MEA turns down request for delegation to Yemen citing legal, security constraints in Nimisha Priya case
In a formal communication, the MEA cited serious security concerns, the absence of diplomatic relations with the authorities in Sana'a, and a recent Supreme Court directive which held that such negotiations must be conducted solely between Priya's family and the family of the Yemeni victim.
'The Indian Embassy in Yemen has been relocated to Riyadh due to the disturbed security situation,' the MEA said. 'The Ministry is concerned about the delegation's safety and well-being. The security situation in Sana'a remains tenuous, and recent regional developments have made matters more challenging.'
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The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
On the track towards belonging
The completion of the the Udhampur, Srinagar, Baramulla rail link project, or the Jammu–Baramulla line, nearly four decades in the making, marks not only a historic engineering achievement in one of the most formidable terrains on the planet, but also the quiet fulfilment of a long-standing promise between the Indian state and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Spanning 272 km through the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges, this railway line is more than steel and concrete; it is a bridge of belonging. Mobility equates to opportunity. The railway line connects places such as Sopore, Anantnag, Qazigund, and Banihal to the national economy. It brings markets closer, education within reach, and jobs within possibility. Each train narrows not just physical distance but also psychological gaps. This railway line fosters the sentiment that national integration is not merely about symbolism but practical access, investment, and shared development. In a region long marked by conflict, this railway line offers a quieter story — one of shared work, patience, and steady progress. It won't resolve every issue, but it shifts the conversation towards connection and common purpose. The train carries the message that Kashmir is not peripheral to India, but central to its journey forward. SPOTLIGHT | Building bridges to Kashmir Audacity and achievement This milestone would not have been possible without the undaunted spirit of India's railway engineers. From the snow-bound tunnels of Pir Panjal to the vertiginous heights of the Chenab bridge, these professionals and workers toiled through some of the harshest natural conditions imaginable. They worked through deep winters, unpredictable landslides, and security concerns. Their courage and commitment deserve the gratitude of a nation. The Indian Railways has a proud tradition of such resolve. In the 19th century, railway engineers built a railway through the treacherous Western Ghats and delivered the Bhor Ghat section that connects Mumbai with the Deccan. During the Assam rail-link project of 1948, when newly independent India faced a logistical crisis in connecting the Northeast, the legendary railway engineer Sardar Karnil Singh (later Chairman of the Railway Board) and his team built 200 kilometres of line in record time, including more than 300 bridges. The Jammu-Baramulla line now joins this lineage of audacity and achievement. It is a reminder that while governments may change and priorities may shift, the railway engineer — anonymous and often unsung — continues to be one of the Republic's most enduring architects. Their work does not merely connect places; it connects lives, aspirations, and identities. It is they who transform maps into meanings and blueprints into belonging. The symbolism of the Jammu-Baramulla line lies not only in what it connects but also in what it overcomes. The project navigated not only geotechnical obstacles and climatic extremities, but also long periods of political uncertainty and civil unrest. Each completed tunnel and bridge, therefore, is an engineering feat and also a marker of perseverance and institutional commitment in the face of adversity. EDITORIAL | Connecting bridge: On the Chenab Rail Bridge Strategic importance The line's strategic importance is also worth underlining. By linking Kashmir's northernmost railhead with the rest of India's railway grid, it brings unparalleled logistical advantages for civilian mobility, trade, and even emergency response. The line also reduces dependence on the single Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is vulnerable to landslides and closures during winter. In doing so, it enhances the resilience of Kashmir's connectivity and helps ensure the regular flow of essentials such as food, fuel, and medicine. For students and patients who earlier endured long road journeys over mountainous passes, the railway offers comfort, affordability, and dignity. It reduces both the cost and the emotional toll of separation, making it easier for families to stay connected. In time, it will also make the region more attractive to investors and institutions, opening the doors for industrial parks, skill development centres, and agro-logistics hubs to be developed in and around stations such as Anantnag, Awantipora, and Baramulla. Culturally too, the railway becomes a conduit for exchange. As trains bring people to and from the Valley, they also carry stories, memories, and understanding. The rail journey is a slow but steady social equaliser, allowing a common experience to emerge across geographies. For many in the Valley who had never travelled far beyond their districts, it opens a new window to the rest of the country — and vice versa. The future now depends on how we build around this backbone. The completion of the Jammu-Baramulla line must be followed by careful planning of last-mile linkages, station area development, and service frequency enhancement. Local entrepreneurs, women's groups, and artisans must be enabled to benefit from the access that this line provides. Government agencies and private players must together create ecosystems around these stations, so they become not just halts, but hubs of rural transformation. This project is a testament to what democratic development looks like in action — patient, deliberate, and deeply transformational. The tracks may be made of steel, but the promise they carry is one of trust. And that may be the most powerful foundation on which to build the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Sarabjit Arjan Singh, former general manager, Indian Railway, and former member of Central Administrative Tribunal.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Odias in US express concern over 25% tariffs on India
Bhubaneswar: The US's sweeping 25% tariffs on Indian exports have sparked concern among the Odia diaspora in North America, with professionals and entrepreneurs warning of far-reaching economic fallout. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Calling the move short-sighted, they fear it could fuel inflation in the US, hurt bilateral trade, and strain ties between the two nations at a time when global cooperation is critical. "The tariffs remind me of Kalidasa's branch-cutting metaphor. Experts feel it will harm the US more than India," said Debashis Sahoo, associate professor of computer science, engineering and paediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. Tariffs can lead to inflation by increasing the cost of imported goods and raw materials. When businesses face higher input costs due to tariffs, they often pass these on to consumers in the form of higher prices. "The prices of clothes, diamonds, and pharmaceuticals imported from India will increase, and consumers will end up paying more. However, the final effect still needs to be studied," said Akshaya Mohanty, a businessman from Rhode Island. Sanjay Dalai, an IT professional, said, "The tariffs will hurt US companies sourcing intermediate goods from India, such as automobile parts and IT hardware. Indian exporters will also suffer, particularly in sectors like steel, aluminium, engineering goods, textiles, and automobile parts." Dalai said that the move could adversely affect US-India relations, especially at a time when cooperation is crucial in technology, defence and critical minerals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sahoo said that if India imposes retaliatory tariffs, it could further harm US exporters by restricting access to key markets. "Together, these effects could weaken America's economic competitiveness and slow down growth," said Sahoo. He added that the resulting price hike is likely to fuel inflation and reduce consumer spending.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Morne Morkel hails Mohammed Siraj, reflects on Day 4 twist and rain delay
Trump Breaks Silence on India & Russia's Oil 'Breakup' | 'New Delhi May Stop…' 'I heard India may stop buying Russian oil,' said US President Donald Trump, calling it a 'good step.' But reports say Indian refiners are still sourcing discounted Russian crude. As U.S. pressure mounts, New Delhi defends its ties with Moscow as 'steady and time-tested,' while balancing key strategic relations with Washington. Will India bow to American pressure or stick with its long-time energy partner? 29.0K views | 1 day ago
