India government taps opposition to boost 'anti-terrorism' message abroad
NEW DELHI -- India is sending all-party delegations comprising members of the ruling and opposition parties and former diplomats to over 30 countries starting on Wednesday to convey New Delhi's "strong message of zero tolerance against terrorism" in the wake of the deadly April 22 attack on civilians in Pahalgam in its region of Kashmir.
The attack that left 26 people dead heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi launching Operation Sindoor on May 7, in which India targeted what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Both militaries later used drones and missiles against each other before a ceasefire was announced on May 10.
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Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
India's Modi opens strategic railway in contested 'crown jewel' Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Kashmir on Friday since a conflict with archrival Pakistan, opening a strategic railway line to the contested region he called "the crown jewel of India." Modi launched a string of projects worth billions of dollars for the divided Muslim-majority territory, the center of bitter rivalry between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan fought a four-day conflict last month, their worst standoff since 1999, before a ceasefire was agreed to on May 10. "Pakistan will never forget ... its shameful loss," the Hindu nationalist premier told crowds a month since India launched strikes on its neighbor after an attack on tourists in Kashmir. "Friends, today's event is a grand festival of India's unity and firm resolve," Modi said after striding across the soaring bridge to formally launch it for rail traffic. "This is a symbol and celebration of rising India," he said of the Chenab Bridge which connects two mountains. New Delhi calls the Chenab span the "world's highest railway arch bridge," sitting 359 meters above a river. While several road and pipeline bridges are higher, Guinness World Records confirmed that Chenab trumps the previous highest railway bridge, the Najiehe in China. Modi called it "an extraordinary feat of architecture" that "will improve connectivity" by providing the first rail link from the Indian plains up to mountainous Kashmir. With 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, the new railway runs for 272 kilometers and connects Udhampur, Srinagar and Baramulla. It is expected to halve the travel time between the town of Katra in the Hindu-majority Jammu region and Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir, to around three hours. The new route will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air. Around 150 people protested against the project on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. "We want to tell India that building bridges and laying roads in the name of development will not make the people of Kashmir give up their demand for freedom," said Azir Ahmad Ghazali, who organized the rally attended by Kashmiris who fled unrest on the Indian side in the 1990s. "In clear and unequivocal terms, we want to say to the Indian government that the people of Kashmir have never accepted India's forced rule." More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire during last month's conflict. The fighting was triggered by an April 22 attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge denied by Islamabad. Rebel groups in Indian-run Kashmir have waged an insurgency for 35 years demanding independence for the territory or its merger with Pakistan. Modi also announced further government financial support for families whose relatives were killed, or whose homes were damaged, during the brief conflict — mainly in shelling along the heavily militarized de facto border with Pakistan, known as the Line of Control. "Their troubles are our troubles," Modi said.
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
Japan Diet OKs defense cooperation pact with Philippines
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's parliament on Friday approved legislation for a defense cooperation agreement with the Philippines, as the two countries step up security ties with an eye on China's maritime assertiveness in nearby waters. The reciprocal access agreement eases restrictions on the movement of personnel between the two forces to facilitate joint drills and disaster relief operations, making the Philippines Japan's third RAA partner after Australia and Britain. The House of Councillors, Japan's upper chamber, approved the pact after the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, endorsed it last month. The two Asian countries signed the deal in July last year during two-plus-two ministerial security talks in Manila. Tokyo and Manila share concerns over Beijing's maritime activities, as Chinese vessels have clashed with Philippine ships near disputed shoals in the South China Sea and repeatedly entered waters around the Japan-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. On Friday, Japan's upper house also approved an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement with Italy to streamline procedures for providing supplies and services such as food, fuel, ammunition and repair work between their forces.
NHK
3 days ago
- NHK
Afghans pushed out of Pakistan face uncertain future
For decades, Pakistan has served as a refuge for those fleeing conflict and instability in neighboring Afghanistan. However, Pakistani authorities began mass deportations of undocumented Afghans two years ago and are now expanding their targets, leaving many of these people to face an uncertain future.
