New Delhi : On International Day of Non-Violence and amidst escalating violence in West Asia, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday stressed the need for peace and dialogue to break the cycle of violence and counter-violence in the region.
"Thanks to an initiative taken by the Congress-led UPA Government, since 2007 the United Nations observes October 2nd as the International Day of Non-Violence. The Indian National Congress recalls this in the midst of an alarming escalation of remorseless hostilities in West Asia. This is imposing an unacceptable humanitarian price on thousands upon thousands of innocent men, women and children," in a post on X the Congress leader said.
"There is a fierce urgency for peace and dialogue in the region that is now engulfed by a deepening cycle of violence and counter-violence. The world's conscience seems to have been dulled by the forces of revenge. It needs to be reawakened by the forces of reconciliation," he added in the post.
The turmoil in West Asia escalated after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards targets in Israel and the United States military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defence Forces to help defend Israel against this attack. US Naval destroyers joined Israeli air defence units in firing interceptors to shoot down inbound missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran's missile attack on his country as a "big mistake" and said Tehran would pay for it. "Iran made a big mistake today and will pay for it. The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to take revenge on our enemies," he said.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson, RAdm Daniel Hagari described Iran's attack as a "severe and dangerous escalation." "There will be consequences. We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel," said Hagari regarding Iran's large-scale attack.
Following the death of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or West Asia is beyond Israel's reach.