Japan PM Takaichi Arrives in India for Strategic Talks; Centre Flags Risks Over WhatsApp Usernames
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening for a three-day visit, her first to India since assuming office in 2025. Upon arrival, she emphasised the need to deepen Japan-India strategic ties amid 'growing uncertainty in the international situation.' The visit, with economic security as the overarching theme, will see talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at strengthening the 'Special Strategic Global Partnership,' boosting investment and innovation, and building resilient supply chains in semiconductors and critical minerals.
In a separate development, the Centre has issued a notice to Meta-owned WhatsApp over its planned 'username' feature, citing concerns of impersonation and fraud. The government has asked Meta to provide a detailed explanation within three days and directed the company not to roll out the feature until a thorough consultation is completed. WhatsApp clarified that the feature would be rolled out slowly later this year, stating that users will still need a phone number to use the service and that multiple layers of defence against scams have been built into usernames.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government is considering handing over the investigation into alleged theft and embezzlement of funds and valuables donated to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the CBI or another central agency. The state Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been granted time until July 15 to complete its probe. A parallel investigation by the Ayodhya police has uncovered some cash allegedly stolen in recent months, but a broader inquiry is needed to trace assets acquired by accused individuals involved in counting donations.
In another story, the Indian Express tracked down families like that of Mehbub Sheikh, a Murshidabad resident who, along with six others, was detained in Mumbai, taken to West Bengal, and pushed across the border to Bangladesh a year ago. After the Centre and BSF conceded they were Indians, a flag meeting brought them back. They have since cleared the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and are now trying to rebuild their lives in India.
