“Post pandemic, India has emerged much stronger in international trade and international exchanges. I believe that the target of a $5 trillion economy by 2030 is not only achievable but we can get there before that,” Puri said.

In an apparent swipe at opposition parties, Modi said some political parties keep looking for "small incidents of tension" to inject poison for their selfish interests, without making any direct reference to recent upsurge in communal tensions and allegations of assault on minorities by state outfits and organisations aligned ideologically to the BJP.

Teledensity and internet users are fast expanding, Modi said, adding that mobile manufacturing units in India have expanded from just 2 to over 200 and the country is now the world's biggest mobile manufacturing hub.

"I thank India for hosting the key meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's anti-terror body Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in New Delhi today. The security & humanitarian situation has worsened in Afghanistan over the past 9 months," Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay tweeted.

Modi said both sides will continue to build on the shared understanding to expand cooperation in multiple areas, including hydropower, development and connectivity.

Last month, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India hopes to become a permanent exporter of wheat, shipping as much as 15 million tons this year, compared with about 7.2 million in 2021-22. Officials are pushing the World Trade Organization to relax rules so that India can export from state reserves, Goyal said

Over 4,000 Kashmiri Pandits are living in transit camps in various parts of Kashmir after they were given government jobs under a special employment package launched in 2010. The angry protesters also raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, NDTV said

The government has been accused of using the law against critics, such as politicians, journalists and activists. The law criminalises any action that "excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government". The punishment can be a fine or a maximum sentence of life in prison, or both

“India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes,” the MEA spokesperson said

According to Singh, there are 25,000 Pakistani Hindus in Rajasthan alone who have been awaiting citizenship, some for more than two decades.

Trade disruption along the border with China during the pandemic, alleged border incursions in a northwestern district, and Kathmandu's aversion to costly Chinese loans for megaprojects among other factors have influenced Kathamandu’s desire to reduce its dependence on Bejing and mend ties with India and the US.

Germany on Monday committed to provide additional support worth euro 10 billion to India by 2030 to support green growth initiatives. India and Germany also agreed to work together on joint projects in third countries in an apparent signal to counter China’s debt-driven infra financing model, Business Standard said

Jaishankar in a letter addressed to Stalin said that the mission in Colombo was consulted over Tamil Nadu's request. it said that the "MEA offers that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the Government of India. The Government of Sri Lanka's preference is for inclusive distribution."

The blistering heatwave sweeping through vast swathes of the country intensified on Thursday with the mercury crossing the 45-degree mark at several places

“There is definitely an increase in the number of weapons and other equipment, especially night-vision devices that we are capturing or unearthing, which definitely have come from Afghanistan,” Gen Naravane said. “That is a major cause of concern.”