HOPE INDIA INFLUENCES RUSSIA TO END WAR: DANISH PM TO MODI

Underlining that she had discussed the war in Ukraine with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “consequences of the horrible crimes committed against civilians”, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday she “hoped” that “India will influence Russia” to end the war.

Condemning Russia’s “unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine”, she said her message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was “very clear” that he has to “stop this war” and “end the killings”.

Modi, who was standing with her as they made statements after their bilateral meeting, said they discussed Ukraine and called for a ceasefire and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy — a reiteration of New Delhi’s position, articulated at the UN as well as in Berlin Monday in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The Prime Ministers will meet again Wednesday for the India-Nordic summit which will include Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. This will be the second such summit after the first in 2018.

Frederiksen said, “We share many values. We are two democratic nations. We both believe in a rule-based international system. And in times as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us as close partners. We, of course, also discussed the war in Ukraine.”

Modi, who did not mention Russia in his statement, said, “Today we discussed India-EU ties, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine, along with other regional and global issues… We appealed for an immediate ceasefire… diplomacy and dialogue are the path to resolve the conflict.”

In the joint statement, similar to Germany’s statement, “the Danish Prime Minister reiterated Denmark’s strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces.”

The two sides built on the Green Strategic Partnership, established during the virtual summit between the two Prime Ministers in September 2020. They reviewed the progress made since Frederiksen’s visit to India in October 2021.

‘INDIANS HAVE NO ROLE IN DAMAGING PLANET’: MODI ADDRESSING INDIAN DIASPORA IN COPENHAGEN

Addressing the members of the Indian community in the presence of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister Modi said, "Inclusiveness and cultural diversity is that strength of the Indian community which gives us a sense of liveliness every moment... It might be any language, but the culture of all of us is Indian," he said.

Modi said the Danish PM's presence at the event is evidence of the love and respect she has for the people of India.

"Due to Covid-19, everyone's life was going on in a virtual mode for a long time. As soon as the movement became possible last year, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen was the first head of govt whom we had the opportunity to welcome to India. It shows the growing relations between India and Denmark," he said.

Underlining that India had "no hand in exploiting our Mother Earth", Modi said, "We have taken on the challenge of saving her. By 2070, we have set Net Zero target...India has been able to fulfil its climate action because, unlike others who put all the responsibility of saving the planet on multilateral organisations, we see it as a responsibility of each citizen to do their bit to save the world."

The PM further said global climate action does not appear to be succeeding as yet. The world appears to have stopped in its tracks but India has been delivering on its goals ahead of time because of efforts of every single Indian, Modi said.

Impressed with the rousing crowd after witnessing a grand welcome to PM Modi, Frederiksen addressed the Indian diaspora and said: "I have to say that you really know how to welcome a politician... please teach the Danish population on how to do it."

LIKE US, INDIA TOO NOW HITS BACK IF BORDERS MEDDLED WITH: AMIT SHAH

Asserting that India had joined the likes of the US and Israel in hitting back at those meddling with their borders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday said the cross-border surgical strikes inside Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack was an example of this.

Addressing a slew of functions in Bengaluru to inaugurate various projects, Shah criticised the previous Congress regime for being “lax in taking tough security measures”. “India only used to issue statements whenever terror attacks were carried out by Pakistan-backed extremists, but things have changed after Narendra Modi became the PM. Earlier, only the US and Israel used to retaliate whenever someone meddled with their borders and military. Now, India too has joined this group,” he said.

Later, during an event where he inaugurated the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), Shah said the govt would soon be developing a national database to monitor hawala transactions, terror funding and activities, counterfeit currency, narcotics, bomb threats and illegal arms smuggling as the govt had “a zero tolerance policy” against terrorism. The data would come in handy for intelligence and legal agencies to crack critical cases, he said.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / May 4

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Tuesday 3,205

Active Cases 19, 509 (+372)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,23,920 (2)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

UN CHIEF HOPES FOR MORE "HUMANITARIAN PAUSES" IN UKRAINE

The UN secretary-general said Tuesday he hopes Ukraine and Russia can organize "more humanitarian pauses," such as the one that allowed the evacuation of about 100 Ukrainian civilians from the Azovstal steel plant.

The Red Cross and UN had said earlier that 101 civilians were evacuated from the tunnels of the plant in Ukraine's battered city of Mariupol, but warned that others remain trapped.

"I hope the continued coordination with Kyiv and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow civilians safe passage away from the fighting and aid to reach people where the needs are greatest," Antonio Guterres said in a statement, without specifying which locations he meant.

PUTIN TO UNDERGO CANCER TREATMENT, HAND OVER POWER TO LOYALIST: REPORTS

Russian President Vladimir Putin might undergo cancer surgery while temporarily handing over power to the secretary of the country's security council Nikolai Patrushev, unverified media reports claimed.

Putin has reportedly been told by doctors that he must undergo an operation, the New York Post reported citing a Telegram channel purportedly run by a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service lieutenant general. The anticipated surgery and recovery are expected to incapacitate Putin for 'a short time', the report said.

Referring to Putin's supposedly 'sickly appearance and uncharacteristically fidgety behaviour in public' in recent times, the report said that the Russian President has been rumoured to suffer from cancer and a host of other serious maladies, including Parkinson's disease.

However, a US official said that the media reports could not be verified.

US WANTS UN VOTE ON NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS OVER MISSILES IN MAY

The United States would like the U.N. Security Council to vote during May to further sanction North Korea over its renewed ballistic missile launches, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said on Tuesday.

The United States circulated an initial draft resolution to the 15-member council last month that proposed banning tobacco and halving oil exports to North Korea and blacklisting the Lazarus hacking group.

However, Russia and China have already signaled opposition to boosting sanctions in response to Pyongyang's March launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile - its first since 2017.

"It is our plan to move forward with that resolution during this month," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters when asked if she would put it to a vote.

THE REST

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CURFEW IN JODHPUR AFTER COMMUNAL TENSION ON EID, INTERNET SHUT

Communal tensions gripped Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's hometown Jodhpur hours before Eid on Tuesday, prompting the authorities to suspend mobile internet services and impose a curfew in 10 police stations areas of the city.

Rajasthan Minister of State for Home Rajendra Yadav said over 50 people have been arrested in connection with the incident so far.

Tensions broke out past midnight over putting up of Islamic flags on the Jalori gate circle, which led to stone pelting in which five policemen were injured.

The situation was brought under control in the early hours on Tuesday with heavy deployment of police but the tensions escalated again in the morning after prayers at an Eidgah.

BJP TWEETS VIDEO OF RAHUL GANDHI AT A NEPAL NIGHTCLUB, TRIGGERS WAR OF WORDS

A video of Rahul Gandhi went viral on social media on Tuesday triggering a row, with the BJP alleging he was at a 'nightclub' when his party is 'exploding', evoking a sharp response from the Congress which said he was in Nepal to attend the marriage of a journalist friend, and that is 'not a crime'.

As the video went viral on social media, some, including politicians, alleged that Gandhi was seen with a Chinese national.

The BJP's social media department head Amit Malviya and Union minister Giriraj Singh also tweeted the video and hit out at the former Congress chief.

'Rahul Gandhi was at a nightclub when Mumbai (in 2008) was under seize (sic). He is at a nightclub at a time when his party is exploding. He is consistent,” Malviya said in the tweet.

'Colourful programme,' BJP leader and Union minister Singh said in a tweet in Hindi while sharing the video.

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hit back. 'Rahul Gandhi has not gone as an uninvited guest like Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone to Pakistan to celebrate the birthday and cut cakes for the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. Rahul Gandhi has gone to a friendly country Nepal to participate in a private marriage function of a friend. By chance, the friend also happens to be a journalist,' the Congress leader said.

Surjewala also hit out at the RSS, saying it is not a crime to attend weddings of family members and friends as it 'is part of our culture, unlike the RSS'.

Some, including BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma alleged that Gandhi was with a Chinese woman, while YSRC Party leader V Vijayasai Reddy alleged that the Congress leader was seen with Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanki. 'Video of Rahul Gandhi partying in a Nepal night club with Chinese diplomats is disturbing as China's honey traps are rising. Hou Yanqi, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, also spotted with him. Congress unnecessarily questions Narendra Modi Ji's Europe trip while its own leader does this!' Reddy tweeted.

This evoked a sharp response from Congress leader Manickam Tagore, who hit back saying, 'Corrupt Vijayasai Reddy please see the truth. We know that your problem is the corruption cases against Jagan Reddy for that you have to keep sahib happy.'

Verma also tweeted, 'Riots in Congress ruled Karauli, Alwar and Jodhpur in Rajasthan. But look at the cavalier attitude of Rahul Gandhi who is busy partying in Nepal, with an ambiguous Chinese lady. Forget ever being the PM, this inept dynast may not even retain his LS seat in 2024.'

Surjewala hit back saying, 'Everyone with mongolian features beyond West Bengal upto Japan is a Chinese and everyone from South India is a Madrasi. They need to come out of this preducial and racist mindset. You don't vet the guest list in a marriage when you are yourself invited.'

RAJ THACKERAY'S "DEADLINE" ENDS, MUMBAI ON ALERT AMID LOUDSPEAKER ROW

Several mosques in and near Mumbai kept loudspeakers off during azaan this morning following a threat by Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers wherever azaan is recited on them.

In a statement tweeted last evening, Raj Thackeray reiterated his plans to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers near mosques where loudspeakers have not been removed.

At Kalyan, most mosques kept loudspeakers off during the morning azaan. Police had held meetings with the trustees of the mosques who had said that they will keep loudspeakers off during the morning prayers as per a Supreme Court order.

In a video shared from Panvel, an MNS worker said they were prepared to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers but did not do so after three mosques in the area kept loudspeakers off during the morning prayers.

Taking no chances, the Maharashtra govt has made extensive preparations to maintain law and order. Leaves of police personnel have been cancelled and forces deployed in sensitive locations.

Aurangabad Police has registered a case against Mr Thackeray for allegedly delivering a provocative speech two days ago.

Meanwhile, a court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant against Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case. In 2008, Thackeray was booked under Sections 109 and 117 (abetment of offence) of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly making inflammatory speeches. The court has asked police to implement the warrant before June 8 and produce both him before the court.

'BOMMAI TO CONTINUE AS CM': BJP LEADERS REBUFF LEADERSHIP CHANGE SPECULATION

BJP national general secretary Arun Singh on Tuesday said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will not be removed, dubbing questions on change in leadership “hypothetical”. Singh was responding to speculation that Bommai may be replaced as part of a full-fledged rejig ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections.

Murmurs that Bommai may be changed came to the fore after BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, at a party meeting in Mysuru last week, said changes become necessary to infuse freshness. This plunged the BJP into confusion as party circles began speculating of a Gujarat-like “wholesale” change, including a new Chief Minister.

Santhosh’s statement came just days before Amit Shah’s arrival in Bengaluru, his second visit in about a month’s time.

GUJARAT BANDH IF CASES AGAINST DALITS NOT WITHDRAWN: MEVANI

Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani who returned to Gujarat after being released from custody in Assam, called for a Gujarat Bandh on June 1 if the state govt does not withdraw cases registered against Dalits during a public agitation in 2016 protesting the alleged public flogging of a few community members in Una.

Addressing a huge public gathering at Ramdev Pir no Tekro in Vadaj area of Ahmedabad after his arrival, Mevani said, “If this govt does not withdraw cases registered against Dalits during the Una protests, then Gujarat will be closed on June 1.”

Mevani who was arrested by Assam police in connection with two cases was recently granted bail by a court there.

“The cases should be withdrawn the way cases related to Patidar agitation were withdrawn,” he said.

CONGRESS TARGETS GOVT OVER LIC IPO

The Congress yesterday attacked the govt for allegedly undervaluing LIC shares ahead of its IPO and said the shares were being offered at throwaway prices.

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said why the govt reduced LIC valuation from Rs 12-14 lakh crore in February to Rs 6 lakh crore in just two months.

He said the govt had in February targeted receiving Rs 70,000 crore by selling 5 per cent stake in the public sector undertaking, but it has now been reduced to Rs 21,000 crore with 3.5 per cent stake sale. “Why is the govt trying to sell LIC when domestic and global financial markets are in turmoil on account of the Russia-Ukraine war and a host of factors leading to economic downturn?” he said.

He said the Secretary, Public Sector Divestment, had recently said the govt would not sell stake in PSUs if market conditions were not favourable. “Why is the LIC IPO an exception to that policy? India seeks answers,” Surjewala said.

EXPORTS UP 24% BUT TRADE DEFICIT GROWS TOO

Exports rose by 24.22% to a monthly record high of $38.19 billion in April and imports grew by 26.55% to $58.26 billion, leading to widening of trade deficit to $20.07 billion as against $18.51 billion in March. The trade deficit was 31.2% higher as compared to April 2021.

Exports grew due to healthy performance by sectors like petroleum products, electronic goods and chemicals, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday. Imports increased because of high energy prices. Petroleum and crude intake alone accounted for $19.51 billion or 33.5% of total imports in April. Coal, coke and briquettes accounted for another $4.74 billion of imports, up 136.4% in the same month last year.

Gold imports, however, fell massively to $1.68 billion in April from $6.23 billion in April 2021. Exports of engineering goods and petroleum products increased 15.38% and 113.21%, respectively.

IPL MATCH 48: DHAWAN, RABADA POWER PUNJAB TO COMFORTABLE WIN OVER GT

Shikhar Dhawan struck a fine half-century as error-prone Punjab Kings finally produced a clinical performance to beat Gujarat Titans by eight wickets and end the IPL table leaders' five-match winning streak, in Navi Mumbai, on Tuesday.

Pacer Kagiso Rabada snared four wickets as Punjab Kings restricted formidable Gujarat Titans to a below-par 143/8 after Hardik Pandya opted to bat first.

Punjab, who made a mess of what should have been a straightforward chase in their last game, learned from their mistakes to pace the innings much better and overcome the target in 16 overs.

As one of the senior batters in the team, Dhawan took the responsibility of finishing the game for his team and he did that with elan. He (62 not out off 53 balls) scored his third half-century of the season.

PBKS are currently placed 5th with 5 wins from 10 matches while GT remain at top with 8 wins from 10.

INDICATORS

(Indian Markets were closed yesterday onaccount of Eid-ul-Fitr)

Nasdaq 12,564 (+28) Dow 33,129 (+67), S&P 4,175 (+20)

US$-Rs. 76.33 GBP-Rs. 95.52, Euro-Rs. 80.31, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.77, Can$-Rs. 59.39, Aus$- Rs. 54.18

GBP 0.79 /US$, Euro 0.95 /US$, Jap.Yen 130.06 /US$, Aus$ 1.40 /US$, Sing 1.38 /US$, Bang Taka 84.88 /US$, Can$ 1.28 /US$, Mal Ring 4.35 /US$,

Pak Re 184.68 /US$, Phil Peso 52.58 /US$, Russian Rouble 69.21 /US$, NZ$ 1.55 /US$, Thai Baht 34.38 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 29.10 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 37,971

Dollar Index 103.49 Brent Crude 105.81 BDI 2,412

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,862 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,151 / 4,720, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 67,300

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

All things are difficult before they are easy. - Thomas Fuller

OFF TRACK

The extended family had gathered during summer vacations and they all decided to go for a movie. Concerned over the steep prices of tickets in multiplexes, Lady of the house called one over the phone. 

Q - "How much is a ticket?"   A - "Rs. 550." 

"How much for children?"   "Same price, Rs. 550." 

"But the airlines charge half fare for children." 

“OK, put your kids on a plane to somewhere, and you come to the movie. You'll enjoy it a lot more that way."