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India’s Prime Minister Raises Concerns over Attacks on Temples in Australia to Australian Counterpart

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India's Prime Minister Raises Concerns over Attacks on Temples in Australia to Australian Counterpart
Photo:AP

NEW DELHI: India and Australia have expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in defence, trade, and mobility of professionals. At the first annual India-Australia Summit held on March 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese discussed ways to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, including maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi also raised India’s concerns about recent attacks on temples in Australia, which were linked to pro-Khalistan groups. Albanese assured him that the safety of the Indian community is a priority for him and invited Modi to Australia for the Quad Leaders’ Summit in May.

The two sides signed several agreements on cooperation in sports, audio-visual co-production, and the terms of reference for an India-Australia solar task force. They also signed a letter of intent for cooperation between India’s Atal Innovation Mission and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) signed last year has eliminated tariffs on more than 85% of Australian goods exported to India, benefiting consumers and providing cheaper inputs to industry. Both sides are now working on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) to upgrade the interim trade deal and a migration and mobility pact that will benefit students and professionals.

Modi and Albanese also finalised a mechanism for recognising each other’s educational qualifications that will benefit students. They are moving forward on a mobility agreement that will be beneficial for students, workers, and professionals. The two sides discussed cooperation in green and renewable energy, especially solar and green hydrogen, and collaboration within the Quad.

Albanese arrived in Ahmedabad on March 8 for a three-day visit, during which he participated in Holi celebrations and watched the first day of the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Modi. He also interacted with leading Indian CEOs in Mumbai and visited the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the waters off Mumbai, announcing that Australia will host this year’s edition of the annual Malabar naval exercise by the navies of India, Japan, and the US.

The India-Australia Summit signifies the strengthening of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which includes security cooperation, trade, and people-to-people ties. The agreements signed during the summit demonstrate the intent to deepen cooperation and create new opportunities for both countries.

India

Gangster-turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has passed away at the age of 63 due to a cardiac arrest.

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Gangster-turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies of Cardiac Arrest
(File Photo: ndtv)

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has passed away at the age of 63 due to a cardiac arrest. Ansari, a five-time former MLA from Mau in Uttar Pradesh, had been incarcerated in jails in both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. His death comes amidst a flurry of controversy and speculation surrounding his health and treatment while in custody.

Ansari was rushed to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, by jail authorities after complaining of vomiting and being found unconscious. Despite efforts by a team of nine doctors, he succumbed to the cardiac arrest.

The news of his death prompted a significant security response, with a large team of police personnel deployed outside the hospital. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were enforced across Uttar Pradesh following Ansari’s demise. Additionally, additional police personnel and Central Reserve Police Force teams were deployed in several districts as a precautionary measure.

This development comes in the wake of earlier hospitalizations of Ansari, which his brother, Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari, attributed to alleged poisoning. Afzal Ansari claimed that Mukhtar Ansari had been given a poisonous substance in his food while in jail, leading to deteriorating health. The prison department, however, refuted these claims, stating that Ansari’s health had deteriorated due to other reasons, including a fall in the washroom.

The circumstances surrounding Ansari’s death have reignited debates about prisoner rights, medical care in jails, and the treatment of high-profile inmates. The controversy surrounding his demise is likely to persist as investigations into the events leading up to his death unfold.

In conclusion, Mukhtar Ansari’s passing marks the end of a controversial and tumultuous chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. However, it also raises pertinent questions about the treatment of prisoners and the adequacy of medical facilities in jails. As the investigation progresses, the true circumstances of Ansari’s demise may come to light, providing closure to his family and supporters while sparking broader discussions about prison reform in India.

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Karnataka

Maoist Activity in Sullia, Karnataka: ANF Conducts Operations

Learn about the heightened Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) activity in Koojimalai forest following recent sightings of suspected Maoists.

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Maoist Activity in Sullia, Karnataka: ANF Conducts Operations
(File Photo - deccanherald)

In response to escalating concerns over suspected Naxalite activity, the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has intensified combing operations in the dense expanse of Koojimalai forest. Reports indicate a surge in sightings of individuals believed to be associated with Maoist groups, prompting ANF jawans to bolster their presence in the region.

On Thursday, yet another sighting of a suspected Naxalite was reported from a heavily wooded area within the forest. Eyewitness accounts from a worker in the rubber plantation suggest the presence of an unfamiliar woman in the vicinity, igniting efforts to locate her amidst the dense foliage.

The ANF has wasted no time in responding to these reports, deploying teams to conduct thorough searches across the Ainekidu and Koojimale estate areas. Sources within the ANF have hinted at the possibility of lingering Naxalite presence along the fringes of the Pushpagiri forest sanctuary, underscoring the importance of vigilance in this region.

Confirming the gravity of the situation, ANF sources have acknowledged receiving multiple complaints regarding the presence of unidentified individuals in the Sampaje-Koojimalai corridor. This surge in activity has prompted the ANF to fortify its operations, ensuring a proactive approach to combat any potential threats posed by Naxalite elements.

As the ANF remains steadfast in its mission to maintain peace and security in the region, residents of Koojimalai and surrounding areas can take solace in the concerted efforts being made to address the looming specter of Naxalism. With continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities, the menace of Naxalite insurgency can be effectively curtailed, safeguarding the tranquility of this pristine forest enclave.

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Bengaluru

NIA Arrests Key Conspirator in Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case

National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrests Muzammil Shareef, a key conspirator in the Bengaluru cafe blast case.

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NIA Arrests Key Conspirator in Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case
(Photo: Dainik Jagran)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress in the investigation into the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru’s Brookfield. On March 1, Muzammil Shareef, identified as a key conspirator, was apprehended by NIA teams during crackdowns at 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

Muzammil Shareef’s arrest comes after NIA took over the case on March 3, following initial investigations by Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB). The blast, carried out by the main accused Mussavir Shazeeb Hussain, resulted in severe injuries to several customers and staff members, causing extensive damage to the property.

NIA’s investigations have unveiled Muzammil Shareef’s role in providing logistic support to the prime accused and another conspirator, Abdul Matheen Taha. While Hussain and Taha remain at large, NIA’s efforts continue to bring them to justice.

The blast, triggered by an IED, necessitated a swift and thorough investigation by NIA to ensure accountability and prevent further threats to public safety. With ongoing efforts and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, NIA remains committed to unraveling the complete network behind such acts of terrorism.

Stay tuned for more updates on NIA’s investigation into the Bengaluru cafe blast case as efforts intensify to bring all perpetrators to justice and safeguard our communities from such heinous acts.

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