Watch: Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Can India & China make a new beginning?
As Indian pilgrims now arrive in China for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, reopening people to people ties frozen since 2020, and officials like NSA Doval and Defence Minister Singh travel to China for official and SCO meetings, is there an opening? Can India and China put their most recent past of mistrust and suspicion from Galwan clash to Operation Sindoor behind them?
Script & Presentation: Suhasini Haidar
Production: Shibu Narayan & Vishnoo Jotshi
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United News of India
18 minutes ago
- United News of India
Emergency responsible for decision to give up the rights of Indian fishermen: EAM Jaishankar
New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said the Emergency imposed by then PM Indira Gandhi is responsible for the persistent issue of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lanka. Speaking at an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, the EAM said that during the time an agreement was reached between India and Sri Lanka in which the rights of Indian fishermen to fish in some areas of the waters of Sri Lanka was given up. He said: 'During the Emergency, sometimes major decisions were taken, without debate. 'Today a major issue is being talked about -- that our fishermen are arrested in Sri Lanka. Do you know the reason why? 'The reason is because during the Emergency an agreement was reached with Sri Lanka in which the fishermen's rights to fish in some areas of the waters of Sri Lanka, that right we gave up. 'If there had been no Emergency, and if there had been a parliament, a truly genuine parliament, then the issue would have been debated. I do not know if the parliament at the time would have agreed to such a decision or not,' he added. He said the consequences of this decision are still visible in Tamil Nadu. The EAM was referring to the 1974 and 1976 agreements reached between India and Sri Lanka over the Katchatheevu island and rights over their respective Exclusive Economic Zone areas. Katchatheevu, an uninhabited island, was ceded to Sri Lanka under a maritime agreement in 1974. Another agreement was signed in 1976 -- when the Emergency was in progress -- that restricted the fishermen of both countries from fishing in each other's exclusive economic zones. In other remarks, the EAM urged people to remain vigilant against history repeating itself, and said that India needs an empowered public to avoid future such autocratic decisions. EAM said the image of India as the oldest and largest democracy in the world took a beating when the Emergency was imposed on June 25, 1975. He also recalled his own experiences of police raids in the hostels of Jawaharlal Nehru University. UNI RN
The Hindu
33 minutes ago
- The Hindu
MPs across party lines in parliamentary panel support forward-looking policy for Bangladesh
At a special interaction between four leading experts and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, MPs cutting across party lines displayed a desire to 'move ahead' with India's relation with Bangladesh, it has been learnt. The Hindu had earlier reported that the interaction between the Congress MP Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentary committee and four experts was scheduled for Friday (June 27, 2025) afternoon, where the MPs were expected to be briefed on the latest developments in Dhaka and what India can do to recover the lost ground. 'All Members of Parliament displayed pathos and understanding of the issues between India and Bangladesh and there was a real desire among the MPs to mend the bilateral ties and take things forward,' said a source on condition of anonymity about the interaction between the four experts — former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, Lieutenant-General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Dean of School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University Amitabh Mattoo. Also read | Analysis: Why Hasina fell The Hindu has learnt that the interaction went on for two and a half hours, as the MPs wanted to hear all the suggestions for repairing the ties that nosedived after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a public agitation in August 2024. 'It was a general understanding that Bangladesh is connected through common culture and language and that it should not be viewed as a hostile neighbour like Pakistan,' said a source giving a hint about the discussion that took place in the meeting. The MPs also opined that India should carry out a soft launch of cultural diplomacy involving West Bengal to soften some of the harsh exchanges between the two sides. Bangladesh has recently made a move in that direction with a meeting between its High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata last Monday (June 23, 2025). 'West Bengal and Bangladesh are connected through a common language and culture, the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam and this vital link should be utilised for para-diplomacy between New Delhi and Dhaka through public events and interactions,' said a source privy to the discussion held by the Standing Committee. The MPs also raised questions about the China factor in Bangladesh, illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India, and the trilateral meeting between the foreign office officials of Bangladesh, Pakistan and China that was held in Kunming on June 19, 2025.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Piyush Goyal to meet exporters on June 30 amid global tensions
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will meet exporters and industry representatives on June 30 to discuss issues related to India's goods and services exports amid the tensions in West Asia and New Delhi's ongoing trade pact talks with the developed countries. Last month, India's goods exports declined by 2.17% year-on-year to $38.73 billion, breaking a two-month streak of growth, while the trade deficit narrowed to $21.88 billion. The government is targeting $900 billion in goods and services exports in the current fiscal year FY26. "The meeting is a regular stock-taking one," said an official. It comes at a time when Indian trade negotiators are visiting Washington for the next round of talks for an interim trade deal with the US ahead of the July 9 deadline, when the 90-day reciprocal-tariff pause period ends. Recently, officials were in London to finalise the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA), which was announced last month and is expected to be signed soon. Separately, talks are also on to conclude the India-EU FTA by the end of this year. As per an industry representative, the geopolitical situation has improved over the last few days, aiding predictability in shipping routes for Indian goods via the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait carries Nearly 25% of global oil shipments, about two-thirds of India's crude oil and half of its LNG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains open for now. Escalation of tensions in West Asia could impact India's trade. An official had said earlier that the government is keeping an eye on insurance rates and freight costs amid the uncertainties. India's trade with the West Asian countries is worth more than $100 billion and the country is heavily dependent on energy imports from the Gulf region. In this backdrop, the ceasefire between Iran and Israel has brought some relief to New Delhi. Textile protection Goyal has assured industry bodies that the government will protect the interests of the textiles and apparel sector in the proposed trade agreement with the US. The minister met textile industry representatives in the wake of recent reports suggesting that reciprocal tariffs of up to 26% may be imposed after the July 9 deadline, which could have a significant impact on India's textile and apparel exports to the US.
