Delhi: Sending out a clear message to critics within the organisation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said self-criticism is needed in party forums but it should not be done to erode self-confidence and morale, as she asserted that it is time "to repay our debt to the party".Ahead of the Congress'&nbsp;Chintan Shivir&nbsp;in Udaipur from May 13 to 15, she sought the cooperation of all leaders in sending across the message of unity, cohesion and commitment to ensure the party's accelerated revival, while underlining that "there are no magic wands".Addressing top Congress leaders at the party's working committee meeting, she said the&nbsp;Chintan Shivir&nbsp;should not become a ritual and it should herald a restructured organisation to meet the ideological, electoral and managerial challenges ahead."Self-criticism is of course needed in our party forums. But this should not be done in a manner that erodes self-confidence and morale and an atmosphere of gloom and doom prevails. To the contrary, we are beholden to put our heads together and together, collectively overcome the challenges that face us," Gandhi said."This requires that the&nbsp;Chintan Shivir&nbsp;(brainstorming session) does not become a ritual, something we must just get through. I am determined that it should herald a restructured organisation to meet the many ideological, electoral and managerial tasks we confront," she said.The Congress chief said that "there are no magic wands". It is only with selfless work, discipline and a sense of consistent collective purpose that "we will demonstrate our tenacity and resilience," she said."The party has been central to the life of each and every one of us. It has expected our total allegiance and has been good to each and every one of us. Now, when we are at a crucial juncture, it is imperative that we step forward and repay our debt to the party in full measure," Gandhi said at the party's top decision-making body -- Congress Working Committee -- meeting in New Delhi.In a press conference after the CWC meet, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala said the aim of the&nbsp;shivir&nbsp;is to prepare a new action plan and road map to get the party battle-ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha and upcoming assembly elections."It is not a destination it is the beginning of a long journey. It is a milestone. After each of the&nbsp;Chintan Shivirs, the organisation has undergone transformation, this is a transformation of unprecedented magnitude," Ramesh said.He said there are serious challenges before the country, and the Congress and the people expect the party to play a role."The fact that we are holding the&nbsp;shivir&nbsp;is in itself a message that the Congress president means business."Gandhi also talked about the deliberations to be held at the&nbsp;shivir&nbsp;which will be in six different groups -- taking up political, economic, social justice, farmers, youth and organisational issues.The Congress chief said delegates have already been informed about the groups in which they are expected to participate and on May 15, the party will adopt the Udaipur&nbsp;Nav Sankalp&nbsp;after it has been approved by the CWC there."I request your full cooperation in ensuring that the single over-riding message that goes forth loud and clear from Udaipur is one of unity, cohesion, determination and commitment to our party's accelerated revival," she said.Gandhi said around 400 Congress members will be attending the shivir and stressed on the message of every leader holding one party post. The party has made every effort to ensure a balanced representation from every angle, she said.Surjewala said the aim is to prepare a new constructive role for the Congress as an opposition party as per people's aspirations, come true to people's expectations by internalising transformations and bring forth a new resolve."The aim of the Nav Sankalp Shivir is to rise to the expectations of people after bringing about organisational changes, and come out with a new pledge to save the country," he said, adding, that is why six separate groups were formed to take up the challenges on various fronts.The conveners of the six groups gave detailed reports and plans, and CWC members discussed these as well as put forth their views, Surjewala saidDetailed discussions on all these issues will be held at the session in Udaipur, he said.Ramesh said the session will help make the Congress a rejuvenated and strengthened party to deal with the political and other challenges before it. Organisational changes will also be an outcome of the shivir, he said."We are not going to Udaipur to draft an action plan to strengthen the Congress to deal with the political, economic, social and other challenges," Ramesh said.He said this is the fourth Chintan Shivir, after the ones in Pachmarhi in 1998, in Shimla in 2003 and in January 2013 in Jaipur.Fifty per cent of the delegates for the upcoming shivir are below 50 years of age and around 35 per cent are below 40 years. Twenty-one per cent are women, representing different sections of society, Surjewala said.CWC members, including special and permanent invitees, state presidents, CLP leaders, former Union ministers, AICC secretaries and joint secretaries, all MPs, presidents of various AICC cells and departments, all national office-bearers of party wings, besides 50 party leaders who are part of the coordination panel or selected by party chief, are among the 422 invitees for the session, he said.At the meet, the CWC approved an amendment in the party constitution to include digital membership and decided that Ladakh will have a separate Congress territorial wing.—PTI

Sending out a clear message to critics within the organisation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said self-criticism is needed in party forums but it should not be done to erode self-confidence and morale, as she asserted that it is time "to repay our debt to the party".

Chintan Shivir shouldn't be a ritual: Sonia to Congress leaders

Delhi: Facing the daunting task of revamping the party after a series of poll reverses, over 400 Congress leaders will go into a huddle at its 'Chintan Shivir' starting in Udaipur on Friday focusing on time-bound party restructuring, finding ways to combat politics of polarisation and getting battle-ready for upcoming electoral challenges.Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the 'Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir' is also aimed at deliberating on challenges facing the country such as 'freefall of the economy', increasing inequality of wealth, price rise of essential commodities, 'deep-rooted conspiracy' to hand over farming sector to a select group of private corporates, 'attack on India's territorial integrity by China', 'attack' on rights of Dalits, SCs/STs, minorities and attempts to divide by using Hindu-Muslim rhetoric."As India is plagued by the painful lines of division and hatred, it is obligatory on the Indian National Congress to defend the ethos of the Indian nation and find lasting solutions for peaceful co-existence," Surjewala said at a media briefing in Delhi on Thursday."We know that India expects us to review our organisational dexterity, capacity, capability, but also to adapt ourselves to the current situation and challenges," he said.Surjewala alleged that the 'bulldozer of bigotry', superstition, sectarianism, fanaticism, injustice and intolerance 'heaped upon the nation' by the Bharatiya Janata Party government has to a large extent trampled upon India's march ahead.The Congress has chosen six subjects and constituted groups to examine and submit their primary reports on actionables for the same, he said.These groups are political, social justice and empowerment, economy, Congress organisation, Kisan and Khet Mazdoor and Youth.These groups will present their first impressions for a conclusive discussion during the 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstorming session)."The 430 invitees to the 'Chintan Shivir' will be divided amongst different groups and they shall discuss and deliberate over a period of three days, various facets and challenges, in order to lay down a roadmap. The conclusions shall be presented to the Congress president, and thereafter, to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), for final shape and approval," Surjewala said.The roadmap will provide a way forward not only to the Congress to meet up with the current set of 'reverses and challenges', but will also pave the way for a resilient, strong and inclusive nation, he said.Rising to the aspirations of the nation, the Congress, will introspect, contemplate and reflect upon the way forward and new milestones to be traversed in the session, he said.In a bid to overcome internal challenges and electoral setbacks, the Congress' three-day conclave will focus on time-bound party restructuring for strengthening the organisation and evolving a strategy for future alliances.Sending out a clear message to critics within the organisation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a CWC meeting earlier this week cautioned ahead of the session that self-criticism is needed in party forums but it should not be done to erode self-confidence and morale, as she asserted that it is time 'to repay our debt to the party'.Gandhi had also warned against 'Chintan Shivir' becoming a ritual and asserted that she was determined that it should herald a restructured organisation to meet the many ideological, electoral and managerial tasks it confronts.She has sought the cooperation of all leaders in sending across the message of unity, cohesion and commitment to ensure the party's accelerated revival, while underlining that 'there are no magic wands'.The issue of leadership in the Congress is not likely to be discussed at the Udaipur conclave, party sources said, even as several leaders at the shivir are likely to rake up the issue of Rahul Gandhi taking over the party leadership."The leadership issue will not be on the table," a leader said.At a press conference after the CWC meet, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala had said the aim of the shivir is to prepare a new action plan and roadmap to get the party battle-ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha and upcoming assembly elections."It is not a destination, it is the beginning of a long journey. It is a milestone. After each of the 'Chintan Shivirs', the organisation has undergone transformation, this is a transformation of unprecedented magnitude," Ramesh had said.He had said there are serious challenges before the country, and the Congress and the people expect the party to play a role."The fact that we are holding the shivir is in itself a message that the Congress president means business."Top Congress leaders will come out with solutions and clear the party's stance on key issues including polarisation, Centre-state ties, forming of alliances and attempts at bringing in 'uniformity', especially in the Northeast, that are confronting the country and the party, Congress sources said.Unlike in the past, when 'Chintan Shivirs' did not set any set timelines, the Udaipur declaration will state time-bound initiation and accomplishment of structural changes in the organisation at all levels -- national, state, district and block levels."We have to make changes which are meaningful and not merely cosmetic in order to revamp the party," a senior leader said ahead of the session.He said the decisions will be 'action-oriented' and will not be the party's manifesto.These structural changes will be discussed and implemented within the set timelines, the leader said, adding that the party's agitational programme and steps for public contact ahead of elections would also be finalised.The conclave will begin with introductory remarks of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on May 13 and a valedictory address by Rahul Gandhi on May 15.The shivir will begin Friday afternoon following which over 400 delegates will discuss subject-specific issues across six groups.These discussions will continue on the first and second day and the conclusions will be recorded in the form of a declaration, a draft of which will be discussed at the CWC meeting to be held there on the last day.Rahul Gandhi and several other leaders would reach Udaipur by train in an overnight journey, while Sonia Gandhi would reach Udaipur on May 13 by air.—PTI

Facing the daunting task of revamping the party after a series of poll reverses, over 400 Congress leaders will go into a huddle at its 'Chintan Shivir' starting in Udaipur on Friday focusing on time-bound party restructuring, finding ways to combat politics of polarisation and getting battle-ready for upcoming electoral challenges.

Cong to discuss revamp at 3-day brainstorming meet

New Delhi: The Congress has left its leadership issue unresolved at its Chintan Shivir held recently and the party's present condition is miserable, which is not good for the country's democracy, the Shiv Sena said on Saturday. In an editorial in party mouthpiece&nbsp;Saamana, the party said that while on the one hand the Bharatiya Janata Party has already started preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is in dire straits. 'Rahul Gandhi has left several issues unresolved at the party's Udaipur conclave. Which is why several leaders in different states are deserting the party. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh units of the Congress don't have state presidents,' the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which currently shares power with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress in Maharashtra, said. The decision of leaders, including Sunil Jakhar, Hardik Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, to leave the Congress shows the failure of the party leadership, it added.The Congress should stand by its leaders with mass base in states that are going to polls in the near future, the Sena suggested.However, the Congress, an ally of the Sena in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, took a dim view of the editorial. "Congress is a thought and several people have come and gone. Instead of focusing on who leaves or joins Congress, people should worry about the burning issues that the country is facing," the party's state unit president Nana Patole said.Mumbai Congress president Bhai Jagtap said the grand old party didn't need advise from anyone.—PTI

The Congress has left its leadership issue unresolved at its Chintan Shivir held recently and the party's present condition is miserable, which is not good for the country's democracy, the Shiv Sena said on Saturday.

Cong miserable as leadership issue unresolved: Shiv Sena

Tokyo: With a firm eye on the Indo-Pacific region, the meeting of Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD) kicked off in Tokyo on Tuesday to review the progress made by the four-member countries. The Summit in Tokyo is the fourth interaction of Quad Leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, in-person Summit in Washington D.C. in September 2021 and virtual meeting in March 2022.The Quad leaders - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, and President Joe Biden of the United States will also exchange their views about developments in the region and global issues of mutual interest. The Quad cooperation is anchored in the shared values of democracy, international law, and rules-based international order and a vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.Quad's cooperation efforts have included working together on climate action. Quad's Infrastructure Coordination Group has been deliberating on supporting sustainable and demand-driven infrastructure in the region in a manner that doesn't burden countries of the region with unsustainable debt. Cooperation on critical and security of critical cyber infrastructure are other key priority areas of cooperative measures in the Quad. The four countries have also been discussing continued cooperation on Covid response, and post Covid management of economy and health infrastructure. This will be the second in-person Quad Leaders' Summit. It will be followed by the Quad Fellowship Event.—ANI

With a firm eye on the Indo-Pacific region, the meeting of Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD) kicked off in Tokyo on Tuesday to review the progress made by the four-member countries.

Quad Summit begins in Tokyo

Tokyo: Highlighting that the Quad's scope has become extensive despite Covid challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the mutual trust, and determination of the members countries including the US, Australia and Japan is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers. In his opening remarks before the Quad Leaders Summit, PM Modi said, "Quad has made an important place for itself before the world in such a short span of time. Today, Quad's scope has become extensive, its form effective. Our mutual trust, and our determination is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers.""At the Quad level, with our mutual cooperation, a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific Region is getting encouraged - it is the shared goal of all of us," he added. PM Modi noted that despite the difficult circumstance of Covid, the member countries have increased mutual coordination in several areas like vaccine delivery, climate action, supply change resilience, disaster management and economic cooperation. "It has ensured peace, prosperity and stability in Indo-Pacific," he added. During his remarks, the Prime Minister also congratulated Australian PM Anthony Albanese for winning the elections. "Your presence amongst us 24 hours after taking the oath reflects the strength of Quad friendship and your commitment towards it."—ANI

Highlighting that the Quad's scope has become extensive despite Covid challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the mutual trust, and determination of the members countries including the US, Australia and Japan is giving new energy and enthusiasm to democratic powers.

Quad ensured peace in Indo-Pacific: Modi

Tokyo: Leaders of Quad countries on Tuesday launched the QUAD Fellowship – a first-of-its-kind scholarship programme designed to build ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists from the four member nations. US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterparts Anthony Albanese and Fumio Kishida from Australia and Japan respectively launched the fellowship that will sponsor 25 students per year from each Quad country to pursue masters and doctoral degrees at leading Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) universities in the US.“The QUAD fellowship programme is a wonderful and unique initiative. This prestigious fellowship will offer our students great opportunities to pursue graduate and doctorate programmes in science, technology, engineering and maths. It will encourage academic excellence and promote people-to-people linkages between our countries,” Prime Minister Modi said in his message.He encouraged Indian students to apply for the Quad Fellowship programme and join the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators building a better future for humanity.“Quad Fellowship launched! A first-of-its-kind scholarship program that will bring together the top minds of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.The Fellowship will sponsor 100 students per year – 25 from each Quad country – to pursue masters and doctoral degrees at leading STEM graduate universities in the United States. “Will develop a network of experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration across sectors,” Bagchi said in another tweet.—PTI

Leaders of Quad countries on Tuesday launched the QUAD Fellowship – a first-of-its-kind scholarship programme designed to build ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists from the four member nations.

Leaders of Quad countries launch QUAD Fellowship

Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gifted a Gond art painting, a specimen of Sanjhi art form and a wooden hand-carved box to his fellow Quad leaders from Australia, the US and Japan, sources said. Modi's gift to US President Joe Biden was an intricate Sanjhi panel based on the theme of Thakurani Ghat from Mathura by a national awardee, they said. Sanjhi, the art of hand-cutting designs on paper, is a typical art form of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the home of Lord Krishna.<img src="https://im.rediff.com/news/2022/may/24modis-gift-sanjhi-art2.jpg?w=670&amp;h=900">Traditionally motifs from Lord Krishna's stories are created in stencils. These stencils are cut freehand using a scissor or a blade and the delicate Sanjhi is often held together by thin sheets of paper. PM Modi gifted a Madhya Pradesh-origin Gond art painting to newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the sources said.Gond paintings are one of the most admired tribal art forms. The word ’Gond' comes from the expression ’Kond' which means ’green mountain'.These paintings, created by dots and lines, have been a part of pictorial art on walls and floors of Gonds and it is done with the construction and re-construction of each and every house, with locally available natural colours and materials like charcoal, coloured soil, plant sap, leaves, cow dung and limestone powder.Gond art is considered very similar to the aboriginal art of Australia. The aborigines have their own stories like the Gonds do about creation.<img src="https://im.rediff.com/news/2022/may/24modis-gift-gond-art1.jpg?w=670&amp;h=900">These two art forms are divided by thousands of miles of physical distance between their creators but are closely united and connected in their sentimentality and emotional core which are the definitive features of any art form, the sources said.Prime Minister Modi gifted a wooden hand-carved box with Rogan painting to his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.This art object is a combination of two different arts -- Rogan painting and wooden hand carving, the sources said.Rogan painting is an art of cloth printing practised in the Kutch district of Gujarat. In this craft, paint made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes is laid down on fabric using either a metal block (printing) or a stylus (painting).The craft nearly died out in the late 20th century, with Rogan painting being practised by only one family.<img src="https://im.rediff.com/news/2022/may/24modis-gift-rogan-art3.jpg?w=670&amp;h=900">The word ’Rogan' comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. The process of making Rogan painting is very laborious and skilful.Prime Minister Modi also gifted Pattamadai silk mats to former Japanese Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga, Yoshiro Mori and Shinzo Abe.Pattamadai, a small village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, is the traditional home to a unique tradition of superfine silk mat weaving from 'korai' grass grown on the banks of river Tamiraparani. The word ’Rogan' comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. The process of making Rogan painting is very laborious and skilful.Prime Minister Modi also gifted Pattamadai silk mats to former Japanese Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga, Yoshiro Mori and Shinzo Abe.Pattamadai, a small village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, is the traditional home to a unique tradition of superfine silk mat weaving from 'korai' grass grown on the banks of river Tamiraparani.—PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gifted a Gond art painting, a specimen of Sanjhi art form and a wooden hand-carved box to his fellow Quad leaders from Australia, the US and Japan, sources said.

Modi's gifts to Quad leaders: Gond painting, Sanjhi panel, box with Rogan painting

New Delhi (The Hawk): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the second in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, Japan on 24 May 2022, along with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President Joseph Biden of the United States of America and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia. This was the fourth interaction of the Leaders since their first virtual meeting in March 2021, the Summit in Washington D.C in September 2021 and their virtual interaction in March 2022.The Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the importance of upholding theprinciples of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes. They exchanged perspectives on developments in the Indo-Pacific and the conflict in Europe. Prime Minister highlighted India’s consistent and principled position on the need for cessation of hostilities, resumption of dialogue and diplomacy. The Leaders also took stock of ongoing Quad collaboration and their vision for the future.The Leaders reiterated their desire to combat terrorism, denounced the use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial, or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. Reviewing Quad’s ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Leaders welcomed the enhanced manufacturing capacity of Biological-E facility in India and called for the expeditious grant of EUL approvalby the WHO so that delivery of vaccines can commence. The Leaders welcomed the gift of 525,000 doses of Made in India vaccines by India to Thailand and Cambodia in April 2022 under the Quad Vaccine Partnership. They will continue to pursue a holistic approach to pandemic management by addressing last mile delivery and distribution challenges, augmenting regional health security through cooperation in genomic surveillance and clinical trials, and bolstering global health security architecture.&nbsp;A Quad Climate Change Action and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) was announced to strengthen efforts towards green shipping, clean energy including green hydrogen andclimate and disaster resilient infrastructure.Prime Minister reiterated the importance of assisting countries in the region with their COP26 commitments through mobilization of climate finance and technology transfer.As part of ongoing work related to critical and emerging technologies, Quad’sCommon Statement of Principles on Critical Technology Supply Chains was launched. The four countries will coordinate capacity building programmes for the Indo-Pacific region to bolster critical cyber security infrastructure of the region. Prime Minister called for greater Quad collaboration to build trusted global supply chains and spoke of the national framework being adopted in India to create a semiconductor ecosystem in India.A Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the Indo-Pacific was announced by the Leaders to enable more effective and timely responses to disasters in the region. The Leaders agreed to provide countries in the region resources on earth observation data through a Quad satellite data portal to help track climate events, disaster preparedness and sustainable use of marine resources. India will play a proactive role in this effort given its longstanding capabilities in using space based data and technologiesfor inclusive development.Quad Leaders welcomed a new Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, to help countries bolster their capacities to respond to HADR incidents and combat illegal fishing.The Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and look forward to strengthening cooperation with partners in the region. Prime Minister emphasized the importance of delivering on Quad’s positive and constructive agenda and show tangible benefits for the region. The Leaders agreed to continue their dialogue and consultations and look forward to the next Summit hosted by Australia in 2023.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the second in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, Japan on 24 May 2022, along with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President Joseph Biden of the United States of America and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia.

Prime Minister Modi  participates in Quad Leaders’ Summit

Jaipur: The Congress has said that it will take the decision within next 60 days on whether the 2023 assembly polls in Rajasthan will be held under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. According to the party leadership, it does not want to create a Punjab-like situation where it had been postponed till the last moment.Will Congress go to the elections under the leadership of Gehlot or Sachin or will adopt the formula of collective leadership, will be finalised soon. The situation will become clear after the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on June 10. Overall, the situation of confusion will end soon and it will be announced whether to go to the elections under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot or to change the leadership.The party believes that it is necessary to take a clear decision so that preparations for the elections are done with full gusto.There should be no confusion between the organisation and the workers.If the election is to be contested under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot, then that should also be clear and if the leadership is to be changed, then that too has to be announced well within time.Congress president Sonia Gandhi, after discussing with the state in-charge Ajay Maken and other leaders, has decided that after the Rajya Sabha elections, the final decision will be taken so that no change is made like Punjab. That is, till July, there is an uproar in the Rajasthan Congress.After holding the Chintan Shivir, Gehlot has strengthened his grip, but whether the party will move forward with the youth leadership or remain with the experience, will be decided by the end of June or the first week of July.—ANI

The Congress has said that it will take the decision within next 60 days on whether the 2023 assembly polls in Rajasthan will be held under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Fearing Punjab-like situation, Cong to decide on Raj leadership soon

Jalpaiguri: Days after Bharatiya Janata Party MP Arjun Singh rejoined the Trinamool Congress, at least 20 saffron party leaders in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri have tendered their resignation together from their party posts, accusing the district leadership of taking money in lieu of inducting members in a local panel, a party functionary said on Wednesday. The dissent leaders, including the party's Jalpaiguri district general secretary Amal Roy, claimed that those who had worked for the saffron brigade and fled their homes due to the post-poll violence in the state did not get a place in the newly formed Maynaguri South Mondal committee. Roy alleged that the posts of the local panel have been handed out in lieu of money to those who were inducted into the party recently."The dissenting leaders have submitted their resignation letters to the district chief," he claimed.When contacted, the BJP's Jalpaiguri district president Bapi Goswami refused to comment on the allegations.The development came weeks after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to West Bengal, advised the BJP state unit to strengthen the party organisation in order to put up a fight against the ruling TMC. The BJP's state unit spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya denied the allegation of members being inducted into the local committee in lieu of money but admitted that there are "differences of opinion in the organisation". "The party will look into the matter and the problem will be sorted out soon," he said.Notably, Jalpaiguri is a stronghold of the BJP as the party bagged four of seven constituencies in the district in the last assembly elections.Singh had on May 22 rejoined the state's ruling party.One of the prominent Hindi-speaking leaders of the TMC, Singh had joined the saffron camp ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, and went on to win the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat.The BJP in the state has been fighting hard to keep its flock together after former Union minister Babul Supriyo and five legislators, including national vice-president Mukul Roy, switched over to the TMC since the assembly poll results last year. Several senior TMC leaders like Rajib Banerjee and Sabyasachi Dutta, who had joined the saffron camp, too, returned to the Mamata Banerjee-led party.—PTI

Days after Bharatiya Janata Party MP Arjun Singh rejoined the Trinamool Congress, at least 20 saffron party leaders in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri have tendered their resignation together from their party posts, accusing the district leadership of taking money in lieu of inducting members in a local panel, a party functionary said on Wednesday.

20 BJP leaders resign in Bengal alleging cash-for-posts

New Delhi: The Congress is likely to finalise nominees for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections in its meeting on Saturday, with the former party chief Rahul Gandhi, who's in London, linking through video conference, while a number of veterans are vying to re-enter the Upper House. The Congress is expected to win eight Rajya Sabha seats, largely from Rajasthan and Chhattishgarh.The party veterans P Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Vivek Tankha, Ajay Maken, Rajeev Shukla, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari are stated to be in the contention even while the party is mulling to prop up local leaders and minority faces following the deliberations at its Chintan Shivir, which was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The meeting will be chaired by Congress' interim president Sonia Gandhi and attended by the general secretaries. Sources said former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is in London, is likely to attend the meeting through video conferencing.The Congress has decided to contest three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan while the party may fall short of numbers for one seat for which it will bank on the support of non-Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs.Notably, a three-point formula has also been adopted in Rajasthan under which no MLA will be considered for the Rajya Sabha nominations while giving preferences for minority and local faces.In Chhattisgarh, the Congress is confident to bag two seats in Rajya Sabha.Further, the party is expecting one seat each from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.The Congress is also expecting one seat from Jharkhand where it is in alliance with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).Sources said JMM chief and CM Hemant Soren has called a meeting of his party MLAs in Ranchi on Saturday, but he's said to be unwilling to give the seat to the Congress.The Congress is likely to finalise its Rajya Sabha nominees by Saturday evening.Senior leader P Chidambaram whose Rajya Sabha tenure is ending from Maharashtra is under consideration from Tamil Nadu as the Congress is all set to get the support of alliance partner the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.The G-23 leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Vivek Tankha, are also said to be in contention.Meanwhile, names of leaders from team Rahul Gandhi like Ajay Maken and Randeep Surjewala are also under consideration.Rajeev Shukla, Mukul Wasnik, Pramod Tiwari and Dr Ajoy Kumar are also hoping to bag the nominations.A tribal leader from Rajasthan and one from the scheduled castes from Chhattisgarh are likely to find Congress' approval in the Saturday meeting.Several members of the Rajya Sabha will retire between June 21 and August 1.Elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 15 states will take place on June 10.While 11 seats will fall vacant in Uttar Pradesh, six members each will retire from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, five from Bihar and four each from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.The BJP currently has 95 MPs and Congress has 29 members in the 245-member house.—ANI

The Congress is likely to finalise nominees for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections in its meeting on Saturday, with the former party chief Rahul Gandhi, who's in London, linking through video conference, while a number of veterans are vying to re-enter the Upper House.

G-23 leaders among possible Congress nominees for Rajya Sabha

Kolkata: Gauging that return of the prodigal leaders who deserted the party to join the BJP is not being favourably taken by a section of the party veterans, Trinamool Congress's General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday said that the doors of the party are closed to them for the time being.Incidentally, he made this announcement at a public rally at Shyamnagar under Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in North 24 Parganas district, whose erstwhile BJP Lok Sabha member, Arjun Singh has recently rejoined the Trinamool on May 22, and was welcomed in the party by Abhishek Banerjee himself. Arjun Singh's return was followed by loaded statements from a section of senior leadership in Trinamool Congress.Banerjee created some dramatic moments while interacting with those present at the rally on this issue. "Many of the 'gaddars' and 'Mir Jafars' are lining up at our doors with the plea to make a re-entry. I am asking you whether I would open the door or keep it closed," he asked those present on the occasion.When the party supporters asked in chorus to keep the doors closed, he said that to honour the sentiments of the party workers, he too had decided to close the doors to entrance-seekers."Any way, if I open the doors, then the other party from where there are so many entrance seekers will be totally finished," he said.While addressing a rally at the industrial township of Haldia in East Midnapopre district on Saturday, Banerjee made a somewhat similar statement where he said that new entrants from other parties will not be favoured from the beginning."Those who have joined Trinamool recently after measuring waters for a long time will be given election nominations immediately. Whatever happened in the past will not be repeated. I can guarantee that," he said.Senior state BJP leader and former state party president in West Bengal, Rahul Sinha said that Banerjee's claims on "closing the doors" is nothing but a stunt as he was unable to ensure the joining of a single leader at the Shyamnagar rally."Before this rally, tall claims were made on so many leaders joining the party. But not a single leader joined. So the Trinamool's national General Secretary had to come up with the face-saving stunt," he said.At the rally, Banerjee launched a scathing attack against the Union government on the issue of "misuse" of central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the state government and the Trinamool."Our senior MLA, Madan Mitra was put behind the bars for three years, after a photo emerged where Mitra was seen sharing a stage with chit-fund entity, Saradha Group's Chairman, Sudipto Sen. The why Prime Minister, Narendra Modi should not receive the same treatment, as many of the photos emerged where he was seen together with Nirav Modi, who had escaped from the country after fudging so many crores of rupees," he said.—PTI

Gauging that return of the prodigal leaders who deserted the party to join the BJP is not being favourably taken by a section of the party veterans, Trinamool Congress's General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday said that the doors of the party are closed to them for the time being

Trinamool's Doors Closed For Outsiders For Time Being: Abhishek Banerjee

New Delhi: Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday slammed the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leaders who expressed their concerns over the alleged increase in communal hatred, and said that they should refrain from "instigating Muslims" while also desisting themselves from "creating communal disharmony".VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain alleged, "leaders like Mahmood Asad Madani and Badruddin Ajmal engaged in instigating the Muslim community by raising provocative slogans at a conference held in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband."Issuing a statement, VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said that the Personal Law Board and Muslim leaders from Kashmir to Kerala have come together to challenge the "Indian Constitution, the judiciary and the Hindu society to implement their separatist agenda".Jain called for a comprehensive discussion on "whether Muslim society in India is being oppressed".Referring to the recent violent incidences in which Hindu processions were targeted, he said, "Attacks on Ram-Navmi and Mahavir Jayanti processions, violent attacks on Hindu society even on the day of Eid, ruthless killings of Hindus in many areas like Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Mewat etc. Inhuman atrocities on Hindu girls suffering from love jihad, incidents of forced conversions are a symbol of a society that is not afraid of the law.""The VHP wants to clarify that this is not the India of 1946. Our appeal is that secession, violence, hatred etc. are the path of destruction, not development," he added.Urging the Muslim leaders to "leave the insistence on imposing Sharia" in the country, the VHP leader said that they should be united with the roots of the country " and not "with the misdeeds and remains of foreign invaders". "This is the path of coexistence which is essential for the development of all," he said.Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani Sunday said those who ask Muslims to leave the country should leave themselves. According to a statement issued by the organisation, Madani objected to the plans of some states to implement the Uniform Civil Code.According to the statement, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's Assam unit president and Lok Sabha member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal criticised the government over various issues and said the "silence of Muslims should not be taken as weakness". —ANI

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday slammed the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leaders who expressed their concerns over the alleged increase in communal hatred, and said that they should refrain from "instigating Muslims" while also desisting themselves from "creating communal disharmony".

Desist From Making 'Provocative Remarks': VHP Tells Jamiat Leaders

New Delhi: Tributes poured in for former Union minister Gopinath Munde on his eighth death anniversary on Friday with BJP leaders recalling his contribution to ending the underworld rule in Mumbai and paving the way for Sardar Sarovar project on Narmada.Senior BJP leader and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe remembered Munde, a former Maharashtra deputy chief minister, for his role in ending the influence of the underworld in Mumbai, which was then known for gang wars.Munde was the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra from 1995-99 and also held the Home portfolio.Union Minister Purshottam Rupala recalled the role played by Munde in facilitating the Sardar Sarovar project on the river Narmada, which affected four states Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.Union Minister Bhagwat Karad remembered Munde as a leader who gave voice to the OBCs across the country and an organization builder who laid the foundation of the BJP in Maharashtra.Former parliamentarians Haribhau Rathod and Amar Sable and scores of admirers of Munde offered floral tributes to the departed leader at a function organized at the Maharashtra Sadan here.The function was organized by Karad, the Union Minister of State for Finance, a pediatric surgeon from Aurangabad who took the political plunge in 1997 at the instance of Munde.Munde, a former deputy leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha, was appointed as the Rural Development Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he assumed office in 2014.Munde passed away in a road accident in the early hours of June 3, 2014.—PTI

 Tributes poured in for former Union minister Gopinath Munde on his eighth death anniversary on Friday with BJP leaders recalling his contribution to ending the underworld rule in Mumbai and paving the way for Sardar Sarovar project on Narmada.

Gopinath Munde remembered on 8th death anniversary

 Tributes poured in for former Union minister Gopinath Munde on his eighth death anniversary on Friday with BJP leaders recalling his contribution to ending the underworld rule in Mumbai and paving the way for Sardar Sarovar project on Narmada.



Kabul: The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has condemned the remarks made by two former spokespersons of India’s ruling BJP against Prophet Muhammed. In a tweet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the use of derogatory words against the Prophet of Islam by an official of the ruling party in India”, Pajhwok News reported. “We urge the Indian government not to allow such fanatics to insult the holy religion of Islam and provoke the feelings of Muslims,” he added.Afghanistan became the latest Muslim country to denounce the remarks made by now-suspended BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal after Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran made similar condemnations. India’s ambassadors to Kuwait and Qatar were summoned on Sunday to receive official notes of protest over the comments. Doha has also demanded the Indian government issue a public apology. On Sunday, the BJP suspended Sharma and Jindal for their comments on Prophet Muhammad and said that party’s view is to respect all religions.—IANS

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has condemned the remarks made by two former spokespersons of India’s ruling BJP against Prophet Muhammed. In a tweet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the use of derogatory words against the Prophet of Islam by an official of the ruling party in India”, Pajhwok News reported.

Afghanistan Condemns Ex-BJP Leaders’ Anti-Prophet Comments

Amaravati: BJP national president J P Nadda was livid when he told his party leaders from Andhra Pradesh to first focus on building the organisation from the ground level in the state rather than worrying about political alliances.Nadda, who was on a two-day trip to AP on Monday and Tuesday, interacted with the state BJP leaders, including the core committee, where he categorically directed them to build and strengthen the party at all levels.Remember, we have BJP governments in 18 states, apart from the Centre. Don't we know what to do in AP? We have a strategy for Andhra Pradesh and will do whatever is required, Nadda told the core committee at a late night meeting on Monday.The BJP is currently in alliance with the Jana Sena in AP. The Jana Sena is making moves to bring their erstwhile ally Telugu Desam back into their fold to ensure there is no split in opposition votes that could benefit the ruling YSR Congress. The TDP is, too, apparently inclined to patch up old ties with both BJP and Jana Sena in the prevailing political scenario in the state.On the other hand, the BJP top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seem to be keeping the YSRC in good humour, with the Centre granting every wish of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in recent days.With election of the President and the Vice-President around the corner, the BJP national leadership does not want to antagonise the YSRC, whose support is critical to see the NDA candidates through.You don't worry about the alliances, leave it to us. Let the election of the President and the Vice-President be over first. There is still time for electoral tie-ups and we will take a call on that, Nadda was said to have told the BJP state leaders.He (Nadda) was very categorical on the alliances issue. He didn't want us to think much about it. He only asked us to build the party organisation strongly and follow the national leadership's strategy, a senior state BJP leader and a member of the core committee told PTI.Nadda was said to have made light of some Jana Sena second-rung leaders' demand that their chief K Pawan Kalyan be declared the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance.Ignore them. Pawan Kalyan is in touch with us and we know what he is up to, Nadda reportedly remarked.—PTI

BJP national president J P Nadda was livid when he told his party leaders from Andhra Pradesh to first focus on building the organisation from the ground level in the state rather than worrying about political alliances.

Build organisation first, Nadda tells AP BJP leaders

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/bjp-suspends-nupur-sharma-axes-naveen-jindal-over-controversial-remarks/20220605.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">action against its two members</a>&nbsp;for their controversial comments against Prophet Mohammed cap a series of statements from its top brass and also Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that sought to distance their organisations from shrill and combative religious rhetoric, even as it has brought to fore the conflict within their wide sphere of support. The suspension of its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the expulsion of its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal have also drawn angry reactions from the BJP's faithful cheerleaders on social media, more so for Sharma, reflecting the dissonance between the impulses guiding its army of supporters and the prudence of its leadership, which acted to contain negative fallouts amid domestic protests and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/prophet-remark-3-countries-summon-indian-envoys-outrage-in-gulf/20220606.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">angry reactions in Gulf countries</a>. There is a view, also shared by many members of the party's rank and file, that the punishment given to Sharma was due to pressure from the Arab world. Muslim organisations in India had also been protesting against her comments.A party leader, however, asserted that the "heat" on social media is temporary, and the ruling party cannot allow a ceaseless negative discourse to dent its carefully crafted agenda of governance which has helped expand its base.In his latest address to BJP members on May 20 during a party meeting in Jaipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked them to stick to the issues of development and national interests and avoid any shortcuts. He had asked them to not fall into the "traps" of their rivals trying their best to divert the country's attention from main issues.Though Modi had made no direct mention, his comments had come at a time when the reported finding of a Shivling in the Gyanvapi mosque during a court-ordered survey had been seeing rival groups trading charges over the claim that were often polarising.The RSS, seen as the mothership of the larger Hindutva universe and the BJP's ideological mentor, has also tried to distance itself from more extreme elements, some of whom have even demanded a survey of several historical places associated with Muslim rule to find out if they were built on Hindu temples.While acknowledging that the Gyanvapi dispute involves the issue of faith, Bhagwat had said that the court's decision on it should be accepted by all and that there was no need to find a 'Shivling" in every mosque. He had stressed on amicable resolution of disputesA view had also emerged from the RSS' 'chintan shivir' in Haridwar held in April that any bitterness and conflict in society should be avoided while pursuing ideological issuesBJP president J P Nadda had said recently that contentious religious matters would be decided by "courts and the Constitution" and the party would implement the decisions in letter and spirit.He was responding to a question on whether reclaiming temples in Varanasi (Kashi) and Mathura was still on the BJP's agenda.He noted that, unlike the Ram Janmabhoomi issue on which it had passed a resolution favouring the temple at Ayodhya during its national executive meeting in Palampur, there has been no resolution on the twin disputes.However, the general discourse over religious disputes has often been so polarising that the BJP's action against its two members has taken some of its own members by surprise.—PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s action against its two members for their controversial comments against Prophet Mohammed cap a series of statements from its top brass and also Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that sought to distance their organisations from shrill and combative religious rhetoric, even as it has brought to fore the conflict within their wide sphere of support.

Not everyone in BJP's circle of friends is happy over action against leaders

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s action against its two members for their controversial comments against Prophet Mohammed cap a series of statements from its top brass and also Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat that sought to distance their organisations from shrill and combative religious rhetoric, even as it has brought to fore the conflict within their wide sphere of support.



Mumbai: In a show of solidarity ahead of June 10 election for six Rajya Sabha vacancies from Maharashtra, Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with MLAs of the three parties in Mumbai on Tuesday. As leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition of the Sena, NCP and Congress held parleys with Independent MLAs and smaller parties to cobble up support, the Sena also decided to shift its legislators to a city hotel to thwart attempts of poaching. “The chief minister said during the meeting that our victory is certain and asked the legislators of the three parties to stay united,” Sena MLA and spokesperson Sunil Prabhu told&nbsp;PTI&nbsp;in the evening. MLAs of smaller parties like the Bachhu Kadu-led Prahar and Independent legislators also attended the meeting, Prabhu added.This was the first such meeting of the MVA MLAs and its leaders after the formation of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in 2019.In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly (which forms the electorate for the Rajya Sabha polls), smaller parties have 16 MLAs, while the number of Independents is 13.With one Assembly seat lying vacant and two NCP MLAs (Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik) in jail, the quota of votes per winning candidate is 41.A total of seven candidates -- three candidates of the BJP, two of the Shiv Sena and one each of NCP and Congress -- are in the fray for six seats, which necessitated election for Rajya Sabha after more than two decades in Maharashtra.The contest for the sixth seat will be between the BJP's Dhananjay Mahadik and Sena's Sanjay Pawar.The BJP has asked its MLAs to come to Mumbai in the next two days.AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said the MVA should contact his party if they need support while the Samajwadi Party has sought Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's clarification on the Shiv Sena's language of Hindutva and the government's secular credentials.All 55 legislators of the Sena have been summoned to Mumbai and they will stay together till the polls on June 10, a Sena leader said."We were at 'The Retreat' (at Madh island in northwest Mumbai) and all our ministers too were present there. That was part of our strategy. We will be moving to hotel Trident (in south Mumbai) today," Sunil Prabhu had said earlier in the day.The Trident is a stone's throw from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly where voting will take place.Senior Shiv Sena leader and minister Anil Parab said talks are being held with all parties, be it the AIMIM and Samajwadi Party, who have extended their support to the MVA government.The AIMIM and the SP each have two MLAs in the House.Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh also met Parab.Shaikh told reporters that the SP has written a letter to CM Thackeray, asking him to clarify the government's secular credentials."The common minimum programme on which the government was formed and the language of Hindutva spoken by the chief minister in his speech...there is so much difference (between CMP and the Hindutva language). So (the CM should) clarify whether the government is secular or if Sena's Hindutva credible or the BJP's," Shaikh said.What has the government done in the last 2.5 years? The minority commission and the Haj Committee have not been formed until now, Shaikh said.When asked whether the Samajwadi Party is with the MVA, Shaikh said, "We are with the MVA, but look at the demands. It is ideological."BJP leader Girish Mahajan on Tuesday met Hitendra Thakur, seeking his support. Thakur's Bahujan Vikas Aghadi has three MLAs and he is known as a supporter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The Sena has fielded Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Pawar while the BJP has nominated Union minister Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde and Dhananjay Mahadik. The NCP has fielded Praful Patel and Congress nominated Imran Pratapgarhi). Given its strength in the Assembly (106 MLAs), the BJP has enough votes to win two seats, while the Sena, NCP and Congress can win one seat each.The Sena (55), NCP (53) and Congress (44) -- all constituents of the MVA-have enough votes together to ensure the victory for the second candidate of the Sena.—PTI

In a show of solidarity ahead of June 10 election for six Rajya Sabha vacancies from Maharashtra, Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with MLAs of the three parties in Mumbai on Tuesday.

MVA leaders hold meeting to showcase strength before RS poll

Srinagar: Parts of Kashmir observed a shutdown on Friday over the controversial remarks by two now-suspended BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad while the authorities snapped mobile Internet as a precautionary measure, officials said. Security forces have been deployed in strength at sensitive places in the city and elsewhere in the Valley for maintaining law and order, they said.The old city -- popularly known as Downtown Srinagar -- witnessed a complete shutdown with public transport off the roads. However, traffic was plying in Lal Chowk, Batamaloo and adjoining areas with offices and schools remaining open. Authorities have shut down the Internet on mobile devices in some areas as a precautionary measure to stop rumour-mongers, officials said, adding there were no reports of any untoward incident in the Valley so far.—ANI

Parts of Kashmir observed a shutdown on Friday over the controversial remarks by two now-suspended BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad while the authorities snapped mobile Internet as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Remarks on Prophet: Kashmir observe shutdown; mobile Internet snapped

Singapore: China's coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions threaten stability around Asia, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the premier defence forum taking place in Singapore. "Indo-Pacific countries shouldn't face political intimidation, economic coercion, or harassment by maritime militias," Austin said in a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue. "The PRC's (People's Republic of China) moves to threaten to undermine security, and stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," Austin said while referring to the country by its official name. Pledging to support&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/taiwan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness, he said "We remain firmly committed to our longstanding one-China policy--guided by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/taiwan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. We categorically oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. Now, as part of our one-China policy, we'll continue to fulfill our commitments under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/taiwan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;Relations Act. That includes assisting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/taiwan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability. And it means maintaining our own capacity to resist any use of force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security or the social or economic system of the people of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/taiwan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">Taiwan</a>," he added.The US defence chief also emphasized that Washington is working closely with China's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/military-leaders" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">military leaders</a>&nbsp;to fully open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/lines-of-communications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">lines of communications</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/avoid-miscalculations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: transparent;">avoid miscalculations</a>&nbsp;between both countries."So we're working closely with both our competitors and our friends to strengthen the guardrails against conflict," Austin said. "That includes fully open lines of communication with China's defence leaders to ensure that we can avoid any miscalculations." He said the US does not seek a new Cold War, an Asian NATO, or a region split into hostile blocks in the Indo-Pacific region. "Let me be clear, we do not seek confrontation or conflict, we do not seek a new Cold War and Asian NATO or a region split into hostile blocks."In the major speech at the defence forum, the US defence chief also laid emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific, which he said was at the heart of American national security strategies, and the power of the partnerships that regional nations have built with the United States forms the core of a peaceful and prosperous world for all. American strategists no longer talk about the "US pivot to Asia." That has happened. On the military side, Austin noted that the Indo-Pacific is Washington's "priority theater" with more than 300,000 American service members in the region working with allies and partners to ensure the rules-based international order is maintained. The Indo-Pacific is at the heart of this interconnected world and events halfway around the world resonate throughout the region, Austin said while pointing to the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia as one of those events. The defence secretary said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's "reckless war of choice has reminded us all of the dangers of undercutting an international order rooted in rules and respect."—ANI

China's coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions threaten stability around Asia, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the premier defence forum taking place in Singapore. 

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Chintan Shivir shouldn't be a ritual: Sonia to Congress leaders

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Chintan Shivir shouldn't be a ritual: Sonia to Congress leaders

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