THE HEADLINES:-
- India and Qatar agree to elevate bilateral ties to Strategic Partnership; Decide to double trade between two countries to 28 billion dollars annually in next five years.
- US and Russian officials decide to appoint teams to negotiate end to Ukraine war during high-level talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Centre releases grants of over 562 crore rupees to strengthen rural local bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- BJP registers landslide victory in local body polls in Gujarat, winning 60 out of 68 municipalities.
- In FIH Hockey Pro League, Indian Men’s Team takes on Germany in Bhubaneswar; Women’s Team loses to Spain, 3-4.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians underway in Vadodara.
<><><>
India and Qatar today agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. An agreement in this regard was signed between the two countries following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, in New Delhi.
Briefing the media in the National Capital this evening, Secretary for Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs, in the External Affairs Ministry, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, said, the talks between Prime Minister Modi and the Amir of Qatar focussed on strengthening trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture, and people-to-people ties. During the talks, both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Mr Chatterjee, said, two agreements and five MoUs were signed during the State visit of the Amir of Qatar. He said the first agreement is on the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership. A revised double taxation avoidance agreement was also signed between the two countries. Mr. Chatterjee said both sides have also signed MoUs on economic partnership, cooperation in the area of archives and documentation, and youth affairs and sports.
The Secretary said, the two countries have also agreed to double trade between two countries to 28 billion dollars annually in the next five years.
Mr. Chatterjee said, both the leaders today identified a number of areas in which Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority can increase investments in India.
The Amir of Qatar was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning.
Later in the evening, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called on the Amir of Qatar, in New Delhi. The discussions between the two leaders highlighted various aspects of bilateral relations, including energy, trade, investment, culture, and people-to-people ties.
<><><>
US and Russia today decided to appoint teams to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine during high-level talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The talks marked the first discussions between the two countries aimed at paving the way for a potential peace deal to end the Ukraine war. During the talks, the Russian side was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chief Foreign Policy Adviser Yuri Ushakov while US delegation consisted of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and West Asia Envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Ukraine and European leaders were not part of the talks.
During the meeting, both countries agreed on four principles. Talking to media after the talks, US Secretary of State said, the two countries will appoint a high-level team to help negotiate and work toward the end of the conflict in Ukraine. He said, both sides also agreed to reestablish the functionality of their respective missions in Washington and Moscow. Mr. Rubio said the five people present in today’s meeting will remain engaged in this process to ensure it moves forward productively.
Speaking to media, Russian Foreign Minister said the talks went well and there was a serious conversation on all issues.
<><><>
The Central Government has released the Fifteenth Finance Commission grants of over 562 crore rupees for rural local bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. The Panchayati Raj Ministry said these grants, provided to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural local bodies, play a crucial role in strengthening grassroots democracy. The Ministry said, Punjab gets over 225 crore rupees, Chhattisgarh over 244 crore, and Uttarakhand received more than 93 crore rupees during 2024-25 for strengthening rural governance.
<><><>
The unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas dipped to 6.4 per cent in the October-December quarter. The unemployment rate in the December quarter of current Financial Year was 6.5 per cent. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said, Labour Force Participation Rate in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased to 50.4 per cent in October – December quarter 2024.
<><><>
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has stated that the Center is working for the benefit of all sections of the society, leading to significant improvements in citizens’ lives. He made these remarks while addressing the launch of the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) pilot project at Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, today. Talking about farmer’s welfare, the Minister said, the government has decided to cover the transportation costs for farmers who wish to sell their produce in other locations.
{<><><>}
The BJP registered a landslide victory in local body polls in Gujarat today. The party has won 60 out of a total of 68 municipalities. The Samajwadi party secured two while Congress won just one municipality in the state. The counting of votes were held today for the elections to Junagadh Municipal Corporation, 66 Municipal Corporations and three taluka panchayats as well as the mid-term polls of two Municipal Corporations and the by-elections of taluka and district panchayats where polling was held on 16th of February. More from our correspondent:
“BJP has once again assumed the reins of power in Junagadh Municipal Corporation. Out of 60 seats, BJP won 48, Congress one, while an independent candidate won one seat. Out of the 68 municipalities, the BJP has managed to win 60 municipalities however the State BJP President CR Patil has claimed victory in 65 Municipalities. The party has also emerged victorious in all three taluka panchayats for which voting was held on the 16th of this month. Out of more than 2 thousand seats of local self-government bodies, 213 seats were declared unopposed. A total of 5 thousand 84 candidates were in the fray in these polls. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked the people of Gujarat for blessing the BJP with their support in the local body elections held across the state. In a social media post, Mr. Modi said, Gujarat’s bond with the BJP is not only unbreakable but also getting stronger by the day. He said this is yet another victory for the politics of development. The Prime Minister said it is humbling how the people of Gujarat are time and again reposing their faith in the BJP.
<><><>
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the administration in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the full implementation of the three new criminal laws in the Union Territory by April. Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of the three new criminal laws in the Union Territory, in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in New Delhi today, Mr. Shah said that optimum use of technology should be made to ensure speedy justice under the three new criminal laws.
<><><>
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today stressed the importance of Haj pilgrims’ well-being and physical fitness ahead of their spiritual journey. Speaking at the Haj Walkathon 2025 at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, the Minister highlighted the efforts of Delhi Haj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan and her team in ensuring pilgrims are prepared for the extreme heat in Makkah and Madinah.
<><><>
And now news from Mahakumbh Mela underway in Prayagraj.
The grand event continues to draw a huge number of devotees, with a total of over one crore 15 lakh people having taken the holy dip in the Triveni Sangam by 6 this evening. 55 crore 46 lakh devotees have taken the sacred bath in Sangam so far. Meanwhile, a unique initiative has been undertaken in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Prisoners at the Unnao district jail were given a holy bath after water from the Mahakumbh was brought to the prison complex. We have a report:
“Hundreds of prisoners at the Unnao district jail were handed a unique opportunity to take a holy dip in the Maha Kumbh waters, despite being locked up. Special arrangements were made by the jail administration in the jail itself after water was brought in from the Sangam and mixed in the prison’s water tank.
Superintendent of the Unnao District Jail. Pawan Singh told in an exclusive to Akashvani News that he had gone to bathe in the Maha Kumbh, and while returning, he brought the water of the holy Sangam with him.
He informed that on Friday, this arrangement will be made in all the jails of Uttar Pradesh and the prisoners will be given a bath with the holy water brought from Maha Kumbh.
The prisoners were seen excited to be a part of Maha Kumbh while bathing in the water of the holy confluence and chanting the praises of the river Ganga. With Abhishek Kapil, Adarsh for Akashvani News, Prayagraj.”
<><><>
In the Hockey FIH Pro League, the match between Indian Men’s team and Germany is underway at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s team suffered a 3-4 defeat at the hands of Spain at the same venue.
In Women’s Premier League Cricket, the match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians is underway at Vadodara. Gujarat have set a target of 121 runs. Earlier, put in to bat, Gujarat were all out for 120 runs in stipulated 20 overs.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- India and Qatar agree to elevate bilateral ties to Strategic Partnership; Decide to double trade between two countries to 28 billion dollars annually in next five years.
- US and Russian officials decide to appoint teams to negotiate end to Ukraine war during high-level talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia .
- Centre releases grants of over 562 crore rupees to strengthen rural local bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- BJP registers landslide victory in local body polls in Gujarat, winning 60 out of 68 municipalities.
- In FIH Hockey Pro League, Indian Men’s Team takes on Germany in Bhubaneswar; Women’s Team loses to Spain, 3-4.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians underway in Vadodara.
<><><>