India and Nepal agree to further deepen and broaden bilateral relationship

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi on Saturday stated in a press release that India and Nepal agreed to further deepen and broaden their bilateral relationship during talks between Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, and the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar.

“Both sides agreed to further deepen and broaden the bilateral relationship through development partnerships, enhanced connectivity, and strong partnership on priority areas of mutual benefit,” read the press release.

The press release noted that the two Ministers made joint announcements regarding the operationalisation of P2P cross-border payment transactions under the MoU between NCHL and NPCI, signed in June 2023, and the handover of 72 health sector and 12 cultural sector post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal, built with India’s development assistance.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged between Kathmandu University School of Engineering’s Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence and Digital India Bhashini Division for co-creating the National Digital Infrastructure for “Voice First” Language Translation Platform.

The two Ministers held wide-ranging and productive discussions on the full spectrum of Nepal–India bilateral relations during the meeting.

“The discussions encompassed areas of trade and economic cooperation, cross-border connectivity, energy partnership, water resources management, and the promotion of people-to-people ties, including through sports,” noted the Embassy.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the enduring partnership between the two neighbouring countries.

The two Ministers also reviewed progress on ongoing bilateral projects and cooperation initiatives and exchanged views on ways to accelerate their implementation.

They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including cooperation within multilateral forums.

Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at his office in New Delhi on Saturday. Both of them discussed various matters related to further strengthening Nepal-India bilateral relations.

Nepal’s FM Khanal is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Sunday.

–IANS

ksk/dan

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Kerala: Hindu Ezhava leader slams Muslim League, accuses it of religious polarisation

Kochi, Oct 11 (IANS) In a sharp political intervention, Vellappally Natesan, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam General Secretary, on Saturday, launched a scathing attack on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), accusing it of pushing a religious agenda in Kerala.

IUML is the second biggest ally of the Congress-led UDF, while SNDP is the social wing of the powerful Hindu Ezhava community, which is the biggest community in the state.

The Hindu Nair community comes close to the Ezhava community in Kerala.

Speaking at a public event, Vellappally alleged that the Muslim League was seeking to “establish a religious state” and said that political voices questioning Muslim organisations were being silenced.

“The Muslim League is the offspring of India’s partition. Their ultimate aim is to establish a religious state in Kerala,” he said.

He alleged that the Muslim League didn’t even allow the SNDP to set up a small educational centre in Malappuram.

The Muslim League and its affiliates hunted Vellappally.

Turning his attention to the Congress, Vellappally said that the party had lost its relevance and “could not cross the Lakshman Rekha drawn by the Muslim League”.

He added that the unchecked dominance of Muslim organisations reflects a broader attempt to shape Kerala’s politics along religious lines.

He also charged that the Ezhava community continues to face political discrimination.

“Whoever rises from the Ezhava community is not allowed to grow. Look at what was said about V.S. Achuthanandan, K.R. Gouri Amma, and Pinarayi Vijayan. Achuthanandan was insulted on caste grounds. No one questions Ministers from other communities,” he said.

Vellappally also questioned why calls were being raised for the resignation of Kerala Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and Chief Minister Vijayan, but not for State Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar.

He concluded by saying, “There is a mindset here that doesn’t allow Ezhavas to rise. They don’t want an Ezhava to rule here. However, Pinarayi Vijayan will return as the Chief Minister as he is destined to win,” he said.

–IANS

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Gaurav Gogoi ‘Pak links’: Ready to appear before the SIT, says Cong MP

Guwahati, March 16 (IANS) After conducting a series of questioning in Delhi and Punjab, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was established by the Assam Police to look into Gaurav Gogoi and his wife Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi’s alleged links to Pakistan, has returned to the state.

The probe team has questioned an environmental scientist and two employees of the British High Commission in the national capital recently and there have been speculation that Gaurav Gogoi will also receive summons from the SIT to come in for questioning.

Reacting to the developments, Gogoi told reporters here: “I told many times that I am open to any kind of investigation. I will appear before the investigating team whenever SIT calls. They are not required to provide me with coffee or tea even.”

Earlier, the SIT questioned two staffers of the British High Commission in Delhi in connection with Congress MP’s alleged Pakistan links.

According to the police, the SIT team questioned two staffers in the British High Commission to retrieve information about their links with the Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh who has been named in an FIR by the Assam Police for his alleged role in destabilising communal harmony.

Sheikh is under the lens for his purported role in seeking key information related to national security. The SIT team has also questioned an environmental scientist in this matter.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the Pak links of Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, has made progress in its initial investigation.

He said: “The SIT has found significant evidence related to Pakistani national Ali Sheikh who has been in question for his multiple visits to India and his controversial social media posts expressing immense interest in the politics of Assam. Sheikh visited India with a big delegation from Pakistan including the attorney general of that country.”

According to CM Sarma, the Pakistani team including Sheikh frequently visited India till 2018 and stayed in small hotels to avoid public attention.

“We have been probing the entire ecosystem related to this Pakistani national in question. If required, we will take the help of Interpol,” Sarma stated, adding that he has briefed the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the developments.

A four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the alleged Pakistani links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife Elizabeth Gogoi.

Sarma mentioned: “Pursuant to the registration of the case, the DGP, Assam Police, has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. Assam Police will conduct a professional and completely objective investigation.

“The SIT would co-opt Inspectors, Sub Inspectors and needed personnel with the approval of the Assam Police Headquarters,” he mentioned, adding that the SIT would from time to time report to the Assam Director General of Police.

In response to a series of allegations by CM Sarma, Member of Parliament from Jorhat constituency, Gaurav Gogoi, asserted that he was open to an investigation regarding this.

The Chief Minister earlier raised questions as to why Gaurav Gogoi went to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner and later asked questions regarding national security and Defence in Parliament.

–IANS

tdr/pgh

Woman BSF Constable thwarts major narcotics smuggling attempt along India-B’desh border

Kolkata, Aug 2 (IANS) A woman constable of the Border Security Force (BSF), posted along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB), in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, foiled a major attempt to smuggle narcotics from India to Bangladesh, an official said on Saturday.

According to a statement, the Mahila Prahari not only stood her ground even as the smugglers advanced, but sent them packing by firing a shot from her Pump Action Gun (PAG). The smugglers fled, leaving behind narcotics valued at Rs 3.80 crore.

“Troops of the 71 Bn BSF, posted at the Khandua Border Outpost had received intelligence inputs of a possible attempt to smuggle narcotics in their area of jurisdiction. All personnel were put on high alert. Around 11.30 p.m., the on-duty mahila constable spotted two persons moving towards the IBB in a suspicious manner. They were carrying some items. She immediately alerted other jawans by signalling with a torch and challenged the smugglers. The latter ignored the challenge and continued to move forward. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, she challenged them again. When this had no result, she fired a shot from her PAG. This time, the smugglers dropped their goods and fled towards the Raninagar village,” a senior BSF official said.

“Other jawans reached the spot by then and conducted a search operation. Two large bundles were recovered from the spot. These were taken to the BOP. There were 1.030 kg Methaqualone, 7.120 kg Codeine and 10 boxes of Brucine Anhydrous (25 grams each) inside the bundles. The estimated value of the banned drugs is Rs 3,80,45,960. Further investigation is in progress to identify the smugglers involved,” he added.

In the second major incident, troops of the 102 Bn BSF, posted at Ghojadanga Border Outpost in the North 24-Parganas district of the state, foiled a smuggling attempt and seized three gold biscuits weighing 466.290 grams. The value of the haul is Rs 46,94,794.

The seized narcotics and gold have been handed over to the concerned agencies for further legal action.

The official praised the efforts of the troops and said: “Our Jawans, including mahila personnel, are always alert on the borders and determined to foil all smuggling attempts. These successes are proof of their commitment and efficiency.”

He urged border citizens to alert the BSF of any smuggling attempt through the ‘Seema Sathi’ helpline 14419 or by sending WhatsApp voice or text messages to 9903472227. Those providing credible information will be rewarded and all identities will remain hidden.

–IANS

jayanta/pgh