No formal discussions held yet: Govt on US F-35 jets query in LS
New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI): The joint statement following the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Donald Trump in February mentions that the US will undertake a "review" of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 and undersea systems to India and "no formal discussions" have been held as yet on this issue, the government said on Friday.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was asked whether any "official proposal" was received from the US regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India following the announcement by the US President in February.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to the query told Lok Sabha that the India-US joint statement following the Modi-Trump meeting on February 13 "mentions that the US will undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue."
The MEA was also asked about the role of American diplomats to stop hostilities between India and Pakistan; and whether the government has reviewed the relationship between US military assistance proposals and autonomy in terms of India's foreign policy in view of the strategic implication especially in a conflict scenario involving third-party mediation.
Singh in his response said, between April 22, when the Pahalgam terrorist attack happened and May 10, there were "a number of diplomatic conversations" with various countries at different levels, including with the US.
"All our interlocutors were given a common message that India's approach was focused, measured and non-escalatory," he said.
"With specific reference to the United States, it was conveyed to Vice President J D Vance on May 9 that India would appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack. The discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication between the two-armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's request," Singh added.
As regards any proposal for third party mediation, our longstanding position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed "only bilaterally". This has been made clear to all nations, including by the Prime Minister to the US President, the minister said.
"The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens. The partnership has also benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation," he added.
"The Government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy," Singh said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bank account in Ramgarh tracked for fraudulent fund transactions across 24 states, 4 arrested
Ramgarh (Jharkhand) (PTI): Jharkhand police on Thursday said it has unearthed a network of interstate cyber frauds and arrested four miscreants for fraudulent transactions through a bank account in Ramgarh district after complaints of 274 suspected transactions in 24 states.
The states where complaints for fraudulent transactions were registered included Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
The action followed inputs received through 'Samanvaya portal', a centralised, web-based platform launched by the Union Home Ministry to curb cybercrime.
"We arrested four cyber miscreants after a current account with Kuju (Ramgarh) branch of the State Bank of India was found to have registered suspected financial transactions in 24 states with the help of the Pratibimba portal of the Home Ministry through the Samanvaya portal," Ramgarh Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Lunayat said.
During the probe, police found that the account was opened under the MSME Udyam Registration scheme in the name of Shree Ganesh Enterprises, he said.
The account had been linked to as many as 274 complaints from different states related to cyber fraud and illegal fund transfers.
The registered proprietors of the enterprise were identified as Rahul Gupta (37), Ravi Kumar Verma (34), and Ajay Sharma (33), all residents of Ramgarh district, a statement from the Ramgarh police said.
During interrogation, Rahul Gupta and Ravi Kumar Verma revealed that they had opened multiple current accounts at the behest of Ritesh Agrawal alias Munna (40) and Sonu Kumar Jha (34).
They admitted receiving Rs 1.2 lakh in exchange for facilitating the opening of these accounts.
"The accused further confessed to sharing OTPs, activating mobile banking services, and handing over control of the accounts to the main operators through WhatsApp and Telegram groups. These accounts were then allegedly used to route fraudulent transactions.
Police said mobile data analysis of the accused led to the recovery of crucial digital evidence, including details of SIM cards, bank accounts, passbooks, ATM cards, QR code scanners, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards shared through messaging platforms.
A total of four accused have been arrested so far and sent to judicial custody.
A case has been registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Further investigation is underway, the police said.
