Nation

New Delhi: India’s recently concluded trade agreement with the European Union (EU) is being hailed as a landmark deal with far-reaching benefits. Negotiated over years, this Free Trade Agreement (FTA) not only strengthens historical trade ties but also reflects a commitment to rules-based trade amid a volatile global economic environment. Historical context India’s trade relationship with Europe dates back to 250 BCE, when Indian muslin, cotton, handicrafts, spices, emeralds, and other precious stones were highly sought after in European markets. In return, India received gold and silver, marking a period of unprecedented trade growth. Efforts to formalize this relationship through a free trade agreement began in 2007, though talks stalled in 2013 due to disagreements. Negotiations r...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has joined the legion of fans celebrating Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young batting sensation who played a match-winning innings to help India clinch a record sixth Under-19 World Cup title. In the final against England, Suryavanshi produced a storming knock of 175 runs off just 80 balls, narrowly missing out on a double century. His stellar performance has already made him a role model for aspiring young cricketers across the country. Tharoor draws a Sachin comparison Taking to social media platform X, Tharoor posted an advertisement celebrating Suryavanshi’s performance, writing:"Now this is a Monday morning well spent, which I fully endorse! Vaibhav Suryavanshi deserves immediate recognition. The last time we had a 14-year-old genius on the cr...

New Delhi: Frustrated by the lack of justice for their daughter in Bihar, the parents of a NEET aspirant who died under suspicious circumstances at a Patna hostel have reached Delhi to protest at Jantar-Mantar. The grieving parents expressed deep despair, saying they were compelled to come to the national capital because justice was not served locally. “If we had received justice in Bihar, why would we have come to Delhi?” the father emotionally asked, pledging to fight for his daughter’s rights till his last breath. Echoing her husband, the mother said, “I want justice for my daughter. If justice had been served in Bihar, we wouldn’t have needed to come here.” Background of the incident The NEET student had died during treatment in Patna under suspicious circumstances. Allegation...

New Delhi: A fresh India–US framework could soon pave the way for genetically modified (GM) animal feed from the United States to enter Indian markets—a matter that has been politically and scientifically contentious for over a decade. Among the most debated products is Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a high-protein feed ingredient derived from maize and soy. A decade-long debate Discussions over GM animal feed have been ongoing since at least the first term of the Trump administration, making it a recurring topic in India–US trade talks. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), India’s top regulatory authority on GM products, has repeatedly studied applications for DDGS imports. Over the years, at least two sub-committees have reviewed the matter in detail, t...

New Delhi: In a significant move to advance defense diplomacy, the Indian Army has launched a digital initiative called “Friends for Life”. The platform aims to connect military and ex-military officers from friendly countries who have trained at various Indian Army institutions, enabling them to share experiences and foster professional dialogue. Connecting a global network of officers According to the Indian Army, the initiative will bring together officers from 99 countries who have trained alongside Indian counterparts over the years. By facilitating professional interactions, the platform seeks to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between Indian and foreign military officers. Over the past decade, the Indian Army has trained more than 21,500 officers from friend...

New Delhi: Bangladesh is set to establish a military drone manufacturing facility with China’s assistance, signaling a major shift in South Asia’s defense landscape. In response, India has unveiled plans to construct an underground rail corridor through the strategically sensitive “Chicken’s Neck” region, strengthening a historically vulnerable lifeline. Bangladesh-China drone factory Under the recent defense agreement signed on January 27 between the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC), Bangladesh will build a factory for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs and VTOL drones near the proposed Bogra airbase. The deal, concluded at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka, reflects growing Chinese influence over...

New Delhi, Feb 7, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a visit to Malaysia, addressed a large Indian diaspora gathering in Kuala Lumpur, extending his greetings for Shivratri and Ramadan. He emphasized the deep cultural and historical ties between India and Malaysia, calling their heritage a shared legacy. Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, “Last year, I could not visit Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, but I promised my friend that I would come soon. As promised, I am here. This is my first foreign trip of 2026.” Highlighting the vibrant Indian community in Malaysia, Modi said, “Malaysia is home to the world’s second-largest Indian-origin population. There are countless things that connect Indian and Malaysian hearts. You are the living bridge between our nations. You hav...

New Delhi, Feb 7, 2026: Arshad Madni, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, on Saturday addressed the ongoing debate over the idea of a Hindu nation in India, urging those who support it to take lessons from the history of neighboring Nepal. Posting on his social media account X, Madni emphasized that the path to national progress lies in love, harmony, and justice, not in imposing any single religion or ideology. Madni highlighted that some communal forces and organizations are pursuing the dream of a Hindu nation. “They should learn from Nepal, where similar ideologies were used to establish a Hindu state. Ultimately, that system collapsed, and a democratic constitution was restored,” he said. He stressed that real progress, stability, and public welfare in any country are possible onl...

New Delhi, Feb 7, 2026: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s legal team on Saturday told a Delhi court that allegations related to her citizenship and voter registration are entirely false, baseless, and politically motivated. They argued that the complaint was filed with external motivations and represents a misuse of legal procedures. The response was submitted before Special Judge Vishal Gogane, who is hearing a review petition challenging a magistrate’s order from September 11, 2025, which had refused to investigate the allegations. The court scheduled the next hearing for February 21, 2026. Sonia Gandhi’s lawyers Taranum Cheema, Kanishka Singh, and Akash Singh stated in the response that the complaint, filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi of the Central Delhi Court Bar Association, was “e...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP C. Sadanandan Master for his debut speech in the Upper House, sending him a personal letter praising his “moral strength, firm conviction, and self-confidence.” Modi highlighted Sadanandan’s courage, patriotism, and respect for Indian culture in his note. In the letter, Modi commended the MP for presenting his points in a “calm and confident manner” despite being new to Parliament. “Although you are new to the House, you bring with you a lifetime of commitment and service to the ideology of putting the nation first,” the Prime Minister wrote. Modi emphasized that Sadanandan’s words reflected his inner moral power and steadfast belief. The MP shared pictures of the Prime Minister’s letter on the social med...