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The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday claimed that public pressure forced the BJP-led Delhi government to withdraw the controversial ban on refuelling overage vehicles, calling it a "victory of the people".

In a video message on X, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said,“Congratulations to the people of Delhi. The draconian order to seize old vehicles had to be withdrawn by Delhi's BJP government. The BJP was merely using the court’s order as an excuse. When people united and raised their voice, the government had to bow down. In this country, the people are supreme, and no one’s tyranny lasts forever.”

Bharadwaj accused the BJP government of "hypocrisy" in selectively using court orders to suit its agenda.

“The government said it was following the Supreme Court’s direction. But when a five-judge bench ruled that Delhi’s officers should report to the elected government, the BJP brought an ordinance to overturn it. If they respect the courts so much, why not then? And why backtrack now?” he asked.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi government sent a communication to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), stating that implementing a fuel ban on overaged vehicles—those older than 10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol—was not feasible due to technological and administrative challenges.

At a press conference, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa acknowledged the public discontent around the order. He said the ban, initiated by the previous AAP regime, should be enforced uniformly across the NCR.

Since July 1, Delhi’s transport department and police had started impounding such vehicles at petrol pumps, as per the court-mandated ban. AAP leaders said the party stands firmly with affected citizens and will continue to raise their concerns.

In a video message on X, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said,“Congratulations to the people of Delhi. The draconian order to seize old vehicles had to be withdrawn by Delhi's BJP government.


‘Victory of people’: AAP slams BJP after rollback of old vehicle fuel ban in Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of the country on the occasion of Rath Yatra on Friday and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone's life.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is the "combination of faith and belief, which is based on devotion and culture".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
ପବିତ୍ର ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା । 
 
ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ! <a href="https://t.co/TBLqIgV8kH">pic.twitter.com/TBLqIgV8kH</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1938436205504295127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mjahi also offered best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of the Rath Yatra.

As part of the festival, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are set to begin their nine-day sojourn to their aunt's place at Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri.

"On the occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the devotees of Lord Jagannath residing in India and abroad. By witnessing Lord Balabhadra, Lord Shri Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan on the chariot, millions of devotees experience divine bliss," the President said on X.

She also said the "human-like divine play of the deities is the speciality of the Rath Yatra".

"On this auspicious occasion, my prayer to the Lord is that peace, friendship, and harmony prevail throughout the world," Murmu said. PM Modi also offered greetings to the people on the occasion and posted a picture on social media in which he is seen standing in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

“On the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, my heartfelt best wishes to all fellow countrymen. May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone's life. Jai Jagannath!” Modi said in another post in Hindi.

Shah said, “Jai Sri Jagannath…Hearty greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Shri Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. Shree Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is the combination of faith and belief, which is based on devotion, culture. It guides us to move forward by preserving the culture and tradition together and moving it forward."

He wished everyone's welfare and prayed to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra for the progress and welfare of all. The Odisha governor, the chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Naveen Patnaik, and others also greeted the people on the occasion.

As part of the festival, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are set to begin their nine-day sojourn to their aunt's place at Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri.


Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: PM Modi, President Murmu, Amit Shah offer prayers, share wishes

Families of eight Ahmedabad plane crash victims have been asked to give a sample of another relative for DNA tests after the first sample submitted by a kin did not match, officials said on Saturday.

Unless there is a match, bodies cannot be handed over to kin, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital civil superintendent Rakesh Joshi told PTI.

"When there is no match for a longer period of time, then you can ask another sample from another relative. If one sibling has given the sample then a sample of another sibling is sought for matching the DNA with those of the victim," he said.

"We generally prefer a sample of father or son/daughter. If not, then we take a sample of another available member," Joshi added.

He, however, clarified that samples of siblings have matched in the process.

There are at least eight such families whose first sample has not matched, so another sample was sought.

Until Friday, DNA samples of 231 deceased have been matched and 210 bodies handed over to families.

On Friday, Joshi had said since the DNA matching process is highly sensitive and involves legal protocols, it is being conducted with utmost seriousness and speed.

To ensure that families receive the bodies of their loved ones quickly, Forensic Science University, along with associated institutions, local administrative authorities, the state government's health and other departments, and various agencies are working tirelessly.

Unless there is a match, bodies cannot be handed over to kin, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital civil superintendent Rakesh Joshi told PTI.


Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 8 families yet to receive bodies as first DNA samples fail to match

Sixteen long- and ultra-long haul Air India flights were diverted on Friday following Israel launching an attack on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Iranian airspace, the airline said on Friday.

The private full service carrier, in a travel advisory also said arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations.

On Friday, Israel launched an attack on Iran's capital Tehran, targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missiles factories and military commanders.

Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, some of the Air India flights are either being diverted or are returning to their origin, Air India said.

Air India said its flight AI130 -- London Heathrow-Mumbai -- has been diverted to Vienna, the AI102 -- New York-Delhi -- has been diverted to Sharjah, while AI116 – New York-Mumbai to to Jeddah.

Also, flight AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi has been diverted to Mumbai while AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow -- and AI119 -- Mumbai-New York are returning to Mumbai, it said.

Air India flight AI103 from Delhi to Washington is returning to Delhi, and AI106 -- Newark-Delhi is being diverted to Vienna, the airline said.

In a post on X, IndiGo said due to airspace closure over Iran and nearby regions, some flight routes may be impacted -- potentially causing longer travel times or cancellations.

On Friday, Israel launched an attack on Iran's capital Tehran, targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missiles factories and military commanders.


Israel Attack on Iran: 16 long-haul Air India flights diverted

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated direct flight services to Abu Dhabi from the Biju Patnaik International Airport here.

An IndiGo flight with 180 passengers on board started its journey to the capital of the United Arab Emirates from Bhubaneswar, Majhi said. Besides, 50 tonnes of mangoes produced in Odisha have also been sent to Abu Dhabi, he said.

The inauguration took place on a day when the BJP government in the state was celebrating its first anniversary. The flight services were launched under Odisha's Building Management of Aviation Assets and Network (B-MAAN) initiative.

The airline will operate flights on the Abu Dhabi-Bhubaneswar route on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday every week, an official said. Speaking to media persons at the airport, Majhi said, “Today is a proud day for the state as the aspiration of the people of Odisha to have direct flight services to Abu Dhabi has been fulfilled.”

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and support from the central government, the flight services to the capital of the United Arab Emirates have been launched as part of the state's new destination policy, he said.

The CM said the flight services will create an opportunity for Odisha to directly connect with West Asian countries.

It will help boost tourism, trade, investment and cultural exchange, he said.

The flight services to Visakhapatnam were also restarted from Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

“Apart from infrastructure development, our government is taking steps for industrialisation and strengthening road, air and rail connectivity to enhance the state’s GDP," the chief minister said.

To strengthen air connectivity, the BJP government has launched flight services to Dehradun, Ghaziabad, Goa, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow, and Port Blair from Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai and Raipur from Jharsuguda, he pointed out.

With the launch of flight services to major domestic and international destinations, Bhubaneswar is going to be a hub for the aviation sector in the coming days, Majhi added.

The airline will operate flights on the Abu Dhabi-Bhubaneswar route on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday every week, an official said.


Odisha CM Mohan Majhi flags off Bhubaneswar-Abu Dhabi direct flight, 50 tonnes of mangoes exported

State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) on Sunday said it has cut its benchmark lending rate linked to repo rate by 50 basis points in line with the RBI's rate reduction.

Meanwhile, private sector HDFC Bank reduced its Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rates (MCLR) by 10 basis points across tenure, which will benefit borrowers whose loans are linked to this benchmark.

Pursuant to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reducing the policy repo rate, the bank has slashed its Repo Linked Lending Rate (RLLR) by 50 basis points with effect from June 7, BoB said in a statement.

The bank's RLLR stands at 8.15 per cent, it said.

With this, BoB has fully effected on the RBI rate cut in its RLLR, it added.

According to HDFC Bank website, the new MCLR rates are effective from June 7. With the reduction, the overnight and one-month rates are down by 10 basis points to 8.90 per cent.

The three-month rate has dropped 10 bps to 8.95 per cent, while the six-month and one-year rate is 9.05 per cent, down 10 bps.

Both the two-year and three-year tenure lending rate have been reduced from earlier 9.20 per cent to 9.10 per cent.

Earlier on Friday, the RBI cut interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points, and unexpectedly reduced the cash reserve ratio for banks to make available more money to lend in a bid to boost the economy.

The RBI's six-member monetary policy committee, headed by Governor Sanjay Malhotra and consisting of three external members, voted five to one to lower the benchmark repurchase or repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent. It also cut the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 3 per cent, adding ₹2.5 lakh crore to already surplus liquidity in the banking system.

With the latest reduction, the RBI has now cut interest rates by a total of 100 basis points in 2025, starting with a quarter-point reduction in February -- the first cut since May 2020 -- and another similar-sized cut in April.

According to HDFC Bank website, the new MCLR rates are effective from June 7. With the reduction, the overnight and one-month rates are down by 10 basis points to 8.90 per cent.


Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank reduce lending rate by up to 50 bps, 10 bps

&nbsp;YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday cited the CAG's data for the month of April and claimed Andhra Pradesh's fiscal performance indicates 'distress'.

The former chief minister noted that the figures released by CAG for the month of the April 2025 convey the 'real picture'. "The State GST revenues for the first month of this financial year (April 2025) demonstrated contraction to the tune of 24.20 percent, when compared to the April 2024," he said in a post on 'X'.

Though the TDP-led NDA government on May 1 proclaimed that net GST collection of the state government for the month of April 2025 had been the 'highest' since the introduction of GST at Rs 3,354 crore, Reddy said technically net GST will be subsequent to all adjustments.

As soon as the CAG figures have become public, the government 'mischievously' issues one more press release suggesting that even in May month the GST revenues were at record high, he alleged.

"In this press release they mention that, in April, 2025, the Central Government deducted Rs 796 crores on account of adjustment of advance apportionment from IGST (integrated GST), so GST revenues have come down," said Reddy.

According to the opposition leader, advance apportionment of IGST is accounted for under minor head 110 and is part of SGST (state GST) under major head 0006 of government accounts.

He said this is a regular process and net GST revenues would be arrived at after accounting for all these adjustments, and added that it was the case in the previous years as well.

"The May 1 press release says that net GST collection is Rs 3,354 crore for April 2025. Now, they (govt) say that Rs 796 crore is adjusted. One can clearly understand that this is nothing but a cover up after truth about the GST revenue is brought to light by the CAG," said Reddy.

Further, the opposition leader observed that quite contrary to what the NDA alliance government had suggested, the figures released by CAG indicate that the 'trend of economic sluggishness' is more pronounced in April with the tax revenues dropping by 12.21 percent and non-tax revenues registering a fall of 22 percent when compared to April 2024.

If the state's own revenues are taken into consideration, Reddy said, the fall over the previous year is 12.76 percent, indicating a 'very gloomy picture'.

Meanwhile, there was no immediate reaction from the ruling TDP.

The former chief minister noted that the figures released by CAG for the month of the April 2025 convey the 'real picture'.


Andhra Pradesh: Ex-CM Jagan Reddy cites CAG data, says state's fiscal health shows signs of 'distress' under NDA rule

The death toll in floods and landslides triggered by relentless rain in Arunachal Pradesh has increased to 11 as a labourer died in a wall collapse incident in Anjaw district, officials said on Tuesday.

According to a State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) statement, while 38-year-old Bhaben Murmu died when a wall collapsed during a landslide on June 1, three GREF workers were injured in the incident.

A total of 938 people are now affected by floods in 156 villages in 23 districts, it said.

Lower Subansiri district reported significant damage, including the destruction of 114 kutcha houses, 45 pucca houses, and nine huts. The district has also seen serious infrastructure losses, including the damage of 51 roads, 17 power lines, 23 water supply lines and two schools, officials said.

Widespread destruction has also been reported in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) and Pakke Kessang, where key assets such as ICR's main water pipeline and the road at Dariya Hill have been severely affected.

Flood-like conditions and landslides have been reported in multiple districts, including West Kameng, Kamle, Lower and Upper Subansiri, Papum Pare, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Changlang, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, and Longding, as rivers and tributaries continued to flow above danger levels, they said.

The floods and landslides have damaged around 15 hectares of crop fields, eight hectares of horticulture plantations, and seven hectares of agricultural land.

In Changlang district, flash floods from the Buri-Dihing River washed away half of the Makantong bridge on the Trans-Arunachal Highway on Saturday, cutting off road connectivity between Miao and Bordumsa. Large areas in the Miao subdivision are submerged, with significant loss of livestock and horticultural property.

Popular tourist spots like Zupra and River Cafe along the Noa-Dehing River have also been submerged. The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Balinong, under Kharsang circle, suffered massive damage, with hostels, staff quarters, water tanks, and other infrastructure destroyed, they added.

The Noa-Dehing River has further eroded large tracts of agricultural and horticultural land in Dharmapur block under Namphai circle.

In Upper Subansiri, the water supply system has been badly disrupted after the Hangkar pipeline suffered multiple breaches. Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) teams are working to restore the system while tankers are providing emergency water supply.

Authorities in Namsai district have opened a relief camp at Alubari Government Secondary School, where 59 displaced people are currently being sheltered.

State Disaster Management Secretary Dani Sulu said that relief and rescue operations are ongoing.

So far, 18 people have been evacuated, including 14 labourers who were airlifted from Lower Dibang Valley and four others rescued from Jallukbari village in Lohit district, he added.

According to a State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) statement, while 38-year-old Bhaben Murmu died when a wall collapsed during a landslide on June 1, three GREF workers were injured in the incident.


Arunachal Pradesh Floods: Death toll rises to 11 as labourer dies in wall collapse, 938 affected in 23 districts

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said her dispensation was all about honest governance, public welfare, and structural reforms, as she accused the previous government of civic neglect, on Saturday, marking 100 days of her coming to power.

Speaking at a public programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Gupta emphasised that her administration had laid focus on policy formulation, rather than making "false promises."

"My government spent 100 days in making policies and working for the betterment of Delhi," she said, adding, "We can't make false promises. We are working honestly to solve issues like the cleaning of the Yamuna and removal of garbage dumps."

Gupta also revealed her plan to introduce an ordinance to regulate the private school fees.

"Education should be accessible and fair. We are committed to ensuring that no parent is burdened unfairly," she said.

The CM dubbed as successful her government's Vaya Vandana scheme, which offers citizens aged 70 and above health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. "Around 1.5 lakh registrations have already been completed," she said.

The BJP leader also trained her guns at the previous Aam Aadmi Party-led government, and said, "Thousands joined the movement hoping for change, but the people who claimed to have no hunger for power became consumed by it. The public's trust was broken."

"How can the national capital be the most polluted when cleaning the Yamuna was never even considered seriously?" she said.

This is Bharatiya Janata Party's first stint in the state after 27 years.

In the February Assembly elections, the BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats, ending a decade of AAP's governance.

Speaking at a public programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta emphasised that her administration had laid focus on policy formulation, rather than making "false promises.


100 Days in Office: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams AAP for civic neglect, vows reforms on Yamuna, garbage and school fees

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal on Thursday, during which he will lay the foundation stone of a gas distribution project and address a public rally in Alipurduar district, a senior BJP leader said.

According to state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, both events will be held in adjoining areas of the district.

“First, he will be at the government programme and then he will address a party meeting in Alipurduar. The PM will then leave for Patna in the evening. We are all excited to hear from him. It will be his first visit after ‘Operation Sindoor’,” Majumdar, also a Union minister, told PTI.

PM Modi is expected to arrive in West Bengal from Sikkim after 1 pm, another state BJP leader said.

'Operation Sindoor' was launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7 under the operation.

A statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts during the government function.

The CGD project, worth over Rs 1,010 crore, aims to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 lakh households and over 100 commercial establishments and industries. It will also provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to vehicles through around 19 CNG stations to be set up in line with the Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets stipulated by the government.

The initiative is expected to offer a convenient, reliable, environment-friendly and cost-effective fuel supply, while generating employment opportunities in the region.

The BJP is hopeful that Modi’s address will galvanise party workers ahead of the assembly elections in West Bengal next year.

“We will take the PM’s message to every household in the state,” another state BJP leader said.

A statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts during the government function.


West Bengal: In his first visit after ‘Operation Sindoor’, PM Modi to unveil major gas project in Alipurduar tomorrow

With an S-400 missile defence system in the backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a firm message Tuesday from Adampur Air Base to Pakistan: Not only have you failed to harm any of India's military installations but you will be annihilated if terrorism continues from your soil.

In his first speech to the armed forces since Operation Sindoor, Modi lauded the military for humbling Pakistan in the four-day engagement that resulted in the destruction of nine terror sites, killing of over 100 terrorists and damage to its eight military installations.

"Aatank ke viruddh Bharat ki Lakshman Rekha ekdam spasht hai. Ab phir koi terror attack hua to Bharat jawab dega, pakka jawab dega. (India's Lakshman Rekha against terrorism is now crystal clear. India will respond and definitely respond if hit by a terror attack),” he said, in an over 27-minute speech which echoed the message of his address to the nation on Monday night.

But the significance of the speech was immense. It was delivered from the Adampur base, merely 100 km from the Pakistan border, which Pakistan claimed to have destroyed along with the S-400 missile defence system. India had rubbished the claims and TV cameras following Modi corroborated that.

Reiterating that Operation Sindoor is India’s new normal, he praised the soldiers, saying what they have achieved is unprecedented, unimaginable and amazing, making every Indian proud and indebted.

Modi toured the base and greeted uniformed personnel who shouted 'Bharat Mata ki jai' after he arrived there unannounced early Tuesday morning.

After interacting with the soldiers, he delivered the speech with an S-400 system in the backdrop, wearing a Western Air Command cap with its trademark trishul embroidered on it.

He asked them to remain on guard and asserted, “This is the new India, this India seeks peace. But if humanity is attacked, it also knows how to crush the enemy on the battlefield.”

He said Operation Sindoor is no ordinary campaign but a trinity of India’s policy, intent and decisive capability, affirming that the country is the land of Buddha, the messenger of peace, as well as Guru Gobind Singh, who had galvanised the Sikh army against enemies.

His speech interspersed with enthusiastic soldiers raising the slogan of ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’, Modi said it is an Indian tradition to take up arms to establish ‘dharma’ (righteousness). “When the sindoor of our sisters and daughters was wiped away, we crushed terrorists in their hideouts.”

He said, “Patrons of terrorism have realised that casting an evil eye on India will have only one consequence: destruction. There will be only one consequence of killing innocents: destruction, total annihilation.”

He said terrorists thought they had the protection of the Pakistani armed forces. The Indian Air Force, Army and Navy humbled the Pakistani forces and conveyed to them that there is no place in Pakistan where terrorists can feel safe.

Modi said, “We will kill them in their hideouts and give no opportunity to escape.”

The prime minister also praised the central armed police forces like the BSF, which is deployed at the International Border with Pakistan, and said they have made every Indian proud.

“I have come to you in the early morning for your ‘darshan’,” Modi said, praising the air warriors. He said they and their colleagues will be the most important chapter in any discussion on India’s valour even after several decades.

“You all have become an inspiration for not only the present but the future generations,” he said, saluting them.

Pakistan will have sleepless nights looking at India’s drones and missiles after being left stunned by their speed and precision, he said, slamming the neighbouring country for using civilian aircraft in its airspace during the conflict and lauding the Indian forces for striking the enemies without harming civilian planes.

He said, “Not only were terror sites and air bases in Pakistan destroyed, but their unholy intent and misadventure were also defeated.”

Modi said Pakistan made many attempts to attack Indian air bases, including the one in Adampur, but failed against its robust air defence system.

He reiterated the three messages he had made in his address to the nation, including that India will not succumb to Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail and respond to any provocation from Pakistan on its terms and timing.

He heaped praise on the integrated air and land combat system and the integration between their modern weaponry and manpower. The coordination shown by the armed forces was amazing, he said.

Modi said the Indian Air Force has now "mastered the art of countering adversaries not just with weapons but also with data and drones."

He said India’s traditional defence system, combined with the indigenous Akash anti-aircraft missiles and the modern S-400 platform, provides a strong shield against the enemy’s firepower.

“Pakistan cannot match our capability built on modern and cutting-edge technology,” he said, adding that the Indian armed forces were provided the best technologies of the world in the past decade.

"When our armed forces take the wind out of nuclear blackmail, our enemies understand the importance of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'," he said.

"Bharat Mata ki Jai is not just a slogan, but our soldiers' pledge to dedicate their lives for the nation. When our drones and missiles hit our enemies, they hear 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'," he said.

Adampur is India’s second-largest air base and houses Rafale and Mig-29 squadrons. It has played an important role in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan as well.

The high-stakes meeting is expected to address the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor' and the Pahalgam terrorist attack, along with formulating a strategic response to Pakistan.


PM Modi lauds military's valour, sends message of 'Lakshman Rekha' to Pak from border IAF base

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation, saying he made clear the country's resolve to strike back the very moment its enemies dared to make a mistake.

In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, the prime minister sternly warned Pakistan that India would not succumb to "nuclear blackmail" and sent a clear message to the world that terror and trade, terror and talks could not go together.

"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji today demarcated the boundary for Bharat's enemies through the example of Operation Sindoor, in which our armed forces razed the very edifice of terrorism in Pakistan's backyard," Shah said in a post on X.

The country's armed forces made Pakistan shudder with their might and set a new normal of zero tolerance for terrorism, he added. "Modi ji has reiterated our resolve that Bharat will strike back the very moment our enemies dare to make a mistake," Shah said.

The nation salutes the unparalleled valour of the armed forces, the home minister said in a separate post, describing them as "destroyers of the country's enemies and the shield of Bharat".

"We also salute our first line of defence, the courageous personnel of the BSF (Border Security Force). The bravery of our forces will forever be etched in our glorious history," he said.

The prime minister has proven, time and again, that no enemy of Bharat can go unpunished, Shah said as he congratulated Modi for his exemplary leadership in delivering justice to the "departed souls of our innocent brothers".

In his address, the prime minister called Operation Sindoor India's new policy against terrorism. "It is the new normal. We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan and the future will depend on their behaviour," Modi said.

In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi sternly&nbsp;warned Pakistan that India would not succumb to "nuclear blackmail" in his speech.


PM Modi proven no enemy of Bharat can go unpunished: Amit Shah

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday said that his country would continue to stand by Pakistan in upholding its “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence”.

The Chinese foreign minister made these comments during a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

During the conversation, Dar briefed Wang Yi on the evolving regional situation.

&nbsp;

The Chinese foreign minister made these comments during a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

&nbsp;


China says will continue to stand by Pakistan in upholding its ‘sovereignty, territorial integrity’

India has banned direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect in the interest of national security and public policy, following the Pahalgam terror attack last month which killed 26 tourists, according to a government order.

The decision will completely halt all inbound shipments of goods from Pakistan to India. India's exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million.

A provision in this regard has been added in Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 "to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders", the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated May 2.

It added this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition will require approval of Government of India, the order said.

Inserting the provision under the heading "Prohibition on Import from Pakistan" in the FTP, it said: "Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders".

Main imports from the neighbouring country during April-January 2024-25 included fruits and nuts (USD 0.08 million), certain oil seeds and medicinal plants (USD 0.26 million), and organic chemicals.

The decision follows a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. Following the terror attack, India took a series of measures including immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post, used for movement of certain kinds of goods. Besides, India has announced expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.

Due to this, the trade between India and Pakistan has already come to a complete halt. The two-way trade between the countries was miniscule following steps taken by both sides after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019.

In retaliation, Pakistan has also announced suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan. Exports and imports in 2023-24 were USD 1.18 billion and USD 2.88 million, respectively.

In 2022-23 and 2021-22, India exported goods worth USD 627.1 million and USD 513.82 million, and imported products worth USD 20.11 million and USD 2.54 million, respectively.

In April-January 2024-25, exports of organic chemicals and pharmaceutical products accounted for about 60 per cent of the country's total outbound shipments to Pakistan. It was USD 129.55 million and USD 110.06 million, respectively.

The other items include sugar and sugar confectionary (USD 85.16 million), certain vegetables (USD 3.77 million), coffee, tea and spices (USD 1.66 million), cereals (USD 1.39 million), petroleum products (USD 11.63 million), fertiliser (USD 6 million), plastics (USD 4.16 million), rubber (USD 1.88 million), and auto components (USD 28.57 million).

The India-Pakistan trade relations soured after the Pulwama terror attack. Following that, India raised the import duty to 200 per cent on all goods imported from the neighbouring country, including on fresh fruits, cement, petroleum products and mineral ore.

In 2017-18, Pakistan's exports to India were USD 488.5 million. India also withdrew MFN (most favoured nation) status to Pakistan.

That time the two main items imported from Pakistan were fruits and cement. Slapping an import duty of 200 per cent effectively means almost banning imports. The country invoked a security exception clause of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to withdraw the MFN status. Both countries are members of this organisation.

India had granted the MFN status to Pakistan way back in 1996, but the neighbouring country had not reciprocated. Under the MFN pact, a WTO member country is obliged to treat the other trading nation in a non-discriminatory manner, especially with regard to customs duty and other levies.

In 2012, Pakistan had committed to giving the MFN status to India but retracted later due to domestic opposition. Instead of MFN, Pakistan said it was working on granting Non- Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA) status to India but that also was not announced.

Pakistan too in August 2019 suspended trade ties with New Delhi following imposition of the heavy import duty by India on imports from Pakistan. Both countries have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to the Kashmir issue as well as the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Total India-Pakistan trade in 2017-18 was USD 2.41 billion as against USD 2.27 billion in 2016-17. India imported goods worth USD 488.5 million in 2017-18 and exported goods worth USD 1.92 billion.

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India's exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million.


India bans direct, indirect imports from Pakistan with immediate effect

The sewage infrastructure revamp, Yamuna River cleaning and adequate supply of water in the national capital were among the topics discussed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in a meeting with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials on Wednesday.

Gupta said after the meeting at DJB headquarters, Varunalaya, equal distribution of water, proper sewerage management infrastructure in the city, and replacement of old and damaged sewer and water lines would be carried out by the government in a phased manner.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We took stock of the reasons behind challenges faced by the city every summer: water supply, Yamuna River cleaning, and sewage management. All these are interconnected. Delhi still has 30-year-old sewer and water pipelines which are causing major problems. During the meeting, the functioning of GPS-fitted water tankers, water availability issues and providing sewerage infrastructure in all unauthorized colonies will be done," Gupta told reporters.

Equal distribution of water and providing water from the tap to residents will be rolled out in phases by the government, she added.

"The population of the city has increased in the last 30 years, but the sewage management system and water supply system have not been replaced. The existing infrastructure has not been able to keep pace with the growth; hence, people are facing problems. We are working on improving the entire infrastructure, which was not done by the previous governments," Gupta said.

The chief minister was accompanied by Water Minister Parvesh Verma. During a recently held meeting with the sewage management wing of DJB, the minister was apprised about the capacity of existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the efforts being undertaken to increase the capacity, like rehabilitation and upgradation work. Currently, of the 37 STPs, 18 are under upgrade projects to increase the overall treatment capacity of DJB.


Delhi CM Rekha Gupta emphasised the need for proper maintenance of the city's drainage systems and pointed out that the Yamuna River remains heavily polluted due to neglect by the previous government.&nbsp;

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PTI

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