Odisha woman seeks help as son goes missing in Mali after abduction report
P Narasama, a resident of Samarajhol village under Hinjili police station limits, said she is worried about her 28-year-old son P Venkatraman working in a cement factory in Kayes in Mali after getting the news about the abduction of three Indians working at a cement factory in the West African country.
"I am very much worried about the fate of my son. I requested the government for his safe release," said Narasama, a widow.
She informed the police at Hinjili on Friday evening about the incident and also requested the safe return of her son.
"We are closely coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and concerned Indian Embassy about the incident and waiting for their response," Vishal Gagan, Principal Resident Commissioner, Odisha at New Delhi, told PTI over phone.
After getting social media clip about the alleged abduction of a youth from Odisha, the Resident Commissioner in Delhi has moved the Indian Embassy in Mali for needful action at their end, he said.
Narasama said she last talked to her son over phone on June 30. Since then, his phone has been switched off. Narasama said she got a phone call on Thursday at about 11 am from his son's parent company who informed that her son was now under police custody and don't be worried.
"We are very much worried about Venkatraman as he might be held hostage by terrorists. The government should take immediate steps for his safe return," said M Ram Krushna, one of his relatives.
India on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the abduction of three of its nationals in Mali amid a wave of attacks in the West African country.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement on July 2, said: "The incident occurred on July 1 when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages.
"The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals," the MEA statement said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India-US trade deal awaits Trump's nod ahead of July 9 tariff deadline
The first stage of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is now ready and awaiting final approval from US President Donald Trump, according to a LiveMint report quoting sources. The interim deal has been cleared by US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and could be signed as early as July 8 -- a day before Trump's reciprocal tariff deadline. The development comes after Indian negotiators, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal, extended their stay in Washington beyond their initial schedule to bridge gaps over sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture. A key government official told LiveMint, 'Indian negotiators did their best to convince their US counterparts about the domestic sensitivities involved in these sectors. To some extent, the USTR has agreed to India's position on not fully opening up the agriculture sector. Now, it's up to the US President to take the final call.' Agriculture, dairy, genetically modified (GM) seeds, and medical services remain points of contention, with the US seeking greater market access while India looks to protect its vulnerable sectors, as per the report. India-US trade deal: Options on tariffs The US, as per the report, has offered two alternatives on tariff reductions. If India agrees to the US's demands in agriculture and related sectors, its exports could face an additional 10 per cent tariff. 'If India agrees to US demands for greater market access in agricultural goods, dairy and seeds, then Indian goods may face only a 10 per cent additional tariff -- which, while not ideal, is still much lower than what other countries in the Asian region are facing,' a person aware of the talks told LiveMint. If India refuses, tariffs could go up to 20 per cent, which includes the existing 10 per cent baseline and an extra 10 per cent under earlier US measures. Still, this would represent a 6 per cent relief from the earlier proposed 26 per cent duty. Trump's deadline nears The US President, speaking to reporters on July 4, confirmed he had signed multiple letters informing countries of upcoming reciprocal tariffs. 'I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12. Different amounts of money, different rates of tariff,' Trump said, without naming the countries. Although the reciprocal tariffs are scheduled to take effect from August 1, the letters are expected to be sent out on July 8, giving India a narrow window to seal the deal before being hit by new duties. India firm on agriculture, open on other fronts India is pushing for better access for its leather, textiles, and footwear sectors, while resisting demands to lift restrictions on GM seeds and crops. Only Bt cotton is currently approved for cultivation in India, and no GM food crops are commercially grown. US-India trade data Commerce ministry figures highlight the growing trade with the US. In FY25, India's exports to the US rose by 11.6 per cent to $86.51 billion, while imports increased by 7.42 per cent to $45.33 billion. However, US imports fell in May year-on-year, from $3.85 billion to $3.63 billion, while exports grew by 17.3 per cent, led by electronics and smartphones. In contrast, India's imports from China rose by 11.5 per cent in FY25 to $113.46 billion, while exports to China fell by 14.5 per cent, underscoring the trade imbalance. The deal, if finalised, is likely to mirror elements from recent US trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam. While the US retained its 10 per cent baseline tariff in both those cases, it offered some reductions in additional duties. Trade watchers see the India-US agreement as a limited deal focused solely on goods, with services and labour excluded for now. Despite the challenges, negotiators on both sides remain hopeful of concluding an agreement in time to avoid penalties. The ball now lies in Trump's court.
Mint
28 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump tariff ultimatum: These countries have struck trade deals as US Prez prepares ‘take it or leave it' letters
As the deadline for the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs nears, United States President Donald Trump stated that he has signed letters to 12 countries detailing the different tariff rates that will be imposed on exports to the US. These 'take it or leave it' offers enclosed in letters are scheduled to be sent out on Monday, July 7. With the letters set to go out Monday, here's a look at the countries that have already secured trade deals with the US, avoiding the 'take it or leave it' letters from Donald Trump. In May, the UK concluded a trade deal with the US that kept a 10 per cent tariff rate and secured preferential treatment for some sectors, including autos and aircraft engines. Under the US-Vietnam trade deal, tariffs on numerous Vietnamese goods have been reduced to 20 per cent, down from the previously threatened 46 per cent. Additionally, many US products will now be able to enter Vietnam duty-free. Japan's tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held 'in-depth exchanges' with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday, reported Reuters, citing the Japanese government, which intends to actively coordinate with the US over the tariff issue. Apart from India, the EU also could not conclude a trade deal with the US. On Friday, EU diplomats said they haven't achieved a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the Trump administration, Reuters reported. A trade deal with India was not finalised and the Indian negotiators returned from the US on Friday, according to the reports. Meanwhile, India has proposed retaliatory duties against the United States under World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms as a safeguard measure against American tariffs on the automobile sector. "The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations would take the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the United States," PTI reported, quoting a notification of the WTO. While recognising the challenges of negotiating with more than 170 countries, Trump informed reporters that the letters would be sent to 10 countries at a time with tariff rates in the range of 20 per cent to 30 per cent. 'The letters are better ... much easier to send a letter,' Trump told reporters. Trump's letter, scheduled to be sent out on Monday, comes days before the reciprocal trade deadline on Tuesday, ending the 90-day pause on duties. In April, Trump announced a 10% base tariff rate and additional tariffs up to 50% for trading partners, significantly impacting the financial markets. However, he subsequently paused these tariffs for 90 days, giving time for negotiations with trading partners. Earlier, Trump said that after the July 9 deadline, tariffs may go even higher, up to 70%, effective from August 1 onwards. Trump and his top aides initially said they would launch negotiations with scores of countries on tariff rates, but the U.S. president has soured on that process after repeated setbacks with major trading partners, including Japan and the European Union.
India.com
42 minutes ago
- India.com
India takes big step against US as talks over trade deal continue, Modi govt put this...
India takes big step against US as talks over trade deal continue, Modi govt put this... India Retaliatory Tariff on USA: Taking a big step, the Indian government on Friday proposed retaliatory tariffs against the United States at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The proposal was made in response to American tariffs on the automobile sector on national security grounds. India-US Trade Deal The move has come at a time when both countries are in the advanced stages of inking an initial mini-trade deal. New Delhi had informed the WTO's Goods Trade Council that it the country will reduce concessions or other obligations on some goods imported from the US in response to tariffs imposed on automobiles on the basis of national security. New Delhi's negotiation team, which was led by Special Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Rajesh Agarwal on Monday returned to India from US. Why Did Trump Impose Tariffs As A Safeguard? On India's proposal, WTO has said that under the proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations, tariffs on select products which are manufactured in America will increase. Notably, on March 26, America had imposed a 25 percent tariff on automobiles and auto parts coming from India as a safeguard measure. The tariff came into effect from May 3 this year. Trump had said that his country has been suffering losses in global trade for several years. He states that this step will strengthen country's manufacturing sector as there will be less competition from companies of other countries in the US market. What Was India's Reply? The Trump administration imposed tariffs on various automotive and related goods, including light trucks, cars, and numerous components. These tariffs, however, were not registered with the World Trade Organization (WTO). India contends that these tariffs violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and existing security agreements. Following consultations under Article 12.3 of the WTO's Agreement on Safeguards, India has reserved the right to retaliate by suspending concessions under Article 8.
