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EXPRESS

A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan landed in New Delhi in the wee hours today bringing Indians from Iran. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu. The Operation has been launched to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran in view of the deteriorating situation due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Last night, a flight carrying 290 Indian nationals also arrived in New Delhi. In a significant gesture of regional solidarity, India has extended its evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu to include citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka stranded in Iran. According to a social media post on X, this move follows formal requests from the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Indian Embassy in Tehran will now coordinate assistance and evacuation for nationals of the two South Asian neighbours, alongside Indian citizens. Sri Lankan nationals in Iran have been advised to contact the Indian Embassy via Telegram, or through the emergency numbers shared on the X post. As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country and to evacuate them using the available and feasible options. Indian nationals in Iran have been advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24×7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. The Emergency Helpline numbers of the Embassy of India in Tehran are +98 9128109115, and +98 9128109109. The helpline numbers for WhatsApp are +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, and +91 8086871709. The number for ⁠Bandar Abbas is +98 9177699036 and Zahedan is +98 9396356649. The email is cons.tehran@mea.gov.in . Helpline numbers of 24X7 Control Room set-up by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi are 800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, and +91-11-23017905. The WhatsApp number is +91-9968291988 and the Email is situationroom@mea.gov.in .

On the Occasion of 11th International Day of Yoga, National Capital- Delhi witnessed Union Ministers, leaders and officials performing yoga with Yoga enthusiasts to emphasise the importance of wellness and mindfulness. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led the celebrations for the International Day of Yoga at Parliament Premises. While, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda attended the celebrations at Kartavya Path, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar practised Yoga with Envoys of different countries at Nehru Park. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended International Yoga Day programme at Pusa with Lakhpati Didis. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal practised Yoga at Jantar Mantar and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya attended Yoga Day event at IG stadium with Fit India Ambassadors. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, performed Yoga on the banks of Yamuna at Sonia Vihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said NDA is a symbol of development as during the past 11 years it has led Bihar to the path of prosperity and rapid growth. Addressing a public meeting at Jasauli in Siwan in Bihar Mr. Modi said NDA has taken several steps for developing Bihar and several others will come up. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over five thousand 900 crore rupees at Siwan through video conferencing.Speaking at the public meeting, Mr. Modi said he is working on Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas but the opposition Congress and RJD want to propagate dynastic politics by motto of “Parivar Ka Sath Parivar Ka Vikas “. He said the approach of the opposition is anti-Bihar and anti-investment. The Prime Minister alleged that the opposition has no faith in Baba Sahab Dr. Ambedkar as people witnessed recently the insult of the chief architect of the Constitution.Mr . Modi also said that they will not tender apology as they have no respect for Dalit, Mahadalit, Backward and Extremely Backward castes. He alleged that the Congress and RJD made Bihar as a symbol of migration but due to the capabilities of youth Bihar got rid of it when they elected NDA under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. The Prime Minister warned people that those who are responsible for the downfall of Bihar again want to usurp power. Mr. Modi said for the sake of the bright future of young generations people should remain alert.After flagging off the export consignment of engine produced at Marhowrah Locomotive factory to Western African country Republic of Guinea Mr Modi said it will instill a sense of pride in Bihar people. Referring to his recent foreign visit Mr Modi said heads of developed countries are amazed with the fast growth of India and they wish that India should become an economic power attaining position of third largest economy of the world.He said in the last 11 years 25 crore people defeated poverty out of which figure was 3.75 crore in Bihar. The Prime Minister said the new Patliputra -Gorakhpur Vand Bharat Express which was flagged off today will boost tourism in Purvanchal Uttar Pradesh , Kushinagar and Bihar by connecting land of Baba Harihar Nath to Baba Gorkh Nath.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, has said, India has reduced its logistics cost percentage significantly over the years and by the end of this year. He added that it will further reduce it to around nine per cent, which will play a significant role in the development of the country. Mr. Gadkari stated this in an exclusive interview with the Akashvani News.   The interview will be broadcast on 100.1 Akashvani FM Gold channel and across the entire Akashvani network at 9:30 tonight, as part of the special series ‘Viksit Bharat Ka Amrit Kaal: Seva, Sushasan, Gareeb Kalyan Ke 11 Saal’. The interview will also be streamed simultaneously on our YouTube channel NEWSONAIROFFICIAL.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has held a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of Saudi Arabia, Saleh Aljasser, on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the infrastructure projects in the two countries and transport and logistics corridors in the region. The two leaders also discussed prospective projects for bilateral cooperation, including in railways and logistics.   Mr Vaishnaw also held a meeting with Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov and his senior management team and discussed new projects and technological innovations in various systems in the railways sector of the two countries, including high-speed trains.

The US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has kept interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive time at a 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent range in its latest meeting. The American central bank has maintained the same level since December 2024 amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade-related volatility.   The Fed said in its policy statement that although swings in net exports had affected the data, the economy grew at a solid pace, with a low unemployment rate, but inflation remained somewhat elevated.   According to the Fed’s dot plot chart projections, the median of Fed officials expect to lower the key benchmark interest rates by 50 basis points (bps) in 2025, indicating that there could be two rate cuts seen later this year. Economic projections by participants from the meeting pointed to further stagflationary pressures, alongside downgraded growth expectations and higher inflation forecasts. It projected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to advance 1.4 per cent this year, a drop from the earlier 1.7 per cent forecast in March. The core PCE inflation is projected to reach 3 per cent by the end of the year, while the unemployment rate is expected to rise from its current level of 4.2 per cent to 4.5 per cent this year.   US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell in the post-meeting news conference highlighted a recent uptick in inflation expectations in his opening remarks and said that trend may be tied to tariffs. He added that even with so an increase in tariffs this year was likely to push up prices and weigh on economic activity, the effects on inflation could be short-lived, reflecting a one-time shift in the price level.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said that the time has come to reclaim India’s linguistic heritage and lead the world with pride in native languages. Speaking at the book launch in New Delhi, Mr. Shah said that the languages ​​of the country are the jewels of its culture. The Minister said that foreign languages cannot capture the essence of Indian culture and history. Emphasising the importance of Indian languages in further strengthening India’s cultural identity and history, Mr. Shah expressed confidence that they will lead the nation to global prominence by 2047.

Government is making all out effort to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals from Iran, and another flight carrying members of the Indian mission are expected to arrive today. Earlier, 110 Indian students evacuated from northern Iran arrived in New Delhi. Talking to the media in New Delhi, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the government has received over 350 requests from Indian citizens in Iran for evacuation. He added that one aircraft is also heading to Turkmenistan today to bring back stranded Indians. The Minister highlighted that New Delhi is using safe and open airspace for flights, and the evacuation efforts are being carried out through these secure routes.   India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran in view of the deteriorating situation due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Akashvani News spoke to some of the students evacuated from Iran.

India and Croatia have discussed the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Croatia has reiterated its strong support for the early conclusion of the FTA, emphasising the mutual benefits it will bring to both India and the European Union. Prime Minister Modi, who is on his way to New Delhi after his successful visits to Croatia, Canada and Cyprus, held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at Banski Dvori in Zagreb. The leaders in the discussions also look forward to an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA, which will give a boost to the bilateral trade and supply chain resilience.   Both leaders also agreed that the agreement would unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and technology collaboration. India appreciated Croatia’s consistent backing within the EU framework.   They also underscored their shared commitment to global peace, democratic values and expanding cooperation as the two countries signed four MoUs in the fields of agriculture, cultural exchange, science & technology and the setting up of an ICCR Chair of Hindi in Zagreb. The two nations also decided to formulate a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan to include joint training, military exchanges and industry-level partnerships. The leaders agreed to deepen bilateral trade and build resilient, dependable supply chains. New areas of enhanced cooperation identified include Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Information Technology, Clean and Digital Technologies, Renewable Energy, and Semiconductors. Mr. Modi also highlighted growing cooperation in shipbuilding, cybersecurity, and defence.   During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi strongly advocated peaceful resolution of conflicts, stating that whether in Europe or Asia, solutions cannot be found on the battlefield. He said dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths forward. Condemning terrorism as the enemy of humanity, Mr Modi thanked the Croatian leadership and people for standing in solidarity with India following the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed India’s support for an ambitious and balanced India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.   During a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Jaishankar called India and the EU two important forces of that emerging reality and stressed the powerful case for forging deeper ties.   The Minister said it is apparent that the world order is in the midst of a profound change, and these trends have intensified in many ways. He added that the world has without doubt entered an era of multipolarity and strategic autonomy.   Earlier, both the leaders held very open and productive talks in Brussels, covering areas of defence and security, maritime security, cyber and space.   Mr Jaishankar said he had exchanged views on the global order with the EU High Representative and discussed the situation in Europe, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Indo-Pacific region.   During the discussion, the issue of counter terrorism also dominated the agenda, with Kallas dubbing nuclear threats as an area of mutual concern for India and the EU.   During his week-long tour of Europe, Jaishankar will also hold talks with leaders of France to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India’s policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired a productive Business Roundtable on the Machinery, Electrical & Metal (MEM) Industry with Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin.   After the meeting, in Berne, Mr Goyal said that they discussed boosting innovation, facilitating partnerships, and joint workforce training.   In a social media post, the Minister said both the countries also focused on unlocking new investment opportunities post operationalisation of the India-EFTA TEPA.   The Minister also called on Swiss businesses to leverage the dedicated EFTA Desk at Invest India for handholding and facilitation support.   He reiterated India’s willingness to work towards regulatory harmonisation and mutual recognition agreements, highlighting India’s proactive stance on building reciprocal bridges to encourage Swiss and Indian investments.   Besides, the Commerce Minister witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Indian business chamber ASSOCHAM and Swissmem to strengthen industrial collaboration, foster innovation, growth, and skill development.   In addition to industry interactions, Goyal also met members of the Switzerland Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).   He lauded the chapter for its contributions and for upholding the high standards and global reputation of the ICAI, while strengthening the India-Switzerland professional and business ecosystem.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stressed that China cannot afford ambiguity or double standards in combating terror in the context of its close relations with Pakistan. He added that terrorism is a problem that concerns all. In an interview with a French Newspaper during his visit, Dr Jaishankar pointed out that India and China can improve their relationship step-by-step and have discussed the resumption of direct flights that have been suspended since the COVID pandemic.   He further said that India’s conflict is against terrorism and not with any specific country. Dr Jaishankar pointed out that India maintains zero tolerance against terrorism while Pakistan continues to harbour and support terrorists. He added that if terrorists attack India, they will be hunted down wherever they are, including in Pakistan.   Discussing other geo-political issues, Dr Jaishankar said that India represents the mood of the global South with its call for the suspension of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He noted that India has had talks with both Moscow and Kyiv, as peace can only be achieved through talks. He also expressed optimism over reaching an agreement with the United States on a trade agreement before the tariff suspension ends on the 9th of next month. He further reaffirmed India’s strong ties with France and expressed a desire to strengthen partnerships in defence, nuclear energy, AI, space, and environment.   Dr Jaishankar reiterated India’s push for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He said that India is ready to take on a greater role, as many of its actions positively impact other nations. He further stressed India’s importance as an active contributor on the world stage through peacekeeping, regional prosperity, and stability.