Shun double standards on terror: NSA Ajit Doval to China

New Delhi

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday in a message for China, host of the SCO NSA meeting, highlighted the need to shun double standards in the fight against terrorism and take decisive actions against UN proscribed terrorists and entities like LeT, JeM and their proxies and dismantle their terror ecosystems. In his intervention at the SCO NSA meeting in Beijing which extensively dealt with terrorism and terror infrastructure, the NSA noted that India is deeply concerned about continued threat from terror groups designated by the UNSC, including LeT, JeM, Al Qaeda and its affiliates, and ISIS and its affiliates. In response to barbaric terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, J&K, in which TRF, a proxy of LeT, killed 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals and injured several others, India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure and deter terrorists who were likely to be sent to India, Doval said in his remarks without directly naming Pakistan, ET has learnt. India's actions were measured and non-escalatory, Doval pointed out. The NSA, according to sources, reiterated that any act of terror, including cross-border terrorism is a crime against humanity. In a message to both Pakistan and China, India called on SCO members to hold accountable the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of cross-border terror and to help bring them to justice.

Amit Shah chairs Central Zonal Council meet in Varanasi

Varanasi

A meeting of the Central Zonal Council, chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, discussed regional law and order, border security, disaster response and environmental protection with chief ministers and senior officials of four states on Tuesday. The CMs of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand attended the 25th edition of the high-level meeting held in Varanasi. The aim of the meeting, held at Hotel Taj, was to strengthen inter-state coordination and cooperative federalism, as per a statement. A resolution lauding the strong will of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the valour of the Indian Armed Forces was unanimously passed at the meeting, the statement said. The last meeting of the council was held on October 7, 2023, in Uttarakhand. Zonal councils provide a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states or the Centre and states and serve as an important platform to enable cooperation. Shah, who arrived in Varanasi on Monday for a two-day visit, led discussions with the chief ministers of the four states and other senior officials. The discussions centred around social development, transportation and border issues, law and order, environmental concerns, and matters related to minorities. During his address, Shah said the Central Zonal Council is the only one among India's five zonal councils where there is no dispute between any of the member states -- calling it a significant achievement. All four states are BJP-ruled states.