Latest news with #PriyanshuSingh
The Star
19 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Dalai Lama says institution of Dalai Lama will continue
FILE PHOTO: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, offers blessings to his followers at his Himalayan residence in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/File Photo
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Explainer-How will the Dalai Lama's successor be chosen?
FILE PHOTO: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, offers blessings to his followers at his Himalayan residence in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/File Photo DHARAMSHALA, India, - The choice of a successor to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists, is a matter of riveting interest not only for followers of his religion, but also China, India, and the United States, for strategic reasons. The Nobel peace laureate, who turns 90 on Sunday, is regarded as one of the world's most influential figures, with a following extending well beyond Buddhism. HOW WAS HE CHOSEN? Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death. The 14th Dalai Lama, born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in what is now Qinghai province, was identified as such a reincarnation when he was just two years old. A search party sent by the Tibetan government made the decision on the basis of several signs, such as a vision revealed to a senior monk, the Dalai Lama's website says. The searchers were convinced when the toddler identified belongings of the 13th Dalai Lama with the phrase, "It's mine, it's mine". In the winter of 1940, Lhamo Thondup was taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of today's Tibet Autonomous Region, and officially installed as the spiritual leader of Tibetans. HOW WILL HIS SUCCESSOR BE CHOSEN? In his book "Voice for the Voiceless", released in March 2025, the Dalai Lama said his successor would be born outside China. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in northern India since 1959, after fleeing a failed uprising against the rule of Mao Zedong's Communists. He wrote that he would release details about his succession around the time of his 90th birthday. On Monday, addressing a gathering in Dharamshala, he said: "There will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas". He did not elaborate. The Tibetan parliament-in-exile, based in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, like the Dalai Lama, says a system has been established for the exiled government to continue its work while officers of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation will be charged with finding and recognising his successor. The current Dalai Lama set up the foundation in 2015 to "maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama" with regard to his religious and spiritual duties, it says on its website. Its senior officers include several of his aides. WHAT DOES CHINA SAY? China says its leaders have the right to approve the Dalai Lama's successor, as a legacy from imperial times. A selection ritual, in which the names of possible reincarnations are drawn from a golden urn, dates to 1793, during the Qing dynasty. Chinese officials have repeatedly said the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be decided by following national laws that decree use of the golden urn and the birth of reincarnations within China's borders. But many Tibetans suspect any Chinese role in the selection as being a ploy to exert influence on the community. It is inappropriate for Chinese Communists, who reject religion, "to meddle in the system of reincarnation of lamas, let alone that of the Dalai Lama," the Buddhist leader has said. In his book, he asked Tibetans not to accept "a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People's Republic of China," referring to the country by its official name. Beijing brands the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for keeping alive the Tibetan cause, as a "separatist" and prohibits displays of his picture or any public show of devotion towards him. In March 2025, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the Dalai Lama was a political exile with "no right to represent the Tibetan people at all". China denies suppressing the rights of the Tibetan people, and says its rule ended serfdom in, and brought prosperity to, a backward region. WHAT ROLE COULD INDIA AND THE U.S. PLAY? Apart from the Dalai Lama, India is estimated to be home to more than 100,000 Tibetan Buddhists who are free to study and work there. Many Indians revere him, and international relations experts say his presence in India gives New Delhi some kind of leverage with rival China. The United States, which faces rising competition from China for global dominance, has repeatedly said it is committed to advancing the human rights of Tibetans. U.S. lawmakers have previously said they would not allow China to influence the choice of the Dalai Lama's successor. In 2024, then U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet's demands for greater autonomy. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Heineken loses operational control of facilities in Congo's war-hit east
FILE PHOTO: Bottles of Heineken beer are displayed in a cooler at a bar in Gurugram, India, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/ File Photo Heineken has lost operational control and withdrawn its staff from its facilities in conflict-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dutch brewer said on Friday. The beverages giant said in March that its operations in three eastern cities would remain suspended until it was safe to reopen, after some of its breweries were hit and its depots raided during fighting between the army and rebels. But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo's two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas. "The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present and as of 12th June 2025, we have lost operational control," it said in a statement. Heineken's Congo unit, Bralima, still operates in other parts of the country not affected by the conflict, the company said, adding that it would continue assessing the evolving situation. The group owns four breweries in Congo, producing Heineken beer as well as other popular brands like Primus and Amstel. The Bukavu facilities employed around 1,000 people both directly and indirectly, it had said previously. "Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees," its Friday statement said. "We have withdrawn all remaining staff from these sites and we have continued to support them financially." Nearly 14% of Heineken's total revenues come from its businesses in the Middle East and Africa, where Congo, with its population of over 100 million, is a large market. Its operations in the cities of Goma, Bukavu and Uvira had together previously accounted for roughly a third of Heineken's business in Congo. Fighting in eastern Congo escalated this year as the M23 rebel group staged a rapid advance that raised fears of a wider conflict. Congo says Rwanda is supporting M23 by sending troops and arms. Rwanda has long denied helping M23. The two countries and the United States said on Wednesday that their technical teams initialed a draft peace agreement that is expected to be signed next week. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
DW
26-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
India goes on diplomatic offensive after Kashmir attack – DW – 05/26/2025
New Delhi has sent delegations to dozens of countries to bolster international support for a "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism that India says originates in Pakistan. India last week sent parliamentary delegations to 33 countries on a diplomatic mission to drum up support for countering Pakistan-based militant groups Delhi says are behind cross-border attacks. Tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following the killing of Hindu tourists in India-administered Kashmir on April 22. The attack killed 26 people, causing outrage in India. Indian officials have said the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group was behind the attack. On May 7, the military launched strikes, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," targeting what New Delhi said was terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan responded with its own strikes, and four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes followed, until both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10. India's global diplomatic offensive In the wake of the attack and the resulting hostilities, both India and Pakistan have tried to shape the narrative on the conflict. India's Foreign Ministry presents information on military strikes on Pakistan on May 7 Image: Priyanshu Singh/REUTERS The Indian delegations, which included several political parties, were equipped with country-specific dossiers detailing Pakistan's alleged history of fostering terrorism, India's "zero-tolerance" policy on terror, and evidence linking the April attack to Pakistan-based groups. "This is a political mission. We want to make a strong outreach to the world, to convey our resolve to fight terrorism," said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs. "We want to exhort the world to hold those responsible for cross border terrorism accountable, those who have been practicing this for forty years against India — that is Pakistan — their actions need to be called out,' added Jaiswal. Kashmir: The Pakistani militant groups India is targeting To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pakistan's government strongly denies providing support for militant groups and maintains it had nothing to do with the April attack. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called India's strikes "unprovoked" and an "act of aggression." Its Defense Ministry has said the Indian strikes hit civilian locations and denied that India had targeted terrorist camps. Islamabad, too, has carried out its own diplomatic outreach, led by Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. This delegation, although involving fewer delegates than India's, is similarly aimed at engaging key international stakeholders, including members of the UN Security Council. The aim is to present Pakistan's case for its own security, focusing on issues such as alleged ceasefire violations by India, threats by India to cut off the Indus River's water supply, and Pakistan's position on the Kashmir dispute. On Sunday, Sharif visited Pakistani ally Turkey as part of a five-day diplomatic tour. India seeks support for its 'war on terror' Policy experts and diplomats who spoke to DW said India's diplomatic offensive is a key element in its effort to present the strikes on Pakistan as a legitimate act of self-defense under international law. "The inclusion of opposition MPs signals unity, lending credibility to India's position and appealing to democracies valuing bipartisan consensus," Anil Wadhwa, a former Indian diplomat, told DW. Wadhwa added that the delegations "will counter the false narrative of Pakistan" rejecting involvement in the Kashmir attack. "While the government has put forward its case forcefully and the domestic constituency does not need convincing, there could be some lingering doubts in the minds of international interlocutors because of the false narrative put out by Pakistan. This will be overcome by these efforts," added Wadhwa. Kashmir: An 'underlying issue' in India-Pakistan relations To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video India's global outreach was also highlighted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent visits to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. In a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul last week, Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi's stance on fighting terrorism. "India has zero tolerance for terrorism. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail. India will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. There should be no confusion in any quarter," Jaishankar told a joint press conference. India amps up diplomacy India has a precedent of sending parliamentary delegations abroad to build diplomatic support and articulate its foreign policy positions, especially during or after major crises involving Pakistan. For example, after the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001, former Prime Minister Vajpayee's government had sent multi-party delegations to brief world leaders about the alleged role of Pakistan-based militant groups in carrying out the attack. However, the current delegation stands out for its scope and scale compared to previous instances. "It is happening in a geopolitical landscape where India is a major G20 economy, a Quad member, and a key player in global forums. The Pakistani mission is not a match in terms of the scale and the breadth," added Wadhwa. Ajay Bisaria, a former high commissioner of India to Pakistan, told DW that India's narrative "will resonate more globally with partners and multilateral organizations." Bisaria said India's delegations also represent a strong national consensus and give India the opportunity to build international support in what should be a renewed global war against terrorism. "It is crucial for India to bolster its global diplomacy, leveraging innovative approaches like parliamentary delegations to counter the Pakistan army's forced narrative and showcase India's measured responses to security challenges," he added. Kashmiris struggle to make their voices heard To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Wesley Rahn
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Indian professor who was jailed for comments on women military officer is released on bail
FILE PHOTO: People wave Indian flags in support of the Indian Armed Forces, following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, in Delhi, India, May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/File Photo FILE PHOTO: A television journalist sets his camera inside the premises of the Supreme Court in New Delhi February 18, 2014. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee/File Photo Indian professor who was jailed for comments on women military officer is released on bail NEW DELHI - A professor who was jailed after making comments perceived as critical of women officers in the Indian army was ordered released on bail by the country's top court on Wednesday, his lawyer said. The Supreme Court also placed restrictions on Ali Khan Mahmudabad's ability to comment on the case and on his social media posts, pending further investigation, lawyer Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha told Reuters. Mahmudabad, head of the political science department at Ashoka University near Delhi, was arrested on Sunday after his remarks about two women army officers. The two, one Hindu and one Muslim, gave press briefings during the intense fighting earlier this month between India and Pakistan. Mahmudabad has been accused of disrupting communal (religious) harmony and of using words or gestures intended to insult a woman's modesty, website Live Law reported. The Commission for Women in the northern state of Haryana, where the university is located, complained that Mahmudabad's remarks undermined women officers and were an "attempt to vilify national military actions", according to local media. "The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings are important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy," Mahmudabad said in a social media post on May 8. "The grassroots reality that common Muslims face (in India) is different from what the government tried to show but at the same time the press conference shows that an India, united in its diversity, is not completely dead as an idea," added the professor, who is Muslim. Muslims and rights groups have accused some members of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and affiliates of promoting anti-Islamic hate speech and vigilantism, and demolishing Muslim-owned properties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi denies religious discrimination exists in India. The fighting between the South Asian neighbours erupted after India attacked what it called terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following an April 22 attack by Islamist militants in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people. Pakistan said civilians sites were targeted and the Indian attack was followed by days of intense fighting, until a ceasefire was announced between the arch rivals on May 10. Prior to his arrest, Mahmudabad said that his legal team responded to a summons by the commission, which "failed to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws of women". "We are committed to making the women feel safe and validated in all their endeavours be it academic or on the borders of this great nation," Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women said on X last week. Ashoka University said in a statement it was heartened with the news of Mahmudabad's bail, ANI news agency reported. Reuters has a minority stake in ANI. Local media had reported the university had earlier distanced itself from the professor's comments, saying they were made in his personal capacity, but that a group of faculty members and students stood by the professor. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
