logo
Asim Arun slams ‘politicisation' of Armed Forces

Asim Arun slams ‘politicisation' of Armed Forces

Time of India16-05-2025
1
2
Lucknow:
Uttar Pradesh minister
for state of social welfare
Asim Arun
came out strongly in defence of armed forces personnel, slamming recent remarks by political leaders that linked the identities of two women officers with religion and caste.
In a pointed public statement, Arun, who is a former IPS officer, asserted that the only identity of any soldier in uniform is that of being Indian — not their faith, caste, or regional background.
Posting a heartfelt message on social media, Arun saluted
Colonel Sophia Qureshi
and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, writing: "Jai Hind Colonel Sophia Qureshi, Jai Hind Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Only 'Jai Hind' — not 'Adaab', not 'Jai Mata Di', nothing else.
Just 'Jai Hind'."
He added, "When we wear the uniform, we are not Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, Tamil, or Bihari — we are simply Indians. Unfortunately, some politicians still fail to grasp this basic truth."
The remarks come amid a growing row over comments made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah and Samajwadi Party functionary Ramgopal Yadav on the two women officers.
Arun wrote on Facebook, "Those who look at our brave soldiers through the lenses of religion and caste are being justifiably criticised across the country — I join in that condemnation."
"To both these brave women officers, once again, my salute — Jai Hind!" he concluded.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India, Nepal finalise Mutual Legal Assistance pact; discuss revised extradition treaty
India, Nepal finalise Mutual Legal Assistance pact; discuss revised extradition treaty

The Hindu

time20 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

India, Nepal finalise Mutual Legal Assistance pact; discuss revised extradition treaty

India and Nepal are working on a revised extradition treaty and have finalised the text of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). The deliberations took place at the Home Secretary-level talks between the two countries, held on July 22 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, while the Nepalese side was headed by Gokarna Mani Duwadee, Home Secretary, Government of Nepal. 'During the talks, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral security cooperation as well as border management and agreed to strengthen it further. Their deliberations included issues related to the repair and maintenance of boundary pillars, trans-border criminal activities, working of Border District Coordination Committees, strengthening of border infrastructure particularly Integrated Check Posts, roads and railway networks, empowerment and capacity building of various security related institutions, and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management,' the MHA said. The two sides welcomed the finalisation of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and agreed to work towards the early conclusion of the revised extradition treaty. It was also agreed that the next round of Home Secretary-level talks would be held in Nepal at a mutually convenient date.

Pakistan PM Sharif renews ‘dialogue' call, but India wary of peace rhetoric turning into betrayal
Pakistan PM Sharif renews ‘dialogue' call, but India wary of peace rhetoric turning into betrayal

First Post

time20 minutes ago

  • First Post

Pakistan PM Sharif renews ‘dialogue' call, but India wary of peace rhetoric turning into betrayal

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's call for 'meaningful dialogue' with India is met with scepticism in New Delhi, given a long history of peace talk offers followed by betrayal. India remains firm: no talks without concrete action against terrorism. read more Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said his country was ready for a 'meaningful dialogue' with India to resolve all outstanding issues. However, the statement follows a familiar and recurring pattern that has left India deeply sceptical. New Delhi views such peace overtures from Islamabad as part of a well-worn script, historically been followed by betrayal and hostile actions. Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad, where the two discussed regional affairs and bilateral ties. According to an official statement, Sharif 'expressed his appreciation for the UK's role in de-escalation of tensions during the Pakistan-India standoff' and reiterated that 'Pakistan was ready for a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The comments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 to target terror and military infrastructure in Pakistan's territories following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. However, India's position remains firm: any dialogue must centre around Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and an end to cross-border terrorism. Indian officials have consistently warned against falling into the trap of rhetoric-driven diplomacy from Pakistan that lacks sincerity and follow-through. A pattern of peace talk offers followed by betrayal Pakistan's leadership has a long history of extending olive branches publicly while permitting or orchestrating actions that sabotage the very idea of peace. 1999 Kargil War: Just months after then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore in a ground-breaking peace initiative with Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani troops and militants, under the guidance of General Pervez Musharraf infiltrated Indian territory in Kargil, triggering a bloody conflict that cost hundreds of lives. 2001 Agra Summit: After the Kargil betrayal, India cautiously resumed dialogue. But the summit collapsed and in December that year, terrorists from Pakistan attacked the Indian Parliament, a strike that nearly brought the two nations to the brink of war. 2008 Mumbai Attacks: Another major setback came after years of back-channel diplomacy and confidence-building measures. The 26/11 attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, left 166 people dead and shattered any remaining trust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Post-Uri and Pulwama attacks: In more recent years, terror attacks in Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019), again linked to Pakistan-based groups, were met with Indian military responses, surgical strikes and airstrikes in Balakot, respectively that further cementing India's view that engagement with Pakistan has repeatedly been undermined by acts of terror. India's cautious stance The Indian government has been saying unequivocally that talks cannot proceed under the shadow of terrorism. Without visible, verifiable action from Pakistan to dismantle terrorist networks operating from its soil, India remains unwilling to resume any substantive dialogue. In this context, Sharif's latest outreach is being viewed in New Delhi not as a genuine diplomatic move but as part of a familiar playbook, one where calls for peace serve as a smokescreen for strategic inaction or deception.

India, UK likely to sign FTA today; business heavyweights converge
India, UK likely to sign FTA today; business heavyweights converge

Business Standard

time20 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

India, UK likely to sign FTA today; business heavyweights converge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, are set to meet on Thursday for the formal signing of the long-negotiated India–UK free-trade agreement, marking a significant moment in bilateral ties. The signing is scheduled to take place at Chequers, the British prime minister's countryside retreat in the Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire. The 16th-century manor, located roughly two hours from London, will provide the backdrop for the ceremonial close of years of talks between the two nations. 'I am embarking on a visit to the UK and the Maldives from July 23 to 26. India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties,' Modi said in an official statement ahead of his departure. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with senior officials from the commerce department — including Special Secretary and Chief Negotiator L Satya Srinivas, Industry Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia — and a high-powered business delegation, are already in London for the occasion. While Goyal and UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds are expected to ink the agreement on Thursday, a business-to-business summit is set for the following day. Delegates from both countries will explore how to leverage the trade pact's provisions and expand opportunities under the new framework. The timing of the signing is seen as strategically significant. India is also in the advanced stages of concluding a trade deal with the United States, at a time of rising geopolitical polarisation. The Union Cabinet approved the FTA on Tuesday. While implementation in India is now a formality, the UK must still seek approval from Parliament. Once enacted, the agreement is expected to bring substantial benefits. India will see British tariffs eliminated on around 99 per cent of tariff lines, essentially encompassing the full trade value between the countries. Indian tariffs, in turn, will be reduced or eliminated on 90 per cent of tariff lines, with 85 per cent becoming fully duty-free within a decade. The deal is expected to boost Indian exports to the UK, making them more competitive through tariff reductions and improved market access. S C Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said the agreement could have a positive impact on job creation, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and jewellery. It could also lead to a rise in bilateral investment flows. Kirit Bhansali, chairman of the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and a member of the Indian delegation, projected that exports of gems and jewellery to the UK could nearly treble to $7 billion in the next financial year. 'We are expecting exports of studded jewellery to pick up,' Bhansali said. India is expected to import gold, silver, and platinum from the UK in return, though these will be subject to a certain cap. Bilateral trade between India and the UK stood at over $55 billion in FY24. The UK is currently the sixth largest investor in India, with cumulative investments of $36 billion, while India has invested nearly $20 billion in the UK, according to data from the Ministry of External Affairs.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store