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India Gazette
an hour ago
- General
- India Gazette
African nations stand strongly with India, condemn Pahalgam attack: Shinde led all-party delegation as visit concludes
Monrovia [Liberia], June 3 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde concluded India's diplomatic outreach programme, sharing India's stance against terrorism and condemning Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Liberia on Tuesday. Delegation members IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, BJP MP SS Ahluwalia, and BJP MP Atul Garg unanimously highlighted the strong support from African countries for India's fight against terrorism, their condemnation of the terror attack, and their recognition of Pakistan as a breeding ground for terrorism. The delegation, which visited Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the UAE, successfully exposed Pakistan's role in terrorism while fostering international solidarity. Basheer expressed satisfaction with the mission ahead of their departure, noting that it was 'effective' and that the African nations strongly condemned that attack. 'I'm satisfied and gratified because the government took us into confidence and entrusted a noble work to us... The leader of this group was very cordial, and he gave all kinds of opportunities to all the members. As far as the outcome of our mission is concerned, I feel it was very effective. All team members have deep knowledge... All the African nations we visited have said they stand strongly with India,' the IUML MP stated. 'Everybody says that India should take the lead to fight against terrorism. Not only that, but I would also like to say one more thing: that we were able to expose Pakistan,' he added. Echoing this sentiment, Ahluwalia thanked Prime Minister Modi for the opportunity to showcase India's stance on the global stage. 'First of all, I thank our Prime Minister, who gave me an opportunity to be included in this parliamentary delegation... In the present era, terrorism has emerged as a painful sore that can disturb the peace of any country... In the neighbourhood of India, Pakistan is a breeding centre for terrorism... Our visionary Prime Minister decided that the whole world must unite and fight against terrorism,' the BJP MP said. BJP MP Atul Garg also reinforced the positive response, stating, 'On visiting different nations, we found out that they are supporting India. We told people about the situation in Pakistan. We received an amazing response in the African countries. The people of Africa love India and Modi ji. There was not one country that did not condemn (the Pahalgam attack).' Earlier, wrapping up a high-level diplomatic mission, the delegation leader and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde described the 13-day visit by the delegation as a unified assertion of India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and a reflection of its rising global stature under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. 'I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving me the opportunity to lead this delegation. I consider myself fortunate to work alongside experienced parliamentarians and leaders like SS Ahluwalia, ET Mohammed Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Bansuri Swaraj, Sujan Chinoy, and Manan Kumar Mishra,' said Shinde, highlighting the camaraderie and team spirit that developed during the visit. Reflecting on the experience, Shinde said the delegation not only deepened its understanding of the countries visited but also conveyed India's message of peace and its zero-tolerance stance against terrorism. 'We carried the voice of 140 crore Indians and the message of our Prime Minister to these nations. Everywhere we went, the warmth and affinity shown towards India were unmistakable. The influence of Prime Minister Modi was clearly visible,' he noted. The delegation, led by Shinde, includes BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Indian Union Muslim League's ET Mohammed Basheer, Biju Janata Dal's Sasmit Patra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The group briefed international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in key countries. This all-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Shashi Tharoor's take on why India can't talk to Pakistan: ‘The problem is not language but…'
Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said India can have a dialogue with Pakistan if the latter takes demonstrable action against terrorist infrastructure operating with impunity in the country. The Congress MP – who is leading a delegation of politicians that aims to apprise the world about Pakistan's overt sponsorship of terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor – said the problem in holding talks with Islamabad isn't finding a common language but finding a "common vision for decency and peace". "This is what we keep telling our interlocutors. If Pakistan is as innocent as they claim to be, why do they give a 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 said in Brazil. He said India can talk with Pakistan if it takes concrete action against terrorism. "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,' Tharoor added. On May 7, India dismantled nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir using precision strikes under Operation Sindoor. After Pakistan attacked Indian civilian areas and military installations, Indian armed forces struck airbases deep inside the country. The four-day hostilities came to an end after Pakistan's DGMO approached his Indian counterpart seeking a cessation of hostilities. Also read: Shashi Tharoor breaks silence, hits back at 'zealots' amid Congress criticism: 'I have better things to do' After Operation Sindoor, India made it clear to Pakistan that the only talks New Delhi can potentially have with it will be on the topics of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 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". "And I would say in all four countries, we've had 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. With PTI inputs
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Let him go to court, no theatre will screen Thug Life: Karnataka film body chief
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has doubled down on its stance, saying no theatre in the state will screen the film Thug Life following actor Kamal Haasan approaching the Karnataka High Court seeking protection for the film's release.'Let him go to court. None of our theatres will screen it,' KFCC president M Narasimhalu told PTI Videos on Monday, responding to news that Haasan's production house, Raaj Kamal International, had sought legal controversy stems from Haasan's recent remark suggesting Kannada evolved from Tamil, a statement that triggered protests from pro-Kannada groups and demands for a public apology. Though Haasan later clarified that his words came 'out of love' and that 'love will never apologise,' the backlash has continued. Narasimhalu said the KFCC learned of the court petition through media reports. 'This is not just a film industry issue anymore, it's become a state and language issue. We've received a letter from the government. Everyone, pro-Kannada organisations, politicians, and the people, is demanding an apology,' he of the film are expected to speak to Haasan, who is currently in Dubai promoting the film, and inform KFCC of their next steps. 'We'll take a decision after that and also consult our legal team,' Narasimhalu added, noting that the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce had also attempted to reach out to the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed for calm, avoiding direct comment on Haasan's statement. 'Let me look at the details. We're all neighbours, not enemies. I urge everyone to remain calm and patient,' he InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu#Karnataka
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Pakistan DGMO called but problem with hotline': All-party delegation explains how ceasefire was reached
NEW DELHI: An all-party delegation on Sunday explained in detail how India-Pakistan truce was reached on May 10 which eventually led to the cessation of military operations by the two nations against each other. This comes amid US President Donald Trump's consistent claims about using trade as a was deterrent between the two nations. Reiterating the Centre's stance that the truce was purely bilateral and initiated by Pakistan, JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, who is leading an all-party delegation, said that Pakistani DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) called for the ceasefire but there was a "problem with the hotline". "If I tell you specifically, they tried in the morning for the ceasefire, the DGMO of Pakistan, but there was a problem with the hotline. And then, their embassy in India, because people ask how the ceasefire happened, the people in Pakistan embassy in India got in touch with Indian people and conveyed that they are trying to get in touch with DGMO India but were not able to talk to him," he said, addressing an Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "Then there was a message that we will talk after 1.30 or 2. Then DGMO India talked to him. He requested for the ceasefire, that was around 3.35 in the afternoon. And then, India agreed for the ceasefire. Because India is not for war. We wanted to give a message, we wanted to demolish their terror infrastructure and that we have achieved," he added. Ironically, Donald Trump was first to announce the India-Pakistan truce on May 10 at 5.25pm, which is around two hours after Jha's claim of the talks between the two nations. India and Pakistan then confirmed the ceasefire. The opposition has since then, targeted the Centre demanding answers over third-party mediation in the truce. The central government has, at several occasions denied any third-party mediation in the ceasefire. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 militants from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan retaliated with shelling and drone attacks, prompting India to strike radar systems, communication hubs, and airfields at 11 Pakistani airbases. Hostilities ceased with a mutual agreement announced on May 10.
Scroll.in
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Colombia has withdrawn statement supporting Pakistan, will back India: Shashi Tharoor
Colombia will issue a statement in support of India's stance after it withdrew an earlier one condoling the deaths in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, The Hindu quoted Congress MP Shashi Tharoor as saying on Friday. Tharoor, who is leading an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation to Colombia, confirmed the development during a visit to Bogota's Tadeo Lozano University, the newspaper added. 'They have withdrawn their earlier statement that disappointed us and will issue a statement of strong support for our position and understanding of our position,' The Hindu quoted Tharoor as saying. #WATCH | Colombia officially withdraws its earlier statement that it issued expressing condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes; earlier, Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation, raised concern and said - we (India) were a little… — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025 On Thursday, Tharoor had expressed disappointment over the Colombian government's 'heartfelt condolences over the loss of lives in Pakistan, rather than sympathising with the victims of [Pahalgam] terror [attack]', The Indian Express reported. The Thiruvananthapuram MP had said that 'there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them'. 'There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend,' he said. He added that India, during Operation Sindoor, had only exercised its right of self-defence and if 'there is any misunderstanding…on this core…we are here to dispel any misunderstanding'. After Colombia withdrew its statement, former Indian Ambassador to the United States and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu attributed the shift in the Latin American country's position to the delegation's 'thorough and strategic' briefing. 'We had a detailed exchange with the acting foreign minister this morning,' Sandhu, who is also part of the delegation, told ANI. 'Our leader and the entire team made specific points to them, explaining to them the timeline, which perhaps to an extent they might have missed out.' The BJP leader also highlighted Colombia's diplomatic importance as it will soon have a seat on the United Nations Security Council, the news agency said. After concluding the Colombia visit, the all-party delegation will be heading to Brazil and the United States on Saturday. Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad had escalated on May 7 when the Indian military carried out strikes – codenamed Operation Sindoor – on what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 persons on April 22. The Pakistan Army retaliated to Indian strikes by repeatedly shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. At least 22 Indian civilians and eight defence personnel were killed.
