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Hardeep Puri hits back at Rahul Gandhi over Epstein files allegations

Hardeep Singh Puri has rejected Rahul Gandhi’s claim that references in US Department of Justice records linked to Jeffrey Epstein compromised India’s trade deal with the United States.

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4 months ago

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Hardeep singh puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday strongly criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over allegations linked to references to his name in recently released US Department of Justice documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

Responding to Gandhi’s claims that the mentions had compromised India’s trade agreement with the United States, Puri dismissed the charge and said he had done nothing improper.

Speaking to media, Puri said he had met Epstein on two occasions but clarified that the meetings were arranged for official purposes and were not initiated by him.

“I didn’t seek meetings… they were set up for me,” he said, adding that two meetings did not amount to guilt by association. He emphasised that he was not part of the government at the time and said he “comes out smelling of roses” from the episode.

Row over trade agreement

The minister rejected the suggestion that references in the so-called Epstein files had placed pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in negotiating a trade and tariff agreement with the United States.

Puri said that if Rahul Gandhi read the text of the India-US agreement carefully, he would understand that it is part of an interim framework that had been in the works. He stressed that for a country like India, with nearly 50 per cent of its GDP linked to the external sector, trade agreements are vital.

Taking a sharp dig at the Congress leader, Puri said Gandhi was “making a mountain out of a molehill” and accused him of not properly reading the agreement before commenting on it.

Gandhi’s allegation

On Wednesday, after speaking in the Lok Sabha and accusing Prime Minister Modi of “selling out Bharat Mata,” Rahul Gandhi claimed he had verified information that Hardeep Puri and businessman Anil Ambani were named in US Department of Justice records relating to Epstein.

Gandhi argued that the presence of Puri’s name in the files had created direct pressure on the Prime Minister, forcing him into what he described as a disadvantageous agreement for India in matters concerning farmers, data, energy security and defence.

He said no Prime Minister would compromise on such issues without facing “heavy pressure and a very strong chokehold.”

Puri responded by stating he had only met Epstein a handful of times and never in private. He said he had no interest in Epstein’s activities and added that Epstein had described him as “two-faced.”

Government response to Israel reference

Meanwhile, on January 31, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed reports of an email said to be part of the recently released tranche of documents that referenced Prime Minister Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel.

Jaiswal said that apart from the fact of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Israel in July 2017, the rest of the email’s references were “trashy ruminations” of a convicted criminal and deserved to be dismissed with contempt.

Fresh disclosures from US

Last month, the US Department of Justice released a new tranche of records from its files related to Epstein. The disclosure includes more than three million pages of documents, over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.

The release follows the enactment of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the opening of government files relating to Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail cell in August 2019, a month after he was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

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Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed next Army chief, to take charge on June 30

The government has appointed Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff, as the next Army chief. He will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi on June 30.

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1 day ago

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June 13, 2026

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The Centre has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), paving the way for a leadership transition in the Indian Army later this month. Lt Gen Seth, who currently serves as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, will succeed General Upendra Dwivedi upon the latter’s retirement on June 30, 2026.

The appointment was announced on Saturday, with the government confirming that Lt Gen Seth will assume office from the afternoon of June 30. He will take over command after General Dwivedi completes his tenure as the Army’s 30th chief.

Veteran Armoured Corps officer

An officer of the Armoured Corps, Lt Gen Seth was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1986 after graduating from the National Defence Academy. Over nearly four decades of service, he has held a range of operational, command, staff and strategic appointments across the Army.

Before becoming Vice Chief on April 1, 2026, he served in several senior leadership roles, including heading the Southern Command and South Western Command. He has also commanded formations such as the Delhi Area and the XXI Corps during his military career.

Leadership transition in the Army

Lt Gen Seth’s elevation comes as the Army prepares for a change of command at the highest level. His appointment follows his move to Army Headquarters as Vice Chief earlier this year, a role he assumed on April 1.

The Ministry of Defence said the incoming Army chief brings extensive experience from command, operational and strategic assignments across diverse military domains.

With the appointment, Lt Gen Seth is set to lead the Indian Army through the next phase of its modernisation and operational preparedness efforts after taking charge at the end of the month.

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IAF AN-32 aircraft crashes while landing at Assam’s Jorhat airbase, five personnel killed

Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the accident.

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1 day ago

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June 13, 2026

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An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of five Air Force personnel. The accident occurred during a routine sortie and triggered an emergency response at the airbase.

According to the IAF, the aircraft met with the accident during the landing phase at Jorhat. The force later confirmed the loss of five personnel and expressed condolences to their families. A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.

Court of inquiry ordered

The Indian Air Force said a formal investigation will examine the cause of the accident. Officials have not yet disclosed what may have led to the crash, and the inquiry is expected to review technical, operational and environmental factors.

Reports indicated that the co-pilot survived the accident and is undergoing medical treatment.

Personnel who lost their lives

The IAF identified the five personnel killed in the accident as:

  • Squadron Leader Prashant Singh
  • Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar
  • Sergeant Jitendra Sharma
  • Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat
  • Agniveervayu Danish Alam

The Air Force said it stands with the bereaved families during this difficult time.

AN-32’s role in the Air Force

The AN-32 is a twin-engine transport aircraft that has been a key part of the Indian Air Force’s logistics operations for decades. It is widely used to transport personnel, equipment and supplies, particularly in remote and high-altitude regions. India remains one of the largest operators of the aircraft type.

The crash comes months after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft accident in Assam that claimed the lives of two IAF pilots.

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Delhi records coolest day of June so far as rain and thunderstorms bring relief from heat

Delhi recorded its coolest day of June after rain and thunderstorms caused a sharp drop in temperatures. IMD has forecast more showers and gusty winds before temperatures begin rising again.

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2 days ago

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June 13, 2026

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Delhi weather today

Delhi witnessed its coolest day of June so far after widespread rain and thunderstorm activity caused temperatures to drop significantly across the national capital. The change in weather provided much-needed relief from the intense summer heat that had gripped the region in recent weeks.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rain and thunderstorms over the past 24 hours brought a noticeable decline in both maximum and minimum temperatures. Official weather observations showed that Delhi’s maximum temperatures fell well below normal levels, while several areas experienced strong winds and rainfall.

More rain and thunderstorms likely

The IMD has forecast additional thunderstorms, light to moderate rain and gusty winds for Delhi and nearby areas through Saturday. A yellow alert remains in place, with weather conditions expected to stay unsettled before gradually improving.

Weather experts have attributed the recent change to the influence of a western disturbance and associated weather systems affecting northwestern India. While the disturbance is gradually moving away, its impact is expected to continue for a short period.

Temperatures may rise again next week

Meteorologists expect the pleasant conditions to last for another couple of days. After that, temperatures are likely to begin rising again as rainfall activity decreases. The IMD’s latest forecast also indicates a gradual increase in temperatures by the middle of next week.

Recent weather systems have brought relief not only to Delhi but also to parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other northern states, where thunderstorms and rain have helped ease heatwave conditions.

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