Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Wrong hyphenation.

"India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump during a 35-minute telephonic conversation that there was no third-party involvement in ceasefire between India and Pakistan, countering a claim Trump has repeatedly made." ET. "But Trump just said - for the 15th time in 38 days - that he stopped the war. Who's lying?" asked Congress leader Manicham Tagore. "Why is a foreign leader the first to announce a crucial national security move? Even more strange - Why did India's Foreign Secretary issue a statement only in Hindi, on a matter of global diplomacy?" DH. Trump has been a teetotaler all his life  (TOI), so are we accusing him of hallucinating? "In a rare shift from his usual rhetoric US President Donald Trump refrained from taking credit for halting military hostilities between India and Pakistan, instead praising the leadership of PM Modi and Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir." ET. Just because he left it unsaid, it does not mean he is denying he called first. He could be praising both for heeding his advice. Trump "hosted Pakistan's army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House yesterday," "The lunch meeting was the first time a US president had hosted the powerful head of Pakistan's army...at the White House unaccompanied by senior Pakistani civilian officials." Reuters. This was a serious insult to the government of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (wikipedia), not just because Trump ignored it completely, but also because, by accepting the invitation, Munir showed his contempt for the elected government and the people of Pakistan. Also, "Trump doubled down on his mediation claim," and "According to White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, Munir personally urged Trump's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his 'prevention of a nuclear war' in South Asia." BT. "At the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held talks with PM Modi and both leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners," and "agreed to resume full diplomatic services, ending the thaw between the two countries, triggered by Canadian allegations that India agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in Canada in 2023." ET. But, "India is a perpetrator of foreign interference, Canada's intelligence said in a report published yesterday, just after India's and Canada's prime ministers vowed to strengthen ties at a global summit hosted by Canada." Reuters. The timing may be deliberate, to remind India that it must be ready to accept responsibility if the investigation proves Indian involvement in the murder. Mr Modi has visited Cyprus and Canada and is visiting Croatia "to thank partner countries for their 'steadfast support' to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism." TOI. "Cross-border terrorism" means across the border from Pakistan. So, if we keep harping on that phrase we cannot blame if Trump invites Mr Modi and Munir for talks on the same day, thus hyphenating the two (News18). Support for fight against terrorism does not mean support against Pakistan. Other countries are do not hyphenate Pakistan with terror. But hyphenate Pakistan with India. They are just following us. We must stop.   

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