Why Kerala Catholics back Waqf (Amendment) Bill ::::: 610 families of Munambam coastal area near Kochi are pinning high hopes

Why Kerala Catholics back Waqf (Amendment) Bill 

Waqf Bill effect: 50 people from Munambam join BJP  

Around 610 families of Munambam coastal area near Kochi in Kerala are pinning high hopes that their plight against the Waqf board's claim on their land could be resolved as the new Waqf law is set to come in. 

Far away from the political heat it has generated in Parliament and various parts of the country, the debate over the new Waqf (Amendment) Bill, is playing out in micro ways in Kerala. 

Catholics in the state believe the new law will bring a permanent solution to the land dispute plaguing their community in Munambam, a suburb of Kochi, where around 600 families are facing eviction from plots purchased from the Kozhikode-based Farook College in the 1960s.

The Kerala State Waqf Board has staked claim over the land, measuring over 400 acres, after six decades. 

The BJP has jumped into the matter and is supporting the local Latin Catholics residing on the disputed land. Party leaders have also visited Munambam and reassured the residents.

On March 31, the Catholics Bishops Conference of India had appealed to Lok Sabha MPs from Kerala to back the Waqf bill in Parliament and adopt an “unbiased and constructive approach” on the issue. Earlier, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council asked the MPs to vote in favour of the bill.

Kerala has around 6.5 million Christians, who account for around 19 per cent of the state’s population. Of them, Catholics, comprising the Syro Malabar Church, Latin Church and Syro-Malankara Church, together make up over 60 per cent of the Christian community.

“Certain provisions in the existing Waqf laws are inconsistent with the Indian Constitution and against the secular democratic values of the country,” the Catholics Bishops Conference of India said in a media statement.

Delving into the Munambam row, the statement read: 

“The Waqf Board has invoked these provisions to declare the ancestral residential properties of more than 600 families in Munambam as Waqf land. 

Over the past three years, this issue has escalated into a complex legal dispute. 

Only a legal amendment [to the laws] can provide a permanent solution, and this must be recognised by the people’s representatives.”

Muslim organisations, such as the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, a Sunni-Shafi’i scholarly body administering madrasas and mosques, condemned the Catholics Bishops Conference of India for seeking MPs’ support for the Waqf bill. 

Sections among Catholics in Kerala are seen as gradually aligning with the BJP. The community’s support is thought to be one of the reasons for the party’s Lok Sabha debut from Kerala (Suresh Gopi, Thrissur seat) last year. The support of the Church is expected to bolster the BJP’s vote base in the coastal areas and high ranges of the state in the assembly polls next year.

BJP state vice-president Dr K.S. Radhakrishnan termed the Waqf law amendment as a ‘Modi guarantee’ to the residents of Munambam, who face the threat of eviction . 

“The Munambam issue will be resolved and people will continue to reside on their land and reclaim their titles. The BJP promised them justice. We resolved the issue with a surgical strike,” Radhakrishnan claimed. 

Local people strongly flayed the stand of Congress, CPI(M), IUML and other I.N.D.I.A. bloc members for opposing the bill and hailed the BJP for addressing their concern.

"Ongoing stir by people of Munambam in Kochi that entered 172 days on Wednesday" / Deccan Herald

Modi's tough talk to Bangladesh's Yunus : "Avoid rhetoric that vitiates environment, ensure safety of Hindus"

Avoid rhetoric that vitiates environment, ensure safety of Hindus: PM to Yunus

PM Narendra Modi's candid remarks come against the backdrop of Muhammad Yunus inviting China to expand its influence in India's Northeast and calling the region 'landlocked'. 

The comments were strongly denounced by India.  

PM Modi stressed positive India-Bangladesh ties, avoiding harmful rhetoric

Border security and minority safety were key discussion points

Modi cautioned Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus against rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. 

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in Bangkok, marking their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.

Bangladesh chief adviser presented a throwback picture of Indian Science Congress from 2015 to the Prime Minister during the bilateral meet. 

Sharing the images, the government of Bangladesh said, = "The photo is about Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting a gold medal to Professor Yunus at the 102nd Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2015." 

(This somehow shows desperation on the part of Dhaka to gain legitimacy for Yunus -- who came to power in August 2024 after ousting Sheikh Hasina, who enjoyed both a smooth bilateral and personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi and also Indian government.)  

Relations between the South Asian neighbours, which were robust under Sheikh Hasina, have deteriorated after August 5, 2024 in the face of massive student-led protests. 

The involvement of foreign mercenaries in the protest has not been ruled out by several quarters.  

"Prime Minister (Modi) urged ... that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters.

"(Modi) reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," Misri said, adding that the Indian leader had also stressed New Delhi's desire for "a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on a spirit of pragmatism".

The two leaders discussed Bangladesh's request seeking Hasina's extradition, Misri said, without elaborating further.

"She has consistently made false and inflammatory accusations against the interim government of Bangladesh," the statement from Bangladesh quoted Yunus as saying.  

Foreign Secretary Misri said Modi had asked Yunus to help maintain border security and stability, and expressed his hope that Bangladesh would thoroughly investigate all cases of "atrocities" committed against people from minority groups, including Hindus.

India has repeatedly urged Bangladesh to protect its minority Hindus, saying they were being targeted in the Muslim-majority country since Yunus took charge.  

Yunus, who assumed the chairmanship of BIMSTEC, sought the support of India for a Free Trade Agreement among the seven members of the group.

He called for discussions to renew the Ganges Water Treaty and to conclude the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement. 

Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar twice -- once in New York in September last year and again in February in Oman. However, bilateral relations have remained strained.

India has repeatedly expressed concerns over alleged attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh. 

Taking North East India to the 'western world' :::: Time to reorient ideological leanings .... between China and the US

We need not be everyone's cup of tea. We cannot be. The reality is ... Tea has never apologised for not being coffee. 

It simply gravitated towards those who chose it. 

Fidel Castro had famously given the quote to cherish and perhaps also ponder and debate about: "Men do not shape destiny, destiny produces the man for the hour". 

North East India has a complex history and a turbulent journey since independence. Soon after India gained independence or maybe even before that, the Britons have played their games. 

Divide and Rule and also 'misrule' from distance !! 

It is said some of the Christian missionaries and other foreigners started promoting sentiments in favour of separate and "independent" states in North East India. 

The Simon Commission had played its role since 1929 itself. Britishers knew they had to go and so the 'preparation' started way back. 

There was another vital element. The virtual absence of any political or cultural contact of the tribals in the North-East with the political life of the rest of India. An infant nation was not much bothered. Assam though was an exception. 

There was another 'striking difference' even as tribals also had a wonderful track record of fighting the colonial masters. Netaji Subhas Bose had admirers even in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur. 

But the fact is that the struggle for independence had little impact among the tribals of the North East and perhaps also vice versa. 

Separately all north eastern states - the original seven sisters and later the 8th state - Sikkim --- all are distinctly different from each other. Even the so-called history of insurgency or anti-India resistance in each state were basically owing to different reasons. 

The Nagas gave the first state of guerrilla warfare. Mizos followed them. 

Arunachal Pradesh displayed its peculiarity and a distinct pro-nationalist stance and also love for Hindi. 

In Assam, the ULFA movement was definitely anti-India but the real 'Assam movement' was simply against influx of foreigners. Had this issue was better handled by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her loyalist Home Minister Gyani Zail Singh - the story would have been different.  

Blogger with soldiers guarding the nation in wilds of northeast 

There is no doubt that the insurgency in North East India would not have assumed the ominous contour as it has without foreign support -- both coverts and overt. 

Pakistan, China and later Bangladesh did play an enthusiastic role sometime jointly and sometime separately. 

The hidden hand of the Uncle Sam too was quite pronounced notwithstanding the new found bonhomie with the Americans.  

We will try to analyse things further. 

But before that a few questions deserve closer scrutiny and effective understanding.

Should the insurgents in northeast continue to look up to China and follow their communist ideas?

Should insurgent groups try to understand on their part whether they have been "misled" by Beijing and China sympathisers from time to time?

Or, thirdly and perhaps quite important in circa 2025 -  the militant groups should "embrace democratic ideals" and look up to the United States to create pressure on India.

All these are vital to examine on the given context that the US and India are now close ally and strategic partner of India. 

Hard Facts:

Of course, insurgents have tried to draw mileage on two scores -- taking American money and taking 'ground/logistic' support and training from China. 

The synthesis between the two was not balanced. In 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999 during wartime - tribals in northeast and even insurgent groups did not go against India or Indian army. 

Most insurgent groups thus cannot be designated as 'enemies' of India. There was a policy dispute. 

Nagas or Mizos did not opt for 'disgrace' and ungratefulness as against the affairs of honour. During Kargil, Khashi soldiers from Meghalaya and Naga from Kohima region laid down their lives for 'mother India' and Indian army. 

Thankfully most 1999-New Delhi did not forget that.  

Naga Kargil Martyr :::  Capt. Neikezhakuo Kengurüse, Maha Vir Chakra 

So what inference we can draw. 

Militancy in northeast has a strong political overtone. It also means honour and at the next stage that 'honour' or self respect is also about telling the truth. For many insurgent cadres and leaders - the 'freedom movement' is also public service and hence taking a more practical viewpoint vis-a-vis enlisting foreign support. 

If US money does make sense; co could be greater involvements of Washington in ensuring a lasting peace package for north east India.  

On religious angle also, for most of insurgent groups, they will have a better ally in America.

China is anti-religion and it has been proved that probably it only enjoys instigating the insurgent groups to destabilise the north east region.

Arms sale is something Beijing has always made India  see things better and in a more sensitive manner.

Unlike the US, China may not be interested in "peace" ... more so when it is India due their geopolitical rivalry. 

The US on the other hand does not have any geopolitical vested interests and can leverage its friendship with India to broker peace.

ends 

Manoj Kumar is no more ::: Obit for Mr Bharat, Indian film's first Patriot ::: "....mitti ki khushboo logo ki saanson mein sanskar bhar deti hai"

'Shor'  starring Manoj Kumar, Nanda and Jaya Bahadhuri was my mom's favourite. And she saw it first in Nagaland's Wokha.

A human comes to this world to live for four days ... but the sadness of 40 years keeps surrounding him

"Apne yahan ki mitti ki khushboo hai na ... woh toh ajnabi logo ki saanson mein bhi sanskar bhar deti hai

Even the smell of soil from our place ... fills culture in the breath of strange people" 

(Purab Aur Pachhim) 

Long before nationalism became a marketable trend ...Manoj Kumar was the poster child of patriotic cinema in India — crafting characters named Bharat.

He excelled in delivering stirring monologues on sacrifice, identity, and love for the motherland !! 

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, who was known as Bharat' and gave popular films, 'Purab Aur Paschim', 'Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan' and 'Kranti' died at a private hospital in Mumbai.  

He was 87. 

" Zindagi ka asli maza toh apne desh ki seva mein hai" (Purab Aur Paschim, 1971) 7. 

"Insaan is duniya mein chaar din ki zindagi guzaarne aata hai ... lekin chaalis din ka gham usse gehre rakhta hai" 

(Mera Naam Joker) 

"Duniya mein sabse bada dharma hai apne desh ke liye pyaar" (Bahadur, 1971)

Manoj Kumar's death may force film lovers and the Bollywood to go down the memory lanes ... push back a little and then try to come to reality and move forward with the art of good story telling ... dealing with films on subjects and protagonists showing love for the country. 

An anti-thesis of Manoj Kumar's type of films was probably deliberated created. It thrived on anti-India and to a large extent anti-Hindu narratives. 

The deceased star's actor son Kunal Goswami said Manoj Kumar breathed his last at around 3.30 am.

He said that the cremation will take place at around 12 noon at Pawan Hans Crematorium on Saturday. "It's the grace of the god that he bid adieu to this world peacefully. His cremation will take place tomorrow." 

Manoj Kumar was the recipient of a National Film Award and seven Filmfare awards.

Star in Kranti 

In 'Upkar' with Prem Chopra - played brothers 

People, nations and industries, occasionally, get the shock. The blues. This is such a melancholic occasion. The film industry is already facing challenges. Manoj Kumar's works are reminders of quality works. The Bollywood will be able to come out of the challenging times if films of Manoj Kumar's school of ideas are done. There was a fine synthesis between good story telling and combing that with the art of film making. 

Occasionally we get good 'patriotic' films like 'Uri- The Surgical Strike'. There can be more. 

The challenges for Bollywood or the Indian film industry and even the entire entertainment world are many and complex these days. This is an era of social media, internet boom and the films via Netflix and Amazon Prime. 

Essentially, if you want to survive this 'polluted and challenging environment'; there is a need to appreciate the positives. The 'positives' about own religion, community and hence even the country.  

Late Manoj Kumar was honoured the Padma Shri in 1992 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award; highest award in field of cinema in 2015 by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema and arts.  

Looking back, the year 1965 was a big year for Manoj Kumar, as it initiated his rise to stardom. His first release was patriotic drama 'Shaheed', based on the life of Bhagat Singh, the Independence revolutionary.

It received highly positive responses from critics as well as the then Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri.

This was followed by romantic drama Himalay Ki God Mein, a blockbuster which made him a bankable star.

Before the end of year, he scored another massive hit with the mystery thriller Gumnaam. 

The success streak continued in 1966, when he acted in Khosla's 'Do Badan' alongside Asha Parekh. This film was remembered for Khosla's direction, Kumar's performance, and songs written by the lyricist Shakeel Badayuni, including "Raha Gardishon Mein", sung by Mohammed Rafi, and "Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad", a solo by Lata Mangeshkar.

After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan ("Hail the soldier, hail the farmer"). 

The result was his directorial debut, the patriotic drama Upkar (1967). 

It opened to critical acclaim and topped the box office chart that year, eventually emerging an All Time Blockbuster.

Its music was the sixth best-selling Hindi film album of the 1960s. One of the song from Upkar, "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" is played every year during the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

The film won Kumar the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film as well as his first Filmfare Best Director Award.

His next release, 'Patthar Ke Sanam' too went on to become a huge hit, but Anita opposite Sadhana flopped.

In 1968, he co-starred alongside Raaj Kumar and Waheeda Rehman in Neel Kamal.

The same year, he reunited with Rehman for Aadmi, which also had Dilip Kumar in the lead. Neel Kamal proved a blockbuster at the box office, becoming the third highest-grossing film of 1968.  

'Upkar' won several Filmfare Awards

Best Film – V. I. P. Films

Best Director – Manoj Kumar

Best Supporting Actor – Pran

Best Lyricist – Gulshan Bawra for "Mere Desh Ki Dharti"

Best Story – Manoj Kumar

Best Dialogue – Manoj Kumar 

(Pran had a wonderful role in the film and for the first time probably the popular screen 'villain' played a do-gooder -- a conscious keeper.) 

'There is no gun created yet that can kill Truth'

ends 

Rajya Sabha confirms imposition of President's Rule in Manipur ::::: Meeting between Meitis and Kukis likely in Delhi soon

Home Minister Amit Shah said a meeting between the two communities from Manipur is likely to take place in the national capital soon. 

It is not BJP-led government's policy to impose President's Rule in states.

"The path to communication is open... We don't use this for political mileage," Shah said. 

Rajya Sabha in session 

The Rajya Sabha early Friday adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President's Rule in strife-torn Manipur with members across party lines supporting the decision. 

Even though opposition members slammed the Centre for its failure to restore law and order in the state and control violence, the government said it was making all efforts to bring normalcy in the state, asserting that its policy was not to impose President's Rule in states.  

The Home Minister said a meeting between the two communities from Manipur is likely to take place in the national capital soon. 

Shah informed the House that two meetings between the communities had already taken place in Manipur while the House was in session. 

"...We are investing our efforts to bring peace back in Manipur. Thirteen meetings have happened. We brought up the subject late as meetings were going on. The next meeting is in the offing and the issue will see its resolution soon," the minister said. 

He accused the Congress and other parties of trying to spread misinformation as there was "zero violence" in Manipur. 

The minister claimed that on February 11, the Manipur chief minister had resigned and as the news broke, the Congress brought a no-confidence against him even though it did not have the numbers. 

"I want to set the record straight. There was no no-confidence motion against the Manipur government. The Congress did not have the required numbers. They were not in a position to bring a no-confidence motion and the chief minister of Manipur had resigned," Shah said. 

He said after the resignation of former chief minister N Biren Singh, no other party, including the Congress which has five MLAs, staked claim and President's Rule was imposed.  

Though he admitted that 260 lives were lost in Manipur in the ethnic strife, he said the majority of people were killed in the first week of violence. He said talks were on with both, Meitei and Kuki, communities for a peaceful solution. 

Shah also attacked the opposition for "politicising" the violence and said similar incidents took place in the state during the Congress regime, when no prime minister visited the state Seven years ago, he said, a 225-day curfew was imposed in Manipur. 

Even in those days of the Congress regime, no prime minister visited Manipur, he claimed. 

Referring to his "Communist friends" objection to the prime minister not visiting the state, Shah said, "I don't understand what is the problem. Are they trying to safeguard Naxalism or violence in Manipur." 

Shah said they should be competent enough to differentiate between ethnic strife in Manipur and the problem of Naxalism. 

These problems are not the same, they are different, he asserted. 

The home minister accused the Trinamool Congress of following "dual standards," claiming that 250 lives were lost in the post-poll violence in West Bengal alone and the state took no action in the Sandeshkhali and RG Kar Hospital incidents. 

"We are not supporting any gender crime happening in Manipur. We will deal with that. You could not deal with what was happening in West Bengal," he said. 

Shah said the northeast has a history of ethnic struggle, but the BJP never "politicised" it. 

In 1993, he said, the Naga-Kuki strife broke out and continued till 1998, claiming 750 lives. 

But, the then PM did not visit the region, he claimed. 

Shah said such struggles take time to cool off and many a time five years have taken for normalcy to return. 

Earlier, initiating the discussion on a statutory resolution on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit strife-torn Manipur at the earliest to restore order. 

Kharge said the Modi government failed to govern the northeastern state despite having a majority there. 

"For nearly two years, Manipur has been burning and the government has totally failed in stopping the violence," he said. 

He alleged that the BJP's "double-engine" government promised stability, but instead, delivered "bloodshed, division, and economic collapse" to the state.

Ousted Chief Minister N Biren Singh 

ends 

Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits :::::: Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 gets Parliament nod : Rajya Sabha votes 128 in favour and 95 against

Rajya Sabha passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 with 128–95 votes

Once President's assent is obtained the new law will ensure that a centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.

The new law will aim to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records.

The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128–95 votes after a heated debate, following its approval in the Lok Sabha with 288-232 votes.  

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Friday after an over 12-hour-long marathon debate on the legislation. In total, 128 votes were cast in favour of the bill and 95 votes against the bill.

The bill will now be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent. After that, it will become an Act.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate. In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it. 

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.

"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.

He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22. Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.

"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added. He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.

"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.

According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution. As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, 

Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.

It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.

The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.

The government introduced the revised Waqf (Amendment) bill 2025 in the ongoing budget session after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The committee examined the legislation introduced in August last year and gave its recommendations. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

President Murmu 

The government had introduced the revised Waqf (Amendment) bill 2025 in the ongoing budget session after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). 

The committee examined the legislation introduced in August last year and gave its recommendations. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

PM Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus seated together at official dinner in Thailand :::: But fact is PM and Jaishankar take potshots at Yunus for claiming Bangladesh sole guardian of ocean

PM Narendra Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus seated together at official dinner in Thailand  

Earlier The Prime Minister and his External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar took separate veiled potshots at Bangladesh interim government head Muhammad Yunus on Thursday by reiterating the importance of India’s northeastern region in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) architecture. 

Prime Minister Modi and Bangladesh's interim government Chief Adviser, Yunus, were seen sitting side by side at an official dinner hosted by Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra ahead of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit. 

In a shocker last week during his visit to China, Yunus had claimed that Bangladesh is the sole guardian of the ocean in its region on the grounds that the seven northeastern states of India are landlocked and had invited China for an “extension” of its economy in the region through building and marketing products.

In his departure statement on Thursday morning from New Delhi before embarking for Thailand to attend the sixth Bimstec summit, Modi said in his message:

“With its geographical location, India’s northeastern region lies at the heart of Bimstec. I look forward to meeting the leaders of the Bimstec countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with interest of our people in mind.”

The Prime Minister said, "From Thailand, I will pay a two day visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6. This follows the highly successful visit of President (Anura) Disanayaka to India last December… I am confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening our close relationships for the benefit of our people and the wider region.” 

Dr Jaishankar, batting for cooperation among all member nations of the grouping at the 20th Bimstec ministerial meeting in Bangkok on Thursday ahead of the Friday summit, reiterated the importance of India’s northeastern region for connectivity within Bimstec and warned against “cherry-picking” in what is being seen as a jibe at Dhaka and Mr Yunus.

In his remarks at the meeting, the foreign minister said, “India is aware of its special responsibility in regard to Bimstec. We, after all, have the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, of almost 6,500 km. India shares borders not only with five Bimstec members and connects most of them but also provides much of the interface between the Indian sub-continent and Asean." 

Dr Jaishankar said:

"Our northeastern region in particular is emerging as a connectivity hub for the Bimstec, with a myriad network of roads, railways, waterways, grids and pipelines. Furthermore, the completion of the trilateral highway will connect India’s Northeast all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a veritable game-changer. 

"We are conscious that our cooperation and facilitation are an essential pre-requisite for the smooth flow of goods, services and people in this larger geography. 

Keeping this geo-strategic factor in mind, we have devoted increasing energies and attention to the strengthening of Bimstec in the last decade. We also believe that cooperation is an integrated outlook, not one subject to cherry picking.”

Manipur facing severe challenges from illegal immigration and drug trafficking, says Shashi Tharoor ::: Lok Sabha nods President's Rule

"The biggest crisis we are facing today is that there has been an erosion of public trust in the State, the State of India, the state of Manipur and its institutions. And that legitimacy has to be regained during this period of President's rule," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said.

"On top of that we are seeing the state facing severe challenges from illegal immigration and drug trafficking, exacerbating the social and economic conditions I have mentioned," the Congress MP said. 

Tharoor asked why the House took up the Manipur issue at 2 am on Thursday after 14-hour and debate and voting on the much talked about Waqf Bill.

Shashi Tharoor hoped peace and normalcy will be restored in the border state soon.

"The Manipur discussion was essentially to approve the proclamation of the President's rule and that happened peacefully without any fundamental disagreement... Let us hope that peace and normalcy will be restored," he said. 

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the resolution for the Lok Sabha's clearance for President's rule in the state where ethnic violence began nearly two years ago.  Mr Shah said there has been no violence in Manipur for the last four months, adding the situation in the state is under control.

"For the past four months, there has been no violence in Manipur... I will not say the situation in Manipur is satisfactory, but it is under control... Congress does not have that many MPs that they will move a no-confidence motion," he said.

The valley-dominant Meitei community and over a dozen distinct tribes collectively known as Kuki, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. 

Over 250 have died in the violence and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Kuki leaders and groups including militants that represent their tribes and signed the controversial suspension of operations (SoO) agreement have pointed at the ethnic clashes as the reason why they escalated their demand from an autonomous council to a separate administration, or a Union Territory with an assembly.

Meitei leaders have rejected the claim.  

Taking to social media platform X, Shashi Tharoor stated, “Had the unusual experience last night of making a speech at 2 AM — and that too in Parliament! The Lok Sabha took up consideration of the Home Minister’s resolution approving the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur, and it did so after the prolonged discussion and voting on the Wakf Bill finished at 2 am.”  

In the Lok Sabha, Shashi Tharoor said his party supported the resolution but emphasised the restoration of peace and stability in the state. "End insurgency, restore peace and stability, promote dialogue with each other, promote inclusivity," he said.  

Declaring the legislation as an opportunity to heal, he said, “My remarks on why President’s Rule represents an opportunity for healing that must not be wasted (Ignore the hubbub at the start, from members protesting the unearthly hour).”

 

Govt 'examining' implications .... also studying opportunities that may arise due to new US trade policy

On US tariffs, Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry says, 

"We are carefully examining the implications of the various measures /announcements made by the President of the USA. Keeping in view the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Department is engaged with all stakeholders, including Indian industry and exporters, taking feedback of their assessment of the tariffs and assessing the situation. 

The Department is also studying the opportunities that may arise due to this new development in the US trade policy."  

US President issued an Executive Order on Reciprocal Tariffs imposing additional ad-valorem duties ranging from 10% to 50% on imports from all trading partners. 

The baseline duty of 10% will be effective from April 05, 2025 and the remaining country specific additional ad-valorem duty will be effective from April 09, 2025. 

The additional duty on India as per the Annex I of the Executive Order is 27%, the  Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated.  

On the US imposing 26% 'reciprocal' tariff on India, Grant Thornton Bharat Economist Rishi Shah says, 

"The impact of tariffs remains an open question, with imposed rates higher than expected. While some sectors are exempt, overall uncertainty persists, affecting market sentiment and global trade dynamics. The long-term effects depend on how negotiations unfold, as these tariffs are not limited to India but affect economies worldwide... 

Changes in production lines are expected, and businesses will closely watch the administration’s next steps. Establishing production capacities is a long-term commitment, raising concerns about the future direction of U.S. trade policies beyond the current presidency... Bangladesh, a textile leader, also faces tariffs, presenting an opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs to shift labor-intensive industries to India. 

The government is exploring trade deals, including energy and defense purchases, to mitigate the impact. However, immediate effects include rising prices, and public acceptance of these changes will shape the policy’s trajectory... Pharma and IT, major export sectors, remain exempt, which benefits India. Still, other nations, like Ireland, have significant export advantages. 

"India’s strength in generics is crucial, but negotiations will influence the sector’s growth. Rising U.S. drug prices could create opportunities for Indian manufacturers. 

The overall impact of these tariffs will unfold over time, shaped by market responses and ongoing trade discussions," Rishi Shah said. 

Forum Coordinator of AIMED (Association of Indian Medical Device Industry), Rajiv Nath says, "India exports approximately $700 billion worth of medical devices to the U.S. while importing around $1.5 billion from America. 

"With rising costs, U.S. companies that had outsourced manufacturing to India, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Ireland may now reconsider utilizing their domestic capacities at higher levels, making it harder for Indian manufacturers to compete. This shift could increase investment in domestic manufacturing in both the U.S. and India... 

The recent U.S. tariff hike on medical devices—from the previous 0-6%, mostly 0%, to a new 26% rate—poses a significant challenge for Indian manufacturers. 

"In contrast, India imposes import duties of 0-7.5%, mostly 7.5%, on medical devices. The increased tariff will likely impact India's medical device exports negatively. 

However, given the U.S. strategy of diversifying its supply chain away from China, India still has an opportunity to position itself as a reliable alternative... 

The challenge for Indian manufacturers in the U.S. is not just tariffs but also non-tariff barriers like the high cost and complexity of obtaining U.S. FDA approvals. 

The statement by the Finance Ministry further revealed that discussions are underway between Indian and US trade teams to finalise a mutually beneficial, multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement. 

“These negotiations encompass a broad range of issues, including supply chain integration, investment growth, and technology transfers,” the statement said.