PM Modi leaves for India after concluding two-day visit to Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday left for home after concluding a two-day visit to Malaysia during which he held wide-ranging talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on boosting defence and security ties.
"A memorable visit concludes! After a successful visit to Malaysia, marked by special warmth and hospitality and anchored in our close cultural bonds, PM
@narendramodi has departed for India. The visit produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to India–Malaysia ties," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
ALSO READ: Adequate safeguards for India in trade agreement with US: Goyal
Several important bilateral documents, including on security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, semiconductors, health and medicine, disaster management, combating corruption, audio-visual co-production, vocational education and social security for Indian workers, were exchanged during the visit.
Following his meeting with the Malaysian PM Ibrahim, Modi said India and Malaysia share a "special relationship", and both sides are committed to expanding their ties in diverse sectors.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of security, defence, AI, digital technologies and semiconductors.
Earlier in the day, Modi received a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.
The Prime Minister also met Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao in Kuala Lumpur and conveyed the gratitude of all Indians for INA’s extraordinary courage, legacy, and sacrifice.
He also met with Malaysia’s Indian-origin Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators in Kuala Lumpur and appreciated their active role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
On Saturday, Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at an event where he hailed the community for serving as a living bridge between India and Malaysia. He also announced a new consulate in the archipelago nation and the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to enable students to study in India.
Modi said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth” and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed with various countries, including the UK, USA and the EU.
Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to a grand red-carpet reception, with Ibrahim receiving him at the airport, signalling a new momentum in the bilateral relations.
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.
Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat
Washington (AP): Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Kent said on social media Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.
Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself from a conspiracy theory that federal agents instigated the January 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump, a Republican, won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.
Democrats grilled Kent on his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trump's national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.
Still, Republicans praised Kent's counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience.
Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
