Indo-Pak conflict: Trump was seeking mileage out of it, no basis in his claim, says US Congressman
Thanedar said that after the Pahalgam attack in which terrorists killed 26 people, it was natural for India to respond with 'Operation Sindoor' and the US certainly accepted New Delhi's position.
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Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rahul sounds 'match-fixing' alarm again, says Bihar next
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday renewed his allegation of electoral malpractices in last November's assembly election in Maharashtra that the BJP-led alliance swept and said " match-fixing will come next in Bihar", which goes to polls later this year. Gandhi, who has been attacking the central government over its handling of Operation Sindoor, again raised the allegation of electoral malpractices in identical articles written in more than a dozen newspapers and through social media posts. He focussed his charges more on the authenticity of electoral rolls and high voter turnouts and less on electronic voting machines. He again objected to the Chief Justice of India not being part of the search committee for election commissioners. Incidentally, all these issues are topics of petitions currently pending before the apex court. Maintaining the Maharashtra poll was a blueprint for "how to steal an election" and "for rigging democracy", Gandhi claimed it was done through various steps. "Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission , Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll, Step 3: Inflate voter turnout, Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win, Step 5: Hide the evidence. It's not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra," he wrote on microblogging platform X. "But rigging is like match-fixing - the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroys public faith in the result. All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers. Because the match-fixing of Maharashtra will come to Bihar next, and then anywhere the BJP is losing. Match-fixed elections are a poison for any democracy," he said. Gandhi renewing the charges over Maharashtra election results after a pause on the front and the fact that his latest burst is mostly a summary of the old charges, have made many in the Congress wonder whether he was using it more as a caveat ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly poll, where Gandhi's new-found switch to 'social justice' plank has high-stakes. They said his article is mostly inspired by the "investigations" done by the AICC's data wing.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘US stands firmly with India': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation meets top US officials; discusses Operation Sindoor
Shashi Tharoor led all-party delegation with US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau (Picture credit: X/@Tejasvi_Surya) NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor , leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to the United States, briefed key American officials on the escalating threat of cross-border terrorism faced by India and the country's strong counter-response through Operation Sindoor . According to an official statement issued by the Embassy of India in the US, the delegation met deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau and held a wide-ranging conversation on regional security and India-US bilateral cooperation. The delegation informed the US official about the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed and several injured, and outlined India's subsequent military operation launched on May 7. "The delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms," the Embassy said in a statement. — IndianEmbassyUS (@IndianEmbassyUS) The deputy secretary of state reaffirmed the United States' 'strong support' to India in its fight against terrorism, the statement added. The discussions also included avenues to deepen cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Tharoor also engaged with members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In separate meetings with Senator Chris Van Hollen and a phone call with Senator Cory Booker, the delegation shared insights on India's security challenges and military actions. 'Senator Van Hollen expressed deep sympathy for India and reaffirmed that the US stands firmly with India in the fight against terrorism,' BJP MP Tejasvi Surya posted on X following the meeting. Congress MP Tharoor also said on X that he had a "warm & productive" conversation with Senator Cory Booker. 'Outlined the repeated provocations of terrorism emanating from across the border, laid out the details of Operation Sindoor, and emphasized India's firm resolve in countering any future acts of terrorism,' Tharoor wrote. The delegation participated in a special dinner hosted by the Indian Ambassador, where former envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu said on X, 'Delighted to meet so many old friends and supporters of India-US partnership at Ambassador's dinner.' Tharoor also addressed the US media at the National Press Club in Washington in a session moderated by Indian-American journalist Poonam Sharma. 'A lively session... spanned a wide range of issues related to Operation Sindoor and India's actions against terrorism,' he wrote. The all-party delegation includes MPs from various political parties: Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejasvi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), and Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), along with former Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. India launched Operation Sindoor as a direct response to the Pahalgam attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Defence exports signal India's rise as regional security provider
Democracies are rightly subjected to a higher standard of scrutiny in the delivery of goods and services to the unserved and underserved. In India, that test is exacting. No slogan survives without substance, no claim without consequence. Real transformation must reach the last person because in our democracy Antyodaya casts a vote. That is why, one year into Modi 3.0, the resounding mandates in Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana are not just political milestones -they are a reaffirmation that in today's India delivery, not rhetoric, earns trust. Programmes anchored in the philosophy of 'Sarvodaya through Antyodaya' ensure that no Indian is left behind. More than 25 crore people have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has disbursed over Rs 3.68 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers. The 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative has empowered over one crore rural women to achieve annual incomes exceeding Rs 1 lakh. Nearly 3 crore houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water connections to over 15.44 rural households. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has been expanded to offer free health coverage of ₹5 lakh per year for all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. This is expected to benefit approximately 6 crore senior citizens, providing them with comprehensive healthcare access and financial protection. Additionally, the scheme has been extended to include frontline community health Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to zero tolerance policy against terrorists was evident in the swift response to the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists had targeted innocent tourists. The nation mourned the loss but stood united, executing Operation Sindoor with precision and dominance, reaffirming its resolve to combat terrorism and protect its citizens. The world witnessed Indian defence forces' technological and strategic superiority, backed by the strong and decisive leadership of the PM. The resolute political will is matched by strategic investment in self-reliance. India's swift precision during Operation Sindoor was enabled, in part, by years of steady focus on indigenising defence capacity. Post-2014, India's defence manufacturing has been rapidly modernised, with exports rising substantially. This transformation is not accidental. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, key reforms such as the Defence Acquisition Procedure, Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy and the opening of 100% FDI for certain sectors have enabled homegrown firms to thrive. The introduction of two dedicated PLI schemes for drones and components has further catalysed next-gen innovation. Today, Indian-designed missile systems, armoured vehicles and naval platforms are not only deployed in our forces but exported to over 80 countries, reinforcing India's image as a regional security provider at a time when global trust in reliable defence partners is at a is at the centre of this vision. India is making strides in the semiconductor sector, driven by major investments and government incentives. Tata Electronics is constructing a ₹27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and testing plant in Assam, expected to begin operations by mid-2025 and create around 27,000 jobs. Meanwhile, a ₹3,706 crore joint venture between HCL and Foxconn is set to establish a semiconductor unit in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on display driver chips, with production starting in is now the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 1.57 lakh recognised startups - including more than 100 unicorns and over 3,600 deep-tech ventures focused on AI, biotech and semiconductors. Our space sector alone has given rise to more than 200 startups, signalling the rise of a confident innovation economy. The startup ecosystem has already created more than 17.2 lakh direct jobs and ignited a new generation of problem-solvers and India has quietly emerged as the world's most connected democracy. With over 80 crore internet users and 136 crore Aadhaar enrolments, it hosts the largest digital identity programme on the planet. We now account for 46% of global digital payments, powered by platforms like UPI that have democratised financial transactions. These systems have not only empowered citizens but made governance smarter, faster and more budget for 2024-25 embodied the government's decisiveness. Total expenditure was pegged at ₹44.6 lakhcrore, with capital outlay raised to an unprecedented ₹10 lakhcrore. Tax exemptions were widened, middle-class rebates doubled, and the angel tax - long a concern for startups - was abolished. These reforms consolidate consumption, catalyse entrepreneurship and cement India's long-term growth year into Modi 3.0, the momentum is unmistakable. Roads, factories and solar panels are not just signs of progress, they are foundations for aspiration. In every sphere - economic, social and strategic. India is scripting a new chapter of national renewal. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the decisive decade is well underway. The Author is is Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
