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  • Iran’s Second Surgical Strike On Pakistan Within 40 Days; Know All About Jaish al-Adl Terror Outfit | world news

    Within 40 days of carrying out a targeted missile attack on terrorist groups inside Pakistan, Iran yesterday once again carried out a surgical strike on its neighbour. Iran’s state-run media claimed that the country’s forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and other terrorists by entering the Pakistan territory. Iran’s forces, in an armed clash, attacked a militant group, one month after the two countries conducted air strikes on each other.

    Iran has accused Pakistan of inaction against terrorist groups alleging that these groups carry out terror attacks inside Tehran’s territory.

    Iran’s attack is going on in Pakistan! #Pakistan #Iran #Attack #WorldNews | @JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/0Jc8enH7mT — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 25, 2024

    Who Are Jaish al-Adl?

    Jaish al-Adl is a Pakistan-based terror group formed in 2012. It has been designated as a ‘terrorist’ organization by Iran. It is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Iran shares around 900 km of border with Pakistan and is suffering from terrorism just like India due to Pakistan.

    Over time, Jaish al-Adl has carried out multiple attacks targeting Iranian security forces. In December, the group claimed responsibility for an assault on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 11 police personnel.

    January 16 Missile Attack

    Tensions between Iran and Pakistan escalated following mutual missile strikes targeting alleged “terror units.” Iran conducted missile and drone strikes in Pakistan on the night of January 16, targeting two significant headquarters of Jaish al-Adl. Pakistan claimed that the strikes led to the unfortunate death of two children and the injury of three girls. In response, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran on January 17 and declared that the Iranian envoy, who was visiting Pakistan at the time, would not be allowed to return as a protest against what Islamabad deemed a ‘blatant breach’ of its sovereignty.

    The situation further intensified on January 18, when Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes inside Iran. Islamabad stated that the strikes targeted hideouts used by “terrorist militant organizations,” specifically mentioning the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

    Failed Peace Attempt

    After both the countries hit each other, they mutually agreed to expand security cooperation. They agreed on the return of ambassadors of both countries to their respective posts and also decided to mutually work for the ‘de-escalation’ of tensions. Both Iran and Pakistan stated that they can resolve ‘misunderstandings’ fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each other’s concerns, he added. However, yesterday’s surgical strike again shows that those were mere rhetoric and Iran doesn’t trust Pakistan on terrorism.

  • What Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wants To Achieve By Enhancing Ties With Greece |

    The diplomatic relations between India and Greece were established in May 1950 while India opened its resident Embassy in Athens 28 years later in March 1978. Five years later, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Greece in 1983. But, the bilateral relations between the two nations progressed gradually with no successive Prime Ministers visiting the European nation for the next 40 years until 2023 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the country on his Greece counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ invitation. Since then, the two nations have been working to develop closer and stronger ties. To further bolster ties and combat regional challenges, India invited Greece’s PM on a state visit. 

    PM Modi On Greece Ties

    Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis is currently on a state visit to India. India and Greece have formed a working group to increase mutual coordination on common challenges like defence, cyber security, counter-terrorism, and maritime security. The joint working group on defence could lead to India’s larger presence in the Mediterranean Sea, thus making India the third key partner in the Sea along with Italy and Egypt. In the words of Prime Minister Modi, “New opportunities for co-production and co-development are being created in defence manufacturing in India, which can be beneficial for both countries. We have agreed to link the defence industries of both countries. India and Greece have common concerns and priorities in the fight against terrorism. We discussed in detail how to further strengthen our cooperation in this area.”

    Had a productive meeting with PM @kmitsotakis earlier today. Our talks covered key areas like technology, pharmaceuticals, skill development, space and innovation. We also agreed to boost cooperation in areas like shipping, connectivity and defence. pic.twitter.com/cYzj3OtMHQ
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2024

    India A Great Power, Says PM Mitsotakis 

    On the other hand, PM Mitsotakis termed India as a great power on the world stage. He said that India is an important ally in the pursuit of peace and security. “Greece’s geographic and strategic proximity makes it an interlocutor between India and Europe, and between the Global North and the South….Greece presents vast opportunities as a logistics centre and international gateway, facilitating connectivity and trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe,” said PM Mitsotakis. He added that India and Greece must work together to promote peace and stability through projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, which can bring about prosperity for all participating countries.

    Why Does Greece Matter To India?

    India is currently the world’s fastest-growing major economy and if it wants to maintain the pace of its growth, then foreign trade becomes a crucial factor. With China growing its influence in the Indian Ocean as well as in the Mediterranean Sea, India cannot sit back and watch the developments like a wallflower. 

    Counter To China

    China has extended its influence in the region, notably by fostering connections with Greece. Through its Belt & Road Initiative, China has invested in infrastructure projects such as Greece’s Piraeus port, ranking among the world’s largest ports. Concurrently, India is actively pursuing an increased presence in the area, with reports indicating that companies like Adani are exploring investment opportunities in Greek ports.

    Unpredictable Turkey

    The relationship between India and Greece with Turkey, a regional heavyweight, is marked by complexity. Turkey’s proximity to Pakistan and its opposition to India’s Kashmir policy have acted as obstacles to closer ties between India and Ankara. Similarly, Greece has a historically challenging relationship with Turkey, characterized by conflicts over maritime boundaries and energy resources. The two nations have faced tensions as they contend for control in these strategic areas. These intricate dynamics contribute to the nuanced geopolitical landscape involving India, Greece, and Turkey.

    Growing Trade, Solidifying Presence

    Greece stands as one of the significant maritime forces bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This sea serves as a vital conduit for global trade, linking Europe and America with key economies such as India, China, and Japan. Approximately 12-15% of the world’s maritime traffic traverses the Mediterranean Sea, underscoring its strategic importance. Notably, Russia, the United States, and France uphold robust military presences in this region, contributing to its geopolitical dynamics.

    With India’s growing economy, European markets have gained heightened significance. In response, India is actively progressing with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, establishing a connectivity network linking New Delhi to these regions via a combination of ship and rail routes. In this ambitious project, Greece assumes a pivotal role as a crucial link.

    A shared objective is to double bilateral trade between India and Greece by the year 2030. Additionally, reports indicate that India is seeking Greece’s collaboration in the modernization efforts within its shipping sector, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.

  • Pinarayi Vijayan: Attempts are being made to turn India into a religious nation: Kerala CM

    Malappuram (Kerala): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed concern over the alleged attempts being made to turn India into a religious nation, and accused those in power at the Centre of trying to blur the lines between religious institutions and the state.

    Without mentioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said nowadays those who hold constitutional positions are turning into priests during religious ceremonies. The Left veteran was apparently referring to the recent consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in which Modi was the ‘yajman (master of a yajna)’.

    “Attempts are being made to turn India into a religious nation… This evokes great concern,” Vijayan said, speaking during the valedictory session of the 10th Mujahid State Conference at Karipur in this northern district. He labelled as “pathetic” the attempts by certain leaders “even in Kerala” to justify such events. In present India, those who are in power are attempting to blur the lines between religion and the state, Vijayan further said. The chief minister also accused the Centre of sabotaging projects meant for minority communities.

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  • Indian Professionals In Silicon Valley Launch Initiative To Foster Innovations |

    Washington: Aimed at leveraging engineering as a powerful tool to address global challenges and improve the quality of life, a group of Indians in Silicon Valley has announced the formation of a global network of Indian professionals dedicated to fostering innovations.

    As a non-profit entity in Silicon Valley, Indian Professional Without Borders is a global network of Indian-origin professionals dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and social impact through a shared heritage and commitment to excellence, according to a statement issued by them.

    The official launch featured chief guest Dr K Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India at San Francisco and Shailendra Joshi, former chief secretary and advisor to the Telangana Gov delivered the keynote address. “At ‘Indian Engineers Without Borders,’ we are committed to uniting Indian engineers and like-minded individuals worldwide,” said its co-founder Shachindra Nath. (Also Read: Google Pixel Phones May Get New Adaptive Touch Feature Based On Environment)

    “Our goal is to leverage engineering as a powerful tool to address global challenges, improve the quality of life, and drive forward with innovation that has a lasting impact,” he said. With 1,100 members and eight chapters across four continents, the launch marks the beginning of a significant journey towards engineering excellence and global collaboration, Nath said.

    At the inaugural event, Indian Professional Without Borders, announced the 101 Days of AI Learning Festival, which promises to offer insights into AI and machine learning, providing valuable skills for seasoned professionals and newcomers to the tech landscape.

    “In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at the GPAI Summit 2023 of a new AI mission to enhance sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education, our festival aims to democratise AI education for a broad audience. This initiative is in sync with India’s stride towards technological innovation, underscoring the pivotal role of AI in shaping the future,” the media release said. (Also Read: Google One Hits 100 Mn Subscribers After YouTube Music And YouTube Premium)

  • After Nitish Kumar, Many Others In Line For ‘Ghar Wapasi’ In NDA Ahead Of 2024 Polls |

    NEW DELHI: “It’s never too late to mend,” goes the adage, and in the ever-shifting landscape of politics in India, this rings especially true. As alliances evolve and partners realign, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) finds itself at the centre of attention once again, with several former allies contemplating a return to the fold ahead of the crucial 2024 elections.

    The BJP: The Architect Of The NDA 

    At the heart of the NDA stands the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), orchestrating the intricate dance of coalition politics. With the advent of the Narendra Modi era, the NDA witnessed a seismic shift in its composition after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now, as the countdown to the 2024 polls begins, attention turns to those allies who are either making a comeback or seriously considering it, following in the footsteps of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s recent U-turn.

    Modi-Shah Era And Its Impact On The NDA

    In 2013, when Narendra Modi was anointed as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, the NDA boasted 29 constituent parties. While the BJP swept the elections with 282 seats in the Lok Sabha, its allies clinched an additional 54 seats. However, in the subsequent five years of Modi’s tenure, 16 parties bid adieu to the NDA, signaling a period of flux and transition within the alliance.

    Departures And Realignments

    Lessons from 2014 and 2019 The run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw the high-profile departure of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), setting the stage for a series of exits by regional players such as the Haryana Janhit Congress and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Between 2014 and 2019, several other parties, including the Telugu Desam Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, followed suit, reshaping the NDA’s landscape.

    Recent Exits And Returns

    Shiv Sena, SAD, and JD(U) Post-2019, the NDA witnessed the departure of stalwart allies like the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) made a surprising comeback following the Bihar Assembly elections in 2022. These developments underscore the fluid nature of coalition politics, where alliances can shift with the changing tides of public sentiment and regional dynamics.

    As the 2024 elections loom large, speculation abounds regarding potential returns to the NDA fold. Nitish Kumar’s departure from the opposition alliance signals a significant shift, with other influential figures like Chandrababu Naidu and Uddhav Thackeray also engaging in strategic dialogues with the BJP. Meanwhile, negotiations with regional heavyweights like the Akali Dal and the potential announcement from Jayant Chaudhary hint at further realignments on the horizon.

    Amidst these political manoeuvres, the NDA alliance appears poised for a resurgence, consolidating its position ahead of the electoral battleground. Yet, the road to power is fraught with challenges, requiring both new and returning allies to navigate the intricate web of coalition politics. As Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious “400 plus” slogan reverberates, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown, with the Congress eagerly watching for any signs of weakness within the NDA camp.

     Who’s Next In Line For The ‘Ghar Wapasi’ In NDA?

    With Nitish Kumar’s recent defection setting the stage, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will be the next to heed the call of ‘Ghar Wapasi’ within the NDA alliance? As alliances shift and political fortunes fluctuate, one thing remains certain: the 2024 elections promise to be a watershed moment in India’s political landscape, with the NDA at the forefront of the action.

  • PM Modi to reply on ‘Motion of Thanks’ in Lok Sabha today; BJP MPs asked to remain present in House

    New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, the first day of the Budget Session.Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs in Lok Sabha to be present in the Lower House on the fourth day of the ongoing Budget Session. Apart from this, as per the List of Business in the House for the day, Lok Sabha MPs Ravneet Singh and RamshiromVerma will lay on the table the minutes of the twelfth sitting of the Committee on Absence of Members from the sittings of the House held on December 14, 2023.

    MPs PP Chaudhary and NK Premachandran will present the 28th report of the Committee on External Affairs (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on the subject ‘Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels’.

    BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar will make a statement regarding the status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the 49th Report of the Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development on ‘Functioning of Directorate General of Training’ pertaining to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present a statement (Hindi and English versions) of estimated receipts and expenditure of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2024-25.In Rajya Sabha, while the discussion over the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address is to resume, MPs Ashok Kumar Mittal and Prakash Javadekar will lay on the table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Twenty Eighth Report of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on ‘Countering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels’ in the House today.

    Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav will introduce the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

    Amendment Bill, 2024 Bill in the Rajya Sabha today to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

    The last session before Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year will be spread over eight sittings spread over a period of 10 days and may conclude on February 9.

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  • Amid Chinese `Spy` Vessel`s Movement Towards Maldives, Indian Navy Sends Its Submarine To Sri Lanka

    INS ‘Karanj’ – a submarine of the Indian Navy arrived at the port of Colombo yesterday on a formal visit. The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in the precision of naval traditions.

  • ‘If Narendra Modi Retains Power…’: Mallikarjun Kharge Warns Of Dictatorship In India |

    NEW DELHI: In a fiery address to Congress workers in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge issued a stark warning about the future of democracy in India should Narendra Modi secure another term in office. Kharge ominously proclaimed that if Modi retains power after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it could mark the end of electoral democracy in the country, paving the way for a dictatorship.

     “Under Modi’s rule, there will be no democracy, no elections; only dictatorship,” Kharge asserted, painting a dire picture of the consequences of another Modi victory. His words echoed with a sense of urgency as he urged the people to recognize the gravity of the situation, framing the upcoming elections as perhaps the last opportunity for citizens to exercise their voting rights.

     “They are giving (ED) notices to everyone. They are intimidating people… Because of fear, some are leaving friendships, some are leaving the party, and some are leaving the alliance… This is your last chance to vote. After this, there will be no voting,” he said, according to ANI.

     Kharge didn’t mince words in his critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), branding them as agents of poison poisoning the fabric of Indian society. He juxtaposed their divisive rhetoric with the Congress party’s vision of unity and inclusivity, championed by Rahul Gandhi’s call to foster love and harmony. 

    “Rahul Gandhi wants to unite the country, he said he has opened ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’. But the BJP and RSS have opened ‘Nafrat ki Dukaan’. It is because of this that you need to remain alert. BJP and RSS are poison, they are depriving us of our rights,” Kharge said.

    The veteran politician also took potshots at regional leaders who have aligned themselves with PM Modi, particularly targeting Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik for his perceived closeness to the Prime Minister. Kharge questioned the benefits of such alliances, suggesting that the promised “double engine” of development often fails to deliver on its lofty promises.

     

    #WATCH | Bhubaneshwar, Odisha: Addressing the Workers’ Convention, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “What did Navin Patnaik gain from his friendship with Narendra Modi? The double engine fails at times. And when the double engine doesn’t work properly, the first engine… pic.twitter.com/40QiuXdwy9


    — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

     

    Referring to recent political developments, Kharge dismissed the significance of individual defections from opposition alliances, asserting that the collective strength of the opposition will prevail against the BJP. He remained steadfast in his belief that the Congress-led coalition would emerge victorious, despite setbacks such as Nitish Kumar’s departure from the Opposition bloc.

  • rahul gandhi: JD(U) blames Cong’s obduracy for INDIA bloc collapse in Bihar, targets Rahul Gandhi

    New Delhi: The JD(U) on Sunday blamed the Congress for the collapse of the INDIA bloc in Bihar, saying its leaders were interested in strengthening their party and not the opposition grouping. Janata Dal (United) spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters that a “caucus” within the Congress wanted to capture the INDIA bloc leadership and its president Mallikarjun Kharge’s name was proposed as the chairperson of the grouping as part of the conspiracy.

    The decision taken about Kharge at the INDIA bloc meeting earlier this month had shocked the JD(U), which believed that its president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would be named as the convenor without being saddled with any chairperson, its leaders had then said.

    Another JD(U) spokesperson, Rajib Ranjan, was more severe in targeting the Congress, alleging that it first sunk itself by trying to make a person who lacks any quality and harms the opposition alliance a prime minister. The comment was a likely swipe at Rahul Gandhi. Ranjan described the Congress as “bhasmasur” (mythological demon whose touch would burn down anyone).

    Hitting back at the Congress’ charge of opportunism against Kumar after he walked out of the opposition alliance and rejoined hands with old ally BJP, Tyagi said it is the obduracy of the main opposition party that derailed the INDIA bloc.

    He said the JD(U) had problems with the RJD, the main opposition party in Bihar, at a local level but squarely blamed the Congress for the development. “We have regret as well as relief that our leader who brought together the INDIA bloc has walked out of it,” Tyagi said. The Congress wanted to capture the ground of regional parties by making a disproportionate demand of seats in the states they are strong in, he said.

    The party “ordered” its allies like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bihar CM Kumar to join its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as if they were its workers, Tyagi added.

    The Congress never accommodated any ally in the states where it is strong, he said and cited several assembly polls.

    The INDIA bloc sorely lacked the optics needed to take on a grassroots party like the BJP, which is headed by a popular leader in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

  • Anurag Thakur takes jibe at I.N.D.I.A bloc amid rift rumors: 'Was bound to happen'

    Anurag Thakur takes jibe at I.N.D.I.A bloc amid rift rumors: 'Was bound to happen'