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Doklam standoff resolved: India starts pullback, China insists it will continue patrolling

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Doklam standoff ends

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]India’s objection was to China constructing a road in Doklam as it would have changed the status quo and rendered India vulnerable in the ‘chicken’s neck’ area – the narrow strip between Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh – that connects northeast India with the rest of the country.

Almost three months of the tense standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam on India-Bhutan-China tri-junction has been resolved peacefully through diplomatic means, with both sides announcing an end to the dispute.

The development comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit for a BRICS meet from September 3-5 at Xiamen in China.

India on Monday announced ‘expeditious disengagement of border personnel’ in a press release titled “Doklam Disengagement Understanding”.

“In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests. On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site in Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going,” said the MEA in a press statement.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that India has pulled back its border personnel and equipment from Doklam, according to media reports. “China has confirmed that Indian troops and equipment have all withdrawn to the Indian side of the border area in Doklam on Monday afternoon. China will continue to exercise its territorial sovereignty in accordance with historical conventions,” Chunying was reported as saying at Monday’s regular press conference.

“The Chinese government highly values its friendly relationship with India. We hope India can fulfil the historic agreement on the border and safeguard the stability of the border area with China,” Chunying added.

When asked if there had been a “mutual disengagement” of troops, the Chinese spokesperson said patrols will continue in Doklam, but that “in accordance with the changes of the situation on the ground, China will make necessary adjustments and deployment in accordance with those changes”. No details were offered. China did not comment on whether it will renew efforts to construct the road.

Indian and Chinese troops have been caught up in a face-off at Doklam since June when China began extending a motorable road on the Doklam plateau that is claimed by both Bhutan and China and is strategically significant for India: it would give China ready access to an area close to the narrow Siliguri corridor that links northeast India with the rest of the country.

China has been building up strategic infrastructure in the Doklam plateau region, upgrading road from Lhasa to Yadong, across the border from Doklam, which allows the 500-km journey to be made in just seven hours.

When China encroached in Doklam to build a road, Indian troops, acting in accordance with India’s foreign policy coordination treaty with Bhutan, crossed on June 16 into Bhutanese-claimed territory and, forming a human chain, physically blocked the movement of Chinese border guards. India also positioned two bulldozers in the Doklam bowl to undo any road construction by the Chinese.

On June 26, Beijing invoked an 1890 agreement between China and Great Britain that specified Mount Gipmochi as the border junction.

Three days later, Thimphu cited agreements in 1988 and 1989 not to disturb the status quo.

The next day, New Delhi pointed out that Beijing had agreed in 2012 to finalise the border tri-junction consultatively and that ‘unilaterally determin[ing] tri-junction points is in violation of this understanding.’

After Indian troops intervened, there were repeated threats by the Chinese media and strident positions taken by official Chinese diplomats. Chinese state-controlled media launched a propaganda war against India, even threatening New Delhi with war. India refused to get drawn into a squabble and maintained that it will defuse the crisis through official diplomatic channels. China kept asking India to withdraw its troops for any meaningful dialogue to take place.

However, India did not respond to China’s verbal attacks insisted on finding a peaceful solution to the issue through dialogues, even as incursions by Chinese troops continued in other sectors and the two sides even came to blows and scuffle involving stoning in Ladakh.

Media reports today interpreted the decision taken by both countries as a victory of India’s diplomacy, which was praised by other international powers as well. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Pahalgam terror victim Vinay Narwal’s wife says don’t want people going after Muslims, Kashmiris

“We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

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In a poignant address on Thursday, Himanshi Narwal, widow of Naval officer Lt. Vinay Narwal, urged unity and restraint, saying, “We don’t want anyone targeting Muslims or Kashmiris.”

Her voice steady yet heavy with grief, she spoke at a blood donation camp in Karnal, honouring her husband, who was tragically killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, just 10 days before his 27th birthday.

The couple, married only a week prior, was honeymooning when terrorists fatally shot Lt. Narwal at close range.

At the Karnal event, organized by the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA), Himanshi and Lt. Narwal’s mother broke down while paying floral tributes.

Himanshi blew a kiss to her husband’s photograph, while his mother, hands folded in reverence, kissed the framed image. “We seek peace and justice,” Himanshi declared, wiping away tears. “Those responsible for his death must face punishment.”

The camp, held in the officer’s hometown, saw an outpouring of support from locals and beyond, reflecting the community’s shared sorrow.

Lt. Narwal’s sister, Shristi, expressed heartfelt thanks to attendees, noting, “People traveled long distances to donate blood, and we’ve received countless messages of support. The government’s response has been overwhelming.”

The event highlighted the officer’s legacy of service, with speakers emphasizing his enduring presence in the nation’s heart. NIFAA Chairperson Pritpal Singh Pannu remarked, “A young hero, destined to serve for decades, was stolen by terrorism. Soldiers shed blood to save lives; today, we donate blood to honor his sacrifice.”

A blood donor at the camp shared, “Lt. Narwal’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Donating blood is our tribute, but nothing can fill the void he left.” The attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadows, ranks among Kashmir’s deadliest civilian assaults in recent years.

India’s ongoing struggle with terrorism underscores the need for robust security measures, yet Himanshi’s call for peace resonates as a plea to avoid communal division.

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The Bhootnii social media reviews: Fans say horror isn’t scary, even ghosts deserve better scripts

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Bollywood’s fascination with horror-comedy remains undimmed, and The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Beyounick, dives headfirst into this quirky genre. Helmed by director Sidhaant Sachdev, the film unfolds a peculiar tale of a college tree that conjures a ghost named Mohabbat each Valentine’s Day, blending supernatural antics with a romantic twist.

Released on April 25, 2025, The Bhootnii has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, with Mouni Roy’s standout performance earning raves even as the film grapples with a faltering storyline.

Online chatter has zeroed in on Roy’s captivating portrayal of Mohabbat, with fans showering her with praise. One enthused, “Mouni Roy is pure magic—her ghost is the soul of the film!” Another marveled at her dedication, noting, “Spending 45 days in a harness paid off; she’s mesmerizing in every frame.” A third fan gushed, “Mouni’s Mohabbat makes this chaotic horror-comedy worth watching—she’s a genre gem!” Roy’s ability to infuse the spectral role with both charm and intensity has cemented her as the film’s saving grace, striking a chord with viewers.

Critics, however, have skewered the film’s lackluster script, which struggles to balance scares and humor. One review sighed, “The horror fizzles, the comedy feels stale, and the plot wanders like a lost spirit.” Another jabbed, “The Bhootnii stumbles where Stree danced—its ghost needs a sharper story.” Sanjay Dutt’s belated appearance as an eccentric ghostbuster, armed with oddball tools and arcane wisdom, injects fleeting energy but fails to rescue the narrative. Faisal Khan’s sporadic comedic bits offer mild relief, yet many deem the film a disjointed effort, with one viewer quipping, “I left more haunted by the script than the ghost.”

Amid India’s thriving horror-comedy wave, The Bhootnii has fueled spirited online debates, reflecting the genre’s pull despite its uneven execution. While unlikely to claim cinematic glory, Roy’s luminous performance offers a beacon for fans willing to navigate its bumpy ride. For others, the film’s narrative pitfalls render it a spectral disappointment, underscoring the challenges of crafting a cohesive spooky-laugh riot.

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Instagram head Adam Mosseri dances with influencers Sakshi Shivdasani, Naina Bhan to Bollywood song, video surfaces

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

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