BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over ‘undisclosed’ foreign visits, Oman trip ::: "From Dec 30, 2024 to Jan 9, 2025 during mourning period for Manmohan Singh, Rahul went on an undeclared trip to Italy"

The ruling BJP on Thursday targeted Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his foreign visits, alleging that he undertook multiple “undisclosed” trips abroad and demanded an explanation for his recent visit to Oman.  

“In September 2025 the CRPF had to give a note on the undisclosed visits…The CRPF officially put it on record that it’s a serious issue that these trips were undertaken without sticking to the rules and protocols for protectees…” BJP spokesman Sambit Patra told a press conference. 

“Where is India’s Leader of Opposition travelling? Who is he meeting? Who’s funding these trips? He has made 54 foreign trips to countries such as Italy, the UK, the US, Germany, Vietnam, Singapore, Bahrain, the Maldives, Qatar, and the UAE. 

Most of these trips are on record, with public host pages, press itineraries, parliamentary absence records, and photo evidence. My point is that while these trips were public, the funding trail behind them is not public,” Patra alleged.

“Rahul Gandhi’s 54 foreign trips in 22 years is estimated to have cost Rs 60 crore whereas his declared income was about Rs 11 crore,” Patra said adding, "who paid the money".

He said the Congress must clarify details regarding the six alleged undisclosed visits mentioned in a communication sent by the CRPF to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.  

Referring to photographs circulating on social media showing Gandhi in Oman earlier this month, the BJP leader alleged that the trip had also not been officially declared.

“This Oman visit is the 7th undeclared trip. There is no acknowledgement of the trip, no declaration of the host and no details of the public programmes. The Congress party has not also made a comment on this visit,” Patra said.

The BJP MP further questioned whether permissions required from the Union home ministry had been obtained for the visits, particularly if any of them were undertaken in an official capacity.

“We have asked the Congress four questions: did the visit happen; who hosted the trip, was it an Indian or a foreigner; if it was a foreigner, where is the requisite FCRA (section 6) MHA approval letter and where is the bank statement for forex purchase…where is the bank statement for audit,” he said.  

Patra also alleged discrepancies between Gandhi’s declared income and the estimated expenditure on his foreign travel.

“He spent about ₹39 crore on 20 big trips and another ₹20 crore on the remainder. There are also mismatches between the spending and his income. For instance he spent ₹4.5 crore in 2015 for a South East Asia tour which was five times his declared income that year,” he said.

Reading out a list of foreign visits and their estimated expenses, Patra questioned the source of funding for the trips.

“ Rs 70 lakh was spent on his UAE visit, again disclosed. In Vietnam he spent ₹8 crore but there was no declaration of the same. 

From December 30, 2024  to January 9, 2025 during the mourning period for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he went on an undeclared trip to Italy. 

In March 2018 he made a surprise visit to his grandmother during Holi. And ₹3.2 crore was spent on his visit to Berkeley,” Patra said.

This is not the first time the BJP has raised the issue of Gandhi’s foreign trips but this time they questioned the costs and funding.  

Citing a trip as an example, the BJP claimed that Gandhi’s 60-day South Asia window through Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia is modelled at Rs 4.5 crore against a sworn annual income of Rs 86.55 lakh.

"Chor Chor" slogan greets Former and 'defeated' West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata ::: "We want to see her appear before international court," says BJP

 "Chor Chor" slogan greets Former and 'defeated' West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had declined to resign despite a massive mandate against her Govt. 

The unusual happening happened at the Calcutta High Court presmises. She had come there in connection with a case related to post-poll violence.

BJP state unit president Samik Bhattacharya said : "Earlier under TMC, it was the rule of the ruler... now under BJP it is the rule of the law in West Bengal". "We want to see her appear before international court".  The BJP leader clarified that his party did not believe in tooth for tooth politics and hence the state's ruling party has been giving call for peace and calm despite three BJP leaders were killed by TMC.

In 2021, he said in the post-poll violence, at least 27 people were killed in first few weeks and many women appeared in front of TV channels to alleged that they were ill-treated by TMC goons. 

Former and 'defeated' West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, dressed in a black lawyer’s gown, appeared at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday in connection with a case related to allegations of post-poll violence in the state following the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) drubbing in the Assembly elections.

The case, filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, the son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, pertains to allegations of attacks on political workers and party offices following the high-stakes elections that ended the party's 15-year rule and brought the BJP to power in the state.  

 

 

Jobless Neta :: Gimmick continues :::: "ousted" chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, in lawyer's gown at Calcutta High Court ...

 Jobless Neta :: ousted chief minister Mamata Banerjee, in lawyer's gown at Calcutta High Court ... Gimmick continues 

Former and 'defeated' West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, dressed in a black lawyer’s gown, appeared at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday in connection with a case related to allegations of post-poll violence in the state following the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) drubbing in the Assembly elections.

The case, filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, the son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, pertains to allegations of attacks on political workers and party offices following the high-stakes elections that ended the party's 15-year rule and brought the BJP to power in the state.  

The case, which remains under judicial consideration, comes at a politically turbulent moment for the TMC, which is facing internal churn and mounting criticism following its historic defeat.

Since the results were declared on May 4, multiple districts across the state have reported incidents of political violence, including clashes, vandalism, bomb attacks and retaliatory assaults, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress blaming each other for the unrest.

In one of the most high-profile incidents, Chandranath Rath, a close aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead on May 6 by unidentified assailants, further intensifying the tense situation in the state.

Our mission is to establish the rule of law and end the racket of violence ::: RSS 

RSS members and leaders have been keeping track of any information related to violence, including the capturing of Trinamool Congress offices or threats to and attacks on Opposition leaders and are immediately acting upon such activities with the help of police.

The RSS has been spearheading initiatives to ensure the rule of law in Bengal in the aftermath of the Assembly polls, sources in the ideological fountainhead of the BJP said.

Sources said RSS activists had launched a silent drive to prevent post-poll violence, looting and the shifting of extortion rackets to another group. 

"We are ready to provide legal support even to Trinamool leaders if they face violence. We want to prevent this practice, else another chapter of extortion and violence will emerge," added the senior RSS leader.

BJP leader Sajal Ghosh said: "Just because TMC and its leader did not have humanity as was the case in 2021; that does not mean ... we will also not have"

ends 

"It's a complicated and uncertain world," says External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at BRICS foreign ministers' meet ::: ".... unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy"

"It's a complicated and uncertain world," says External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at BRICS foreign ministers' meet

Must address unilateral coercive measures, sanctions inconsistent with law: S Jaishankar at BRICS meet 

"Must address unilateral coercive measures, sanctions inconsistent with law" 

"We must also address the increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter. Such measures disproportionately affect developing countries. These unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy," Jaishankar said.

"... we are meeting at the time of considerable flux," he said at the welcome address as the chair. 

There is a growing expectation particularly from the emerging market, he said. 

Development issues remain central for BRICS members, he said.

Climate change -- an issue of concern, he said while advocating for sustanable development.  

S Jaishankar welcomes Iran's Araghchi with handshake, short chat at Delhi Brics event

Amid ongoing West Asian crisis, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a brief chat with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Brics Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi.  

Jaishankar welcomed his Iranian counterpart with a handshake and brief exchange of words at the Brics Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a three-day official visit, primarily to attend the two-day Brics meeting. The visit marks Tehran’s first high-level diplomatic engagement with India since the outbreak of the US-Israel war involving Iran more than two months ago.

ends 

If Taiwan is mishandled, the two nations could collide and come into conflict ::: Xi Jinping tells Donald Trump :::: US Prez was full of praise for Xi, saying “you’re a great leader” and “it’s an honour to be your friend”

 Xi Jinping warns US and China could ‘come into conflict’ if Taiwan issue mishandled.  

Chinese president Xi Jinping has reportedly told visiting US counterpart, Donald Trump, that the two countries could come into conflict if the issue over self-ruled Taiwan claimed by Beijing is mishandled.

“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Xi said at their summit, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation.”  

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as telling Trump that if the Taiwan issue was not handled well, the two countries would clash or even come into conflict, pushing China-US relations into “a very dangerous place”.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping wrapped up their meeting after about two hours of talks covering Taiwan, trade and other differences in US-China relations.

The meeting was behind closed doors and the White House didn’t offer an official readout afterwards, but China’s official Xinhua news agency said Xi told Trump that if Taiwan was not handled correctly, the US and China risked “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy”.

That followed public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People in which Trump was full of praise for Xi, saying “you’re a great leader” and that “it’s an honour to be your friend”.

Xi was darker in his opening remarks, expressing hope the US and China could avoid conflict while saying that history and the world were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the “Thucydides Trap” (see earlier post) and forge a new model for relations between major powers”, the AP reported.

Shutdown in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi after ambush kills 3 Kuki-Zo church leaders ::: NNPG Kitovi group calls it "extremely barbaric and wicked act"

Three innocent and unarmed Kuki Church leaders were killed in an ambush on May 13 in Manipur while returning from a convention.  

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the apex Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on Wednesday condemned the killing of church leaders in Manipur in the ambush.

Rio described the incident as a "brutal" and "senseless" act of violence, stating that such attacks on innocent lives were unacceptable and had no place in any civilised society. Expressing sorrow over the incident, the chief minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, the church community, and the people of Manipur. He also prayed for strength and comfort for those affected by the tragedy.

The NBCC termed the incident a "heinous act" and an "attack on the faith community".

A particular faction is being suspected for the killings and is now being regarded as one of the most 'unpopular moves' by the particular group. 

In social media and in informed circles in Delhi, the unfortunate incident has been described as 'handiwork' of the particular group.

"The terror spread by this terrorist group has been felt by the Kuki community for a long time now," a social media post said. 

 

The NNPG working committee - which favours early solution and end of the ongoing peace talks has also condemned the incident. 

"The extremely barbaric and wicked act will go down as the most undignified deed done against the church leaders who are propagators of peace in the region," it said. 

"..... This evil act is unfathomable and goes against the very core principle  of communal harmony and peaceful co-existence," the NNPG headed by N Kitovi Zhimomi said. 

The Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K) has firmly denied any involvement in the deadly ambush that resulted in multiple civilian deaths today in Kangpokpi District, Manipur. This denial comes in response to accusations from various groups, including the Kuki Inpi Manipur, linking the group to the attack, reports 'Ukhrul Times'. 

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has urged Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand to defer his proposed visit to Kuki-Zo populated areas until conditions become demonstrably “conducive”.

The chief minister is slated to visit Churachandpur district, a Kuki-Zo populated district, on May 15.

Shutdown in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi after ambush kills 3 Kuki-Zo church leaders  

Several Kuki-Zo organisations on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of three church leaders belonging to the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA), describing the incident as a “heinous ambush and brutal killing”.  

The incident triggered widespread outrage across Manipur’s hill districts, with an indefinite shutdown called in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts from 12:30 pm following the deaths of Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. V. Kaigoulun and Pastor Paogoulen. 

 Condemning the incident, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) described the assault as a “cowardly and barbaric ambush” targeting Kuki-Zo church leaders and civilians. 

“Kuki Inpi questions the intent and timing behind such a heinous and cowardly attack at a moment when sincere peace initiatives and dialogue were being encouraged by church leaders and civil society organisations to foster understanding and restore harmony between communities,” the organisation said in a statement. 

KIM demanded a thorough investigation into the incident by the Government of India and urged authorities to identify and arrest those responsible. 

“It is therefore urgent that the Government of India immediately initiate a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice,” the statement added.

ends 

Beijing is keen to push the US on Taiwan, Trump is eager for China to lean on Tehran to advance peace talks ::: All eyes on Trump-Xi Summit

It's overall an interesting time for US President Donald Trump to be in China for a Summit meet with Xi Jinping. Trump has repeatedly threatened China over trade, imposing tariffs above 140% last year. 

Iran’s shadow: 

The US-Israeli war with Iran, and ensuing global energy crisis, looms over the trip. Trump is expected to encourage Xi to push China-ally Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint vital to oil trade, and agree to a peace deal.

But Xi held some cards of his own and did not fold. Instead, China blocked exports of its rare earth minerals and magnets to the US. Trump, finally, backed down. 

The US has depleted notable levels of its weapons arsenal in the war against Iran, with many weaponry components requiring critical minerals that are linked to supply chains dominated by China.

China is expected to announce purchases related to Boeing airplanes. There are other key issues on the table.  

Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping stood together as the national anthems of the United States and China were played during the official welcome ceremony. The two leaders then walked along a red carpet to inspect the military honour guard, accompanied by a goose-stepping Chinese service member. 

They also stopped briefly to acknowledge dozens of children waving flowers at the venue.

Beijing is keen to push the US on Taiwan,  Trump is eager for China to lean on Tehran to advance peace talks  

China and the US are locked into a race on artificial intelligence that is becoming something of a technological cold war.

In April, the White House accused China of stealing US AI labs’ intellectual property on an industrial scale, claims Beijing denied. Meanwhile, Beijing has been frustrated by Washington’s reluctance to allow Nvidia to export its most powerful processing chips to China. In January, the White House said Nvidia could export its second most powerful chip, the H200, but no shipments have been sent yet.

Analysts and ethics leaders hope Trump and Xi will discuss non-binding AI guidelines, including sharing information about AI misuse and safety, which are seen as critical guardrails amid the advent of AI weaponry and military adoption.

Beijing is keen to push the US on Taiwan, with Trump saying he is prepared to raise the issue of arms sales to the island, which China claims as a breakaway territory despite never having ruled it. In December, Trump authorised an $11bn arms package for Taiwan, the largest weapons sale ever to the island, but no shipments have been made yet.

Xi may seek changes in how the US refers to Taiwan. Ideally, from the perspective of Beijing, this would be a statement from Washington “opposing” Taiwan’s independence rather than “not supporting” it. Taiwan will be watching closely. Just two weeks ago, China’s foreign minister in a phone call with Marco Rubio urged the US to “make the right choices” on Taiwan.

With Trump known to veer off script, John Kirby, a former US state department and Pentagon spokesperson cautioned: 

“They just have to be so extraordinarily precise when you’re talking about Taiwan because, quite frankly, the stakes are enormously high.”