All aspects of bilateral ties will be discussed with new Bangladesh govt: MEA

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) India on Friday reiterated that it is looking forward to further strengthening the multifaceted bilateral ties with Bangladesh following the formation of a new government in the neighbouring country under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

“You would have seen that once the election happened in Bangladesh, our Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. On February 17, during the swearing-in ceremony, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, represented the Government of India. There, he handed over a letter from our Prime Minister to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

“He also had a bilateral meeting with the Bangladesh PM. Building on warm and historic ties between the two countries, we look forward to further strengthening our multifaceted bilateral ties with Bangladesh. We look forward to engaging with the new government and taking things forward. On the visa issue, we have conveyed our desire to build our bilateral ties. We have a new government there which has just come in, all aspects of our ties will be discussed with them,” he added.

Earlier this week, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as he represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government in Dhaka.

“Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation,” Birla posted on X after the meeting.

During the meeting, Birla extended wishes to Rehman on assuming office and also invited him to visit India. The two leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of India and Bangladesh.

In a statement shared on X, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, stated, “Prime Minister, H E Tarique Rahman, conveys his greetings to India and PM Hon. Narendra Modi to the visiting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, at a courtesy meet following the swearing-in of the new Government.”

“Hon Speaker conveyed wishes from India and Invitation to India. Both leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India pursuing a people-centric menu of cooperation,” he added.

BNP Chairman Rahman was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh following his party’s decisive victory in the 13th Parliamentary elections held last week.

–IANS

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Siachen to the Arabian Sea: PM Modi’s unbroken decade of Diwali with armed forces

New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) For over a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed his Diwali celebration into a national ritual, choosing to celebrate the festival of lights with the nation’s armed forces at its most challenging frontiers, plains or mountains. This unique tradition reached a new height this year as the Prime Minister spent the festival of lights with Navy personnel aboard the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, off Goa and Karwar coasts on Monday.

Addressing the sailors and officers on the deck of the formidable warship, PM Modi reaffirmed the core message of his annual pilgrimage: That the men and women in uniform are his “family.”

“It has become a habit of mine to celebrate Diwali with my family, and that’s why every year I come to celebrate Diwali with my family,” he said.

Describing the powerful scene of the indigenous carrier at sea, he remarked: “Today, on one side, I have infinite horizons and infinite sky, and on the other side, I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers.”

‘Always by your side’

The origin of this practice predates his tenure as Prime Minister. It began in Gujarat in 2001, when then Chief Minister Modi chose to spend his first Diwali (as CM) in Kutch, a region grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. He chose the most challenging circumstances and the people in greatest need of support, a principle he carried forward, according to a post on X by Modi Archive, a social media page dedicated to narrating the life journey of PM Modi including videos and audio recordings.

In 2009, while still Gujarat Chief Minister, his visit to Nathu La on the Indo-China border cemented his philosophy. His inscription in the visitor’s book — stating that the soldiers’ duty is not just service but ‘sadhana’ (spiritual striving) and ‘tapasya’ (penance) — concluded with the defining promise: “Always by your side.”

“To the brave soldiers devoted to our Motherland, my warm Diwali greetings. It has been my privilege to celebrate Diwali with our jawans on the border. India is proud of you. Your duty is not just service; it is ‘sadhana’, it is ‘tapasya’. May the Almighty bless you and your families with happiness, peace, and fulfilment. Always by your side. Narendra Modi. Diwali. 16 October 2009,” he wrote.

Diwali with armed forces on India’s frontiers

Since 2014, PM Modi has upheld this pledge year after year, transforming it into a defining feature of his leadership. Each visit is meticulously chosen, often selecting posts that represent the most challenging frontiers and strategic locations.

His first Diwali as Prime Minister in 2014 set a high bar, celebrated with troops at the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield. Following years saw him traverse the nation’s most sensitive border area, with the Punjab border in 2015, the high-altitude post of Sumdoh near the China border in Himachal Pradesh in 2016, and the difficult terrain of the Gurez sector in North Kashmir in 2017.

He has also celebrated Diwali with the Defence forces in Harsil in Uttarakhand (2018), Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir (2019), the legendary desert post of Longewala in Rajasthan (2020), Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir (2021), Kargil in Ladakh (2022) Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh (2023), and Sir Creek in Gujarat (2024).

This year’s visit to the INS Vikrant off the coasts of Goa and Karwar powerfully expanded this tradition, underscoring the critical role of India’s naval strength and maritime security.

Major morale booster for armed forces

This tradition set by PM Modi serves multiple purposes beyond a mere symbolic gesture. It is a significant morale booster for the armed forces, conveying a sense of genuine connection from the nation’s highest office to the individual soldier standing guard in the remotest locations. By sharing the warmth of the festival in the cold, isolated outposts or on the high seas, he effectively brings the “family” of the entire nation to the border.

–IANS

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Mohan Yadav to attend Delhi CM-designate Rekha Gupta’s oath-taking ceremony

Bhopal, Feb 20 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Delhi Chief Minister-designate Rekha Gupta on Thursday.

The ceremony will be held at the historic Ramlila Maidan in the national capital around noon.

Some other cabinet ministers are also likely to take oath.

“I congratulate Rekha Gupta on becoming CM designate of Delhi. I will be present during the oath-taking ceremony. Rekha Gupta is an outstanding party worker and can work and deliver,” Chief Minister Yadav said.

He further noted that, on one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made provision for 33 per cent reservation for women MPs in the Parliament, on the other hand, he has nominated a woman to be Delhi’s Chief Minister.

She became the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi. The fourth woman to get the top job in the national capital after Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress) and Atishi (AAP), Gupta will steer the party’s government in the city, 27 years after the last one led by Swaraj.

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of Gupta, security arrangements have been stepped up in and around Ramlila Ground.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has already reached the spot for Gupta’s oath-taking ceremony.

Before the oath-taking ceremony, Gupta has said that those who indulged in corruption in the last 12 years, will be held accountable.

“Anyone who indulged in corruption will have to give an account of every rupee…”, the CM-designate told the media.

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections was held on February 5, and results were announced on February 8.

The BJP achieved a major victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, securing 48 out of 70 seats.

While Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP secured 22 seats, Congress could not open its account.

–IANS

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Action against Waqf Board strikes at soul of Constitution, says Pramod Tiwari

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) In response to the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Friday welcomed the decision, stating that it upholds the Constitution and safeguards the secular fabric of the nation.

Speaking on the matter to IANS, Tiwari lauded the Court’s directive and criticised the Centre for what he described as a communal approach to the issue.

“I welcome the Supreme Court’s move to uphold the Constitution regarding appointments to the Waqf Board. I thank the Court for this directive and wish to clearly state that the BJP-led Central government and the party should not view this matter through a religious lens. The actions against the Waqf Board strike at the very soul of the Indian Constitution,” Tiwari said.

His remarks come a day after the Supreme Court raised concerns over three key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. On Thursday, the Centre told the Court it would not appoint any new members to the Waqf Boards or alter the status of Waqf properties, including the ‘waqf-by-user’, until the next hearing scheduled for May 5.

The bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, recorded the undertaking given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the Union government.

The Court directed the Centre to file its preliminary reply to the petitions challenging the validity of the amendment within seven days.

Separately, addressing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent comments on the judiciary, Tiwari emphasised the importance of constitutional balance.

“The President and Vice President hold a position of supremacy under the powers conferred by the Constitution. I will neither react to nor comment on his statement. However, I must say that the Constitution of India is very clear. Democracy rests on four strong pillars: the judiciary, the executive, the press, and the legislature. Each has its defined powers, and those must not be infringed upon,” he said.

–IANS

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