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.
New Delhi: In a firm response to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's threat of secondary sanctions over New Delhi's ties with Moscow, India on Thursday cautioned against "double standards" on the matter and asserted that its energy procurement from Russia is based on national interests and market dynamics. Rutt had warned India, China and Brazil that they could be hit hard by secondary sanctions if they continue to do business with Russia. "We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing energy needs of our people are understandably an overriding priority for us," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. "In this endeavour, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter," he said. India, China and Brazil have been the major buyers of Russian crude oil notwithstanding the Western sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. "My encouragement to these three countries, particularly, is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard," Rutte told reporters in Washington DC.
New Delhi: Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries is deliberating on closing a deal with the Russian oil giant PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, the talks for which are in an early stage. The talks are about sale of Rosneft's 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara Energy, which operates a 20-million tonnes-a-year oil refinery and 6,750 petrol pumps in India, sources said. Reliance has held preliminary talks for the acquisition of Nayara. If it happens then it will help it overtake state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to become India's No.1 oil refiner. Since the discussions are in initial stage, there is no ...Read More >
Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) [India] July 15 (ANI): The tribal-dominated Dantewada district is all set to make its footprint visible in the high-octane sport of Thai Kick Boxing, as young athletes here have clinched medals in international as well as national events. With the support of the Chhattisgarh Government, the youth of Dantewada are sharpening their skills and preparing for Thai Kick Boxing events to be held in the country and overseas. As Dantewada moves on the path to becoming a hub for producing Thai Kick Boxers, the district is also ready to shed its infamous identity that emerged du ...Read More >
New Delhi: New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new U.S. 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. Trump on Aug. 6 imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi's p ...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 >
New Delhi: India on Thursday played down the threat of the US imposing sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, saying it is confident of meeting its needs from alternative sources. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the world's third largest oil importer should be able to deal with any problems with Russian imports by seeking supplies from other countries. India imports more than 85 per cent of its requirement of crude oil, which is turned into fuels like petrol and diesel in refineries. Traditionally, the Middle East was the main source, but Russia has been the mainstay supplier for nea ...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 >
New Delhi, Aug 1: In the face of US President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and his severe diatribe against it, India on Friday said its partnership with the US has "weathered" several "transitions and challenges" as it sounded confident of the ties continuing to move forward. New Delhi also said that its procurement of energy is guided by market dynamics and the prevailing global circumstances, remarks that came amid Trump's criticism of New Delhi for procurement of Russian petroleum products notwithstanding Western sanctions. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said I ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for the first time in over seven years, a government source said on Wednesday (Aug 6), in a further sign of a diplomatic thaw with Beijing as tensions with the United States rise. Modi will go to China for a summit of the multilateral Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that begins on Aug 31, the government source, with direct knowledge of the matter, told Reuters. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His trip will come at a time when India's relationship with the US faces its most serious ...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 >
India is concerned with a U.S. Senator's proposal to slap a 500% tariff on goods imported in America from countries buying Russian oil, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, adding that the world's third-largest crude oil importer has conveyed these concerns to the U.S. lawmakers. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has proposed a bill to impose a huge tariff on any country buying Russian oil. In an interview with ABC News this weekend, Senator Graham said that President Donald Trump appears to be on board for the bill to be moved forward. "If you're buying products from Russia ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) India on Thursday played down the threat of the US imposing sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, saying it is confident of meeting its needs from alternative sources. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the world's third largest oil importer should be able to deal with any problems with Russian imports by seeking supplies from other countries. India imports more than 85 per cent of its requirement of crude oil, which is turned into fuels like petrol and diesel in refineries. Traditionally, the Middle East was the main source, but Russia has been the mainstay s ...Read More >
The escalating conflict could upset a hard-fought consensus that G20 negotiators reached around 5 a.m. on Sunday, after an overnight push to ready the joint statement for final review by leaders arriving in Rio. That preliminary consensus after six days of negotiations included streamlined language about global conflicts including the war in Ukraine, focusing on the need to negotiate peace rather than criticism of any participants. However, sources said even that "simpler" consensus may now be up for reconsideration following the Russian air strike and the prospect of further escalation. Un ...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 >
New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) India today rubbished NATO chief Mark Rutte's threat of "severe secondary sanctions" on countries trading with Russia and cautioned against any "double standards." External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India's overriding priority is to secure energy needs guided by what is available in the markets and the prevailing global circumstances. ''We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter,' he said. "We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate, and I have said this in the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India can arrange alternative supplies if Russian oil exports are sanctioned, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday in what is seen as the first official reaction to the US and EU threat of secondary sanctions for buying those barrels."India has diversified the sources (of oil). I am not worried at all. If something happens, we will deal with it. There is sufficient supply available," Puri said at an industry event.Separately, the foreign ministry said govt's overriding priority was to secure the energy needs of its people, while also cautioning against any double s ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday dismissed Nato chief Mark Rutte's threat of "100 per cent secondary sanctions" on countries trading with Russia, particularly in gas and oil, and warned the West against adopting any "double standards." Reacting to Mr Rutte's comments, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said securing the country's energy needs remains an overriding priority, guided by what is available in the markets and the prevailing global circumstances. "We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy needs o ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Nayara Energy's refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat became the first in India to come under Western sanctions as the European Union on Friday announced fresh curbs on Russian oil exports with the aim of throttling funding for Moscow's war machine."For the first time, we're designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India," agencies quoted EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as saying.India responded by saying it "does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. "We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations. Government of India ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'break his silence' over U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he 'facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by threatening to stop trade'. The AAP in an X post said that no clarification has come from PM Modi, even after Donald Trump's repeated claims. 'Prime Minister, now break your silence. PM Modi's friend and US President Donald Trump have said that 5 jets were shot down during the India-Pakistan conflict,' AAP said in a post on X. 'Along with this, Trump ...Read More >
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal suggested that the ongoing trade hurdles with US will not impact New Delhi's security partnership with Washington. The ministry of external affairs on Friday said that India-US ties have withstood many challenges over the years and expressed confidence that the bilateral relationship remains on a positive trajectory, just two days after Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on Indian goods. In a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal suggested that ...Read More >
New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump has backed a new plan to strike hard at countries helping Russia's economy. He gave his nod to a Senate bill that proposes 500% tariffs on nations buying oil and goods from Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally, confirmed the move during an interview with ABC News. The bill targets India and China - the two biggest importers of Russian crude. Graham said both are fuelling what he called "Putin's war machine" by continuing trade with Moscow. According to him, India and China account for more than 70% of Russia's oil sales. The idea is sim ...Read More >
Also Read | India buys more Russian oil -- but its rupee-rouble plan isn't working Responding to a question on India's likely measures in case secondary sanctions were imposed on Russian oil imports, he said, "My my own view is the price of oil will come down. It will come down only because there is more oil available in the international market. There is more oil coming on the global market from the western hemisphere. I mean countries such as Brazil, Guyana and Canada. They're not even OPEC+ members. I'm not worried at all. If something happens, we'll deal with it." He added that India felt ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in Odisha, Assam and Delhi after being branded as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, the Special Intensive Review (SIR) and the necessity of Opposition unity on these issue are likely to be the important matters that would be raised by the Trinamool Congress in the meeting of the INDIA Bloc this evening. The meeting will be attended virtually by the Trinamool Congress General Secretary and the party's Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, as decided by the party leadership at the last moment. "The harassment of Ben ...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 >
New Delhi, July 18 Hours after the European Union (EU) agreed upon an 18th round of sanctions on ... New Delhi, July 18 Hours after the European Union (EU) agreed upon an 18th round of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, India on Friday said that it does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures and that there should be no "double standards", especially when it comes to energy trade. "We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the European Union. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to o ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence over U.S. President Donald Trump repeated claims that he facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by threatening to stop trade. The AAP in an X post said that no clarification has come from PM Modi, even after Donald Trump repeated claims. Prime Minister, now break your silence. PM Modi friend and US President Donald Trump have said that 5 jets were shot down during the India-Pakistan conflict, AAP said in a post on X. Along with this, Trump has claimed f ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The possibility of a US Federal Reserve rate cut in September remains open, but it will largely depend on how the labor market and inflation evolve, noted a recent report by Union Bank of India research. While the market anticipates some monetary easing later this year, the report mentioned that Fed has adopted a cautious and data-dependent stance in the face of growing uncertainty around tariffs and fiscal policy. It stated While a rate cut in September remains possible, it hinges heavily on labour market softness and the inflation trajectory. The report a ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove encroachments on forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, all across the state and not limit it to some areas. The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi on Wednesday after the Advocate General placed on record fresh instructions issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, informing that 2,456 apple and other fruit trees have been felled from forest lands in Chaithla village, and 713 and 490 trees in Rohru and Kotgarh forest divisions, r ...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 >
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) India's import of crude oil from Russia rose to an 11-month high in June as refiners topped up tanks amid the Israel-Iran war, analysts said. India imported 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in June, the highest since July 2024, according to vessel tracking data from global commodity market analytics firm Kpler. "While India's global imports of crude oil dropped by 6 per cent in June, Russian volumes saw an 8 per cent month-on-month rise to their highest levels since July 2024," European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said. " ...Read More >