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What to Know About Modi’s Visit and U.S.-India Relations

The visit has big implications for U.S.-India relations as President Biden seeks to shore up an alliance against Russia’s aggression and China’s economic influence.

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By Victoria Kim

Follow live updates as President Biden hosts Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meetings and a state dinner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India will receive a lavish welcome on Thursday in Washington, where he will address a joint session of Congress and be feted by President Biden and the first lady in a state dinner at the White House — only the third state leader to be hosted by the current administration.

Swirling around the pageantry of a momentous visit for U.S.-India relations, seen as an affirmation of India’s rise as an economic and diplomatic power, will be weighty questions of geopolitical alignments with regard to China’s economic influence and Russia’s military aggression, as well as the erosion of India’s secular democracy under Mr. Modi. How much if any of that will be publicly addressed by the two leaders is unclear.

The visit is a significant diplomatic prize for Mr. Modi , who was once denied a visa to the United States for his role in religious riots in his home state, and as prime minister has increasingly consolidated power and edged his country closer to one-party rule.

Still, the Biden administration has painstakingly sought to draw India closer, economically and militarily, at the cost of muddling his oft-stated worldview of a pitched battle between autocracies and democracies .

Here is what to know about Mr. Modi’s state visit.

The U.S. is trying to draw India closer.

Announcing Mr. Modi’s state visit, the White House press secretary said the occasion would celebrate “the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together.” Like his predecessors, Mr. Biden has leaned into the hope that India, the world’s most populous democracy and the fifth-largest economy, will serve as a counterweight to China’s growing global economic heft. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen last year visited India as part of the administration’s push to shift global supply chains away from its political and economic adversaries.

“New Delhi has a pivotal role to play in checkmating China — if politically nudged, militarily helped and geopolitically encouraged by the U.S. and its allies,” said Happymon Jacob, who teaches Indian foreign policy at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

The urgency for improved relations has intensified with Russia’s war on Ukraine, a geopolitical crisis that has placed India at the center of jostling between the United States and its allies and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. India, while fostering closer ties with the United States, has maintained military and economic relations with Russia, buying up Russian oil at a discount and staying away from backing United Nations resolutions that have condemned Russia’s aggression.

Defense cooperation is high on the agenda.

The United States wants to help India bolster its domestic defense industry and increase military cooperation between the two countries in an attempt to wean India off its long dependence on Russia for its weaponry. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, each traveled to New Delhi this month ahead of the state visit to lay the groundwork for closer defense partnerships.

A substantial majority of India’s arsenal is estimated to be of Russian origin , the result of a decades-long defense relationship between the two countries at a time when the United States was instead supplying weapons to India’s rival, Pakistan. While the proportion of Russian arms in India’s defense imports has decreased in recent years, the country still remains dependent on Russia for parts and maintenance.

Highlighting increased technological cooperation, military coordination and intelligence sharing between the two countries, Mr. Austin said during his New Delhi visit: “This all matters because we face a rapidly changing world. We see bullying and coercion from the People’s Republic of China, Russian aggression against Ukraine that seeks to redraw borders by force and threatens national sovereignty.”

Modi is accused of undermining democracy.

In hosting Mr. Modi, Mr. Biden will be standing shoulder to shoulder with a leader who is immensely popular in his country but has sidelined challengers , co-opted judicial systems and consolidated power to a degree that has concerned observers and critics about the democratic erosion in the nation that recently surpassed China to become the world’s most populous.

This week, more than 70 Democratic lawmakers urged the president in a letter to raise upholding democratic values and human rights with the Indian prime minister, citing “troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access.”

Mr. Modi’s India has become particularly perilous for the nation’s more than 200 million religious minorities, as his right-wing vigilante supporters have fomented religious tensions with the aim of imposing Hindu supremacy on India’s constitutionally secular democracy. That’s led to a perpetual sense of combustibility on the ground, particularly for India’s Muslims.

In March, Rahul Gandhi, India’s best-known opposition leader and Mr. Modi’s chief rival, was convicted on a charge of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison. He filed an appeal and remains free, but the conviction allowed Mr. Modi’s allies to oust him from the country’s Parliament.

Mujib Mashal contributed reporting.

Victoria Kim is a correspondent based in Seoul, focused on international breaking news coverage. More about Victoria Kim

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

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The top American military commander in Europe warned that Ukraine could lose the war with Russia  if the United States did not send more ammunition to Ukrainian forces, and fast.

Ukrainian lawmakers passed a mobilization law aimed at replenishing the nation’s exhausted and depleted fighting forces .

China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, and Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, met in Beijing . The visit came days after the United States threatened new sanctions against Chinese companies if they aided Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Hollowing Out a Generation:  Ukraine desperately needs new recruits, but it is running up against a critical demographic constraint long in the making: It has very few young men .

Conditional Support: Ukraine wants a formal invitation to join NATO, but the alliance has no appetite for taking on a new member  that would draw it into the biggest land war in Europe since 1945.

‘Shell Hunger’: A desperate shortage of munitions in Ukraine  is warping tactics and the types of weapons employed, and what few munitions remain are often mismatched with battlefield needs.

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Inaugural session of the 1st G-20 Tourism Working Group Meeting held at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat day

6.19 million foreign tourists arrived in india in 2022: shri g.kishan reddy we are celebrating visit india 2023 this year to boost tourism in a big way: sh. g. kishan reddy tourism sector in india is a significant economic multiplier and is becoming important for rapid economic growth and employment creation: shri parshottam rupala tourism is a mode through which we can feel and experience the heritage and culture that has been passed on to us through our ancestors, thus leading to unity in diversity: sh. bhupendra bhai patel.

Major Highlights:

• The main event was graced by Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER Sh. G. Kishan Reddy; Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Chief Minister of Gujarat Sh. Bhupendra Bhai Patel.
• India has built extensive tourism infrastructure worth approximately USD $ 1 Billion dollars (Rs. 7,000 Crores) to improve tourist experience: Shri G.K Reddy
• National Digital Tourism Mission (NDTM) is being formulated to ensure the digitalisation of the Tourism sector in Mission Mode: Shri G.K Reddy

The Inaugural session of the 1 st Tourism Working Group Meeting under G20 hosted by the Ministry of Tourism was held at Rann of Kutch, Gujarat today morning.

The inaugural session was addressed by Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and DoNER Shri G.Kishan Reddy, Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying;  and Chief Minister of Gujarat Sh. Bhupendra Bhai Patel along with opening remarks by TROKIA Brazil and Indonesia.

Addressing the inaugural session Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G.K Reddy said that despite t he tourism sector being severely affected by COVID, India saw a good boost in Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2022 and approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022.  This is a four-fold increase in the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals over last year.

Union Minister also informed that t he Ministry of Tourism is celebrating this year as “Visit India Year 2023” focusing on in-bound travel to India. In India tourists can experience Boundless Cultural heritage; Blissful spiritual experiences; Bountiful wildlife resources and Beautiful natural beauty, the Minister explained.

Giving more details, Shri G.K Reddy said that over the last 8.5 years, India has built extensive tourism infrastructure worth approximately USD $ 1 Billion dollars (Rs. 7,000 Crores) to improve tourist experience. Union Minister also said that India has taken several initiatives for skilling youth including Short Term Hospitality courses, Skill Testing and Certification, Recognition of Prior Learning, Digital Courses online. He also said that India is nurturing and developing young ambassadors of Indian tourism through YUVA Tourism Clubs in schools and colleges across India.

Highlighting the importance of safety, the Union Minister remarked that the Government of India is focussed on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tourists travelling in India and is formulating and implementing Uniform Tourist Police for providing a safe and secure environment to the tourists. G.K Reddy also said that India is appointing nodal officers in the Indian Missions abroad of the top 20 source countries.

Union Minister further said that the National Digital Tourism Mission (NDTM) is being formulated to ensure the digitalisation of the Tourism sector in Mission Mode and India  has built  many large scale  Digital Public  Infrastructure  such  as Aadhar  for Identity  and  UPI  for real-time payments.

Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala said the theme of India’s G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth. Highlighting the importance of the Tourism Working Group in G20, he said that it  was initiated under the presidency of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2020 and since then it has provided a platform for the member countries and stakeholders to discuss, deliberate and guide the course of action for further development of local and global tourism.

He also remarked that tourism sector in India is a significant economic multiplier and is becoming increasingly important as the country strives for rapid economic growth and employment creation.

Union Minister also said that the tourism working group has changed the traditional perspective of tourism to responsible, sustainable, and inclusive oriented form of tourism. Since the inception of tourism working group different presidencies have contributed to make tourism, an important tool for achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Gujarat Sh. Bhupendra Bhai Patel said that Tourism brings us close to the nature. Tourism is a mode through which we can feel and experience the heritage and culture that has been passed on to us through our ancestors, thus leading to unity in diversity.

He also said that special provisions have been made for tourism development in this year's Amrit Budget under the leadership of Prime Minister to face the immense diversity of India's tourism activities to the world. The Chief Minister highlighted the vast and diverse tourist potential of the state of Gujarat.

In the working session, discussions were held on Greening of Tourism sector for a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector; Harnessing the Power Of Digitalization to promote competitiveness, Inclusion and sustainability in tourism sector; Empowering youth with skills for jobs and entrepreneurship in tourism sector; Nurturing tourism MSMEs / Startups/ private sector to unleash innovation and dynamism in tourism sector; Rethinking the strategic management of destinations towards a holistic approach that delivers on the SDGs.

The delegates arrived in Dhordo on 7 th February and were given a warm, colourful and traditional welcome which included performances by folk artists at the tent city, Dhordo, Rann of Kutch. Later in the evening, the delegates were taken to White Rann in beautifully decorated camel carts with vibrant folk Music and dance performances all along the way. The delegates enjoyed the beautiful sunset and took photographs with G20 logo. The dinner was preceded by a cultural night in which folk dances were performed by artists.

Related Links : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1897070

                         https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1896741

                         https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1896097

What’s expected at Japanese PM Kishida’s US visit? A major upgrade in defense ties

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making an official visit to the United States this week. He will hold a summit with President Joe Biden that’s meant to achieve a major upgrading of their defense alliance.

He will also join a first-ever summit of the U.S., Japanese and Philippine leaders in Washington to showcase their cooperation in the face of an increasingly assertive China .

The Associated Press explains the significance of Kishida’s visit and the two summits.

WHAT DOES KISHIDA WANT TO ACHIEVE? The biggest event during the weeklong trip is his summit with Biden on Wednesday. Kishida hopes to further strengthen the alliance as China’s influence grows in the Indo-Pacific.

Kishida is also reaching out to the American public to showcase Japan’s contribution to the U.S. economy and ensure stable relations regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election later this year.

Kishida, who has pushed sweeping changes fortifying Japan’s defense capabilities since taking office in 2021, will emphasize that Japan and the U.S. are now global partners working to maintain a rules-based international order, and that Japan is willing to take on a greater international role in security, economy and space to help Washington.

Expanding arms equipment and technology cooperation between the two countries and other like-minded partners is also highly important, Kishida on Friday told selected media , including AP.

Kishida, stung by a corruption scandal, needs a successful U.S. visit to shore up low support ratings at home.

WHAT IS A STATE VISIT? As a state guest, Kishida will be welcomed in a White House arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, a formal state dinner and other official events. He is the fifth state guest of Biden, who has also hosted leaders of India, Australia, South Korea and France, underscoring America’s focus on Indo-Pacific security partnerships.

Kishida is the first Japanese leader to make a state visit since Shinzo Abe in 2015. Abe made a major revision to the interpretation of Japan’s pacifist Constitution, allowing its self-defense-only principle to also cover its ally, the United States.

WHY THE DEFENSE FOCUS? Defense tops the agenda because of growing worries about threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Chinese coast guard ships regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan . Beijing says Taiwan is part of its territory and will be brought under control by force if necessary.

There are also worries about North Korean nuclear and missile threats and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kishida has warned that the war in Europe could lead to conflict in East Asia, suggesting that a lax attitude to Russia emboldens China.

“While we maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance as a cornerstone, we believe it is important to cooperate with like-minded countries, including the Philippines,” Kishida said.

WHAT ARE THE SUMMIT’S MAIN ISSUES? Biden and Kishida are expected to agree on a plan to modernize their military command structures so they can better operate together. America stations 50,000 troops in Japan. The Japanese Self Defense Force is preparing to restructure so it has a unified command for ground, air and naval forces by March 2025.

Also expected are new initiatives for defense industry cooperation, including co-production of weapons, possibly a new missile, and the repair and maintenance of American warships and other equipment in Japan to help U.S. operations in the western Pacific.

Japan’s possible participation in a U.S.-U.K.-Australia security partnership to develop and share advanced military capabilities, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and hypersonics, may also come up.

Kishida and Biden are also expected to confirm Japan’s participation in NASA’s Artemis moon program and its contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp. and the inclusion of a Japanese astronaut. The rover, which comes at a roughly $2 billion cost, is the most expensive contribution to the mission by a non-U.S. partner to date, a U.S. official said.

WHAT’S JAPAN’S DEFENSE AIM? Since adopting a more expansive national security strategy in 2022 , Kishida’s government has taken bold steps to accelerate Japan’s military buildup. He hopes to show Tokyo is capable of elevating its security cooperation with the U.S. Kishida has pledged to double defense spending and boost deterrence against China, which Japan considers a top security threat.

Japan, working to acquire what it calls a “counterstrike” capability, has purchased 400 U.S. Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. After prohibiting almost all weapons transfers, it has relaxed export guidelines twice in recent months, allowing the sale of lethal weapons to countries from which they were licensed and the overseas sales of a fighter jet it’s co-developing with the U.K. and Italy. The changes have allowed Japan to ship Japanese-made PAC-3 missiles to the U.S. to help replace those contributed by Washington to Ukraine.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUMMIT WITH THE PHILIPPINES? The first-ever trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. comes as the Philippines faces escalating maritime tension with China over their contested South China Sea claims.

Biden wants to show that the three maritime democracies are unified as they face aggressive Chinese action against the Philippine coast guard and its supply vessels off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Japan has sold coastal radars to the Philippines and is now negotiating a defense agreement that would allow their troops to visit each other’s turf for joint military exercises.

The trilateral comes eight months after Biden hosted a meeting with leaders from Japan and South Korea at Camp David .

“Cooperation among our three countries are extremely important in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and in defending a free and open international order based on the rules of law,” Kishida said Monday before leaving for Washington.

WHAT HAPPENS IN NORTH CAROLINA? Kishida also wants to highlight Japan’s economic contributions in the U.S. There is growing uncertainty in Tokyo about U.S. elections, reflected by questions about what happens if former President Donald Trump wins, though experts say there is a bipartisan consensus on a stronger U.S.-Japan alliance.

Kishida will meet with business leaders and visit Toyota’s electric vehicle battery factory under construction for a planned launch in 2025, and Honda’s business jet subsidiary in North Carolina. He will also meet students at North Carolina State University on Friday.

In his congressional speech on Thursday, Kishida said he plans to convey “what Japan and the United States want to hand down to future generations and what we need to do for them.”

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Union minister muraleedharan begins official visit to oman from tomorrow.

New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will embark for a two-day visit to Oman starting October 18, according to an official statement.

During his October 18-19 visit, the External Affairs Minister of State hold meetings with Omani leadership, Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release.

Muraleedharan will inaugurate a lecture series titled "From Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman." The lecture series shedding light on the history of Indian community in Oman and its contribution to relations between India and Oman will be organised by Indian Embassy.

"Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V Muraleedharan will pay his third official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 18-19 October 2023," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

During the visit, MoS will hold high-level discussions with the Omani leadership and dignitaries. He will also inaugurate the painting exhibition, "India on Canvas: Masterpieces of Modern Indian Painting" which is a collection of specially curated 20 works of art from the collection of National Gallery of Modern Art, exhibited in the National Museum of Oman," it added.

During his visit, Muraleedharan will interact with various Indian community organizations and a wide cross section of Indian community residing in Oman, including professionals, blue collar workers, health care workers, social workers, and school students.

India and Oman share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages and strong people-to-people ties. The forthcoming visit offers an opportunity to comprehensively review the bilateral relations between India and Oman and chart pathways to further deepen our multifaceted ties.

ANI 17th October 2023, 20:18 GMT+11

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh's UK visit witnesses research collaborations in spotlight

The Union Minister was given insights into the ongoing projects on which scientists and researchers from both countries were focussed and also interacted with the significant Indian student cohort at the leading research university

At the Imperial College London visit of Union Minister for Science Dr Jitendra Singh, research collaborations between India and the UK in the field of carbon capture and space technologies remained the areas in the spotlight.

Singh is on a tour of the UK this week.

The Union Minister was given insights into the ongoing projects on which scientists and researchers from both countries were focussed and also interacted with the significant Indian student cohort at the leading research university.

The ministerial delegation, including the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government of India Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, toured the Imperial College labs for a first-hand account of the tie-ups.

“The advantage we share is that the two nations share a very comfortable bonding over the centuries so it makes things easier for collaborations in different areas,” Dr Singh said during the visit on Friday.

“What is remarkable is that all institutions like Imperial College London have a very sizeable number of boys and girls from India and also the faculty here is looking up to them with a huge amount of esteem and expectation.

“The vaccine success story in the aftermath of COVID is something which has vindicated India’s immense potential, which was waiting to happen,” he said.

The minister toured Imperial’s Carbon Capture Pilot Plant to see how the students are training to become the next generation of chemical engineers.

He also saw a demonstration of the latest imaging from the Mars Rover at the Data Science Institute by Indian-origin scientist Professor Sanjeev Gupta before his interaction with students.

Professor Mary Ryan, Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise) at Imperial College London who joined the minister on the tour, said: “It is excellent to see India driving the science agenda for sustainable development and leading an impressive series of engagement through the Science20 group. We look forward to learning more about the outcomes and to working with our partners in India on the priority areas.

“Here at Imperial, we’re incredibly proud of our longstanding connections with India. We are privileged to host just over 800 talented and highly entrepreneurial students from India, some of whom I am delighted to see here today.”

During the visit, Imperial College London announced that it would be launching the ‘Future Leaders Scholarship’ programme for Indian Masters students, which will support 30 students over the next three years.

The scholarships will be for students in MSc programmes across Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business School and Medicine and half of the scholarships will be reserved for female scholars.

Professor Peter Haynes, Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience) at Imperial, said: “It is a real priority for Imperial to continue to facilitate and support two-way mobility between India and the UK.

“I hope that we are able to welcome even more students from India in the future and I am very pleased to share today that Imperial is investing just over GBP 400,000 in scholarships for the future STEM-B leaders of India,” Haynes said.

“The investment will see the launch of 30 merit-based scholarships over the next three years, with the first application round opening next academic year,” he said.

During his five-day UK visit, the Science Minister kicked off with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with his British counterpart, George Freeman, at the India-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting.

He has since toured several academic institutions including the University of Surrey and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxford and interacted with academics and university chiefs at the Royal Society in London.

On Saturday, Singh participated in an Indian diaspora event at the High Commission of India in London, discussing India’s growth story and bilateral collaborations with representatives from the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

On Sunday, the minister will join a special live broadcast event marking the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address at India House in London.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Imphal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Manipur before the Lok Sabha elections, ThePrint has learnt. This would mark his second visit to the state amid the ongoing strife over the last 11 months between the Meitei and Kuki communities that has claimed over 200 lives and rendered thousands homeless.

Shah’s likely trip is significant as the only time he has been to Manipur since the beginning of the clashes on 3 May 2023 was when he undertook a four-day visit to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed state from 29 May to 2 June last year.

While the proposed visit has been kept under wraps, top sources in the Manipur administration said that the Union minister is likely to be in Imphal “very soon and preparations are already underway”.

Moreover, addressing a closed-door “interactive session” at his official residence with a large number of people from Kakching district Friday, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that Shah “might visit Manipur” .

Singh, however, did not share the specifics of the proposed visit in his address. 

Polling in Manipur will be held in two phases, while the Inner Manipur seat will vote on 19 April, the Schedule Tribe – reserved Outer Manipur constituency will vote in two phases — 19 April and 26 April. 

The BJP has fielded a candidate in the Inner Manipur seat and is backing the Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate in the Outer seat, which covers primarily Kuki and Naga-dominated districts. 

The CM met Shah in Delhi on 3 February. Following the meeting, Singh posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), “Today, I had the esteemed privilege of meeting with the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji in New Delhi. Engaging in a profound exchange, we discussed matters of paramount importance concerning our state. Rest assured, the Government of India is set to take some important decisions in the interests of the people of Manipur.”  

Today, I had the esteemed privilege of meeting with the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah Ji in New Delhi. Engaging in a profound exchange, we discussed matters of paramount importance concerning our state. Rest assured, the Government of India is set to take some… pic.twitter.com/3nR7S4piJ9 — N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) February 3, 2024

Shah’s proposed Manipur trip also comes at a time when suspense remains over the fate of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups. While the Manipur government unilaterally withdrew from the pact in March 2023, the central government’s position remains unclear. 

It was not immediately clear if Shah would clarify the Centre’s stand on this issue as the Model of Conduct was in effect, said a Manipur government official . 

“The guns have fallen silent from both sides since the elections were announced. There is a lull in hostilities. Shah’s trip will also act as a confidence-building measure,” the official told ThePrint .

Unlike Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been to Manipur during this period even once. This has repeatedly come under criticism from the Opposition parties that have attributed the PM’s absence from the scene to the Centre’s “indifference” to the Manipur conflict.

However, Manipur did find a brief mention in the PM’s speech during the debate on the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition in the Parliament in August 2023. In his speech, Modi said that the people of India stand with the people of the state, something he reiterated in his Independence Day address. 

During the debate on the no-confidence motion, Shah spoke in greater detail — calling for a peace dialogue between the Meiteis and Kukis. 

During his last visit less than a month after the conflict broke out, Shah had held a series of meetings with top officials, politicians, civil society organisations and Manipur governor Anusuiya Uikey.

The Union minister also visited the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district and Moreh town, which borders Myanmar during his visit. 

In Manipur, Meiteis are a majority in Imphal and adjoining valley districts, while the Kuki community inhabit the hill districts.

Before the crisis began, a large number of Kukis lived in Imphal, while Meiteis were also present in the hill districts, including Churachandpur, which is the second largest town in the state after Imphal. But the conflict saw Kukis fleeing the valley, while the Meiteis from the hills took shelter in relief camps in Imphal.

(Edited by Richa Mishra)

Also Read: How Manipur is planning for LS polls — ‘vulnerability mapping’, booths for displaced voters

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Odisha As BJP's Focus, 7 Union Ministers To Visit State In 2 Days: Report

The seven Union Minister's who will visit the state are: Dharmendra Pradhan, Arjun Munda, Nityananda Rai, Ashwini Choubey, Bhupendra Yadav, Bisheswar Tudu and Nisith Paramanik.

With the BJP central leadership announcing Odisha as its focus state for the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, as many as seven Union Ministers will visit the state in a span of two days beginning on Friday, party sources said.

Pradhan and Tudu are from Odisha.

While Pradhan, Munda, Rai have already reached the state, Choubey and Tudu are scheduled to arrive tonight. Yadav and Paramanik will reach here on Saturday, the sources said.

Apart from Union Ministers, BJP's national spokesperson Sambit Patra and party's national vice-president Baijayant Panda also came to the state to accompany the Central ministers and also attend different meetings with saffron leaders.

The visit of over half-a-dozen Union Ministers to Odisha, came after recent visit of BJP's newly appointed Odisha in-charge Sunil Bansal earlier this week and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's tour in August.

During his visit, Shah had announced that Odisha was on the focus list of BJP and the saffron party will come to power in the state in the 2024 Assembly election.

Party sources said that the seven union ministers will visit at least 12 Lok Sabha segments across Odisha where the BJP's position was comparatively bad. Though the BJP candidates had won in 8 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha in 2019 elections, it lost in 13 other seats.

"Our ministers will visit those areas and meet the party workers and guide them on how to perform better in the 2024 elections," said BJP state spokeperson Rajendra Panda.

As per the agenda, while Tribal Affairs minister Arjun Munda left for Jajpur district after his arrival here, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai will visit Cuttack.

Munda is scheduled have a meeting with the district administration regarding the execution of the central schemes in the district. Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Yadav, who was supposed to arrive here on Friday evening, however, rescheduled his programme and will arrive on Saturday.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu will be reaching shortly, Panda said.

"BJP leaders including union ministers visit different parts of the country keeping in view both the organizational interest as well as official work," Nityanand Rai said on his arrival at the airport here.

BJP state general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar said the union ministers will attend official reviews and also meet the party workers during the visit.

Senior Congress leader and MLA Suresh Routray, however, said that the visit of Union Ministers and BJP leaders indicated that the General elections will be held in 2023 instead of its scheduled time in 2024.

"The BJP is trying its best to be the number one party in Odisha. However, price rise will sink them. If Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik further supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJD will also face the same fate. Congress is coming," Routray said.

BJD MLA Sashibhusan Behera said the Union Ministers will be "disappointed" if they have any political ambition in the state. "There is nothing wrong in Union Ministers reviewing government schemes, but if they do it with political intention, they will be frustrated," Behera said.

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"It is right that the BJP's Odisha in-charge and other leaders visit the state for political works, but if Union Ministers also indulge in politics, this is not acceptable in official programmes," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Union Home Minister to visit Bhagyalakshmi temple, hold meeting with state BJP leaders

HYDERABAD: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be holding a crucial meeting with the state BJP leaders on Thursday. 

As the Opposition parties are expecting the elections at least a month ahead of the due date, Amit Shah’s visit to Congress-ruled Telangana assumes significance.

Immediately after arriving in the city, Shah will be holding a meeting with top leaders at a hotel in Shamshabad. 

The meeting is likely to discuss the current political situation in the state. Shah is also likely to review the outcome of the recent Assembly elections and the BJP’s improved vote share and seat tally. 

According to sources, Shah will also be discussing the party’s preparation for Lok Sabha elections, Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra 2023-24 and Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya.

Shah will be offering special prayers at the Bhagyalakshmi temple near Charminar before attending a preparatory meeting for the Lok Sabha elections. The saffron party has invited its mandal and district presidents as well as state office bearers for this meeting. 

Later in the day, Shah is likely to hold two private meetings with notable personalities. The party, however, refused to divulge the details of these meetings. Shah will also be meeting the newly elected BJP MLAs. 

All the state in-charges of the party, including Tarun Chugh, Sunil Bansal, Aravind Menon and Prakash Javadekar will also be participating in these meetings.

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Cyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from Lebanon

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, meets with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, right, and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, left, arrive at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, shakes hands with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, center left, escorted by Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, center right, arrives at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, speaks during his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, inspects the a guard of honor with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, second left, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, inspects the a guard of honor, with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, right, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, on carpet right, attends a military welcome ceremony with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati,on carpet left, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese caretaker prime minister and the Cypriot president are calling on the European Union to provide financial support to help cash-strapped Lebanon stop migrants from reaching European shores.

President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut Monday, alongside his country’s interior and foreign ministers and army chief, came after he urged the EU last week to intercede with Lebanese authorities to help stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation.

Migration in recent years has become a priority issue between the two countries.

Najib Mikati said the Lebanese military and security agencies have been doing their utmost to curb migration, but the situation was so dire that it needed “a framework agreement” with the EU. He was referring to already sanctioned migration-linked European financial packages with cash-strapped Mediterranean countries Tunisia and Egypt .

Christodoulides agreed with Mikati on the importance of reaching a similar agreement with Lebanon as Cyprus, along with other European countries, has been witnessing a spike in migrant arrivals.

According to the Cypriot Interior Ministry, some 2,140 people arrived by boat in Cyprus between Jan. 1 and Apr. 4 of this year, compared to only 78 people during that same period in 2023. The vast majority were Syrian nationals departing from Lebanon.

Lebanon — which is coping with a crippling economic crisis since 2019 — hosts some 805,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees, of which 90% live in poverty, the UN’s refugee agency says. Lebanese officials estimate the actual number is far higher, ranging between 1.5 and 2 million. Many have escaped the civil war in their country which entered its 14th year.

The UN refugee agency also noted the surge in migrant departures from Lebanon and confirmed that most were Syrian refugees.

Lebanon and Cyprus already have a bilateral deal where Cypriot authorities would return migrants attempting to reach the island from Lebanon.

Mikati said Monday most of Syria has become safe as the conflict is now at a stalemate. He called on the EU to support the repatriation of Syrian refugees or help them resettle in other countries.

Christodoulides said that most Syrian migrants fled their home country mainly for economic reasons and called on the international community to fund development projects in Syria that would help incentivize or motivate their return, according to a statement issued by Mikati’s office.

However, UN agencies, human rights groups, and Western governments maintain that Syria is not yet safe for repatriation.

In a separate statement, Cyprus’ government spokesman said Christodoulides told Lebanese officials that EU help would depend on the results of Lebanon’s efforts to curb increased migrant arrivals to the island nation.

Cyprus has been pushing for the EU to re-designate some areas within war-torn Syria into “safe zones” for such repatriations. Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said last week the proposal is gaining traction among the 27-nation bloc but it wouldn’t happen in the near term

A Lebanese diplomatic official familiar with Monday’s talks said that both delegations are discussing a joint proposal focused on Syrian refugees returning home. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Talks between Syrian parties to find a political solution are currently frozen. While Damascus was reinstated in the Arab League last year, the EU previously said conditions to restore ties were yet to be met.

Lebanon’s interior minister and army chief were part of Mikati’s delegation.

Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

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