Latest news with #Kwatra
India Gazette
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
With Japan in the rearview, Indian envoy to US Vinay Kwatra says nation eyes $30 trillion economy by 2047
Washington [US], June 3 (ANI): India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, highlighted the country's economic growth trajectory and its future goals, emphasising the importance of systemic stability for investors. 'You mentioned 4.1 trillion GDP that India touched recently. We now have Japan in our rearview. Prime Minister Modi has spoken about taking this to 5 trillion in the coming years, but the eventual goal which we are working towards is to take the Indian economy in the range of 28 to 35 trillion dollars by the year 2047, when we celebrate the centenary of our independence. When we talk of that, and if you position this in the perspective of an investor, for any investor, economic opportunity has to be one of the first drivers for a capital flow to happen. Suppose I'm a four trillion opportunity today looking to become 5, 10, and eventually 30-odd trillion opportunity; that whole journey is not enough in terms of numbers. In that case, it has to be combined with something which the investors truly value. First of all, I would say any investor would look for whether there is systemic stability in the economy, and whether there is systemic stability in the growth of the economy?' Kwatra said. He underlined that while India's GDP growth and economic potential attract investors, systemic stability in the economy and its growth is crucial to sustaining capital inflows. India recently crossed the $4.1 trillion GDP mark, overtaking Japan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aiming to achieve a $5 trillion economy soon. The long-term vision is to reach an economy valued between $28 to $35 trillion by 2047, marking 100 years of India's independence. Kwatra's remarks highlight India's commitment to creating a stable and conducive environment for investors while pursuing ambitious economic growth targets. This vision aligns with the recent visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Washington DC from May 27 to 29, where he held high-level meetings with senior US officials to bolster strategic and economic ties. Foreign Secretary Misri held wide-ranging discussions with counterparts across the Department of State, National Security Council, Department of Defence, Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The visit was a follow-up to the Prime Minister's visit to the United States on February 13, during which both sides launched the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century. Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor was also part of the Indian delegation. According to MEA, at a luncheon meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda. They underscored that Technology, Trade, and Talent would be the key pillars shaping the India-U.S. partnership in the 21st century. In meetings with Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg and Under Secretary for Policy Elbridge Colby, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a robust and forward-looking defence partnership. Discussions focused on co-production and co-development initiatives, sustained joint military exercises, logistics and information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between the armed forces, MEA said. Vikram Misri met with Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender, the Foreign Secretary and discussed ways to deepen economic and financial ties, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) processes. In his meeting with Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler, both sides reviewed progress on the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement, cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and the need to streamline ITAR and export control regulations. They agreed to convene the next meeting of the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue at the earliest opportunity, according to MEA. Consistent with the vision outlined in the COMPACT, detailed inter-agency discussions were also held on a range of strategic areas, including defence cooperation, energy security, the TRUST initiative, counter-terrorism, the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, and collaboration through platforms such as the Quad, I2U2, and IMEEC. Foreign Secretary Misri, along with DNSA Kapoor, jointly chaired a roundtable with industry representatives, focusing on deepening bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. Additionally, they held a substantive interaction with members of the think tank community, covering the full breadth of the India-U.S. strategic partnership, MEA said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
From Dadar to Cannes: Dadar Beach warriors take India's coastal conservation to the global stage
MUMBAI: What began as a local effort to clean up Mumbai's polluted beaches has now gone global. Chinu Kwatra, fondly known as the 'Dadar Beach Warrior', and his team of dedicated volunteers known as the Beach Warriors have made an indelible mark not only on Mumbai's coastline but also on the global consciousness. Their story received international recognition on Friday, with the screening of the documentary 'Oceans Under Siege' at the 10th Positive Cinema Week held in Cannes to highlight positive films from over the world. For Chinu, this moment is nothing short of surreal. 'I'm just an ordinary guy from Thane. Being featured at Cannes wasn't even a dream,' he said. 'But the love of the ocean has brought us here from Dadar to France. Now, maybe 0.1% of the world will know about our efforts, and that's more than I ever imagined.' The 10th Positive Cinema Week, organised by the Positive Planet Foundation, was held from May 21 to 24. 'Oceans Under Siege', made on the theme of 'legacy waste' (plastic and other debris that have accumulated over time in oceans), was also screened at a dedicated event at CNC beach, Cannes. The film is part of a larger international initiative that began with a conversation between Franco-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno and Indian documentary filmmaker Meghatithi. Made by Meghatithi, the film highlights the great initiative of beach clean-ups carried out by Kwatra and his Beach Warriors. 'The film was screened for four minutes and deeply appreciated by the engaged audience at the event,' Meghatithi told HT from France. 'Concerned about the deteriorating state of oceans, they decided to spotlight positive, solution-driven stories from around the globe.' Meghatithi chose to highlight the legacy waste problem in the city's waters and the community-led initiatives working to tackle it. This brought him to Kwatra and the Beach Warriors team, which has spent over seven and a half years cleaning Mumbai's beaches. To date, Kwatra has removed over 4,000 tonnes of garbage from the coastline and continues to conduct cleanups on four beaches every weekend. The Beach Warriors mission has drawn support from a gamut of volunteers, from enthusiastic college students to Bollywood celebrities like Raghav Juyal, Dia Mirza, Kirti Kulhari, Babil Khan, Guru Randhawa, Esha Gupta, Adah Sharma and many others. Students from institutions such as SIES College, Kirti College, Kohinoor Business School, Andrews College and Chetna College have become integral to the effort. Recognition at an international level has only further fuelled their motivation. The Beach Warriors are not just cleaning up; they're building sustainable systems. Their pioneering effort led to India's first Materials Recovery Facility for beach waste where plastic debris is transformed into useful items like school benches. 'We're creating school benches from recycled beach plastic waste, which we'll donate to rural schools across India, completing the sustainability loop,' Kwatra told HT. 'The film's screening is a testament to the impact of our work, and we're excited to take on new challenges and make an even bigger difference. This recognition will now help us reach more like-minded people, amplifying our impact and inspiring a wider audience to join our cause.' The monsoon season, typically seen as a hurdle in many initiatives, becomes an opportunity for this team. As the tides bring in waves of waste, the Beach Warriors swing into action, collecting and sorting large volumes of garbage that would otherwise re-enter the ocean. Encouragingly, the movement resonates deeply with Gen Z. Younger volunteers are increasingly joining the cause, not just for the sake of participation but with a deep-rooted sense of responsibility. 'They're more eco-conscious,' said Kwatra. 'While many still litter without a thought, these young warriors are actively learning how to manage waste and set an example for others.'
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
India ramps up diplomatic offensive against Pak
New rastructure but Islamabad has chosen to continue to escalate the matter instead of taking an "off-ramp" to end the crisis. Tensions between India and Pakistan soared significantly following India's Operation Sindoor on early Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22 that had cross-border linkages and Pakistan's subsequent unsuccessful attempt to attack 15 Indian cities. "April 22 was the most heinous terrorist act,' Kwatra said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. "It is nobody's case to say that these terrorists should be given a free pass, and that's precisely what we did, held them accountable,' Kwatra said and described India's action as 'a very precise, calibrated, measured response to these terrorists.' 'We are at war with the terrorists, and we will, as I said, bring justice to the victims and hold them accountable,' he said, answering a question if India is at war with Pakistan. 'Our foremost objective in this was (to) hold these lowlifes, subhuman monsters accountable and bring justice to the victims.' India's High Commissioner to the UK Doraiswami, who was interviewed by a series of UK media outlets on Thursday to present India's stance on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, told 'Sky News' that the international community can intervene by pointing out the opportunity for an off-ramp to Pakistan. He displayed an image live on air of US-designated Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Abdur Rauf leading prayers for the terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor, also presented during a briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry in New Delhi.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Video: India's US Envoy schools senior CNN anchor over Kashmir remark, says 'Let me correct you...'
Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra defended Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. He fact-checked and firmly corrected a CNN anchor regarding Jammu and Kashmir's status. Kwatra accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and supporting the Pahalgam attack. India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Vinay Kwatra corrects CNN anchor Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Vinay Kwatra blasts Pak Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India's ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said India is "at war with the terrorists" as he defended Operation Sindoor . He called it a direct response to the terror attack in Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians on April senior diplomat schooled a senior CNN anchor during a live interview after he referred to parts of Kashmir as "Indian-administered." During an interview with Kwatra, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer asked about the explosions in the "Indian-administered" parts of Kashmir."First of all, I'm sorry, but let me correct you," Kwatra told Wolf Blitzer. "The entire Jammu and Kashmir is integral to the Indian part of India. The only issue to be resolved there is the return of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir."Kwatra was praised by a large number of people on social media for his calm yet firm Blitzer's comment came while discussing reports of explosions in the region. Responding to that, the Indian Envoy said that while India received reports of some activity, "We don't have the operational details relating to that."During the same interaction, Kwatra also spoke out strongly against the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Calling it "the most heinous terrorist act," he declared, "Our foremost objective in this was to hold these lowlifes, subhuman monsters accountable and bring justice to the victims."Launching a blistering attack on Pakistan, he accused the country of harbouring terrorists. "What it shows the world is that Pakistan has again decided to stand with the terrorists. Rather than take action against them, they are essentially lending them support," he said. "We wouldn't be surprised if they are themselves involved in this."He added, "That's the message they're sending to the world, that they are with terrorists, not with the rest of the civilised world, in these brutal killings of innocent civilians."Kwatra's comments followed India's launch of Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike on terror bases across nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation, conducted in response to the Pahalgam attack, killed over 100 terrorists, according to the Defence on the mission, Kwatra stated, 'No responsible nation would allow such terrorists to operate with impunity. That's exactly what we acted upon during Operation Sindoor.'He characterized the strikes as 'a precise, calibrated, and measured response against the terrorists, their infrastructure, and the integrated facilities they operate from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.'In response to Pakistan's denial of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Kwatra remarked, 'Denial and obfuscation have always been cornerstones of Pakistan's strategy.' 'They have this peculiar tendency to only acknowledge responsibility for their actions long after the fact — never in the present,' he asked about the risk of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan leading to nuclear conflict, the Ambassador emphasized that the real threat lies in Pakistan's persistent support for launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking terror factories at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 the fact that four terrorists backed by Pakistan killed 26 civilians, Kwatra said 'in no world would you allow such terrorists to be given a free pass. And that is precisely what we did the day before yesterday.
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First Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
India hardens diplomatic stance against Pakistan, says it's at war with terrorists
India has ramped up diplomatic offensive against Pakistan following the military conflict, with its Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra saying that the country is at war with the terrorists and will bring justice to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack by holding the 'lowlifes, subhuman monsters' accountable. read more India has intensified its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan in the wake of escalating military tensions, with senior envoys reaffirming the country's resolve to bring justice to victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra said India is at war with terrorists and will hold the 'lowlifes, subhuman monsters' behind the Pahalgam attack accountable. His remarks came as part of a broader push to rally international support and underscore India's position. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami said India's response, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was 'precise and targeted' at terror infrastructure, in contrast to Pakistan's decision to escalate the conflict rather than seek an 'off-ramp' to de-escalate tensions. The diplomatic efforts followed a dramatic surge in hostilities, with Indian defence forces foiling two cross-border attacks by Pakistan on Jammu city within hours. The situation has remained volatile since Operation Sindoor was launched early Wednesday in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack and Pakistan's failed bid to target 15 Indian cities. 'April 22 was the most heinous terrorist act,' Kwatra said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. 'It is nobody's case to say that these terrorists should be given a free pass, and that's precisely what we did the day before yesterday, held them accountable,' Kwatra said and described India's action as 'a very precise, calibrated, measured response to these terrorists.' 'We are at war with the terrorists, and we will, as I said, bring justice to the victims and hold them accountable,' he said, answering a question if India is at war with Pakistan. 'Our foremost objective in this was (to) hold these lowlifes, subhuman monsters accountable and bring justice to the victims.' India's High Commissioner to the UK Doraiswami, who was interviewed by a series of UK media outlets on Thursday to present India's stance on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, told 'Sky News' that the international community can intervene by pointing out the opportunity for an off-ramp to Pakistan. He displayed an image live on air of US-designated Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Abdur Rauf leading prayers for the terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor, also presented during a briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry in New Delhi. 'Everybody knows that for the last 30 years, Pakistan has used this (terrorism) as a means of sub-critical warfare against India,' said Doraiswami. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If the international community really wants to be able to look at this and worry about it, the simple solution is to tell Pakistan it has an opportunity for an off-ramp. These are things that the world should have compelled Pakistan to do 30 years ago, and to compel them to implement their promises about taking down this infrastructure. It has not done so,' he said. Asked if India fears a further escalation of conflict in the region, the envoy asserted that the 'original escalation' is Pakistan-sponsored terror groups attacking and shooting civilians in Pahalgam on April 22. 'Our response thereafter was precise, targeted, reasonable and moderate. It was focused principally and solely on terrorist infrastructure. We did not strike the Pakistani military establishment. We did not strike national infrastructure, and we made it abundantly clear… that the object of this exercise was clearly to avoid military escalation – a fact actually acknowledged in a left handed way, of course, by the Pakistani side in terms of their own official statements which said that the airspace hadn't been violated,' said Doraiswami. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The logical solution would be, as we've said repeatedly, for Pakistan to take the opportunity of an off ramp, which we have made abundantly clear, including this morning, that if Pakistan stops attacking our military facilities, the matter ends there, but it is for them to decide,' he said. In his interview with CNN, Kwatra said that from a large number of Congressmen and Senators to the whole world, they all appreciate that India should respond and bring accountability for these terrorists and justice for the victims. He said the terrorists killed the civilians in Pahalgam on the basis of religion, identifying and killing 'all non-Muslims'. 'So what we did the day before yesterday was essentially our response to terror,' Kwatra said, adding that India's response has been very measured, calibrated and proportionate. Responding to a question on explosions being heard in Kashmir, Kwatra said Pakistan has again decided to stand with the terrorists. 'Rather than take action against them, they are essentially lending them support,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To a comment that Pakistan has denied involvement in the attacks, Kwatra said that 'denial and obfuscation' have always been the first part of Pakistan's strategy. 'They have this unique characteristic where they assume responsibility of their past actions in future, not in the present moment,' the diplomat said as he asked where was Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who plotted the 9/11 attacks in the US, found… the killer of American journalist Daniel Pearl or perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks found? Responding to a question, Kwatra said that with Operation Sindoor, 'we, from our perspective, had brought a certain finality to it, but it was, of course, subject to whether Pakistan has brought finality to it. Pakistan chose to escalate it further. Now it's duty-bound for us to respond to that.' When asked how concerned the world should be that the tensions between India and Pakistan could escalate into a nuclear war, the Indian envoy said, 'I think the world should be concerned about the fact that Pakistan's support to terrorism and terrorist activities continues.' 'I think that's what the world should be concerned about. And I think that's what the world should tell Pakistan – to stop supporting terrorism. I think that's the crux of the question,' he asserted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tensions between India and Pakistan soared significantly following India's Operation Sindoor on early Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22 that had cross-border linkages and Pakistan's subsequent unsuccessful attempt to attack 15 Indian cities. American Vice President JD Vance has called for de-escalation, while underlining that Washington was 'not going to get involved in the middle of a war that's fundamentally none of our business'. Several countries have offered to mediate, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday, days after visiting Pakistan. Diplomats and world leaders have pressured both countries for restraint. However, the International Crisis Group said 'foreign powers appear to have been somewhat indifferent' to the prospect of war, despite warnings of possible escalation. 'A combination of bellicose rhetoric, domestic agitation and the remorseless logic of military one-upmanship have heightened the risks of escalation, particularly because for some time there was no diplomatic communication between the sides,' it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
