Page 10 - Modi Govt

India, Ireland to form Joint Economic Commission to boost ties: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris and said both the countries have agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission to "increase trade, investment, and technology linkages."The EAM shared the details through a post on X on Friday."A warm and open meeting with Tanaiste & FM @SimonHarrisTD of Ireland this morning in Dublin. We discussed our bilateral cooperation, including a new Action Plan to reinvigorate ties. Agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission to increase our trade, investment and technology linkages. Exchanged views on the recent developments in our respective regions and globally, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific. Also spoke about India-EU cooperation and multilateralism," the EAM saidTowards the conclusion of the Irish leg of his visit, Jaishankar paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore's bust statue at St Stephen's Park in Dublin.He wrote on X, "Paid tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath ...

PM focused on 'tareef' not tariffs, must stand up to US threats: Ramesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only interested in 'tareef' and not concerned with tariffs, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Friday and wondered where is the PM's "56 inch chest" in dealing with US threats on the the reciprocal tariff issue. In an interview with PTI, Ramesh said the Congress will raise the issue of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff threats during the upcoming second half of the Budget session and called for a bipartisan collective resolve to deal with the threats. The Congress leader also alleged that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been speaking like an American envoy and a spokesperson for that country. "Our prime minister wants to hear only 'tareef (praise)', he is not concerned about tariffs. 'Tareef kum, aur tariff pe baat kijiye (talk about the tariffs issue and less about your praise)," Ramesh said. He said Trump is redoing the entire rules of international trade and asserted that the US President's whole idea of ...

PM to visit Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on Mar 7-8

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on March 7-8 to inaugurate multiple development projects as well as participate in a Lakhpati Didi programme on International Women's Day. He will travel to Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on Friday and inaugurate the NAMO Hospital (Phase I) around 2 pm, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Friday. Around 2:45 pm, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects for the union territory worth over Rs 2,580 crore at Silvassa. Thereafter, he will travel to Gujarat and launch the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign around 5 pm, according to the statement. On Saturday, he will travel to Navsari and interact with Lakhpati Didis around 11:30 am. This will be followed by a public function that will witness the launch of various schemes. The NAMO Hospital (Phase I) in Silvassa will be a 450-bed facility that will

Only unemployment, inflation manufactured in bulk under Modi govt: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a dig at the Centre over its handling of the economy, saying only "economic failure, unemployment, inflation and lies" were "manufactured" in bulk under the Narendra Modi government. The former Congress president called for the removal of "unjust" taxes, eliminating monopoly, opening the doors of banks and giving rights to the talented. "If anything has been 'manufactured' in bulk under the Modi government, it is economic failure, unemployment, inflation and lies!" Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on Facebook. "Remove unjust taxes, eliminate monopoly, open the doors of banks, give rights to talent Only then will the building of the economy, employment and a strong India begin!" he said. The Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the economy, claiming the issues of rising prices, decreasing private investment, and stagnating wages were hitting the common people hard. Flagging the issues of low consumption expenditu

'Vocal for local' making India emerge as factory of world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday that his "vocal for local" campaign is bearing fruits as Indian products are going global and making their presence felt across the world. Speaking at the NXT conclave where the 'NewsX World' channel was launched, Modi said the world used to look at India as its back office for decades but the country is now emerging as the factory of the world. Now, India is not the workforce but a "world force", the prime minister added. Modi said the country is manufacturing semiconductors and aircraft carriers and its superfoods like 'makhana' and millets, Ayush products and yoga are being embraced across the world. India has also become a major automobile producer and its defence export is rising, he said. Modi said India should be presented as it is, without any colour. It does not need any make-up, he said, adding that real stories from the country should reach the world. The prime minister said the BJP-led NDA government's re-election for

Farmers' protest: SC to hear petitions related to the case after March 19

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing over the farmers' protest observing two rounds of talks took place between the Centre and the agitating farmers, who have raised several demands, including the legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said a third round of talks was scheduled on March 19. The bench therefore posted the matter, including petitions seeking contempt action against Punjab government officials over providing medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, post March 19. Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh said two ministers of the state had participated in the meeting. The bench appreciated the work of the apex court-appointed high-powered committee for providing a platform to the agitating farmers to raise grievances and took on record its interim report. The bench, which has kept the report with itself for time being, fixed an honorarium for chairman of the committee Justice (retd)

Glorifying Godse: Cong slams govt over NIT professor's appointment as dean

Slamming the Modi government over the appointment of an NIT-Calicut professor who is accused of praising Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a Dean, the Congress said this was part of its mindset to "appropriate Gandhi, glorify Godse". In an order issued by the Director of the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT), Dr Shaija A has been appointed as the Dean of the Planning and Development Department, with effect from March 7. A police case is pending against her for allegedly praising Nathuram Godse on Mahatma Gandhi's Martyr's Day. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "A Professor in Kerala who publicly says she is proud of Godse for saving India is made a Dean in NIT-Calicut by the Modi government. He added that a former judge of the Calcutta High Court "could not choose between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse" and he is now a BJP MP. "This is all part of the Modi mindset - Appropriate Gandhi, Glorify Godse,"

Govt has 'snatched' scholarships of SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that the government has "snatched" the scholarships of the youth of SC, ST, OBC and minority communities, and claimed that its slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" mocks the aspirations of the weaker sections. Kharge asked how will jobs for the youth be increased until the students of weaker sections of the country get opportunities and their skills are encouraged. "Narendra Modi ji, Your government has snatched the scholarships of the youth of SC, ST, OBC and Minority categories in the country," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. These shameful government statistics show that the Modi government has not only drastically reduced the beneficiaries in all scholarships, but has also spent 25 per cent less funds on an average year after year, he said sharing data of "declining" scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students. "Until the students of the weaker sections of the country get opportunities, their skills are not ..

CAG reports must be tabled in Parliament: Cong's Pawan Khera slams govt

On the issue of foreign funding, Khera pointed out that the Indian government had received Rs 825 crore from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year

Amid opposition, govt to revise draft bill to amend Advocates Act

Amid opposition to its various provisions from bar bodies, the government on Saturday said it will revise the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill as it ended the public consultations on it that started earlier this month. The Department of Legal Affairs in the Union law ministry floated the draft bill on February 13 for public consultations. The government plans to amend the Advocates Act, 1961. The draft bill, which faced criticism, proposed sweeping changes in the definitions of a "legal practitioner and a "law graduate". According to the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a law graduate is a person who has obtained a bachelor's degree after completing a course of three or five years or such other duration as prescribed by any centre of legal education or university established by law or a college affiliated to any university and recognised by the Bar Council of India. In a statement, the law ministry said the bill was put in the public domain, demonstrating the government's .

NEP row: Dharmendra Pradhan urges CM Stalin to rise above differences

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday attacked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the ongoing row on the implementation of NEP and accused him of "spinning progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives". In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should rise above political differences and think about the interests of young learners who will benefit from the new National Education Policy. The education minister was responding to the letter Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. In his letter, Stalin said linking the two centrally sponsored initiatives -- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools -- with the National Education Policy (NEP) was fundamentally unacceptable. In his letter to the Tamil Nadu CM, Pradhan said, "The letter sent to PM is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by Modi government. Hence, it is inappropriate for the state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic ..

Confident of Indian economy thriving in coming decades: Qatar's Amir

Highlighting the importance of renewable energy cooperation, the Amir underscored its role in shaping future strategies between the two nations

President Murmu greets Qatar's Amir, recalls deep ties between two nations

To honour the Amir, President Murmu also hosted a banquet, attended by key dignitaries including the Vice President, Prime Minister, and a high-level delegation from Qatar

PM Modi, Amir of Qatar condemn terrorism, agree to cooperate in fighting it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, as the two leaders agreed to cooperate in combatting the menace through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. In a joint statement issued hours after the two leaders held talks here, India and Qatar emphasised the "importance of dialogue, diplomacy for a peaceful resolution of international disputes". The Amir's two-day state visit "reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Qatar. The leaders expressed optimism that this renewed partnership would continue to grow, benefitting the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global stability". "The two leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and agreed to cooperate in combatting this menace through bilateral and multilateral

India, US complement each other, can offer mutual trade concessions: Goyal

India and the US are committed to increasing bilateral trade to USD 500 billion and negotiating a "strong" trade agreement within the next 6-8 months, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, India and the US announced to more than double the two-way commerce to USD 500 billion by 2030 and negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025. Goyal said once his US counterpart takes charge, both countries will discuss the contours of the pact. "...In the next 6-8 months, by establishing a strong trade agreement, we are committed to increasing trade to USD 500 billion," Goyal told reporters here on the sidelines of CII's India-Qatar Business Forum meet. He added businesses of both the countries are excited about the agreement. When asked if the pact would have chapters related to goods, services and investments, he said, "My ...

Haste decision taken to avoid SC's scrutiny: Cong on CEC's appointment

Soon after the Centre notified the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the chief election commissioner on Monday, the Congress said the hastily-taken decision shows that the government is keen on circumventing the Supreme Court's scrutiny and getting the appointment done before a clear order kicks in. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said in a hasty midnight move, the government has notified the appointment of the new CEC. "This goes against the spirit of our Constitution, and what has been reiterated by the Supreme Court in many cases -- for the electoral process to have sanctity, the CEC must be an impartial stakeholder," Venugopal said in a post on X. The amended law dealing with the appointment of election commissioners has removed the chief justice of India (CJI) from the CEC selection panel and the government ought to have waited until the apex court's hearing in the matter on Wednesday (February 19) before selecting the officer, he said. "Their decision to hastily hold t

EAM should clarify if India raised deportation issue with US: TMC MP

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar must clarify if the issue of deportation of Indians, who had migrated illegally to the US, was raised with President Donald Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit, Trinamool Congress (TMC0 MP Saket Gokhale said on Monday. In a post on X, Gokhale said the continuing deportations show that either Prime Minister Modi did not express concern over the "inhuman treatment" given to the deportees when he met the US President or that he was "rebuffed by Trump". "Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar must clarify. Since Friday, two more US Military flights have landed in India carrying deported Indians. On both flights, Indians were put in handcuffs and leg shackles. Some reports claim that Sikhs were not even allowed to wear their turbans," Gokhale said. "This happened after PM Modi returned to India from his meeting with US President Trump," the TMC Rajya Sabha said. "It is clear that PM Modi did note raise our concerns over inhuman ...

Stop insisting on trilingual policy to allocate funds: Ex-TN CM to Centre

Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam on Monday urged the Centre to rescind its decision to allocate funds only when the three language policy was implemented in the state. From the time a resolution was passed in the state legislative Assembly, piloted by former Chief Minister C N Annadurai on January 23, 1968, Tamil Nadu has been following two language policy of Tamil and English. AIADMK leaders and former Chief Ministers: M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa too endorsed this policy and strictly adhered to it, Panneerselvam said. Since then, there has been no change in the status and Annadurai's decision of removing Hindi from the education curriculum of schools in Tamil Nadu was still valid, the former Chief Minister said in a statement here. "Against this background, the insistence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that only if a trilingual policy was followed as per the new National Education Policy (NEP), funds can be allocated to Tamil Nadu was ...

A test for Indian diplomacy: Chidambaram on 2nd round of deportees from US

Earlier, Chidambaram had alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 'crumbled badly' in handling the deportation of Indian nationals from the United States.

Govt's move to prosecute Satyendar Jain a conspiracy: Sanjay Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the government's request for the president's approval to prosecute party leader Satyendar Jain was a "political conspiracy" aimed at "crippling" the Aam Aadmi Party. Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, said the BJP-led central government was using investigative agencies to target the AAP, according to a party statement. The Union Home Ministry has requested the president for a grant of sanction to prosecute former Delhi minister Jain in a money-laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), sources said on Friday. Reacting to the development, AAP leader Singh said, "This proves that Satyendar Jain's arrest was illegal, malicious, and orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. After keeping him in jail for 23 months without justification, they are now seeking prosecution sanction only after our lawyers objected in court." "Nothing was recovered from Jain's home. He was granted bail, yet he was jailed for nearly two .