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India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Argentina seeks deeper ties with India, backs Mercosur reform and anti-terrorism stance: Envoy
By Sahil Pandey Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 2 (ANI): Argentina is committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with India, advocating for a reformed Mercosur and standing firmly with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism, said the Argentine Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, on Wednesday. Speaking on bilateral relations, the envoy stressed the need for Mercosur to embrace global integration. 'There is a common understanding that Mercosur needs to reform, it needs to open, it needs to connect to the world,' he told ANI, adding, 'We are convinced that India is a major player in the world. India has a great future, and we hope to collaborate with our Mercosur partners to advance in this field.' With trade between India and Argentina touching USD 5 billion, India ranks among Argentina's top six trading partners, bolstered by a strategic partnership established in 2019. Condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the ambassador reiterated Argentina's solidarity with India. 'I was among the first ambassadors in India to convey this message,' he said, recalling Argentina's own experience with terrorism in the 1992 Israeli Embassy attack and the 1994 Jewish Community Centre bombing in Buenos Aires. 'Terrorism is unacceptable in any form. We have to take into account those states that promote or hide terrorism, and we are with India in this case,' he asserted. On economic cooperation, the envoy highlighted Argentina's role as India's top supplier of soybean oil and third-largest supplier of sunflower oil. He also revealed a proposal to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India and noted Indian investments in Argentina's lithium sector in the northern regions. 'We want to enhance that cooperation,' he said, signalling deeper collaboration in agriculture, energy, and critical minerals. The ambassador described a recent high-level visit from India as 'extremely important' for Argentina and the region. 'We are talking about the leader of a country that has become the 5th largest economy in the world and is going to become the 4th largest economy,' he said, underscoring India's growing global stature. As Argentina pushes for stronger economic and diplomatic ties, the envoy's remarks reflect a shared vision for enhanced trade, energy cooperation, and a united stand against terrorism with India, a key partner for the Mercosur bloc. (ANI)
India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Distinction between state of Pakistan, terrorism has withered away: Ravi Shankar Prasad tells French journalists
By Sahil Pandey Paris [France], May 27 (ANI): Head of the Indian all-party delegation to European countries, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday highlighted the complex relationship between Pakistan and terrorism. He emphasised that the distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has effectively disappeared. While briefing French journalists in Paris, he said that there are 52 designated terrorists by the UN, and terrorism is an instrument of state policy in Pakistan, with the military establishment supporting terrorist groups. 'Today, there are 52 designated terrorists by the UN. The distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has withered away. Terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a part of the military state of Pakistan. You know that there is no democracy there,' said the BJP MP. He emphasised that terrorism is not just an India-centric issue but a global phenomenon, with Pakistan-based terrorist groups and patrons involved in the majority of cases. 'Terrorism is not just India-centric, terrorism is now a global phenomenon. In the majority of the cases, terrorists, their patrons, and the groups, terror groups based in Pakistan have direct or indirect involvement,' said Prasad. While narrating the background of the India-Pakistan conflict, Prasad highlighted that both countries have fought four wars and India has never been the aggressor in conflicts with Pakistan, but has responded conclusively to protect its sovereignty, including the recent Operation Sindoor. 'The most hilarious aspect was that the general whose forces were defeated at the hands of India decisively was promoted to Field Marshal. This is this state of denial,' Prasad also said. The delegation leader noted that all major world powers supported India's stance, and India has conveyed clearly that any actions will be handled bilaterally, with the Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of Pakistan engaging directly with the DGMO of India. On the Indus Water Treaty, Prasad stated it remains in abeyance until Pakistan provides evidence of stopping terrorism. Member of the delegation, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, said, 'We are also looking at your European Union, also looking at other important nations to address the terrorism emanating out of Pakistan, because we are all equal sufferers, we in India are more so, because we share the neighbourhood with them. We can't change our neighbours. We can only hold them accountable.' On the nuclear threat between the two countries, former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar highlighted India's clear doctrine of no-first-use policy, contrasting it with Pakistan's lack of such a doctrine. 'PM Vajpayee was the PM who clarified indian position on nuclear capabilities, he also established a doctrine of no first use. India has clear doctrine of no first use and this doctrine is thought thorough, including thinking about the irrational behaviour of our of our neighbourhood. Pakistan has no such doctrine,' Akbar said. After the meeting, Prasad emphasized that Operation Sindoor is only paused, and Pakistan must provide a good account of itself by stopping terrorism and cross-border terrorism. He underscored India's call for global unity against terrorism, seeking support from major world powers and international organizations. During the interaction, the performance of military platforms in the conflict was raised. Operational details have been shared by the Ministry of Defence, with multiple briefings conducted in India. 'We also conveyed in very unmistakable terms, in the last nearly four open wars, and so many other countless terrorist attacks, India has never been the aggressor. We have responded. This time we have responded very conclusively, with lethal power, attacking the terrorist camps and their Air Force installations. Thereafter, Pakistan asked for peace, cessation of hostilities. 'Sindoor' is only paused. Pakistan will have to give a good account of itself whereby they must stop terrorism and cross-border terrorism because the entire military establishment blesses the terrorists in Pakistan. They understand and we are conveying that precision,' said the BJP MP while addressing the media in Paris. The Ravi Shankar Prasad led delegation is visiting the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, and Denmark to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. The delegation members also include Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena (UBT)), Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M J Akbar, and Pankaj Saran. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in over 100 deaths of terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Modi government has deployed seven multi-party delegations globally to highlight Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism and reinforce India's stance of zero tolerance. (ANI)
India Gazette
01-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Adani Group's expertise crucial in operationalising Vizhinjam Port project: Former VISL MD
By Sahil Pandey Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 2 (ANI): AS Suresh Babu, former managing director and chief executive officer of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd. (VISL), has said that Adani Group's expertise and experience helped deal with difficulties and hurdles in the work related to Vizhinjam Port project, which will be inaugurated on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation, Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, worth Rs 8,900 crore. As India's first dedicated container trans-shipment port, it represents transformative advancements in the country's maritime sector, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat. 'Given the difficulties and hurdles faced during the construction period, only Adani (Group) could have completed this project. They understand Indian conditions, particularly those in Kerala. Their expertise and experience in building and operating ports was crucial in the project and making it operational,' Babu told ANI. The Vizhinjam Port holds strategic importance and is a key priority project. It will strengthen India's position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment. With a natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and its proximity to one of the world's busiest sea trade routes, the port further bolsters India's global trade capabilities. AS Suresh Babu said the port will foster a new industrial culture in the region and generate significant employment opportunities. 'As far as Thiruvananthapuram is concerned, this is a significant development. We are getting an international trans-shipment port here. Supporting infrastructure, such as the outer ring road, rail connectivity, and links to national highways, is in the planning stage. With these developments, I foresee a bright future for area development and the emergence of a new industrial culture, generating substantial direct and indirect employment,' he said. 'This project is not just for Thiruvananthapuram or Kerala--it is for India. It represents a major infrastructure milestone in the maritime sector. With Adani's experience and expertise, I am confident they will do an excellent job,' he added. (ANI)
