PM Modi felicitated at NDA meet over Operation Sindoor
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Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
For Pakistan & US, it is back to doing business
There is a discernible sense of satisfaction within Pakistan's strategic fraternity at the undeniable uptick in the US-Pakistan interface over the past few months. Some may dispute the extent, but given how the relationship had eroded in the past decade-and-a-half, any improvement represents a big change. Given the transactional nature that dominates the US, there is the temptation to find direct factors for the upswing in US-Pakistan relations. (AP) The principal milestones of the US-Pakistan downturn are well known. For Pakistan, the US detection and killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011 in Abbottabad was a betrayal and a public humiliation. For many Pakistanis, that the US acted clandestinely deep inside Pakistan superseded the enormity of the fact that Osama had been living there all the time under the very noses of the Pakistan military. The free fall continued with mounting US frustrations over Pakistan's double game in Afghanistan. President Trump's 2018 New Year Day tweet exemplified this view. The tweet underlined US foolishness in giving Pakistan billions of dollars in aid in return for deceit and lies! This was consistent with emergent US narratives about Pakistan, but that it was from the President himself made it doubly significant. Through the Biden tenure matters crystallised at a low plateau of bad blood and mutual recriminations. The US's final withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 in disorder and disarray added another layer to the deep strategic mistrust and suspicion that now characterised the relationship. President Biden did not have even a telecon with Imran Khan during the time he was PM and Imran Khan in turn blamed the US for his premature ouster from power. In the meantime, most US military and security assistance was suspended. What perhaps hurt Pakistan the most was the impact this had on training programmes for Pakistan military officers in the US. All this happened also when the India-US relationship seemed effortlessly to go from strength to strength. This further highlighted the distance between Washington and Islamabad. The past few months appear quite different. The change was animated quite dramatically by Field Marshal Asim Munir being hosted by President Trump in June 2025 in the immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor. It is most unusual — perhaps even unprecedented — for a US president to host a chief of a foreign military who is not a head of State or government. This shift also coincides with new ambiguities in the US-India interface — perhaps triggered by President Trump's constant reiteration of having prevented further escalation in the India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor. To many in Pakistan, this has 'internationalised' Kashmir and highlighted the importance of third-party intervention as equally that even the US was skeptical about India's claims and demands. There had been earlier indicators of change beginning with President Trump's acknowledgement of Pakistan's counter-terrorism assistance in his State of the Union Address in March 2025. The allocation of a significant financial package as assistance to Pakistan for maintaining its F16 aircraft despite an otherwise stringent foreign aid cutback, was another. Alongside, more even-handed references to the India-Pakistan dynamic, meetings and telephone conversations between the US secretary of State and senior Pakistan leaders further underlined this shift. The announcement of a US-Pakistan Trade Agreement, albeit with a 19% tariff on imports from Pakistan, and Trump's enthusiastic references to hydrocarbon exploration and investment, are but the latest in this trend. The trade agreement may not be the best deal Pakistan could have got, but it is not as bad as could have been, and in any case some deal was better than no deal as far as the government of Pakistan was concerned. It may well be argued that there is nothing particularly significant in these transitions, but for most Pakistanis they suggest a return of their country to the US's radar after a long period of being out in the cold. What explains this shift? Given the transactional frame of mind that dominates the US, there is always the temptation to look for a direct and material factor. Numerous reasons are, therefore, assigned for this shift in US policy. Pakistan's counter-terrorism potential and the assistance it can offer is one. That the US is keen to have some relationship with Pakistan given the growing spread of China in the region is another. There is also the view that recommendations of the US Central Command on Pakistan's military potential vis-à-vis Iran in terms of its geographical location and the value of its air bases may have registered on the Presidency amid the current situation in West and South West Asia. Some argue that this shift in policy was also pushed along by crypto currency deals, and by US interest in potential Pakistani reserves of rare earth minerals. Each of these explanations may have some merit but perhaps the weight of any or all of these should not be exaggerated. Instead, it is useful to refocus on some basics. Pakistan is the fifth largest country in the world in terms of population with some 250 million people. It is riven by instability. It has nuclear weapons. It is situated in a sensitive geo-political location, almost in a global fault line. Given these attributes it was always only a matter of time that the long downturn in US Pakistan relations would reverse and US interest in Pakistan would reignite. We are at that stage now. All major powers decide on policies based on an appreciation of their own interests and their own understandings of evolving situations. To think that the long downturn in US Pakistan relations would have simply continued or that the US would see developments from our perspective alone is, and never was, a realistic assessment. We should take this shift in our stride. If some in India feel betrayed or dismayed at this turn of events, they have only themselves to blame. TCA Raghavan is a former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan. The views expressed are personal.
Hans India
6 minutes ago
- Hans India
Govt pushes ahead with its agenda in Parliament as Opposition's protest continues
New Delhi: The government on Tuesday pressed on with its agenda amid continued disruptions in Parliament due to the Opposition's demand for a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, as Lok Sabha passed a bill and Rajya Sabha approved a couple of resolutions despite the din. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had said on Monday that the government will be compelled to push for Parliament's approval for its legislative agenda if the Opposition continued to obstruct its smooth functioning with its protests. Lok Sabha passed 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025' with a voice vote, the first draft legislation approved by the House in Parliament's Monsoon session which began on July 21. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved for its consideration and passage amid the din in the House due to the Opposition's protest. The bill, which seeks to grant STs reservation in the state assembly, was introduced in the House on this day in 2024 and had been pending since. After the passage of the bill, Sandhya Ray, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day as protests by opposition MPs continued unabated. Rajya Sabha saw its first adjournment around 11.45 am, when it was adjourned till 2 pm. When Rajya Sabha met at 2 pm, Opposition MPs were on their feet demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision. Amid ruckus, Harivansh, who was in the Chair, took up two statutory resolutions, including one for extending the President's rule in Manipur for another six months. He said it was a constitutional obligation, and told the members that the House has passed only one Bill in the session so far. The Chair also disallowed any remarks made by opposition leaders on issues other than the resolution that was being taken. Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans on the electoral roll revision issue, as a couple of members also tried to participate in the discussion on the resolution for extending President's Rule in Manipur beyond August 13. The resolution to extend the President's rule in Manipur, and the other one of the Finance Ministry to amend the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, were passed by voice vote. The Chair then adjourned the House for the day as protests continued. Barring discussions on Operation Sindoor in both Houses, Parliament has seen little transaction of its normal business since the Monso
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First Post
36 minutes ago
- First Post
India-Philippines elevate relations with focus on Indo-Pacific security, maritime ties
India and the Philippines elevated ties to a strategic partnership during President Marcos Jr's visit to Delhi. The nations agreed to deepen trade, defence and maritime cooperation, including joint naval drills and submarine infrastructure talks read more Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the day of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. Reuters India and the Philippines on Tuesday announced the elevation of their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with a renewed focus on strengthening trade, defence, and maritime cooperation. The announcement followed bilateral talks in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who arrived in India on Monday for a five-day official visit. The meeting came a day after the navies of both nations conducted joint exercises for the first time in the disputed South China Sea, a move that has drawn attention and criticism from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny,' PM Modi said. 'From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future.' PM Modi added, 'It is a matter of pleasure that today we have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a strategic partnership. A comprehensive action plan has also been formulated to translate the potential of this partnership into results.' The two leaders signed nine agreements, including a declaration on the implementation of the strategic partnership, frameworks for talks among their respective armed forces, and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space. India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said the two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in space, tourism, culture, and digital technologies. PM Modi highlighted the Philippines as a key partner in India's Act East Policy and 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. 'We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,' he said. Marcos echoed the sentiment, stating the strategic partnership 'will doubtless resonate beyond the confines of our bilateral relationship.' He added, 'We want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi further thanked the Philippine government for condemning the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, and for standing with India in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi emphasised that enhanced defence cooperation reflected 'deep mutual trust,' and noted the importance of maritime cooperation between the two nations. 'As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and essential. We have been working together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue,' he said. In a significant development, the Indian government also revealed that discussions are underway with the Philippines for the development of submarine infrastructure, further deepening their defence collaboration. 'Today, when the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,' PM Modi said. On the economic front, trade between the two nations has surpassed USD 3 billion. 'To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement at the earliest. We have also decided to work towards a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement,' he stated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian companies are currently active in the Philippines across sectors such as information and digital technology, healthcare, automobiles, infrastructure, and minerals. PM Modi also noted ongoing joint research in science and technology, ranging from virology to artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. A new science and technology cooperation plan is expected to add momentum to this growing partnership. Under India's development partnership initiatives, the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines will be increased, and collaboration in sovereign data cloud infrastructure is also planned. Marking 75 years of diplomatic ties, PM Modi and Marcos jointly released a commemorative postage stamp. 'This is not just a celebration of our past,' PM Modi said, 'but a commitment to a shared future.'
