This is the first overseas visit of the Bhutanese PM who assumed office in January 2024.

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Choubey.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal who welcomed the Bhutan PM said that his visit is a testament to the ties of friendship between the two countries.

“Warm welcome to India! PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assuming office in Jan 2024. Received by MoS @AshwiniKChoubeyat the airport. The visit of @PMBhutan is in keeping with the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The Bhutan PM is accompanied by the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister, and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan.

During his visit to India, Tobgay will call on President Droupadi Murmu and is expected to hold bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other Indian dignitaries will also call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan.

Tobgay is also scheduled to visit Mumbai.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the progress in their unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between both nations.

In January, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra paid an official three-day visit to Bhutan during which he called on the Bhutan Prime Minister.

India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels.

The tradition of regular political and official exchanges is an important hallmark of the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan on his first overseas visit after winning the election in 2014. PM Modi undertook a State visit to Bhutan in August 2019, after assuming office for the second term.

The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India from 14 – 16 September 2022 and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

In April 2023, the King of Bhutan visited Delhi and met the President of India, PM and EAM. A Joint Statement titled “A Framework for Expanded India-Bhutan Partnership” was issued, which reaffirmed the strength of the unique ties while outlining concrete areas to advance the India-Bhutan partnership.

In November 2023, the King again visited India to hold discussions with PM, EAM and FS. The King of Bhutan also made his first official visit to the states of Assam and Maharashtra to expand ties of friendship and cooperation. (ANI)

]]> https://indiapost.com/bhutan-pm-arrives-in-india-for-maiden-overseas-visit-after-assuming-office/feed/ 0 https://indiapost.com/china-two-killed-in-deadly-restaurant-blast-in-city-near-beijing/ https://indiapost.com/china-two-killed-in-deadly-restaurant-blast-in-city-near-beijing/#respond Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:10:25 +0000 https://indiapost.com/?p=190768 BEIJING: At least two people were killed and 26 more were injured after a massive blast, suspected to be a gas explosion, ripped through a residential neighbourhood in northern China on Wednesday, CNN reported.

The powerful blast occurred just before 8 am (local time) at a ground-floor restaurant in a residential area of Sanhe City, Hebei Province, east of the capital Beijing, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

It killed at least two people, injured 26 others, and destroyed the four-story building.

The Chinese authorities have “basically determined” the explosion was caused by a gas leak, though they have not identified the specific cause or location of the blast, the broadcaster reported.

Footage circulating on the Chinese social media site Weibo showed a large fireball exploding from a multi-story building, destroying its walls and ceiling and sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky.

At least three buildings were severely damaged, with one left in a skeletal state.

Firefighters were seen putting out the blaze, surrounded by crushed cars and piles of debris, CNN reported, citing videos and photos on Weibo.

Local residents, while sharing their experience on social media, said they heard a loud bang in the early morning and felt their buildings trembling.

Buildings across the street from the blast site were also impacted, with glass shattered and shop signs damaged, as footage aired on CCTV showed. By Wednesday afternoon, the fire had been put out and residents living within 500 meters (1,640 feet) of the site had been evacuated.

Notably, China has seen a series of deadly incidents caused by gas leaks in recent years, according to CNN.

Last June, a gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwest Ningxia region killed 31 people. Following that blast, Chinese market regulators issued detailed guidelines on the use of gas appliances and cookers to avoid safety risks.

The annual report from the US intelligence community, presented to Congress, suggests that “distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections.”

“A different, more moderate government is a possibility,” it also said.

The report also underscores criticism within Israel directed at Netanyahu’s government for failing to anticipate the October 7 attack by Hamas, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. Public opinion questions the efficacy of Netanyahu’s prolonged military response, which has caused extensive destruction in Gaza and raised doubts about its effectiveness in rescuing hostages, as reported by CNN.

Despite widespread support in Israel for dismantling Hamas, the intelligence assessment delivers a stark outlook on Netanyahu’s political standing, signaling a possible shift towards a more moderate government. This assessment is notable given President Joe Biden’s previous positive sentiments towards Netanyahu.

Tensions between the US and Israeli leaders have escalated, particularly regarding the civilian toll in Gaza. The Biden administration has urged Israel to allow more aid into the Palestinian enclave, with Biden warning that Netanyahu is “hurting Israel more than helping Israel.”

To which Netanyahu hit back in a separate interview that if Biden was suggesting “that I’m pursuing private policies against the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel then he’s wrong on both counts.”

The intelligence report further warns that Israel may face ongoing armed resistance from Hamas, with difficulties in neutralising the group’s underground infrastructure. Military experts echo these concerns, cautioning that Israel’s aggressive approach may inspire future generations of terrorists, as evidenced by the influence of Hamas on groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The report indicates a heightened terrorism threat within the US since the October 7 attack, with FBI Director Chris Wray emphasizing the increased risk from various extremist groups.

“Even before October 7th, I would have told this committee that we were at a heightened threat level from a terrorism perspective, in the sense that it’s the first time I’ve seen in a long, long time the threats from homegrown violent extremists, that is jihadist-inspired extremists, domestic violent extremists, foreign terrorist organizations and state sponsored terrorist organizations all being elevated at one time,” Wray said.

The Annual Threat Assessment, a comprehensive overview of global security threats, took an unusual turn during a Congressional hearing, with Republican lawmakers focusing on security issues related to the US southern border. This deviation prompted a brief exchange between Democrat Sen Mark Warner and Republican Sen Jim Risch about the politicisation of the panel.

“One of the things I think that we have always taken some pride [in on this committee] is that we can agree without questioning each other’s patriotism, questioning each other’s motives,” Warner said, adding, “And I hope that tenor will be maintained.”

Risch fired back, referring to Warner and another Democratic senator who condemned the Republican line of questioning: “I’ve been on this committee for 15 years and we do a really good job until politics do creep in — and that’s what’s happened here this afternoon with the last two speakers,” according to CNN.

Testimonies from Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and CIA Director Bill Burns highlighted the precarious situation in Ukraine. Russia’s resurgence and Ukraine’s ammunition shortages pose significant challenges, with the CIA urging additional US assistance to prevent further territorial losses.

Burns said that without additional assistance from the US, Ukraine “is likely to lose ground and probably significant ground in 2024.” A USD 60 billion aid package to Ukraine has been delayed in the House amid Republican opposition to additional funding.

“I think without supplemental assistance in 2024, you’re going to see more of Avdiivkas, and that it seems to me would be a massive and historic mistake for the United States,” Burns said, referring to a city recently taken by Russia, according to CNN.

The intelligence report suggests that Russia benefits from “uncertainties about the future of Western military assistance” and a battlefield “deadlock,” battlefield, which “plays to Russia’s strategic military advantages and is increasingly shifting the momentum in Moscow’s favor.”

Additionally, China’s role in supporting Russia in the conflict has raised concerns, with Beijing tripling its exports of goods with potential military use to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

China has provided “economy and security assistance to Russia’s war in Ukraine through support to Russia’s defense industrial base, including by providing dual-use material and components for weapons,” the report states.

Trade between China and Russia has increased, surpassing USD 220 billion in 2023, with Russia providing China economic benefits, including cheaper energy prices and enhanced access to the Arctic, in exchange for support in the conflict, CNN reported (ANI)

Trump will win the Massachusetts Republican primary while his rival former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley leads in Vermont.

As many as 40 delegates were at stake in Massachusetts on Tuesday. So far, 81 per cent of votes have been counted in Vermont. So far, Haley has received 49.3 per cent of the vote while Trump has got 46.8 per cent votes, according to CNN projection.

Results continue to emerge as polls close in some states of the US on Super Tuesday. More than one-third of the total delegates in the Republican and Democratic primaries are at stake in contests in over 12 states. Polls have closed in North Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.

Trump will win the North Carolina and Colorado Republican presidential primaries, CNN has projected, taking another step towards becoming the party’s presidential nominee for the third consecutive election. As many as 74 delegates were at stake in North Carolina on Tuesday, while 37 delegates were at stake in Colorado.

Trump is also projected to win Alabama’s Republican primary, according to CNN. He secured victory against Nikki Haley.

Former US President Donald Trump will win the Republican primary in Virginia, CNN has projected. As many as 48 delegates are at stake in this primary. In 2016, Trump and Hillary Clinton secured victories in their respective contests in the Virginia primary.

The results of the Republican primary in various states of the US started coming in in as millions of Americans voted on Super Tuesday, one of the most significant days in the US presidential primaries.

The result of the contest is expected to solidify both Donald Trump and Joe Biden as their respective party’s nominees for the general election in November.

Super Tuesday, is notably when the largest number of states hold presidential primaries or caucuses. According to CBS News, 15 states held GOP contests on Super Tuesday. Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia are holding primaries.

Two states, Alaska and Utah, are holding caucuses. 11 of the 15 states are holding GOP primaries that are open to more than just registered Republicans. Moreover, Super Tuesday gets its name from the fact that there are more delegates up for grabs than on any other day in the primary campaign.

Last week, even after her projected loss in the GOP primary in her home state, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she will continue running for Republican presidential nominee, CNN reported.

Speaking in South Carolina’s Charleston, Haley said, “I’m a woman of my word,” referring to her earlier remarks about staying in the presidential race until Super Tuesday.She said, “I’m not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.” (ANI)

Also Read: Former US President Donald Trump projected to win Idaho Republican caucus

The proposal was approved by lawmakers in both chambers of the French Parliament, with a vote of 780 to 72 in favour, meeting the necessary three-fifths majority to change the French constitution.

Notably, after the US Supreme Court in 2022 reversed the Roe v. Wade ruling that recognised women’s constitutional right to abortion, a campaign was started in France to explicitly protect the right in its basic law.

The last stage of the parliamentary procedure was the voting on Monday, which took place at the Palace of Versailles, southwest of Paris, during a special assembly of legislators.

The legislation was overwhelmingly passed earlier this year by the French National Assembly and Senate.

According to the amendment, abortion is a “guaranteed freedom” in France.

Legislators and certain groups had pushed for tougher wording that would clearly designate abortion as a “right.”

Hailed by lawmakers as a historic step, the measure demonstrated France’s unwavering support for reproductive rights at a time when abortion rights are under attack in the US and in regions of Europe like Hungary where far-right parties are gaining ground, according to CNN.

“My body, my choice” was illuminated on the Eiffel Tower after the results of the vote.

Before the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated that MPs owed women who had previously been compelled to undergo illegal abortions a “moral debt.”

“Above all, we’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you,” Attal said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the government would hold a formal ceremony celebrating the amendment’s passage on Friday, International Women’s Rights Day, CNN reported.

France first legalized abortion in 1975, after a campaign led by then-Health Minister Simone Veil, an Auschwitz survivor who became one of the country’s most famous feminist icons.

According to CNN, while abortion is a highly divisive issue in US politics that often falls along party lines, in France it is widely supported. Many of the lawmakers who voted against the amendment did so not because they opposed abortion, but because they felt the measure was unnecessary, given the wide support for reproductive rights. (ANI)

Also Read: US appeals court rules Texas can ban emergency abortions despite federal guidance

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said that the shooting incident happened early Sunday inside Club Oasis. After the deputies reached the site, they found a 20-year-old woman dead, according to Scott.

The other gunshot victims have injuries from minor to serious, with one person shot in the face. Scott said, “What we do know is that a party was advertised, and all these individuals came from other counties into our county.”

He added, “About 90 per cent of the partygoers were from other counties,” CNN reported. Scott said the club had security and investigators do not know how a weapon was brought inside the club.

Speaking to CNN, the sheriff said one security guard called chasing the suspected shooter believed to be holding some type of rifle as they ran across the parking lot and a four-lane highway before disappearing in the woods.

Scott said “several hundred” people were estimated to have been inside the club at the time of the shooting. Officials have been working to confirm the numbers and checking whether there is video footage from inside the club at the time of shooting.

Scott said, “Per our ordinance, the club is supposed to have security cameras, but for some reason or another, last night, the club owner said his weren’t working. He said no arrests have been made so far and the probe is being conducted into the shooting.

Eddie Scott said, “Last night was so hectic trying to get actual good, solid information.” He further said, “It was very difficult with the number of victims and the chaos we had going on,” according to CNN reported.

So far this year, there have been 66 mass shooting incidents in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive, according to CNN report. The Gun Violence Archive considers a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter. (ANI)

Haley garnered 1,274 votes to former President Trump’s 676 with all precincts reporting, according to the US-based newsdaily. This is her first victory over the former president in the 2024 campaign to become the Republican presidential candidate.

The contest took place in a downtown hotel just steps away from the heart of Washington DC’s lobbying hub over the weekend.

According to Republican party officials, Haley carried nearly 63 per cent of the vote, Poilitico reported.

Nikki Haley’s win in Washington, DC Republican primary came after Trump defeated her in caucuses in Missouri and Idaho and at a Republican convention in Michigan on Saturday. Trump is moving towards the GOP nomination and is favoured to secure win in primaries across 16 Super Tuesday states this week.

The GOP electorate in DC, where Republicans constitute just 5 per cent of registered voters is hardly representative of the conservative base found in majority of the other parts of the US, according to Politico report.

Patrick Mara, chair of the DC Republican Party, said, “This universe is a little more sophisticated than just about any universe in any other state.” He further said, “I listen to the political podcasts in the morning. I read the newsletters throughout the day. That’s probably, like, half the people showing up at this.”

Dan Schuberth, who runs a trade association in downtown DC and backed Haley in the primary called his fellow DC Republicans as “a pretty unique electorate,” perhaps the only in the nation where many several voters personally know the people working on one or both of the campaigns.

Voting for the Washington, DC Republican primary took place at the Madison Hotel over three days. On Friday, Haley held a campaign rally there, according to Politico report.

As per the news report, Trump’s prospects to win the DC GOP primary were not high as he was at third spot behind Marco Rubio and John Kasich during the contest in 2016.

This year, Trump’s campaign warned lobbyists DC lobbyists that they will be blacklisted from any future Trump White House access if they did not cast vote in the weekend’s primary.

During her campaign in Massachusetts on Saturday, Haley criticised Trump for the move. She said, “You can’t threaten people. You can’t push them out, because that is not a winning combination.”

Despite her win in the primary on Sunday, Haley has not hinted that she plans to continue her campaign after the contests on Tuesday.

Speaking to a roundtable of DC political reporters on Friday, Haley maintained that she was only “thinking about Super Tuesday,” and not what she plans to do beyond that. She is scheduled to hold a campaign in Texas on Monday. However, she has no public events or election gathering scheduled for Tuesday.

Trump still has an early lead in delegates attained that will likely grow significantly on Tuesday with the additional states voting. Candidates need at least 1,215 delegates to mathematically clinch the Republican nomination, the Hill reported.

All eyes now lie on 16 states that will cast ballots on March 5 which is Super Tuesday. These states are – Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa (caucus), Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Furthermore, American Samoa is also scheduled to hold a nominating contest on March 5.

The Democratic primary in DC will take place in June. (ANI)

Also Read: COVID likely came from Chinese lab, cut US aid: Nikki Haley

Trump won all 32 Republican delegates in Idaho, according to DDHQ. The former US President also secured a win in Missouri caucuses and Michigan GOP convention. The next voting is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC on Sunday.

Donald Trump’s latest victory in Idaho increases his winning streak against rival Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary. Former South Carolina Governor Haley remains the last major GOP candidate contesting against Trump for the Republican nomination.

Trump’s latest win comes days after he registered a victory in the South Carolina primary and defeated GOP rival Nikki Haley at her home turf, according to an exit poll conducted by Decision Desk HQ, The Hill reported.

All eyes now lie on 16 states that will cast ballots on March 5 which is Super Tuesday. These states are – Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa (caucus), Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Furthermore, American Samoa is also scheduled to hold a nominating contest on March 5.

Donald Trump and Nikki Haley during the weekend spent most of their time to campaign in the states set to cast ballots on March 5.

During his campaign speech in North Carolina, Trump mainly criticised US President Joe Biden and made brief remarks about GOP primary rival Nikki Haley, CNN reported. He continued to talk about border-security and termed the border an “open and gushing wound.” He said there was an “invasion” of undocumented immigrants coming into the US.

Donald Trump said, “Our border is an open and gushing wound. It’s pouring drugs, gangs, terrorists and millions and millions of illegal aliens into our country.”

In his campaign speech in North Carolina’s Greensboro, Trump said, “I haven’t heard about this woman for the last five days … since we beat her actually in her own state so badly,” CNN reported.

Former US President also criticised California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, calling him “New-scum.” He said that undocumented migrants were “pouring into California.”

Trump also made remarks against the 91 criminal charges he faces across four separate cases and attacked the prosecutors who brought them against him, according to CNN report.

He said, “I stand before you today not only as your past and hopefully future president but as a proud political dissident and as a public enemy of a rogue regime. This is a rogue and dangerous machine This is an anti-democratic machine.”

Trump again confused US President Joe Biden with former US President Barack Obama after trying to defend his verbal slipups during campaigning and said they were intentional.

During a campaign rally in Virginia’s Richmond, he said, “And [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, you know, has so little respect for Obama that he’s starting to throw around the ‘nuclear’ word. You heard that, nuclear. He’s starting to talk nuclear weapons today. I was waiting for that to happen. But we have a fool, a fool as a president.”

Earlier in his speech, Trump tried to defend the other times he has mixed up Biden and Obama in his speeches. He said that he mixed up the two leaders intentionally. Democrat leaders have been speaking about Trump’s verbal slipups as Biden faces questions on his mental acuity, CNN reported.

He said, “Every time I do that, or I’ll say our president, Barack Hussein Obama — now, I do that because, you know, that makes a point. We understand that, right, because a lot of people say he’s running the country. I don’t personally think so.”

Donald Trump even said that he was purposely confusing former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican presidential rival Nikki Haley. He said, “I purposefully mix up like a name like Birdbrain — you know who Birdbrain is, right? Nikki — with Nancy Pelosi. I put them in because they’re interchangeable in my mind.” (ANI)

]]> https://indiapost.com/india-is-world-leader-in-vaccines-has-done-great-job-in-vaccinating-children-bill-gates/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:34:26 +0000 https://indiapost.com/?p=190599 NEW DELHI: Leading philanthropist and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has said that India is a world leader in vaccines and investment is being made in the country for lots of new vaccines.

In an interview with ANI, Bill Gates also talked about India’s digital thrust, saying the idea of digital connections is flourishing with benefits in agriculture and other sectors.

“I’m certainly bullish. You know, the rate of improvement in a lot of the key areas is very, very strong. You know, everyone knows that in vaccines, India’s the world’s leader, so we’re investing with our partners here to come up with lots of new vaccines,” he said.

“A diagnostics industry has come out of some of the work in the pandemic, so we’re partnering there as well. This idea of digital connections that starts with Aadhaar and the bank accounts that you manage digitally, that’s flourishing. And so we see in agriculture now, they’re registering the farmers and giving them advance notice,” he added

Bill Gates, who is co-founder of Microsoft, said Indian leadership is something other countries should benefit from and talked about India’s remarks about the willingness to help others during the G20 Summit.

“We’re a partner with India. In fact, I spoke with the External Affairs Minister about what countries could we accelerate. They are getting some of these benefits that have been so incredible here in India,” he said.

Bill Gates talked about India’s role in ramping up vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the case of COVID vaccines, the AstraZeneca vaccine, was available to any vaccine manufacturer. And in fact, it’s very impressive that we helped fund Serum (Institute of India) with USD 300 million. They did many things, but they took the AstraZeneca and got it into production very, very quickly. But that AstraZeneca vaccine was available to any manufacturer. And as long as it was sold at a low price, there was no… no fee involved whatsoever. And so that really was the pharmaceutical industry, both the West and India working together in an exemplary way,” he said.

He said Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is not connected with word population control and women should have the choice to make their decisions.

“We do think that women who want family planning tools, they should be available. And so our work is just when there’s that demand, how do you make it lower cost? How do you make it more convenient? How do you reduce the side effects? There’s been great progress in helping women who want to use those tools have them available. So you don’t think that those are connected? Population control, lower birth rate and development and gender justice, more rights for women, women’s health? Well, women should be able to choose. Do they want to have a lot of children or very few children? It turns out as countries get rich, on average, women choose to have less children. They enter the workforce more. They put more attention per child,” he said.

“But those are completely voluntary decisions that it’s great. They should have as many as they want or as few as they want,” he added.

Bill Gates lauded India’s vaccination initiatives that have helped, among other things, to bring down child mortality.

“They’ve adopted a lot of new vaccines and they’ve done a great job getting them out to all the kids in the country. So, under five mortalities is a third of what it was at the turn of the century, which was when we first started to work here. So, you know, one third as many children die before the age of five. And the work on vaccines is a big, big part of why India’s seen that improvement,” he said. (ANI)

Also Read: India’s first vaccine against cervical cancer to come on September 1 

Former tech titan Chambers highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s remarkable 76 per cent approval rating and his unique ability to build trust.

“One thing about your prime minister, and obviously I’m a huge fan. I think he’s the best leader in the world today. And I wish we had somebody like that in the US. We haven’t got a political leader who has over 50 per cent approval rating, and Prime Minister Modi has 76 per cent,” Chambers, who is known for his influential role in the tech industry, remarked during an interview with a private channel.

Chambers also emphasised the significance of a leader’s track record, relationships, and trust-building abilities. He commended PM Modi for forming relationships with every political leader in the United States, citing the Prime Minister’s ability to garner trust from the people.

“If you think about a leader, it’s about their track record. It’s about their relationships and trust. He’s formed a relationship with every political leader we’ve had in the US. The people trusting,” Chambers added.

In 2022, India and US marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The two nations enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on various issues and vibrant people-to-people contacts.

Earlier in December, USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said diplomatic momentum gained during the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden paved the way for a “concrete strategic roadmap” and new initiatives between India and the US in several areas.

“The diplomatic momentum gained during the visits of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden paved the way for a concrete strategic roadmap and new dialogues and initiatives in multifaceted areas such as clean energy cooperation, education, space collaboration, semiconductors, quantum computing, drone technology, artificial intelligence, with accelerated joint projects such as manufacturing GE F-414 jet engines in India, putting India in the elite club of countries with such manufacturing capability,” Aghi said.

In June last year, PM Modi travelled to the US for a State visit. US President Joe Biden had invited PM Modi for a State visit. He also addressed a joint meeting of Congress before a State dinner at the White House. Later, US President Biden travelled to India to attend the G20 Summit under India’s Presidency. (ANI)

Also Read: Historic state visit of PM Narendra Modi to the US

The summit aims to address the gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Program of Action and give momentum to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the resolution which was adopted on Monday.

It requests the UN General Assembly president to appoint two co-facilitators — one from a developing country and one from a developed country — to facilitate the intergovernmental preparatory process leading up to the summit, consisting of its modalities and outcome, which should be a short political declaration adopted by consensus.

The resolution also requests the UN secretary-general to provide adequate support within existing resources to the intergovernmental preparatory process of the summit.

Also Read: Aakash tablet unveiled at United Nations

He further said that we are close to it but it’s not done yet.

“Well, I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend,” Biden said after being asked when a ceasefire might start.

“My national security adviser tells me that we’re close. We’re close, it’s not done yet. And my hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire,” Biden added.

Earlier on Monday, according to CNN, Hamas backed off some key demands in the negotiations for a hostage deal and paused the fighting in Gaza following Israeli accusations that its position was “delusional”.

It brought the negotiating parties closer to an initial agreement that could halt the fighting and see a group of Israeli hostages released, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

Following the meeting held in Paris between the US, Egyptian, and Israeli intelligence chiefs and the Qatari prime minister, a senior Biden administration official said, “The major obstacles have been resolved in terms of Hamas insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war.”

“Hamas’ requirements for the number of Palestinians (prisoners that) would have to be freed have declined,” the official added.

Meanwhile, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said that Hamas softened its position ahead of an agreement on the first phase of a deal, according to CNN.

However, it is expected that more challenging hurdles will emerge later when complex issues like Hamas releasing male IDF hostages and an end to the war are discussed.

Moreover, those involved in the discussions said that an agreement would likely be implemented in multiple phases and once an initial deal is made, it could lead to a truce lasting for as long as six weeks with a group of Israeli hostages released, including women, children, the elderly and the sick, in exchange for a smaller number of Palestinian prisoners than Hamas had initially demanded.

According to CNN, the second phase is where discussions are expected to get even more complicated.

Reportedly, Israeli leaders have made it clear that they intend to launch a military offensive into Rafah, while in an earlier proposal, Hamas said they want to use a second phase to discuss “the requirements necessary for the continuation of the mutual cessation of military operations.”

Earlier on Sunday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the Paris meeting resulted in “an understanding among the four of them about what the basic contours of a hostage deal for a temporary ceasefire would look like.”

“There will have to be indirect discussions by Qatar and Egypt with Hamas because ultimately they will have to agree to release the hostages. That work is underway. And we hope that in the coming days, we can drive to a point where there is actually a firm and final agreement on this issue. But we will have to wait and see,” he added. (ANI)

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Mossad Chief to reach Cairo for ceasefire talks

The US Department of Homeland Security told ANI that Canegallo will be in India from February 27 to 29 to co-chair the security dialogue with .

The Homeland Security Dialogue aims to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries on a range of security issues important to both countries.

She will also meet with other senior Indian government officials, the US Department of Homeland Security told ANI.

The security dialogue will focus on topics such as counterterrorism, concerns related to Sikh radicals, cybersecurity, and aviation security, among other matters.

The anticipated topics for discussion are cooperation in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, combating illegal migration, extradition, aviation security, safeguarding global supply chains, and maritime security, among other areas. The last homeland security dialogue took place in January 2022.

According to sources, issues linked to Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and several fugitives residing in the US are expected to be raised during the dialogue.

India is expected to emphasize issues such as the exploitation of the digital sphere by terrorist organizations for disseminating radical ideologies, and recruitment, and financing terrorism.

Moreover, India will also emphasize the issue of cyberattacks on its essential infrastructure, including banks, railways, power and energy facilities, and hospitals.

The meeting is significant as this would provide another platform for India to raise these issues with the US. (ANI)

He also revealed that the PTI information secretary has been tasked to approach political parties, except for the ones mentioned above, to initiate a dialogue.

Khan asserted that his party’s priority is to challenge the results of the polls in the Supreme Court, adding that he had never witnessed such a rigged election.

Despite failing to secure a majority in the lower house of parliament, the rival parties have decided to enter an alliance, likely to be led by the PML-N, with the help of erstwhile Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) partners.

Also Read: Pakistan Army Chief calls for ‘stable hands, healing touch’ as polls throw up no clear winner

As the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, the BAPS Mandir has become a focal point of cultural and spiritual significance, drawing devotees from various corners.

The atmosphere is charged with excitement as the faithful gather in huge numbers to witness the culmination of years of dedication and hard work that have gone into the construction of this magnificent temple.

A visit to the Smruti shop in Abu Dhabi offers a glimpse into the anticipation surrounding the temple, with an array of souvenirs showcasing the essence of BAPS Mandir.

Amit Sejpal, a volunteer from Belgium, emphasises the symbolic meaning of “Smruti” as memories, encouraging visitors to take home cherished moments from the monumental occasion.

“The Smruti shop represents all the souvenirs of the temple…Smruti means memory & one should take good memories from here because this temple has been built after a lot of hard work,” he told ANI.

The excitement is palpable, and attendees are eager to witness the inauguration, which marks a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi.

Ghansaram Chaudhary, a resident of Rajasthan, expresses gratitude to the UAE government and Prime Minister Modi, underlining the overwhelming sentiment of those who have made the journey for this momentous event. “We have come here, especially for this temple. We thank this government here & PM Modi. I am overwhelmed,” Chaudhary told ANI.

Nemish Parmar, a resident of Gujarat, echoes the sentiments of gratitude, emphasising the good fortune to be present for this historic occasion. “I want to express my gratitude to the UAE government. I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to be here,” he said.

PM Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir today later in the evening.

Earlier today, the consecration ceremony of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi was held ahead of its inauguration by PM Modi.

The priests performed rituals as the inauguration is set to take place in the evening on Wednesday.

During his address at ‘Ahlan Modi’, diaspora event, PM Modi thanked UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for giving approval for the BAPS Hindu Mandir, saying that it reflects his love and respect for India.

Expressing gratitude for the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi said that this couldn’t have been possible without his love and support.

The incorporation of advanced technology, including 300 sensors, elevates the temple to the status of a scientific marvel.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir has emerged as a testament to architectural brilliance and cultural significance in the heart of the region, marking the first stone Hindu temple in the area and proudly standing as the largest in West Asia.

The construction of this divine sanctuary involved the meticulous placement of 1,800,000 bricks, a staggering 6,89,512 man-hours, and the grandeur of 40,000 cubic feet of marble and 1,80,000 cubic feet of sandstone.

Standing tall at 108 feet, the BAPS Hindu Mandir is not only a symbol of spiritual devotion but also a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. The foundation stone, a cornerstone of cultural unity, was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2017, reflecting the collaborative effort to bring this vision to life.

Sprawling across 27 acres of land, the temple stands as a beacon of cultural richness and architectural excellence. The colossal structure, adorned with intricate details, can accommodate up to 10,000 people, providing a sacred space for worshippers to come together in prayer and celebration.

The estimated cost of this magnificent construction, a testament to the devotion and commitment of the community, is Dh400 million. (ANI)

Also Read: Shri Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, Inauguration celebrations at BAPS Mandirs, North America