News Analysis India

Tag: Afghanistan

  • 80 per cent water loss projected in the Indus basin by mid-century due to Climate change: Research   

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: An irreversible decline in freshwater storage projected in parts of Asia due to climate change could impact 2 billion people living downstream of the Tibetan Plateau as it could pose a serious threat to water supplies to India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan by mid-century, according to the satellite-based assessment of water changes in Tibetan Plateau.

    Terrestrial water storage over the Tibetan Plateau, a major global water tower, is crucial in determining water transport and availability to a large downstream Asian population. The assessment over the last two decades (2002-2020) and projection for 2021-2060 are based on measurements of water mass in glaciers, lakes, and below-ground sources, combined with machine-learning techniques to provide a benchmark of observed TWS (Terrestrial Water storage) changes, reflecting competing effects of glacier retreat, lake expansion, and subsurface water loss.

    Research led by scientists at Penn State, Tsinghua University, and the University of Texas at Austin projects that climate change, under a scenario of weak climate policy, will cause irreversible declines in freshwater storage in the region, constituting a serious threat to the water supply for central Asia, Afghanistan, Northern India, Kashmir, and Pakistan by the middle of the century.

    “In a business as usual scenario, where we fail to meaningfully curtail fossil fuel burning in the decades ahead, we can expect a substantial — that is, nearly 100% loss — of water availability to downstream regions of the Tibetan Plateau. I was surprised at just how large the predicted decrease is even under a scenario of modest climate policy,” said Michael Mann, distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State. The research is published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

    According to the researchers, despite its importance, the impacts of climate change on past and future terrestrial water storage (TWS) — which includes all the above- and below-ground water — in the Tibetan Plateau have largely been underexplored.

    The team found that climate change in recent decades has led to a severe depletion in TWS (-15.8 gigatons/year) in certain areas of the Tibetan Plateau and substantial increases in TWS (5.6 gigatons/year) in others, likely due to the competing effects of glacier retreat, degradation of seasonally frozen ground, and lake expansion.

    The team’s projections for future TWS under a moderate carbon emissions scenario — specifically, the mid-range emissions scenario — suggest that the entire Tibetan Plateau could experience a net loss of about 230 gigatons by the mid-21st century (2031 to 2060) relative to an early 21st century (2002 to 2030) baseline.

    More specifically, excess water loss projections for the Amu Darya basin — which supplies water to central Asia and Afghanistan — and the Indus basin — which supplies water to Northern India, Kashmir, and Pakistan — indicate a decline of 119 per cent and 79 per cent in water-supply capacity, respectively.

    NEW DELHI: An irreversible decline in freshwater storage projected in parts of Asia due to climate change could impact 2 billion people living downstream of the Tibetan Plateau as it could pose a serious threat to water supplies to India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan by mid-century, according to the satellite-based assessment of water changes in Tibetan Plateau.

    Terrestrial water storage over the Tibetan Plateau, a major global water tower, is crucial in determining water transport and availability to a large downstream Asian population. The assessment over the last two decades (2002-2020) and projection for 2021-2060 are based on measurements of water mass in glaciers, lakes, and below-ground sources, combined with machine-learning techniques to provide a benchmark of observed TWS (Terrestrial Water storage) changes, reflecting competing effects of glacier retreat, lake expansion, and subsurface water loss.

    Research led by scientists at Penn State, Tsinghua University, and the University of Texas at Austin projects that climate change, under a scenario of weak climate policy, will cause irreversible declines in freshwater storage in the region, constituting a serious threat to the water supply for central Asia, Afghanistan, Northern India, Kashmir, and Pakistan by the middle of the century.

    “In a business as usual scenario, where we fail to meaningfully curtail fossil fuel burning in the decades ahead, we can expect a substantial — that is, nearly 100% loss — of water availability to downstream regions of the Tibetan Plateau. I was surprised at just how large the predicted decrease is even under a scenario of modest climate policy,” said Michael Mann, distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State. The research is published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

    According to the researchers, despite its importance, the impacts of climate change on past and future terrestrial water storage (TWS) — which includes all the above- and below-ground water — in the Tibetan Plateau have largely been underexplored.

    The team found that climate change in recent decades has led to a severe depletion in TWS (-15.8 gigatons/year) in certain areas of the Tibetan Plateau and substantial increases in TWS (5.6 gigatons/year) in others, likely due to the competing effects of glacier retreat, degradation of seasonally frozen ground, and lake expansion.

    The team’s projections for future TWS under a moderate carbon emissions scenario — specifically, the mid-range emissions scenario — suggest that the entire Tibetan Plateau could experience a net loss of about 230 gigatons by the mid-21st century (2031 to 2060) relative to an early 21st century (2002 to 2030) baseline.

    More specifically, excess water loss projections for the Amu Darya basin — which supplies water to central Asia and Afghanistan — and the Indus basin — which supplies water to Northern India, Kashmir, and Pakistan — indicate a decline of 119 per cent and 79 per cent in water-supply capacity, respectively.

  • Pakistan to soon communicate its decision to India on allowing wheat shipment to Afghanistan: Report

    By PTI

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will soon communicate its decision to India on allowing a humanitarian shipment of wheat to pass through its territory to neighbouring Afghanistan as concerned authorities finalise modalities, according to a media report on Thursday.

    “The decision will be announced soon,” a senior government official was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune newspaper.

    The official also dismissed the perception that Pakistan might not allow the transportation of wheat to Afghanistan via the Wagah border crossing.

    Last month, India announced 50,000 metric tons of wheat for Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance and requested Pakistan to ship the food grain via the Wagah border.

    Currently, Pakistan only allows Afghanistan to export goods to India but doesn’t allow any other two-way trade through the border crossing.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan told Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi last week that his government would “favorably consider” the request by Afghan brothers for transportation of wheat offered by India through Pakistan for humanitarian purposes after working out its modalities.

    The Afghan foreign minister had requested Prime Minister Khan to allow India to transport wheat via Pakistan, suggesting that the Taliban government was willing to accept the humanitarian assistance from India.

    “We have almost finalised the modalities and soon India would be communicated about our decision,” the official said.

    The Taliban government has said it wanted to maintain good ties with all countries including India.

    Earlier, it was reported that Indian officials during a meeting with US special representative for Afghanistan Thomas West sought “unhindered access” to Afghanistan for the shipment of 50,000 tons of wheat being sent as humanitarian assistance.

    Official sources here said the access would be unhindered once the modalities were worked out.

    A source said that when the Prime Minister publicly stated that Pakistan would “favorably consider” the request that meant in principle the government had already decided to allow India to transport wheat via Pakistan.

    If both sides eventually agree on the modalities and India does transport the wheat via Pakistan, this would be seen as a significant development given the current state of the relationship between the two countries and how both differ on Afghanistan, according to the paper.

    The recent regional security conference on Afghanistan hosted by India shows how strongly regional countries are stepping up at this critical time to underline the need for stability in the war-torn nation as well as the urgent requirement to combat transnational terrorism, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan has said.

    Last week, India hosted the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan that was attended by security czars of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

    At the regional dialogue, National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the countries called for providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in an unimpeded, direct and assured manner.

    Pakistan has not allowed transit facilities to send aid to Afghanistan.

    “Regional countries have created or continued various important formats of support. Both the Moscow format meetings and the so-called “Troika plus”, involving China, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States, have continued to meet,” Deborah Lyons, who is also head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Wednesday.

    “India also recently hosted a conference of some regional countries at the National Security Advisor level. All indications of how strongly the regional countries are stepping up at this critical time,” she said in her briefing to the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan.

    She also said there is an urgent need to combat illegal drug trafficking and transnational terrorism.

    “All of these formats rightly stress the need for stability in Afghanistan as well as the urgent requirement to combat illegal drug-trafficking and transnational terrorism.”

    “Regional countries, like the rest of the international community, have called for a more inclusive government in Afghanistan as well as the need for girls’ education, women returning to work, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities. On these issues there is a strong regional and international consensus. The world is speaking with one voice to the Taliban on these issues,” she said.

    India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti noted that the “Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan” adopted at the Regional Security Dialogue of National Security Advisors reflects the much-needed regional consensus on Afghanistan.

    “The international community and key stakeholders including from Afghanistan have welcomed the Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan,” he said.

    The declaration released at the end of the dialogue had said the NSAs pitched for providing assistance to the Afghan people in an unimpeded, direct and assured manner and that aid should be distributed in a “non-discriminatory” manner across all sections of the society.

    Lyons said that while the overall security situation has indeed improved, as the conflict has largely ended “we regularly receive credible reports of incidents impacting the right to life and physical integrity of Afghans. These include house searches and extra-judicial killings of former government security personnel and officials.”

    She termed it a “negative development”, the Taliban’s “inability” to stem the expansion of the Islamic State in Iraq and in Levant Khorasan Province.

    “Once limited to a few provinces and Kabul, ISILKP now seems to be present in nearly all provinces and increasingly active,” Lyons said.

    She added that the number of attacks has increased significantly, from last year to this year.

    In 2020, 60, so far this year, 334 attacks were attributed to ISILKP or claimed by ISILKP.

    “ISILKP continues to target the Shi’ite communities. The Taliban insist that they are waging a concerted campaign against ISILKP, but this campaign is worrying in that it appears to rely heavily on extra-judicial detentions and killings of suspected ISILKP members. This is an area deserving more attention from the international community.”

    Lyons said her “general impression” is that the Taliban is making “genuine efforts” to present itself as a government.

    “These efforts are partly constrained by the lack of resources and capacity, as well as a political ideology that in many ways clashes with contemporary international norms of governance so present in this chamber.”

    “The Taliban have not yet established full trust with much of the Afghan population or convinced them of their capacity to govern. The movement is also struggling to manage some serious internal divisions,” she said, adding that ultimately, the Taliban must decide on whether to govern according to the needs and the rights of the diverse Afghan population, or whether to rule on the basis of a narrow ideology and an even narrower ethnic base.

  • ‘Keenly watching all the developments’: Doval amid Afghan minister’s visit to Pakistan

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The recent developments in Afghanistan have important implications not only for the people of that country but also for its neighbours and the region, NSA Ajit Doval said on Wednesday at an eight-nation dialogue hosted by India on the Afghan crisis.

    Chairing the meet, Doval in his opening remarks said it is time to have close consultations, greater cooperation and coordination among the regional countries on the Afghan situation.

    The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan is being attended by security czars of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

    India is hosting the dialogue to firm up a common approach for practical cooperation in confronting increasing threats of terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.

    “We are meeting today to discuss matters relating to Afghanistan. We all have been keenly watching the developments in that country,” Doval said.

    “These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region,” he said.

    The NSA hoped that the deliberations will be productive.

    “This is a time for close consultations amongst us,” he said.

    “I am confident that our deliberations will be productive, useful and will contribute to help the people in Afghanistan and enhance our collective security,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, would visit Pakistan on Wednesday, his first visit to the country, as part of efforts by the two sides to reset their ties in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, it was announced here on Tuesday.

    The visit is taking place as a follow-up to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s visit to Kabul on October 21 and Pakistan remains committed to supporting a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

    It said that Muttaqi will lead a high-level ministerial delegation to Pakistan from November 10-12.

    “The exchanges will centre on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations with a particular focus inter alia on enhanced trade, facilitation of transit trade, cross-border movement, land and aviation links, people-to-people contacts, and regional connectivity,” according to the FO.

    In view of the prevalent situation, Pakistan has been urging the international community to urgently provide humanitarian assistance and economic support to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people.

    For its part, Pakistan is extending humanitarian and economic assistance to the people of Afghanistan, the FO said.

    Pakistan has been trying to convince the world to diplomatically engage with the Taliban after they seized control on Kabul on August 15.

    However, the international community is still sceptical about the hardline Islamists, especially on issues like terrorism emanating from the war-torn country and their promises to respect human rights.

    Afghanistan has been under Taliban rule since August 15 when the Afghan militant group ousted the elected government of President Ashraf Ghani and forced him to flee the country and take refuge in the UAE.

  • Afghan minorities could get citizenship before CAA comes into effect: NCM chairperson

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Minorities from Afghanistan, such as Sikhs and Hindus, who are living in India, could be provided citizenship even if the amended Citizenship Amendment Act rules take time, National Commission for Minorities chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, told The New Indian Express in an exclusive interview. Lalpura, who took over as the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) chairperson last month, said that he had raised the issue with Union Home minister Amit Shah, who had assured him that this would be a priority for the Modi government. 

    “Many Sikhs from Afghanistan, who are living in India, have approached me for help with getting Indian Citizenship. I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the matter. I have been asked to provide the details of such minorities living in India. The home minister has personally offered to facilitate citizenship for Afghans living in India. He assured me that it would be done even if the amended citizenship act takes time to come into effect,  as the new rules for law are still being worked upon. This would be done under the existing rules,” Lalpura said.

    A former IPS officer, Lalpura, however, added that if required, he would request the government to make amendments in the existing rules to help maximum minorities from Afghanistan get Indian citizenship.

    “Government is working on rules to bring the new citizenship law into effect. If the rules require any changes to help minorities in Afghanistan, we will request the government for the same and we are sure that the government will consider it,” he said.

    The NCM chief said that he would also take up the issue of the plight of Sikhs living in Afghanistan with the union ministries of home and external affairs. “Sikhs in Afghanistan are living under threat since the Taliban took over the country. Reports say they are being offered two options — either to convert to Sunni Islam or be ready to face death as punishment. I will raise this with the government soon.”

    When asked whether NCM would also request the government to expedite framing of rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act, passed in 2019 that seeks to grant Indian citizenship to six undocumented communities—including Sikhs–from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Lalpura said he was confident that government would work on expediting it.

    The Act, passed amid vociferous protests by many who termed the law as “discriminatory” towards Muslims, is aimed at giving Indian citizenship to six undocumented communities–Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from the three countries that came to India till December 31, 2014.

    Under the existing system, minority communities from the three countries who entered India before Dec 31, 2009 may or may not choose to provide a copy of their passports but they have to provide the date of the visa and may upload the visa in place of the passport while applying for citizenship.

    Lalpura also revealed that a team from NCM would visit Lakhimpur Kheri in view of the October 3 violence which left eight people dead. Four Sikh farmers and a journalist were allegedly mowed down by a convoy of vehicles led by Ashish Mishra, the son of union home minister of state Ajay Mishra. Angry farmers then allegedly lynched two BJP workers and Mishra’s driver.

    “I will meet the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and people in Lakhimpur Kheri to ascertain the situation there. All minorities should feel safe and secure in every part of the country,” Lalpura said.  

    When asked about the rise in targeted violence against minorities—particularly against Christians and Sikhs—in recent years, Lalpura denied it and said a “false narrative” was being created to tarnish the country’s image.

    “Our priority is to remove all fears from the hearts of minorities and expose the false narrative that India is not safe for minorities. We are here to protect the rights of India’s six notified minorities–Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains, promote education among them, give them employment and protect their culture,” Lalpura said while admitting that while various government schemes are to this end, the implementation on the ground leaves much to be desired.

    Lalpura claimed that looking at statistics, the figures of crimes against minorities such as rioting, murder and lynching have come down.

    Lalpura’s remarks come amid widespread criticism of the government, from the opposition and civil society members, for the reported hate-crimes targeting minorities having gone up since 2014 when the BJP government led by Narendra Modi first came to power.

    When asked about the underrepresentation of minorities in the central government, particularly of Muslims in the legislature, Lalpura, who has served as BJP spokesperson in Punjab, said that tickets are given solely on the “winnability” factor.

    “Tickets are not given on the basis of religion, caste or creed. We should not think along these lines. The purpose should be to unite the country and not to divide it along religious lines,” he said.

    He also spoke in favour of the contentious farm laws against which farmers from across the country have been protesting for nearly a year now. “The Supreme Court has put the laws on hold and the government has been holding repeated discussions with them. I do not see reasons for the protest to continue,” Lalpura said.

    The NCM chief also blamed protesting farmers for the lynching of Lakhbir Singh at the Singhu border on October 12. “Why are farmer leaders not condemning the lynching at the Singhu border? In fact, they should take moral responsibility for the murder of Lakhbir Singh. They have called everyone there to sit in protest. It is a very sad incident that has tarnished the image and character of the Sikh religion. There should be a thorough investigation in the matter and all those involved should be punished.”

    Asked about his view on anti-conversion laws by states such as Uttar Pradesh, Lalpura said there should be no forced conversions or conversions through inducements. He added that as the NCM chief, he would take up the matter of forced conversions with people from all communities as the responsibility to fix this problem also lies with the religious leaders. “All religions are inherently peaceful and promote the message of love. No religion can be imposed on anyone. This is unacceptable,” he said.

  • Afghan minorities could get citizenship before CAA rules: NCM chairperson

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Minorities from Afghanistan, such as Sikhs and Hindus, who are living in India, could be provided citizenship even if the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules take time, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, told this newspaper in an exclusive interview. 

    Lalpura, who took over as NCM chairperson last month, said he had raised the issue with Union Home minister Amit Shah, who had assured him that this would be a priority for the Modi government. “Many Sikhs from Afghanistan, who are living in India, have approached me for help with getting Indian Citizenship. I have spoken to Union home minister about the matter.

    I have been asked to provide the details of such minorities. The home minister has personally offered to facilitate citizenship for Afghans living in India. He assured me that it would be done even if the amended citizenship Act takes time to come into effect, as the new rules for law are still being worked upon. This would be done under the existing rules,” Lalpura said.

    He added that if required, he would request the government to make amendments in the rules to help maximum number of people from Afghanistan get citizenship. The NCM chief said he would also take up the issue of the plight of Sikhs in Afghanistan with the government. “Sikhs there are living under threat since the Taliban took over. Reports say they are being offered two options — either to convert to Islam or be ready to face death.”

    Asked if the NCM would also request the government to expedite framing of rules for the CAA that seeks to grant Indian citizenship to six undocumented communities, including Sikhs, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Lalpura said he was confident that the government would work on it. When asked about the rise in targeted violence against minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, in recent years, Lalpura said a “false narrative” was being created to tarnish the country’s image.

  • Pakistan’s fishing in troubled waters of Afghanistan: Army Chief General MM Naravane

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s western front continues to remain unstable and it fishing in troubled waters of Afghanistan is going to come and bite it in the future, Army Chief General MM Naravane said on Thursday.

    Without naming Pakistan, he said the infiltration bids and terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have increased during the last two and half months and these “activities” are being sponsored by “our western neighbour”.

    When asked at a defence conclave if Pakistan can now concentrate more of its assets towards India as it sees its western front with Afghanistan under its control, Naravane replied: “I think it is too early to draw that conclusion.”

    “I think their western front is equally if not more unstable. I think it is going to come and bite them, whatever they have been fishing in the troubled waters. It is going to bite them and they will realise how it hurts,” he said.

    There has been increasing concern in the Indian security establishment following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on August 15.

    The concern is over the possibility of terror spillover from Afghanistan into Jammu and Kashmir through Pakistan and rise in terrorist activities, particularly by groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed following the Taliban wresting power in Kabul.

    Naravane on October 9 had not ruled out the possibility of Afghan-origin foreign terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir once the situation stabilises in Afghanistan and had cited similar instances when the Taliban was in power in Kabul over two decades ago.

    Naravane said on Thursday that there has been an increase in Pakistan-backed infiltration and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 2-2.5 months.

    Five army personnel were killed in an attack by terrorists in Surankote in Poonch district on October 11, while four soldiers laid down their lives in a gunfight with the ultras in Mendhar last Thursday.

    Earlier this week, Naravane visited the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where a massive operation to track down terrorists hiding in forest areas of Mendhar, Surankote and Thanamandi has been going on since October 11.

    The army chief explained the Jammu and Kashmir situation and said “from about the third week of February, when we had the ceasefire understanding between the DGMOs, there was the lull on the Line of Control (LoC).”

    In fact, there has been no ceasefire violation from February till the end of June and the beginning of July, he mentioned.

    “During this period, not only were there no ceasefire violations, but even the other trans-LoC activities (infiltration, etc) that normally takes place…also saw a downturn,” Naravane stated.

    From the end of June and the beginning of July, there has definitely been an increase in these activities, the army chief mentioned.

    “A number of infiltration bids have been made. We have been able to foil a few of them. But definitely, there has been an increase in the activities in the last two-two and a half months or so,” he said.

    However, the Indian Army has its plan in place as it has a strong counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency grid that is reviewed from time to time, he mentioned.

    “These activities will continue but there is no denying the fact that it is being sponsored by our western neighbour and without that support, this terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir could not be flourishing. They would not be able to carry out these activities unless they have this state backing,” he said.

  • RSS chief raises concern over Taliban, collusion of China-Pakistan

    By ANI

    NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday showed concern over the geo-political changes in Afghanistan and questioned the intention of Taliban, Pakistan and China while adding that our military preparedness on the borders needs to be strengthened.

    In his annual Vijaya Dashami address, the RSS chief said, “We know Taliban’s history. China and Pakistan support it to this day. Even if the Taliban changed, Pakistan didn’t. Has China’s intentions towards India changed? While dialogues should happen but we need to be aware, alert and prepared.”

    “Their predisposition – passionate fanaticism, tyranny and terrorism in the name of Islam – is sufficient to make everyone apprehensive of the Taliban. But now China, Pakistan and Turkey have coalesced in an unholy coalition with the Taliban. Since Abdali, our north-western borders are once again a matter of serious concern,” said RSS chief.

    Bhagwat said that border security needs to be strengthened not just along the land border but also along the coastline where silent attacks take place.

    He said that the illegal infiltration from across the border should be completely curbed while adding that these infiltrators should be deprived of citizenship rights by creating a national citizen magazine.

    Bhagwat, who recently went to Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370, while praising the administration urged the government to take necessary measures to stop targeted killings in the valley.

    “Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have restarted the spate of targeted killings of nationalists especially Hindus. This is being done to destroy their morale and to re-establish the reign of terror in the valley. The government should fast track its efforts to curb and neutralise the terrorist activities,” added Bhagwat.

    Bhagwat emphasised that it is India’s culture to integrate varied linguistic, religious and regional traditions and to promote mutual cooperation among all while accepting and honouring all as equal with identical opportunities for growth.

    “Our ideals are our common ancestors. It is the grasp of this very fact that the country saw martyrs like Hasankhan Mewati, Hakimkhan Suri, Khudabaksh and Gaus Khan and a revolutionary like Ashfaqullah Khan. They are admirable role models for all,” said Bhagwat.

    ALSO READ | Terrorists resorting to targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, says RSS chief

    The Vijaya Dashami address of the RSS chief is considered the most important event for the organisation as it is during his address future plans and vision are put forth for all to follow. It is from this stage that RSS stand on many issues of national importance is known.

    Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami, according to the Hindu calendar is celebrated on the 10th day after the 9 days of Navratri festivities in the month of Ashvina. 

  • Afghan-origin terrorists may try to enter J&K once situation stabilises in Afghanistan: Army Chief

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane on Saturday did not rule out the possibility of Afghan-origin foreign terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir once the situation stabilises in Afghanistan as he cited similar instances when the Taliban was in power in Kabul over two decades ago.

    At the same time, he said Indian armed forces are prepared to deal with any eventuality as they have a very strong counter-infiltration grid as well as a mechanism to check terrorist activities in the hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Asked at the India Today conclave whether there was any link between the spate of recent killings of civilians in Kashmir and the Taliban’s capture of power in Afghanistan, Gen Naravane said it cannot be said whether there was a connection.

    “Definitely, there has been a spurt in activities (in Jammu and Kashmir) but whether they can be directly linked to what is happening in or happened in Afghanistan, we really cannot say,” the Army Chief said.

    ALSO READ | China’s continuous build-up matter of concern: Army Chief Staff Gen MM Naravane

    “But what we can say and learn from the past is that when the previous Taliban regime was in power, that time definitely we had foreign terrorists of Afghan origin in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    “So there are reasons to believe that the same thing might happen once again that once the situation in Afghanistan stabilises, then we could see an inflow of these fighters from Afghanistan to the Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

    The Chief of Army Staff said the Indian armed forces are fully ready to deal with any such attempts.

    “We are prepared for any such eventuality. We have a very strong counter-infiltration grid to stop them at the border. We have a very strong counter-terrorism grid in the hinterland to take care of any such actions. Just as we dealt with them in the early 2000s, we will deal with them now also should they venture anywhere near us,” he said.

    There have been increasing concerns in the Indian security establishment over the possibility of terror spillover from Afghanistan into Jammu and Kashmir through Pakistan and rise in terrorist activities, particularly by groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed following the Taliban wresting power in Kabul.

    On the targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army Chief said this is a matter of “concern” and described it as “reprehensible”.

    “They do not want normalcy. It is a last-ditch attempt to stay relevant,” he said referring to militant groups.

    “The people will revolt. If they (militants) say that they are doing all these for the people, then why you are killing your own people who are your support base.

    It is just an attempt to spread terror which is totally unacceptable,” Gen Naravane said.

    About the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Gen Naravane said it was observed in “totality” for four months from February.

    “But from the end of July onwards to September and now the beginning of October, the sporadic incidents have again started.

    I think again, it is following the pattern of 2003 when it would start with one odd incident and rising to as good as not having a ceasefire,” he said.

    “Over the last month or so, we are again seeing renewed attempts at infiltration. We have eliminated two or three such infiltration attempts,” he added. In a sudden and significant move aimed at reducing tensions, the Indian and Pakistani armies on February 25 announced that they would cease firing across the LoC while recommitting themselves to a 2003 ceasefire agreement.

    “Apart from the infiltration bids, there have been three incidents of proper ceasefire violations that is one post firing at the other post,” he said.

  • India, Germany will see closer cooperation on Afghanistan: Envoy

    Lindner said the two nations supported the previous government in Afghanistan and tried to help it make headway and improve the situation.

  • Saudi FM Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud calls on PM Narendra Modi; bilateral cooperation, Afghanistan discussed

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and they exchanged perspectives on regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.

    The meeting reviewed progress on various ongoing bilateral initiatives, including those taken under the aegis of the Strategic Partnership Council established between both countries, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

    The meeting comes a day after Al Saud held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with a focus on the developments in Afghanistan and ways to further expand bilateral ties in areas of defence, trade, investment and energy.

    “Pleased to receive the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Exchanged views on ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives and the regional situation,” Modi tweeted.

    “Conveyed my regards to His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince,” he said.

    Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s keenness to see greater investment from Saudi Arabia, including in key sectors such as energy, IT and defence manufacturing, the statement said.

    The meeting also allowed exchange of perspectives on regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan, it said.

    Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his special thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for looking after the welfare of the Indian diaspora during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.