Amritsar, Nov 04: A devoted contingent of Sikh pilgrims departed from Amritsar for Pakistan on Tuesday under the banner of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to participate in the sacred celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev’s Prakash Parv. The group will take part in religious ceremonies at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, and other historic Gurdwaras across Pakistan.

On this occasion, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj of Akal Takht Sahib accompanied the group, offering prayers for a successful and spiritually fulfilling journey.

Speaking to the media before the departure, Jathedar Gadgaj noted that although the government had issued visas to the devotees, the Kartarpur Sahib Langar was still not fully open. He emphasised that the Kartarpur corridor is not merely a route for pilgrimage but “a bridge that connects hearts”.

He further added that he believed the government would soon fulfil the long-standing demand to reopen the corridor completely.

He further explained that Guru Nanak spent his final years in Kartarpur Sahib, making it a place of immense spiritual importance for the Sikh community.

“It is the natural wish of every Sikh to bow their head at this sacred shrine without obstacles,” he said.

He also suggested that in the future, devotees should be allowed entry through Aadhaar-based identification, instead of passports, to make the pilgrimage more accessible.

Delivering a spiritual message on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s Prakash Parv, Jathedar Gadgaj reminded the Sangat of the Guru’s three golden principles: Kirat Karo (earn honestly), Naam Japo (meditate on God’s name), and Vand Chhako (share with others).

“These teachings form the foundation of Guru’s Langar, which continues to inspire equality, service, and unity in society,” he said.

He further prayed for global peace, harmony, and the early release of Sikh prisoners. Extending heartfelt greetings to the Sangat, he urged everyone to live by the Guru’s teachings, saying, “Those who walk on the path of truth and righteousness are the true heirs of Guru Nanak’s legacy.”

One devotee said, “I am overjoyed to visit Pakistan for the first time. It feels like a dream to be part of this sacred journey.”

New Delhi, Nov 04: An Air India flight from San Francisco to New Delhi made a precautionary landing at Ulaanbaatar International Airport in Mongolia on Monday evening, prompting swift assistance from the Indian Embassy. According to the Embassy of India in Mongolia, Flight AI 174, operating on the San Francisco–New Delhi route via Kolkata, landed safely at around 19:59 hours on November 3 after the airline decided to make a precautionary landing.

The embassy said it was alerted by Air India about an hour before the landing. “A team of Embassy officials was immediately deputed at the airport to facilitate immigration and hotel stay of the 228 passengers and crew members,” the Embassy said in a statement.

“With the assistance of our Consular team, all immigration and visa facilitation, transportation, and hotel accommodation were arranged in coordination with the Mongolian authorities. The passengers are being looked after,” the statement added.

Air India has informed that a recovery aircraft from India is expected to reach Ulaanbaatar by the evening of November 4 to fly the stranded passengers back to India the same night. “The Embassy of India is extending all possible assistance to the passengers and Air India,” the mission said, thanking Mongolian authorities for their support and cooperation.

Pune, Nov 04: The military conflict during Operation Sindoor was indicative of a deeper China-Pakistan strategic partnership, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said.

He also noted that China’s involvement has extended beyond defence supplies to include intelligence and diplomatic support, forming an ‘all-weather’ alliance intended to constrain India’s rise.

Shringla spoke on India’s foreign policy and strategic affairs on Monday during an interaction organised by the Pune International Centre (PIC) and moderated by former Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale.

He stated that India’s foreign policy reflects a balance between realism and idealism, guided by developmental imperatives, strategic autonomy, and an inclusive global outlook.

Shringla, who also served as India’s Chief Coordinator for the G20 Presidency, shared his perspectives on the country’s evolving foreign policy, regional dynamics, and strategic priorities in a rapidly changing global order.

The discussion spanned critical themes, including India’s relations with China and Pakistan, the changing nature of modern warfare, and the increasing role of technology, drones, and cyber tools in defence and diplomacy, according to a release issued by the PIC.

Shringla underlined the importance of strategic deterrence, skilled diplomacy, and a clear focus on domestic growth to strengthen India’s international position.

Addressing questions on Pakistan’s use of Chinese weaponry during Operation Sindoor, he described the conflict as “indicative of a deeper China-Pakistan strategic partnership”.

He noted that China’s involvement extended beyond defence supplies to include intelligence and diplomatic support, forming an ‘all-weather’ alliance intended to constrain India’s rise, and called for a response through capacity building, innovation, and partnerships grounded in India’s strategic interests.

On the Pakistan-US dynamic after Operation Sindoor, Shringla observed that Field Marshal Asim Munir had consolidated authority and regained Washington’s attention under the Trump 2.0 administration.

Drawing from his experience as India’s Ambassador to the United States, he contrasted Pakistan’s short-term tactical approach with India’s long-term, institutional diplomacy, according to a release.

He highlighted that India’s strength lies in building durable partnerships across the US, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South, anchored in shared democratic values, trade, technology, and security cooperation.

Shringla stressed that India does not accept third-party mediation in bilateral issues, in accordance with the Simla Agreement, and observed that the abrogation of Article 370 has integrated Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream, thereby restoring stability, except for sporadic incidents of cross-border terrorism.

Speaking on regional and global balancing, he highlighted the importance of the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, alongside deeper engagement with the Global South, West Asia, and Southeast Asia, the release added.

He also highlighted India’s ambition to emerge as a “thought and technology” leader, citing the upcoming Global AI Summit as a key step in shaping governance frameworks for emerging technologies.

Discussing the US-China strategic rivalry, Shringla remarked that while the global order appears to be moving toward a G2 framework, India must not cede its strategic space.

He asserted that India’s growing economic and technological capacity positions it as an indispensable third pole in a multi-polar world.

He urged a focus on strengthening domestic ecosystems in semiconductors, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and rare earths to reinforce India’s global standing, the release added.

New Delhi, Nov 04: The Congress on Tuesday said a bill introduced in the US Senate proposing a 25 per cent tax on any American person making an outsourcing payment will “light a fire in the Indian economy” if it becomes a reality.

The opposition party said the bill reflects a growing mindset in the US that while blue-collar jobs were “lost” to China, white-collar jobs should not be “lost to India.”

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh made the remarks, referring to the Halting International Relocation of Employment Act, or HIRE Act Bill, introduced on October 6 by Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, he said on X.

The bill proposes a 25 per cent tax on any US person making an outsourcing payment, defined as “any money paid by a US company or taxpayer to a foreign person whose work benefits consumers in the United States,” he said.

The bill has a direct and deep impact on India’s IT services, BPO, consulting and GCCs (global capability centres), Ramesh said.

Other countries like Ireland, Israel, and the Philippines too will be impacted but the maximum effect will be on India’s exports of services which has been a marked success story over the past quarter of a century, he said.

Ramesh said the bill in its present form may or may not pass, and may get modified.

“It may just linger. But one thing is clear – the Bill reflects a growing mindset in the US that while blue-collar jobs were ‘lost’ to China, white-collar jobs should not be ‘lost to India’,” he claimed.

Nobody expected a year ago that the India-US economic relationship would take so many knocks – of which the HIRE Bill is another reflection, Ramesh said.

“If ever HIRE becomes a reality it will light a fire in the Indian economy which may have to face a new normal in relation to the US,” the Congress leader said.

The proposed HIRE Act, introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno, if passed, will curb outsourcing and promote domestic employment by imposing a 25 per cent levy on payments made by American companies to foreign workers for services benefiting US consumers.

Ramesh also shared a link to the provisions of the bill.