India cosponsors UNSC resolution condemning ‘egregious’ attacks by Iran against GCC nations, Jordan
United Nations (PTI): India co-sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council that condemned the “egregious” attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan and demanded immediate cessation of all attacks by Tehran while denouncing its threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The 15-nation Security Council, currently under the presidency of the United States, adopted the resolution on Wednesday with 13 votes in favour, none against and abstentions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.
India cosponsored the Bahrain-led resolution along with over 130 nations, including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen and Zambia.
The resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
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It condemned in the “strongest terms the egregious attacks” by Iran against the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan and determined that such acts constitute a breach of international law and are a serious threat to international peace and security.
The resolution demanded immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against the GCC countries and Jordan and that Tehran “immediately and unconditionally” cease from any provocation or threats to neighbouring states, including the use of proxies.
It reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to “defend their vessels from attacks and provocations, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms”.
The resolution condemned any actions or threats by Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab.
The resolution further condemned that residential areas were attacked, civilian objects have been targeted and that the attacks resulted in civilian casualties and damage of civilian buildings; and expressed solidarity with these countries and their people.
It called upon Iran to refrain immediately from any actions or threats in accordance with international law. It called upon Iran to comply fully with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict.
US Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz said the adoption of the resolution “is a direct and unequivocal statement from the Gulf countries condemning the brutality of the Iranian regime, whose practice of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is reprehensible, and the entire world is calling it out for what it is”.
Waltz said President Donald Trump and his team exhausted every attempt at diplomatic negotiations.
“He sought peace and to end 47 years of hostility and attacks, while Iran only sought more missiles, more drones, and a pathway to nuclear Armageddon. President Trump has drawn his red line here. Iran crossed it once again, and now the world is facing the consequences.
“And these consequences that the United States does not bring alone,” Waltz said expressing gratitude to the 135 countries that co-sponsored the resolution.
Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani described the Council’s action as “unjust and unlawful", inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and international law, and an action that completely disregards the established principles governing the determination of acts of aggression and breaches of the peace.
“Make no mistake: today it is Iran; tomorrow it could be any other sovereign state,” he said.
Iravani said that since the start of conflict on February 28, the continued military strikes by the US and Israel have killed more than 1,348 civilians, including women and children, more than 17,000 civilians injured, and destroyed or damaged 19,734 civilian sites.
These include 16,191 residential homes, 1,617 commercial and service centres, 77 medical and pharmaceutical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 16 Red Crescent buildings, and multiple energy infrastructure facilities.
“The scale and systematic nature of these attacks clearly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the Iranian envoy said.
Iravani added that Iran “remains committed” to maintaining friendly relations with the countries in the Persian Gulf region, based on mutual respect, the principle of good-neighbourliness, and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Iran reemphasises that its defensive operations targeting United States military bases and facilities in the region are in no way against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the regional countries.
“Although the Israeli regime has succeeded in dragging the US into a regional conflict, Iran’s relations with its neighbours are rooted in long-standing historical, cultural, and geographical ties. Once the current tensions diminish, Iran and its neighbouring countries will inevitably return to their traditional relations of cooperation, mutual respect, and good neighbourliness,” he said.
Iravani added that Iran has consistently honoured its obligations, respected international law, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the claim that his country has closed the Strait “is simply untrue”.
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Kharge calls NDA ‘opportunist alliance thriving on corruption’ at rally
Puducherry (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the NDA "is an opportunist alliance that thrives on corruption and the looting of public assets".
Addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry, the Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had done nothing" for the union territory’s development.
He urged voters to back the INDIA bloc in the April 9 Assembly polls, calling it "an opportunity for the people to fight against divisive forces led by the BJP and RSS, which are destroying unity, harmony, and the progressive spirit of Puducherry."
Kharge also criticised the BJP for neglecting smaller states like Puducherry and made a strong case for granting it statehood, promising, "Congress will secure statehood—this is a guarantee we give to the people here".
He alleged that under the current AINRC-BJP coalition, Puducherry is "riddled with corruption and a 30 per cent commission system," with the NDA government exploiting the union territory, despite it being "one of the country’s most beautiful places".
He expressed concern over "misuse of funds and stalled development", alleging corruption had "seeped into every sector".
Kharge claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, "everything in practice is being handed to one person, Adani—from land to skies."
He added that the NDA was "exploiting land, temple lands, and public property."
The Congress leader also criticised the AINRC-BJP rule for granting permits for around 450 liquor shops and restaurants over the last five years, claiming, "Instead of providing clean water, the government has been giving liquor to the people."
Kharge compared the current situation with the previous Congress rule, highlighting development across sectors, particularly healthcare. "Hospitals were established here to take care of the health of the people," he said.
Among his promises, Kharge pledged "gold for mangala sutra" for women if Congress is elected, along with free education from primary school to research level.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises to Puducherry had not materialised and renewed his call for full statehood, citing the lack of powers as a "hindrance" to the elected government.
He recalled that during the previous Congress rule, then Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was also present, faced interference from then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.
Kharge said Congress has always stood with the people and would continue to improve their lives through developmental programmes, as it had during earlier administrations.
The meeting was presided over by Puducherry PCC president V Vaithilingam, and among the speakers was S P Sivakumar of the DMK.
