Putin says he hopes Russia-Ukraine peace talks will continue
Putin, who was talking alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, said talks should be conducted 'without cameras and in a calm atmosphere.'
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India.com
14 minutes ago
- India.com
India On Edge? Iran, Pakistan Revive Chabahar-To-Turkey Rail Link, Deepen Strategic Ties And Trade Corridors
New Delhi: Iran and Pakistan have formalised a renewed partnership that opens up new transport routes and expands trade links across the region. During his first official visit to Pakistan, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a series of bilateral agreements aimed at boosting economic, technical and strategic cooperation between the two neighbours. Officials from both countries confirmed that Pakistani goods will now have overland access to European and Russian markets through Iranian territory. Analysts view this move as a potential game changer for regional logistics. They say it will offer an alternative to traditional maritime shipping routes that can be slower and costlier. This overland trade link is expected to be integrated with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal trade network that begins at India's Mumbai port and runs through Iran to reach Russia and Europe. India and Russia have been actively developing this corridor, and the inclusion of Pakistan raises questions about new dynamics in the region. The Iran-Pakistan alignment also touches on Beijing's broader ambitions. China is exploring ways to link its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which could allow Chinese goods to move through Iran and access the Gulf and Central Asia. It will reduce dependence on the Malacca Strait. With a strong naval presence from both India and the United States in that region, Beijing has been looking for strategic alternatives to safeguard trade routes. As part of the new partnership, Iran and Pakistan have set a target to increase bilateral trade from USD 3 billion to USD 10 billion. Both sides have framed this goal as a step toward strengthened economic cooperation and long-term regional integration. President Pezeshkian got an unusual welcome in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally receiving him at Nur Khan Airbase. The gesture was seen by many as a signal of how seriously Pakistan views its relationship with Tehran. The visit also comes at a time when Islamabad is balancing ties with the United States while seeking closer engagement with Iran. Pakistani officials have also reportedly raised the issue of Baloch separatist groups operating across the border, some of whom Islamabad claims receive support from abroad. A major highlight of the visit was the revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail project. Both countries agreed to restore and operationalise the 6,540-kilometer railway line that connects South Asia with Europe through Turkey. Once it resumes full operations, the journey will take around 10 days that will be a major improvement over the 21-day maritime route. The division of the railway spans 1,990 kilometres in Pakistan, 2,603 kilometres in Iran and 1,950 kilometeres in Turkey. Although the project was initially launched in 2009, it has faced repeated delays. Officials now hope to revive the corridor to full capacity. For India, the developments hold serious strategic implications. Iran and Pakistan have discussed linking the Iranian port of Chabahar, that India helped build, with Pakistan's Gwadar port, which is operated by China. Iranian leaders have expressed interest in connecting both ports via trade and logistics routes. This proposed maritime link could dilute India's strategic influence in the region and give China greater access to Gulf waters. Gwadar has already been a focal point of Chinese infrastructure investment, with reports suggesting that a future Chinese naval facility may be in the works. If Chabahar and Gwadar are connected, it could reshape the geopolitical balance of port infrastructure in the Arabian Sea and create new strategic concerns for New Delhi. The series of agreements signed during President Pezeshkian's visit marks a turning point in Iran-Pakistan relations. As the regional landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these developments are likely to resonate far beyond South Asia.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Control All & Delete: Russia's New Internet Rule Is Scary
In Russia, the government has been trying to control what people see and do on the internet for many years. They block websites, spy on users, slow down pages they don't like, and ban social media that criticizes the government. Now, a new law starting September 1 makes things even scarier. For the first time, people in Russia can get into trouble just for searching for certain things online. They can even be fined for using VPNs — tools that help people access blocked websites. That's like being punished just for reading something the government doesn't like. The rule says people will be held responsible if they 'knowingly' look up or open 'extremist' material — but the law doesn't clearly say what that means. And there are over 500 pages of things the government calls 'extremist,' including websites and groups linked to Alexei Navalny, a well-known critic of President Putin who died earlier this year. There are three big problems with this law: Too many things are called 'extremist.' It includes people and groups that just disagreed with the government. No one knows how the government will watch what people search. Will internet companies spy on everyone? What about students or reporters doing research? The law is confusing on purpose. It makes people scared. Many Russians are already deleting apps and leaving certain online groups, even if they're not doing anything wrong — just to be safe. Experts say this isn't really about protecting the country's internet. Russia doesn't even have the tech or money to control it like China does. Instead, this is more about stopping people from speaking out or organizing against the government. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Control All & Delete
Kremlin's new law restricting online search is a chilling new low For at least 15 years, Moscow has tightened controls on the internet using centralised routing, deep surveillance, bans on websites and social media, throttling websites critical of Moscow and so on. Its latest restriction – in a new law expected to kick in Sep 1 – hits a new low, the most chilling of all. For the first time, internet users will be penalised simply for search queries govt deems are 'extremist'. And fined for using VPNs that help users bypass censorship. That's practically making reading an offence. The new law says users will be held accountable for 'knowingly searching for and accessing extremist materials', including through VPN services. Moscow's digital development minister reportedly said 'ordinary users will not be affected' by the new law. How that will be possible is unknown – analysts have called it a vaguely worded legislation. Three points. First, justice ministry's list of 'extremist' materials stretches to more than 500 pages. Those banned in Russia for 'extremist activities' include entities associated with Kremlin critic and opposition politician, late Alexei Navalny. So, Putin's playing strictly by the Chinese playbook. Second, how this'll be monitored is unclear – will internet providers be expected to pass on browsing data and searches or will govt surveil? How will 'systems' differentiate those searching material for purposes of research? Third, the obscure language serves a purpose. The outcome is already as desired – creation of fear and self-censorship. Russians, reports say, are already unsubscribing from certain channels and deleting apps. Uncertainty the loosely worded law has unleashed has little to do with Moscow's claim of digital sovereignty – unlike China, it barely has the wherewithal in terms of funds, engineers or infra to do so – and everything to do with a crackdown on both Russian public and any attempts at political opposition. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
