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Indians must eschew prejudice if they want the 'narrative' on their side
Victimhood is often seductive and we have cultivated it into some kind of a chronic disease across generations. There are, however, many problems with this proposition
Shekhar Gupta
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No, it isn't the N-word for nuclear weapons. National Interest shies from such simplicity or predictability and searches for complexity. That's why our N-word this week is 'narrative', an expression so clichéd that I have banned it in successive newsrooms, unless, of course, narrative is what we are talking about.
The murmurs started immediately after the Pahalgam outrage. Why is the world not upbraiding Pakistan? That complaint became a clamour with Operation Sindoor. Why is nobody saying 'well done'? The Western media were the usual suspects. Why aren't they acknowledging our armed forces' successes? How dare they equivocate or suggest
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India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Express deep appreciation to France for strong condemnation of cross-border terrorist attack in Pahalgam: Jaishankar
Marseille [France], June 13 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday appreciated France for the strong condemnation of the cross-border terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 and France's support for India's right to defend itself against terrorism. Speaking to the press alongside French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday, Jaishankar said that the strategic partnership between India and France is based on shared values, strong sense of sovereignty, democratic commitment, independence, strategic autonomy, guiding foreign policy, and commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law. He stated that he and Barrot discussed defence, civilian nuclear energy, space. On his talks with Jean-Noel Barrot, he stated, 'Today, as the minister also indicated, we have really had wide ranging discussions which covered defence, it covered civilian nuclear energy, it covered space, counterterrorism, people to people relations, innovation, AI technology and we actually spent a little while discussing how between education, research, business, and mobility, how we can really find new ways of adding more substance to our relationship. When I look at the horizon, I think what is important is the India France year of innovation next year. So, we are really gearing up to use that as an additional new driver of our relationship, and we are in many ways trying to prepare for that. In terms of what we discussed, let me just, in addition to what the minister said, highlight some particular aspects from my perspective.' 'One, I would like to express our deep appreciation to France for the strong condemnation of the cross-border terrorist attack that took place on 22nd April at Pahalgam and for France's steadfast support for India's right to defend itself against terrorism. Second, where the pillars of our strategic partnership are concerned, especially defence, security, space, and civilian nuclear cooperation, I think we agreed to intensify all of these through very concrete measures and projects in the time to come,' he added. As many as 26 people were killed in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also stated that India and France share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, where international law and maritime security are upheld. He stated, 'Third, where the Indo-Pacific is concerned, we both share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific where international law and maritime security are upheld. We discussed joint efforts for collaboration to promote those objectives. Our conversations today covered IMEC. Our triangular development cooperation, how do we take forward some of our trilateral mechanisms? We have one with the UAE and with Australia, and I look forward to a more detailed conversation about President Macron's recent visit to the Indo-Pacific.' Recalling his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he stated, 'I think we had very good discussions today and it was a pleasure to participate at the Raisina Mediterranean dialogue, including the session that the two of us did this morning. I should also add that before coming here I was in Paris. I had the honour to call on President Macron the day before yesterday. So, in terms of our strategic partnership, our enduring partnership, what I do want to say is that it's built on shared values, on a strong sense of sovereignty, on our democratic commitment, on independence, on strategic autonomy, guiding our foreign policy, and obviously on our commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law. And clearly over the years I think there's a very high degree of trust between India and France as we look at our relationship and cooperation.' He also spoke about the people-to-people exchanges between people of India and France. He stated that India sees France as a 'valued partner' in India's national museum project in Delhi. Highlighting people-to-people exchanges between India and France, he stated, 'For us, this is a very special aspect of our relationship with France. You welcome a lot of students to this country. We hope that the numbers can grow in the years to come so that they constitute living bridge between us. We also see France as a very valued partner in our national museum project in Delhi as well as we discussed today cooperation for our national maritime heritage complex that we are building. And even when we talk about the year of innovation, I think cultural innovation is a very important part of that.' Jaishankar stated that he and Jean-Noel Barrot discussed global issues, including Ukraine conflict, situation in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. He said, 'Let me just say a few words about the international global issues that we discussed. We've had some conversations. We expect to continue it after the remarks as well. So, those have covered the situation in Ukraine, obviously the situation in the Indian subcontinent, a brief discussion on what is happening right now in the Middle East and the Indo Pacific.' When asked about the plane crash in Gujarat, Jaishankar said, 'No, I don't have any specific news. Obviously, I'm also following, I'm out of the country. I'm following what probably you are as well. It's been really a very tragic event and I have in the last 24 hours been in touch with my counterparts in the UK, Portugal, and Canada because they also lost their citizens. We again appreciate very much the condolences and sympathy and support which we got from the French government, and I think we'll have to now wait to see more authoritative news about whatever has been found and what the analysis shows Yes, that is, that is, that is what is the standard procedure in these circumstances.' The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the survivor and other injured people. According to airline authorities, the passengers on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. (ANI)
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Russia says Israel's attack on Iran was unprovoked and illegal
Russia said on Friday (June 13, 2025) that Israeli strikes on Iran were unprovoked and in breach of the United Nations charter, accusing Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to strike a deal to allay Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme. Israel launched strikes against Iran on Friday (June 13, 2025), saying it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. Initial reports suggested that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia built, had not been hit. "Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media. President Vladimir Putin was getting real-time reports on the situation from Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service and the Foreign and Defence Ministries, Mr Peskov said. In a detailed statement drawn up at Mr Putin's behest, the Foreign Ministry fiercely condemned Israel and blamed the West for whipping up what it called anti-Iranian "hysteria." "We strongly condemn the use of force by the state of Israel in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law," the Ministry said. "Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign U.N. member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable. "The international community cannot afford to be indifferent to such atrocities, which destroy peace and damage regional and international security." The statement said Moscow believed that there was no military solution when it came to allaying Western doubts and fears around Iran's nuclear programme and that diplomacy was the only answer. "We call on the sides to exercise restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of tensions and the descent of the region into full-scale war," the Ministry said.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Putin speaks with Iran and Israel, condemns strikes, pushes for diplomatic talks
Russian leader Vladimir Putin told Iran's president over the phone on Friday that Moscow condemned Israeli actions against Tehran, and in a separate telephone conversation told Israel's prime minister that only diplomacy could resolve issues around Iran's nuclear programme.A Kremlin statement said Putin had spoken to both leaders. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned a "sharp escalation" in tension between Israel and resounded over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and sirens sounded across Israel following what a military spokesman said was the firing of missiles from Iran. Iran's state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel's biggest ever attacks on Iran. A Kremlin statement said Putin told Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia "condemns the actions of Israel taken in violation of the U.N. Charter" and expressed condolences for those statement said Putin, in his conversation with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "stressed the importance of a return to the process of talks and resolution of all issues concerning Iran's nuclear programme strictly through political and diplomatic means".Russia, the statement said, would remain in close contact with both Iran and Russian statements said the Israeli strikes on Iran were unprovoked and accused Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to reach a deal to allay Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear reports suggested the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia built, had not been hit."Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state OFFERS TO HELP CLINCH DEALMoscow has repeatedly offered to help the U.S. and Iran reach a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. It said on Wednesday it was ready to remove highly enriched uranium from Iran and convert it into civilian reactor fuel as a potential way to help narrow U.S.-Iranian and Iran have grown closer in recent years and Putin and Pezeshkian deepened military ties between their countries in January when they signed a 20-year strategic partnership Moscow, which has supplied Iran with weapons and bought Iranian arms, is wary of being sucked into a conflict in the Middle East and the pact contained no mutual defence a detailed statement drawn up at Putin's behest, the Foreign Ministry condemned Israel and accused the West of whipping up anti-Iranian "hysteria"."We strongly condemn the use of force by the state of Israel in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law," the ministry said."Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign U.N. member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically international community cannot afford to be indifferent to such atrocities, which destroy peace and damage regional and international security," it statement called on both sides "to exercise restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of tensions and the descent of the region into full-scale war"."In this regard we recall the readiness of the United States to hold another round of talks (on Sunday) with Iran on the Iranian nuclear programme in Oman."Must Watch
