1. PM Modi assumes office for third term after a grand oath ceremony
2. PM Modi says security and peace key as Nawaz Sharif sends hope message
3. As President Muizzu visits Delhi, Maldives opens inquiry into 3 key pacts signed with India
4. After Congress seeks Malviya’s removal over sexual misconduct row, BJP says ‘Action will follow’
5. Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT’s front TRF claims responsibility for Reasi attack

What Else

1. Suspected militants ambush Manipur CM N Biren Singh’s advance security convoy, one injured
2. BRICS calls for enhanced use of local currencies in trade between member countries
3. BJP likely to appoint new chiefs in five states
4. US lawyer seeks Kamala Harris’ intervention for release of jailed Khalistani separatist Amritpal
5. Pakistan Stock Exchange witnesses bearish trend, loses 501 points
6. Pakistan: Imran relents, agrees to negotiate with rivals – thanks to SC
7. Philippines must prepare as external threats grow: President Marcos
8. US-Japan-South Korea training fellowship opens amid tense tech race with China

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PM Modi assumes office for third term after a grand oath ceremony

• PM Narendra Modi assumed office for his consecutive third term in the South Block office in the national capital on Mon.
• After assuming office, PM Modi signed his first file authorizing the release of the 17^th installment of PM Kisan Nidhi which will benefit 9.3 crore farmers and distribute nearly Rs 20,000 crores. (here)
• [Not much change from Modi 2.O ]

PM Modi says security and peace key as Nawaz Sharif sends hope message

• A day after the NDA govt’s council of ministers was sworn in, Pakistan’s top leader and former PM Nawaz Sharif, who heads the ruling PML(N), reached out to PM Modi and said that the BJP’s “success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership”.
• “Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia,” he posted on X.
• Modi replied in about two hours, saying that “the people of India have always stood for peace, security and progressive ideas”, and that “advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority”.
• Earlier, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif had posted on X, “Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India.”
• To which, the PM replied, “Thank you @cmshehbaz for your good wishes.”
• This one-line exchange was reminiscent of how Modi had wished Shehbaz in Mar this year when he became the PM. (here)
• PM Modi replies to Justin Trudeau’s ‘congratulatory’ post with ‘respect’ subtext: 4 days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau congratulated PM Modi for his win with a seemingly hidden message, the newly sworn-in PM accepted the greetings on Mon but passed on a stern comeback enveloped in a polite post on X.
• On June 6, 2 days after PM Modi’s BJP emerged as the single-largest party, Trudeau congratulated PM Modi on X.
• However, he talked about taking India and Canada’s relationship forward, adding that the ties were anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.
• Replying to his message, PM Modi said India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns. (here)
• Notably no message from President Xi, though, the Chinese FMinistry wished formally.

As President Muizzu visits Delhi, Maldives opens inquiry into 3 key pacts signed with India

• Even as President Muizzu was visiting India for the inauguration of a new govt in New Delhi, Maldives has now taken another major step that could further strain ties.
• The National Security Services committee of the parliament of Maldives on Mon opened a parliamentary inquiry into at least 3 agreements signed between the two govts under the then president Ibrahim Solih.
• The agreements between Male and New Delhi were signed between 2018 and 2023, including a hydrography agreement, the pact to construct and maintain a Maldives MNDF Coast Guard Harbour at Sifvaru and the agreement to operate Dornier aircraft.
• It must be noted that the Muizzu government has already decided to scrap the agreement on hydrographic surveys.
• Now, questions are being asked as to why the agreement was signed in the first place.
• The parliamentary committee has been formed under Article 241 of the constitution of Maldives to “exercise continuing oversight of the operations of the security services”.
• Ironically, the development came as Muizzu met Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. (here)

After Congress seeks Malviya’s removal over sexual misconduct row, BJP says ‘Action will follow’

• The Congress demanded that Amit Malviya, the BJP’s IT Cell leader and co-in-charge of the party’s WB, be removed from his posts amid claims that he sought sexual favors.
• Malviya has denied the accusations, he will file a lawsuit against RSS affiliate Santanu Sinha for his offensive social media post in which he is asking for sexual favors.
• Meanwhile, the Congress has called for Malviya’s “immediate removal” from the position and an “independent probe”  into the matter.
• It further accused PM of providing “political patronage to the perpetrators of crime.”
• Congresswoman Supriya Shrinate revealed that Malviya was accused by some RSS members of engaging in “nefarious activities,” including “sexual exploitation of women not only in 5-star hotels but also in BJP offices in Bengal.”
• Shrinate urged the NCW to intervene, saying, “We hope that the new Minister of Women and Child Development is not going to be a mute bystander to women’s plight”
• After NCP, Shiv Sena expresses discontent over lack of cabinet positions in Modi 3.0 cabinet: The Shiv Sena has voiced dissatisfaction with not getting any Cabinet positions in Modi’s 3.O cabinet.
• This comes a day after Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party voiced dissatisfaction about its MPs receiving a MoS position despite asking for a Cabinet position. (here)

Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT’s front TRF claims responsibility for Reasi attack

• Pakistan-backed terror outfit The Resistance Front [aka LeT] has claimed responsibility for the attack on Hindu pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
• LeT’s front TRF released a message in which it warned of more such attacks on “tourists and non-locals” and said that this attack was just the “beginning of a renewed start”.
• At least 10 people lost their lives and 33 were wounded after the bus rolled down a gorge in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sun.
• The bus, en route from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Katra, was targeted by terrorists at around 6:10 pm when it reached the Pouni area. (here)
• Abu Hamza: Mastermind behind major Jammu attacks: Jammu region’s Rajouri Poonch belt has become a hub of terrorists in the last few months.
• Most of the active terrorists in the whole UT are foreigners, belonging to Pakistan.
• There have been multiple terror attacks in the region in recent times and most of them were carried out by these foreign terrorists, with majorly belonging to LeT and JeM.
• J&K Police recently released 3 pictures of terrorists active in the Rajouri Poonch belt, who are of Pakistan origin, and associated with LeT
• The 1^st terrorist is the top commander of LeT, identified as Abu Hamza, 2^nd as Fauji, said to be a former Pakistani Army Commando, and the 3^rd terrorist is identified as Aadun.
• Sources in the security forces say there is a high possibility of the same group involved in the Reasi terror attack. (here)

Suspected militants ambush Manipur CM N Biren Singh’s advance security convoy, one injured

• Suspected militants ambushed Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s advance security convoy in Kangpokpi district on Mon (June 10).
• The convoy was en route to the conflict-hit Jiribam district.
• The officials said that the shootout was still on near the Kotlen village, which was situated along a stretch of National Highway 53.
• At least one police personnel suffered bullet injuries during the ambush, said the police.
• “CM Biren Singh, who is yet to reach Imphal from Delhi, was planning to visit Jiribam to take stock of the situation in the district,” news agency PTI reported.
• The police chief of Cachar district said that around 600 people from Jiribam were taking shelter in Cachar district. (here)

BRICS calls for enhanced use of local currencies in trade between member countries

• The BRICS FMs met in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod on Mon and held a plethora of discussions, including the enhanced use of local currencies in trade and financial transactions between the BRICS countries.
• At the meeting, the ministers recognized the need for a comprehensive reform of the global financial architecture.
• Further, the FMs reiterated the demand made at COP27 to guarantee that international financial institution reform will prioritize expanding the scope of financing and facilitating easier access to resources.
• They anticipated that the 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development shareholder review would be a great success.
• As per the Joint statement released by MEA, the leaders also supported a robust Global Financial Safety Net and adequately resourced IMF at its center,
• India participated in the BRICS Meeting which began in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod on Mon, the first assignment for India’s foreign policy under the historic third consecutive term of PM Modi.
• Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), at the MEA, led the Indian side at the BRICS (here)

BJP likely to appoint new chiefs in five states

• The BJP is likely to appoint new state presidents in Gujarat, Telangana, and West Bengal, where the incumbents have been inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. There is also a possibility of change in state chiefs in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, where the party performed well below expectations.
• The state chiefs will be appointed after the national BJP president is appointed in place of J P Nadda, who was appointed as the Union health minister on Mon (here)

US lawyer seeks Kamala Harris’ intervention for release of jailed Khalistani separatist Amritpal

• Days after jailed Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh won the Khadoor-Sahib seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, American-Sikh lawyer Jaspreet Singh has reached out to US Vice-President Kamala Harris and is seeking her intervention
• Singh is currently imprisoned in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail on terror charges from where he fought India’s general elections as an independent candidate and won.
• Taking the jailed leader’s side, the lawyer contended that Singh’s detention is “unjust”.
• He also claimed to have read the case thoroughly. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Pakistan Stock Exchange witnesses bearish trend, loses 501 points

• The 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw a bearish trend on Mon, losing 501.46 points, or 0.68%, to close at 73,252.56 points, down from 73,754.02
• A total of 350.7 million shares valued at Rs10.18 billion were traded during the day, compared to 559.6 million shares valued at Rs20.21 billion the previous day.
• Out of 434 companies that traded their shares, 133 recorded gains, 241 sustained losses, and 60 remained unchanged. (here)
• Dollar continues to rise, surpasses Rs280 in open market: The US dollar maintained its upward trend in both FX markets, with its open market rate exceeding Rs280 on Mon.
• Despite agreements on investment and new projects in the CPEC Phase II during PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, the lack of a clear announcement on new investments, prospects of a cut in interest rates in the upcoming monetary policy, and concerns about gradually increasing demand have kept the dollar’s value rising. (here)
• Insufficient foreign exchange reserves for external payments also contributed to this trend, Express News reported.
• There are also rumors circulating in the market that the new financial year may see a gradual appreciation of the rupee against the dollar due to devaluation, which is influencing the rupee’s value. (here)

Pakistan: Imran relents, agrees to negotiate with rivals – thanks to SC

• The imprisoned PTI founder, who wouldn’t negotiate with anyone but the security establishment, appears to be having a change of heart – thanks to the Supreme Court judges who recently advised him to engage in dialogue with his political rivals.
• Khan is planning to write a letter to the SC to tell the judges that he is amenable to their suggestion, sources told The Express Tribune.
• He has already drafted the letter which also addresses the economic woes and political instability blighting the country.
• The letter, states that the former PM is open to dialogue with any party capable of resolving economic and political crises.
• The letter also calls for a fair trial in political cases, the return of the electoral mandate to the legitimately victorious party, and an impartial judicial inquiry into the events of May 9.
• Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of PTI’s legal committee will be convened on Tue
• The committee will fine-tune the points in the former prime minister’s letter, ensuring it addresses the political and economic challenges facing the nation, sources said. (here)

Philippines must prepare as external threats grow: President Marcos

• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the country should be prepared for any eventuality because of more pronounced external threats driven by heightened tension in the Indo-Pacific.
• The Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan puts it in China’s area of interest, Marcos said in a speech to troops at a military camp in Isabela province, in a northern region facing the democratically governed island.
• “The external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome, and that is why we have to prepare,” Mr Marcos told the troops on Jun 10.
• His remarks were shared by the presidential palace on June 11.
• The Philippines was not trying to redraw lines of sovereign territory including its EEZ, and the country was committed to defending itself while engaging in diplomacy, he said.
• China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to comment (here)

US-Japan-South Korea training fellowship opens amid tense tech race with China

• The first cohort of a new tech cooperation fellowship involving the US, Japan, and South Korea has arrived in Washington to a warm welcome, amid mounting concern over the mismanagement of emerging tech and pressure to counter China’s technical advancement.
• The Trilateral Technology Leaders Training Program, announced last year at a special 3-way summit in Maryland, features 30 mid-career govt officials from the 3 countries.
• Speaking on Mon at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies – one of the initiative’s hosts alongside the Seoul-based Chey Institute for Advanced Studies – US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell invoked the historic summit in opening remarks to the gathered fellows.
• Campbell also emphasized the critical need for public officials to understand how technology works.
•  “Technology is at the core of what each of our governments seek to do.” (here)