New Delhi, Nov 28: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, on Friday, said that Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast had been given a permanent solution by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Inaugurating the three-day 60th DGPs and IGPs Conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, the Union Home Minister, in his address, said that the PM Modi-led government had provided permanent solutions to the three hotspots which had become a festering wound for the nation – Naxalism, the northeast, and Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the country had been facing the problem of Naxalism for the last 40 years and that very soon J&K and the North-East regions would become like the rest of the country.

Shah said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the DGPs and IGsP Conference had emerged as a key forum for resolving the country’s internal security challenges, ranging from identifying problems and challenges to formulating strategies and policies.

Referring to the actionable steps taken by the PM Modi-led government for the complete elimination of Naxalism, he said that in the last seven years, the Centre had strengthened the security grid by constructing 586 fortified police stations.

The Home Minister said that as a result, the number of Naxal-affected districts had come down from 126 in 2014 to just 11 today.

He expressed confidence that the country would be completely free from the menace of Naxalism before the next DGPs and IGPs Conference.

Highlighting the achievements of the PM Modi-led government, Shah said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been strengthened, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) had been made more robust, three New Criminal Laws had been introduced, and strong laws had been enacted against narcotics and fugitive offenders.

He said that once the three New Criminal Laws are fully implemented, policing in India would become the most modern in the world.

Referring to the PM Modi-led government’s action against terrorism and extremism, the Home Minister said that after the Centre banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), nationwide raids were conducted on their hideouts and arrests were made, which was an outstanding example of Centre-State coordination.

He said that security forces and Police were delivering strong blows to extremism, radicalisation and narcotics by focusing on three key aspects: accuracy of intelligence, clarity of objectives, and synergy in action.

“We must launch a 360-degree attack on narcotics and organised crime and build such a system that drug traffickers and criminals do not get even an inch of space in this country,” Shah said.

He said that the time had now come for state Police forces to work together with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and strike hard at narcotics gangs operating at state, national and international levels, and put their masterminds behind bars.

Raipur, Nov 28: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the three hotspots that had become a “festering wound” for India — Naxalism, the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir — have been given “permanent solutions” by the Narendra Modi government and these regions will soon become like the rest of the country.

In his inaugural address at the three-day DGP/IGP annual conference here, Shah said a 360-degree attack has to be launched against narcotics and organised crime, and such a system has to be built that drug traffickers and criminals do not get “even an inch of space” in the country.

He said the time has come for state police forces to work together with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), strike hard at narcotics gangs operating at the state, national and international levels, and put their masterminds behind bars.

The home minister said after the Union government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), nationwide raids were conducted on the organisation’s hideouts and arrests made, setting an outstanding example of Centre-state coordination.

He said the Centre has strengthened the security grid in the last seven years by constructing 586 fortified police stations.

As a result, the number of Naxal-affected districts in the country has come down from 126 in 2014 to just 11 today, he added.

Shah expressed confidence that the country will be completely free from the menace of Naxalism before the next conference of directors general of police (DGPs) and inspectors general of police (IGPs).

Besides Shah, the 60th edition of the closed-door, off-camera huddle of police chiefs from across the country at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur will also see the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and the heads of central police organisations, including Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Kumar Deka.

The important meeting comes within weeks of agencies busting a “white-collar” terror module that was behind a car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed 15 lives on November 10.

The conference, which will conclude on November 30 with Modi’s address, aims to review the progress made in addressing key policing challenges so far and outline a forward-looking roadmap for building a “Surakshit Bharat”, in alignment with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat”, according to an official statement.

New Delhi, Nov 28: Gold prices climbed Rs 700 to Rs 1,30,160 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday tracking firm trends in the global markets and strong investor appetite, according to marketmen.

The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity jumped by Rs 700 to Rs 1,29,560 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes).

“Gold edged higher…supported by increasing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

He further stated that gold prices, during the week, have remained well-supported by renewed optimism over a potential Fed cut and a steady US dollar.

Silver prices also continued their upward march for the fourth straight session soaring by Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,71,200 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes).

In the past four sessions, the white metal skyrocketed by Rs 16,200 from Rs 1,55,000 per kg on Monday.

In the international markets, spot gold went up by USD 12.44 , or 0.30 per cent, to USD 4,169.88 per ounce.

“Spot gold continues to remain well bid on rate cut expectations after recent dovish comments by the Federal Reserve officials,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.16 per cent higher at 99.75, capping gains for the yellow metal.

Sandip Raichura – CEO, Retail Broking and Distribution, PL Capital, said that gold will soon test the USD 4,400 level, which marks its all-time high. Continuing purchases by central banks, as well as dollar weakness, are leading to a strong support for gold at the USD 4,000 level.

Spot silver was trading 0.77 per cent higher at USD 53.81 per ounce, marking gains for the fifth straight day. In the session, the white metal rose to hit an intra-day high of USD 54.31 an ounce in the overseas market.

“Silver approaches towards its all-time high (USD 54.49 per ounce), with increased predictions that the US Federal Reserve would further lower interest rates,” Renisha Chainani, Head – Research at Augmont said.

She noted that Chinese inventories have fallen to decade lows, which has led to large exports to London to alleviate supply constraints. The reduction follows a spike in Chinese silver exports in October, which reached a record high of over 660 tonnes.

Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said, “With US economic data yet to flow in after the government reopening, upcoming releases will be crucial for the Fed as it prepares for the final policy meeting of 2025 on December 10, where a rate cut is widely anticipated.”

New Delhi, Nov 28: India has launched a major humanitarian relief effort to assist Sri Lanka as the island nation reels from one of its worst weather disasters in recent years. At least 56 people have been killed and 21 remain missing after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides, with Cyclone Ditwah pushing severe weather further along the eastern coast.

In a message on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced India’s immediate assistance under a special humanitarian mission. “My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families,” he wrote.

PM Modi said India had already dispatched vital relief materials and humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to its neighbourhood. “In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves,” he said.

Reiterating India’s foreign policy approach, he added: “Guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, India continues to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need.”

Operation Sagar Bandhu Begins

Confirming the launch of India’s relief mission, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said on X: “Operation Sagar Bandhu commences. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway.”

The Indian Navy has deployed its two newest warships, the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, and INS Udaygiri, an advanced frigate to Colombo. The vessels were already reaching Sri Lanka as part of the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, hosted to mark the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy. Officials in Colombo warn that Sri Lanka could face more extreme weather in the coming days. With cyclones now striking regions rarely affected in the past, scientists say climate shifts across Southeast Asia may be accelerating. According to BBC reports, millions across the region risk displacement and economic disruption as weather systems intensify.

The visit by INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri marks their first overseas operational deployment. Their participation in IFR 2025 was originally scheduled as a diplomatic and strategic outreach event. However, the humanitarian mission has now taken centre stage. Defence officials say the deployment underlines India’s growing role in maritime security and regional disaster response. INS Vikrant, described by the government as “a symbol of national pride”, has become the most prominent Indian naval platform to participate in a community outreach and humanitarian relief operation in recent years.

With Operation Sagar Bandhu under way, India has signalled its readiness to scale up support. More aid missions and relief packages are expected depending on the severity of Cyclone Ditwah in the coming days. As Sri Lanka braces for worsening weather, India has reiterated it will remain by its side. PM Modi’s message reflects this stance: “India continues to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need.”