India, Sri Lanka discuss ways to deepen maritime security cooperation

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Aug 27 (IANS) Sri Lanka Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, on Thursday called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, with the discussions focusing on the progress of various initiatives under the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan between the two countries.

“The two sides reviewed activities and projects under the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the Ministry of Defence stated on X.

Earlier in the day, Fernando met Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen maritime security cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Indian Navy, during the meeting both sides reaffirmed commitment to uphold peace and stability in the Indian Ocean (IOR) region, aligned with India’s Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision.

Fernando, who is on a three-day official visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi before holding bilateral discussions with Swaminathan.

“The deliberations focused on strengthening maritime security cooperation, institutionalised training and capacity-building initiatives. The high-level engagement reaffirms the deep-rooted maritime bonds between India and SriLanka and contributes to sustained peace and stability across the IOR, in line with India’s vision of MAHASAGAR,” the Indian Navy posted on X.

Earlier in August, during his official visit to Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to the island nation under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘Vision MAHASAGAR ‘, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as he concluded his visit to Colombo.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary called on the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Disanayaka; the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Harini Amarasuriya; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. He also held discussions with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Aruni Ranaraja. Foreign Secretary also met with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and had separate meetings with leaders of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community.

During his meetings, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the ongoing cooperation on bilateral issues and projects between India and Sri Lanka.

–IANS

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Will monitor developments in West Bengal from London: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, March 22 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, before departing for London on Saturday evening, claimed that she will be monitoring the developments in the state for the next few days from the UK.

“I will not be in the state for the next four to five days. But I will be in constant touch with the administration here. We will ensure that no one faces any problems. I wish all in the state to stay in peace,” the Chief Minister told media persons after reaching the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

She and her team will have a stopover at Dubai late in the night and from there, they will fly again to London. The Chief Minister and her team are expected to reach London by Sunday afternoon as per the Indian time.

Addressing the media persons, Banerjee did not hide her apprehension at the prolonged journey including the stopover in Dubai. “This is the problem because there is no direct flight between Kolkata and London. That is why this trip will become extremely hectic, since commuting both ways will consume a sufficient amount of time. But it is all right. The programmes there will be as per schedule. Again I am requesting the people of the state to stay peacefully and safely,” she said.

The Chief Minister will be having a packed schedule in London from Monday. On March 24, she is slated to attend a programme hosted by the Indian High Commission at London.

Thereafter on March 25, she is supposed to meet the local industrialists and businessmen at a business meeting there. On March 26, a “Government-to-Business (G2B)” level meeting is scheduled to take place. On March 27, the Chief Minister will be delivering a lecture at one of the colleges affiliated with Oxford University.

On March 28, she will depart from London on her way back to Kolkata.

Banerjee was also invited to the United Kingdom in 2021 to deliver a lecture at Oxford University. However, the Trinamool Congress alleged that the programme was cancelled due to the clandestine initiative by the Central government.

The Chief Minister visited the United Kingdom in 2015 too. There she was accompanied by several members of her cabinet, including the then state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is the Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister now.

–IANS

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Massive fraud: BJP MPs slam AAP govt over ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ sham

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s promises of Rs 2,100 assistance for city women residents under the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ has invited sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it accused the AAP dispensation of misleading and befooling the public with its ‘fraudulent’ promises.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari slammed the AAP government, stating, “This is a massive fraud. Arvind Kejriwal, after serving three terms as Chief Minister, is still deceiving the people of Delhi. Fake forms are being signed in the name of this scheme.”

“The same department they claim is running the scheme has issued advertisements denying its existence. Delhi’s women must be cautious. This is not the BJP’s claim but a clarification from the concerned government department itself,” he added.

Tiwari further warned that the forms collected could lead to serious consequences, including personal data misuse.

“They are asking for addresses and contact numbers. This could result in hacking incidents or even empty bank accounts. This is a dangerous ploy by the Kejriwal government,” he added.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat fulminating at the move, stated, “Before announcing any scheme, there must be a budget provision, cabinet approval, and a formal announcement by authorized officials. Kejriwal is using government resources for electoral gains. The concerned ministry has categorically stated that no such scheme exists. This is a blatant attempt to mislead the public.”

She also pointed out Kejriwal’s refusal to implement the central Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Delhi, calling it another example of his governance failures.

Adding to the criticism, BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla reacted on Kejriwal’s claims of a conspiracy to arrest Delhi CM Atishi.

“People with criminal tendencies often fear arrest for themselves and their associates. Mr. Kejriwal, do you consider Atishi a criminal?” he questioned.

Addressing the same matter, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri says, “The leaders of the ‘INDI Alliance’—the fraud coalition—are those like Rahul Gandhi, who walk around with the Constitution in hand, and now Kejriwal is doing the same thing. In reality, they are tearing it apart and misleading the people.

–IANS

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