The US should compensate for losses that Tehran has suffered due to Washington’s economic pressures, the spokesman added…reports Asian Lite News
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has called for a cessation of the US economic pressures against the Islamic Republic.
The US administration “must make up for its past measures and stop its economic war against the Islamic Republic”, Xinhua news agency quoted Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as saying to the media on Sunday.
“We are waiting for practical steps” to be taken by the US, said Khatibzadeh, adding that Washington should commit its international obligations.
It was the US that “violated” its obligations pertaining to Iran’s nuclear deal, he said.
The US should also compensate for losses that Tehran has suffered due to Washington’s economic pressures, the spokesman added.
Fully understandable that @SecPompeo is furious about having to leave Foggy Bottom after 2.5yrs of one embarrassing failure after the other.
"Max pressure" failed, & so have the outlaw charlatans behind it.
Soon he'll be on ash heap of history, as proud Iranian ppl stand tall.
— Saeed Khatibzadeh | سعید خطیبزاده (@SKhatibzadeh) November 8, 2020
US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Iranian nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in 2018 and announced “maximum pressure” campaign to impose tough sanctions against Iran’s oil, banking, insurance, shipping and auto sectors.
Last month, the US imposed a number of sanctions targeting Iran’s financial and the oil sector.
Separately, it also designated five Iranian entities for “attempting to influence” the November 3 American presidential election.
Last month, Gila Gamliel, the Environmental Protection Minister, announced that she has been infected with the virus….reports Asian Lite News
A fifth Israeli Minister has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office confirmed in a statement on Monday, adding he was self-quaranting at home.
Minister of Regional Cooperation Ofir Akunis “immediately entered quarantine at his home, in accordance with the Health Ministry’s instructions”, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.
“He feels well and continues to manage the Ministry’s affairs from home,” it added.
The Ministry of Regional Cooperation is responsible for promoting cooperation with the countries in the Mediterranean Basin as well as the Palestinian Authority.
Last month, Gila Gamliel, the Environmental Protection Minister, announced that she has been infected with the virus.
In August, Minister of Immigration and Integration Pnina Tamano-Shata, Walid Taha, a MP for the Arab-Israeli party Joint List, and Minister for Jerusalem and Heritage Rafi Peretz had contracted the disease.
Israel has so far registered more than 320,000 coronavirus cases and 2,674 deaths.
According to the sources, US envoy for Iran Elliott Abrams arrived in Israel on Sunday and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat to discuss the plan….reports Asian Lite News
US President Donald Trump formallt accepts Republican nomination.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is planning to impose a “flood of sanctions” on Iran by January 20, 2021, after it recently recently targeted the Islamic Republic’s oil and financial sectors, a media report said.
The administration, in coordination with Israel and several Gulf states, is pushing for the new sanctions, informed Israeli sources told the Virginia-based Axios media outlet on Sunday.
According to the sources, US envoy for Iran Elliott Abrams arrived in Israel on Sunday and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat to discuss the plan.
On Monday, Abrams will meet Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to brief them on the proposal, the sources told Axios.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
After Israel, the envoy is scheduled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to discuss the sanctions plan.
The development comes several days after Abrams said at a closed briefing that the Trump administration wants to announce a new set of sanctions on Iran every week until January 20, when President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the new American President, another informed source told Axios.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to arrive in Israel on November 18.
On October 8, the US designated 18 major banks of Iran, and a few days later on October 22, new sanctions were imposed on five Iranian entities for “attempting to influence” the November 3 American presidential election.
On October 27, the US imposed fresh sanctions against the Iranian oil sector, for its “financial support” to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force.
Turkey stands to lose more than most other countries from Biden’s victory as he is expected to toughen the US stance against President Tayyip Erdogan…reports Asian Lite News
Turkey gave an impassive first reaction on Sunday to Joe Biden’s presidential win. Arab news reports
Vice President Fuat Oktay said it would not change relations between the old allies although Ankara will keep pressing Washington on Syria and other policy differences.
Turkey stands to lose more than most other countries from Biden’s victory as he is expected to toughen the US stance against President Tayyip Erdogan’s foreign military interventions and closer cooperation with Russia.
Another major stumbling block is Washington’s refusal to extradite US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara says orchestrated a failed coup in 2016.
Last Month, the United States has demanded that Turkey pull back an energy research ship that it has sent back to waters contested with Greece, calling the move a “calculated provocation.”
In a strongly worded statement, the State Department said the US “deplores” the decision by Turkey that came just after tensions with Greece had subsided, reports Arab News
Joe Biden and wife Jill.
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“We urge Turkey to end this calculated provocation and immediately begin exploratory talks with Greece,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.
“Turkey’s announcement unilaterally raises tensions in the region and deliberately complicates the resumption of crucial exploratory talks between our NATO allies Greece and Turkey,” she said.
Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez announced the return to its seismic survey vessel, the Oruc Reis, to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to resume its activities.
Donmez said on his Twitter account that the vessel raised the anchor to “take the X-ray of the Mediterranean” following the completion of its maintenance works, reports Xinhua news agency.
“This unilateral decision by Pakistan is highly condemnable and runs against the spirit of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor as also the religious sentiments of the Sikh community at large,” ….. reports Asian Lite News
Kartarpur Sahib
The Sikh community across Europe condemned the Pakistan government’s move to hand over the control of Kartarpur Gurdwara to an all-Muslim panel, ignoring the plea of the Sikh community.
“ I am saddened by the decision taken by the government of Pakistan to take over the control of the management of the Sikh Gurdwaras,” said Lord Rami Ranger, the most influential Sikh politician in Europe. “This is not the way to restore confidence and trust within the minorities by taking away their rights to manage their religious places. I will appeal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to reconsider the decision and allow the public to manage their religious affairs according to the traditions.”
Lord Rami Ranger CBE is also the Chairman of the British Sikh Association.
Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara is located in Pakistan’s Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It is the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, who had spent the last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. The Kartarpur corridor was thrown open in the midst of heightened tension between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. The Imran Khan-led government on Wednesday has snatched away the management of any Gurdwara from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).
The India government has also condemned the decision.
Lord Rami Ranger
“Highly condemning” the decision, India said it runs against the religious sentiments of the Sikh community and expose the reality of the Pakistani government and its leadership. “We have seen reports about Pakistan transferring the management and maintenance of the Holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib away from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee, a body run by the minority Sikh Community, to the administrative control of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, a non-Sikh body,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Thursday.
“This unilateral decision by Pakistan is highly condemnable and runs against the spirit of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor as also the religious sentiments of the Sikh community at large,” the MEA added.
The MEA said India received representations from the Sikh community expressing grave concern over the decision to transfer the management and maintenance of the gurdwara from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee to the administrative control of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, a non-Sikh body.
The MEA said, the Sikh community, in its representations to India, expressed grave concern over the decision by Pakistan “targeting the rights” of the minority Sikh community in that country. “Such actions only expose the reality of the Pakistani government and its leadership’s tall claims of preserving and protecting the rights and welfare of the religious minority communities,” the MEA said.
“Pakistan is called upon to reverse its arbitrary decision to deprive the Sikh minority community its right to manage affairs of the Holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib,” it said.
In November last year, India and Pakistan threw open a corridor linking Dera Baba Sahib in Gurdaspur in India with Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, in a historic people-to-people initiative.
Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara.
Imran’s Decision
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) of the government of Pakistan has reportedly taken away the full control of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Punjab’s Narowal District from the PSGPC and gave it to Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), a government statutory board.
The ETPB administers evacuee properties, including educational, charitable or religious trusts left behind by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after partition. The latest move comes days ahead of the first anniversary of the inauguration of the historic Kartarpur Corridor on November 9.
“Diversity in a country must be accepted, respected and also celebrated as there is a huge strength in the diversity. In every progressive country, there are laws against discrimination of every kind,” added Lord Ranger. “No country can progress whilst systematically discriminating against a section of her population based on religion, race or gender.
“More importantly, it is not in the interest of any governments to get involved in the religious affairs of citizens as religious sentiments can be hurt inadvertently. As Pakistan is not a secular country, this move has caused even more suspicion and mistrust in the minds of people against the government which is, in fact, doing a great deal for the Sikhs starting from the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.”
Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Earlier, Pakistan government has sent out invitations to Indian Sikhs to attend celebrations marking the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. As per the details of the invitation, sent in advance via the Indian Sikh Sangats, the devotees will be offered a five-day visa to enter Pakistan after a mandatory Covid-19 test.
“All pilgrims coming to partake in the festivities of Baba Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary will require to observe and abide by all Covid-19 SOPs throughout their stay, even after showing the mandatory negative Covid-19 test,” an official of the Abandoned Waqf Property Board said.
The country’s Waqf board and the PSGPC have also sent regular invitations and itineraries to various other Sikh societies including the Shiromani Committee of India, inviting them to the festivities. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Sikhs will be allowed to stay in Pakistan only for a limited period, without any extensions.
A three-day celebration known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab will begin on November 27 at the Nankana Sahib, with celebrations continuing throughout the month.
“The stay of Indian Sikhs in Pakistan had to be revised in consideration of closed borders and rising coronavirus tally in India,” said Sardar Satwant Singh, head of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.
“There will be no new restrictions placed on the number of Indian Sikh pilgrims making the journey.”
As per the bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan, 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will be allowed entry into Pakistan, specifically for the Gurdwara celebrations. However, the pilgrims will be restricted to Nankana Sahib only, unlike before when they were provided with an option of a 10-day vista to visit multiple gurdwaras in Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Kartarpura, Rohri Sahib and Farooqabad.
For the first time, the pilgrims will also not have the option to stay or shop in Lahore.
“Indian pilgrims will be welcomed at the Wagah border on November 27, from where they will be shuttled to Nankana Sahib through a special bus service,” said Sawant Singh.
“The pilgrims will have access to various gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib and also participate in the Nagar Kirtan custom,” he added.
It has also been reported that certain Sikh societies including Shiromani Committee in India, have called on the Indian government to open the Kartarpur Corridor of India for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary.
During Hestourex, I met Dr. Sevil Kaderli, the founder of Atalya Dental clinic in Antalya. We talked about the practice and the type of services that she offers to the customers. I was invited to visit the Atalya clinic in Antalya’s Kepez district. It was a seven-story building consisting of 17 clinics equipped with all the latest dental technology. One room was designed and decorated specifically for children. One floor was dedicated to a large laboratory for making teeth, dentures, crowns, and implants. There was also a floor with several apartments dedicated to accommodate foreign guests. Dr. Kaderli also owns and manages another branch in Dokuma district in the city of Antalya …. Writes Mohammed Reza Amirinia
Medical health tourism is a growing global trend. Many clinics, hospitals, and agencies advertise their services to attract tourists interested in various types of medical and cosmetic treatments. Spa treatments, thermal tubs, mud baths, traditional healing, and homeopathy are just some of the areas covered by in the world of wellness. Medical surgery covers anything from personal injuries and complicated disorders to cosmetic surgery for personal beautification.
The term “Medical Tourism” arose as many people began to travel from their own countries to other countries for the medical treatments for a variety of reasons, primarily economic but also recreational, whereby one has the desire to combine their healthcare with sightseeing and exploration.
An emerging trend involves the industry shifting from Europe to third world countries and developing such as Cuba and Costa Rica in the west or Turkey and Morocco in the East. Cost and quality are a key driver as to why westerners would, with advanced healthcare systems in their own countries, flock to less developed nations for health and wellbeing services.
The world of hospitality has combined with wellbeing to provide services and facilities beyond traditional hospitals and clinics. Customer care, transfer, spa treatments and other services are more similar to a luxury hotel, encouraging foreign customers to choose these new international tourist clinics.
In the UK, limitations in NHS healthcare and very expensive private treatments have encouraged British citizens to look for alternative plans overseas. UK hospitals have the best surgeons in the world and have historically been considered a mecca for foreign patients. They still attract many medical tourists who can afford the costs in very specialized fields in the UK. However, there is a void in the national healthcare system that encourages UK and European citizens to look for new avenues in healthcare in other countries, normally less developed countries.
I was in Antalya to attend Hestourex, the World Health, Sport and Alternative Tourism Congress and Exhibition. It was a great opportunity for B2B meetings for visitors from all over the world to engage with local Turkish businesses and other international guests working in healthcare. I visited many stands exhibited by Turkish hospitals and clinics from Antalya, Mulga and other Turkish cities and regions. There were also many hotels, resorts and sports institutions as the show was dedicated to the Sport.
During Hestourex, I met Dr. Sevil Kaderli, the founder of Atalya Dental clinic in Antalya. We talked about the practice and the type of services that she offers to the customers. I was invited to visit the Atalya clinic in Antalya’s Kepez district. It was a seven-story building consisting of 17 clinics equipped with all the latest dental technology. One room was designed and decorated specifically for children. One floor was dedicated to a large laboratory for making teeth, dentures, crowns, and implants. There was also a floor with several apartments dedicated to accommodate foreign guests. Dr. Kaderli also owns and manages another branch in Dokuma district in the city of Antalya.
Mr. Gokhan, the manager of Atalya Dental clinic explained the ambitious ideas of Dr. Kaderli and her team to provide a personal service to patients from initial consultation and caring therapy procedures to the final post-therapy advice to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
I was there in Antalya for business meetings – I never thought that I would go for a dental treatment. I didn’t have any emergency issues with my teeth, however, due to historic tooth decay, I was previously advised to have dental bridges or implants done. Mr. Gokhan suggested having implants placed instead of bridges.
Dr Kedrli examined me carefully and recommended placing 6 dental implant posts. My flight was the next day, but Sevil assured me that she could do the job in the morning before my flight. It was a hard decision to go through such an intense procedure in half a day. However, I didn’t hesitate to accept going through the treatment. The nurse took a panoramic x-ray, monitoring the state of my tooth, before the surgical operation. The x-ray machine was a state of the art machine connected to a computer.
The surgeon began the operation after evaluating my x-ray and deciding the places of the implants. Dr Kedrli cut the gum to drill holes into my jawbone for insertion of implant. The deeply implanted fixtures act as new tooth roots. The implants are made of titanium, because it contains alloys that the human body can tolerate more easily and won’t cause any allergy or contamination in the body. The quality of my bone was low in one section around my tooth. Therefore, the surgeon had to use the bone graft to do bone rehabilitation and restore the bone structure to strengthen it to hold the implants. The bone grafting is a costly essential requirement, if the bone is not good enough to cover the implant.
My doctor also had to extract two teeth. It was a very cumbersome procedure with a delicate surgical operation, but it was all done diligently. I have always resented tooth extraction and root canal treatment. The local anaesthesia was required to relieve the pain. However, this implant placement caused just minor discomfort, despite intense treatment. The doctors and nurses were very supportive during the treatment and the whole procedure was done in a few hours. I was ready to fly back to London in the afternoon.
I had to use ice bags on my face to stop minor bleeding following the operation and during my flight. The implant wounds started to heal in a week and stitches were dissolved slowly. I didn’t have any inflammation, but I had a slight discomfort around implant posts after a few weeks following the procedure. I visited a local doctor to have an examination. He found an undissolved stich on my gum. He easily removed it and that relived my discomfort. It is always advisable not to panic with little pain. It is a good idea to have a regular check-up, in case of any complications. There are always risks of infection, bleeding or delays in bone healing. But the majority of people don’t have any serious complications. The dental implants are an important decision to make for anyone. Despite the cost, it seems that the implant placements are the most reliable option in the long term.
The placement of implant fixtures is the first phase of the treatment. The healing of the bone and the gum around posts, similar to the growth of gum tissue around natural tooth may take 3 to 6 months. You should allow enough time so that the implants blend with the jawbone properly, before the new tooth can be placed over the posts. Actually, the longer it takes the better, because the implants sitting on your jawbone would need to become part of the anatomy of your body.
I was extremely busy during the year and did not get a chance to travel to Turkey. I returned to Antalya after a year during Hestourex 2019. It was a good opportunity again to combine my business meetings and sightseeing tours with completing the dental treatment. I was there for only for five days, but normally it is better to allow one to two weeks to complete the second stage of the treatment.
Dr. Sevil Kaderli worked very intensely on my teeth over three sessions. She was initially satisfied that the implant healing was good by taking an up to date x-ray. Then she began by cutting and preparing my existing tooth to adjust them in line with the new artificial tooth. Sevil created a model of my upper and lower tooth and sent it to the laboratory. She made a temporary removable denture for my upper tooth, before the final one was done. Sevil owns her own private laboratory on the 6th floor of her building. Therefore, it was convenient for me to go to the laboratory for handy slight adjustments.
The new crown tooth was made of zirconia ceramic with a natural colour to match my existing tooth. The Zirconia crown is made of zirconium dioxide, a very robust material, and much stronger than porcelain. The zirconia is a kind of ceramic with high transparency and durability features. It doesn’t contain the metal. The crown was fitted via abutments to screw the prosthesis over my implants.
Sevil did all my treatments as a priority with immediate attention, but very carefully to avoid any negligence. I was amazed of her dedication and caring attitude, giving me comfort during the procedure with her bright demeanour. If you are going to do this dental treatment, I suggest to allow more time in each stage to get it done with more relaxation and be less worried about the time.
I am very happy with my new teeth, which has positively changed my appearance. Dental marketers call it the “Hollywood Smile” to promote their work. I look younger and happier and most importantly, it helps with my food digestion.
Dr. Sevil Kaderli also operates another branch in Rixos Downtown Antalya. It is a luxury private setting for clients who are looking for more exclusive dental treatments. The clinic is called Medworld in a building adjoining the Rixos Hotel Spa centre for various types of physical treatment and rehabilitation.
The Atalya clinic in the city of Antalya is only an example of several dental clinics in Turkey. There are always risks in choosing a reliable and trustworthy clinic. The selection of the right dentist is not just about cost, worrying about guarantees, but also the trust, professionalism, expertise, quality and appropriate dental equipment in the clinic. It can be worrying to fly to a distant country, speaking a different language and then going under any treatments. However, word of mouth and researching reviews online are good ways to help make a decision.
Turkey like many other countries in the world has suffered because of the covid-19 pandemic and all required restrictions. Slowly the situation is changing and things are going back to normal with careful consideration of social distancing. The Atalya clinic in Antalya is open and business is as usual to welcome the guests for all their dental treatments observing of all medical precautions.
For further information about the dental treatments by Atalya Clinic contact https://atalyadis.com/en/ or https://dentatur.com/.
Next priority is to make official US policy on Tibet: Sangay.
The US has the right to have whatever meetings it wants and his office is committed to advocate the autonomy of Tibet within China, US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Robert A. Destro, has said.
He talked tough on China’s criticism of his recent meeting with Tibetan President Lobsang Sangay during the latter’s visit to the US.
“While they (China) have the right to criticise the meeting, we have the right to have whatever meetings we want,” Destro told Tibet TV.
Destro said he was amazed by the overwhelming response from the Tibetan community and the “desire to engage”.
Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Sangay this month met Destro and other high-ranking functionaries at the White House.
“We were so happy to have President Lobsang Sangay at the State Department. We have been reaching out and will continue to reach out into the Tibetan diaspora community around the world and see if we can really get to know people as quickly as we can,” said CTA-run Tibet TV quoting Destro as saying.
In response to the rebuke from the Chinese Foreign Ministry over the meeting, a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost the support to the Tibetan cause, the US Additional Secretary and Special Tibet Coordinator said: “I don’t take their criticisms seriously.”
Describing himself as a big fan of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, Destro said he was moved by the video message of His Holiness at the funeral ceremony of late President of Taiwan, Li Teng Hui.
“I have always been a big fan of the Dalai Lama and after watching the video, I was very moved. He is indeed a very inspirational person. You can see why he is taken so seriously around the world and his comments about the late president were truly heartfelt and inspiring,” he said.
As for his policy towards China after having appointed as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Destro said his office is committed to advocate the autonomy of Tibet within China and to foster the ‘middle-way approach’ proposed by the Dalai Lama with China and the like-minded neighbouring countries.
For Tibetans around the world, Destro said he seeks their prayers for the challenging job and assured that both he and the US are inclined to take the extra mile to get the job done.
Describing his meeting with Destro on October 15 as historic and recognition to the government-in-exile, Sangay told IANS that the next priority of his government is passing the Tibet Policy and Support Act in the Senate.
“This Act builds on the Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2002 and will be a major update to the US policy on Tibet.
“Among important updates, passing of this Act will make it the official policy of the US to see that the selection of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including the future Dalai Lama, follows the wishes of the Tibetan Buddhist community and according to the instructions of current Dalai Lama without any influence from the Chinese government,” Sangay told IANS on Thursday.
Without mincing words, he added, “The Act will also forbid China from opening a new consulate until a US consulate is allowed in Lhasa.”
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan exile administration is based in this hill town.
The conference is hoped to achieve positive results that could “alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees abroad and open the way for them to return to Syria and live a normal life…reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed holding of a conference on refugees’ return with a visiting Russian delegation, according to the presidential media office.
In capital Damascus, Assad on Thursday discussed the conference with the delegation headed by Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for Syria, reports Xinhua news agency.
During the meeting, Assad and his Russian guests discussed the efforts exerted to convene the refugee conference scheduled to take place in Damascus next month.
The conference is hoped to achieve positive results that could “alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees abroad and open the way for them to return to Syria and live a normal life”, according to the office.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 5.6 million people have fled Syria since 2011, seeking safety in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and beyond.
Currently, there were 13.1 million people in need in Syria; 6.6 million internally displaced persons; and 2.98 million people in hard-to-reach and besieged areas, the UNHCR figures have revealed.
Turkey hosts the largest number of registered Syrian refugees at 3.6 million.
At a time when Nepal-India ties appear to have reached an all-time low due to the boundary dispute starting from November last year, Gen Naravane added a twist in May after India opened a new track linking the Mansarovar to the state of Uttarakhand…reports India Daily Newsdesk
In a mission to strengthen defence, security and overall ties with Nepal, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army, will arrive in Nepal on November 4 on a three-day visit.
At the invitation of General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army, the Indian army chief will pay a customary visit to Nepal.
At a time when Nepal-India ties appear to have reached an all-time low due to the boundary dispute starting from November last year, Gen Naravane added a twist in May after India opened a new track linking the Mansarovar to the state of Uttarakhand.
Nepal protested the opening of the new track by India because the newly constructed road surpasses a trijuncture between Nepal, India and China. The Indian road passes across Lipulekh, that Nepal claims its own territory which Nepal had protested earlier in 2015 during an agreement between New Delhi and Beijing.
After Nepal’s protest over the new road constructed by India followed by dispute in Kalapani area which is an unsettled boundary row since decades, General Naravane had said that it was in fact China that was creating a flashpoint between Delhi and Kathmandu. “I don’t know what they are actually agitating about. There is a reason to believe that they might have raised this problem at the behest of someone else and that is very much a possibility,” Naravane had said at an online conference in May.
His statement had created huge uproar in Kathmandu. Many officials believe that Naravane’s statement was one of the major reasons behind Kathmandu’s decision to release the new map on May 20 incorporating Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura which is currently occupied by India.
Chief of Army Staff General M.M. Naravane
The main events in his programme include paying homage at the martyrs’ memorial in the Army Pavilion, receiving a guard of honour in the Army Headquarters, holding official meetings with his counterpart General Purna Chandra Thapa and address the student officers at the Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri near Kathmandu, the army has said.
The main highlight of the visit will be the conferment of the rank of an honorary General of the Nepali Army to General Naravane by President of Nepal, Bidhya Devi Bhandari on November 5 amidst a special ceremony, the statement reads.
Nepal and India have a historic tradition of conferring the honorary title to each other’s army chief since 1950. And Nepal Army only procure military hardware including lethal weapons from India in a concessional price since long.
General Naravane is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister and Defence Minister K. P. Sharma Oli on the final day of his visit.
Pakistan has admitted and boasted about its role in the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing in Kashmir in which 40 Indian paramilitary troopers were killed by the globally banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad.
In his address to the National Assembly, Pakistan’s Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry termed the Pulwama terror attack an “accomplishment” under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In reaction to the video clip of Fawad Chaudhry’s admission, BJP President J.P. Nadda took a dig at both Islamabad and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi.
Nadda tweeted, “Congress’ princeling does not believe anything Indian, be it our Army, our Government, our Citizens. So, here is something from his ‘Most Trusted Nation’, Pakistan. Hopefully now he sees some light.”
Last year, Rahul Gandhi had insinuated that the Pulwama terror attack was a stage-managed attack perpetrated by the BJP government.
Fawad Chaudhry said on Thursday, “We attacked India after infiltrating in its own territory and the success in Pulwama was a success under the leadership of Imran Khan. It was a success of our community and the opposition is also a partner in this success.”
The minister was responding to Pakistan parliamentarian Ayaz Sadiq who claimed that the Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was extremely nervous in anticipation that India would launch a war after Pakistan captured Indian Air Force fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman last year.
Varthaman’s fighter jet had been downed while pursuing a Pakistani fighter jet during a dogfight, a day after India launched an airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack in February last year.
In a speech in the National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq had said, “Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had in an important meeting pointed out that if Pakistan did not release Wing Commander Varthaman, India would have attacked Pakistan that night by 9 pm.”
“I remember Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in the meeting which Imran Khan had refused to attend and the Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa came into the room, his legs were shaking and he was perspiring. The Foreign Minister said for god’s sake let Abhinandan go, India’s about to attack Pakistan at 9 pm,” Sadiq told the Assembly.
However, Fawad Chaudhry dismissed Sadiq’s statement as lies and bragged that the Pulwama terror attack by Jaish was Pakistan’s collective achievement.
