In a sharp rebuke of Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the country as a “cancer” that is now affecting its own society. His comments were made during the 19th Nani A Palkhivala Memorial Lecture in Mumbai, where he also outlined India’s diplomatic stance over the past decade.

“Pakistan stands as an exception in our neighborhood, primarily due to its support for cross-border terrorism, which is akin to a cancer affecting its own body politic,” Jaishankar stated. He emphasized the collective regional interest in seeing Pakistan move away from such policies.

In his lecture, Jaishankar expressed that despite India’s non-Western alignment, it maintains a strategy that is not anti-West, advocating for advancement in critical and emerging technologies. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the “weaponisation of financial institutions,” suggesting that India needs to bolster its internal growth and reduce external vulnerabilities.

The minister used the term ‘vishwabandhu’, meaning a friend to the world, to describe India’s role on the global stage, aiming to enhance relationships while safeguarding national interests.

Jaishankar’s remarks also covered the importance of middle powers in regional politics and how India has expanded its diplomatic reach through strategic partnerships, highlighting mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest as the pillars of India’s foreign policy.

“The past decade has demonstrated our ability to progress on multiple fronts, advancing diverse relationships without exclusivity and effectively bridging divides in polarized situations,” he concluded.

As the political temperature in Delhi heats up with the upcoming elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has affirmed its commitment to continue the welfare schemes initiated by the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This announcement was part of BJP’s recently unveiled manifesto, which was immediately met with skepticism by AAP’s chief, Arvind Kejriwal.

During the release of BJP’s three-part ‘Sankalp Patra’, which focuses on women’s welfare, Union Minister JP Nadda outlined plans that include financial support for women, young mothers, and senior citizens, along with subsidies for cooking gas cylinders. However, Kejriwal seized on these promises to question the BJP’s rationale for asking for votes if their plan only mirrors existing schemes.

Kejriwal’s response was sharp, especially on social media where he pointed out that even BJP members’ families benefit from the welfare policies his government implemented. He provocatively asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved of the BJP’s promise of continuing ‘free revdi’—a term Modi used pejoratively to describe AAP’s freebie culture. Kejriwal demanded Modi to acknowledge that these initiatives were beneficial rather than detrimental.

Moreover, the AAP leader criticized the BJP for lacking a substantive plan for Delhi, particularly in addressing the law-and-order situation, which he referred to amid discussions of ongoing gang conflicts in the region. He dismissed the BJP’s manifesto as a mere replication of AAP’s policies without original vision.

The BJP, through Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva, retorted by accusing Kejriwal of misunderstanding the difference between mere handouts and actual empowerment. Sachdeva emphasized that BJP’s vision encompasses comprehensive development and empowerment, contrasting it with AAP’s approach.

Nadda, during the manifesto release, also targeted the AAP for alleged corruption, especially criticizing the Mohalla Clinics as corrupt institutions, promising investigations if BJP is elected.

As the electoral battle in Delhi intensifies, both parties continue to spar over the implications of their policies, each trying to sway the electorate with promises of better governance and accusations of inadequate leadership.

Saif Ali Khan sustained serious injuries after being stabbed multiple times by an unidentified assailant who broke into his home in Bandra (West), Mumbai, during a burglary attempt on Thursday, January 16. The high-profile attack has sparked a political uproar, with opposition parties in Maharashtra criticising the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government regarding the state of law and order.

Opposition parties, including the AAP, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed their outrage following the 54-year-old actor’s stabbing, which occurred during the break-in. Although Khan was stabbed at least six times, he is currently reported to be in stable condition.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi was among the first to respond to the incident, questioning the government’s ability to protect its citizens. She stated, “If celebrities are not safe, who in Mumbai is?” Chaturvedi further criticized the Mumbai Police and the Home Minister, emphasising that the attack on Khan raises serious concerns about the city’s safety, especially following a series of high-profile incidents.

She also referenced the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in October and the shooting outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in April, noting that both incidents occurred in Bandra, a neighbourhood known for its wealth and prominence.

Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, expressed relief over Khan’s stable condition but highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation under the BJP-led government. He pointed to various violent incidents, including a recent murder in Beed and a custodial death in Parbhani, stating, “This attack underscores the complete failure of the government in maintaining safety and curbing crime.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Clyde Castro, Congress’s Varsha Gaikwad, and Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena (UBT).

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP over the issue, saying, “This morning we received the shocking news that Saif Ali Khan was stabbed… I hope he recovers soon, but it is concerning that such a prominent actor can be attacked in his own home in what is supposed to be a safe area. This raises serious questions for both the state and central government.”

In response to Kejriwal’s comments, Fadnavis noted that while such incidents should be taken seriously, it is unfair to label Mumbai as unsafe based on isolated events. He asserted, “Mumbai is the safest of all megacities in India.”