A rare cross-border kidney swap transplant to save the lives of two mothers was conducted in India’s financial capital city Mumbai, for the very first time.&nbsp;

Two sons, one from Tanzania, a country in East Africa, and the second from India exchanged kidneys to save each other’s mothers in Mumbai.&nbsp;

Doctors termed this case to be the rarest of the rare.&nbsp;

In September 2023, a 58-year-old Francisca Zacharia from Tanzania travelled to Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city to seek treatment for stage five chronic kidney disease. After all the necessary tests, doctors told them that a transplant was necessary.&nbsp;

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Her 32-year-old son hoping for a cure, came to Mumbai and sought a second opinion from one of the biggest private hospitals. Test results mentioned that he and his ill mother were incompatible for the transplant due to differences in the blood group.&nbsp;

After numerous discussions, concerned doctors advised them for a swap kidney transplant. In the next couple of days, they discovered a compatible match in Mumbai’s Chembur area.&nbsp;

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On the other hand, this news was a blessing for the second patient, 57-year-old Sheela Chainani, who was also suffering from stage five chronic kidney disease. She had been undergoing dialysis for two years.&nbsp;

“In both cases, they had earlier struggled and faced difficulties in finding a suitable match for the kidney transplant. The procedures were successful and everyone is recovering slowly,” said one of the concerned doctors.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-rbi-pause-impacts-consumers-667832">How RBI pause impacts consumers</a>

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After securing the patient’s consent and confirming compatibility, both hospitals commenced an extensive documentation and interview process.&nbsp;

Finally, on December 4, Francisca’s kidney transplant, with Sheela’s son as her donor, was conducted at Nanavati Hospital. Simultaneously, Sheela underwent surgery at Sushrut Hospital, with Francisca’s son as her donor. 
 
This has created a special bond between all four of them which they say will cherish for lifetime.&nbsp;

A rare cross-border kidney swap transplant to save the lives of two mothers was conducted in India’s financial capital city Mumbai, for the very first time. Two sons, one from Tanzania, a country in East Africa, and the second from India exchanged kidneys to save each other’s mothers in Mumbai.

A rare cross-border kidney swap transplant to save the lives of two mothers was conducted in India’s financial capital city Mumbai, for the very first time. Two sons, one from Tanzania, a country in East Africa, and the second from India exchanged kidneys to save each other’s mothers in Mumbai. Doctors termed this case to be the rarest of the rare. In September 2023, a 58-year-old Francisca Zacharia from Tanzania travelled to Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city to seek treatment for stage five chronic kidney disease. After all the necessary tests, doctors told them that a transplant was necessary. Also Read | India: 13 arrested in ISIS terror conspiracy case after raids in Maharashtra, Karnataka by NIA Her 32-year-old son hoping for a cure, came to Mumbai and sought a second opinion from one of the biggest private hospitals. Test results mentioned that he and his ill mother were incompatible for the transplant due to differences in the blood group. After numerous discussions, concerned doctors advised them for a swap kidney transplant. In the next couple of days, they discovered a compatible match in Mumbai’s Chembur area. Also Read | PM Modi dominates Global Leader Approval ratings, tops the chart with impressive 76 percent On the other hand, this news was a blessing for the second patient, 57-year-old Sheela Chainani, who was also suffering from stage five chronic kidney disease. She had been undergoing dialysis for two years. “In both cases, they had earlier struggled and faced difficulties in finding a suitable match for the kidney transplant. The procedures were successful and everyone is recovering slowly,” said one of the concerned doctors. Watch | How RBI pause impacts consumers × After securing the patient’s consent and confirming compatibility, both hospitals commenced an extensive documentation and interview process. Finally, on December 4, Francisca’s kidney transplant, with Sheela’s son as her donor, was conducted at Nanavati Hospital. Simultaneously, Sheela underwent surgery at Sushrut Hospital, with Francisca’s son as her donor. This has created a special bond between all four of them which they say will cherish for lifetime.

‘Rarest of rare’ kidney swap saves lives of two mothers from India and Tanzania

Just a few days back, the story of an Indian woman who had travelled to Pakistan to meet and marry her social media best friend, lover, had gone viral.

Now, a Pakistani journalist has shared a video of the woman named Anju having dinner with her now husband Nasrullah and his family.

<h2>The viral video</h2>

Anju and Nasrullah's love story has taken social media by the storm and, quite predictably, this new video of them having dinner has also gone viral.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-woman-anju-marries-pak-man-changes-name-to-fatima-father-says-shes-dead-for-us-619605">Indian woman Anju marries Pak man, changes name to Fatima; father says 'she's dead for us'</a>

In the video Anju, who has reportedly changed her name to Fatima, can be seen wearing a black Burqa as she sits and enjoys her mean next to Nasrullah, who can be seen wearing a cap.

Watch the video here

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کیا پشتون گھروں میں یے رواج بھی ہے کہ تمام دوستوں کے سامنے اپنی بیوی کو پیش کرکے ٹک ٹاک بناکر ویوز بھٹورے جائیں یے سب مایا جلدی مشہور ہونے کی ہے کیا سیما کسی مردوں کے ھجوم میں تھی؟ نصراللہ کو کون استعمال کررہا ہے؟<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nasrullah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nasrullah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anju?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Anju</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnjuNasrullahLoveStory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnjuNasrullahLoveStory</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anjuinpakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Anjuinpakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/8KaOY8fEi0">pic.twitter.com/8KaOY8fEi0</a>
— Dileep kumar khatri🦚 (@DileepKumarPak) <a href="https://twitter.com/DileepKumarPak/status/1684275173049122816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Earlier too, the couple's vacation videos showing the love birds exploring the picturesque valleys of Upper Dir district in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province had gone viral on social media.

<h2>Who is Anju?</h2>

The 35-year-old Indian woman, a Christian from India's state of Gujarat as per reports, was married with kids, and has left them behind to be with her Pakistani lover, 29-year-old Nasrullah.

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Speaking to the press, Anju's father Gaya Prasad Thomas revealed that she has two children back in India, a 13-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son.&nbsp;

"She has ruined the lives of her two children," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;India: State police continues to question Pakistani national Seema Haider

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The deeply hurt father went so far as to say that his daughter is dead to them.

"The way she ran away, leaving her two children and husband behind.... she did not even think of her children. If she wanted to do this, she should have divorced her husband first. She is no more (alive) for us," he said as per reports. The family has reportedly disowned Fatima (Anju).&nbsp;

This is the second such case to make the headlines in recent day. Previously, a Pakistani woman, Seema Haider, had left her home country to marry her Indian lover she met on a popular mobile game, PUBG.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Just a few days back, the story of an Indian woman who had travelled to Pakistan to meet and marry her social media best friend, lover, had gone viral. Now, a Pakistani journalist has shared a video of the woman named Anju having dinner with her now husband Nasrullah and his family.

Just a few days back, the story of an Indian woman who had travelled to Pakistan to meet and marry her social media best friend, lover, had gone viral. Now, a Pakistani journalist has shared a video of the woman named Anju having dinner with her now husband Nasrullah and his family. The viral video Anju and Nasrullah's love story has taken social media by the storm and, quite predictably, this new video of them having dinner has also gone viral. Also read | Indian woman Anju marries Pak man, changes name to Fatima; father says 'she's dead for us' In the video Anju, who has reportedly changed her name to Fatima, can be seen wearing a black Burqa as she sits and enjoys her mean next to Nasrullah, who can be seen wearing a cap. Watch the video here کیا پشتون گھروں میں یے رواج بھی ہے کہ تمام دوستوں کے سامنے اپنی بیوی کو پیش کرکے ٹک ٹاک بناکر ویوز بھٹورے جائیں یے سب مایا جلدی مشہور ہونے کی ہے کیا سیما کسی مردوں کے ھجوم میں تھی؟ نصراللہ کو کون استعمال کررہا ہے؟#Nasrullah #Anju #AnjuNasrullahLoveStory #Anjuinpakistan pic.twitter.com/8KaOY8fEi0 — Dileep kumar khatri🦚 (@DileepKumarPak) July 26, 2023 × Earlier too, the couple's vacation videos showing the love birds exploring the picturesque valleys of Upper Dir district in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province had gone viral on social media. Who is Anju? The 35-year-old Indian woman, a Christian from India's state of Gujarat as per reports, was married with kids, and has left them behind to be with her Pakistani lover, 29-year-old Nasrullah. Also read | Indian couple sell their eight-month-old son to buy iPhone Speaking to the press, Anju's father Gaya Prasad Thomas revealed that she has two children back in India, a 13-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. "She has ruined the lives of her two children," he said. Watch | India: State police continues to question Pakistani national Seema Haider The deeply hurt father went so far as to say that his daughter is dead to them. "The way she ran away, leaving her two children and husband behind.... she did not even think of her children. If she wanted to do this, she should have divorced her husband first. She is no more (alive) for us," he said as per reports. The family has reportedly disowned Fatima (Anju). This is the second such case to make the headlines in recent day. Previously, a Pakistani woman, Seema Haider, had left her home country to marry her Indian lover she met on a popular mobile game, PUBG. (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.

Watch: Video of cross-border couple Anju-Nasrullah enjoying dinner goes viral

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan mocked retired Pakistani army general Qamar Javed Bajwa, questioning the effectiveness of his "countless trips" to the United States while referring to a joint statement from the United States and India where Pakistan was strongly condemned for cross-border terrorism and the use of terrorist proxies.&nbsp;

This comes after the White House released a US-India joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden calling upon Pakistan to take immediate action "to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks".

In a tweet Friday afternoon, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader wrote, "Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally."&nbsp;

Here, Khan was referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of several political parties, which brought together rivals Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML), to oust the former premier.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lambasts-us-envoy-as-bidens-dictator-remark-about-xi-sparks-controversy-607820">China lambasts US envoy as Biden's 'dictator' remark about Xi sparks controversy</a>

"The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more," Khan added in his tweet.&nbsp;

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Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally. 
 
The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of… <a href="https://t.co/2qyRqnHp5J">pic.twitter.com/2qyRqnHp5J</a>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1672182020829757440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Continuing his rhetoric of calling the ruling government an imported government working at the behest of the United States, Khan stated that the experiment of this government has rendered Pakistan irrelevant on the international stage.&nbsp;

"So now the imported govt experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure is also collapsing right in front of our eyes."

<h2>Khan's same-old Kashmir narrative</h2>

Khan also mentioned the same-old narrative of human rights abuses in Kashmir, which India categorically denies. Khan said he was disappointed because the issue was not mentioned in the US-India joint statement.

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"No balancing statement about the gross human rights abuse in Kashmir or the appalling treatment of minorities (esp Muslims) in India," Pakistan's former PM added in his tweet.&nbsp;

During a press conference with US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was asked about free speech, religious freedom, and the treatment of minority communities in India. In response, Modi strongly defended India's democratic values and rejected claims of discrimination against minority communities. He emphasised that India's democracy is ingrained in its DNA and its Constitution, stating that no Indian citizen is discriminated against based on caste, creed, religion, or gender.

Watch | Indian PM Modi and US President Biden stress democracy, minority rights in joint press conference

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"We are a democracy...India &amp; America both have democracy in our DNA. Democracy is in our spirit &amp; we live it and it's written in our Constitution...So no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed or religion arises. That is why, India believes in sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas and walks ahead with it..,"

<h2>What did&nbsp;the joint statement say?&nbsp;</h2>

The United States and India in a joint statement after the meeting between PM Modi and Biden said the leaders stand together "to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations."

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. &nbsp;

"They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice. They noted with concern the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse," the statement added.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan mocked retired Pakistani army general Qamar Javed Bajwa, questioning the effectiveness of his "countless trips" to the United States while referring to a joint statement from the United States and India where Pakistan was strongly condemned for cross-border terrorism and the use of terrorist proxies.

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan mocked retired Pakistani army general Qamar Javed Bajwa, questioning the effectiveness of his "countless trips" to the United States while referring to a joint statement from the United States and India where Pakistan was strongly condemned for cross-border terrorism and the use of terrorist proxies. This comes after the White House released a US-India joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden calling upon Pakistan to take immediate action "to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks". In a tweet Friday afternoon, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader wrote, "Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally." Here, Khan was referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of several political parties, which brought together rivals Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML), to oust the former premier. Also Read | China lambasts US envoy as Biden's 'dictator' remark about Xi sparks controversy "The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more," Khan added in his tweet. Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally. The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of… pic.twitter.com/2qyRqnHp5J — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 23, 2023 × Continuing his rhetoric of calling the ruling government an imported government working at the behest of the United States, Khan stated that the experiment of this government has rendered Pakistan irrelevant on the international stage. "So now the imported govt experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure is also collapsing right in front of our eyes." Khan's same-old Kashmir narrative Khan also mentioned the same-old narrative of human rights abuses in Kashmir, which India categorically denies. Khan said he was disappointed because the issue was not mentioned in the US-India joint statement. Also Read | US combat ship to make rare port call in Vietnam amid South China Sea tensions "No balancing statement about the gross human rights abuse in Kashmir or the appalling treatment of minorities (esp Muslims) in India," Pakistan's former PM added in his tweet. During a press conference with US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was asked about free speech, religious freedom, and the treatment of minority communities in India. In response, Modi strongly defended India's democratic values and rejected claims of discrimination against minority communities. He emphasised that India's democracy is ingrained in its DNA and its Constitution, stating that no Indian citizen is discriminated against based on caste, creed, religion, or gender. Watch | Indian PM Modi and US President Biden stress democracy, minority rights in joint press conference × "We are a democracy...India & America both have democracy in our DNA. Democracy is in our spirit & we live it and it's written in our Constitution...So no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed or religion arises. That is why, India believes in sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas and walks ahead with it..," What did the joint statement say? The United States and India in a joint statement after the meeting between PM Modi and Biden said the leaders stand together "to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations." President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice. They noted with concern the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse," the statement added. 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. ×

Imran Khan mocks Pak govt as Modi-Biden statement highlights cross-border terrorism, use of terrorist proxies

Russia and China opened a new cross-border bridge in the far east. They hope the bridge will further boost bilateral annual trade.

Russia-China inaugurate new cross-border bridge

India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally&nbsp;condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits.

At the UN Security Council briefing on Small Arms and Light Weapons', India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti strongly underlined the need for the Council's focus on the transfer and trafficking of arms and weapons to terrorists and terrorist groups.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-army-vs-pakistan-army-how-two-military-forces-stack-up-against-each-other-417849">&nbsp;India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other</a>

These weapons become more sinister and lethal in the hands of terrorists, who deliberately and indiscriminately use them to target innocent civilians, including women and children, he said.

For several decades, my country has suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism and violence carried out by terrorist groups using these illicit weapons smuggled across our borders, including now through the use of drones,&nbsp;he said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

He said an increase in volume and the quality of the arsenal acquired by these terrorist organisations reminds us time and again that they cannot exist without the sponsorship or support of states. This aspect needs to be unequivocally condemned.

He also strongly urged the Council to have zero tolerance to terror actors, their possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their sponsors.

High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Council that the misuse, illicit transfer and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition, remain a defining factor in undermining peace and security at the national, regional and global levels and have deeply aggravated situations for vulnerable populations already suffering from conflict.

"In contexts where United Nations peace operations have been mandated, illicit flows and easy availability of arms can exacerbate and sustain conflict dynamics; render arms embargoes ineffective; endanger peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and local populations; and complicate the implementation of peace agreements,&nbsp;she said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-talks-about-peace-while-imran-khan-glorifies-osama-bin-laden-as-a-martyr-india-at-un-418290">Pakistan talks about peace while Imran Khan glorifies Osama Bin Laden as a martyr: India at UN</a>

Nakamitsu added that small arms control measures, in particular, the development and implementation of border security and management strategies; efforts to detect and seize parts and components of weapons and ammunition; enhanced stockpile management; and the fight against the illicit manufacture of weapons are effective tools to disrupt the supply of illicit small arms and light weapons to terrorists.

Tirumurti stressed that the threat posed by the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons is a matter of concern to the entire international community.

Noting that an arms embargo is an important tool at the disposal of the Council to curb the flow of such weapons to situations of armed conflict, he voiced concern that embargoes continue to be blatantly violated, as repeatedly reported by the various Panel of Experts supporting the subsidiary bodies of the Council.

It is important that all member states respect and strictly enforce existing arms embargoes and strengthen measures against the illicit transfer of arms, he said, as he underlined that it is a well-known fact that the flow of illicit arms and weapons to non-state actors and terrorists drives and sustains conflicts.

Tirumurti told the Council that the illicit possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons by non-state groups and terrorists is a violation of state sovereignty.

In post-conflict situations, we often witness that non-state actors continue to possess these weapons illegally, which hinders disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts.

India called on the Security Council to ensure effective and timely action against such non-State actors to ensure that post-conflict peacebuilding efforts are not jeopardised while advancing security sector reforms, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promotion of rule of law and good governance.

India attaches high importance to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We consider that the primary responsibility for addressing this problem lies with the Member States,&nbsp;he said.

India supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global level to strengthen the implementation of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including through national legislative measures and enforcement, export controls, information sharing and capacity building, he added.

Further, India said the safety of UN peacekeepers is directly affected by the steady and illicit supply of small arms and light weapons to the warring parties in armed conflict situations.

The Council is aware of numerous incidents in the past, where killings and attacks on peacekeepers have been perpetrated through the use of these weapons, Tirumurti said emphasising the need for the Council to address the danger posed by such illicit transfers to the safety and security of peacekeepers by giving due attention to this issue in the consideration of peacekeeping mandates.

UN Peacekeeping Missions could support host countries in addressing the issue of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons through strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement and security agencies in safe handling, upkeep and stockpile management of arms and weapons, including those recovered from non-state actors,&nbsp;he said.

India welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recommendation to establish a dedicated component or a unit within peacekeeping Missions to handle such assistance.

Recalling that India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address to the Security Council earlier this year, had presented an eight-point action plan to counter-terrorism, Tirumurti said two points are directly relevant to the discussion &nbsp;the need to address the linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime and combating terrorist financing.

India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits.

India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits. At the UN Security Council briefing on Small Arms and Light Weapons', India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti strongly underlined the need for the Council's focus on the transfer and trafficking of arms and weapons to terrorists and terrorist groups. Also Read | India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other These weapons become more sinister and lethal in the hands of terrorists, who deliberately and indiscriminately use them to target innocent civilians, including women and children, he said. For several decades, my country has suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism and violence carried out by terrorist groups using these illicit weapons smuggled across our borders, including now through the use of drones, he said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan. He said an increase in volume and the quality of the arsenal acquired by these terrorist organisations reminds us time and again that they cannot exist without the sponsorship or support of states. This aspect needs to be unequivocally condemned. He also strongly urged the Council to have zero tolerance to terror actors, their possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their sponsors. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Council that the misuse, illicit transfer and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition, remain a defining factor in undermining peace and security at the national, regional and global levels and have deeply aggravated situations for vulnerable populations already suffering from conflict. "In contexts where United Nations peace operations have been mandated, illicit flows and easy availability of arms can exacerbate and sustain conflict dynamics; render arms embargoes ineffective; endanger peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and local populations; and complicate the implementation of peace agreements, she said. Also Read | Pakistan talks about peace while Imran Khan glorifies Osama Bin Laden as a martyr: India at UN Nakamitsu added that small arms control measures, in particular, the development and implementation of border security and management strategies; efforts to detect and seize parts and components of weapons and ammunition; enhanced stockpile management; and the fight against the illicit manufacture of weapons are effective tools to disrupt the supply of illicit small arms and light weapons to terrorists. Tirumurti stressed that the threat posed by the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons is a matter of concern to the entire international community. Noting that an arms embargo is an important tool at the disposal of the Council to curb the flow of such weapons to situations of armed conflict, he voiced concern that embargoes continue to be blatantly violated, as repeatedly reported by the various Panel of Experts supporting the subsidiary bodies of the Council. It is important that all member states respect and strictly enforce existing arms embargoes and strengthen measures against the illicit transfer of arms, he said, as he underlined that it is a well-known fact that the flow of illicit arms and weapons to non-state actors and terrorists drives and sustains conflicts. Tirumurti told the Council that the illicit possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons by non-state groups and terrorists is a violation of state sovereignty. In post-conflict situations, we often witness that non-state actors continue to possess these weapons illegally, which hinders disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts. India called on the Security Council to ensure effective and timely action against such non-State actors to ensure that post-conflict peacebuilding efforts are not jeopardised while advancing security sector reforms, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promotion of rule of law and good governance. India attaches high importance to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We consider that the primary responsibility for addressing this problem lies with the Member States, he said. India supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global level to strengthen the implementation of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including through national legislative measures and enforcement, export controls, information sharing and capacity building, he added. Further, India said the safety of UN peacekeepers is directly affected by the steady and illicit supply of small arms and light weapons to the warring parties in armed conflict situations. The Council is aware of numerous incidents in the past, where killings and attacks on peacekeepers have been perpetrated through the use of these weapons, Tirumurti said emphasising the need for the Council to address the danger posed by such illicit transfers to the safety and security of peacekeepers by giving due attention to this issue in the consideration of peacekeeping mandates. UN Peacekeeping Missions could support host countries in addressing the issue of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons through strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement and security agencies in safe handling, upkeep and stockpile management of arms and weapons, including those recovered from non-state actors, he said. India welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recommendation to establish a dedicated component or a unit within peacekeeping Missions to handle such assistance. Recalling that India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address to the Security Council earlier this year, had presented an eight-point action plan to counter-terrorism, Tirumurti said two points are directly relevant to the discussion the need to address the linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime and combating terrorist financing.

India highlights cross-border terror, weapons smuggling at United Nations

European&nbsp;Union&nbsp;countries agreed on Friday to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states approved a modified&nbsp;European&nbsp;Commission proposal that people who have been fully <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinated</a> for 14 days should be able to travel freely from one EU country to another, current EU president Portugal said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-lawmakers-ok-virus-pass-boosting-summer-travel-hopes-390322">EU lawmakers OK virus pass, boosting summer travel hopes</a>

Restrictions for other travellers should be based on the degree to which the country they are coming from has COVID-19 infections under control. Just over a quarter of EU adults are now fully vaccinated.

The revised guidelines come as the EU introduces <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> certificates that will indicate whether a person is vaccinated, has immunity because they were previously infected, or has had a recent negative test. The system is set to be ready by July 1, although some countries will launch certificates earlier.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-parliament-approves-digital-covid-19-certificates-390511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As the pace of vaccinations accelerates, the bloc will loosen the traffic light colour coding to represent the relative safety of various EU regions. The limits for the next, "orange" level will also rise. For travel from a green zone, there should be no restrictions, from orange - potential for a test; for red - a possible quarantine; and non-essential travel discouraged for "dark red".

Children aged 12 or more could be tested, but would only quarantine if an adult accompanying also had to.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-europe-reopens-borders-germany-to-lift-travel-warning-for-most-countries-from-july-1-390867">As Europe reopens borders, Germany to lift travel warning for most countries from July 1</a>

EU member states will also be able to hit an "emergency brake" to bar all travellers from a region showing a spike in more infectious variants of the disease. The system is designed also to apply to non-EU members of the open-border Schengen zone - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but not to former EU member Britain.

European Union countries agreed on Friday to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel.

European Union countries agreed on Friday to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel. Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states approved a modified European Commission proposal that people who have been fully vaccinated for 14 days should be able to travel freely from one EU country to another, current EU president Portugal said. Also read | EU lawmakers OK virus pass, boosting summer travel hopes Restrictions for other travellers should be based on the degree to which the country they are coming from has COVID-19 infections under control. Just over a quarter of EU adults are now fully vaccinated. The revised guidelines come as the EU introduces COVID-19 certificates that will indicate whether a person is vaccinated, has immunity because they were previously infected, or has had a recent negative test. The system is set to be ready by July 1, although some countries will launch certificates earlier. As the pace of vaccinations accelerates, the bloc will loosen the traffic light colour coding to represent the relative safety of various EU regions. The limits for the next, "orange" level will also rise. For travel from a green zone, there should be no restrictions, from orange - potential for a test; for red - a possible quarantine; and non-essential travel discouraged for "dark red". Children aged 12 or more could be tested, but would only quarantine if an adult accompanying also had to. Also read | As Europe reopens borders, Germany to lift travel warning for most countries from July 1 EU member states will also be able to hit an "emergency brake" to bar all travellers from a region showing a spike in more infectious variants of the disease. The system is designed also to apply to non-EU members of the open-border Schengen zone - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but not to former EU member Britain.

EU countries clear plan to ease cross-border tourism over summer

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-and-imran-khan-to-skip-meeting-of-sco-heads-346423" hreflang="en">PM Modi and Imran khan to skip meeting of SCO heads</a>

Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."

This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic.

India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-appreciates-scientists-efforts-to-come-out-with-vaccine-solution-to-combat-covid-19-346419" hreflang="en">PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19</a>

Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body.

Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost."

But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world."

World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised.

India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet. India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat." Also read| PM Modi and Imran khan to skip meeting of SCO heads Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization." This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic. India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States." Also read| PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19 Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body. Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost." But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world." World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised. India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

Cross border terror from Pakistan, reforms at WHO top focus of India at SCO meet

Strike corps assess cross border striking capabilities. Testing operational plans after 2-month training. The code-name of this military exercise is 'Sindhu Sudarshan' which signifies the target of reaching the Sindhu river. Watch the complete video to find out more in details.

Indian Army kicked off 'Sindhu Sudarshan' a military exercise in Thar

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