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Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
India, Pakistan Trade Accusations as Tensions Continue to Rise
India and Pakistan accused each other of further attacks on Friday as hostilities between the two nations continued. 'Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border,' on May 8 and 9, the Indian military said in a post on the social media site X. There were numerous locations of hostility 'along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir,' it said, adding that 'drone attacks were effectively repulsed,' and hostilities were given a 'befitting reply.' The army added in a Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that the drones had been 'neutralized' and that India responded by launching drone strikes on four Pakistani air defense sites. Related Stories 5/8/2025 5/8/2025 In Pakistan, a night of artillery barrages killed at least four civilians and wounded 12 others in areas near the Line of Control, local police official Adeel Ahmad told the Calls for de-escalation have come in from around the world, with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy 'I have been clear to all sides that if this escalates further, nobody wins,' Lammy added. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday reiterated Washington's hope for de-escalation. 'We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible,' he said in an interview on Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, has been at the center of hostilities over which New Delhi and Islamabad have fought two of their three wars. India administers the majority of Kashmir, but Pakistan administers the northern and western areas, and China controls territory in the east, some of which was ceded by Pakistan. This latest bout of violence erupted after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 in which three gunmen killed 26 people. Those killed were mostly male Hindu tourists. A group called the Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, claimed responsibility, and India said the group was an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist group that has in the past attacked the Indian military and police in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any links with the terrorists. On May 1, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said to Sky News that the April 22 incident might have been a false flag attack. The Indian army said the military operation was named Sindoor—a Hindi word for the red vermilion powder worn by married Hindu women on their forehead and hair—in recognition of the women whose husbands were killed in front of them during the April 22 attack. The Indian Ministry of Defence said in its statement about Operation Sindoor: 'These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.' Chris Summers contributed to this report.
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First Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Op Sindoor: PM Modi's tour, new FTA, civil drills… the smokescreen India created to stun Pakistan
In the days leading up to its covert military action on May 7, 2025, India strategically layered diplomatic events, trade deals and national preparedness drills to deflect scrutiny and mask the true intent of Operation Sindoor read more Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri with Indian Army's Col Sofiya Qureshi and Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a press conference regarding Operation Sindoor, in New Delhi on May 7, 2025. PTI Ahead of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, India employed a carefully crafted deception to conceal its true intentions. In the lead-up to the covert Operation Sindoor, multiple events were strategically scheduled, diverting international and domestic attention away from any potential military movements. One such event was the inauguration of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025. This high-profile gathering brought together major Indian film stars, global industry leaders and key figures from the media and entertainment sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The presence of prominent personalities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business magnates like Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani provided an ideal opportunity to create a façade of peaceful diplomatic engagement. Furthermore, the simultaneous announcement of a nationwide civil defence mock drill on May 7, 2025, added another layer of complexity to the deception. As the country prepared for this large-scale exercise, which involved coordinated participation from various civic groups and institutions, it gave the appearance of heightened domestic readiness in the face of security threats. The drill, meant to focus on emergency preparedness, included scenarios such as air-raid sirens and citywide blackouts, further contributing to the sense of heightened national security. However, this was also a diversionary tactic, subtly positioning the public and international community to believe that the country was focussed on internal defence, rather than preparing for any potential external military action. This well-executed distraction, paired with other events like the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and the launch of the Vizhinjam Port, created a perfect smokescreen, allowing India to execute Operation Sindoor with minimal external scrutiny or intervention STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD WAVES Summit in Mumbai The inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 was held from May 1–4 at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre, aiming to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital innovation. Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the theme 'Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,' the event saw participation from major Indian film stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth and Deepika Padukone, as well as global industry leaders including Netflix's Ted Sarandos. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, emphasising the role of content and creativity in India's economic growth. Reliance Industries chairperson Mukesh Ambani projected the industry's growth potential to $100 billion, while over Rs250 crore in deals were secured during the event. The summit highlighted Indian cinema's soft power globally and fostered cross-border collaboration and investment. 2. Port launch in Thiruvananthapuram On May 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking India's first deep-sea transshipment port. Developed under a public-private partnership between the Adani Group and the Kerala government, the port was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs8,867 crore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping routes, Vizhinjam boasts a natural depth of 24 metres, enabling it to accommodate ultra-large cargo vessels without extensive dredging. The port aims to reduce India's reliance on foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo and Singapore potentially retaining significant revenue within the country. During the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the port's role in enhancing economic stability for Kerala and India and emphasised its significance in positioning the nation as a global maritime leader. 3. Announcement of mock drill On May 7, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced plans to launch a nationwide civil defence mock drill across 244 districts, including 27 locations in Assam such as Guwahati. This large-scale exercise is being conducted to evaluate emergency preparedness in light of recent security concerns, particularly following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The drill, the official statements said, involved coordinated participation from civil defence volunteers, home guards, NCC cadets and students and aims to simulate hostile scenarios requiring swift civilian and institutional responses. Activities include the sounding of air-raid sirens—long sirens to indicate alerts and short ones for all-clear—along with citywide blackout simulations, mock evacuations and protection drills for critical infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Residents were advised to remain indoors during the exercise, switch off electrical and gas appliances during the blackout period, and ensure the safety of children and pets. Authorities also urged the public not to panic and to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media. In Assam and other participating regions, the drill was meant to serve not only as a preparedness measure but also as a means to strengthen public awareness and resilience in times of national emergency. 4. India-UK Free Trade Agreement On May 6, 2025, India and the United Kingdom concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. This comprehensive deal, finalised after over three years of negotiations, aims to enhance trade by reducing tariffs and expanding market access for both nations. Under the agreement, India will reduce tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods, including a phased reduction of whisky tariffs from 150 per cent to 40 per cent over a decade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Similarly, car tariffs will decrease to 10 per cent from over 100 per cent, benefiting British exporters. In return, 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, such as textiles, food and jewellery, will become duty-free providing a substantial boost to India's export sector. The FTA also includes provisions for services trade and mobility. A notable feature is the exemption of Indian temporary workers in the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years, aligning with similar agreements the UK has with other countries. Additionally, the deal facilitates visa access for Indian professionals, including musicians, chefs and yoga instructors. Both Prime Ministers, Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer, have hailed the agreement as ambitious and mutually beneficial, with expectations to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion ($34 billion) annually by 2040. The agreement is pending ratification by both governments and is anticipated to come into effect within the next 12 months STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 5. PM Modi at ABP Network India@2047 Summit On May 6, 2025, Prime Minister Modi addressed the ABP Network India@2047 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Emphasising the nation's goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, he highlighted India's transition from a GDP-centric approach to one focused on the 'Gross Empowerment of People' (GEP), highlighting the importance of inclusive growth and citizen-centric governance. He also announced the finalisation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a historic milestone that will enhance economic activity and create new opportunities for Indian businesses and MSMEs. The prime minister criticised previous administrations for delaying crucial reforms due to political considerations, citing examples such as the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme, the abolition of Triple Talaq and amendments to the Waqf Act. PM Modi asserted that his government prioritised national interest over vote bank politics, leading to significant policy changes. Addressing water resource management, he mentioned the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that India's water resources will now be utilised for national benefit. Highlighting India's strides in self-reliance, Modi noted the country's emergence as a global leader in defence manufacturing, with exports reaching over 100 countries, and emphasised the success of the Digital India initiative in transforming the nation into a hub of innovation and technological advancement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 6. India-Nordic Summit The 3rd India-Nordic Summit is scheduled to take place in Oslo, Norway, on May 15–16, 2025. Prime Minister Modi was earlier scheduled to attend this high-level gathering, which brings together leaders from all five Nordic countries—Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland—to strengthen cooperation across a range of strategic areas. However, in view of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi deferred his visit to Croatia, Netherlands and Norway. The agenda of the summit was to focus on enhancing collaboration in trade, innovation, green energy, climate change and the blue economy. Geopolitical issues, including global peace and security and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, were also expected to be key topics of discussion. This summit builds on the momentum of previous India-Nordic engagements, such as the Green Strategic Partnership launched with Denmark in 2020, which has expanded cooperation in various fields and facilitated Danish investments in India's green transition. Additionally, the summit is anticipated to further strengthen India's bilateral relations with Norway, focussing on trade, renewable energy and maritime technologies aligning with both nations' sustainability goals. The India-Nordic Summit serves as a significant platform for India to deepen its engagement with the Nordic region, fostering partnerships that address critical global challenges and promote sustainable development. 7. Notam for pre-planned exercise in Rajasthan The Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) for a significant two-day aerial exercise along the Indo-Pakistan border in Rajasthan. Scheduled from 3:30 p,m on May 7 to 9,30 pm on May 8, 2025, the exercise will involve extensive airspace restrictions over the region. The IAF describes this as a routine, pre-planned training operation aimed at assessing combat readiness and coordination under simulated hostile conditions. The drills will feature a comprehensive deployment of India's airpower including frontline fighter jets such as Rafales, Mirage 2000s and Sukhoi-30 MKIs, as well as transport aircraft, mid-air refuellers, airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. These operations will be conducted from various airbases across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This exercise coincides with nationwide civil defence mock drills on May 7, reflecting heightened security measures following the recent Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives. 8. 'Strategic silence' by MEA and Ministry of Defence Forces since Pahalgam terror attack Since the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, India's political leadership—including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh—has publicly condemned the incident, vowing a decisive response. At the international level, India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel also raised the issue strongly in the United Nations, denouncing cross-border terrorism and calling for global accountability. However, despite these high-level statements, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence have maintained what is being interpreted as a 'strategic silence' in operational terms. This restraint has been particularly evident in the MEA's non-engagement with Pakistan's recent 'closed-door briefing' at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where Islamabad reportedly attempted to internationalise the Kashmir issue in light of the attack. The MEA has neither issued a formal response nor directly challenged the Pakistani narrative in this forum, signalling a deliberate choice to avoid giving the provocation further global traction. Analysts suggest this measured silence may be part of a calibrated strategy, possibly tied to upcoming diplomatic moves or military responses being kept under wraps.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Shahid Afridi 'offers tea' to Shikhar Dhawan in latest cross-border spat
Listen to article Tensions following the recent attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), have spilled over to social media, where not only citizens but also former cricketers from both India and Pakistan have become engaged in a war of words. The interaction began when former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi made sharp remarks on a local TV programme, criticising the Indian military's performance in Kashmir. Commenting on the Pahalgam incident, Afridi questioned how such an event could occur despite the presence of what he described as '800,000 Indian troops' in the region. 'If even a firecracker goes off in India, the blame is placed on Pakistan,' he said. 'You have eight lakh soldiers stationed in Kashmir and yet such incidents happen — this only means you're incompetent and useless.' His comments quickly gained traction on Indian media and triggered a strong reaction from former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. Taking to social media platform X, Dhawan fired back at Afridi, referencing India's victory in the Kargil conflict. 'We defeated you in Kargil, how much lower will you stoop?' Dhawan wrote. 'Instead of making baseless comments, focus on your own country's development.' The spat intensified on Tuesday when Afridi responded with a touch of sarcasm. Posting a photo of himself in military-style attire while holding a cup of tea, he wrote on X, 'Forget winning or losing — come, let me serve you some tea, Shikhar,' adding the hashtag #FantasticTea. The hashtag #FantasticTea is a reference to a widely publicised incident on February 27, 2019, when Pakistan shot down two Indian aircraft that had violated its airspace and captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. During his detention, a video showed a Pakistani officer politely asking, 'I hope you like the tea?' to which Abhinandan calmly replied, 'The tea is fantastic, thank you.' The clip quickly went viral and became a symbol of Pakistan's media narrative surrounding the incident. Although Abhinandan was released and returned to India as a goodwill gesture, the moment, and the phrase, has since become a long-running meme in Pakistan, still frequently referenced in both political and pop culture contexts.
United News of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Pakistani diplomat makes throat-slitting gesture at Indian protesters outside Pak High Commission in London
London/New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) As hundreds of British-Indians held a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, the protests saw a twisted response from a Pakistani diplomat, who made a throat-slitting gesture at the protesters from the High Commission balcony. The British-Indian protesters chanted slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", and "Pakistan Murdabad", venting out their anger over Pakistan's role in the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. In response, the Pakistani diplomat, identified as Col. Taimur Rahat, held a placard of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman, with the worn-out Pakistani meme 'Tea is fantastic', and waved it at the crowd of protesters from the balcony. However, Col. Rahat followed up this comical gesture with a dark and barbaric turn, as he made a throat-slitting gesture at the protesters. Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a boiling point, after India in response to the Pahalgam attack suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani nationals in India, declared Pakistani military advisors to their High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata and expelled them, and recalled its own advisors from the Indian HC in Islamabad, and thinned its diplomatic staff. Pakistan in response said that suspension of the waters treaty will be tantamount to an act of war, and suspended the Shimla Agreement. As the whole world has unanimously condemned the heinous incident, with countries such as the US, Russia, UK, Australia, France, and members of the Gulf States expressing their full support to India, a socially unstable and economically fragile Pakistan is finding itself increasingly isolated in the international arena.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru road rage: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar assures motorist that guilty will be punished
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday assured the motorist who was involved in a road rage incident with an IAF officer that the state government stood with Kannadigas if they are in trouble and that it is committed to punishing the guilty. Also Read - Pahalgam terror attack: Over 40 tourists from Karnataka stranded in Kashmir, CM orders special flight to evacuate An FIR was registered against a 40-year-old IAF officer on charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt based on a counter-complaint by 26-year-old Vikas Kumar, a call centre employee, who was previously arrested on the officer's complaint in a road rage incident. Taking to social media platform "X", Shivakumar posted a video of him speaking to Kumar over the phone and reassured that the Karnataka government stands with Kannadigas if they are in trouble. "I have called and reassured Kumar, who was attacked in connection with the Nagavarapalya incident. The Karnataka government stands with Kannadigas if they are in trouble; we are also committed to punishing the guilty," he added. Also Read - Bengaluru's road rage epidemic: Why keeping your cool is your best defence on city roads Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose made an allegation in a video he shared on the social media platform that he was attacked and verbally abused by a group of Kannada-speaking individuals who chased him on a bike in Bengaluru early Monday morning. Terming it a case of road rage, police arrested Kumar, who works as a team head at a software company's call centre. He was released on station bail on Tuesday. Both parties have attacked each other, and some videos purportedly show the IAF officer roughing up Kumar, creating a scene for the onlookers. The officer was captured engaging in an argument with Kumar and beating him up in full public view, even as his wife tried to stop him. Kumar, who was released on station bail, in a video statement on Tuesday said, he will not let go of the case, as he also expressed concerns about him losing his job because of the incident.
