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Category: India

  • Sikkim will shine in sports, tourism, and startups: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the golden jubilee celebrations of Sikkim’s statehood via videoconferencing, marking 50 years since the northeastern state became part of the Indian Union. Themed ‘Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose, and Nature Nurtures Growth’, the event celebrated the state’s remarkable journey of development, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

    Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of positioning Sikkim as a global tourism destination. “The time has come for Sikkim to evolve beyond being just a hill station,” he said. “Sikkim’s potential is unmatched, offering a complete tourism package.” He pointed to the state’s natural beauty, spiritual significance, and cultural treasures such as its lakes, waterfalls, monasteries, and the Kanchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    The Prime Minister said that new infrastructure like the Golden Jubilee Project and the statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at Atal Amrit Udyan symbolized the new heights of progress Sikkim is achieving. “Sikkim has immense potential for adventure and sports tourism,” he remarked, stressing the growth of activities such as trekking, mountain biking, and high-altitude training.

    He expressed a clear vision of establishing Sikkim as a destination for conference tourism, wellness tourism, and concert tourism. “The Golden Jubilee Convention Center is an important step towards this future. I wish that global artists perform in Gangtok and experience the harmony of nature and culture that Sikkim represents,” said the Prime Minister.

    Referring to the recent Northeast Investment Summit held in Delhi, PM Modi said major investors are now showing strong interest in the region, including Sikkim, which will lead to employment generation and economic growth in the coming years. He said that bringing G-20 Summit meetings to the Northeast was a strategic step to showcase the region’s potential on the world stage and appreciated the Sikkim government’s proactive efforts in this regard.

    Highlighting India’s rise as a global economic force and a growing sporting power, the Prime Minister said that the youth of the Northeast, particularly Sikkim, will play a central role in realizing the country’s aspirations. He acknowledged the contribution of sports personalities such as Bhaichung Bhutia, Olympian Tarundeep Rai, and athlete Jaslal Pradhan. “Sports should not just be about participation but about winning with determination,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the new sports complex in Gangtok will serve as a training ground for future champions.

    He mentioned the Khelo India scheme, under which Sikkim is receiving focused support in talent identification, training, and organizing tournaments. “The energy and passion of Sikkim’s youth will propel India to Olympic glory,” he stated.

    Speaking on national unity and resilience, Prime Minister Modi condemned the recent attack in Pahalgam, calling it an attack on humanity. “The terrorists not only stole the happiness of many families but also attempted to divide the people of India,” he said. Referring to India’s firm response through ‘Operation Sindoor’, he asserted that the country gave a befitting reply by dismantling several Pakistani airbases, demonstrating its strategic capabilities.

    Reflecting on the future, PM Modi emphasized that Sikkim’s 50-year journey should inspire ambitious planning for its 75th year in 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India’s independence. “We must set clear goals for what Sikkim should look like by 2047. This includes boosting the state’s economy and shaping it into a ‘wellness state’,” he said.

    He urged the people to equip Sikkim’s youth with global skills, calling for a push in new areas of skill development, digital innovation, and global employment readiness. “Sikkim’s young generation must be prepared not just for local needs but also for global demands,” the Prime Minister stated.

    Calling for a collective commitment to Sikkim’s continued growth, PM Modi said, “Our dream is that Sikkim should become a Green Model State not only for India but for the entire world.” He outlined a vision of secure housing for all, solar-powered electricity for every household, and a strong identity in agro-startups, organic food exports, and tourism-based entrepreneurship. “The next 25 years are dedicated to achieving these ambitious goals and establishing Sikkim’s presence on the global stage,” he concluded.

    The event also saw the unveiling of a commemorative coin, souvenir coin, and postage stamp to mark 50 years of Sikkim’s statehood. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several developmental projects, including a 500-bedded District Hospital in Namchi worth over ₹750 crore, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Gyalshing district, and the statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Gangtok.

  • Trump again criticizes Putin as Ukraine war heats up

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump again expressed frustration on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the intensifying Ukraine conflict, a day after warning that Putin was “playing with fire” by resisting ceasefire talks while escalating drone and missile attack s.

    But Trump also told reporters in the Oval Office that he was not yet prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia because he did not want the penalties to scuttle a potential peace deal.

    Russia has proposed holding the next round of direct talks with Ukraine on June 2 in Istanbul, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. There was no immediate response from Kyiv.

    The public squabble between the U.S. and Russia unfolded as the three-year-old war heats up, with swarms of drones launched by both Russia and Ukraine and Russian troops advancing at key points along the front.

    Delegates from Russia and Ukraine met earlier this month in Istanbul under pressure from Trump to end the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War Two, but the talks failed to yield the ceasefire that Kyiv and its Western allies have pushed for. Moscow said certain conditions needed to be met before a ceasefire agreement.

    Asked whether the Russian leader might be intentionally delaying negotiations, Trump said, “We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little differently.”

    After speaking to Trump on May 19, Putin said he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum which would set out the contours of a peace accord including the timing of a ceasefire.

    Ukraine has not yet officially agreed to Russia’s proposed meeting on June 2. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Wednesday that Kyiv had already submitted its memorandum on a potential settlement and called on Russia to produce its version immediately, rather than waiting until next week.

    “We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their ‘memorandum’, so that the meeting won’t be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war,” Umerov said.

    The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday about Moscow’s preparation of “concrete proposals” for upcoming talks in Istanbul but gave no details.

    Putin’s demands for ending the war include a written pledge from Western leaders that NATO will not expand eastward to former Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia and the lifting of some sanctions on Russia, according to Russian sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

    In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump had warned Putin that he was “playing with fire” and that “really bad” things would have happened to Russia already if not for Trump himself.

    Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, told a state TV reporter that Trump’s remark suggested he is not well-briefed on the realities of the war.

    WAR HEATING UP

    Russia said on Wednesday it had downed 296 Ukrainian drones over 13 regions overnight, while Ukraine’s military said it had struck several Russian weapon production sites.

    Ukraine said Russia had launched 88 drones and five ballistic missiles.

    After Russia said in late April it had ejected Ukrainian forces from the western Kursk region, Moscow’s forces have pushed over the border into the neighbouring Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine and taken several villages there.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia has gathered 50,000 troops near the northern Sumy region, but added that Kyiv had taken steps to prevent Moscow from conducting a large-scale offensive there.

    Speaking in Berlin during a visit by Zelenskiy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany and Ukraine will develop the joint production of long-range missiles, a move the Kremlin said was irresponsible and amounted to stoking the war.

    Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said that the U.S.-led NATO military alliance was using the Ukrainian crisis to build up its presence across eastern Europe and the Baltic but that Russia was advancing along the entire front in Ukraine.

    Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops.

    Russia currently controls just under one fifth of Ukraine. Though Russian advances have accelerated over the past year, the war is costing both Russia and Ukraine dearly in terms of casualties and military spending.

    (Reuters)

  • Infrastructure push and enhanced connectivity driving Sikkim’s transformation: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the ‘Sikkim@50’ celebrations via videoconferencing, marking the golden jubilee of the state’s formation. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded Sikkim’s achievements and inaugurated several development projects aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure, connectivity, and public services.

    “Today’s event offers a glimpse into Sikkim’s future journey,” said PM Modi, as he congratulated the people of the state on the occasion. He said the newly inaugurated projects and foundation stone-laying ceremonies would enhance healthcare, tourism, cultural, and sports infrastructure in the region. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the successful launch of these projects,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underlined that Sikkim, along with the entire Northeast, is emerging as a “shining chapter in India’s development story.” Reflecting on the change over the past decade, PM Modi said, “Where distance from Delhi once posed a barrier to progress, the same region is now opening new doors of opportunities.”

    He attributed this transformation to the significant strides in connectivity. “The biggest reason for this transformation is the improvement in connectivity, a change that the people of Sikkim have witnessed firsthand,” he said. PM Modi recalled a time when accessing education, healthcare, and employment required arduous travel. “However, the situation has changed significantly over the past decade,” he added.

    Prime Minister highlighted that nearly 400 kilometers of new national highways have been constructed in Sikkim in recent years. In addition, hundreds of kilometers of new roads have been built in rural areas, enhancing last-mile connectivity.

    He also spoke about key infrastructure developments, including the construction of the Atal Setu, which has improved connectivity between Sikkim and Darjeeling. “Work is progressing rapidly on the road linking Sikkim with Kalimpong,” he said. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Bagdogra-Gangtok Expressway will make travel to and from Sikkim more efficient and announced plans to integrate it with the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway to further bolster regional infrastructure.

    Highlighting railway connectivity, PM Modi said that the government is actively working to link all capital cities in the Northeast with the national rail network. “The Sevoke-Rangpo rail line will integrate Sikkim into the national rail network,” he said, describing the project as a key step towards inclusive development.

    For areas where road construction remains difficult due to terrain, the Prime Minister said ropeways are being introduced as alternative means of transport. “Several ropeway projects were inaugurated earlier today, further improving convenience for the people of Sikkim,” he added.

    Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to balanced regional development, Shri Modi said the government is advancing the ‘Act East’ policy with the spirit of ‘Act Fast’. “A developed India requires balanced development, ensuring that no region is left behind,” he concluded.

  • Indian Parliamentary Delegation Strengthens Anti-Terror Ties During Saudi Arabia Visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party parliamentary delegation from India led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda is currently visiting Saudi Arabia from 27 to 29 May 2025 as part of India’s global diplomatic outreach following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.

    The delegation met with Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, to convey India’s firm stance against terrorism and seek continued cooperation in countering extremism. The Indian representatives emphasized that acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances and highlighted India’s zero-tolerance policy toward such activities.

    During their meetings, the delegation expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and underlined the need for coordinated global action to combat terrorism. This includes dismantling terrorist infrastructure, cutting off financing and safe havens, and rejecting any political justification for terrorist activities. The Indian side referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement: “This is certainly not the era of war, but this is also not the era of terrorism.”

    The delegation also engaged with Dr. Mishaal Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, for discussions on India’s approach to counter-terrorism. The Indian representatives noted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support on counter-terrorism issues and expressed confidence in continued cooperation on de-radicalization and combating extremism.

    The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday and interacted with India’s diplomatic mission before proceeding with their official engagements. They were also hosted by senior Saudi officials and members of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee.

    The visit forms part of India’s broader diplomatic initiative involving multiple all-party delegations traveling to over 30 countries to highlight India’s anti-terrorism resolve and garner international support following the Pahalgam attack. The attack led to military escalation between India and Pakistan before a ceasefire was declared on May 10.

    The Saudi visit concluded with interactions with prominent members of Saudi civil society, offering opportunities for further dialogue on counter-terrorism efforts and broader aspects of the India-Saudi Arabia bilateral partnership.

  • PM Modi celebrates Sikkim@50, calls Sikkim “pride of the nation,” promises visit soon

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the ‘Sikkim@50’ programme virtually. The event, held in Gangtok, marked the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood under the theme “Where Progress Meets Purpose, and Nature Nurtures Growth.”

    Extending warm greetings to the people of Sikkim, the Prime Minister expressed his regret at not being able to attend in person due to adverse weather conditions. “I wanted to witness the fervor, energy, and enthusiasm of the people in person, but due to inclement weather, I could not be present. I promise to visit Sikkim soon and be part of your achievements and celebrations,” PM Modi said.

    Recalling the journey of the state over the past 50 years, the Prime Minister described the day as a moment to celebrate Sikkim’s many achievements. He lauded the efforts of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and his team for organizing a grand and memorable event.

    “Fifty years ago, Sikkim charted a democratic future for itself. The people of Sikkim not only connected with India’s geography but also with its soul,” the Prime Minister remarked. He emphasized the power of inclusive democracy, saying, “When every voice is heard and rights are secured, equal opportunities for development emerge.”

    He noted the strengthened trust among Sikkim’s families and highlighted the nation’s recognition of the state’s progress. “Sikkim is the pride of the nation,” he declared, acknowledging the state’s transformation into a model of development in harmony with nature.

    “Sikkim has become a vast sanctuary of biodiversity, achieved the status of a 100% organic state, and emerged as a symbol of cultural and heritage prosperity,” the Prime Minister said. He further highlighted that Sikkim is now among the states with the highest per capita income in the country, a reflection of the people’s capabilities and hard work.

    The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the many stars from Sikkim who have illuminated India’s horizon, recognizing the rich contributions of every community toward the state’s cultural and economic prosperity.

    Since 2014, PM Modi said, his government has been guided by the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas — development for all, with collective support. “A developed India requires balanced progress, ensuring that no region is left behind while others advance,” he stressed.

    The Prime Minister underlined the special focus on the Northeast region over the last decade. “Every state and region of India has its own unique strengths. Keeping this in mind, the government has placed the Northeast at the center of development,” he stated, adding, “The government is advancing the ‘Act East’ policy with the spirit of ‘Act Fast’.”

    Recalling the recently held Northeast Investment Summit in Delhi, PM Modi said leading industrialists and investors announced significant investments across the region, including Sikkim. “These investments will generate numerous employment opportunities for the youth of Sikkim and the entire Northeast in the coming years,” he added.

     

  • Crisil pegs India’s GDP growth at 6.5% in fiscal 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Crisil on Thursday forecast India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026, adding that improving domestic consumption is likely to support industrial activity.

    “We expect domestic consumption demand to improve driven by healthy agricultural growth, easing inflation supporting discretionary spend, rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and income tax relief this fiscal,” the global ratings agency said in a note.

    The India Meteorological Department expects an above-normal monsoon this fiscal (106 per cent of long-period average), which bodes well for agricultural production and inflation.

    Furthermore, according to Crisil Intelligence, crude oil prices are expected to remain subdued this fiscal, averaging $65-$70 per barrel compared with an average of $78.8 per barrel in the previous fiscal.

    “We expect the MPC to cut the repo rate by another 50 basis points (bps) this fiscal, after 50 bps cuts until April. Bank lending rates have begun easing, which should support domestic demand,” according to the note.

    Overall, Crisil forecasts gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026, with external headwinds posing downside risks.

    In the month of significant tariff announcements by the United States (US), IIP growth slowed in April. Production slowed in certain export-oriented sectors (including pharmaceuticals and chemicals), while front-loading exports benefitted others (machinery and readymade garments). Among consumer goods, durables performed better than non-durables.

    Industrial goods recorded a mixed performance, with output growth in capital goods picked up sharply along with a mild acceleration in intermediate goods.

    Performance of export-oriented sectors was mixed in April, despite the sharp improvement in merchandise exports (9.0 per cent in April in nominal terms vs 0.7 per cent in the previous month).

    There was also a 6.4 per cent increase in the production of consumer durables such as electronic goods, refrigerators, and TVs during November, reflecting the higher consumer demand for these items amid rising incomes, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics.

    The infrastructure sector clocked a growth of 4 per cent on the back of big-ticket government projects being implemented in the highways, railways and ports sectors.

    (IANS)

  • Deadly break in at UN warehouse as aid trickles into Gaza

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A United Nations warehouse in war-torn Gaza was broken into by “hordes of hungry people” on Wednesday as aid trickles into the Palestinian enclave on the brink of famine and the United States readies new terms for a possible truce between Israel and Hamas.

    The World Food Programme said initial reports were that two people had died and several more were injured at the central Gaza warehouse. The U.N. agency appealed for an immediate scale-up of food aid “to reassure people that they will not starve.”

    Eyewitness video independently verified by Reuters shows large crowds of people pushing into the warehouse and removing bags and boxes as gunfire can be heard. It was not immediately clear how the people may have been killed or injured in the incident.

    Under growing international pressure, Israel ended an 11-week long aid blockade on Gaza 10 days ago. It has allowed a limited amount of relief to be delivered via two avenues – the United Nations or the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

    U.N. Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag told the Security Council that the amount of aid Israel had so far allowed the U.N. to deliver was “comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk” when everyone in Gaza was facing the risk of famine.

    The United States has been trying to broker a ceasefire. Israel – which resumed its military operation in Gaza in March after a brief truce – continued strikes on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people, Palestinian health officials said.

    “We are on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later on today,” U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday. “The president is going to review it.”

    The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

    UN VS GHF

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel’s killing of Hamas Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar marked a turn towards the “complete defeat of Hamas”, adding that Israel was “taking control of food distribution” in Gaza.

    Israel has accused Hamas of diverting and seizing aid supplies. Hamas has denied stealing aid.

    At the United Nations, more than half the Security Council called on Wednesday for the 15-member body to act on Gaza. Slovenia’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar said some members are working on a draft resolution to demand unimpeded aid access.

    “Remaining silent is not an option,” he told the council.

    Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council that Israel would allow aid deliveries “for the immediate future” via both the U.N. and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began aid deliveries on Monday.

    However, Israel ultimately wants the U.N. to work through the GHF, which is using private U.S. security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution by civilian teams at so-called secure distribution sites.

    “The U.N. should put their ego aside and cooperate with the new mechanism,” Danon told reporters before the council meeting.

    The U.N. and other international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say the plan is not neutral.

    “This new scheme is surveillance-based rationing that legitimizes a policy of deprivation by design,” senior U.N. aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, Jonathan Whittall, told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

    “The U.N. has refused to participate in this scheme, warning that it is logistically unworkable and violates humanitarian principles by using aid as a tool in Israel’s broader efforts to depopulate areas of Gaza,” he said.

    WARNING SHOTS

    The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, told Reuters it was “sad and disgusting” that the U.N. and other groups would not work with the GHF, describing the foundation’s aid distribution as “effective so far.”

    The Israeli military on Tuesday said it fired warning shots in the area outside a GHF distribution site, which was briefly rushed by people waiting for aid. Footage shared on social media showed fences broken down by crowds as private security contractors fell back before restoring order.

    “I am a big man, but I couldn’t hold back my tears when I saw the images of women, men and children racing for some food,” said Rabah Rezik, 65, a father of seven from Gaza City.

    The United Nations human rights office said on Wednesday that 47 people had been injured on Tuesday while seeking aid from the GHF, citing information from partners on the ground. It could not give a specific location of where people were injured. The GHF said no one was injured at the distribution site.

    The foundation said aid distribution continued on Wednesday without incident as it opened a second distribution hub. Across the two sites it has so far given out the equivalent of 840,262 meals. The GHF said it is working to open four sites and expand further in Gaza in the weeks ahead.

    The United Nations said that since aid deliveries resumed last week Israel had approved about 800 truckloads of relief.

    But U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that fewer than 500 truckloads had made it to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, “where we and our partners could collect just over 200 of them – limited by insecurity and restricted access.”

    Israel is under pressure over Gaza’s dire humanitarian situation. France, Britain, Canada and Germany have said they may take action if the military campaign is not halted. Italy on Wednesday said the offensive had become unacceptable.

    (Reuters)

  • Choreographed Demographic Alterations Driven by Political Motives, Aimed at Changing Geographies, Disrupt Social and Cultural Equilibrium: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Weaponisation Of Faith Through Coerced Conversion Erodes Social Harmony, Says VP
    Peace Is Secured From A Position Of Strength, Says VP
    Democracy Cannot Prosper Without Security, Economic Resilience, And Internal Harmony, Stresses VP
    Caste-Based Census Is A Milestone Step Towards Equitable Development, Says VP
    Democracies Must Be Compassionate, But Democracy Cannot Afford To Be Complacent, Highlights VP
    Demography, Democracy, And Diversity Define The Soul Of New Bharat, Urges VP
    Vice-President Addresses The 65th And 66th Convocation Ceremony Of The International Institute For Population Sciences (IIPS) In Mumbai

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said, “There are choreographed, well-structured, ill-designed alterations aimed at changing the makeup of certain geographies. Young friends, these calculated alterations in our demography are often driven by political or strategic motives that are certainly not wholesome for our nation. These disrupt our social and cultural equilibrium. Such menacing trends require vigilant monitoring and decisive action to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of Bharat. These are the most worrying trends. In contrast to slow and long term demographic shifts, which is usual, natural, demographic changes take place. They have to take place, but they are usually slow and long term. Natural demographic shifts occur gradually, deliberate and orchestrated changes in the demographic composition of certain regions pose a significant concern.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927729706813841451

    Addressing the 65th and 66th Convocation Ceremony of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the Chief Guest, Shri Dhankhar said, “Peace is quintessential, fundamental for survival of democracy. Never forget, peace is secured from a position of strength. Democracy can blossom and prosper only in peace that is earned through strength, effective security, economic resilience, internal harmony. History is proof of it. Invasions can be thwarted and peace secured only when we are ever ready for war. Bharat has sent a global message. No longer shall we tolerate terrorism. We will liquidate it and destroy the source of it. Peace is not absence of conflict. It is the presence of preparedness. Democracy is a delicate bloom in its fertile soil of security. Democracy cannot prosper if there is no security. The sunlight of economic opportunity and the steady reign of social harmony also require peace.”

    On matters of security and national fortitude, Shri Dhankhar declared, “Without peace, democracy withers into fear, mistrust, and chaos. But let us not mistake peace for passivity. Lasting peace is never given — it is earned and it is defended. A nation secures its borders by decisive policies, by being resilient in its economy — then the nation becomes a fortress of peace. We have to emerge as a powerful military force in the region. Emergence of recent combinations that were decisively defeated by us — we have to be ever cognizant of them. We must embrace the ancient wisdom. And mind you, India is a global treasure of knowledge because of our ancient scriptures. There is Shanti Mantra. If we believe in peace, the nation has never believed in expansion.”

    Turning to a transformative governance reform, the Vice-President commended the Government of India’s decision, “The recent decision by the Government of India — a game-changing decision, a milestone in governance — is to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming decadal census. This will be transformative. This will help us satisfy aspirations equitably to bring about equality and will be a decisive step towards social justice. This will also help us when data becomes available to enrich our understanding of inequalities. Because if inequalities are there, they generate and breed inequities. That is not the essence of governance. And therefore, these caste-based censuses, the data that will emanate, will guide us for targeted development. Development will reach in sectors where it is needed. I can say with pride, institutions like IIPS are uniquely positioned to play a crucial, critical role in interpreting such data and proposing inclusive solutions.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927720771130179898

    He warned of deeply concerning trends threatening Bharat’s social fabric, “Bharat faces alarmingly cliffhanging situations with respect to demographic shifts, driven by unchecked illegal migrants, coupled with another sinister mechanism — alluring, manipulative conversions that distort our social fabric. These are not ordinary challenges. They are existential challenges that demand urgent, resolute, and effective national response. The time to act is now. Time to act with clarity and conviction, because this time bomb is ticking. We will have to demonstrate unwavering, unflinching, determined commitment to preserving the authenticity, the sanctity, and integrity of our civilization.”

    Highlighting the severity of orchestrated demographic interference, the Vice-President stated, “When demographic balances are manipulated not by organic evolution but by sinister orchestrated design, then it is no longer a question of migration — it is a question of demographic invasion. Bharat has suffered it. There are millions of illegal migrants. Can we suffer from them? We need people in this country who are committed to our civilisation, who believe in भारतीयता, who believe in our nationalism, who are prepared to lay down their lives for the nation.”

    He raised the alarm on conversion-based strategies that fragment societal unity, “Equally disturbing, worrisome, of deep concern is the weaponization of faith through coerced or induced conversion. Where belief is replaced by inducement, every belief has to be voluntary, optional. It is induced by Allurement! and choice by agenda. These are not isolated incidents. They erode social harmony, cultural coherence, and compromise of national security. Always remember, and Bharat is known in the world for this, democracies must be compassionate, but democracy cannot afford to be complacent.”

    The Vice-President passionately called for authentic public dialogue rooted in India’s civilisational values, “Authentic discourse is our core civilisational value. We cannot have rhetoric. We cannot have jingoism. Public discourse has to be authentic. Our heritage, drawn from Upanishads and Dharmashastras, celebrates dialogue over dogma, restraint over rage. I am pained sometimes when dogma and rage prevail. Youngsters in the country, the youth of the country, and the future of the country have to play a critical role in making public discourse more rational, sensible, and in sync with our civilisational ethos. Authenticity of communication with the public is fundamental. There are some exceptions, like security aspects, but for the rest, it is non-negotiable. Let us reaffirm the soul of democracy resides in honest, sincere, upright, factually balanced and correct dialogue.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927730018429673900

    On India’s inclusive spirit and civilisational ethos, he reflected, “Which nation in the world can boast of inclusive growth, inclusive life and harmony? The Hinduism majority deeply rooted in the civilisational spirit has never been guided by majoritarianism. People mistake it. Hinduism majority is not majoritarianism. These impulses are antithetical to us. And see the difference in other traditions across the world. Level of their intolerance, level of their fundamentalism. They determine the mission to control through demographic explosion. Expansionism has no place in Hinduism, no place in Sanatan. This is a thought because we seek not to conquer, but to coexist.”

    In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President underscored the importance of population data for development, “Demography, democracy, and diversity. These three Ds define the soul of new bharat. These three pillars encapsulate the essence of India’s identity and aspirations. Demography represents the dynamic human capital that fuels the engine of progress. Democracy provides a robust framework for collective decision-making. In any other governance, there is no participation of the people in decision-making. Democracy, from that perspective, is unique. And diversity? India represents to the entire world what diversity is. We have a resplendent landscape, a spectrum of cultures, traditions, and perspectives that make our great ‘Bharat’ unique in the world. Understanding population dynamics, its growth, distribution, and composition, is fundamental to crafting policies that ensure sustainable development, economic growth, and social harmony. This aspect is critical for national security and harmony also. I know you are aware of the challenges. Your data will awaken those who need to address these challenges that have taken monstrous dimensions.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1927713635578908767

    Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of (Protocol & Marketing), Maharashtra, Prof. D.A. Nagdeve, Director & Sr. Professor(Addl. Charge), IIPS and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Sule-led delegation conveys India’s resolute stance against terrorism in South Africa

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule held extensive meetings with South African leadership in Cape Town, reiterating India’s firm and united stand against terrorism.

    According to a statement from the High Commission of India in Pretoria, the delegation met with South African Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong and conveyed India’s counter-terrorism approach, which includes holding both terrorists and their enablers accountable through prompt and decisive action.

    The Deputy Minister assured that the matter would be brought to the attention of the South African Presidency, said the Indian mission.

    The delegation also held a detailed discussion with John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Minister of Agriculture, along with other senior DA members.

    “DA expressed solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and supported India’s resolve to fight cross-border terrorism,” the High Commission stated.

    Another key engagement was with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, chaired by Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo.

    During the meeting, the Indian MPs provided details of the Pahalgam terror attack and emphasised that Operation Sindoor was a focused and non-escalatory response aimed at neutralising the threat posed by cross-border terrorism.

    The visit began with a meeting hosted by P. (Les) Govender, Deputy Chairperson of South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP). During the session, a minute of silence was also observed in remembrance of the Pahalgam attack victims.

    The parliamentarians highlighted India’s unified approach and zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Members of NCOP expressed their solidarity with India and condemned terrorism in all its forms.

    Earlier, marking the start of the engagements, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian community in Johannesburg.

    “All-party delegation led by MP Supriya Sule interacted with the Indian community in South Africa. They emphasised India’s national consensus and collective resolve against terrorism in all its forms. Commended the wholehearted support of Indian diaspora to eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” the Indian High Commission posted on X.

    In addition to Sule, the delegation includes BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur and V. Muraleedharan, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma, Telugu Desam Party’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney, and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

    The delegation arrived in South Africa following a successful visit to Qatar. The visit is part of India’s global outreach to raise awareness about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, India’s calibrated military response.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Nepal takes game to new heights with T20 league

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Glamorgan all-rounder Dan Douthwaite was not alone among the foreign players in being unsure what to expect when he headed to the Himalayas to take part in the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) late last year.

    Taking up a playing contract in the mountainous nation of 30 million was always going to be a novel challenge for the Englishman, not least because the Twenty20 league was staged at a ground some 1,350 metres above sea level.

    “I thought I was going to be constantly out of breath or struggling, but it wasn’t actually as bad as I thought it was going to be,” the 28-year-old recalled of his time playing for the Kathmandu Gurkhas.

    “I think I noticed it more so with sixes. When they got the ball it absolutely went miles. A lot of balls … kept going and going and going.

    “When you think you’ve hit one straight up and it’s a 70-metre six.”

    Apart from the extra flight of the ball at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground near Kathmandu, Douthwaite’s other big takeaway from the experience was the enthusiasm of the Nepali fans.

    “Cricket in Nepal is probably like the Premier League in England … there’s a kind of almost Indian cricket feel about the way people appreciate and love the game,” he told Reuters.

    This was the third attempt by Nepal, which became an ICC associate member in 1996 and has qualified for the T20 World Cup twice, to follow in the path of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by launching its own Twenty20 league.

    The NPL hopes the passion of the fans, combined with the country’s unique geography and society, will carve out a niche in a landscape dominated by the likes of the IPL and Australia’s Big Bash League.

    “We’re rich in terms of nature,” said Sandesh Katwal, the chief executive of the Gurkhas, one of eight NPL franchises.

    “It’s a beautiful country and we’re a friendly, welcoming people. The weather, the hospitality suits international players.”

    Former England batting all-rounder and IPL veteran Ravi Bopara, who turned out for Chitwan Rhinos, said it was a great experience, even if he turned down the offer of a helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp.

    GROWING PAINS

    A modest budget meant the NPL could not attract the really big names in the sport.

    All eight NPL franchises fetched a combined price of under 169 million Nepali rupees ($1.23 million) at an auction held last September. Prize money for the champions, Janakpur Bolts, was around $81,000.

    By contrast, India’s Rishabh Pant, the highest-paid player in the IPL, commanded over $3 million in the league’s player auction for the 2025 edition.

    A rushed first season also made it difficult to recruit international players, Katwal said.

    “Everything happened within a one to two-month period … most international players were already occupied. Many didn’t know about this tournament,” he added.

    “Since Christmas was near, many overseas players were in a hurry to return. From the second season I think we can plan to start a bit earlier, October or November.”

    Nevertheless, the NPL proved to be an effective proving ground for Nepal’s domestic talent, Bopara said.

    “There was a group of players who were full of potential but lacked experience,” he added.

    Katwal said he hoped the NPL would provide that valuable competitive experience, as the IPL has done for young Indian talents.

    “It’s a dream come true for Nepali players … sharing practice sessions with the foreign players, they definitely learned a lot. We also had coaches from India, Sri Lanka, England and elsewhere,” he said.

    “Since the IPL has started, you can see young players getting opportunities and it has paid off. The NPL is also an opportunity for Nepali players, a starting point.”

    (Reuters)

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Panama backs India’s stance against terrorism during Tharoor-led delegation’s visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Panama President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero on Thursday (Indian time) extended his support to India’s resolute stand against terrorism during a meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

    The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Panama City and marked a key moment in India’s global outreach to garner international backing in the fight against cross-border terrorism.

    “The Indian delegation had a constructive and productive discussion with the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino Quintero, at his palace this afternoon. The President graciously expressed his understanding and support for India’s fight against terrorism,” Tharoor posted on X.

    In addition to the meeting with the President, the delegation held discussions with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos on Operation Sindoor and India’s determination to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Panama’s Foreign Minister backed India for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

    “Had an excellent and constructive conversation with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha at his Ministry today, followed by discussions over lunch. He was accompanied by several of his colleagues, including Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos, as well as two MPs – a tribute to the regard in which India is held here,” Tharoor shared on X.

    “A fruitful meeting of Indian Parliamentary delegation with the President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino at Presidential Palace in Panama City. FM Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez and senior officials were present. President underlined Panama’s support for India and opposition to terrorism,” posted delegation member and former Indian diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

    As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying floral offerings at his bust at the University of Panama and planting a mango sapling in his memory. Members of the Indian diaspora were also present during the ceremony.

    National Assembly President Dana Castaneda, who met the delegation earlier, also affirmed Panama’s support for India’s efforts.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said, “The message, which they have conveyed, has been very clearly understood by us. Panama wants to stand with India in this campaign for peace, and we hope that we can defeat terrorism.”

    The delegation’s visit to Panama marked the third leg of Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentarians who are a part of India’s global outreach campaign following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists.

    In addition to Tharoor, the delegation includes – Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, and BJP leaders Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya, along with GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party.

    (With agency inputs)

  • Eventful day for Bengal over PM’s twin events in Alipurduar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    West Bengal is heading for a politically eventful day on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend two major events—one administrative and the other political—in Alipurduar district, located in the northern part of the state.

    This will be the Prime Minister’s first official visit to both Alipurduar and West Bengal after the Lok Sabha elections last year. Prior to the elections, he had visited the state multiple times to campaign for the BJP.

    At the administrative programme, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.

    The project, worth over ₹1,010 crore, aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 lakh households and over 100 commercial establishments and industries. It will also provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by establishing around 19 CNG stations in line with the Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets stipulated by the Union Government.

    The administrative event will be followed by the Prime Minister’s address at a political rally in Alipurduar, where he is expected to speak about the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military strike in which Indian armed forces successfully demolished several terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

    Political observers feel that Alipurduar has been strategically chosen as the venue for the Prime Minister’s post-‘Operation Sindoor’ programmes due to its geographical significance, with the Chicken Neck corridor on one side and the Seven Sisters of the North-East on the other.

    At the political rally, PM Modi is also expected to launch a scathing attack on the West Bengal government and the ruling Trinamool Congress, as hinted by the Prime Minister in a post on X on Wednesday.

    “I will be addressing a BJP West Bengal public meeting in Alipurduar tomorrow afternoon. Over the last decade, the various schemes of the NDA Government have been greatly appreciated by the people of West Bengal. At the same time, they are tired of the corruption and poor administration of the TMC,” the Prime Minister’s message on Wednesday read.

    — IANS

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Baijayant Panda-led delegation underlines India’s anti-terrorism stance in Riyadh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda met Mushabab Al-Qahtani, Director General of Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and underlined India’s commitment towards combating terrorism.

    The Embassy of India in Riyadh shared on X: “The All-Party delegation led by @PandaJay met H.E. Dr. Mushabab Al-Qahtani, DG, Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies @KSAPSAIDS & conveyed India’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in its all forms. The delegation also discussed India-Saudi Arabia strategic ties.”

    The delegation highlighted the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Riyadh after concluding successful engagements in Kuwait and Bahrain.

    “India’s stand on terrorism is resolute and uncompromising – a message we bring to Saudi Arabia with our all-party delegation. Appreciate the warm welcome by Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the Saudi Arabia-India Friendship Committee of the Sura Council, as we begin key engagements to strengthen our growing partnership,” Panda posted on X.

    The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday (Indian time) and later interacted with India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, at the India House.

    The delegation also offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

    “Along with my colleagues from the all-party delegation, offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, honouring his timeless message of peace, non-violence & tolerance. We also had a detailed interaction with Ambassador Suhel Khan, reaffirming India’s resolute stand against terrorism and commitment to global peace,” Panda posted on X.

    During the three-day visit, the delegation will interact with a cross-section of political dignitaries, government officials, thought leaders, business and media representatives. They will also engage with members of the Indian community, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

    As part of their concluding day of engagements in Kuwait on Tuesday, the delegation undertook a series of media engagements and cultural visits aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting India’s united stance against terrorism.

    “The delegation concluded its highly productive visit to Kuwait by effectively conveying India’s message of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and ‘New Normal’ against terrorism to a variety of interlocutors in Kuwait, including the Government, civil society, media, think tanks, opinion-makers and members of the Indian community,” said the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

    The delegation also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation heads to Denmark after concluding Rome visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A nine-member Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will reach Denmark on Thursday after concluding a diplomatic outreach visit to Italy, where they emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

    In Copenhagen, the Indian parliamentarians will highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continuing battle against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

    The delegation will interact with Danish parliamentarians, political parties, members of the media, and the Indian diaspora to share the country’s position on global terror challenges.

    During the Italy leg of the visit, the delegation engaged with key Italian leaders, think tanks, strategic experts, and news agencies to underline India’s zero-tolerance and ‘new normal’ policy toward Pakistan-facilitated cross-border terrorism.

    The meetings included discussions with Stefania Craxi, Chairperson of the Italian Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, who echoed India’s concerns and proposed stronger bilateral cooperation to address the global threat of terrorism.

    “During our visit to Italy, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I had the privilege of meeting Senator Stefania Craxi, Chair of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. We apprised her of India’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms, underscoring our zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism. Senator Craxi echoed our sentiments, emphasising the need for a unified global response to terrorism and proposing enhanced cooperation between India and Italy to tackle this pressing challenge,” Prasad posted on X.

    The delegation also engaged with the Indian diaspora and highlighted India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

    The Indian delegation includes, Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on May 29, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 3,335
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 3,335
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/426

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • US judge blocks Trump from suspending Biden-era migrant ‘parole’ programs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to resume processing applications from migrants seeking work permits or more lasting immigration status who are living in the country temporarily under “parole” programs.

    The ruling by District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston will provide relief to thousands of migrants from Afghanistan, Latin America, and Ukraine who were granted a two-year “parole” to live in the country under programs established by Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration.

    The same judge had previously blocked the Trump administration from revoking the parole status of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause her decision.

    Talwani, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, rejected the Trump administration’s claim that suspending the parole programs was within its broad discretion to direct immigration policy.

    Federal law still requires agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to follow a lengthy process for granting or denying parole and other immigration relief, she wrote in siding with migrants pursuing a class action lawsuit.

    “We are pleased that the court has again rightly recognized the harm the government’s arbitrary decision-making has inflicted on innocent people,” Anwen Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs at Human Rights First, said in a statement.

    The Homeland Security Department did not respond to requests for comment.

    The ruling came on the same day as a U.S. trade court decision to block Trump’s tariffs from going into effect, delivering simultaneous blows to two of the president’s core agendas around trade and immigration.

    The decision came in a lawsuit challenging a pause on the processing of applications from Ukrainian, Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants either seeking to be granted entry through the parole process or who have already been granted that status and are seeking to stay.

    Talwani’s decision focused on policies adopted after Trump on his first day back in office on January 20 signed an executive order directing it to end the Biden-era parole program.

    In a memo that day, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman directed agencies under his purview to pause, modify or terminate any categorical parole programs, which he asserted were not authorized by law as parole could only be granted on a case-by-case basis.

    DHS officials subsequently stopped processing new parole applications and in mid-February barred staff from considering requests from migrants from Ukraine and Latin America who had already been granted parole to pursue other forms of immigration status, such as asylum or temporary protected status.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi chairs PRAGATI meeting, reviews infra projects worth over ₹62,000 crore

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesdy, chaired the PRAGATI meeting, the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving the Centre and state governments, where projects worth over Rs 62,000 crore were reviewed.

    These projects span critical sectors including Road Transport, Power, and Water Resources, and are being implemented across several States and Union Territories.

    The Prime Minister stressed on the need for removing implementation bottlenecks and ensuring timely completion. He underlined that delays in such projects lead to cost escalations and hinder the delivery of essential infrastructure and services to the public. He called for greater efficiency and accountability from all stakeholders.

    The Prime Minister also reviewed the status of public grievances related to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). He directed State Governments to ensure that all eligible real estate projects are mandatorily registered under the RERA Act. Emphasising the importance of strict compliance with the law, the Prime Minister said timely and quality grievance redressal is crucial to protecting the interests of homebuyers and restoring trust in the housing sector.

    During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi also reviewed best practices in India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. He encouraged the adoption of successful initiatives and models across States and Union Territories to further strengthen the National Semiconductor Mission.

    So far, a total of 373 projects, with a cumulative value of around ₹20.64 lakh crore, have been reviewed in PRAGATI meetings. The platform continues to play a key role in enhancing governance and accelerating infrastructure development across the country.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand’s relationship with Nepal reaches new heights

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a historic visit to Nepal, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister to the country.  
    Mr Peters’ visit coincided with the 72nd anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s summit of Sagarmāthā / Mount Everest. 
    “The relationship between Nepal and New Zealand, forged by Tenzing Norgay and Ed Hillary in May 1953, is undoubtedly special,” Mr Peters says.
    “It has been an honour to pay tribute to our countries’ pioneering heroes – and to discuss how best New Zealand and Nepal can best cooperate in the second quarter of the 21st Century.” While in Nepal, Mr Peters met President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.  
    “New Zealand and Nepal have a shared interest in regional and global security,” Mr Peters says. 
    “We discussed current regional and global challenges of mutual interest.“Nepal is notably the largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping globally. We discussed New Zealand’s strong commitment to multilateralism and our mutual interest in working with likeminded countries to strengthen the rules-based international system.“We also discussed the importance of improved air connections to facilitate trade and people-to-people connections. Our goal is to have an Air Services Agreement between New Zealand and Nepal in place in the near future.”During his visit to Nepal, Mr Peters announced a NZ$1.8 million partnership with the Himalayan Trust to deliver quality education in the Solukhumbu District over five years. Mr Peters met Alexander Hillary, General Manager of the Himalayan Trust (and Sir Edmund’s grandson), and visited Khumiung School and Khunde Hospital, which Sir Edmund helped establish. “It was a privilege to meet with the resilient and welcoming people of the Everest region and with members of the Himalayan Trust on the anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic achievement,” Mr Peters says.Mr Peters departs Nepal for India today for the final stop in his ongoing four-country tour.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • US curbs chip design software, chemicals, other shipments to China

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States has ordered a broad swathe of companies to stop shipping goods to China without a license and revoked licenses already granted to certain suppliers, said three people familiar with the matter.

    The new restrictions – which are likely to escalate tensions with Beijing – appear aimed at choke points to prevent China from getting products necessary for key sectors, one of the people said.

    Products affected include design software and chemicals for semiconductors, butane and ethane, machine tools, and aviation equipment, the people said.

    Many companies received letters from the U.S. Department of Commerce over the last few days informing them of the new restrictions.

    Firms that supply electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductors were sent letters last Friday that licenses would now be needed to ship to Chinese customers, two of the sources said.

    The electronic design automation software makers include Cadence, Synopsys and Siemens EDA, one said.

    The two sources said the Commerce Department will review requests for licenses to ship to China on a case-by-case basis, suggesting the action was not an outright ban.

    It is unclear whether the new restrictions are part of a broader strategy to create leverage for trade talks during a pause in the imposition of higher tariffs.

    The Commerce Department said it is reviewing exports of strategic significance to China, while noting “in some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending.”

    The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Shares of Cadence, which declined to comment, closed down 10.7% and shares of Synopsys fell 9.6%.

    Synopsys’ CEO Sassine Ghazi said in a call with analysts that the company had not received a letter nor had it heard from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which enforces export controls.

    “We are aware of the reporting and speculations, but Synopsys has not received a notice from BIS … We have not received a letter,” Ghazi said.

    After the market closed, Synopsys reaffirmed its revenue forecast for 2025. Its shares and those of Cadence bounced back 3.5% in trading after the close.

    Siemens EDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Any move to strip the software makers of their Chinese customers could deal a blow to their bottom line and to their Chinese chip design customers, which heavily rely on top-of-the-line U.S. software.

    “They are the true choke point,” said a former Commerce Department official, who added that rules restricting the export of EDA tools to China have been under consideration since the first Trump administration, but were ruled out as too aggressive.

    Synopsys relies on China for about 16% of its annual revenue, and China accounts for about 12% of annual revenue for Cadence.

    Synopsys, which partners with chip companies such as Nvidia, Qualcomm and Intel, provides software and hardware used for designing advanced processors.

    The Financial Times earlier reported that the Trump administration had ordered the software firms to stop selling their services to Chinese groups.

    (Reuters)

  • Market open in green; Sensex tops 81,500, Nifty near 24810

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Thursday amid positive global cues, as buying was seen in the IT and metal sectors in the early trade.

    At 9:29 am, the BSE Sensex was up 237.56 points or 0.29 per cent at 81,549.88, while the NSE Nifty rose 57 points or 0.23 per cent to trade at 24,809.45.

    Sectoral indices also showed strength, with the Nifty Bank gaining 86.95 points or 0.16 per cent to 55,503.95. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 105.80 points or 0.19 per cent at 57,247.20, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 rose by 85.20 points or 0.48 per cent to 17,869.20.

    Despite the Nifty declining for the past two sessions, analysts noted a drop in the India VIX, indicating a lack of demand for downside protection—typically not seen when investor sentiment is bearish.

    “The 24,462 level remains crucial to determine whether this is a temporary dip or the beginning of a deeper correction. As long as the Nifty holds above this level, it remains a buyer’s market,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.

    Among the top performers in the Sensex pack were Infosys, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma, HCL Tech, Tata Motors, HDFC Bank, Power Grid, TCS and L&T. Bajaj Finance was the only stock in the red during early trade.

    Asian markets also opened in the green, with indices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, China, and Japan trading higher. Jakarta was the only notable exception, trading lower.

    On Wall Street, the previous session ended in losses. The Dow Jones closed at 42,098.70, down 244.95 points or 0.58 per cent. The S&P 500 fell 32.99 points or 0.56 per cent to 5,888.55, while the Nasdaq slipped 98.23 points or 0.51 per cent to 19,100.94.

    Market sentiment remained sensitive to global developments, including U.S. tariff-related news. “The U.S. Federal Court striking down the reciprocal tariffs sends a strong message—that the President cannot act unilaterally against the interests of the market and the economy,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers on May 28, purchasing equities worth ₹4,662.92 crore. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also continued their buying spree, picking up stocks worth ₹7,911.99 crore.

    — IANS

  • Elon Musk leaving Trump administration, capping turbulent tenure

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading a tumultuous efficiency drive, during which he upended several federal agencies, but ultimately failed to deliver the generational savings he had sought.

    His “off-boarding will begin tonight,” a White House official told Reuters late Wednesday, confirming Musk’s departure from government. Musk earlier on Wednesday took to his social media platform X to thank President Donald Trump as his time as a special government employee with the Department of Government Efficiency draws to an end.

    His departure was quick and unceremonious. He did not have a formal conversation with Trump before announcing his exit, according to a source with knowledge of the matter, who added that his departure was decided “at a senior staff level.”

    While the precise circumstances of his exit were not immediately clear, he leaves a day after criticizing Trump’s marquee tax bill, calling it too expensive and a measure that would undermine his work with the U.S. DOGE Service.

    Some senior White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were particularly irked by those comments, and the White House was forced to call Republican senators to reiterate Trump’s support for the package, a source familiar with the matter said.

    While Musk remains close to the president, his exit comes after a gradual, but steady slide in standing.

    After Trump’s inauguration, the billionaire quickly emerged as a powerful force in Trump’s orbit: hyper-visible, unapologetically brash and unfettered by traditional norms. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, he brandished a red metallic chainsaw to wild cheers. “This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” he declared.

    On the campaign trail, Musk had said DOGE would be able to cut at least $2 trillion in federal spending. He did not hide his animus for the federal workforce, and he predicted that revoking “the COVID-era privilege” of telework would trigger “a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.”

    But some cabinet members who initially embraced Musk’s outsider energy grew wary of his tactics, sources said. Over time, they grew more confident pushing back against his job cuts, encouraged by Trump’s reminder in early March that staffing decisions rested with department secretaries, not with Musk.

    Musk clashed with three of Trump’s most senior cabinet members – Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He called Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro dismissed the insults, saying, “I’ve been called worse.”

    At the same time, Musk began to hint that his time in government would come to a close, while expressing frustration at times that he could not more aggressively cut spending.

    In an April 22 Tesla conference call, he signaled he would be significantly scaling back his government work to focus on his businesses.

    DOGE GOES ON

    Musk’s 130-day mandate as a special government employee in the Trump administration was set to expire around May 30. The administration has said DOGE’s efforts to restructure and shrink the federal government will continue.

    “The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” Musk said.

    Trump and DOGE have managed to cut nearly 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce largely through threats of firings, buyouts and early retirement offers, a Reuters review of agency departures found.

    Musk on Tuesday criticized the price tag of Republicans’ tax and budget legislation making its way through Congress.

    “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Musk told CBS News.

    His political activities have drawn protests and some investors have called for him to leave his work as Trump’s adviser and more closely manage Tesla, which has seen falls in sales and its stock price.

    Musk, the world’s richest person, has defended his role as an unelected official who was granted unprecedented authority by Trump to dismantle parts of the U.S. government.

    Having spent nearly $300 million to back Trump’s presidential campaign and other Republicans last year, he said earlier this month he would substantially cut his political spending.

    “I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said at an economic forum in Qatar.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi to launch development projects in Sikkim, Bengal today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Sikkim and West Bengal today to launch a series of development projects and participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of Sikkim’s statehood.

    At Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, the Prime Minister will attend the event titled ‘Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth’, marking 50 years since the former kingdom became the 22nd state of India. Sikkim’s statehood in 1975 followed a historic referendum that ended its monarchy and facilitated its merger with the Indian Union. The state was granted special constitutional protection under Article 371F, aimed at preserving its unique ethnic identity and cultural traditions.

    Over the last five decades, Sikkim has gained recognition for its sustainable development practices and environmental efforts. The state government has planned a year-long celebration under the theme ‘Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samarth Sikkim’, honouring its cultural richness and developmental journey.

    During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development initiatives, including a new 500-bedded district hospital in Namchi, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Gyalshing district, and a statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok district. He will also release a commemorative coin, souvenir coin and stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood.

    In preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit, the Sikkim government issued an advisory announcing the temporary closure of offices and schools in Gangtok and imposed traffic restrictions across key routes. Formal invitations were extended to all senior officials, including Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries, along with staff from various departments and public sector undertakings.

    Later in the day, PM Modi will visit Alipurduar in West Bengal, where he will lay the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. The initiative is aimed at expanding clean energy infrastructure in the region.

  • MIL-OSI China: Alcaraz overcomes blip to reach French Open third round

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Reigning men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and top-ranked women’s player Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus both clinched second-round victories at the French Open on Wednesday.

    Alcaraz, 22, defeated Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, and will confront Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the third round.

    “I started pretty well. In the first set, I had really high confidence. I think in the second set he started to play much better, very aggressive. He didn’t miss at all, so it was a little bit difficult to deal with his game in the second set, but I’m really happy with how I stayed strong and refreshed in the third set. I started to play better and better, and it has been a good last two sets,” the second seed recalled after the match.

    In other men’s singles games, Portugal’s Nuno Borges shocked seventh-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0, while Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti saw off Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.

    Three-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka eased past Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-1 in 79 minutes, and Chinese favorite Zheng Qinwen also seized victory over Emiliana Arango of Colombia in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

    Earlier this month, 22-year-old Zheng beat Sabalenka for the first time to reach the Italian Open semifinals. The French Open women’s singles draw is such that the two could potentially face off in the quarterfinal.

    “Even myself, I got a lot of inspiration from last year. When I am in difficult moments, I always remember to keep fighting. I really love the French crowd. I would like to play more matches here,” said 2024 Olympic champion Zheng.

    In women’s doubles, tenth-seeded Jiang Xinyu of China and Wu Fang-hsien of Chinese Taipei advanced into the second round after beating Camila Osorio of Colombia and America’s Alycia Parks 6-4, 6-1. Fellow Chinese players Xu Yifan, Zhang Shuai and Guo Hanyu all bowed out in the first round with their respective partners.

    China’s Bu Yunchaokete and Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli failed to reach the men’s doubles second round, after losing to India’s N. Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela of Mexico 6-2, 6-1.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • US court blocks most Trump tariffs, says president exceeded his authority

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A U.S. trade court blocked President Donald Trump’s tariffs from going into effect in a sweeping ruling on Wednesday that found the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from U.S. trading partners.

    The Court of International Trade said the U.S. Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries that is not overridden by the president’s emergency powers to safeguard the U.S. economy.

    “The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President’s use of tariffs as leverage,” a three-judge panel said in the decision to issue a permanent injunction on the blanket tariff orders issued by Trump since January. “That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it.”

    The judges also ordered the Trump administration to issue new orders reflecting the permanent injunction within 10 days. The Trump administration minutes later filed a notice of appeal and questioned the authority of the court.

    The court invalidated with immediate effect all of Trump’s orders on tariffs since January that were rooted in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law meant to address “unusual and extraordinary” threats during a national emergency.

    The court was not asked to address some industry-specific tariffs Trump has issued on automobiles, steel and aluminum, using a different statute.

    The decisions of the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade, which hears disputes involving international trade and customs laws, can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court.

    TRADE TURMOIL

    Trump has made charging U.S. importers tariffs on goods from foreign countries the central policy of his ongoing trade wars, which have severely disrupted global trade flows and roiled financial markets.

    Companies of all sizes have been whipsawed by Trump’s swift imposition of tariffs and sudden reversals as they seek to manage supply chains, production, staffing and prices.

    A White House spokesperson on Wednesday said U.S. trade deficits with other countries constituted “a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base – facts that the court did not dispute.”

    “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency,” Kush Desai, the spokesperson, said in a statement.

    Financial markets cheered the ruling. The U.S. dollar rallied following the court’s order, surging against currencies such as the euro, yen and the Swiss franc in particular. Wall Street futures rose and equities across Asia also rose.

    The ruling, if it stands, blows a giant hole through Trump’s strategy to use steep tariffs to wring concessions from trading partners. It creates deep uncertainty around multiple simultaneous negotiations with the European Union, China and many other countries.

    Trump has promised Americans that the tariffs would draw manufacturing jobs back to U.S. shores and shrink a $1.2 trillion U.S. goods trade deficit, which were among his central campaign promises.

    Without the instant leverage provided by tariffs of 10% to 54% or higher, the Trump administration would have to find new forms of leverage or take a slower approach to negotiations with trading partners.

    BUSINESSES HURTING

    The ruling came in a pair of lawsuits, one filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five small U.S. businesses that import goods from countries targeted by the duties and the other by 12 U.S. states.

    The companies, which range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia-based maker of educational kits and musical instruments, have said the tariffs will hurt their ability to do business.

    “There is no question here of narrowly tailored relief; if the challenged Tariff Orders are unlawful as to Plaintiffs they are unlawful as to all,” the judges wrote in their decision.

    At least five other legal challenges to the tariffs are pending.

    Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, a Democrat whose office is leading the states’ lawsuit, called Trump’s tariffs unlawful, reckless and economically devastating.

    “This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions can’t be made on the president’s whim,” Rayfield said in a statement.

    Trump has claimed broad authority to set tariffs under IEEPA. The law has historically been used to impose sanctions on enemies of the U.S. or freeze their assets. Trump is the first U.S. president to use it to impose tariffs.

    The Justice Department has said the lawsuits should be dismissed because the plaintiffs have not been harmed by tariffs that they have not yet paid, and because only Congress, not private businesses, can challenge a national emergency declared by the president under IEEPA.

    In imposing the tariffs in early April, Trump called the trade deficit a national emergency that justified his 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports, with higher rates for countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits, particularly China.

    Many of those country-specific tariffs were paused a week later. The Trump administration on May 12 said it was also temporarily reducing the steepest tariffs on China while working on a longer-term trade deal. Both countries agreed to cut tariffs on each other for at least 90 days.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on May 28, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,93,184.29 5.71 3.01-6.00
         I. Call Money 15,980.96 5.80 4.85-5.85
         II. Triparty Repo 4,02,610.35 5.71 5.65-5.85
         III. Market Repo 1,73,035.98 5.71 3.01-5.90
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,557.00 5.89 5.85-6.00
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 198.08 5.69 5.25-5.85
         II. Term Money@@ 997.00 – 5.80-6.15
         III. Triparty Repo 9,241.00 5.84 5.76-5.90
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Wed, 28/05/2025 1 Thu, 29/05/2025 3,843.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Wed, 28/05/2025 1 Thu, 29/05/2025 606.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 28/05/2025 1 Thu, 29/05/2025 2,29,136.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,24,687.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Thu, 17/04/2025 43 Fri, 30/05/2025 25,731.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,622.73  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     33,353.73  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,91,333.27  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on May 28, 2025 9,32,078.85  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending May 30, 2025 9,48,817.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ May 28, 2025 3,843.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 02, 2025 2,34,873.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2025-2026/91 dated April 11, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/425

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah to arrive in Jammu today, first visit after Operation Sindoor

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving in Jammu on Thursday evening for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the first after Operation Sindoor. During his visit, Amit Shah will address the BSF jawans at their Unit Headquarters at Khanetar and meet the families affected by Pakistan shelling at Dak Bungalow in Poonch on May 30.

    He will also distribute appointment letters to the next of kin of those killed in the shelling. Officials said the Union Home Minister will visit religious places targeted by Pakistani cross-border shelling.

    He will reach here in the evening and will hold a high-level review of the security situation with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the army, paramilitary forces, police, intelligence agencies and civil administration.

    The situation during ongoing Operation Sindoor, besides the security scenario, including anti-terror operations and anti-infiltration grid, will also come up for high-level review at the meeting. Amarnath Yatra arrangements will also figure prominently during the security review meeting.

    On Friday, Amit Shah will leave for the border district of Poonch where he is scheduled to address the BSF jawans as well as civilians badly affected by Pakistan shelling on the intervening night of May 7 and 8 soon after Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror infrastructures deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

    Amit Shah will address the civilians affected by Pakistan’s shelling at Poonch Dak Bungalow and the BSF soldiers at their Unit Headquarters at Khanetar, about nine kilometres from Poonch town.

    Thirteen civilians, including four children, two of them siblings, were killed by Pakistan’s shelling in Poonch district. In retaliation for Indian armed forces carrying out precision-guided targeted strikes on terror infrastructure, the Pakistan Army targeted civilian facilities in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.

    Indian response was promoted by the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed after segregating them on the basis of religion. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI China: Report: Dubai consolidates status as luxury home purchase destination

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2024 shows a city view of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Dubai was the world’s busiest market for residential properties priced at US$10 million and above for the second consecutive year, according to a report from global property consultancy Knight Frank. 

    The United Arab Emirates city recorded 435 sales in this price bracket in 2024, almost equaling the number of the same price-range home sales in London and New York combined. A further 111 homes sold for over US$10 million during Q1 this year, the highest number for the same period in history. 

    Shehzad Jamal, a partner at Knight Frank, said, “The super-rich remain laser-focused on purchasing luxury homes in the city, and this unrelenting demand has been a critical driver of Dubai being the world’s busiest US$10 million-plus homes market for the second year running.”

    A record of nearly 170,000 residential sales were made in Dubai in 2024, totaling US$100 billion, and the momentum has continued into 2025, with home sales hitting AED100 billion (US$27 billion) by March 4 – the fastest pace on record. 

    In partnership with market research firm YouGov, Knight Frank carried out a survey of 387 high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) based in India, Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and East Asia, each with an average net worth of US$22 million.

    The survey finds that Saudi HNWIs have the highest average budget for a home purchase in Dubai (US$45.7 million), followed by those from India (US$44.6 million) and the U.K. (US$30 million). Asian HNWIs have the lowest budget among Knight Frank’s survey respondents, averaging US$23 million. 

    As to the target neighborhood for a residential acquisition, Dubai’s property market poster-child Dubai Marina (28%) was once again the top target among HNWIs, with Dubai Hills Estate (24%) and Emirates Hills (23%) in second and third place, respectively.  

    The survey also finds that 61% of the Chinese respondents have interest in property purchase in Dubai, following those from Saudi Arabia (96%) and India (86%).

    Dubai’s overall real estate market continued to expand during 2024, with values and rents climbing to fresh highs and the total value of transactions across all sectors topping US$207 billion, according to the report. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: RFK Jr. says annual COVID-19 shots no longer advised for healthy children and pregnant women – a public health expert explains the new guidance

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Libby Richards, Professor of Nursing, Purdue University

    Until now, the CDC has recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get a yearly COVID-19 vaccine. Asiaselects via Getty Images

    On May 27, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer include the COVID-19 vaccine on the list of immunizations it recommends for healthy children and pregnant women.

    The announcement, made in a video posted on the social platform X, comes on the heels of another announcement, made on May 20, in which the Food and Drug Administration revealed that it will approve new versions of the vaccine only for adults 65 years of age and older and for people with one or more risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. The agency will require vaccine manufacturers to conduct clinical trials to demonstrate that the vaccine benefits low-risk groups.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Libby Richards, a nursing professor from Purdue University involved in public health promotion, to explain what these announcements mean for the general public.

    Why are HHS and FDA diverging from past practice?

    Currently, getting a yearly COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, regardless of their health risk.

    In the video announcing the plan to remove the vaccine from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women, Kennedy spoke alongside National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. The trio cited a lack of evidence to support vaccinating healthy children. They did not explain the reason for the change to the vaccine schedule for pregnant people, who have previously been considered at high-risk for severe COVID-19.

    Similarly, in the FDA announcement made a week prior, Makary and the agency’s head of vaccines, Vinay Prasad, said that public health trends now support limiting vaccines to people at high risk of serious illness instead of a universal COVID-19 vaccination strategy.

    Was this a controversial decision or a clear consensus?

    Many public health experts and professional health care associations have raised concerns about Kennedy’s latest announcement, saying it contradicts studies showing that COVID-19 vaccination benefits pregnant people and children. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, considered the premier professional organization for that medical specialty, reinforced the importance of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, especially to protect infants after birth. Likewise, the American Academy of Pediatrics pointed to the data on hospitalizations of children with COVID-19 during the 2024-to-2025 respiratory virus season as evidence for the importance of vaccination.

    Kennedy’s announcement on children and pregnant women comes roughly a month ahead of a planned meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of vaccine experts that offers guidance to the CDC on vaccine policy. The meeting was set to review guidance for the 2025-to-2026 COVID-19 vaccines. It’s not typical for the CDC to alter its recommendations without input from the committee.

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed COVID-19 vaccines from the vaccine schedule for healthy children and pregnant people.

    FDA officials Makary and Prasad also strayed from past established vaccine regulatory processes in announcing the FDA’s new stance on recommendations for healthy people under age 65. Usually, the FDA broadly approves a vaccine based on whether it is safe and effective, and decisions on who should be eligible to receive it are left to the CDC, which bases its decision on the advisory committee’s research-based guidance.

    The advisory committee was expected to recommend a risk-based approach for the COVID-19 vaccine, but it was also expected to recommend allowing low-risk people to get annual COVID-19 vaccines if they want to. The CDC’s and FDA’s new policies on the vaccine will likely make it difficult for healthy people to get the vaccine.

    What conditions count as risk factors?

    The CDC lists several medical conditions and other factors that increase peoples’ risk for severe COVID-19. These conditions include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, chronic kidney disease and some lung conditions like COPD and asthma. Pregnancy is also on the list.

    The article authored by Makary and Prasad describing the FDA’s new stance on the vaccine also contain a lengthy list of risk factors and notes that about 100 million to 200 million people will fall into this category and will thus be eligible to get the vaccine. Pregnancy is included. Reversing the recommendation for vaccinating healthy pregnant women thus contradicts the new framework described by the FDA.

    Studies have documented that COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of stillbirth. A study published in May 2025 using data from 26,783 pregnancies found a link between COVID-19 infection before and during pregnancy and an increased risk for spontaneous abortions.

    Importantly, a 2024 analysis of 120 studies including a total of 168,444 pregnant women with COVID-19 infections did not find enough evidence to suggest the infections are a direct cause of early pregnancy loss. Nonetheless, the authors did state that COVID-19 vaccination remains a crucial preventive measure for pregnant women to reduce the overall risk of serious complications in pregnancy due to infection.

    Immune changes during pregnancy increase the risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides protection to the fetus that lasts into the first few months of life and is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization among infants.

    Change is coming to COVID-19 vaccine policy.
    Rick Obst, CC BY-SA

    The changes to the CDC’s and the FDA’s plan for COVID-19 vaccines also leave out an important group – caregivers and household members of people at high risk of severe illness from infection. This omission leaves high-risk people more vulnerable to exposure to COVID-19 from healthy people they regularly interact with. Multiple countries with risk-based vaccination policies do include this group.

    What about vaccines for children?

    High-risk children age 6 months and older who have conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 are still eligible for the vaccine. Existing vaccines already on the market will remain available, but it is unclear how long they will stay authorized and how the change in vaccine policy will affect childhood vaccination overall.

    To date, millions of children have safely received the COVID-19 vaccine. Data on whether children benefit from annual COVD-19 vaccines is less clear. Parents and clinicians make vaccination decisions by weighing potential risks with potential benefits.

    Will low-risk people be able to get a COVID-19 shot?

    Not automatically. Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles. Health care providers can administer vaccines “off-label”, but insurance coverage is widely based on FDA recommendations. The new, narrower FDA approval will likely reduce both access to COVID-19 vaccines for the general public and insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines.

    Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance providers are required to fully cover the cost of any vaccine endorsed by the CDC. Kennedy’s announcement will likely limit insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccination.

    Overall, the move to focus on individual risks and benefits may overlook broader public health benefits. Communities with higher vaccination rates have fewer opportunities to spread the virus.

    This is an updated version of an article originally published on May 22, 2025.

    Libby Richards has received funding from the American Nurses Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.

    – ref. RFK Jr. says annual COVID-19 shots no longer advised for healthy children and pregnant women – a public health expert explains the new guidance – https://theconversation.com/rfk-jr-says-annual-covid-19-shots-no-longer-advised-for-healthy-children-and-pregnant-women-a-public-health-expert-explains-the-new-guidance-257705

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall Sit for Joint Interview, Discuss Farm Bill Priorities, Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall Sit for Joint Interview, Discuss Farm Bill Priorities, Tariffs

    Senator Reverend Warnock and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall sat down with Southeast AgNet Radio’s Dale Sandlin to talk about the prospects of a 2025 Farm Bill and the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy
    Senator Reverend Warnock on the Farm Bill: “I remain focused on supporting farmers in Georgia and across the Southern region. The Farm Bill is a tool that we need to get that done”
    Senator Reverend Warnock on the Farm Bill: “Coming from Georgia, I understand the importance of reference prices. Math is math, we need a raise in reference prices, I’ve advocated for that for Georgia farmers”
    Zippy Duvall: “It’s absolutely necessary that we get a Farm Bill and that we get it done now”
    Washington, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke with Southeast AgNet Radio’s Dale Sandlin about the prospects of a 2025 Farm Bill and the Trump administration’s inconsistent tariff policy. The Senator shared his thoughts about the prospects of getting a Farm Bill this year.
    “We need a Farm Bill and it’s something that I’ve been pushing for, for a long time…the Farm Bill won’t happen until after reconciliation and so I think what happens there in that piece of legislation will greatly impact the terms of the debate,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I remain focused on supporting farmers in Georgia, and across the southern region, and the Farm Bill is a tool that we need to get done.”
    “It’s absolutely necessary that we get this done and get it done now. We have had two extensions, we’re in a Farm Bill that was created in 2018, and a lot of things have happened in agriculture, not just in Georgia, but all across America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall, echoing the Senator’s comments. “With COVID, inflation, the cost of everything has gone up and reference prices – as the Senator referred to – does need some attention. Modernizing this Farm Bill will bring certainty to rural America and family farmers across the country.”
    Senator Warnock acknowledged farmers concern about negative impacts of the current administration’s sweeping tariffs and stressed he will continue to advocate on their behalf to fight for Georgia farmers’ bottom line:
    “I know how important trade is for our Georgia farmers,” said Senator Warnock. “The big problem with the tariffs is that it is creating a lot of uncertainty. And with that uncertainty it’s very difficult to plan any business in a marketplace that’s already very, very challenging.”
    “Our policy at the Farm Bureau does not supports tariffs but we are encouraged that the president is trying to level the playing field and to open up markets,” said AFBF President Duvall. “20 percent of our farmers’ income comes from trade, and we need to have open markets across the world. Mexico, China, and Canada are our three largest trading partners. It’s not only just affecting farmers, it’s also affecting input costs, but it’s our job to be the voice of agriculture and we continue to work with senators like Senator Warnock and with the administration to let them know how they affect farmers so that hopefully they can either massage or exempt agriculture to the point where it won’t cause any collateral damage.”
    As a veteran member of the Senate committee overseeing federal agriculture policies, and as a senator representing a leading agricultural state, Senator Warnock is a champion of smart policies that help Georgia farmers keep more profits in their pockets and keep the industry at the frontlines of Georgia’s economic success. Last year, Senator Warnock introduced the Southern CROPS Act, a comprehensive package of legislation to provide Georgia row crop farmers additional financial security to help farmers get ahead and remain on their land. Additionally, during last year’s Farm Bill negotiations, Senator Warnock pushed for a raise in reference prices for southeastern commodities. Senator Warnock has also used his perch on the Senate Agriculture Committee to fight for Georgia pecan and peanut farmers, including leading successful, bipartisan efforts to lower India’s tariffs on U.S. grown pecans by 70 percent. The Senator has continued to be outspoken about any concerning impacts President Trump’s inconsistent trade policy pose for hardworking Georgians and their bottom lines.
    Listen to the conversation on the Farm Bill HERE.
    Listen to the conversation on Tariffs HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal alien serial felon sent to prison for third unlawful reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 44-year-old Mexican national with a felony criminal history and multiple prior removals has been sentenced once again for illegally reentering the United States without permission, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Juan Humberto Lara Molina pleaded guilty Feb. 13.

    U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Molina to serve 24 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is again expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In imposing the sentence, the court noted that his criminal history raises serious concerns, stating that if he kept coming back, he would be spending much more time in prison.

    Molina has a lengthy drug, weapons and immigration criminal history including two other illegal reentry convictions, one in 2007 and another in 2015. He was also convicted of dealing cocaine in Indiana and unlawful sale of firearms in Illinois. He has also been previously ordered removed from the United States on multiple occasions.

    Authorities removed Molina most recently in November 2021. However, law enforcement discovered him at the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint Dec. 12, 2024. He was one of seven individuals being transported farther north by human smugglers in a tractor-trailer.

    Molina will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Young Min C. Burkett prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL Security OSI –