India has never followed diktat from abroad: Putin's message to Trump :::: Putin flags contradictions in Kyiv’s position

India has never followed diktat from abroad: Putin's message to Trump at SPIEF

Russian President, speaking at the SPIEF 2026, underlined that sovereignty and sovereign decision-making can never be contested, as he sent a stern message to Trump on attempts to pressure India to scale back its cooperation with Russia.  

Putin asserted that India has never followed any diktat from abroad, sending a stern message to Donald Trump amid US attempts to pressure Delhi to scale back its cooperation with Moscow. 

Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which was moderated by India Today, Putin underlined that sovereignty and sovereign decision-making can never be contested.

"Naturally, India, which has never followed any diktat from abroad, or the People's Republic of China. Sovereignty and sovereign decision-making can never be contested," Putin said. 

His response was to a question about the economic isolation of Russia.  

Putin flags contradictions in Kyiv’s position

Putin says Ukraine’s attacks inflict “a certain damage” on Russia, while also pointing to what he describes as contradictions in Kyiv’s position, noting that it seeks weapons from the United States but does not want Washington to act as a guarantor in peace talks. He adds that Russia does not see threats to its economy and expresses confidence that the country will remain attractive to investment.  

Plenary Session in St Petersburg: I don’t see any reason to meet Zelenskyy, says Putin

Putin says a Russian businessman met Zelenskyy in Kyiv and claims he requested a meeting, but adds that he does not see the need for such a meeting at this stage, arguing that what is required instead are lasting peace agreements.  

Putin responds to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s open letter on talks, saying that while Zelenskyy referred to his age, the key issue is not age but the ability to work. He also says he is grateful to Trump, but adds that there is still some work to be done.

Putin says it is wrong that Ukraine made their talks public and reiterates that he does not understand why Ukraine does not want to see the Trump administration as a guarantor of peace talks, suggesting that such involvement could serve as a stabilising factor in negotiations.  

Need to strengthen UN's role, promote comprehensive development, says Chinese Vice President

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng called for strengthening the role of the United Nations and promoting comprehensive development to address global challenges. Speaking at the SPIEF 2026 plenary session, Han said countries should work together to improve the welfare of their populations and pursue inclusive development.

China sees a deficit of global leadership, says Vice President Han Zheng

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said the world is facing a deficit of global leadership amid growing international challenges and uncertainties. 

Addressing the SPIEF 2026 plenary session, Han said the current global environment requires stronger cooperation and coordinated efforts among nations, as he highlighted the need for effective leadership to address shared economic and geopolitical issues.

Eco. activity remained resilient through FY26, with GDP and Gross Value Added (GVA) growth improving ::::: India's economy grows 7.7% despite turmoil, war concerns

India's economy grows 7.7% in FY26 despite global turmoil, war concerns

Fresh and latest numbers suggest that domestic demand remained resilient through the final months of the financial year.

This boosted Growth amid a challenging global backdrop.

However, concerns remain. A disappointing monsoon, with the lowest ​rainfall in ⁠11 years, could hurt growth. 

Manufacturing output rose 7.3% year-on-year in January-March, compared with a revised expansion of 12.8% in the previous quarter.

Provisional government estimates show economic growth accelerated from the previous year, with robust expansion in the January-March quarter helping lift full-year GDP growth to 7.7%.  

India's economy accelerated in FY26, with provisional government data showing real GDP growth of 7.7%, up from 7.1% in the previous year despite a backdrop of global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and elevated energy prices.

Data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Friday also showed that the economy expanded 7.8% in the January-March quarter, indicating growth remained robust through the end of the financial year.  

Real GDP, measured at constant 2022-23 prices, is estimated to have reached Rs 323.12 lakh crore in FY26, compared with Rs 299.89 lakh crore in FY25. Nominal GDP, which includes the impact of inflation, grew 8.9% to Rs 346.36 lakh crore from Rs 318.07 lakh crore a year earlier.  

The provisional estimates are based on actual data available for all four quarters of FY26 and represent a revision from the Second Advance Estimates released in February, which were compiled using data only up to the December quarter.

The latest estimates suggest economic activity remained resilient through FY26, with both GDP and Gross Value Added (GVA) growth improving from the previous year.

Real GVA, which measures economic output excluding taxes and subsidies, grew 7.9% in FY26, compared with 7.3% in FY25.

File snap: Blogger at Buddha's feet 

Chief economic adviser, V Anantha Nageswaran, had forecast economic growth in the current fiscal year at 7% ​to 7.4% in a projection issued before the Middle East conflict began.

India has been one of the economies ​hardest hit by the Iran war that has stretched into a fourth month with no immediate prospects of a ‌peace deal ⁠between Washington and Tehran. 

India is the world's third-largest crude importer and consumer, and it is heavily dependent on supplies from the Middle East.

The Middle East (or West Asia) war is seen pulling down growth in the Indian economy to 6.6% this fiscal year, the central bank said earlier in the day, as it ​kept its benchmark interest ​rate unchanged while signalling ⁠a possible hawkish shift due to inflation pressures and weakness in the rupee.

Domestic inflation is set to pick up and fiscal and current account balances ​are set to widen, which has battered financial markets. 

Middle East as a term is Eurocentric, coined by British and American strategists in the 19th and 20th centuries to describe the region relative to Europe and distant locations. 

West Asia -- is a neutral, geographically accurate term based on continental borders. 

It defines the region as the western part of the Asian continent. 

It focuses strictly on geography. It encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Armenian highlands, Anatolia, and Iran. 

It does not include Egypt or other African nations.

India's Growth in farm output, a sector which employs ​more than 40% of the country's enormous workforce, came in at 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025/26 compared with a revised ​1.7% a quarter earlier.

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Modi-Shah avoids 'experiment' with Biren Singh in Rajya Sabha ::: Himanta family's bitter critic Pawan Khera set to enter Rajya Sabha :::: One-time Rahul loyalist Meenakshi Natarajan also to enter Upper House

 BJP Names 11 Candidates For Rajya Sabha Polls In 5 States

The names of Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian did not figure in the list of 11 candidates released on Thursday.  

The term of both the ministers in the Upper House is ending on June 21. The Rajya Sabha term of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri is also ending in November.

While Bittu is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan, Kurian represents Madhya Pradesh in the House. With these two ministers not being renominated and Harsh Malhotra recently appointed as BJP president for Delhi, speculations are rife about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle.

Tarun Chugh, BJP national general secretary, is from Punjab and is currently in charge of the party affairs in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Tarun Chugh and Satish Poonia are BJP nominees for Rajya Sabha polls from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively. 

At present, Bittu is an Upper House MP from Rajasthan and Kurian represents Madhya Pradesh.  Poonia, former Rajasthan BJP president, is the party's in-charge for Haryana. He had lost the last assembly election in Rajasthan in 2023.

Congress leader Pawan Khera is set to make his Rajya Sabha debut. Khera and Mansoor Ali Khan have been nominated from Karnataka, along with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge for yet another term. Earlier, reports suggested the high command was in favour of former CM Siddaramaiah enter central politics via Rajya Sabha. 

But the offer was turned down. 

Other names in the list for Rajya Sabha bye-elections include Meenakshi Natarajan from Madhya Pradesh, Neeraj Dangi from Rajasthan, Praveen Chakravarty from Tamil Nadu and Pranav Jha from Jharkhand.

The Rajya Sabha polls for 24 seats in 10 states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Manipur, will be held on June 18. Bypoll to the Upper House for one seat each in Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha will also be conducted the same day. 

The last date for filing of nominations is June 8. 

Khera was recently in news for his virtual face-off with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after he accused his wife of holding foreign assets and passports.

Assam Police also visited Khera’s residence in New Delhi on April 7, though he was not present there at the time.  

The BJP's central election committee, which released the names of a total of 11 candidates for Rajya Sabha polls in five states, fielded Debashish Samantaray as its candidate from Odisha.

Samantaray had recently joined the BJP, quitting the BJD. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha before he quit the party and resigned from the Upper House.

Rajubhai Shukla, Mukeshbhai Rathwa, Mansingh Parmar and Jitendra Meghjibhai Kanzariya will contest as BJP candidates from Gujarat, while Rajneesh Agrawal will join the fray from Madhya Pradesh. Alka Gurjar, BJP national secretary and party's co-in-charge for Delhi, will contest from Rajasthan.

The party has fielded its Manipur president A Sharda Devi as its candidate from the state.

This means, N Biren Singh was either not interested or the the high command did not try any experiment of bringing him to Delhi. 

This could also mean; he may still be in race for the chief minister's post; he was compelled to resign in 2025. 

Sharda Devi was Manipur BJP's first woman president; will Biren now bargain for party presidentship ? 

How much these arrangements suit incumbent chief minister Y Khemchand Singh and BJP's election plans for March 2027 remain to be seen. 

Biren Singh and Sharda Devi 

The BJP also fielded senior party leader Tai Tagak from Arunachal Pradesh. 

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Assam Cabinet expansion -- 12 ministers take oath, council of ministers strength rises to 17 ::: Himanta "manages well" to keep things under control

Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Biswajit Daimary, Nilima Devi and Sushanta Borgohain enter the Himanta Biswa Sarma Cabinet for the first time as 12 ministers took oath  

The new ministers sworn in on Friday, June 5th, 

Ashwini Ray Sarkar, 

Ashok Singhal, Bimal Borah, 

Former Speaker Biswajit Daimary, 

Jayanta Malla Baruah, 

Kaushik Rai, Keshab Mahanta, 

Krishnendu Paul, Nilima Devi, 

Pijush Hazarika, Ranoj Pegu and Sushanta Borgohain. 

Pizush Hazarika 

As of now as reports from multiple sources pour in;  

It is important to note that despite opposition from various quarters including a section of RSS; Himanta Biswa Sarma could retain three of his 'chosen team members' -- Pizush Hazarika,  Jayanta Malla Baruah and Ashok Singhal.

To some analysts there were two surprises - inclusion of 

Nilima Devi and Ashwini Ray Sarkar. 

Notably, the swearing-in ceremony reflected Assam's linguistic diversity, with ministers taking the oath of office in multiple languages. 

Several ministers took oath in Assamese, Bimal Borah chose Sanskrit, Kaushik Rai took oath in Hindi and Krishnendu Paul took oath in Bengali/Bangla. 

                     Himanta Sarma with state BJP president Dilip Saikia during celebrations on May 4 

More on the tightrope balancing act by Himanta and the BJP leadership; 

-- Ashwini Ray Sarkar, 54, represents the Golakganj constituency in Dhubri district. 

He won the recently concluded Assembly elections by a margin of 30,782 votes.

Susanta Borgohain, 52, represents the Demow constituency in upper Assam. A graduate by qualification, he defeated Congress candidate Ajoy Kumar Gogoi by 33,528 votes. 

Nilima Devi, 61, was elected from Mangaldai with a victory margin of 23,936 votes and is one of the modest surprise choices.

Another example of our basic argument that Himanta has retained control over Assam polity. There was apparent changes in his body language since he took over as the chief minister for his second term and BJP's third term. 

The list also includes several experienced leaders who served in the previous government in different capacities. Among them is Biswajit Daimary, who was Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly during the last term. 

Reacting to his inclusion in the Cabinet, Daimary said, 

"This honour is not merely my personal achievement. It is a reflection of the blessings, trust and unwavering support of every resident of the Tamulpur constituency. For the past one week, sections of the media have been running a smear campaign against me, making it impossible for me to stay anywhere in peace.  

Despite such difficult times, Chief Minister Sarma reposed deep faith in me. For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to him."

Another significant inclusion is Keshab Mahanta of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a key ally of the BJP in Assam.

Blogger in North East 

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Defence upgradation ::: Spl financial powers to army/air force/naval commanders increased significantly

More money power for troop chiefs as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh doubles defence purchase limits

Move will strengthen operational efficiency

Revised financial powers allow army navy and air force commanders to approve bigger urgent procurements and speed up execution of operational projects

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday approved a two-fold increase in the amount of money field commanders can clear by themselves for defence procurements.

The move is aimed at strengthening operational efficieSpecial financial powers delegated to the commanders of the army, air force and the navy have been hiked along with a 100 per cent increase in the total ceiling provided to meet urgent operational requirements, the defence ministry said.

“The revised delegation of financial powers will facilitate procurement of more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore through the revenue route, as per current year budgetary allocations. This would further strengthen the operational efficiency of field commanders and lead to faster conclusion of contracts and execution of projects,” the defence ministry said.

The move comes at a time when large-scale procurements have been undertaken by the armed forces through emergency and regular routes.

The ministry has prioritised both emergency and regular procurement routes to quickly bridge capability gaps and accelerate self-reliance in domestic manufacturing.

“Special financial powers delegated to army/air force/naval commanders have been increased significantly along with a per cent increase in the total ceiling provided to meet urgent operational requirements,” the ministry said.  

This will strengthen operational efficiency of field commanders and lead to faster conclusion of contracts and execution of projects. 

The Ministry said, special financial powers delegated to Army, Air Force and Naval commanders have been increased significantly, along with a 100 per cent increase in the total ceiling provided to meet urgent operational requirements. 

It said, the revised delegation of financial powers, along with the revised Defence Procurement Manual notified in October last year, will give a fillip to defence procurement through expeditious decision-making. 

This will ensure timely availability of resources as per the needs of the Defence Forces.  

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Sports, Money and Gangster : Real Khela !! ::::: Dawood Ibrahim’s shadow still looms over cricket, claims Lalit Modi

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has claimed that persistent, life-threatening intimidation from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his syndicate was one of the primary reasons he permanently walked away from cricket administration. 

"I pissed in my pants, I'll tell you this. Without doubt. Right there and then," Lalit Modi told ANI, adding that he had British MI5 security stationed downstairs at the time.

In an explosive interview with news agency ANI, the founder of India’s multi-billion dollar T20 tournament detailed a series of alleged extortion attempts, assassination plots, and a dramatic late-night confrontation involving a satellite phone call directly to the fugitive gangster.  

According to Lalit Modi, the illegal betting market connected to cricket has grown exponentially over the years.

He alleged that what was once a USD 2-billion operation has now transformed into a USD 4-billion-per-match betting industry, with wagers being placed on almost every aspect of a cricket match.

Modi claimed that modern betting syndicates no longer focus solely on fixing match results.

Instead, they increasingly rely on sophisticated spot-fixing operations, where individual deliveries, overs, player actions or specific events on the field become the subject of betting activity.

He alleged that bookmakers often depend on subtle signals, gestures or pre-arranged actions communicated through intermediaries, making such activities extremely difficult for authorities to detect.

“The game has changed completely. Today, betting is not necessarily about who wins or loses. Every ball can become a betting market,” Modi suggested.  

Match fixing in cricket occurs when an outcome or a specific event within a match is pre-determined or illegally manipulated, typically driven by underground betting syndicates and organized crime. 

While fully rigging match results is rarer due to heavy scrutiny, "spot-fixing"—manipulating minor incidents, such as the number of runs scored in a specific over—is increasingly prevalent.  

Lalit Modi, who currently resides in London following his departure from India in 2010 amidst financial and administrative investigations, stated that his refusal to facilitate illegal betting networks made him a primary target for the D-Company syndicate.

He said the most direct confrontation occurred in London in 2012. He claimed he was contacted at 3:30 am by a London-based fixer who pressured him into visiting a penthouse apartment belonging to a well-connected intermediary known as "Baba".  

The former IPL commissioner said he adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards suspected bookmakers and fixers during his tenure at the helm of the IPL.

According to Modi, several individuals suspected of links with illegal betting operations were denied access to IPL venues and subjected to increased scrutiny.

He claimed these actions frequently put him at odds with powerful betting interests who had substantial financial stakes in cricket.

Modi further alleged that betting operators suffered significant financial losses when the second edition of the IPL was shifted to South Africa in 2009 due to security concerns surrounding India’s general elections.

According to him, several betting syndicates had heavily wagered against the possibility of the tournament being moved overseas and were caught off guard when the relocation was successfully executed.

The allegations once again bring attention to cricket’s long-standing struggle with betting and corruption scandals, including the 2000 match-fixing controversy and the IPL spot-fixing scandal of 2013.

Amit Shah traps Insurgent groups in North East and their cronies and sympathisers :::: So "yes" Insurgency is no longer an issue !!

 Within minutes Home Minister Amit Shah's tweet went viral; strategic observers and others were stunned. 

".... Insurgency is no longer an issue," he told the meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) attended among others by all chief ministers and Governors from the insurgency-infected and violence-hit north eastern region. It took couple of hours to get into the 'trap' he has created. 'Chanakya' title comes to some people because they deserve and work hard to attain and retain it. 

But what about a big picture debate -- otherwise so essential ...? If Insurgency is no longer an issue in north east; what is all about the political issues ?    

The Home Minister's big Missive is with a purpose and based on good reasoning. 

One senior journalist who has covered north east says - "Shah is right even if you do not like what he has said.

"Insurgency is when armed groups fight against army and the government to secede from the country. No ethnic armed group is fighting for such 'independence' now. There is only militancy in some areas. Their main demand is protection for their rights within the constitution." 

Essentially; the Home Minister has asked the state governments, chief ministers and Governors to "protect" the rights of the citizens.  

It is a master stroke and a statement with a foresight. 

In the meantime.... citing growing frustration over the prolonged delay in resolving the Naga political issue, the youth-led movement called Fed Up Nagas has announced a peaceful public rally on June 27 to demand quick implementation of the 2015 Framework Agreement and the 2017 Agreed Position.

Fed Up Naga leaders address a press conference at Dimapur on June 4 

New Delhi mandarins declined to talk much. 

A few said, "More than us in Delhi, you should take reactions from ground zero". It took some time and persistent efforts and then an informed source claimed: 

"A section of underground leaders in north east today know where and how they have been trapped today. The militant groups officially and in public hate to be called insurgents. So we have been told, if they react and criticse Amt Shah ji; it will be like ACCEPTING that issues of Nagas or even in Assam (ULFA) and other states were insurgency".  

The same logic will be sold to argue why chief ministers at the meet including the likes of Neiphiu Rio or even Himanta Biswa Sarma would not counter Shah. 

Experts say much thought has been given about the statement (from Home Minister) especially the timing. Notably, the Minister's made his observation close on the heels of very important Summit talks held between  PM Narendra Modi and Myanmar's military ruler-turned-president U Min Aung Hlaing.  

There are other versions too and most of it is drawn from Amit Shah's tweet itself. He said he has/had "directed the states to build AI, machine learning and blockchain infrastructure for new generations". In other words, focus about northeast will be Development and prosperity of the people. This is precisely highlighted in the North East Vision Plan 2047. 

On this backdrop, a source in the know of things -- the Govt of India may soon give a push to its Act East Policy eyeing closer bonds and enhanced ties with South East Asian countries including Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. 

Team Shah in the Home ministry will also encourage NE states to tap the most of its Tourism potentials and also growing sectors like Health Tourism.  

Importantly, he made such a statement in the presence of all state Chief Ministers and Governors including the likes of Neiphu Rio, Y Khemchand Singh and Himanta Biswa Sarma -- chief ministers of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam respectively. 

As of now insurgency-related trouble not necessarily blatant violence and ambushes are prevalent in varying degrees in these three states. 

Indian Army in action 

Naga Insurgents ? or 'freedom fighters' ??? 

Now comes an interesting part of the tale.  Is Insurgency really a thing of the past ? 

Step by step; we may note that to thousands of  youngsters -- Insurgency or Militancy no longer "excites" them. 

They are more keen for a career in science, technology, civil service and other avenues like medical, AI, corporate wings etc. For that they need peace first.

The Govt of India would also need tranquility and peace to make its Act East policy more result oriented and helpful to address issues in north east India. 

Next point - where is "insurgency" or political conflicts really today 

Assam… only three districts that also ULFA(I) struggling to have relevance. The scale of 'political issue' or Insurgency is much subdued and under control. 

Nagaland… awaiting Political solution. And probably it is also an issue of concern vis-a-vis Taxation or Extortion. 

The Rio Govt is actively 'inactive' for a final Solution pact or inactively 'active' !!

Manipur …. What bothers much is Ethnic clashes.

So, it is only a Law and Order issue. The state needs Border Fencing, say Y Khemchand Singh, present CM and also his predecessor N Biren Singh.

Arunachal Pradesh … - as New Delhi mandarins say -- only a few proscribed groups operating from across the borders.

And, importantly; Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya… they are not disturbed.  

Blogger 

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