Morning Brief: ‘Live Peacefully Or Face My Bullet’ — Modi’s Message To Pakistan's Youth; Chinese Phone Makers Under Scrutiny; Jaishankar Holds A Mirror To Europe; And More

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'Live Peacefully Or Face My Bullet': Modi's To Pakistan's Youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a stern warning to Pakistan’s youth during a public meeting in Bhuj, Gujarat, saying, “Sukh, chaain ki zindagi jiyo, roti khao, varna meri goli toh hai hi” (Live peacefully, eat roti, or else my bullet is there).

He condemned the Pakistan Army for supporting terrorists at the expense of their own people’s welfare and challenged Pakistan’s lack of progress compared to India’s booming economy. Modi declared that terrorism has become a lucrative business for Pakistan’s establishment while destroying the future of its children.

The Prime Minister demanded that Pakistan’s youth reject terrorism, warning that it only brings danger and darkness to their lives. Reaffirming India’s stance, Modi said the country’s war is not against Pakistan’s people but against terrorism and those who nurture it across the border—a clear reference to the Pakistan Army.

Chinese Phone Makers’ Finances Under Scrutiny In India

Auditors have raised serious concerns about the financial health of Chinese smartphone manufacturers Oppo and Realme’s India units, highlighting missing records, bookkeeping issues, and a negative net worth for Oppo, Economic Times has reported.

Oppo India reported a negative net worth of Rs 3,551 crore in FY24, with substantial borrowings and ongoing regulatory investigations casting doubt on its financial stability.

Despite these challenges, Oppo claimed profitability in FY24 and expressed confidence in managing cash flows through working capital and parent company support. Realme’s India unit also faced auditor concerns over procedural lapses and the accuracy of its financial accounts. Both companies are under intense regulatory scrutiny amid allegations of customs duty evasion, tax irregularities, and money laundering.

Jaishankar Holds A Mirror To Europe Yet Again

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held up a mirror to Europe while rejecting alarmist narratives about nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan. Asked how close India and Pakistan came to nuclear conflict during their recent hostilities, he said he was “astonished” by the question and replied bluntly: “Very, very far away.”

He underscored that India’s strikes were precise and measured, and that it was Pakistan that fired first and later sought a ceasefire. Jaishankar criticised the West’s tendency to view every India-Pakistan standoff through a nuclear lens, saying such thinking encourages terrorism. He pointedly remarked that far more serious nuclear dangers exist in Europe itself — a clear reference to the conflict in Ukraine.

Other Developments

Army’s 'Red Team' Mapped Pakistan’s Response During Op Sindoor

In a major first, the Indian Army deployed a 'red team' for the first time during Operation Sindoor, its recent cross-border strike on terror targets in Pakistan, the Indian Express has reported. The red team, comprising five senior officers, was tasked with simulating enemy responses and critically evaluating India’s operational plans to enhance strategic robustness and manage the escalation ladder effectively during the operation.

This new approach, called Vidur Vakta, named after the advisor to the Pandavas in the Mahabharata, has been tested over the past year across various commands.

It was formally adopted after the Army Commanders’ Conference in October 2024, followed by specialised training for 15 officers. The Army now plans to expand the programme over two years and build in-house expertise.

B'desh Army Calls India's Illegal Immigrant "Push-In" Unacceptable

A senior Bangladesh Army officer, Brigadier General Md Nazim-ud-Daula, has labeled India's practice of handing over undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants as an "unacceptable push-in". He stated that the Bangladesh Army is ready to intervene if instructed by the government, though the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is currently managing the situation effectively.

India has been deporting illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, estimated at around 20 million in 2016, to BGB personnel. Dhaka has expressed its intent to repatriate illegal Indian residents through diplomatic channels. Nazim-ud-Daula also dismissed rumors of discord between the Bangladesh Army and the caretaker government, emphasizing their close coordination.

Kremlin Mocks Trump Over Putin Comments

The Kremlin dismissed Donald Trump’s remarks calling Vladimir Putin "absolutely crazy," attributing them to "emotional overload." Trump made the comment after Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine, involving hundreds of drones and missiles, killed at least 13 people. Russian officials claimed the attacks were in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure.

This development comes as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the removal of range limits on weapons supplied to Ukraine by its allies, potentially allowing long-range missile use against Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky called the attacks a political move by Russia to prolong the war and destroy lives.

From The States

Mizoram: Aizawl Becomes Fourth NE Capital Linked By Rail

Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, has become the fourth North-East state capital to be connected to the national railway network through the Bairabi–Sairang line. A successful trial run was conducted on 1 May, and the formal inauguration is expected after safety inspection.

The 51.38-km railway project, costing over Rs 5,000 crore, has overcome difficult terrain with 48 tunnels and numerous bridges, including a 104-meter-high bridge taller than the Qutub Minar. This project is part of the government’s broader plan to connect all North-East state capitals by rail to boost regional connectivity and infrastructure.

Karnataka To Host India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line

Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems have chosen Kolar in Karnataka to set up India’s first privately led helicopter assembly line for the H125 model. The facility will be the fourth such Airbus assembly plant globally, after France, the US, and Brazil, and aims to boost the Make-in-India aerospace manufacturing initiative.

Karnataka was selected over other states due to its strong aerospace ecosystem, skilled workforce, and government incentives. The plant, located in Vemgal Industrial Area near Bengaluru, will initially produce 10 helicopters annually, with plans to scale up as demand grows in India and South Asia. The state government has also offered subsidies on land, electricity, and production-linked incentives to support the project.

Mumbai Records Earliest, Heaviest May Monsoon Ever

Mumbai experienced its earliest-ever monsoon onset on Monday (26 May), breaking a 100-year-old record with 295mm of rainfall in May. The intense downpour caused severe water-logging in new areas, disrupted train and flight services, and led to structural damage across the city.

Key locations like Colaba recorded 144.3mm of rain, while Nariman Point saw 104mm in just one hour. The IMD issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning residents to brace for continued heavy rainfall and flooding risks in the coming days.

You’re all caught up—until next time.