Today's major developments.
Separatists reaffirm intention to meet Aziz
Pakistan on Friday rejected India’s advisory asking it to not meet with separatist groups from Jammu and Kashmir, two days ahead of Pakistani National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz’s visit to New Delhi. Islamabad said that it was “deeply disappointed” with India over what it called the country's “pre-conditions” for talks between Aziz and his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval. A senior Pakistani diplomat said that India could not expect its neighbour to “compromise on this central issue”. Meanwhile, separatist groups, including the Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference, reaffirmed their intention to meet with Aziz, saying that the Indian government had adopted an “unrealistic approach” to talks with Pakistan. Moderate Hurriyat chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq further said that it made no sense for Pakistan to not meet with the separatists since Kashmir was the cause of the primary dispute between India and Pakistan. Later, while both neighbours ruled out cancelling the talks, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the two countries were yet to decide on the agenda for the meeting between Aziz and Doval.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that fighting climate change was India’s “national priority”. Climate change was “clearly a pressing concern for all”, Modi said while addressing the heads of state of 14 Pacific Island nations at the Second Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation. He further said that India would work with the Pacific Island nations for a “balanced and fair outcome” at the upcoming United Nation’s Conference of Parties-21, adding that the “ocean economy” was critical to the country’s future. He also assured the island nations that India supported their stand for a seat at an “expanded and reformed UN Security Council". India has called on the UN to allow other countries and blocs to have permanent seats at the Security Council.
Government wants to resolve FTII issue, Rathore says
Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Friday said that the Central government was hoping to resolvethe ongoing crisis at the Film and Television Institute of India “as soon as possible”. Rathore said that the Centre would take a decision on the issue after a three-member team constituted by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry submitted its report to the government. Saying that the government wanted the FTII “to be strengthened”, the minister added that the demands of the students protesting against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Institute’s Chairman would only be considered once the three-member team submitted its report. Earlier this week, five students from the Institute were arrested by the Maharashtra Police during a midnight raid after FTII Director Prashant Pathrabe accused the students of assaulting him.
Supreme Court stays attachment of Sun TV’s assets
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Enforcement Directorate’s move to attach the assets of the Dayanidhi and Kalanithi Maran-owned Sun TV. However, a Bench of the court headed by Chief Justice of India HL Dattu said that the attachment order issued by the Directorate would be in effect even if the 180-day-period for confirming the attachment expired. The Sun TV network approached the apex court after Madras High Court refused to hear a plea against the attachment on the grounds that the case was linked to the 2G-Spectrum scam. The ED had issued the attachment order as part of its investigation into alleged offences of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by the two Maran’s and Kalanithi’s wife, Kaveri. Sun TV has maintained that it acquired the assets mentioned in the order before the ED began its investigation into the Aircel-Maxis case, in which both brothers have been named among the accused.
Government renews Taslima Nasreen’s visa
The Central government on Friday renewed exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen’s visa for a year. Government officials said that Nasreen’s visa was renewed after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh personally intervened in the matter. However, while welcoming the decision, Nasreen said that she had been expecting her visa to be extended further. She added that she was yet to be officially informed of the government’s decision. The author, who has been living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994, has been provided with an Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. She was forced to escape Bangladesh after threats from fundamentalist groups.
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