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‘I Am A Fan…,” Musk After Meeting Modi

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk on Tuesday (local time) met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day State visit to the US and said that he is a fan of him and was honoured to meet him.

Speaking on PM Modi’s leadership role in making technology inclusive so that digital infrastructure can be created, he said, “I can say he really wants to do the right thing for India. He wants to be open, he wants to be supportive of new companies, obviously, but at the same time, make sure it accrues to India’s advantage, which is obviously that’s the job I’m saying. I am a fan of Modi,” to ANI.
In response to PM Modi’s tweet regarding his meeting with business leaders in the US, Musk tweeted, “It was an honor to meet again.”

“In the USA, I will also get the opportunity to meet business leaders, interact with the Indian community and meet thought leaders from different walks of life. We seek to deepen India-USA ties in key sectors like trade, commerce, innovation, technology and other such areas,” tweeted PM Modi.

He also divulged plans to visit India anytime soon. On being questioned over did PM Modi extended an invitation to him, he said, “He did. And yes, I’m tentatively planning to visit India again next year. I’m looking forward.”

Notably, this is the first meeting between PM Modi and Musk after he became the owner of Twitter. PM Modi earlier met Musk in 2015 during a visit to Tesla Motors factory in California.

“Well, I’m actually incredibly excited about the future of India. I think India has more promise than any large country in the world,” told Musk to ANI.

Speaking about the takeaways from the meeting, Musk said that PM Modi really cares about India because he is pushing them to make significant investments in India, which is something that they intend to do and are just trying to figure out the right timing.

Earlier, during an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Musk was asked if the automaker was interested in the Indian market. “Absolutely,” he replied.

He added that Tesla will likely finalise a location to set up its India factory by the end of this year.

“It was a fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister and I like him quite a lot. He visited our Tesla Fremont Factory several years ago, and so we’ve now known each other for a while, said Musk after meeting PM Modi today.

Speaking about future plans and investment in India, he said, “Yeah, well, I think there’s a tremendous amount of potential for all three pillars of the sustainable energy future. The three pillars are sustainable energy generation through solar and wind, primarily. And obviously, India is great for solar. And the amount of land area you actually need to generate enough electricity to power India is very small. I believe it’d be probably one or 2 per cent of the land area of India. So it’s very doable. And then you need to pair that with stationary battery packs because the sun doesn’t shine at night. And then you need electric vehicles, and then you have a sustainable energy future. And I think the interesting thing people will find is that this is a lower cost way to go as well.”

Musk also said that he is looking forward to bringing Starlink to India as well.

“The Starlink Internet, which I think can be incredibly helpful for sort of remote or rural villages where they perhaps either may have no access to the Internet or the Internet is very expensive and slow,” he said.

Notably, his meeting comes days after former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey alleged that the BJP-led central government threatened to shut down Twitter in India and have its employees raided at the height of the farmers’ protest in 2020.

PM Modi will be meeting over two dozen thought leaders from various fields after he lands in New York today.

These leaders comprise Nobel laureates, economists, artists, scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, academics and experts from the health sector. (ANI)

India’s Position On Russia Well Understood By World: Modi

By LokMarg 20th June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India stands on the side of peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

In an interview with WSJ ahead of his departure for a historic State visit to the US, PM Modi said that when it comes to the Ukraine conflict, “Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.”
Asked about cricitism in the US of his government for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, PM Modi told the publication, “I don’t think this type of perception is widespread in the US.”

“I think India’s position is well known and well understood in the entire world. The world has full confidence that India’s topmost priority is peace,” he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview that was conducted at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister said all countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries, disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war.

India has abstained from UN votes condemning the invasion.

The PM during his interview with WSJ said he has spoken several times to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said he most recently spoke to Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan in May.

“India will do whatever it can” and supports “all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ensure enduring peace and stability,” PM Modi said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, India’s relationship with the US has strengthened in recent years in part because of economic ties. Trade between the two countries reached a record USD 191 billion in 2022, making the US India’s largest trading partner. The US is India’s third-biggest source of foreign direct investment and one of the top five destinations for investment from India.

India has at the same time, maintained close ties with Russia, which still provides about 50 per cent of the country’s military supplies, including arms, ammunition, tanks, jet fighters and S-400 air defence systems, according to WSJ.

PM Modi during the interview also said that “there is an unprecedented trust” between the leaders of the US and India. He hailed growing defence cooperation between the two countries as “an important pillar of our partnership,” which he said extends to trade, technology and energy.

In the US, PM Modi will address the joint session of the US Congress, meet with business leaders and Indian expats, and join President Joe Biden for a state dinner at the White House. (ANI)

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Modi Praises Artificial Intelligence G20

World Should Be Asked If It Wants India To Be There: Modi On UN Security Council M’ship

By LokMarg 20th June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who on Tuesday departed for a historic State visit to the United States said there is “unprecedented trust” between the leaders of the US and India as ties between New Delhi and Washington are “stronger and deeper” than ever, according to an interview in the Wall Street Journal.

India moves to secure what PM Modi sees as its rightful place on the world stage at a moment of geopolitical turmoil and overall, his message was that–from India’s role in global politics to its contributions to the world economy–the country’s time has come, the US publication said in the interview published today.
He sought to portray New Delhi as the natural leader of the global South, in sync with and able to give voice to developing countries’ long-neglected aspiration, according to the WSJ.

“India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role on the world stage,” the Prime Minister said in the interview with the Wall Street Journal at his residence in New Delhi taken ahead of his first official State visit to the US.

“We do not see India as supplanting any country. We see this process as India gaining its rightful position in the world,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi called for reforms to global institutions such as the United Nations to make them more representative in a multipolar world order and of the world’s less affluent countries from the consequences of climate change to debt reduction.

When asked whether India would like to be a permanent member of the Security Council, PM Modi said there has to be an evaluation of the current membership of the council and “The world should be asked if it wants India to be there.”

He said that India’s time has come in contributing to global politics and to the world economy as well.

Relating many of the world’s problems, such as terrorism, proxy wars and expansionism, to the failure of the UN, PM Modi said that global institutions such as the UN must change.

“Look at the membership of key institutions–does it truly represent the voice of democratic values?” the PM asked, adding, “A place like Africa–does it have a voice? India has such a huge population and is a bright spot in the global economy, but is it present?”

The Prime Minister underscored India’s role as a contributor of troops for peacekeeping operations around the world.

PM Modi also said that India not only tolerates but also celebrates its diversity.

He said, “For thousands of years, India has been the land where people of all faiths and beliefs have found the freedom to coexist peacefully and prosper,” adding, “You will find people of every faith in the world living in harmony in India.”

On the economic front, PM Modi has received acclaim for eliminating bureaucracy, easing regulations, and creating more favourable conditions for foreign direct investment. India is now the most populated country in the world, surpassing China. Additionally, it has a young population, which indicates a substantial demographic dividend.

PM Modi-led government has made significant investments in infrastructure and education, and as global corporations try to diversify their supply chains in a time of geopolitical unrest, the government stands to benefit, according to the WSJ report.

Regarding this PM Modi said, “Let me be clear that we do not see India as supplanting any country. We see this process as India gaining its rightful position in the world,” adding, “The world today is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. To create resilience, there should be more diversification in supply chains,” Wall Street Journal reported. (ANI)

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Modi Leaves For His First State Visit To US

By LokMarg 20th June 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, emplaned for the United States for his first historic State visit.

Prior to leaving for the US, PM Modi tweeted, “Leaving for USA, where I will attend programmes in New York City and Washington DC. These programmes include Yoga Day celebrations at the @UNHQ, talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden, address to the Joint Session of the US Congress and more.”
PM Modi was invited by the US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will commence in New York where the Prime Minister will lead the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations Headquarters on June 21.

PM Modi will then travel to Washington DC, where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22 and meet President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The PM will also address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on June 22.

The invitation to deliver such a historic speech was extended by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, demonstrating bipartisan support and respect for Prime Minister Modi in the United States. He would be the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the United States Congress twice.

The invitation letter from the President and First Lady praised PM Modi’s last historic address seven years ago, which helped cement the connection between the two countries.

The White House emphasised in its message that it was an occasion to reaffirm the two countries’ deep and close alliance. PM Modi expressed his thanks for the privilege and stated that he was looking forward to addressing the joint session.

In his message, PM Modi reiterated the pride in having a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US founded on the principles of democratic values, close people-to-people ties and a staunch commitment to global peace and prosperity.

On June 23, the Prime Minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several curated interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian Diaspora.

He is expected to meet business leaders of 20 top American companies here and is also expected to address a gathering of more than 1,500 diaspora and business leaders who have been invited to the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington.

Top 20 business leaders of US companies including Mastercard, Accenture, the Coca-Cola Company, Adobe Systems and Visa are expected to meet with the Prime Minister, two people familiar with the event and its logistics told ANI.

The business advocacy group, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) headed by Dr Mukesh Aghi will host ‘We The People: Celebrating the U.S.-India Partnership’ on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Washington D.C.

A reception at the Hall of Nations Terrace (Kennedy Center) will follow the Prime Minister’s address. The event with some of the important names including Shantanu Narayen, Chief Executive Officer of Adobe Systems; Julie Sweet CEO of Accenture; Ryan McInerney CEO of Visa Inc, Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard; and James Quincey, CEO of Coke Cola.

After this, the PM will then travel to Cairo to pay a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25. (ANI)

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TV Debates In America Are Rigged: Ex-Fox News Host Carlson

By LokMarg 27th April 2023

After agreeing to part ways from America-based news channel Fox News, former host Tucker Carlson has made some crucial allegations on the American Media and their TV debates.

Carlson released a video message on Twitter and alleged that debates on the topics like War, civil liberties, emerging science, demographic change, corporate power, and natural resources are not permitted in American media.
He alleged that both political parties and their donors have reached a consensus on what benefits them. “And they actively collude to shut down any conversation about it,” he added.

“War, civil liberties, emerging science, demographic change, corporate power, natural resources. When was the last time you heard a legitimate debate about any of those issues? It’s been a long time,” he said in his video message on Twitter.

He said the United States suddenly looks like a one-party state. He said that the realization is depressing but not permanent.

He said nobody actually believes them (TV Debators). “Hardly anyone’s life is improved by them. This moment is too inherently ridiculous to continue. And so it won’t (continue). The people in charge know this. That’s why they’re hysterical and aggressive. They’re afraid. They’ve given up persuasion. They’re resorting to force. But it won’t work. When honest people say what’s true calmly and without embarrassment, they become powerful,” he said.

“The other thing you notice when you take a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are. They’re completely irrelevant. They mean nothing,” he said.

He said that in five years, no one would even remember that we had them.

“Trust me, as someone who’s participated. And yet, at the same time and this is the amazing thing the undeniably big topics, the ones that will define our future get virtually no discussion at all,” he added.

“At the same time, the liars who’ve been trying to silence them shrink and they become weaker. That’s the iron law of the universe. True things prevail. Where can you still find Americans saying true things? There aren’t many places left. But there are some, and that’s enough,” he said.

“As long as you can hear the words, there is hope. See you soon,” he signed off saying. (ANI)

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Pro-Khalistani Elements Misusing Asylum Policy: India to UK

By LokMarg 12th April 2023

India on Wednesday raised concerns on the misuse of the United Kingdom’s asylum status by pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and requested better cooperation with the UK.

India also requested better cooperation with the UK and increased monitoring of UK-based Pro-Khalistan extremists and to take appropriate proactive action.
During the 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue held in New Delhi earlier today, India also pointed out its concerns over the breach of security of the Indian High Commission in London.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the UK delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft. The meeting was also attended by other senior officials of both countries.

Both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, and anti-India activities in the UK including Pro-Khalistan Extremism among other issues.

“The Indian side specifically conveyed its concerns on the misuse of UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India and requested better cooperation with the UK and increased monitoring of UK-based Pro-Khalistan Extremists and take appropriate proactive action. India’s concerns over the breach of security of the Indian High Commission were also emphasized,” a statement issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the ongoing partnership and agreeing to deepen bilateral engagement and maintain the momentum for enhanced security cooperation between the two countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month summoned the UK deputy high commissioner after pro-Khalistan protestors took down the Indian flag at the high commission in London. The pro-Khalistan groups were protesting against the Punjab police’s crackdown on Sikh hardliner Amritpal Singh. (ANI)

Trump Charged For Three ‘Catch And Kill’ Hush Money Payments: Manhattan District Attorney

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

United States former President Donald Trump has been charged with three pre-election hush-money cases, including the one made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg said in an official statement.

In the statement, the attorney mentioned three instances of the ‘catch and kill’ scheme in Donald Trump’s indictment.
“In one instance, American Media Inc. (“AMI”), paid USD 30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman, who claimed to have a story about a child TRUMP had out of wedlock,” Bragg said in a statement.

The attorney also stated that the AMI paid USD 150,000 was paid to the woman who claimed to have a sexual relationship with Trump. And former President asked his lawyer to reimburse AMI in cash.

AMI admitted its conduct was unlawful in an agreement with federal prosecutors and made false entries in its business records concerning the true purpose of the USD 150,000 payment.

“In a third instance – 12 days before the presidential general election – the Special Counsel wired USD 130,000 to an attorney for an adult film actress. The Special Counsel, who has since pleaded guilty and served time in prison for making the illegal campaign contribution, made the payment through a shell corporation funded through a bank in Manhattan,” the statement read.

Bragg also said that during the 2016 election, Trump and others employed a “catch and kill” scheme to identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects.

Trump is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with 34 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

“The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct. As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic business laws. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law,” he added.

After winning the election, Trump reimbursed the Special Counsel through a series of monthly checks, first from the Trump Revocable Trust – created in New York to hold the Trump Organization’s assets during TRUMP’s presidency – and later from Trump’s bank account. In total, 11 checks were issued for a phoney purposes. (ANI)

Amid Security Concerns, Australia To Ban TikTok On Govt Devices

By LokMarg 4th April 2023

Australia’s federal government will ban the video-sharing application TikTok on government devices over fears that the application’s security could be compromised and the platform could be used for foreign interference by China, ABC News reported.

Australia becomes the last nation in the “five eyes” intelligence alliance to block the app after similar decisions were taken by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced that the ban will come into effect “as soon as practicable.” He further stated that exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, as per the ABC News report.

In a statement, Mark Dreyfus said, “After receiving advice from intelligence and security agencies, today I authorised the secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department to issue a mandatory direction under the Protective Security Policy Framework to prohibit the TikTok app on devices issued by Commonwealth departments and agencies.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Victorian and ACT governments stated that they expected an imminent ban, as per the news report. A spokesperson for Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said they will follow the Commonwealth’s guidance with regard to cybersecurity and they will now work on implementing these changes “across the public service as soon as possible.”

According to the ACT government’s spokesperson, the territory government will work with the government to implement restrictions. In a statement, they said, “The ACT government was notified yesterday of an imminent announcement from the Commonwealth to ban TikTok from Government devices,” as per the news report.

They said that the ACT government will consider similar restrictions on territory government devices at a security and emergency meeting of the cabinet tomorrow, as per the news report. They stressed that the move could be made based on the Commonwealth’s advice, and the desirability of national cybersecurity consistency.

In recent months, several nations have decided to block the app, after revelations that TikTok staff based in the US and China used the app to spy on American journalists who were writing stories critical of the app, as per the ABC News report. US President Joe Biden has said that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance divest in the app or else face a potential nationwide ban in the US.

Earlier in March, the French government banned the Chinese video-sharing application TikTok on government devices, NHK World reported. The French government has reportedly debarred TikTok on the work phones of public-sector employees.

French Public Service Minister Stanislas Guerini declared that TikTok, a Chinese-owned video-sharing software, would no longer be allowed on the work phones of civil servants.”

In order to guarantee the cybersecurity of our administrations and civil servants, the government has decided to ban recreational applications such as TikTok on the professional phones of civil servants,” he tweeted. France’s Transformation and Public Administration Minister Stanislas Guerini made the announcement on Friday. (ANI)

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Foreign Investors Turn Net Buyers In Indian Stocks

By LokMarg 1st April 2023

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have turned net buyers in Indian stock markets after having sold two months on a trot in January and February – data from the National Securities Depository (NSDL) revealed.

FPIs have bought assets worth about Rs 7,936 crore in Indian stock markets in March 2023, according to NSDL data.
The banking crisis in the US that emanated after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in early March seemed to have made renewed appetite for Indian stocks.

One of the most prominent lenders in the world of technology startups, Silicon Valley Bank, which was struggling, collapsed on March 10, after a run on the bank by the depositors. After the run on the bank, local regulators closed down the tech lender and put it under the control of the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In latest, First Citizens Bank agreed to acquire all of its deposits and loans.

In January and February, FPIs sold equities worth Rs 28,852 crore and Rs 5,294 crore, respectively. NSDL data showed. Foreign investors were apparently cautious amid risks from the then volatility in Indian stock markets.

“The sustained selling by FPIs appears to be over since they have turned buyers in the last few days. The near-term outlook for FPI looks much more positive now. Even though Indian valuation continues to be relatively high, the recent market correction has made valuations a bit more reasonable than earlier,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Barring some exceptions, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) had been selling equities in the Indian markets for over a year, which started in October 2021 for various reasons.

Tightening monetary policy in advanced economies including rising demand for dollar-denominated commodities, and strength in the US dollar had triggered a consistent outflow of funds from Indian markets. Investors typically prefer stable markets in times of high market uncertainty.

In 2022, foreign portfolio investors sold Rs 121,439 crore worth of stocks in India on a cumulative basis, the data on the NSDL website showed. (ANI)

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Georgia’s Forsyth County Passes Resolution Condemning Hinduphobia

By LokMarg 1st April 2023

In a historic move, US Georgia Assembly has passed the first-ever resolution condemning Hinduphobia making it the first-ever US State to do so.

The legislation, notably, recognizes the contributions of Indian Americans and Hindu Americans in Georgia and calls out the rise of Hinduphobia around the country, the official Twitter handle of CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) said.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America is a grassroots advocacy and civil rights organization representing the Hindu community of North America.

The resolution passed by the Georgia legislature citing ‘Understanding Hinduphobia

Initiative’ described Hinduphobia as “a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred.”

“In a historic move, Georgia legislature passes the first-ever County Resolution condemning #Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry! The resolution recognized the contributions of Indian Americans and Hindu Americans in Georgia andcalled out the rising #Hinduphobia around the country. This trend has been documented by the @HinduphobiaConf and the research by

@RutgersU and @ncri_io,” the official Twitter handle of CoHNA tweeted.

The resolution further underlined that the American Hindu community has been a major contributor to diverse sectors such as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, academia, manufacturing, energy, retail trade, and so much more in the US.

“Hindu contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music, arts, and more have enriched the cultural fabric and have been widely adopted in American society and enriched the lives of millions,” it said.

The legislative delegation of Forsyth County in the suburbs of Atlanta, home to one of the largest Hindu American and Indian American diaspora communities, made an effort to recognize #Hinduphobia and call for an end to anti-Hindu hate, the CoHNA wrote on Twitter.

Reps Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones from Forsyth County, a suburb of Atlanta that is home to one of Georgia’s largest Hindu and Indian-American diaspora groups, presented the resolution.

Todd Jones is a State House Representative from District 25 (South Forsyth and North Fulton Counties), whereas Lauren McDonald is a Georgia representative from District 26.

Thanking the two US Reps, the CoHNA tweeted, “We thank@McDonaldGA26 and @turntotodd for their leadership in directing this Resolution. This was the joint effort of many lawmakers who have worked closely with the Hindu community in the great State of Georgia and we thank them all for this recognition.” (ANI)

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