“The First Amendment of the US Constitution makes clear that the government cannot decide how news organizations report the news and it has no authority over editorial decisions made by independent news media.”

“AFP strongly stands by our colleagues at the Associated Press, a respected and independent international news organization, and we respectfully call on the White House to rescind its decision.”

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.”

“The Indian Ocean is veritably a global lifeline. Its production, consumption, contribution and connectivity are central to the manner in which the world runs today,” he said.

“Our voyage to new horizons is best done as a coordinated flotilla of the Indian Ocean. We are understandably a diverse group in terms of history, geography, development, politics or culture. But what unites us is a common devotion to the well-being of the Indian Ocean region,” he said.

“In a volatile and uncertain era, we seek stability and security as the baseline. But beyond that, there are ambitions and aspirations that we strive to achieve. They will be easier reached when we look out for each other, supplement our strengths and coordinate our policies,” he added.

Jaishankar said global affairs are going through major changes, with sharp disruptions in the Middle East and West Asia due to ongoing conflict.

“At the two ends of the ocean, this churn is at its sharpest today. In the Middle East/West Asia, there is a serious conflict underway with the potential for further escalation and complication,” Jaishankar said.

“At the same time, longstanding issues are being revisited, sometimes with a radically different approach. Its maritime consequence is visible in a serious disruption of global shipping, with considerable cost to our economies. There are questions which arise from our ability and willingness to respond, as indeed from the partnerships relevant to that task,” he said.

At the other end, the Indo-Pacific has been experiencing rising tensions and intensified rivalries, Jaishankar said.

He said that, like other parts of the Global South, Indian Ocean nations also face resource constraints and economic challenges.

Many are struggling to meet their Sustainable Development Goals, with debt being a major concern in several cases. While some of these issues stem from global economic pressures, others are due to imprudent borrowing and unviable projects, the minister added.

India backs transparent, inclusive connectivity in Indian Ocean

Another common issue is that of rebuilding connectivity in the region after decades of colonial–era disruption, he said.

“To make this a truly shared endeavour, it is vital to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative and transparent, not unilateral and opaque,” said Jaishankar.

“Yet another widespread concern is the challenge faced by the Indian Ocean states to monitor their Exclusive Economic Zones and secure their fishing interests. Nor can they be impervious to illegal trafficking of various kinds and the spectre of terrorism. Each of these dimensions – and certainly their cumulative impact – has a strong maritime implication,” Jaishankar said.

“Our journey to new horizons must necessarily focus on addressing these challenges,” he said.

He said India is actively contributing to these shared efforts by enhancing its capabilities, strengthening ties with Indian Ocean neighbours, taking responsibility, offering support in crises, and providing leadership when needed.

With PTI inputs

Hoping for a better future, they left home with aspirations of settling in the US. Families sold land, took loans, and made sacrifices to send them abroad. But instead of new beginnings, they returned to Amritsar on a US military aircraft, deported, disheartened and uncertain about what comes next.

In the second batch of deportees, 65 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, and eight from Gujarat, while Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan had two each. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir had one deportee each.

Sourav, 20, returned to his village Chandiwala in Punjab’s Ferozepur district on Sunday after being caught by US authorities while attempting to cross the border on January 27. He had left home for the US on December 17 last year.

“We were kept in a camp (detention centre) for 18 days,” Sourav said, adding that their mobile phones were taken away.

“A day before yesterday, we were told that we will be shifted to another camp. When we were put into a plane, they said we are being taken to India,” Sourav said.

Sourav’s family pinned their hopes on a new future, selling two acres of farmland and borrowing heavily to fund his journey abroad. “We spent ₹45-46 lakh,” he said.

The path to the US took him through Amsterdam, Panama, and Mexico, only to end in detention.

Recounting his return, he described a grim journey home. “We were handcuffed, and our legs were chained,” he said, recalling the deportation flight that brought him back to Amritsar—far from the dreams he once chased.

Harjit Singh from Khanowal Ghuman village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district had set out for a better life with his cousin. Instead, they returned home in restraints.

“We were caught crossing the US border on January 27 and kept in a detention centre for 18 days. We were deported on February 13, handcuffed with our legs chained,” he said after reaching home at 6 am.

His family had spent ₹90 lakh to send them abroad—money that now feels like a painful loss.

“We were assured that we will be taken to America legally, but we were not,” said Harjit Singh, his voice heavy with disappointment. Dreams of a new life in the US had led him down a path of false promises and shattered hopes.

Mantaj Singh, a 22-year-old from Bodal village in Hoshiarpur shared a similar ordeal. The moment he set foot near the US border, he was caught by the Border Patrol.

Like many others, he had taken the notorious donkey route—a dangerous, illegal passage migrants use to enter the US, trusting in the words of those who saw them as little more than a payday.

In Kapurthala district’s Behbal Bahadur village, the parents of Sahil Preet Singh had spent their life’s savings— ₹40-45 lakh—to send their son abroad.

His mother, Harvinder Kaur said they sold agricultural land, pawned gold ornaments, and borrowed from relatives, only to be deceived by a travel agent.

“We were duped,” she said, demanding that the Punjab government provide her son with a job and take action against the fraudulent agent who ruined their dreams.

Jaswinder Singh, from Dharamkot village in Moga, set out for the US nearly 45 days ago. A sarpanch from his village said the family had sold one-and-a-half acres of land, raising ₹45 lakh for the journey.

However, instead of a new beginning, Jaswinder and his family found themselves trapped in a web of deceit, cheated by the very agent they had trusted.

Their stories echo those of many others. When the first batch of deportees landed in Amritsar on February 5, most of them from Punjab, their accounts were strikingly similar.

They had all hoped for a better life, only to return home empty-handed, victims of a system that preys on desperation.

With PTI inputs

New Delhi Railway Station stampede updates: At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the New Delhi Railway Station, officials said. (HT Photo)

Delhi Police on Sunday began investigating the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, saying that CCTV footage will be analysed to trace the events leading to the chaos, PTI reported, citing sources.

Indian Railways announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede, as per a release.

The release said that ₹2.5 lakh will be given to the seriously injured and ₹1 lakh to those with minor injuries.

Delhi’s caretaker chief minister, Atishi, confirmed the deaths and extended condolences to the victims’ families. The AAP leader visited LNJP Hospital, where the victims were admitted, to support their families affected by the tragedy.

“15 people, including 3 children, lost their lives; 10 others are injured in the incident that occurred at New Delhi railway station,” Chief Casualty Medical Officer, LNJP hospital, said earlier on Saturday.

Delhi LG VK Saxena also visited the injured at LNJP Hospital on Saturday following the stampede and directed officials to ensure relief measures. In a post on X, he said that the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner have been instructed to manage the situation and deploy relief personnel.

Reactions to the stampede

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep distress over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He assured that authorities are extending necessary support to those affected.

• Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also responded to the incident, saying, “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident,” he wrote on X.

• Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised the Centre over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, demanding greater transparency and accountability in handling such situations. He urged the government to immediately disclose the exact number of fatalities and injuries, along with details about missing individuals.

What led to the stampede?

• Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP), Railway Board, Dilip Kumar, said that an unusually high number of passengers were present at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, prompting authorities to introduce four additional special trains.

• He mentioned that authorities received reports of a few people fainting, who were subsequently admitted to a local hospital. “We received information that a few people fainted – they have been admitted to a local hospital,” he said.

• In response to the overcrowding, entry to the railway station was temporarily restricted to manage the crowd.

• According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, the incident took place when a large number of passengers gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed.

• He also noted that delays in the departures of Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani caused further congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14.

• Malhotra explained that while authorities anticipated a large crowd, the situation escalated rapidly. “We have expected the crowd, but it all happened in a fraction of time, and hence this situation occurred. The fact-finding will be done by the Railways… After inquiry, we will get to know the reason behind the incident…,” he said.

• Dilip Kumar said that a two-member high-level committee has been set up to investigate the incident. “A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The situation is now under control, and passengers have been accommodated on special trains. Train operations at the station are normal,” he added.

• According to ANI, reports suggest that approximately 1,500 general tickets were sold, resulting in severe overcrowding, particularly near platform no. 14 and the escalator at platform no. 1. The ministry of railways, in a statement, confirmed that a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the “unfortunate incident.”

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Indian officials said the accident happened amid a surge of passengers waiting for trains to attend a major Hindu religious festival.

Ten women and three children were among at least 15 people killed in a crowd crush at a train station in India’s capital New Delhi, as thousands of Hindu pilgrims waited to board trains to attend the annual Mahakumbh Mela religious festival.

The incident unfolded on Saturday night at about 8pm local time (14:30 GMT) on two platforms at the New Delhi Railway Station as huge crowds waited to board trains to Prayagraj city, where the festival is being held, some 624km (387 miles) southeast of the capital.

Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi, who only uses one name, told reporters that 15 people had died, while the local news outlet NDTV reported that the death toll was 18 people.

India’s Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said four trains had been deployed to “evacuate” a sudden and unprecedented surge of travellers at the station and an investigation has been ordered to find out what went wrong.

High-level inquiry ordered https://t.co/Egaifp5Onx

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025

Video footage shared on social media by local news organisations showed people jostling as they tried to force their way onto packed train carriages.

“People were running across platforms and there was a chaotic situation that led to people falling on each other,” a man who witnessed the events told India’s ANI news agency.

The Times of India said witnesses reported a “crowd surge” that was sparked by the delay of two trains which led to an unexpectedly large number of passengers waiting on platforms. When people rushed to board an arriving train, “the situation spiralled out of control, with some passengers fainting amid the sudden surge”, the media outlet reported.

“This sparked rumours of a stampede, leading to further panic,” it said.

The Mahakumbh is the single biggest milestone on the Hindu religious calendar, and officials said about 500 million devotees have already visited the festival since it began in January.

Crowd crushes regularly occur at India’s major religious festivals.

At least 30 people were killed in a crush at the Mahakumbh last month when tens of millions of Hindus gathered to bathe in sacred river waters. The centrepiece of the six-week festival is the ritual bathing at the point where the Ganges and Yamuna merge with the mythical Saraswati River.

At least 36 people were also crushed to death in 2013, the last time the festival was held in Prayagraj, and more than 400 died after they were trampled or drowned on a single day of the festival in 1954.

India’s railway system, which is the fourth-largest train network in the world, has also witnessed serious accidents in the last two years, including a collision in 2023 that killed at least 288 people.

Of the many images of the Prime Minister’s trip to Washington last week, the one that intrigued and interested me most was of him meeting Elon Musk and family. As I watched him smiling happily and handing out gifts to Musk’s children, I found myself hoping that he found a moment to ask Musk a few questions about how DOGE was cutting government spending. For those who may not know what the acronym means, it stands for Department of Government Efficiency. One of the first things Donald Trump did after becoming President for the second time was to put his friend in charge of this vital new department. Musk has been performing his job so ruthlessly that hundreds of government employees have lost their jobs overnight and government programmes like USAID have been closed altogether.

Narendra Modi has promised more than once that he wants ‘minimum government and maximum governance’, but he seems unaware of how to do this. Consequently, the Government of India remains the lethargic, wasteful behemoth that it always was. When I did a little research, I discovered that we taxpayers pay salaries to 48.47 lakh employees and pensions to 67.95 lakh retirees. I remember having a conversation with a Chief Minister once who told me that by the time salaries had been paid, there was virtually no money left to do anything else.

Walk into any government office anywhere in India and you will notice that there seem to be more than 10 people doing a job that can easily be done by one person. Modi is not to blame for this. It is a leftover from secular, socialist times when the Government of India was the biggest employer in the country because the private sector had been crushed beneath the weight of quotas, licenses and corrupt regulators. When I was a starry-eyed Modi Bhakt in the first two years of Modi’s first term, I kept waiting for the moment when he would start minimising government. Not only did this never happen, but he also seemed not to have observed that there were ministries that could be closed without anyone noticing.

One relic from ancient times is the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which was set up to control information and broadcasting, and not help it along. In that olden time, when I was a junior reporter, this was easy. The only broadcaster was dear, dreary Doordarshan and its sister, All India Radio, which, during the Emergency, we took to calling All Indira Radio. But today, information seeps through the cracks even when there are strict Internet shutdowns. India leads the democratic world in this department. And a network of very efficient spies has been created to trawl social media in search of Indians saying bad things about the Modi government. Is this minimum government Prime Minister?

There are other things I had hoped would happen in my starry-eyed bhakti days. I had hoped that Modi would discover sooner rather than later that there were ministries that could become a single ministry. Do we need a Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and a separate Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying? This is only one example. There are at least a hundred others. And the only reason why they exist is because a government job continues to be the ultimate Indian dream. The private sector would be able to create millions of new jobs if officials and regulators were more sincere about making it easier to do business in India.

Now for my favourite recipe for getting the government to stop wasting our money on itself. We must stop paying for ministers, bureaucrats, MPs and MLAs to live like princes at our expense. In no other democratic country will you find that the most expensive real estate is occupied by these so-called servants of the people. A government house in Lutyens’ Delhi is such a symbol of pomp and privilege that there are politicians of my acquaintance who ensure that their children inherit their house along with their constituency. If the Prime Minister sincerely wants younger and better people to enter politics, he could begin by making commercial use of Lutyens’ Delhi.

This alone would give the Government of India enough money to make Delhi look more like the capital of India than the sprawling urban mess that it has become. There would even be some money left to finally clean the Yamuna and rid us of those mountains of garbage that fester and spew poison into the already polluted air that we are forced to breathe. If DOGE begins to happen in Delhi, there is every chance that Chief Ministers, at least those ideologically affiliated to Modi, would be forced to make their own DOGE.

One final idea. Can we please abolish the post of the Collector? These unelected despots not only have the power to control all development in their districts, but they also live in grander style than we can afford. Why does this colonial post continue to exist 75 years after our colonial masters departed? If Modi wants to live up to the new slogan he invented in Washington, MIGA (make India great again), he could begin by setting up a series of discussions with his new best friend Elon Musk and get more details of how DOGE works. Few countries more desperately need a department of government efficiency than India. And MIGA would perhaps follow.