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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
President strangelove
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Even by realpolitik standards, US loving terror sponsor Pak is a new low. India should assume worse will come Trump saying 'I love Pakistan' must be understood both in the historical and current context of US policy. That America's president is proclaiming love for a country widely known for funding, training, and protecting terrorists links back to decades of Washington policy. America has long perfected a kind of doublespeak when it comes to Pakistan-sponsored terror. Americans chose to unsee even the fact that Islamabad gave sanctuary to 9/11's architect bin Laden. Or that 26/11, which claimed American victims, was an ISI op. Now, with Israel's war on Iran, and some American strategists advocating Israeli-US bombing runs, Washington's 'realpolitik' argument would run like this: Pakistan is the only Islamic nation with nuclear weapons, it has so far backed Tehran with which it shares a 909-km border, and Beijing has a key presence in all matters Pakistan, therefore, keeping Islamabad happy makes sense. That Trump met and dined with jihadi-in-uniform Munir reinforces the point that US sees Pakistan as a tool of war. Sure, nation-states are expected to operate in national interest. Despite West's pressure, New Delhi stayed the course on buying oil from Moscow, the aggressor in the other war. But Russia, however unlovely Putin's regime is, isn't a terror sponsor. Only a few countries use terrorism as a strategic tool – Pakistan is one of them, and its target, as even Trump should know, is India. Therefore, 'loving Pakistan' and supping with its field marshal, who's a radical religious fundamentalist, isn't the same as India buying Russian oil. More so since, reportedly, Trump is offering Munir 'weaponry' in return for airspace access into Iran. Modi did well to tell Trump India won't brook any mediation. But New Delhi will have to assume things can get worse. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
In A First, Trump Says Leaders Of India And Pakistan Ended Conflict
New York: Two "very smart" leaders of India and Pakistan decided to end last month's conflict that could have turned into a nuclear war, US President Donald Trump said after holding a rare luncheon meeting with Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. Donald Trump's comments on Wednesday crediting the leaders of the two countries in ending the May 7-10 hostilities are seen at variance with his claims over a dozen times in the last few weeks that he brokered the India-Pakistan ceasefire deal. In his remarks to the media Trump said he was "honoured" to meet Munir and that he discussed with the military chief the situation arising out of the Iran-Israel conflict, amid speculations that Washington is looking at using Pakistani military bases in case it decides to launch attacks on Tehran. The US president was also effusive in lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and referred to his telephonic conversation with the Indian leader on Tuesday night. President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a "mutually beneficial" trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests, the Pakistan army said in a statement. The US president was accompanied at the meeting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Munir was joined in by Pakistan's National Security Advisor Lt Gen Asim Malik, who is also head of the spy agency, ISI. Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Munir reportedly pitched for Nobel Peace Prize for President Trump for preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. It was clear from Trump's media comments that the last month's conflict between India and Pakistan as well as the situation arising out of the Iran-Israel standoff figured prominently in his meeting with Munir. "The reason I had him here was that I want to thank him for not going into the war (with India); ending the war. And I want to thank Prime Minister Modi as well," the president said. "We're working on a trade deal with India. We're working on a trade deal with Pakistan." The US president also recalled his meeting with PM Modi in the White House in February. Trump said he was "happy" that "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 that (to end the conflict)," he said. Hours before hosting Munir, Trump claimed credit for ending the conflict, but he did not repeat it in his media remarks after the meeting. In his phone conversation with Trump on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi told the president that India and Pakistan halted their military actions following direct talks between the two militaries without any mediation by the US. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. Asked if Iran was discussed in his meeting with Munir, Trump said: "Well, they know Iran very well, better than most, and they're not happy about anything." "It's not that they're bad with Israel. They know them both, actually, but they probably, maybe they know Iran better, but they see what's going on, and he agreed with me." In Islamabad, the Pakistan army said the US President showed "keen interest" in developing a mutually beneficial trade relationship with Pakistan on the basis of long-term strategic interests. It said the discussions encompassed avenues for expanding cooperation in multiple domains including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. The Chief of Army Staff "conveyed the deep appreciation of the government and people of Pakistan for President Trump's constructive and result-oriented role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in the recent regional crisis", it said. The army chief acknowledged President Trump's "statesmanship" and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community, it said adding Trump, in turn, lauded Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability, and appreciated the robust counter-terrorism cooperation between the two states, it said. The Pakistan Army said the two sides also had a detailed exchange of views on the prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict. Munir also extended an invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date. It is rare for the US president to host a lunch for a army chief of a foreign country. There have been precedents of Pakistan army chiefs, including Ayub Khan, Zia ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf, receiving such invites. But they were holding the post of president as well.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amit Shah on Pahalgam attack, Manipur crisis, China threat and Modi's governance philosophy
Union Home Minister Amit Shah , in an interview marking 11 years of the Modi government, spoke to Rahul Tripathi and Pranab Dhal Samanta on a range of issues — from the Pahalgam attack and the broader security situation to India's growth prospects and Modi's governance approach. Excerpts: What are your thoughts on the Pahalgam attacks and its impact on normalcy in J&K? Our policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism is intact. What we have tried to do as a government is to address the root causes, be it in Kashmir, Naxal areas or the Northeast. For instance, 12 agreements have been signed in the Northeast. To tackle Naxalism, there's no option but to strike those with weapons. But, even today, the number of those who have surrendered is higher than those killed. We brought a lucrative surrender policy. Similarly, we went to the root causes in Kashmir. Firstly, no one can deny the provocation from Pakistan, role of the ISI and the Pakistan Army. This is a known fact. But why did the Kashmiri youth pick up weapons. We went into that question deeply. It emerged that the maximum number of youth armed themselves after the elections conducted by Indira Gandhi ji. Next, due to Article 370, a theory kept evolving that we are special and that we can even get independence. We closed that chapter of Article 370 and then peaceful elections ensued, followed by panchayat elections. The earlier hold of a few political families was broken and some 19,000 youth became sarpanch, zila adhyaksh, MLAs etc. So, a democratic process began. Plus, Kashmir has witnessed unprecedented development work since 2014. We achieved 100% saturation in all welfare schemes. Electricity shortage is almost over. Most villages are now connected. Many infrastructure projects like the Chenab bridge have taken off. All this also encouraged tourism. The Pahalgam attack is a temporary setback to tourism. I am confident that within a year or two, things will be back to normal. What is the role of foreign terrorists and the extent of local participation? In the past one and a half years, not a single Kashmiri youth has picked up weapons. This is an agreed figure among all Intelligence agencies. There has not been a single incident of stone pelting in the past three years. Also, there's not been a single funeral procession of a terrorist for the past four years. So, they are sending foreign terrorists. We have sent them a strong signal thrice already –– through a surgical strike, air strike and this time, we have gone deep inside Pakistan territory to hit them. And Modi ji has clearly said that Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Does the new normal mean, India can get to wage war any time? This is not the right interpretation. New normal means that what kind of activity or attack they do here, they will get a strong and disproportionate response from us. This is now the Indian government's policy. Live Events How many foreign terrorists are there in J&K? It's very difficult to give an accurate figure of foreign terrorists because an assessment is yet to be made on how many got in during the melee and fight of Operation Sindoor. As for the whereabouts of particular terrorists, our fight is not against some specific terrorists, but all of them. Many killed in Operation Sindoor, for instance, were involved in the Mumbai attacks. This is anot fight against X or Y terrorist. This is a fight against terrorism, which includes every terrorist. Has the delayed census not affected economic panning? Nowadays there are many surveys done for planning. There was a time in the days of the British when census was the sole survey for economic planning. Not today. Plus, there's constant updation of the voters' list. On the basis of all this, new districts etc are made. Our government believes in timely conduct of census and it will be done by 2027. How will you enumerate caste? This is no rocket science. Already, every individual's religion is asked. Now, caste will also be asked. What plans are afoot after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty? We have five projects that we will start soon. We will link the waters of Indus and Chenab with Beas and take it to no need to make reservoir dams. Actually, the mountainous terrain is not conducive for making big reservoirs. The best option is to first saturate the usage in J&K and then divert the excess water to Beas. For that, all we have to do is build a 160 km canal to link the rivers. Will this also bring water to Delhi? If it goes to Ganganagar, it will go via Delhi. India is among the fastest growing economies but still short of 8% growth. Your thoughts. In today's world, our growth cannot be very different from the global rates of growth. We will be in competition with the top-10 economies of the world, so growth rates will be in that range. Every economy experienced low growth after the pandemic. But not only did India maintain its growth, we have been the fastest growing economy for the past 7-8 years. When the calculation of 8% was made, it was in the context of the global economic performance then. Now, we are the fourth-largest economy in the world, aiming to become the third-largest. So, this speed can only be compared with the GDP of other countries. While FDI flows have increased, there's also been significant exit. Your views. We cannot be conservative on this front. Much of the outward movement is related with investment by Indian companies overseas. So, should Indian companies not become global? Let's not create a negative environment. With India emerging as a manufacturing destination, investment is moving with facilities of Indian companies located in India and elsewhere. We should, therefore, applaud the expansion of Indian companies. Since 2014, India has attracted $749 billion FDI, which is a143% increase when compared to $308 billion between 2003 and 2014. Forex reserves have doubled, rising to $654 billion from $309 billion . Your views on local currency trade in the light of Donald Trump's position. He may have issues but remember, no country can progress without hurdles. Ifeel trade in local currencies is today a requirement for many countries doing business with each other. While India is ranked high on GDP, criticism is it's still low on per capita income. How can someone make such wild allegations when in the last 11 years India has become the 4th largest economy from the 10th, rising from a size of $2.03 trillion to $ 4.19 trillion; when capital expenditure has risen from `. 1.9 lakh crore to `. 10.46 crore, when per capita income has risen from `. 68,572 to `. 133,488; when the growth of FDI inflow has been a phenomenal 143%, from $308 billion to $749 billion; when the average rate of inflation has reduced from 10.1% to 4.6%; electronics exports have jumped from $7.6 billion to $38.6 billion; when multi-dimensional poverty has reduced from 29.7% to 11.6%; when forex reserves double from $309 billion to $654 billion; when the speed at which highways are built has increased from 12 km to 21.3 km per day, when the number of airports has more than doubled from 74 to 162; when metro rail has increased from 248 km to 1000 km. Those who look at things from a Leftist and narrow perspective will always find ways to puncture India's growth story. In the banking sector, when the Modi government assumed charge, the NPA of banks was in two digits, but now it has reduced to 2.3%. As many as 55 crore new bank accounts have been opened in the last 11 years under the initiative made for financial inclusion. The total deposit held by these accounts is `. 2.61 lakh crore, and 56%, and 67% of these accounts are in the rural and semi-urban areas in which 55 ministries have transferred `. 44 lakh crore through DBT under 439 schemes. As many as 37 crore RuPay cards have been distributed. India's digital transactions now account for almost 50% of the total digital transactions. Under PM Modi, India's banking reforms & financial inclusion of the poor are a model for the world to study. And the low ranking in Human Development Index? That's because of the Congress legacy. They left 70 crore people in poverty. We have lifted 25 crore of them out. What is the situation in Manipur? We are trying to get both sides to talk. Look, whenever there's been ethnic violence, it takes time for things to mend. But I believe that from a law and order perspective, the situation has greatly improved. Will Vikas or caste be the main issue in the Bihar polls? What becomes an election issue is always a people's call. But I believe vikas (development) is a big issue for the people of Bihar. Who is NDA's CM candidate? Only time will decide who will be the Bihar. But what is clear is that we will fight this election with Nitish Kumar as chief minister. Eleven years at the Centre, 14 years in Gujarat. What's your take on the Modi governance model? The biggest feature of Modi ji's governance approach is that all schemes and plans are inspired from the ground, not imaginary. Next, instead of trying to carve out big new plans, he believes in first plugging gaps so that whatever has been done till now is better optimised. For instance, if you were making 20,000 homes till now, you now make 3.65 crore and we will increase by 3 crore homes. As a result, the problem of housing is solved. Likewise, by achieving 13 crore gas connections, the entire problem gets solved. The same is happening with drinking water and health. So, instead of solving issues in bits and pieces, to go for a final solution with complete is a big shift under Modi. How do you see your government's track record on reforms? For easing investment, we have decriminalised over 3,400 laws, brought in a framework of policy continuity. We have created a healthy competition among states on manufacturing. Since 2014, we have reformed the taxation system, brought in faceless scrutiny. Simple slabs (5%-30%) without deductions have been introduced. Corporate taxes have been cut from 30% to 22%, it's just 15% for new manufacturing companies. Incentives worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore have been given in 14 sectors through PLI schemes. How do you address regional disparity in growth? You can't say this now. The Narendra Modi government has worked hard since 2014 to ensure the fruits of growth are spread evenly. Who could have imagined a `. 27,000-crore investment for a semiconductor plant in Assam. I head the Northeast Council and let me tell you the ground is ready for investment and growth. Remember, as a land mass, the Northeast is bigger than Uttar Pradesh. Has GST helped? The role of GST is providing symmetric development is an area which gets very little attention. Earlier, say a good was being manufactured in Gujarat and sold in Kolkata. The 12-16% transport cost was compensated by the high sales tax rates. Now, because of a common rate, the transport cost is extra, which is forcing business to invest in manufacturing locally. States like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and others which were lagging in manufacturing are now benefiting. The earlier picture where only a few western states and Tamil Nadu were able to attract investment for manufacturing is undergoing a change because of GST. So, a businessman from Gujarat is now investing in UP or someone from Maharashtra is going to the Northeast. Many companies have expanded into these states. This is a big change. What's the roadmap for GST reforms? GST has made a big change in India's sales tax regime. Some 16 different taxes and cess have been collapsed into one tax. And I believe that the Narendra Modi government has, after resolving all the teething problems, now brought GST to the doorstep of the next stage of reforms. I can say that following all stakeholder discussions, we are now ready for the next stage of GST reforms. How do you respond to criticism on lack employment opportunities? Any honest assessment of a government's performance is always comparative. And I believe we have generated four times more employment than the UPA government. You cannot become a $4 trillion economy, have 300% growth in infrastructure, new avenues in manufacturing and not have generated employment. Do you see the trend on freebies ebbing at any point? Our political system is quite flexible. There will be a politically conscientious call on this. It's too early to say when and how. In BJP states, we are clear that freebies should not cross a certain percentage of the budget. When will J&K get full statehood? I have stated in Parliament that statehood will be given at the right time. How will you calibrate economic ties with China, also a security threat? India's economic relations with any country will depend on the global situation. No two countries can script their economic relationship in isolation from the rest of the world. But our priority is our boundary, our borders. In an age of AI, you are betting on cooperatives, Why? For countries will small population, GDP is the main economic factor. But for a country with 140 crore population like India, beyond GDP, we need to look at employment opportunities and contribution of the entire population to the GDP. Today, everyone has basic amenities. But there's an aspiration to achieve a better living standard. For this, small finance is needed. Cooperatives fill that gap. How do you see geopolitical turbulence impacting India's prospects? India is not just the safest and best, but the only place to invest. We are a democracy with transparent policies, a big consumer market. We have the brain power and skills to offer. I believe this turbulence is not a hurdle for India. We should see it as an opportunity.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Family of govt staffer held for ‘spying' seeks narco test
1 2 Jaipur: The family of Shakur Khan, a Rajasthan govt employee arrested last month on charges of espionage , has called for a narco-analysis test to prove his innocence, alleging that he was falsely implicated. Khan, who was posted with the employment department in Jaisalmer, was arrested in May by intelligence agencies under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Khan's brother, Mubarak Khan, Thursday wrote to Rajasthan police's director-general of intelligence, requesting that a narco-analysis test be conducted to establish the truth. "We are confident that he is innocent. The test will show he has done nothing wrong," said advocate Idrish Mughal, who is representing Khan. Speaking to TOI, Mughal said the family was ready to bear all expenses for a polygraph, brain mapping, or narco-analysis test. "This is a serious allegation—treason. But we are confident of his innocence and want the truth to come out through scientific methods," he said. Intelligence officials have alleged that Khan maintained contact with individuals linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), including Ehsaan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who previously worked at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and was expelled after being declared persona non grata. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Mughal, however, argued that such contacts alone should not be construed as evidence of espionage. "There are deep familial and cultural ties across the India-Pakistan border. Many families, including Hindus and Muslims, remain connected despite the partition," he said, adding that a close examination of Khan's phone details will reveal that the phone contained numbers of his relatives in Pakistan, not of any ISI handlers. "Khan applied for and received visas through proper legal channels. There was no malicious intent, and his contact with the Pakistani visa officer, Danish Khan, was limited to formalities. This is not a crime," Mughal added.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
ReiseMoto launches Helden helmet range with ECE certification, priced at ₹3,499
₹3,499 data-item-target-url=/auto/two-wheelers/ data-item-story-segment=Others> The Reise Helden helmet comes with ISI, DOT, and ECE 22.05 certification, offering essential safety on a budget price Check Offers Indian motorcycle gear maker ReiseMoto has launched the new Reise Helden helmet range in the Indian market. The new Reise Helden helmet is priced at ₹ 3,499 and caters to a young customer base with its sporty and fun livery. The new Helden helmet range complies with ISI, DOT, and ECE (R22.05) certification, ensuring no compromise on safety for riders looking for a full-face lid on a budget. Reise Helden Helmet: What's Special? The new Reise Helden helmet is built using an advanced polycarbonate composite shell, ensuring a higher strength-to-weight ratio. The Helden helmet comes with hypoallergenic interior padding that can be removed and washed as well. There are vents at the front and rear for optimised air flow, while the unit gets an integrated Bluetooth pocket, allowing seamless integration of communication devices. Lastly, the Helden helmet offers a 108-degree wide-angle anti-scratch visor for good peripheral vision. Also Read : Reise Moto launches lightweight off-roading helmets in India at ₹ 7,999 The Reise Helden Helmet gets an advanced polycarbonate composite shell, air vents at the front and rear, and an integrated Bluetooth pocket Speaking about the newest offering, Yogesh Mahansaria, Founder & Managing Director, ReiseMoto, said, 'At Reise, we believe safety should be a given — not a luxury. Our new helmet range brings the best-in-class aerodynamic design, for the value-seeking riders — whether commuting daily or embarking on weekend adventures — have access to a helmet they can trust. The Helden is our answer to riders who want a mix of global-grade protection with everyday practicality and premium designs." Reise Helden Helmet: Sizes & Colours The helmet will be available in multiple sizes - M (57-58), L (59-60), and XL (61-62). It will also get five colour options - Black/Orange, Black Matte, Black Grey, Black/Red, and Black Gloss. The new Reise Helden helmet will be available on the brand's website, as well as its retail outlets across the country. The Indian manufacturer has a range of offerings under the 'ReiseMoto' brand name, including riding jackets, gloves, pants, and more. It is also the retailer for Acerbis riding gear in India. The new Helden range of helmets gives the brand access to the lower end of the helmet market, while it also retails Airoh helmets in India. The Helden helmet range will take on offerings from Steelbird, KYT, MT and more. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 19 Jun 2025, 18:22 PM IST
