My Opinion

The social media was flooded with memes and posts mocking Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after he flattered US President Donald Trump with effusive praise at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
With Trump standing by his side, grinning, Shehbaz Sharif said: “Today is one of the greatest days in contemporary history because peace has been achieved after untiring efforts led by President Trump, who is genuinely a man of peace.”
Shehbaz Sharif went on to credit Trump for preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, declaring that “had it not been for this gentleman, the war could have escalated to a level where no one would have lived to tell what happened.”
Shehbaz Sharif said: “And today again, I would like to nominate this great president for Nobel Peace Prize because I genuinely feel that he is the most genuine and most wonderful candidate for Peace Prize, because he has brought not only peace in South Asia, saved millions of people, and today, here in Sharm-el-Sheikh, achieving peace in Gaza, is saving millions of lives in the Middle East.”
After Sharif spoke, Trump responded saying: “Wow! I didn’t expect that. Let’s go home — there’s nothing more I have to say.”
Trump, on his part, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying: “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top and he’s just done a fantastic job. I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together.” Saying this, Trump chuckled and looked at Shehbaz Sharif who was standing behind him, smiling meekly.
Shehbaz Sharif was soon trending on X and Facebook with many Pakistanis abusing their PM for “bootlicking” and saying that he does not deserve to remain the Prime Minister.
Mainstream Pakistani media published editorials criticizing Shehbaz Sharif. The oldest Pakistani English daily newspaper Dawn criticized Shehbaz for converting diplomacy into flattery and foreign policy into boot polishing.
People in Pakistan say, Trump used Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir for his own benefit. But the question is: Are not Shehbaz and Asim Munir responsible?
The rulers of Pakistan have become so weak that they clinged to Trump when he gave them some hope. Both of them did not leave any stone unturned to flatter him, nor did they desist from selling Pakistan’s self-respect.
When the Prime Minister and Army Chief of a country fall at the feet of a foreign leader, how can one blame the person who gets flattered?
The moot point is: Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir have mortgaged the self-respect of Pakistan for their own benefits. They did this openly in a brazen and shameless manner. If the entire world now makes fun of Pakistan, how can anybody blame the world?

Mysterious similarities in Haryana IPS and ASI suicides

The double suicide case in Haryana Police is getting curiouser and curiouser.
In a shocking twist, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar Lather, investigating the suicide case of senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, committed suicide on Tuesday, not before writing a four-page suicide note and making a six-minute video in which he levelled charges of corruption against the dead IPS officer.
Sandeep Lather was posted in the cyber cell of Haryana Police in Rohtak.
In his suicide note, he alleged that Y. Puran Kumar was corrupt and after becoming Inspector General of Rohtak Range, he posted corrupt policemen belonging to his caste in the IG office.
He also alleged that Puran Kumar began extorting money from traders using his gunman Sushil Kumar. He also alleged that women police officers were sexually exploited after giving threats of transfer.
Lather alleged that he had caught Puran Kumar’s gunman Sushil and driver Dharmendra red-handed while extorting bribes, and the gunman had admitted that the money was meant for IG Puran Kumar.
ASI Sandeep Kumar’s family members have demanded that Puran Kumar’s IAS officer wife Amneet be arrested.
On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with his party leaders Bhupinder Hooda and others went to Puran Kumar’s house and consoled his family members. Later, Rahul Gandhi demanded that the government must take action and arrest those who abetted this suicide. Lok Jan Shakti Party leader Chirag Paswan also met Amneet Kumar and promised justice would be ensured.
The suicide of Puran Kumar is shocking, and the suicide of ASI Sandeep Kumar is sad. Facts that have emerged in public domain so far clearly show that there was a corruption case against Puran Kumar, and ASI Sandeep was one of the investigators.
Questions are being raised about Puran Kumar’s image as a senior police officer, while Sandeep Kumar is known as an honest and hardworking policeman. The allegations made by ASI Sandeep in his video raises several questions.
One, Puran Kumar was a senior IPS officer, he was in a top position, his wife an IAS officer, his brother-in-law an MLA. Why did he face harassment if this family was so powerful? If harassment was not the reason for suicide, then what was the real cause?
Two, ASI Sandeep said, Puran Kumar and his family were going to be nailed in a corruption case, and to save his family, Puran Kumar committed suicide.
The most significant point raised by Sandeep Kumar is, Puran Kumar gave the entire case a caste colour. Because of his caste, IPS officer Puran Kumar got political support from different parties, top leaders visited his house and top police officers were shunted.
Truth will emerge only after a thorough investigation. For the time being, this is only a perception, whatever may be the reason. When two policemen in important positions commit suicide, it raises questions about the entire system.

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Hours after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House that Machado called him and told him, ‘I am accepting this in honour of you, because you really deserved it’.”
Trump said, “I didn’t say, ‘Give it to me’, though. I think she might have…I’ve been helping her along the way. They needed a lot of help in Venezuela during the disaster. I am happy because I saved millions of lives.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benzamin Netanyahu said, Trump “deserved it”. He posted an AI image of Trump winning the Nobel Peace prize.
White House communications director Stephen Cheung said, “The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace”.
For the last five months, Trump was pitching for himself by claiming that he stopped eight conflicts. This week, he announced the Gaza peace plan, and both Hamas and Israel have accepted phase one of this plan. But the Nobel Committee dashed his hopes.
The world is discussing not about the new Nobel Peace Prize winner but about the person who lost out. It is a fact that Trump said umpteen number of times that he stopped eight wars and deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. No other person in the history of Nobel Peace Prize had ever made such a pitch.
They why did Trump lose out? Countries like Pakistan and Israel tried their best to lobby in favour of Trump. Had the Nobel Prize Committee given the prize to Trump, there would have been an outcry about the committee bowing to international pressure.
For Trump, who is the President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize is not a great thing given his power and position. Maria Machado became a household name because she trumped Trump in the prize stake.
By losing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump’s ego may have been hurt, but his mood and temperament will remain the same.

Why did Pakistan attack Kabul ?

Pakistan continues to be on the boil over the Shehbaz-Munir duo advocating the Gaza peace plan. There were protests again after Friday prayers in Lahore and Islamabad.
Tehreek-e-Labbaiq Pakistan (TLP) protesters faced police firing and teargas as security forces stopped them from marching to Islamabad to ‘gherao’ the US embassy.
Internet services were suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and huge containers were put on entry and exit points of Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The overall sentiment of the people of Pakistan is with Palestine and they feel that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir surrendered to the US for cheap gains. Shehbaz’s government and Munir’s army may face a tough situation if the protests continue.
To divert people’s attention, Pakistan Air Force attacked Kabul with missiles to claim that they have targeted the leader of TTP (Tehreek Taliban Pakistan) Noor Wali Mehsud. A Land Cruiser vehicle was bombed, but soon afterwards an audio tape of Mehsud surfaced in which he claimed that he is alive and safe.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament that the Taliban government of Afghanistan has betrayed Pakistan. He said, Pakistan provided shelter to three generations of Afghan refugees but they have now done ‘namak haraami’ (betrayal). Pakistan will not tolerate Afghans, Asif said.
At the same time, Afghan Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was holding official talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Delhi. This was the first visit by an Afghan minister after Taliban captured power four years ago.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, out of pique, told a news channel that Afghans had always been loyal to India and they never supported Pakistan.
In Delhi, Amir Khan Muttaqi said, his government does not want tension to increase and all problems should be solved peacefully. In the same breath, he warned Pakistan not to make a mistake by attacking Afghanistan. He reminded Pakistan about past history when the Soviet Union and the US occupied Afghanistan.
India will be giving 12 ambulances to Afghanistan, and the keys of five such ambulances were handed over to the Afghan foreign minister on Friday. India has promised more humanitarian assistance. Muttaqi said, Afghanistan will never allow its soil to be used against India.
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The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, has raised serious questions about the radicalisation of ordinary Americans. The United States has witnessed four Presidential assassinations since its independence. Republican leaders have pointed towards “radical left political violence” for the assassination of Kirk, a popular activist who rallied American youths to Donald Trump’s cause.
Trump has blamed ultra-left radicals and has vowed to punish the assassin. FBI has released pictures of the suspected assassin wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, walking into a building, before the act.
Charlie Kirk had campaigned hard for Trump during last year’s presidential elections. He had a huge fan following among the youths and had returned on Wednesday from a foreign tour. Kirk was running The American Comeback Tour in the US and had gone to Utah Valley University to address students.
Charlie used to run the The Charlie Kirk Show on radio and had 5.7 million followers on X. Before he was shot, Charlie Kirk was replying to questions about mass shootings and gun culture to the students. He was killed on the day of 9/11 tragedy, when America was mourning those who died in the Al Qaeda bombings at the Twin Towers in New York.
America is known to be a society with liberal thoughts. The killing of a youth icon is really shocking and saddening. It is sad to note that some youths at Utah University were seen celebrating after Charlie Kirk was shot. Some radical extremists were praising the assassination on social media platforms. An American news channel anchor described this assassination as a good news.
All these are indications which forebode an uneasy future. It is saddening to read comments on social media praising the assassination. The chasm of hate seems to have widened in American society with loads of poison in the hearts of those making such hate comments.
This incident reminds us of the failed attempt to assassinate Trump when he was campaigning last year. People in American are worried about security. They do not know when gunshots can erupt, anywhere. It has become easy for anybody to kill a person.
Acquiring a gun in the US has become easy. Charlie Kirk’s assassination is an example of this. Questions will also be raised about police security at the Utah campus and why the assassin vanished after committing the heinous act. These are facts which should be worrying President Trump.

Nepal : Running an interim govt won’t be easy

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel and Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel are busy negotiating with Gen Z campaigners on the issue of nominating an interim prime minister to run the government.
One section of Gen Z leaders has opposed the name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the interim head, while another group wants Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah to be given the job. A third group wants Kulman Ghising as the interim PM. A consensus is still eluding.
Balendra Shah has supported the nomination of Sushila Karki as the interim head. He has said that he would not be part of any government unless the present parliament is dissolved.
There is, however, one problem. The Nepalese Constitution says, any judge of the Supreme Court cannot hold a political or constitutional post after retirement. The retired judge can only take up any judicial or law-related post. A way has to be found to bypass this provision.
The visuals of Gen Z group supporters fighting outside the Army Chief’s office are not a good sign. It is easy to destroy a system, but it is difficult to rebuild a system.
Nepal is now under the control of the army. The army will set up an interim government and fresh elections will take place, which can only be possible after a year. Arsonists had set fire to most of the important government buildings during 48 hours of anarchy.
The entire system is in shambles. Both the parliament and secretariat have been reduced to ashes. Criminals have fled from jails and mobs have looted a large number of weapons. The danger is big.
Already businessmen and those of the elite are fleeing Nepal. Any interim head who will take over could face a hard time in running the government. It will take several years to rebuild Nepal from the damages caused by anarchists.
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US President Donald Trump has practically admitted that his remarks against India have worked adversely. He has admitted that he could not force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept his demands. Trump has publicly admitted that his 50 pc tariff move has alienated India from the US.
On Friday, Trump wrote on social media, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together! President Donald J. Trump.” The remark was sarcastic, and, one the same day, while talking to reporters, Trump did his U-turn act.
Trump said: “I don’t think we have (lost India to China). I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that.”
Trump extended an olive branch towards India. He said, “I always will, I will always be friends with Modi, he is a great Prime Minister, he is great….I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment, but India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about.”
In Delhi, Prime Minister Modi reacted on X on Saturday: “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”
Donald Trump’s comment on Truth Social platform was no doubt sarcastic. It appears to be borne out of frustation. It also reflects his admission of mistake. For the first time, Trump gave the global power certificate to China and admitted that he is worried about India, Russia and China coming together.
Trump knows it is he who is responsible for pushing India towards China, but he is never going to admit that. The entire world has seen the excesses committed by Trump on India. He provoked Modi, tried to bully him, but the Indian Prime Minister was neither shaken, nor did he give in.
India’s reply was precise, calculated and targeted. American experts had been saying for last several days that it is Trump who converted an old friend like India into an enemy. Trump admitted his action through his social media comment.
The question is: Is the chasm between India and the US deep? Is it permanent? There are many in the US administration who say that Trump has a blow hot, blow cold habit. He has probably realised that breaking off friendly ties with India will prove to be a loss. None should be surprised if Trump changes his tune after some days, as he did on Saturday.
But India’s stand is quite clear. India-US relationship does not depend on the mood and fads of an individual. Today, the world is witnessing a changed India. It is not going to compromise on the issue of self-respect.
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By displaying its diplomatic, economic and military might, China has directly challenged the United States. With Chinese President Xi Jinping leading the military parade, and 26 world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Kin Jong-un, watching, the Chinese army displayed its intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, hypersonic missiles, underwater drones and stealth fighter jets at the Military Day celebrations.
US President Donald Trump wrote on social media: “The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that the United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory…. May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
Addressing the parade, Xi Jinping said, China is a great nation that “is never intimidated by any bullies” in an apparent veiled reference to the US, and warned that China is “unstoppable”.
Speaking to media, Donald Trump said, “ … China needs us much more than we need them….We have the strongest military in the world, by far..They would never use their military on us — believe me, that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”
Trump said, he did not see China as a danger, “not at all… America is a big and powerful nation..We are better off economically, and we are now getting money because of tariff. I ended seven wars through dialogue.”
There is no doubt that the US is the world’s biggest military power and a strong economy, but what was the need for Trump to say all this?
Even US experts are worried over the lofty claims being made by Trump. The US President has left diplomatic niceties far behind. He has openly said that Xi Jinping, Putin and Kim Jong Un are “conspiring” against the US.
Such a remark does not behove the US President. What was the need to say that the world cannot run without America? Trump is not alone in making such claims. The North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un also considers his country as a superpower.

Security, Secrets and Concerns of Putin

North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un was the talk of the town at the Chinese military parade. He arrived in his special armoured train ‘Sunshine’ to Beijing railway station. He brought his daughter Kim Ju Ae to watch the parade. The special train with 20 coaches is equipped with anti-tank guided missile, surface-to-air missile and machine guns. The train is protected with armoured plates which can withstand tank shells. It chugged into the station at a speed of 60 km per hour.
Political pundits speculate that Kim is grooming his daughter as his successor, in line with the Kim dynasty. Russian President Vladimir Putin took Kim in his special Aurus car to the bilateral talks venue. He thanked Kim for providing Korean soldiers to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war. Kim’s staff polished all glasses, tables and chairs after the meeting to remove all traces of their leader as a security measure.
It was the second time in two days that Putin invited a foreign leader to sit with him in his car, to avoid his conversation being bugged. On Monday, he had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sit in his car, and on Tuesday, it was Kim Jong-un’s turn to sit in the car. Both the leaders spoke for more than 50 minutes.
Another interesting point: Kim’s staff removed all biological traces from the washroom and toiler that the leader used in Beijing. Putin’s staff did the same when he met Donald Trump in Alaska.
In today’s technological age, presence of physical traces of any leader can be fully analysed to derive health related information. All such traces and evidences are therefore removed after the leader leaves the place.

Floods : Be ready to tackle foodgrain crisis

Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and now Delhi have been ravaged by flood, cloudbursts and landslides causing death and devastation. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited flooded areas of Punjab and met farmers who showed him samples of damaged crops in Gurdaspur. Most of the rivers are in spate and the Yamuna is still flowing above danger level in Delhi. Delhi’s Wazirabad bridge has been closed to traffic.
The Yamuna, in spate, has inundated large areas in Haryana and Mathura in UP. The Yamuna was flowing hardly 600 metres away from the famous Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. The entire Parikrama route has been inundated. Flood water has entered most of the ashrams on the bank of Yamuna. Nearly 1,500 people have been shifted to relief camps. Areas near the Taj Mahal in Agra have also been inundated. Flood water has touched the boundary wall of Taj Mahal.
Punjab has been badly ravaged by flood. For the first time since 1988, all the 23 districts of Punjab have been affected by flood in Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers. The situation has worsened in Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Moga, Barnala, Amritsar and Patiala. Standing crops on roughly 3 lakh acres have been damaged. 324 villages in Gurdaspur and 135 villages in Amritsar are now under water. NDRF, SDRF, army, BSF and Sikh organisations are working round-the-clock in rescue and relief work.
This year’s monsoon has broken all records. Never in the past had Delhi witnessed huge rainfall in the months of August and September. Rains have broken nine-year-old records in Punjab, Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have witnessed one day’s rains equivalent to rainfall recorded during the entire season in past years.
The Centre is trying to provide all possible assistance to the affected states. After the monsoon season is over, one major crisis will be staring in the face.
Foodgrains production may witness a steep decline due to huge loss of crops over several lakh hectares. The government should be ready and must make all preparations to face such an eventuality.
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India, Russia and China, along with other member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) on Monday unanimously said, without naming the US, that the world will not tolerate “unilateral coercive measures including those of an economic nature, that contravene UN Charter and other norms of international law”.
It was a clear reference to steep tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on most of the countries of the world.
As pictures and videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping made it to the front pages of world newspapers and prime time of world news channels, the headlines were evocative.
“Xi, Putin And Modi Try To Signal Unity At China Summit”, wrote The New York Times, “Behind the smiles with Putin, Modi and Xi at China Summit”, said CNBC, “Car-rides and hand holding: Putin, Modi and Xi send Trump a message at China Summit”, said NBC News, “Xi, Modi and Putin share a laugh at security commit” , wrote CNN.
And what was the message from Xi, Modi and Putin? Without naming the US or Donald Trump, they said, the world will run on the basis of mutual cooperation and any country trying to disturb world order or browbeat others to break business chains, will not be tolerated.
The New York Times wrote: “Their display of friendship in China was aimed at projecting an alternative to US global leadership..”.
Russian Foreign Ministry posted the pictures of the three top leaders as its “Picture of the Day”. Putin, after a warm hug and handshake, went with Modi to the dais. He requested Modi to join him in his high-security vehicle Aurus Senat. Putin waited for ten minutes for Modi to come and join him in the vehicle. The two leaders had a long tete-a-tete even after reaching their venue for bilateral talks.
Xi Jinping supported India’s stand on terrorism and said that the friendship between India, China and Russia will prove to be the balancing factor in the new world order.
Pakistan is a member of SCO and most of the SCO countries condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sat and listened when Modi said, terrorism in any form will not be tolerated.
The outcomes of SCO Summit is a historic success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomacy. Those who were saying that India’s foreign policy has failed, may have been shocked watching Modi, Putin and Xi meeting in a spirit of bonhomie.
Those who were claiming that Modi fears China, must have noticed how Modi said, in the face of the Pakistani Prime Minister on Chinese soil, that terror attacks will not be tolerated.
Those who were gratuitously teaching Modi the ropes of diplomacy must have noticed, Putin waiting in his vehicle for ten minutes for Modi to come and sit with him. Both the leaders had a tete-a-tete inside the car for nearly 50 minutes. Never had anybody seen such Putin in such a manner at any international gathering.
Those who were shouting, “Narender Surrender”, may have been shocked reading the statement issued by the US embassy in Delhi soon after the SCO summit was over.
It read, “The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights — a defining relationship of the 21st century. This month, we’re spotlighting the people, progress, and possibilities driving us forward. From innovation and entrepreneurship to defense and bilateral ties, it’s the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey.”
Those who were dancing in joy when Trump imposed 50 pc tariff on India, thereby creating a crisis for Modi, will be worried watching Modi, standing with Putin and Xi Jinping, trying to bring some balance in world order.
Even Donald Trump had to write on social media giving excuses on why he imposed a steep tariff on India.
The moot point is: Those who were criticising Modi’s foreign policy, were, in effect, trying to show India in a poor light. They must understand, whenever matters relating to foreign policy arise, whether in the form of challenges from the US or China, the entire nation should stand united, whosoever may be the Prime Minister, whosever may be running the government. National interest is above all.
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The world is discussing why US President Donald Trump imposed the highest tariff on India. People in the US are also worried over Indian goods becoming costlier after the tariff was enforced.
Trump’s advisers are adding fire to the flames. His trade adviser Peter Navarro went to the extent of labelling the Russia-Ukraine conflict as ‘Modi’s War’. Another of his close advisers, Kevin Hassett, US National Economic Council director, accused India of “intransigence” in opening up its markets for American products. Hassett said, “If the Indians don’t budge, I don’t think President Trump will”.
Peter Navarro, after criticising India for purchasing crude from Russia, remarked on India’s thaw in relations with China. He said: “India, you are getting in bed with authoritarians. China invaded Aksai Chin and all your territory. They are not your friends. And Russia? Come on!”
Navarro alleged that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is “Modi’s war”, saying the “road to peace” runs partly “right through New Delhi”. In other words, he was saying, if India stops buying crude from Russia, the US will withdraw its additional tariff on India and the Ukraine conflict will come to an end.
The trade adviser’s logic does not carry weight, because another Trump adviser said, India refused to open up its agriculture and dairy sectors because of high US tariff. Since both Modi and Trump have adopted inflexible stands, the way out appears to be complicated.
There is no doubt that Trump has no genuine reason for imposing additional tariff on Indian products. Purchase of Russian oil is being projected as an excuse. Trump has himself admitted that the US is earning profit by selling weapons for the Ukraine conflict.
Experts have cited 4 main reasons for the rift between Trump and Modi.
Reason One: In July, 2019, when the then Pakistani PM Imran Khan went to the US, he was told by Trump that Modi has asked him to mediate on Kashmir. Modi expressed unhappiness over Trump’s remark and it was clearly conveyed to the White House that India will not accept any third party role for solving the Kashmir issue.
Reason Two: During the US presidential election, Modi had sought time to meet both the candidates, Trump and Kamala Harris. Trump gave him time and he announced this at one of his rallies saying that Modi was coming to meet him, but at the last moment, Kamala Harris backed out. Modi felt it would be unwise to meet only one party’s candidate. He cancelled his appointment with Trump, who took it amiss.
Reason Three: Trump claimed 42 times that he brokered the Indian-Pakistan ceasefire. India has clarified several times that the ceasefire offer was accepted at Pakistan’s request, but Trump was unwilling to listen.
Reason Four: Trump and Modi were supposed to meet in Canada on the sidelines of G-7 summit, but Trump left the summit midway and returned to the US. He rang up Modi and invited him to come to the White House. At the same time, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was supposed to meet Trump for dinner at the White House. Naturally, Modi declined Trump’s invite. This got Trump’s goat.
Experts say, because of these four main reasons, Trump decided to target India on tariff issue.
On the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’s report that Trump made four telephone calls to Modi, but the Indian Prime Minister did not agree to speak to him, there is no official confirmation. But reports say, Trump has been calling world leaders on his personal phone number, which he had shared with them, including Modi.
During his first tenure, Trump had shared his personal number with Modi, but after becoming President again, Trump changed his phone numbers on the advice of security agencies. Probably, Trump made calls from his new number to Modi, and since it was an ‘unknown number’, the Indian Prime Minister did not receive Trump’s calls.
One thing is clear. Trump’s problem with India is not only because of India purchasing Russian oil. The US and European countries are still providing huge support to Ukraine, and India’s oil purchase from Russia is just minuscule.
Trump’s problem is so big that he made Asim Munir his friend and opted to embarrass Modi by joining the ceasefire issue with the tariff. It is because of this big reason that he imposed the highest tariff on India and did not keep his old friendship with India in mind.
Trump gave concessions to China, whom he considered the US’s biggest rival.
There can be only one reason behind this: Narendra refused to “surrender”. Modi refused to bow down to the US’ demands.
Trump has underestimated Modi. Trump has his own style of working. He speaks to media on a daily basis and says whatever he feels about any Head of State. He makes big announcements through his posts on social media. He speaks to world Prime Ministers and Presidents directly over his mobile phone. None of the US presidents ever did so.
Now, even the Americans are saying that Trump is only a trader, a deal maker. That is why India will have to explore new ways and methods of dealing with Trump and I believe, the work is on.

Bihar : Abusing Modi’s mother will harm opposition’s prospects

Electoral politics in Bihar has now entered the level of gutter language. On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi used mean language about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar, and on Thursday, Congress workers shouted abusive slogans against Modi’s late mother from the dais in Bithauli, Darbhanga. A stage was erected in Bithauli, but both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav did not use the stage to address during their Vote Adhikar Yatra.
There were several thousands Congress and RJD supporters present. Suddenly a local Congress worker Mohammed Rizwi started shouting abusive slogans against Modi on the mike. He egged on his supporters to shout slogans abusing Modi’s late mother. There were local leaders present on the dais when this incident took place, but none of them stopped such slogans. Local Youth Congress leader Mohammed Naushad Alam had arranged the dais. On Friday, police arrested Mohammed Rizwi for shouting abusive slogans against the Prime Minister.
Top BJP leaders lambasted Rahul Gandhi and Congress over this incident. Home Minister Amit Shah said, shouting abusive slogans against the Prime Minister’s late mother is a blot on our democracy.
BJP president J.P. Nadda demanded public apology from both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav for this incident. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, such abusive remarks reflects the real DNA of Congress.
Recent electoral history is witness to the fact that whenever Congress abused Narendra Modi, it was Modi, who benefited and the Congress lost. Sonia Gandhi during her campaign in Gujarat had described Modi as “maut ka saudagar” (merchant of death) and Congress was crushed at the electoral hustings. Congress then avoided mentioning Gujarat riots.
When Rahul Gandhi coined the slogan, “Chaukidar Chor Hai”, it proved counter-productive for the Congress. Rahul’s gambit failed.
When Rahul Gandhi said, “Saare Modi Chor Hain”, he had to face a court case and found it difficult to give a cogent reply.
When Rahul Gandhi said, “Narender Surrender”, the public disapproved such remark. The language that Rahul used against the Prime Minister on Wednesday will not get any support from the people of Bihar.
The reason why abusive remarks have no impact on people is because of Modi’s proven track record. Nobody can raise questions about Modi’s patriotism.
Secondly, Modi is a man who cannot be browbeaten. Thirdly, not a single charge of corruption can stick to Modi. Even his rivals admit the amount of labour that the Prime Minister puts in.
This is the reason why abusing Modi will always prove counter-productive. There is no place for abuses and obscene remarks in Indian democracy.
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US President Donald Trump hardened his stance on Friday saying there was no question of talks with India over bilateral trade agreement unless the tariff issue was resolved.
He was asked by an Indian reporter at the Oval Office, whether he expected talks to resume in the light of 50 pc tariff to be imposed on India, Trump replied, “No, not until we get it resolved”.
Meanwhile, in fast-paced developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval in Moscow on Thursday and agreed to visit India anytime this year.
Doval met Putin at the Kremlin after his discussions with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu. Both Doval and Shoigu spoke about the importance of the “very special relationship” between India and Russia amid uncertainties on the global stage.
Doval said India highly values its strategic relationship with Russia. Shoigu said, India and Russia are linked by “strong, time-tested ties of friendship”.
There is a possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjing, China, later this month. Putin knows, it was India which sided with Russia when war broke out with Ukraine and decided to buy Russian oil. At that time, Modi had told Putin that war is no solution in this era.
It is a fact that if Trump imposes 50 per cent tariff on India from August 27, it can create problems for India’s pharmaceutical, textiles and jewellery sectors. But this is temporary. Indian exporters and manufacturers will find new markets after sustaining initial losses.
Trump’s decision will also damage prospects of US manufacturers who have a stake in the vast Indian market. American exporters are worried that if Trump’s relationship with India worsens, American may have to bear the consequences.
People who know Modi’s style of working say, he does not waste time in unnecessary arguments. He is a ‘pucca Ahmedabadi’ and is adept at converting crises to opportunities. If India, Russia and China do come together on a single economic platform, they can become a big powerhouse and this can create problems for American businesses.

Vote theft : Why Rahul is unwilling to allege on oath ?

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been making allegations about “vote theft” in recent weeks. He had promised to drop an “atom bomb” about how there has been vote theft in recent elections. Finally, he produced names and addresses of voters of Mahadevapura assembly segment of Bengaluru Central parliamentary constituency.
He alleged there was a theft of 1,00,250 votes in the constituency that Congress studied in Karnataka, which included 11,965 duplicate voters and 40,009 voters with fake and invalid addresses.
The Chief Electoral Officers of at least three states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana, asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration with the names of “ineligible” persons included in voter lists and eligible voters who were excluded so that necessary action could be taken.
The CEOs said, Rahul Gandhi will have to declare on oath under rule 20 of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, because any false declaration about electoral rolls is punishable under Representation of People Act, 1950.
The presentation that Rahul Gandhi gave at his press conference looked impressive and could provide good ‘masala’ for publicity. But there is a set procedure for challenging irregularities in polls. Every candidate knows, any election result can be challenged in the High Court by filing an election petition. One has to file a declaration on oath if one wants to challenge irregularities in electoral rolls. Rahul didn’t do either of these two.
The most important point to note: casting of votes in Indian elections is a secret process. Nobody must know who cast a vote for which candidate. How can Rahul Gandhi claim that the names of electors that he read out at his presentation voted for BJP?
Secondly, Rahul Gandhi should have filed his complaint before the Election Commission. It is the EC which can declare which voter is fake and which one is real. In Tejashwi Yadav’s case, the RJD leader was initially claiming that his name was missing from the electoral roll, but later it was found that he had two voter cards.
The most interesting part is: Rahul Gandhi and his party and other allies have been opposing SIR (special intensive revision) of electoral rolls in Bihar. If Election Commission does not carry out intensive revision, how can the electoral rolls be corrected? If Rahul Gandhi alleges there are discrepancies in Karnataka electoral rolls, then how can he object to checking of voters’ lists in Bihar?

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After imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, US President Donald Trump has hinted that more “secondary sanctions” could be imposed. Asked by a reporter why India has been singled out for additional sanctions at a time when other countries, like China, are buying Russian oil, Trump replied: “It’s only been 8 hours. So let’s see what happens. You are going to see a lot more. You’re going to see so much secondary sanctions”.
The executive order imposing 25% additional tariff on imports from India mentions matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other trade laws, and claims that India’s imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
The total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial 25% duty comes into effect from August 7, the additional tariff will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported by the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions.
In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without naming Trump or the US, said India would never compromise on the interests of its farmers, even if it means facing economic consequences. Speaking at an event, Modi said, “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it.”
The US had been insisting on India opening up its agriculture and dairy sectors during negotiations on India-US trade bilateral agreement, but India has resisted this move.
On Trump’s latest additional tariff, Ministry of External Affairs has said, the US move was “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”. In an official statement, the MEA said, “The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.”
“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Prime Minister Modi’s proposed visit to China, his first after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. He will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China on August 31. There is a possibility of Modi meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. Already Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have visited China recently. There has been a thaw in bilateral tension and China has allowed resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims.
In Moscow on Thursday, Ajit Doval met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and discussed strategic issues. India is the second largest buyer of Russian oil. 42 per cent of Indian oil imports are from Russia. India also purchases 40 per cent of its defence equipment from Russia. Trump wants India to buy oil and defence equipment from the US in place of Russia, but Doval’s Moscow visit is a clear indication about India’s intent. The interesting part is that at a time when Doval is in Moscow, Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine Steve Witkoff has also arrived in Moscow to meet Putin.

Dharali : Do not mess up with nature

Seventy people were airlifted from flash flood-hit Dharali in Uttarakhand by the Army till Thursday morning, while over 50 are still missing. Due to road breaches and bridge collapse, rescuers are finding it difficult to reach Dharali which was ravaged by Kheerganga river on Tuesday. Road access has been disrupted in Linchigad, Bartwari, Gangrani and Dharali and restoration efforts are going on by Army engineers. Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are ferrying rescue teams and equipments to Dharali.
Questions are being raised whether the flash flood took place because of cloudburst or breaking up of a glacial lake. The moot question is whether the disaster was man-made because of illegal constructions.
Similar flash flood had occurred in Dharali several times in the past.
In 1978, the first flash flood came in Dharali but no major damage was caused because the riverbank of Kheerganga was neither over-populated, nor were there hotels, buildings and other constructions.
In 1978, when flash flood came along with big boulders, the river flow was stopped, it changed direction. Gradually, people started building homes and hotels on the surface where the river had deposited mud and stones. Hotels and a market came up.
Another flash flood came in 2018. Even then, not much damage took place because the debris and flood water flowed away. On Tuesday, the flash flood came at full speed and instead going in a curve towards the valley, it took the straight route, that is the river’s original route, smashing buildings and other constructions in its path.
Nature can be a blessing if we live with it in harmony. If we try to obstruct nature’s path, it will be a curse. This is the message that Dharali has given to all of us.
Unchecked constructions and unregulated development, both in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, pose risks to human life. People have now begun to realize this.
Our Himalayan region is quite eco-sensitive. It stands on the brink of danger. There is need for taking measures for its protection and conservation.
Experts agree that if there is deforestation and unchecked constructions in the hills, in the name of promoting tourism, nobody can prevent disaster. Nature will react if we carry on with unregulated development in hilly region. There can be cloudbursts and glacial lakes can break, causing landslides and flash floods. If permissions for construction are granted due to negligence and nature is tinkered with, we may have to face nature’s fury and backlash.

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National Security Adviser Ajit Doval reached Moscow on Tuesday to hold talks on strategic partnership, defence, and security cooperation between India and Russia. He is expected to call on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hours earlier, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariff on India for buying Russian oil. In an interview to CNBC, US President Trump said, “India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them. So we settled on 25% (tariff), but I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they’re buying Russian oil. They’re fuelling the war machine. And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy.”
Trump also accused India of making profits from Russian oil by selling it to other countries. Reacting to this, Indian External Affairs Ministry in an official statement said, India’s imports are “a necessity compelled by the global market situation”. The ministry said, nations criticising this are themselves “indulging in trade with Russia” even when “such trade is not even a vital compulsion…. Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment,” the official statement said.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has delivered a sharp warning to Trump cautioning that the move to impose high tariffs on India could strain India-US relationship at a crucial time. She warned Trump not to give a pass to “adversary” China and “burn” relations with an ally like India.
Nikki Haley is a senior Republican leader. In the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, she came in second after Donald Trump. In a rejoinder to Trump, Nikki Haley asked why his administration has given a 90-day pause in tariff to China, which is the No.1 buyer of oil from Russia and Iran?
Nikki Haley’s advice seems to be quite interesting. Trump is a trader. For him, relationships or friendships do not matter. Elon Musk is a shining example of this. During the US presidential elections, Musk helped Trump win the polls by extending monetary support, joined his campaign and promoted Trump in the US media.
On a minor issue, he had a spat with Trump, and the US President threatened to send him back to South Africa. Trump went to the extent of threatening to destroy his Tesla group by imposing heavy taxes. This is typically Trump’s style of business.
For him, any country not ready to do trade or lower tariff, bowing to his demands, will be subjected to allegations and threats. Also, if any country sticks to its stand nonchalantly, Trump can also acquiesce. This is how a cunning trader works.

The reason behind flash floods in Uttarakhand

With the NDRF, ITBP, Army, Air Force and BRO rescue teams working in full swing, more than 190 people have been rescued so far from Dharali, located at 8,600 feet above sea level near Uttarkashi.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Dharali, near Harshil, on Wednesday to oversee relief work. A sudden cloudburst on Tuesday wrought havoc washing away an entire village destroying dozens of houses, hotels and shops.
Official sources put the death toll at 10 and this figure may rise with dozens feared washed away by Kheer Ganga river. Search is going on with the help of IAF Chinook choppers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi is personally monitoring the rescue and relief operations.
Dharali village is a tourist spot located between Gangotri and Harshil. The Kheerganga river emerges from Sapta Taal, 3 km away from Harshil. At least five hotels and dozens of houses have been washed away in the flash flood.
Climate expert Soumya Dutta recalled that Dharali village was washed away during the 2013 Kedarnath flash flood tragedy. Geologist Naresh Pant described cloudburst as a natural phenomenon, but it wreaks havoc because of the growth of habitations on riverbanks.
The frightening images of Dharali clearly show the helplessness of humans in the face of nature’s fury. In a matter of 30 seconds, Dharali, a thriving village full of tourists, was converted into a home of the dead. This natural disaster has forced scientists to study why there has been a spate of cloudburst in Himalayan region in recent years.
Cloudbursts have been reported in places like Shimla, Manali, Kullu and Mandi of Himachal Pradesh too. The number of cloudbursts in July this year is almost double compared to cloudbursts in the last five years. Home Minister Amit Shah had set up a committee of geologists from four institutes last week to study the reasons behind frequent cloudbursts in the Himalayan region. This committee is expected to give its report within a week.
Unfortunately, this disaster happened before the report was submitted. In 2013, when Kedarnath tragedy took place, and homes and hotels were washed away like cards in flash flood, the government had then announced that no construction will be allowed near rivers in Himalayan region. But unplanned constructions continued. Secondly, global warming has led to frequent incidents of cloudbursts.
In the Himalayan region, glaciers are melting at a fast rate and glacial lakes are forming. The Central Water Commission report has identified 67 such glacial lakes whose surface areas have increased by more than 40 per cent. Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are bearing the brunt of such disasters. Neighbouring areas in Bhutan, Nepal and China also face the same risks from glacier lake outburst floods. All these countries will have to sit together to prepare a joint strategy to deal with natural calamities.

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Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a fatwa (religious decree) against US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, calling them “enemies of God”. He has said, “any cooperation or support to such persons by Muslims or Islamic states will be considered as ‘haraam’ (forbidden). All Muslims across the world must make these two enemies regret their words and mistakes”.
Meanwhile, Iran has begun work at its Fordow nuclear site, which along with two other nuclear sites at Natanz and Isfahan were bombed by US Air Force B-2 bombers with more than a dozen bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles launched from a US submarine.
Satellite images collected by Maxar Technologies on Sunday showed ongoing activity near the ventilation shafts and holes caused by the airstrikes at Fordow uranium enrichment complex. US President Donald Trump claims the three nuclear sites have been “obliterated”, but Iran claims it had already shifted its stocks of enriched uranium to safer places before the airstrikes.
In the past, Islamic clerics had issued ‘fatwas’ against Netanyahu, but this is the first time that a ‘fatwa’ has come out against Donald Trump. The US President does not care two hoots about these ‘fatwas’. He has claimed that he saved Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from death.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Why would Khamenei say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the war with Israel, when he knows that his statement is a lie. As a man of great faith, he is not supposed to lie. His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel or the US armed forces…terminate his life. I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death, and he does not have to say, ‘thank You, President Trump’ ”.
Trump claims he is trying to lift all past sanctions against Iran, but Iran is showering abuses on him. Trump is after all Trump. He does not lose time in giving threats. Trump has said if Iran continues to collect enriched uranium, he would not hesitate to bomb its nuclear sites again.
Trump’s message is clear. He wants Iran to come to the negotiation table or face consequences. Trump is a trader and he only understands the language of trade.

Munir is back in game : Openly supports terrorists

There is another trader active and he is Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir. He only trades with terrorists and uses them for his own nefarious ends.
Munir has said, his army will continue to support terrorists in Kashmir. He quoted the Holy Quran, Islamic verses and Mujahideen. On April 15, a week before the Pahalgam massacre, he differentiated between Hindus and Muslims and expounded Jinnah’s two-nation theory. On April 22, Hindu tourists were singled out for their faith and killed by terrorists in cold blood in Pahalgam.
Now, Munir has poured venom against India again. At the passing out parade of Pakistan Naval Academy, Asim Munir said, he is following Allah’s order by supporting the jihadis in Kashmir. Munir quoted verses from Holy Quran and promised continued support to terror in Kashmir.
Those who advocate talks with Pakistan should listen to what Asim Munir said. Munir and his army can be compared to a dog’s tail, which can never straighten on its own.
A few weeks ago, Munir’s army got a sound thrashing from Indian armed forces and yet he has not stopped supporting terrorists in Kashmir. The wounds of Munir’s army have not even healed and he has already become feisty. Even the Pakistani air bases that were bombed by Indian Air Force are yet to be fully repaired, but Munir is raring to fly in the air.
Munir has not been punished yet for his crimes against humanity, and he is openly supporting terrorists. Asim Munir’s trade thrives on peddling lies.
The Field Marshal thinks his uniform will radiate shine he makes tall claims. He must remember that India has clearly said that any act of terror by Pakistan on Indian soil shall be deemed an act of war. Indian missiles can reach any corner of Pakistan.
If Pakistan carries out any fresh misadventure, no amount of nuclear blackmail will succeed this time, nor will America listen to its requests.

Gangrape : Mamata must ask her leaders to keep their mouth shut

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is embroiled in intra-quarrels over the ghastly gangrape of a law students inside the Law College premises by three persons said to be close to TMC. Her loudmouth MP Kalyan Banerjee remarked, “what police can do if a man rapes his girlfriend inside a college?”
TMC immediately disassociated from his remark and has issued him a show cause notice. Kalyan Banerjee’s bete noire, another TMC MP Mahua Moitra retweeted the show cause notice on her X handle, and soon the two started a barrage of personal attacks.
Another TMC leader Madan Mitra got a show cause notice when he remarked, “If that girl hadn’t gone, this wouldn’t have happened. If she had informed someone or taken two friends along, this could have been avoided.”
A nine-member Special Investigation Team has been set up to probe the incident. Kolkata Police has seized the cctv footage which shows the rape survivor girl students being dragged by the rapists. The medical report has confirmed injuries to her body.
Law students and lawyers staged protests in Kolkata demanding justice. A BJP factfinding team from Delhi met the college vice-principal and police commissioner on Monday. BJP leaders alleged that the gangrape victim has been kept in hiding by police. State minister Shashi Panja alleged, BJP is trying to score political gain.
Mamata Banerjee is now handing this issue carefully. Last year, when the R G Kar hospital medical student was gangraped and killed, there was a huge outcry in Bengal. Since then, she has since learnt a lesson and this time, she has swiftly taken action by arresting the three accused. She did not bother when it was found that all the three belonged to her party.
The Trinamool supremo has a problem in hand. She is facing a challenge as to how to keep her own party leaders in check, particularly the loquacious Kalyan Banerjee. When Mahua Moitra objected to his ‘misogynistic’ remark, Kalyan Banerjee immediately raised questions about her recent marriage and honeymoon.
The question is: Who is giving protection to Kalyan Banerjee? A daughter of Bengal was gangraped, it was a serious issue, there is already public outcry and Trinamool Congress leaders are busy making outrageous remarks. This will harm Mamata politically in the long run.

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After 12 days of intense bombing and missile attacks, life is now returning to normal both in Tel Aviv and Tehran as the US-brokered ceasefire now appears to be holding. People in both countries have been asked to come out of the bunkers. Airspace in Middle East has now reopened with international flights resuming.
At the Nato summit in Europe, US President Donald Trump, claiming credit for the ceasefire, said, “The US hit on Iran ended the war…Iran’s nuclear programme has been put back by decades..” Asked if US would strike Iran again if it rebuilds its nuclear enrichment program, Trump replied: “Sure”.
Trump lashed out at the US media, naming CNN and New York Times, after an intelligence report prepared by the Defence Intelligence Agency got leaked, which stated the American B-2 bomber strikes did not damage the core components of Iran’s nuclear program. Trump called the CNN and NYT reports as “fake news” and claimed that the US strikes “were one of the most successful military strikes in history…The nuclear sites in Iran are completely destroyed.”
Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that it has secretly moved most of its enriched uranium to an undisclosed location before the US B-2 bomber strikes.
Questions are being raised on whether US had advance information when Iran fired 13 missiles at the US air base in Qatar, because no major damage was reported. US air force had removed all its fighter planes from the base. Was it mere posturing? Why did Trump give six hours’ time to Iran and Israel to enforce ceasefire? Did he want to give time to both to square up?
Trump has also said that he is not interested in a “regime change in Iran” because it could create more anarchy. He said, Iranians were good businessmen, they know how to bargain and Iran has huge stocks of oil.
In the last 12 days, Trump took U-turn several times. Sometimes it appears as if US attack on Iran nuclear sites was pre-scripted. Iran’s missile attack on US air base in Qatar also appears to be somewhat scripted. Israel is happy because the US has destroyed Iran’s enriched uranium stocks. Iran is happy because it has taken revenge by attacking US air bases in Qatar and Iraq. Trump is happy because both Iran and Israel accepted his ceasefire deal.
But some scenes in this ‘happy ending’ film raise several questions. Iran knew beforehand that American would use its most powerful GBU bombs on its nuclear sites. Iran claims it shifted its enriched bomb-grade uranium elsewhere.
When Iran fired missiles at the US air base in Qatar, all except one missile were easily intercepted and neutralized. The lone remaining missile fell at a deserted spot. Neither the US, nor Qatar faced any damage. It is clear, the US knew where Iranian missiles will be fired and when. All aircraft and ammunition were removed from the US air base beforehand.
It now seems that even the ceasefire plan was prepared in advance. Were these countries engaged in a drama, for public consumption? It is difficult to say. The manner in which the 12-day missile war began and ended naturally raises questions.

Rahul Gandhi’s charges against EC are baseless

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while sharing a news report, alleged on social media that the number of voters in Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ Nagpur South West constituency grew by eight per cent in five months. He said, “some booths saw a 20-50 per cent surge. Booth level officers reported unknown individuals casting votes. Media uncovered thousands of voters with no verified address. And the EC? Silent- or complicit.”
Fadnavis immediately rebutted the charges with a jibe, “jhoot bole kauva kaate, kale kauve se dariyo”.
The chief minister gave statistics from other constituencies like Nagpur West, Nagpur North, Malad West and Mumbra, where voters turnout increased by over 8 per cent between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates won.
Fadnavis said, there are more than 25 constituencies where voters increased by more than 8 per cent between LS and Assembly polls, and in several of them, opposition parties’ candidates won.
Rahul Gandhi had been levelling allegations about malpractices in Maharashtra elections since his alliance lost the assembly polls nearly 18 months ago. The Election Commission has replied to his party’s allegations in detail thrice. Rahul Gandhi has now levelled fresh charges.
The fact is, there has not been a rise in number of voters in Fadnavis’ constituency alone. It rose in those constituencies too, where Congress and its allies won. Denigrating the Election Commission deliberately has become a fad for Rahul Gandhi and this is not good for our democracy.

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