December 23, 2025 08:04 AM IST

First published on: Dec 23, 2025 at 07:20 AM IST

The Soviet Union has proposed a wider concept of Asian security which includes the renunciation of support for subversive and terrorist groups, and the creation of nuclear free zones with regard to the use and manufacture of nuclear weapons. The concept, to which there was a cursory reference in the joint communique issued after the visit of the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, to Moscow in May 1985, has now been elaborated to include the five principles of Panch Shila, earlier formulated by India and China, the 10 principles of the Bandung Conference, and also the initiatives advanced by the Soviet Union and other states of the region.

Pak declaration on martial law

A joint session of Pakistan’s National Assembly and the Senate have been summoned to meet in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported. The radio gave no other details. But, according to reports, the lifting of the eight-year-old martial law in Pakistan may be announced. Meanwhile, the Pakistan cabinet was apprised of President Zia-ul-Haq’s talks with the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, in New Delhi recently, the radio said.

Mahanta is new Assam CM

The Asom Gana Parishad president, Prafulla Mahanta, was appointed the new Chief Minister of Assam by the Governor, Bhishma Narain Singh. A Raj Bhawan communique said the Governor appointed Mahanta the Chief Minister “by virtue of the provision vested in clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution”. Earlier, after being unanimously elected the leader of the AGP legislature party, Mahanta met the Governor and staked his party’s claim.

AGP LS seats tally 7

The Asom Gana Parishad captured the last Lok Sabha seat declared in Assam’s elections, taking its tally to seven. The AGP, which contested 10 of the state’s 14 parliamentary seats, took the vacant Lakhimpur seat where its candidate, Gokul Saikia, emerged victorious from a ten-cornered fray.