South Asia

Beirut, April 7 (IANS) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed on Monday that disarming Hezbollah is a national and international priority, stressing that the only viable path to achieving this goal is through dialogue, a statement from the presidency said.

"As I said in my inauguration speech, there is no place for weapons or armed groups outside the framework of the state," Aoun stated. "These issues must be resolved through communication and dialogue. After all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese component."

He also revealed that work will soon begin on drafting a National Security Strategy, which will lay the foundation for a National Defence Strategy.

"We are all committed to the same objective," he added. "Differences in opinion are normal; that's the essence of democracy. What matters is that our goal is unified."

Aoun's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon, led by Edward Gabriel, Xinhua news agency reported. The delegation delivered a clear message from Washington emphasising two urgent priorities: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the implementation of reforms necessary for Lebanon to access international financial aid.

Gabriel praised the efforts of the Lebanese army and the President personally, while also noting that "there is still much to be done." He added that the quicker reforms are implemented, the sooner the US can offer meaningful support.

Gabriel also disclosed that the US Congress is preparing a funding bill for Lebanon next year.

In addition, Aoun emphasized the need to ease tensions in the south, underlining that Lebanon needs both time and space to resolve issues calmly.

He called on the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five points Israel continues to occupy, saying their presence complicates the situation further. To bolster security, he noted that the Lebanese government had recently approved the recruitment of 4,500 soldiers.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect, putting an end to more than a year of hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats".

--IANS

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Colombo, April 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, near Colombo, on Saturday evening. While paying respects, he hailed the brave soldiers of the IPKF who had laid down their lives in the service of peace, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

The IPKF Memorial in Sri Lanka is perhaps the only war memorial commemorating the sacrifice of Indian soldiers, dedicated by a foreign country other than the United Kingdom.

It honours the memory of the 1169 personnel of the Indian forces who lost their lives while serving with the IPKF between 1987-1990. The memorial was constructed by the Lankan government on the outskirts of Colombo in 2008.

"Laid a wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo. We remember the brave soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force who laid down their lives in service of peace, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Their unwavering courage and commitment remain a source of inspiration for us all," said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister had also visited the monument during his first visit to the island nation in 2015.

Earlier in the day, several key agreements, including on defence cooperation and development of Trincomalee as an energy hub, were signed between the two countries following the bilateral discussions held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Other MoUs signed included on Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power; on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation; on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for Eastern Province; on Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medicine and on Pharmacopoeial Cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi also announced comprehensive capacity-building programme in India covering 700 Sri Lankans annually; India's grant assistance for the development of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura; the Exposition of Lord Buddha relics in Sri Lanka on International Vesak Day 2025; as well as the conclusion of Bilateral Amendatory Agreements on Debt Restructuring.

Some other key projects built with Indian assistance that are being inaugurated during PM Modi's ongoing visit include inauguration of upgraded railway track of Maho-Omanthai railway line; Launch of Construction of Signalling System for Maho-Anuradhapura railway line; Ground Breaking ceremony of Sampur Solar power project; Inauguration of Temperature Controlled Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla; and, supply of Solar Rooftop Systems for 5000 Religious Institutions across Sri Lanka.

The visit of the Indian Prime Minister, undertaken at the invitation of President Dissanayake, reaffirms the shared vision of 'Friendship of Centuries – Commitment to a Prosperous Future' between the two nations.

--IANS

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Colombo, April 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India's strong commitment to the development and progress of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community in Sri Lanka during his meeting with the community leaders in Colombo.

"The meeting with leaders of Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) was fruitful. The community constitutes a living bridge between the two countries for over 200 years. India will support construction of 10,000 houses, healthcare facilities, the sacred site Seetha Eliya temple and other community development projects for IOTs in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka,"

The PM also met the leaders of the Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka.

"It is always a pleasure to meet the leaders of the Tamil community of Sri Lanka. Conveyed my condolences on the passing of respected Tamil leaders, Thiru R. Sampanthan and Thiru Mavai Senathirajah, both of whom were personally known to me. Reiterated unwavering commitment to a life of equality, dignity and justice for the Tamil community within united Sri Lanka. Many projects and initiatives launched during my visit will contribute to their social, economic and cultural progress," he said.

Earlier in the day, while making a Joint Press Statement along with the Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Modi highlighted India's longstanding support for the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, stating that the construction work of 10,000 houses for them will be completed soon.

PM Modi also met Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and appreciated his valuable contribution in fostering India-Sri Lanka friendship.

"Glad to meet Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa. Appreciated his personal contribution and commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship. Our special partnership receives support in Sri Lanka cutting across party lines. Our cooperation and robust development partnership are guided by the welfare of the people of our two countries," said PM Modi.

Premadasa acknowledged the importance of strong bilateral relations between both nations and expressed gratitude for India's consistent support during the difficult times of Sri Lanka.

"Honoured to have met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a moment that calls for more than economic cooperation, it calls for a deeper partnership between our nations. Sri Lanka and India have the chance to shape a future of Shared Ascent, where growth is not just measured in trade, but in the well-being of our people. Grateful for India's unwavering support during Sri Lanka’s most difficult times," Premadasa posted on X.

Prime Minister Modi travelled to the island nation straight after attending the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok.

Praising Sri Lankan President Dissanayake for his "personal commitment" to India-Sri Lanka ties, PM Modi said that the two countries have added more momentum to linkages in security, trade, agriculture, housing, culture, and other sectors during the bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Saturday.

--IANS

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Washington, April 4 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Friday said China had “panicked” by retaliating to his reciprocal tariff with a matching levy of 34 per cent on all imported goods from America.

Market turmoil deepened on news of China's retaliation. All major US indexes dropped more than 3 per cent in morning trading. And the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite had fallen by 4 per cent, and the Wall Street Journal said, it was on pace to close in a bear market, meaning it has fallen more than 20 per cent from a recent peak.

Trump announced a 34 per cent tariff on imports from China on Wednesday, along with levies on all of America’s trading partner countries, including India with 26 per cent. A base-line rate of 10 per cent has been levied on all trading partner countries with some of them such as China, India, Japan, the EU and others, were hit with higher rates.

"China played it wrong, they panicked - the one thing they cannot afford to do!" the American President wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

The unsaid implication seemingly was that the president either expected or preferred that Beijing had chosen negotiation over retaliation.

“Well, it depends,” he said in response to a question from a reporter on Thursday if he was open to negotiations.

“If somebody said that we're going to give you something that's so phenomenal, as long as they're giving us something, that’s good.”

He said earlier: “The tariffs give us great power to negotiate. I've always used them very well in the first administration, as you saw, but now we're taking it to a whole new level, because it's a worldwide situation, and it's very exciting to see."

But his position seemed at odds with his top aides, who have said these tariffs are not negotiable.

“I don’t think there’s any chance…that President Trump’s going to back off his tariffs,” Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce and a key architect of the president’s tariffs, said on Thursday. “The world should stop exploiting the United States of America.”

Top trade aide Peter Navarro told a media outlet the tariffs are “not a negotiation”.

--IANS

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United Nations, April 4 (IANS) While appealing for international help to quake-ravaged Myanmar, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for transforming the “tragic moment” into an opportunity to end the brutal civil conflict.

He asked the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis.

And to the government and people of Myanmar, he said, “as they unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict”.

“There must be an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root,” he said while speaking to reporters at the UN on Thursday.

Guterres announced that he was rushing Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar and his Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit the country "to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue”.

India had already launched “Operation Brahma” immediately after the earthquake, flying relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar, which was the epicentre of the March 28 earthquake.

Guterres said, “The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble. This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country,” he said.

He added that as communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

Welcoming the temporary ceasefire between the military government and the rebels in the civil war, he said, “This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs. But an end to fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.”

He said that the ceasefire should lead to an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the quake has affected more than 17 million people.

Myanmar is ruled by the military, which overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021.

The regime has not been recognised and the representatives of the civilian government continue to hold Myanmar’s seat at the UN.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 3 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a major relief for domestic consumers of electricity, reducing per unit price by Rs 7.41 while promising more relief for the citizens in the coming days. The announcement has been welcomed as it brings the much-needed relief to consumers who have been suffering due to high inflation, inflated electricity bills and soaring fuel prices.

Sharif also announced a reduction in commodity prices of industrial units by Rs 7.59 during a special event attended by cabinet members and business community on Thursday.

The announcement comes a month after the government negotiated and convinced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for reduction in electricity prices, which was later on approved by the country's National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The IMF allowed Pakistan to reduce utility rates by Rs 1 per kilowatt.

"When we took office, the country was on the brink of default and the IMF was unwilling to negotiate. Our government faced numerous obstacles and worked tirelessly to prevent Pakistan from defaulting. However, today, the time has come to fulfill the promises made in the party's manifesto," the Pakistan PM said.

Interestingly, Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and the military establishment for extending full support in bringing the country's economy to shore.

Talking about his government's performance, the PM said Pakistan continues to have the lowest petroleum prices in the region, adding that during his government's tenure, the interest rates dropped from 22 per cent to 12 per cent, while inflation had dropped from 38 per cent to single digit.

"Pakistan's economy is moving from darkness to light. Economic stability has been achieved, and now it's time for Pakistan to rise. Without a reduction in power costs, progress in industry, trade, and agriculture would not be possible. The IMF initially refused to allow a reduction in electricity prices, but we insisted that instead of lowering petrol prices, relief should be provided through electricity," he said.

Talking about another major challenge the country faces with regard to the circular debts, Shehbaz Sharif said that a strategy and plan has been formulated to address the matter.

"This debt will no longer keep circulating – it will be eliminated once and for all. It would be completely eradicated within the next five years," he said.

--IANS

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Naypyidaw, April 1 (IANS) Myanmar on Tuesday observed a one-minute silence to honour the victims of the devastating earthquake that has claimed over 2,000 lives.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region on Friday, causing massive casualties and damage.

Myanmar announced on Monday a week-long mourning period following the earthquake that struck Myanmar, which wrought widespread destruction, Xinhua News Agency reported.

As the earthquake left entire communities in ruins, reports suggest that concerns have arisen about the potential for Myanmar’s military junta to direct humanitarian funds to affected areas. It is stated that supplies are driven to the areas the junta favours rather than those most in need of help.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and international aid organisations are struggling to respond to the devastating earthquake, which destroyed several cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw, and displaced tens of thousands of people. The hospitals are trying to cope with the high influx of patients.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has begun to organise relief efforts, deploying emergency teams to assess damage and facilitate aid distribution, a statement from the office said.

“Following the earthquake that hit Myanmar and the region, we are seeing massive impacts across multiple states and regions across the country,” said Annette Hearns, UNOCHA’s Deputy Head of Office in Yangon.

She added that time is running out for those still trapped, making rescue efforts more urgent by the hour.

She further said that people are growing desperate, with some even sleeping on the streets with nowhere safe to go while essential supplies run dangerously low.

However, the United Nations, the US, India, the European Union, and several other nations and international organisations have sent aid and rescue efforts for earthquake victims in Myanmar.

The Indian Army and Navy mobilised their resources with unwavering resolve, providing both immediate rescue support and long-term aid to the affected communities.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Israel on Tuesday claimed that Hamas continues to push for war while also refusing to release the hostages.

“Hamas continues to push for the renewal of the war, refusing to release our hostages, and refusing to disarm,” said Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel Gideon Sa’ar during a media briefing.

He added that Hamas ignores the will and the rage of the citizens of Gaza, claiming that their interest is the “end of the war”.

“But instead of listening to its citizens, Hamas oppressed them brutally. Hamas murdered, after torturing, demonstrators from the Gaza Strip this week,” he claimed.

Sa’ar claimed that recently, the British Parliament published the most complete report in the UK on the October 7th massacre, revealing chilling details: among them, about the horrifying sexual crimes committed by Hamas on October 7th.

“This is not a report from Israel. It is a report from the British Parliament. I recommend reading it,” he said.

He also said that Israel expects that Lebanon will take action to uproot terrorist organisations acting within its borders against Israel

“What we saw here is cooperation between Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas on the soil of Lebanon, in order to initiate terrorist attacks against Israelis. Early this morning, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut. Lebanon has been directing Hamas terrorists and assisting them in an attempt to carry out a major imminent attack against Israeli civilians,” he claimed.

Sa’ar further said that the terrorist posed a real and immediate threat to Israel. “What we call a ticking bomb. Therefore, we had to eliminate the threat. Israel will continue to remove any threat to our citizens,” he said.

Sa’ar said that he will also visit Paris to discuss the challenges and threats of the radical axis in this region, mainly Iran.

“Once again, its leader, only yesterday, declared his will to eliminate the State of Israel,” he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The India-Japan joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian,’ held at the East Fuji Training Area in Japan, has successfully concluded, an Indian Army statement said on Monday.

The exercise, which ran from February 24 to March 9, focused on counter-terrorism operations in urban environments, marking a major step in bilateral defense cooperation, the statement said.

According to the Ministry of Defence, ‘Dharma Guardian’ was conducted on a large scale with the participation of company-level troops from both nations. It served as an important milestone in strengthening defense ties between India and Japan.

Lieutenant General Toriyumi Seiji, Commanding General of the 1st Division of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, attended the closing ceremony. He praised the participating soldiers for successfully achieving the exercise’s objectives and expressed satisfaction over the joint training, which enhanced the operational readiness of both forces.

The exercise focused primarily on counter-terrorism strategies in urban settings. Additionally, troops from both countries conducted humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills under United Nations peacekeeping operations. Soldiers engaged in tactical training, exchanged operational knowledge and built lasting bonds of trust and cooperation.

Beyond military drills, the exercise also fostered cultural exchange. Indian soldiers organised a special yoga session for their Japanese counterparts, and showcased the traditional martial art Kalaripayattu, while Japanese soldiers demonstrated their own martial arts techniques.

The exercise concluded with an intense 72-hour validation phase, where troops from both nations demonstrated their capabilities in a joint counter-terrorism operation. This included specialised tactics such as helicopter infiltration, slithering, and storming operations, successfully meeting the set operational standards, the statement added.

According to the Defence Ministry, ‘Dharma Guardian’ reaffirmed India and Japan’s shared commitment to regional peace, security, and stability. The exercise further strengthened their long-standing strategic partnership, underscoring the importance of defense collaboration in an evolving security landscape.

--IANS

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Dubai, March 10 (IANS) India's star batter Virat Kohli had a warm and long hug with his wife and actress Anushka Sharma at the Dubai International Stadium after the Men in Blue clinched the ICC Champions Trophy final after a four-wicket win over New Zealand here on Sunday.

Kohli and Anushka had a brief celebratory moment on the stairs before the duo walked to the ground to join the celebrations for India's third Champions Trophy title. The video of the moment went viral on social media, with fans showering their love on the couple.

Anushka has been a constant supporter of India during their campaign in the tournament. In the previous matches too, Kohli and Anushka shared flying kisses and hugs on multiple occasions.

It was India's fourth consecutive ICC final in less than two years as the Rohit Sharma-led side lifted their second consecutive ICC title following their triumph in last year's T20 World Cup in Barbados. It was Kohli's fourth ICC title, along with captain Rohit Sharma, making the duo the most successful Indian players after legendary skipper MS Dhoni in terms of winning ICC titles.

Rohit Sharma's 76-run knock set the tone for India's chase of 252, while Shreyas Iyer's 48 and K.L. Rahul's unbeaten 34 guided the side over the line with one over to spare. Axar Patel (29) and Hardik Pandya (18) also contributed with cameo knocks to take the side closer to victory in a pulsating encounter.

After the win, Kohli said that India have the squad that can take on the world for the next eight years.

"It's been amazing. We wanted to bounce back after a tough Australian tour and wanted to win a big tournament, so to win the Champions Trophy is amazing. So much talent in the dressing room, they're trying to take their game further, and we're just happy to be of help (role of the seniors), sharing our experience, and that's what makes this Indian team so strong," Kohli said after the match.

"These are the things you want to play (for titles), playing under pressure and putting your hand up. The whole team, everyone has put their hands up sometimes or other (during the tournament), everyone has put up impactful performances, we've been part of an amazing team, the amount of work we've done in the practice sessions, it feels great (to win).

"When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better place, I feel we have a squad that's ready to take on the world for the next 8 years. Shubman has been outstanding, Shreyas has played some top knocks, KL has finished games, and Hardik has been superb with the bat," he added.

--IANS

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