
'Confidential informal affair': CPI-M MP John Brittas on meeting with EAM Jaishankar
Synopsis
An all-party delegation, after visiting five nations to bolster anti-terrorism efforts following Operation Sindoor, met with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. The meeting, described as informal and confidential, involved sharing experiences and suggestions. Parliamentarians highlighted the need for reciprocal friendship associations abroad, with the minister assuring careful consideration of the issues raised, reinforcing India's commitment to regional security.

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Business Standard
21 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Indian ambassador, Chinese official discuss ties, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Top diplomats from India and China met recently to review bilateral relations and work towards implementing the understanding reached by their leaders last year, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. The meeting, held on Thursday, was between Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat and China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, according to a report by the Press Trust of India. It marked the first diplomatic engagement between the two countries since Operation Sindoor. According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 'Both sides expressed their willingness to work together to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.' Plans for cultural and strategic cooperation The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cultural exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. The statement said both nations would 'properly manage differences, and promote the development of China-India relations along a healthy and stable track.' In addition, the diplomats 'exchanged views on the issues of common concern,' the Chinese statement added. Sun, who is currently in charge of South Asia affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, previously served as China's Ambassador to India. Thursday's meeting also comes as preparations are being made to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet for Indian pilgrims. If resumed, this would be the first such step following a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh that had stalled bilateral ties for over four years. Earlier on April 26, India's Ministry of External Affairs had announced that the Yatra would be held from June to August via two routes — the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim. The pilgrimage was first suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later due to the border tensions. It is worth mentioning that after the complete disengagement of troops at Demchok and Depsang, based on an agreement reached in October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Russia's Kazan. There, they agreed to revive multiple bilateral dialogue mechanisms. Since then, several meetings have taken place to help restore normal diplomatic relations. Rawat and Sun had earlier met on April 9 to discuss ties and cooperation in different sectors. Impossible to ignore China: Shashi Tharoor The recent meeting came against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched by India after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. After the Pahalgam attack, India carried out precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Four days of military action followed from both sides, ending after military officials from both nations held talks on May 10 and agreed to cease further operations. On Thursday (June 5), Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said it was 'absolutely impossible' to ignore China during India's confrontation with Pakistan. 'China is an absolutely impossible factor to ignore in what has been our confrontation with Pakistan,' Tharoor said. He noted that before tensions escalated with Pakistan, India was making 'good progress' in its ties with China. Speaking from the US, where he is heading an all-party delegation for Operation Sindoor outreach, Tharoor added, 'I'm not going to mince my words, but we are aware that China has immense stakes in Pakistan.' The timing of the Rawat-Sun meeting also aligns with rising concerns in India over China's export restrictions on rare earth metals. China currently produces 61 per cent of the world's mined rare earths and controls 92 per cent of the global output, according to the International Energy Agency.


Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Adopt modern agri practices, use high-quality seeds: Min to farmers
Varanasi: The Minister of State for Agriculture, Baldev Singh Aulakh, addressed the farmers during the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025' and called upon them to carry out agricultural activities on time using advanced seeds. A rally was also organised on the occasion by approximately 2,000 farmers using tractors to raise awareness among farmers. Speaking at the programme held at National Inter College in Pindra block on Thursday, Singh urged farmers to install solar pumps on subsidies, use fertilisers based on soil testing, and perform timely agricultural activities using advanced seeds. He also directed agriculture department officials to ensure farmers receive high-quality seeds, fertilisers, and agricultural protection chemicals. He said that continuous monitoring of private sellers should be conducted, and strict action should be taken against those selling adulterated or substandard chemicals or fertilisers, so that farmers can achieve high production at low cost and increase their income. Speaking on the occasion, the MLA of Pindra, Awadhesh Singh, congratulated the soldiers on behalf of the farmers through a tractor rally for the successful completion of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Army. The president of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, N K Singh, and scientists from the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research provided farmers with technical information on how to reduce farming costs. Additionally, deputy agriculture director Amit Jaiswal provided detailed information on departmental schemes. The event was attended by assistant director of soil testing Rajesh Rai, fertiliser analyst Raj Kumar, agricultural science center scientists Rahul Singh and Pooja Singh, and IIVR scientist Ashutosh Rai. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Op Sindoor: Pakistan's Jacobabad airbase hangar that India hit covered with tarpaulin, show satellite images
'Recent imagery from Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan indicates that the hangar damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin/ some other covering possibly signaling repair activity/restoration is now underway,' wrote Symon on X read more The images, shared by analyst Damien Symon on X, show possible repair or restoration efforts at the site. Recent satellite imagery from Pakistan's Jacobabad Airbase shows that the hangar reportedly damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin. The images, shared by analyst Damien Symon on X, show possible repair or restoration efforts at the site, which was among the targets hit during India's cross-border 'Operation Sindoor' last month. 'Recent imagery from Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan indicates that the hangar damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin/ some other covering possibly signaling repair activity/restoration is now underway,' wrote Symon on X along with the satellite image. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Recent imagery from Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan indicates that the hangar damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin/ some other covering possibly signaling repair activity/restoration is now underway — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 6, 2025 Earlier, Symon released satellite images of Pakistan's Nur Khan and Murid airbases, showing visible infrastructure damage following Indian strikes. The attacks were reportedly in retaliation for Pakistani attempts to target Indian military installations. Imagery from the Murid Airbase revealed structural damage to a command-and-control facility, including a partially collapsed roof. In contrast, visuals from the Nur Khan Airbase showed a complex that appears to have been completely destroyed. With inputs from agencies