DK Shivakumar slams 'silence' of Karnataka MPs, union ministers on Andhra CM’s HAL relocation pitch
Bengaluru, May 27 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday "questioned the silence" of union ministers and MPs from Karnataka over Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s reported pitch to shift HAL’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production from Karnataka to his state.
He asserted that the Karnataka government would not let go of any Navaratna companies or related units that have been based in the state.
“HAL was not given to the state by the BJP government. It is because of the technical talent and scientific community here that Bengaluru became the base for the aviation and defence sector since Jawaharlal Nehru’s time,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “Whatever Chandrababu Naidu requests from the Centre for his state politically, we don’t want to interfere. Let him secure anything new for Andhra Pradesh—we will not obstruct it.”
“But whatever we consider an asset to our state, and what has existed here from the beginning, our government will not let go of it at any cost. It is a matter of self-respect. We will ensure it stays with us. Why are our MPs silent? Even Union Ministers from Karnataka haven’t spoken. They must respond by this evening.”
Reiterating that Karnataka will not part with any Navaratna companies or related units based in the state, Shivakumar said, “We will ensure they remain here and we will protect them.”
Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party is a key ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
According to reports, Naidu proposed this in a recent meeting with the Defence Minister. He is said to have offered 10,000 acres for HAL’s AMCA facility at the Lepakshi-Madakasira hub, about an hour from Bengaluru airport.
Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil, citing media reports on Monday, termed Naidu’s push for relocating HAL’s AMCA and LCA production from Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh as “inappropriate and worrying.”
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India commits to halt Russian oil purchases, invest $500B in U.S: White House
New York/Washington (PTI): The White House has hailed a new trade agreement with India, saying the country has committed to “no longer” purchasing Russian oil, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreeing on investments of USD 500 billion across key American sectors.
These remarks were made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday.
"The President struck another great trade deal with India. He spoke with Prime Minister Modi directly. They share a very good relationship. India is committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil, but buying oil from the United States, also perhaps from Venezuela too, which we know will now have a direct benefit on the United States and the American people,” Leavitt told reporters Tuesday.
She further said that in addition to that, Prime Minister Modi “committed to $500 billion of investments into the United States, including for transportation, for energy and for agricultural products as well. So this is another great trade deal thanks to President Trump.”
Earlier, speaking to Fox News about the India-US trade deal, Leavitt said the two leaders had a “great call” on Monday, following which the bilateral trade deal was announced.
“...when it comes to Prime Minister Modi, I know he (Trump) particularly enjoys their relationship and has a deep respect for the Prime Minister and for his country of India.
“They had a great call. It was very productive yesterday, and they struck a deal in which India has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil to buy more American oil from the United States of America, and potentially from Venezuela too,” she said.
Leavitt added that Trump and his national security team are “now dictating” the commerce of Venezuela and those oil sales.
“So this directly benefits the American people as well. And in addition, India has agreed to invest more in the United States because of President Trump's call to action on that phone call yesterday. Prime Minister Modi committed to USD 500 billion of purchases of US energy, transportation, and agricultural products,” she said.
Leavitt said the US tariff on India will now be at 18 per cent, but American exports to India will face a tariff of 0 per cent, so this is a great deal and a huge win for American workers, businesses and consumers alike.”
The Trump administration had imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump had said that, effective immediately, the two sides agreed to a trade deal under which the US will lower its reciprocal tariff imposed on India from 25 per cent to 18 per cent. India will also move forward to reduce its tariffs and non-tariff barriers against the United States to “zero".
“The Prime Minister also committed to ‘BUY AMERICAN’, at a much higher level, in addition to over $500 BILLION DOLLARS of US Energy, Technology, Agricultural, Coal, and many other products.
“Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward. Prime Minister Modi and I are two people who GET THINGS DONE, something that cannot be said for most,” Trump said.
Modi said it was wonderful to speak with his “dear friend" Trump.
"Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement,” Modi said.
"When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” Modi said.
