THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates India’s firm stand on terrorism, with no double standards and compromise; Holds wide-ranging talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.
- India and Malaysia exchange several MoUs to boost cooperation in diverse sectors covering security, semiconductor, health and medicine and education.
- Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, India-US interim trade deal fully protects farmers’ interests; Assures, key farm produce kept out of the pact.
- Home Minister Amit Shah holds meetings in Raipur on security situation and progress of development works in naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh.
- Former Bangladesh Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen dies in custody at Dinajpur Jail, raising fresh concerns over country’s worsening law and order situation.
- In Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan set a target of 183 runs against New Zealand in group-stage match in Chennai.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s firm stand on terrorism, asserting that there can be no double standards and compromise on the issue. Mr Modi made the remarks in a joint press meeting after wide-ranging talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur today.
Mr Modi highlighted that India and Malaysia will expand cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, maritime security, and defence.
The Prime Minister said India and Malaysia share a special bond as maritime neighbours and highlighted the strong people-to-people links and the presence of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Modi stressed, Indo-Pacific region is emerging as an engine of growth. He said, two countries are committed to development and peace and stability in the entire region along with ASEAN.
The Prime Minister spoke about the strong cultural and educational ties between the two nations, including the Tamil language in Malaysia.
The talks between Prime Minister Modi and his Malaysian counterpart focused on strengthening defence and security ties and enhancing economic and innovation partnership. Following the talks between two leaders, several agreements, documents and Memoranda of Understanding were exchanged between India and Malaysia to boost cooperation in diverse sectors covering security, semiconductor, health and medicine, education, disaster management, combating and preventing corruption and audiovisual co-production.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi interacted with CEOs and business leaders to further boost trade, investment, and economic linkages between the two countries. Phison Electronics Corporation’s Founder and CEO Pua Khein Seng also took part in the meeting.
“Summarising the official visit of the PM Secretary (East) P. Kumaran said semiconductors remain a key area of cooperation. He said that the Malaysia-India Digital Council has been formed to advance engagement in the semiconductor ecosystem as well as digital public infrastructure, e-governance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, fintech, and payment linkages.
Kumaran said India’s design strengths and Malaysia’s long experience in manufacturing, assembly, testing, and packaging can complement each other. Mr Kumaran also said counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries covers transnational crimes, including human trafficking and violent extremism, and is being addressed through an ongoing national security dialogue mechanism. Prime Minister Modi, also met Persons of Indian Origin and veterans of the Indian National Army. DURGESH BHADAURIA FOR AKASHVANI NEWS, Kuala Lumpur.”
The Prime Minister reached Malaysia yesterday on a two-day visit. Mr Modi has since left for Delhi after concluding his visit.
<><><>
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today stressed that the India-US interim trade agreement fully protects the farmers’ interests, with key agriculture products kept out of the pact. The Minister was addressing a press conference in Bhopal. Mr Chouhan said no product harmful to the interest of the Indian farmers has been included, asserting that national and farmers’ interests remain paramount. He said India will not allow genetically modified products and that no tariff concessions were given on a wide range of farm goods.
The Agriculture Minister accused the Congress, which ruled in the country for years, of failing to link farmers to global markets or ensure economic stability.
<><><>
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is holding high-level meetings in Raipur today to review the security situation and assess progress of development projects in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas of Chhattisgarh. Senior officials of the Central and State Governments, along with representatives of security agencies, are participating in these meetings.
“In view of the Central Government’s resolve to make the country free from the problem of Naxalism by 31st of March this year, the meetings being held in Raipur today under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah are considered highly significant. The problem of Naxalism is now on the verge of being eliminated in Chhattisgarh as well as in several other Naxal-affected states across the country.These meetings are likely to finalise strategies for a decisive crackdown on the remaining Maoist networks. Along with this, a roadmap will also be prepared for infrastructure development in areas previously affected by Naxalism, as well as for the effective implementation of various development projects and welfare schemes. VIKALP SHUKLA, AKASHVANI NEWS, RAIPUR.”
The Minister arrived in Raipur last evening on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh.
<><><>
Assam Government has decided to refer the matter of Congress MP and State Congress Chief, Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan links to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Addressing a press conference today at Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that the investigation was being pursued strictly from the standpoint of national security, with political considerations being secondary.
Mr. Sarma informed that the State government had constituted an Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into alleged anti-India conspiracy by a Pakistani citizen in alleged connivance with Gaurav Goigoi and his wife, who is a British citizen. He said keeping in mind the seriousness of the matter, State Government has decided to hand over the matter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for further investigation by a Central agency.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Guarav Gogoi, who is also the deputy leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, dismissed the allegations and termed the Chief Minister’s press conference as a flop show.
<><><>
In Bangladesh, former Water Resources Minister and senior Awami League leader Ramesh Chandra Sen died in custody at Dinajpur District Jail, raising fresh questions over country’s worsening law and order situation and the treatment of elderly detainees. He was 85. Jail officials said the Awami League leader’s health deteriorated inside the prison. He was later rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him the dead. Dinajpur District Jail Superintendent said, the body will be handed over to the family after completion of legal formalities. Authorities, however, did not clarify the reason behind the sudden decline in his condition while in custody. A five-time Member of Parliament from Thakurgaon-1 (Sadar), Sen was arrested in August, 2024, from his residence following cases filed in the aftermath of the political upheaval in the country. The incident has intensified criticism over the decision to detain an ailing octogenarian and the inadequacy of medical care in custody.
<><><>
Voters in Japan are casting their ballots in a parliamentary election. The snap vote comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks a new mandate to push through an ambitious agenda, including increased defence spending and tougher immigration measures.
<><><>
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis today met the visiting Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie in Mumbai and held talks on various issues. In a social media post, Mr Fadnavis said that the areas of discussion included port-led development, coastal management and opportunities for enhanced collaboration between Maharashtra and Seychelles.
<><><>
In Maharashtra, in a major crackdown on illegal immigration, Mumbai Police have arrested four Bangladeshi nationals for residing unlawfully in the city using forged identity documents. The Police said deportation proceedings of the four persons to Bangladesh have been initiated.
<><><>
The Delhi Government today flagged off 500 Electric Buses and launched the Delhi-Panipat Bus Service in the National Capital. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, the total number of buses in the national capital has now crossed over four thousand. She said the government has set a target to increase the fleet to 14 thousand by 2028.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu paid tributes to the former President Dr Zakir Hussain, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. Born on 8th Feburary 1897 in Hyderabad, Dr. Hussain served as the third President from 13th May, 1967, until his demise on 3rd May, 1969.
<><><>
In Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan have set a target of 183 runs for New Zealand in a group-stage match in Chennai. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted 182 runs for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. In reply, New Zealand were 155 for 5 in 15.4 overs when reports last came in. Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
Two more fixtures are scheduled for today, with England taking on Nepal in Mumbai at 3 PM, followed by Sri Lanka’s clash against Ireland in Colombo at 7 PM.
In another group-stage clash yesterday, India defeated United States by 29 runs in Mumbai.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense fog conditions during morning and night hours at isolated places over Uttarakhand till tomorrow. The weather agency said, a wet spell with isolated to scattered rainfall and snowfall is expected over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from tomorrow.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates India’s firm stand on terrorism, with no double standards and compromise; Holds wide-ranging talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.
- India and Malaysia exchange several MoUs to boost cooperation in diverse sectors covering security, semiconductor, health and medicine and education.
- Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, India-US interim trade deal fully protects farmers’ interests; Assures, key farm produce kept out of the pact.
- Home Minister Amit Shah holds meetings in Raipur on security situation and progress of development works in naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh.
- Former Bangladesh Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen dies in custody at Dinajpur Jail, raising fresh concerns over country’s worsening law and order situation.
- And, in Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan set a target of 183 runs against New Zealand in group-stage match in Chennai.
<><><>
