National News: Latest India Updates

PM Modi likely to flag-off 1st Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Guwahati and Kolkata on Jan 17

IANS | January 12, 2026 2:39 PM

Guwahati, Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Guwahati and Kolkata on January 17, marking a major milestone in long-distance overnight rail travel and further strengthening connectivity between the northeast region and eastern India, officials said on Monday.

India-EU trade pact in final stage, talks with US continuing: Piyush Goyal

IANS | January 12, 2026 2:39 PM

Rajkot (Gujarat), Jan 12 (IANS) The talks for a trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered the final stage, while negotiations are continuing with the US for a bilateral trade deal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.

Pollution a serious concern in Mumbai: Ajit Pawar ahead of BMC polls (IANS Exclusive)

IANS | January 12, 2026 2:37 PM

Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Ahead of the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15, this year, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that his party’s sole focus is development. He further added that their aim is not just to make promises, but to ensure implementation on the ground. He pointed out that pollution has emerged as a serious concern in metropolitan cities like Mumbai and that must be fixed.

Trinamool govt will be overthrown in West Bengal; BJP will restore democracy: Giriraj Singh

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:47 PM

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, claiming that the BJP’s political fight in the state is not an ordinary electoral contest but a struggle between terrorism and democracy.

Controversy erupts over Abhishek Banerjee's photo outside Swami Vivekananda's ancestral house

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:45 PM

Kolkata, Jan 12 (IANS) A controversy arose regarding a poster that displayed Trinamool Congress' All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in front of Swami Vivekananda's ancestral residence located on Simla Street in North Kolkata on Monday.

India, US to hold trade talks on Tuesday, Trump-Modi friendship is real: America's envoy

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:45 PM

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) India and the US continue to be actively engaged in trade talks and the next meeting between the negotiators of the two countries is scheduled for Tuesday, America’s newly-appointed Ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, said on Monday.

Political spat over ED raid on I-PAC points to larger operational issues in federal structure

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:32 PM

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) An Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid conducted last week in Kolkata at the premises of a political consultancy group professionally linked with West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress has turned into a centre-state confrontation, again leading to questions over operational issues in a federal structure.

Anyone involved in terrorism is threat to country and should be hanged: Ajit Pawar (IANS interview)

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:23 PM

Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Ahead of the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that his party’s sole focus is development. Pawar outlined the priorities mentioned in the party’s manifesto, addressed questions about alliances, political realignments, governance, and national issues, and reiterated that voters ultimately judge leaders on their work. He also said that anyone involved in terrorism should face the strictest punishment and be hanged

'Cong doesn't love Hindus': BJP hits back at Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'Hindutva' remarks

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:15 PM

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again triggered a controversy with his remarks describing Hindutva as "Hinduism in paranoia", drawing sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused him of "insulting" Sanatan Dharma.

Tejashwi Yadav no longer taken seriously: JD(U) as NDA responds to RJD leader’s remarks

IANS | January 12, 2026 1:10 PM

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The ruling NDA in Bihar on Monday hit back strongly at RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav over his remarks targeting the coalition, with JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accusing him of contradicting himself and questioning his credibility even within his own alliance.

National

PM Modi likely to flag-off 1st Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Guwahati and Kolkata on Jan 17

India-EU trade pact in final stage, talks with US continuing: Piyush Goyal

Pollution a serious concern in Mumbai: Ajit Pawar ahead of BMC polls (IANS Exclusive)

Trinamool govt will be overthrown in West Bengal; BJP will restore democracy: Giriraj Singh

Controversy erupts over Abhishek Banerjee's photo outside Swami Vivekananda's ancestral house

India, US to hold trade talks on Tuesday, Trump-Modi friendship is real: America's envoy

Political spat over ED raid on I-PAC points to larger operational issues in federal structure

Anyone involved in terrorism is threat to country and should be hanged: Ajit Pawar (IANS interview)

'Cong doesn't love Hindus': BJP hits back at Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'Hindutva' remarks

Tejashwi Yadav no longer taken seriously: JD(U) as NDA responds to RJD leader’s remarks

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