Karnataka LIVE Updates: CM Siddaramaiah says Shah to take up matter with food ministry

11:13 (IST)

Karnataka LIVE Updates

Rice supply to Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah says Shah to take up matter with food ministry

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that he will take up the matter of delivering rice to Karnataka for its 'Anna Bhagya' plan with the Ministry of Food.

On Wednesday night, Siddaramaiah met with Shah and discussed the problem of food supply to the state for its plan, which distributes an additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families.

"I have brought to his (Shah) notice that FCI had agreed to supply rice to the state and even issued a letter. However, the same was denied the next day. It looks like the issue was politicised. I have said that we should not indulge in the politics of enmity," Siddaramaiah told reporters here before leaving for Bengaluru.

Shah has told him that he will discuss the matter with the relevant government and get back to him.

In addition to the rice issue, the chief minister requested that the Union Home Minister allocate two battalions of the Indian Reserve Police to the state.

10:53 (IST)

China Gas Leak Explosion LIVE Updates

31 killed in massive explosion at barbecue restaurant in China

According to government media, at least 31 people were murdered and seven more were injured when a major cooking gas explosion blasted through a barbecue restaurant in northern China on Thursday.

The explosion occurred about 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday on a popular street in Yinchuan's Xingqing District, caused by a leak of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the working area of a barbecue restaurant, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The explosion killed 38 people, with 31 confirmed dead, and seven others, including one in critical condition, needing medical care, according to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee of the governing Communist Party of China (CPC).

10:40 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

PM Modi thanks US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden for hosting him at White House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting him at the White House on Wednesday (local time). PM Modi stated that they had a "great conversation" on a variety of topics.

I thank @POTUS @JoeBiden and @FLOTUS @DrBiden for hosting me at the White House today. We had a great conversation on several subjects. pic.twitter.com/AUahgV6ebM— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023

10:27 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

India's PM Modi to join Biden in rare press conference, questions limited

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give comments and accept questions from media during the Indian leader's state visit, which a senior White House source described as a "big deal."

Aside from the occasional interview, Modi seldom takes questions from the media. He has not given a single news conference in India since taking office over nine years ago. He gave a news conference in May 2019 but never accepted questions.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the White House understands the press conference is a "big deal."

"We are just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is participating in a press event at the end of the visit," Kirby said. "We think that's important and we're glad he thinks that's important too."

The format of the press conference will include one question from the U.S. press and one from an Indian journalist, Kirby said.

09:57 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

PM Modi gifts sandalwood box, green diamond to US President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first state visit to the United States, presented a handcrafted sandalwood box with 'das danam' to US President Joe Biden and a lab-grown green diamond to First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday (local time).

The presents were exchanged at the White House at a private dinner given by Joe and Jill Biden for Prime Minister Modi.

A master artisan from Jaipur, Rajasthan, constructed the exquisite sandalwood box handed to US President Joe Biden. Officials claimed the sandalwood from Mysore, Karnataka, features elaborately carved flora and animal motifs.

The box contains a silver statue of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu deity revered as the remover of obstacles and the most revered of all gods. The idol was created by a fifth-generation silversmith family from Kolkata.

PM Modi gifts sandalwood box with 'Das Danam' to President Biden, lab-grown 7.5 Carat green diamond to US First Lady #FPWorld pic.twitter.com/KuLIUwjNwF— Firstpost (@firstpost) June 22, 2023

09:04 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

"I believe it's India's time to shine": CEO of Applied Materials after meeting PM Modi

Gary E. Dickerson, President and CEO of Applied Materials, stated after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it is India's moment to drive tremendous progress and shine.

Dickerson said, "I deeply believe this is India's time to shine. We will be announcing soon an innovation centre in India that will focus on innovation in equipment. We have very high confidence that working together with India, we can create tremendous success."

Recognising India as a reliable partner, he praised the country's remarkable ability, which is valued by many countries across the world.

08:43 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

Congress takes dig at PM Modi

The Congress Party has mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi's bust at the United Nations headquarters.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that despite Prachar Mantri's "maximum hypocrisy, minimum sincerity" and efforts to legitimise the Godse ideology, Gandhiji will continue to inspire us to fight to save the Republic, preserve the Constitution, and protect democratic institutions, values, and modes of governance.

He made the remarks while responding to a tweet by the Prime Minister Modi.

08:32 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

After years of strengthening ties, US-India partnership deep, expansive, says Jill Biden

According to First Lady Jill Biden, the US-India cooperation is deep and expansive following years of deepening ties as the two countries cooperatively confront global concerns.

She also gave the journalists a sneak peek at the cuisine for the State Dinner she and US President Joe Biden are hosting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"With this official State Visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and the world's largest democracies," Jill Biden said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and the First Lady.

Jill Biden said that "after years of strengthening ties, the US-India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges. But our relationship isn't only about governments".

07:40 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

PM Modi receives warm welcome by members of Indian diaspora in Washington DC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted warmly at the Hotel Intercontinental Willard in Washington, DC.

As cries of 'Vande Mataram' resonated across the neighbourhood, the Indian diaspora greeted him.

Read More

07:38 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

PM Modi invites Micron to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged American chipmaker Micron Technology to expand semiconductor production in India, citing the country's competitive advantages across the product's supply chain.

He also invited Applied Materials to India to work on process technologies and sophisticated packaging.

Modi emphasised the possibility of the company's partnership with academic institutions in India to generate a competent workforce during his meeting here with President and CEO of Applied Materials Gary E Dickerson.

"The prime minister invited Micron Technology to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India," a ministry of external affairs statement said.

07:34 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

Modi invites US students to India

During his first official visit to Washington, D.C., Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited American students to study in India while having a meeting with First Lady Jill Biden.

Hundreds of US professors are already in India as part of a technology relationship, according to Modi.

07:33 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

Modi flexes India’s cultural reach on Yoga Day

Praising yoga as "a way of life," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did postures ranging from cobra to corpse in front of a global gathering at the United Nations headquarters on Wednesday, kicking off the public phase of his tour to the United States.

Modi paused and bowed to a statue of the slain Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi before making a few brief words about how yoga was an all-ages, portable practise open to all religions and cultures. A checkerboard of made-in-India yoga mats covered the U.N.'s expansive north lawn.

“It is a very old tradition, but like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic,” Modi said. “Yoga is truly universal."

07:23 (IST)

PM Modi in US LIVE Updates

Modi accorded ceremonial welcome, guard of honour upon arriving at Washington

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was met with a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC, despite the rain.

To commemorate his arrival, the national anthems of both nations were played at the airbase. PM Modi was presented with a bouquet by two young children.