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Where are the Chagos Islands, what is the deal between UK and Mauritius, and why it is a positive move for India: Explained

Rukma Rathore
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Where are the Chagos Islands, what is the deal between UK and Mauritius, and why it is a positive move for India: Explained

On 22nd May, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer finalized an agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing a crucial military base for £101 million annually. The deal outlined that Mauritius would regain sovereignty of the islands but the United States and the United Kingdom would be permitted to maintain a military facility on one of the islands, Diego Garcia, for a first 99-year period.

Starmer stated that the agreement enhanced the United Kingdom’s national security and was the only feasible solution to ensure the base’s long-term viability. The development transpired after a high court verdict that enabled the formal signing of the contentious agreement. Following their surrender by France in 1814, the islands have been governed by the United Kingdom.

Decades of British rule over the Indian Ocean archipelago which has been the focus of continuous legal and diplomatic conflicts since the islands broke away from Mauritius in 1965 will come to an end with this accord. The multibillion-pound decision withstood months of criticism on both sides of the Atlantic and an impromptu judicial challenge.

“President Trump has welcomed the deal along with other allies, because they see the strategic importance of this base and that we cannot cede the ground to others who would seek to do us harm,” Starmer conveyed from UK’s Northwood military headquarters. “If we did not agree this deal the legal situation would mean that we would not be able to prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near our base. No responsible government could let that happen,” he declared.

Britain set to pay billions to Mauritius

The contract will amount to £3.4 billion ($4.5 billion) for Britain throughout the duration of the lease as the country shut down its last colonial outpost on the continent while still exercising control over the crucial military base. Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands in the chain accommodates a strategically critical American naval and bomber base.

According to the prime minister, the United States-run base is situated “right at the foundation of our safety and security at home.” He pointed out that it is essential for British intelligence and counterterrorism efforts. He highlighted that the “full assessment” of the motivations behind the settlement was “highly classified” while speaking in Hertfordshire.

However, he mentioned that the country was at risk of a expected legal defeat in international courts if a settlement had not been reached. He added that such failure would have resulted in huge punitive damages. The United Nations-backed International Court of Justice’s 2019 advisory judgment which urged the United Kingdom to return the islands and end its colonial administration, sparked the transfer of sovereignty.

The government’s intention to sign the deal with Mauritius was put on hold on 22nd May when a United Kingdom High Court judge granted a last-minute injunction on the request of British citizens Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe who were born in Diego Garcia. The contract had been criticized by them for not including Chagossians. The contract could be finalized once the British High Court reversed the injunction a few hours later.

An initial deal between the two nations was struck in October. Nevertheless, it was halted when Britain indicated that it needed to wait for US President Donald Trump’s assent. A change of government in Mauritius also caused the transaction to stall along with disputes arising about the amount that the United Kingdom should pay for Diego Garcia’s lease. Britain receives an undisclosed payment from the United States to run the base.

What are the Chagos Islands: A brief history

Located around 500 kilometres (310 miles) south of the Maldives archipelago, the Chagos Archipelago is a collection of seven atolls made up of 58 separate tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. There are about 4,000 personnel stationed on the islands. There haven’t been any indigenous inhabitants, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, since Britain forcibly uprooted up to 2,000 people, mostly former agricultural labourers, from the islands in the late 1960s and early 1970s to build the Diego Garcia base.

Image via Nxt EU
  • 1783: Slaves from Africa were the first people to settle in the Chagos Islands. They were employed on farms that produced coconuts and copra which the French created. The arrival of indentured Indians followed their emancipation.
  • 1814: The Chagos Islands and neighboring Mauritius were officially taken from France by Britain after Napoleon’s abdication and exile during the Napoleonic Wars.
  • 1965: As Mauritius and the UK negotiate independence, the Chagos Islands became the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The UK and the US also agreed to establish a military base on one of the islands, Diego Garcia.
  • 1968: The United Kingdom retained control of the BIOT while Mauritius was granted independence. The latter challenged that it was unlawfully compelled to hand over the islands to gain independence from Britain in exchange for £3 million.
  • 1967-1973: All residents of the Chagos Islands were compelled to relocate with the majority moving thousands of kilometers away to the main island of Mauritius or the Seychelles and even accept invitations to stay in England, primarily in Crawley in West Sussex to make room for a UK-US military installation. According to Human Rights Watch, the forced relocation constituted an offense against humanity and an “appalling colonial crime.”
  • 1982: The United Kingdom consented to contribute £4 million to a trust fund founded for the Chagossians under a Mauritian law.
  • 2000: The removal of the Chagossians was deemed illegal by United Kingdom’s High Court.
  • 2008: After a number of lower British court judges ruled that the exile of Chagossians was illegal, the UK’s highest court at the time, the House of Lords, rules against their right of return.
  • 2010: A UK Foreign Office official told the US that a decision to set up a “marine protected area” (MPA) would “put paid to resettlement claims of the archipelago’s former residents,” according to a May 2009 US diplomatic cable made public by WikiLeaks.
  • 2015: According to a United Nations tribunal, Britain violated the law when it constructed a marine protected area (MPA) in the Chagos Islands. It denied Mauritius its fishing rights as well as failed to consult the island nation.
  • 2016: The UK government continued to forbid Chagossians from returning home after announcing a £40 million support package to help and compensate them.
  • 2019: The UN’s highest court, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring that the United Kingdom must return the isolated Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius “as rapidly as possible” and pronounced that the ongoing British control of the area was unlawful. The motion denouncing Britain’s control of the islands was overwhelmingly supported by the UN general assembly. However, the UK did not abide by the motion which allotted it six months to leave and reunify the islands with Mauritius.
  • 2021: The prime minister of Mauritius called on the UK to stop its “illegal occupation” of the Chagos Islands as the UN’s special international maritime court dismissed the latter’s claim to sovereignty over the islands. A fishing boat carrying Tamil asylum seekers was rescued and transported to Diego Garcia in the same year. They stayed there and characterized the conditions as horrible and akin to a prison. Self-harm and attempted suicides had been widely reported.
  • 2022: The United Kingdom declared that it has consented to kick off talks with Mauritius over the future transfer of the Chagos Islands.
  • 2024: After years of acrimonious conflict over Britain’s final African colony, the UK decided to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and keep control of the military facility on Diego Garcia which it shares with the US.

The military station on Diego Garcia, which has aided US military operations from the Vietnam War to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is arguably the most well-known feature of the archipelago. The United States admitted in 2008 that the station had also been utilized for covert rendition flights involving suspected terrorists.

The US has designated the station, which has approximately 2,500 primarily American employees, “an almost indispensable platform” for security operations in the East Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.” During a recent campaign of heavy airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels in 2024 and 2025, the United States sent a number of B-2 Spirit bombers equipped with nuclear weapons to Diego Garcia. It has also been the site of launching attacks against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan in 2001 along with humanitarian aid deployments to Gaza.

What was the delay

After Starmer’s Labour Party was elected in July, negotiations to transfer the islands to Mauritius resumed which were originally commenced in 2022 under the previous Conservative government in the United Kingdom. The British government declared in October that it was completing the terms of a treaty that would transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius with Diego Garcia remaining under British rule.

Former President Joe Biden of the United States praised the accord as a “historic agreement” that guaranteed the Diego Garcia base’s survival. The government’s decision to cede sovereignty of the region, however, was criticized by Britain’s opposition Conservatives, who charged that it put the country and its allies at risk. Marco Rubio, who is currently Secretary of State, stated last year that it was “a serious threat” to the national security of the United States.

India supports the agreement

India expressed that it has always backed the “legitimate claim” of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago in accordance with its core stance on “decolonization, respect for sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of nations” and applauded the UK’s decision to yield the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

“The formal resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute through this bilateral treaty is a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. This is further to the understanding between the two sides reached in October 2024, and marks the culmination of the process of decolonisation of Mauritius in the spirit of international law and rules-based order,” the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi mentioned in a statement.

Furthermore, the MEA asserted, “As a steadfast and longstanding partner of Mauritius, India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius and other like-minded countries to strengthen maritime security and regional stability and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.”

“India played a quiet but important role in the background. It firmly backed the principled Mauritian position, supporting its stance on the need to do away with the last vestiges of colonisation. At the same time, it consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and with a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes,” according to ANI.

They added, “It is believed that the final outcome is a win for all sides involved and will reinforce long term security in the Indian Ocean region.”

Vadodara: Rickshaw puller Sohail raped a Hindu girl on the pretext of marriage, used to burn her with cigarette stubs, tried to convert her to Islam

OpIndia Staff
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Vadodara: Rickshaw puller Sohail raped a Hindu girl on the pretext of marriage, used to burn her with cigarette stubs, tried to convert her to Islam

In Vadodara, Gujarat, a case has been registered with the Kapurai police against a Muslim youth who raped a Hindu minor girl on the pretext of marriage and then tried to force her to convert to Islam. The police have arrested the main accused Sohail and his two accomplices in this case and are taking further action.

The victim girl, who lives on Ajwa Road, came in contact with rickshaw puller Sohail Nazimkhan Pathan in the year 2023. The two started talking and took their relationship forward by exchanging mobile numbers.

Sohail used to take her for walks and used to promise her marriage. When the girl informed her mother and grandmother about this, both of them said that she was too young and should decide after she becomes an adult. The victim was 17 years old in 2023 as per reports.

It was further stated that Sohail took her to his house in 2023 and forcibly had physical relations with her. The complaint states that the accused was pressuring her to convert and was also threatening to kill her. The victim has stated in her statement that he did not even let her go home.

Faim and Junaid took him to Sohail’s house, burnt her with cigarette butts

Referring to the incident of May 17, the victim has said in her complaint that on that day, Sohail’s two friends Faim and Junaid came to her and threatened to kill her and took her to Sohail’s house. It is said that Sohail beat her up and put cigarette butts on her hands. The next day, the victim ran away from Sohail’s house and informed her family, who reached Kapurai police station and lodged a complaint, after which the police registered a case under POCSO and arrested three accused.

The police have arrested Sohail and his two friends in this matter and have started further action.

When ideology trumps justice: The Omar Rashid case and how predators are empowered by convenient feminists fearing “fanning” Islamophobia

Jinit Jain
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When ideology trumps justice: The Omar Rashid case and how predators are empowered by convenient feminists fearing “fanning” Islamophobia

In the wake of explosive allegations against The Wire journalist Omar Rashid, a disturbing and damning pattern is surfacing, one where women, particularly from the liberal-left ecosystem, claim they chose silence over justice, not out of fear of their abusers, but out of fear of “fanning Islamophobia.” The result? A chilling equation where optics trump outrage, and abusers walk free while survivors self-censor to appease political narratives.

Enter Ruchika Sharma, a YouTuber best known for her thirst traps of cosmetic tutorials to compensate for her lack of scholarship in history, who decided to toss ideological grenades into an already volatile conversation. Weighed down more by ideological considerations than intellectual integrity, Sharma took to X (formerly Twitter) with a take so perverse, it would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic.

“Equally sad but predictable to see this woman’s harrowing experience be used to fan Islamophobia,” she wrote. Then, without a trace of self-awareness, Sharma revealed she too had once chosen not to call out her own abuser. Why? Because, in her words, “dingbat Sanghis will just use it to further their own horrible communal agenda.”

Yes—she admitted it. She had been abused, and she decided the optics of calling out a Muslim man during polarised times were worse than staying silent about the abuse itself.

Predictably, the internet erupted.

Critics across the spectrum pointed out the grotesque moral inversion: both Sharma and the anonymous survivor seemed more horrified at the possibility of being misused by the right wing than by the acts of violence committed against them. In a stunning display of moral gymnastics, the crime itself was subordinated to who might gain political capital from its exposure.

This moral tightrope was especially visible in the survivor’s original account.

The anonymous Hindu woman accused Omar Rashid, a journalist celebrated in liberal circles—of repeated sexual coercion, physical abuse, and forcing her to consume beef against her will. What made her stay quiet, she claimed, was the looming threat of being seen as a pawn in a communal narrative. “He kept reminding me of my identity in a ‘Hindu Rashtra’,” she wrote, “and how this relationship had to remain secret for the greater good of Muslim men.” Her silence, weaponised through guilt, was not just fear—it was manipulated submission under the guise of solidarity.

In a follow-up, she clarified that her post was not an indictment of a religion, but a condemnation of patriarchy. “His faith didn’t define his crime—his predatory nature did,” she explained. “He could have belonged to any religion. What happened wasn’t about food or faith. It was about control.”

While her clarification might satisfy the moral relativists on the left, the backlash was fierce. Many argued that by refusing to speak up earlier, precisely because of the man’s religion, she may have enabled continued abuse. Ideology, once again, stood guard while justice stood abandoned.

It wasn’t just Sharma and the survivor. Another woman came forward recounting a similar moral paralysis: she had once let go of a molester because he was Muslim, believing that filing a complaint would make her complicit in a state already perceived as hostile to minorities. “It felt ethically wrong of me somehow,” she admitted, echoing the same dissonant logic.

The Wire has since issued a tepid response, announcing an “internal inquiry” into the allegations against Rashid. But many online are sceptical, seeing it as damage control, not accountability.

What this case has ripped open is not just the dark underbelly of a journalist’s alleged actions, but the deeper rot festering within liberal feminism. A feminism that breaks its silence only when it’s safe, that picks and chooses its villains based on identity rather than action, is no feminism at all. It’s complicity in designer activism, and the casualties are the very women it claims to protect.

Because when political expediency becomes more sacred than justice, it is not just victims who lose; it is the very idea of accountability that dies a slow, ideological death.

And predators? They thrive in that silence.

Communist parties, their leaders, Urban Naxals outrage after killing of terrorist Basavaraju alias Keshav Rao in encounter, portray the mastermind of multiple massacres as a hero

OpIndia Staff
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Communist parties, their leaders, Urban Naxals outrage after killing of terrorist Basavaraju alias Keshav Rao in encounter, portray the mastermind of multiple massacres as a hero

The entire urban naxal ecosystem is in deep shock after the killing of the dreaded naxal leader Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju in an encounter with the security forces on May 21, 2025. He was among the 27 naxal terrorists killed during a fierce gunbattle with the security forces in the in Abujhmad area of the Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. Basavaraju, who had a bounty of ₹1.5 crore on him, was the general secretary of the banned CPI(M). He was the brain behind several lethal attacks on politicians and security forces, including the 2010 Chintalnar massacre of 76 CRPF jawans and the 2013 attack in Jhiram Ghati wherein several Congress leaders were killed.

The CPI(ML) Liberation issued a statement condemning the killing of the Basavaraju terming it a “cold-blooded extra-judicial killing”. “…it is clear that the state is spearheading Operation Kagar as an extra-judicial extermination campaign and taking credit for killing citizens and suppressing Adivasi protests against corporate plunder and militarisation in the name of combating Maoism,” read the CPI(ML) Liberation statement.

The CPI(M) called the government’s action against naxal terrorism as a “policy of killing and annihilation”. Ironically, the Maoist party which the supports armed revolution, accused the government of having a mindset that celebrates taking of human life.

CPI General Secretary D Raja also expressed his anguish on the killing of Basavaraju. “CPI strongly condemns the cold-blooded killing of a senior Maoist leader along with several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh. It is yet another instance of extrajudicial action carried out under the guise of counterinsurgency operations. The repeated use of lethal force instead of lawful arrest raises serious concerns about the State’s commitment to democratic norms and the rule of law,” he wrote on X.

Riled up urban naxals, who reject the idea of a democratic state, are quoting the Constitution and the state law to condemn the state action against naxal terrorism that has plagued several parts of the country for decades and has deprived the local communities of the opportunity to join the mainstream. They are now portraying Basavaraju, who masterminded several brutal massacres, as a ‘hero’ who was fighting for the rights of poor Adivasis.

Urban naxals wrote open letter urging government not to act against naxal terrorists

After the Modi government launched Operation Kagar at the beginning of the year to eradicate the roots of Naxalism, the urban naxals tried to negotiate with the government on behalf of the naxal terrorists. In March, the central committee of the CPI(M) expressed its willingness to engage in peace negotiations with both the central and state governments, provided they cease the Operation Kagar. This was followed by an open letter by the so-called ‘activists’ who urged the government to stop the war on ground in the name of the interests of Adivasis.

Union Home Minister has declared to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026. As of 2015, approximately 106 districts across 10 states were classified as naxal-affected. This number was reduced to 38 by 2024 and further to 18. Out of these, 12 were considered the most impacted by naxal activities, yet this figure has now fallen to just 6.

Earlier, the security forces conducted ‘Operation Black Forest’ near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border as part of counterinsurgency. The 21-day-long operation was carried out by the joint forces of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police between April 21 and May 11. In the operation, the security forces neutralised 31 Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 1.72 crore. A total of 214 Naxal hideouts and bunkers were destroyed in the operation and a total of 450 IEDs, 818 BGL shells, 899 bundles of was recovered.

PM Modi inaugurates Rising North East Summit at Bharat Mandapam, says from merely a Frontier Region, now North East is emerging as the ‘Front-Runner of Growth’

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi inaugurates Rising North East Summit at Bharat Mandapam, says from merely a Frontier Region, now North East is emerging as the ‘Front-Runner of Growth’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. Extending a warm welcome to all the dignitaries to the event, the Prime Minister expressed pride, warmth, and immense confidence in the future of the North East region. He recalled the recent Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav held at Bharat Mandapam and emphasized that today’s event marks a celebration of investment in the Northeast. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant presence of industry leaders at the summit, underscoring the enthusiasm surrounding opportunities in the region. He extended his congratulations to all ministries and state governments, acknowledging their efforts in creating a thriving investment-friendly environment. Conveying his best wishes, Prime Minister lauded the Northeast Rising Summit, reaffirming his commitment to the region’s continued growth and prosperity.

Underscoring India’s status as the world’s most diverse nation, Shri Modi said, “the Northeast is the most diverse region of our diverse nation”. He emphasized the vast potential spanning trade, tradition, textiles, and tourism, stating that the region’s diversity is its greatest strength. He remarked that the Northeast is synonymous with a thriving bio-economy and bamboo industry, tea production and petroleum, sports and skill, as well as an emerging hub for eco-tourism. He further noted that the region is paving the way for organic products and stands as a powerhouse of energy. He affirmed that the Northeast embodies the essence of Ashtalakshmi, bringing prosperity and opportunity. With this strength, he stated, every Northeastern state is declaring its readiness for investment and leadership.

Emphasizing the critical role of Eastern India in achieving a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister underscored the Northeast as its most vital component. “For us, EAST is not just a direction but a vision—Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform—which defines the policy framework for the region”, he stated, highlighting that this approach has placed Eastern India, particularly the Northeast, at the center stage of India’s growth trajectory.

Prime Minister highlighted the transformative changes witnessed in the Northeast over the past 11 years, emphasizing that the progress is not merely reflected in statistics but is tangible on the ground. He stated that the government’s engagement with the region goes beyond policy measures, fostering a heartfelt connection with its people. The Prime Minister underscored the over 700 visits made by Union Ministers to the Northeast, demonstrating their commitment to understanding the land, witnessing the aspirations in people’s eyes, and translating that trust into development policies. He stressed that infrastructure projects are not just about bricks and cement but serve as a means of emotional connectivity. He reaffirmed the shift from Look East to Act East, stating that this proactive approach is yielding visible results. “While the Northeast was once regarded merely as a frontier region, it is now emerging as a front-runner in India’s growth story”, he added.

Underlining that robust infrastructure plays a key role in making the tourism sector attractive and instilling confidence among investors, Shri Modi highlighted that well-developed roads, power infrastructure, and logistics networks form the backbone of any industry, facilitating seamless trade and economic growth. He remarked that infrastructure is the foundation of development and that the government has initiated an Infrastructure Revolution in the Northeast. He acknowledged the region’s past challenges but asserted that it is now emerging as a Land of Opportunities. He stated that thousands of crores have been invested in enhancing connectivity, citing projects such as the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge in Assam. Shri Modi also highlighted key advancements in the past decade, including the construction of 11,000 kilometers of highways, extensive new railway lines, a doubling of airport numbers, the development of waterways on the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, and the installation of hundreds of mobile towers. He further noted the establishment of a 1,600-kilometer-long Northeast Gas Grid, ensuring a reliable energy supply for industries. Shri Modi underscored that highways, railways, waterways, and digital connectivity are all strengthening the Northeast’s infrastructure, creating a fertile ground for industries to seize the First Mover Advantage. He affirmed that over the next decade, the region’s trade potential will multiply significantly. He further pointed out that India’s trade volume with ASEAN currently stands at approximately $125 billion and is expected to exceed $200 billion in the coming years, positioning the Northeast as a strategic trade bridge and gateway to ASEAN markets. He reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure projects to enhance regional connectivity. Stressing the importance of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which will provide direct access from Myanmar to Thailand, strengthening India’s connectivity with Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, Shri Modi highlighted the government’s efforts to expedite the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, which will link the Kolkata Port to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port, providing a crucial trade route through Mizoram. He stated that this project will significantly reduce the travel distance between West Bengal and Mizoram, enhancing trade and industrial growth. 

Highlighting the ongoing development of Guwahati, Imphal, and Agartala as Multi-Modal Logistics Hubs, the Prime Minister noted that the establishment of Land Custom Stations in Meghalaya and Mizoram is further expanding international trade opportunities. He emphasized that these advancements are positioning the Northeast as a rising force in trade with Indo-Pacific nations, unlocking new avenues for investment and economic growth. 

Underscoring India’s vision of becoming a Global Health and Wellness Solution Provider, the Prime Minister stated that the Heal in India initiative is being developed as a worldwide movement. He highlighted the Northeast’s rich biodiversity, natural environment, and organic lifestyle, describing it as a perfect destination for wellness. The Prime Minister urged investors to explore the Northeast as a critical component of India’s Heal in India mission, reaffirming that the region’s climate and ecological diversity offer immense potential for wellness-driven industries.

Shri Modi highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Northeast, emphasizing its deep-rooted connection to music, dance, and celebrations. He noted that the region is an ideal destination for global conferences, concerts, and destination weddings, positioning it as a complete tourism package. He stated that as development reaches every corner of the Northeast, its positive impact on tourism is evident, with visitor numbers doubling. He remarked that these are not just statistics—this surge has led to the rise of homestays in villages, new employment opportunities for young guides, and the expansion of the tour and travel ecosystem. Underscoring the need to elevate Northeast tourism further, he pointed out the vast investment potential in eco-tourism and cultural tourism. Reaffirming that peace and law and order are the most crucial factors for any region’s development, Shri Modi stated, “Our government has a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and insurgency”. He noted that the Northeast was once associated with blockades and conflict, which severely impacted opportunities for its youth. He outlined the government’s consistent efforts toward peace agreements, stating that over the past 10-11 years, more than 10,000 young individuals have abandoned arms to embrace peace. He emphasized that this shift has unlocked new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities within the region. Shri Modi further highlighted the impact of the MUDRA scheme, which has provided thousands of crores in financial support to lakhs of youth in the Northeast. He further noted the rise of education institutes, helping young individuals develop skills for the future. He stated that the youth of the Northeast are not just internet users but emerging digital innovators. He emphasized advancements such as over 13,000 kilometers of optical fiber expansion, 4G and 5G coverage, and growing opportunities in the technology sector. “Young entrepreneurs are now launching major startups within the region, reinforcing the Northeast’s role as India’s digital gateway”, he added.

Emphasizing the critical role of skill development in driving growth and securing a better future, the Prime Minister stated that the Northeast provides a favorable environment for this advancement, with the central government making substantial investments in education and skill-building initiatives. The Prime Minister highlighted that over the past decade, ₹21,000 crore has been invested in the Northeast’s education sector. He noted key developments, including the establishment of over 800 new schools, the region’s first AIIMS, nine new medical colleges, and two new IIITs. Additionally, he cited the creation of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication campus in Mizoram and nearly 200 new skill development institutes across the region. He further remarked that India’s first sports university is being developed in the Northeast, with significant investments under the Khelo India program. He pointed out that eight Khelo India Centers of Excellence and more than 250 Khelo India Centers have been established, fostering sports talent across the region. The Prime Minister assured that the Northeast now offers top-tier talent across various sectors, encouraging industries and investors to leverage the region’s immense potential.

Shri Modi stressed on the growing global demand for organic food, stating that his vision is for an Indian food brand to be present on every dining table worldwide. He highlighted the Northeast’s pivotal role in realizing this dream. He said that over the past decade, the scope of organic farming in the Northeast has doubled, with the region producing high-quality tea, pineapples, oranges, lemons, turmeric, and ginger. He affirmed that the exceptional taste and superior quality of these products have led to rising international demand. He also encouraged stakeholders to capitalize on this growing market, recognizing the Northeast’s potential as a key driver of India’s organic food exports.

Underscoring the government’s commitment to facilitating the establishment of food processing units in the Northeast, the Prime Minister stated that while enhanced connectivity is already supporting this initiative, additional efforts are being made to develop mega food parks, expand cold storage networks, and provide testing lab facilities. He highlighted the launch of the Oil Palm Mission, recognizing the Northeast’s soil and climate as highly suitable for palm oil cultivation. He noted that this initiative offers a strong income opportunity for farmers while reducing India’s dependency on edible oil imports. He further added that palm oil farming presents a major opportunity for industries, encouraging stakeholders to tap into the region’s agricultural potential.

“Northeast is emerging as a key destination for two strategic sectors—energy and semiconductors”, stressed Shri Modi, highlighting the government’s extensive investments in hydropower and solar power across all Northeastern states, with several thousand crore worth of projects already approved. He noted that beyond investment opportunities in plants and infrastructure, there is significant potential in manufacturing, including solar modules, cells, storage solutions, and research. He underscored the importance of maximizing investment in these areas, stating that greater self-sufficiency today will reduce dependence on foreign imports in the future. Shri Modi further remarked on the growing role of Assam in strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem. He announced that the first Made in India chip from a Northeast-based semiconductor plant will soon be introduced, signaling a major milestone for the region. He affirmed that this development is unlocking opportunities for cutting-edge technology and solidifying the Northeast’s position in India’s high-tech industrial growth.

“Rising Northeast is more than just an investors’ summit—it is a movement and a call to action”, emphasised the Prime Minister, stating that India’s future will reach new heights through the Northeast’s progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister expressed full confidence in the business leaders present, urging them to unite in driving growth. Concluding his address, he called upon stakeholders to work together in transforming Ashtalakshmi—the symbol of Northeast’s potential—into a guiding force for a Viksit Bharat. He expressed confidence that by the next Rising Northeast, India would have propelled way ahead. 

The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang,  Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Manik Saha, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar were present among other dignitaries at the event.

Background

With an aim to highlight the North East Region as a land of opportunity, attracting global and domestic investment, and bringing together key stakeholders, investors, and policymakers on a single platform, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today.

The Rising North East Investors Summit, a two-day event from May 23-24 is the culmination of various pre-summit activities, such as series of roadshows, and states’ roundtables including Ambassador’s Meet and Bilateral Chambers Meet organized by the central government with active support from the state governments of the North Eastern Region. The Summit will include ministerial sessions, Business-to-Government sessions, Business-to-Business meetings, startups and exhibitions of policy and related initiatives taken by State Government and Central ministries for investment promotion.

The main focus sectors of investment promotion include Tourism and Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing and allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom, and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; Information Technology or Information Technology Enabled Services; Infrastructure and Logistics; Energy; and Entertainment and Sports.

Press release by Prime Minister’s Office

Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo flight: Pakistan rejects pilot’s request to use its airspace amid deadly turbulence

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo flight: Pakistan rejects pilot’s request to use its airspace amid deadly turbulence

In a dramatic turn of events earlier this week that should knock some sense into the ‘Aman Ki Asha’ brigade if Operation Sindoor hadn’t already, the pilots of IndiGo’s Delhi-to-Srinagar flight found themselves trapped in a fierce hailstorm—after being denied permission to reroute around the weather by Lahore’s Air Traffic Control. The startling revelation came from the DGCA on Friday, May 23.

What began as a routine flight from Delhi to Srinagar turned into a harrowing ordeal for 222 passengers aboard IndiGo Flight 6E 2142 on Wednesday evening, as the aircraft was violently caught in a hailstorm and severe turbulence near Pathankot. Startlingly, the Lahore’s Air Traffic Control had denied the pilots’ desperate requests to deviate from their course to avoid the impending weather threat, according to a DGCA statement released Friday (May 23, 2025).

Though no injuries were reported and the Airbus A320 landed safely at Srinagar International Airport, the flight left many visibly shaken—including five Trinamool Congress MPs onboard. The aircraft itself wasn’t so lucky. Its radome, or nose cone, was severely damaged by the hail, forcing the plane to be grounded for inspection and repairs.

“This was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over,” said Trinamool MP and journalist-turned-politician Sagarika Ghose, ironically one of the most vocal peaceniks consistently advocating for thawing of relationship between India and Pakistan. “People were screaming, praying, panicking. Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that nightmare. When we landed and saw the nose of the plane blown apart, it hit us how close we came to disaster.”

According to the DGCA, the incident unfolded after the crew attempted to return to Delhi upon detecting a thunderstorm cell ahead. But boxed in by restricted military airspace and a closed Pakistan corridor, they had little choice. The IAF first declined permission to reroute toward the international border, and Lahore ATC refused a similar request shortly after. With the storm fast approaching, the pilots made a split-second decision to proceed through the weather system rather than risk circling back. “The crew chose to maintain heading to exit the turbulence via the shortest path to Srinagar,” read the DGCA’s summary.

Dramatic videos shot mid-flight have since flooded social media, showing visibly terrified passengers clinging to seats, some whispering prayers, others breaking down as the aircraft violently shook and dipped.

IndiGo confirmed the incident in a statement Thursday, assuring the public that all passengers were safe. “Flight 6E 2142 encountered a sudden hailstorm and landed safely. The aircraft is undergoing maintenance and will return to service once cleared.”

The timing of the event adds a layer of geopolitical complexity. Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people and India’s audacious Operation Sindoor to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice, airspace between India and Pakistan remains mutually shut—leaving civilian pilots with fewer emergency options in northern sectors. The MPs onboard were en route to visit victims of cross-border shelling along the LoC, highlighting the thin line separating diplomacy from danger in this high-stakes region.

Rising North East Summit: Gautam Adani says a new chapter in growth story is unfolding in the region, announces ₹1 lakh crore investment in the next decade

OpIndia Staff
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Rising North East Summit: Gautam Adani says a new chapter in growth story is unfolding in the region, announces ₹1 lakh crore investment in the next decade

The Rising North East Investors Summit was inaugurated by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on Friday morning. The two-day summit has been organised to highlight North East Region as a land of opportunity, attracting global and domestic investment, and bringing together key stakeholders, investors, and policymakers on a single platform.

Inaugurating the event, PM Modi said that India is known as the most diverse nation in the world, and the North East is the most diverse region within India. “The Northeast is the most diverse part of our diverse nation… From trade to tradition, from textile to tourism, the diversity of the Northeast is its strength. Northeast means bio-economy, bamboo, tea production, petroleum, sports, skill, an emerging hub of eco-tourism, and a new world for organic products. Northeast is the powerhouse of energy. Northeast is ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ for us,” PM Modi said.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, emphasized the government’s commitment to the region’s development. He said that union govt has increased budgetary allocation for the region significantly, aimed at attracting both global and domestic investors, sought to spotlight the immense economic potential of the North East. Scindia also lamented that in the seventy years following India’s independence, the region had remained neglected and in the shadows.

Addressing the summit, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani hailed PM Narendra Modi for his “Act East, Act Fast, Act First” policy, saying the PM gave the northeast its wake-up call. He said, “Over the past decade, in the hills and valleys of the Northeast, a new chapter in India’s growth story is unfolding. A story rooted in diversity, resilience, and untapped potential. This region is now a source of our cultural pride, economic promise, and strategic direction.”

Adani noted how PM made 65 personal visits to the region, and noted the investment of $6.2 lakh crore since 2014, doubling of road network to 16,000 kms and doubling the number of airports to 18. The Adani Group chairman emphasised the group’s commitment to the development of Northeast India.

Gautam Adani announced that Adani Group will invest ₹50,000 crore in the northeastern region over the next 10 years. This will be over and above the investment of ₹50,000 crore announced in the recently held Advantage Assam 2.0 summit. Therefore, the group has now committed ₹1 lakh crore investment commitment for Assam and the broader Northeast region over the next decade.

Gautam Adami said, “Three months ago, in Assam, we pledged an investment of ₹50,000 crore. Today, once again, humbled and inspired by your leadership, I announce that the Adani Group will invest an additional ₹50,000 crore across the Northeast over the next 10 years.”

He said that the company’s focus will be on green energy — including smart-meters, hydro, pumped storage, power transmission, roads & highways, digital infrastructure, logistics, as well as capacity-building through skilling and vocational training centres. Adani further added, “But more than infrastructure, we will invest in people. Every initiative will prioritize local jobs, local entrepreneurship, and community engagement.”

Assuring the company’s cooperation in the Vikshit Bharat 2047 vision of PM Modi, Gautam Adani said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister, we will walk — in step with your vision. Hon’ble Chief Ministers, we will hold hands with your people. Hon’ble Minister of Northeast, we will echo your mission.”

A statement issued by the company said that the investment announcement positions the Adani Group as a key private sector player in the Northeast’s economic transformation, promising long-term impact across energy, connectivity, and livelihoods.

Operation ‘Push-back’: How India is getting rid of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya infiltrators, one step at a time

Dibakar Dutta
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Operation ‘Push-back’: How India is getting rid of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya infiltrators, one step at a time

On Thursday (22nd May), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called upon Bangladesh to help expedite the deportation of their citizens, who are illegally staying in India.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was heard saying, “We have a large number of Bangladeshi nationals in India who are required to be deported. We have asked the Bangladeshi side to verify the nationality. We have a pending list of more than 2360 cases of people required to be deported.”

“Many of them have completed the jail process. In many cases, the nationality verification process has been pending since 2020,” he emphasised.

For decades, India has followed established protocols to deport Bangladeshi infilitrators and Rohingyas to their home country.

The process has been slow (pending trial in courts), cumbersome (because Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Border Guard often refuse to acknowledge their own citizens) and has failed to attain success.

The situation has been exacerbated due to continued illegal immigration through the porous India-Bangladesh border with the help of agents and brokers but not enough deportations year-on-year.

Screengrab of the data on Bangladeshi nationals deported to their home country

For the unversed, there are more than 2 crore Bangladeshis living illegally in India (2016 data).

Following the undemocratic ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the hostile attitude of the Yunus-led interim government, the deportation protocol has been rendered useless by Bangladesh.

Forced by circumstances, the Indian government has now resorted to what is being unofficially referred to as ‘Operation Push-back.’

What is Operation Push-back

The Indian government has devised a new strategy to get rid of Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas who are caught red-handed at the Eastern border as well as living in India illegally for several years.

Instead of going through the hassle of handing them over to the police, registering a FIR, producing them before the court, continuing trials for years and then sending them back through established protocols, the Indian security forces are now increasingly pushing-back the infiltrators to the other side almost instantenously.

‘Operation Push-back’ has been in motion since April 2025. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was quoted as saying –

“Infiltration is a big issue. We have now decided we will not go through the legal process. Earlier, decision was to arrest a person and then bring him to the Indian legal system… Earlier also we used to arrest 1,000-1,500 foreigners…they must be sent to jail and then they are produced before a court of law. Now, we have decided that we will not bring them inside the country, we will push them. This pushing back is a new phenomenon. Every year, 5,000 people enter the country and because of pushback this number will become minimise now.”

In cases where Bangladeshis are nabbed from different cities of India (far from the Eastern borders), they are first flown to either Tripura, Assam or West Bengal and then pushed over to Bangladeshi side.

One such case was reported on 4th May this year. Two Air India flights carrying 300 Bangladeshis landed in Agartala from Gujarat. The illegal immigrants were deported via the land border.

On 14th May, Rajasthan BJP Minister Jogaram Patel informed that 148 Bangladeshis were transported to Kolkata from Jodhpur and thereafter deported to Bangladesh. Prior to being taken to Kolkata, the illegal immigrants were housed in a make-shift detention centre.

Several States in India have stepped up the process of identification of illegal immigrants. Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that a Special Task Force (STF) has been formed to nab Bangladeshis living in the State.

“The government has taken a tough stand. No foreign national without valid legal status will be allowed to stay in Odisha. The identification process has already begun and will be carried out meticulously in all districts…Different engineering departments of the state government have been asked not to engage any Bangladesh or foreign nationals without valid documents,” he pointed out.

According to the data shared by Tripura police, a whopping 816 Bangladeshis and 79 Rohingyas had been apprehended while illegally entering India through the State between 1st January 2024 and 28th February 2025.

Tripura has deported 1,746 Bangladeshis between 2022 and 31st October 2024. It shares a 856-km-long border with Bangladesh on 3 sides, and some parts of the border are still unfenced owing to local disputes.

The impact of crackdown on infilitrators have been successful so much so that some Bangladeshis are now ‘voluntarily returning‘ to their home country.

Yunus regime taken aback by India’s swift action against illegal Bangladeshis

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by ‘chief advisor’ Muhammad Yunus has been rattled by India’s paradigm shift in strategy at dealing with infiltrators.

On 8th May, his Foreign Minister wrote to India to raise concerns over ‘people being pushed into the country and urged New Delhi to adhere to established repatriation mechanisms.’

“For the sake of peace and stability along the Bangladesh–India border, such push-ins are unacceptable and should be avoided,” it claimed.

In the meantime, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set a 30-day deadline for verification of the credentials of illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, following which they would deported (mostly through Operation Push-back).

Brazil: Indigenous Amazon tribe that got painted as porn addicts after New York Times story sues the American newspaper

OpIndia Staff
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Brazil: Indigenous Amazon tribe that got painted as porn addicts after New York Times story sues the American newspaper

An Indigenous tribe from the Brazilian Amazon has sued the American newspaper The New York Times, saying the newspaper’s reporting on the tribe led to its members being shown as technology-addled and addicted to pornography. The Amazonian tribe is absolutely furious about its depiction in the New York Times report and the reactions to it.

The Marubo Tribe of the Javari Valley, which is suing New York Times, is a community of about 2,000 people in the Amazonian rainforest. The defamation lawsuit has been filed in a court in Los Angeles.

The lawsuit also names TMZ and Yahoo as defendants, saying that their stories amplified and sensationalized the New York Times reporting and smeared the tribe as well.

The tribe is living in communal huts among 20 different villages scattered over hundreds of miles along the Ituí River in Brazil, and most of its is inaccessible. They live in one of the most remote places in the world in the Amazon forest.

However, all that changed when Elon Musk’s Starlink arrived, and following that, came a New York Times reporter 2 years later named Jack Nicas. The tribe received 20 Starlink antennas, worth about $15,000 apiece, which gave the isolated tribe a high-speed connection to the outside world. The American newspaper’s journalist Jack Nicas thought it would be a great story to cover, however, his story portrayed the tribe as mostly porn addicts, as per the lawsuit filed by the tribe.

As per the tribe, the New York Times report portrayed the Marubo people as a community unable to handle basic exposure to the internet, highlighting allegations that their youth had become consumed by pornography.

The lawsuit further added, “These statements were not only inflammatory but conveyed to the average reader that the Marubo people had descended into moral and social decline as a direct result of internet access. Such portrayals go far beyond cultural commentary; they directly attack the character, morality, and social standing of an entire people, suggesting they lack the discipline or values to function in the modern world.”

Meanwhile, the New York Times has said they intend to defend against the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the paper said, “Any fair reading of this piece shows a sensitive and nuanced exploration of the benefits and complications of new technology in a remote Indigenous village with a proud history and preserved culture. We intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”

Delhi Police books syndicate facilitating illegal immigrants; 5 questioned

ANI
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Delhi Police books syndicate facilitating illegal immigrants; 5 questioned

In a crackdown on illegal immigration, Delhi police have registered an FIR at Narela Industrial Area Police Station against the syndicate facilitating unlawful entry into the country.

The case was registered under Sections 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 14 and 14C of the Foreigners Act, 1946,

The police said that five people, who allegedly rented accommodations to illegal immigrants, had been interrogated.

One individual has been issued a notice under Section 35(3) of BNS (earlier 41(A) CrPC). The investigation is also focused on tracing the origin of fake documents such as electric meter connections, Aadhaar cards, and voter IDs obtained by illegal immigrants.

Relevant departments have been given notices, and legal action will be taken against all those found involved, said the police.

Meanwhile, the police said that 121 illegal immigrants have been identified, and after completing the legal procedure, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has ordered their deportation.

Earlier this month, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch detained 13 Bangladeshi nationals, including five children, for allegedly residing in India without valid documentation. The individuals were apprehended from village Auchandi in the national capital.

According to DCP Crime, Aditya Gautam, “The detained individuals entered India through unfenced agricultural fields along the India-Bangladesh border and later reached Delhi via Cooch Behar railway station. They reportedly worked as casual labourers in a brick kiln in Kharkhoda, Haryana.”

Meanwhile on May 21, the Vigilance Unit of Delhi Police arrested two traffic police personnel posted at Mahadev Chowk in the Samaypur Badli Traffic Circle for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000. The accused, Assistant Sub-Inspector Vijay Kumar and Head Constable Surender, were caught red-handed while taking money from a complainant in exchange for illegal protection to commercial vehicles from traffic challans in the area, as per the Delhi police.

According to Delhi police, the complainant approached the Vigilance Unit on May 21, reporting that the traffic officers were demanding money to allow commercial vehicles to operate without being penalised. Taking swift action, a trap was laid by a dedicated Vigilance team. Around 5:30 PM, ASI Vijay Kumar contacted the complainant and asked him to come to Mahadev Chowk.

The complainant was then taken in a private car driven by HC Surender, with ASI Vijay Kumar also present. The vehicle proceeded to a secluded spot in Sector-30, Rohini, where the exchange was to take place.Acting on a pre-determined signal from the complainant, the Vigilance team intercepted the vehicle. A search led to the recovery of the bribe amount from ASI Vijay Kumar.

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

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