Indian PM Modi cuts short Saudi visit after Kashmir terror attack kills 26 tourists
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit on Tuesday (April 22) following a terror attack in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
A total of 26 people were killed in Tuesday's attack in Baisaran meadow in the Pahalgam area popular with tourists.
The attack by suspected unknown gunmen was widely condemned by Indian and foreign figures.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar, the region's summer capital, on Tuesday evening to review Kashmir's security situation.
In a post on X, Modi stated "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice."
"Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger," he wrote.
I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Those behind this heinous act will be brought… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
Modi had travelled to the Saudi city of Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day visit.
The Indian leader held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman before leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday night.
He co-chaired the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting to review bilateral relations in various areas.
The Saudi crown prince condemned the attack and expressed his condolences on the loss of lives, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said.
Indian Opposition leaders also expressed grief and condemnation over the attack.
Congress party senior leader Sonia Gandhi said she was "deeply saddened and devastated" to learn of the terror attack and described it as "an act of cowardice".
"The entire country stands united against terror. We share a deep resolve to defeat these divisive and violent forces. We need to work to build the broad social consensus against terror that existed in the past," Gandhi said.
The attack coincided with US Vice-President JD Vance's four-day visit to India.
In a post on X, Vance said "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India.
"Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack," he wrote.
US President Donald Trump called Modi to convey his condolences.
Trump expressed his full support to India "to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack," Jaiswal said.
The attack has shocked Kashmiri people as it is likely to affect the scenic region's summer tourism season.
"I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination... No words of condemnation are enough," Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said on X.
He described the attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years."
Jammu and Kashmir held its first local assembly elections in a decade in 2024 following which the Kashmir-based National Conference and the Congress party formed a coalition government headed by Omar.
The attack shattered the region's relative calm and may pose new challenges to the six-month-old elected regional government to revive Kashmir's economy.
"Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses," former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said.
Indian-administered Kashmir is a federal territory under New Delhi's direct control with the local administration enjoying limited powers.
The former state was divided into two federally ruled territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2019 after India abrogated Article 370 of the Indian constitution to take away the Muslim-majority region's quasi autonomy. - Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trump says pharma, chips tariffs incoming as trade war widens
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signalled Tuesday that fresh tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and semiconductors could be unveiled within the coming week, as a cascade of incoming duties promises to reshape global trading ties. Governments around the world are bracing as new waves of US tariffs are due to take effect this week, first on many Brazilian products Wednesday and then on dozens of other economies – including the European Union and Taiwan – beginning Thursday. Trump's sweeping plans have sparked a flurry of activity as leaders seek to avert the worst of his threats, with Swiss officials heading to Washington on Tuesday in a last-minute push to avoid punitive duties. But the US president appears set to widen his trade wars. Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250 per cent, while adding that he plans for new duties on foreign semiconductors soon. "We'll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it's going to go to 150 per cent," Trump said. "And then it's going to go to 250 per cent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country." Trump also said that Washington will be announcing tariffs "within the next week or so." He added: "We're going to be announcing on semiconductors and chips." Trump has set out varying tariff rates for dozens of economies after imposing a 10 per cent levy on almost all trading partners in April. But these broad duties taking effect Thursday exclude products like pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminium and lumber, which are being separately targeted by sector. This means that although the 39 per cent tariff Swiss leaders seek to avoid come Thursday excludes pharmaceuticals, Trump's plans for a steep levy on such imports will likely remain a point of contention in any talks. Pharmaceuticals represented 60 per cent of Swiss goods exports to the United States last year. Outside of Switzerland, most products from the European Union face a 15 per cent tariff starting Thursday, after Washington and Brussels struck a deal to avoid higher levies. But Trump warned Tuesday that the EU could see its tariff level surge again if it did not fulfil obligations under their recent pact. Some imports from Canada are also targeted by tariffs, although Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed Tuesday that more than 85 per cent of trade between the North American neighbours remains tariff-free under existing exemptions. Besides probing pharmaceuticals and chips imports, Trump has already imposed steep duties of 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, alongside lower levies on autos and parts. In the same CNBC interview Tuesday, Trump said he expects to raise the US tariff on Indian imports "very substantially over the next 24 hours" due to the country's purchases of Russian oil. This is a key revenue source for Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine. His pressure on India comes after signalling fresh sanctions on Moscow if it did not make progress by Friday towards a peace deal with Kyiv, more than three years since Russia's invasion. Moscow is anticipating talks this week with the US leader's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the Kremlin has criticised Trump's threat of raising tariffs on Indian goods. Weak employment data last week pointed to challenges for the US economy as companies take a cautious approach in hiring and investment while grappling with Trump's radical – and rapidly changing – trade policy. The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Trump sees as putting US exporters in a stronger position while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out foreign imports. But the approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Anwar calls for deeper appreciation of Asian history, free from colonial narratives
Anwar at the launch of the 'More Than A Day As A Tiger' exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. – Bernama --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a deeper appreciation of Asian history that moves beyond colonial narratives, citing Tipu Sultan of Mysore, an Indian ruler who fought against the British East India Company as a model of courage, learning and tolerance. He said that the contributions of Tipu Sultan and his father Haider Ali, as defenders against British colonial expansion, exemplified the importance of understanding history from the perspective of local and regional leaders rather than solely from Western accounts. "History is not necessarily very kind, one of our scholars Syed Hussein Alatas emphasised the need to reconstruct history because history cannot be written only by the winners or from the perspective of the colonial rulers," he said during the launch of the "More Than A Day As A Tiger" exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, here on Tuesday (Aug 5) night. Also present were the Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Albukhary Foundation chairman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary; Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and his spouse, as well as representatives from embassies and consulates. Anwar noted that Malaysian history, like that of many others, is often written from the perspective of the British, essentially reflecting Western colonial rule. "Of course, there have been lots of academic accounts, including by Edward Said on Orientalism, but the manner, the whole discipline of history, culture and society is being dictated by certain Western viewpoints," he said. Anwar also shared his personal experience visiting Mysore before taking office, recalling his admiration for Tipu Sultan's modest palace and his protection of Hindu temples, including the ancient temple there. He also praised Tipu Sultan's foresight in mastering military technology to confront colonial powers, citing the Mysore Sultanate's renowned cannons and firearms that had shocked the British in the early wars. "It is not just an ordinary exhibition, but to showcase the history of India and the Muslim world, and the history of the anti-colonial struggle against colonial rule, in this particular case, the British rule. "His diplomatic skills with the few sultanates, Muslims and Hindus in India and his venture into international diplomacy, particularly in persuading the French forces to support his struggle against the British," he said. Anwar noted that while Malaysians have historically had limited knowledge of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali's legacy, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia's exhibition would significantly enhance understanding about the two historical figures. Featuring an extensive collection of artefacts, manuscripts, weaponry and artworks related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, the exhibition will run from tomorrow until Jan 11, 2026, at Special Gallery 2. – Bernama
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Trump proposes 250% tariff on imported pharmaceuticals
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump revealed plans to impose tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals that could escalate to 250%, alongside new duties on foreign semiconductors. The move aims to push for domestic manufacturing of critical goods. 'We'll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it's going to go to 150 percent,' Trump said in an interview on CNBC. 'And then it's going to go to 250 percent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country.' The announcement follows earlier tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto parts, part of Trump's broader trade strategy targeting imports deemed a national security concern. The administration has conducted investigations into pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, signaling upcoming policy shifts. Trump also indicated an imminent increase in tariffs on Indian imports, citing the country's purchases of Russian oil. 'I expect to raise the US tariff on Indian imports very substantially over the next 24 hours,' he said. The proposed pharmaceutical tariffs mark a significant escalation in trade measures, potentially disrupting global supply chains. Industry analysts warn of higher drug prices, while supporters argue it will strengthen US self-sufficiency. - AFPpix
