A sea of people heading to Parade Grounds in Secunderabad where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

In this screengrab from a video posted on Feb. 27, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addresses a post-Budget webinar on ‘Technology, Reforms and Finance for Viksit Bharat’. Photo: @NarendraModi/YT via PTI

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
| Photo Credit: PTI

The former King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, turns 70 on November 11, 2025. The father of the current King of Bhutan is popularly known as K4 (the fourth King of the Wangchuck line), while his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who sits on the throne at present, is referred to as K5.

Jigme Singye Wangchuk is held in great esteem, awe, pride and reverence by his people who often call him the Bodhisattva King. He ruled Bhutan from the age of 17 years till he abdicated in 2006 in favour of his son.

He is revered almost like a Buddha because he ruled wisely, honestly and literally dragged Bhutan into the 21st century, modernising it in many ways. Now, to mark his 70th birth anniversary, there is a huge celebration in Thimphu on November 11, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting India’s mountainous neighbour.

Two nations, their close ties

Mr. Modi has always given much importance to India’s relationship with Bhutan. In 2014, on being elected Prime Minister, he had not merely spoken about Neighbourhood First but had also made Bhutan the first foreign country he visited. Now too, Mr. Modi realises the tremendous significance that the birthday celebrations has for the people of Bhutan and is ensuring that he is with them in this time of joy. His visit is an apt signal of how close the people of India are to the people of Bhutan.

It was K4 who further strengthened Bhutan’s relationship with India, during his reign as king, exhibiting great understanding that independent India was a close friend of his nation for which all threats to its independence, sovereignty or way of life came from its north and not from the other direction. It was Jigme Singye Wangchuck who got India’s Border Roads Organisation to build, operate and maintain the road network of his country. Today, Bhutanese firms are capable of doing this on their own and have rightly been tasked with this. Again, it was Jigme Singye Wangchuck who saw the potential of generating electricity from Bhutan’s rivers and supplying it to India, thereby enabling a steady revenue stream for his nation, which in turn has lifted incomes there.

Hydropower diplomacy

Hydropower cooperation between India and Bhutan has, over the years, developed into one of the strongest and most significant pillars of the relationship between the two countries. Therefore, it is apt, symbolic of this friendship and significant in itself, that the Punatsangchhu II hydroelectric project will be formally inaugurated by Mr. Modi and K5 during the trip. The 1,020 MW project has been generating electricity for some months now, helping Bhutan in further raising its economic profile.

The Punatsangchhu II project, like many of its predecessors, was constructed as a cooperative venture between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan, with India providing the initial capital for it — this is paid off by the project from the income stream generated by the sale of electricity to India at rates which are competitive but adjusted every few years to reflect current realities.

This model has worked well till now but it has been decided that in future, the two countries must tap other sources of capital for such hydropower projects. Now that private capital is readily available in adequate quantity, future projects are to be done by private firms of India in collaboration with Bhutanese companies. Significantly, Tata Power and Adani Power have readily taken up a few of the projects on offer in Bhutan.

India continues to provide development assistance to Bhutan beyond hydropower whether it is for community development projects or larger schemes that range from infrastructure development to upgrading older institutions and even monasteries.

Issues of national security

K5 continues to seek his father’s — K4’s — advice on matters of national security. Whether it pertains to the territorial integrity of Bhutan or to the operational readiness of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), K4 is always consulted by his son. K4 has a deep understanding of not merely India and how its democracy functions but also about Communist China, what motivates and drives that nation and the implications it has for Bhutan-China relations.

India will always be grateful to K4 for having personally led Operation All Clear in December 2003 where the RBA drove out several hundred cadres of Indian insurgent groups that had taken shelter in the jungles of Bhutan just across Assam and West Bengal. On India’s side of the border, the Indian Army was able to easily arrest these Indian insurgent groups and proceed against them as in the law.

Thus, November 11 is not merely the birthday celebration of a sage and wise former King of Bhutan. Mr. Modi’s presence at these events in Thimphu also makes it a celebration of India-Bhutan friendship and cooperation.

Gautam Bambawale is a former Indian Ambassador to Bhutan and is currently Trustee of the Pune International Centre

Published – November 11, 2025 12:08 am IST

Washington DC:

India is not neutral, was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong message on the Russia-Ukraine war during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House today. He reiterated that India stands with peace, appreciating Trump’s efforts to bring an end to the war.

“India is not neutral. India is siding with peace. I have already said to President Putin that this is not the era of war. I support the efforts taken by President Trump,” the Prime Minister said.

His remarks came a day after Trump held separate phone calls with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. His move came as a shock to Ukraine and European allies, with many insisting they and Kyiv must have a seat at the negotiating table.

In their first confirmed contact since Trump’s return to the White House, the US president said he had held a “highly productive” conversation with his Russian counterpart who ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, Trump insisted Ukraine will be “part of” negotiations and that he was convinced Putin “wants peace”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India have been stressing that this is “not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy”. Since the Ukraine conflict began in February last year, PM Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a number of times.

He also met the two leaders separately last year.

PM Modi met US President Donald Trump and his close aide and billionaire Elon Musk today. “He is a great friend of mine. For a long time we’ve had a wonderful relationship,” Trump said as he greeted PM Modi in the Oval Office for a visit that he promised would bring “some great” trade deals.

Their meeting came hours after the US President announced reciprocal tariffs on all countries, including India. New Delhi, however, is hoping to avoid further levies that Trump says are needed to counter the US trade deficit.

Prime Minister Modi is the fourth world leader to visit Trump since his return, following the prime ministers of Israel and Japan, and the king of Jordan.

New Delhi:

After Coldplay’s biggest concert ever at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with over one lakh footfall on January 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has a scope of live concerts. Addressing the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar, PM Modi underscored the vast potential of India’s concert economy. He called on states and the private sector to focus on building the infrastructure for the concert economy.

“A country which has such a rich heritage in music, dance, and storytelling, which has a large pool of youth – a massive consumer base for concerts – there the concert economy has vast opportunities,” he said.

Reflecting on the growing craze of live events, PM Modi said, “In the past decade, both the trend and demand for live events have grown. In the last few days, you must have seen the magnificent images from the Coldplay concerts held in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. It is a testimony of the scope of live concerts in India.”

PM Modi said that big artists from around the world are attracted to India.

Talking about the benefits of hosting live events, PM Modi said, “Concert economy gives a boost to the tourism sector and creates jobs. I urge states and the private sector to focus on infrastructure and skills needed for the concert economy. Event management, artist grooming, security and other arrangements have a scope.”

PM Modi teased the first-ever World Audio-Visual Summit India is set to host next month.

Coldplay toured India with its ‘Music of the Spheres’, starting with three concerts at DY Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 18,19 and 21. The second leg of the tour included two shows on January 25 and 26 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

New Delhi:

India is emerging as a global economic powerhouse, and its sail is fanned by remarkable achievements in the export sector. Over the past decade, the country evolved from being heavily reliant on imports and emerged as a global leader in exports across various sectors. The remarkable turnaround, a direct result of the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, is reflected in India’s ability to leverage advanced technology, innovative practices, and competitive manufacturing to meet global demands. 

Products once synonymous with Western markets, like smartphones, electric cars, french fries or premium coffee, are now proudly made in India and exported worldwide. From daily consumables to high-tech gadgets and eco-friendly vehicles, India is no longer just a consumer but a creator and supplier to the world.

The ‘Make in India’ iPhone Story

Enabled by the Modi government’s smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, a major American company like Apple is not only manufacturing in India but also exporting its products to other countries. In 2024, Apple exported iPhones worth over Rs 1 lakh crore from India, marking a record-breaking achievement. 

The value of India’s iPhone exports increased by 42 per cent in just one year, rising from $9 billion in 2023 to $12.8 billion in 2024. Domestic production of iPhones also grew by nearly 46 per cent, and local contribution to manufacturing (value addition) increased to 15-20 per cent.  

India’s First EV Exports

French carmaker Citroen, which entered the Indian market in 2021, is now exporting the ‘Made in India’ electric vehicle (EV) to international markets. The company has made significant investments in India, including building a plant in Tamil Nadu. In April 2024, the company exported its first batch of ‘Citroen e-C3’ EVs to Indonesia from Kamarajar Port, showcasing India’s capability to produce high-quality electric vehicles for the world. 

Citroen’s success shows how India is moving ahead in the automobile sector, especially in cleaner and greener technologies. It shows that India is not only a strategic market but also a major sourcing hub for vehicles, components, and mobility technologies. 

‘Made-in-India’ Maruti Fronx Goes Global

India’s automobile industry achieved another milestone with Maruti Suzuki’s Fronx SUV becoming a hit in the Japanese market. This is the first SUV made by Maruti Suzuki India to be launched in Japan, marking a proud moment for the country. 

Maruti Suzuki shipped the first consignment of more than 1,600 units of the ‘Made-in-India’ cars to Japan in August 2024. The SUV is currently being exported to over 70 countries across the globe. 

French Fries Exporters

In the mid-2000s, India was importing over 5,000 tonnes of French fries– a popular American snack, annually. The import peaked at 7,863 tonnes in 2010-11 (Mar-Apr). However, over the past few years, India emerged as a major exporter of the potato product.

In 2023-24, the country exported 135,877 tonnes of French fries valued at Rs 1,478.73 crore, reaching markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Japan, and Taiwan. 

Brewing Success with Indian Coffee

India’s coffee industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with exports nearly doubling over the last 4 years. In FY 2023-24, coffee exports reached an impressive $1.29 billion, up from $719.42 million in 2020-21, positioning India as the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world. Indian coffee is now a favourite across international borders. 

New Delhi:

Lex Fridman, a renowned artificial intelligence (AI) researcher and podcaster, on Sunday, said that he will visit India in February to host a podcast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The podcaster mentioned that he is “excited” to experience India’s historic culture during his visit.

“I will be doing a podcast with Narendra Modi (@narendramodi), Prime Minister of India, at the end of February. I’ve never been to India, so I’m excited to finally visit and experience many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people as fully as I can,” Fridman wrote in a post on X.

I will be doing a podcast with Narendra Modi (@narendramodi), Prime Minister of India, at the end of February.

I’ve never been to India, so I’m excited to finally visit and experience many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people as fully as I can.

— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) January 18, 2025

Fridman, known for his in-depth conversations with global leaders, is reportedly expected to explore a range of topics with PM Modi including India’s burgeoning role in technology, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and its growing influence on the global stage. PM Modi’s initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, and the country’s advancements in AI, could serve as focal points for the conversation, reported news agency IANS.

Fridman has been hosting the Lex Fridman Podcast since 2018, interviewing prominent figures from science, technology, sports, and politics. He has hosted several prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, US President-elect Donald Trump, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He has over 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.

PM Modi’s first podcast appearance

PM Modi made his podcast debut on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s People by WTF series earlier this month. During the nearly two-hour conversation, PM Modi shared several anecdotes, including aspects of his childhood, education, entering politics, setbacks, handling stress, and policy management, among other topics.

The PM also recalled his interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first term in 2014.

He also reacted to the memes related to him and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that have been viral on social media for the past couple of years. “Wo toh chalta rehta hai” (that’s an ongoing thing). “I don’t waste my time on that,” he told Kamath.

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second edition of Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Friday (January 17, 2025) which is expected to witness over 100 new launches across automobiles, component products and technologies.

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, scheduled from January 17-22, will bring the entire value chain of the mobility ecosystem — from automobile manufacturers to components, electronics parts, tyre and energy storage makers, and automotive software firms and material recyclers — under a single umbrella.

With a theme “Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain”, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation across the automotive and mobility sector with an emphasis on sustainable and cutting-edge technological advancements, the global expo will be held across three venues — Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Yashobhoomi at Dwarka, Delhi and India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.

Notably, India’s flagship motor show, the biennial Auto Expo — now clubbed with the Bharat Mobility Global Expo — will also return to its original place, the erstwhile Pragati Maidan (now Bharat Mandapam) after more than a decade away at India Expo Centre and Mart at Greater Noida.

The global expo, which is supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is being hosted by industry associations, including Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), Nasscom, Indian Steel Association, Material Recycling Association of India, and CII.

It will have 5,100 international participants and is estimated to attract more than 5 lakh visitors from across the globe.

In the automotive segment at Bharat Mandapam, electric vehicles are expected to hog the limelight with the likes of passenger vehicle market leader Maruti Suzuki unveiling its first electric vehicle, SUV e VITARA and rival Hyundai Motor India Ltd set to launch the Crtea EV on the first day.

In the luxury segment, German major Mercedes-Benz will launch its electric EQS Maybach SUV, while showcasing the electric concept CLA, and G Electric SUV. Similarly, compatriot BMW will showcase the all-electric BMW i7 apart from launching its all-new BMW X3 among others.

Overall, more than 40 new product launches are expected at this main attraction of Bharat Mobility Global Expo, 2025.

At the components show, to be held from January 18-21, 2025 at Yashobhoomi, over 1,000 exhibitors from around seven countries will be participating. There are five country pavilions from Japan, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan and the UK, and exhibitors from USA, Israel and Thailand.

Over 60 new product and technology launches are expected at the components show.

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 will also witness the 1st edition of Bharat Construction Equipment Expo (Bharat CE Expo) 2025 from January 19-22 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, where large-scale participation of CE (construction equipment) industry, including component manufacturers, suppliers, financiers, technology solution providers and others are expected.