No plans for call between Putin and Trump: Russia after US strikes Iran
The US attacked Iran's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, aiming to destroy the country's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump warned of additional strikes if Iran retaliates.Chair of Duma, Committee of Foreign Affairs, lawmaker Leonid Slutsky believes that from a military point, Trump's strike on Iran had no ground or justification.Trump has been dragged into the regime change scenario in Tehran just like in Iraq, Slutsky told reporters.Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said that Iran will continue its nuclear programme because he believes the US strikes have not crippled its critical structure.'What the Americans have achieved by hitting three sites in Iran? It seems the critical infrastructure of the nuclear cycle has not suffered at all or slightly,' Medvedev, currently deputy chair of the National Security Council, wrote on his Telegram channel.Tune InMust Watch
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The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
In India's first outreach to post-Assad regime, MEA Joint Secretary meets Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani
Marking a fresh beginning in ties with Damascus in the post-Assad era, India reached out to the Syrian provisional government under the leadership of President Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa this week. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary Suresh Kumar, of the West Asia and North Africa division, met with the Syrian provisional government's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani on Monday (July 28, 2025) in Damascus, according to officials here. Sources said he was accompanied by several other Indian officials, including the Indian Ambassador to Syria, Irshad Ahmed. Both teams held 'constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest and explored new avenues to strengthen bilateral ties for the benefit of both nations', Syria's Foreign Ministry said on its official Telegram channel. This is India's first outreach to Syria since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 after a quarter century in power. India had maintained close ties with the Syrian Arab Republic under his rule and that of his father Hafiz Al Assad, who was President for three decades, from 1970 onwards. Since the end of the Assad era though, India has been championing a 'Syrian-led' government to resolve the political crisis that has gripped the country. Medical aid Apart from his meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Mr. Kumar also met Syrian Health Minister Musab Al-Ali. Syria has a large war-affected population in need of urgent medical care and the two sides discussed cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and in the training of medical personnel to help the affected population. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had also handed over a 'consignment of 5 MT of essential life saving medicines, including anti-cancer, antibiotics and anti-hypertensives to Syria'. He added: 'India's humanitarian support to the people of Syria continues.' Pharma cooperation had also featured in the India-Syria Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) of November 2024 — barely a week before Mr. Assad's ouster — when Mr. Kumar had led the Indian delegation in talks with a Syrian team led by the Assad regime's Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Raad. Seeking global legitimacy Mr. Kumar's current meetings come against the backdrop of increased internal strife in Syria, with various political, religious, and sectarian groups fighting for control in Damascus since the fall of the Assad government on December 8, 2024. Syria's current provisional government is headed by Ahmed Hussein Al-Shara, a former Al Qaeda leader who also led the Al Qaeda-allied Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group. He is also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad Al Jolani. Since the fall of the Assad regime, several governments have reached out to President Al Shara as Syria grapples with internal and external challenges. In recent months, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Al Shaibani has met a number of foreign delegates, including the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Turkiye, as the provisional government seeks global legitimacy. Recharging Syria policy Reacting to the meeting in Damascus, former Indian diplomat Zikrur Rahman said that India's outreach is in sync with its policy of wait and watch regarding Syria. 'India has not evacuated its embassy in Damascus since the crisis in Syria escalated and ended with the fall of the government of Bashar Al Assad. Therefore, it was a matter of time before India would formally reach out to the new rulers in Damascus and recharge its Syria policy in consultation with other regional partners like the Gulf countries,' said Prof Rahman. Syria is expected to adopt a new Constitution and India has supported the drafting of an inclusive Constitution. India's policy on the future of Syria has been reiterated on multiple occasions since the fall of the Assad government. A day after Mr. Assad fled to Moscow, the MEA's Mr. Jaiswal had said: 'We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.'
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor debate: 'Why is he scared?' Congress revives Trump charge moments after PM Modi junks it
NEW DELHI: Less than half an hour after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that "no global leader interfered in Operation Sindoor ," the Congress launched a fresh attack, accusing him of being afraid to confront US President Donald Trump . Congress MP KC Venugopal asked bluntly, 'We are asking very clearly whether Trump's claim is bogus or not, whether he is telling truth or not. No answer... Why is he scared about talking about Trump?' He accused the Prime Minister of hiding behind Pakistan rhetoric instead of addressing serious questions about India's sovereignty and military decision-making. 'When genuine questions are asked by the opposition, he hides behind the Pakistan story,' Venugopal said. Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi echoed this line, claiming the Prime Minister 'never said it clearly that Trump was lying' and accused him of failing to name China despite its alleged support to Pakistan. 'The whole nation knows that China helped Pakistan in every way, but the Prime Minister and Defence Minister never named China anywhere in their speeches,' Gandhi said. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera added a poetic jab: 'Trump slapped (him), but he's upset with Nehru. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Hope he realises in time, that Donald is no friend, but unfaithful.' Earlier, Gandhi had demanded a clear rebuttal to Trump's repeated assertion that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. 'If Modi ji has even 50 per cent of the courage that Indira Gandhi had, then clearly he must say in Parliament Donald Trump is lying,' Gandhi said. Also read: 'Exercise to protect PM's image': Rahul Gandhi on Op Sindoor; dares Modi to call Trump 'liar' He criticised the government for informing Pakistan mid-operation that India had only hit non-military targets and didn't seek escalation. 'That's surrender. Immediate surrender in 30 minutes,' he said, citing Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's own words in the House. PM Modi lashes out at Congress During his address in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that "no global leader had asked India to halt Operation Sindoor" "India received global support, but the Congress could not support our soldiers' valour," he said, criticising the opposition during the debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. "No country stopped India from defending itself against terrorism—only three countries backed Pakistan at the UN." PM Modi also dismissed questions raised over US President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire. He clarified that on the night of May 9, 'US Vice President (JD Vance) tried to reach out to me 3–4 times, but I was busy with meetings with the armed forces.' When he finally returned the call, Vance warned of a possible Pakistani attack. 'I told him that if Pakistan attacks India, our response would be much bigger—we will respond to bullets with cannons. ' He declared that Pakistani airbases hit during the operation were "still in ICU" and said the masterminds of the April 22 attack had 'sleepless nights.' Emphasising India's strength, Modi said, 'We destroyed terror sites deep inside Pakistan within 22 minutes… drones and missiles made in India exposed Pakistani arms.' He accused Congress of echoing Pakistani propaganda and giving the enemy a 'clean chit.'
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump acknowledges "real starvation" in Gaza, vows to increase food aid
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged the severe hunger crisis in Gaza after months of largely deflecting questions on the issue, stating that the United States would increase food aid to the war-hit enclave, The New York Times reported. During a 75-minute press session with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland on Monday, Trump pledged to "set up food centers" in Gaza, although he offered no specifics on how aid would reach the enclave that has faced more than 20 months of Israeli bombardment and aid restrictions. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Degree healthcare Public Policy Finance Data Science MBA Artificial Intelligence Leadership Technology Data Science Others Management Product Management Cybersecurity Project Management MCA others CXO Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details "We're giving money and things," Trump said, adding, "I want to make sure they get the food, every ounce of food." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Signs Your Dog Loves You More Than Anything Liseer Read More According to The New York Times, Trump's shift in tone came after meetings with several European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Starmer, who reportedly spoke of a "sense of revulsion" at the suffering in Gaza. "That's real starvation stuff, I see it, and you can't fake that," Trump said. "We have to get the kids fed." Live Events At least 56 Palestinians died from starvation this month alone, nearly half of the total deaths from hunger since the war began 22 months ago, the Gaza Health Ministry stated on Saturday. International agencies and medical experts have repeatedly warned that a famine is sweeping through the region due to Israel's tight restrictions on food and medicine. Earlier, Trump had drawn criticism for downplaying the humanitarian catastrophe, reportedly complaining that the United States had not received gratitude for the aid already provided. "Nobody said, 'Gee, thank you very much,'" Trump remarked on Sunday. "And it would be nice to have at least a thank you." During a meeting with von der Leyen, he called the crisis "not a U.S. problem, it's an international problem," while reiterating frustrations over a lack of recognition for America's contributions. The New York Times noted that his administration recently approved $30 million in funding for an Israeli-backed aid system in Gaza run mostly by American contractors. However, Trump's remarks on Monday marked a notable departure from his recent stance, as he criticised the existing distribution mechanisms and called for more accessible aid delivery. "We're going to set up food centers and where people can walk in and no boundaries. We're not going to have fences," he said. "They see the food. It's all there, but nobody's at it because they have fences set up that nobody can even get it. It's crazy what's going on over there." He added that Britain would support the United States in the new aid push. Trump also appeared to distance himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent claims that there was no starvation in Gaza. "I don't particularly agree with that, Trump said, adding, "The children look very hungry." Despite Trump's assertion that "no other nation gave money," The New York Times reported that the European Union had spent approximately $605 million on Gaza aid since 2023, according to the European Commission. The hunger crisis in Gaza has become one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in recent memory, with over two million Palestinians living amid widespread destruction and shortages of essential supplies. Trump's remarks have raised questions about whether his "America First" foreign policy can adapt to a crisis that demands multilateral humanitarian leadership, the New York Times noted.
