PM gets Namibia's highest civilian award, his 27th global honour since 2014
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The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
House of wars: on Parliament, Operation Sindoor discussion
The government and the Opposition crossed swords in Parliament during a discussion on Operation Sindoor this week. There was unanimity in praising India's armed forces, but there was little common ground beyond that. Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. The elimination of three terrorists behind the attack, just before the parliamentary debate, helped the government's case. It told Parliament that these terrorists were Lashkar-e-Taiba members from Pakistan. The Narendra Modi government's strident approach seeks to change the behaviour of Pakistan and reassure its domestic audience. The success of this approach is debatable and the Opposition sought to put the government on the spot on both counts. A demonstrated willingness to use force against Pakistan in the event of a terrorism incident is a definitive turn in India's strategy, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) takes pride in that. But there is no evidence yet that it is working though there has been chest thumping around it by the ruling party. The discussion in Parliament barely addressed the implications of this approach, which is being touted as the new normal. The Opposition and the government agreed on the need to punish Pakistan, and also disagreed on who would do it better. The government claimed success in meeting its objectives of launching a military operation and denied that it had acted under pressure in ending the war. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded a pointed response to repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that he mediated the ceasefire but the Prime Minister evaded a direct response on it. The government contradicts itself when it says that the operation was a success, and that it is continuing. It is also exasperating to hear a party that is now in its eleventh year of uninterrupted power, blame people who passed away decades ago for any challenge that India faces now. There was little self-reflection regarding the lapses that led to the terrorism incident, and whether and how the government plans to address them. The government had sent joint teams including several MPs from the Opposition abroad to garner support for India in the aftermath of the operation, but that sign of statesmanship was a short-lived aberration, as it turns out. The world is changing rapidly and India's capacity to navigate those changes will be largely determined by its own character. Questioning the patriotism of political opponents is an easy route to take to evade tough questions, but the BJP must realise that such an approach has diminishing returns.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No formal talks yet with US on F-35 buy': Government in Lok Sabha
NEW DELHI: India has not had any formal talks with the US over the purchase of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, the external affairs ministry informed the Lok Sabha Friday. Responding to a written query, MoS (MEA) Kirti Vardhan Singh said the India-US joint statement following the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in Feb 2025 had mentioned that US will undertake a review of its policy on selling fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. "No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue," added the minister. A news agency reported on Thursday that India had told the US that it is not interested in purchasing the F-35 jets. The minister was also asked whether the govt has reviewed the dynamics relating to US military assistance proposals and India's autonomy in terms of foreign policy, given its strategic implications, especially in a conflict scenario involving third-party mediation. The minister responded by saying that the India-US partnership has benefited from growing strategic convergence & cooperation and that India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of its national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy. "India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like San Ramon: How Much Does It Cost To Replace Old Windows? Beautiful Energy-Efficient Windows Learn More Undo As regards third-party mediation, the minister said that it has been India's longstanding position that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only at a bilateral level. "This has been made clear to all nations, including by the PM to the US president," he said.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Centre clears Itarsi-Nagpur fourth rail line project
Bhopal: The PM Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Itarsi-Nagpur fourth railway line project. CM Mohan Yadav expressed gratitude to Modi for sanctioning this initiative. The approved railway line, stretching approximately 297 km between Itarsi and Nagpur, will strengthen railway connectivity in central India. According to Yadav, this development will benefit Narmadapuram, Betul, Pandhurna (Madhya Pradesh), and Nagpur (Maharashtra). The project will facilitate easier access for pilgrims travelling to the Jyotirlinga temples from Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar to Srisailam and Rameswaram. The 339 km track will encompass 37 stations, 36 major bridges, 415 minor bridges, 2 road over bridges, 74 road under bridges, four tunnels, and two rail over bridges. The connection will link four Jyotirlinga temples: Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, enhancing the pilgrim experience and regional tourism. At Nagpur, the fourth line will join the Mumbai-Howrah High Density Network, complementing the existing double line and partially finished third line. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hanoi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo The Itarsi-Nagpur section experiences significant congestion, especially in the Ghat section (Maramjhiri-Dharakhoh). This addition aims to increase capacity, decrease delays, and improve train frequency, supporting National Infrastructure Pipeline and Gati Shakti initiatives. The ongoing third line construction, valued at Rs 2,525.73 crore, includes 27 stations, 361 bridges/culverts, and four tunnels covering 1.4 km in the Ghat section. The fourth line's implementation may require land acquisition from 40 villages in Betul district, similar to the 16.036 hectares acquired from 290 farmers for the third line. The railway line will establish improved transport connections across significant districts, benefiting passenger and freight services. Regional industries will gain from enhanced logistics capabilities. The infrastructure will incorporate contemporary signalling systems and safety protocols. The construction phase will create substantial employment opportunities, continuing through operational stages.
