Inside The First NDA Parliamentary Group Meet In A Year; And More

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What Happened At The First NDA Parliamentary Meeting In Over A Year

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary group unanimously passed a resolution on 5 August lauding the armed forces’ courage and Prime Minister Modi's leadership for the success of Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev. This was the first meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party since last June and it was on the sixth anniversary of Article 370 being rendered infructuous in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Source-based reports on the meeting in the press claim that in his address, PM Modi criticised the Opposition for insisting on a debate on Operation Sindoor. According to the PM, this strategy had backfired on the Opposition parties. 

The Prime Minister also referenced the Supreme Court's recent criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his statements on alleged Chinese land encroachment. Reports quoted sources at the meeting to report that Modi described the court's observations as significant, remarking that ‘there could be no greater reprimand than the one delivered by the Supreme Court yesterday.’

Notably, PM Modi also hailed Amit Shah for having served the longest term as the Union Home Minister. Shah overtook his own senior in the BJP, L K Advani on that count. This commendation for Shah came on 5th August–the anniversary of abrogation of the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, an exercise widely believed to have been executed by Shah. 

Further, this was not the only event which underscored Shah’s importance and stature in the government. Last week, when the Rajya Sabha was debating Operation Sindoor, it was Amit Shah who delivered the reply on part of the government. Even as Opposition benches kept demanding that the PM be present in the House, it was Amit Shah who replied to the motion. Later, Shah’s speech received praise from the Prime Minister on social media. Modi gave a link to his Home Minister’s speech with the post: “"A phenomenal speech by Home Minister Amit Shah Ji in the Rajya Sabha. He categorically expressed our Government's point of view on key aspects relating to national security, uprooting terror networks and the success of Operation Sindoor." 

Republican Nikki Haley Warns Trump Against Sacrificing U.S.‑India Ties Over Russian Oil Sanctions

The Opposition to US President Donald Trump arbitrarily imposing tariffs on Indian imports is now coming from his own party and former colleague. Indian‑American Republican leader Nikki Haley sharply criticized Trump’s threat to impose higher tariffs on Indian imports connected to Russian oil. 

In a post on X on August 5, Haley called India “a strong ally” in global affairs and cautioned that pursuing such punitive measures could undermine the U.S.–India partnership. She also flagged Trump’s apparent leniency towards China when the latter is the largest buyer of Russian oil. “India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause." 

“Don’t give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India”, Haley added. 

Earlier on 5 August, Trump doubled down on his decision regarding India. Speaking to CNBC, Trump said that he intended to raise the tariffs on Indian goods “very substantially” within 24 hours. 

Doval In Russia Today; Jaishankar Expected To Visit Later This Month

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, 5 August for high-level bilateral talks, even as the visit coincides with mounting US pressure over India's continued energy trade with Russia.

Doval will hold bilateral discussions with his Russian counterpart on 'regional and global security cooperation', many source-based reports claimed. The visit is expected to clarify how New Delhi plans to manage oil imports from Russia amid signs that Moscow may cut prices further for India.

Adding to the diplomatic complexity and context of the visit, at least four tankers carrying Russian crude are reportedly idling off India's western coast as warnings of steep US tariffs threaten to disrupt oil trade.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is also scheduled to visit Russia later this month, underscoring India's commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy despite Washington's pressure.

Indian Army Recalls 1971 U.S. Arms Aid to Pakistan Amid Trump Tariff Row

Amid escalating tensions between Washington and New Delhi over US President Trump’s tariff threats on Indian imports tied to Russian oil, the Indian Army’s Eastern Command shared a historic August 5, 1971 newspaper clip revealing extensive U.S. arms supplies to Pakistan in the lead-up to the 1971 conflict. The archival footage highlighted how the United States supplied over $2 billion worth of weaponry to Pakistan over decades, a move viewed as a pointed historical rebuff to U.S. posturing and engagement with Islamabad. 

Uttarakhand: Cloudburst in Uttarkashi Triggers Flash Floods, at Least 4 Dead and Many Missing

A sudden cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village on 5 August caused devastating flash floods, killing at least four people and leaving around 100 unaccounted for. The torrent swept away homes, shops, and over a dozen hotels. 

Rescue teams—including the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and ITBP—are working around the clock, with helicopters deployed amid treacherous terrain and worsening weather. 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared operations are underway “on a war footing” and urged displaced residents to cooperate. Authorities have urged schools to remain closed across affected districts and warned of further heavy rainfall. 

You’re all caught up—until next time.