&w=3840&q=100)
Why was India's strike on Pakistan called Operation Sindoor?
He Lifeng, a longtime associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is set to lead high-level trade discussions with the United States on Saturday in Switzerland. The Chinese vice premier, who has gradually earned a reputation among international investors as a capable troubleshooter, will meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer amid escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, news agency Reuters reported.
Over recent weeks, the US and China have imposed steep tariffs exceeding 100 per cent on each other's imports. While President Donald Trump has publicly called on Xi to discuss a potential agreement, observers believe any meaningful progress will depend on He, who manages Beijing's economic and trade policies with Washington, the news report said.
From party loyalist to effective operator
In interviews with Reuters, 13 foreign investors and diplomats who interacted with He over the past year described a notable transformation in the 70-year-old. Initially seen as a rigid party official with limited English skills and a tendency to stick to scripted remarks, He is now viewed as more self-assured and pragmatic.
'He has impressed them with his ability to get things done,' one US businessperson told Reuters, referencing the positive impression He left during a major business forum in Beijing last month.
According to a review of his public engagements, He Lifeng has held over 60 meetings with foreign officials and executives in the past year — up from 45 in the 12 months after he became vice premier in March 2023. His wide-ranging influence includes oversight of China's financial sector, regulatory frameworks, and trade policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Centre OKs 85% quota for locals in jobs in Ladakh
NEW DELHI: Conceding the longstanding demands of Ladakhi people for safeguarding their economic rights as well as cultural and linguistic identity, the Centre on Tuesday introduced new reservation and domicile policy for the Union Territory, guaranteeing 85% quota to locals in jobs while also reserving one-third seats for women in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils. English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti and Purgi languages were notified as official languages of Ladakh, with new regulation also requiring boosting institutional mechanisms for promoting native languages like Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi. Ladakh Autonomous Council to reserve 33% of seats for women Centre's move seeks to assuage the sentiments of Ladakh's native population that had been demanding constitutional safeguards to protect their language, culture and land after the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K, which included Ladakh, under Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, and Ladakh hived off into a separate Union Territory. Though short of their demand for Ladakh's inclusion in Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the 85% reservation for local Ladakhis in govt jobs and seats in professional institutions, was worked out in consultations held by a high-powered committee led by junior home minister Nityanand Rai, with civil society organisations from Ladakh. The safeguards for Ladakh finally implemented on Tuesday, are contained in a set of three separate regulations promulgated by the President of India on Monday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sanitize & Smooth Clothes Fast with Philips Steamer Philips Garment Steamers Shop Now Undo The UT of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Bill Regulation, 2025 amends provisions of the parent J&K Reservation Act, 2004, to raise the cap on total reservation in jobs and professional institutions in Ladakh to 85%, excluding the 10% quota for economically weaker sections. The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, defines the conditions for domicile status: anyone who has resided in Ladakh for 15 years, or who has studied for seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examination in a school located in UT, or whose parents are central govt officers who served in UT for 10 years. Children or spouses of Ladakhis fulfilling the 15-year domicile condition will also get domicile status. The procedure for grant of domicile certificate, notified in a separate set of rules, makes tehsildar the competent authority to issue domicile certificates; an officer appointed by the UT administrator will do the same for the children of central govt officers with 10-year service in Ladakh. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) Regulation 2025, notified on Tuesday, states that "not less than one-third of the total number of seats in the council shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different territorial constituencies". The move is in line with spirit of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which provides for 33% quota to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Ladakh has two autonomous hill development councils - one each for Leh and Kargil. Centre had assured a delegation from Ladakh in Dec 2023 that it was committed to fast-tracking the development of UT and meeting aspirations of the people in the region. Subsequently, an HPC for Ladakh was constituted under Nityanand Rai. In Aug 2024, Centre created five new districts in Ladakh - Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
India can talk to Pak if it takes action against terrorism: Tharoor
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said India is open to dialogue with Pakistan, but only if Islamabad takes concrete and visible action against terrorist networks operating on its who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil for the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, made the remarks in a candid interview with PTI Videos, stressing that 'the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace.'advertisement'You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk,' Tharoor said, underlining that India has no issue with communication -- but rather, with credibility. 'We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English,' he said. 'There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace.'Tharoor challenged Pakistan's claims of innocence, asking why internationally wanted terrorists are able to live openly and operate freely within its borders.'If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists? Why are they able to conduct training camps, radicalise people, equip them with arms, and let them practice with Kalashnikovs?' he the frequently-cited notion of Pakistan's strategy to 'bleed India by a thousand cuts,' Tharoor responded sharply: 'They're not going to bleed us to death so easily. Better forget that idea.'Tharoor also noted that his delegation had effectively conveyed India's stance against terrorism to Latin American nations, including those who may have previously misunderstood India's position.'We've been very clear. International forums are not our main concern. Our concern is bilateral -- Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country,' he whether Brazil, as BRICS host, might issue a statement condemning terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said he wasn't aware of such plans. 'Honestly, BRICS has a different agenda... that's not really my brief,' he his remarks, Tharoor reiterated that India seeks peace, prosperity, and stability—but not at the cost of overlooking terrorism.'We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop,' he said. 'They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us.'On a question whether nations have been recognising India's stance against terrorism, Tharoor said his delegation has been to four nations—Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil- so far and 'this has been very clear in all the countries we've been to'.advertisement'And I would say in all four countries, we've had a very, clear success, if that's the word, I don't like to boast of success. That's for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings,' he said, referring to Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India's military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabad's relentless support to cross-border terrorism.'And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip,' Tharoor delegation concluded their visit with a meeting with Brazil Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.'The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation concluded on a high note with a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil @geraldoalckmin. The delegation thanked him for Brazil's firm stand against terrorism and welcomed his emphasis on deepening bilateral ties in trade, defence, science & technology, and other key sectors,' the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on Tharoor-led delegation is heading to Washington DC from inputs from PTITune InMust Watch
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Who's in charge--Democracy or Generals?": UK MP tears into Pakistan, urges world to stand with India
London [UK], June 3 (ANI): Branding Pakistan as a 'failed state', UK MP Bob Blackman on Tuesday launched a scathing attack at India's neighbour, questioning if either 'democracy or generals' was in charge of Pakistan, referring to the country's unchecked military influence in its governance. Speaking to ANI following a meeting with the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad in London, the UK MP urged the international community to stand with India in its fight against terrorism while blisteringly critiquing Pakistan for its encouragement of terrorism in sovereign Indian territory and its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. He further slammed the nation for fostering a breeding ground for terror that undermines regional peace and stability, while calling for the reunification of Jammu and Kashmir under India as intended in 1947. 'Pakistan is a failed state. We don't have democracy in Pakistan. We have the people of parts of Pakistan, who are suffering under Pakistani military rule. So who's in charge? Is it the democracy or the Generals? And it's quite clear that terrorism is encouraged from Pakistan into sovereign India,' Blackman stated. 'And so we've got to make sure we have to call out the message that the illegal occupation of part of India in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan should end. Those troops should leave, and the whole of Jammu and Kashmir should be united as one principal state, as was intended back in 1947. And then we can lead to the eradication of terrorism and make sure that the people of that great state can celebrate the beauty of the valley,' he added. Blackman further raised critical concerns over Pakistan's use of international aid money, questioning whether funds meant for the country's development were being diverted to purchase Chinese weapons for terrorism against India. He also expressed the UK's condolences and support for India's anti-terrorism actions, emphasising India's desire for peace and questioning Pakistan's misuse of aid for military purposes, advocating for its use in health initiatives like polio eradication. 'We had a meeting and it's great to see the delegation from all parts of India... Everyone from the United Kingdom expresses their condolences and support for the people of India who've suffered this terrorist outrage... India wants peace and tranquillity between the two,' Blackman stated. 'The money that's sent to Pakistan, what is it used for? What it shouldn't be used for is buying Chinese weapons that would then enable terrorists to attack India, and I take a very strong view that our international aid money that should go to Pakistan should be going for the eradication of polio and other infectious diseases that benefit the people of Pakistan rather than it being used illicitly for military purposes,' he added. The BJP MP-led all-party delegation earlier held a meeting with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India, which Blackman was a member of. During the meeting, the UK MPs affirmed the country's solidarity with India in isolating Pakistan and enhancing security cooperation. Key figures like House of Lords MP Lord Karan Bilimoria and former member of the UK Parliament Shailesh Vara also expressed unanimous cross-party support in the UK for India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, alongside discussions on deepening India-UK ties in trade, security, and education, despite last-minute camera restrictions leading to phone recordings. (ANI)
