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Congress, which signed MoU with Chinese Communist Party and took money for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, criticises PM Modi over informal meeting with Xi Jinping

OpIndia Staff
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Congress, which signed MoU with Chinese Communist Party and took money for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, criticises PM Modi over informal meeting with Xi Jinping

On Thursday, August 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke briefly and shook hands after a press conference of BRICS leaders in South Africa. The two leaders spoke on the sidelines of the BRICS summit and mutually agreed on expediating disengagement of troops and de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday, shared details about PM Modi and President Jinping’s conversation and said that PM Modi underlined that preserving peace and tranquillity in border regions as well as adhering to and respecting the LAC are crucial for the normalisation of relations between India and China. “In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation,” Kwatra said.

This is the first such meeting since the 2020 standoff at the LAC where the two leaders spoke at length about addressing the issue. Although the two leaders had briefly discussed the need to “stabilize the LAC” on the sidelines of the Bali G-20 summit last year, this is the first such conversation since then.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has launched an attack against PM Modi questioning whether the disengagement talks will be on India’s terms or those of China. Moreover, amidst the suspense around the Chinese President’s visit to New Delhi for the G20 summit, the Congress asked “Will PM Modi host those who have gobbled up our territory, encroached on our territory” as per a report in India Today.

While the Congress party asserts that China has gobbled up Indian territory along the LAC, they are apparently not just attacking PM Modi but also raising questions over the capabilities of the Indian armed forces. Congress’s claim that China has gobbled up India’s land near LAC comes despite the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refuting such assertions time and again.

Congress and their China love

Interestingly, the Congress party is now desperately raking up the China issue in a bid to project the Modi government’s approach towards China as ‘weak’. However, the party and its prince Rahul Gandhi have on several occasions expressed their admiration for China openly.

In his controversial speech at Cambridge Judge Business School in March this year, Rahul Gandhi showered praises on China hailing it as an ‘aspiring superpower’ and ‘force of nature’ adding that China harbors ‘social harmony’. The Gandhi scion had also lauded China’s controversial Belt and Road initiative.

Last year as well in a conversation with The Print columnist Shruti Kapila at the Cambridge University event, Rahul Gandhi praised the Belt and Road Initiative and claimed that China wanted the countries around it to prosper. 

During his recent tour in Ladakh, Rahul Gandhi claimed that China had grabbed India’s grazing land in Ladakh. However, Gandhi during his UK visit in May last year had asserted that “Ladakh is to China what Ukraine is to Russia.” The Congress leader back then had even urged foreign powers to intervene in India’s internal matters.

From receiving Chinese funds for the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to signing an MoU with China; Hum Saath Saath Hain

Back in 2020, details about the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s (RGF) monetary operations emerged. OpIndia had previously published detailed pieces about the Chinese government’s financial contributions of more than Rs 1 crore to RGF between 2006 and afterward.

In 2008, during UPA1, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Congress party signed an agreement for the sharing of high-level information and collaboration. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) also provided the two parties with the “opportunity to consult each other on important bilateral, regional and international developments”. Notably, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have served as trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation since 2005, while Sonia Gandhi serves as the foundation’s chairperson.

It’s amusing to see how times change and even ‘partners’ turn hostile, even if just to score political brownie points. The Congress party had signed an MoU with the Chinese government, and Rahul Gandhi had secretly met Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui in 2017 during the Doklam standoff. He even secretly met Chinese ministers in September 2018 during his Kailash Mansarovar visit. The same party is now opposed to India hosting the Chinese President for the G20 Summit.

Further, PM Modi’s informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was at the BRICS Summit, despite differences between the two countries, the nation heads are expected to meet and greet at international events.

G20 meeting in New Delhi

The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10 will be the conclusion of all G20 processes and discussions with ministers, senior officials, and civil society held during the year. According to the information available on G20’s website, at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, a G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted, indicating the Leaders’ commitment to the goals discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group sessions.

The G20 Summit will be held in India, with the main event taking place in New Delhi on September 9-10. The summit is expected to be attended by 29 heads of state, as well as top officials from the European Union, and invited guest countries and 14 leaders of international organizations.

Most of the party has joined the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra, but Sharad Pawar claims there is no split: Read what logic he offered

OpIndia Staff
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Most of the party has joined the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra, but Sharad Pawar claims there is no split: Read what logic he offered

Sharad Pawar, the national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) claimed that Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, continues to be an NCP leader. He also asserted that there was no division in the party even though a majority of them had joined the BJP-led NDA alliance, citing the intra-party democracy that he claimed granted the rights to its members to take political positions according to their will.

The veteran politician was interacting with the media in his hometown of Baramati in the Pune district of Maharashtra on 25 August. The declaration came a day after his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule alleged that her cousin Ajit Pawar is a senior leader and MLA of the party.

She mentioned, “The party has not split at all. Some took a different position of going with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has taken a stand that is against the party, and we have given a complaint to the assembly speaker and are awaiting his response,” on 24 August. The NCP supremo responded, “Yes, there is no doubt about it,” to a query on her aforementioned statement.

He stated, “How can anybody say that there is a split in the NCP? Ajit Pawar is our leader. There is no dispute about it. What does a split in a political party mean? A split occurs when a large group in a party is separated at the national level, but no such thing has happened here. Some people left the party and took a different stand, but it does not mean the party has split. In a democracy, it is their right to make a decision.”

Sharad Pawar told a reporter, “Don’t ask whatever you feel like,” in a reply to Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state president of the BJP, who proclaimed that he would also switch parties before the 2024 elections.

When questioned about a media poll on the approaching general elections, he answered that he was unaware of it. He added, “But we are taking information from different institutions and have come to the conclusion that the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) will get more seats.”

A meeting took place discreetly between both uncle and nephew at the residence of a Pune-based businessman in the Koregaon Park area on 12 August. Sharad Pawar reportedly arrived at around 1 p.m. and departed at about 5 PM whereas Ajit Pawar was observed exiting the building at 6:45 PM, in a methodical attempt to avoid the prying eyes of the cameras.

A former Congress chief minister conveyed that following the meeting, Ajit Pawar reportedly proposed that Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule who is a member of Lok Sabha be appointed as ministers in the Modi government at the centre. The identity of the Congressman was not disclosed.

He alleged, “Ajit had told his uncle that he would be given the post of agriculture minister or NITI Aayog vice-chairman in the Union cabinet. Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil would be included in the central and state government respectively.” However, the senior Pawar rejected the proposition and remarked that he won’t form a coalition with the BJP.

Even as Sharad Pawar claims there is no split, factions within NCP are vying for the party name and symbol

Meanwhile, the conflict between the two leaders has also reached the election commission. Each faction has staked forth a claim to the party moniker “Nationalist Congress Party” and the emblem “clock” with the backing of their respective legislators. However, many feel that it is a fixed match between the duo and Ajit Pawar is only working with the consent of his uncle.

Interestingly, 26 factions of opposition parties who have named their group as I.N.D.I.A. are scheduled to have a meeting in Mumbai on 31 August and Sharad Pawar is one of the senior leaders of the political alliance.

Ajit Pawar and other significant NCP MLAs and leaders including Praful Patel, Chaggan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and Dhananjay Munde among others joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party alliance on 2 July which is at present running the government in the state. Notably, over 30 lawmakers sided with the junior Pawar’s move to be a part of the state administration.

Hindu woman raped as Amir said ‘Qubool hai’ thrice, Nandini, who had converted to Islam, told her she was ‘married’ now, girl forced to read Kalma: Shocking case from Pune

Siddhi Somani
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Hindu woman raped as Amir said ‘Qubool hai’ thrice, Nandini, who had converted to Islam, told her she was ‘married’ now, girl forced to read Kalma: Shocking case from Pune

The cases of forceful religious conversion and Love Jihad are massively on the rise. While people and several local Hindu organizations are demanding the implementation of a strict law against forceful conversion in Maharashtra, another dreadful case of grooming jihad has come to the fore from the Beed district of Maharashtra.

In a shocking case, a 26-year-old Hindu girl from the Ambejogai region of Beed district was trapped in a love affair, raped, assaulted, and then forced to marry the accused identified as Amir Tamboli from the Pune district. The girl was also brainwashed and forced to accept Islam. The Ambejogai Police filed an FIR against Amir Tamboli and his associates identified as Nandini Banerjee, Adv Arshad Nehal, and Asif who helped the primary accused convert the girl. The victim girl was also looted for money, asked to make nude video calls, and was forced to take Islamic education post-conversion.

The police have also arrested Amir and Nandini in the case.

The FIR has been filed under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 328 (Causing hurt by means of poison), 34 (criminal act done in furtherance of the common intention), 376 (rape), 377 (Unnatural offences), 384 (extortion), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 504 (insulting to provoke) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

FIR Copy obtained by OpIndia

Victim girl was offered a job, influenced to believe in Islam

As per the FIR copy exclusively obtained by OpIndia, the saga began in the year 2021 when the girl, a resident of Ambejogai applied for a job using an online employment-providing platform named ‘Indeed.com’. She was then called for a job interview by Reverenc Technologies pvt ltd. The interview of the girl was conducted by accused Amir Tamboli and she was later offered a job in Pune by his associate, co-accused Nandini Banerjee.

The girl began working from home initially for a fashion venture named ‘Purfle Fashion- E-commerce women’s shopping platform’ during which Nandni would guide her over her assignments and also would deceptively ask her about her personal details. She also would initially mediate official communication between Amir Tamboli and the victim girl.

“This continued for a few days and later Amir directly began talking to me over WhatsApp, voice and video calls. We would talk initially about work and assignments only but later Amir began asking me about my family and other personal details. In September 2021, he called me to his Pune office. We met twice for a week in the presence of Nandini. However, later he cancelled my Work From Home job profile and asked me to join the office in Pune,” the 26-year-old fashion designer girl said in the FIR.

Accused Nandini was also Islamists, had quit Hinduism to embrace Islam

She also mentioned that during her meeting at the office, the accused had put some drugs which made her feel drowsy and heavy-headed. After that Tamboli and Nandini praised Islam and influenced her to start following the religion. They also demeaned Hinduism in front of her and made her believe that Islam was the greatest of all religions. “They used derogatory language for Hinduism and told me that Islam was the best of religions. I was also told that Nandini had quit Hinduism and joined Islam indicating conversion,” the girl said.

The girl was also made to believe that girls in Islam stay safe and are respected a lot. “He told me that Muslim women are never raped and that their dignity is respected. He also made me believe that Hindu women are raped a lot and face magnificent threats. I had no knowledge about all these things that appear in the news so I had no option but to listen to them. They were clearly influencing me to accept Islam,” the complaint by the girl read.

Her ‘Work From Home’ was cancelled, was called to Pune, forced to read Kalma, Namaz

As per the FIR, in December 2021, the girl was asked to join the Pune office, and her Work From Home profile was cancelled by Tamboli. He made her the project head, arranged for her accommodation and also began enhancing his relationship with her. She was made to stay with Nandini who would keep a watch on her activities. “Amir began talking to me more about religion and one day he gave me Kalma to read. He asked me to learn it by heart and recite it. He later told me that I was converted to Islam after reading Kalma,” the victim said.

She also said that she was fed with some derogatory medicine under the guise of Unani medicines after which she would feel heavy-headed and would lose her able mind. At such times, Amir would make video calls to her and ask her to serve herself nude. These videos were later used by the accused to blackmail the victim girl, sources confirmed.

Accused Amir said ‘Kabul Hai’ thrice before raping the girl

The girl then stated that she was raped by Tamboli one day after the office hours. “He first proposed to marry me before establishing sexual relations that day. He said that saying ‘Kubul Hai’ thrice would affirm our marriage. He said it and made me say it. Later he forcefully established sexual relations with me,” the girl said.

Nandini meanwhile was sent to Mumbai for ‘office work’. On her return, the victim girl told her about the sexual move by Tamboli after which Nandini made her feel relaxed by saying that she was now married and that there was nothing to worry about.

After a few days, the accused Tamboli asked the victim girl to inform her parents in Ambejogai about her relationship with him. On refusal, she was physically assaulted by him. He forced her to talk to her parents about their relationship. However, the victim girl fell ill and was again fed some derogatory medicines under the guise of Unani medicines by the accused.

New documents, new name ‘Khadija’ given post marriage

In March 2022, Amir took the girl to his home and introduced her to his first wife and his children. The girl was then influenced and forced to marry him by Tamboli and Nandini in June 2022. The victim girl was then officially named Khadija post-marriage. Her legal documents were changed and a new mobile SIM card was issued to her. The accused would use the same card to talk to Adv Arshad Nehal. He would also make some international calls, as mentioned in the complaint.

After a few months, the parents of the girl from Ambejogai arrived in Pune and asked to her come back. They were unhappy about her relationship and the following conversion. However, she was influenced by the accused to convince them that she had converted her religion to Islam by herself.

Her fake confession video was made viral

In May 2023, the girl went to her home in Ambejogai where her parents asked her to quit Islam and come back to Hinduism. The girl happened to tell this to the accused Tamboli after which he forced her to make a video confessing and accepting that she had now converted her religion to Islam.

“The content of the video was sent to me by Tamboli who forced me to say whatever he had written. He also made sure that I was reading Namaz and was taking ‘medicines’ regularly,” the girl stated in the complaint.

The said video was made viral over various social media platforms in which the girl was forced to say that she had converted her religion to Islam by herself and that nobody had forced her to do so. Meanwhile, Nandini Banerjee made a trip to Ambejogai and demanded money from the victim girl. She told her that she (the victim girl) had now been removed from the company and that Tamboli and Adv Arshad were in possession of her derogatory videos. She also threatened that her videos would be made viral if no money was provided to the duo.

Victim was threatened, blackmailed for money against derogatory videos

Nandini blackmailed the girl and also showed her a derogatory video in which the latter could be seen nude. “She showed me the video and said that Amir and Adv Arshad Nehal had demanded money. I got scared. I knew where the money at my home was kept. So, without asking or informing anyone at home, I gave her Rs 6 lakhs. I was scared that my derogatory video would be made viral,” the girl said.

The girl said that she was under the influence of medicines and was not aware of what she was doing or saying. She also clarified that the derogatory videos in which she is seen nude were recorded by Tamboli after feeding her medicines.

As per the sources, the parents of the girl in July this year made all the possible efforts to get back their daughter but the girl in the Pune court had refused to go with her parents and had said that she had converted to Islam by her own will. However, in the complaint filed on August 20 this year, the girl said that she had given her statement in the Pune court out of fear and under the influence of medicines. “They had derogatory video of me. I was threatened and was forced to speak whatever Amir, Nandini, and Adv Arshad wanted to me say. I was staying at Amir’s house during the case,” the girl said.

Later when recently the girl happened to be in Ambejogai for another case, she realised and learned the truth about how she was brainwashed and forced to convert by Tamboli. She realized that she was blackmailed, raped, force-fed the wrong medicines, and then converted to Islam. The realization is said to have happened after the medicines that the girl had been forcefully taking finished and she stopped consuming the further course.

The case has been transferred to Wakd Police in Pune, probe underway

In the complaint, the girl has also mentioned that she was abused, assaulted, and threatened with death by Amir Tamboli who brutally raped her several times in the past two years. The police have taken cognizance of the series of events and have booked Amir Tamboli, Nandini Banerjee, Adv Arshad Nehal, and Asif in a case. Asif has been booked for providing derogatory medicines to Tamboli which were ultimately given to the victim girl for consumption.

However, Adv Arshad has been booked for making fake documents. Nandini meanwhile has been booked and arrested for assisting Tamboli (also arrested) in brainwashing the victim girl and forcing her to convert to Islam.

Earlier, several similar cases have been reported from Maharashtra where Hindu girls were assaulted, raped, and forced to convert their religions to Islam. In a brutal case of Love Jihad reported from the Manchar region of Pune, a Hindu minor girl was abducted, raped, and assaulted by one Javed Sheikh. The girl was rescued after 4 years and was scared so much so that she even refused to identify and go close to her father. The girl during the period of 4 years was tortured, assaulted, and given the bruises of lit cigarettes.

The Police then arrested the accused and booked him under sections 363 (kidnapping) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 4, 6, 8, and 10 of the POCSO Act. Further investigations are underway.

Also recently, a dreadful case of Love Jihad was covered by Opindia from Rahuri, Maharashtra. Around 7-8 Hindu minor girls were trapped in a love affair by one Avej Sheikh who was helped by a tutor named Heena. The woman groomed the girls to behave like Muslims while the accused assaulted the girls and forced them to convert their religion and run away with him. The case was exclusively covered by OpIndia details of which can be read here.

In the current case, the FIR has been registered at Ambejogai Police Station but the case has now been transferred to Wakad Police Station in Pune given the location of the crime. All the accused are residents of Pune as per the FIR copy and the company owned by Tamboli, Reverenc Technologies has its office in Wakad Police. The Wakad Police has begun a probe into the case and has obtained the official statement of the victim girl. Exclusive details of the same will be obtained and revealed by OpIndia.

Manipur violence: Supreme Court permits CBI case trials in Assam; victims allowed to provide statements virtually from Manipur

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur violence: Supreme Court permits CBI case trials in Assam; victims allowed to provide statements virtually from Manipur

On Friday, August 25th, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the trials for criminal cases linked to the Manipur violence, currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), can take place in Assam. Importantly, the Court has additionally issued a set of guidelines to enable victims to provide their statements from Manipur using video conferencing facilities.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued this directive following an assurance from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that adequate internet infrastructure would be made available in Manipur to facilitate videoconferencing for the proceedings.

The Court made it clear that its decision would not hinder those who preferred to physically attend proceedings in Guwahati, Assam. This consideration took into account concerns raised by Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves and Advocate Vrinda Grover, who emphasised that the victims of the violence should not be compelled to travel to Assam for the trial.

In his oral assurance, the CJI said, “So you want the statements to be recorded in Manipur and not in Assam or wherever the victims are. Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court will take care and the entire process will be done virtually. We will not ask the survivor to travel to Assam.. and we will have statements and evidence recorded in Manipur.”

When Senior Advocate Indira Jaising inquired about the rationale behind selecting Assam for the trial, Solicitor General Mehta clarified that Assam was chosen due to its comparatively improved internet connectivity. He said, “We chose it for the connectivity and the maximum connectivity is in Assam.”

The CJI said, “Bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and a need to ensure a fair process of criminal justice administration we issue the following directions: 1. We request the CJ of Guwahati HC to nominate one or more officers higher than the rank of JMFC and sessions judge. 2. All applications for the production of accused, remand, judicial custody, extension of custody and other proceedings are allowed to be conducted online mode bearing in mind both distance and security issues at the courts which will be so designated under one above. 3. The judicial custody shall be permitted in Manipur.”

The CJI added, “4. The statement of witnesses under 164 CrPC is permitted to be recorded in the presence of a local magistrate in Manipur. 5. The Acting CJ of Manipur HC shall designate one or more magistrates for the above purpose. 6. The test identification parades through the video conferencing mode in the presence of a Manipur-based magistrate. 7. Application seeking a search and arrest warrant will be issued by the investigating officer online mode. 8. The CJ of Guwahati HC shall nominate judges who are conversant with one or more languages spoken in Manipur.” “The above directions shall not preclude those who wish to appear physically in Guwahati,” the Court said.

The Court was addressing a series of petitions linked to the Manipur violence, which encompassed a plea put forth by two women belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community. The video which went viral showcased these women being publicly exposed and subjected to harassment by a group of men.

A committee chaired by former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, submitted three reports containing its findings on the violence. These reports further suggested an increase in compensation for the victims affected by the violence.

Prior to this, the Central government had initiated a CBI investigation into the matter, leading to multiple cases tied to the violence being handed over to the investigative agency. The Supreme Court also took suo motu cognizance of the incident after a distressing video featuring the two women gained traction on social media. Subsequently, the affected women themselves approached the apex court, urging the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.

Alt News cofounder Mohammed Zubair toes Chinese propaganda line, raises aspersions on Indian govt’s dismissal of Beijing’s claim on Xi-Modi meet

OpIndia Staff
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Alt News cofounder Mohammed Zubair toes Chinese propaganda line, raises aspersions on Indian govt’s dismissal of Beijing’s claim on Xi-Modi meet

Alt News co-founder and professional dog-whistler Mohammed Zubair recently appeared to further Chinese propaganda talking points and undermine the Indian government’s dismissal of Beijing’s claims on Xi Jinping-Modi’s informal meet on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit underway in South Africa.

On Friday (August 25), Zubair posted a tweet with a screenshot of the Embassy of China in India highlighting a statement where it claimed Chinese Premier Xi Jinping met PM Modi on the latter’s request. The Alt News cofounder, notorious for dog-whistling against those seeking to expose Islamists, also shared a tweet from ANI to raise aspersions on the Indian government’s dismissal of the Chinese claim that the Indian PM had requested a meeting with the Chinese Premier.

Zubair’s tweet indicates that he trusts the Embassy of China in India over the Indian government. He dragged ANI into the conversation in a deceitful attempt to lend credence to his position, questioning the Indian government’s assertion that the Chinese side had requested a meeting with PM Modi during the BRICS summit.

The Indian government had summarily dismissed the Chinese claim stating that there was a pending request from the Chinese side for a bilateral meeting between the two leaders. The Indian government’s position was reported not just by ANI but by several other media organisations and Defence beat journalists, which repudiated Chinese claims and added that China had first requested India for a meeting.

NDTV reported the Indian government’s rejection of fake claims made by the Chinese side.

Many other news organisations also reported the dismissal by the Indian government.

Zubair’s inclination to trust a Chinese handout more than the Indian government’s statement comes at a time when there seems to be competition among Modi detractors to push Chinese propaganda and paint a picture of gloom and doom under the current dispensation. Another left-leaning propaganda portal, NewsClick, has recently come under the spotlight for allegedly receiving funds from Beijing to promote Chinese propaganda. The New York Times investigation recently found that an American businessman, Neville Roy Singham, had links with Chinese state machinery and had invested money in the Indian news portal NewsClick. The purported email correspondence between NewsClick Editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and ThoughtWorks founder Neville Roy Singham shone a light on the discussions that were underway to use NewsClick to show China in a positive light as regards its handling of the coronavirus crisis vis-a-vis India and the United States.

NewsClick and Alt News belong on the same side of the political spectrum, with their employees often using each other’s reports to attack the Modi government. Any punitive action against one attracts squeals of condemnation from the other, with allegations of suppression of Freedom of Speech loosely hurled to claim victimhood and mount pressure on the government.

Propaganda peddling, selective fact-checking, and dog whistling: The tainted legacy of Mohammed Zubair and Alt News

For Zubair, who came into the limelight after dog-whistling against Nupur Sharma by sharing her incomplete video from a TV debate during which she made remarks on Prophet Muhammad, ANI has been his new target, using spurious allegations to attack and discredit the news agency even as he remains selective in ‘fact-checking’ news that favours his agenda. Congress supporters and leaders have found in Zubair and Alt News entities that share a common goal of maligning the Centre and media agencies that depict truth as it is without using the left-liberal lens that shields Islamists and runs opposition-favouring propaganda while claiming to be independent.

Even though Alt News casts itself as a ‘fact-checking’ website, it has so far failed to publish a fact-check on Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Muhammad, MeToo allegations against another cofounder Pratik Sinha, and several other contentious issues that threaten to expose them as a propaganda website serving as an instrument of opposition parties in attacking the Centre while professing to be a conscientious ‘fact-checking’ portal. Not just propaganda, but Alt News and Mohammed Zubair have also been found peddling fake news on several occasions. An indicative and not exhaustive list of instances, when Zubair had spread fake news, could be read here.

UP: Ex-minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife, awarded life terms in Madhumita Shukla murder case, to be released from jail for good conduct

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Ex-minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife, awarded life terms in Madhumita Shukla murder case, to be released from jail for good conduct

Amarmani Tripathi, a former Uttar Pradesh minister, and his wife Madhumani Tripathi were found guilty in the murder case of poet Madhumita Shukla, resulting in the couple being awarded life sentences. Now, following two decades of imprisonment in connection with the murder of poet Madhumita Shukla, both individuals are set to be released as per a government directive. This order was sanctioned by the Prison Administration and Reforms Department under the Governor’s authorisation.

Today the Supreme Court of India refused to issue a stay order on the release, ensuring that they will walk out of prison after 20 years. A bench of Justices Aniuddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi said that Tripathi and his wife can be released if they are not needed in custody for any other case.

Amarmani Tripathi, a former cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh, and his spouse were handed life sentences by the court for their involvement in the poet Madhumita Shukla’s murder. Amarmani Tripathi held the position of an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Lakshmipur assembly constituency in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. Two decades following the case, Amarmani Tripathi has been granted clemency for the remaining duration of his sentence due to good conduct.

Citing Uttar Pradesh’s remission policy of 2018 and a corresponding Supreme Court order that allows for the remission of remaining sentences for lifers above the age of 60 who have served at least 16 years, the two individuals are presently incarcerated in Gorakhpur jail. SN Sabat, the Director General of Prisons, confirmed that following the fulfilment of all necessary procedures, the couple will be discharged from imprisonment. The directive from the prisons department also takes into account their advanced age—Amarmani being 66 and Madhumani 61

On May 9, 2003, 24-year-old poet Madhumita Shukla was shot dead in Lucknow’s Nishatganj locality. Following political controversies surrounding the case, the then Chief Minister Mayawati assigned the investigation of this murder to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). During the inquiry, allegations emerged that Amarmani had intimidated witnesses, prompting the case’s relocation to a fast-track court situated in Dehradun. Ultimately, the investigative agency secured convictions against both Amarmani and his wife Madhumani in relation to the incident.

Madhumita Shukla was killed, and subsequent investigations disclosed that she was pregnant at the time of her murder. DNA tests identified Amarmani Tripathi as the father of the unborn child. In 2007, he was convicted in connection with this case and received a life sentence from the court. During his incarceration, he managed to secure a legislative seat for his son, Amanmani Tripathi. There were frequent accusations that he spent more time in the hospital than in prison.

On October 24, 2007, a fast-track court in Dehradun handed down convictions to Amarmani, his wife Madhumani, his nephew Rohit Chaturvedi, and the shooter Santosh Rai, sentencing them all to life imprisonment. Now, following 20 years of incarceration, Amarmani’s remaining sentence has been commuted due to his satisfactory conduct.

Commencing his political journey with the Communist Party of India, Amarmani Tripathi eventually transitioned to the Congress. He established a political mentorship with Harishankar Tiwari, a prominent figure within the Congress, from whom he acquired some key insights into the realm of politics. Prior to his foray into politics, Amarmani was enmeshed in a world of criminal activities. He faced allegations in numerous cases involving murder, robbery, and assault.

In 1996, Tripathi embarked on his electoral journey, contesting for the first time on a Congress ticket from the Nautanwa assembly seat in Maharajganj, and emerged victorious. In the subsequent year, 1997, he parted ways with the Congress and aligned himself with the Loktantrik Congress Party, subsequently assuming a ministerial role within Kalyan Singh’s government. However, in 2001, his association with the kidnapping case involving a businessman’s son from Basti led the BJP to dissociate itself from him.

Subsequently, in 2002, Amarmani Tripathi affiliated himself with the BSP and secured another electoral nomination for the Nautanwa seat, capitalising on the substantial Brahmin voter base in the constituency, which contributed to his victory. He played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of Mayawati’s government in 2002.

However, in 2003, he shifted allegiance once again, this time aligning with the Samajwadi Party and causing the downfall of Mayawati’s government. Following these events, the state saw the formation of the Mulayam Singh-led government, where Amarmani Tripathi assumed the position of cabinet minister. The murder of poet Madhumita Shukla in 2003 created such turmoil in his life that he never managed to fully regain his footing.

Concurrently, Nidhi, the sister of Madhumita Shukla, penned a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, expressing her concerns on this matter. Notably, she has also initiated legal proceedings in the Supreme Court pertaining to the early release of Amarmani Tripathi and his spouse.

TMC MP Saket Gokhale shares fake news that govt is buying 50 bulletproof Audis costing over Rs 400 crore, gets fact-checked by PIB

OpIndia Staff
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TMC MP Saket Gokhale shares fake news that govt is buying 50 bulletproof Audis costing over Rs 400 crore, gets fact-checked by PIB

TMC leader Saket Gokhale is successfully maintaining his streak of peddling fake news even after he was elected as an MP of the Rajya Sabha. In another such adventurous display, the TMC national spokesperson tweeted a report by DNA titled, “Indian government buying 50 bulletproof Audi cars for G20 Summit, may cost over Rs 400 crore”, only to be fact-checked by the government.

In his usual sensational tone, Gokhale called the G20 Summit in India a “PR event for PM Modi in the run upto the 2024 elections.” Not only did he share the fake news but also gave his expert opinion as to what the government could have done instead. Expressing shock over the amount mentioned in the report, he said the same “would have much cheaper if existing or leased cars were taken and refurbished and reinforced.”

“But the Indian taxpayer will spend Rs. 400 crores for PM Modi’s vanity just so that he can please visiting G20 foreign dignitaries & use their photo-ops for his election PR,” Gokhale whined.

The fact check wing of the Press Information Bureau raised a flag over Gokhale’s tweet calling the claim fake. “Claim: The government is spending ₹400 crores to buy 50 armoured cars. This claim is Fake,” the PIB tweeted, sharing Gokhale’s sensational tweet.

It said that the Government of India has leased 20 Audi Bullet Resistant cars for 18 crores to accommodate the security needs of G20 visiting Leaders. PIB Fact Check added that no cars have been purchased, and that provision of BR cars is a standard protocol procedure for all Heads of State/Heads of Government visits.

The report titled by DNA was based on a report done originally by the Hindustan Times which quoted a senior Delhi Police officer “who asked not to be named.” The unidentified officer reportedly said that the “ministry of external affairs (MEA) has purchased around 50 LHD bullet-proof Audi cars from Germany and these will reach India in a week or two.” Interestingly, the HT report does not mention the cost.

But the DNA report further went on to speculate about the model and the cost of the cars. “Even if the Indian government imports bulletproof cars from Germany at a subsidised price, it will still cost around Rs 400 crore,” it read.

However, now DNA has made changes to the report and has issued a Corrigendum, and changed the title to “G20 Summit 2023 preparations in full swing in Delhi, details inside”. It now states that the government of India has leased 20 Audi Bullet Resistant cars for Rs 18 crores to accommodate the security needs of visiting leaders, as it is a critical event from a security point of view.

‘I’ll make you happy’: Kamal Nath-Sachin Pilot backed Congress MLA’s video in which he is seen in a compromising position with a man goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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‘I’ll make you happy’: Kamal Nath-Sachin Pilot backed Congress MLA’s video in which he is seen in a compromising position with a man goes viral

An alleged sex video of Congress MLA Suresh Raje from the Dabra Assembly in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh has gone viral on social media. In the undated 6-minute 37-second video, the Congress leader is seen in a compromising position with a young man in a hotel room.

The video has drawn the ire of members of the BJP party who slammed the Congress minister and urged the party higher-ups to take strict action against their leader.

Lokendra Prashar, a BJP leader said, “The video involving Congress MLA Suresh Raje in a compromising position is very shameful. He is a representative of the public. The public looks at him. I am surprised that state Congress PCC Chief Kamal Nath is silent on this. A strict action must be taken against the MLA.”

In the video, the MLA is seen sitting on the bed while the youth is heard telling Raje to give him an opportunity, assuring him that he won’t regret it. Speaking in Hindi the youth is heard telling the Congress MLA “Aap kabhi mauka dijiye. Aap mujhe apna bana lijiye. Hum aapko kush kardenge” (give me an opportunity once, make me yours, I’ll make you happy).

Although it’s not clear who is filming, the camera follows the young man even as he uses the restroom. It is clear that the MLA is aware that the video is being taken, but he expresses no objections.

Congress MLA calls the video morphed, claims he is being blackmailed

After the video went viral, however, when the Congress MLA was asked to comment on it to which he said that the video was ‘morphed’. He claimed that the video is ‘highly edited’ and that he has been subjected to prolonged attempts of political and financial blackmail by those who recorded it. He added that he was threatened with viral circulation if he didn’t pay an extortion amount of Rs 50 lakh.

“For the last week, I have been receiving threat messages saying give Rs 50 lakh or else my political career will be ruined. And days after this video surfaced. This clearly shows the conspiracy to implicate me. I will definitely file a complaint regarding the fake video which is doing rounds on social media,” he said.

He claimed that there had been discussions about the video over the last five to six months, but he was unconcerned because he believed that the truth would eventually come out.

When questioned as to why he has not yet filed any complaints, Raje said, “Yes, I have been receiving blackmail messages, but I did not want to make a complaint then because I wanted to see their next move. And see, it is in front of everyone. If I had registered a complaint, then maybe they realeased this fake video during the elections. Then It would have been difficult for me to give ‘explanations to the public. This is the right time that they released the video. Now I will take action ‘against them.”

Reaffirming his commitment, the Congress MLA said that he had evidence to back his claim which he would give to the police.

Suresh Raje came into limelight in 2020

In the 2020 Madhya Pradesh bypoll, Suresh Raje defeated BJP minister Imarti Devi to win the Dabra assembly seat. Imarti Devi, considered a loyalist of BJP Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia, had quit Congress along with nearly two dozens other MLAs, in March 2020 to join the BJP. After Imarti Devi’s resignation, there were bypolls in the district, which she contested on BJP ticket. However, she was defeated by Suresh Raje in the byolls. Raje who was previously a member of the BJP had defected and joined the Congress even before the elections.

Congress bigwigs like Kamal Nath and Sachin Pilot campaigned for Suresh Raje

After three electoral setbacks, Suresh Raje left the BJP and tried his luck on a Congress ticket. Prior to the 2020 bypolls, Congress veteran leaders Kamal Nath and Sachin Pilot had campaigned hard for Suresh Raje. Notably, while campaigning for the bypoll from the Dabra assembly, Kamal Nath had launched a mysoginist attack on Imarti Devi referring to her as an “item.” Nath’s lewd and sexist remark had generated a huge controversy. Election Commission had issued a show cause notice to the Congress bigwig and withdrew Nath’s star campaigner status for violating model code of conduct. The former chief minister later expressed regret over the comment.

Suresh Raje, meanwhile, had defeated Imarti Devi in that election. Since Imarti Devi was a minister, Raje’s victory was considered a huge deal. However, his video going viral could spell trouble for him ahead of the upcoming elections.

‘He used to pull me onto his lap in office’: How multiple complaints of sexual harassment against Premoday Khakha were ignored by AAP govt despite HC order

OpIndia Staff
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‘He used to pull me onto his lap in office’: How multiple complaints of sexual harassment against Premoday Khakha were ignored by AAP govt despite HC order

Two complaints of sexual harassment against rape-accused Delhi government official Premoday Khakha are pending before the Delhi High Court and documents pertaining to two more complaints with the Women and Child Development Department have surfaced, revealing shocking details.

The complaints and the reports of prior complaints point towards what could have been a possible cover-up by the Delhi government of Khakha’s long history of sexually predatory behavior. OpIndia has accessed letters from the Delhi HC to the department, that shed light on how the AAP government shunned accountability in the matter despite reminders seeking an explanation.

Victims narrate the harrowing ordeal

Khakha, the suspended assistant director of the Delhi government’s WCD arrested for allegedly raping a minor repeatedly, was also accused by four women of sexual harassment between 2018 and 2022. Two of these complaints are now cases pending before the Delhi HC. As per reports, the four victims were working at a mental health unit in the Sewa Kutir complex in Kingsway Camp and were employed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Two of the complainants were working as counselors, one complaint was filed by a clinical psychologist, and one complaint was anonymous: all four victims were working on a contractual basis.

Khakha was posted at the same unit as superintendent and was reportedly heading the litigation wing of the department at the time, much to the detriment of the victims. The first complainant said that between 1st December 2018 and 7th April 2019, Khakha allegedly misbehaved with her many times, passing lewd remarks. “He (Khakha) often used to pass comments on my figure and clothes before others like ‘apna figure itna maintain kaise rakhti ho’ (how do you maintain your figure) and ‘kya doosre ka kapda pahankar aati ho ki kuchh pata nahin chalta (do you wear others’ clothes that your figure can’t be noticed).”

Speaking to HT reportedly over the phone, she said that Khakha persuaded her time and again to have sex with him. “He is not a tolerable boss. Once he even tried to pull me on to his lap in front of my colleagues. When things became completely unbearable for me, I resigned and filed a complaint against him.” She further said that Khakha also threatened her with “dire consequences when he came to know about the complaints.” “But I will not stop till I get justice,” the victim said.

The second and third victims reportedly said that the rape accused was a terror in the remand homes and Sewa Kutir. The second complainant said that the suspended Delhi government official used “filthy language” when referring to juveniles under his care and the counselors. “It was routine for him to grab women by their hand or push them; he used to publicly call us playthings.”

Moreover, he also reportedly tried to drug the complainant. “One evening, around closing time, he asked me to have some cola-like drink. Since I could not refuse my boss, I drank it. After five minutes, I started feeling dizzy. I tried to escape from his chamber in Sewa Kutir. He rushed at me and started touching me all over. I somehow managed to escape. From then, till I resigned I never went to him alone,” she told HT.

The third victim said that Khakha used to woo women with flowers and chocolates. “And whenever he used to find some woman alone, his opening line was the same ‘mujhse kya darna, maine to nasbandi kara liya hai (Not to afraid, I am already vasectomised).” Quoting senior official sources in the WCD, the report confirms the existence of the complaints.

How the WCD relinquished responsibility

In two of the complaints, the internal committee (IC) of the WCD, which comprises four members and a presiding officer of the department, concluded that the harassment could not be proved. “The IC observed that the allegation against the respondent has not been proved, it is the recommendation of the IC that no action is required to be taken in this matter,” it reportedly said in a note. Following the same, both complainants challenged the report in the Delhi High Court.

According to the official, the third complainant approached the HC directly in June 2021 and she was asked to “approach the appropriate authority”. It isn’t known if she approached the IC after that. “In the complaint by the anonymous victim, the vigilance wing of the department noted that it should not be considered due to lack of merit,” the official said.

The Delhi government actively ignored HC’s calls for an explanation

Documentary evidence shows that the complaints made to the WCD department were ignored. OpIndia has accessed a letter dated 23rd February 2019 from Delhi High Court to the Delhi WCD which mentions that despite having sought answers the department did not respond. In this letter, the Joint Registrar of the Delhi High Court wrote to the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Delhi, that despite sending a letter on 5th July 2019 and reminding again on 10th January 2019, no reply was given. The complaint was filed by Anil Kumar Kalia, President of Child Survivor India.

It was informed in the same letter that in the meantime, a complaint was made to the Juvenile Justice Secretariat by the clinical psychologist, the complainant posted at Kingsway Camp, Sewa Kutir Complex. The Juvenile Justice Committee had sought a reply from the department after this complaint. It was also asked to reply within 10 days. A copy of this letter was also sent to Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Moreover, a complaint was also lodged over official and financial irregularities for the year 2019-19 in ‘Boys-II, Sewa Kutir, Kingsway Camp’. Welfare Officer Brijkishore Pandey had lodged the said complaint and the Joint Registrar of Delhi High Court had sought a response from the department. A letter in this regard was sent on 13th May 2019, followed by a reminder letter on 26th July 2019. The third letter was sent on 27th August 2019, which is attached below:

Another letter was sent on 7th March 2019. It says that the complaint has been closed due to no response from the complainant Anil Kumar Kalia. At the same time, it has also been told that the complaint by the clinical psychologist was in relation to the violation of the rights of the children in the ‘Observation Home’. Along with this, Kalia had also filed a complaint of harassment at the workplace against Premoday Khakha. The same letter mentions that some anonymous complaints had also been submitted to the Vigilance Department.

The letter says that Premoday Khakha harassed women at the workplace. It also mentioned the names of some of the victims. Even more serious is the letter sent by the Joint Registrar of the Delhi High Court on 5th March 2019, which talks about the allegation of sexual abuse of children in the Boys’ Home. These complaints had come to the Juvenile Justice Committee regarding sexual abuse of children in ‘Seva Kutir’. The Committee recognized that the matter required urgent attention.

The Juvenile Justice Committee had asked the DWCD to take action in this regard within a day and transfer the then Superintendent till the completion of the investigation. Along with this, it was also directed that he should not be transferred to any children’s home. It was also directed that he should not be transferred to such a place from where he could influence the investigation. Along with this, by 6th March 2019, the department was also asked to submit an action-taken report.

Similarly, in a letter dated 16th May 2019, the WCD department was also asked to re-open the inquiry against Premoday Khakha. This letter was also sent by the Juvenile Justice Secretariat of the Delhi High Court. Also, the report of the investigation conducted so far was sought. This shows that despite repeated letters, the department was not serious about the matter. It also shows the dangerous influence enjoyed by Premoday Khakha. Despite such serious complaints and FIRs, Khakha reportedly hoisted the flag at ‘Seva Kutir’ in Mukherjee Nagar on Independence Day (August 15) in 2019.

What’s more, is that this tainted officer was made the Officer on Special Duty (OST) when Kailash Gahlot headed the WCD department. It has been alleged that senior officers in line for the post were ignored and Khakha was made deputy director out of turn.

The latest case: Repeated sexual exploitation of a minor girl under his care

On Monday (21st August), the Delhi Police arrested the Delhi government official Premoday Khakha who has been accused of raping a minor over several months. The senior government official was earlier booked under POCSO Act for allegedly raping his deceased friend’s minor daughter for several months, resulting in her pregnancy. The accused is a Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department of the Delhi government. Subsequently, he has been suspended from his office.

Khakha and his wife have been remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) judge of Tis Hazari Court. According to the police, following the death of her father, who was also a Delhi government employee, the minor girl lived with the accused in Burari from October 2020 to February 2021.

The 17-year-old minor girl complained against Khakha and his wife Seema Rani that the two assaulted her for three months during her stay at their place between October 2020 and April 2021. The victim girl said that Khakha who served as deputy director in Delhi’s women and child department (WCD) raped her multiple times and his wife forced her to have abortion pills.

Notably, the accused is a Christian and shared ties with the family of the victim girl that established and developed in a church in north Delhi’s Burari region that both families used to visit.

Narendra Modi in Greece: First Indian PM to visit the country in 40 years, here are the significances of the visit

OpIndia Staff
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Narendra Modi in Greece: First Indian PM to visit the country in 40 years, here are the significances of the visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Athens, the capital of Greece, for a day-long trip on 25 August after his three-day visit to South Africa for the 15th BRICS summit. He was received by the country’s foreign minister George Gerapetritis and accorded a grand ceremonial welcome upon his arrival.

The Mediterranean country had not seen an Indian prime minister on their soil in forty years till today. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides hope to develop and broaden their engagement in the areas of commerce and investment, infrastructure cooperation, shipbuilding, and defence and security.

PM Modi met the Indian diaspora who gathered outside Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens to greet him.

The prime minister reached Athens after he concluded the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg where it was announced that Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia would join the strategic alliance as full members from 1 January 2024.

Prime Minister’s schedule in Greece

A number of agreements are expected to be signed during the significant visit which took place at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and emphasis on subjects like trade and investment, shipping, migration and defence cooperation. Greece could also approach India for assistance in the privatisation of its seaports and airports in an effort to become India’s gateway to Europe.

The Indian prime minister is scheduled to pay a visit to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens which is located in front of the Parliament building, based on the preliminary itinerary. It is the country’s second most popular tourist attraction after the Acropolis.

Afterwards, there would be closed-door delegation-level discussions between the two leaders and they would then jointly address influential business figures from the two nations. Narendra Modi would also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Athens. It is estimated that there are 13,000 to 14,000 of them living there. The prime minister would join a business lunch hosted by his counterpart and return to India at around 7:25 in the evening.

The foreign affairs ministry stated that New Delhi viewed the visit as a move to improve security and defence ties and accelerate military exchanges and training. Additionally, PM Modi could discuss cooperative manufacturing and technology exchange as well as invite the Greek government along with businesses to participate in the Make in India initiative, particularly in the defence industry.

The major development occurred after S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, visited the nation in 2021 and rekindled relations between the two countries. The European nation signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement and supported an agreement on the Missile Technology Control Regime with India at that time.

Significance of the visit

The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as important and termed the country as “one of the most important European partners of India” before the prime minister’s departure to Johannesburg. Greek Ambassador to India, Dimitrios Ioannou, also echoed similar sentiments and mentioned that the two countries would focus on fostering greater connectivity between India and the European Union.

The visit has wider geopolitical ramifications in addition to deepening relations and improving security cooperation with Greece. The arrival of PM Modi only strengthens ties with the country which has traditionally backed India in the Kashmir conflict. This is beneficial since Pakistan is advancing the false narrative against the Indian state on a global scale.

India’s expanding connections with Greece would benefit India in the Mediterranean area, which is crucial for the country’s energy security due to its vast oil and gas resources. Growing ties between the two nations are also an effective deterrent to China’s growing sway in the Mediterranean.

Beijing has been stepping up its economic and military influence in the region, therefore, New Delhi’s visit is the ideal step to counter that rising influence. The partnership is also an effort by New Delhi to counter the evolving Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijani axis.

Notably, Greece has been attempting to enhance relations with India in an effort to fight their shared foe, Turkey. Tensions between Athens and Ankara have persisted for years due to a variety of bilateral disputes including disagreements over maritime boundaries, conflicting claims to respective continental shelves and the protracted Cyprus conflict.

As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan takes an aggressive stance on Kashmir and brings it up at every United Nations address, the connection between New Delhi and Ankara is also cold.

The expanding ties between India and Greece are unequivocal proof that New Delhi is looking to broaden its global influence and is no longer comfortable with taking a back seat.

Late Indira Gandhi was the last Indian leader to visit the Mediterranean country back in 1983. Andreas Papandreou, a former Greek prime minister had made three trips to India before the recent developments. Once in January 1985 for a summit on nuclear disarmament, in November 1984 for Indira Gandhi’s burial which was followed by another visit in January 1986 as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations.

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