India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Germany is compiling a list of emergency shelters for civilians due to rising tensions with Russia. A digital directory will be accessible via a planned app. Germany is drawing drawn up a list of emergency shelters that can be used by civilians amid escalating tensions with Russia. The digital directory of bunkers will be made available through a planned phone app and include underground train stations and car parks as well as state buildings and private properties. An interior ministry spokesperson also indicated that people would be encouraged to create protective shelters in their homes by converting basements and garages. The country currently has 579 bunkers -- mostly dating from World War II and the Cold War era -- that can house around 480,000 people. Senior officials held a conference in June to discuss key points of the plan and a special group is now looking into the project. The spokesperson however declined to give a timeframe for the initiative -- dubbing it a "big project" involving the Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance and other authorities that would take "some time". Secutity concerns have grown steadily over the past three years amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. German officials warned in October that Moscow was likely to become capable of launching an attack against NATO members by 2030. Authorities have also flagged a surge in Russian spying and sabotage activities. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week warned the conflict in Ukraine had characteristics of a "global" war and did not rule out strikes on Western countries.
A top NATO chief has urged business leaders to begin preparing for a 'wartime scenario' following rising tensions across the world. The warning comes as Germany announced it was drawing up a list of bunkers and other underground facilities that could provide shelter for civilians in the event of an attack. Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer (pictured) warned that NATO members needed to adjust their production and distribution lines in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail from countries such as Russia and China. The chair of NATO's military committee said: 'If we can m ...Read More >
NEW DELHI - New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new US weapons and aircraft, according to three Indian officials familiar with the matter, in India's first concrete sign of discontent after tariffs imposed on its exports by President Donald Trump dragged ties to their lowest level in decades. India had been planning to send Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks for an announcement on some of the purchases, but that trip has been cancelled, two of the people said. Mr Trump on Aug 6 imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as punishment for ...Read More >
Sept 26 (Reuters) - U.S. trade negotiators have told their Indian counterparts that curbing purchases of Russian oil is crucial to reducing India's tariff rate and sealing a trade deal, two people familiar with the talks told Reuters. While trade negotiations are on a positive track, a U.S. official said, more work is needed to ensure India addresses U.S. concerns over market access, the trade deficit and purchases of Russian oil. U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to pressure India, the European Union and members of NATO to curb purchases of Russian oil as a way to cut Moscow's revenue ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
Donald Trump stated that US tariffs on India's Russian oil purchases have significantly impacted Russia's economy. He mentioned India as a major oil buyer from Russia. Trump claimed Russia's economy is struggling due to global pressures and US tariffs. He suggested that imposing tariffs on India, for buying Russian oil, was a major setback for Russia. President Donald Trump on Monday said American tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil have dealt a "big blow" to Moscow's economy, wh ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
India's pivotal shift in consolidating a Russia-India-China (RIC) axis, though tactically alluring, risks rendering it more vulnerable and increasingly isolated as a purported leader of the democratic Global South. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked hand-in-hand with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, crystallised a new phase of India's strategic signalling at a time when our economy is more interlinked with China and Russia than e ...Read More >
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has demanded that NATO and EU member states impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on China and India. The goal, he said, is to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump, who pledged to resolve the conflict "on day one" of his presidency, raised the proposal during a meeting with European Union officials last Tuesday. The measure is seen as a way to accelerate negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. The Financial Times first reported Trump's request. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said Washington was preparing tighter ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Friday hit out at Nato chief Mark Rutte over his recent remark claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin after the US tariff move. In a strongly-worded reply, the MEA termed the remark "factually incorrect" and "entirely baseless".MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clearly stated that "at no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place." "We expect the leadership of an important institution like Nato to exercise greater responsib ...Read More >
The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war - leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration Nato foreign ministers looked set to rebuff Tuesday a push from Ukraine for progress on joining their alliance ahead of Donald Trump taking power in the United States. The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war - leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said getting security guarantees from the Western alliance and ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a major development, NATO chief Mark Rutte has made a shocking statement expressing fears of a third world war. Rutte said that a coordinated attack by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin could trigger World War III. He said the Chinese military may begin its attempt to seize Taiwan, while simultaneously, Russia could launch an attack on NATO territories. Mark Rutte said, "Chinese President Xi Jinping may launch an invasion of Taiwan while assigning Russian leader Vladimir Putin to attack NATO countries in order to keep them distracted from the Paci ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India and the United States will hold trade talks in New Delhi on Tuesday, weeks after President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on the South Asian nation's exports, slowing its overall shipments to a nine-month low in August. India and the United States will "fast-track" trade talks, Rajesh Agarwal, India's chief negotiator and a special secretary in its commerce ministry, told reporters at an event for the release of trade data, but gave no details. U.S. trade repre ...Read More >
Mumbai, India - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer began a two-day visit to India on Wednesday with the aim of building on the trade deal signed between the countries in July. He was joined by more than 100 leaders from the business, cultural, and university sectors in what the UK government dubbed the largest British trade mission ever. Upon arrival in Mumbai, Starmer told the trade mission delegates that the deal 'provides huge opportunities,' adding that he had asked his team to implement the deal as 'quickly as humanly possible'. "Our job is to make it easier for you to seize the oppor ...Read More >
President Trump stated he discussed trade and energy with Indian Prime Minister Modi, who assured him India would limit oil purchases from Russia. This comes as Trump pressures Moscow to end the Ukraine war, with India being a major buyer of Russian crude. United States President Donald Trump said he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, with their conversation focused largely on trade. "Let me extend our warmest wishes to the people of India. I just spoke to your Prime Minis ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
MOSCOW: India and Russia on Thursday vowed to expand their bilateral trade in a "balanced and sustainable manner" with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlining the need to "swiftly" address non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments. The resolve by the two countries to enhance two-way trade, including by increasing Indian exports to Russia, came amid growing estrangement in ties between India and the US over President Donald Trump's policies on trade and tariffs. "We believe that relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) For the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the 25th SCO summit at Tianjin was a special occasion to launch initiatives designed to push the rise of China as a superpower that could more than match America. Donald Trump's move to impose 'punitive' tariff on India for its oil trade with Russia providing an anti-US backdrop, special invitation extended to President Putin and Kim Jong Un of North Korea to the parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3 that was designed to showcase China's military strength on the 80th anniversary of surrender by Japan in Wo ...Read More >
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed optimism about India's support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, despite ongoing concerns from the U.S. regarding India's energy trade with Moscow. While the U.S. considers tariffs to deter Russian oil purchases by India and China, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining ties with New Delhi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (local time) said he believes India is "mostly" on Kyiv's side in the war with Russia, even as the ...Read More >
In return, India may reduce imports of Russian oil and open its market to non-genetically modified American corn and soymeal products. The U.S. and India are close to a possible trade deal that would reduce tariffs on Indian exports to about 15% to 16% from the current 50%, according to the Mint. In return, India may reduce imports of Russian oil and open its market to non-genetically modified American corn and soymeal products. The bilateral trade agreement could be announced when President Do ...Read More >
Indian rupee (left) and US dollar currency notes are held by a foreign exchange employee. File/AFP India will not accept limits on its trading choices or rush to sign agreements, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, even as a senior government official said a bilateral trade deal with Washington was "very near." "India will not sign any trade deal in a hurry," Goyal said during a speech at the Berlin Global Dialogue, referring to European Union and the US concerns over India's continued purchases of Russian oil. Alongside ongoing EU free trade pact negotiations, India is in trade tal ...Read More >
NEW DELHI -- President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the Russian people were "united as never before," as he sought to project confidence in the wake of a short-lived revolt, at a meeting of a rare international organization where he can find a sympathetic audience. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, hosted via videoconference by India, was Putin's first multilateral summit since an armed rebellion rattled Russia and comes as he is eager to show that the West has failed to isolate Moscow over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Asian security grouping, founded by Russia and Chin ...Read More >
By Hritam Mukherjee and Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India will continue to buy Russian oil as it proves economical, its finance minister said on Friday, despite the Trump administration's decision to impose heavy import tariffs on Indian goods due, in part, to its energy purchases from Moscow. As Europe and the U.S. have shunned Russian oil over Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has taken advantage of discounts on Russian output to become the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude. New Delhi has said its purchases of Russian oil have kept the markets in balance. U.S. President ...Read More >
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that his country would stop buying Russian oil. The change, which has not been confirmed by the Indian government, would boost Trump's efforts to pressure Moscow to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. "There will be no oil. He's not buying oil," Trump said. The change won't take immediately, he said, but "within a short period of time." The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump has been frustrated by his inability to ...Read More >
In the Indo-Pacific region, if one development would prove to be a landmark event in the region's modern history, it would be the signing of the Treaty of Comprehensive Partnership between North Korea and Russia in June 2024. The partnership has paved the way for strengthening bilateral ties between Moscow and Pyongyang and marked the onset of the global order transition, which was already underway. The institutionalization of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan's trilateral security cooperation has also given Russia and North Korea another strategic reason to collaborate. Therefore, with the geo ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jul 17 (PTI) To curb illegal mining and transportation, the Uttar Pradesh government is deploying advanced technologies under the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), a release said on Thursday. Mining activities are already being monitored through drones, geo-fencing, RFID tags, and AI-powered check gates. Now, the state is set to introduce 'Weigh-In-Motion' (WIM) technology to accurately track vehicle overloading. Also Read | 'Arvind Kejriwal Used Government Funds to Buy Mobiles Costing Up to INR 1.63 Lakh', Claims Delhi Minister Ashish Sood. According to the official re ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 19 (ANI): A contingent of 23 athletes supported by Reliance Foundation look to compete at the World University Games across six cities in Germany, with events running until July 27. Representing athletics, archery, and judo, these young talents aim to improve international rankings, achieve personal bests, and bring home laurels. The athletics team forms the backbone of the foundation campaign, with 18 athletes competing in sprints, jumps, throws, hurdles, relay, long jump, decathlon, among other events, beginning July 21, a release said. James Hillier, Di ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India and Russia have reaffirmed their long -standing strategic partnership in the context of American pressure on India to limit Russian energy purchases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told President Vladimir Putin on Monday that the two countries were kept side by side in the most difficult times. While the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, Modi said that he was eager to welcome Putin in India in December for an annual summit. In addition to the bilateral meeting, which lasted almost an hour, the two leaders had informal ta ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: A 37-year-old man from Khairatabad, Hyderabad, Mohammed Ahmed, has allegedly been defrauded by a job agent and sent to Russia, where he has reportedly been drafted to fight in the war against Ukraine. "He has been given a weapon and asked to fight in the war against Ukraine. His last known location is near the Ukraine border. Our request to the government is that he should be helped and brought back to India," Firdous Begum, a close relative of Ahmed, told TOI on Thursday. Ahmed, who u ...Read More >
LONDON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Donald Trump is putting more pressure on India to slash its Russian oil purchases. This could deprive Moscow of vital revenue, but it will mostly just push more Russian oil into an increasingly large shadow market. The U.S. president said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, an agreement India has yet to confirm. India has become a major trade buyer of Russian oil since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It purchased 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russia's crude in the first nine months of 2025, ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a major development that could reshape US trade relations with major global allies, US President Donald Trump has pushed for a Senate bill that would impose 500 percent tariffs on countries continuing economic ties with Russia -- including India and China. The latest development was confirmed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in an interview with ABC News. "Big breakthrough here. So what does this bill do? If you're buying products from Russia and you're not helping Ukraine, then there's a 500 percent tariff on your products coming into the United States. India and China buy ...Read More >