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Top / The Times of India

'Despite geopolitical uncertainty': Rajnath hails defence ties with Russia; message for Trump?

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the nation's steady defence partnership with Russia, despite global geopolitical uncertainty. The remarks were made during the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting, just before President Putin's arrival for the Annual Summit. Both ministers emphasized the strong, long-standing ties and ongoing cooperation across military and economic domains.

4 Dec 2025 6:30 pm
Bomb threat at Kudankulam nuclear plant: Search ops launched; email mentions Putin visit

Security agencies launched an extensive search operation in Ajmer, Rajasthan, following a bomb threat email claiming RDX-based explosives were planted at the Ajmer Sharif dargah, district collectorate, and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The email warned of detonation coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival. Premises were evacuated and thoroughly checked, with no suspicious objects found so far.

4 Dec 2025 6:10 pm
'Discretion of delegation': Government counters Rahul Gandhi on LoPvisitor meetings claim; names dignitaries who met him

Government sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims that opposition leaders are barred from meeting foreign dignitaries. They stated that the Ministry of External Affairs facilitates official meetings, while engagements outside this framework are at the visitor's discretion. Several foreign leaders have met Gandhi since he became Leader of the Opposition, including Prime Ministers from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Mauritius, and New Zealand.

4 Dec 2025 4:54 pm
Moscow callback: When Modi first met Putin; photos from 2001 go viral ahead of Russian leader's India visit

As President Putin prepares for a visit to India, old images of him with Prime Minister Modi from 2001 have resurfaced. Then Gujarat Chief Minister Modi accompanied PM Vajpayee to Moscow, marking his first international engagement and early diplomatic interaction with Putin. The visit fostered cooperation between Gujarat and Russia's Astrakhan region.

4 Dec 2025 4:27 pm
Putin-Modi meet: How India became Russias lifeline - but on its own terms

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi for a crucial summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking to bolster energy and arms ties amidst Western sanctions. India navigates a diplomatic tightrope, balancing its historical partnership with Moscow against growing ties with Washington, aiming for strategic autonomy.

4 Dec 2025 4:17 pm
'Obligated to provide': Supreme Court tells states to deploy more staff for SIR; TVK plea flags BLO plight

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed state governments to provide additional staff to reduce the workload of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in EC's SIR exercise. This comes amid reports of excessive pressure and alleged suicides, with the court emphasising case-by-case consideration for exemption requests and ensuring adequate workforce. The direction was issued after TVK's plea flagging BLO plight.

4 Dec 2025 1:54 pm
'Why are you asking me? Ask them': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on falling rupee; brings up PM Modi's past remark on Manmohan Singh

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra deflected questions on the rupee breaching the 90 mark against the US dollar, urging reporters to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his 2013 remarks on the falling rupee. Meanwhile, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran stated the government is not concerned about the currency's decline, as it is not impacting inflation or exports.

4 Dec 2025 10:22 am
Indias hospital capacity still far below global norm; Doctor ratio at 1:811, government admits in Parliament

India faces a significant healthcare deficit, falling short of global standards for hospital beds and struggling with doctor and nurse shortages, despite a decade of expansion in medical education. The Union Health Ministry acknowledged these gaps, particularly in rural areas and smaller states, highlighting the urgent need to fill vacancies and strengthen infrastructure to meet national norms.

4 Dec 2025 9:47 am
Trans group barges into house, rescues kids abused by dad

A mother and son, working at a construction site, killed a contractor who allegedly attempted to rape the woman. While they faced legal consequences, their father, accused of years of abuse, allegedly raped their younger daughters. The horrific abuse surfaced when a younger son alerted neighbours, leading to the father's arrest and the children's rescue.

4 Dec 2025 6:23 am
Centre agrees to bring back Sunali, son from Bangladesh

In a humanitarian move, the Indian government will bring back a pregnant Bangladeshi national, Sunali Khatun, and her son after their deportation. The Supreme Court, emphasizing humanity over law, directed the Centre to send Sunali to her father in West Bengal for care. The court also raised questions about her citizenship based on her father's status.

4 Dec 2025 5:50 am
Guns to games: Surrendered Naxals back on the field, this time for Bastar Olympics

Former Maoists are finding new purpose in Chhattisgarh's Bastar Olympics, trading guns for sports. Surrendered cadres like Kamla and Podiyam Bhima are now training for events like tug-of-war and archery, drawn by the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This initiative, supported by national leaders, marks a significant shift in the region.

4 Dec 2025 5:42 am
12 Reds, 3 cops dead as forces push deeper into Bastar; 268 Maoists killed so far in 2025

A fierce gun battle on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Maoists and three District Reserve Guard personnel. This significant loss for the outlawed group occurred as security forces intensified operations in the region. Weapons were recovered, and the search for more insurgents continues.

4 Dec 2025 5:30 am
'Spreading hate': BJP attacks Congress, points to anti-Hindu remarks by 2 CMs

The BJP has reacted strongly against remarks from two Congress Chief Ministers, which they regard as mockery of Hindu traditions. Spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi called into question whether Congress is employing tactics that demean Hindu deities, spotlighting comments by Telangana's CM Revanth Reddy and Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's exchanges with young audiences.

4 Dec 2025 4:13 am
Sanchar Saathi row: After outcry, govt drops order to pre-install its app on mobiles; Congress steps up attack

The government has withdrawn its directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on new smartphones following widespread criticism from the industry and opposition. While defending the app's utility for cyber security, officials admitted being surprised by the strong negative reaction from global manufacturers. The decision aims to de-escalate the controversy.

4 Dec 2025 3:48 am
Water bill gives oppn ammo to attack govt on Manipur situation

The Rajya Sabha has officially passed the extension of the Water Pollution Act to Manipur through a voice vote. This decision sparked sharp criticism from opposition MPs, who slammed the government's approach to the state's ongoing crisis, accusing it of fostering centralization and neglecting democratic values.

4 Dec 2025 2:50 am
Anti-labour, pro-crony codes pose threat to job security: Kharge

Opposition MPs staged a protest against new labour codes, deeming them 'anti-labour' and a threat to job security. Concerns were raised about relaxed layoff thresholds, potential erosion of permanent jobs through contract hiring, and restrictions on striking. Leaders criticized the government's move as favoring corporations over workers' rights and demanded the codes' immediate rollback.

4 Dec 2025 1:48 am
Proof in hand, Rajnath stands by claim on Nehrus Babri plan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that Jawaharlal Nehru wished to rebuild the Babri Mosque with public funds, citing a book based on Sardar Patel's daughter's diary. Congress vehemently denied this, calling it a fabricated 'WhatsApp university story' and a distraction from pressing national issues. They challenged the minister to provide evidence.

4 Dec 2025 1:33 am
Excise on tobacco products to be shared with states, says FM

The government has reintroduced excise duty on tobacco products, not a new cess, to prevent cigarettes from becoming more affordable. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified this move aims to maintain deterrent prices, aligning with past practices. The bill, passed by Lok Sabha, also mandates retail sale price declarations on pan masala packs from February to ensure GST compliance.

4 Dec 2025 1:27 am
Panel report on new quota policy in J&K sent to LG after review

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated his government has finalized a rationalized reservation policy, forwarding it to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval. This move comes amid concerns from general category candidates about potential quota increases. A cabinet sub-committee, formed to address the issue, submitted its report, aiming for fairness to all communities.

3 Dec 2025 11:56 pm
Scan to report side effects: Govt orders mandatory QR codes at all pharmacies

Pharmacies across India will soon feature a QR code and toll-free number to report medicine side effects. This initiative by the CDSCO aims to empower citizens and healthcare professionals to instantly flag adverse drug reactions, strengthening India's drug safety monitoring. The move is expected to significantly boost reporting, allowing for early detection and prevention of harm to a wider population.

3 Dec 2025 11:22 pm
In Rajya Sabha, Swati Maliwal accuses Punjab govt of spending crores on ads while drug crisis worsens

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal criticized the Punjab government's drug de-addiction efforts, highlighting Enforcement Directorate findings of de-addiction centers supplying drugs. She questioned the central government's role in ensuring funds are used for their intended purpose, a concern acknowledged by the minister.

3 Dec 2025 11:16 pm
India takes over IIDEA chairship; CEC Gyanesh Kumar vows to share 75 years of poll expertise

India, through Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, has accepted the chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA). Kumar pledged to share India's extensive experience in transparent elections to foster more inclusive and resilient democracies globally. This significant role highlights the Election Commission of India's international credibility and innovative approach to electoral management.

3 Dec 2025 10:53 pm