VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Meet Connecticut’s Aangad Singh who could have won Presidential 1776 Award competition. His parents think they know the reason why Singh lost Rahul Gandhi leads INDIA bloc leaders to Gandhi Smriti amid heavy barricading NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Opposition MPs took to the streets in solidarity with protesting students over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, alleging that they were stopped by authorities while attempting to march to India Gate and later Gandhi Smriti.Speaking to reporters after Opposition leaders were halted, Congress MP said the message of the protest was to assure students that the INDIA bloc stood firmly with them.”Our students are on the road, so all the Opposition MPs felt that we should also be on the road. All the Opposition MPs wanted to go to India Gate. They refused, stopped us. Then we said that we want to go Tees January (Gandhi Smriti). They have put the bus here and left it. We are not able to go ahead but the main message is to the students. We are with you,” he said.INDIA bloc heads to Gandhi Smriti in support of studentsEarlier, Rahul Gandhi announced that INDIA bloc leaders would travel to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg to express solidarity with students affected by the NEET-UG controversy and those injured during recent protests.In a post on X, Rahul said the visit was also meant to remember students who had allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak controversy.”Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost – the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak. And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today – beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. India’s students are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands,” he wrote.Opposition MPs boarded a bus from Rahul’s residence for the proposed visit.Heavy police deployment outside Rahul Gandhi’s residencePolice barricades and a heavy security presence were deployed outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence on Sunehri Bagh Road before the Opposition leaders left.Rapid Action Force buses were also stationed in the area.Congress workers gathered outside the residence, with some allegedly breaching security arrangements, following which police appealed to them to end the protest.Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib alleged that Rahul Gandhi had been placed under “house arrest” to prevent him from joining the demonstration.”There can be no greater misfortune for the country’s politics and democracy than this. We were going towards India Gate, and the country’s Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was going to raise his voice for the students of the country. But fearing this, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have placed him under house arrest today,” Chib claimed.Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said the Opposition would not be intimidated.”Wherever we go, this country is ours. These people are intimidating us by calling the police. We are not afraid of this,” she said.Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, “We are all heading towards Gandhi Smriti…They are scared, so they have put up barricades…”.Opposition leaders meet amid Parliament deadlockBefore leaving for Gandhi Smriti, several INDIA bloc leaders met at Rahul Gandhi’s residence amid the continuing deadlock in Parliament over the NEET-UG paper leak issue.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari, Renuka Chowdhury, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, RJD MP Misa Bharati, TMC leaders Mahua Moitra and suspended MP Kalyan Banerjee, CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant were among those present.The meeting comes as the Opposition continues to demand Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and a discussion under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha over the NEET-UG paper leak.The Centre has maintained that it is willing to discuss the issue but has objected to the Opposition attaching preconditions for the debate.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Sent Four Proposals”: Govt Reaches Out To Protesters, Jitendra Singh Calls For DialogueFree Food, First Aid, Sanitary Pads: What’s Keeping the CJP Protest Going | Jantar MantarPriyanka Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Student Protests, Says ‘Students Are Not Terrorists’Houses of Two ‘Pak Sponsored’ Militants Demolished Overnight After Deadly Attack In AnantnagWhy The Indian Army Says The Siliguri Corridor Is No Longer A “Chicken’s Neck”?Tehseen Poonawalla Alleges “Gadkari’s Son Got Richer” Over E20 Fuel Policy37,000 Lives Lost On Known Highway Death Traps In 3 Years: Who Is Responsible?PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leak CasesDelhi Police vs CJP: Dipke Denies Role In ACP Attack, Alleges ‘Outsiders’ Behind ViolenceIndia At UN: J&K Is Integral Part Of India, Pakistan Using Terrorism As State Policy, Says Envoy123Photostories’Speed’, ‘M3GAN’ , ‘Smurfs’ – The last village’ and others: Top 7 OTT releases on Netflix in August10 Dosa types to get your protein sorted for breakfast5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision5 Indian fabrics that were once more valuable than goldWhy does bread smell so irresistible when it’s baking?Think your home is clean? 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On 20th July night, Mamata Banerjee refused to leave the Martyrs’ Day stage after her faction alleged that it had been vandalised. Less than two weeks earlier, a protest march led by her had been disrupted by clashes with people the TMC identified as BJP workers. A veteran politician that she is, Mamata refused to take another chance and kept a night-long vigil.There was something faintly Shakespearean about the scene, a former ruler separated from the machinery of her kingdom, surrounded by a diminished circle of loyalists and guarding a stage her faction said had been vandalised.By the next afternoon, she was back on stage, speaking largely extempore. There were fewer people to thank, with the guest list missing its usual glamour quotient, and fewer formalities to observe. The poetry was not as eloquent as in the past. Her Hindi was toned down, now that Delhi was no longer calling. The plans she laid out were not grandiose; in fact, they were skeletal, reflecting a fear of further backstabbing. Yet Didi was in her element, refusing to throw in the towel without a fight. Watch Mamata Banerjee Shuts Door On TMC Rebels, Pushes Opposition Unity Against BJPFor TMC workers, Mamata remains the agni-kanya, the leader who can blaze through opposition by sheer force of action. But this July 21 was an acid test. After the May 4 defeat and the desertion of a large part of the party’s rank and file, Mamata had to prove to her detractors, and perhaps to herself, that she could still draw a crowd without the full weight of the well-oiled party machinery or the organisational muscle of many of her former lieutenants.By that limited yardstick, Mamata passed with flying colours.The breakaway faction cut a sorry figure, with a TOI report citing a paltry attendance of 500, far below Mamata’s gathering. The Congress, which held its own Martyrs’ Day observance, surprisingly managed to cobble together a reasonable gathering. This was no longer the old Dharmatala sea. But Mamata still occupied the largest space.Congress commemorating Martyrs Day What happened on July 21?Martyrs’ Day commemorates 12 Youth Congress workers who were killed in police firing during a procession towards Writers’ Buildings on July 21, 1993. A 13th participant remains missing and is commemorated alongside them. The march was led by Mamata Banerjee and, significantly, the demand was for mandatory photo identity cards for voters. A commission report recently tabled in the state assembly described the firing as “worse than the Jallianwala Bagh massacre”.Former registrar of Calcutta University and professor in the Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies at the same university, Dr Raja Gopal Dhar Chakrabarti, speaking to TOI, recalls that fateful day in 1993, when he believes Mamata protested against “Leftist anarchy”. The frenzy in the crowd was maddening, and many who wanted to join the protest could not reach the venue, he reminisces.According to Chakrabarti, who has diligently tracked the day since then, July 21 has, over the years, morphed into something much bigger. Mamata completely appropriated the event even after leaving the Congress and virtually turned it into the TMC’s annual political day. It measured not merely popular support but organisational obedience. This year, ironically, July 21 became a test of who represented the real TMC.The martyrs’ families, too, remained divided, with members of some families attending the Ritabrata Banerjee-led Trinamool event and others choosing Mamata’s programme. But the loyalty of those who mattered politically appeared to rest firmly with the Kalighat camp.Some martyrs family went to Mamata’s event, others attended Ritabrata’s. Speaking to TOI, political analyst and former Vidyasagar University vice-chancellor Dr.Sibaji Pratim Basu says that Mamata was never short of charisma, right from her early days. This year’s Martyrs’ Day merely reiterated that she still retains the ability to be a natural crowd-puller. Chakrabarti believes that, compared with Mamata’s heyday, this year’s July 21 was a much more tepid affair, but she undoubtedly managed to establish that support remains with her.In the assembly election, the TMC won 80 seats, polling 40.8% of the votes and falling 32.1 lakh votes short of the BJP’s overall tally of 2.92 crore. Thus, while the party received a royal thrashing, fuelled largely by anti-incumbency, its core vote bank remains robust.A lot of water has flowed down the Hooghly since May. The TMC has effectively broken into three parts, with the NCPI parliamentary bloc and the Ritabrata faction splintering from the original party. The NCPI bloc, fronted by Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has abandoned even the fig leaf of anti-BJP mobilisation that the MLAs led by Ritabrata continue to maintain in Kolkata. A large number of legislators have left Mamata’s camp, with her trusted aide Madan Mitra among the latest defectors. The precise strength of the competing factions remains contested, but the Mamata-led TMC is undoubtedly a much smaller political entity than it was immediately after the election.NCPI bloc at RajghatWith future municipal and panchayat contests looming, its organisational presence could be squeezed further if Bengal’s earlier political pattern repeats itself. In that context, July 21 acquired additional importance. It was virtually a referendum in the people’s court.Reaching for the old playbookDuring her fiery speech, Mamata also doubled down on Abhishek Banerjee’s position in the party hierarchy. At the same time, she reached for tricks from her old playbook that made old-timers fondly turn back the clock by two decades.In 2004 and 2006, the TMC suffered two devastating electoral jolts. The backfiring of the “India Shining” campaign in 2004 meant that NDA ally TMC was reduced to a solitary Lok Sabha seat. In the 2006 assembly election, the party was obliterated, slumping to only 30 seats. Many had written Mamata’s political obituary. However, she rose like a phoenix, aided by some luck, the CPI(M)’s complacent governance and mounting anti-incumbency. But nothing came to her on a platter.What happened on July 21Political observers who closely followed the TMC’s rise during that period recall how Mamata, alongside Mukul Roy, took the long and arduous route of rebuilding the organisation through small meetings in the districts. She rode pillion on a motorcycle to reach places where ordinary people had been affected. Both the Singur and Nandigram movements could have fizzled out if not for her sustained campaigns. The focus on returning to the grassroots, pun intended, was reiterated by the former chief minister this time as well.According to Basu, Mamata managed to break the perception that the CPI(M) was the party of the poor and went on to become the toast of the subalterns. But this time, the competition is more formidable. However, Basu believes that the BJP’s honeymoon period has been incredibly short, although nothing will change on the ground before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.Chakrabarti, too, echoes similar sentiments about the mood already souring against the BJP, especially over the mass deletions from the Annapurna scheme, and believes Mamata can become a strong challenger again.Taking the long routeThat is where the real test begins. With Bengal’s history of giving incumbents a long rope, her work is cut out for her. Rebuilding the organisation across 294 constituencies is a physically taxing proposition, believes Chakrabarti.Most importantly, who will play the role of Mukul Roy, silently building the organisation and ironing out the rough edges? Roy had largely controlled the organisation during Mamata’s first term and was once described by party insiders as the leader who could run it almost single-handedly. Abhishek Banerjee’s often flashy style of politics is not for the faint-hearted. It is more T20, whereas the need is perhaps for a good old-fashioned Test-match grind.Across Bengal, the TMC lost ground amid concerns over corruption, shoddy governance and the conduct of local leaders. According to Mamata, the corrupt have now left and there is nothing to worry about. That may energise those who stayed. It is not, by itself, an adequate diagnosis of defeat. But Basu believes Mamata still largely retains, among her supporters, the image of being untouched by the stench of corruption, which works in her favour. According to Chakrabarti, Mamata can regain traction but has to be careful about using Abhishek Banerjee. The noted political commentator is of the opinion that leaders may be sceptical about rejoining the TMC if Abhishek continues to be such a vital cog in the wheel.Mamata has, for now, firmly shut the door on those who deserted the party. She also unequivocally backed Abhishek, even asking workers to contact the MP if the need arose. Madan Mitra, speaking from the opposition camp, gave Mamata one month to “leave Abhishek’s hand” if she wanted the leaders back. Mamata, though, appears to be in no mood for reconciliation. She also issued a warning to Suvendu Adhikari, suggesting that she could reveal what he had done during his years as a TMC minister.A new alliance arithmetic?Another interesting facet of Mamata’s speech was her courting of INDIA bloc partners. This was in sharp contrast to her pre-election attitude, when the then chief minister, harbouring larger ambitions, was in no mood to give any ground to either the Congress or the Left. Circumstances have changed, and so has Mamata’s outreach. But will the Congress and the Left play ball? For the Left, the distance may be too great for it to hobnob with the party that displaced it and subsequently occupied much of its political space. For the Congress, however, the TMC remains a more natural ally.Mamata’s prominent photographs at the Congress’s Shahid Minar observance amounted to more than a subtle overture. The Congress used images of her role in the 1993 movement even while accusing the TMC of later turning Martyrs’ Day into a political instrument. It is no secret that the Congress high command has often been warmer towards Mamata than its state leadership. But with Mamata cut to size, the Congress could now seek a far more equitable arrangement in any future alliance. According to Chakrabarti, Muslims are unlikely to ever move towards the BJP. The educated among them may veer towards Naushad Siddiqui of the ISF, but the rest would choose between the TMC and the Congress. Thus, a future tie-up is very much within the realm of possibility.The rebels’ narrowing roadFor the breakaway faction, July 21 was a brutal reality check. Whatever the reasons behind its desertion of the mothership, it is undeniable that most of its leaders originally won because of Mamata’s support. Their options are narrowing. Returning would require Mamata to reopen a door she has publicly bolted. Contesting independently would require them to build a political identity that does not yet exist. Moving closer to the BJP would expose the hollowness of their continuing anti-BJP position. According to Basu, very few would be trusted even by the BJP because of what he describes as their political deceit.Chakrabarti is even more blunt in his assessment, saying that Ritabrata and the members of his rebel team have no future. The political scientist remains flummoxed about what exactly may have forced the likes of Firhad Hakim to cross over. What will keep Mamata worried is that even on July 21, there was a reported public bust-up with Kalyan Banerjee, who left the stage after a brief exchange. The TMC MP denied that there had been an altercation, but the episode nevertheless fed perceptions of continuing tension within the Kalighat camp.Kalyan Banerjee addressing the crowdIt may have been a small disagreement over speaking time. But the message it sent out may be much graver.Beyond the street showMost of those in the crowd appeared to have come on their own, driven by their love for Didi. Leaders such as Madan Mitra and Anubrata Mondal, who had once helped oversee the party’s district mobilisation, are now in the rival camp. But elections require ample funds and organisational heft, not merely the fervent zeal of the dedicated. That is where the TMC will encounter its next big challenge.At the meeting, there was repeated emphasis on Mamata having groomed generations of leaders and on her faith in the youth. But the ledger of the past must be reconciled before the future is planned. Beyond the usual rhetoric of the BJP stealing the election, the TMC needs honest introspection about why it was ousted from power. If the leadership knew about corruption, why did it not act? What will it do differently if the public gives it another chance?According to Raja Gopal Dhar Chakrabarti, the difference between 2006 and 2026 is that, at the time, she was the challenger and people thought highly of her potential, irrespective of the electoral outcome. Now, after three terms in power, the novelty factor has worn off, and few may be willing to give her a second chance very soon.The physical demands of the intense running around needed to rebuild the party may also be extremely taxing for Mamata, Chakrabarti believes. Sibaji Pratim Basu disagrees and cites present Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Morarji Desai as examples of leaders who managed to dominate Indian politics at a more advanced age. July 21 showed that Mamata Banerjee can still own the street. It demonstrated that she is still up for a good political fight. For one afternoon, that was enough. Political resurrection, however, will be a long, tedious path. At 71, Mamata Banerjee will have to run the marathon again. Does she have the stamina for the long haul?Time will tell.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorArghya Prasun RoychowdhuryInterested in politics, policy, data and cricket.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPriyanka Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Student Protests, Says ‘Students Are Not Terrorists’Houses of Two ‘Pak Sponsored’ Militants Demolished Overnight After Deadly Attack In AnantnagWhy The Indian Army Says The Siliguri Corridor Is No Longer A “Chicken’s Neck”?Tehseen Poonawalla Alleges “Gadkari’s Son Got Richer” Over E20 Fuel Policy37,000 Lives Lost On Known Highway Death Traps In 3 Years: Who Is Responsible?PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leak CasesDelhi Police vs CJP: Dipke Denies Role In ACP Attack, Alleges ‘Outsiders’ Behind ViolenceIndia At UN: J&K Is Integral Part Of India, Pakistan Using Terrorism As State Policy, Says EnvoyJ&K Police Launch Massive Crackdown, Detain Over 2,000 Suspected OGWs After Anantnag Terror AttackBiryani, Langar, Medicines: How India Rallied Behind CJP Protesters At Jantar Mantar123Photostories5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision5 Indian fabrics that were once more valuable than goldWhy does bread smell so irresistible when it’s baking?Think your home is clean? These 7 overlooked spots probably need more attentionArchaeologists believe they have found the world’s oldest clove in an ancient Sri Lankan portThe forgotten Indian textile Princess Diana secretly loved deserves a fashion revivalChoose the best wallet color for Men according to your birth dateDating green flags that matter more than money and looks: 7 signs that reveal someone is emotionally mature, trustworthy and genuinely ready for a healthy, lasting relationship5 Vishnu Mantras That Can Transform Your Life10 ancient cities that vanished without warning: From Pompeii to Mohenjo-daro123Hot PicksMHT CET merit listDelhi metroCJP ProtestNTA NET Answer KeyDU UG admissionsJPSC recruitmentNEET paper controversyAAI recruitment 2026Caitline ClarkTop TrendingOba FemiCJP ProtestersCJPCJP ProtestHyderabad RapeSamras Vidya Setu campaignSupreme CourtZlatan ibrahimovicHarbhajan singhIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 Union Bank of India recruitment 2026: Registration begins for 395 managerial posts at unionbankofindia.bank.in; check details Rumer Willis revisits her childhood: Says she’s ‘grateful’ for parents Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s upbringing Scientists create a bee superfood that helped colonies produce 15 times more young Arshad Warsi and Maria Goretti’s restored 150-year-old Portuguese villa Casa Zen in Goa with solar panels and mango garden is now up for rent at Rs 75,000 a night | Florida: Florida scientists used female Burmese pythons as live lures to find invasive males in the Everglades, but 3 million camera-trap photos produced only four python detections Offline maps, LoRa devices and tear gas hacks: Jantar Mantar protest survival tips trend online | India News KS DAT 2026 round 1 seat allotment result out at lbsapplications.kerala.gov.in; direct link here Priyanka Chopra’s cousin Meerra Chopraa slams CJP supporter for using abusive language for PM Narendra Modi: ‘Is this the youth of today ya NEET ke student?’ ‘I earn ₹4 lakh a month in India, but I still want to leave’: 26-year-old remote worker reveals why he’s moving to Australia | These 95-million-year-old flowers bloomed before bees existed and still attract beetles Russia revives 28,000-tonne Cold War nuclear giant with hypersonic missiles, returns to Arctic port Quote of the Day by Jamie Dimon: “If you want to be a winner, then compare yourself ….” US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the proposed US-Saudi civil nuclear agreement would only be approved if Saudi Arabia normalises diplomatic relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords, adding that the deal would not permit uranium enrichment or any military nuclear programme.Trump’s remarks come a day after the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation framework, known as a 123 Agreement, that will now require approval from the US Congress.In a post on social media, Trump said, “The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!) being made between the United States Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia, which pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords. The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities.”Trump’s statement marks a shift from the framework announced on Wednesday, under which the two countries agreed to cooperate on Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme. The agreement, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, lays the groundwork for nuclear cooperation while requiring congressional review before it can take effect.The Trump administration has said the agreement adheres to the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also defended the deal, saying the United States would not enter into any arrangement that increased the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.The agreement has nevertheless drawn scrutiny from some US lawmakers, who have raised concerns that allowing Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment for civilian purposes could eventually create pathways for nuclear weapons development.Trump’s latest remarks also appear to narrow the scope of the proposed agreement by insisting there would be “no enrichment of material” and linking final approval to Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel through the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered normalisation agreements signed by Israel with several Arab states during Trump’s first term.The announcement comes as the United States and Israel continue military operations against Iran, with Washington maintaining that Tehran’s uranium enrichment programme could enable it to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI World DeskAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPriyanka Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Student Protests, Says ‘Students Are Not Terrorists’Houses of Two ‘Pak Sponsored’ Militants Demolished Overnight After Deadly Attack In AnantnagWhy The Indian Army Says The Siliguri Corridor Is No Longer A “Chicken’s Neck”?Tehseen Poonawalla Alleges “Gadkari’s Son Got Richer” Over E20 Fuel Policy37,000 Lives Lost On Known Highway Death Traps In 3 Years: Who Is Responsible?PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leak CasesDelhi Police vs CJP: Dipke Denies Role In ACP Attack, Alleges ‘Outsiders’ Behind ViolenceIndia At UN: J&K Is Integral Part Of India, Pakistan Using Terrorism As State Policy, Says EnvoyJ&K Police Launch Massive Crackdown, Detain Over 2,000 Suspected OGWs After Anantnag Terror AttackBiryani, Langar, Medicines: How India Rallied Behind CJP Protesters At Jantar Mantar123Photostories5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision5 Indian fabrics that were once more valuable than goldWhy does bread smell so irresistible when it’s baking?Think your home is clean? These 7 overlooked spots probably need more attentionArchaeologists believe they have found the world’s oldest clove in an ancient Sri Lankan portThe forgotten Indian textile Princess Diana secretly loved deserves a fashion revivalChoose the best wallet color for Men according to your birth dateDating green flags that matter more than money and looks: 7 signs that reveal someone is emotionally mature, trustworthy and genuinely ready for a healthy, lasting relationship5 Vishnu Mantras That Can Transform Your Life10 ancient cities that vanished without warning: From Pompeii to Mohenjo-daro123Hot PicksMHT CET merit listDelhi metroCJP ProtestNTA NET Answer KeyDU UG admissionsJPSC recruitmentNEET paper controversyAAI recruitment 2026Caitline ClarkTop TrendingOba FemiCJP ProtestersCJPCJP ProtestHyderabad RapeSamras Vidya Setu campaignSupreme CourtZlatan ibrahimovicHarbhajan singhIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 Uttarakhand Technical University cancels two semester exams after alleged paper leak Vedika Pinto opens up about filming intimate scenes with Vikrant Massey in ‘Mussafir Cafe’: ‘Once you feel safe, you stop worrying’ Inner stillness and human connection are emerging as the next big wellness trends, says expert Scientists mapped the invisible microbiome of the Great Barrier Reef and found more than 500 new bacterial species and over 300,000 viruses in its waters California will spend $36.4 million repairing Ebbetts Pass, one of the last wild trans-Sierra routes, where the highway climbs above 8,000 feet and narrows to one lane British footballer’s 2-year-old brother dies after being found unresponsive in pool during Spain holiday | World News Evening news wrap Government reaches out to opposition for NEET debate without preconditions; opposition insists on Pradhan’s resignation.Gulf nations spend billions on new oil pipelines to bypass Strait of Hormuz as Iran blockade continues.CJP and government locked in standoff over venue for talks as protest demanding Pradhan’s resignation continues.India’s first hydrogen-powered train clocks 900 km in five days of commercial operations on Jind-Sonipat route.Iran claims its strikes destroyed Patriot systems and THAAD radar at US bases in Jordan and Kuwait; US yet to confirm.Here are the top 5 stories of the dayGovernment reaches out to opposition for NEET debate, urges talks without preconditionsThe government has reached out to opposition parties to break the Parliament deadlock over the NEET paper leak, offering a discussion without preconditions but opposing the demand for education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Union home minister Amit Shah met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after repeated adjournments, while opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav also held talks with the Speaker. Read full story.Gulf nations spend billions on finding new oil routes to bypass Strait of HormuzGulf nations are accelerating pipeline projects worth billions of dollars to create alternative export routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, with at least seven major projects under construction, planned or under discussion. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and UAE’s Fujairah terminal are operating near full capacity, while Abu Dhabi is speeding up a $3 billion pipeline to increase Fujairah’s capacity by 1.2 million barrels a day. Iraq is reviving plans for pipelines through Turkey and Jordan, but analysts warn alternative routes remain vulnerable to Houthi attacks. Read full story.CJP protest continues as government, activists locked in standoff over venue for talksThe Cockroach Janata Party and the government remained locked in a standoff over the venue for talks, with the CJP insisting on Jantar Mantar while the government proposed an alternative location. The protest demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak has entered its second month. Police action against protesters and the detention of CJP leaders have further escalated tensions. Follow top developments.Iran claims strikes destroyed Patriot systems, THAAD radar at US basesIran’s IRGC claimed it destroyed Patriot air defence systems, a THAAD missile defence radar and an MQ-9 Reaper drone depot in retaliatory strikes on US bases in Jordan and Kuwait, though the claims could not be independently verified and the US military has not confirmed any damage. Read full story.India’s first hydrogen-powered train clocks 900 km in five daysIndia’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger train has covered around 900 kilometres during the first five days of commercial operations on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana, with passenger fares ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 25. Read full story.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPriyanka Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Student Protests, Says ‘Students Are Not Terrorists’Houses of Two ‘Pak Sponsored’ Militants Demolished Overnight After Deadly Attack In AnantnagWhy The Indian Army Says The Siliguri Corridor Is No Longer A “Chicken’s Neck”?Tehseen Poonawalla Alleges “Gadkari’s Son Got Richer” Over E20 Fuel Policy37,000 Lives Lost On Known Highway Death Traps In 3 Years: Who Is Responsible?PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leak CasesDelhi Police vs CJP: Dipke Denies Role In ACP Attack, Alleges ‘Outsiders’ Behind ViolenceIndia At UN: J&K Is Integral Part Of India, Pakistan Using Terrorism As State Policy, Says EnvoyJ&K Police Launch Massive Crackdown, Detain Over 2,000 Suspected OGWs After Anantnag Terror AttackBiryani, Langar, Medicines: How India Rallied Behind CJP Protesters At Jantar Mantar123Photostories5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision5 Indian fabrics that were once more valuable than goldWhy does bread smell so irresistible when it’s baking?Think your home is clean? These 7 overlooked spots probably need more attentionArchaeologists believe they have found the world’s oldest clove in an ancient Sri Lankan portThe forgotten Indian textile Princess Diana secretly loved deserves a fashion revivalChoose the best wallet color for Men according to your birth dateDating green flags that matter more than money and looks: 7 signs that reveal someone is emotionally mature, trustworthy and genuinely ready for a healthy, lasting relationship5 Vishnu Mantras That Can Transform Your Life10 ancient cities that vanished without warning: From Pompeii to Mohenjo-daro123Hot PicksMHT CET merit listDelhi metroCJP ProtestNTA NET Answer KeyDU UG admissionsJPSC recruitmentNEET paper controversyAAI recruitment 2026Caitline ClarkTop TrendingOba FemiCJP ProtestersCJPCJP ProtestHyderabad RapeSamras Vidya Setu campaignSupreme CourtZlatan ibrahimovicHarbhajan singhIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 Jul 23, 2026, 18:02 IST Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman ruled out for four weeks, to miss The Hundred | Cricket News Late comic legend Mehmood Ali’s nephew Akaar Ali remembers his uncle: ‘It was never a dull moment with him around’ – Exclusive Gurugram’s office boom hits a new high with 100 million sq ft of workspace | Nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs recalled over possible salmonella contamination after FDA alert, with Kroger and Brookshire stores in five US states affected Addressing the summit, Jaishankar stressed the need for diplomatic engagement to resolve the ongoing crises in West Asia NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said attacks on seafarers, commercial shipping and critical infrastructure “cannot be countenanced under any circumstances”, as he called for strict adherence to international maritime law and greater regional cooperation during the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila.Addressing the summit, Jaishankar stressed the need for diplomatic engagement to resolve the ongoing crises in Middle East and the Gulf region while reaffirming India’s commitment to ensuring safe and unhindered navigation through international sea lanes.”Under no circumstances can attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping or infrastructure be countenanced,” Jaishankar said.He also reiterated India’s support for Asean centrality and an open, free, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, saying the current global order is marked by uncertainty, strategic rivalry and growing geopolitical tensions.Global conflicts affecting economy, Global South: JaishankarFollowing the summit, Jaishankar said in a post on X that the global economy was facing the consequences of multiple ongoing conflicts.”The world economy is today reeling under the impact of multiple conflicts; energy, food and health security cannot be taken for granted, especially by the Global South,” he said.He added that structural changes in global politics and technology were reshaping international relations.”There are structural changes being created by new capabilities, exposure and relationships; politics and security increasingly override economics and efficiency while the propensity to take risks and push the envelope is growing,” he said.On the South China Sea, Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for the early conclusion of a substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) that is fully consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) without prejudicing the legitimate rights of countries that are not parties to the negotiations.The minister also reaffirmed India’s backing for Asean-led efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar.Calling for stronger international cooperation against cybercrime, Jaishankar urged member countries to take coordinated action against transnational cyber scam networks that have trapped several Indian citizens in recent years, as per ANI.On the humanitarian front, he highlighted India’s relief and rehabilitation assistance worldwide and said New Delhi had emerged as a leading donor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).”We believe that a two-state solution can lead to a lasting and durable peace,” he said.Jaishankar also announced that India will host the 7th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi and the EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal.Holds bilateral meetings with Oman, UK, Netherlands, PhilippinesOn the sidelines of the Asean-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, Jaishankar also held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from Oman, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Philippines and UNRWA.During his meeting with Oman’s foreign minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the Gulf region.”Appreciated meeting with FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi of Oman in Manila. Exchanged perspectives on the recent developments in the Gulf region. Agreed to remain in touch,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.In his first meeting with newly appointed UK foreign secretary Edward Miliband, Jaishankar congratulated him on his appointment and discussed expanding bilateral ties following the implementation of the recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement.”Congratulated him on his appointment. Agreed to build on the positive momentum generated through the recent India-UK FTA implementation, and work towards strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he posted.Jaishankar also met Christian Saunders, acting commissioner-general of UNRWA, and discussed India’s humanitarian contributions, including commitments made at the recent donors’ conference in the areas of health and capacity building.With Dutch foreign minister Tom Berendsen, Jaishankar reviewed the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Netherlands and discussed implementing the newly elevated India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership.”The elevation of our ties to a Strategic Partnership has opened new avenues of cooperation, including in semiconductors, water resources, green hydrogen, health & culture,” he said.The external affairs minister also called on Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and reaffirming India’s support for the Philippines’ Asean chairmanship.”India-Philippines cooperation under the aegis of our Strategic Partnership continues to diversify as we implement the India-Philippines Plan of Action 2025-2029,” Jaishankar said.Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Manila, where he attended the Asean-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Asean Regional Forum and the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where India, the United States, Japan and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and support for Asean centrality.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPriyanka Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Student Protests, Says ‘Students Are Not Terrorists’Houses of Two ‘Pak Sponsored’ Militants Demolished Overnight After Deadly Attack In AnantnagWhy The Indian Army Says The Siliguri Corridor Is No Longer A “Chicken’s Neck”?Tehseen Poonawalla Alleges “Gadkari’s Son Got Richer” Over E20 Fuel Policy37,000 Lives Lost On Known Highway Death Traps In 3 Years: Who Is Responsible?PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leak CasesDelhi Police vs CJP: Dipke Denies Role In ACP Attack, Alleges ‘Outsiders’ Behind ViolenceIndia At UN: J&K Is Integral Part Of India, Pakistan Using Terrorism As State Policy, Says EnvoyJ&K Police Launch Massive Crackdown, Detain Over 2,000 Suspected OGWs After Anantnag Terror AttackBiryani, Langar, Medicines: How India Rallied Behind CJP Protesters At Jantar Mantar123Photostories5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision5 Indian fabrics that were once more valuable than goldWhy does bread smell so irresistible when it’s baking?Think your home is clean? These 7 overlooked spots probably need more attentionArchaeologists believe they have found the world’s oldest clove in an ancient Sri Lankan portThe forgotten Indian textile Princess Diana secretly loved deserves a fashion revivalChoose the best wallet color for Men according to your birth dateDating green flags that matter more than money and looks: 7 signs that reveal someone is emotionally mature, trustworthy and genuinely ready for a healthy, lasting relationship5 Vishnu Mantras That Can Transform Your Life10 ancient cities that vanished without warning: From Pompeii to Mohenjo-daro123Hot PicksMHT CET merit listDelhi metroCJP ProtestNTA NET Answer KeyDU UG admissionsJPSC recruitmentNEET paper controversyAAI recruitment 2026Caitline ClarkTop TrendingOba FemiCJP ProtestersCJPCJP ProtestHyderabad RapeSamras Vidya Setu campaignSupreme CourtZlatan ibrahimovicHarbhajan singhIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 After 14 years of Didier Deschamps, France set to announce Zinedine Zidane as new head coach | Football News SBI Summer Internship Program 2026: Check eligibility, application process, stipend and key details ‘Alpha’ star Sharvari turns up the glam in an all-black look with a price tag of Rs 2.20 lakh 5 most dangerous birds of prey that rule the skies with deadly precision