India's Stance on Terrorism Affects SCO Meeting Outcomes
India's Position at the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting
India refrained from endorsing a joint statement during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting, as the document failed to align with New Delhi's stance on terrorism. According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, India insisted on the inclusion of concerns regarding terrorism, which was not accepted by one member nation.
Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
The joint statement notably omitted any mention of the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals. During the meeting in Qingdao, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India had initiated Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing the country's right to defend itself against terrorism and to prevent further cross-border assaults.
Delhi Government's Anti-Corruption Investigation
The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government has initiated a first information report against Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including former ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain, over alleged irregularities in the construction of 24 hospitals. This investigation follows a complaint lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vijender Gupta in August, who accused the leaders of manipulating project budgets after the Aam Aadmi Party government approved the hospitals' construction in 2018-2019, costing Rs 5,590 crore.
Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, two individuals lost their lives, and over 15 others are reported missing due to flash floods triggered by cloudbursts. In Kullu district, three additional people were swept away by the floods. The victims were resting in temporary shelters near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site at Khaniyara, close to Dharamshala, when they were caught in a sudden surge of the Manuni river.
Severe Weather Alerts in Kerala
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for exceptionally heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayanad, Malappuram, and Idukki districts. The state irrigation department has also warned of dangerously high water levels in several rivers, including the Muvattupuzha, Bharathapuzha, Achankovi, Pamba, Manimala, Thodupuzha, and Kabani. The ongoing heavy rains and strong winds have caused significant disruptions, including fallen hoardings and uprooted trees.
Upcoming US-Iran Talks
President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran are set to engage in discussions next week. This announcement follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after 12 days of conflict. Iran has expressed its willingness to resume negotiations regarding its nuclear program with the US, which had previously entered into a nuclear deal in 2015 aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Trump, however, indicated that he is not aiming to revive the previous deal but may seek assurances from Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions.
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