White House official John Kirby applauded the productive G20 summit hosted by India, stating President Biden left with an optimistic outlook. He thanked PM Modi for India's effective G20 presidency and execution of the agenda. However, Kirby said no India-specific meetings are on Biden's UNGA schedule in New York. At the G20, leaders reached climate, economic and infrastructure corridor agreements that Biden termed a "big deal." The White House praise highlights the success of the G20 under India's leadership. While no new India meetings are planned for now, Kirby's positive assessment reflects strengthened India-US ties from the summit's accomplishments under Modi's presidency.

The Congress criticized the Women's Reservation Bill as an election gimmick that betrays women. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said linking implementation to the next Census makes it a hollow promise since the 2021 Census was not conducted. He accused the government of headline management without a timeline for actualizing reservations. Ramesh questioned if the required Census and delimitation will be completed before 2024 polls. Dismissing the bill as 'jumla', Congress alleged the government is only seeking votes in the name of women empowerment without genuine intent to enact reservations. The criticism exposes the political faultlines despite broad support for increased representation of women in legislatures.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has repeatedly legitimized anti-India activities by pro-Khalistani elements. He referred to slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar merely as a "Canadian citizen" and accused Indian agencies of his killing without evidence. Trudeau has exhibited tolerance towards Khalistani radicals, allowing pro-Khalistan events and asserting "freedom of expression". His appeasement has emboldened anti-India groups despite India's protests. Trudeau's tacit support to Khalistani separatism for vote bank politics has strained India-Canada ties. His tendency to coddle pro-Khalistan groups harboring anti-India sentiments remains a major diplomatic challenge. (Image courtesy: ANI) For more details, click on the link below

The US expressed deep concern over Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegation linking Indian agents to a Khalistani leader's murder. White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US remains in contact with Canada and wants a full investigation. This follows Canada expelling an Indian diplomat over the issue, which India rejected as baseless. Trudeau had raised the matter with Biden and UK PM Sunak. The US statement underscores tensions between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistan Tig Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijar. While asking for a thorough probe, the US stopped short of supporting Canada's accusations against Indian operatives.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Canada over the expulsion of diplomats, security was heightened outside the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday. Personnel from CRPF and Delhi Police were deployed after India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat asking him to leave within 5 days. This tit-for-tat expulsion comes after Canada ejected an Indian intelligence officer over allegations of India's role in a Khalistani activist's assassination. India rejected the charges as absurd. The beefed up security and expulsion underscore the rapidly deteriorating relations between the two countries centered on the contentious Khalistan issue and alleged interference in each other's affairs. (Image courtesy: TOI)  For more details, click on the link below 

The Women's Reservation Bill seeks to grant 33% reservation to women in Lok Sabha & Assemblies, excluding Rajya Sabha. It reserves 1/3rd SC/ST seats for women and rotates reserved seats between elections. However, it excludes OBC women and links implementation to delimitation. The bill is a step towards improving women's representation but critical provisions like OBC exclusion, Rajya Sabha exclusion and delimitation linkage need review. For more details on the key provisions of the Women's Reservation Bill

A local Congress leader, Baljinder Singh Balli, was shot dead outside his residence in Punjab's Moga on Monday. CCTV captured two bike-borne assailants firing at Balli before fleeing. Hours later, Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dalla took responsibility in a Facebook post, alleging Balli ruined his future. Dalla, wanted by NIA and active in Punjab killings from Canada, said Balli caused his mother's custody. The audacious murder highlights Khalistani extremism threatening India from abroad. Police have launched an investigation into the Congress block president's killing claimed by the overseas terrorist.

Speaking at a special parliament session on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill, stating that discussion on it has happened for long but lacked majority support earlier. He said the bill on women's participation in both Houses was introduced multiple times during Vajpayee's tenure but the dream remained unfulfilled. Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take this forward under his government. He hailed the tabling of the new bill as a historic step, noting that women's reservation has been a long-pending dream. Modi underscored his government's commitment to women's empowerment through the landmark bill.

As the special parliament session shifted to the new building on Tuesday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury symbolically carried a copy of the Constitution while leading his MPs inside. Earlier, PM Modi had led BJP parliamentarians into the new structure. The gesture of holding the Constitution highlights its significance as the foundation of India's democracy which the leaders will uphold in the new building. Modi also proposed naming the old parliament 'Samvidhan Sadan' in his final speech there, recalling key laws passed in it. The entry of MPs upholding the Constitution sets the tone for parliamentary democracy to thrive in the new building.

A special function commenced in the Central Hall of the old Parliament house on Tuesday in the presence of MPs from both Houses. The session aims to commemorate the rich parliamentary legacy of India and resolve to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence. Attended by Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members, the special event provides an occasion to highlight India's parliamentary history and democracy while setting ambitious goals for the future. The session underscores the shared vision of building a developed India by the 100th year of freedom.