Rush Hour: Congress questions Modi on security, US and China agree to reduce trade tensions & more

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The Congress has asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will allow a full debate in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament about India’s security and foreign policy challenges following the Pahalgam terror attack. The session will be held from July 21 to August 12.

The Congress’ demand came a day after Modi met with members of Indian delegations comprising former diplomats and MPs who visited 32 countries in recent weeks to convey India’s position on cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh urged the prime minister to convene meetings with leaders of all political parties to build consensus on India’s strategy regarding China and Pakistan, especially in the light of recent statements by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Singapore.

Ramesh was referring to Chauhan’s comments to Bloomberg which were viewed by some as an acknowledgement of the Indian Air Force having lost aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Read on.

The United States and China have agreed on a framework to de-escalate trade tensions and remove restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals imposed by Beijing on Washington DC. However, the specifics of the framework...

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