1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates new parliament, installs ‘Sengol’ in Lok Sabha
2. Cop among 5 killed, 12 injured as fresh clashes rock Manipur
3. India’s anti-terror agency NIA busts ISIS-linked terror module, three arrested
4. Nepal PM Prachanda to visit Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain during India trip
5. Cambodian King’s Maiden Visit to India to Mark 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations

What Else

6. US House panel recommends inclusion of India in NATO Plus to deter China
7. India faces a ‘very complicated challenge’ from China, says S Jaishankar
8. PM Modi chairs meeting of CMs of BJP-ruled states to discuss good governance
9. 24 MLAs sworn in as ministers in Karnataka cabinet expansion
10. Protesting wrestlers detained amid march towards new Parliament building
11. Break as many PTI members as you can in 4 weeks but then announce polls: Imran tells govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates new parliament, installs ‘Sengol’ in Lok Sabha

• PM Modi on Sun unveiled the plaque and inaugurated the country’s new parliament building, which has been constructed adjacent to the old one.
• The new parliament, which is a part of the govt’s ambitious Central Vista project, has been constructed in 2 years.
• President Droupadi Murmu welcomed the inauguration of the Parliament and said that she was happy that the PM, who is the symbol of Parliament’s trust, unveiled (here)
• PM installs ‘Sengol’ in Lok Sabha: Before the inauguration, PM attended an early morning ‘havan’ and multi-faith prayers, attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
• Adheenams from Tamil Nadu’s different mutts also arrived at the new building to attend the inaugural ceremony and blessed PM Modi. (here)
• The much-talked-about ‘Sengol’ is a historical scepter whose name originates from the Tamil word “semmai” which means righteousness.
• 1^st PM Nehru had received the scepter as a mark of transfer of power from the British
• All about India’s new parliament building
• In the new building, the Lok Sabha will have seats for 888 MPs which was earlier only for 552 MPs, and in Rajya Sabha, the seating capacity enhanced from 245 to 384. (here)
• ‘Symbol of aspiration for 140cr people’: said PM during his opening speech in the new parliament (here)
• India to mint ₹75 coin to mark the inauguration of new Parliament (here)
• A boycott by the opposition casts a shadow on the inauguration: The event was boycotted by the 19 parties including the main opposition of party Congress, by saying that they fail to see any value in a new building when the “soul of democracy has been sucked out”. While 25 parties attended the ceremony. (here)
• [This is not only a “new parliament building” but a parliament building dream, designed and constructed by the Indians. This was supported by almost every party at a different time. Previous parliament building made and designed by Britisher]
• How World Media Seen:
  • India’s vast new parliament opened by Narendra Modi amid opposition boycott-The Guardian
  • Why India’s New Parliament Building Is So Controversial-Time
  • New parliament: PM Modi inaugurates building amid opposition boycott-BBC
  • Modi opens India’s new parliament as opposition boycotts-Al Jazeera
  • India gets new parliament building as Modi remakes capital’s centre- Reuters
  • Modi to inaugurate controversial new parliament building in India-CNN

Cop among 5 killed, 12 injured as fresh clashes rock Manipur

• At least 5 [6], including 1[2] police, were killed and 12 injured in fresh violence, where instances of firing on civilians, militant, and security forces were reported on Sun
• This came on a day when the Manipur govt led by CM N Biren Singh said that at least 40 Kuki armed militants have been killed in the last 4 days during an operation.
• [The terrorists have been using M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles and sniper guns against civilians.]
• Since May 3, Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic clashes that broke out following the tribal solidarity march against the Meitei community’s demand for ST status.
• At least 79 people have been killed in the clashes so far. (here)

India’s anti-terror agency NIA busts ISIS-linked terror module, three arrested

• Top anti-terror agency, NIA busted an ISIS-linked terror module on Sat arrested 3 people from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh following overnight raids at 13 locations.
• The arrests were made in an intelligence-led joint operation with the state Anti-Terror Squad.
• The three of them will reportedly be produced before the NIA special court
• A host of sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (prohibited bore), incriminating papers, and digital devices were also seized.
• NIA accused that they were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media, as well as through on-ground ‘Dawah’ programs, to unleash terror attacks. (here)
• Indian security forces nab Lashkar terrorist in J&K, seize grenade: Police in India’s Jammu and Kashmir arrested a terrorist belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taeba outfit, officials said on Sat.
• The arrested terrorist has been identified as Mohd Ashraf Mir, a resident of Laridoora Chandoosa locality, reports in the local media said.
• Earlier on Fri, May 26, security forces arrested an associate of the banned terror group HM along with a Chinese grenade in the Kishtwar.
• Search operations and grenade findings follow in several regions (here)
• After 3 alleged movements were spotted late at night in Mohalla Purani Poonch, Indian joint security forces cordoned off the area and began a search operation.
• NIA seeks death penalty for Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, moves Delhi High Court. (here)

Nepal PM Prachanda to visit Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain during India trip

• Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is set to embark on an official visit to India, underscoring the enduring ties between the two neighboring countries.
• The visit, scheduled from May 31 to June 3, comes at the invitation of PM Modi, marking the 1^st bilateral visit abroad by Nepal’s PM since assuming office in Dec 2022.
• During his visit, PM Prachanda will engage in crucial talks with PM Modi in Delhi, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to the “Neighbourhood First” policy.
• As a testament to the deep cultural and religious connections, Prachanda will also undertake a special trip to Ujjain to visit the revered Mahakaleshwar temple.
• Accompanied by a high-level delegation, PM Prachanda’s visit aims to bolster the already strong bilateral partnership between the two nations.
• The trip holds broader implications as it seeks to enhance cooperation not only in the political sphere but also in areas such as solid waste management. (here)

Cambodian King’s Maiden Visit to India to Mark 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations

• Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni will be on his maiden state visit to India from May 29 to 31, at the celebrations of the 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
• MEA Secy (East) said the King would be accompanied by a 27-member high-level delegation, including the Minister of the Royal Palace, VP of the Senate, FM etc.
• This visit by the King of Cambodia is taking place after almost 6 decades, with the last being that of the current King’s father in 1963.
• The King will also have bilateral meetings with the President and PM Narendra Modi.
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and EAM S Jaishankar will call on the King.
• The multi-faceted relationship is based on shared cultural values, collaboration in the fields of defense and security, and convergence on regional and global issues. (here)

US House panel recommends inclusion of India in NATO Plus to deter China

• A US Congressional Committee on CCP recommended the inclusion of India in NATO+, which comes a month before PM Modi’s scheduled visit to the US.
• The endorsement was made to win the “strategic competition with the CCP”.
• The committee is headed by chairman Mike Gallagher along with ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi.
• Top Democratic leader of the panel, Raja Krishnamoorthi, said that both Republicans and Democrats should work together across the aisle.
• “We must practice bipartisanship. We must recognize that the CCP wants us to be fractious, partisan, and prejudiced,” he added.
• India’s addition to ensure seamless intelligence sharing: The recommendations stated that adding India would ensure seamless intelligence sharing between these group countries and New Delhi.
• India is already an important member of the Quad group (here)

India faces a ‘very complicated challenge’ from China, says S Jaishankar

• External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has said the country is facing a “very complicated challenge” from China, and that steps have been taken to ensure no attempts are made to unilaterally change the status quo in the border areas.
• On Sat, he added that this challenge has been “very visible” for the last 3 years in border areas, adding that both nations need to find an equilibrium in the relationship.
• ‘India, China need to find some equilibrium’ (here)

PM Modi chairs meeting of CMs of BJP-ruled states to discuss good governance

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sun held a meeting with the CMs of the BJP-ruled states at the party headquarters here.
• The meeting is part of the BJP’s good governance agenda in which CMs share their best practices in governance and implementation of various welfare schemes.
• BJP national president J P Nadda was present at the meeting.
• CM of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand were among those who attended the meeting.
• Deputy CMs of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh counterparts KP Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present at the meeting (here)

24 MLAs sworn in as ministers in Karnataka cabinet expansion

• A sum of 24 MLAs was sworn in as ministers in the cabinet expansion in Karnataka on Sat, a week after CM Siddaramaiah, dy CM DK Shivakumar, and 8 ministers took the oath of office.
• The overall strength of the cabinet now stands at 34, which is the maximum number permitted by law.
• Among those who were sworn in were N. Rajanna, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Shivanand Patil, HK Patil, Krishna Byregowda, N Chaluvarayaswamy, K Venkateshtake, Dr. HC Mahadevappa, and Eshwar Khandre. (here)

Protesting wrestlers detained amid march towards new Parliament building

• Top Indian wrestlers were among those detained by the police in the national capital, Delhi, on Sun.
• This comes as they tried to march to the new parliament building hours after it was inaugurated was later cleared by the Delhi police.
• This comes as top wrestlers have been protesting against the WFI’s chief after 7 female wrestlers, including a minor, complained and called for his arrest. (here)
• Farmer leaders and social activists from across Haryana and neighboring Punjab were detained at several locations Sun while on their way to Delhi to heed the call for the all-woman maha panchayat given by wrestlers protest. (here)
• Delhi police have filed FIR against protest organizers and others in connection with the scuffle that broke out at Jantar Mantar, earlier on Sun.
• FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353, Section 3 of the PDPP Act.
• A few wrestlers had come to Jantar Mantar at night to protest, they were denied permission and were sent back, said Delhi Police.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Break as many PTI members as you can in 4 weeks but then announce polls: Imran tells govt

• PTI chief Imran Khan has issued a message to the govt to break away as many party members for the next three to four weeks but announce elections afterward.
• Requests SC to take suo motu notice of alleged mistreatment of female PTI workers and secure their release, calls for judicial inquiry of May 9 riots;
• Sanaullah claims intelligence agencies insisted on holding a presser past midnight to reveal PTI’s ‘rape, raid drama’.
• Over 500 held in Pindi for attacks on sensitive installations: Police have detained 532 suspects in connection with violent protests on May 9 and the attack on the GHQ and other sensitive installations.
• Police have been verifying their alleged involvement in the attack on GHQ to determine whether or not they should be tried under the Army Act, 1952.
• Only after the verification will the cases be sent to military courts, according to sources.
• Imran claims more reports are incoming of women ‘molested and harassed in jail’: Khan has called for contempt proceedings against police officials who are not following court orders such as producing anchorperson Imran Riaz.
• Govt blows hot and cold over talks with PTI: The ambiguities of govt policy over talks with the PTI came into sharp focus on Sun, as some ministers were opposing it while others supporting conditionally.
• Fin Min Ishaq Dar said negotiations with Khan could be held if he took “corrective measures”, apologizes to the nation, admits mistake, and promises not to repeat May 9
• Meanwhile, in Lahore, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said there was no way talks could be held with the PTI in the current situation. (here)

China will launch Shenzhou-16 mission to Chinese space station on 30 May

• China will send three astronauts to its now fully operational space station on Tue as part of a crew rotation, in the 5^th manned mission to the Chinese space outpost since 2021, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Mon.
• The spacecraft Shenzhou-16 will lift off atop a Long March 2F rocket at 9:31 am (0131 GMT). (here)