MLC Daily Current Affairs – 13 May 2025

Today in History (May 13^th,1952)

Rajya Sabha’s first sitting was held on 13th May 1952. It is the Upper House of the Parliament of India.

Summary of Today’s News

India’s Firm Stance Against Pakistan’s Nuclear Blackmail: Key Takeaways from PM Modi’s Address

PM Modi confirmed Operation Sindoor is ongoing since its launch on May 7. The current cessation of hostilities with Pakistan is only a temporary pause, not an end to operations.

• No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail
  • India will not bow to Pakistan’s nuclear threats, reaffirming its resolve against terrorism and its sponsors.
  • Modi asserted that India has set a “new normal” in responding to terrorism with decisive action.
• PM gave Reference to Past Strikes
  • The PM invoked the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air strikes to underline India’s shift to zero tolerance for terrorism.
  • Emphasized that this stance contributes to a safer global environment.
• Future Action Hinges on Pakistan’s Behavior
  • Modi stated that Pakistan’s conduct in the coming days will determine India’s next steps.
  • Any talks with Pakistan will be strictly limited to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• No Engagement Under Duress
  • Clearly stated that “talks and terror, terror and trade, water and blood cannot go together.”
  • Rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of U.S. intervention in de-escalating the conflict, choosing not to comment on it.
• Pakistan’s Terror Sponsorship Exposed
  • Noted that the presence of Pakistani Army officials at terrorist funerals during Operation Sindoor confirmed Pakistan’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism.
  • India will no longer differentiate between terrorists and their backers, explicitly including the Pakistani state.
• Targeted Strikes on Terror Camps
  • Named Bahawalpur and Muridke as “universities of terrorism” hit during Indian operations.
  • These camps were linked to major global terror attacks, including 9/11 and the London Tube bombings.
• Military Praised for Swift and Strong Response
  • Commended the Army, Air Force, Navy, and BSF for their role in swiftly neutralizing terror threats and responding to Pakistani retaliation.
  • Reassured the nation that India’s forces remain on full alert.

This address marks a significant assertion of India’s hardened posture against terrorism and signals a strategic shift in regional security dynamics.

U.S. and China Agree to Roll Back Tariffs, Begin 90-Day Truce in Trade Dispute

The U.S. and China have reached an agreement to roll back most of their recent tariffs. A 90-day truce has been declared to allow further negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing trade war.

• Significant Tariff Reductions
  • The U.S. will cut its 145% tariff on Chinese goods by 115 percentage points, bringing it down to 30%.
  • China will match this reduction, bringing its tariffs on U.S. goods down to 10%.
• Cancellation and Suspension of Tariffs
  • Both countries agreed to cancel 91% of tariffs imposed on each other’s goods.
  • An additional 24% in tariffs will be suspended for the duration of the 90-day truce.
  • The total effective reduction amounts to 115 percentage points.
• Foundation for Continued Cooperation
  • China’s Commerce Ministry described the agreement as an important step toward resolving bilateral differences.
  • The Ministry noted that the deal serves the interests of producers, consumers, and the global economy.
• Commitment to Dialogue and Avoiding Decoupling
  • S. officials highlighted that both sides are committed to continuing consultations.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that neither nation desires an economic decoupling or a complete trade embargo.
• Positive Tone from Both Sides
  • The agreement reflects a shared intent to maintain trade relations and de-escalate tensions.
  • Both delegations acknowledged that high tariffs were effectively creating a blockade of goods, which they are now working to dismantle.

This agreement marks a hopeful shift in U.S.-China economic relations, with both sides recognizing mutual dependence and signaling willingness to move toward a more stable trade framework.

Regional and Global Leaders Welcome India-Pakistan Ceasefire Understanding

Australia, Bangladesh, and Nepal welcomed the “understanding” reached on May 10 between India and Pakistan to pause firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).

• The move came after heightened tensions following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

• Australia’s Support for De-escalation
  • Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
  • She emphasized that de-escalation and counter-terrorism are essential for regional peace and security.
  • Wong highlighted concerns among Australians over the recent hostilities and urged respect for the ceasefire terms.
• India’s Emphasis on Counter-terrorism
  • During the call, Mr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance on zero-tolerance towards terrorism, while congratulating Ms. Wong on her reappointment.
  • He also discussed the importance of regional stability and the ceasefire’s role in achieving it.
• Pakistan’s Pledge of Restraint
  • Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan had shown restraint during the conflict.
  • He assured continued efforts by Pakistan to act responsibly and maintain regional peace.
• Bangladesh Commends Diplomatic Efforts
  • Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, welcomed the ceasefire agreement and acknowledged the military-level discussions between India and Pakistan.
  • He also praised U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their mediatory role, as mentioned in Trump’s post on Truth Social.
  • Bangladesh reiterated its support for resolving regional disputes through diplomacy.
• Nepal Applauds Political Maturity
  • Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, speaking in Parliament, praised the “political maturity” displayed by both Indian and Pakistani leaderships in agreeing to pause hostilities.
  • He emphasized the importance of such understandings for regional peace and stability.

This diplomatic breakthrough has been widely recognized as a crucial step towards de-escalation in South Asia, with international and regional actors endorsing continued dialogue and cooperative efforts to address underlying issues.

Trump Claims Credit for Averting ‘Nuclear Conflict’ Between India and Pakistan

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. not only brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, but also averted a nuclear conflict.

• He alleged that he threatened to halt trade with both nations unless they agreed to stop hostilities.

• Trade Leverage Claim Disputed by India
  • Trump stated: “If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.”
  • He suggested trade pressure was a key factor in ending the military standoff and also mentioned future S. trade talks with Pakistan.
• Indian Government Denies Trade Threats
  • Indian officials rejected Trump’s claims, saying no trade conditions were discussed during any high-level communications.
  • S. VP J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio did speak with Indian leaders around the ceasefire (May 8–10), but trade was never mentioned, according to Indian sources.
• Trump’s ‘Nuclear War’ Warning
  • Trump warned the situation could have escalated into a “bad nuclear war”, potentially killing millions, and expressed pride in allegedly preventing it.
• Speculation Around Kirana Hills Strike
  • Trump’s mention of a possible nuclear conflict stirred speculation that India’s May 10 air strikes targeted a suspected nuclear site in Kirana Hills, near the PAF Mushaf base.
  • Air Marshal A.K. Bharti denied targeting Kirana Hills, saying Indian forces had no knowledge of such a site.
• Domestic Political Impact in India
  • Trump’s remarks are expected to be discussed in the next parliamentary committee meeting on external affairs, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri set to brief MPs.
  • Opposition leaders are likely to challenge the government on Trump’s mediation and nuclear conflict claims.
• Criticism from Indian Diplomats
  • Several former Indian diplomats criticized Trump’s comments, saying they violated India’s longstanding opposition to:
    • Third-party mediation in bilateral issues
    • Hyphenation of India and Pakistan
    • Internationalization of what India considers internal matters

This latest development adds complexity to India-U.S.-Pakistan relations, with Trump’s controversial remarks prompting diplomatic pushback and political scrutiny in India.

Supreme Court Offers Relief in Live-In Relationship Case, Rejects False Promise of Marriage Claim

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a man accused of forcible sex under allegations linked to a false promise of marriage.

• The man and the woman had a long-term live-in relationship and had previously signed a settlement deed affirming mutual love and intent to marry.
• The Uttarakhand High Court had earlier rejected the man’s plea to quash the case, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court.

• Key Judicial Observation
  • The Court held that when two consenting adults cohabit in a live-in relationship for years, a presumption of voluntary choice and awareness of consequences
  • Therefore, a claim that such a relationship was based solely on a promise of marriage becomes “unworthy of acceptance.”
• Contextual Understanding of Live-In Relationships
  • The Court acknowledged that expressions of intent to marry can occur during such relationships, but do not automatically imply deceit or coercion.
  • It emphasized the changing societal landscape, noting that live-in relationships are increasingly common
• Role of Financial Independence and Social Change
  • The judgment highlighted that more women today are financially independent and capable of making autonomous life decisions, including choosing to be in a live-in relationship.
  • This shift has contributed to the rise of consensual live-in arrangements, requiring courts to assess such matters with nuance and sensitivity, not rigid legalism.
• Guidance for Legal Approach
  • Courts should avoid a pedantic approach in such cases and instead assess the duration and dynamics of the relationship to infer implied consent.
  • The ruling sets a precedent for interpreting long-term cohabitation as consensual in the absence of clear evidence of coercion or deceit.

This landmark decision underscores the judiciary’s evolving recognition of modern relationships and reinforces the need for context-sensitive interpretation in cases involving allegations arising from live-in arrangements.