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Miami Herald
4 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
US Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Counters China Navy Presence
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington is on patrol in the western Pacific, where China has been expanding its naval presence. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. The George Washington is one of the U.S. Navy vessels homeported in Japan. The aircraft carrier, which is equipped with F-35C stealth fighter jets, returned to Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November 2024 after undergoing maintenance and upgrades in Virginia. The George Washington's first patrol since returning to Japan comes as two Chinese aircraft carriers were deployed simultaneously to the wider western Pacific for the first time earlier in June, marking a major milestone in China's efforts to challenge U.S. naval dominance. Another U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, has been redeployed to the Middle East from the western Pacific amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. This leaves the George Washington as the only U.S. aircraft carrier currently positioned to help keep China in check as of Monday. Officially released photos show the George Washington and its carrier strike group transiting the Philippine Sea on Monday. The U.S. Navy said the aircraft carrier is currently on patrol in the Seventh Fleet's operating area, which covers the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Philippine Sea lies east of the First Island Chain-a defensive line formed by Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines as part of a U.S. containment strategy aimed at restricting the Chinese navy-the world's largest by hull count-in the western Pacific in the event of war. In addition to the George Washington, which left its home port on June 10, the carrier strike group includes two other warships-the cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the destroyer USS Shoup. It remains unclear whether the George Washington will also be sent to the Middle East, should the situation there worsen. The Nimitz is expected to relieve its sister ship, USS Carl Vinson, in the region, allowing the latter to return home, U.S. Naval Institute News reported. The Chinese aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong remained underway in waters east of the Philippines as of Monday, each leading a naval task group and transiting westward, according to a map provided by Japan's Defense Ministry. The U.S. Navy said on Tuesday: "George Washington is the U.S. Navy's premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31: "China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia. No doubt. It hopes to dominate and control too many parts of this vibrant and vital region. Through its massive military build-up and growing willingness to use military force to achieve its goals…China has demonstrated that it wants to fundamentally alter the region's status quo." It remains to be seen whether USS America-a U.S. amphibious assault ship equipped with F-35B stealth fighter jets-will depart the South Pacific for the western Pacific to reinforce the U.S. naval presence in the region following the Nimitz's departure. Related Articles How Iran Could Retaliate Against US. Three Possible OptionsU.S. Tanker Aircraft Head to Middle East as Threat of Iran War RisesNuclear Bomb Map Shows Impact of US Weapons on IranIran Warns U.S. of "Painful Responses" Over Israel's Attacks 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tavleen Singh writes: Political poster boys
An unforeseen consequence of Operation Sindoor has been that South Asia's two poster boys of dynastic democracy surfaced and made fools of themselves. I speak of Bilawal Bhutto and Rahul Gandhi. They would not be considered political leaders at all if it were not for their illustrious surnames. As someone who believes dynastic succession should have ended when feudalism did, I watched the performance of these two political princes with real interest. The first performance came from Bilawal Bhutto, who made a speech on the banks of the Indus a day after India decided to suspend the Indus Water Treaty. In this speech, he threatened that either water would flow down the Indus or the 'blood of our enemies'. His Urdu remains bad, so he used melodrama to compensate and, in the manner of a crazed messiah, shrieked 'the Indus has always been ours, is ours, and will be ours'. This one speech was proof that not only was the heir to the mighty Bhutto dynasty linguistically challenged, but that he was politically challenged as well. But Pakistan's military rulers were clearly impressed with his performance and sent him off to Washington to convince people that it was Pakistan that was the victim of terrorism and that India's allegations were lies. It took Shashi Tharoor, who was also in Washington, one minute to demolish the narrative that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's heir was trying to weave. Tharoor said he sympathised with Bilawal because his mother had been killed by jihadi terrorists, but he seemed to have forgotten Hillary Clinton's warning to Pakistan. If you breed vipers in your backyard, you cannot expect that they will only attack your neighbour. Pakistan's terrorists are home-bred. Last week came a performance from the heir to our own storied dynasty. Rahul has, since Operation Sindoor, made statements that have been applauded in Pakistan even by Hafiz Saeed. But last week, he outdid himself. In the manner of a schoolboy discussing a cricket match, and with a sneery grin on his face, he imitated Donald Trump having a conversation with our prime minister on the phone and saying 'Narendra, Surrender'. And then he mimicked Narendra Modi saying 'ji huzoor'. The point the Leader of the Opposition was trying to make was that when his grandmother was prime minister, the Seventh Fleet was sent by Richard Nixon to warn her that breaking up Pakistan would have consequences. And she had courageously remained fixed on the course that she had set. A dangerous analogy to evoke, because Indira Gandhi also ended up snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (to use that useful cliché) by signing the Simla Agreement. All the cards were in India's hands. There were more than 90,000 prisoners of war in the custody of the Indian Army, so she could have told Bhutto that there would be no agreement without a signed guarantee that the Kashmir issue would end now. Instead, the agreement has a feeble reference to Kashmir being decided bilaterally. Years later, I happened to learn from a close associate of Bhutto that he boasted afterwards that he had outdone her. What exactly was the point that Indira's grandson was trying to make? Was he trying to prove the debunked falsehood that Modi agreed to a ceasefire because of pressure from Trump? Was he trying to say that the war should have continued indefinitely? Or was he trying to say what Congress spokespersons have said in TV debates, which is that the war should have continued until Pakistan is broken up once more? This was never the objective of Operation Sindoor. It had the limited objective of destroying Pakistan's terrorist infrastructure and from all accounts this objective was achieved. To return, though, to the poster boys of dynastic democracy. Bilawal has lost his relevance in Pakistani politics and is now merely a spokesman for the military men who control the political chessboard. Rahul remains relevant because he is fully in control of our oldest political party. And the only national party, we have other than the BJP. We have no choice but to take what he says seriously, which is why it is worrying that he continues to sound like a schoolboy with a special grudge against Modi for daring to usurp India, which he considers his birthright to rule since his family once did. It is this idea that India remains the private property of the Dynasty that is destroying the Congress Party. If you have been following recent events, you would have noticed that the Congress leaders in the parliamentary delegations have done an extremely good job. The only people who have let the party down are those who constitute the coterie around our own poster boy of dynastic democracy. It could be time for those who want Congress to survive and thrive to come together and urge the Dynasty's heirs to consider playing the role that the Chairman Emeritus plays in companies. If they agree, they can continue to have relevance in the family firm, but can move away from playing an active role. How long does the Congress Party want to pretend that Rahul is its prime minister-in-waiting when he has been unable to win a single Lok Sabha election for the party? One way or another dynastic democracy is a bad idea. And it is abundantly obvious that India's voters saw this before our political leaders have.
Mint
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Normal in a democracy': Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi's criticism of PM Modi over Trump mediation claims
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has responded to Rahul Gandhi's remark that Prime Minister Modi was scared with just one phone call by US President Donald Trump by saying that criticism was 'normal' in democracy. 'In a democracy, and this is normal, parties will contend, criticism will be expressed, demands will be made, points of view will be laid out. We are not here on a party political mission,' said Tharoor who is part of all-party delegation traveling abroad as part of the government's diplomatic outreach to highlight India's stand on terrorism following Operation Sindoor. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrendered after a call from US President Donald Trump during the India-Pakistan military conflict. Addressing a party convention in Bhopal, he said the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, didn't budge in the 1971 war despite the US sending its Seventh Fleet. "A call came from Trump and Narendra ji immediately surrendered - history is a witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always bow down," Rahul stated after launching the Congress' 'Sangthan Srijan Abhiyan' here in the presence of Congress leaders and workers. Tharoor when asked to comment on Rahul Gandhi's remarks said, 'we are here as representatives of a united India. I often point out to my interlocuters that we have five political parties amongst my seven MPs." In a democracy, and this is normal, parties will contend, criticism will be expressed, demands will be made. As many as 26 people were killed and several others injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. "We have three religions, we have got seven states... it's an incredible cross section reflective of India's diversity. There is an old saying that our political differences stop at the edge of the border. Once you cross the border, you are an Indian and your other allegiances come second," Tharoor said. The delegation led by Tharoor arrived in the US on Wednesday. The delegation includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. Earlier, the all-party met Bipartisan co-chairs Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick, as well as vice co-chairs Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, on Wednesday. During the meeting, the parliamentary delegation briefed the Caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India and India's strong and resolute stance against terrorism. The delegation also held a meeting with the US House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership in Washington. DC. HFAC Chairman Brian Mast, Ranking Member of the committee, Gregory Meeks, South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chair Bill Huizenga, Ranking members - Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Ami Bera, Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific Chair, Young Kim.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
"Any Narrative...": BJP MP On Rahul Gandhi's "Narendra Surrender" Remark
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi stated that internal political narratives lack global significance, responding to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of PM Modi. She highlighted the success of a multi-party delegation promoting India's anti-terror stance. New Delhi: Any political narrative created within India's borders does not carry weight on the global stage, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi told NDTV when asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "surrender" swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ms Sarangi has returned after a five-nation tour as part of an Indian delegation to expose Pakistan's link to terror activities in India and articulate New Delhi's position after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's response, Operation Sindoor. Asked about Mr Gandhi's jab at the Prime Minister, which has drawn a sharp response from the BJP, Ms Sarangi said, "The Congress party had its members in this delegation, and they too spoke in one voice on India's firm stance against terrorism. When we were abroad, we all echoed the same message. Any narrative being created within India's borders doesn't hold weight in the global arena." Ms Sarangi said the 14-day diplomatic outreach was a resounding success that showcased India's resolve to fight against terror and its global standing. "After fourteen days, it's a great feeling to be back. This visit was highly successful and deeply meaningful," he said. Ms Sarangi was part of the delegation led by JDU MP Sanjay Jha that visited Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The others on the delegation were BJP's Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah and Hemang Joshi, Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee, CPM's John Brittas, Congress's Salman Khurshid and former diplomat Mohan Kumar. "We spent considerable time talking to different segments of the population, clearly communicating India's stand on cross-border terrorism. India does not want violence within its boundaries, and we do not want peace to be disrupted," Ms Sarangi said. She said the delegation was not aligned with any party and represented India. "This was not a BJP or NDA delegation, it was a multi-party mission. We were accepted, deliberated with, and acknowledged by all the nations we visited. Most of these countries extended unconditional support to India's cause," she added. Ms Sarangi also praised their reception by the five nations they visited. "Each country has its own set of internal issues, yet they were civil, courteous, and deeply respectful toward us." Mr Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, has targeted the Prime Minister, alleging that the US brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. "If slight pressure is put on them, they run away out of fear. When Trump called Modi ji-'Modi ji kya kar rahe ho, Narender-Surrender and with 'ji hazooor', Narender ji followed Trump. In the 1971 war, Seventh Fleet (came from the US), India Gandhi said I will do whatever I have to do. This is the difference. This is their character; all of them are like this. Since the Independence movement, they have this habit of writing letters of surrender," Rahul Gandhi said. While the Donald Trump administration has claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan -- and Islamabad has thanked Washington, DC too -- New Delhi has maintained that the US role was restricted to expressing concern. Dr Jaishankar has said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance had reached out. "We made one thing very clear to everybody who spoke to us, not just the United States but to everyone, saying if the Pakistanis want to stop fighting, they need to tell us. We need to hear it from them. Their general has to call up our general and say this. And that is what happened," he said. Responding to Mr Gandhi's remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Rahul Gandhi has once again understood that the meaning of LoP is the leader of Pakistani propaganda. The kind of propaganda that even Pakistan was not able to do, he is doing." "Rahul Gandhi, believe in what the DGMO said, what the Ministry of External Affairs said ... If not them, at least believe in Shashi (Tharoor), Manish (Tewari) and Salman (Khurshid). They have said that no mediation happened, India did not call up (Pakistan), their DGMO reached out to India," he said.
India Gazette
03-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
BJP's Pradeep Bhandari slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks on PM Modi, says,
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 3 (ANI): BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a fierce attack on Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, accusing him of making 'indecent' remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioning his values and patriotism. Bhandari also alleged that the Congress leader's actions, including offering tributes to former PM Indira Gandhi without removing his shoes, reflect a disregard for Indian traditions and respect. 'Rahul Gandhi's words reflect his values. He makes such indecent remarks against the country's Prime Minister. But this is what can be expected from Rahul Gandhi, whose heart beats for Pakistan. Because when he offers floral tributes to the statue of his grandmother (Indira Gandhi), he does not even remove his shoes...' Bhandari said. The BJP leader also highlighted India's firm stance on terrorism under the Modi government. 'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has given a befitting reply to Pakistan's terror masters. Even Salman Khurshid to Shashi Tharoor, every Congress leader is talking about this, and Pakistan itself is giving evidence of this... The people of the country see this uncivilised Rahul Gandhi as an agent of Pakistan...' he said. His remarks come in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's recent attack on the BJP-led government over alleged US mediation in Operation Sindoor. Addressing Congress workers in Bhopal, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Modi 'surrendered' after receiving a call from US President Donald Trump. He contrasted Modi's reaction with former PM Indira Gandhi's stance during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. He also attacked the BJP-RSS, alleging that if slight pressure is exerted on them, 'they run away out of fear.' 'Now, I understand RSS-BJP well. If slight pressure is put on them, they run away out of fear. When Trump called Modiji-'Modiji kya kar rahe ho, Narender-Surrender and with 'ji hazooor', Narenderji followed Trump. In the 1971 war, Seventh Fleet (came from the US), India Gandhi said I will do whatever I have to do. This is the difference. This is their character; all of them are like this. Since the Independence movement, they have this habit of writing letters of surrender,' Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also attacked the BJP-led government in a post on X. 'Trump's phone came and Narendraji immediately surrendered. History is witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always budge. India had bifurcated Pakistan in 1971 despite the threat by the United States,' Rahul Gandhi said in his post. 'The 'babbar sher' and 'shernis' of Congress fight the Superpowers, they do not bow,' he added. US President Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. India had conducted Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India effectively responded to subsequent Pakistan aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to stop military action following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI)
