Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that his country violated the Lahore Declaration, a peace agreement signed with India in 1999. The disclosure came during Sharif’s assumption of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) presidency. The Lahore Declaration aimed to promote peace and stability between the two countries, but Pakistan’s subsequent actions, such as the infiltration of Kargil and support for terrorism, violated the agreement’s principles.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted severe heatwave conditions in several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi, until May 31. Additionally, rainfall has been forecast for various regions, such as Assam, Meghalaya, Kerala, West Bengal, and Sikkim, during the same period.
As India experiences sweltering summer temperatures, the travel sector has witnessed a significant 40% increase in tourist activities compared to the previous summer. This surge is driven primarily by an increased demand for leisure trips, with beach destinations and hill stations experiencing notable growth. Goa remains a popular beach spot, while mountain areas like Nainital, Rishikesh, and Manali are attracting visitors seeking tranquility.
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality leader, has announced plans to open a new Holiday Inn hotel in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2025 and will be the first Holiday Inn in Prayagraj. The signing of this agreement highlights IHG’s dedication to expanding its presence in important secondary markets across India. Holiday Inn is one of the most popular and esteemed hotel brands worldwide, catering to both business and family travelers. The new Holiday Inn Prayagraj will feature 95 rooms, a restaurant, meeting room, and fitness center. The hotel aims to provide a seamless experience for guests and cater to the needs of business, leisure, and religious travelers.
Indian pilgrims performing Hajj now have access to the Haramain High-Speed Train, offering a quicker and more comfortable journey from Jeddah Airport to Makkah. This significant upgrade from traditional bus transportation has been enabled by the collaboration between the Consulate General of India in Jeddah and Saudi authorities. The high-speed train service, with speeds of up to 300 km/h, significantly cuts travel time in half, providing a more efficient and pleasant pilgrimage experience.
On May 26th, Cyclone Remal made landfall over the coastal areas of Bangladesh and the adjoining West Bengal region in India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipated the landfall process to continue for approximately four hours, with maximum wind speeds reaching 110-120 kmph. The IMD stated that the cyclone would move northwards, impacting areas such as Sagar Islands, Khepupara, Canning, and Mongla. In response to the approaching cyclone, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose chaired an emergency review meeting. The state government, including Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, has implemented measures to manage the potential after-effects of the cyclone, including deploying teams for water clearance and activating pumping stations.
Thailand has extended a temporary visa exemption for tourists from India and Taiwan until November 11, 2024, in an effort to boost tourism. The exemption allows Indian and Taiwanese visitors to enter Thailand without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes. The extension is expected to have a positive impact on the Thai economy, particularly in the tourism sector.
Pilgrimage tourism in India is experiencing a resurgence, with travel agencies reporting a surge in demand ranging from 30% to 100% compared to last summer. Despite the heat, travelers are flocking to popular pilgrimage destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Uttarakhand, the Char Dham circuit, and Tirupati. Hotel companies are also benefiting from the increased demand, with Sarovar Hotels & Resorts projecting a significant contribution from religious and pilgrimage travel. The hotel industry is expected to record a 7-9% revenue growth in FY25, underpinned by domestic leisure travel, including pilgrimage tourism.
India and Bangladesh brace for Cyclone Remal, expected to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 120 kmh (75 mph). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings and mobilized its disaster relief forces in West Bengal, where rainfall has already commenced. Bangladesh has established shelters and deployed volunteers to mitigate potential impacts.
Anwarul Azim Anar, a Bangladeshi MP, was brutally murdered in Kolkata, India. Investigators have arrested the butcher involved in the crime and revealed the chilling details of the planning and execution. The plot was hatched in Bangladesh in January, with accomplices staying in Kolkata for four days prior to the murder. The MP’s body was strangulated and dismembered, with the aim of hiding his identity. The crime was executed in a rented flat, with the bathroom used for the gruesome act. After the murder, the culprits cleaned the scene and consumed food and alcohol.
