Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other diplomats are reportedly gearing up for a campaign later this year to reclaim items in British museums and held by the royal family, The Guardian reports citing the Daily Telegraph. The items include the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond, which is held by the royal family and has featured in discussions about its potential use in the coronation; the treasures of Tipu Sultan, which are in the Victoria and Albert Museum and Powis Castle; and the Amaravati Marbles. India’s actions are part of a larger reconsideration of its former colonial status. Modi has encouraged school classes to be taught in Hindi and other languages rather than English, India's parliament is being rebuilt and its MPs are preparing to move out of the Edwin Lutyens-designed colonial era building, and roadways named after former British monarchs have been renamed, according to the report. Read more: Now that the Queen is dead, will India get Kohinoor back? Meanwhile, The Telegraph quoted Govind Mohan, secretary for the Indian ministry of culture, saying returning antiquities is going to be a key part of future policy. “It is of huge importance to the government,” he said. “The thrust of this effort to repatriate India’s artefacts comes from the personal commitment of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, who has made it a major priority.” The issue has previously received attention alongside disputes that include the potential return of the Elgin marbles to Greece. Former Conservative prime ministers and culture secretaries have rebuffed requests for the return of artefacts. During his 2013 visit to India, David Cameron stated that the return of the Koh-i-noor was not the “right approach,” according to The Guardian. The report also quoted a leading author on the British empire regarding the issue. Read more: National Museum to send proposal for including palm leaf scroll etching as UNESCO cultural heritage: KM Khalid Sathnam Sanghera, who authored “Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain”, believes the Indian jewels and other historical artefacts looted during the British colonial era will be returned “inevitably.” He said the latest demands are part of a series by former colonies reassessing their own time under the empire. Sanghera said, “Our museums and the royal family are in possession of billions of pounds worth of Indian loot. It was a systematic part of colonial rule. The royal family was given the king’s share of that loot. When we annexed parts of India and Burma [now Myanmar], there were representatives of our museums there to take things, soldiers took loot and sold it, too. “It’s not just the financial value of these items, there is also the emotional and religious value. Read more: French honour for Nadia Samdani: Receives Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters medal “These countries are future superpowers or superpowers already, they are not going to shut up about it,” the writer told The Guardian. On the issue of returning Koh-i-noor, Sanghera agrees that the item is controversial in its own right, with multiple claims on its ownership. “I think it is impossible. There will be anger by the Sikhs if the Hindu nationals get it. It is unsolvable,” he said. Museums are constrained by law to keep their collections intact. However, charities such as the National Trust who are not subject to the same legal restrictions may be approached first. Read more: Tracing the Roots of Ekushey Boi Mela Sanghera said, “In the next 10 years, it will totally change. Young people in Britain feel the same way about loot in museums as we felt about animals in zoos. They can’t quite believe it is allowed. I think it is inevitable.” Countries such as India are altering historical legacies of colonial rule, which ended in 1947, and an official tour of the Caribbean by the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2022 was marked by demands for slavery reparations from the days of the British empire.

A court in Gujarat's Surat today (March 23, 2023) found Indian Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi guilty, and sentenced him to two years in prison in a 2019 defamation case -- over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. Gandhi was granted bail, however, and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal the verdict, reports NDTV. Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister, filed the lawsuit against Gandhi for saying, "How come all thieves have the surname Modi?" He made the remark while speaking at a rally in Kolar, Karnataka, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, targeting PM Modi because of his surname, which he shares with fugitive financiers Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, said the report. Read More: Hasina, Modi inaugurate ‘Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline’ to boost energy cooperation The Congress leader quoted Mahatma Gandhi in his first response following the judgement, tweeting in Hindi, "My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get it." Gandhi arrived in Surat earlier in the day for the verdict and was greeted by key Congress leaders from Gujarat. Posters glorifying him as 'Sher-e-Hindustan' (Lion of India) and banners saying that the "Congress will not bow before the dictatorship of the BJP" were displayed at various spots all over town as a show of strength and support for him. After his conviction, Rahul Gandhi received rare support from Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, who tweeted that he "disagreed" with the judgement. Read More: Tax officials search BBC's Delhi offices weeks after Modi documentary "A conspiracy is being hatched to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties by prosecuting them. We have differences with the Congress, but it is not right to implicate Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case like this. It is the job of the public and the opposition to ask questions. We respect the court but disagree with the decision," Kejriwal wrote. Rahul Gandhi had last appeared in the case before the Surat court in October 2021 to record his statement.

Officials from India’s Income Tax department began conducting searches Tuesday (February 14, 2023) at the BBC’s offices in the capital, New Delhi, three of the broadcaster’s staff members told the Associated Press. The search comes weeks after the British broadcaster released a controversial documentary that examined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role during the 2002 anti-Muslim riots. Teams from the tax department surveyed the BBC's Delhi and Mumbai offices, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, quoting officials who were not identified. Also Read: BBC film on India's PM Modi, 2002 riots draws government ire India banned the two-part documentary “India: The Modi Question” last month and authorities scrambled to halt screenings of the program and restrict clips of it on social media in a move that critics and political opponents decried as an assault on press freedom. India’s Foreign Ministry called the documentary a “propaganda piece designed to push a particularly discredited narrative” that lacked objectivity.” The BBC in a statement had said the documentary was “rigorously researched” and involved a wide range of voices and opinions. Read More: Sexual harassment, misconduct went on unchecked at Al Jazeera, staff allege: BBC investigation “We offered the Indian Government a right to reply to the matters raised in the series — it declined to respond,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday conveyed her profound condolences to the government and the people of India over the sad passing away of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar.In a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she mentioned that the people of Bangladesh mourn in solidarity with the people of India in this hour of grief. Also read: Lata Mangeshkar admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in MumbaiLata Mangeshkar, a cultural icon and a legend, was one of the most accomplished artists of all time, Hasina said, adding, “With her most extraordinary melodious voice, she sang innumerous songs in different languages, including Bangla, and touched the hearts of millions in our region and beyond. Her Bangla songs are now an integral part of the treasure trove of Bangla culture.”She recalled Lata Mangeshkar with deep respect and gratitude for her role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. “Along with her fellow Indian artistes, contributed immensely towards promoting the cause of Bangladesh among the people of India.” Also read: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar hospitalised with CovidHasina offered her prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members and millions of her fans across the world so that they have the fortitude to bear with such an irreparable loss.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for what has been heralded as Asia's largest airport -- Noida International Airport, barely 80kms from the national capital. Technically located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Bugh Nagar district bordering Delhi, the greenfield airport will be the second international airport to come up in the National Capital Region, after Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. To be developed in four phases, the airport is slated to begin flight operations in three years. "Noida International Airport will be a great model from the point of view of connectivity. Passengers will be able to use taxis, metro, rail to access Yamuna Expressway, Noida, Greater Noida, UP, Delhi and Haryana," Modi said, addressing a massive gathering at the airport site in the Jewar area of Gautam Bugh Nagar. "The airport will also have direct connectivity to the Delhi freight corridor. It will be a logistics gateway for northern India and an image of the National Gati Shakti Master Master Plan. This airport will change people's lives in the region," the Prime Minister added. Zurich AG, the company that operates Switzerland's Zurich International Airport, has been awarded the concessionaire contract to develop and operate Noida International Airport. Once operational in the first phase by 2024 with one runway, the airport would cater to 1.2 crore passengers a year. By 2040, it would be able to handle 7 crore passengers. "25th November is a major day for India's and Uttar Pradesh's strides in infra creation. This project will significantly boost commerce, connectivity and tourism," Modi tweeted before the foundation stone laying ceremony, his first public event since he announced the scrapping of the three contentious farm laws. The airport, however, has been mired in a land acquisition controversy. Some farmers have been camping in makeshift tents, barely 800kms from the airport site, claiming that they are yet to get adequate compensation from the Uttar Pradesh government for their agricultural and residential land acquired for the ambitious project. However, according to experts, the gala foundation stone laying ceremony is nothing but an attempt to showcase the development agenda of Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh before the assembly polls. "It is said that the road to Delhi passes through Uttar Pradesh. And the party that wins the majority of seats in assembly polls in the northern state stands a fair chance to form the federal government. The general elections are due in 2024," said Prof RK Sinha, a retired Delhi University professor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her 75th birthday. "Warmest good wishes on your 75th birthday! Wish you many more years of health and success in service to the people of Bangladesh," reads the message shared by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Read: Bangladesh celebrates Hasina’s 75th birthday The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka also greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "Our warmest wishes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday! Wishing her a long and prosperous life with continued success in taking Bangladesh to great heights!," said the Embassy in a message shared on its verified page. Read: Hasina’s birthday celebrated amid mass vaccination campaign Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday was celebrated on Tuesday.

A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to 20 members of Chatra Odhikar Parishad who were held for violence during a protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in last March.   Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the bail order  during a virtual hearing. The accused are- Md Younus, Najmul Hasan, Nahidul Tareque, MD Nayeen, Asaduzzaman, Azharul Islam, Sohel Mridha, Mostak Ahmed, Azim Hossain, Md Ruhul Islam Sohel, Abdullah Al Mahmud Jishan, Md Sohel Ahmed, Sheikh Khayrul Kabir, Shobuj Hossain, Golam Tanvir, Md Hemayet, Ismail Hossain, Md Rezaul Karim, Muntajul Islam and Kazi Bahauddin Monir. Read: Eminent citizens demand unconditional release of anti-Modi student protesters On March 25, a rally was held under the banner  of Chatra Adhikar Parishad at the Motijheel Shapla Chattar to protest Modi’s visit. When police tried to stop the activists from taking out a procession a clash between police and the protestors broke out. Police fired teargas shells and sound grenades at the protestors while they threw stones at them. Next day police filed a case at the Motijheel police station over the clash.

A total of 30 ambulances, now in Petrapole, will  reach  Bangladesh soon. After clearances at Benapole land custom check post, they will leave for Dhaka soon. The remaining ambulances are expected to arrive in batches by September end, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.  Read: Bangladesh shatters its own records; reports 264 single-day Covid deaths During the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on March 26-27, he had announced the gift of 109 Life Support ambulances to the Government of Bangladesh, to further enhance healthcare, especially in the shared effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

After nearly 56 years, commercial services on the restored Haldibari-Chilahati railway corridor between India and Bangladesh will resume Sunday. The revamped railway corridor was inaugurated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on December 17 last year. Read: 3 more haats to be set up along Bangladesh-India border: Tipu A freight train will make the journey to Bangladesh from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on the restored 12km corridor, the Indian Railways announced Saturday. "The first goods train to Bangladesh through the re-opened Haldibari-Chilahati rail link is being loaded with stone chips at Damdim station of Alipurduar Division, NFR. The train is scheduled to reach Chilahati (Bangladesh) on 01.08.2021," the Northeast Frontier Railway tweeted. Read: Jaishankar arrives Thursday to deepen Bangladesh-India ties The railway corridor had been lying defunct since 1965 after train links between India and then East Pakistan snapped. And once in operation, the corridor will boost bilateral trade between the two countries. While the distance between India's Haldibari Railway Station and the international border is 4.5 km, it's another 7.5 km on the Bangladesh side from the 'zero point'.

Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo on Saturday announced his retirement from Indian politics, barely a month after he was sacked as a federal Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the mega Cabinet rejig. "I'm leaving...farewell...," Supriyo wrote on Facebook. "If you want to do social work, you can do it without being in politics...let's organise myself a little first and then..." The 50-year-old country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentarian from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal's Asansol constituency, however, made it clear that he would not join any other political party. Read: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty's husband arrested "Heard everyone's words -- father, (mother) wife, daughter, two dear friends...After hearing everything, I say that I am not going to any other party - #TMC, #Congress, #CPIM, nowhere...I am a one Team Player! Have always supported one team #MohunBagan...Have backed only BJP in West Bengal...That's it...I am going..." he wrote. Supriyo joined politics -- and the BJP -- some seven years ago. He served as junior Urban Development Minister and Minister of State for Heavy Industries in the Modi government's first five-year tenure. He was made the junior Environment and Forest Minister after the BJP returned to power in 2019. Read: Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar dies Born Supriya Baral, he entered Bollywood as a playback singer in the mid-nineties and has sung for many films since then. He has also done playback singing in 11 Indian languages during his musical career. Supriyo was among 13 federal Ministers who were dropped by Prime Minister Modi in the Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month -- some of the others being then Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.