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You Hindus are jumping too much: Bijnor shopkeeper Danish threatens a 9-year-old boy who came to his shop to buy goods, uses abusive language against the child

OpIndia Staff
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You Hindus are jumping too much: Bijnor shopkeeper Danish threatens a 9-year-old boy who came to his shop to buy goods, uses abusive language against the child

In Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, a minor Hindu boy has been threatened by Danish, a shopkeeper who sells sewing and embroidery goods in the city. This 9-year-old victim child had gone to Danish’s shop in a Muslim-dominated area to buy some goods. The police have registered an FIR based on the complaint and legal action is being taken. The incident took place on Friday (23rd August 2024). Danish’s father is reportedly repeatedly visiting the victim’s house to persuade them to withdraw the case.

This case is of Kotwali Nagar police station area of ​​​​Bijnor district. There, on Friday, the father of the victim child, Deepak Saini, submitted a complaint in the police station. In the complaint, Saini mentioned that on August 23, his son had gone to a nearby shop to buy some goods. The owner of this shop is Danish. Shopkeeper Danish said to the victim, “You Hindu are jumping too much. You will stop only after being cut.” It is alleged that during this time Danish also abused the child. The victim returned from there in fear and told everything to his family.

The victim’s father Deepak Saini spoke to OpIndia. He said that he lives in a mixed population area. Danish’s shop is also at a short distance, which is in a Muslim dominated area. Danish sells various items related to sewing and embroidery. On the day of the incident, the victim child had gone to Danish’s shop to buy a chain (zip). Seeing the delay, the victim asked Danish to give the goods quickly. Danish got angry at this and he abused the minor and said things against Hindus.

The victim’s father has also said in the written complaint that there is a threat to his life and Danish will be responsible for any untoward incident with his son in the future. At present, the police has taken cognizance of the complaint and registered an FIR against Danish. This FIR has been registered under sections 302, 351 (2) and 352 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). OpIndia has a copy of the complaint. Deputy SP City has said that investigation and other necessary legal action is being taken in the matter.

Deepak told OpIndia that after the case was registered, Danish’s father has come to their house four times with a compromise proposal. However, the victim’s father told us that he is not ready for a compromise under any circumstances. He has demanded strict action against the accused.

Germany witnesses surge in knife attacks, three killed in latest stabbing spree during ‘Festival of Diversity’

OpIndia Staff
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Germany witnesses surge in knife attacks, three killed in latest stabbing spree during ‘Festival of Diversity’

On Friday (23rd August local time) night, an unidentified man went on a stabbing spree during the ‘Festival of Diversity’ held in Fronhof market square in Solingen city of Germany. The incident coincided with the 650th anniversary of the town.

As per reports, the lone wolf attack took place at 10 pm on Friday, claimed the lives of 3 people and severely injured four others. The perpetrator has been on the run from the law enforcement authorities since the time of the incident.

While speaking about the matter, Mayor of Solingen Tm-Oliver Kurzback stated, “It tears my heart apart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we have lost. I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives.”

Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state went to the crime scene and confirmed that it was a targeted attack on human life. The motive behind the attack remains unknown at the time of writing.

Following the incident, several police and emergency vehicles were dispatched to Fronhof market square. A helicopter was also deployed while the streets were cordoned off by the police.

Solingen is home to 1.6 lakh people and is situated near cities such as Cologne and Duesseldorf. This is however not the first time that Germany has witnessed knife attacks.

Earlier in May this year, an Islamist carried out a knife attack in Mannheim city. The attack injured two people including a police officer, who later succumbed to his injuries. The incident was captured during a YouTube live stream.

Knife attack in Mannheim, image via the Herald Sun

The extremist carried out the attack ahead of a political event against growing Islamism in Europe by an organisation named Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE).

A prominent critic of Islamism, Michael Stuerzenberger, was scheduled to attend the event. In the video, the Islamist was seen indiscriminately stabbing people. Onlookers tried to stop the knife rampage but it was in vain.

Dressed in dark blue joggers and white stripes, the extremist managed to get out of a stronghold and continued to attack random people. Forced by circumstances, another police officer swung into action and neutralised the Islamist.

In June 2021, a Somali Muslim immigrant named Abdirahman Jibril went on a stabbing spree, killing 3 people and injuring 7 others, in the Wurzburg city of Germany. The deadly attack took place in Barbarossa Square, which lies at the centre of the city.

An eyewitness informed that the accused shouted ‘Allah hu Akbar’ prior to attacking the victims.

Another eyewitness named Julia Runze informed, “He had a really big knife with him and was attacking people. Then many people tried to throw chairs or umbrellas or cellphones at him and stop him.” Abdirahman Jibril was arrested after the police fired a gunshot to his leg.

Owing to the surge in knife attacks, the German government is proposing to allow only knives up to 6 cm in public instead of 12 cm.

Tafazul Islam, main accused in rape of a 14-year-old girl in Dhing, escapes police custody, jumps into a pond and drowns; body recovered

ANI
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Tafazul Islam, main accused in rape of a 14-year-old girl in Dhing, escapes police custody, jumps into a pond and drowns; body recovered

Police have recovered the body of the prime accused in the alleged gang rape of a minor girl in the Dhing area of Assam.

The prime accused in the case, Tafazul Islam, allegedly escaped from police custody, jumped into a pond and died, said police on Saturday morning.

Swapnaneel Deka, Superintendent of Police of Nagaon district told ANI over the phone that on Friday police arrested Tafazul Islam in connection with the case.

“When a police team took him last night to the spot for investigation where the incident took place, the prime accused tried to flee and jumped into a pond located nearby the site. Our police personnel engaged in a search operation and with the help of the SDRF team we recovered his body from the pond today morning,” he said.

The senior police official said that operations are underway to nab the other two accused persons.

A 14-year-old minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by three persons in the Dhing area on August 22 evening while she was returning to home from tuition classes.

The incident triggered massive protests in the Dhing area where locals and various organisations demanded stringent action against the culprits.

Assam Director General of Police, GP Singh on Friday visited the site and met the victim’s family members and also spoke with the senior police officials.

Speaking on the incident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday, “When there is any atrocity against women, we need to take prompt action.”

Addressing the media, Sarma said, “I would like to say just one thing. When there is any atrocity against women, we need to take prompt action. But the public should see that the government is taking strict action. When people feel that the government is showing laxity, they get angry. When such incidents take place, the government should take very aggressive action. The government in Bengal didn’t do it, so people got angry.”

He further stated that after the Lok Sabha elections this year, “we are seeing a specific community of people indulging in criminal activities.”

“The perpetrators of the incident at Dhing, involving a Hindu minor, will be punished,” he added.

According to reports, locals found the girl in a semi-conscious state by the side of a road and immediately admitted her to a hospital.

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

‘Bangladesh bana denge’: Mob of 400 Muslims attack house of Hindu girl in Bijnor who protested against Muzammil sending messages on Instagram

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bangladesh bana denge’: Mob of 400 Muslims attack house of Hindu girl in Bijnor who protested against Muzammil sending messages on Instagram

In Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim boy named Muzammil made life miserable for a Hindu girl by sending her obscene messages on Instagram. When a complaint was made about this, a mob of 300-400 attacked the Hindu family and assaulted them.

The mob threatened to create a ‘Bangladesh-like situation’ for the Hindu family. After this, many Hindu families put up ‘House for sale’ boards on their houses. Following which, a large number of police forces have been deployed in the entire area. Currently, the administration is investigating the matter. The police have arrested Muzammil in this case.

According to media reports, this case is from Sarai Rafi Mohalla of Chandpur in Bijnor district. A man named Mohammad Muzammil sent obscene material on chat to the daughter of a Hindu family and used abusive language. Troubled by his messages, the girl complained about the entire matter to her family members.

When the cousin of the victim girl posted an audio message against Muzammil, the people of the Muslim side filed a case against the young man. Not only this, a mob of about 300-400 Muslims attacked the Hindus, after which tension spread.

The case took an ugly turn on 19th August, 2024, when Muslim side attacked the houses of Hindus. Many Hindu youths were injured in this attack. The Muslim mob has also beaten up women. It is alleged that during this time, the attackers threatened to create a “Bangladesh-like situation” for the Hindu families. This incident turned into a communal issue when about 20 families of the same locality protested against the harassment and wrote ‘Makan Bikau Hai’ on their houses.

Bijnor’s SP Rural Ram Arj, while giving information, said that on August 19, in Sarai Rafi locality of Chandpur, a boy of a community had obscene objectionable chat with a girl. Hurt by this, the girl’s brother sent a message to the accused boy. Objectionable language was also used in this message. A case was registered on this message and action was taken. Now a complaint has also been lodged by the other side with serious allegations.

The police said that the Hindu families had written ‘Makan Bikau Hai’ in protest, which has been removed after situation was calmed by the authorities. A heavy police force is deployed in the area to maintain peace and law and order.

Kolkata rape and murder case: Sealdah court allows polygraph test of Dr Sandip Ghosh & 5 others, remands accused Sanjay Roy to judicial custody for 14 days

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Kolkata rape and murder case: Sealdah court allows polygraph test of Dr Sandip Ghosh & 5 others, remands accused Sanjay Roy to judicial custody for 14 days

The Sealdah Court has remanded the main accused in the rape and murder case of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to 14 days of judicial custody.

The main accused, Sanjay Roy, will remain in judicial custody until September 6, 2024, under the supervision of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The court has also granted permission for a polygraph test on the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, and five others connected to the case. These five individuals include four doctors who had dinner with the deceased doctor on the night of the incident and one civic volunteer.

Earlier today, the Calcutta High Court transferred the Special Investigation Team’s probe into financial irregularities involving Dr. Sandip Ghosh to the CBI.

The High Court has tasked the CBI with investigating all corruption cases at RG Kar, as it is already handling the investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj ordered the SIT to hand over all investigation documents to the CBI by 10 am on Saturday.

The court has given the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, with the report due on September 17.

Additionally, the court directed the petitioner, former Deputy Superintendent of the hospital Akhtar Ali, to apply to the CBI for security if necessary.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered that the security of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case of the trainee doctor’s rape and murder.

This decision comes as West Bengal experiences heightened agitation, with protesters voicing various grievances. The CISF’s involvement is expected to strengthen security measures and help mitigate potential threats to public peace.

Following the court’s order, CISF personnel have been deployed to enhance security at the hospital and college complex in all shifts.

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

‘There is no alliance in the state; we are capable’: Congress snubs AAP, rules out alliance in Haryana

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‘There is no alliance in the state; we are capable’: Congress snubs AAP, rules out alliance in Haryana

As Haryana gears up for the assembly elections, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday dismissed all claims of forming an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state, stating that Congress is capable of contesting the elections on its own.

Regarding an alliance with AAP, Hooda said, “We have an alliance with the Samajwadi Party too, but it is a central-level alliance, not state-based. We have no alliance here in Haryana. We have an alliance with all parties at the national level, but there are no such discussions at the state level. Congress is fully capable of contesting the elections alone.”

Hooda further remarked that in the upcoming elections, the primary competition is between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaving no space for ‘vote cutters’.

Commenting on the INLD-BSP alliance for the forthcoming elections, Hooda stated, “The Lok Sabha results have clearly shown that the competition is between Congress and the BJP, with no room for vote cutters.”

Hooda also clarified that he is not retired and will contest the upcoming elections in the state.

Addressing the issue of the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections and his statement, “Neither tired nor retired,” Hooda reiterated, “There is no such thing as tired or retired. I had said that I would contest the election this time. I am neither tired nor retired.”

Referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, Hooda pointed out that there has been a decrease in the BJP’s vote percentage and an increase in Congress’s vote share, indicating that people are inclined to form a Congress government in the state.

On the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, Hooda said, “In the Lok Sabha elections, people have given clear indications that the 36 fraternities of Haryana have decided that the next government will be formed by the Congress party. We received the highest vote share of the INDIA Alliance across India. There are 10 parliamentary constituencies here, and all 10 of them registered a drop in the BJP’s vote share while Congress saw a rise. Similarly, across the 90 Assembly constituencies, Congress’s vote share has increased, while the BJP’s has declined. This is a clear indication. Based on the public support we are receiving through our various campaigns, whether it’s ‘Hisaab Maange Haryana’ or ‘Ghar-Ghar Congress,’ I can confidently say that the people have made up their minds to form a Congress government.”

On the topic of potential factionalism within the party, Hooda dismissed such concerns, saying, “There is no factionalism in the party. All party leaders are united and working to strengthen Congress. If you want to see factionalism, look at the BJP; you might notice it among leaders like Anil Vij, Ram Vilas Sharma, or Rao Inderjit Singh.”

The elections for Haryana’s 90 assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 4.

Haryana has a total of 2.01 crore voters, of which 1.06 crore are males, 0.95 crore are females, 4.52 lakh are first-time voters, and 40.95 lakh are young voters.

The last date to file nominations in Haryana is September 12, with scrutiny taking place on September 13. The final date for the withdrawal of candidatures is September 16.

The current government’s term in Haryana will end on November 3, 2024, with elections to be held in all 90 legislative assembly constituencies.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP, with 40 seats in the 90-member assembly, formed a coalition government with the JJP, which had won 10 seats, while the Congress had secured 31 seats. Earlier this year, the BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved.

In 2024, Haryana is likely to witness a four-way contest between the BJP, Congress, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and AAP.

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

Act of inducing an innocent, poor woman and forcibly converting her is serious development: What Karnataka HC said rejecting bail of rape accused Rafiq

OpIndia Staff
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Act of inducing an innocent, poor woman and forcibly converting her is serious development: What Karnataka HC said rejecting bail of rape accused Rafiq

The Karnataka High Court has refused bail to a person from Belagavi who sexually assaulted and also forced a 28-year-old married Dalit woman to embrace Islam. He had induced her on the pretext of getting a job. According to Justice S. Rachaiah, it is inappropriate to grant the accused bail given the victim’s mental state and condition. The 33-year-old accused Rafiq also known as Laalsab Bepari was charged with violations under the Indian Penal Code, Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A charge sheet had also been submitted by the police to the Sessions Court which denied his bail plea in May and he approached the high court. He is an agriculturist from a village in Savadatti taluk of Belagavi district. “It is needless to say that while considering the bail applications, the factors which are required to be considered are the nature of offences, gravity thereof and societal impact etc. In the present case, the act of inducing innocent and poor women and forcibly convert to Islam is a serious development and therefore, it is necessary to give a message to society that courts are vigilant to regulate such activities and also guard innocent and underprivileged women and children of society,” the court pronounced.

The victim, a mother of two was married in 2013. She took care of a retail store in Munavalli village of Savadatti taluk when her mother-in-law returned home for lunch. Meanwhile, Rafiq, a frequent customer of the shop first befriended and then grew close to the victim. He asked for her mobile number but she refused. Afterwards, he obtained her number from her neighbour and spoke to her regularly. He sexually exploited her in the name of securing a bank job and also pressured her to run away together. The two began an affair and her husband learned about it. He sent her back to her parents’ house in 2021. The woman was reconciled with her spouse through the help of the village elders.

He then threatened that he would upload her photos and videos on social media if she refused to provide him with sexual favours and went back to her children and husband. Afterwards, he took her to Swadar Kendra in Belagavi and imprisoned her in a rented home. He forced her to become a Muslim and marry him. He also pressured her to offer namaz and follow Islamic rituals. A woman kept an eye over her while she was there to make sure she didn’t leave the house. She was regularly raped there. A complaint was filed against Rafiq in April after she managed to escape from her confinement after some time and narrated her ordeal to her in-laws. He claimed that he had been wrongfully accused in this case. He added that the victim’s family members had not lodged any complaint even after she eloped which proved had kidnapped her.

“It appeared from the record that she had managed to escape from the house, informed her husband and lodged a complaint. The eagerness of the victim to join her family by leaving the company of the appellant would indicate how much she had been subjected to harassment. Therefore, having considered her mental status and condition, it is not appropriate to grant bail to the petitioner,” the court declared.

CBI obtains sanction to prosecute Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy case, says he is politically sensationalising the case

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CBI obtains sanction to prosecute Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy case, says he is politically sensationalising the case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has obtained the required sanction to prosecute Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise policy case. The agency has recently filed the sanction in the Rouse Avenue court.

CBI has already filed a supplementary charge sheet against him. Kejriwal was arrested on June 26 and since then he is in judicial custody till August 27.

The court is to consider the supplementary charge on August 27. The sanction was required to prosecute Kejriwal.

On August 20, the Rouse Avenue Court extended Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody in the CBI case until August 27, 2024.

The Special Judge Kaveri Baweja is also scheduled to consider the ED’s supplementary chargesheet filed against Kejriwal and others on same day.

Meanwhile, The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned for September 5 the hearing of the pleas of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking bail and challenging the Delhi High Court order upholding his arrest by the CBI in a corruption case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan posted the matter on September 5 for hearing and granted one-week further time to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a reply in one of the pleas.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for CBI sought time to file an affidavit in one of the petitions and submitted that the agency has filed an affidavit in the other petition. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing Kejriwal told the bench that the affidavit was filed on Thursday night at 8 pm with a deliberate design that the same wouldn’t reach the bench.

The affidavit filed by the CBI in one of the petitions stated that Kejriwal is politically sensationalising the case and he has been involved in the criminal conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy.

On August 5, the Delhi High Court upheld the arrest of the Chief Minister as “legal”. It had dismissed Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest, saying it was only after sufficient evidence was collected and sanction was obtained in April 2024 that the CBI proceeded with further probe against him.

The High Court had said there was no malice in the acts of the CBI which demonstrated how Kejriwal could influence witnesses who could muster the courage to depose only after his arrest.

It had said Kejriwal is not an ordinary citizen but a distinguished recipient of the Magsaysay Award and the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party.

“The control and the influence which he has on the witnesses is prima facie borne out from the fact that these witnesses could muster the courage to be a witness only after the arrest of the petitioner, as highlighted by the special prosecutor,” it had said in its order.

Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21, 2024 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

On June 26, 2024, AAP Chief was arrested by CBI while he was in custody of the Enforcement Directorate in the case.

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

‘India has never been neutral in the conflict, it has always supported peace’: PM Modi to Ukrainian PM Zelenskyy

OpIndia Staff
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‘India has never been neutral in the conflict, it has always supported peace’: PM Modi to Ukrainian PM Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday. During their discussion, PM Modi emphasised that India has never taken a neutral stance in the conflict, but has consistently supported peace.

“India has never been neutral in this war; we stand for peace,” PM Modi said, underscoring India’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy as a means to resolve the conflict.

He reaffirmed India’s stance that war and violence are not the answers and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue to achieve regional stability.

Earlier today, a sombre PM Modi met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, where the two leaders shook hands before Modi embraced the Ukrainian President in a hug. As they toured the Martyrologist Exposition in the war-torn country, Modi kept his hand on Zelenskyy’s shoulder—a gesture symbolizing India’s solidarity with Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit India, as announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a press briefing in Kyiv. “Prime Minister Modi has invited President Zelenskyy to visit India. We anticipate that President Zelenskyy will come when it is convenient for him,” Jaishankar said.

The External Affairs Minister described Modi’s visit to Ukraine as a “landmark” event, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Ukraine’s independence in 1991.

During the meeting between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy, key discussions took place focusing on defence, trade, and agriculture. A joint statement is expected to be released following the talks. Jaishankar noted that much of the conversation centred on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “Most of the time spent by the PM and Zelenskyy was on the conflict,” he said, adding that Modi sought Zelenskyy’s assessment of the situation on the ground.

The discussions covered the current military situation, potential paths to peace, and possible resolutions to the conflict. Jaishankar emphasized the detailed and constructive nature of the talks and mentioned that Ukraine expressed interest in continued Indian involvement in future peace summits.

As a gesture of solidarity, India also provided Ukraine with medical support equipment weighing a total of 22 tonnes. “Today, we handed over cubes containing medical support equipment to Ukraine,” Jaishankar highlighted, underscoring India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to the country.

The discussions also addressed India’s energy trade with Russia, a subject of considerable geopolitical importance. The Indian delegation used the opportunity to clarify its stance, which has drawn international attention due to the ongoing conflict and India’s efforts to balance its relationships with both Ukraine and Russia.

Additionally, Jaishankar characterized the talks as “very detailed, open, and constructive,” reflecting a positive exchange between the two leaders.

India and Ukraine issue joint statement during PM Modi’s Kyiv visit, reaffirm commitment to further developing bilateral ties

OpIndia Staff
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India and Ukraine issue joint statement during PM Modi’s Kyiv visit, reaffirm commitment to further developing bilateral ties

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi undertook a visit to Ukraine on 23 August 2024, at the invitation of the President of Ukraine, H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This was the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine, since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in the year 1992.

Political Relations

Both Leaders expressed mutual interest in working towards elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further developing bilateral ties for the benefit of the peoples of both countries based on mutual trust, respect, and openness.

The Leaders reviewed the steady and positive trajectory of bilateral ties that have strengthened significantly over the last three decades, and appreciated the role played by regular engagements between India and Ukraine at various levels, including their meetings in Apulia in June 2024 and in Hiroshima in May 2023 on the margins of the G7 Summits, the visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to New Delhi in March 2024, multiple interactions and telephone conversations between the External Affairs Minister of India and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; between the National Security Advisor of India and the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the 9th round of Foreign Office Consultations held in Kyiv in July 2023, in enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation.

The Leaders appreciated the participation of Ukrainian official delegations in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, and the Raisina Dialogue 2024.

Ensuring a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace

Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard.

The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, as a part of which, India has attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024.

The Ukrainian side welcomed such participation by India and highlighted the importance of high-level Indian participation in the next Peace Summit.

The Ukrainian side conveyed that the Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework, adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, could serve as a basis for further efforts to promote just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy, and international law.

The Leaders appreciated various efforts to ensure global food security, including Ukrainian humanitarian grain initiative. The importance of uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, especially in Asia and Africa, was emphasized.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace. He reiterated India’s willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace.

Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation

The Leaders discussed enhancement of cooperation in areas such as trade and commerce, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defence, education, science & technology, and culture, apart from exploring a stronger partnership in domains such as digital public infrastructure, industry, manufacturing, green energy etc., including through greater involvement of business and industry from both nations.

The Leaders emphasized the importance of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation (IGC) in facilitating a future-oriented and stronger economic partnership between the two countries.

They appreciated the review of the IGC conducted during the visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to India in March 2024 and the efforts to hold the meetings of the Joint Working Groups with a view to early convening of the 7th Session of the IGC at a mutually convenient time in 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed the appointment of the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar as the Co-Chair/Chairperson of the IGC.

In the light of the significant reduction in the annual bilateral trade in goods since the year 2022 due to the challenges related to the ongoing war, the Leaders directed the Co-Chairs of the IGC to explore all possible ways to not only restore bilateral trade and economic relations to pre-conflict levels but expand and deepen them further.

The Leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing the ease of doing business for mutual economic activities and investments, apart from removing any impediments for greater trade and commerce between India and Ukraine. The sides also encouraged greater engagement at official and business levels to explore joint projects, collaborations, and ventures.

The Leaders recalled the strong ties between the two sides in the domain of agriculture and the desirability of enhancing bilateral interaction and market access on the basis of strengths in complementary areas, including the harmonization of standards and certification procedures.

Recognizing cooperation in pharmaceutical products as one of the strongest pillars of the partnership, the Leaders reaffirmed the desire for greater market access and facilitation of investments and joint ventures including through testing, inspection, and registration procedures. Both sides expressed the desire for broadening cooperation on drugs and pharmaceuticals, including in training and sharing of best practices. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, and the holding of the 3rd Meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Pharmaceutical Cooperation in August 2024 in virtual mode. The Ukrainian side also appreciated India as an assured source for the supply of cost effective and quality medicines.

The sides agreed to expedite work on expanding the legal framework of bilateral relations, particularly regarding mutual protection of investments, and exploring mutual recognition of educational documents; academic degrees; and titles.

Noting the successful implementation of the agreement between India and Ukraine on scientific and technological cooperation, effective functioning of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and completion of bilateral research projects, the sides encouraged holding of regular exchanges and programmes, especially in areas such as ICT, AI, machine learning, cloud services, biotechnology, new materials, green energy, and earth sciences. The sides welcomed the 8th Meeting of the JWG on Scientific and Technological Cooperation held on 20 June 2024.

Defence Cooperation

Underlining the importance of defence cooperation between India and Ukraine, the Leaders agreed to continue to work towards facilitating a stronger relationship between the defence entities in both countries, including through joint collaborations and partnerships for manufacturing in India and cooperation in emerging areas. The sides agreed to hold the 2nd meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation, established under the 2012 Defence Cooperation Agreement, in the near future in India.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties

Recognizing the key role played by cultural and people-to-people ties in the enduring friendship between India and Ukraine, the sides welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral Programme of Cultural Cooperation, and the decision to hold festivals of culture in India and Ukraine. The Leaders emphasized the importance of sustaining and further expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges, including through scholarships offered under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

The sides agreed to explore the possibility of mutual opening of branches of higher education institutions to meet the educational needs of citizens of both countries.

The Leaders appreciated the contribution of the Indian diaspora in Ukraine to the development of friendly relations and people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

The Indian side reiterated its gratitude to the Ukrainian side for its help and support in the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine in the early months of the year 2022 and ensuring the safety and well-being of all Indian nationals and students that have returned to Ukraine since then. The Indian side requested Ukrainian side’s continued support on easier visa and registration facilities for Indian nationals and students.

The Ukrainian side conveyed its gratitude to the Indian side for the humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine and welcomed the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on High Impact Community Development Projects between India and Ukraine which will enable the development of mutually agreed projects through Indian grant assistance.

The sides agreed to explore the possibility of involvement of Indian companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery, in a suitable manner.

The Leaders were unequivocal in their condemnation of terrorism. They called for an uncompromising fight against terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, noting the importance of increasing cooperation in this area on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

Both sides called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective and efficient in dealing with issues of international peace and security. Ukraine reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

The Indian Side looked forward to Ukraine’s joining of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The Leaders’ comprehensive discussions on the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and exchange of views on regional and global issues of shared interest reflected the depth as well as mutual understanding and trust that mark India-Ukraine relations.

Prime Minister Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit and invited him to visit India at a mutually convenient opportunity.

-Statement issued by Prime Minister’s Office

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