{"id":3633,"date":"2025-03-18T13:09:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T13:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3633"},"modified":"2025-03-18T13:09:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T13:09:21","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-18-march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-18-march-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 18 March 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History (March 18th<\/sup>,1922)<\/h1>\n

Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years of imprisonment for disobedience by British magistrates in India.<\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

India urged U.S. to declare SFJ a terror organisation<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"U.S.-urged-to-declare-SFJ-a-terror-organisation\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The meeting took place in New Delhi on Monday.<\/li>\n
  • Rajnath Singh urged the U.S. to declare the Khalistan separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as a terrorist organisation.<\/li>\n
  • SFJ is led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Discussion Highlights<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • The meeting covered a range of topics, including defence and information sharing to strengthen the India-U.S. partnership.<\/li>\n
    • Rajnath Singh stated that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was involved in terrorist activities and supported by Pakistan\u2019s Inter-Services Intelligence.<\/li>\n
    • Singh urged the U.S. to take action against SFJ and designate it a terrorist organisation.<\/li>\n
    • Maritime cooperation and other areas of collaboration were also discussed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Tulsi Gabbard\u2019s Visit<\/strong><\/h4>\n
        \n
      • Gabbard is on a three-day visit to India.<\/li>\n
      • She participated in a conclave of Intelligence chiefs on Sunday.<\/li>\n
      • Gabbard is scheduled to speak at the 10th Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        India-U.S. Relations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
          \n
        • The bilateral defence partnership between India and the U.S. was reaffirmed.<\/li>\n
        • Discussions emphasized strategic security as a vital component of the global strategic cooperation between both countries.<\/li>\n
        • Both leaders reviewed progress in military exercises, strategic cooperation, defence industrial supply chain integration, and maritime information-sharing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Other Remarks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
            \n
          • Rajnath Singh thanked Ms. Gabbard for her \u201csteadfast goodwill\u201d and admiration for Indian culture, which further deepens India-U.S. ties.<\/li>\n
          • Gabbard spoke about concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and \u201cIslamist terrorism,\u201d which is a significant issue for President Trump.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Gabbard\u2019s Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/strong><\/h4>\n
              \n
            • Later in the day, Ms. Gabbard met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              China welcomes Modi\u2019s comments, points to 2,000-year history of ties<\/span><\/h3>\n

              \"China-welcomes-Modi\u2019s-comments,-points-to-2,000-year-history-of-ties\"<\/p>\n

                \n
              • China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s statement on achieving “normalcy” in India-China border relations.<\/li>\n
              • Modi’s comments were made during an interview with a U.S.-based podcaster, Lex Fridman.<\/li>\n
              • He mentioned that India and China were restoring ties to the pre-2020 state and ensuring differences don\u2019t escalate into disputes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Significance of Modi’s Statement<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                  \n
                • Modi\u2019s remarks are seen as a strong indication that India and China are ready to move beyond the tensions of the past five years.<\/li>\n
                • This includes the Galwan clashes, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed by PLA soldiers, and the ongoing border standoff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Chinese Ministry’s Response<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                    \n
                  • Mao Ning, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, called Modi\u2019s comments a \u201cpositive statement on China-India relations.\u201d<\/li>\n
                  • Referring to the Modi-Xi meeting in October 2024 in Russia, Mao emphasized that both countries have implemented the important consensus from their leaders, strengthened exchanges, and achieved positive results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Modi’s Comments on Historical Ties<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                      \n
                    • Modi stated that India and China have “no real history of conflict” and should maintain a strong relationship in the future.<\/li>\n
                    • He likened the two countries to a “family,” acknowledging occasional disagreements as natural in such relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      China Highlights 2,000-Year History<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                        \n
                      • Mao Ning pointed out the 2,000-year history of China-India exchanges, highlighting mutual learning, understanding, and friendly exchanges.<\/li>\n
                      • She echoed Modi’s sentiments, referring to the \u201cDance of the Dragon and the Elephant,\u201d symbolizing the relationship between China and India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Recent Bilateral Engagements<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                          \n
                        • The warm statements come after several visits and meetings between high-ranking officials from both countries:\n
                            \n
                          • National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing.<\/li>\n
                          • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                          • These engagements may signal more bilateral exchanges in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Future Prospects<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                              \n
                            • Modi is expected to travel to China in June 2025 for the SCO Summit.<\/li>\n
                            • India and China are working towards resuming travel links, including business and tourist visas, Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, and the return of journalists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              New U.S. air strikes on Yemen pile pressure on the Houthis<\/span><\/h3>\n
                                \n
                              • The U.S. carried out new air strikes on Yemen on Monday, as reported by the Houthis\u2019 Al Masirah TV.<\/li>\n
                              • These strikes are part of the largest U.S. military operation in West Asia since President Donald Trump took office in January.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Context of the Attacks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                                  \n
                                • The air strikes were launched in response to threats from the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels against international shipping.<\/li>\n
                                • Saturday’s strikes had already killed 53 people, including five children and two women, with 98 others injured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Targets of the Attacks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                    \n
                                  • The latest air strikes targeted the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate, located north of the capital, Sanaa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    Trump\u2019s Warning to Iran<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                                      \n
                                    • President Donald Trump directly linked the actions of the Houthis to Iran, which is their primary benefactor.<\/li>\n
                                    • Trump warned Iran would face \u201cdire consequences\u201d for any further attacks by the Houthis.<\/li>\n
                                    • He described the Houthis as \u201csinister mobsters\u201d and made it clear that any future attack by the group would be met with \u201cgreat force.\u201d<\/li>\n
                                    • Trump emphasized that any attack by the Houthis would be considered as an attack by Iran, holding Tehran responsible for the actions of the Houthis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n