Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Aug 12) warned the Indian youth against social media trends and the shortcut culture of reels. Instead, he urged them to read autobiographies that offer lessons that can shape both character and an understanding of history. Speaking at the launch of former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, ‘Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles’, Modi said the book could serve as an inspiration for future generations.“I once again wish him the best for his autobiography and especially request the young generation: it’s the age of reels, social media influencers take you away, but in this age of shortcuts, we must remember one thing written on railway stations: ‘Shortcuts will cut you short.’ If you want to take a shortcut, I tell the youth, whoever’s autobiography you like, please read it,” the Prime Minister said.Modi praised Kovind for continuing public work after leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan, particularly his efforts to build support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal.“Kovind ji has also elaborated on his experiences with Morarji Bhai Desai... Even after stepping down from the highest office of President, he has not paused to rest; he continues to work on significant issues such as 'One Nation, One Election,' striving to awaken the nation to their importance. Finding a solution to this issue could herald a new chapter for the country's democracy,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PM Modi’s message to youngsters: &#39;&#39;Shortcuts will cut you short.&#39;&#39; He urges youngsters to read, saying, &#39;&#39;I would particularly like to urge the younger generation-we live in the age of ‘Reels’ and social media influencers. Even in this era of shortcuts, let us remember… <a href="https://t.co/CNzgOVvjc2">pic.twitter.com/CNzgOVvjc2</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2087407868551237954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Prime Minister also spoke at length about Kovind’s humility, recalling how the former President would personally walk him to the car despite protocol. He cited Kovind’s visit to his native village, where he touched the feet of his teachers and paid tribute to the soil of his village.“After becoming President, when he visited his village, Paraunkh, he bowed to touch the feet of his teachers in reverence. He paid homage to the soil of the village and expressed his gratitude to the ordinary villagers. The entire nation witnessed that moving scene. His conduct presented an image of India's cultural values to the world--an image that fills every Indian with pride,” the prime minister said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-logs-wettest-first-week-of-august-in-15-years-imd-issues-yellow-alert-1786162317140">Delhi logs wettest first week of August in 15 years; IMD issues yellow alert</a>Modi also reflected on a deeply personal episode from Kovind’s childhood — the loss of his mother in a house fire – describing it as a tragedy that revealed the resilience behind the former President’s life journey and public service.“Just imagine – experiencing such a tragedy at a tender age, losing one’s mother in this manner... how agonising that must have been,” he said.PM Modi said, “I have been fortunate; my mother lived for over a hundred years and continued to bless me. Yet, even today, I deeply feel the void left by her absence.”“His struggles are personal, but the victories that emerged from those struggles belong to India's Republic and its democracy. We often see that people take credit for their successes but blame society for the difficulties in their lives. But when a person has a generous heart and is guided by Indian values, they focus on the positive aspects of society and consider society an equal partner in their success. Kovind ji's autobiography and its title are examples of this,” he added.

PM Modi urged young people to avoid shortcuts and social media distractions, saying “shortcuts will cut you short.” He encouraged them to read autobiographies, calling them a source of inspiration and history.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Aug 12) warned the Indian youth against social media trends and the shortcut culture of reels. Instead, he urged them to read autobiographies that offer lessons that can shape both character and an understanding of history. Speaking at the launch of former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, ‘Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles’, Modi said the book could serve as an inspiration for future generations. “I once again wish him the best for his autobiography and especially request the young generation: it’s the age of reels, social media influencers take you away, but in this age of shortcuts, we must remember one thing written on railway stations: ‘Shortcuts will cut you short.’ If you want to take a shortcut, I tell the youth, whoever’s autobiography you like, please read it,” the Prime Minister said. Modi praised Kovind for continuing public work after leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan, particularly his efforts to build support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. “Kovind ji has also elaborated on his experiences with Morarji Bhai Desai... Even after stepping down from the highest office of President, he has not paused to rest; he continues to work on significant issues such as 'One Nation, One Election,' striving to awaken the nation to their importance. Finding a solution to this issue could herald a new chapter for the country's democracy,” he said.

PM Modi urged young people to avoid shortcuts and social media distractions, saying “shortcuts will cut you short.” He encouraged them to read autobiographies, calling them a source of inspiration and history.

‘Shortcuts will cut you short’: PM Modi urges youth to look beyond social media reels and read autobiographies

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded boxer Lovlina Borgohain for pointing out the incorrect Indian map in a Glasgow restaurant during the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games 2026 in Scotland. Indian boxing contingent won 10 medals in boxing including a record seven gold with Lovlina winning a silve rin 75kg women's category of the event. The Indian boxing team was out for celebration at an Indian restaurant when Lovlina noticed discrepancy in the Indian map and swiftly pointed it out. PM Modi lauded the boxer's awareness during an interaction with the medal winners on Sunday (Aug 9).<h2>PM Modi lauds Lovlina for noticing incorrect Indian map in Glasgow restaurant</h2>During the interaction with the athletes, the PM asked Lovlina about the incident and said: "What happened, were you fighting with that restaurant guy?"Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/odi-world-cup-2027-kagiso-rabada-sure-of-co-host-south-africa-defending-the-fortress-1786341501382">ODI World Cup 2027: Kagiso Rabada sure of co-host South Africa 'defending the fortress'</a>Lovlina, explaining her side of the story, said: "We had such a good performance and it was the last day of the Games. It was a happy occasion sir, we were celebrating and I didn’t like it when I saw the distorted flag. I politely told them and they have made the changes also."PM Mod appreciated her for the stance and added: "To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a time when you were celebrating and the Games were over, I can tell you truthfully, that video was not ordinary. It will be remembered by people for a very long time."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | PM Modi interaction with CWG 2026 medal winners | PM Modi asks Boxer Lovlina Borgohain about her conversation over the map of India at a restaurant in Glasgow; she says, &quot;We had performed so well; it was the last day, everyone had won, and there were Indians all around.… <a href="https://t.co/qqlD6n1h5H">pic.twitter.com/qqlD6n1h5H</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2086678976089710851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What was the whole map incident?</h2>The Indian boxing contingent was out to celebrate their historic Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign at Mister Singh's India - Home of Curry in Glasgow, Scotland. Lovlina, during the lunch, spotted missing Northeast from the Indian map on the napkins and outside the establishment. She made a video plea about it after feeling 'hurt' as she herself hails from North Eastern Indian state of Assam. The restaurant recognised the mistake and agreed to correct at the earliest.&nbsp;

The Indian boxing contingent was out to celebrate their historic Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign at Mister Singh's India - Home of Curry in Glasgow, Scotland. Lovlina, during the lunch, spotted missing Northeast from the Indian map on the napkins and outside the establishment.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded boxer Lovlina Borgohain for pointing out the incorrect Indian map in a Glasgow restaurant during the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games 2026 in Scotland. Indian boxing contingent won 10 medals in boxing including a record seven gold with Lovlina winning a silve rin 75kg women's category of the event. The Indian boxing team was out for celebration at an Indian restaurant when Lovlina noticed discrepancy in the Indian map and swiftly pointed it out. PM Modi lauded the boxer's awareness during an interaction with the medal winners on Sunday (Aug 9). PM Modi lauds Lovlina for noticing incorrect Indian map in Glasgow restaurant During the interaction with the athletes, the PM asked Lovlina about the incident and said: "What happened, were you fighting with that restaurant guy?" Also Read - ODI World Cup 2027: Kagiso Rabada sure of co-host South Africa 'defending the fortress' Lovlina, explaining her side of the story, said: "We had such a good performance and it was the last day of the Games. It was a happy occasion sir, we were celebrating and I didn’t like it when I saw the distorted flag. I politely told them and they have made the changes also." PM Mod appreciated her for the stance and added: "To be able to recognise the significance of that map at a time when you were celebrating and the Games were over, I can tell you truthfully, that video was not ordinary. It will be remembered by people for a very long time."

The Indian boxing contingent was out to celebrate their historic Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign at Mister Singh's India - Home of Curry in Glasgow, Scotland. Lovlina, during the lunch, spotted missing Northeast from the Indian map on the napkins and outside the establishment.

'It will be remembered': PM Modi lauds Lovlina for spotting incorrect Indian map during CWG 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s medal winners from the 2026 Commonwealth Games at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday (Aug 9) and congratulated them for their impressive performances in Glasgow. After the meeting, PM Modi posted a video of the interaction on X with the caption, “Always #Cheer4Bharat.”&nbsp;The video showed Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Sakshi Chaudhary along with other members of India’s medal-winning contingent.&nbsp;“Hello friends! This is Sakshi Chaudhary. Today, our honourable Prime Minister has invited us, the Commonwealth Games medalists, and we feel very proud. We are extremely happy to have met him; he is very humble. Sir, would you like to say something?” Sakshi said in the video.&nbsp;Replying to her, PM Modi said, “Jo khelega, woh khilega” (Those who play, will flourish). Always cheer for Bharat.&nbsp;PM Modi then led the athletes in chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Victory to mother India) three times.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">After meeting the Indian contingent and medal winners of the Commonwealth Games 2026 at his official residence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends out a message in fresh video with the athletes, &quot;Jo Khelega, Vo Khilega&quot; (The one who plays will shine), Always Cheer for Bharat.&quot;… <a href="https://t.co/XTC0qX2Atn">pic.twitter.com/XTC0qX2Atn</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2086444784789639398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/17-year-old-assam-karate-champion-wins-gold-weeks-after-floods-destroy-home-training-ground-1786281464365">17-year-old Assam Karate champion wins gold weeks after floods destroy home, training ground</a>&nbsp;India finished its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, securing fourth place in the overall medal table.&nbsp;The Glasgow Games ended after 11 days of competition. During the closing ceremony, Scotland officially handed over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, which will host the centenary edition of the multi-sport event in Ahmedabad in 2030.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-a-rehab-centre-vvs-laxman-defends-bcci-coe-amid-injury-concerns-1786274226587">‘Not a rehab centre’: VVS Laxman defends BCCI CoE amid injury concerns</a>&nbsp;The flag and baton were received by India’s representatives, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Commonwealth Games medallists in New Delhi and congratulated them on their performances, with India finishing fourth in the medal table with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s medal winners from the 2026 Commonwealth Games at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday (Aug 9) and congratulated them for their impressive performances in Glasgow. After the meeting, PM Modi posted a video of the interaction on X with the caption, “Always #Cheer4Bharat.” The video showed Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Sakshi Chaudhary along with other members of India’s medal-winning contingent. “Hello friends! This is Sakshi Chaudhary. Today, our honourable Prime Minister has invited us, the Commonwealth Games medalists, and we feel very proud. We are extremely happy to have met him; he is very humble. Sir, would you like to say something?” Sakshi said in the video. Replying to her, PM Modi said, “Jo khelega, woh khilega” (Those who play, will flourish). Always cheer for Bharat. PM Modi then led the athletes in chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Victory to mother India) three times.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s Commonwealth Games medallists in New Delhi and congratulated them on their performances, with India finishing fourth in the medal table with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.

‘Those who play, will flourish’: PM Modi interacts with India’s CWG medallists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 08) said he held a phone conversation with US Vice President JD Vance and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.&nbsp;PM Modi shared details of the conversation in a post on social media platform X. He said the two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation between India and the United States.&nbsp;“Received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family,” PM Modi wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family.…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2086143126729584815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Modi congratulates Vance on the birth of his son</h2>During the conversation, Modi also congratulated Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, on the birth of their son.&nbsp;“Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family,” he said.&nbsp;This comes as the US Senate on Friday passed a bipartisan bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries such as India and China that continue to import Russian oil and gas.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strait-of-hormuz-reopening-these-conditions-set-by-iran-could-decide-what-happens-next-1786206474781">Strait Of Hormuz reopening: These conditions set by Iran could decide what happens next</a>&nbsp;The legislation argues that such trade supports Moscow's economy and helps fund its military operations in Ukraine. The Senate passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by an overwhelming 86-to-11 vote.&nbsp;Named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of its main architects, the legislation seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia and Iran while targeting countries that maintain major energy trade with Moscow.&nbsp;Under the proposed law, the US president would have discretionary powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the world's five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.&nbsp;The legislation also proposes fresh sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior political and military officials, financial institutions, energy projects and other entities linked to Russia's war effort.&nbsp;It further expands US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Russia to bypass international restrictions and maintain energy export revenues.&nbsp;The broader measure aims to limit the financial flows that support Russia's economy and military campaign.&nbsp;The bill would allow the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. India remains one of the world's largest buyers of Russian crude, along with China.&nbsp;The legislation effectively gives energy-importing countries a choice between continuing to buy discounted Russian energy and maintaining access to the lucrative US market.&nbsp;India increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. The move helped the country secure its energy requirements during a period of global market uncertainty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from US Vice President JD Vance and discussed ways to deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, while congratulating him on the birth of his son.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 08) said he held a phone conversation with US Vice President JD Vance and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. PM Modi shared details of the conversation in a post on social media platform X. He said the two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation between India and the United States. “Received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance. We discussed ways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. Warmly congratulated him and the Second Lady on the birth of their son and conveyed best wishes to the entire family,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from US Vice President JD Vance and discussed ways to deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, while congratulating him on the birth of his son.

PM Modi receives call from JD Vance, discusses India-US strategic partnership

The Union government spent around ₹74.59 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits between February and July 2026, according to details shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (August 06).&nbsp;The expenditure covered official visits to countries including Malaysia, Israel, the UAE, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand and several others.&nbsp;In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said the government has also placed on record the year-wise and visit-wise expenditure incurred on the Prime Minister's overseas visits since 2021.<h2>2026 expenditure at ₹74.59 crore so far</h2>The MEA said the total spending on the Prime Minister's foreign visits in 2026 stood at about ₹74.59 crore till July. The amount includes visits undertaken between February and July this year.&nbsp;Among the major expenditures, the Norway visit cost ₹17.46 crore, followed by Israel at ₹11.92 crore, Seychelles at ₹8.22 crore, Sweden at ₹6.33 crore, Malaysia at ₹5.57 crore and New Zealand at ₹5.44 crore.&nbsp;The government said the expenditure for some visits, including those to France and several countries covered during the May tour, remains provisional and will be finalised after all bills are settled.<h2>2025 recorded the highest annual expenditure</h2>The data showed that 2025 recorded the highest spending on the Prime Minister's foreign visits during the period covered in the reply, with total expenditure of around ₹187.83 crore.&nbsp;During the year, Modi visited France, the US, Mauritius, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Canada, Croatia, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Namibia, the UK, Maldives, China, Japan, Bhutan, South Africa, Jordan, Oman and Ethiopia.&nbsp;Among the highest expenditures, the France visit cost ₹25.60 crore, followed by Brazil at ₹17.72 crore, the US at ₹16.55 crore, Saudi Arabia at ₹15.54 crore, China at ₹10.60 crore and the UK at ₹9.92 crore.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-denies-us-missile-stockpile-shortage-warns-leakers-of-prosecution-and-jail-1786013306970">Trump denies US missile stockpile shortage, warns leakers of prosecution and jail</a><h2>2024 foreign visit expenditure crossed ₹109 crore</h2>The government spent about ₹109.51 crore on the Prime Minister's overseas visits in 2024.During the year, Modi travelled to the UAE, Qatar, Bhutan, Italy, Russia, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Brunei, Singapore, the US, Laos, Nigeria, Brazil, Guyana and Kuwait.&nbsp;The US visit cost ₹15.34 crore, while the Italy visit amounted to ₹14.37 crore. The October visit to Russia cost ₹10.75 crore, followed by Poland at ₹10.10 crore and Singapore at ₹7.75 crore.<h2>Visits aim to foster closer ties&nbsp;</h2>"High-level visits by the Prime Minister are established means of fostering closer relations with foreign countries and promoting India’s engagements at bilateral, regional and global levels. These visits, and the understandings and agreements concluded therein, facilitate the strengthening of partnerships across a wide range of sectors, including technology, innovation, trade &amp; investment, defence and energy cooperation, and resilient supply chains, among others," the MEA said

The Centre spent ₹74.59 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits till July 2026, while 2025 recorded the highest annual expenditure, the government informed the Rajya Sabha.

The Union government spent around ₹74.59 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits between February and July 2026, according to details shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (August 06). The expenditure covered official visits to countries including Malaysia, Israel, the UAE, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand and several others. In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said the government has also placed on record the year-wise and visit-wise expenditure incurred on the Prime Minister's overseas visits since 2021. 2026 expenditure at ₹74.59 crore so far The MEA said the total spending on the Prime Minister's foreign visits in 2026 stood at about ₹74.59 crore till July. The amount includes visits undertaken between February and July this year. Among the major expenditures, the Norway visit cost ₹17.46 crore, followed by Israel at ₹11.92 crore, Seychelles at ₹8.22 crore, Sweden at ₹6.33 crore, Malaysia at ₹5.57 crore and New Zealand at ₹5.44 crore. The government said the expenditure for some visits, including those to France and several countries covered during the May tour, remains provisional and will be finalised after all bills are settled. 2025 recorded the highest annual expenditure The data showed that 2025 recorded the highest spending on the Prime Minister's foreign visits during the period covered in the reply, with total expenditure of around ₹187.83 crore. During the year, Modi visited France, the US, Mauritius, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Canada, Croatia, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Namibia, the UK, Maldives, China, Japan, Bhutan, South Africa, Jordan, Oman and Ethiopia. Among the highest expenditures, the France visit cost ₹25.60 crore, followed by Brazil at ₹17.72 crore, the US at ₹16.55 crore, Saudi Arabia at ₹15.54 crore, China at ₹10.60 crore and the UK at ₹9.92 crore. Also Read: Trump denies US missile stockpile shortage, warns leakers of prosecution and jail 2024 foreign visit expenditure crossed ₹109 crore The government spent about ₹109.51 crore on the Prime Minister's overseas visits in 2024. During the year, Modi travelled to the UAE, Qatar, Bhutan, Italy, Russia, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Brunei, Singapore, the US, Laos, Nigeria, Brazil, Guyana and Kuwait. The US visit cost ₹15.34 crore, while the Italy visit amounted to ₹14.37 crore. The October visit to Russia cost ₹10.75 crore, followed by Poland at ₹10.10 crore and Singapore at ₹7.75 crore. Visits aim to foster closer ties "High-level visits by the Prime Minister are established means of fostering closer relations with foreign countries and promoting India’s engagements at bilateral, regional and global levels. These visits, and the understandings and agreements concluded therein, facilitate the strengthening of partnerships across a wide range of sectors, including technology, innovation, trade & investment, defence and energy cooperation, and resilient supply chains, among others," the MEA said

The Centre spent ₹74.59 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits till July 2026, while 2025 recorded the highest annual expenditure, the government informed the Rajya Sabha.

PM Modi's foreign visits cost ₹74.59 crore in 2026 till July; 2025 recorded highest spending

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to the Indian government over the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and operational mistakes on the company’s platforms, according to government sources.&nbsp;The apology came as senior Meta executives, including Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, held talks with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in New Delhi.&nbsp;Discussions focused on content moderation failures, compliance with Indian law and the temporary removal of a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-hits-back-at-us-after-fresh-tariffs-blacklists-six-firms-curbs-drone-exports-1785925926486">China hits back at US after fresh tariffs, blacklists six firms, curbs drone exports</a>&nbsp;Sources said Zuckerberg expressed regret for the CSAM and deepfake material circulating on Facebook, Instagram and other Meta services, as well as broader errors in how the platforms were run.Indian officials made clear during the meetings that Meta may not qualify as an “intermediary” under the Information Technology Act. Because the company actively selects which users see particular content through its algorithms and recommendation systems, the legal protection known as safe harbour does not apply in the same way, the sources added.&nbsp;Safe harbour normally shields platforms from liability for user-generated content provided they follow certain rules.&nbsp;The developments form part of heightened scrutiny of Meta in India. A parliamentary committee had earlier demanded an unqualified personal apology from Zuckerberg within three days over the brief removal of the prime minister’s video, warning that failure to comply could lead to the withdrawal of safe harbour protections. The video, which addressed issues including examination paper leaks, was unavailable for several hours before being restored. Meta has attributed the removal to a technical error. &nbsp;

Mark Zuckerberg apologised to the Indian government over harmful content and platform errors as Meta faced scrutiny over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to the Indian government over the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and operational mistakes on the company’s platforms, according to government sources. The apology came as senior Meta executives, including Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, held talks with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in New Delhi. Discussions focused on content moderation failures, compliance with Indian law and the temporary removal of a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: China hits back at US after fresh tariffs, blacklists six firms, curbs drone exports Sources said Zuckerberg expressed regret for the CSAM and deepfake material circulating on Facebook, Instagram and other Meta services, as well as broader errors in how the platforms were run. Indian officials made clear during the meetings that Meta may not qualify as an “intermediary” under the Information Technology Act. Because the company actively selects which users see particular content through its algorithms and recommendation systems, the legal protection known as safe harbour does not apply in the same way, the sources added. Safe harbour normally shields platforms from liability for user-generated content provided they follow certain rules. The developments form part of heightened scrutiny of Meta in India. A parliamentary committee had earlier demanded an unqualified personal apology from Zuckerberg within three days over the brief removal of the prime minister’s video, warning that failure to comply could lead to the withdrawal of safe harbour protections. The video, which addressed issues including examination paper leaks, was unavailable for several hours before being restored. Meta has attributed the removal to a technical error.

Mark Zuckerberg apologised to the Indian government over harmful content and platform errors as Meta faced scrutiny over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video.

Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the centre is committed to creating a "trustworthy examination system" by leveraging technology, strengthening legal safeguards and cracking down on paper leak mafias. His statement comes after the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a framework to curb paper leaks, was passed by both houses of Parliament. In a message consistent with his series of recent selfie videos, PM Modi welcomed the Amendment Bill and highlighted his commitment to reforms to safeguard students' futures."My friends, we have been continuously taking one step after another to build a trustworthy examination system. Whether it is the creation of a task force, establishing fast-track mechanisms, or incorporating the suggestions of the states, we are working on all fronts. For several decades, every state and the Central Government have faced the problem of paper leaks. Because of this, the future of our children has also been put at risk," said PM Modi.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ed-jharkhand-illegal-coal-mining-raids-600-crore-assets-dhanbad-1785412004757">ED raids uncover ₹600 crore assets in Jharkhand illegal coal mining crackdown</a>He continued, "Keeping all this in mind, it has become essential to reform the education and examination system across the country, &nbsp;both in the states and at the Centre. There is a need to make full use of technology. At the same time, paper leak mafias and gangs that tamper with examination papers and play with the future of our children will not be spared. There is also a need for strong and stringent laws. As I had promised you, we introduced a Bill in Parliament. Over the past two days, both Houses of Parliament discussed it in detail, with the participation of a large number of honourable Members of Parliament. I thank all the Members of Parliament for their detailed discussion and support in strengthening this legislation."The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on July 30 and the Lok Sabha on July 29. It will now be sent to the President, Droupadi Murmu; following her signature, it will be notified in the Gazette of India. Members of the opposition staged walk out allegeing that it was an “eyewash” without proper implementation or systemic accountability for recent administrative failures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Parliament passes a Bill that makes our examination system more robust! <a href="https://t.co/OEvLKXoUaf">pic.twitter.com/OEvLKXoUaf</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2082877914035753239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PM Narendra Modi welcomed Parliament's passage of the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026, pledging stricter action against paper leak mafias and technology-driven exam reforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the centre is committed to creating a "trustworthy examination system" by leveraging technology, strengthening legal safeguards and cracking down on paper leak mafias. His statement comes after the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a framework to curb paper leaks, was passed by both houses of Parliament. In a message consistent with his series of recent selfie videos, PM Modi welcomed the Amendment Bill and highlighted his commitment to reforms to safeguard students' futures. "My friends, we have been continuously taking one step after another to build a trustworthy examination system. Whether it is the creation of a task force, establishing fast-track mechanisms, or incorporating the suggestions of the states, we are working on all fronts. For several decades, every state and the Central Government have faced the problem of paper leaks. Because of this, the future of our children has also been put at risk," said PM Modi. Also Read: ED raids uncover ₹600 crore assets in Jharkhand illegal coal mining crackdown He continued, "Keeping all this in mind, it has become essential to reform the education and examination system across the country, both in the states and at the Centre. There is a need to make full use of technology. At the same time, paper leak mafias and gangs that tamper with examination papers and play with the future of our children will not be spared. There is also a need for strong and stringent laws. As I had promised you, we introduced a Bill in Parliament. Over the past two days, both Houses of Parliament discussed it in detail, with the participation of a large number of honourable Members of Parliament. I thank all the Members of Parliament for their detailed discussion and support in strengthening this legislation." The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on July 30 and the Lok Sabha on July 29. It will now be sent to the President, Droupadi Murmu; following her signature, it will be notified in the Gazette of India. Members of the opposition staged walk out allegeing that it was an “eyewash” without proper implementation or systemic accountability for recent administrative failures.

PM Narendra Modi welcomed Parliament's passage of the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026, pledging stricter action against paper leak mafias and technology-driven exam reforms.

PM Modi backs anti-paper leak law, vows crackdown on exam mafias

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting is underway in Parliament with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in attendance. Reports indicated that the meeting is taking place amid renewed war in West Asia, with Iran and the US not following the fragile ceasefire anymore. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal, Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal are also present in the meeting that is currently underway. The situation in West Asia impacts the India's energy security and fuel supplies.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/was-cjp-not-controlling-the-protest-what-spokesperson-ashutosh-ranka-told-wion-after-pradhan-s-resignation-1784988293331">Was CJP not controlling the protest? What spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told WION after Pradhan's resignation</a><h2>What's happening in West Asia?</h2>Amid various disputes between Iran and the US, the fragile ceasefire collapsed. It started from the funeral of former Supreme Leader late Ali Khamenei during which Tehran vowed to kill US President Donald Trump to seek revenge for Khamenei's death. Additionally, there was ongoing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, with America wanting the shipping route to return to pre-war status, and Iran saying that they would charge tolls for crossing the international shipping route. This soon led to extensive US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and retaliatory Iranian drone and missile strikes. Iran started targeting US bases in the Gulf and Trump started threatening of fierce attacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-minister-ordered-shooting-of-students-rahul-gandhi-makes-big-allegation-in-parliament-bjp-demands-apology-house-adjourned-1785305665798">'Home Minister ordered shooting of students': Rahul Gandhi makes BIG allegation in Parliament</a><h2>Meeting amid discussion on use of force on students&nbsp;</h2>The meeting also comes a day after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed the Parliament and demanded answers from the government over the excessive use of force by Delhi Police and Rapid Action Forces (RAF) on protesting students on July 20. Making a huge claim in the Lok Sabha, that prompted BJP MPs to ask him to apologise, he said, “I am very happy today to see that he so called Home Minister of this country does not have the courage to come and sit here... why is the Home Minister not here today? The Home Minister is not here today because he is scared. The Home Minister authorised the shooting of our students. He put pellets into the blood of our students. He ordered the students of India to be shot.”

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting in Parliament with Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior ministers to review the West Asia situation and its impact on India’s energy security and fuel supplies, amid Rahul Gandhi’s force-use allegations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting is underway in Parliament with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in attendance. Reports indicated that the meeting is taking place amid renewed war in West Asia, with Iran and the US not following the fragile ceasefire anymore. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal, Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal are also present in the meeting that is currently underway. The situation in West Asia impacts the India's energy security and fuel supplies. Also Read: Was CJP not controlling the protest? What spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told WION after Pradhan's resignation What's happening in West Asia? Amid various disputes between Iran and the US, the fragile ceasefire collapsed. It started from the funeral of former Supreme Leader late Ali Khamenei during which Tehran vowed to kill US President Donald Trump to seek revenge for Khamenei's death. Additionally, there was ongoing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, with America wanting the shipping route to return to pre-war status, and Iran saying that they would charge tolls for crossing the international shipping route. This soon led to extensive US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and retaliatory Iranian drone and missile strikes. Iran started targeting US bases in the Gulf and Trump started threatening of fierce attacks. Also Read: 'Home Minister ordered shooting of students': Rahul Gandhi makes BIG allegation in Parliament Meeting amid discussion on use of force on students The meeting also comes a day after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed the Parliament and demanded answers from the government over the excessive use of force by Delhi Police and Rapid Action Forces (RAF) on protesting students on July 20. Making a huge claim in the Lok Sabha, that prompted BJP MPs to ask him to apologise, he said, “I am very happy today to see that he so called Home Minister of this country does not have the courage to come and sit here... why is the Home Minister not here today? The Home Minister is not here today because he is scared. The Home Minister authorised the shooting of our students. He put pellets into the blood of our students. He ordered the students of India to be shot.”

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting in Parliament with Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior ministers to review the West Asia situation and its impact on India’s energy security and fuel supplies, amid Rahul Gandhi’s force-use allegations.

PM Modi chairs high-level meet with top Union ministers, NSA as West Asia crisis reignites

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video post was briefly removed from Facebook, Meta has assured the government that the content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts will get rigorous safeguards and additional oversight, according to sources. The post, uploaded on Instagram on July 23 and shared on Facebook, featured PM Modi’s first direct selfie video addressing India’s youth. In the video, the Prime Minister promised stringent action against paper leaks and announced that the government would introduce legislation to tackle the issue.&nbsp;The Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform wrote to the IT ministry on Wednesday, outlining the specific details of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-paper-leak-bill-passed-by-voice-vote-in-lok-sabha-amid-opposition-uproar-1785321067909">Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar</a><h2>Assures multiple checks at levels of senior company officials</h2>&nbsp;Meta has informed the IT Ministry that posts by the Prime Minister and prominent accounts will have additional oversight on the platform and that multiple checks will take place at levels of senior company officials, sources said, citing the social media firm’s communication.&nbsp;Besides, a Meta team is likely to meet government officials later this week or early next week over the prime minister's Facebook post issue, sources added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-paper-leak-bill-passed-by-voice-vote-in-lok-sabha-amid-opposition-uproar-1785321067909">Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar</a>&nbsp;On Tuesday, the government summoned a top Meta executive after PM Modi’s post addressing India’s youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted by Facebook.&nbsp;The US-headquartered social media giant blamed a technical glitch for the post removal and apologised, but the IT ministry found the explanation “inadequate” as PM Modi’s post was aimed at engaging with the youth and underscoring the government’s commitment to crack down on paper leaks.&nbsp;Following this, the IT ministry had summoned the global head of public policy of Meta (Facebook and Instagram).&nbsp;<h2>Meity not happy with explanation, seeking more details</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;IT Secretary S Krishnan said on Tuesday that while Meta has apologised and admitted that they made a mistake, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) is not happy with the explanation given and is seeking more details from the company.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-paper-leak-bill-passed-by-voice-vote-in-lok-sabha-amid-opposition-uproar-1785321067909">Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar</a>&nbsp;“It is good that they have apologised and admitted what they did was a mistake. But we are not happy with the explanation…it is not adequate, and we are seeking more details,” Krishnan said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, sources said that Meta has told the government that a glitch in its automated content filters caused the removal of the prime minister's Facebook post for a brief while.&nbsp;<h2>Meta blames AI-powered automated content filters for ‘error’</h2>&nbsp;According to a Meta spokesperson, the content was removed “in error” and has since been restored on the platform.&nbsp;IT Ministry sources said on Tuesday that Meta’s explanation citing a technical glitch in the automated content filters was “not reasonable”, and that the matter was “not settled and done”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-pm-manmohan-singh-gets-supreme-court-clean-chit-in-coal-block-scam-case-after-his-death-1785337284497">Ex-PM Manmohan Singh gets Supreme Court clean chit in coal block scam case after his death</a>&nbsp;They quipped that if indeed a glitch in the automated system caused the error, then Meta, being a technology company, must hasten to improve its tools.&nbsp;Meta officials, it is learnt, attributed the error to AI-powered automated content filters that were reviewing shared posts and subsequent content that circulated following the original post by the Prime Minister.Meta claimed that its automated filters inadvertently ended up briefly removing the original post itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform wrote to the IT ministry on Wednesday, outlining the specific details of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for the content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts.

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video post was briefly removed from Facebook, Meta has assured the government that the content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts will get rigorous safeguards and additional oversight, according to sources. The post, uploaded on Instagram on July 23 and shared on Facebook, featured PM Modi’s first direct selfie video addressing India’s youth. In the video, the Prime Minister promised stringent action against paper leaks and announced that the government would introduce legislation to tackle the issue. The Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform wrote to the IT ministry on Wednesday, outlining the specific details of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts, reported news agency PTI. Also Read: Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar Assures multiple checks at levels of senior company officials Meta has informed the IT Ministry that posts by the Prime Minister and prominent accounts will have additional oversight on the platform and that multiple checks will take place at levels of senior company officials, sources said, citing the social media firm’s communication. Besides, a Meta team is likely to meet government officials later this week or early next week over the prime minister's Facebook post issue, sources added. Also Read: Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar On Tuesday, the government summoned a top Meta executive after PM Modi’s post addressing India’s youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted by Facebook. The US-headquartered social media giant blamed a technical glitch for the post removal and apologised, but the IT ministry found the explanation “inadequate” as PM Modi’s post was aimed at engaging with the youth and underscoring the government’s commitment to crack down on paper leaks. Following this, the IT ministry had summoned the global head of public policy of Meta (Facebook and Instagram). Meity not happy with explanation, seeking more details IT Secretary S Krishnan said on Tuesday that while Meta has apologised and admitted that they made a mistake, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) is not happy with the explanation given and is seeking more details from the company. Also Read: Anti-paper leak bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar “It is good that they have apologised and admitted what they did was a mistake. But we are not happy with the explanation…it is not adequate, and we are seeking more details,” Krishnan said. Meanwhile, sources said that Meta has told the government that a glitch in its automated content filters caused the removal of the prime minister's Facebook post for a brief while. Meta blames AI-powered automated content filters for ‘error’ According to a Meta spokesperson, the content was removed “in error” and has since been restored on the platform. IT Ministry sources said on Tuesday that Meta’s explanation citing a technical glitch in the automated content filters was “not reasonable”, and that the matter was “not settled and done”. Also Read: Ex-PM Manmohan Singh gets Supreme Court clean chit in coal block scam case after his death They quipped that if indeed a glitch in the automated system caused the error, then Meta, being a technology company, must hasten to improve its tools. Meta officials, it is learnt, attributed the error to AI-powered automated content filters that were reviewing shared posts and subsequent content that circulated following the original post by the Prime Minister. Meta claimed that its automated filters inadvertently ended up briefly removing the original post itself.

The Mark Zuckerberg-owned platform wrote to the IT ministry on Wednesday, outlining the specific details of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for the content posted by the prime minister and other prominent accounts.

After PM FB post issue, Meta assures rigorous safeguards for posts by prominent accounts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Jul 25) congratulated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar after he won India’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, claiming bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event in Glasgow. Sharing Jhandu’s picture on X, the Prime Minister praised his achievement and praised his determination.&nbsp;“A spectacular performance by Jhandu Kumar, who has opened India’s medal tally at the #CWG2026 by winning a Bronze in the Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event! Congratulations to him. His achievement is a powerful reflection of immense strength, unwavering determination and years of disciplined effort. By overcoming every challenge and excelling on the international stage, he has made the entire nation proud and inspired countless Indians,” he wrote.&nbsp;

Jhandu won the bronze medal with a best lift of 190kg, earning 130.9 points to give India its first medal at the Glasgow Games.&nbsp;He started the event with a successful lift of 181kg, scoring 124.7 points. In his second attempt, he improved to 190kg, which briefly moved him to the top of the standings.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2026-day-3-india-s-full-schedule-medal-events-and-match-timings-1784952732660">CWG 2026 Day 3: India's full schedule, medal events &amp; match timings</a>&nbsp;Chasing the gold medal, Jhandu went for 196kg in his final attempt. The lift would have broken the Commonwealth Games record set at Birmingham 2022, but he could not complete it and finished third to secure the bronze.&nbsp;The medal also became India’s first podium finish in para powerlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cwc-2026-jhandu-kumar-secures-india-s-first-medal-karthik-budigina-finishes-fourth-1784948318455">CWG 2026: Jhandu Kumar secures India’s first medal, Budigina finishes fourth</a>&nbsp;Earlier, Ashok narrowly missed a medal after finishing fourth in the men’s lightweight final. He recorded a personal-best lift of 200kg and scored 143.8 points. Paramjeet Kumar ended seventh in the same event with a best lift of 176kg.&nbsp;In the women’s lightweight category, Jaspreet Kaur finished sixth with a successful lift of 100kg, while Suman Devi placed seventh after lifting the same weight.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the women’s heavyweight event, Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a valid lift as all three of her attempts were unsuccessful.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Jhandu Kumar's inspiring journey from driving an e-rickshaw to the Commonwealth podium earned praise from PM Modi after the para powerlifter secured India's first CWG 2026 medal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Jul 25) congratulated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar after he won India’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, claiming bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event in Glasgow. Sharing Jhandu’s picture on X, the Prime Minister praised his achievement and praised his determination. “A spectacular performance by Jhandu Kumar, who has opened India’s medal tally at the #CWG2026 by winning a Bronze in the Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event! Congratulations to him. His achievement is a powerful reflection of immense strength, unwavering determination and years of disciplined effort. By overcoming every challenge and excelling on the international stage, he has made the entire nation proud and inspired countless Indians,” he wrote.

Jhandu Kumar's inspiring journey from driving an e-rickshaw to the Commonwealth podium earned praise from PM Modi after the para powerlifter secured India's first CWG 2026 medal.

'Jhandu Kumar has made the entire nation proud': PM Modi hails India's first CWG 2026 medallist

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Italy on Wednesday. In an Instagram post on May 21, he shared highlights from the visit, key moments with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. It also included the viral “Melody moment,” where he gifted a set of Parle Melody toffees to the Italian Prime Minister. Glimpses also included an evening stroll with PM Meloni at the iconic and historic Roman Colosseum and both leader together planting a Black Mulberry sapling at Rome's historic Villa Pamphili.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYmcJRgz1W9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)</a></div></blockquote>
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Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rbi-usd-inr-swap-auction-liquidity-crunch-rupee-slide-1779345031679">RBI announces $5 billion USD/INR swap auction to ease banking liquidity crunch amid rupee slide</a>“My discussions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni covered a wide range of sectors. A key outcome of the visit was our decision to elevate India-Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, which will add new momentum to our cooperation in the years to come,” PM Modi said.“I thank Prime Minister Meloni, the Government of Italy and the wonderful people of Italy for their friendship,” he added.Both leaders set a target of boosting trade and reaching a €20 billion trade volume under their Joint Strategic Action Plan by 2029. There were discussions about the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), human-centric approaches to AI, accelerating the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit in areas such as defence, critical technologies, connectivity, agriculture, traditional medicine, education, culture, and mobility.PM Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal for 2026 at the Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters in Rome. He became the second Indian Prime Minister, after Manmohan Singh, to receive the global honour.&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi concluded his Italy visit after elevating India-Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership and holding talks with Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Italy on Wednesday. In an Instagram post on May 21, he shared highlights from the visit, key moments with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. It also included the viral “Melody moment,” where he gifted a set of Parle Melody toffees to the Italian Prime Minister. Glimpses also included an evening stroll with PM Meloni at the iconic and historic Roman Colosseum and both leader together planting a Black Mulberry sapling at Rome's historic Villa Pamphili.

PM Narendra Modi concluded his Italy visit after elevating India-Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership and holding talks with Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

PM Modi shares highlights from Italy visit, Giorgia Meloni meetings in Rome | WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Norway on Monday, saying it demonstrated the true spirit of friendship by standing firmly alongside India after the Pahalgam terror attack and termed Delhi’s partnership with Oslo as “trusted, futuristic, and long-term.”&nbsp;PM Modi was also conferred with the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Norway’s highest civilian honour. The Grand Cross represents the top grade of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit and is awarded in recognition of exceptional service and contributions towards strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation.PM Modi has now received 32 international honours from countries across the world, reflecting India’s growing global engagement and diplomatic outreach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | Oslo: Norway confers its highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - <a href="https://t.co/n147TvrpG7">https://t.co/n147TvrpG7</a>) <a href="https://t.co/ozuUAAHgaM">pic.twitter.com/ozuUAAHgaM</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/2056349677977755726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2-us-fighter-jets-collide-mid-air-crash-during-air-show-at-idaho-s-mountain-home-air-force-base-video-1779049925431">2 US fighter jets collide mid-air, crash during air show at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base | Video</a> “I was scheduled to visit Norway last year, but that trip had to be postponed due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During that difficult period, Norway demonstrated the true spirit of friendship by standing firmly alongside India in the fight against terrorism... The world today is passing through instability and uncertainty... Against this backdrop, India and Europe are entering a new ‘Golden Era’ in their relationship,” PM Modi said on Monday. Last year, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) implemented a historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which will serve as a blueprint for ensuring shared growth, progress, and prosperity between India and Norway. The agreement sets a target of 100 billion dollars of investments in India and creating one million jobs over the next 15 years,” he added. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-silence-of-virgin-girl-counts-as-consent-taliban-formally-recognises-child-marriage-1779047427905">‘Silence of virgin girl counts as consent’: Taliban formally recognises child marriage</a> Earlier, PM Modi thanked Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for the warm welcome accorded to him.“I have landed in Oslo, Norway. I am grateful for the warm welcome from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the airport. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in over 40 years. I am confident that the visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Norway,” PM Modi said in a post on X, adding, “I will meet Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and hold talks with Prime Minister Støre.” Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-there-won-t-be-anything-left-of-them-says-trump-in-new-warning-1779038047114">‘Clock is ticking for Iran, there won’t be anything left of them,’ says Trump in new warning</a> PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with PM Jonas Gahr Støre on Monday as part of his two-day official visit to the Nordic country. The bilateral engagement between the two PMs took place at the Government Guest House in Oslo. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.The Norwegian side was represented by Health and Care Services Minister Jan Christian Vestre and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-israel-trying-to-pit-muslim-nations-against-one-another-says-president-masoud-pezeshkian-1779035524085">US and Israel trying to pit Muslim nations against one another, says President Masoud Pezeshkian</a> PM Modi arrived in Oslo as part of the fourth leg of his five-nation tour after he visited the UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to next visit Italy as part of the last leg of his tour.

PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with PM Jonas Gahr Støre at the Government Guest House in Oslo on Monday. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Norway on Monday, saying it demonstrated the true spirit of friendship by standing firmly alongside India after the Pahalgam terror attack and termed Delhi’s partnership with Oslo as “trusted, futuristic, and long-term.” PM Modi was also conferred with the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Norway’s highest civilian honour. The Grand Cross represents the top grade of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit and is awarded in recognition of exceptional service and contributions towards strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation. PM Modi has now received 32 international honours from countries across the world, reflecting India’s growing global engagement and diplomatic outreach.

PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with PM Jonas Gahr Støre at the Government Guest House in Oslo on Monday. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.

India’s ties with Norway ‘trusted, futuristic, and long-term,’ says PM Modi; conferred nation’s highest honour

With less than a week to go for the April 9th Assembly polls in the Union Territory of Puducherry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an hour-long roadshow on Friday, (April 3rd) evening. Modi was accompanied by N. Rangasamy, the Chief Minister of the Union Territory. BJP is part of the ruling NDA alliance led by the NR Congress in Puducherry, where the Congress-DMK alliance is in opposition.&nbsp;The battle for Puducherry’s 30-seat assembly is to be a three-cornered one, as actor-politician Vijay’s TVK party is making its electoral debut this time around. For the BJP, retaining power in Puducherry is politically significant, as it is an indicator of the party’s gradual growth in the Southern Indian states, where it has had a major presence only in Karnataka, and is part of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier this week, Modi interacted with party workers in Puducherry via virtual mode, emphasising how booth-level strengthening is key to electoral success and called for coordinated efforts between the allies. Lashing out at the DMK-Congress combine, Modi alleged that they prioritised family interests, as opposed to the NDA that is committed to people-centric governance.&nbsp;The Prime Minister had also stressed upon the NDA’s ‘BEST Puducherry’ vision of focussing on Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism for overall development. He spoke about the role of tourism in generating jobs and boosting the local economy, stating that efforts taken by the NDA government have helped promote tourism in the Union Territory. Easing of visa norms and visa-on-arrival facilities have helped boost tourism, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;In opposition in Puducherry, the Congress party has been raising questions over whether the Modi Government at the Centre would fulfil Puducherry’s demand for statehood. Notably, Chief Minister Rangasamy had pressed the demand for statehood when Prime Minister Modi took part at an event there recently. Congress has also been attacking the NDA government over unfulfilled elected promises and for “betraying” the people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the NDA’s ‘BEST Puducherry’ vision of focussing on Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism for overall development. He also spoke about the role of tourism in generating jobs and boosting the local economy.

With less than a week to go for the April 9th Assembly polls in the Union Territory of Puducherry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an hour-long roadshow on Friday, (April 3rd) evening. Modi was accompanied by N. Rangasamy, the Chief Minister of the Union Territory. BJP is part of the ruling NDA alliance led by the NR Congress in Puducherry, where the Congress-DMK alliance is in opposition. The battle for Puducherry’s 30-seat assembly is to be a three-cornered one, as actor-politician Vijay’s TVK party is making its electoral debut this time around. For the BJP, retaining power in Puducherry is politically significant, as it is an indicator of the party’s gradual growth in the Southern Indian states, where it has had a major presence only in Karnataka, and is part of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier this week, Modi interacted with party workers in Puducherry via virtual mode, emphasising how booth-level strengthening is key to electoral success and called for coordinated efforts between the allies. Lashing out at the DMK-Congress combine, Modi alleged that they prioritised family interests, as opposed to the NDA that is committed to people-centric governance. The Prime Minister had also stressed upon the NDA’s ‘BEST Puducherry’ vision of focussing on Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism for overall development. He spoke about the role of tourism in generating jobs and boosting the local economy, stating that efforts taken by the NDA government have helped promote tourism in the Union Territory. Easing of visa norms and visa-on-arrival facilities have helped boost tourism, he added. In opposition in Puducherry, the Congress party has been raising questions over whether the Modi Government at the Centre would fulfil Puducherry’s demand for statehood. Notably, Chief Minister Rangasamy had pressed the demand for statehood when Prime Minister Modi took part at an event there recently. Congress has also been attacking the NDA government over unfulfilled elected promises and for “betraying” the people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the NDA’s ‘BEST Puducherry’ vision of focussing on Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism for overall development. He also spoke about the role of tourism in generating jobs and boosting the local economy.

PM Modi holds roadshow in NDA-ruled Puducherry; polling on April 9th

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message, addressed the Inauguration of Sadhana Saptah 2026. PM Modi emphasised the need for continuous learning, reflection, and application of knowledge in day-to-day governance. According to PM Modi Capacity Building Commission and the Mission Karmayogi are the instruments for creating a dedicated workforce, which is representative of the aspirational people of India. He stressed the need for a skilled and committed workforce to achieve the goal of a developed India.&nbsp;<h2>What is the Sadhana Saptah 2026?</h2>Sadhana Saptah 2026, organised by the Capacity Building Commission, marks the inauguration of the Capacity Building Commission and the fifth anniversary of the Mission Karmayogi. Sādhana Saptah stands for Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement. The initiative intends to bring together the Central and State Ministries Departments and Organisations (MDOs), States and Union Territories, and over 250 Civil Services Training Institutions (CSTIs) &nbsp;to organise learning activities like webinars, curated courses, workshops, and group discussions to create a shared learning movement at a national scale. The inaugural will feature the launch of Karmayogi Geet: Invoking Spirit of Karmayogi in everyone, Karmayogi Kshamata Connect: Empowering frontline workforce for citizen-centric governance, National Rollout of Rashtriya Jan Sewa Programme: Strengthening Citizen Service Delivery Nationwide, Trust-Based Learner Assessment Framework: Evidence-based learning validation for governance and AI-Powered Amrit Gyaan Kosh: AI-enabled governance case learning ecosystem.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-digital-census-2026-self-enumeration-caste-npr-details-1774856358751">First Indian census after 15 years to begin on April 1: Know all the details here</a><h2>What is Mission Karmayogi?</h2>Mission Karmoyogi is a Government of India Initiative to transform cpacity building of the civil services ecosystem. It aims to shift the training from a "rule-based", i.e., on seniority, to a “role-based”, i.e., functional. Over the span of the last 5 years, the Mission Karmayogi has managed to integrate the Government Online Training platform to offer 4,300+ courses to the government employees. The program was initiated with 1.49 crore users with a budget of ₹580 crore. However, the critics of the program, specifically various employee associations, accused it of being ideology-driven rather than a technological, skill-building exercise. Many argued it was an attempt to privatise the civil services and make lateral moves into the upper echelon of the government service ecosystem.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi addresses Sadhana Saptah 2026, highlighting Mission Karmayogi, capacity building, and reforms to strengthen India’s governance workforce.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message, addressed the Inauguration of Sadhana Saptah 2026. PM Modi emphasised the need for continuous learning, reflection, and application of knowledge in day-to-day governance. According to PM Modi Capacity Building Commission and the Mission Karmayogi are the instruments for creating a dedicated workforce, which is representative of the aspirational people of India. He stressed the need for a skilled and committed workforce to achieve the goal of a developed India. What is the Sadhana Saptah 2026? Sadhana Saptah 2026, organised by the Capacity Building Commission, marks the inauguration of the Capacity Building Commission and the fifth anniversary of the Mission Karmayogi. Sādhana Saptah stands for Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement. The initiative intends to bring together the Central and State Ministries Departments and Organisations (MDOs), States and Union Territories, and over 250 Civil Services Training Institutions (CSTIs) to organise learning activities like webinars, curated courses, workshops, and group discussions to create a shared learning movement at a national scale. The inaugural will feature the launch of Karmayogi Geet: Invoking Spirit of Karmayogi in everyone, Karmayogi Kshamata Connect: Empowering frontline workforce for citizen-centric governance, National Rollout of Rashtriya Jan Sewa Programme: Strengthening Citizen Service Delivery Nationwide, Trust-Based Learner Assessment Framework: Evidence-based learning validation for governance and AI-Powered Amrit Gyaan Kosh: AI-enabled governance case learning ecosystem. Also Read: First Indian census after 15 years to begin on April 1: Know all the details here What is Mission Karmayogi? Mission Karmoyogi is a Government of India Initiative to transform cpacity building of the civil services ecosystem. It aims to shift the training from a "rule-based", i.e., on seniority, to a “role-based”, i.e., functional. Over the span of the last 5 years, the Mission Karmayogi has managed to integrate the Government Online Training platform to offer 4,300+ courses to the government employees. The program was initiated with 1.49 crore users with a budget of ₹580 crore. However, the critics of the program, specifically various employee associations, accused it of being ideology-driven rather than a technological, skill-building exercise. Many argued it was an attempt to privatise the civil services and make lateral moves into the upper echelon of the government service ecosystem.

PM Narendra Modi addresses Sadhana Saptah 2026, highlighting Mission Karmayogi, capacity building, and reforms to strengthen India’s governance workforce.

Narendra Modi addresses Sadhana Saptah 2026: Focus on Mission Karmayogi and governance reform

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress party of politicising a major global crisis and acting irresponsibly by making “provocative and irresponsible statements” that could worsen the situation for Indians abroad. Speaking in Ernakulam, Kerala, the Prime Minister assured the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war and said the country’s embassies and missions in Gulf countries were providing round-the-clock assistance and friendly governments in the region were taking care of Indians.&nbsp;“Congress is deliberately making provocative and irresponsible statements to worsen the situation so that our people stay stuck in that crisis, and then these people can start a campaign to make reels abusing Modi,” the PM said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-hand-on-the-trigger-iran-vows-to-treat-anti-war-protesters-as-enemies-of-the-state-iran-war-us-israelhamenei-1773218587340">‘Hand on the trigger’: Iran vows to treat anti-war protesters as ‘enemies of the state’</a>&nbsp;He said the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to support Indians in Gulf states.“India of today does not leave its citizens stranded elsewhere. We are working to ensure that every possible help is provided to Indians in West Asia,” PM Modi said amid concerns for thousands of Indians working in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ernakulam, Keralam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, &quot;...It is natural for all of you to be concerned about what is happening in the Gulf and West Asia, where millions of our brothers and sisters work. But remember, today India has a BJP-NDA government. Whenever any of our… <a href="https://t.co/EFRqMJSdXX">pic.twitter.com/EFRqMJSdXX</a>&mdash; IANS (@ians_india) <a href="https://twitter.com/ians_india/status/2031665008091017545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PM Modi launched several development projects in Ernakulam, Kerala and said the initiatives will promote industrial growth, boost tourism and improve the ease of living for people in Kerala.Modi said Kerala is among the states benefiting significantly from the Centre’s push for infrastructure expansion and stressed that India is receiving global praise for its large-scale investments in modern infrastructure. He said the Union Budget this year has allocated record funds for infrastructure development.&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a>&nbsp;The Prime Minister said expanding the petroleum sector is crucial for building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening the Make in India initiative. He noted that the foundation stone for a polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery was laid with the same objective.The PM also said that the ongoing crisis underlines the importance of India becoming energy secure and economically independent. “The Middle East crisis and the resulting energy shortage show how important it is for a nation to be atmanirbhar,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the ongoing crisis underlines the importance of India becoming energy secure and economically independent. He said the Middle East crisis and the resulting energy shortage show how important it is for a nation to be self-reliant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress party of politicising a major global crisis and acting irresponsibly by making “provocative and irresponsible statements” that could worsen the situation for Indians abroad. Speaking in Ernakulam, Kerala, the Prime Minister assured the safety and evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war and said the country’s embassies and missions in Gulf countries were providing round-the-clock assistance and friendly governments in the region were taking care of Indians. “Congress is deliberately making provocative and irresponsible statements to worsen the situation so that our people stay stuck in that crisis, and then these people can start a campaign to make reels abusing Modi,” the PM said. Also Read: ‘Hand on the trigger’: Iran vows to treat anti-war protesters as ‘enemies of the state’ He said the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to support Indians in Gulf states. “India of today does not leave its citizens stranded elsewhere. We are working to ensure that every possible help is provided to Indians in West Asia,” PM Modi said amid concerns for thousands of Indians working in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the ongoing crisis underlines the importance of India becoming energy secure and economically independent. He said the Middle East crisis and the resulting energy shortage show how important it is for a nation to be self-reliant.

‘Govt won’t leave Indians stranded,’ says PM Modi, slams Congress for politicising Iran War

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Mar 8) congratulated the Team India for their historic victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying the team showed “outstanding grit, determination and teamwork."&nbsp;In a post on X, he wrote, “Champions! Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup! This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork. They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament. This victory has filled every Indian heart with pride and joy. Well done, Team India!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Champions! Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup! This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork. They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament. This victory has filled every Indian heart with…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2030693962491847008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this win, India became the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title and also secured a record third championship.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-beat-new-zealand-in-ahmedabad-to-win-3rd-t20-world-cup-title-script-history-sanju-samson-abhishek-sharma-jasprit-bumrah-shivam-dube-1772987200533">T20 World Cup 2026: India crush New Zealand in Ahmedabad to win record 3rd title, script history</a>&nbsp;Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the team, calling it a “victory that has brought glory and pride to the nation."&nbsp;“What a victory…!! Hats-off to World Champion #TeamIndia. Your exceptional performance throughout the tournament and the vigorous display of mettle has brought glory and pride for the nation," Shah wrote.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/records-shatter-in-ahmedabad-as-ind-post-highest-team-total-in-t20-wc-final-nz-need-256-to-win-1772982287449">India post highest team total in T20 WC Final; New Zealand need 256 to win</a>&nbsp;Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to X and shared, “Congrats India on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup! chose the wrong game to go watch:) what a stadium and atmosphere. Well played to the other semi finalists, SA, Eng and Nz!! Also so exciting to see the game expand to so many countries and congrats to ICC for a great tournament!"

With this win, India became the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title and also secured a record third championship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Mar 8) congratulated the Team India for their historic victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying the team showed “outstanding grit, determination and teamwork." In a post on X, he wrote, “Champions! Congratulations to the Indian team on winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup! This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork. They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament. This victory has filled every Indian heart with pride and joy. Well done, Team India!"

With this win, India became the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title and also secured a record third championship.

PM Modi applauds Team India’s T20 World Cup triumph, says they showed ‘outstanding grit’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen concluded the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (India–EU FTA) at the 16th India–EU Summit on Tuesday. The announcement marks a historic development in India–EU economic relations and trade engagement with important global partners.&nbsp;The FTA concluded with the commitment by India and the European Union to open markets, predictability, and inclusive growth. It comes after years of sustained dialogue and cooperation between India and the EU, which demonstrate the political will and shared vision to deliver a balanced, modern, and rules-based economic and trade partnership.&nbsp;In a press release, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the India-EU trade pact includes trade in goods, services, trade remedies, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, along with the emerging areas such as SMEs and digital trade, amongst others.&nbsp;The India–EU FTA delivers a major push to labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods and automobiles, cutting tariffs of up to 10% to zero on nearly $33 billion worth of exports once the pact takes effect.&nbsp;In automobiles, a carefully structured, quota-based liberalisation will enable EU carmakers to introduce higher-end models in India, while creating scope for Make in India manufacturing and future exports. Indian buyers stand to gain from advanced technology and stronger competition, even as reciprocal access opens doors for India-made vehicles in the EU market.&nbsp;The agreement is set to significantly uplift agriculture and processed foods by ensuring fairer conditions for farmers and agri-businesses. Beyond tariff cuts, it addresses non-tariff barriers through deeper regulatory cooperation, improved transparency, smoother customs processes, and streamlined SPS and technical standards.&nbsp;Under CBAM-related commitments, the deal secures forward-looking MFN assurances, technical cooperation on carbon pricing and verification, and financial and targeted support to help reduce emissions and meet evolving carbon norms.With services forming the fastest-growing segment of both economies, the FTA enhances certainty of access, non-discriminatory treatment, digital trade, and mobility—strengthening prospects for India’s services exports.<h3>Trade talks include sectors like IT, AI &amp; financial services</h3>The FTA locks in broader, commercially meaningful commitments from the EU in sectors where India holds strong advantages, such as IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction, and other business activities.&nbsp;Guaranteed and predictable access to 144 EU subsectors—including IT/ITeS, professional, business and education services—will strengthen Indian service providers’ ability to deliver competitive, world-class offerings to European consumers. In return, EU access to 102 Indian subsectors is expected to attract high-tech services and investment into India, creating a win-win framework.&nbsp;On mobility, the pact establishes a clear and facilitative system for short-term, temporary and business travel in both directions, allowing professionals to move between the two markets to deliver services. Both sides have committed to mobility for intra-corporate transferees and business visitors, along with entry and work rights for their dependents.&nbsp;Additionally, the EU has opened 37 sectors for contractual service suppliers and 17 for independent professionals, including areas of key interest to India such as professional, IT-related, R&amp;D and education services. Now, the FTA promotes cooperation to advance innovation and global-level electronic payments in financial services, while providing India with increased market access across multiple major EU member states. These provisions are likely to deepen financial integration and support the growth of financial services trade.&nbsp;These commitments reinforce India’s position as a global hub for talent, innovation, and sustainable economic growth, along with the unlocking of high-value employment opportunities. The FTA is set to deepen cooperation in strategic fields such as Artificial Intelligence, clean technologies, and semiconductors, supporting India's technological advancement. It is also expected to significantly expand trade, improve export competitiveness, and embed Indian companies more deeply into the European and global value chains. &nbsp;

The FTA concluded with the commitment by India and the European Union to open markets, predictability, and inclusive growth. It comes after years of sustained dialogue and cooperation between India and the EU, which demonstrate the political will and shared vision.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen concluded the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (India–EU FTA) at the 16th India–EU Summit on Tuesday. The announcement marks a historic development in India–EU economic relations and trade engagement with important global partners. The FTA concluded with the commitment by India and the European Union to open markets, predictability, and inclusive growth. It comes after years of sustained dialogue and cooperation between India and the EU, which demonstrate the political will and shared vision to deliver a balanced, modern, and rules-based economic and trade partnership. In a press release, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the India-EU trade pact includes trade in goods, services, trade remedies, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, along with the emerging areas such as SMEs and digital trade, amongst others. The India–EU FTA delivers a major push to labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods and automobiles, cutting tariffs of up to 10% to zero on nearly $33 billion worth of exports once the pact takes effect. In automobiles, a carefully structured, quota-based liberalisation will enable EU carmakers to introduce higher-end models in India, while creating scope for Make in India manufacturing and future exports. Indian buyers stand to gain from advanced technology and stronger competition, even as reciprocal access opens doors for India-made vehicles in the EU market. The agreement is set to significantly uplift agriculture and processed foods by ensuring fairer conditions for farmers and agri-businesses. Beyond tariff cuts, it addresses non-tariff barriers through deeper regulatory cooperation, improved transparency, smoother customs processes, and streamlined SPS and technical standards. Under CBAM-related commitments, the deal secures forward-looking MFN assurances, technical cooperation on carbon pricing and verification, and financial and targeted support to help reduce emissions and meet evolving carbon norms. With services forming the fastest-growing segment of both economies, the FTA enhances certainty of access, non-discriminatory treatment, digital trade, and mobility—strengthening prospects for India’s services exports. Trade talks include sectors like IT, AI & financial services The FTA locks in broader, commercially meaningful commitments from the EU in sectors where India holds strong advantages, such as IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction, and other business activities. Guaranteed and predictable access to 144 EU subsectors—including IT/ITeS, professional, business and education services—will strengthen Indian service providers’ ability to deliver competitive, world-class offerings to European consumers. In return, EU access to 102 Indian subsectors is expected to attract high-tech services and investment into India, creating a win-win framework. On mobility, the pact establishes a clear and facilitative system for short-term, temporary and business travel in both directions, allowing professionals to move between the two markets to deliver services. Both sides have committed to mobility for intra-corporate transferees and business visitors, along with entry and work rights for their dependents. Additionally, the EU has opened 37 sectors for contractual service suppliers and 17 for independent professionals, including areas of key interest to India such as professional, IT-related, R&D and education services. Now, the FTA promotes cooperation to advance innovation and global-level electronic payments in financial services, while providing India with increased market access across multiple major EU member states. These provisions are likely to deepen financial integration and support the growth of financial services trade. These commitments reinforce India’s position as a global hub for talent, innovation, and sustainable economic growth, along with the unlocking of high-value employment opportunities. The FTA is set to deepen cooperation in strategic fields such as Artificial Intelligence, clean technologies, and semiconductors, supporting India's technological advancement. It is also expected to significantly expand trade, improve export competitiveness, and embed Indian companies more deeply into the European and global value chains.

The FTA concluded with the commitment by India and the European Union to open markets, predictability, and inclusive growth. It comes after years of sustained dialogue and cooperation between India and the EU, which demonstrate the political will and shared vision.

India–EU FTA concluded: Markets open, tariffs cut, services in trade, auto & tech expanded; Check who gains & what changes

European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday (Jan 27) proudly stated his Indian heritage after the European Union signed a comprehensive trade agreement with New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa showed his overseas Indian card and highlighted how the conclusion of negotiation are significant for him.&nbsp;"I'm the President of the European Council, but I'm also an overseas Indian citizen. Then, as you can imagine, for me it has a special meaning," he said.&nbsp;"As the two largest democracies in the world, we are working hand in hand to deliver concrete benefits for our citizens and to shape a resilient global order that underpins peace and stability, economic growth and sustainable development," Costa added.<h2>Costa's Goan roots</h2>Costa spoke proudly of his Indian heritage and revealed his special bond with the country: "I'm very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father's family came from, and the connection between Europe and India is something personal to me."Costa's father, Orlando da Costa, was a renowned writer whose family originally hailed from Margão in Goa, then a Portuguese territory. His paternal grandfather was born in Goa.<h2>Journey to the President of the European Council</h2>Born in Lisbon in 1961, Antonio Costa’s journey to becoming President of the European Council is a compelling story shaped by public service and his Goan roots. &nbsp;Trained as a lawyer, Costa entered politics early and steadily rose through Portugal’s ranks, serving as a parliamentarian, minister, and later Mayor of Lisbon, where his inclusive style earned wide recognition.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-blueprint-for-shared-prosperity-how-india-eu-fta-redefines-defence-and-security-cooperation-1769501459135">‘Blueprint for shared prosperity’: How India-EU FTA redefines defence and security cooperation</a>&nbsp;In 2015, he became Prime Minister of Portugal, leading the country through economic recovery and social reforms while strengthening Portugal’s standing in Europe. His consensus-building skills and diplomatic experience eventually propelled him to the European stage. In 2024, EU leaders chose Costa as European Council President, a role he assumed in December. Throughout his career, Costa has openly acknowledged his Indian heritage, often describing his Goan roots as a personal bridge between Europe and India.

Before becoming president of the European Council, Antonio Costa served as Prime Minister of Portugal.

European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday (Jan 27) proudly stated his Indian heritage after the European Union signed a comprehensive trade agreement with New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa showed his overseas Indian card and highlighted how the conclusion of negotiation are significant for him. "I'm the President of the European Council, but I'm also an overseas Indian citizen. Then, as you can imagine, for me it has a special meaning," he said. "As the two largest democracies in the world, we are working hand in hand to deliver concrete benefits for our citizens and to shape a resilient global order that underpins peace and stability, economic growth and sustainable development," Costa added. Costa's Goan roots Costa spoke proudly of his Indian heritage and revealed his special bond with the country: "I'm very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father's family came from, and the connection between Europe and India is something personal to me." Costa's father, Orlando da Costa, was a renowned writer whose family originally hailed from Margão in Goa, then a Portuguese territory. His paternal grandfather was born in Goa. Journey to the President of the European Council Born in Lisbon in 1961, Antonio Costa’s journey to becoming President of the European Council is a compelling story shaped by public service and his Goan roots. Trained as a lawyer, Costa entered politics early and steadily rose through Portugal’s ranks, serving as a parliamentarian, minister, and later Mayor of Lisbon, where his inclusive style earned wide recognition. Also Read: ‘Blueprint for shared prosperity’: How India-EU FTA redefines defence and security cooperation In 2015, he became Prime Minister of Portugal, leading the country through economic recovery and social reforms while strengthening Portugal’s standing in Europe. His consensus-building skills and diplomatic experience eventually propelled him to the European stage. In 2024, EU leaders chose Costa as European Council President, a role he assumed in December. Throughout his career, Costa has openly acknowledged his Indian heritage, often describing his Goan roots as a personal bridge between Europe and India.

Before becoming president of the European Council, Antonio Costa served as Prime Minister of Portugal.

'I am an overseas Indian citizen': Know European Council President Antonio Costa's India connection

President Donald Trump's animosity towards Canada and recent threats of sharply raising tariffs prompted Ottawa to look for partners across the world beyond the United States. Under these circumstances, Canada seems to pursue its ties with India as a key strategic and economic partnership in a shift from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approach, which looked at New Delhi as a rival and took actions which led to deterioration in ties between both countries.&nbsp;Canada, under PM Mark Carney itendes to diversify its trade to reduce its dependence on the United States to protect its sovereignty from President Trump's territorial ambitions and Coercive economic policies targeting North American allies.&nbsp;As part of the new approach, Canada improved its relationship with India in the recent past, and to further deepen ties with New Delhi, Carney is expected to visit the country and hold talks with PM Narendra Modi. The Canadian PM is likely to visit New Delhi after India presents its Union Budget in parliament on February 1, according to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik. Both countries are expected to ink agreements on deepening its partenership in trade, minerals, Uranium, and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;Canada's renewed approach towards New Delhi, along with a trade agreement with the 27-country grouping, the European Union, provide respite and leverage to India, which is under strain over high tariffs from US President Trump.&nbsp;The development follows a high level talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wth his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on the occasion of India's 77th Republic Day on Monday.&nbsp;Following the talks, S Jaishankar described the conversation as "fruitful" and informed that the dissussion were centered on deepening "bilateral cooperation and continued high-level exchanges".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-x-get-banned-in-the-eu-european-commission-opens-new-probe-into-musk-s-platform-over-grok-images-1769428972192">Will X get banned in the EU? European Commission opens new probe into Musk’s platform over Grok images</a>&nbsp;The urgency from the Canadian side is triggered by Donald Trump's threat to impose 100 percent tarrifs on all Canadian imports coming to the United States if Ottawa goes ahead with a trade deal with China. The threat followed a visit to China by Mark Carney, where he agreed to reduce tariffs against several Chinese goods and open Canada's markets for products like electric vehicles.&nbsp;The United States has been at odds with Canada since Donald Trump took over as the President. The Trump adminsitarations has been mounting pressure on Canada by calling the country the 51st state of America and demanding open access to Canadian water, energy and critical minerals. It also threatened Canada with covert and overt actions if the country didn't comply with Trump's demands.

Canada, under PM Mark Carney itendes to diversify its trade to reduce its dependence on the United States to protect its sovereignty from President Trump's territorial ambitions and Coercive economic policies targeting North American allies.

President Donald Trump's animosity towards Canada and recent threats of sharply raising tariffs prompted Ottawa to look for partners across the world beyond the United States. Under these circumstances, Canada seems to pursue its ties with India as a key strategic and economic partnership in a shift from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approach, which looked at New Delhi as a rival and took actions which led to deterioration in ties between both countries. Canada, under PM Mark Carney itendes to diversify its trade to reduce its dependence on the United States to protect its sovereignty from President Trump's territorial ambitions and Coercive economic policies targeting North American allies. As part of the new approach, Canada improved its relationship with India in the recent past, and to further deepen ties with New Delhi, Carney is expected to visit the country and hold talks with PM Narendra Modi. The Canadian PM is likely to visit New Delhi after India presents its Union Budget in parliament on February 1, according to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik. Both countries are expected to ink agreements on deepening its partenership in trade, minerals, Uranium, and artificial intelligence. Canada's renewed approach towards New Delhi, along with a trade agreement with the 27-country grouping, the European Union, provide respite and leverage to India, which is under strain over high tariffs from US President Trump. The development follows a high level talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wth his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on the occasion of India's 77th Republic Day on Monday. Following the talks, S Jaishankar described the conversation as "fruitful" and informed that the dissussion were centered on deepening "bilateral cooperation and continued high-level exchanges". Also Read: Will X get banned in the EU? European Commission opens new probe into Musk’s platform over Grok images The urgency from the Canadian side is triggered by Donald Trump's threat to impose 100 percent tarrifs on all Canadian imports coming to the United States if Ottawa goes ahead with a trade deal with China. The threat followed a visit to China by Mark Carney, where he agreed to reduce tariffs against several Chinese goods and open Canada's markets for products like electric vehicles. The United States has been at odds with Canada since Donald Trump took over as the President. The Trump adminsitarations has been mounting pressure on Canada by calling the country the 51st state of America and demanding open access to Canadian water, energy and critical minerals. It also threatened Canada with covert and overt actions if the country didn't comply with Trump's demands.

Canada, under PM Mark Carney itendes to diversify its trade to reduce its dependence on the United States to protect its sovereignty from President Trump's territorial ambitions and Coercive economic policies targeting North American allies.

Amid Trump’s security and tariff threats, Canadian PM Carney to visit India to revitalise partnership on trade and critical minerals

During German Chancellor Merz’s two-day visit to India, his first visit to Asia after taking office, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz held talks to discuss cooperation across key areas, including trade and investment, technology, education, defence, climate action, and people-to-people ties.

During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s two-day visit to India, his first visit to Asia after taking office, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz held talks to discuss cooperation across key areas, including trade, technology, education, defence, climate action, and people-to-people ties.

German Chancellor Merz's India visit focus on economic, strategic and people to people ties. See in pics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday (Jan 12) shared a car ride reflecting warm and friendly ties between the two leaders and deepening the relationship between the two countries. The German Chancellor is on a two-day visit to India to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.&nbsp;Sharing a picture of both leaders carpooling, PM Modi on X posted, "The friendship between India and Germany continues to grow through shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding."&nbsp;Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor visited historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Gujarat and rode in an open vehicle along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and also tried their hands at flying kites.&nbsp;&nbsp;Addressing a joint press conference after holding formal delegation-level talks, Merz described New Delhi as a "desired partner, a partner for choice" for Berlin and underlined that finalising free trade negotiations between India and the European Union is central to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations.&nbsp;"To tap into the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, we need to conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union," he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-israel-iran-will-be-faithful-partners-again-netanyahu-wants-fall-of-khamenei-regime-s-tyranny-urges-protesters-to-continue-1768196188409">'Israel, Iran will be faithful partners again': Netanyahu predicts fall of Khamenei, urges protesters to continue demonstrations</a>&nbsp;India and Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the Defence sector in areas of development, production, innovation, and enhancing global supply chains.&nbsp;"We want to deepen cooperation of our defence industries, and this has strategic significance. We signed an MoU on closer cooperation between our defence industries on the development, production and promotion of innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains," Merz added.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi appreciated Chancellor Merz's decision to choose India for his first trip to Asia, saying that the visit reflects India's role in Germany's diversification strategy and symbolises a high level of trust between the two nations. "We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. This means that, along with traditional economic sectors, there will now be deeper cooperation in strategic sectors as well. In the defence sector, we are exchanging a Joint Declaration of Intent today," Modi said, speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum.&nbsp;Merz expressed gratitude towards the Indian leader for inviting him to Modi's home state of Gujarat. “You invited me to visit your home state of Gujarat. I express my heartfelt gratitude for this special gesture. It is a sign of very deep ties between our two countries, but it is also a testament of friendship towards me.”

Merz described New Delhi as a "desired partner, a partner for choice" for Berlin and underlined that finalising free trade negotiations between India and the European Union is central to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday (Jan 12) shared a car ride reflecting warm and friendly ties between the two leaders and deepening the relationship between the two countries. The German Chancellor is on a two-day visit to India to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Sharing a picture of both leaders carpooling, PM Modi on X posted, "The friendship between India and Germany continues to grow through shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding." Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor visited historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Gujarat and rode in an open vehicle along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and also tried their hands at flying kites. Addressing a joint press conference after holding formal delegation-level talks, Merz described New Delhi as a "desired partner, a partner for choice" for Berlin and underlined that finalising free trade negotiations between India and the European Union is central to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations. "To tap into the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, we need to conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union," he said. Also Read: 'Israel, Iran will be faithful partners again': Netanyahu predicts fall of Khamenei, urges protesters to continue demonstrations India and Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the Defence sector in areas of development, production, innovation, and enhancing global supply chains. "We want to deepen cooperation of our defence industries, and this has strategic significance. We signed an MoU on closer cooperation between our defence industries on the development, production and promotion of innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains," Merz added. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Chancellor Merz's decision to choose India for his first trip to Asia, saying that the visit reflects India's role in Germany's diversification strategy and symbolises a high level of trust between the two nations. "We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. This means that, along with traditional economic sectors, there will now be deeper cooperation in strategic sectors as well. In the defence sector, we are exchanging a Joint Declaration of Intent today," Modi said, speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum. Merz expressed gratitude towards the Indian leader for inviting him to Modi's home state of Gujarat. “You invited me to visit your home state of Gujarat. I express my heartfelt gratitude for this special gesture. It is a sign of very deep ties between our two countries, but it is also a testament of friendship towards me.”

Merz described New Delhi as a "desired partner, a partner for choice" for Berlin and underlined that finalising free trade negotiations between India and the European Union is central to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations.

PM Modi, German Chancellor Merz share car ride; vow to deepen ties in strategic sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Dec 29) praised Indian chess players Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi for winning bronze medals at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships in Doha. The Prime Minister's recognition comes as both the players performed very well against their strong international opponents, making it a proud moment for Indian chess. Koneru Humpy, the defending champion, ended the tournament with 8.5 points and was tied for first place after the final round. However, tie-break rules placed her third and she narrowly missed winning the title again.&nbsp;&nbsp;PM Modi congratulate Koneru on his X, stating, “Congratulations to Koneru Humpy, who finished strongly at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, securing the Bronze medal in the women's section. Her dedication towards the game is commendable. Best wishes for the endeavours ahead.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/british-boxer-anthony-joshua-miraculously-escapes-fatal-car-crash-in-nigeria-with-minor-injuries-1767017117912">British boxer Anthony Joshua miraculously escapes fatal car crash in Nigeria</a>&nbsp;If Humpy had won, she would have been the first woman to claim three World Rapid titles, after her earlier wins in 2019 and 2024. She also missed the chance to win the title two years in a row.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the gold medal went to Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina. Humpy will now focus on the upcoming World Blitz Championship, going to held in Doha.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to Koneru Humpy, who finished strongly at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, securing the Bronze medal in the women’s section. Her dedication towards the game is commendable. Best wishes for the endeavours ahead.<a href="https://twitter.com/humpy_koneru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@humpy_koneru</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2005566800113914064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Prime Minister also congratulated Arjun Erigaisi for his achievement. The 22-year-old finished third in the Open category, as Magnus Carlsen and Aleksandra Goryachkina emerged as the winners. This is Carlsen sixth FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship title in the Open category.&nbsp;&nbsp;With this result, Arjun became only the second Indian man, after Viswanathan Anand, to win a medal at the World Rapid Chess Championships.&nbsp;PM Modi posted on X saying, "Proud of Arjun Erigaisi for winning the Bronze medal in the open section at the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha. His grit is noteworthy. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/vijay-hazare-trophy-will-virat-kohli-play-in-delhi-vs-railways-ddca-chief-drops-major-update-1767007341231">VHT: Will Kohli play in Delhi vs Railways? DDCA chief drops major update</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Proud of Arjun Erigaisi for winning the Bronze medal in the open section at the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha. His grit is noteworthy. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours.<a href="https://twitter.com/ArjunErigaisi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArjunErigaisi</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2005580589823610881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The attention now turns to the upcoming World Blitz Chess Championship, where Indian players will continue their campaigns in Doha.

The attention now turns to the upcoming World Blitz Chess Championship, where Indian players will continue their campaigns in Doha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (Dec 29) praised Indian chess players Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi for winning bronze medals at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships in Doha. The Prime Minister's recognition comes as both the players performed very well against their strong international opponents, making it a proud moment for Indian chess. Koneru Humpy, the defending champion, ended the tournament with 8.5 points and was tied for first place after the final round. However, tie-break rules placed her third and she narrowly missed winning the title again. PM Modi congratulate Koneru on his X, stating, “Congratulations to Koneru Humpy, who finished strongly at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, securing the Bronze medal in the women's section. Her dedication towards the game is commendable. Best wishes for the endeavours ahead.” Also Read - British boxer Anthony Joshua miraculously escapes fatal car crash in Nigeria If Humpy had won, she would have been the first woman to claim three World Rapid titles, after her earlier wins in 2019 and 2024. She also missed the chance to win the title two years in a row. Meanwhile, the gold medal went to Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina. Humpy will now focus on the upcoming World Blitz Championship, going to held in Doha.

FIDE World Rapid Championship: PM Modi hails Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi for winning bronze; Magnus clinches title

A team of US representatives is reportedly expected to visit India next week to hold talks on reaching a bilateral trade agreement. Reports suggested that dates for the negotiations are being finalised and discussions have begun between New Delhi and Washington. The visit by the US officials would be the second since US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on the Asian nation, citing its Russian oil purchases. A US team had earlier visited New Delhi on September 16.“The team is likely to come next week. Dates are being finalised, and discussions are on,” news agency PTI reported, citing sources.Earlier on September 22, an Indian delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also visited the United States for trade talks. He was also accompanied by the then special secretary in the ministry, Rajesh Agrawal and other officials. Agrawal is now the country’s commerce secretary. The US delegation was led by Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch. Goyal had also met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington earlier in May.Bloomberg reported, citing a US official, that the US delegations for the upcoming talks will be led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer.Last week, Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said, “We are very optimistic and hopeful that we should find some solution this calendar year.” He added, “What needs to come out first is a framework trade deal which is able to address the reciprocal tariffs.”Trump said last month that he would lower the tariffs on Indian goods “at some point”, adding that the two nations were “pretty close” to reaching a trade agreement.Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on a visit to India, said that if Washington is permitted to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its power plants, New Delhi should similarly have the right to purchase Russian energy resources.“As for India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note and have already mentioned publicly this once, the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” Putin said on Thursday (Dec 4). “That is also fuel, Uranium for the reactors operating in the United States. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege?”

Earlier on September 22, an Indian delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also visited the United States for trade talks.

A team of US representatives is reportedly expected to visit India next week to hold talks on reaching a bilateral trade agreement. Reports suggested that dates for the negotiations are being finalised and discussions have begun between New Delhi and Washington. The visit by the US officials would be the second since US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on the Asian nation, citing its Russian oil purchases. A US team had earlier visited New Delhi on September 16. “The team is likely to come next week. Dates are being finalised, and discussions are on,” news agency PTI reported, citing sources. Earlier on September 22, an Indian delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also visited the United States for trade talks. He was also accompanied by the then special secretary in the ministry, Rajesh Agrawal and other officials. Agrawal is now the country’s commerce secretary. The US delegation was led by Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch. Goyal had also met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington earlier in May. Bloomberg reported, citing a US official, that the US delegations for the upcoming talks will be led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer. Last week, Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said, “We are very optimistic and hopeful that we should find some solution this calendar year.” He added, “What needs to come out first is a framework trade deal which is able to address the reciprocal tariffs.” Trump said last month that he would lower the tariffs on Indian goods “at some point”, adding that the two nations were “pretty close” to reaching a trade agreement. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on a visit to India, said that if Washington is permitted to buy Russian nuclear fuel for its power plants, New Delhi should similarly have the right to purchase Russian energy resources. “As for India’s purchase of energy resources from Russia, I would like to note and have already mentioned publicly this once, the United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” Putin said on Thursday (Dec 4). “That is also fuel, Uranium for the reactors operating in the United States. If the US has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege?”

Earlier on September 22, an Indian delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also visited the United States for trade talks.

India-US trade deal soon? Officials from Washington expected to visit New Delhi next week

Senior Congress leader and the party’s National Spokesperson Ragini Nayak triggered a controversy by posting an AI-generated fake video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at what appears to be some global event, sparking off a strong reaction from the ruling BJP amid the ongoing Winter Session of the parliament. Ragini Nayak’s thoughtless social media post on X with the caption, “Now, who did this?” showing PM Modi walking with a kettle and glasses on a red carpet at what appears to be a global event, has ignited a row and given BJP fodder to attack Congress at a time when the opposition was gearing up to corner the Modi government in parliament over the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound states.&nbsp;The Prime Minister has often shared in the past that his father ran a tea stall at the Vadnagar railway station in Gujarat and that he helped him as a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">अब ई कौन किया बे 🥴🤣 <a href="https://t.co/mbVsykXEgm">pic.twitter.com/mbVsykXEgm</a>&mdash; Dr. Ragini Nayak (@NayakRagini) <a href="https://twitter.com/NayakRagini/status/1995952364214513717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-russia-summit-2025-armoured-convoy-ai-surveillance-snipers-delhi-turns-into-a-fortress-for-russia-president-vladimir-putin-1764754678340">India-Russia Summit 2025: Armoured convoy, AI surveillance, snipers — Delhi turns into a fortress for Russia President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;Earlier, ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had mocked Modi’s humble background and said he would never get the top post, but the BJP got a full majority, and Prime Minister Modi is now in his third term.Now Nayak’s post has drawn a sharp reaction from the ruling party.&nbsp;BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Naamdaar (elite) Congress cannot stand a Kaamdaar (hardworking) PM from the OBC community who has come from a poor background. They mocked his Chaiwala background earlier too. They abused him 150 times. They abused his mother in Bihar. People will never forgive them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After Renuka Choudhary insults Parliament &amp; Sena now Ragini Nayak attacks and mocks PM Modi’s Chaiwala background Naamdar Congress cannot stand a Kamdar PM from OBC community who has come from a poor background They mocked his Chaiwala background earlier too. They abused him… <a href="https://t.co/Rg5VPXOp5K">pic.twitter.com/Rg5VPXOp5K</a>&mdash; Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1996038333160718508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: Congress slams <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slams-centre-after-new-fir-on-rahul-sonia-gandhi-in-national-herald-case-1764532743474">Centre after new FIR on Rahul, Sonia Gandhi in National Herald case</a>&nbsp;Senior BJP leader CR Kesavan said Nayak’s post “exposes the depraved mindset of the Congress leadership”. “This disgusting tweet by the Congress is a grievous insult to the 140 crore hardworking meritorious Indians and it is a direct attack by the Congress on the OBC community,” he said.&nbsp;“The Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi hate the fact that the people of India continue to bless and choose PM Narendra Modi ji who has come up through dedication and hard work as opposed to the arrogant and entitled Rahul Gandhi, who has been repeatedly rejected by the people. The Congress party is a habitual offender when it comes to abusing PM Modi and even his late mother. The people of India will teach the degenerate Congress a punitive lesson,” Kesavan said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-partner-shivon-zilis-half-indian-our-son-s-middle-name-is-sekhar-musk-reveals-in-podcast-1764526215996">‘Partner Shivon Zilis half-Indian, our son’s middle name is Sekhar’: Musk reveals in podcast</a>&nbsp;BJP MP Sambit Patra called Nayak the “new Mani Shankar Aiyar.” Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Patra said, “Ahead of the 2014 general elections, Mani Shankar Aiyar was the one to say Congress would welcome Narendra Modi to sell tea at party meetings.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;New Mani Shankar Aiyar has emerged in Congress. Those who looted country are unhappy with a tea seller becoming PM.&quot; - BJP MP Sambit Patra on Cong&#39;s Ragini Nayak&#39;s AI video on PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/mndH3hpyMi">pic.twitter.com/mndH3hpyMi</a>&mdash; News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsArenaIndia/status/1996112206946337135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“This time a new Mani Shankar Aiyar has emerged. We all know what happens to Congress whenever there is a new Mani Shankar Aiyar making the same tea seller jibe,” he quipped.“Those who looted the country are unhappy with a tea seller becoming PM,” added Patra.

Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had mocked PM Modi’s humble background and said he would never get the top post, but the BJP got a full majority, and Prime Minister Modi is now in his third term. Now Nayak’s post has drawn a sharp reaction.

Senior Congress leader and the party’s National Spokesperson Ragini Nayak triggered a controversy by posting an AI-generated fake video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at what appears to be some global event, sparking off a strong reaction from the ruling BJP amid the ongoing Winter Session of the parliament. Ragini Nayak’s thoughtless social media post on X with the caption, “Now, who did this?” showing PM Modi walking with a kettle and glasses on a red carpet at what appears to be a global event, has ignited a row and given BJP fodder to attack Congress at a time when the opposition was gearing up to corner the Modi government in parliament over the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound states. The Prime Minister has often shared in the past that his father ran a tea stall at the Vadnagar railway station in Gujarat and that he helped him as a child.

Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had mocked PM Modi’s humble background and said he would never get the top post, but the BJP got a full majority, and Prime Minister Modi is now in his third term. Now Nayak’s post has drawn a sharp reaction.

Cong leader shares ‘chaiwala’ AI video; BJP says ‘Namdaar’ Congress can’t stand ‘Kamdaar’ PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on the Congress on Sunday (Nov 2), saying that the party and Pakistan have still not recovered from ‘Operation Sindoor’. Speaking at a campaign rally in Arrah for the Bihar assembly elections, PM Modi said that the ‘royal family’, referring to the Gandhis, lost their sleep when blasts were happening in Pakistan.“When blasts were happening in Pakistan, the Congress ‘royal family’ lost their sleep. To date, both Pakistan and Congress namdaars haven’t recovered from Operation Sindoor.”The prime minister added that it was “Modi’s guarantee” that Article 370 would be scrapped, and it has been with the Constitution of India now in force in Jammu and Kashmir.“We had vowed to beat the terrorists on their home turf. And we fulfilled that promise again with Operation Sindoor, which has made the nation proud,” he added.Slamming the Congress over its alliance with the RJD in Bihar, PM Modi said that the party never wanted Tejashwi Yadav to be their chief ministerial candidate but was pressured to do so. He added that there is a “huge conflict” between the two parties and that they cannot be relied on to form a government.“There is a huge conflict between the RJD and the Congress. Congress’s demands were not taken into account in the manifesto... There is so much hatred between them before the elections, and after the elections, they will turn on each other. They cannot be trusted…” PM Modi said.PM Modi said that the manifesto of Mahagathbandhan is a bundle of lies. “The manifesto of the NDA alliance is an honest declaration and on the other hand, the manifesto of Mahagathbandhan is a bundle of lies... This is public, they know this all,” he said.He also said, “It is our resolve that the youth of Bihar will work in Bihar and make a name for it. For this, we have promised to provide 1 crore employment opportunities in the coming days. This isn’t just an announcement - we have presented a concrete plan to make it happen.”

Slamming the Congress over its alliance with the RJD in Bihar, PM Modi said that the party never wanted Tejashwi Yadav to be their chief ministerial candidate but was pressured to do so.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on the Congress on Sunday (Nov 2), saying that the party and Pakistan have still not recovered from ‘Operation Sindoor’. Speaking at a campaign rally in Arrah for the Bihar assembly elections, PM Modi said that the ‘royal family’, referring to the Gandhis, lost their sleep when blasts were happening in Pakistan. “When blasts were happening in Pakistan, the Congress ‘royal family’ lost their sleep. To date, both Pakistan and Congress namdaars haven’t recovered from Operation Sindoor.” The prime minister added that it was “Modi’s guarantee” that Article 370 would be scrapped, and it has been with the Constitution of India now in force in Jammu and Kashmir. “We had vowed to beat the terrorists on their home turf. And we fulfilled that promise again with Operation Sindoor, which has made the nation proud,” he added. Slamming the Congress over its alliance with the RJD in Bihar, PM Modi said that the party never wanted Tejashwi Yadav to be their chief ministerial candidate but was pressured to do so. He added that there is a “huge conflict” between the two parties and that they cannot be relied on to form a government. “There is a huge conflict between the RJD and the Congress. Congress’s demands were not taken into account in the manifesto... There is so much hatred between them before the elections, and after the elections, they will turn on each other. They cannot be trusted…” PM Modi said. PM Modi said that the manifesto of Mahagathbandhan is a bundle of lies. “The manifesto of the NDA alliance is an honest declaration and on the other hand, the manifesto of Mahagathbandhan is a bundle of lies... This is public, they know this all,” he said. He also said, “It is our resolve that the youth of Bihar will work in Bihar and make a name for it. For this, we have promised to provide 1 crore employment opportunities in the coming days. This isn’t just an announcement - we have presented a concrete plan to make it happen.”

Slamming the Congress over its alliance with the RJD in Bihar, PM Modi said that the party never wanted Tejashwi Yadav to be their chief ministerial candidate but was pressured to do so.

‘Pakistan and Congress haven’t recovered from Operation Sindoor’: PM Modi slams ‘royal family’ at Bihar rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has been a significant factor in the global acceptance of India as a key player in international affairs. He is considered one of the most prominent leaders. His foreign trips are marked by personal rapport including hugs and handshakes with leaders and diaspora events . But in recent months, Modi was missing from some major global meetings, where India was represented by officials or ministers. Particularly noteworthy are the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt and the ASEAN–India Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Is India re-evaluating its diplomatic tactics, or is it just trying to stay away from awkward situations?<h2>The Gaza Peace Summit: A calculated absence?</h2>India was represented at the landmark event by the Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh when the world leaders met in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss the Gaza peace plan. The summit, co-chaired by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, brought together more than 20 heads of state, which included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.&nbsp;Was Modi's absence intentional?&nbsp;As per the reports in the Indian media, New Delhi was concerned about the political fallout caused by Pakistan's participation in the discussions, given that relations remain strained in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The fact that Trump was the prominent figure in the summit may have led Modi's team to exercise caution, given the US president's unpredictable rhetoric or claims of having mediated to resolve India-Pakistan tensions. The likes of Shashi Tharoor in the opposition were quick to condemn the decision as “a missed opportunity for India to play a central role in shaping West Asia’s peace architecture.”<h2>ASEAN Summit: Priorities vs&nbsp;Optics</h2>In October, Modi also decided against in-person participation at the ASEAN–India Summit, choosing instead to attend via video link. This summit was viewed as an opportunity for India to further its “Act East Policy” — especially given China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) officially said that scheduling conflicts and the proximity of the Diwali festival were the reasons for his virtual participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;But reports pointed to a more nuanced scenario: one reason could be wanting to avoid a meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, which Modi’s team may have wanted to postpone until trade talks were concluded. External Affairs Minister S&nbsp; Jaishankar attended the summit&nbsp;and thus, India was still represented, without the risks of any high-stakes confrontations. Analysts such as Brahma Chellaney commented that the move was indicative of “the growing trend of selective diplomacy — putting engagements with tangible outcomes in the first place and over visibility through ceremonies.”<h2>Pattern or coincidence?</h2>The rapid succession of these two incidents has already led to speculation about a major strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy. If we look at the past, Modi was everywhere, very often present at global events, which were mainly G20, COP summits, BRICS and the Quad. Therefore, his absence at several events in late 2025 is a striking contrast. The pattern does not suggest withdrawal, but rather, planned selectivity. “India is claiming that it will be the master when it comes to negotiations,” said Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, a former diplomat. “Power doesn’t necessarily mean being present at every forum — sometimes, staying away is a form of indicating.”<h2>Strategic Motivations</h2>1. Avoiding Unfavourable OpticsNew Delhi is extremely conscious of the optics related to Modi possibly meeting&nbsp; - or being even seen in the same room with - Pakistan’s leaders, or taking part in the summits that are dominated by the Western narrative. Participating in a peace conference that has Islamabad as one of the parties risks media interpretations of “equivalence” — a matter that is delicate for a government that has very clearly labelled Pakistan as a terrorist supporter. 2. Domestic and Political PrioritiesWith some important state elections - particularly Bihar -&nbsp; right around the corner and some major Hindu holidays being celebrated, Modi’s domestic calendar is really crowded. The government might also want to show “India-first” optics at home, and give preference to domestic lead over global appearances, especially when the international forums provide very little policy gains.&nbsp;3. Strategic autonomy and controlIndia’s current diplomatic posture emphasises multi-alignment — engaging with the US, Russia, and the Global South simultaneously. Skipping or limiting participation in some summits allows Modi’s team to control the narrative and avoid being boxed into predefined positions, particularly on contentious global issues like Gaza or Ukraine.<h2>Risks and repercussions</h2>The selective engagement strategy, while providing a fallback, still has its unwelcome side effects. Giving up attendance at such events may initially lead to lost dominance over rivals—particularly if such a rival happens to be China, which uses these platforms for extracting dominance.<h2>The bigger picture</h2>The method used by Modi is probably a new development in Indian diplomacy: One that's &nbsp;mature, focused more on results than on appearances. India has gained worldwide attention by hosting the G20 summit and Quad diplomacy, among others. The focus may now be shifting from “loud power” to “quiet power”—inferring from the backside rather than trying to be at the forefront of the situation.<h2>What have we learned?</h2>The decision of Prime Minister Modi not to attend the Gaza Peace Conference and ASEAN meetings, and some other major summits, was not merely a matter of conflicting schedules but rather a tactical move to exercise restraint.&nbsp;Through selective attending, Modi is changing the game of Indian diplomacy—he is giving up the principle of being always seen and recognised. He is possibly using the power of being recognised, but not visible.&nbsp;&nbsp;The question of whether this selective engagement will enhance or weaken India’s power will depend on the results: if India can still play a significant role in regional and global political affairs despite fewer photo-ops, the strategy used may prove to be wise. &nbsp;The most famous prime minister in the world appears to be trading visibility for accuracy—a clear indication of how India’s leader and its diplomacy are gradually adapting to a more complicated world.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

PM Narendra Modi skipped key global summits recently: Strategy, symbolism or scheduling?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has been a significant factor in the global acceptance of India as a key player in international affairs. He is considered one of the most prominent leaders. His foreign trips are marked by personal rapport including hugs and handshakes with leaders and diaspora events . But in recent months, Modi was missing from some major global meetings, where India was represented by officials or ministers. Particularly noteworthy are the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt and the ASEAN–India Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Is India re-evaluating its diplomatic tactics, or is it just trying to stay away from awkward situations? The Gaza Peace Summit: A calculated absence? India was represented at the landmark event by the Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh when the world leaders met in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss the Gaza peace plan. The summit, co-chaired by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, brought together more than 20 heads of state, which included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Was Modi's absence intentional? As per the reports in the Indian media, New Delhi was concerned about the political fallout caused by Pakistan's participation in the discussions, given that relations remain strained in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The fact that Trump was the prominent figure in the summit may have led Modi's team to exercise caution, given the US president's unpredictable rhetoric or claims of having mediated to resolve India-Pakistan tensions. The likes of Shashi Tharoor in the opposition were quick to condemn the decision as “a missed opportunity for India to play a central role in shaping West Asia’s peace architecture.” ASEAN Summit: Priorities vs Optics In October, Modi also decided against in-person participation at the ASEAN–India Summit, choosing instead to attend via video link. This summit was viewed as an opportunity for India to further its “Act East Policy” — especially given China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) officially said that scheduling conflicts and the proximity of the Diwali festival were the reasons for his virtual participation. But reports pointed to a more nuanced scenario: one reason could be wanting to avoid a meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, which Modi’s team may have wanted to postpone until trade talks were concluded. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the summit and thus, India was still represented, without the risks of any high-stakes confrontations. Analysts such as Brahma Chellaney commented that the move was indicative of “the growing trend of selective diplomacy — putting engagements with tangible outcomes in the first place and over visibility through ceremonies.” Pattern or coincidence? The rapid succession of these two incidents has already led to speculation about a major strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy. If we look at the past, Modi was everywhere, very often present at global events, which were mainly G20, COP summits, BRICS and the Quad. Therefore, his absence at several events in late 2025 is a striking contrast. The pattern does not suggest withdrawal, but rather, planned selectivity. “India is claiming that it will be the master when it comes to negotiations,” said Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, a former diplomat. “Power doesn’t necessarily mean being present at every forum — sometimes, staying away is a form of indicating.” Strategic Motivations 1. Avoiding Unfavourable Optics New Delhi is extremely conscious of the optics related to Modi possibly meeting - or being even seen in the same room with - Pakistan’s leaders, or taking part in the summits that are dominated by the Western narrative. Participating in a peace conference that has Islamabad as one of the parties risks media interpretations of “equivalence” — a matter that is delicate for a government that has very clearly labelled Pakistan as a terrorist supporter. 2. Domestic and Political Priorities With some important state elections - particularly Bihar - right around the corner and some major Hindu holidays being celebrated, Modi’s domestic calendar is really crowded. The government might also want to show “India-first” optics at home, and give preference to domestic lead over global appearances, especially when the international forums provide very little policy gains. 3. Strategic autonomy and control India’s current diplomatic posture emphasises multi-alignment — engaging with the US, Russia, and the Global South simultaneously. Skipping or limiting participation in some summits allows Modi’s team to control the narrative and avoid being boxed into predefined positions, particularly on contentious global issues like Gaza or Ukraine. Risks and repercussions The selective engagement strategy, while providing a fallback, still has its unwelcome side effects. Giving up attendance at such events may initially lead to lost dominance over rivals—particularly if such a rival happens to be China, which uses these platforms for extracting dominance. The bigger picture The method used by Modi is probably a new development in Indian diplomacy: One that's mature, focused more on results than on appearances. India has gained worldwide attention by hosting the G20 summit and Quad diplomacy, among others. The focus may now be shifting from “loud power” to “quiet power”—inferring from the backside rather than trying to be at the forefront of the situation. What have we learned? The decision of Prime Minister Modi not to attend the Gaza Peace Conference and ASEAN meetings, and some other major summits, was not merely a matter of conflicting schedules but rather a tactical move to exercise restraint. Through selective attending, Modi is changing the game of Indian diplomacy—he is giving up the principle of being always seen and recognised. He is possibly using the power of being recognised, but not visible. The question of whether this selective engagement will enhance or weaken India’s power will depend on the results: if India can still play a significant role in regional and global political affairs despite fewer photo-ops, the strategy used may prove to be wise. The most famous prime minister in the world appears to be trading visibility for accuracy—a clear indication of how India’s leader and its diplomacy are gradually adapting to a more complicated world. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Modi is considered one of the most prominent leaders. His foreign trips are marked by personal rapport including hugs and handshakes with leaders and diaspora events . But in recent months, Modi was missing from some major global meetings, where India was represented by officials or ministers

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Oct 26) virtually delivered his opening remarks at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s support for its member nations. PM Modi stressed that India has always stood firmly with its ASEAN allies in every disaster and would continue to do so. He also congratulate Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim for chairing the summit and described ASEAN as a major pillar of India’s Act East Policy.&nbsp;“India and ASEAN together represent almost a quarter of the world’s population. We do not just share geography; we are also connected by the thread of deep historical ties and shared values. We are fellow travelers of the Global South,” PM Modi said.&nbsp;He further added, “Even in this period of uncertainties, the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to make steady progress. Our strong partnership is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development. The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit is inclusivity and sustainability, which is clearly reflected in our shared efforts.”&nbsp;“India supports this and is committed to moving ahead in this direction,” he said.&nbsp;Speaking of India’s cooperation in maritime security, PM Modi said, “Our cooperation in HADR, maritime security and the blue economy is rapidly expanding. In this context, we are designating 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.”&nbsp;&nbsp;He added, “At the same time, we are strengthening collaboration in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security. We will continue to work together to preserve our shared cultural heritage and reinforce people-to-people ties.”&nbsp;Concluding his speech, the prime minister said, “The 21st century is our century. It is India and ASEAN’s century. I am confident that the aim of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ will develop a bright future for the entire humanity.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Oct 26) virtually delivered his opening remarks at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s support for its member nations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Oct 26) virtually delivered his opening remarks at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s support for its member nations. PM Modi stressed that India has always stood firmly with its ASEAN allies in every disaster and would continue to do so. He also congratulate Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim for chairing the summit and described ASEAN as a major pillar of India’s Act East Policy. “India and ASEAN together represent almost a quarter of the world’s population. We do not just share geography; we are also connected by the thread of deep historical ties and shared values. We are fellow travelers of the Global South,” PM Modi said. He further added, “Even in this period of uncertainties, the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to make steady progress. Our strong partnership is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development. The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit is inclusivity and sustainability, which is clearly reflected in our shared efforts.” “India supports this and is committed to moving ahead in this direction,” he said. Speaking of India’s cooperation in maritime security, PM Modi said, “Our cooperation in HADR, maritime security and the blue economy is rapidly expanding. In this context, we are designating 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.” He added, “At the same time, we are strengthening collaboration in education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy, and cyber security. We will continue to work together to preserve our shared cultural heritage and reinforce people-to-people ties.” Concluding his speech, the prime minister said, “The 21st century is our century. It is India and ASEAN’s century. I am confident that the aim of ‘ASEAN Community Vision 2045’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ will develop a bright future for the entire humanity.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Oct 26) virtually delivered his opening remarks at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming India’s support for its member nations.

‘India stands strong with ASEAN partners in every disaster’: PM Modi speaks at ASEAN-India Summit

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday (October 13) voiced his concerns regarding India's decision to send Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in place of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Tharoor questioned whether this move signaled a preference for "strategic restraint," especially given that world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, were present at the summit.&nbsp;While Tharoor clarified that his comments were not a reflection on the competence of Minister Singh, he noted that India’s representation at a lower level could be perceived as a missed opportunity, particularly in such a significant event. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor posted that the presence of such high-profile leaders might make India’s voice less influential in the crucial discussions surrounding the future of Gaza and regional stability.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-tears-and-joy-erupt-in-israel-as-all-20-surviving-gaza-hostages-return-home-1760358724099">In Pics | Tears and joy erupt in Israel as all 20 surviving Gaza hostages return home</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">India’s presence at the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza peace summit, at the level of a Minister of State, stands in stark contrast to the heads of state gathered there. Strategic restraint or missed opportunity? This is no reflection on Kirti Vardhan Singh, whose competence is not in…&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1977699009704894972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

India’s absence at the summit was particularly puzzling, Tharoor said, as the country could have played a more active role in the ongoing reshaping of the region. With the peace talks poised to focus on reconstruction and long-term peace in Gaza, Tharoor warned that India's position at the event could lack the weight it might have carried if represented by a head of state.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Arrived in the historic city of Cairo as special representative of Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> to attend the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh. <a href="https://t.co/DnN0yGJcEs">pic.twitter.com/DnN0yGJcEs</a>&mdash; Kirti Vardhan Singh (@KVSinghMPGonda) <a href="https://twitter.com/KVSinghMPGonda/status/1977425049671065731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The summit, which is being co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Donald Trump, brings together prominent world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, all of whom are expected to discuss the path to a lasting resolution in Gaza and the broader Middle East. Tharoor’s comments come after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages on Monday, signaling a possible pause in the violence that has ravaged Gaza for nearly two years since the initial offensive by Israel.

Shashi Tharoor questions India’s ‘strategic distance’ after PM Modi skips Gaza peace summit

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday (October 13) voiced his concerns regarding India's decision to send Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in place of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Tharoor questioned whether this move signaled a preference for "strategic restraint," especially given that world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, were present at the summit. While Tharoor clarified that his comments were not a reflection on the competence of Minister Singh, he noted that India’s representation at a lower level could be perceived as a missed opportunity, particularly in such a significant event. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor posted that the presence of such high-profile leaders might make India’s voice less influential in the crucial discussions surrounding the future of Gaza and regional stability. Also Read: In Pics | Tears and joy erupt in Israel as all 20 surviving Gaza hostages return home

Shashi Tharoor has questioned India’s absence at the Gaza Peace Summit, suggesting the low-level representation weakens its influence on key regional issues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B R Gavai inside the Supreme Court premises on Monday and said it had "angered every Indian". &nbsp;The Prime Minister spoke with Justice Gavai. He appreciated the calm displayed by the CJI and said it highlights his commitment to strengthening the spirit of our Constitution. "Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution," PM Modi said in a post on X. &nbsp;Several other leaders also strongly condemned the incident. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has issued a firm resolution condemning the conduct of the advocate who disrupted proceedings in the courtroom of the Chief Justice of India. &nbsp;The Association described the act as "reprehensible" and expressed deep shock and dismay over what it called a serious breach of courtroom decorum and professional ethics. In its statement, the SCBA asserted that the advocate's behaviour was not only inappropriate for an officer of the Court but also posed a direct challenge to the independence of the judiciary. It emphasised that such actions erode public trust in the justice system and threaten the foundational respect that binds the Bench and the Bar. The incident reportedly stemmed from reactions to Justice Gavai's remarks in the Khajuraho Vishnu Idol Restoration case, where he had called for respect across religious lines while rejecting misinterpretations. The SCBA stated that these remarks were irresponsibly distorted on social media, fueling misinformation and likely contributing to the outburst in the courtroom. &nbsp;Despite the provocation, Justice Gavai maintained composure and continued to perform his duties with dignity. The SCBA commended his restraint and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Chief Justice and the entire judiciary, reiterating that judicial independence must be preserved at all costs. Bar Council of India (BCI) on Monday ordered the immediate suspension from practice of Delhi-based advocate Rakesh Kishore after prima facie material indicated that he allegedly removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Chief Justice of India during proceedings in Court No 1 of the Supreme Court at about 11:35 am. &nbsp;The interim order signed by Manan Kumar Mishra, Senior Advocate and Chairman, BCI invoked relevant sections of Advocates Act, 1961 which require advocates to maintain dignity and self-respect in court, show respect to the judiciary, and refrain from improper means that may influence proceedings. BCI has debarred Kishore from appearing, acting, pleading or practising before any court, tribunal or authority in India. The order also declares that any identity card, proximity pass or access permission issued by any court or Bar Association shall remain inoperative during the suspension. &nbsp;BCI directed the Bar Council of Delhi to ensure immediate compliance by updating the advocate's status on its rolls and notifying all courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction about the suspension. The Registry of the Supreme Court of India, the Registries of all High Courts, and all District Courts have been instructed to circulate the order to filing and appearance counters and to the concerned Bar Associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Calling the measure interim, the BCI said disciplinary proceedings will be initiated in accordance with the law. In its statement, SCBA warned against any attempts to weaken the constitutional bond between the Bench and the Bar, describing both as essential pillars of the justice delivery system. It urged legal professionals to uphold the values of secularism, fraternity, and the rule of law, and to resist efforts that politicise or tarnish the judiciary's image. &nbsp;SCBA also criticised certain media outlets for sensationalising the incident and distorting judicial statements, particularly those related to the Khajuraho case. It accused such reporting of inciting public outrage and undermining the authority of the Court, labelling it as "predatory journalism" that disregards ethical standards. SCBA said the advocate in question holds only temporary membership in the Association and confirmed that disciplinary action is under consideration. It reiterated that while freedom of expression is vital, it must be exercised with responsibility, especially by those who serve as officers of the Court.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The incident reportedly stemmed from reactions to Justice Gavai's remarks in the Khajuraho Vishnu Idol Restoration case, where he had called for respect across religious lines while rejecting misinterpretations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B R Gavai inside the Supreme Court premises on Monday and said it had "angered every Indian". The Prime Minister spoke with Justice Gavai. He appreciated the calm displayed by the CJI and said it highlights his commitment to strengthening the spirit of our Constitution. "Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution," PM Modi said in a post on X. Several other leaders also strongly condemned the incident. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has issued a firm resolution condemning the conduct of the advocate who disrupted proceedings in the courtroom of the Chief Justice of India. The Association described the act as "reprehensible" and expressed deep shock and dismay over what it called a serious breach of courtroom decorum and professional ethics. In its statement, the SCBA asserted that the advocate's behaviour was not only inappropriate for an officer of the Court but also posed a direct challenge to the independence of the judiciary. It emphasised that such actions erode public trust in the justice system and threaten the foundational respect that binds the Bench and the Bar. The incident reportedly stemmed from reactions to Justice Gavai's remarks in the Khajuraho Vishnu Idol Restoration case, where he had called for respect across religious lines while rejecting misinterpretations. The SCBA stated that these remarks were irresponsibly distorted on social media, fueling misinformation and likely contributing to the outburst in the courtroom. Despite the provocation, Justice Gavai maintained composure and continued to perform his duties with dignity. The SCBA commended his restraint and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Chief Justice and the entire judiciary, reiterating that judicial independence must be preserved at all costs. Bar Council of India (BCI) on Monday ordered the immediate suspension from practice of Delhi-based advocate Rakesh Kishore after prima facie material indicated that he allegedly removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Chief Justice of India during proceedings in Court No 1 of the Supreme Court at about 11:35 am. The interim order signed by Manan Kumar Mishra, Senior Advocate and Chairman, BCI invoked relevant sections of Advocates Act, 1961 which require advocates to maintain dignity and self-respect in court, show respect to the judiciary, and refrain from improper means that may influence proceedings. BCI has debarred Kishore from appearing, acting, pleading or practising before any court, tribunal or authority in India. The order also declares that any identity card, proximity pass or access permission issued by any court or Bar Association shall remain inoperative during the suspension. BCI directed the Bar Council of Delhi to ensure immediate compliance by updating the advocate's status on its rolls and notifying all courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction about the suspension. The Registry of the Supreme Court of India, the Registries of all High Courts, and all District Courts have been instructed to circulate the order to filing and appearance counters and to the concerned Bar Associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Calling the measure interim, the BCI said disciplinary proceedings will be initiated in accordance with the law. In its statement, SCBA warned against any attempts to weaken the constitutional bond between the Bench and the Bar, describing both as essential pillars of the justice delivery system. It urged legal professionals to uphold the values of secularism, fraternity, and the rule of law, and to resist efforts that politicise or tarnish the judiciary's image. SCBA also criticised certain media outlets for sensationalising the incident and distorting judicial statements, particularly those related to the Khajuraho case. It accused such reporting of inciting public outrage and undermining the authority of the Court, labelling it as "predatory journalism" that disregards ethical standards. SCBA said the advocate in question holds only temporary membership in the Association and confirmed that disciplinary action is under consideration. It reiterated that while freedom of expression is vital, it must be exercised with responsibility, especially by those who serve as officers of the Court. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The incident reportedly stemmed from reactions to Justice Gavai's remarks in the Khajuraho Vishnu Idol Restoration case, where he had called for respect across religious lines while rejecting misinterpretations.

'No place for such reprehensible acts in our society': PM Modi speaks with CJI Gavai after advocate throws shoe at him in court

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (Sep 6). The two leaders exchanged their views on recent developments for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. They also welcomed bilateral cooperation between the two nations in various areas. PM Modi also expressed that he looks forward to welcoming Macron to India for the AI Impact Summit, which will be held in February next year. The call between the two leaders comes amid the ongoing efforts to find a resolution to end the conflict in Ukraine, which remains a major concern for global peace.According to the statement issued by the office of PM Modi, the Indian prime minister “reiterated India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability.” He also thanked Macron for accepting the invitation to the AI Impact Summit hosted by India.“Both leaders agreed to continue to remain in touch and work closely together to promote global peace and stability,” the statement added.<h2>‘Very good conversation’</h2>Following the talks, both leaders took to social media, informing of the “very good conversation”. PM Modi said in a post on X, “We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Had a very good conversation with President Macron. We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1964307178128330971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, the French president posted on X, “I presented him the outcome of the work we carried out with President Zelensky and our partners of the Coalition of the Willing last Thursday in Paris. India and France share the same determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” He also expressed that he wished to continue to build on the friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just spoke with Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NarendraModi</a>. I presented him the outcome of the work we carried out with President Zelensky and our partners of the Coalition of the Willing last Thursday in Paris. India and France share the same determination…&mdash; Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1964321783458189367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PM Modi also expressed that he looks forward to welcoming Macron to India for the AI Impact Summit, which will be held in February next year.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (Sep 6). The two leaders exchanged their views on recent developments for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. They also welcomed bilateral cooperation between the two nations in various areas. PM Modi also expressed that he looks forward to welcoming Macron to India for the AI Impact Summit, which will be held in February next year. The call between the two leaders comes amid the ongoing efforts to find a resolution to end the conflict in Ukraine, which remains a major concern for global peace. According to the statement issued by the office of PM Modi, the Indian prime minister “reiterated India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability.” He also thanked Macron for accepting the invitation to the AI Impact Summit hosted by India. “Both leaders agreed to continue to remain in touch and work closely together to promote global peace and stability,” the statement added. ‘Very good conversation’ Following the talks, both leaders took to social media, informing of the “very good conversation”. PM Modi said in a post on X, “We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability.”

PM Modi also expressed that he looks forward to welcoming Macron to India for the AI Impact Summit, which will be held in February next year.

‘Partnership will play key role in fostering global peace’: PM Modi holds talks with Macron on Ukraine, bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will be holding key bilateral meeting next week in the Holy city of Banaras in a symbolic message of close ties between the 2 countries.&nbsp;Navinchandra Ramgoolam traces his roots to India and approximately 70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian ancestry, a legacy of Indian laborers brought to the island during British colonial rule. Mauritian government announced a one-off special leave of two hours on January 22, 2024, for public officers of the Hindu faith to participate in local events marking the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India.The&nbsp;Ramgoolam will be on India visit from 11-12th September. The visit comes months after the visit of PM Modi to the country, that saw elevation of ties of "enhanced strategic partnership" and unveiling of India's "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision that build on the previous 2015 SAGAR policy. During that visit, both sides signed an agreement on use of local currencies for cross border transactions, maritime security through sharing white shipping information, and cooperation in combating financial crimes and supporting MSMEs.Mauritius has been a close partner of India in the Indian ocean and gateway to Africa. It was among the countries invited by India for the G20 Delhi summit in 2023. India, in turn has been a key development partner, and has been helping build key infra projects in the country, which includes Metro Express Light Rail System, New Supreme Court Building, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation.The upcoming visit of Ramgoolam will be his first visit to India after taking charge last year. The 3rd time prime minister of his country and son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius’ first Prime Minister, PM Navinchandra has prioritized deepening of bilateral relations with India. During the visit several MoUs are expected to be signed, with focus on increased engagement, specially at people to people level between the 2 countries.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Ramgoolam will be on India visit from 11-12th September. The visit comes months after the visit of PM Modi to the country, that saw elevation of ties of "enhanced strategic partnership" and unveiling of India's "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision that build on the previous 2015 SAGAR policy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will be holding key bilateral meeting next week in the Holy city of Banaras in a symbolic message of close ties between the 2 countries. Navinchandra Ramgoolam traces his roots to India and approximately 70% of Mauritius’ population is of Indian ancestry, a legacy of Indian laborers brought to the island during British colonial rule. Mauritian government announced a one-off special leave of two hours on January 22, 2024, for public officers of the Hindu faith to participate in local events marking the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India. The Ramgoolam will be on India visit from 11-12th September. The visit comes months after the visit of PM Modi to the country, that saw elevation of ties of "enhanced strategic partnership" and unveiling of India's "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision that build on the previous 2015 SAGAR policy. During that visit, both sides signed an agreement on use of local currencies for cross border transactions, maritime security through sharing white shipping information, and cooperation in combating financial crimes and supporting MSMEs. Mauritius has been a close partner of India in the Indian ocean and gateway to Africa. It was among the countries invited by India for the G20 Delhi summit in 2023. India, in turn has been a key development partner, and has been helping build key infra projects in the country, which includes Metro Express Light Rail System, New Supreme Court Building, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation. The upcoming visit of Ramgoolam will be his first visit to India after taking charge last year. The 3rd time prime minister of his country and son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius’ first Prime Minister, PM Navinchandra has prioritized deepening of bilateral relations with India. During the visit several MoUs are expected to be signed, with focus on increased engagement, specially at people to people level between the 2 countries.

The&nbsp;Ramgoolam will be on India visit from 11-12th September. The visit comes months after the visit of PM Modi to the country, that saw elevation of ties of "enhanced strategic partnership" and unveiling of India's "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision that build on the previous 2015 SAGAR policy.

PM Modi, Mauritius PM Ramgoolam to hold bilateral in Banaras next week