"Tehran has repeatedly bathed in American blood" :::: Trump failed to explain the cause of the War .... Does Operation Epic Fury have better prospects ??

During a speech at the opening session of the UN General Assembly in 2007; Iran calls the dispute over its nuclear program “closed” and sad Tehran will disregard Security Council resolutions calling on the country to halt uranium enrichment. 

At a press conference afterward, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the Israeli government an “illegal Zionist regime.” A U.S. National Intelligence Estimate also found that 'Iran ended its nuclear arms program' in 2003 but continued to enrich uranium.

From the outset - it's said - since 1979; the Islamic Republic of Iran has made murdering Americans amongst its highest priorities. 

As critics assail Donald Trump for the supposed 'lawlessness' of the newly revived military conflict; it is important to address the moral and legal case of action first. This becomes important no doubt but a question should also be asked. Can the Iran Govt under Khamenei be held responsible for the deaths of more Americans than any other conflict(s) in the past 50 years.  

Few references -- 

* More than 200 Marines killed by Hezbollah in the 1983 Beirut bombing 

** Six hundred Anerican service members killed by Iran-backed citizens in Iraq. A White House refrain thus can be that : -- Under the principle of self - defence, action taken against a regime (Tehran) that has killed so many of citizens is legitimate. Thus Gerad Baker writes in 'Wall Street Journal' -- "It would have been preferable if Mr Trump had spent more time in the past few weeks explaining the case (read - of the war) to the American people". 

He also argues  -- If the regime change does not come now, what kind of regime survives !! -- Leaderless, impoverished, isolated, besieged ....

There's another element to the background cause for the war. Khamenei almost taunted Donald Trump. While Tehran allegedly smuggled a billion dollars to Hezbollah between Jan and Oct 2025; it offered only $7 (dollars) a month to own citizens. Khamenei oversaw a rule that killed 32,000 street protesters in just two days. The astonishing scale guaranteed the confrontation. 

"The people of Iran had been driven to the streets by economic immiseration, and the regime had no answer but gunfire," says another article in Wall Street Journal. 

In 2025-26; pretending that June's 12-day war had changed nothing only made a 'sequel' more likely. The truth is that Khamenei's own errors had already brought about the collapse of Iran's deterrence. 

BJP names Nitin Nabin, Rahul Sinha for Rajya Sabha polls :::: Gaurav Gogoi to make beginning in Assembly polls : To contest from Jorhat, he may be named Assam chief ministerial face too

The Congress party has released its first list of 42 candidates for the Assam Assembly polls. 

Party’s State unit president and sitting MP, Gaurav Gogoi will contest the Assembly polls from the Jorhat seat. 

This marks Gogoi’s debut in a state Assembly contest, and his candidature has intensified speculation that he could be projected as the party’s chief ministerial candidate.

Deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha; he is known as a close and trusted aide of Rahul Gandhi. His father Late Tarun Gogoi was a Congress veteran and a chief minister for 15 years. He was ousted in 2016 assembly polls. Gaurav is MP from Jorhat parliamentary constituency as well.

 

The Congress party’s leader in the Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia, will fight the polls from the Nazira seat. 

Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora has been fielded from Barchalla. 

Mira Borthakur Goswami is the party candidate from Dispur, and Indraneel Pegu is from the Majuli constituency. 

Among other significant names, Mahananda Sarkar has been nominated from Barpeta, Zakaria Ahmed from Karimganj North, and Pranti Phukan from Naharkatia.

The first list also sets the stage for a potentially keen contest in Bihpuria, where Congress has named Narayan Bhuyan as its candidate. 

The seat could see a high-profile fight if the BJP fields former APCC chief Bhupen Bora, who recently switched to the saffron party. 

Bhuyan’s candidature positions him as Congress’s challenger in what may become one of the closely watched contests in Upper Assam. 

The Congress first list of candidates came amid reported strain in seat-sharing negotiations between Congress and its potential ally Raijor Dal. 

The alliance talks are understood to be hinging on a few seats with both sides holding their ground while reiterating their commitment to an understanding.

BJP fields national president Nitin Nabin for Upper House of Parliament from his native state Bihar.

Rahul Sinha is party candidate for Rajya Sabha from West Bengal,

From Odisha, BJP's candidates for Rajya Sabha polls will be state BJP president Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar.

Rahul Sinha is a former Bengal unit president. 

The list was released by Arun Singh, national general secretary and in-charge of the party headquarters.

The central election committee of the Lotus party finalised the candidates. 

The Rajya Sabha biennial elections 2026 are expected to witness keen contests in several states, particularly where numbers are tight. 

In Bihar, the arithmetic and the possibility of an expanded NDA lineup have already added an element of suspense.

From Assam, the party has nominated Terash Gowalla and Jogen Mohan.

Haryana will see Sanjay Bhatia contesting on the BJP ticket.

In Chhattisgarh, Laxmi Verma has been declared the party’s candidate.

Laxmi Verma's announcement is being seen as a clear endorsement of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai's preference.

Nitin Nabin is currently an MLA from the Bankipur Assembly constituency. With his move to the Rajya Sabha, he will have to resign from the Assembly seat, making a by-election in Bankipur inevitable.

He belongs to the Kayastha community and is considered an important organisational face in the state unit.

The second nominee, Shivesh Kumar, comes from a Scheduled Caste background. A former MLA, he was fielded by the party from the Sasaram Lok Sabha seat in 2024 but lost the election. He is a former IAS officer and the son of former BJP MP Munilal Ram.

The announcement has also triggered fresh speculation around Upendra Kushwaha. With the BJP deciding to field two of its own candidates from Bihar, questions remain whether Kushwaha will emerge as a fifth NDA nominee. If that happens, securing the required number of MLAs could prove challenging, potentially setting up a contest with an RJD candidate.

ends 

Middle East conflict is not only a military confrontation; — it's a geopolitical gamble :::: And the winner is Benjamin Netanyahu (courtesy - The Raisina Hills)

By - Nirendra Dev 

 Israel’s growing embrace of militarism has not occurred in isolation. It has evolved alongside rapid economic expansion and the extraordinary rise of the country’s high-tech military ecosystem. Over the past three decades, Israel has transformed itself into a global hub of defence innovation, cyber warfare capability, and advanced intelligence operations. 

..... the conflict signals a turning point .... !!

Many Israeli voters credit Benjamin Netanyahu for presiding over both economic growth and military modernisation, strengthening his political standing during periods of crisis.

Middle East Chaos: A War for Benjamin Netanyahu 

— it is a calculated geopolitical gamble reshaping global power equations. As tensions escalate, Benjamin Netanyahu appears poised to emerge politically stronger both at home and abroad. 

War is always a gamble, but in modern geopolitics it is rarely reckless; more often, it is a calculated gamble shaped by political ambition, strategic opportunity, and technological superiority. 

The ongoing Middle East conflict appears to demonstrate precisely that dynamic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerging as one of its central political beneficiaries. 

For Netanyahu, the war presents two clear potential advantages: delivering a decisive strategic blow to Iran and reshaping domestic political fortunes ahead of elections. In his political calculus, the strategic and electoral dimensions are inseparable. Military success reinforces political legitimacy.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump appears more than satisfied with the shifting geopolitical landscape. The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represents a major setback not only for Tehran but also for Russia’s global network of allies.

Across different regions, Moscow’s partners have faced mounting instability. Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, long aligned with Russia, has reportedly been captured, while Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad — another Russian client — was forced to flee Syria following the collapse of his military in 2025. Against this backdrop, Trump has even hinted at the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of another Russian ally, Cuba, signalling an increasingly assertive American posture.

Yet while global attention remains fixed on Trump, arguably the most consequential figure of the moment is Netanyahu himself. 

Having overseen Israel’s economic expansion and military-technology boom for decades, he now stands positioned to translate wartime developments into political consolidation.  

Both Trump and Netanyahu appear to share a broader worldview — one that prioritises military superiority, targeted assassinations, and sustained strategic pressure over traditional diplomacy, negotiations, and long-term treaty frameworks. 

The assassination of Khamenei, widely viewed as a demonstration of combined military and intelligence capability, underscores this shift.

In contrast, earlier peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt — once celebrated milestones of Middle East diplomacy — receive comparatively little emphasis in contemporary Israeli political discourse. 

Yet their enduring importance became evident during the current conflict, when those countries provided critical transit routes for Israelis stranded abroad after civilian airspace closures.

The war has also revealed emerging rules of twenty-first century geopolitics: strained alliances, increasingly autonomous militaries, and a renewed willingness in Washington to contemplate regime change. Trump’s strategic objectives may once again include political transformation in adversarial states — an ambition historically associated with earlier US administrations but now resurfacing with renewed intensity. 

Netanyahu, too, appears increasingly aligned with such thinking.

The targeting of Iran’s supreme leadership marks a psychological and strategic milestone for Israel’s leadership. However, such actions risk triggering prolonged regional instability, potentially dragging the Middle East into an unpredictable and extended confrontation with global consequences. Critics argue that while chaos may weaken adversaries, Israel could emerge as the primary strategic beneficiary.

For Trump, the conflict may also create diplomatic opportunities. His administration could pursue a “new deal” with Iran — one designed to replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which he withdrew in 2018. A revised agreement without expiration clauses and featuring stricter monitoring mechanisms would allow Trump to claim negotiation of a stronger and more permanent framework.

Washington may additionally seek credit for a historic trade arrangement with the oil-rich Islamic Republic, reframing confrontation as leverage for economic diplomacy.

Another political dimension concerns Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial. Reports suggest Trump has privately encouraged consideration of a pre-emptive pardon by Israel’s president. Should the war conclude in a manner perceived as strategic victory by Washington and Tel Aviv, political pressure for such a move could intensify. Netanyahu may consequently enter the expected October 2026 elections significantly strengthened.

Following Khamenei’s killing, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly contacted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov seeking support. Moscow’s response, however, remained limited to strong statements advocating peaceful resolution under international law — a reaction that reportedly failed to impress Trump.

Regional dynamics further complicate the picture. 

Gulf nations publicly warned against military escalation, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stating they would not permit the use of their airspace for strikes. Yet reports indicated a more complex reality: while publicly opposing military action, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly held multiple private conversations with Trump advocating intervention.  

Taken together, the conflict signals a turning point. Military power, technological dominance, and political calculation increasingly shape global diplomacy. War remains a gamble — but for leaders like Netanyahu and Trump, it is one undertaken with carefully measured expectations of strategic and political reward.

Courtesy - The Raisina Hills 

ends 

Oh Governor !! Bhalla 'plays a safe Babu', a conformist :::: "Naga Peace talk stands at a historical hinge -- Rebuilding and Mourning at the Same Moment"

The Nagaland Assembly has yet again taken up the issue of Peace Talks. 

Is this the Nagaland everyone want?

Participating in the debate on Governor Ajay Bhalla's address, NPF legislator Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienü has sought to caution himself and his friends about the "hidden agenda" of the younger generation - Gen Z !! 

Let us assume that the Honourable MLA is right. 

In the meantime a statement has come from a newly floated 'The Concern Naga Forum of Nagaland (CNFN)'. Reportedly it comprises mostly retired and semi-retired individuals. 

The statement says:

"Today, the double talk and the despoiler game being played by the Govt. of Nagaland in its facilitation, the lackadaisical attitude of NSCN(IM) towards its own Framework Agreement and the lack of political will on the part of the Govt of India have collectively put the fate of the negotiations in jeopardy".  

So Mr Azo may actually have to revisit his idea about 'hidden agenda'. 

The Forum also says among other things -- that the Naga peace talks have been  "hijacked by a few vested interest who have created a make-believe world for themselves inflicting an unbearable burden on the people".  Such references make Azo's eloquent words made on the floor of the Assembly more 'relevant'. 

The extortion is not only a menace, says Phek legislator and also a former Home Minister. He adds that there is poor implementation of the words uttered by the Governor in his address to the state assembly vis-a-vis taxations and extortion. 

The bitter truth is the syndicate raj is having a gala time and New Delhi mandarins seem very little concerned about the state of affairs. This also makes us convinced that the naming of the new Forum and putting the word 'Concern' as a pre-fix is a good idea. 

 

A few retired Babus with creative minds have rightly named the forum as such. Babudom is a process; it has certain level of innovation. But it is also a disease. 

Look at the address delivered by a former Union Home Secretary. He is parroting the phrase of a discredited regime in Kohima. Well, given Constitutional positioning - an incumbent Governor has limitations. Still; given the context of Naga polity - one did/could expect 'bigger roles'  for a Governor at Kohima's Lok Sewa Bhavan.

The name of the complex is no longer 'Raj' --- but the colonial tendency to be 'right' and authoritative remains even as one is on an utterly wrong path.

How ?

On Jan 17, 2020 and also Feb 13, 2021 - a man called R N Ravi had spoken about the closure of the Naga peace negotiations. So demand of a so-called political interlocutor at this juncture is both a childish stance punctuated with the mischief of confused mind and the motto to delaying things. 

The assembly on both the occasions had passed the Motion of Thanks to Governor's address. That means the legislators had endorsed what the Governor had said !!

Love for Power continues ... 'absolute power'. Now time to prepare grounds for the children !! And the victims do not seem to realise that the menacing grip it has created for Mr Azo and his beloved leaders and the state Govt.

To make things understand better - here are a few quotes from Azo on the floor of the assembly : 

"I believe there is a Solution to every problem. 

"On Naga political issue, we should be very careful about our utterances."

"I am requesting the members... do not take the criticism negatively. Criticism does not mean, we are wrong, we are defeated. It means we are doing something. We are progressing" .  

 

Azo Nienu : Compelled to make a few candid observations 

The Representation of 14 Tribes of Nagaland had submitted to the Prime Minister dated 17th December 2019, Quote “We have, time and again, made clear that we will not accept mere population integration without territorial integration; hence the concept of Pan-Naga Hoho (PNH) with sweeping powers and that too through an act of Parliament cannot be accepted by us".  

Thus yet again; MLA Azo will have to push back and re-examine what he has been tried to speak or probably was asked to highlight on the floor of the assembly.  

In a significant development and borne out of total frustration due to 'delay' in achieving the Naga political solution, Naga youths responded to the call to come together and band under the platform “Fed-Up Nagas”.

They want 'Naga solution' from the two preliminary pacts - Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 with NSCN (I-M) and Agreed Position on November 17, 2017 with WC/NNPGs.  

The FNTA has been agreed upon essentially to address the lack of developments and related issues of eastern Nagaland. Left to legislator Azo -- his home district Phek too has faced 'negligence'.  

"I blame myself," Azo admits candidly. All these have been happening when the tenure of A K Mishra as advisor, northeast to the Home Ministrt, has come to an end. 

Complexities remain. 

A crossroads is a physical intersection where two or more roads meet, requiring caution and adherence to traffic signals. Figuratively, as we know such things represent a critical point of decision making.  

Of course, bloggers who write a piece of two 'in advance' against the backdrop of a highly charged and volatile situations may always run the risk of having to eat own words.   

In modern journalism -- we may call it perils of sticking the neck out.  

However, there is a consolation. One is not alone. After long spell of indifference; a bunch of young people are saying they are 'fed up'. Slowly things may move the Gandhian way --- the well known 'non cooperation'. 

Even the NNPGs -- who have presence in good numbers these days - will have to now develop a spirit of self-sacrifice in order to achieve something big.

In politics – there is no moral authority to speak on divisions, suspicion and hate. 

ends 

Congress-led UPA voted three times against Iran :::: New Delhi has good reasons not to remember deceased Iranian Supreme leader Khamenei as a 'friend'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used the hashtag 'Indian Muslims in Danger' in 2020. This was on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) row. He had bluntly interfered in India's internal affairs, calling to confront 'extremist Hindus' and also described the communal riots as a massacre of Muslims that (unfounded claims) threatened India with isolation from the world of Islam. 

In 2017, Iran's Supreme Leader, had called on the Muslim world to mobilise support for what he described as 'oppressed Muslims of Kashmir'.  

So in circa 2026 -- when Iran is cornered and militarily under attack by India's two key strategic partners the US and Israel --- New Delhi has good reasons not to remember the deceased Iranian leader as a 'friend'. 

These were multiple other moments when he left the Modi Govt provoked and anguished.

He targeted New Delhi between 2019 (abrogation of Article 370) to 2024 (comparing India to Gaza).

For records, each time the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had summoned the Iranian envoy and registered the formal protest. 

In September 2024, Khamenei placed India alongside Gaza in a tweet.

And the MEA responded calling such reference as "misinformed and unacceptable." 

Come to think of it; India has to depend on Smart Diplomacy. The so-called equi-distance is a misnomer and outdated phenomenon in the contemporary setting. 

Iran is now involved in military escalations not only against Israel and the US.

It is in confrontation and military conflict also within the Arab region, including missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Muslim-majority countries.

These nations in effect host about million Indian nationals and hence any misadventure to side with Iran at this juncture may actually backfire. 

The Congress party and leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Malikarjun Kharge may try to see these on-going conflicts as occasions to playout their good old Muslim-appeasement politics. 

"When the targeted killing of a foreign leader draws no clear defence of sovereignty or international law from our country and impartiality is abandoned, it raises serious doubts about the direction and credibility of our foreign policy," Sonia Gandhi wrote in an article to a national daily. Prior to that Kharge had issued a statement and spoke rather philosophically about Vasudeva Kutumbakam and so on. 

The Congress party is not quite pleased with PM Narendra Modi's visit to Israel too. Sonia Gandhi says: 

"The unease is compounded by the timing. Barely 48 hours before the assassination, the Prime Minister returned from a visit to Israel, where he reiterated unequivocal support for the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, even as the Gaza conflict continues to draw global outrage over the scale of civilian casualties, many of them women and children". 

France’s La Tribune newspaper asks if it is “The end of the Mullahs?”

Modi actually held a telephonic conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and maintained that India supports de-escalation and regional peace.

He had also thanked Al Nahyan for taking care of the Indian community in the UAE. 

The fact of the matter is the IRGC struck Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest US air base in the Middle East. It hit the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. 

It targeted UAE bases near Abu Dhabi, Kuwait’s Central Command sites, and installations across at least six nations. 

Iranian media framed each strike as retaliation against “legitimate military targets,” warning non-US sites to stand clear.  The Congress also has an habit of selective amnesia.

 

Between 2004-14, the Congress-led UPA government voted against Iran three times at the IAEA — in 2005, 2006, and 2009 — during negotiations for the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement.

Incidentally, Ayatollah Ali Khemenei was seen as a major oppressor of women in Iran and against equality and women's rights.

Following his death, global reactions were mixed. 

Of the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), fewer than 10 publicly expressed condolences. 

Countries such as the United States, Israel, Argentina and Ukraine welcomed the development. Meanwhile, treaty allies and partners including Russia, China and North Korea, along with several Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and Turkey, either condemned the strikes or offered condolences.

Sovereign nations decide their responses based on national interest; not for garnering votes -- something the Congress party is used to. 

ends 

"We should forgive and forget ...," counsels Manipur CM :::: Khemchand asks in Kuki Dialect - "Have you all eaten" :::: Assam Rifles applauded for being 'friends' of the Hill people !!

Well, a country lives in people's hearts and also a bit in hand-holding and this is what is happening these days in India's northeast. 

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed happiness that the National Integration Tour (NIT) participants are representing an integrated Manipur as the participants belong to various communities inhabited in the State including -- Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and Meitei Pangal (Muslim).

The above sentiment was shared by the Chief Minister during the flagging off of “National Integration Tour 2025-26” at the Assam Rifles, Keithelmanbi, organised by 33 Assam Rifles, in Imphal on Tuesday.

 

The tour is expected to cover Imphal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Kolkata starting from 3rd March to 13th March 2026. 

Altogether twenty-four youths, six each from the four communities, i.e Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and Meitei Pangal (Muslim), are part of the tour.

Chief Minister also maintained that more than 47,000 people belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki communities were relocated to safer zones by the Assam Rifles to ensure their security and well-being. 

The Chief Minister also commended the prompt and dedicated actions of the Assam Rifles in carrying out the relocation process during the crisis.

"We should forgive and forget the past and jointly head towards bringing peace and development in the State," the chief minister said in reference to the ethnic clashes of 2023. 

Interacting with the youths of four communities, the Chief Minister turned to Kuki youths and asked in Kuki dialect, “Bu na neh tah am” (Have you eaten food). 

Came the reply from the six Kuki youths, “Ka Ne Tai” (We have eaten food). 

During the interaction, he encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity and gain meaningful experiences. He further assured the participants that the government would extend its unwavering support and assistance.

In a symbolic gesture of unity and inclusiveness, a group was formed comprising one member from each community, and a flag was handed over to them to represent collective harmony and shared identity. Kits were also distributed to the participants of the tour. 

"The National Integration Tour is a significant initiative aimed at fostering unity through exposure, understanding, and shared experiences. 

By visiting Kerala and Tamil Nadu, our youth will have the opportunity to witness the diverse cultural landscapes, developmental strides, and rich traditions that define the spirit of India," the chief minister tweeted. 

During the programme, the officials of the Assam Rifles also introduced the Chief Minister to a group of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets drawn from various communities in the state. 

The event was attended by former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Tarun Vijay, Brig. Pratyush Kumar, and students among others. 

Known as the 'friends of the hill people'; the paramilitary force Assam Rifles in northeast has for sometime now undertaken a unique 'national integration initiative' involving local tribals in most NE states including Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The enthusiastic participants hope their experiences will be an "eye opener" as a few of them would be venturing out of the northeast for the first time.

"I have heard where there's a will there's a way; but in this case Assam Rifles had the will," remarks a source.

ends 

Mizos stand by Israel; applaud PM Modi putting on Hmar tribal attire ::: Naga leader Khyamo Lotha had lauded Narasmha Rao in 1990s

 Mizos stand by Israel; applaud Modi putting on Hmar tribal attire 

New Delhi/Aizawl 

The Hmar tribe's typical 'puan' or shawl/scarf called 'Hmaram' and Narendra Modi is a talking point in Mizoram these days.

During his recent visit to Israel, Prime Minister Modi was clad in a Hmar tribal attire.

Modi did the honour during an important diplomatic engagement with his Israeli counterpart and friend Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It was a unique gesture. Every Hmar and every Mizo is proud about it," said a local educationist  Lalrinawma. Several others have applauded the Prime Minister for doing the honour as they put it.

The BJP's controversial pro-Hindutva leaning is a major issue in Mizoram polity and generally natives say the Lotus (BJP's symbol) cannot bloom in the hard rocks of the state. But this unique episode and that in a foreign soil and especially in Israel has left many Mizos emotionally touched.

One woman social worker says : "I am not sure whether these things can translate into votes. Mizos are politically hyper sensitive and have the reputation of being politically honest and wise. But Shri Narendra Modi's gesture has brought tears in many eyes ... some would admit; and others may conceal".

Trying to make optimum use of the occasion, the BJP state unit organised a small get together in the party office Atal Bhawan in Aizawl on Monday, March 2.  

This meeting had a special significance as it was convened amid the ongoing conflict between Israel-US combine against Iran.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP Mizoram unit Vice President Vanupa Zathang said that the saffron party always had stood by Israel while "the Congress party prays for Hamas".

Zathang is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

He did not forget to add that the people of Mizoram always stand behind Israel and pray for the country and the Israeli people in the events of conflicts and wars because of the Israelites being "elected nation of God".

Noting that a good relationship exists between the BJP-led NDA government at the centre with Israel, he said the Prime Minister Modi, after assuming power, looked forward to having better ties with Israel.

He further claimed that Modi's address to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) recently was highly inspiring. He added that the Prime Minister was even awarded the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal', the highest award of the Israel Parliament.

On the other hand, he accused the then Congress-led UPA government of pursuing a policy of "appeasement" towards Hamas and the Muslims.

The former cop-turned-neta emphasised that the Mizo people, who always support Israel, should therefore carefully think about the propaganda of the Congress against the BJP. 

"The foreign policy of the present government headed by Shri Modi ji at the centre is sufficient for the people of Mizoram to support the BJP," he claimed. 

Notably in 2017  a prominent Naga leader and a former Congress MP Khyamo Lotha had said that improved India-Israel relations would go down well for Christians as Jerusalem is a place of pilgrimage for Christians.

Sources close to 77-year-old former Congress MP in Rajya Sabha told this blogger that the aging Naga politician had raised the issue on the need for

improvement in Indo-Israel relations way back in 1991.

"During Parliament debate and otherwise, Khyamo Lotha had strongly pitched for improved and qualitative boost in bilateral relations

between India and Israel in 1991 during the stint of Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao," a source said.

"Our MP, now retired from active politics, was possibly the first among Congress leaders to raise the issue that India must have good diplomatic relation with Israel. Prior to establishment of bilateral ties, Christians could not go to Israel, even with diplomatic passports," the source said.

Besides raising the issue during budget session of 1991, Khyamo Lotha had also written to the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and complimented and thanked him for formally giving his nod for establishing of bilateral ties.

"I, as a Christian MP expressed my frank and strong opinion in this matter and demanded establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Israel in the last Budget Session in Parliament (in 1991). Now that it has come to reality, I am sure Government of India will have a greater role to play and that too more effectively for peace in West Asia," Khyamo Lotha had written to Prime Minister Rao.

ends