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Sushma Swaraj Meets Iranian FM Javad Zarif in New York

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Sushma Swaraj Meets Iranian FM Javad Zarif in New York

Two top diplomats discuss bilateral ties and the looming US sanctions on Tehran

Continuing their bilateral contacts in the backdrop of US pressure to bring Iranian oil export to “zero” by November 4, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with her Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in New York on Wednesday and discussed bilateral issues.

According to agency reports, the issues discussed during the meeting held at the sidelines of UN General Assembly, touched upon the bilateral ties and the US’ sanctions against Iran and the status of the deal with European Union.

The meeting was considered important after P4+1 foreign ministers’ meeting with Iran’s top diplomat Javad Zarif when they assured to create an alternate mechanism for making payments for Iran’s exports.

British, French, Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers along with their German counterpart, who are now being called as P4+1, met with Zarif. They discussed about the possible ways and means to continue their trade and economic cooperation.

Read More: US: Contradictory reports on impact of anti-Iran sanctions on India

Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs told journalists in New York on Wednesday, “On the issue of sanctions, India remains engaged with all stakeholders who are part of the process and Iran is one of them. So, it was natural that the issue of sanctions did come up during the meeting”.

He further said that the two sides shared each others’ position about where they stand at this point of time. “There are developments taking place in different corners of the world,” Kumar said, adding that Zarif shared part of the discussion Iran is having with the European Union on the future of the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as JCPOA.

The Indian official reportedly said, “We heard them out, we also explained our position. It is important to understand that as far as the sanctions on Iran go, we are also engaged with other stakeholders and countries for example the US as well”.

Read More: India Increases Iranian Oil Imports In June By 48 Percent

Iran’s official news agency IRNA reports that foregn minister Javad Zarif and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in a meeting in New York Wednesday afternoon discussed issues of mutual interest.Sushma Swaraj Meets Iranian FM Javad Zarif in New York

In May, US President Donald Trump  had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal signed by the Obama administration in 2015, under which Tehran had agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow international inspectors in return for lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

The US adminsitration has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from Iran to “zero” by November 4 or face sanctions. The spokesman of Ministry of External Affairs said that India has been talking to several partners and countries on the issue before the sanctions come into effect in early November this year.

“We are engaged with all countries in this regard. We hope that our positions, sensitivities, concerns, which we have explained to the US, must have been taken into account by them. It’s not only a question of purchasing oil from Iran but it is also a question of relationship”, he said.

Read More: Germany asks India to continue buying oil from Iran

MEA spokesman Kumar described the talks between the two foreign ministers as a “good meeting”, saying the two countries share strong civilization bonds and go back a long way.

At present Iran is India’s third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. During the first ten months of 2017-2018 fiscal (between April 2017 and January 2018) Iran supplied 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil.

On May 28 this year, when Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif was visiting New Dellhi, Sushma Swaraj had emphasised that India does not recognise country specific sanctions saying, “Our foreign policy is not made under pressure from other countries.”

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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