Lava Storm Play First Look: Best Budget Phone Under Rs 10,000?
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ridicules PM Modi's global honours and simultaneously shakes up India's inter-state water politics. Days after the Prime Minister received Ghana's highest civilian award, Mann taunted his globe-trotting diplomacy saying, '10,000 people live in those countries. In India, that many people will gather to watch a JCB in action.' But the real bombshell came when he proposed replacing the decades-old SYL canal fight with a new Yamuna-Satluj Link (YSL) canal from Kashmir that could bring a staggering 23 MAF water to Punjab, a quantum leap from the current dispute over just 1-2 MAF. Amid Punjab's groundwater crisis, Mann urged the Centre to utilize the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan to divert water from rivers like Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum into Punjab.#bhagwantmann #narendramodi #induswatertreaty #sylcanal #punjabpolitics #watercrisis #ghanaaward #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews
21.0K views | 23 hours ago
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
34 minutes ago
- NDTV
"West Bengal Is Suffering Because Of Trinamool's Misrule": PM Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally at the industrial township of Durgapur in West Burdwan district on Friday. On Thursday evening, the Prime Minister issued two statements, which he posted on his official X account, indicating the subjects he would touch on during his speech at the public rally on Friday. "West Bengal is suffering due to TMC misrule. People are seeing the BJP with hope and are convinced that only the BJP can deliver on development. Tomorrow, July 18, I will be addressing a @BJPBengal rally in Durgapur. Do join!" PM Modi said in a statement on X. West Bengal is suffering due to TMC misrule. People are seeing the BJP with hope and are convinced that only the BJP can deliver on development. Tomorrow, 18th July, will be addressing a @BJP4Bengal rally in Durgapur. Do join! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 17, 2025 At the same time, the Prime Minister, in another statement on X, had made it clear that his visit to West Bengal was not just "politically-intended" but also for administrative reasons for inaugurating several Central projects in the state. "Looking forward to being among the people of West Bengal tomorrow, July 18. At a programme in Durgapur, will lay the foundation stones for various works and also inaugurate projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore. The projects cover sectors like oil and gas, power, railways, roads," PM Modi said in another statement on X. As per the schedule, the Prime Minister will arrive at Andal Airport at around 2:35 pm and from there he will reach the meeting venue at 3 p.m. There are two stages at the meeting venue, one for the administrative programme of the Prime Minister, where different projects will be inaugurated virtually, and the other for his political programme. The timing for the administrative programme has been scheduled between 3 and 3:30 p.m., and that for the political programme between 3:45 and 4:15 p.m. PM Modi is scheduled to take the return flight from Andal to Delhi at 5 pm (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Brazil's Grand Gesture To India: Modi & Lula Set To Take Ties To New Level In Signal To China
Last Updated: From shared global goals, defence collaboration, biofuel cooperation to counterbalance to China, India & Brazil are on a trajectory that reflects the emerging voice of Global South As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for a state dinner hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the significance of the moment goes far beyond ceremonial grandeur. This dinner, alongside the BRICS summit in Brazil, is beyond just a diplomatic courtesy and should rather be seen as a carefully calibrated geopolitical signal. Brazil's Message According to diplomatic reports, the invitation to PM Modi may have even prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping to skip the summit for the first time, wary of appearing sidelined as India takes centre-stage in Latin America, especially in light of PM Modi's other visits to Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. The red carpet will be laid out for PM Modi, and Xi's presence would have risked looking like a 'supporting actor". Despite Brazil's insistence, Xi will be skipping the summit, a first in 12 years. But Brazil didn't flinch. Despite China's snub, President Lula went ahead with his invitation, standing firmly by his decision to host Modi for the state dinner. This is an indicator of the growing momentum behind India-Brazil ties, and the emerging architecture of South-South cooperation. Together, the two countries will be sending a loud message to China. Each photo op, each meeting, each toast raised during the state dinner carries symbolic weight. Brazil's refusal to recalibrate its plans in the face of Chinese displeasure signals two things: One, that India's influence in Latin America is rising. And two, that Brazil sees long-term value in strengthening its partnership with India—even if it ruffles feathers in Beijing. Modi and Lula: Building a Personal Equation The Modi-Lula dynamic has played a crucial role in this diplomatic moment. Since 2023, the two leaders have met four times, cementing a working relationship rooted in mutual respect and aligned global goals. During the G20 Summit in 2024, Lula told Modi that many aspects of Brazil's G20 presidency had been inspired by India's successful hosting the previous year. The remark was an honest acknowledgement of India's rising stature as a global agenda-setter and that Brazil, a prominent voice in Latin America, welcomes this phenomenon. Lula has also expressed solidarity with India on national security concerns. After the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, Lula reached out to PM Modi to express support in the fight against terrorism—a rare gesture of strategic alignment from a South American power. From Strangers to Friends Of course, India-Brazil ties haven't always been smooth. In 1961, Brazil sided with Portugal during India's liberation of Goa. In 2009, it sold anti-radiation missiles to Pakistan despite Indian protests. But such incidents are now distant echoes in an otherwise growing and maturing relationship. India-Brazil ties strengthened after Jair Bolsonaro became Brazil's President in 2018, as both countries shared scepticism toward China, especially its Belt and Road Initiative. Then came a pivotal moment. Bolsonaro visited India as the Republic Day chief guest in January 2020. Ahead of the visit, Brazil backed India on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, calling them internal matters. Strategic Synergy in Defence Defence ties are ripe with promise and will be a major highlight of discussions between the two leaders. Brazil has shown keen interest in Indian-made defence platforms such as the Akash air defence system, which gained recognition after its deployment during Operation Sindoor when India repelled a coordinated drone and missile attack from Pakistan. India is also in discussions with Brazil over possible deals involving Garuda artillery guns, coastal surveillance systems, secure battlefield communications, offshore patrol vessels, and support for Scorpene-class submarine maintenance. Brazilian delegations have explored cooperation on BrahMos supersonic missiles and Akash air defence systems, showing how global instability is driving the demand for reliable, battle-tested defence solutions. This defence partnership has mutual benefits in order. On the aerospace front, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and India's Mahindra Defence have already signed an MoU to collaborate on the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Brazil is eyeing co-production and potential co-export opportunities with India, a move that could bolster both countries' defence manufacturing goals. As defence turns into a key element, the larger economic relationship is worth a review, as there is not just promising potential but progress underway. India and Brazil have developed a robust trade relationship, with bilateral trade reportedly surpassing $15 billion, weighted mildly in India's favour. Key Indian exports include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, and engineering goods, while Brazil supplies crude oil and agricultural products such as sugar and soybeans. Despite the strong base, both sides acknowledge there's more potential to be tapped—especially in services, energy, and biofuels. As two of the world's leading producers of biofuels, India and Brazil are working closely under initiatives such as the Global Biofuel Alliance, launched during India's G20 presidency and supported by Brazil. Brazil's significance to India also lies in its natural resource wealth. As a critical supplier of crude oil, rare earths, and other minerals, with substantial production capacity, Brazil becomes an important partner for India. Moreover, Indian companies have a growing presence in Brazil, with total investment crossing $6 billion. Major players like Tata Motors, Glenmark, and Zydus Cadila operate in the country, catering to Brazil's large and diverse consumer market. In contrast, Brazilian investments in India are around $1 billion, with opportunities now opening up in sectors like defence, aviation, and green energy. Given Brazil's status as the seventh-largest economy (nominal GDP: $2.12 trillion) with a population of over 212 million, it's an attractive destination for Indian firms seeking Latin American expansion. Multilateral Alignment: G4, G20, BRICS, and Beyond India and Brazil are partners in several key multilateral platforms—G20, BRICS, WTO, and notably, the G4 grouping that includes Japan and Germany. Together, they advocate for UN Security Council reform and support each other's bid for a permanent seat, reflecting their aspirations for a more equitable global governance framework. Their shared commitment to multilateralism, climate responsibility, and democratised technology access sets them apart from bloc-based power politics that often stifle global consensus. This makes their partnership globally relevant. From shared global goals and defence collaboration to biofuel cooperation and strategic counterbalance to China, India and Brazil are on a trajectory that reflects ambition, mutual benefit and the emerging voice of the Global South. About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. tags : Brazil BRICS Summit China prime minister narendra modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 05, 2025, 11:28 IST News opinion Brazil's Grand Gesture To India: Modi & Lula Set To Take Ties To New Level In Signal To China Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
India And Canada Reset Relations: A Diplomatic Thaw After Years Of Tension
Last Updated: The Modi-Carney meeting is a reminder that mature democracies can differ, even sharply, and still find a way back to cooperation In a significant development for bilateral diplomacy, India and Canada have decided to reinstate high commissioners in each other's capitals, marking an important step towards normalising relations after nearly two years of frosty ties. This shift comes on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met and pledged to work together to strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereignty. For two democracies with long-standing economic, educational, and people-to-people ties, the fallout over the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan separatist leader, had pushed relations to an alarming low. The controversy, stoked by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public accusation that Indian agents were involved in the killing, triggered a diplomatic tit-for-tat, with both nations expelling each other's diplomats. The episode poisoned a relationship that was already fraught with tensions over Sikh extremism and Ottawa's perceived indifference to New Delhi's concerns. The arrival of Mark Carney, an experienced figure with a globalist outlook, appears to have created the space for a reset. His meeting with PM Modi, described by the Indian leader as 'excellent," was accompanied by statements from both sides that highlighted a commitment to the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and mutual cooperation in areas like trade, energy, critical minerals, and space. Carney's invitation to Modi for the G7 summit, extended over a phone call, helped dispel speculation about Canada's posture and conveyed seriousness about rebuilding trust. The Indian government has consistently voiced its frustration over Canada's inability or unwillingness to curb the activities of pro-Khalistan elements who glorify violence and extremism under the banner of free speech. Posters depicting Indian diplomats as 'enemies" and open calls for 'justice" against Indian officials have angered New Delhi. These groups, however marginal, hold symbolic power and occasionally shape Canada's domestic politics, particularly in constituencies where Sikhs form a sizeable voting bloc. Trudeau's Liberal government often walked a tightrope on this matter, citing democratic freedoms while failing to clamp down on separatist advocacy. Carney, though also from the Liberal Party, seems poised to chart a more pragmatic and less ideologically constrained path. Analysts have observed a 'repositioning" within Canadian politics on this front, with even the Conservative Party increasingly recognising the costs of alienating India, a country whose global economic clout and geopolitical importance continue to rise. Strategic Recalibration, Not Ideological Reconciliation The reinstatement of high commissioners should be viewed more as a strategic recalibration than a deep ideological reconciliation. Both countries are responding to a shifting global order where alliances are becoming more transactional, and national interest trumps legacy grievances. For India, Canada's vast reserves of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt present an opportunity to diversify supply chains in support of its green transition and electric vehicle ambitions. For Canada, tapping into India's massive market, youthful workforce, and rising geopolitical importance is too crucial to ignore. Trade, education, and people-to-people ties are the natural areas for revitalisation. Before the diplomatic freeze, India was Canada's 10th-largest trading partner, and over 300,000 Indian students were enrolled in Canadian universities. Visa delays, uncertainty, and safety concerns had dampened this engagement. A thaw in relations could see the revival of both commercial and educational links. Indeed, Mishra of the Observer Research Foundation points out that 'Carney has gone ahead and opened diplomatic channels. Many things were stuck between the two countries, including visa processes and people-to-people mobility." With the formal reinstatement of diplomats, one can expect stalled trade negotiations and student inflows to gather momentum again. The Geopolitical Layer The India-Canada rapprochement must also be viewed in the context of broader geopolitical alignments. Canada, under Carney, appears increasingly aligned with the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy, in which India plays a pivotal role. A deteriorating relationship with New Delhi would not only hurt Ottawa's economic prospects but could also complicate its standing within Western alliances. Moreover, as tensions with China persist, both Canada and India have reasons to explore deeper cooperation in tech, defence, and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, PM Modi's participation at the G7 summit despite protests by Khalistani groups highlights New Delhi's determination not to let fringe voices derail state-to-state engagement. The protests, which were small and geographically removed from the summit venue, were largely ignored by both governments. That in itself sends a message: that diplomacy will not be dictated by diaspora-based activism. Lessons For Diaspora Politics One of the most important takeaways from this episode is the need to strike a balance between diaspora engagement and the sovereignty of home countries. While countries like Canada take pride in their multicultural societies, they must draw a firm line when free speech morphs into advocacy of violence or support for terrorist ideologies. India, too, must engage diaspora communities with a mix of soft power and proactive diplomacy, rather than coercive rhetoric. The Modi-Carney meeting, therefore, is a reminder that mature democracies can differ, even sharply, and still find a way back to cooperation. The decision to reset ties offers a model for conflict resolution in a multipolar world where rigid ideological positions often give way to pragmatic diplomacy. Moving Forward There are bound to be challenges ahead. The Sikh separatist issue hasn't disappeared—it has merely been parked. Both nations will need to invest in building trust at multiple levels: diplomatic, political, cultural, and commercial. The resumption of high-level dialogue must be matched by consistent action on issues like counter-extremism, immigration facilitation, and trade liberalisation. India and Canada share values of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law. They are bound not just by treaties, but by people, commerce, and common aspirations. With the acrimony of the Nijjar controversy receding into the rearview mirror, this diplomatic thaw offers a second chance, perhaps the last in the near term, for the two countries to build a resilient and forward-looking partnership. top videos View all In a fractured world, such pragmatic resets are not only welcome, they are essential. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Prosenjit Nath The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author. tags : g7 summit India-Canada Ties Narendra Modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 09:46 IST News opinion Opinion | India And Canada Reset Relations: A Diplomatic Thaw After Years Of Tension Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
