India expressed deep concern over the fresh escalation in the Middle East following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the conflict must not take a wider regional dimension while calling for restraint among parties. 

Issuing a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underlined that the dialogue and diplomacy should be channelised to resolve all conflicting issues. The statement added that India is deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in West Asia and reiterates their call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians. 

The statement continued that it is important that the conflict doesn’t take a wider regional dimension and they urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.

This statement follows a day after Iran, in an unprecedented attack on Israel, fired over 180 ballistic missiles on the Jewish nation. Reports stated that alarms sounded across Israel and explosions were heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley. Furthermore, Israelis piled into bomb shelters and reporters on state television lay flat on the ground during live broadcasts.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said that hypersonic Fattah missiles were used for the first time, and 90 per cent of them hit their targets in Israel.

Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that most missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the US. He tweeted that Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation.

Notably, the Middle East has been witnessing a tumultuous security situation for nearly one year after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hostage over 200 others. The attack triggered the war in Gaza, which has killed over 41,000 people.

Emphasising that a bigger loss for India than missing out on Olympic glory, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met with the sportspersons from Haryana as well as from across the country and asserted that youth are completely disappointed with the system.  

“No money, no game – this is the reality for most athletes in India today,” Gandhi said while sharing a snippet video of his interaction with the players from across the country on X.

Gandhi said he met a group of players from Haryana and across the country and listened to their problems.

“Completely disappointed with the system, struggling with lack of basic facilities like diet, rest and training, these youth are also losing hope and confidence – this is a bigger loss for India than missing out on Olympic Glory,” the Congress leader said.

The former Congress chief said India has immense talent, noting that only transparency, fairness and access to all necessary facilities will ensure that every promising player gets equal benefit.

“Unless we bring in a system that directly supports sportspersons, and puts sportspersons in charge instead of politicians in sports associations, India cannot achieve its true potential,” the Rae Bareli MP asserted.

The Congress, in a social media post on X, said: “Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi met a group of players from Haryana and across the country and listened to their problems. These youth, completely disappointed with the system, are now losing their hope and confidence.”

The grand old party added that “there is immense potential in our players, if the government supports them, they will hoist the flag of the country all over the world.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled projects worth over Rs 83,700 crore in Jharkhand, reaffirming his government’s commitment to the development of tribal in state.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of tribal development, stating that Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for this demographic is “our asset.” He launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which will be implemented at a cost of Rs 79,150 crore, aimed at ensuring comprehensive and holistic development for tribal communities across the country.

Addressing the gathering in Hazaribagh, PM Modi said: “Today is the birth anniversary of revered Mahatma Gandhi. His vision, his ideas for tribal development are our capital. Gandhiji believed that India can develop only when there is rapid development of tribal society. I am satisfied that today our government is paying maximum attention to tribal upliftment.”

PM Modi said that more than five crore tribal brothers and sisters of the country will get benefit under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. “The tribal society of Jharkhand will also get a huge benefit from this. I am happy that Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan is being started from the land of Lord Birsa Munda,” he added.

On the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the PM-Janman Yojana was also launched here in Jharkhand, Modi said.

“Next month on November 15, on Tribal Pride Day, we will celebrate the first anniversary of PM-Janman Yojana. Through this scheme, development is reaching even those tribal areas of the country that were left behind. Today, under the PM-Janman Yojana, the foundation stone for development works worth about Rs. 1,350 crores was laid here,” he said.

“Gandhi believed that India can develop only when there is rapid development of tribal society,” PM Modi said. He pointed out that his government is paying maximum attention to tribal upliftment now.

Under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, around 5 crore tribals will get benefits in 549 districts across 30 states and Union Territories. The scheme aims to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions carried out by 17 central Ministries and departments.

PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple projects under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), valued at over ₹1,360 crore.

These include the construction of more than 1,380 km of roads, 120 Anganwadi centres , 250 multi-purpose centres, and 10 school hostels.