s lack of mediation in the conflict “a lost opportunity” as the country is “better suited and was closer to Iran.” He added, “Pakistan is being seen as a potential negotiator in this neighborhood, mind you, where India is a prominent country.” 

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The West has no moral authority to talk about killing. “If that is to be taken as an argument, what about the genocide that was carried out in Gaza very recently. More than 70,000 people were killed,” he said. He also pointed out that the US is the only country that has used a nuclear bomb and killed hundreds of thousands.

Mehdi said Ayatollah Khamenei’s martyrdom has been a blessing for the unity of Ummah or the Muslim society. It is for the people of Iran to judge if their government has oppressed its people, Mehdi, who is also a Shia cleric, added.