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A group of Republican lawmakers in the US Congress has introduced a bill seeking a three-year pause on the H-1B visa programme, arguing that it is being used to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labour.&nbsp;The proposed “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026”, introduced by Eli Crane, calls for a temporary halt to the programme along with major changes to how visas are issued. The bill proposes cutting the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000, setting a minimum salary threshold of 200,000 dollars, and restricting visa holders from bringing dependents.&nbsp;The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced a 100,000 dollar fee on fresh H-1B applications, adding to tightening immigration measures.&nbsp;The bill has received backing from several Republican lawmakers, including Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Wesley Hunt, Keith Self, Andy Ogles, Paul Gosar and Tom McClintock.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kejriwal-anti-women-aap-using-punjab-as-personal-atm-swati-maliwal-after-joining-bjp-1777119647678">Kejriwal ‘anti-women’, AAP using Punjab as ‘personal ATM’: Swati Maliwal after joining BJP</a>&nbsp;The H-1B visa programme is widely used by US companies to hire skilled foreign workers, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. Indian professionals form one of the largest groups of recipients, making the proposed changes significant for India’s workforce abroad.&nbsp;The bill also proposes structural reforms to the programme. It seeks to replace the current lottery system with a wage-based selection process, requiring employers to prioritise higher-paid roles. Companies would need to certify that they are unable to find qualified American workers and that no recent layoffs have taken place.&nbsp;Further, the legislation aims to bar third-party staffing firms from hiring H-1B workers, prevent visa holders from taking multiple jobs, and restrict their transition to permanent residency, reinforcing the temporary nature of the visa.&nbsp;It also calls for barring federal agencies from hiring or sponsoring non-immigrant workers and proposes ending the Optional Practical Training programme.&nbsp;If passed, the bill could significantly reshape the H-1B system, tightening access while increasing scrutiny on employers, and is likely to trigger strong reactions from both the technology industry and immigrant communities.

The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced a 100,000 dollar fee on fresh H-1B applications, adding to tightening immigration measures.

A group of Republican lawmakers in the US Congress has introduced a bill seeking a three-year pause on the H-1B visa programme, arguing that it is being used to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labour. The proposed “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026”, introduced by Eli Crane, calls for a temporary halt to the programme along with major changes to how visas are issued. The bill proposes cutting the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000, setting a minimum salary threshold of 200,000 dollars, and restricting visa holders from bringing dependents. The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced a 100,000 dollar fee on fresh H-1B applications, adding to tightening immigration measures. The bill has received backing from several Republican lawmakers, including Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Wesley Hunt, Keith Self, Andy Ogles, Paul Gosar and Tom McClintock. Also Read: Kejriwal ‘anti-women’, AAP using Punjab as ‘personal ATM’: Swati Maliwal after joining BJP The H-1B visa programme is widely used by US companies to hire skilled foreign workers, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. Indian professionals form one of the largest groups of recipients, making the proposed changes significant for India’s workforce abroad. The bill also proposes structural reforms to the programme. It seeks to replace the current lottery system with a wage-based selection process, requiring employers to prioritise higher-paid roles. Companies would need to certify that they are unable to find qualified American workers and that no recent layoffs have taken place. Further, the legislation aims to bar third-party staffing firms from hiring H-1B workers, prevent visa holders from taking multiple jobs, and restrict their transition to permanent residency, reinforcing the temporary nature of the visa. It also calls for barring federal agencies from hiring or sponsoring non-immigrant workers and proposes ending the Optional Practical Training programme. If passed, the bill could significantly reshape the H-1B system, tightening access while increasing scrutiny on employers, and is likely to trigger strong reactions from both the technology industry and immigrant communities.

The move comes months after US President Donald Trump announced a 100,000 dollar fee on fresh H-1B applications, adding to tightening immigration measures.

US Republicans moves bill to pause H-1B visas for 3 years, propose major overhaul

Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership for the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs and said everyone in a democracy has the right to hold an opinion. He said Chadha and six other AAP MPs might not have resigned if the party had adhered to the “right” course.&nbsp;&nbsp;They must have encountered certain difficulties within the party, which ultimately led to their decision to quit, added the activist who led the anti-corruption protest at Ram Lila Maidan in the national capital after which the Aam Aadmi Party was formed and stormed to power in Delhi.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-energy-grab-says-iran-and-venezuela-military-actions-only-about-oil-1777115468087">Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela military actions only ‘about oil’</a><h2>‘Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left’</h2>&nbsp;Hazare said the responsibility of the exits lies with the AAP leadership. “It is their fault. Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left,” he said.&nbsp;He further said that there must be some reason for the resignations and added that in a democratic system, individuals are free to decide where they wish to remain.“There must be some or the other reason. In a democracy, every person has a view about where to stay and leave,” Hazare added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-department-drops-criminal-probe-of-fed-chair-powell-likely-clearing-the-way-for-kevin-warsh-1777055359799">Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Jerome Powell, likely paving the way for Kevin Warsh&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;However, he also said that changing a party for selfish motives is not right.“Leaving one party and joining another party is not right… Changing political parties for our selfish needs is not the right thing. This is not mentioned in our Constitution. Our Constitution is supreme. Our country functions based on the Constitution,” Hazare said.&nbsp;Chadha announced his decision to join the BJP along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs. Chadha cited corruption within AAP as the main reason for his departure, but the party criticised his move, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rbi-cancels-licence-of-paytm-payments-bank-to-seek-winding-up-in-court-1777048619815">RBI cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank, to seek its winding up in court</a><h2>Kejriwal real traitor, built Rs 100-crore house: Swati Maliwal</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who also quit AAP and joined BJP, slammed former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said when Kejriwal began his political journey, he showed hopes of change and wore torn pants, but after coming to power, he spent hundreds of crores building a house.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blockade-of-iranian-vessels-to-continue-for-as-long-as-it-takes-defence-secretary-pete-hegseth-1777040971899">US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;She added that she moved to the BJP as she believed in the leadership of PM Modi. “I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP,” she told news agency ANI.&nbsp;Countering AAP’s ‘traitor’ jibe, she said that Kejriwal is the real traitor. She said that when he began his anti-corruption movement in 2011, he used to wear torn pants and drove around in an old car, but after coming to power, he built a house worth Rs 100 crore.

Social activist Anna Hazare said the responsibility for the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs lies with the AAP leadership. He said there must have been some reason for resignations and added that in a democracy, individuals are free to decide where they wish to stay or go.

Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership for the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs and said everyone in a democracy has the right to hold an opinion. He said Chadha and six other AAP MPs might not have resigned if the party had adhered to the “right” course. They must have encountered certain difficulties within the party, which ultimately led to their decision to quit, added the activist who led the anti-corruption protest at Ram Lila Maidan in the national capital after which the Aam Aadmi Party was formed and stormed to power in Delhi. Also Read: Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela military actions only ‘about oil’ ‘Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left’ Hazare said the responsibility of the exits lies with the AAP leadership. “It is their fault. Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left,” he said. He further said that there must be some reason for the resignations and added that in a democratic system, individuals are free to decide where they wish to remain. “There must be some or the other reason. In a democracy, every person has a view about where to stay and leave,” Hazare added. Also Read: Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Jerome Powell, likely paving the way for Kevin Warsh However, he also said that changing a party for selfish motives is not right. “Leaving one party and joining another party is not right… Changing political parties for our selfish needs is not the right thing. This is not mentioned in our Constitution. Our Constitution is supreme. Our country functions based on the Constitution,” Hazare said. Chadha announced his decision to join the BJP along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs. Chadha cited corruption within AAP as the main reason for his departure, but the party criticised his move, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Also Read: RBI cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank, to seek its winding up in court Kejriwal real traitor, built Rs 100-crore house: Swati Maliwal Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who also quit AAP and joined BJP, slammed former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said when Kejriwal began his political journey, he showed hopes of change and wore torn pants, but after coming to power, he spent hundreds of crores building a house. Also Read: US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth She added that she moved to the BJP as she believed in the leadership of PM Modi. “I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP,” she told news agency ANI. Countering AAP’s ‘traitor’ jibe, she said that Kejriwal is the real traitor. She said that when he began his anti-corruption movement in 2011, he used to wear torn pants and drove around in an old car, but after coming to power, he built a house worth Rs 100 crore.

Social activist Anna Hazare said the responsibility for the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs lies with the AAP leadership. He said there must have been some reason for resignations and added that in a democracy, individuals are free to decide where they wish to stay or go.

Anna Hazare holds AAP leadership responsible for exit of Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs

Political tensions escalated in West Bengal ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (April 25) saying she would file a legal case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his “violent remarks”.&nbsp;The development comes a day after a high turnout in Phase I of polling, which recorded over 91 per cent voting, among the highest since Independence, according to the Election Commission of India. The strong participation has intensified the political contest as campaigning shifts to the next phase.&nbsp;Addressing a rally in Hooghly, Banerjee criticised Shah’s language and said such remarks were not expected from a Union Home Minister. “We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments,” she said.&nbsp;Banerjee’s reaction follows Shah’s warning at a rally in Arambagh on Friday, where he spoke of strict action against alleged “goons” of the Trinamool Congress after the elections. Referring to his comments, Banerjee said, “What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/highest-ever-voter-turnout-since-independence-west-bengal-at-91-91-tamil-nadu-at-84-80-1776955402111">Highest-ever voter turnout since Independence: West Bengal at 91.91%, Tamil Nadu at 84.80%</a>&nbsp;Shah had said, “I’m warning Didi’s goons not to step out of their homes on the 29th. If the people of Arambagh are troubled on the 29th, after the 5th, we will hang them upside down and straighten them out.” His remarks have triggered sharp reactions from the ruling party in the state.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the first phase of polling concluded under tight security, with officials highlighting the high voter turnout as a sign of strong democratic participation. The next phase of voting is scheduled for April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.&nbsp;Shah also congratulated voters for the high turnout and praised the Election Commission and security forces for ensuring a largely peaceful polling process.

Banerjee’s reaction follows Shah’s warning at a rally in Arambagh on Friday, where he spoke of strict action against alleged “goons” of the Trinamool Congress after the elections. 

Political tensions escalated in West Bengal ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (April 25) saying she would file a legal case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his “violent remarks”. The development comes a day after a high turnout in Phase I of polling, which recorded over 91 per cent voting, among the highest since Independence, according to the Election Commission of India. The strong participation has intensified the political contest as campaigning shifts to the next phase. Addressing a rally in Hooghly, Banerjee criticised Shah’s language and said such remarks were not expected from a Union Home Minister. “We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments,” she said. Banerjee’s reaction follows Shah’s warning at a rally in Arambagh on Friday, where he spoke of strict action against alleged “goons” of the Trinamool Congress after the elections. Referring to his comments, Banerjee said, “What kind of language is a Home Minister using? To say you will hang people upside down post-election is unacceptable. With this mindset, you will never win Bengal.” Also Read: Highest-ever voter turnout since Independence: West Bengal at 91.91%, Tamil Nadu at 84.80% Shah had said, “I’m warning Didi’s goons not to step out of their homes on the 29th. If the people of Arambagh are troubled on the 29th, after the 5th, we will hang them upside down and straighten them out.” His remarks have triggered sharp reactions from the ruling party in the state. Meanwhile, the first phase of polling concluded under tight security, with officials highlighting the high voter turnout as a sign of strong democratic participation. The next phase of voting is scheduled for April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4. Shah also congratulated voters for the high turnout and praised the Election Commission and security forces for ensuring a largely peaceful polling process.

Banerjee’s reaction follows Shah’s warning at a rally in Arambagh on Friday, where he spoke of strict action against alleged “goons” of the Trinamool Congress after the elections.&nbsp;

Mamata Banerjee threatens legal action against Amit Shah over TMC remarks

A day after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a major setback to the Aam Aadmi Party, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Saturday launched a sharp attack on party chief Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being “anti-women” and indulging in “corruption and gundagardi”.&nbsp;Speaking to ANI after formally joining the BJP, Maliwal said she took the decision voluntarily and expressed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP,” she said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi | Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal says, &quot;...I’ve made this decision after careful consideration. Even when the Women’s Reservation Bill was being introduced, the party’s stance was that they wouldn’t support it. I think that’s the limit for me. I’ve worked for women… <a href="https://t.co/OBASfv7Eiy">pic.twitter.com/OBASfv7Eiy</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047950743454527803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Announcing her exit from the AAP, Maliwal said she had been associated with Kejriwal since 2006 and supported him during various movements, including the RTI and Anna movements. However, she alleged that the party had abandoned its founding principles and that she later faced harassment and pressure within the organisation.&nbsp;“I have left the AAP and joined the BJP. Since 2006, I have been working with Arvind Kejriwal and supported him during every agitation. However, Arvind Kejriwal had me beaten up by a goon in my own house. I was threatened when I raised my voice against it, and he put immense pressure on me to withdraw the FIR I lodged regarding this incident. I was denied any opportunity to speak in Parliament by the party for two years; this is very shameful. Arvind Kejriwal is anti-women,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-energy-grab-says-iran-and-venezuela-military-actions-only-about-oil-1777115468087">Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela military actions only ‘about oil’</a>&nbsp;Maliwal also targeted AAP’s governance in Punjab, alleging that the state government was being “remotely controlled” and describing Punjab as a “personal ATM” for the party leadership. She claimed that sand mining and drug usage were at their peak and alleged that FIRs were filed against leaders who raised their voices against the government.&nbsp;Contrasting Kejriwal with Modi, Maliwal praised the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for what she called decisive governance. “On the other hand, we have PM Modi, who is the most popular leader in the world. Be it during Operation Sindoor, when we killed enemies by entering their homes and ending Naxalism, or introducing the women’s reservation bill in Parliament, PM Modi and Amit Shah have taken historic decisions for the development of the nation,” she said.&nbsp;In a post on X, Maliwal detailed her political journey and reiterated allegations that she was assaulted by a close aide of Kejriwal at his residence, claiming the leadership protected the accused. “At his residence, on his signal, I was brutally beaten and treated with utmost indecency. To protect his goon, he went to extreme lengths and rewarded him with high positions,” she said.&nbsp;Her remarks come amid a wider churn in the AAP, with Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal announcing their exit from the party along with several other Rajya Sabha MPs, signalling a significant political shift.

Announcing her exit from the AAP, Maliwal said she had been associated with Kejriwal since 2006 and supported him during various movements, including the RTI and Anna movements. 

A day after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a major setback to the Aam Aadmi Party, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Saturday launched a sharp attack on party chief Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being “anti-women” and indulging in “corruption and gundagardi”. Speaking to ANI after formally joining the BJP, Maliwal said she took the decision voluntarily and expressed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP,” she said.

Announcing her exit from the AAP, Maliwal said she had been associated with Kejriwal since 2006 and supported him during various movements, including the RTI and Anna movements.&nbsp;

Kejriwal ‘anti-women’, AAP using Punjab as ‘personal ATM’: Swati Maliwal after joining BJP

During the first phase of West Bengal elections on Thursday (April 24) an unusual incident unfolded under the Matigara-Naxalbari assembly segment in Siliguri subdivision. A man who was waiting at booth no. 25/238 in Phansidewa's Tarabari for hours, intercepted his wife who had eloped with another man 2 years ago.&nbsp;He had guessed his wife would turn up at the polling station to vote and he was lucky.&nbsp;According to eyewitnesses, a man was waiting at booth no. 25/238 &nbsp;in Phansidewa's Tarabari since morning. He did not speak to anybody and did not give an inkling as to what he was up to.&nbsp;At 2pm, a woman arrived at the booth with her voter's slip and EPIC card. &nbsp;As soon as the man saw the woman he lunged at her &nbsp; trying to snatch her voter card, pulling her hair and holding her tightly from behind so that she does not escape. On seeing the man and the woman pushing each other, CAPF personnel rushed in and freed the woman. The man, however, kept screaming at the woman.&nbsp;The man then requested the CRPF to stop her from voting until his name was removed from her EPIC card as her husband. But the request was declined and the woman was allowed to vote and later escorted out of the area.&nbsp;

According to eyewitnesses, a man was waiting at booth no. 25/238  in Phansidewas Tarabari since morning without saying a word or talking to people.

During the first phase of West Bengal elections on Thursday (April 24) an unusual incident unfolded under the Matigara-Naxalbari assembly segment in Siliguri subdivision. A man who was waiting at booth no. 25/238 in Phansidewa's Tarabari for hours, intercepted his wife who had eloped with another man 2 years ago. He had guessed his wife would turn up at the polling station to vote and he was lucky. According to eyewitnesses, a man was waiting at booth no. 25/238 in Phansidewa's Tarabari since morning. He did not speak to anybody and did not give an inkling as to what he was up to. At 2pm, a woman arrived at the booth with her voter's slip and EPIC card. As soon as the man saw the woman he lunged at her trying to snatch her voter card, pulling her hair and holding her tightly from behind so that she does not escape. On seeing the man and the woman pushing each other, CAPF personnel rushed in and freed the woman. The man, however, kept screaming at the woman. The man then requested the CRPF to stop her from voting until his name was removed from her EPIC card as her husband. But the request was declined and the woman was allowed to vote and later escorted out of the area.

According to eyewitnesses, a man was waiting at booth no. 25/238 &nbsp;in Phansidewa's Tarabari since morning without saying a word or talking to people.

Man waits 5 hours at polling booth in Bengal to nab his wife, who eloped

New Delhi is staring at what could be either its biggest resource security liability or its most consequential strategic opportunity of the clean energy decade. A new white paper by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India, released this week at WasteTech India's sixth edition in New Delhi, lays out the numbers with uncomfortable clarity.By 2040, India is projected to generate approximately 54 million metric tonnes of electronic waste annually, growing at a compound rate of 16.9% per year, from roughly 6.19 million metric tonnes estimated in 2026. For a country that is 100% import-dependent on lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, gallium, indium, tungsten, and over a dozen other minerals critical to its clean energy ambitions, what gets thrown away is increasingly as strategically important as what gets mined.<h2>THE MINERAL DEBT INDIA CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE</h2>India's dependence on foreign mineral supply chains is not a distant policy concern, it is a present and growing liability. According to projections cited in the report from NITI Aayog's 2026 assessment, India's cumulative mineral demand through 2070 will reach 5.4 million metric tonnes of lithium, 11 MMT of nickel, 1.4 MMT of cobalt, and 46.4 MMT of graphite, all essential inputs for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, solar photovoltaics, and the broader digital economy.The supply side of this equation is where geopolitics becomes dangerous. China refines 63% of the world's rare earth elements and has already imposed export licensing restrictions on several of them. The Democratic Republic of Congo holds 48% of global cobalt reserves and produces 72% of world supply, while itself restricting cobalt exports. Australia controls 55% of global lithium output. India buys from all of these markets and controls none of them.For an economy guided by the principle of Atmanirbharta, self-reliance, this structural dependency represents a fundamental contradiction at the heart of its clean energy transition strategy.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260425/image-1777092142936.png"><figcaption>Projections for recoverable quantities based on BAU and APS formal recycling growth scenarios for the following critical minerals – (a) Rare Earth Elements; (b) Graphite; (c) Nickel; (d) Cobalt; (e) Lithium (Source:&nbsp; In-house calculations by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India&nbsp;based on secondary data)</figcaption></figure><h2>THE SECONDARY RESOURCE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT</h2>This is precisely where India's mounting E-Waste problem reframes itself as an opportunity. Electronic devices contain over 60 elements, with metals comprising roughly one-third of their total composition. Batteries, in particular, are among the most resource-dense components in the E-Waste stream.The report models two scenarios for India's formal E-Waste recycling sector. Under a business-as-usual trajectory, formal recycling capacity grows at 8.35% annually, recovering 1.9 kilotonnes of lithium, 1.6 kT of cobalt, 4.4 kT of nickel, and 7.9 kT of graphite annually from E-Waste by 2035-40. Under an Accelerated Policy Support scenario, where informal recyclers are progressively integrated into the formal ecosystem and policy support is aggressive, those numbers transform sharply. Lithium recovery could rise to 28 kT annually by 2035-40, cobalt to 24 kT, graphite to 113 kT, and nickel to 6 kT.The lithium-ion battery recycling stream tells an equally compelling story. Driven primarily by end-of-life electric vehicles, formal LIB recycling could yield 56 kT of lithium, 42 kT of cobalt, 99 kT of nickel, and 205 kT of graphite annually by the 2036-40 period. These are not negligible quantities, they represent a meaningful secondary supply buffer against the geopolitical volatility of primary mineral markets.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260425/image-1777092142860.png"><figcaption>Projection of Growth of the Formal E-Waste Recycling Sector (Source:&nbsp;In-house calculations by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India&nbsp;based on secondary data)</figcaption></figure><h2>THE TECHNOLOGY GAP THAT IS BLEEDING VALUE</h2>The problem is that India, right now, lacks the tools to capture most of this value. The white paper identifies a structural technology deficit at the core of the country's recycling ecosystem that is actively costing it mineral wealth.The informal sector, which processes approximately 78% of India's total E-Waste and employs an estimated 500,000 workers, lacks the capability to refine beyond what the industry calls black mass. This dark, granular powder, produced when lithium-ion batteries are mechanically shredded, contains concentrated graphite, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Unable to process further, informal recyclers export this intermediate product overseas for hydrometallurgical refining, a practice the report describes as a massive leakage of critical mineral resource out of the country.The formal sector is better equipped, but thinly spread. A small group of high-capacity formal recyclers accounts for approximately 48% of total formal processing capacity, while 75% of registered recyclers collectively account for just 15% of capacity. The government's technology transfer program through the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology has succeeded in transferring advanced recycling technology to just 27 recyclers over two years, a number that bears no proportion to the scale of the challenge ahead.India's E-Waste management framework currently tracks only four metals through the Extended Producer Responsibility system: copper, aluminium, iron, and gold. This was a pragmatic choice at the time of drafting the E-Waste Management Rules, calibrated to the sector's then-limited capabilities. But the landscape has moved on, and the policy has not.<h2>WHAT THE REPORT PRESCRIBES</h2>The white paper does not stop at diagnosis. It proposes a layered set of interventions across government, industry, and civil society, several of which carry direct market implications.On policy reform, the report calls for expanding the scope of the EPR framework to include a wider range of critical and high-value metals beyond the current four-metal configuration. It specifically recommends developing a chemistry-specific EPR pricing framework for Lithium Ferro-Phosphate batteries, whose low content of valuable minerals makes recycling currently unprofitable, a structural problem that will worsen as LFP becomes the dominant battery chemistry for mass-market EVs.On technology and infrastructure, the report calls for establishing Common Facility Centres giving smaller and informal recyclers shared access to advanced processing equipment, and for scaling domestic hydrometallurgical refining capacity so that black mass is processed within India, not exported as a semi-processed intermediate.On market architecture, the paper recommends replacing the current floor-and-ceiling pricing mechanism for EPR certificates with market-based price discovery, strengthening digital traceability through integration with existing government systems, and introducing recycled content mandates in manufacturing to create a stable domestic demand signal for secondary minerals.The report also identifies a significant financial opportunity in carbon markets, noting that recycled minerals generate approximately 80% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than primary extraction. This, it argues, makes recycled mineral production in India a natural candidate for carbon credit generation, a potential new stream of climate finance that remains largely untapped.Crucially, the paper argues that the informal sector, far from being simply an enforcement problem, must be integrated before it can be regulated. Any formalisation strategy that ignores the livelihoods of half a million workers, the report warns, will fail on both economic and political grounds.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260425/image-1777092142896.png"><figcaption>Share of Different Types of EEE in E-Waste (Source: NITI Aayog 2026a/The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India)</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h2>THE WINDOW IS OPEN, BUT NOT FOR LONG</h2>India has moved. The National Critical Minerals Mission, launched in January 2025, has earmarked INR 1,500 crores for a recycling incentive scheme, with INR 700 crore directed at lithium-ion battery recycling and INR 650 crore at E-Waste more broadly. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2025 has opened pathways for mineral recovery from mine tailings and overburden. The architecture is taking shape, but the report's projections carry an implicit warning: the accelerated scenario's benefits, those 28 kilotonnes of recovered lithium, the 113 kT of graphite, only materialise if policy support is aggressive, consistent, and technologically serious. The business-as-usual path recovers a fraction of what is possible, and the mineral that flows out of India as black mass does not come back.India's E-Waste mountain is rising. Whether it becomes a resource liability or a strategic asset will depend, in large part, on decisions being made, or deferred, right now.

India's discarded smartphones, laptops, and consumer electronics are sitting on a secondary mineral reserve that, if unlocked, could meaningfully offset import bills. But right now, most of it is being exported outside that won’t return. 

New Delhi is staring at what could be either its biggest resource security liability or its most consequential strategic opportunity of the clean energy decade. A new white paper by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India, released this week at WasteTech India's sixth edition in New Delhi, lays out the numbers with uncomfortable clarity. By 2040, India is projected to generate approximately 54 million metric tonnes of electronic waste annually, growing at a compound rate of 16.9% per year, from roughly 6.19 million metric tonnes estimated in 2026. For a country that is 100% import-dependent on lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, gallium, indium, tungsten, and over a dozen other minerals critical to its clean energy ambitions, what gets thrown away is increasingly as strategically important as what gets mined. THE MINERAL DEBT INDIA CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE India's dependence on foreign mineral supply chains is not a distant policy concern, it is a present and growing liability. According to projections cited in the report from NITI Aayog's 2026 assessment, India's cumulative mineral demand through 2070 will reach 5.4 million metric tonnes of lithium, 11 MMT of nickel, 1.4 MMT of cobalt, and 46.4 MMT of graphite, all essential inputs for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, solar photovoltaics, and the broader digital economy. The supply side of this equation is where geopolitics becomes dangerous. China refines 63% of the world's rare earth elements and has already imposed export licensing restrictions on several of them. The Democratic Republic of Congo holds 48% of global cobalt reserves and produces 72% of world supply, while itself restricting cobalt exports. Australia controls 55% of global lithium output. India buys from all of these markets and controls none of them. For an economy guided by the principle of Atmanirbharta, self-reliance, this structural dependency represents a fundamental contradiction at the heart of its clean energy transition strategy. Projections for recoverable quantities based on BAU and APS formal recycling growth scenarios for the following critical minerals – (a) Rare Earth Elements; (b) Graphite; (c) Nickel; (d) Cobalt; (e) Lithium (Source: In-house calculations by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India based on secondary data) THE SECONDARY RESOURCE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT This is precisely where India's mounting E-Waste problem reframes itself as an opportunity. Electronic devices contain over 60 elements, with metals comprising roughly one-third of their total composition. Batteries, in particular, are among the most resource-dense components in the E-Waste stream. The report models two scenarios for India's formal E-Waste recycling sector. Under a business-as-usual trajectory, formal recycling capacity grows at 8.35% annually, recovering 1.9 kilotonnes of lithium, 1.6 kT of cobalt, 4.4 kT of nickel, and 7.9 kT of graphite annually from E-Waste by 2035-40. Under an Accelerated Policy Support scenario, where informal recyclers are progressively integrated into the formal ecosystem and policy support is aggressive, those numbers transform sharply. Lithium recovery could rise to 28 kT annually by 2035-40, cobalt to 24 kT, graphite to 113 kT, and nickel to 6 kT. The lithium-ion battery recycling stream tells an equally compelling story. Driven primarily by end-of-life electric vehicles, formal LIB recycling could yield 56 kT of lithium, 42 kT of cobalt, 99 kT of nickel, and 205 kT of graphite annually by the 2036-40 period. These are not negligible quantities, they represent a meaningful secondary supply buffer against the geopolitical volatility of primary mineral markets. Projection of Growth of the Formal E-Waste Recycling Sector (Source: In-house calculations by The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India based on secondary data) THE TECHNOLOGY GAP THAT IS BLEEDING VALUE The problem is that India, right now, lacks the tools to capture most of this value. The white paper identifies a structural technology deficit at the core of the country's recycling ecosystem that is actively costing it mineral wealth. The informal sector, which processes approximately 78% of India's total E-Waste and employs an estimated 500,000 workers, lacks the capability to refine beyond what the industry calls black mass. This dark, granular powder, produced when lithium-ion batteries are mechanically shredded, contains concentrated graphite, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Unable to process further, informal recyclers export this intermediate product overseas for hydrometallurgical refining, a practice the report describes as a massive leakage of critical mineral resource out of the country. The formal sector is better equipped, but thinly spread. A small group of high-capacity formal recyclers accounts for approximately 48% of total formal processing capacity, while 75% of registered recyclers collectively account for just 15% of capacity. The government's technology transfer program through the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology has succeeded in transferring advanced recycling technology to just 27 recyclers over two years, a number that bears no proportion to the scale of the challenge ahead. India's E-Waste management framework currently tracks only four metals through the Extended Producer Responsibility system: copper, aluminium, iron, and gold. This was a pragmatic choice at the time of drafting the E-Waste Management Rules, calibrated to the sector's then-limited capabilities. But the landscape has moved on, and the policy has not. WHAT THE REPORT PRESCRIBES The white paper does not stop at diagnosis. It proposes a layered set of interventions across government, industry, and civil society, several of which carry direct market implications. On policy reform, the report calls for expanding the scope of the EPR framework to include a wider range of critical and high-value metals beyond the current four-metal configuration. It specifically recommends developing a chemistry-specific EPR pricing framework for Lithium Ferro-Phosphate batteries, whose low content of valuable minerals makes recycling currently unprofitable, a structural problem that will worsen as LFP becomes the dominant battery chemistry for mass-market EVs. On technology and infrastructure, the report calls for establishing Common Facility Centres giving smaller and informal recyclers shared access to advanced processing equipment, and for scaling domestic hydrometallurgical refining capacity so that black mass is processed within India, not exported as a semi-processed intermediate. On market architecture, the paper recommends replacing the current floor-and-ceiling pricing mechanism for EPR certificates with market-based price discovery, strengthening digital traceability through integration with existing government systems, and introducing recycled content mandates in manufacturing to create a stable domestic demand signal for secondary minerals. The report also identifies a significant financial opportunity in carbon markets, noting that recycled minerals generate approximately 80% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than primary extraction. This, it argues, makes recycled mineral production in India a natural candidate for carbon credit generation, a potential new stream of climate finance that remains largely untapped. Crucially, the paper argues that the informal sector, far from being simply an enforcement problem, must be integrated before it can be regulated. Any formalisation strategy that ignores the livelihoods of half a million workers, the report warns, will fail on both economic and political grounds. Share of Different Types of EEE in E-Waste (Source: NITI Aayog 2026a/The Energy and Resources Institute and Messe Frankfurt India) THE WINDOW IS OPEN, BUT NOT FOR LONG India has moved. The National Critical Minerals Mission, launched in January 2025, has earmarked INR 1,500 crores for a recycling incentive scheme, with INR 700 crore directed at lithium-ion battery recycling and INR 650 crore at E-Waste more broadly. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2025 has opened pathways for mineral recovery from mine tailings and overburden. The architecture is taking shape, but the report's projections carry an implicit warning: the accelerated scenario's benefits, those 28 kilotonnes of recovered lithium, the 113 kT of graphite, only materialise if policy support is aggressive, consistent, and technologically serious. The business-as-usual path recovers a fraction of what is possible, and the mineral that flows out of India as black mass does not come back. India's E-Waste mountain is rising. Whether it becomes a resource liability or a strategic asset will depend, in large part, on decisions being made, or deferred, right now.

India's discarded smartphones, laptops, and consumer electronics are sitting on a secondary mineral reserve that, if unlocked, could meaningfully offset import bills. But right now, most of it is being exported outside that won’t return.&nbsp;

India sits on a critical mineral goldmine buried in 54mn tonnes of e-waste

The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited on Friday, bringing an abrupt end to one of India’s most high-profile payments bank experiments.In a notification dated April 24, the RBI said the licence stands cancelled with effect from close of business on April 24, 2026, and the bank was immediately barred from carrying out the business of banking.The central bank also said it will move the High Court for the winding up of the bank.“RBI will make an application for winding up of the bank before the High Court,” the regulator said in its notification.The action marks a dramatic escalation in regulatory steps against Paytm Payments Bank, which had already faced severe business restrictions over the past two years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blockade-of-iranian-vessels-to-continue-for-as-long-as-it-takes-defence-secretary-pete-hegseth-1777040971899">US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth</a><h2>Why did the RBI cancel the licence?</h2>&nbsp;The RBI listed multiple reasons for the cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank’s licence. It said the affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors. It also said the general character of the management was prejudicial to the interest of depositors and public interest.&nbsp;The RBI also said that no useful purpose or public interest would be served by allowing the bank to continue. It further said that the bank had failed to comply with conditions stipulated in the payments bank licence, violating provisions of the Banking Regulation Act.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-cleric-wants-trump-to-apologise-over-ali-khamenei-killing-admit-mistake-before-world-1777036677663">Iran cleric wants Trump to apologise over Ali Khamenei killing, admit ‘mistake’ before world</a><h2>Restrictions had started earlier</h2>&nbsp;The licence cancellation comes after curbs were imposed by the RBI earlier.Paytm Payments Bank had been directed to stop onboarding new customers from March 11, 2022.Later, on January 31, 2024 and February 16, 2024, the RBI imposed further restrictions that barred fresh deposits, credits, and top-ups in existing customer accounts, prepaid instruments, and wallets.The curbs effectively froze the bank’s growth and significantly reduced its operating scope.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/raghav-chadha-2-other-mps-quit-aam-aadmi-party-announce-split-with-2-3rd-mps-to-join-bjp-1777026936391">Raghav Chadha, 2 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, announce split with 2/3rd MPs joining BJP</a><h2>What happens to depositors?</h2>&nbsp;The RBI has reassured customers on repayment. It said Paytm Payments Bank Limited has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon the winding up of the bank. The depositors are expected to be repaid during the winding-up process, subject to regulatory procedures.&nbsp;The cancellation is a major setback for the Paytm ecosystem, which had built significant customer adoption around wallets, merchant payments, and digital banking services.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-says-trump-as-third-us-aircraft-carrier-arrives-in-middle-east-1776976041893">‘Clock is ticking for Iran,’ says Trump as third US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East</a>&nbsp;Payments banks were launched to expand financial inclusion by offering deposits and payments services without full lending operations.&nbsp;With the licence now cancelled, attention will shift to how parent company Paytm reorganises its banking and payments partnerships.

RBI said the affairs of the Paytm Payments Bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors. It also said the general character of the management was prejudicial to the interest of depositors and public interest.

The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited on Friday, bringing an abrupt end to one of India’s most high-profile payments bank experiments. In a notification dated April 24, the RBI said the licence stands cancelled with effect from close of business on April 24, 2026, and the bank was immediately barred from carrying out the business of banking. The central bank also said it will move the High Court for the winding up of the bank. “RBI will make an application for winding up of the bank before the High Court,” the regulator said in its notification. The action marks a dramatic escalation in regulatory steps against Paytm Payments Bank, which had already faced severe business restrictions over the past two years. Also Read: US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth Why did the RBI cancel the licence? The RBI listed multiple reasons for the cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank’s licence. It said the affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors. It also said the general character of the management was prejudicial to the interest of depositors and public interest. The RBI also said that no useful purpose or public interest would be served by allowing the bank to continue. It further said that the bank had failed to comply with conditions stipulated in the payments bank licence, violating provisions of the Banking Regulation Act. Also Read: Iran cleric wants Trump to apologise over Ali Khamenei killing, admit ‘mistake’ before world Restrictions had started earlier The licence cancellation comes after curbs were imposed by the RBI earlier. Paytm Payments Bank had been directed to stop onboarding new customers from March 11, 2022. Later, on January 31, 2024 and February 16, 2024, the RBI imposed further restrictions that barred fresh deposits, credits, and top-ups in existing customer accounts, prepaid instruments, and wallets. The curbs effectively froze the bank’s growth and significantly reduced its operating scope. Also Read: Raghav Chadha, 2 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, announce split with 2/3rd MPs joining BJP What happens to depositors? The RBI has reassured customers on repayment. It said Paytm Payments Bank Limited has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon the winding up of the bank. The depositors are expected to be repaid during the winding-up process, subject to regulatory procedures. The cancellation is a major setback for the Paytm ecosystem, which had built significant customer adoption around wallets, merchant payments, and digital banking services. Also Read: ‘Clock is ticking for Iran,’ says Trump as third US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East Payments banks were launched to expand financial inclusion by offering deposits and payments services without full lending operations. With the licence now cancelled, attention will shift to how parent company Paytm reorganises its banking and payments partnerships.

RBI said the affairs of the Paytm Payments Bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors. It also said the general character of the management was prejudicial to the interest of depositors and public interest.

RBI cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank, to seek its winding up in court

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police clarified on Friday that no FIR has been registered against a woman whose video confronting Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan in Worli went viral recently, putting an end to widespread speculation on social media.&nbsp;The clarification comes after multiple posts claimed that the woman had been booked for her outburst during a traffic jam caused by a political gathering. Police officials have urged citizens to refrain from spreading unverified information and to rely only on official updates.&nbsp;<h2>What had happened?</h2>&nbsp;The incident unfolded in Mumbai’s Worli area during a political rally, which led to significant traffic congestion on key roads. Commuters were left stranded for an extended period, triggering frustration among those stuck in the jam.&nbsp;In the viral video, a woman is seen angrily confronting minister Girish Mahajan and police personnel, questioning the disruption and demanding immediate clearance of the road. She reportedly expressed concern about being delayed while on an urgent errand, a sentiment that resonated with many online.&nbsp;<h2>Complaint filed, but no FIR</h2>&nbsp;Following the incident, a private complaint was lodged at the Worli police station alleging misconduct by the woman. However, the police have confirmed that the complaint has not been converted into a First Information Report (FIR), meaning no formal criminal case has been registered against her.&nbsp;<h2>Action on rally organisers</h2>&nbsp;Instead, authorities have reportedly taken note of the larger issue of public inconvenience caused by the rally. Police have initiated action against the organisers for traffic disruption, highlighting the challenges of managing large political gatherings in densely populated areas like Mumbai.&nbsp;The episode has reignited debate over the impact of political events on daily life in metro cities. While public demonstrations are a democratic right, repeated incidents of road blockades and prolonged traffic jams have drawn criticism from citizens who face disruptions to essential travel.&nbsp;Mumbai Police reiterated its appeal to the public to avoid sharing misleading claims and to verify information through credible sources, especially in cases that gain rapid traction online.

The incident unfolded in Mumbai’s Worli area during a political rally, which led to significant traffic congestion on key roads. Commuters were left stranded for an extended period, triggering frustration among those stuck in the jam.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police clarified on Friday that no FIR has been registered against a woman whose video confronting Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan in Worli went viral recently, putting an end to widespread speculation on social media. The clarification comes after multiple posts claimed that the woman had been booked for her outburst during a traffic jam caused by a political gathering. Police officials have urged citizens to refrain from spreading unverified information and to rely only on official updates. What had happened? The incident unfolded in Mumbai’s Worli area during a political rally, which led to significant traffic congestion on key roads. Commuters were left stranded for an extended period, triggering frustration among those stuck in the jam. In the viral video, a woman is seen angrily confronting minister Girish Mahajan and police personnel, questioning the disruption and demanding immediate clearance of the road. She reportedly expressed concern about being delayed while on an urgent errand, a sentiment that resonated with many online. Complaint filed, but no FIR Following the incident, a private complaint was lodged at the Worli police station alleging misconduct by the woman. However, the police have confirmed that the complaint has not been converted into a First Information Report (FIR), meaning no formal criminal case has been registered against her. Action on rally organisers Instead, authorities have reportedly taken note of the larger issue of public inconvenience caused by the rally. Police have initiated action against the organisers for traffic disruption, highlighting the challenges of managing large political gatherings in densely populated areas like Mumbai. The episode has reignited debate over the impact of political events on daily life in metro cities. While public demonstrations are a democratic right, repeated incidents of road blockades and prolonged traffic jams have drawn criticism from citizens who face disruptions to essential travel. Mumbai Police reiterated its appeal to the public to avoid sharing misleading claims and to verify information through credible sources, especially in cases that gain rapid traction online.

The incident unfolded in Mumbai’s Worli area during a political rally, which led to significant traffic congestion on key roads. Commuters were left stranded for an extended period, triggering frustration among those stuck in the jam.

No FIR in Worli traffic confrontation case, confirm Mumbai Police

Security forces have intensified their fight against drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu and Kashmir, with a series of coordinated enforcement actions, crackdowns on illegal cultivation, and large-scale awareness programmes conducted under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu &amp; Kashmir Abhiyaan. In a major anti-drug operation spanning multiple districts, police arrested 14 drug peddlers and seized significant quantities of contraband substances. In Ganderbal, two individuals were apprehended during naka checking, and 100 bottles of codeine phosphate were recovered from their vehicle. Similar operations in Anantnag led to multiple arrests and recoveries, including charas, heroin-like substances, and poppy straw from different locations such as Sangam, Ashajipora, Donipawa, and Tarbal.&nbsp;In Budgam, police recovered over 2.7 kilograms of charas powder from a residence in Choudhary Bagh Subden, while in Kupwara, a driver was intercepted with a substantial quantity of heroin-like substance. Baramulla police also detained four individuals found with narcotic paraphernalia; subsequent medical examinations confirmed opioid consumption. In Sopore, psychotropic substances, including Spasmoproxyvon Plus capsules and Alprazolam tablets, were seized from a suspect.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/qr-code-system-rolled-out-in-kashmir-valley-to-boost-tourist-safety-and-trust-1776688217913">QR code system rolled out in Kashmir valley to boost tourist safety and trust</a>&nbsp;Parallel to these arrests, police in Pulwama stepped up preventive and enforcement measures. Illegally cultivated poppy plants were destroyed at Ayan Gund, while multiple motor vehicle checking points (MVCPs) were established in coordination with CRPF and K-9 squads to deter trafficking. Authorities also conducted inspections of medical shops in Drabgam, Rahmoo, and Sangerwani to ensure compliance with regulations governing controlled substances.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmiris-rally-for-peace-on-pahalgam-attack-anniversary-in-gurez-and-karnah-1776870591050">Kashmir rallies for peace on Pahalgam attack anniversary in Gurez and Karnah</a>&nbsp;In a separate crackdown in Anantnag district, police registered 16 FIRs against individuals involved in illegal narcotic cultivation and destroyed poppy crops spread over approximately 150 marlas of land. Joint operations involving police, revenue, and agriculture departments targeted multiple areas including Check Panjpora, Hargam Sagam, Shergund, Verri, and parts of Srigufwara, where poppy and cannabis cultivation was detected and eradicated.&nbsp;Alongside enforcement, authorities have significantly expanded awareness initiatives aimed at curbing drug abuse, particularly among youth. Programmes, rallies, and interactive sessions were organised across Shopian, Awantipora, Kupwara, and Baramulla. Educational institutions, community leaders, and local residents actively participated in these campaigns, pledging support for a drug-free society.&nbsp;Police officials emphasised a dual approach combining strict law enforcement with proactive community engagement. Awareness drives highlighted the physical, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse, while encouraging citizens, especially young people, to play an active role in resisting the drug menace.

In a separate crackdown in Anantnag district, police registered 16 FIRs against individuals involved in illegal narcotic cultivation and destroyed poppy crops spread over approximately 150 marlas of land.

Security forces have intensified their fight against drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu and Kashmir, with a series of coordinated enforcement actions, crackdowns on illegal cultivation, and large-scale awareness programmes conducted under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan. In a major anti-drug operation spanning multiple districts, police arrested 14 drug peddlers and seized significant quantities of contraband substances. In Ganderbal, two individuals were apprehended during naka checking, and 100 bottles of codeine phosphate were recovered from their vehicle. Similar operations in Anantnag led to multiple arrests and recoveries, including charas, heroin-like substances, and poppy straw from different locations such as Sangam, Ashajipora, Donipawa, and Tarbal. In Budgam, police recovered over 2.7 kilograms of charas powder from a residence in Choudhary Bagh Subden, while in Kupwara, a driver was intercepted with a substantial quantity of heroin-like substance. Baramulla police also detained four individuals found with narcotic paraphernalia; subsequent medical examinations confirmed opioid consumption. In Sopore, psychotropic substances, including Spasmoproxyvon Plus capsules and Alprazolam tablets, were seized from a suspect. Also read: QR code system rolled out in Kashmir valley to boost tourist safety and trust Parallel to these arrests, police in Pulwama stepped up preventive and enforcement measures. Illegally cultivated poppy plants were destroyed at Ayan Gund, while multiple motor vehicle checking points (MVCPs) were established in coordination with CRPF and K-9 squads to deter trafficking. Authorities also conducted inspections of medical shops in Drabgam, Rahmoo, and Sangerwani to ensure compliance with regulations governing controlled substances. Also read: Kashmir rallies for peace on Pahalgam attack anniversary in Gurez and Karnah In a separate crackdown in Anantnag district, police registered 16 FIRs against individuals involved in illegal narcotic cultivation and destroyed poppy crops spread over approximately 150 marlas of land. Joint operations involving police, revenue, and agriculture departments targeted multiple areas including Check Panjpora, Hargam Sagam, Shergund, Verri, and parts of Srigufwara, where poppy and cannabis cultivation was detected and eradicated. Alongside enforcement, authorities have significantly expanded awareness initiatives aimed at curbing drug abuse, particularly among youth. Programmes, rallies, and interactive sessions were organised across Shopian, Awantipora, Kupwara, and Baramulla. Educational institutions, community leaders, and local residents actively participated in these campaigns, pledging support for a drug-free society. Police officials emphasised a dual approach combining strict law enforcement with proactive community engagement. Awareness drives highlighted the physical, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse, while encouraging citizens, especially young people, to play an active role in resisting the drug menace.

In a separate crackdown in Anantnag district, police registered 16 FIRs against individuals involved in illegal narcotic cultivation and destroyed poppy crops spread over approximately 150 marlas of land.

Valley-wide crackdown and awareness drive intensified under Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan

India has emerged as the world’s heat hotspot, with 19 of the 20 hottest locations globally currently recorded within the country, according to data released by AQI.in. The findings underline the scale of the ongoing India heatwave, with cities across Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh dominating global temperature rankings.&nbsp;Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha and Asansol in West Bengal topped the list, each recording a peak temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, the highest in the world at the time of assessment, according to an India Today report. Several other cities in Bihar, including Begusarai, Motihari, Munger, Bhojpur and Siwan, along with locations in West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, followed closely with temperatures around 43 degrees Celsius. Lumbini in Nepal was the only non Indian location in the top 20.<h2>IMD warns of prolonged heatwave</h2>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwave conditions will persist from April 22 to 24, with maximum temperatures likely to rise further and touch 43 degrees Celsius in several regions. The department declares a heatwave when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;The widespread surge in temperatures across northern, central and eastern India indicates a broader atmospheric pattern rather than isolated events. Meteorologists attribute the extreme conditions to intense solar radiation during the pre-monsoon period, coupled with clear skies that allow uninterrupted heating of land surfaces.<h2>Multiple factors intensify extreme heat</h2>A deficit in winter snowfall across Eurasia and the Himalayas has further aggravated conditions by reducing surface reflectivity and accelerating warming. In addition, shifting ocean patterns, including rising Pacific sea surface temperatures and ENSO neutral conditions, are altering atmospheric circulation and weakening cooling systems.&nbsp;Hot, dry northwesterly winds sweeping across the plains have also suppressed cloud formation and rainfall, intensifying the Indian heatwave. However, weather conditions remain uneven, with parts of southern and north eastern India experiencing moisture inflow and thunderstorms.&nbsp;Experts warn that the clustering of extreme temperatures within India signals rising climate variability and an increase in both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. With April still underway, prolonged heat stress is expected to continue, with meaningful relief unlikely until pre-monsoon activity strengthens in the coming weeks.

Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha and Asansol in West Bengal topped the list, each recording a peak temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, the highest in the world at the time of assessment.

India has emerged as the world’s heat hotspot, with 19 of the 20 hottest locations globally currently recorded within the country, according to data released by AQI.in. The findings underline the scale of the ongoing India heatwave, with cities across Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh dominating global temperature rankings. Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha and Asansol in West Bengal topped the list, each recording a peak temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, the highest in the world at the time of assessment, according to an India Today report. Several other cities in Bihar, including Begusarai, Motihari, Munger, Bhojpur and Siwan, along with locations in West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, followed closely with temperatures around 43 degrees Celsius. Lumbini in Nepal was the only non Indian location in the top 20. IMD warns of prolonged heatwave The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwave conditions will persist from April 22 to 24, with maximum temperatures likely to rise further and touch 43 degrees Celsius in several regions. The department declares a heatwave when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The widespread surge in temperatures across northern, central and eastern India indicates a broader atmospheric pattern rather than isolated events. Meteorologists attribute the extreme conditions to intense solar radiation during the pre-monsoon period, coupled with clear skies that allow uninterrupted heating of land surfaces. Multiple factors intensify extreme heat A deficit in winter snowfall across Eurasia and the Himalayas has further aggravated conditions by reducing surface reflectivity and accelerating warming. In addition, shifting ocean patterns, including rising Pacific sea surface temperatures and ENSO neutral conditions, are altering atmospheric circulation and weakening cooling systems. Hot, dry northwesterly winds sweeping across the plains have also suppressed cloud formation and rainfall, intensifying the Indian heatwave. However, weather conditions remain uneven, with parts of southern and north eastern India experiencing moisture inflow and thunderstorms. Experts warn that the clustering of extreme temperatures within India signals rising climate variability and an increase in both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. With April still underway, prolonged heat stress is expected to continue, with meaningful relief unlikely until pre-monsoon activity strengthens in the coming weeks.

Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha and Asansol in West Bengal topped the list, each recording a peak temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, the highest in the world at the time of assessment.

India tops global heat charts with 19 of 20 hottest cities, IMD warns of continued heatwave

Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak, who resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Friday (April 24). The remaining four MPs, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney, will join the BJP later.&nbsp;Nabin welcomed the leaders and marked the occasion by distributing sweets as they formally entered the party &nbsp;The development comes as over two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs announced their decision to merge with the BJP, effectively bypassing disqualification under the anti-defection law.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delhi: Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal meet BJP National President Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters 2/3rd MPs of AAP in the Rajya Sabha announced merging with the BJP. <a href="https://t.co/cRLnmOQRFZ">pic.twitter.com/cRLnmOQRFZ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047650136457965848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-operation-lotus-is-being-played-aap-s-sanjay-singh-hits-out-at-bjp-after-raghav-chadha-7-other-aap-mps-join-bjp-1777033170002">'Operation Lotus is being played': AAP's Sanjay Singh hits out at BJP after Raghav Chadha, 7 other AAP MPs join BJP</a>&nbsp;Chadha, once among AAP’s most prominent faces, said the party had “completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals”. “The party is no longer working in the national interest but for personal gain,” he said while addressing a joint press conference with Pathak and Mittal.&nbsp;The shift has significantly altered AAP’s strength in the Upper House. With seven out of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs backing Chadha’s move, only Sanjay Singh, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and N Gupta remain with the party.&nbsp;Sources indicated that other MPs, including former cricketer Harbhajan Singh and Rajinder Gupta, are also set to support the switch. The two-thirds threshold protects the defecting MPs from disqualification under existing parliamentary rules.&nbsp;<h2>AAP leadership hits back</h2>AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply, stating that the BJP had “once again given Punjabis a shove”. Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of running “Operation Lotus” to destabilise the party and obstruct governance in Punjab.&nbsp;Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called the defecting leaders “traitors” and said they no longer represent the people of the state. “The BJP finishes every party it aligns with. The people of Punjab stand firmly with us,” Mann said, asserting that the move would not impact his government’s development agenda.&nbsp;The meeting between Chadha and Nabin at the BJP headquarters marks a decisive moment in the ongoing political churn, with national implications for both AAP and the BJP.

The Rajya Sabha MPs formally entered the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin at the headquarters in Delhi. Nabin welcomed them with bouquets and distributed sweets.

Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak, who resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Friday (April 24). The remaining four MPs, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney, will join the BJP later. Nabin welcomed the leaders and marked the occasion by distributing sweets as they formally entered the party The development comes as over two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs announced their decision to merge with the BJP, effectively bypassing disqualification under the anti-defection law.

The Rajya Sabha MPs formally entered the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin at the headquarters in Delhi. Nabin welcomed them with bouquets and distributed sweets.

Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal formally join BJP after quitting AAP

The Union Government is planning divestment in the Chabahar port in Iran and leaving the control of the strategically significant port with a local Iranian entity, Business Standard reported. The report suggests that India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) would sell its holding in India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) to an Iranian entity as the extended US sanction waiver comes to expire on Sunday, April 26. The report also suggests that the control would revert back to India if and ever the sanctions were to be lifted or a new waiver is secured.&nbsp;India enjoyed exemptions from sanctions on the Chabahar port since 2018, and invested around $120 million in equipment procurement for the Chabahar project. However, in February 2025, the Trump administration under Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to review or withdraw the waiver that supported Iran or provide any economic or financial relief and later withdrew the waiver on September 29, 2025. However, in the following month, it again issued an extension of the waiver, clarifying that activities at Chabahar Port would remain protected from US sanctions until April 26, 2026.The report suggests that the Indian government has previously explored the possibility of ignoring US sanctions and operating a terminal in the port. But legal experts warned about the possibility of sanctions being extended to the companies associated with the India-backed terminal in Chabahar. Sagarmala Development Corporation Ltd is the company that operates the terminal in Chabahar port through the subsidiary IPGL. It also operates another port in Myanmar’s Sittwe Port; if the sanctions spill into the company, it will hurt India's goal to operate an international port. The company is part of the Bharat Global Ports consortium, which seeks opportunities to operate international ports.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-spirit-airlines-federal-takeover-bailout-1777022869530">‘I think we just buy it'- Trump suggests federal takeover of Spirit Airlines as oil prices push it to bankruptcy</a><h2>Why was Chabhar port important for India?</h2>India was part of the 10-year agreement with Iran in 2024 that allowed India to operate the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal in Iran. The port is often described as the Golden Gate to West and Central Asia. It was part of India's ambition to operate ports internationally. This was India's response to China's development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It prevents China from having a monopoly over the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean and helps monitor maritime activity in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It also acts as a node of the International North-South Transport Corridor that allows India to transport goods to Russia and Afghanistan, which Pakistan often denies to India.&nbsp;

India plans divestment from Chabahar Port as US sanctions waiver expires, raising concerns over strategic access to Central Asia.

The Union Government is planning divestment in the Chabahar port in Iran and leaving the control of the strategically significant port with a local Iranian entity, Business Standard reported. The report suggests that India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) would sell its holding in India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) to an Iranian entity as the extended US sanction waiver comes to expire on Sunday, April 26. The report also suggests that the control would revert back to India if and ever the sanctions were to be lifted or a new waiver is secured. India enjoyed exemptions from sanctions on the Chabahar port since 2018, and invested around $120 million in equipment procurement for the Chabahar project. However, in February 2025, the Trump administration under Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to review or withdraw the waiver that supported Iran or provide any economic or financial relief and later withdrew the waiver on September 29, 2025. However, in the following month, it again issued an extension of the waiver, clarifying that activities at Chabahar Port would remain protected from US sanctions until April 26, 2026. The report suggests that the Indian government has previously explored the possibility of ignoring US sanctions and operating a terminal in the port. But legal experts warned about the possibility of sanctions being extended to the companies associated with the India-backed terminal in Chabahar. Sagarmala Development Corporation Ltd is the company that operates the terminal in Chabahar port through the subsidiary IPGL. It also operates another port in Myanmar’s Sittwe Port; if the sanctions spill into the company, it will hurt India's goal to operate an international port. The company is part of the Bharat Global Ports consortium, which seeks opportunities to operate international ports. Also Read: ‘I think we just buy it'- Trump suggests federal takeover of Spirit Airlines as oil prices push it to bankruptcy Why was Chabhar port important for India? India was part of the 10-year agreement with Iran in 2024 that allowed India to operate the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal in Iran. The port is often described as the Golden Gate to West and Central Asia. It was part of India's ambition to operate ports internationally. This was India's response to China's development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It prevents China from having a monopoly over the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean and helps monitor maritime activity in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It also acts as a node of the International North-South Transport Corridor that allows India to transport goods to Russia and Afghanistan, which Pakistan often denies to India.

India plans divestment from Chabahar Port as US sanctions waiver expires, raising concerns over strategic access to Central Asia.

India planning exit from Chabahar port as US sanction waiver expires

Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha and seven other Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced that they were breaking away from AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Immediately after the announcement, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal reacted on X saying, "The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove."&nbsp;While AAP'S senior leader Sanjay Singh held a press conference in Delhi and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for launching "Operation Louts".<h2>"Operation Lotus" is being played</h2>&nbsp;He blamed BJP for obstructing the good work done by the AAP party led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Punjab.&nbsp;“I want to tell Modi ji and Amit Shah that this dirty game you have played with the Aam Aadmi Party and with the people of Punjab, and the attempts you have made to stop the Bhagwant Mann government and obstruct its work, for this betrayal and deceit, the people of Punjab will never forgive you," said Sanjay Singh.&nbsp;"Everyone is watching what is happening and how things are being done. Today, my heart is deeply hurt and saddened because a good government is functioning in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann is doing good work for the people there in areas like education, health, electricity, water, and providing government jobs, and yet this ‘Operation Lotus’ is being played against that government,” said Sing further.&nbsp;He further accused BJP of using Central agencies like the ED and CBI in forcing his party members to join the &nbsp;BJP.&nbsp;“Our MPs are being manipulated and made to join another party. Agencies like the ED and CBI are being used. You may recall that just a few days ago there was an ED raid on Ashok Mittal, and things seem to connect, there was a raid and then he was taken away," said Singh.<h2>Punjab CM Mann reacts with "Traitor" comment</h2>Also reacting to the incident was Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who called Raghav Chadha and seven other AAP leaders "traitors" who do not represent the people of Punjab."The BJP finishes every party it aligns with. The people of Punjab stand firmly with us and support our development agenda," Mann said, adding that the defectors would gain little from their move.&nbsp;

Also reacting to the incident was Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who called Raghav Chadha and seven other AAP leaders "traitors".

Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha and seven other Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced that they were breaking away from AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Immediately after the announcement, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal reacted on X saying, "The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove." While AAP'S senior leader Sanjay Singh held a press conference in Delhi and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for launching "Operation Louts". "Operation Lotus" is being played He blamed BJP for obstructing the good work done by the AAP party led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Punjab. “I want to tell Modi ji and Amit Shah that this dirty game you have played with the Aam Aadmi Party and with the people of Punjab, and the attempts you have made to stop the Bhagwant Mann government and obstruct its work, for this betrayal and deceit, the people of Punjab will never forgive you," said Sanjay Singh. "Everyone is watching what is happening and how things are being done. Today, my heart is deeply hurt and saddened because a good government is functioning in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann is doing good work for the people there in areas like education, health, electricity, water, and providing government jobs, and yet this ‘Operation Lotus’ is being played against that government,” said Sing further. He further accused BJP of using Central agencies like the ED and CBI in forcing his party members to join the BJP. “Our MPs are being manipulated and made to join another party. Agencies like the ED and CBI are being used. You may recall that just a few days ago there was an ED raid on Ashok Mittal, and things seem to connect, there was a raid and then he was taken away," said Singh. Punjab CM Mann reacts with "Traitor" comment Also reacting to the incident was Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who called Raghav Chadha and seven other AAP leaders "traitors" who do not represent the people of Punjab. "The BJP finishes every party it aligns with. The people of Punjab stand firmly with us and support our development agenda," Mann said, adding that the defectors would gain little from their move.

Also reacting to the incident was Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who called Raghav Chadha and seven other AAP leaders "traitors".

'Operation Lotus is being played': AAP's Sanjay Singh hits out at BJP after Raghav Chadha, 7 other AAP MPs join BJP

In the murder of IRS officer's daughter in South Delhi’s Amar Colony on Wednesday (April 22, 2026), a fresh development as come to light as crime and forensic teams gear up to conduct scene recreation. Investigations have revealed that the accused, Rahul Meena, was infamous for his aggressive behaviour in his native village, official sources said.&nbsp;He also exhibited psychopathic tendencies and had a history of violent conduct, the sources further added.&nbsp;The investigating team, meanwhile, is going to recreate the scene where CCTV footage was not available.&nbsp;"There are possibilities that the team may visit the crime scene today. Just to recreate the scene where CCTV footage was not available. Teams are also looking for the possibilities to take the accused along with," the source said, as reported by PTI.&nbsp;Teams are now planning a detailed psychological assessment of the accused as part of the ongoing probe, said the source further.<h2>What the Delhi horror incident?</h2>&nbsp;The 22-year-old daughter of an IRS officer was murdered in South Delhi’s Amar Colony on Wednesday (April 22, 2026). Police suspect the involvement of a former house help (Rahul Meena) and believe that the woman was strangled to death, likely with a mobile phone charging cable, as it was found at the scene.&nbsp;The incident reportedly happened while the woman's parents were out for a walk, suspecting that the house help had entered the house and killed her. "He was recently removed from his job," police said.&nbsp;The murder came to light when Gupta, &nbsp;a 1997-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, returned home and discovered his daughter lying in a pool of blood. As soon as police were alerted about the incident, they rushed to the site, where they took custody of the body and launched a probe, according to several media reports.&nbsp;

The investigating team, meanwhile, is going to recreate the murder scene where CCTV footage was not available.

In the murder of IRS officer's daughter in South Delhi’s Amar Colony on Wednesday (April 22, 2026), a fresh development as come to light as crime and forensic teams gear up to conduct scene recreation. Investigations have revealed that the accused, Rahul Meena, was infamous for his aggressive behaviour in his native village, official sources said. He also exhibited psychopathic tendencies and had a history of violent conduct, the sources further added. The investigating team, meanwhile, is going to recreate the scene where CCTV footage was not available. "There are possibilities that the team may visit the crime scene today. Just to recreate the scene where CCTV footage was not available. Teams are also looking for the possibilities to take the accused along with," the source said, as reported by PTI. Teams are now planning a detailed psychological assessment of the accused as part of the ongoing probe, said the source further. What the Delhi horror incident? The 22-year-old daughter of an IRS officer was murdered in South Delhi’s Amar Colony on Wednesday (April 22, 2026). Police suspect the involvement of a former house help (Rahul Meena) and believe that the woman was strangled to death, likely with a mobile phone charging cable, as it was found at the scene. The incident reportedly happened while the woman's parents were out for a walk, suspecting that the house help had entered the house and killed her. "He was recently removed from his job," police said. The murder came to light when Gupta, a 1997-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, returned home and discovered his daughter lying in a pool of blood. As soon as police were alerted about the incident, they rushed to the site, where they took custody of the body and launched a probe, according to several media reports.

The investigating team, meanwhile, is going to recreate the murder scene where CCTV footage was not available.

Delhi horror: Ex-domestic worker in IRS officer's daughter murder had violent past

The Aam Aadmi Party suffered a big blow on Friday as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and two other Rajya MPs, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced that they were breaking away from AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Moreover, over two-thirds of the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs, including former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta, are set to back Chadha’s switch to the BJP.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chadha, who was once among AAP’s most prominent young leaders and a key face, had played a central role in the party’s outreach beyond Delhi and Punjab.&nbsp;<h2>‘AAP completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals’</h2>&nbsp;Addressing a press conference with two other Rajya MPs, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Chadha said, “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Delhi: During a press conference, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha (<a href="https://twitter.com/raghav_chadha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@raghav_chadha</a>) says, “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The… <a href="https://t.co/l8J9e9gspF">pic.twitter.com/l8J9e9gspF</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047618899055968414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many of you have been telling me this for the past few years, and I too have personally felt that I am the right man in the wrong party. I repeat, ‘I am the right man in the wrong party.’ Therefore, today I announce that I am distancing myself from the Aam Aadmi Party and going to the people,” he added.&nbsp;“We, two-thirds of the Members of Parliament belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),” Chadha announced.&nbsp;Addressing the joint press conference, Pathak said he was going to join the BJP. Chadha said that nearly two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs have quit the party and will join the BJP as a faction. He added that several Rajya Sabha MPs, including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta have also quit AAP. The three MPs claimed before the press that seven out of 10 Rajya Sabha MPs of AAP have quit the party.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha (<a href="https://twitter.com/raghav_chadha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@raghav_chadha</a>) says, “We, two-thirds of the Members of Parliament belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (Full… <a href="https://t.co/YBQOex17CD">pic.twitter.com/YBQOex17CD</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047619973770575995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Chadha said AAP had strayed from its founding principles.Earlier this month, AAP leadership had removed Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, signalling a clear breakdown in ties with the party leadership. <h2>AAP attacks Chadha, other MPs</h2> AAP leader Sanjay Singh attacked Raghav Chadha and said the party made him an MLA and then elevated him to a Member of Parliament and had “given him a lot.” Singh said, “Look at the history of Rajender Gupta, Ashok Mittal and Swati Maliwal—the party did a lot for them.” He further said that “all these MPs have betrayed the Punjab government and its people,” adding that “the people of Punjab will never forgive them.” AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal also reacted to the split and said in a post on X, “The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove.”

Over two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta, are set to back Raghav Chadha’s switch to the BJP. Chadha made the announcement in a press briefing and said AAP had strayed from its founding principles.

The Aam Aadmi Party suffered a big blow on Friday as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and two other Rajya MPs, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced that they were breaking away from AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Moreover, over two-thirds of the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs, including former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta, are set to back Chadha’s switch to the BJP. Chadha, who was once among AAP’s most prominent young leaders and a key face, had played a central role in the party’s outreach beyond Delhi and Punjab. ‘AAP completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals’ Addressing a press conference with two other Rajya MPs, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Chadha said, “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain.”

Over two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs, including Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta, are set to back Raghav Chadha’s switch to the BJP. Chadha made the announcement in a press briefing and said AAP had strayed from its founding principles.

Raghav Chadha, 2 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, announce split with 2/3rd MPs set to join BJP

Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump after he reposted remarks of a commentator referring to India and China as “hellholes”. The Embassy posted a video on social media that captured the essence of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The clip carried a caption suggesting Trump to “book a one-way cultural detox” to reduce the random rubbish. This comes after US President Donald Trump shared a video and four-page transcript of remarks made by podcaster Michael Savage on America’s birthright citizenship, where he referred to India and China as “hellholes”.“Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. #Trump, it might just reduce the random bakwaas (rubbish),” the post read. “Kabhi #India aa ke dekho, phir bolna (come to India sometime, then talk).”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a>, it might just reduce the random bakwaas 😏 Kabhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> aa ke dekho, phir bolna. <a href="https://t.co/kkocLZ31XX">pic.twitter.com/kkocLZ31XX</a>&mdash; Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinMumbai/status/2047380743010332744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>MEA responds</h2>Responding to the remarks reposted by Trump, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs called the comments “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”“We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in New Delhi issued a clarification, saying, “The President has said, ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top.’”<h2>What remarks did Trump share?</h2>According to the transcript, Savage talked about the efforts to end the US birthright citizenship, under which a child born in the country automatically gets US nationality regardless of the parents’ immigration status.“A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet,” the transcript read. Savage also claimed that English was no longer widely spoken in the US. He alleged that immigrants showed little loyalty to the country, and hiring systems in California’s technology sector favoured Indians and Chinese over white Americans. White men “need not apply” for jobs in California, he said, adding that “Your chances are nil.”“They’ve done more damage to this nation than all the mafia families put together. In my un-humble opinion. Gangsters with laptops. They’ve robbed us, blind, treated us like second class citizens, let the turd world triumph, stepped on our flag, et cetera,” Savage said.&nbsp;

The Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump over reposted remarks on India, referring to it as a “hellhole”, as the Ministry of External Affairs called them inappropriate.

Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump after he reposted remarks of a commentator referring to India and China as “hellholes”. The Embassy posted a video on social media that captured the essence of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The clip carried a caption suggesting Trump to “book a one-way cultural detox” to reduce the random rubbish. This comes after US President Donald Trump shared a video and four-page transcript of remarks made by podcaster Michael Savage on America’s birthright citizenship, where he referred to India and China as “hellholes”. “Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. #Trump, it might just reduce the random bakwaas (rubbish),” the post read. “Kabhi #India aa ke dekho, phir bolna (come to India sometime, then talk).”

The Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump over reposted remarks on India, referring to it as a “hellhole”, as the Ministry of External Affairs called them inappropriate.

‘Kabhi India aa ke dekho’: Iran Embassy in Mumbai mocks Trump over ‘hellholes’ remark

As campaigning and voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections conclude and the final results are still to come on May 4, here’s a look at the celebrities who were spotted at polling booths casting their votes.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: Celebrities spotted at polls to cast votes

In a viral video from Thursday (23rd April), an Indian Coast Guard Chetak helicopter was seen flying meters above the high-security Sabarimala hilltop temple in Kerala. The helicopter flying at such a low altitude had sparked concerns. Nestled within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, the major pilgrimage site is at an altitude of around 500meters. Known for its strict traditions, this temple attracts millions of devotees every year. The incident took place around 11 am on Thursday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">An Indian coast Guard Chetak Helicopter is seen flying meters above the Sabarimala hilltop temple in Kerala. Chopper is seen slowly overlying the temple, following which it speeds away. Incident has sparked concerns. Coast Guard says &quot;chopper deviated due to adverse weather&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NGQzSZgX0Q">pic.twitter.com/NGQzSZgX0Q</a>&mdash; Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/2047553940867449314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For a few seconds, the video showed the helicopter flying at an extremely slow pace, exactly above the Hindu temple of Lord Ayyappa, following which it sped away. The helicopter was seen meters above the Sabarimala temple's 'Kodimaram', (also known as Dhwajasthambam), which is a sacred, tall flagpole installed in front of Hindu temples. Following the incident, authorities in Kerala are said to have launched a probe."On 23 April 2026, during a routine training sortie from Kochi, one of our aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions. As a precaution, the crew briefly deviated from the planned track while seeking clearer skies. The aircraft returned safely to Kochi without incident. Training operations continue as scheduled," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement, without elaborating further.

The helicopter was seen meters above the Sabarimala temple's 'Kodimaram', (also known as Dhwajasthambam), which is a sacred, tall flagpole installed in front of Hindu temples.

In a viral video from Thursday (23rd April), an Indian Coast Guard Chetak helicopter was seen flying meters above the high-security Sabarimala hilltop temple in Kerala. The helicopter flying at such a low altitude had sparked concerns. Nestled within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, the major pilgrimage site is at an altitude of around 500meters. Known for its strict traditions, this temple attracts millions of devotees every year. The incident took place around 11 am on Thursday.

The helicopter was seen meters above the Sabarimala temple's 'Kodimaram', (also known as Dhwajasthambam), which is a sacred, tall flagpole installed in front of Hindu temples.

India: Coast Guard helicopter flies meters above Sabarimala temple; ICG blames weather

Acclaimed singer Arijit Singh stepped out on Thursday to cast his vote in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections. The singer and his wife, Koel Roy, were seen arriving at a polling booth in Jiaganj, in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal.&nbsp;The couple made their way to the polling booth, hand-in-hand and even waved to some fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the famous singer.&nbsp;Videos circulating online captured the singer in a cheerful mood. He greeted media personnel with a warm smile and briefly acknowledged police officials stationed at the venue before proceeding inside to cast his vote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Murshidabad, West Bengal: Singer Arijit Singh arrives to cast his vote at Jiyaganj polling station. <a href="https://t.co/33869WYSPY">pic.twitter.com/33869WYSPY</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2047280487987819002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Arijit's Father Casts A Vote</h2>Earlier in the day, Arijit's father, Surinder Singh, arrived at a polling booth in Murshidabad to cast his vote.&nbsp;Speaking to ANI after casting his vote, he expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and the peaceful atmosphere at the centre.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-10-richest-candidates-west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-1776921155183">Top 10 richest candidates in West Bengal Assembly elections 2026</a>&nbsp;"Everything is good. May everything go well. There is no problem at all. Voting is going on smoothly. I have cast my vote," he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Father of singer Arijit Singh, Surinder Singh arrived at a polling booth in Murshidabad to cast his vote. <a href="https://t.co/HSD06JU7bZ">pic.twitter.com/HSD06JU7bZ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2047234600217514249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tmc-bjp-make-west-bengal-election-campaign-a-fishy-affair-voters-get-taste-of-jhalmuri-in-revri-promises-1776855276091">TMC, BJP make West Bengal Election campaign a 'fishy' affair: Phase 1 ends with a bit of 'jhalmuri', Phase 2 relies on 'revri'</a>&nbsp;Arjit Singh, one of the most celebrated singers of our times, shocked his fans earlier this year when he announced he was retiring from playback music. No Bollywood film album is complete without Singh and his decision led to much heartbreak for fans. However, the singer, who is settled in his hometown in West Bengal, assured that he will continue to create music and sing as well but independently.&nbsp;Also read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/west-bengal-polls-2026-the-star-studded-candidate-list-you-need-to-see-1776338805239">: West Bengal Elections 2026: Ashok Dinda, Sayantika Banerjee, Raj Chakraborty; the star-studded candidate list you need to see</a>&nbsp;The polling for the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu concluded at 6 pm on Thursday (April 23), recording unprecedented participation. West Bengal registered 91.91 per cent voting in Phase I, while Tamil Nadu recorded 84.80 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India.

On Thursday, popular singer Arijit Singh cast his vote along with wife Koel Roy at his hometown in Jiaganj, in Murshidabad district in the first phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. 

Acclaimed singer Arijit Singh stepped out on Thursday to cast his vote in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections. The singer and his wife, Koel Roy, were seen arriving at a polling booth in Jiaganj, in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. The couple made their way to the polling booth, hand-in-hand and even waved to some fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the famous singer. Videos circulating online captured the singer in a cheerful mood. He greeted media personnel with a warm smile and briefly acknowledged police officials stationed at the venue before proceeding inside to cast his vote.

On Thursday, popular singer Arijit Singh cast his vote along with wife Koel Roy at his hometown in Jiaganj, in Murshidabad district in the first phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.&nbsp;

Arijit Singh walks hand-in-hand with wife Koel Roy to polling booth as they cast vote in first phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026

A Panama-flagged container ship came under fire from Iranian boats during heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with 21 Indian crew members onboard reported safe and unharmed, India’s shipping ministry confirmed on Thursday (April 23). Another vessel traveling toward India also passed through the waterway amid the escalation.The ship, Euphoria, was among three vessels targeted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday. The move is seen as part of Tehran’s response to a US blockade of its shipping, aimed at reinforcing its control over the strategically vital strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies.&nbsp;&nbsp;The other ships involved were the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberian-registered Epaminondas, the latter en route to India’s Mundra port. “A vessel, Euphoria, was having 21 Indian seafarers on board, and all of them are safe,” said additional secretary in the shipping ministry, Mukesh Mangal, at an inter-ministerial press conference on Thursday. The Euphoria also has one Burmese crew member. The Epaminondas had one Indian crew member onboard, who was also reported safe. “None of the Indian seafarers has been injured in the firing on the foreign-flagged vessels,” he added, according to a report by news agency ANI.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-profiting-off-righteous-operation-how-an-army-soldier-used-secret-war-plans-about-maduro-s-capture-to-make-400-000-on-polymarket-1776993168140">'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket</a>&nbsp;The MSC Francesca, reportedly detained along with the Epaminondas at Bandar Abbas port, did not have any Indian crew members. Initial reports from Iranian media suggested that the Euphoria had been stranded near the Iranian coast following the incident. However, ship tracking data later indicated the vessel was near the Oman coast and heading toward Khor Fakkan port. A senior shipping ministry official, speaking anonymously, later confirmed that the ship is continuing its journey to its original destination of Jeddah.&nbsp;Maritime tracking in the Strait of Hormuz has recently been disrupted due to signal jamming and spoofing of transponder data, making real-time monitoring more difficult. In a related update, the Gibraltar-flagged bulk carrier Frosso K, carrying 55,000 metric tonnes of sulphur, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and is en route to Paradip port in India.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-s-latest-bid-to-tackle-low-birth-rates-1776966268066/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-s-latest-bid-to-tackle-low-birth-rates-1776966268066/embed</a>&nbsp;The vessel was among 15 prioritized for evacuation from the Persian Gulf by India’s Department of Fertilizers. Meanwhile, the crude oil tanker Desh Garima, which crossed the strait on April 18, arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday.On the same day, two Indian-flagged vessels, Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, were also fired upon by IRGC boats while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, forcing them to turn back.&nbsp;According to the shipping ministry, there are currently 518 Indian seafarers aboard Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf region, including 340 west of the Strait of Hormuz and 178 in the Gulf of Oman.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iranian forces fire on ships in Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions. 21 Indian crew on Euphoria safe; multiple vessels targeted by IRGC

A Panama-flagged container ship came under fire from Iranian boats during heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with 21 Indian crew members onboard reported safe and unharmed, India’s shipping ministry confirmed on Thursday (April 23). Another vessel traveling toward India also passed through the waterway amid the escalation. The ship, Euphoria, was among three vessels targeted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday. The move is seen as part of Tehran’s response to a US blockade of its shipping, aimed at reinforcing its control over the strategically vital strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. The other ships involved were the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberian-registered Epaminondas, the latter en route to India’s Mundra port. “A vessel, Euphoria, was having 21 Indian seafarers on board, and all of them are safe,” said additional secretary in the shipping ministry, Mukesh Mangal, at an inter-ministerial press conference on Thursday. The Euphoria also has one Burmese crew member. The Epaminondas had one Indian crew member onboard, who was also reported safe. “None of the Indian seafarers has been injured in the firing on the foreign-flagged vessels,” he added, according to a report by news agency ANI. Also Read: 'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket The MSC Francesca, reportedly detained along with the Epaminondas at Bandar Abbas port, did not have any Indian crew members. Initial reports from Iranian media suggested that the Euphoria had been stranded near the Iranian coast following the incident. However, ship tracking data later indicated the vessel was near the Oman coast and heading toward Khor Fakkan port. A senior shipping ministry official, speaking anonymously, later confirmed that the ship is continuing its journey to its original destination of Jeddah. Maritime tracking in the Strait of Hormuz has recently been disrupted due to signal jamming and spoofing of transponder data, making real-time monitoring more difficult. In a related update, the Gibraltar-flagged bulk carrier Frosso K, carrying 55,000 metric tonnes of sulphur, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and is en route to Paradip port in India. https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-s-latest-bid-to-tackle-low-birth-rates-1776966268066/embed The vessel was among 15 prioritized for evacuation from the Persian Gulf by India’s Department of Fertilizers. Meanwhile, the crude oil tanker Desh Garima, which crossed the strait on April 18, arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday. On the same day, two Indian-flagged vessels, Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, were also fired upon by IRGC boats while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, forcing them to turn back. According to the shipping ministry, there are currently 518 Indian seafarers aboard Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf region, including 340 west of the Strait of Hormuz and 178 in the Gulf of Oman. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iranian boats fire on ships in the Strait of Hormuz; 21 Indian crew on Euphoria safe as tensions rise, and multiple vessels face attacks

'21 Indian seafarers safe after Iranian boats target ships in Strait of Hormuz': Government

New Delhi: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, next week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting. The meeting on 28th April will see defence ministers of the grouping gathering to discuss evolving threats, including terrorism, extremism, as well as broader geopolitical tensions.The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, has grown into a major grouping in the last 2 decades, especially with the inclusion of Iran in 2023 under Indian presidency. It serves as a key platform for security and economic cooperation across Eurasia. Defence ministers typically discuss military-to-military ties, counter-terrorism strategies, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-uk-nsas-discuss-hormuz-closer-cooperation-against-khalistan-extremism-1776971604062">India, UK NSAs discuss Hormuz, closer cooperation against Khalistan extremism</a>For India, the meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen defence diplomacy in Central Asia, a region where New Delhi has been expanding its footprint through bilateral partnerships and infrastructure projects.India and Kyrgyzstan maintain long-standing defence ties, including joint training programmes and officer exchanges. Recent interactions, such as the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Working Group on defence cooperation, have focused on enhancing technical exchanges and industrial partnerships.In previous SCO forums, the Indian Defence minister has called for decisive action against radicalisation and cross-border terrorism, positions expected to feature prominently again.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-that-s-where-mea-shrugs-off-trump-s-hellhole-comment-on-india-and-china-1776947554143">‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China</a>No details are available on the bilateral schedule of the Defence Minister so far. China's Defence Minister Dong Jun is also scheduled to attend, along with counterparts from other member states, Chinese media has confirmed. Kyrgyzstan, which is the president of the grouping this year, will be hosting foreign, NSA-level meetings as well. Later in the year, it will host the SCO Summit. &nbsp;

For India, the meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen defence diplomacy in Central Asia, a region where New Delhi has been expanding its footprint through bilateral partnerships and infrastructure projects.

New Delhi: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, next week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting. The meeting on 28th April will see defence ministers of the grouping gathering to discuss evolving threats, including terrorism, extremism, as well as broader geopolitical tensions. The SCO, founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, has grown into a major grouping in the last 2 decades, especially with the inclusion of Iran in 2023 under Indian presidency. It serves as a key platform for security and economic cooperation across Eurasia. Defence ministers typically discuss military-to-military ties, counter-terrorism strategies, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing. Also read | India, UK NSAs discuss Hormuz, closer cooperation against Khalistan extremism For India, the meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen defence diplomacy in Central Asia, a region where New Delhi has been expanding its footprint through bilateral partnerships and infrastructure projects. India and Kyrgyzstan maintain long-standing defence ties, including joint training programmes and officer exchanges. Recent interactions, such as the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Working Group on defence cooperation, have focused on enhancing technical exchanges and industrial partnerships. In previous SCO forums, the Indian Defence minister has called for decisive action against radicalisation and cross-border terrorism, positions expected to feature prominently again. Also read | ‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China No details are available on the bilateral schedule of the Defence Minister so far. China's Defence Minister Dong Jun is also scheduled to attend, along with counterparts from other member states, Chinese media has confirmed. Kyrgyzstan, which is the president of the grouping this year, will be hosting foreign, NSA-level meetings as well. Later in the year, it will host the SCO Summit.

For India, the meeting offers an opportunity to strengthen defence diplomacy in Central Asia, a region where New Delhi has been expanding its footprint through bilateral partnerships and infrastructure projects.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Kyrgyzstan for SCO defence ministers' meeting next week

New Delhi: India and the UK have pledged to intensify cooperation against pro-Khalistan extremism and address threats to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz, as the two countries’ national security advisers held high-level talks in New Delhi.&nbsp;National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted his UK counterpart Jonathan Powell on Thursday for the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue. The closed-door discussions, which included both restricted and delegation-level sessions, focused on advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid a turbulent global security environment. Officials from both sides reiterated their commitment to the goals outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035 document, particularly in technology, defence, and security.&nbsp;They agreed to deepen collaboration between law enforcement agencies to tackle terrorism, extremism and pro-Khalistan elements. The Indian side thanked the UK for its ongoing support and stressed the need to sustain momentum in joint operations.&nbsp;The advisers held an in-depth exchange on regional and global challenges. They discussed the conflict in West Asia and its repercussions on maritime security and vital trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a significant portion of India’s energy imports pass.&nbsp;Mr Doval emphasised that “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the only viable path to resolution. The two sides also reviewed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and agreed to stay in close contact on developments.&nbsp;A key focus was progress under the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), launched in 2024. Both sides noted advancements in telecom, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Mr Doval welcomed the establishment of a Silicon Carbide-based compound semiconductor facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a joint venture between UK firm Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd. and Indian company SiCSem Pvt Ltd. It is set to become India’s first commercial compound semiconductor fab, supporting sectors from electric vehicles to defence. The NSAs agreed to expand cooperation in semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology and advanced materials, while strengthening institutional ties in cyber security.&nbsp;Defence ties have also gathered pace. The two sides reviewed the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap and discussed opportunities for deeper industrial collaboration, including niche maritime technologies for the Indo-Pacific. Mr Doval highlighted prospects for UK original equipment manufacturers to partner with Indian firms and integrate into defence supply chains.&nbsp;The meeting comes as both countries seek to bolster resilience in critical supply chains and counter shared security threats at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. The UK describes the partnership with Delhi as a cornerstone of their Indo-Pacific strategy, while India views London as an important partner in technology and defence diversification.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted his UK counterpart Jonathan Powell reviewed the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap and discussed opportunities for deeper industrial collaboration, including niche maritime technologies for the Indo-Pacific.

New Delhi: India and the UK have pledged to intensify cooperation against pro-Khalistan extremism and address threats to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz, as the two countries’ national security advisers held high-level talks in New Delhi. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted his UK counterpart Jonathan Powell on Thursday for the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue. The closed-door discussions, which included both restricted and delegation-level sessions, focused on advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amid a turbulent global security environment. Officials from both sides reiterated their commitment to the goals outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035 document, particularly in technology, defence, and security. They agreed to deepen collaboration between law enforcement agencies to tackle terrorism, extremism and pro-Khalistan elements. The Indian side thanked the UK for its ongoing support and stressed the need to sustain momentum in joint operations. The advisers held an in-depth exchange on regional and global challenges. They discussed the conflict in West Asia and its repercussions on maritime security and vital trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a significant portion of India’s energy imports pass. Mr Doval emphasised that “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the only viable path to resolution. The two sides also reviewed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and agreed to stay in close contact on developments. A key focus was progress under the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), launched in 2024. Both sides noted advancements in telecom, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Mr Doval welcomed the establishment of a Silicon Carbide-based compound semiconductor facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a joint venture between UK firm Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd. and Indian company SiCSem Pvt Ltd. It is set to become India’s first commercial compound semiconductor fab, supporting sectors from electric vehicles to defence. The NSAs agreed to expand cooperation in semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology and advanced materials, while strengthening institutional ties in cyber security. Defence ties have also gathered pace. The two sides reviewed the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap and discussed opportunities for deeper industrial collaboration, including niche maritime technologies for the Indo-Pacific. Mr Doval highlighted prospects for UK original equipment manufacturers to partner with Indian firms and integrate into defence supply chains. The meeting comes as both countries seek to bolster resilience in critical supply chains and counter shared security threats at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. The UK describes the partnership with Delhi as a cornerstone of their Indo-Pacific strategy, while India views London as an important partner in technology and defence diversification.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted his UK counterpart Jonathan Powell reviewed the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap and discussed opportunities for deeper industrial collaboration, including niche maritime technologies for the Indo-Pacific.

India, UK NSAs discuss Hormuz, closer cooperation against Khalistan extremism

Hours after President Donald Trump shared a social media post describing India in derogatory terms, it sparked a political uproar, prompting United States officials to move quickly to contain the damage, with the US Embassy in New Delhi highlighting India as a “great country” and underscoring strong ties with its leadership, pointing to Trump’s personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he has often described as a “great friend”.&nbsp;A US Embassy spokesperson said, “The President has said India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top,” in an attempt to ease tensions after the post triggered a strong reaction.&nbsp;The controversy stems from a social media post shared by Trump that included a transcript from a conservative talk show hosted by Michael Savage. In the discussion, Savage referred to US birthright citizenship and made claims about migrants arriving late in pregnancy to secure automatic citizenship for their children.&nbsp;&nbsp;The post further alleged that such migrants later bring family members from countries including India and China, referring to them as coming from “some other hellhole on the planet.”&nbsp;Responding to queries regarding the controversial social media post and subsequent clarification issued by US officials, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the remarks as “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste” and stated that they do not reflect the reality of India-US ties.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-that-s-where-mea-shrugs-off-trump-s-hellhole-comment-on-india-and-china-1776947554143">‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China</a>&nbsp;“We have seen the comments, as well as the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests.”&nbsp;However, earlier in the day, the MEA played down the controversy as Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports,” declining to elaborate further during a press briefing.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran also reacted to the controversy, defending India and China. The Consulate General of Iran in Hyderabad posted on X that both countries are “cradles of civilisation” and criticised the remarks, taking a dig at Trump amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Responding to queries on the controversial post and subsequent US clarification, the MEA said the remarks were “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste” and do not reflect the reality of India-US ties.

Hours after President Donald Trump shared a social media post describing India in derogatory terms, it sparked a political uproar, prompting United States officials to move quickly to contain the damage, with the US Embassy in New Delhi highlighting India as a “great country” and underscoring strong ties with its leadership, pointing to Trump’s personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he has often described as a “great friend”. A US Embassy spokesperson said, “The President has said India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top,” in an attempt to ease tensions after the post triggered a strong reaction. The controversy stems from a social media post shared by Trump that included a transcript from a conservative talk show hosted by Michael Savage. In the discussion, Savage referred to US birthright citizenship and made claims about migrants arriving late in pregnancy to secure automatic citizenship for their children. The post further alleged that such migrants later bring family members from countries including India and China, referring to them as coming from “some other hellhole on the planet.” Responding to queries regarding the controversial social media post and subsequent clarification issued by US officials, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the remarks as “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste” and stated that they do not reflect the reality of India-US ties. Also Read: ‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China “We have seen the comments, as well as the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests.” However, earlier in the day, the MEA played down the controversy as Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports,” declining to elaborate further during a press briefing. Meanwhile, Iran also reacted to the controversy, defending India and China. The Consulate General of Iran in Hyderabad posted on X that both countries are “cradles of civilisation” and criticised the remarks, taking a dig at Trump amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Responding to queries on the controversial post and subsequent US clarification, the MEA said the remarks were “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste” and do not reflect the reality of India-US ties.

'President has said India is a great country': US rushes to damage control after Trump’s ‘hellhole’ remark

The polling for the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu concluded at 6 pm on Thursday (April 23), recording unprecedented participation. West Bengal registered 91.91 per cent voting in Phase I, while Tamil Nadu recorded 84.80 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India.&nbsp;After the conclusion of polling, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described the record turnout as the “highest since Independence” in both states and saluted voters for participating in the “festival of democracy” in such large numbers.&nbsp;"Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu," Kumar said.&nbsp;Several districts in West Bengal crossed the 90 per cent mark, highlighting widespread enthusiasm. Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest participation at 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar (94.54 per cent), Birbhum (93.70 per cent), Jalpaiguri (93.23 per cent) and Murshidabad (92.93 per cent).<h2>Tamil Nadu records robust voter participation</h2>Tamil Nadu also reported significant participation across key districts. Karur led with 92.48 per cent, followed by Salem (90.42 per cent), Dharmapuri (90.02 per cent), Erode (89.97 per cent) and Namakkal (89.63 per cent). The numbers indicate steady involvement across both urban and rural areas.&nbsp;Compared to 85.2 per cent in West Bengal and 76.6 per cent in Tamil Nadu during the 2021 Assembly elections, the latest figures mark a significant rise in voter turnout across both states.&nbsp;West Bengal voted for 152 seats in the first phase on Thursday, while Tamil Nadu cast ballots for all 234 seats in a single round on the same day. The second round in Bengal, covering the remaining 142 constituencies, is slated for April 29, completing voting across all 294 assembly seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;Results for all five poll-bound states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, will be declared on May 4.&nbsp;Bengal polls gripped the nation's attention, with the BJP undertaking an intense campaign through back-to-back high-profile rallies by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to unseat Mamata Banerjee after 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule.&nbsp;&nbsp;The BJP, which managed only 77 seats in 2021, is making a renewed push for power, while Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term. The campaign has been defined by disputes over electoral rolls, border security, undocumented migration and broader concerns over governance, women's safety and anti-incumbency.

West Bengal voted for 152 seats in the first phase on April 23, while Tamil Nadu cast ballots for all 234 seats in a single round on the same day. The second round in Bengal, covering the remaining 142 constituencies, is slated for April 29.

The polling for the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu concluded at 6 pm on Thursday (April 23), recording unprecedented participation. West Bengal registered 91.91 per cent voting in Phase I, while Tamil Nadu recorded 84.80 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. After the conclusion of polling, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described the record turnout as the “highest since Independence” in both states and saluted voters for participating in the “festival of democracy” in such large numbers. "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu," Kumar said. Several districts in West Bengal crossed the 90 per cent mark, highlighting widespread enthusiasm. Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest participation at 94.85 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar (94.54 per cent), Birbhum (93.70 per cent), Jalpaiguri (93.23 per cent) and Murshidabad (92.93 per cent). Tamil Nadu records robust voter participation Tamil Nadu also reported significant participation across key districts. Karur led with 92.48 per cent, followed by Salem (90.42 per cent), Dharmapuri (90.02 per cent), Erode (89.97 per cent) and Namakkal (89.63 per cent). The numbers indicate steady involvement across both urban and rural areas. Compared to 85.2 per cent in West Bengal and 76.6 per cent in Tamil Nadu during the 2021 Assembly elections, the latest figures mark a significant rise in voter turnout across both states. West Bengal voted for 152 seats in the first phase on Thursday, while Tamil Nadu cast ballots for all 234 seats in a single round on the same day. The second round in Bengal, covering the remaining 142 constituencies, is slated for April 29, completing voting across all 294 assembly seats. Results for all five poll-bound states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, will be declared on May 4. Bengal polls gripped the nation's attention, with the BJP undertaking an intense campaign through back-to-back high-profile rallies by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to unseat Mamata Banerjee after 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. The BJP, which managed only 77 seats in 2021, is making a renewed push for power, while Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term. The campaign has been defined by disputes over electoral rolls, border security, undocumented migration and broader concerns over governance, women's safety and anti-incumbency.

West Bengal voted for 152 seats in the first phase on April 23, while Tamil Nadu cast ballots for all 234 seats in a single round on the same day. The second round in Bengal, covering the remaining 142 constituencies, is slated for April 29.

Highest-ever voter turnout since Independence: West Bengal at 91.91%, Tamil Nadu at 84.80%

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat said on Thursday that space has become the dominant domain that will determine the outcome of future conflicts, along with acting as a supporting tool for national security. He called for a "whole-of-nation" approach to close India's capability gap with rivals whose space programmes are increasing at an alarming pace.&nbsp;Speaking at the 4th Indian DefSpace Symposium at Manekshaw Centre on "Strengthening India's Defence and Space Industry Synergy," Kamat underscored the growing role of DRDO in military space while emphasising that catching up will be a "Herculean challenge" without greater investment and collaboration. While the Indian Space Research Organisation continues to lead India’s civilian space efforts, the Defence Research and Development Organisation has been tasked with handling military space capabilities following the creation of the Defence Space Agency, Kamat said. Although still a smaller part of its mandate, this role is expanding quickly. "It needs to grow much more if we have to keep pace with our rivals," he said.<h3>India's sovereign capabilities in critical technologies</h3>He stressed the need for faster growth to keep up with global competitors. To address this, DRDO is increasingly collaborating with startups, MSMEs, and academia, and has established Centres of Excellence in select institutions, with space emerging as a key focus area. "There is a lot of interest among academia and startups to contribute to the defence part of the space programme," Kamat said, and added that he is optimistic that India will gain the necessary impetus and sovereign capabilities in critical technologies in the upcoming years. Kamat clarified that while some space technologies can still be imported from other nations, several areas remain restricted and require indigenous development. DRDO is currently concentrating on strengthening space situational awareness to safeguard India’s orbital assets, enhancing the restricted military-grade service of NavIC, and advancing space-based surveillance along with imaging radar technologies. It is also developing early missile launch detection systems, a capability emphasised by Air Chief Marshal Bhaduriya. He highlighted that closer integration between civilian and military sectors will be crucial, especially in overlapping fields like imaging radar. However, he pointed out that India’s investment in research remains insufficient, with only 0.65 per cent of GDP allocated to R&amp;D and just 5 per cent of the defence budget devoted to it. "We definitely need to scale this up if we have to catch up with our rivals," he said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/quantum-computing-myths-vs-reality-understanding-what-technology-can-and-can-t-do-1776867752214">Quantum computing myths vs reality: Understanding what technology can (and can’t) do</a>

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat underscored the growing role of DRDO in military space while emphasising that catching up will be a "Herculean challenge" without greater investment and collaboration.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat said on Thursday that space has become the dominant domain that will determine the outcome of future conflicts, along with acting as a supporting tool for national security. He called for a "whole-of-nation" approach to close India's capability gap with rivals whose space programmes are increasing at an alarming pace. Speaking at the 4th Indian DefSpace Symposium at Manekshaw Centre on "Strengthening India's Defence and Space Industry Synergy," Kamat underscored the growing role of DRDO in military space while emphasising that catching up will be a "Herculean challenge" without greater investment and collaboration. While the Indian Space Research Organisation continues to lead India’s civilian space efforts, the Defence Research and Development Organisation has been tasked with handling military space capabilities following the creation of the Defence Space Agency, Kamat said. Although still a smaller part of its mandate, this role is expanding quickly. "It needs to grow much more if we have to keep pace with our rivals," he said. India's sovereign capabilities in critical technologies He stressed the need for faster growth to keep up with global competitors. To address this, DRDO is increasingly collaborating with startups, MSMEs, and academia, and has established Centres of Excellence in select institutions, with space emerging as a key focus area. "There is a lot of interest among academia and startups to contribute to the defence part of the space programme," Kamat said, and added that he is optimistic that India will gain the necessary impetus and sovereign capabilities in critical technologies in the upcoming years. Kamat clarified that while some space technologies can still be imported from other nations, several areas remain restricted and require indigenous development. DRDO is currently concentrating on strengthening space situational awareness to safeguard India’s orbital assets, enhancing the restricted military-grade service of NavIC, and advancing space-based surveillance along with imaging radar technologies. It is also developing early missile launch detection systems, a capability emphasised by Air Chief Marshal Bhaduriya. He highlighted that closer integration between civilian and military sectors will be crucial, especially in overlapping fields like imaging radar. However, he pointed out that India’s investment in research remains insufficient, with only 0.65 per cent of GDP allocated to R&D and just 5 per cent of the defence budget devoted to it. "We definitely need to scale this up if we have to catch up with our rivals," he said. Also read: Quantum computing myths vs reality: Understanding what technology can (and can’t) do

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat underscored the growing role of DRDO in military space while emphasising that catching up will be a "Herculean challenge" without greater investment and collaboration.

‘Space will define future wars’: DRDO chief calls for urgent national push, sounds alarm on defence gap

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane finally responded to the controversy over the “jo uchit samjho, woh karo (do whatever you deem appropriate)” message allegedly conveyed to him by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the border dispute with China and said it meant that the government had ‘total faith’ in the armed forces.&nbsp;General Naravane said the remark showed the government’s “total faith” in the armed forces and said in an exclusive interview with the publication, India Today, there should be no politics over it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-that-s-where-mea-shrugs-off-trump-s-hellhole-comment-on-india-and-china-1776947554143">‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China</a><h2>‘Armed forces were given a free hand to respond’</h2>&nbsp;General Naravane pointed out that the armed forces were given a “free hand” to respond to the situation on the ground.&nbsp;“Jo uchit samjho woh karo shows the government had total faith in the armed forces. There should be no politics on the subject,” he said, after a controversy erupted in February when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from General Naravane’s unpublished memoir in the Parliament, alleging that the remark indicated abdication of responsibility.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blockade-threats-and-breach-of-commitments-main-obstacles-to-talks-pezeshkian-1776884391981">‘US blockade, threats and breach of commitments main obstacles to talks’: Pezeshkian</a>&nbsp;General Naravane further said, “It basically shows the great confidence the government had in the army, its hierarchy, and the service chiefs. They knew that whatever decision was taken would be made while keeping all factors in mind.”&nbsp;General Naravane, who faced heat over his unpublished memoir after the controversy, also warned against politicising the military.“Armed forces are totally apolitical, unlike in our neighbourhood,” General Naravane said, taking a veiled dig at Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-security-alert-forces-press-evacuation-from-outdoor-positions-by-secret-service-1776878157084">White House security alert forces press evacuation from outdoor positions by Secret Service</a><h2>Rahul Gandhi raked up controversy during Budget session</h2>&nbsp;The controversy erupted during the Budget session of Parliament when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made repeated attempts to quote from the unpublished memoir, ‘Four Stars of Destiny’. Gandhi was stopped by the Speaker as the book had not been published yet, but he did not stop there. He was seen bringing a copy of the book to the Parliament premises during the session.Citing excerpts from the book, Gandhi had claimed the former Army Chief informed Rajnath Singh and others that Chinese tanks were approaching. Gandhi claimed Naravane received no direct reply for a long time.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-bound-ship-among-two-vessels-attacked-in-strait-of-hormuz-seized-by-iran-s-irgc-1776859709438">India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC</a>&nbsp;“The PM’s message conveyed to him was, ‘jo uchit samjho, woh karo’. This means Narendra Modi did not fulfil his responsibility... The army chief clearly said in this (book) that he felt alone and was abandoned by the entire establishment,” Rahul Gandhi claimed.The incident happened on August 31, 2020, as the Chinese military advanced towards Rechin La.The book was supposed to be released in 2024 by Penguin but is pending approval with the Ministry of Defence.&nbsp;<h2>‘Memoir personal perspective, not based on classified documents’</h2>&nbsp;The former army chief also stressed in the interview that the memoir reflected his personal perspective and was not based on any “classified documents”.General Naravane also said that India held the upper hand in the border standoff with China. He emphasised that the world saw how China dismantled its fortifications and pulled back troops in certain areas.“India dominated the situation along the LAC. The world saw China destroy their fortifications and move back,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-dead-several-injured-after-dangerous-chemical-leak-in-west-virginia-1776889609337">Two dead, several injured after dangerous chemical leak in West Virginia</a>&nbsp;General Naravane also rejected claims by the opposition that India lost territory and stated firmly that “no territory was ceded”.He added that there was close coordination between the government and the armed forces during the border tensions and that the decisions were taken jointly.

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said the remark showed the government’s “total faith” in the armed forces and said there should be no politics over it. He added that the armed forces were given a “free hand” to respond to the situation on the ground.

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane finally responded to the controversy over the “jo uchit samjho, woh karo (do whatever you deem appropriate)” message allegedly conveyed to him by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the border dispute with China and said it meant that the government had ‘total faith’ in the armed forces. General Naravane said the remark showed the government’s “total faith” in the armed forces and said in an exclusive interview with the publication, India Today, there should be no politics over it. Also Read: ‘That’s where…’: MEA shrugs off Trump’s ‘hellhole’ comment on India and China ‘Armed forces were given a free hand to respond’ General Naravane pointed out that the armed forces were given a “free hand” to respond to the situation on the ground. “Jo uchit samjho woh karo shows the government had total faith in the armed forces. There should be no politics on the subject,” he said, after a controversy erupted in February when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from General Naravane’s unpublished memoir in the Parliament, alleging that the remark indicated abdication of responsibility. Also Read: ‘US blockade, threats and breach of commitments main obstacles to talks’: Pezeshkian General Naravane further said, “It basically shows the great confidence the government had in the army, its hierarchy, and the service chiefs. They knew that whatever decision was taken would be made while keeping all factors in mind.” General Naravane, who faced heat over his unpublished memoir after the controversy, also warned against politicising the military. “Armed forces are totally apolitical, unlike in our neighbourhood,” General Naravane said, taking a veiled dig at Pakistan. Also Read: White House security alert forces press evacuation from outdoor positions by Secret Service Rahul Gandhi raked up controversy during Budget session The controversy erupted during the Budget session of Parliament when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made repeated attempts to quote from the unpublished memoir, ‘Four Stars of Destiny’. Gandhi was stopped by the Speaker as the book had not been published yet, but he did not stop there. He was seen bringing a copy of the book to the Parliament premises during the session. Citing excerpts from the book, Gandhi had claimed the former Army Chief informed Rajnath Singh and others that Chinese tanks were approaching. Gandhi claimed Naravane received no direct reply for a long time. Also Read: India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC “The PM’s message conveyed to him was, ‘jo uchit samjho, woh karo’. This means Narendra Modi did not fulfil his responsibility... The army chief clearly said in this (book) that he felt alone and was abandoned by the entire establishment,” Rahul Gandhi claimed. The incident happened on August 31, 2020, as the Chinese military advanced towards Rechin La. The book was supposed to be released in 2024 by Penguin but is pending approval with the Ministry of Defence. ‘Memoir personal perspective, not based on classified documents’ The former army chief also stressed in the interview that the memoir reflected his personal perspective and was not based on any “classified documents”. General Naravane also said that India held the upper hand in the border standoff with China. He emphasised that the world saw how China dismantled its fortifications and pulled back troops in certain areas. “India dominated the situation along the LAC. The world saw China destroy their fortifications and move back,” he said. Also Read: Two dead, several injured after dangerous chemical leak in West Virginia General Naravane also rejected claims by the opposition that India lost territory and stated firmly that “no territory was ceded”. He added that there was close coordination between the government and the armed forces during the border tensions and that the decisions were taken jointly.

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said the remark showed the government’s “total faith” in the armed forces and said there should be no politics over it. He added that the armed forces were given a “free hand” to respond to the situation on the ground.

‘It showed govt’s ‘total faith’ in armed forces’: Gen Naravane on ‘jo uchit samjho woh karo’ remark in memoir

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‘It showed govt’s faith in forces’: Gen Naravane on ‘jo uchit samjho...’ remark