Author: LokMarg

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday welcomed his Singapore counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan, ahead of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishnakar said that India and Singapore will co-chair the ASEAN-India meeting and take forward the bilateral agenda of the two countries.
“Warm welcome to my friend FM @VivianBala of Singapore. Will have the ASEAN-India co-chair meeting and take forward our bilateral agenda,” Jaishankar tweeted.

India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) on 16-17 June 2022 to mark the 30th anniversary of our dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

Jaishankar and Vivian Balakrishnan, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Singapore, India’s Country Coordinator, will co-chair the meeting.

Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN Member State and ASEAN Secretary-General will participate in the SAIFMM. The year 2022 has been designated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year.

ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of sectoral partnership in 1992 which graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995, Summit level Partnership in 2002, and Strategic partnership in 2012.

“Today, ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation. ASEAN is central to India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. This multi-faceted partnership encompasses many sectoral dialogue mechanisms and working groups that meet regularly at various levels and include annual Summit, Ministerial and Senior Officials’ meetings. The ongoing India-ASEAN collaboration is guided by the Plan of Action 2021-2025 which was adopted in 2020,” the MEA said in an earlier statement.

While ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM), hosted by ASEAN Chair, is an annual event, the SAIFMM would be the first ASEAN-India FMM to be hosted by India in New Delhi. The SAIFMM will be preceded by 24th ASEAN-India Senior Officials Meeting on 15 June 2022.

The SAIFMM will be accompanied by the 12th edition of Delhi Dialogue, a premier Track 1.5 Dialogue in ASEAN-India calendar, which will be hosted by India on June 16-17.

The theme of DD-XII is Building Bridges in the Indo-Pacific. The Ministerial Session of DD-XII will be attended by EAM and the ASEAN Ministers. (ANI)

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday reviewed the security situation in the Kashmir valley.

He arrived in Srinagar for a three-day visit from June 15 to June 17, during which he is scheduled to visit forward posts on the Line of Control (LOC) and the hinterland.

The Army Commander, accompanied by Lt Gen ADS Aujla, Chinar Corps Commander, visited various locations and formations in the hinterland today.

According to an official statement by the Defence PRO, Dwivedi was briefed on the counter-terrorism grid, development works and the current security situation in the Union Territory and also reviewed security and operational preparedness for Amarnath Yatra.

Prior to him, Director General of police of the Union Territory Dilbag Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had also reviewed the pilgrimage slated to begin on June 30. The Yatra will culminate on August 11.

Later, Dwivedi held a detailed briefing with all the stakeholders and appreciated the efforts being undertaken for a peaceful and incident-free Yatra.

Earlier in the day, he also addressed the media on the contours of the ‘Agniveer’ initiative of the Armed Forces.

‘Agnipath’ is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces. All those recruited under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be called ‘Agniveers’.

During his interaction with the troops over tea, he complimented the soldiers for the conduct of just-held operations with precision and ensuring zero collateral damage. He was also appreciative of the excellent Soldier-Citizen connect activities, which resulted in the overall reduction of the terrorist recruitments in the valley.

He was later briefed by Lt Gen ADS Aujla, GOC Chinar Corps on the overall security situation and measures instituted to counter adversaries’ design at the Chinar Corps Headquarters later in the day. (ANI)

As part of the BJP’s reach out to various parties in the NDA as also in opposition for the presidential poll, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday spoke to Janta Dal-United leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
As per the sources, the Defence Minister who is also the Deputy Leader of BJP in Lok Sabha, spoke to Nitish Kumar this morning for building a consensus on the candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

Sources said it was conveyed to Nitish Kumar that an attempt is being made to put up a consensus candidate. It is also being reported that Kumar has assured that his party will be supporting the candidature as proposed by the BJP-led NDA.

The discussion over the presidential election was initiated last month when Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had visited Bihar and met Kumar.

The Bihar Chief Minister had earlier scotched speculation about the possibility of his being a candidate and had said that he was not in the presidential race. BJP and JD-U had together won the last assembly polls in Bihar.

Apart from Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Rajnath Singh has already spoken to Naveen Patnaik of Biju Janta Dal and also to the YSRC leadership.

Singh has also spoken to Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee as well as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Sources said that this is the initial round of discussion. BJP had announced on Sunday that Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda would coordinate with political parties for presidential polls.

Leaders of several opposition parties met here on Wednesday to discuss forthcoming presidential elections and urged Sharad Pawar to be the joint candidate but the senior NCP leader declined the offer.

The meeting adopted a resolution to field a common candidate in the election slated for July 18.

The meeting was called by Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The presidential poll will be held next month. (ANI)

Delhi Police on Wednesday said that around 800 people have been detained since Monday for violating prohibitory orders as they protested in the national capital against the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the National Herald case.

Congress workers and some leaders were detained today and were seen being taken away in police vans as they staged protests outside the Congress headquarters and the ED office here.
Stormy scenes were witnessed outside the Congress headquarters and the ED office with Congress workers shouting slogans in support of Rahul Gandhi. Among those detained included senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot.

Wednesday was the third consecutive day that Rahul Gandhi appeared before the ED in connection with the National Herald money laundering case.

Delhi Police special CP (Law and Order) Sagar Hooda said that the Congress did not take any permission for the gathering today.

“Today is the third day of the demonstration, police made proper arrangements. We have detained around 150 people. Congress had not taken any permission for gathering today; their office bearers know about the area in which Section 144 is imposed,” he said.

Hooda also said police had told the Congress on Tuesday night that no gathering would be allowed near the ED office or the Congress party headquarters on Akbar Road as Section 144, had been imposed.

“We had communicated to Congress in writing last night that no gathering should be conducted around ED office and on Akbar Road with Section 144 imposed. When some workers didn’t agree to our appeal today also, we detained them. In two and a half days, around 800 people were detained,” he said.

“Congress’s senior functionaries, CMs, former CMs, former cabinet ministers & MPs are always facilitated, as per the list they provided. Even when they didn’t properly coordinate today, we facilitated their senior functionaries,” Hooda said.

Earlier today, slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the ED probe against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the Centre will have to pay a “hefty price” for attempting to suppress the voice of the Wayanad MP.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Minister Baghel said, “We cannot bring our own staff to the AICC office now. Office bearers cannot come to office. We were told that only two CMs can come here and no one else has permission. This kind of situation never rose where members of political parties cannot enter the office. Why is this happening?”

Rahul Gandhi has been questioned for over 20 hours since Monday when he was deposed before the ED investigators in the case for the first time. (ANI)

Former actor Saira Banu broke into tears after accepting the honourable Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award for her late husband and veteran actor Dilip Kumar, on Tuesday, saying that Dilip is ‘always with her’.

Upon accepting the award on behalf of her late husband, Saira Banu expressed her gratitude saying, “I feel extremely happy. Such a prestigious award for such a legendary person. I think that Dilip Sahab is here today with us and is witnessing this event. I would have been really happy if he was with us here today.”

Calling Dilip Kumar the ‘Kohinoor’ of India, Saiba Banu said that, he should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna award.

“I wish this happens. Dilip Sahab has been the ‘Kohinoor’ of India. So why shouldn’t a ‘Kohinoor’ receive the Bharat Ratna? I strongly believe that he should definitely receive the award.” said the ‘Padosan’ actor.

Speaking on how Saira Banu keeps the memory of Dilip Kumar in her alive, she said, “I believe in the reality that he is here with me at every step. I will never think that he is not here. It will be easy for me to accept that he is with me and will forever remain by my side, being my pillar of support- my Kohinoor.”

Saira Banu’s undying love for Dilip Kumar was evident as ever since the actor breathed his last in the past year, Saira has kept a low profile. She revealed to a media outlet that she was unable to cope with the loss of her beloved husband. Calling Dilip Kumar an ‘extraordinary’ man, Saira confessed that she was strongly attached to her husband and ‘desperately’ needed him in her life.

Saira and Dilip had been married for 55 years before the latter passed away on July 7, the previous year owing to a prolonged illness, ending an era in Bollywood. After his death, Saira was also hospitalised due to issues with her blood pressure levels in the same hospital where Dilip had been earlier.

In a career spanning nearly six decades, the star had delivered several unforgettable movies and moments that touched the hearts of many.

He had worked in three films that were helmed by Ghai. Dilip and Saira’s first movie together was ‘Vidhata’ in 1982 followed by ‘Karma’ in 1986 and ‘Saudagar’ 1991.

Meanwhile, the 77-year-old Saira stepped into Bollywood with the 1961 film ‘Junglee’ opposite late actor Shammi Kapoor. She is celebrated for films like ‘Padosan’ (1968), ‘Hera Pheri’ (1976), ‘Diwana’ (1967) and ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ (1970). (ANI)

With the Opposition criticising the AAP-led Punjab government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state following singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the state has now got an honest government and that gangsters were born in the state under previous governments.

“I ask the Opposition, has Mann Sahib brought gangsters with him? These gangsters were born under previous governments. No one can protect gangsters and anti-national elements,” said Arvind Kejriwal backing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Kejriwal was in Jalandhar to launch the luxury bus service from Jalandhar to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi.

“Patiala clashes accused were caught within 24 hours. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi arrested by Punjab Police,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.

According to him, the AAP-led Punjab government in the last three months has achieved tasks that previous governments could not achieve despite years of being in power.

“There is an honest government in Punjab now. In the last three months, this Punjab government has achieved tasks that previous governments could not achieve over years of being in power,” said Kejriwal in Jalandhar.

The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab has been under severe criticism from the Opposition parties over the rising crime graph in the state right from violent clashes in Patiala to an attack at its intelligence headquarters in Mohali and the recent broad daylight killing of Punjabi singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala.

Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jawaharke village of Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29. The incident took place a day after his security was withdrawn by the Punjab police among 424 others. (ANI)

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on Wednesday decided to provide insurance of one lakh rupees to the devotees in case of any kind of accident that happens with them on the temple premises of Chardham located in Uttarakhand.

As many as 91 pilgrims have already lost their lives during the course of the Char Dam Yatra since it began on May 3, the officials of the Yatra informed on May 27.
Uttarakhand Director-General (DG) of Health, Shailja Bhatt, had cited ‘heart attack’ as the primary reason behind the reported deaths.

The officials had also informed about the additional deployment of 169 doctors on the Chardham Yatra route.

Meawhile, twenty-six people, were killed and four others injured after the bus carrying pilgrims from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh fell into a deep gorge en route to the Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on June 5, according to officials. Besides the driver and the helper, there were 28 passengers on board.

On May 30, a helicopter belonging to a private aviation company had an uncontrolled hard landing while landing at the Kedarnath helipad.

As per the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee on Sunday (June 12), over 19 lakhs devotees undertook the Char Dham Yatra, of which a total of 19,04,253 (nineteen lakh four thousand two hundred fifty-three) pilgrims had reached the Uttarakhand Chardham.

From May 8 to June 11 evening, 6,57,547 pilgrims had reached Badrinath Dham while 6,33,548 pilgrims had arrived at the Kedarnath Dham from May 6 to the evening of June 11.

The Uttarakhand government, on May 11, had announced its decision to increase the number of pilgrims by 1,000 each to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. As many as 16,000 devotees can now visit Badrinath and 13,000 can have ‘darshan’ of the deity at Kedarnath Dham in a day whereas 8,000 and 5,000 pilgrims can visit Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham respectively in a day.

The doors of the Gangotri-Yamunotri Dham were opened on May 3 and the portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath were opened on May 6 and May 8 respectively.

This year, the registrations for Yatra have also observed a new record as more than 10 lakh pilgrims have registered. (ANI)

Congress on Wednesday alleged Delhi Police entered party office and beat up workers protesting Enforcement Directorate (ED) move on party Gandhi Rahul and claimed that the “act of absolute goondaism” was perpetrated at the behest of BJP-led government.

Addressing a press conference, party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said action of Delhi Police was “criminal trespass” which will not be tolerated and will be accounted for.
He demanded that FIR should be lodged and action taken against those involved.

“In an act of absolute goondaism by Delhi police at the stance of government, they entered Congress office and beat up workers. This is criminal trespass. Their goondaism has reached its zenith. This won’t be tolerated and will be accounted for,” Surjewala said.

“We demand an FIR be lodged, they be suspended and disciplinary inquiry be initiated. Today all Congress leaders will hold press conferences. Tomorrow Congress will gherao all Raj Bhavans across India. Protests will also be held at all District levels day after tomorrow,” he added.

The Congress workers staged protests across the country for the third successive day over the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald case. The questioning continued on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference earlier in the day, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the BJP-led government was trying to suppress the voice of the Wayanad MP and will have to pay a “hefty price”.

“We cannot bring our own staff to the AICC office now. Office-bearers cannot come to office. We were told that only two chief ministers can come here and no one else has permission. This kind of situation never rose where members of political parties cannot enter the office. Why is this happening?”

“It is because one person is raising his voice against the wrongdoings of the Centre for the last 8 years. The person is Rahul Gandhi. Be it GST, demonetization, COVID, mismanagement, lockdown, unemployment, inflation or the security of borders, Rahul Gandhi has been raising his voice against every important issue,” said the Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi has been questioned for over 20 hours since Monday when he deposed before the ED investigators. (ANI)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that it is in his personal interest and commitment to build the economic zone in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sharif made this statement during his visit to Rashakai Special Economic Zone, a flagship project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. This 1,000 acres Special Economic Zone is developed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in a joint venture with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), Geo News reported.

Referring to Chinese investors, Sharif said that Pakistan can send their delegates from Rashakai to China and can have road shows there to attract them to these places.

“We would like to engage Chinese companies to provide expertise and experience to manage other new economic zones in Pakistan,” he said.

Earlier, the PM said both countries were moving toward the second phase of CPEC, which comprised regional cooperation and industrialisation through establishing industrial zones, reported Geo News.

In an interview with Chinese media, Pakistan’s PM claimed that their country’s skilled and semi-skilled labour was comparatively cheaper. And the joint venture of Chinese technology and their country’s labour and investment would help both the countries to make production at competitive rates and export their products to other countries.

Sharif said that the first phase of CPEC featured road and energy projects to meet Pakistan’s power needs which transformed friendly relations into unique ones where people-to-people contacts had seen a new phase.

During the interview, Pakistan PM further said that he and China had enjoyed a time-tested friendship which had attained more heights under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He said in form of CPEC, Pakistan had been the first beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Geo News.

Responding to a question over problems in CPEC projects, Sharif said that they had faced some hiccups during the last three to four years, however, the incumbent government was resolved to take it to “Pakistan Speed” to fill the gap. (ANI)

Opposition leaders, who met in the national capital on Wednesday announced that they have decided to field one consensus candidate for the Presidential poll scheduled to be held on July 18.

“Several parties were here today. We’ve decided we will choose only one consensus candidate. Everybody will give this candidate our support. We will consult with others. This is a good beginning. We sat together after several months, and we will do it again,” TMC leader Mamata Banerjee said after the meeting.

“Opposition leaders adopted a resolution to field a common candidate in the forthcoming Presidential poll. A candidate who can truly serve as custodian of the Constitution and stop Modi govt from doing further damage to Indian democracy and India’s social fabric,” Sudheendra Kulkarni. Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party also did not participate in the meeting.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam who participated in the meeting said that Mamta Banarjee had proposed NCP’s Sharad Pawar’s name as the Presidential candidate of the Opposition. Pawar did not accept that proposal.

Leaders of 17 political parties joined a crucial meeting of opposition parties convened by Mamata Banerjee to build consensus on fielding a joint candidate against the NDA in the presidential election here.

TMC, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, RSP, Shiv Sena, NCP, RJD, SP, National Conference, PDP, JD(S), DMK, RLD, IUML and JMM – participated in the meeting held at the Constitution Club of India here.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) led by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao did not send a representative to the meeting convened by Mamata Banerjee and aimed at forging a consensus for an opposition-backed candidate.

The presidential election is slated to be held on July 18 and votes will be counted on July 21. (ANI)