Women lead the way as Bengal and TN record historic voter turnout

IANS | April 23, 2026 10:11 PM

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday reported an extraordinary surge in voter participation in the Legislative Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of polling in West Bengal. The record-breaking turnout underlined a significant moment in India’s democratic journey since Independence, say ECI officials.

Conference highlights evolving dynamics in US-India ties

IANS | April 23, 2026 9:35 PM

Washington, April 23 (IANS) Senior policymakers and analysts at a high-level conference here said India’s foreign policy is being shaped by strategic autonomy, economic expansion, and a complex -- at times strained -- partnership with the United States.

Jitin Prasada concludes Czech visit, pushes trade and investment ties

IANS | April 23, 2026 8:44 PM

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) The Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, concluded his official visit to the Czech Republic on Thursday, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Piyush Goyal credits SIR for high voter turnout in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu

IANS | April 23, 2026 8:43 PM

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the reason for high voter turnout in the Assembly election in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of the polls in West Bengal, is the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India.