Manmohan Singh explains to Hillary Clinton India’s need to engage Iran for its energy security

May 8, 2012

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New DelhI/Kolkata, May 8: India wants Iran to fulfill international obligations with regard to its nuclear programme, but New Delhi cannot lose sight of its energy security needs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told US secretary of state Hillary Clinton during a wide-ranging discussion here on Monday.

Iran was an important aspect of Hillary's meeting with Singh on Monday evening as she made it clear that US expects India to "do more" and be part of the international effort to curb Iran's reported bid to acquire nuclear weapons by defying inspection regimes.

The PM is understood to have said that India shared concerns over proliferation but needed to work out its responses at a time when fuel prices are high and the global economic situation worrisome. In comments ahead of the meeting, Hillary said India's has more options on energy than it had earlier.

The meeting, according to official sources, did not hit a bump on Iran despite both leaders outlining their views and Singh dwelling on the need to engage Tehran. The discussion lasted around 80 minutes, about half an hour more than what was scheduled, as the leaders went over Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, trade, security and the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.

While both sides committed to strengthen their strategic partnership, tangible outcomes may take a while to be fully evident with the relationship seen to be in need of fresh momentum despite substantial convergence of interests.

US is keen on India moving on some reforms like liberalizing FDI in retail, a detail expected to have figured during Hillary's meeting with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata earlier in the day where she spoke of making the state a partner in US investment.

The meeting with Banerjee was significant as the US looks at West Bengal with new eyes after the state was "off bounds" during Left rule. The attempt to size up the new dispensation saw Banerjee also using the occasion to claim that Bengal was now investor-friendly.

After Hillary's meeting with Singh, sources said "The full gamut of bilateral relations came up for discussion." On Iran, the PM is also believed to have laid out India's reasons to continue to engage the state. Hillary had already indicated earlier in the day that she would press India to further reduce oil imports from Iran, although she acknowledged reduction in some imports. She stressed Iran's nuclear ambitions would have an adverse effect on the region.

On the security front, Afghanistan, China and Pakistan figured prominently in the talks. But the PM used the opportunity to tell the top US official American investment in infrastructure while the leaders also had an elaborate discussion on the state of the global economy.

Earlier in Kolkata, contentious issues, including the Teesta water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh, were kept under wraps. "There were certain strategic issues that came up in course of discussion, but I cannot reveal them because of political compulsion," Banerjee said after Hillary left for Delhi.

"They (the US) spoke of making Bengal a partner state for investment here," the Bengal CM said. "For a long time, there was hardly US investment in Bengal due to political reasons. But, now the situation has changed and is congenial for investment," she added.

Banerjee welcomed private investment in sectors such as information technology, education, healthcare and deep sea ports. At an interactive session at La Martinere for Girls' before her meeting with Banerjee, Hillary was clear about what she wanted to discuss. "I intend talking about investment ... and the Teesta water agreement with chief minister Mamata Banerjee. But I would be primarily interested in her vision for Bengal and the east. I would like to know what she wants to achieve. I have come here with a belief that India can compete. But you understand that there are political compulsions. So, a few things might have to wait," Hillary added.

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March 17,2024

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New Delhi: The Election Commission on Sunday made public fresh data on electoral bonds, which it had submitted in sealed covers to the Supreme Court and was later asked to put it in public domain.

These details are believed to be pertaining to the period before April 12, 2019. Electoral bond details after this date was made public by the poll panel last week.

The BJP encashed electoral bonds totalling Rs 6,986.5 crore; maximum Rs 2,555 crore received in 2019-20, as per the EC data.

The Trinamool Congress received Rs 1,397 crore through electoral bonds, second largest recipient after BJP, as per the EC data.

On the other hand, the Congress redeemed a total of Rs 1,334.35 crore through electoral bonds.

DMK received Rs 656.5 crore through electoral bonds, including Rs 509 crore from lottery king Santiago Martin's Future Gaming.

BJD encashed electoral bonds worth Rs 944.5 crore, YSR Congress Rs 442.8 crore, TDP Rs 181.35 crore.

Political parties had filed data on electoral bonds in sealed cover as directed by the Supreme Court's interim order dated April 12, 2019, the poll panel said in a statement.

"Data so received from political parties was deposited in the Supreme Court without opening sealed covers. In pursuance of the Supreme Court's order dated March 15, 2024, the Registry of the Supreme Court has returned physical copies along with a digitized record of the same in a pen drive in sealed cover. The Election Commission of India has today uploaded the data received in the digitized form from the registry of the Supreme Court on electoral bonds on its website," EC said.

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March 22,2024

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New Delhi, Mar 22: The Aam Aadmi Party has made it clear that Arvind Kejriwal will remain the Delhi Chief Minister despite his arrest in the liquor policy case. While no law would stop the AAP leader from running the state from prison, the jail guidelines would make it extremely difficult.

Kejriwal was arrested yesterday by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), following his avoidance of nine summons issued by the investigative agency in relation to the Delhi liquor policy case. 

The decision to apprehend Kejriwal transpired shortly after the High Court's denial of protection from arrest. With this development, Kejriwal becomes the second opposition Chief Minister to face arrest by the ED within a span of fewer than two months, following Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's similar fate in January 2024 due to allegations in a graft case. Subsequently, Hemant Soren was replaced by his party colleague, Champai Soren.

Delhi government minister Atishi declared shortly after Kejriwal's arrest that he would not step down from his position. However, the legality and feasibility of a detained Chief Minister continuing to fulfill official duties warrant examination.

A former law officer of Delhi's Tihar Jail says that an inmate can only hold two meetings in a week, which would make it difficult for Mr Kejriwal to carry out his responsibilities as Chief Minister.

Can he run government from prison?

While theoretically plausible, governing from detention presents logistical challenges. However, there exists no explicit prohibition against a Chief Minister conducting official responsibilities while under arrest. Disqualification only occurs upon conviction.

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 outlines disqualification provisions for specific offenses, necessitating a conviction for those holding office.

Will centre impose president’s rule?

Constitution expert SK Sharma told TOI that there exists no specific legal provision mandating the automatic resignation of a state's Chief Minister upon arrest. He cited the example of former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, who appointed his wife Rabri Devi as CM during his arrest. "Former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav made his wife Rabri Devi the CM of the state when he was arrested. More recently, Hemant Soren in Jharkhand also resigned. Calling cabinet meetings in the jail or review meetings with officials in his cell does not seem practical," said Sharma.

Sharma further indicated that if AAP persisted in retaining Kejriwal as CM, it could lead to a deadlock, potentially prompting the Centre to impose President's rule in Delhi.

What may happen next?

Despite AAP's unwavering stance on Kejriwal's continuation in office, internal sources say that potential successors, including Atishi and health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. Atishi, known for her extensive portfolio and close ties to Kejriwal, alongside Bharadwaj, a prominent minister with significant responsibilities, emerged as likely contenders. Additionally, sources speculated about the surprise candidacy of Kejriwal's wife, Sunita, given her background as a revenue services officer and active involvement in party affairs.

However, finding a successor of comparable stature to Kejriwal, a national convener of the party and three-time Delhi CM, presents a formidable challenge for AAP.

Role of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor

Delhi's unique power structure, featuring an elected Chief Minister and a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the Centre, presents a complex scenario. Kejriwal's ability to continue as CM hinges on legal relief, failing which the Lieutenant Governor can seek Presidential intervention, potentially leading to the imposition of President's rule.

Recent cases demonstrate how denial of bail can compel resignation, highlighting the precarious position of arrested officials.

In light of these developments, the Lieutenant Governor could invoke 'failure of constitutional machinery' to justify President's rule, thereby bringing the national capital under direct Union government control until the end of the current Assembly's tenure in February 2025.

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March 22,2024

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday produced Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before the Rouse Avenue court and sought a 10-day custody in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. "Kejriwal was the kingpin of the scam," the ED reportedly told the court after the AAP chief was produced before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja around 2 pm amid tight security. 

ASG S V Raju was appearing for the agency, while Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Kejriwal. 

Raju in his argument said Kejriwal was "directly involved in formulation of the (liquor) policy... he was involved in handling of proceeds of crime as well in the Goa election campaign."

"The expert committee was constituted but it was a sham committee. The policy was made in such a manner that it would enable the taking of bribes and recoupment of people who gave the bribes," the ED counsel said. 

Kejriwal was produced in the trial court shortly after he withdrew from the Supreme Court his plea against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Kejriwal's counsel said he would contest the remand proceedings before the trial court and then come back to the apex court with another petition.

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