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NDTV
5 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
India Can Talk To Pak If It Takes Action Against Terrorism: Shashi Tharoor
Brasilia: The problem in holding talks with Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday, stressing that New Delhi can engage in dialogue with Islamabad if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country. Mr Tharoor, who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, also said his team successfully conveyed India's message against terrorism to the Latin American countries, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings. "This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists?... Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs...," Mr Tharoor told PTI Videos. He said the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace. "You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk," he said. "We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English. There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us," he said. "They want to cut us this whole bleeding to death India by 1,000 cuts. They're not going to bleed to death so easily. Better forget that idea," he added. On another question, whether India hopes that Brazil, which is hosting the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, may issue a statement on terrorism against Indian citizens, Mr Tharoor said, "I think, honestly, BRICS has a different agenda. I'm not saying that they may not want to express solidarity. I mean, that's really not my brief...I don't know, and I don't even know if it's in the draft that they're working on already". "As far as the other issues you're concerned, you know, international forums are not our preoccupation. Our preoccupation is honestly our bilateral relation to Pakistan and Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country," he said. On a question whether nations have been recognising India's stance against terrorism, Mr Tharoor said his delegation has been to four nations—Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil- so far and "this has been very clear in all the countries we've been to". "And I would say in all four countries, we've had a very, clear success, if that's the word, I don't like to boast of success. That's for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings," he said, referring to Colombia. Earlier, Congress MP Mr Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India's military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabad's relentless support to cross-border terrorism. "And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip," Shashi Tharoor said. The delegation concluded their visit with a meeting with Brazil Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. "The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation concluded on a high note with a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil @geraldoalckmin. The delegation thanked him for Brazil's firm stand against terrorism and welcomed his emphasis on deepening bilateral ties in trade, defence, science & technology, and other key sectors," the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on X. The Tharoor-led delegation will head to Washington DC from Brazil. On a question on the delegation's expectations from the Washington DC visit, Shashi Tharoor said, "My expectations are that it's going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences," he said. "Judging by some of the information floating around, flying around, we get some interesting and perhaps challenging questions, which we will be very happy to answer," he added. Mr Tharoor in a post on X said the delegation had an intense day of meetings in Brazil that "gave us much to be pleased about — affirmations of solidarity and goodwill for India across the board, both from the highest echelons of government and from the legislature." The delegation held an excellent and highly productive meeting with Senator Nelsinho Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front and President of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. "Deeply appreciate his insightful understanding & strong endorsement of India's perspective on recent events. Such solidarity strengthens the bonds between our democracies! Brazil and India," Mr Tharoor said. The delegation also met the new Indian Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia. "At the Ambassador's lunch, had the great pleasure of meeting two venerable academic couples who have each held India's flag aloft in the Brazilian capital for more than half a century: Prof Vijayendra Kumar and his wife Devi, who herself taught Hindi to Brazilians; and Prof Haridas and his wide Padmaja, who hail from Palakkad district and have seen my ancestral home on a visit to Kollengode!" Mr Tharoor said. "Prof Kumar explained that aside from the diplomats, there are only five Indian families in Brasilia's 4 million population, something I find impossible to believe!", he said. The delegation also called on Amb Celso Amorim, Head Adviser of the Special Advisory to the President of Brazil, and discussed India's position of zero tolerance to terrorism.
India Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
India can talk to Pak if it takes action against terrorism: Tharoor
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said India is open to dialogue with Pakistan, but only if Islamabad takes concrete and visible action against terrorist networks operating on its who is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil for the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, made the remarks in a candid interview with PTI Videos, stressing that 'the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace.'advertisement'You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk,' Tharoor said, underlining that India has no issue with communication -- but rather, with credibility. 'We can talk to them in Hindustani. We can talk to them in Punjabi. We can talk to them in English,' he said. 'There is no problem in finding common ground with Pakistan. The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace.'Tharoor challenged Pakistan's claims of innocence, asking why internationally wanted terrorists are able to live openly and operate freely within its borders.'If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists? Why are they able to conduct training camps, radicalise people, equip them with arms, and let them practice with Kalashnikovs?' he the frequently-cited notion of Pakistan's strategy to 'bleed India by a thousand cuts,' Tharoor responded sharply: 'They're not going to bleed us to death so easily. Better forget that idea.'Tharoor also noted that his delegation had effectively conveyed India's stance against terrorism to Latin American nations, including those who may have previously misunderstood India's position.'We've been very clear. International forums are not our main concern. Our concern is bilateral -- Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country,' he whether Brazil, as BRICS host, might issue a statement condemning terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said he wasn't aware of such plans. 'Honestly, BRICS has a different agenda... that's not really my brief,' he his remarks, Tharoor reiterated that India seeks peace, prosperity, and stability—but not at the cost of overlooking terrorism.'We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop,' he said. 'They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us.'On a question whether nations have been recognising India's stance against terrorism, Tharoor said his delegation has been to four nations—Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil- so far and 'this has been very clear in all the countries we've been to'.advertisement'And I would say in all four countries, we've had a very, clear success, if that's the word, I don't like to boast of success. That's for others to judge. But we have got our message through very clearly, including to those who may have had some misunderstandings,' he said, referring to Tharoor had said Colombia withdrew a statement offering condolences to Pakistan for the loss of lives following India's military strikes in response to the Pahalgam attack after his delegation explained Islamabad's relentless support to cross-border terrorism.'And as a result of getting our message through, we have certainly been able, in my view, to come back feeling that these countries understand our situation better and express full solidarity with our struggle against terrorism, which is the main purpose of our trip,' Tharoor delegation concluded their visit with a meeting with Brazil Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.'The visit of the Indian parliamentary delegation concluded on a high note with a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil @geraldoalckmin. The delegation thanked him for Brazil's firm stand against terrorism and welcomed his emphasis on deepening bilateral ties in trade, defence, science & technology, and other key sectors,' the Indian Embassy in Brazil posted on Tharoor-led delegation is heading to Washington DC from inputs from PTITune InMust Watch
The Print
12 hours ago
- Science
- The Print
Astronaut Shukla's experiments on ISS of immense importance for future missions: Jitendra Singh
'It is a matter of pride for all Indians that Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of this international space mission. His role will be just as significant as anyone else involved,' the minister said. In an interview with PTI Videos, Singh said Shukla is set to travel to the ISS as part of Axiom Space mission next week and his role will be just as significant as of the other three astronauts participating in the commercial mission. New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will perform scientific experiments on the International Space Station that hold immense importance for future space missions, including the Gaganyaan project, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 mission which is expected to lift off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, no earlier than June 8 and will spend 14 days onboard the International Space Station (ISS). 'While Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian astronaut to go to space, it was a Soviet mission with limited scope for conducting experiments since India's space technology was in its early stages. However, the situation today is different,' Singh said. Axiom-4 mission has lined up 60 experiments to be conducted by the four-member crew onboard the ISS, including seven planned by ISRO and five others that Shukla will participate in for NASA's human research programme. Union minister Singh said the experiments that Shukla will be conducting on the ISS are of immense importance for future missions – be it the Gaganyaan project or the Bharat Antariksh Station planned by India. Shukla will study physical, cognitive and physiological responses in space as well as the impact of utilizing continuous electronic displays in microgravity, an important aspect for future long-duration space missions, the minister said. Singh said Shukla's research will also focus on skeletal muscle dysfunction in space and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to counter these effects. Shukla will carry out experiments on the revival, survival, and reproduction of extremophiles such as tardigrades – known for their resilience in extreme conditions. Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nation's first travel to the ISS in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. PTI SKU SKU KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
Tourism resilient sector, international visitors will return to Kashmir: WTTC CEO on Pahalgam effect
Simpson, also the CEO of the London-based tourism body, shared some of the projected figures for the Indian tourism sector for 2025 and the 10-year forecast for 2035 in a presentation. She also gave some related insights later in an interaction with PTI Videos on the sidelines of the event. During an interaction here, she also said while there is a need for an 'appropriate round of caution', travellers who have loyally chosen Kashmir as a destination and have been coming to India, 'I think, they are going to continue to come'. New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI) Describing it as an 'incredibly resilient sector', president of UK-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Julia Simpson, on Tuesday expressed optimism about the revival of Jammu and Kashmir tourism that has suffered a huge hit in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. She underlined the recovery made in the Indian tourism sector in the last few years post-Covid pandemic, and asserted that the 'future does look very bright'. Asked if the Pahalgam terror attack will cast a shadow on this tourism recovery trajectory in India, Simpson said the 'situation we're seeing here in India is certainly being stabilised, which is always a good sign'. She underlined the resilient nature of the sector and said people were apprehensive that travellers would not go to the Middle East after the Israel-Gaza conflict or would not travel to Europe after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but people are travelling to the Middle East and Europe. The WTTC CEO emphasised the current geopolitical anxieties and recalled the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. '…we obviously have had a tragic event here in India, but we are seeing wars globally. There's a lot of… and I always say when I talk about travel and tourism, in the concept …and conflict, first of all, we have to remember that there are real human beings and victims who get caught up in these horrendous events,' she said. 'But what I will say, travel and tourism is very, very resilient. Travellers are very sophisticated,' Simpson said. In the Pahalgam attack, 26 people, mostly tourists, including a Nepalese national, were killed while holidaying at the scenic Baisaran Valley. On the steps being taken by the government authorities in India to rebuild tourism and restore peace and security, she invoked the leadership of the country and underlined that things are really being 'managed very well'. 'I mean, obviously we want people to have deep concern about what's happening… You know, it's sort of one day's media clippings, and then people who are loyal to Kashmir and coming to India, I think, are going to continue to come. 'So, I feel very confident that while there is a need to have an appropriate round of caution, I do not think overall it's going to impact travel and tourism,' the WTTC chief said. During her interaction with PTI Videos, she termed travel and tourism as an 'incredibly resilient sector'. 'While these are personal tragedies for the people that are involved, what you tend to see is that travel and tourism remains very, very strong, and it will recover very, very quickly,' she said. 'They (travellers) obviously take advice from their governments about where it is safe to travel, but generally, these situations are resolved, and people start travelling again quite quickly,' Simpson said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is also endeavouring for the revival of tourism in the Valley, leading from the front as he held a meeting of the council of ministers at a resort in south Kashmir's Pahalgam in May, seeking to rebuild confidence of tourists. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, also expressed optimism about the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir after the heavy impact on it post the Pahalgam attack. 'Kashmir has had its highs and lows for the longest time; it's not new. And I can speak from experience, because we've been there for 25 years now, and there were times when, at a stretch of about three to four months, we would have a single guest in the hotel. But we didn't stop, and we continued,' she said. Now, what has happened in Pahalgam is 'so unfortunate', but people will go back. 'Jammu and Kashmir is taking it very seriously, led by the chief minister himself, and, more importantly, the Centre, the prime minister, the home minister, all of them are making an effort… sending out a very positive message that, yes, what has happened is awful, it's terrible, and we grieve those lives that have gone, but it will come back. Tourism will come back to Kashmir,' the CMD of the luxury hospitality group said. Set up in 1980, WTTC says its mission is to maximise the inclusive and sustainable growth potential of the travel and tourism sector through global partnerships. Established over 20 years ago, the World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative (WTTCII) works in conjunction with WTTC. An MoU between WTTC and WTTCII was also signed on the occasion. Suri, also vice chairperson of WTTCII, said, 'I am very sure Kashmir will come back with a big bounce once again'. She recalled the terror attack and its aftermath that impacted the rest of the country as well, saying it was not just Kashmir, but Chandigarh as well, where blackouts happened later, owing to its proximity to Amritsar, also affected. 'Again, in Mumbai and Goa, because of proximity to Karachi, there was an impact (on the sector),' Suri said, pointing to hotel booking cancellations by many tourists. PTI KND RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Mint
17 hours ago
- General
- Mint
Shashi Tharoor highlights problem in holding talks with Pakistan, says 'New Delhi can engage in dialogue if...'
Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that New Delhi can engage in dialogue with Islamabad, Pakistan if it takes significant action against the infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in the country. "This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give safe haven to wanted terrorists?... Why are they able to live peacefully, to conduct training radicalise further people, to equip arms and get people to practice their arms and Kalashnikovs...," Tharoor told PTI Videos. Shashi Tharoor is leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Brazil, which will next head to Washington DC. Emphasising that India can talk to Pakistan in Punjabi, English, and even Hindi, Tharoor highlighted that the problem in talking to Pakistan is not the language but finding a common vision for decency and peace. "The problem is finding a common vision for decency, for peace. We want to be left in peace, to grow and develop. They don't want to leave us alone. They want to harass us. They want to undermine us. "You crack down on this infrastructure of terrorism that is visible everywhere in your country. Then, of course, we can talk," said Tharoor. "They want to cut us this whole bleeding to death India by 1,000 cuts. They're not going to bleed to death so easily. Better forget that idea," he added. On another question, whether India hopes that Brazil, which is hosting the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, may issue a statement on terrorism against Indian citizens, Tharoor said, "I think, honestly, BRICS has a different agenda. I'm not saying that they may not want to express solidarity. I mean, that's really not my brief...I don't know, and I don't even know if it's in the draft that they're working on already". "As far as the other issues you're concerned, you know, international forums are not our preoccupation. Our preoccupation is honestly our bilateral relation to Pakistan and Pakistan's complete failure to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in their country," he said. On a question on the delegation's expectations from the Washington DC visit, Tharoor said, "My expectations are that it's going to be a challenging visit. We have a lot of different kinds of audiences," he said. "Judging by some of the information floating around, flying around, we get some interesting and perhaps challenging questions, which we will be very happy to answer," he added.
