
Operation Sindoor sansad showdown now, fiery debate next week
Meanwhile, the government has expressed readiness for a discussion on Operation Sindoor next week, but the opposition claims the topic was not on the business advisory committee's agenda. The show also touches on the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, with opposition leaders protesting the exercise. The Election Commission has responded in the Supreme Court, stating that the petitions against the revision are based on misleading reports and that no eligible elector will be excluded.
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Mint
28 minutes ago
- Mint
At UNSC, India reaffirms commitment to peace, slams Pakistan for cross-border terrorism – 'at the other extreme is…'
India has reaffirmed its commitment to international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, while strongly condemning cross-border terrorism and calling out Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) High-Level Open Debate. 'As we complete 80 years of the United Nations, it is a useful moment to reflect on how far the spirit of multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes as enshrined in the UN Charter has been realized,' Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative to the UN, said delivering India's statement, news agency ANI reported. 'In the recent decades, the nature of conflicts has transformed, with a proliferation of non-state actors, often propped up as proxies by state actors; and cross-border funding, arms trafficking, training of terrorists, and spread of radical ideologies, facilitated by modern digital and communication technologies,' he said. On the need to ensure accountability for terrorism, the Ambassador referenced the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 innocent tourists. "Consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam... and based on the Council Statement of 25 April... India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. On achieving its primary objectives, a cessation of military activities was directly concluded at the request of Pakistan," the Ambassador said. He stressed that "national ownership and consent of parties are central to any efforts to achieve peaceful resolution of conflicts," adding, "There should also be a serious cost to states who violate the spirit of good neighbourliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism." Addressing recent remarks by Pakistan's representative, Harish said, 'The Indian Sub Continent offers a stark contrast in terms of progress, prosperity and development models. On the one hand, there is India which is a mature democracy, a surging economy and a pluralistic and inclusive society. At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF.' "It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community," he said. The Ambassador also emphasised India's role as the largest cumulative contributor to UN Peacekeeping forces and a pioneer in promoting women in peacekeeping. "We are at a time, where there are growing doubts about the multilateral system, especially the United Nations," he said, stressing the urgent need to address "serious question marks over the representativeness of the UN Security Council." Harish reaffirmed, "India remains committed to working towards international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes."
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
FTA signing, talks on Khalistan and more... Why PM Modi's UK visit is important
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is off for his fourth trip to the United Kingdom. The visit, which begins today (July 23), is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Modi's discussions with British PM Keir Starmer will also touch upon a range of bilateral issues including security and technology read more PM Narendra Modi will hold talks with British PM Keir Starmer on a range of issues. File Photo/Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday (July 23). The trip is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The two sides had concluded negotiations for the trade agreement on May 6. During his trip, Modi will discuss various issues with British PM Keir Starmer concerning bilateral relations. From the UK, PM Modi will depart for Maldives for a state visit from July 25-26. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the Indian leader begins his two-nation tour, here's what's on the agenda during the UK visit. Recent uptick in India-UK ties The relations between India and the UK have been on the rise in recent years. The Strategic Partnership between the two countries was elevated to Enhanced Partnership for the Future in 2010. The historical ties have got a boost since Brexit. In 2021, India and the UK upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also adopted Roadmap 2030 to boost the relations in trade and investment, defence and security, and people-to-people contact and so on. In 2023, India and the UK established the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue. Last year, they launched the Technology Security Initiative. In May, New Delhi and London concluded talks to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement deal, discussions for which first began in January 2022. Business ties have also enhanced between India and the UK, with goods trade surpassing $23 billion in 2024-25, Indian Express reported, citing data by Indian government sources. PM Modi in the UK PM Narendra Modi, who is on his fourth visit to the UK, will hold discussions with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on a range of bilateral issues. 'They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the official announcement. The Indian leader is also slated to meet King Charles III. PM Narendra Modi interacts with Britain's Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024. File Photo/Reuters During the visit, PM Modi will review the state of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), 'with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people to people ties,' the MEA said. PM Modi is also likely to interact with business leaders in the UK. FTA, Khalistan & more A key part of PM Modi's UK visit is the finalisation of the trade agreement between the two countries. India and the UK are expected to sign the FTA on July 24. 'We are working on legal scrubbing and other last-minute work that needs to be done,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of PM Modi's visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The India-UK FTA would eliminate duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain, including key sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and auto parts and engines. In return, India will reduce or remove tariffs on 90 per cent of British products, including medical devices and alcoholic beverages. According to British estimates, the India-UK FTA will enhance bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040. PM Modi had announced the trade deal with the UK on May 6, calling it 'ambitious and mutually beneficial'. The UK government has described the agreement as 'the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal'. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will accompany PM Modi to London for the signing of the India-UK FTA. The talks will reportedly feature matters related to security and technology. India is likely to raise the issue of a surge in Khalistani threat in the UK. 'The presence of Khalistani extremists…we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. This should be a matter of concern for our partners as well,' Misri told the media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi had flagged the issue to Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June. The two leaders had also interacted during the G20 Summit in Brazil last year. The extradition of fugitives could also be among the top agendas during PM Modi's UK visit. India is seeking the extradition of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, who are wanted for financial fraud, from the UK. 'There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we continue to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters,' the Indian foreign secretary said. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
GST demand over UPI credits: CM Siddaramaiah to meet stakeholders on Wednesday
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Chief minister Siddaramaiah will, on Wednesday, hold a meeting with the stakeholders affected by the GST notices to small businessmen demanding tax arrears of the past four years based on their UPI transaction Karnataka CM will meet the representatives of the affected businessmen and vendors at his official residence Cauvery at 3 pm in the presence of Ritesh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Finance Department and Vipul Bansal, Commissioner of Commercial who climbed the political ladder championing the poor pro issues, is expected to come up with a solution on the back of increasing chorus against the sudden tax demand which in many cases has run into several lakhs of rupees. AICC leader Rahul Gandhi has all along opposed the GST, calling it a brutal tool of economic injustice, designed to punish the poor. He called the GST portal a source of daily CM had, on Sunday, promised to take a call on the flood of notices the commercial taxes department has issued to small businessmen and vendors asking to pay up the GST dues, while blaming the BJP and the Centre for the latest crisis. The GST officials have gone by the UPI payment data for the financial years from 2021-22 to 2024-25 and claimed the tax public outcry arising from the GST notices has resulted in scores of businessmen in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and other cities in Karnataka dumping their QR codes and putting up signboards that will accept only cash payment from CM's meeting comes amid calls for a three-day state-wide protest from July 23, demanding the withdrawal of GST notices for treating all UPI receipts as business income and taxing it all. The agitated merchants said they will not sell milk and milk-based products on July 23-24 and do their business wearing a black badge and hold a state-wide bandh on July GST authorities have targeted small shops and vendors selling items such as milk, bakeries, condiments, flowers, and meat. The Cab Drivers Association has also pledged its support to the protest. Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar has said the commercial taxes department has issued notices to about 14,000 traders, including those selling tender coconuts, flowers, and leader Rahul Gandhi opposed the GST in the past, the Dy CM said on Monday, while adding that the notices would hurt small and medium Opposition BJP has opened a helpline offering legal assistance to affected traders, while slamming the state government for 'squeezing' small businesses to meet its elevated revenue targets and fund the guarantee schemes.