- 5 months ago
In this edition of India Today Global, the focus is on the deadly protests in Nepal where the death toll has risen following a government blockade of 26 social media platforms.
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00:00Hello and welcome, I'm Geeta Mohan. You're watching India Today Global.
00:04As death toll in Nepal rises from protests following the blockade of 26 social media platforms,
00:11Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has officially resigned from his post,
00:15taking moral responsibility for the government's crackdown on today's protests.
00:20During a cabinet meeting, Lekhak submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
00:25The Oli-led government blocked 26 social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X
00:32for failing to register with the Ministry of Communications.
00:36Security has been tightened around the offices of major political parties and top leaders in Nepal
00:41as protests continue to spread.
00:43Curfew has also been enforced around the headquarters of the ruling UML and Nepali Congress parties.
00:49Curfew has also been imposed in nearly half a dozen cities across Nepal
00:54in addition to capital Kathmandu.
00:57Examinations scheduled across the country have now been rescheduled.
01:01Gen Z youth have come out into the streets against the social media ban and alleged corruption.
01:08Police have resorted to water cannons, batons and rubber bullets to control the crowd.
01:13Curfew has been imposed as crowd broke barricades and tried to enter the parliament building.
01:19The government says the ban on social media follows after these platforms failed to register with authorities.
01:26Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said he is not going to uplift or remove the ban that is in place
01:33which clearly shows that this could be an agitation that will go on for a while.
01:38To speak more on this I am being joined by Namrita Sharma, senior journalist from Kathmandu.
01:43Namrita, thank you so much for joining me here.
01:46Now we see this as a trigger point, social media ban and we see Gen Z out in the crowd
01:52but the real reason they are giving is corruption within the government.
01:56What's the catalyst over here?
01:58What do you, what's your reading on?
02:00What's the reason behind all of this?
02:04Thank you for having me here.
02:06It's actually a very, very sad day for us
02:08and obviously this will go as a very, very dark black day in Nepal's history.
02:14Well, actually, I just want to correct you in saying because the Gen Z group have been circulating
02:24a kind of a statement in X and other media that this is not actually first and foremost
02:31against social media ban.
02:34It's actually first and foremost against, it's an anti-corruption movement that Gen Z has been
02:43involved in since quite some time now and they have come out openly today as they were planning
02:51for almost a week ago.
02:53The social, the ban on the social media has actually triggered their process and the anger
03:00is there.
03:01But I just wanted to mention that because there has been a statement being circulated by the
03:08Gen Z group saying that the international media actually is not correctly reporting them.
03:16You know, they want to be reported as going against corruption.
03:20Okay.
03:21And of course, the ban on social media has triggered it.
03:25Right.
03:25Namrata, you're reading on what led to the protests becoming or reaching this scale at this point in time.
03:32They were planning it for a while, but is there more than meets the eye in terms of not just
03:37corruption, but where is this coming from?
03:41Is there more than meets the eye?
03:44You know, actually, it's in this protest that Gen Z has done, you have to look at the history
03:51of Nepal.
03:53Nepal's youth has always come out on the street protesting against corruption of any form.
04:00During the absolute monarchy days, and I remember my school doing my 10th exam, the first people's
04:08movement, not the first, one of the first big people's movement in 1980 happened.
04:14And it was actually led by the youth.
04:17Of course, at that point, the gen so-and-so wouldn't be mentioned, you know, whatever gen
04:22it was.
04:22Now, in the digital media, Gen Z is popularly known, you know, trying to tell us which generation
04:34is hosting this.
04:35So the youth have been out in the street during the absolute monarchy.
04:39Youth has been out in the street to bring and restore democracy in Nepal in 1990.
04:45And in the middle of 2000 also, the youth have been out.
04:51But the kind of killing that has happened today has never happened in the history of Nepal.
04:56And now to answer your question, you know, what triggered it at this moment is the sheer
05:08frustration, you know, like that that is now in the tips of the finger of this generation.
05:14They see what is happening all over the world.
05:17They also see what happened in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
05:21They saw the youth movement out there.
05:22And then here, they've been really frustrated, asking simple things like, let us have good
05:28educational institution where we can study and we don't have to go abroad and serve the
05:33nation, you see.
05:34Then there have been a series of big scale corruption.
05:39And to tell you the truth, in Nepal, frankly speaking, more than corruption, now things are
05:43moving towards cryptocracy, you know.
05:46There's power concentrated on political parties and leaders who actually were on the street
05:52to throw absolute minority out of the country.
05:56Namrita, which brings me to the question, we see KP Oli digging in his heels.
06:01Will the prime minister resign?
06:02We see the home minister has resigned.
06:05Is this time that they're seeking change and change will happen?
06:10See, looking at KP Oli's history, I don't think he's going to resign.
06:15But to tell you the truth, the kind of protest that has happened while he is the prime minister
06:20now, he should rethink this.
06:23Home minister Lekha just resigned.
06:27But at the same time, what I personally believe, and there has been voices coming out, is people
06:33just resigning is not enough, you know.
06:36People need to be accountable for what has happened on the streets of Nepal.
06:40Not only in the Kathmandu Valley, but all over the country.
06:4319 deaths.
06:46That's true.
06:46More than 330, around 347, the latest data I got, injured.
06:53Injured.
06:54And there are actually children, you know, Genji people lying in hospitals without adults caring
07:01for them.
07:02There was just before I got connected with you, there's been a circulation among our groups
07:08like, tomorrow can some of us actually go to the hospitals, to civil hospital, to start
07:13taking care of some of the kids lying there without adult caring, nobody to even give them
07:19water.
07:20So people need to be held accountable for this.
07:23People indeed need to be held accountable for this.
07:25You know, I also want to mention one thing.
07:26Not only the examples from other South Asian countries, but also the fact in Nepal, there
07:33have been, in the last election, as you have obviously observed, there have been some young
07:40generation independent candidates winning, becoming mayor of Kathmandu, you know.
07:46And some being jailed as well, Namrata.
07:48So that has become a motivation, sorry?
07:51Yes.
07:52And some being jailed as well.
07:54So we do know that they have.
07:55Yes, Namrata, we are completely out of time, but we'll continue this conversation as and
08:01when things unfold in Nepal.
08:03Thank you so much for joining us from Kathmandu for now.
08:07Thank you for having me.
08:12Now, as Trump administration readies to move secondary sanctions on Russia, BRICS nations
08:18held a virtual meet with External Affairs Minister S.J.
08:21Shankar, representing Prime Minister Modi in the summit-level meeting.
08:25India faces highest tariff rates of 50% along with Brazil.
08:30The U.S. has alleged India of purchasing Russian oil for its own interests and fueling
08:34the Russian war machine.
08:36Though India promotes that this is not an era of war and continues to engage in dialogue
08:42with the United States of America, Trump's top aide, specifically White House trade advisor
08:47Peter Navarro, has been in recent times making anti-India statements and alleging India of
08:53funding the Russia-Ukraine war.
08:55He's also called India a laundromat for the Kremlin and made casteist remarks against India.
09:02Now, in response, India has said, trade barriers don't work, BRICS can lead by example.
09:08Listen in to Dr. Jay Shankar.
09:09The world requires constructive and cooperative approaches to promote trade that is sustainable.
09:19Increasing barriers and complicating transactions will not help.
09:25Neither would the linking of trade measures to non-trade matters.
09:29The BRICS itself can set an example by reviewing trade flows among its member states.
09:35The international trading system is based on the foundational principles of open, fair,
09:43transparent, non-discriminatory, inclusive, equitable and a rules-based approach with special
09:50and differential treatment for developing countries.
09:54India strongly believes that this should be protected and nurtured.
09:58And we're going to find out how good it is over the next week or two.
10:02This is what Trump said when a reporter asked him if he plans to impose secondary sanctions
10:07on Russia following Beijing's show of strength during a parade when leaders of three countries,
10:13India, Russia and China, came together on one platform.
10:17After what seemed a successful summit in Alaska, Russia has launched a massive number of drones
10:26for the first time and hit the main building of Ukrainian government, killing three people,
10:32including an infant.
10:35Russia launched 805 drones and 13 missiles overnight into Ukraine.
10:41European leaders and Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelenskyy have been urging the U.S. to put secondary
10:49sanctions not only on Russia, but also on countries which are trading energy and oil with Moscow.
11:01Clearly, Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine with even more prison attacks.
11:06This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world, whether they will accept or tolerate this.
11:15That is why it is important that the statements of leaders, states and institutions be backed by strong actions.
11:22Sanctions against Russia, against individuals associated with Russia,
11:27tough tariffs and other restrictions on trade with Russia.
11:30As Russia maintains that it is ready for talks, but continues to attack Ukraine,
11:41President Donald Trump says, U.S. is ready to move secondary sanctions against Russia.
11:46He has not elaborated on the sanctions, but says he's going to speak to Putin soon.
11:52Are you ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia or punishing Putin?
11:58When do you plan to speak president to the next?
12:01Very soon. Over the next couple.
12:04Look, we're going to get it done.
12:07The Russia-Ukraine situation, we're going to get it done.
12:10I have confidence we're going to get it done.
12:13Trump's top eight, Scott Besant, has reiterated secondary sanctions on Russia
12:18and says a joint U.S.-European sanctions would collapse the Russian economy.
12:24We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us
12:30because if the U.S. and the EU do this together, we are in a race now between how long can the Ukrainian military hold up
12:41versus how long can the Russian economy hold up.
12:44And if the U.S. and the EU can come in, do more sanctions, secondary tariffs on the countries that buy Russian oil,
12:54the Russian economy will be in full collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table.
13:00India has been largely hit by the additional sanctions imposed on it for purchasing Russian oil.
13:06The additional tariffs imposed has taken the total tariff rate to 50%.
13:12Beijing, however, has not been charged for doing business with Moscow so far.
13:19You know, I've been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia.
13:27India, and I let them know that.
13:30We put a very big tariff on India, 50% tariff, very high tariff.
13:35I get along very well with Modi, as you know.
13:39He's great.
13:40He was here a couple of months ago.
13:42The Trump administration has previously hit out at India
13:46and alleged that India was benefiting from the Russian oil at the cost of Ukrainian lives.
13:52They should let her go.
13:54Top Trump aide Peter Navarro has called India Maharaja of tariffs and laundromats for Kremlin.
14:01But India has always maintained that this is not an era of war.
14:05It has also called the tariffs unjustified.
14:08Now, as and when the secondary sanctions kick in,
14:12what is to be seen is whether the Trump administration continues to bully India or takes on Russia directly.
14:20With Mahasweta Lala, Bureau Report, India Today.
14:29Joining me from Washington, D.C., is Rohit Sharma.
14:32Rohit, thank you so much for joining me here.
14:34It just seems like the war is only getting more hot when it comes to India and U.S.
14:40Things are not really coming.
14:42It's not easing of tensions.
14:43And one statement does not make a difference.
14:47Well, it did not.
14:49You know, I don't think, you know, and I think this has to be said for the record.
14:53I mean, every time President Trump's talked about putting those additional tariffs,
14:56even when he did that, he's always said that India has great,
14:59well, he has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi.
15:01So it was kind of surprising to see that, you know, everybody was just very excited a couple of days ago
15:05when, you know, he said what he said.
15:07Even, in fact, this morning, Peter Navarro, you know, said a bunch of things.
15:11You know, he insulted BRICS.
15:12He insulted India again, called India Maharaj of tariffs again.
15:16So I think a lot has to happen in a couple of days either.
15:20President Trump has also announced that there would be European leaders that would be visiting Washington, D.C.
15:25again in individual capacity.
15:26And I think once those meetings do take place is when we would know what course President Trump would take.
15:33But as our report was suggesting, that it looks like he's made up his mind.
15:37He's ready to put those secondary tariffs.
15:39But it will all depend on how his meetings with the European counterparts go in the next few days.
15:43And how the delegation-level talks go over here, there's a European Union delegation coming to India as well, Rohit.
15:51Keep tracking that story for us.
15:53We'll keep dipping into you every night around this time on what's happening in Trump's world.
15:59Thank you so much.
16:02Now they're back.
16:05Elon Musk and Peter Navarro are at each other's throats again, this time over a fact-checking system on X.
16:11After the system termed Navarro's anti-India post on X as hypocritical,
16:16Navarro accused the X owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for allowing propaganda into people's posts.
16:22Musk defended the system by saying that the narrative is decided by the people.
16:27But the fight goes on, current posts by Navarro clearly again is taking on Elon Musk.
16:42It is Elon Musk versus Peter Navarro again.
16:46Former buddy of U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk defended the fact-checking system owned by his social media platform X.
16:57After White House trade advisor, Peter Navarro criticized the system for fact-checking his anti-India post.
17:05Musk, while defending his system, posted on X that the people decide the narrative.
17:10You hear all sides of an argument.
17:12Community Notes corrects everyone.
17:14No exceptions.
17:15Notes, data and code is public source.
17:19Grok provides further fact-checking.
17:21Earlier, Navarro on X accused India of profiteering from the purchase of Russian oil and thereby feed the Russian war machine.
17:31The fact-checking machine, however, corrected Navarro and said India's purchase of Russian oil is for energy security and don't violate sanctions.
17:40The system also called Navarro's claim hypercritical as it imports certain goods from Russia.
17:48This was followed by another post by Navarro in which he slammed ex-owner Musk for allowing propaganda in people's post.
17:56He, in fact, called the fact-check crap.
17:58Navarro has been attacking India and justifying the high tariff imposed on the country.
18:03His very recent comment on India's tariff that Brahmins profiting from Russian oil at the expense of Indians was strongly condemned and rejected by New Delhi.
18:13He also called Russia-Ukraine war as Modi's war.
18:17Navarro and Musk's feud is not new.
18:20Earlier, Navarro called Musk a car assembler whose supply chains depended on China.
18:26With Elon, it's fine.
18:28He's a car man.
18:29He's a car person.
18:30That's what he does.
18:31Musk retaliated, calling Navarro dumber than a sack of bricks and truly a moron.
18:39With Mahasweta Lala, Bureau Report, India Today.
18:46That's all in this edition of India Today Global.
18:48But before I go, here's my take on statecraft.
18:51The Caribbean is on fire.
18:53American warships are circling Venezuela.
18:55Why did these old friends turn four?
18:57And what does this latest escalation in America's backyard mean?
19:01Watch the full episode of Statecraft on India Today Global's YouTube channel.
19:05Also, do subscribe to our channel.
19:07Here is the excerpt.
19:09Listen in.
19:09The Caribbean is on fire.
19:19American warships are circling Venezuela.
19:22Fighter jets are performing deadly maneuvers overhead.
19:25Eleven people are dead after a U.S. strike in international waters.
19:29This isn't some distant war or another continent.
19:32This is happening right now, in America's own backyard.
19:35And the danger is real.
19:38It began with drugs.
19:39Or at least that's what Washington claims.
19:42President Trump calls Venezuela a narco state, labeling its leader, Nicolas Maduro, a drug kingpin.
19:47But the response has gone far beyond law enforcement.
19:51This is military action.
19:53Missiles, warplanes, marines, lives have been lost, tensions have escalated, and the region that was once a quiet neighbor is now a potential battlefield.
20:04How did a dispute over drug trafficking spiral into a potential military showdown?
20:10In a region so close to home, can diplomacy survive?
20:14And can President Trump, who claims to be the world's greatest peacemaker, actually bring stability to America's backyard?
20:22Hello and welcome.
20:22You're watching Statecraft with me, Geeta Mohan.
20:24The Trump administration says Venezuela is flooding America with narcotics.
20:38They blame President Nicolas Maduro.
20:40They call him a drug kingpin.
20:42Last week, the U.S. military did something unprecedented.
20:46They blew up a boat in international waters.
20:49Eleven people died instantly.
20:51Trump claimed the vessel belonged to Tren de Aragua.
20:54That's a Venezuelan gang, one he's now labeled a terrorist organization.
21:00But here's the twist.
21:02This wasn't a Coast Guard operation.
21:04This was military action.
21:06Warplanes, missiles, death.
21:09That changes everything.
21:11Venezuela responded with fury.
21:13They sent F-16 fighter jets to buzz American destroyers.
21:17Think about that for a moment.
21:19Venezuelan jets, made in America, now threatening American ships.
21:25Here's what makes this truly tragic.
21:27America and Venezuela were once best friends.
21:30Back in 1835, the U.S. recognized Venezuelan independence.
21:35They signed trade deals.
21:36They became partners.
21:37And then, when oil was discovered, American companies flooded in.
21:44Venezuela became a crucial ally during the Cold War.
21:48Maduro is playing a different game.
21:50He's embracing Chinese technology.
21:52Last week, he displayed a Huawei phone, a gift from Xi Jinping.
21:56He claimed, American spies can't hack it.
22:00But symbolism matters.
22:02Maduro is choosing sides.
22:04Chinese phones over American ones.
22:07The cyber war never ended.
22:09It just moved to Latin America.
22:11This crisis serves both leaders perfectly.
22:14Trump promised to use military force against cartels.
22:17He's delivering.
22:19Venezuelan Americans in Florida are watching.
22:22Other Latin American leaders are watching.
22:25If Trump can bomb boats in international waters, where does it end?
22:29Regional support is crucial.
22:31Without it, America fights alone.
22:34The court ruling creates a massive problem for Trump.
22:38If he can't legally deport Venezuelans, his entire policy crumbles.
22:42Will the Americas remain united under U.S. leadership or fragment into competing spheres of influence?
22:49This crisis began with drugs.
22:51It could end with something far worse.
22:53The Caribbean is burning.
22:55The question is whether anyone can put out the fire before it spreads, before it's too late.
23:01This is one of the most dangerous confrontations in America's backyard since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
23:07The difference?
23:08This time, there's no clear path to resolution.
23:11The Caribbean is on fire and everyone's playing with matches.
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