Exclusive: Chandrababu Naidu backs PM Modi's Yoga message, calls for global peace
In an exclusive interaction with India Today, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu endorsed Prime Minister Modi's message on Yoga, saying it can bring peace to the world by reducing violence. He noted that people in Visakhapatnam are increasingly incorporating yoga into their daily lives. On the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Naidu stressed that war is not the solution and emphasised the need for dialogue and peace.
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Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
PM Modi to embark on multi-nation tour in July as India builds global consensus on combatting terror
New Delhi: Strengthening multilateralism, fostering bilateral economic cooperation and garnering further support on India's fight against terrorism from countries across different continents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a major tour of several nations, including Brazil for 17th BRICS Summit, early next month. PM Modi is expected to visit Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and Jordan from July 2-10, top officials have revealed while not ruling out stopovers in more nations. Consolidating India's position as a voice of the Global South, Prime Minister Modi has been spotlighting India's emergence as a 'Vishwa Bandhu' in a divided world. Over the last 11 years, India has also strongly established itself as an all-weather friend of Africa with PM Modi emphasising New Delhi's commitment to the continent. The State Visit to Morocco will only be the second by an Indian PM after late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's landmark February 1999 visit to the North African nation. King Mohammed VI, who had chosen India for his first visit to an Asian country in 2001, visited India again in 2015 to participate in the third India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III). Analysts reckon that it was his meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the event that intensified the partnership between both countries like never before. Since then, India and Morocco have seen over two dozen Ministerial visits and signing of more than 40 MoUs/agreements in areas including counter-terrorism, cyber security, space, agriculture, vocational training, etc. PM Modi's significant visit would take place in the aftermath of the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and holds huge significance as Morocco also continues to battle the growing onslaught of terrorism, militancy and extremism in the Sahel region. Morocco is also a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and co-chairs the Africa Focus Group. After wrapping up his engagements in Africa, PM Modi could visit Argentina, sources with knowledge of the itinerary that is being finalised, said. The multi-faceted relations between the two countries have strengthened, especially after being elevated to the level of Strategic Partnership during the State Visit to India of the then President of Argentina in February 2019. In what was the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi had met Argentina President Javier Milei, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. The two leaders, the PMO stated after the meeting, had an engaging discussion and also expressed satisfaction at the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two vibrant democracies in the last few years. They had also noted the deepening of trade and economic relations with India emerging among the top five trading partners of Argentina. PM Modi would then attend the BRICS Summit at the Museum of Modern Art, scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. In the last Summit, held under Russia's chairship in Kazan in October 2024, PM Modi had noted that the event was taking place at a time when the world is undergoing several uncertainties and challenges including conflicts, adverse climatic impacts, and cyber threats, placing greater expectations upon BRICS. Addressing two sessions of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, PM Modi had suggested that the group take a people-centric approach to tackle these challenges and also underlined the need for early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations to combat the menace of terrorism. It is expected that PM Modi will visit Trinidad and Tobago in the southern Caribbean after the BRICS Summit. Last November, while addressing the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Prime Minister Modi had underscored that India stands firmly for giving voice to the concerns of the Global South. Noting that the Global South countries were the most impacted by the challenges and conflicts of recent years, he had also reaffirmed India's steadfast commitment to Caribbean countries as a reliable partner. It was on the sidelines of the Summit in Guyana that PM Modi also met with the then Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith Rowley and congratulated him for adoption of India's flagship UPI Platform by the Caribbean nation while assuring further collaboration in the field of digital transformation. Both countries also share deep-rooted people-to-people ties since 1845, when the first ship 'Fatel Razack' carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony. On his way back to India, it is expected that PM Modi will be visiting Jordan, a country that has had historical links with India since times immemorial. PM Modi had transited Amman in February 2018 during his official visit to Palestine when he was received by King Abdullah at his private residential palace followed by a bilateral meeting between the two leaders. After King Abdullah's historic State Visit to India in February-March 2018, both leaders have met on four occasions - at a pull-aside meeting during the 74th UNGA in New York on 24 Sep 2019; in Riyadh during the 'Future Investment initiative' meeting held in October 2019; on the sidelines of COP-28 in Dubai in December 2023; and, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy in June 2024. On April 24, in a phone call with Prime Minister Modi, King Abdullah II had strongly condemned the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam and conveyed sincere condolences at the loss of innocent lives. "His Majesty emphasised Jordan's rejection of violence in all its forms, and wished the injured a speedy recovery," the Jordanian King's office said in a statement after the phone call.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Steve Bannon's backroom role? Secret talks with Trump raise questions about U.S Iran strike strategy
Trump's secret meeting with Steve Bannon fuels speculation ahead of Iran-Israel decision- Trump's meeting with Steve Bannon at the White House just hours before announcing a delay in his decision on U.S. involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict has raised serious questions across Washington. With Trump confirming a two-week pause to assess diplomatic options, the MAGA movement is deeply split. Bannon, who opposes immediate military action, urged Trump to weigh alternatives before striking Iran's Fordo facility. The meeting, confirmed by Politico, comes as key MAGA voices either press for diplomacy or demand action. Trump's delay highlights both internal tensions and a potential opening for peace talks. Why did Trump meet Steve Bannon just before the Iran announcement? President Donald Trump hosted Steve Bannon—his former White House strategist and longtime MAGA ally—for a private lunch Thursday at the White House. The meeting came just hours before Trump officially delayed his decision on possible U.S. military action in response to the Iran-Israel crisis. The White House confirmed through press secretary Karoline Leavitt that Trump would wait two more weeks before making a final call on U.S. involvement. The timing of Bannon's visit was no coincidence. Known for his firm stance against foreign entanglements, Bannon had publicly urged caution just one day earlier. In an interview with Politico's Playbook , Bannon avoided specifics but shared this takeaway: 'The MAGA movement tonight is in a great place.' What did Bannon say about military action and diplomacy? At a Christian Science Monitor breakfast held Wednesday, Bannon issued a clear message to the president: don't rush into a strike. Referring to a potential hit on Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, Bannon warned against acting in haste. Live Events 'This strike does not have to happen tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day,' he said, suggesting the president 'take his time and think this through with his advisers.' Bannon emphasized that Trump has always favored diplomacy first. 'Before he turns to violence in terms of military kinetic action,' Bannon explained, 'he looks at every other alternative.' This aligns with what Trump reportedly told Bannon during their private lunch—that he wants to explore "other alternatives" before escalating tensions. Is the MAGA movement united on the Iran-Israel conflict? Not quite. The MAGA base is visibly divided over how to respond to the growing tensions in the Middle East. On one side are voices like Bannon, calling for strategic patience. On the other are MAGA hardliners urging stronger U.S. backing for Israel's military campaign. Despite the division, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) voiced support for Trump's decision to hold off, writing on X: 'I'm so glad President Trump is giving time for diplomacy to work with Iran and Israel.' Meanwhile, conservative activist Charlie Kirk also praised the move, describing Trump's unpredictability as a strategic advantage and criticizing those who push for regime change in Iran. Why did Trump choose another 'two-week delay'? The phrase 'two-week delay' has become a familiar refrain in Trump's presidency. Critics note that he's used it before when facing politically sensitive issues. But this time, Trump's team insists it's a calculated move. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against the narrative of procrastination. 'If there is a chance for diplomacy, the president will grab it,' she said. 'But he is not afraid to use strength.' This statement underlines Trump's dual-track approach: projecting power while keeping doors open for negotiation. The current delay suggests that backchannel talks—possibly with Israel and regional partners—may be underway. Could this meeting reshape Trump's Iran strategy? That's the big question. Steve Bannon is no longer a formal adviser, but he remains a powerful ideological voice within MAGA circles. His influence, especially when combined with public pressure from Trump's base, could steer the administration away from immediate military action. It's also worth noting that Bannon publicly stated Israel must "finish what it started', indicating that while he supports Israel's broader goals, he doesn't believe the U.S. should lead or rush into a war on its behalf. The next two weeks will be crucial. Whether this delay leads to diplomacy or just postpones a larger crisis remains to be seen. FAQs: Q1: Why did Trump delay the Iran decision after meeting Bannon? Trump delayed to explore peaceful options before any military action, as Bannon advised. Q2: What did Bannon say about the Iran-Israel conflict? Bannon urged Trump to wait and avoid rushing into a strike on Iran's Fordo site.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Iran Israel Airstrikes: What is Quds Force and why is Israel targeting its commanders? Here's how Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is involved
Two Quds Force Officials Targeted Role of Quds Force IRGC Structure Live Events Iran's Ties with Armed Groups Previous Major Strike Against Quds Force FAQs Two commanders from Iran's Quds Force were reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the operation, linking the officials to arms transfers and operations in the Middle East. The strike is part of ongoing regional tensions that have intensified since said it carried out overnight airstrikes that killed Behnam Shahriyari and Saeed Izadi. Shahriyari was identified as being responsible for weapons transfers from Iran to groups supported by Iran. Saeed Izadi , who was killed earlier, was said to lead the Palestine branch of the Quds Force. He is sanctioned by the United Quds Force is a part of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ). It is responsible for conducting operations outside Iran. It works with armed groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The Quds Force helps these groups through coordination, funding and logistical IRGC was formed after Iran's 1979 revolution. It reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Quds Force is a division within the IRGC and handles regional influence efforts through indirect military the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli officials have linked Iran to the group Hamas. Both the US and Israel blame Iran because of its long-term support for Hamas and similar January 2020, the United States killed Qasem Soleimani in a targeted strike in Baghdad. Soleimani had led the Quds Force since 1998. This action increased regional tensions and marked a turning point in US-Iran United States labeled the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019. This includes the Quds Force. The designation limits IRGC's international activities and allows for sanctions against its Quds Force operates outside Iran. It supports and works with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas through military, financial and logistical claims the commanders helped transfer weapons to groups hostile to Israel. These actions are seen as part of Iran's regional influence.
