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Adar Poonawalla’s Serum Institute to invest 240 mn pounds in UK to set up vaccine plant

SII has also begun phase one trials of a one-dose nasal vaccine for Covid-19 in the United Kingdom. The announcement of setting up a new facility in Britain comes ahead of virtual talks between Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

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The Serum Institute of India, the largest vaccine maker in the world is all set to invest in facilities in the United Kingdom and could even manufacture vaccines in the UK by setting new production plants in future, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

Boris Johnson’s Downing Street office said the 240 million Great British Pounds (334 million dollars) project would innclude a sales office, research and development, clinical trials, and possibly manufacturing of vaccines. Johnson’s office also said the vaccine maker’s plans were a part of trade and investment deals with India worth $1 billion that it expects to create over 6,500 jobs.

SII has also begun phase one trials of a one-dose nasal vaccine for Covid-19 in the United Kingdom. The announcement of setting up a new facility in Britain comes ahead of virtual talks between Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

This comes at a time when India is grappling with the unprecedented second wave of Covid-19 pandemic and the country’s vaccine needs are immediate.

With its massive population and growing economy, India has been high on London’s list of trade deal targets since Britain withdrew from the European Union last year. But a prevailing Covid-19 situation in India has left the health system in splits with ongoing oxygen shortage, hospitals running out of beds and ventilators, forcing Johnson to shelve a planned visit this month.

Before the current wave of Covid-19, India was exporting tens of millions of SII-made AstraZeneca shots via through the Covax scheme supplying poorer countries. Last month New Delhi froze exports to prioritise jabs at home.

Britain said Sunday it was sending an extra 1,000 oxygen ventilators to India, having already sent 495 oxygen concentrators, 200 ventilators and three larger production units dubbed oxygen factories.

Poonawalla attracted criticism for heading to London just before Britain put India on a red list of banned countries.

Read Also: IPL 2021 likely to move to Mumbai from May 7

In an interview with a British daily, Poonawalla said he had joined his wife and children in Britain because highly-placed Indians were pressuring him to provide them with jabs first. However, he said he is heading back to India.

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PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

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