logo
"Wishing Him Good Health": PM Modi On Jagdeep Dhankhar's Exit As Veep

"Wishing Him Good Health": PM Modi On Jagdeep Dhankhar's Exit As Veep

NDTV2 days ago
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished Jagdeep Dhankhar good health following the latter's resignation as Vice President last night. The Prime Minister also noted that Mr Dhankhar served the country in various capacities. "Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Mr Dhankhar wrote to President Droupadi Murmu yesterday, announcing his resignation and citing health reasons. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution. I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency, the Honourable President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure," he wrote in the letter, also shared on X by the Vice President's official handle.
"I express my deep gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the esteemed Council of Ministers. Prime Minister's cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office. The warmth, trust, and affection I have received from all the Hon'ble Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in my memory. I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy," he wrote.
The Vice President's decision came as a surprise. Less than two weeks back, at an event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, he said he would "retire at the right time, August 2027, subject to divine intervention". His term as Vice President was to end in August 2027.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said only Mr Dhankhar or the government knows the reasons behind his shock resignation. "Only he knows the reason. We have nothing to say on this. Either the government knows or he knows. It is up to the government to accept his resignation or not," he told the media. Other Congress leaders described the development as "inexplicable" and a "riddle wrapped in mystery rolled in an enigma". The government has remained tight-lipped so far.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Amid Bihar SIR row, CEC Kumar says can't allow dead or permanent migrants on voters list
Amid Bihar SIR row, CEC Kumar says can't allow dead or permanent migrants on voters list

New Indian Express

time19 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

Amid Bihar SIR row, CEC Kumar says can't allow dead or permanent migrants on voters list

NEW DELHI: Facing flak over voter roll revision in Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday asked if the poll body can come under influence and allow the dead, those who have migrated permanently or have registered themselves as electors at multiple places be included in the voters' list. His remarks came amid stepped up attacks by the opposition parties which have been targeting the poll authority over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral roll. The Opposition has claimed that the move will disenfranchise crores of eligible citizens. "Isn't a pure voter list being prepared by the Election Commission through a transparent process, the foundation for fair elections and a strong democracy?" he said, according to the EC. He said allowing ineligible people to vote, first in Bihar and later in the entire country, is against the Constitution. "On these questions, someday or the other, all of us and all the citizens of India will have to think deeply, going beyond political ideologies," he underlined. During house-to-house visit in the ongoing SIR of electoral roll in Bihar, poll officials have so far found that more than 52 lakh voters were not present at their addresses and another 18 lakh have died.

Scotch, cars, chocolates and more: What will become cheaper as India-UK sign FTA?
Scotch, cars, chocolates and more: What will become cheaper as India-UK sign FTA?

First Post

time19 minutes ago

  • First Post

Scotch, cars, chocolates and more: What will become cheaper as India-UK sign FTA?

India and the UK are signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, as PM Narendra Modi meets his British counterpart Keir Starmer in London. Under the landmark deal, the UK will eliminate duties on several Indian imports, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and machinery. For Indians, Scotch whisky, British cars, and chocolates will become cheaper read more India and the UK are signing a Free Trade Agreement on July 24. File Photo/Reuters India and the United Kingdom (UK) are set to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday (July 24). British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in London and the two will hold discussions on a range of topics. The signing of the FTA is a key part of PM Modi's UK visit. New Delhi and London concluded talks in May to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, discussions for which first began in January 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the British government estimates, the FTA will boost its GDP by £4.8 billion ($6.5 billion) annually. Indian exports to the UK are expected to double by 2030. The trade deal will benefit both countries. Here's how it will impact you. How India will gain The India-UK FTA would eliminate duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain, including key sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, auto parts and engines, furniture, sports goods, chemicals, and machinery. Several of these goods are facing UK tariffs ranging from four per cent to 16 per cent. The removal of UK taxes on Indian garments and home textiles – which range from eight to 12 per cent – will make them more competitive against products from Bangladesh and Vietnam. The Indian exports in this sector are projected to rise to up to 40 per cent in the next three years. Zero tariffs on gold, diamond jewellery, and leather goods will be a boost for MSME exporters and luxury product manufacturers in India. The UK will ease the process of approvals for Indian pharmaceutical companies, with the NHS opening further for generic medicines from India. The European country will also cut duties on Indian processed foods, basmati rice, shrimp, spices, and tea, giving a fillip to exports from Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, and West Bengal. Under the FTA, premium Indian food brands will have enhanced access to the UK market. Tariffs will also be removed on agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and plastics. India's chemical exports to the UK could double by 2030. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian electric and hybrid vehicle makers are also set to benefit with preferential access to the UK under a quota system. Welspun India, Arvind Ltd, Bata India, Relaxo, Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric, and Bharat Forge are among the companies likely to benefit from greater market access. According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the UK will provide assured access to business visitors, contractual service providers, yoga instructors, chefs and musicians for temporary stay. The FTA will also make it easier for Indian professionals to work in the UK by streamlining employment laws and visa procedures. The British government will expand the range of occupations for which highly qualified Indians can apply. Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK will not have to pay social security contributions for up to three years, saving around Rs 4,000 crore annually. What gets cheaper for Indians? Scotch whisky and luxury cars from the UK will become cheaper. India has agreed to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky and gin from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, and further to 40 per cent over the next 10 years. Taxes on imported UK-made cars, currently over 100 per cent, will drop to 10 per cent under a quota system that will gradually expand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UK-based firms such as Diageo (Scotch whisky) and British luxury carmakers like Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover will greatly benefit from better access to India's growing consumer market. India will also eliminate or reduce tariffs on products such as cosmetics, salmon, chocolates, medical devices, and biscuits. With inputs from agencies

India to get cheaper British cars, medical devices; UK fin services cos to get equal footing in FTA
India to get cheaper British cars, medical devices; UK fin services cos to get equal footing in FTA

Economic Times

time20 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

India to get cheaper British cars, medical devices; UK fin services cos to get equal footing in FTA

Agencies Representative image Indian consumers will benefit from improved access to British cars, medical devices, soft drinks and cosmetics with average tariffs dropping to 3% from 15% under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the UK said Thursday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signing the pact later in the India-UK trade deal is forecast to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion yearly, it said.'Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change,' said two leaders will also unveil a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – the UK-India Vision 2035.'The trade deal, which is forecast to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion yearly, is both India's most comprehensive deal ever, and the UK's most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the EU,' the UK said in a statement, adding that it significantly improves market access for businesses in both countries, leading to cheaper products and services for consumers. The two sides announced the conclusion of the FTA negotiations on May agreement will lead to tariff elimination for India on about 99% of the tariff lines by the UK, including most labour-intensive products. The UK will gain tariff-free access to India for 85% of its tariff lines spread over ten years.'The UK and India's new vision for 2035 will go beyond trade with reinvigorated mutual commitment to drive prosperity and innovation, deepen defence cooperation through a new Defence Industrial roadmap, work together to secure our borders, tackle climate change and nurture educational connections,' the UK FTA is likely to boost India's textiles, apparel, leather, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, marine and engineering goods exports.'The historic trade deal we have signed today is the most comprehensive deal India has ever agreed – putting the UK in the best position to partner with India over the next decade, promising to unlock thousands of jobs and boost growth across both economies,' said the UK's Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.'The nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today are a sign of things to come, as future collaboration expands into advanced technologies, critical minerals, green finance, and beyond,' he added. As per the statement, the UK's clean energy industry will have brand new, unprecedented access to India's vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand. 'For financial and professional business services, locked in access will offer certainty to expand in India's growing market and measures such as binding India's foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers,' it said. Twenty-six British companies have announced new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft – with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines – to major Indian airlines as part of around £5 million worth of contracts recently part of the reinvigorated partnership, the UK and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime, and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store