Ladakh

A massive showdown erupted in parliament on Monday after Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from former army chief Naravane's unpublished memoir claiming the government showed no political will against Chinese incursions in 2020.

A massive political war erupted in Lok Sabha as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to quote an unpublished "memoir" of former Army chief M M Naravane on the 2020 India-China conflict in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

In this edition of 'To The Point', the big talking point is the political confrontation in Lok Sabha following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s references to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane.

During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Gandhi raised concerns regarding India-China relations and the military situation at the Kailash Ridge in eastern Ladakh.

On this Special Report, correspondent Ashraf Wani provides an update on the severe weather conditions across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Following heavy snowfall on Thursday and Friday, temperatures in Srinagar plummeted to -6 degrees Celsius at night. Wani notes that 'The fresh snowfall has set stage for these ongoing Winter Games in Leh-Ladakh' under the Khelo India initiative, but the weather has caused significant logistical hurdles elsewhere. The Jammu-Srinagar highway, Mughal road, and Srinagar-Kharagpur highway remain closed, effectively cutting off the region by road. While electricity has been partially restored in Srinagar, many hilly areas remain without power due to damaged infrastructure. The Met Department warns of a new western disturbance entering the system on Monday, bringing another spell of heavy snowfall to the region. The report highlights the dual nature of the season, benefiting winter sports while severely disrupting daily life and essential services for residents.

This report highlights a significant administrative reshuffle in the national capital as IAS officer Sanjeev Kherwar is appointed the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The 1994-batch officer returns to a high-profile role in Delhi after being shunted to Ladakh in 2022 following a massive controversy. The speaker notes that 'Sanjeev Kherwar, the same man, the IAS officer, in fact, the top Babu, who was shunted to Ladakh, has now, in fact, been broken as the new MCD commissioner'. The appointment, notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, comes just ahead of the MCD's budget presentation. The bulletin recalls the 2022 incident at Thyagaraj Stadium where Kherwar was accused of halting athlete practices to walk his dog, sparking allegations of VVIP racism. While Kherwar denied the charges at the time, his return to a central role in Delhi's administration is expected to trigger fresh political reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress.

This report from Kartavya Path details the Indian Army's operational preparedness and modernization for the 2026 Republic Day parade. The coverage highlights indigenous weapon systems including the 400 km range BrahMos cruise missile, the Akash and MRSAM air defence systems, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, also known as Amogh. Emphasizing Atma Nirbharta, the report showcases the debut of the Bhairav Battalion, a unit designed for future warfare that bridges the gap between infantry and special forces. The display includes the 'Hell March,' T-90 Bhishma tanks equipped with cope cages for drone protection, and unmanned ground vehicles named Krishna and Nigraha. Additionally, the report features 'Drone Shakti' mobile repair units, the Jackalai regiment, and animal contingents such as Bactrian camels from Ladakh and anti-drone raptors Karan and Arjun. These preparations demonstrate the integration of technology with traditional resources to ensure national sovereignty across all terrains.

On this Special Report, Muzaffar Ahmad reports from the Srinagar-Kargil Highway on the transformative impact of the Zojila Tunnel project. Highlighting the strategic importance of the region, Ahmad states, 'This is a mega project which will be the game changer for the Ladakh region, not only for the people living in the Ladakh region, a boost for the tourism, but also for the security of the country.' The report explains that while the Sonmarg tunnel has already made Sonmarg accessible in winter, the upcoming Zojila Tunnel will ensure the Ladakh and Kargil regions remain connected by road year-round. This connectivity is crucial for transporting weaponry and essential items to the Line of Actual Control regardless of the season. Ahmad notes that despite current temperatures dropping to minus 25 degrees centigrade in areas like Mini-marg, the completed tunnel will provide a comfortable and reliable route for both civilians and army personnel, bypassing the extreme cold and heavy snowfall that historically isolated the region for months.

This special report highlights the alarming impact of global warming on the Himalayan glaciers in the Kargil region of Ladakh. The speaker notes that despite chilling winter temperatures, the lack of snowfall in mid-January is causing glaciers to shrink and water levels in local streams to recede. The report emphasizes that 'Global warming is the major issue and threat for the mankind across the globe as well as in India.' This environmental shift poses a severe threat to drinking water supplies, agriculture, and horticulture in the region. The speaker warns that the vanishing glaciers will have a long-term impact on the tributaries of major rivers that sustain life in both India and Pakistan. The programme underscores the visible changes in the Himalayan states of Kashmir, where the reduction of water flow in streams is becoming increasingly evident during the peak winter months.

On this special report of India Today Global, host Geeta Mohan discusses the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions targeting 18 individuals and entities accused of helping the Iranian regime evade oil sanctions. Bessent stated, 'Today's sanctions target 18 individuals and entities that the regime uses to evade sanctions on Iranian oil and divert proceeds from its energy sales away from the rightful owners, the Iranian people.' The report highlights President Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' policy, including a 25% tariff on nations doing business with Tehran. The programme also examines India's contingency plans to evacuate nearly 10,000 citizens from Iran amid the volatility. Professor Mohammad Marandi and other analysts provide insights into the potential for military escalation and the impact of these economic measures on the Iranian establishment and its people.

On this Special Report, India Today correspondent Muzaffar Ahmad Ashrafani reports from the Kargil region on the severe cold wave gripping North India, particularly Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Muzaffar Ahmad Ashrafani notes that 'In some areas the temperature dipped down to minus 50 degree', highlighting the extreme conditions faced by Indian Army soldiers. The report details how troops maintain a 24-hour vigil along the Line of Control (LOC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) despite temperatures falling to minus 40 degrees at night. The programme explores the resilience of the brave soldiers who remain fit for duty and ensure the nation's security amidst volatile situations and sub-zero daytime temperatures. The report emphasizes the challenges faced by both locals and the military in one of the world's harshest winter environments.

This special report highlights the extreme weather conditions in Dras, Kargil, known as the second coldest inhabited place on Earth. The speaker notes that 'The temperatures here nowadays are dipping down to minus 25 during night' and currently stand at minus 15 degrees even with the morning sun. The report illustrates the severity of the chill, showing frozen rivers and ice-fog that coats surrounding trees. Despite the life-threatening cold that has brought local markets and activities to a standstill, the strategic importance of the Ladakh region remains paramount. The programme emphasizes the resilience of the Indian Army soldiers who maintain a high vigil along the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control, where mountain-top temperatures can drop to minus 50 degrees. The report provides a glimpse into the immense challenges of guarding the nation's borders in such harsh, sub-zero environments where even basic equipment and communication devices frequently freeze.

A Special Report with Gaurav Sawant details India's dual security and diplomatic challenges. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi confirms that "Operation Sindoor" is ongoing, revealing a fierce fire assault in the Lipa Valley sector killed at least 100 Pakistani soldiers. This occurs amid intense political friction in New Delhi after a Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation met with both the BJP and the RSS, a first since the 2020 Galwan clash. The Congress party criticized the government for the engagement, which happened as China reaffirmed claims over the Shaksgam Valley. However, a senior Congress leader also met the same delegation. Experts Brahma Chellaney and Shrikant Kondapalli analyze if this signals a tactical shift while border disputes in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh persist and India maintains that Shaksgam Valley is its sovereign territory.

This report highlights the status of the Shaksgam valley, asserting that it is sovereign Indian territory currently under illegal occupation. The speaker notes, 'It's Indian territory illegally in Pakistani occupation and illegally given to China in 1963.' The transcript details how approximately 5,180 square kilometres of land in Jammu and Kashmir was ceded by Pakistan to China. It further clarifies that the northern areas, including Gilgit and Baltistan, are legally part of Ladakh and have been under illegal Pakistani control since 1947. The programme addresses claims made by the Chinese foreign ministry regarding the sovereignty of the region, labelling them as inaccurate. The discussion emphasizes that despite Chinese activity in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the region remains an integral part of India. The speaker concludes by reiterating that the Shaksgam valley and the surrounding northern areas are legally Indian, challenging the administrative distinctions attempted by Pakistan.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating political and diplomatic tension between India and China over the Shaksgam Valley. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, 'We have never recognized the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement that happened in 1963,' reiterating that the Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. The bulletin highlights the domestic political storm triggered by a high-level meeting between a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) delegation, led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan, and leaders of the BJP and RSS. While the government maintains these were courtesy calls to advance inter-party communication, the Congress party has questioned the timing of such engagements amidst fresh Chinese territorial claims and infrastructure construction in the region. The programme explores India's firm rejection of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the strategic challenges posed by Beijing's activities in occupied territories.

On this Special Report, Muzaffar Ahmad Ashrafani reports from the freezing landscape of Dras, known as the second coldest inhabited place on earth. Standing in a fast-flowing river, Ashrafani notes, 'The current temperature here is minus 16 degree centigrade which declined during the night to minus 25.' The report highlights how life comes to a standstill in these harsh conditions, with rivers beginning to freeze under snow cover. Ashrafani points out a concerning shift in weather patterns, observing that December was unusually warm and that the Himalayan region is witnessing significantly less snowfall than in previous years. He attributes these changes to the broader impact of global warming, noting that while the cold has returned in January, the traditional weather cycles of the region are being disrupted. The report emphasizes the importance of these water bodies as lifelines for populations across the borders in both India and Pakistan during the summer months.

The bulletin reports that a delegation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders met the RSS general secretary at the RSS headquarters in a meeting that lasted about half an hour, described by sources as a courtesy call. It also says the same delegation had visited the BJP headquarters in New Delhi and met BJP general secretary Arun Singh. The report states the delegation was led by Chinese Vice Minister Sun Haiyan and frames the outreach as the first major political engagement since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. A key quote aired is: 'There should be interaction and communication between Bharatiya Janata Party and Communist Party of China.' The bulletin adds that Congress has criticised the timing, citing territorial claims and construction activity in the Shaxkum valley under the CPEC corridor.

The bulletin focuses on the political row after BJP leaders hosted a Chinese delegation at the BJP headquarters in the national capital amid strained India-China ties and continuing tension at the LAC. The Congress attacks the meeting, with the key line being: 'Congress Party's Supriya Sinha claims China has claimed the Shaxgam Valley of Jammu and Kashmir as its own territory.' The programme also says the Congress alleges China has been carrying out construction for the past several days under the name of CPEC after Ladakh, and asks how China has managed to intrude and show 'audacity'. In the discussion, the meeting is described as giving the opposition fresh ammunition, while noting India’s position that unresolved issues must be addressed and it cannot be business as usual if tensions persist.

Ahead of the civic elections on January 15, a major political row erupted after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray targeted BJP leader K Annamalai during a joint rally.

This special report features the extraordinary journey of Chhonzin Angmo, a 100% blind mountaineer who has scaled some of the world's most formidable peaks. She recounts her historic ascent of Mount Everest on May 19, 2025, Mount Elbrus on August 13, 2025, and Mount Kilimanjaro on December 22, 2025. Angmo describes the unique way she experiences the world from these summits, relying on her guide's descriptions, her senses of hearing and smell, and a profound inner feeling. Sharing a powerful message for everyone, she says, 'If you want to do something in any field, then you should move forward. People's job is to speak, you have to move forward.' The report also touches upon the severe cold wave gripping North India, with record low temperatures and dense fog causing widespread disruption.