
"When abroad, you become voice of India": RJD leader Manoj Jha's message for all-party delegations
Patna (Bihar) [India], May 18 (ANI): As all-party delegation prepares to visit key partner nations to bolster India's campaign against cross-border terrorism, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha said the delegation will represent a united national voice abroad, urging friendly countries to stand by India just as India has stood by them in difficult times.
Speaking to ANI, Jha said, 'The Centre and the opposition have relevance only in domestic politics. When you go abroad, you become the voice of India. This delegation will execute this mandate. We have to ensure through this delegation that if a country is our friend, whom we have supported in difficult times, then it should support us too.'
Earlier today, Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar said that it is important for the international community to understand how Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is disturbing the life of citizens in India.
Kumar said the government's move to send multi-party delegations to key nations was a necessary step to convey India's position on terrorism and regional peace.
On Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar President Dilip Jaiswal stressed that national security must unite all political parties to send a strong message both domestically and internationally.
A total of seven groups of MPs have been delegated to go to more than 30 countries, led by a variety of leaders, including Congress' Shashi Tharoor, NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule, BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and others.
Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal from the opposition's side have sent their MPs to be part of the delegation. NDA allies, including Janata Dal (United), and TDP are also part of the delegations.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, targeting terror bases in Pakistan in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The operation targeted terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Bengal: ‘How can PM take credit for Operation Sindoor' — Hakim's remarks spark row, BJP says ‘insult'
KOLKATA MAYOR and State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim sparked a controversy on Saturday after his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with Operation Sindoor. The BJP reacted sharply, alleging that the TMC leader 'insulted' the PM and tried to 'downplay' Operation Sindoor. The TMC did not immediately respond to Hakim's remarks. While speaking to mediapersons, Hakim claimed, 'The Indian armed forces gave a befitting answer to Pakistan. How can the PM claim that he has done anything big? How can he take credit for Operation Sindoor?' In a post on X later on Saturday, the BJP wrote, 'Firhad Hakim — Mamata's loudest mouthpiece and the same man who once called parts of Kolkata 'mini Pakistan' — has now crossed every line. He downplayed Operation Sindoor, insulted PM Modi…this isn't political opposition — this is verbal treason. And Mamata Banerjee? Silent…' The BJP's state president Sukanta Majumdar said, 'Basically, Hakim has never taken a stance against Pakistan. During the erstwhile UPA government's tenure, no such steps were taken against Pakistan. That is why Hakim and some others are now finding it tough to accept that it was done.' Attaching a video of Hakim's purported remarks, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused the senior TMC leader of making a 'disgraceful attack' on the PM. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More


The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
A General for all seasons
The comments made by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Anil Chauhan, in an interview with an international media outlet, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month, triggered a flurry of sharp reactions from various quarters in India. Responding to the queries about the losses on the Indian side during Operation Sindoor, Gen. Chauhan confirmed what the Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, had alluded to at a joint briefing on May 11. 'We are in a combat scenario, losses are a part of combat. The question you must ask us we achieved our objective of decimating the terrorist camps? And the answer is a thumping yes!,' Air Marshal Bharti had said, not disclosing the exact details of the losses. Gen. Chauhan echoed the same in Singapore. 'What I can say is that on May 7, in the initial stages, there were losses, but the numbers — that's not important. What was important is why did these losses occur. So, we rectified that and then went back on 7th, 8th and 10th,' he said. During the military operation, which saw a full-spectrum and multi-domain kinetic action by the tri-services against a 'nuclear-armed' adversary, in close coordination with the intelligence agencies and para-military forces, the CDS played a critical role. A new post It was from the ramparts of Red Fort, during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2019, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the post of CDS. As enumerated later by the Union Cabinet, CDS was also to head the Department of Military Affairs to deal with areas such as the armed forces, integrated headquarters of the Defence Ministry, jointness in procurement, training, and staffing for the services, restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources through establishment of joint theatre commands; and promoting use of indigenous defence equipment. CDS, who is also the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, acts as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters. While the post is above the three Service Chiefs, it does not exercise any military command. Also read: Soldier Number One: on creation of CDS post Gen. Chauhan assumed charge as the country's second CDS on September 30, 2022, nine months after Gen. Bipin Rawat died in a chopper crash in December 2021. For the first time since independence, a three-star Lieutenant General-rank officer became a four-star General after retirement. During a career spanning over 40 years, Gen. Chauhan has held several key posts and possesses extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. 'Illustrious service' Born on May 18, 1961, he was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. As a Major General, he led an Infantry Division in the Baramulla sector in the Northern Command and later commanded a corps in the Northeast. He was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019, and held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021. He then served as a Military Adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat from October 2021 to September 2022. Besides the command positions, he had also served as the Director General of Military Operations. 'For his distinguished and illustrious service in the Army, Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan (Retired) was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal,' as per a government note. Over the years, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the developmental initiatives undertaken by the government in all sectors started to show results in Jammu & Kashmir. Just when peace and prosperity seemed to be returning in the region, terrorists struck in Pahalgam on April 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who promised an unprecedented response, held meetings with top executive functionaries, including the Chief of Defence Staff. The armed forces and intelligence agencies were granted 'complete operational freedom' to determine the mode, targets, and the timing of India's response, according to the government. Several rounds of brainstorming resulted in the conception of Operation Sindoor. In the intervening night of May 6 and 7, nine terror bases located deep inside Pakistan and the Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir were struck. Sharing details of the operation, the government said the Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission in 23 minutes using Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs. 'On May 9-10, India became the first country to strike 11 airbases of a nuclear-armed nation in a single operation, destroying 20% of Pakistan's air force assets. High casualties were inflicted and key air platforms destroyed,' said the government. Losses in the air The Pakistani side claimed to have downed six Indian jets. Clearing the air, Gen. Chauhan on May 31 dismissed the claims as baseless. He, nevertheless, confirmed that there were indeed 'losses in the air'. In his public addresses, Gen. Chauhan has described Operation Sindoor as a decisive move to draw the limits of tolerance and make it clear to Pakistan that it cannot hold India hostage to terror, and that India cannot 'live in the shadow of terror or nuclear blackmail'. Given that Pakistan mostly relied on Chinese sources, while India had a wide range of indigenously developed systems to bank on, Gen. Chauhan noted that it was a manifestation of India's push for self-reliance. He underscored the institutional reforms undertaken to ensure an integrated approach with more flexible structures, emphasising the requirement for dedicated organisations for drones, electronic warfare, and unmanned aerial platforms. In use were battle-proven Air Defence systems like the Pechora, OSA-AK and LLAD guns; Akash, a short range surface-to-air missile system; and loitering munitions (suicide drones). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) too contributed with at least 10 satellites working round-the-clock monitoring the entire northern region. 'Around 1 a.m. on May 10, Pakistan wanted India to get on its knees in 48 hours. However, India's defence compelled them to come to a truce,' Gen. Chauhan said at an event on 'Future Wars and Warfare' at Savitribai Phule Pune University on June 3. 'Their 48-hour plan was summed up in eight hours and followed by a phone call for a ceasefire.'
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
42 minutes ago
- First Post
‘Perpetrators of evil…' Jaishankar reiterates zero tolerance for terrorism in talks with UK's David Lammy
India will never countenance 'perpetrators of evil' being put on par with its victims and expects partners to understand its policy of 'zero tolerance' against terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday during extensive talks with his British counterpart David Lammy. read more India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised on Saturday that India will never accept equating terrorists with their victims and expects international partners to respect its strict 'zero tolerance' stance on terrorism. His comments came amid concerns in New Delhi about some countries linking India and Pakistan following recent clashes between the two neighbors. Glad to meet UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy today in Delhi. Appreciate UK's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack on Pahalgam and support in combatting terrorism. Our conversation focused on the significant strides being made by the 🇮🇳 🇬🇧 Comprehensive Strategic… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 7, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After arriving in Delhi, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who welcomed the UK's support in India's efforts to combat cross-border terrorism. Following the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the British foreign secretary strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack while Modi underscored the need for a decisive international action against terrorism and those who support it. 'Appreciate his substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA. Value UK's support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism,' the prime minister said in a social media post. Modi described the recent conclusion of the India-UK free trade pact and double contribution convention (DCC) as a 'strategic milestone' that will unlock potential of the partnership in diverse sectors, according to the MEA. It said the prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to his UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer and reiterated the invitation for his visit to India at the 'earliest mutual convenience'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his televised opening remarks at the meeting with Lammy, Jaishankar thanked the UK for its strong condemnation of the 'barbaric' Pahalgam terror attack and London's solidarity and support to New Delhi's fight against terrorism. 'We practise a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims,' he said. It is understood that the Indian side explained India's challenge of dealing with cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The UK was among countries which were in touch with both India and Pakistan in an attempt to de-escalate their tensions during their military conflict from May 7-10. Lammy paid a two-day visit to Islamabad from May 16 during which he welcomed the May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan to stop the military actions. After the meeting, the British foreign secretary said: 'We are advancing a new era in UK-India relations — boosting trade and technology, tackling the climate crisis and providing greater security for our people.' In his remarks, Jaishankar described the recent conclusion of the India-UK free trade agreement and the double contribution convention as 'truly a milestone which will not only propel our two-way trade and investment but will also have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of our bilateral ties'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As Lammy landed in Delhi, a British readout quoted him as saying: 'We're building a modern partnership with India for a new global era.' It said he will also welcome progress in 'our migration partnership, including ongoing work on safeguarding citizens and securing borders in both countries'. The MEA said the two ministers reviewed the overall bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction at the progress in diverse sectors, including trade, defence and security, technology, health, green energy and climate, education, and people-to-people ties under the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. Lammy's visit provided a valuable opportunity to sustain the high-level engagement and to further consolidate the partnership as both sides agreed to continue working closely to advance their shared objectives, it added. Addressing migration remains a top priority for the government and Lammy is focused on working internationally with global partners to secure the UK's borders at home, the British readout said. 'India was one of my first visits as foreign secretary, and since then has been a key partner in the delivery of our 'Plan for Change'. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength — securing our future technologies, adding over 25 billion pounds in trade every year between our countries and deepening the strong links between our cultures and people,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lammy said the signing of the free trade agreement with India is just the start of the ambitions for the two countries. 'We're building a modern partnership with India for a new global era. We want to go even further to foster an even closer relationship and cooperate when it comes to delivering growth, fostering innovative technology, tackling the climate crisis and delivering our migration priorities, and providing greater security for our people,' he was quoted in the readout. The British foreign secretary was also scheduled to meet leading figures in Indian business to discuss how both sides can unlock greater investment by Indian business in the UK. In 2023-24, India was the UK's second largest source of investments in terms of number of projects for the fifth consecutive year. In his remarks, Jaishankar listed various initiatives which were rolled out recently to bolster the ties. 'Since your last visit to India, there have been significant initiatives which both of us have taken and those initiatives have progressed well.' Jaishankar singled out the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) and said it will enable deeper collaboration in strategic technology sectors of AI, semiconductors, telecom, quantum, health-tech, bio-tech, critical minerals and advanced materials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have also launched the strategic exports and technology cooperation dialogue, the first meeting of which was held, I believe, this week. 'This will enhance among others the TSI's effectiveness in promoting trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licensing or regulatory issues,' he said. Jaishankar also pointed to the UK-India infrastructure financial bridge and said it can unlock quality long-term capital flows from the United Kingdom to India, and that would surely contribute to our infrastructure development. 'There is very good collaboration in the education sector with many more universities, I believe, planning to establish their campuses in India, and on the people-to-people ties front, we had the privilege — I myself had the honour – to open two new consulates in Manchester and Belfast,' he said. The overall focus of the talks was to further deepen and diversify the India-UK partnership. With inputs from agencies