New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Austria last evening after wrapping up another landmark visit to Russia.

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in over 40 years. Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 1983.

During his stay in Vienna, PM Modi will call on Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor Nehammer. Both leaders will also address business leaders from India and Austria.

The two countries will explore ways to further deepen their relationship and closer cooperation on various geopolitical challenges, officials said.

PM Modi is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community in Vienna today.

Ahead of his visit to Austria, PM Modi on Sunday said the shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law form the bedrock upon which the two countries will build an ever-closer partnership. 

In 2021, on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Modi had held discussions with then-Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg who is now the Foreign Minister of the country.

Last week, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra called Austria an “important central European country” which offers excellent opportunities for bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology areas, start-up sectors, media and entertainment.

India is transforming at a record pace and the world is taking note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today at an event organised by the Indian community in Russia’s Moscow. The country, he said, is infused with a confidence and is making things happen. “Over 140 crore Indians are making this resurgence of India possible — they dream big, they take a pledge and then make it happen,” he said.

In this context, the Prime Minister also referred to India’s victory in the Men’s T20 cricket world cup that ended the 13-year ICC trophy drought for the Men in Blue.

“Before 2014, we were into the pit of despair. Today, the country is full of confidence. Two patients suffering from the same ailment are in the same hospital, similarly capable doctors are attending to them. But if one patient is hopeful and the other is in despair, you will see the hopeful one will recover soon. India’s asset now is its confidence,” the Prime Minister said.

“You must have celebrated India’s T20 World Cup victory here. The real story of that win is the journey towards it. Today’s young India does not accept defeat till the last ball and the last moment. And victory kisses the feet of those who do not accept defeat,” he said.

Showcasing his government’s achievements, the Prime Minister said, “When India hosts the G20 Summit at the scale at which it did, the world takes notice. When India electrifies 40,000 km of rail lines, then the world notices India’s power to grow. When India launches a solar mission and successfully and takes an L1 orbit, when India lands on the moon, when India builds the world’s highest rail bridge, when India build’s the world’s tallest statue, the world sees a growing India. And India can do all this because of the potential and capability of 140 crore Indians, of its talented diaspora in every country of the world.”

The Prime Minister said India and Russia are working together to boost global prosperity. “You all are taking India-Russia ties to new heights. With your hard work and honesty, you have contributed to the Russian society. I have been a fan of the unique relationship between India and Russia,” he said, referring to Russia as India’s “all-weather ally” and “trustworthy friend”.

This relationship, he said, is based on mutual trust and respect. “Our ties have been tested multiple times, and our friendship has always emerged strong. I thank my friend, President Putin for his leadership. For over two decades, he has worked to make this partnership stronger. This is my 6th visit to Russia in the past 10 years and we have met each other 17 times during this time. These meetings have strengthened trust and respect. When our students were stuck amid (Ukraine) conflict, President Putin helped us take them home,” he said. 

The Prime Minister said it is his honour that his first diaspora event after being elected for the third time is happening in Moscow. “I have taken a pledge that I will work thrice as hard and thrice as fast as I have in the first two terms. I can assure you that in this third term, you will see that India will challenge every challenge that comes its way. And it is in my DNA that I give chunauti (challenge) to every chunauti,” he said.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised new Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty for her maiden speech in the House. Speaking during a discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Ms Murty spoke about women’s health.

Quoting her father, she said when a mother dies it is counted as one death in the hospital but for the family, a mother is lost forever.

“I want to thank Sudha Murty for speaking in detail about women’s health,” PM Modi said as the philanthropist-author stood up and greeted him.

While referring to Ms Murty’s “emotional” remark on mothers, he said his government has focused on women’s health and sanitation as a “priority sector” in the last 10 years.

भारत ने नारा नहीं, बल्कि निष्ठा के साथ Women Led Development की ओर कदम बढ़ाए हैं: PM @narendramodi#ParliamentSession#PMModiInRajyaSabha#ParliamentSession2024pic.twitter.com/rN1bcquKm3

— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) July 3, 2024

“Our country’s women have benefited from the toilets we have made,” PM Modi said while replying to a debate on a motion thanking President Droupadi Murmu for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament last week.

He also said they have provided sanitary pads and initiated a vaccination program during pregnancy for women.

Sudha Murty’s Maiden Speech In Rajya Sabha

Sudha Murty pressed for a government-sponsored vaccination programme to combat cervical cancer.

“There is a vaccination which is given to girls, between the age of nine to 14, known as a cervical vaccination. If the girls take that, it (cancer) can be avoided … we should promote vaccination for the benefit of our girls because prevention is better than cure,” she said in her first speech in Rajya Sabha.

ALSO READ | Over 3.4 Lakh Cervical Cancer Cases In India In 2023

The government has handled a very “big vaccination drive during Covid” so it may not be very difficult to provide cervical vaccination to girls in the age group of 9-14 years, she said.

Ms Murty, who was nominated by President Droupadi Murmu to the upper house on the eve of International Women’s Day, said the cervical vaccination has been developed in the West and has been used for the last 20 years.

“It worked very well. It is not expensive. Today it is Rs 1,400 for people like me who are in the field. If the government intervenes and negotiates…you can bring it to Rs 700-800. We have such a large population. It will be beneficial for our girls in the future,” she said during her 13-minute address.

New Delhi:

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla today shared two videos from Lok Sabha – one that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other one of Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

In one video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen offering water to a Congress MP, while the other clip showed Rahul Gandhi asking Opposition members to disrupt the Prime Minister’s yesterday address.

“Pic1: LoP Rahul Gandhi himself encouraging MPs to break rules & jump in the well and disturb PM speech from very beginning. Pic2: PM Modi offers water even to a protesting MP who is heckling him,” Mr Poonawalla said in his post on X – earlier known as Twitter.

“Who is the dictator ? Does Rahul even deserve to be the Leader of Opposition,” he asked.

Two contrasting pictures

Pic1: LoP Rahul Gandhi himself encouraging MPs to break rules & jump in the well and disturb PM speech from very beginning

Pic2: PM Modi offers water even to a protesting MP who is heckling him

Who is the dictator ? Does Rahul even deserve to be… pic.twitter.com/au4fke9UmL

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) July 3, 2024

Both videos were from yesterday’s Lok Sabha proceedings as PM Modi responded to the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address.

The Opposition threw a wall of noise – protests, slogans, and screams – at PM Modi as he was speaking. The Prime Minister, though, laboured on through the uproar for over two hours, once it became clear that the Opposition would not relent.

At one point, he offered a glass of water to Congress member Manickam Tagore, who was protesting in the Well.

Without mentioning Rahul Gandhi by name, PM Modi referred to him as “balakbuddhi (the immature one)”, saying he “does not know his limits”.

“The country is now feeling sorry that he is here,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke of minority appeasement, alleged corruption during the UPA government, Jammu and Kashmir, Article 370 and surgical strikes against terrorists — all amid the loud Opposition protests.

As PM Modi continued, the volume of protests increased. Admonishing the Opposition, Mr Birla said, “Yesterday, I allowed you to speak for 90 minutes. No one stopped you. This is no way to behave,” he said. Then, in an afterthought, he added, “Paanch saal aise nahin chalega (We cannot have five years of this)”.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s infantilising jabs at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha have drawn a sharp response from the Congress and its allies. The Opposition has said the Prime Minister resorted to such attacks because he has no answer to the many questions on burning issues such as NEET row.

Replying to the Motion of thanks to the President’s address, the Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress and particularly Mr Gandhi, who had earlier hit out at the BJP in his remarks on Monday.

Addressing the Lok Sabha amid the Opposition’s slogans, the Prime Minister responded to Mr Gandhi’s allegations that the Centre had used probe agencies to target him.

“Laments of ‘balak buddhi’ went on. ‘I have been beaten’. A new drama was rolled out to gain sympathy. The fact is he is on bail in a corruption case of thousands of crore of rupees, was convicted for calling an OBC community thief and had to tender an apology before the Supreme Court for speaking lies,” he said.

“This ‘balak buddhi’ (childish mind) at times tries to hug someone in the House and sometime winks,” the Prime Minister said. He was referring to the 2018 episode in which Mr Gandhi had walked across the treasury benches and hugged Prime Minister Modi.

The Prime Minister used Gangs of Wasseypur’s popular dialogue, ‘Tumse na ho payega’, to mock Mr Gandhi and said the country was telling him the Congress leader that he is ‘not up to it’.

Hitting back, the Congress said 140 crore Indians had told the Narendra Modi government ‘tumse na ho payega’ in this election.

.@narendramodi जी,

2 घंटे 24 मिनट के अपने भाषण में आपने “तुमसे ना हो पायेगा” का जिस तरह से ज़िक्र किया, वही बात 140 करोड़ भारतियों ने इस चुनाव में आपकी सरकार से कही थी।

अन्नदाता किसानों ने आपके “आय को दोगुना” करने वाले झूठे वादों के ख़िलाफ़ वोट डालते हुए कहा — “तुमसे ना हो…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 2, 2024

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the Prime Minister for calling the main Opposition party “parasite” and said he had used the term for protesting farmers too.

“The way you mentioned ‘Tumse Na Ho Payega’ in your speech of 2 hours and 24 minutes, 140 crore Indians said the same thing to your government in this election,” he said. “Modi ji, you have insulted the mandate. Understand the sentiments of the people, give up dictatorship!” the Congress chief said. 

Responding to the Prime Minister’s ‘parasite’ jab, the Congress chief said he had used the same word to refer to the farmers during their 2020-21 protest.

“You insulted the year-long struggle of the farmers for their rights. In front of that, your dictatorial government had to bow down and withdraw the three anti-farmer black laws.

“Today you have used the same word for the Congress party. This is not an abuse for the Congress party. It is a matter of pride for us to sacrifice our lives for nation building along with the farmers,” Mr Kharge said.

Congress’s ally Samajwadi Party, too, hit back at the Prime Minister for his “balak buddhi” jab at Rahul Gandhi. “All these things are said so that no one asks questions on NEET. Those saying balak buddhi are balak (children) themselves because when people have chosen someone, such comments should not be made. There are balak in the government who are still not able to understand the country’s problems,” Kannauj MP and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said.

A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Given the “very trusting nature” of the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no topic is off-limits for the two leaders when they meet here soon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

The dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Moscow will be announced a bit later but preparations for it are already in their final stages, Mr. Peskov said.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi will discuss regional and global security, trade and all other topics on the agenda during their meeting, Mr. Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency.

“We (Russia and India) jointly take part in integration processes, so regional affairs, regional security and global security are always on top of the agenda. In addition, of course, our bilateral trade and economic interaction is always a focal point,” the Kremlin official said, answering a question on what topics will be discussed at the negotiations between Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi.

‘Trusting nature’ of ties

Describing Prime Minister Modi’s visit as “very important”, the official noted that Moscow and New Delhi have “mutual political will” to develop cooperation in a variety of areas.

“Given the very trusting nature of the relationship between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi, we can expect that there will be an exchange of views on all issues that are on the agenda, and there are many of them,” Mr. Peskov added.

“We will announce this visit officially later, after coordination with our Indian friends, I can only confirm to you once again that the visit is in the final stages of preparation,” he said, replying to a question on the dates of Mr. Modi’s visit to Russia.

Diplomatic sources in New Delhi had said the Indian Prime Minister’s day-long visit is being planned around July 8, adding there is no finality on the date yet and various options are being explored.

Mr. Modi’s last visit to Russia was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in the far east city of Vladivostok.

Summit after 3 years

If Mr. Modi travels to Russia, then he and President Putin are set to hold the India-Russia annual summit after a gap of three years.

The annual summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

The last summit was held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi. Mr. Putin, as head of the Russian state, has visited India nine times.

New Delhi:

A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s all-out attack on the BJP sparked a huge ruckus in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked MPs of the ruling NDA to follow the rules of Parliament and ensure that their behaviour on the House floor is exemplary.

The Prime Minister this morning addressed the NDA parliamentary party meeting that was attended by top BJP leaders and ministers. This was his first address to NDA MPs since he took over as Prime Minister for the third term in a row.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that NDA MPs congratulated the Prime Minister on his third term and assured their constant support.

“The Prime Minister gave us an important message. He said that all MPs have come to the Parliament for service to the nation and asked NDA MPs to prioritise this. He also guided us on how to conduct ourselves in the House,” the minister said.

Mr Rijiju said the Prime Minister had told MPs to follow rules while raising issues of their constituency and of national significance. “He asked us to follow rules, maintain the system of parliamentary democracy and ensure that our behaviour is up to the mark. He told us to follow Parliamentary traditions,” the minister said, adding that all NDA MPs will follow the Prime Minister’s mantra.

“Yesterday, the way Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi behaved, he turned his back towards the Speaker and even insulted him. We must not be doing this. This is our lesson,” Mr Rijiju said.

Asked if there was any discussion in today’s meeting about Mr Gandhi’s remarks and the ruckus in Lok Sabha yesterday, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister replied in the negative. “This meeting was not about that, it was to boost coordination among us.” Mr Rijiju said the Prime Minister will be replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Lok Sabha today.

Mr Gandhi, in his new avatar as Leader of the Opposition, launched a scathing attack on the BJP yesterday, accusing leaders of the ruling party of attack the Constitution and misusing probe agencies for the political gains.

His remarks, several portions of his were expunged later, triggered loud protests from the treasury benches, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi rising on two occasions to intervene. The BJP leaders have accused Mr Gandhi of insulting Hindus, but the Congress has responded that his remarks were targeted at the BJP and its ideological mentor, RSS.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described the BJP’s alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra as a time-tested friendship, bound by common ideals and a shared vision for India’s development.

PM Modi made these remarks when members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP called on him.

The newly elected MPs from Maharashtra congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his third consecutive term in office and extended best wishes for his future endeavours.

“Had a great meeting with Shiv Sena MPs. Ours is not a political alliance – it is a time-tested friendship, bound together by common ideals and a shared vision for India’s development,” the prime minister said in a post on X.

Had a great meeting with Shiv Sena MPs. Ours is not a political alliance- it is a time-tested friendship, bound together by common ideals and a shared vision for India’s development. It is commendable how Shri @mieknathshinde Ji is working tirelessly for Maharashtra’s progress… pic.twitter.com/XvBmAesWyW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2024

PM Modi said it was commendable how Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was working tirelessly for Maharashtra’s progress and to fulfil the great Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals.

Assembly elections are due in Maharashtra in September-October and the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP have announced to contest the polls as a coalition.

Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde said that during the meeting with the PM, development works in Maharashtra were discussed.

The delegation presented the prime minister with a statue of Vitthal Rakhumai.

NCP Lok Sabha member Sunil Tatkare was also present during the meeting.

Shiv Sena parliamentarians Shrikant Shinde, Shrirang Appa Barne, Dhairyasheel Mane, Naresh Mhaske, Ravindra Waikar, Sandipanrao Bhumare, Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav, and Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora were present during the meeting. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to the Indian Cricket Team on the phone to congratulate the players for their T20 World Cup win against South Africa, officials said.

The Prime Minister thanked coach Rahul Dravid , whose two-and-a-half-year-long tenure as Team India’s Head Coach came to a close after yesterday’s match, for his contribution to Indian cricket. Under Rahul Dravid’s guidance, India’s 11-year ICC title drought ended with Team India’s triumph in yesterday’s match.

Rahul Dravid’s incredible coaching journey has shaped the success of Indian cricket.

His unwavering dedication, strategic insights and nurturing the right talent have transformed the team.

India is grateful to him for his contributions and for inspiring generations. We are… pic.twitter.com/8MKSPqztDV

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

PM Modi congratulated Rohit Sharma for his “splendid captaincy” and praised Virat Kohli for his performance in the final match.

Dear @ImRo45,

You are excellence personified. Your aggressive mindset, batting and captaincy has given a new dimension to the Indian team. Your T20 career will be remembered fondly. Delighted to have spoken to you earlier today. pic.twitter.com/D5Ue9jHaad

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – announced their T20I retirements yesterday. While Kohli announced his retirement minutes after the triumph, India captain Rohit Sharma announced it in the official post match press conference.

Dear @imVkohli,

Glad to have spoken to you. Like the innings in the Finals, you have anchored Indian batting splendidly. You’ve shone in all forms of the game. T20 Cricket will miss you but I am confident you’ll continue to motivate the new generation of players. pic.twitter.com/rw8fKvgTbA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024

PM Modi also praised Hardik Pandya for his final over and Suryakumar Yadav for his splendid catch on the boundary line to dismiss David Miller.

Home Minister Amit Shah also called Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to congratulate them on the win.

In a video message, PM Modi yesterday had said that the team won the World Cup and also the “hearts of crores of Indians”. No small achievement that they did not lose a single match, he said.

“Champions! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in style! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X – earlier known as Twitter.

The country witnessed euphoric celebrations last evening as Team India won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets carrying the Tricolour in their hands.

Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as India edged past South Africa by seven runs in the final match of T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados to clinch an ICC title after 11 years.

New Delhi:

Delhi cabinet ministers have written a letter to Prime Narendra Modi and urged him to resolve the water crisis in the national capital on a priority basis, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi cabinet ministers said Ms Atishi’s indefinite fast has entered the fourth day and her health is deteriorating.

The ministers held a meeting at the hunger strike site in Jangpura’s Bhogal, where they decided to write a letter to the prime minister seeking a solution to the issue.

“We also invite Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, all officers to Wazirabad, Bawana to see the readings of flow metres and see the water levels of the river there. Data is available for the water released by Haryana and they can see for themselves how the water has reduced,” he said.

Asserting that Delhi should get its due share of water, the minister announced that in the evening a candle light march will be carried out in support of Ms Atishi’s indefinite fast.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)