Connect with us
Friday,18-October-2024
Breaking News

National News

India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Begins: EAM S Jaishankar, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Meet US State Secy Antony Blinken

Published

on

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue got underway on Friday. The two leaders shook hands and greeted each other before heading for the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

Secretary Blinken arrives in Delhi

Secretary Blinken arrived in Delhi on Friday to co-chair the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Blinken’s visit will give a further boost to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“A warm welcome to U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as he arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The visit will give a further boost to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership!,” Bagchi wrote on ‘X’.The US has said it supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in promoting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The country said the US-India relationship is one of the most strategic and consequential of the 21st century, as per a fact sheet released by the US State Department.

The fact sheet said the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between the US Secretaries of State and Defence and their Indian counterparts is the premier recurring dialogue mechanism between the United States and India.

“Through the 2+2 mechanism, US and Indian officials advance a wide range of initiatives across the breadth of the United States-India partnership,” it said.

US State Department’s statement

The US State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, while speaking on Blinken’s visit to India, said: “India is a country that we have a deep partnership with. He (Blinken) will be going for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue along with Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin. So I expect, of course, that deepening this security cooperation in partnership, will be, one of the many topics that are discussed.” Earlier on Thursday, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin also arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit to attend the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. He was received by his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.

The United States and India have established a strong defence industrial cooperation that looks at opportunities for co-development and co-production of important military capabilities for both our countries.

Co-production of GE F414 engines in India

Earlier this year, the United States approved a pathbreaking manufacturing license for the co-production of GE F414 engines in India.

The United States and India have launched an educational series that prepares startups and young innovators to contribute to the defence industries in both countries. The United States and India also cooperate through the bilateral U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the Defence Policy Group.

2+2 dialogue = top-level discussions between the US and India

The 2+2 dialogue will provide a platform for top-level discussions between the US and India, addressing critical bilateral and global matters, with special emphasis on developments unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit held every year since 2018, with the Minister of External Affairs and the Defence Minister representing India while the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence representing the United States. The discussions centre on common issues of concern between the two countries.

Crime

‘Hum Bhaagna Chah Rahe The Fire Karke…Galti Hogayi Sir’: Bahraich Murder Accused Apologises To UP Cops After Being Shot Near Nepal Border 

Published

on

'Hum Bhaagna Chah Rahe The Fire Karke...Galti Hogayi Sir': Bahraich Murder Accused Apologises To UP Cops After Being Shot Near Nepal Border 

UP police on Thursday released a video showing the two accused Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, who allegedly killed Ram Gopal Mishra on October 13 in Bahraich, being taken to a police jeep after they were shot while trying to escape to Nepal. 

In the video, cops wearing bulletproof vests can be seen carrying both the accused who were writhing in pain after being shot in their legs. One of the accused can be heard telling the cops that they wanted to run away and that is why they fired at them. 

Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Special Task Force, Uttar Pradesh told news agency that five accused in the matter have also been arrested. 

“A total of five people who are the main accused in the case have been arrested. A short exchange of fire took place in which two people were injured. The injured are Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib. There is no death and the injured have been taken to the hospital,” Amitabh Yash said.

Injured accused admitted to hospital for treatment

ADGP (Law and Order), STF Uttar Pradesh said that two people were injured in the encounter and were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

SP Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla said that “5 people have been arrested. Two of them have been injured in police firing. I am here to assess their condition. One of the injured is Md. Sarfaraz, the other other is Md. Talib.” Ramgopal Mishra was killed while several others were injured after a clash erupted between two communities during the Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Earlier today, Bahraich Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Sanjay Kumar Sharma said that Ramgopal Mishra, who was killed in a clash that erupted between two communities during the Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich, died due to “excessive bleeding”, officials said.

The CMO said, “The information that we have – that man died of excessive bleeding due to 25-30 pellets injuries. There are some injury marks above his left eye and on the toes. Some part of the nails of both the feet is also missing.” 

Appealing to not spread misinformation on social media, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rural, Pavitra Mohan Tripathi said, “To disturb the social harmony, misinformation is being spread on social media – there’s been a single death in the incident and the reason for death is also clear in the post-mortem report which is bullet injuries. I request people not to spread misinformation and also not to believe in any of such misinformation. The situation is peaceful in the district.” 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that providing justice to the family of the victim of the Bahraich violence is the government’s top priority, and the culprits will not be spared at any cost. He said this after meeting with family members of the deceased of the Bahraich incident in Lucknow.

The family has been provided Rs 10 lakh, a house under the PM Awas Yojana, and an Antyodaya card.

On October 16, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government also initiated action against police officials.

According to the police, the procession was passing by a Muslim area when the two groups argued over some issues.

Continue Reading

National News

Assam Train Tragedy: 8 Coaches Of 12520 Agartala–Lokmanya Tilak Express Derail At Dibalong, No Casualty Reported; Visuals Surface

Published

on

New Delhi, Oct 17: The Mumbai-bound Lokmanya Tilak Express that left Agartala this morning derailed at Dibalong station in Assam at about 3:55 pm, a spokesperson of the Railways said.

“Eight coaches, including the power car and the engine of the train, got derailed. However, no casualty or major injuries have been reported,” the CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway zone said. The accident took place in the Lumding-Bardarpur Hill section under Lumding division.

According to railway officials, Accident Relief Train and Accident Relief Medical Train have already left for the site from Lumding along with senior officials of the division to supervise the rescue and restoration works.

“Running of trains over the Lumding-Badarpur single line section has been suspended. Helpline numbers at Lumding are 03674 263120, 03674 263126,” the CPRO said.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Election Commission To Announce Poll Dates Of Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly Elections Today

Published

on

News Delhi: The Election Commission of India is set to announce the dates of elections for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections on Tuesday, October 15. The announcement on the dates of the crucial polls will be done by ECI through a press conference scheduled at 3.30 pm today. The poll officials are also expected to announce bypolls for three Lok Sabha seats and 12 Assembly seats of UP and Gujarat today along with the polls for the two assemblies.

When Do Assembly Terms End For Both States?

The Maharashtra Assembly’s term is set to conclude on November 26, while on the other hand, the Jharkhand Assembly’s term will end on January 5, 2025. Maharashtra has a 288-member Legislative Assembly, while the state of Jharkhand consists an 81-seat Assembly.

Crucial Battle In Both States

In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will face off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The MVA is a coalition of the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

In Jharkhand, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key part of the opposition INDIA bloc, will be up against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA in Jharkhand includes the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and Janata Dal (United). Both states are gearing up for high-stakes elections, with major political alliances vying for power.

Congress Reviews Poll Strategy In Maharashtra

The Congress central leadership, on Monday, held a meeting to assess its preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The meeting, chaired at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, included senior state leaders and was attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

During the discussions, the Congress leadership reflected on lessons learned from the Haryana elections, particularly focusing on addressing caste-related issues. The results of the Haryana elections and their potential impact on expectations within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), were also reviewed.

A key decision made during the meeting was the commitment to maintain the MVA alliance despite any challenges. Prominent Congress leaders like general secretary KC Venugopal and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, along with state figures including Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole, former president Prithviraj Chavan and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, participated in the meeting.

BJP To Release 1st List Of Candidates Soon

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to release its first list of candidates for the Maharashtra polls, expected to include over 60 names. This list will be finalised by the party’s central election committee (CEC) in the next two days.

A meeting led by BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also held in New Delhi yesterday, where key leaders from the party’s Maharashtra unit and state election in-charges Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw were present. The BJP’s Maharashtra unit has already shortlisted around 100 candidates, including sitting MLAs, for the CEC’s consideration ahead of the elections.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending