SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday criticised United States foreign policy, alleging that Washington interferes in Muslim-majority countries under the pretext of promoting democracy and human rights.
Addressing a press conference, Mufti said the US had a pattern of intervening in Muslim nations, often leading to the removal of governments. She claimed such interventions were driven by strategic and economic interests, including access to oil and other resources, rather than concern for democracy or women’s rights.
She said several Muslim countries had suffered due to these interventions, adding that the situation in Gaza reflected what she described as selective action by the US. “The worst oppression is taking place in Gaza, yet there is no intervention there,” she said.
Mufti welcomed recent protests in Jammu and Kashmir expressing solidarity with Iran and said such demonstrations conveyed a clear message. She cautioned Iran against engaging with the US and Israel, warning that continued engagement could worsen the country’s situation.
The former chief minister said Iran and India historically shared close ties, and Kashmir also had cultural and religious links with Iran. She alleged that since the BJP came to power at the Centre, space for public protest had reduced, but said people in Kashmir still came out in support of Iran.
Mufti urged Iran to resist negotiations with the US and to take a firm stand against Israel, asserting that US policies had caused widespread damage in Muslim regions, with Gaza being a recent example.
Iran has witnessed weeks of protests that began in late December over economic issues and later expanded into wider anti-government demonstrations. According to a rights group, more than 2,000 people have been killed during the unrest.
