Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha, rejecting claims that Naxalism spread due to poverty and underdevelopment. He stated that Left-wing extremists chose regions like Bastar and Naxalbari because of difficult terrain and limited state presence, not economic backwardness. Shah cited 1960s data showing that literacy rates and per capita income were similar across Naxalbari, Bastar, Saharsa, and Ballia, yet Naxalism only took root where dense forests and geographical cover existed. He emphasised, 'Naxalism did not spread because of poverty; rather, poverty persisted in these regions because of Naxalism.' Shah questioned why tribals, who once revered heroes like Birsa Munda, began following Mao, attributing it to ideological manipulation rather than injustice. He asserted that Naxalites deliberately destroyed schools, banks, and hospitals to prevent development. Shah firmly stated that taking up arms is not a democratic solution, and that his government will ensure justice for all through constitutional means.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described India as one of America’s most important strategic allies, confirming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the US for a standalone bilateral meeting in addition to the G20 summit.
China hosted the Russian and American presidents in consecutive state visits, positioning Beijing at the centre of global geopolitics. The Russian leader's two-day visit marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of a bilateral friendship treaty, resulting in a joint declaration advocating for a multipolar world and expanded trade using local currencies.
Rubio, initially caught off guard, asked for clarification. Upon learning which comments were being referenced, he dismissed the creators of those remarks as 'stupid people.'
As Delhi reeled under temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kept his remarks brief during the inauguration of the new US Embassy Support Annex building and joked about the capital’s scorching heat.
