1. PM Modi meets French President Macron in Paris
2. BJP MP Dubey demands probe of USAID-funded outfits in India
3. 16 illegal foreign nationals deported from Delhi’s Dwarka
4. Biren Singh resigned because the Centre was compelled, it is not an act of conscience: Akoijam
5. Ahead of PM Modi’s US visit, Trump’s top economic adviser calls India’s tariffs ‘enormously high’

What Else

1. JK Police intensify operations to crush communication networks of terror groups
2. Arvind Kejriwal to meet Bhagwant Mann, Punjab AAP MLAs today after Delhi drubbing
3. Pakistan: 9 terrorists killed in Karak, North Waziristan
4. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to convene urgent OIC meeting on Gaza crisis
5. B’desh: Govt can’t avoid responsibilities for recent incidents: Mirza Fakhrul

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PM Modi meets French President Macron in Paris

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France marks his sixth trip to the country.
• French President Emmanuel Macron warmly welcomed him with a hug at a dinner ahead of the AI Summit in Paris.
• During his three-day visit, PM Modi will:
• Co-chair the AI Action Summit with President Macron
• Hold bilateral talks with Macron
• Address business leaders
• Attend the India-France CEO’s Forum
• PM Modi also met U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is attending the AI Summit. The Prime Minister received a grand welcome from the Indian diaspora in Paris.
• Some key announcements are expected during the visit including reviewing progress on the 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic partnership.
• PM Modi and President Macron will also visit the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War I. (more)

BJP MP Dubey demands probe of USAID-funded outfits in India

• Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey has alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding organizations in India that aim to create unrest.
• He claimed that USAID-funded organizations have been involved in protests against the govt’s Agniveer initiative, supported caste census, and backed Naxalism.
• The allegations come amid a controversy surrounding USAID’s future, with President Trump planning to shut down the agency due to alleged corruption and inefficiency.
• However, it’s worth noting that the impact of USAID’s shutdown on India may not be significant, as the country has received only around 0.2-0.4% of USAID’s total funding between 2015 and 2024. (more)
• Since 2001, USAID has allocated approximately $2.9 billion to India.
• In recent years, the funding has been focused on ‘healthcare projects’, with around $650 million provided in the last 4 years alone.

16 illegal foreign nationals deported from Delhi’s Dwarka

• According to a recent report, the Delhi Police have deported 1,413 illegal foreign nationals from the city in 2022-23.
• This effort is part of a larger crackdown on illegal immigration in the national capital.
• Here are some key points from the report:
• Nationalities: The deported individuals belonged to various countries, including Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
• Offenses: Many of these individuals were found to be involved in crimes such as theft, robbery, and cheating.
• Illegal stay: Some foreigners were found to be overstaying their visas or staying in India without valid documents.
• Police action: The Delhi Police conducted regular raids and checks to identify and deport these illegal foreign nationals. (more)
• However, this is nothing against the real illegal immigrants residing in India. Most of them have fake identities.
• Estimated number of illegal immigrants in India: Bangladeshi: 20 million; Rohingya: 40,000; Afghan: 13,000; Burmese: 50,000-100,000; Pakistani: 7,600 with a total of around 20-25 million.

Biren Singh resigned because the Centre was compelled, it is not an act of conscience: Akoijam

• Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, has resigned amid ongoing ethnic clashes in the state that have resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced around 60,000 people.
• The clashes are between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities, who have been fighting over economic benefits and job quotas.
• Singh’s resignation comes after facing intense pressure from various groups, including the opposition Congress party, which was expected to move a no-confidence motion against him.
• The Kuki community had also been demanding his removal, accusing him of being biased towards the Meitei community.
• It’s worth noting that Singh’s resignation is not seen as an act of conscience, but rather a move compelled by the Centre.
• The BJP has not taken any action against Singh despite widespread criticism, and his resignation is seen as a strategic move to maintain law and order in the state.
• The situation in Manipur remains tense, with sporadic violence continuing to erupt.
• The Centre has deployed security forces to the state to maintain peace, but a long-term solution to the conflict is yet to be found. (more)

Ahead of PM Modi’s US visit, Trump’s top economic adviser calls India’s tariffs ‘enormously high’

• Kevin Hassett, US President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser, has stated that India has “enormously high” tariffs that lock out imports.
• This comment comes ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the US, where trade and tariffs are expected to be major discussion points.
• Hassett emphasized that India’s tariffs are significantly higher than those of other US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and the UK.
• He noted that the US has a relatively open economy, with most imports from India facing low tariffs.
• The US has been critical of India’s trade policies, with Trump previously calling India a “very big abuser” of tariffs.
• To address these concerns, India is considering tariff cuts in several sectors, including electronics, medical equipment, and chemicals.
• Some key areas where India is planning to reduce tariffs include:
• Electronics: Tariff cuts to boost US exports and support India’s domestic production plans
• Medical equipment: Reduced tariffs to increase US exports and meet India’s growing demand for medical equipment
• Chemicals: Tariff cuts to support India’s chemical industry and increase US exports
• These tariff cuts are seen as a positive step towards improving US-India trade relations, which have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over trade policies. (more)

JK Police intensify operations to crush communication networks of terror groups

• Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified operations to dismantle communication networks of terror groups in the region.
• In a recent crackdown, police arrested 10 overground workers and terrorist suspects in Kathua district, seizing electronic devices and uncovering networks providing logistic and financial aid to terrorist groups.
• The joint operation, carried out by Kathua Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), targeted 17 locations across Malhar, Bani, and the upper reaches of Billawar, and several border areas.
• This operation is part of a broader effort to combat terrorist activities in J&K.
• Some key aspects of the operation include:
• Identification and arrest of overground workers: 10 individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist groups
• Seizure of electronic devices: Police confiscated devices used for communication and planning by terror groups
• Uncovering of logistic and financial aid networks: The operation revealed networks providing support to terrorist groups
• These efforts demonstrate the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling terror networks in the region. (more)

Arvind Kejriwal to meet Bhagwant Mann, Punjab AAP MLAs today after Delhi drubbing

• Arvind Kejriwal is set to meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and MLAs today, following the AAP’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections.
• This meeting is crucial as Punjab is the only state where the AAP is currently in power.
• The party suffered a significant loss in Delhi, retaining only 22 out of 70 Assembly seats, while the BJP won 48 seats.
• Thanking Punjab Leaders: Kejriwal will personally thank Punjab AAP leaders for their contributions to the Assembly polls.
• Discussing Election Results: The party chief will discuss the election results and early preparations for the Punjab polls, scheduled for 2027.
• Future Strategy: AAP MP Malvinder Kang stated that the meeting aims to gather feedback and form a future strategy for the party.
• The meeting comes amid speculation of a potential rift within the party’s Punjab unit, with Congress leader Partap Bajwa claiming that Mann could switch to the BJP. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: 9 terrorists killed in Karak, North Waziristan

• Security forces in Pakistan conducted two operations, killing nine terrorists and injuring 3.
• In North Waziristan, 4 terrorists, including 3 Afghans, were killed in a strike.
• In Karak district, five terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in an encounter.
• Security forces in Pakistan conducted 2 operations, killing 9 terrorists and injuring 3.
• North Waziristan Operation: 4 terrorists, including 3 Afghans, were killed in a strike
• 3 others were injured
• The operation targeted a hideout in the Tappi village of Miramshah tehsil
• Karak District Operation: 5 terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in an encounter
• The operation was conducted by police and security forces in the Mir Kakam Banda
• The slain terrorists were involved in bank robberies, attacks on polio teams, and other crimes (more)

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to convene urgent OIC meeting on Gaza crisis

• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to convene an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the escalating situation in Gaza.
• This decision was made during a phone call between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Mon.
• The meeting aims to discuss the repercussions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks, which sparked widespread condemnation.
• Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and its support for the Palestinian cause.
• Condemnation of Netanyahu’s Remarks: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan strongly condemned Netanyahu’s comments, which suggested displacing Palestinians.
• OIC Meeting: The emergency meeting will bring together foreign ministers from OIC member states to address the Gaza crisis.
• Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Cooperation: The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. (more)
• Pakistan is bolstering ties with Iran to counter India’s influence, secure energy interests, and enhance regional influence through its OIC position.

B’desh: Govt can’t avoid responsibilities for recent incidents: Mirza Fakhrul

• Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the law and order situation in the country has deteriorated, and the govt cannot avoid responsibility for the incidents.
• He made these comments after meeting with the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
• He mentioned that the BNP in its standing committee meeting decided to raise the party’s concerns on different issues to the chief advisor.
• The BNP demanded:
• Election Reforms: Holding the election as soon as possible after discussion on minimum reforms.
• He pointed out that the incidents took place in front of various forces, which has deteriorated the law and order situation.
• Return of Looted Money: Bringing back the money looted during the fascist regime.
• Action Against Enablers: Taking action against those who enabled the fascist regime.
• Withdrawal of Lawsuits: Withdrawing trumped-up lawsuits lodged in the last 15-16 years.

The BNP also emphasized the need to control the prices of daily essentials and prevent harassment of innocent people in “Operation Devil Hunt”. (more)