Seattle Daily Star

  Houses swept away, roads and railways lines broken and tunnels blocked with debris Flooding in India’s north-east Assam region killed nine people as incessant rains and landslides continued to devastate the remote mountainous state. Twenty-seven of Assam’s 33 districts have been hit by landslides and overflowing rivers since the beginning of this week, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Disaster response forces used boats and helicopters to rescue nearly 7,500 people on Thursday. “We have a death toll of nine including victims of flood and landslides. About 85,000 people are shifted to 172 relief camps. We are ensuring people remain safe and their health is taken care of,” Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, chief executive of ASDMA, told The National. “Reconstruction and relief operations are continuing with the help of disaster forces,” he said. Houses were swept away, roads and railways lines damaged and tunnels blocked with debris. Thousands of hect...

  He will first arrive in Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting France, Germany and Denmark for talks amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine. The three-day trip will begin in Berlin on Monday for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices,” Mr Modi said before flying out on Sunday. “Through my engagements, I intend to strengthen the spirit of co-operation with our European partners, who are important companions in India’s quest for peace and prosperity.“ Mr Modi will on Monday co-chair the sixth India -Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations — a dialogue format of ministers from both sides. He and Chancellor Scholz will then jointly address a business event “with the goal of energising industry to industry co-operation” to help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both countries. Mr Modi will discuss further easing immi...

  India stands at a global crossroads at a time of heightened tension between Russia and the West British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India during the Ukraine war is aimed at doubling two-way trade, cementing what Mr Johnson has called a “strategic” partnership amid a growing rift between the West and Russia. His two-day visit on Thursday comes at a time when New Delhi has hedged its geopolitical position, keeping ties with Cold War strategic partner Russia despite growing pressure from the West. “PM Boris Johnson’s visit to New Delhi signifies the importance of India’s role in the dynamically changing global order,” B Rahul Kamath, a research assistant with Delhi-based think tank Observer Research Foundation’s Strategic Studies programme, told The National. It marks his first visit to the historic partner country after his planned trips to New Delhi last January and later in April were cancelled. This was due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases triggered by the...