New York:

United States sees India as a “friend and partner” and not as a counterbalance to any other country, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said and emphasised that the two nations share the principles about borders and sovereignty and rule of law.

In an interview with ANI, Garcetti stressed that the US stood with India when there has been conflict on the border and that it supports India’s diplomatic interactions with China.

He said the United States has a long history of ensuring that aggression should not be rewarded anywhere in the world.

“I would say that we see India as a friend and a partner, not a counterbalance. We share the principles about borders and sovereignty, about the rule of law. We’ve stood with India on the border when there’s been conflicts. We’ve recognized since 1952 the McMahon Line. We have a long history of ensuring that aggression should not be rewarded anywhere in the world. When it comes to China specifically, we all want to have peaceful relations with China,” he said.

Garcetti was asked that US relations with China are very complex and how does Washington DC see India fit into the larger picture when it comes to the region, especially when India-China relations are not at their best and also if Washington sees India as a counterbalance to China in his country’s Indo-Pacific policy.

“We support India’s diplomatic interactions right now and I think it was announced, you know, that much of the border, about 75 per cent of it, as (EAM) Jaishankar said, has been settled, but nobody should move ahead when their sovereignty is threatened. That is something that we respect and will follow India’s lead in India’s land,” he said. .

The US envoy said that the US wants countries to have choices and not fall into debt traps.

“Secondly, when we look at the region, we want to make sure people have choices that they don’t have death traps that they aren’t seen as inferring in domestic politics. That people can have democracies that they can have free market economies. They can have a rule of law that is respected by everybody. We want to calm the waters when it comes to relations with China,” he added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said earlier this month that 75 per cent of disengagement problems with China have been sorted out but the two nations “still have some things to do.” He also underlined how India and China never had an easy relationship in the past.
Garcetti said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden share “close friendship.” He described President Biden as the “most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history”.

“These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister we’ve ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history and that’s building on people who have been very strong before. I think they are representative of the people and their country and the closeness that we have, having this in a home for the first time, the President’s home, personal home, really underscored that this is something that is here to stay,” he added.

Stressing that Quad is a “powerful place” to set a vision and come up with solutions in the Indo-Pacific, he said that the group is a contrast to nations that don’t play by the rules.

“The Quad is a powerful place to set a vision, to share principles and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific. It’s a contrast to nations that don’t want to play by the rules, don’t believe in the rule of law, but I think we will build solutions. It’s about what we can do proactively and this was a giant step forward,” Garcetti said.
Quad is a group of four countries–Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

US President Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the Quad Leaders’ Summit on Saturday (local time) in his home town Wilmington, Delaware.

The Quad leaders expressed commitment to working in partnership with Pacific island countries to achieve shared aspirations and address shared challenges.

The Quad nations also affirmed that, in consultation with partners, they will work collectively to address attempts to unilaterally undermine the integrity of the UN, its Charter, and its agencies.

Biden also held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at his residence in Delaware. During his bilateral meeting, President Biden affirmed support for initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed UN Security Council.

The sixth edition of the Quad Leaders’ Summit was also a ‘farewell’ summit for both US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before they step down from their respective offices.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi speaks at an event in Uniondale, N.Y. on September 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 22, 2024) said that he has set very ambitious goals in his third term to make the country a developed nation and asserted that India today is a land of opportunities.

“After going through this tough election process, this long election system, something unprecedented happened in India (this year). What happened… “Abkibaar Modi Sarkaar,” Mr. Modi said in his address to thousands of Indian Americans in New York.

Also Read: PM Modi in U.S. LIVE updates

“For the first time in 60 years, the people of India have given a mandate which has great significance. During my third term, I have very ambitious goals to achieve. We have to move forward with three times the strength,” he said.

Mr. Modi said he has dedicated his life for good governance and for a prosperous India. Observing that destiny brought him to politics, he said he had never thought of becoming a chief minister or prime minister. Over the last 10 years, people have seen this model of governance and thus have voted him to power for a third term, he added.

The Prime Minister was addressing a packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum with more than 13,000 Indian Americans. While the majority of them were from the New York and New Jersey area, Indian Americans came in from 40 States, organisers said. 60 charter buses were used for transportation purposes.

Applauding the role of Indian Americans in strengthening the relationship between India and the U.S., he called them as India’s brand ambassadors. Referring to a Sanskrit shloka that “it is those who make sacrifices reap benefits”, the Prime Minister said wherever the Indian diaspora lives, they contribute to the societal and national development in every field.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister touched upon the celebration of democracy across the world, in particular in India and the U.S.

“While the elections in India are over, it’s under process in the United States. The elections that were just held in India were the biggest elections so far in human history. When we see the scale of India’s democracy, we are even more proud,” he said.

Mr. Modi applauded the role of Indian Americans in making the country and community proud.

“Just yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection, his warmth, it was a moment that touched my heart. This respect is for the 140 billion Indians. This respect is for you, for your achievements, for the hundreds and thousands of Indians living here,” he said and called Indian Americans as India’s brand ambassador.

He also referred to the recently concluded T-20 World Cup in the United States.

India, he said, is now aspiring to be the third largest economy of the world from the fifth position. “Today, people of India, he said, are full of self-confidence, they have resolve and determination to achieve their goal,” he said, adding development in India has now become a people’s movement.

“Every Indian has confidence in India, its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. It’s no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities,” he said, adding that in just a decade 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.

“This was possible because we changed our old way of thinking. We changed our approach. We empowered the poor,” he told the Indian Americans. It is this new middle class, which is accelerating the development of India, he said.

An entertaining cultural performance was the main highlight of the event before the prime minister arrived. The Echoes of India – A Journey Through Art and Tradition, showcased 382 nationally and internationally known artists. Prominent among them including Grammy award nominee Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of India winner and superstar Aishwarya Majumdar, Instagram’s Dancing Dad Ricky Pond, and singing sensation Rex DSouuza, in a seamless experience of India’s cultural diversity.

There were unique performances by 117 artists, impressing and entertaining attendees as they enter the coliseum. Organisers said more than 30 classical, folk, modern and fusion performances will pay homage to the rich and diverse cultures of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, at Wilmington Delaware, on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: X/@POTUS

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the progress made towards India sealing procurement of 31 long-endurance MQ-9B armed drones from American defence major General Atomics, as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to boost reciprocal supply of military hardware between the two sides.

The U.S. President hosted PM Modi at his personal home in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday (September 21, 2024) and the two leaders held wide-ranging talks covering various key aspects of India-U.S. ties including ways to further ramp up bilateral defence and military partnership.

A joint fact-sheet on Modi-Biden talks said the two leaders recognised the remarkable progress achieved under the US-India defence industrial cooperation roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems.

“President Biden welcomed the progress towards India concluding procurement of 31 General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and their associated equipment, which will enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of India’s armed forces across all domains,” it said.

India is procuring the ‘hunter-killer’ drones (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) from U.S. Defence major General Atomics at a cost of over $3 billion primarily to crank up its surveillance apparatus along the frontier with China as well as in the Indian Ocean region.

Also Read: Explained | The India-U.S. deal for 31 MQ-9B drones

It is learnt that the price negotiations for the procurement have been sealed and both sides are likely to formally conclude the deal by next month.

The remotely piloted drones are capable of remaining airborne for around 35 hours and can be deployed on a range of missions.

In the talks, Mr. Modi and Mr. Biden welcomed the teaming of Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering for the co-development and co-production of unmanned surface vehicle systems that will strengthen undersea and maritime domain awareness.

The two leaders also applauded the recent conclusion of the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), enhancing the mutual supply of defence goods and services, according to the fact-sheet.

“Both leaders committed to advance ongoing discussions on aligning their respective defence procurement systems to further enable the reciprocal supply of defence goods and services,” it said.

President Biden also welcomed India’s decision to set a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, including on all aircraft and aircraft engine parts.

The appreciation came as the simplified tax regime will pave the way for building a strong ecosystem for MRO services in India.

The leaders also encouraged the industry to foster collaboration and drive innovation to support India’s efforts to become a leading aviation hub.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Biden also lauded commitments from the U.S. industry to further increase India’s MRO capabilities, including for the repair of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The two leaders also hailed the recent teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd on the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft programme.

“Building on long-standing industry cooperation, this agreement will establish a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the readiness of the Indian fleet and global partners who operate the C-130 Super Hercules aircraft,” the joint document said.

“This marks a significant step in U.S.-India defence and aerospace cooperation and reflects the two sides’ deepening strategic and technology partnership ties,” it said.

Delving into futuristic collaborations, Mr. Modi and Mr. Biden commended work to advance cooperation in advanced domains, including space and cyber.

Areas of new cooperation will include threat information sharing, cybersecurity training, and collaboration on vulnerability mitigation in energy and telecommunications networks.

The Prime Minister and the President also complimented the growing defence innovation collaboration between the two governments, businesses, and academic institutions fostered by the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative launched in 2023.

“They welcomed the enhanced collaboration between the Indian Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and US Department of Defence’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) through the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Silicon Valley Summit,” the fact-sheet said.

At the Quad summit, new projects will be announced like a Coast Guard exercise and an initiative to fight cancer, called the Cancer Moonshot project, among others. “The U.S. Coast Guard will welcome Indian, Australian and Japanese coast guards on board its vessel in the Indo-Pacific, with other countries then taking turns to host,” a Biden administration official said, during a briefing call with reporters on Friday (September 20, 2024).

A Quad logistics network will be launched that allows for sharing cargo space on vessels and aircraft for humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) missions.

​Read the whole story here​

New Delhi:

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri held a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffery Pyatt on the sidelines of GasTech 2024 in Houston.

The two leaders reviewed the existing energy cooperation and agreed to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy value chain for “just and orderly energy transition.”

During the meeting, Mr Puri and Mr Pyatt discussed how the cooperation between two nations is strengthening in the energy sector due to collaboration between the institutions and companies from India and the US.

Sharing details regarding his meeting with Geoffery Pyatt, Hardeep Singh Puri stated, “Met my friend for more than three decades & US @AsstSecENR Mr Geoffery Pyatt at #GasTech2024 in Houston today.”

“We reviewed the existing energy cooperation & agreed to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy value chain for just & orderly energy transition. Also discussed how our cooperation in energy sector is both broadening & deepening due to the excellent collaboration between the institutions & companies from both sides,” he added.

Met my friend for more than three decades & US @AsstSecENR Mr Geoffery Pyatt at #GasTech2024 in Houston today.
We reviewed the existing energy cooperation & agreed to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy value chain for just & orderly energy… pic.twitter.com/SOrgaRA95A

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) September 17, 2024

Hardeep Singh Puri, who is on a visit to the US, inaugurated the India Pavilion at GasTech. He noted that the Indian companies present in GasTech event showcase their latest technological advancements, capabilities and future opportunities to collaborate and invest.

In a post on X, Mr Puri stated, “Delighted to inaugurate the India Pavilion which marks a strong presence of India’s energy sector entities at @GastechEvent, the world’s largest event for the natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, and climate technology industry in Houston.”

“As India journeys towards energy self-sufficiency under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, the Indian companies which are present in the premier event in large numbers showcase their latest technological advancements, capabilities and future opportunities to collaborate & invest,” he added.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas also joined a ministerial panel at GasTech 2024 alongside Egyptian Minister Karim Badawi, Nigeria’s Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, Turkish Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffery Pyatt.

He stated that world, without India’s proactive approach, could have faced a more severe energy crisis. He noted that India’s energy demand is expected to rise at a compounded annual growth rate of about 3 per cent per annum by 2040 and it is estimated to double by 2050.

In a post on X, Mr Puri stated, “Delighted to join a Ministerial Panel with fellow Ministers from Egypt, HE Karim Badawi, Nigeria Rt Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo & Turkiye HE Alparslan Bayraktar & @AsstSecENR Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt, in a session on “From mitigation to adaptation: Navigating volatile geopolitics in a fragmenting global order” moderated by Prof. John Defterios, @NYUAbuDhabi at @GastechEvent, the world’s largest event for the natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, and climate technology industry in Houston. I spoke about how the emerging markets are reshaping the global energy landscape with nearly 80 per cent of the increase in global energy demand by 2045 to come from emerging economies.”

“This surge in demand is driving substantial investments in both conventional and renewable energy sources. Without India’s proactive approach, the world could have faced an even more severe energy crisis. India is the world’s fastest growing large economy, consuming about 5 mb/d of crude, 67 million people visit petrol pumps every day in India. India’s energy demand is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of about 3% per annum by 2040 and it is estimated to double by 2050. India has adopted a pragmatic & balanced approach that underscores climate commitments while safeguarding national interests under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji,” he added.

Highlighting measures taken by India to increase domestic production, Mr Puri in a post on X further said, “We have taken several measures to enhance domestic production, diversify the supplies, accelerated adoption of low carbon solutions like biofuels, EVs & Hydrogen. Our initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) illustrate the power of global partnerships in accelerating clean energy deployment.”

Earlier on Monday, Hardeep Singh Puri and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm convened the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial, where they welcomed the progress made under the partnership to drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate clean energy transitions.

During the meeting in Washington, DC, on Monday, the two sides reviewed the initiatives undertaken across the technical pillars under the SCEP, including Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels and Technologies, and Sustainable Growth.

“The ministers welcomed progress made under the partnership to drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate clean energy transitions, including through more focused efforts on clean energy manufacturing and building resilient, responsible, stable, secure and diversified supply chains,” the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday highlighted the close friendship between the two nations when it comes to solving border issues, saying that “we’re always here when you call.”

Eric Garcetti visited Pandal on Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.

Speaking on US-India relations, Garcetti told ANI, “We know sometimes we face the same enemies, so if they’re non-state actors or state actors, we are stronger together. We’re making progress there, and we do believe that we can give India the space to solve its own bordering issues. But we’re always here when you call.”

Further, Garcetti also emphasised that India’s challenges are for Indians and their government to address and assured that the US will always be available for support when needed.

“India’s challenges are for Indians and the Indian government to solve. We’re very clear that is not something for us from the outside to teach and preach,” said Garcetti.

“But we’re here to listen and learn, and nobody can deny how close the friendship between India and the US has become in moments of threats that we’ve seen, whether it’s on the border with China,” he added.

Garcetti also expressed the US desire to continue co-developing and co-manufacturing defense technologies with India and stated, “We want to have India be a place where our planes and our ships can come for repairs.”

“We’ve been there not only for recent years but decades past… We know that with deals like the new engines for aircraft, the Predator drones, other things that we’re looking at. We want to continue to co-develop and co-manufacture. We want to have India be a place where our planes and our ships can come for repairs. And through things like the Quad, which brings together multiple countries, we know we face the same challenges,” said Garcetti.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

Lauding the US-India ties, the White House on Monday (local time) said that President Joe Biden views the United States’ relationship with India as one of the most consequential in the world, adding that both countries “work closely” on vital priorities.

In a press briefing on Monday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said that the US works with India on key priorities, including the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue).

“So look, the president views our relationship, the United States’ relationship with India, as one of the most consequential in the world. And so we work closely with India on our most vital priorities, including through the Quad and the US-India initiative on this critical and emerging technology,” Jean Pierre said.

She further emphasised how the US wants to expand its “critically important partnership” with India, moving forward.

“And so we look forward to continuing to expand our critical and critically important partnership and how it’s going to benefit the American people. And we want to create a more prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and the world. And so that is going to continue to be our focus as we move forward,” she added.

The US has a diplomatic partnership with India, Australia and Japan, through QUAD, which is committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

Notably, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa, and Australia’s Penny Wong participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting held on July 29 in Tokyo.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment, common principles, and capacities to preserve and strengthen the international order for the global good.

“We look forward to India hosting the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year, and to the United States hosting the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2025,” a joint statement after the meeting held in Tokyo read.

The Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting joint statement said that the countries of the bloc were collectively advancing a positive and practical agenda to support the Indo-Pacific region’s sustainable development, stability, and prosperity, responding to the region’s needs.

The statement said that they contribute to a region in which all countries and people can exercise free choice in how they cooperate, and trade based on partnership, equality and mutual respect.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

US Senator Marco Rubio on Thursday introduced a bill in the Congress that proposes to treat India on par with its allies like as Japan, Israel, Korea and NATO allies regarding technology transfers, support India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity and bar Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India.

“Communist China continues to aggressively expand its domain in the Indo-Pacific region, all while it seeks to impede the sovereignty and autonomy of our regional partners. It’s crucial for the U.S. to continue its support in countering these malicious tactics. India, along with other nations in the region, is not alone,” Rubio said after he introduced the U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act in the Senate.

In order to strengthen our partnership with India, it’s essential we increase our strategic relationship w/ New Delhi.

Introduced a bill to best support India as they continue to face aggression from Communist China.https://t.co/QVF1gU7TqP

— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) July 25, 2024

Given the short timeline of a bitterly divided Congress in an election year, the bill is unlikely to make much headway, but might be reintroduced in the next Congress given that there is a bipartisan level of support on the India-US relationship. The bill notes that the US-India partnership is vital to countering influences from Communist China. In order to strengthen this partnership, it is essential to enhance our strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi, it asserts.

Among other things, the bill would set a Statement of Policy that the US will support India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity, provide necessary security assistance to India to deter adversaries, and cooperate with India with respect to defense, civil space, technology, medicine and economic investments.

When passed into law, it would provide a limited exemption for India from CAATSA sanctions for purchases of Russian equipment that are currently used by the Indian military and set a sense of Congress that expeditious consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defense articles, defense services, design and construction services, and major defense equipment to India is consistent with US interests and it is in the interest of peace and stability India to have the capabilities needed to deter threats.

It proposes to treat India as if it were of the same status as the US allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies regarding technology transfers; authorize the Secretary of State to enter into a memorandum of understanding with India to increase military cooperation; expedite excess defense articles to India for two years and grant India the same status as other allies; and expand International Military Education and Training Cooperation with New Delhi.

It requires a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including through terrorism and proxy groups, against India; and bar Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India.

This is for the first time such an India-centric bill has been introduced in the US Congress that proposes to put India at the same level of that of its treaty ally, exempt it from CAATSA sanctions, and imposes sanctions on Pakistan for promoting terrorism in India. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A view of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Stay on bail should only be granted in rare cases: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on July 12 said an inclination seen among higher courts to stall bail creates a real and present danger to the rights of personal liberty and due process. A Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said the propensity to stay reasoned bail orders passed by trial courts was “shocking”.

Oli set to return to power in Nepal as Maoist leader Prachanda weighs his options

A political drama triggered 10 days ago by the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) capped off with the ouster of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Friday. Prachanda, the chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), failed his vote of confidence, fifth in one and a half years since he was elected Prime Minister in December 2022, leading to the fall of his government. Of the 258 parliamentarians present in the 275-member Parliament, 63 voted in favour of Prachanda, while 194 voted against. One lawmaker abstained.

Centralised hiring leads to language, cultural barriers in Eklavya schools

The recent centralisation of recruitment for tribal residential schools across the country, which introduced Hindi competency as a mandatory requirement, has resulted in a flood of requests for transfers. The large numbers of staff recruited from Hindi-speaking States are protesting postings to the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) located in southern States, where the language, food and culture is unfamiliar to them.

Doval and Sullivan hold talks amid strain in ties over Russia

Amidst a strain over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow this week, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval spoke to U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan on Friday evening, where they agreed to “work closely” to further advance bilateral ties. They also discussed the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers meeting to be held later this month, and a leaders’ summit that may possibly be held later this year.

West Bengal moves Supreme Court against Governor for sitting on Bills

The State of West Bengal has moved the Supreme Court against the Governor for sitting on eight crucial Bills without giving any reasons for the delay. The petition was mentioned before Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud by State counsel Astha Sharma for an early hearing.

ED cannot make arrests under PMLA on a whim, says SC

The Supreme Court on July 12 held that the power to arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cannot be exercised on the “whims and fancies” of Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officers. The court wondered if the ED even had a consistent, uniform and ”one-rule-for-all” policy on when they should arrest people. It said the ED’s power to arrest must be based on objective and fair consideration of material against a person.

Bishops meet PM Modi, urge him to ensure peace in Manipur

A delegation of bishops, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday and urged him to ensure peace in Manipur. The bishops conveyed their apprehensions on the “rumours” that the reservation for Dalit tribals will be stopped and expressed concerns about the “increasing attacks” against Christians for alleged forced conversions. They also asked Mr. Modi to expedite the process for bringing Pope Francis to India and appreciated Mr. Modi’s continued efforts to invite the Pope to India.

Net tax receipts up 19.5%, corporate tax share at 36.6%

Growth in India’s net direct tax collections slowed slightly to 19.54% by July 11, relative to a 21% rise recorded by June 17, with revenues hitting ₹5.74 lakh crore, the Income Tax department said on Friday. Personal income tax (PIT) receipts constituted 60.2% of the net collections at ₹3.46 lakh crore, rising 21.4% year-on-year, while corporate taxes yielded 36.6% of net revenues at ₹2.1 lakh crore, reflecting a 12.5% growth.

MHA amends Rules to widen the administrative role of J&K L-G

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday widened the ambit of the administrative role of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir by amending the Transaction of Business Rules. The amendment gives the L-G more say in matters pertaining to police, public order, All India Service (AIS) which require prior concurrence of the Finance Department and also their transfers and postings.

Oppn. flags video from Gujarat, slams Modi government over ‘disease of unemployment’

Flagging a viral video of a stampede-like situation at Bharuch district in Gujarat, where over 800 people turned up for a walk-in interview held by a firm for 40 vacancies, the Opposition renewed its attack on the government over high unemployment in the country.

‘Urban Naxal’ bill is bogey to smother opposition before Maharashtra polls, say Congress, CPI(M)

Opposition parties condemned the “authoritarian” Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, on Friday and demanded its withdrawal. It has been introduced with the objective of curbing Naxalism in urban and rural areas. The Bill was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Minister of Law and Judiciary.

Kanchanjunga accident: Three employees suspended, Commissioner of Railway Safety inquiry almost complete

The inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) into the accident involving Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train on June 17 in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district that claimed 10 lives has reached completion and a final report is being awaited.

Wimbledon | Alcaraz overcomes initial jitters, powers past Medvedev

Successful sporting careers depend on three things — talent, hard work and luck. That Carlos Alcaraz was talented was never in doubt. No one who doesn’t work hard wins three Majors in a jiffy. And these last 10 days at Wimbledon have shown that he has some luck on his side too.

New Delhi:

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a phone conversation on Friday with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan amid some indication of unease in India-US ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Mr Doval and Sullivan reiterated the need to work “collectively” to address global challenges to peace and security and further expand the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

It said the two national security advisors agreed to work closely to further advance India-US relations, which are “built on shared values and common strategic and security interests”.

“They discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and forthcoming high-level engagements under the Quad framework to be held in July 2024 and later in the year,” the MEA said in a statement.

The phone conversation between the NSAs came a day after US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti appeared to be critical of India’s ties with Russia.

Garcetti, speaking at an event in Delhi on Thursday, said India and the US must uphold democratic principles when other countries go against the rules-based order.

“I know…and I respect that India likes its strategic autonomy. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy. We will, in crisis moments, need to know each other. I don’t care what title we put to it, but we will need to know that we are trusted friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues,” Garcetti said without making any reference to Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Moscow this week.

In an apparent reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US envoy said “no war is distant anymore”.

“No war is distant anymore and we must not just stand for peace, we must take concrete actions to make sure those who don’t play by peaceful rules, that their war machines cannot continue unabated,” he said.

Garcetti also underlined the importance of maintaining the sanctity of borders.

“I don’t have to remind India how important borders are..That when we stand on those principles and stand together, we can show that principles are the guiding light of peace in our world and together the world’s two largest democracies can enhance the security and the stability of our region,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)