Latest news with #India-Israel
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Best of BS Opinion: High drama, stark contrasts, and subtle turns
There's something timeless about watching old Bollywood films. The slow pans, dramatic lighting, and silent longing in a glance, everything was coded, layered, and deceptively simple. Unlike the flashy saturation of today's Instagram reels, those monochrome moments knew that complexity often hides in contrast. That's how the current world feels too. At first glance, it seems disparate: inflation numbers, a language row, China's strategic tone, income inequality debates, and a re-examination of India-Israel relations. But like the classics, each carries subtext, contradiction, and a black-and-white simplicity that only deepens with closer look. Let's dive in. Take India's cooling inflation. Vegetable prices dipped by nearly 19 per cent in June, pulling retail inflation down to 2.1 per cent. But under that calm surface, oils and fats jumped 17 per cent, and core inflation remains sticky. As the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee weighs holding the repo at 5.5 per cent, the script shifts from price control to long-term reforms, notes our first editorial. The good monsoon may play hero this season, but the central bank, ever the stoic lead, refuses to overact. Meanwhile, the three-language formula of NEP 2020 is sparking fresh regional drama. In Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, it's not just about learning Hindi, it's about identity, autonomy, and electoral posturing. The Centre's push is seen by some as cultural dominance, though the Madras High Court ruled that RTE funds can't be held back over NEP non-compliance. The debate is familiar, and like in black-and-white films, what's left unsaid often says the most, highlights our second editorial. Overseas, the dragon is rewriting its own script. Shyam Saran finds China's confidence growing despite economic stumbles, rooted in its reading of American decline. With PLA purges and renewed aggression towards India, Beijing is back to playing antagonist, but with a sharper edge, more willing to back Pakistan, and dismissive of Indian clout. India, Saran warns, needs to shift from reactive cameos to strategic lead. At home, Ram Singh challenges the popular belief that inequality is soaring. The World Bank's latest data suggests India now has one of the lowest consumption inequality rates globally. Critics cite missing elite data, but Singh argues that even flawed numbers show a trend: more equitable consumption, stronger welfare, and a rise in bottom-half income share. The story of India's poor isn't just poverty anymore, it's progress too. Finally, Chintan Girish Modi reviews Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance between India and Israel, where Azad Essa explores India-Israel ties not as new-age alignment but as a long-standing, pragmatic bond. Essa draws a line from secret arms deals in 1962 to the booming defence trade today, arguing ideology isn't the main glue, strategy is. Stay tuned!
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sonia Gandhi hits out at India's ‘silence' as Israel bombs Iran, blasts Netanyahu, Trump
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday called on the Centre to comment on the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Iran conflicts, saying India's silence represents not just a loss of voice but also 'a surrender of values'. India News In an article in 'The Hindu', Sonia Gandhi alleged that the Indian government was earlier silent on Israel's offensive in Gaza, and is doing the same during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Congress veteran also accused the government of abandoning India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel. "New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values," Sonia Gandhi wrote in the article. Her opinion piece comes days after the external affairs ministry expressed deep concern after Israel launched waves of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Emphasising that India could still speak on the two key global issues, Sonia said India should use every diplomatic channel to promote a return to dialogue in West Asia. She also said that in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, "the Narendra Modi government has all but abandoned India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, one that envisions a sovereign, independent Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in mutual security and dignity." Defending Iran's sovereignty in light of Israel's "troubling and unlawful" strikes on June 13, Sonia said the world has "witnessed the dangerous consequences of unilateral militarism". Drawing parallels with the situation in Gaza for nearly two years now, the Congress leader alleged that Israel struck parts of Iran with utter disregard to civilian lives. However, when Israel struck Iran, it said it targeted nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. "These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict," she noted, adding that Congress has condemned these bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil. 'Iran a long-standing friend' As she called on the government to voice its opinion on the Israel-Iran conflict, Sonia Gandhi spoke highly of the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying the country has been a long-standing friend to India. "It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue," she noted. "Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars," she added. Referring to the India-Israel strategic relations in recent decades, she said, "This unique position gives our country the moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace." She also brought attention to a significant number of Indian nationals living and working across West Asia, and how a conflict there affects their lives too. Big attack on Netanyahu, Trump Lashing out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sonia Gandhi alleged that the government led by him "has a long and unfortunate record of undermining peace and nurturing extremism". She alleged that given the record, "it is not surprising that Netanyahu would choose escalation over engagement". After the Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Israeli counterpart and conveyed India's concerns about the situation in West Asia. He had called for the early restoration of peace in the region. Sonia Gandhi also slammed US President Donald Trump, who has taken a tough stance against Iran amid the ongoing conflict, and is deliberating on whether the US military would step in. She referred to Trump calling his own director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard 'wrong' in saying that the US believed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, and said his remark was "deeply disappointing". "Israel's recent actions against Iran have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful western nations," Gandhi said.
India Today
18-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Can Israel-Iran conflict wreck India's Economy?
The escalating warfare between Israel and Iran is sending tremors far beyond West Asia, with India bracing for significant economic and strategic consequences. Following Israel's deadliest aerial assault on Iran on 13th June 2025 and Iran's swift ballistic retaliation targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa, the conflict threatens to disrupt India's vital economic lifelines. Energy Security Under Threat India's heavy reliance on crude oil imports—over 80% of its needs—makes it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint now shadowed by Iranian warships. Brent crude has already surged 9%, whilst Indian oil giants BPCL, HPCL, and Indian Oil have suffered 3.5% stock losses. The ripple effects could trigger transportation cost increases, manufacturing slowdowns, rupee depreciation, and a widening fiscal deficit—all hampering India's post-COVID economic Corridors at RiskIndia's basmati rice exports to Iran, worth over 6,374 crore in 2024-25, face severe disruption as Iranian buyers delay payments beyond 180 days. The broader India-Israel trade relationship, valued at $10.1 billion across defence, agri-tech, and AI sectors, now operates under security scrutiny. Most critically, India's $85 million investment in Iran's Chabahar Port—designed to unlock Central Asian markets—faces an uncertain future as the facility becomes a potential VulnerabilityPerhaps most surprisingly, 95% of India's international data traffic flows through undersea cables routed via the Middle East. Previous disruptions to major cables in the Red Sea have already caused bandwidth chaos, threatening India's $245 billion digital economy. With Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi serving as key cable landing zones, a single break could slash regional bandwidth by 70%.advertisementStrategic Partnerships in JeopardyIndia's defence relationship with Israel, including purchases of Heron Mark-2 drones and Harop munitions, now carries diplomatic risks. The Adani Group's $1.2 billion acquisition of Haifa Port—a cornerstone of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)—finds itself in a city under missile India navigates this crisis, the conflict underscores a harsh reality: in an interconnected world, neutrality offers no immunity from regional wars that threaten global supply chains and economic stability. Must Watch
India.com
25-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Good news for India as This Indian defense company gets order of Rs 1500000000 from Israel for...
Rocket launcher- Representative image Good news for India-Israel relations: In a significant development after Operation Sindoor, Nibe, a Pune-headquartered company has confirmed the receipt of a purchase order for the manufacturing and supply of Universal Rocket Launchers. The contract, worth $17.52 million (about Rs 150 crore) is expected to be executed by or before November 20 and as per the order, the Indian company will help Israel in making and supplying universal rocket launchers, which have a reported range of 300 kilometers. Here are all the details you need to know about the India-Israel deal. Nibe Limited is a Pune- based defense company of India which manufactures modern systems for defense. Focused on creating new technology, Nibe helps to strengthen India in terms of defense and export weapons. It has recently received an international order win worth Rs 150.6 crore from a leading Israel-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Although the company did not disclose the identity of the client, the deal is expected to help strengthen the India-Israel relations and also help secure the dream of 'self-reliant India' and 'Make in India'. As a result of the announcement of the deal, the shares of the company ended 0.84% in the green in the session on Friday, May 23. Op Sindoor Outreach: Delegation in Japan highlights India's fight against terrorism Tokyo In a significant step aimed at highlighting India's fight against terrorism after Oopearion Sindoor, an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha held interactions with dignitaries from Japan's political, governmental, and academic circles at India House in Tokyo conveying India's firm stance of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism. The delegation is a part of India's global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The Indian parliamentarians also highlighted Operation Sindoor as India's 'new normal' against cross-border terror attacks. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘If US Can Hand Over Rana, Why Can't Pakistan Give Us Hafiz, Azhar?': Indian Envoy To Israel
Last Updated: In an interview with Israel's i24 News, India's Ambassador JP Singh warned that Operation Sindoor is only 'paused' and normalcy hinges on Pakistan handing over wanted terrorists In a strong and unambiguous message to Islamabad, India's Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, said that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — long upheld as a symbol of bilateral goodwill — could no longer survive when one side chooses violence over peace. 'Goodwill, friendship and blood can't flow together," Singh told Israel's i24 News, confirming that the treaty has been put in abeyance following Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. 'Over the years, we allowed water to flow; Pakistan allowed terror to flow," Singh said, referring to decades of attacks by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The final trigger, he said, was the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed based on their religion. 'This cannot go on like this. Our Prime Minister made it clear — blood and water cannot flow together." Singh said the treaty's foundational principle of friendship and goodwill had been 'repeatedly violated" by Pakistan's actions. He asserted that the pause in the treaty will continue until Islamabad ends its terror infrastructure and hands over key perpetrators. 'When the US can extradite Tahawwur Rana, why can't Pakistan hand over Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and Sajid Mir? Everything will be normal if Pakistan hands over these terrorists to India." Singh gave a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a calibrated military response that unfolded in two phases. On May 7, Indian forces launched precision strikes on terror camps and launchpads in Muzaffarabad, the LeT headquarters in Muridke, and JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, killing over 100 terrorists. When Pakistan retaliated by targeting Indian military installations, India hit back with strikes on army bases, radar systems, and airfields, including Nur Khan and Sargodha. 'Their DGMO called ours — and that's how the ceasefire was initiated on the evening of May 10," he said. But Singh cautioned that this was not the end. 'The ceasefire is holding for now. But Operation Sindoor is paused, not over. A new normal has been set — we will follow an offensive doctrine. Wherever terrorists are, we will strike. Their infrastructure will be destroyed." He also took aim at Pakistan's duplicity. 'They keep saying they want investigations and international probes. But what about Mumbai, Pathankot, Pulwama? We gave them dossiers. The US gave them evidence. Yet Sajid Mir, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi are roaming free. You simply cannot believe them." Turning to India-Israel cooperation, Singh called it 'strategic and rapidly expanding". He noted that while India relies on its indigenous defence platforms under the Make in India initiative, Israeli systems were also crucial during Operation Sindoor. 'The difference is: we use these platforms to target terrorists. Pakistan uses its resources to protect them." He outlined the potential for deeper ties in infrastructure, agriculture, water management, science and technology, and workforce mobility. He cited India's $1.5 billion investment in Haifa port, interest in Tel Aviv metro projects, and the signing of migration and mobility agreements to send skilled Indian workers across sectors like caregiving, hospitality and agriculture. 'Even during conflict, there was no security issue for Indian workers in Israel," he said. Looking ahead, Singh called for a broad global alliance against terrorism, uniting countries like India and Israel. 'Those who suffer must come together — not just against terror groups, but their supporters and shelters. The world must act with zero tolerance."
