Page 1471 - Politics
Saudi FM visiting Pak with 'important message': Qureshi
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir will visit Islamabad on Thursday "carrying an important message" from the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Qureshi said he spoke to the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, a close ally of Pakistan, on Wednesday night and he expressed his desire to visit Pakistan, the Express Tribune reported. In New Delhi, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to India on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia visited Islamabad on February 17, where he said dialogue was the only way to resolve "outstanding issues" between India and Pakistan. After concluding his high-profile tour of Pakistan, Prince Muhammad also visited India and held talks with Prime Minister Modi and extended all cooperation to India and other neighbouring countries to deal with terrorism and extremism. Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi also welcomed US President Donald Trump's statement on Indo-Pak ...
Cong striving to make Rahul Gandhi's Jharkhand rally a success
The Congress is going all out to make party President Rahul Gandhi's "Parivartan-Ulgulaan" rally here, Jharkhand, on March 2 a success.
Create trust, transparency to uproot terrorism: Satyarthi urges Modi, Imran
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan to create an atmosphere of trust and transparency, and work together to uproot terrorism. Satyarthi, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai in 2014, appealed to the two nations to exercise restraint, amid escalating tension in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent developments. "For the safety, security and wellbeing of all our children, I appeal to the governments of India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. I urge PM Modi and PM Khan to create an atmosphere of trust and transparency, and work together to uproot terrorism in all earnestness," Satyarthi was quoted as saying in an official statement. The child rights activist also appealed to spiritual leaders, media, the youth of both the countries to work with their governments in restoring peace. "I reiterate that terrorism in any part of the world is a ...
Fight against terror can't serve narrow political ends: CPI-M
The battle against terrorism should not serve narrow political ends, the CPI-M has said, adding it is doubtful if military action will serve the strategic purpose of curbing terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Has Bengal withdrawn Ayushman Bharat? Not confirmed
The Centre has not received any official confirmation from the Mamata Banerjee government regarding the withdrawal of the Ayushman Bharat scheme from West Bengal, CEO Indu Bhushan said on Thursday.
India demands immediate release of captured Indian pilot
India on Thursday demanded the immediate and unharmed release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and ruled out talks on the issue, saying Pakistan cannot use it as a deal.
BSP-SP flay Modi over video conference
The BSP-SP on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for going ahead with party events and a video conference, purported to be the largest ever, even as tension between India and Pakistan continued.
Jagan shifts to Amaravati ahead of poll battle to take Chandrababu Naidu head-on
With barely few weeks to go for simultaneous elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and the Lok Sabha, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has shifted to his new residence-cum-office in this state capital to up the ante against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Prez Trump says US has some 'reasonably decent' news on reducing Indo-Pak tensions
President Donald Trump Thursday voiced confidence that the hostilities between India and Pakistan would end soon, saying he has some "reasonably decent" news with the US involved in trying to help reduce tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In his opening statement at a press conference at the end of his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the Vietnamese capital, Trump said the US has some "reasonably attractive news" from Pakistan and India. "We have been involved in trying to help them (India and Pakistan) stop and we have some reasonably decent news," he told the reporters. "I think hopefully that (tensions) could be coming to an end, it has been going on for a long time," Trump said in his first comments since India and Pakistan both claimed to have shot down each other's fighter planes on Wednesday, with Pakistan capturing one Indian pilot. Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack by claimed by ...
Meeting with BJP president Amit Shah positive: Apna Dal chief
Amid reports of differences with its ally BJP, Apna Dal (Sonelal) chief Ashish Singh Patel Thursday said he had a "positive" meeting with Amit Shah, but all options were open if a certain section of saffron party leaders "do not change their attitude". Ashish Singh Patel, the husband of Union Minister Anupriya Patel, had met BJP national president Amit Shah at New Delhi on Wednesday. "We have put up various issues before Shah. Overall, the meeting was positive," he told PTI, adding the talks were regarding the "problems" his party was facing with the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit. Anupriya Patel had last week accused the BJP of "apparently not taking care of its allies" and said that her party was "free to take its own decisions" regarding the upcoming general elections. "Some differences cropped up between the Apna Dal and the BJP. We had given them time till February 20 to resolve the issues, but there is no answer from the BJP. It appears they are not interested in taking care of their .
Israel rejects 'biased' UN probe into its response to Gaza unrest
Israel rejected the findings of a UN probe released Thursday into its soldiers' response to Gaza unrest that began in March last year, calling it "hostile, deceitful and biased." "Israel rejects the report outright," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement after the probe alleged soldiers may have committed crimes against humanity. "No institution can negate Israel's right to self-defence and its duty to defend its residents and borders from violent attacks," he added, labelling it "the theatre of the absurd." Katz said that those "pushing the residents of Gaza to the fences, including women and children, is Hamas, an organisation whose declared goal is destroying the state of Israel, and is the one to bear the responsibility." The probe was carried out by a UN commission of inquiry set up by the world body's Human Rights Council. It investigated possible violations from the start of the protests on March 30, 2018 through to December 31. "The Commission found reasonable ...
Ahead of polls, PM reaches out to Delhi BJP workers through over 250 screens
With over 250 screens put up across Delhi, thousands of state BJP workers attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega video conference event 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' on Thursday. The party's state unit made elaborate arrangements for its members and supporters to make the event a success before the Lok Sabha polls. Booth-level workers of 272 mandals attended the event at 252 different locations across the national capital. BJP chief Amit Shah along with Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and other senior leaders attended the programme at the party's state office. Interacting with party workers from different states, Modi asked them to create awareness among people about the government's welfare schemes to ensure BJP's victory in the upcoming polls. The booth-level workers of RK Puram, New Delhi and Malviya Nagar Assembly constituencies participated in the programme at the Delhi BJP office. The event was watched through the NaMo app. It was also live on BJP's Facebook page, twitter .
Trump says 'reasonably attractive' news from India, Pakistan
Amid escalation between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said there was a "reasonably attractive" and "reasonably decent news" from the two countries and expressed hope that the tensions are "going to come to an end"."We have, I think, reasonably attractive news from Pakistan and India. We have been going at it. We have been involved and trying to help them stop," he said at a press conference here after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.Trump, while responding to a question about tensions between India and Pakistan, said "We have some reasonably decent news. Hopefully that (tension) is going to be coming to an end."He went on to add, "It has been going on for a long time, decades and decades. There is a lot of dislike, unfortunately. So we have been in the middle, trying to help them both out so that we can get some organisation and some peace, probably that is going to be happening."Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to National .
India-Pak tension: TDP chief urges Centre to act responsibly
In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of India-Pakistan tension, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that rulers at the Centre should act with responsibility and any person acting 'unilaterally' may create problems. "Rulers at the Centre should act with responsibility. One person's decision determines the future of the nation. If such a person acts unilaterally, it can create many problems. The ruler must act as per the aspirations of the nation and should safeguard the sovereignty of the nation. One should not think of political gains in it. It is not correct to say that I am the only one who saves the nation", Naidu said in an apparent reference to Modi.He also lauded IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Warthaman who has been held in captivity by Pakistan. Abhinandan crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) while thwarting an air raid by Pakistani Air Force. "Wing Commander Abhinandan's patriotism is laudable. He ...
Pakistan to consider returning Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation of tension, says Pak FM
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Thursday that Pakistan is willing to consider returning Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman if it leads to de-escalation of tension and peace with India.Speaking to Geo News, Qureshi said, "India handed over a dossier to the acting High Commissioner of Pakistan a day earlier and we will examine it. I will evaluate the dossier with an open heart and then see if talks will be held on that.""We are willing to return the captured Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation and peace. We are ready for all positive engagement," he added.Qureshi said, "If Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready, Prime Minister Imran Khan is willing to talk to him."Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army after his MiG-21 Bison jet crashed on Pakistani soil. Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn claimed that a boy shot at the Indian pilot.The Indian High Commission in Islamabad last evening gave a demarche to Pakistan Ministry of Foreign ...
AAI introduces contingency procedure, routes to check overflying flights across Indian Peninsula
Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Thursday introduced contingency procedures and routes to facilitate the transit of overflying flights across the Indian Peninsula, officials said."A sample simulation study of expected traffic was done and various NOTAMs (Notice to airmen) were taken last night, which contained guidelines for flights and Air traffic control (ATC) for planning their flights," AAI said.Last night, air traffic was significantly heavy in Mumbai Flight Information Region (FIR), as all flights were entering and exiting Indian airspace over the Arabian Sea to and from Muscat FIR, due to complete closure of Pakistan airspace.The departing flights ex-Delhi, bound for Gulf, Europe etc. have to take a detour, which entails extra flight time, depending upon the destinations.According to AAI, all the Indian airports, including which were closed on Wednesday for a couple of hours are operating normally.AAI is constantly in touch with the Ministry of Defence, International Civil .
India wants Pakistan to repatriate Abhinandan unconditionally
Abhinandan is in the custody of Pakistan Army after his MiG-21 aircraft went down yesterday in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) while chasing 20 fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force which transgressed 10 kms into Indian air space beyond the Line of Control (LoC), using laser bombs to target military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.Wing Commander Abhinandan should be repatriated unconditionally and there can be no deal on this issue between the two countries, sources asserted here on Thursday.Abhinandan was flying a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane which went down in PoK while chasing F-16 combat aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force after the latter violated the Indian airspace in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning. One of the F-16s was shot down in the aerial engagement which took place at around 9.45 am.The sources said that if Pakistan, after capturing the Wing Commander, thinks they have a card to negotiate with, they do not have any.Pakistan is trying to create Kandahar-type pressure,
OIC not the forum for talks with Swaraj, says Pak FM Qureshi
As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is slated to leave for the UAE later today to participate in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conclave as the Guest of Honour, Pakistan has shown reservations amid the escalating tensions between the two nation.Geo news quoted Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as saying, "I will not hesitate to meet but OIC is not the forum for talks with Swaraj."He further added, "India is neither a member of OIC nor an observer. The host country had invited the Indian foreign minister as a guest speaker for one inaugural session. I have spoken to the UAE minister and apprised him of Pakistan's reservations and told him that he should have spoken to us before inviting Swaraj."Swaraj will address the plenary of the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Abu Dhabi from March 1 to 2. Qureshi has threatened to boycott the OIC meeting if Swaraj participated.Yesterday, Swaraj attended the 16th Foreign Ministers ...
Trump says Israel's embattled Netanyahu 'smart,' 'strong'
US President Donald Trump defended Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday as the Israeli premier reportedly awaits a decision on whether he will be indicted on corruption charges. "I can say this, he's done a great job as prime minister," Trump said in Hanoi after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jing Un. "He's tough, smart, and strong. He's very defensive, his military has been built up a lot," Trump said. Israel's attorney general was expected to announce Thursday a decision on whether he intends to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges, Israeli media reported. The reports come with Netanyahu in the midst of a tough re-election campaign ahead of April 9 polls. Trump said he was not in a position to comment on the corruption allegations. Trump again depicted himself as a consummate dealmaker as he discussed prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. He said, "we have a good shot at peace." "All my life, I've heard that the toughest of all deals, when they talk about tough .
Israel awaits decision on Netanyahu corruption indictment
Israel's attorney general is expected to deliver a much-anticipated decision Thursday on whether to indict Benjamin Netanyahu on a series of corruption allegations, a momentous move that looks to shake up Israel's election campaign and potentially spell the end of the prime minister's illustrious political career. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's aides say he is prepared to announce his decision after more than two years of intense investigations and deliberations. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement. Police have recommended indicting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases. Mandelblit is expected to inform Netanyahu's lawyers he intends to indict pending a final hearing for the suspect, though the exact charges are not yet clear. The hearing is expected to take place after the April 9 elections. An indictment would mark the first time in Israeli history that a sitting prime minister has been charged with a ...