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Fri, 23 June 2023
'Your contribution incredible': Modi lauds Harris
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23:33 'Your contribution incredible': Modi lauds Harris
India and the United States are working with renewed trust in areas of new and emerging technologies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as he thanked the American leadership for giving him a grand welcome.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour by US Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House, Modi said the two countries have added and expanded the scope of the cooperation in the defence and strategic areas.
"We are working with renewed trust in areas of new and emerging technologies. We are resolving long pending and difficult issues in training," he said.
He lauded Indian-origin Vice President Harris and her parents, saying "Your contribution to strengthening our strategic partnership has been incredible."
"Thank you so much for this grand welcome. The sweet melody of the India-US relationship is composed of our people-to-people relations," Modi said at the event also co-hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. -- PTI
23:16 Amit Shah reviews security situation in J-K
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Amarnath pilgrimage, sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and top officials of the intelligence agencies, paramilitary forces, police and the civil administration attended the meeting here.
At the meeting, the home minister took stock of the security situation and was given a detailed briefing, sources said.
Shah was apprised about the situation along the International Border as well as the Line of Control, they said.
He gave necessary directions to the security agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the Union territory, sources said.
The security review meeting came days ahead of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.
The 62-day-long annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath, located at a height of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas, will begin on July 1 and continue till August 31.
At a meeting on June 9 in New Delhi, Shah had said the Modi government's priority was to ensure a comfortable Amarnath pilgrimage.
He had then directed officials to make adequate security arrangements along the entire pilgrimage routes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The pilgrims travel through two routes -- Baltal and Pahalgam -- in Jammu and Kashmir.
All the pilgrims will be given RFID cards so that their real-time location can be traced and everyone will be given Rs 5 lakh insurance cover. There will be insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for each animal carrying the pilgrims, sources said.
Last year, 3.45 lakh people visited the holy cave and this year, the figure could go up to 5 lakh, they said.
The sources said that to avoid any incident like last year's flash flood which claimed 16 lives near the shrine, the National Disaster Response Force has started identifying ideal locations for setting up pilgrim camps keeping in mind any possible natural disaster. -- PTI
22:44 Harris, Blinken hold luncheon for Modi
US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the state department.
Prime Minister Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday. Biden also held a state dinner for the Indian leader on Thursday.
Modi also became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016.
"The US-India partnership is stronger than ever. Together, our nations will shape the future as we work to create a more prosperous, secure, and healthy world," Harris's office tweeted on Thursday.
"The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level from space to defence, to emerging technology and supply chains," it said.
Prime Minister Modi, in his response, thanked Vice President Harris for her remarks.
"Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors," he tweeted.
Harris was among prominent personalities, including billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani and tech honchos like Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who attended the state dinner hosted in honour of Prime Minister Modi at the White House on Thursday.
22:21 Modi holds meetings with top CEOs in Washington
PM Narendra Modi met top CEOs and Chairmen from the United States and India at the White House.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Reliance Industries Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani, Zerodha and True Beacon Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath and several others were present.
22:11 Sort out issues over tea, biscuits: Mamata to AAP, Cong
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress to sort out their differences on the Delhi ordinance issue over tea and biscuits at a later date, reminding them that the Patna opposition meeting was not the ideal forum for such discussion, sources said.
They said Banerjee, herself on a day-long fast, was keen that the bickering over the ordinance does not derail the discussions and intervened in the matter when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal insisted that the Congress make an announcement at the end of the meeting that it will support AAP on the issue.
During the meeting, Congress chairperson Mallikarjun Kharge in his speech gave an in-principle support to the AAP on the issue saying the party will not back anything that is unconstitutional, the sources said.
He said his party has a set mechanism for taking up issues and the announcement on it will be done at a later date, according to the sources.
At no point did Kejriwal threaten to walk out of the meeting, they added.
The sources also said that all the opposition party members in attendance sided with the Congress and stated that the party's line on the issue was a "reasonable" one.
Rahul Gandhi during his speech did not raise the ordinance issue, they said, adding he asserted he was attending the meeting with a clean slate "without any memory of past likes or dislikes with any of the parties in attendance".
He also said he and his party would do anything to keep the opposition together. Gandhi suggested that the Opposition would have to break the financial, institutional and constitutional monopoly of the BJP to defeat them.
"Incidentally, the West Bengal chief minister was sitting almost equidistant from Kejriwal and Gandhi. When the issue became heated, she intervened and asked them to have tea and biscuits. She said a lot of things can be resolved over a good cup of tea and biscuits," said the source.
During her address at the meeting, Banerjee said it was important for all parties to ensure support for the Congress wherever the party was the strongest. She said the BJP will be fighting not the opposition but the people of India.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad was given a rousing welcome by the opposition party leaders as he started his speech as the second speaker.
He suggested that for the 2024 general elections, the opposition fight should be led by the biggest party in each state. Requesting the Congress to be large-hearted, he appreciated the party's gesture to speak last after hearing everyone else.
Host and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was the first to speak, said while 15 opposition parties were in attendance, at least 10 more will be joining the ranks soon.
Kejriwal said for the 2024 elections, the motto should be "nation first, party second."
He said when parties give up seats for their opposition partners, their victory should be victory for the united front. He also said this was no time for expansion for parties and the focus should not just be the election, but agreement of issues. -- PTI
21:38 In Egypt, Modi to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during WWI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first visit to Egypt beginning on Saturday will pay tribute to the brave Indian soldiers who fought and lost their lives in Egypt and Palestine during World War I.
Modi's two-day state visit to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
He will visit the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Cairo, a solemn site that serves as a memorial to nearly 4,000 soldiers from the Indian Army who served and perished in Egypt and Palestine during World War I.
"We are informed that the Prime Minister will soon come to visit the cemetery. Egyptians are generous people and will welcome him," Marwan, a local resident, said.
"The Commonwealth Cemetery is known to be for the soldiers who fought here during the World War. We always welcome visitors and tourists here and in Egypt in general, especially the Indian Prime Minister. We are honoured to have him visit us anywhere in Egypt," Mahmoud, who works next to the cemetery, said.
The cemetery's entrance features pavilions housing the Heliopolis Port Tewfik Memorial, a tribute to the brave Indian soldiers.
Tragically, the original memorial at Port Tewfik was destroyed during the Israeli-Egyptian conflict in the 1970s.
In his departure statement on June 20, Modi said, "I am excited to pay a State Visit to a close and friendly country for the first time."
"We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year. These two visits in the span of a few months are a reflection of our rapidly evolving partnership with Egypt, which was elevated to a 'Strategic Partnership' during President Sisi's visit.
"I look forward to my discussions with President Sisi and senior members of the Egyptian Government to impart further momentum to our civilizational and multi-faceted partnership. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Egypt," Modi said. -- PTI
21:29 BJP plays down Oppn meet, calls it 'photo op'
As the leaders of 14 opposition parties met in Patna on Friday to chalk out a strategy for next year's Lok Sabha polls, top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders played down the meeting, with Home Minister Amit Shah calling it a mere "photo opportunity".
Bharatiya Janata Party chief J P Nadda said the leaders who attended the meet were those who were jailed by the Congress during Emergency, while Union minister Smriti Irani said the Congress is rallying opposition parties as it is unable to win elections on its own.
Addressing a rally in Jammu, Shah said opposition unity is "nearly impossible".
He also slammed former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, saying he has the habit of criticising everything.
"A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey the message that they will challenge the BJP, the NDA and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi (in 2024)," Shah said.
"All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it happens, irrespective of how unitedly you appear in front of people in 2024, Modi's return with more than 300 seats is confirmed," he said.
Nadda, who was in Odisha's Kalahandi district, said leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency are now welcoming her grandson, Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing a public meeting in Bhawanipatna, Nadda said, "Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson, Rahul Gandhi."
He pointed out that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar was behind bars for 20 months during Emergency.
"I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray, was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the 'dukaan' (referring to his political party, Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing down the 'dukaan'," Nadda said.
Irani, who defeated Gandhi from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said the Congress is seeking the support of other parties as it is "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone".
She said it is "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during Emergency have assembled under the Congress's parasol in Patna.
20:45 In a first since 2011, no heatwave recorded in Delhi this summer
Delhi's primary weather station, the Safdarjung Observatory, has not experienced any heatwave this summer season. In fact, it is expected that there will be no heatwave until the end of June.
This is quite unusual because since 2011, the observatory has always recorded at least one heatwave in summer, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) data.
"The Safdarjung Observatory has not recorded any heatwave this summer season so far. Also, there will be no heatwave in the next seven days. Since 2011, this is the first summer without a heatwave in Delhi," said Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre.
Meteorologists attribute the absence of heatwave days to excess rainfall due to higher-than-usual western disturbances -- weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India -- this summer season (March to June).
According to the IMD's data, Delhi recorded 111 mm rainfall in May, 262 per cent more than the long-term average of 30.7 mm and the fourth highest in the month since the Met office started maintaining records.
The city logged more than 20 mm rainfall in April, the highest in the month since 2017, and heatwave conditions at isolated pockets.
The Met department has forecast intermittent rains over the next six to seven days, with the intensity peaking between June 25 and June 27.
Maximum temperatures are predicted to hover around the 35-degree Celsius mark during the period.
Though the IMD's extended range model guidance shows an upswing in rains over northwest India in the last week of June, the Met office is yet to announce a date for the arrival of monsoon in Delhi.
Normally, the rain-bearing system reaches the capital by June 27.
20:43 No decision on PM candidate in Oppn meet: Stalin
The opposition parties' meet at Patna did not decide on fielding a common prime ministerial candidate but have resolved to consolidate all democratic forces to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday.
All the parties that attended the meet were very clear that the BJP should not be allowed to win again, he said. "I had stressed that the parties should remain firm on their goal to defeat the BJP," the chief minister said upon his arrival here from Patna.
Briefing reporters on his visit, Stalin said he put forth seven suggestions including forming an alliance under the leadership of a party that wields influence in the state, and if this was not possible, then seat sharing could be considered.
He also suggested that there should be no post-poll alliance, but a common minimum programme should be agreed upon, and common candidates should be nominated where required. -- PTI
20:18 AAP slams Cong, skips press meet after Oppn meet
Stopping short of staging a walkout at the opposition meeting in Patna on Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party skipped the press briefing and came out with a statement condemning the Congress' "silence" over the Delhi central ordinance.
Party founder Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chaddha, who represented AAP at the meeting, were conspicuous by their absence at the press conference.
However, on its official Twitter handle, the party came out with a statement asserting the centrality of the "black ordinance", which "not only aims to snatch democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi but poses a significant threat to India's democracy and constitutional principles".
The statement noted that among the parties that attended the meeting in Patna, "12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha" and "except for the Indian National Congress" all others have "clearly expressed their stand against the ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha".
"The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, is yet to make public its position on the Black Ordinance", the statement rued, adding that Delhi and Punjab units were of the view "the party should support the Modi government on the issue".
At the meeting, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance but the Congress refused to do so, claimed AAP, adding that the grand old party's "silence raises suspicions about its real intentions".
At the press conference, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had convened the meeting, sought to downplay the AAP's absence.
"Those who had to catch an early flight could not stay back for the press conference. Don't fixate on that. Pay attention to how many parties have joined us in our endeavour", said the Janaat Dal-United supreme leader. -- PTI
19:50 Nepal resumes screening of Hindi films except...
Screening of Hindi movies resumed in the country on Friday, days after they were banned following a controversy over Adipurush dialogues where Goddess Sita is referred as "India's daughter".
In Kathmandu, many cinema halls started screening Hindi films, except Adipurush , which continues to face a ban.
In the city's multiplex QFX Cinema, situated in Sundhara, Hindi film Zara Hatke, Zara Bachke, starring Sara Ali Khan and Vikki Kaushal, was screened.
In a statement, Nepal Motion Picture Association said all Nepali and foreign films except Adipurush will be screened from Friday.
A dialogue of Adipurush, in which Sita is mentioned as "India's daughter", had led to the ban on all Hindi films, which was announced by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah.
Sita, also referred to as Janaki, is believed by many to have been born in Janakpur in southeast Nepal.
On Thursday, a single bench of the Patan high court judge Dhir Bahadur Chand issued a short term order, stating that the screening of films that have acquired permission from the censor board should not be stopped.
"It has been our belief that no one is above the nation and nationality. It is our fundamental right to engage in our business freely abiding by Nepalese Law," the bench observed.
The same day, Shah said he was ready to face any punishment but would not allow the screening of Adipurush as the matter pertains to "Nepal's sovereignty and independence". -- PTI
19:25 'Many Hussain Obama in India', will...: Himanta
Reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former United States president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many Hussain Obama in India and his priority will be in dealing with them.
He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities.
"There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist.
The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to apprehend the former US president.
"Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote.
The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country.
Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year.
Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may pull apart if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld.
If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart, Obama had said. -- PTI
19:14 All 10 Adani group stocks fall amid scrutiny in US
Adani Group stocks ended in the negative territory on Friday, with Adani Enterprises falling nearly 7 per cent, in-line with weak trend in the broader market, amid reports that the United States authorities are looking into the representations that the conglomerate made to its American investors in the wake of allegations of stock manipulation levelled by Hindenburg Research.
Shares of Adani Enterprises tumbled 6.79 per cent, Adani Transmission plunged 6.38 per cent, Adani Power declined 5.61 per cent and Ambuja Cements tanked 4.19 per cent on the BSE.
Adani Ports fell by 4.16 per cent, NDTV slumped 3.46 per cent, ACC declined 3.46 per cent, Adani Wilmar skidded 3.42 per cent, Adani Total Gas went lower by 3.21 per cent and Adani Green Energy dipped 1.50 per cent.
In the equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 259.52 points or 0.41 per cent to settle at 62,979.37.
"Adani group stocks came under selling pressure on Friday when the broader market was anyway under profit-taking mode. An additional reason for the group stocks to fall was the news of Adani Group drawing regulatory scrutiny in the US after a short seller report.
"The US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has reportedly sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in Adani Group. The requests for information were focused on what Adani Group told those investors," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities.
Adani Group stocks have in the past taken a beating on the bourses after Hindenburg made a litany of allegations, including those about fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, against the business conglomerate.
Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements. -- PTI
18:50 Baat maaniye, shaadi kariye: Lalu to Rahul
Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad on Friday gave a paternal reprimand to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his refusal to tie the nuptial knot, pointing out the consternation it was causing to his mother Sonia Gandhi.
The aging septuagenarian, who was the last among the galaxy of opposition leaders to address the press briefing after the much vaunted opposition meet, was in his element as he regaled the delegates and the media persons alike with his characteristic sense of humour.
"You do not heed our advice to get married", said Prasad while complimenting 53 years old Gandhi for wearing a half sleeved shirt, which the RJD supremo said was a perfect foil for the "Modi kurta".
"Baat maaniye, shaadi kariye", said Prasad, adding "your mummy keeps fretting over your refusal to get married".
"We would like to be a part of your wedding procession (baraat) said Prasad, evoking a shy smile from Gandhi and guffaws from others present on the occasion.
The seasoned politician was, however, not all mirth and levity as he also lauded Gandhi for the "Bharat Jodo Yatra" and slammed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for withdrawing Rs 2,000 notes, less than a decade after these were introduced following demonetization. -- PTI
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18:01 BMC Covid scam: ED raids 15 places in Mumbai
The Enforcement Directorate has raided 15 locations in Mumbai in connection with the alleged Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation COVID centre scam case and seized cash and documents of properties worth crores, according to ED sources.
The case is linked to a money laundering case against businessman Sujit Patkar, a close aide of Shiv Sena-UBT leaders Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray, and others.
According to ED sources, the raids were conducted at locations associated with some officials of the BMC and some other people, including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, in connection with the COVID-19 hospital management contracts.
According to the sources, ED seized Rs 68.65 lakh in cash during the raid.
Documents of 50 immovable properties located at various places in Maharashtra with a market value of more than Rs 150 crore, fixed deposits and investments worth Rs 15 crore and jewellery worth Rs 2.46 crore have also been recovered.
ED has also seized several mobile phones and laptops along with many incriminating documents, said the sources. -- ANI
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17:28 UP adds biographies of 11 leaders, including Nehru, Savarkar, for classes 9-12
The Uttar Pradesh board of secondary education has included biographies of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji and tribal leader Birsa Munda in the curriculum for classes 9 to 12.
Biographies of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and writer and freedom fighter Pandit Shriram Sharma have been included in the curriculum.
Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad secretary Dibyakant Shukla told PTI that biographies of 11 leaders have been included in the moral education syllabus for classes 9 to 12.
Students will read about these leaders from academic session 2023-24, he said.
Apart from this, many things from the field of science and technology have been included in the computer syllabus, Shukla said.
He said the objective behind including new things in the curriculum is to ensure the all-round development of children.
Surya namaskar, asanas, mudras and pranayama have been included in the class 9 curriculum.
Along with this, Ashtanga yoga has also been explained in detail, he added. -- PTI
17:21 Nitish: Oppn will fight 2024 elections together
As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences.
Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour-long meeting, during which leaders of 17 parties expressed their views, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together.
"We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. 17 parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters.
Kumar, who hosted the first such meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the national interest as it was trying to change the country's history.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of opposition leaders would be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh next month.
"We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward," he said. "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology".
West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement".
"We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved".
She also asserted that they were not opposition parties but were also citizens of the country who had patriotism and loved 'Bharat Mata'.
16:35 Armed men fire at villages in Manipur
A group of armed men, who sneaked from Yaingangpokpi (YKPI) in Manipur's Imphal East district and moved towards the hills on Friday afternoon, fired from automatic weapons towards Urangpat and Gwaltabi villages, officials said.
Security forces columns, which were immediately deployed in these "vacant" villages, responded cautiously to avoid any collateral damage.
However, a large group of women in YKPI and Seijang areas were preventing the movement of additional columns into the area, officials added.
This comes a day after two soldiers were injured when unknown gunmen fired at them at North Boljang in Imphal West district around 5am on Thursday.
During initial search operations by the security forces, one INSAS light machine gun and one INSAS rifle were recovered. Shots of automatic small arms were also heard near Urangpat, north of YKPI, around 5.45 pm on Wednesday.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. PTI
Former WB CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya
16:26 Ex-Bengal CM's daughter to undergo gender change
Suchetna Bhattacharya, the daughter of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, said she will soon undergo gender change to become transgender man.
The 41-year-old, who had recently attended a seminar on LGBTQ+ community, told reporters on Wednesday that she prefers being called Suchetan and will continue speaking out for the marginalised.
"I have often been humiliated as I considered myself a man, not a woman, since adolescence. I think now the time has come to assert myself. I am ready for the battle," Bhattacharya said.
She said their father Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has always been supportive of their decision, while mother Mira also did not oppose it, even if she had reservations.
She said she had introduced herself as Suchetan, a social activist and freelancer graphic designer, in the recent seminar on LGBTQ+. Bhattacharya said the surgery for physical transformation to a transgender man will take place soon.
"I am thankful to all those who have supported me on social media. I need wishes from everyone," they said. They said the legal process for changing name and gender in official identity cards will take place before the surgery.
Social activist Suprava Roy in a Facebook post, said, "Suchetan had considered herself a boy since childhood... She got support from family. Hence, she could effortlessly grow up as transgender man."
Roy said that Suchetan now wants to her battle to a bigger domain and champion the rights of the third gender. She said Suchetan is now living with her partner Suchandra, who works in a private firm.
Pt Nehru, the architect of modern India
16:11 UP school board has Savarkar AND Nehru bios
The Uttar Pradesh board of secondary education has included biographies of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji and tribal leader Birsa Munda in the curriculum for classes 9 to 12.
Biographies of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and writer and freedom fighter Pandit Shriram Sharma have been included in the curriculum.
Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) Secretary Dibyakant Shukla told PTI that biographies of 11 leaders have been included in the moral education syllabus for classes 9 to 12. Students will read about these leaders from academic session 2023-24, he said. "Apart from this, many things from the field of science and technology have been included in the computer syllabus," Shukla said.
He said the objective behind including new things in the curriculum is to ensure the all-round development of children. Surya namaskar, asanas, mudras and pranayama have been included in the class 9 curriculum. Along with this, Ashtanga yoga has also been explained in detail, he added. As part of moral education, yoga and sports, and physical education curriculum, a written test and a practical test of 50 marks each will be conducted for students. -- PTI
Vinesh Phogat
15:49 Who leaked women wrestlers' names? Phogat says...
India's ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday accused BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt of leaking the names of the women wrestlers to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the media after the committee meeting.
Earlier today Yogeshwar posted a video on Twitter questioning the exemption that the protesting wrestlers are reportedly getting from trials.
Out of six wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat was a part of that list. She took to Twitter and posted a tweet pointing out how Yogeshwar used to suppress the voices of the female wrestlers and leaked the names of the women wrestlers to the media as well as Brij Bhushan Singh
."When I heard the video of Yogeshwar Dutt, his ugly laugh got stuck in my mind. He was a part of both the committees made for women wrestlers. When women wrestlers were narrating their ordeals in front of the committee, he used to laugh very badly. When two female wrestlers came out to drink water, he came out and told them that nothing should happen to Brijbhushan. Go and do your practice," Vinesh wrote in her tweet.
"He told another female wrestler in a very lewd manner that all this goes on and on, don't make it such a big issue. Let me know if you need anything. After the committee meeting, Yogeshwar leaked the names of women wrestlers to Brijbhushan and the media. He also called the houses of many women wrestlers and told them to make their girls understand," Vinesh added. -- ANI
The Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo
15:16 PM's 1st stop on Egypt visit tomorrow is a mosque
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit the 11th-century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo during his two-day visit to Egypt beginning on Saturday. PM Modi's visit to the mosque is scheduled as the first event on the last day of his two-day programme in Egypt's sprawling capital Cairo.
The Prime Minister will spend nearly half an hour at the Al-Hakim Mosque-- a historic and prominent mosque in Cairo named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985-1021), the 16th Fatimid caliph.The mosque was originally built by Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah's father, Caliph Al-'Aziz Billah, towards the end of the 10th century, in the year 990, and was later completed by Al-Hakim in the year 1013.
Modi during his first Egypt tour will also visit Heliopolis War Grave cemetery to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice fighting for Egypt during the First World War.
15:05 Seeing and unseeing
This is how they treat their first, says the Telegraph juxtaposing two texts of how America respects and revers its first President George Washington, while Narendra Modi as president of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library choose to remove the name of India's first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru from the library.
14:46 Photo session in Patna: Shah's jibe at Oppn meet
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will form the government in 2024 by securing over 300 seats and becoming the Prime Minister again.
Addressing a public meeting in Jammu, Shah said, "No matter how many parties come for the meeting, they can never unite". "Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (the opposition) want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats," Shah, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit today said.
A meeting of Opposition leaders hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar began in Patna today with the aim to forge a united Opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. More than 15 opposition parties attended the meeting held at Nitish Kumar's official residence in Patna. -- PTI
14:29 The violinist at the WH
FLOTUS Jill Biden tweets this image saying, "Vibha Janakiraman, a youth violinist and 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts kicked off the Official State Visit for the Republic of India today. Vibha honored her cultural connection to Western classical and South Indian classical music for guests at the White House."
The Dawood foundation condoles the deaths of the family in the Titan
14:14 The tragic deaths in the Titan
Shahzada Dawood, the British Pakistani businessman who was among the five people aboard a submersible journeying down to view the Titanic, is presumed to have died when the vessel experienced what the authorities believe was a "catastrophic implosion" during its descent to the ocean floor. He was 48. His 19-year-old son, Suleman, who was with him on the Titan submersible, also is believed to have perished.
Dawood was the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, a business conglomerate headquartered in Karachi that is involved in agriculture, energy and telecommunications. His family is known as one of the wealthiest business families in the country. Dawoods work focused on renewable energy and technology, according to a statement from his family.
By special arrangement
14:08 Those jailed by Indira welcoming Rahul: BJP
BJP president J P Nadda on Friday said that leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency were now welcoming her grandson Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP leader was referring to the opposition meeting in Patna which was organised by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and attended by his ally RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Both were arrested during the Emergency when they were student leaders participating in the movement of Jay Prakash Narayan.
Addressing a public meeting in Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district, Nadda said, "Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by former PM Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson Rahul Gandhi."
He said Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while Kumar was behind the bars for 20 months during the period.
"I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the 'dukaan' (referring to his political party Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the 'dukaan'," Nadda said.
He claimed Congress was unable to digest Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise by world leaders. Nadda said Modi is strongly opposed to dynasty politics and introduced politics of development in the country. PTI
Pic: Reuters/Julia Nikhinson
13:51 Who is this man?
He is a filmmaker and his first film frightened the daylights out of human kind. Name him.
Pic: Reuters/Leah Millis
13:21 When PM spoke about Spelling Bee at US Congress
If you've missed reading this, here's what happened during PM Modi's speech at the US Congress.
Applauding the Indian community in the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that they are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee and have played a big role in the country's relationship with America.
Prime Minister Modi's remarks on Thursday came during his address to a joint session of the US Congress. He attributed a big part of the success of India-US ties to Indian-Americans. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice.
"In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee. With their hearts and minds, talent and skills, and their love for America and India, they have connected us; they have unlocked doors; they have shown the potential of our partnership," he said.
Spelling Bee is a prestigious contest where children of Indian origin have ruled the roost. Dev Shah, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Florida, has won the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
"Today India and the US are working together, in space and in the seas, in science and in semi-conductors, in start-ups and sustainability, in tech and in trade, in farming and finance, in art and artificial intelligence, in energy and education, in healthcare and humanitarian efforts," he said.
President Joe Biden also mentioned the contributions of Americans of Indian heritage in his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, whose success stories define the relationship and the limitless possibilities between the two nations. Harris, 58, was born in Oakland, California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica.
Abhishek Dev
13:12 Money-related questions? Ask Abhishek Dev
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13:08 Cloud remains long-term investment priority for 70% firms: TCS study
Cloud remains a long-term investment priority for 70 per cent of major corporations despite macro headwinds and the recent slowing of growth of global cloud providers, according to a new TCS survey.
'Connected Future: How Cloud Drives Business Innovation', the IT services company's global survey of 972 senior executives, found that innovation is a major driver of cloud investment.
As many as 59 per cent of them said that cloud is crucial as a catalyst for innovation that will shape their organisation's future.
This appears particularly true for artificial intelligence (AI): 75 per cent of respondents invested in AI and machine learning capabilities over the past two years, while 78 per cent plan to do so over the coming 12-24 months. Both technologies are highly dependent on access to large amounts of data and scalability through the cloud.
Interestingly, more than a third of respondents (37 per cent) have made progress in their goals for cloud-enabled innovation in the form of new business models, underlining the growing power of cloud to drive new revenue.
The study found that a majority of respondents -- 67 per cent -- use cloud technologies to achieve sustainability goals. However, 43 per cent reported difficulty in understanding the carbon footprints of cloud service providers.
This suggests that while most respondents see cloud as an important part of their sustainability strategy, and increasingly use cloud tools to assess their own carbon impact, they are now demanding the same visibility from their cloud service providers.
Industry clouds or 'vertical clouds' are rapidly emerging as a fast path to acquiring greater business expertise and capabilities, with an overwhelming majority of respondents (73 per cent) reporting that they are already assessing, adopting, or using them in business today.
-- Ayushman Baruah
13:04 She sang for 4 US presidents, for Modi she will...
Mary Millben, a prominent African-American Hollywood actress and singer will perform here on Friday at the concluding event for the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highly popular in India for her singing of the Indian National Anthem and the bhajan, Om Jai Jagdish Hare, Millben, 38, will perform the Indian national anthem at an invitation-only, diaspora event hosted by the United States Indian Community Foundation (USICF) at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC.
"Having performed the American national anthem and patriotic music for four consecutive US presidents, I am deeply honoured to perform the Indian national anthem for Prime Minister Modi and in honour of the country and people I have come to call my family," the singer said in a statement.
"Both the American and Indian anthems speak to the ideals of democracy and freedom, and this is the true essence of the US-India relationship. A free nation is only defined by a free people," she said.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. On June 21, Millben joined Prime Minister Modi at the United Nations in New York for the 2023 International Yoga Day. Millben has performed the National Anthem and patriotic music for four consecutive US Presidents - George W Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as international royalty, and world leaders. -- PTI
File pic
12:42 Vistara pax held for talking about hijack on board
A male passenger, aged 23, identified as Ritesh Sanjaykumar Juneja, who was onboard a Vistara flight, has been arrested after complaints by crew members that the person was allegedly speaking to someone over the phone about 'plane hijacking', Mumbai Police said.
Any details about the flight and the route this took place were not immediately known. According to the police, the crew members onboard the aircraft heard the person talking about 'hijacking' on the phone. The passenger, on being questioned, said that he is mentally ill.
Sahar Police in Mumbai has registered a case under sections 336 (pertaining to crimes which may endanger lives or personal safety of others) and 505(2) (which deals with crimes such as spreading rumours or alarming news) of the Indian Penal Code and is probing the matter. -- ANI
12:39 The imposing facade of the WH and Indo-US partnership
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shares this image saying: "This week we are recognising the strength of the US-India relationship and our commitment to expand cooperation on shared priorities, including at tonight's State Dinner hosted by @POTUS for Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi."
12:20 Will defeat BJP together: Rahul at Patna meet
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly.
Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India.
On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said.
"You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love," he said. "That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar," Gandhi said. "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP," the former Congress chief said, adding, "In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see."
"As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win," Gandhi claimed.
11:58 LIVE! Kamala Harris' lunch with PM today, she says...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first State visit to the US will take bilateral ties in areas of space, defence, emerging technology and supply chains to the next level, Vice President Kamala Harris has said.
Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday.
He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016.
"The US-India partnership is stronger than ever. Together, our nations will shape the future as we work to create a more prosperous, secure, and healthy world," Harris' office tweeted on Thursday.
"The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level from space, to defense, to emerging technology and supply chains," it said.
Modi, in his response, thanked Vice President Harris for her remarks. "Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors," he tweeted.
Harris was among prominent personalities, including billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani and tech honchos like Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who attended the state dinner hosted in honour of Prime Minister Modi at the White House on Thursday.
More than 400 guests were invited to the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. Vice President Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host Modi for a luncheon on Friday.
11:40 Light it up for India
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, ambassador of India to the United States tweets this picture of the Indian embassy lit up in the colours of the national flag.
File pic
11:35 Saif, Sara in ad together
Saif Ali Khan and his daughter Sara will be working together on an ad film. The two have been offered a few films together in the past, but Saif felt it was not the right time for them to be seen together on screen.
Saif and Sara shot for an advertisement earlier this week and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
Says Saif, "Yes, we shot for an ad together and I think we looked really good together. It's an ad for an insurance company."
-- Subhash K Jha
11:31 'PM received exceptional hospitality from Bidens'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received "exceptional warmth and hospitality" extended to him from United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden during his "truly pathbreaking" first state visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said.
Kwatra told reporters in a media briefing on Thursday (local time), "One thread which ran through all the events today and also yesterday was exceptional warmth and hospitality that the President of the US the First Lady extended to the Prime Minister. It was very clearly visible."
Kwatra said that during the discussions with United States President Joe Biden on various issues concerning both countries, Prime Minister Modi stressed upon the need for the international community to recognise that the people who sponsor terrorism, support terrorism, they continue to pose a serious challenge to the safety and security of our societies and have to be very sternly and firmly dealt with.
11:26 The combined wealth in this picture...
Alphabet Inc CEO Sundar Pichai and his wife Anjali, Nita Ambani and Reliance Group chief Mukesh Ambani at the State Dinner at the White House last night.
The Titan submersible
11:15 James Cameron: Titanic, sub tragedies similar
Titanic filmmaker James Cameron has said he is struck by the similarities between the 1912 sinking of the iconic ship and the tragic death of a group of passengers aboard a submersible that was en route to see its remains.
The Hollywood veteran, known for directing the 1997 feature film, Titanic, about the disaster, said many people in the deep-submergence engineering community were concerned about the submarine.
"A number of you know of the top players in the community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and needed to be certified and so on. I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result," Cameron said in an interview with ABC News.
The filmmaker, who has been on 33 deep-sea dives himself to visit the Titanic's wreckage site, said its "surreal" that a similar incident has taken place on the same site after over 100 years.
"For a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing. It's really quite surreal," he added.
On Thursday, rescue teams found outer parts of the submersible near the site of the Titanic ship wreckage. OceanGate, the company that led the mission, said the 5 passengers are dead. PTI
Pic by special arrangement
11:01 Oppn galaxy in Patna
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Bihar Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, DMK leader TK Balu and RJD leader Manoj Jha share a smile for the camera.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be taken before the Parliament session. His remarks come a day after the AAP's ultimatum that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue.
Pic by special arrangement
10:59 Mamata, Lalu, Rabri share a laugh in Patna
Top leaders of Opposition parties will meet in Patna today to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
It is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of RJD at the former's Aney Marg residence. Sources said the meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting.
File pic
10:37 Rahul, Kharge reach Patna for mega Oppn meet
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received a rousing welcome on Friday upon arrival in Patna where he flew in to attend a crucial opposition meeting convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Gandhi, who is in Bihar for the first time after the state assembly polls of 2020, was accompanied by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary in charge of organisation, K C Venugopal.
Nitish Kumar arrived at the Jayaprakash Narayan airport to receive the Congress leaders and welcomed them as they deboarded the plane. The airport was chock-a-block with Congress workers and supporters, eager to catch a glimpse of Gandhi, the response of whose 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' has infused the grand old party's cadre with fresh vigour.
The city has been teeming with political bigwigs, pouring in from all parts of the country, who are expected to chalk out a joint strategy for taking on the formidable BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived earlier in the morning. Many other leaders including Mehbooba Mufti, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann and M K Stalin have been camping in the city since Thursday. PTI
Pic: Raya Kumar
10:31 Indian colours on an iconic building
The Empire State Building lit up in the Indian tricolour on the occasion of PM Modi's state visit to the US.
Pic: @@anandmahindra
10:28 When WH Marine Band played Ae Mere Watan ke...
Anand Mahindra, Chairman Mahindra Group was an invitee to the State Dinner at the White House yesterday. "Landed in D.C and honoured to be an invitee to the State Dinner tonight. After hearing this preview of the preparations for dinner made by @FLOTUS I've decided to skip lunch, work up my appetite, and do justice to all her efforts!" he had tweeted.
He also shared this image alongside saying the Marine Band at the State Dinner played 'Ae mere watan ke logon'.
Big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among those invited to the State Dinner hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday.
10:24 Moment when senators applauded PM's 'AI' quip
US Congressmen lined up to take autographs and selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress, earlier today. The picture alongside is the moment when Modi, addressing the Congress says "there have been even more momentous developments in another AI: America and India."
He was given a standing ovation and a loud round of applause.
"We were strangers in the defence cooperation at turn of the century. Now, the US has become one of our most important defence partners," Modi, who is currently on his maiden state visit, said. Modi said democracy is one of their sacred and shared values.
09:58 Dark clouds of coercion loom on Indo-Pacific: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the "dark clouds of coercion and confrontation" are casting their shadow on the Indo-Pacific, in a veiled attack on China amid its aggressive military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region.
In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress for a second time on Thursday, Modi said the global order is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership," he said in the backdrop of the prolonged stand-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh.
The prime minister said a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity.
His comments came amidst the economic crisis in countries such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, where China has made huge unviable infrastructure investments. The two South Asian countries are currently facing an unprecedented economic crisis.
"We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality," Modi said.
"Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, QUAD has emerged as a major force of good for the region," he said. -- PTI
09:48 25 tech partnership areas identified with US: FS
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra briefs about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing State visit to the USA.
"When the PM and President Biden held discussions after the ceremonial welcome, technology featured very prominently in the discussion... At least 20-25 areas of technology partnership that have been identified in the joint statement are a direct result of the discussion between the two leaders.
"PM said that even after the two decades of 9/11 and one decade of 26/11, the problem of terrorism remains a pressing challenge for the global community. Clearly, what he was highlighting was the need for the international community to recognise that the people who sponsor terrorism, support terrorism, they continue to pose a serious challenge to the safety and security of our societies and have to be very sternly and firmly dealt with.
"PM and President Biden in their discussions focused on the nature of challenges that both countries face in the Indo-Pacific region, including strategic challenges, and what India and the US need to do to mitigate those challenges through cooperation."
09:40 Walking in the steps of Presidents
The White House released this image of PM Modi and US President Joe Biden taking a walk in the White House gardens. The statement from the White House says, "As the world's oldest and largest democracies and as key security providers in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and India are a combined force for global good. Today's State Visit will take US-India ties to the next level as we build the future we want to see."
The rose bushes in the White House Garden go back to the sixties when the Kennedys were in the House. Jacqueline Kennedy is believed to have personally curated the garden, especially the rose bushes.
The Ambanis at the state dinner
09:22 Anand Mahindra to Billie Jean King at WH dinner
Big names in the tech world, film and fashion industry as well as billionaire industrialists were among those invited to the State dinner hosted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's honour at the White House on Thursday night.
See the full guest list here.
09:14 15 standing ovations during PM's US Congress speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nearly hour-long address to the US Congress evoked multiple standing ovations, applauses and cheers from American lawmakers and chants of Modi, Modi' from members of the diaspora community sitting in the grand House Chamber at the US Capitol here.
Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday.
He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016.
Modi arrived in the House Chamber to a rousing reception as lawmakers stood up and applauded as he walked up to the podium to deliver his address.
Members of the Indian-American community sat in the visitor galleries in the chamber and erupted into applause and chanted Modi, Modi' as the Indian leader walked in. Modi waved to the diaspora in the galleries overhead before he began his address.
Modi's address received about 15 standing ovations from US lawmakers and multiple applauses.
On several occasions, the diaspora broke into chants of Modi, Modi' and Bharat Mata ki Jai' during the address. Some of the members of the Indian-American community were dressed in traditional Indian attire.
During his address, Modi said, "There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history."
Modi was referring to Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman to be elected to the post of Vice President. Harris' mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai. As Modi made this comment, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled and looked over at Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi sitting across the aisle from her and applauded and acknowledged them. Both are US lawmakers of Indian origin. -- PTI
08:41 Had a wonderful time with PM: Biden at State Dinner
President Joe Biden expressed his delight in hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the official State dinner at the White House and emphasised that the occasion celebrates great bonds of friendship between India and the United States.
In a special address during the State Dinner at the White House, Biden said, "Jill and I have had a wonderful time with the prime minster today, during your truly productive visit. Tonight we celebrate the great bonds of friendship between India and the United States."
The two leaders also raised a toast to the successful meeting that happened between them as they attended the official State dinner today (local time).
Earlier on Friday, the Bidens welcomed Modi at the White House for the State dinner. -- ANI
IMAGE: President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi toast during an official state dinner at the White House on June 22, 2023. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
07:03 Modi raises a toast to Indo-US forever friendship
"I want to thank US President Joe Biden for this wonderful dinner today. "I would also like to thank First Lady Jill Biden for taking care of my visit to make it successful.
"Yesterday evening you opened the doors of your house for me," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the official state dinner at the White House on Thursday.
"This evening is made special by the presence of the people of our two countries, they are our most precious assets.
"When we met in Japan, for the Quad Summit, you mentioned a problem that you were facing, I am sure that you must have resolved that problem."
"I hope you were able to fit in everyone who wanted to come for the dinner tonight," Modi said during his speech at the official state dinner.
"There is one more thing left to do tonight -- please join me in raising a toast.
"A toast to our wonderful hosts, President Biden and Jill Biden. A toast to good health, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness, liberty, equality and to the ever-lasting bonds of friendship between India and the United States," PM Modi said, raising a glass.
07:02 India's power couple at Modi dinner
Mukesh and Nita Ambani arrive at the White House for the state dinner.
06:45 Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath among state dinner invitees
Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath arrives at the White House for the state dinner.
06:43 Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen attends state dinner
Adobe's CEO Shantanu Narayen arrives at the White House for the state dinner.
05:59 Google's Pichai turns up in a sharp tux
Google CEO Sundar Pichai arrives at the White House for the state dinner.
05:56 Satya Nadella arrives at the White House
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella arrives at the White House for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state dinner.
05:49 Nadella, Pichai, Ambanis at Modi's state dinner
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for the state dinner on Thursday.
Among the US officials who arrived at the White House for the state dinner was the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.
"It has been wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. It has grown so strong, this is not just the relationship between two men, or two governments, its really two peoples," Eric Garcetti told ANI, as he entered the White House for the state dinner.
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also arrived at the White House for the event and said that India and US have a very strong relationship.
"We had a great time with Prime Minister Modi. We have a very strong relationship, PM Modi continues to make that grow and make both nations stronger," he told ANI.
Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita Ambani were among the Indian business tycoons who arrived at the White House for the state dinner.
Furthermore, Indra Nooyi, former chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo also reached the White House for the state dinner.
The guest list does not end here. Several CEOs were also among the invitees to the state dinner.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were in attendance.
Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath was also on the guest list, alongside Indian-American filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan to reach the White House for the state dinner.
Adobe's CEO Shantanu Narayen was also invited.
03:15 India, US ties will serve the global good: Joint statement
Affirming a vision of the United States and India as among the closest partners, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on Thursday said that the diverse partnership between the two nations will serve the global good.
The US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership are anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding and enriched by the warm bonds of family and friendship that inextricably link the two countries together, said a joint statement issued by the White House after the talks between Prime Minister and the President in the Oval Office and the Cabinet meeting room.
"Together, we will build an even stronger, diverse US-India partnership that will advance the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future grounded in respect for human rights, and shared principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, said the joint statement.
"Our cooperation will serve the global good as we work through a range of multilateral and regional groupings particularly the Quad to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two great countries, which spans the seas to the stars, said the statement.
Upbeat about the relationship, Prime Minister Modi told reporters during a news conference that now even the sky is not the limit.
"In fact, in short for India and America partnership, even this -- even the sky is not the limit. Friends, the most important pillar of our relations is our people-to-people ties, he said.
Two of the world's largest democracies, India and America can together make an important contribution to global peace stability and prosperity. I'm confident that based on these values, we will be able to fulfil the expectations and aspirations of not only the people of our two countries but of the entire world, he said.
Affirming that technology will play the defining role in deepening our partnership, the joint statement said the leaders hailed the inauguration of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in US-India relations. -- PTI
02:50 Our trusted partnership is like Sun: Modi on India-US ties
'Our trusted partnership is like Sun in this new dawn that will spread light all around. Today, we stand at new dawn in our relationship that will not only shape destiny of our two nations, but also that of the world. Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver.'
'When I was here in 2016, I had said that "our relationship is primed for a momentous future." That future is today'
02:47 Not an era of war: Modi at US Congress
Reiterating his statement over Ukraine-Russia war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, " I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war, but one of dialogue and diplomacy."
02:46 No ifs or buts in dealing with terrorism: Modi at US Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked tough on cross-border terrorism and said, "Two decades after 9/11 and a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain pressing danger for whole world."
"Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror," he added.
02:37 Women leading India's development: Modi at US Congress
Today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India's vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of State," Modi said giving the example of President Droupadi Murmu.
02:30 India's vision pro-planet, says Modi at US Congress
Indian culture deeply respects environment and planet. Our vision is pro-planet progress. Our vision is pro-planet prosperity. Our vision is to create pro-planet people, Modi said at the US Congress.
02:26 Modi praises India's diversity in US Congress address
We have over 2,500 political parties. About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, yet we speak in one voice, said PM Narendra Modi while addressing the joint sitting of the US Congress.
02:24 Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
More quotes from PM Modi's address.
- India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India,
- We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. We remember many others who worked for liberty, equality and justice
- Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Democracy is spirit that supports equality and dignity
- Democracy is idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is culture that gives wings to thought and expression:
02:17 Hope Samosa Caucus grows and brings full diversity of Indian cuisine in US: PM
Talking about the growing numbers of Indian-Americans in the US Congress, Modi said," I am told that Samosa Caucus is now flavour of House. I hope it grows and brings full diversity of Indian cuisine here."
"The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people...There are millions here who have roots in India, some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me," Modi said pointing at US vice president Kamala Harris duirng his address.
Samosa Caucus is an informal grouping of Indian-American lawmakers who are either part of the House of Representatives or the Senate.
The term was coined by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to give credence to the growing number of "desi" lawmakers in the US Congress.
02:09 Momentous development in AI - America & India: PM
In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his address.
"I can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies - India and the United States," he said.
02:08 Exceptional privilege to address US Congress twice: Modi
It is always a great honour to address the US Congress. It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude to the 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I can also see the enthusiasm of the old friends and the new friends in the other half," Modi said in his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress.
"Standing here seven Junes ago, when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century," he added.
01:56 Modi addresses joint session of US Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his address to the joint sitting of Congress.
01:33 Modi arrives at US Capitol, to address Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the US Capitol to address the joint sitting of Congress shortly.
Modi meets Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy ahead of his address.
01:11 Titanic sub crew believed to be dead, says company
The pilot and four passengers of a missing submersible that disappeared en route to the wreckage of the Titanic are believed to be dead, the expedition company said.
Pilot and chief executive Stockton Rush, along with passengers British-Pakistani billionaire businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British businessman Hamish Harding, and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet "have sadly been lost," OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement.
OceanGate did not provide details when the company announced the "loss of life" in a statement or how officials knew the crew members perished.
00:38 Modi to address joint sitting of US Congress soon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the joint sitting of the US Congress shortly.
Members of the Indian diaspora have started lining up outside Capitol Hill, as they await the arrival of Prime Minister Modi.
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