Tag: India

Farooq Abdullah

How Is Security Alright For Parliamentary Polls And Not For State Elections?: Farooq Abdullah

By LokMarg

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that it is disheartening to see that the Election Commission of India has decided not to conduct Parliamentary and Assembly polls simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that on one hand, the poll body has also decided to conduct Assembly elections in four states which will be coinciding with the Lok Sabha polls but Jammu and Kashmir has been denied this opportunity.

Speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, “On one side the Govt of India wanted One Nation, One Election and on the other side, they are holding State elections and parliamentary elections in four states, why is this (J-K) being denied? When every party wanted elections (in J-K) then what is the reason it is not being done?”

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar informed that polls in the Union Territory could not be held after taking inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir administration. He also said that additional forces are required to conduct simultaneous polls in J-K.

“During our recent visit to Srinagar and Jammu, the J&K Administration told us that two elections can’t be held at the same time due to more security requirements. Administration told us that there will be roughly 10 to 12 candidates for each assembly segment which means approximately, there will be 1,000 candidates in fray,” CEC Kumar said.

“This means each candidate needs to be given proper security cover and for that, there was more requirement of additional forces. The Commission is committed to holding Assembly polls in J-K soon after Lok Sabha polls when security forces will be available,” he added.

Questioning the observations made by CEC Kumar, Farooq Abdullah said, “If they say security is the reason, I do not think so. How is that security is alright for the parliamentary elections and not for the state elections?”

Earlier, the National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in December last year had questioned the delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding Assembly elections there, saying that people in the Union Territory want an elected government at the earliest.

“I hope that the government will understand the expectations and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hold the elections as soon as possible. The last elections were held way back in 2014 and people have been keenly awaiting another opportunity to get their fingers inked. The Elections Commission, itself, directed the central government to hold the elections by September next year,” Abdullah said.

Earlier, on December 11, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to take necessary steps for holding elections to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, next year.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two UTs. (ANI)

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Bangladesh MEA

We Have Asked All Indians To Evacuate Myanmar: MEA

By LokMarg

Amid the deteriorating security situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it has told all the Indians to evacuate and move away from there.

“We had issued an advisory for the Rakhine State, where the situation there is very delicate, the security situation has deteriorated. We told all Indian nationals to evacuate themselves and move away from there and we also told our nationals who are there or otherwise from anywhere else not to travel to that part,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a media briefing on Friday.

“The situation in Myanmar remains a cause of concern because of the deterioration in the security situation,” he said.

The MEA spokesperson said that there is a lot of fighting happening there, underscoring that the security situation is not conducive at all in Rakhine State.

Asserting that India wants peace and stability in Myanmar, Jaiswal asserted by saying, “There is a lot of fighting happening there, and the security situation is not conducive, but we call upon all sides.”

“We want peace and stability in the country, we want constructive dialogue in the country, and we want inclusive federal democracy to be established through dialogue and through constructive engagement…” he went on to say.

In February, India issued an advisory for Indian citizens, advising them not to travel to the Rakhine state of Myanmar amid a deteriorating security situation.

The Ministry of External Affairs cited the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities in Rakhine State.

“In view of the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Indian citizens are advised not to travel to the Rakhine State of Myanmar,” the MEA advisory had stated.

It also advised the Indian citizens who are in Rakhine State to leave the state immediately.

Notably, a fresh uptick was noticed in incidents of violence in Myanmar recently. This came after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive last October, capturing some towns and military posts. The experts called it the ‘biggest test’ for junta since taking power in 2021.

This also led to a huge influx of people from Myanmar into the state of Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border after the Myanmar army launched airstrikes in the bordering areas.

Myanmar marked the third anniversary of the military coup on February 1, where the military seized power in a coup three years ago. (ANI)

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MP Shashi Tharoor CAA

CAA Will Be Repealed If INDIA Alliance Assumes Power: Tharoor

By LokMarg

Backing the opposition’s move to approach the Supreme Court over the enforcement of the CAA and denouncing the act as ‘unconstitutional,’ Congress MP Shashi Tharoor affirmed that it would be repealed if the INDIA alliance assumes power.

Presenting historical evidence to highlight the flaws in the legislation, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that the CAA is both morally and constitutionally incorrect. He pointed out that “The basis on which partition occurred, was one country saying that religion was the basis of their country, and they went on and created Pakistan and Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Dr Ambedkar, had said that religion won’t be the basis of our nationhood. Our struggle for freedom is for everyone, and the constitution and nation we create will be for everyone.”

“It is clearly timed, four years after the passage of the bill, for their benefit in these elections. I’m fully in support of the decision of the Indian Union Muslim League to go to the Supreme Court against this,” he said.

Tharoor declared that if the INDIA alliance and the Congress party assume power, they will unequivocally revoke this provision of the law, and will be a part of their manifesto.

“And I must say, if the INDIA alliance and the Congress party come to power, we will withdraw this provision of the law beyond any shadow of a doubt. It’s going to be in our manifesto. We will not support introducing religion into our citizenship and into our nation’s life,” Tharoor said.

However, Delhi Haj Committee Chairman Kausar Jahan welcomed the move and said that the act is meant to give citizenship and not take it away.

“I welcome this. This is an act to give citizenship and not take it away. The condition of Non-Muslims in our neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh is not good. If the govt wants to give them a respectful life, what is the problem with it? The Muslim community will not have any problem with this, there is no need to panic,” she said.

Meanwhile, UDF Chairman and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said that widespread agitation programs against the implementation of CAA will be conducted nationwide.

“The Congress and the UDF will resist the efforts of the Sangh Parivar forces to reap political gains by creating division and fear among the people. The law will not be allowed to be enforced under any circumstances”, he added.

Union Home Ministry announced the notification of rules for implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday, days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants–including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians–who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

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Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh

India Rejects Comments By China On Modi’s Arunachal Visit

By LokMarg

India on Monday sent out a strong rebuttal to China for the latter’s comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh stating that the northeastern State will always be “an integral and inalienable part of India”.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today asserted that China’s objection to visits by Indian leaders or India’s developmental projects “does not stand to reason”.

“We reject the comments made by the Chinese side regarding the visit of the Prime Minister to Arunachal Pradesh. Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other States of India. Objecting to such visits or India’s developmental projects does not stand to reason,” MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“Further, it will not change the reality that the State of Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Chinese side has been made aware of this consistent position on several occasions,” the spokesperson said.

Duringe Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on March 11, he said that China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes” Prime Minister Modi’s visit to “East Section of the China-India boundary” and has raised concerns with India.

PM Modi on March 9 had virtually inaugurated the strategic Sela Tunnel during an event held in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The tunnel has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam to Tawang in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders’ visits to the state to highlight its claims. Beijing has also named the area as Zangnan. (ANI)

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European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

India Signs Free Trade Agreement With EFTA

By LokMarg

India signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc, on Sunday.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the meeting on the India-EFTA trade agreement in the national capital on Sunday.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organisation of four countries–Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland–that aims to promote free trade and economic integration.

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson, and Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, arrived in the national capital for the signing of Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA).

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal posted about her arrival sayng that the visit by the Liechtenstein minister will boost economic and commercial partnership between the two countries.

He added that Benediktsson’s visit would further strengthen India-Iceland ties, including in spheres of trade and investment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the negotiators and signatories involved in the signing of the Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA).

“May this agreement mark the beginning of a new chapter in the journey of our nations toward a more prosperous future for us all,” PM Modi said in a letter.

EFTA and India began negotiating a free trade agreement 15 years ago and the deal was eventually closed after 20 rounds of negotiations.

Over the past few months, India and EFTA have significantly intensified their engagement, highlighting the commitment of both parties to achieving an early conclusion to the TEPA negotiations. (ANI)

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India-Pakistan relations

Important That Japan Today Appreciates Pace Of Change In India: Jaishankar

By LokMarg

Hailing India’s growth story, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that it is important that Japan today appreciate the pace of change in India.

Jaishankar, who is in Japan on a three-day visit from March 6-8, participated in the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo today.

Addressing the event there, the EAM said, “I think it is important that Japan today appreciates the pace of change in India. This is a country today which is building 28 kms of highway everyday, which is creating 8 new airports every year, which is establishing one and half- to two metros every year, which has for the last 10 years built two new colleges everyday…”

Emphasising India’s flourishing growth, Jaishankar said that “This transformation of India makes us a more effective and credible partner, whether it is ease of doing business, ease of living, digital delivery, startup and innovation culture or shaping the international agenda, India is clearly a very different country today.”

He said India is working on major corridors today, both to its east and west.

“They include the IMAC (India Middle East-Europe Corridor) initiative through the Arabian peninsula and the international north-south transport corridor and towards east the trilateral highway…these corridors when completed will connect the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia. Two nations (India and Japan) have converging views about the need for transparent and collaborative connectivity,” Jaishankar said at the Raisina Roundtable organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Tokyo.

The External Affairs Minister also spoke at length on Global South and underlined that India is conscious of the responsibility.

“As the voice of the global south, India is conscious of the responsibility, our development efforts today spans 78 nations across different continents, can India and Japan coordinate in regards to their developmental systems?…maritime safety and security have become particularly pressing concerns.”

“We can see that at the Red Sea, we had first casualties…it is also necessary to strengthen our defence capabilities for the benefit of the larger region…” Jaishankar asserted.

The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military shipping in Red Sea since November, halting global trade route. The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US.

Jaishankar is notably on a visit to Japan from March 6-8. Before this, he visited South Korea, where he met the top leaders during his stay.

He is in Japan for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa.

The two ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to MEA. (ANI)

Earlier today, Jaishankar said the overall balance should remain in favour of freedom, openness, and rules-based order.

“As to powers that are so central to multipolarity in Asia, it is also in our common interest that the overall balance remains in favour of the freedom, openness, transparency, and rules-based order,” he said.

“The world will watch how we will support each other in the shared goal through various relationships and initiatives…” the EAM noted.

He also asserted how “new balances are being sorted and occasionally achieved.”

“This session is about how India and Japan, who enjoy special a special strategic and global partnership, intent to meet the challenges facing the global order. There are many aspects to this subject…,” Jaishankar said. (ANI)

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Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks

India, US Call For Perpetrators Of 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot Terrorist Attacks To Be Brought To Justice

By LokMarg

In a statement after the Counterterrorism Joint Working Group (CTJWG) and 6th Designations Dialogue, India and the United States have strongly called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice.

The two countries, as they held the dialogue, also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee– al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.

Notably, the 20th meeting of the US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and 6th Designations Dialogue took place on March 5 in Washington D.C.

Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State, and Ambassador K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs, led their respective inter-agency delegations.

“The United States and India emphasized the extraordinary value and durability of the US-India comprehensive global and strategic partnership and renewed their commitments to countering terrorism and promoting regional security as an integral part of their broader bilateral cooperation,” the release said.

Both sides reiterated that terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and security.

“The participation of delegates from a wide array of departments and agencies from both countries illustrated that the United States and India recognize that countering terrorism requires an inclusive and holistic approach. This approach depends on bilateral coordination between our agencies to ensure productive information sharing and facilitate security, stability, and growth in both countries and throughout the region,” the release read.

Both sides “reviewed emerging threats and tactics in terrorism, including the use of the internet and new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, international movement of terrorists, terrorist recruitment, the financing of terrorist activities, and radicalization to violence and violent extremism,” it said.

The two sides committed to information sharing, capacity building and continued bilateral and multilateral efforts to address these threats, according to MEA.

“The two sides committed to strengthening law enforcement and judicial partnerships in support of the rule of law, including through information sharing and enhanced cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests, and also exchanged information regarding priorities and procedures for designating various terrorist entities/ groups and individuals,” the MEA added.

US, and India reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group and other multilateral fora and processes such as the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for advancing shared security interests within the region while supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. (ANI)

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Karisma Kapoor

Karisma Turns Speaker At Harvard Business School

By LokMarg

Actor Karisma Kapoor was one of the speakers at the India Conference at Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts.

On Monday, Karisma took to Instagram and expressed her happiness on receiving an opportunity to share her views at a session titled ‘Soft Power of Bollywood’ at the renowned institute. Interestingly, Karisma’s sister and actor Kareena Kapoor marked a special “virtual” appearance at Karisma’s session.

“It was an absolute pleasure and honour to be a speaker at the India Conference at Harvard

Shout out to @kareenakapoorkhan for joining us for an impromptu but insightful chat.

Thank you to @sunnysandhu24 and team #HarvardIndiaConference for being so wonderful.

This was truly special,” she wrote.

Karisma also shared a string of images from her session at Harvard.

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Karisma will be seen in an upcoming series ‘Brown’.

Helmed by Abhinay Deo of ‘Delhi Belly’ fame, ‘Brown’ is based on Rita Brown, a suicidal alcoholic, and Arjun Sinha, a widower with survivor’s guilt. The protagonists need to deal with an unstoppable serial killer on the loose.

Karisma also has director Homi Adajania’s next ‘Murder Mubarak’ alongside Sara Ali Khan.

Sharing more details about ‘Murder Mubarak’, Homi Adajania in a statement said,”Murder Mubarak is a cinematic concoction of actors that are loved across genres and generations and believe me each one of them has done such a fab job in bringing these eccentric characters to life. This film has that binge-worthy magic that lends itself to a compulsive watch. It’s a colorful murder mystery that will make you want to rewind and watch it over again when you wonder how you missed all the clues in this breadcrumb-laden whodunnit. And thanks to our collab with Netflix, with its international reach, it’s like throwing the coolest, wackiest party and the whole world is invited.”

Dinesh Vijan, Producer, Maddock Films, has also shared his views.”This is the sixth project that Homi and I are diving into and I wanted to up the ante by finding a uniquely entertaining narrative and then this happened! Also to have such an eclectic ensemble bring to life a script that is one of the quirkier and more entertaining murder mysteries that I’ve read was very exciting for me,” he shared.

The film was mainly shot in Delhi. (ANI)

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French Senate

French Senate Chairman Visits India To Boost Bilateral Relations

By LokMarg

Gerard Larcher, Chairman of the French Senate, is on an official visit to India on February 19 and 20, 2024, accompanied by a delegation of five senators, the French Embassy in India said.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation between France and India.

“Larcher is accompanied by a delegation of five other senators who are members of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee or the France-India Friendship Group. This will mark the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France’s Parliament,” according to the official press release.

‘Larcher and his delegation will meet with Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha,’ the release added.

According to the official release, ‘the French Senate chairman and his senators will discuss ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India’s Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement. Larcher will also be given a guided tour of the new Parliament building.’

The Chairman of the French Senate will call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter’s visit to Paris on July 14, 2023, when the Prime Minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups.

The chairman of the French Senate will also meet the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India’s growing geopolitical role.

During his visit, Larcher will meet with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French companies making key contributions to “Make in India” and “Skill India.”

The Senate is the Upper House of the Parliament of the French Republic. Its 358 members – or Senators – are elected through indirect universal suffrage for a term of six years. As a legislative assembly, the Senate votes the laws stemming from government or parliamentary initiative.

The Chairman of the Senate ensures the stability of France’s institutions as he is called upon to replace the President of the Republic in the event of death or resignation. The Chairman is elected for a three-year term after each renewal of the Senate membership. Gerard Larcher has been the Chairman of the Senate since October 2014, a post he also earlier held from 2008 to 2011. (ANI)

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new spy planes

India To Get 3 New Spy Planes

By LokMarg

In what would be a significant capability boost for defence forces, India is planning to develop three new spy planes that would be capable of keeping a close watch on enemy communications and carry out long-range surveillance missions.

The project would be carried out over indigenously and the majority of the technology and equipment to be used would be made in India.

The proposal for getting three new spy planes also known as signal intelligence and communication jamming system aircraft is at an advanced stage and is expected to get clearance in next week, defence officials told ANI.

The project is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and the Indian Air Force where they would be using an Airbus-319 class aircraft, they said.

The agencies concerned would be issuing a tender to the aircraft manufacturers to buy the platform for the aircraft, the officials said.

The aircraft requirement has been there for a long time and the specifications have now been finalised for the project, they said.

The project is being carried out by the Centre for Airborne Studies which is working on multiple development projects including the Airborne Early Warning and Control systems which is the next generation of the existing Netra aircraft which would be the AEW&C Netra Mark1A.

ANI had written about the Indian Air Force’s plans to bring the proposal for buying six more AEW&C aircraft based on the Embraer aircraft to the Defence Acquisition Council in September and November last year.

The Indian Air Force also has plans to develop an indigenous Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (I-STAR) aircraft, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mark 1A aircraft on Embraer legacy jet plane platform, AEWC Mark 2 on Airbus 321 jets for the Indian Air Force. CABS is also developing the Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance project of the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.

Indian Coast Guard chief Director General Rakesh Pal had recently stated that the C-295-based maritime surveillance aircraft would give the force a strong indigenous capability to keep an eye on the Indian territory. (ANI)

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