Category: Uncategorized

In the recent India-Pakistan military conflict, Turkiye stood steadfast in offering unambiguous support to Pakistan before and after the conflict. 

Sources close to the Turkish government claimed that Turkish cargo planes carried military supplies to Pakistan, although this was denied by Turkish officials. This is one of the loudest statements Turkiye has made in a long time, marking a clear departure from its previously stated Asia Anew Initiative, as Turkiye reprioritises security over trade in its South Asia policy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken several times since then, reiterating his country’s support for Pakistan. 

Turkiye has clearly made up its mind on how it looks at South Asia and who it sees fit to support in the region. This has not happened overnight. Nor is it temporary. Turkiye is operating within its conception of a  “securitised South Asia,” where its national security is linked to the region. 

Nearly all statements coming from Turkiye after the Indian military action have  condemned the “provocative steps” and claimed that strikes inside Pakistan  raised “the risk of an all-out war”. No other Muslim or Arab nation, except Azerbaijan, issued a direct condemnation of the Indian operation. 

Turkiye and Pakistan share predicament

There is general agreement that in the post-Cold War era, both Turkiye and Pakistan have lost their relevance to the Western security architecture. Both have been searching for ways to stay relevant in the changing security landscape. 

Turkiye’s NATO allies have been harsh in their criticism of its growing ties with Russia, particularly after it purchased the S-400 missile defence system. 

Its allies have denied Turkiye crucial defence technologies and supplies to the extent that in today’s Middle East, non-NATO members Israel and the UAE have received the best of NATO defence technology, which Turkiye has been denied, including the F-35. 

Pakistan, too, is vulnerably dependent on the Chinese defence industry — its only option after the West abandoned it. 

Turkiye’s Pakistan policy may not be India-centric, but they need each other because they have few allies. 

The bigger question, however, is whether Turkiye can or should have a Pakistan policy at the expense of its relations with India. There is an unspoken consensus in Ankara and Riyadh that Pakistan is far too important to be written off. Islamabad has already become Turkiye’s most important defence ally outside NATO. 

However, this has come at a heavy cost: an antagonised India. Almost every Muslim nation, not just Turkiye, faces the same dilemma. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have, however, successfully de-hypenated their relations with India and Pakistan. 

Turkiye tried to maintain a degree of ambiguity about its relations with Pakistan for a long time and sought close and confident ties with India. 

Turkiye’s offer to India was equally important, as it involved strategic relations with New Delhi in exchange for the normalisation of ties with Pakistan, including a peaceful resolution of their disputes over Jammu and Kashmir. For that, the Turkish president used all possible tactics to bring New Delhi on board, which mostly resulted in public and diplomatic backlash. 

The period 2019-2022 could be counted as the lowest point in Turkiye-India relations when the two countries waged a massive media campaign against each other. This was in the wake of the revocation of the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian federal structure. 

Since 2022, there have been signs of withdrawals on the Turkish side as India gave Turkiye a clear message that Turkiye’s special ties with Pakistan and supporting its Kashmir politics are the biggest obstacles in India-Turkiye relations. 

In 2022, Turkiye and Pakistan supported Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Armenia, defeated and isolated, rushed to India for crucial defence supplies, including India’s indigenous air defence system, Akash. Not just Armenia, India quickly reached out to Turkiye’s regional rivals and detractors, Iran, Greece, Cyprus, UAE and Israel, seeking close defence and strategic relations. Many in Delhi explained this as a reaction to Turkiye’s defence relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. 

Turkiye’s rising influence in its immediate neighbourhood may challenge India’s interests. By aggressively marketing its defence sector in Asia, Turkiye has attracted new clients and potential allies whose perspectives on regional security may differ from those of Delhi. 

India’s foreign policy has gradually shifted. India has started reimagining itself as a resurgent power, taking pride in self-reliance

Asked if the world has to thank the US for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said he would thank the Indian forces because they made Pakistan reach out and say “we are ready to stop”.

Dr Jaishankar made the remarks during an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Asked if the world has America to thank for the ceasefire, the External Affairs Minister replied, “The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact. The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan’s main airbases and air defence system. So, who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.”On May 10, India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire after three days of cross-border conflict. India on May 7 carried out airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 innocents dead. India stressed that Operation Sindoor was aimed at destroying terror bases, but Pakistan responded by firing hundreds of drones at India’s military installations and civilian areas. In retaliation, India targeted Pakistan’s military installation, inflicting heavy damage. Shortly after, Pakistan military authorities reached out to their Indian counterparts and a ceasefire was agreed upon.While the Donald Trump administration has claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan — and Islamabad has thanked Washington, DC too — New Delhi has maintained that the US role was restricted to expressing concern. In another interview, Dr Jaishankar said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance had reached out, but their role was limited to expressing concern. “We made one thing very clear to everybody who spoke to us, not just the United States but to everyone, saying if the Pakistanis want to stop fighting, they need to tell us. We need to hear it from them. Their general has to call up our general and say this. And that is what happened,” he said.Asked if the ceasefire has restored the situation before the conflict, Dr Jaishankar said, “We have sent a clear signal to the terrorists that there is a price to be paid for carrying out such attacks, as they did on us in Kashmir in April. The firing was then started by the Pakistani military. We fired back in self-defence and once the Pakistanis understood that they were taking a harmful course, we were able to stop firing. This situation has not changed for two weeks, that is the status.”The External Affairs Minister was also asked, “How far away was the world from a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan?” He said he was “astonished” by the question. “Very, very far away. I’m frankly astonished by your question. We have terrorist targets. Those were very measured, carefully considered and non-escalating steps. After that, the Pakistani military opened fire on us. We were able to show them that we could disable their air defense systems. Then the firing stopped at their request. At no point was a nuclear level reached.” “There is a narrative as if everything that happens in our part of the world leads directly to a nuclear problem. That disturbs me a lot because it encourages terrible activities like terrorism. If anything, much more is happening with the nuclear issue in your part of the world,” he replied.

Several private schools in West Bengal have declared summer vacations from Friday, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the educational institutions to advance the holidays by a week in the wake of the India-Pakistan military conflict.

St Xavier’s Institution-Sodpure, Julien Day School and Delhi Public School Ruby Park were among the schools that announced summer vacations from Friday following CM Banerjee’s appeal.

“We were scheduled to hold classes till May 13… But, in view of the emerging situation and as suggested by the CM, we advanced the dates by a few days,” said Lipika Ghosh, Principal of St Xavier’s Institution, Sodpure.A spokesperson of Julien Day School said, “We have advanced the summer vacation dates from the initial plan of May 16 to May 9 following the directive of the CM.” Delhi Public School Ruby Park, too, has announced holidays for a month from Friday.

Secretary of La Martiniere School for Boys and Girls, Supriyo Dhar added: “After the CM’s request, we have decided to switch to online classes from today till May 16. We had earlier announced to start the vacations from May 17, and that remains.” The chief minister had on Wednesday appealed to private schools in the state to declare summer vacations from May 9 in light of the tensions between India and Pakistan.However, several schools maintained that they had already chalked out their academic calendar before the Pahalgam terror attack, and the military conflict between India and Pakistan.

“Yes, we are closing from tomorrow (May 10) after the ‘Rabindra Jayanti’ (birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a state holiday) celebrations today. But, this was decided much earlier,” Principal of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Meena Kak, said.

Principal of B D Memorial International School-Narendrapur, Madhumita Sengupta, also said that it had already fixed May 8 as the last day of classes before the summer vacations.Our academic calendar had been set” before the developments surrounding the Pahalgam incident, she said.

The Mahadevi Birla World Academy and Calcutta Girls High School also said dates for the summer vacations had been fixed well in advance.

In the districts as well, several private schools announced the commencement of summer vacations from Friday.

“Following the developments after ‘Operation Sindoor’, we have decided to advance the day of commencement of vacations from May 16 to May 9,” a spokesperson of a private school in Jalpaiguri said.

Summer vacations are already underway in state-run and state-aided schools from April 30, owing to excess heat.

Popular Youtuber and vocal critic of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, Savukku Shankar’s residence here was targeted on Monday by a group of persons who allegedly dumped “sewage and human faeces” inside the house.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi top leader Thol Thirumavalavan, MDMK chief Vaiko and actor-politician Vijay-led Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam general secretary N Anand strongly condemned the incident and sought tough action against the perpetrators of the crime.K Palaniswami, referring to dumping of sewage and faeces said no one with faith in democracy could tolerate it. In case lawful action was not taken, the former chief minister warned of stern action after his party assumes power. State Assembly election is due in Mar-Apr 2026.

VCK chief Thirumavalavan said the incident was the peak of uncivilised behaviour; one that could bring a bad name to the DMK government. MDMK top leader Vaiko said such despicable incidents by cowards, who could not challenge an opinion by way of counterpoints could never be allowed.Annamalai said, “we can realise based on whose instigation this is happening,” as police allegedly did not act even 3-hours after the intruders had trespassed into Shankar’s house. TVK’s Anand said legal action was the only recourse if someone’s criticism was not acceptable and condemned orchestrating such atrocity.

Asked on action being taken, a senior police official said a probe was on and appropriate action will be taken.

Meanwhile, a city police release, citing a complaint from Shankar’s mother said a 20-member group barged into the house, used abusive language and issued threat. “Legal action will be taken on the basis of the complaint,” the statement added.Shankar posted on ‘X’, a video clip, from CCTV footage, of sewage being poured into his compound and he claimed human faeces was also dumped inside his house.

He alleged that the attack on his house was telecast live by a Tamil Nadu Congress Committee supporter on Facebook and he provided a link to that telecast on his ‘X’ account. Shankar told reporters that the group took away his 68-year old mother, Kamala’s phone, who was alone in the house at that time, and spoke to him on a video call and threatened him.

He alleged the attack was carried out by a group of persons claiming to be sanitary workers and that they gained access by breaking open the backside door of his house. The intruders included some women as well.Though police was alerted immediately, Shankar claimed they did not arrive at the spot “till 40 minutes.” The Youtuber alleged that the intruders issued “death threat,” to him. On the trigger to the incident, Shankar claimed that in December 2024 he exposed “corruption” vis-a-vis the use of 230 vehicles, provided under a government scheme, for sewage clearance related tasks and a top Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) leader had a key role in facilitating corruption and receipt of kickbacks.

He said an FIR had been filed against him for allegedly denigrating sanitary workers. It was a false accusation against him, he claimed and asserted he had only spoken in favour of sanitary workers and only in order to protect their interests.Shankar, a political activist as well alleged that a top police official was also behind the attack. “No one knows that I am here in this house, no one knows this address, I have been living here only for the past 3 months.” Shankar alleged that without the top pThis government will stoop to such a level and this is what I have been saying for the past 4 years,” he told media. In the social media, Savukku Shankar said on Monday night that, “he does not like to run media (YouTube Channel–Savukku Media) by putting at risk the life of his mother.” Further, he said, “this channel cannot be run, this is not my failure, but this is the failure of this society.” Shankar said the property owner who had provided office space to run the channel has also asked him to vacate.olice official’s help the attack could not have happened. Only one sub-inspector and a constable were sent to his house. Shankar claimed that all along he had been getting threats, asking him to stop his media related work. “I see this as the final warning since I have been talking against this (DMK regime) government and the police.” Also, he said his landlord has now asked him to vacate the house and pressure was being exerted on him to stop his work.

In a relief to former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, a city civil court on Wednesday annulled its verdict directing six persons, including him and a firm to together pay Rs 1,60,85,700 in a case relating to the alleged solar scam.
     
The case will be heard afresh from June 1.
     
Judge NR Channakeshava gave the relief after the prosecution, during cross examination of Mr Chandy, failed to establish that the defendant had made changes to the affidavit which it had received.On January 2, the complainant in the case, case city- based businessman MK Kuruvilla, had sought time to study the affidavit, alleging it was different from the copy he had received.
     
Mr Chandy had moved Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on October 24 last which had directed six persons, including him, and a firm together to pay Rs 1,60,85,700 to Kuruvilla with 12 per cent interest for a solar power project which did not materialise.
     Mr Chandy had filed two applications appealing against the earlier verdict.
     
The first had challenged the court’s ex-parte order and the second sought that his arguments be heard.
     
On January 10, the court completed the cross-examination of Mr Chandy after he had replied to several queries.
     
Mr Kuruvilla had filed a civil petition in 2015 seeking return of Rs 1,60,85,700 deposited with SCOSSA Educational Consultants Private Limited for setting up a solar power project in Kerala.
     
According to Mr Kuruvilla, in 2011, he got acquainted with one Binu Nair, who claimed to be Director of Kochi-based  SCOSSA.The petitioner had said that Nair had approached him for setting up the solar power project.
     
The petition stated that Nair had claimed that one of the directors of SCOSSA, Andrews, was Mr Chandy’s first cousin and would be appointed consultant to the project and that he would operate from Abu Dhabi.
     
Mr Kuruvilla had also submitted that Nair had named one Diljith as another director of SCOSSA who, he claimed, was the private secretary to Mr Chandy and contended that the former Chief Minister too was jointly liable to return his money.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!