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FirstUp: Swedish Prime Minister to meet Nato chief and other headlines of the day
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is set to meet Nato head Mark Rutte today in Stockholm. Meanwhile, a UK court will begin a trial of former Conservative MP Craig Williams, along with 14 others, in connection with gambling offences during the national election last year. In India, a special task force is likely to begin functioning in Karnataka from today to fight communal violence read more
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte met shortly after the latter took charge. File image/AFP
It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is set to meet Nato head Mark Rutte today in Stockholm. Meanwhile, a court will begin trial for 15 individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams, in connection to gambling offences during the national election last year.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to visit Sweden today to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders. In India, a special task force is likely to begin functioning today to fight communal violence.
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Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.
Swedish PM to meet Nato head Mark Rutte
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will host Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm. The high-level engagement will be followed by a joint press conference.
According to reports, discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Nato's collective deterrence and defence capabilities, particularly in light of the evolving security landscape in Europe. Both leaders will likely address Sweden's contributions to the Alliance, which include plans to further increase defence spending and an offer to lead a new Nato battlegroup to be established in Finland.
The meeting comes at a crucial time, with Sweden having recently become a full member of Nato in March 2024.
The first court hearing in connection with charges related to the UK general election betting scandal will take place today. Fifteen individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams and Welsh Senedd member Russell George, are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Conservative Party candidate Craig Williams speaks has been charged alongside 14 others with gambling offences. File image/Reuters
The Gambling Commission launched an investigation in June 2024 into these alleged 'cheating' offences under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005. The charges suggest that individuals with insider knowledge placed bets on the timing of the 2024 general election before the date was publicly announced by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. While political betting is legal in the UK, using insider information for such wagers is a criminal offence. The UK's gambling regulator filed a chargesheet against the individuals on April 16 this year.
The scandal cast a significant shadow over the Conservative Party's election campaign and has prompted renewed debate about the ethics of political betting and the need for stricter regulations. If found guilty, those charged could face fines or prison sentences of up to two years.
Vietnamese Prime Minister set to visit Sweden
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will meet Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson along with members of the Swedish Royal Family today. Pham Minh Chinh is on a two-day visit to Sweden and has been present in the country since Wednesday (June 11).
The visit, marking the first by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Sweden in six years, is a significant event aimed at injecting new momentum into the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Discussions with the Swedish PM will likely cover deepening collaboration in key areas such as politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, environmental issues and climate change response.
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Karnataka's Special Task Force to likely begin
The special task force formed to tackle communal violence will begin from June 13. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara is likely to launch the task force. According to an itinerary of the district minister, the special action force will be inaugurated at the Mangaluru Police Commissioner's office.
According to a Deccan Herald report, the force will have three companies or units, which will be set up in DK, Shimoga and Udupi districts. The government order issued on May 28 stated that 248 officers, including a senior DIGP, will be a part of this force.
These officers have been allotted by the Anti-Naxal Force.
With inputs from agencies
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
India Eyes Russian Su-57 Over American F-35: Final Choice Will Be Strategic, Not Just Tactical
Last Updated: If India does go for a stop-gap foreign fighter, it must not forget the ultimate priority – AMCA. The skies may be contested, but sovereignty cannot be India stands at a historic crossroads. Should it embrace the American F-35 jet, or should it buy the Russian Su-57? Earlier this year, Us President Donald Trump offered India the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter, a move hailed as game-changing. But just as that offer began gaining traction, another twist emerged—this time from Russia. In a bold and unprecedented play, Moscow sweetened its Su-57 proposal by offering India access to the aircraft's source code. This surprising development sent shockwaves through global defence circles, highlighting India's growing geopolitical leverage while presenting a difficult choice: advanced American technology with restrictions, or Russian flexibility with an uncertain performance history. Reports now suggest that India is actively considering the Russian Su-57 offer over the American F-35. As per CNBC's Parikshit Luthra, government sources have confirmed that India is weighing the Su-57 offer, while no F-35 proposal is under consideration at the moment. What is driving this potential shift? And what should India ultimately choose—an American fighter jet, a Russian one, or should it double down on its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme? The decision is complex, consequential, and likely to shape India's military capabilities, strategic autonomy, and position in the global fifth-generation fighter race. Urgency and Options in India's Jet Quest India's need for fifth-generation jets is urgent. China already has J-20 stealth fighters operational along the border and is preparing to export its J-35 fighter, possibly to Pakistan. India's own AMCA programme has been cleared but is still in its early stages. Even in the most optimistic scenario, it will take several years before a prototype is ready for induction. That timeline makes a stop-gap purchase probable, and global defence manufacturers have been quick to recognise India's dilemma. The American F-35 is widely regarded as the most advanced stealth fighter in the world. Over a thousand F-35s are already in service with countries like Israel and NATO members. The jet has seen real combat, is loaded with cutting-edge sensors and avionics, and excels in stealth and situational awareness. But there are significant problems with this offer. First, the cost: each F-35 is priced between $80 to $110 million, nearly double the cost of the Russian Su-57. Second, the United States has shown no willingness to transfer technology or allow joint production—both non-negotiable for India. Then come the concerns about operational sovereignty. There have long been rumours that the F-35 contains a 'kill switch', a remote mechanism that could disable the aircraft. Whether or not such a feature exists, the core issue is that the aircraft runs on millions of lines of code controlled exclusively by the United States. Without access to the source code, India will not be able to integrate indigenous weapons like the BrahMos, Rudram, or Astra missiles. It would be locked into American munitions and maintenance systems, making the overall cost and dependency much higher. Russia Plays Game-Changing Card This is where Russia's offer stands out. Moscow is offering India the Su-57E, the export version of its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, along with full access to the source code. This offer includes joint production in India, complete technology transfer, and the freedom to customise the aircraft with Indian weapons systems. With access to the source code, India could upgrade the jet independently, integrate indigenous systems, and reduce dependence on Russian support over time. Even France did not offer source code access for the Rafale jets, which is why India has been unable to integrate its own weapons into those platforms. Russia's proposal also includes upgrades to India's Su-30MKI fleet and support for the AMCA programme, potentially fast-tracking India's overall aerospace capabilities. Russia's Motivation Why is Russia making such an unprecedented offer? One reason is that the Su-57 has very few buyers. The ongoing war in Ukraine and Western sanctions have weakened Russia's defence exports. Only Algeria has reportedly placed an order for the jet. Secondly, the Su-57 hasn't yet achieved mass production. Fewer than 40 jets have been built, and Russia needs financial and industrial support to scale up. Thirdly, India was once part of the Su-57 project. Back in 2007, India and Russia had signed an agreement to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter. However, India withdrew in 2018 over concerns about cost, performance, disagreements and delays. Still, it had already invested significant sums in the project, and Russia has kept the door open ever since. Reviving that partnership now makes both strategic and economic sense for Moscow. Su-57 vs F-35: Tactical Edges Technically, both the F-35 and Su-57 are fifth-generation jets, but they differ sharply in design philosophy. The F-35 excels in stealth, electronic warfare, and sensor fusion. It is designed to detect enemies first and strike from a distance, making it an ideal first-strike platform. The Su-57, on the other hand, is built for speed, agility, and manoeuvrability. In a long-range encounter, the F-35 would likely spot the Su-57 first. But in a close-range dogfight, the Su-57 could dominate owing to its manoeuvrability. To oversimplify: the F-35 is an offensive fighter, while the Su-57 is a defensive one. When viewed against the backdrop of Chinese capabilities, the Su-57 appears to offer a better match. China's J-20 is already deployed at the Himalayan border, and the J-35, while not yet in service with the Chinese air force, is being marketed aggressively, possibly at a discount to Pakistan. Both jets prioritise stealth, but their capabilities still lag behind the F-35. Compared to the Chinese fighters, the Su-57 holds clear advantages in speed, agility, and weapons integration. Moreover, India's ability to modify and customise the Su-57 would allow it to retain battlefield flexibility—something the F-35 deal cannot offer. F-35 wins in stealth and avionics, and it is battle tested unlike the Su-57, meanwhile while the Su-57 wins in manoeuvrability, weapons flexibility, sovereignty and access, and cost. Not Just Tactical, But Strategic But the decision going forward will not be exclusively tactical— it will be strategic. India weighing the Russian proposal signals that the time-tested India-Russia relationship still holds promise—despite today's geopolitical headwinds. What India seeks are favourable, future-ready deals—not lopsided ones forced at gun-point, even if they come from a key defence partner like the US. Ultimately, the jet should be thoroughly tested in Indian conditions to ensure it meets all operational needs. AMCA is Non-Negotiable top videos View all While this debate plays out, it is crucial that India does not lose sight of the AMCA programme. A big-ticket foreign purchase—whether American or Russian—should not divert attention from India's long-term goal of aerospace independence. The AMCA has been green-lit and is seeking international and private partners to co-develop engines and other critical systems. Talks are ongoing with Britain's Rolls-Royce and France's Safran for engine co-development with full technology transfer. DRDO has promised to deliver the AMCA by 2035. The choice India makes—between the F-35, Su-57 or solely AMCA—will not only shape the future of the Indian Air Force but also define the country's broader strategic posture. If India does go for a stop-gap foreign fighter, it must not forget that the ultimate priority is the AMCA. The skies may be contested, but sovereignty cannot be. About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. tags : China f35 Indian Air Force Russia Su-57 Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 14, 2025, 10:10 IST News opinion India Eyes Russian Su-57 Over American F-35: Final Choice Will Be Strategic, Not Just Tactical
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘It's our responsibility to apologize to India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre': UK MP Bob Blackman
Bob Blackman, a five-time Conservative MP from Harrow East, London says it is the responsibility of the UK government to apologize to India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Punjab's Amritsar on April 13, 1919. In an interview with The Indian Express via web conferencing, Blackman also accepts the presence Khalistani separatists in UK, but adds that are a small minority. Excerpts: Time and again, you have demanded from successive governments in your country that the UK must apologize to India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As a Britisher, why do you feel that the apology must come? What came as an eye-opener for me was a visit to the (Jallianwala) Bagh in Amritsar. Of course, we can talk about the massacre, about terrible events that took place, from afar but I have to confess, I was ignorant about several things before I actually visited the Bagh. And when you see the site of the massacre, where those innocent people had gathered on the auspicious day of Baisakhi, just to be with family and friends– you realize how tragic it was. They were not a threat to anyone. And then, the troops marched in, literally shooting at them till they ran out of ammunition. For us, as Britishers, to pretend that it never happened, is not right. So why do you think that despite your repeated demand, the apology hasn't come even after more than a century. I led a debate on the centenary of the massacre in our Parliament in 2019, urging the then government to issue an apology to India. The then PM, Theresa May, 'regretted' the massacre and called it a 'shameful scar' in British-India history but stopped short of issuing a formal apology which I think was extremely regrettable. Had we apologized then, it would have been far better. I reiterated that demand earlier this year as well on the massacre's 106th anniversary. Whatever wrong things were done in the name of the British Empire around the world, they should be apologized for. We can't be responsible for actions taken by our forebears, but what we can do is to say, look, it was wrong, and we are sorry. So what convinces you to consistently ask your own country for an apology to India even as it hasn't happened yet? Is it some guilt as a Britisher? No, I don't carry any guilt as I wasn't the one to order that firing. But I do not feel any hesitation in saying that what was done was wrong, absolutely wrong, it should not have been done and we should apologize. It is equally regrettable to see the length of time that it has taken to drag out an apology, given the huge number of people who lost their lives. At the Bagh, when you see that well, where so many people jumped inside to escape firing, you realize it was a terrible way to die. So for me, it's not a feeling of guilt, this is our responsibility. It was one of those incidents that if you don't apologize, it will continue to be a running sore. We can't bring those people back but can say that what happened to them was utterly wrong. Coming to the recent developments between India and Pakistan, you met the Indian Parliamentarians' delegation post Operation Sindoor. Your views on the meeting. We absolutely condemn the heartrending terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam. We were given to understand that India's recent military action against terror bases in Pakistan was not just about Pahalgam, but several terrorist attacks that have taken place in the past. The sad reality however is, that no one's quite sure of who's incharge in Pakistan, whether it's their so-called elected government or their generals and military who seem to be literally calling the shots. It was made clear to us by the visiting delegation that India is, and will react proportionally to the attacks from the Pakistani side, if any. So what do you think Pakistan can do to stop fostering terrorism on its soil? First, Pakistan should remove the terror bases that exist along the line of control, whether for training terrorists or facilitating the entry of terrorists into sovereign India. It is pretty clear that Pakistan is, at the very least, not just tolerating the terrorist camps, but probably almost certainly encouraging them, because anything that destabilizes India seems to be good news for Pakistan, which I think is regrettable. Equally, there are reports of Pakistan linked terrorists tunneling into the Kashmir Valley. Pakistan has even attacked in the Punjab and the Indian forces had to thwart attacks on the Golden Temple, for example, which is a direct threat to religious places of worship, which is outrageous. The second thing that Pakistan can do is to withdraw their military forces from Jammu and Kashmir, end the illegal occupation and allow it to be part of India, as was always intended back in 1947. The US President, Donald Trump, has been regularly trying to portray that he was the one who got this ceasefire done, whereas India has denied that and they said that it was Pakistan, which had requested the ceasefire. Your comments. As we know, the Americans have been strong supporters of Pakistan for quite a long time. Indeed, during the Bangladesh war of independence 1971, the Americans were on the Pakistani side. I think India takes a very strong stance on these things and quite rightly so. India has suffered at hands of terrorism and was going to make sure that the terrorists understood that they will not be allowed to gain ground, they will not be allowed to terrify the people of Kashmir and there would be grave consequences of any such act in future. I know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a good relationship with the Americans, quite rightly too, that's good news for India. It's good news for world trade. And indeed, we want India to be part of the democracies of the world that encourage justice and peace. But I think we should be very clear that the initiative for a ceasefire came from Pakistan, not from India. Because basically India was saying, if you attack us, we're going to attack you back, but we are not going to be the aggressors. The separatist Khalistani elements have been flourishing on UK soil. India has raised this several times. Your take. Yes. And I've called them out. We've had these pro-Khalistan demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in London. And indeed, when Prime Minister Modi or other key visitors from India have been on official visits to the UK, there have been such demonstrations. But this is a very small minority. I think we should be very clear that in the UK, the vast majority of British Sikhs do not agree with a so-called independent Khalistan. The vast majority of Sikhs are loyal to Britain now and indeed maintain their loyalty to India and don't want to see this misguided campaign. I've called on the police to take firm action outside the Indian High Commission when Khalistanis have demonstrated. I've called them out for what they are, thugs and potentially terrorists. And we need to ensure that the police and the security services take every action necessary to ensure they can't cause problems. There's nothing wrong with people demonstrating peacefully on what they have to say as long as they're not causing criminal damage or intimidating people.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mid-air escape: Air India London-Delhi flight entered Iran airspace as Israel struck with missiles; rerouted over Iraq
NEW DELHI: An Air India flight from London to New Delhi had just entered Iranian airspace when Israel launched a wave of missile strikes on Iran's military and nuclear sites. The flight was rerouted over Iraq before arriving in India one hour late, according to an AFP report. The close call was one of several disruptions on Friday as Air India diverted or turned back at least 16 international flights mid-air due to the sudden escalation and subsequent closure of Iranian airspace. Among those affected were services between India and cities like London, Toronto, and New York. Aircraft tracking site Flight Aware showed that two other Air India flights — from Delhi to Vienna and Mumbai to London — were nearing Iranian airspace and turned back to their origin airports shortly after the strikes began. In a statement, Air India said: 'Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it.' The airline is offering full refunds or complimentary rescheduling to affected passengers and is arranging accommodation where necessary. The Indian Embassy in Iran also issued an advisory urging Indian nationals and people of Indian origin to stay alert and avoid non-essential travel, as tensions surged following Israel's precision strikes targeting Iranian defence infrastructure. Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria temporarily shut down their airspace, leading to widespread cancellations and rerouting of global flights to and from the Middle East. Global airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran as air traffic over the region thinned out overnight. Israel said the strikes were a direct response to the growing threat from Iran's missile and nuclear capabilities. Iran retaliated by launching a wave of drones toward Israeli territory.
