India launches global diplomatic offensive against Pakistan; Sanjay Jha-led delegation departs today
New Delhi: India has launched a full-scale diplomatic campaign to expose Pakistan’s alleged role in international terrorism, with an all-party parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, set to depart for Japan tonight. This marks the beginning of a coordinated global outreach under India’s recent military and diplomatic response, following the terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.
The delegation, comprising leaders from across the political spectrum—including BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi and Brij Lal, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee and John Barla, and Congress leader Salman Khurshid—will visit five strategic nations in East and Southeast Asia: Japan (May 22), South Korea (May 24), Singapore (May 27), Indonesia (May 28), and Malaysia (May 31). Their mission is to present concrete evidence of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and articulate the rationale behind India’s recent military action.
India's diplomatic push will extend to all members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including permanent members like the US, UK, France, and Russia, as well as nine non-permanent members completing their terms in 2024 or 2025. However, no delegations will be sent to Pakistan or China.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has briefed three of the seven delegations departing between Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to Jha’s team, another delegation led by Shrikant Shinde will visit the UAE, Congo, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. A third group, headed by DMK leader Kanimozhi, is scheduled to leave on Thursday for Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain.
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UP court rejects plea seeking Rahul Gandhi's voice sample in defamation case
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): A local MP/MLA court on Saturday rejected a plea seeking a voice sample of Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by a BJP functionary against the Congress leader, and posted the matter for next hearing on May 11.
The plea, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra through his counsel Santosh Kumar Pandey, had sought Gandhi's voice sample for a forensic test to compare it with an audio clip.
After the petition was dismissed, Pandey said they would file a revision plea before the sessions court against the order.
The court rejected the plea after hearing the arguments of both sides, including Gandhi's counsel Kashi Prasad Shukla.
The matter dates back to 2018 when Mishra, a local BJP leader, filed a defamation suit over Gandhi’s alleged objectionable remarks targeting Amit Shah while campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections.
After five years of legal proceedings, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi in December 2023.
The Rae Bareli MP surrendered before the court in February 2024, and was granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each by a special magistrate.
On July 26 last year, the Congress leader recorded his statement before the court, claiming innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy.
Earlier this year, multiple hearings were postponed due to a strike by lawyers and the ill-health of Gandhi’s counsel.
