Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. This was his first visit to the region since India launched Operation Sindoor. During his visit, Singh interacted with armed forces personnel at the Srinagar Air Base. While addressing the soldiers, the Defence Minister stated that nuclear weapons were not safe in the hands of Pakistan and said the International Atomic Energy Agency should take charge of those weapons. The statement comes on the same day the IAEA ruled out any nuclear leakage in Pakistan.
SC Slams BJP Leader
The Supreme Court has slammed Madhya Pradesh minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah for his objectionable comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih described the minister’s comments as unacceptable and insensitive. The CJI questioned the minister’s conduct saying, and I quote, "What sort of comments are you making? You should show some sense of sensibility. Go and apologise in the High Court."
President Invokes Article 143
President Droupadi Murmu has posed 14 questions to the apex court over its judgment that fixed timelines for governors and the President to act on bills passed by state assemblies. The President posed the questions under the rarely used Article 143(1). The article deals with the power of the President to consult the Supreme Court on matters of legal and public importance. The top court had passed the judgment in April, in a case filed by the Tamil Nadu government.
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Trump to Apple: Don’t Build in India
US President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook not to manufacture Apple products in India. Addressing a business event in Doha, Trump said he had told Cook he didn’t want him to build in India. Trump also reiterated his claim that India was one of the highest-tariff nations in the world and that it was very hard to sell in India. At the same time, Trump reiterated his other claim that New Delhi had offered zero tariffs on US goods.
Reliance Gets $2.9 Billion Loan
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries has secured a dual-currency loan worth $2.9 billion. This is the biggest offshore loan raised by an Indian company in over a year. According to a Bloomberg report, 55 banks have joined the loan agreement.
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Indian Stock Market Soars
Indian equities saw a sharp uptick during the second half of the day. The Sensex surged almost 1,200 points to close above 82,500. The Nifty also rose around 400 points to scale 25,000. Hopes of a US-India trade deal, lower crude oil prices and renewed interest from Indian buyers fuelled the surge.
