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Modi-Shah-Jaitley troika meet to discuss economy, strategy to counter attacks over slowdown

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The meeting at Prime Minister’s 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence comes a day after he lashed out at his critics and said economy was on the right track

A day after he criticised the “handful of people” who have been critical of his government’s economic policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is finally meeting with Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and BJP national president Amit Shah ostensibly to discuss the economy.

The meeting, currently underway at the Prime Minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence, comes in the backdrop of mounting criticism of Jaitley’s inability to stabilize the economy and scathing attacks by BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie directed at the PM and his finance minister over demonetisation and a hasty GST rollout.

That the Prime Minister could summon Jaitley and Shah to discuss ways of changing the perception of an impending doom in the Indian economy and effectively countering claims made by critics – especially by BJP insiders – over the economic slowdown, was a foregone conclusion.

However, what will be interesting to look out for is the result of Thursday’s meeting of the Modi-Shah-Jaitley troika, which former Union minister and BJP veteran Arun Shourie has repeatedly derided as the “government of two and a half persons”.

The importance of the meeting can be gauged by the fact that Shah had to cut short his three-day tour of Kerala and Karnataka to reach New Delhi on Thursday for the discussions with Modi and Jaitley.

Sources said that the meeting has two key agendas – discuss ways of changing the narrative over the fledgling economy and offset the political damage that the BJP is likely to face if the Opposition and more leaders from within the BJP-RSS saffron parivar continue with stinging criticism of the Centre – Modi and Jaitley in particular – over flawed economic policies.

While no immediate clarity is expected on measures that the government would undertake, it is likely that Jaitley’s ministry could fasten the pace of announcing a stimulus package for economic revival.

The meeting is taking place a day after Modi was forced to personally counter the criticism being hurled at his government for its perceived failure to sustain India’s economic growth, create jobs and deliver on its tall poll promises of putting the country on an unprecedented upward growth trajectory.

Addressing a meeting of Company Secretaries, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on Wednesday that a “handful of people” were trying to spread a wave of pessimism and despair based on the slowdown experienced during just a quarter – a reference to the GDP growth rate hitting a three-year low of 5.7 per cent.

“I will not jeopardise the future of the country for my present gains,” Modi had said, while adding: “There are some people who sleep well only after they spread a feeling of pessimism. We need to recognise such people”.

However, even though the Prime Minister tried hard to project as if all was well with the economy and that India’s growth story was still on the right track despite evidence to the contrary, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had already punctured Modi’s claims a few hours before his address to the Company Secretaries by reducing India’s growth projections for this fiscal from 7.3 per cent to 6.7 per cent.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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