Behind bars on foreign soil: The Indians languishing in prisons elsewhere
Four Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait) account for over 60 per cent of Indian prisoners. South Asian countries like Pakistan (266), China (173), Sri Lanka (98) and Bhutan (69) also have many Indians in prison.Just like Nimisha Priya, in the UAE, 25 Indians are on death row but haven't been executed yet. In Saudi Arabia, this number is 11, and six in Malaysia.- EndsTune InTrending Reel
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India.com
7 minutes ago
- India.com
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu calls 'India closest and most reliable partner' after PM Modi's 'neighbourhood first' policy
New Delhi, Oct 07 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has now called India the Maldives' closest and most trusted friend, a big change from his earlier 'India Out' campaign. He made these remarks during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential Office in Malé, as part of Modi's two-day state visit to the Maldives. President Muizzu thanked India for always helping the Maldives first whenever there's an emergency. 'India has always been our closest and most reliable partner,' he said. 'We work together in many important areas like safety, trade, health, and education all of which have a direct impact on the daily lives of our people.' He also pointed out how many Maldivians visit India every day for medical treatment, studying, and business. At the same time, he welcomed Indian people living in the Maldives, saying they play an important role in the country's economy and community. Talking about his government's plans, Muizzu said, 'Our goal is to build a strong and fair economy that gives our young people opportunities, prepares them for a digital future, and helps keep peace in the region. India's support is very important in helping us reach these goals.' In addition to praising India for its quick response during the Maldives' crises, President Muizzu also spoke with Prime Minister Modi about many areas where the two countries work together. These include development, infrastructure support, building skills, tackling climate change, and improving healthcare. Special place for Maldives in 'Neighbourhood First' policy: PM Modi PM Modi promised that India would continue to support the Maldives and its people, based on what is needed and important for both nations, as well as for a peaceful and successful region around the Indian Ocean. The two leaders reviewed the progress of their joint plans for better economic and maritime security under the India-Maldives Joint Vision. Modi confirmed that India would work even harder to strengthen their relationship, following its 'Neighbourhood First' approach and the Vision MAHASAGAR policy. They also agreed to boost their defense and maritime security ties and stressed the importance of their cooperation through the Colombo Security Conclave. Agreements between India and Maldives signed during PM Modi's visit to Maldives India and the Maldives signed six MOUs in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, Indian pharmacopoeia, and concessional Line of Credit. Fisheries and Aquaculture – For better cooperation in marine resources. Meteorology – To share weather data and improve forecasting. Digital Public Infrastructure – To boost digital systems and e-governance. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – To bring India's digital payment system to the Maldives. Indian Pharmacopoeia – To align medicine standards and quality. Concessional Line of Credit – A financial agreement to support development projects. Financial support includes: A new Line of Credit worth Rs.4,850 crores (about $550 million) was offered by India to help fund infrastructure and other development activities in the Maldives. An Amendatory Agreement was also signed, reducing the Maldives's annual debt repayment burden by 40 per cent, bringing it down from USD 51 million to USD 29 million. Other key announcements and inaugurations: A roads and drainage system project in Addu City (virtually inaugurated). Six High-Impact Community Development Projects across different cities. 3,300 social housing units handed over to benefit local families. 72 vehicles donated for use by the Maldives National Defence Force and Immigration services. Two Aarogya Maitri Health Cube (BHISHM) units gifted, which can treat 200 patients and support a team of six medical workers for up to 72 hours in emergencies.
Hans India
7 minutes ago
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 26th July 2025
Rahul certification is no Oscar or Nobel, Mr Revanth Reddy This is in reference to 'Revanth pushes for 42% BC quota'(THI, July 25). I am intrigued by the Catch-22 situation that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy finds himself in as regards proving 42 per cent reservation for BCs in education, employment and local body elections. Honouring this has become inevitable for his government as it is a promise made by Rahul Gandhi at the Kamareddy public meeting held in September 2023, in the run-up to the Assembly elections. However, it is not easy to get approval for 42 percent reservation for BCs, as the onus is on the NDA-led central government. If Revanth Reddy fails to accomplish it, then he, his 'mentor' and the Congress party will lose the trust of the BCs. This apart, Reddy has coined an acronym RaRe (Rahul and Revanth) and an abbreviation SEEEPC (Social, Education, Employment, Economic, Political, Caste) for his survey. He gave a power point presentation to the party functionaries in Delhi, for which he was given a letter of appreciation. He feels as if it is equivalent to an Oscar or the Nobel Prize. To me it looks like narcissism and sycophancy. Being a junior, one must be loyal but not stoop too low as flattery could lead the system towards destruction. The 42 per cent reservation for BCs will an acid test for Revanth Reddy, who is stranded between the devil and the deep sea. Dr. Venkat Yadav Avula State spokesperson MASS India-UK FTA is welcome news It is with reference to the news 'India, UK ink historic FTA' (THI July 25). While the US-India trade relationship faces significant challenges with tariffs and market access, India's Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK is a well-timed move. The free trade agreement will primarily reduce import duties, potentially making certain British goods are affordable for India's consumers and businesses. While some sectors like automobiles are seeing reduced tariffs, there are also concerns about potential impacts on domestic industries and job losses due to increased competition. The agreement may bring huge benefits to both countries and in the process boost wages and raise the living standards. Beyond reducing tariffs, it facilitates smoother customs processes, enhances mobility and creates new opportunities in government procurement and digital trade. Careful monitoring and proper implementing of the agreement is crucial to ensure that the benefits are maximised. P. Victor Selvaraj, Tirunelveli-627002 FTA is a major boost for Indian industry As India and U.K. ink a comprehensive Free Trade Pact (FTA) that promises to reshape trade, talent exchange and industrial collaboration between the two nations is historic because it will give big fillip to bilateral trade that would accrue a substantial revenue to us annually. At a time, when global economies are recalibrating trade agreements, this pact will provide strategic advantage to both nations besides coming as a boon to Indian manufactures and exporters. By and large, granting zero duty access of tariff to virtually the entire trade value, it is certain to go a long way in giving a boost to MSME enterprises, the backbone of rural and semi-urban economies. Additionally, exempting Indian workers and employers from social security contributions in U.K. for three years will help to play big in global trade and goes to show that the pact opens the doors for Indian professionals to access one of the world's most advanced service economies. K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad-3 India stands to gain from FTA with UK the bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdo is set to get a more than $34 billion annual boost over the long-term following their free trade agreement, with leaders from the two countries calling it a 'historic' deal. Both sides had finalised the trade pact in May after three years of intense negotiations — marked by thorny issues such as visas, tariff reduction and tax breaks. The talks gained momentum, and the two governments accelerated the pace to seal the deal when U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats sent the world in disarray. India has secured market access in key job-creating sectors such as textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery and marine products — where the UK is set to eliminate duties by up to 20 per cent and eliminating duties for almost 99.7 per cent of tariff lines in India's food sector. New Delhi extracted enhanced market access in export-oriented sectors such as marine and animal products, including seafood, dairy, and meat products, with tariffs reduced to zero from up to 20 per cent. Mani Ramani Jayanthy, Mumbai
Hans India
7 minutes ago
- Hans India
Vice Presidential poll: BJP likely to go for tried, tested pick
New Delhi: As the Election Commission formally set in motion the process of electing the next vice president by appointing a returning officer, the BJP-led alliance is set to start consultation for its pick for the key constitutional position amid indications that the Opposition will also join the fray. In the electoral college that comprises members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a clear majority as its strength is nearly 425 out of the current total of 782 MPs, making its nominee a clear favourite to fill in the position left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. While the brain trust of the BJP is yet to begin deliberations, there is a strong view within the party and its allies that the party leadership will prioritise organisational rootedness and political commitment over an excessive focus on experiment that has at times made them look outside their own pool of experienced talent, as was the case with Dhankhar in the 2022 polls. Having started his political career as a Janata Dal MP in 1991, Dhankhar later joined the Congress as parties of socialist stock declined. He then shifted his allegiance to the BJP, where his political activities were nominal. It was as a senior advocate in the Supreme Court that he caught the attention of the BJP leadership, which led to his appointment as West Bengal Governor in 2019 and then as vice president in 2022 following a tenure that was marked by his frequent run-ins with the government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a key opposition leader. Dhankhar's streak of outspokenness and unconventional style as vice president gradually soured his ties with the government, and the final straw came when he accepted an opposition-sponsored notice on July 21 for a motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma. It caused dismay in the ruling alliance and almost derailed the official efforts for a bipartisan move in the Lok Sabha. He was to resign hours later. Several leaders of the BJP and its allies are of the view that the NDA this time is unlikely to follow the instincts that made it pick Dhankhar and will be more conventional in its search for his successor. While the prevailing view is that the BJP will pick one from its ranks, someone like Harivansh, a JD(U) MP, is also being talked about as a probable candidate for the trust he has built with the government in his nearly seven-year term as Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. The vice president is the ex-officio Chairman of the Upper House, a key position in shaping Parliament's proceedings and thus guiding the government's agenda. The BJP-led central government has generally avoided entrusting allies with key independent positions. TDP's Gajapathi Raju was the first ally leader to be made a governor recently since the National Democratic Alliance came to power in 2014. "When the talk is yet to begin even within the party, it is futile to speculate about the probable candidates. Though political wisdom suggests that the upheavals wrought by Dhankhar will weigh heavily in any future decision," a BJP leader said. With assembly polls set to be held in Bihar in October-November and key states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, besides Assam, next year, electoral considerations are expected to be a factor as well. Opposition parties have indicated their keenness to contest the poll to send out a political message, irrespective of the outcome. They had contested against Dhankhar too, putting up Margaret Alva for the August 6, 2022, election. In a statement, the EC said on Friday that in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and with the consent of the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, it has appointed Secretary General of the Upper House, P C Mody, as the returning officer for the vice presidential election.
