Situated in the northern part of the country and sharing its international border with Pakistan and China, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has largely been known as the area of conflict between various parties, each wanting to assert its dominance and control over the region.
Jammu and Kashmir was one among the many princely States of India which were present during the time when India got its freedom from over 200 years of British rule. It was given a chance to either join India or newly formed Pakistan or exist as an independent individual state. Maharaja Hari Singh, the last regent of the state when faced with a Pakistan backed rebellion decided to join the Indian side and as a result, Jammu and Kashmir officially became a part of India in the year 1954.
Bestowed with the title of ‘heaven on earth’ by Mughal emperor Jahangir, the valley of Jammu and Kashmir is filled with scenic beauty and a variety of flora and fauna. The famous Dal Lake and Saffron and Apple farms, various valleys such as Chenab and liddar as well as various pilgrim sites like Vaishno Devi and Amarnath Temple make the state full of diverse natural resources.
As the place is strategically important for controlling the Northern Valley region, the state has also been the cause of four armed conflicts between India and Pakistan,the last one being at Kargil in 1999. More recently the state was in news after Article 370, which was used for providing special status to the state was revoked in October of 2019 and the state was reorganised as two separate union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian students in Tehran have been moved to Qom, 148 km away, for safety amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah travelled on the Vande Bharat Express from Nowgam to Katra, expressing joy over Kashmir’s improved rail connectivity. Calling it a "dream come true," he highlighted how the new service would ease travel for pilgrims heading to Katra and boost accessibility during the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with the UK Foreign Secretary. He thanked the UK for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Jaishankar reiterated India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, stating 'perpetrators of evil are not at par with the victims'. The discussions also covered bilateral issues including technology trade, business collaborations, and strategic partnership.
The big focus of this episode of India First is on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge at 359 meters, taller than the Eiffel Tower and flagged off Vande Bharat trains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, an engineering marvel taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir, where he inaugurated the Chenab Bridge and flagged off Vande Bharat Express trains. During his visit, Modi launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, accusing it of targeting humanity and Kashmiriyat, and warned that Pakistan aims to spark communal unrest and cripple Kashmir's livelihood. He emphasized the importance of rail connectivity for J&K's development and tourism. Modi praised the Chenab Bridge as taller than the Eiffel Tower and a testament to India's growing capabilities. The bridge is also a strategic infrastructure project that speeds up troop movement in border zones. The Prime Minister pledged to fight forces attempting to derail the vision of a developed Kashmir, stating, 'Mein yahaan vikas ko rukane nahi dunga.'
The Chenab Bridge, inaugurated after a 70-year wait, is hailed as a game-changer for Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India’s expanding rail network as a symbol of the nation’s capability while inaugurating key railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Praising the new rail link connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Kashmir, he said, “With Mata Vaishno Devi’s blessings, Kashmir is now part of India’s vast railway network.” He added that the long-cherished vision of connecting “Kashmir to Kanyakumari” has now become a railway reality.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge in Jammu and Kashmir and also flagged off the first Vande Bharat train from the Katra Railway Station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Pakistan for orchestrating the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a plot to derail tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and incite riots in India. He praised the courage of locals who defied terror, and remembered Syed Adil Hussain Shah—the pony ride operator killed while saving tourists—as a true hero,
A credit war has erupted over India's mega infrastructure push. The Congress party claims that the foundation for these projects was laid during the UPA government's tenure. The party asserts that massive Bihar projects were initiated under UPA 1 and UPA 2, with significant expenditure approved by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Congress also credits India's current economic status to Manmohan Singh's policies and the liberalization of the economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, ahead of inaugurating the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge. At Katra Railway Station, he also interacted with school children aboard the train, marking a significant moment for rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir.
