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.
Srinagar: With the conflict in West Asia showing no signs of let-up, the evacuation of Indian students stranded in Iran has started with the first batch set to return to their home country through Armenia. Over 1200 Indian students, mainly pursuing MBBS, are caught in war-torn middle east after their universities refused to postpone their March 5 exams despite Indian Embassy advisory on February 23, asking Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, to depart Iran without delay using available means of transport including commercial flights. The first batch of Indian students were shifted in buses to Armenia border, from where they will proceed towards India. This batch comprises students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences. The Indian Embassy had relocated them to Qom after air strikes caused widespread panic among them. Naseema Bano, mother of a fifth year MBBS student in Urmia University, said her daughter will leave towards Azerbaijan on March 17 and reach New Delhi the following day. She said they booked ticket on their own at Rs 50,000 as panic gripped the students due to the ongoing conflagration. They had been sending distressing calls for evacuation after airstrikes rattled their vicinity.
New Delhi: There is a lot of activity happening in the Middle East/West Asia right now. Israel is keeping an eye on the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding the nuclear deal. Israel has assured the United States that it will not attack Iran's nuclear sites unless the nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran completely fail. This information has emerged from the U.S. news website 'Axios.' According to reports, citing two Israeli officials, Israel provided this assurance during a meeting that took place last week in Washington, which included Israel's Minister of Str ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 30 (ANI): Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh welcomed US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, echoing the sentiments of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. However, Abu Shawesh emphasised that the plan's success hinges on Israel's actions on the ground. Speaking at the Kerala Media Academy, Abu Shawesh stated that while the plan sounds promising theoretically, its practical implementation will determine its effectiveness. Also Read | NHS Takes Down Report on 'Benefits' of First-Cousin Marriages From Website Afte ...Read More >
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) State-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) absorbing the impact of elevated global energy prices will lead to heightened margin and cash-flow volatility, Moody's Ratings said on Wednesday. "Domestic retail prices of fuels have remained largely steady since April 2022, despite swings in global oil and gas prices and the country's high dependence on imports," Moody's said in a note. "The companies will bear rising input costs from higher energy prices without correspondi ...Read More >
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday condemned the "unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran" and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his influence to end the war in the interest of humanity. He made the statement in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the House after several National Conference MLAs pressed for it, even as BJP legislators maintained that the Iran crisis is an international issue and does not fall in the domain of the House. "On behalf of mysel ...Read More >
Nearly 1,200 Indian nationals, most of them students, have left Iran since the start of the West Asia conflict by crossing via land borders to Armenia and Azerbaijan, while three Indians were injured in attacks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), officials of the external affairs ministry said on Wednesday. About 9,000 Indians, including students and businesspeople, were in Iran when military strikes by Israel and the US on February 28 triggered the conflict. Scores of students were moved from ci ...Read More >
xternal Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on Monday, met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine and discussed the conflict with Russia at the sidelines of the MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference in Rome, Italy. Apart from Ukraine, EAM Jaishankar met with his counterparts from France, Lebanon, and Croatia as well. On his meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the EAM reiterated India's support for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the long-running conflict. "Good to meet FM of Ukraine @andrii_sybihain Rome today. Useful exchange on advancing our bilateral cooperation. ...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 >
Reacting to US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar, in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18's Zakka Jacob, said he hoped that Hamas would accept it. He also thanked PM Narendra Modi for extending his support to the plan, saying India has a lot to offer in reconstruction of post-war Gaza. "We don't have assurances that Hamas will do that. But we have several new elements that we haven't seen in the past. First of all, there is a clear plan and a ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Thursday met Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty in Delhi to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments. After the meeting, Sahney said, "Today, we had called upon the Foreign Minister of Egypt... Egypt and India are old friends... We appreciated Egypt's role in hosting the peace settlement between Israel and Hamas..." He also emphasised the economic potential between the two countries, stating, "On the trade and economic front, there's a big potential between the two countries..." Sahney fur ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 2 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take swift measures to safeguard Kannadigas and other Indian nationals affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East region. In a post shared on X, Siddaramaiah said, "I have written to the Prime Minister seeking urgent action to safeguard Kannadigas and other Indians affected by the escalating Middle East tensions. I have urged strengthened diplomatic outreach, preparedness for special repatriation flights if required, and coordinated support through embass ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], March 2 (ANI): Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Monday urged the Government of India to take immediate steps to ensure the safe evacuation of people from Odisha stranded in the region. In a statement, Patnaik said on X, "The escalating conflict in the Middle East has left many people from Odisha including migrant workers, professionals, students, tourists stranded. With disruption of air connectivity many people are facing grave uncertainty. Their safety and well-being are at risk, and they look to ...Read More >
Indian businesses say they are struggling to keep operations running as gas supplies are disrupted by the US and Israel's war on Iran. Restaurant owners are scrambling to keep kitchens running and entrepreneurs in industries like ceramics and fertilisers say they are unable to maintain their production and are warning of shutdowns. India has said it is not short of gas but has invoked emergency measures to ensure supplies get to domestic consumers and other key users. The country meets half of ...Read More >
The shockwaves of a war being fought nearly 3,000km away are now reaching India's kitchens. As the US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are tightening across India, forcing restaurants to cut menus, shorten hours and in some cases shut down altogether. Social media is awash with video clips showing queues outside cooking-gas dealers across Indian cities and towns as worries over fuel supplies spread. Commerci ...Read More >
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has barely begun, but it has already delivered its first major controversy. Following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) six-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, a pointed remark from captain Ajinkya Rahane has triggered a wider debate - forcing Cricket Australia (CA) to step in with a clarification. At the centre of the storm is Cameron Green, KKR's high-profile signing worth INR 25.20 crore, who did not bowl a single over despite MI's dominant chase of 220. KKR seemed in control after posting a commanding 220/4, but the script ...Read More >
New Delhi, March 30: India has enough aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the next 60 days and there is no immediate risk of disruption, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu told the Rajya Sabha on Monday amid concerns over the ongoing West Asia conflict. Responding to questions in the Rajya Sabha, Naidu assured that the country's aviation fuel supply remains stable despite the oil crisis triggered by the West Asia war. "India currently has adequate ATF reserves and does not foresee any shortage in the near future," he said. "India follows a balanced production system for ATF, where n ...Read More >
Delhi power minister Ashish Sood on Monday directed officials to accelerate the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) connections in the national capital and conduct an intensive door-to-door campaign to encourage residents to adopt PNG, amid the West Asia crisis. Sood said directions were issued to expand PNG coverage across the city in the next quarter. He chaired a high-level meeting to review PNG expansion in Delhi. Senior officials from IGL, the Urban Development Department, the Municipal C ...Read More >
New Delhi, Mar 31: Dalal Street investors have lost a whopping Rs 51 lakh crore from their wealth since the West Asia conflict began late last month, with the BSE benchmark Sensex tumbling over 11 per cent during this time, as investors fled riskier assets due to the cascading effect of the war on crude oil prices and markets globally. Markets also faced the blow of foreign fund exodus from domestic equities. Sharp fall in Sensex and market capitalisation Since the West Asia conflict started on February 28, the BSE benchmark has crashed 9,339.64 points or 11.48 per cent. Tracking the sharp ...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 >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
New Delhi, Mar 2 (PTI) Equity investors became poorer by Rs 6.59 lakh crore on Monday as markets faced a massive drubbing amid rising tensions in West Asia that weighed heavily on sentiments. The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 2,743.46 points or 3.37 per cent to 78,543.73 in early trade. It later ended at 80,238.85, down 1,048.34 points or 1.29 per cent. The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies eroded by Rs 6,59,978.08 crore to Rs 4,56,90,693.19 crore (USD 5 trillion). "Indian equities witnessed a sharp decline as escalating tensions in West Asia triggered a pronounced risk-off respons ...Read More >
India has granted the gems and jewellery sector a further 30 days to meet specified obligations, aiming to ease compliance as the West Asia crisis disrupts air and sea consignments. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade said the extension applies to certain categories under HBP-2023 Chapter 4, without fees or applications, supporting exporters amid shipment delays. The Centre has given the gems and jewellery sector an extra 30 days. The extension covers several export and import obligations. ...Read More >
Mumbai, March 31: Gold prices in India witnessed a marginal uptick on Tuesday as the month drew to a close, with 24-carat gold averaging INR 1,48,220 per 10 grams across major cities. International spot gold edged higher to approximately USD 4,472 per ounce, reflecting a modest monthly recovery despite a strong USD and persistent geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia. In Mumbai, the price for 22-carat gold is currently retailing at INR 1,35,870 per 10 grams, while the higher purity 24-carat variant stands at INR 1,48,220. While domestic rates saw a slight increase of approximately INR 140 p ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): Morocco's Ambassador to India, Mohamed Maliki, underscored the expanding scope of India-Morocco relations during a wide-ranging interaction in the national capital. Highlighting deepening cooperation in trade, defence, investment, counter-terrorism, and beyond, he outlined key areas of collaboration and ambitious plans for the future. Also Read | Ukraine-Russia War: Moscow Blasts Kyiv With Another Missile, Drone Barrage, Killing at Least 2. "I think the sky is not even the limit for us... because we believe in making India, we believe in the capabilities of ...Read More >
India on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue and said it will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a "durable and just peace" in the region. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said that India has significant development cooperation with Palestine and it is committed to supporting its human resource development programmes and strengthen Palestinian institutions. This is not the first time India has discussed its stance. In July, In ...Read More >
A nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders is affecting Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)'s catering operations, leading the railways to consider temporarily halting cooked meal services on trains and offering refunds to passengers who pre-booked meals with their tickets. IRCTC has directed its catering licensees to implement contingency plans to maintain uninterrupted food services for passengers. Railway officials said the LPG shortage is impacting IRCTC's base kitchens, whe ...Read More >
A tanker with Iranian crude oil has been flashing India's west coast as its destination, according to maritime tracking sites, in what could be the first such import in nearly seven years. The Eswatini-flagged Ping Shun's transponders and AIS (automatic identity system) have signalled it is headed for the Vadinar offshore terminal and is expected to reach the facility by April 4, according to the Kpler-owned MarineTraffic and Winward, both providers of global commodity and ship data. At an inte ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): The world paused on June 13 when Israel targeted major military and nuclear facilities, and crucial personalities in Iran as it launched a series of attacks to disempower the West Asian country. Also Read | Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa Dead: IDF Eliminates Hamas Mastermind Behind October 2023 Attack in Israel. The involvement of the Houthis of Yemen and the US in this high-tension conflict stopped short of a nuclear apocalypse--but this was not entirely unexpected. Some saw this coming. Supporting Israel, the US went ahead and struck three key nuclear sites ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Gold prices fell Rs 200 to Rs 97,470 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday due to continuous selling by stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 97,670 per 10 grams on Friday. Extending the losses for the seventh straight day, gold of 99.5 per cent purity slipped Rs 150 to Rs 97,050 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). It had settled at Rs 97,200 per 10 grams in the previous market session. "Gold continues to face downward pressure as both geopolitical and economic uncertainties e ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jul 17 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh's capital city has secured the third position in the category of urban spaces with population exceeding 10 lakh, while Prayagraj was adjudged the Cleanest Ganga City in the ninth edition of the Swachh Survekshan. Lucknow also became the first city in the state to achieve a 7-star Garbage Free City rating in the 2024-25 survey. Gorakhpur achieved double success, ranking third in the Safai Mitra Surakshit Sheher category and fourth among cities with a population between 3 to 10 lakh. Agra has been recognised as the Emerging Clean City of Uttar Pradesh, securi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza will allow countries like India to carry out reconstruction activities in the region as New Delhi has been playing a positive role for peace in the Middle-East, Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar said on Tuesday. The envoy also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reaction to the 20-point peace plan and said India can contribute significantly to the region. The plan, unveiled after talks between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposes an immediate end to the war in Gaza and release of all the hostages h ...Read More >