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News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Indian Agencies Ask Canada To Bolster Security As Khalistan Spectre Looms Over PM Modi's G7 Visit
Last Updated: Agencies have assessed that PM Modi's presence in Canada—a country where Khalistani groups have dominance—could be exploited for disruptive demonstrations or worse Khalistani organisations have planned protests in Canada from the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the country for the G7 Summit, raising serious security concerns. Intelligence reports confirm that India's central agencies have issued detailed missives to Canadian authorities, cautioning about threats and asking them to ensure stronger security measures. The warnings come amid growing activities by pro-Khalistan terror outfits in the region, which have frequently targeted Indian diplomatic missions and officials in the past. Agencies have assessed that PM Modi's presence in Canada—a country where Khalistani groups have dominance and have seen a resurgence in recent years—could be exploited for disruptive demonstrations or worse. 'Threats were taken seriously," said a senior government official, speaking confidentially. 'Canadian officials have been requested to expand perimeter security and to closely monitor groups or individuals with known extremist associations." A video was also released by declared terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to send a message to cadres ahead of PM Modi's visit to Canada. The prime minister's personal security is with the Special Protection Group (SPG), which has carried out a thorough threat assessment and will follow a stringent, pre-planned security protocol during the visit. The movement will be restricted and regulated, with the pre-determined route comprehensively sanitised, according to sources. There are no further public interactions or further events planned, keeping exposure to a minimum. This follows wider fears in India of Canada being too soft on anti-India forces based out of its territory. Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months, especially after incidents involving Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto. This trip will challenge both Canadian desires to act on India's grievances and its capacity to deal with extremist forces during high-profile global events. Canadian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the intelligence alerts or certain security arrangements scheduled for the G7 summit, which will be attended by the leaders of the world's economies. PM Modi will attend the G7 Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney. The summit will provide space for the exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. On June 18, Modi will visit the Republic of Croatia and hold meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Both countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. A key highlight of PM Modi's trip will be his first meeting with Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. The External Affairs Ministry views this meeting as a chance to reboot India-Canada relations, built on mutual respect, common interests, and consideration for each other's concerns. Notably, this will be PM Modi's first visit to Canada in 10 years. First Published: June 16, 2025, 08:31 IST
News18
06-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
PM Modi J&K Visit LIVE: Multi-Tier Security In Place For PM's Public Rally In Katra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack, with a high-impact agenda that includes major infrastructure launches and developmental initiatives. The Prime Minister's visit prompted a multi-tier security setup to ensure his safety during the public rally in Katra. Heavy security forces, including the Special Protection Group (SPG), army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and J&K Police, have been deployed around the venue. PM Modi will inaugurate the Chenab bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and flag off Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. A PMO statement said Modi will launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, the home to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. The Chenab Bridge is praised as an architectural marvel, standing 359 meters above the river. This 1,315-meter-long steel arch bridge is designed to withstand seismic activity and strong winds. 'A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by 2-3 hours,' the statement said, stressing Modi's commitment to boosting infrastructure and connectivity in the region. Among the other projects to be launched is the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth over Rs 350 crore.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Direct train between Jammu and Srinagar will run from September: Union Minister Vaishnaw
Jammu: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that the direct train between Jammu and Srinagar will run in September after work on the Jammu railway station is completed. Talking to reporters today, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that work on the Jammu railway station is going on and it is expected to be completed by September. "With the availability of platforms 5 and 6, Vande Bharat trains will run between Jammu and Srinagar directly in September," he said. The Union Minister visited Jammu railway station, where he inspected the ongoing development works. His visit comes as part of the preparations for the launch of the much-awaited train service to Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off two Vande Bharat trains at Katra town on Friday. The PM will visit Chenab & Anji bridges, two engineering marvels on the rail link between Katra & Srinagar, before inaugurating the Vande Bharat train service. PM Modi is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several projects worth Rs 46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir during his visit. Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge to oversee final preparations ahead of the inauguration of the railway bridge by the Prime Minister on Friday. Unprecedented security has been put in place ahead of the Prime Minister's visit on Friday. A multi-layered security detail, drawn from the Special Protection Group (SPG), army, CAPFs and J&K Police, will protect the historic visit of the PM. There is extraordinary vigil around PM Modi's Friday visit as this is his first visit after Operation Sindoor to J& K. The ubiquitous presence of security forces is seen in Jammu city and Reasi district, with a focus on the rail track from Katra town right up to Baramulla town in Kashmir. All vantage points along the mountainous track have been taken over by the army and other security forces, while the rail track is dotted with CAPFs equipped with electronic equipment, drones, sniffer dogs and night vision devices.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi In Sikkim Today To Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Statehood
Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sikkim today to participate in celebrations marking 50 years of the state's statehood. PM Modi will arrive in Gangtok at 9:45 a.m. at Libing Helipad in Gangtok district. He will attend the Sikkim@50 program from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Paljor Stadium. The Sikkim government has planned a year-long series of activities under the theme "Sunaulo, Samriddha, and Samarth Sikkim," celebrating the state's cultural richness, traditions, natural splendor, and history. The prime minister will lay foundation stones and inaugurate several development projects, including a 500-bed district hospital worth over ₹750 crore in Namchi district, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing district, and a statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Sangkhola, Gangtok district. He will also release a commemorative coin, souvenir coin, and stamp for the 50th anniversary of statehood. Enhanced security measures have been implemented for the prime minister's visit. The prime minister will also meet BJP karyakartas in the state. "At around 11 AM tomorrow, 29th May, I look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Sikkim to participate in a programme to mark Sikkim@50. India is very proud of the contribution of Sikkim towards national progress. The unique culture of Sikkim is also widely admired," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on social media platform X. At around 11 AM tomorrow, 29th May, I look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Sikkim to participate in a programme to mark Sikkim@50. India is very proud of the contribution of Sikkim towards national progress. The unique culture of Sikkim is also widely admired. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2025 Extensive security arrangements have been made in Sikkim's capital, Gangtok, for the visit, with strict protocols implemented by local authorities and the Special Protection Group (SPG). According to SSP Gangtok Tenzing Loden Lepcha, the event venue is divided into four seating zones: the hill gallery with a capacity of 15,000, northern and western galleries, and a section for special invitees. Police personnel are stationed across the venue to ensure orderly movement and emergency preparedness. A high-security zone has been established around the prime minister's dais, where mobile phones are prohibited. Over 400 police personnel are deployed across seven surveillance areas in buildings overlooking the venue, each led by a senior officer to monitor every vantage point during the prime minister's one-hour address. SSP Lepcha emphasized that all security measures have been thoroughly planned, reflecting the significance of the visit as Sikkim celebrates 50 years of statehood.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Words of war: Nuclear football and myth of black SPG briefcase
It's a sight that sparks a lot of speculation—the black briefcase carried by Special Protection Group (SPG) officers guarding India's Prime Minister. Some claim it holds India's nuclear launch codes, a mobile command system that would allow the PM to initiate a nuclear strike from virtually the truth is a bit less dramatic—and still pretty briefcase isn't a nuclear trigger. It's actually a folding ballistic shield, a critical piece of portable defence equipment. When unstrapped and deployed, it unfolds into a full-length, bulletproof barrier designed to protect the Prime Minister in the event of a close-range attack. Used by elite close protection teams like the SPG, the shield provides an immediate protective wall if gunfire breaks out, helping bodyguards to respond and evacuate the WHERE DID THE NUCLEAR BRIEFCASE MYTH COME FROM? The idea likely originates from the United States, where the President is always accompanied by a military aide carrying a large black case known as the Presidential Emergency Satchel, more popularly called the nuclear football. This highly classified device is believed to contain the means for the US President to communicate with military leadership and authorize a nuclear launch in a India's Prime Minister undoubtedly has secure protocols for contacting the country's nuclear command, the SPG's black briefcase is not part of that reality, it's not a trigger—it's a shield.
