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The UN Security Council celebrated the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1373 by holding a virtual meeting. It is a landmark resolution in the global fight against terrorism. Tunisia steered the UNSC discourse on this critical issue. Addressing the meeting on Resolution 1373, adopted in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks; India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said the Resolution reminds us that terrorism continues to be the gravest threat to mankind. It not only grievously impacts human life but attacks the very foundation of humanity. By adopting this Resolution, the Security Council conveyed its unequivocal determination to address the menace of terrorism. Dr. Jaishankar said, India has always been at the forefront of global counter terrorism efforts. In 1996, long before the adoption of Resolution 1373, India took the initiative to pilot the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) with the objective of providing a comprehensive l...

India will begin inoculating its 1.3 billion population against coronavirus starting January 16, in one of the world’s massive rollouts. The first phase of this daunting and complex task will cover 30 million frontline and health workers. This will be followed by the vaccination of 270 million people above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities or with high risk of infection. The aim is to vaccinate 300 million, equal almost to the entire US population, by July. This will be an unprecedented scale of immunisation. From developing, manufacturing to becoming a key supplier, India will play a crucial role in the global immunisation programme with two “Made in India” vaccines—Covaxin and Covishield. Covaxin, India’s first indigenous vaccine against Covid 19, is manufactured by the Hyderabad-based pharma company Bharat Biotech. The second, Covishield, was developed jointly by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and is manufactured by the Serum Institute of Ind...

The end of 2004 and beginning of 2005 will forever remain etched in the memory for many across the world, and particularly Asia. One day after Christmas, in 2004, an earthquake of 9.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Indonesia near Banda Aceh at 07:59 am. In under 20 minutes, more than 100,000 perished in Indonesia. An hour and a half later, parts of Thailand were inundated with many casualties. The waves hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Indian Sub-continent, off the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were hit with devastating effect. Parts of Sri Lanka got swept away. The Tsunami left more than 230,000 dead and a trail of destruction that was unimaginable in its wake across South-East and South Asia, including India, and as far as South Indian Ocean and South Africa. The Indian Armed Forces were mobilised immediately. The Indian Navy launched one of the largest Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations (HADR) in its history; Operation ‘Madad’ on...

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar virtually addressed a session on ‘Role of the Diaspora in Atmanirbhar Bharat’ during the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event. Dr. Jaishankar said, the theme highlights the global implications of the Atmanirbhar approach. It also helps create new avenues for stronger connections with the Pravasis. The External Affairs Minister said the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat is to build greater national capacities so that we can make a stronger contribution globally. Even otherwise, this was a laudable goal. But the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has driven home the need for more trusted, resilient, reliable and redundant supply chains. Involving the diaspora in that endeavour is natural. The Indian diaspora has always been enthusiastic contributors to nation-building. Secondly, as high achievers in their own societies, they can bring to bear resources, technology, best practices and Innovations to the task. Third, they help in giving this ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address at the 16th Pravasi Bharitya Divas 2021 virtually. Prime Minister extended his best wishes to all for 2021! Mr. Modi said, today, the Internet might have connected the Indian Diaspora from every nook and corner of the world, but we all are attached to Mother Bharati and towards each other with affection. He said, there is a tradition to honour all the colleagues who have enhanced the pride of Mother Bharati all over the world with the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” every year. About 240 dignitaries spread over 60 different countries have been honoured since the journey, which began under the guidance of Bharat Ratna late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Similarly, thousands of colleagues from all over the world have participated in the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz competition. These numbers show that they may be away from the roots, but the new generation’s attachment is growing as much. The 15 winners of this quiz competition we...

Atrocities and discrimination against minorities in Pakistan continue unabated. These had started soon after Pakistan came into existence in 1947 but got intensified during the eighties of last century. Initially atrocities were mostly confined to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians. But later these got extended to Shias, Ahmediyas, Muhajirs, Hazaras, Seraikis and other similar sects and groups living in different parts of Pakistan. These atrocities and discrimination assume the form of abductions, murders, mass-killings, religious conversions, threats of violence, extrajudicial killings and killings on allegations of blasphemy. The motivating force behind atrocities against these minorities is generally ideologically faith oriented. Whereas Ahmediyas have been already declared heretics, there is a deep religious cleaveage between the majority Sunni population of Pakistan and the Shia minority. In the latest incident of persisting atrocity, eleven Hazara coal miners in Baloc...