Page 7 - Narendra Modi

PM Modi playing global role to establish peace, says Ukrainian ambassador

Ukraine's Ambassador to India Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk on Sunday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying he is playing a global role to establish peace. In his address at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for Kutch and Saurashtra Region in Rajkot, he said, It is a great example of how from being a regional leader, you (PM Modi) became a national one and are now playing a global role, including in my country, to establish peace. Polishchuk, who holds the formal title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to India, said PM Modi was one of the few leaders from the Global South who travelled to Ukraine in 2024 amid the country's war with Russia. We have confidence that the achievement of sustainable and just peace in Ukraine will further contribute to deepening relations between India and Ukraine, including Gujarat. In this regard, we hope India's continuous support to international efforts and aim to restore peace will create a stable

PM takes part in Shaurya Yatra in Somnath, 108-horse brigade part of parade

A group of men playing 'damru' and 108 horses drawn from different parts of Gujarat were part of the Somnath temple's Shurya Yatra on Sunday which saw Prime Minsiter Narendra riding an open-top vehicle. The yatra began from Shankh Circle, and the prime minister travelled the nearly one km stretch towards Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle, that faces the Somnath temple complex. A group of men, wearing playing the 'damru' formed part of the parade and preceded the prime minister's vehicle in sequence. Modi carried a drum in his hand, which he played briefly at the beginning of the procession before handing it over to security personnel. The crowd, which lined the streets on both sides, cheered, and many showered floral petals as the procession moved ahead, while artistes performed on different dance forms of India on various stages mounted at regular intervals along the parade route. The brigade of 108 horses stood out in the procession, whose riders wore a starch white shirt paired with k

Our civilisational courage shines in Somnath: PM Modi at Swabhiman Parv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Somnath as a symbol of "our civilisational courage" as he landed in the famous temple town to attend 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' events. Starting his three-day visit to Gujarat, he witnessed a drone show and presided over a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust as its chairman. "Feeling blessed to be in Somnath, a proud symbol of our civilisational courage. This visit comes during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, when the entire nation has come together to mark a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. Grateful to the people for the warm welcome," the PM said in a post on X after his arrival. "In Somnath this evening, chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. We reviewed various aspects relating to infrastructure upgradations in the temple complex and ways to make the pilgrimage to Somnath even more memorable," he wrote in another post after the meeting. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh ..

Congress launches 45-day nationwide MGNREGA Bachao Sangram campaign

The Congress on Saturday launched its 45-day nationwide campaign -- MGNREGA Bachao Sangram -- against the repeal of the UPA-era rural employment law by holding press conferences at every district. The opposition party's agitation demanding the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law in its original form, the right to work, and the authority of panchayats, will continue till February 25. Press conferences were held at all district headquarters on Saturday, highlighting the manner in which MGNREGA was repealed and replaced by the VB-G RAM G Act in the Winter Session of Parliament. This will be followed by a day-long fast and symbolic protests at the district headquarters on January 11. "Today, the Indian National Congress is launching the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram with a press conference at each of the District Congress Committee offices across the country. "The Congress is committed to seeing this struggle through until we secure the restorati

PM Modi to visit Somnath for Swabhiman Parv celebrations in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive at Somnath in Gujarat on Saturday evening to take part in celebrations being held as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, officials said. The temple town has been decked up, and a series of events is being held there from January 7-11 as part of the festivities. "The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is a powerful symbol of our spiritual tradition, celebrated with great reverence, devotion, and joy across the country. In this connection, I will have the privilege of participating in the divine chanting of the Omkar Mantra at the Somnath Temple tomorrow night at around 8 p.m.," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X on Friday. "The next day, at around 9:45 a.m., after participating in the Shaurya Yatra dedicated to the countless brave sons of Mother India, I will visit and worship the temple. After this, I will also have the opportunity to participate in a public program here. #SomnathSwabhimanParv," he said. A mega drone show will also be he

MEA calls Howard Lutnick's remarks on India-US trade deal delay inaccurate

Modi, Trump spoke over phone on eight occasions, says MEA

India missed trade deal window as PM Modi did not call Trump: Lutnick

India missed a crucial trade deal window with the US after PM Modi did not call President Trump, pushing New Delhi further back as Washington signed pacts with other countries

German chancellor to visit India from Jan 12-13 at PM Modi's invite

The two leaders will review the progress made in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has recently completed 25 years

Hug hug na raha: Congress takes dig at PM after US commerce secy's remarks

The Congress on Friday took a Bollywood-tinged swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the trade deal with India did not happen because PM Modi did not call US President Donald Trump. Posting a video of Lutnick's remarks, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Hug hug na raha, post post na raha." In his Bollywood-tinged taunt aimed at Modi, Ramesh added, "Kya se kya ho gaya, bewafa teri dosti mein." While this was a play on the hit number with similar lyrics from the Dev Anand-starrer film 'Guide' (1965), the other was a play on the song 'Dost dost na raha' from the 1964 film "Sangam" by Raj Kapoor. The swipe came after Lutnick said the trade deal with India did not happen because Prime Minister Modi did not call Trump. In an interview with the All-in Podcast on Thursday, Lutnick detailed how the India-US trade deal has not happened till now. "I'll tell you a story about India. I did the first

Higher education institutions trail as India's R&D spending doubles

India and China significantly trail behind countries like Germany and Japan in higher education's contribution to R&D spending, with India's 8.8 per cent share being just half of Germany's 19 per cent

Modi didn't call Trump: Lutnick on why India-US trade deal didn't happen

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also added that the US had expected the trade deal with India to be closed before others

Farmers' income has more than doubled during Modi years, shows new paper

Study by a NITI Aayog member reveals income jumped 126% between 2014-15 and 2023-24, surpassing the target set by the Modi government

Indian AI startups should work towards global leadership: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the world's trust in India is its biggest strength and emphasised the need to ensure that Indian Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are ethical, unbiased, transparent, and based on data privacy principles. He also said that the startups should work towards global leadership from this country, and noted that India can promote affordable AI, inclusive AI, and frugal innovation globally. Chairing a roundtable with Indian AI start-ups ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Modi suggested that Indian AI models should be distinct and should promote local and indigenous content and regional languages, an official statement said. The prime minister said startups and artificial intelligence entrepreneurs are the co-architects of the country's future. As many as 12 Indian AI start-ups that have qualified for the 'AI for ALL: Global Impact Challenge' summit to be held next month attended the roundtable and presented their ideas and work. Duri

India's Reform Express gaining momentum: PM Modi on GDP growth data

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India's "Reform Express" is gaining momentum, powered by the NDA government's investment policies as the economy is projected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the fiscal year 2026. "India's Reform Express continues to gain momentum. This is powered by the NDA Government's comprehensive investment push and demand-led policies," Modi said in a post on X. The First Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Wednesday put the GDP growth rate in 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026) at better than the 7.3 per cent forecast of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government's initial projection of 6.3 to 6.8 per cent. "Be it infrastructure, manufacturing incentives, digital public goods or 'Ease of Doing Business', we are working to realise our dream of a prosperous India," the prime minister said.

Israel's Netanyahu calls PM Modi, briefs him on status of Gaza peace plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared an update on the Gaza Peace Plan and reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terror. "The two leaders warmly exchanged New Year greetings and wished the people of both countries peace and prosperity," a statement from the prime minister's office said. It said Netanyahu briefed the prime minister on the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. "The Prime Minister reaffirmed India's consistent support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region," the statement said. Modi and Netanyahu identified shared priorities to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead, guided by shared democratic values, deep mutual trust and a forward-looking vision. "They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment to fight this menace," the statement said.

Police examine complaint over sloganeering against PM Modi, Shah at JNU

Police officials said the complaint is currently under review to determine the appropriate course of legal action

Commissioning of Samudra Pratap strengthens self-reliance, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the commissioning of home-built pollution control ship Samudra Pratap has strengthened the vision of self-reliance and reflected the commitment to sustainability. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pratap on Monday, India's first indigenously built pollution control vessel and the largest ship in the Coast Guard's fleet so far. "The commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap is noteworthy for numerous reasons, including the fact that it adds strength to our vision of self-reliance, boosts our security apparatus and reflects a commitment to sustainability, among others," the prime minister said in a post on X. The vessel will serve as a critical platform for enforcing marine pollution control regulations, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and safeguarding India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessel's primary role is pollution response at sea, supporte

Fast-tracking infrastructure: Further reductions in delays are needed

PRAGATI has shown that some of these failures can be overcome through sustained oversight

PM Modi 'not that happy with me' over tariffs on Russian oil: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not that happy with me" because of the tariffs imposed by Washington on Delhi for its purchases of Russian oil. Trump, delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, also claimed that Prime Minister Modi came to see me, Sir, may I see you please'. Yes." "I have a very good relationship with him. He's not that happy with me because you know they're paying a lot of tariffs now because they're not doing the oil, but they are, they've now reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia, Trump said. Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil. Trump also said that India told him it has been waiting for five years for the Apache helicopters. We're changing it. We're changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches, he said.

'Important to make me happy': Trump's fresh tariff warning to India

Donald Trump claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew he was not happy about India's purchase of Russian oil, saying the US could further raise tariffs 'very quickly'