India

Kathmandu, Aug 30 (IANS) The Indian tunnel rescue team on Sunday joined the Nepali Army's team to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area, the Indian Embassy in Nepal said.

"The tunnel rescue team from India worked with the Nepali Army's team to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army," the Indian Embassy in Nepal said on social media platform X.

Meanwhile, a 19-member specialised forensics team from India began functioning in Kathmandu on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this team will help augment the analysıs of DNA samples in Nepal for identification of mortal remains of the victims.

"Ambassador of India to Nepal (Naveen Srivastava) met and briefed the forensics team. Subsequently, the team had discussions with counterparts in Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital," the statement said.

"The tunnel rescue operations team continued its work today and supplemented the search and rescue efforts of the Nepali Army at hydropower sites in Chilime and Langtang. The team was able to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project, and retrieve the mortal remains of one person, in spite of inclement weather. This team is continuing its support operations near the Langtang hydroelectric project," it added.

The Ministry also told that as of 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, 403 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China, citing local government sources on the China side.

It also said that 500 Indian nationals still remain on the China side and noted that they are safe.

Earlier in the day, the fourth flight carrying assistance from India for people affected by the catastrophic floods in Nepal arrived in Kathmandu.

"The fourth flight carrying 11 tonnes of relief supplies has arrived in Nepal, with the materials handed over to the concerned authorities as part of ongoing support following the devastating floods," the MEA said.

The consignment includes a tunnel technical team equipped with search-and-rescue equipment, as well as a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis. The relief supplies include blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.

--IANS

ksk/khz

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Sunday led party leaders in tuning into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at as many as 6,339 locations across the city.

Malhotra, Shahdara District President Deepak Gaba, State Minister Sardar Gurmeet Singh Sura, BJP Media Co-Incharge Pradeep Bhandari and Delhi BJP Chief Spokesperson Anil Gupta listened to 'Mann Ki Baat' with party workers and local residents at Saini Enclave.

BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda listened to 'Mann Ki Baat' with local RWA members and BJP workers at the Park Shed in the Government Employees' Colony in Sadiq Nagar's Sector-3.

MLA Neeraj Basoya and Municipal Councillor Anita Basoya, along with a large number of local RWA members and BJP workers, were present on the occasion.

After the Mann Ki Baat programme, Malhotra planted a sapling under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative.

He said that listening to PM Modi's 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' programme has given new energy and inspiration to crores of people in Delhi.

"The Prime Minister raised one of the most important issues today -- "Drug-Free Youth, Drug-Free India". The "Drug Free Youth for Developed India" campaign is gaining momentum across the country," he added.

"The Delhi BJP will take this resolve to the ground, and across Delhi, we will conduct awareness campaigns against drugs at every district, Assembly constituency and booth level," Malhotra said.

Malhotra added that seminars in schools and colleges, sports competitions and youth gatherings would be organised to connect young people with sports, culture and service.

"We will take the message to every household that the real hero is not the one who consumes drugs, but the one who speaks out against drugs," he said.

The Delhi BJP President said that another important point discussed in the radio programme was the Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Scheme.

The Prime Minister added that 46 per cent of the beneficiaries of this scheme are mothers and sisters.

Nearly 35 lakh women are expanding their businesses after joining this scheme. In Delhi, thousands of women street vendors are now living their lives with dignity and self-respect.

Malhotra said that Delhi BJP will further assist women from the general category in Delhi with digital transactions, banking and marketing so that they become stronger and more empowered, because this is true women's empowerment.

He added that the Prime Minister once again called for "Vocal for Local".

"On the upcoming festive occasions, we appeal to the people of Delhi to purchase products for their homes that are "Made in India" and "Made in Delhi". This will directly benefit our artisans, potters, weavers and small traders," he said.

"I appeal to all Delhi BJP workers to go from street to street with the Prime Minister's message. Let us all become partners in building a drug-free, self-reliant and developed Delhi," Malhotra added.

He said that the BJP would work with the spirit of "Seva Hi Sangathan" under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi.

National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda said: "The 'Mann Ki Baat' programme has created a new record. It is extremely rare for any leader to communicate directly with crores of people of a country in such a manner for such a long period."

He said that in the 1940s, the then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt communicated with people through radio, but the dialogue through 'Mann Ki Baat' has become much broader and more impactful.

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Praveen Khandelwal listened to the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme with BJP workers during their visits.

--IANS

rch/khz

New Delhi Aug 30 (IANS) Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor on Sunday slammed the double-speak of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over alleged sale of drugs in neighbourhoods in Delhi and Punjab.

Kapoor said that while AAP leaders make unsubstantiated remarks about alleged sale of drugs in Delhi neighbourhoods, they rarely find time to highlight the serious problem of drug abuse in Punjab where they are in power.

The Delhi BJP Spokesperson dismissed as a "publicity stunt" the latest allegation made by AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar that Delhi Police was abetting the sale of drugs in Kalyanpuri area in East Delhi.

Kapoor said that sale of drugs is wrong, no matter where it is taking place, and the Delhi Police should be strict on this serious issue, but AAP leaders should first stop the sale of drugs on the streets of Punjab.

He added that it would be better if AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, before accusing the Delhi Police of abetting the sale of drugs, focuses on the open sale of drugs going on across Punjab under the AAP government's tenure.

He said had the AAP MLA spent as much time and attention he spends on politicising issues on finding solutions, the situation in Kalyanpuri would have been much better.

Earlier on Sunday, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra led party members in tuning into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at as many as 6,339 locations across the city.

Harsh Malhotra, Shahdara District President Deepak Gaba, State Minister Sardar Gurmeet Singh Sura, BJP Media Co-Incharge Pradeep Bhandari and Delhi BJP Chief Spokesperson Anil Gupta listened to 'Mann Ki Baat' with party workers and local residents at Saini Enclave.

BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda listened to 'Mann Ki Baat' with local RWA members and BJP workers at the Park Shed in the Government Employees' Colony in Sadiq Nagar's Sector-3.

MLA Neeraj Basoya and Municipal Councillor Anita Basoya, along with a large number of local RWA members and BJP workers, were present on the occasion.

After the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Malhotra planted a sapling under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative.

He said that listening to PM Modi's 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' programme has given new energy and inspiration to crores of people in Delhi.

"The Prime Minister raised one of the most important issues today -- "Drug-Free Youth, Drug-Free India". The "Drug Free Youth for Developed India" campaign is gaining momentum across the country," he added.

"The Delhi BJP will take this resolve to the ground, and across Delhi, we will conduct awareness campaigns against drugs at every district, Assembly constituency and booth level," the State BJP Chief said.

Malhotra added that seminars in schools and colleges, sports competitions and youth gatherings would be organised to connect young people with sports, culture and service.

--IANS

rch/khz

Chicago, Aug 30 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that India is likely to sustain an economic growth rate of 7 per cent or more in the financial year 2026-27, continuing the momentum recorded in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in Chicago during her US visit, she said that India was likely to maintain its growth momentum despite geopolitical uncertainties and supply-chain disruptions following the US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Continuously keeping in touch with global uncertainties as much as understanding India’s own requirements have kept us floating. Whereas many countries are completely disturbed, their calculations have gone haywire," the Finance Minister observed.

She said that the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East conflict initially affected supplies of key commodities such as crude, petroleum products and fertilisers to India, but the country managed to reroute supplies.

The Finance Minister highlighted that the government has also kept fertiliser prices unchanged for farmers through subsidies despite a sharp rise in international prices.

"The forthcoming season will also require fertilisers from November. We are adequately stocked," she added.

FM Sitharaman further stated that the government would continue with systemic reforms and seek to mobilise more capital, particularly from overseas, as India’s economy expands. While private investment has picked up domestically following the government’s push on capital expenditure, India also needs to attract international investment to meet its growing capital requirements.

"Because of the ambitions that we have, we need capital. Therefore, on my trip to Canada and the US, and other ministers as well as the Prime Minister himself, all of us are talking to global funds," she said.

"Showcasing what India has already achieved and hearing their expectations so that we can go back and provide clarity is part of the effort," she added.

"We are also talking with several countries for the bilateral investment treaty along with a bilateral trade agreement," Sitharaman pointed out.

Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also visited Japan, where he pushed to mobilise investments worth $60 billion by 2035.

--IANS

sps/vd

Bishkek, Aug 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev received PM Modi at Manas International Airport in Bishkek.

Several bilateral engagements are also going to take place during the Prime Minister's visit to the Central Asian nation.

"India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017. I look forward to advancing India's vision for the region, anchored in Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability in our neighbourhood and beyond," PM Modi, said in the departure statement before he emplaned for his two-nation tour to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on Saturday

"I also look forward to meeting President (Sadyr) Zhaparov (Kyrgyzstan) and other SCO leaders, and to attending the Opening Ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, a celebration of the rich living heritage of Central Asia that India holds in deep respect," the Prime Minister said.

"I am confident that this visit will strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen our civilisational connect with the region, and advance our shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values that lie at the heart of India's engagement with the world," he added.

Kyrgyzstan expects PM Modi’s visit to give a major boost to bilateral economic ties, investment and trade, with the country keen to attract more Indian companies to sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, technology and agro-industry, Kyrgyzstan’s Investment Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov said on Saturday.

Sabirov described PM Modi’s visit as a very significant event for Kyrgyzstan and said the historic visit would help take cooperation between the two countries to a new level.

“We expect this visit to further strengthen the investment potential and economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and India,” he said, adding that bilateral trade between the two countries reached around $91 million in 2024.

--IANS

ksk/vd

Tashkent, Aug 30 (IANS) The convergence of the trajectories of India and Uzbekistan can make their partnership one of the main bridges connecting Central and South Asia, according to an Uzbek media report.

"At the core of these changes are the firm political will of the leaders of both states, the absence of fundamental contradictions, the historical closeness of the two nations, and the complementarity of their economies. In other words, relations have entered a period of institutional strengthening, expanded economic content, and a gradual transition toward joint value creation," the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) report said.

The report, coming ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that the visit "will undoubtedly provide an additional impetus to bilateral interaction, allowing the consolidation of agreements reached and the determination of new priorities for the strategic partnership".

It said that the political dialogue between the two countries has taken on a systematic trusting character and that at least six high-level bilateral contacts have taken place in both in-person and virtual formats since 2017.

"Additional stability to the political interactions has been provided by the India – Central Asia Summit, consultations between foreign policy departments, the intergovernmental commission, and inter-parliamentary contacts," it said.

It also said that India and Uzbekistan share approaches to strengthening the United Nations’ central role, countering terrorism, stabilising Afghanistan, and shaping a multipolar world order.

"The two countries pursue a policy of strategic autonomy, advocating cooperation free from bloc thinking. This closeness makes their relations resilient to external contingencies," it highlighted.

According to the report, India has shown a firm commitment to the 'North-South' trade corridor despite ongoing geopolitical turbulence in the Middle East, expressing its readiness to continue directing investments toward developing the Chabahar port infrastructure, a key link in this corridor.

India is seeking to diversify its supply sources and reduce dependence on a limited range of external sources to address the increasing demand for copper, uranium, and rare and critical minerals due to the rapidly growing Indian industries like electronics, batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

"Uzbekistan has reserves of 32 types of minerals that are critically important for the transition to a green economy. Mutual interest lies not in the simple sale of raw materials but in the formation of joint value chains, including geological exploration, processing of green metals, production of components for electronics and solar energy, and manufacturing of fertilisers and chemical products," noted the report.

"India will gain a more stable resource base, while Uzbekistan will gain capital, technology, and steady demand. This model aligns with the main principle of the New Uzbekistan," it highlighted.

--IANS

ksk/vd

Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (IANS) The Odisha Vigilance on Sunday arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police and his associate for allegedly demanding and accepting bribe from an eatery owner in Sundargarh district to spare him from arrest and help him in an excise case.

The accused ASI was identified as Madan Mohan Pradhan, who is currently posted at Lahunipada Police Station in Sundargarh district, and Mandeep Kumar Dasmodak, a private person and an associate of the ASI.

The Odisha Vigilance, in an official statement on Sunday, revealed that the ASI allegedly threatened the eatery owner that he would be arrested and forwarded to court if he failed to pay the demanded bribe.

The officer had allegedly sought the money in exchange for not arresting the complainant and for helping him and his younger brother in an excise case registered against them. Unable to find any other way out, the eatery owner approached the Vigilance authorities and lodged a complaint in this issue.

Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance officials laid a trap late on Saturday night (August 29). During the operation, Pradhan and Dasmodak were allegedly caught while demanding and accepting Rs 20,000 from the complainant.

The entire bribe amount was recovered from the accused in the presence of witnesses and seized by the Vigilance team. Following the trap, simultaneous house searches were conducted at Pradhan's government residential quarters at Lahunipada, his office room, and his native house at Mahuldiha under Mahulpada police limits in Sundargarh district.

The Odisha Vigilance further stated that the two accused were arrested and were forwarded to court.

In connection with the case, the Odisha Vigilance registered a case (10/26) against the accused duo at the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station on August 29, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

--IANS

grm/uk

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N.S. Raja Subramani reinforced the imperative to remain agile, innovative and future-ready in an era of rapidly evolving warfare as the fourth edition of Tri-Services Future Warfare Course concluded on Sunday, an official said.

The fourth edition of Tri-Services Future Warfare Course, conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with representatives from government organisations, academia, industry and strategic think-tanks to examine emerging trends shaping the future character of warfare, an official statement said.

"The course, coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), concluded on Sunday after four weeks of professional military education and deliberations at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi," it added.

The curriculum covered geopolitical developments, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber and cognitive warfare, information warfare, autonomous systems, future operations across land, maritime, air and space domains, grey-zone operations, multi-domain operations and technology-enabled warfare.

The participants engaged with senior military officers, policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and subject matter experts through lectures, brainstorming sessions, scenario-building exercises, cognitive warfare simulations, field visits and participant-led presentations, the statement said.

CDS General N.S. Raja Subramani interacted with the participants, seeking their views on the course and encouraging suggestions on emerging areas and additional subjects that could be incorporated in future editions.

The course also dwelt on out-of-the-box ideas for enhancing the operational and functional efficiency of the services in an integrated ecosystem.

The valedictory programme included the presentation of certificates to the participants by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal Tejinder Singh.

Lieutenant General SS Mahal (Retd), Managing Director Defence Research and Innovation Foundation at IIT Ropar, presented 'PG Diploma in Future Warfare' to the attendees.

The fourth edition further reinforced the importance of joint learning, technological awareness, strategic foresight and operational preparedness in preparing military leaders for the evolving character of warfare, the statement said.

The fifth edition of the course is scheduled from November 16 till December 11, the official said in a statement.

--IANS

rch/khz

Lucknow, Aug 30 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday exhorted the public sector defence companies to partner with PM-SETU to create a strong, skilled workforce in the march for a Viksit Bharat.

Addressing the PM-SETU industry conclave here, organised by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, he stressed that the availability of a skilled workforce is fundamental to nation-building, as he reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of converting India's demographic dividend into a productive dividend.

Rajnath Singh underscored the need to align the skilling ecosystem with industry requirements, stating that skill certificates hold value only when they lead to meaningful employment. Calling upon industries to view PM-SETU as a collaborative mission rather than merely a government scheme, he urged them to actively participate in shaping the workforce that will ultimately serve their own growth and competitiveness.

The minister appealed to defence public sector undertakings and other defence-related organisations to actively partner in the PM-SETU initiative, while also stressing the need to transform ITIs and strengthen apprenticeship opportunities. He stated that the success of PM-SETU should be measured not by the number of machines installed, but by the employment opportunities it creates and the lives it positively impacts.

The event witnessed participation from senior leadership of leading defence and manufacturing organisations including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), BrahMos Aerospace, Ashok Leyland, NSDC, TCIL, PTC, along with representatives from the World Bank, industry associations and other strategic stakeholders.

The conclave was informed that approved Industry Partnership proposals under PM-SETU currently represent more than Rs 1,500 crore of committed industry-led investment across seven clusters in five states, with several additional proposals under consideration.

Rajnath Singh emphasised that India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing and technology powerhouse would be driven by the availability of highly skilled manpower. He highlighted that sectors such as defence manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, drones, robotics, precision engineering and automation are witnessing rapid technological advancements and require a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. He underscored that a strong domestic defence industrial base and a strong skilling ecosystem must grow together to support India's aspirations for self-reliance and technological leadership.

The conclave brought together senior representatives from government, industry, multilateral institutions, defence public sector enterprises, sector skill councils and skilling stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening industry participation in vocational education and transforming Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into world-class centres of excellence.

The Defence Minister highlighted Uttar Pradesh's emergence as a major hub for manufacturing and defence production, driven by the rapid growth of its industrial ecosystem and the Defence Corridor. Emphasising the importance of stronger industry-academia linkages, he noted that collaboration between industry and training institutions is crucial to equip youth with future-ready skills and expressed confidence that such partnerships would steer the state in the right direction. He further remarked that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is witnessing transformative development across multiple sectors.

In his remarks on the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary said that PM-SETU represents a new partnership model between government, industry, and training institutions. He emphasised that the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between training and employment by enabling industries to play an active role in the development, governance and operation of ITI clusters. He highlighted that the programme aims to create a future-ready workforce through industry-aligned training, modern infrastructure, apprenticeship opportunities and pathways for entrepreneurship.

Underscoring the strategic importance of the defence sector in achieving global competitiveness, he highlighted that the industry's reliance on technology and innovation makes this scheme both timely and relevant. He called upon industries to go beyond CSR initiatives and take active ownership of ITIs to strengthen the skilling landscape.

--IANS

sps/vd

Chandigarh, Aug 30 (IANS) Proclaiming Waris Punjab De party as a ‘virus’ which had been injected in Punjab to split and weaken the Sikh people and votes, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Sunday urged Punjabis to unite under the banner of the party to restore peace and communal harmony in the state and put it back on the road to development.

The SAD chief, who was addressing a rally in Ghanaur town as part of the party’s ongoing ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign, said, “Lust like the Covid-19 virus threatened the destruction of the world; Waris Punjab De virus is programmed to create infighting in the Sikh community and weaken SAD”.

He exposed the organisation further by reminding the public how the Waris Punjab De themselves had admitted from the stage at Baba Bakala on the occasion of Rakhar Punya that their sole objective was not to gain power in the state, or work for the people of Punjab but to wipe out SAD and the Badal family.

Urging Punjabis to beware of traitors who were trying to influence them by taking on the garb of devout Sikhs, Badal said, “These are the same persons who used to be on AAP stages five years back. This is the reason why Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann deputed PRTC buses for their rally on Rakhar Puniya.”

The SAD president said Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s family has supported the Congress staunchly in the past and even campaigned against Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s candidature in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said the fact that Waris Punjab De had launched a ‘morcha’ to free Amritpal instead of espousing the cause of the Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners) proved that it was not engaged in any Sikh struggle but was working in league with anti-Punjab forces to return the state to the dark era of the 1980s.

Badal said, in stark contrast, the Akali Dal had never held any protest to free former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from incarceration even though the latter remained in jail for 16 years. “Amritpal and his family have no sacrifice to their name. They have not even supported a Bandi Singh family who lives in the same village as them,” he said.

Hitting out at the Aam Aadmi Party government, Badal said, “We Punjabis were brainwashed by an outsider party five years ago. They said they would make Punjab debt-free, but today Punjab’s debt has soared from 1.5 lakh crore to 4.5 lakh crore. Why? Because all your hard-earned money is being wasted. Over Rs 6,000 crore has been spent on fake advertisements, and many Delhi contractors are minting money because they are being given contracts for tents and rallies and other AAP events.”

He also ridiculed the Chief Minister for laying foundation stones of medical colleges but not laying even a single brick to make them a reality.

--IANS

vg/uk