Indian police said Thursday they have arrested four people over the murder of a 16-year-old boy on a train, the latest in a slew of hate crimes against Muslims in the largely Hindu nation.

A group of men attacked Junaid Khan and his three brothers last week in an apparent row over seats as they travelled home by train from New Delhi, killing him and injuring one of his brothers. One brother said the attackers accused them of carrying beef, a meat popular among many Indian Muslims but shunned by most of the country&#39;s Hindus, who revere cows as sacred.

Deputy superintendent Mohinder Singh said police had arrested four men and identified the chief suspect in the killing, who had yet to be arrested. Media reports said two of the men arrested were local government employees.

&quot;We have also taken many eye witness accounts from the daily travellers on this route and are focusing on arresting the knife attacker,&quot; said Singh by telephone from Faridabad in northern Haryana state where the killing took place.

The news came a day after protests were held in several Indian cities over the recent killings under the slogan &quot;N<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/not-in-my-name-citizens-protest-against-lynchings-across-country-314#photo-21041">ot In My Name</a>&quot;.

Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims -- often on the pretext of protecting cows -- and urged the country&#39;s Hindu nationalist government to act.

&quot;The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims with seeming impunity... is deeply worrying,&quot; said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, in a statement this week.

The rights group said at least 10 Muslim men had been lynched or killed in public since April in suspected hate crimes.

Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes.

Critics say vigilantes have been emboldened by the election in 2014 of his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. The slaughter of cows and the possession or consumption of beef is banned in most Indian states, with some imposing life sentences for breaking the law.

Rights groups also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims and urged the country's Hindu nationalist government to act

Indian police said Thursday they have arrested four people over the murder of a 16-year-old boy on a train, the latest in a slew of hate crimes against Muslims in the largely Hindu nation. A group of men attacked Junaid Khan and his three brothers last week in an apparent row over seats as they travelled home by train from New Delhi, killing him and injuring one of his brothers. One brother said the attackers accused them of carrying beef, a meat popular among many Indian Muslims but shunned by most of the country's Hindus, who revere cows as sacred. Deputy superintendent Mohinder Singh said police had arrested four men and identified the chief suspect in the killing, who had yet to be arrested. Media reports said two of the men arrested were local government employees. "We have also taken many eye witness accounts from the daily travellers on this route and are focusing on arresting the knife attacker," said Singh by telephone from Faridabad in northern Haryana state where the killing took place. The news came a day after protests were held in several Indian cities over the recent killings under the slogan "Not In My Name". Rights groups have also warned of a culture of impunity for crimes committed against Muslims -- often on the pretext of protecting cows -- and urged the country's Hindu nationalist government to act. "The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims with seeming impunity... is deeply worrying," said Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty International India, in a statement this week. The rights group said at least 10 Muslim men had been lynched or killed in public since April in suspected hate crimes. Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the vigilantes and urged a crackdown against groups using religion as a cover for committing crimes. Critics say vigilantes have been emboldened by the election in 2014 of his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. The slaughter of cows and the possession or consumption of beef is banned in most Indian states, with some imposing life sentences for breaking the law.

Delhi police arrest four over Muslim teen's murder

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s statement on Thursday about killing people in the name of cow-worship, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister&#39;s statement was &quot;too little too late&quot;.

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Too little too late. Words mean nothing when actions out do them <a href="https://t.co/TQHagHAc4C">pic.twitter.com/TQHagHAc4C</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/880412646884777984">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Modi need not remind people of Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s ideals but should ensure strict action against those attacking people on the pretext of protecting cows.

&quot;We do not need him to remind us of this. We are aware of Gandhi&#39;s principles ... We want to know what the prime minister proposes to do to stop such mobocracy,&quot;&nbsp;Yechury said.

In the wake of recent incidents of mob&nbsp;lynching and killings of Muslims&nbsp;in northern India, Modi had said that &quot;killing people in the name of &nbsp;Gau Bhakti (cow-worship ) is not acceptable&quot;.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking at the centenary celebration of the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. He added that India is &quot;a land of non-violence&quot;, the land of &quot;Mahatma Gandhi&quot; and questioned why people are forgetting that.&nbsp;

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Today I want to say a few words and express sadness on some of the things going on: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/880329769660710913">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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We are a land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/880329943816716288">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Modi also said that Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave spoke about protecting cows and said: &quot;it should be done&quot;. But Gandhi would not have approved of the killings, he added.&nbsp;

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No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/880330540984881153">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/880330845495500800">June 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Modi reacted to a spate of anti-Muslim lynching and killings while speaking at the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Thursday about killing people in the name of cow-worship, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister's statement was "too little too late". Too little too late. Words mean nothing when actions out do them pic.twitter.com/TQHagHAc4C — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 29, 2017 × CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Modi need not remind people of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals but should ensure strict action against those attacking people on the pretext of protecting cows. "We do not need him to remind us of this. We are aware of Gandhi's principles ... We want to know what the prime minister proposes to do to stop such mobocracy," Yechury said. In the wake of recent incidents of mob lynching and killings of Muslims in northern India, Modi had said that "killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti (cow-worship ) is not acceptable". Modi was speaking at the centenary celebration of the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. He added that India is "a land of non-violence", the land of "Mahatma Gandhi" and questioned why people are forgetting that. Today I want to say a few words and express sadness on some of the things going on: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 × We are a land of non violence. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 × Modi also said that Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave spoke about protecting cows and said: "it should be done". But Gandhi would not have approved of the killings, he added. No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 × Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 29, 2017 ×

'Too little too late': Congress on PM Modi's 'killing people in name of cow worship' comment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted President Donald Trump a folio containing an original commemorative postal stamp issued by India to mark the death centenary of Abraham Lincoln and presented hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to the First Lady.

The Trumps took PM Modi&nbsp;for a tour of the White House, including the residential quarters.

Trump also showed Modi a copy of Lincoln&#39;s famous Gettysburg address and the desk on which he wrote it.

The First Lady, who was present for large parts of the day during the Modi visit, also hosted a pre-dinner reception in honour of the visiting Indian Prime Minister.

The reception was the first major social event Melania Trump hosted for a visiting dignitary since permanently moving to the White House from New York this summer with her young son Barron.

&quot;It was obvious that they (the President and First Lady) went out of their way to enable a right atmosphere for the discussions,&quot; India&#39;s Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna said.

Modi presented Trump a folio containing an original commemorative postal stamp that had been issued by India 52 years ago in 1965 to mark the death centenary of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America.

Apart from honouring the memory of the former American President, the issue of this stamp also symbolised the closeness of the ideals for which Lincoln stood and those which drove Mahatma Gandhi, sources said.

&quot;Both leaders believed in the basic goodness of the common man, and in emancipation of the downtrodden. And both leaders led from the front, with indomitable courage against the forces of reaction and outmoded beliefs,&quot; they said.

The Prime Minister also presented to the President a wooden chest with an intricate inlay pattern,&nbsp;a specialty of Hoshiarpur in Punjab.

For the First Lady, the Prime Minister had a hamper containing a traditional, handcrafted Himachali silver bracelet, tea and honey from Kangra valley, and hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.&nbsp;

(PTI)

Modi presented Trump a folio containing an original commemorative postal stamp marking Lincoln's death anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted President Donald Trump a folio containing an original commemorative postal stamp issued by India to mark the death centenary of Abraham Lincoln and presented hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to the First Lady. The Trumps took PM Modi for a tour of the White House, including the residential quarters. Trump also showed Modi a copy of Lincoln's famous Gettysburg address and the desk on which he wrote it. The First Lady, who was present for large parts of the day during the Modi visit, also hosted a pre-dinner reception in honour of the visiting Indian Prime Minister. The reception was the first major social event Melania Trump hosted for a visiting dignitary since permanently moving to the White House from New York this summer with her young son Barron. "It was obvious that they (the President and First Lady) went out of their way to enable a right atmosphere for the discussions," India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna said. Modi presented Trump a folio containing an original commemorative postal stamp that had been issued by India 52 years ago in 1965 to mark the death centenary of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America. Apart from honouring the memory of the former American President, the issue of this stamp also symbolised the closeness of the ideals for which Lincoln stood and those which drove Mahatma Gandhi, sources said. "Both leaders believed in the basic goodness of the common man, and in emancipation of the downtrodden. And both leaders led from the front, with indomitable courage against the forces of reaction and outmoded beliefs," they said. The Prime Minister also presented to the President a wooden chest with an intricate inlay pattern, a specialty of Hoshiarpur in Punjab. For the First Lady, the Prime Minister had a hamper containing a traditional, handcrafted Himachali silver bracelet, tea and honey from Kangra valley, and hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. (PTI)

Silver bracelet, Kangra tea, Lincoln stamp - PM Modi's gifts for President Trump, Melania

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to the US, on Sunday recalled the 1975 Emergency and said it was the &ldquo;darkest day in the history of India&rdquo;.

The Congress party hit back at PM Modi, saying that the NDA-led Government at the Centre has imposed an &#39;undeclared emergency&#39; on the country. 
&nbsp; 
Today is the 42nd anniversary of the June 25, 1975, Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;No Indian, no patriot can ever forget the 1975 Emergency,&quot; PM Modi said. &quot;June 25 was the darkest day in the history of India and its democracy as the whole nation had turned into a prison and the press had become ineffective,&quot; Modi said in the 33rd edition of his monthly radio programme &ldquo;Mann Ki Baat&rdquo;. 
&nbsp; 
He said that in a way, the entire nation had been converted into a prison, with opposing voices being curbed. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;The Emergency will be remembered for the way in which people of India came together and safeguarded democratic values. Democracy is not only a system but also our ethos as-&#39;Eternal vigilance is the life of liberty&#39;,&rdquo; Modi said. 
&nbsp; 
The Congress Party on Sunday hit back at PM Modi, saying that the NDA-led Government at the Centre has imposed an &quot;undeclared emergency&quot;&nbsp;on the country. 
 
Citing the CBI raids on NDTV owners Prannoy Roy and wife Radhika over alleged &quot;bank fraud&quot; and the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir as examples, Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said, &quot;Yes, we have not forgotten Emergency, but there is an undeclared emergency in the country. The fact is that there is a muzzling of the media and the raids on media which can only be listed as undeclared emergency.&quot;

&quot;The Prime Minister raised various issues in his &#39; Mann Ki Baat&#39;, but I wish issues of internal security also would have been raised. Internal security in this country is under jeopardy, why? This broad shoulder government said they will put it in order. This is for the first time that internal and outer security are running parallel simply for reason when there is firing and incursion is coming in from Pakistan and terrorist and separatist are actively engaged inside the country,&quot; Tom Vadakkan&nbsp;said.

He claimed that the separatists are increasingly growing disdainful over the present state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, and are opting for terrorism.

&quot;The so-called separatists have grown up to be terrorists in the valley. We have the situation where counterfeit currency is being printed and the case of lynching mobs and Romeo squads are emerging. What are they?&quot; 
 
The Congress also claimed that the Group of Ministers had been reduced to &quot;Just a name&quot; under Modi&#39;s rule.&nbsp;

&quot;The Group of Ministers has been reduced to &quot;just a name&quot; under the Modi rule. It is not the Union Cabinet but the Prime Minister&#39;s Office which takes the decisions,&quot; Vadakkan claimed.

&quot;No meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security took place. No explanation has been given till date on the amount of money collected through demonetisation,&quot; he added. 
&nbsp;

 
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Today is the 42nd anniversary of the June 25, 1975 Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to the US, on Sunday recalled the 1975 Emergency and said it was the “darkest day in the history of India”. The Congress party hit back at PM Modi, saying that the NDA-led Government at the Centre has imposed an 'undeclared emergency' on the country. Today is the 42nd anniversary of the June 25, 1975, Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. "No Indian, no patriot can ever forget the 1975 Emergency," PM Modi said. "June 25 was the darkest day in the history of India and its democracy as the whole nation had turned into a prison and the press had become ineffective," Modi said in the 33rd edition of his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”. He said that in a way, the entire nation had been converted into a prison, with opposing voices being curbed. "The Emergency will be remembered for the way in which people of India came together and safeguarded democratic values. Democracy is not only a system but also our ethos as-'Eternal vigilance is the life of liberty',” Modi said. The Congress Party on Sunday hit back at PM Modi, saying that the NDA-led Government at the Centre has imposed an "undeclared emergency" on the country. Citing the CBI raids on NDTV owners Prannoy Roy and wife Radhika over alleged "bank fraud" and the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir as examples, Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said, "Yes, we have not forgotten Emergency, but there is an undeclared emergency in the country. The fact is that there is a muzzling of the media and the raids on media which can only be listed as undeclared emergency." "The Prime Minister raised various issues in his ' Mann Ki Baat', but I wish issues of internal security also would have been raised. Internal security in this country is under jeopardy, why? This broad shoulder government said they will put it in order. This is for the first time that internal and outer security are running parallel simply for reason when there is firing and incursion is coming in from Pakistan and terrorist and separatist are actively engaged inside the country," Tom Vadakkan said. He claimed that the separatists are increasingly growing disdainful over the present state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, and are opting for terrorism. "The so-called separatists have grown up to be terrorists in the valley. We have the situation where counterfeit currency is being printed and the case of lynching mobs and Romeo squads are emerging. What are they?" The Congress also claimed that the Group of Ministers had been reduced to "Just a name" under Modi's rule. "The Group of Ministers has been reduced to "just a name" under the Modi rule. It is not the Union Cabinet but the Prime Minister's Office which takes the decisions," Vadakkan claimed. "No meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security took place. No explanation has been given till date on the amount of money collected through demonetisation," he added.

Congress hits back after PM Modi's 'Emergency darkest day' in Indian history jibe

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries.

&quot;Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India,&quot; Guterres said with a laughter, responding to a question during a press briefing here whether he is engaged in bringing about dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

&quot;For someone accused of doing nothing, it is quite a number of meetings,&quot; the Secretary General said, referring to criticism that he has been shying away and is reluctant to act to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Guterres, addressing reporters at his first press conference at the world body&#39;s headquarters since assuming office in January, was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office.

Guterres did not elaborate further but through his response he did not make any indication that he will act as a mediator between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Modi and Guterres had met in St Petersburg earlier in June on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. During the meeting, Modi had stressed on multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the UN chief had met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in January and again this month in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Guterres&#39; spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked at press briefings about the Secretary General&#39;s response to the situation in Kashmir, has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in the region closely.

The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue, reiterating his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue.

Pakistan continuously raises the Kashmir issue at the UN seeking the world body&#39;s intervention in the dispute with India. But New Delhi has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Islamabad.

(PTI)

He did not elaborate further, but also did not make any indication that he will act as mediator between India and Pakistan

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries. "Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India," Guterres said with a laughter, responding to a question during a press briefing here whether he is engaged in bringing about dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute. "For someone accused of doing nothing, it is quite a number of meetings," the Secretary General said, referring to criticism that he has been shying away and is reluctant to act to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. Guterres, addressing reporters at his first press conference at the world body's headquarters since assuming office in January, was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office. Guterres did not elaborate further but through his response he did not make any indication that he will act as a mediator between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. Modi and Guterres had met in St Petersburg earlier in June on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. During the meeting, Modi had stressed on multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the UN chief had met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in January and again this month in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked at press briefings about the Secretary General's response to the situation in Kashmir, has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in the region closely. The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue, reiterating his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue. Pakistan continuously raises the Kashmir issue at the UN seeking the world body's intervention in the dispute with India. But New Delhi has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Islamabad. (PTI)

UN chief Guterres says he is engaged in bringing about India-Pak dialogue over Kashmir

When National Broadcasting Company (NBC)&#39;s Megyn Kelly on Thursday asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he was on Twitter, little did she know that her question would make her the target of attacks on the microblogging site.&nbsp;

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At state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin and Indian PM Modi. More tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCNightlyNews">@NBCNightlyNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/FX5kjfIJAf">pic.twitter.com/FX5kjfIJAf</a>
&mdash; Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly/status/870365907389992961">June 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Modi ranks third with 30.3 million followers&nbsp;in terms of the most followed world leaders on Twitter, after former US president Barack Obama and current US President Donald Trump.

This is why some Indians are now upset with Kelly.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/NBCNews">@NBCNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly">@megynkelly</a> asks <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> ,the 3rd Most Followed World Leader on <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter">@Twitter</a> ,&quot;Are you on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Twitter?src=hash">#Twitter</a> ?&quot;. She hasn&#39;t done homework! <a href="https://t.co/6KTVj3yY2G">pic.twitter.com/6KTVj3yY2G</a>
&mdash; Swamiji (@AOLSwamiji) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOLSwamiji/status/870416532332961794">June 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly">@megynkelly</a> here is ur twitter profile vs <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw <a href="https://t.co/bFcanO6iLP">pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP</a>
&mdash; Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) <a href="https://twitter.com/Banarasi_Hindu/status/870443135536680961">June 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Did Megyn Kelly just ask the PM if he&#39;s on Twitter?! <a href="https://t.co/43VkvZ9x0r">https://t.co/43VkvZ9x0r</a>
&mdash; Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) <a href="https://twitter.com/SreenivasanJain/status/870475308050161664">June 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The events unfloded&nbsp;when &nbsp;Modi praised Kelly for her picture on Twitter where she is posing with an umbrella. A surprised Kelly asked the Prime Minister &quot;Are you on Twitter?&quot;

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EXCLUSIVE: NBC News&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly">@megynkelly</a> joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow&#39;s International Economic Forum in Russia. <a href="https://t.co/L12ahtuTDO">pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO</a>
&mdash; NBC News (@NBCNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/870386658323124224">June 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Modi laughed off her question.&nbsp;

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Modi ranks third with 30.3 million followers?in terms of the most followed world leaders on the microblogging site. This is why some Indians are now upset with Kelly.

When National Broadcasting Company (NBC)'s Megyn Kelly on Thursday asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he was on Twitter, little did she know that her question would make her the target of attacks on the microblogging site. At state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin and Indian PM Modi. More tonight @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/FX5kjfIJAf — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017 × Modi ranks third with 30.3 million followers in terms of the most followed world leaders on Twitter, after former US president Barack Obama and current US President Donald Trump. This is why some Indians are now upset with Kelly. .@NBCNews @megynkelly asks @narendramodi ,the 3rd Most Followed World Leader on @Twitter ,"Are you on #Twitter ?". She hasn't done homework! pic.twitter.com/6KTVj3yY2G — Swamiji (@AOLSwamiji) June 1, 2017 × Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP — Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) June 2, 2017 × Did Megyn Kelly just ask the PM if he's on Twitter?! https://t.co/43VkvZ9x0r — Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) June 2, 2017 × The events unfloded when Modi praised Kelly for her picture on Twitter where she is posing with an umbrella. A surprised Kelly asked the Prime Minister "Are you on Twitter?" EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO — NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017 × Modi laughed off her question. (WION)

'Are you on Twitter?', NBC anchor Megyn Kelly asks PM Modi

India and Spain on Wednesday signed seven agreements across multiple sectors following delegation-level talks, co-chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy in Madrid.

Giving fresh impetus to multifarious relations between Spain and India, PM Modi and Rajoy witnessed the exchange of seven Memoranda of Understanding&#39;s (MOU)&nbsp;across various fields:

1. Transfer of sentenced persons

2. Cooperation in Organ Transplantation

3. Cooperation in Cybersecurity

4. Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation

5. Visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports

6. MOU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain

7. Cooperation in Renewable Energy

Prime Minister Modi said cooperation in railway&nbsp;expansion and upgradations, smart cities, infrastructure, et cetera&nbsp;are areas of India&#39;s priorities and requirements where Spain has enough skills and mastery in such fields.

Applauding economic reforms undertaken by the Spanish government, PM Modi said, &quot;Under President Rajoy&#39;s leadership, Spain has undergone economic reforms. Economic growth and development are also the biggest priority for my government and this era belongs to transformation. Close ties with Spain will take both of us to a new direction&quot;.

He added, &quot;With a mission of promoting my vision of &#39;New India&#39;, this visit will bring a new momentum in the ties of India with Spain by giving fresh impetus to a multifarious relation.&quot;

Describing terrorism as a global threat, Modi said, &quot;Both our countries have faced terrorism and strengthening cooperation on this security challenge is an important part of bilateral agenda. Terrorism is a challenge for all of our societies, we get to hear a lot about terror attacks these days.&quot;

Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day state visit to Spain. He arrived in Madrid on Tuesday amid his four-nation tour.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Indian PM Modi met Spain's PM, Mariano Rajoy, in Madrid to discuss a broad partnership in several domains

India and Spain on Wednesday signed seven agreements across multiple sectors following delegation-level talks, co-chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy in Madrid. Giving fresh impetus to multifarious relations between Spain and India, PM Modi and Rajoy witnessed the exchange of seven Memoranda of Understanding's (MOU) across various fields: 1. Transfer of sentenced persons 2. Cooperation in Organ Transplantation 3. Cooperation in Cybersecurity 4. Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation 5. Visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports 6. MOU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain 7. Cooperation in Renewable Energy Prime Minister Modi said cooperation in railway expansion and upgradations, smart cities, infrastructure, et cetera are areas of India's priorities and requirements where Spain has enough skills and mastery in such fields. Applauding economic reforms undertaken by the Spanish government, PM Modi said, "Under President Rajoy's leadership, Spain has undergone economic reforms. Economic growth and development are also the biggest priority for my government and this era belongs to transformation. Close ties with Spain will take both of us to a new direction". He added, "With a mission of promoting my vision of 'New India', this visit will bring a new momentum in the ties of India with Spain by giving fresh impetus to a multifarious relation." Describing terrorism as a global threat, Modi said, "Both our countries have faced terrorism and strengthening cooperation on this security challenge is an important part of bilateral agenda. Terrorism is a challenge for all of our societies, we get to hear a lot about terror attacks these days." Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day state visit to Spain. He arrived in Madrid on Tuesday amid his four-nation tour. (ANI)

India-Spain strengthen bilateral ties, sign seven crucial agreements as MOU

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held wide-ranging talks with Germany&#39;s Chancellor Angela Merkel in a move to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

Both the leaders held the fourth&nbsp;India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, PTI said.

&quot;We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India- Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world,&quot; he said.

Merkel and Modi also discussed a number of issues like&nbsp;trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism.

Modi said that Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and a capable partner.

&quot;Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner,&quot; Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel, PTI reported.

The German Chancellor said that Berlin wants to develop ties with New Delhi but not at the cost of its trans-Atlantic relationship, Reuters reported.

&quot;That&#39;s of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future.&quot;

On Monday, Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally but said she was a &quot;convinced trans-Atlanticist&quot;, fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.

(WION with inputs from PTI and Reuters)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Merkel said she could develop ties with India and keep up its relationship with the US

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held wide-ranging talks with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in a move to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries. Both the leaders held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, PTI said. "We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India- Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world," he said. Merkel and Modi also discussed a number of issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism. Modi said that Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and a capable partner. "Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner," Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel, PTI reported. The German Chancellor said that Berlin wants to develop ties with New Delhi but not at the cost of its trans-Atlantic relationship, Reuters reported. "That's of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future." On Monday, Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally but said she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier. (WION with inputs from PTI and Reuters)

Modi calls Berlin a 'reliable partner' after meeting Merkel

India is keen to attract more German companies to invest and improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of a two-day visit to Europe&#39;s leading economic power that begins on Monday.

Modi&#39;s arrival comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel shocked many in Washington and London by saying Europe must take its fate into its own hands, implying that the United States under President Donald Trump and Britain after its Brexit vote were no longer reliable partners.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also visits Berlin this week, and the arrival of two leaders of rising Asian powers in the wake of Merkel&#39;s speech has prompted talk of an eastern pivot in previously firmly Atlanticist Germany.

&quot;Both (the German and Indian) governments are firmly committed to strengthening economic relations,&quot; Modi said in an interview with Handelsblatt newspaper. &quot;I am very optimistic about our future partnership.&quot;

Merkel&#39;s remarks, made to her Christian Democrat party&#39;s Bavarian allies in Munich, were all the more striking since Merkel, a fan of the United States as a teenager in Communist East Germany, has always been known as a convinced Atlanticist.

&quot;The times when we could fully rely on others are somewhat in the past,&quot; she said in a Munich beer tent to lasting applause from her Christian Social Union allies, making palpable her disappointment at failing to secure Trump&#39;s backing for the Paris climate accord at the G7 summit.

&quot;We Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands,&quot; she said. &quot;Of course in friendship with the United States of America, of course in friendship with Great Britain.&quot;

In China and India, Merkel saw the possibility of a partnership in favour of action to slow climate change and to promote free trade, noted Handelsblatt, the newspaper of Germany&#39;s business elite.

&quot;After the disappointing G7 summit, the German chancellor is turning her hopes for free trade and climate protection to India and China,&quot; the paper wrote on its front page on Monday.

But Merkel&#39;s own, carefully chosen words, arguing that times of dependency were &quot;somewhat&quot; in the past, indicate that the pro-American chancellor&#39;s view is one that could yet be revised.

&quot;One thing is clear,&quot; wrote the conservative Bild newspaper, a strong backer of Merkel, in an opinion article. &quot;In the future, America will continue to be our most important partner in economic, foreign and security policy.&quot;

(Reuters)

Germany is looking to economic powers like India and China after Merkel implied Trump's US and Britain post-Brexit are less reliable

India is keen to attract more German companies to invest and improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of a two-day visit to Europe's leading economic power that begins on Monday. Modi's arrival comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel shocked many in Washington and London by saying Europe must take its fate into its own hands, implying that the United States under President Donald Trump and Britain after its Brexit vote were no longer reliable partners. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also visits Berlin this week, and the arrival of two leaders of rising Asian powers in the wake of Merkel's speech has prompted talk of an eastern pivot in previously firmly Atlanticist Germany. "Both (the German and Indian) governments are firmly committed to strengthening economic relations," Modi said in an interview with Handelsblatt newspaper. "I am very optimistic about our future partnership." Merkel's remarks, made to her Christian Democrat party's Bavarian allies in Munich, were all the more striking since Merkel, a fan of the United States as a teenager in Communist East Germany, has always been known as a convinced Atlanticist. "The times when we could fully rely on others are somewhat in the past," she said in a Munich beer tent to lasting applause from her Christian Social Union allies, making palpable her disappointment at failing to secure Trump's backing for the Paris climate accord at the G7 summit. "We Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands," she said. "Of course in friendship with the United States of America, of course in friendship with Great Britain." In China and India, Merkel saw the possibility of a partnership in favour of action to slow climate change and to promote free trade, noted Handelsblatt, the newspaper of Germany's business elite. "After the disappointing G7 summit, the German chancellor is turning her hopes for free trade and climate protection to India and China," the paper wrote on its front page on Monday. But Merkel's own, carefully chosen words, arguing that times of dependency were "somewhat" in the past, indicate that the pro-American chancellor's view is one that could yet be revised. "One thing is clear," wrote the conservative Bild newspaper, a strong backer of Merkel, in an opinion article. "In the future, America will continue to be our most important partner in economic, foreign and security policy." (Reuters)

Modi's Berlin visit signals Asian pivot for Atlanticist Merkel

On the third anniversary of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said these years have seen concrete steps that have &quot;transformed&quot; the lives of the people.

He put out the statistics related to various sectors to show comparisons between 2014 and now.

He also invited the public to participate in a survey on his NarendraModi App about the performance of his government.

&quot;Sath hai, vishwas hai, ho raha vikas hai&quot; (There is cooperation, there is confidence and progress is being made),&nbsp;the prime minister tweeted.

&quot;Last 3 years have seen concrete steps that have transformed people&#39;s lives,&quot;&nbsp;said in another tweet.

Along with the tweets, he posted graphics related to various sectors like agriculture, mobile banking, tele- density, women empowerment, &quot;Make-in-India&quot;, tourism, electrification, solar energy and distribution of LED bulbs.

Referring to &quot;Make-in-India&quot;, the graphic said that there has been a &quot;giant boost&quot;&nbsp;to investments in electronic manufacturing.

According to the graphic, the investments in this sector have jumped to Rs 1,43,000 crore from Rs 11,198 crore in 2013 -14.

Under the title &quot;Digital India for Developed India&quot;, the graphic says that optical fibre broadband network has increased to 2,05,404 kilometres&nbsp;from 358 kilometres&nbsp;in 2013-14.

In the tourism sector, the graphic says India has seen &quot;rapid strides&quot;. According to the graphic, the WEF&#39;s travel and tourism ranking of India has moved from 65th position in 2014 to 40.

In the field of solar power, it said India has taken a giant leap in generation. The solar power installed capacity now stands at 12277 mw against 2621 mw in March 2014.

Inviting the public to participate in a survey, Modi put two questions -- &quot;What do you feel about the Govt? Where have we done well &amp; where can we do even better?&quot;&nbsp;

(PTI)&nbsp;

On the third anniversary of his government, Indian PM Modi takes stock of the country

On the third anniversary of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said these years have seen concrete steps that have "transformed" the lives of the people. He put out the statistics related to various sectors to show comparisons between 2014 and now. He also invited the public to participate in a survey on his NarendraModi App about the performance of his government. "Sath hai, vishwas hai, ho raha vikas hai" (There is cooperation, there is confidence and progress is being made), the prime minister tweeted. "Last 3 years have seen concrete steps that have transformed people's lives," said in another tweet. Along with the tweets, he posted graphics related to various sectors like agriculture, mobile banking, tele- density, women empowerment, "Make-in-India", tourism, electrification, solar energy and distribution of LED bulbs. Referring to "Make-in-India", the graphic said that there has been a "giant boost" to investments in electronic manufacturing. According to the graphic, the investments in this sector have jumped to Rs 1,43,000 crore from Rs 11,198 crore in 2013 -14. Under the title "Digital India for Developed India", the graphic says that optical fibre broadband network has increased to 2,05,404 kilometres from 358 kilometres in 2013-14. In the tourism sector, the graphic says India has seen "rapid strides". According to the graphic, the WEF's travel and tourism ranking of India has moved from 65th position in 2014 to 40. In the field of solar power, it said India has taken a giant leap in generation. The solar power installed capacity now stands at 12277 mw against 2621 mw in March 2014. Inviting the public to participate in a survey, Modi put two questions -- "What do you feel about the Govt? Where have we done well & where can we do even better?" (PTI)

Narendra Modi: Concrete steps have transformed lives of people

Amidst the ongoing unrest in India&#39;s Kashmir, a senior Indian minister said today that the Narendra Modi administration would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. 
 
Addressing a public reception in Northeast Indian state of Sikkim, India&#39;s internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in Kashmir.&nbsp;

But Singh said the attacks wouldn&#39;t derail the government&#39;s efforts to find a &quot;permanent solution to the Kashmir issue&quot;.

has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

The senior minister&#39;s statement comes at a time the Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. 
 
Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent. 
 
The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the &quot;scary&quot; situation in Kashmir. 
 
Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces. 
 
Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. 
 
&quot;Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir,&quot; Singh said. 
 
Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries. 
 
However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan&#39;s attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India. 
 
&quot;We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can&#39;t destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it,&quot; he said. 
 
The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border. 
 
He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively.

(PTI)

India;s internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for trying to create unrest in India's Kashmir

Amidst the ongoing unrest in India's Kashmir, a senior Indian minister said today that the Narendra Modi administration would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. Addressing a public reception in Northeast Indian state of Sikkim, India's internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in Kashmir. But Singh said the attacks wouldn't derail the government's efforts to find a "permanent solution to the Kashmir issue". has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. The senior minister's statement comes at a time the Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent. The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the "scary" situation in Kashmir. Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces. Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. "Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said. Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries. However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India. "We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said. The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border. He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively. (PTI)

Indian PM Modi will find 'permanent solution to Kashmir issue'

India&#39;s refusal to join China&#39;s high-profile Belt and Road initiative is &quot;regrettable&quot; but New Delhi&#39;s boycott will not at all affect the cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries, a report in a state-run newspaper said today.

The two-day Belt and Road Forum which is being attended by leaders from 29 countries, including Pakistan, has been boycotted by India due to sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

&quot;While India recently issued an official statement saying it would not be part of the &quot;One Belt and One Road&quot; (B&amp;R) initiative, it will not affect the trend towards cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries at all,&quot; Global Times reported today.

&quot;India was openly sceptical of China&#39;s Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project of the B&amp;R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region,&quot; it said.

The B&amp;R is a grand economic cooperation and development plan open to everyone, and is aimed at improving infrastructure in countries along the B&amp;R route, thus benefiting the local people, it said.

&quot;China would never force any country to participate in the B&amp;R if it was too sceptical and nervous to do so. It is regrettable but not a problem that India still maintains its strong opposition to the B&amp;R, even though China has repeatedly said its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of the CPEC,&quot; the article said.

Referring to the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on March 13, a day before the two-day B&amp;R summit, it said India also cited the potential debt burden as one of its other concerns, saying that, &quot;connectivity initiatives must follow the principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create an unsustainable debt burden for communities.&quot;

&quot;It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours&#39; debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more,&quot; it said.

On Saturday, Pakistan and China inked new deals worth nearly USD 500 million, covering airport, port and highway construction, it said.

&quot;As regards the potential debt burden, Pakistan&#39;s repayments will peak at around USD 5 billion in 2022, but this will be offset by transit fees charged in the CPEC,&quot; it quoted a media report and referred to Nepal officially signing a deal with China to join the B&amp;R with plans to build a cross-border rail link that may cost up to USD 8 billion.

The article further stated that given the active responses from countries along the route, there is no way for India to impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China in infrastructure development.

&quot;China has formally invited India to join the B&amp;R. If India doesn&#39;t want to take a part on the stage, then it should just be a good member of the audience. The role is still available if India changes its mind, but it may only be a small role if it is left too late,&quot; it said.

(PTI)

The Global Times called India's refusal to participate in the initiative, which looks to revive the ancient Silk Route, 'regrettable'

India's refusal to join China's high-profile Belt and Road initiative is "regrettable" but New Delhi's boycott will not at all affect the cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries, a report in a state-run newspaper said today. The two-day Belt and Road Forum which is being attended by leaders from 29 countries, including Pakistan, has been boycotted by India due to sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "While India recently issued an official statement saying it would not be part of the "One Belt and One Road" (B&R) initiative, it will not affect the trend towards cooperation in infrastructure development among its neighbouring countries at all," Global Times reported today. "India was openly sceptical of China's Belt and Road Forum (BRF) hours ahead of the opening of the event, mainly due to concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project of the B&R, and whether it might influence the disputed Kashmir region," it said. The B&R is a grand economic cooperation and development plan open to everyone, and is aimed at improving infrastructure in countries along the B&R route, thus benefiting the local people, it said. "China would never force any country to participate in the B&R if it was too sceptical and nervous to do so. It is regrettable but not a problem that India still maintains its strong opposition to the B&R, even though China has repeatedly said its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of the CPEC," the article said. Referring to the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on March 13, a day before the two-day B&R summit, it said India also cited the potential debt burden as one of its other concerns, saying that, "connectivity initiatives must follow the principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create an unsustainable debt burden for communities." "It is strange that the onlooker is more anxious than the players. While India cares about its neighbours' debt burden, the neighbours appear willing to take on more," it said. On Saturday, Pakistan and China inked new deals worth nearly USD 500 million, covering airport, port and highway construction, it said. "As regards the potential debt burden, Pakistan's repayments will peak at around USD 5 billion in 2022, but this will be offset by transit fees charged in the CPEC," it quoted a media report and referred to Nepal officially signing a deal with China to join the B&R with plans to build a cross-border rail link that may cost up to USD 8 billion. The article further stated that given the active responses from countries along the route, there is no way for India to impede its neighbouring countries from cooperating with China in infrastructure development. "China has formally invited India to join the B&R. If India doesn't want to take a part on the stage, then it should just be a good member of the audience. The role is still available if India changes its mind, but it may only be a small role if it is left too late," it said. (PTI)

'Be good audience', China state media says after India skips OBOR

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in New Delhi on Sunday&nbsp;on a four-day visit during which he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key bilateral, regional and international issues, including the Middle East peace process.

Ahead of Abbas&#39; visit, India reiterated its &quot;political support&quot; to the Palestinian cause and had said it continued to assist developmental projects there.

The visit will provide an opportunity for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process, and regional and international issues, external affairs ministry said.

Several MoUs on cooperation in various areas are also expected to be signed during the visit, the ministry added.

A delegation-level discussion between President Abbas and Prime Minister Modi will be held on May 16.

&quot;India and Palestine enjoy historically close and friendly ties. Apart from the political support to the Palestinian cause, India continues to support developmental projects in Palestine by extending technical and financial assistance,&quot; the ministry had said in a release on Saturday.&nbsp;

The statement assumes significance given that there have been commentaries on the increasing proximity between the Modi government and Israel which may have a bearing on New Delhi&#39;s relations with Palestine.

In July, Modi will travel to Israel, the first Indian prime minister to do so.

During his trip to India, Abbas will visit C-DAC (the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) in Noida tomorrow to forge cooperation between Palestine-India Techno Park, being built by India in Palestine, and the Indian IT industry.

(PTI)

Several MoUs on cooperation in various areas are expected to be signed during the visit,

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on a four-day visit during which he will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key bilateral, regional and international issues, including the Middle East peace process. Ahead of Abbas' visit, India reiterated its "political support" to the Palestinian cause and had said it continued to assist developmental projects there. The visit will provide an opportunity for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process, and regional and international issues, external affairs ministry said. Several MoUs on cooperation in various areas are also expected to be signed during the visit, the ministry added. A delegation-level discussion between President Abbas and Prime Minister Modi will be held on May 16. "India and Palestine enjoy historically close and friendly ties. Apart from the political support to the Palestinian cause, India continues to support developmental projects in Palestine by extending technical and financial assistance," the ministry had said in a release on Saturday. The statement assumes significance given that there have been commentaries on the increasing proximity between the Modi government and Israel which may have a bearing on New Delhi's relations with Palestine. In July, Modi will travel to Israel, the first Indian prime minister to do so. During his trip to India, Abbas will visit C-DAC (the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) in Noida tomorrow to forge cooperation between Palestine-India Techno Park, being built by India in Palestine, and the Indian IT industry. (PTI)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in India on four-day visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached Sri Lanka on a two-day state visit.

PM Modi started his trip with a visit to the Seema Malaka temple, one of Sri Lanka&#39;s oldest Buddhist places of worship, and took part in the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.

Modi, accompanied by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, prayed and offered flowers at the temple, which is a part of Gangaramaya Temple that is more than 120 years old.

Modi entered the holy sanctum of the temple and lit lamps - a traditional practice - on the eve of the International Vesak Day celebrations, the biggest festival of Buddhists.

The Gangaramaya Temple is situated in bustling inner-city Colombo&nbsp;near the scenic Beira Lake. The temple complex is a popular tourist site, a place of worship, and a learning and vocational training centre.

The temple&#39;s architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. Several welfare services, including an old peoples&#39; homes, a vocational school, and an orphanage are run from the temple complex.

The temple is uniquely attractive and tolerant to congregation members of many different religions.

Earlier today, Modi was received at the Colombo International Airport by PM Wickremesinghe and several senior ministers, including Sri Lankan foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera.

On reaching Colombo, Modi tweeted, &quot;I am happy to be in Sri Lanka, where I will join the International Vesak Day Celebrations.&quot;

Modi is here primarily to participate in the 14th International Vesak Day celebrations tomorrow&nbsp;in Colombo with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe as the chief guest.

Before leaving for Colombo, he wrote in a Facebook post that it was an honour for him to join these celebrations with President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe.&nbsp;

Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha. It was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999. Sri Lanka had played an essential role in the recognition of this day, and India too had supported its neighbouring country in the initiative.

This is Modi&#39;s second bilateral visit to Sri Lanka in two years. He last visited the island nation in March 2015. &nbsp;However, this visit is apolitical.

&quot;Will be in Sri Lanka for a two-day visit during which I will join Vesak Day celebrations &amp; other programmes,&quot; PM Modi had earlier tweeted.

Sri Lanka is hosting the event for the first time.

Celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik will make the world&#39;s longest sand Buddha statue at a special Vesak zone near the Sri Lankan Parliament.

Various religious and political leaders, especially from the countries with Buddhist connection, will be attending the event.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will also be attending the lamp lighting ceremony at Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo. He will also be unveiling a plaque at the faculty of the Kandyan dance&nbsp;which is being constructed with India&#39;s assistance.

The Prime Minister will also be visiting the hilly regions of Sri Lanka that host tea plantations. He will be inaugurating a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital at Dikoya.

India will be giving an aid of US$2.6 billion for the hospital. Sri Lanka&#39;s hilly regions home Indian Tamil people who work in tea plantains.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

This is Prime Minister Modi's second Sri Lanka visit meant to highlight the Buddhist association between the two countries

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached Sri Lanka on a two-day state visit. PM Modi started his trip with a visit to the Seema Malaka temple, one of Sri Lanka's oldest Buddhist places of worship, and took part in the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Modi, accompanied by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, prayed and offered flowers at the temple, which is a part of Gangaramaya Temple that is more than 120 years old. Modi entered the holy sanctum of the temple and lit lamps - a traditional practice - on the eve of the International Vesak Day celebrations, the biggest festival of Buddhists. The Gangaramaya Temple is situated in bustling inner-city Colombo near the scenic Beira Lake. The temple complex is a popular tourist site, a place of worship, and a learning and vocational training centre. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. Several welfare services, including an old peoples' homes, a vocational school, and an orphanage are run from the temple complex. The temple is uniquely attractive and tolerant to congregation members of many different religions. Earlier today, Modi was received at the Colombo International Airport by PM Wickremesinghe and several senior ministers, including Sri Lankan foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera. On reaching Colombo, Modi tweeted, "I am happy to be in Sri Lanka, where I will join the International Vesak Day Celebrations." Modi is here primarily to participate in the 14th International Vesak Day celebrations tomorrow in Colombo with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe as the chief guest. Before leaving for Colombo, he wrote in a Facebook post that it was an honour for him to join these celebrations with President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe. Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha. It was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999. Sri Lanka had played an essential role in the recognition of this day, and India too had supported its neighbouring country in the initiative. This is Modi's second bilateral visit to Sri Lanka in two years. He last visited the island nation in March 2015. However, this visit is apolitical. "Will be in Sri Lanka for a two-day visit during which I will join Vesak Day celebrations & other programmes," PM Modi had earlier tweeted. Sri Lanka is hosting the event for the first time. Celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik will make the world's longest sand Buddha statue at a special Vesak zone near the Sri Lankan Parliament. Various religious and political leaders, especially from the countries with Buddhist connection, will be attending the event. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will also be attending the lamp lighting ceremony at Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo. He will also be unveiling a plaque at the faculty of the Kandyan dance which is being constructed with India's assistance. The Prime Minister will also be visiting the hilly regions of Sri Lanka that host tea plantations. He will be inaugurating a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital at Dikoya. India will be giving an aid of US$2.6 billion for the hospital. Sri Lanka's hilly regions home Indian Tamil people who work in tea plantains. (WION with inputs from agencies)

PM Modi offers prayers at ancient Buddhist temple in Colombo, to preside over Vesak Day celebrations

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-elected-french-president-15319">victory</a> of 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron in the recent French presidential election has brought someone&nbsp;new, and very young,&nbsp;to the table of world leaders.

So when the next annual summit of G-20 world leaders takes place two months from now (July 7-8) <a href="http://www.hamburg.com/g20-2017/">in Hamburg, Germany</a>, how will Macron&nbsp;compare in age to the other world leaders present?

Here&#39;s a chart looking at the age of present G-20 world leaders:

<iframe class="highcharts-iframe" src="//cloud.highcharts.com/embed/obuqywe" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 600px"></iframe>

We see that Macron is the youngest in the group with the only other G-20 leader under 50 being Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

The oldest G-20 leader at present is King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia at 81 while India&#39;s own leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 66 years old right now.&nbsp;

(WION)

How does the age of new French leader Emmanuel Macron compare to that of other world leaders?

The victory of 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron in the recent French presidential election has brought someone new, and very young, to the table of world leaders. So when the next annual summit of G-20 world leaders takes place two months from now (July 7-8) in Hamburg, Germany, how will Macron compare in age to the other world leaders present? Here's a chart looking at the age of present G-20 world leaders: We see that Macron is the youngest in the group with the only other G-20 leader under 50 being Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. The oldest G-20 leader at present is King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia at 81 while India's own leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 66 years old right now. (WION)

Infographic: How old are our world leaders?

Mr. Modi was musing on Mann ki Baat, his radio show, on March 26.&nbsp;

If we follow traffic rules, if we discharge our (I presume civic) duties, we will realise our dream of &ldquo;New India&rdquo;, he said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;New India&rdquo; is the dream promised us by Mr. Modi, a happy place in the future full of &ldquo;achche din&rdquo;. &nbsp;

I refuse to fault Mr. Modi.&nbsp;

We do desperately need to follow traffic rules. India has the second-highest number of road accident deaths in the world (238,562 in 2013 according to the World Health Organisation) after China (261,367).&nbsp;

And littering is a problem.&nbsp;

People really should listen to Mr. Modi on both fronts. (I don&rsquo;t think they have.)&nbsp;

What we did listen to was the next thing Mr. Modi said, and which seems to have had unintended consequences.&nbsp;

What if we did not use petrol or diesel one day of the week, Mr. Modi said.&nbsp;

I, again, refuse to fault Mr. Modi, for that too is a wonderful idea.&nbsp;

We do need to conserve fossil fuels. They&rsquo;re a finite resource.&nbsp;

They&rsquo;re also polluting &ndash; if you live in Delhi like I do, you only have to breathe the winter air &ndash; so the less we use the better, and it would actually be lovely to get at least some cars off our roads.&nbsp;

Mr. Modi&rsquo;s suggestion would also make us fitter. &ldquo;Indians have a problem with abdominal obesity,&rdquo; I remember my doctor telling me a few years ago.

If you don&rsquo;t take the car to work or to buy the groceries, you&rsquo;d have to walk or cycle.&nbsp;

That I presume is what Mr. Modi meant.&nbsp;

But no, as many as eight Indian states have got hold of the wrong end of the stick.&nbsp;

A Press Trust of India report from April 19 says fuel stations in eight Indian states and union territories will be shut on Sundays, beginning May 14.&nbsp;The states and Union Territories are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Haryana.&nbsp;

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The PTI report quoted a Mr. Suresh Kumar, an executive committee member of the consortium of Indian petroleum dealers, as saying: &quot;We had planned to shut our outlets on Sundays a few years back. But oil marketing companies had then requested us to reconsider our decision. Now we have decided to shut the outlets on Sundays.&quot;&nbsp;

The PTI story went on to report Mr. Kumar as saying his association was heeding Mr. Modi&rsquo;s call.

But that makes no sense. And it feels like Mr. Kumar and his consortium are being more loyal than the king.&nbsp;

Imagine if your local godman told you not to eat meat on Tuesdays.&nbsp;

The idea in itself might not be terrible. It&rsquo;s not a bad thing to cut down on meat as you get older. I&rsquo;ve tried it too.

But that certainly does not mean I should go around shuttering every meat shop in my neighbourhood every Tuesday, and for the duration of the navratras. No matter what the majority (of the) community in my area should think on the matter.&nbsp;

But Mr. Kumar and his ilk have gone and done exactly that.&nbsp;

Why?&nbsp;

Well, and things get a little circular here, they were heeding Mr. Modi&rsquo;s call.&nbsp;

But Mr. Modi was not asking for fuel stations to be shuttered.&nbsp;He was exhorting people to not use petrol or diesel one day of the week. He was not asking for a blanket shutdown of all petrol pumps one day of the week.&nbsp;

How did we come to this? This blind following of our elected leader like he were some sort of fascist dictator?&nbsp;

The Oxford dictionary tells me: &ldquo;Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach.&rdquo;&nbsp;

No. That can&rsquo;t be it. That certainly does not sound like the India of today. Does it?&nbsp;

And anyway, what purpose would the shutting down of fuel stations serve?&nbsp;Would it stop anybody from using their cars on Sunday?&nbsp;

No. People would just make certain they tanked up on Saturday.&nbsp;

We know this from years of empirical evidence and watching Munnabhai MBBS &ndash; which tells us that people &ldquo;tank up&rdquo; on October 1 because they know the following day is a dry day.&nbsp;

Blanket bans do not work. We&rsquo;ve seen it with marijuana, which the government outlawed in 1985. And what happened? The people selling cannabis all moved to selling hard drugs &ndash; the returns were higher, the prison terms similar since marijuana was now illegal &ndash; which meant their customers moved too.&nbsp;

And we&rsquo;ve seen it with prohibition in Bihar &ndash; where doctors are now reporting an increase in drug use.&nbsp;

Mr. Modi may not like this example, but I remember asking the current deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia what might explain &ndash; this was during the heyday of the India Against Corruption movement &ndash; Arvind Kejriwal&rsquo;s popularity.&nbsp;How was he able to get so many people to turn out for him?&nbsp;

Mr. Sisodia told me that &ldquo;Arvind does not believe in asking the people for anything. He believes you have to give them an idea so powerful, that they have no choice but to follow it.&rdquo; &nbsp;

That, Mr. Modi and Mr. Kumar, would be a better way to go.&nbsp;

Although, to be honest, Mr. Modi was trying something similar this time. It&rsquo;s his listeners who messed it up for him.&nbsp;

(WION)

PM Modi did not ask for it but the consortium of petroleum dealers has volunteered to shut down petrol pumps in 8 states & UTs on Sundays

Mr. Modi was musing on Mann ki Baat, his radio show, on March 26. If we follow traffic rules, if we discharge our (I presume civic) duties, we will realise our dream of “New India”, he said. “New India” is the dream promised us by Mr. Modi, a happy place in the future full of “achche din”. I refuse to fault Mr. Modi. We do desperately need to follow traffic rules. India has the second-highest number of road accident deaths in the world (238,562 in 2013 according to the World Health Organisation) after China (261,367). And littering is a problem. People really should listen to Mr. Modi on both fronts. (I don’t think they have.) What we did listen to was the next thing Mr. Modi said, and which seems to have had unintended consequences. What if we did not use petrol or diesel one day of the week, Mr. Modi said. I, again, refuse to fault Mr. Modi, for that too is a wonderful idea. We do need to conserve fossil fuels. They’re a finite resource. They’re also polluting – if you live in Delhi like I do, you only have to breathe the winter air – so the less we use the better, and it would actually be lovely to get at least some cars off our roads. Mr. Modi’s suggestion would also make us fitter. “Indians have a problem with abdominal obesity,” I remember my doctor telling me a few years ago. If you don’t take the car to work or to buy the groceries, you’d have to walk or cycle. That I presume is what Mr. Modi meant. But no, as many as eight Indian states have got hold of the wrong end of the stick. A Press Trust of India report from April 19 says fuel stations in eight Indian states and union territories will be shut on Sundays, beginning May 14. The states and Union Territories are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Haryana. Blanket bans do not work. We know this from years of empirical evidence and watching Munnabhai MBBS – which tells us that people 'tank up' on October 1 because they know the following day is a dry day × The PTI report quoted a Mr. Suresh Kumar, an executive committee member of the consortium of Indian petroleum dealers, as saying: "We had planned to shut our outlets on Sundays a few years back. But oil marketing companies had then requested us to reconsider our decision. Now we have decided to shut the outlets on Sundays." The PTI story went on to report Mr. Kumar as saying his association was heeding Mr. Modi’s call. But that makes no sense. And it feels like Mr. Kumar and his consortium are being more loyal than the king. Imagine if your local godman told you not to eat meat on Tuesdays. The idea in itself might not be terrible. It’s not a bad thing to cut down on meat as you get older. I’ve tried it too. But that certainly does not mean I should go around shuttering every meat shop in my neighbourhood every Tuesday, and for the duration of the navratras. No matter what the majority (of the) community in my area should think on the matter. But Mr. Kumar and his ilk have gone and done exactly that. Why? Well, and things get a little circular here, they were heeding Mr. Modi’s call. But Mr. Modi was not asking for fuel stations to be shuttered. He was exhorting people to not use petrol or diesel one day of the week. He was not asking for a blanket shutdown of all petrol pumps one day of the week. How did we come to this? This blind following of our elected leader like he were some sort of fascist dictator? The Oxford dictionary tells me: “Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach.” No. That can’t be it. That certainly does not sound like the India of today. Does it? And anyway, what purpose would the shutting down of fuel stations serve? Would it stop anybody from using their cars on Sunday? No. People would just make certain they tanked up on Saturday. We know this from years of empirical evidence and watching Munnabhai MBBS – which tells us that people “tank up” on October 1 because they know the following day is a dry day. Blanket bans do not work. We’ve seen it with marijuana, which the government outlawed in 1985. And what happened? The people selling cannabis all moved to selling hard drugs – the returns were higher, the prison terms similar since marijuana was now illegal – which meant their customers moved too. And we’ve seen it with prohibition in Bihar – where doctors are now reporting an increase in drug use. Mr. Modi may not like this example, but I remember asking the current deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia what might explain – this was during the heyday of the India Against Corruption movement – Arvind Kejriwal’s popularity. How was he able to get so many people to turn out for him? Mr. Sisodia told me that “Arvind does not believe in asking the people for anything. He believes you have to give them an idea so powerful, that they have no choice but to follow it.” That, Mr. Modi and Mr. Kumar, would be a better way to go. Although, to be honest, Mr. Modi was trying something similar this time. It’s his listeners who messed it up for him. (WION)

We the people, more loyal than the king

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has backed Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on his stand that the practice of triple talaq among Muslims should be abolished.

BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan said on Tuesday that women should be provided with their rights of choice and freedom.

&quot;Everyone should stand against triple talaq. Women should be provided with their rights of choice and freedom. When we all speak for women empowerment, then why not abolish triple talaq system soon. We totally support Yogi Adityanath on his statement and the action that he wishes to take,&quot; Balyan told ANI.

The stand was echoed by BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi who said those who were against Adityanath had some hidden agenda attached to it.

&quot;Women have been deprived of their rights since the very beginning and if Adityanath is standing by them, then it is good. After him coming to power, a lot has changed in the state,&quot; Trivedi told ANI.

A day before, Adityanath attacked those not speaking out against the triple talaq issue, saying they were equally guilty as the ones practising it.

&quot;People maintaining silence are equally guilty,&quot; Adityanath said while addressing a launch of book on former prime minister Chandra Shekhar Singh.

&quot;If our criminal suits and marriages are similar, then what is harm to implement Uniform Civic code in the country,&quot; Adityanath said quoting Chandra Shekhar Singh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken about justice for Muslim women by banning the practice of verbal divorce among Muslims in the country.

&quot;Our Muslim sisters deserve justice. We should try to solve this issue at the district level. We should also proceed on the formula of a new India. We can&#39;t simply move forward on a slow pace, but charge ahead with full speed,&quot; he said during the BJP national executive meeting.

During a discussion on the National Commission for Backward Classes, the prime minister suggested that the party hold conferences for &quot;backward Muslims&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from ANI)

Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the people against Adityanath had a hidden agenda

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has backed Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on his stand that the practice of triple talaq among Muslims should be abolished. BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan said on Tuesday that women should be provided with their rights of choice and freedom. "Everyone should stand against triple talaq. Women should be provided with their rights of choice and freedom. When we all speak for women empowerment, then why not abolish triple talaq system soon. We totally support Yogi Adityanath on his statement and the action that he wishes to take," Balyan told ANI. The stand was echoed by BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi who said those who were against Adityanath had some hidden agenda attached to it. "Women have been deprived of their rights since the very beginning and if Adityanath is standing by them, then it is good. After him coming to power, a lot has changed in the state," Trivedi told ANI. A day before, Adityanath attacked those not speaking out against the triple talaq issue, saying they were equally guilty as the ones practising it. "People maintaining silence are equally guilty," Adityanath said while addressing a launch of book on former prime minister Chandra Shekhar Singh. "If our criminal suits and marriages are similar, then what is harm to implement Uniform Civic code in the country," Adityanath said quoting Chandra Shekhar Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken about justice for Muslim women by banning the practice of verbal divorce among Muslims in the country. "Our Muslim sisters deserve justice. We should try to solve this issue at the district level. We should also proceed on the formula of a new India. We can't simply move forward on a slow pace, but charge ahead with full speed," he said during the BJP national executive meeting. During a discussion on the National Commission for Backward Classes, the prime minister suggested that the party hold conferences for "backward Muslims". (WION with inputs from ANI)

BJP comes out in support of Adityanath statement on triple talaq

Asserting that triple talaq was a menace crippling the lives of Muslim women in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attack the issue on a grass-root level.

&quot;Our Muslim sisters deserve justice. We should try to solve this issue at the district level. We should also proceed on the formula of a new India. We can&#39;t simply move forward on a slow pace, but charge ahead with full speed,&quot; the Prime Minister said during the BJP National Executive Meeting here.

During a discussion on the National Commission for Backward Classes, Prime Minister suggested that the party should hold conferences for &#39;backward Muslims&#39;.

Making an intervention during the discussion on the motion for granting constitutional status to the national commission for backward classes, the Prime Minister highlighted that there are sections among Muslims, who are backward, adding that they should be included in the discussion over backward classes.

Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLPB) today stated that those who give triple talaq without the reasons prescribed by the Sharia law will face social boycott.

The Board further noted that there has been misunderstanding on this issue, and that it will issue a code of conduct on it.

The AIMPLB, which has opposed the PILs filed against the triple talaq in the Supreme Court, had earlier on Wednesday said the board will do away with the practice of verbal divorce in one-and-a half years, adding there is no need for government interference.

A five-judge constitution bench of the apex court will start hearing from May 11 the petitions against triple talaq.

The court will hear pleas filed by several Muslim women challenging the practice under which men can divorce their wives instantly by uttering the word talaq thrice.&nbsp;

<a href="http://aninews.in/" target="_blank">(ANI)</a>

Taking the controversial issue of triple talaq head on, the prime minister exhorted the need for India to 'move forward'

Asserting that triple talaq was a menace crippling the lives of Muslim women in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attack the issue on a grass-root level. "Our Muslim sisters deserve justice. We should try to solve this issue at the district level. We should also proceed on the formula of a new India. We can't simply move forward on a slow pace, but charge ahead with full speed," the Prime Minister said during the BJP National Executive Meeting here. During a discussion on the National Commission for Backward Classes, Prime Minister suggested that the party should hold conferences for 'backward Muslims'. Making an intervention during the discussion on the motion for granting constitutional status to the national commission for backward classes, the Prime Minister highlighted that there are sections among Muslims, who are backward, adding that they should be included in the discussion over backward classes. Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLPB) today stated that those who give triple talaq without the reasons prescribed by the Sharia law will face social boycott. The Board further noted that there has been misunderstanding on this issue, and that it will issue a code of conduct on it. The AIMPLB, which has opposed the PILs filed against the triple talaq in the Supreme Court, had earlier on Wednesday said the board will do away with the practice of verbal divorce in one-and-a half years, adding there is no need for government interference. A five-judge constitution bench of the apex court will start hearing from May 11 the petitions against triple talaq. The court will hear pleas filed by several Muslim women challenging the practice under which men can divorce their wives instantly by uttering the word talaq thrice. (ANI)

Triple talaq crippling lives of Muslim women: India PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led a roadshow and mingled with crowds at several places breaking security protocol as he arrived here to attend the two-day BJP national executive meeting with saffron expansion in Odisha being its key agenda.

A large number of people stood along the road as Modi stood on his Range Rover&#39;s foot rest with its door open acknowledging the cheering and slogan-chanting masses.

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Odisha: PM Modi waves at supporters as he proceeds towards the venue of BJP National Executive Meet in Bhubaneshwar. <a href="https://t.co/oeVnkHsNjR">pic.twitter.com/oeVnkHsNjR</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/853210033592643584">April 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Odisha BJP chief Basanta Panda claimed that his road show will herald a &quot;new era of politics&quot; in the state, hopeful that his party, always a marginal force in this eastern state, will emerge as the key challenger to the ruling BJD by the time next Lok Sabha and assembly polls arrive in 2019.

It was almost a 9-km long roadshow starting from the city airport to the Raj Bhawan and then to the executive meeting venue.

Modi, who was clad in all white, beamed and waved at the people gathered on both sides of the road for a glimpse with lotus flowers in their hands.

Defying the security cordon he even got off his vehicle a couple of times, walked up to people, greeted them and even shook hands with some of them.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Live : PM Modi in Bhubaneswar, Odisha <a href="https://t.co/Ae2CSh9xTL">https://t.co/Ae2CSh9xTL</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/853209092654981120">April 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He also offered floral tributes to freedom fighters and illustrious sons of the soil on his way to the Raj Bhavan.

As the Prime Minister&#39;s 9 km-long roadshow passed through the main road connecting the airport and the Raj Bhavan, the air was rent with the chants of &#39;Modi .. Modi&#39;, &#39;Bharat Mata Ki Jai&#39; and &#39;Bande Mataram&#39;.

The state BJP also organised folk dance, songs and folk music at different places along the route taken by the Prime Minister.

He received lotus flowers when he was felicitated by members of the BJP&#39;s Mahila Morcha in front of the Raj Bhavan.

After a 20-minute halt at Raj Bhavan, Modi resumed his roadshow. He got off the vehicle and walked about half-a-km near Jaidev Vihar to mingle freely with the people before arriving at Janata Maidan, the venue of the two-day national executive.

(PTI)

Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party staged the roadshow as means to expand the party's base in east India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led a roadshow and mingled with crowds at several places breaking security protocol as he arrived here to attend the two-day BJP national executive meeting with saffron expansion in Odisha being its key agenda. A large number of people stood along the road as Modi stood on his Range Rover's foot rest with its door open acknowledging the cheering and slogan-chanting masses. Odisha: PM Modi waves at supporters as he proceeds towards the venue of BJP National Executive Meet in Bhubaneshwar. pic.twitter.com/oeVnkHsNjR — ANI (@ANI_news) April 15, 2017 × Odisha BJP chief Basanta Panda claimed that his road show will herald a "new era of politics" in the state, hopeful that his party, always a marginal force in this eastern state, will emerge as the key challenger to the ruling BJD by the time next Lok Sabha and assembly polls arrive in 2019. It was almost a 9-km long roadshow starting from the city airport to the Raj Bhawan and then to the executive meeting venue. Modi, who was clad in all white, beamed and waved at the people gathered on both sides of the road for a glimpse with lotus flowers in their hands. Defying the security cordon he even got off his vehicle a couple of times, walked up to people, greeted them and even shook hands with some of them. #WATCH Live : PM Modi in Bhubaneswar, Odisha https://t.co/Ae2CSh9xTL — ANI (@ANI_news) April 15, 2017 × He also offered floral tributes to freedom fighters and illustrious sons of the soil on his way to the Raj Bhavan. As the Prime Minister's 9 km-long roadshow passed through the main road connecting the airport and the Raj Bhavan, the air was rent with the chants of 'Modi .. Modi', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Bande Mataram'. The state BJP also organised folk dance, songs and folk music at different places along the route taken by the Prime Minister. He received lotus flowers when he was felicitated by members of the BJP's Mahila Morcha in front of the Raj Bhavan. After a 20-minute halt at Raj Bhavan, Modi resumed his roadshow. He got off the vehicle and walked about half-a-km near Jaidev Vihar to mingle freely with the people before arriving at Janata Maidan, the venue of the two-day national executive. (PTI)

Indian PM Modi turns on charm offensive in Odisha roadshow

India&nbsp;prime minister Narendra Modi&#39;s administration unveiled a raft of measures on the occasion of 126th birth anniversary of Bhim Rao Ambedkar -- the architect of India&#39;s constitution.

The highlight of the prime minister&#39;s address was the launch of an app that will help millions of Indians who have no mobile phone, internet connection, credit and debit card to make digital payments.

Addressing the nation from Nagpur city in west India on Friday, PM Modi rolled out the BHIM-Aadhar app (Bharat Interface for Money) to allow millions of phone-less Indians to start using digital wallets.

&quot;Any citizen without access to&nbsp;smartphones,&nbsp;the Internet, debit or credit cards will be able to transact digitally through the BHIM-Aadhaar platform, thus&nbsp;realising&nbsp;Bhim Rao Ambedkar&#39;s vision of social and financial empowerment for all,&quot; a statement released by NITI-Aayog said. NITI-Aayog is a government-backed think tank.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> launches <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BHIMAadhaar?src=hash">#BHIMAadhaar</a> to enable every single Indian citizen to pay just with their THUMB! No internet, wallet, mobile needed. <a href="https://t.co/Pxo6eanHFU">pic.twitter.com/Pxo6eanHFU</a>
&mdash; NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) <a href="https://twitter.com/NITIAayog/status/852794639908085760">April 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Twenty-seven major banks were already on board with around three lakh merchants so that they can start accepting payments using BHIM-Aadhaar, the statement said.&nbsp;

Under the new system, merchants will have to download the app and sync them to a biometric scan machine. As for the users, they just need to have the 12-digit Aadhaar code. That will enable traders to transfer the amount from the customer&#39;s bank account to theirs.&nbsp;

The Aadhaar card is an identity card based on their biometric and demographic data.

The other initiatives announced by the government was the cash back system and the referral system.

&quot;If you add a person to BHIM app and he makes three transactions, Rs 10 will be added to your account. The scheme will continue till October 14,&quot; Modi said.

As for the cashback scheme, traders will get a cashback on every transaction made by them.

The other salient point was Modi&#39;s promise to build homes for all Indians by 2022.

As per official data, there are 17.73 million homeless people in India. The housing crisis gets magnified when government data suggest that up to&nbsp;70 million Indians live in urban slums.

&ldquo;We have a dream for 2022. The poorest of poor should have a house of his own. And that house must be equipped with electricity, water and other facilities. There should be hospitals and schools in the neighbourhood,&rdquo; Modi said.

The raft of social policies was announced to coincide with Ambedkar&#39;s birth anniversary.

Ambedkar was one of the towering figures in Indian politics to fight for the then-termed untouchables and backward&nbsp;castes in India. He was also the country&#39;s first law minister and is credited to have drafted the Indian constitution.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a clutch of pro-poor schemes on the birth anniversary of leading social crusader BR Ambedkar

India prime minister Narendra Modi's administration unveiled a raft of measures on the occasion of 126th birth anniversary of Bhim Rao Ambedkar -- the architect of India's constitution. The highlight of the prime minister's address was the launch of an app that will help millions of Indians who have no mobile phone, internet connection, credit and debit card to make digital payments. Addressing the nation from Nagpur city in west India on Friday, PM Modi rolled out the BHIM-Aadhar app (Bharat Interface for Money) to allow millions of phone-less Indians to start using digital wallets. "Any citizen without access to smartphones, the Internet, debit or credit cards will be able to transact digitally through the BHIM-Aadhaar platform, thus realising Bhim Rao Ambedkar's vision of social and financial empowerment for all," a statement released by NITI-Aayog said. NITI-Aayog is a government-backed think tank. .@narendramodi launches #BHIMAadhaar to enable every single Indian citizen to pay just with their THUMB! No internet, wallet, mobile needed. pic.twitter.com/Pxo6eanHFU — NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) April 14, 2017 × Twenty-seven major banks were already on board with around three lakh merchants so that they can start accepting payments using BHIM-Aadhaar, the statement said. Under the new system, merchants will have to download the app and sync them to a biometric scan machine. As for the users, they just need to have the 12-digit Aadhaar code. That will enable traders to transfer the amount from the customer's bank account to theirs. The Aadhaar card is an identity card based on their biometric and demographic data. The other initiatives announced by the government was the cash back system and the referral system. "If you add a person to BHIM app and he makes three transactions, Rs 10 will be added to your account. The scheme will continue till October 14," Modi said. As for the cashback scheme, traders will get a cashback on every transaction made by them. The other salient point was Modi's promise to build homes for all Indians by 2022. As per official data, there are 17.73 million homeless people in India. The housing crisis gets magnified when government data suggest that up to 70 million Indians live in urban slums. “We have a dream for 2022. The poorest of poor should have a house of his own. And that house must be equipped with electricity, water and other facilities. There should be hospitals and schools in the neighbourhood,” Modi said. The raft of social policies was announced to coincide with Ambedkar's birth anniversary. Ambedkar was one of the towering figures in Indian politics to fight for the then-termed untouchables and backward castes in India. He was also the country's first law minister and is credited to have drafted the Indian constitution. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India launches digital payment app for poor, vows homes for all by 2022

The sane people in Bangladesh do not think that Bangladesh and India are enemies although since 1975, right wing political forces have tried to paint such a picture. Even today, some fringe elements in the Bangladeshi intelligentsia keep peddling such a narrative to an audience that thrives on this.

However, over the past several years, the sensible quarters of the civil society and media have been able to reassert, by and large, the objective narrative of mutual trust and the benefits of Bangladesh-India cooperation and the need for strengthening it. India didn&rsquo;t do anything in the last 46 years that shows New Delhi&#39;s intent to gobble up Bangladesh. Nor it is possible. False fear mongering and small neighbour mentality are out.

There are big economic and political changes taking place in the region and beyond. It is an ongoing geopolitical game and all the interested parties are trying to get the most out of it through conventional non-violent means i.e. strategic posturing, economic cooperation, diplomacy, etc.

Unlike in the past, today, bigger domestic constituencies of leading developing countries are getting increasingly interested in their nations&#39; regional and global standings. Therefore, alongside international politics and security, other factors such as economic benefits, regional or international stature and even domestic politics have become important determinants of bilateral and multilateral relationship between countries.

Since the Narendra Modi-led Hindu nationalist BJP government came to power in India in 2014, riding on the development plank, India-Bangladesh relationship needed a reboot. The secular Awami League under Sheikh Hasina, with a history of good relations with the secular Indian National Congress, continued to be in power in Dhaka for a second term.

Both the governments realised that inter-state relations come ahead of inter-party relations across the border and thus developed a good working relationship. Moreover, Bangladesh and India have a shared history and commonalities of culture, not to mention the huge volume of bilateral trade and other interactions.

However, Bangladesh is an aspirational country and it is already the world&rsquo;s 31st largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. It has a big population with a large number of young people who want jobs and a good life. Therefore, when it comes to economy, Bangladesh, like other Least Developed Countries (LDCs), needs more FDI in infrastructure, manufacturing, processing industries and other fields. As the western, Japanese and West Asian finances are drying out, China is fast stepping into that vacuum. It has overtaken India as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh&#39;s military is also dependent on Chinese supply of military hardware as those are of reasonable standards and are affordable.

Bangladesh&rsquo;s cosiness with China seems to have puzzled India, Beijing&#39;s geopolitical competitor. It is a different matter that India is currently utilising China&rsquo;s economic rise and has replaced Pakistan as China&#39;s largest trade partner in South Asia.

To nullify the Bangladesh-China intimacy, India has proposed a long-term defence cooperation pact with Bangladesh which&nbsp;&nbsp;involves purchasing Indian military armaments, various military-to-military cooperation measures like training, capacity building, joint exercises, etc.

Much has not been disclosed but there is a sense that India would also seek a deeper military strategic alliance. This would serve the Modi government very well as the overall security and geopolitical rise of India are key promises made by Modi. If successful, this defence agreement with Bangladesh would help Modi in his 2019 re-election bid. He can then claim that he has been successful in &lsquo;isolating Pakistan in South Asia&rsquo; and &lsquo;resisting China in this part of South Asia&rsquo;.

What does this mean for Bangladesh and the Awami League government?

Bangladesh doesn&rsquo;t need Indian armaments which are not known for their quality although Dhaka may wish to reduce its dependence on Chinese armaments, owing to China&rsquo;s proximity to Myanmar. But for that, Dhaka would do better to look at Russia or Eastern Europe.

The Awami League government of Bangladesh, unlike the BJP in India, will be significantly embarrassed in the domestic political sphere if this agreement goes through. Its detractors have long accused it as a pro-India party.&nbsp;&nbsp;Moreover, Bangladesh still has important unresolved issues with India like water sharing of the Teesta and other rivers.

India also did not support Bangladesh on the humanitarian Rohingya issue, considering its own geostrategic interest in Myanmar. Most importantly, a comprehensive India-Bangladesh defence pact would inevitably raise the obvious question as to who the pact is against. It will send China, Bangladesh&rsquo;s strategic economic partner, a wrong signal. Beijing has just committed to invest a whopping $27 billion in Bangladesh while indicating that it could invest another $13 billion in the private sector. Bangladesh, therefore, will do well to keep out of the India-China geopolitical competition and engage in economic ties with both.

The Modi government made the lingering Land Boundary Agreement a reality and allowed more Bangladeshi products to reach the Indian markets without tariff. Bangladesh actively and consistently went after hideouts of northeast Indian insurgents along its border. Bangladesh will probably reciprocate by allowing India&rsquo;s landlocked northeast region to use its seaports for a reasonable fee.

Bangladesh doesn&rsquo;t consider India as an enemy but it is surrounded by the country on three sides. The adjacent northeastern region of India is a highly militarised zone and keeps Bangladesh wary at all times. It is also difficult for Bangladesh to gauge the direction of India&#39;s domestic politics in the light of anti-Bangladesh rhetoric, specially on immigrants, used in previous general elections. India&rsquo;s record of politico-military involvement in Sri Lanka also doesn&#39;t help.

Many Bangladeshis are worried about the state of Muslims in India as news of discrimination and persecution by Hindutva activists keep making news. On the other hand, Bangladesh&rsquo;s current relationship with Pakistan is moving from bad to worse. Currently, Bangladesh&rsquo;s relationship with the rest of the Islamic world is less cosy than in the past for obvious reasons. Even though India and Bangladesh share a warm relationship at present, Bangladesh doesn&rsquo;t want to put all its eggs in the same basket by aligning too closely with the saffron dispensation in New Delhi.

Therefore, neither Bangladesh wants acrimony with India nor does it need any defence cooperation. It&rsquo;s better that Bangladesh&rsquo;s defence remains independent of India. Rather, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on friendly coexistence and cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism would be a fair shot for both the countries. Hopefully, the Indian government would understand Bangladesh&rsquo;s conundrum and would settle for something sustainable for both the sides.

Dhaka and New Delhi should instead agree on friendly coexistence and cooperation in countering terrorism

The sane people in Bangladesh do not think that Bangladesh and India are enemies although since 1975, right wing political forces have tried to paint such a picture. Even today, some fringe elements in the Bangladeshi intelligentsia keep peddling such a narrative to an audience that thrives on this. However, over the past several years, the sensible quarters of the civil society and media have been able to reassert, by and large, the objective narrative of mutual trust and the benefits of Bangladesh-India cooperation and the need for strengthening it. India didn’t do anything in the last 46 years that shows New Delhi's intent to gobble up Bangladesh. Nor it is possible. False fear mongering and small neighbour mentality are out. There are big economic and political changes taking place in the region and beyond. It is an ongoing geopolitical game and all the interested parties are trying to get the most out of it through conventional non-violent means i.e. strategic posturing, economic cooperation, diplomacy, etc. Unlike in the past, today, bigger domestic constituencies of leading developing countries are getting increasingly interested in their nations' regional and global standings. Therefore, alongside international politics and security, other factors such as economic benefits, regional or international stature and even domestic politics have become important determinants of bilateral and multilateral relationship between countries. Since the Narendra Modi-led Hindu nationalist BJP government came to power in India in 2014, riding on the development plank, India-Bangladesh relationship needed a reboot. The secular Awami League under Sheikh Hasina, with a history of good relations with the secular Indian National Congress, continued to be in power in Dhaka for a second term. Both the governments realised that inter-state relations come ahead of inter-party relations across the border and thus developed a good working relationship. Moreover, Bangladesh and India have a shared history and commonalities of culture, not to mention the huge volume of bilateral trade and other interactions. However, Bangladesh is an aspirational country and it is already the world’s 31st largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. It has a big population with a large number of young people who want jobs and a good life. Therefore, when it comes to economy, Bangladesh, like other Least Developed Countries (LDCs), needs more FDI in infrastructure, manufacturing, processing industries and other fields. As the western, Japanese and West Asian finances are drying out, China is fast stepping into that vacuum. It has overtaken India as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh's military is also dependent on Chinese supply of military hardware as those are of reasonable standards and are affordable. Bangladesh’s cosiness with China seems to have puzzled India, Beijing's geopolitical competitor. It is a different matter that India is currently utilising China’s economic rise and has replaced Pakistan as China's largest trade partner in South Asia. To nullify the Bangladesh-China intimacy, India has proposed a long-term defence cooperation pact with Bangladesh which involves purchasing Indian military armaments, various military-to-military cooperation measures like training, capacity building, joint exercises, etc. Much has not been disclosed but there is a sense that India would also seek a deeper military strategic alliance. This would serve the Modi government very well as the overall security and geopolitical rise of India are key promises made by Modi. If successful, this defence agreement with Bangladesh would help Modi in his 2019 re-election bid. He can then claim that he has been successful in ‘isolating Pakistan in South Asia’ and ‘resisting China in this part of South Asia’. What does this mean for Bangladesh and the Awami League government? Bangladesh doesn’t need Indian armaments which are not known for their quality although Dhaka may wish to reduce its dependence on Chinese armaments, owing to China’s proximity to Myanmar. But for that, Dhaka would do better to look at Russia or Eastern Europe. The Awami League government of Bangladesh, unlike the BJP in India, will be significantly embarrassed in the domestic political sphere if this agreement goes through. Its detractors have long accused it as a pro-India party. Moreover, Bangladesh still has important unresolved issues with India like water sharing of the Teesta and other rivers. India also did not support Bangladesh on the humanitarian Rohingya issue, considering its own geostrategic interest in Myanmar. Most importantly, a comprehensive India-Bangladesh defence pact would inevitably raise the obvious question as to who the pact is against. It will send China, Bangladesh’s strategic economic partner, a wrong signal. Beijing has just committed to invest a whopping $27 billion in Bangladesh while indicating that it could invest another $13 billion in the private sector. Bangladesh, therefore, will do well to keep out of the India-China geopolitical competition and engage in economic ties with both. The Modi government made the lingering Land Boundary Agreement a reality and allowed more Bangladeshi products to reach the Indian markets without tariff. Bangladesh actively and consistently went after hideouts of northeast Indian insurgents along its border. Bangladesh will probably reciprocate by allowing India’s landlocked northeast region to use its seaports for a reasonable fee. Bangladesh doesn’t consider India as an enemy but it is surrounded by the country on three sides. The adjacent northeastern region of India is a highly militarised zone and keeps Bangladesh wary at all times. It is also difficult for Bangladesh to gauge the direction of India's domestic politics in the light of anti-Bangladesh rhetoric, specially on immigrants, used in previous general elections. India’s record of politico-military involvement in Sri Lanka also doesn't help. Many Bangladeshis are worried about the state of Muslims in India as news of discrimination and persecution by Hindutva activists keep making news. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s current relationship with Pakistan is moving from bad to worse. Currently, Bangladesh’s relationship with the rest of the Islamic world is less cosy than in the past for obvious reasons. Even though India and Bangladesh share a warm relationship at present, Bangladesh doesn’t want to put all its eggs in the same basket by aligning too closely with the saffron dispensation in New Delhi. Therefore, neither Bangladesh wants acrimony with India nor does it need any defence cooperation. It’s better that Bangladesh’s defence remains independent of India. Rather, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on friendly coexistence and cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism would be a fair shot for both the countries. Hopefully, the Indian government would understand Bangladesh’s conundrum and would settle for something sustainable for both the sides.

Why a long-term defence pact with India is not in Bangladesh?s interest

A Muslim man in India died Wednesday after being assaulted by cow protectors in India&#39;s western state of Rajasthan.

On Monday, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was allegedly smuggling cows when a bunch of cow vigilantes apparently associated with Hindu nationalist groups -- Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad -- beat him and four others in Alwar, roughly 165 km from New Delhi, Guardian reported.

Khan and the other injured were beaten up despite them furnishing documents to show they had purchased the cows legally,&nbsp;

The victim&#39;s&nbsp;uncle Husain said that Khan was not a butcher but a dairy farmer, and had bought the cows for dairy business, BBC reported.&nbsp;

Although the local police have listed 200 suspects, they are yet to arrest anyone for Khan&#39;s murder.&nbsp;

Khan became the 10th victim in the last two years to be killed by cow vigilantes in the country.

Cow is&nbsp;revered by religious Hindus in India and beef meat is eschewed by them.&nbsp;

Beef in India is largely consumed by Muslims, Christians and people belonging to lower Hindu castes.

Consumption of beef has been a&nbsp;torchlight for communal clashes in India over the years, largely between Hindus and Muslims.

The issue of cow protection resuscitated after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to ban beef across the country during his election campaign in 2014.

Cow vigilantes, emboldened by the increasingly assertive Hindu nationalism in the country, turned the issue of cow protection on its head in 2015 when a Muslim man named Mohammed Ikhlaq was lynched in Dadri, a town in north India.

Several other leaders belonging to Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party have also talked tough on cattle smuggling and beef consumption in recent times.

One of the first things Yogi Adityanath, the recently appointed chief minister of India&#39;s most populous state Uttar Pradesh, did was to clamp down on illegal slaughterhouses.

Raman Singh, chief minister of another state Chhattisgarh, also threatened to hang those found guilty of cow slaughter.

India&#39;s western state of Gujarat last week passed a legislation that punishes cow killers with life imprisonment.

Cow vigilante groups have also become active in several states of the country. They routinely waylay vehicles to inspect them to deter people from smuggling cows.

(WION)

Pehlu Khan is the tenth person to have been killed by cow protectors in the last 24 months

A Muslim man in India died Wednesday after being assaulted by cow protectors in India's western state of Rajasthan. On Monday, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was allegedly smuggling cows when a bunch of cow vigilantes apparently associated with Hindu nationalist groups -- Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad -- beat him and four others in Alwar, roughly 165 km from New Delhi, Guardian reported. Khan and the other injured were beaten up despite them furnishing documents to show they had purchased the cows legally, The victim's uncle Husain said that Khan was not a butcher but a dairy farmer, and had bought the cows for dairy business, BBC reported. Although the local police have listed 200 suspects, they are yet to arrest anyone for Khan's murder. Khan became the 10th victim in the last two years to be killed by cow vigilantes in the country. Cow is revered by religious Hindus in India and beef meat is eschewed by them. Beef in India is largely consumed by Muslims, Christians and people belonging to lower Hindu castes. Consumption of beef has been a torchlight for communal clashes in India over the years, largely between Hindus and Muslims. The issue of cow protection resuscitated after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to ban beef across the country during his election campaign in 2014. Cow vigilantes, emboldened by the increasingly assertive Hindu nationalism in the country, turned the issue of cow protection on its head in 2015 when a Muslim man named Mohammed Ikhlaq was lynched in Dadri, a town in north India. Several other leaders belonging to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party have also talked tough on cattle smuggling and beef consumption in recent times. One of the first things Yogi Adityanath, the recently appointed chief minister of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, did was to clamp down on illegal slaughterhouses. Raman Singh, chief minister of another state Chhattisgarh, also threatened to hang those found guilty of cow slaughter. India's western state of Gujarat last week passed a legislation that punishes cow killers with life imprisonment. Cow vigilante groups have also become active in several states of the country. They routinely waylay vehicles to inspect them to deter people from smuggling cows. (WION)

Muslim man dies after being assaulted by cow vigilantes

Samajwadi Party, the ruling party of India&#39;s most critical state Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017, has plunged into another bout of family recrimination, just days after the political organisation suffered a debilitating loss in the recently-concluded elections.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party patriarch, agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s assessment of his son Akhilesh Yadav being disloyal.

Speaking at a function in their family bastion of Mainpuri -- about 350 kilometres from New Delhi -- Mulayam echoed one of Modi&#39;s speech about his son: &quot;Yeh sahi hai jo apne baap ka nahin woh kisi ka nahi ho sakta&nbsp;(It is true that a son who can&#39;t be loyal to his father can&#39;t be loyal to his people).&quot;

Modi, during the frenzied political campaign in Uttar Pradesh, had blamed Akhilesh -- the chief minister of India&#39;s northern state then -- for insulting his father by going against him.

Mulayam also accused his son of &quot;humiliating and betraying him&quot;.

&quot;While the people of UP voted for me in 2012, I chose Akhilesh to be the next chief minister, but he humiliated him thereafter,&quot; The Times of India quoted Mulayam as saying.

Mulayam&#39;s outburst comes after Samajwadi Party won a meagre 47 of the 403 Assembly seats in the 2017 elections.

The three-time chief minister of the state also lashed out at Akhilesh&#39;s decision to join hands with the Congress before the polls, especially because the party had launched &quot;murderous attacks&quot; against him in the past.

The father-son feud has been a protracted affair, stretching back to last year -- a bitter fight that clearly hampered the party&#39;s preparation for the elections.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party patriarch agreed with PM Narendra Modi that his son was not trustworthy

Samajwadi Party, the ruling party of India's most critical state Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017, has plunged into another bout of family recrimination, just days after the political organisation suffered a debilitating loss in the recently-concluded elections. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party patriarch, agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assessment of his son Akhilesh Yadav being disloyal. Speaking at a function in their family bastion of Mainpuri -- about 350 kilometres from New Delhi -- Mulayam echoed one of Modi's speech about his son: "Yeh sahi hai jo apne baap ka nahin woh kisi ka nahi ho sakta (It is true that a son who can't be loyal to his father can't be loyal to his people)." Modi, during the frenzied political campaign in Uttar Pradesh, had blamed Akhilesh -- the chief minister of India's northern state then -- for insulting his father by going against him. Mulayam also accused his son of "humiliating and betraying him". "While the people of UP voted for me in 2012, I chose Akhilesh to be the next chief minister, but he humiliated him thereafter," The Times of India quoted Mulayam as saying. Mulayam's outburst comes after Samajwadi Party won a meagre 47 of the 403 Assembly seats in the 2017 elections. The three-time chief minister of the state also lashed out at Akhilesh's decision to join hands with the Congress before the polls, especially because the party had launched "murderous attacks" against him in the past. The father-son feud has been a protracted affair, stretching back to last year -- a bitter fight that clearly hampered the party's preparation for the elections. (WION)

Mulayam lashes out at Akhilesh to deepen SP fissures

India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youngsters of India to maximise the use of technology in the country in an event dubbed by the Indian government as the largest hackathon event in the world.

Speaking at Smart India Hackathon via a video conference, the prime minister also invigorated the youngsters to join hands to solve the myriad problems plaguing the country.

&quot;Together we will solve all the issues that are affecting the nation,&quot; Modi said during the Saturday address to around 10,000 students, especially engineering pupils, across 26 locations in the city.

The 10,000-odd programmers will sit through 36 hours, which started from 8am local time on April 1, to find digital solutions to solve 598 social problems identified by 29 government departments.

The programmers will come up with software&nbsp;or mobile apps to find a solution to the social problems highlighted by the various government departments.&nbsp;

The initiative was taken by the Indian government to push Modi&#39;s Digital India initiative.

Speaking at the event, Modi warned innovators of hitting stumbling blocks while trying to find&nbsp;solutions, but urged them to &quot;not let those setbacks lower your morale&quot;.

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When you are innovating u may face setbacks but do not let those setbacks lower your morale,dampen your spirits: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmartIndiaHackathon2017?src=hash">#SmartIndiaHackathon2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/vDQivl1Mmu">pic.twitter.com/vDQivl1Mmu</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/848214625816653824">April 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He also lauded youngsters for being job creators instead of working for others.

(WION)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

About 10,000 programmers will sit for 36 hours to find digital solutions to solve 598 social problems menacing India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youngsters of India to maximise the use of technology in the country in an event dubbed by the Indian government as the largest hackathon event in the world. Speaking at Smart India Hackathon via a video conference, the prime minister also invigorated the youngsters to join hands to solve the myriad problems plaguing the country. "Together we will solve all the issues that are affecting the nation," Modi said during the Saturday address to around 10,000 students, especially engineering pupils, across 26 locations in the city. The 10,000-odd programmers will sit through 36 hours, which started from 8am local time on April 1, to find digital solutions to solve 598 social problems identified by 29 government departments. The programmers will come up with software or mobile apps to find a solution to the social problems highlighted by the various government departments. The initiative was taken by the Indian government to push Modi's Digital India initiative. Speaking at the event, Modi warned innovators of hitting stumbling blocks while trying to find solutions, but urged them to "not let those setbacks lower your morale". When you are innovating u may face setbacks but do not let those setbacks lower your morale,dampen your spirits: PM #SmartIndiaHackathon2017 pic.twitter.com/vDQivl1Mmu — ANI (@ANI_news) April 1, 2017 × He also lauded youngsters for being job creators instead of working for others. (WION)

PM Modi lauds India's youth in hackathon event

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