Hoping to put Pak on grey list, India eyes FATF tango with US
NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri discussed ways to deepen economic and financial ties with the US, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) processes, during his visit to Washington, said the Indian govt.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This is important in the context of ongoing efforts by India to get Pakistan back into the global terror watchdog's grey list by flagging its involvement in terror-financing in the FATF meeting in June. Misri discussed the issue with deputy secretary of the treasury Michael Faulkender.
Misri's visit to the US was a follow-up to PM Modi's visit to the country on Feb 13 this year, during which both sides launched the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century.
In meetings with deputy secretary of defense Steve Feinberg and under secretary for policy Elbridge Colby, both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to a robust and forward-looking defense partnership. Discussions focused on co-production and co-development initiatives, sustained joint military exercises, logistics and information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between the armed forces.
At a luncheon meeting with deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda.
India and the US also reviewed progress on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and the need to streamline ITAR and export control regulations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Lawyers don't need to wear black coats in summer: Delhi Bar Association
In a major relief to lawyers practising in the Capital amidst the scorching heat, the Delhi Bar Association (DBA) has decided that advocates will be exempt from wearing black coats, their usual dress code, from May 16 to September 30. Rules framed under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961, prescribe a dress code for all practising advocates. This comprises a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan (a knee-length upper garment with long sleeves, side slits and a standing collar), black sherwani and white bands with advocate's gown for men advocates. Women advocates have to wear a black and full or half-sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar, stiff or soft, and white bands with advocates' gowns or sarees and long skirts (white or black without any design). 'All the members are hereby informed that advocates are exempted from wearing a black coat during summer (from May 16 to September 30) as per amendment in rules under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act,1961,' DBA said in a circular dated May 24. 'Therefore, the members are at liberty to appear in the Courts subordinate to the Delhi High Court without wearing a black coat… The members are, however, advised to adhere to other rules of the dress code…,' the circular issued by Vikas Goyal, Secretary, DBA, said. DBA also said the district and sessions judges of various court complexes across Delhi have been informed of this decision. 'This is a very good step. The weather is very erratic and humid. In June, the heat will be way worse. This should be done by all Bar Associations and Councils across North India,' said Advocate Dhir Singh Kasana, former Saket Bar Association secretary. 'Indian district courts lack proper infrastructure in terms of fans, air conditioners, unhygienic washrooms, and sitting rooms, coupled with rising temperatures, it has become a daily physical and mental challenge for the advocates to wear black coats during court hours, especially in summer…This move is a welcome step towards the welfare of the advocates practising at district courts,' Advocate Paras Jain, who practices in Delhi, said. On February 27 this year, the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG) issued a circular stating that advocates need not wear black coats from March 1 to June 30 every year. Similarly, Bhopal's Bar Council gave a similar exemption to lawyers from April 15 to July 15, 2025.
Hans India
33 minutes ago
- Hans India
Op Sindoor should not be used to derive political mileage
The political class will do better if it stops desisting from trying to derive electoral mileage from the highly successful Operation Sindoor that was executed recently. The military aspects of the operation have been largely praised (even by objective western experts), but the political aftermath has proven far more complex. The ruling party has come under scrutiny for allegedly using the operation's success to enhance its nationalistic image ostensibly for electoral gains. On its part, the Opposition has done little better. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a special parliamentary session to discuss the operation in detail. He raised concerns about inconsistencies in official narratives, particularly surrounding reports regarding the number of Indian aircraft lost during the strikes. He also accused the government of 'misleading the nation.' His statement came after the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan acknowledged the loss of some Indian aircraft but emphasised that the armed forces had adapted quickly to changing tactical scenarios, ultimately achieving the mission objectives. Chauhan categorically refuted Pakistan's assertions of shooting down multiple Indian jets, labelling them as propaganda meant to distort facts. His remarks highlighted the critical role of clear and truthful communication in sustaining public trust and countering misinformation. The political discourse triggered by Operation Sindoor reflects a broader tension between safeguarding national security and navigating partisan interests. While it is natural for political parties to discuss significant national developments, it is imperative that such dialogues remain constructive and rooted in the national interest. Exploiting military operations for electoral advantage not only undermines the integrity of the armed forces but also erodes public confidence in the nation's democratic institutions. As India continues to assess the long-term implications of Operation Sindoor, there is a pressing need for political maturity and a unified stance on issues of national security. Recognising and honouring the courage and competence of the armed forces should transcend political divides. National security must remain above the realm of party politics, treated with the seriousness and dignity it deserves. Also, our political leaders must come to terms with a sobering reality: Operation Sindoor, while tactically successful and symbolically significant, was not a war that we won—nor even a full-scale battle. At best, it was a well-executed skirmish, a calibrated military response to the horrifying Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. Its importance lies not in territorial gains or dramatic military victories, but in the message it has sent loud and clear-Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for supporting and harbouring terrorist outfits. Precision strikes on terrorist camps disrupted their operations and showcased India's strategic capabilities. However, this operation must not be mistaken for closure. The war on terror is a long and evolving struggle, requiring constant vigilance, strategic foresight, and, above all, national unity. True victory will come not with a single strike, but through sustained efforts to dismantle the networks of extremism to be assured of lasting peace and security. Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India's strategic capability and resolve in the face of terrorism. However, its legacy will be defined not just by military precision but by the manner the nation's political leadership chooses to engage with it. By fostering transparency, encouraging responsible dialogue, and prioritising unity, India can ensure that such operations serve their true purpose—protection and security of all its citizens.
Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin CEO who bought his first apartment at age 12 is Singapore's youngest billionaire
Kishin RK was born with the proverbial silver spoon. The sole heir to Indian-origin real estate tycoon Raj Kumar Hiranandani, he is Singapore's youngest billionaire with $1.6 billion to his name. But the 42-year-old founder and CEO of RB Capital Group has not relied on his family name alone - he has drawn on his immense privilege to carve his own path to success. According to a report in SCMP, when he was 18, Kishin sold an apartment given to him by his parents. He then used the funds from this sale to start RB Capital Group. Kishin is one of just six Singaporeans on Forbes' 2025 billionaire list who are under the age of 50. He is the only one to have inherited his wealth, according to a VN Express report. Kishin is the son of Raj Kumar Hiranandani, a prominent real estate mogul and co-founder of Royal Holdings. Together, they are among Singapore's leading landlords, managing a property empire worth billions. A powerful father-and-son team in Singapore's real estate scene, Raj runs Royal Holdings, while Kishin started his own company, RB Capital, in 2006. In 2011, Raj and his brother Asok split their property business, and since then, Raj has been focused on building his own empire, reported Forbes. Born Kishin Hiranandani in 1983, Kishin RK was introduced to the world of real estate early on. In an 2021 interview with Tatler, he revealed that he bought his first apartment when he was just 12 years old. He was guided, of course, by his father. But the exercise of purchasing an apartment gave Kishin valuable insights into the world of real estate. Around the same time, he began accompanying his father to important business meetings. 'I realised that my interest was actually real estate. There was no need to do anything else,' he told Tatler Asia. 'I was really getting to understand the ins and outs of not just the family business, but the larger landscape of real estate and how it worked as an industry. And I wanted to go deeper.' Unlike his family business of acquiring properties, RB Capital also focuses on real estate development.
