Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his foreign policy “compromised”, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday pointedly objected to the PM’s references to the Covid pandemic when he spoke about the West Asia crisis in his speeches in Parliament this week.. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, outside Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo). “Modi ji said Covid-like time is coming. He has forgotten what had happened then, how many people had died, and what kind of tragedies had unfolded,” he said.. Asked about reports of Pakistan mediating US-Iran talks to end the ongoing war, the Congress MP said, “Our foreign policy is PM Modi’s personal foreign policy. You can see the results of this; everybody considers this a universal joke.”. Just hours after Gandhi’s statements, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif offered to play host for US-Iran talks, while US President Donald Trump spoke to PM Modi too.. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi claimed, “I can give it to you in writing; PM will do what America and Israel say. He will not work in the interest of India and its farmers; he will do as America and Israel say.”. He also said he won’t be participating in Wednesday’s all-party meet on the issue, logistically because he is traveling to Kerala. But he gave another reason too: “The all-party meeting should take place, but a structural blunder has been made, and this cannot be fixed.”. Calling PM Modi’s speeches in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha “irrelevant”, Gandhi further argued, “He is the Prime Minister of India. He must appear to be as the PM of India. He has no position (on the US-Iran war).”. This lack of a clear stance, he said, would bring people harm, such as shortages of essential commodities linked to oil supplies. “This is the beginning. LPG, petrol, fertiliser, all these would pose a problem,” he said.. He played again on the word “compromised” that the Congress-led Opposition has deployed for the last few weeks against Modi and the BJP-led central government: “US President Donald Trump knows exactly what Mr Modi can do and what Mr Modi cannot do. If the PM is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised — it is obvious.”. Modi on Monday and Tuesday said the difficult global conditions caused by the West Asia conflict are likely to persist for a long time and called upon the nation to remain prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the Covid pandemic.. “This war has created difficult global conditions that may persist for a long time. Hence, we must remain prepared and united. We faced similar challenges during the Covid crisis with unity. Now again, we must prepare in the same way. With patience, restraint, and calmness, we must face every challenge-that is our identity, that is our strength,” he told the Rajya Sabha.. “At the same time, we must remain vigilant and cautious. Those who try to exploit the situation will atte 

 Amid global concerns over energy supply disruptions due to conflict in West Asia and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, the Ministry of Shipping on Tuesday assured that all Indian ships and sailors in the Gulf region are safe.. Indian LPG carriers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, carrying 92,612.59 MT of LPG, have transited through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels have 33 and 27 Indian seafarers onboard, these vessels are destined for India and are likely to reach Ports between 26th & 28th March 2026. (Government of India). Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, Rajesh Sinha, said two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, have already safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are en-route to India.. “All Indian ships and sailors in the Gulf region are safe. No maritime incidents have been reported in the last 24 hours. Late last evening, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, both are loaded with LPG. Both vessels safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are headed towards India,” said Sinha.. He informed that Pine Gas ship, carrying 45,000 metric tonnes of LPG, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore Port on the morning of March 27. Meanwhile, another vessel Jag Vasant, loaded with approximately 47,600 metric tonnes of LPG, is headed towards Kandla and is likely to reach on March 26.. “Pine Gas is carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG and is due to arrive at the New Mangalore Port, likely in the morning of March 27th. The other LPG carrier vessel, Jag Vasant, is carrying approximately 47,600 metric tons of LPG and is headed towards Kandla, with an estimated arrival date of March 26th,” said Rajesh Sinha.. Sinha further stated that with the departure of these two vessels from the Persian Gulf, there are currently 20 Indian-flagged ships in the region, carrying around 540 Indian sailors. He also confirmed that no congestion has been reported at any ports.. “Thus, with the departure of these two ships from the Persian Gulf, there are now 20 Indian-flagged ships, carrying 540 Indian sailors, in the Persian Gulf…No congestion has been reported at any port,” Sinha added.. After the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28 in joint military strikes by the US and Israel and the subsequent retaliatory strikes and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran have severely disrupted international waterways and global energy markets.. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has sufficient crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.. He highlighted the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves and increased refining capacity, as global trade through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “…In the last 11 years, strategic petroleum reserves have been developed to more than 53 lak 

 A Delhi court on Tuesday awarded Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi life imprisonment, while two of her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, have been sentenced to 30 years in prison each. This comes after her conviction on January 14 under several sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).. A Delhi court has sentenced Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment (HT Photo). Additional sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh pronounced the verdict after completing arguments on the quantum of sentence.. Andrabi, who founded the all-women separatist group Dukhtaraan-e-Millat in 1987, was arrested in April 2018. She was charged under the UAPA for conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts, being a member of a terrorist organisation seeking the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India, and supporting such groups.. The trio was convicted by the court on January 14, 2026, for several offences under the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including conspiracy to commit terror acts and waging war against the state.. After her conviction, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought life imprisonment for Andrabi, saying that she had waged war against India and that a strong message must be sent that plotting against the State would invite the strictest penalty. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the Rajya Sabha that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has triggered a serious global energy crisis and disrupted key trade routes, with direct implications for India’s economy and supply chains.. The prime minister underlined India’s push towards reducing excessive dependence on external sources in critical sectors. (PTI photo). Speaking in the Upper House, PM Modi said the crisis has affected the movement of goods and led to uncertainty in the supply of essential commodities such as petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers.. “This situation is a matter of concern for India as well,” he said, noting that the war has already begun to impact commercial shipping lanes.. PM Modi described as “unacceptable” any attempt by Iran to block maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. He said India has engaged with all stakeholders through diplomatic channels and successfully facilitated the movement of Indian vessels out of the affected zone.. Also Read: PM Modi condemns attacks on Kuwait, stresses free navigation in Hormuz. “At this time of crisis, we have adopted the path of dialogue,” Modi said, adding that India has spoken to leaders of most West Asian countries multiple times since the conflict escalated. He reiterated that New Delhi supports a peaceful resolution and de-escalation.. Highlighting the human dimension, Modi said the safety and livelihood of Indians living in Gulf countries remains a top priority for the government. Nearly ten million Indians live and work in the region, he noted, making the situation particularly sensitive.. He also flagged concerns over Indian crew members stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “serious issue” that is being closely monitored. “We are making every effort to ensure their safety and early return,” he said.. PM Modi warned that a prolonged conflict could have far-reaching consequences. “If the war continues, its repercussions will be severe,” he said, adding that the crisis has already “shaken the world” and recovery may take time.. The prime minister underlined India’s push towards reducing excessive dependence on external sources in critical sectors. He cited efforts ranging from shipbuilding to rare earth minerals as part of a broader push for self-reliance.. “We are trying to ensure that in no sector do we remain overly dependent on other countries,” he said. 

 A man and his sister were killed and two others were injured in a cylinder explosion in a dilapidated house near the Lahartara private bus station in Varanasi on Tuesday, police said. The deceased were identified as Om Kumar Chaudhary 28, and Preeti 25, police said. Their brother, Aman Chaudhary, 31, and mother, Girija Devi, 60, are under treatment, police added.. Locals told police about the incident on Tuesday morning in which the four victims were buried under debris. (Representational image/Getty Images/iStockphoto). Locals told police about the incident on Tuesday morning in which the four victims were buried under debris. Police immediately arrived on the scene with the Bomb Disposal Squad and a Dog Squad, rescued the people and admitted them to the BHU trauma centre where Om Kumar and Preeti succumbed to their injuries, police said.. Police said that the incident took place when Girija Devi was cooking. A blast occurred due to a leak in the gas cylinder and the house subsequently collapsed, trapping Girija Devi—along with her three children—beneath the rubble.