India-ASEAN cooperation necessary for peace, stability in Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh

IANS | October 14, 2026 2:54 PM

New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday emphasised the need to enhance cooperation between India and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in areas such as maritime security, defence technology, military synergy, and the defence industry, for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Preserve evidence of protest; those responsible will be punished: Rahul Gandhi to students over police 'assault'

IANS | October 14, 2026 2:42 PM

New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged students who participated in the protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to record videos, preserve evidence of police excesses and send them to Congress, asserting that those responsible for any wrongdoing would be punished.

Multiple trade associations flag impact of SIR protest on festive sales, ask Rahul Gandhi to withdraw stir

IANS | October 14, 2026 2:12 PM

New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Several traders' organisations across the country have appealed to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to consider the concerns of the business community amid the ongoing protests by the Congress-led INDIA bloc against the Election Commission of India (ECI), warning that the demonstrations and associated restrictions are adversely affecting their business activities during the crucial festive season.

India’s manufacturing sector undergoes structural change under BHAVYA scheme

IANS | October 14, 2026 1:42 PM

New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) India's manufacturing sector is undergoing a structural change under the Rs 33,660 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) initiative to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. The manufacturing sector now contributes about 16–17 per cent of GDP and employs over 27 million workers. The National Manufacturing Mission aims to raise this share to 25 per cent by 2035, according to a factsheet issued by the government on Wednesday.