Nation

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again stirred controversy with his statements, this time taking aim at the party leadership. Aiyar criticized the current Congress leadership for being unable to handle dissent, calling it “destructive” for the main opposition party. He said that a party incapable of tolerating differing voices has no right to govern. Revisiting Rajiv Gandhi’s 1989 Statement Aiyar invoked a statement made by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, urging Congress leadership to have Rahul Gandhi reiterate it: that only a secular India can endure, and if India ceases to be secular, it does not deserve to survive. Aiyar’s Consistent Critique The veteran leader has recently been making headlines for his candid remarks. Last Sunday, he praised Kerala Chief...

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a new chapter in the country’s political landscape. Representing India at the swearing-in ceremony were Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Following the ceremony, Speaker Birla met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations and handed him an invitation to visit India. Prime Minister Modi was invited to the ceremony but could not attend due to talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Courteous Meeting with Opposition Leader During his visit, Vikram Misri held a courtesy meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of the opposition and Amir of Banglade...

Mumbai: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday morning for a three-day visit to India. During his trip, several agreements were signed between India and France, reflecting deepening ties in technology, defense, and trade. President Macron is also scheduled to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation At a press conference in Mumbai, Indian Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla highlighted the key agreements. “We have decided to establish a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group focused on critical and emerging technologies. In addition, both countries issued a joint declaration of intent to cooperate in critical minerals. There is also a Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science & Technology ...

New Delhi: The state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, recently hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together people from across the globe. What was once considered barren land is now a venue that can accommodate more attendees than the Sydney Opera House. Spanning 123 acres in central New Delhi, this site first gained international attention in 1959 when it hosted an international agricultural fair attended by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, amid the Cold War era. A Forum for Public Discourse Previously, the site also housed the Hall of Nations, which was controversially demolished overnight in April 2017, despite protests and court cases. The term “Mandapam” refers to a traditional pillared pavilion used in templ...

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...