Pahalgam killers’ Pak connection: Solid proof
Questions are still being raised whether the three Pahalgam killers, eliminated by security forces, were Pakistanis or not. Questions are also being raised whether these killers had singled out Hindus before shooting them in cold blood.
In my ‘Aaj Ki Baat’ show on Monday night, we showed how the three terrorists were sent from Pak Occupied Kashmir by Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba and how they hid in a forest near Srinagar after committing the massacre. Pakistani I-cards, Pakistani chocolate rappers, Huawei satellite phone and weapons were found after they were killed in an encounter last week.
These are clear evidence of the Pakistani connections of the killers. Pakistan’s NADRA had issued chip-based national identity cards to them. These chip-based cards, clearly show details about their families and residences, their fingerprints and photos. All these facts have been retrieved from the chips by our IT experts. Wrappers of Candy Land choco bars and Chocomax, made by a company in Karachi, were found in their bags.
Biometric details show, the mastermind Suleiman Shah alias Faisal Jatt, was a resident of Changa Manga village in Kasur, Pakistan, and Abu Hamza was a resident of Kuian village in Rawalakot, PoK.
The Huawei satellite phone, banned in India, was active from April 22 till July 25. It was being used with F-1 bandwidth provided from British communication satellite Inmarsat-4. It was while tracing this satphone that our security forces reached Dachigam forest where the killers were hiding.
The 7.62 x 39 mm cartridges found from Baisaran valley in Pahalgam that were fired from 3 AK-103 rifles matched with the cartridges from the dead terrorists. Their DNAs matched with blood stains found from Baisaran valley.
Despite such unimpeachable evidence, Pakistan Foreign Ministry continues to rubbish India’s claims that the killers were Pakistanis.
Pakistan government knows well that the three terrorists, Suleman Shah, Afghan and Jibran were all Pakistani nationals. Pakistan army knows Suleman Shah was a trained commando of its armed forces. Pakistan’s spy agency ISI knows the weapons given to these killers were the same that are being used by Pakistani army. Voter cards, micro-SD cards reveal details about their residences and families. Their biometrics have matched. Yet, Pakistan will rubbish all such proofs and will not admit its guilt.
Pakistan will never admit that these three terrorists were Pakistanis. This is the reason why Indian government no more sends ‘love letters’ or dossiers to Pakistan detailing these evidence, and instead sends missiles. India now rains precision-guided bunker-busting bombs on terror hideouts.
For India, it makes no difference whether Pakistan accepts these evidence or not. The entire world is aware about Pakistan training and arming terrorists.
The only thing that makes a difference is when senior Indian leaders like P. Chidambaram, who has been the Home Minister, refuse to accept the truth. It makes a lot of difference when a Shiv Sena leader like Sanjay Raut raise questions about whether the three killers had singled out Hindus from among the victims and shot them dead.
The grieving family members of Pahalgam victims have been saying it clearly that the terrorists first asked the religious identity of the victims and then shot them in cold blood. They did not touch a man who recited the Kalma (Islamic religious verse). The killers only singled out Hindu males, asked them to disrobe and checked whether they were Hindus or Muslims. All these facts were revealed by those sisters and daughters who lost their ‘sindoor’. I think, Sanjay Raut has lost his credibility, and his leader Uddhav Thackeray will have to bear the political loss.
What did Supreme Court warn Rahul ?
The Supreme Court on Monday admonished Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about the Army in the wake of clash with Chinese troops in Galwan in 2020.
Justice Dipankar Datta, heading a two-judge bench, while granting a three week stay in a criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, remarked: “How do you get to know that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by the Chinese? Were you there? Do you have any credible material? Why do you make these statements without having any (proof)? ….You being the leader of Opposition in Parliament.. why don’t you ask the question (in Parliament)?…Why do you have to say this in media or social media posts?…. If you are a true Indian, you would not say all these things. ”
During his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that China has occupied 2,000 sq km of Indian territory in Ladakh and its soldiers beat 20 Indian jawans to death in Galwan. A former director of Border Roads Organisation, Uday Shankar Srivastava had filed a criminal defamation case in UP against Rahul Gandhi alleging that he has defamed the armed forces.
After Supreme Court’s observations, it is now clear that Rahul Gandhi has been making factually incorrect remarks based on half-truths. Since he cannot make any caustic remarks against the apex court, he blames the media. In the Rafale case, he had to tender apology before the Supreme Court.
Rahul’s facts and figures about excess voters in Maharashtra have been changing quite often. There are several such examples.
Making hyperbolic comments in politics can be accepted to some extent, but when it relates to the Indian army, China and Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of Opposition, must exercise utmost caution. Instead of accepting claims of China and Pakistan, he should trust the statements of our army and government.
Two voter cards : Tejashwi’s credibility at stake
With proceedings in both House of Parliament blocked for last several days on opposition’s demand for a debate on SIR (Special Intensive Revision) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission has published its draft electoral rolls for perusal of all. The government’s stand is that it cannot reply on behalf of a constitutional body like the Election Commission, hence there is no question of going in for a debate.
A day after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that his name was missing from the rolls, the Election Commission did a fact-check. EC said, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav used Electoral Roll with EPIC No. RAB0456228 for filing his nomination papers on affidavit in 2020. His name is there in the draft electoral rolls published on August 1. He is having this EPIC number since 2015. The other EPIC number RAB2916120, that Tejashwi had mentioned, is found to be non-existing. More than ten years old records have been checked, and no records have been found for the second EPIC number yet. It is highly likely that the second EPIC was never made through official channel, and further inquiries are on to find out about this second EPIC number to decide whether it is a forged document.
The Electoral Registration Officer has written to Tejashwi Yadav, saying that if the second EPIC card was found to be fake, there may be legal consequences, including an FIR.
Tejashwi Yadav is now caught in a cleft. He had alleged that his name was missing from electoral roll, but now it has come to light that there are two voter IDs in his name. Tejashwi Yadav has no cogent reply to give. It is now for Tejashwi Yadav to tell the EC, when and how this card was made in his name and who issued it.
It is very easy to level allegations, but when one’s own mistakes are exposed, it becomes difficult to reply. Tejashwi Yadav had raised questions about the credibility of Election Commission, and now his own credibility is at stake.
Is Asim Munir plotting another misadventure?
Reports have come about Pakistani army reactivating terror camps that were destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor in both Pakistan and Pak Occupied Kashmir. These terror camps have started working under the vigil of Pakistani army.
Meanwhile, India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted a successful test of a precision guided missile fired from a drone. Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir is in Beijing. He has met the Chinese vice-president and foreign minister.
India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has warned Pakistan to desist from activating terror bases of Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. Terror launch pads and training centres have been set up in Looni, Phutwal, Jamila Post, Umranwali, Chaprar, Chhota Chak and Janglora junges.
Pakistani army has installed thermal imaging sysems, foliage penetrating radars and satellite surveillance equipment in at least 13 ISI terror launch pads that were closed after Operation Sindoor.
These launch pads have been activated in Kel, Dudhniyal, Jura, Leepa Valley, Pachhiban Chaman, Naiyali, Jankote, Chakati and Nickale.
Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar addressed his cadre in Bahawalpur and appealed for funds, while Lashkar commanders are collecting funds by organizing rallies.
There are possibilities of Pakistan resorting to misadvernture again. Gen Asim Munir still feels that his army has won despite getting a severe thrashing from Indian armed forces during the four-day air attacks. Pakistan was begging for funds from IMF, Asian Development Bank and other countries. It had become increasingly irrelevant on world stage, but sections of western media, during and after the conflict, projected Pakistan on par with a regional power like India.
Donald Trump completed the rest by claiming at least 25 times that it was he who brought about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump even spoke about five planes being downed during the brief conflict. He hosted Gen Munir to lunch in the White House.
The same Trump who detested Pakistan for cheating the US by taking billions of dollars in the past in the name of combatting terrorists, has now started weighing India and Pakistan on the same balance.
On the other hand, Pakistan got jet fighters, missiles and air defence systems from China and drones and operators from Turkey. China provided real time intelligence to Pakistan during the conflict. Pakistan was actually fighting a proxy war for China against India during the four-day conflict. China was testing its weapons and planes during the conflict.
India destroyed Pakistani air bases, terror hideouts and air defence systems during the conflict, but western media created a perception as if Pakistan inflicted heavy losses on India. The ill-equipped Pakistan army, which was being criticized in its own country, started weaving false tales of bravery.
Presently, an impression is being created in Pakistan as if Donald Trump is trying to browbeat India. China has become the protector and guardian of Pakistan. The impoverished nation is also getting loans from multilateral organizations. In such circumstances, one should not be surprised if Gen Asim Munir starts losing his mental balance.
One thing is certain. If Pakistan carries out a misadventure again, it will have to pay a heavy cost. Whatever lessons that India has learnt from Operation Sindoor is enough to break Pakistan into pieces.
Is Asim Munir planning to finish Imran Khan?
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema has alleged that her brother has been kept isolated in a cell in Rawalpindi Adiala jail and there is a conspiracy afoot to eliminate him. Aleema, her sister Uzma, and their lawyers were not allowed to meet Imran Khan in jail.
Aleema alleged that courts in Pakistan are deliberately adjourning hearing on bail petitions in nearly 200 cases slapped against her brother. On court’s order, a ceiling fan and cooler were installed in his cell, but power supply was deliberately cut off, she alleged.
Aleema said, undeclared martial law is in force in Pakistan and Army Chief Asim Munir is trying to politically finish off her brother. Imran’s other sister Uzma Khanum appealed to the media to save her brother’s life by exposing the atrocities being committed by the army.
Meanwhile, Imran’s jailed wife Bushra Bibi is also facing difficulties. Her sister Maryam Riyaz Wattoo has alleged that Bushra is neither being given medicines nor proper food in jail. She has been lodged in a cell without a ceiling fan. She alleged that Bushra lost consciousness a few days ago but she was not taken to a doctor. She also alleged that courts are not frequently adjourning hearings on her bail petitions.
Both Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are being mentally and physically tortured in prison. It is also a fact that Army Chief Asim Munir wants to finish off Imran Khan politically. There is no point in discussing the merits and demerits of the cases lodged against both of them, because there is no credible legal system working in Pakistan. All the affairs of state are under control of the army.
It is also a fact that it was the army which put Imran Khan in power and then dislodged him. It is the army which has lodged cases against Imran Khan and the courts are being indirectly controlled by the army. In Pakistan, the army can force judges to give judgement to its liking.
What is happening today with Imran Khan had happened with former PM Nawaz Sharif in the past. There is only one difference.
Imran Khan’s popularity ratings have risen after he has been sent to prison. If Pakistan perchance holds free and fair elections, Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf can score a landslide victory.
In Hindi, there is a popular proverb: ‘Naa Nau Man Tel Hoga, Naa Radha Nachegi’ (A snowball’s chance in hell). So long as the army wants, it will keep Imran Khan in jail. Had there been no fear of the people revolting, Imran Khan would have been killed by now. Everything is now at the mercy of Asim Munir.
Why local politicians beat up bureaucrats?
Three different incidents about rage of politicians against babudom came to light on Tuesday from Odisha, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
In Bhubaneswar, a BJP corporator with some goons dragged the Additional Municipal commissioner Ratnakar Sahu, while he was holding a public grievance session. The bureaucrat was kicked and punched by the corporator and his goons. When the video became viral, the city municipal corporation staff went on strike, police swung into action and arrested the BJP corporator and his four associates. Later, the state BJP suspended all the five persons. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had to persuade Odisha Administrative Service not to go on strike.
In Shimla, minister Anirudh Singh thrashed officials of National Highway Authority of India in Dhalli area where NHAI is building a four-lane highway. A local building owner had alleged that his four-storeyed building collapsed due to land excavation by NHAI. The minister, with his associates went to the spot and abused the NHAI officials. The project manager Achal Jindal was beaten up by the minister and his associates. NHAI officials say that the highway is being built nearly 30 metres away from the building. Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to take action against his minister and ensure protection to NHAI staff.
In Kanpur’s Green Park stadium, BJP MLC Arun Pathak was locked in a wordy duel with a female IPS officer Additional CP Anjali Vishwakarma. This occurred when police stopped Pathak’s security staff from entering the stadium carrying firearms. A friendly match was going on between Army XI and Politicians XI to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor. The BJP leader created a scene but the IPS officer was unperturbed.
Incidents of beating of bureaucrats by politicians indulging in ‘dadagiri’ must be condemned. Corporators, MLAs and ministers try to flex their political muscles by abusing and beating bureaucrats. This has been taking place since decades.
Earlier, such news of such incidents used to be hushed up, but with the advent of social media and cell phones, the ‘dadagiri’ of politician is captured on camera and the video reaches news channels easily. This results in political parties taking action against such errant leaders.
Whatever may be the reason, those in public life must not raise their hand on a bureaucrat. This is nothing but a sin. Such politicians must face the law and they must be punished.
How Rajnath Singh exposed China and Pakistan?
In Qingdao, China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a draft joint statement of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) after noticing that Pakistan, with the help of host China, had sought to remove any mention of Pahalgam massacre and instead wanted to add separatist activity in Balochistan.
Singh has exposed the hypocrisy of China and Pakistan on terror issue. Signing the joint statement would have amounted to diluting India’s consistent stand.
Singh said, India had been demanding that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror acts, including cross-border terrorism, must be held accountable.
The Defence Minister said, India has made its position clear and our armed forces have destroyed the hideouts of the masterminds of the terrorists who had killed innocent tourists in Pahalgam.
Rajnath Singh’s speech was heard with rapt attention by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. It was Rajnath Singh’s first visit to China since Operation Sindoor.
The Defence Minister said, the killers identified the religion of each of the victims and then shot them in cold blood. This was a sin against humanity and The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba took responsibility for this heinous act, he added.
In Islamabad, Pakistan is openly flaunting its connections with home grown terrorists. Pakistan’s Information & Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar attended the Sanobar think tank meet in Islamabad, which, among others, was also attended by Lashkar terrorist Qari Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh.
At the meeting, Qari claimed that all the buildings that were destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor have now been renovated.
What Rajnath Singh did at the SCO meet in China clearly reflects the power of New India. He exposed Pakistan’s support to terror and China’s cunningness while drafting the joint statement.
China had hoped India would not raise the Pahalgam issue and remain silent, but Rajnath Singh did not bother about diplomatic niceties. He showed the mirror to the leaders of both China and Pakistan. Rajnath Singh neither shook hands with the Pakistani defence minister nor did he look at him. Khawaza Asif looked stunned.
India has now decided to expose Pakistan’s terror activity at every international forum. There will be no question of showing diplomatic niceties to Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. India has made it clear any future terrorist act by Pakistan shall be considered as an act of war. Rajnath Singh has conveyed this message clearly to the rest of the world.
What is Bengal BJP’s problem with Jagannath Temple in Digha?
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee joined thousands of devotees at the Rath Yatra festival in Digha on Friday. The Rath Yatra began from the new Jagannath temple built at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar described this as a “political drama”. He said, Mamata’s government was busy in Muslim appeasement for the last 14 years, but with state assembly elections due next year, she is now trying to attract Hindu voters.
Majumdar pointed out that in the recent Kaliganj assembly byelection, BJP got 74 per cent of Hindu votes. Another BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said, Mamata’s partymen are now sending Jagannath prasad to the homes of voters.
Replying to this, Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee said, BJP had been harping on Hindutva theme for the last several decades, but by opposing the Jagannath temple, the party now stands exposed.
What is the problem with state BJP, if Mamata Banerjee builds a Jagannath temple in Bengal? What is wrong in Mamata taking out a Jagannath Yatra? Why should BJP object if Jagannath prasad is being sent to the homes of commoners. What harm will be done by this to Hindu dharma?
I think BJP leaders in Bengal are committing a mistake by opposing the Jagannath temple in Bengal. They are willy-nilly being caught in Mamata’s political trap.
If BJP leaders continue to criticize, Mamata Banerjee will get an easy handle to tell the people that BJP is insulting Lord Jagannath. She will tell the people that BJP has nothing to do with Lord Jagannath or the temple, and its sole aim is to oppose Mamata. The winners will be the people who will be getting Jagannath prasad sitting in their homes.
How Trump proved Asim Munir to be a Pappu
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had been waxing eloquently after his luncheon meeting with US President Donald Trump, is now facing the ire of his own people on the streets of Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad. Pakistanis are asking who gave the bright idea to Asim Munir to recommend a Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. The Pakistani army-political establishment is silent.
Thousands of protesters, both Shia and Sunni, swarmed the streets of Karachi after Trump’s US Air Force B-2 bombers bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities. The protesters were hurling abuses at Asim Munir, PM Shehbaz Sharif, Trump and Israeli President Netanyahu.
Protesters demanded why Pakistan sided with the US before it bombed the nuclear sites of a friendly Islamic neighbour state. Pakistan, they said, has now become a laughing stock in the eyes of the entire Islamic world.
The ruling establishment, the army and the elite of Pakistan had been singing paeans for Asim Munir, when Trump invited the Field Marshal to lunch with his top associates. They were chortling on how American has lent its full support to Pakistan, in its conflict with India. Questions were being raised about Prime Minister Modi’s personal friendship with Trump. The impression was being given to the public that Trump embarrassed India multiple times, and finally hugged Pakistan.
After the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, it is now clear how Trump made a monkey out of Asim Munir. The Pakistani establishment had been praising Trump as its “Abbajan” (guardian father) and was openly recommending Trump’s name for Nobel Peace Prize for bringing about ceasefire between India and Pakistan. All these hopes were dashed to the ground, when B-2 bombers ‘obliterated’ Iran’s three nuclear sites. Now, the Pakistani reactions range from “Tauba Tauba” (Forgive, Oh God!) to “We have been cheated”.
Leaders who were describing Trump as a peacemaker are now calling his action ‘barbaric’. Leaders who described Trump as “an angel of peace” are now describing him as “Maut Ka Saudagar”(Merchant of Death) within a span of 24 hours.
If Asim Munir was having the impression that Trump left G-7 summit midway and came to White House to host him for lunch, then, I think, there can be no fool bigger than him If Munir could not assess that Trump wanted Pakistan to shut its mouth when he bombs Iran, then one should naturally question Munir’s intellect.
In my ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ show telecast last weekend, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi bluntly said, “Trump will now make Munir dance to his tunes and Munir will do so”.
The problem is, because of Munir’s gaffe, the entire state of Pakistan had to dance to Trump’s tunes. Those who claimed to be champion of diplomacy have lost their sheen. American Air Force planes used Pakistan’s air space to bomb Iran. They used Pakistan’s 1,000 km-long border with Iran, leaving Asim Munir helpless. Everybody now agrees that Prime Minister Modi did the right thing. He spoke to Trump on phone for half an hour and declined to go to the White House.
Trump’s Big Gamble : He will have to tread carefully
On a day of dramatic developments, US President Donald Trump announced a three-stage “complete” ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but the ceasefire did not appear to hold because hours later Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel after the deadline hour.
Earlier, Tehran witnessed one of its worst nights on Monday when several loud explosions were heard, but after 4 am local time, the situation remained calm and no more attacks took place.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, if Israel stops attacks, Iran will also cease firing missiles into Israel.
On Monday evening, US President Donald Trump announced to the world that both Iran and Israel have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to take effect in six hours. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social : “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”.
Trump wrote: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.’
The ceasefire brokered by US and Qatar, came into effect hours after Iran fired missiles at the US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, in retaliation over the bombing of three nuclear plant sites by American B-2 bombers. Iran claimed the missile attacks matched the number of bombs dropped by US air force on Sunday.
Soon after Iran attacked American bases in the Gulf, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait closed their airspace throwing international air flights passing through the Middle East in a spin.
Donald Trump has played a big gamble, first by bombing Iran’s three nuclear sites using American B-2 bombers, and then announcing a ceasefire between the two warring nations, that may or may not hold.
If Trump’s gamble of “peace through strength” succeeds, it will be one of the biggest achievements of US foreign policy in recent decades. The nuclear threat from Iran will cease and Trump may be hailed as a hero.
But if Trump’s gamble backfires, the whole of Middle East will be thrown into a cauldron of fire and unrest. Trump may be forced to send the US army into war, which he had been trying to avoid till now.
One should remember, Trump had won the US presidential elections on the promise that America’s army would not enter into any fresh conflict anywhere in the world.
Trump’s problem is not that many countries of the world have criticized him for sending US bombers to “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear sites. Trump’s main problem is that if Iran retaliates with full force, American will be mired in another Middle East war, that is not going to end soon.
It could become difficult for Trump to reply to questions that will be raised from his MAGA (Make America Great Again) brigade of supporters. Iran will target American forces in the Gulf. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi insurgents are not dead. They may carry out more strikes.
In that scenario, nobody can predict what China will do. In the coming days and weeks, President Donald Trump will have to tread carefully, step by step.
No Surrender, No Pressure: Ceasefire on Pak demand
US President Donald Trump, after hosting a luncheon in honour of Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, again claimed that it was he who stopped the India-Pakistan conflict, but also gave credit to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asim Munir, describing them as “two smart leaders”.
Asked what he wanted to achieve from meeting Munir, Trump told reporters: “Well, I stopped a war … I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We’re going to make a trade deal with Modi of India.. But I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. This man (Munir) was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi from the India side and others.” Trump said, “They were going at it – and they’re both nuclear countries. I got it stopped.”
Trump said: “The reason I had him (Asim Munir) here, I want to thank him for not going into the war, ending the war. And I want to thank, as you know, Prime Minister Modi just left a little while ago, and we’re working on a trade deal with India. We’re working on a trade deal with Pakistan……They were both here, but I was with Modi a few weeks ago. He was here actually, but now we speak to him. And I’m so happy that two smart people, plus you know, people on their staff too, but two smart people, two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war. That could have been a nuclear war. Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, big, big nuclear powers, and they decided.”
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump hosted Munir after he called for the president to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan.
Hours earlier, Modi told Trump in their 35-minute phone call that the cessation of military action took place only after talks between Indian and Pakistani militaries and not through U.S. mediation, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, said. This was the first direct exchange between Modi and Trump since the Indian-Pakistan conflict between May 7 and 10.
“PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like India-U.S. trade deal or U.S. mediation between India and Pakistan,” Misri said. “Talks for ceasing military action happened directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, and on the insistence of Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi emphasised that India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do.”
Trump asked Modi if he could stop by the U.S. on his return from Canada, but, according to Misri, Modi expressed his inability to do so because of his scheduled visit to Croatia.
Trump is, after all, Trump. Nobody can predict when he will change his tune, but Prime Minister Modi has, in his phone call to Trump, clearly raised the curtain of secrecy on what transpired before the cessation of firing and military action. Trump had been consistently claiming that he brought about ceasefire after putting pressure on both countries on trade deal issues.
Modi told Trump clearly there was no talk at any stage on India-U.S. trade deal or U.S. mediation between India and Pakistan. Talks for ceasing military action happened directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, and on the insistence of Pakistan. Modi also told Trump, India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do so in future.
Why is Congress upset over what Modi told Trump? By speaking directly to Trump over phone on how the ceasefire took place, Prime Minister Modi has taken the wind out of the Congress’s sails.
Congress had been spreading the narrative that Modi “surrendered” to pressures from the US. Congress leaders had been targeting Modi without any rhyme or reason. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh showed a six-month-old readout from the White House to prove our Foreign Secretary wrong. The readout was dated January 27 this year and it had nothing to do with latest phone call between Modi and Trump. In fact, the White House did not issue any readout of the phone conversation. This is a clear case of misleading people by spreading fake news.
It would have been better if the Congress had stayed silent after Modi-Trump phone call. Congress had in the beginning questioned Modi’s silence over the Pahalgam attack, and when Modi spoke, called it “an election gimmick”. Congress first said, why Modi was not teaching Pakistan a lesson, and when our armed forces carried out attacks, Congress said, war is not the solution.
Rahul Gandhi went to the extent of spreading the narrative that Pakistan downed some of our jet fighter planes. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Operation Sindoor as a minor skirmish. Our armed forces showed digital evidence of how controlled, precise attacks were carried out deep inside Pakistan to destroy terror headquarters and air bases. It was because of this that Pakistan started nudging the US to help in bringing about a ceasefire.
Rahul Gandhi and his team are unwilling to accept this. They are only pointing towards Trump’s claims, whereas Prime Minister Modi’s reply to Trump over phone was precise and controlled.
It was made amply clear that India did not bow to pressures from the US. Our armed forces stopped military action when it realized that our objective was achieved. This was the reason why the Pakistan army DGMO’s request for cessation of firing and military action was accepted.
India’s focus during Operation Sindoor was to destroy the terror infrastructure and their masterminds inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s history of abetting terrorism is well known and America knows it very well. The US knew where Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was hiding and which country was secretly providing him shelter.
American records show how Pakistani terrorists were involved in the 1993 World Trade Tower attack, in 9/11 terror attacks and in Times Square bombing. In all these attacks, Pakistani terrorists were involved and were indicted. America is itself the victim of Pakistani terrorism, but today, America needs Pakistan’s cooperation, in view of the ongoing escalation of war against Iran.
Will Trump use Munir for plan to attack Iran ?
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir may be basking in the glow of a luncheon meeting with President Donald Trump, but he is facing some harsh realities in the US too. At a hotel where he was addressing Overseas Pakistanis, there was slogan-shouting by protesters who described him as a mass murderer. On Wednesday, when Munir strolled at a mall in Washington, he had seven security personnel escorting him, but there were more than 700 Pakistanis present, who had come from different cities of the US. These protesters described him as a killer, renegade and the man who robbed Pakistan of its democracy.
Never before had a Pakistani army chief faced such protests on foreign soil. One Pakistani journalist alleged that Munir’s family members and close associates have invested millions in a cryptocurrency company in which Trump family has holdings, and this could be the reason why he was invited to lunch by the US President. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Barrister Shehzad Akbar said, Asim Munir first kowtowed leaders in Pakistan to reach the army chief’s chair, and he was now doing the same to Trump to perpetuate his control on power. Shehzad Akbar said, Asim Munir will now do everything that Trump would tell him to do.
There is not an iota of doubt that Asim Munir was the mastermind behind the barbaric Pahalgam attack in which innocent tourists were brutally killed because of their religion. He does not deserve any honour.
But one should realize, how India can decide which leader should be invited to the White House for lunch or dinner? Will Jairam Ramesh tell Donald Trump why he did not issue a statement? Will Sanjay Raut persuade Donald Trump to withdraw his words. These are all ridiculous matters. Neither can anybody put a leash on Donald Trump’s claims, nor can any outsider decide the guest list at the White House.
One question that will be asked is, why Trump invited Munir to lunch? Trump is presently spending much of his time on how to target Iran, which has a nearly 1,000 kilometre long border with Pakistan. For launching any major military operation against Iran, the US army may need airbases and air space in Pakistan. There are reports that spy planes are ready for action inside Pakistani air space, and are gathering intelligence from across the Iran border.
Trump hosted luncheon for Asim Munir to get Pakistan’s assistance. Now can anybody stop him from inviting Munir? America has to get its work done and if it cajoles Pakistan by inviting its military chief, who can stop the US President? In the past, the US had used Pakistan to drive out the Soviet army from Afghanistan.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaza Asif had admitted two months ago in a TV interview, “we have been doing this dirty work for the US for the past three decades, including the West and the United Kingdom.” However, he called it a “mistake” and said Pakistan “suffered because of that.” Former Pakistan dictator Pervez Musharraf provided all logistics help to the US army when it deposed Taliban in Afghanistan after 9/11 attack. The country is still facing the consequences.
What can one do if Pakistan again agrees to help the US in its war against Iran?
Pakistan’s fear: Israel may target its nuclear arms
As the Iran-Israel conflict rages, US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Canada in a hurry and called for immediate evacuation of Iran’s capital Tehran. In a cryptic post on Truth Social account, Trump wrote: “Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a “cease fire” between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned.”
In another social media post, Trump asked people to leave Tehran immediately. Trump wrote: “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it, over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
Israel’s army on Tuesday claimed it had killed Iran’s wartime chief of army staff Ali Shadmani, said to be the most senior military commander. Israel on Monday night hit Iran’s broadcasting authority sending a newsreader hurrying from her seat after the blast. Iranian state television said the strike killed three people, while Israel claimed that the TV building was acting as a communications centre for Iran’s army.
With both countries threatening to nuke each other, the Middle East is teetering on the brink of a major catastrophe. The G7 summit in a joint statement expressed support for Israel and described Iran as a source of instability in the region. The statement said, “We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel….Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror …G7 is clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Iranian experts have claimed that their nuclear sites are located 60 to 80 metres below the ground, while the Israeli missiles could penetrate only up to six feet underground. One of the experts said, it is only the US which has the capability to destroy these underground nuclear sites.
If America attacks Iranian nuclear sites, it would be mean the US joining the war. If that happens, Pakistan could be the next target. Israel has already said that if there is any irresponsible nuclear power in the world, it is Pakistan.
Leaders of all major parties in Islamabad are fearing that Israel can target Pakistan after Iran. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaza Asif has appealed to all Islamic countries to join hands and stop Israel.
Meanwhile, a video clip of a senior Iranian commander and member of national security council, Mohsin Rezaei saying in an interview on state television, “Pakistan has assured us that if Israel uses a nuclear bomb on Iran, they will attack Israel with a nuclear bomb” has become viral. Soon after this clip came on social media, Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that Pakistan has never spoken about attacking Israel. Dar said, Pakistan’s nuclear bombs are for its own security and not for helping any other country.
Pakistan has several problems with its nuclear warheads.
Firstly, Pakistan is the only nuclear power in the world that threatens to nuke others. During the recent India-Pak conflict, Pakistan’s ministers used to casually speak about their nuclear warheads. This is a big risk for the rest of the world. Pakistan’s Railway Minister even went to the extent of claiming that his country had 141 nuclear bombs. Imagine, how a minister of a nuclear power can make such an irresponsible remark.
Secondly, Donald Trump has claimed repeatedly that it was he who stopped a nuclear war between India and Pakistan recently. In other words, it meant that when Indian missiles destroyed a Pakistani air base, Pakistan went begging to the US and said that if India is not stopped, it would be forced to use its nuclear warheads.
Israel understands the nuances of all such claims and threats. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad keeps a close tab on each activity that takes place in Pakistan.
Pakistan has extended full support to Iran in its war against Israel. Therefore, there is bound to be fear in Pakistani circles about the possibility of Israel targeting Pakistan’s nuclear installations.
Pakistan’s biggest conundrum is that it cannot go to the US to complain against Israel. US is providing full support to Israel in its war against Iran. Naturally, Pakistan’s military leadership is worried, and its lies stand exposed. Pakistan is now caught in a cleft stick. It is neither here, nor there.
Dreamliners : The faults and fears
Four days after the Ahmedabad plane crash, two Boeing Dreamliner aircraft were forced to return to London and Hong Kong with the pilots raising red flags about technical glitches. Air India flight AI-315 took off from Hong Kong on Monday and had to return due to technical glitch. The pilots informed Air Traffic Control, “ we don’t want to continue further” and requested clearance to return.
The Chennai-bound British Airways Dreamliner took off from London on Sunday but returned soon after take-off. The captain reported some “flap adjustment failure”, dumped most of the fuel in the sea before returning to Heathrow.
On Tuesday, officials of the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) questioned the Air India engineering department head when another Dreamliner flight heading to London from Ahmedabad was cancelled abruptly due to technical glitch.
Earlier, on Monday, the high-level multi-disciplinary committee set up by the Centre to probe the Ahmedabad plane crash, met to analyse the possible causes of the crash. The meeting, headed by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, decided to frame standard operating procedures for preventing such occurrences in future.
Already there are apprehensions in the minds of fliers after three Dreamliners encountered technical glitches in less than a week. I think there should be no problem in taking utmost precautions before any aircraft is allowed to take-off.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Reddy said, Air India operates 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The safety checks of 12 of them have been done and no issue has been found so far, he said. Reddy said, the probe committee will submit its report within three months.
The probability about whether a sudden power failure caused both the engines to stop working is being studied. Variable Frequency Starter Generators provide electric power to start the engines, and if they failed, they could have stopped the Electronic Engine Controls (EECs) which are said to the throttle computers of the aircraft.
On the reasons behind Ahmedabad plane crash, we should wait for the report of the probe committee after it analyses the black box and other evidence.
Rajnath Singh on Pak: ‘UN is asking a cat to guard milk’
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday urged the international community to stop the flow of foreign funds to Pakistan. At an event in Dehradun, Singh described Pakistan as a “nursery of terrorism” that should not be fed.
The minister also expressed shock over the recent decision of the UN Security Council to name Pakistan as the vice-president of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. He said, such a decision raises questions about the seriousness of the United Nations in dealing with the scourge of terrorism.
“This Counter-Terrorism Committee was set up after the 9/11 terror attacks by Al Qaeda in the US. Pakistan had sheltered the mastermind of 9/11 attacks. This decision is similar to the proverb about asking a cat to guard the milk. Nothing can be more unfortunate”, Singh said.
The Defence Minister reminded the world community that Pakistan is a country where terror masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar are allowed to roam freely and to spew poison to recruit terrorists. He said, it is in Pakistan that the army generals openly attend the funeral of terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor and offer “fateha” (prayer). “This is nothing but a cruel joke”, Singh said.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government on Tuesday hiked the country’s defence budget by 20 per cent. At a time when most of the money allocated in Pakistan’s budget goes towards repayment of debt, which amounts to nearly 70 per cent of its GDP, Pakistan government has decided to spend more on defence.
This is happening at a time when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself is saying that his country is going around the world begging for funds. This decision is surely going to cause concern in the minds of Pakistanis. One must remember what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently. He said, ‘the youths of Pakistan will have to decide whether they want development or a government or army that wants to promote terrorism’.
All-party global outreach by India : A job well done
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hosted a get-together for the seven all-party delegations that visited 33 world capitals post-Operation Sindoor. Modi thanked the MPs and said, “we are all proud of the manner in which they put forward India’s voice.”
The all-party delegations included MPs from BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal(United), Telugu Desam Party, DMK, Shiv Sena, CPI-M and NCP. Among the MPs were Shashi Tharoor, Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari from Congress, Abhishek Banerjee from Trinamool Congress, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi from DMK and Supriya Sule from NCP(SP). AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was part of the delegation, but he could not attend because he had to travel to Dubai for a medical emergency.
The MPs briefed the Prime Minister on their interactions with foreign leaders, lawmakers, and opinion-makers. They shared how India’s position on the need to combat terrorism was received by leaders of different countries.
There are two distinct advantages from this global outreach by India.
Firstly, the world listened to India’s stand on the issue of combating cross-border terrorism. Three points were conveyed to world leaders: (1) Pakistan has become a factory of terrorism , (2) India had no option left but to strike deep inside Pakistan on terror hideouts, (3) The limits of patience have now crossed and India shall no more countenance terror attacks from across the border. If Pakistan carries out another Pahalgam-type mischief, the Indian response will be drastic as most of Pakistan is now within range of our missiles.
Secondly, the other advantage that accrued from this global outreach was, all political parties in India stood united on the issue of Pakistan’s terror attacks. They projected a united face before the world. Of course, there were some losses for Congress. While its leaders who were part of the delegations, spoke in the national interest, the party leadership tried to look out for political gains and losses from this outreach. The result: Congress stood isolated and the party leadership sidelined its own leaders.
Why Rajnath Singh said, Navy could have broken Pakistan into four
Aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing naval warriors on Friday, said, “During 1971 war, when Indian Navy came into action, Pakistan was divided into two. If Indian Navy had come into action during Operation Sindoor, I think, Pakistan would have been split into four parts by now.” He was underlining the formidable strength of Indian Navy.
Rajnath Singh said, “During Operation Sindoor, Indian Navy impressed everyone with its silent service..Pakistan did not have to face the firepower of Indian Navy, but now the world knows, if Pakistan commits any fresh heinous act this time, it may be possible that our Navy will do the opening”.
The Defence Minister said, “on one hand, the Indian Navy is always as calm as the ocean, but if any situation arises, it has the capability to bring about a tsunami in the ocean”.
Rajnath Singh said, “if Pakistan sincerely wants to begin talks, it should first hand over terror masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India, so that justice can be done.”
Let me explain why Rajnath Singh said, Pakistan hurriedly pleaded for ceasefire because it was afraid of our navy.
On May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor, it was carried out by our army and air force, but few people know that the Indian Navy had a key role in the operation. A formidable naval task force led by INS Vikrant along with destroyers, frigates, submarines and fighter jets were deployed in Arabian Sea close to the Pakistani coast. Seeing the huge flotilla of the Indian Navy, Pakistan’s navy could not summon up the courage to come out of the ports to take up combat position.
The Indian Navy began its drill with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles in Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, in a clear display of its intent to Pakistan.
The Defence Minister chose INS Vikrant to give a powerful message to Pakistan. INS Vikrant is the symbol of India’s naval prowess. It is our first indigenously built aircraft carrier which can carry more than 30 aircraft. The other operational aircraft carrier is INS Vikramaditya. India stands eighth, while Pakistan stands 32nd in the list of 145 countries in Global Fire Power Index-2024.
Rajnath Singh is right when he says that the Indian Navy was ready to strike during Operation Sindoor. Its MiG fighters were ready, but before the action was to commence, Pakistan’s DGMO rang up seeking a ceasefire.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is on record of having said that his armed forces had planned to attack India at 4:30 am, but soon after midnight, India launched its BrahMos missiles and damaged Pakistan’s air bases. This forced the Pakistan army to call for cessation of firing and military action.
Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail will not work
The chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza has said, he fears that if India continued to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, it may become an existential threat for Pakistan which can led to nuclear conflict.
In an interview to a news agency, Gen Mirza admitted that Pakistan army was caught unawares when India struck deep into its heartland. He said, “the risk of escalation in future has increased since the fighting this time was not limited to the disputed territory (Kashmir).. In future, it will not be restricted to the disputed territory, it would come down to the whole of India and the whole of Pakistan.”
In Tajikistan, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, if India stopped the flow of Indus river, “which is the lifeline of Pakistan, then there will be a real war”.
In Kanpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, India will not be deterred by threats of nuclear war and there will be no talks on Indus Waters Treaty, till Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism. Modi said, “Pakistan must not remain under any illusion, because Operation Sindoor is not yet over. It will have to pay a heavy price if another attack takes place.”
Modi said, “Operation Sindoor is only one arrow in the quiver and if Pakistan does not stop terrorism, India will take a bigger action to crush the hood of terrorist snake. India has finally resolved not to spare terrorists and their sponsors”.
In Vadodara, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, all terror camps inside Pakistan are now “legitimate targets for India”. He said, “we will never give in to nuclear blackmail and whatever decisions are to be taken in national interest will continue to be taken.”
Listening to the remarks from all sides, some points are clear.
One, Pakistan’s nuclear threat does not carry any weight. Nuclear blackmail will not work. All nuclear installations in Pakistan are within range of Indian missiles.
Two, Pakistan is worried over the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty. It has become a matter of survival for that country, but India’s stand is clear. Unless Pakistan closes down its terror factories, there will be no leniency. Three, Operation Sindoor was a trailer. Picture Abhi Baaki Hai. This time, Pakistan had pleaded for ceasefire, but next time, nobody will listen to its pleas. If Pakistan commits any major act, it will have to face retaliation from India.
How Modi turned the tables on Pakistan
In a speech loaded with powerful meanings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has again warned Pakistan not to indulge in any terror act against India. In the same speech, Modi, without naming China, asked people to boycott sale and purchase of foreign (read Chinese) products.
Addressing a rally in Gandhinagar, Modi made it clear that Operation Sindoor is continuing , and for India, the days of ‘proxy war’ are over.
Modi reminded people about the first Kashmir war of 1947-49. He said, “it was Sardar Patel’s wish that until PoK is taken back, the army should not stop. But Sardar Sahib’s words were not followed….For 75 years, India suffered, and what happened in Pahalgam was a “distorted form” of that attack”.
Modi said, “In 1947, Mother India was cut into pieces. Instead of cutting off her chains of slavery, her arms were chopped off. The country was divided into three parts, and the same night, the first terrorist attack took place on the soil of Kashmir.”
The Prime Minister said, Pakistan with the help of tribal invaders occupied a part of Indian territory. “If we had killed those Mujahideen at that time, we wouldn’t have lost PoK. We should have listened to Sardar Patel, who wanted the Army not to stop the war, until we got back PoK,” Modi said.
Modi said, “the new India will not tolerate this. Time has come to teach the enemy a lesson and this has begun with Operation Sindoor”.
Fort our new generation, many of whom may not be aware of how Pakistan occupied a part of Kashmir, let me explain in brief.
The war that began between India and Pakistan soon after Partition in October, 1947 ended in January, 1949 through a UN-brokered ceasefire. Pakistani army was backing the tribal invaders. The then Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession and India sent its army to Srinagar. Our troops repulsed the invaders from the Valley. Our army could have thrown the invaders out from the rest of J&K, but the then PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru went to the UN and Pakistan continued to occupy PoK.
That is why Modi said, “had there been a full and final settlement of Kashmir issue in 1947, Pakistan would never have gained the courage to attack India in 1965 and 1971. After losing wars, Pakistani army realized it can never win a conventional war against India and created an army of terrorists”.
Modi also spoke about another historic blunder by Pandit Nehru when he signed the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. Modi revealed, under this treaty, India agreed not to desilt its dams without Pakistan’s prior permission. The result was: both Salal and Baglihar projects, because of lack of desilting, were working at less than half of their capacity. India could not object.
Because of this treaty, the Ratle hydropower project and Wullar barrage work also came to a standstill because Pakistan raised objections every time India started work on these projects. India could not use even its rightful share of Indus water because of this treaty, Modi said.
Modi said, “we have only kept this treaty under abeyance…we haven’t started anything yet and Pakistan is already sweating”.
Clearly, Modi is hinting at a comprehensive review of the conditions mentioned in this treaty. This relook can happen only after Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism.
To summarize: let’s see how Modi changed India’s policy towards Pakistan in recent years.
Earlier, when Pakistan used to carry out terror attacks in India, we used to complain to the US. But now, we display to the entire world how our armed forces took 22 minutes to destroy multiple terror headquarters deep inside Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan used to hide behind the fig leaf called “non-state actors” (used for terrorists). Now, India does not tolerate such ‘proxy wars’ and our air force damaged 11 air bases inside Pakistan.
Earlier Pakistan used to give threats to use nuclear warheads against India. Now, Pakistan hollers in fright and goes to the US seeking protection of its nuclear installations.
It is a fact that India committed historic blunders in the past. It allowed Pakistan to occupy a large part of Kashmir in 1948, and signed the one-sided Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. Now, for each of the actions taken by India, there are already reactions in Pakistan. The tables have now been turned.
Stop buying Chinese products!
In an oblique reference to China, which supplies most of the missiles and fighter planes to Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi said, people in India must now gear up not to import or buy products made in foreign countries (read China).
Modi said, “nowadays we find idols of Lord Ganesha with slit eyes being sold in India. During Holi and Diwali, the markets are flooded with colours and ‘pichkari’(water gun) made in foreign countries….We, as part of 140 crore people of India, must show our might to the world. We must promote Made in India products. We must shun foreign products. Only then can we achieve our aim of Viksit Bharat in 2047.
It is a fact that China has occupied a large chunk of world markets by flooding them with cheap products. In India, we use at least 62 per cent products of daily use, made in China. We use 55 per cent electronic gadgets made by China. These include cellphones, TV sets, Bluetooth devices, toys and sundry other products. Even Chinese-made textiles have flooded Indian market. Most of the idols sold in India during Holi, Diwali and Janmashtami are made in China. Nearly 35 per cent decoration products come from China.
For China, India is a huge market. If we stop buying Chinese products, we can teach China a lesson. Even the US has realized this and President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariff on Chinese products to make them unviable in American markets.
Will Yunus be dethroned in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, the army and the interim chief of government Mohammed Yunus are now at loggerheads. Bangladesh army has demanded that Yunus must hold early parliamentary elections and hand over power to an elected government. Indirectly, the message has gone that Yunus should pack up his bags soon.
The reason: Yunus government wants to open a Rohingya humanitarian corridor with Myanmar to provide safe passage to Rohingya refugees to enter Bangladesh. His government has also granted Elon Musk’s satellite broadband system Starlink to operate in Bangladesh.
The army says, both these decisions are dangerous to national security. An army spokesperson said, a corridor to Myanmar would not be allowed at any cost and Starlink will not be allowed to operate.
This confrontation has come at a time when Begum Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded early elections, but Yunus wants to carry on with his interim government till next year. Yunus was appointed head of interim government, after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government, with the consent of Bangladesh army, but now Yunus has made his objective quite clear. He doesn’t want to quit easily. He will continue to change deadlines for elections, but the people of Bangladesh have lost patience.
Now that the army is against him, the path is now open for a direct confrontation.
Modi to Pakistan : Shun terrorism or get bullets !
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday directed his appeal to the people, particularly youths, of Pakistan. Addressing two public rallies in Dahod and Bhuj in Gujarat, Modi told the youths of Pakistan to choose between peace or bullets. He asked them to make a choice between their corrupt army thriving on terrorism or get freedom from poverty and unemployment.
Modi alleged that the political and military leadership of Pakistan has used terrorism to fill its own pockets, and the time has now come for Pakistani youths to raise their voice against terrorism. Modi said, if Pakistan leaves the path of terrorism, it will prosper, otherwise it will head towards destruction.
The Prime Minister said, the air bases of Pakistan Air Force are “now lying in ICU” after missile attacks by Indian army. Modi said, India’s war is not against Pakistan, but terrorism, but Pakistan, since Partition in 1947, has been feeding on hate against India. On one hand, India has emerged as the world’s fourth largest economy, while Pakistan’s coffers are empty. “It’s better that Pakistan abandons the path of terrorism and its people have their meals in peace, otherwise my bullet is ready”, Modi said.
Modi’s speech was historic in the sense that there is a deep meaning attached to each of his words.
First message: Modi enunciated India’s policy towards Pakistan clearly. He said, we will not waste time in talks and dossiers, we will strike with our missiles and weapons. Anybody who attacks India will be razed to the ground.
Second message: the politico-military leadership in Pakistan has given nothing but hunger and darkness to its people. Modi showed the mirror of truth to the people of Pakistan. He was blunt in conveying his message to the Pakistani people, by saying, ‘Do you want ‘roti’ (meals) in peace or bullets? Do you want tourism or terrorism? Do you want prosperity or destruction?’
I think what Modi said is enough to open the eyes of every right-thinking Pakistani citizen.
The Prime Minister’s speech can also expedite the process of dismemberment of Pakistan. What better gift could Modi give to India on completion of 11 years of his government?
IMF, World Bank must stop Pakistan from financing terror
After reducing Indus water flow, India has decided to carry out a financial strike against Pakistan. India will be submitting evidence of Pakistan’s terror connections before the IMF and World Bank and ask them to stop fresh funding.
India has also demanded that Pakistan be brought back into the ‘grey list’ of FATF (Financial Action Task Force). IMF had released fresh tranche of $1.4 billion for Pakistan and India had objected to it. IMF has now put 11 new conditions for Pakistan.
India’s charge is that Pakistan is using a major part of World Bank and IMF money to fund terror outfits. Already, Pakistan is groaning under the weight of $224 billion foreign loans, which amounts to almost 70 pc of its GDP.
Already speculations are rife on how Pakistan got extended IMF loan facility. Strategic affairs analyst Brahma Chellaney blames US President Donald Trump for this. Chellaney says that it was on Trump’s insistence that the IMF released funds to Pakistan during India-Pak conflict. He reminded it was Trump who had earlier alleged that America got “nothing, but lies and deceit” from Pakistan in its war on terror.
Chellaney writes, Trump is now “equating the terror-sponsoring state (Pakistan) with its victim India and amplifying international focus on the Kashmir issue. Notably, Trump has remained silent on the root cause of the crisis – cross-border terrorism – while portraying Kashmir as the central dispute.”
Brahma Chellaney explains on X why Trump has changed his policy: “Trump’s Shielding of Pakistan’s Terrorism Links: The extent of Pakistan’s investment in cryptocurrency through World Liberty Financial – a firm linked to Donald Trump’s family – remains unclear. But even if the figure is as high as $1 billion, Pakistan has already reaped returns far exceeding that sum.”
Chellaney writes, on April 26, Pakistan signed a partnership deal with WLF. The delegation of WLF was given a red carpet welcome by Pakistan Prime Minister and Army Chief. Chellaney has alleged that Trump’s family has gained billions of dollars from crypto-business.
Two things have emerged: One, there is nothing to prove that Pakistan gained by billions of dollars through its deal with WLF, and two, there is nothing to prove Pakistan got IMF funds because of this deal. I think, one should wait for details before reaching a final conclusion.
On India keeping Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, there is general outcry across Pakistan over water shortage. Pakistan army spokesperson and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Sayeed are speaking in the same language. Pakistani army spokesperson said, “if you block our water, we will choke your breath”.
This reflects the measure of desperation in the minds of Pakistani leaders and army generals. If they think the US will save them from Modi’s ‘water strike’, they are living in a fools’ paradise. Modi has made it clear that India will not accept any third country’s role in matters relating to Pakistan.
Modi has said, if Pakistan wants talks, India is ready, but India will negotiate only on the issue of vacating Pak Occupied Kashmir. Till the time Pakistani generals speak the language of terror masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, there is no question of negotiations between India and Pakistan.
Why Yogi said, Pakistan is digging its own grave
Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that India has decided to corner Pakistan on all fronts if it does not stop sponsoring terrorism. He said, Operation Sindoor has shown that Pakistan army and terror outfits are one and the same. Shah said, the world has seen how Pakistani army generals stood with bowed heads at the funeral, before the coffins of terrorists draped in Pakistan’s national flag.
In Ayodhya, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, Pakistan is on the verge of collapse because it is not going to abandon terror groups. Yogi said, “Pakistan is digging its own grave”.
One should not expect Pakistan to abjure terrorism. On the contrary, Pakistan has now alleged that India is promoting separatism in Balochistan and KPK through two outfits, Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khwariz. Pakistan’s army spokesperson are masters of lies and deception. Pakistani government and army have lost their credibility, and no country in the world is willing to listen to Pakistan’s lies.
Why Rahul has become the darling of Pak media?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is grabbing headlines in Pakistani media. At a time when Pakistan stands exposed in the world as a terror factory, its media is using Rahul’s statements to the hilt. Rahul Gandhi has been posing questions to Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on a daily basis.
When Modi gave a warning to Pakistan at his Bikaner rally, Rahul Gandhi described it as a “hollow speech”. Rahul asked Modi why he trusted Pakistan’s words on terror, why he sacrificed India’s interests by ‘bowing to Trump’, and why he was delivering fiery speeches in front of cameras only. The next day, Rahul named Jaishankar and said India’s foreign policy has failed. Rahul asked, ‘why India has been hyphenated with Pakistan, and who asked Trump to ‘mediate’ between India and Pakistan?’
In Germany, after meeting the new Chancellor and their foreign minister, S. Jaishankar made it clear that India would not accept any third party’s role in its bilateral matters with Pakistan, nor would India tolerate any fresh terror attack from Pakistan. Jaishankar sought the support of world powers in its war against terror.
Of course, Rahul Gandhi knows the points that Jaishankar is making. Yet he has this habit of opposing Narendra Modi on almost every issue. In doing so, as Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi forgets the ‘Laxman Rekha’ of politics.
Rahul Gandhi knows, he cannot demand evidence of Indian air strikes, as he did in the past during Balakot air strike in 2019. He cannot demand where our Air Force struck inside Pakistan and how many terrorists were killed. So, he now wants to corner Modi on the subject of diplomacy. I am surprised, even a veteran leader like Mallikarjun Kharge is towing Rahul’s line.