THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Muscat on last leg of three-nation tour; Talks with Sultan of Oman to be held tomorrow.
- Prime Minister emphasizes India and Ethiopia must unite to give greater voice to Global South; Concludes successful two-day visit to African Nation.
- Parliament passes bill allowing 100 per cent FDI in Indian Insurance companies; Also gives nod to legislation repealing over 70 obsolete Acts.
- Lok Sabha takes up Viksit Bharat-G-RAM-G bill for consideration and passing; Clears, Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin warns Moscow will extend territorial gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail.
- In Men’s Cricket, fog delays toss in fourth T20 between India and South Africa in Lucknow.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Muscat this evening for a two-day visit to Oman. Mr Modi landed in the Gulf Nation on the last leg of his three-nation tour after concluding his successful visits to Jordan and Ethiopia.
Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was received by Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al at the airport. A Guard of Honor was accorded to Mr Modi as part of the ceremonial welcome. During the meeting, the two leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and advancing the strategic partnership. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, this visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues of collaboration and add fresh momentum to partnership between both countries.
Later, upon arrival at the hotel, members of the Indian diaspora welcomed the Prime Minister with colorful cultural performances. Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik tomorrow. More from our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s Oman visit.
During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations with the Sultan of Oman tomorrow and also exchange perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest. He is expected to address business leaders from both the countries at a business forum. Sh. Modi will also interact with students and members of the Indian community who are eagerly waiting for his arrival.The Prime Minister is visiting the friendly nation on the invitation of the Head of State of the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Mr. Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation. This visit is of great significance as it will be taking place when India and Oman are celebrating 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. This is Rajesh Bali for Akashvani News from Oman.
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal has announced the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a Free Trade Agreement, tomorrow in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and the Sultan of Oman. Mr Goyal stated this while addressing the Oman-India Business Dialogue in Muscat today.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his successful two-day visit to Ethiopia this afternoon. Earlier in the day, Mr Modi addressed the Joint Session of the Parliament of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The Prime Minister emphasized that India and Ethiopia, as nations of the Global South, must stand together to give greater voice to developing countries.
During his two-day visit to the African country, Mr Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali. The two countries also signed eight MoUs, including upgrading ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’. Prime Minister Modi was also conferred the African nation’s highest award ‘The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’ for his contribution towards strengthening bilateral partnership. Our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit has filed this report:
“Dena hunuu..means good bye. when Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his address to the joint session of the parliament of Ethiopia by these words in Ahmeric, the standing ovation and the clappings lasted for many minutes. it reflected the heart to heart connect from the mother of democracy, India to the cradle of humanity Ethiopia. Prime minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart PM of Ethiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali discussed collaboration in areas including trade and investment, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity building and multilateral engagement. They agreed to deepen relations in food security and health security, cooperation in sustainable agriculture, natural farming and agri-tech, introduce new programmes in artificial intelligence and to double student scholarships and to work extensively on Digital Public Infrastructure.
Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to work with Ethiopia to voice the concerns of the Global South. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.”
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Parliament has passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today after discussion. Lok Sabha had passed this legislation yesterday. The Bill repeals 71 Acts and also amends four Acts. Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Narendra Modi government will continue to repeal those laws which have become redundant and obsolete and of no use.
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The Parliament has also given nod to the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. Lok Sabha had passed the Bill yesterday. The Bill proposes to increase the Foreign Direct Investment limit in Indian Insurance companies from 74 percent to 100 percent of the paid-up equity capital.
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The Lok Sabha has taken up the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): Viksit Bharat -G RAM G, Bill 2025 for consideration and passing. The legislation will replace the twenty-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA). The Bill seeks to establish a rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047.
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The Lok Sabha has passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 with amendments. The Bill is aimed at the development of nuclear energy and ionising radiation for nuclear power generation for the welfare of the countrymen. Replying to a debate on the Bill, Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the government has given more authorisation and independence to private parties involved.
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Our correspondent reports on today’s proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.
“As the Winter session of the Parliament is nearing its end, some important key legislations were passed by both the Houses today. Right now, a discussion on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): Viksit Bharat -G RAM G bill 2025 is underway in the Lok Sabha. Under the legislation, one hundred and twenty five days of wage employment will be provided to every rural household in a Financial year. Apart from this, the Lower House today passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, aimed at the development of nuclear energy and ensuring robust regulatory framework for its safe use. While the Rajya Sabha today gave its nod to Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 which is aimed at explorating the growth and development of the insurance sector. The house also passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, 52 repeal those laws, which have become redundant and obsolete. with anand kumar, bhupendra Singh, akashvani news, delhi”
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Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L Murugan has said that Prasar Bharati has prepared a draft Content Syndication Policy, 2025 to promote cultural outreach and monetize content, while also upholding its public service mandate. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Dr Murugan said, the policy aims to monetize content being produced by Doordarshan and Akashvani, and archived national and regional content, and live coverages like Government events, festivals and sports.
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Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said, no documents related to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has been found missing from the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library. In a social media post, while replying to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, Mr Shekhawat said, the Nehru Papers were taken out in 2008, during the UPA period. He said, these are not private family papers but it is part of the country’s national historical record.
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The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was inaugurated today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, jointly organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush. Addressing the event, Minister of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted India’s long-standing experience in traditional medicine and emphasised the importance of strengthening research, quality standards, and global cooperation. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to uniting the wisdom of millennia with modern science and technology.
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Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan today described Guru Tegh Bahadur as a universal symbol of supreme sacrifice and moral courage. Mr Radhakrishnan said this while addressing an Interfaith Conclave to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in New Delhi.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin today warned that Moscow will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, President Putin said Moscow will prefer to achieve its goals and eliminate the root causes of the conflict by diplomatic means. He further said, Russia will take the control of its historical lands by military means if Ukraine fails to sign the peace deal.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness to drop Ukraine’s bid to join NATO if the U.S. and other Western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to NATO members.
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In Men’s Cricket, toss has been delayed due to fog in the fourth T20 International match between India and South Africa, which will be played at Lucknow tonight. Team India is leading the five match series 2-1. The fifth and final match is scheduled at Ahmedabad on Friday.
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In Shooting, the pair of Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Darshna Rathore clinched the gold medal in the Senior Skeet Mixed Team event at the 68th National Championship Competitions (Shotgun) in New Delhi.
In the Junior Skeet Mixed Team event, the Telangana pair of Yuvek Battula and Lakku Venkat Lakshmi secured the title. Madhya Pradesh’s Jyotiraditya Sisodiya and Vanshika Tiwari won silver. The bronze went to Punjab’s Harmehar Singh Lally and Parmeet Kaur.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Muscat on last leg of three-nation tour; Talks with Sultan of Oman to be held tomorrow.
- Prime Minister emphasizes India and Ethiopia must unite to give greater voice to Global South; Concludes successful two-day visit to African Nation.
- Parliament passes bill allowing 100 per cent FDI in Indian Insurance companies; Also gives nod to legislation repealing over 70 obsolete Acts.
- Lok Sabha takes up Viksit Bharat-G-RAM-G bill for consideration and passing; Clears, Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin warns Moscow will extend territorial gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail.
- In Men’s Cricket, fog delays toss in fourth T20 between India and South Africa in Lucknow.
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