Following reports of supposed tensions between the Indian government and industry regarding pre-installing the Aadhaar app on smartphones, both parties have clarified that it’s merely a proposal under discussion, with no intention to make it mandatory. An official stated the app may come pre-installed but can be uninstalled. (Photo from the Google Play Store). Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, informed HT on Friday that the proposal to preinstall the new Aadhaar app on mobile phones was sent to the IT ministry in November 2025, with stakeholder consultations currently underway. He explained, “The UIDAI’s rationale for preinstallation is to provide convenience to underprivileged users who lack high-end phones and cannot install space-intensive apps.” He added, “If it’s preinstalled, they won’t need to install it themselves.” It’s their choice whether to use it or not. Like Google Maps, it is pre-installed, but whether we choose to use it is up to us. The Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) sharply rebutted a news agency’s report titled ‘India’s proposal to preload national ID app Aadhaar on phones faced pushback.’ MAIT described the coverage as “an unwarranted attempt to sensationalize a discussion that is three months old.” It contended that the article drew from “disjointed pieces of internal communications.” “It is essential to note that these discussions/communications were part of an early consultation phase and were never formalized as a government mandate.” The dialogue served as an initial discussion of concepts, common in the early stages of policy development,” it added. The association also expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and its ongoing transparent engagement with industry stakeholders. “MAIT calls on the media to act responsibly and avoid sensationalizing standard, non-binding policy discussions. We continue to be dedicated to collaborating closely with the government to guarantee that India’s digital transformation is founded on mutual trust and constructive engagement,” it added. 

 “Restraint is not surrender. Restraint is strength… it shows that we know what our interests are and we will act first of all to protect our interests,” Tharoor said in an interview with news agency ANI.. He said countries like India should take a constructive diplomatic role to reduce tensions. “What many countries like us ought to be doing… is to actually take an initiative to call for peace, to give both sides a ladder to climb down,” he said.. While he supported the government’s approach to the crisis, he also said India should have expressed condolences earlier after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, while still maintaining a careful diplomatic position.. “There is a difference between condemnation and condolence… condolence is an expression of sympathy,” he said.. BJP attacks Congress over Tharoor’s backing. The BJP was quick to target the Congress party over Tharoor’s comments supporting India’s “restraint” approach to the West Asia situation.. Party spokesperson CR Kesavan said senior Congress leaders recognising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s balanced approach during current global conflicts marks a shift from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s repeated criticism of the government.. It is “indeed a welcome change compared to Rahul Gandhi’s mindless criticism of the government. For PM, the welfare of Bharat and its people has always been paramount,” he told ANI.. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also praised Tharoor’s remarks and slammed Congress’ Gandhi for “reactive and politically driven” comments.. “Notably, senior leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari have articulated a more nuanced and responsible view on the issue, underlining the importance of strategic autonomy and diplomatic balance,” he said.. Congress reacts to Tharoor’s remarks. Reacting to Tharoor’s comments backing the government’s stand, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said she disagrees and described India’s “silence” on the crisis as “condemnable.”. She said, “It is shameful. It raises questions about our morality. It is not India’s history to remain silent on a targeted assassination in a sovereign nation. India distanced itself from Iran and sat in the lap of Israel.”. “Your diplomacy is such a failure that Russia, Pakistan and China stand together today. Your diplomacy is such a failure that Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz for several nations but not for us. I think India’s diplomacy is an utter failure. Diplomacy doesn’t run with ‘red laser eyes’. It doesn’t run with forcible hugs,” she added.. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also reacted to Tharoor’s statements and said the senior party MP “thinks differently.”. He told ANI, “We have been seeing this for many days, that Shashi Tharoor thinks differently. It’s okay. It’s his own opinion… I don’t think he understands very many things… If someone says something without understanding and ju 

 GUWAHATI: Prateek Bordoloi stepped down as the Congress candidate citing “changed circumstances” on Thursday, a day after his father and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assam assembly elections.. Prateek Bordoloi with Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi. Prateek said he would continue to work for the Congress. (X/@prateekbordoloi). A political debutant, Prateek was named by the Congress as its candidate for Margherita, a seat his father had represented in the assembly for four terms, in its first list released earlier this month. However, the elder Bordoloi’s defection to the BJP appears to have upended the party’s plans in the constituency.. ALSO READ | BJP fields new joinee Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur, CM Himanta from Jalukbari in first Assam election candidate list. In a letter to Congress president and chairman of the Central Election Committee Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, Prateek said it would be inappropriate for him to continue as a candidate in the present situation and said he would continue to remain a party member.. “In the present circumstances, following my father’s decision to join another political party, I feel it would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate,” he wrote in the letter, which was shared with reporters on Thursday.. “I believe the people of Margherita and the countless dedicated Congress workers deserve absolute clarity and confidence in the party’s candidate. It would be unfair to them if any confusion or perception arises regarding my commitment or the party’s position,” he added.. Prateek said he would continue to work for the Congress and the people of Margherita “in whatever capacity the leadership deems appropriate”.. A day earlier, Pradyut Bordoloi had said he had asked his son to take an independent call, without being influenced by his decision to switch sides.. Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi struck a sympathetic note, saying, “I have sympathy and moral support for Prateek Bordoloi. Whatever decision he wishes to take, I will speak on behalf of the party.” 

 In the midst of surging oil prices, a worldwide energy crisis, and escalating tensions in the Middle East from the ongoing Iran-US conflict, India has denounced attacks on commercial vessels in international waters and urged de-escalation via dialogue and diplomacy. An Indian LPG carrier, Shivalik, has reached Mundra Port after transiting the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS). At the 36th extraordinary session of the IMO Council in London, Indian envoy Vikram Doraiswamy highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and seafarer safety, while voicing concerns about the blockade of routes in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital channel carrying one-fifth of global oil shipments. The strait has experienced disruptions since the Iran-US war began, causing a sharp global rise in oil prices and worries in nations like India. Follow live updates on the US-Iran war here. “Targeting commercial shipping and attacks on civilian maritime infrastructure is unacceptable.” These attacks have caused the deaths of innocent people, injuries, and increased dangers, including to seafarers. India ranks among the top three countries supplying seafarers, accounting for about 13 percent of the world’s seafaring workforce. “We remain deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of all seafarers,” said Doraiswamy, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, as quoted by news agency ANI. “The exercise of navigational rights and freedom by merchant and commercial vessels in accordance with international law must be respected,” he added. Indian ships stuck at sea. Although numerous Indian-flagged vessels have received clearance to pass amid the ongoing war, many continue to be stranded at the vital strait in the Persian Gulf. A Bloomberg report states that 22 India-flagged vessels are stranded in the Persian Gulf, including six LPG carriers, one liquefied natural gas ship, and four crude oil tankers. However, some fuel carriers have proceeded to India under escort, as India deploys additional warships to the Gulf of Oman to ensure their safe passage, according to an earlier HT report. India anticipates that Iran will permit safe ship movements despite its conflict with the US. External affairs minister S Jaishankar previously noted there is no “blanket arrangement” for ship movements, and Iran receives “nothing” in return. Iran insists the vital waterway remains accessible to all operators except those from the US and Israel. Will the oil crisis intensify? 

 Amid a spike in oil prices, a global energy crisis and the ongoing Iran-US war sparking tensions in the Middle East, India has condemned the targeting of commercial shipping in international waters, and called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.. An Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, Shivalik, arrives at Mundra Port via the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS). Addressing 36th extraordinary session of the Council of the IMO in London, Indian envoy Vikram Doraiswamy emphasised freedom of navigation and the safety of all seafarers and expressed concern over the blockade of routes along the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used to transport one-fifth of the world’s oil.. The passage has been facing disruptions ever since the beginning of the ongoing Iran-US war, triggering a big spike in oil prices globally and raising concerns across countries, including India.. Follow live updates on the US-Iran war here.. “Targeting of commercial shipping and attacks on civilian maritime infrastructure is unacceptable. Such attacks have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, injuries, and heightened risks, including to seafarers. India is among the top three seafarer-supplying nations, contributing approximately 13 per cent of the global seafaring workforce. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of all seafarers,” Doraiswamy, the Indian High Commissioner to UK, said, as quoted by news agency ANI.. “The exercise of navigational rights and freedom by merchant and commercial vessels in accordance with international law must be respected, ” he added.. Indian ships stuck at sea. While many Indian-flagged vessels have been cleared for passage despite the ongoing war, many of them still remain stranded at the key strait in the Persian Gulf. According to Bloomberg report, there are 22 India-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, including six LPG carriers, one ship carrying liquefied natural gas and four crude oil tankers.. However, a few fuel carriers have headed to India under their watchful eyes as India is deploying more warships to the Gulf of Oman for their safe passage, as reported by HT earlier.. India expects Iran to allow the movement of ships safely amid its ongoing conflict with the US. However, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had earlier clarified that there was no “blanket arrangement” for the movement of ships and that Iran got “nothing” in exchange. Iran maintains that the key passage is open for operations to all, except American and Israeli carriers.. Oil crisis to escalate?. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is no longer the sole focal point of global energy concerns. Escalating tensions, marked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s critical energy infrastructure and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on oil and gas facilities across the Middle East, have heightened fears of a prolonged and widening crisis.. The South Pars Gas Field, with forms part of the world’s largest gas field and is a cruci