Earthmovers dig through debris for Nepal flood survivors as rescue ops enter day 5

A news bulletin reports on statements delivered at the United Nations General Assembly regarding conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine. The address emphasised that lasting peace in West Asia requires a two-state solution, while highlighting India's ongoing humanitarian relief assistance for the Palestinian people. The statement condemned attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in international waterways, urging restraint, de-escalation, civilian protection, and the uninterrupted movement of commerce and energy. Highlighting the Ukraine conflict, the statement reiterated that endless war must give way to an end to war, with calls to address food and energy security. Network correspondent Pranay Upadhyay observed India's diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to counter supply disruptions impacting the Global South.

The Election Commission of India held an internal meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi amid allegations of internal differences. The poll body issued a clarification stating that all key decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision process were taken unanimously by consensus and were deemed legally valid by the Supreme Court of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu supported the clarification, while opposition voices raised concerns regarding form amendments and deletions.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, India delivered a firm message against state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, asserting that attempts to normalise terror or seek immunity from its consequences will not stand. It affirmed that India will exercise its right to defend against terrorism, stressing that friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terror. Emphasising a zero-tolerance approach, the address highlighted that governments indulging in terror must be held accountable and terror financing must be exposed and countered. The address also underlined India's domestic development progress advancing one-sixth of humanity.

During an address at the high-level 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar addressed pressing global concerns, including the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, maritime security, cross-border terrorism, and artificial intelligence. Emphasising that durable peace in the Middle East requires a two-state solution, he highlighted India's ongoing humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people. Stressing that endless war must yield to peace, he expressed grave concern over attacks on commercial shipping across waterways from the Red Sea to the Black Sea, which endanger Indian and global seafarers and disrupt food and energy supplies. Calling out state-sponsored terrorism, he asserted that friendship cannot coexist with terror and reiterated India's commitment to defending itself. Furthermore, he outlined India's vision of artificial intelligence as a transformational driver for human empowerment and partnership with the Global South.