Highlights of the day: India will become 3rd largest economy, says PM

Updates: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

At the 'Ahlan Modi' event in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi says, "I have come to meet my family members. I have brought the fragrance of the soil where you were born and have brought the message of 140 crore people. The message is that Bharat is proud of you..." He further says, "This is my 7th visit to the UAE in the last 10 years. Brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also came to receive me at the airport today...this makes him special. I am happy that we got the opportunity to welcome him four times in India. A few days ago he came to Gujarat and lakhs of people gathered on the streets to thank him...'' "...Modi has given a guarantee that in his third term, India will become the third largest economy. Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee," the prime minister said, at the 'Ahlan Modi' event.

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) with immediate effect. Last year, on August 23, UWW had placed the WFI under provisional suspension due to the Indian body's failure to conduct elections in a timely manner. The decision to suspend the WFI came after the situation persisted for at least six months, prompting action from the UWW Disciplinary Chamber. In a recent meeting held on February 9, the UWW Bureau reviewed the suspension among other matters. After considering all relevant factors and information, the UWW decided to lift the suspension on the WFI. However, this decision is subject to certain conditions:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the 'Ahlan Modi' event at Zayed Sports City Stadium today as part of his two-day official visit to the UAE. This marks his seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and the third in the last eight months. The overwhelming response from the Indian diaspora, with registrations surpassing 65,000, showcases their enthusiasm. The event will feature an exhibition by 700 cultural artists, highlighting India's diverse arts. PM Modi will also inaugurate the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14, further strengthening cultural ties. Bilateral meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and participation in the World Government Summit 2024 are among the key engagements during the visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan together launched the UPI RuPay card service here on Tuesday. President Nahyan swiped a card embossed with his name to mark the start of the service in Abu Dabhi. We are embarking on a new FinTech era with the launch of my UPI RuPay card and your Jaywan card, Modi said as he met President Nahyan and termed it as a big achievement in itself. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of multiple bilateral agreements, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. It included an agreement on interlinking of the instant payment platforms - UPI (India) and AANI (UAE), which will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries.

10:11 PM

Unknown car gate crashes into West Bengal Governor’s motorcade while he was in Delhi today

Unknown car gate crashes into West Bengal Governor’s motorcade while he was in Delhi today. Speculaftions connect it with Hon’ble Governor’s visit to Sandeshkhali to chase the goonda gang under gang leader Sheikh Shahjahan who alongwith his henchmen who outraged the modesty of women in Sandeshkhali. Delhi Police is investigating. Sabotage suspected. Governor is shifted to the high security area, reprted ET Bureau.

10:10 PM

Gujarat appeals in Bilkis Bano case, wants 'adverse comments' dropped

A month after the Supreme Court ordered that the 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and killing her family during the 2002 riots must return to jail, the Gujarat government has approached the court and sought the removal of some "adverse" comments made against it in the judgment. 
 

In its order on January 8, the Supreme Court bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan had observed that "State of Gujarat has acted on the basis of the direction issued by this Court but contrary to the letter and spirit of law" and  "acted in tandem and was complicit with" one of the convicts in the case who had played a fraud on the court and misrepresented or suppressed material facts.

9:26 PM

Indan diaspora's contribution crucial in growth of India, UAE, says PM Modi

The hard work of the Indian diaspora is crucial in the economic growth of both India and the UAE, Modi said, before concluding his address at the Ahlan Modi' event.

9:23 PM

PM Modi speaks in Arabic

Prime Minister Modi speaks a few sentences in Arabic to highlight how many words spoken in India have links to the language.

9:20 PM

UPI launch in UAE will allow Indian diaspora to more easily transfer money back home, says PM Modi

The launch of unified payments interface (UPI) will allow the Indian diaspora to more easily transfer money back home, Prime Minister Modi said.

9:20 PM

India will become third largest economy in my third term, says Modi

"...Modi has given a guarantee that in his third term, India will become the third largest economy. Modi ki guarantee yani guarantee pura hone ki guarantee," the prime minister said, at the 'Ahlan Modi' event.

9:16 PM

'Today world sees India as a 'vishwabandhu',' says PM Modi

PM Modi says, 'India's achievements belong to every Indian, I have full confidence in every Indian's strength.'

9:16 PM

PM highlights India's infrastructural development

'Today, India's identity is formed as a big power,' says PM Modi to Indian diaspora. PM Modi has taken guarantee to make India the third largest economy in his third term,' says PM Modi.

9:14 PM

Goal of every Indian to make India developed by 2047, says PM at 'Ahlan Modi'

"Today, the goal of every Indian is to make India a developed country by 2047. What is that country whose economy is progressing rapidly? Our India...Which country has the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem? Our India. Which country reached Mars in its very first attempt? Our India. Which country reached the lunar south pole? Our India. Which country made the record of launching 100 satellites simultaneously? Our India. Which country developed 5G technology on its own and rolled it out the quickest? Our India," the Indian prime minister said.

9:13 PM

MBZ immediately said 'yes' when I presented him the BAPS temple proposal in 2015: Modi

Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had immediately said "yes", when Ipresented to himthe proposal to build a temple in Abu Dhabi on behalf of all of you in 2015, Modi said.

9:13 PM

IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus has started Master's course, new CBSE office to be set up in Dubai, says Modi

IIT-Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus has launched Master's course, and the a new office of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is being set up in Dubai. These educational institutes will help in imparting quality education to the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said.

9:11 PM

UAE is our 3rd largest trade partner, 7th biggest investor, says PM Modi

"India and the UAE are partners in each other's progress. Our relationship is based on talent, culture and progress. Today, the UAE is India's third largest trade partner. It is the seventh biggest investor. Both of our countries are cooperating towards ease of living and ease of doing business," Modi said.

9:06 PM

Our relation is that of talent, innovation and culture: PM Modi

At the 'Ahlan Modi' event in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi says, "Our relation is that of talent, innovation and culture. In the past, we have re-energised our relations, in every direction. The two countries have walked together and have gone ahead together. Today, UAE is India's third largest trade partner. Today, UAE is the seventh largest investor. Both the countries are cooperating a lot in Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business. Even today, the MoUs that were signed between us are taking forward this commitment. We are integrating our financial system. In the field of technology and innovation, India and UAE partnership is strengthening continuously. In the area of community and culture, what India-UAE have achieved is a model for the world..."

9:01 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalls his first trip to the UAE

"I remember in 2015, when I first came on a diplomatic trip to the United Arab Emirates... then Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came to the airport to greet me, when I was just getting to grips with diplomacy. Today, on my seventh trip to UAE, the same prince, now President came to receive me with the same enthusiasm," the Prime Minister said, thanking President Al Nahyan

8:59 PM

Fortunate to have been bestowed with prestigious Order of Zayed: PM Modi

"Fortunate to have been bestowed with the prestigious Order of Zayed, the highest civilian award of the UAE. It is an honour for 1.4 billion Indians," said PM Modi.