Rajnath Singh Refuses To Sign SCO Draft Statement- What is Its Significance for India?
In a landmark visit to China—the first by an Indian Defence Minister since the deadly 2020 Galwan clash—Rajnath Singh made headlines by standing firm on one issue: Terrorism cannot be ignored. At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, Singh slammed "state-sponsored terrorism," referencing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 Indian civilians were killed. When the SCO draft statement failed to even mention this attack, India refused to sign. With the SCO operating on consensus, India's refusal scrapped the entire statement. Singh also invoked Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory military operation, warning that silence on terrorism equals complicity. This move signals a clear shift in India's foreign policy posture: diplomacy with spine. Find out why this wasn't just a meeting—it was a message.#rajnathsingh #sco #india #china #scomeeting #indiavschina #terrorism #operationsindoor #sco2025 #foreignpolicy #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews
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Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Brain behind Operation Sindoor, Parag Jain appointed new R&AW chief
Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of 'Operation Sindoor', has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), officials said on Saturday. The two-year tenure of Jain, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, officially begins on July 1. He takes over from Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30. The decision to appoint Jain as chief of the external intelligence agency was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet earlier this week, officials said. Before this, Jain was the head of the Aviation Research Centre, an organisation that deals with aerial surveillance, SIGINT operations, photo reconnaissance flights (PHOTINT), monitoring of borders and imagery intelligence (IMINT). Jain is known for his exceptional expertise in integrating both human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT) and is widely credited as the mastermind behind the planning of 'Operation Sindoor', providing intelligence support that enabled the armed forces to execute precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India hit nine terror camps across the border and Line of Control, including the headquarters of banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba on May 7. The missile strikes were guided by pinpointed intelligence gathered by a team led by Jain, officials said. With extensive ground experience in Kashmir, Jain is well-positioned to counter Pakistan's ongoing efforts to rebuild terror infrastructure in PoK. Jain also brings extensive experience in addressing neighbourhood challenges and issues related to Khalistan terror groups. He played a crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir during the 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout his career, Jain has held several significant positions. He was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab on January 1, 2021, though he was on central deputation at the time. His career includes significant operational contributions during the height of terrorism in Punjab, where he served as SSP and Deputy Inspector General of Police in various districts. Jain has also served in Indian Missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his tenure in Canada, he monitored Khalistan terror modules operating from the soil of that country.


The Hindu
42 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Assam CM Himanta says 'socialism, secularism' can be removed from Constitution
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed on Saturday (June 28, 2025) that 'socialism' and 'secularism' are Western concepts, and these words should be struck off of the Constitution. He said these words were included in the Preamble of the Constitution by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and these have no place in Indian civilisation. "How can I be secular? I am a hardcore Hindu. A Muslim person is a hardcore Muslim person. How can he be secular?" Mr. Sarma said. He was speaking after launching in Assam a book titled 'The Emergency Diaries: Years That Forged a Leader' which is based on first person anecdotes from associates who worked with Narendra Modi, then a young RSS pracharak, and used other archival material. The book chronicles the 1975-77 Emergency era and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the 'resistance movement'. Mr. Sarma maintained that the Indian concept of secularism is not about being neutral, but it is about being 'positively aligned'. The word 'secularism' was inserted by people who view it from the western angle, and it needs to be struck off from the Preamble, Sarma added. The CM also claimed that the Western concept of socialism was also imposed by Gandhi. Indian economic principle was based on 'trustee-ship' and helping the marginalised. "The BJP didn't have to even demolish this concept of socialism. PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh did it for the Congress," he added. He was referring to Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh who were credited with bringing economic liberalisation in India in the early 1990s. Mr. Sarma said that the time is ripe to discuss the 'damages' caused by the Emergency to the nation. "We must not forget the Emergency as we cannot repeat the Emergency," he added. The Emergency declared on June 25, 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi lasted until March 21, 1977. It was marked by widespread press censorship, arrests without trial and the stifling of dissent in academia, politics and civil society.


India.com
43 minutes ago
- India.com
Pakistan rebuilding terror camps, launchpads near LoC destroyed in Op Sindoor, they are hidden deep inside forests, can block heat sensors, radar, locations are…
9 targeted terror camps in 25 minutes: Army shows pictures of sites that were destroyed during Operation Sindoor Pakistan is trying to rebuild terrorist bases and training camps that were destroyed by the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor in May, according to reports. This operation was launched after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. Reports say that the Pakistani Army, its spy agency ISI, and the government are fully supporting and funding this effort. These new terror setups are mainly being rebuilt in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and nearby areas. On May 7, Indian forces carried out precise attacks on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. These camps were linked to three well-known terrorist groups: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. One of the most important targets was the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, which is believed to be the main control centre for their operations. Pakistan rebuilding terror camps and launchpads near LoC According to intelligence reports, Pakistani terror groups, with help from the ISI, are setting up smaller, high-tech training camps hidden deep inside forests near the Line of Control (LoC). Sources told India Today that it is meant to avoid detection by drones, satellites, and airstrikes. The camps being rebuilt are located in places like Luni, Putwal, Taipu Post, Jamila Post, Umranwali, Chaprar, Forward Kahuta, Chota Chak, and Janglora. These camps are reportedly being fitted with modern tools that can trick or block heat sensors, radar that can see through trees, and satellite cameras. Sources also told the publication that the Pakistani Army and ISI are restoring 13 major launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These include locations such as Kel, Shardi, Dudhniyal, Athmuqam, Jura, Leepa Valley, Pachiban Chaman, Tandpani, Naiyali, Jankot, Chakoti, Nikail, and Forward Kahuta. On top of that, four launchpads along the International Border, which were destroyed during India's Operation Sindoor, are now being brought back into use. These sites are said to include regular Pakistan Rangers outposts. New ISI strategy along the International Border As part of a new plan, ISI is breaking up large terror camps into smaller ones. This tactic is meant to spread out militants so that if one camp is attacked, the others won't be affected. Each of these smaller camps will have its own security setup. According to reports, specially trained Pakistani Army personnel will guard these camps using thermal sensors, low-frequency radar, and anti-drone systems. High-level terror meeting in Bahawalpur Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly intercepted messages about a recent secret meeting in Bahawalpur. Senior leaders from terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and The Resistance Front (TRF) attended, along with top ISI officers. TRF is the group behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people. At this meeting, ISI reportedly promised heavy financial and manpower support to rebuild terror bases destroyed earlier. Reports say that repair work has already started at multiple places and that new, more secure camps are also being planned.