India

In the heat of Rajasthan’s desert districts, a tree has become the focal point of a widening confrontation. Markets have shut, saints have gone on strike, political rivals have shared protest stages, and thousands have gathered under open skies to demand its protection.What began in Bikaner as a local objection to the alleged felling of…

Randeep Surjewala, Piyush Goyal NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders on Saturday criticised the India-US Interim Trade Agreement framework, accusing the government of compromising India’s interests and raising concerns over its impact on farmers, tariffs, and oil imports.Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala warned that the agreement could harm farmers and rural livelihoods. He said, “A blow has…

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for a two-day visit to Malaysia, aiming to deepen defence and security cooperation and interact with the Indian diaspora in the country. Announcing his departure on X, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, I will be visiting Malaysia, a…

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday took a “Dost dost na raha” jibe at PM Modi, referring to his and US President Donald Trump’s friendship, after the recently announced India-US trade framework. Ramesh criticised the deal, saying it benefits American farmers at the expense of Indian ones and raised concerns over India’s agreement…

NEW DELHI: As New Delhi and Washington announced the framework for an interim trade agreement on Saturday, a map of India released by the US trade representative’s (USTR) office drew attention.The map, shared alongside details of the trade deal framework, shows the entire Jammu and Kashmir region – including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) – as part…

NEW DELHI: App-based transport workers across India observed an All-India Breakdown on February 7 after unions representing gig drivers and delivery workers called for a nationwide shutdown to protest falling incomes, rising costs and what they described as increasing exploitation by platform companies.The protest was called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and…

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah signaled stable leadership ahead of upcoming civic polls, firmly dismissing speculation of a chief minister change and affirming that the party high command has ruled out any shift.Speaking amid preparations for local body elections in Bidar, he emphasised unity by noting multiple capable leaders within Congress while deferring…

NEW DELHI: From marks anxiety to gaming ambitions, PM Modi used Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 to tell students not to believe life was a single-subject exam. Whether the debate is between “skills vs marks” or “studies vs gaming”, balance, discipline and purpose will always hold them in good stead.Responding to students torn between competing advice,…

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the India-US interim trade agreement, calling it a major step towards strengthening economic ties, boosting domestic manufacturing and creating jobs.In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Great news for India and USA! We have agreed on a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement between our…

JAMMU: Border-related challenges had changed significantly over the past 60 years, and therefore advanced technological solutions must be adopted to effectively address them, Union home minister Amit Shah said Friday as he visited the Gurnam and Bobiyan outposts located along the India-Pakistan International Border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.Later in the evening, Shah…