National News: Latest India Updates

India's production, exports of military hardware touch record highs amid defence sector reforms

IANS | August 14, 2026 7:23 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) India's defence sector has undergone a transformational change over the past decade to emerge as a stronger, more self-reliant and globally credible force with the country's production of military hardware recording an over fourfold increase to touch Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26 compared with a mere Rs 4,746 crore in FY 2013-14, according to a government factsheet issued a day ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day.

Military modernisation and future-ready defence sector is govt's top priority: Rajnath Singh

IANS | August 14, 2026 7:05 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) According highest priority to the modernisation of the defence forces, driven by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector is the first and foremost priority of the Narendra Modi government, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday told the Armed Forces on the eve of 80th Independence Day.

‘Extremely low-level, condemnable’: Rajnath Singh blasts Rahul Gandhi over hug jibe at PM Modi

IANS | August 14, 2026 7:04 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday came down heavily on the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his ‘abominable and unacceptable’ act, mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-publicised embraces with foreign leaders and said that his behaviour was grossly inappropriate and unbecoming of the position that he holds.

Strong ties with Italy, have to be respectful to each other: MEA on Rahul Gandhi's jibe

IANS | August 14, 2026 7:01 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday cited strong India-Italy ties and the need to maintain diplomatic protocol amid a growing furore over the comments made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on India's foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gold bond holders rake in over 4-fold bonanza as RBI okays premature redemption

IANS | August 14, 2026 6:22 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2019-20 Series III - Issue date August 14, 2019, at Rs 15,310 per unit, which gives investors the option to redeem this SGB tranche prematurely from August 14, 2026.

Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat: Women powering India's journey towards 'Viksit Bharat'

IANS | August 14, 2026 6:19 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) As India celebrates 80th Independence Day, the empowerment of its women stands as a powerful symbol of freedom, dignity and equal opportunity, strengthening the nation’' journey towards a 'Viksit Bharat'.

‘Invisible force stole Shiv Sena & NCP’: Supriya Sule slams EC

IANS | August 14, 2026 5:48 PM

Mumbai, Aug 14 (IANS) Launching a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Friday questioned the legitimacy of factions claiming ownership of Shiv Sena and the NCP, alleging that an “invisible force” acted unconstitutionally to split two major political parties in Maharashtra.

Well-designed regulatory ecosystem can further strengthen service exports: NITI Aayog

IANS | August 14, 2026 5:24 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) As India approaches its demographic peak, professional services oﬀer significant opportunities for high-skilled employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, a NITI Aayog report said on Friday, adding that a well-designed regulatory ecosystem can further strengthen service exports, cross-border mobility of professionals and the ease of doing business.

India sends first tranche of relief supplies to earthquake-hit Colombia

IANS | August 14, 2026 4:54 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) India on Friday sent the first tranche of 20 metric tonnes of relief supplies to Colombia to support recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake that rocked the country earlier this week.

EAM Jaishankar, German MP Hardt discuss West Asia, Ukraine conflict and bilateral ties

IANS | August 14, 2026 4:46 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with German MP Jurgen Hardt in New Delhi on Friday, discussing developments related to West Asia, Ukraine and the strategic partnership between the two nations.

National

India's production, exports of military hardware touch record highs amid defence sector reforms

Military modernisation and future-ready defence sector is govt's top priority: Rajnath Singh

‘Extremely low-level, condemnable’: Rajnath Singh blasts Rahul Gandhi over hug jibe at PM Modi

Strong ties with Italy, have to be respectful to each other: MEA on Rahul Gandhi's jibe

Gold bond holders rake in over 4-fold bonanza as RBI okays premature redemption

Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Bharat: Women powering India's journey towards 'Viksit Bharat'

‘Invisible force stole Shiv Sena & NCP’: Supriya Sule slams EC

Well-designed regulatory ecosystem can further strengthen service exports: NITI Aayog

India sends first tranche of relief supplies to earthquake-hit Colombia

EAM Jaishankar, German MP Hardt discuss West Asia, Ukraine conflict and bilateral ties

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