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India refuses to sign Bali declaration against Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingyas

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Rohingya Muslims

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Indian delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan says Parliamentary Forum was for sustainable development goals, reference to Myanmar on violence in Rakhine state “unjustified”

At a time when leading countries from across the globe have condemned the ongoing persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, India refused to sign a declaration at the World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held at Nusa Dua in Indonesia, on Thursday, because it urged all participating countries to “respect the human rights of all people in Rakhine state (the epicenter of violence against Rohingyas)”.

The decision of the Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to not sign the Bali declaration, on Thursday, can be seen as an extension of the stand taken by India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first bilateral talks with Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday.

The joint statement issued by India and Myanmar after the bilateral talks between the two leaders had predictably glossed over the atrocities on the Rohingya Muslims – term that neither establishments recognise in official dialogue, choosing instead to call it an issue of illegal immigrants or developments in the Rakhine state.

The joint statement had said: “India condemned the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State, wherein several members of the Myanmar security forces lost their lives. Both sides agreed that terrorism violates human rights and there should, therefore, be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs. They called on the international community to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism and, in this regard, jointly called for the expeditious finalization and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.” In effect, India stood by Myanmar on its justification of the violence against Rohingya Muslims – one of the most persecuted ethnic minorities in the world.

Expectedly then, the Indian parliamentary delegation distanced itself from the Bali declaration on Thursday as being a signatory to it would have meant that India was going back on its assurances to Myanmar during the bilateral talks.

The Bali declaration, which had called on all parties to contribute to restoring stability and security in the region, had urged everyone to “exercise maximum self-restraint from using violent means, respect the human rights of all people in Rakhine state regardless of their faith and ethnicity, as well as facilitate and guarantee safe access for humanitarian assistance.”

Sumitra Mahajan

The Indian delegation claimed that: “The country-specific amendment to the draft declaration was proposed at the eleventh hour by selective countries which referred to the violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar. India argued that specifying a particular country is unjustified as this Forum is focused on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and inclusive development for all countries based on cooperative and collaborative approach to achieve the 2030 Agenda for the world.”

A statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat to explain the delegation’s rationale for not signing the declaration said: “This was in view of the fact that the declaration, which was to be adopted at the conclusion of the forum, was not in line with the agreed global principles of sustainable development.”

“Never before country-specific issues have been included in the declaration as these dilute the objective of these Forums which require unity and focused efforts of all the countries,” the statement added.

The diplomatic parlance of the Indian establishment over its decision to not sign the declaration aside, the fact is that India has been trying to shut its doors on the Rohingya Muslims who are fleeing Myanmar amid mass killings of members of the community by the Myanmar Army. The Narendra Modi government has also been consistent in its stand of calling the Rohingyas “illegal immigrants” and officially maintaining that they must be sent back to their country. There are an estimated 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees in India; spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Meanwhile, Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, has said: “Perhaps about a thousand or more are already dead” in the recent spate of violence in the Rakhine state and that while the figure may be indicative of casualties of both – the minorities and the Myanmar Army – but the deaths “would be heavily concentrated on the Rohingya population”.

Aung San

Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi – a Nobel Peace Prize winner – has been facing widespread criticism for her government’s tacit support for the killing of the Rohingyas, with many even calling for a case to be filed against her at the International Court of Justice in The Hague to try her for condoning hate crimes, violence and killings.

On Thursday, Suu Kyi said: “The issue (Rohingya Muslims) is one of the biggest challenges Myanmar has to face, because you know that the situation in Rakhine has been difficult for many decades and in fact it goes right back to pre-colonial times… It is a little unreasonable to expect that the issue can be resolved in 18 months as you know that our administration has been in power for the last 18 months.”

Suu Kyi, whose government has not allowed a delegation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to visit the Rakhine state to ascertain the extent of the human rights violation, said: “We are implementing recommendations given by former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan as quickly as possible to create harmony and peace in the Rakhine state. Our recommendation is harmony and we shall be addressing it quickly”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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