
Anupam Kher, victim of terrorism, applauds Operation Sindoor: Felt vindicated
Applauding the government's retaliation by launching Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, he said, "You expect your government or your leadership to act and when they did that, I felt vindicated. I don't know whether that's the right word, but I did feel that that's how it should have happened. Within two days, we know what happened there. People have their own theories, but now we are getting to know the facts and how precise our attack was."Kher also appreciated our Indian Armed forces for their precise attack on nine terror bases in Pakistan. "How wonderful our armies, how intelligence worked. It is the leadership which takes the decision. Unfortunately, when 26/11 happened in Mumbai, the leadership did not do anything about it and it was unfortunate. Now we know that we have people who will not take things for granted," he explained.Twenty-six people were killed in one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir that took place on April 22. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and attacked nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Must Watch
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Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Over 2 lakh Indians gave up citizenship in 2024, reveals government data
More than 2 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. While the figure is similar to that of the previous year, it is slightly lower, data shared by the government revealed. The figure of 2,06,378 Indians in 2024 is slightly lower than the data recorded in 2023 and 2022, but is higher than that in 2021, 2020 and 2019.( (Getty Images/iStockphoto)) MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the data in response to a question on renouncement of Indian citizenship, asked in Rajya Sabha. A look at how many Indians let go of citizenship in previous years: 2024: 2,06,378 2023: 2,16,219 2022: 2,25,620 2021: 1,63,370 2020: 85,256 2019: 1,44,017 The Ministry of External Affairs was asked if it was aware that there was an upward trend in the number of Indians relinquishing Indian citizenship. However, the data shared in response to the question showed that there was no linear increase in the number of people who gave up their Indian citizenship since 2019. The figure of 2,06,378 Indians in 2024 is slightly lower than the data recorded in 2023 and 2022, but is higher than that in 2021, 2020 and 2019. How Indian citizenship is renounced The government was also asked if it undertakes a through inspection before acceding to the request of giving up Indian citizenship. In response, it detailed the procedure under which one can relinquish the citizenship. In order to give up citizenship, one has to make an application at After this, their original passport and other details will be verified, upon which the documents will be sent to relevant government departments for their feedback, to be submitted within 30 days. Once the particulars of the declaration made by the applicant are verified, the renunciation certificate is approved online after 30 days of acknowledgement.
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
Operation Sindoor: India targeted terror networks, says govt; denies foreign pressure behind ceasefire
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a 'barbaric' attack by 'Pakistansponsored terrorists', and the action focussed on dismantling terror infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India, the government said on Thursday. read more The central government on Thursday said that Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a 'barbaric' cross-border attack by terrorists backed by Pakistan, with a focused aim to destroy terror infrastructure and eliminate terrorists poised to infiltrate into India. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the operation was 'focussed, measured and non-escalatory'. Responding to a question on whether Operation Sindoor was initiated due to international pressure, the minister clarified that the action was prompted by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and not due to any external compulsion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman also asked about the impact of 'sudden announcement of ceasefire in Operation Sindoor' on the morale of the Indian forces which were 'achieving significant success', but suddenly 'declaring ceasefire was against their morale and the sentiments of the people of the country'. Union minister Singh said Operation Sindoor was launched to respond to a 'barbaric cross-border terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. It focussed on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India'. Pakistan, however, attempted targeting Indian civilian areas, in addition to some military facilities, he said. 'These provocations and escalatory actions by Pakistan were met with a strong and decisive response from the Indian armed forces, inflicting significant damage on the Pakistani military. Subsequently, on 10 May, 2025, the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan approached his Indian counterpart to request for cessation of firing and military activities, which was agreed to later that day,' the MoS said. Under Operation Sindoor, India had decimated nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in pre-dawn precision strikes. It was carried out to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. In a separate query, the MEA was also asked whether the ministry had taken efforts to 'alienate' Pakistan on world forum. As part of the UN Security Council's routine annual process, the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of its subsidiary bodies and committees are selected from amongst its permanent and elected non-permanent members. In addition to Russia and France, Pakistan has been selected as one of the Vice-Chairs of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee for 2025, Singh said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It may be noted that India was the Chair of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee in 2022. Similarly, India was also the Chair of the same committee during its 2011-12 term, the MoS added. 'The Government of India has been sensitising all concerned interlocutors on the menace of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Due to India's persistent efforts, the global community has a greater understanding of India's concerns on cross-border terrorism,' he said. India's efforts over the years have led to listing of several Pakistan-based terrorists and terrorist entities under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee and the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) 'grey listing of Pakistan', the minister said. The UNSC press statement in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack also 'strongly condemned' the terror attack and acknowledged the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, sponsors and financiers of the attack accountable, he said. Several world leaders have recognised and supported India's actions to combat terrorism following the Pahalgam attack. Most recently, the US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a separate query, the MEA was asked whether the government has 'formally raised concerns' with the US regarding continued military aid and arms supplies to Pakistan, which could be 'misused against India'; and whether India has taken 'diplomatic steps' to counter 'growing China–Pakistan military cooperation, particularly in PoK'. Singh in his written response said the government of India 'closely monitors' all military and security-related developments in its neighbourhood and regularly takes up 'our concerns in this regard in interactions with our partners at appropriate levels'. 'India has consistently conveyed its concerns in this regard to the United States, with a view to ensuring that these developments do not compromise India's security or regional stability,' he said. It has been India's consistent and principled position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh 'are, have been, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India'. The government closely monitors all developments that have a bearing on India's national interest and takes timely and necessary steps to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests, the MoS said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Counter-terrorism remains a vital pillar of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. India and the United States maintain a robust institutional framework for cooperation, including a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Dialogue mechanism that meets regularly. 'Both sides collaborate closely on terrorist designations at domestic and international forums, and extend mutual legal assistance, including on extradition matters,' he added. With inputs from agencies
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
PM Modi presents sapling to King Charles as part of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling as part of his 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' environmental initiative to King Charles III during his audience with the monarch at his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England, on Thursday. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III during a meeting at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Thursday, as part of his 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' environmental initiative. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi described the interaction as 'a very good meeting' and said they discussed a wide range of India-UK ties, including trade, investment and sustainability. He said both also covered aspects such as Yoga and Ayurveda as well as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, known as Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed between him and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III,' PM Modi posted on X. 'We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly Yoga and Ayurveda, which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about. We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability,' he said. Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness,… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025 The sapling he presented to the King will be planted on the estate during planting season in the autumn, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters during a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing around the Prime Minister's visit. 'This afternoon, the King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, at Sandringham House,' Buckingham Palace said in a social media statement along with an image of Modi with King Charles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers,' the statement said. Charles and Modi are known to share a common holistic environmental vision and topics such as Yoga and Ayurveda were expected to have been covered during their meeting. According to official sources, the tree presented to the King is known as Davidia involucrata 'Sonoma', commonly known as the Sonoma dove tree or handkerchief tree, is an ornamental tree celebrated for its early and abundant flowering. Unlike the species form of Davidia involucrata, which often takes 10 to 20 years to bloom, 'Sonoma' is a precocious cultivar that typically begins flowering within two to three years of planting. Its most iconic feature is the pair of large, fluttering white bracts that resemble handkerchiefs or doves suspended from the branches, creating a spectacular visual display in late spring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The royal audience came towards the end of a packed prime ministerial schedule during which Modi and Starmer held wide-ranging bilateral talks and oversaw the signing of the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement at Chequers – the British Prime Minister's official country residence in Buckinghamshire, near London. 'At Chequers, PM Keir Starmer and I saw an exhibition which gave a glimpse of the strong economic linkages between India and the UK. With the signing of CETA, these linkages will rise manifold,' Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post. 'Interacted with business leaders at Chequers. The signing of the India-UK CETA has opened up new avenues for trade and investment. It marks a pivotal step in strengthening our economic partnership,' he said. He also highlighted how both nations are connected by a 'shared passion for cricket' during an interaction with players from Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hubs. 'Great to see sport fostering people-to-people ties between our nations. Also gave my young friends a bat signed by the Indian cricket team which won the T20 World Cup,' Modi said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beyond cricket, Modi admired a Premier League trophy, saying football is 'widely admired among India's youth and several football clubs based in the UK are very popular in India'. At the conclusion of his UK visit, the Prime Minister will fly out to the Maldives for the second leg of his two-nation tour, where he is the Guest of Honour at the island nation's Independence Day celebrations. With inputs from agencies