&w=3840&q=100)
India slams OIC's statement on Kashmir, says 'absurd, at Pakistan's behest'
Responding to media queries, the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) spokesperson described the OIC's statement as 'absurd' and refusing to recognise the facts of the Pahalgam attack.
"The OIC statement, issued at the behest of Pakistan, is absurd in refusing to recognise the facts of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages. This is yet another attempt by Pakistan, a country that has long engaged in cross-border terrorism, to manipulate and misguide the OIC Group to issue a self-serving statement," the MEA said.
The ministry further said that the government rejects the OIC's interference on matters that are internal to India.
What did the OIC say?
On May 2, the OIC issued a statement calling for restraint and the urgent resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India. It added that there was a need to resolve differences through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard peace, security, and stability in South Asia.
"It (OIC) also recalled the decisions of the Islamic Summit and the resolutions adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers reaffirming the Organisation's unwavering support for the Jammu and Kashmir question. The General Secretariat urged the international community to intensify efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions," the statement added.
This is not the first time India has accused Pakistan of misusing OIC.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fibre2Fashion
12 minutes ago
- Fibre2Fashion
Trump's penalty talks create unease in Indian textile industry
In what many see as a major escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump on July 30 announced a sweeping 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from India even as India's competitors, including Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Turkiye, were levied lower tariffs of 15-20 per cent. The move has sparked concerns across sectors in India, especially after Trump also mentioned of an additional, unspecified penalty related to India's ongoing trade relations with Russia, specifically its purchases of crude oil. US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on all Indian imports. The move is compounded by Trump's warning of an unspecified penalty tied to India's ongoing trade relations with Russia, particularly its purchase of crude oil. The lack of clarity around the unspecified penalty has created unease in Indian business circles, especially among apparel exporters. While the announcement was made without detailing the nature of the additional penalty, industry leaders and policymakers are concerned over its ramifications and long-term implications. Reacting to the latest development, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued an official response, as reported by various media outlets. The statement emphasised that the Indian Government is closely examining the implications of the US President's announcement. 'The Government is studying its implications. India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,' the ministry reportedly underlined. The statement also reassured stakeholders that national interests would be protected. 'The Government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements, including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK,' the ministry reportedly added. Adding another dimension, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, just a day after Trump's tariff announcement, underlined Washington's dissatisfaction with India's continuing imports from Russia, as reported in certain sections of the media. 'India's purchase of oil from Russia is most certainly a point of irritation,' Rubio reportedly said speaking to a radio channel. Experts are thus viewing Trump's tariff imposition not just through the lens of protectionism, but as part of a broader geopolitical agenda. Some analysts believe the punitive measures reflect the US' discomfort with India's increasing strategic autonomy and its deepening economic engagement with Russia. Of particular concern to Indian exporters is the ambiguity surrounding the 'unspecified penalty' mentioned by Trump. The lack of clarity on this additional measure has created unease in the business circles. Sudhir Sekhri, chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) , reflected this sentiment, stating, 'The penalty is a grey area, and we hope the Government of India (GOI) will negotiate this with the US…' Echoing similar concerns, Rajeev Gupta, joint managing director of RSWM Ltd, earlier told Fibre2Fashion , 'Indian entrepreneurs and manufacturers are resilient, and we are confident that business momentum will be consistently rising with planned strategies. What remains crucial is clarity on the tariff position against China,' even as he added, 'A more pressing concern is the undefined penalty clause linked to India's ties with Russia, which adds a layer of uncertainty.' The timing of this development is critical, as both countries have been actively engaged in negotiations for a mutually beneficial trade agreement. India's recent efforts to diversify trade relationships, including the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK, many feel, signals a broader strategy to reduce dependence on any one market even as they added the US nonetheless remains one of India's largest trading partners, and any disruption in this relationship could have far-reaching implications for key export sectors such as textiles. 'The Free Trade Agreement with the UK opens up varied opportunities and is a welcoming move,' claimed an industry player interacting with Fibre2Fashion, who expressed apprehensions over the penalty ramifications if not sorted out soon. However, as things stand now, the Indian exporters seem to be adopting a cautious approach, a wait and watch policy to see how things unfold in the days to come as the steep duty imposed by US could hurt nearly half of India's exports, as per some estimates, adding to which is now the threat of additional penalty. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Post Op Sindoor: As Pak works channels to create ‘spy network', Punjab Police leads dismantling efforts
A series of arrests — from Punjab and Haryana to Rajasthan and Uttarakhand — in two months following Operation Sindoor has once again put in focus the efforts being made by the Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI to gather information critical to India's national security by establishing new espionage networks while targeting serving military personnel and civilians working in defence establishments. A senior Punjab Police officer who has been dealing with countering ISI's agenda told The Indian Express that an increased tempo of ISI activity in Punjab has been noticed during and after Operation Sindoor. The Punjab Police has in the recent past has busted several modules and arrested several persons who it believes were involved in espionage at Pakistan's behest. 'The ISI has established extensive espionage network in India by exploiting financial hardships, ideological leanings, personal vulnerabilities, and impersonating as Indian entities. Honey-trapping remains a key tactic, with operatives leveraging personal or intimate relationships to coerce targets into sharing sensitive intelligence,' said a senior intelligence officer of Punjab Police. The officer added that 'recruits' are tasked with gathering critical information on troop movements, strategic sites, and border deployments, with payments routed through hawala channels and encrypted apps to maintain secrecy. 'Punjab Police, working in coordination with central agencies, have proactively dismantled these deeply entrenched networks over the years, exposing the ISI's systematic efforts to destabilize India's security and reaffirming an unwavering commitment to national integrity,' said DGP Gaurav Yadav. He added that in view of the recent developments, Punjab Police intensified its efforts to identify and bust Pakistani espionage networks spread across India. In this regard, he added, several suspects from different states came to notice for being connected with Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) through encrypted communication platforms. Some of the PIOs have been found to be working in close association with terrorist groups in Pakistan. Subsequently, details of these individuals were shared with police in respective states and central agencies, leading to dismantling of a wide espionage network. In May and June, Punjab Police identified such espionage networks operating in state that led to arrest of several individuals in seven different cases. Among the individuals who have been arrested across various states in connection with Pakistan's ISI-backed espionage and propaganda activities are Jyoti Malhotra, alias Jyoti Rani, a YouTuber from Hisar in Haryana, Nauman Ilahi, a resident of Kairana in Uttar Pradesh; Devinder Singh from Kaithal, Haryana, Maulvi Qasim and his brother Asim from Rajasthan, Abhishek Bhardwaj from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Suraj Masih and Phalaksher Masih from Ajnala; Rakib from Uttarakhand, Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh from Gurdaspur, Harpreet Singh, alias Pittu, alias Happy from Amritsar Jail; Gazala and Yameen Mohd from Malerkotla; Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan from Tarn Taran and Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Ropar in Punjab. Apart from these, two Army jawans have also been arrested for passing on information to Pakistan. Devinder Singh was arrested on July 14 from a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district for allegedly leaking classified defense information to the ISI. He was arrested following the interrogation of Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopy Foji, a jawan serving in the Sikh Regiment who was arrested on June 21 from Amritsar for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with ISI operatives. 'These individuals were found to be involved in various activities such as sharing sensitive information, establishing contacts with PIOs, receiving payments for intelligence sharing, and assisting in anti-national logistics and communication,' a Punjab Police officer said. Another officer said that investigations initiated over these months have uncovered attempts by ISI to target Indian nationals — particularly social media influencers and content creators — under the false pretense of cultural diplomacy and digital peace initiatives. Individuals were lured through well-orchestrated outreach, aiming to manipulate online narratives and mislead public opinion in favor of anti-national agendas. Punjab Police investigations have also revealed that this network sought to exploit the popularity and credibility of Indian digital voices to push pro-Pakistan narratives and subtly influence public sentiment within India. These efforts are part of a broader psychological campaign aimed at undermining national unity and eroding institutional trust. 'The Punjab Police, through its vigilant monitoring and robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms, has contributed significantly to the identification and disruption of these networks,' says the officer handling investigations into ISI activities. Arrests made across different parts of the country have directly stemmed from intelligence inputs and coordinated action, reflecting the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation, said an officer.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
12 minutes ago
- First Post
Has India really stopped buying oil from Russia as Trump claims?
US President Donald Trump says India 'is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia', calling it a 'good step' if true. But Indian officials deny knowledge of any halt, while reports suggest some state refiners briefly paused purchases read more Employees manually fill containers with diesel during a power cut at a fuel station in New Delhi, July 31, 2012. Representational Image/Reuters Speaking to reporters in Washington on Saturday, United States President Donald Trump said: 'I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard, I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.' The comment is Trump's latest in a slew of remarks against India's purchasing of Russian crude oil. Trump has launched a campaign of economic pressure against countries continuing to engage with Russia, threatening tariffs and penalties as leverage to force a resolution to the war in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Days earlier, his administration announced a sweeping set of trade measures that would affect around 70 nations, including India. As part of this, a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the United States took effect, alongside a separate penalty related to purchases of Russian oil and military hardware. Trump also warned that countries buying Russian oil could face tariffs as high as 100 per cent if Moscow does not agree to a peace deal by mid-August. His stance has raised concerns about the potential impact on global markets, given India's role as the largest importer of Russian seaborne crude since 2022. In a strongly worded post on Truth Social, Trump lashed out at India's trade practices and its reliance on Russian defence and energy sectors. 'Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine — All things not good!' In another comment, he took an even sharper tone: 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let's keep it that way…' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The question: Has India really stopped buying Russian oil? In response to speculation, Indian officials and sources have sought to clarify the country's position. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not confirmed any change in policy and has made it clear that energy sourcing decisions remain based on price and national interest. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, when asked about reports suggesting Indian oil firms had stopped taking Russian crude, said during his weekly briefing, 'We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time. As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I don't have details of these specifics.' Privately, an MEA source echoed this line, telling ANI that energy decisions are grounded in economic realities: 'India's energy purchases are driven by national interests and market forces. We do not have any reports of Indian oil firms halting Russian imports.' Reports of a temporary pause by state refiners While there has been no formal announcement from New Delhi, multiple reports suggest some state-owned refiners may have temporarily paused buying Russian oil in the past week. According to Reuters, India's key state refiners — including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd — did not seek Russian crude cargoes recently. This development comes amid narrowing discounts on Russian oil and increased warnings from Washington about the risks of continuing purchases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A man stands at an Indian Oil fuel station in Sonipat, March 5, 2025. Representational Image/Reuters These refiners, which control over 60 per cent of India's combined refining capacity of 5.2 million barrels per day, frequently purchase Russian oil on a 'delivered' basis, meaning suppliers handle shipping and insurance. When they did not place orders, they turned instead to the spot market, buying mostly West Asian and West African crude grades such as Abu Dhabi's Murban. Notably, the country's private refiners — Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy — are the largest individual buyers of Russian crude in India, but the state-owned companies dominate the overall refining landscape. Whether these pauses represent a longer-term shift or merely a short-term adjustment remains unclear. India's reliance on Russian crude since 2022 India became the world's biggest importer of Russian seaborne oil after Europe stopped most purchases in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This marked a significant pivot in global energy flows: before 2022, Europe had been Russia's largest oil buyer. India now sources nearly 2 million barrels per day from Russia — roughly 35 per cent of its total oil imports — amounting to over $50 billion worth of purchases in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to official data. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The range of Russian crude reaching Indian shores is wide. Imports include Urals from Russia's western ports, ESPO and Sokol from the Pacific, and some grades from the Arctic. Urals, the largest Russian export grade, is particularly reliant on India; up to 70 per cent of its exports are absorbed by Indian refiners. Russia's state oil giant Rosneft has also become deeply intertwined with India's refining sector, holding a significant stake in one of the country's largest refineries, which further cements the commercial relationship. Why purchasing Russian oil is not illegal Officials and industry sources defending India's Russian oil imports underline that the purchases are not only lawful but beneficial for global energy stability. Sources speaking to ANI stressed that Russian oil has never been sanctioned outright by the US or the European Union. Instead, a price-cap mechanism was introduced by the G7 and EU to restrict Moscow's revenues while ensuring crude continued to flow into world markets. India has adhered to this framework, ensuring all purchases stayed below the cap — currently $60 per barrel — while securing affordable energy supplies. The same sources argued that India's strategy helped prevent a worse crisis: 'Had India not absorbed discounted Russian crude combined with OPEC+ production cuts of 5.86 mb/d, global oil prices could have surged well beyond the March 2022 peak of US $137/bbl, intensifying inflationary pressures worldwide.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This perspective paints India not as an outlier, but as a stabilising force in global oil markets, especially at a time when other buyers, including the EU, continue to import Russian-origin energy in other forms. For instance, during this period, the EU remained the largest buyer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), accounting for 51 per cent of exports, with China and Japan following. How Moscow could retaliate Analysts warn that any sharp reduction in Indian demand for Russian oil could provoke a major response from Moscow. Russia's exports to India are so vital that they now make up a substantial share of the Kremlin's revenues. Experts at JP Morgan have cautioned that if India's imports were disrupted, Moscow could retaliate by closing the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline from Kazakhstan. This pipeline is critical for US energy majors like Chevron and Exxon, who have significant investments in Kazakh production. Any closure of CPC would create another severe supply shock, reverberating across the global oil market. How India would manage without Russian oil If India were to scale back or halt Russian purchases, the adjustment would be complicated and costly. Refiners would have to increase imports of US and West Asian crude or reduce refining activity. Either path could send ripples through the global economy. A cut in refining runs would immediately tighten diesel supply. India is a significant exporter of refined fuels, especially diesel, to Europe. Reduced output in India would likely push European diesel prices higher. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Switching suppliers on a large scale would also require logistical and contractual adjustments. India's refiners have integrated Russian crude into their operations over the past two years; unwinding that flow would not happen overnight. Meanwhile, private refiners — which account for a large chunk of Russian crude purchases — have not publicly signalled any change. Donald Trump's claim that India has stopped buying Russian oil remains unverified. With inputs from agencies
