Prime Minister Narendra Modi Leaves From France To Washington DC For Key Bilateral With Trump

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington DC, US President Donald J Trump dialled Russian President Putin. In his post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects. We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of, “COMMON SENSE." We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other's Nations."

Snow covers the Washington, DC region in the US ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. PM Narendra Modi will be in Washington, DC on February 12-13 and will have a meeting with US President Donald Trump, just a few weeks after his inauguration as the 47th President of the country.

During his visit to the US, PM Modi will meet President Trump and also interact with business leaders and members of the Indian community in the US. PM Modi also met Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris, where they discussed the "incredible opportunities" AI will bring to India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called it a “historic visit to France” that concluded in the ancient city of Marseille. “Next stop Washington DC,” the MEA said in a post on X.

PM Modi will be the fourth foreign leader to visit Trump in the weeks after the American leader’s inauguration as the 47th President of the US in January. In less than a month of the start of Trump’s second term in the White House, the US president has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and also held bilateral discussions with him.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, after completing his visit to France, "Strengthening Maritime Ties in Marseille! President Emmanuel Macron and I visited the control room of CMA-CGM, a global leader in shipping and logistics. As India expands its maritime and trade networks, collaborations with industry leaders will play a crucial role in boosting connectivity, supply chains and economic growth. We are working towards enhancing India-France cooperation in logistics, sustainability and global trade, reinforcing our shared vision for a better maritime future."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes from Marseille, France. French President Emmanuel Macron accompanies him to the airport as he departs. In the second leg of his visit, PM Modi is heading to Washington, DC in the US. He will be there on February 12-13 and have a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Modi shared photos of the Indian diaspora's enthusiastic reception during the inauguration of the new Indian Consulate in Marseille. Taking to X, he wrote, "The Indian community is very enthusiastic about a new consulate in Marseille. Here are some glimpses from the warm welcome during the programme." 

Secretary Vikram Misri says, "AI was a major area of bilateral discussion. Next year 2026 has been agreed as the India- France year of innovation. Apart from this, the leaders exchanged views on recent geopolitical developments in Europe, West Asia, in the Indo-Pacific, and discussed a number of these issues of global and regional importance..."

On US-India partnership, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, "...We have partnerships in technology, entrepreneurship and other forms of innovation... We are buying about $20 billion worth of energy from the United States... I am one of those who frankly say that when US President Trump talks about putting more energy in the market and bringing down international energy prices, I am one of those who are happy... If you look at the global data, I think the Western Hemisphere is now producing more energy than ever before... I am very happy to tell you that India is the first country in the G-20 to have met its Paris commitments... Whether it is our biofuel programme, compressed biogas, green hydrogen, it is positive..."

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while addressing the media on PM Modi’s visit to France said, “Last couple of days we had number of engagements in France. I will elaborate on the outcomes of the engagement. We have invited French companies to invest in India. India, France relations touched new heights. The two leaders discussed civil nuclear cooperation.” 

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron stressed that nuclear energy is an essential part of the energy mix for strengthening energy security and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. Both leaders acknowledged the India-France civil nuclear ties and efforts in cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, notably in relation with the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project. They welcomed the first meeting of the Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy, and welcomed the signing of a letter of intent on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) and the Implementing Agreement between India’s GCNEP, DAE and France’s INSTN, CEA for cooperation in training and education of nuclear professionals, read the joint statement. 

PM Modi discusses India & France trade cooperation with President Macron. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday greeted the Indian diaspora in France's Marseilles. 

PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurate the Indian consulate in Marseilles.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille city here along with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made sacrifices fighting in the Great War.

At a solemn ceremony held at the site, Modi laid a wreath composed of tricolour-themed flowers.

A large number of Indian soldiers are commemorated in this war cemetery that is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Modi, who is on a three-day visit to France, on Tuesday co-chaired the AI Action Summit along with President Emmanuel Macron and addressed business leaders.

A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a case over the murders of two persons in Saraswati Vihar area during the anti-Sikh riots.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja passed the conviction order and posted the arguments on sentence on Feburary 18.

Kumar was produced before court from Tihar jail for the pronouncement.

The case relates to the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the death of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple's chief priest Mahant Satyendra Das, and said his entire life was dedicated to the service of Lord Ram.

Condoling his demise, Modi lauded his scholarship in religious texts and rituals.

Modi said Das's invaluable contribution to the country's spiritual and social life will always be remembered with reverence.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea of Indrani Mukerjea, who is accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora, challenging a Bombay High Court ruling that denied her permission to travel abroad.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal directed the trial court to conduct the proceedings in the case within a year.

Opposing the permission, the counsel for the CBI said this is a sensitive matter and trial has come halfway and 96 witnesses have been examined.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the chairperson of the National Commission for Homoeopathy to step down from his post, saying the appointment was not in accordance with law.

Setting aside an order of the Karnataka High Court, a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan directed Dr. Anil Khurana to leave the office within a week.

"The respondent shall step down from the office of chairperson forthwith. By forthwith, we mean a week from today to enable him to complete his assignment however without taking any policy decision involved with finances. Fresh process shall be initiated for appointment of the office of chairperson expeditiously," the bench said.

An Air India flight at Karnataka's Kempegowda International Airport received a bomb threat through an e-mail, as per official sources.

"An Air India flight at the Kempegowda International Airport had received a bomb threat two days ago," said Sajith VJ, DCP, North-East Bengaluru.

An FIR was filed immediately after the threat was received, sources said.
 

As per ANI, “A team of Assam Police has gone to Mumbai to investigate the case related to India's Got Latent after the Guwahati Crime Branch registered FIR against YouTubers and social Influencers, namely Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion, confirm senior officials of Assam Police.”

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has questioned a Madhya Pradesh-based man who allegedly threatened to kill UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, police said on Wednesday.

The man, identified as Sunil Gurjar (20), resident of Hasai Mewda village in MP's Morena district, had allegedly called authorities at the UP CM's office over phone and threatened to kill Adityanath, Civil Lines police station in-charge Darshan Shukla told PTI.

A team of the UP STF reached here on Tuesday and questioned Gurjar, but he was not arrested, the official said.

Mumbai Police on Tuesday apprehended a man from the Chembur area of Mumbai after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft received a terror call ahead of his official visit abroad, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday.

"On 11th February, a call was received at Mumbai Police control room warning that terrorists may attack PM Modi's aircraft as he was leaving on an official visit abroad. Considering the serious nature of the information, the Police informed other agencies and began an investigation," Mumbai Police said.
 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed condolences on the demise of Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

CM Yogi stated that his demise is "extremely sad" and an "irreparable loss" to the spiritual world.

Delhi Police has launched an operation to search Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan after he was booked for allegedly leading an attack on a Delhi police team and threatening them in Jamia Nagar.

An FIR had also been registered against Amanatullah Khan for manhandling and threatening police and preventing them from carrying out the accused.

Amid elaborate arrangements, over 73 lakh people took a dip at the Sangam till 6 am on Wednesday on the occasion of Maghi Purnima during the Maha Kumbh mela here.

The sacred bath began early Wednesday and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been monitoring the event from Lucknow.

With the Maghi Purnima bath, the month-long Kalpavas will also end and around 10 lakh ‘Kalpvasis’ will start leaving the Maha Kumbh. The administration has requested them to follow traffic rules and use only authorised parking spaces.

While lakhs of devotees are headed to the Sangam Nose to take a dip, the Uttar Pradesh government in a statement said that by 6 am, 73.60 lakh people, including 10 lakh Kalpwasis, had taken the ritual dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats.

Mahant Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, died at a hospital here on Wednesday, sources said.

The 85-year-old was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) earlier this month after he suffered brain stroke.

"Satendra Das ji, chief Priest of Ram Mandir Ayodhya , breathed his last today. He was admitted in HDU (High Dependency Unit) of Neurology ward on February 3 with stroke in critical condition," the hospital said.

The tally of suspected and confirmed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Maharashtra's Pune region has reached 197 with the detection of five more patients of the rare nerve disorder, according to health department officials.

The five patients here comprised two fresh cases and three from previous days, an official from the health department said on Tuesday.

"Of the 197 cases, 172 have been diagnosed with GBS. At least 40 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation areas, 92 from newly added villages in the PMC, 29 from the Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits, 28 from Pune Rural and eight from other districts," a health department release said.

'Pushp varsha' or showering of flower petals being done on devotees and ascetics as they take holy dip in Sangam waters on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

The CBI has arrested six officials of Delhi Transport Department for alleged corruption and bribery in a first major action in the capital after the ruling Aam Admi Party recently lost elections, officials said Wednesday.

The agency had been receiving complaints against widespread corruption in the department, they said.

It was decided to conduct surveillance and verification of complaints before proceeding with the arrest, they said.

As the Mahakumbh 2025 enters its final stretch, security measures have been ramped up, especially with the upcoming Magh Purnima on February 14, ensuring all arrangements are in place for smooth celebrations.

To monitor the vast crowds gathering at the Ganga ghats, police are utilizing drones to ensure safety and order. This measure is part of the administration's efforts to provide a secure environment for the millions of devotees attending the event.
Absolutely, the administration is pulling

A massive crowd thronged Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Magh Purnima.

More than 46.25 crore devotees have taken a dip so far.

Chief Minister Adityanath greeted devotees and the residents of the state on the holy bathing festival.

"Heartiest greetings to all the revered saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come for the holy bath at the sacred Triveni in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May everyone's life be filled with happiness, prosperity and good fortune by the grace of Lord Shri Hari. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone's wishes," he posted on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring the Magh Purnima 'snan' at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, from his office as lakhs of devotees take a holy dip on the occasion.
 

For the Magh Purnima Snan on February 12, 2025, the Prayagraj administration has implemented a 'No Vehicle Zone' to ensure the safety and smooth movement of devotees. The mela  area has been designated as a 'no vehicle zone' from 4 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, with only essential and emergency services permitted entry.

Additionally, the entire city of Prayagraj will be under a 'No Vehicle Zone' from 5 p.m. on February 11, continuing until the safe evacuation of devotees on February 12.