Congress Divided, Tharoor vs Rahul After Trump's 25% Tariff on India Sparks Political Firestorm
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Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Election Commission rejects Rahul Gandhi's ‘atom bomb' claims
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday termed as 'baseless and irresponsible' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claim his party had uncovered an 'atom bomb' of evidence proving voters lists were manipulated on a large scale, and said that it ignores such statements. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the Congress began investigating after noticing irregularities during the Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that over 10 million voters were fraudulently added to the rolls. (Sansad TV) 'We dug deep because the Election Commission wasn't helping,' Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament. 'What we found is an atom bomb. When it explodes, you won't be able to see the Election Commission in India.' The Leader of Opposition said the party began investigating after noticing irregularities during the Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that over 10 million voters were fraudulently added to the rolls. 'There was a suspicion in the elections in Madhya Pradesh and the Lok Sabha, and it deepened in the Maharashtra assembly polls. At the state level, we believed there was a vote theft,' Gandhi said. 'It took us six months to study this in detail.' Gandhi issued a warning: 'Whoever is doing this, from top to bottom in the ECI, we won't spare you. You're working against the nation. This is treason.' In response, ECI said, 'The Election Commission ignores such baseless allegations being made on a daily basis and despite the daily threats being given, (it) asks all election officials to ignore such irresponsible statements and work in a fair and transparent manner.' The Congress has repeatedly accused the ECI of acting like a 'biased umpire', particularly in its handling of the 2024 general elections and multiple assembly polls. ECI said it had sent a mail to Gandhi on June 12 after previous allegations, but had not received a response. 'He has never sent any letter to ECI on any issue, whatsoever,' the election watchdog said. The latest accusation comes amid a broader protest by the opposition INDIA bloc over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, which they claim is a BJP-backed attempt to disenfranchise voters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had also blamed the poll body on July 6, saying, 'With the cooperation of the Election Commission, the BJP's master plan to deprive crores in Bihar of their voting rights now seems to be ensnaring them. Forcibly disenfranchising the poor, Dalits, backwards — this is the BJP-RSS conspiracy.' Following a joint strategy meeting, the INDIA bloc parties on Thursday announced they will intensify their protests –– both in and outside Parliament. ECI published the draft electoral rolls for Bihar on Friday. Responding to Gandhi's claim , the BJP asked him to 'flow like water' instead of considering to 'explode like a bomb'. 'Will Rahul Gandhi explode like a bomb? What do you think? Their job is to explode. They have no other work to do,' BJP leader Sambit Patra told reporters at the BJP headquarters. He said the Opposition party speaks of such things because they have no faith in democracy. 'We are those who have faith in democracy. If they explode an atom bomb, we will save the Constitution,' Patra said.
The Hindu
16 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Trump welcomes reports India may halt Russian oil imports, calls it a 'good step'
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (August 1, 2025) expressed cautious optimism over reports that India may be ending its purchases of Russian oil, calling it a 'good step' while addressing reporters before departing the White House. 'I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step,' Mr. Trump said during an impromptu press gaggle on the South Lawn. His remarks come amid growing American scrutiny of India's continued energy and defence ties with Russia, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader U.S. efforts to isolate the Kremlin economically. While there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi regarding such a move, Mr. Trump's comments mark the first public acknowledgement from the U.S. administration of a potential policy shift by India. Mr. Trump has maintained a firm stance against countries maintaining close commercial ties with Moscow. His administration has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing both trade imbalances and India's longstanding energy relationship with Russia. In his remarks, Mr. Trump did not elaborate on whether the reported change in India's oil policy would impact those tariffs or future negotiations. 'We'll see what happens,' he said. The issue of India's energy imports from Russia has been a point of contention between Washington and New Delhi, with previous administrations urging India to reduce its reliance on Russian crude in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. India has so far defended its purchases as essential for energy security and economic stability. Mr. Trump's tone on Friday, however, suggested an openness to engage with India if the reported shift holds. 'That's a good step,' he repeated, signalling potential diplomatic movement should the reports prove accurate. Officials in New Delhi have historically avoided commenting on energy policy decisions until after implementation. Mr. Trump's brief but pointed remarks come as part of a broader foreign policy strategy to pressure both adversaries and allies into realigning their global partnerships in accordance with US strategic interests. Russia remains under sweeping U.S. sanctions, and energy exports have been a critical lifeline for the Kremlin amid ongoing war-related expenditures. (This article is published in an arrangement with 5WH.)
News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians
Last Updated: The new rules will make Schengen visa process fully digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in passports and no more long queues at consulates to submit paper forms For millions of Indians, the process of securing a Schengen visa has long been a necessary — but often tedious — part of planning a European holiday or business trip. But that's about to change. The European Union has officially announced that the Schengen visa system will go fully digital, making visa applications easier, faster, and more secure. Here's everything you need to know about the digital Schengen visa rollout, how it works, and what it means for Indian travellers heading to Europe. What Is A Schengen Visa? The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU nationals to travel across 29 European countries (as of 2024) without needing separate visas for each. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In 2023 alone, Indians filed over 600,000 applications for Schengen visas, with the highest number going to countries like France and Germany. What's Changing? Under the new rules approved by the European Council and set to be implemented by 2026, the Schengen visa process will become completely digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in your passport and no more long queues at consulates just to submit paper forms. The only exception will be first-time applicants or those with expired biometric data (more than five years old). They will still need to visit a consulate or visa application centre to submit fingerprints and get their photo taken. For repeat travellers, the entire process could become 100% virtual. Why Is The EU Going Digital? There are several reasons behind this major shift: Efficiency: The new system will drastically cut down processing times and reduce errors caused by manual handling. Security: A digital system helps prevent fraud and misuse of visa stickers, which can be forged or altered. Convenience: Travellers can apply from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit embassies or third-party visa centres for every trip. Cost Savings: Governments and applicants alike will benefit from streamlined operations and fewer administrative bottlenecks. How Will The New Digital Schengen Visa Work? Once the platform is live, Indian applicants will go through the following steps: Create an Account on the EU Visa Portal: Enter personal details, travel history, and upload necessary documents (passport, itinerary, proof of accommodation, insurance, etc.) Select The Destination Country: If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, you must apply to the one where you'll spend the most time. Pay the Visa Fee Online: Currently, the Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for minors. The amount remains unchanged for now. Submit Biometric Data (If Required): First-timers must still visit the visa application centre for fingerprints and a photograph. Once submitted, the biometrics remain valid for five years. What This Means For Indian Travellers For Indian citizens — especially frequent flyers, business professionals, and holidaymakers — this is welcome news. Last year, nearly 3 crore Indian nationals went to foreign countries, an 8% increase from 2023 that saw a 29% year-on-year jump to 2.79 crore, crossing the pre-pandemic peak of 2.69 crore that was achieved in 2019, as per Ministry of Tourism data. In the first two months of 2025, 50.9 lakh Indians travelled abroad, up 6% from the corresponding period last year, tourism ministry data showed. Europe continues to be the top travel destination for Indians, with Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany leading the pack, and Eastern European countries like Czech Republic, Hungary, and Croatia gaining popularity, the report said. Currently, the visa process involves collecting multiple documents, physically submitting them to VFS or consular offices, and waiting weeks for updates. The digitisation will: Avoid issues like misplaced passports or delayed courier returns However, Indian travellers must still meet all the existing requirements: sufficient financial proof, confirmed return tickets, travel insurance, and a genuine purpose of travel. Will Visa Rejections Still Happen? Yes. A digital system does not mean relaxed rules. Visa officers will still assess the credibility of each application. Currently, Indian applicants face rejection rates between 15% and 25%, depending on the country. Strong documentation and financial clarity will still be critical. That said, digital processing could help avoid rejections caused by administrative errors or missing forms — a common complaint with physical submissions. When Will This Be Implemented? The European Commission has stated that the digital Schengen visa platform will be ready for rollout by 2026. This gives time for IT infrastructure to be built, personnel to be trained, and countries to harmonise their visa policies on the new platform. Some pilot programmes may begin as early as late 2025, particularly in high-volume countries like India, China, and Turkey. Could This Mean Easier Visas In The Future? Digitisation could open the door to multi-entry and longer-validity visas for travellers from trusted countries like India. Already, several EU nations are pushing for 'trusted traveller" programmes that would offer 3- or 5-year visas to applicants with a clean travel history. A digital system makes it easier to track, monitor, and reward such applicants. There is also potential for integration with India's own digital platforms (like DigiLocker) to allow for faster documentation verification. The move to a fully digital Schengen visa system marks a major shift in how Europe manages its borders — and how Indian travellers plan their trips. While challenges remain around biometric verification and high rejection rates, the digitalisation promises faster service, greater transparency, and fewer logistical headaches. For Indian students, professionals, and families dreaming of strolling through Paris, skiing in the Alps, or closing deals in Berlin, the future just got a little easier — and more digital. top videos View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More tags : Europe Indian Passport Schengen Visa view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 01, 2025, 12:32 IST News zip Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
