Thursday, May 19, 2011
Lashkar planned to kill Narendra Modi: Wikileaks
| Lashkar planned to kill Narendra Modi: Wikileaks | ||
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| NEW DELHI: Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba had made elaborate plans in June last year to assassinate Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, according to one of the American diplomatic cables made public by whistleblower website WikiLeaks. The cable identifies a Pakistani Lashkar member, Shafiq, as the mastermind of the plot that was to be executed by a module led by an Indian Lashkar operative, Hussein. The hit job was to be carried out by one Sameer, an India-based Lashkar terrorist. The timing of the plot is significant. It was hatched seven months after Lashkar's attack on Mumbai in November 2008. The cable underlines that the pressure on Pakistan post-26/11 did not deter Lashkar from planning fresh terror attacks. Modi has been on the hit list of jihadi terror groups who have cited the Gujarat riots during his tenure to find recruits and to radicalise sections of Indian Muslims. The module, possibly led by Hussein in India, was tasked with two other jobs -- including establishment of a training camp and an "unspecified work" involving a car. Details were, however, not mentioned in the leaked US embassy cable which claimed to derive these information from "multiple sources". The leaked cable, part of the `Diplomatic Security Daily' sent to Washington from different US missions, was despatched on June 19 last year. "LeT member Shafiq Khafa, possibly preparing for operation, and Hussein -- an India-based Lashkar-e-Taiba member -- continued operational planning on three tasks in early June. The tasks were associated with a possible operation against Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, the establishment of a training camp and unspecified work involving a car. Hussein would coordinate his activities with an India-based colleague identified as Sameer," the cable said. The cable on the plot against Modi is part of the category called "key concerns" of the US embassy messages. Another leaked cable on India has mentioned about hindrance posed by disagreements within various agencies over Indian cyber security programmes. It says, "The government of India continues efforts to advance its computer security programmes -- particularly in the light of increased concerns over Chinese computer network exploitation efforts -- but the progress is hampered by significant disagreements within its departments." Referring to key Indian organisations like department of telecommunication (DoT) and Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), which are involved in developing and implementing security policies, the US cable said, "Although the Indian Army is primarily responsible for the security of military networks, Indian officials acknowledge Army representatives have been largely left out of the discussion." It also mentioned that some other key organisations like National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and Defence Intelligence Agency have reportedly failed to offer significant contributions. The leaked cable also referred to the concerns expressed by private security companies. It said, "Private security companies are concerned that the lack of input from the private sector may lead to unfair regulations regarding telecommunications monitoring." | ||
Modi gives positive assurance on Gorkhaland representation submitted by BGP
Modi gives positive assurance on Gorkhaland representation submitted by BGP
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi with Prabin Khaling , Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh's (BGP) national executive committee member.
GANGTOK, October 21(Gorkha Times): Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence over the realization of separate State of Gorkhaland demand, a perennial aspiration of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas.
The BJP heavyweight leader had expressed the above confidence when Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national executive committee member Prabin Khaling submitted a representation on the Gorkhaland demand to him at Gangtok.
The representation containing copies on the century old Gorkhaland demand and the national perspective on the demand was submitted to Mr. Modi during his recent tour of Sikkim.
Representing BGP, Mr. Khaling briefed the Gujarat Chief Minister about BGP which is spread over 22 States of the country and is an apolitical body considered to be the apex body of the 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas. The BGP requested him to not to limit the Gorkhaland demand as a demand of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars region only but consider the issue as the ‘national identity’ demand of the 12.5 million Gorkhas spread all over the country including Sikkim.
After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Modi opined that Gorkhaland will happen one day and gave a positive response to the BGP representation, it is informed.
: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence over the realization of separate State of Gorkhaland demand, a perennial aspiration of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas.
The BJP heavyweight leader had expressed the above confidence when Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national executive committee member Prabin Khaling submitted a representation on the Gorkhaland demand to him at Gangtok.
The representation containing copies on the century old Gorkhaland demand and the national perspective on the demand was submitted to Mr. Modi during his recent tour of Sikkim.
Representing BGP, Mr. Khaling briefed the Gujarat Chief Minister about BGP which is spread over 22 States of the country and is an apolitical body considered to be the apex body of the 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas. The BGP requested him to not to limit the Gorkhaland demand as a demand of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars region only but consider the issue as the ‘national identity’ demand of the 12.5 million Gorkhas spread all over the country including Sikkim.
After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Modi opined that Gorkhaland will happen one day and gave a positive response to the BGP representation, it is informed.
Modi gives positive assurance on Gorkhaland representation submitted by BGP
Modi gives positive assurance on Gorkhaland representation submitted by BGP
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi with Prabin Khaling , Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh's (BGP) national executive committee member.
GANGTOK, October 21(Gorkha Times): Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence over the realization of separate State of Gorkhaland demand, a perennial aspiration of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas.
The BJP heavyweight leader had expressed the above confidence when Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national executive committee member Prabin Khaling submitted a representation on the Gorkhaland demand to him at Gangtok.
The representation containing copies on the century old Gorkhaland demand and the national perspective on the demand was submitted to Mr. Modi during his recent tour of Sikkim.
Representing BGP, Mr. Khaling briefed the Gujarat Chief Minister about BGP which is spread over 22 States of the country and is an apolitical body considered to be the apex body of the 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas. The BGP requested him to not to limit the Gorkhaland demand as a demand of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars region only but consider the issue as the ‘national identity’ demand of the 12.5 million Gorkhas spread all over the country including Sikkim.
After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Modi opined that Gorkhaland will happen one day and gave a positive response to the BGP representation, it is informed.
: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence over the realization of separate State of Gorkhaland demand, a perennial aspiration of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas.
The BJP heavyweight leader had expressed the above confidence when Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national executive committee member Prabin Khaling submitted a representation on the Gorkhaland demand to him at Gangtok.
The representation containing copies on the century old Gorkhaland demand and the national perspective on the demand was submitted to Mr. Modi during his recent tour of Sikkim.
Representing BGP, Mr. Khaling briefed the Gujarat Chief Minister about BGP which is spread over 22 States of the country and is an apolitical body considered to be the apex body of the 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas. The BGP requested him to not to limit the Gorkhaland demand as a demand of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars region only but consider the issue as the ‘national identity’ demand of the 12.5 million Gorkhas spread all over the country including Sikkim.
After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Modi opined that Gorkhaland will happen one day and gave a positive response to the BGP representation, it is informed.
Gujarat will power India's development: Narendra Modi
Gujarat will power India's development: Narendra Modi
New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi made a persuasive pitch to the global business community to consider his state for investment, saying his state's rapid growth will help in securing a position for India among the developed nations.
'Gujarat is now moving towards securing a position for India among the developed nations of the world,' Modi said in a 30-minute, business-like presentation before more than 300 industrialists here to invite investor participation at the annual Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January in capital Gandhinagar.
'We have maintained double-digit growth for over a decade. Our agricultural growth rate is over 9.5 percent, against the national average of less than 2 percent,' Modi said. 'I extend a hearty welcome. See the growth environment in Gujarat yourself, and decide.'
In the presentation, made entirely in English and peppered with corporate jargon, Modi said six industrial nodes were being developed in Gujarat with an investment of $30 billion, along the Mumbai-Delhi Industrial Corridor.
'This will be a new Gujarat within Gujarat. Around 30 percent of the corridor's length passes through Gujarat, with over 60 percent of the state's geographical area falling under its influence,' the chief minister said at the Taj Palace Hotel.
'The potential is immense.'
The chief minister and his aides pointed out that during the previous summit, more than 3,300 agreements worth $240 billion were signed by prospective investors. They also shared some statistics and data to push Gujarat as an attractive investment destination:
-Just 0.42 percent of working days lost, which is lowest in India
-Most urban states, with 38 percent people living in cities
-Boasts most number of airports in the country, numbering 14
-The state is four-fifths the size of Britain
-Ten out of 25 richest Indians are of Gujarati origin
-Thirty per of India's market capitalisation is owed to Gujarati companies
-Twenty-two percent of India's exports comes from the state
-Thirty-nine percent of India's small, medium units in Gujarat
-Eight out of 10 diamonds globally processed in the state
According to Gujarat Chief Secretary A.K. Joti, the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2011 from Jan 12 was expected to attract more than 20,000 delegates from nearly 60 countries, including 100 eminent political leaders and diplomats.
The partner countries for the upcoming summit are Japan and Canada with the Confederaion of Indian Industry (CII), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) and Commonwealth Business Council as partners.
In the previous four summits, $14 billion was the investment committed by prospective investors, $20 billion in 2005 and $93 billion in 2007. Japan has been the partner country in all the summits.
WikiLeaks: US hits & pats for Narendra Modi
WikiLeaks: US hits & pats for Narendra Modi
Some of the observations of the US ambassador on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi may seem praises of Modi, but the overall tone of the nuanced diplomatic language used in the cables released by the WikiLeaks emphasises that the US doesn’t want to let the pro-business charishma of Modi make them forget his riot-taint.
Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks on Tuesday brought out a lot of strong comments and view-points on Modi by successive US envoys as depicted in the cables they sent to their bosses of state department of the US.
The Americans seem clear that they don’t want to forget Modi’s human rights violation taint. Former US envoy Michael S Owen has made one comment in para 16(c) of cable dated 27/11/2006 classified as confidential, “Modi is clearly not going to apologize or back down on the violence of 2002, but we think it is vital for him to hear that we are not going to let the passage of time erase the memory of these events.”
The cables quoted US Consul General saying Modi that they, “readily acknowledge the many positive accomplishments of his Government, including economic growth and education.These are to be applauded, but do not diminish in any way the importance of holding accountable those persons who are guilty of inciting or carrying out communal violence.Consul General reiterated that failure to do so will create an atmosphere of impunity in which radical elements would feel emboldened in the future. He concluded by underlining that the US government considers human rights and religious freedom to be extremely important, and we will continue to monitor developments and engage his Government in these areas.”
However, what will upset Modi most is the comment that says, “In public appearances, Modi can be charming and likeable. By all accounts, however, he is an insular, distrustful person who rules with a small group of advisors. This inner circle acts as a buffer between the chief minister and his cabinet and party. He reigns more by fear and intimidation than by inclusiveness and consensus, and is rude, condescending and often derogatory to even high level party officials. He hoards power and often leaves his ministers in the cold when making decisions that affect their portfolios.”
While criticizing Modi the US was very clear that it cant afford to let its influence on BJP and India get diluted.”Since the riots of 2002, we have declined to engage Modi at the Ambassadorial level, but Mumbai Consul Generals have routinely sought meetings with Modi whenever they visited Ahmedabad. We will continue to seek such meetings at the level of the CG to emphasize that the USG does not have a formal no-contact and to demonstrate to the BJP that we are interested in cultivating relationships with the party while it is in the opposition. Direct encounters with Modi will also enable us to deliver a clear message regarding USG concerns for the state of human rights and religious freedom in Gujarat.
Noted human rights activist Father Cedric Prakash said, “one doesnt know the veracity of the wikileaks cables, but if it is to be believed, It seems the US is very clear that nothing will happen (about Modi’s rejected diplomatic visa) till there is clarity on human rights and religious freedom in Gujarat. If it is considered as interference, then the US business interests in Gujarat that Modi is so keen to promote, should also be seen as an intrusion as US companies do not come here out of any love for Gujarat or Gujaratis but for their profits.”
Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said, “Modi has very conveniently interpreted the cables. If they say that corruption is lesser at lower levels, it is also said that it is very high at top levels. It clearly says that money collected from corporates goes to the BJP. The cables also say that Modi has used caste and religion to divide people for political gains.”
“When they were discussing human rights violation with me, I looked into their eyes and said that America should not advise us on humanity. The whole world knows what they have done,” Modi said on Tuesday.