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Category: Government of India

  • France to ban smoking at beaches, parks and outside schools to protect children

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    France will ban smoking on beaches, in parks, outside schools and in other locations to protect children, France’s health and families minister said.

    The ban will come into effect in July, Catherine Vautrin said in an interview with the Ouest France newspaper late on Thursday. It will exempt cafe terraces and will not apply to electronic cigarettes.

    “Where there are children, tobacco must disappear,” Vautrin said. “From July 1, beaches, public parks and gardens, school areas, bus shelters, and sports facilities will be smoke-free throughout France. Smoking will therefore be prohibited there, to protect our children.”

    Vautrin said smoking kills around 200 people every day in France.

    Smoking in France is at historic lows, according to a report published this month by the French Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Trends. It found that just under a quarter of people aged 18-75 smoked daily, the lowest since it began keeping records in the late 1990s.

    The UK announced a similar smoking ban last year.

    (Reuters)

  • India working towards becoming food bank of the world: Shivraj Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is working towards becoming the “food bank of the world” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday.

    He was speaking at the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar.

    The nationwide campaign, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will run from May 29 to June 12. As part of the initiative, agricultural scientists will visit villages across over 700 districts to engage with farmers and offer scientific advice aimed at transforming agriculture and securing India’s food future.

    “The farmers of India are not just Annadata (food providers), they are Jeevandata (life providers). Our goal is to empower them to feed not only 145 crore Indians but also export food grains and vegetables across the globe,” said Chouhan. He emphasized that the government is committed to making India self-reliant in agriculture through innovation, technology, and grassroots participation.

    Chouhan highlighted that government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana have been launched to provide compensation for crops affected by climate change. The central government is also providing an interest subsidy up to 4 per cent on agricultural loans through Kisan Credit Cards.

    The Union Minister will travel across 20 states during the 15-day campaign to mobilize support and engagement. He also urged farmers in Odisha to actively participate in the initiative, noting that over 16,000 agricultural scientists are being connected with farmers as part of the campaign.

    Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed pride that the campaign is being launched from the state.

    Also present at the event were Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, senior agriculture department officials, and leading agricultural scientists.

  • US proposes 60-day ceasefire for Gaza; hostage-prisoner swap, plan shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    U.S. plan for Gaza seen by Reuters on Friday proposes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 28 Israeli hostages alive and dead in the first week, in exchange for the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 dead Palestinians.

    The document, which says the plan is guaranteed by U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators Egypt and Qatar, includes sending humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as Hamas signs off on the ceasefire agreement.

    The aid will be delivered by the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other agreed channels.

    On Thursday, the White House said Israel had agreed to the U.S. ceasefire proposal.

    Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel had accepted the deal presented by President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

    The Palestinian militant group Hamas told Reuters it was reviewing the plan and would respond on Friday or Saturday.

    The U.S. plan provides for Hamas to release the last 30 of the 58 remaining Israeli hostages once a permanent ceasefire is in place. Israel will also cease all military operations in Gaza as soon as the truce takes effect, it shows.

    The Israeli army will also redeploy its troops in stages.

    Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March.

    Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force and return all 58 hostages still held in Gaza before it will agree to end the war.

    Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.

    Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack in its south on October 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 Israelis taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

    The subsequent Israeli military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, and left the enclave in ruins.

    MOUNTING PRESSURE

    Israel has come under increasing international pressure, with many European countries usually reluctant to criticise it openly demanding an end to the war and a major relief effort.

    Witkoff told reporters on Wednesday that Washington was close to “sending out a new term sheet” about a ceasefire by the two sides in the conflict.

    “I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution, of that conflict,” Witkoff said at the time.

    The 60-day ceasefire, according to the plan, may be extended if negotiations for a permanent ceasefire are not concluded within the set period.

    Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Thursday the terms of the proposal echoed Israel’s position and did not contain commitments to end the war, withdraw Israeli troops or admit aid as Hamas has demanded.

    The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private group backed by the United States and endorsed by Israel, expanded its aid distribution to a third site in Gaza on Thursday.

    Heavily criticised by the United Nations and other aid groups as inadequate and flawed, the group began its operation this week in Gaza, where the U.N. has said 2 million people are at risk of famine after Israel’s 11-week blockade on aid entering the enclave.

    The launch was marred by tumultuous scenes on Tuesday as thousands of Palestinians rushed to distribution points and forced private security contractors to retreat.

    The chaotic start to the operation has raised international pressure on Israel to get more food in and halt the fighting in Gaza. GHF has so far supplied about 1.8 million meals and plans to open more sites in coming weeks.

    (Reuters)

  • Flood risk threatens Swiss valley after village destroyed by glacier

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Water trapped behind a mass of glacial debris that this week buried a village and blocked a river in southern Switzerland has sparked warnings that further evacuations may be needed amid the risk of flooding in the Alpine valley.

    A deluge of millions of cubic meters of ice, mud and rock crashed down a mountain on Wednesday, engulfing the village of Blatten, and the few houses that remained later flooded. Its 300 residents had been evacuated earlier in May after part of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble.

    Flooding increased on Thursday as the mound of debris almost 2 km (1.2 miles) across clogged the path of the River Lonza, causing a lake to form amid the wreckage, raising fears that the morass could dislodge and trigger more evacuations.

    Late on Thursday, local authorities urged residents in Gampel and Steg, villages several kilometres further along the Lonza Valley, to prepare for possible evacuation in case of emergency.

    The army is standing by with water pumps, diggers and other heavy equipment to provide relief when conditions allow.

    Rescue teams have been looking for a 64-year-old man missing since the landslide. Local authorities suspended the search on Thursday afternoon, saying the debris mounds were too unstable for now, and warning of further rockfalls.

    Residents have struggled to absorb the scale of destruction caused by the deluge, an event that scientists suspect is a dramatic example of the impact of climate change in the Alps.

    (Reuters)

  • Day not far when Maoist violence will be eradicated, says PM Modi in Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for infrastructure and development projects worth over ₹48,520 crore in Bihar’s Karakat. Addressing a massive public rally, he affirmed the government’s strong resolve against Maoist violence and hailed the reduction in Naxal-affected districts across the country.

    “The day is not far when Maoist violence will be completely eradicated from the country,” the Prime Minister declared, crediting the government’s consistent efforts over the last decade. He stated that the number of Naxal-affected districts has reduced significantly — from over 75 before 2014 to just 18 now.

    Lauding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s role in steering the state towards growth, PM Modi said, “When the ‘Jungle Raj’ was removed under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, Bihar began to move forward on the path of development.”

    He cited advancements in road and rail infrastructure, asserting that Bihar’s broken highways, poor railway facilities, and limited air connectivity were now a thing of the past. “A web of four-lane highways is being built, and bridges are coming up across all major rivers in Bihar,” he noted.

    Referring to the legacy of red terror in regions like Sasaram, the Prime Minister said, “The people of Bihar are witnesses to how those who spread violence and unrest have been eliminated. Naxalism was once dominant in these areas.”

    In a veiled criticism of those who supported extremist ideologies, PM Modi remarked that the groups promoting Naxalism had “no faith in Babasaheb Ambedkar,” yet Bihar continued to pursue development under difficult conditions.

    His remarks come in the wake of a major anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur, where Indian forces eliminated 27 Maoists, including top CPI (Maoist) commander Basavaraju. Active in Naxalite operations for nearly five decades, Basavaraju was reportedly involved in over 200 attacks.

  • Hazlewood’s return fuels Bengaluru’s IPL title dream

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Questions about Josh Hazlewood’s fitness were posed repeatedly at Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s press conferences ahead of their Indian Premier League playoff and the Australian showed on Thursday why there was so much interest in his availability.

    Returning to action after spending a month on the sidelines recovering from a shoulder injury, Hazlewood helped put Bengaluru on the cusp of a first IPL title with figures of 3-21 against Punjab Kings.

    Three-times runners-up Bengaluru bundled out Punjab for 101 and then chased down the target in 10 overs to book their place in Tuesday’s final.

    On a pitch that offered swing and bounce, Hazlewood took the key wickets of fellow Australian Josh Inglis and rival captain Shreyas Iyer, blows which Punjab never really recovered from.

    “The bowling unit was obviously back to the unit that bowled for most of the tournament, and again, we knew our roles really well,” Hazlewood told reporters after their eight-wicket win.

    “There was a little bit of seam movement, the bounce was probably a little bit inconsistent, so we sort of utilised that as best as we could.”

    Hazlewood’s 21 wickets from 11 games make him the third highest wicket-taker this season behind Noor Ahmed (24) and Prasidh Krishna (23), both of whom have played three games more than the Australian.

    On Mullanpur’s spicy wicket, a target of around 150 could have proved tricky, said Hazlewood.

    “They probably just had to pull back a little bit and try and get a score on the board, you know, 150-160 would have been a difficult chase potentially,” he added.

    “But I think we only let them bat as well as they could have, through our bowling.”

    The lively wicket also meant Hazlewood did not have to push his body to the limit on his return from injury.

    “The wicket helped obviously, I didn’t have to bowl any fast yorkers or anything like that, so yeah, it’s feeling not too bad.”

    (Reuters)

  • Caste-Based Enumeration In The Upcoming Decadal Census Will Be A Transformative Step; Will Bring About Social Justice: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Thoughtfully Collected Caste Data Will Be An Instrument Of Integration, Like An MRI Of The Body, Says VP
    Effective Policy Planning Without Robust Statistics Can Be Compared To Surgery In The Dark, Stresses VP
    The Future Belongs To Those Who Master The Art Of Reading Societies And Statistical Signatures, Urges VP
    The Path To A Developed India Is Built With Statistical Insights Marked By Evidence-Based Milestones, Highlights VP
    Understanding Statistics From The Perspective Of Demographic Variation Will Help Policymakers Address The Security Of The Nation, Says VP
    We Must Create A Nation That Thinks Empirically, Says VP
    Our Languages Can Never Be A Source Of Divisiveness; Our Languages Are A Unifying Force, Says VP
    Vice-President Addresses The Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Probationers Of the 2024 and 2025 Batches in New Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, “The Government has made a great decision. And the decision is to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming decadal census. It will be a transformative step, game-changing. It will help bring about social justice. It will be an eye-opener. It will satisfy people’s aspirations. It’s a very broad decision of the government. There was a caste-based census earlier. Last time, I think it was conducted in 1931. I looked up to that census many times to know about my caste. I therefore realise the importance of caste-based enumeration.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928028421285642516

    Addressing the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Probationers of the 2024 and 2025 batches in New Delhi today, Shri Dhankhar said, “Far from being divisive,  thoughtfully collected caste data will be an instrument of integration. Some people are debating it. We are mature minds. How can information collected by itself be a source of the problem? It is like getting your body MRI. You will know about it when you stand. People will realise. And this mechanism will transform abstract constitutional commitments to equality into measurable,  accountable policy outcomes.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928012739328311432

    The Vice-President drew a vivid analogy to highlight the value of precise and current data in governance, saying, “Effective policy planning without robust statistics you can compare it like a surgery in the dark. You can imagine how relevant your work is. Every digit in our national database represents a human story. Every trend line charts the trajectory of things. Let me give you a small illustration.”

    “And what it portends for our future, you will have rich experiences every moment of your service career. What you took for granted, you will find, is on a fragile premise. It’s a mirage, because data does not lie”, he noted.

    The Vice-President reiterated that India’s aspirations for becoming a developed nation are firmly rooted in evidence-based planning. He said, “We, as a nation, are looking for ‘Viksit Bharat,’ which is not our dream. It is our objective, defined destination, our goal. Bharat is no longer a nation with potential. It’s a nation on the rise, and the rise is unstoppable. And therefore, the path to a developed India is built with statistical insights marked by evidence-based milestones. In togetherness, we must create a nation that thinks empirically, as I indicated earlier, but is driven by hardcore evidence.”

    He urged timely and relevant data collection and usage for informed policymaking, saying, “Statistics is not merely about numbers. It is much more than numbers. It is about identifying patterns and drawing insights that inform wise policy decisions. Now, there is always urgency. If your data, data must be in sync with contemporaneous situations. Otherwise, it has a tendency to be stale. How detailed? It is about identifying patterns and growing insights. Have informed policy decisions based on data that is currently acceptable. A delayed or misguided policy can have serious consequences, and a timely intervention. Well-informed decisions can yield results that are exponential, not just incremental.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928026458213208084

    Affirming the human-centric nature of statistics, he stated, “Numbers are not cold abstractions; they are warm testimonies to our collective aspirations. These are the numbers. The future belongs to those who master the art of reading societies,  statistical signatures. And only you make those signatures available. In the convergence of statistical science and democratic values lies the secret to India’s continued rise.”

    The Vice-President emphasized that statistical accuracy empowers governments to shift from reactive measures to strategic foresight, saying, “This diagnostic precision transforms reactive governance into proactive stewardship. Otherwise, we will always be in reaction mode. Reaction mode is a weakness of policy—it reveals a void in foresight. But proactive stewardship is fundamental.”

    He further said, “We are also required to use data to address demographic trends. Demographic trends are beyond statistics. They are dependent on the analysis of statistics. In several ways, these variations define the pulse of the nation’s transformation. And therefore, understanding statistics from the perspective of demographic variation will help policymakers address the security of the nation. Preserve our sovereignty also. Analyse the threat perception. Help us devise policies. You come to know more about demography only from statistical analysis of raw figures. It’s a compass that will guide the nation’s journey for sustainable development.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928027482726486049

    Encouraging the young officers to see themselves as agents of equality, he reflected on their role in democratizing access and opportunities. Shri Dhankhar said, “You are probationers. Statistical cartography reveals the hidden geometries of inequality. I stressed—I reiterated on a number of occasions—democracy has meaning only if those who cannot help themselves are helped. They don’t have to question others that I need help, which means you must bring about equality and sublimity. Your cartography helps. Governance is enabled by your efforts to craft targeted interventions, where interventions are most needed.”

    He then reflected on the vital role of civil servants in India’s journey, saying, “In the vast canvas of India’s progress, civil servants functioned as the silent yet formidable architects contributing to the socio-economic development and progress of our dynamic nation. Thanks to the vision of the Prime Minister, his mission, that execution has been place by the bureaucracy. The performance of our bureaucracy will always be optimal if the political leadership is in the right framework. With the right policies, we are living in those times where the political framework is indicating hope and optimism. We are on the right path.  And that is why India is a nation at the moment with an unprecedented economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructure growth. This is a mix of political vision and bureaucratic execution. I therefore say that India takes pride in its bureaucracy. It is the finest in the world. And that is why our aspirations get fructified.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928021046009155729

    Concluding his address, the Vice-President touched upon India’s linguistic diversity and its role in national unity, “India is uniquely positioned in the world when it comes to languages. We have multiple languages that make us proud — Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla, Sanskrit, Hindi, several others (I may forget some), all of them, including Odia and other languages. Eight of them are classical languages. Our languages generate unity. Some of them have a global impact; their literature is a goldmine of knowledge. Our inclusivity is reflected in our languages, and if you go to the constitutional scheme of things, it is provided in the Constitution that for official work, there will be a progressive decline in the use of the English language and, similarly, an incremental trajectory for Hindi. Our National Education Policy stands out for giving primacy to the mother tongue. Technical subjects like medicine and engineering, the education is now being imparted in the vernacular. Our languages are our spinal strength. Our languages can never be a source of divisiveness. Our languages are a unifying force. I appeal to everyone in the country to have a soothing approach with wholesome motivation toward this fundamental cultural aspect of our nation.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1928021786941345885

    Dr. Saurabh Garg,  Secretary, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, Shri. P. R. Meshram, Director General, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation And other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • PM Modi to launch development projects worth Rs 1,300 crore in Madhya Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on Saturday to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar and unveil a series of development projects across the state, cumulatively valued at over Rs 1,300 crore.

    As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will attend the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal, where he will release a commemorative postage stamp and a special Rs 300 coin in honor of Devi Ahilyabai .

    During the event, PM Modi will also present the National Devi Ahilyabai Award to a woman artist for her outstanding contribution to tribal, folk, and traditional arts.

    As part of the Simhastha Mahakumbh 2028 preparations, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the construction of ghats along the Kshipra River in Ujjain. The Rs 860-crore project includes barrages, stop dams, and vented causeways to improve water regulation.

    The Prime Minister will also inaugurate newly built airports in Datia and Satna, which are expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, stimulate tourism, and improve access to education and healthcare in surrounding areas.

    In Indore, PM Modi will flag off passenger services on the Yellow Line of the Indore Metro’s Super Priority Corridor, a move aimed at easing urban traffic congestion and reducing pollution, while offering modern and efficient public transport.

    Additionally, the Prime Minister will transfer the first installment for the construction of 1,271 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans. With an estimated cost of over Rs 480 crore, these buildings will strengthen infrastructure at the gram panchayat level and improve administrative efficiency in rural areas.

  • Saudi warned Iran to reach nuclear deal with Trump or risk Israeli strike

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Saudi Arabia’s defence minister delivered a blunt message to Iranian officials in Tehran last month: take President Donald Trump’s offer to negotiate a nuclear agreement seriously because it presents a way to avoid the risk of war with Israel.

    Alarmed at the prospect of further instability in the region, Saudi Arabia’s 89-year-old King Salman bin Abdulaziz dispatched his son, Prince Khalid bin Salman, with the warning destined for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two Gulf sources close to government circles and two Iranian officials.

    Present at the closed-door meeting in Tehran, which took place on April 17 in the presidential compound, were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, armed forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the sources said.

    While media covered the 37-year-old prince’s visit, the content of the King Salman’s covert message has not been previously reported.

    Prince Khalid, who was Saudi ambassador to Washington during Trump’s first term, warned Iranian officials that the U.S. leader has little patience for drawn-out negotiations, according to the four sources.

    Trump had unexpectedly announced just over a week earlier that direct talks were taking place with Tehran, aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. He did so in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had travelled to Washington hoping instead to win support for attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

    In Tehran, Prince Khalid told the group of senior Iranian officials that Trump’s team would want to reach a deal quickly, and the window for diplomacy would close fast, according to the four sources.

    The Saudi minister said it would be better to reach a deal with the U.S. than face the possibility of an Israeli attack if the talks broke down, according to the two Gulf sources.

    He argued that the region – already riven by recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon – could not withstand a further escalation in tensions, said the two Gulf sources and one senior foreign diplomat familiar with the discussions.

    Authorities in Saudi Arabia and Iran did not respond to requests for comment.

    The visit by Prince Khalid – the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman – was the first by a senior member of the Saudi royal family to Iran in more than two decades. Riyadh and Tehran had long been bitter rivals, often backing opposing sides in proxy wars, until a rapprochement brokered by China in 2023 helped to ease the tensions and restored diplomatic ties.

    Over the past two years, Iran’s regional position has been undermined by heavy military blows inflicted by Israel on its allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and toppling of its close ally, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Western sanctions, meanwhile, have hit its oil-dependent economy hard.

    Mohanad Hage Ali, an expert on Iran at the Carnegie Middle East Center think tank in Beirut, said that Tehran’s weakness had offered Saudi Arabia the opportunity to exert its diplomatic influence, seeking to avoid a regional conflagration.

    “They want to avoid war because war and confrontation with Iran will have negative implications on them and their economic vision and ambitions,” he told Reuters.

    IRAN WANTS A DEAL

    Reuters was unable to determine the impact of the prince’s message on Iran’s leadership.

    In the meeting, Pezeshkian responded that Iran wanted a deal to ease economic pressure through the lifting of Western sanctions, the four sources said.

    However, the Iranian officials, the sources added, expressed concerns over the Trump administration’s “unpredictable” approach to negotiations — which have veered from allowing limited uranium enrichment to demanding the complete dismantling of Tehran’s enrichment program.

    Trump also has threatened to use military force if diplomacy fails to rein in the clerical establishment’s nuclear ambitions.

    One of the Iranian sources said that Pezeshkian emphasized Tehran’s eagerness to reach a deal but that Iran was not willing to sacrifice its enrichment program just because Trump wanted an agreement.

    The ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran have already been through five rounds to resolve the decades-long nuclear dispute, but multiple stumbling blocks remain, including the key issue of enrichment.

    Reuters reported on Wednesday that Iran might pause uranium enrichment if the U.S. releases its frozen funds and recognises its right to refine uranium for civilian use under a “political deal” that could lead to a broader nuclear accord, according to two Iranian sources familiar with the talks. The semi-official Fars news agency in Iran quoted a foreign ministry spokesman denying the report.

    The White House did not directly address Reuters’ questions about whether it was aware of the Saudi warning to Iran.

    “President Trump has made it clear: make a deal, or face grave consequences, and the whole world is clearly taking him seriously, as they should,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

    Trump said on Wednesday he warned Netanyahu last week not to take any actions that could disrupt nuclear talks with Iran, and said the two sides were “very close to a solution now”.

    Israeli authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

    HIGH STAKES

    A four-day visit by Trump to the Gulf this month annointed Saudi Arabia as the most prominent member of a new axis of Sunni states in the Middle East, filling the void left by Iran’s shattered alliance. During the trip, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman mediated a reconciliation between Trump and Syria’s new Sunni leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

    Tehran’s regional sway, meanwhile, has been diminished by military setbacks suffered by Iran and its allies in the Shi’ite-dominated Axis of Resistance, which include Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iraqi militias

    In the meeting, Prince Khalid urged Iran to rethink its regional policy, noting such a shift would be welcomed, especially by Riyadh, the sources said.

    Although he stopped short of directly blaming Iran, the Saudi minister voiced concern over a possible repeat of the 2019 drone attacks on the facilities of state oil company Aramco – attacks the kingdom attributed to Iran and its Houthi allies, despite Tehran’s denial.

    Iranian officials maintained that while Tehran holds some influence over the Houthis, it does not fully control their actions, the Iranian sources said.

    Decades of hostility between the Shi’ite Iran and Saudi Arabia destabilised the Gulf and fuelled regional conflicts from Yemen to Syria. The 2023 detente was driven in part by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed’s economic ambitions and desire for stability, and has led to increased contacts between the governments.

    However, neither Saudi Arabia nor other regional powers see Iran as a dependable partner for peace and they fear its actions could jeopardize their ambitions for economic development, diplomats and regional experts say.

    Prince Khalid implored the Iranians to avoid actions by them and their allies that might provoke Washington, stressing that Trump’s response would likely be more strident than his predecessors, presidents Joe Biden and Barak Obama.

    In turn, he assured Tehran that Riyadh would not let its territory or airspace to be used by the United States or Israel for any potential military action against Iran, the sources said.

    (Reuters)

  • India to be fastest-growing economy for next 30 years: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is poised to remain the fastest-growing large economy for the next three decades, with a sustained annual growth rate of 6–7%, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

    Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025, Goyal said the government is aiming to push growth to 8% at constant prices.

    “Even amidst international upheavals, we are among the better-performing emerging markets,” he said. “Today, India holds the world’s fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves in the world at about $690 billion. Our inflation has remained below 4% for the last three months. The Reserve Bank has done a commendable job balancing liquidity and currency management.”

    Goyal emphasized that India remains an attractive investment destination. Over the past two decades, Indian companies have delivered nearly 20% CAGR returns, he noted, adding that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows continue to break records. “We are back on track on the growth trajectory, working through international trading relations,” he said.

    On trade agreements, Goyal pointed to major progress on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UAE, Australia, the UK, and the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). “We are well on track with our bilateral trade agreement with the USA and making fast progress with the European Union’s 27-nation bloc. We have also launched negotiations with New Zealand,” he said.

    Goyal said the EFTA countries have committed $100 billion in FDI over the next 15 years, potentially catalyzing a total investment of $500 billion. “This ecosystem could attract an additional $500 billion,” he added. The investment clause in the EFTA deal is the first of its kind globally, and the figures exclude contributions from Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.

    Despite global volatility, Goyal said India continues to be a pillar of global growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that India will become the world’s third-largest economy by GDP by 2027.

    Highlighting government’s sustained push for ease of doing business, the Goyal said that over 40,000 compliances have been reduced, several laws have been decriminalised, and nearly 2,000 obsolete laws have been removed from the statute book. He noted that the Jan Vishwas Bill reflects the trust between the government and people.

    “The Act promotes self-certification, encourages businesses to offer suggestions to improve ease of doing business, and simplifies people’s lives. It reflects a government that trusts its stakeholders,” he said.

    On the sustainability front, he pointed out that renewable energy coupled with storage is now available at ₹3.30 per kilowatt hour—among the lowest globally. “Solar and wind plus storage make a compelling case for data centres to come to India. We have a large interconnected grid with low-cost clean energy to power these centres. This is not just about sustainability – it is an economic case,” he said.

    Reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive development, Goyal said the government is working to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, education, and basic needs. “Free healthcare, quality education and basic needs are being addressed. We are now seeing employment growth, and skill development centres are playing a key role. No child should be deprived, and no man should be left behind,” he said.

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Tharoor-led delegation reaffirms India’s anti-terror stand in Colombia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Colombia on Thursday, continuing its diplomatic outreach in Latin America to highlight India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and strengthen bilateral ties with key regional partners.

    Sharing an update from Bogotá, Tharoor posted on X: “Our Colombia visit got under way today with a briefing to the delegation from our Ambassador, Vanlalhuma, followed by a well-attended press interaction with more than a dozen local media outlets. I then did an interview with Colombian journalist Juan Camillo Ramirez. Getting the message out where it needs to be heard!”

    The visit, which runs from May 29 to 31, includes meetings with Colombian lawmakers, government ministers, policy think tanks, and media representatives. The discussions are focused on promoting counterterrorism cooperation and expanding strategic and economic engagement between the two democracies.

    The Colombia leg follows a high-profile visit to Panama, where the Indian delegation was hosted by Ambassador Sumit Seth.

    “Our trip ended with a spectacular reception hosted by Ambassador Seth for the diplomatic corps and influential Panamanian personalities. The Foreign Minister spoke, as did his Vice-Minister, Carlos Hoyos, in strong sympathy for India, expressing support for our fight against terrorism and for enhancing the close cooperation between our two countries,” Tharoor said

    The delegation comprises MPs Sarfraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Milind Murli Deora, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Trump envoy says Russian concern over NATO enlargement is fair

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said Russia’s concern over the eastward enlargement of NATO was fair and the United States did not want to see Ukraine in the U.S.-led military alliance.

    Asked by U.S. network ABC News about a Reuters report that Russia wanted a written pledge over NATO not enlarging eastwards to include Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, Kellogg said: “It’s a fair concern.”

    “We’ve said that to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table, and we’re not the only country that says that – you know I could probably give you four other countries in NATO and it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come in to NATO,” he told ABC late on Thursday. “That’s one of the issues that Russia will bring up.”

    “They’re not just talking Ukraine, they’re talking the country of Georgia, they’re talking Moldova,” Kellogg said, adding that a decision on U.S. views of NATO enlargement was for Trump to make.

    Kellogg said the sequencing of the peace talks would include an attempt to merge the two memorandums drafted by Ukraine and Russia into one single document with talks in Turkey on Monday.

    “When we get into Istanbul next week we’ll sit down and talk,” Kellogg said, adding that the national security advisers from Germany, France and Britain would join discussions on the memorandum with the United States.

    Kellogg said Trump was “frustrated” with Russia because he had seen “a level of unreasonableness” from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He scolded Russia for striking Ukrainian cities and said he had told Ukraine to turn up to talks.

    A conservative estimate of dead and injured in the Ukraine war – from both sides combined – totals 1.2 million, Kellogg said.

    “That is a stunning number – this is war on an industrial scale,” Kellogg told ABC.

    (Reuters)

  • India’s All-Party Delegation concludes anti-terror mission in Saudi Arabia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An All-Party Parliamentary delegation from India concluded its three-day diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, emphasizing India’s unwavering stance against terrorism in the wake of recent cross-border attacks. Led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, the delegation held extensive interactions with Saudi think tanks and the Indian diaspora as part of a broader global outreach initiative following India’s military response to the devastating April terrorist attack.

    The delegation’s visit comes in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where five armed terrorists killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local resident, in one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir in decades. The incident prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor, which the delegation described as establishing “a new benchmark in India’s fight against terrorism.”

    During their Saudi visit, the Indian representatives met with Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Centre in Riyadh, and Dr. Abdulmajeed Albanyan, President of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. The discussions focused on India’s three-decade struggle with cross-border terrorism and explored potential collaboration in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and quantum computing for counter-terrorism efforts

    .The delegation emphasized that the Pahalgam attack was designed to undermine economic progress in Jammu and Kashmir and incite communal tensions across India. They highlighted how the nation’s unified response demonstrated India’s collective resolve against such threats, noting that all attempts to divide the country were met with popular resistance.

    This Saudi Arabia mission represents part of a comprehensive diplomatic offensive, with seven All-Party delegations comprising 59 members visiting 32 countries to convey India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The initiative aims to build international support for India’s position while countering narratives that might justify terrorist activities.

    The delegation’s engagement with the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia underscored the community’s role in India’s development and acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s consistent support in condemning terrorism. The visit reinforced the growing security cooperation between the two nations, particularly in areas of counter-terrorism and regional stability.The broader diplomatic campaign follows India’s military strikes against alleged terrorist camps across the border, marking what officials describe as a shift toward a ‘new normal policy’ in addressing cross-border terrorism threats.

  • Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets business leaders in US, focuses on tech and trade cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor met with leading U.S. business executives during a roundtable hosted by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Thursday, focusing on bolstering bilateral cooperation in key sectors.

    The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., described the discussions as “engaging.”

    “They emphasized the importance of G2G, academia, and industry collaboration to advance critical and emerging technologies in defence and strategic domains — key to transforming the partnership for the 21st century,” the embassy said in a post on X.

    USISPF, in a statement, said the dialogue focused on expanding cooperation under the TRUST initiative—an effort to build a secure, transparent, and resilient innovation ecosystem through stronger public-private-academic engagement.

    Misri’s three-day visit to the U.S. (May 27–29) focused on strategic and economic ties with Washington. His agenda included meetings with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler.

    According to the U.S. Department of State, Landau reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-India partnership.

    “He underscored the importance of fair and reciprocal market access to fostering economic growth and prosperity in both countries. The Deputy Secretary emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration and counternarcotics,” the State Department said in a statement.

    “The Deputy Secretary and the Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace,” the statement added

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Nepal’s royalists demand restoration of monarchy dumped 17 years ago

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Thousands of supporters of Nepal’s former king rallied in the capital Kathmandu on Thursday, calling for the restoration of the constitutional monarchy that was abolished 17 years ago, amid rising unhappiness with successive elected governments.

    Flag-waving protesters marched into the city centre from different directions shouting: “Our king is dearer than lives … king come back and save the country,” as riot police stood guard but did not intervene.

    At a similar rally in March, two people were killed and several injured.

    The 239-year-old monarchy was voted out in 2008 following weeks of bloody street protests. The last king of the Himalayan nation, 77-year-old Gyanendra, has lived with his family in a private house in Kathmandu as a commoner since being toppled.

    He has not commented on Thursday’s demonstration but expressed sorrow at the violence that killed two people in March.

    Demonstrators are also calling for the country of 30 million people, wedged between China and India, to become a Hindu state again, a status it lost with the monarchy.

    “Governments formed in the last 17 years have failed to deliver on their promises of development, creation of jobs and improvement of the living conditions of people,” said 35-year-old street vendor Rajendra Tamang.

    “Thousands of young people are forced to leave the country in search of work as they see no hope here,” he said.

    Millions of young Nepalis are working in the Middle East, South Korea and Malaysia, mainly at construction sites, and the money they send home is a key source of income for Nepal.

    Supporters of the government staged a separate but smaller rally nearby in support of the republican system that replaced the monarchy.

    The three major political parties that jointly control nearly 200 of the 275 seats in parliament say the monarchy was consigned to history and cannot be restored.

    All three jointly campaigned against the monarchy and voted it out in 2008 and say their faith in the republican system was unshakeable.

    The Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which is campaigning for the monarchy, holds only 13 seats in parliament.

    A two-thirds majority or 184 lawmakers is needed to change the constitution, which was adopted in 2015, turning Nepal into a federal democratic republic.

    The royalists say their protests will continue until the monarchy is restored.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi to launch ₹48,500 crore development projects in Bihar today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil development projects worth ₹48,500 crore during his visit to Bikramganj in Bihar’s Rohtas district on Friday. His address at a large public rally will mark the launch and foundation laying of key infrastructure and welfare initiatives aimed at accelerating Bihar’s growth across sectors like transportation, energy, and connectivity.

    Ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan are expected to reach the venue. The rally site, sprawling across 444 acres, has been extensively prepared with a large stage, massive canopy, and elaborate floral decorations, with flowers sourced from Kolkata and Patna. Local artisans worked through Thursday to complete the arrangements.

    Security has been tightened with over 5,000 personnel deployed at the venue. The force includes 10 Superintendents of Police, 50 Deputy SPs, and over 1,000 inspectors and sub-inspectors. A total of 250 checkpoints have been established, and temporary police stations, ambulances, and fire engines are also stationed on-site. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police are personally overseeing the arrangements.

    From the rally platform, PM Modi will inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for several big-ticket projects. These include key road and railway upgrades such as the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi four-lane road, a four-lane elevated corridor in Gopalganj, and third railway lines between Sonnagar-Muhammadganj and Kajart Nawadih-Sonnagar. He will also inaugurate three 800 MW power units under Phase II of the Navinagar thermal plant and major national highways including the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata six-lane expressway.

    Additional projects include the automatic block signalling system from Sasaram to Anugrah Narayan Road, a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli on NH-92, and the extension of NH-119D from Ramnagar to Kachchi Dargah. PM Modi will also inaugurate the new five-platform railway terminal at Harding Park in Patna, as well as facilities like hostels and staff quarters in Jehanabad.

    With thousands of supporters expected to attend, the rally is not only a platform for announcing development projects but also carries political significance. The visit is seen as a key moment for strengthening the BJP’s organisational base in the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. 

    -IANS

  • Musk aiming to send uncrewed Starship to Mars by end of 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Two days after the latest in a string of test-flight setbacks for his big new Mars spacecraft, Starship, Elon Musk said on Thursday he foresees the futuristic vehicle making its first uncrewed voyage to the red planet at the end of next year.

    Musk presented a detailed Starship development timeline in a video posted online by his Los Angeles area-based rocket company, SpaceX, a day after saying he was departing the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump as head of a tumultuous campaign to slash government bureaucracy.

    The billionaire entrepreneur had said earlier that he was planning to scale back his role in government to focus greater attention on his various businesses, including SpaceX and electric car and battery maker Tesla.

    Musk acknowledged that his latest timeline for reaching Mars hinged on whether Starship can accomplish a number of challenging technical feats during its flight-test development, particularly a post-launch refueling maneuver in Earth orbit.

    The end of 2026 would coincide with a slim window that occurs once every two years when Mars and Earth align around the sun for the closest trip between the two planets, which would take seven to nine months to transit by spacecraft.

    Musk gave his company a 50-50 chance of meeting that deadline. If Starship were not ready by that time, SpaceX would wait another two years before trying again, Musk suggested in the video.

    The first flight to Mars would carry a simulated crew consisting of one or more robots of the Tesla-built humanoid Optimus design, with the first human crews following in the second or third landings. Musk said he envisioned eventually launching 1,000 to 2,000 ships to Mars every two years to quickly establish a self-sustaining permanent human settlement.

    NASA is currently aiming to return humans to the surface of the moon aboard Starship as early as 2027 – more than 50 years after its last manned lunar landings of the Apollo era – as a stepping stone toward ultimately launching astronauts to Mars sometime in the 2030s.

    Musk, who has advocated for a more Mars-focused human spaceflight program, has previously said he was aiming to send an unmanned SpaceX vehicle to the red planet as early as 2018 and was targeting 2024 to launch a first crewed mission there.

    The SpaceX founder was scheduled to deliver a livestream presentation billed as “The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary” from the company’s Starbase, Texas, launch site on Tuesday night, following a ninth test flight of Starship that evening.

    But the webcast was canceled without notice after Starship spun out of control and disintegrated in a fireball about 30 minutes after launch and roughly halfway through its flight path without achieving some of its most important test goals.

    Two preceding test flights in January and March failed in more spectacular fashion, with the spacecraft blowing to pieces on ascent moments after liftoff, raining debris over parts of the Caribbean and forcing scores of commercial jetliners to change course as a precaution.

    Musk shrugged off the latest mishap on Tuesday with a brief post on X, saying it produced a lot of “good data to review” and promising a faster launch “cadence” for the next several test flights.

    (Reuters)

  • Indian stock market opens flat amid stable institutional investments

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian benchmark indices opened on a flat note on Friday, tracking weak cues from Asian markets and early pressure in IT and auto stocks. Analysts suggest the market is likely to remain in a consolidation phase in the near term due to the absence of strong positive triggers.

    At 9:29 a.m., the Sensex was marginally up by 11.77 points at 81,644.79, while the Nifty gained 13.20 points to trade at 24,846.80.

    The Nifty Bank index rose by 81.20 points (0.15%) to 55,627.25, and the Nifty Midcap 100 climbed 0.44% to 57,707.65. The Nifty Smallcap 100 also edged higher by 0.21% to 17,927.15.

    Despite subdued trade in early hours, analysts noted a positive technical signal from Thursday’s session, where the Nifty staged a smart rebound towards the end. Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, said, “Yesterday’s recovery showed a bullish lower shadow and small real body close to the day’s high, suggesting potential upward momentum.” He identified 24,677 and 25,000 as immediate support and resistance levels, respectively.

    In the Sensex pack, top losers included Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, Titan, and Hindustan Unilever. On the gaining side were Adani Ports, Eicher Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Sun Pharma.

    Weakness persisted across Asian markets, with indices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, China, and Japan trading in the red.

    Meanwhile, US markets closed higher in the previous session. The Dow Jones added 117.03 points to settle at 42,215.73, the S&P 500 rose by 23.62 points to 5,912.17, and the Nasdaq gained 74.93 points to close at 19,175.87.

    Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, highlighted a key reason for the market’s range-bound nature. “India’s macroeconomic fundamentals are strong and improving, but this is not yet being reflected in corporate earnings,” he said.

    On the institutional front, FIIs were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹884.03 crore on May 29. DIIs were also strong buyers, investing ₹4,286.50 crore.

    -IANS

  • US proposes 60-day ceasefire for Gaza, plan shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A U.S. plan for Gaza seen by Reuters on Friday proposes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 28 Israeli hostages alive and dead in the first week and the release of 125 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life and the remains of 180 dead Palestinians.

    The plan, which says it is guaranteed by U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators Egypt and Qatar, includes sending aid to Gaza as soon as Hamas signs off on the ceasefire agreement.

    The plan stipulates that Hamas will release the last 30 hostages once a permanent ceasefire is in place.

    The White House said on Thursday that Israel has agreed to the U.S. ceasefire proposal.

    The Palestinian militant group Hamas told media it was reviewing the plan and will respond on Friday or Saturday.

    Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March.

    Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely and be dismantled as a military and governing force and that all 58 hostages still held in Gaza must be returned before it will agree to end the war.

    Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.

    Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to the devastating Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 Israelis taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

    The subsequent Israeli military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, and left the enclave in ruins.

    (Reuters)

  • Without Musk, DOGE likely to fizzle out, says ex-staffer

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Without billionaire Elon Musk in the Trump administration, his cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency project is likely to sputter out, a former DOGE staffer said in his first interview since leaving the team.

    Tesla CEO Musk announced on Wednesday evening that he was ending his time as a special government employee but vowed that DOGE would continue without him. Administration media representatives also said in statements to Reuters that DOGE would continue its work.

    DOGE has overseen job cuts at nearly every federal agency as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to shake up the federal bureaucracy.

    However, software engineer Sahil Lavingia, who spent almost two months working for the group of pro-Musk technologists, said he expects DOGE to quickly “fizzle out.”

    “It’ll just die a whimper,” Lavingia, who was fired from DOGE earlier this month, told Reuters. “So much of the appeal and allure was Elon.” He said he expected DOGE staffers to “just stop showing up to work. It’s like kids joining a startup that will go out of business in four months.”

    That would cap a remarkable undoing for DOGE, which Musk initially vowed would cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Instead, DOGE estimates its efforts have saved around $175 billion so far and the group’s tallies have been riddled with errors.

    “DOGE is integral to the federal government’s operations, and its mission, as established by the President’s executive order, will continue under the direction of agency and department heads in the Trump administration,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said.

    Lavingia, the 32-year-old founder and CEO of creator platform Gumroad, said he was recruited by DOGE through a personal contact and joined the team in March.

    While he said he was proud of certain achievements at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including modernizing the agency’s internal artificial-intelligence chatbot, he said he was often at a loss about what work he was expected to do.

    “I got dropped into the VA with an HP laptop. What are we supposed to do? What is the road map?” Lavingia said he asked, to no avail. “I felt like I was being pranked.”

    Veterans Affairs press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said in a statement to Reuters: “VA looks forward to continuing to work with its DOGE liaisons to help the department improve its performance, customer service, and convenience to Veterans.”

    Lavingia said Steve Davis, the president of Musk’s tunneling enterprise the Boring Company, ran day-to-day operations while Turkish-born venture capitalist Baris Akis helped with DOGE recruitment and DOGE logistics.

    When instructions did come through, they were usually communicated through phone calls or small chats on the encrypted Signal messaging app that would typically auto-delete in one day, Lavingia said.

    Lavingia said instructions included moving faster to increase mass layoffs at the VA, the federal government’s second-largest agency.

    The only time he met Musk, Lavingia said, was at an all-hands meeting in March with what he estimated was between 40 and 60 fellow DOGE staffers.

    Lavingia said he asked to open-source, or make freely available, some of his computer code, which Musk approved.

    He then asked if they could livestream DOGE meetings to increase transparency.

    “Elon said: ‘That’s a great idea. We’ll do it next week.’ He then caught himself and said: ‘Maybe we pre-record it because of security risks.’”

    Lavingia said he never heard back.

    In early May, after he spoke to media outlet Fast Company about working at DOGE, Lavingia said his computer access was revoked in what amounted to a firing. He said Musk and team leaders never explicitly told him he should not talk to journalists.

    “My DOGE days were over,” Lavingia wrote in a blog about his experience.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump aims to exceed first term’s weapons sales to Taiwan, officials say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding President Donald Trump’s first term as part of an effort to deter China as it intensifies military pressure on the democratic island, according to two U.S. officials.

    If U.S. arms sales to Taiwan do accelerate, it could ease worries about the extent of Trump’s commitment to the island. It would also add new friction to the tense U.S.-China relationship.

    The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they expect U.S. approvals for weapons sales to Taipei over the next four years to surpass those in Trump’s first term, with one of the officials saying arms sales notifications to Taiwan could “easily exceed” that earlier period.

    They also said the United States is pressing members of Taiwan’s opposition parties not to oppose the government’s efforts to increase defense spending to 3% of the island’s budget.

    The first Trump administration approved sales of approximately $18.3 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, compared with around $8.4 billion during Joe Biden’s term, according to Reuters calculations.

    The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei.

    Even so, many in Taiwan, which China claims as its own, worry that Trump may not be as committed to the island as past U.S. presidents.

    On the election campaign trail, Trump suggested Taiwan should pay to be protected and also accused the island of stealing American semiconductor business, causing alarm in Taipei.

    China has vowed to “reunify” with the separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.

    The U.S. officials said administration officials and Trump himself were committed to “enhancing hard deterrence” for Taiwan.

    “That’s where the president is. That’s where all of us are,” one U.S. official said, adding that they were working closely with Taiwan on an arms procurement package to be rolled out when Taiwan secured domestic funding.

    Taiwan’s Presidential Office told Reuters the government is determined to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and pointed to its proposals to increase defense spending.

    “Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States,” Presidential Office spokesperson Wen Lii said.

    Taiwan’s defense ministry declined to comment on any new arms sales, but reiterated previous remarks by the island’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, about the importance of “solidarity and cooperation of democratic allies.”

    -Reuters

  • Judge blocks Trump ban on Harvard’s international students

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A federal judge said on Thursday she would extend an order blocking President Donald Trump’s administration from immediately revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, a victory for the Ivy League school that is entangled in multiple battles with the administration.

    U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston announced her intention to issue a preliminary injunction, six days after she first granted Harvard a temporary order blocking the Trump administration’s move.

    As the court hearing unfolded on Thursday morning, thousands of Harvard students were receiving their degrees at the school’s commencement ceremony on campus about 5 miles (8 km) away.

    University President Alan Garber, who received a standing ovation, welcomed graduating students “from down the street, across the country and around the world,” drawing applause for the last words.

    “Around the world – just as it should be,” he added.

    The Trump administration has launched a multifront attack on the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding, proposing to end its tax-exempt status and opening an investigation into whether it discriminated against white, Asian, male or straight employees or job applicants.

    Revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll international students would be damaging, the school says. More than a quarter of the student body is international; nearly 60% of the graduate students at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School hail from other countries.

    The attack on Harvard is part of the administration’s broader effort to pressure higher education institutions to align with its policy agenda.

    On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration would start “aggressively” revoking visas issued to Chinese students attending U.S. schools, including those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and those studying in critical fields, which he did not specify.

    More than 275,000 Chinese students are enrolled in hundreds of U.S. colleges, providing a major source of revenue for the schools and a crucial pipeline of talent for U.S. technology companies. The decision prompted despair and frustration among students who have offers to attend next year.

    Prior to Rubio’s announcement, the offensive against U.S. colleges had largely been confined to Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania, which it has accused of left-wing bias and antisemitism.

    Lynn Pasquerella, president of the advocacy group American Association of Colleges and Universities, said the Trump administration’s targeting of international students would have negative consequences for schools and the U.S.

    “Chinese students, in particular, now that they’re being faced with hyper-scrutiny, are looking elsewhere,” she said. “That is a huge loss for us. It’s a brain drain.”

    JUDGE SKEPTICAL

    The court hearing before Burroughs took place shortly after the administration softened its stance in an apparent effort to refute Harvard’s legal arguments in advance.

    Late Wednesday night, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a notice to Harvard saying it would now give the university 30 days to submit evidence contesting the administration’s plan to revoke Harvard’s right to enroll non-U.S. students.

    The notice signaled a change in course for DHS, which had said last week that the revocation was effective immediately. In its lawsuit challenging the move, Harvard argued that DHS had violated federal administrative procedure.

    During the court hearing, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Tiberius Davis argued there was now no need for a court order blocking the administration’s actions, since Harvard could challenge them via an administrative process.

    But Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, said she believed a broad preliminary injunction protecting Harvard and students was necessary while that process played out.

    She expressed skepticism that Harvard’s fate would be any different at its conclusion, saying, “Aren’t we still going to end up back here at the same place?”

    She also questioned whether the administration had fully complied with her temporary restraining order, pointing to a declaration Harvard submitted on Wednesday that said visas for incoming students had been recently revoked.

    Burroughs said the temporary order would remain in effect while lawyers for both sides negotiate over the terms of the injunction.

    Harvard has called DHS’s action part of an “unprecedented and retaliatory attack on academic freedom.” The school is pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to terminate nearly $3 billion in federal research funding.

    Harvard argues the Trump administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to its demands to control the school’s governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students.

    In announcing the initial decision to revoke Harvard’s certification, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, without providing evidence, accused the university of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”

    She accused the school of refusing to comply with wide-ranging requests for information on its student visa holders, including whether they engaged in any activity that was illegal, violent or subjected them to discipline.

    The department’s move would prevent Harvard from enrolling new international students and require existing ones to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status.

    (Reuters)

  • Delhi-NCR braces for rain, thunderstorms today as IMD issues orange alert

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi-NCR is set to witness more rain and stormy weather on Friday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the region, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h. 

    According to the IMD forecast, partly cloudy skies will persist throughout the day, with light to moderate rainfall expected across various parts of the city. Maximum temperatures are likely to hover between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may range from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.

    The alert was upgraded from yellow to orange following observations of intensified weather activity. On Thursday, parts of Delhi had already experienced light showers and gusty winds reaching up to 60 km/h.

    Friday could see stronger winds of up to 70 km/h, the IMD said, increasing the likelihood of waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and minor damage to infrastructure.

    The orange alert signifies potentially severe weather conditions that could disrupt normal life, prompting the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions. The alert is issued when heavy rainfall is anticipated, typically exceeding 115.6 mm and up to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

    Delhi has already witnessed an unprecedented 186.4 mm of rainfall so far this May, making it the wettest May on record for the city. This irregular precipitation pattern is linked to the early advancement of the southwest monsoon, which reached Kerala on May 24, a week ahead of schedule, and Mumbai on May 26, significantly earlier than its usual onset date of June 11.

    While the monsoon typically hits Delhi around June 27, the IMD has yet to specify when it will arrive in the capital this year. “We are closely monitoring the progress,” an IMD official said.

    Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 151 at 4 p.m., slightly worse than the 133 measured at the same time a day earlier.

    Evening showers on Thursday brought temporary relief. However, the rainfall was not intense enough to significantly offset the prevailing humidity and heat. The IMD advises residents to stay indoors during stormy periods, avoid sheltering under trees, and secure loose outdoor items to prevent accidents or damage. (IANS)

  • Rajnath Singh approves Miniratna status to three Defence Public Sector Undertakings

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of “Miniratna” status Category-I for Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) & India Optel Limited (IOL), the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.

    The move comes amid the Centre’s larger effort to push indigenous defence manufacturing and enhance the autonomy and competitiveness of state-run defence firms. All three companies were carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in October 2021 as part of a structural overhaul of the sector.

    Singh commended the firms for significantly increasing turnover and indigenisation levels. He termed their evolution from government departments into revenue-generating enterprises as a sign of “mature and self-reliant defence manufacturing”.

    Steady Revenue Growth and Export Gains

    Munitions India Limited, which manufactures a range of ammunition including small, medium and high-calibre rounds, grenades, mortars and rockets, has seen its provisional revenue rise to ₹8,282 crore in FY 2024–25, up from ₹2,571.6 crore in 2021–22 (second half). Export figures have also surged from ₹22.55 crore to ₹3,081 crore in the same period.

    Similarly, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, which produces main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, and defence logistics platforms, has recorded a provisional revenue of ₹4,986 crore in FY 2024–25, from ₹2,569.26 crore in 2021–22 (H2). Notably, the company has indigenised engines across all three key combat vehicle platforms — T-72, T-90, and BMP-II.

    India Optel Limited, which focuses on opto-electronic and vision systems for land and naval platforms, has also more than doubled its revenue, from ₹562.12 crore in FY 2021–22 (H2) to a provisional ₹1,541.38 crore in FY 2024–25.

    Strategic Autonomy and Expansion

    The Miniratna status allows these DPSUs greater operational autonomy, including powers to make capital investments up to ₹500 crore or equal to their net worth, without prior government approval. It also enables them to enter joint ventures and forge technology partnerships more independently.

    While MIL and AVNL are classified as Schedule ‘A’ companies, IOL is a Schedule ‘B’ firm. All three are under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production (DDP).

    The Defence Ministry said the decision is aimed at accelerating growth in domestic production, boosting exports, and fostering innovation through increased functional autonomy.

  • PM Modi launches ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ to boost agricultural modernisation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan via videoconferencing, describing it as a significant initiative for farmers and a unique effort to support agricultural development.

    Highlighting the timely nature of the initiative with the monsoon season approaching and preparations for the Kharif season underway, the Prime Minister said that, over the next 12 to 15 days, around 2,000 teams—comprising scientists, experts, officials, and progressive farmers—will travel across more than 700 districts and reach millions of farmers in villages. He extended his best wishes to all participating farmers and teams, acknowledging their dedication to strengthening India’s agricultural sector.

    Noting that agriculture has traditionally been a state subject, with each state formulating its own policies and welfare schemes, PM Modi emphasised the need for transformation in the sector in response to changing times. While Indian farmers have achieved record levels of production, he said that evolving market dynamics and consumer preferences require modern reforms in agriculture, undertaken in collaboration with both state governments and farmers.

    Under this campaign, scientific teams will move from “lab to land,” bringing data and advanced agricultural knowledge directly to farmers. The teams will assist farmers ahead of the Kharif season, ensuring they are equipped with practical insights and updated techniques.

    The Prime Minister lauded the significant research achievements of Indian agricultural scientists over the decades and their positive impact on productivity. He also praised progressive farmers who have adopted new techniques and achieved remarkable results. However, the PM noted that there remains a gap in the widespread dissemination of this knowledge and that efforts must now be intensified. “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan presents a valuable opportunity to bridge this knowledge gap and ensure farmers benefit from cutting-edge agricultural innovations,” he said.

    The Prime Minister stressed that for India to become a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), agriculture must also evolve. He listed several priority areas for the government, including ensuring fair prices for produce, strengthening the rural economy, and aligning crop patterns with national and global needs. He asserted that India must not only meet its own food requirements but also emerge as a global food supplier.

    To meet this vision, PM Modi underlined the importance of addressing challenges posed by climate change, increasing grain production with minimal water use, protecting soil health, modernising farming techniques, and taking science and technology directly to the fields. He noted that the government has worked extensively in these areas over the past 10–11 years and urged all campaign participants to raise awareness among farmers about these efforts.

    The Prime Minister also focused on diversifying farmers’ income sources beyond traditional agriculture. He mentioned initiatives such as installing solar panels along field boundaries to generate additional revenue, expanding beekeeping under the “Sweet Revolution,” converting agricultural waste into energy, promoting the cultivation of Shri Anna (nutri-cereals), and increasing value addition in farm products.

    The PM also highlighted the Gobardhan Yojana, which is helping generate income from non-milking cattle. Modi urged widespread dissemination of information about these innovations to maximise farmer participation.

    “India’s agriculture must become a cornerstone of a developed India,” PM Modi said, underscoring the magnitude of the mission. He encouraged farmers to engage actively with visiting scientists and ask questions to gain practical insights. The Prime Minister also urged scientists and officials to treat the campaign not merely as routine work but as a form of national service. “Address farmers’ queries in full and document their valuable suggestions,” he said.

    PM Modi expressed confidence that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan would open new avenues of progress for India’s farmers and help drive agricultural modernisation. He extended his best wishes to all stakeholders involved.

     

  • Clinical RCB trounce PBKS to punch ticket to IPL final with emphatic eight-wicket win

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru blazed past table-toppers Punjab Kings to book their place in the final of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a commanding eight-wicket victory on Thursday.

    After a spirited bowling display spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma — both claiming three-wicket hauls — Bengaluru’s batters followed up with an aggressive chase to seal the win. From the first over, it was one-way traffic, and the batters ensured it stayed that way in the second innings.

    Defending a modest 101-run total, Punjab showed early resistance as Kyle Jamieson, recalling his 2021 WTC final heroics, dismissed Virat Kohli (12) by extracting extra bounce and drawing an edge to Josh Inglis behind the stumps — a maiden-wicket over that marked Kohli’s lowest score in a chase during IPL 2025.

    Impact substitute Mayank Agarwal, partnered by Philip Salt, counterattacked with a 21-run over against Jamieson to close the powerplay.

    PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer introduced Musheer Khan into the attack, and the youngster delivered by trapping Mayank lbw for 19(13). However, Punjab’s hopes faded as Salt continued his onslaught, reaching a half-century in just 23 balls. Skipper Rajat Patidar then finished the job in style with a slog-sweep into the stands, sealing RCB’s spot in the final.

    Earlier, PBKS collapsed to 48/4 inside the powerplay. Marcus Stoinis (26 off 17 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) was the only batter to cross the 20-run mark. Suyash Sharma’s three wickets dismantled the middle order.

    After electing to bowl first, RCB got off to a dream start. The pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Hazlewood dominated the early overs.

    Yash struck first, removing Priyansh Arya for 7 via a sharp catch at cover by Krunal Pandya. PBKS were 9/1 in 1.2 overs.

    Prabhsimran Singh played some attacking shots but edged one to keeper Jitesh Sharma for 18 off 10 balls, giving Bhuvneshwar his first wicket. PBKS were 27/2 in 3 overs.

    Hazlewood, returning from injury, made an immediate impact by removing Shreyas Iyer (2) and fellow Australian Josh Inglis (4), reducing PBKS to 38/4 in 5.1 overs.

    Nehal Wadhera’s resistance didn’t last, as a thick edge off Yash crashed into the stumps. PBKS slumped to 50/5 in 6.3 overs.

    Things worsened in the 8th over when Suyash cleaned up both Shashank Singh (3) and Impact Sub Musheer Khan (0), leaving PBKS reeling at 60/7.

    Stoinis was the only remaining hope, but Suyash bowled him for 26, his third wicket. PBKS were 78/8 in 10.3 overs.

    Romario Shepherd dismissed Harpreet Brar (4), and Hazlewood wrapped up the innings by removing Omarzai, who edged to Jitesh. PBKS were all out for 101 in 14.1 overs.

    Suyash (3/17) and Hazlewood (3/21) were the standout bowlers, with Yash claiming 2/26. Bhuvneshwar and Romario took one wicket each.

  • Sinner crushes Gasquet at Roland Garros to end Frenchman’s career

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    World number one Jannik Sinner sent Frenchman Richard Gasquet into retirement with a 6-3 6-0 6-4 hammering in the battle of generations at the French Open on Thursday to ease into the third round.

    It was the second time in as many years in Paris that the 23-year-old beat local hero Gasquet, who said he would end his career that started over two decades ago and yielded 16 tour-level singles titles after his home Grand Slam.

    With his team watching on in matching white T-shirts that read “Merci Richard” the 38-year-old soaked up his ovation and video messages from peers including Novak Djokovic and the recently retired Rafa Nadal on the big screen.

    “I’d like to thank Jannik for his kindness and the player that he is and I know he’ll have a great career.” Gasquet said.

    “I have great memories with all of you. You all supported me in defeat and victory … I began playing in a club in the south and travelled and played across France. So I remember all the tournaments I played in, not just Roland Garros.

    “We always had a welcome here that was extraordinary. I’d like to thank the federation. Tennis finishes for me today.”

    Gasquet, who made his French Open debut in 2002 when top seed Sinner was still in a crib, drew huge roars from the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd when he unleashed his single-handed backhand on the Italian early in the match.

    Fans were slightly more subdued when Sinner raced ahead 4-1 and won the opening set, before they were almost silenced when he dished out a bagel in the next set to leave Gasquet with a mountain to climb.

    Sinner faced more resistance in the first eight games of the next set as Gasquet mounted an unlikely comeback attempt, but he broke for a 5-4 lead and promptly closed out the match, before paying tribute to his opponent.

    “We have a good relationship off the court. We’re different generations, but it’s your moment,” Sinner said.

    “Congrats to your family, your team. Without great people around each player, it’s impossible to make such an incredible career. You played in such an incredible era of tennis and everyone will recognise you, even after your retirement.”

    Victory ensured U.S. and Australian Open champion Sinner became the first man born in 1990 or later to record 16 straight wins at Grand Slams. He will next play Czech Jiri Lehecka.

    (Reuters)

  • People looking at BJP with immense hope in West Bengal: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the people of West Bengal are now looking towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with “immense hope.” Sharing photographs from his rally in Alipurduar on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said that the massive turnout reflected the “mood” of the people in the state.

    “These pictures from the BJP rally in Alipurduar give a glimpse of the mood in West Bengal. There is so much fatigue when it comes to TMC. People are looking at the BJP with immense hope,” the PM said in a post on X.

    https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1928095805979676976

    During his address, the Prime Minister also stressed that “Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar (There is a clamour in Bengal — people don’t want a ruthless government).” He stressed that public trust in the state government has eroded, with the judiciary increasingly required to step in due to administrative inaction.

    Highlighting the larger national vision, PM Modi underlined that a developed West Bengal is critical to building a developed India. The state, he said, must “reclaim its identity.” The PM flagged what he described as a convergence of crises — from growing violence and social unrest to unemployment, weakening institutions, and a breakdown in governance.

    The Prime Minister also voiced concerns over corruption in the education sector. Referring to the teacher recruitment scam, he warned that the future of thousands of aspirants had been compromised. “The absence of teachers has put the future of lakhs of students at risk,” he remarked.

    The Prime Minister further noted that corruption disproportionately affects the youth and economically weaker sections, asserting that the state’s education infrastructure is in decline.

    PM Modi reiterated his charge that the Trinamool government remains indifferent to the needs of tribals, Dalits, backward communities, and women. “Why is TMC hostile to the poor and marginalised?” he asked, claiming that even central schemes like Ayushman Bharat have not been fully implemented due to state-level obstruction.

    Criticising what he described as the ruling party’s “24×7 politics,” he maintained that while the Centre is pushing for development in Bengal, major infrastructure projects have stalled. “TMC’s absence from the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting shows their priorities. They are not serious about Bengal’s progress,” he noted.

    (ANI)

     

  • India’s ‘new normal’ is leaving most mystified and marvelled

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s new doctrine of disproportionate response under the Narendra Modi Government has a billion admirers. For decades, under the previous governments, dialogue, dossiers, and diplomacy with no end solution were the norm when dealing with Pakistan. In 2025, those norms are now obsolete pages of a history book.

    While ‘Operation Sindoor’ has a billion admirers applauding in support, there are many who have resorted to perpetual perplexity, unable to come to terms with what India has initiated. Perhaps, it can also be interpreted as disappointment of a few who were hoping for India to turn the other cheek before Pakistan, in an abject display of diplomacy. Pahalgam 2025 is not Mumbai 2008.

    The change has been led by the Prime Minister. Even before Operation Sindoor, Modi went for the Indus Water Treaty, a one-sided deal that was signed more than six decades ago. The infrastructural pursuits on the Jhelum and Chenab have been underway since 2014. With multiple run-of-river projects giving India a strong edge when it comes to water control, several other projects are being planned to enhance India’s storage capacity.

    Putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance demonstrates intent. In Pakistan, the waters of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab are critical for agriculture, especially wheat and cotton.

    While the wheat crop ensures Pakistan’s food security, and inflation, to a limited extent, the cotton crop is important for textiles that help Pakistan earn its dollars. Control of the three rivers gives India control of Pakistan’s agricultural fate. Even a 20 per cent damage to Pakistan’s wheat crop could usher in unprecedented food inflation, further intensifying the economic crisis in Pakistan.

    The first phase of Operation Sindoor was about hitting the terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The big leap from 2016 and 2019 was the hit in Bahawalpur, in Pakistan’s Punjab.

    In the larger conversation, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is often referred to as the terror hub, but by hitting the operational headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad in mainland Pakistan, India has irreversibly upped the ante.

    The Prime Minister has himself elaborated on this. The distinction between terrorists and terror groups and their enablers and promoters has been laid to rest. Pakistan, for the longest period of time, enjoyed the benefit of doubt by playing victim of the same terror groups that worked against India. However, the Modi Government is no longer buying that charade.

    From Skardu in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to the cantonment in Karachi, India penetrated critical military infrastructure in Pakistan, rendering all Chinese air defence systems worthless.

    The attack on the Nur Khan base, for instance, merely a few miles away from Pakistan’s nuclear command authority, is a message in itself. While the rumours from Kirana Hills refuse to die down, even after the official word, the larger objective of the military strikes has been achieved- that India can take out Pakistan’s Air Force infrastructure if the nuclear threat prevails. Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail has been called out for good.

    The Indian response has left many confused. The magnitude of the response, both kinetic and non-kinetic, is the ‘new normal’. India is clear, stating that any act of terror will be considered an act of war. Compared to 2016 and 2019, Operation Sindoor is a significant escalation against Pakistan’s terror infrastructure, and there is no going back from it.

    Perhaps, this explains why some are looking for reasons to doubt this defeat of Pakistan. Even though several independent commentators, deploying open-source intelligence, have confirmed the damage to the military infrastructure in Pakistan, the denial amongst the sceptical community is rampant. However, this is not about denying Pakistan’s failure, but India’s success. An assertive India makes many in the traditional yet obsolete ecosystems nervous.

    India’s doctrine of disproportionate response is the new normal, and the world will have to get accustomed to it. Pakistan has enjoyed the patronage of the Americans for far too long, for being a necessary supplement in the wars in Afghanistan (first by the Soviets, then by the US themselves).

    Today, Pakistan is being courted by China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $60 billion undertaking that is falling apart in Balochistan. Interestingly, many of the bases that India hit were critical to the functioning and upkeep of the CPEC.

    Where do we go from here? The ball is in Pakistan’s court. Deterrence will buy them hope for progress and prosperity, even if a far-fetched dream, but any more trysts with terror groups against India, and a disproportionate response will follow. It’s a certainty.

    For more than 75 years, India tried reasoning with Pakistan, across four wars in 1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999, and countless skirmishes in between on the Line of Control.

    The diplomacy on both sides had its moments, but only the Indian side had intent, in hindsight. In 2025, it appears Pakistan has chosen the path of terrorism. India, meanwhile, has opted for an exaggerated version of Newton’s third law. Disproportionate response is the new normal. 

    (Tushar Gupta is a Delhi-based journalist and a political commentator)

     

  • Terror Pakistan spread in present-day Bangladesh, rapes and murders by its army cannot be forgotten: PM Modi in Bengal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday warned that India’s enemies would pay a heavy price for any terrorist attack on the country. Speaking at a rally in Alipurduar, he said Pakistan has resorted to terrorism against India since the 1947 partition and recalled the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army ahead of the creation of Bangladesh, including widespread rapes and murders that remain etched in memory.

    Referring to Operation Sindoor, the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi said precision strikes were carried out on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). “Now that I stand on the sacred land of Sindoor Khela, it is only right to reaffirm our resolve against terrorism — Operation Sindoor,” the PM said. The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, he added, had deeply shaken the nation and provoked widespread anger, particularly in West Bengal.

    “The terrorists dared to wipe off the sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters, but our brave soldiers showed them the power of that sindoor. Pakistan, which nurtures terrorism, has nothing positive to offer the world. Since its inception, it has been a breeding ground of terror and violence. But India has changed — we no longer tolerate such cowardly acts. Operation Sindoor is our firm answer,” he asserted.

    The Prime Minister stressed that Operation Sindoor is ongoing. “We are people who worship Shakti, Mahishasuramardini. From Bengal, this is a declaration by 140 crore Indians that Operation Sindoor is not over yet,” he said. Modi reiterated that India had conducted surgical strikes thrice inside Pakistan.

    “Terror and genocide are the Pakistan Army’s biggest expertise,” PM Modi said. “When faced with a direct battle against India, their defeat is certain, which is why they rely on terrorists. Pakistan started attacking India after partition in 1947. The terror it unleashed in what is now Bangladesh — the rapes and murders by its army — cannot be forgotten.”

    Bangladesh emerged as an independent country in 1971 following its War of Liberation against Pakistan.

    PM Modi described Pakistan as a “country that nurtures terrorism” and said it “has nothing positive to offer.” Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, resulted in the death of over 100 terrorists and saw India repel further Pakistani aggression, including targeting airbases.

    In his speech, the PM strongly criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, calling for freedom from the “politics of violence, appeasement, riots, and corruption,” and urged people to turn to the “BJP’s development model.”

    The Prime Minister said West Bengal is beset by multiple crises simultaneously. “First, the crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in society. Second, the insecurity of our mothers and sisters who face heinous crimes. Third, the despair and rampant unemployment among youth. Fourth, the declining trust in the system. And fifth, the selfish politics of the ruling party that steals the rights of the poor.”

    He said widespread corruption has affected the state, citing the teacher recruitment scam which he said destroyed the futures of thousands of teachers and jeopardised the education of lakhs of students. “The absence of teachers has put the future of lakhs of students at risk. The TMC leaders have committed a huge sin and refuse to admit their mistakes, blaming the courts instead,” the PM said.

    PM Modi also pointed to the government’s handling of violence in Murshidabad and Malda, saying that hooliganism was given a free hand in the name of appeasement. “Imagine when ruling party members identify and burn people’s houses and police act as mere spectators. Is this how a government should function? The people of Bengal no longer trust the TMC,” he said, quoting a popular local slogan: “Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar.”

    The Prime Minister further highlighted what he called hostility from the TMC government towards tribals, Dalits, backward classes, women, and the poor, saying the government had stalled tribal development and blocked access to schemes like Ayushman Bharat. “Many poor people cannot get permanent housing because TMC leaders demand cuts and commissions,” PM Modi said.

    The Prime Minister added that the TMC’s focus remains on politics rather than governance, pointing out its absence from the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting and the stalling of 16 major infrastructure projects in West Bengal.

    Earlier in the day, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.

    (ANI)