- Thursday, September 21, 2023
INDIA on Thursday (21) suspended visa services for Canadian citizens, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, citing security threats to its staff in its consulates in Canada. The announcement came hours after Canada's high commission in India said it would temporarily "adjust" staff presence in the country after some diplomats received…
THE White House is "deeply concerned" about allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada and encourages India to cooperate in any investigation, said national security spokesman John Kirby. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday (18) that domestic intelligence…
CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation on Tuesday (19) that the Indian government was behind the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada led to an escalating war-of-words and diplomats being ejected from both countries. India described as “absurd” Trudeau’s claims that “credible allegations” linked Indian agents to the June…
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday (19) the cabinet had approved a bill to reserve one-third seats in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies for women, reviving a proposal that has been hanging for decades. The announcement by Modi during a special session of parliament comes…
Actress Kangana Ranaut, who was among the special women invitees at the Parliament, on Tuesday extended support to the Women's Reservation Bill, which was introduced today in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building in New Delhi. Talking to the media Kangana said, “This is a…
INDIA on Tuesday (19) rejected the "absurd" allegation that its agents were behind the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, after prime minister Justin Trudeau's bombshell accusation sent already sour diplomatic relations to a new low. Ottawa also expelled a diplomat it described as the head of India's foreign…
BRITAIN said on Tuesday (19) it was in close touch with its Canadian partners about "serious allegations" from Ottawa that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. "We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations," a government…
The High Commission of India in London in association with the London School of Trends and International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), presented a unique showcase titled "Celebrating LiFE Lifestyle for Environment at London Fashion Week" on "INDIA DAY" – Saturday (16). This event was part of London Fashion Week,…
THE production of 40 Airbus C295 medium tactical transport aircraft in India will be a "game changer" as it would facilitate the creation of a world-class aerospace ecosystem in the country, Indian ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik said. The Indian Air Force (IAF) received the first C295 aircraft on…
Santiniketan, the renowned location in India’s West Bengal, where poet Rabindranath Tagore established Visva-Bharati more than a century ago, has received UNESCO World Heritage List recognition. The announcement was made by the international organisation via a Twitter post on Sunday (17). "New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India.…
CANADIAN trade minister Mary Ng is postponing a trade mission to India planned for October, an official has said, reflecting increasingly tense diplomatic relations just days after India's prime minister snubbed his Canadian counterpart at a G20 summit in New Delhi. "At this time, we are postponing the upcoming trade…
APPLE farmers and political activists in Indian Kashmir protested on Wednesday (13) against the federal government's decision to remove an additional 20 per cent duty on the fruit imported from the US saying cheaper American apples will hurt local growers. The decision to remove the additional duty was one of…
INDIA’S opposition alliance on Thursday (14) decided to boycott shows of 14 television anchors in a move a journalists’ association called “unacceptable”.The media committee of INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) said it will not send its representatives to debates hosted by them.The journalists include Arnab Goswami of Republic TV,…
THE first phase of the Ram temple in India's northern town of Ayodhya will be completed in December and will open to devotees in January, an official said on Thursday (14). The site where the temple was built was bitterly contested for years, with both Hindus and Muslims laying claim…
THE G20 Summit in New Delhi has positioned India as a key player in the global arena, edging closer to becoming the 'leader of the Global South,' according to analysts. The two-day summit, which concluded on Sunday (10), showcased India's leadership as it championed initiatives aimed at countering the ascendancy…
The Rig Veda inscriptions and Panini's grammar treatise 'Ashtadhyayi,' which were India's contributions to the G20 'Culture Corridor' exhibition held at the summit venue, have been exhibited under the name of 'Bharat.' The Rig Veda, an ancient Indian text representing the country's contribution to the international project in the 'symbols…
Leaders from various countries, including heads of state, who participated in the G20 Summit held in Delhi, were presented with a carefully curated assortment of handcrafted artifacts and products that reflect India's vibrant cultural heritage, officials announced on Tuesday (12). They said a number of these gifts were painstakingly created…
CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau belatedly left India on Tuesday (12) after an aircraft breakdown forced a two-day extension of his rocky visit to New Delhi for the G20 summit. Trudeau arrived in India for the meeting of the leaders of 20 leading economies last Friday (8) and was due…
US CHIP firm Nvidia on Friday (8) announced AI partnerships with Indian conglomerates Reliance Industries and Tata Group to develop cloud infrastructure and language models, as well as generative applications. The deals with two of India’s largest business houses will help the US chip firm deepen inroads to the emerging…
THE prime minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (11) told British lawmakers that he had “warm and productive” discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, as he updated parliament on his recent visit to New Delhi for the Indialed G20 summit. Addressing the…
Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar were among the film personalities who hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful presidency of G20, calling it a moment of "honour and pride" for every Indian. The G20 Summit came to an end on Sunday. The grouping of emerging…
During his G20 presidency, Narendra Modi strategically enhanced his domestic and international reputation as a guardian of national influence and well-being, emphasising India's global standing in anticipation of the upcoming general elections next year. Over several months, the 72-year-old leader's presence has been pervasive throughout Delhi, as his image adorned…
The conclusion of the G20 summit marked important political milestones and offered a plethora of fashion moments for inspiration. Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty’s wardrobe garnered much attention, making her elegant looks the talk of the town. She was seen at various events in India’s capital city showcasing her traditional…
French president Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (10) that the G20 leaders' declaration "confirms" Russia's isolation regarding the Ukraine crisis. He also noted that India's presidency of the bloc made significant efforts to convey a message of unity and peace to the world. At a media briefing, he also said…
Narendra Modi concluded the G20 summit on Sunday, which notably downplayed significant disagreements regarding the Ukraine conflict and climate change. Despite the contentious issues, the summit afforded him a diplomatic moment in the spotlight. The ongoing Ukraine conflict has deeply divided G20 nations since Moscow's invasion last year, leading Russian…
PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak said he had spoken with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi about the continued detention of a British Sikh human rights campaigner in the south Asian country. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in the northern state of Punjab when he was shopping with his wife in November…
I landed in Delhi on the 24th of August, the day after India successfully landed a spacecraft on the south pole of the moon, making it 1 of only 4 countries in the world to have landed on the moon. In his excellent speech at the B20, prime minister Narendra…
FRENCH president Emmanuel Macron was in Bangladesh on Monday (11) in a bid to "consolidate" his country’s Indo-Pacific strategy and counterbalance a "new imperialism" in a region where China's influence is increasingly being extended. "Based on democratic principles and the rule of law, in a region facing new imperialism, we…
Narendra Modi passed the G20 presidential gavel to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Sunday (10) and conveyed his confidence that India's successor would continue to promote global unity and prosperity. During the concluding session of the G20 Leaders' Summit, Modi transferred the ceremonial gavel to Lula, and…
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about protests in Canada against India to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, according a statement by India. New Delhi has been long sensitive to Sikh protesters in Canada. In June, India criticised…
GLOBAL leaders have gathered in New Delhi for a two-day mega summit, with the G20 summit venue Bharat Mandapam taking center stage. The venue was officially inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi in July. This impressive convention centre, conceived in line with the prime minister's vision for state-of-the-art infrastructure to…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak expressed confidence in the possibility of securing a free trade deal with India but cautioned that there is still significant work ahead. Sunak and Narendra Modi met on Saturday (9) for what Sunak described as a "very warm and productive discussion." Their conversation included a wide…
INDIA's strong leadership made it possible for G20 leaders to reach consensus in intense discussions on a summit message urging nations to shun use of force in territorial disputes, a senior European Union official said on Sunday (10). For weeks before the New Delhi meeting, the bloc struggled to agree…
G20 leaders, including US president Joe Biden, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and UN secretary general António Guterres, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat on Sunday (10). Prime minister Narendra Modi received the leaders at the rain-drenched Rajghat. Modi welcomed his guests to the site where the…
GLOBAL leaders announced a multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia on Saturday (9) on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. The pact comes at a critical time as US president Joe Biden seeks to counter China's Belt and Road push on…
THE Group of 20 nations adopted a consensus declaration at a summit on Saturday (9) that avoided condemnation of Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states to refrain from the use of force to seize territory. Prime minister Narendra Modi of host India announced that the…
THE G20 has adopted a consensus declaration on issues facing the bloc, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday (9) during a summit, signalling that negotiators had resolved deep differences over the wording on the war in Ukraine. He gave no details on the compromise wording. "On the back…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak was greeted with the salutation of "Jai Siyaram" by Indian minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey who received the visiting dignitary upon his arrival in New Delhi on Friday (8) to attend the G20 summit. Choubey informed Sunak that he is an MP from Buxar which, he noted,…
PRIME minister Narendra Modi's placard at the opening of the G20 summit on Saturday (9) referred to India as "Bharat", raising speculation of a change of name for the south Asian nation. India is also called Bharat, Bharata, Hindustan - its pre-colonial names - in Indian languages and these are…
THE African Union was made a permanent member of the G20, comprising the world's richest and most powerful countries, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said at the bloc's summit in New Delhi on Saturday (9). The African Union, a continental body of 55 member states, now has the same status…
Over the past year, India has been buzzing with anticipation as the country prepares to host the G20 summit, an event that is being touted as one of the most high-profile in recent memory. With a budget exceeding $100 million, India has spared no expense in organising this prestigious gathering.…
LEADERS of the world's wealthiest and most influential nations are set to convene at the two-day G20 Summit in India's capital, New Delhi, commencing on Saturday (9). This marks India's inaugural hosting of this prestigious assembly of global leaders. The capital city has been adorned with ornate flowers and fountains…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has said the country is working towards a trade deal with India but cautioned that reaching a final agreement was "not a given", the Daily Mirror reported on Friday (8). Sunak arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the annual gathering of the Group of 20…
Rishi Sunak said on Friday (8) that his trip to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit is "obviously special". He jokingly mentioned the nickname "son-in-law of India," as the first British prime minister of Indian heritage and being married to Akshata Murty, an Indian. Speaking to reporters in a…
US president Joe Biden headed for the G20 in India on Thursday (7) promising that the summit would "deliver" despite the absence of the Chinese and Russian leaders. Biden is hoping to seize on the no-shows by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to boost US influence, and show that the…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said Thursday (7) that leaders of the G20 summit he is chairing this weekend must support developing nations to tackle climate change with more cash and by sharing technology. Against a backdrop of record-breaking temperatures and deadly heatwaves across the globe, climate scientists and activists…
As India prepares to host the G20 Summit, a group of nine retired judges has reached out to the leaders of G20 nations, urging them to seek a compassionate resolution by repatriating Indian children who have been separated from their parents by state child agencies in Western Europe, the UK,…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak emphasised the significance of India's diversity and its remarkable achievements, asserting that it is the opportune moment for the nation to assume the G20 presidency. He praised prime minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past year and highlighted that India's leadership in the G20 comes at…
WHAT does prime minister discuss at the dinner table with his Indian parents-in-law? Is it Indian politics or the challenges of running Britain? Neither. It's cricket. "The most political we tend to get is in our discussion of cricket. I've agreed that my daughters can support India when it comes…
THE free trade agreement (FTA) talks with India are progressing and Britain will only agree to a pact that works for the whole of the UK, prime minister Rishi Sunak said. Ahead of his first visit to India as prime minister to attend the G20 World Leaders' Summit in New…
INDIA’S government is likely to bring a resolution to rename the country as “Bharat”, media reports have said. President Draupadi Murmu’s invite to G20 heads of state for a dinner later this week came in the name of “President of Bharat” instead of the usual ‘President of India’. This triggered…
PRIME minister Narendra Modi has said the perception of India has changed as the country prepares to host world leaders at the G20 summit this weekend. In an interview with the Press Trust of India news agency, Modi also called on the United Nations to reform in line with 21st…
Rishi Sunak has dismissed the possibility of a swift trade agreement with India, effectively ruling out the likelihood of securing a deal before this week's G20 summit in Delhi or even before next year's elections, The Guardian reported. Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations have reported that the prime minister…
INDIA launched major military drills on Monday (4), including along contested border areas with China, which will continue during the G20 summit in New Delhi that president Xi Jinping will skip. The 11 days of drills named "Trishul", or trident, were "an annual training exercise" in northern zones bordering Pakistan…
US president Joe Biden will travel to India next week to participate in the G20 Summit and will have a bilateral meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi on September 8, the White House has announced. India, president of the G20, will host global leaders for the summit scheduled to take…
ABOUT 80 per cent of Indians have a favourable view of prime minister Narendra Modi and around seven in 10 Indians believe their country has recently become more influential, according to a survey by the PEW Research Center. The survey, released ahead of the G20 Summit, also noted that public…
The Adani Group of India on Thursday (31), retaliated against a recent report probing alleged manipulation of the conglomerate's share prices. The group accused the report’s authors of collaborating to deliberately lower its stock value for personal gain. The conglomerate, which operates across global ports and power sectors, experienced a…
THE successful Chandrayaan-3 moon mission last week elevates the country’s status as a space power and has geopolitical implications in the region, science and security experts said, as the country’s space organisation revealed its next project – to study the sun. Days after becoming the first nation to land a…
India has conveyed a strong protest to China regarding an unveiled map that asserts ownership over Indian territory. The map, made public by China's ministry of natural resources on Monday (28), shows the disputed Aksai Chin plateau and the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of China's territory, the…
WOMEN’S contribution to Indian space exploration has come under the spotlight after the country’s Moon mission Chandrayaan 3 made a soft landing near the lunar south pole last week.The place where the mission landed is named ‘Shiv Shakti’, a term which recognises both men and women.Several women scientists of the…
Star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy said he was a tad disappointed to miss out on a World championships gold medal, but said the bronze meant a lot to him, calling it as the "first starting step" on way to the coveted title. Prannoy's dream run at the World Championships ended…
RUSSIA will be represented by its foreign minister at the G20 summit in New Delhi, president Vladimir Putin told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in a phone call on Monday (28) where the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties. The two leaders also spoke about the planned expansion of the…
THE trade deal between the UK and India is facing uncertainty due to disagreements over the former's request for stricter regulations on the manufacturing of affordable generic medicines, reported The Telegraph. India's negotiators have opposed the proposal to extend drug patents before allowing the production of less expensive alternatives. This…
INDIA'S budget Moon landing is a model for other countries aspiring to develop their own space programmes, prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday (26) while praising the scientists behind the successful mission. Chandrayaan-3 - mooncraft in Sanskrit - touched down on the lunar surface on Wednesday (23), making India…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg and highlighted concerns India has about border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India's foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi agreed "to direct their relevant officials to intensify…
THE five BRICS developing nations will admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, they said on Thursday (24), a move aimed at growing the clout of the bloc as it pushes to rebalance the prevailing world order. The expansion could also pave the way for…
INDIA began exploring the Moon's surface with a rover on Thursday (24), a day after it became the first nation to land a craft near the largely unexplored lunar south pole. Pragyan -- "Wisdom" in Sanskrit -- rolled out of the lander hours after the latest milestone in India's ambitious…
LEADERS of the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – were due to open a summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday (22) where they will weigh expanding membership as some members push to forge the bloc into a counterweight to the West. Heightened global tensions provoked by…
AN Indian spacecraft landed on the rugged, unexplored south pole of the moon on Wednesday (23) in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India's standing as a space power, just days after a similar Russian lander crashed. "This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a…
INDIA is now on the moon and the success belongs to all humanity, prime minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday (23) as Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully on the lunar surface. Addressing ISRO scientists virtually from Johannesburg, he said India made a resolve “on the Earth and fulfilled it on the Moon”.…
PRIME minister Narendra Modi viewed a model of the under-construction Swaminarayan temple in Johannesburg on Tuesday (22). The temple at North Riding, north of Johannesburg, has been under construction since 2017 and is expected to be completed next year. Modi viewed the model while participating in a community event ahead…
THE Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) is closing in on an attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole. Here are key facts about the Chandrayaan-3 mission. WHAT IS INDIA'S CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION? The Chandrayaan-3 is aimed at the lunar south pole, a region with water ice, or frozen…
AN Indian spacecraft landed on the moon on Wednesday (23), the space agency said, in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India's standing as a space power, just days after a similar Russian lander crashed. For India, the successful landing marks its emergence as a space power…
AT LEAST labourers working on a railway bridge being built across a ravine in India's eastern Mizoram state were killed when it collapsed on Wednesday (23), officials said, with others reported missing. Video footage posted by Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga showed a metal frame that had toppled off towering columns…
Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Pooja Hirwade performed a Bharatanatyam piece on 'Namo Namo Bharatambe' and Chandrayaan Anthem on Wednesday. According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandrayaan-3 is all set to create history by landing on the uncharted south pole of the moon today. Sharing her excitement, Pooja Hirwade told…
THE space race India aims to win this week by landing first on the moon’s south pole is about science, the politics of national prestige and a new frontier: money. If India’s Chandrayaan-3 succeeds in landing on the lunar south pole on Wednesday (23), analysts and executives expect an immediate…
EXCITEMENT rose in India on Tuesday (22) on the eve of a much-anticipated moon landing, with prayers held for its success, schools marshalling students to watch a live telecast of the event and space enthusiasts organising parties to celebrate. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was scheduled to…
Leaders of the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – were due to open a summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday (22) where they will weigh expanding membership as some members push to forge the bloc into a counterweight to the West. Heightened global tensions provoked by…
INDIA’S Ministry of Tourism last Saturday (19) launched a campaign to showcase the country as a premier wedding destination. Officials said the drive will also aim to unlock the potential of India's huge wedding industry. Federal Minister for Tourism, G Kishan Reddy, said at the launch, “Today marks the beginning…
The space race India aims to win this week by landing first on the moon's south pole is about science, the politics of national prestige and a new frontier: money. If India's Chandrayaan-3 succeeds in landing on the lunar south pole on Wednesday (23), analysts and executives expect an immediate…
Excitement rose in India on Tuesday (22) on the eve of a much-anticipated moon landing, with prayers held for its success, schools marshalling students to watch a live telecast of the event and space enthusiasts organising parties to celebrate. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to…
India's space agency on Monday (21) released images its spacecraft took of the far side of the moon as it headed for an attempted landing on the lunar south pole, just days after the failure of a Russian lander. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft had been in…
Three-time Grammy-award-winning musician, Ricky Kej, who recently came up with his own interpretation of the Indian National Anthem along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recalled meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time, calling it a “life-changing experience” for him. While talking exclusively to ANI, Ricky said, “I’ve…
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami has said, the Group of 20 (G20) stands as the foremost platform globally for fostering inclusive growth. He remarked that India's current presidency of the G20 has played a pivotal role in amplifying the perspectives of the Global South, contributing to the…
INDIA on Tuesday (15) completed 76 years as an independent country. The historian, Ramachandra Guha, provided a report card in a long article in the Sunday Times (13), headed, “Can India be the next superpower?” Guha, known to be a critic of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya…
RISHI SUNAK has said his upcoming visit to India for a G20 summit early next month will be “special” as Britain’s first Asian prime minister returns to the homeland of his grandparents. Sunak is scheduled to travel to New Delhi in September – his first as prime minister since taking…
Being an Indian, Grammy winner Ricky Kej says leading the UK's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) for a rendition of "Jana Gana Mana" was special as the national anthem has been the most "important piece of music" in his life. Kej on Monday shared the video of the national anthem, recorded…
Actor Akshay Kumar on Tuesday announced that he has once again become an Indian citizen, a news that he shared with his fans on Independence Day. Kumar, who has often faced criticism over his Canadian citizenship, shared a photo of his Indian citizenship certificate on X, formerly Twitter. "Dil aur…
Rescuers conducted searches on Tuesday (15) for individuals who were potentially unaccounted for in the wake of floods and landslides that have resulted in the death of at least 58 in India, including nine who were killed in the tragic collapse of a well-known temple in Shimla. Days of torrential…
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday (15) that his government was working to end ethnic clashes in the country's remote northeast that have killed more than 150 people since May. The federal government has deployed security forces to the hilly state bordering Myanmar governed by Modi's Bharatiya Janata…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reacted to three-time Grammy award-winning musician Ricky Kej’s instrumental rendition of the Indian national anthem which he created in collaboration with the 100-member British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Wonderful. It will certainly make every Indian proud.” https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1691101478293786624 Kej…
FROM Indian poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar to English great William Shakespeare, MPs quoted extensively from literature to put across their arguments over the Manipur violence. Opposition parties moved a no-confidence motion against prime minister Narendra Modi’s government over Manipur. The motion was defeated by voice vote on Thursday (10) but…
INDIA'S government moved three bills in the lower house of parliament on Friday (11) aimed at overhauling some colonial-era criminal laws, ranging from the controversial sedition law to strengthening laws that protect women and minors. On the last day of the monsoon session of the parliament, home minister Amit Shah…
INDIA’S government defeated a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday (10) after a fiery speech by prime minister Narendra Modi at the climax of a three-day debate. Opposition lawmakers - who had brought the motion over months of ethnic violence in Manipur state - walked out of the chamber, prompting…
Three-time Grammy-award-winning musician Ricky Kej, who is set to come up with his own interpretation of the Indian National Anthem along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on the eve of Independence Day, spoke about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a ‘big influence’ on his music career. Speaking…
INDIA will remain an “active and willing partner” to find a “lasting” solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the country’s national security advisor said, after attending a peace conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Sunday (6). Ajit Doval told delegates the responsibility to end the war was in the hands…
INDIA'S clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in this year's ODI World Cup has been brought forward a day to October 14 among eight other fixture changes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Wednesday (9). The world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad will host the hotly anticipated match, originally set for October…
The police reported on Wednesday (9) that a website dedicated to providing factual information about Hinduism, managed by an individual from Pune, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra received a comment containing threats of a bomb blast in the country and harm to prime minister Narendra Modi.…
RICE planting in India could fall by five per cent as New Delhi’s decision to ban non-basmati white rice exports will cut farm income and encourage growers to switch to other crops, a leading farmers’ group with close ties to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed. The world’s biggest…
INDIA's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemned prime minister Narendra Modi's inaction over deadly ethnic conflict in the country's northeast on Wednesday (9), in his first parliamentary speech since his defamation conviction was suspended. Modi's administration is being forced this week to defend its conduct over months of violence in Manipur…
EVERYONE knows that the easiest way to win an election is to “encourage” the opposition candidate to stand down. In Pakistan, Imran Khan has been cancelled by the army. He should have known those who live by the army die by the army. He has been given a three-year jail…
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will travel to India to take part in the Red Fort address of prime minister Narendra Modi on the country’s Independence Day on August 15, according to an official statement. The bipartisan Congressional delegation is led by Indian-American congressman Ro Khanna and congressman Michael…
INDIA in recent months has barred domestic manufacturers of military drones from using components made in China over concerns about security vulnerabilities, according to four defence and industry officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. The measure comes amid tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours and as New Delhi pursues a military…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi will attend the next BRICS summit to be held Johannesburg in-person from August 22, the South African government has said. It dismissed some media reports as "rumours" that the Indian leader will not take part in the meeting of the five-nation grouping. The BRICS bloc…
PAKISTAN'S government on Sunday (6) said the country's cricket team will be allowed to play in the World Cup in India later this year, but expressed "deep concerns" over security. "Pakistan has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team. We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket…
The documentary film The Elephant Whisperers, which made headlines globally for winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards, thus becoming the first Indian film to win an Academy Award in that category at the Oscars, is in the news once again but for…
INDIA'S main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was restored to parliament Monday (7) after the Supreme Court last week suspended his defamation conviction over political comments criticising prime minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi is the scion of India's premier political dynasty and his reinstatement was welcomed by other members of the Congress…
Three soldiers were killed in a clash with suspected rebels amidst the fourth anniversary of New Delhi's direct rule imposition in Indian-administered Kashmir. The confrontation occurred as an army patrol, searching for armed insurgents in the forests of Halan in the southern Kashmir valley, engaged in an exchange of fire…
In anticipation of the forthcoming BRICS summit in South Africa, where discussions will revolve around the potential admission of new members, India refuted on Thursday (03) any validity to the "baseless" reports suggesting its opposition to the expansion of the five-nation alliance. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi addressed this matter…
THE Supreme Court of India on Friday (4) suspended opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, enabling him to return to parliament and contest national elections due next year. Gandhi was convicted in March in a case brought by a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata…
India will take part in the Ukraine peace talks to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 5 and 6, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry, Arindam Bagchi, announced during a news briefing on Thursday (03). The talks have been initiated by Saudi Arabia, which extended invitations to Western…
SRI LANKAN president Ranil Wickremesinghe plans to press ahead with the full implementation of amended legislation as part of his reconciliation efforts with the country's minority Tamil community. The Tamils have been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to the community. Brought in…
Madame Tussauds Dubai unveiled a wax statue of Pakistan's late former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto on Sunday (30), marking her as the first individual from the country to be featured among the famous personalities in the museum's franchise branch. The figure was unveiled at Bluewaters Island by Pakistan's foreign minister,…
INDIA on Thursday (3) said it will impose a licensing requirement for imports of laptops, tablets and personal computers with immediate effect, a move that could hit hard the likes of Apple, Dell and Samsung and force them to boost local manufacturing. Current regulations in India allow companies to import…
AN Indian court has allowed a “detailed scientific survey” to determine if a 17th-century mosque was built upon a temple in Varanasi.The Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition challenging a lower court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the Gyanvapi mosque.Many Hindus believe the mosque, located…
INDIAN football’s “rapid strides in recent past” and an upsurge in public interest in the sport presented a “compelling case” for the inclusion of the men’s and women’s teams for the upcoming Asian Games, national federation president Kalyan Chaubey said. The participation of the Indian men’s and women’s football sides…
RIOT police were patrolling urban neighbourhoods near India's capital on Wednesday (2) following a second night of sectarian riots that have killed six people so far. The unrest began Monday (31) when mobs hurled stones at a Hindu religious procession and set cars alight in the predominantly Muslim district of…
CHARRED walls, collapsed tin roofs and smashed windows in a burned Kuki community church illustrate how deadly ethnic violence has led to brutal sectarian attacks in India’s troubled Manipur state. At least 120 people have been killed since May in armed clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the…
GLOBAL semiconductor majors have committed investments in India as prime minister Narendra Modi offered 50 per cent financial assistance for chip makers setting up plants in the country. It comes after Modi’s ambitions to promote semiconductor manufacturing suffered a setback last month when Taiwanese tech major Foxconn pulled out of…
AT LEAST 17 workers were crushed to death in western India on Tuesday (1) when a crane collapsed above an under-construction expressway outside the financial capital Mumbai, disaster response officials said. The crane toppled onto large concrete slabs during the night, with debris then smashing down as labourers worked on…
INDIA and Britain could sign a free trade agreement (FTA) this year as both countries have reached consensus on the broad contours of the proposed deal aiming to boost economic growth and jobs, a top trade ministry official said. "We want to finalise the deal at the earliest," Sunil Barthwal,…
US congresswoman Grace Meng has said that Diwali should be declared a federal holiday in the country. She added that the festival is celebrated by millions of Americans from various faiths and religions including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Meng, a lawyer-turned-politician, who represents the sixth congressional district of New…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi laid bare his blueprint for a third term of his government, saying India will become the third largest economy in the world with a faster growth rate than now. Modi government will complete 10 years in office next May and he is seeking a third…
LEADERS of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Paris recently to apprise him of the progress made in the construction of a Hindu temple in the French capital. The Sanstha, an India-headquartered socio-spiritual organisation, is constructing what is set to become mainland Europe’s first…
SRI LANKAN president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (26) will hold an all-party meeting to discuss the thorny issue of ethnic reconciliation of minority Tamils in the island nation. The meeting was called by the president to discuss the government’s national reconciliation programme and the way forward. The all-party move comes…
INDIA'S parliament on Wednesday (26) authorised a no-confidence vote against Narendra Modi's government by an alliance of opposition parties, to force the prime minister to address in detail concerns about ethnic clashes in a northeastern state. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a clear majority of 301 members in the…
INDIA’S principal opposition has outscored prime minister Narendra Modi’s party in terms of the number of wealthy provincial lawmakers, according to a democracy campaign group. A total of 33 members of state legislative assemblies (MLAs) belonging to the Congress are “billionaires” in rupee terms, compared with 24 of the Bharatiya…
SRI LANKA tightened security last Sunday (23) as activists lit oil lamps in Colombo commemorating the hundreds killed in 1983 anti-Tamil riots that fuelled a deadly civil war. "Let's not forget the slaughter of Tamils," read a banner carried by members of North-South Solidarity, a group of rights defenders from…
In India's troubled northeastern state of Manipur, gender prevailed over the tribe as a group of enraged Indian mothers set fire to the homes of two men from their own community. The men were accused of abusing women in a video that caused widespread outrage. The region has been marred…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a long note remembering maestro of melody Mukesh on his 100th birth anniversary on Saturday. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Remembering the maestro of melody, Mukesh, on his 100th birth anniversary. His timeless songs evoke a wide range of emotions and have left…
The governments of India and Sri Lanka on Friday (21) revealed their plans to enhance economic relations through increased cooperation in renewable energy and the exploration of a potential oil pipeline and land bridge connecting the two countries. Additionally, India will provide support in developing a port and economic hub…
INDIA on Thursday (20) ordered a halt to its largest rice export category in a move that will roughly halve shipments by the world's largest exporter of the grain. New Delhi’s move triggers fears of further inflation on global food markets. The government said it was imposing a ban on…
INDIAN police have arrested four men accused of parading two women naked in front of a mob in a northeastern state where months of ethnic violence have left at least 120 dead. The suspects were identified from a video clip of the incident in early May that went viral on…
A New Delhi court on Thursday (20) extended the bail of Brij Bhushan Singh, the chief of India's wrestling federation, who is facing allegations of sexually harassing female wrestlers, as reported by ANI. Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also a federal lawmaker from prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party,…
Actors Akshay Kumar, Urmila Matondkar, Sanjay Dutt, and Kiara Advani on Thursday expressed shock over a May 4 video of two tribal women being paraded naked in strife-hit Manipur and demanded punishment for the perpetrators of the "horrifying" incident. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the video surfaced…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (20) called the alleged sexual assault of women in the northeastern state of Manipur "shameful", urging heads of state governments to ensure the safety of women. Videos have surfaced on social media purporting to show two women paraded naked on a street in…
The Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh experienced the unfortunate deaths of two male cheetahs within a week, attributed to septicemia - blood poisoning by bacteria which was a result of the radio collars worn around their necks in the prevailing wet conditions, an expert said. Male cheetah Suraj,…
MORE than two dozen Indian opposition parties said on Tuesday (18) they had joined hands to form an alliance called "INDIA" to take on prime minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in parliamentary elections next year. Naming the alliance INDIA is seen as an attempt by the opposition…
Sri Lanka's president is scheduled to arrive in India on Thursday (20) for his first visit to the country, with concerns mounting in New Delhi over China's increasing influence in the strategically placed but financially bankrupt island. New Sri Lankan leaders usually travel to India within a few weeks of…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi met Leena Nair, the global CEO of French luxury fashion house, Chanel, and discussed ways to enhance skill development among artisans in India and to make Khadi more popular. Modi was in Paris last week to attend the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour…
NINE months before a general election, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have dusted off a potentially divisive plan to enact a common set of personal laws for all, irrespective of religion. Currently, India's Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and large tribal populations follow their own personal…
TOP Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the country's highest court last Saturday (15) over his conviction for defamation, one of his lawyers said, days after a lower court refused to intervene. Gandhi was sentenced to two years' jail for comments he made in 2019 which a court ruled…
French president, Emmanuel Macron, presented prime minister Narendra Modi with a framed facsimile of a 1916 photograph showing a Parisian offering some flowers to a Sikh officer, along with a replica of the Charlemagne chessmen dating back to the 11th century, officials said. [caption id="attachment_242290" align="aligncenter" width="679"] The 1916 photograph…
Actor R Madhavan, who attended the banquet dinner held by French President Emmanuel Macron for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Louvre Museum, on Sunday said he was in awe of the two leaders who "passionately described their vision for the future of these two great friendly nations" at the…
Three-time Grammy-award-winning musician Ricky Kej on Friday (local time) attended the banquet dinner that French President Emmanuel Macron hosted in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre Museum in France. Taking to Twitter, Ricky shared a couple of selfies from the event and wrote, “Wow! Our Hon'ble Prime…
THE European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, with particular reference to the recent clashes in Manipur, a move rejected by India as "unacceptable" and a reflection of "colonial mindset". The Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday (13) called on Indian authorities to put in…
French president Emmanuel Macron has bestowed the highest honour of the country upon Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, according to an announcement made by the presidency on Friday (14) ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations. Macron awarded Modi the grand cross of the Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honour), the highest…
INDIA launched a rocket on Friday (14) carrying an unmanned spacecraft to land on the Moon, its second attempt to do so as its cut-price space programme seeks to reach new heights. "Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India's space odyssey," prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted from France, where he…
INDIA'S defence ministry has given initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday (13), ahead of prime minister Narendra Modi's arrival in France. Modi is on his way to deepen ties with New…
INDIA’S multi-billion-dollar purchases of US arms are less about shifting its reliance on Russian defence equipment and moving towards the West - it’s more about developing its own domestic weapons industry, security officials and analysts say. India is the world’s biggest arms importer, but almost all of its major weapons…
FOXCONN said it intends to apply for incentives under India's semiconductor production plan, a day after the Taiwanese firm split with Vedanta on a $19.5 billion chipmaking joint venture. Foxconn withdrew from the JV with the Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate on Monday (10), in a setback to prime minister Narendra Modi's…
Two additional cheetahs have been introduced to the Kuno National Park (KNP) in the Sheopur district of India’s Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total count to 12, a senior forest official said Tuesday (11). Last year, prime minister Narendra Modi released eight Namibian cheetahs, consisting of five females and three males,…
A vegetable vendor in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi was taken into custody after a man deployed two bouncers on Sunday (09) at his shop, to prevent buyers from getting aggressive over high tomato prices. The shopkeeper, Raj Narayan, has been arrested and Ajay Fauji, a Samajwadi Party (SP) worker who organised…
The guest of honour for the Bastille Day celebrations in France on Friday (14) is Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the ongoing efforts of Western powers to engage with India, the world's largest democracy and a rapidly growing economy. President Emmanuel Macron extended a warm reception to Modi, following…
INDIA'S top court on Tuesday (11) began considering a challenge to the 2019 imposition of direct rule in Kashmir, where prime minister Narendra Modi's government suspended a section of the constitution that guarantees limited autonomy to the region. The Supreme Court in New Delhi will weigh whether the move was…
TAIWAN'S Foxconn has withdrawn from a $19.5 billion (£15bn) semiconductor joint venture with Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta, it said on Monday (10), in a setback to prime minister Narendra Modi's chipmaking plans for India. The world's largest contract electronics maker signed a pact with Vedanta last year to set up…
VOTING in local polls in India's West Bengal state resumed on Monday (10) at hundreds of election centres after being disrupted by violence that left 10 people dead, officials said. The state election commission reported seven people were killed last Saturday (8) in election-related violence and another three died "in…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, guest of honour at France's Bastille Day celebration, will dine with French president Emmanuel Macron at the Louvre museum on Friday, Macron's office said. More than 200 guests will join the two leaders on France's national holiday for the dinner in Modi's honour at the…
A SENIOR US diplomat will travel to India in the coming days and engage with its civil society over free speech and marginalisation of minorities. It comes after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's recent US visit when he denied that abuse of religious minorities existed in his country. Uzra Zeya,…
A tri-services contingent consisting of 269 members from the Indian armed forces left for Paris on Thursday (06) to participate in the upcoming Bastille Day parade, which will be graced by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour. Adding to the spectacle, three Rafale fighter jets from…
A HIGH COURT in western India rejected an appeal by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (7) to suspend his conviction in a defamation case. The court decision quashes for now his hope of returning to parliament and contesting national elections due next year. Gandhi can now take his appeal…
AN Indian court sentenced 10 men to 10 years in jail for the lynching of a Muslim man, who died after being tortured and forced to chant Hindu slogans . Tabrez Ansari was tied to a pole and tortured for 12 hours in 2019, as he cried and pleaded with…
British foreign minister James Cleverly has issued a warning against any potential attacks targeting the Indian High Commission in London. This caution comes in response to media reports highlighting a poster promoting a rally advocating for a separate state for the Sikh community and its supporters. "Any direct attacks on…
Indian women wrestlers and their families, aghast at accusations of sexual harassment by a top sports administrator, are pressing for reforms, ranging from guardians accompanying contestants to demands for more women officials in senior ranks of the sport. A trial court admitted this month a case of sexual harassment and…
The globally acclaimed yoga instructor, Sadhguru, has a staggering online following of over 10 million devoted followers. With an optimistic outlook, he envisions an unlimited potential for the growth of his followers in the years to come. "I think in 25 years you will have probably 60 to 70 percent…
AT LEAST 25 people, including three children, were killed and eight others injured in western India when a bus crashed and caught fire on an expressway early Saturday (1). The bus was travelling to Pune when it hit a pole and overturned after midnight, causing its diesel tank to catch…
RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin discussed the situation around Ukraine and how Moscow had resolved an armed mercenary mutiny in a telephone call with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (30), the Kremlin said. It said that Modi had expressed support for what the Kremlin called the Russian leadership's decisive…
AN INDIAN court on Friday fined Twitter $61,000 after dismissing its plea challenging orders to remove tweets and accounts critical of prime minister Narendra Modi's government. The world's biggest democracy petitions Twitter for content removals more than almost any other country, and the platform regularly takes down or blocks content…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi met Goldman Sachs' key leadership on Wednesday (28) in New Delhi and highlighted India's potential and opportunities to the leading global banking and investment firm. "Had a fruitful discussion with the members of the Board and key leadership of Goldman Sachs. Highlighted India's vast potential…
THE state of border will determine the state of relationship between India and China, Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said, amid an over three-year military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. “The state of the border today is still abnormal,” Jaishankar said in an interactive session…
THREE Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14, people familiar with the matter said. Prime minister Narendra Modi will attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour. A tri-services…
BRITAIN and India want to strike a truly “ambitious trade deal” that benefits both the nations, bringing “tremendous opportunities” for businesses and consumers, prime minister Rishi Sunak has said. At a reception on Wednesday (28) to celebrate India Global Forum's UK-India week 2023 in Downing Street, Sunak said the eyes…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo last Sunday (25) on a rare visit during which both sides pledged to deepen their strategic ties. They agreed to boost investment by India, the world’s most populous nation, in Egypt, which has the Arab world’s largest…
A WEEKEND article in the Financial Times set out to explain “How India is slowly moving into the American orbit.” The reality is that India is not moving into the American orbit nor America into India’s, but for some decades now the two countries have been drawing closer together. One…
LABOUR MP for Brent North, Barry Gardiner, collected a prestigious honour bestowed on him by the Indian government at a ceremony in London last Friday (23). Gardiner, who founded the Labour Friends of India more than two decades ago, was presented the Padma Shri, a civilian award, at India House…
The harassment of a US journalist on social media for asking prime minister Narendra Modi a question at his joint press conference in Washington with President Joe Biden has been strongly condemned by the White House, which deemed it "totally unacceptable." During the press conference, Sabrina Siddiqui, a reporter from…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak should leverage his Indian heritage for forging stronger ties between the UK and India in trade and defence, former foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. “Britain remains uniquely placed to reap the dividends of a deeper friendship with India” with Sunak as the prime minister but…
THE Cricket World Cup will begin on October 5 with England facing New Zealand in Ahmedabad with the same venue hosting the final on November 19, organisers said on Tuesday (27), with the schedule for the showpiece event in India also confirming Pakistan's participation. The fixtures were revealed by the…
PAKISTAN'S foreign ministry on Monday (26) summoned the US embassy's deputy chief of mission to express concern over a statement last week by US president Joe Biden and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi that called on Pakistan to ensure its territory was not used as a base for militant attacks.…
FORMER US president Barack Obama has faced criticism from leaders of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his remarks concerning Muslims in India. Obama expressed concerns that India may "start pulling apart" if the rights of minorities were not safeguarded. He made these comments while addressing a question on…
AS TWO of the greatest democracies in the world, the United States and India have far much more in common than we do in our differences. As with all world leaders on a global stage, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is always under intense scrutiny. However, Modi's policies and leadership…
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who completed 31 years in the Hindi film industry on Sunday, said being able to entertain several people lots of times is his "proudest achievement". Known as King Khan of Bollywood, the 57-year-old star started his acting journey with TV serials such as Fauji and Circus…
ELON MUSK wants his Starlink to beam down wireless internet in India from satellites orbiting the earth, but the licensing regime his group favours has put him at odds with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance. After meeting prime minister Narendra Modi in New York last week, Musk on June 21 said he…
EGYPT and India discussed strengthening ties in areas including trade, food security and defence during a state visit to Cairo by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the two countries said on Sunday (25). On his first trip to Egypt, Modi met Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Egyptian ministers appointed…
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully concluded the US State visit, actress-turned-politician Hema Malini penned a note praising his leadership qualities. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "A truly iconic meeting between the US President and our Hon PM Modi ji. So many issues discussed and sorted out and the world…
BLUE chip companies Google and Amazon have announced major investments in India during prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. Amazon.com Inc will invest an additional $15 billion in the south Asian country, the company's chief executive Andy Jassy told Modi in his meeting on Friday (23). The…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met with US and Indian technology executives in Washington on Friday (23), the final day of a state visit where he agreed new defence and technology cooperation and addressed challenges posed by China. US president Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on…
More than 380 guests were invited to the state dinner President Biden hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on Thursday night (22), a list that included government officials, business leaders, star athletes, a renowned violinist, a Hollywood director, the son of a civil rights icon, fashion designers and…
Several prominent personalities descended on Washington on Thursday as US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a state dinner in honour of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. “PM Narendra Modi arrives at the White House for a State dinner hosted by POTUS Joe…
US president Joe Biden and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called on Pakistan to act to ensure that its territory is not used to launch extremist attacks, the White House said in a joint statement. "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to…
Mary Millben, a prominent African-American Hollywood actress and singer will perform here on Friday at the concluding event for the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highly popular in India for her singing of the National Anthem Jan Gana Mana and Om Jai Jagdiseh Hare, Millben, 38, will…
Prominent a cappella group Penn Masala, comprising students of the University of Pennsylvania, on Thursday, performed a rendition of popular Bollywood tracks "Chaiyya Chaiyya" and "Jashn-e-Bahaaraa" at the White House ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival. The group of South Asian students performed for the large crowd, ranging between…
In preparation for prime minister Narendra Modi's state dinner at the White House later today (22), US first lady Jill Biden has planned an impressive vegetarian menu to be crafted by chef Nina Curtis in collaboration with the White House staff. As a devout vegetarian, Modi's culinary preferences were taken…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States may encourage more American companies to consider investing in the South Asian country as they look to reduce their reliance on China for manufacturing-related activities. The United States is the third largest source of foreign investment for India, with over…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in the US for a three-day visit. While he has visited the US several times as PM before, this is his first state visit to the United States of America and will include a state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States has been marked by several key moments that will further strengthen bilateral relations and showcase India’s global influence. Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. Modi’s…
WHITE House social secretary Carlos Elizondo said first lady Jill Biden was involved in every step of planning for the state dinner in honour of India’s prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday (22). During a preview of the dinner on Wednesday, Elizondo said every element of…
DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend, it is said, and prime minister Narendra Modi swerved clear of any controversy by gifting an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond to US first lady Jill Biden. President Joe Biden and his wife hosted Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House on…
PRIME minister Narendra Modi gave Joe Biden a special sandalwood box with a carved silver idol of Lord Ganesha as he met the US president on the first day of his state visit in Washington DC yesterday (21). Sourced from Mysuru in the south Indian state of Karnataka, the box…
MARINATED millet, corn kernel salad, and stuffed mushrooms are on the menu for 400 guests invited to the state dinner being hosted for visiting Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House's South Lawn later this evening (22). This year is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (21) opened a state visit to Washington as the United States steps up its wooing of India. President Joe Biden is putting on the full pomp for only the third state visitor of his administration, with the billion-plus country seen as a pivotal…
OLYMPIC medallist Sakshi Malik last Saturday (18) said the wrestler, a minor who had accused outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment had changed her statement because “her family was threatened”. Delhi police charged the country’s wrestling federation…
US president Joe Biden welcomes India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (21) for two days of talks that the White House sees as bolstering "one of the defining partnerships of our age," despite ongoing concerns about human rights. Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China while…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the visionary behind several initiatives aimed at fostering unity in a fragmented world. However, it is International Yoga Day, being observed on Wednesday (21), that has left an indelible mark globally with its universal acceptance. Modi’s visit to the US will commence in New York,…
TESLA chief executive Elon Musk said India's prime minister Narendra Modi was pushing the car maker to make a "significant investment" in the country, adding that such an announcement was expected soon. His comments came after a meeting with Modi on Tuesday (20) during the Indian leader's state visit to…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United States of America on Tuesday (20) upon the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will last until June 24. During his visit, Modi plans to meet with…
INDIAN-AMERICAN congressman Shri Thanedar would be escorting prime minister Narendra Modi to his historic joint address to the US congress on Thursday (22). The first-time Democratic congressman, who represents the 13th congressional district of Michigan, has also been invited by president Joe Biden for the White House state dinner hosted…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the United States is expected to be marked by several key moments that will further strengthen bilateral relations and showcase India's global influence. Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US president Joe Biden and first lady…
In anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming State Visit to Washington/Houston, hundreds of enthusiastic Indian-Americans have congregated at renowned sites in 20 cities across the US. They have organised unity marches to extend a warm and welcoming message. Modi has been invited by US President Joe Biden and First…
A top official from NASA has emphasised the importance of India, a global power and one of the select nations with autonomous space capabilities, being involved in the Artemis team. The Artemis Accords, grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST), serve as a set of non-binding principles that…
African American singer and actress Mary Millben, known for her moving rendition of ‘Om Jai Jagadish Hare' and ‘Jana Gana Mana', will perform at a diaspora event to be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on June 23. Millben, 41, will also attend the 9th International Day of…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Falu for a special song to promote the benefits of millets and their potential to alleviate world hunger. The ‘Abundance in Millets' song, performed by Mumbai-born singer-songwriter Falguni Shah known more by her stage name Falu and her…
FROM Times Square and Niagara Falls to Princeton University and Hawaii, members of the Indian-American community are sending welcome messages from iconic US locations for prime minister Narendra Modi on his upcoming state visit. Members of the diaspora and young Indian students are taking to social media to post their…
THE India-US relationship is now headed to the next level, India's top envoy has said as he emphasised that prime minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the US will have an impact not only on the two countries but also on other nations. Modi is visiting the US from June…
INDIA is one of the most important markets for Google and a source of incredible talent and innovation that help create and empower the company's products globally, a top official has said. Karan Bhatia, Google's global head of government affairs and public policy, said that the company is very excited…
INDIA's defence ministry has approved the procurement of US-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, sources said. India will buy 31 drones made by General Atomics worth slightly over $3 billion, one of the sources said. India’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The defence ministry's initial clearance…
Five suspected militants had been killed near the heavily fortified frontier that separates the disputed territory from Pakistan, police in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir said on Friday (15). According to police chief Vijay Kumar's Twitter statement, the individuals, identified as "foreign terrorists," died during an encounter with government forces…
Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, the Biden administration is pushing New Delhi to cut through its own red tape and advance a deal for dozens of US-made armed drones, two people familiar with the matter said. India has long expressed interest in buying large…
THE Biden family is planning to host an intimate dinner for prime minister Narendra Modi on June 21, a day before the much-in-demand state dinner at the White House, a senior administration official has said. Modi has been invited by president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden for an…
THE INDIAN junior women's team on Tuesday (13) received a grand welcome in Bengaluru as they returned to the country with their first Asia Cup trophy.They clinched the title in Kakamigahara, Japan by beating Korea 2-1 in the captivating final on Sunday (11).Captain Preeti said the team will now aim…
Two human rights groups have invited policy makers, journalists and analysts to a screening in Washington of a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi that questioned the Indian prime minister's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, ahead of his state visit to the White House. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International…
INDIA threatened to shut Twitter down unless it complied with orders to restrict accounts critical of the government's handling of farmer protests, co-founder Jack Dorsey said, an accusation prime minister Narendra Modi's government called an "outright lie". Dorsey, who quit as Twitter CEO in 2021, said on Monday (12) that…
A US state visit, an honour given to the closest friends and allies, involves about six months of meticulous planning by the White House and displays the best of American hospitality, according to an eminent American historian. The remarks by Matthew Costello, vice president and interim director of the David…
THE chief executive officer of OpenAI, Sam Altman, met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed various aspects of AI including the need for global regulation. Besides India, Altman is on a six-nation tour this week, including Israel, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and South Korea. In a…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US this month will set new benchmarks for bilateral ties, the Pentagon has said. It also said big announcements are likely to be made on defence industrial cooperation and boosting India's indigenous military base. Modi will embark on his first state visit…
Prominent US lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to prioritise the resolution of the visa wait time issue in the country. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, have emphasised the significance of the people-to-people relationship…
INDIAN police have questioned more than 155 people in a widening investigation of sexual harassment accusations against the chief of the national wrestling body, a police source with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday (8). The government has set a June 15 deadline to wrap up the investigation after…
India and the US must work on making bilateral ties stronger and focus on collaboration on education and cultural fronts, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has said. He expressed hope that the two sides will talk about cooperation in the education and business sectors and find ways to strengthen the bilateral…
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a gathering of Indian Americans from across the US in Washington on June 23 on the role of diaspora in India's growth story, a community leader has said. Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden…
There are no words adequate to reflect the horror of last week’s train disaster in India, in which nearly 300 people were killed and 1,200 injured. The crash in Odisha involving the Bengaluru- Howrah Superfast Express and the Shalimar- Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train occurred around 7pm…
Laughter is the best medicine, as the old saying goes, and this certainly appeared to be the case with the author Moni Mohsin, whose session was one of the hits of the recently held Khushwant Singh Lit Fest (KSLF) in London. Mohsin, who created a character called “the Social Butterfly”,…
India's GDP grew by 7.2 per cent in the year to March, official figures showed last Wednesday (31), boosted by services and consumption, putting it among the world’s fastest-expanding major economies. The country is the world’s fifth-largest economy, and recently surpassed China to become the most populous country. Its growth…
PRESIDENT Joe Biden's top official for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday (6) he hoped a visit this month by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "consecrates" the relationship with India as the most important for the US in the world. The official, Kurt Campbell, told the Hudson Institute think tank…
THE BBC has “informally” admitted to having under-reported its income in India and paid less tax than its actual obligation, media reports said on Tuesday (6). Tax authorities had surveyed the corporation’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in February, weeks after the broadcaster aired a documentary on Prime Minister…
India and the United States have concluded a roadmap for defence industry cooperation for the next few years, the two countries said on Monday (5), a landmark move expected to bolster New Delhi's defence manufacturing ambitions. Washington is working to deepen ties with India and sees stronger military-to-military and technology…
After taking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, actors Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, and Ranveer Singh on an adventure, British adventurer Bear Grylls is now planning to have some wild adventures with actress Priyanka Chopra and cricketer Virat Kohli. Yes, you heard that absolutely right! Grylls, who is known for his globally…
Veteran theatre director-actor Aamir Raza Husain, known for his larger-than-life outdoor stage productions, died in New Delhi at the age of 66. Husain was suffering from a heart-related ailment and passed away on Saturday, his son said. "He was hospitalised for two days and had undergone heart surgery, but wasn't…
Indian-Americans are upbeat about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the US and his address to the joint session of Congress later this month. They feel it is going to be an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations in areas including security cooperation, defence, trade, energy, technology and space.…
PASSENGER and freight trains were running again on Monday (5) at the site of India's deadliest train disaster in decades, which the railway officials blamed on possible "sabotage" and tampering with the electronic system. An investigation has been opened into the three-train crash near Balasore in the eastern state of…
In the aftermath of India's worst rail crash in over two decades, rescuers and families tirelessly combed through the wreckage of mangled train carriages on Sunday (03), in a desperate search for additional victims. The incident, which occurred near the district of Balasore in the eastern state of Odisha, was…
At least 288 people were killed and hundreds more injured in a three-train collision in India, officials said Saturday (3), the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Wreckage debris was piled high at the crash site near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha, where some carriages…
The leaders of the US Congress said on Friday (2) they had invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate on June 22, one of the highest honours Washington affords to foreign dignitaries. "During your address, you will have the…
Rahul Gandhi, a leading figure in India's opposition and a member of the Congress Party, openly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dominance over Indian society during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington on Thursday (01). Gandhi remains optimistic about the opposition's prospects in the forthcoming 2024 elections…
Rahul Gandhi, India’s top opposition figure, has said his disqualification from Parliament has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. The former Congress president, who is a US tour, made the remarks on Wednesday (31) night in response to a series of questions from Indian students on the…
India’s sports minister has urged wrestling champions who have staged protests accusing their federation chief of sexual harassment to await the outcome of investigations into the allegations before deciding their next course of action. Minister Anurag Thakur said the national capital's police is investigating the case, following directions from the…
THE Biden administration is poised to sign off on a deal that would allow General Electric (GE) to produce jet engines powering Indian military aircraft in that country, according to three people briefed on the decision. A deal finalising the joint production of the engines is expected to be inked…
Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and four off the last two balls as Chennai Super Kings edged out Gujarat Titans to win a record-equalling fifth IPL title and send superstar MS Dhoni out with a bang in his likely swansong. Chennai chased down their revised target of 171 in 15…
Another cheetah was released into the wild at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total count to seven, an official said on Monday (29). The newly introduced cheetah, named Neerva, is a female aged between 3 to 4 years and hails from South Africa.…
Superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar believe the new Parliament building will contribute towards a "new India" and become a symbol of the country's growth story. The Hindi film stars shared a glimpse of the new Parliament house on Twitter on Saturday night and expressed their happiness over its…
The inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday (28) witnessed a significant development as 21 opposition parties boycotted the event, levelling allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for treating it as his personal "coronation." According to the opposition leaders, they believe that democracy is upheld by the people rather…
INDIAN police dragged away and detained on Sunday (28) two Olympic wrestlers and dozens of others as they tried to march to parliament demanding the arrest of the sport's federation chief over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation. In an escalation of the month-old standoff, police also cleared the site…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's new parliament building on Sunday (28), a modern complex which is part of his Hindu nationalist government's grand plan to give a makeover to the British colonial-era architecture in the nation's capital. The inauguration, and the ongoing revamp of the heart of New Delhi…
Ambassadors from more than 30 nations visited the construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi. Ashok Kotecha, Yogesh Mehta, Chirag Patel, Pranav Desai and the dedicated directors and volunteers overseeing the mandir's construction welcomed more than 85 guests, a statement said. Indian ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir,…
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese revealed on Wednesday (24) that Australia will establish a new Consul-General in Bengaluru this month. This announcement follows Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's statement that India will open a consulate in Brisbane, demonstrating the efforts of both countries to strengthen their bilateral relations. After discussions…
The influential Congressional India Caucus co-chairs on Tuesday (23) urged house speaker Kevin McCarthy to invite prime minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of the US Congress during his upcoming state visit. “We respectfully request your consideration in inviting Modi for a joint address to Congress, thus highlighting…
INDIAN opposition political parties said on Wednesday (24) they would boycott the inauguration ceremony for the new parliament building to be conducted by prime minister Narendra Modi, sidelining the country's president. In a joint statement, 19 national and regional opposition parties said Modi's decision to dedicate the building on Sunday…
Britain must “up its game” when it comes to trading with India, the co-founder and chair of Cobra Beer, Lord Karan Bilimoria has told Eastern Eye. The peer has written to Rishi Sunak, urging him to lead the first cross-party UK prime ministerial delegation to Delhi, Mumbai and other major…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (24) raised with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese India's concerns over the recent incidents of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of pro-Khalistani elements in that country. In their talks in Sydney, the two prime ministers also decided to focus on firming…
AUSTRALIA vowed to take ties with India to the "next level" on Tuesday (23) as it hosted Narendra Modi for a lavish visit heavy on trade and light on criticism. Lured by the world's most populous market and a counterweight to China's growing military, diplomatic and economic clout, Australia's government…
An Indian court issued a summons to British broadcaster BBC on Monday (22) in a defamation case over its documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi that questioned his leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, according to reports in local media. The defamation suit states the documentary "India: the Modi question"…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (20) unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima during his visit to the city to attend the annual summit of the G7 grouping and the third in-person Quad leaders' meeting. The Gandhian ideals of peace and harmony reverberate globally and give strength…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (21) held productive talks with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak during which they reviewed bilateral strategic partnership, including progress in India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The two leaders also agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas such as…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (20) met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak, Indonesian president Joko Widodo and UN chief Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. Modi and Sunak shared a warm hug and the British prime minister shared the picture on his Twitter…
US President Joe Biden aims to speak this weekend with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Ukraine and the "sacrosanct" issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Saturday (20). Lula and Modi are attending a…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new parliament building in New Delhi this month, parliament said on Thursday, as his government seeks to shed India's colonial past in a move that has irked conservationists. India's current parliament building was built under British rule in 1927 and has grown…
India and Britain are struggling to make progress in free trade talks due to differences on some key tariff lines and investment protection rules, making a deal unlikely during prime minister Narendra Modi's second term ending next year, Indian sources said. The two nations are unable to agree on concessions…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, broadcaster CNN-News 18 reported on Friday (19), their first meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. News of the meeting came hours after Modi left New Delhi for Hiroshima,…
India is considering a change to its pharmaceutical industry policy after cough syrups made in the country were linked to the deaths of children overseas, according to a document from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office. A brainstorming session was held in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad "to find a…
India and the EU have said they are committed to deepening their partnership to accelerate the growth and deployment of advanced digital technologies. A joint statement after the first meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) said the two sides “emphasised the importance of the rules-based international order…
Indian politician Rahul Gandhi will visit the US in the first week of June and address Indian-Americans on June 4 in New York, sources in the Indian Overseas Congress said Tuesday (16). Gandhi, the former chief of Indian National Congress, is also likely to visit Washington DC and Los Angeles…
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday (17) that a Quad summit would not proceed in Sydney next week without US President Joe Biden, who postponed his trip because of debt ceiling negotiations in Washington. Albanese said the leaders of Australia, the United States, India and Japan would instead…
The United States wants India to condemn persistent religious violence, a senior official said on Monday (15), one month before a state visit by prime minister Narendra Modi. The State Department on Monday released an annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians…
India is planning a repatriation campaign for artefacts dating back to the colonial era, including the controversial Kohinoor diamond, a British media report has said. The Daily Telegraph newspaper claims the issue is among the priorities of the Indian government of prime minister Narendra Modi, with it likely to spill…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (13) thanked the people of Karnataka on party’s expected victory and said that “market of hate has been shut and shops of love have opened”. He also said that the power of crony capitalism has been defeated by the power of poor people. Speaking…
India's main opposition Congress party was set to win elections on Saturday (13) in the southern state of Karnataka defeating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), TV channels said, a big boost ahead of national elections due next year. The election is the first of five crucial state polls this…
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trailing the main opposition Congress party in elections held on Wednesday (10) in the southern state of Karnataka, but neither seemed set for a clear win, TV exit polls showed. The election in Karnataka, where BJP led the outgoing government, is the first…
The White House announced on Wednesday (10) that US president Joe Biden will be hosting India's prime minister Narendra Modi for a state visit on June 22. This visit is set to reinforce the strong and extensive partnership between the two nations, the statement added. It represents the highest level…
The first Airbus C295 aircraft built for India has successfully completed its maiden flight in Spanish city of Seville, in a significant milestone towards its delivery by the second half of this year. In September 2021, India sealed a nearly Rs 210 billion (£2.03 bn) deal with Airbus Defence and…
Renowned wildlife expert and nature conservationist Divyabhanusinh, a member of the Indian government's Cheetah Task Force, suggests that once the cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa stabilise and breed in Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh, there is a possibility of introducing lions into the area.…
Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has bought a huge tract of land on the outskirts of Indian tech hub Bengaluru, the key Apple supplier said in a filing Tuesday (9). Also known by its official name, Hon Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world's biggest contract electronics manufacturer and a principal…
Those who want to ban The Kerala Story are as "wrong" as those who didn't want Aamir Khan-starrer Laal Singh Chaddha to be released, said veteran actor Shabana Azmi on Monday amid the row around the Sudipto Sen-directorial that hit the screens last week. Her comments come a day after…
At least 22 people died when a double-decker tourist boat capsized in India's southern state of Kerala, officials said Monday (8). The incident happened late Sunday (7) in Tanur, a coastal town in Kerala's Malappuram district. Rescue operations were ongoing. Dozens of people searched for survivors in and around the…
Indian vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasised that democratic values in India are not being restricted and are actually thriving more than ever. During an interaction, he urged Indian students in UK to counter false narratives about the country. Before returning to New Delhi, Dhankhar engaged with students at an event…
Indian Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra took to social media on Saturday (6) to express his happiness on starting off his new season with a win at Doha Diamond League 2023. "Happy to begin my 2023 season with a throw of 88.67m at @dldoha. Thank you for your amazing support!,"…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for France's Bastille Day military parade on July 14, the two countries said in a joint statement Friday (5). Following in the footsteps of other world leaders wooed by Macron such as former US president Donald Trump, the…
Anti-social elements vandalised the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Rosehill, Sydney, on Friday (5) with anti-India graffiti and a Khalistani flag hanging on the gate. It is the latest incident in a series of attacks on Hindu temples in Australia ahead of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visit later this…
A NEW film has sparked a row in India, with students, opposition parties and youth organisations, among others, calling for a stay on it being released. The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, is scheduled to hit the screens on Friday (5) across the country. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah,…
The world's tallest railway bridge is now in India, standing at 359 metres (around 1,180 feet) above the Chenab River in the Jammu and Kashmir region. At 29 metres (over 95 feet) taller than the Eiffel Tower, the Chenab Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering. The construction of the…
Indian economist Raghuram Rajan has cautioned central banks against going overboard with easing or tightening monetary policies, saying both extremes can harm the banking sector. The former Reserve Bank of India governor said the recent implosion of American banks was rooted in aggressive interest rate hikes after years of stimulus…
A US government panel renewed calls on Monday (1) to blacklist India over religious freedom, saying that treatment of minorities has continued to worsen under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom offers recommendations but does not set policy and there is little expectation that the…
US president Joe Biden and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, will join Pacific Islands leaders next month for a "historic" future-oriented meeting, Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape said. "This is a historic first and at the same time a 'going forward' futuristic meeting of global superpowers, in the…
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, Indian film producer Vashu Bhagnani, and businessman Jiten Doshi recently visited the site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The group was greeted by Swami Brahmaviharidas, the head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, who garlanded them with flowers, a press release informed. As they were…
LABOUR is "institutionally, structurally and systematically racist” and taking south Asian voters for granted, councillors and party members have told Eastern Eye. They are urging the Labour leadership at national level to investigate why Hindus and Muslims have been barred from standing in next week’s [4 May] local elections. Labour’s…
Actor Aamir Khan, on Wednesday, attended the National conclave 'Mann Ki Baat @100' organised by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to celebrate 100 episodes of PM Modi's programme. The Laal Singh Chaddha actor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his innovative approach to communicating with the people of the country.…
Women in the Hindi film industry, both in front of and behind the camera, have broken the "glass ceiling" and have entered every male bastion, actor Raveena Tandon said on Wednesday during a panel of the 'National Conclave on Mann Ki Baat @100'. Tandon, the star of the 1990 and…
The sister wished she was there in person and the fan wore a sari she had gifted her. For playback singer Asha Bhosle and actress Vidya Balan, being honoured at the Mangeshkar family awards was bittersweet, a moment to be treasured but also remember late melody queen Lata Mangeshkar. Bhosle…
An Indian court on Thursday (20) acquitted 69 Hindus, including a former minister from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of the murder of 11 Muslims during communal riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. The killings occurred in Ahmedabad on Feb. 28, 2002, a day after a…
India's top investigating agency has started an inquiry into Oxfam India after the government said the charity had violated the country's foreign funding regulations. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a first information report (FIR) against the charity and its office-bearers for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation…
Apple Inc chief executive officer Tim Cook has committed to growth and investment across India in meeting with the country's prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Cook is on a visit to India this week and inaugurated the iPhone maker's first retail store in the country on Tuesday (18)…
A court in Gujarat on Thursday (20) dismissed the plea of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to halt his conviction in a defamation case, causing doubts about his eligibility to run for an upcoming election next year. Last month, Gandhi was found guilty in a case filed by a lawmaker from…
India is projected to become the world's most populous country by the end of June, surpassing China, according to the UN Population Fund's State of World Population report released on Wednesday (19). This significant change will result in India having a population of 1.4286 billion, which is about three million…
As the supreme court commences hearings on the rights of LGBTQ people to marry under the law, the Indian government has vehemently opposed the legalisation of same-sex marriage, denouncing it as "urban elitist views" that undermine religious and social values. Numerous petitions from LGBTQ couples and activists were presented to…
A minister from India’s Maharashtra state government said they are trying to bring back warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s sword from the UK. Records show that the sword, named 'Jagdamba’, made its way to St James’s Palace in London after the Maratha ruler’s descendant presented it to Albert Edward, then…
The police reported that a tragic accident occurred early on Saturday (14) in Raigad district, Maharashtra, as a bus transporting young male and female members of a traditional `Dhol-Tasha-Zaanj' music troupe fell into a gorge on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. The incident claimed the lives of 13 individuals, including five…
A former lawmaker in India's parliament, convicted of kidnapping, was shot dead along with his brother while police were escorting them for a medical check-up in a slaying caught on live television on Saturday (15). The dramatic footage of the men being killed was shared across broadcast channels and social…
Britain should take action over a violent incident during protests outside India's embassy in London last month, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Thursday (13). New Delhi has been upset about protests and vandalism by Sikh separatists - who seek an independent Sikh homeland…
India's financial crime-fighting agency has opened an investigation into alleged violations of foreign exchange rules by the BBC, a source said on Thursday (13), months after tax officials searched the broadcaster's Mumbai and Delhi offices. The tax raids in February had come close on the heels of the release of…
The Pakistan cricket team would prefer playing bulk of its 2023 ODI World Cup matches in Chennai and Kolkata, the two venues where the team has felt safe during its earlier tours, according to ICC sources. The tournament is set to begin on October 5 and will include 46 matches,…
In the 50 years since a project was initiated to rescue tigers from the brink of extinction, India's tigers have made a resounding comeback. According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, the latest census has recorded 3,167 tigers, which is over double the 1,411 that were recorded when the…
India's home minister Amit Shah on Monday (10) visited Arunachal Pradesh, a state located on the Himalayan frontier, which China claims as its own territory. He launched a development scheme worth (£471 million ($585m) that he claimed would enhance the security of the unmarked border. Shah stated that the initiative…
India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar has called on Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and discussed possible cooperation in the areas of trade, infrastructure, energy and defence. Jaishankar, who arrived in Uganda on Monday (10), met Museveni at his farm in Rwakitura and conveyed to him the personal greetings of prime…
INDIA'S wild tiger population - by far the largest in the world - has risen above 3,000, according to a census released Sunday (9), boosting efforts to conserve the endangered species. The largest of all cats, tigers once roamed throughout central, eastern and southern Asia. But in the past 100…
A Ukrainian minister will visit India from Sunday (9) in the first face-to-face talks between the two countries since Russia's invasion of its European neighbour last year. India imports much of its military hardware from Russia, and is walking a delicate balancing act between its increased security cooperation with Western…
MM Keeravaani, composer of the Oscar-winning song “Naatu Naatu,” on Wednesday was awarded India’s fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri, by President Draupadi Murmu at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were in attendance during the presentation ceremony. MM…
India's fragmented opposition is setting aside differences to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time in years, potentially posing a significant threat to his dominance in the 2024 national elections - if they can maintain their unity. In response to Rahul Gandhi's conviction, 14 political parties have come…
TRIBUTES poured in on Sunday (2) for former cricketer Salim Durani, a hero of India's maiden series victory over England, who has died at the age of 88. An attacking left-hand batsman and a left-arm orthodox bowler, Durani played 29 Tests for India between 1960 and 1973 and scored his…
Indian President Droupadi Murmu met the makers of the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers, Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga on Friday. The official Twitter handle of the President of India shared the pictures of the meet and the caption read, "President Droupadi Murmu met the makers of Oscar-winning documentary 'The…
The death toll after a floor collapsed at a Hindu temple in India had risen to 36 on Friday (31), with rescue operations underway to find one person still missing, a local official said. Dozens of worshippers celebrating a major religious holiday plunged into the stepwell –- a stair-lined communal…
Singing sensation Arijit Singh is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. On Wednesday evening, the social media team of IPL announced that Singh will enthrall the spectators with his soothing voice at the opening ceremony. "Get ready to rock & roll! To…
Sushma Swaraj's daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, has been appointed co-convener of Delhi BJP's legal cell, marking her entry into active politics. She practices law in the Supreme Court. The appointment was made by Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, his first in the state unit after taking over as full-time president. Sachdeva…
On Sunday (26), Narendra Modi praised the successful launch of 36 internet satellites owned by UK-based OneWeb Group into their intended orbits by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO's) Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), the heaviest rocket. Modi highlighted that this accomplishment further solidifies India's position as a leading global commercial launch…
Ishwar Sharma, a 12-year-old yoga prodigy from Sevenoaks, Kent, has emerged victorious in the 5th Yoga World Cup & Festival held in Canada, securing three gold medals. The competition, organised by the Yoga Ministry of Canada, attracts the world's most talented and skilled yoga practitioners, showcasing their incredible abilities. Ishwar,…
Top Indian opposition figure Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday (25) his disqualification from parliament was retribution for his demanding a probe into prime minister Narendra Modi's relationship with industrialist Gautam Adani. Gandhi was stripped of his parliamentary seat on Friday (24), a day after a defamation conviction in Modi's home…
The security measures outside the British high commission and the high commissioner's residence in New Delhi have been relaxed, as the typical yellow metal barriers have been removed. This move is seen by political analysts as a response to the UK police's failure to prevent a violent protest by Khalistanis…
TOP opposition figure Rahul Gandhi was expelled from India's Parliament on Friday (24), a day after his defamation conviction for a remark seen as an insult against prime minister Narendra Modi. Modi's government has been widely accused of using the law to target and silence critics, and the case in…
FORMER Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, who is the US nominee to lead the World Bank, returned to his homeland, India, on Thursday (23). The visit will conclude his three-week international trip to seek support and discuss development and climate requirements with borrowing and donor countries. According to the US Treasury,…
India’s Surat court which on Thursday (23) sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case noted that the seriousness of his crime increased because a speech delivered by a member of parliament has a "very wide impact on the public." Convicting Gandhi under…
Rahul Gandhi will not face disqualification as an MP if India’s Surat appellate court suspends his conviction and two-year jail term, legal experts have said. Gandhi was on Thursday (23) found guilty of defamation over his 2019 campaign trail remark implying that prime minister Narendra Modi was a criminal. The…
The opposition leader in India, Rahul Gandhi, has been handed a two-year prison sentence in a criminal defamation case. The conviction comes as a result of comments made during an election rally in 2019, in which Gandhi referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. Although he has been granted bail…
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida on Monday (20) called India vital to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific after talks with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi touching on shared concerns about China. Speaking in New Delhi after meeting the Indian leader, Kishida laid out plans for billions of dollars in investments…
The US state department in its yearly report on human rights practices stated that India had "significant human rights issues" and instances of abuse, which included the targeting of dissidents, journalists, and religious minorities. This report was released almost a year following secretary of state Antony Blinken's statement that the…
According to a report by a partisan Democratic Congressional committee, Donald Trump did not disclose foreign leaders' gifts worth $250,000 to the First Family, including $47,000 worth of gifts from Indian leaders such as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, then-President of India Ram Nath Kovind, and Uttar Pradesh chief minister…
Dubai's Emaar Group has announced plans to construct a $60 million office and shopping complex at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the first foreign investment in the region, which has been grappling with Muslim separatist conflict against the government for many years. The project, valued at $60.50m (£49.4m)…
Shashi Tharoor, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, on Friday (17), defended Rahul Gandhi's controversial remarks made during his recent trip to the UK. Tharoor stated that Gandhi did not call for foreign intervention in India's democracy, and his comments were not anti-national. The controversy surrounding Gandhi's remarks…
A man who pretended to be a senior official from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office has been arrested by the police, The BBC reported on Friday (17). Kiran Patel was apprehended by security officials during his visit to the Kashmir valley on March (02) and was charged with cheating, impersonation,…
Indian MP Varun Gandhi, a member of prime minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has reportedly turned down an invitation by the Oxford Union to speak at a debate on “whether India is on the right path” under Modi. Varun is the grandson of the late former Indian…
The honorary consulate of India in Brisbane was forced to close down on Wednesday (15) due to safety concerns after Khalistan supporters organised an unauthorised gathering and blocked the entry of the office. It is the latest in a series of radical activities against the Indian community in Australia. The…
India has invited Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif to attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held in New Delhi in April, according to a media report. India currently holds the presidency of the SCO, which comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.…
The Namasté France festival is set to take place from April 7 to April 12 2023 in Paris. The festival is organised by the Embassy of India in Paris and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The event is being held to commemorate 25 years of…
The ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has backed the government's stance against same-sex marriage recognition, months after raising hopes with supportive comments on gay rights. The BJP government of prime minister Narendra Modi has opposed same-sex marriage and has urged the Supreme Court to reject challenges…
INDIA has shown the world there is “something special” about its films, acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur told Eastern Eye, as the country celebrated a rare and historic double triumph at the Academy Awards last Sunday (12). Foot-tapping Telugu chart-buster Naatu Naatu beat the likes of superstars Rihanna and Lady Gaga…
Indian politicians were united in their praise for the country's two Oscar wins on Monday as the song "Naatu Naatu" from Telugu film "RRR" and Tamil documentary "The Elephant Whisperers" created history in Los Angeles. Speaking about the achievement by Indians, prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the country…
THE Indian government opposes same-sex marriage recognition, it said in a filing to the Supreme Court on Sunday (12), urging the court to reject LGBT couples' challenges to the current legal framework. According to the filing, the ministry of law believes that, while there are various types of relationships in…
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked his 32nd five-wicket haul in Test cricket on the second day of the 4th and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on Friday (10). Ashwin bowled 47 overs and got six Australian batsmen out in the first innings - Travis Head, Cameron Green,…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese pledged greater defence ties on Friday (10) after a diplomatic tour where the leaders bonded over their countries' shared love of cricket. The countries, with Japan and the United States, make up the Quad alliance that is seen as…
USMAN KHAWAJA smashed the first century by an Australia batter in the current series against India to steer the tourists to 255 for four after the opening day of the fourth and final test on Thursday (9). The opener forged 50-plus partnerships with Travis Head, Steve Smith and Cameron Green…
During a Congressional hearing in the US on Wednesday (08), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence submitted its annual threat assessment report, stating that the American intelligence community anticipates heightened tensions and potential conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as India and China. The report highlights that…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi rode on a cricket-themed golf cart on Thursday (9) for a lap of honour around the stadium bearing his name before settling in to watch the fourth Test with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Ahmedabad. Both leaders waved to cheering spectators as they were driven…
The 35th International Yoga Festival (IYF) hosted at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh has welcomed yoga enthusiasts from almost 90 countries. Organised by Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, with the support of Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, the festival…
RAHUL GANDHI, the former president of India’s opposition Congress, said he is not afraid of criticism and asserted the fight in his country is between “courage and cowardice”.During his interaction with the Indian diaspora, organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in London on Sunday (6), he said of the governing…
THE head of Abu Dhabi's BAPS Hindu Mandir, Swami Brahmaviharidas, has visited Narendra Modi in New Delhi to express gratitude on behalf of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj and BAPS worldwide for inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The celebrations were attended by over 12.1 million people from across…
On Thursday (02), Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni discussed the potential for the co-development and co-production of defense equipment in India. Modi invited Italian defense companies to participate actively in the Make in India initiative. The two leaders welcomed the deepening of defense cooperation between the two…
Referring to the extradition of fugitive economic offenders Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday (01) said that the British Judicial system is independent of the government and it is them to decide. Without mentioning the names of fugitive economic offenders, Cleverly, who is currently…
Foreign secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday (1) met his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi where he has reached to attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting. The duo spoke on a range of issues, including the commencement of the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS). They also spoke over the India-UK…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (01) held a bilateral meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, holding discussions on the commencement of the Young Professional Scheme. He also exchanged views on the global situation as well as the G20 agenda. "Began the morning with a bilateral meeting with…
INDIA imposed by far the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now has said, as the country topped the list for the fifth successive year. Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49…
FOREIGN ministers from around the world meet in New Delhi this week in the shadow of Russia's war in Ukraine and spiralling US-China tensions, with host India hoping that issues like climate change and Third World debt are not overlooked. The March 1-2 meeting of the G20 foreign ministers will…
The South Korean embassy in India recently came up with a video showing its officials, including the country's ambassador Chang Jae-bok, dancing to the tune of the hit 'Naatu Naatu' song from Telugu blockbuster 'RRR'. Even prime minister Narendra Modi lauded the 53-second video, which went viral over the weekend,…
Crown Prince of Denmark, Frederik Andre Henrik Christian on Tuesday highlighted India's progress towards a greener future and said, "Changes seen in India are amazing." Speaking at India-Denmark: Partners for green and sustainable progress conference, he said, "Changes seen in India are amazing. Despite the changes people had gone through,…
Starting Tuesday (28), young professionals from the UK and India will be able to live, study, travel and work in each other's country for up to two years under the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), the UK government announced. Under the scheme, the UK will offer up to 3,000 places annually…
Indian director S.S. Rajamouli's films are all-singing, all-dancing spectacles -- and he is now a favourite to secure the first ever Oscar for an all-Indian film. His three-hour extravaganza "RRR" is a fictionalised story of two colonial-era revolutionaries, filled with large-scale, visual effects-laden action sequences and musical numbers. It has…
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India's premier investigative agency, on Sunday (26) arrested Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in connection with alleged corruption in the now-scrapped excise policy related to the sale of alcohol, a move that could widen the political rift between the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata…
THE BBC is not driven by an “agenda” but by purpose and will not be put off reporting impartially and without fear or favour, the UK-headquartered media organisation’s chief has said days after the income tax department survey operation at its New Delhi and Mumbai offices. In an email to…
GERMAN chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday (25) that he and India's prime minister Narendra Modi were committed to sealing a free trade deal between India and the European Union (EU). "It's an important topic and I'll get personally involved," Scholz said after his meeting with Modi in New Delhi.…
GERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday (25) said he wanted to deepen his nation's relationship with India ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. "India and Germany have very good relations and want to deepen them. That will be the topic of our talks…
GERMANY will pursue a $5.2 billion (£4.26 bn) deal with India to jointly build six conventional submarines in the country during Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s February 25-26 visit, two Indian and two German sources said. The naval project is the latest attempt by a Western military manufacturing power to wean New…
India on Thursday (23) abstained in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution that underscored the need to secure “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in war-ravaged Ukraine, as it questioned whether the world was “anywhere near a possible solution” acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv a year into…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi added his voice Friday (24) to calls for the reform of global lenders such as the World Bank, as G20 finance ministers and central bank heads met. The talks in Bengaluru were expected to focus on the continuing damaging effects of the Covid pandemic and…
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who has often faced criticism over his Canadian citizenship, says India is everything to him and he has already applied for a change of passport. He feels bad when people say things without knowing the reason for him taking up Canadian citizenship, Akshay said in an…
INDIA does not want the Group of 20 nations to discuss additional sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine during New Delhi's one-year presidency of the bloc, six senior Indian government officials said. On the sidelines of a key G20 gathering in India, financial leaders of the Group of…
THERE are 2,400 visas available for eligible Indians under the UK-India Young Professional Scheme in the first ballot to open at the end of this month, the UK government announced on Tuesday (21). The scheme, formally launched last month, allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live…
THE role of the police and their handling of the case came under questioning after charred bodies of two men were found inside a burnt vehicle in Bhiwani district of the northern Indian state of Haryana last week. The victims were identified as cousins Junaid, 35, and Nasir, 27. A…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (20) praised the country's assistance and disaster relief teams that were deployed in quake-hit Turkey and said that in the last few years, India has strengthened its identity not just as a self-sufficient but selfless country. A total of three teams from India's…
German chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to pay a state visit to India on February 25 and 26, his first trip to the country more than a year after he took charge of the top post in December 2021. Announcing the German chancellor's visit, the Indian ministry of external affairs…
British Indian industrialist Lord Swraj Paul inaugurated a hall in memory of his late wife, Aruna, at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London. The opening of the Lady Aruna Swraj Paul Hall multisport venue in west London took place at a special event attended by British parliamentarians and diplomats last…
A series of khadi outfits took centre stage for India Day at the ongoing London Fashion Week, with a set of special designs curated to celebrate the message of self-reliance associated with the fabric. The collection was spun together by 12 young female designers from India's International Institute of Fashion…
INDIA'S foreign minister called for a debate on democracy as he slammed billionaire investor George Soros as “old, rich, opinionated and dangerous” for his comments on India. In a speech ahead of the Munich Security Conference, the billionaire investor Soros on Thursday (16) criticised India’s prime minister Narendra Modi and…
The Income Tax department's 'survey' at the BBC office here continued for the third straight day on Thursday (16) as officials gathered financial data from select staffers and made copies of electronic and paper data of the news organisation. The operation that began at the BBC offices in Delhi and…
The Supreme Court is allegedly being used as a "tool" by anti-India forces, RSS-linked weekly Panchjanya has said while criticising the apex court for issuing notice to the Centre over pleas challenging its order to block social media links to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After efforts…
The landmark Air India-Boeing deal will create up to one million jobs across 44 states in the US and will further deepen bilateral ties, president Joe Biden has told prime minister Narendra Modi. Boeing and Air India announced a mega deal on Tuesday (14) under which the Tata Group-owned airline…
Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday (15) called on Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina during which he reaffirmed India’s support for wider and deeper development and economic partnership with her country. Kwatra arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday (14) evening from Kathmandu, Nepal, on a two-day visit. “Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra paid…
India is looking into the BBC's tax structure, the British news organisation said in an internal memo on Wednesday (15), as officials searched its premises in New Delhi and Mumbai for a second day, weeks after India banned a BBC documentary as propaganda. A senior Indian government official said the…
The UK is “closely monitoring” the situation following the Income Tax surveys at the BBC offices in India, British government sources said. The Income Tax department conducted survey operations at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday with the officials describing the action as part of an investigation…
US president Joe Biden on Tuesday (14) hailed Air India's decision to purchase over 200 aircraft from Boeing and called it a "historic agreement between Tata-owned airlines and Boeing. Air India announced the purchase of 220 planes from Boeing for $34 billion, with an option to buy 70 more aircraft…
Global media watchdogs and human rights bodies on Tuesday criticised the Indian government's income tax survey operations at the BBC's offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, saying the action "smacks of intimidation" and was a "blatant affront" to freedom of expression. The Income Tax officials described the action as part…
After months of delay, 12 cheetahs from South Africa will finally arrive on February 18 in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park (KNP), where eight such spotted cats were brought from Namibia last year, a wildlife expert associated with India’s cheetah revival project has said. These big cats – seven males…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has "nothing to hide or be afraid of" on the controversy over the Adani group, the home minister said on Tuesday, responding to opposition allegations of favouring the conglomerate attacked by a U.S. short seller. Led by billionaire Gautam Adani, the business house's seven…
Indian tax officers searched the BBC's bureaus in New Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday, the British broadcaster said, weeks after the government came down hard against a BBC documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The documentary focused on the Hindu nationalist politician's leadership…
India is expressing pride over its legacy with tremendous self-confidence and asserting that it will strengthen its ancient traditions while ushering in modernity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. He also underlined that the country's policies and efforts have no discrimination and are aimed at serving the poor, the…
India’s Narendra Modi government has no objection to a proposal for setting up a panel of domain experts to look into strengthening the regulatory mechanisms for the stock market, the Supreme Court was told on Monday while it was hearing pleas relating to the Adani stocks rout after the Hindenburg…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said in the last few years an atmosphere of unprecedented trust has been created in the country as he sought to highlight his close ties with the influential Dawoodi Bohra group of the Muslim community and praised its members for changing with the times.…
The United Kingdom wanted to broaden and deepen its relationship with India in the defence area, especially with the air force, British High Commissioner Alex Ellis said at the Aero India 2023. "Our expectation is to deepen and broaden the UK-India partnership. We're doing already in the trade, we're negotiating…
"KGF" star Yash, "Kantara" actor-director Rishab Shetty and comedian Shraddha Jain met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. Jain, known for her work in the hit Prime Video series "Pushpavalli" and social comedy feature "Doctor G", took to her official Twitter page on Monday to share the picture with the PM.…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday set out ambitions to more than triple annual defence exports to $5 billion over the next two years, as arms firms flocked to a major air show for a slice of the nation's massive import budget. The country is looking to sign defence…
The country’s first lithium reserve, found in Jammu and Kashmir, is of the best quality, a senior government official said here on Saturday, as upbeat villagers expressed hope the discovery will bring them a bright future. The 5.9-million ton reserve of lithium, a crucial mineral for the manufacturing of electric…
India's market regulator is investigating Adani Group's links to some of the investors in the conglomerate's aborted $2.5 billion share sale, two sources said, amid growing concern in New Delhi about a U.S. short-sellers allegations against one of the country's top industrial groups. The Securities and Exchange Board of India…
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking to impose a complete ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in India in wake of a controversial documentary regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots, terming it "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless". A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M M Sundresh…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enormous popularity remains intact despite the biggest political attack on him in years as rivals accuse his government of giving undue favours to the Adani Group, approval ratings showed on Friday. Opposition parties stalled parliament for three days since last week and staged street protests…
Shah Rukh Khan’s latest outing Pathaan (2023) has been enjoying a great run at the box office ever since its release on January 25. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film has already clocked approximately £80 million at the global box office and is now eyeing to enter the much coveted…
The opposition hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for not responding to allegations related to industrialist Gautam Adani, which they termed "the elephant in the room", with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of "protecting" the billionaire. The opposition's attack came after Modi said the trust…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wore a sleeveless jacket made of material recycled from plastic bottles to Parliament. The Prime Minister was seen wearing a light blue "sadri" jacket as he sat in the upper house of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, in the morning. Officials said the jacket Modi was…
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (7) spoke to his British counterpart James Cleverly focusing on various aspects of bilateral ties and India's G-20 presidency. The phone conversation came ahead of the British foreign secretary's likely visit to India to attend a meeting of the G-20 foreign ministers…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday linked the massive rise in the business fortunes and personal wealth of businessman Gautam Adani to the Modi government coming to power in 2014, as he launched a sharp attack on the BJP dispensation over the Adani issue. His charges in Lok Sabha, the…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep anguish at the deaths and devastation caused by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. The most powerful earthquake in nearly a century struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, killing over 1,400 people in their sleep, levelling buildings and causing tremors felt…
The Congress on Monday questioned the "deafening" silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Adani issue and made a pun on his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' asking him whether it was an instance of 'Mann ki banking' to benefit his cronies. "His silence is not just eloquent but also…
The crisis engulfing the Adani group intensified on Monday as dozens of members of India's main opposition party were detained by police during protests, and parliament was suspended again due to disruptions over the saga. Adani shares continued their freefall, with the conglomerate's cumulative market value loss topping $110 billion.…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pegged as the world's most popular leader with an approval rating of 78 per cent as per a survey by a US-based consulting firm 'Morning Consult.'As per the rating PM Modi's ratings trump those of other leaders including US President Joe Biden, French President…
The market rout suffered by Indian tycoon Gautam Adani is the latest corporate scandal to plague one of the world's largest economies despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to root out corruption.Properly investigating the claims of fraud that triggered the sell-off in Adani's companies will be a key test for…
As a special gesture, Rishi Sunak will join the National Security Advisor (NSA) Dialogue 'for a while' between Ajit Doval and Tim Barrow in London.The High Commission of India in London tweeted and informed about the same and said that the governments of both countries value strengthening strategic partnerships in…
Financial contagion fears spread in India on Friday as the Adani Group's crisis worsened, with ratings agency Moody's warning the conglomerate may struggle to raise capital and S&P cutting the outlook on two of its businesses. Chaotic scenes in both houses of India's parliament led to their adjournment on Friday…
The Biden administration is in talks with Indian officials over a possible White House visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year, according to a U.S. official aware of the discussions and another person briefed on the matter. U.S. President Joe Biden is eager to deepen ties with the…
While an explosive report by Hindenburg Research about India's Adani Group has triggered fear that it could lead to serious economic turmoil for the south Asian nation's economy, it has been reported that a number of billionaires world over are exposed to the conglomerate's sensational crash. Bloomberg reported that some…
Both houses of India's parliament were adjourned on Friday amid chaotic scenes as some lawmakers demanded an inquiry following the meltdown of shares in billionaire Gautam Adani's group companies, which some fear could spark wider financial turmoil. Shares in Adani companies recovered after sharp falls earlier in the day, but…
Beleaguered Indian tycoon Gautam Adani denied Friday that his rise to become Asia's richest man -- a title he has lost in a phenomenal stock rout -- was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as shares in his conglomerate slumped again. His listed units' combined market capitalisation has collapsed by…
BRITAIN’S Asian community is mourning the loss of a respected community and spiritual leader, Pujya Rambapa, following his passing on Tuesday (31), aged 102. Rambapa, as he was fondly known, dedicated his life to the spread of Hinduism, spirituality as well as charitable and philanthropic activities in the UK and…
Rishi Sunak marked his 100th day in office as the first non-white British Prime Minister on Thursday with a slick new video for social media pledging to deliver change, amidst multiple challenges, including spiralling inflation. The UK's first Indian-origin Prime Minister took charge at 10 Downing Street a day after…
The UK government has defended the BBC as a media outlet “independent in its output“ in the wake of widespread Indian diaspora protests against the controversial documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing reporters at Downing Street on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson echoed a statement issued by…
Rajya Sabha MP, the upper house of Indian parliament, and senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani on Thursday lashed out at "BBC apologists" for seeking proof of the Chinese tech giant Huawei's payments to the British Broadcasting Corporation, and alleged that the UK-based broadcaster has 18 other Chinese clients. https://twitter.com/JethmalaniM/status/1620974901128761344?s=20&t=V56PfN6BxJtgGvPYWH1dFA…
Opposition lawmakers shouted slogans against the Adani Group in India's parliament on Thursday after a report by a U.S. short seller that accused the conglomerate of improper use of tax havens and stock manipulation, while also raising concerns over high debt levels. The protest by opposition parties came a day…
India and the United States have elevated their strategic partnership with the launch of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology or iCET, the White House said as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington. "We are committed to fostering an open, accessible, and…
US President Joe Biden is understood to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit this summer, PTI has learnt. The invitation has been accepted in principle and officials on both sides are now working on mutually convenient dates, according to multiple sources, who noted that it is…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday described the Haifa port deal with the Adani Group as an “enormous milestone”, saying it will significantly improve connectivity between the two countries in many ways. The Port of Haifa is the second largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers and…
Russia has accused the BBC of "waging an information war" on different fronts - not only against Moscow, but also against other global centres of power pursuing an independent policy, days after the British broadcaster released a controversial series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova…
Hundreds representing different Indian diaspora organisations gathered outside the BBC headquarters in central London on Sunday to protest against what they branded as “fake news” behind the broadcaster’s controversial series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The “Chalo BBC” protests were coordinated across BBC studios in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and…
India's rising tide of Hindu nationalism is an affront to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, his great-grandson says, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the revered independence hero's assassination. Gandhi was shot dead at a multi-faith prayer meeting on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a religious zealot angered by…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (28) reprimanded foreign newspapers for reserving adjectives like "Hindu nationalist" for the Indian government. "If you read foreign newspapers, they use words like Hindu Nationalist Government. In America or Europe, they won't say Christian Nationalist... these adjectives are reserved for us. They don't…
India's Gautam Adani, the school drop-out turned billionaire who rose to become Asia's richest man, faces possibly the biggest challenge of his career after a U.S. short-seller cast doubts on his business practices, hammering shares in his companies and his reputation. Adani, whose home state is Gujarat in western India,…
A security assessment by Indian police in the Himalayan region of Ladakh says there could be more clashes between Indian and Chinese troops along their contested frontier there as Beijing ramps up military infrastructure in the region. At least 24 soldiers were killed when the armies of the Asian giants…
Shares of India's Adani Enterprises sank nearly 20 per cent on Friday (27) as a scathing report by a US short seller triggered a rout in the conglomerate's listed firms, casting doubts on how investors will respond to the company's record $2.45 billion secondary sale. Seven listed companies of the…
Describing India banning the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a matter of press freedom, the US State Department said that it is high time to highlight the importance of democratic principles like freedom of expression and make it a point around the world as well as in…
Congress leader Anil K Antony, the son of former Defence Minister A K Anthony on Wednesday (25) announced his resignation from the party, a day after he criticised the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This is my personal decision and I do think this is the best course…
Indian students said they would show again a BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the government has dismissed as propaganda after a Tuesday campus screening was disrupted by a power cut and intimidation by rivals. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) plans to show the documentary, "India: The…
India has invited Pakistan's foreign minister to a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) that it is hosting in May, Indian media reported on Wednesday, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed rivals. The invitation came days after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called for talks with…
The House of Lords member Dolar Amarshi Popat on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Director General of BBC Broadcasting House Tim Davie asking him to stop the screening of the second part of the documentary series to avoid exasperating the already tense situation between British Hindus and Muslims in…
A top Indian university has warned its students' union of strict disciplinary action if it goes ahead with a planned screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, saying it might disturb the peace and harmony of the campus. Modi's government has dismissed the documentary, which…
The US is not familiar with the BBC documentary, but it is familiar with the shared “democratic values” that connect Washington and New Delhi, a US State Department spokesperson has said. The two-part BBC series, titled "India: The Modi Question" claimed it investigated certain aspects relating to the 2002 Gujarat…
Hindi film stars Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra have expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees. On the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary, the PM on Monday virtually unveiled…
Superstar Akshay Kumar on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for asking BJP workers to refrain from making unnecessary remarks on films. In his address to the BJP national executive meeting on Tuesday, PM Modi suggested party workers refrain from making unnecessary remarks on irrelevant issues such as movies, saying…
Even as India and the United Kingdom recently wrapped up round six of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), Britain's High Commissioner Alex Ellis highlighted that after covering a lot of ground now the question is down to not just the technical details but political will on both…
A new online petition has demanded an independent probe into a "serious breach" by the BBC in its duties as a public broadcaster in the UK over the controversial documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ‘Call for an Independent Investigation into the BBC over Modi documentary’ on Change.Org, which…
India has blocked the airing of a BBC documentary which questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying that even sharing of any clips via social media is barred.Directions to block the clips from being shared have been issued using emergency powers available to the government…
In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" toward India and its leader. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired…
Pakistani minister of state foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday (19) said her country does not see a “partner” in Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for working towards peace between the two countries, but it saw a partner in his predecessors Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Speaking at…
EARLIER in the autumn, briefings from the Home Office appeared to indicate that the UK government was seriously considering limiting the number of international students to help reduce net migration. At that time one of us, along with 13 other vice-chancellors, joined with the former education secretary, Justine Greening, to…
There is a need for someone who can bring Ukraine and Russia to the table for talks and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can play a key role in facilitating the negotiations between the two warring neighbours, a veteran French journalist said. However, at this moment it looks "extremely difficult"…
Lord Rami Ranger, a prominent member of the House of Lords of the UK Parliament, has lodged a protest with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over its documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am appalled by the documentary produced by the BBC implicating the Hon. Prime Minister of…
British-Indian parliamentarian Lord Karan Bilimoria on January 19 referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "one of the most powerful persons on the planet", while underscoring the importance of the UK's ties with the fastest-growing major economy in the world. "To conclude, as a boy, Narendra Modi sold tea at…
The BBC on Friday (20) defended its controversial series on prime minister Narendra Modi as a “rigorously researched” documentary that sought to highlight important issues, a day after the Indian government condemned the programme as a “propaganda piece” lacking objectivity. “The documentary was rigorously researched according to the highest editorial…
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advice to his party workers to stop commenting on movies comes late as the "mob is out of control now". According to party sources, in his address at the BJP national executive on Monday, PM Modi had suggested party workers…
Defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the British Parliament, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he "doesn't agree with the characterization" of his Indian counterpart. Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised in the Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain. "The UK…
The Congress Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should break his "silence" on the sexual exploitation allegations against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and asked why resignations of those involved have not come in till now. The opposition party's attack came after…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Bharatiya Janata Party workers and leaders to refrain from making unnecessary comments on movies. His stern message comes amid controversies around Bollywood films that have been facing strong opposition from some BJP leaders for some time for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. The…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought "serious" and "sincere" talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the resolution of the "burning" issues, including on Kashmir, and said the UAE could play an important role in facilitating the resumption of dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Prime Minister Sharif…
High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram K Doraiswami and Matthew Rycroft, the permanent secretary at the Home Office of the UK signed and exchanged letters for formalising the Young Professional Scheme at an event in London on Monday. The event took place at the High Commission of India…
Nepal Army on Monday said they have not rescued anyone alive from the site of the plane crash that occurred on Sunday in the central resort city of Pokhara. "We haven't rescued anyone alive from the crash site," said Nepal Army Spokesperson Krishna Prasad Bhandari. A Yeti Airlines passenger plane…
Opposition Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab on Friday (13) strongly opposed the reported move of induction of helmets for Sikh soldiers in the Army. Senior Congress leader and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that Sikhs bravely fought the 1962, 1965, 1971 wars and the…
Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (13) flagged off the world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas, which will cover 3,200 km across 27 river systems in five states in India and Bangladesh in 51 days. MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India and…
A Hindu temple in Australia has been vandalised apparently by Khalistan supporters in a global pattern of targeting the places of worship of the religious group. The walls of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne were on Thursday found defaced with graffiti calling for 'death to India' and comparing Indian…
India celebrated a rare Hollywood award triumph after local film RRR won a Golden Globe for best song on Wednesday, seeing off competition from US superstars Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the "very special accomplishment" after the win by the action movie's barnstorming, high-octane number "Naatu…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 'RRR' team after the film's track 'Naatu Naatu' made India proud at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards stage. Filmmaker SS Rajamouli's magnum opus 'RRR' bagged the Best Original song trophy for its song 'Naatu Naatu'. Following the historic win, the PM took to…
British King Charles III on Sunday (8) gave a special message to the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) community as it celebrates the birth centenary of His Holiness (HH) Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2916). In his message which was tweeted by UK in India, the King said, "As you commemorate…
British MP Barry Gardiner has said that though it is important to set climate targets, more emphasis should be given to create polices to attain these goals. Gardiner also admitted that the current funding by the UK to other countries to enable them to achieve climate targets is 'critically insufficient',…
British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer on Friday (6) lauded former BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) guru and president Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) whose birth centenary celebrations are currently underway in India saying the spiritual leader had built more than 1,200 temples and the effort has been recognised across…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "really going out of his way" to work with the Sikh community, both inside and outside India, Indian-American businessman and philanthropist Darshan Singh Dhaliwal has said. Dhaliwal has been selected as one of the 27 recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman this year. "I think…
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday pitched his state as a safe investment destination and also interacted with prominent Bollywood personalities during his visit to Mumbai, where Maharashtra's Opposition parties targeted him over his roadshow. Adityanath assured industrialists of a strong law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh,…
Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke with King Charles III of UK on the telephone on Tuesday (3) and discussed several subjects including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and solutions for the financing energy transition. As this was PM Modi's first conversation with King Charles III after he assumed the Office of…
US President Joe Biden has sent his deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the loss of his mother Hiraben who passed away in Gujarat at the age of 99. Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday. Her mortal remains were consigned…
Cine personalities Rajinikanth, Dharmendra, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn on Friday expressed grief over the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben Modi and wished him the strength to bear the loss. Hiraben, 99, passed away at 3.30 am during treatment at U N Mehta Heart Hospital, in Ahmedabad.…
Several world leaders on Friday condoled the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben who passed away in Gujarat at the age of 99. Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday. Her mortal remains were consigned to flames by PM Modi and…
In fond tributes to his mother Hiraben following her death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday he always felt in her the presence of a trinity combining an ascetic's journey, a selfless doer and a life committed to values. Modi's mother Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad…
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and leaders cutting across the political spectrum on Friday condoled the death of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben, recalling her simple and compassionate life that was an inspiration for all. Hiraben, Hiraba to many, passed away at an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben is "recovering", a hospital in Ahmedabad where she is admitted said on Thursday. Hiraben (99), also called Hiraba, was admitted to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre on Wednesday morning due to some health issues. PM Modi reached Ahmedabad from Delhi…
As the Indian entertainment industry continues to pay its tributes to late actor Tunisha Sharma, four-time National Film Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut has taken to Instagram Stories and shared her thoughts on the death of the popular television star. She has also requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement…
A Hindu couple had fled Afghanistan nearly three 30 years ago when the first Taliban regime in that country was ready to take control. Three decades later, the duo have found their fate linked to the religious fundamentalist group again as it has returned to power in Kabul again in…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought India's help in the implementation of a peace formula with Russia. "I had a phone call with PM Modi & wished him a successful G20 presidency. It was on this platform that I announced…
The Indian American community in Washington has observed the maiden 'Veer Bal Diwas' during which they paid tributes to the unparalleled sacrifices made by 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh's four sons who laid down their lives while defending their faith. The martyrdom day of Guru Gobind Singh's sons - Baba…
The High Commission of India, London on Monday (26) hosted a digital exhibition on two sahibzadas of Guru Govind Singh on the occasion of Veer Baal Diwas. While all four sons of Guru Gobind Singh made their supreme sacrifice, the date is observed as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas…
England all-rounder Sam Curran became the most expensive player bought by the money-spinning Indian Premier League on Friday when Punjab Kings paid £1.85 million to bring him back to his debut team. The left-arm quick and attacking middle-order batsman was among a selection of the world's top cricketers going under…
The centennial birth anniversary of His Holiness (HH) Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) was observed at a special commemorative event in the UK parliament on Monday (19). The occasion saw the presence of a number of dignitaries, including the virtual presence of prime minister Rishi Sunak. At the centennial celebration, special…
Four gay couples have asked India's Supreme Court to recognise same-sex marriages, setting the stage for a legal face-off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government which has in the past refused to legalise such marriages. In a historic verdict in 2018, India's top court decriminalised homosexuality by scrapping a colonial-era…
Many events were held during the first week of centennial celebration of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The grand centennial celebration was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on December 14. The celebration will continue through January 15, 2023, and each…
Google CEO Sundar Pichai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday here and said it is inspiring to see the rapid pace of technological change under his leadership. Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet, said he looked forward to continuing strong partnership and supporting India’s G20 presidency to advance open internet…
Leo Varadkar, the Irish leader of Indian heritage, is back for a second term as prime minister. Varadkar's father Ashok Varadkar, a doctor, hailed from Varad, around 500 km from Mumbai. He moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s. In a historic development, Britain got its first Asian-origin Prime…
Prime minister Narendra Modi's views on the use of nuclear weapons had an impact on the Russians and could well have averted a global disaster in the context of the Ukraine war, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Bill Burns said, according to PBS. "I think it's also been…
The BJP on Friday slammed Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto for his objectionable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the foreign affairs minister of the neighbouring country represents a “morally, intellectually and financially bankrupt” nation which has no credibility due to its support to terrorism. Union minister Anurag Thakur said Bhutto’s…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14) hailed BAPS leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a reformer who devoted his life to selfless service of others and recalled his long association with the late saint, who he said, treated him like a son. Recalling his conversation with Pramukh Swami Maharaj when…
Indian minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal, held a meeting with UK secretary of state for international trade, Kemi Badenoch in New Delhi on Tuesday (13). Badenoch, who began her official India visit on Monday (12), is scheduled to address both teams of negotiators before the sixth round of…
The UK wants India to be among the new permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, alongside Brazil, Japan, Germany and African representation, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Monday. In his first major foreign policy speech since taking charge in the Rishi Sunak-led government, Cleverly praised Prime…
On the occasion of World Human Rights Day on Saturday (10), the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand came together with faith leaders, scholars, academics, and artists from across the society to discuss how gender equality must go hand in…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday admitted that there is a delay in the issuing of foreign visas and said that at the ministerial level he had raised the matter with the Western countries including the US, UK, and Germany. While addressing the Agenda Aaj Tak 2022 in New…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday headed for a record victory in Gujarat as the counting of votes entered the last leg, giving the ruling party a lead in 100 seats and a win in another 57 seats in the 182-member state assembly. The Congress party was…
The popularity of Pandya Store has seen the hit drama serial pull in big audience numbers since it premiered in January 2021. The relatable Star Plus family drama, which is fast approaching 600 episodes, has made a strong connection with cross-generational audiences. The show has also given a great platform…
The five year-long centennial celebrations around the globe will culminate in the final, month-long, grand celebrations in Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat between December 15, 2022, and January 15, 2023. The festivity, which is expected to attract several thousands of followers of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan…
The Indian High Commission in London on Monday announced the reinstating of the electronic visa (e-visa) for UK travellers, a move that will be widely welcomed amid a massive rush for visas to India in recent months. The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, said the service will…
“India is a part of me and I carry it with me wherever I go," Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said, as he received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the Indian envoy to the US. Indian-American Pichai was awarded the Padma Bhushan for 2022 in the Trade and…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat began voting on Thursday with his party expected to win a seventh straight term, but any unexpected slip could herald a tighter contest in national polls due by 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not lost in the western industrial…
A Hindu group close to India's ruling party will on Wednesday march in support of a $900 million port project by the Adani Group which has been stalled by Christian protesters, as tensions rise after clashes in which 80 people were injured. Construction work at the project in Vizhinjam, in…
As India readies to assume the presidency of the "powerful" G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country should focus on global good during its term and asserted that it has solutions to the challenges related to peace, unity, environment and sustainable development. India will officially assume the…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have made their debut on the Asian Rich List 2022, which profiles the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain. Sunak and his wife – whose father NR Narayana Murthy co-founded Indian IT major, Infosys – are ranked 17th in the list, with…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated superstar Chiranjeevi on getting the Indian Film Personality of the Year award, saying his diverse roles and wonderful nature have endeared him to film lovers across generations. The 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India in Goa on Sunday honoured Chiranjeevi…
