Narendra Modi

PM Modi to address nation at 8:30 pm, day after women's quota Bill defeat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM, a day after a bill to implement women's reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha. "The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday)," an official said. Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementation of women's quota and the happenings in Parliament, where opposition parties on Friday voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women. A two-thirds majority was required for the passage of the crucial bill but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers. During polling on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday ni

Nefarious attempt to link delimitation to quota decisively defeated: Cong

The Congress on Friday said the "nefarious attempt" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to link their "dangerous delimitation proposals" to women's reservation has been decisively defeated in the Lok Sabha, and asserted that it was a win for democracy and the Constitution. The opposition party said the defeat also calls into question the legitimacy of "the non-biological, non-grihasthi PM." In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The nefarious and mischievous attempt of the PM and HM to link their dangerous delimitation proposals to women's reservation (that had already been settled) has been decisively defeated in the Lok Sabha." "This is a win for our democracy, our federalism, and the Constitution. This also calls into question the legitimacy of the non-biological, non-grihasthi PM," Ramesh said. The next steps for the Modi Government are clear -- they should implement 33 per cent reservation for wome

'Time to give half of population its rights': PM Modi on women's quota bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to all Lok Sabha members to vote in favour of the women's reservation bill and to not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of the country's 'nari shakti'. Hours before the voting on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Modi also said that for four decades, a great deal of politics has been played on the issue of women's quota and it is now time that half the country's population gets its rights. Members of the Lower House will also vote on the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill for delimitation of constituencies and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha to 816 to implement the proposed amended women's quota law. "In just a short while, voting will take place in the Lok Sabha. I urge all political parties... I appeal...Please, after due consideration and with complete sensitivity, take a decision and vo

'Had a very good conversation': Trump on phone call with 'friend' PM Modi

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a "very good conversation" with his "friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was referring to the talks the two leaders had on Tuesday. "I had a very good talk with him, and he's a friend of mine from India, and he's doing great. We had a very good conversation," Trump told reporters here as he headed to Las Vegas to address a roundtable on tax cuts. Trump had called Modi on Tuesday to discuss the bilateral relationship and share perspectives on the situation in West Asia, where the US and Israel have launched a war on Iran. The US and Iran declared a two-week ceasefire on April 7. They engaged in peace talks with Washington, insisting that Tehran give up its pursuit of nuclear weapons and uranium enrichment. The war with Iran has sent gas prices soaring as Tehran blocked the sea lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway for a fifth of global oil supplies. During the Trump-Modi phone call on Tuesday, the two leaders stresse

No discrimination against any state under women quota Bills, says PM

PM Modi and HM Shah defend women's quota amendments in Lok Sabha, reject Opposition claims of bias against southern states and warn against blocking the legislation

Modi, Macron discuss West Asia, stress navigation freedom in Hormuz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed the situation in West Asia, with both leaders emphasising the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X about his telephonic conversation with Macron, Prime Minister Modi said on Thursday, "We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond." On March 5, Modi and Macron had spoken over the phone, and discussed their "shared concerns" over the evolving situation in West Asia, and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days. "Received a phone call from my dear friend President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in West Asia and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," Modi

PM allays delimitation fears, says 'no injustice' will be done to any state

As Parliament debates women's reservation, PM Modi says those opposing the bill will pay a long-term price, urging all parties to support greater role for women in policymaking

South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam

PM Modi and South Korea's Lee Jae Myung are due to hold a summit on April 20, with talks expected to cover cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and defence

Conflict cannot resolve global tensions: PM Modi on West Asia, Ukraine

Modi emphasised need for reform of global institutions, stating that it is essential to effectively address growing int'l challenges and reiterated that eliminating terrorism remains global commitment

BJP president Nitin Nabin, 15 others take oath as Rajya Sabha MPs

BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur and senior Congress leader Abhishek Sanghvi, along with 13 other newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs, took oath of office on Thursday. Vice-President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath to the 16 newly elected/re-elected members of Rajya Sabha, representing Bihar, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana. Of the 16 MPs, eight are from the BJP and three from its allies. The other five MPs belong to Congress. After being elected as the BJP's national president, Nabin has moved to the Upper House following his resignation from the Bihar legislative assembly. He took the oath in Hindi amid the thumping of desks. Along with him, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur also took the oath. He has been re-elected to the House from Bihar. Upendra Kushwaha (RLM) and Shivesh Kumar (BJP) also represent Bihar. Terash Gowalla (BJP), Jogen Mohan (BJP), and Pramod Boro (UPP-L)

PM Modi to address Lok Sabha at 3 pm today as key Bills introduced

The opposition has raised concerns over the proposed changes, particularly the plan to redraw constituencies and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to a maximum of 850

PM Modi meets Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to boost bilateral ties

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who is on his first official visit to India

Historic step for women empowerment: PM Modi ahead of Parliament session

The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18

India eyes more LNG, LPG imports from US; both sides explore SMR ties

Modi and Trump spoke for 40 minutes on Tuesday, with American Ambassador to India Sergio Gor later indicating that the two sides are poised to conclude several "big-ticket" deals soon

PM Modi urges people to take 9 pledges on health, saving water, others

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to people to take nine collective pledges, ranging from water conservation, natural farming, to fitness and service, to realise a "developed Karnataka and a developed India". Listing his priorities, Modi said his first request is about water conservation and better water management, followed by appeals for tree plantation under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One tree in the name of mother) campaign, cleanliness in public and religious places, strengthening local products through "Vocal for Local," promoting domestic tourism, adopting chemical-free natural farming, encouraging healthy eating with millets and reduced oil consumption. Modi also urged people to embrace yoga and fitness, and to nurture service. "If we move forward with honesty and determination on these nine resolutions, we can rapidly progress towards a developed Karnataka and a developed India," he said while addressing a gathering at the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math

PM Modi, Trump discuss Hormuz as hopes rise for fresh US-Iran talks

US envoy Sergio Gor teases 'big-ticket' deals, including on energy

Delhi-Dehradun expressway to spur tourism boom in Uttarakhand: PM Modi

Modi said that the expressway is set to significantly reduce travel time and costs for commuters, leading to substantial fuel savings and lower freight charges

Modi, Trump hold 40-min call, discuss Hormuz blockade, energy deals

This marked the first interaction between the two leaders since the initial round of peace talks in Islamabad failed without an agreement after nearly 21 hours of negotiations

PM inaugurates Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor, travel time cut to 2.5 hrs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor, which will cut travel time between the two cities to nearly half. The 213 km-long six-lane access-controlled Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor has been built at a cost of over Rs 12,000 crore. The corridor traverses through the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hours, according to an official statement. The Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the region. "The project reflects the vision of the prime minister to develop next-generation infrastructure that combines high-speed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens," the statement .

Prez Murmu, PM Modi pay tributes to BR Ambedkar on 135th birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid his tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and said his life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive society. Modi said that Ambedkar's personality and contributions will continue to remain a source of inspiration for nation-building. "Tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. His efforts towards nation-building are deeply motivating. His life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive society," the prime minister said in a post on X. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He died on December 6, 1956. He is known as the architect of the Indian Constitution.