THE HEADLINES:-
- India and New Zealand strengthen ties with key agreements in defence and trade; Both countries to cooperate against terrorism, separatism, and radical elements.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon jointly inaugurate 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard review defence cooperation and intelligence sharing.
- 20 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh.
- Russia confirms plans for talks between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump tomorrow to end fighting in Ukraine.
- In Kabaddi World Cup, India begin campaign on winning note, defeating Italy in Men’s category at Wolverhampton in United Kingdom.
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India and New Zealand today strengthened ties with key agreements in defence and trade. The agreements were exchanged following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in New Delhi.
India and New Zealand have signed five agreements in the fields of Defence, Education, Sports, Horticulture, and Forestry. Both sides also exchanged authorised economic mutual recognition agreement.
In a joint press statement following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said, the two countries have decided to strengthen and institutionalise the defence and security partnership. He said, the two countries have also decided to launch negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement to boost mutual trade and investment.
India and New Zealand also announced the launch of negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. New Zealand has joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative and has become a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Prime Minister Modi asserted that, India and New Zealand will continue to cooperate against terrorism, separatism, and radical elements.
In his statement, Prime Minister Luxon said, New Zealand will increase its diplomatic presence in India.
Later, briefing media, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar, on a query regarding the discussions on Khalistani elements, said, the issue came up during the talks between the two leaders.
The New Zealand Prime Minister and his delegation also called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening. Prime Minister Luxon arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a five day visit to India.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon jointly inaugurated 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi this evening.
In his keynote address, Mr Luxon said, India and New Zealand are fortunate to be part of the world’s most economically dynamic region.
The New Zealand Prime Minister said, Raisina Dialogue is a forum that provides an annual opportunity for thought leaders from across the world to focus their collective minds on the contemporary strategic challenges being navigated right in the Indian Ocean.
The theme of this year’s Raisina Dialogue is “Kālachakra-People, Peace and Planet”. The event is witnessing participation of representatives from about 125 countries.
Later, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon offered prayers at the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj in the National Capital.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today held a meeting with the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, in New Delhi. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed defence cooperation and intelligence sharing. Both leaders emphasized that strategic security remains a vital pillar of the comprehensive global strategic cooperation between the two nations. Mr. Singh and Ms. Gabbard reviewed the significant strides made in the areas of military exercises, strategic cooperation, and information-sharing cooperation, especially in the maritime domain, between India and the US. The Ministry of Defence, in its statement, said, the two leaders explored avenues for collaboration in cutting-edge defense innovation and niche technologies, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing mutual strategic interests.
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The Lok Sabha has taken up discussion on the Demands for Grants under the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26. Janardan Singh Sigriwal of BJP said the Union Budget has made an allocation of two lakh 65 thousand crore rupees to strengthen infrastructure and modernisation of railways as well as for safety and security of passengers. Earlier, initiating the discussion, Varsha Gaikwad of Congress accused the government of conspiring to privatise the Indian Railways.
Several other members also participated in the discussion, including Vijay Kumar Dubey of BJP, Kumari Selja of Congress, Kesineni Sivanath of TDP, Satabadi Roy of TMC and Lalji Verma of Samajwadi Party. The discussion is underway.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said that the government has taken several steps to improve rail infrastructure and provide a comfortable and affordable journey to passengers. He said that the Railways has created five lakh jobs in the last ten years, with a continued focus on reducing rail accidents in the country. The Minister was replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the working of the Ministry of Railways. Mr. Vaishnaw stressed that passenger fares have not been increased since 2020, and it is very cost-effective in comparison to neighboring countries.
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Later, the Rajya Sabha took up Appropriation Bill 2025, the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025, the Manipur Appropriation Bill 2025, and the Manipur Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill 2025 for consideration and passing.
Several members took part in the debate on bills including, BJP’s Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade and Arun Singh, Shaktisinh Gohil and GC Chandrashekhar of Congress, CPI(M)’s Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, Sushmita Dev of Trinamool Congress, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha, Sulata Deo of BJD and AAP’s Sanjay Singh. The discussion is underway.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government takes all assurances given by the Ministers on the floor of both houses of Parliament seriously. Replying to supplementary questions in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Rijiju said the Online Assurances Monitoring System has helped in ensuring that the assurances get fulfilled. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan has informed the House that 99 percent of the total assurances have been implemented in both Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
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20 Maoists surrendered before security forces in Chhattisgarh today. Nineteen Maoists surrendered in Bijapur district. District Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said, these maoists were carrying a cumulative reward of twenty-nine lakh rupees. He said, each Maoist received an incentive amount of twenty-five thousand rupees under the rehabilitation policy of the state government.
In a separate incident, a Maoist with a one lakh rupees reward, surrendered before the police in Kondagaon district. Meanwhile, security forces recovered and deactivated a 5-kg IED during a search operation in Dantewada’s Malevahi area.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district. The gunfight began in early hours this morning when security personnel, acting on specific intelligence, launched a cordon and search operation in Zachaldara Rajwar area of the district. According to an Army spokesperson, an AK-47 rifle was recovered from the site. The operation is still underway.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS;
Russia has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will hold talks tomorrow on ending the Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that preparations are underway for talks between two leaders. President Trump announced last evening about the plans to hold discussion with his Russian counterpart, framing it as part of his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He mentioned that land and power plants would be key topics in the conversation.
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Congo’s government will participate in peace talks in Angola tomorrow with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that has captured key areas of Congo’s mineral-rich east. A government spokesperson today said that a delegation representing Congo is currently in the Angolan capital, Luanda, for the talks. Congo’s government had earlier refused direct negotiations with the rebels. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka in a social media post said, the group has also sent a delegation to Luanda.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined the social media platform Truth Social. This is a medium that is frequently used by US President Donald Trump. In his post, Mr. Modi said, he is looking forward to interacting with all the passionate voices on the platform and engaging in meaningful conversations in the times to come. In another post, Prime Minister Modi thanked US President Donald Trump for sharing his podcast on Truth Social. Earlier in the day, President Trump had posted Prime Minister Modi’s podcast with Lex Fridman on his Truth Social platform.
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The benchmark domestic equity indices ended on a positive note today. We have a report:
The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex jumped 341 points to close at 74,170. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 too broke the two day slump, and added 112 points to settle at 22,509. In the Forex market, the rupee today appreciated by 26 paise to settle at 86 rupees and 87 paise against the US dollar. In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading at 88,270 rupees per 10 grams, a short while ago. LALIMA ANEJA DANG, FOR AKASHVANI NEWS
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The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 kicked off in the United Kingdom this evening. India began the campaign on a winning note, defeating Italy 64-22 in Men’s category at Wolverhampton. Earlier, in inaugural match of the event, England defeated Hungary 101-25.
In the men’s competition, 10 teams have been divided into two groups – A and B. India is competing in Group B along with Italy, Scotland, Wales and China. On the other hand, women’s competition is among six-teams with two groups – D and E. India is competing in Group D along with Wales and Poland. In the women’s event, India will take on Wales tomorrow at 5:30 PM Indian Standard Time at Wolverhampton.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- India and New Zealand strengthen ties with key agreements in defence and trade; Both countries to cooperate against terrorism, separatism, and radical elements.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon jointly inaugurate 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard review defence cooperation and intelligence sharing.
- 20 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh.
- Russia confirms plans for talks between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump tomorrow to end fighting in Ukraine.
- In Kabaddi World Cup, India begin campaign on winning note, defeating Italy in Men’s category at Wolverhampton in United Kingdom.
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