Congress explains Gandhi family's absence during immersion of Manmohan Singh’s ashes
New Delhi: The Congress party has addressed BJP’s criticism over the absence of top party leaders during the immersion of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ashes. In a statement released on Monday, AICC media and publicity chairperson Pawan Khera explained that the decision was made out of respect for the family’s privacy during the emotional ceremony.
"Senior Congress leaders did not accompany the family to gather and immerse the ashes of Manmohan Singh ji out of our deference to the privacy of the family," the statement read. It further noted that Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met Singh’s family after his cremation and agreed to provide them privacy for the rituals, particularly as some family members had not been able to attend the cremation.
The ashes were immersed in the Yamuna River near Majnu ka Tila Gurdwara on Sunday in accordance with Sikh rituals. Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur, and daughters, Upinder, Daman, and Amrit Singh, along with other family members, were present for the ceremony.
The BJP criticised the Gandhi family’s absence. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya called it "truly shameful" and accused Congress leaders of being present only for media attention. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also expressed disappointment, stating, "Manmohan Singh is highly respected, but today, when there were no cameras, no one from Congress or the Gandhi family was present."
Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister, passed away on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 92 due to age-related complications. His cremation was held at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi, attended by senior political leaders and dignitaries.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
