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While Congress is busy portraying Donald Trump’s meeting with Asim Munir as a failure of Indian diplomacy, read why geopolitics forces US to entertain even a country like Pakistan

Rukma Rathore
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While Congress is busy portraying Donald Trump’s meeting with Asim Munir as a failure of Indian diplomacy, read why geopolitics forces US to entertain even a country like Pakistan

On 18th June, President Donald Trump will have lunch with Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir. As per the official itinerary from the White House for the day, the meeting is one of the significant engagements scheduled during the day for Donald Trump. The two are expected to interact in the White House Cabinet Room at 1 pm (Washington time), behind closed doors with no press access allowed, as per with the president’s daily public program.

Munir is also expected to hold discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his five-day visit to the United States (US). Previously, there were speculations regarding his attendance at the United States Army Day parade which were formally refuted by the country. A White House official declared, “This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited.”

It is clear that the meeting has little to do with the recent India-Pakistan conflict but rather centers on the increasing hostilities between Iran and Israel where the United States may also have to enter the fray. Nevertheless, as a force of habit, the Congress party used the development to attack the country’s diplomacy and foreign policy for political point scoring against the Modi government.

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP, claimed that India has been given “triple jhatka (loss)” in terms of diplomacy and foreign policy. He alleged, “Today, Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose provocative, incendiary, and inflammatory comments are directly linked to the Pahalgam terror attacks. He is today invited for a one-on-one special lunch with President Trump. This is a setback for Indian diplomacy. We are quiet about it, we have not objected to it.”

“Second, General Michael Kurilla, who is the Head of the US Central Command, says that Pakistan is a phenomenal partner in counter-terrorism. We are saying Pakistan is a phenomenal perpetrator. Third, from 10th May onwards, 14 times President Trump has been claiming that he mediated a ceasefire, he used trade as an instrument, he put Pakistan and India together,” the senior Congressman added.

He reiterated the opposition’s call for a special session of Parliament. He insisted that the prime minister should make the same statements in Parliament as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri did about the 35-minute phone call between PM Modi and President Trump. He also repeated the same points in a social media post.

Notwithstanding the comments made by the Congress party and its leaders, the meeting between Trump and Munir is occurring amidst a series of chaotic events happening elsewhere. Iran-Israel conflict is escalating with each passing day, and if it snowballs into a full-scale war, US will have to formally enter the fray. And this is where Pakistan comes in as its location next to Iran makes it very useful for the United States.

Historically, the United States has always used Pakistan in the region to achieve its goals, a fact which has been acknowledged by the leaders of the Islamic Republic. Pakistan was used by the US for years for its strategic operations in Afghanistan and others parts of the region.

Nonetheless, the United States president rarely, if ever, hosts a lunch for a foreign army leader. Pakistani military chiefs including Pervez Musharraf, Zia-ul Haq, and Ayub Khan have met modern US presidents, but only after taking power in the wake of coups that overthrew civilian leaders.

It is important to note that the Pakistani army has effectively been the ruling authority of the nation, whether through coups or by establishing puppet civilian governments and managing them from behind the scenes.

Assistance during Iran-Israel conflict

Israeli military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities has been one of the most critical events in the Middle East. The removal of non-essential staff from diplomatic offices and military installations throughout the region and other recent US actions, hints that there may be serious escalation ahead.

Pakistan’s location could become strategically important during a large scale war and US would look to exploit it. During a larger regional conflict that would involve Iranian proxies in the Middle East, the US could attempt to make sure that Islamabad provides covert assistance, such as the use of its military facilities and assets and maintains cooperation.

More importantly, Iran and Pakistan share a 905-kilometer (562-mile) border through the province of Balochistan in the southwest where anti-Iranian rebel groups have Pakistan’s tacit backing. Pakistan may provide the US military planners with a clandestine front for intelligence or logistical operations if the Israel-Iran war intensifies.

Although Trump’s gesture tacitly acknowledges Munir as Pakistan’s de facto leader, Washington seems to be asking for his cooperation or at the very least, support for its planned attacks on Iran in the event that the Persian nation refuses to give up its nuclear program. Furthermore, the United States and Israel want to ensure that Iran remains isolated in the Muslim world and does not receive any assistance from Islamabad, whose precarious situation leaves it open to pressure and allows it to switch course in exchange for funds.

Pakistan’s support for Iran raises alarm in US

It is also feasible that Munir could be warned about any support for Iran as Israel’s strikes on the country have been formally denounced by Islamabad, which described them as “unjustified and illegitimate aggression” and a “brazen violation of Iran’s sovereignty as well as “blatant provocations” which violated the country’s territorial sovereignty. Notably, Israel is an enemy country for Pakistan as well, and it is entire plausible that Pakistan may get tempted to materially support Iran during the war against Israel.

“The international community and the United Nations bear responsibility to uphold international law, stop this aggression immediately and hold the aggressor accountable for its actions,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on 13th June.

Pakistan stands with the Iranian government and people, according to statements by Pakistani leaders, notably Ishaq Dar, the country’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the minister of defense also underlined the necessity for Muslim countries to band together in the face of what he called “Israeli aggression,” urging them to cut their ties with the Jewish nation and demanding an urgent Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) session to develop a coordinated strategy.

Although Khawaja rejected assertions made by an Iranian general, Mohsen Rezaei, that Pakistan had pledged nuclear retaliation against Israel in the event that Iran were hit with nuclear weapons as “fabricated” and “irresponsible,” he cautioned that Jerusalem’s unreported nuclear arsenal could intensify regional conflicts.

Munir himself declared that his nation supported Iran and hoped the war would soon come to an end, in Washington DC.

This tilting towards Iran during the conflict by Pakistan is a cause of concern for the US. They would prefer Pakistan to be at least neutral if they can’t openly come out in support of the US alliance. US is looking to totally isolate Iran and won’t like it if other countries extend their open support to it.

Conclusion

The military, not the civilian administration, controls Pakistan’s foreign policy, notably when it comes to the US, which is interacting with the real authority in Islamabad by dealing directly with the leadership of Pakistan’s army.

The current geopolitical situation with Iran and Israel at each other’s throats dictates that US has to try and keep Pakistan on its side as they will be needing Pakistan’s air bases and air space to attack Iran from its eastern border.

US has used Pakistan’s airbases in the past during its war in Afghanistan and will look to use them again as it looks to counter Iran from there.

So, Congress, this is not a failure of Indian diplomacy or any big win for Pakistan that Asim Munir is meeting Donald Trump at the White House. Pakistan is a useful idiot for USA, one that is easily bought as well, and America need them right now as the tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel.

West Bengal: TMC leaders Saddam Mandal and Sajjan Alam arrested for assisting one Jasimuddin in kidnapping a businessman and demanding ₹1 crore ransom

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: TMC leaders Saddam Mandal and Sajjan Alam arrested for assisting one Jasimuddin in kidnapping a businessman and demanding ₹1 crore ransom

West Bengal Police have arrested three people including two Trinamool Congress leaders for kidnapping a Delhi-based businessman for ransom. The police of Shasan police station under Barasat police district arrested TMC leaders Saddam Mandal and Sajjan Alam, along with their accomplish Jamaluddin Sheikh, for kidnapping fish trader Nazim Chauhan.

Samad Mandal is the vice-president of Trinamool Congress of Charghat Panchayat in Swarupnagar, and Sajjan Alam is also a Trinamool leader from Swarupnagar and his wife Farida Khatun is a panchayat member from the ruling party. They were arrested on Monday, and the kidnapped person has been rescued. However, the main accused in the case is still absconding.

Police said that Nazim used to visit Basirhat area for trading in Magur fish. Nazim Chauhan and Jasimuddin Mandal alias Raju, the mastermind of the kidnapping, had jointly set up a hatchery for breeding hybrid Magur fish. However, that business closed a year ago, and there was a conflict between the two over the due amount for transactions already done.

Recently, the hatchery was sold to a third party, and they decided to resolve the disputes and settle the account. Therefore, Jasimuddin called Nazim Chauhan to come to Basirhat to collect the due amount.

But, when he arrived on Sunday morning, he was abducted from Kachkal area while he was going to Basirhat from Kolkata airport in a taxi. As per police, Jasimuddin went to the airport in a taxi to pick up Nazim after he arrived from Delhi. When the cab reached Kachkal area, Jasimuddin asked the cab driver Mirajul Ghazi to stop.

Soon another car arrived at the spot, and some people from that car dragged Nazim from the taxi and forced him to sit in the car. They also dragged Jasimuddin to make it look like that both of them were being abducted.

They then reached a secluded area in Basirhat, and called the fish trader’s family demanding a ransom of ₹1 crore.

In the meanwhile, cab driver Mirajul Ghazi reached Shasan police station to inform that two people from his cab were abducted by some people. Accordingly, police registered a complaint and started the probe.

After sometime, Jasimuddin called the driver, informing that he was part of the plan to kidnap the Delhi-based businessman. He said that Nazim will be released as soon as they receive the payment. Police then traced the location of the number and reached the place where Nazim Chauhan was held.

After realising that their plan has been busted, kidnappers abandoned Chauhan on the roadside and fled from the spot. Chauhan took shelter at the house of a person known to him, from where he was rescued by the police.

Saddam Mandal, Sajjan Alam and Jamaluddin Sheikh were later nabbed by police. However, Jasimuddin Mandal remains absconding. The arrested persons were produced before the Barasat court on Tuesday, and they were remanded to police custody till June 20.

Investigation revealed that Jasimuddin owes around ₹3 crore in the market. So, he hatched a plan to kidnap Nazim and demand ₹1 crore in ransom. He took the help of TMC leaders Saddam and Sajjam in the plan.

G7 Summit: Why India should welcome the statement on Transnational Repression, and double down on it to slam foreign interference

Ganesh R
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G7 Summit: Why India should welcome the statement on Transnational Repression, and double down on it to slam foreign interference

G7 summit is being held in Alberta, Canada. There is no mega joint statement, instead a few separate statements on select issues. Ironically, it has not issued any statement on the most important topic for which Canadian PM Mark Carney, as host and chair, supposedly worked for, the Russia-Ukraine war. The reason we are told is that the USA wasn’t too keen on a harshly worded statement that criticises Russia, and the rest were not interested in a weak statement.

Of course, like all good bureaucrats and netas, the leaders issued statements on esoteric topics like “AI for prosperity” and “future of quantum technologies” over which you can fill pages without meaning anything.

One of those pointless statements is about so-called “transnational repression”. You can read it here (PDF). I mention it because, in the coming days, you can expect corrupt dynasties and their Pidi media to make a big noise about it and project it as a grand victory for Canada and a setback for Modi and India.

The official statement reads, “TNR is an aggressive form of foreign interference whereby states or their proxies attempt to intimidate, harass, harm or coerce individuals or communities outside their borders. TNR undermines national security, state sovereignty, the safety and human rights of victims, and principles of international law.”

Although the official statement does not mention ‘Sikhs’, Khalistanis in Canada are already rejoicing in the statement, claiming that it validates their imaginary victimhood peddling and condemns the government of India for their imaginary suffering.

While there is no doubt Canada worked behind the scenes to secure this ‘statement’ as a face saver to keep their Khalistani vote bank happy, the statement itself is vague and almost like a generic appeasing statement that essentially means nothing. There was no mention of this statement in briefings after Modi met Carney. Even if Canada were to drop some soundbites later, I doubt India will mention it.

However, my point here is, India and Modiji need not and should not shy away from this topic and hand a dubious win to the deep state and the global woke Nazi ecosystem by walkover.

What is transnational repression? This is where India should present its case robustly and challenge the global North 

We already know catch phrases like ‘rule of law’, ‘rule based international order’, ‘rogue state’, ‘terror sponsor’, ‘electoral autocracy’ etc., are basically created by wokes and liberals in the West, along with neocons and other interests, to serve their interests and agendas. And we know there are enough coolies for hire in the 3rd world to treat these words as gospel and regurgitate them to lecture and weaponise. 

For years we suffered non-stop coverage in CNN, NYT etc of “Russian interference” in US elections, now it is “China mail-in ballot fraud”. Today, Iran or Russia is a pariah and dealing with them is sin. Tomorrow they will spin on a dime and declare them kosher. Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka Jolani) is a terrorist one day and shakes hands with Western leaders the other. Ironically his name was on the US wanted list, with a $10m bounty even as he was touring the ‘free world’ in suit-boot. They removed the reward later. Pity Macron or someone like that couldn’t cash it!

You are supposed to dance along with whatever tune is being played at the woke GHQ or relayed via NYT Op-eds and editorials. While the charade is on, you will have media serfs and think tank analysts from 3rd world like Dhume or some Bloomberg or Reuters desi coolie telling us buying from Russia is a big sin. Don’t even bother to ask about how they deal with Pakistan!

Coming back to our topic, how should India deal with this ‘transnational repression’ thingy? IMHO, ideally Modiji should tackle it head on. Right there in Canada. I wish either him or EAM Dr. Jaishankar or at least the ministry issues appropriate statements.

Point is, transnational repression is not just what the statement covers, though it is fairly elaborate. 

It also includes woke Nazis and billionaires in the West spending millions, if not billions to interfere in 3rd world elections, fund corrupt looter dynasties, Maoist or Stalinist ideologies and their fake NGOs etc. That is nothing but repression of weak countries and forcing regime change on them. Like they did in Bangladesh. It includes aid agencies like USAID working in tandem with these billionaires to share costs, identify serfs and coolies, saddle taxpayers in the West with such regime change costs and act as mercenaries.

Repression includes setting up woke left-run ‘think tanks’ and ‘research orgs’ that will issue rankings on dubious basis and miraculously promote or demote any country that obeys or disobeys the Gestapo orders. It includes misusing scholarships and awards in universities to selectively reward the obedient and fund them. It includes funding ‘fact checking’ when the so-called fact-checkers carry out your wishes and act in tandem with the deep state GHQ.

It most definitely covers selective application of liberal laws to promote ‘freedom of expression’, ‘assembly and protest’ etc., but repress when it suits them. Like Canada did. Protesting farmers had their bank accounts frozen but a ‘plumber’ or ‘activist’ openly posts pictures with an AK47 and gets a free pass. It is repression because these laws are basically a facade and cover fire to promote terrorism, murders and other crime in 3rd world countries safely inside their borders. They openly threaten civilian flights, carefully massaging their words to stay within the law. But if they try such word salad tricks to criticise the woke protected groups like Islamists or trans-sexuals, we know how the law will crack down. 

We have more than enough proof of their criminal activities but then such proof, when submitted, is promptly trashed and the criminals get fast-track citizenship while genuine refugees or migrants are thrown out in chains or left to die in the cold countryside. Isn’t that repression?

Of course, the deep state and its media use words to lie, obfuscate and cover-up even in their own internal matters. J6 was an ‘insurrection’ but LA anti-ICE riots or the BLM riots that burnt entire neighbourhoods ‘largely peaceful’. But frankly, we don’t care about that. Let them handle their affairs, we worry about ours.

Our ministers must point out that if the global wokes are so enamoured with Maoist ideologies, why not try that out in South Carolina, Saskatchewan or Wales before asking us browns and blacks to be guinea pigs? If that experiment goes well, we are happy to consider it!

Definition of ‘transnational repression’ should be wide enough to cover Western fringe evangelist groups funding conversion factories with ladies (allegedly paid for) dancing as if in a trance, pastors offering fake miracle cures, abusing Hinduism. It is essentially a virtual cultural genocide to erase the last traces of ‘pagan’ faiths from this planet, having successfully done that in Africa and other places. As if that’s not enough, they selectively sabotage development projects that increase their costs by bringing jobs and development. Isn’t that transnational repression? In my books, it very much is! I am convinced even Jesus Christ will be disgusted and offended by the crass commercialisation of his noble message.

For us Indians, the most important thing of course is that PM Modi and Canadian PM Carney met on the sidelines and decided to gradually bring ties back to normal.

Bangladesh: Islamists in Dinajpur stage protests demanding hanging of a Hindu man over alleged blasphemy

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Islamists in Dinajpur stage protests demanding hanging of a Hindu man over alleged blasphemy

A young Hindu man in Parbatipur, in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh is facing threat to his life after allegations of blasphemy were levelled against him. As per reports, a Hindu man named Sohag Das (24), a resident of Jaliapara village, North Shalandar in Chandipur Union, allegedly made a Facebook post against Prophet Muhammad on 16th June.

It is reported that his post was seen by some Islamist groups, which accused Das of hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community and committing blasphemy. A large number of people led by Islamist group Al Insaf Islami Sangh staged protests against him demanding his hanging. Massive protests were organised by Islamist groups on 17th June on a road at Bashirbania Hat College intersection calling for Das’s execution.

Leaders of various Islamist groups organised protest marches and delivered speeches against Das. The Islamist leaders reportedly said that the protests will continue until Das is hanged to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet. A leader of the protestors said, “We love the Prophet more than our life. Hurting in His Honour means Hurting the whole Muslim Ummah. We want highest penalty death sentence for this criminal”.

The religious affairs secretary of the youth society, Hafez Md. Jahangir Alam, general secretary Md. Mokarram Hossain, president of Bashirbania Hat Central Jame Mosque, Md. A. Quddus, and Tofazzal Haque were among the Islamist leaders who addressed the protests.

In videos shared on social media, protestors can be heard chanting ‘We want Sohag Das to be hanged’ slogans. The Islamist protestors urged Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to execute Das. They also demanded that the government should pass a law prescribing death penalty for insult of the Prophet.

As Canadian PM Mark Carney looks to repair relations with India, a look back at how pandering to Khalistani terrorists by Canada damaged once friendly relations

Shraddha Pandey
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As Canadian PM Mark Carney looks to repair relations with India, a look back at how pandering to Khalistani terrorists by Canada damaged once friendly relations

The India-Canada relations, historically grounded in shared democratic values and economic ties, deteriorated drastically in 2024, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leveled baseless allegations against India regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Now, with Trudeau out of the picture and Mark Carney at the helm, Canada is looking to repair the damage done by Trudeau government.

PM Modi, who attended the G7 summit in Canada at the invitation of Mark Carney, met the Canadian PM in Alberta. During the meeting, they reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, and the need to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities.

The statement issued by New Delhi also added, “In this regard, both sides agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.”

In a significant development, it was announced by the MEA in its statement that India and Canada “agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of High Commissioners to each other’s capitals.”

Notably, the leaders underscored the importance of restarting senior ministerial as well as working-level engagements across various domains to rebuild trust and bring momentum to the relationship.

PM Modi and PM Carney discussed opportunities for future collaboration in areas such as clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, LNG, food security, critical minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience. They reaffirmed their shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders also discussed the importance of restarting the stalled negotiations on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), to pave the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They agreed to task their respective officials to engage further in this regard.

Since assuming office in March 2025, Mark Carney, has adopted a pragmatic and economy-focused approach in resetting Indo-Canada relations. Unlike former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who mindlessly blamed Indian government for plotting Nijjar’s killing to appease his Khalistani votebank, PM Carney has avoided direct references to the matter. Carney’s invitation to PM Modi for the G7 Summit, was a gesture reflecting the Canadian government’s renewed approach towards India. Despite the previous Trudeau government’s slandering and villainizing of the Indian government, PM Modi accepted the G7 invite, demonstrating India’s intent to start afresh as the Canadian government under a new leader mends its ways.

The Canadian government’s shift in approach towards India can also be attributed to a reduced reliance on pro-Khalistan Jagmeet Singh’s NDP. NDP’s electoral loss has facilitated a conducive domestic political environment for PM Carney to improved ties with India, without having to tackle excessive political pressure from Khalistan sympathisers. However, much like Trudeau, PM Carney has, so far, not done much to curb frequent anti-India demonstrations by Khalistani secessionists and terrorists.

As Indo-Canada ties are undergoing a reset, it is pertinent to take a look back at how Trudeau government’s self-serving support to Khalistani elements and blame game against India damaged once-thriving Indo-Canada ties beyond repair.

Khalistani secessionism, Justin Trudeau and strained Indo-Canada ties

Even before Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister of Canada in 2015, the country has had a past of fostering and shielding Khalistani elements. Justin Trudeau’s father and former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau had shielded Kanishka bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar by refusing his extradition to India. Khalistanis have long been using Canadian soil to push their secessionist agenda under various governments, however, none had surrendered before Khalistanis the way Justin Trudeau did.

Notably, while pro-Khalistan Sikhs are a minority in Canada, they hold significant political influence and thus, not only Liberal Party leaders but even Conservatives try not to upset these anti-India elements.

Former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria had earlier said that Khalistani groups exert a disproportionate influence over Canadian politics. It is this influence that Khalistanis hold because of which Justin Trudeau allowed their anti-India activites, protests, referendums, attacks on Hindu temples and what not, all in the name of freedom of expression and right to protest.

Under Justin Trudeau’s watch, Khalistani separatists vandalised Hindu temples in Surrey, Georgetown, Toronto, Brampton, Vancouver and other areas of Canada, while the police little to nothing to stop this. Khalistani terrorists often deface walls of Hindu temples with Hinduphobic and anti-India slogans.

On 22nd July 2024, extremists defaced the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton city in Alberta province of Canada. In the photographs, it could be seen that the wall of the Hindu temple vandalised with Hinduphobic, anti-Modi graffiti.

In September 2023, the Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society in Surrey British Columbia was sprayed with ‘Punjab is not India’ grafitti

In February 2023, a Ram temple in Mississauga was defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown miscreants.

In January 2023, the Gauri Shankar Mandir was desecrated by Khalistani extremists in Brampton City in Ontario province of Canada. The walls of the temple were defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistanis associated allegedly with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The vicious slogan of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ was found spray-painted on the outer wall of Gauri Shankar Mandir.

In July 2023, Khalistani groups planned protests outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. Back then, India issued a demarche, urging Canada to prevent any harm, however, PM Trudeau defended the protests as exercises of free speech, even if such protests involved violence and challenge to India’s territorial integrity.

In September 2022, some Khalistani terrorists defaced BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto with anti-India slogans. Several videos circulating on social media showed slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ painted on the walls of the temple.

In February 2022 alone, six Hindu temples were attacked in Toronto.

Besides Hindu temples, the Khalistani fanatics have also targeted Indian High Commission and diplomats, and even then, the Trudeau government did not take any action against them even as the Indian authorities raised serious concerns.

In 2023, Khalistanis launched an attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada. They also hurled a grenade prompting the Special Cell to register an FIR under the UAPA and the Explosive Act in this instance.

At the time when Indian authorities launched a crackdown on pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, a dinner reception for High Commissioner of India to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma in Surrey, British Columbia, on March 20, had to be cancelled due to violent protests by Khalistanis. Back then, OpIndia reported how an Indian-origin journalist Sameer Kaushal was “pushed and threatened” by the Khalistanis protesting.

Despite India registering strong protest, the Trudeau government took no action against the attackers and only gave hollow assurances to the Indian government.

On several occasions, the Canadian authorities refused to provide security to Indian officials for organising consular camps. In November 2024, India High Commission in Toronto cancelled its planned consular camps after the local authorities failed to ensure the security of the Indian diaspora from Khalistani protestors.

While not much has changed on ground in Canada even after Carney assumed office, under Trudeau, not a day passed without Khalistani terrroists raising anti-India slogans, performing mock killings of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi, current Prime Minister Naendra Modi, desecrating Indian flags and raising anti-Hindu slogans. Trudeau government, however, allowed the anti-India activities as Trudeau was afraid of upsetting his Khalistani vote bank even if that meant straining ties with India.

From farcical referendums on Khalistan, to parades depicting the 1984 assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, Canada allowed perpetual disrespect of former and current Indian prime ministers, Indian diplomats, and the Hindu community.

Whenever India condemned Trudeau government’s complicity in rising Khalistani activities in Canada, Trudeau would defend his government’s permissiveness by invoking Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, freedom of speech and assembly. Trudeau’s backing of Khalistani elements, even if for political gains, amounted for interference in India’s internal matters and further inflamed tensions with India.

What further worsened the situation was the kiling of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in possibly gang-related violence. Tensions between India and Canada escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament last year that there were “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the killing. India, however, firmly denied all such allegations, labeling them as “absurd” and “motivated,” while accusing Canada of providing a haven for extremist and anti-India elements.

Justin Trudeau launched his fresh attack against Indian diplomats and the Modi government, accusing them of being ‘persons of interest’ and being involved in criminal activities against Canadian citizens [read Khalistanis]. India rejected the allegations and called them “preposterous imputations” and part of the Trudeau government’s political agenda.

India recalled its High Commissioner to Canada following which the Trudeau government asked 6 Indian diplomats to leave the country. In a reciprocal move, New Delhi expelled 6 Canadian Canadian diplomats, asking them to leave the country before 20th October.

In an accidental moment of truth, Trudeau admitted last year that they had no evidence before accusing the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In an interview, Trudeau said that they had no proof to pinpoint the killing of Nijjar to India when they had first accused New Delhi of orchestrating the assassination on Canadian soil.

While the Trudeau government claimed that it does not pander to Khalistani elements, designated Khalistani terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun admitted to being in contact with Justin Trudeau’s office for the last three years and having shared information with them.

The desperation to deflect the attention of the Canadian people from allegations of Chinese interference in the last two federal elections in Canada as well as to appease the Khalistani votebank, particularly since Trudeau had grown highly unpopular among the public for a plethora of reasons, had reduced PM Trudeau and his government into clowns making a mockery of themselves at a global level.

Trudeau’s support for Nijjar, who fraudulently stayed in Canada, and indulged in anti-India activities, ran terror camps, attracted backlash from Canadian people as well, Trudeau opted to strain bilateral ties with India over baseless claims to consolidate anti-India votebank. Although eventually things went to a point that his own party decided to get rid of him and forced him to resign.

Justin Trudeau’s explicit backing of the Khalistani terrorists drove the India-Canada bilateral to the rock bottom. From allying with pro-Khalistan leader Jagmeet Singh’s NDP to mollycoddling Khalistani extremists, Trudeau desperately tried to appease his anti-India vote bank while also deflecting domestic failures.

While Prime Minister Mark Carney’s stance towards India seems positive, and might help restore normalcy in Indo-Canada ties, absolute resolution of disputes is impossible until Canada stops allowing Khalistani extremists to carry out anti-India activities. Be it referendums or protests involving stomping on Indian flags and raising anti-Hindu slogans, or threatening attacks against India. Canada needs to extradite wanted Khalistani terrorists to India, crack down on hate speech and anti-India and anti-Hindu elements. It is only when Canada curbs Khalistani terrorism that the two countries can rebuild trust and bolster ties.

While Congress which imposed Emergency calls PM Modi a ‘fascist’, here is how he fought the real fascists who suspended fundamental rights in their thirst for power

Anurag
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While Congress which imposed Emergency calls PM Modi a ‘fascist’, here is how he fought the real fascists who suspended fundamental rights in their thirst for power

On 25th June 1975 at midnight, India faced one of the gravest assaults on its democratic fabric. Then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi faced the heat of the Allahabad High Court’s verdict that declared her election invalid due to electoral malpractices. To avoid losing the position of the PM, Gandhi imposed a national Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution that lasted for 21 months.

Civil liberties were crushed during that period and fundamental rights suspended. Over 1,00,000 people were arrested under preventive detention laws. The government used the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) as a weapon against dissent. Pre-censorship orders were issued to silence the newspapers. Student movements were brutally ended, and political opponents were thrown into jails. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned on 4th July 1975, less than ten days after the Emergency was imposed.

In the middle of the authoritarian storm that India was facing, a 25-year-old full-time RSS Pracharak in Gujarat, Narendra Modi, chose the path of resistance, playing a significant role. Senior RSS leaders were imprisoned by the government. However, Modi managed to stay underground, leading an innovative and decentralised opposition to Indira Gandhi’s regime. His actions, strategy and fearless defiance shaped not only the movement but his own evolution as a national leader.

Who is the real “fascist” – Those who imposed the Emergency or Narendra Modi, who played a role in the resistance

There is a strange irony in Indian politics. The party, that jailed over a lakh citizens, banned the RSS, imposed pre-censorship on newspapers, tortured and murdered several citizens and reduced the Constitution to a personal diary of power, now call Narendra Modi who fought all that and played a significant role in resisting the Emergency a “fascist”.

Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge of the office, the Congress Party has launched a coordinated tirade to paint him with the darkest brushed from their own history book. Congress’s prince, the man who has been launched several times only to fail, Rahul Gandhi, time and again, likened PM Modi to Hitler.

In 2014, before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he called PM Modi “Hitler”. Sadly, “scholars” were “okay” with the Hitler jibe. Congress’s communication team, who always forget to see the mirror before commenting on anyone, regularly uses words like “autocrat”, “dictator”, and compare PM Modi to Hitler. In 2023, Rahul Gandhi claimed that India has become a fascist country under Modi’s regime. The same Modi, who, in 1975, was evading arrests, distributing underground literature, and supporting families of jailed activists, while Congress was but blacking out headlines and switching off democracy.

In one of the most recent examples, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge compared Modi government a “fascist rule”. He said, “The INDIA Bloc will continue to fight against the fascist rule of the BJP led by Modi.” All this, if had been said during actual Emergency at Indira Gandhi’s time, would have resulted in jail time. In 2018 as well, Kharge had compared PM Modi to Hitler.

Let’s get this straight, Modi did not suspend fundamental rights. Everyone is free to criticise and everyone does, especially the opposition leaders without any fear of police action against them. Modi did not censor newspapers, it was Indira Gandhi who did it. Modi did not jail Congress leaders in large batches, or even ordinary students. It was Indira Gandhi who curb the dissent using the police force. Modi didn’t run the country on an unconstitutional whim, Indira Gandhi did.

But of course, in today’s politically convenient memory, resistance becomes oppression, and the oppressors rewrite themselves as saviours. If fighting a regime that shut down Parliament, press, protests, and personal liberty is fascism, then yes, Narendra Modi was a fascist of the purest kind. He fought the real fascist, not from a podium, not from a press conference, but from the shadows, in disguise, while carrying the Constitution in his pocket and the courage to defend it in his heart.

The question remains. Who is the real fascist? The one who imposed the Emergency, or Narendra Modi, who played a role in resisting it?

Modi’s call to duty – The making of an underground leader

When the Emergency was imposed, Narendra Modi was already a known name. He was a key figure during Gujarat’s Navnirman Andolan of 1974 that led to the fall of the Congress government in the state. Everyone saw him as a committed and strategic organiser. In 1972, he had become a full-time Pracharak. It was only three years later that the Emergency was imposed. However, the maturity, discretion and adaptability of Narendra Modi made him a key link in the underground RSS network and in a strategic position to execute the role given to him – that of resisting the emergency.

Modi had worked closely with senior Sangh leaders including Laxmanrao Inamdar (Vakil Saheb), Keshavrao Deshmukh and Vasant Gajendragadkar. He was also well-connected to the national-level Lok Sangharsh Samiti movement led by veteran leaders including Nanaji Deshmukh and Dattopant Thengadi. His instructions were clear: keep the organisation alive, ensure communication, and avoid arrest at any cost.

A master of disguises – How Modi became untraceable

During the Emergency, all state police, including Gujarat Police, were on high alert. Gujarat had been one of the most active RSS zones, and the government knew how essential it was for Indira Gandhi’s regime to control the dissent in the state. Intelligence surveillance was at its peak during that time. However, Narendra Modi managed to avoid arrest for the entirety of the Emergency.

To avoid detection, he assumed various disguises including a Sadhu in saffron robes, an elderly Sikh turbaned man, a street vendor selling incense sticks, and even a college-going ‘Sardarji’.

Narendra Modi as Sanyasi

In one of the high-risk missions to Mumbai, he posed as the son of Makaran Desai, who later became a BJP leader. Modi had crafted the plan himself, allowing him to travel with impunity under the cover of legitimacy.

Narendra Modi disguised as ‘Sardarji’

In one memorable incident, he visited Bhavnagar jail disguised as a Swamiji to meet Vishnubhai Pandya and other incarcerated leaders. He claimed to have come to conduct a satsang and gained entry into the jail. Once inside, he held discussions disguised as spiritual discourse. After one hour, he walked out of the prison without raising any red flags among the guards.

The strategist of codes, printing presses, and cyclostyle machines

At any given time, communication is the backbone of a strategic play. For leaders like Narendra Modi who were keeping the organisation alive, communication was the lifeline of the resistance. However, the risks were high. If caught, entire operations could be compromised. Modi innovated several methods to outsmart state machinery.

They needed printing machines to publish underground literature. It was Narendra Modi who oversaw the smuggling and operation of cyclostyle machines for printing. The pamphlets they printed condemned the Emergency, exposed atrocities, and called for the defence of democracy. The distribution of the pamphlets was also decentralised. They were hidden in luggage, tiffin boxes, or left at barber shops for silent circulation. Saints, priests, and religious preachers were enlisted to spread the material across rural India.

Phone numbers were encoded by digit-swapping. Meetings were held under the garb of religious functions such as Satyanarayan Puja. RSS meetings were often referred to as “Chandan Ka Karyakram”. Even the smallest details, like how slippers were placed outside a home, were tweaked by Modi to throw off the police who were trained to detect Sangh discipline.

Mobilising leaders, building escape networks

Narendra Modi moved pamphlets as well as people. Senior anti-Emergency leaders including George Fernandes, V. M. Tarkunde and Dattopant Thengadi visited Gujarat and the whole trip was coordinated by Modi. These meetings were held in safe houses, and multiple escape routes and decoys were in place to ensure the safety of the leaders.

The resistance was decentralised. Each volunteer or district functioned semi-independently while staying connected through covert channels. Modi was meticulous with logistics. Often, karyakartas assigned to escort leaders out of Gujarat had no idea who they were accompanying or why. Everything was planned to the last minute.

One time, Modi was disguised as a Sikh youth when police arrived at a meeting location with a tip-off. As they questioned him, Modi remained calm and redirected them elsewhere. The police did not realise that the man they were looking for was standing right in front of them.

Sustaining the movement and the morale

Revolution is not just about action, it is about resilience. Narendra Modi played his role during the emergency in ensuring that the families of jailed swayamsevaks never slept hungry and had all the financial support and medical care they needed. He personally travelled, made discreet visits, and became a lifeline for those who could no longer support themselves.

His words inspired the youth. In Porbandar, when all senior karyakartas were arrested, leading to a loss of morale among the young volunteers, Modi came forward and encouraged them. He said, “Even if you are alone, it does not matter. One person is enough if his intent is right. Democracy must win.”

Medical students were given specific roles, using their legitimate mobility to transport pamphlets. Children were used as couriers because they were least likely to arouse suspicion.

A poet in the storm

In the middle of the chaos, Modi wrote about the emergency and his role in the resistance. He composed a powerful poem in his diary and captured the idealism, sacrifice, and energy of the movement. A rough translation of the poem in Gujarati reads:

जब कर्तव्य ने पुकारा तो कदम कदम बढ़ गये
जब गूंज उठा नारा ‘भारत माँ की जय’
तब जीवन का मोह छोड़ प्राण पुष्प चढ़ गये
कदम कदम बढ़ गये
टोलियाँ की टोलियाँ जब चल पड़ी यौवन की
तो चौखट चरमरा गये सिंहासन हिल गये
प्रजातंत्र के पहरेदार सारे भेदभाव तोड़
सारे अभिनिवेश छोड़, मंजिलों पर मिल गये
चुनौती की हर पंक्ति को सब एक साथ पढ़ गये
कदम कदम बढ़ गये
सारा देश बोल उठा जयप्रकाश जिंदाबाद
तो दहल उठे तानाशाह
भृकुटियां तन गई
लाठियाँ बरस पड़ी सीनों पर माथे पर
कदम कदम बढ़ गये

It means, “When duty called, we marched without fear. When cries of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoed, we left the comfort of life and offered our breath. Step by step, we marched.

Troops of youth marched ahead, shaking thrones and cracking doors. Watchmen of democracy rose, shedding divisions. Reading the challenge line by line, we marched.

The nation roared ‘JP Zindabad’. Tyrants trembled, batons fell. But on our chests and heads, we bore them. Step by step, we marched.”

It was not just a poem, it was prophecy.

Sangharsh Ma Gujarat – Writing the resistance

After the Emergency was lifted in 1977, Narendra Modi wrote about his role and his experience fighting the Emergency in “Sangharsh Ma Gujarat”. He wrote the book in just 23 days without any reference material. The book remains one of the most comprehensive regional accounts of the Emergency.

Cover of Sangharsh Ma Gujarat.
A page from the manuscript of ‘Sangharsh ma Gujarat’ titled ‘मीसा’ का कोड़ा बरसा.

It was launched by then-Gujarat CM Babubhai Patel and recognised internationally.

Book launch

Another book, ‘Aapatkal Ke Senani’, chronicled his role as an organiser and underground leader.

News clipping of book release

Legacy of a fighter who refused to be silenced

The Emergency shaped Narendra Modi in profound ways. His belief in decentralisation, quick crisis response, and people-first communication were all honed during this crucible. Today, as Prime Minister, he frequently references that period, not as a relic of the past, but as a living reminder of what unchecked power can do.

While others were silenced, Modi strategised. While others surrendered, he stitched together a resistance. And in the silence of jails and the secrecy of safe houses, he kept democracy breathing.

The story of Narendra Modi during the Emergency is not merely a tale of survival. It is the story of resistance, of moral conviction, and of a young man who chose the underground when others chose silence. A story that shaped not only a leader, but the very idea of fighting for India’s democratic soul.

Centre introduces FASTag-based Annual Passes for non-commercial vehicles for seamless and cost-effective travel

OpIndia Staff
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Centre introduces FASTag-based Annual Passes for non-commercial vehicles for seamless and cost-effective travel

The Central government has introduced FASTag-based Annual Passes, effective from August 15, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday. The passes for non-commercial vehicles is meant to enable ‘seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country.’

Talking about the introduction of the annual passes, priced at Rs 3,000, Gadkari said that the passes will be valid for one year of activation or 200 trips, whichever comes earlier.

“In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips–whichever comes first–this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,” Gadkari said in a post on X.

The Union Minister said that the introduction of passes is regarding the concerns raised regarding toll plazas, and this method will help simplify toll payments.

“This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” Gadkari added.

A dedicated link for the activation and renewal of annual passes will soon be available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH.

The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag was first introduced in 2014. The tag uses RFID technology to enable cashless toll payments and aims to reduce congestion and improve efficiency at toll plazas.

Earlier on April 18, the Road Transport ministry highlighted that they are going to implement ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ at select toll plazas too.

The advanced tolling system will combine ‘Automatic Number Plate Recognition’ (ANPR) technology, which will identify vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing ‘FASTag system’ that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deduction, according to an official statement from the ministry.

Under this, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag Readers, without needing to stop at the toll plazas. In case of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, non-payment of which may result in suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Supreme Court orders police protection for minor girl who escaped from in-law’s house after she was forced into child marriage by parents

ANI
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Supreme Court orders police protection for minor girl who escaped from in-law’s house after she was forced into child marriage by parents

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted relief to a minor girl, aged 16, who was forced into child marriage and directed the Bihar and Delhi Police to ensure the safety of the girl and her friend.

The girl approaching the apex court has said that her family had married her off to a 32-33-year-old contractor on December 9, 2024, from whom they had taken a loan.

A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan also issued notices to the Bihar and Delhi governments.

It asked the DGP of Bihar and the Police Commissioner of Delhi to provide full security to the girl and her friend and ensure no harm is caused to them. The bench also sought a status report from the police.

It further directed that the police have to be in touch with the girl and her friend so that, in case of emergency, necessary assistance can be provided to them.

The girl, a resident of Bihar, filed a petition in the apex court through her friend, saying that her family forcibly married her off and she has been subjected to physical abuse and harassment by her in-laws.

The teenager stated that she recently appeared for her Class 10 Board exams and wishes to continue her studies, but her in-laws are not agreeable to it.

She has appealed to the apex court to protect her from her family and husband and sought annulment of her forced marriage under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006.

The girl further explained that she willingly ran away from home with a friend. However, her family has now filed a kidnapping case against her friend, concealing the fact that her daughter was married.

The petition said that her husband has been pursuing the case personally and has told people in Madhopur village that he would not mind going to jail after killing her.

The petition stated, “The Petitioner is presently on the run with a friend (Saurabh Kumar) and fears they would be killed if they returned back to Bihar or were apprehended in the hunt launched for them.”

According to the plea, her husband, a civil contractor, claimed that the girl’s parents were indebted to them and she would have to continue in the marriage rather than go for further studies to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher or a lawyer.

She sought protection from any coercive action by police till the matter is finally decided by law.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

With PM Modi setting the record straight during call with Trump that the US played no role in ceasefire with Pakistan, will Congress now stop promoting Trump’s wild claims

Aditi
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With PM Modi setting the record straight during call with Trump that the US played no role in ceasefire with Pakistan, will Congress now stop promoting Trump’s wild claims

PM Modi put an end to US President Trump’s baseless and boastful claims that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. PM Modi, who was in Canada to take part in the G7 Summit, talked to Trump over phone on Tuesday (17th June) on the latter’s request and made it clear that there was no mediation by US. During his 35-minute-long conversation with Trump, PM Modi set the record straight by telling Trump that the US had no role in the ceasefire agreed between India and Pakistan last month.

“PM Modi clearly told President Trump that during the entire course of events, at no point, and at no level, was there any discussion about a US-India trade deal or about US mediation between India and Pakistan,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while sharing the highlights of the conversation during a press briefing on Wednesday (18th June). “The Prime Minister said the talks regarding cessation of military action were held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries. It was done at Pakistan’s request,” Misri added.

According to Misri, PM Modi made it clear to President Trump that there was political unanimity in India over non-acceptance of third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue. “India has never accepted, does not accept, and will never accept mediation on the Kashmir issue,” PM Modi told Trump.

This was the first interaction between PM Modi and President Trump since Operation Sindoor. The phone call came after the scheduled between PM Modi and President Trump could not take place as the US President left early amid the G7-Summit due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on 10th May after Pakistan’s DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart requesting for a ceasefire. During Operation Sindoor, India first destroyed terror camps located deep inside Pakistan territory, and then struck 11 air bases across Pakistan. The terror supporting country tried to retaliate but India shot down all the drones and missiles launched by Pakistan towards India. After India inflicted serious damage on Pakistani air bases, the Islamic state requested for a ceasefire, to which India agreed.

However, even before an official communication could be made regarding the ceasefire by India, the US President jumped in and falsely took the credit for mediating between India and Pakistan. Even though India clarified later that the ceasefire with Pakistan was reached without the intervention of a third country, Congress leaders grabbed the opportunity to attack the Modi government using Trump’s false claims.

Congress caused global embarrassment to India

Despite India’s clear stand that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision, Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, kept undermining India’s global position and casting aspersions on the Indian government by repeating the baseless claims of Trump who is known for his tendency to exaggerate. Senior Congress politician Jairam Ramesh posted several times on social media, demanding clarification from PM Modi on whether Trump’s repeated claims of brokering the ceasefire are true.

He described the issue as one of national embarrassment, and accused PM Modi of allowing Trump to “equate” India with Pakistan, and wondering if Trump is lying or telling half-truths. He was joined by Congress leader, Pawan Khera, who questioned whether PM Modi’s failure to reject Trump’s comments means they might be true.

The Congress Party even circulated a humiliating meme on social media showing that PM Modi surrendered before Pakistan on Trump’s instructions echoing the claims of Congress scion Rahul Gandhi. The media in Pakistan quickly seized upon the opportunity provided by India’s largest opposition party and utilized them to advance their malicious narrative. The statements of Congress leaders were used by Pakistani media to further their narrative and undermine India’s position internationally at such a crucial time when India was trying to convey to the world its stand against terrorism.

Despite Modi government including leaders from all political parties, including Congress, in the multi-party delegations that were sent out to different countries to convey India’s policy action against terrorism, some Congress leaders continued to accuse the Modi government of taking credit for Operation Sindoor.

Now that none other than Prime Minister Modi himself has clarified that there was no mediation by US between India and Pakistan, it remains to be seen it now Congress party retracts its position and acknowledge its mistake.

Meet Barak Magen, Israel’s “Lightening Shield” that made its debut during conflict with Iran, will protect Naval assets from missiles and drone attacks

Rukma Rathore
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Meet Barak Magen, Israel’s “Lightening Shield” that made its debut during conflict with Iran, will protect Naval assets from missiles and drone attacks

The conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East has increased the likelihood of regional escalation as the two nations continued to exchange missiles. Meanwhile, after several Iranian airstrikes broke through the Iron Dome and hit structures in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other cities, Israel turned to its newest aerial defense system, “Barak Magen” for the first time.

On the evening of 15th June, the new defense system successfully intercepted Iranian drones which were launched as retaliation for Israeli strikes on its military and nuclear infrastructure. The Israeli Navy shot down eight UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) using its long-range air defense (LRAD) interceptor and the Barak Magen system which were fired from an Israeli Sa’ar 6 missile ship.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Flotilla 3’s missile ships continue to be employed “across all arenas and serve as a force multiplier in the mission of defending the skies of Israel” in cooperation with the country’s air force. At this point, the Navy has eliminated about 25 drone threats since the start of the ongoing conflict. The C-Dome system, the naval equivalent of Iron Dome, brought down the majority of these drones.

It was determined that these UAVs were targeting Israeli residential areas. The Israeli Air Force and the naval response were closely synchronized, enabling effective layered interception and real-time threat tracking. On 16th June, Iran reportedly launched more than 100 UAVs, however, all were intercepted by the Jewish state.

Barak Magen adds a potent naval layer to Israel’s defenses, boosting its current systems (Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow, and the forthcoming laser Iron Beam).

Its purpose is to counter the growing threat of asymmetric aerial attacks, specifically precision weapons and drone swarms carried out by enemies such as Iran and its proxies. Barak Magen is designed for naval operations and offers instant protection against inbound threats from the air and sea, in contrast to land-based systems like Iron Dome or David’s Sling.

What is the Barak Magen

“Lightning Shield” or “Barak Magen” (the Hebrew name for Israel’s latest naval air defense system) is intended to supplement the Iron Dome defense system on land by providing a lightning-fast response to airborne threats originating from the water including UAVs, cruise missiles, high-trajectory projectiles, shore-to-sea missiles and even aircrafts, among others.

It is a customized variant of the Barak MX missile defense system, designed to defend naval vessels against aerial threats such as sea-skimming, ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. The equipment is installed on Sa’ar 6 corvettes which are advanced Israeli Navy vessels. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) created the aerial defense system to identify and eliminate a variety of airborne threats.

The nation’s defense ministry stated that the multi-mission radar weapon system consists of a long-range interceptor, a weapons system and an enhanced radar for threat detection. It is adaptable to different platforms and has been installed on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes to protect the nation’s offshore energy resources and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar and electro-optical sensors capable of extremely accurate 360-degree detection, a long-range interceptor that can neutralize threats up to 150 kilometers away and a modular architecture that enables it to be deployed across multiple naval platforms constitute the multi-layered Barak Magen system.

Barak Magen incorporates a combination of command systems, radar and a series of intelligent vertical launchers that are capable of firing several kinds of missiles. Short, medium and long-range interceptors fall under them and they are all released directly from the ship to strike oncoming threats from any direction. This enables the system to cover 360 degrees and handle many targets simultaneously.

It has Barak MRAD for short to medium ranges (up to 35 kilometers), Barak LRAD for medium to long ranges (up to 70 kilometers) and Barak ER for longer ranges (up to 150 kilometers). The same launcher can be used to operate all of these interceptors.

In November 2022, the Israel Defense Ministry launched the Barak surface-to-air missile’s first live-fire test from the INS (Israeli Navy Ship) Magen, one of its warships. Israel published a video of the missile’s launch from a Sa’ar 6-class corvette and its destruction of a target near sea level after it was developed.

Why is Barak Magen significant

Barak Magen’s goal is to protect Israel’s territorial waters and its critical infrastructures, especially the Mediterranean offshore gas fields of Leviathan and Tamar, thus securing its energy autonomy.

The air defense system “significantly enhances” Israel’s navy’s air and missile defense architecture, according to John Hannah, senior fellow at The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and co-author of a report released earlier this month on Israel’s defense against two massive Iranian missile attacks in 2024, reported Fox News.

He conveyed, “The Barak Magen is simply another arrow in the expanding quiver of Israel’s highly sophisticated and increasingly diverse multi-tiered missile defense architecture which was already, by leaps and bounds, the most advanced and experienced air defense system fielded by any country in the world.”

According to Hannah, the system offers long-distance defense for Israel’s growing oil and gas facilities in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as vital infrastructure and populated areas along Israel’s coastline, in addition to protection for the Israeli fleet. “It allows Israel to conduct interceptions at significant distances from the Israeli homeland, both out in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and thereby adds critically important strategic depth when defending Israel’s tiny geographic area,” he pointed out.

Barak 8

With $1.2 billion in sales already secured, Israel’s Barak system has attracted interest from all around the world. One primary partner is India and according to an Indian government statement, Israel has worked together with India’s Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) to develop Barak 8, a surface-to-air missile version of the Barak defense system, to protect against aerial threats including drones, aircraft, anti-ship missiles and ballistic missiles.

Barak-8 could be used from land or the water and has a maximum range of 100 kilometers and an altitude of 20 kilometers. The air and naval forces of India and Israel use it to combat an assortment of aerial threats, such as ballistic missiles and drones.

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