India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sources have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. India is in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals, the sources added. The conflict has intensified in West Asia after suspected Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s consulate in Syria's capital Damascus and Tehran’s warning of retaliation. A map showed the path of an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the MSC Aries, that had been seized between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, in the Persian Gulf, situated close to the Strait of Hormuz, on Saturday (April 13). The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) posted a warning on social media after having received a report on the vessel and said it had been “seized by regional authorities”. This after Iran warned earlier this week that it could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. The Aries is leased by international shipping line MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all vessel activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
14 April,2024 12:40 PM IST
Iran’s military has reportedly killed a senior Jaish-al-Adl militant group commander and some of his companions. The armed clash happened inside Pakistan’s territory a month after two countries conducted airstrikes against each other. Notably, this is first such instance after the conclusion of the recent general elections in Pakistan. Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is designated as a "terrorist" organization by Iran. It is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan (Info Source- Al Arabiya News). The group has a history of carrying out attacks against the Iranian security forces. Weeks after the airstrikes were carried out, two nations mutually agreed to expand security cooperation. In recent times, this is the second such instance when Iran strikes Pakistan. On Jan 16, Iran had carried out airstrikes in Pakistan’s territory and then the latter withdrew its ambassador. On Jan 18, Pakistan retaliated and carried out airstrikes saying that it attacked ‘terrorist militant organisations’. Pakistan had said that they can resolve “misunderstandings” quickly but the recent strike depict the opposite.
24 February,2024 12:00 PM IST
Amid the Indian-Canada row, the number of study permits for Indian students has sharply declined. The number of study permits Canada issued to Indian students fell sharply last year after India ejected Canadian diplomats. In an interview with Reuters, Canada’s Immigration Minister said, the number of study permits for Indians is unlikely to rebound soon. Diplomatic tensions erupted in June last year after Canadian PM Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in killing of pro-Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In October, Canada was forced to pull 41 diplomats, or two-thirds of its staff, out of India on orders from New Delhi. With more than 41%, Indians have formed the largest group of international students in Canada in recent years. International students are a cash cow for Canadian universities as they bring in about C$22 billion annually. Canada is a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain work permits after finishing courses. In 2023, Canada had projected that some 900,000 international students would study in Canada that year.
17 January,2024 07:43 PM IST
After concluding his China visit, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said that “Maldives may be small, but it does not give countries the license to bully it,” reported Maldives-based Sun.mv. President Muizzu’s comments came amid India-Maldives Row. Mohamed Muizzu visited China amid the controversy around the disparaging remarks by Maldivian ministers and government officials against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a state banquet for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed on Wednesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, called Muizzu "an old friend", Reuters reported. Recently, Maldives Envoy to India, Ibrahim Shaheeb was spotted at Ministry of External Affairs in the national capital's South Block.
17 January,2024 11:41 AM IST
Tensions simmer in Red Sea as Yemen-backed Houthis continue to attack commercial ships, affecting international trade. On January 10, Houthi rebels launched 18 drones over southern Red Sea, according to the US military’s Central Command, reported Al Jazeera. The Houthi rebels, who are an Iran-aligned group, started the strikes in retaliation for Israel’s Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, EAM Dr S Jaishankar on Jan 13 highlighted the ongoing challenges in Red Sea region. The External Affairs Minister raised concern over continuous missiles firing, causing damage to ships by Houthi rebels. Also, US carried out fresh strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen amid escalating tensions in Red Sea, CNN reported. These strikes followed a coordinated attack on approximately 30 Houthi locations the day before. Earlier, US Secy Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with EAM Jaishankar on January 11. Both leaders discussed recent attacks on merchant ships by Houthis in the Red Sea, informed State Dept spox Matthew Miller.
16 January,2024 03:52 PM IST
While shedding light on the India-Maldives row, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on January 13 asserted that “politics is politics” and it can’t be guaranteed that every country will support or agree with India everytime. EAM Jaishankar was speaking at the Manthan: Townhall meeting in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Saturday. “Politics is politics. I cannot guarantee that in every country, every day, everybody will support us or agree with us,” he said. Recently, after concluding his China visit, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said that “Maldives may be small, but it does not give countries the license to bully it,” reported Maldives-based Sun.mv. President Muizzu’s comments came amid India-Maldives Row.
14 January,2024 03:18 PM IST
The mortal remains of DMDK president and actor Vijayakanth were brought to Island Ground, Anna Salai on December 28, 2023. The mortal remains will be kept at Island Ground till to 1 pm for the public to pay their last respects. Director Vetrimaran arrived at the DMDK office to pay tribute to Captain Vijaykanth. Watch the full video for more details!
29 December,2023 12:12 PM IST
Amid the ongoing Armenia - Azerbaijan conflict, Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, has vented his anger against India and France for supporting Armenia. Aliyev said in a press conference that “India and France are adding fuel to the war by providing dangerous weapons to Armenia.’ Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, has also called India and France instigators of war. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense between Azerbaijan and Armenia due to Nagorno Karabakh dispute. Both countries remain face-to-face regarding their rights in this area, however, Armenia had control over this mountainous area in the 1990s. Meanwhile, India has supplied Armenia with weapons worth close to half a billion dollars including the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher anti-tank missiles, rockets, and ammunition.
10 December,2023 02:45 PM IST
Israel on November 21 declared Lashkar-e-Taiba as a terror organisation. The Lashkar-e-Taiba ban has been made to mark the 15th year of commemoration of the Mumbai terror attacks. Notably, Israel did so independently without any formal request from the Indian government. The state of Israel has formally completed all necessary procedures and has satisfied all required checks and regulations. In an interview with ANI, Israeli President Isaac Herzog recalled 26/11 Mumbai attacks and drew parallels with Oct 07 Hamas attacks. President Herzog extended his gratitude to India for their shared interests and efforts to combat terrorism. Israel Embassy also recalled LeT’s “heinous” act of carrying out 26/11 attacks and termed it a “deadly” terror organization. The deadly Mumbai attacks were carried out by 10 gunmen who were connected to LeT, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Israel’s move comes weeks after its Ambassador to India urged New Delhi to designate Hamas as a terror organisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among first world leaders to condemn terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7.
21 November,2023 05:35 PM IST
IDF on November 13 shared a chilling video of a Hamas tunnel leading to the basement of a hospital. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the tunnel led to the place where several Israelis were held hostage. He showed how power was being supplied to the basement through the tunnel and the stockpile kept inside. Displaying the signs of hostages being kept in the basement, Daniel showed women’s clothes, ropes, diapers and bottles. Since the war broke out, Hamas has been accused of using civilians of Gaza as a shield. Reuters cited its sources claiming that Hamas has around 40,000 fighters. They can move around the enclave using a vast web of fortified tunnels, hundreds of kilometers long up to 80 meters deep. The Israeli military has intensified ground operations inside the besieged Gaza Strip. With the intensification of the ground ops by Israel, ceasefire is nowhere near sight.
14 November,2023 03:20 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
