INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 1 A We e kl y N e w s p a p e r Fe a tu r i ng N ew s an d Tren d s f ro m the In d ian Sub- Co n tin en t Pub li s hed From the U S Ca pi ta l Web Site: WWW.Indiathisweek.us Volume 35 No. 22 Washington DC. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800; 301-445-1868 E-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Friday May 29, 2026 India- US sign landmark bilateral framework to secure critical minerals and rare earths supply chains By Sahil Pandey | New Delhi, May 26 (ANI): India and the United States on Tuesday signed a bilateral framework aimed at securing the supply, mining, and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the landmark agreement, highlighting its strategic importance in a highly contested global landscape following bilateral discussions and the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting."We are today signing a bilateral India-US framework on securing supplies of mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths," Jaishankar said. Emphasising that the issue was also a key point of discussion during the Quad meeting, the minister noted that securing these resources is "very timely and critical," regardless of whether it is pursued bilaterally, through the Quad format, or within a larger gathering of like-minded nations. The framework is designed to deepen comprehensive cooperation across the entire critical minerals and rare earth supply chain. According to Jaishankar, the scope of the partnership will encompass mining, processing, recycling, and related investments."It will strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, help us to collaborate on financing and with the effective management of critical minerals and rare earths," the External Affairs Minister added. Terming the agreement a testament to the strengthening Washington-New Delhi partnership, Jaishankar concluded, "It is one more sign of how close our cooperation is in a world where there are so many challenges but also so many opportunities."US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of India for the United States and said and said that the signing of the agreement is a tangible example of it. "I have spoken often during my time here over the last few days about the strategic alliance between the United States and India and how important that is for our national interest in the United States. And today is a tangible example of it."He underlined how India and the United States are two countries that have strategic interests in ensuring reliable long-term access to critical minerals and supply chains that are important for their innovation economy. Critical minerals and rare earth elements are crucial components for high-tech electronics, clean energy technologies, defense systems, and electric vehicles. The move to diversify these supply chains comes amid global efforts to reduce reliance on single-source suppliers, particularly China, which currently dominates the global processing market. (ANI) Green Card Applications: US amends rule for Green Card seekers, asks them to apply from home country Washington DC [US], May 22 (ANI): The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in “extraordinary circumstances”. A US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) release said that adjustment of status within the US will now be treated as an “extraordinary form of relief” to be granted Remember: only in limited cases. The agency said that under immigration law, individuals on non-immigrant visas such as students, tourists, and temporary workers are generally expected to complete the immigrant visa process through consular processing abroad via the US Department of State.” US Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, al- “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Unknown. iens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the country. Officers are directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this extraordinary form of relief,” the release said. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the policy restores the “original intent of the law,” adding that temporary visa holders such as students, workers, and tourists are expected to leave the US after their authorised stay ends.” We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the US illegally after being denied residency,” he said. Kahler further stated that the updated process would reduce administrative burden on USCIS and allow the agency to focus on other immigration priorities, including humanitarian cases and naturalisation applications.” The law allows the majority of these cases to be handled by the State Department at US consular offices abroad and frees up limited USCIS resources to focus on processing other cases that fall under its purview, including visas for victims of violent crime and human trafficking, naturalisation applications, and other priorities,” he added. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will embark on a four-day visit to India from May 23. (ANI)
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 ‘Trump admin, Indian govt set to take nations to ‘new highs’: WH Spokesperson Kush Desai By Reena Bhardwaj | Washington DC [US], May 27 (ANI): White House Spokesperson Kush Desai reaffirmed US President Donald Trump’s priority to the strategic partnership with India, mentioning the phone call moment with US Ambassador Sergio Gor and underlining the importance of US State Secretary Marco Rubio’s four-day visit to India. Speaking with ANI, Desai said that the Trump administration and the Indian government are set to take the two countries to new highs. “President Trump has consistently underscored his support for America’s strategic partnership with India, including on speaker phone with Ambassador Gor just days ago during an America 250 celebration in New Delhi,” he told ANI. Desai was referring to the direct moment of diplomacy when Sergio Gor placed his telephone against a microphone during grand celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, allowing the gathered dignitaries to hear Trump’s live address.” I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister. (Narendra) Modi is great, he is my friend, and I just want to say a very good evening to everybody,” Trump said during the call, reiterating, “I am a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi.” Kush Desai also said that Marco Rubio’s “landmark” visit to India was built on Trump’s push to “expand bilateral ties and cooperation. Noting the outcome of the visit, he mentioned that PM Modi and Trump have a “close friendship”, which is focused on both countries’ growth. “Secretary Rubio’s landmark visit to India built on the President’s push to expand bilateral ties and cooperation on trade and national security, including with the signing of a historic MOU on criti- cal minerals. President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have a close friendship, and under their leadership, the Trump administration and the Indian government are set to take our two countries to new highs,” he said. During Rubio’s visit, India and the US signed a bilateral Critical Minerals Framework, marking a milestone in the strategic partnership between the two nations to ensure that the foundational elements required for advanced technology and energy are available within trusted networks. This agreement builds upon the foundational groundwork laid in February 2026 during high-level meetings in Washington, DC, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), the official statement from the US Embassy said. It further noted that through this framework, India and the United States will engage in international efforts to protect sensitive supply chains from coercive market practices and reduce our collective vulnerability to single-source monopolies. The statement added, “The U.S. Government is mobilising unprecedented resources to secure critical mineral supply chains, supporting projects with more than $30 billion in letters of interest, investments, loans, and other support in partnership with the private sector. These investments, along with Pax Silica and our reinvigorated diplomatic and commercial engagement, are having a multiplier effect, mobilising private capital many times greater than government outlays, which will generate billions of dollars in new projects to secure our supply chains. These coordinated efforts span domestic and international projects, strengthening U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.”Earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, in a post on X, summarised the success of Rubio’s visit to India. “It was an absolute honour to host my friend Marco Rubio in India for the past four days! We held productive meetings with Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jais- hankar, and NSA Doval. We traveled through New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, celebrated America’s 250th birthday, and capped the visit with a highly successful Quad meeting. America’s foreign policy is in outstanding hands with Secretary Marco Rubio at the helm!” he said. (ANI) Rubio says US visa changes ‘not India-specific,’ part of global migration overhaul; praises Indian investment in US New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday addressed concerns regarding adjustments to the American visa system, clarifying that current changes are part of a global “modernisation” effort rather than measures targeted specifically at India. Speaking at a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Rubio reaffirmed the immense value the Indian community brings to the United States. He highlighted that Indian companies have invested over $20 billion into the US economy. He expressed a clear desire for this partnership to continue and expand.He said Washington wants Indian investment in the US to keep rising even as it reforms how it admits foreign nationals.” First of all, I accept the contribution that Indians have made to the U.S. economy. Over $20 billion has been invested in the US economy by Indian companies. We want that number to continue to increase,” Rubio said. Addressing concerns about J1, F1, and H-1B visas, Rubio stated, “The changes that are happening now… are not India-specific; it is global, it’s being applied across the world.” Rubio underscored that immigration policy is a matter of national sovereignty. He explained that every country must design its systems to reflect its own national interests, ensuring the process remains sustainable and efficient.He stressed that the visa adjustments are worldwide in scope. “The changes that are happening now, or the modernisation of our migration system into the United States, are not India-specific; it is global, it’s being applied across the world,” he said. “We are in a period of modernisation.”Rubio linked the reforms to a broader crisis the US has faced at its borders. “We’ve had a migratory crisis in the United States. This is not because of India, but broadly, we have had over 20 million people illegally enter the United States over the last few years, and we’ve had to address that challenge,” he said. “Everything that you do as a country needs to be in your national interest, and that includes your immigration policy.”While defending the need for reform, he described America as open to legal immigration. “The United States, I believe, is the most welcoming country in the world for immigration. Every single year, a million people, roughly, become permanent residents of the United States and contribute greatly,” Rubio said. “My parents entered the United States as permanent residents in 1956 from Cuba. It’s a process that’s enriched us.”He said the system must evolve with time. “But it has to be a process that’s adjusted in every era to the realities of the modern times in which you live. We are, and it’s long overdue,” he said. “The United States is currently undergoing a process of reforming the system by which we choose how many people come into our country, who comes in, when they come in, cetera.” Rubio cautioned that the transition would create friction. “Anytime you undertake a reform, any time you undertake a change in the system by which you admit people, there’s going to be a period of transition that’s going to create some friction points and some difficulties and so forth,” he said. “It is not a system that is targeted at India; it is one that’s being applied globally.” He expressed confidence in the outcome. “We’re in a period of transition, and like any period of transition, there’s going to be some bumps on that road. But we think ultimately our destination is going to be a better system, a more efficient system, one that works better than the one that we had in place previously and more sustainable by the way.” (ANI)
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INDIA THIS WEEK Gujarat: Young Farmer gives up chemical fertilisers after father’s cancer death, emerges as role model Surat (Gujarat) [India], May 26 (ANI): Kalpesh Patel, a resident of Saras village in Olpad taluka of Surat district, transformed his life after his father’s death. Since 2019, he has been practising natural farming and now cultivates more than 50 varieties of bananas. Kalpesh works as a chemical operator in a private company. After his father, Ramanbhai, passed away due to cancer, it became a turning point in his life. He resolved never to use chemical fertilisers on his farm again. Giving up toxic pesticides, he adopted natural farming.Being a nature lover, Kalpesh fully committed himself to natural farming. He underwent training provided by the Gujarat government’s agriculture department, learned to prepare Jeevamrut (a natural fertiliser), and began a new chapter in his life. Kalpesh inherited around eight bigha of land. On three and a half bigha land, he cultivates over 50 varieties of bananas, including Puvan, Adhapuri, Rasthali, Red Banana, Blue Java, Basrai, Mahalaxmi, and Elaichi bananas.He has also achieved record production. In 2025, one bunch of bananas from his farm weighed 73 kilograms, whereas the average weight of a banana bunch is around 20 kilograms. On his farm, the average weight exceeds 30 kilograms. Explaining his journey, Kalpesh said, “When my father was diagnosed with cancer, I felt we must free ourselves from the poison of chemical fertilisers and adopt natural farming. My father used a lot of pesticides, and his body would carry their strong odour. I never interfered as I wasn’t involved in farming then, but after he developed cancer and passed away, it changed my life.” “I have been practising natural farming for the last seven years. I have also adopted the forest model. I do value addition to my farm produce and follow the principle of ‘my product, my price.’ Due to nat- ural farming, I save Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per bigha of land annually on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. As soil health improved, banana production increased significantly. From three and a half bigha, I earn Rs 10 to Rs 12 lakh annual- ly,” he added.Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, natural farming has gained momentum in the state. Several schemes have been implemented to encourage farmers to give up chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Governor Acharya Devvrat has also been actively promoting natural farming across the state by personally visiting farms. The Gujarat government has introduced natural farming markets in various cities, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly. Kalpesh Patel sells bananas and other produce at the agricultural market in Vesu, Surat. If raw bananas remain unsold, he processes them into products like banana wafers, banana fig (dried product), and banana powder, thereby increasing his income through value addition.Kalpesh Patel’s natural banana farming has gained nationwide recognition. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan even interacted with him and shared his success story on social media. TN CM Vijay waives loans up to Rs 50,000 for marginal farmers; 14.22 lakh to benefit Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 26 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Monday announced a waiver of crop loans up to Rs 50,000 for marginal farmers who borrowed from cooperative banks. He further said that larger farmers who have availed crop loans through cooperative banks will receive a relief of Rs 5,000. The scheme is expected to benefit 1,422,000 farmers and will result in an additional government expenditure of Rs 2,044.46 crore. Reflecting on the scale of the relief package, TVK leader and Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmalkumar, while talking to the reporters, said, “Around 1,692,000 farmers have got the agricultural loans, out of which 1,422,000 farmers’ loans have been waived off today. This was one of our election promises…”Earlier, a review meeting regarding the crop loan waiver for farmers was held on Monday at the Secretariat under the leadership of Chief Minister Vijay. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, R. Vinoth; the Minister for Cooperation, V. Kanthiraj; the Minister for Finance, Planning and Development, N. Maria Wilson; and other department officials. In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office said, “Honourable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announces full waiver of crop loans up to Rs. 50,000/- obtained through cooperative banks for small farmers”In a statement, the government said that marginal farmers with outstanding loans below Rs.50,000 will receive a full waiver. For small farmers with debts under Rs. 50,000, 50% of the loan amount will be waived. For loans exceed- ing Rs. 50,000, relief will be provided on a graded basis. Borrowers with loans between Rs 50,001 and Rs 60,000 will get a waiver of Rs 40,000, while those in the Rs 60,001 to Rs 70,000 bracket will receive Rs 30,000. Farmers with loans between Rs 70,001 and Rs 80,000 will be granted a Rs 20,000 waiver.For loans ranging from Rs 80,001 to Rs 1 lakh, the waiver has been fixed at Rs 10,000, and those with loans above Rs 1 lakh will receive a relief of Rs 5,000.The waiver covers farmers who borrowed between May 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026. “In accordance with the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India’s model operating procedures for government debt waiver schemes dated No- vember 28, 2025, which state that the total amount for crop loan waiver must be paid in full by the government within 45 to 60 days. Considering the current financial position and financial resources of the state government, and in the present difficult situation, the Chief Minister has ordered the waiver of crop loans obtained by farmers from cooperative banks from May 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026,” an official statement said. (ANI) FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 Madurantakam, Dharapuram, and Perundurai seats declared vacant following AIADMK MLAs' split to TVK Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 26 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday formally informed the Election Commission about vacancies in three Assembly constituencies following the resignation of three AIADMK MLAs. The three constituencies which have been declared vacant are Madurantakam, Dharapuram and Perundurai. Earlier on Monday, three AIADMK MLAs including Maragatham Kumaravel, Sathyabama, and Jayakumar tendered their resignations to assembly speaker JCD Prabhakar, which were accepted later in the day. "Dharapuram MLA Sathyabama, Madhuranthakam MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, and Perundurai MLA Jayakumar have formally submitted letters resigning from their positions as Members of the Legislative Assembly with effect from today. Since the resignations were found to be in order as per Assembly rules, they have been accepted. MLAs must submit their resignation letters in their own handwriting and present them personally, without sending them through others. If this procedure is not followed, an inquiry may be conducted. As they submitted the letters directly in person, a decision was taken immediately," JCD Prabhakar said, following the acceptance of resignations of three AIADMK MLAs. The development also drew criticism from the oppositon with DMK chief MK Stalin calling it "horse trading" at a "horse speed."In an X post, MK Stalin lambasted TVK for being a "force of misery" and asked if the people cast their votes for the ruling party "merely to witness such disgraceful spectacles." Recalling the factional split within the AIADMK camp during the trust vote, he wrote, "'Horse-trading' proceeding at 'horse-speed'! Scene 1: In the absence of a majority, the TVK seeks support from the leaders of its alliance partners. Scene 2: Negotiating a price to secure the supportive vote of a faction within the AIADMK during the confidence motion--while also picking up an AMMK member as a bonus. Scene 3: Orchestrating the resignations of certain AIADMK members and inducting them into their own party--right within the premises of the Secretariat itself." "Did the people cast their votes for you merely to witness such disgraceful spectacles? Those who boasted of being a 'Force of Purity' have now been exposed as a Force of Misery," he added.Stalin also slammed DMK's former ally Congress, calling their support for the TVK "hypocrisy." "The Congress party's feigned opposition to the BJP--having submitted a letter stating they would offer support only if the NDA's backing was not sought--now stands exposed in all its hypocrisy, as they sit within the Cabinet, relishing the unfolding drama and cheering it on," the post read. (ANI)
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INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 Nuclear Energy Institute- USISPF concludes successful US nuclear executive mission to India New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) recently led a four-day U.S. Executive Nuclear Industry Delegation to India. The delegation comprised of an eclectic mix, including companies across the full nuclear value chain, from reactor developers, engineering, procurement, and construction firms, companies engaged across the nuclear fuel cycle, suppliers of key components and equipment, and providers of specialized services over the life of a nuclear program, the official release sa id. The statement noted how over four days in New Delhi and Mumbai, the delegation engaged with senior leaders across the Government of India, state governments and regulators. Key engagements included meetings with Finance, Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; Minister of Power, Manohar Lal Khattar; Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis; leadership from the Government of Andhra Pradesh including Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, Real Time Governance, and Human Resources Development, and Sri Krishna Devaraya Lavu, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), along with senior officials from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The delegation The Poetic Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- May 29, 2026 EXIT WITH GRACE! By Rajan George If perchance, or by privilege, You gain great power and full control Of an office, realm, or state, Be wise, and choose to do good. You may turn the machine around, And use it for your selfish gain; But a day will surely come When you no longer hold that power. Beware lest you become entangled In webs of corruption and deceit, Which will haunt you till you depart This earthly sphere for all your deeds. The pain that follows, you will find, Was never worth the fleeting gain; For all your profits dissipate Upon the anvil of anguish— A folly you failed to foresee. A wise man, even when he rises To positions of authority, Understands his human limits And walks by moral principles That serve both himself and his people well. He never seeks to serve himself, But leads with humility and care, To bless the souls beneath his charge, And at the end departs in peace. But one devoid of wisdom, When granted power and opportunity, Fails to imagine life beyond His season seated on the throne; Thus he indulges in shameful deeds, Only to be haunted after exit. But a wise man, on the other hand, Sees his limits and looks ahead; He guards against the lurking harms, Serves well—and exits with grace! also held industry receptions in both New Delhi and Mumbai, attended by senior policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and nuclear energy stakeholders from the United States and India. As the country advances its nuclear energy ambitions, the delegation discussed opportunities for further collaboration between U.S. nuclear firms with Indian industry. The goal was to understand how American and Indian companies can further collaborate to support project development, strengthen supply chains, and build long-term commercial partnerships. The delegation sought from state governments on how they can support the state’s nuclear projects and build manufacturing partnerships at the local level, the state- ment said. “USISPF and NEI were also honoured to welcome the U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for a briefing with members of the U.S. Executive Nuclear Industry Delegation prior to their departure to India”, it added. Highlighting how India’s leading private conglomerates are now actively exploring nuclear entry, the statement said that the visit marked a pivotal opportune time for American industry players to lead and to support India’s energy security goals while fostering innovation, investment, and shared growth across both markets. Maria Korsnick, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said, “Prime Minister Modi’s government has created a historic opening for India’s nuclear energy future INDIA THIS WEEK Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online through the SHANTI Act. The United States and India are natural nuclear partners: U.S. companies bring advanced technology, operating experience and private-sector innovation, while India brings industrial scale, manufacturing strength and decades of nuclear experience. If implemented in a commercially workable way, these reforms can help expand reliable clean power in India, create durable partnerships between our industries, and make nuclear energy more available to countries and customers around the world”. The recent reforms enacted through the SHANTI Act have accentuated openings for private sector participation and further international partnership. “U.S. firms bring unmatched technology that align with India’s need for both large baseload capacity and distributed energy solutions for industrial zones and data centers. The timing of the delegation was propitious, given the landmark SHANTI Act, enacted by the government of India in December 2025. This has unlocked opportunities previously unavailable for the private-sector in the fields of nuclear energy for the first time” said Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO, USISPF. This visit has further positioned American technology and safety standards as the benchmark for India’s expanding nuclear sector, establishing U.S. nuclear energy companies as preferred longterm partners across the full project lifecycle”. The SHANTI Act, 2025 represents the most significant overhaul of India’s nuclear energy policy in over six decades. By repealing the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, it shifts the sector from a state monopoly toward a market-aligned ecosystem. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has pledged to achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 from approximately 7.5 GW presently. This will be a 13x expansion, requiring sustained investment, technology transfer, and supply chain development on a scale that only a U.S.-India industrial partnership can credibly deliver. India has the second largest internet user base with around 950 million Internet users. As India builds on its digital economy in the AI race, there is the need to build data centers and the country’s rapidly expanding data center sector will require massive amounts of reliable, round-theclock electricity, making nuclear power an increasingly important part of the country’s long-term digital infrastructure strategy. India’s data center capacity has doubled to 2 GW in just four years and is expected to reach 5 GW by 2030. Diversifying the energy mix is a core priority for the Indian government as the country seeks to meet rapidly growing power demand, at a time of global energy crunch and also to reducing dependence on any single energy source. Remember: “In the Beginning was the Word, The Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made, that was made” JOHN 1:1-3
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INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026 Quad unveils new push on critical minerals, AI, energy security at Delhi meet New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): The foreign ministers of the Quad grouping (India, the United States, Japan and Australia) on Tuesday unveiled a broad set of initiatives focused on critical technologies, energy security, resilient supply chains and humanitarian cooperation during their meeting in New Delhi. In the joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers said “Trusted collaboration in critical and emerging technologies underpins our ability to protect security interests, strengthen supply chains, and sustain competitive, strong economies.”The Quad reaffirmed its commitment to “building secure, resilient digital ecosystems” and advancing next-generation technologies, including 5G, 6G and artificial intelligence. The grouping also stressed the importance of “open, and interoperable architectures built on sound technical standards” to improve network security, foster innovation, and reduce dependence on “single-vendor systems.” The ministers announced that Quad countries would advance work in the coming months on “next-generation communications standards,” a workshop on digital identity standards, and a Track 1.5 dialogue on standards workforce development.A major focus of the statement was economic security and resilient supply chains. The Quad said it had “grave concerns over the use of economic coercion and non-market policies and practices, including arbitrary export restrictions, price manipulation, and disruptions, particularly on critical minerals that impact global supply chains and critical industrial sectors.” The grouping announced the launch of the “Quad Critical Minerals Framework,” aimed at coordinating investments and economic policy tools to strengthen supply chains in mining, processing and recycling of critical min- U.S.: ICE Los Angeles Arrests 26-Year-Old Indian National With Prior Property Crime Record CALIFORNIA, May 24 (ANI) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Los Angeles on Saturday reported the arrest of Parminderpal Singh, a 26-year-old Indian national, on Thursday. In a post on X, the agency stated, “ICE Los Angeles arrested Parminderpal Singh, 26, of India, on May 21. Singh’s criminal record includes vehicle theft, grand theft, trespassing, and vandalism. He is in ICE custody pending removal.” According to the official statement, Singh has a prior criminal record that includes vehicle theft, grand theft, trespassing, and vandalism. ICE said he is currently being held in custody pending removal proceedings. Earlier, in September 2025, Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman who had spent three decades in the United States, shared her experience after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and deported to India. Speaking to ANI, Kaur described her treatment while in custody. “Their behavior was very bad. I was arrested on Sept. 8. I was taken to Bakersfield, where I stayed for eight to 10 days. I was then taken to Arizona, from where I was sent to Delhi,” she said. Kaur also stated that she was given chips and cookies as food during her detention. Kaur, who had unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the United States, was arrested by ICE officials on Sept. 8, 2025. She had moved to California in 1991 with her two young sons and had lived and worked there while making multiple unsuccessful asylum appeals. She was later transferred to a holding facility in Georgia on Sept. 19 and deported to India on Sept. 22 without returning to her U.S. home or properly saying goodbye to family and friends. Harjit Kaur had filed multiple appeals, including before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but lost each case. During a weekly media briefing in September 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that 2,417 Indian nationals had been deported or repatriated from the United States since January 2025. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s position against illegal migration and emphasized support for legal migration pathways. “The number of deportations that have happened from the United States since January 2017: 2,417 Indian nationals have been deported or repatriat- erals.On energy security, the ministers announced the “Quad Initiative on Indo-Pacific Energy Security,” saying disruptions to global energy markets and fertiliser supply chains disproportionately affect the Indo-Pacific region. The statement emphasised the importance of “open, well-functioning and stable energy markets” and resilient supply chains. The Quad also highlighted new infrastructure cooperation, announcing that member countries would work with the government of Fiji to advance port infrastructure projects following the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership Conference hosted by India in 2025. On digital con- nectivity, the ministers underscored the importance of “trusted undersea cable systems” as “the backbone of the global digital economy.” The statement warned of risks, including “threats and sabotage” to cable infrastructure and noted that Quad partners had supported efforts to ensure all Pacific Islands Forum countries are connected through undersea cables by 2026. The Quad also expanded cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), reaffirming its commitment to improving interoperability and rapid response coordination across the Indo-Pacific. The statement highlighted coordination during the 2024 Enga landslide in Papua New Guinea and the 2025 earthquake in Myanmar as examples of practical Quad cooperation. In the technology sector, the statement welcomed “Pax Silica” as “a pillar of our shared economic security agenda,” emphasising cooperation across “the full technology stack, from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to compute, semiconductors, and trusted networks.” The Quad also reaffirmed the importance of biomanufacturing and pledged to strengthen collaboration with trusted stakeholders to build resilient pharmaceutical supply chains across the Indo-Pacific. (ANI) Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], May 26 (ANI): Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Tuesday sparked a political controversy after making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while criticising the Centre’s foreign policy and relations with neighbouring countries. Addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Nashik, Sapkal alleged that India’s relations with countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Iran had deteriorated under the Modi government, affecting onion exports.” India’s onion decides global prices of onions. In the past some time, Modi has spoiled relations with Bangladesh and they have stopped buying our onions. The same thing happened with Sri Lanka and Iran also, they are not purchasing our onions. Modi has spoiled relations with all our neighbours and friendly countries and until this ‘Daridra’ PM is in office, no country is ready to import our onions,” he said. In another remark during his speech, the Congress leader used objectionable language while referring to the Prime Minister and criticised the government over fuel exports to Bangladesh. “Here we are daily in queues for diesel and there Modi is sending lakhs of litre of diesel and petrol to Bangladesh. This idiot, it would not be right to say so but I will still say that this ‘idiot Modi’ must tell Bangladesh that if you want diesel, you must purchase our onions but he is not doing so,” he said. This is not the first instance of Congress leaders drawing controversy over remarks against Prime Minister Modi. Earlier this month, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai was booked for allegedly making abusive remarks against the Prime Minister. Following an FIR against him over alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai dismissed it as an “AI-generated” video circulating on social media.Speaking to ANI, Rai said that he would not back down and Congress will file a counter case. He also alleged that a Dalit girl was raped in Mahoba and called for justice. He said, “That Dalit girl from Mahoba should get justice. File not 10 but 100 cases against me. We will not back down. This was an AI-generated video. Our workers will definitely file a case too.” (ANI) Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal sparks fresh row with ‘Daridra’ remarks against PM Modi ed from the United States. We want to promote legal pathways of migration. India stands against illegal migration,” Jaiswal said. He added that India verifies the nationality of individuals without legal status before accepting their return. “Whenever there is a person who does not possess legal status in any country, and he or she is referred to us with documents, and if there are claims that he or she is an Indian national, we do the background check, confirm the nationality, and then we are in a position to take them back. This has been happening with deportations from the United States,” Jaiswal said. (ANI)
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