THE HEADLINES:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi for 23rd India- Russia Annual Summit; Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives President Putin at the airport; Says, India-Russia friendship has greatly benefited our people.
- Kremlin welcomes Prime Minister’s presence at the airport as unexpected gesture.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, India-Russia ties deepen amid global uncertainty; Calls Russia time-tested strategic partner.
- Supreme Court directs States to reduce workload of BLOs engaged in ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; Asks them to depute additional work force.
- Parliament passes the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025.
- IMD forecasts severe cold wave in Punjab, Haryana, and Eastern Rajasthan tomorrow.
- Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi claims Jerusalem Masters 2025 chess title defeating former world champion Viswanathan Anand in final.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi this evening on a state visit to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received President Putin at the airport. Kremlin has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unexpected gesture of personally receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin on his arrival at Delhi airport this evening. Talking to media on the Russian President’s historic visit to India, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, it is a symbol of a growing and strategic friendship between two countries. Mr Peskov said, Russia and India enjoy relationships in most sensitive areas.
Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post, he was delighted to welcome his friend, President Putin to India. Mr Modi said, he is looking forward to their interactions later this evening and tomorrow. He added that India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefited people.
President Putin will be accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan tomorrow morning. The visiting dignitary will also pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at Rajghat. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will hold talks at Hyderabad House tomorrow. Both leaders will exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. A number of agreements are expected to be signed following the talks, including in areas related to trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet in his honour. Our correspondent reports that the visit provides an opportunity to review progress in bilateral relations, and set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.
“India and Russia cooperate closely at several multilateral platforms such as the UN, G20, BRICS and SCO. This cooperation has been strengthened further through regular exchanges and mutual support during India’s Presidencies of the G20 and SCO in 2023 and Russia’s BRICS Presidency in 2024. Russia has consistently expressed support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The bilateral relationship has remained strong and stable over the past 78 years. The India-Russia partnership has been among the steadiest in the contemporary era. with a shared commitment to a multipolar world as well to expand the engagement beyond the traditional military, nuclear and space cooperation. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi. ”
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Defence Minister Rajanth Singh has said, India-Russia ties continue to deepen despite global uncertainty, describing Russia as India’s time-tested special and strategic partner. He said this in his opening remarks while co-chairing the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in New Delhi. Mr. Singh said, since the signing of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership declaration in 2000, the bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations has grown significantly. Mr Singh further said that on the economic side, the country welcomes the successful organisation of the 26th meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held last month in Moscow.
Speaking on the occasion, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said, India-Russia relations have deepened with a solid time-proven friendship which is based on mutual respect. He said, both nations are bound by very deep traditions. Mr Belousov said bilateral relations between both countries have a strategic character and the partnership with India is a key factor for the balance in the South Asian region and global security.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Chiefs of Army, Air Force and Navy were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received Mr Belousov at Palam airport. Both leaders later laid wreaths at the National War Memorial.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today addressed the India-Russia Business Forum in New Delhi. Mr Goyal said India-Russia relationship has stood as a testament to decades of unwavering solidarity, enduring the uncertainties of a changing world. He stated that India is a reliable, trusted and forward-looking partner to the world, working to expand trade, creating framework conditions to grow economic partnership.
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Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda today met his Russian Counterpart, Mikhail Murashko in New Delhi. In a social media post, Mr Nadda said, they discussed various health sector related issues and agreed to enhance bilateral collaboration and partnership in the health sector.
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The Supreme Court today issued a slew of directions to ease the workload on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls in several states. Taking note of a plea alleging extreme work pressure being faced by the BLOs engaged in the time-bound SIR drive, the top court directed the state governments to consider deputing additional employees for proportionately reducing their working hours. A bench of Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that employees deputed by state governments and State Election Commissions are obligated to perform such duties, while adding that state governments should intervene whenever BLOs face difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission today said, more than 50 crore 97 lakh enumeration forms have been distributed among electors since the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase -2. 99.83 per cent of nearly 51 crore electors will be covered in this phase. The commission said Nearly 47 crore forms have been digitised so far.
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Parliament today passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving and returning it to the Lok Sabha.
The legislation is aimed to amend the Central Excise Act, 1944, specifically to raise excise duties and cess on tobacco products. The amendment is required to give the government the fiscal space to increase the rate of central excise duty on tobacco and tobacco products so as to protect tax incidence, after the cess ends. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary moved the bill.
Replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that higher duties on cigarettes will be shared with the states.
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The new Labour Codes implemented by the government on the 21st of last month are poised to offer stability to workers’ livelihoods across India. Our correspondent brings a report on how the new reforms are providing a direct benefit to construction workers across the country.
“Under the new reforms the government has directed that no employer shall pay any employee less than the minimum wage. These reforms also have provisions to ensure that any work performed beyond normal working hours must be compensated at not less than twice the regular wage rate. Also, the codes ensured entitlement to welfare schemes for unorganized workers, such as life disability cover, health and maternity benefit and old age protection etc. Furthermore, with the implementation of these revised policies, if any accident occurs while commuting from residence to the workplace or returning after performing duty, are now covered under employee’s compensation. The newly introduced reforms bring wage protection, workplace safety, and social security. With Rohan, Ankit for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said the Government accords highest priority to the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and remains engaged with US authorities on addressing illegal immigration and human trafficking. He was replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha today. The Minister said, India works in close coordination with the US on all matters pertaining to deportation of Indian citizens. He said, such deportations are subject to an unambiguous verification of their Indian nationality. The Minister has strongly registered its concerns with the US authorities on the treatment of deportees, particularly with respect to use of shackles, especially on women and children.
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Former Mizoram governor and senior Advocate Swaraj Kaushal passed away today. He was 73. He was the husband of former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj. In a social media post, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj remembered her father for his affection, discipline, simplicity and patriotism.
Born on 12 July 1952 in Solan, Swaraj Kaushal was appointed as the governor of Mizoram at the age of 37 in 1990.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief at the passing of Swaraj Kaushal.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast severe cold wave in Punjab, Haryana, Eastern Rajasthan and Jharkhand for the next two days. Dense fog conditions are likely to prevail over Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and northeastern states till Saturday. The Met Department informed that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to remain in the Poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the region was recorded at 310 as of 7 PM today.
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Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has claimed the Jerusalem Masters 2025 title defeating former world champion Viswanathan Anand in an all-Indian final. Arjun won the title yesterday through a blitz tie-break after drawing their initial rapid games. Earlier, Arjun had defeated Russian Grandmaster Peter Svidler in the semifinals, while Anand overcame reigning World Blitz champion Ian Nepomniachtchi.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi for 23rd India- Russia Annual Summit; Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives President Putin at the airport; Says, India-Russia friendship has greatly benefited our people.
- Kremlin welcomes Prime Minister’s presence at the airport as unexpected gesture.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, India-Russia ties deepen amid global uncertainty; Calls Russia time-tested strategic partner.
- Supreme Court directs States to reduce workload of BLOs engaged in ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; Asks them to depute additional work force.
- Parliament passes the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025.
- IMD forecasts severe cold wave in Punjab, Haryana, and Eastern Rajasthan tomorrow.
- Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi claims Jerusalem Masters 2025 chess title defeating former world champion Viswanathan Anand in final.
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