India Slams Pakistan's War-Mongering; Hours To Go Before Trump-Putin Meeting; And More

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MEA Slams Pakistan for ‘Reckless, War-Mongering’ Remarks, Warns of ‘Painful Consequences’

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday strongly criticised Pakistan over what it called “reckless, war-mongering and hateful” remarks from its leadership, warning that any misadventure would invite “painful consequences.”

Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was Islamabad’s “well-known modus operandi” to repeatedly whip up anti-India rhetoric to divert attention from its own failures. “We have seen reports regarding a continuing pattern of reckless, war-mongering, and hateful comments from Pakistani leadership against India,” he said, urging Pakistan to temper its rhetoric.

On the award by the Court of Arbitration under the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaiswal reiterated that India had never accepted the legality, legitimacy, or competence of the tribunal. “Its pronouncements are without jurisdiction, devoid of legal standing, and have no bearing on India’s rights to utilise waters,” he said, rejecting what he described as Pakistan’s “selective and misleading” references to the award. He added that the treaty “stands in abeyance” by a sovereign decision of the Indian government.

Seven Military Leaders Receive Top Wartime Honor for Operation Sindoor

President Droupadi Murmu approved seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals (SYSM) on the eve of Independence Day, honoring military leaders for their roles in Operation Sindoor.

The SYSM, India's highest wartime distinguished service honour, was awarded to four Indian Air Force officers, two Army officers, and one Navy officer. This was only the fourth time these prestigious medals have been presented since their inception.

The IAF dominated the awards. Recipients from the Air Force include Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari for operational planning, Southern Air Command chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor for maritime coordination, Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra for offensive operations, and Air Marshal A.K. Bharti for directing air operations.

Army recipients include Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who served as Director General of Military Operations during the operation, and Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Northern Army Commander who took charge just a week before operations began.

For the first time, a Navy officer received the medal - Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd), who commanded Western Naval Command during the operation. The Navy deployed its Carrier Battle Group in the Arabian Sea, confining Pakistani air assets and demonstrating strategic reach.

Other developments

Supreme Court Orders Public Disclosure of 65 Lakh Removed Bihar Voters

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India to make public the names of 65 lakh voters who were removed from Bihar's electoral rolls during an electoral roll revision exercise ahead of the state's assembly elections.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued the order while hearing petitions that challenged the Election Commission's June 24 decision to conduct a special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists in poll-bound Bihar.

"The enumerated list of all the people excluded from voter lists with the reason for their non-inclusion should be uploaded, as this will help affected parties to take action," the court stated.

The poll body has been instructed to obtain compliance reports from all district returning officers across Bihar to ensure proper implementation of the directive.

Beyond online disclosure, the court ordered extensive public access measures:

Despite ordering greater transparency, the Supreme Court acknowledged the merit of the Election Commission's grassroots approach to voter list verification. "We appreciate you're going to the grassroots level," Justice Kant remarked during the proceedings.

46 Dead in Kishtwar Cloudburst; Army Joins Massive Rescue Effort

At least 46 people, including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, were killed on Thursday afternoon when a massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir’s remote Kishtwar district, officials confirmed. The cloudburst triggered flash floods that swept away several structures and left many trapped under debris. Authorities warned the toll could rise as rescue operations continue.

So far, 167 people have been rescued, with 38 in serious condition.

The tragedy occurred between noon and 1 pm in Chositi, the last motorable point on the route to the Machail Mata temple at 9,500 feet. The annual yatra, which began on 25 July and was to run until 5 September, had drawn large crowds to the village, about 90 km from Kishtwar town. A community kitchen serving pilgrims was among the worst-hit structures, along with shops and a security post.

Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and the district’s senior superintendent of police rushed to the site to oversee rescue operations. Multiple agencies, including the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local volunteers, launched a large-scale rescue effort. Two additional NDRF teams from Jammu and Udhampur were deployed to intensify the search.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cancelled the Independence Day tea party and cultural events scheduled for Friday in view of the tragedy.

Trump Links India Tariffs to Putin Pressure Strategy Ahead of Alaska Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that his punitive tariffs on India were strategically designed to pressure Vladimir Putin into Ukraine negotiations by cutting Moscow's oil revenue.

Speaking during a podcast interview, Trump remarked: "I think everything has an impact. [For instance], when I told India and which essentially took them out of buying oil from Russia, that we're going to charge you more because you're dealing with Russia and oil purchases… India was the second largest and getting pretty close to China. China is the largest". 

The president hinted at similar action against China, Russia's largest oil customer, stating: "When you lose your second largest customer and you're probably going to lose your first, largest customer, I think that probably has a role."

Even the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made similar remarks. "I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," Bessent said Wednesday. "Sanctions can go up, they can be loosened. They can have a definitive life. They can go on indefinitely."

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska, U.S., today, 15 August. 

You’re all caught up. Happy Independence Day!

Until next time.