India

Rajnath Singh, Pistorius discuss strengthening Indo-German defence ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday had a telephonic conversation with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius during which they reviewed the ongoing defence cooperation activities, including exercises in the air and maritime domains. The ministers also discussed ways to further strengthen the defence industrial collaboration and enhance supply chain resilience, the Indian defence ministry said. "Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with the German Federal Minister of Defence Mr Boris Pistorius on October 8," it said. The telephonic conversation comes ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's scheduled visit to India later this month. The ministers "briefly reviewed the ongoing defence cooperation activities including exercises in the air and maritime domains," the ministry said in a statement. Singh and Pistorius discussed ways to further strengthen the defence industrial collaboration and enhance supply chain resilience, it added. "They planned to meet in the near f

India's first consignment of emergency relief reaches flood-hit Nepal

The Indian Embassy here handed over the first consignment of emergency relief materials, including sleeping bags, blankets and tarpaulin sheets, to authorities in flood-struck Nepal, according to an official statement. The 4.2 tonnes of aid supplies handed over on Monday were for families affected by the recent inundation in Nepal, the Indian Embassy said in a press release. Days of relentless downpours late last month triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving more than 240 people dead across the Himalayan nation. Transported to Nepalgunj from India, the consignment was handed over by Second Secretary Narayan Singh on behalf of the Indian government to the Chief District Officer of Banke, Khagendra Prasad Rijal, the press release said. It comprised tarpaulins, sleeping bags, blankets, Chlorine tablets and water bottles. The Indian government was also "arranging other essential hygiene items and medicines as well as other relief materials, which will be delivered soon," t

Indian Air Force Day 2024: Know history, significance, theme and more

India will observe its 92nd Air Force Day 2024 on October 8, 2024. It is a day to reflect on its contribution to protecting the country and its people. It also engages in rescue and military operation

'There is one India', says Canada amid strained ties over Khalistan issue

'Canada's policy is clear that India's territorial integrity must be respected. There's one India,' said Deputy Foreign Minister of Canada David Morrison

India-UAE investment treaty implemented from Aug 31, 2024: FM Sitharaman

The government on Monday said bilateral investment treaty (BIT) signed between India and the UAE has been enforced from August 31 this year. The BIT was signed on February 13 this year at Abu Dhabi, UAE, and it entered into force with effect from August 31, 2024, the finance ministry said. Enforcement of this pact with the UAE gives continuity of investment protection to investors of both the countries, as the earlier Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between India and the UAE signed in December 2013 expired on September 12 this year. As per the treaty, the UAE investors must have to exhaust domestic remedies (for at least three years) before commencing arbitration under the BIT. The time period earlier was five years. The other key features of the pact included provisions of closed asset-based definition of investment with coverage of portfolio investment; treatment of investment with obligation for no denial of justice, no fundamental breach of due .

India's $20 billion investment deals pipeline lures funds to PE-held stakes

The majority of deals are priced at discounts of between 20 per cent to 25per cent of their net asset values, making them attractive for secondary buyers, said Amit Gupta, founding partner at TPG NewQ

'Biased organisation with political agenda': India rejects USCIRF report

India on Thursday trashed a report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and described it as a "biased" organisation with a "political agenda". In its report, the USCIRF that monitors universal right to freedom of religion criticised India for alleged violations of religious freedom. It also recommended to the US state department to declare India a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) in the context of religious freedom. In a strong reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the USCIRF should utilise its time more productively on addressing human rights issues in the United States. "Our views on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) are well known. It is a biased organisation with a political agenda," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "It continues to misrepresent facts and peddles a motivated narrative about India. We reject this malicious report, which only serves to discredit US

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti 2024: Top 100 quotes by the Father of the Nation

Today, India is celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who played a vital role in India's freedom struggle through non-violence and civil disobedience

Lal Bahadur Shastri birth anniversary: Top 50 quotes and messages

Today, India marks the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the third prime minister. Here are the top 50 quotes by India's third PM

PM Modi holds talks with Jamaican counterpart Holness, inks four pacts

India and Jamaica on Tuesday inked four pacts including one on possible roll-out of Indian UPI payment systems in the island nation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Jamaican counterpart Andrew Holness focusing on boosting ties in sectors like defence and energy. In his media statement, Modi said India has always been a reliable partner in Jamaica's development journey and it is ready to share its expertise with that country in areas such as digital public infrastructure, small industries, biofuel, innovation, health, education and agriculture. The prime minister said India will move forward in training and capacity building of the Jamaican military. Modi said he and Holness also discussed regional and global issues and agreed that all tensions and disputes should be resolved through talks and both sides will continue to work towards ensuring global peace and security. The prime minister's comments came amid growing tensions in West Asia and the confl

IAEA interested in mobile irradiators developed by India: DAE official

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown interest in mobile irradiators developed by India which can be used to prolong the shelf-life of food products, a top official said on Tuesday. An India-made mobile irradiator was demonstrated at the IAEA office in Vienna last month, said Department of Atomic Energy secretary A K Mohanty at an event here. "The IAEA is interested. If India or BRIT (Board for Radiation and Isotope Technology, a wing under the DAE) can make more (mobile irradiators), the IAEA can install them in other countries. The Director General of IAEA has written that he will be visiting (India) and if we can give him a few samples, the IAEA will put these in other countries which they need more," he said. Irradiators are useful for prolonging the shelf-life of food products and minimising crop loss, Mohanty said, adding that the technology would be especially useful in countries like Ghana where ginger is a cash crop (and needs preservation). At the event

US mission opens additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travellers

The US Mission to India has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year, according to the US embassy in New Delhi statement

US levies higher tariffs on Chinese products: What does it mean for India?

Watch: Bangladesh super fan 'Tiger Robi' allegedly assaulted in Kanpur

China fumes as India names Himalayan peak after the Dalai Lama in Arunachal

Beijing calls the move 'illegal' and reiterates its claim over the region as part of South Tibet

World Talent Ranking 2024: Switzerland leads, India drops to 58th position

The IMD's recent World Talent Ranking 2024 shows that Switzerland ranks first, followed by Singapore; India finds itself ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47

India overtakes Japan as Asia's third most powerful nation: Power Index

Japan's slow population growth, limited military expansion, and relatively stagnant economic performance have caused it to lose ground to rising giants like China and India

'Can't call any part of India as Pakistan': CJI pulls up Karnataka HC judge

'No one can call any part of India as Pakistan. This is fundamentally against the territorial integrity of the nation', said CJI DY Chandrachud

Ice has started to melt, says BNP leader after meeting with Indian envoy

Recently, in a political outreach, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, held a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP office to discuss relations

India joins US-led security finance network to secure critical minerals

The Minerals Security Finance Network seeks to promote collaboration between the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, ensuring a secure, sustainable, and diversified supply of critical minerals