Nation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is set to begin hearings on April 7 regarding the entry of women into religious places, including the Sabarimala temple, access for Muslim women to mosques, and rights of Parsi women after inter-community marriages. A nine-judge Constitution Bench will hear the petitions, which were referred to the larger bench as a consolidated group of cases. Timeline for Hearings The Chief Justice-led bench indicated on Monday that the hearings are likely to conclude by April 22. All parties have been asked to submit written statements by March 14. Review of Sabarimala Verdict Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India, expressed support for reviewing the 2018 Sabarimala verdict, which granted women of all ages the right to enter the...

New Delhi: India has strategically organized the AI Impact Summit 2026 at a time of global geopolitical turbulence, offering the country a unique opportunity to assert leadership in a critical, non-controversial field. With tensions persisting across regions—ranging from US domestic challenges under Donald Trump to the ongoing Middle East crises and China’s expansionist ambitions—India’s initiative to convene a global dialogue on Artificial Intelligence could serve as a significant diplomatic advantage. India’s Position in the Global AI Ecosystem The summit comes shortly after India’s successful trade deals with the United States and the European Union, further enhancing the country’s international profile. Analysts suggest that a robust AI ecosystem requires four pillars: a strong c...

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday approved the Union Government’s Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project, valued at over ₹90,000 crore. Citing its strategic importance, the NGT dismissed all petitions challenging the project, emphasizing its significance for national security. Notably, around 40% of the world’s oil tanker traffic passes through the Great Nicobar region in the Indian Ocean. NGT Affirms Environmental Clearance A bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava upheld the 2022 environmental ministry approval for the project. The NGT stated that sufficient safeguards have been implemented, and there is no valid basis to halt the initiative. Concerns raised earlier have been reviewed by a high-level committee in 2023, which also endorsed the project. The t...

New Delhi: With a new government set to take office in Bangladesh, speculation had emerged that the presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India might affect bilateral ties. However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has clarified that there should be no such impact. Tarique Rahman to Be Sworn In as Prime Minister Following BNP’s decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, Tarique Rahman, son of former PM Khaleda Zia, will assume office as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister today. BNP Secretary-General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Indian media that Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India would not become a barrier to India-Bangladesh relations. Alamgir expressed hope that India will consider legal procedures regarding Sheikh Hasina, but emphasized that the broader relations...

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Tuesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening the India-France strategic partnership. He was welcomed at Mumbai Airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with Macron, and together they will inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. Macron’s Advanced Aircraft President Macron traveled on a specially configured Airbus A330-200 (F-RARF), often operated under the call sign “Cotam 001”. The aircraft functions as a flying command center, equipped with advanced security systems, long-range capabilities, and VVIP-grade secure communication. It allows Macron to travel anywhere globally without stopping, while maintaining command ...

New Delhi: Following recent trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, India is now looking forward to a major trade deal with France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent social media post regarding French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit signals strong enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral ties. PM Modi Welcomes Macron On Tuesday, PM Modi expressed his excitement about Macron’s three-day official visit to India, tweeting on ‘X’ in response to a post by the French President. In his message, Modi wrote: “Welcome to India! We are excited about your visit and taking our bilateral relationship to new heights. I am confident our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors and contribute to global progress. My dear friend Emmanuel Macron...

New Delhi: The Indian government is taking a major step toward self-reliance in fighter jet technology, emphasizing rapid development of indigenous engines for fifth- and sixth-generation combat aircraft. Under the National Aero Engine Mission (NAEM), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday announced that India aims to develop advanced fighter jet engines within the next five to seven years. Focus on Sixth-Generation Jet Engines India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been tasked with achieving this ambitious target, building on nearly two decades of experience in aero engine development. Minister Singh stressed that the strategic importance of these engines necessitates shortening timelines and accelerating research. During a visit to DRDO’s Gas Turbine ...

New Delhi: In a major development in global geopolitics, India has seized three Iranian oil tankers operating under U.S. sanctions. The move comes in the wake of a recent trade deal between India and the United States, and marks a significant step in safeguarding India’s maritime interests. The three vessels—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafjia—were reportedly attempting to evade coastal authorities by frequently changing their identities. The tankers are owned by entities based abroad. Indian officials had briefly posted details of the seizure on social media on 6 February, but later deleted it. Why India Took Action India aims to ensure that its maritime zones are not used for ship-to-ship transfers intended to obscure the true identity of oil cargoes. Such transfers are co...

New Delhi: In a major strategic move, India has established an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the northeast, converting a section of national highway into a fully functional runway. This initiative, aimed at strengthening border security, allows rapid deployment of fighter jets, transport aircraft, and other military assets near the China border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inspected the Assam-based facility in Moran, flying there aboard a C-130J aircraft. The new ELF, located approximately 300 km from the China border and 200 km from Myanmar, marks a historic development in India’s northeastern defense infrastructure. What is the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)? The ELF in Moran, Assam, features a 4.2-kilometer stretch of ro...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has emphasized that the government must take proactive measures to educate vulnerable citizens and provide compensation to those who have lost their hard-earned money in cyber fraud cases. Special attention, the court noted, should be given to protecting elderly victims. The remarks came on Monday while granting bail to Paramjit Kharb, who faces allegations of creating bank accounts to deposit money extorted from online fraud victims and selling these accounts to alleged cybercriminals. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the bench. Elderly Most at Risk Justice Nagarathna instructed Additional Solicitor General S.D. Sanjay: “You must educate people. Use TV and radio broadcasts to explain how cybercriminals operate. They mostly targe...