Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

World leaders congratulate Modi

ISRAELI prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena are among the first few leaders to congratulate India's Narendra Modi for scripting an "impressive victory" in the general elections.

Taking to Twitter, Netanyahu vowed to strengthen their "great friendship" as well as bilateral ties.


"Sincerely greetings to you, my friend @Narendramodi, for your impressive victory in the elections!," Netanyahu tweeted in Hebrew and Hindi. "The election results are another confirmation of your leadership and the way you lead the world's greatest democracy. Together we will continue to strengthen the great friendship between us and India and Israel and lead it to new heights," he tweeted.

Sri Lankan president Sirisena, too, took to the microblogging platform to say he hoped to continue the "warm and constructive relationship".

"Congratulations on your victory and the peoples re-endorsement of your leadership. Sri Lanka looks forward to continuing the warm and constructive relationship with India in the future," wrote Sirisena.

Sri Lanka's prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe wrote: "Congratulations to @narendramodi on a magnificent victory! We look forward to working closely with you."

In a letter sent to Modi, Chinese president Xi Jinping congratulated him on the electoral victory of the NDA under his leadership, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

In the letter, President Xi noted the great importance he attached to the development of India-China relations and his desire to work with Modi to take the closer development partnership between the two countries to a new height.

Xi also expressed satisfaction at the strong momentum of development in India-China relations in recent years with the joint efforts of both the sides.

Congratulating Modi, Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed his readiness to work together to build up the full range of bilateral relations.

"I am convinced that, as the Prime Minister of India, you will further strengthen the centuries-old friendship between our peoples and the all-round development of a particularly privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," Putin said in a message.

More For You

IPL-suspension-Getty

The decision to halt the T20 tournament came after Thursday's match in Dharamsala was abandoned. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India suspends IPL over border tensions with Pakistan

THE Indian Premier League has been suspended indefinitely due to escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan, according to Indian media reports on Friday.

The decision to halt the T20 tournament came after Thursday's match in Dharamsala was abandoned. The city is located less than 200 kilometres from Jammu, where explosions were reported earlier in the day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kashmir-strikes-Getty

A view of shops that is damaged due to cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan on the Line of Control in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, on May 9, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says it repelled Pakistan drone, artillery attacks as tensions continue

INDIA said on Friday (9) it repelled multiple drone and artillery attacks launched by Pakistan overnight, as tensions continued following deadly cross-border violence this week. Islamabad denied launching any attacks, while both sides reported new casualties and damage.

"Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May," the Indian army said in a statement. "The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given."

Keep ReadingShow less
Kannada Balaga UK celebrates Ugadi in Sheffield

Participants during Ugadi 2025 celebrations

Kannada Balaga UK celebrates Ugadi in Sheffield

A traditional Indian New Year celebration brought hundreds of UK-based Kannadigas together last weekend as Kannada Balaga UK marked Ugadi 2025 with a day-long cultural festival.

The charity, registered in the UK since 1983, held its annual Ugadi celebration last Saturday (3) at Sheffield's historic Cutlers Hall.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Prevost

Newly-elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8. (Photo: Getty Images)

Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV, first American to lead Catholic Church

WHITE SMOKE rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that cardinals have elected a new leader for the Catholic Church. US Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen in a surprise decision and has taken the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope.

Thousands gathered in St Peter's Square cheered as the smoke appeared and bells rang, confirming the Church has chosen its 267th pope. Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica around 70 minutes later, making his first public appearance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Trump

Starmer and Donald Trump have announced a new UK-US trade agreement cutting tariffs on key British exports.

Getty Images

Starmer, Trump announce UK-US trade agreement

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and US president Donald Trump on Thursday announced a trade agreement that reduces tariffs on British exports, including cars and steel.

The deal, reached after several weeks of talks, lowers levies on UK car exports from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent and lifts tariffs on British steel and aluminium. The UK government said the move would save Jaguar Land Rover hundreds of millions of pounds a year, with the reduction applying to a quota of 100,000 cars — close to Britain’s total exports last year.

Keep ReadingShow less