Latest news with #UnionMinistryofExternalAffairs
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Abhishek Banerjee not to attend MEA meet on Op Sindoor due to Kaliganj bypoll
Kolkata: Trinamool National Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday said that he will not be able to attend the meeting called by the Union Ministry of External Affairs on Operation Sindoor , citing his Kaliganj by-poll and other preoccupations in his Constituency. The Trinamool General Secretary reached Kolkata at midnight on Tuesday after completing his five country tour as part of a multi-party delegation, tasked with raising the issues of terrorism and 'Operation Sindoor,' following the Pahalgam massacre. 'We have travelled to 5 countries in the last 15 days. We have held discussions at various levels. Tomorrow, the Union Minister of External Affairs has called for a meeting as he wanted to discuss with the multiple delegations that visited abroad. I will not be able to attend this meeting as I have a few programmes lined up,' Abhishek said, adding, 'Bye-elections have been announced in Kaliganj. I have some work related to my constituency as well. These things will keep me busy for the next few days.' 'I have informed the Foreign Minister's department that I will submit my opinion to them in writing. After I share the information with the Centre,' Abhishek Banerjee said. Multi-party delegation travelled to various countries to convey India's stand against terrorism to the international community. Live Events Trinamool general Secretary Abhishek Banerjee visited Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Centre initially announced the name of Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan but later Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the Centre could not decide the representative of a political party. Subsequently, the Trinamool Congress supremo nominated the name of Abhishek Banerjee in place of Yusuf Pathan.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- The Hindu
54 Indians languishing on death row in foreign jails
Even as uncertainty looms large over securing a waiver of the death penalty awarded to Nimisha Priya, a Malayali who has been sentenced to death in Yemen on the charge of murdering a Yemeni national, the data available with the Union Ministry of External Affairs reveals that 54 Indians have been languishing in foreign jails after being awarded capital punishment by foreign courts. No State-specific data on Indians awaiting capital punishment abroad is available as many foreign countries do not share information on prisoners due to the privacy laws in those countries, unless the person concerned consents to disclose such information. Even countries that share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned. 47 executed A total of 47 Indians were executed in foreign countries from 2020 to 2024. Kuwait has executed the highest number of Indians during this period—25. Saudi Arabia executed nine Indians, followed by Zimbabwe—seven, Malaysia—five. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) which accounts for the highest number of Indians on death row has not disclosed the number of Indians executed during this period. Ajith Kolassery, Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA-Roots, the government agency which works for the welfare of Keralites abroad, said there was a shroud of secrecy about the details of Indians put on death row in foreign countries, especially in Arab countries. Two Keralites were executed in the UAE last month after being convicted in separate murder cases. 'We came to know about the capital punishment only after the execution,' said Mr. Kolassery, adding that cases like that of Nimisha Priya, which grabbed headlines internationally, had been pursued locally in a serious manner. Not in all cases The NoRKA-Roots has appointed seven legal consultants—five in the UAE and one each in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait who are fluent in Malayalam and Arabic—to aid the Keralites involved in various cases. Seven more legal consultants will be appointed in various countries soon. 'We can provide legal assistance to those involved in certain cases, including homicide, but it is difficult for providing such aid to those involved in drug cases which invite severe punishment is such countries,' said Mr. Kolassery. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have a higher number of Indians being incarcerated for various offences, especially since these countries account for the lion's share of Indian immigrants. For instance, of the 10,152 Indians, including undertrials, jailed across 86 foreign countries, Saudi Arabia has 2,633 Indians, followed by the UAE with 2,518 Indians.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Ladakh safe; stakeholders demand removal of 'misleading' travel advisories
Concerned over the cancellations of bookings in the aftermath of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the tourism stakeholders in the neighbouring Ladakh on Wednesday assured the foreign and domestic tourists of safe travel in the Union Territory (UT). They also demanded the removal of "misleading" travel advisories. Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. Ladakh observed a shutdown against the terror attack. The UT is also holding a candlelight vigil, jointly being organised by all religious groups representing Buddhist, Muslim and Christian communities besides trade and tourism associations here later in the day to express solidarity with the bereaved families. The "terrorism-free" region of Ladakh was separated from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370. The two were made separate UTs. All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association president Rigzin Wangmo Lachic said the latest travel advisories issued by the United States and the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack categorised Ladakh under J-K, creating confusion and concern among the foreign and domestic tourists planning to visit the region. "We have written a letter to Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, requesting him to take up the matter with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to save the region from the negative impact of the travel advisories at the start of the tourism season," Lachic told PTI. The association strongly condemned the "unfortunate terrorist attack" in J-K and said it supported all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. The letter highlighted that the inclusion of Ladakh in such advisories appears to be based on "outdated or misrepresented information" and did not reflect the current reality of the region. "Ladakh remains peaceful, safe and hospitable for all travellers," she said, expressing concern over the repercussions of the Pahalgam incident. "We have already started witnessing multiple cancellations by guests who are mistakenly associating Ladakh with areas of unrest," Lachic said. "We believe that a formal communication from the UT Administration affirming that Ladakh remains a safe and welcoming destination will go a long way in restoring confidence among both foreign and domestic tourists," she said. Both Leh and Kargil observed a strike with all shops and business establishments closed against the terror attack with groups of people staging peaceful protests demanding stern action against the culprits. "Such attacks are a threat to humanity and must be condemned by all, regardless of region and religion," Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil president Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi said. He said terrorism, whether in Kashmir or anywhere else, is a menace that primarily targets innocent lives. "It is the responsibility of all peace-loving people to come together and reject such acts of violence," he said, calling for justice for the victims of the deadly attack.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Ladakh remains peaceful, safe and hospitable for all travellers': Why this Himalayan region remains a travel treasure
Concerned over the cancellations of bookings in the aftermath of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the tourism stakeholders in the neighbouring Ladakh on Wednesday assured the foreign and domestic tourists of safe travel in the Union Territory (UT). They also demanded the removal of "misleading" travel advisories. Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. Ladakh observed a shutdown against the terror attack. The UT is also holding a candlelight vigil, jointly being organised by all religious groups representing Buddhist, Muslim and Christian communities besides trade and tourism associations here later in the day to express solidarity with the bereaved families. The "terrorism-free" region of Ladakh was separated from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370. The two were made separate UTs. All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association president Rigzin Wangmo Lachic said the latest travel advisories issued by the United States and the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack categorised Ladakh under J-K, creating confusion and concern among the foreign and domestic tourists planning to visit the region. "We have written a letter to Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, requesting him to take up the matter with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to save the region from the negative impact of the travel advisories at the start of the tourism season," Lachic told PTI. The association strongly condemned the "unfortunate terrorist attack" in J-K and said it supported all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. The letter highlighted that the inclusion of Ladakh in such advisories appears to be based on "outdated or misrepresented information" and did not reflect the current reality of the region. "Ladakh remains peaceful, safe and hospitable for all travellers," she said, expressing concern over the repercussions of the Pahalgam incident. "We have already started witnessing multiple cancellations by guests who are mistakenly associating Ladakh with areas of unrest," Lachic said. "We believe that a formal communication from the UT Administration affirming that Ladakh remains a safe and welcoming destination will go a long way in restoring confidence among both foreign and domestic tourists," she said. Both Leh and Kargil observed a strike with all shops and business establishments closed against the terror attack with groups of people staging peaceful protests demanding stern action against the culprits. "Such attacks are a threat to humanity and must be condemned by all, regardless of region and religion," Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil president Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi said. He said terrorism, whether in Kashmir or anywhere else, is a menace that primarily targets innocent lives. "It is the responsibility of all peace-loving people to come together and reject such acts of violence," he said, calling for justice for the victims of the deadly attack.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Family of Kerala youth fears Russian Army may re-enlist injured son
Family of Jain Kurian from Wadakkanchery, who is convalescing from the injuries he sustained in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone, fears that the Russian Army would push him back to the war front. His family has sent appeals to the authorities requesting help for bringing him back to the country. Jain was seriously injured in a drone strike on January 7 and has been recovering in a Russian hospital since then. In a recent communication to his family, he expressed serious concern that the Russian Army might redeploy him to active combat, even though his contract with the Russian military ended in April, said Sanish Zakkariah, Jain's cousin. Another of Jain's cousins, Binil Babu, who was also lured into the mercenary force under false job promise, was killed in the war in January first week. His body has still not been repatriated. In petitions to the Chief Minister and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, Jain's father T.M. Kurian demanded immediate steps in coordination with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate his son's safe return to Kerala at the earliest. 'Jain Kurian had signed a one-year contract with the Russian military on April 14, 2024, which is set to end on April 14, 2025. However, when he discussed his contract details with his attending physician, he was informed that the Russian military is likely to renew his contract without his consent. When we approached the Embassy regarding his repatriation, we were informed that there has been no response from the Russian authorities. We fear that he may be forcibly retained and redeployed,' his father Kurian wrote in the petition. 'We understand that discussions have been progressing with the Indian Embassy, and that there are currently 18 Indian citizens enlisted with the Russian military, with 16 of them reported missing by the Russian authorities,' he added. He also urged the authorities to ensure the dignified repatriation of Binil Babu's remains to his grieving family. Jain Kurian is among the youths who have fallen prey to illegal recruitment networks in Russia. Lured by the promise of good jobs and better wages they end up trapped in the dangerous military operations on the Russia-Ukraine war front.
