Latest news with #KanwalSibal
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Western reporting on India-Pakistan escalation 'one-sided'
The press is obscuring terrorism as the root cause of the latest flare-up between New Delhi and Islamabad, Kanwal Sibal has told RT The Western media has been presenting a "distorted" and "one-sided" picture of the latest military standoff between India and Pakistan, former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has told RT. On Saturday, the two nuclear powers agreed to a truce following the recent escalation in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir federal territory in late April. US President Donald Trump stated that Washington had helped mediate the cessation of hostilities. Commenting on the developments, Sibal said that New Delhi never had any intention of escalating its limited military operation. He also criticized the US for seeking to "take diplomatic credit" for the truce. The retired diplomat further lamented the manner in which the escalation was reported by the Western press, which he says gave scant significance to "what caused this in the first place." "The attention is being shifted to the larger issues" existing between New Delhi and Islamabad, as opposed to the deadly terrorist attack last month, he argued. Sibal suggested that the "Western press... totally contort and distort their reporting," presenting a "very one-sided picture." "And somehow they have a very great weakness for Pakistan despite the fact that Pakistan's links with terror are so well known," Sibal claimed. He noted that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been hiding in the country for years before being killed by US special forces in 2011. In late April, anonymous sources told RT that the Indian government had sent an objection to BBC India head Jackie Martin over the British broadcaster's use of the word "militants" to refer to the perpetrators of the terrorist attack that led to the escalation of the conflict. Similar concerns were reportedly raised with other international news outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters. READ MORE: BBC under fire in India for Kashmir terror attack coverage Speaking to RT around the same time, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the West is to blame for his country's terrorism problem, which he explained stems from the "introduction of jihad" on behalf of the West during the Soviet-Afghanistan war in the 1980s. New Delhi has accused its neighbor of aiding and abetting Islamist militants from the Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack last month, alleging that at least two of the perpetrators are Pakistani nationals. Islamabad, for its part, has strongly denied any involvement.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India-Pakistan tensions: Pause largely holds, but guns still boom on social media
Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal, now JNU chancellor, was among those who expressed displeasure on X, arguing that Pakistan had been let off NEW DELHI: A day after India and Pakistan announced a stoppage of military activity, posts on the face-off continue to swamp social media. Getting suddenly into 'pause' mode drew another groan of disappointment from the Right, especially in the manner it came about. Noted columnist Swapan Dasgupta, a member of BJP national executive with 1.1 million X followers, posted, "This ceasefire/'understanding' hasn't gone down well in India for (at least) 2 reasons: 1) It was peremptorily announced by Trump who suddenly appeared out of nowhere & pronounced his verdict 2) It is clear that Pakistan still sees terror strikes against Bharat as a virtuous act, even if it is regarded as an act of war." Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal, now chancellor of JNU, also expressed displeasure on X underlining that Pakistan had been let off. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor He stated, "At the international level the issue of Pak involvement in terror has been papered over and the burden has been put on both countries to exercise restraint and find a diplomatic solution." Sibal further said, "US claiming mediation has detracted from India's long held position against mediation. US is equating India and Pakistan. This has implications. Can US be trusted?" Shefali Vaidya, convenor of the Indic Academy with nearly 800,000 followers, tweeted Saturday. "Don't understand the logic behind the sudden #ceasefire TBH, it feels like a bit anticlimactic to quit when you are clearly ahead, but I trust the leadership of my country to take the best decision under the circumstances." After watching the Sunday DGMO briefing, though, she said, "Seeing the DGMO press briefing live makes my heart filled with pride. This is how a professional force behaves, provide solid proof, speak in measured tones, unlike the over-the-top Pakistani army guys claiming victory!" Sadly, a 'dirty' online attack on foreign secretary Vikram Misri and his family also raged through Sunday. The right-wing trolling of the senior diplomat drew sharp denunciation far and wide. Even those who do not support govt on many issues came out in support of Misri. Pollster Yashwant Deshmukh wrote on X, "We all stand with #VikramMisri. Those who are trolling him, are simply Pakistani stooges living in India. If you are playing in enemy hands, you are a traitor hired by the enemy. That's the bottom line. These trolls should be named, shamed and if possible tried in the court." Defence analyst Sushant Sareen posted, "Disgusting demented dredges of humanity. Vikram Misri is one of the finest officers of IFS and to target his family is the most low (sic) blow anyone can strike. Vile creatures who do this." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Russia Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Western reporting on India-Pakistan escalation ‘one-sided' – ex-Indian foreign secretary
The Western media has been presenting a 'distorted' and 'one-sided' picture of the latest military standoff between India and Pakistan, former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has told RT. On Saturday, the two nuclear powers agreed to a truce following the recent escalation in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir federal territory in late April. US President Donald Trump stated that Washington had helped mediate the cessation of hostilities. Commenting on the developments, Sibal said that New Delhi never had any intention of escalating its limited military operation. He also criticized the US for seeking to 'take diplomatic credit' for the truce. The retired diplomat further lamented the manner in which the escalation was reported by the Western press, which he says gave scant significance to 'what caused this in the first place.' 'The attention is being shifted to the larger issues' existing between New Delhi and Islamabad, as opposed to the deadly terrorist attack last month, he argued. Sibal suggested that the 'Western press… totally contort and distort their reporting,' presenting a 'very one-sided picture.' 'And somehow they have a very great weakness for Pakistan despite the fact that Pakistan's links with terror are so well known,' Sibal claimed. He noted that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been hiding in the country for years before being killed by US special forces in 2011. In late April, anonymous sources told RT that the Indian government had sent an objection to BBC India head Jackie Martin over the British broadcaster's use of the word 'militants' to refer to the perpetrators of the terrorist attack that led to the escalation of the conflict. Similar concerns were reportedly raised with other international news outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters. Speaking to RT around the same time, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the West is to blame for his country's terrorism problem, which he explained stems from the 'introduction of jihad' on behalf of the West during the Soviet-Afghanistan war in the 1980s. New Delhi has accused its neighbor of aiding and abetting Islamist militants from the Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack last month, alleging that at least two of the perpetrators are Pakistani nationals. Islamabad, for its part, has strongly denied any involvement.
India Today
10-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Explained: Why the IMF is under fire for $1 billion loan to Pakistan
India abstained from voting at the IMF Executive Board meeting, reflecting its opposition within the limitations of IMF protocol. India Today Business Desk IMF faces criticism for $1 billion loan amid Indo-Pak hostilities India abstains, warns of IMF funds aiding cross-border terrorism Critics say IMF emboldening Pakistan's military, not economic reform The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is facing sharp criticism for approving a $1 billion disbursement to Pakistan just days after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam and amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan. The disbursement, approved on Friday under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), raises total payouts under the programme to $2.1 billion. Additionally, the IMF cleared $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), ostensibly aimed at helping Pakistan tackle climate-related vulnerabilities. But the timing of the announcement has provoked a fierce backlash, not just from Indian officials and strategic experts, but also from voices in the region and beyond who say the move could undermine efforts at de-escalation. It may be noted that India abstained from voting at the IMF Executive Board meeting, reflecting its opposition within the limitations of IMF protocol. Unlike the United Nations, where countries can cast a 'no' vote, IMF board members can only vote in favour or abstain â€' there is no mechanism for a formal rejection. By choosing to abstain, India signalled strong dissent and used the opportunity to issue a formal objection. In a statement following the vote, the Finance Ministry said the Fund's processes 'lacked moral safeguards,' warning that fungible inflows from multilateral institutions like the IMF could be diverted to fund military or terrorist activities. The ministry further stated that these concerns were 'shared by several member countries,' suggesting broader discomfort within the global community. IMF FACES CRITICISM Indian diplomats and foreign policy voices argue that the loan approval sends the wrong signal at a critical moment. Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal called the decision 'terrible optics,' adding that the IMF's governance is skewed in favour of Western powers and lacks accountability. Yashwant Deshmukh, a well-known psephologist, went further, saying the IMF 'has blood on its hands.' Similarly, Sushant Sareen of the Observer Research Foundation said the fund was 'emboldening' Pakistan's military establishment, rather than curbing its influence or encouraging reform. India has long argued that IMF support to Pakistan is routinely misused. Over the past 35 years, Pakistan has entered 28 IMF programmes, including four in just the last five years, with little to show by way of structural reform or lasting economic stability. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also questioned the global community's logic, asking how de-escalation can be expected when the IMF is 'essentially reimbursing Pakistan' for attacks on Indian cities. Meanwhile, Mariam Solaimankhil, a former Afghan MP in exile, accused the IMF of bankrolling 'bloodshed.' 'The IMF didn't bail out an economy. It bankrolled bloodshed,' she wrote on social media. 'How long will the world pay Pakistan to kill?' The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is facing sharp criticism for approving a $1 billion disbursement to Pakistan just days after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam and amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan. The disbursement, approved on Friday under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), raises total payouts under the programme to $2.1 billion. Additionally, the IMF cleared $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), ostensibly aimed at helping Pakistan tackle climate-related vulnerabilities. But the timing of the announcement has provoked a fierce backlash, not just from Indian officials and strategic experts, but also from voices in the region and beyond who say the move could undermine efforts at de-escalation. It may be noted that India abstained from voting at the IMF Executive Board meeting, reflecting its opposition within the limitations of IMF protocol. Unlike the United Nations, where countries can cast a 'no' vote, IMF board members can only vote in favour or abstain â€' there is no mechanism for a formal rejection. By choosing to abstain, India signalled strong dissent and used the opportunity to issue a formal objection. In a statement following the vote, the Finance Ministry said the Fund's processes 'lacked moral safeguards,' warning that fungible inflows from multilateral institutions like the IMF could be diverted to fund military or terrorist activities. The ministry further stated that these concerns were 'shared by several member countries,' suggesting broader discomfort within the global community. IMF FACES CRITICISM Indian diplomats and foreign policy voices argue that the loan approval sends the wrong signal at a critical moment. Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal called the decision 'terrible optics,' adding that the IMF's governance is skewed in favour of Western powers and lacks accountability. Yashwant Deshmukh, a well-known psephologist, went further, saying the IMF 'has blood on its hands.' Similarly, Sushant Sareen of the Observer Research Foundation said the fund was 'emboldening' Pakistan's military establishment, rather than curbing its influence or encouraging reform. India has long argued that IMF support to Pakistan is routinely misused. Over the past 35 years, Pakistan has entered 28 IMF programmes, including four in just the last five years, with little to show by way of structural reform or lasting economic stability. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also questioned the global community's logic, asking how de-escalation can be expected when the IMF is 'essentially reimbursing Pakistan' for attacks on Indian cities. Meanwhile, Mariam Solaimankhil, a former Afghan MP in exile, accused the IMF of bankrolling 'bloodshed.' 'The IMF didn't bail out an economy. It bankrolled bloodshed,' she wrote on social media. 'How long will the world pay Pakistan to kill?' Join our WhatsApp Channel
India Today
10-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Explained: Why IMF is facing criticism for granting $1 billion loan to Pakistan
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is facing sharp criticism for approving a $1 billion disbursement to Pakistan just days after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam and amid escalating hostilities between India and disbursement, approved on Friday under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), raises total payouts under the programme to $2.1 billion. Additionally, the IMF cleared $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), ostensibly aimed at helping Pakistan tackle climate-related the timing of the announcement has provoked a fierce backlash, not just from Indian officials and strategic experts, but also from voices in the region and beyond who say the move could undermine efforts at de-escalation. It may be noted that India abstained from voting at the IMF Executive Board meeting, reflecting its opposition within the limitations of IMF protocol. Unlike the United Nations, where countries can cast a 'no' vote, IMF board members can only vote in favour or abstain — there is no mechanism for a formal choosing to abstain, India signalled strong dissent and used the opportunity to issue a formal objection. In a statement following the vote, the Finance Ministry said the Fund's processes 'lacked moral safeguards,' warning that fungible inflows from multilateral institutions like the IMF could be diverted to fund military or terrorist ministry further stated that these concerns were 'shared by several member countries,' suggesting broader discomfort within the global FACES CRITICISMIndian diplomats and foreign policy voices argue that the loan approval sends the wrong signal at a critical moment. Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal called the decision 'terrible optics,' adding that the IMF's governance is skewed in favour of Western powers and lacks Deshmukh, a well-known psephologist, went further, saying the IMF 'has blood on its hands.'Similarly, Sushant Sareen of the Observer Research Foundation said the fund was 'emboldening' Pakistan's military establishment, rather than curbing its influence or encouraging has long argued that IMF support to Pakistan is routinely misused. Over the past 35 years, Pakistan has entered 28 IMF programmes, including four in just the last five years, with little to show by way of structural reform or lasting economic & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also questioned the global community's logic, asking how de-escalation can be expected when the IMF is 'essentially reimbursing Pakistan' for attacks on Indian Mariam Solaimankhil, a former Afghan MP in exile, accused the IMF of bankrolling 'bloodshed.' 'The IMF didn't bail out an economy. It bankrolled bloodshed,' she wrote on social media. 'How long will the world pay Pakistan to kill?'Tune InMust Watch
