Latest news with #HarshVardhanShringla
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harsh Vardhan Shringla in Parliament: 'India among few to use UN Charter for self-defence'
NEW DELHI: India is one of the few nations that have used Article 51 of the UN Charter, which outlines the right of a nation to act in self-defence, former foreign secretary and nominated Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday, highlighting that India had struck in the "heart" of Pakistan - Muridke & Bahawalpur - during Operation Sindoor. Participating in discussion on military operation, Shringla said India carried out a precise, highly calibrated and intelligence-driven strike on terror hubs, adding that it was targeted at entities that have been unleashing terrorism against India. "As per international law, we had the right to go after terrorists. Article 51 of UN Charter states that a country has right to self-defence and today that is being increasingly interpreted, as those non-state actors that indulge in terror activities in another sovereign state can also come under this act of self-defence and India has exercised self defence," he said. Shringla said few countries have dared to do so, citing the example of US using Article 51 of UN Charter in its attacks against Taliban, ISIS. India used the same to eliminate terror bases working against it, in the heart of Pakistan. He said that among the over 100 killed in the operation, there were some on UN Security Council's list of most wanted terrorists.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
How and why members are nominated to Rajya Sabha – A must-know for UPSC aspirants
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your UPSC polity current affairs knowledge nugget for today on nominated seats in Rajya Sabha. (Relevance: The Rajya Sabha is an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus. Previously, UPSC has also asked various questions related to its functions and powers. Thus, it becomes essential to cover this topic, as it's also in the news.) The government has nominated four people of eminence to the Rajya Sabha, including former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master, and historian Meenakshi Jain. In this context, let's know who and how gets nominated for the Rajya Sabha. Why does the Rajya Sabha have a 'nominated' MP? 1. 'In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate to the Council of States the following persons to fill the vacancies caused due to retirement of nominated members:- Shri Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Shri C. Sadanandan Master, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain,' the Union Home Ministry said in a notification late Saturday. 2. Notably, Article 80 of the Constitution ('Composition of the Council of States') provides provisions on nominated members of the upper house. It says, 'The Council of States shall consist of: (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President in accordance with the provisions of clause (3); (b) not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the States and of the Union territories.' Clause 3 of the article layer down the qualifications for the appointment: 'The members to be nominated by the President…shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely — Literature, science, art and social service.' 3. Nominated member can join a political party within six months of taking his/ her seat in the House, They enjoy all the powers and privileges to which the elected Members of Parliament are entitled. They can take part in the proceedings of the House in the normal manner. 4. Nominated members are not allowed to vote in the election of the President. They do have the right to vote in the election of the Vice-President, however. 5. Pitching for a provision in the Constitution to allow eminent persons to be nominated to the Council of States, N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, who was part of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said: 'We also give an opportunity, perhaps, to seasoned people who may not be in the thickest of the political fray, but who might be willing to participate in the debate with an amount of learning and importance which we do not ordinarily associate with the House of the People (Lok Sabha).' 6. However, over time, the high ideal of the nomination came to be eroded. Ruling dispensations have repeatedly used the nominated category to shore up their numbers in the House, to dispense favours, and to get their preferred individuals into Parliament. 7. Rajya Sabha has a limited role in the case of Money Bills. It cannot amend a Money Bill, but can recommend amendments within a stipulated time, and Lok Sabha may either accept or reject all or any of these. 8. However, Rajya Sabha enjoys some special powers. If it passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting, saying that it is 'necessary or expedient in the national interest' that Parliament should make a law on a matter enumerated in the State List, Parliament becomes empowered to make a law on the subject. Such a resolution remains in force for a maximum of one year but this period can be extended by one year at a time by passing a similar resolution. 9. A similar route can be adopted for recommending creation of one or more All India Services common to the Union and the states. Parliament becomes empowered to create such services. 10. Also, Rajya Sabha has a role to play if the President, as empowered by the Constitution, issues proclamations in the event of national emergency, in the event of failure of constitutional machinery in a State, or in the case of financial emergency'. Every such proclamation has to be approved by both Houses of Parliament within a stipulated period. 11. Under certain circumstances, however, Rajya Sabha enjoys special powers. If a proclamation is issued at a time when Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for its approval, then the proclamation remains effective, if the resolution approving it is passed by Rajya Sabha within the period specified under Articles 352, 356 and 360 of the Constitution. 1. Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved. To ensure continuity, one-third of its members retire after every second year, under Article 83(1) of the Constitution, and 'biennial elections' are held to fill these vacancies. The term of a member is six years. 2. Out of the 245 members, 12 are nominated by the President and 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Vacancies arising due to resignation, death or disqualification are filled up through bypolls, and those elected serve out the remainder of their predecessors' term. 3. The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of Rajya Sabha seats to the states and Union Territories, on the basis of the population of each state. 4. Rajya Sabha MPs are elected by MLAs through an indirect election. Article 80(4) provides that members shall be elected by the elected members of state Assemblies through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. 5. The number of votes a candidate requires depends on the number of vacancies and the strength of the House. If there is only one vacancy, the required quota under the Election Commission's Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, is calculated by taking the number of votes polled, divided it by 2, and adding 1. For example, if 100 votes are polled in an Assembly, the Rajya Sabha candidate would need: 100/2 + 1 = 51 votes 6. If there is more than one vacancy, the equation is based on an assigned value of 100 for every first-preference vote. The values of the votes credited to all candidates are totalled. The total is divided by 1 more than the number of vacancies, and 1 is added to this quotient. For example, if 100 members of an Assembly vote for 3 Rajya Sabha vacancies, the required quota by any candidate would be (100 × 100)/(3 + 1) + 1 = 2501 If for any seat, candidates fail to get the specified number, the second-preference votes will be taken into account, but with a lower value. (1) Consider the following statements with reference to the nominated members of Rajya Sabha: 1. They enjoy all the powers and privileges to which the elected Members of Parliament are entitled. 2. They are not allowed to vote in the election of the President. 3. They do have the right to vote in the election of the Vice-President. How many of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (2) Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in: (UPSC CSE 2020) (a) the matter of creating new All India Services (b) amending the Constitution (c) the removal of the government (d) making cut motion (Sources: The 4 new members nominated to Rajya Sabha, Why does Rajya Sabha have 'nominated' MPs, and who gets nominated?, Explained: How are Rajya Sabha MPs elected? Why are the polls important?) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
26/11 lawyer, ex-foreign secy: 4 nominated to Rajya Sabha
President Droupadi Murmu has nominated special public prosecutor in the 26/11 case Ujjwal Nikam, former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, educationist C Sadanandan Master, and historian Meenakshi Jain to the Rajya Sabha, a ministry of home affairs notification said on Sunday. Rajya Sabha nominees clockwise from top right: Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Meenakshi Jain, C Sadanandan Master and Ujjwal Deorao Nikam. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior BJP leaders welcomed the nominations as they hailed the contributions of the four people to society. The Constitution allows the President to nominate 12 people with 'special knowledge or practical experience' in the fields of literature, science, art, and social service to the Upper House. The appointments, made on the central government's recommendations, are intended to bring domain knowledge to parliamentary debates. 'In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate to the Council of States the following persons to fill the vacancies caused due to retirement of nominated members: Shri Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Shri C. Sadanandan Master, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain,' the MHA notification said. The term of nominated members is six years, and they are allowed to join a political party within six months of their appointment. Legal expertA noted lawyer, Nikam served as the government counsel in the Mumbai terror attacks case and played a key role in the conviction of terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who was sentenced to death in 2010. Recently, he was appointed the prosecutor in the politically charged Beed sarpanch murder case. He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North Central seat as a BJP candidate but lost. Lauding Nikam's devotion to the Constitution as 'exemplary,' the PM said: 'During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It's gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.' Nikam, 72, thanked the President for nominating him and said: 'I thank President Droupadi Murmu for nominating me. When I met PM Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election campaign, he expressed his faith in me. Yesterday, PM Modi called to inform me about the nomination. He asked whether he should speak in Hindi or Marathi—both of us laughed. Then he spoke to me in Marathi…,' he said. Distinguished diplomat Shringla, who is a 1984 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, also served as India's ambassador to the United States and Bangladesh in his distinguished diplomatic career. He was also the chief coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023. Congratulating Shringla on his nomination, Modi said he has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual, and strategic thinker. 'Over the years, he's made key contributions to India's foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 presidency. Glad that he's been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings,' the PM said. Shringla said that he will use the opportunity to work for the people. 'I have always wanted to work in the service of the country and, even after retirement, I have never stopped my endeavours in this regard. I am grateful for this opportunity and promise to do my best in working for the people, standing by the people and speaking for the people,' he said. Noted educationist A veteran social worker and educationist from Kerala with decades of grassroots service, Master was a victim of political violence in 1994 when CPI(M) members dragged him out of a car and chopped off his legs in the state's Kannur purportedly over his affiliation with the RSS. He contested the 2016 and 2021 elections as a BJP candidate from the Koothuparambu assembly constituency but lost. 'Shri C. Sadanandan Master's life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable,' the PM said. Master said that the opportunity will help him work towards the BJP's goal of a 'Viksit Kerala' and 'Viksit Bharat'. 'Today, thankfully there is peace in Kannur and I am among those who want the peace to prevail. I see the 1994 attack on me as a bad dream which I want to forget. I see my nomination as the party's commitment to Kerala and its people. The party is now promoting the idea of Viksit Kerala and Viksit Bharat. To help realise this vision, I must work even harder,' he said. Eminent academic A noted historian and academic, Jain worked as an associate professor at the University of Delhi's Gargi College. She has authored several books, including Flight Of Deities And Rebirth Of Temples: Episodes From Indian History and The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020. 'She has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure,' the PM said. Thanking the PM and President, she said: 'Dear Honourable President and Prime Minister, I am deeply humbled at being nominated to the Rajya Sabha. It is truly a great privilege and honour.' The four nominations come ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and precede elections to Rajya Sabha seats from across states scheduled in 2026. Elections to 75 out of 245 seats are set to take place in April, June, and November next year when several leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar, are set to complete their terms.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harsh Vardhan Shringla: A man for all theatres
Harsh Vardhan Shringla who was nominated by President Droupadi Murmu to the Rajya Sabha with a long and illustrious career in diplomacy is as comfortable in boardroom as he is on the ground handling peoples' challenges. Having reached the peak of Indian Foreign Service – Foreign Secretary (January 2020 and April 2022), he was also the Chief Coordinator of the G20 Summit that India hosted in 2023. Recently he was part of the MPs delegation that visited key countries in the Islamic World. His stints as India's envoy in the US as well as Bangladesh were exemplary. While in the USA he handled the Trump 1.0 with ease including organizing Howdy Modi and Howdy Trump and sowed the seeds for the BTA that is being currently negotiated, ties with Dhaka expanded across sectors when Shringla was the High Commissioner. But that was the not first time that Shringla handled Bangladesh. He was the Joint Secretary in charge of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka-Myanmar-Maldives at the Headquarters handling critical elections of 2014 in Dhaka. The neighbourhood was his focus yet again when he was the Foreign Secretary. He handled big power ties with equal ease as the Foreign Secretary. Shringla has been of the opinion that a big credit for India's deepening diplomatic engagements globally must go to PM Narendra Modi's personality that helps build chemistry with global leaders. On Sunday the senior diplomat thanked the President and PM for the trust entrusted in him. A book on Shringla titled 'Not an accidental Rise' by Dipmala Roka of the Sikkim University recounted Shringla's handling of ties with China after the Galwan conflict, besides the Covid-19 pandemic. Credit is also due in the way he handled students repatriation under challenging circumstances from Ukraine after the conflict broke in February 2022 'Not an Accidental Rise' also goes into Shringla's work as co-chair of the India-Bangladesh Joint Boundary Working Group that finally led to the signing of the landmark agreement that boosted bilateral relations. 'The best diplomacy is preventive diplomacy ,' said Shringla, according to the book. 'If an issue arises then it should be worked behind the scenes, without fanfare and public attention.' In his four-decade-long career as IFS, Shringla was also posted in Vietnam, deployed in the Europe West Division that oversaw India's relations with major European countries, handled India's relations with Nepal and Bhutan, and during his tenure in Tel Aviv and South Africa worked on India's relations with Israel and Pretoria.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Bhumiputra' Shringla in RS, proud moment for Darjeeling
1 2 Darjeeling : It was a proud moment for Darjeeling on Sunday when son of the soil Harsh Vardhan Shringla — former foreign secretary and India's ambassador to the US — was nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu. An alumnus of Mayo College, Ajmer, and St Stephen's College, Delhi, Shringla topped the 1984 batch of the civil services and chose the Indian Foreign Service. Over a distinguished diplomatic career, he served as the high commissioner to Bangladesh and ambassador to Thailand. He played a key role during the landmark "Howdy Modi" event in Texas in 2019. He went on to serve as foreign secretary from 2020 to 2022 and later as the chief coordinator for India's G20 presidency in 2023. Shringla, however, remained connected to his roots. In May 2023, he launched the Darjeeling Welfare Society, sparking speculation about a possible Lok Sabha bid that he himself dismissed later. BJP eventually re-nominated Raju Bista, who has represented the seat since 2009. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata During the Covid-19 crisis, Shringla was instrumental in coordinating the return of Darjeeling residents stranded in Gulf countries. He also helped set up free UPSC coaching centres in the Hills to support local aspirants. Shringla's nomination to Rajya Sabha was warmly welcomed by PM Narendra Modi . "Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he's made key contributions to India's foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 presidency. Glad that he's been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings," Modi posted on X. Reacting to the nomination, Shringla said: "I extend my grateful thanks to the Prime Minister and deep gratitude to the President for entrusting me with this sacred duty. I have always wanted to work in the service of the country and, even after retirement, I never stopped my endeavours in this regard. I am grateful for this opportunity and promise to do my best in working for the people, standing by the people and speaking for the people. I will continue to make the effort that is necessary to make my country stronger on the international stage," he said. Notably, a road in Bangladesh has even been named in his honour. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, a BJP ally, also hailed his nomination with pride. "I express my hearty congratulations and best wishes to Harsh Vardhan Shringla on being elected as a Rajya Sabha MP. May his tenure be one of dedicated national service and fulfilment of public aspirations," said GJM president Bimal Gurung. Darjeeling: It was a proud moment for Darjeeling on Sunday when son of the soil Harsh Vardhan Shringla — former foreign secretary and India's ambassador to the US — was nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu. An alumnus of Mayo College, Ajmer, and St Stephen's College, Delhi, Shringla topped the 1984 batch of the civil services and chose the Indian Foreign Service. Over a distinguished diplomatic career, he served as the high commissioner to Bangladesh and ambassador to Thailand. He played a key role during the landmark "Howdy Modi" event in Texas in 2019. He went on to serve as foreign secretary from 2020 to 2022 and later as the chief coordinator for India's G20 presidency in 2023. Shringla, however, remained connected to his roots. In May 2023, he launched the Darjeeling Welfare Society, sparking speculation about a possible Lok Sabha bid that he himself dismissed later. BJP eventually re-nominated Raju Bista, who has represented the seat since 2009. During the Covid-19 crisis, Shringla was instrumental in coordinating the return of Darjeeling residents stranded in Gulf countries. He also helped set up free UPSC coaching centres in the Hills to support local aspirants. Shringla's nomination to Rajya Sabha was warmly welcomed by PM Narendra Modi. "Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he's made key contributions to India's foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 presidency. Glad that he's been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings," Modi posted on X. Reacting to the nomination, Shringla said: "I extend my grateful thanks to the Prime Minister and deep gratitude to the President for entrusting me with this sacred duty. I have always wanted to work in the service of the country and, even after retirement, I never stopped my endeavours in this regard. I am grateful for this opportunity and promise to do my best in working for the people, standing by the people and speaking for the people. I will continue to make the effort that is necessary to make my country stronger on the international stage," he said. Notably, a road in Bangladesh has even been named in his honour. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, a BJP ally, also hailed his nomination with pride. "I express my hearty congratulations and best wishes to Harsh Vardhan Shringla on being elected as a Rajya Sabha MP. May his tenure be one of dedicated national service and fulfilment of public aspirations," said GJM president Bimal Gurung.
