New Delhi, Aug 20: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the Union Government’s recent move to introduce three new bills aimed at disqualifying the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers after 30 days in judicial custody. In an official statement, the CPI(M) described the move as “anti-democratic” and a clear attempt to bypass due legal processes.

“This move is obnoxious and undermines the checks and balances essential for any functioning democracy,” the statement read.

It added that the proposal would be used as a political weapon against opposition-ruled states and leaders, warning that the reference to criminal conduct was merely a cover to mask the government’s real intentions, as per KNS.

New Delhi, Aug 20: New Delhi on Wednesday dismissed Nepal’s objections to the resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass, reiterating that Kathmandu’s territorial claims are “neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.”

The response came after Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised concerns over the reopening of trade through the Himalayan pass, which lies on the India–China border but is also claimed by Nepal.

“We have noted the comments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal related to resumption of border trade between India and China through the Lipulekh Pass,” said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“Our position in this regard has been consistent and clear. Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it.

As regards territorial claims, our position remains that such claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence. Any unilateral artificial enlargement of territorial claims is untenable. India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” the MEA statement read.

Earlier, in its statement, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained, “The Government of Nepal has consistently urged the Government of India not to undertake activities such as road construction, expansion, or border trade in that area. The Government of Nepal has also conveyed to our friendly neighbor, China, that the territory belongs to Nepal.”

Media reported that Kathmandu further stressed its preference for diplomacy, noting that “in keeping with the spirit of close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal remains dedicated to resolving the boundary issue between the two countries on the basis of historical treaties, agreements, facts, maps, and evidence—through peaceful and diplomatic means:” reports media. Nepal has long claimed Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of its territory, though the area remain under India.

New Delhi, Aug 20: New Delhi on Wednesday rejected allegations from Bangladesh that the Awami League was running offices in India, calling the charge “misplaced” and reiterating that no political activity against foreign countries is permitted on Indian soil.

Earlier in the day, the Interim Government of Bangladesh claimed that Awami League-linked offices had been set up in New Delhi and Kolkata and urged India to close them down. Dhaka alleged that such activity by “absconding leaders and activists of a banned political party” amounted to an “affront against the people and State of Bangladesh.”

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law. The Government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil. The Press Statement by the Interim Government of Bangladesh is thus misplaced. India reiterates its expectation that free, fair and inclusive elections will be held at the earliest in Bangladesh to ascertain the will and mandate of the people.”

The sharp exchange comes amid already strained ties between the two neighbours. Bangladesh’s interim authorities have in recent weeks accused exiled political groups of attempting to mobilise across the border, while India has grown concerned about instability in Dhaka ahead of elections.

The row also carries a layer of irony, as Bangladesh itself has often been accused in the past of providing shelter to anti-India groups. For decades, insurgent outfits from India’s Northeast were reported to have operated training camps inside Bangladeshi territory, while Islamist networks such as HuJI-B were linked to terror plots in India. Despite longstanding cultural and economic ties, relations between New Delhi and Dhaka remain unsettled, with mutual suspicion compounding the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s domestic political transition.

New Delhi, Aug 20: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired the ‘Agni 5’ intermediate range ballistic missile, in a demonstration of its strategic military capabilities.

The defence ministry said the test-firing of the missile from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha’s Chandipur validated all operational and technical parameters.

“Intermediate range ballistic missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the integrated test range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20,” it said in a brief statement.

“The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” it said.

New Delhi, Aug 20: Gold prices dropped Rs 400 to Rs 1,00,020 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday due to continuous selling by stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had settled at Rs 1,00,420 per 10 grams in the previous market close.

In the local market, gold of 99.5 per cent purity slipped Rs 350 to Rs 99,700 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Wednesday. It had closed at Rs 1,00,050 per 10 grams on Tuesday.

“Gold prices extended losses on Wednesday as the US dollar continued to trade with minimal gains, surging to a one-week high. A decline in the geopolitical risk premium followed a positive outcome from President Donald Trump’s meetings with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders.

“This development raised hopes for a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict, which appears to be the leading factor in the decline in gold prices in recent times,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst, Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

Additionally, silver prices plunged Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,12,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) on Wednesday. The white metal had ended at Rs 1,14,000 per kg on Tuesday.

In the overseas markets, spot gold was trading marginally higher at USD 3,326.04 per ounce.

“Gold prices inched lower to their lowest level in nearly three weeks as the dollar strengthened, while investors awaited US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s last speech at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday.

“Meanwhile, the US dollar index climbed to its highest level in more than a week and USD/INR fell at 87 level, weighing further on domestic prices,” Manav Modi, Analyst, Precious Metal Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said.

However, spot silver was trading at USD 37.07 per ounce, down by nearly 1 per cent in the global markets.

Investors will closely watch Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes to be released later in the day, which is anticipated to offer further insights into the central bank’s monetary policy stance and bullion price trajectory, Modi added.