Latest news with #Raghavan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Military not a solution to Pakistan problem, need more rounded approach: Ex-envoy TCA Raghavan
Former Indian High Commissioner TCA Raghavan cautions against a purely security-based approach to India-Pakistan relations, advocating for leveraging India's economic, social, and political strengths. He argues that Pakistan is more concerned with India's overall progress than its military might. Raghavan suggests a more nuanced policy that acknowledges varying degrees of behavior from Pakistan, rather than a rigid stance. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Amidst growing tensions and a "securitised" India-Pakistan relationship, former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan has cautioned that there is no military solution to the problem, urging for a more rounded approach that leverages India's full spectrum of strengths, including diplomatic, societal and political at the India Habitat Centre here on Tuesday on the topic, " India-Pakistan relations in light of Operation Sindoor", Raghavan emphasised that India's true influence lies in its economic vitality, social pluralism, institutional resilience and cultural reach, not just in its military fact, according to the former diplomat who served in Pakistan for seven years, the Pakistani military does not feel threatened by India's military might, but rather seeks "to stand up to it"."What worries Pakistanis is not your military, but your overall trajectory as a nation, your economic growth, your societal progress, the pluralism of your society and the strength of your institutions. That is what they really fear.... There is no military solution, you have to bring in all your strengths.""Your strengths are enormous in the real sense.... You are truly a cultural, social and political hegemon where Pakistan is concerned. So if we move to a purely security-based relationship , all of that is being put aside. Given that you are not just dealing with Pakistan for two, three or even five years, but for a very long time, you need a more rounded approach," Raghavan former diplomat served as India's high commissioner to Pakistan from June 6, 2013 till his retirement on December 31, that the situation with Pakistan is far from merely a "tactical or military issue", the 69-year-old asserted that the central challenge today is "how to manage a volatile and friction-ridden interface with a difficult neighbour in the absence of a functioning bilateral relationship," a relationship, he noted, that has been "progressively hollowed out" since fact, according to the seasoned diplomat, the recent decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance reflects just how few diplomatic options remain on the table."This time, you were, in a sense, left with no other option but to place the IWT in abeyance. Everything else that could have been done had already been done. There was no other peg of the relationship which you could have used as a sanction against Pakistan. The cupboard is bare," Raghavan also highlighted the danger of viewing Pakistan through what he called a "monochromatic lens" and said there is now a tendency to treat all of Pakistan as uniformly "bad".Reflecting on India's long-standing position that "talks and terror cannot go together", Raghavan observed that while the principle remains valid, its rigid application may be limiting diplomatic flexibility."This is really what 'talks and terror cannot go together' means. But in the process, you are losing the capacity to distinguish between shades of behaviour," he buttress his point, the author of "The People Next Door: The Curious History of India-Pakistan Relations" gave the example of the 2021 ceasefire reaffirmation agreement at the Line of Control (LoC), despite India facing severe tensions with China at the time, and argued that there was a period of "relatively better" behaviour by Pakistan."But we did not take cognisance of it. If you do not distinguish between shades of behaviour, you tie your hands behind your back," he added, advocating for a more calibrated policy, the one where "you have to deal with neighbours as they are, not as you would like them to be".The discussion, organised by India Foundation, was also joined by Ruchi Ghanashayam, India's former high commissioner to Ghana, South Africa and the United Kingdom, who was also the first Indian woman diplomat stationed in Islamabad.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Kia India Engine Theft: Ex-Staff, Scrap Dealers Face Probe Over 1,008 Missing Units
Two former Kia India workers are under investigation over accusations that they colluded with scrap dealers to steal 1,008 engines from the carmaker's factory over three years, police investigation documents showed. Though the engines were worth only $2.3 million, the police investigation noted the case had "widespread impact on industrial operations, stakeholder trust and employment security", and raised concerns about interstate crime networks. Also Read: Hyundai Alcazar Gets New Diesel And Petrol Automatic Variants; Check Prices Kia in March complained to police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh that a review of internal records found engines sourced from its sister carmaker, Hyundai, were missing and it suspected a conspiracy between past and present employees. An initial police investigation found two former Kia India factory workers - a team leader and a head of section in the engine dispatch section - were involved in illegally transporting the engines from the factory using forged invoices and manipulated gate passes, according to an April 16 police document. They worked with at least two other individuals who helped arrange transport, and two other scrap dealers who helped sell them to buyers as far away as the capital city New Delhi. "The entire operation involved repeated illegal transactions, use of multiple trucks bearing manipulated or pseudo registration numbers," Inspector K. Raghavan said in his investigation document dated April 16, seen by Reuters. Raghavan declined to comment when contacted, citing confidentiality. In a statement to Reuters, Kia India said it identified the discrepancies as it enhanced its inventory management processes last year. Kia India conducted an internal investigation, reported the case to police and was continuing to strengthen internal process governance and reinforce stringent monitoring systems, it added. 'Disappearance' of Engines The former head of the engine dispatch section at Kia's factory, Vinayagamoorthy Veluchamy, 37, is currently under arrest in custody, and has applied to the state High Court for bail, according to court papers seen by Reuters. He denied any involvement in the alleged thefts, the papers showed. He left the company in 2023. The other Kia worker accused is 33-year-old former team leader Patan Saleem, who worked at the factory from 2020 to 2025, police documents showed. His whereabouts were not known and two phone numbers cited in the police document were not in service. The two former employees are yet to be formally charged with any offence, but have been named as accused in the investigation, which is still in initial stages. Given the "high-level preplanning, internal access manipulation", they could face punishment of 10 years imprisonment or more under Indian laws if charged and convicted, the police document said. While theft is relatively common in India, such large-scale, prolonged corporate-level cases such as the one involving Kia are rare. Kia first reported the matter of the "disappearance" of engines to police after stock reconciliation in January 2025, a month after it also found unauthorized vehicle movement in the factory's CCTV footage. Its March complaint put the missing engines number at 940, documents show. Police recovered nine mobile phones containing WhatsApp screenshots, transport invoices and truck photos. "The proceeds of crime were either spent on personal needs, clearing debts, purchasing immovable property or reinvested in businesses," said the police document. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Ex-Kia India workers, scrap dealers face probe over theft of 1,008 engines
Two former Kia India workers are under investigation over accusations that they colluded with scrap dealers to steal 1,008 engines from the carmaker's factory over three years, police investigation documents showed. Though the engines were worth only $2.3 million, the police investigation noted the case had "widespread impact on industrial operations, stakeholder trust and employment security", and raised concerns about inter-state crime networks. Kia in March complained to police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh that a review of internal records found engines sourced from its sister carmaker, Hyundai, were missing and it suspected a conspiracy between past and present employees. An initial police investigation found two former Kia India factory workers - a team leader and a head of section in the engine dispatch section - were involved in illegally transporting the engines from the factory using forged invoices and manipulated gate passes, according to an April 16 police document. They worked with at least two other individuals who helped arrange transport, and two other scrap dealers who helped sell them to buyers as far away as the capital city New Delhi. "The entire operation involved repeated illegal transactions, use of multiple trucks bearing manipulated or pseudo registration numbers," Inspector K. Raghavan said in his investigation document dated April 16, seen by Reuters. Raghavan declined to comment when contacted, citing confidentiality. In a statement to Reuters, Kia India said it identified the discrepancies as it enhanced its inventory management processes last year. Kia India conducted an internal investigation, reported the case to police and was continuing to strengthen internal process governance and reinforce stringent monitoring systems, it added. 'DISAPPEARANCE' OF ENGINES The former head of the engine dispatch section at Kia's factory, Vinayagamoorthy Veluchamy, 37, is currently under arrest in custody, and has applied to the state High Court for bail, according to court papers seen by Reuters. He denied any involvement in the alleged thefts, the papers showed. He left the company in 2023. The other Kia worker accused is 33-year-old former team leader Patan Saleem, who worked at the factory from 2020 to 2025, police documents showed. His whereabouts were not known and two phone numbers cited in the police document were not in service. The two former employees are yet to be formally charged with any offence, but have been named as accused in the investigation, which is still in initial stages. Given the "high-level preplanning, internal access manipulation", they could face punishment of 10 years imprisonment or more under Indian laws if charged and convicted, the police document said. While theft is relatively common in India, such large-scale, prolonged corporate-level cases such as the one involving Kia are rare. Kia first reported the matter of the "disappearance" of engines to police after stock reconciliation in January 2025, a month after it also found unauthorized vehicle movement in the factory's CCTV footage. Its March complaint put the missing engines number at 940, documents show. Police recovered nine mobile phones containing WhatsApp screenshots, transport invoices and truck photos. "The proceeds of crime were either spent on personal needs, clearing debts, purchasing immovable property or reinvested in businesses," said the police document.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
1,008 car engines stolen. Former Kia India workers, scrap dealers face probe
An initial police investigation found two former Kia India factory workers - a team leader and a head of section in the engine dispatch section - were involved in illegally transporting the engines from the factory using forged invoices and manipulated gate passes. Notify me Two former Kia India workers are under investigation over accusations that they colluded with scrap dealers to steal 1,008 engines from the carmaker's factory over three years, police investigation documents showed. Though the engines were worth only $2.3 million, the police investigation noted the case had 'widespread impact on industrial operations, stakeholder trust and employment security," and raised concerns about interstate crime networks. Kia in March complained to police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh that a review of internal records found engines sourced from its sister carmaker, Hyundai, were missing, and it suspected a conspiracy between past and present employees. An initial police investigation found two former Kia India factory workers - a team leader and a head of section in the engine dispatch section - were involved in illegally transporting the engines from the factory using forged invoices and manipulated gate passes, according to an April 16 police document. They worked with at least two other individuals who helped arrange transport, and two other scrap dealers who helped sell them to buyers as far away as the capital city, New Delhi. "The entire operation involved repeated illegal transactions, use of multiple trucks bearing manipulated or pseudo registration numbers," Inspector K. Raghavan said in his investigation document dated April 16, seen by Reuters. Raghavan declined to comment when contacted, citing confidentiality. In a statement to Reuters, Kia India said it identified the discrepancies as it enhanced its inventory management processes last year. Kia India conducted an internal investigation, reported the case to police and was continuing to strengthen internal process governance and reinforce stringent monitoring systems, it added. Disappearance of engines The former head of the engine dispatch section at Kia's factory, Vinayagamoorthy Veluchamy, 37, is currently under arrest in custody, and has applied to the state High Court for bail, according to court papers seen by Reuters. He denied any involvement in the alleged thefts, the papers showed. He left the company in 2023. The other Kia worker accused is a 33-year-old former team leader, Patan Saleem, who worked at the factory from 2020 to 2025, police documents showed. His whereabouts were not known, and two phone numbers cited in the police document were not in service. The two former employees are yet to be formally charged with any offence, but have been named as accused in the investigation, which is still in its initial stages. Given the "high-level preplanning, internal access manipulation", they could face punishment of 10 years imprisonment or more under Indian laws if charged and convicted, the police document said. While theft is relatively common in India, such large-scale, prolonged corporate-level cases such as the one involving Kia are rare. Kia first reported the matter of the "disappearance" of engines to police after stock reconciliation in January 2025, a month after it also found unauthorised vehicle movement in the factory's CCTV footage. Its March complaint put the missing engines number at 940, documents show. Police recovered nine mobile phones containing WhatsApp screenshots, transport invoices and truck photos. "The proceeds of crime were either spent on personal needs, clearing debts, purchasing immovable property or reinvested in businesses," said the police document. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 04 Jun 2025, 06:49 AM IST
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Former Kia India workers, scrap dealers face probe over theft of 1,008 engines
NEW DELHI: Two former Kia India workers are under investigation over accusations that they colluded with scrap dealers to steal 1,008 engines from the carmaker's factory over three years, police investigation documents showed. Though the engines were worth only $2.3 million, the police investigation noted the case had 'widespread impact on industrial operations, stakeholder trust and employment security', and raised concerns about inter-state crime networks. Kia in March complained to police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh that a review of internal records found engines sourced from its sister carmaker, Hyundai, were missing and it suspected a conspiracy between past and present employees. An initial police investigation found two former Kia India factory workers - a team leader and a head of section in the engine dispatch section - were involved in illegally transporting the engines from the factory using forged invoices and manipulated gate passes, according to an April 16 police document. They worked with at least two other individuals who helped arrange transport, and two other scrap dealers who helped sell them to buyers as far away as the capital city New Delhi. 'The entire operation involved repeated illegal transactions, use of multiple trucks bearing manipulated or pseudo registration numbers,' Inspector K. Raghavan said in his investigation document dated April 16, seen by Reuters. Kia cuts Sportage prices by up to Rs1.85mn in Pakistan Raghavan declined to comment when contacted, citing confidentiality. In a statement to Reuters, Kia India said it identified the discrepancies as it enhanced its inventory management processes last year. Kia India conducted an internal investigation, reported the case to police and was continuing to strengthen internal process governance and reinforce stringent monitoring systems, it added. 'Disappearance' of engines The former head of the engine dispatch section at Kia's factory, Vinayagamoorthy Veluchamy, 37, is currently under arrest in custody, and has applied to the state High Court for bail, according to court papers seen by Reuters. He denied any involvement in the alleged thefts, the papers showed. He left the company in 2023. The other Kia worker accused is 33-year-old former team leader Patan Saleem, who worked at the factory from 2020 to 2025, police documents showed. His whereabouts were not known and two phone numbers cited in the police document were not in service. The two former employees are yet to be formally charged with any offence, but have been named as accused in the investigation, which is still in initial stages. Given the 'high-level preplanning, internal access manipulation', they could face punishment of 10 years imprisonment or more under Indian laws if charged and convicted, the police document said. While theft is relatively common in India, such large-scale, prolonged corporate-level cases such as the one involving Kia are rare. Kia first reported the matter of the 'disappearance' of engines to police after stock reconciliation in January 2025, a month after it also found unauthorized vehicle movement in the factory's CCTV footage. Its March complaint put the missing engines number at 940, documents show. Police recovered nine mobile phones containing WhatsApp screenshots, transport invoices and truck photos. 'The proceeds of crime were either spent on personal needs, clearing debts, purchasing immovable property or reinvested in businesses,' said the police document.
