<p>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;</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Undoubtedly, the report warrants celebration, but the need to holistically understand these numbers is pivotal. To do that, <strong>WION</strong> spoke to <strong>Dr Anish Andheria</strong>,&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;</p>

<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>
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<p><strong><em>(This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures)</em></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Role of a tiger in the ecosystem</strong></h2>

<p>Tigers stand as ambassadors for preserving diverse habitats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>“In the name of tigers, we conserve various other forms of biodiversity that coexist within the same ecosystem,” Andheria told WION.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><strong><em>A Royal Bengal tiger resting along the river bed at Uttarakhand's Jim Corbett National Park. Photo: Wikimedia commons</em></strong></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>“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.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><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></p>

<h2><strong>Importance of tiger corridors&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>“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.</p>

<h2><strong>Chart shows the total number of tigers in India from 2006-2022</strong></h2>

<p><strong><em>(This is an interactive chart, please hover/click on it to get the figures)</em></strong></p>

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<p>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;</p>

<p>Based on the data, states that have excelled are the ones where the corridors are in good condition.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Rare black’ tigers of Similipal in decline</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><strong><em>The 'rare black' tiger found only in Similipal tiger reserve in India. Photo: Mongabay</em></strong></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>“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;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the status of Rajasthan's Sariska national park?</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Tiger sighting at Rajasthan's Sariska. Photo: Twitter/@AlokRanjanIAS</strong></em></p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2><strong>Western Ghats losing tigers?</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><em><strong>The residents of the Cheeral area in Wayanad express their agitation and calling for measures to capture the elusive tiger. Photo: The Hindu</strong></em></p>

<p>“Although some parts of the Western Ghats show a declining tiger population, the overall performance in the Western Ghats is satisfactory,” notes Andheria.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What should&nbsp;India’s game plan be?</strong></h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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></p>

<p>“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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><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></p>


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:

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<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Soldiers who went to investigate were ambushed, and an ammunition dump was blown up.</p>

<p>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’.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2><strong>Vajpayee's strategic showpiece</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>Aziz used the excuse that since the LoC was ‘unclear’, some inadvertent transgression might well have taken place.</p>

<p>"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;</p>

<p>"And since when were the Mujahideen bound by the India–Pakistan agreement? Their stupidity was breathtaking and audacious."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2><strong>How Vajpayee delegated India's intense diplomacy during the war in Kargil?</strong></h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Full-page advertisements rebuking Pakistan had made their way to the international press.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The war was technically over on 4 July&nbsp;1999, when Clinton dressed down Sharif.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>They left behind anti-personnel mines at&nbsp;locations they were vacating.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><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></p>


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:

Cast from the Past: How India's 'most loved' prime minister stunned Pakistan in Kargil

India and the UAE have signed a currency agreement allowing the use of the rupee and dirham for cross-border trade. The move marks a significant milestone and could pave the way for more bilateral currency agreements signalling the potential internationalisation of the Indian rupee. The decision reflects a broader trend of emerging economies seeking to reduce reliance on the US dollar, questioning its supremacy as the world's default currency.

India-UAE trade pact: Step towards de-dollarisation?

The Chinese foreign ministry claimed consensus on stabilising India-China relations. The claim came eight months after PM Modi and Xi Jinping exchanged greetings at G20 summit. It took a second summit for China to address the situation.

What transpired between Indian PM Modi & China’s Xi Jinping at Bali G20 meet eight months back?

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the foreign minister of Japan, came to India on July 27 on a two-day visit with the goal of strengthening and reviewing Indo-Japan strategic ties. Later on in the day, Mr. Hayashi and S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, would undertake extensive discussions.

Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi on a two-day visit to New Delhi

There have been significant projections for the Indian economy, and they will significantly advance India's global aspirations. The Indian Bank SBI predicts that by 2027 to 2028, India's economy will be in the top three in the globe. According to SBI's most recent eco-rap, India is also projected to overtake China as the third-largest economy in the world.

India likely to be the world's third largest economy by 2027-28

The impasse over Manipur continues to impede the work of the Indian Parliament. India's northeastern state is rife with ethnic violence, and the issue gained attention after a horrifying video of two women being paraded in public while naked went viral. A group of dozens of men were seen molesting the women, and they are also accused of gang rape. The incident happened on May 4.

Manipur Horror Video: CBI likely to takeover viral video case

The Chinese economy appears to be hitting a bit of a rough path with concerns rising about its future trajectory. Renowned economists have now sounded the alarm drawing comparisons to Japan's economic decline or stagnation that began in the 1990s. The question is will China's economy also witness a period of stagnation an expert gets more details.

India's economic ascents as China's stumbles leaving economists concerned

An Indian woman moved to the US in 2021 to pursue higher education. Two years later, she has ended up on the streets of Chicago in a pitiful situation. What went wrong?

Gravitas: Indian woman ends up on Chicago streets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India aspires to become a dependable partner for the semiconductor sector and a worldwide chip manufacturer. Modi, who has made chipmaking the top priority of his economic policy, stated that "we are continuously undertaking policy reforms to expedite the growth of the semiconductor sector in the country."

India offers opportunities for chip makers, says PM Modi

<p><strong>ISRO Aditya L1:</strong>The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its first Solar Mission, Aditya L1 which is likely to take off on August 26, 2023. It is the first Indian space mission to study the sun. The sun constantly influences Earth with heat, radiation, and solar wind. The Aditya L1 aims at studying the atmosphere of the Sun as it releases huge amounts of energy into the Solar System. These energies cause several disturbances in the space environment near the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aditya L1 spacecraft is planned to be kept in a halo orbit around a point named L1 Lagrange point. The Lagrange point is about 1.5 million km away from Earth in the Earth-Sun system. Keeping the orbit around L1 has the advantage of continuously viewing the sun without any eclipses. The spacecraft contains seven payloads to observe the different layers of the Sun.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aditya-l1-indias-first-space-based-mission-to-study-sun-619929">Aditya L1: India's first space-based mission to study Sun</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Here’s everything you need to know about Aditya L1</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>Why is the mission named Aditya L1?</strong></h3>

<p>The mission was initially proposed as Aditya 1, a satellite carrying a single payload, and was aimed at observing only the solar corona. It was renamed as Aditya L1 because now it is planned to position at the L1 Lagrange point of the Earth-Sun system and the Aditya L1 satellite carries seven payloads.</p>

<h3><strong>What are the scientific objectives of Aditya L1?</strong></h3>

<p>The Space agency wants to understand Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Acceleration.</p>

<p>The objective is to understand the initiation of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), flares and near-earth space weather.</p>

<p>ISRO targets to understanding the coupling and dynamics of the solar atmosphere</p>

<p>To know about solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-3-successfully-completes-final-earth-orbit-raising-manoeuvre-isro-619262">Chandrayaan-3 successfully completes final Earth orbit-raising manoeuvre: ISRO</a></strong></p>

<h3><strong>What is the uniqueness of the mission?</strong></h3>

<p>The mission is unique in its &nbsp;way as it is the first time spatially resolved solar disk in the near UV band.</p>

<p>The spacecraft has unique CME dynamics close to the solar disk and provides information on the acceleration regime of CME which is not observed continuously.</p>

<p>The Onboard intelligence to detect CMEs and solar flares have unique features to provide optimised observations and data volume.</p>

<p>Spacecraft will use multi-direction observations for directional and energy anisotropy of solar wind.</p>

<h3><strong>What are Lagrange Points?</strong></h3>

<p>Lagrange points are the spots in space where an object tends to stay if put in there. In the Earth-Sun space system, there are 5 Lagrange Points named L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. L1 lies between the line of Earth and Sun. The distance between L1 and Earth is approximately 1% of Earth-sun distance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The AdityaL1 mission will subsequently land at the L1 Lagrange Point and it will take around 4 months after the launch for Aditya L1 to reach the desired Lagrange Point.</p>

<h3><strong>Will AdityaL1 do a complete study about the Sun?</strong></h3>

<p>According to ISRO scientists, no space mission can do a complete study because of the limited mass and volume of spacecraft that are sent to Space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>AdityaL1 will examine all the measurements from lagrange point L1 but several phenomena of the sun are multidirectional so it becomes difficult to have a complete study from L1 lagrange point. Therefore, L1 will only examine within its capabilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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ISRO Aditya L1:The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its first Solar Mission, Aditya L1 which is likely to take off on August 26, 2023. It is the first Indian space mission to study the sun.

ISRO Aditya L1:The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for its first Solar Mission, Aditya L1 which is likely to take off on August 26, 2023. It is the first Indian space mission to study the sun. The sun constantly influences Earth with heat, radiation, and solar wind. The Aditya L1 aims at studying the atmosphere of the Sun as it releases huge amounts of energy into the Solar System. These energies cause several disturbances in the space environment near the Earth. Aditya L1 spacecraft is planned to be kept in a halo orbit around a point named L1 Lagrange point. The Lagrange point is about 1.5 million km away from Earth in the Earth-Sun system. Keeping the orbit around L1 has the advantage of continuously viewing the sun without any eclipses. The spacecraft contains seven payloads to observe the different layers of the Sun. Also Read | Aditya L1: India's first space-based mission to study Sun Here’s everything you need to know about Aditya L1 Why is the mission named Aditya L1? The mission was initially proposed as Aditya 1, a satellite carrying a single payload, and was aimed at observing only the solar corona. It was renamed as Aditya L1 because now it is planned to position at the L1 Lagrange point of the Earth-Sun system and the Aditya L1 satellite carries seven payloads. What are the scientific objectives of Aditya L1? The Space agency wants to understand Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Acceleration. The objective is to understand the initiation of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), flares and near-earth space weather. ISRO targets to understanding the coupling and dynamics of the solar atmosphere To know about solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy. Also Read Chandrayaan-3 successfully completes final Earth orbit-raising manoeuvre: ISRO What is the uniqueness of the mission? The mission is unique in its way as it is the first time spatially resolved solar disk in the near UV band. The spacecraft has unique CME dynamics close to the solar disk and provides information on the acceleration regime of CME which is not observed continuously. The Onboard intelligence to detect CMEs and solar flares have unique features to provide optimised observations and data volume. Spacecraft will use multi-direction observations for directional and energy anisotropy of solar wind. What are Lagrange Points? Lagrange points are the spots in space where an object tends to stay if put in there. In the Earth-Sun space system, there are 5 Lagrange Points named L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. L1 lies between the line of Earth and Sun. The distance between L1 and Earth is approximately 1% of Earth-sun distance. The AdityaL1 mission will subsequently land at the L1 Lagrange Point and it will take around 4 months after the launch for Aditya L1 to reach the desired Lagrange Point. Will AdityaL1 do a complete study about the Sun? According to ISRO scientists, no space mission can do a complete study because of the limited mass and volume of spacecraft that are sent to Space. AdityaL1 will examine all the measurements from lagrange point L1 but several phenomena of the sun are multidirectional so it becomes difficult to have a complete study from L1 lagrange point. Therefore, L1 will only examine within its capabilities. (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.

ISRO all set for its first Solar Mission, Aditya L1 launching next month

<p>India has pulled out of the World University Games being held in China’s Chengdu starting Friday, in response to stapled visas being issued to athletes from India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>Earlier, before Thursday midnight, officials in New Delhi barred an eight-member contingent, including five athletes, a coach and two support staff members, from boarding their flight to China just before their departure.</p>

<p>Hours later, it turned out New Delhi had withdrawn from the games altogether, marking a strong protest against China’s attempts to normalise its segregated approach towards India’s Arunachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>“We were stopped at the gate by immigration officials and CISF personnel. They did not give any reason and claimed they were merely acting on the government’s instructions,” Coach Raghvendra Singh was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.</p>

<h2><strong>China issued stapled visas to&nbsp;athletes from Arunachal</strong></h2>

<p>The controversy erupted after Beijing issued stapled, not stamped, visas to Indian athletes hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, who were to participate in the wushu (martial art) championship in China.</p>

<p>The athletes applied for a Chinese visa on July 16. The applications of all athletes were processed in time and stamped visas were issued subsequently barring applications from three Arunachal athletes -- Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu.</p>

<p>They were first asked to resubmit their applications and later were issued stapled visas on Wednesday (July 26).</p>

<h2><strong>India calls the decision ‘unacceptable’</strong></h2>

<p>India’s Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) called the decision by China “unacceptable”, adding that “India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions”.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China issues 'stapled visa' to Indian players</strong></p>

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<p>“Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment based on domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid India passports,” the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.</p>

<p>“It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China. This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side, reiterating our consistent position on the matter,” he said.</p>

<h2><strong>Why were stapled visas issued?</strong></h2>

<p>China claims India’s Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh to be so-called disputed territories.</p>

<p>It follows the practice of issuing stapled visas to athletes from these regions for a long time. In 2011, five karatekas from Arunachal were also issued stapled visas.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unacceptable-india-slams-china-over-staped-visas-issued-to-indian-wushu-fighters-620024"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;'Unacceptable': India slams China over stapled visas issued to three Wushu fighters from Arunachal</strong></a></p>

<p>In May, China also declined to take part in a G20 tourism meeting held in India’s Kashmir, saying that it did not support “holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory”.</p>

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India has pulled out of the World University Games being held in China’s Chengdu starting Friday, in response to stapled visas being issued to athletes from India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

India has pulled out of the World University Games being held in China’s Chengdu starting Friday, in response to stapled visas being issued to athletes from India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, before Thursday midnight, officials in New Delhi barred an eight-member contingent, including five athletes, a coach and two support staff members, from boarding their flight to China just before their departure. Hours later, it turned out New Delhi had withdrawn from the games altogether, marking a strong protest against China’s attempts to normalise its segregated approach towards India’s Arunachal Pradesh. “We were stopped at the gate by immigration officials and CISF personnel. They did not give any reason and claimed they were merely acting on the government’s instructions,” Coach Raghvendra Singh was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. China issued stapled visas to athletes from Arunachal The controversy erupted after Beijing issued stapled, not stamped, visas to Indian athletes hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, who were to participate in the wushu (martial art) championship in China. The athletes applied for a Chinese visa on July 16. The applications of all athletes were processed in time and stamped visas were issued subsequently barring applications from three Arunachal athletes -- Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu. They were first asked to resubmit their applications and later were issued stapled visas on Wednesday (July 26). India calls the decision ‘unacceptable’ India’s Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) called the decision by China “unacceptable”, adding that “India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions”. Watch: China issues 'stapled visa' to Indian players × “Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment based on domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid India passports,” the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China. This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side, reiterating our consistent position on the matter,” he said. Why were stapled visas issued? China claims India’s Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh to be so-called disputed territories. It follows the practice of issuing stapled visas to athletes from these regions for a long time. In 2011, five karatekas from Arunachal were also issued stapled visas. Also read: 'Unacceptable': India slams China over stapled visas issued to three Wushu fighters from Arunachal In May, China also declined to take part in a G20 tourism meeting held in India’s Kashmir, saying that it did not support “holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India withdraws from World University Games in China over stapled visa controversy

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka later today for a one-day State visit. This will be Macron's first trip to the Indian Ocean, and it will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The visit of macron shows how significant bilateral ties between Paris and Colombo have become.

Emmanuel Macron's Sri Lanka visit | Japan Foreign Minister in India

India has for long accused Pakistan of narco-terrorism but Islamabad has denied all such claims. Now in a major turn, a senior member of Pakistan government has acknowledged the drug menace which Pakistan has been unleashing from its territory.

Pakistani official admits to narco-terrorism, first ever admission by government official

Monsoon rainfall in India seems relentless and unending. Torrential downpours are lashing multiple states across the length and breadth of the nation. Heavy rainfall also battered the state of Telangana. The Krishna & Godavari rivers were in spate due to this. Meanwhile, two IAF helicopters carried out a daring rescue of six people stranded atop a J-C-B in a village in Telangana.

Indian air force chopper airlifts trapped citizen amid deluge in Telangana

<p>In a push to become a manufacturing hub, the Indian government is considering Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for domestic manufacturing of chemicals and petrochemicals, MoneyControl reported on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are in favour of having India becoming a manufacturing hub and, of course, we’ll consider the PLI also for chemicals and petrochemicals,"&nbsp;Indian Finance Minister Nirmala&nbsp;Sitharaman said at&nbsp;the global chemicals and petrochemicals summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The finance minister also emphasised the importance of increasing domestic production to balance out the trade imbalance in the petrochemical and chemical industries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2022–2023, India's combined exports of chemicals and petrochemicals were valued at roughly $9 billion, while imports of similar products were valued at $13.33 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of more than $4 billion.</p>

<p>The PLI scheme was introduced in April 2020 to assist manufacturing in a few chosen industries. Under the scheme, the government provides businesses with incentives based on additional sales of goods produced domestically. It aims to reduce India's reliance on imports and strengthen its industrial capacity.</p>

<p>With a $26 billion incentive outlay, the benefits of this scheme have already expanded to 14 sectors. Among the important industries that have received benefits under the PLI plan are telecommunications, electronics, white goods, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><b>Sitharaman pushes for sustainability&nbsp;</b></p>

<p>Sitharaman also spoke about the rising sustainability concerns in the chemicals and petrochemicals industry regarding, carbon emissions, general pollution, and groundwater contamination.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We should remember that India has set its sights on becoming energy independent by 2047 and achieving net zero [carbon emissions] by 2070," MoneyControl quoted her as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sitharaman said that achieving net zero emissions will require efforts from every industry, including petrochemicals and chemicals. She claimed that India is highly motivated to promote green growth and lower carbon intensity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>She advised the industry not to rely on fossil fuels for their upcoming projects as India is expected to add 500 Giga-Watts (GW) of non-fossil energy generation capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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In a push to become a manufacturing hub, the Indian government is considering Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for domestic manufacturing of chemicals and petrochemicals, MoneyControl reported on Thursday.

In a push to become a manufacturing hub, the Indian government is considering Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for domestic manufacturing of chemicals and petrochemicals, MoneyControl reported on Thursday. “We are in favour of having India becoming a manufacturing hub and, of course, we’ll consider the PLI also for chemicals and petrochemicals," Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at the global chemicals and petrochemicals summit. The finance minister also emphasised the importance of increasing domestic production to balance out the trade imbalance in the petrochemical and chemical industries. In 2022–2023, India's combined exports of chemicals and petrochemicals were valued at roughly $9 billion, while imports of similar products were valued at $13.33 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of more than $4 billion. The PLI scheme was introduced in April 2020 to assist manufacturing in a few chosen industries. Under the scheme, the government provides businesses with incentives based on additional sales of goods produced domestically. It aims to reduce India's reliance on imports and strengthen its industrial capacity. With a $26 billion incentive outlay, the benefits of this scheme have already expanded to 14 sectors. Among the important industries that have received benefits under the PLI plan are telecommunications, electronics, white goods, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Sitharaman pushes for sustainability Sitharaman also spoke about the rising sustainability concerns in the chemicals and petrochemicals industry regarding, carbon emissions, general pollution, and groundwater contamination. “We should remember that India has set its sights on becoming energy independent by 2047 and achieving net zero [carbon emissions] by 2070," MoneyControl quoted her as saying. Sitharaman said that achieving net zero emissions will require efforts from every industry, including petrochemicals and chemicals. She claimed that India is highly motivated to promote green growth and lower carbon intensity. She advised the industry not to rely on fossil fuels for their upcoming projects as India is expected to add 500 Giga-Watts (GW) of non-fossil energy generation capacity. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India to consider PLI scheme for chemicals and petrochemicals: Nirmala Sitharaman  

G20 ministers from 35 nations have gathered in india for a three-day meet. The G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting, is taking place in capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Important issues on the cards are climate change mitigation, adaptation and climate finance. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi talked about how india plays an important role in protecting the environment. He urged the ministers not to forget their duty towards mother nature and continue with their efforts to save the environment.

G20 climate sustainability meeting begins in Chennai with minister from 35 nations

A shocking revelation - Indian woman in the US who has been missing for two months was found on the streets on the verge. She migrated to pursue her higher studies but she was robbed of her belongings and left stranded in Chicago.

US: Indian student found starving & abandoned in Chicago; woman's mother writes to Jaishankar

India has lambasted China for issuing staple visas to some sportspersons hailing from Arunachal Pradesh describing the move taken by Beijing as unacceptable. To our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of Indian citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China.

China issues 'stapled visa' to Indian players

UP Goverment Plans To Deport Illegal Rohingya Immigrants. Over 9,000 individuals suspected to be Rohingyas have been living illegally in different districts of UP. They are suspected to enter Indian territory through North-Eastern states. The process of identifying and verifying their status is currently underway.

India's Uttar Pradesh plans to deport illegal Rohingya immigrants

In a shocking revelation, an Indian woman who had been missing for more than two months in the United States was discovered on the streets in a condition that has been described as being on the verge of starvation. She had moved to the country to pursue higher education, but after being robbed of her possessions and left stranded in Chicago with nothing but the clothes on her back, she had left Hyderabad in 2021.

Indian woman from Hyderabad found starving on Chicago streets

The Lok Sabha on July 26 passed the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which will exempt land within 100km of border that is needed for national security projects, small roadside amenities, and public roads leading to a habitation, from the purview of the forest conservation laws. Watch this to know more.

What is the Forest (Conservation ) Amendment Bill 2023?

The Witness is a WION digital series that will tell you the world's biggest stories from the lens of a common man. In this episode, we closely look at the Indian state of Manipur. We bring you the two sides of the crisis and how politics & topography complicated the situation.

In-Depth analysis of Manipur and its crisis

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