After a successful visit to the United States, France has rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Big-ticket announcements have been made that include purchase of 26 Rafale jets and 3 submarines. India and France share a long history of bilateral ties and Prime Minister’s visit to the country further strengthens India’s relations with the European country. On The India Story this week, Vikram Chandra discusses the significance of PM’s France visit and its global implications with Kanwal Sibal, Former Foreign Secretary, Arun Kumar Singh, Former Ambassador to France, Commodore C Uday Bhaskar (retd), Director, Society of Policy Studies and Alexis Poulin, Journalist and Co-founder, Le Monde Moderne.

Bastille day welcome for Indian PM

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone on July 14 with the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, its ambitious third lunar mission, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The satellite successfully separated into orbit, marking a major accomplishment in the journey towards reaching the moon. If India achieves a successful 'soft' landing on the lunar surface, it will become the fourth country to accomplish this feat, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union. On The India Story, Vikram Chandra explores the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the future of India's space program with Dr. Madhavan Nair, Former Chairman of ISRO, and Dr. Ajey Lele, Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).

India's moon voyage

India's Chandrayaan-3 takes off

PM Modi has kickstarted his visit to France. India is set to sign a deal to procure 26 Rafale jets during this visit. Molly Gambhir tells you why this development has spooked Pakistan & China.

Gravitas: PM Modi in France: India to acquire 26 Rafale marine jets

<p>India and France have announced a series of agreements to strengthen ties and address the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, the two nations, sharing a common vision for the region, have adopted a new Indo-Pacific Roadmap, aiming to ensure stability, sustainable development, and free access to global commons.</p>

<p>Building upon the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, adopted in 2018, India and France with this new roadmap are committed to working together to secure their economic and security interests. It includes advancing "the rule of international law" and building a "balanced and stable order" in the region, with "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," MEA said in a statement. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-meets-prominent-individuals-in-paris-hold-discussions-on-yoga-science-skill-development-and-more-615736">PM Modi meets prominent individuals in Paris; hold discussions on yoga, science, skill development, and more</a></p>

<p>Highlighting the importance of the Pacific, both countries have pledged to extend their cooperation with the involvement of the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The French overseas territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans will play a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific partnership between India and France, the statement read.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Promoting UN Security Council reform</strong></h2>

<p>India and France also joined hands in advocating for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to ensure better representation and inclusivity. The two nations support the credentials of the G4 countries, including India, to become new permanent members of the Security Council. Additionally, both nations also urged the need for improved representation from Africa among the council's permanent members.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Science, technology, and academic cooperation</strong></h2>

<p>Recognising the pivotal role of technology in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, India and France have agreed to deepen their cooperation in the fields of science, technological innovation, and academic research. As leading startup and innovation ecosystems in their respective regions, both nations aim to promote research partnerships and essential technologies that contribute to their countries' self-reliance.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-in-france-india-flags-cross-border-terrorism-repeats-call-for-dialogue-to-end-ukraine-war-615740">Modi in France: India flags cross-border terrorism, repeats call for dialogue to end Ukraine war</a></p>

<p>In the field of health and medicine, India and France have signed a Letter of Intent for Cooperation, which lays the foundation for collaboration in various areas, including digital health, AI for healthcare, medical waste treatment technology, biotechnology, and combating antimicrobial resistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both countries will also focus on health emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, as well as strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and digital health technologies.</p>

<h2><strong>Enhancing cybersecurity&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The growing strategic importance of cyberspace in the bilateral relationship between India and France was reaffirmed. Both nations acknowledged the significance of bilateral cyber dialogues and commit to working closely on mutual areas of interest. India and France are dedicated to jointly promoting a peaceful, secure, and open cyberspace, aligning with the Indo-French Roadmap on Cybersecurity and Digital Technology.</p>

<h2><strong>Collaborating for a sustainable future</strong></h2>

<p>India and France committed themselves to cooperating closely in the transition toward a low-carbon economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To meet the increasing energy demand driven by India's urbanisation and industrialisation while addressing energy security concerns, the two countries aim to increase their share of clean energy sources. Both nations share the conviction that sustainable solutions in combating climate change include the use of nuclear energy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Ukraine continues to demand more weapons and NATO membership</strong></p>

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<p>Moreover, India and France are strengthening their collaboration on promoting a circular economy and integrated waste management in cities. This collaboration focuses on enhancing waste collection and transportation, developing waste-to-wealth solutions, and improving liquid and solid waste management practices.</p>

<h2><strong>Promoting people-to-people ties</strong></h2>

<p>India and France laid emphasis on the importance of people-to-people exchanges and economic ties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Partnership Agreement on Migration and Mobility, which came into force in 2021, facilitates the mobility of students, graduates, academics, researchers, professionals, and skilled workers between the two nations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both countries aim to enhance tourist flows and simplify visa issuance procedures for the private sector and business community. They have also granted visa exemption for short stays to official passport holders and will assess the effectiveness of this exemption in 2026.&nbsp;Additionally, efforts will be made to promote mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications, fostering skilled mobility between India and France.</p>

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India and France have announced a series of agreements to strengthen ties and address the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, the two nations, sharing a common vision for the region, have adopted a new Indo-Pacific Roadmap, aiming to ensure stability, sustainable development, and free access to global commons.

India and France have announced a series of agreements to strengthen ties and address the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, the two nations, sharing a common vision for the region, have adopted a new Indo-Pacific Roadmap, aiming to ensure stability, sustainable development, and free access to global commons. Building upon the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, adopted in 2018, India and France with this new roadmap are committed to working together to secure their economic and security interests. It includes advancing "the rule of international law" and building a "balanced and stable order" in the region, with "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," MEA said in a statement. Also Read | PM Modi meets prominent individuals in Paris; hold discussions on yoga, science, skill development, and more Highlighting the importance of the Pacific, both countries have pledged to extend their cooperation with the involvement of the French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The French overseas territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans will play a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific partnership between India and France, the statement read. Promoting UN Security Council reform India and France also joined hands in advocating for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to ensure better representation and inclusivity. The two nations support the credentials of the G4 countries, including India, to become new permanent members of the Security Council. Additionally, both nations also urged the need for improved representation from Africa among the council's permanent members. Science, technology, and academic cooperation Recognising the pivotal role of technology in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, India and France have agreed to deepen their cooperation in the fields of science, technological innovation, and academic research. As leading startup and innovation ecosystems in their respective regions, both nations aim to promote research partnerships and essential technologies that contribute to their countries' self-reliance. Also Read | Modi in France: India flags cross-border terrorism, repeats call for dialogue to end Ukraine war In the field of health and medicine, India and France have signed a Letter of Intent for Cooperation, which lays the foundation for collaboration in various areas, including digital health, AI for healthcare, medical waste treatment technology, biotechnology, and combating antimicrobial resistance. Both countries will also focus on health emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, as well as strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and digital health technologies. Enhancing cybersecurity The growing strategic importance of cyberspace in the bilateral relationship between India and France was reaffirmed. Both nations acknowledged the significance of bilateral cyber dialogues and commit to working closely on mutual areas of interest. India and France are dedicated to jointly promoting a peaceful, secure, and open cyberspace, aligning with the Indo-French Roadmap on Cybersecurity and Digital Technology. Collaborating for a sustainable future India and France committed themselves to cooperating closely in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. To meet the increasing energy demand driven by India's urbanisation and industrialisation while addressing energy security concerns, the two countries aim to increase their share of clean energy sources. Both nations share the conviction that sustainable solutions in combating climate change include the use of nuclear energy. Watch | Ukraine continues to demand more weapons and NATO membership × Moreover, India and France are strengthening their collaboration on promoting a circular economy and integrated waste management in cities. This collaboration focuses on enhancing waste collection and transportation, developing waste-to-wealth solutions, and improving liquid and solid waste management practices. Promoting people-to-people ties India and France laid emphasis on the importance of people-to-people exchanges and economic ties. The Partnership Agreement on Migration and Mobility, which came into force in 2021, facilitates the mobility of students, graduates, academics, researchers, professionals, and skilled workers between the two nations. Both countries aim to enhance tourist flows and simplify visa issuance procedures for the private sector and business community. They have also granted visa exemption for short stays to official passport holders and will assess the effectiveness of this exemption in 2026. Additionally, efforts will be made to promote mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications, fostering skilled mobility between India and France. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

India, France draw up roadmap for balanced and stable order in Asia-Pacific region

Here, we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: Ukraine receives US' pledged cluster muniotions, Moscow may not renew grain deal unless demands are met, Biden says Putin has already lost the war, on him how it ends, PM Modi receives Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

India's PM Modi in France | ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet in Indonesia

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel this week to India for meetings with Group of 20 finance officials and Indian officials, and then on to Vietnam for bilateral talks, the Treasury Department said on Thursday.

Janet Yellen to travel to India for G20 finance meeting; Vietnam for bilateral talks

According to Reuters, the Chinese automotive giant Build Your Dreams (BYD) has made a $1 billion investment proposal to produce electric vehicles and batteries in India in collaboration with a local manufacturing firm.

BYD proposes $1 BN investment to set up EV plant :Reports

France has laid a grand welcome to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today is the second day of his visit to the European country, France. After addressing the Indian diaspora on Thursday, a lot of course is lined up for today as well.

India PM Modi's second day in France, conferred with Legion of Honour | World DNA

France has laid a grand welcome to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is the guest of honour for France's Bastille Day celebrations.

PM Modi attends Bastille Day celebrations | Google paly launches UPI lite

The Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army marched down the Champs-Élysées during the Bastille Day parade in Paris, France. Captain Aman Jagtap leads the contingent.

PM Modi in France: India's Punjab regiment march with French counterpart in France

It is one of India's most ambitious space missions the race to land on the moon on Friday and India made history by joining the elite space Club of Nations to land on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan 3 will attempt lunar soft landing on August 23

As the guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received one of France's most extravagant honours as part of a trip that resulted in significant arms agreements. On Friday, Modi and President Emmanuel Macron watched as French and Indian soldiers marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris, which is lined with trees, and as the French-built Rafale fighter jets India purchased in 2015 participated in a flypast over the Arc de Triomphe.

PM Modi in France: Host of events lines up for PM Modi as part of his France visit

Chandrayaan 3 successfully launched to the moon | ISRO | Sriharikota

India's mission to moon takes off, Chandrayaan-3 successfully launched

Chandrayaan 3 Launch: India's 3rd Lunar Mission, a complete success

<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young man from Bhadohi who toughened up on ruthless Mumbai Maidans, enjoyed his finest day on a cricket pitch with an unconquered debut hundred as India seized complete control on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies here.</p>

<p>Skipper Rohit Sharma (103 off 221 balls), also eschewed his natural flair en route to his 10th Test hundred and a record 229-run opening stand with Jaiswal (143 batting, 350 balls) as India batted cautiously but still did well enough to slowly bat West Indies out of the game, finishing the second day on 312 for two.</p>

<p>In the whole day, India managed only 232 runs in 90 overs.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-will-join-nato-putin-has-lost-the-war-biden-in-helsinki-615245">Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki</a></p>

<p>Jaiswal, who batted the entire second day, has the seasoned Virat Kohli (36 batting, 96 balls) for the company as the duo added 72 runs for the third wicket.</p>

<p>India now has a lead of 162 runs and is expected to bat better part of the third day before Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja is once again unleashed on an opposition that doesn’t have enough technical wherewithal to counter them for two days.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-at-white-house-secret-service-ends-probe-without-identifying-suspect-615229">Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect</a></p>

<p>The 21-year-old Jaiswal and 36-year-old Rohit are players, who could be called antithesis to what the Mumbai school of ‘Khadoos’ batsmanship stands for. Both are flamboyant in their own rights.</p>

<p>But on Thursday, they channelised their inner ‘Khadoos Mumbaikar’ as Jaiswal took 215 balls to become the 14th Indian debutant to score a hundred while Rohit had to wait for 220 balls to reach his landmark.</p>

<p>After 41 long years, since India’s 1982 tour of England where Suru Nayak and Sunil Gavaskar opened, there were two Mumbai men opening for the country and put up the best-ever stand of 229 against the West Indies, beating the previous best of 201 set by Sanjay Bangar and Virender Sehwag back in 2001.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>The Windsor Park track was a two-paced one where the ball gripped and there was some slow turn on offer. On tracks like these, it is difficult to score quickly but at the same time not too tough to hang around grinding the opposition to submission.</p>

<p>It was old-fashioned Test match batting at its best. Jaiswal and Rohit did just that. Both trusted their defensive game when they found deliveries gripping and waited for the loose deliveries as none of the West Indies bowlers looked threatening.</p>

<p>Jaiswal’s hundred is certain to bring in its fair share of euphoria among fans as he is an endearing rags-to-riches success story.</p>

<p>The story of selling Panipuris on Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, climbing on the boundary wall to catch a glimpse of IPL on a giant screen warms the cockles of your heart and one wants to see the young man succeed.</p>

<p>As he played what seemed like a half-sweep-half lap shot towards backward square leg for a single, Jaiswal let out a huge roar of relief and took a bow towards the dressing room. His innings had 14 fours and the best was the pull off Alzarri Joseph that got him to his fifty.</p>

<p>What stood out on the day was his solid technique, fair idea about where his off-stump was and very assured footwork against spinners. Add his impressive temperament to this cocktail -- enormous patience and choice of loose deliveries -- he looks like a ready package for international cricket.</p>

<p>What this century proved is that he belongs to the international level but on this track against an attack that was low on potency, one can’t judge how he would fair in tougher conditions like South Africa and Australia.</p>

<p>Maybe it was the attack and nature of the pitch that made a free-flowing stroke-maker like Rohit not that ecstatic even after scoring a hundred.</p>

<p>The best stroke of the day came from Rohit, whose flicked six over deep mid-wicket off Joseph (0/65 in 14 overs) was worth million dollars. There was another effortless six in the same region off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican along with a backfoot square cut. The India skipper was out immediately after scoring his 10th Test hundred when his defensive prod off debutant Alick Athanaze’s off-break ballooned up for keeper Joshua Da Silva to complete an easy catch.</p>

<p>Shubman Gill’s (6 off 10 balls) first game as No. 3 didn’t start off well as he paid the price for sitting in the dugout with pads on for nearly 76 overs.</p>

<p>After a sedate first session that yielded 66 runs, the second session was most productive with 99 runs while it again tapered off in the third session that produced 67 runs.</p>

<p>In fact such was the slowness of the track that Jaiswal was heard on stump microphone telling Kohli “Zorse maar raha hoon, jaa hi nahi raha (I am hitting powerfully but the ball isn’t travelling).” Jaiswal became the third Indian opener after Shikhar Dhawan (vs Australia in 2013) and Prithvi Shaw (vs West Indies 2018) to score a hundred on Test debut.</p>

<p>While Dhawan could never replicate that afternoon in Mohali in his next 33 games, Shaw, who was the biggest thing coming out of Mumbai’s batting stable, lost his way a bit after a blazing start to his international career.</p>

<p>Jaiswal would feel that this start is the foundation of a lot of bigger things to come in the coming days.</p>

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Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young man from Bhadohi who toughened up on ruthless Mumbai Maidans, enjoyed his finest day on a cricket pitch with an unconquered debut hundred as India seized complete control on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies here.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young man from Bhadohi who toughened up on ruthless Mumbai Maidans, enjoyed his finest day on a cricket pitch with an unconquered debut hundred as India seized complete control on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies here. Skipper Rohit Sharma (103 off 221 balls), also eschewed his natural flair en route to his 10th Test hundred and a record 229-run opening stand with Jaiswal (143 batting, 350 balls) as India batted cautiously but still did well enough to slowly bat West Indies out of the game, finishing the second day on 312 for two. In the whole day, India managed only 232 runs in 90 overs. Also Read | Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki Jaiswal, who batted the entire second day, has the seasoned Virat Kohli (36 batting, 96 balls) for the company as the duo added 72 runs for the third wicket. India now has a lead of 162 runs and is expected to bat better part of the third day before Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja is once again unleashed on an opposition that doesn’t have enough technical wherewithal to counter them for two days. Also Read | Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect The 21-year-old Jaiswal and 36-year-old Rohit are players, who could be called antithesis to what the Mumbai school of ‘Khadoos’ batsmanship stands for. Both are flamboyant in their own rights. But on Thursday, they channelised their inner ‘Khadoos Mumbaikar’ as Jaiswal took 215 balls to become the 14th Indian debutant to score a hundred while Rohit had to wait for 220 balls to reach his landmark. After 41 long years, since India’s 1982 tour of England where Suru Nayak and Sunil Gavaskar opened, there were two Mumbai men opening for the country and put up the best-ever stand of 229 against the West Indies, beating the previous best of 201 set by Sanjay Bangar and Virender Sehwag back in 2001. Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine × The Windsor Park track was a two-paced one where the ball gripped and there was some slow turn on offer. On tracks like these, it is difficult to score quickly but at the same time not too tough to hang around grinding the opposition to submission. It was old-fashioned Test match batting at its best. Jaiswal and Rohit did just that. Both trusted their defensive game when they found deliveries gripping and waited for the loose deliveries as none of the West Indies bowlers looked threatening. Jaiswal’s hundred is certain to bring in its fair share of euphoria among fans as he is an endearing rags-to-riches success story. The story of selling Panipuris on Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, climbing on the boundary wall to catch a glimpse of IPL on a giant screen warms the cockles of your heart and one wants to see the young man succeed. As he played what seemed like a half-sweep-half lap shot towards backward square leg for a single, Jaiswal let out a huge roar of relief and took a bow towards the dressing room. His innings had 14 fours and the best was the pull off Alzarri Joseph that got him to his fifty. What stood out on the day was his solid technique, fair idea about where his off-stump was and very assured footwork against spinners. Add his impressive temperament to this cocktail -- enormous patience and choice of loose deliveries -- he looks like a ready package for international cricket. What this century proved is that he belongs to the international level but on this track against an attack that was low on potency, one can’t judge how he would fair in tougher conditions like South Africa and Australia. Maybe it was the attack and nature of the pitch that made a free-flowing stroke-maker like Rohit not that ecstatic even after scoring a hundred. The best stroke of the day came from Rohit, whose flicked six over deep mid-wicket off Joseph (0/65 in 14 overs) was worth million dollars. There was another effortless six in the same region off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican along with a backfoot square cut. The India skipper was out immediately after scoring his 10th Test hundred when his defensive prod off debutant Alick Athanaze’s off-break ballooned up for keeper Joshua Da Silva to complete an easy catch. Shubman Gill’s (6 off 10 balls) first game as No. 3 didn’t start off well as he paid the price for sitting in the dugout with pads on for nearly 76 overs. After a sedate first session that yielded 66 runs, the second session was most productive with 99 runs while it again tapered off in the third session that produced 67 runs. In fact such was the slowness of the track that Jaiswal was heard on stump microphone telling Kohli “Zorse maar raha hoon, jaa hi nahi raha (I am hitting powerfully but the ball isn’t travelling).” Jaiswal became the third Indian opener after Shikhar Dhawan (vs Australia in 2013) and Prithvi Shaw (vs West Indies 2018) to score a hundred on Test debut. While Dhawan could never replicate that afternoon in Mohali in his next 33 games, Shaw, who was the biggest thing coming out of Mumbai’s batting stable, lost his way a bit after a blazing start to his international career. Jaiswal would feel that this start is the foundation of a lot of bigger things to come in the coming days. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

IND vs WI: Yashasvi smashes debut ton, Rohit scores hundred as India takes control on day 2

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<p>Indian cuisine, celebrated for its wide array of flavours, finds itself heavily dependent on the indispensable&nbsp;tomato. However, in recent days,&nbsp;this culinary essential has been banished from homes and restaurant menus across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per farmers and agriculture experts, the significant increase in tomato prices in India, surpassing 400 per cent, can be linked to crop failure induced&nbsp;by extremely high temperatures and heavy rainfall.</p>

<p>The latest <a href="https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/reports/Report_Menu_Web.aspx">data</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Department of Consumer Affairs in India indicates that the price of one kilogramme (2.2 pounds) of tomatoes in New Delhi has reached an astounding Rs 138 ($1.68), meaning a&nbsp;five-fold surge from Rs 27 ($0.33) recorded in January.</p>

<p>Chhavi Shukla, who runs a home kitchen in Noida,&nbsp;told <strong>WION</strong> that the price hike has disturbed her set menu for the week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I predominantly design my meal plans based on profit margins, which are already quite narrow. However, with the sharp rise in tomato prices, I have been compelled to decrease its usage and adjust the pricing of my meal plans," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The impact is not limited to Sharma's business alone. McDonald's (McD) has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-more-tomatoes-in-mcdonalds-menu-items-company-cited-temporary-issue-612999">temporarily discontinued serving tomatoes</a> in their burgers in some of their branches nationwide.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report | Gravitas: Indian vegetable vendor gets bouncers to protect tomatoes</strong></p>

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<p>The decision is attributed to both quality concerns and a limited supply of tomatoes.</p>

<p>Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which oversees McDonald's franchises in the northern and eastern parts of India, displayed notices outside the affected restaurants, stating that they were unable to procure an adequate quantity of tomatoes that met their stringent quality standards.</p>

<p>This development gained widespread attention on social media, with Raghav Chadha, a member of parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party, sharing photos of the notices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Even McDonald’s can’t afford tomatoes anymore,” Chadha wrote on Twitter. “Be it in our homes or restaurants, with inflation spiralling out of control, the government has turned happy meals into sad meals.”</p>

<p>Climate change-related extreme weather events are a significant contributing factor to the present scarcity of tomatoes, said <strong>Nimish Singh, Associate Fellow at the Earth Science and Climate Change Division, The Energy and Resources Institute&nbsp;(TERI).&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>“This year, India witnessed an early summer with high temperatures in February, followed by heat waves in March and April. Additionally, unseasonal rainstorms in May and an early onset of the monsoon led to the failure of tomato production in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, tomatoes have become expensive in these regions. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall spells have disrupted the vegetable supply chain, resulting in a further increase in prices for not only tomatoes but also almost all agricultural produce,” Singh told<strong> WION</strong>.</p>

<p>The inherent flaws in our agricultural system are also to be blamed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Insufficient infrastructure stands out as a key drawback in our agricultural system. Vegetables and fruits, with their limited shelf life, are susceptible to damage prior to reaching consumers. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a well-functioning cold chain infrastructure to address this issue, explains Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/border-hopping-for-tomatoes-indians-reach-nepal-to-buy-vegetables-amid-soaring-prices-615111">Border-hopping for tomatoes: Indians cross over to Nepal for buying vegetables amid soaring prices</a></p>

<h2><strong>How can we rectify this recurrent problem?</strong></h2>

<p>Currently, the majority of our agricultural practices rely on high-yielding variety seeds, which have proven to be highly susceptible to climate fluctuations.</p>

<p>“As the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity continues to grow, it has become crucial to promote the cultivation of indigenous crops,” says Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By cultivating these native crops, we can make our agriculture climate-smart, genetically diverse, and sustainable. These crops possess the remarkable ability to thrive in their respective climates and exhibit resistance against prevalent pests and diseases, he adds.&nbsp;</p>

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Indian cuisine, celebrated for its wide array of flavours, finds itself heavily dependent on the indispensable tomato. However, in recent days, this culinary essential has been banished from homes and restaurant menus across the country.

Indian cuisine, celebrated for its wide array of flavours, finds itself heavily dependent on the indispensable tomato. However, in recent days, this culinary essential has been banished from homes and restaurant menus across the country. As per farmers and agriculture experts, the significant increase in tomato prices in India, surpassing 400 per cent, can be linked to crop failure induced by extremely high temperatures and heavy rainfall. The latest data from the Department of Consumer Affairs in India indicates that the price of one kilogramme (2.2 pounds) of tomatoes in New Delhi has reached an astounding Rs 138 ($1.68), meaning a five-fold surge from Rs 27 ($0.33) recorded in January. Chhavi Shukla, who runs a home kitchen in Noida, told WION that the price hike has disturbed her set menu for the week. "I predominantly design my meal plans based on profit margins, which are already quite narrow. However, with the sharp rise in tomato prices, I have been compelled to decrease its usage and adjust the pricing of my meal plans," she said. The impact is not limited to Sharma's business alone. McDonald's (McD) has temporarily discontinued serving tomatoes in their burgers in some of their branches nationwide. Watch this report | Gravitas: Indian vegetable vendor gets bouncers to protect tomatoes The decision is attributed to both quality concerns and a limited supply of tomatoes. Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which oversees McDonald's franchises in the northern and eastern parts of India, displayed notices outside the affected restaurants, stating that they were unable to procure an adequate quantity of tomatoes that met their stringent quality standards. This development gained widespread attention on social media, with Raghav Chadha, a member of parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party, sharing photos of the notices. “Even McDonald’s can’t afford tomatoes anymore,” Chadha wrote on Twitter. “Be it in our homes or restaurants, with inflation spiralling out of control, the government has turned happy meals into sad meals.” Climate change-related extreme weather events are a significant contributing factor to the present scarcity of tomatoes, said Nimish Singh, Associate Fellow at the Earth Science and Climate Change Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). “This year, India witnessed an early summer with high temperatures in February, followed by heat waves in March and April. Additionally, unseasonal rainstorms in May and an early onset of the monsoon led to the failure of tomato production in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, tomatoes have become expensive in these regions. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall spells have disrupted the vegetable supply chain, resulting in a further increase in prices for not only tomatoes but also almost all agricultural produce,” Singh told WION. The inherent flaws in our agricultural system are also to be blamed. Insufficient infrastructure stands out as a key drawback in our agricultural system. Vegetables and fruits, with their limited shelf life, are susceptible to damage prior to reaching consumers. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a well-functioning cold chain infrastructure to address this issue, explains Singh. Also read | Border-hopping for tomatoes: Indians cross over to Nepal for buying vegetables amid soaring prices How can we rectify this recurrent problem? Currently, the majority of our agricultural practices rely on high-yielding variety seeds, which have proven to be highly susceptible to climate fluctuations. “As the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity continues to grow, it has become crucial to promote the cultivation of indigenous crops,” says Singh. By cultivating these native crops, we can make our agriculture climate-smart, genetically diverse, and sustainable. These crops possess the remarkable ability to thrive in their respective climates and exhibit resistance against prevalent pests and diseases, he adds. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Has it shaken your kitchen too? Making sense of India's climate-driven tomato crisis

In India, monsoons have wreaked havoc, bringing life to a standstill. From Rajasthan where rains have flood out roads, rail tracks, low-lying residential areas, and even hospitals to Jammu and Kashmir where flash floods claimed the lives of two soldiers- flood fury spells misery across the country.

India's monsoon mayhem | WION Wideangle

The Maldives is an important strategic and defence partner for India and part of India's neighbourhood first policy. Maldives Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid who was on a two-day visit spoke to WION's Bhairavi Singh and told us why India matters for the island nation.

Maldives Foreign Minister to WION | Why India matters

As monsoon rainfall continues to create havoc across parts of north India, the national capital, New Delhi, is evacuating hundreds of residents from areas adjoining the Yamuna river. As per reports, water levels in the Yamuna have crossed the 208 meters danger mark and swelled to 208.66 meters breaking a 45-year-old record.

India's National Capital hit by the worst floods in 45 years

PM Modi stepped foot in France. From being the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade. To acquiring the Rafale M fighter jet from France. India is aiming high. India is planning to buy the Rafale fighter jet's naval version from France during PM Modi's visit. The two countries may sign a deal for 26 Rafale naval jets.

How is the Rafale M different from the Air Force version of Rafale?

One male cheetah that was brought from South Africa to India's Kuno National Park in the month of September last year has died. This is the seventh death of a cheetah in the last five months. According to the report, Tejas a male cheetah was found injured and is suspected to have died of infighting.

Kuno: 7th Cheetah dies since move to India

<p>In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer led by CEO Elon Musk, is in talks with the Indian government to establish a car factory in the country. This development comes just three weeks after Elon Musk expressed his intentions to bring Tesla to India 'as soon as humanly possible.'</p>

<p>According to a report from The Times of India, Tesla is exploring the possibility of establishing its auto parts and electronics chain in India while seeking incentives and tax benefits from the government. The Indian government, on the other hand, is interested in Tesla's assessment of the current auto components supply chain within the country. However, it seems that Tesla aims to establish its own supply chain ecosystem in India. The proposed factory is expected to have an annual production capacity of 500,000 EVs, with prices starting at $24,400.66. Additionally, India is likely to serve as an export base for Tesla, facilitating the shipment of electric vehicles to countries in the Indo-Pacific region and offering the automaker a diversified supply chain beyond China.</p>

<p><strong>Big boost for the Indian EV sector</strong></p>

<p>The potential arrival of Tesla in India has sparked anticipation and excitement within the Indian EV sector. It holds the promise of greater collaborations in technology research and development, a boost in the adoption of clean mobility, and a transformative impact on the economy and environment, paving the way for a greener future.</p>

<p>Additionally, Tesla's entry could drive the growth of EV charging infrastructure by encouraging investments in charging stations, battery swapping networks, and other supportive infrastructure. Establishing a robust EV supply chain ecosystem in India could also lead to partnerships with local suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers, promoting the growth of the domestic EV component ecosystem and supporting the government's 'Make in India' initiative.</p>

<p><em>(With Inputs from Agencies)</em></p>


In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer led by CEO Elon Musk, is in talks with the Indian government to establish a car factory in the country.

In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer led by CEO Elon Musk, is in talks with the Indian government to establish a car factory in the country. This development comes just three weeks after Elon Musk expressed his intentions to bring Tesla to India 'as soon as humanly possible.' According to a report from The Times of India, Tesla is exploring the possibility of establishing its auto parts and electronics chain in India while seeking incentives and tax benefits from the government. The Indian government, on the other hand, is interested in Tesla's assessment of the current auto components supply chain within the country. However, it seems that Tesla aims to establish its own supply chain ecosystem in India. The proposed factory is expected to have an annual production capacity of 500,000 EVs, with prices starting at $24,400.66. Additionally, India is likely to serve as an export base for Tesla, facilitating the shipment of electric vehicles to countries in the Indo-Pacific region and offering the automaker a diversified supply chain beyond China. Big boost for the Indian EV sector The potential arrival of Tesla in India has sparked anticipation and excitement within the Indian EV sector. It holds the promise of greater collaborations in technology research and development, a boost in the adoption of clean mobility, and a transformative impact on the economy and environment, paving the way for a greener future. Additionally, Tesla's entry could drive the growth of EV charging infrastructure by encouraging investments in charging stations, battery swapping networks, and other supportive infrastructure. Establishing a robust EV supply chain ecosystem in India could also lead to partnerships with local suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers, promoting the growth of the domestic EV component ecosystem and supporting the government's 'Make in India' initiative. (With Inputs from Agencies)

Tesla set to revolutionise India's auto industry with proposed factory

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