NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

BJP leader and Union Minister General V K Singh today said the elections provide a chance to change things for the better. Addressing a public meeting at Aluva in support of NDA candidate K A Unnikrishanan in Chalakkudy constituency in Kerala, he said, the changes thus brought about will have its impact on various sectors of the state. General Singh  also took part in a vehicle rally organised as part of the event. Later interacting with ex-servicemen at Angamaly, he said the BJP led government took several steps for the welfare of the armed forces personnel. CPI-M leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today observed that the forthcoming general elections should serve as an opportunity to protect secularism in the country. Addressing a public meeting at Mattannur in Kannur in Kerala, he criticised the Congress for not opposing CAA and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu Kashmir. He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is silent on CAA, an issue which did not find any mention in the party’s election manifesto. The CPI-M leader also alleged that the 18 members who represented Kerala in Parliament endorsed the BJP’s stand on such issues. The LDF leader said the 2024 general election is an opportunity to evaluate the performance of the 18 MPs who won the 2019 polls.  BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has observed that UDF and LDF are hoodwinking people in Kerala, as they oppose each other in the state, while they are in alliance in other states. He was addressing a public meeting in Tripunithura in support of the NDA candidate in Ernakulam constituency this evening. He said NDA opponents are engaged in false propaganda regarding the Manipur issue in Kerala.  The Assam Chief Minister also held a roadshow in the town, in support of the NDA candidate.

In the Kashmir Valley, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today met the family members of the victims who lost their lives in the heartbreaking boat tragedy on April 16. The Lt Governor expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured all help and support to them. He said the UT Administration stands shoulder to shoulder with the families in this hour of grief.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is in Pakistan on a three-day trip to discuss regional and bilateral relations days after Iran and Israel carried out attacks against each other, risking the Gaza war to expand into a regional conflict. Raisi is scheduled to hold talks with top Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the two neighbours seek to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile attacks in January. What’s the agenda of the trip? Raisi arrived in the capital, Islamabad, on Monday as the two neighbours aim to boost economic, border and energy ties. “The Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with the neighbourhood policy … is interested in promoting relations with Pakistan and during this trip, various issues including economic and commercial issues, energy and border issues will be discussed with the government of Pakistan,” a statement by the Iranian presidential office said on Monday. In a statement issued on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for improving bilateral ties. “The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” the statement said. The Iranian president will visit major cities, including Lahore and Karachi, and focus on bilateral and trade ties, it said. Mosharraf Zaidi, a partner at advisory services firm Tabadlab and former adviser to the Foreign Ministry, told Al Jazeera in a written statement that Raisi’s trip is “an effort to secure an expression of support from Islamabad and Rawalpindi [military leadership] for Iran – as it stumbles deeper into a dangerous conflict with Israel”. Zaidi added that Iran’s strategic thinkers are aware that Pakistan has both a domestic political crisis and a growing range of economic compulsions that limit the range of movement on Pakistan’s engagement in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. What’s the status of Iran-Pakistan ties? Iran and Pakistan have a history of a troubled relationship, with both accusing each other of failing to rein in armed groups. The border tensions escalated in January when Iran carried out air attacks across the border in Pakistan killing two children. The Iranian state media said the attack was targeting two bases of the armed group Jaish al-Adl. Pakistan retaliated by firing a missile into Iranian territory and recalling its ambassador from Tehran. But the two neighbours decided to de-escalate tensions, with Tehran rushing its top diplomat to Islamabad to mend ties. The two countries agreed to confront the “menace of terrorism” together, especially in the border region. Before Raisi’s visit, Tehran and Islamabad talked about combating “terrorism”. “At that time, Pakistan had a caretaker government in place. So what Iranians had indicated was that after the new government comes in, there could be a visit to repair the relationship and rebuild confidence,” Muhammad Faisal, a PhD Scholar at the University of Technology Sydney who specialises in Pakistan’s foreign policy, said. Why is the Pakistan-Iran relationship vital? Foreign policy analysts in Pakistan have backed re-engagement with Iran despite the border tensions. “Pakistan has troubled borders with India as well as with Afghanistan. And therefore, to have a normal, stable relationship with Iran has been of utmost importance for Pakistan, and it remains so,” veteran Pakistani diplomat Maleeha Lodhi told Al Jazeera in the wake of the January border tensions. Islamabad and Tehran have been aiming to boost bilateral trade, which currently stands at more than $2bn. Faisal told Al Jazeera that there is a sizable informal trade between the two countries, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and crude oil. He added that Iran also provides electricity to Balochistan province and other border areas in Pakistan. In May 2023, Sharif and Raisi inaugurated the first border market at the Mand-Pishin border crossing. Moreover, the two neighbours have close cultural and religious ties, with tens of thousands of Shia minority people from Pakistan going to Iran every year on pilgrimage. However, Tabadlab’s Zaidi said common cultural bonds and a long border – 900km (559 miles) – have not translated into people-to-people exchanges and deep trade ties. “Instead, trade is mostly outside the formal domain and travel is restricted to religious tourism,” he said. On the eve of his trip, the Iranian president set a target of $10bn in bilateral trade, saying the level of economic relations between the two countries is not equal to the level of political relations. Last August, they had set the bilateral trade target at $5bn. A plan to build a pipeline to export Iranian natural gas to Pakistan has been stalled amid opposition from the United States, which has slapped a wide range of sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme. Faisal, from the University of Technology Sydney, said the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline might be discussed during the talks. How has Pakistan responded to Iran-Israel tensions? On April 14, a day after Iran’s strikes on Israel, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for de-escalation. The statement deemed the events “the consequences of the breakdown of diplomacy”. “These also underline the ‘grave’ implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfil its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security,” the ministry statement said. It further said Pakistan underlined the necessity of international efforts to prevent further hostilities in the region and for a ceasefire in Gaza. “It’s now critically urgent to stabilise the situation and restore peace. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint,” the statement concluded. Pakistan does not recognise Israel and does not have direct channels of communication with it. “In recent years, there has been growing conjecture about pressure from GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries on Pakistan to make changes to its Palestine policy. There is no indication that such a change is on the cards,” Zaidi said.

With forecast of above-normal temperatures and heat waves in parts of the country, the Election Commission held a meeting on Monday with different stakeholders, including officials of the weather office. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu chaired the meeting. The meeting discussed measures to mitigate risk due to heatwaves during the Lok Sabha polls. Six more phases of the seven- phased exercise are yet to be held in the country. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar chairing the me "In view of forecast of above normal temperatures & heat waves in parts of the country, Commission is holding a meeting with different stakeholders this morning. The meeting is discussing measures to mitigate risk," the spokesperson of the poll body posted on X," adding that the meeting was attended by officers from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Ministry of the Home Affairs.  The threshold for a heatwave is met when the maximum temperature of a weather station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in the coastal areas, and 30 degrees in the hilly regions, and the departure from normal is at least 4.5 notches. A severe heatwave is declared if the departure from normal temperature exceeds 6.4 notches. "IMD is in continuous touch with the Election Commission of India. Along with seasonal forecasts, we are doing monthly, week-wise and everyday forecasts and giving them forecasts about heat waves, and humidity levels. We are providing the ECI, inputs and forecasts about the places where elections are going to be held in different phases," Director General of Meteorology of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said. On April 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired a meeting to review preparedness for the ensuing heat wave season. The weather office IMD had issued an updated Seasonal Outlook for the hot weather season (April to June) 2024, in which it said, above Normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, especially with high probability over central India and western peninsular India. The second phase will be held on April 26 and the remaining phases will be May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1 accordingly. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases.

New Delhi: BJP's Mukesh Dalal is set to be elected unopposed from the Surat Lok Sabha seat after all other candidates withdrew from the contest, the party's Gujarat unit chief CR Paatil said today. Today was the deadline for withdrawing nominations. "Surat has presented the first lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I congratulate our candidate for Surat Lok Sabha seat Mukesh Dalal for getting elected unopposed," Mr Paatil posted on the microblogging website X, referring to the BJP's election symbol. Eight candidates - seven of them independents - and Pyarelal Bharti of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) withdrew their papers. The nomination papers of the Congress's Surat candidate Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected on Sunday after the district returning officer Saurabh Parghi found discrepancies in the signatures of the proposers. The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress's substitute candidate from Surat, was also found invalid. The returning officer had said the four nomination forms submitted by the two Congress candidates did not appear genuine. The proposers, in their affidavits, had said they had not signed the forms themselves, the returning officer said in the order. Congress lawyer Babu Mangukiya said the party will approach the high court and the Supreme Court for relief. Post a commentCongress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said the Surat developments indicate "democracy is under threat". "Our elections, our democracy, Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution - all are under a generational threat. This is the most important election of our lifetime," Mr Ramesh said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today visited the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, to carry out a first-hand assessment of the security situation. He interacted with the soldiers deployed in the extreme weather and tough terrain conditions. Addressing the soldiers, Mr. Singh lauded their contributions for protecting the motherland with valour and determination in extreme conditions. He said, nation will remain forever indebted to the Armed Forces personnel, as due to their sacrifices, every citizen feels safe. He said, their contributions will forever be an inspiration for future generations. Terming Siachen a symbol of India’s sovereignty and determination, THE Defence Minister said, Siachen is the capital of courage, grit and determination. He also remembered the success of Operation Meghdoot terming it a golden chapter of the country’s military history. He said, success of Operation Meghdoot is a matter of pride for all. Operation Meghdoot was launched by the Indian Army in Siachen on 13th April in 1984. According to the official statement of the Defence Ministry, Mr. Singh also laid a wreath at the Siachen War Memorial. He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and senior Army officials. The Defence Minister was given a detailed brief on the operational readiness in the Siachen Glacier and the prevalent security situation.

In Chess, 17-year-old Indian prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto. In the final round last night, Gukesh held fellow title contender Hikaru Nakamura of USA to a draw with black pieces but his fate was sealed on the other board where Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana battled for 109 moves before agreeing to a draw. Gukesh became the youngest-ever Candidates Tournament champion, beating Garry Kasparov’s record, who was 20 years of age when he won this tournament in 1984. After Vishwanathan Anand, he becomes the second Indian to qualify for the World Chess Championship. With this amazing victory, Gukesh will challenge the reigning Champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship match. In the other games of the day, Praggnanandhaa defeated Nijat Abasov while Vidit Gujrathi agreed to a draw against Alireza after barely five minutes at the board. In the women’s section, Vaishali Rameshbabu defeated Kateryna Lagno for her fifth win in a row after four successive losses. Humpy Koneru defeated Lei Tingjie. In the women’s Candidates event, Chinese player Tan Zhongyi was crowned the winner. She will take on compatriot Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Championship.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has embarked on an official visit to France. The visit is aimed to further reinforce the robust defence ties between the two nations, which have gained considerable momentum in the last few years. During his visit, General Anil Chauhan is scheduled to interact with the senior civil and military leadership of France, including his counterpart General Thierry Burkhard. Defence Ministry said in a statement that the Chief of Defence Staff will visit the French Space Command, and the Land Forces Command and address student officers of the Army and Joint Staff Course at Ecole Militaire (School of Military). He is scheduled to visit and interact with a few reputed defence industries in France, including Safran Group, Naval Group, and Dassault Aviation. General Chauhan will also visit the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial and the Indian Memorial at Villers-Guislain and lay a wreath in honour of the brave Indian soldiers, who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.

‘Very severe’ heat wave has gripped parts of Bangladesh, with maximum temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Celsius to over 42 degrees Celsius in some areas. ‘Very severe’ heat wave is sweeping over north, north-east and north-west districts of Bangladesh and a severe heat wave is sweeping Dhaka and parts of Khulna divisions and Rajshahi district, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday. Bangladesh’s highest temperature was recorded at 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on Sunday while the season’s highest temperature in the capital Dhaka was recorded at 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, said meteorologist. Two people died from heat stroke in Chuadanga and Pabna districts on Saturday amid the extreme heat weather due to the prevailing heat wave for the past few days, reports UNB. The BMD issued a warning that the heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9 am on Saturday (20 April). The heat wave condition forced the authorities concerned to close all schools, madrasas and colleges till April 27. Dhaka University authorities also announced to hold classes online due to the scorching heat. Over 42 degrees Celsius temperature is considered as a very severe heat wave while between 40-41.9 degrees Celsius is considered severe and 38 to 39.9 degrees Celsius is considered as moderate heat wave while 36 to 37.9 degrees Celsius is considered as mild heat wave in the country, according to the BMD.

In Maldives, ruling party PNC of President Mohamed Muizzu is set to win a super majority in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, results showed. Muizzu’s People’s National Congress won 66 of the first 86 seats declared, in the 93-member majlis, or parliament, according to the Elections Commission of Maldives results. However, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, which previously had a super-majority, was headed for a defeat with just a dozen seats. Parliamentary elections have been crucial in Maldives as elected governments have been keen to secure a majority in parliament to ensure smooth administration, secure the presidential tenure by avoiding parliamentary impeachment, and minimise the politicisation of policies during the presidential tenure.

The United States has blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine. In the 15-member Security Council, twelve members voted in favor of the resolution while two countries – the UK and Switzerland – abstained. The US vetoed it. US allies France, Japan and South Korea supported the resolution. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that the veto does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the US for vetoing what he called a shameful proposal. The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, criticized the US veto, saying in a statement that it was unfair, immoral, and unjustified, and defies the will of the international community. The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member UN General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, so its admission would have been approved, likely by a much higher number of countries. This is the second Palestinian attempt for full membership and comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress of conspiring to weaken India while questioning the intention behind the CPI (M)'s election manifesto promise to dismantle all nuclear weapons in the country. Mr Singh also demanded to know the Congress' stand on the issue and said that "talking about destroying our nuclear weapons is no less than playing with national security." "I want to ask Congress in particular what they have to say about this comment by CPIM. I want to ask them to clarify. CPIM says if they come to power, they will destroy all nuclear weapons. India's first nuclear tests were conducted in 1974 by Indira Gandhi. The need arose because China had continuously been doing nuclear tests. And even Pakistan had begun its nuclear trials," the defence minister said while addressing a public rally in Kerala's Kasargod. "Later, the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government conducted five successful nuclear tests and earned India the status of a nuclear power in the world. The Left and Congress want to weaken India," he added. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is part of the INDIA bloc, in its manifesto, which was released last week, has promised "complete elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons." "At a time when India's neighbouring countries are nuclear powers, talking about destroying our nuclear weapons is no less than playing with India's national security. It is a very deep-rooted conspiracy to weaken the country," Rajnath Singh said. Attacking left parties, the Defence Minister said, "Once the public kicked the left party out of Tripura and Bengal, then there is no entry for them into power. Whether it is Congress or the Left Party, whenever they get exposed in public, their game is over. This is the reason that, whichever state they are kicked out of, the doors of that state are always closed for them." "Can you trust Congress and the LDF? Because in Kerala, both parties are fighting against each other, but in Delhi, the same Congress and Left do 'Modiram matal' (join hands) to increase friendship," he added.