Cyprus lawmaker touches PM Modi's feet during welcome ceremony
#WATCH | Cyprus | Michaela Kythreoti Mhlapa, Member of Council of Nicosia, while welcoming PM Modi at the historic Centre of Nicosia, touched PM Modi's feet as a mark of respect. The PM appreciated her for being familiar with the Indian culture. pic.twitter.com/jTyZ8HJknf
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Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Israel-Iran conflict: Indian students in Tehran recall harrowing moments, ‘skies filled with drones, blasts, blackout'
Indian students in Tehran remembered the initial hours of the conflict between Israel and Iran, stating the skies were filled with drones as the situation was 'getting worse every minute' amid rise of tensions in West Asia. They saw 'blasts, blackouts and skies filled with drones'. Nearly 140 Indian students were present at Tehran University of Medical Sciences on the first day of Israeli military action. While the students acknowledged the support extended by senior university officials, they also appealed for evacuation due to the growing uncertainty and escalating situation in the region. "The condition was getting worse here every minute," one of the students recollected. Another student stated, 'On Friday dawn, at around 3:20 am, we heard a blast. It was a huge sound. When we looked out of our windows, there was black smoke and when we went downstairs, we heard more blasts.' "After 2-3 hours, we heard boom of fighter jets. We have been really scared... Our skies were filled with the (Friday) evening to the next day's morning, we heard sounds continuously. There was a complete blackout and were sitting under the dormitory," the student mentioned. A student recalled, 'Our University (Tehran University of Medical Sciences) has been very helpful. As soon as the blasts happened, our Vice-Dean came to check upon us and calmed us. By the evening our Dean also arrived and assured us that nothing will happen. That was a very dangerous night which we faced. We don't have the heart the spend one more night here.' The students, hailing from various regions across India, have been pursuing their studies for different durations. They said that they are in contact with the Indian Embassy, which has assured them of full support. While recalling the government's efforts to bring back Indian students during Russia-Ukraine conflict, a student stated, 'We trust in India's power and really want to be evacuated.' The Embassy of India in Iran announced some helpline numbers and created a Telegram Link to communicate with Indian nationals currently in Iran. It provided details in a series of posts on X, saying that the Telegram link is "ONLY" for Indian nationals in Iran. "We request everyone in Iran to join the below given Telegram Link to receive updates on the situation from the Embassy. Kindly note that this Telegram Link is ONLY for those Indian Nationals who are currently in Iran. the embassy said on X. The Embassy urged people to exercise caution and remain in contact with the Embassy in Tehran and not to panic. Israel launched a major airstrike targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities on June 13, in an operation dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion'. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the initiation of the operation, a focussed military campaign aimed at countering what he called the 'Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.' He stated that the mission would persist 'for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.' Iranian News Agency IRNA stated the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), in response to the Israeli action, has launched a large-scale drone and missile operation 'Operation True Promise 3'. It aimed to target Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. The strikes were held in direct retaliation against Israeli "aggression".
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Iran-Israel conflict: India sets up 24x7 control room in New Delhi; helpline established by Indian Embassy in Tehran
In view of the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday established a 24x7 control room in New Delhi. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has also established an emergency helpline number to assist Indian nationals. In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote: 'A 24x7 Control Room has been established in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the ongoing developments in Iran and Israel.' The contact details of the control room are as under: +91-9968291988 (WhatsApp) In addition, the Embassy of India in Tehran, Iran, has set up a 24/7 emergency helpline with contact details below: 1. +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109 2. +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709. 3. Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036 4. Zahedan: +98 9396356649 Earlier on Monday, the MEA said in a statement that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. The statement continued, "In some cases, students are being relocated with the Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran. Other feasible options are also under examination. Further updates will follow. Separately, the Embassy is in touch with community leaders regarding welfare and safety." The Indian embassies in Israel and Iran have issued advisories on their X handles in view of the situation. "ADVISORY In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy's Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities," the Indian Embassy in Iran's post on X read. Israel launched a large-scale attack on Friday, targeting the Iranian capital, Tehran and other key locations. The strikes reportedly killed senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and destroyed vital infrastructure, including a nuclear enrichment facility located about 18 miles from Qom. In response, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles. In some cases, students are being relocated with Embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran. The escalating conflict has led many Middle Eastern nations to shut down their airspace. Numerous airports have suspended or significantly reduced operations, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and preventing many from escaping the region or returning home.
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Abhishek Banerjee, part of Op Sindoor outreach, raises questions on impact – ‘how many countries backed India?'
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the Centre of lacking accountability over the Pahalgam terror attack and raised five questions, including those on border security and alleged intelligence failure. Banerjee criticised the government's diplomatic efforts after the Pahalgam incident and asked how many countries backed India among 33 nations that the all-party delegation toured post Operation Sindoor. "After reaching out to 33 countries post-Pahalgam in the last one month, how many extended explicit support to India?" asked Abhsihek Banerjee, who was also part of the all-party delegation in a post on X TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was a member of the all-party parliamentary delegation led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha As many as 26 people were killed and several others injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated, targeting civilian areas. The two countries, however, decided to halt military actions on 10 May. Seven delegations visited several countries to address audiences, policymakers, and elected representatives on India's position on Pakistan's decades-long promotion of terrorism and New Delhi's new normal in tackling cross-border terror after Operation Sindoor. The multi-party delegations—comprising 59 lawmakers and former diplomats—travelled to 33 countries, including the European Union. The delegation included MPs from multiple parties, divided into seven groups consisting of 8-9 members. A leader was assigned for each group, who led the delegation on a global level. "It has been over 55 days since the Pahalgam terror attack. It is deeply concerning that in a democracy, neither the mainstream media, members of the opposition, nor the judiciary has stepped forward to raise these five critical questions before the Government of India." Banerjee said, "However, as a citizen committed to the nation's well-being and as a public representative entrusted with accountability, I raise these five questions before the Government of India." The TMC leader also questioned how four heavily armed terrorists managed to infiltrate the Indian borders and carry out an attack that left 26 civilians dead. Calling it a "massive breach in national security", Banerjee asked who would take responsibility for the "failure". He also targeted the Intelligence Bureau, questioning why its chief was granted a one-year extension just a month after the attack and questioned the government's "selective" use of surveillance technology. "If the GoI can conveniently use Pegasus spyware against opposition leaders (including me), journalists and even judges, what stops it from using the same tools against terrorist networks and suspects?" he asked. Banerjee raised doubts over the fate of the attackers in Pahalgam and demanded clarity and also brought up the issue of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and questioned the Centre's "silence" on a reported statement by the US President claiming that he persuaded India into a ceasefire with trade promises. "Just as the nation stood together irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and political affinity, celebrating the triumph of righteousness and saluting the valour and sacrifice of our armed forces, why were the emotions of 140 crore Indians disregarded?" he claimed. Banerjee concluded the post with a stinging remark on foreign policy expenditure. Over ₹2000000000000 (two lakh crores) has been spent on external affairs over the past 10 years. The Indian public deserves transparency, accountability and results – not silence and spin! "Over ₹ 2000000000000 (two lakh crores) has been spent on external affairs over the past 10 years. The Indian public deserves transparency, accountability and results – not silence and spin! The nation awaits a response," he said.
