Highlights: My strength lies not in my name but in the backing of 1.4 bn Indians, says PM Modi

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5:01 PM

India important for New Zealand's prosperity, security: PM Luxon

Shortly after arriving in the national capital, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Sunday described India as a country of "huge importance" for his nation's prosperity and security even as the two sides announced launching negotiations for a comprehensive free trade pact.
 

On Monday, Luxon will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will deliver a lecture at the inaugural session of the Raisina Dialogue as the chief guest.

The Kiwi leader is visiting India from March 16 to 20. He is accompanied by one of the largest delegations a New Zealand prime minister has ever travelled with.
 

"I've landed in India - a country of huge importance to New Zealand's prosperity, security and society. India provides huge economic opportunity for Kiwis," the New Zealand PM said on 'X'.

4:46 PM

Delhi's budget to focus on raising living standards, improving basic infra: CM Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the city's annual budget will focus on raising living standards, strengthening basic infrastructure and fuelling development for all sections of society.
 

The Chief Minister's Office said a detailed discussion was held between Gupta and the MLAs over the upcoming budget which is to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly on March 25.

During the meeting, ruling BJP MLAs urged that adequate budgetary allocations be made for strengthening basic facilities like water supply, sewerage and proper roads.

4:28 PM

Abu Dhabi taking steps to position itself as global investment hub: Yousuf

 Abu Dhabi, the capital city and the largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, is expanding its doors to international investors, aimed at positioning itself as a global investment hub, according to a senior Gulf official.
 

Yaser Al Yousuf, Director of Investor Relations at Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), also told PTI that the emirate was offering a business-friendly ecosystem powered by strategic partnerships, regulatory flexibility, and world-class investor support programmes.

Al Yousuf said that Abu Dhabi plans to host an investment forum in India and establish offices to enhance its presence in the region to further strengthen engagement between the two sides.

3:47 PM

PM Modi hails Election Commission, says global community should study its working

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's "neutral and independent" Election Commission and said that its management of the world's largest democratic exercise should be studied by the global community.
 

Speaking to podcaster Lex Fridman, Modi highlighted the massive scale of India's electoral process and emphasised its complexity and the high level of political engagement among citizens.

"In India, we have a neutral and independent Election Commission that conducts elections and takes all decisions. This in itself is such a big bright story that major universities around the world should conduct case studies on its management," Modi said.

He said that the global community should analyse how India's electoral system functions, given the scale and political awareness involved.

3:32 PM

AI is powerful but may never be able to match depth of human imagination: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday asserted that while artificial intelligence is powerful, it may never be able to match the depth of human imagination, and no matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India.
 

In a podcast with Lex Fridman released on Sunday, Modi said that without genuine human intelligence, AI cannot thrive or progress sustainably.
 

"It is true that in every era, a competitive atmosphere between technology and humanity was created. At times, it was even portrayed as conflict. It was often portrayed as if technology would challenge human existence itself.

"But every time, as technology advanced, humans adapted and stayed a step ahead. It has always been the case. After all, it is humans who find the best ways to use technology to their advantage," the prime minister said.

Modi also said he believes that with AI, "humans are now being forced to reflect on what it truly means to be human".

3:20 PM

Oppn parties slam AAP govt as it completes 3 years in Punjab

Opposition parties in Punjab on Sunday lashed out at the AAP government on the completion of three years of its tenure, saying it has "completely failed" and "betrayed the expectations" of people.
 

The BJP's Punjab unit held protests at many places against the AAP government, alleging that it did not fulfill its poll promises.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed the government in 2022 after winning 92 of the total 117 assembly seats in Punjab.

2:34 PM

'Ru' symbol in TN budget to show our determination for language policy: Stalin

The replacing of the Indian rupee symbol with the Tamil letter 'Ru' in the budget presented for 2025-26 was to show how determined the ruling DMK was over the language policy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the party president M K Stalin said on Sunday. While he had released the logo for the budget, "those who don't like Tamil made it a big news," he said in an apparent attack on the BJP.

2:19 PM

Lenders transfer Rs 1,104cr McLeod Russel debt at discount with 5-yr repayment tenure

A consortium of lenders to bulk tea producer McLeod Russel India Limited (MRIL) has transferred its debt exposure to the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) for Rs 700 crore, representing a 36 per cent haircut, sources said on Sunday. The debt of Rs 1,104.69 crore has been sold under a 15:85 cash-to-security receipts (SR) structure, with 15 per cent of the consideration to be paid upfront and the remaining 85 per cent through SRs over the next five years, they said.

1:57 PM

Will kick anyone who talks about caste: Nitin Gadkari

In strong remarks against caste-based politics, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said that nobody should be discriminated over caste, religion, language or sex. "Jo karega jaat ki baat, usko kaske marunga laat (I will kick hard anyone who talks about caste)," the senior BJP leader said, while addressing the convocation ceremony of Central India Group of Institutions in Nagpur on Saturday

1:41 PM

Punjab Police arrests two hawala operators linked to drug trade

In a decisive crackdown on drug networks amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign 'Yudh Nadhian Virudh', Amritsar Rural Police has busted a narco-terrorism hawala racket with the arrest of two Hawala operators and recovered Rs 17.60 lakhs and $4000 (US dollars) from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday. Those arrested have been identified as Sukhjit Singh, a resident of Fatehpur and Ranbir Singh, a resident of Anngarh in Amritsar. Apart from recovering Indian and foreign currency, police teams have also recovered one HP Laptop containing crucial transaction records from the possession of accused persons.

11:59 AM

When I shake hands with world leaders, it's not Modi but 1.4 billion Indians doing so: PM Modi

When I shake hands with world leaders, it's not Modi but 1.4 billion Indians doing so, said PM Modi in Lex Fridman podcast.

11:59 AM

Whenever we speak of peace, world listens because India is land of Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi: PM Modi

Whenever we speak of peace, world listens to us because India is land of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, said PM Modi in Lex Fridman podcast.

 

11:58 AM

I invited Pakistan for my swearing-in, but each attempt at peace was met with hostility: PM Modi

I invited Pakistan for my swearing-in to turn over a new leaf, but each attempt at peace was met with hostility and betrayal, said PM Modi.

11:57 AM

I welcome criticism; I have a strong belief that it is soul of democracy: PM Modi

I welcome criticism; I have a strong belief that it is soul of democracy, said PM Modi.

11:52 AM

My strength lies not in my name but in the backing of 1.4 bn Indians: PM Modi

My strength lies not in my name but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and country's timeless culture and heritage: PM Modi in podcast