The Indian Panorama

Tag: Arindam Bagchi

  • Indian diaspora in US holds protest in California against BBC documentary on PM Modi

    Indian diaspora in US holds protest in California against BBC documentary on PM Modi

    FREMONT (TIP): The Indian diaspora in Fremont, CA,  on Saturday. January 28  held a protest against the BBC documentary series “India: The Modi Question”.

    About 50 members, under the banner of “Indian Diaspora”, chanted slogans and marched through the streets of Fremont in San Francisco area of United States stating that they “reject BBC’s sinister and biased documentary.” While marching in Fremont, people were shouting slogans like “Biased BBC” and “racist BBC.”

    While protesting at Fremont, people carried banners which said, “BBC IS A BOGUS Broadcasting Corporation” and “Indian Diaspora rejects BBC’s Sinister and Biased Documentary against Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” “BBC Documentary spreading fake propaganda,” “BBC is a fake news peddler.”

    UK’s national broadcaster BBC aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens condemned the series. Prominent UK Citizen Lord Rami Ranger said the “BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians.”

    On January 19, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative.

    Addressing a weekly media briefing External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said this documentary show, based on some internal UK report, shows the colonial mindset. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

    “We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” Bagchi said in response to the question on the PM documentary series. The MEA spokesperson said the documentary is a reflection of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. He even raised questions on “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.” “The documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it; frankly, we do wish to dignify these efforts,” he added.

  • Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to visit India from March 19-20

    Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to visit India from March 19-20

    New Delhi (TIP)- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Saturday to hold the 14th India-Japan summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday that the summit will be held on Saturday. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be undertaking an official visit to India from March 19-20. He said the summit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review and further strengthen bilateral ties.

  • Early completion of disengagement in eastern Ladakh could pave way for de-escalation: MEA

    Early completion of disengagement in eastern Ladakh could pave way for de-escalation: MEA

    New Delhi (TIP): India on Thursday, June 17,  said early completion of the disengagement process in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh could pave the way for both Indian and Chinese troops to consider de-escalation and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

    At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such a step could enable progress in bilateral relations between the two countries.

    “Early completion of disengagement in the remaining areas could pave the way for both sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity, and thereby enabling progress in bilateral relations,” he said replying to a question.

    The 11th round of Corps Commander-level talks between the two sides was held on April 9 while the last edition of diplomatic negotiations under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs took place on March 12.

    It is learnt that another round of WMCC talks could take place soon.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. However, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    He also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

    India has been insisting on complete disengagement in remaining friction points to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ladakh.         Source:  PTI

  • US to accept student visa applications from June 14

    US to accept student visa applications from June 14

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): Almost six weeks after the US restricted travel from India, it has decided to start taking appointments for students seeking visas from June 14. These appointments will be for the period of July and August, the US Embassy in India posted on its website.

    “The US we will open limited July and August student visa appointments across India.  Students may visit our website, https://ustraveldocs.com/in, to view availability and schedule an appointment,” the statement said.

    Student visas was a top priority for the US, the embassy said. Students beginning a new education programme with a programme start date on or after August 1 may travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the programme start date.

    Existing students may also resume their programs on or after August 1, and travel 30 days before their programme resumption date.

    On April 30, the US suspended most non-immigrant travel from India. Some 2-lakh students from India study in the US.

    Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi while replying to quarries on Indian students facing problems said the government was aware of the challenges faced by students who have not been able to join or return to courses in foreign countries.

    The MEA has been taking up the issue with all countries concerned. Details are on MEA website and social media handles.