For an operational turnaround, the Indian Naval Ship Khanjar, which was on a mission and stationed in the Southern IOR, arrived in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Navy gave the ship a traditional welcome.

INS Khanjar gets customary welcome at Trincomalee port

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech at the 103rd episode of his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat. The Prime Minister discussed the monsoon-related occurrences during the 103rd installment of his monthly radio show and praised the group effort.

103rd Edition of Mann Ki Baat: Key pillar of Prime Minister's citizen-outreach programme

India's tiger population has witnessed a heartening rise to 3682 in 2022, up from 2967 in 2018. according to the Wildlife Institute of India, this indicates significant growth over the last decade.

Tiger population rising at 5% annually

Tiger population rising at 5%

The police said that a 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her residence in Dabri area of&nbsp; India's capital Delhi on Thursday evening. The victim was identified as Renu.

The police said that Dabri police station received information regarding an incident around 8.45 pm.

"Around 8:45 pm on Wednesday, under the Dabri police station, we got information that a 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her house. The woman was identified as Renu. She was a housewife living with her family in the Vaishali colony area under Dabri Police Station," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) M Harshvardhan.

The DCP further said that police had formed several teams in order to catch hold of the suspect. However, it was later found that the attacker had shot himself dead when the police reached his house to arrest him. The accused was identified as Ashish and was aged 25.

"We formed several teams to nab the accused. We identified him and when we reached his house, he shot himself dead on the roof of his house. We found the weapon with which he had killed himself," DCP Harshvardhan said.

The DCP further added that the two had met at a gym two to three years ago.

"We found that Renu and Ashish met in a gym nearly 2-3 years back. Further investigation is on,"&nbsp;the DCP added.

<h2>Issues had arisen in Renu's family over friendship with Ashish: Police</h2>

The DCP said that the police have yet to identify as to what exactly triggered the man to kill the woman and that the officers were investigating the matter and talking to the members of both families.

“What exactly triggered the man, identified by his first name Ashish, to kill the woman, Renu Goyal, before killing himself is a matter of probe. No suicide note was recovered on Ashish or from his house. We are speaking with members of both families, their relatives, neighbours and friends for clues that may help us find the reason behind the murder and suicide,” said DCP (Dwarka) Harshvardhan.

“It was not immediately clear who shot Goyal dead. The CCTV cameras were scanned. It was found that a man approached her and shot her from close range. Thereafter, he left. Through the human intelligence network, we learnt about her friendship with a man (Ashish) and that issues had arisen in her family over their friendship,” the Hindustan Times quoted Vardhan as saying.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The police said that a 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her residence in Dabri area of India's capital Delhi on Thursday evening. The victim was identified as Renu.

The police said that a 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her residence in Dabri area of India's capital Delhi on Thursday evening. The victim was identified as Renu. The police said that Dabri police station received information regarding an incident around 8.45 pm. "Around 8:45 pm on Wednesday, under the Dabri police station, we got information that a 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her house. The woman was identified as Renu. She was a housewife living with her family in the Vaishali colony area under Dabri Police Station," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) M Harshvardhan. The DCP further said that police had formed several teams in order to catch hold of the suspect. However, it was later found that the attacker had shot himself dead when the police reached his house to arrest him. The accused was identified as Ashish and was aged 25. "We formed several teams to nab the accused. We identified him and when we reached his house, he shot himself dead on the roof of his house. We found the weapon with which he had killed himself," DCP Harshvardhan said. The DCP further added that the two had met at a gym two to three years ago. "We found that Renu and Ashish met in a gym nearly 2-3 years back. Further investigation is on," the DCP added. Issues had arisen in Renu's family over friendship with Ashish: Police The DCP said that the police have yet to identify as to what exactly triggered the man to kill the woman and that the officers were investigating the matter and talking to the members of both families. “What exactly triggered the man, identified by his first name Ashish, to kill the woman, Renu Goyal, before killing himself is a matter of probe. No suicide note was recovered on Ashish or from his house. We are speaking with members of both families, their relatives, neighbours and friends for clues that may help us find the reason behind the murder and suicide,” said DCP (Dwarka) Harshvardhan. “It was not immediately clear who shot Goyal dead. The CCTV cameras were scanned. It was found that a man approached her and shot her from close range. Thereafter, he left. Through the human intelligence network, we learnt about her friendship with a man (Ashish) and that issues had arisen in her family over their friendship,” the Hindustan Times quoted Vardhan as saying. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Delhi: Man kills himself after shooting woman dead from close range in Dabri area of Delhi

Russia designed the Su-75 fighter jet keeping India in mind. It’s built to rival the American F-35 and Russia aptly calls it the ‘checkmate’. Russia’s 5th generation stealth fighter has been stuck in limbo amid cost overruns, Western sanctions and geopolitical bottlenecks and needs a helping hand to co-produce it. Is India the only ray of hope for this flying Russian beast?

Su-75: Why India is the only ray of hope for Russia’s ‘Checkmate’ 5th-gen fighter

Manipur continues to be in a precarious situation. An opposition party delegation from India is in the state to assess the situation. Members of parliament representing the country's main opposition will travel to the state for two days to visit the alliance, which goes by the acronym I.N.D.I.A., as the ethnic violence shows no signs of abating.

Manipur Crisis: Main opposition alliance to assess 'ground situation'

Mumbai, India's financial centre, was battered by torrential rains, which also caused a spike in the number of ailments associated with the monsoon season. influenza Dengue In the first three weeks of July, there has been a discernible increase in all of the prevalent ailments linked to the wet season.

India: Monsoon batters country's financial capital Mumbai

After years of insurgency and militancy, cinemas have returned to India's Kashmir Valley, and the residents are unwilling to miss the experience as seen by the housefull signs that have appeared outside the Valley's multiplex.

India: Cinema halls reopen after 33 years in North Kashmir

In an exclusive conversation with WION's Samarpita Das, Indian actor Nimrat Kaur, talks about her role in the series, Foundation.

Nimrat Kaur: Hollywood is back with a bang

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif's close aide has admitted that drones are being used to send drugs into India. Priyanka Sharma brings you a report on Pakistan's narco-terrorism.

Gravitas: Pak official admits drones are dropping drugs in India | Pakistan's narco-terrorism exposed

Roaring into the headlines in 2022, the government of India released a <a href="https://ntca.gov.in/assets/uploads/Reports/AITM/Status_Tigers_2022_Summary-1.pdf">tiger census report </a>containing some remarkable findings. The report revealed that the tiger population in India had&nbsp;reached 3,167, showing a notable increase of about 6.7 per cent compared to the last census in 2018, which had reported 2,967 tigers.&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" />

During the report's unveiling, PM Modi said that India stands apart from other tiger-range countries as its tiger numbers continue to grow. He attributed this positive trend to the long-standing coexistence of people and wildlife in the country.

Undoubtedly, the report warrants celebration, but the need to holistically understand these numbers is pivotal. To do that, WION spoke to Dr Anish Andheria,&nbsp;India’s leading wildlife expert and the President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust. The report is a clear indicator of India’s positive stride in conservation over the years, but there are a few problem areas that need some attention. But, firstly a bit on the role of a tiger in the ecosystem.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe aria-label="Column Chart" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="400" id="datawrapper-chart-rK4kU" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rK4kU/1/" style="border: none;" title="Countries with highest number of wild tigers" width="600"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures)

<h2>Role of a tiger in the ecosystem</h2>

Tigers stand as ambassadors for preserving diverse habitats.&nbsp;

They defy limitations, thrive in a wide array of landscapes, from the snowy peaks of Uttarakhand to the mangroves of Bengal, and even the arid areas of Rajasthan's Ranthambore.&nbsp;

“In the name of tigers, we conserve various other forms of biodiversity that coexist within the same ecosystem,” Andheria told WION.

As apex predators, tigers play a crucial role in regulating the herbivore population within an ecosystem. Without tigers, the deer population would surge, leading to continuous grazing and overburdening the ecosystem. Consequently, tigers effectively control prey density, ensuring the stability of the habitat.

"If we hadn't conserved tigers or hadn't started Project Tiger in 1973, India would have lost almost 50 per cent of the forests that exist today, and we would have had a major pan-India water crisis by now. So, it's that important," Andheria noted.

Tigers, as sizeable carnivores, inhabit a total of 13 countries, all of which are located in Asia. Among these nations, India alone boasts nearly 75 per cent of the global tiger population.

With vast countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Russia, and more having habitats but very few tigers, India roars as the conservation champion, doing something truly remarkable, says Andheria.&nbsp;

<img alt="photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b0272152-b78c-4f08-ae9c-1c409537ffa3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The%20battle%20for%20Kyiv%20-%202023-07-29T000830.778.png" />

A Royal Bengal tiger resting along the river bed at Uttarakhand's Jim Corbett National Park. Photo: Wikimedia commons

In India, the higher density of human beings creates various pressures, which limits the drastic increase in tiger numbers, as the habitat remains constant in terms of area.

“It's not always the number of tigers that is important; what matters is whether the population growth is reasonable. We should not only focus on 2018 and 2022 but also look back to 2006 when there were only 1411 tigers in India. &nbsp;From 2006 to 2022, we have more than doubled the tiger population, thanks to efforts such as patrolling, community involvement, cracking down on illegal wildlife trade, and motivating forest guards,” adds Andheria.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/on-global-tiger-day-watch-these-documentaries-on-discovery-620346">On Global Tiger Day, watch these documentaries on discovery+</a>

<h2>Importance of tiger corridors&nbsp;</h2>

The term "corridor" is often used loosely, but its primary significance lies in serving as a conduit between two tiger breeding populations. Tigers utilise riparian tracks for their movement. A corridor is intentionally designed to facilitate the seamless movement of tigers from one habitat to another, noted&nbsp;Andheria.&nbsp;

Surprisingly, among India's 53 tiger reserves, not a single one has an adequate number of breeding females to ensure the long-term stability of the tiger population.

“These parks need at least 20 female tigers of breeding age to maintain a healthy reproduction rate (a number derived through mathematical methods). The only way to ensure the stability of the tiger population is by connecting reserves with less than 20 female breeding tigers to another population that also has less than 20 female breeding tigers through a corridor, effectively uniting them as one. This facilitates both genetic transfer and population stability if the corridor maintains good quality,” said Andheria.

<h2>Chart shows the total number of tigers in India from 2006-2022</h2>

(This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures)

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<div style="width:100%!;margin-top:4px!important;text-align:right!important;"><a class="flourish-credit" href="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/14576410/?utm_source=embed&amp;utm_campaign=visualisation/14576410" style="text-decoration:none!important" target="_top"><img alt="Made with Flourish" src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/made_with_flourish.svg" style="width:105px!important;height:16px!important;border:none!important;margin:0!important;" /> </a></div>
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The threats faced by tigers outside tiger reserves are massive. To ensure stable tiger populations, it is equally crucial to secure the safety of corridors, just as it is essential to protect the tiger reserves, he adds.&nbsp;

Based on the data, states that have excelled are the ones where the corridors are in good condition.

<h2>‘Rare black’ tigers of Similipal in decline</h2>

In the Similipal Tiger Reserve, there exists a remarkable find: Bengal big cats with a gene mutation that causes a rare melanistic trait, characterised by their distinct dark stripe patterns.&nbsp;

<img alt="image" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="62b98892-5630-4885-8321-b08495bb3a49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The%20battle%20for%20Kyiv%20-%202023-07-28T235716.244.png" />

The 'rare black' tiger found only in Similipal tiger reserve in India. Photo: Mongabay

A 2021 study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, located in eastern India, are isolated with limited gene flow to other tiger populations.

As per the results of the 2022 tiger census, tiger populations in this region are declining due to extensive human disturbance. The Similipal area is significantly affected by human habitation, with several villages right in the heart of the reserve. Rampant hunting, a reduced prey base, and a large number of cattle holdings contribute to the issue as well, particularly when cattle are left for grazing in the reserve.&nbsp;

“Furthermore, the tigers in Similipal have maintained their isolated status, indicating the lack of connectivity to other tiger reserves. This suggests that there are insufficient neighbouring reserves to support the movement of tigers in and out of Similipal,” explained Andheria.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the status of Rajasthan's Sariska national park?</h2>

In 2005, Sariska lost all its tigers, leading to the formation of a special committee with environmental activist Sunita Narain at the helm, eventually becoming the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).&nbsp;

Tigers were later reintroduced from Ranthambore, and though they started breeding, Sariska continues to face challenges, with over 30 villages still present within the core tiger zone.&nbsp;

<img alt="photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d9d8fd6a-a3e4-475e-8a6b-4b6cb5a53ea9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The%20battle%20for%20Kyiv%20-%202023-07-29T001746.930.png" />

Tiger sighting at Rajasthan's Sariska. Photo: Twitter/@AlokRanjanIAS

Despite endeavours to augment tiger density through Project Tiger, "Sariska has not realised its full potential as a significant breeding habitat," unlike Panna National Park. Panna faced a similar fate as Sariska in 2007-2008 but rebounded with 55 tigers almost a decade ago, boasting no villages within its core area, said Andheria.

<h2>Western Ghats losing tigers?</h2>

Tiger populations have decreased around <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-minister-in-kerala-govt-slammed-over-tiger-culling-remark-says-report-554204">Kerala's</a>&nbsp;Wayanad region, where a significant constituency is advocating for tiger hunting or removal, unlike Karnataka, which is performing better. The high-altitude Western Ghats area also experiences lower tiger numbers due to reduced prey density. In contrast, grasslands with more deer have a higher tiger population, while areas with fewer prey animals see fluctuating tiger populations.&nbsp;

<img alt="image" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b1e017c-2db6-4e8d-9ba5-2ea37bc8a97a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The%20battle%20for%20Kyiv%20%2879%29.jpg" />

The residents of the Cheeral area in Wayanad express their agitation and calling for measures to capture the elusive tiger. Photo: The Hindu

“Although some parts of the Western Ghats show a declining tiger population, the overall performance in the Western Ghats is satisfactory,” notes Andheria.&nbsp;

<h2>What should&nbsp;India’s game plan be?</h2>

Andheria suggests that India should step away from solely prioritising numbers and, instead, incentivise and commend states that have achieved success in tiger conservation. Valuable practices can be borrowed and adopted from these well-performing states as lessons for improvement.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-now-has-over-3167-tigers-581146/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

“The government cannot prevent the poor from venturing into the forest for subsistence. Instead, they need to provide them with alternative income sources that do not rely on the forest,” he added.&nbsp;

Moreover, to effectively and promptly mitigate animal-human conflict, the forest department should secure additional funding, address understaffing by filling vacancies and work in tandem with local communities that live within these core tiger zones.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Roaring into the headlines in 2022, the government of India released a tiger census report containing some remarkable findings. The report revealed that the tiger population in India had reached 3,167, showing a notable increase of about 6.

Roaring into the headlines in 2022, the government of India released a tiger census report containing some remarkable findings. The report revealed that the tiger population in India had reached 3,167, showing a notable increase of about 6.7 per cent compared to the last census in 2018, which had reported 2,967 tigers. During the report's unveiling, PM Modi said that India stands apart from other tiger-range countries as its tiger numbers continue to grow. He attributed this positive trend to the long-standing coexistence of people and wildlife in the country. Undoubtedly, the report warrants celebration, but the need to holistically understand these numbers is pivotal. To do that, WION spoke to Dr Anish Andheria, India’s leading wildlife expert and the President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust. The report is a clear indicator of India’s positive stride in conservation over the years, but there are a few problem areas that need some attention. But, firstly a bit on the role of a tiger in the ecosystem. × (This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures) Role of a tiger in the ecosystem Tigers stand as ambassadors for preserving diverse habitats. They defy limitations, thrive in a wide array of landscapes, from the snowy peaks of Uttarakhand to the mangroves of Bengal, and even the arid areas of Rajasthan's Ranthambore. “In the name of tigers, we conserve various other forms of biodiversity that coexist within the same ecosystem,” Andheria told WION. As apex predators, tigers play a crucial role in regulating the herbivore population within an ecosystem. Without tigers, the deer population would surge, leading to continuous grazing and overburdening the ecosystem. Consequently, tigers effectively control prey density, ensuring the stability of the habitat. "If we hadn't conserved tigers or hadn't started Project Tiger in 1973, India would have lost almost 50 per cent of the forests that exist today, and we would have had a major pan-India water crisis by now. So, it's that important," Andheria noted. Tigers, as sizeable carnivores, inhabit a total of 13 countries, all of which are located in Asia. Among these nations, India alone boasts nearly 75 per cent of the global tiger population. With vast countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Russia, and more having habitats but very few tigers, India roars as the conservation champion, doing something truly remarkable, says Andheria. A Royal Bengal tiger resting along the river bed at Uttarakhand's Jim Corbett National Park. Photo: Wikimedia commons In India, the higher density of human beings creates various pressures, which limits the drastic increase in tiger numbers, as the habitat remains constant in terms of area. “It's not always the number of tigers that is important; what matters is whether the population growth is reasonable. We should not only focus on 2018 and 2022 but also look back to 2006 when there were only 1411 tigers in India. From 2006 to 2022, we have more than doubled the tiger population, thanks to efforts such as patrolling, community involvement, cracking down on illegal wildlife trade, and motivating forest guards,” adds Andheria. Also read | On Global Tiger Day, watch these documentaries on discovery+ Importance of tiger corridors The term "corridor" is often used loosely, but its primary significance lies in serving as a conduit between two tiger breeding populations. Tigers utilise riparian tracks for their movement. A corridor is intentionally designed to facilitate the seamless movement of tigers from one habitat to another, noted Andheria. Surprisingly, among India's 53 tiger reserves, not a single one has an adequate number of breeding females to ensure the long-term stability of the tiger population. “These parks need at least 20 female tigers of breeding age to maintain a healthy reproduction rate (a number derived through mathematical methods). The only way to ensure the stability of the tiger population is by connecting reserves with less than 20 female breeding tigers to another population that also has less than 20 female breeding tigers through a corridor, effectively uniting them as one. This facilitates both genetic transfer and population stability if the corridor maintains good quality,” said Andheria. Chart shows the total number of tigers in India from 2006-2022 (This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures) × The threats faced by tigers outside tiger reserves are massive. To ensure stable tiger populations, it is equally crucial to secure the safety of corridors, just as it is essential to protect the tiger reserves, he adds. Based on the data, states that have excelled are the ones where the corridors are in good condition. ‘Rare black’ tigers of Similipal in decline In the Similipal Tiger Reserve, there exists a remarkable find: Bengal big cats with a gene mutation that causes a rare melanistic trait, characterised by their distinct dark stripe patterns. The 'rare black' tiger found only in Similipal tiger reserve in India. Photo: Mongabay A 2021 study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, located in eastern India, are isolated with limited gene flow to other tiger populations. As per the results of the 2022 tiger census, tiger populations in this region are declining due to extensive human disturbance. The Similipal area is significantly affected by human habitation, with several villages right in the heart of the reserve. Rampant hunting, a reduced prey base, and a large number of cattle holdings contribute to the issue as well, particularly when cattle are left for grazing in the reserve. “Furthermore, the tigers in Similipal have maintained their isolated status, indicating the lack of connectivity to other tiger reserves. This suggests that there are insufficient neighbouring reserves to support the movement of tigers in and out of Similipal,” explained Andheria. What is the status of Rajasthan's Sariska national park? In 2005, Sariska lost all its tigers, leading to the formation of a special committee with environmental activist Sunita Narain at the helm, eventually becoming the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Tigers were later reintroduced from Ranthambore, and though they started breeding, Sariska continues to face challenges, with over 30 villages still present within the core tiger zone. Tiger sighting at Rajasthan's Sariska. Photo: Twitter/@AlokRanjanIAS Despite endeavours to augment tiger density through Project Tiger, "Sariska has not realised its full potential as a significant breeding habitat," unlike Panna National Park. Panna faced a similar fate as Sariska in 2007-2008 but rebounded with 55 tigers almost a decade ago, boasting no villages within its core area, said Andheria. Western Ghats losing tigers? Tiger populations have decreased around Kerala's Wayanad region, where a significant constituency is advocating for tiger hunting or removal, unlike Karnataka, which is performing better. The high-altitude Western Ghats area also experiences lower tiger numbers due to reduced prey density. In contrast, grasslands with more deer have a higher tiger population, while areas with fewer prey animals see fluctuating tiger populations. The residents of the Cheeral area in Wayanad express their agitation and calling for measures to capture the elusive tiger. Photo: The Hindu “Although some parts of the Western Ghats show a declining tiger population, the overall performance in the Western Ghats is satisfactory,” notes Andheria. What should India’s game plan be? Andheria suggests that India should step away from solely prioritising numbers and, instead, incentivise and commend states that have achieved success in tiger conservation. Valuable practices can be borrowed and adopted from these well-performing states as lessons for improvement. “The government cannot prevent the poor from venturing into the forest for subsistence. Instead, they need to provide them with alternative income sources that do not rely on the forest,” he added. Moreover, to effectively and promptly mitigate animal-human conflict, the forest department should secure additional funding, address understaffing by filling vacancies and work in tandem with local communities that live within these core tiger zones. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | India houses 75% of the world’s tigers, but let's not get fixated on numbers

Maharashtra's anti-terrorism squad has arrested a DRDO senior scientist for sharing classified information with a Pakistani agent who enticed him. Now senior Defence Research and Development Organisation scientist Pradeep Kurulkar faces the full force of the law for Espionage under the Official Secrets Act. One may ask why did he a 59-year-old senior scientist commit such a crime? Because he was attracted to the Pakistani agent.

Pakistani agent honey traps DRDO Senior Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar

India is the target of Al-Qaeda's reorganisation efforts. An alarming 23-page report from the UN security council's Islamic State and Al-Qaeda sanctions committee showed that the terror organisation is forming its regional affiliate and intends to extend its murderous tentacles into the Indian subcontinent.

UN report blows lid off Al-Qaeda's plot to target India

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which adds stringent anti-piracy provisions to take action against film piracy and seeks to streamline licencing procedures, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, July 27.

India: Cinematograph Bill 2023 proposes a three-year jail term, hefty fine for piracy

The Allahabad High Court has temporarily delayed the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, which was ordered by a Varanasi court. Last Monday, a Varanasi court ordered the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a scientific examination of the mosque to ascertain whether the "present structure" was "constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple."

Gyanvapi mosque 'scientific survey' stayed

India's external affairs minister S. Jaishankar has hailed the Indian prime Minister Narendra Modi's achievements remarkable achievements in foreign policy in the last few months. Let's watch what he has to say.

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Manipur is reeling from the ethnic violence for almost about three months now. The Kuki and Meitei tribes are fighting each other on a whole host of different issues. The quest is to gain and preserve political representation and economic opportunities for the group and this is what launched the hard violence. An estimated 160 people so far have been killed. The months-long unrest has seen Humanity at its worst in this state. The security forces within the state have been unable to restore peace and security.

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India just took one step more towards its dream of sending humans to space. The gaganyaan mission, literally meaning space journey, recently conducted a successful engine test.

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In a big boost to India's global ambitions, India's economy will soon be among the world's top three. That's the projection by Indian bank SBI in its research report. According to SBI's latest ecowrap, India is likely to be the world's third largest economy by 2027-28. The report credits economic reforms since 2014 for India achieving the target by 2027-28.

India to be third largest economy by 2027-28: Report | World Business Watch

In February 1999, India's then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee noticed too big a diplomatic slight to be left unnoticed at a helipad near Governor's House in Pakistan's Lahore. Pakistani army chief General Pervez Musharraf, while receiving the visiting Indian prime minister, was wearing his official military uniform and not a ceremonial one as he was supposed to according to the established protocol.&nbsp;

On the Indian side, this was interpreted as the Pakistani deep state's boorish show of disagreement against Vajpayee's unprecedented peace overtures; the Pakistani army's implicit act of resistance to peace with India that it concluded by occupying Indian military posts in Jammu and Kashmir.

A month later in March 1999, Vajpayee called Niaz Naik — Islamabad's emissary for peace talks with New Delhi that were finalised as part of Vajpayee's Lahore visit — and told him to send a message to the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The message was clear. Come summer and Pakistani armed forces would stop giving cover fire to the terrorists crossing over the Line of Control into India's Jammu and Kashmir. But to everyone's surprise in New Delhi, the summer was going to be different from previous summers of decades of prolonged India-Pakistan conflict.&nbsp;

The above two incidents are mentioned in two of Vajpayee's biographies, 'Vajpayee: the years that changed India', authored by his former personal secretary Shakti Sinha, and 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A man of all seasons' authored by Kingshuk Nag.

On 3 May 1999, two weeks after the resignation of the second Vajpayee government, a Buddhist shepherd in Kargil —barely a few kilometres from the Line of Control or LoC, the de facto boundary between India and Pakistan — chanced upon a number of Pakistani soldiers in camouflage.

Soldiers who went to investigate were ambushed, and an ammunition dump was blown up.

Vajpayee, now a ‘caretaker’ prime minister after losing a parliamentary no-trust vote, was informally briefed. He immediately called a cabinet meeting to discuss ‘some urgent matter’.

Around 1,500 to 2,400 Pakistani military men and irregular fighters had entrenched themselves along a 150-odd kilometre stretch on the Indian side of the LoC at heights of 16,000&nbsp;feet. Pakistan kept on claiming that it was the so-called Mujahideen who were on the heights and not its army men. They were firing down below at the Srinagar–Leh highway, the lifeline for civilian and military supplies to northern Kashmir.&nbsp;

<h2>Vajpayee's strategic showpiece</h2>

While the Indian army was raining conventional fire to dislodge the Pakistanis, Vajpayee pulled off a remarkable strategic showpiece that catapulted previously pro-Pakistan US-led West to the Indian side. The caretaker prime minister explicitly ordered Indian Air Force planes to not cross the Line of Control, a signal to the international community that India, unlike Pakistan, respected the de-facto international boundary. "We knew we will fiercely defend ourselves not invade," Vajpayee said of his unconventional decision in New Delhi months later during his Independence Day address.&nbsp;

Meanwhile on 12 June&nbsp;1999, in the thick of the fighting in Kargil, the then Pakistani foreign minister Sartaj Aziz visited New Delhi.&nbsp;

Aziz, without agreeing to go back to the LoC status quo in Kargil, called for a ceasefire in a manner that occupied Indian posts would fall on the Pakistani side.&nbsp;

Aziz used the excuse that since the LoC was ‘unclear’, some inadvertent transgression might well have taken place.

"If the Pakistan Army was not involved in the intrusion and it was the Mujahideen, then why were they asking for a ceasefire?," Shakti Sinha writes of Sartaj Aziz-Jaswat Singh talks.&nbsp;

"And since when were the Mujahideen bound by the India–Pakistan agreement? Their stupidity was breathtaking and audacious."

After Sartaj Aziz's Delhi visit, when the Pakistan Army and the country’s political leadership both requested the US to intervene and help bring about a ceasefire, Vajpayee, in his telephonic conversations with the then US President Bill Clinton, made it clear that 'either Pakistanis could vacate Indian territory on their own, or India would throw them out the way it deemed best', Sinha writes further.

Clinton publicly rebuked Pakistan and called upon it to withdraw its troops back to the LoC at the earliest and respect the 'sanctity of the Line of Control.'&nbsp;

<h2>How Vajpayee delegated India's intense diplomacy during the war in Kargil?</h2>

Clinton's rebuke of Sharif was not a surprise in New Delhi's power corridors. India's intense diplomatic effort for weeks had built up to that moment.

Full-page advertisements rebuking Pakistan had made their way to the international press.

Vajpayee sent out extensive tours of the United States which were led by senior leaders Sushma Swaraj and Narendra Modi, the latter was to become India's Prime Minister fifteen years later while the former served in his cabinet as foreign minister.&nbsp;

As a result of the lobbying, what followed was the US imposing sanctions on Pakistan, which included blocking all assistance from international institutions like the IMF and World Bank. In fact, the House of Representatives subcommittee, led by Congressman Jim McDermott, had agreed on a far lower level of sanctions, but the thousands of fax messages that his office, and those of the other members, received —ensured an enhanced level of sanctions against Pakistan.

The war was technically over on 4 July&nbsp;1999, when Clinton dressed down Sharif.&nbsp;

But again, if the Pakistani leadership was withdrawing and conceding at the diplomatic level, the reality on the ground differed. There were fierce counter-attacks still taking place as the retreating Pakistani soldiers would withdraw from some posts but occupy others.

They left behind anti-personnel mines at&nbsp;locations they were vacating.

Even the dead bodies of Pakistani soldiers were booby-trapped to inflict last-minute casualties on the Indian side. Thus the actual conflict with the retreating Pakistan Army ended only on 26 July, which India now celebrates as the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

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In February 1999, India's then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee noticed too big a diplomatic slight to be left unnoticed at a helipad near Governor's House in Pakistan's Lahore.

In February 1999, India's then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee noticed too big a diplomatic slight to be left unnoticed at a helipad near Governor's House in Pakistan's Lahore. Pakistani army chief General Pervez Musharraf, while receiving the visiting Indian prime minister, was wearing his official military uniform and not a ceremonial one as he was supposed to according to the established protocol. On the Indian side, this was interpreted as the Pakistani deep state's boorish show of disagreement against Vajpayee's unprecedented peace overtures; the Pakistani army's implicit act of resistance to peace with India that it concluded by occupying Indian military posts in Jammu and Kashmir. A month later in March 1999, Vajpayee called Niaz Naik — Islamabad's emissary for peace talks with New Delhi that were finalised as part of Vajpayee's Lahore visit — and told him to send a message to the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The message was clear. Come summer and Pakistani armed forces would stop giving cover fire to the terrorists crossing over the Line of Control into India's Jammu and Kashmir. But to everyone's surprise in New Delhi, the summer was going to be different from previous summers of decades of prolonged India-Pakistan conflict. The above two incidents are mentioned in two of Vajpayee's biographies, 'Vajpayee: the years that changed India', authored by his former personal secretary Shakti Sinha, and 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A man of all seasons' authored by Kingshuk Nag. On 3 May 1999, two weeks after the resignation of the second Vajpayee government, a Buddhist shepherd in Kargil —barely a few kilometres from the Line of Control or LoC, the de facto boundary between India and Pakistan — chanced upon a number of Pakistani soldiers in camouflage. Soldiers who went to investigate were ambushed, and an ammunition dump was blown up. Vajpayee, now a ‘caretaker’ prime minister after losing a parliamentary no-trust vote, was informally briefed. He immediately called a cabinet meeting to discuss ‘some urgent matter’. Around 1,500 to 2,400 Pakistani military men and irregular fighters had entrenched themselves along a 150-odd kilometre stretch on the Indian side of the LoC at heights of 16,000 feet. Pakistan kept on claiming that it was the so-called Mujahideen who were on the heights and not its army men. They were firing down below at the Srinagar–Leh highway, the lifeline for civilian and military supplies to northern Kashmir. Vajpayee's strategic showpiece While the Indian army was raining conventional fire to dislodge the Pakistanis, Vajpayee pulled off a remarkable strategic showpiece that catapulted previously pro-Pakistan US-led West to the Indian side. The caretaker prime minister explicitly ordered Indian Air Force planes to not cross the Line of Control, a signal to the international community that India, unlike Pakistan, respected the de-facto international boundary. "We knew we will fiercely defend ourselves not invade," Vajpayee said of his unconventional decision in New Delhi months later during his Independence Day address. Meanwhile on 12 June 1999, in the thick of the fighting in Kargil, the then Pakistani foreign minister Sartaj Aziz visited New Delhi. Aziz, without agreeing to go back to the LoC status quo in Kargil, called for a ceasefire in a manner that occupied Indian posts would fall on the Pakistani side. Aziz used the excuse that since the LoC was ‘unclear’, some inadvertent transgression might well have taken place. "If the Pakistan Army was not involved in the intrusion and it was the Mujahideen, then why were they asking for a ceasefire?," Shakti Sinha writes of Sartaj Aziz-Jaswat Singh talks. "And since when were the Mujahideen bound by the India–Pakistan agreement? Their stupidity was breathtaking and audacious." After Sartaj Aziz's Delhi visit, when the Pakistan Army and the country’s political leadership both requested the US to intervene and help bring about a ceasefire, Vajpayee, in his telephonic conversations with the then US President Bill Clinton, made it clear that 'either Pakistanis could vacate Indian territory on their own, or India would throw them out the way it deemed best', Sinha writes further. Clinton publicly rebuked Pakistan and called upon it to withdraw its troops back to the LoC at the earliest and respect the 'sanctity of the Line of Control.' How Vajpayee delegated India's intense diplomacy during the war in Kargil? Clinton's rebuke of Sharif was not a surprise in New Delhi's power corridors. India's intense diplomatic effort for weeks had built up to that moment. Full-page advertisements rebuking Pakistan had made their way to the international press. Vajpayee sent out extensive tours of the United States which were led by senior leaders Sushma Swaraj and Narendra Modi, the latter was to become India's Prime Minister fifteen years later while the former served in his cabinet as foreign minister. As a result of the lobbying, what followed was the US imposing sanctions on Pakistan, which included blocking all assistance from international institutions like the IMF and World Bank. In fact, the House of Representatives subcommittee, led by Congressman Jim McDermott, had agreed on a far lower level of sanctions, but the thousands of fax messages that his office, and those of the other members, received —ensured an enhanced level of sanctions against Pakistan. The war was technically over on 4 July 1999, when Clinton dressed down Sharif. But again, if the Pakistani leadership was withdrawing and conceding at the diplomatic level, the reality on the ground differed. There were fierce counter-attacks still taking place as the retreating Pakistani soldiers would withdraw from some posts but occupy others. They left behind anti-personnel mines at locations they were vacating. Even the dead bodies of Pakistani soldiers were booby-trapped to inflict last-minute casualties on the Indian side. Thus the actual conflict with the retreating Pakistan Army ended only on 26 July, which India now celebrates as the Kargil Vijay Diwas. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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