Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 349

Modi Govt Has Rectified Nehru-Era Blunder On Indus Water Treaty: EAM Jaishankar Blasts In Rajya Sabha

By
The Commune
-
Continuous Diplomatic Engagement Has Set India-China Ties In Direction Of Some Improvement: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on 30 July 2025, stated that the Modi government has rectified the historical mistakes made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) by putting it in abeyance until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor, EAM Jaishankar began by expressing deep gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces. Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, he said, “It was a shocking attack for a variety of reasons the manner in which people were killed in front of their families, the fact that their religion was asked before killing them, and the intent of destroying the economy of Jammu and Kashmir which had returned to prosperity and normalcy after the end of Article 370 all of this angered the country. There was grief and shock. Across the world, there was solidarity and sympathy.”

He emphasised that such an attack was absolutely unacceptable and had crossed India’s red lines. “There had to be severe consequences. There had to be accountability of the perpetrators, and they and their supporters had to be brought to justice,” Jaishankar said.

He noted that the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security on 23 April was the “first clear message of India’s anger, resolve and determination”. EAM Jaishankar recalled the key steps taken, including the cancellation of Pakistani visas under SAARC, reduction in diplomatic mission strength, expulsion of military advisors, and the holding of the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.

Describing the significance of putting the treaty in abeyance, he said, “The Indus Water Treaty in many ways is a very unique agreement. I cannot think of any agreement in the world where a country has allowed its major rivers to flow to the next country without having rights on that river. It was an extraordinary agreement, and it is important, when we have put it in abeyance, to recall the history of this event.”

Jaishankar referred to the parliamentary proceedings of the 1960s, quoting the then Prime Minister, who reportedly said the Indian government is keeping in mind the interests of West Punjab (Pakistan’s Punjab).

The EAM said the then PM had the interests of Pakistan “over its own farmers in Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.” “Not a word about the interests of our own people.” He said, ‘We purchased peace’. But within a year, that same Prime Minister admitted there was no peace with Pakistan. What we purchased was not peace, but appeasement,” EAM Jaishankar said.

He argued that the treaty, “initially done in a spirit of goodwill and friendship, had become irrelevant as India had received neither goodwill nor friendship from Pakistan since 1960, only terrorism, attacks and wars.” “Such a treaty had to be dealt with, and this government dealt with it,” he said. Reiterating the Modi government’s firm position, Jaishankar said, “This was not a price of peace, but a price of appeasement. The Modi government has corrected the mistakes of Pandit Nehru’s policies by suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan irrevocably gives up its support of terrorism. Blood and water will not flow together.”

–IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva Tries To Give Clean Chit To Pakistan, Asks Proof Of Pahalgam Terrorists Being Pakistanis

By
The Commune
-
tiruchi siva pakistan pahalgam

After senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi gave clean chits to Pakistan by downplaying its role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has added his voice to the chorus, ridiculing the evidence presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, which identified the slain terrorists as Pakistani nationals.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Tiruchi Siva took a sarcastic tone while questioning the validity of the Home Minister’s claims. Referring to Shah’s statement that Pakistani voter ID cards and Pakistan-made chocolates were found with the terrorists, Siva said, “When Mr. Chidambaram asked the honorable member, senior member, Home Minister was replying, he was asking, “Where did they come from? Are they from Pakistan or India?” Oh, you are supporting the terrorist. No, not at all. Just give us a proof, where they were from. And now they have been shot dead. Who are the three? Are they the same three terrorists? What is the proof? You have to tell us. And one proof, Home Minister said, “Sir, two proofs sir. Sir, not even one. One is voter ID card.” Which, I think the SIR will not accept as a proof of validity for citizenship. He showed, told that voter ID proved that he was a citizen of Pakistan and the chocolates they have were manufactured, made by Pakistan. Sir, these pens are from China. It is written in Chinese. Will you call me a Chinese person? Maybe. Am I, am I a Chinese citizen? Something, I, I don’t understand.”

Siva’s comments echoed earlier remarks by Congress leader P Chidambaram, who had cast doubt on Pakistan’s involvement during a media interaction following the attack. His statement, widely criticized, was later defended by the Congress as having been “misunderstood.”

The comments from both Congress and its ally, the DMK, come in the wake of Operation Mahadev, a counterterrorism operation in which the Indian Army neutralized three heavily armed militants involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the brutal killing of 26 Hindu pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had briefed Parliament on the operation, emphasizing that concrete evidence such as Pakistani identification documents and products linked the terrorists to Pakistan. He called for national unity in condemning cross-border terrorism.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, parts of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s speech during the debate on Operation Sindoor were expunged from the record after he directly blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the attack. His remarks were seen by many as undermining the military operation and offering, albeit indirectly, a clean chit to Pakistan.

Critics argue that such statements from Congress and its allies risk weakening India’s position on cross-border terrorism and downplaying the role of Pakistan-based groups responsible for attacks on Indian soil.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“Nation First, Business Later”: EaseMyTrip Pulls Out As Top Sponsor Of India-Pakistan WCL Semi-Final

By
The Commune
-
easemytrip wcl sponsor

Nishant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, has confirmed that the company will not sponsor or be associated with the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan semi-final in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). This decision comes amid heightened political and security tensions between the two nations.

Earlier, the group stage match between India and Pakistan was cancelled due to the Indian players’ decision to boycott the game. With the semi-final now in question, the controversy has grown, especially regarding whether such matches should proceed in the current climate.

Pitti took to social media to clarify the company’s position, stating, “India vs Pakistan – WCL Semi-Final We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends, you’ve made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game, Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand.”

He further emphasized, “@EaseMyTrip , we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first business later Always. Jai Hind.”

This move by EaseMyTrip aligns with growing public sentiment following recent acts of terror allegedly linked to Pakistan-based elements.

EaseMyTrip Action During Maldives Issue

It is noteworthy that EaseMyTrip suspended all bookings to the Maldives from 8 January 2024, in response to diplomatic tensions following derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers after PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. This nationalistic move, meant to show solidarity with India, impacted over 240,000 annual bookings. After Kerala Congress accused the company of quietly resuming Maldives listings, CEO Nishant Pitti clarified that a brief booking window from May 16–26 was a lapse that was quickly corrected. He defended the company’s patriotic stance, highlighting that EaseMyTrip remains Indian-owned, without foreign investment, and reaffirmed its long-term national commitment over profit motives.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently announced the schedule for the 2025 Asia Cup, with Group A comprising India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

(With Inputs From NDTV)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

P Chidambaram: Senior Congress Leader Or Pakistan’s Mouthpiece In India?

By
The Commune
-
p chidambaram congress pakistan

In a nation that has endured countless terror attacks originating from across the border, more so during the Congress regime, statements that undercut the country’s counterterror operations embolden the country’s adversaries. One such voice that repeatedly raises concerns is that of former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram. His recent comments giving clean chit to Pakistan for the Pahalgam massacre seem make one wonder if he is merely being contrarian, or if there is a dangerous pattern in his rhetoric.

Pahalgam Attack and Operation Mahadev: What Union HM Amit Shah Revealed

On 29 July 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a striking statement in Parliament detailing the events behind Operation Mahadev, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, which saw the brutal killing of 26 Hindu pilgrims.

Shah revealed that the operation to neutralize the perpetrators began in May 2025, long before any public announcement. Three terrorists were eliminated after being tracked via electronic and human intelligence, including satellite phone signals. Forensic analysis confirmed that weapons used in the attack were recovered from the neutralized terrorists, including an M9 rifle, a carbine, and an AK-47. Voter ID cards issued in Pakistan were recovered from the slain terrorists, establishing their Pakistani identity beyond doubt. The Union Home Minister emphasized that no escape route to Pakistan or Nepal was left open for the attackers. Over 105 people were interrogated for 3000 hours, and electronic surveillance confirmed their movement and location.

This data-backed statement laid to rest any ambiguity regarding the Pakistani origin of the attackers. It is noteworthy that India tracked down and eliminated the mastermind and the perpetrators of the terror attack within just 97 days! Remember it took the US, 18 months to track down the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack and about a decade to eliminate Osama bin Laden.

Chidambaram’s Contrarian Comments: “Could Be Homegrown”

Yet, in an interview to The Quint, a portal known for its left-liberal leanings, Chidambaram questioned the government and NIA, asking, “Have they identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that.”

He did not even take into consideration the statement of the The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre. Indian intelligence had already traced weapons and satellite communication to Pakistan-based handlers.

Chidambaram’s Pattern Of Excusing Pakistan, Undermining India

This isn’t the first time Chidambaram has sided with narratives that downplay or outright dismiss Pakistan’s role in terrorism.

26/11 Mumbai Attacks and the “Saffron Terror” Narrative

While the nation mourned the 2008 Mumbai attacks, orchestrated by Pakistani terrorists, Chidambaram, then Home Minister, coined the term “saffron terror”, warning of “Hindu terrorism.” This false equivalence not only diverted focus from jihadi terror but also laid the groundwork for the targeting of Indian Army officer Lt. Col. Purohit, who was later cleared of terrorism charges in the Malegaon blast case.

De La Rue Scam: Currency Contract to Pakistan-Linked Firm

As Finance Minister, Chidambaram awarded a currency printing contract to De La Rue, a British company that was also printing currency for Pakistan. Intelligence reports later confirmed that Pakistan’s ISI used De La Rue’s paper to flood India with counterfeit notes, fuelling terror financing. Shockingly, after being blacklisted under Pranab Mukherjee, De La Rue was reinstated in 2012 under Chidambaram’s watch.

Statements Favoring Pakistan Engagement

Despite Pakistan’s support for cross-border terror, Chidambaram has persistently argued for continued dialogue with Pakistan:

In December 2016, during a public discussion, Chidambaram insisted that India should not walk away from diplomacy even in the face of provocations. “You have to continue to engage with Pakistan,” he said, adding that eventually, India must find a way to coexist peacefully. His remarks were perceived by many as dangerously naïve and misaligned with ground realities, particularly in light of Pakistan’s repeated ceasefire violations and terror infiltration.

In February 2017, Chidambaram asserted that India must continuously engage with Pakistan, stating, “We are neighbours… we will be neighbours for hundreds of years.” He cautioned against flip-flop foreign policy and argued that dialogue was the only sustainable solution. This statement came at a time of heightened tensions effectively downplaying Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.

In April 2019, while speaking at an Observer Research Foundation (ORF) symposium, Chidambaram stated that India must “change its behaviour toward Pakistan” in order to bring about a change in Islamabad’s conduct. He emphasized that “war is not an option” and advocated for a more harmonious relationship.

Even as recently as May 2025, during a controversy over an India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, Chidambaram questioned whether India’s decision was influenced by external pressure, particularly from the United States. He asked whether India’s foreign policy was being dictated from Washington, a remark that was seen as undermining India’s strategic autonomy and feeding into the narrative promoted by Pakistan and its allies.

These views are dangerously naive at best or strategically aligned with Pakistan’s narrative at worst.

Supporting Insurgency in Manipur

Chidambaram’s recent tweet during the Manipur crisis called for removing the elected CM, blaming CM Biren Singh for the crisis instead of condemning Kuki militants., and proposed autonomy for ethnic groups, even hinting at a breakup of the state. He brought Myanmar-based insurgent Thanglianpau Guite into Manipur under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact.

His post where he talks about “Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga can live together only with regional autonomy” echoes separatist demands.

The question that arises from this long pattern of suspicious decisions, soft stances on Pakistan, and consistent undercutting of Indian intelligence agencies is whether Chidambaram merely a misguided contrarian, or has he functioned in a manner that objectively aligns with ISI’s goals of destabilizing India? Given his age and experience, he surely is not misguided but seems to be the latter.

While opposition is essential in a democracy, opposition to truth, security, and national integrity is not. Chidambaram’s long trail of decisions, statements, and policy choices demands scrutiny not just in the media but in Parliament and the judiciary. India’s enemies are not just across the border; they often find enablers within the system.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

When Nehru’s Sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Defended China’s UN Entry Despite 1962 Indo-China War

By
The Commune
-

One of the more controversial aspects of Indian foreign policy under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the consistent push to support the People’s Republic of China’s inclusion in the United Nations even after China waged war on India in 1962. Despite clear aggression from Beijing, top Indian leaders continued to advocate for China’s representation at the UN, often at odds with India’s national sentiment and strategic interests.

A 1963 article, reportedly from the Associated Press, revealed that India maintained its support for China’s UN seat. It quoted Nehru’s sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who headed the Indian delegation to the UN General Assembly at the time. She stated, “India is prepared to support China’s entry into the UN, despite our concerns over Chinese military threats. This is a matter of principle, not bilateral relations.” Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, she added, “One-fifth of humanity cannot be excluded from a global organization.”

Pandit had taken over leadership from V.K. Krishna Menon, who had lost both his UN and Defense Minister roles after the Indian military’s collapse during the Sino-Indian War. Still, India’s broader diplomatic stance toward China remained unchanged in principle.

The full excerpts read, “The sister of Prime Minister Nehru said Friday that India is ready to support China’s admission to the United Nations even though her country fears an attack by Chi-nese troops. “It is a matter of principle and has nothing to do with relations between my country and the government of China,” Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit told a news conference. “I don’t see how there can be world organization from which mone-fifth of the world’s people is excluded.” Mrs. Pandit, a small, gray-haired woman of 63, arrived in New York on Wednesday at the head of a delegation which in past years had been led by V. Κ. was Krishna Menon. Menon ousted both as U.N. spokesman and defense minister of India fol-lowing the collapse of Inlian de fenses under Chinese attack last year. Mrs. Pandit said India has two great hopes for accomplishment by the U.N. General Assembly’s forthcoming session: 1. A widening of the partial ban on hydrogen bomb tests.”

Another report from the same period shows that Krishna Menon, despite having been sidelined, remained firm on the issue. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he stated that Chinese aggression on India’s borders had “not altered India’s commitment to support China’s rightful place at the United Nations.” Menon asserted that India’s obligations to the UN should not be influenced by the “pain” caused by China’s military actions.

He criticized the Steering Committee’s recommendation to postpone China’s membership discussion and argued for immediate consideration. Menon condemned China’s violation of India’s borders as a breach of peace and friendly coexistence yet insisted that this should not detract from China’s entitlement to representation.

Calling the Nationalist Chinese delegation (from Taiwan) “gatecrashers,” Menon argued that the real issue wasn’t about who liked or disliked China but about the legitimacy of its representation. He stated, “If the world excludes China, which already exists as a state, the United Nations loses relevance.” Menon also highlighted the contradiction in some Western countries—particularly the UK—which officially recognized China diplomatically but opposed its representation in the UN.

Despite China’s “misconduct” on the border issue, Menon said India believed that denying Beijing a seat was a bigger threat to the credibility and function of the United Nations. He even criticized the UN President and the committee for trying to delay the decision, calling it a distraction from procedural norms.

Menon’s impassioned defense drew both laughter and applause at the Assembly. He also challenged the U.S. position, claiming that the real Charter violations were being committed by the Taiwan-based Chinese representatives, supported by American military power in the region.

In closing, Menon reinforced that, “India stands firm on its principles. Our Charter obligations are not conditional on our suffering. We continue to support China’s rightful place at the United Nations.”

Despite the political and military hostilities, Nehru’s administration remained committed to the ideal of global inclusivity and rule-based international order—even if it meant accommodating a hostile neighbor like China.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Washington Post Apologizes To TV9 Bharatvarsh For Publishing Misleading And False Claims About Operation Sindoor

By
The Commune
-
the washington post tv9 bharatvarsh apology operation sindoor

The Washington Post has formally apologized to Indian news channel TV9 Bharatvarsh for publishing misleading and factually incorrect claims in a June 7 article covering Indian media’s reportage during Operation Sindoor, India’s military operation targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

The apology comes after TV9 Bharatvarsh served legal notice to the U.S.-based publication, demanding a correction and retraction over what it described as false and damaging allegations. Following internal review, The Washington Post issued a correction and sent an apology via email to TV9 Bharatvarsh.

The newspaper’s article had alleged that TV9 Bharatvarsh aired unverified content, including a claim about the surrender of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and the use of unrelated conflict footage from Sudan. These assertions were later found to be inaccurate.

TV9 Bharatvarsh, in response, asserted that it had maintained editorial integrity throughout the conflict. “TV Bharatvarsh showed the mirror of truth to The Washington Post. They were sent a notice asking them to correct the mistake and apologize and The Washington Post had to bow down before the truth of TV Bharatvarsh,” the news channel stated in its coverage.

The Washington Post’s correction, now appended to the article, reads, “CORRECTION
A previous version of this article contained several errors. It omitted attribution for, and misstated the origin of, a WhatsApp message about the arrest of Pakistani Gen. Asim Munir and the alleged coup. An Indian journalist said he received the message, and he said it came from an employee of the Prasar Bharati news organization, not from the organization itself. The article also incorrectly said that TV9 Bharatvarsh reported that Pakistan’s prime minister had surrendered. That reference has been removed. In addition, the article mischaracterized the reporting across Indian media about destruction in Pakistan. Networks reported major destruction in Pakistani cities, not that major cities had been destroyed. The article also incorrectly said that Indian networks aired scenes from the conflict in Sudan. That reference has been removed. In addition, the article now includes a statement from Prasar Bharati, India’s state-owned public broadcaster.”

(With inputs from MSN)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

After Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi Gives Clean Chit To Pakistan In Pahalgam Terror Attack

By
The Commune
-
rahul gandhi pahalgam terror attack pakistan clean chit

Parts of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor were expunged on Monday after he directly blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and questioned the intent behind the military operation, indirectly giving clean chit to Pakistan.

Invoking Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the Speaker ordered the removal of portions of Gandhi’s speech deemed unparliamentary, including a controversial line accusing the Prime Minister of having “the blood of the people of Pahalgam on his hands.”

Addressing the House, Gandhi claimed that the 22-minute-long Operation Sindoor was not a demonstration of India’s military resolve, but an image management exercise aimed at shielding the Prime Minister from criticism following the Pahalgam ambush.

“When we say that we do not want escalation, it means मैंने एक थप्पड़ मारा, दूसरा नहीं मारूंगा, तीसरा नहीं मारूंगा, चौथा नहीं मारूंगा, (maine ek thappad maara, doosra nahi maaroonga, teesra nahi maaroonga, chautha nahi maaroonga – I slapped once, I will not slap second, third, fourth)” Gandhi said. “Why? It is because the goal of this exercise was to protect the Prime Minister’s image. Since he has the blood of the people of Pahalgam on his hands, the goal of the exercise was to make sure that he uses the Air Force to protect his image.”

Gandhi also challenged Prime Minister Modi to publicly contradict former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he had personally mediated an India-Pakistan ceasefire. “If he has the courage, if he has the courage of Indira Gandhi, let him say here, ‘Donald Trump, you are a liar.’”

The Speaker intervened after members of the ruling party protested. The official Lok Sabha record notes that references to the Prime Minister’s culpability in the Pahalgam attack, as well as Gandhi’s implication that the operation was carried out for political optics, were ordered to be removed from the record. A specific reference flagged as expunged includes the phrase: “Since he has the blood of the people of Pahalgam on his hands…”

This essentially is a clean chit to Pakistan and comes days after senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, during a separate media interaction, was seen indirectly absolving Pakistan of responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, comments the Congress later defended as being misinterpreted.

It is noteworthy that the Indian Army eliminated the 3 terrorists responsible for the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Hindu tourists in Baisaran Valley via Operation Mahadev. The Home Minister Amit Shah shared details of how they established the fact that the terrorists were Pakistanis with the help of their belongings – Pakistani voter ID and some Pakistan-made chocolates, etc.

(With inputs from Economic Times)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Here’s How Rahul Gandhi’s Granny Indira Gandhi Begged US President Nixon

By
The Commune
-
indira gandhi richard nixon rahul gandhi 1971 war pakistan bangladesh

On 29 July 2025, Leader of Opposition, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempted to launch an attack on the Modi government in the Lok Sabha, accusing it of lacking the “political will” to allow full operational freedom to the armed forces during Operation Sindoor. Drawing comparisons with the 1971 war under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he claimed that the current administration’s constraints led to tactical setbacks and prevented a decisive outcome.

“.There are two words – ‘Political Will’ and ‘Freedom of Operation’. If you want to utilise Indian Armed Forces, you need to have 100% political will and full freedom of operation. Rajnath Singh compared 1971 and Sindoor. I remind him there was political will in 1971. The Seventh Fleet was approaching India in the Indian Ocean, but the PM then said, do whatever you have to for Bangladesh. Indira Gandhi told General Manekshaw to take 6 months, 1 year – whatever time needed—for full freedom of action. The result: 1 lakh Pakistani soldiers surrendered, and a new country was formed,” Rahul Gandhi declared.

He also questioned the timing and disclosure of operational decisions during the operation. “Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor began at 1:05 AM and that by 1:35 AM, India had already called Pakistan to inform them that we had hit non-military targets and that we did not want escalation… These are not my words. These are the words of India’s defence minister,” he stated.

Gandhi alleged that the government had effectively restrained the armed forces. “If you want to use the Indian armed forces, you must have 100 per cent political will. You must give them full freedom of operation,” he said. “At 1:35 in the night, you told Pakistan exactly what you were going to do – that we will not hit military targets, that we don’t want escalation… That is not freedom of manoeuvre; that is surrender.”

He further claimed that the loss of Indian aircraft during the operation was a result of political interference, citing an Indian defence attaché who alleged that pilots were ordered not to strike Pakistani air defence systems.

However, Rahul Gandhi’s invocation of the 1971 war prompted a historical counter-narrative, with critics pointing to a letter written by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to US President Richard Nixon during the conflict. The letter dated 5 December 1971, just days after Pakistan’s pre-emptive strike, appealed for American intervention and outlined the scale of the crisis.

“I regret to inform Your Excellency that around 1730 hours (Indian Standard Time) on the 3rd of December, Pakistan launched a massive air and ground attack on our country all along the western border. Their aircraft bombed Srinagar, Amritsar, Pathankot, Uttarali, Ambala, Agra, Jodhpur and Avantipur. There has also been heavy shelling of the border cities and townships of Ambala, Ferozepur, Sulaimanki, Khemkaran, Poonch, Mehdipur and Jaiselmere. The attack against India was carefully organized and premeditated as is proved by the fact that the Pakistan army struck across the western borders of India stretching from Jaiselmere to Kashmir between 1500 hours and 1800 (I.S.T.).” Indira Gandhi wrote.

She highlighted the gravity of the situation: “I am writing to you at a moment of grave peril and danger to my country and my people. The success of the freedom movement in Bangla Desh has now become a war on India due to the adventurism of the Pakistan military machine. It has imposed upon my people and my Government the imperative responsibility of safeguarding our security and territorial integrity. We are left with no other option but to put our country on a war footing. We have therefore declared an emergency for the defence of India. The grave consequences that should follow Pakistanʼs unprovoked attack on us all shall be the sole responsibility of the Government of Pakistan. We are a peace-loving people but we know that peace cannot last if we do not guard our democracy and our way of life. We are not fighting merely for our territorial integrity but for the basic ideals which have given strength to my country and on which Indiaʼs entire future depends.”

Most notably, she made a direct appeal for Nixon’s influence: “In this hour of danger the Government and the people of India seek your understanding and urge you to persuade Pakistan to desist forthwith from the policy of wanton aggression and military adventurism which it has unfortunately embarked upon. May I request Your Excellency to exercise your undoubted influence with the Government of Pakistan to stop their aggressive activities against India and to deal immediately with the genesis of the problem of East Bengal which has caused so much trial and tribulations to the people not only of Pakistan but of the entire sub-continent.”

 

Rahul Gandhi’s challenge in Parliament, “If Narendra Modi has even 50% of the courage of Indira Gandhi, he should say in the House that Donald Trump is lying about the ceasefire”, has now fallen flat.

(With inputs from Asianet Newsable)

Trump Cuts Russia Ceasefire Deadline From 50 Days To 10

By
The Commune
-
trump russia ceasefire pakistan oil threat tariff

US President Donald Trump said that his 10-day “deadline” for Moscow to end the conflict with Ukraine is in effect, cutting short the 50-day timeline he announced two weeks ago. Russia has “10 days from today” to reach a ceasefire agreement, Trump told reporters on his flight back to Washington following his visit to Scotland. Otherwise, “We’re going to put on tariffs and stuff,” he added.

On 14 July 2025, Trump threatened Russia with “severe tariffs” unless it agrees to a ceasefire with Ukraine within 50 days. He shortened the deadline to “10 or 12 days” on Monday during his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, citing disappointment with “Moscow’s lack of willingness to compromise.”

In response, the Kremlin said it has “taken note of” Trump’s statement, and its special operation in Ukraine continues, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The special military operation continues,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said 29 July 2025, noting, “We also remain committed to the peace process to resolve the conflict around Ukraine and to ensuring our interests in the course of this settlement.”

Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues, with Russian drone and missile strikes hitting the country’s north-eastern Sumy region on Sunday, wounding four people. Russian officials also claimed to have shot down 150 Ukrainian drones, with one person killed and three others injured near St Petersburg.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

ISRO-NASA Joint Satellite NISAR To Launch Today From Sriharikota

By
The Commune
-
isro nasa nisar sriharikota

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA are set to launch their collaborative Earth observation satellite, NISAR, on Wednesday, at 5:40 p.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The mission, valued at $1.5 billion, aims to revolutionise the way we monitor Earth’s surface, particularly in tracking natural disasters and environmental changes. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a landmark project, marking the first time the Earth will be observed using dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar, NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band. These radars will be operated using NASA’s 12-meter unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, mounted on ISRO’s customized I-3K satellite bus.

Weighing 2,392 kilograms, the satellite will be carried into space aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket. The satellite will be inserted into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 740 km, where it will scan the Earth’s landmass and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days with high-resolution imagery over a 242-kilometer swath, utilizing SweepSAR technology for the first time.

“The Earth observation satellite jointly developed by ISRO and NASA will be sent into space on July 30 by the GSLV-F16 rocket made in India,” said ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. He emphasised the satellite’s role in providing 24×7 imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions.

Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport on Sunday night (July 27), Narayanan added, “It can take pictures of the Earth 24 hours a day in all weather conditions and the satellite can detect landslides, aid in disaster management and monitor climate change.”

Earlier on Sunday, the Department of Space said in a press release, “The NISAR mission combines the technological expertise of both agencies. NASA has contributed the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and a deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part, has provided the S-Band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch services.”

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...348349350...1,852Page 349 of 1,852
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

FIR Filed Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra For Sharing Defamatory Videos...

The Commune - 0
An FIR has been registered against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with a video she shared on social media allegedly showing IPS officer...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.