- Thursday, April 25, 2024
Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar on Wednesday and the megastar said he is fortunate to receive the award in the memory of the singer whose voice connected listeners to a higher power. The family and the trust instituted the award in memory of the melody…
India's Election Commission said on Thursday it has sought responses from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress on alleged violations of poll rules by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. India is holding the world's largest election over seven phases, with votes due…
Campaigning concluded on Wednesday evening for the second phase of India's elections in 89 seats across 13 states set for 26 April. The initial phase, held last Friday for 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories, witnessed over 64 per cent voter turnout. The upcoming phase covers constituencies in…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (24) seized on Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remarks on inheritance tax to step up the ruling BJP's blistering attack on the issue of "wealth redistribution". In his poll rallies, Modi framed Pitroda's comments in his wider onslaught against the Congress, asserting that they…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing an "unbelievable job” in India by pursuing reforms and reducing poverty through inclusive financial programmes, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has said. He made these remarks on Tuesday while speaking at an event hosted by the Economic Club of New York. "Modi has done…
Filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday said producer Aditya Chopra and superstar Shah Rukh Khan are the "two pillars" in his life to whom he owes his 25-year career in cinema. Johar assisted and featured in a brief role in Chopra's hit directorial debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the 1995 musical…
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was conferred with India’s third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Mithun Chakraborty received the prestigious award in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, among others at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Fondly called 'Mithun Da'…
Fake videos featuring two prominent Bollywood actors have surfaced, stirring up controversy amid India's ongoing general election. These videos depict Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh purportedly criticising prime minister Narendra Modi and advocating for support towards the opposition Congress party. The videos, which have gained significant traction on social media…
THE first of India's almost one billion voters cast ballots on Friday (19) in the country's multi-day election, as prime minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term on the back of issues such as growth, welfare and Hindu nationalism. Friday's vote covered 166 million voters in 102 constituencies across…
POLLING for the first phase of India’s marathon national elections on Friday (19) concluded with around 64 per cent voter turnout. The first phase sealed the fate of 1,625 candidates in 102 constituencies across 17 states and Union Territories across the country. The voting percentage of 63.89 per cent is…
TECH billionaire Elon Musk postponed a planned trip to India where he was to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing obligations at his Tesla automaker and saying he aimed to reschedule the visit for later this year. "Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed,…
India's polling stations opened on Friday as prime minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term, riding on his track record of growth, welfare policies, and Hindu nationalism. Today marks the biggest phase of the election, with 166 million voters across 102 constituencies in 21 states and territories heading to the…
THE India-US deal to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force is revolutionary, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers on Wednesday. The landmark deal was announced last June during the historic official state visit of prime minister Narendra Modi to the US. The General Electric signed…
RAM NAVAMI was celebrated on Wednesday (17) across the country with joyous processions and special prayers, as Ayodhya's Ram temple witnessed grand festivities to mark the first Ram Navami after its consecration, a day described as a "generational milestone" by prime minister Narendra Modi. Modi greeted people on the festival,…
Campaigning officially ended on Wednesday evening for the first phase of India's general elections, involving 102 Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) seats across 21 states and Union territories. This initial phase is set for 19 April, with key political figures from both the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA (National Democratic…
Billionaire Elon Musk is gearing up for a visit to India, targeting an electric vehicle plant in the country. But that's not the only thing he will be discussing during his India visit. In addition to Tesla, Musk's satellite internet company Starlink is expected to receive preliminary clearances to operate…
India's general elections, set to begin this Friday (April 19), mark a significant democratic exercise as the country hosts the world's largest electoral event. More than 18 million first-time voters, including young individuals like 20-year-old Roushan Kumar from West Bengal, are poised to cast their ballots, with many prioritising employment…
As India heads to a general election, the streets of Manipur, a tiny state hit by ethnic strife since May last year, are largely quiet. Although Manipur and some other regions will be the first to vote in the seven-phase election starting on Friday, campaign meetings are being held behind…
SOCIAL media platform X has blocked several election-related posts in India after the government authorities ordered their takedown ahead of a six-week general election that starts Friday. X, owned by Tesla boss Elon Musk and formerly known as Twitter, said the posts would be withheld from Indian audiences until the…
The first phase of India's general elections, scheduled for April 19, will see prominent political figures including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers, and an ex-governor contesting across 102 constituencies in 21 states and Union territories. Union road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari is vying for a third consecutive…
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award, the Mangeshkar family announced on Tuesday. The family and the trust instituted the award in memory of Lata Mangeshkar, who died on February 6, 2022, following multiple organ failure. Bachchan, 81, will receive the recognition on April 24,…
Prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that a recent Indian top court ruling eliminating a controversial political funding mechanism could drive party donations underground into "black money," or illicit finance streams. The Supreme Court of India ruled in February that "electoral bonds" — a system introduced seven years ago…
India's general elections are set to begin in just three days, on April 19. Spanning six weeks, this monumental electoral exercise will involve 968 million eligible voters, making it the largest democratic vote in the world. As the nation prepares for this massive process, the focus is on the logistical…
Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Elon Musk's Tesla has struck a deal with Tata Electronics to acquire semiconductor chips for its global operations. The Economic Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that the strategic deal between Tesla and Tata Electronics was executed discreetly a few months ago.…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised on Sunday to create jobs, boost infrastructure and expand welfare programmes if it wins a third term, seeking to address key voter concerns ahead of next week's elections. The general election will be held in seven stages from April 19…
INDIA said that it remains open to all ideas that could help achieve early restoration of peace in Ukraine. This week, the Switzerland government announced plans to host a high-level summit on Ukraine. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been consistently pressing for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine…
External affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that there was a significant increase in the budget for infrastructure along the India-China border after Narendra Modi took office as prime minister in 2014. He pointed out that prior efforts to improve border infrastructure had been stagnant since the 1962 war.…
As India heads towards another general election, prime minister Narendra Modi is confident of not just winning, but improving his party Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) tally in the Lok Sabha - the lower house of the parliament. While replying to Newsweek's written questions, followed up with a 90-minute conversation at…
It is just one week before India goes for general elections, the world's largest polls, and the campaigning is at its peak now. The tussle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and the opposition has intensified with promises, accusations, and controversial statements being made from both sides. Nearly a…
MAJORITY of people in India prefer a "strong" leader and express satisfaction with the national government's performance, a recent study spanning 19 countries, including three major democracies, has revealed. The report titled ‘Perceptions of Democracy: A Survey about How People Assess Democracy around the World’ was released by the International…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is expected to retain power in the multi-phase general elections starting this month, but the question is how far he will succeed in wooing the wealthier and better-educated south. After a decade in power, Modi hopes to significantly increase his Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 55…
Less than a week after reports saying Tesla will send a team from the United States to India to study sites for an electric car plant in India, company CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that he is coming to the country. "Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi…
India's Supreme Court has admonished the head of a state drugs regulator for failing to take action against a popular yoga guru Baba Ramdev's firm which claimed its traditional ayurvedic medicines can cure diseases such as diabetes and asthma. The top court said on Wednesday the state drugs department had…
Indian folk singer Maithili Thakur thought she was successful, with millions following her Hindu devotional tunes on social media - but then Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent her popularity into the stratosphere. With India's marathon general elections set to start on April 19, critics say Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party…
An Indian court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal against the arrest of Delhi chief minister and key opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal in a graft case. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the financial crime probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED). "The court is of the view that the arrest of…
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said dialogue was needed to resolve heightened friction between arch-rivals Pakistan and India during a meeting in Riyadh with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif was making his first overseas visit since winning power in elections in February. He met with bin Salman…
More than half the voters in the Indian city of Rampur are Muslim, but its member of parliament is from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's muscular Hindu-first agenda. It is a situation repeated across Hindu-majority India, where many consider victory for…
PAKISTAN has denounced "provocative remarks" made by Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh in which he said India would enter Pakistan to kill anyone who escapes over its border after trying to carry out militant attacks. Singh's comments on Friday (5) came after the Guardian newspaper published a report stating the…
In the digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for individuals to connect, engage, and showcase their talents and lifestyles to a global audience. Among these platforms, Instagram stands out as one of the most popular, with millions of users sharing photos, videos, and stories every day. For…
The Indian National Congress unveiled its manifesto on Thursday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, outlining a slew of promises aimed at addressing various socio-economic issues across the country. Titled 'Nyay Patra', the manifesto emphasizes five key pillars of justice and 25 guarantees and was released at the All India…
Shashank Singh's 29-ball 61 propelled Punjab Kings to a thrilling victory against Gujarat Titans in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday. Shashank's unbeaten fifty, coupled with Ashutosh Sharma's quickfire 17-ball 31, enabled Punjab to chase down the 200-run target with one ball to spare, overshadowing Shubhman Gill's 89…
INDIA's first Olympic medallist in boxing, Vijender Singh, who took a plunge in politics in April 2019 by joining the Congress, switched to prime minister Narendra Modi's party on Wednesday (3). Addressing a joint press conference with BJP leaders in New Delhi, Singh praised Modi and said that the respect…
India's former prime minister and architect of India's economic reforms Dr Manmohan Singh has exited public life with his retirement from the Rajya Sabha. Soft-spoken, erudite, and modest, Singh (91) exited public life without any fanfare, somewhat akin to how this reluctant politician entered it 33 years ago. The man…
Tesla will send a team from the United States to India by late April to study sites for a proposed $2 billion to $3 billion (£2.4bn) electric car plant in the country. The Financial Times reported that Tesla would send a team to study sites for the plant, focusing on…
The Akshaya Patra Foundation's historic milestone of serving four billion meals was celebrated at the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday (2). Founded in 2000, this Indian non-profit runs 72 kitchens, and feeds 2.1 million children every day in 24,000 schools. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN hosted a…
CHANEL CEO Leena Nair has said she “really, really cares about people and puts them at the centre of everything” she does, adding that it isn’t about lip service for her. Nair, who became CEO of the luxury fashion house in 2021, also described how she has been a “champion…
Death has not extinguished the decades-long rivalry between two Indian leaders: both have now seemingly risen from the grave, in digital form, to rally their supporters ahead of national elections. As India goes to a staggered general election from April 19, political parties are harnessing powerful artificial intelligence tools to…
WITH a net worth totalling $33.5 billion, Savitri Jindal of the Jindal Group was ranked as India's wealthiest woman and holds the sole female position among the top 10 richest women globally on Forbes' 2024 list. She is the sixth wealthiest woman and 46th wealthiest person overall on the list.…
THE Indian government has taken up the issue of ban on imports of Russian-origin unpolished diamonds by the 27-member European Union (EU) and G7 nations as the measure will end up hurting the domestic diamond polishing industry, foreign minister S Jaishankar has said. The initial stage of an EU and…
INDIA rejected China's renaming of about 30 places in its northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday (2), calling the move "senseless" and reaffirming that the border province is an "integral" part of India. Beijing says Arunachal Pradesh, which its calls Zangnan, is a part of South Tibet -…
Rishabh Pant led from the front with his first IPL fifty since his comeback from a horror car crash as Delhi Capitals beat Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs on Sunday. Captain Pant hit 51 off 32 balls after fellow left-hander David Warner smashed 52 and helped Delhi to 191-5…
INDIA'S half-century-old decision to end a territorial dispute with Sri Lanka over a tiny island has become a hot-button election issue, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party accusing the rival Congress of compromising fishermen's rights. A 1976 agreement barred Indian fishermen from waters around the 285-acre (115-hectare) island Katchatheevu in…
AN Indian court sent Delhi chief minister and key opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal to jail until April 15 in a liquor graft case on Monday (1), local media reported, less than three weeks before the country begins voting in national elections. India's financial crime-fighting agency had arrested Kejriwal in connection…
Indian opposition parties united on Sunday to hold a 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally against the arrest of a prominent leader weeks before a national election, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party of rigging the vote and harassing them with large tax demands. "Narendra Modi is trying match-fixing…
Elites may usually dislike populist leaders globally, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeing increasing support among educated voters, The Economist has said. In an article titled 'Why India's elites back Narendra Modi', the publication said, "Three factors - class politics, economics, and elite admiration for strongman rule - help…
Bollywood actor Govinda, who is known for his excellent comic timing and dance steps, on Thursday joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus. The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath…
UKRAINE'S Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba will arrive in New Delhi on his maiden visit to India amid the festering Russia-Ukraine conflict. His visit on Thursday (28) comes at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. During his…
ENTEPRENEUR Dinesh Dhamija has told Eastern Eye he wrote The Indian Century because he wants the 30 million-strong Indian diaspora across the world, but especially in the UK, to invest back in the mother country. The interview about his new book, in which he gives an upbeat assessment of the…
India on Wednesday summoned a top United States diplomat after Washington said it was "closely watching" events following the jailing of a senior opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal weeks ahead of parliamentary elections. The US State Department had urged India to ensure a "fair, transparent, and timely legal process" for Kejriwal,…
Gujarat Titans edged out Mumbai Indians by six runs in an IPL thriller on Sunday as Hardik Pandya suffered a defeat as Mumbai captain after he controversially replaced Rohit Sharma. Rohit (43) and Dewald Brevis (46) shone in Mumbai's chase of their 169 target with a third-wicket stand of 77…
Actors Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil, who were named as part of the list of 111 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls by the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Sunday, expressed happiness and gratitude to the political party for nominating them for the upcoming elections. Ranaut said she is…
Pakistan will “seriously” consider restoring trade ties with India that remained suspended since August 2019, Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said, indicating a potential shift in the country's diplomatic stance. Dar made these remarks during a press conference in London following his participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit in…
India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary bilateral relationship founded on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the country, Bhutanese artists dived into Indian culture with songs featured prominently in the cultural celebrations at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu on Friday.…
After India's democratic credentials faced a series of downgrades by various international agencies, the Narendra Modi administration is planning to develop a homegrown democracy ratings index to counter the Western narrative, Al Jazeera reports. Though the Indian government has been publicly dismissive of these reports, it is keen to retain…
VARIOUS constituents of the INDIA bloc condemned Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on Thursday (21) and claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scared of the outcome of the upcoming polls and acting out of panic to create problems for the opposition. Soon after Kejriwal's arrest by…
DOZENS of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members were apprehended in New Delhi, with scattered demonstrations breaking out across India in opposition to the arrest of the party's prominent figure on corruption charges, just ahead of the upcoming general elections. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was taken into custody by India's…
THE top politician in India's capital New Delhi was arrested Thursday (21) in a graft probe his supporters say is aimed at sidelining opponents to prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of national elections. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister and a key leader in an opposition alliance challenging Modi in next…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi held separate phone calls on Wednesday (20) with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy and discussed strengthening ties with both, ahead of a visit by the Ukrainian foreign minister to New Delhi. India has traditionally had close economic and defence ties with Moscow…
NOW that it has been announced that the Indian general election will be held between April 19 and June 1, many books and articles both for and against Narendra Modi will be written about the country’s prime minister. Firmly in the latter category is Christophe Jaffrelot’s Gujarat Under Modi: Laboratory…
THE Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has asked the AIFF’s [All India Football Federation] ousted legal head, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, to submit evidence for allegations of corruption he has levelled against national federation head Kalyan Chaubey, calling it a serious matter. The AIFF president Chaubey, on March 6, served a legal notice…
THE latest round of trade talks between Britain and India has concluded without a deal, with a British official saying an agreement could not be finalised ahead of the upcoming Indian elections. The two countries have held stop-start talks over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for two years and both…
India's Supreme Court ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday to submit all the details of electoral bonds issued under an opaque political funding system, just a month before general elections. SBI was the sole bank authorised to sell and redeem electoral bonds that was introduced in 2017…
INDIA's marathon six-week election will begin on April 19 with nearly a billion people across the world's biggest democracy eligible to cast their votes. Here are the details about how the poll is conducted and what is likely to happen: How do people vote? All Indian citizens aged 18 and…
India will begin voting in seven phases starting April 19 to elect a new parliament, and the results will be announced on June 4. Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday the other phases will be on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June…
THE fourteenth round of trade talks between Britain and India concluded on Friday (15) without a deal, while India heads to a general election. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the general election schedule on Saturday. Formal talks will not take place during India’s pre-election period. The…
Former bureaucrats Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar have been named as the new election commissioners by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a committee member and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Thursday. Addressing reporters at his residence soon after the meeting ended, Chowdhury said six…
THOUSANDS of farmers rode buses and trains from across India to gather on Thursday (14) at a rally in the capital, New Delhi, pressing a demand for higher guaranteed prices for their crops, as they faced down police barricades and tough security. The rally, days before general elections are expected…
Behind the doors of a small, nondescript office in the heart of New Delhi lies the headquarters of an electoral trust run by just two men that is the largest-known donor to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to a Reuters review of public records. The Prudent Electoral Trust…
INDIA this week implemented the contentious 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), sparking sporadic protests and a war of words between prime minister Narendra Modi's government and opposition groups weeks before national elections are held. Here is a look at the law, its implications and the concerns surrounding it. What is…
JAMMU AND KASHMIR has been transformed and integrated with the rest of India, prime minister Narendra Modi said last Thursday (7), crediting the change to his government’s decision to revoke its special status. Visiting the Kashmir Valley for the first time since 2019 – the year the status was revoked…
INDIA on Tuesday (12) rejected Chinese objections to prime minister Narendra Modi's weekend visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeastern border state has always been "an integral and inalienable part of India". The Indian foreign ministry's comments came a day after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing was…
Sporadic protests have erupted in India against a citizenship law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government implemented the legislation just days before a general election is announced. Protests broke out in the eastern state of Assam and the southern state of Tamil…
In a harmonious blend of spiritual melodies and divine encounters, the renowned spiritual Sufi singer Padma Shri Kailash Kher and the mesmerizing Kailasa Band bid farewell to the International Yoga Festival (IYF) at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh. This momentous occasion, marked by blessings from Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, unfolded against the…
India's interior ministry said Monday it was enacting a citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims, just weeks before the world's most populous country heads into a general election. While the law was passed in December 2019, its implementation was delayed after widespread protests and deadly violence erupted in…
India's top court on Monday ordered the state-run bank to publish details of previously anonymous political donations made in the form of controversial electoral bonds - with the disclosures to be made before upcoming national polls. Last month, the Supreme Court outlawed the scheme, under which individuals and companies could…
The mother-in-law of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was on Friday appointed to serve in India's parliament, capping a career working for the philanthropic arm of her billionaire husband's tech firm. Sudha Murty, 73, is the former chair of the Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the global tech behemoth…
TRADE secretary Kemi Badenoch on Thursday (7) said she did not see a forthcoming election in India as a deadline for securing a trade agreement between the countries, saying it would be "challenging" to secure a deal by then but possible. Britain and India have held stop-start talks over a…
INDIA’S economy grew 8.4 per cent in the December quarter, official data showed last Thursday (29), with a surging manufacturing sector helping defy more modest analyst forecasts. Thursday’s results were significantly higher than the seven per cent projected by India’s central bank and other, lower estimates by analysts. “Double-digit growth…
A team of British negotiators have left for India to iron out differences and clinch the multibillion-pound free-trade agreement (FTA), The Guardian reports. Led by a civil servant, the team has been mandated to resolve thorny issues like goods and services chapters, the daily added. The Sunak administration is eager…
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday for his return to the premiership, a rare expression of goodwill between leaders of the two nuclear-armed rivals. Sharif was officially sworn in Monday as prime minister for a second time after a poll marred by claims of…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met legendary actress Vyjayanthimala in Chennai. Taking to X, PM Modi shared pictures from her meeting with Vyjayanthimala. In one of the images, PM Modi can be seen greeting Vyjayanthimala with folded hands. "Glad to have met Vyjayanthimala Ji in Chennai. She has just…
IN yet another deadly attack on Indian Americans in the US in recent months, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India and a student of Washington University, was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri. Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer Amarnath Ghosh, who migrated to the US from West Bengal last year…
The netizens recently saw the collaboration of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh with Johnny Sins to promote a men's sexual health product. Recently, Microsoft founder Bill Gates dropped a video on his social media handle in collaboration with an internet sensation from the Indian city of Nagpur, Dolly Chaiwala, a tea…
INDIA has made significant strides in the semiconductor sector in the last two years during which the government received investment proposals of Rs 2.5 trillion (£24 billion) from global chip makers, minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said. In the last 10 years, India has moved out of the league of 'Fragile…
INDIAN agencies Wednesday (28) made their highest-ever narcotics bust from the sea as they seized 3,300 kg drugs, which sailed from an Iranian port, off the Gujarat coast and arrested five foreigners from a dhow. The cache could be worth anything between £124 to £191 million in the international market,…
INDIA’S Assam state has scrapped an 89-year-old law that allowed marriage involving underage Muslims, against opposition from leaders of the minority community, who called the plan an attempt to polarise voters on religious lines ahead of elections. Assam, which has the highest percentage of Muslims among Indian states at 34…
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Wednesday (28) visited a slum in Bhubaneswar in Odisha state and interacted with the residents. He visited the Biju Adarsh Colony in the Maa Mangla Basti along with state government officials. Gates also interacted with members of women's self-help groups that work for the upliftment…
INDIA on Tuesday (27) introduced four crew members for its maiden 'Gaganyaan' space voyage, as it aims to become the world's fourth country to send a crewed mission into space just months after a historic landing on the south pole of the moon. Gaganyaan, or "sky craft" in Hindi, is…
THE first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, will be opened to the public from Friday (1), according to the temple authorities. The temple has been built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) on a 27-acre…
Celebrated ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose velvet smooth voice gave expression to the many colours of love, longing, and heartache in songs such as "Chitthi Ayee Hai" and "Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein", died on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 72. Udhas, who also made a mark as a playback…
A global consortium of semiconductor industry groups has asked India to reconsider its plan to push for duties on cross-border digital e-commerce and data transfers at an upcoming global trade meeting, warning that India's stance will stifle its own chip design industry. Ministers from across the globe are convening for…
The film Article 370 has been in the news ever since the makers dropped its trailer a couple of weeks ago. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and starring Yami Gautam and Priya Mani in central characters, the film delves into one of the most contentious and debated issues in Indian…
Social media platform X said on Thursday it took down certain accounts and posts following an order by the Indian government, which local media reports say are linked to ongoing protests by farmers demanding higher prices for crops. The platform formerly known as Twitter did not provide details of the…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday his government is committed to the welfare of farmers and is on a mission to make them entrepreneurs and exporters, amid a protest by thousands of farmers seeking higher prices for their produce. Modi's comments on farmers were his first since the…
Khajuraho, situated in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, India, stands as a testament to cultural richness with its UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, the historic town witnessed an extraordinary spectacle during the 50th Khajuraho Dance Festival, as 1,484 Kathak dancers gracefully moved to the rhythm of ‘Raag Basant’, etching…
Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi on Tuesday (20) said that the revocation of Article 370 played a crucial role in promoting the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. He further emphasised his government's commitment to transforming the Valley into a tourist destination capable of competing with Switzerland. Addressing a…
SONIA GANDHI, one of the most prominent leaders of India’s main opposition Congress party, will not contest the upcoming elections, citing her increasing age and depleting health, according to a letter she has written to her constituency. She will continue to have a significant role in Indian politics though, as…
INDIAN police fired tear gas on Wednesday (21) to scatter thousands of protesting farmers as they sought to resume a march to Delhi after rejecting a government offer on prices for their produce, while authorities offered a fresh round of negotiations. Fleeing the stinging gas and clouds of smoke, the…
Legendary radio personality Ameen Sayani passed away due to a heart attack late on Tuesday, his son Rajil Sayani confirmed on Wednesday. He was 91. According to Rajil Sayani, the iconic radio presenter suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night, after which he was taken to the HN Reliance Hospital…
LEGAL doyen and veteran advocate Fali S Nariman died in New Delhi on Wednesday (21) at the age of 95. He was suffering from multiple ailments, including cardiac issues. Born on January 10, 1929, Nariman was enrolled as an advocate at the Bombay High Court in November 1950 and was…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to actress Yami Gautam’s upcoming film Article 370 while he was addressing a gathering in Jammu on Tuesday. He said, “I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week... It is a good thing as it will…
The Indian government has offered guaranteed support prices for pulses, corn and cotton in a bid to break a deadlock with protesting farmers, trade minister Piyush Goyal said after week-long clashes between security forces and protesters. Tear gas and barricades were used to deter the farmers, who form an influential…
Legendary lyricist and poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar and spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya will be honoured with the Jnanpith Award. According to the selection committee, the 58th Jnanpith Award for the year 2023 has been awarded to Swami Rambhadracharya for Sanskrit and Shri Gulzar for Urdu. Sampooran Singh Kalra,…
India's main opposition Congress party said on Friday its bank accounts with Rs 2.1 billion (£20 million) in deposits had been frozen by the income tax department in connection with a dispute, just months before general elections. The party called the action "a deep assault on India's democracy", adding that…
Actor Akshay Kumar, who attended the inauguration of Abu Dhabi's first Hindu stone temple on Wednesday, says he was "blessed" to be part of the ceremony. The BAPS Hindu Mandir, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been built using ancient architectural methods clubbed with scientific techniques. Kumar…
A pregnant technology professional residing in Sydney, a couple from Boston, and a school teacher from the UK were among the numerous Indian expats from around the around who travelled to the UAE last year. Their journey aimed to participate in seva (service) at the first Hindu stone temple under…
In a landmark judgement, the Indian Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the electoral bonds scheme, saying it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information. Electoral bonds were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in 2018 to make political funding…
Musician Shankar Mahadevan and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Wednesday attended the inauguration of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi. After attending the ceremony, Bhandarkar said that it is a proud moment for all the Indians. "It was great & there was a lot of excitement. Everyone-…
IN the dynamic landscape of international relations, the influence of non-state actors, including transnational religious organisations, plays a crucial role in shaping a nation’s global standing. India, with its rich tapestry of religious diversity, has witnessed the emergence and growth of various such organisations that contribute significantly to the country’s…
ASHOK KOTECHA, the chairman of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, has been a key figure in the herculean effort that went into the construction of the Abu Dhabi BAPS Mandir. Kotecha’s decades-long association with the Mandir dates back to the visit of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj to the UAE on April…
THE Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is envisioned as a Spiritual Oasis for Global Harmony. Rooted in the aspiration to promote love, harmony, and tolerance, the fundamental ethos of the mandir transcends borders. Each carving within the mandir tells compelling stories of…
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated by India’s prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14) amid devotional chants and in the presence of spiritual leaders of the Swaminarayan sect. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan…
IN the heart of Abu Dhabi, amid the modern skyline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stands the BAPS Hindu Mandir, a remarkable testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures in a globalised world. Beyond its architectural grandeur and spiritual significance, this temple holds a unique place in history,…
A HINDU group closely linked to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is installing Muslims loyal to it in leadership positions at Muslim universities as part of a push to garner Muslim votes ahead of national elections, officials said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which Modi joined in his youth and…
SHAYARA BANO heaved a sigh of relief last Wednesday (7) at the enactment of a law banning polygamy in her Indian state, the culmination of a years-long effort, including her own case before the nation’s Supreme Court. “I can now say that my battle against age-old Islamic rules on marriage…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure a clear majority in general elections this summer, a win that will ensure a comfortable third term for Modi, according to an opinion poll published last Thursday (8). Findings from the “Mood of the Nation Poll”, a survey…
UNITED WORLD WRESTLING (UWW) has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday (13), nearly five months after placing it under provisional suspension for its failure to hold an election within a reasonable time frame. The WFI has been trying to recover from a sexual harassment…
India and the UAE have signed 10 agreements for cooperation in crucial areas such as energy, infrastructure, investments, and archives management during prime minister Narendra Modi's visit, aimed at enhancing the bilateral ties, announced foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday (14). Addressing a press conference on the second day…
SWAMI BRAHMAVIHARIDAS is one of the most respected and admired of Swaminarayan figures who lead the global organisation that is BAPS today. He has led the project to build the spectacular Akshardham Temple in Abu Dhabi since its conception. In this exclusive and very special interview with Shailesh R Solanki,…
INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi could make labour reforms, cleared by parliament in 2020, a priority if he wins the upcoming general elections as is widely expected, a spokesperson for his party said on Tuesday (13). Opinion polls suggest Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will easily win the next general…
Indian riot police deployed tear gas on Wednesday (14) against groups of farmers driving tractors who attempted to break through heavily fortified roadblocks in a bid to march on the capital, demanding guaranteed prices for their crops. Farmers in India this week launched the "Delhi Chalo", or "March to Delhi",…
INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (13) on a two-day visit, which will include the inauguration of the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi. This is Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015. In his statement before his departure, Modi…
THE UKRAINE war has forced India to focus its military spending more on fostering domestic industry - as Russia, its largest supplier - prioritised its domestic needs, a new report said on Tuesday (13). As a result of the conflict, New Delhi set aside a record 75 per cent of…
Indian security forces deployed tear gas on Tuesday (13) to halt the advance of thousands of farmers who, after unsuccessful negotiations with the government were marching towards New Delhi to demand minimum prices for their crops. Local broadcasters showed thick clouds of tear gas fired to disperse protesters near Ambala,…
The trade deal talks between India and the UK have run into a deadlock with both sides hardening their stands amid elections scheduled in both the countries. The UK has alleged that India was pushing for a watered-down trade deal as time runs out to conclude an agreement before negotiations…
Veteran actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty has been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata. Chakraborty, 73, reportedly expressed uneasiness on his return home from a film shoot and was rushed immediately to the hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. More details regarding his health are awaited. Chakraborty was recently named as a…
THE decision to award India's Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh and green revolution pioneer M S Swaminathan has taken the number of recipients of the country’s highest civilian award to 53, five of them within 2024, maximum in a year so far.…
Uttarakhand, a small northern Indian state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, is set to pass a bill to replace religion-specific civil laws with a Uniform Civil Code, which could be used as a template by other states. The bill, being debated by Uttarakhand's legislature on Wednesday,…
THREE people were killed in India and dozens more injured after religious clashes sparked by the destruction of a madrassa, officials said Friday (9), the latest in a spate of demolitions targeting Islamic structures. Hindu nationalist groups have been emboldened in their campaign against Muslim religious structures since prime minister…
FOREIGN SECRETARY David Cameron has pledged to help Jagtar Singh Johal, a Scottish man imprisoned in India for over six years, and has vowed to push for an investigation into allegations of torture, reported The Times. Johal, 36, was detained in Punjab in 2017 after travelling to India for his…
THE British Asian community, which has long been supported by King Charles from the days he was a young Prince of Wales, is now rallying round the 75-year old monarch following his cancer diagnosis on Monday (5). Since the King is also head of the Commonwealth, just as Queen Elizabeth…
THE US State Department has approved the potential sale of 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, related missiles and equipment to India for nearly $4 billion (£3.17bn), the Pentagon said last Thursday (1), years after the two countries started discussing a deal. India has long expressed interest in buying large, armed…
INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi last month inaugurated one of the holiest Hindu temples and his government has been spending millions of dollars to develop many others, boosting tourism and his appeal among the majority community ahead of elections. Apart from a $6 billion (£4.7bn) makeover of the northern city…
AN INDIAN state where prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power is set to introduce contentious common personal laws that will apply across religions this month, a template other state officials said they will look to follow. Currently, India’s Hindus, Muslims, Christians and large tribal populations…
KING CHARLES’S cancer diagnosis has shocked the whole country, but will be felt especially keenly by the British Asian community, for whom he has cared as long as anyone can remember. He said as much when his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, attended the Hinduja Diwali party in October 2022…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated musicians Ustad Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Selvaganesh V for their Grammy wins. Taking to X, PM wrote, "Congratulations @ZakirHtabla, @Rakeshflute, @Shankar_Live, @kanjeeraselva, and @violinganesh on your phenomenal success at the #GRAMMYs! Your exceptional talent and dedication to…
The president of India, Droupadi Murmu will be attending a ceremony on February 12 hosted by the Arya Samaj, to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, the organisation's founder, at his native place in Tankara within the Morbi district of Gujarat, the organisers said on Sunday (4).…
India shone at the 2024 Grammy Awards with five Indian musicians, including tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, picking up the coveted prize at a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles. While Hussain was India's big winner with three Grammys, Rakesh Chaurasia picked up two. Singer Shankar Mahadevan, violinist…
Shakti, a fusion music group comprising tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and singer Shankar Mahadevan, has won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for 'This Moment'. The 2024 Grammy Awards were held on late Sunday night at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena. 'This Moment' features Shakti founding member, guitarist…
LAL KRISHNA ADVANI, the BJP stalwart who catapulted the party into national reckoning with his Rath Yatra for Ayodhya's Ram Temple in the early 1990s, has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. "I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred…
A pigeon, held for eight months in Indian police custody, was finally released after being cleared of suspicions that it was spying for China. The bird was caught at a port in the financial capital Mumbai with "messages written in a Chinese-like script" on its wings, the Times of India…
BULLDOZERS have knocked down a centuries-old mosque in India's capital, a member of the building's managing committee said Thursday (1), during a demolition drive to remove "illegal" structures from a forest reserve. The demolition comes at a sensitive time in India with nationalist activists emboldened in their long campaign for…
In a remarkable display of intercultural solidarity, the Indian Embassy in the UAE hosted a special gathering on January 29, 2024, at the 27-acre construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The event, attended by representatives from 42 nations, aimed to deepen mutual understanding and respect among…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's government resisted the temptation of spending trillions of rupees on schemes for the poor in its last budget before an election and instead stuck to the path of fiscal consolidation to attract investors. The lack of social spending largesse is indicative of Modi's confidence in…
The US has revealed plans for a significant revamp of its annual H-1B speciality occupation visa lottery, widely utilised by Indian IT professionals. This overhaul aims to reduce the likelihood of fraud and enhance the efficiency of the registration process. Separately, the US on January 29 has formally launched a…
AIRBUS will build a helicopter assembly line in India with Indian conglomerate Tata, the European aircraft manufacturer said last Friday (26). The deal was announced during a two-day visit to India by French president, Emmanuel Macron. Airbus said the facility – which will take two years to set up –…
A FIRM led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani will this month start to collect the data and biometrics of up to one million residents as part of the redevelopment of a slum area in Mumbai that is considered one of Asia’s largest. The survey will be crucial in deciding who…
AUTHORITIES in Mumbai tore down several Muslim-owned makeshift shopfronts after religious clashes sparked by the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram temple last week by prime minister Narendra Modi. Minor clashes broke out on January 21 in parts of Mumbai, including one provocative incident where Hindus chanting religious slogans passed through…
INDIA and France have agreed to work together on the joint production of defence equipment including helicopters and submarines for the Indian armed forces and production for friendly countries, New Delhi said. The deal was reached during a visit by French president Emmanuel Macron, who met prime minister Narendra Modi…
A firm led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani will start in February to collect the data and biometrics of up to one million poor residents as part of the redevelopment of a slum in Mumbai that is considered one of Asia's largest. The survey will be crucial in deciding who…
THE Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that a 17th century mosque in one of Hinduism's holiest cities was built after destroying a Hindu temple that existed there, a lawyer for Hindu petitioners said, a possible new flashpoint in a decades-long dispute. Muslim lawyers in the legal case being…
A theatre group from Thailand performed a play based on the Ramayana at the Tulsi Udyan in Ayodhya. One of the performers said, "I am from the Ministry of Culture, Thailand, and today we will perform dance and stage an episode of lord Ram. We are surprised that in Ayodhya…
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron arrives as the guest of honour in India on Thursday (25) with a sumptuous palace feast and colourful military parade, as France eyes lucrative deals with the world's fifth-biggest economy. Macron will be offered a red carpet welcome by prime minister Narendra Modi with dinner in a…
THE new Ram idol consecrated at the temple on Monday (23) will be known as “Balak Ram” as it depicts the deity as a five-yearold boy in a standing posture. Arun Dixit, a priest associated with the consecration ceremony, said, “The reason for naming the idol of Lord Ram as…
THE minister of state at the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Lord Tariq Ahmad, has spoken to Eastern Eye about his recent trip to India, during which he tried to negotiate deals on such issues as climate change, pharmaceuticals, cyber and education with the prosperous states of Tamil Nadu…
In the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, India, a Namibian cheetah named Jwala has given birth to three cubs, just weeks after another Namibian cheetah, Aasha, also welcomed a litter of cubs in the same park. The news was shared by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Twitter…
On Tuesday (23), the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a city in northern India, witnessed a massive influx of Hindu devotees. Thousands gathered to offer prayers at this newly inaugurated sacred site, just one day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the temple at a site revered as the birthplace…
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, raised concerns on Sunday (21) about couples choosing destination weddings abroad. He suggested that people should be encouraged to have their weddings in India, emphasising the importance of keeping wealth within the country. Virtually addressing the foundation laying ceremony of the Khodaldham Trust Cancer Hospital…
While Hindu devotees inaugurated a grand temple in Ayodhya dedicated to one of their holiest deities on Monday (22), India's minority Muslims are planning to start the construction of a new mosque in the same city later this year. This initiative is seen as an attempt to create a new…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi led a ceremony on Monday (22) to consecrate a grand new temple to the Hindu god-king Ram, delivering on a campaign promise his political party made more than three decades ago. The construction, begun in 2020, had been a contentious issue as the temple stands…
INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple Monday (22) that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists in an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year. Modi, in flowing golden-coloured traditional dress, unveiled the black stone idol to the deity Ram in the heart…
A grand temple to Hindu god Lord Ram opens on Monday (22) on a site in India millions believe is his birthplace, in a religious spectacle led by prime minister Narendra Modi months before he seeks a rare third term in elections. The construction of the temple is a 35-year-old,…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "best leader" for India and for the relationship between the two countries, Mary Millben, a prominent African-American Hollywood actress and singer, has said noting that many in the US desire to see him re-elected so the ties can continue to be strengthened to…
British Sikhs urged French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (18) to withdraw from India's Republic Day parade due to the alleged targeting of Sikhs in other countries. India announced last month that Macron had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be guest of honour at the January…
THE leader of India’s main Congress opposition party, Rahul Gandhi, last Sunday (14) began a new cross-country march from a troubled northeastern state, aiming to generate political momentum to take on prime minister Narendra Modi in general elections due by May. The “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra”, or Unite India Justice…
THE Maldivian president told India last Sunday (14) to withdraw its nearly 100 troops by March 15, a day after returning from China where he signed a raft of deals. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of influence, but the Maldives has shifted into…
Ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country will miss the beloved legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. PM Modi took to social media platform X to state "As the nation awaits January 22 with great enthusiasm,…
Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu faced a setback on the domestic front as the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the pro-India opposition, achieved a clear victory in the mayoral election of the capital Male on Saturday (13), PTI reports said. Adam Azim, the MDP candidate, emerged victorious, succeeding Muizzu, who recently resigned…
After returning from China, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu asserted that despite its small size, the Maldives would not tolerate bullying. The statement came following the signing of several deals in China as tensions with New Delhi intensified. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said Friday (12) he was beginning an 11-day religious fast ahead of a ceremony he will lead to inaugurate a controversial new Hindu temple. Modi is presiding over the January 22 opening of the shrine, built on grounds where a centuries-old mosque once stood before…
THE chairman of Reliance Industries has lauded Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership during his speech at the just concluded Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Mukesh Ambani emphasised that Modi's influence extended globally, portraying him as the most successful prime minister in India's history. He credited Modi for Gujarat's remarkable transformation,…
Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan, who passed away on Tuesday afternoon, was laid to rest with state honours in Kolkata on Wednesday. He also received a gun salute as part of his final rites. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in attendance at Rabindra Sadan, where the mortal remains…
INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi’s government is considering doubling the annual payout to landowning female farmers to ₹12,000 (£113), three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, a move likely to appeal to women voters ahead of a general election. The plan is likely to be announced in the…
In an unusual acknowledgment, the prominent Beijing-based Chinese media outlet, Global Times, has published an article praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for India's remarkable progress in economic development, social governance, and foreign policy. Penned by Zhang Jiadong, the director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University,…
Official sources have confirmed that the centre has approved a security deployment exceeding 150 CISF personnel for the Ayodhya airport, in anticipation of the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22. The "Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham" is the country's 68th civil airport terminal to come under…
INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (10) made a strong pitch to woo global investors to the world's fastest growing large economy, saying there are new opportunities across sectors and regions for mutual prosperity. His pitch at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit comes months before he seeks a third…
Though several nations from Asia, Africa, and South America, alongside India, Russia, and China, congratulated Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina on her historic fourth term as prime minister, the United Nations, the US, and the UK voiced their reservations, terming the polls as "not free or fair." Hasina's Awami League (AL) won…
In the foreseeable future, an estimated daily footfall of over 300,000 individuals is anticipated in the north Indian town of Ayodhya. The layout for the temple town has been crafted by Dikshu Kukreja, the chief architect overseeing the project, drawing insights from various global destinations like Vatican City, Cambodia, and…
Several renowned personalities, including the Hind movie actors Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, have urged people to discover "Indian islands" and coastal getaways. Their appeal emerged during a controversy sparked by derogatory comments made by Maldivian ministers against Narendra Modi following the prime minister’s recent…
Lakshadweep and the Andamans are "astonishingly beautiful locations", said Amitabh Bachchan on Monday as the megastar hailed India's self-reliance amid a row over disparaging remarks by Maldivian ministers after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep. The 81-year-old is the latest prominent personality to express his opinion in the matter after…
INDIA's top court ruled Monday (8) that 11 murderers convicted of a gang rape that drew global outrage but who were released early must return to jail. Bilkis Bano and two of her children were the only survivors among a group of Muslims attacked by a Hindu mob in the…
INDIAN pharmaceutical companies must meet new manufacturing standards this year, according to a government notification released on Saturday (6), although small companies have asked for a delay, citing their debt load. Jolted by a string of overseas deaths linked to Indian-made drugs since 2022, prime minister Narendra Modi's government has…
India's first solar observation mission, Aditya-L1, on Saturday (6) accomplished its final phase, reaching its designated location in space to continuously observe the Sun. After a four-month journey since its launch on September 2, the spacecraft has successfully positioned itself to keep a constant eye on the Sun. The Indian…
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to commence a three-day visit to the UK, from Monday (8), aimed at revitalising strategic and security engagement between both nations. The visit aims to explore potential collaborations for joint development of fighter jets and other military platforms. Singh is scheduled to hold…
Director Subash Ghai who has been invited to the grand opening ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya said his heart is filled with immense happiness. He expressed his happiness and gratitude, stating, “Being part of this historic inauguration fills my heart with immense happiness. The construction of the Shri…
BILLIONS of voters across south Asia, the UK and the US will go to polls in the next 12 months in what will be a test of democracy, analysits have told Eastern Eye. In the UK, prime minister Rishi Sunak has to call a general election by January 28, 2025,…
INDIA's Gautam Adani once again became Asia's richest man on Friday (5), according to a Bloomberg index of the world's billionaires, a year after allegations of market manipulation hammered his conglomerate's stock prices. Adani Group saw more than $150 billion wiped from its market value after a bombshell report by…
As preparations unfold for the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a notable Indian community activist in New York has expressed appreciation for measures that enable diaspora members to contribute to the temple's development. Social activist Prem Bhandari had earlier appealed to prime minister Narendra Modi to allow members…
GUJARAT state on Wednesday (3) said it has signed initial investment agreements worth $86 billion (£68bn) with 58 companies including steelmaker ArcelorMittal's joint venture and others operating in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, and chemicals. Gujarat, the home state of prime minister Narendra Modi, has been signing these…
The festival of Diwali is coming early this year, says Ramayan star Dipika Chikhlia, who is looking forward to attending the historic consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Chikhlia, who became famous for her role as Goddess Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan 36 years ago,…
BJP leader Arjunamurthy on behalf of the Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra invited megastar Rajinikanth for the ‘Ayodhya Kumbabhishek’ event on January 22. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Arjunamurthy shared a couple of pictures which he captioned in Tamil. He wrote, “Today's event was the best experience of my life!…
INDIA's Supreme Court on Wednesday (3) said the Adani Group does not need to face more investigations beyond the current scrutiny of the market regulator, a major relief for the conglomerate hit hard by a US short-seller's allegations of wrongdoing. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been…
INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi, does not give press interviews, so why did he choose to give one just before Christmas to the Financial Times, of all papers? The FT, a respected newspaper with digital subscribers all over the world, has been sustained in its relentless attacks on the ruling…
DEMOCRACY is the theme of 2024. Around half of the world’s population has the chance to go to the polls. This weekend’s vote in Bangladesh, boycotted by the opposition to Shekih Hasina, is an inauspicious start. Pakistan in February holds its first elections since 2018. More than 600 million will…
INDIAN billionaire Gautam Adani's joint venture with Mumbai's slum rehabilitation authority has hired a global team to redevelop Dharavi, a key step in rebuilding one of Asia's biggest slums amid growing opposition to the project. Dharavi, about three quarters the size of New York's Central Park, is a crowded area…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi visited a holy town last week to open fresh transport links catering to pilgrims for a new temple steeped in a history of sectarian violence. Ayodhya's new shrine to Lord Ram will be formally unveiled this month on the grounds where a centuries-old mosque once…
According to a UK media report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by Easter, which falls at the end of March 2024. The India-UK FTA talks began in January last year, aimed at significantly enhancing the £36-billion bilateral trading partnership. A new…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's twin wins at Oscars 2023 for the song "Naatu Naatu" from RRR and the documentary short The Elephant Whisperers in his last Mann Ki Baat address for 2023. In the 108th episode of the radio broadcast, the prime minister said the…
LESS THAN a month before a grand Hindu temple opens, India's northern town of Ayodhya is buzzing with activity as finishing touches are put on a project seen as the centrepiece of prime minister Narendra Modi's re-election campaign. Once a sleepy temple town in the most populous state of Uttar…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to inaugurate the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in February next year, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a statement. Swami Ishwarcharandas, Swami Brahmaviharidas and other BAPS representatives visited the prime minister at his New Delhi residence to extend an invitation for…
PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (27) invited prime minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year as external affairs minister S Jaishankar called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin. "We will be glad to see our friend, prime minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar. Jaishankar, who is in…
India has unveiled plans to revamp its colonial-era penal code in a bid to eradicate any remnants of "the slavery of the British Raj." Addressing the lower house of parliament on Thursday (21), after the passage of three new criminal justice bills, Amit Shah, the minister of home affairs, emphasised…
India's army has launched an investigation into the alleged deaths of three civilians taken into military custody after a deadly rebel attack on soldiers in Kashmir, police said Tuesday. The three men were among a group of eight detained by the army last week in Poonch, near the frontier that…
FRENCH president Emmanuel Macron will be the guest of honour at India's Republic Day parade in January, New Delhi announced Friday (22), days after US president Joe Biden backed out. Macron "will be visiting India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations" on prime minister Narendra Modi's…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi said India will investigate any evidence provided regarding an alleged plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the US, the Financial Times reported Wednesday (20). The US Justice Department last month charged an Indian citizen with plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US soil,…
BODIES of 87 people killed during bitter ethnic violence over the past eight months in India's Manipur state were buried in a mass ceremony on Wednesday (20), a community leader said. At least 200 people have been killed in the northeastern state since fighting broke out in May between the…
WORKERS in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya are finalizing a $6 billion (£4.7bn) infrastructure facelift ahead of the opening of a grand Hindu temple that is igniting an economic boom - which some of city’s poor and its Muslim community say is passing them by. City officials expect about…
LIKE many other Muslims, Indian tailor Safi Mohammad plans to send his wife and two sons away before thousands of pilgrims arrive at his hometown of Ayodhya next month for the inauguration of one of Hinduism's most sacred temples. The temple, built on a site Hindus believe to be the…
THOUSANDS of protesters led by opposition parties marched towards billionaire Gautam Adani’s offices in Mumbai last Saturday (16) to voice their opposition to his conglomerate’s $614 million (£483m) redevelopment plans for one of Asia’s largest slums in the city. Protesters carried flags and banners with slogans such as “Remove Adani…
NEARLY 100 opposition MPs were temporarily barred from India’s parliament for demanding a debate into last week’s protest when a smoke canister was released in the legislature. The 92 suspended MPs include opposition leaders in both houses of parliament. Six people were arrested after the protest last Wednesday (13), when…
THE King's charity, formerly the Prince's Foundation, is under scrutiny as it is compelled to return £110,000 to the Indian government. The funds were earmarked for an NHS alternative medicine clinic championed by Charles, which never materialised. The proposed clinic, aimed at integrating Indian traditional medicine into the UK's healthcare…
TENSIONS among nuclear powers, mainly in Asia, carry the risk of escalating into major conventional wars, a new survey cautioned. Significant Asian conflicts, such as in Kashmir and Afghanistan, have seen reduced violence since a ceasefire began in February 2021, said the Armed Conflict Survey 2023 by the London-based geopolitics…
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik on Saturday (16), adopted a vision document aimed at bolstering cooperation in approximately 10 crucial sectors. Their "productive" discussions focused on reviving India-Oman strategic ties and emphasised the need to swiftly conclude a comprehensive economic partnership…
INDIA's top court has directed the family of the man accused of plotting to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to seek relief in a Czech court regarding allegations of religious and human rights violations. Nikhil Gupta, 52, was arrested in Prague in June and is currently in Czech custody,…
A MAN jumped into the MPs' area of the lower house of India's parliament on Wednesday (13), in a major security breach on the 22nd anniversary of a deadly attack on the complex. TV channels showed a man wearing a black jacket jump from the visitors' area into the MPs'…
India’s union home minister and member of parliament, Amit Shah, was warmly welcomed, along with his accompanying delegation on Saturday (9) at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, better known as the yoga capital of the world. This visit followed his participation in the Global Investors Summit held in Dehradun,…
INDIA's environment minister, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday (9) demanded "equity and justice" in UN climate negotiations, holding that rich countries should be leading global climate action. The comments underlined India's long-held position that, as a developing country, it should not be a forced to cut its energy-related emissions - even…
INDIA'S Supreme Court upheld on Monday (11) a 2019 decision by the government of prime minister Narendra Modi to revoke special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and set a deadline of September 30 next year for state polls to be held. India's only Muslim-majority region, Jammu and…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India needs a movement like 'Wed in India' on the lines of 'Made in India' and asked affluent industrialists to hold at least one destination wedding in their families each year in Uttarakhand, saying it will help the hill state emerge as…
UNESCO has decided to add Gujarat’s traditional Garba dance to its 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,' Bhupendra Patel, the state’s chief minister announced on Wednesday (6). India had nominated Garba, performed across Gujarat and in many other parts of the country during the Navratri festival, for…
The Ram Temple Trust has extended invitations to 7,000 individuals, among them cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Hindi movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and prominent industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, sources…
DR HENRY KISSINGER, who died last Wednesday (29), aged 100, was an American diplomat of Jewish-German extraction who served as national security adviser and secretary of state to US presidents Richard Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford. Kissinger’s long life was proof of the old adage, “You can fool all…
WALMART is importing more goods to the United States from India and reducing its reliance on China as it looks to cut costs and diversify its supply chain, data seen by Reuters shows. The world’s largest retailer shipped one quarter of its US imports from India between January and August…
RESCUERS used boats to reach people stranded in their homes amid widespread flooding in Chennai on Wednesday (6) after cyclone Michaung barrelled into India’s southern coast, bringing in heavy rain and winds that uprooted trees and damaged roads. An estimated 13 people, most of them in the manufacturing hub of…
INDIAN stock markets continued their positive momentum for the second day after regional elections in which prime minister Narendra Modi’s party made impressive gains. The Bombay Stock Exchange’s bellwether index Sensex gained 1,815 points in two days to close above the 69,000 mark on Tuesday (4) with both domestic and…
HENRY KISSINGER, known for his disdain for India's leadership in the 1970s, has been advocating stronger US-India ties in the past decade under prime minister Narendra Modi. After Modi came to power in 2014, Kissinger, also the former US National Security Advisor, has been advocating strong ties with India. When…
Canada urged India on Wednesday (29) to cooperate in an investigation regarding the murder involving a Sikh separatist in British Columbia. The request came after the US revealed it had prevented an assassination attempt against a Sikh separatist on its soil. The U.S. Justice Department said earlier on Wednesday it…
INDIA'S ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (3) appeared set to win three of four states in key regional polls, in a big boost for prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of general elections in six months. The heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and the southern state…
The Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday (29), met with the workers rescued from the Silkyara tunnel and presented Rs 1 lakh, equivalent to around £ 950 to each of the workers. He visited the rescued workers at a hospital in Chinyalisaur, where they are under medical observation.…
INDIA will formally investigate security concerns aired by the United States in a warning to New Delhi about its links to a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday (29). The issue comes at a delicate time for both India and the Biden…
Indian rescuers on Tuesday (27) pulled out all 41 construction workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayas for 17 days, hours after drilling through the debris of rock, concrete and earth to reach them, officials said. The evacuation of the men - low-wage workers from some of India's…
Leading Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt is the latest celebrity to fall prey to deepfake technology after Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, and Kajol. An unsettling deepfake video of the Gangubai Kathiawadi actress has gone viral on social media. The video shows a girl who resembles Alia Bhatt looking into the camera…
INDIA's government on Friday (24) warned social media firms including Facebook and YouTube to repeatedly remind users that local laws prohibit them from posting deepfakes and content that spreads obscenity or misinformation, two sources said. The warning was conveyed by deputy IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a closed-door meeting where…
A court in Qatar has admitted the Indian government’s appeal against the death penalty handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel in that country, according to media reports. The Qatari court on Thursday (23) admitted the appeal filed by the Indian government and the next hearing is to be…
US authorities thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the country and issued a warning to India over concerns the government in New Delhi was involved, a senior Biden administration official said. The US is treating the plot with utmost seriousness and has raised the issue with the…
INDIA played the tournament’s best cricket for nearly six weeks but it was the familiar sight of Australia celebrating with the trophy when the 13th edition of the ICC World Cup came to a close last Sunday (19). Just five months after beating India in the World Test Championship final…
INDIA’S prime minister Narendra Modi responded to a ‘thank you’ note by Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger. After concluding his India trip, the legendary rocker shared a note written in Hindi on X. His note accompanied a video of him singing Dreamy Skies from Hackney Diamonds, the band’s new album.…
INDIA’S money laundering investigators on Tuesday (21) said they seized properties worth ₹7.52 billion (£72 million) in a probe linked to a nine-year-old complaint against opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia. The complaint, lodged by an MP from prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)…
AUTHORITIES in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh have banned the distribution and sale of Halal-certified products, including dairy, garments and medicines saying it was illegal. Bakery products, sugar, edible oil and other products which were labelled as 'Halal-certified' by the companies manufacturing them would be banned from distribution…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to a ‘Thank you’ note by the legendary rockstar Mick Jagger. After concluding his India trip, the British rock band The Rolling Stones lead vocalist shared a note written in Hindi on X. His note accompanied a video of him singing 'Dreamy Skies' from…
AUSTRALIA won a record-extending sixth 50-overs World Cup title after opener Travis Head smashed a magnificent century to fashion their six-wicket victory in Sunday's (19) final against the tournament's in-form team India. Put into bat, India rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post a below-par 240…
INDIA rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post 240 all out in exactly 50 overs against Australia in the final of the World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (19). Pat Cummins's decision to field, primarily to avoid operating with a dewy…
ROHIT SHARMA's undefeated India will look to end a 10-year global title drought in front of 130,000 fans in the World Cup final against five-time champions Australia on Sunday (19). India have racked up 10 straight wins at the tournament as they seek a third World Cup triumph to add…
Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit will perform at the star-studded opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where actors Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi and Vijay Sethupathi will also unveil the first looks of their upcoming films. The 54th edition of the film…
The UK is facing increased pressure to contribute additional evidence against individuals linked to the protests outside the Indian High Commission in London in March. This urging coincides with a meeting between the new foreign secretary, David Cameron, and the Indian external affairs minister, S Jaishankar. Jaishankar is supporting the…
BRITAIN's Sikh population, whose ancestors first migrated from the Punjab more than a century ago, have long been admired as a model of integration and for maintaining a strong identity. Lauded in their country of origin and beyond for their valour, industriousness and charity, Sikhs took those values to Britain,…
Britain’s secretary of state for Energy and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, believes India and the UK share a common energy and climate change objectives. The 38-year-old Goan-origin Conservative MP, promoted by prime minister Rishi Sunak in a recent Cabinet reshuffle, joked about setting somewhat of a trend as the latest…
MY INSTINCT is that the return of David Cameron as foreign secretary is good for Rishi Sunak, for the government and for the country. Let’s not forget that Rishi was elected an MP in 2015 during Cameron’s last year as prime minister. Cameron has disagreed with Rishi’s decision to cancel…
At least 36 individuals were killed, and 19 sustained injuries in a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday (15). The accident occurred when a bus, carrying passengers, skidded off the road, rolling down into a 300-foot gorge, officials said. The bus bearing registration number JK02CN-6555 was…
AUSTRALIA captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field against India in the final of the 50-overs World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (19). Two-time champions India have been the form team winning all 10 games to make the final against five-time winners Australia in…
Rescue teams in northern India announced on Monday (13) that they were able to establish contact with 40 workers who had been trapped for more than 24 hours following the collapse of the road tunnel they were constructing. "All the 40 workers trapped inside the tunnel are safe," Karamveer Singh…
AT LEAST 40 construction workers were trapped Sunday (12) after the road tunnel they were building collapsed in northern India, with rescuers scrambling to reach them beneath piles of debris. The collapse occurred early Sunday morning in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand when a group of workers were moving out…
THREE Bangladeshi tourists died in India's Kashmir region when some of the houseboats stationed in the picturesque Dal lake caught fire on Saturday (11), a police official said. Police said a fire broke out in one houseboat in the early hours and quickly spread to other boats moored nearby. "Three…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning met veteran actor Saira Banu, during which the two discussed a wide range of subjects. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi shared pictures featuring Saira Banu from their meeting. https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1723026258580086874?s=20 Sharing the pictures, he wrote, "It was wonderful to meet Saira…
The secretary of state for Energy and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, Britain's latest Indian-origin Cabinet minister, highlighted the common energy and climate change objectives between the two nations in her inaugural diaspora speech. The 38-year-old Goan-origin Conservative MP, promoted by prime minister Rishi Sunak in a recent Cabinet reshuffle, joked…
NAFIS ANSARI, a school principal who is Muslim, was enlisted this year by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a "Modi Mitr", or friend of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. The resident of the central state of Madhya Pradesh promotes the party to neighbours and relatives at events such…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, lit ceremonial lamps for Diwali at a special reception at 10 Downing Street, welcoming guests from the Indian diaspora, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, and Hindi movie celebrities. The prime ministerial residence was decorated in a theme of vibrant marigolds and candles on Wednesday…
THE enemy is nearly invisible and there are no soldiers, but the Indian capital’s new “Green War Room” is battling air pollution that is cutting lives of residents by over a decade. “It’s a pollution emergency”, said Gopal Rai, environment minister for the rapidly expanding megacity of over 20 million…
US SECRETARY of state Antony Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The talks in New Delhi on Friday (10) with…
ISRAEL has sought 100,000 Indian workers to substitute Palestinian labourers, according to reports. The action was taken in response to the recent cancellation of work licenses for tens of thousands of Palestinian employees in Israel following attacks by Hamas last month. Reports said that the Israeli construction industry contemplated hiring…
TWO of five Indian states due to elect new legislatures this month began voting on Tuesday (7), a big test of prime minister Narendra Modi's chances of winning a third term in a national election due by May. Modi and leaders of the main opposition Congress party headed by Rahul…
DEFENDING champions England were eliminated from the 50-over World Cup after their 33-run defeat by Ashes rivals Australia on Saturday (4). Australia posted 286 all out with Marnus Labuschagne (71) top-scoring for them after the five-time champions were put in to bat. England managed 253 in reply to slump to…
INDIA'S cyber security agency is investigating complaints of mobile phone hacking by senior opposition politicians who reported receiving warning messages from Apple, information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Vaishnaw was quoted in the Indian Express newspaper as saying on Thursday (2) that CERT-In, the computer emergency response team based in…
BANGLADESH prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (1) said the inauguration of three India-assisted development projects in her country has proved that friendly relations between neighbouring countries can accelerate mutual economic development. "I think it is an instance for the world," Hasina said after virtually inaugurating jointly with her Indian…
POLICE in Kerala opened an investigation against India's deputy minister of Information Technology on Tuesday (31) for allegedly stirring religious hatred on social media after bomb blasts at a Jehovah's Witnesses convention in the southern state. Homemade bombs exploded, killing three people and wounding 50 in the attack last Sunday…
INDIAN opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (31) accused prime minister Narendra Modi's government of trying to hack into senior opposition politicians' mobile phones, after they reported receiving warning messages from Apple. Some of the lawmakers shared screenshots on social media of a notification quoting the iPhone manufacturer as saying:…
In the heart of Tashkent, a city known for its rich history, stands an Indian restaurant celebrating the legacy of legendary Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor and the love of the Uzbeks for him even 35 years after his death. Styled on the Bollywood theme, the 'Raaj Kapur' restaurant which is…
INDIA'S foreign minister on Monday (30) said the country would "make all efforts" to secure the release of eight ex-navy personnel sentenced to death by a court in Qatar, reportedly for spying for Israel. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had met the families of the detained Indians and told them the…
Facing a formidable opponent on foreign soil, England's war-weary cricket team gears up for their World Cup challenge against India at a venue historically significant for intense battles, adding to the pressure of the already tense tournament. The past and present cricket powerhouses meet Sunday (29) in Lucknow not far…
THE Vatican has greenlighted the start of a process towards potential sainthood for 35 Indians massacred in 2008 during some of the worst anti-Christian violence in decades, India's Catholic bishops have said. After the murder of a Hindu priest in 2008, revenge attacks on the Christian community saw mobs target…
INDIA will reopen visa services for Canadians, its embassy in Ottawa announced, a move that could ease tensions in a high-profile dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Relations between India and Canada plunged after prime minister Justin Trudeau last month publicly linked Indian intelligence to…
INDIA’S competence to stage the Olympics, which prime minister Narendra Modi wants to do, has been questioned by Simon Wilde, cricket correspondent of The Times, who has written a blistering article about the alleged mismanagement of the World Cup currently under way. Wilde took the Board of Control for Cricket…
INDIA will consider giving equal financial rights and legal protection to the LGBTQ community, but legalising same-sex marriage is not on the agenda despite the Supreme Court saying the onus for this is on parliament, two government sources said. India’s top court declined to give a ruling last week and…
WHAT is the most important difference between Ireland and the United Kingdom? The answer is Brexit. Ireland is taking full advantage of its continued membership of the European Union – and seeking to attract new investment from India. This is why Ireland has opened a consulate in Mumbai, India’s commercial…
THE Hindu temple in Ayodhya will open just months before national elections next year, officials said on Tuesday (24). The holy city in northern India has long been a religious tinderbox, providing the spark for some of the country's worst sectarian violence. Devout Hindus believe that Lord Ram was born…
Actress Kangana Ranaut is going to be the first woman to burn the Ravan effigy at the famous Lav Kush Ramlila, Red Fort ground, Delhi on the occasion of Dussehra 2023. Taking to Instagram, Kangana shared a video and made the announcement. She captioned the video, "In the 50 years…
Author Salman Rushdie last Friday (20) called for a "cessation" in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, saying he was filled with "horror" and "foreboding". Making a rare public appearance since a near-fatal stabbing attack in the United States last year, Rushdie said he was horrified at…
Indian cricketing hero and spin great Bishan Singh Bedi has died aged 77, sports minister Anurag Thakur said Monday, calling it a "huge loss" to the sport. "Former captain of the Indian cricket team, a bowler who was always remembered by the nation, Bishan Singh Bedi, is no more," Thakur,…
INDIA on Saturday (21) successfully launched the first unmanned trial run of its upcoming crewed orbital mission, in the latest milestone for its spacefaring ambitions. The Gaganyaan ("Skycraft") mission is slated to send three astronauts into Earth's orbit in 2025, an important yardstick of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO)…
THE outlook is very bright for British Indian businessmen (and women) if a UK-India Free Trade Agreement is signed – as prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Narendra Modi hope to do by the end of 2023 or at the latest by early next year. A senior Indian government source has…
GOOGLE will start manufacturing smartphones in India and its flagship Pixel 8 will be available next year, an executive said on Thursday (19), as the tech giant joins global companies setting up facilities in the South Asian nation. At a Google for India event, Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of…
Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday (17) India's ambitious plans to send a man to the Moon and establish a space station by 2040, showcasing the country's intensified efforts in its space programme. This announcement coincides with a significant upcoming test flight for India's first crewed space mission, scheduled for Saturday…
THE government is pressuring the BBC to refer to Hamas as “terrorists” instead of “militants” or “fighters” in its news reports. But ministers should reflect on the consequences of taking such a stance. The BBC is part of British soft power precisely because it is independent of government. Take, for…
INDIAN space startup Agnikul Cosmos said on Tuesday (17) it had raised $26.7 million (£22m) in additional funds ahead of its first rocket launch, as private space firms benefit from the successful landing of an Indian spacecraft on the moon. Chennai-based Agnikul, whose name is derived from the Hindi and…
India's top court on Tuesday (17) declined to legalise same-sex marriages. However, it emphasised the country's responsibility to recognise LGBTQ relationships and safeguard them against discrimination. The government has opposed moves to legally codify same-sex partnerships in the five years since the Supreme Court struck down colonial-era laws banning gay…
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina applauded filmmaker Shyam Benegal and the team for creating a "wonderful historical masterpiece" with Mujib - The Making of a Nation, a biographical drama on the country's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The film narrates the life story of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned down a Garba song, titled Maadi, composed by Meet brothers, Manmeet Singh and Harmeet Singh. According to them, it is like a blessing of Goddess Durga during Navaratri that they got this opportunity. On the Garba song Maadi penned by Modi, the Meet…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi has confirmed India would bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and become just the fourth Asian nation to stage the Games. The country has held a session of the International Olympic Committee's executive board, which has already resolved to include cricket - India's most popular…
THE decision on which city will host the 2036 summer Olympics will be taken in three years’ time at the earliest, the International Olympic Committee said on Sunday (15). India this week declared interest in staging the Olympics in 2036, with prime minister Narendra Modi addressing the IOC leadership at…
AS the bus crossed Usmanpura, a popular soft-drink brand’s electronic glow-sign board announced the temperature in an innovative manner — Ahmedabad city: 35 degrees. Motera: 37 degrees. By 11 am on Saturday (14), all roads led to the Narendra Modi Stadium for the World Cup’s most-awaited clash — India versus…
Ahead of the most awaited match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, actor Anushka Sharma-the wife of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, Singer Arijit Singh, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik arrived in Ahmedabad to cheer India…
This Sunday, October 14, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to host the much-anticipated match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Apart from thousands of fans, a number of celebrities from various walks of life are also set to attend the…
BUOYED by a record run chase, Babar Azam's Pakistan are on the hunt for their first ever World Cup win over India in Saturday's (14) blockbuster match between cricket's biggest rivals in a 132,000-capacity arena patrolled by 11,000 police officers. India and Pakistan are bitter adversaries and only play against…
Cricket fans have been waiting for the hotly anticipated India- Pakistan cricket match with bated breath. And now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added more excitement to the much-awaited clash and fans will be greeted by a special performance by well-known Indian playback singer Arijit…
CRICKET fever has gripped Ahmedabad ahead of Saturday's (14) World Cup group stage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and a visit to the hospitals near the venue of the match in the western Indian city clearly shows the degree of excitement. Quite a few of the hospitals have seen…
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has shared a screenshot of an email in which he has received a request from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library for the script of The Vaccine War. Vivek took to X to share the picture and wrote, "I am proud that the script…
BOOKER Prize-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy could be prosecuted for a 2010 speech about Kashmir after a top official signed off on the move, local media reported. Roy, 61, is one of India's most famous living authors, but her writing and activism, including her trenchant criticism of prime minister Narendra…
THE president-elect of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has marked his victory with a pledge to end the foreign military presence in his small but strategically placed atoll nation. Muizzu, 45, addressing his first public rally after winning the runoff election on September 30, stopped short of naming India, the only…
FIVE Indian states will elect new legislatures next month, an independent election panel said on Monday (9), beginning a process of regional polls ahead of national elections due next year. The elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram are expected to give an indication of voter mood, especially…
BRITAIN and India are looking at a possible visit to New Delhi by prime minister Rishi Sunak soon, but it may depend on whether the two sides can resolve the remaining differences to firm up the free trade agreement (FTA), people familiar with the matter said on Monday (9). Both…
NEW ZEALAND crushed defending champions England by nine wickets in the opening match of the 50-over World Cup on Thursday (5), demonstrating again their knack of punching above their weight in showpiece events. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra smashed rapid unbeaten centuries to set up New Zealand's successful pursuit of…
INDIAN trailblazer Neeraj Chopra added Asian Games gold to his Olympic and world titles in javelin on Wednesday (4) as his nation celebrated its biggest medal haul at the continental showpiece in Hangzhou. India's first Olympic athletics champion threw 88.88 metres, more than 0.70m further than Budapest where the 25-year-old…
In response to the Canadian allegations implicating India in the assassination of a pro-Khalistan separatist, The White House has said that the accusations are "serious" and warrant a comprehensive investigation. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey, British Columbia on June…
INDIAN police raided the New Delhi office of a news portal and the homes of journalists and writers linked to it on Tuesday (3) as part of an investigation into suspected illegal foreign funding of the media company, two government officials said. Laptops and mobile phones were taken away as…
ENGLAND hope to ride their formidable batting firepower to a second successive World Cup title but if India's crafty spinners and sprightly pace attack can fully exploit home conditions the country's cricket-mad fans could have something to celebrate. Since failing to make it out of the pool phase at the…
INDIA target a third World Cup when cricket's global showpiece gets underway on Thursday (5) with the country buoyed by a growing, international self-confidence and with a sport which unites and divides the sub-continent like no other on the verge of joining the Olympic elite. The epic tournament features 10…
From September 30, the dedication celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, have commenced, spanning a nine-day celebration in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. Leaders, including heads of state worldwide, have expressed their support. India's prime minister Narendra Modi and prime minister Rishi Sunak have…
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on India to "cooperate fully" with the ongoing Canadian investigation into the killing of a Khalistani separatist, a senior State Department official said on Friday (29). This statement came a day after external affairs minister S Jaishankar met with the top American…
Investing in infrastructure to develop the tourism potential of Uttarakhand is a priority for the north Indian state, its chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has said. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Dhami revealed the state government’s plans to work with the hospitality sector to enhance the appeal of…
BRITAIN’S proposed trade deal with India will not include legally enforceable commitments on labour rights or climate standards, a key omission which UK businesses feel will hurt them, a media report said.The two countries are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the discussions have entered the 13th round. The…
India’s Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Friday said the government has “zero tolerance” for corruption and has initiated an inquiry into the claim by Tamil actor Vishal that he paid a bribe to obtain censor certification of the Hindi version for his film Mark Antony. On Thursday the actor…
India is exploring the possibility of importing cheetahs from northern Africa, officials announced on Wednesday (27). This decision comes in response to concerns that cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, currently residing in India, have developed a winter coat in the Indian summer. According to the officials, one of the…
VETERAN agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan passed away in Chennai on Thursday (28). He was 98.Swaminathan is regarded as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, a period which saw the country adopt the modern farming system, including machinery and high-yielding varieties of crops.He headed the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on her birth anniversary. He took to X and wrote a special message while recalling the contribution to Indian music of the late singer PM Modi wrote, “Remembering Lata Didi on her birth anniversary. Her contribution to Indian music…
INDIA's external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that in the next 25 years, the country’s Amrit Kaal as espoused by prime minister Narendra Modi, India will strive to be a developed country and it is “logical” that it also seeks to be a global power. Jaishankar, speaking at the…
THE Indian government freed Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and influential separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, last Friday (22) after more than four years of house arrest. The 50-year-old was detained along with other political leaders and thousands of residents when the government cancelled the region’s constitutional semi-autonomy and imposed federal…
A BITTER row between India and Canada over the murder of a Sikh separatist is being felt in Punjab, where some Sikhs fear both a backlash from India’s government and a threat to their prospects for a better life in North America. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a plumber who left the…
HUNDREDS of Sikh protesters rallied outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada on Monday (25), trampling pictures of prime minister Narendra Modi and burning flags a week after Ottawa said New Delhi had played a role in the killing of a prominent Sikh activist. About 100 protesters in Toronto burned an…
INDIAN activist Partha Chaudhury is on a war footing as he strides out of the ruling BJP’s regional headquarters in Kolkata armed with passion and pages of voter lists. “We need to meet each and every BJP supporter, and all of this has to be done in less than 300…
ANTI-MUSLIM hate speech incidents in India averaged more than one a day in the first half of 2023 and were seen most in states with upcoming elections, according to a report by Hindutva Watch, a Washington-based group monitoring attacks on minorities. There were 255 documented incidents of hate speech gatherings…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday remembered the iconic actor Dev Anand on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Modi dropped a couple of pictures with the late veteran star and wrote, “Dev Anand Ji is remembered as an evergreen icon.…
Hundreds of Sikh protesters gathered outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada on Monday (25), demonstrating against the alleged involvement of India in the killing of a prominent Sikh activist. The protesters trampled pictures of prime minister Narendra Modi and burned flags. "We are not safe back home in Punjab, we…
INDIA target a third World Cup triumph when the country hosts cricket's seven-week global showpiece, buoyed by an economic boom and growing, international self-confidence. India shared hosting with Pakistan in 1987, then Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1996 before another three-way split with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011. This…
He came, he saw, he joked. Smiles and laughter filled the jam-packed auditorium of JLN stadium as celebrated stand-up artist Trevor Noah kickstarted the Indian leg of his 'Off The Record' tour in New Delhi. Performing his debut gig in India, Noah, who grew up in South Africa watching Bollywood…
THE US is in touch with Indians at high levels after Ottawa said Indian government agents had links to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday (21). Washington is giving India no "special exemption" in the matter,…
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…
Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to serve as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 next year, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday (20). The invitation was extended to Biden during their bilateral meeting on September 8…
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…
