Watch exclusive interview of Retired LT. COL. Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir with WION. He is a veteran of the Bangladesh Liberation war.

Retired LT. COL. Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir exclusive interview with WION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane has touched down in Dhaka. This is his first foreign visit since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next two days in Bangladesh, the PM will hold talks with the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked-off his two day Bangladesh visit. Over the next two days in Bangladesh, the PM will hold talks with the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid.

PM Modi's Bangladesh Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Dhaka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will gift 1.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh during his two-day visit.

The Delhi-Dhaka Dynamic: Indian PM Narendra Modi visits the National War Memorial

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the National War Memorial in Dhaka for the wreath-laying ceremony.

The Delhi-Dhaka Dynamic: Indian PM Narendra Modi arrives at National War Memorial

News Alert: India to gift Bangladesh 1.2 mn doses of COVID-19 vaccine

In a huge setback of trade, the massive container ship blocking the Suez Canal may take weeks to clear out. All ships have been stopped from entering the channel.

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The Afghan Foreign Minister&nbsp;Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who is on a three-day New Delhi visit, has described India's role as "critical" when it comes to the Afghan peace process.

Speaking exclusively to WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atmar said, "India's role is critical to regional and international consensus."

Lauding India's initiative on Chabahar port, Atmar said it "is going to be a key enabler of regional connectivity". India has provided four cranes for the Chabahar port to Iran this year and sees the port as key to its connectivity to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

He also spoke on US proposal for Afghan peace talks under UN umbrella, cross border terror issue, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's proposal for elections.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Exclusive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Exclusive</a> | "I hope that recent efforts made by Pakistan in support of Afghan peace process will lead to result and that would end terrorism," <a href="https://twitter.com/MHaneefAtmar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHaneefAtmar</a>, Afghan foreign minister, speaks to WION's <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidhant</a>. <a href="https://t.co/2s6zfQo9Z7">pic.twitter.com/2s6zfQo9Z7</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1374592744610430982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Here is the full interview:

WION: How do you see New Delhi's role in Afghan peace process?

Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: New Delhi has a critical role in bringing regional and our international partners together. India's role is critical to regional and international consensus.

WION: How do you see issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan? Will Pakistan change its policy?

 
Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: We have been working with Pakistan and with all our regional partners. We have demonstrated quite seriously and provided the evidence that terrorism in the region is the common enemy. Terrorism will effect everybody . It's common enemy to all. It's strong a basis for us all to work together. I hope that recent efforts made by Pakistan in support of Afghan peace process will lead to result and that would end terrorism.

 
WION: There were reports of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani perhaps giving proposal for election if Taliban agrees. Can you share details?

Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: President has already made his intention publicly stated. He said that if Taliban agreed to political settlement, which is consistent with Afghan aspirations and, if Taliban agree to holding election, the president will be willing to hold early presidential election for inclusivity. Free and fair election is a means of allowing the Afghan people to determine their future.

WION: How do you see proposal by America when it comes to UN-led initiative for peace process, in which India has also been named? Is it a welcoming thing in Kabul?

Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: We support all regional and international initiatives in support of the Afghan peace process. Especially if these initiatives remain faithful to a key principle that has been universally agreed that Afghan peace process and outcome of process is &nbsp;acceptable to Afghan people.

WION: How do you see Chabahar Project connecting India to Afghanistan and wider Central Asian region?

Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: Chabahar is going to be key enabler of regional connectivity. We believe India has invested with good intention. We are hoping investment in railways, particularly connecting Chabahar to &nbsp;Afghanistan, Afghanistan to Central Asia, and it will be the next step to make that regional connectivity real.

The Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who is on a three-day New Delhi visit, has described India's role as "critical" when it comes to the Afghan peace process.

The Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who is on a three-day New Delhi visit, has described India's role as "critical" when it comes to the Afghan peace process. Speaking exclusively to WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atmar said, "India's role is critical to regional and international consensus." Lauding India's initiative on Chabahar port, Atmar said it "is going to be a key enabler of regional connectivity". India has provided four cranes for the Chabahar port to Iran this year and sees the port as key to its connectivity to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond. He also spoke on US proposal for Afghan peace talks under UN umbrella, cross border terror issue, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's proposal for elections. #Exclusive | "I hope that recent efforts made by Pakistan in support of Afghan peace process will lead to result and that would end terrorism," @MHaneefAtmar, Afghan foreign minister, speaks to WION's @sidhant. pic.twitter.com/2s6zfQo9Z7 — WION (@WIONews) March 24, 2021 × Here is the full interview: WION: How do you see New Delhi's role in Afghan peace process? Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: New Delhi has a critical role in bringing regional and our international partners together. India's role is critical to regional and international consensus. WION: How do you see issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan? Will Pakistan change its policy? Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: We have been working with Pakistan and with all our regional partners. We have demonstrated quite seriously and provided the evidence that terrorism in the region is the common enemy. Terrorism will effect everybody . It's common enemy to all. It's strong a basis for us all to work together. I hope that recent efforts made by Pakistan in support of Afghan peace process will lead to result and that would end terrorism. WION: There were reports of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani perhaps giving proposal for election if Taliban agrees. Can you share details? Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: President has already made his intention publicly stated. He said that if Taliban agreed to political settlement, which is consistent with Afghan aspirations and, if Taliban agree to holding election, the president will be willing to hold early presidential election for inclusivity. Free and fair election is a means of allowing the Afghan people to determine their future. WION: How do you see proposal by America when it comes to UN-led initiative for peace process, in which India has also been named? Is it a welcoming thing in Kabul? Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: We support all regional and international initiatives in support of the Afghan peace process. Especially if these initiatives remain faithful to a key principle that has been universally agreed that Afghan peace process and outcome of process is acceptable to Afghan people. WION: How do you see Chabahar Project connecting India to Afghanistan and wider Central Asian region? Afghan FM Mohammad Haneef Atmar: Chabahar is going to be key enabler of regional connectivity. We believe India has invested with good intention. We are hoping investment in railways, particularly connecting Chabahar to Afghanistan, Afghanistan to Central Asia, and it will be the next step to make that regional connectivity real.

WION Exclusive: Afghan foreign minister says India has a critical role to play in peace process

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh. The country had just&nbsp;come out fresh from the Liberation War, and was reeling under a refugee crisis, poverty and mass hunger among others.&nbsp;

As Bangladesh marks 50 years of independence after the 1971 war, we take a look at what can easily be called the first-of-its kind charity concert that paved the way for a model that is well-known today in the world of music.&nbsp;

In August 1971, former Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison, his good friend Pandit Ravi Shankar from India and other well-known musicians took to stage in New York for The Concert for Bangladesh.

That musical event is remembered even today as a path-breaker as it not only raised international awareness but organised a relief fund for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War. By the time the concert took place, it is estimated that millions of Bangladeshi refugees had fled the country and crossed over into India.

The magnanimous first-ever benefit concert featured performers like George Harrison, fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and the band Badfinger. It also featured Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan – both of whom had ancestral roots in Bangladesh. In fact, it was the Indian musician&nbsp;Ravi Shankar&nbsp;who had highlighted the issue of displacement, hunger and misery among the people of the newly independent nation to George Harrison, who then took it upon himself to use his platform and popularity to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Bangladesh.

Harrison performed a special song he wrote for the occasion, also titled ‘Bangla Desh’ which interestingly featured Ravi Shankar’s plea to him for assistance, as the lyrics go "My friend came to me with sadness in his eyes / Told me that he wanted help before his country dies".

Years later, former&nbsp;UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan&nbsp;recognised the basic human aspect behind the cause.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/readymade-in-bangladesh-a-future-proof-success-story-in-textiles-372290" hreflang="en">Readymade in Bangladesh: A future-proof success story in textiles</a>

The concert, with gigs that experimented with a fusion of Western music and Indian classical music, was attended by a total of 40,000 people, under the auspices of UNICEF. It managed to raise over $250,000.

The event is known as George Harrison’s first live appearance before a paying audience since the Beatles quit touring in August 1966.&nbsp;

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh.

Before there was Live Aid or any other benefit/charity concert, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and friends took over the Madison Square in New York for Bangladesh. The country had just come out fresh from the Liberation War, and was reeling under a refugee crisis, poverty and mass hunger among others. As Bangladesh marks 50 years of independence after the 1971 war, we take a look at what can easily be called the first-of-its kind charity concert that paved the way for a model that is well-known today in the world of music. In August 1971, former Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison, his good friend Pandit Ravi Shankar from India and other well-known musicians took to stage in New York for The Concert for Bangladesh. That musical event is remembered even today as a path-breaker as it not only raised international awareness but organised a relief fund for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War. By the time the concert took place, it is estimated that millions of Bangladeshi refugees had fled the country and crossed over into India. The magnanimous first-ever benefit concert featured performers like George Harrison, fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and the band Badfinger. It also featured Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan – both of whom had ancestral roots in Bangladesh. In fact, it was the Indian musician Ravi Shankar who had highlighted the issue of displacement, hunger and misery among the people of the newly independent nation to George Harrison, who then took it upon himself to use his platform and popularity to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Bangladesh. Harrison performed a special song he wrote for the occasion, also titled ‘Bangla Desh’ which interestingly featured Ravi Shankar’s plea to him for assistance, as the lyrics go "My friend came to me with sadness in his eyes / Told me that he wanted help before his country dies". Years later, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recognised the basic human aspect behind the cause. Readymade in Bangladesh: A future-proof success story in textiles The concert, with gigs that experimented with a fusion of Western music and Indian classical music, was attended by a total of 40,000 people, under the auspices of UNICEF. It managed to raise over $250,000. The event is known as George Harrison’s first live appearance before a paying audience since the Beatles quit touring in August 1966.

George Harrison-Ravi Shankar Concert for Bangladesh: Where history was made in music

Russian scientists launch one of the world's biggest underwater space telescopes that will study the mysteries of the universe while floating in the pristine waters of Lake Baikal. Check out the video to know more.

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In the backdrop of the allegation of racism by Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle against the British Royal family and similar problems faced by the first Indian origin woman president of Oxford University union Rashmi Samant, the issue of racism in the UK was raised in the Indian Parliament on Monday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-indian-woman-president-of-oxford-student-union-resigns-over-offensive-posts-370039">Also read: First Indian woman President of Oxford student union resigns over 'offensive' posts</a> 
 
Ashwini Vaishnav, a BJP MP from Odisha raised the matter, seeking the government's response on the issue.

Samant had resigned as the president of the Oxford University's student union, Vaishnav pointed out. "She was cyberbullied to the point that she had to resign and even the Hindu religious beliefs of her parents were publicly attacked by a faculty member," he said.

Samant,&nbsp;with roots from Karnataka's Udupi, was criticised online for some of her social media posts.&nbsp;&nbsp;A student of MSc energy systems at Oxford University, Samant was forced to resign within five days of her appointment in the wake of cyberbullying over posts which were labelled anti-Semitic and racist.

This is the first time that issues like racism in the UK have been raised in the Indian Parliament. India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expressed concern, asserting that the matter will be taken up with Britain with "great candor".

"Let me commend the honorable member for bringing up such an important issue. I note the sentiment of the house, government does," Jaishankar&nbsp;said.&nbsp; "As the land of Mahatma Gandhi, we can never turn our eyes away from racism wherever it is, particularly so in a country where we have such a large diaspora."

He explained, "As a friend of the UK, we also have concerns about its reputational impacts. What I do want to say sir is we have strong ties with the UK, we will take up such matter with great candor when required".

"We will monitor such development very very closely, we will raise it when required, and will always champion the fight against racism and other forms of intolerance," he added.

Interestingly, earlier this year the UK House of Commons's Westminster hall had discussed India's farm laws, with British lawmakers discussing the ongoing protests against it.

This had irked New Delhi, which had summoned British High Commissioner and handed over a strong demarche.

In the backdrop of the allegation of racism by Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle against the British Royal family and similar problems faced by the first Indian origin woman president of Oxford University union Rashmi Samant, the issue of racism in the UK was raised in the Indian Parliament on Monday.

In the backdrop of the allegation of racism by Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle against the British Royal family and similar problems faced by the first Indian origin woman president of Oxford University union Rashmi Samant, the issue of racism in the UK was raised in the Indian Parliament on Monday. Also read: First Indian woman President of Oxford student union resigns over 'offensive' posts Ashwini Vaishnav, a BJP MP from Odisha raised the matter, seeking the government's response on the issue. Samant had resigned as the president of the Oxford University's student union, Vaishnav pointed out. "She was cyberbullied to the point that she had to resign and even the Hindu religious beliefs of her parents were publicly attacked by a faculty member," he said. Samant, with roots from Karnataka's Udupi, was criticised online for some of her social media posts. A student of MSc energy systems at Oxford University, Samant was forced to resign within five days of her appointment in the wake of cyberbullying over posts which were labelled anti-Semitic and racist. This is the first time that issues like racism in the UK have been raised in the Indian Parliament. India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar expressed concern, asserting that the matter will be taken up with Britain with "great candor". "Let me commend the honorable member for bringing up such an important issue. I note the sentiment of the house, government does," Jaishankar said. "As the land of Mahatma Gandhi, we can never turn our eyes away from racism wherever it is, particularly so in a country where we have such a large diaspora." He explained, "As a friend of the UK, we also have concerns about its reputational impacts. What I do want to say sir is we have strong ties with the UK, we will take up such matter with great candor when required". "We will monitor such development very very closely, we will raise it when required, and will always champion the fight against racism and other forms of intolerance," he added. Interestingly, earlier this year the UK House of Commons's Westminster hall had discussed India's farm laws, with British lawmakers discussing the ongoing protests against it. This had irked New Delhi, which had summoned British High Commissioner and handed over a strong demarche.

India concerned over racism in UK after Meghan Markle, Rashmi Samant rows

Coup-themed tattoos are uniting anti-junta protesters in Myanmar. Some are opting to have "Freedom from Fear" or "Spring Revolution" written on their bodies, while others favour drawings of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's face or the movement's three-finger salute.

Why Myanmar anti-coup protesters are getting matching tattoos

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