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Pakistan High Commissioner visits Golden Temple, meets Punjab, Haryana CMs

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7 years ago

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Pakistan High Commissioner visits Golden Temple, meets Punjab, Haryana CMs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pakistan seems to have started a damage control exercise after creating uneasy diplomatic situation during the recent visit of Sikh devotees to Gurdwara Punja Sahib near Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and travelled to Chandigarh where he met Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana separately.

Dawn, quoting a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Friday, reports that Mahmood paid an official visit to Haryana and Punjab from April 23 to 25, and had broad-ranging interaction with state dignitaries, academics, businessmen and representatives of the media.

During his meetings with Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Mahmood underscored the importance of people-to-people contact and the unity of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), of which India is the largest member.

While in Chandigarh, the high commissioner called on Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Mr Mahmood had extended exchange of views with Capt Amarinder Singh, during the luncheon meeting at the chief minister’s official residence.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Moreover Pakistan’s High Commissioner also met Dr. Arun K Grover, the Vice Chancellor of Punjab University in Chandigarh where a group of students also joined in the discussions. He also visited The Tribune office in Chandigarh. The daily was first established in Lahore over 130 years ago.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The report says that during these interactions, views were exchanged on several aspects of bilateral relations, including the need for reducing tensions on the Line of Control, implementing confidence-building measures, reviving the structured dialogue process, peacefully resolving outstanding disputes and taking steps to promote socio-economic development at the regional level through SAARC.

The statement issued by Pakistan High Commission further said that the role of people-to-people contacts — in particular media, academia, sports and the youth — in changing perceptions and creating conducive environment for sustainable peace and stability was also highlighted.

In Amritsar, Mr Mahmood had interaction with members of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and businessmen engaged with trade between the two countries.

In these discussions, among other things, the role of visa facilitation for Pakistani businessmen and the need for revival of relevant business and governmental mechanisms for addressing trade-related problems and issues was emphasised.

Read More:- India protest against Pak for denying diplomat’s access to Sikh pilgrims

The envoy underlined the importance of early repatriation of Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences.

According to statistics available with Ministry of External Affairs, bilateral trade in 2013-14 touched a peak of US$ 2.7 billion. However, it was marginally dropped to $ 2.35billion in 2014-15. The bilateral trade showed a slight increase in 2015-16 to US$ 2.61 billion.

Bilateral trade between India and Pakistan had slightly dropped in 2016- 17 to US$ 2.28 billion, with India’s exports at $1.83 billion and imports at $456.33 million from Pakistan. The items India exports to Pakistan include- cotton, organic chemicals, machinery, food products including prepared animal fodder, vegetables, plastic articles, man-made filament, coffee, tea and spices, dyes and oil seeds.

Read More: India protest against Pakistan’s support to Sikh separatists

The items India imports from Pakistan include: copper and copper articles, fruits and nuts, cotton, salt, sulphur and earths and stones, organic chemicals, mineral fuels, rubber plastic products and wool.

The visit of Pakistan High Commissioner to Punjab and Haryana was neither promptly covered by Indian national media nor the government of India has made any observations public on the visit. However, most of the Pakistani media network carried the related stories on Saturday.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Man attempting to cross India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan shot dead by BSF personnel

“We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

Published

15 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot and killed an individual attempting to cross the India-Pakistan border in the Ganganagar district of Rajasthan late on Tuesday, according to police.

Jitendra Kumar, the station house officer at Kesrisinghpur police station, stated that the man was trying to breach the barbed wire fence when he was spotted by BSF personnel. “They advised him to leave the area, but when he continued to advance, the BSF personnel shot him,” said the SHO.

Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the suspect was allegedly trying to enter Indian territory around midnight on December 24, 2024. Despite warnings from the BSF soldiers, he did not heed their calls, which resulted in the shooting.

The incident occurred near a village in the Kesarisinghpur area. Items recovered from the intruder included Pakistani currency notes, a cigarette packet, an identity card, and other belongings. Authorities are currently gathering more information about him.

Ongoing discussions are taking place between the armed forces and police officers regarding the incident. An FIR has been filed that includes charges of trespassing and violations of the Passports Act and the Foreigners Act, according to Kumar. “We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

This incident is one of several similar occurrences along the border. In August, the BSF apprehended an intruder named Jagsi Kohli, who had entered about 15 kilometers into Indian territory in Barmer after locals alerted authorities that he was asking for directions to Tharparkar, a district in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

In March of this year, another person attempting to cross the border in Ganganagar was shot by BSF personnel. There have been additional incidents reported in October 2022 and twice in March 2021, all resulting in fatalities among the intruders.

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Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Chandrababu Naidu among leaders at NDA meet in Delhi amid Ambedkar row

The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

Published

16 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu among leaders of the NDA met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss different issues including Shah’s comment on BR Ambedkar days ago in Rajya Sabha.

In attendance, apart from Shah, Nadda and Naidu, JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present.

Also present were Jitan Ram Manjhi, leader of Bihar’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) and a minister in the Modi government, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha MP, and Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena.

While the specific agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, sources indicated that discussions revolved around good governance and various political issues—principles that were central to Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

Following the meeting, Nadda shared on X, “Attended the NDA leaders’ meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains committed to realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Sanjay Nishad, chief of the NISHAD Party in Uttar Pradesh, described the meeting as “informal” and focused on Vajpayee’s legacy. He emphasised the importance of unity among all alliance members heading into future elections, mentioning that they congratulated the BJP leaders for their electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Nishad further outlined that the meeting addressed coalition strategies to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives effectively reach the populace and that electoral promises are fulfilled. He raised the topic of providing reservations for the fishing community, stating, “I presented evidence on this issue, as it was a poll promise. They will follow up with us next week to discuss it.”

Responding to inquiries about whether Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Ambedkar were discussed, Nishad said, “We are here for the welfare of the people. Our energy should focus on achieving success in that area, rather than engaging with negativity from opposition parties.”

The NDA meeting underscores the alliance’s commitment to the proposed simultaneous elections, with all members backing the initiative. A Joint Committee of Parliament, established to review two bills related to simultaneous polls, is set to convene on January 8.

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Manipur CM Biren Singh says state needs immediate peace, understanding between two communities

He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

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16 hours ago

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December 25, 2024

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace in the state, which has faced ethnic violence since May of last year, and called on two communities to reach a mutual understanding.

Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the state BJP headquarters, Singh expressed confidence that the BJP could restore stability to the northeastern state, highlighting the party’s commitment to coexisting harmoniously.

“What is happening in Manipur today has multiple causes. Those who seek to divide the state are now questioning the government’s actions… they are driven by a desire for power,” Singh remarked.

He mentioned several initiatives, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), designed to foster closer relationships between officials and the public. “We do not oppose any specific community. The BJP’s position is clear: we advocate for the idea of living together and have initiated efforts to strengthen ties between the police and the community,” he stated.

Singh added that the state government is diligently addressing the needs of internally displaced persons by establishing committees throughout the administrative framework. He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

“We have not made any mistakes. Our goal is to ensure the well-being of future generations. It is essential for both communities to remain calm. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should concentrate on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the foundation year for the Inner Line Permit,” Singh said.

He also highlighted the government’s commitment to acting within a democratic and constitutional framework, noting that achieving these goals will take time. “What we require now is immediate peace and a resolution of misunderstandings between the two communities,” he concluded.

The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals and left thousands homeless due to clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo groups since last May.

“Only the BJP can save Manipur. BJP leaders possess strong values of nationalism and social justice, practicing reality-based politics in the nation’s interest. If I am not nominated for a ticket by the BJP, I will remain loyal to the party,” Mr. Singh added.

He also highlighted several unity-focused projects initiated by the BJP government, mentioning that a Unity Mall featuring stalls from all ethnic groups in the state will be constructed with an investment exceeding ₹140 crores.

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