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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Modi, Muizzu & masala: How Maldives went from 'India Out' to strategic warmth
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the Maldives on Friday for a state visit, he will be greeted not as an outsider, but as the Guest of Honour at the island nation's 60th Independence Day celebrations. Just two years ago, such a scenario would have seemed unlikely. Today, it marks a dramatic shift in bilateral equations, underscoring the quiet resilience of India's strategic diplomacy. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management MBA others Others Technology Cybersecurity Data Science Degree Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Healthcare Project Management Public Policy Data Analytics Data Science Finance Management Leadership CXO Design Thinking MCA Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details "Patience has its benefits; it helps if you don't give in to the compulsion and expectation to retaliate against each provocation," a senior source told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo From 'India Out' to strategic warmth President Mohamed Muizzu swept to power in 2023 on the back of an 'India Out' campaign, signalling what many feared would be a souring of ties. His ministers had publicly criticised India and even targeted PM Modi in a bid to play to nationalist sentiments. The defeat of pro-India President Ibrahim Solih further intensified concerns that Maldives—historically a close ally—was pivoting away from New Delhi. Live Events But instead of reacting to provocation, India chose a policy of 'strategic restraint.' PM Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu on his election win. And now, just months later, Muizzu is rolling out the red carpet for Modi's visit—a clear sign that political rhetoric has yielded to diplomatic pragmatism. Diplomacy backed by development India's consistent and quiet support to Maldives during economic distress laid the groundwork for this diplomatic turnaround. In 2024, New Delhi extended a $400 million emergency financial package and a Rs 3,000 crore currency swap to stabilize the Maldivian economy. Investments totalling over $450 million are already underway in infrastructure, trade, education, water and sanitation. Muizzu himself acknowledged India's role during his India visit in November, stating: 'India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives, and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need.' Among the flagship projects is the Greater Male Connectivity Project , a transformative infrastructure venture linking several islands and boosting economic mobility. Masala diplomacy meets maritime security But this visit isn't just symbolic—it's strategically significant. According to report by ET, Maldives and India are expected to deepen defence and maritime cooperation, particularly in combating drug trafficking across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. President Muizzu has declared the drug menace a national priority, and India is likely to offer greater support through naval collaboration and intelligence sharing. Maldives is already a member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—a regional initiative led by India to tackle maritime safety, terrorism, cyber threats, and disaster relief. The CSC has evolved into a crucial platform for multilateral cooperation, with Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Maldives as core members, and Seychelles and Bangladesh as observers. Trade talks, treasury bills, & economic integration As part of the ongoing economic engagement, India and Maldives are in talks for a Free Trade Agreement and a broader investment pact, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed earlier this week. He also noted India's sustained subscription to Maldivian treasury bills through the State Bank of India , underlining the financial umbilical cord that links the two nations. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are likely to be signed during the prime minister's visit on Friday, covering areas from infrastructure to capacity building. These deals aim to accelerate regional integration and fortify economic stability in the archipelago. A visit rich in symbolism and strategy This will be PM Modi's third state visit to the Maldives—but the first since Muizzu took office. It comes not just as a bilateral gesture but as a regional statement of India's enduring influence, even amid political fluctuations. The timing couldn't be more symbolic—commemorating both 60 years of Maldivian independence and six decades of diplomatic ties with India. By inviting Modi as Guest of Honour, Male has sent a clear signal: despite the turbulence of recent years, India remains a trusted partner in Maldives' journey ahead
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
This Is Why Kapil Sharma Visited Dubai Amid Kap's Cafe Row, Honey Singh Reveals Details
Last Updated: Honey Singh reveals he has created and sung a song for Kapil Sharma's Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2, calling it Bollywood's 2025 anthem; shot recently in Dubai. Honey Singh and Kapil Sharma have been friends for a very long time, and last night, the duo was snapped at an event in the city where the ace rapper gave an update about the comedian's upcoming film Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2. While addressing the media, Honey Singh revealed that he has written and sung a song for Kapil's upcoming laugh riot. While giving an update, he shared, 'I have exclusively created a song for Kapil's new movie, and we shot the song in Dubai last week." He further continued and stated, 'Woh song iss saal ka Bollywood anthem hai." It was only recently that Kapil Sharma shared a series of pictures from Dubai and wrote, 'Ready to dance #kiskiskopyaarkaroon2," and now we know exactly what he had planned to shoot in Dubai. The film promises to be the ultimate shaadi-comedy, with Kapil's character now entangled in a multicultural marital mess. Starring Kapil Sharma and Manjot Singh, the film continues its signature blend of comedy, confusion, and chaos that made the original a fan favourite. Meanwhile, Kapil has been in the spotlight ever since his newly opened café in Canada was attacked. Earlier today, the café gave an update on their official page. In a post, the café's official page said: 'WE'VE MISSED YOU AND ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT. WITH HEARTFELT THANKS, WE'RE OPENING OUR DOORS AGAIN – READY TO WELCOME YOU BACK WITH WARMTH, COMFORT, AND CARE. SEE YOU SOON." Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the attack on the newly opened eatery, but the property did suffer damage. Authorities suspect that the attack was a targeted strike by the Laddi gang, associated with the banned Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Laddi is wanted in India for numerous terror-related offences and is believed to be the mastermind behind several recent attacks on Hindu leaders and pro-India individuals. As per a TellyChakkar report, Kapil was reportedly questioned by the Mumbai Police after the firing incident at his café in Canada. Meanwhile, apart from Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2, Kapil Sharma is also busy with his show The Great Indian Kapil Show, which premieres every Saturday on Netflix. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kapil Sharma's Canada Cafe Reopens After Khalistani Terrorist Attack
Last Updated: Kapil Sharma's Kap's Cafe in British Columbia, Canada, has reopened after a gunfire incident on July 9. The comedian confirmed the news on Instagram. Kapil Sharma's newly launched café, Kap's Cafe, located in British Columbia, Canada, has reopened its doors just days after it was targeted in a shocking gunfire incident on July 9. The attack, carried out by unidentified individuals, came shortly after the café's grand opening. Confirming the news, the comedian shared a story on his official Instagram account. In a post, the cafe's official page said: 'WE'VE MISSED YOU AND ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT. WITH HEARTFELT THANKS, WE'RE OPENING OUR DOORS AGAIN – READY TO WELCOME YOU BACK WITH WARMTH, COMFORT, AND CARE. SEE YOU SOON." Take a look: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kap's Cafe (@thekapscafe_) A newly opened café in Surrey, British Columbia, co-owned by comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife Ginni Chatrath, was recently attacked in what authorities suspect was a targeted strike. The incident is being linked to the Laddi gang, which is believed to have ties to the banned Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The café, called Kap's Caffe, had only just hosted its soft opening and was gaining attention for its charming pink-and-white décor, floral-themed interiors, and a menu featuring artisan coffee and desserts. However, the celebratory mood was short-lived, as the establishment was vandalised late Sunday night. While no injuries were reported, the property did sustain damages in the attack. World Famous comedian Kapil Sharma's newly inaugurated restaurant KAP'S CAFE shot at in Surrey, BC, Canada last Singh Laddi, a BKI operative, NIA's (INDIA ) most wanted terrorist has claimed this shoot out citing some remarks by Kapil @SurreyPolice — Ritesh Lakhi CA (@RiteshLakhiCA) July 10, 2025 Laddi is wanted in India for multiple terror-related offences and is alleged to be the mastermind behind several recent attacks on Hindu leaders and pro-India figures. Laddi, along with associate Kulbeer Singh alias Sidhu, is accused of planning and supplying weapons for the April 13, 2024 assassination of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Prabhakar in Nangal, Rupnagar district, Punjab. The duo is also under investigation for financing terror operations and recruiting ground-level operatives for targeted killings. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a ₹10 lakh reward for information leading to Laddi's arrest. In 2023, Punjab Police uncovered a BKI cell in Ludhiana connected to Laddi and another BKI handler. Four of their associates were arrested for petrol-bombing the homes of Shiv Sena leaders, further cementing Laddi's role in cross-border extremism. First Published: July 20, 2025, 08:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kapil Sharma Shares First Post After Cafe Attack In Canada, Arrives In Dubai For Shoot
On July 10, the newly opened cafe owned by comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife, Ginni Chatrath, was attacked. Several shots were fired at Kaps Caffe, which had recently celebrated a soft opening and gained attention for its elegant pink-and-white decor, floral accents, and a menu featuring artisan coffee and desserts. What began as a celebration quickly turned chaotic as the establishment was vandalised. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the property did suffer damage. Authorities suspect that the attack was a targeted strike by the Laddi gang, associated with the banned Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Laddi is wanted in India for numerous terror-related offences and is believed to be the mastermind behind several recent attacks on Hindu leaders and pro-India individuals. As per a TellyChakkar report, Kapil was reportedly questioned by the Mumbai Police after the firing incident at his cafe in Canada. While Kapil Sharma has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, the Kap's Caffe team released a statement on Friday. It said, 'We opened Kap's Caffe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up." The statement also thanked patrons for their support during this difficult time. 'Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This café exists because of your belief in what we're building together," it added. Concluding on a hopeful note, the café wrote, 'Let's stand firm against violence and ensure Kap's Caffe remains a place of warmth and community."
The Print
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Martyrs' Day row has reopened Kashmir's deepest wounds
For decades, leaders of Kashmir's pro-India parties have cast the 13 July massacre as the moment when the mass movement against the Dogra monarchy began, leading on to Independence. In 2020, though, Martyrs' Day was dropped from the list of official holidays, together with former J&K prime minister Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah's birth anniversary. The government then declared its intention to celebrate Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday instead. On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defiantly scaled the walls of the martyrs' graveyard at the shrine of Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi, where 22 protestors who were shot dead by soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh on 13 July 1931 are buried. Local police, alleged to be acting on the instructions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, had locked ministers and legislators into their homes and barred a procession to the graveyard. From his office on the banks of the Chenab, Inspector General BCA Lowther patiently watched the detritus of the storm wash up: Three hundred maunds of grain, a little over 11 tonnes, animals, quantities of gold, jewellery, utensils, and, strangely, one gramophone. In Kotli and Seri, Lowther reported , Hindus were 'almost completely destroyed.' Twenty men, or so, had been killed in the rioting of 1932, Dalits had been forced to embrace Islam, and some Sikhs had their hair shaved off. The brigand chief of the mountains, Khima Khan, had supervised the violence, with the help of village Lambardars, or headmen. This project of historical erasure is reopening Kashmir's deepest wounds. The truth is that the events of 1931-1932 were not, as ethnic Kashmiri politicians represent them, a secular revolt. Yet, the Dogra state was also a sectarian monarchy, determined to uphold the Hindu interest over its Muslim subjects. For many Muslims, the message from this Martyrs' Day is that it doesn't matter who the community votes for: Kashmir's identity and history will be decided by Hindu nationalist power, not their democratic choices. The debate Kashmir does desperately need — on identity, religion, and on the wounds that decades have done so little to heal — has been placed even further out of reach. The battle at the jail For much of the summer of 1931, tensions had been building up: First, a constable at the Jammu Central Jail was accused of desecrating the Quran, and then torn pages of the book were found in a Srinagar drain. Then, Abdul Qadeer, an ethnic-Punjabi cook serving a European visitor, was charged with delivering a seditious speech at the Shah-e-Hamdan shrine in Srinagar. Large crowds gathered to support Abdul Qadeer as he was driven to the trial court. An official inquiry into the events was recorded, and so authorities decided to conduct the trial inside the prison. Then, on the morning of 13 July 1931, police opened fire on thousands of protestors massed at the prison gates. The crowd, as it bore the dead bodies through Maharajganj, looted Hindu-owned shops. Local Muslims alleged that Hindus later retaliated by attacking their properties, with the help of troops. For a complete understanding of why tensions around religion exploded in 1931, historian Chitralekha Zutshi has argued, the broader context is key. From the late 1920s, the Great Depression had begun to choke Kashmir's economy. Agricultural prices fell, leading rural workers to seek work in the cities. The urban factories, though, were in crisis. Through the countryside, Zutshi writes, moneylenders were foreclosing loans and taking over the lands of peasants. Twenty-six years old in 1931, a graduate with a Master's degree in science from Aligarh and employed in Kashmir's education department, Sheikh Abdullah was part of an embryonic class of middle class Muslims seeking political representation and power. From the 1920s, Abdullah had been at the forefront of a group advocating for more job opportunities for Muslims. MK Gandhi's arrest in the summer of 1930 had seen Kashmir shut down in solidarity, a sign of emerging mass politics. From the court's perspective, there was another issue. In March 1931, Mirwaiz Atiqullah of Srinagar, the hereditary spiritual leader of the city's Muslims and a key supporter of the Maharaja, had passed away. A bitter succession struggle ensued, with Yusuf Shah battling Muhammad Ahmadullah Hamadani, the representative of a rival branch of the family. Even though the job was not one that had a genuine popular base, the rising tide of religious tension would propel him to leadership of a movement that was just beginning to form. Also read: India needs to focus on winning in Kashmir, not fighting Pakistan Fighting for the faith Like most of India's princely states, Kashmir had high taxes and spent more on the upkeep of the monarchy than on education, healthcare, and public infrastructure. This hurt both Hindus and Muslims, but, as historian Mridu Rai has written, the Dogra state went to some lengths to assert its religious credentials. For example, cow-killing carried a ten-year prison sentence, while goat sacrifices were banned except on just a few, specified days. Those who chose to convert to Islam lost their rights to inherit ancestral lands. Kashmir's foreign minister, Albion Rajkumar Banerji, famously said that the state's Muslims were treated like 'dumb, driven cattle.' Even though Muslims made up more than half of Kashmir's population, historian Ian Copland records, Hindus and Sikhs held 78 per cent of gazetted appointments compared to the 22 per cent for Muslims. The Tehsildars of Kotli and Rajouri, the Naib Tehsildars of Bhimber, Naoshera, Kotli and Rajouri, and the Superintendent and Deputy-Superintendent of Police at Kotli were all Hindu or Sikh. In Mirpur, over nine out of ten Patwaris, or land record keepers, were Kashmiri Brahmins. For a range of political forces in Punjab, this pool of resentment represented opportunity. The Khalifa, or chief, of the Ahmadiyya sect, Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmud Ahmad, ordered a concerted missionary push. Gurdaspur, the Ahmadiyya headquarters, was close to Jammu, and the sect claimed that Jesus Christ, revered by all Muslims as a prophet, had been buried in Srinagar. Funding from the Ahmadiyya enabled Sheikh Abdullah to resign his job, Copland writes, and commit himself full-time to politics. The Majlis-e-Ahrar — which, among other things, would spearhead the movement to proscribe Ahmadiyya as non-Muslims in Pakistan — similarly thought it had found an issue on which it could distinguish itself from other parties. The Muslim League and Punjab's powerful Unionists were allied with the Raj. The Majlis styled themselves as revolutionaries, opposing the presence of the British and the traditional rule of landlords and princes. Also read: Definite change in Kashmir. Violence exists only because terrorists have adapted, Army hasn't A problematic legacy Facing widespread resistance, the Dogra regime unleashed coercion. Late in September, Sheikh Abdullah was arrested. Five men protesting his arrest were shot dead in Srinagar, and another 22 Muslims were killed in Anantnag. The next day, Muslims in Shopian turned on the police, beating up guards posted outside the town's mosque for Friday prayers. Pandit Hari Kishan Kaul and his brother Daya Kishan Kaul, the Maharaja's key advisors, responded by imposing martial law. Local Muslims were forced to wear rosettes in royal colours, Copland writes, and over a hundred were publicly flogged. Events moved rapidly toward a crisis. The Muslims of Mirpur and Jammu came out on the streets in response to the state's violence, demanding Sheikh Abdullah's release. Large crowds demanded that the Maharaja concede to their calls for religious liberties, restitution for riot victims, and proportional representation in the civil services. The shaken British resident in Srinagar, Courtney Latimer, forecast 'widespread rebellion.' The legacy of the 1931-1932 crisis is profoundly complex. There's little doubt religion had played a key role in fostering political consciousness in Kashmir. For generations afterward, it would exercise an often-poisonous influence on public life. Few politicians in the region, either Hindu or Muslim, have made a serious effort to acknowledge, let alone exercise, the profound impact of communalism on Kashmir's public life. Yet, the events of 1931 were also the foundations on which Kashmir's accession to India was built. The end of the crisis saw the establishment of a legislature in Kashmir, although with a franchise limited to those paying Rs 20 a year in land revenue. Muslims made genuine gains, especially in education and representation. For his part, Abdullah transitioned away from the chauvinism of the forces that shaped 1931, allying himself with the Indian National Congress and the broader freedom movement. Seeking to erase 1931 killings from Kashmir's political memory is to tell the Valley's Muslims that they are condemned to suffer a lesser kind of citizenship. From there, the road heads inexorably back to an ugly, fractured past. The author is Contributing Editor at ThePrint. His X handle is @praveenswami. Views are personal. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
