PM speaks to Macron, Oman's Sultan; discusses Middle East war, Hormuz Strait crisis
India Today
Prime Minister Modi has been constantly in touch with several leaders of the Middle East countries and other world leaders discussing the ongoing conflict as the military hostilities between the US – Israel and Iran get more intense every day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a series of high-level conversations with global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as the discussions focused on the escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
PM Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the shared global concern over the conflict, wherein the US and Israel have been engaged in a fierce military face-off with Iran, targeting the military and civilian infrastructure, which has resulted in the global oil trade and other essential supplies, forcing the world to watch the events with a bated breath.
He said, "Spoke with my dear friend on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy". He added that both nations would continue "close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond".
In a post on X after speaking with Oman’s Sultan, PM Modi said, "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman".
Emphasising the urgency of de-escalation, he added, "We agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability".
Against the backdrop of rising tensions and concerns around Iran’s posture in the region, the prime minister stressed India’s position, stating, he "Reiterated India’s condemnation of the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman’s efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals".
A sudden raid in Uttar Pradesh uncovers a startling gap between official LPG stock and ground reality, raising questions over supply, black marketing and the real reason behind long queues outside gas agencies.
The Supreme Court said the snake venom case against YouTuber Elvish Yadav cannot be sustained in law as the complaint under the Wildlife (Protection) Act was not filed by an authorised person.
A total of 1,013 LPG cylinders have been confiscated so far during 214 raids carried out to prevent illegal use of domestic cooking gas for commercial purposes. Raipur alone accounted for 392 seized cylinders.
After a violent farmhouse attack in Gujarat where police initially fled, authorities arrested 18 accused and publicly paraded them, triggering debate over law enforcement methods and accountability.
Backing the Modi government for its strategic silence on the Middle East conflict, Tharoor argued against "moral grandstanding". He said restraint protects national interests and keeps channels of communication open.
A BJP felicitation event in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj turned chaotic when a woman stormed the venue, accusing a party functionary of cheating her of lakhs. What followed shocked those present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakhs for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for all the injured.
Around 600 villagers removed 750 kg of waste, following which 3,000 mangrove saplings were planted under a Rs 69 lakh project. The restoration has improved water flow in the Pichavaram mangroves and is supporting the livelihoods of Irula fishing families.
On September 27 last year, at least 41 people, including women and children, died in the crush while nearly 60 others were injured as large crowds gathered to see Vijay.
The hand pump, originally at the roadside, ended up in the middle during road expansion work leading to the Vindhyavasini Temple, reportedly rushed ahead of Navratri. After the clip went viral, PWD officials moved to remove it, even as social media users mocked the situation
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut alleged that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi behaves in a manner that makes women MPs uncomfortable in Parliament.