Priyanka trolled for wearing dress in front of Modi

Berlin, May 31 (PTI) While Priyanka Chopra was slammed for not wearing "decent" clothes during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin, the actress today took potshots at the trolls by sharing a cheeky photograph on her Instagram page.

The 34-year-old actress's short floral dress evoked harsh comments online.

"At least wear decent clothes in front of elders and when he is the PM of India, you should not forget the Indian culture," a social media user wrote.

Another added, "May be you are a big international star but please do show some respect in front of Modi ji. Look at the way you are sitting in front of him."

In her reply to the trolls, Priyanka posted a photo recently in which she can be seen flaunting her legs in a high-slit denim dress, along with her mother Madhu, who is dressed in a black top and a floral mini skirt.

Priyanka captioned the image, "Legs for days...

#itsthegenes with Madhu Chopra nights out in #Berlin #beingbaywatch." 

The "Quantico" star is in Germany to promote her Hollywood debut "Baywatch".

She met PM Modi in Berlin, while he was in Germany as part of a four-nation trip.

After her meeting with the PM, Priyanka wrote on Twitter, "Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning @narendramodi Sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time.

PM holds talks with President Mariano Rajoy in Madrid. Seven agreements exchanged between India and Spain

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in a round table interaction with the Spanish CEOs, in Madrid, Spain on May 31, 2017.

Madrid :The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today held talks with the President of the Spanish Government, Mariano Rajoy, in Madrid. 

During his opening remarks, the Prime Minister said that today's talks will go a long way in furthering ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister said that in an interconnected and interdependent world - Spain and India can work together both for mutual benefit, and for the benefit of the world at large. He described President Rajoy as a visionary leader. 

The Prime Minister said India and Spain have both faced the scourge of terrorism, and will both focus on fighting it. 

The Prime Minister said both India and Spain are engaging in vigorous economic reform. He said there is immense scope for cooperation in infrastructure, railways and smart cities. 

The Prime Minister said that the vision of "New India" will be enhanced through the "New Momentum" in relations between India and Spain. 

Seven agreements were exchanged between the two countries, covering subjects such as energy, security and civil aviation. 

Prime Minister Modi later met with Spanish CEOs. He said during the meeting that there is immense potential for further growth of Spanish investments in India. He mentioned in particular, sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, food processing, auto, chemicals and textiles. He invited Spanish participation in the Smart Cities initiative. He also gave a broad overview of the economic reforms undertaken in India, including GST. He asserted that initiatives like Make in India, Digital India and Start up India have become global magnets for investment. 

The Prime Minister also called on His Majesty King Felipe VI. 

Modi backs Merkel's EU leadership as Trump scolds Germany

Berlin, May 30 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today backed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's "strong leadership" in uniting the European Union at a time the economic grouping showed signs of strain over the UK's decision to exit it and the protectionist stance adopted by US President Donald Trump.

Modi, whose visit to Germany comes less than a week after Merkel provided the strongest indication yet that the EU and the US under President Trump were drifting apart, said India would play a positive role in boosting unity in the grouping.

Modi's public support comes at a crucial time for Merkel, who has been fighting secessionist tendencies within the bloc since Britain decided to leave the 28-member grouping through a referendum in June last year.

The prime minister praised Merkel's "strong leadership" and said a EU-focused vision is what the world needed. He also said a global order based on democracy is the need of the hour, in an interconnected and interdependent world.

"EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany," he told reporters at a joint briefing with Merkel, who hosts Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tomorrow.

The visit by Asian leaders in quick succession have led to the western media calling it an "Asian pivot" to Europe and Germany, the most important pillar of the EU now that Britain was preparing to exit the largest single market.

Responding to a question, Modi said India and Germany were "made for each other". He said the two countries share the values of innovation and democracy and these values were "a blessing for mankind".

He explained the huge synergy that exists between German capabilities and Indian requirements.

Merkel last week said that reliable ties forged since the end of World War II "are to some extent over." Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel followed her and blasted the US, saying the Trump administration's "short-sighted policies... stand against the interest of the European Union".

The remarks came soon after G7 and NATO summits, where news reports suggested that not all was well between her and Trump, who is leading the US towards a more protectionist stance on economic issues and has called for NATO to pay for their share of expenditure of the Atlantic military alliance.

Also, during the presidential election in France, the other key member of the EU, Trump tacitly backed the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and her vocal support to leave the EU.

But she lost the election earlier this month.

The US and Germany are also not on the same page on climate change issue. Trump has vowed to walk away from the historic Paris deal while Merkel supports the agreement.

"Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel," Modi added.

Merkel said that Europe must "take our fate into our own hands" and added that it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

"The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days," she repeated today.

"Others," in this case, seems to be a euphemism; Merkel was clearly talking about the US, according to The Washington Post.

Soon after her comments, Trump swiftly blasted Germany over trade imbalance. "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change(sic)," he tweeted.

Merkel, however, had also said Germany's relationship with the US was of "outstanding importance" but it must also engage with other important nations.

"We live in a globalised world and India...is a partner," she said.

"India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run," Merkel said, endorsing a trade deal in the works between India and the European Union.

Germany is the largest trading partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into the country.

Modi arrives in Germany on first leg of four-nation tour

Berlin, May 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France aimed at boosting bilateral economic engagement with them and inviting more investment for India's transformation.

"Reached Germany. I am sure this visit will lead to beneficial outcomes & deepen India-Germany friendship," Modi tweeted in English and German after landing here.

His Germany visit, which he described as a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, will begin with a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel at her country retreat of Schloss Meseberg.

Both leaders will discuss issues of mutual interest in an informal setting over dinner at the 18th-century palace, nearly 80 km northwest of Berlin.

"I am confident that this visit will open a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation with Germany and further deepen our strategic partnership," Modi said in a Facebook post ahead of his visit.

Modi said he and Merkel will "chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine." 

Describing Germany as a valuable partner, the prime minister said, "German competencies fit well with my vision for India's transformation." 

The more formal part of the visit will begin tomorrow when Modi is welcomed with military honours at the Chancellery, following which he will hold talks with Merkel as part of the fourth round of the bi-annual India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations [IGC]. The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October 2015 when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

In Berlin, the two leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and are likely to deliberate on several pressing global issues, including the situation in the South China Sea, China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and the growing threat of terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel will have a luncheon meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Forum tomorrow.

The deadlocked Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) is likely to take centre-stage at this meeting, with Germany-based CEOs keen to push for a further opening up of the Indian market.

The India-Germany Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), among India's 23 BITs with EU countries, had lapsed in March this year. Trade between the two countries stands at 17.42 billion euros in 2016, up only marginally from 17.33 billion euros the previous year.

Germany is the seventh largest foreign direct investor (FDI) in India and the total FDI from April 2000 until December 2016 amounted to USD 9.54 billion. A total of 1,800 German companies are operating in India.

The German embassy in Berlin had launched the Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM) Programme in September 2015 to facilitate the German Mittelstand (SMEs) to do business in India.

Currently 73 German Mittelstand (SMEs) companies are being facilitated through MIIM Programme for their market entry and investment in India.

Out of these, 46 companies have progressed well in India investment plan, the embassy claims.

Modi will end his German tour with a courtesy call on German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, before leaving for Spain tomorrow evening.

Charges to be framed tomo against Advani, Joshi in Babri case

Lucknow, May 29 (PTI) BJP stalwarts L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti will appear before a special CBI court here tomorrow for framing of charges in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Besides them, Special CBI judge S K Yadav had asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and a one-time firebrand Hindutva preacher Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the Babri masjid, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), 58-year-old Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

The top court had called the destruction of the medieval-era monument a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of criminal conspiracy charge against the four BJP leaders, including Katiyar (62), and others.

However, the Supreme Court had said BJP leader Kalyan Singh, who is the Rajasthan Governor and during whose tenure as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he holds the gubernatorial office.

It had transferred the case against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and three other accused from a Raebareli court to Lucknow for a joint trial in the demolition case.

PTI Exclusive: Dirty war has to be fought with innovative ways: Gen Bipin Rawat

New Delhi, May 28 (PTI) The Indian Army is facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir which has to be fought through "innovative" ways, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said, stoutly defending the use of a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' by a young officer.

In an exclusive interaction with PTI, Rawat said the main objective of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are operating in a very difficult environment in the militancy- infested state.

"This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said, in what were the General's most comprehensive comments yet to the media on the issue.

The Army Chief's Commendation medal to Gogoi, who had tied a man to an army jeep and used him as a human shield from stone throwers last month was criticised by human rights activists, Kashmiri groups and by a few retired army generals.

A video of the incident had triggered a row with many condemning it.

Gogoi was awarded for his sustained efforts in counter- insurgency operations.

"People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.

Talking about the complexity of the security challenge in the state, he suggested it would have been easier for the armed forces if the protesters were firing weapons instead of throwing stones.

"In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," he said.

Gen Rawat, who had served in Jammu and Kashmir extensively, said if people in any country lose fear of the army, then the country is doomed.

"Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.

At the same time, he asserted that maximum restraint is being maintained while handling the situation in the Valley.

Gen Rawat said that as the Army chief, it was his duty to lift the morale of the army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and he did it by awarding Major Gogoi.

"As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.

Gen Rawat said there was a ploy to break the trust between various security forces, and Major Gogoi could not have refused to provide security when polling agents had sought security assistance.

"Tomorrow elections have to be held in Anantnag and similar things may happen. If the army does not respond to call for assistance, then the trust between the people whom we are protecting, police and army will break.

"That is something I cannot allow to happen. This is what the militants want. It can create a divide between the army and other security forces," he said.

The Army Chief said he had a broad idea about what was going on in the Court of Inquiry into the Gogoi incident, and that is why he went ahead with awarding the Major. "I know what is happening in the COI. It is being finalised. What do we punish him for."

He said armed forces have the right of self defence and Major Gogoi could have opted for firing at the crowd but he chose not to resort to it.

Farooq Dar, who was tied to the jeep, says he is not a militant or a stone thrower, and was only returning home after casting his vote in the by-election when he was hauled away.

He says he still suffers from physical and mental trauma after being paraded on the jeep's bonnet with a sign slung around his neck, warning stone pelters of the consequences.

The Army Chief said just four districts of South Kashmir were disturbed and it was incorrect to say that entire Kashmir has gone out of control.

"It will have to be a composite solution. Everybody will have to get involved. Army's role is to ensure that violence does not take place and the common man who is not indulging in this (violence) is protected," he said, when asked about the solution to the Kashmir issue.

He also emphasised on the need for taking harsh measures to stop infiltration and counter-terrorism.

The Army Chief also wondered why not much noise was made when young army officer Lt Umar Fayaz was killed by militants when he was on leave.

Asked whether there should be a political initiative to reach out to the Kashmiri people, the Army Chief said it was for the government to decide, adding such initiatives were taken in the past as well.

"Has political initiative not been taken in the past? What was the result, you had Kargil...," he said.

To a separate question, the Army Chief said he does not anticipate a "limited war" with Pakistan.

Sacked AAP minister Mishra alleges scam over shortage of meds

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) Levelling a fresh set of charges, sacked AAP minister Kapil Mishra today alleged a "scam" over the shortage of medicines in government hospitals.

Mishra claimed the powers of Delhi government-run hospitals to buy medicines were put to an end by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the behest of Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

"A Central Procurement Agency (CPA) was formed and an order was passed saying all medicines should be procured through this agency," Mishra said.

The suspended AAP leader's allegations come two days after Kejriwal made a surprise visit to a government-run hospital and found there was a shortage of medicines.

After his visit, Kejriwal had said he would ensure free medicines and treatment to all those who visited hospitals run by the Delhi government.

"Satyendar Jain has himself admitted that Rs 300 crore have been allocated to procure medicines. The Delhi government boasts of having the highest budget earmarked for the health sector. In such a scenario how come there is a shortage of medicines? This is a scam," Mishra said.

He, however, could not produce any evidence to back his claim. The party refused to comment on the allegations.

In response to Mishra's claims, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has written a letter to Lt Governor Anil Baijal demanding an enquiry, saying the files of purchases in which alleged irregularities existed need to be sealed.

"In last few days allegations of irregularities against health minister Satyendar Jain were being heard. There are allegations of widespread irregularities in purchases of medicines, ambulances and equipment necessitating investigation into these cases," Tiwari said.

President of India receives books ‘Mann Ki Baat: a social revolution on radio’ and ‘marching with a billion - analysing Narendra Modi’s government at Mid Term’

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copies of books ‘Mann Ki Baat: A Social Revolution on Radio’ and ‘Marching with a Billion- Analysing Narendra Modi’s Government at Midterm’ from Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker Lok Sabha who formally released these books at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan today in the presence of Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Finance and Defence and other dignitaries. 

Speaking on the occasion, the President said effective communication is important for any leader. Without having the capacity to communicate, a leader may not be able to inspire people to follow his ideas and approach. He said that undoubtedly, in the contemporary period Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is one of the most effective communicators of the times. In independent India, Prime Minister Pt. Nehru effectively propagated the values in our Constitution including secularism. Smt. Indira Gandhi mobilized public in favour of the Liberation war of Bangladesh effectively. Various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have resulted in the Indian economy moving forward in a steadfast manner. 

The President congratulated and expressed gratitude to the publishers for bringing out the two books. He said the books cover important issues of topical concern and should have a wide readership because of their inherent merit. 

Vice President of India, Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Speaker Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan and Union Minister for Finance and Defence, Shri Arun Jaitley also addressed the gathering and gave an account of how the books capture key aspects of the personality of Shri Narendra Modi and achievements of the Government. 

The book ‘Mann Ki Baat: A Social Revolution on Radio’ is a compilation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s addresses to the nation on radio every month under the programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’. It contains a comprehensive, qualitative and academic analysis of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ – the themes, the choice of topics, the salient features. It illustrates how ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has connected with the ‘New India’ – the youth in particular. It also presents a coherent narrative about the manner in which ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has created mass movements, be it in cleanliness, in promoting India’s tourism potential, safer roads, drugs free India etc. The book has been compiled by Shri Rajesh Jain. 

The book ‘Marching with a Billion- Analysing Narendra Modi’s Government at Midterm’ analyses the monumental changes that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has brought on multiple fronts as Prime Minister on India’s governance landscape by ushering in an unprecedented culture of transparency to create a level playing field so necessary in a developing country. It is authored by Shri Uday Mahurkar. 

The books have been brought out by ‘BlueKraft Digital Foundation’ and ‘LexisNexis’. 

Chandrababu meets Amit Shah, prez poll figures in talks

Amaravati, May 25 (PTI) BJP president Amit Shah today met TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu amid reports of souring ties between their parties, with the two breaking bread together and dedicating to people ambulances equipped with modern life support systems.

Apart from discussing the political scenario in the country at a luncheon meeting, the two leaders exchanged their views on the upcoming presidential election.

"There was a general discussion on the political scenario in AP and also about the forthcoming presidential election," a TDP leader, who attended the lunch hosted by the chief minister said.

Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, Suresh Prabhu, Y S Chowdary, state TDP president K Kala Venkata Rao, state ministers Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Kamineni Srinivas, Nara Lokesh and state BJP president Kambhampati Hari Babu were also present.

Shah was on a day-long visit to Vijayawada to address the party's polling booth-level workers, as part of his nationwide outreach exercise.

The meeting came in the wake of the BJP's Telangana unit severing its ties with the TDP and acrimony between the second-rung leaders of the two parties in Andhra Pradesh.

The two sides have sparred over a host of issues, particularly on the demand for special category status to the state and financial aid by the Centre.

A fresh round of squabble between the two parties began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted audience to YSR Congress president and state opposition leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy early this month. Reddy has said his party would back the NDA's presidential nominee.

The second-rung leaders of these parties have engaged in a slanging match in the last few days.

Chandrababu was said to be livid over his partymen openly criticising the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Chandrababu and Shah flew down from Hyderabad together and dedicated to people 13 advanced life support ambulances at Vijayawada airport.

The ambulances were purchased at a cost of Rs 4.16 crore from the MPLADS funds of Suresh Prabhu, who is a member of Rajya Sabha from the state.

These would cater to the people of 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh and help patients in far flung areas, Prabhu said.

He said he had plans to set up hightech trauma centres along highways from MPLADS funds.

I-T summons Lalu's daughter and husband in benami land case

New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) The Income Tax Department has issued summonses to RJD chief Lalu Prasad's MP daughter Misa Bharti and her husband in connection with its probe in Rs 1,000 crore alleged benami land deals and a tax evasion case.

The development followed the arrest of chartered acountant Rajesh Kumar Agrawal by the Enforcement Directorate on May 22. Agrawal is alleged to have aided in llegal transactions involving Lalu's kin.

Officials said the department has asked Bharti, a Rajya Sabha member, and her husband Shailesh Kumar to appear before the investigating officer (IO) here in the first week of June.

The department had on May 16 searched multiple premises of about two dozen entities connected to this case and seized documents and computer hardware.

They said the summonses to Bharti and Kumar are part of the investigation and their statements will be recorded.

The couple are alleged to have links with a firm-- Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Private Limited-- which is suspected to have entered into benami deals for purchase of a farm house in Delhi's Bijwasan area.

Certain other property deals are also under the scanner of the taxman, they said.

I-T department officials had said they will apply provisions of the newly enacted Benami Transactions Act, 1988, which became operational from November 1 last year, in this case. The law provides for a maximum punishment of seven years in jail and a fine.

The action under this new law will be over and above the legal proceedings under the Income Tax Act, 1961, which relates to charges of domestic tax evasion.

Tax department officials had said Lalu's kin held some of the properties under their scanner in a 'benami' way. Benami properties are those in which the real beneficiary is not the one in whose name the property has been purchased.

The RJD chief, however, sought to put up a brave face after the raids, saying he was "not scared at all" and will continue to fight against "fascist forces".

"BJP mein himmat nahi hai ki Lalu ki awaz ko daba sake...

Lalu ki awaz dabayenge to desh bhar me karoron Lalu khare ho jayenge... Main gidarbhabhki se nahi darne wala hoon (BJP does not have the courage to stifle my voice... If it tries to silence one Lalu, crores of Lalu will come forward. I am not scared of empty threats)," he had said in a series of tweets after the search operation.

The BJP had also accused Prasad, Bharti and his two sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, both Bihar government ministers, of being involved in corrupt land deals worth over Rs 1,000 crore, and asked the central government to probe one such transaction in Delhi.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had alleged that these transactions were a case of "quid pro quo", suggesting that money was paid in return for favour, as they dated back to the period when Lalu was the railway minister, and dared Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take action against him.

Lalu's RJD is a constituent of Bihar's ruling coalition led by Kumar.

Lalu's official residence was the address of the owners of the firms allegedly floated by his family members, Ravi Shankar Prasad had said.