Latest news with #NarendraModi-led
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India slams Pakistan's 'charade' on Kishenganga, Ratle dams; trashes 'illegal' Court of Arbitration's new ruling
India has dismissed a ruling by a Court of Arbitration regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. The projects are located in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the court's formation violates the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. India does not recognize the court's legitimacy. It considers any decisions made by it as void. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India on Friday rejected a fresh ruling by a Court of Arbitration over two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir . The Pakistan-backed court issued a 'supplemental award' claiming it has the right to decide on the Kishenganga and Ratle dams under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960."India categorically rejects this so-called supplemental award as it has rejected all prior pronouncements of this body," ministry said in an official statement on the Ministry of External Affairs said this so-called court is "illegal" because it was set up in clear violation of the treaty. India has never accepted its existence or any of its past decisions, calling them unlawful and automatically invalid."Today, the illegal Court of Arbitration, purportedly constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, albeit in brazen violation of it, has issued what it characterizes as a "supplemental award' on its competence concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the ministry statement echoed."India has never recognised the existence in law of this so-called Court of Arbitration, and India's position has all along been that the constitution of this so-called arbitral body is in itself a serious breach of the Indus Waters Treaty and consequently any proceedings before this forum and any award or decision taken by it are also for that reason illegal and per se void," it PM Narendra Modi-led Centre also reiterated that until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism, India will not follow the treaty's rules."Until such time that the Treaty is in abeyance, India is no longer bound to perform any of its obligations under the Treaty. No Court of Arbitration, much less this illegally constituted arbitral body which has no existence in the eye of law, has the jurisdiction to examine the legality of India's actions in exercise of its rights as a sovereign," the statement further Central government called the ruling a 'charade' pushed by Pakistan to avoid facing the truth about its role in terrorism. India said Pakistan has a long history of using false claims and manipulating international forums to cover up its actions."This latest charade at Pakistan's behest is yet another desperate attempt by it to escape accountability for its role as the global epicenter of terrorism. Pakistan's resort to this fabricated arbitration mechanism is consistent with its decades-long pattern of deception and manipulation of international forums."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
BharatNet Phase 3: BSNL awards ₹1,901.11 crore work order to ITI, Tera Software for northeast
NEW DELHI: State-controlled telecom carrier Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL ) has awarded a ₹1,901.11 crore advanced work order (AWO) to ITI Limited and its consortium partner Tera Software for the construction and maintenance of the middle-mile network under package 15 of the amended BharatNet programme. '...the Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, hereby place upon M/s ITI Limited (consortium partner – M/s Tera Software Limited) an Advance Work Order (AWO) for design, supply, construction, installation, upgradation, operation and maintenance of middle mile network of Bharatnet, in NER II (i.e., Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur) against package number 15 at an all-inclusive value of ₹1901,10,51,507.64,' BSNL said in the agreement document. The deal value comprises ₹1,168.06 crore as capital expenditure (capex), ₹700.84 crore as operating expenditure (opex) for the newly constructed network, and ₹32.21 crore as opex for the existing network. Based on the AWO, BSNL and ITI shall sign an agreement. Subsequently, route-wise work orders will be issued by the concerned circle within the AWO quantities allotted against the respective circles, according to the document. The agreement is valid for 10 years. ITI's shares closed 0.63% lower at ₹321.25 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Thursday. In November last year, the telecom PSU with its consortium partner emerged as L1 or lowest bidder in BharatNet Phase-3 programme in the states of Himachal Pradesh for package no. 8, and in West Bengal, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands for package no. 9 with total order value of ₹3,022 crores. BharatNet Phase-3 Project is envisaged for the development (creation, upgradation and operations and maintenance) of a middle-mile network of BharatNet on a Design Build Operate and Maintain (DBOM) model for a total of 16 packages/circles. ETTelecom reported on August 7, 2024, that the Telecommunications Consultants of India Limited (TCIL), ITI Limited, indigenous optical fiber cable (OFC) makers HFCL, STL, Polycab, and Pratap Technocrats , among others, emerged as the bidders for the third phase of the Centre's ambitious BharatNet program. Indigenous OFC makers Polycab, STL and HFCL presented solo bids while as many as 18 bidders, including G R Infraprojects, Vindhya Telelinks, Pace Digitek Infra Private Limited, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Bharat Electronics Limited, Megha Engineering, and others, took the consortium route. A total of 21 bidders put in their bids under the BharatNet 3 program for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, North East Region – I and North East Region – II, and others. In early 2024, the Centre rolled out the BharatNet III program with an outlay of ₹65,000-crore. The tender is part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's ₹1.39 lakh crore BharatNet program which aims to provide last-mile broadband connectivity, and upgrade the existing 164,000 gram panchayats, as well as, connect 47,000 gram panchayats under the new model.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Op Sindhu update: 3,154 Indian nationals brought home from Iran, 4 Nepalese nationals evacuated
In a development under Operation Sindhu, a special flight carrying 296 Indian nationals and 4 Nepalese citizens arrived safely in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, at 4.30pm on 25 June 2025, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. This latest evacuation brings the total number of Indian nationals repatriated from Iran to 3,154 since the operation began. Operation Sindhu was launched by the Indian government in response to escalating tensions and conflict in the region, particularly following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes targeted key sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, intensifying fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Operation Sindhu was officially launched by the PM Narendra Modi-led India government on 18 June to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. The first evacuation flight carrying 110 Indian students who had travelled by road to Armenia departed Yerevan on 18 June 2025 and arrived in New Delhi early on 19 June 2025. Since the onset of Operation Sindhu, multiple special flights and other modes of transport have been deployed to evacuate Indian nationals from various cities across Iran, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. The evacuation has included vulnerable groups such as students, professionals, and tourists caught amid rising tensions. Nepalese nationals stranded in Iran have also been assisted as part of humanitarian cooperation between India and Nepal, reflecting regional solidarity in times of crisis. The evacuation efforts come in the wake of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which began with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including key nuclear facilities. The strikes, supported by the United States, aimed to degrade Iran's nuclear programme but reportedly only set it back by months rather than completely destroying it, according to initial US intelligence assessments. Both nations claimed victory following intense missile exchanges and drone attacks, which caused casualties on both sides. A ceasefire brokered by the United States and facilitated by Qatar took effect on 24 June 2025, bringing a temporary halt to hostilities. Israel lifted wartime restrictions, reopening airports and allowing citizens to resume normal activities, while Iran also signalled compliance with the truce. Despite some initial accusations of violations from both sides, the ceasefire has largely held, offering cautious optimism for peace. However, tensions remain high, with both nations wary of future escalations. The conflict has underscored the fragile security situation in the Middle East and the challenges involved in achieving lasting peace.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Boost for connectivity! Pune Metro Line 2 extension approved by Cabinet; check key details
Pune is the ninth most populous city in India and the second most populated city in the state of Maharashtra. Pune Metro: In a boost for connectivity in Pune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of Pune Metro Line 2. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the extension of Pune Metro Line 2 will be undertaken at an approximate cost of Rs 3,626 crore. Pune is the ninth most populous city in India and the second most populated city in the state of Maharashtra. Pune Metro Line 2 Extension At present, a total of 33.3 kilometres of Pune Metro network is currently operational and another 33 kilometres is under construction. The additional length of Pune Metro Line 2 that has been approved today will span a total of 12.75 kilometres. It will have 13 more stations. The new Pune Metro Line 2 extension will connect the central part of the Pune city to fast growing suburbs on the east and west. It will connect IT hubs, academic and residential areas. This story is being updated Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Congress slams Govt over US advisory, calls it ‘another diplomatic failure'
With the US issuing an advisory for its citizens travelling to India, Congress Tuesday hit out at the Centre calling it 'another diplomatic failure' of PM Narendra Modi-led government. At a press conference, Chairperson of the Congress digital and social media platforms Supriya Shrinate said: 'It is yet another diplomatic failure of the Modi government that the same country under the same leader whom Modi had gone out of way to appease by organising shows like 'Howdy Modi', 'Namaste Trump' and 'Ab ki Bar Trump Sarkar' was repeatedly heaping and hurling insults on India.' '… an advisory is being issued against us while Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir is being invited to enjoy a meal with US President Trump, who has, in turn, hyphenated India and Pakistan,' Shrinate said.
