Latest news with #CongressLokSabha
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
How Post Operation Sindoor Modi Doctrine Stifling India's Diplomatic Outreach?
By Nitya Chakraborty 26 days have passed since the temporary truce in the limited four day war between India and Pakistan taking effect on May 10 this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking of his three point doctrine since then, the most important of which is no dialogue with Pakistan unless the ruling regime of Islamabad shuns terrorism. Pakistan Prime Minister on the other hand is claiming as usual that his government had no role in the Pahalgam massacre of April 22, Pakistan strongly believes in fight against terrorism. Pakistan is ready for bilateral talks to discuss all the pending issues including terror. In this backdrop, fierce campaign has been launched by both India and Pakistan to influence the views of the foreign countries including the permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations. Seven parliamentary delegations from India are on a visit to 33 nations in their diplomatic outreach. Two delegations have already returned. Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor is still staying in the US at the head of the delegation to apprise both the U.S. government officials and the UN members the Indian viewpoint why Pakistan is the fountainhead of terrorist actions on Indian soil and why it is not possible to have any bilateral dialogue with Pakistan. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has himself visited four countries so far as a part of his government's global outreach. Simultaneously a high powered delegation led by former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is in USA talking to the Washington administration and the UN members. The South Asian diaspora in USA is betting for a Bilawal-Tharoor debate on the current India Pak tensions. Bilawal in his press meet has talked of a bilateral meet between India and Pakistan to discuss the issues on the lines of Pakistan PM's position. Tharoor has to focus only on terror and Pak links to terror. He can not touch the issue of any bilateral dialogue at the moment as per post Operation Sindoor Modi doctrine. Herein lies India's dilemma of positive global diplomatic outreach. So far, the feedback from the Parliamentary delegations talks abroad and the Indian embassies own efforts for outreach is this – all foreign leaders and the diplomats in the course of discussions are mentioning two things. First they are all with India in its fight against terror. They all favour India's fight against terrorists based in Pakistan. But they do not like any war between the two nuclear powers on this issue. They want bilateral talks if India does not agree for a mediator. Even Russian foreign minister has mentioned this, though Russia's statement was strongest in support of India's actions. Thus in the perception battle or more specifically in information war, Pakistan is getting some advantage as of now vis a vis India. Left to the external affairs ministry officials, they could have done much better job than the visiting Parliamentary delegations but their hands are tied. Modi's doctrine has stifled their flexibility. The Washington based Indian officials are seeing how the wavelength they established with the White House in the last few years, are crumbling before their own eyes due to the intervention of the PMO, the Modi doctrine and the interference by the Overseas Friends of BJP in USA and the Hindu organisations close to Narendra Modi. These officers are engaged in fire fighting operations. Now let us look at some upcoming events which show how challenging will be India's task in the coming two months in the arena of global diplomacy. First, India has not been invited to the G-7 summit at Alberta in Canada scheduled from June 15 to June 17. In the last five years, our Prime Minister made every effort to make himself visible among the World's top leaders. Last year at the G-7 summit in Italy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the Indian PM belonging to their own far right clan. PM was expecting an invitation till a week back, but it has not been sent and all indications are that it will not be sent by the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The reason might be related to the possibility of pro- Khalistani demonstrations, but if the new Liberal Party PM wanted, he could have invited the Indian PM by making adequate arrangements for maintaining law and order. In such summits, always some kind of threat is there from the dissidents, but the summits take place after arranging full security preparations. More importantly, though Canada is the host country, other member countries did not bother to request the PM Mark Carney to invite India as India has been a long standing participant, The G-7 members are USA, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and Canada. The other non members invited are Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Ukraine. Narendra Modi enjoyed all the summits he attended giving the impression as if he belonged to one of those rich nations. But alas — in 2025 after India's unambiguous victory claimed by Modi against Pakistan in four day conflict, Indian Prime Minister has been shunned out of a crucial global summit. More trouble for Narendra Modi awaits in the month of July. This month Pakistan will take over as the President of the UN Security Council as per the rotation. The UNSC has five permanent members — USA, Russia, China, France and UK. There are ten non-permanent members now — Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia. Pakistan will take over as the UNSC President in July as per norms. The UNSC President has powers to set agenda. Naturally, it is expected that Pakistan will take full advantage of its presidency to include discussion on Kashmir in the UNSC agenda. Once it is proposed by the President, this will have to be discussed in the context of India- Pakistan relations. This is a big challenge to India. Indian foreign ministry will have to make all preparations to meet Pakistan's proposed salvo. The UNSC members, both permanent and non-permanent have to be properly briefed. Pakistan is sure to make full use of July presidency of UNSC to further its cause of inernationalising the Kashmir situation again. Indian foreign ministry has to come out of the purview of Modi doctrine if it wants to effectively meet the Pak onslaught. Apart in July itself, BRICS summit is scheduled in Brazil on July 6 and 7 this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as one of the founding members. He is expected to attend it. The BRICS members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — the initial members. Now the expanded BRICS includes another five countries Indonesia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Chinese President Xi Jinping is sure to attend it. It is to be seen whether President Putin attends since there is a warrant of International Criminal Court, so Putin is avoiding visits to the ICC member countries. This year, if Narendra Modi attends the BRICS summit, he will be attending with a demoted stature. His image as a defender of global South has got damaged due to India's identification with the US strategy in Asia Pacific and India's distancing itself from the geo political positions of BRICS. The USA does not like India's pro-active position in BRICS. In fact, President Trump is in a running battle with the Presidents of South Africa and Brazil. So what stand Narendra Modi will be taking at the BRICS summit, that assumes significance. The hard reality is that Prime Minister may go on campaigning in favour of his doctrine and making efforts to rouse nationalist passions against Pakistan in public meetings, but global diplomacy is a hard ball. Indian officials have to defend the government's position every single day. That has been a tough task with limited flexibility. Prime Minister's present new doctrine towards Pakistan needs some finetuning to adapt to the political mood of the global community. The battle against Pakistan and terror is long drawn. It needs holistic strategy and not one time solution. (IPA Service)
India Gazette
6 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla writes to PM Modi, demands
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 3 (ANI): Congress Lok Sabha MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns about the security of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar and demanding that the area be declared a 'no-war zone.' 'I earnestly appeal to the Government of India to initiate steps for NO WAR ZONE and protected status to Sri Harmandir Sahib, under a framework that ensures: Permanent, non-political, high-level security for the shrine like Vatican City. International recognition and protection under humanitarian and interfaith harmony principles as per UNO. A clear mechanism to prevent any future military, political, or strategic targeting of this sacred place,' Aujla said in the letter. Highlighting the global and national significance of the Golden Temple, which is revered by millions worldwide regardless of their religion, Aujla said that it has become urgent to safeguard the sacred institution with 'permanent, non-political, high-level security.' 'In the wake of recent war like situations, it has become an urgent need of the hour to safeguard this sacred institution with the highest level of permanent and global security,' the letter read. His demand comes after Major General Kartik C Seshadri earlier claimed that Pakistan's prime target was the Golden Temple, according to information received from the intelligence, an attempt which was thwarted by the Indian army on May 8. 'A recent claim by a senior officer of the Indian Army, of the rank of Major General, stated that Pakistan Air Force had targeted the Golden Temple. This claim is not only alarming but has raised deep concern among the Sikh community worldwide. Given the sensitive geographical and political nature of the region, such threats-- whether real or perceived--pose a risk to national security and global religious harmony,' the letter further read. 'Any threat to it--real or claimed--has the potential to disturb world peace and affect inter-community trust and harmony. Such perceptions must not be allowed to take root,' Aujla added. (ANI)
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Gaurav Gogoi slams PM Modi's remarks on ‘Chinese' features
GUWAHATI Gaurav Gogoi, one of three Congress Lok Sabha members from Assam, has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remarks concerning the physical features of Chinese people, asserting that such comments are deeply traumatic for individuals from the northeastern States, who face similar stereotyping across India. Addressing media persons in New Delhi on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), Mr. Gogoi, who was recently appointed president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, said the Prime Minister should direct his attention to pressing issues such as bilateral trade and the border situation with China, instead of making observations on physical appearance. 'Recently, while referring to China, the Prime Minister made light of the physical features of the Chinese, especially with respect to the shape of their eyes. When young men and women come from the northeast to different parts of India, they are often teased for the same physical features,' Mr. Gogoi said. Also read: Gaurav Gogoi denies links with Pakistan; Himanta says he will provide proof by September 'Such language only perpetuates the harassment and is used to taunt and tease the people of the northeast,' he added, cautioning that remarks of this nature reinforce harmful stereotypes. The Congress MP said that young people from the northeast routinely share their experiences of discrimination when they travel to metropolitan cities for education or employment. 'I must ask him to be also sensitive, as these (certain physical features) have caused a lot of trauma for young people of the northeast, who often complain to me when they come to Delhi, Bombay, or Pune for their studies,' he said. Mr. Gogoi reiterated that national leaders have a responsibility to exercise restraint and empathy in their public discourse, particularly when referring to communities that have historically faced marginalisation.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
US ‘had no role to play' in clinching India-Pakistan ceasefire: Indian Foreign Secretary
NEW DELHI: The US had no role to play in clinching a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and that the plea had come from Pakistan's director-general of military operations to his counterpart in Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri (pic) told a parliamentary panel on Monday (May 19) on cross-border security challenges post Operation Sindoor, sources said. The Foreign Secretary appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor, to provide a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindoor and recent tensions between India and Pakistan. He clarified that Pakistan had reached out to India for a ceasefire after the precision strikes by the Indian armed forces hit Pakistan military installations, including a China-made missile defence system in Lahore and the strategically important Nur Khan air base. Foreign Secretary's clarifications that the US had no role in brokering India-Pakistan ceasefire assumes added significance as it comes amid persistent opposition parties' demand from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on the repeated claims being bragged by US President Donald Trump that it was the US that brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum, Donald Trump had last Wednesday claimed that he persuaded both India and Pakistan to 'trade goods, not nuclear missiles.' Crediting trade diplomacy to be the crux of the efforts for easing tensions, Trump also praised leaders of both countries as 'smart and strong.' Seeking clarification from the government, the Congress had questioned: 'What do the typically loquacious PM and EAM have to say about this revelation? Did they mortgage India's security interests in the face of US pressure.' Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had questioned in a post on social media handle X: 'Americi Papa Ne War Rukwaa Di Kya? (Has the American Dad got the war stopped?)' However, the Ministry of External Affairs has since denied that trade played any part and the discussions only focused on the military situation. Last Tuesday the Congress had also alleged that the Prime Minister had 'deeply disappointed the nation' as he did not clarify the truth behind the US President's claim that it was the US that brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Claiming that the Prime Minister in his address to the nation last Monday 'did not clarify so many things for which the country was waiting to know,' senior party leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, had also alleged: 'The government has lost both, the moral courage and moral authority……. there was shock and surprise across the country over the sudden ceasefire which too was announced by the US President.' Misri also pointed out that the allegations against External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of informing Pakistan before launching an airstrike were misrepresentations of facts and that he has been misquoted. - The Statesman/ANN
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
No US role in India-Pakistan understanding: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
The May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan to stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea was reached bilaterally and there was no US intervention, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday, sources said. Misri also told the panel that the military conflict between India and Pakistan, which lasted from the early hours of May 7 till 5pm on May 10, was always in the conventional domain, and there was no nuclear signalling by the neighbouring country, according to sources present at the briefing. Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor-led 31-member parliamentary committee also unanimously condemned the social media trolling that Misri and his family members were subjected to following the stoppage of military action. MPs present at the meeting praised the foreign secretary's professional conduct. To questions whether Pakistan used Chinese platforms in the conflict, the foreign secretary said that it did not matter as the Indian response was precise and effective, with the result that Pakistani air bases were hammered. To another question by an Opposition MP about US President Donald Trump's social media posts claiming that he mediated the understanding between India and Pakistan, Misri remarked that the US President did not take his permission to do so. On Turkiye's support to Pakistan, he said that Ankara has traditionally not been a supporter of India. On queries about the Trump administration's claims on mediating on the Kashmir issue, Misri said no other country has "any locus standi" to comment on the matter. To another question about Pakistan managing to secure the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package, he said India opposed it but different countries are guided by their own interests. Over the past two days, Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has criticised External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, referring to one of his statements to the media and alleging that India had forewarned Pakistan about its intent to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan, which led to India losing its fighter jets. However, at the meeting of the parliamentary committee, Misri rejected such speculation, stating that India did not inform Pakistan before the start of Operation Sindoor. Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have also termed Gandhi's statement as 'utter misrepresentation of facts'. Gandhi had cited a comment by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to claim that Pakistan was informed about Operation Sindoor, and asked how many planes India lost due to this. The EAM is being quoted in the wrong context, Misri said, adding that a contact was made with Pakistan at the DGMO (director general of military operations) level only after the strikes on terror sites on May 7. Other Opposition MPs asked whether India's agencies know about the whereabouts of the terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which they killed 26 people. They also wanted to know about the efforts being made to nab the terrorists. Members further asked about the steps India has taken to isolate Pakistan on the global stage, such as putting Pakistan back on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). There were questions on whether India, a victim of terror, was now re-hyphenated with Pakistan, which is a perpetrator of terror. Apart from Tharoor, Trinamool Congress' Abhishek Banerjee, AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress' Rajeev Shukla and Deepender Hooda, and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) Aparajita Sarangi and Arun Govil attended the meeting, among others. Some of the members of the panel, such as Tharoor, Owaisi and Sarangi, are also part of the seven delegations that India has planned to dispatch to 32 countries and the European Union as part of its diplomatic outreach. In a related development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said in Kolkata that her party, the Trinamool Congress, is not boycotting the Centre's multi-party diplomatic mission and would send its representatives once a formal request is received from the Centre. Banerjee said the Centre should not decide the party's nominee to the delegations. Her statement came after a controversy broke out that Trinamool MP Yusuf Pathan was forced to opt out of the multi-party diplomatic delegation. BJP leader Amit Malviya termed the Trinamool's decision as unfortunate.
