logo
'Cross-Border Terrorism From Pakistan Discussed': MEA Says Saudi Arabia Condemned Pahalgam Attack

'Cross-Border Terrorism From Pakistan Discussed': MEA Says Saudi Arabia Condemned Pahalgam Attack

News1822-04-2025
Last Updated:
Suhel Khan, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said India and Saudi Arabia discussed the Pahalgam terror attack and have an "excellent cooperation" on issues related to terrorism
India on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed 28 lives, including two foreign nationals, and left several others injured.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) held a press briefing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly ended his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and decided to return to New Delhi following the deadly attack. Modi, who held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, skipped an official dinner hosted to address the crisis.
Suhel Khan, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said cross-border terrorism from Pakistan was openly discussed. India and Saudi Arabia have an 'excellent cooperation" on issues related to terrorism, he said.
'His Royal Highness also offered any help in this regard. We continue to work together on this issue. Both leaders expressed their condolences. The Crown Prince assured all help," the MEA said.
Besides the discussions on the terror attack in Pahalgam, the two countries also inked an agreement on two refineries that will be built in India. Agreements in the sectors of space and healthcare were also signed.
'Warm and close friendship visible today. The PM was given special honour, aircraft was escorted, Saudi delegation had various senior ministers. Two leaders agreed to expand scope of strategic partnerhsip council in areas of defence and culture," the ministry added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Demography Mission rollout amid raging debate over SIR
Demography Mission rollout amid raging debate over SIR

New Indian Express

time25 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

Demography Mission rollout amid raging debate over SIR

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that his government would soon set up a high-powered demography mission to deal with unlawful entry of foreign nationals in the country. The announcement comes in the wake of the Opposition's allegations that the BJP is 'misusing' the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar to target immigrants, especially those belonging to the minority community. In his Independence Day speech delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi noted that India's forefathers made the supreme sacrifice to win freedom for the countrymen, and it is the duty of its citizens not to accept such influx of illegal foreign nationals. 'Today I want to alert the country about a concern, a challenge. Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the demography of the country is being changed. Seeds of a new crisis are being sown. These 'ghuspaithiya' (intruders) are snatching the livelihood of the youth of my country, these 'ghuspaithiya' are targeting the sisters and daughters of my country and this will not be tolerated. These 'ghuspaithiya' are misleading the innocent tribals and grabbing their land. This country will not tolerate this,' Modi asserted.

Bihar's electoral overhaul: Balancing integrity and inclusion in India's democracy
Bihar's electoral overhaul: Balancing integrity and inclusion in India's democracy

Hans India

time25 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Bihar's electoral overhaul: Balancing integrity and inclusion in India's democracy

The Election Commission of India's (ECI) recent initiative to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has ignited a fervent debate, blending legal imperatives with political undercurrents. Announced in June, this comprehensive exercise, the first of its kind in the state since 2003, aims to update voter lists with July 1, 2025, as the qualifying date. With Bihar's Assembly elections looming later this year, the timing has amplified concerns about potential disenfranchisement, particularly among migrant workers and marginalized communities. Yet, at its core, the SIR represents a statutory effort to safeguard the sanctity of India's democratic process—one that demands a balanced scrutiny of its legal foundations, procedural rigor, and societal impacts. The ECI's authority to conduct such revisions is firmly rooted in the Constitution. Article 324 grants the Commission sweeping powers over the 'superintendence, direction, and control' of elections, including the preparation and maintenance of accurate electoral rolls. This is reinforced by Article 326, which enshrines universal adult suffrage, entitling every Indian citizen aged 18 or above—barring disqualifications like non-residence or criminal convictions—to vote. These provisions underscore a commitment to inclusivity while empowering the ECI to eliminate inaccuracies that could undermine electoral fairness. Parliament has translated these constitutional ideals into actionable law through the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Section 21 of the Act explicitly authorizes the ECI to prepare and revise electoral rolls, a process elaborated in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Under Rule 25, revisions can be intensive, summary, or hybrid, allowing flexibility based on need. An intensive revision, as chosen for Bihar, involves meticulous steps outlined in Rules 4 to 23, including door-to-door enumeration and verification. This ensures thoroughness, requiring enumerators to collect details from households and cross-check against a list of 11 specified documents, such as passports, driving licenses, or ration cards—expanded from seven in previous exercises, which the Supreme Court has noted as a 'voter-friendly' measure. The rationale for reviving an intensive approach after over two decades is straightforward yet profound. Bihar's population has surged, with urbanisation and migration reshaping its demographics. The 2003 revision, the last comprehensive one, predates significant shifts, including the exodus of millions for work opportunities elsewhere. Bogus entries—deceased voters, duplicates, or those who have relocated—persist as a perennial threat, potentially distorting outcomes and violating the 'one person, one vote' principle. The ECI's drive seeks to purge these anomalies while enrolling new voters, especially the youth turning 18. As of July 12, over 74 per cent of Bihar's approximately 7.9 crore electors had submitted enumeration forms, indicating robust participation in the process. This high response rate suggests the exercise is gaining traction, though challenges remain in reaching remote or transient populations. However, SIR has not escaped controversy. Critics, including civil society groups, allege it risks mass exclusion, with reports emerging of draft rolls containing errors like incorrect photographs or entries for deceased individuals. Petitions before the Supreme Court, led by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), claim that around 65 lakh names were omitted from the draft roll without adequate justification, disproportionately affecting migrants, the poor, and minorities. These groups argue that the process violates statutory rights, as voters have a legal entitlement to remain on rolls unless proven ineligible. The exclusion of Aadhaar as a verification document has been praised for broadening options but questioned for its potential to complicate verification in a state where digital access varies. In response, the ECI has emphasised that SIR is a routine purification effort, not a deletion drive. It has assured the Supreme Court that no name will be removed without prior notice, a reasoned order, and appeal rights. The Commission maintains that it is not legally obligated to publish a separate list of excluded voters or reasons for omissions, viewing the draft roll as a provisional document open to corrections. During ongoing hearings, the apex court has sought details on the 2003 revision's methodology, signalling a desire for transparency in historical precedents. Notably, while individual voters have filed thousands of objections, no recognized political party has formally flagged errors in the draft, per ECI reports. This absence of partisan complaints underscores that the controversy may stem more from apprehension than widespread malpractice. The debate extends beyond Bihar, highlighting systemic tensions in India's electoral framework. Similar revisions in other states, like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in recent years, have faced scrutiny for alleged biases, yet they have ultimately bolstered roll accuracy. The political stakes are high in Bihar: the state's 243 Assembly seats could see shifts if migrant voters—estimated at over two crore—are underrepresented. Demographic data from the 2011 Census, adjusted for growth, reveals that Scheduled Castes and Muslims, often economically vulnerable, form significant voter blocs; any perceived exclusion could erode trust in the system. Objectively, the ECI's actions align with global best practices for electoral hygiene. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom periodically purge rolls to combat fraud, though with safeguards against voter suppression. In India, the ECI's recent delisting of 334 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) as part of broader clean-up efforts reflects a proactive stance against electoral malpractices. However, implementation on the ground matters. House-to-house surveys, while thorough, can be susceptible to human error or bias in a polarized environment. Enhancing digital tools, such as the Voter Helpline app, could mitigate this, allowing self-verification and reducing dependency on enumerators. The Supreme Court's observations in related matters offer valuable guidance. In the ADR vs. ECI case on electronic voting machines, the court cautioned against 'blind distrust' that breeds scepticism, urging evidence-based reforms and trust-building through dialogue and transparency. As echoed in Paragraph 37 of that judgment, democracy thrives on harmony among citizens, judiciary, representatives, and electoral bodies. Para 38 expresses hope that the system will reflect the electorate's true mandate. These principles apply aptly here: while the ECI's authority to decide the timing and mode of SIR is exclusive, fostering public confidence requires proactive disclosure and inclusive outreach. Bihar's SIR embodies the delicate balance between electoral purity and inclusivity. Legally sound and procedurally robust, it addresses long-standing flaws in voter lists, yet its success hinges on equitable execution. As petitions unfold in the Supreme Court, stakeholders must prioritize evidence over rhetoric. A transparent, participatory process will not only fortify Bihar's upcoming polls but also reinforce India's democratic resilience. By embracing continuous improvement, as the apex court advocates, we can ensure every eligible voice is heard, unmarred by doubt or exclusion. (The writer is a senior Advocate)

Yahi samay hai says Modi
Yahi samay hai says Modi

Hans India

time25 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Yahi samay hai says Modi

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday broke into verse to drive home the message that this was the right time to become self-reliant and work towards 'Samriddha Bharat.' "Parishram main jo tapa hai, usne hi itihaas racha hai (The one who has worked hard, is the one who has created history)," Modi said. The Prime Minister made an impassioned call for 'Samriddha Bharat' by making the country 'aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) in fields ranging from manufacturing of fighter jet engines to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI). "Jisne fauladi chhattano ko toda hai, usne hi samay ko moda hai (the one who has broken steel rocks, is the one who has bent the time)," he said. He also asserted that India must draw and empower itself at a time where "economic selfishness" is rising globally. "Samay ko mod dene ka bhi, yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai (This is the time to bend the time, this is the time, this is the right time)," Modi said, wrapping his 103-minute address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store