Kartarpur Corridor shut indefinitely amid rising tensions with Pakistan
Vikram Misri
on Friday said that the
Kartarpur Corridor
has been shut indefinitely in the wake of heightened tension along the
Line of Control
.
#Operation Sindoor
India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening
Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources
India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures
"In view of the exsisting security senerio, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended until further directions," Misri said.
"Pakistani side targeted places of worship with a particular design; it is a new low even for Pakistan," the Foreign Secretary added.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Harry Potter Actress Amazes Fans After 20 Years..
Lawyers Favorite
Undo
Misri added that Pakistan had targeted Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military establishments.
"These provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military establishments. Indian armed forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly... The official and blatantly farsical denial of these attacks that Pakistan carried out, by the Pakistani state machinery is another example of their duplicity and the new depths, they are plumbing to.," Misry said.
Live Events
In a press briefing over the developments of the escalation with Pakitsan, the
Indian government
said that on the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting
military infrastructure
.
"The Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations," said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during the press conference.
Indian armed forces are analysing the drones and as per initial reports, these were Turkey's SONGAR drones, said Col Qureshi.
A Pakistani UAV also tried to attack the military station in Bhatinda, but the attempt was thwarted, she added.
The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means.
"The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones..."
From Leh to Sir Creek, the Pakistani army used drones for infiltration, said the Indian government.
India hits back
India gave a befitting reply to Pakistan's attempts to violate India's airspace.
"In response to Pakistan's attack, drones were launched against four Pakistani military installations. One of these drones was able to destroy an AD (air defence) radar. Pakistan, however, used heavy artillery and drones to conduct attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, Poonch, Rajouri, Akhnoor, etc., injuring some of the Indian soldiers," Col Qureshi said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
18 minutes ago
- India.com
Trading With The ‘Enemy'? Pakistan's India Imports Soar As China Exports Crash, Exposing Diplomatic Double Game
New Delhi: The flags may not fly at borders, but the numbers tell another story. In finance corridors of Islamabad, a spreadsheet has been making rounds, one that shows something few expected this year. Despite frozen ties and public outrage, Pakistan imported more goods from India in FY25 than in any year since the 2019 fallout. The value? A sharp $220.58 million worth of goods crossed into Pakistan from across the eastern border. Last year, it was slightly lower, $206.89 million. The year before that, it was at $190.04 million. The numbers are rising, and few in the ministries are willing to speak openly about it. 'People assume trade with India is dead. It's not. It has moved underground into the technicalities. You can suspend official channels. You can block trucks. But you cannot stop market demand,' said a former trade official on condition of anonymity. Pakistan's exports to India, on the other hand, barely moved. Only $1.43 million worth of Pakistani goods went across this year. That imbalance, over $200 million in favour of India, was not only an anomaly. It became a pattern in a broader regional crisis. The total trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries hit $12.297 billion by June 2025. Last year, it was $9.502 billion. The surge of 29.42 percent is no rounding error. And neither is the trend behind it. Even a year earlier, the signs were there. FY24's regional deficit had ballooned 49 percent from $6.382 billion the year before. Officials cited higher imports from China, India and Bangladesh as the main reason. That explanation has not changed. What has changed is the degree. Imports from these neighbours, combined, climbed to $16.698 billion in FY25. The previous year, that number stood at $13.838 billion. Meanwhile, exports to these same countries barely crept up. $4.401 billion worth of Pakistani goods were exported to nine regional countries in FY25. Last year, it was $4.336 billion. The difference is not only numerical but also political. 'We are buying more than we sell. We are importing where we should be producing. That is a national weakness,' said a former Ministry of Commerce advisor. Pakistan's largest trade partner, China sits at the centre of this imbalance. Imports from Beijing alone hit $16.312 billion in FY25. The year before, it was $13.504 billion. And in FY23? Just $9.662 billion. It is a trend climbing faster than any manufacturing recovery in Pakistan can match. At the same time, Pakistan's exports to China have begun slipping. In FY25, the country shipped only $2.476 billion worth of goods to its largest economic ally. Last year, it was $2.709 billion. The drop of 8.6 percent may seem small, but inside Pakistan's trade community, it has sounded quiet alarms. 'China's demand is shifting. They are looking elsewhere for cotton, seafood and electronics. We cannot keep relying on the same export mix,' said a Karachi-based exporter who deals in bulk seafood shipments to Guangdong. Elsewhere, there is some relief. Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have shown signs of life in FY25. Those markets, long overlooked, are absorbing more Pakistani goods this year. But the volume is not enough to cover the yawning deficit with Beijing or the flow from New Delhi. Nine neighbours – Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives – make up the region. And in all, Pakistan's trade gap with them is an economic issue and becoming political currency in a country still struggling to exit an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout cycle and a fragile post-election coalition. The numbers do not lie. And neither does the silence. Behind closed doors in Islamabad, the murmurs are growing louder. Pakistan is losing not only dollars but leverage, market access and in many cases, public trust. And as trade with India rebounds behind the scenes and China pulls the ladder higher with every passing year, a question begins to form in the markets – how much longer can Pakistan afford to import its way out of this crisis?
India.com
18 minutes ago
- India.com
PM Modi arrives in London, historic India-UK trade deal on agenda; Says 'focus will be on job creation, growth and...'
PM Modi arrives in London, historic India-UK trade deal on agenda; Says 'focus will be on job creation, growth and...' Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached London on Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the United Kingdom. He said that building a strong bond between India and the UK is important for the world's development. 'I have landed in London. This visit will help make the economic ties between our countries even stronger. The main aim is to support growth, create more jobs, and bring more prosperity to our people. A close friendship between India and the UK is very important for the progress of the world,' on social media platform X. PM Modi was welcomed at the airport by Catherine West, the UK Minister looking after the Indo-Pacific region, along with India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, and the UK's High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron. Landed in London. This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people. A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025 As he arrived, groups of community leaders, students, and members of the UK Parliament gathered near London to greet him with excitement and warm wishes. Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025 'It's a proud moment for both countries, and especially for Indians living in the UK. Everyone is very happy to see the Prime Minister here after a long time. Even though it's a short visit, we're glad we got the chance to welcome him,' said Kuldeep Shekhawat, head of the Overseas Friends of BJP, while speaking to news agency PTI. What's on agenda? During his two-day trip to the UK, PM Modi will hold important talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and also meet King Charles III. Starmer will host him at Chequers, his official country house located just outside London. A major highlight of the visit is expected to be the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and steps to strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). In a statement before leaving India, PM Modi said, 'Our cooperation covers many areas such as trade, investment, technology, defence, education, health, research, environment, and strong connections between our people.' The two leaders are expected to focus mainly on boosting economic ties. Their goal is to support growth, create more jobs, and make trade easier between the two countries. As part of the trade deal, both sides are working to lower or remove taxes on goods they import and export, making products from India and the UK more affordable and competitive. They aim to raise two-way trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. In 2023–24, trade between India and the UK crossed USD 55 billion. The UK is currently India's sixth-biggest investor, having put in around USD 36 billion. Nearly 1,000 Indian companies in the UK employ about 1,00,000 people. Meanwhile, Indian businesses have invested nearly USD 20 billion in the UK. This is PM Modi's fourth visit to the UK since he became Prime Minister. His earlier visits were in 2015, 2018, and 2021 (for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow). Over the last year, he has also met PM Starmer twice—once at the G20 summit in Rio and again at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
18 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PM Modi begins 2-day visit to Britain; to witness signing of India-UK FTA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday kick-started his two-day visit to the UK to expand the bilateral ties in areas of defence, trade and technology, with the formalisation of the landmark India-UK free trade deal set to be a major outcome of his trip. The Prime Minister was received at the airport by UK Foreign Office Minister in charge of the Indo-Pacific Catherine West along with Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Dorsaiswami and British High Commissioner to New Delhi Lindy Cameron. Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday that is expected to focus on imparting a new momentum in the strategic ties between the two countries. Starmer is set to host Modi for the talks at Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister that is located 50 km northwest of London. Modi was greeted by cheering groups of community leaders, students and parliamentarians gathered in anticipation on the outskirts of London. They expressed excitement around the FTA that is expected to be signed on Thursday as a sign of the strengthening ties. It's a great achievement for both the governments, and specially for the Indian diaspora, which is really excited to see the Prime Minister here after so many years. He's again here for a very short visit, but at least we get a chance to greet him, said Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) diaspora group. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are likely to sign the FTA in the presence of the two prime ministers on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said. In May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement that is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket. The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, according to officials. Along with the FTA -- the biggest the UK has done since leaving the European Union -- the two sides also sealed a double contribution convention. It provides for exemption for employers of Indian workers from paying social security contributions in the UK. In his departure statement, Modi said India and UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. "Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties," he said. The prime minister said he and Starmer will have the opportunity to further enhance the bilateral economic partnership. The objective is to have the Free Trade Agreement land, High Commissioner Doraiswami said on the eve of the visit. It is a detailed and ambitious document, which is probably our most ambitious Free Trade Agreement to date It will have a very important impact upon both economies and help drive growth in both countries, he said. The India-UK bilateral trade crossed $ 55 billion in 2023-24. The UK is the sixth largest investor in India, with a cumulative investment of $ 36 billion. India's investments in the UK are close to $ 20 billion, and some 1,000 Indian companies operating in Britain provide employment to almost 100,000 people. Modi will also meet King Charles III during the visit. From London, Modi will travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
