<p>Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation.</p>

<p>Months ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the convention, the "biggest ever" gathering attended by over 12,000 party members, also passed a resolution on development in rural areas, citing a host of developmental measures taken by Modi government for transforming lives in villages.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It came at the time when the opposition has accused the government of "betraying" farmers and various farm organisations have protested in different parts of the country.</p>

<p>Farm distress has been cited by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a key issue for the upcoming parliamentary polls.</p>

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh proposed the resolution on agriculture which was seconded by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP farmer wing head Virendra Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the resolution on poverty alleviation was proposed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, which was seconded by Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai and party's vice-president Dushyant Gautam.</p>

<p>Swaraj at length described the initiatives taken by the Modi government in the last four-and-half-years such as Jan Dhan Yojana under which bank accounts were opened and how these measures brought positive change in the lives of the people.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The convention with the presence of over 12000 party members is the biggest party get-together, a BJP leader said. It is expected to rejuvenate the party cadres ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>The agriculture resolution lauded the government for "successfully" dealing with issues of farmers' income. The government will not just be able to reach the goal of doubling of farmers' income but would also be looking forward from there. The vision of the BJP is an independent, able, strong and prosperous farmer as annadata (food giver), who will take the country's economy to great heights, the resolution said.</p>

<p>The resolution described Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' and farmers its top most priority. All speakers described Modi government as the "well-wisher" of farmer.</p>

<p>"Farmers are likely to get 50 per cent more benefit on their produce whereas on crops like urad and bajra the profit will be 96 per cent," Singh informed.&nbsp;<br />
The resolution at length compared the overall condition of agriculture sector and the support price given to farmers under the UPA rule and the NDA regime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Singh said that the total budget allocation in the sector has almost doubled compared to the funds allocated during the UPA regime.</p>

<p>Later, addressing the press conference over the resolution, party's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said in case of natural disasters, the agriculture sector has got Rs 32,000 crores from National Disaster Relief Fund which is 2.5 times higher than previous government and the allocations made to states is 82 per cent more than previous government's allotment.</p>

<p>In 2013-14, the UPA government spent Rs 2151 crores on crop insurance which has now increased to 13,000 crores which is six times higher under Modi government, the resolution said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Earlier, they (farmers) were getting claims for minimum 50 per cent damage to their crops, whereas now, even if there is 33 per cent damage to crops, they are being benefitted, " Yadav added while briefing on the resolution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking a dig at the Congress, Yadav asked why are farmers in Karnataka getting notices.</p>

<p>Listing the government's achievements, Yadav said the food grain production has increased to 11.4 per cent in 2017-18.</p>

<p>In horticulture, the production has shown 17.55 per cent rise.</p>

<p>The resolution said a total of 17.53 crores soil health cards have been distributed, helping farmers to decide on right fertilizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party also lauded the government for taking some strong measures which include import duty on wheat increased to 20 per cent and on tur dal to 10 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Budget on agriculture education saw an increase of 55 per cent in 2018-2019 compared to 2013-2014, added Yadav.</p>


Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation.

Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation. Months ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the convention, the "biggest ever" gathering attended by over 12,000 party members, also passed a resolution on development in rural areas, citing a host of developmental measures taken by Modi government for transforming lives in villages. It came at the time when the opposition has accused the government of "betraying" farmers and various farm organisations have protested in different parts of the country. Farm distress has been cited by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a key issue for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh proposed the resolution on agriculture which was seconded by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP farmer wing head Virendra Singh. While the resolution on poverty alleviation was proposed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, which was seconded by Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai and party's vice-president Dushyant Gautam. Swaraj at length described the initiatives taken by the Modi government in the last four-and-half-years such as Jan Dhan Yojana under which bank accounts were opened and how these measures brought positive change in the lives of the people. The convention with the presence of over 12000 party members is the biggest party get-together, a BJP leader said. It is expected to rejuvenate the party cadres ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The agriculture resolution lauded the government for "successfully" dealing with issues of farmers' income. The government will not just be able to reach the goal of doubling of farmers' income but would also be looking forward from there. The vision of the BJP is an independent, able, strong and prosperous farmer as annadata (food giver), who will take the country's economy to great heights, the resolution said. The resolution described Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' and farmers its top most priority. All speakers described Modi government as the "well-wisher" of farmer. "Farmers are likely to get 50 per cent more benefit on their produce whereas on crops like urad and bajra the profit will be 96 per cent," Singh informed. The resolution at length compared the overall condition of agriculture sector and the support price given to farmers under the UPA rule and the NDA regime. Singh said that the total budget allocation in the sector has almost doubled compared to the funds allocated during the UPA regime. Later, addressing the press conference over the resolution, party's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said in case of natural disasters, the agriculture sector has got Rs 32,000 crores from National Disaster Relief Fund which is 2.5 times higher than previous government and the allocations made to states is 82 per cent more than previous government's allotment. In 2013-14, the UPA government spent Rs 2151 crores on crop insurance which has now increased to 13,000 crores which is six times higher under Modi government, the resolution said. "Earlier, they (farmers) were getting claims for minimum 50 per cent damage to their crops, whereas now, even if there is 33 per cent damage to crops, they are being benefitted, " Yadav added while briefing on the resolution. Taking a dig at the Congress, Yadav asked why are farmers in Karnataka getting notices. Listing the government's achievements, Yadav said the food grain production has increased to 11.4 per cent in 2017-18. In horticulture, the production has shown 17.55 per cent rise. The resolution said a total of 17.53 crores soil health cards have been distributed, helping farmers to decide on right fertilizers. The party also lauded the government for taking some strong measures which include import duty on wheat increased to 20 per cent and on tur dal to 10 per cent. Budget on agriculture education saw an increase of 55 per cent in 2018-2019 compared to 2013-2014, added Yadav.

BJP passes resolution, terms Modi govt as pro-farmers

<p>National Commission for Women(NCW) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafael-deal-was-done-with-national-security-as-a-priority-nirmala-sitharaman-188252">today sent&nbsp;a notice</a> to Congress president Rahul Gandhi after he said&nbsp;at a rally in Jaipur that PM Modi had made a woman defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, referring to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">National Commission for Women (NCW) issues notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his statement "PM ran away &amp; asked a 'mahila' (Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman) to defend him" <a href="https://t.co/xTAyqNeXg1">pic.twitter.com/xTAyqNeXg1</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1083239622916886529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>PM Modi hit back at a rally in Agra over&nbsp;Congress president's statement asserting that it was an "insult to all women in the country."</p>

<p>"They are bent upon insulting a woman defence minister," he said, without naming Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/NCWIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCWIndia</a> will be sending a notice to <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> regarding the statement in question. <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> <a href="https://t.co/tJc6hzsdpF">https://t.co/tJc6hzsdpF</a></p>
— NCW (@NCWIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCWIndia/status/1082982924851527680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"This is not an insult to a woman, but an insult to entire India's women power, for which these irresponsible leaders will have to pay the price," the prime minister had said.</p>

<p>Rekha Sharma, chairperson NCW said: What is Rahul Gandhi trying to imply with his misogynistic statement? Does he think women are weak? The irony - calling an accomplished defence minister of the largest democracy a weak person."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What is <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rahulgandhi</a> trying to imply with his misogynistic statement- “... ek mahila say kaha meri raksha kiijiye."? Does he think women are weak? The irony- calling an accomplished defence minister of the largest democracy a weak person. <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NCWIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncwindia</a></p>
— rekha sharma (@sharmarekha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sharmarekha/status/1082981959381471234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had attacked Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha during the Rafael deal declaring that he had lied about meeting French president Macron about the deal.</p>

<p>"We've asked explanation from Rahul Gandhi why he said what he said yesterday in his tweets. The statement was pathetic, sexist and misogynistic. That's why we've sent him a notice. He has to explain what does he mean when he is trying to talk low of women," Rekha Sharma said.</p>

<p>During the debate in Parliament, Sitharaman had said&nbsp;that it was a matter of “shame” that the Congress president was misleading the country on the Rafael issue. Sitharaman asked Rahul to apologise to the country from the floor of the House.</p>

<p>Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the defence minister had “lied” in Parliament that government orders worth Rs one lakh crore were provided to HAL while demanding that she should either place the documents in support of her statement in the House or resign.</p>

<p>Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha in a heated reply that "doubts raised" over her statement on HAL contracts were "incorrect and misleading."</p>


National Commission for Women(NCW) today sent a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi after he said at a rally in Jaipur that PM Modi had made a woman defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, referring to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

National Commission for Women(NCW) today sent a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi after he said at a rally in Jaipur that PM Modi had made a woman defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, referring to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. National Commission for Women (NCW) issues notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his statement "PM ran away & asked a 'mahila' (Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman) to defend him" pic.twitter.com/xTAyqNeXg1 — ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2019 × PM Modi hit back at a rally in Agra over Congress president's statement asserting that it was an "insult to all women in the country." "They are bent upon insulting a woman defence minister," he said, without naming Rahul Gandhi. .@NCWIndia will be sending a notice to @RahulGandhi regarding the statement in question. @nsitharaman https://t.co/tJc6hzsdpF — NCW (@NCWIndia) January 9, 2019 × "This is not an insult to a woman, but an insult to entire India's women power, for which these irresponsible leaders will have to pay the price," the prime minister had said. Rekha Sharma, chairperson NCW said: What is Rahul Gandhi trying to imply with his misogynistic statement? Does he think women are weak? The irony - calling an accomplished defence minister of the largest democracy a weak person." What is @rahulgandhi trying to imply with his misogynistic statement- “... ek mahila say kaha meri raksha kiijiye."? Does he think women are weak? The irony- calling an accomplished defence minister of the largest democracy a weak person. @nsitharaman @narendramodi @ncwindia — rekha sharma (@sharmarekha) January 9, 2019 × Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had attacked Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha during the Rafael deal declaring that he had lied about meeting French president Macron about the deal. "We've asked explanation from Rahul Gandhi why he said what he said yesterday in his tweets. The statement was pathetic, sexist and misogynistic. That's why we've sent him a notice. He has to explain what does he mean when he is trying to talk low of women," Rekha Sharma said. During the debate in Parliament, Sitharaman had said that it was a matter of “shame” that the Congress president was misleading the country on the Rafael issue. Sitharaman asked Rahul to apologise to the country from the floor of the House. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the defence minister had “lied” in Parliament that government orders worth Rs one lakh crore were provided to HAL while demanding that she should either place the documents in support of her statement in the House or resign. Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha in a heated reply that "doubts raised" over her statement on HAL contracts were "incorrect and misleading."

NCW sends notice to Rahul Gandhi over Nirmala Sitharaman remark

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidY3DPqzcdV8Qf" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is currently dealing with an economic crisis before the general elections, is in the news for&nbsp;a private jet he took last year that was apparently&nbsp;funded by an entrepreneur named Akhil Tripath who is also a minor Tory donor.&nbsp;British media was awash with headlines Thursday (Feb 29) about how&nbsp;Sunak attended two Conservative conferences in Wales and Scotland last year and took a private jet to travel there.</p>

<p>The private jet was funded by Tripathi, a report by the Financial Times on Thursday said. Tripathi is the co-founder of Signifier Medical Technologies, a start-up that deals in anti-snoring devices and is&nbsp;facing losses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Questions are now being raised about how Tripathi gained access to Prime Minister Sunak and the due diligence done&nbsp;by the Conservative Party before accepting his money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following Sunak's trip in April 2023, he sent a thank-you note to Tripathi for arranging the flight. However, the private jet did not belong to Tripathi and was rented.</p>

<p>So who is Akhil Tripathi?</p>

<h2><strong>Entrepreneur, minor Tony donor&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Tripathi's startup Signifier Medical Technologies focuses on the development and commercialisation of innovative and non-invasive solutions for patients with snoring and sleep disorder-related&nbsp;breathing conditions. The company is hoping to sell its anti-snoring device to the National Health Service (NHS).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rishi-sunak-calls-out-threats-to-mps-warns-of-toxic-culture-in-uk-politics-693813">Rishi Sunak calls out threats to MPs, warns of 'toxic' culture in UK politics</a></strong></p>

<p>The Financial Times report said that Tripathi is a minor Tory donor. Months after he arranged the private jet for Prime Minister Sunak, Tripathi was embroiled in a civil fraud case involving his start-up.</p>

<p>He rented the Embraer Legacy 500 to Sunak, which the PM recorded as a $48,619 (around £38,500) gift. Sunak's trips led to questions about the due diligence that he and the Conservative party did on Tripathi,&nbsp;the report added.</p>

<p>Tripathi made his first donation worth $63,142 to the Conservatives in July 2021. In total, he has given nearly $194,000 to the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since developing a relationship with Sunak, Tripathi has been pursued in the courts by investors in his startup. As per the report, one investor said that Tripathi committed a “fraud” in relation to the company.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Rishi Sunak's asylum laws trapping 55,000 people in perma-backlog: Report</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rishi-sunaks-asylum-laws-trapping-55000-people-in-perma-backlog-report-694755/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, the entrepreneur has held meetings with several politicians, including former health secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not much is known about Tripathi's early background. As per Companies House, he is an Indian national born in 1985. He has been the co-founder of many other startups apart from Signifier.</p>

<p>&nbsp;At the time Tripathi arranged for the flight for Sunak, Signifier reported losses of $42.3 million on revenue of just $3.1 million for the year to March 31, 2022, the report said. But despite the losses, Tripathi lived a glamorous lifestyle.</p>

<h2><strong>'How did Sunak end up on that plane?'</strong></h2>

<p>The Labour Party demanded that Sunak and the Conservative Party should give an account of how the prime minister ended up on that private jet.</p>

<p>“They must explain on what basis Mr Tripathi gained access to the highest levels of government, and what checks were made on his background before he did so,” Emily Thornberry, Labour’s shadow attorney-general, told the publication.</p>

<p>Tripathi is currently facing two civil actions in the High Court of Justice in London. A Conservative party official said that on reflection, PM Sunak should have “maybe thought twice” before getting on the private jet arranged by the entrepreneur.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is currently dealing with an economic crisis before the general elections, is in the news for a private jet he took last year that was apparently funded by an entrepreneur named Akhil Tripath who is also a minor Tory donor.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is currently dealing with an economic crisis before the general elections, is in the news for a private jet he took last year that was apparently funded by an entrepreneur named Akhil Tripath who is also a minor Tory donor. British media was awash with headlines Thursday (Feb 29) about how Sunak attended two Conservative conferences in Wales and Scotland last year and took a private jet to travel there. The private jet was funded by Tripathi, a report by the Financial Times on Thursday said. Tripathi is the co-founder of Signifier Medical Technologies, a start-up that deals in anti-snoring devices and is facing losses. Questions are now being raised about how Tripathi gained access to Prime Minister Sunak and the due diligence done by the Conservative Party before accepting his money. Following Sunak's trip in April 2023, he sent a thank-you note to Tripathi for arranging the flight. However, the private jet did not belong to Tripathi and was rented. So who is Akhil Tripathi? Entrepreneur, minor Tony donor Tripathi's startup Signifier Medical Technologies focuses on the development and commercialisation of innovative and non-invasive solutions for patients with snoring and sleep disorder-related breathing conditions. The company is hoping to sell its anti-snoring device to the National Health Service (NHS). Also read | Rishi Sunak calls out threats to MPs, warns of 'toxic' culture in UK politics The Financial Times report said that Tripathi is a minor Tory donor. Months after he arranged the private jet for Prime Minister Sunak, Tripathi was embroiled in a civil fraud case involving his start-up. He rented the Embraer Legacy 500 to Sunak, which the PM recorded as a $48,619 (around £38,500) gift. Sunak's trips led to questions about the due diligence that he and the Conservative party did on Tripathi, the report added. Tripathi made his first donation worth $63,142 to the Conservatives in July 2021. In total, he has given nearly $194,000 to the party. Since developing a relationship with Sunak, Tripathi has been pursued in the courts by investors in his startup. As per the report, one investor said that Tripathi committed a “fraud” in relation to the company. Also watch | Rishi Sunak's asylum laws trapping 55,000 people in perma-backlog: Report × Meanwhile, the entrepreneur has held meetings with several politicians, including former health secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt. Not much is known about Tripathi's early background. As per Companies House, he is an Indian national born in 1985. He has been the co-founder of many other startups apart from Signifier. At the time Tripathi arranged for the flight for Sunak, Signifier reported losses of $42.3 million on revenue of just $3.1 million for the year to March 31, 2022, the report said. But despite the losses, Tripathi lived a glamorous lifestyle. 'How did Sunak end up on that plane?' The Labour Party demanded that Sunak and the Conservative Party should give an account of how the prime minister ended up on that private jet. “They must explain on what basis Mr Tripathi gained access to the highest levels of government, and what checks were made on his background before he did so,” Emily Thornberry, Labour’s shadow attorney-general, told the publication. Tripathi is currently facing two civil actions in the High Court of Justice in London. A Conservative party official said that on reflection, PM Sunak should have “maybe thought twice” before getting on the private jet arranged by the entrepreneur. (With inputs from agencies)

RBI likely to give government bumper interim dividend: Sources

<p>Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver. That puts on course the fructification of efforts which commenced many summers ago but got an impetus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran in May 2016, leading to the signing of the trilateral tripartite agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The US provided an “exception” from certain sanctions, to the Iranian port of Chabahar that India has developed and used for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. This exemption is in addition to temporary freedom from sanctions that the US announced for India and seven major importers of Iranian crude oil.</p>

<p>Why is Chabahar strategically important, for India, the US, Iran and Afghanistan? That will answer many questions. It starts with the fact that its geostrategic location, outside the Persian Gulf and yet on the Iranian coastline, puts it slightly out of harm’s way in the event of the Straits of Hormuz being forcibly closed; although, it is well appreciated that such a closure will no doubt presuppose an adverse effect on all of Iran’s port facilities.</p>

<p>To access Central Asia, often referred to as the heart of Asia, and Afghanistan, there are only two routes from the Indian Ocean. The first is from Pakistan’s Gwadar or Karachi ports and the second is from Chabahar which lies on the southeastern coast of Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province. Why the US agreed to waive sanctions for activities connected with the development of the port is simply because India is the nation providing alternatives for establishing communication arteries to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.</p>

<p>For 17 years, the US has fought in Afghanistan and depended on a single artery for its logistics; through Karachi and Pakistan-Baluchistan into Afghan territory. Due to its animosity with Iran, the clearly viable alternative via Chabahar through Iranian territory, to West Afghanistan could not be exploited. The lack of development of Chabahar placed Afghanistan in a predicament because of its reliance on Karachi with all strings in the hands of none-too-friendly Pakistan.</p>

<p>India’s stakes in Afghanistan being high, the realization perhaps came late that Chabahar had serious transformational strategic potential to bypass Pakistan. Once India demonstrated its deep interest and the tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan was signed in mid-2016, the movement of a consignment of wheat from Kandla port in Gujarat to Kabul via Chabahar went through smoothly; that experiment spurred further movement on Chabahar.</p>

<p>With portents of conflict termination in Afghanistan, the US too realised the important role India could play at this stage, such that all eggs were not in Pakistan’s basket. Otherwise all Pakistan needed to do in order to bring down the Afghan National Unity Government (NUG) was to establish a blockade from Karachi and the landlocked state of Afghanistan would have few options.</p>

<p>The tripartite agreement resolved that problem and increased India’s significance in Afghanistan. With India’s access via Chabahar, the viability of maintaining Afghanistan as a state under current dispensation, with minimal US presence, exponentially increases and there is considerable risk reduction. The joint Indian and US strategic interests in Afghanistan aim at the dilution of Pakistani influence and capability.</p>

<p>For the US the option of India in control is far more positive than leaving this to the stranglehold of China, Russia and Pakistan with the latter continuing to improve relations with Iran. For the Afghan NUG, this is as blissful a situation as it can expect with reduction of dependence on Pakistan and an avenue open to trade and assistance from India.</p>

<p>The Indian firm India Ports Global Limited has formally taken over operations at the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar. The routes for trade and transit corridors between the three countries have been finalised but this will remain work in progress as subsequent infrastructure caters for railway connectivity and eventual linkage to the INSTC.</p>

<p>While India has successfully completed a major geostrategic venture on one flank of the Persian Gulf, it needs to be mindful of the fact that its interests are divided on both sides of the Gulf. That is where the last few years of straddling diplomacy, which the Ministry of External Affairs has done with a fair degree of aplomb, will hopefully pay a dividend. India remains one of those unique countries which the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Iran visited within two weeks of each other.</p>

<p>India has long and extremely important relationships with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait which are as strategic as any of its relationships. The world of multilateralism is a sphere in which India is getting increasingly competent. That is why it needs to believe that Chabahar is the opening to the long-awaited strategic and civilisational relationship with Iran which need not be at the cost of the same which must be pursued with the Arab Gulf countries with equal vigour. 2018 was a good year for this, 2019 promises to be better.</p>

<p><em>(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-iran-a-port-of-call-for-india-2704295">original article</a>)</em></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver.

Chabahar is back in the news after a hiatus of about two years. The contexts of its importance are several but the first one in the current milieu is the fact that despite President Donald Trump’s avowed sanctions on everything related to Iran, India’s Chabahar-based relationship with Tehran has received a waiver. That puts on course the fructification of efforts which commenced many summers ago but got an impetus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran in May 2016, leading to the signing of the trilateral tripartite agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan. The US provided an “exception” from certain sanctions, to the Iranian port of Chabahar that India has developed and used for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. This exemption is in addition to temporary freedom from sanctions that the US announced for India and seven major importers of Iranian crude oil. Why is Chabahar strategically important, for India, the US, Iran and Afghanistan? That will answer many questions. It starts with the fact that its geostrategic location, outside the Persian Gulf and yet on the Iranian coastline, puts it slightly out of harm’s way in the event of the Straits of Hormuz being forcibly closed; although, it is well appreciated that such a closure will no doubt presuppose an adverse effect on all of Iran’s port facilities. To access Central Asia, often referred to as the heart of Asia, and Afghanistan, there are only two routes from the Indian Ocean. The first is from Pakistan’s Gwadar or Karachi ports and the second is from Chabahar which lies on the southeastern coast of Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province. Why the US agreed to waive sanctions for activities connected with the development of the port is simply because India is the nation providing alternatives for establishing communication arteries to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. For 17 years, the US has fought in Afghanistan and depended on a single artery for its logistics; through Karachi and Pakistan-Baluchistan into Afghan territory. Due to its animosity with Iran, the clearly viable alternative via Chabahar through Iranian territory, to West Afghanistan could not be exploited. The lack of development of Chabahar placed Afghanistan in a predicament because of its reliance on Karachi with all strings in the hands of none-too-friendly Pakistan. India’s stakes in Afghanistan being high, the realization perhaps came late that Chabahar had serious transformational strategic potential to bypass Pakistan. Once India demonstrated its deep interest and the tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan was signed in mid-2016, the movement of a consignment of wheat from Kandla port in Gujarat to Kabul via Chabahar went through smoothly; that experiment spurred further movement on Chabahar. With portents of conflict termination in Afghanistan, the US too realised the important role India could play at this stage, such that all eggs were not in Pakistan’s basket. Otherwise all Pakistan needed to do in order to bring down the Afghan National Unity Government (NUG) was to establish a blockade from Karachi and the landlocked state of Afghanistan would have few options. The tripartite agreement resolved that problem and increased India’s significance in Afghanistan. With India’s access via Chabahar, the viability of maintaining Afghanistan as a state under current dispensation, with minimal US presence, exponentially increases and there is considerable risk reduction. The joint Indian and US strategic interests in Afghanistan aim at the dilution of Pakistani influence and capability. For the US the option of India in control is far more positive than leaving this to the stranglehold of China, Russia and Pakistan with the latter continuing to improve relations with Iran. For the Afghan NUG, this is as blissful a situation as it can expect with reduction of dependence on Pakistan and an avenue open to trade and assistance from India. The Indian firm India Ports Global Limited has formally taken over operations at the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar. The routes for trade and transit corridors between the three countries have been finalised but this will remain work in progress as subsequent infrastructure caters for railway connectivity and eventual linkage to the INSTC. While India has successfully completed a major geostrategic venture on one flank of the Persian Gulf, it needs to be mindful of the fact that its interests are divided on both sides of the Gulf. That is where the last few years of straddling diplomacy, which the Ministry of External Affairs has done with a fair degree of aplomb, will hopefully pay a dividend. India remains one of those unique countries which the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Iran visited within two weeks of each other. India has long and extremely important relationships with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait which are as strategic as any of its relationships. The world of multilateralism is a sphere in which India is getting increasingly competent. That is why it needs to believe that Chabahar is the opening to the long-awaited strategic and civilisational relationship with Iran which need not be at the cost of the same which must be pursued with the Arab Gulf countries with equal vigour. 2018 was a good year for this, 2019 promises to be better. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Iran: A port of call for India

<p>The Centre has spent a total of Rs 364 crore since 2014 in advertising the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet projects that aims to improve the child sex ratio, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said Friday.</p>

<p>The highest amount spent on advertising the campaign was Rs 155.71 crore in 2018-19 (till December 31, 2018), Minister of State for Women and Child Development Virendra Kumar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>The government spent Rs 18.91 crore in 2014-15, Rs 24.54 crore in 2015-16, Rs 29.79 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 135.71 crore in 2017-18, he said.</p>

<p>The BBBP scheme was launched by the prime minister in January 2015 in Haryana's Panipat. It focuses on districts with the worst child sex ratio (CSR) as per the 2011 Census.</p>

<p>The key elements of the scheme include nation-wide awareness, advocacy campaign, and multi-sectoral action, Kumar said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The multi-sectoral actions include effective enforcement of Pre Conception &amp; Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&amp;PNDT) Act, pre-natal or post-natal care of a mother, to improve enrolment of girls in schools, community engagement or training or awareness generation, he said.</p>

<p>Since 2018-19, all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country have been covered under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, Kumar said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Out of 640 districts, 405 are covered through multi-sectoral intervention and media and advocacy while 235 districts covered through alert media and advocacy outreach," he added.&nbsp;</p>


The Centre has spent a total of Rs 364 crore since 2014 in advertising the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet projects that aims to improve the child sex ratio, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said Friday.

The Centre has spent a total of Rs 364 crore since 2014 in advertising the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet projects that aims to improve the child sex ratio, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said Friday. The highest amount spent on advertising the campaign was Rs 155.71 crore in 2018-19 (till December 31, 2018), Minister of State for Women and Child Development Virendra Kumar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The government spent Rs 18.91 crore in 2014-15, Rs 24.54 crore in 2015-16, Rs 29.79 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 135.71 crore in 2017-18, he said. The BBBP scheme was launched by the prime minister in January 2015 in Haryana's Panipat. It focuses on districts with the worst child sex ratio (CSR) as per the 2011 Census. The key elements of the scheme include nation-wide awareness, advocacy campaign, and multi-sectoral action, Kumar said. The multi-sectoral actions include effective enforcement of Pre Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, pre-natal or post-natal care of a mother, to improve enrolment of girls in schools, community engagement or training or awareness generation, he said. Since 2018-19, all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country have been covered under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, Kumar said. "Out of 640 districts, 405 are covered through multi-sectoral intervention and media and advocacy while 235 districts covered through alert media and advocacy outreach," he added.

Centre spent Rs 364 crore in advertising Beti Bachao Beti Padhao mission since 2014: WCD

<p>India has reacted to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-indian-pm-for-library-in-afghanistan-187955">US President Donald Trump's jibe&nbsp;</a> at Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocking India's development aid to Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Top sources speaking to WION said: "India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives. India plays a significant role in Afghanistan as a development partner. This partnership is built on the specific needs and requirements worked out with the government of Afghanistan. It is aimed at the welfare of the people of Afghanistan and for a tangible improvement in the lives of its people."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sources further added that "India seeks to build capacities and capabilities of Afghan nationals and its institutions for governance and delivery of public service, develop socio-economic infrastructure, secure lives and promote livelihood."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sources ruled out India sending troops to the country saying we "do not send armed forces abroad except under the specific mandate of UN Peacekeeping Operations."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US president in his first cabinet meet of the year had said that even though he gets "along very well with India and prime minister Modi", PM Modi "is constantly telling me, he built a library in Afghanistan" and added "don’t know who’s using it (the library) in Afghanistan".&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's development partnership is premised on five pillars - infrastructure, capacity building, humanitarian assistance, economic development and connectivity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the infrastructure front, India is building a 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram for facilitating movement of goods and services to the Iranian border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The highway will connect Iran with the Garland highway, which links Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif Herat and Kunduz. The construction of 220kV DC transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and a 220/110/20 kV sub-station at Chimtala will not only bring electricity and light to smaller towns and villages but also provide a key element of security for Afghan and US forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The India prime minister along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had inaugurated the India-Afghanistan friendship dam (Salma Dam). The dam has an installed capacity of 42 MW and supplies water for irrigating 75,000 hectares of land. Since its inauguration in 2016, the project has been generating electricity and releasing water for irrigation. The new Afghan parliament is also built with Indian support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On capacity building, more than 3,500 Afghans are undergoing various training programmes in India. New Delhi also offers 500 Indian technical and economic cooperation (ITEC) slots to Afghanistan annually.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As far as humanitarian assistance is concerned, India has supplied of 1.1 million MT of wheat to Afghanistan. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health IGICH - a 400-bed hospital is the main hospital in Afghanistan and caters to the well-being of children from all across Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, the direct air freight corridor between India and Afghanistan established in 2017 has increased the market for Afghan good in India.</p>


India has reacted to US President Donald Trump's jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocking India's development aid to Afghanistan. Top sources speaking to WION said: "India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives.

India has reacted to US President Donald Trump's jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocking India's development aid to Afghanistan. Top sources speaking to WION said: "India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives. India plays a significant role in Afghanistan as a development partner. This partnership is built on the specific needs and requirements worked out with the government of Afghanistan. It is aimed at the welfare of the people of Afghanistan and for a tangible improvement in the lives of its people." The sources further added that "India seeks to build capacities and capabilities of Afghan nationals and its institutions for governance and delivery of public service, develop socio-economic infrastructure, secure lives and promote livelihood." Sources ruled out India sending troops to the country saying we "do not send armed forces abroad except under the specific mandate of UN Peacekeeping Operations." The US president in his first cabinet meet of the year had said that even though he gets "along very well with India and prime minister Modi", PM Modi "is constantly telling me, he built a library in Afghanistan" and added "don’t know who’s using it (the library) in Afghanistan". India's development partnership is premised on five pillars - infrastructure, capacity building, humanitarian assistance, economic development and connectivity. On the infrastructure front, India is building a 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram for facilitating movement of goods and services to the Iranian border. The highway will connect Iran with the Garland highway, which links Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif Herat and Kunduz. The construction of 220kV DC transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and a 220/110/20 kV sub-station at Chimtala will not only bring electricity and light to smaller towns and villages but also provide a key element of security for Afghan and US forces. The India prime minister along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had inaugurated the India-Afghanistan friendship dam (Salma Dam). The dam has an installed capacity of 42 MW and supplies water for irrigating 75,000 hectares of land. Since its inauguration in 2016, the project has been generating electricity and releasing water for irrigation. The new Afghan parliament is also built with Indian support. On capacity building, more than 3,500 Afghans are undergoing various training programmes in India. New Delhi also offers 500 Indian technical and economic cooperation (ITEC) slots to Afghanistan annually. As far as humanitarian assistance is concerned, India has supplied of 1.1 million MT of wheat to Afghanistan. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health IGICH - a 400-bed hospital is the main hospital in Afghanistan and caters to the well-being of children from all across Afghanistan. Also, the direct air freight corridor between India and Afghanistan established in 2017 has increased the market for Afghan good in India.

After Trump's jibe, India says developmental assistance transforming Afghanistan

<p>Amid growing pressure from partners in the ruling alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will visit Varanasi and Ghazipur, the areas where two NDA allies have considerable influence.</p>

<p>The prime minister's trip to his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi will be his second visit there in the last two months.</p>

<p>He will inaugurate the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) on the campus of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi.</p>

<p>The centre will serve as a hub for rice research and training in South Asia and the SAARC region.</p>

<p>Modi will also attend the 'One District, One Product' Regional Summit at Deendayal Hastakala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre &amp; Crafts Museum) in Varanasi.</p>

<p>A commemorative postal stamp on the Maharaja Suheldeo will be released by the prime minister in Ghazipur, where he will also address a public rally at the RTI ground there.</p>

<p>However, senior minister in the Yogi Adityanath government and SBSP president Om Prakash Rajbhar, an MLA from Zahoorabad assembly constituency in Ghazipur district, announced that he will not attend the prime minister's programme.</p>

<p>"I will not attend the December 29 programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ghazipur," Rajbhar had told reporters a few days back.</p>

<p>Rajbhar is sore over the commemorative postal stamp on backward caste leader Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar not carrying his full name.</p>

<p>A problem has arisen with the Apna Dal (S), which is represented in the Union government by Anupriya Patel, an MP from Mirzapur, adjacent to Varanasi.</p>

<p>Reflecting the "friction" with the BJP, Anupriya Patel said she stands by the remarks of her husband and party president Ashish Patel, who had voiced frustration with the saffron party over its "treatment" of smaller NDA allies.</p>

<p>Ashish Patel had recently alleged at a press conference in Mirzapur that smaller parties were feeling "ignored" by the bigger NDA partner -- the BJP.</p>

<p>The Apna Dal (S) has presence in over 15 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with its core voter base of Kurmi Patel, and nearly one lakh of them only in the prime minister's constituency.</p>


Amid growing pressure from partners in the ruling alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will visit Varanasi and Ghazipur, the areas where two NDA allies have considerable influence.

Amid growing pressure from partners in the ruling alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will visit Varanasi and Ghazipur, the areas where two NDA allies have considerable influence. The prime minister's trip to his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi will be his second visit there in the last two months. He will inaugurate the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) on the campus of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi. The centre will serve as a hub for rice research and training in South Asia and the SAARC region. Modi will also attend the 'One District, One Product' Regional Summit at Deendayal Hastakala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre & Crafts Museum) in Varanasi. A commemorative postal stamp on the Maharaja Suheldeo will be released by the prime minister in Ghazipur, where he will also address a public rally at the RTI ground there. However, senior minister in the Yogi Adityanath government and SBSP president Om Prakash Rajbhar, an MLA from Zahoorabad assembly constituency in Ghazipur district, announced that he will not attend the prime minister's programme. "I will not attend the December 29 programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ghazipur," Rajbhar had told reporters a few days back. Rajbhar is sore over the commemorative postal stamp on backward caste leader Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar not carrying his full name. A problem has arisen with the Apna Dal (S), which is represented in the Union government by Anupriya Patel, an MP from Mirzapur, adjacent to Varanasi. Reflecting the "friction" with the BJP, Anupriya Patel said she stands by the remarks of her husband and party president Ashish Patel, who had voiced frustration with the saffron party over its "treatment" of smaller NDA allies. Ashish Patel had recently alleged at a press conference in Mirzapur that smaller parties were feeling "ignored" by the bigger NDA partner -- the BJP. The Apna Dal (S) has presence in over 15 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with its core voter base of Kurmi Patel, and nearly one lakh of them only in the prime minister's constituency.

PM Modi to visit Varanasi, Ghazipur today

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced a Rs 4,500 crore financial assistance to Bhutan for its 12th five-year plan after holding <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhutanese-prime-minister-lotay-tshering-arrives-in-india-on-3-day-visit-186941">wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart</a> Lotay Tshering.</p>

<p>In his media statement, Modi said hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a key aspect of bilateral ties and that work on the Mangdechhu project will soon be completed.</p>

<p>Tshering arrived in Delhi on Thursday on his first foreign visit after taking charge as PM of the Himalayan nation last month following his party's victory in the general elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi said he has assured the Bhutanese prime minister that India, as a trusted friend, will continue to play an important role in Bhutan's development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India will contribute Rs 4,500 crore in Bhutan's 12th five-year plan, Modi said.</p>

<p>Tshering on his part noted that Prime Minister Modi was the first head of state to to congratulate him on his electoral victory. He also thanked India for its continued support to his country's developmental needs.</p>

<p>The new five-year plan of Bhutan began this year and will continue till 2022.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Tshering was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Bhutanese premier this morning.</p>

<p>Swaraj congratulated Tshering on the assumption of the high office of Bhutan's prime minister and the two leaders had a "warm exchange of views" on important aspects of the bilateral relationship, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.</p>

<p>Tshering also laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's 'samadhi' at Rajghat.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced a Rs 4,500 crore financial assistance to Bhutan for its 12th five-year plan after holding wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced a Rs 4,500 crore financial assistance to Bhutan for its 12th five-year plan after holding wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering. In his media statement, Modi said hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a key aspect of bilateral ties and that work on the Mangdechhu project will soon be completed. Tshering arrived in Delhi on Thursday on his first foreign visit after taking charge as PM of the Himalayan nation last month following his party's victory in the general elections. Modi said he has assured the Bhutanese prime minister that India, as a trusted friend, will continue to play an important role in Bhutan's development. India will contribute Rs 4,500 crore in Bhutan's 12th five-year plan, Modi said. Tshering on his part noted that Prime Minister Modi was the first head of state to to congratulate him on his electoral victory. He also thanked India for its continued support to his country's developmental needs. The new five-year plan of Bhutan began this year and will continue till 2022. Earlier in the day, Tshering was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Bhutanese premier this morning. Swaraj congratulated Tshering on the assumption of the high office of Bhutan's prime minister and the two leaders had a "warm exchange of views" on important aspects of the bilateral relationship, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Tshering also laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's 'samadhi' at Rajghat.

India announces Rs 4,500 crore assistance to Bhutan

<p>Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is on a 3-day trip to India. It is Tshering's maiden foreign visit after assuming office last month. Tshering, earlier in the day, said, "India and Bhutan are very close because we have opened our heart for each other".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhutanese PM's remarks came while speaking to media after his ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi today. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Today is the main day of his engagements with the Indian leadership.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is what Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering wrote at Rajghat: Could not have hoped for a better country on my first foreign visit after assuming office. <a href="https://t.co/0f9jiJihxJ">pic.twitter.com/0f9jiJihxJ</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1078525663844409344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Bhutan PM said, "I carry volumes of love from my King and people of Bhutan."&nbsp;He also thanked PM Modi for extending an invitation to visit India.</p>

<p>During the visit, PM Tshering will be discussing Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan. He will also talk about hydropower cooperation, particularly the Mangdechhu project which is built with India's help.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India and Bhutan are very close because we have open our heart for each other says new Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering. Adds, grateful PM Modi chose Bhutan as his first foreign visit in 2014. <a href="https://t.co/L9mepCoSMO">pic.twitter.com/L9mepCoSMO</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1078513842550906880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>PM Tshering visited Rajghat. In the visitor's book, he wrote, "It is my great honour to be visiting India today. I thank PM Modi and the people of India. I could not have hoped for a better country on my first foreign visit after assuming office."</p>

<p>Tshering took over as Bhutan's 8th prime minister on November 7. After his victory in the Bhutanese elections, PM Modi had called Lotay Tshering and congratulated him over his electoral success.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Ceremonial reception to Bhutanese prime minister." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7eb56ed4-af2b-4682-92b0-86e0e2745e97" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/MEA%202.JPG" /></p>

<p><img alt="Ceremonial reception to Bhutanese prime minister." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="847b0659-e91c-4c4c-866c-8849bd080a9d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/MEA1.JPG" /></p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi conveyed that India attaches "highest priority to further strengthening unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, which is based on shared interests and values, utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding."</p>

<p>This year marks the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan. Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale was the first Indian official to visit Bhutan to meet the Bhutanese PM.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Time-tested relationship<br />
<br />
Dr Lotay Tshering <a href="https://twitter.com/PMBhutan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMBhutan</a> received warmly by MoS Finance <a href="https://twitter.com/BJPShivPShukla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJPShivPShukla</a> on arrival in Delhi for a 3-day State Visit at the invitation of PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaBhutan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaBhutan</a> celebrate 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year <a href="https://t.co/zFifjNLYZE">pic.twitter.com/zFifjNLYZE</a></p>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1078186318222450688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. In 2016, the total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at Rs. 8,723 crores. 82 per cent of Bhutan's total import, which comes to Rs 5528.5 crores, comes from India while 90 per cent of Bhutan's export goes to India and stands at Rs 3205.2 crores. Most of Bhutan's export to India is electricity.</p>


Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is on a 3-day trip to India. It is Tshering's maiden foreign visit after assuming office last month. Tshering, earlier in the day, said, "India and Bhutan are very close because we have opened our heart for each other".

Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is on a 3-day trip to India. It is Tshering's maiden foreign visit after assuming office last month. Tshering, earlier in the day, said, "India and Bhutan are very close because we have opened our heart for each other". Bhutanese PM's remarks came while speaking to media after his ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi today. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today is the main day of his engagements with the Indian leadership. This is what Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering wrote at Rajghat: Could not have hoped for a better country on my first foreign visit after assuming office. pic.twitter.com/0f9jiJihxJ — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 28, 2018 × Bhutan PM said, "I carry volumes of love from my King and people of Bhutan." He also thanked PM Modi for extending an invitation to visit India. During the visit, PM Tshering will be discussing Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan. He will also talk about hydropower cooperation, particularly the Mangdechhu project which is built with India's help. India and Bhutan are very close because we have open our heart for each other says new Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering. Adds, grateful PM Modi chose Bhutan as his first foreign visit in 2014. pic.twitter.com/L9mepCoSMO — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 28, 2018 × PM Tshering visited Rajghat. In the visitor's book, he wrote, "It is my great honour to be visiting India today. I thank PM Modi and the people of India. I could not have hoped for a better country on my first foreign visit after assuming office." Tshering took over as Bhutan's 8th prime minister on November 7. After his victory in the Bhutanese elections, PM Modi had called Lotay Tshering and congratulated him over his electoral success. Prime Minister Modi conveyed that India attaches "highest priority to further strengthening unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, which is based on shared interests and values, utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding." This year marks the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan. Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale was the first Indian official to visit Bhutan to meet the Bhutanese PM. Time-tested relationship Dr Lotay Tshering @PMBhutan received warmly by MoS Finance @BJPShivPShukla on arrival in Delhi for a 3-day State Visit at the invitation of PM @narendramodi. #IndiaBhutan celebrate 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year pic.twitter.com/zFifjNLYZE — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 27, 2018 × India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. In 2016, the total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at Rs. 8,723 crores. 82 per cent of Bhutan's total import, which comes to Rs 5528.5 crores, comes from India while 90 per cent of Bhutan's export goes to India and stands at Rs 3205.2 crores. Most of Bhutan's export to India is electricity.

Couldn't have hoped for better country on my first foreign visit: Bhutanese PM in India

Indian Cabinet likely to discuss a proposal for universal basic income scheme today

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/good-momentum-achieved-in-relations-with-india-china-186424">Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China</a></p>

<p>A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-pm-modi-takes-a-walk-ridges-on-bogibeel-bridge-in-assam-186371">Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam</a></p>

<p>PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today.</p>

<p>The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-bcci-announces-playing-xi-for-boxing-day-test-186410">IND vs AUS: BCCI announces playing XI for Boxing Day Test</a></p>

<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.</p>

<p>In the list, both openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have been dropped while rookies Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal will be given the opportunity to open, according to Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rat-hole-mining-rampant-in-meghalaya-despite-ngt-ban-15-labours-still-trapped-186369">After two weeks, 15 miners still trapped in Meghalaya; search operation suspended</a></p>

<p>There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/attackers-hit-libya-foreign-ministry-in-tripoli-one-dead-186382">Watch: Attackers hit Libya foreign ministry in Tripoli; 3 dead</a></p>

<p>Gunfire and explosions rocked Libya's foreign ministry on Tuesday as attackers stormed the building in the capital Tripoli, killing at least three people.</p>

<p>A car bomb exploded in front of the ministry, after which "three or four assailants" entered, the source told AFP from the scene.</p>


Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations.

Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations. Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today. The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours. IND vs AUS: BCCI announces playing XI for Boxing Day Test The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia. In the list, both openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have been dropped while rookies Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal will be given the opportunity to open, according to Reuters. After two weeks, 15 miners still trapped in Meghalaya; search operation suspended There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit. Watch: Attackers hit Libya foreign ministry in Tripoli; 3 dead Gunfire and explosions rocked Libya's foreign ministry on Tuesday as attackers stormed the building in the capital Tripoli, killing at least three people. A car bomb exploded in front of the ministry, after which "three or four assailants" entered, the source told AFP from the scene.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at the Mahagatbandhan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, saying it was an "unholy alliance" of various political parties for "personal survival".</p>

<p>People will see through the "incoherent alliance of rich dynasties," Modi said during his interaction with booth workers from Chennai Central, Chennai North, Madurai, Tiruchirappally and Tiruvallur constituencies in Tamil Nadu through video conference.</p>

<p>The prime minister recalled that the key constituent of the mega alliance - the Telugu Desam Party-- was formed against the very "high-handedness" of the Congress by the veteran, late chief minister N T Rama Rao but said the party was now keen to join hands with the Congress.</p>

<p>Some parties in the Mahagatbandhan claimed to be inspired by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, but the veteran himself opposed the Congress and its ideologies, Modi said.</p>

<p>"Today several leaders are talking about a grand alliance or Mahagathbandhan. This alliance is for personal survival, and is not ideology-based support. This alliance is for power, not for the people. This alliance for personal ambitions, not people's aspirations," he said.</p>

<p>While several parties and leaders in the coalition claimed to be deeply inspired by Lohia, he said "was deeply opposed to the Congress," Modi said.</p>

<p>Many leaders in the coalition were "arrested and tortured" during the Emergency, he said without referring to anyone.</p>

<p>The Congress "ecosytem" spared none, he said and pointed out at the dismissal of the AIADMK government of late chief minister MG Ramachandran in 1980 though he had people's support.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mahagathbandhan is a grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at the Mahagatbandhan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, saying it was an "unholy alliance" of various political parties for "personal survival".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at the Mahagatbandhan for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, saying it was an "unholy alliance" of various political parties for "personal survival". People will see through the "incoherent alliance of rich dynasties," Modi said during his interaction with booth workers from Chennai Central, Chennai North, Madurai, Tiruchirappally and Tiruvallur constituencies in Tamil Nadu through video conference. The prime minister recalled that the key constituent of the mega alliance - the Telugu Desam Party-- was formed against the very "high-handedness" of the Congress by the veteran, late chief minister N T Rama Rao but said the party was now keen to join hands with the Congress. Some parties in the Mahagatbandhan claimed to be inspired by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, but the veteran himself opposed the Congress and its ideologies, Modi said. "Today several leaders are talking about a grand alliance or Mahagathbandhan. This alliance is for personal survival, and is not ideology-based support. This alliance is for power, not for the people. This alliance for personal ambitions, not people's aspirations," he said. While several parties and leaders in the coalition claimed to be deeply inspired by Lohia, he said "was deeply opposed to the Congress," Modi said. Many leaders in the coalition were "arrested and tortured" during the Emergency, he said without referring to anyone. The Congress "ecosytem" spared none, he said and pointed out at the dismissal of the AIADMK government of late chief minister MG Ramachandran in 1980 though he had people's support. Mahagathbandhan is a grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

PM Modi says Mahagathbandhan incoherent alliance of rich dynasties

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the Centre was committed to making a law on triple talaq despite facing "hurdles" from "hardliners" and opposition parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also asserted that women were the biggest beneficiaries of the many schemes launched by his government.</p>

<p>"Nearly all big schemes are anyhow empowering women. The government has framed new schemes and rectified existing ones. Through the schemes and laws, we are moving towards women empowerment today. This has created trust," Modi said.</p>

<p>Speaking at the fifth national convention of BJP Mahila Morcha, he targeted the Congress, saying women's welfare was never a priority of the previous governments.</p>

<p><br />
The prime minister also talked about his government's resolve to make the law on triple talaq.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Despite all hurdles and opposition from hardliners and opposition parties, the government is committed to making a law on triple talaq," Modi said.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha is expected to take up the triple talaq Bill for discussion on December 27 during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.</p>

<p>The government had issued an ordinance in September pending the passage of the Bill in a revised form.</p>

<p>The current Bill will supersede a previous Bill passed in the Lower House and held up in Rajya Sabha. In view of opposition to the Bill from various parties, the government has cleared some amendments, including introduction of a provision of bail for husbands who give instant triple talaq.</p>

<p>"We are committed so that Muslim women can get rid of a big life threat. No just that. In order for Muslim women to go to Haj (pilgrimage), we have removed the clause that men need to accompany them", he said.</p>

<p>The prime minister said the women of the country have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the opportunity "with great hope and trust after trying all other options".</p>

<p>"After exploring various options in the last six to seven decades, the people of the country -- our sisters and daughters -- reposed faith in the BJP. Previous governments did not do anything to provide even basic facilities to women and just made promises," Modi said.</p>

<p>Those who ruled India for 60-70 years failed to provide basic things for women's welfare, he said, adding the previous governments just kept waiting for the right time to usher in social reforms and change in attitude towards women.</p>

<p>"The country knows very well the approach and thinking of those who could not even have it as their priority to provide basic facilities to women in all these years. The country knows what their intentions and thoughts were.</p>

<p>"The political party that remained in power since decades only waited for time to come to bring about social changes and thinking regarding women. They were busy making promises", he said, targeting the Congress.</p>

<p>In the last four years, society's view towards girl child and women empowerment has undergone a positive change, the prime minister said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"For the first time, the government's flagship schemes are focusing on women," he said while referring to programmes like Swachh Bharat programme, Ujjwala scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), wherein 75 per cent owners of the houses are women.</p>

<p>"Eighteen crore of the total Jan Dhan bank accounts belong to women," he said, adding that the male-female sex ratio has also improved, especially in Haryana, which has had a dubious record in the past.</p>

<p>Modi said the cabinet committee on security affairs for the first time included two women. "Besides, women have been inducted as fighter pilots in Air Force. There is a woman officer wing in the Navy. The government passed anti-trafficking bill and capital punishment will be given to rape convicts of minors," he said.</p>

<p>Modi added that the country's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had initiated women's empowerment as president of the Ahmedabad Municipality before Independence.</p>

<p>He said the BJP enjoys confidence of the people of the country from panchayat-level to Parliament.</p>

<p>Modi said his government was taking steps to empower women through schemes launched in the last four-and-half years.</p>

<p>"Since the last many decades, you have struggled with women-related issues. This government is working (as it is) guided by the expression of this struggle. This is being expressed in the government's programmes since the last 4.5 years," he said.</p>

<p>He said the women's participation in decision-making process in the country has gone up due to the efforts of his government.</p>

<p>"Schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission targeted women by providing them toilets or 'ijjat ghars' where they can go freely without fear of being stalked," the prime minister said.</p>

<p>Modi also said that his government brought down inflation, which came as a "relief to women, making it easier for them to manage the households".</p>

<p>The PM praised the BJP government in Haryana for improving the gender ratio, saying it was the result of the success of the 'Beti bachao, Beti padhao' initiative.</p>

<p>He also lauded the erstwhile Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh for ensuring that courts pass orders in two to three months in cases of rape of minor girls.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the Centre was committed to making a law on triple talaq despite facing "hurdles" from "hardliners" and opposition parties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the Centre was committed to making a law on triple talaq despite facing "hurdles" from "hardliners" and opposition parties. He also asserted that women were the biggest beneficiaries of the many schemes launched by his government. "Nearly all big schemes are anyhow empowering women. The government has framed new schemes and rectified existing ones. Through the schemes and laws, we are moving towards women empowerment today. This has created trust," Modi said. Speaking at the fifth national convention of BJP Mahila Morcha, he targeted the Congress, saying women's welfare was never a priority of the previous governments. The prime minister also talked about his government's resolve to make the law on triple talaq. "Despite all hurdles and opposition from hardliners and opposition parties, the government is committed to making a law on triple talaq," Modi said. The Lok Sabha is expected to take up the triple talaq Bill for discussion on December 27 during the ongoing winter session of Parliament. The government had issued an ordinance in September pending the passage of the Bill in a revised form. The current Bill will supersede a previous Bill passed in the Lower House and held up in Rajya Sabha. In view of opposition to the Bill from various parties, the government has cleared some amendments, including introduction of a provision of bail for husbands who give instant triple talaq. "We are committed so that Muslim women can get rid of a big life threat. No just that. In order for Muslim women to go to Haj (pilgrimage), we have removed the clause that men need to accompany them", he said. The prime minister said the women of the country have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the opportunity "with great hope and trust after trying all other options". "After exploring various options in the last six to seven decades, the people of the country -- our sisters and daughters -- reposed faith in the BJP. Previous governments did not do anything to provide even basic facilities to women and just made promises," Modi said. Those who ruled India for 60-70 years failed to provide basic things for women's welfare, he said, adding the previous governments just kept waiting for the right time to usher in social reforms and change in attitude towards women. "The country knows very well the approach and thinking of those who could not even have it as their priority to provide basic facilities to women in all these years. The country knows what their intentions and thoughts were. "The political party that remained in power since decades only waited for time to come to bring about social changes and thinking regarding women. They were busy making promises", he said, targeting the Congress. In the last four years, society's view towards girl child and women empowerment has undergone a positive change, the prime minister said. "For the first time, the government's flagship schemes are focusing on women," he said while referring to programmes like Swachh Bharat programme, Ujjwala scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), wherein 75 per cent owners of the houses are women. "Eighteen crore of the total Jan Dhan bank accounts belong to women," he said, adding that the male-female sex ratio has also improved, especially in Haryana, which has had a dubious record in the past. Modi said the cabinet committee on security affairs for the first time included two women. "Besides, women have been inducted as fighter pilots in Air Force. There is a woman officer wing in the Navy. The government passed anti-trafficking bill and capital punishment will be given to rape convicts of minors," he said. Modi added that the country's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had initiated women's empowerment as president of the Ahmedabad Municipality before Independence. He said the BJP enjoys confidence of the people of the country from panchayat-level to Parliament. Modi said his government was taking steps to empower women through schemes launched in the last four-and-half years. "Since the last many decades, you have struggled with women-related issues. This government is working (as it is) guided by the expression of this struggle. This is being expressed in the government's programmes since the last 4.5 years," he said. He said the women's participation in decision-making process in the country has gone up due to the efforts of his government. "Schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission targeted women by providing them toilets or 'ijjat ghars' where they can go freely without fear of being stalked," the prime minister said. Modi also said that his government brought down inflation, which came as a "relief to women, making it easier for them to manage the households". The PM praised the BJP government in Haryana for improving the gender ratio, saying it was the result of the success of the 'Beti bachao, Beti padhao' initiative. He also lauded the erstwhile Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh for ensuring that courts pass orders in two to three months in cases of rape of minor girls.

Government committed to making law on triple talaq: PM Modi

<p>The first India China High-Level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges which was one of the outcomes of the informal Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place on Friday in Delhi. The meeting will be co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two ministers will also open the India-China High-Level Media Forum Inaugural Session.</p>

<p>Replying to a question by the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "This is the first meeting of India China High-Level mechanism on cultural and people to people exchange. The decision to establish a special mechanism was taken during the informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi. Reflects desire of the two sides to build synergy on people to people exchanges."</p>

<p>Chinese foreign minister who is on a four day India visit from December 21 to 24 will also visit Aurangabad and Mumbai. A number of MoUs are expected to be signed during his India visit.</p>

<p>The year 2018 saw a reset in India-China ties which went under strain last year due to Doklam standoff in Bhutan. The standoff between the armed forces of the two countries occurred after the Chinese army attempted to build a road in Bhutan's Doklam area. The conflict was resolved after several rounds of talks.</p>

<p>The current year saw Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting four times. The two leaders first met at the Wuhan informal summit, followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China, BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 summit in Argentina.&nbsp;</p>


The first India China High-Level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges which was one of the outcomes of the informal Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place on Friday in Delhi.

The first India China High-Level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges which was one of the outcomes of the informal Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place on Friday in Delhi. The meeting will be co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two ministers will also open the India-China High-Level Media Forum Inaugural Session. Replying to a question by the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "This is the first meeting of India China High-Level mechanism on cultural and people to people exchange. The decision to establish a special mechanism was taken during the informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi. Reflects desire of the two sides to build synergy on people to people exchanges." Chinese foreign minister who is on a four day India visit from December 21 to 24 will also visit Aurangabad and Mumbai. A number of MoUs are expected to be signed during his India visit. The year 2018 saw a reset in India-China ties which went under strain last year due to Doklam standoff in Bhutan. The standoff between the armed forces of the two countries occurred after the Chinese army attempted to build a road in Bhutan's Doklam area. The conflict was resolved after several rounds of talks. The current year saw Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting four times. The two leaders first met at the Wuhan informal summit, followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China, BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 summit in Argentina.

On Friday, first India, China high-level mechanism on people-to-people exchanges

<p>Taking a jibe at the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/wont-let-pm-modi-sleep-until-all-farms-loans-waived-rahul-gandhi-184997">Congress </a>Prime Minister Modi said on Wednesday that the party has humiliated every important institution of the democracy.</p>

<p>While interacting with BJP karyakartas&nbsp;of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, PM&nbsp;Modi said,&nbsp;"the Congress has&nbsp;humiliated the army, CAG and every important institution of the democracy".</p>

<p>Referring to the Rafale verdict, PM Modi further said&nbsp;"recently they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-urges-sc-to-recall-rafale-judgment-issue-contempt-of-court-notice-to-govt-184555">questioned a Supreme&nbsp;Court verdict</a> just because they could not threaten the court into doing what they wanted. They tried to impeach the CJI also."</p>

<p>PM Modi also targetted the Congress over their frequent&nbsp;accusations of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-files-petition-in-chhattisgarh-high-court-over-evm-security-182070">EVM tempering</a>.</p>

<p>"Before every election they begin to make noise about EVMs, trying to create an atmosphere of doubt. However after elections, if Congress performs well they seem to accept results that have come out of the same EVM", he said.</p>

<p>"The Congress party has become more cunning since the days of Emergency," he said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM: They've humiliated the Army, CAG &amp; every institution imp to our democracy. Recently they questioned an SC verdict just because they didn't like the decision. Earlier, just because they couldn't threaten the court into doing what they wanted they tried to even impeach the CJI. <a href="https://t.co/lH9TSdTzcB">pic.twitter.com/lH9TSdTzcB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1075358111408414720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM in interaction with BJP Karyakartas of Tamil Nadu&amp;Puducherry: Before every election they begin to make noise about EVMs, trying to create an atmosphere of doubt. However after elections, if Congress performs well they seem to accept results that have come out of the same EVM. <a href="https://t.co/QH1Abm8WLj">pic.twitter.com/QH1Abm8WLj</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1075358109114093569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The prime minister was interacting with booth level workers of Vellore, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram and south Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, through video conferencing from New Delhi.</p>

<p>PM Modi asked party workers to increase their outreach by creating awareness about his government's welfare schemes.</p>

<p>"From housing to health care, from sanitation to skills, there are schemes for every section of society," he said.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Taking a jibe at the Congress Prime Minister Modi said on Wednesday that the party has humiliated every important institution of the democracy. While interacting with BJP karyakartas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, PM Modi said, "the Congress has humiliated the army, CAG and every important institution of the democracy".

Taking a jibe at the Congress Prime Minister Modi said on Wednesday that the party has humiliated every important institution of the democracy. While interacting with BJP karyakartas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, PM Modi said, "the Congress has humiliated the army, CAG and every important institution of the democracy". Referring to the Rafale verdict, PM Modi further said "recently they questioned a Supreme Court verdict just because they could not threaten the court into doing what they wanted. They tried to impeach the CJI also." PM Modi also targetted the Congress over their frequent accusations of EVM tempering. "Before every election they begin to make noise about EVMs, trying to create an atmosphere of doubt. However after elections, if Congress performs well they seem to accept results that have come out of the same EVM", he said. "The Congress party has become more cunning since the days of Emergency," he said. PM: They've humiliated the Army, CAG & every institution imp to our democracy. Recently they questioned an SC verdict just because they didn't like the decision. Earlier, just because they couldn't threaten the court into doing what they wanted they tried to even impeach the CJI. pic.twitter.com/lH9TSdTzcB — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018 × PM in interaction with BJP Karyakartas of Tamil Nadu&Puducherry: Before every election they begin to make noise about EVMs, trying to create an atmosphere of doubt. However after elections, if Congress performs well they seem to accept results that have come out of the same EVM. pic.twitter.com/QH1Abm8WLj — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018 × The prime minister was interacting with booth level workers of Vellore, Kanchipuram, Viluppuram and south Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, through video conferencing from New Delhi. PM Modi asked party workers to increase their outreach by creating awareness about his government's welfare schemes. "From housing to health care, from sanitation to skills, there are schemes for every section of society," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress has humiliated every important institution of democracy: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-attacks-sonia-rahul-gandhi-in-chhattisgarh-poll-rally-176811">Narendra Modi tore into the Congress Sunday on Sonia Gandhi's home turf</a>, saying the party was "agitated" and telling "lies" as there was no "Quattrocchi uncle" or Christian Michel in BJP government's defence deals and slammed it for trying to create "distrust" against the judiciary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were the prime minister's first public comments after the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the BJP government on the Rafale deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was also the prime minister's first public meeting on Sonia Gandhi's home turf after the BJP lost the three heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the Congress and its allies.</p>

<p>In an&nbsp;all-out attack on the Congress, Modi accused the Congress of aligning with forces which do not want to see India's defence forces becoming strong.</p>

<p>"There are two facets before the country...One is of the government which is making every possible effort to augment the strength of defence forces, and the second is of those forces which want to weaken the country at every cost," he said.</p>

<p>The prime minister said people were witnessing that "the Congress is aligning with those forces which do not want our defence forces to become stronger."</p>

<p>Citing a couplet from the Ramcharit Manas, he said there were some people who only accept lies and share these with other people.</p>

<p>"For these very people the defence ministry, the defence minister, officers of the Indian Air Force, government of France, are all lies...Now the Supreme Court also appears to be a lie to them," Modi said in his 50-minute address, nearly 30 minutes of which were devoted to the Rafale deal.</p>

<p>Holding that previous defence deals were tainted, he said the&nbsp;history of the Congress in terms of such deals "belong to (Italian businessman Ottavio) Quattrocchi mama".</p>

<p>Quattrocchi was one of the alleged middlemen in the Bofors deal inked by the government led by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.</p>

<p>Referring to the AgustaWestland chopper case, he said, "We have brought one uncle Christian Michel to India a few days back."</p>

<p>The 54-year-old British national is one of the three alleged middlemen being investigated by the CBI over charges of organising bribes for Indian politicians and bureaucrats to push for the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal.</p>

<p>"Everyone is seeing as to how to save the accused the Congress had sent its advocate to the court," Modi charged.</p>

<p>"I want to know from the Congress as to why it is agitated and telling lies repeatedly. Is it because there is no Quattrocchi mama or Christian Michel in defence deals done by the BJP government?" he asked.</p>

<p>"Is it because of this that they (Congress) have started creating an atmosphere of distrust against the judiciary?" he posed.</p>

<p>Noting that after the Kargil conflict, there was a need for modern aircraft, the prime minister said, "The Congress ruled the country for ten years, but it did not allow the Air Force to get strengthened. Why? And under whose pressure?"</p>

<p>Accusing the Congress of failing to provide bulletproof jackets to jawans, he said, "In 2009, the Indian Army had demanded 1.86 lakh bullet-proof jackets. But, in the five years of UPA-II, these were not purchased."</p>

<p>"But, after we came to power, we purchased 50,000 BP jackets in 2016," he said, adding that this year the order for purchasing 1.86 lakh jackets from a domestic company has been placed.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the Congress Sunday on Sonia Gandhi's home turf, saying the party was "agitated" and telling "lies" as there was no "Quattrocchi uncle" or Christian Michel in BJP government's defence deals and slammed it for trying to create "distrust" against the judiciary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the Congress Sunday on Sonia Gandhi's home turf, saying the party was "agitated" and telling "lies" as there was no "Quattrocchi uncle" or Christian Michel in BJP government's defence deals and slammed it for trying to create "distrust" against the judiciary. They were the prime minister's first public comments after the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the BJP government on the Rafale deal. It was also the prime minister's first public meeting on Sonia Gandhi's home turf after the BJP lost the three heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the Congress and its allies. In an all-out attack on the Congress, Modi accused the Congress of aligning with forces which do not want to see India's defence forces becoming strong. "There are two facets before the country...One is of the government which is making every possible effort to augment the strength of defence forces, and the second is of those forces which want to weaken the country at every cost," he said. The prime minister said people were witnessing that "the Congress is aligning with those forces which do not want our defence forces to become stronger." Citing a couplet from the Ramcharit Manas, he said there were some people who only accept lies and share these with other people. "For these very people the defence ministry, the defence minister, officers of the Indian Air Force, government of France, are all lies...Now the Supreme Court also appears to be a lie to them," Modi said in his 50-minute address, nearly 30 minutes of which were devoted to the Rafale deal. Holding that previous defence deals were tainted, he said the history of the Congress in terms of such deals "belong to (Italian businessman Ottavio) Quattrocchi mama". Quattrocchi was one of the alleged middlemen in the Bofors deal inked by the government led by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. Referring to the AgustaWestland chopper case, he said, "We have brought one uncle Christian Michel to India a few days back." The 54-year-old British national is one of the three alleged middlemen being investigated by the CBI over charges of organising bribes for Indian politicians and bureaucrats to push for the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal. "Everyone is seeing as to how to save the accused the Congress had sent its advocate to the court," Modi charged. "I want to know from the Congress as to why it is agitated and telling lies repeatedly. Is it because there is no Quattrocchi mama or Christian Michel in defence deals done by the BJP government?" he asked. "Is it because of this that they (Congress) have started creating an atmosphere of distrust against the judiciary?" he posed. Noting that after the Kargil conflict, there was a need for modern aircraft, the prime minister said, "The Congress ruled the country for ten years, but it did not allow the Air Force to get strengthened. Why? And under whose pressure?" Accusing the Congress of failing to provide bulletproof jackets to jawans, he said, "In 2009, the Indian Army had demanded 1.86 lakh bullet-proof jackets. But, in the five years of UPA-II, these were not purchased." "But, after we came to power, we purchased 50,000 BP jackets in 2016," he said, adding that this year the order for purchasing 1.86 lakh jackets from a domestic company has been placed.

On Sonia Gandhi's home turf, Modi says Cong upset there is no 'Quatrocchi mama' in BJP's defence deals

<p>Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia Saturday blamed "wrong policies" of Narendra Modi government for farmers' suicides in the country.</p>

<p>Togadia, who has recently floated Antar-Rashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Saturday took part in a 20-km march from Dehgam to Gandhinagar in support of the farmers.</p>

<p>Several locals and farmers participated in the protest which was organised by the Rashtriya Kissan Parishad (RKP), an AHP wing.</p>

<p>While talking to reporters at Gandhinagar after culmination of the march, Togadia said the BJP should stop considering the farmers as a "vote-bank".</p>

<p>"Government has betrayed and tortured the farmers to the limits. Enough is enough. Farmers are being crushed under a mountain of debt and are committing suicides due to wrong policies of the government. This government should resign if they cannot do justice to the farming community", demanded Togadia.</p>

<p>He accused the prime minister of "betraying" farmers by "not keeping" promises.</p>

<p>"Modi had promised that recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission for farmers in its report will be implemented in toto. But, as usual, he betrayed farmers on this promise too. The government has also fooled farmers in the name of Minimum Support Price (MSP) declared recently", the former VHP leader said.</p>

<p>Commenting on the problems being faced by the agriculturists in Gujarat, Togadia alleged the BJP government is favouring industries over farmers by supplying them water and electricity.</p>

<p>"Though a canal passes from Dehgam, local farmers do not get water from it. On the other hand, industries are getting water generously. Crop insurance is a scheme to fill the pockets of some insurance companies. If this continues, such protests would take place across the country", he said.</p>

<p>Togadia demanded a total debt waiver for farmers, a separate budget for agriculture, better MSP, and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendation.<br />
"If the government fails to act now, farmers would teach a lesson to the ruling BJP in the 2019 polls", he said.&nbsp;</p>


Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia Saturday blamed "wrong policies" of Narendra Modi government for farmers' suicides in the country. Togadia, who has recently floated Antar-Rashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Saturday took part in a 20-km march from Dehgam to Gandhinagar in support of the farmers.

Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia Saturday blamed "wrong policies" of Narendra Modi government for farmers' suicides in the country. Togadia, who has recently floated Antar-Rashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), Saturday took part in a 20-km march from Dehgam to Gandhinagar in support of the farmers. Several locals and farmers participated in the protest which was organised by the Rashtriya Kissan Parishad (RKP), an AHP wing. While talking to reporters at Gandhinagar after culmination of the march, Togadia said the BJP should stop considering the farmers as a "vote-bank". "Government has betrayed and tortured the farmers to the limits. Enough is enough. Farmers are being crushed under a mountain of debt and are committing suicides due to wrong policies of the government. This government should resign if they cannot do justice to the farming community", demanded Togadia. He accused the prime minister of "betraying" farmers by "not keeping" promises. "Modi had promised that recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission for farmers in its report will be implemented in toto. But, as usual, he betrayed farmers on this promise too. The government has also fooled farmers in the name of Minimum Support Price (MSP) declared recently", the former VHP leader said. Commenting on the problems being faced by the agriculturists in Gujarat, Togadia alleged the BJP government is favouring industries over farmers by supplying them water and electricity. "Though a canal passes from Dehgam, local farmers do not get water from it. On the other hand, industries are getting water generously. Crop insurance is a scheme to fill the pockets of some insurance companies. If this continues, such protests would take place across the country", he said. Togadia demanded a total debt waiver for farmers, a separate budget for agriculture, better MSP, and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendation. "If the government fails to act now, farmers would teach a lesson to the ruling BJP in the 2019 polls", he said.

Modi govt responsible for suicides by farmers: Pravin Togadia

<p>&nbsp;LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage.</p>

<p>He told reporters on Thursday that chief ministers of BJP-ruled states Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-election-results-2018-fight-in-mp-shows-why-shivraj-singh-chouhan-is-still-in-the-reckoning-183397c">Shivraj Singh Chauhan</a> and Raman Singh, had been in power for a long time but they gave a tough fight despite the anti-incumbency factor.</p>

<p>The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is an ally of the NDA and its president Ram Vilas Paswan is a Union minister.</p>

<p>"I would not say the results are a sign of the Modi wave being on the wane or the BJP being on the downside... But, certainly, there is a need for introspection," Paswan, the chairman of the LJP parliamentary board, said.</p>

<p>To queries about what lessons, in his view, could be drawn from the BJP's defeat in Hindi heartland states, he said, "I would not speak in terms of lessons as such. But certainly, development has been the motto of the BJP as also the larger NDA coalition. When issues like Ram Temple and Hanuman start dominating the discourse, it leads to doubts and disappointment among the voters."</p>

<p>During campaigning for the polls in these states, senior BJP leaders such as the party's national president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were accused of playing the Hindutva card.</p>

<p>To a question on the possibility of the Narendra Modi government bringing in an ordinance to facilitate the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Chirag Paswan said, "If such an ordinance is brought, the LJP will think over it and come out with its stand. As of now, the party is in favour of waiting till the court comes out with its verdict on the issue."</p>

<p>He said the LJP has never raised any unreasonable demand from the BJP.</p>

<p>"We have been a responsible alliance partner and are fully committed to ensuring the prime minister's return to power. We want the NDA to perform better than it did in 2014," the LJP leader said.</p>

<p>With the exit of Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), the NDA in Bihar is now left with the LJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U).</p>

<p>Speculation is rife that following the BJP's recent defeat in polls, the remaining two NDA constituents in Bihar may flex their muscles.&nbsp;</p>


LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage.

LJP leader Chirag Paswan has said that the poll results in five states were not a sign of the Modi wave waning but the people wanted development from the NDA and they were disappointed when discourses about the Ram Temple took the centre stage. He told reporters on Thursday that chief ministers of BJP-ruled states Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Raman Singh, had been in power for a long time but they gave a tough fight despite the anti-incumbency factor. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is an ally of the NDA and its president Ram Vilas Paswan is a Union minister. "I would not say the results are a sign of the Modi wave being on the wane or the BJP being on the downside... But, certainly, there is a need for introspection," Paswan, the chairman of the LJP parliamentary board, said. To queries about what lessons, in his view, could be drawn from the BJP's defeat in Hindi heartland states, he said, "I would not speak in terms of lessons as such. But certainly, development has been the motto of the BJP as also the larger NDA coalition. When issues like Ram Temple and Hanuman start dominating the discourse, it leads to doubts and disappointment among the voters." During campaigning for the polls in these states, senior BJP leaders such as the party's national president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were accused of playing the Hindutva card. To a question on the possibility of the Narendra Modi government bringing in an ordinance to facilitate the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Chirag Paswan said, "If such an ordinance is brought, the LJP will think over it and come out with its stand. As of now, the party is in favour of waiting till the court comes out with its verdict on the issue." He said the LJP has never raised any unreasonable demand from the BJP. "We have been a responsible alliance partner and are fully committed to ensuring the prime minister's return to power. We want the NDA to perform better than it did in 2014," the LJP leader said. With the exit of Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), the NDA in Bihar is now left with the LJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U). Speculation is rife that following the BJP's recent defeat in polls, the remaining two NDA constituents in Bihar may flex their muscles.

People got disappointed over Ram, Hanuman dominating discourse: Chirag

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told an all-party meet that the government was ready to discuss all issues of national importance in the Winter session of Parliament as the Congress asserted that the opposition will press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale jet deal.</p>

<p>NDA ally Shiv Sena also pitched for a law on construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya during the meeting, attended by floor leaders of various political parties from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and convened by the government a day ahead of the Winter session.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asserting that government is always receptive to the issues raised by parties, the Prime Minister said the government and the opposition have to cooperate with each other so that Parliament functions smoothly which is in public interest.</p>

<p>Briefing reporters on the nearly two-hour long meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said all parties were in favour of a productive session and the government is always ready to discuss any issue as permitted under rules.</p>

<p>Shiv Sena representative in the meeting Chandrakant Khaire said his party would not allow parliament to function if the government does not bring a bill for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.</p>

<p>The Sena has 18 members in Lok Sabha and three in Rajya Sabha. However, when asked about Sena's demand, Tomar did not give a specific reply and said temple issue was not on the agenda of the all-party meet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the meeting, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the opposition will press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale jet deal and raise several issues, including the misuse of probe agencies and autonomy for RBI, in the winter session.</p>

<p>He said the opposition will once again press for the formation of a JPC to look into the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale jet deal in which it has alleged corruption. Azad told reporters that the issue of alleged misuse of probe agencies by the government to settle political scores will also be raised.</p>

<p>Congress, TDP and TMC have alleged in the recent past that probe agencies including CBI and ED are being used by the government to settle a political score.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition, he said, will take up the issue of autonomy of the Reserve Bank of India in the session.</p>

<p>Amid a tussle between the government and the RBI, opposition parties have accused the NDA regime of trying to damage every institution in the country by interfering in their autonomy and alleged the central bank was being forced to "open bank funding" to defaulting corporates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Significantly, RBI Governor Urjit Patel quit, within hours after the all-party meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the meeting, Azad along with Aam Admi Party's Sanjay Singh raised the issue of the sanctity of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Azad said he told the meeting that the government has to settle the EVM issue in a bid to establish the credibility of the electronic process.</p>

<p>The AAP leader also alleged that the sanctity of polls was "under question" in view of "manipulation" of the EVMs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I demanded paper ballots for the coming elections as there are reports about EVMs being found at highways and the house of a political leader," Singh said.</p>

<p>A statement from the parliamentary affairs ministry said the Prime Minister "encouraged" parties to strive to create a "constructive atmosphere" in the Winter session and to collectively address issues related to the welfare of people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is a prime responsibility for all of us to contribute to the service of the nation and its people by ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament," the statement said quoting the Prime Minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses," the statement said.</p>

<p>At the meeting, the Trinamool Congress urged the government not to rush through bills without examination in Parliament and raised issues such as the breakdown of institutions, chaos in the economy, fuel price hike and the lack of jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sources in TMC said that many present in the meeting suggested to the government to keep Parliament proceedings suspended between December 24 to January 1, which they claimed has been a tradition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the original schedule, Parliament will have sittings on December 24, 26 as well as on January 1. However, according to sources, the government will take a final call after considering the issue based on precedents of not having sittings&nbsp;on these dates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav also alleged that farmers are being "robbed" in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and added that Dalits and backward classes are not getting the benefits of reservation in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The government says that Parliament should function. We also want it to function and find solutions to these issues. But if these issues are not allowed to be raised and discussed, then the Samajwadi Party would not allow the House to run," Yadav said</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had also convened a meeting of floor leaders of parties in the upper house for smooth conduct of proceedings.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told an all-party meet that the government was ready to discuss all issues of national importance in the Winter session of Parliament as the Congress asserted that the opposition will press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale jet deal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told an all-party meet that the government was ready to discuss all issues of national importance in the Winter session of Parliament as the Congress asserted that the opposition will press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale jet deal. NDA ally Shiv Sena also pitched for a law on construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya during the meeting, attended by floor leaders of various political parties from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and convened by the government a day ahead of the Winter session. Asserting that government is always receptive to the issues raised by parties, the Prime Minister said the government and the opposition have to cooperate with each other so that Parliament functions smoothly which is in public interest. Briefing reporters on the nearly two-hour long meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said all parties were in favour of a productive session and the government is always ready to discuss any issue as permitted under rules. Shiv Sena representative in the meeting Chandrakant Khaire said his party would not allow parliament to function if the government does not bring a bill for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The Sena has 18 members in Lok Sabha and three in Rajya Sabha. However, when asked about Sena's demand, Tomar did not give a specific reply and said temple issue was not on the agenda of the all-party meet. After the meeting, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the opposition will press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale jet deal and raise several issues, including the misuse of probe agencies and autonomy for RBI, in the winter session. He said the opposition will once again press for the formation of a JPC to look into the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale jet deal in which it has alleged corruption. Azad told reporters that the issue of alleged misuse of probe agencies by the government to settle political scores will also be raised. Congress, TDP and TMC have alleged in the recent past that probe agencies including CBI and ED are being used by the government to settle a political score. The opposition, he said, will take up the issue of autonomy of the Reserve Bank of India in the session. Amid a tussle between the government and the RBI, opposition parties have accused the NDA regime of trying to damage every institution in the country by interfering in their autonomy and alleged the central bank was being forced to "open bank funding" to defaulting corporates. Significantly, RBI Governor Urjit Patel quit, within hours after the all-party meeting. At the meeting, Azad along with Aam Admi Party's Sanjay Singh raised the issue of the sanctity of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Azad said he told the meeting that the government has to settle the EVM issue in a bid to establish the credibility of the electronic process. The AAP leader also alleged that the sanctity of polls was "under question" in view of "manipulation" of the EVMs. "I demanded paper ballots for the coming elections as there are reports about EVMs being found at highways and the house of a political leader," Singh said. A statement from the parliamentary affairs ministry said the Prime Minister "encouraged" parties to strive to create a "constructive atmosphere" in the Winter session and to collectively address issues related to the welfare of people. "It is a prime responsibility for all of us to contribute to the service of the nation and its people by ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament," the statement said quoting the Prime Minister. "There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses," the statement said. At the meeting, the Trinamool Congress urged the government not to rush through bills without examination in Parliament and raised issues such as the breakdown of institutions, chaos in the economy, fuel price hike and the lack of jobs. Sources in TMC said that many present in the meeting suggested to the government to keep Parliament proceedings suspended between December 24 to January 1, which they claimed has been a tradition. In the original schedule, Parliament will have sittings on December 24, 26 as well as on January 1. However, according to sources, the government will take a final call after considering the issue based on precedents of not having sittings on these dates. Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav also alleged that farmers are being "robbed" in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and added that Dalits and backward classes are not getting the benefits of reservation in the state. "The government says that Parliament should function. We also want it to function and find solutions to these issues. But if these issues are not allowed to be raised and discussed, then the Samajwadi Party would not allow the House to run," Yadav said Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had also convened a meeting of floor leaders of parties in the upper house for smooth conduct of proceedings.

All-party meet: PM says government ready to discuss important national issues

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the list of most followed leaders on the photo-sharing app Instagram, a recent study by Twiplomacy revealed on December 4.</p>

<p>With over 15 million followers, PM Modi has ranked the list defeating world leaders like Donald Trump, Joko Widodo, Pope Francis, Queen Rania.</p>

<p>While Joko Widodo has 14 million followers, Donald&nbsp;Trump has 10.9 million, Pope Francis 5.7 million and Queen Rania 4.9 million.</p>

<p>The report published in Twiplomacy states that only Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping do not have personal accounts on Instagram.</p>

<p>It, however, added that the Russian government maintains the official @PhotoGovernment channel and the Chinese State Council Information Office seems to have reserved the @ChinaSCIO account.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report also said that all leaders of the G7 and all but two of the G20 leaders have personal profiles on the platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the report, the picture of newly married Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma with PM Modi is the most liked picture posted by any world leader.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7lp2cAV4H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7lp2cAV4H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7lp2cAV4H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7lp2cAV4H/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Met @virat.kohli and @anushkasharma. Congratulated them on their wedding.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/narendramodi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Narendra Modi</a> (@narendramodi) on <time datetime="2017-12-20T16:39:30+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 20, 2017 at 8:39am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>And the picture of PM Modi standing in Davaheadhed of the World Economic Forum 2018 is the second most liked picture.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeQvwsUAIkQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeQvwsUAIkQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeQvwsUAIkQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeQvwsUAIkQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">In #Switzerland to take part in the @worldeconomicforum in Davos, where I will meet world leaders, captains of industry and experts. I would talk about the various economic opportunities India has to offer.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/narendramodi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Narendra Modi</a> (@narendramodi) on <time datetime="2018-01-22T18:23:15+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 22, 2018 at 10:23am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In July this year, PM Modi was ranked third most followed leader on social networking site Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He, however, lost around three lakh followers after the social networking site launched a crackdown for fake accounts.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the list of most followed leaders on the photo-sharing app Instagram, a recent study by Twiplomacy revealed on December 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the list of most followed leaders on the photo-sharing app Instagram, a recent study by Twiplomacy revealed on December 4. With over 15 million followers, PM Modi has ranked the list defeating world leaders like Donald Trump, Joko Widodo, Pope Francis, Queen Rania. While Joko Widodo has 14 million followers, Donald Trump has 10.9 million, Pope Francis 5.7 million and Queen Rania 4.9 million. The report published in Twiplomacy states that only Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping do not have personal accounts on Instagram. It, however, added that the Russian government maintains the official @PhotoGovernment channel and the Chinese State Council Information Office seems to have reserved the @ChinaSCIO account. The report also said that all leaders of the G7 and all but two of the G20 leaders have personal profiles on the platform. According to the report, the picture of newly married Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma with PM Modi is the most liked picture posted by any world leader. View this post on Instagram Met @virat.kohli and @anushkasharma. Congratulated them on their wedding. A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:39am PST × And the picture of PM Modi standing in Davaheadhed of the World Economic Forum 2018 is the second most liked picture. View this post on Instagram In #Switzerland to take part in the @worldeconomicforum in Davos, where I will meet world leaders, captains of industry and experts. I would talk about the various economic opportunities India has to offer. A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) on Jan 22, 2018 at 10:23am PST × In July this year, PM Modi was ranked third most followed leader on social networking site Twitter. He, however, lost around three lakh followers after the social networking site launched a crackdown for fake accounts.

PM Modi tops list of most followed leaders on Instagram

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela festival to be held in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad).</p>

<p>The 45-day festival will start on January 15, 2019. Millions of Hindu devotees attend the mela with the belief that taking a dip in the waters of the holy river will cleanse them of their sins.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Chief Minister also discussed the preparations for upcoming 'Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas' which will be held in Varanasi in January with the Indian diaspora and will provide them with the opportunity to participate in 'Kumbha Snan' and also attend the Republic Day parade in the National Capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in association with the Uttar Pradesh government, the theme of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India".</p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela festival to be held in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad).

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela festival to be held in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad). The 45-day festival will start on January 15, 2019. Millions of Hindu devotees attend the mela with the belief that taking a dip in the waters of the holy river will cleanse them of their sins. The Chief Minister also discussed the preparations for upcoming 'Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas' which will be held in Varanasi in January with the Indian diaspora and will provide them with the opportunity to participate in 'Kumbha Snan' and also attend the Republic Day parade in the National Capital. Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in association with the Uttar Pradesh government, the theme of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India".

Yogi Adityanath meets PM Modi to discuss arrangements for 'Kumbh Mela'

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday latched onto Congress chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-its-a-tightrope-walk-for-congress-president-rahul-gandhi-180144">Rahul Gandhi</a>'s 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' barb at him, saying he would recite the slogan ten times in the presence of lakhs of people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Congress has a 'naamdar'. That naamdar issued a 'fatwa' today that Modiji should not start addressing election rallies with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. And therefore, I, today in the presence of lakhs of people here, I crushed his fatwa and said Bharat Mata ki Jai ten times," he said at a rally in Sikar district of poll-bound Rajasthan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You (Gandhi) should be ashamed for this. Freedom fighters embraced death by saying Bharat Mata ki Jai. Our soldiers carry out surgical strikes and say Bharat Mata ki Jai. You are insulting Bharat Mata," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Gandhi during a rally in Alwar district said the prime minister recites Bharat Mata ki Jai in all his election rallies but works for industrialist Anil Ambani.</p>

<p>"In every address, he says Bharat Mata Ki Jai and works for Anil Ambani. He should begin his address by saying 'Anil Ambani ki Jai', 'Mehul Choksi ki Jai', 'Nirav Modi ki Jai' and 'Lalit Modi ki Jai',? he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi also hit out at former chief minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-not-doing-issue-based-politics-gehlot-180949">Ashok Gehlot</a>'s reported remarks of "who knows who will become crorepati", saying it reflected the real intention of Congress party.</p>

<p>Gehlot made the remarks when media asked him who would be the chief minister if the party won.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Holding Congress responsible for all the problems prevailing in the country, the prime minister said people should not allow the party to enter Rajasthan for centuries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said the Rahul Gandhi-led party gave tickets to family members of those lodged in jail in rape cases and women and girls should not give vote to Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was apparently referring to Mahipal Maderna, who was the minister in Gehlot cabinet, and former MLA Malkhan Bishnoi. They are facing trial in the notorious Bhanwari Devi abduction and murder case in Jodhpur.</p>

<p>The Congress has given ticket to Maderna's daughter Divya Maderna from Osian and Bishnoi's son Mahendra Bishnoi from Luni seat in Jodhpur in the upcoming state polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cornering the opposition party on the issues of farmers, Modi said the UPA dispensation had promised loan waiver and returned to power in 2009 Lok sabha polls, but only Rs 58,000 crore out of the total loan amount of Rs 6 lakh crore was waived off.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alleging that the Congress looted and destroyed banks, the PM said a loss-making steel company was given loan after a call by Naamdar and the money went to a fake company which existed only in papers, and that fake company purchased lands in Rajasthan and transferred them to a relative of Naamdar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The rates of the land increased seven times in just two years," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The comments apparently hint at the land purchased by the company of Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra in Bikaner.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-jaipur-electoral-fest-whose-script-will-triumph-181057">Rajasthan </a>goes to polls on December 7.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday latched onto Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' barb at him, saying he would recite the slogan ten times in the presence of lakhs of people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday latched onto Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' barb at him, saying he would recite the slogan ten times in the presence of lakhs of people. "Congress has a 'naamdar'. That naamdar issued a 'fatwa' today that Modiji should not start addressing election rallies with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. And therefore, I, today in the presence of lakhs of people here, I crushed his fatwa and said Bharat Mata ki Jai ten times," he said at a rally in Sikar district of poll-bound Rajasthan. "You (Gandhi) should be ashamed for this. Freedom fighters embraced death by saying Bharat Mata ki Jai. Our soldiers carry out surgical strikes and say Bharat Mata ki Jai. You are insulting Bharat Mata," he said. Earlier in the day, Gandhi during a rally in Alwar district said the prime minister recites Bharat Mata ki Jai in all his election rallies but works for industrialist Anil Ambani. "In every address, he says Bharat Mata Ki Jai and works for Anil Ambani. He should begin his address by saying 'Anil Ambani ki Jai', 'Mehul Choksi ki Jai', 'Nirav Modi ki Jai' and 'Lalit Modi ki Jai',? he said. Modi also hit out at former chief minister Ashok Gehlot's reported remarks of "who knows who will become crorepati", saying it reflected the real intention of Congress party. Gehlot made the remarks when media asked him who would be the chief minister if the party won. Holding Congress responsible for all the problems prevailing in the country, the prime minister said people should not allow the party to enter Rajasthan for centuries. He also said the Rahul Gandhi-led party gave tickets to family members of those lodged in jail in rape cases and women and girls should not give vote to Congress. He was apparently referring to Mahipal Maderna, who was the minister in Gehlot cabinet, and former MLA Malkhan Bishnoi. They are facing trial in the notorious Bhanwari Devi abduction and murder case in Jodhpur. The Congress has given ticket to Maderna's daughter Divya Maderna from Osian and Bishnoi's son Mahendra Bishnoi from Luni seat in Jodhpur in the upcoming state polls. Cornering the opposition party on the issues of farmers, Modi said the UPA dispensation had promised loan waiver and returned to power in 2009 Lok sabha polls, but only Rs 58,000 crore out of the total loan amount of Rs 6 lakh crore was waived off. Alleging that the Congress looted and destroyed banks, the PM said a loss-making steel company was given loan after a call by Naamdar and the money went to a fake company which existed only in papers, and that fake company purchased lands in Rajasthan and transferred them to a relative of Naamdar. "The rates of the land increased seven times in just two years," he said. The comments apparently hint at the land purchased by the company of Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra in Bikaner. Rajasthan goes to polls on December 7.

Will recite 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' 10 times: PM Modi hits back at Rahul Gandhi

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-is-suspending-new-china-tariffs-for-90-days-180809">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-is-suspending-new-china-tariffs-for-90-days-180809"> says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days</a></p>

<p>The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war.</p>

<p>The White House said a threatened increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent, which was set to take effect on January 1, would be put off for 90 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," a White House statement said after dinner talks between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/war-will-continue-so-long-as-ukraine-government-stays-putin-180802">War will continue so long as Ukraine government stays: Putin</a></p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power."</p>

<p>"The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-conflict-putin-explains-his-side-of-the-story-to-trump-180807">Putin briefs Trump on Ukraine-Russia conflict</a></p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina.</p>

<p>Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday.</p>

<p>"We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-g20-pm-talks-about-trade-wars-and-terror-180797">At G20, Modi says trade war can do collateral damage to emerging economies</a></p>

<p>Day 2 of the G20 summit came to an end Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on the issue of terror and highlighting how trade wars can be detrimental to global economies.</p>

<p>Briefing the media, India's sherpa at the G20, Shaktikanta Das, said, "The PM highlighted escalating trade tension and the collateral damage it can do to emerging economies."</p>

<p>The big focus at this year's G20 has been the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, the US and China.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/spider-man-is-back-and-this-time-hes-black-and-latino-180806">Spider-Man is back. And this time he's black and Latino</a></p>

<p>For what seems like the umpteenth time, Spider-Man is back on the big screen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But this year, when Hollywood is under the microscope on the hot-button issue of diversity, the superhero is half-black and half-Latino.</p>

<p>Step aside, Peter Parker. There's a new Spidey in town. Hello, Miles Morales.</p>


US says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war.

US says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war. The White House said a threatened increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent, which was set to take effect on January 1, would be put off for 90 days. "If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," a White House statement said after dinner talks between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. War will continue so long as Ukraine government stays: Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power." "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin briefs Trump on Ukraine-Russia conflict Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit. At G20, Modi says trade war can do collateral damage to emerging economies Day 2 of the G20 summit came to an end Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on the issue of terror and highlighting how trade wars can be detrimental to global economies. Briefing the media, India's sherpa at the G20, Shaktikanta Das, said, "The PM highlighted escalating trade tension and the collateral damage it can do to emerging economies." The big focus at this year's G20 has been the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, the US and China. Spider-Man is back. And this time he's black and Latino For what seems like the umpteenth time, Spider-Man is back on the big screen. But this year, when Hollywood is under the microscope on the hot-button issue of diversity, the superhero is half-black and half-Latino. Step aside, Peter Parker. There's a new Spidey in town. Hello, Miles Morales.

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on December 1.</p>

<p>Confirming the news, the Ambassador of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler tweeted, "Glad to confirm that PM Modi @PMOIndia will meet PR Macron @EmmanuelMacron on sidelines of the #G20 tomorrow afternoon in Argentina."</p>

<p>The high-level engagement comes amidst the Rafale deal row.</p>

<p>India's main Opposition party, the Congress, has been accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of irregularities in the high-profile defence fighter jets contract.</p>

<p>They have claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is procuring the aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore each as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the Congress party, had alleged that Dassault (the makers of the jet) invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani, which was used to procure land in Nagpur.</p>

<p>"It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying. If there an inquiry in this regard, Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed," he had remarked.</p>

<p>Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier, in an exclusive interview to ANI earlier this month, had rubbished allegations made by Gandhi that the former lied about the details of Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal.</p>

<p>"I don`t lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don`t have a reputation for lying. In my position as CEO, you don`t lie," said Trappier when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi`s charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.</p>


French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on December 1. Confirming the news, the Ambassador of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler tweeted, "Glad to confirm that PM Modi @PMOIndia will meet PR Macron @EmmanuelMacron on sidelines of the #G20 tomorrow afternoon in Argentina.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on December 1. Confirming the news, the Ambassador of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler tweeted, "Glad to confirm that PM Modi @PMOIndia will meet PR Macron @EmmanuelMacron on sidelines of the #G20 tomorrow afternoon in Argentina." The high-level engagement comes amidst the Rafale deal row. India's main Opposition party, the Congress, has been accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of irregularities in the high-profile defence fighter jets contract. They have claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is procuring the aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore each as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the Congress party, had alleged that Dassault (the makers of the jet) invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani, which was used to procure land in Nagpur. "It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying. If there an inquiry in this regard, Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed," he had remarked. Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier, in an exclusive interview to ANI earlier this month, had rubbished allegations made by Gandhi that the former lied about the details of Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal. "I don`t lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don`t have a reputation for lying. In my position as CEO, you don`t lie," said Trappier when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi`s charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.

Modi-Macron to meet on G20 sidelines amidst Rafale row

modi

Modi, News on Modi, stories on Modi, articles on Modi, Modi stories at Wion, Modi news, Modi latest news