Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was on a two-day visit to Russia. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed the PM upon his arrival in Russia. The eyes of countries around the world were on this visit. Meanwhile, the friendship between Modi and Putin has become a cause of concern for the United States. In fact, India has good relations with both the US and Russia. However, the tension between the US and Russia is well-known. In such a situation, PM Modi’s camaraderie with the Russian President is not sitting well with the US.

In Russia, PM Modi held an informal meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Immediately after this, the United States expressed concern to India regarding its relations with Russia amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing that they would review Prime Minister Modi’s public remarks to see what he discussed with the Russian President. Furthermore, Matthew Miller stated that the United States has already made it clear that it is concerned about India’s relationship with Russia.

Furthermore, spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US hopes that when India or any other country engages with Russia, it will make it clear that Moscow should respect the United Nations Charter and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. These statements from the spokesperson clearly indicate that the US is not pleased with the closeness between India and Russia.

US Pressures India to Distance Itself from Russia

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022, the US has been consistently pressuring India to distance itself from Russia. India has resisted this pressure, citing its long-term relations with Russia and its economic needs. Despite this, India has called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Meanwhile, the US has openly supported Ukraine in this war, providing it with weapons as well.

PM Modi Visits Russia After Nearly 5 Years

For the first time since becoming Prime Minister for the third term, PM Modi visited Russia. This is also his first visit to Russia since the Russia-Ukraine war began. Visiting Russia after nearly 5 years, PM Modi will participate in the 22^nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have pressured India to reconsider its relations with Moscow. Despite this, India has maintained its relations with Russia, emphasizing its long-established ties and economic considerations. Russia is under scrutiny from countries worldwide over the war, but India has remained neutral on the issue. The Indian government has neither condemned nor justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Currently, Western countries are trying to create discord between India, China, and Russia. India’s relationships with both the West and Russia reflect a complex international scenario, where it seeks to balance its interests in this challenging global environment. The West had hoped that India would align with them against Russia, but this has not happened. Despite attempts by the West to pressure India, these efforts have not succeeded. India’s foreign policy is focused on safeguarding its interests without fully siding with any party. It aims to maintain a balance between both sides.

Traders in Pak-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB) have initiated a strike, shutting down their businesses in protest against the suspension of trade with China since April. The POGB Importers and Exporters Association and GB Chamber of Commerce and Industries have issued a warning that they will block the Karakoram Highway at Sost if their demands are not met.

At a press conference held at the Gilgit Press Club on Monday, Muhammad Iqbal, president of the POGB Importers and Exporters Association, and Imran Ali, president of the GB Chamber of Commerce, addressed the issue. They said that trade between Pakistan and China through the Khunjerab Pass has been halted since April 1, following a brief reopening after a four-month closure.

The suspension of trade has severely impacted local employment, as residents depend on cross-border trade for their livelihood due to the lack of industries or private sector jobs in the area. Business leaders say that imported goods from China have been stuck at the Sost Dry port since April due to Customs clearance issues.

The traders also felt that the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) policies are responsible for the trade suspension. They argue that income and sales taxes should not apply to imported items for POGB residents, as a border agreement between Pakistan and China exempts POGB residents from taxes on barter trade.

They are demanding a relaxation of these taxes and a 20% land route valuation concession on imported goods, similar to what traders in Quetta and other areas of Pakistan receive.

They said that in China, goods valued at 20,000 yuan are tax-exempt, and they are advocating for the same exemption in POGB. And an introduction of a tax exemption on goods worth up to 20,000 yuan, mirroring a policy in China.

The plight of POGB community is deep as the Pakistan Army of allowing Chinese control over the region to exploit its resources and marginalize the local community for its vested interests and benefits.

In a series of demonstrations, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has vehemently opposed the Pak Army’s war policies, militarization, and the resulting unrest in the Pashtun homeland. Protests have erupted in various regions, including Khyber, where PTM members rallied against the increased military presence and ongoing violence, highlighting the community’s grievances over target killings and explosions.

The catalyst for these protests was the Pakistan Army’s launch of a new operation named Azm-e-Istihkam, which has been also condemned by PTM’s United States-Texas State chapter. This group staged a significant protest in San Antonio, denouncing the genocidal operation against the Pashtun nation. PTM America also held a protest in front of the White House in Washington DC.

Concurrently, PTM Hasan Khel in Peshawar continued its demonstrations against military operations, surveillance, and targeted campaigns that disrupt daily life and threaten the security of the Pashtun people.

The demonstrators criticized the Pakistan Army for destabilizing Pashtun regions, asserting that their presence has severely impacted the safety and way of life for local residents. Compounding these issues, the sweltering summer heat has been exacerbated by severe electricity shortages, worsening living conditions and endangering the populations.

In addition to these immediate concerns, Pashtuns are demanding the removal of barriers at the Durand Line, which hinder free movement and trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The community opposes the mandatory passport visas that disrupt familial and economic ties across the border.

Since 1947, the Pakistan Army has been exploiting Pashtun lands and people for their interests, often labeling Pashtuns as terrorists or TTP sympathizers to justify their actions. This exploitation includes the extraction of mineral resources and the use of terrorism to justify military presence in Pashtun territories, resulting in security checkpoints, military camps, and forced evacuations.

The militarization has led to the abduction and enforced disappearance of many innocent youths, often unconnected to any activist activities. Journalists and PTM members face violence and death despite the movement’s peaceful stance. Furthermore, the military’s practice of laying landmines in residential areas has led to tragic incidents, with children frequently being maimed or killed by explosions.

Human rights activist and esteemed poet Gilaman Pashteen urgently needs evacuation to Germany after a severe attack in Islamabad.

Prominent PTM member Gilaman Wazir is in critical condition after being shot and stabbed multiple times. Wazir, a key figure in the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and a member of its Central Committee, was attacked while traveling to Islamabad.

He sustained 13 stab wounds and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital. This attack follows a history of abductions and illegal detentions of Gilaman by intelligence and military agencies by Punjabi Pak Army.

The PTM has denounced the attack as a Army-sponsored attempt on his life. Given the severity of his injuries, PTM is urgently calling for his immediate airlifting to Germany for specialized medical treatment that is unavailable locally.

They have appealed to the German Embassy in Islamabad to expedite the visa process for Wazir.

PTM’s social media team has launched a campaign under the hashtag #EvacuateGilamanWazir2Germany, demanding the swift issuance of a medical visa and the immediate airlift of Wazir to Germany.

“We implore the German Embassy to expedite his visa process immediately. His life hangs in the balance, and timely intervention is crucial to his survival and recovery,” the PTM said.

Since 1947, the Punjabi Pakistan Army has been exploiting Pashtun lands and people for their vested interests. The movement highlights issues such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment inflicted upon Pashtuns in the name of counter-terrorism operations.

Wazir’s case is not an isolated one. He has previously been detained by Pak intelligence and military agencies, highlighting the vulnerability of Pashtun activists. The Punjabi Pakistan Army resorts to violence against members of PTM, despite the organization being predominantly peaceful.