LIVE: India, Uzbekistan ink 9 pacts; vow to effectively deal with terrorism

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10:12 PM

Amit Shah likely to visit Bengal later this month

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal for two days later this month to take stock of the party organisation ahead of the 2021 assembly polls, a senior party functionary of the state said on Friday.

Shah's possible visit will take place in the backdrop of the ongoing tussle between the Trinamool Congress government and the Ministry of Home Affairs over the mob attack on BJP president J P Nadda's convoy on Thursday.

The Mamata Banerjee dispensation decided not to send the chief secretary and the director general of police to New Delhi on December 14 disregarding the MHA's summons in the wake of the attack.

"Most likely Amit Shah Ji will be in West Bengal on a two-day visit from December 19. He will attend a programme of refugees in North 24 Parganas and another function at Santiniketan. However, nothing has been finalized as of now," BJP state general secretary Sayantan Basu said.

According to state BJP sources, the Union home ministers visit is of immense political significance with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar criticising the "worsening" law and order situation in the state.

8:45 PM

India, Uzbekistan ink nine pacts; vow to effectively deal with threat of terrorism

India and Uzbekistan on Friday signed nine agreements to further broadbase cooperation in an array of areas even as they vowed to combat the threat of terrorism by "destroying" terrorist safe-havens, networks and funding channels. At a virtual summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev extensively deliberated on expanding overall bilateral ties, and agreed to step up efforts for an early conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty.

 

In his opening remarks, Modi said the peace process in Afghanistan must preserve the achievements of the past two decades.

 

"We also have a similar approach on regional security issues. We agree that the restoration of peace in Afghanistan requires a process that itself is led, owned and controlled by Afghanistan. It is also necessary to preserve the achievements of the last two decades," he said.

 

In the wide-ranging talks, Modi and Mirziyoyev strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the determination of their countries to combat the menace by "destroying" terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels, according to a joint statement.

8:16 PM

Civilian shot at, injured by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama

Militants shot at and injured a civilian in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said. Mushtaq Ahmad was attacked near his house at Wasura in the evening, a police official said.

 

He was taken to a hospital for treatment. It was not immediately known why the Ahmad was targeted, police said.

7:38 PM

LIVE: India does not practice disinformation campaigns, says MEA

7:18 PM

India presently contributing only 6.8% of global emissions: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar

7:01 PM

Indian youth can learn a lot from Bharathiar's works: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Indian youth can learn a lot from the works and life of Tamil poet, freedom fighter, journalist Subramania Bharathi, popularly known as Bharathiar. Speaking at the International Bharati Festival 2020 organised by the city based Vanavil Cultural Centre via video conference Modi said the Indian youth can learn to be courageous from Bharathiar.

 

"Achamillai, Achamillai (there is no fear). Even if every human in this world is against me, I have no fear," Modi quoted Bharathiar.

 

Stating that he sees such a spirit in young India today, Modi said such a 'can do' spirit can do wonders for the country.

 

Modi termed it difficult to describe the multifaceted Bharathiar who cannot be linked to any single profession or dimension as he was a poet, writer, editor, journalist, social reformer, freedom fighter, humanist and much more. One can marvel at Bharathiar's works, poems, philosophy and also had a close link with Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency that he represents, Modi said. According to Modi in a shot span of 39 years, Bharathiar had achieved a lot and his works have been published in 16 volumens.

6:05 PM

Industrial production rises 3.6% in October: Govt data

5:44 PM

West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP not to visit Delhi on December 14

5:32 PM

Woman entrepreneurs and officers in armed forces walking with their head held high: PM at International Bharati Festival

5:23 PM

Need a synergy between Finance Commission and GST Council: Chairman N K Singh

5:17 PM

LIVE: We're inspired by Bharathiyar's vision of independent and empowered women says PM Modi

5:13 PM

We're working to ensure women-led empowerment: PM Narendra Modi

5:12 PM

LIVE: PM Narendra Modi addressing the International Bharati Festival

4:52 PM

TMC hits out MHA for summoning chief secretary, DGP

The ruling TMC in West Bengal Friday hit out at the union home ministry for summoning the state chief secretary and director general of police for the attack on BJP national president J P Nadda's convoy and accused the saffron party of trying to create a situation where the central government can interfere in matters related to the states.

 

Senior TMC MPs Saugata Roy and Kalyan Banerjee alleged that Nadda's convoy had "convicted criminals" and goons who carried weapons with the malafide intention to instigate violence.

 

"What is the central government is doing by sending a letter (seeking report) from the state government is unconstitutional. The MHA summoning the chief secretary and DGP is unacceptable. The BJP and the central government is trying to create a situation where they can interfere with the federal structure," Bandopadhyay said at a press conference here.

4:46 PM

India on the path of a very significant recovery: FICCI President Dr Sangita Reddy at 93rd AGM