Man and child still missing after ferry-Navy craft collision off Mumbai coast
Mumbai (PTI): Two passengers, a man and a child, were still missing a day after a Navy craft carrying out engine trials rammed into their ferry off Mumbai coast, police said on Thursday. Of the 113 persons on board both the vessels, 13 died and 98, including two injured, were rescued, they said.
The two missing persons have been identified as 43-year-old Hansraj Bhati and seven-year-old Johan Mohammad Nisar Ahmed Pathan, the police said.
A search operation was underway with help of the Navy and Coast Guard, they said.
Thirteen persons, including a Navy personnel and two contractual naval employees, were killed when the Navy craft dashed against the passenger ferry 'Neel Kamal', carrying more than 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Island, on Wednesday afternoon.
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India-China affirm disengagement progress, discuss bilateral relations
New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing on Wednesday, marking the first boundary talks between the Special Representatives (SR) since 2019. Both sides “positively affirmed” the progress of their disengagement agreement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and emphasized learning from the four-year military standoff to maintain peace and stability at the border.
The talks also focused on restoring bilateral ties disrupted by tensions at the LAC. Discussions included reopening cross-border exchanges such as the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade. A statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted a “six-point consensus” reached during the dialogue, aimed at preserving border peace and fostering improved relations. While India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not mention the six-point framework, it reiterated a shared commitment to resolving boundary issues based on earlier political guidelines.
The SR meeting, resumed after a five-year hiatus, comes on the heels of the October 2024 disengagement agreement in eastern Ladakh. This agreement, covering areas like Depsang and Demchok, allowed for patrolling and grazing, paving the way for further discussions on troop de-escalation and de-induction along the border.
The talks did not touch on the resumption of direct flights or journalist exchanges, previously discussed during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's meeting with Wang Yi in Rio de Janeiro. However, Doval’s meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng underscored the need to restore exchanges in economic, cultural, and trade sectors.
During the meeting, both sides acknowledged the importance of peace at the LAC for broader bilateral relations. Doval extended an invitation to Wang Yi to visit New Delhi for the next round of SR talks, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening strategic communication with China.
