In a dynamic world where information is abundant, understanding India’s global representation is essential. This edition of “India in Global Media,” spanning to May 05 – May 11, offers an in-depth exploration of India’s portrayal through the lenses of international news outlets. Delve into this weekly compilation as we navigate the narratives that frame India’s image on the world stage.
Associated Press – India says Canada has shared no evidence of its involvement in killing of a Sikh separatist leader
- India said Thursday that Canada has shared no evidence to back its allegation that the Indian government was involved in the slaying of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada last year, despite the recent arrests of three Indian men in the crime.
- India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal also reiterated India’s longstanding allegation that Canada harbors Indian extremists.
- Three Indian nationals who had been living in Canada temporarily were arrested on Tuesday in the slaying last June of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said after the men’s arrests that the investigation into whether they had ties to India’s government was ongoing.
- Meanwhile, Jaiswal said New Delhi has complained to Canadian authorities that separatists, extremists and those advocating violence against India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. “Many of our extradition requests are pending,” he said.
- “Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties,” Jaiswal added. “We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters,” he said.
For detailed report click on : https://apnews.com/article/india-canada-sikh-separatist-leader-killing-58f0377f3ceb7fc5eff6d50732a71f73
Khaleej Times – Five Indian sailors on ship seized by Iran released
- The Israel-linked cargo ship MSC Aries was seized by Iran on April 13, with 17 Indian nationals onboard
- In a diplomatic breakthrough, five of the Indian sailors on board an Israeli-linked vessel seized by Tehran were released on Thursday and have departed from Iran, the Indian embassy in Iran said.
- The Indian Embassy, while sharing details of their release, thanked the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas.
- “5 of the Indian sailors on MSC Aries have been released and departed from Iran today evening. We appreciate the Iranian authorities for their close coordination with the Embassy and Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
For detailed report click on : https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/five-indian-sailors-on-ship-seized-by-iran-released
Arab News – Pakistan’s path to trade normalization with India
- As Pakistan cautiously considers the prospect of normalizing trade with India, motivated by the recommendations of its business community, Foreign Minister Dar’s recent statements highlight the critical need for consensus building among stakeholders. These deliberations explain the government’s recognition of regional trade as a key tool for addressing the country’s ongoing economic challenges and particularly high and stubborn inflation.
- This strategic move fits with Pakistan’s broader endeavors to improve regional connectivity, through infrastructure investments from China and Saudi Arabia, alongside Iran’s expressed interest in finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan.
- The backdrop against which these developments are taking place is important. Pakistan finds itself in a difficult economic position, striving to maintain its commitments to the IMF program amidst energy deficits and escalating import demands for its industries, all of which exert considerable pressure on foreign exchange reserves. In this context, promoting bilateral trade ties with India emerges as a strategic imperative.
For detailed report click on : https://www.arabnews.com/node/2507491
BBC – Lok Sabha: Indians vote in scorching heat as temperatures cross 40C
- India’s general election is usually held every five years in April and May, and voters and polling officials are used to dealing with the harsh summer heat. But this year, India – along with other parts of Asia – is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record, in line with recent years. Last month, at least nine people died due to heat-related issues as searing temperatures hit the country.
- In April, federal minister Nitin Gadkari fainted while addressing a campaign rally in the western state of Maharashtra, later explaining that the crowded venue and high temperature had made him feel uneasy. Days before that, in the eastern city of Kolkata where temperatures soared above 43C, a television anchor passed out while presenting weather updates. She later said that the studio had become extremely hot as its cooling systems had failed.
- And there is no respite in sight – India’s weather department has predicted longer and more intense heatwaves in May.
For detailed report click on : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68963549
Reuters – Indian security forces kill at least 12 Maoist rebels in gunbattle
- Indian security forces killed at least 12 Maoist rebels in a gun battle in central India on Friday, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh state said, the third major encounter in recent weeks amid ongoing national elections.
- The rebels, who follow a form of communism propagated by late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, have waged a guerrilla-style struggle against the government mainly in central and eastern India for decades, leading to periodic clashes and casualties on both sides.
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said security forces had killed 12 rebels in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur.
- Friday’s clash comes nearly a month after 29 Maoists were killed in the state, while 10 others were killed on April 30.
For detailed report click on: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-security-forces-kill-least-12-maoist-rebels-gunbattle-2024-05-10/
Reuters – India completes troop exit from Maldives at pro-China leader’s request
- India has replaced some 80 soldiers on the Maldives with civilians after a demand by President Mohamed Muizzu who has pivoted the archipelago’s ties towards China, New Delhi officials said on Thursday.
- The Indian troops supported two helicopters and an aircraft that were given by New Delhi and mainly used for marine surveillance, search-and-rescue and medical evacuation operations on the islands of about half a million people.
- Apart from the troops issue, the Maldives’ permission to a Chinese research vessel to dock at its port, in India’s backyard, has also caused concern in New Delhi.
- India opened a new naval base near the Maldives in March to enhance surveillance in the Indian Ocean.
For detailed report click on: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-completes-troop-exit-maldives-pro-china-leaders-request-2024-05-09/
CNN – The next decade belongs to India’: Meet the winners of rising power’s economic boom
- As Indians head to the polls in a massive ongoing nationwide election, much attention has focused on the country’s explosive growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
- During his past decade in office, India’s fast-growing economy has become the world’s fifth largest as the country woos foreign investors and embarks on a massive infrastructure transformation, spending billions on new highways, ports, airports and railways.
- Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are widely expected to win another five-year term and push forward that economic expansion. That’s partly because many in the world’s most populous country, especially among the younger generation, share a common belief: India is on the rise.
- More than 40% of India’s 1.4 billion people is under 25: a massive, tech-savvy and mostly English-speaking labor force, with their eyes set on the future.
For detailed report click on : https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/10/business/india-election-economic-boom-winners-intl-hnk-dst/index.html
Reuters – India election: Inside Modi and BJP’s plan to win a supermajority
- As India votes in a six-week general election, Narendra Modi’s image adorns everything from packs of rice handed out to the poor to large posters in cities and towns.
- His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is relying on the prime minister’s popularity as it seeks a super-majority in India’s parliament. Its message: Modi has delivered economic growth, infrastructure upgrades and India’s improved standing in the world.
For detailed report click on : https://www.reuters.com/world/india/how-modis-bjp-plans-win-supermajority-indias-election-2024-05-07/
Gulf News – India top court grants temporary bail to opposition leader Kejriwal to campaign in elections
- Temporary bail will last until June 1, the last day of the seven-phase vote
- India’s top court gave temporary bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a graft case on Friday, allowing him to campaign in the ongoing general elections, boosting the opposition alliance of which he is a key leader.
- The court said the temporary bail would last until June 1, the last day of the seven-phase vote, and Kejriwal would have to surrender on June 2.
For detailed report click on : https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/india-top-court-grants-temporary-bail-to-opposition-leader-kejriwal-to-campaign-in-elections-1.1715336373811
Gulf News – Fake videos of Modi aides trigger political showdown in India election
- Manipulated videos are taking centre stage as campaigning heats up in India’s election, with fake clips involving two top aides of Prime Minister Narendra Modi triggering police investigations and the arrest of some workers of his rival Congress party.
- In what has been dubbed as India’s first AI election, Modi said last week fake voices were being used to purportedly show leaders making “statements that we have never even thought of”, calling it a conspiracy “to create tension in society.”
For detailed report click on: https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/fake-videos-of-modi-aides-trigger-political-showdown-in-india-election-1.102478885
(The Report is curated by Dr Vinay Nalwa)
