Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been released from jail after being granted bail over alleged war crimes. The Victoria Cross recipient and former corporal in Australia's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment was taken into custody last week
India's smartphone shipments fell 3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, marking their weakest quarterly performance in six years as cost pressures, price hikes and soft demand weighed on sales, said on Friday.Over 80 smartphone models saw average price hikes of 15%
Charlie Kirk murder accused pushes to ban cameras from court, says live broadcasts violate his right to fair trialTyler Robinson is due in court Friday as his attorneys press their claims that biased coverage is tainting potential jurors in his aggravated murder case. Published on: Apr 17
SpiceJet flight clips Akasa plane at Delhi airport; probe orderedThe incident occurred around 2.15pm near Terminal 1 in IGI. Updated on: Apr 17, 2026 1:52 PM IST By Jasjeev Gandhiok Share via Copy link Two aircraft — operated by SpiceJet and Akasa — clipped wings while taxiing at Delhi’s
Theegala gets off to a good start at RBC HeritageTheegala gets off to a good start at RBC Heritage Published on: Apr 17, 2026 12:46 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Hilton Head Island , Sahith Theegala started his week at the RBC Heritage with an opening round of 2-under 69 and was placed T-27 on the
The Supreme Court on Friday declined Congress leader Pawan Khera’s petition to vacate a stay on a Telangana High Court order granting him transit anticipatory bail in a case registered by the Assam Police, Live Law reported. A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar also
The Centre’s proposal to expand the Lok Sabha and carry out a fresh delimitation exercise has triggered an intense political and constitutional debate, particularly around its potential impact on southern states. At the centre of the discussion is whether the proposed expansion will maintain the
A heartwarming video of a father intently reading his son’s job offer letter from Amazon has gone viral on social media, touching thousands with its simple display of pride and sacrifice. The now viral video, which has been widely shared and praised for its authenticity
What Putin and Modi got out of Delhi meeting
What Putin and Modi got out of Delhi meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin will wind up a packed day in India at the place where he began his official engagements - with a banquet at the president's house, where he received a guard of honour in the morning.
In between, he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended a business forum and announced the launch of Russia Today, a Kremlin-funded state-controlled TV network.
The Russian leader has faced diplomatic isolation since the Ukraine war began in 2022 and the red carpet laid down by Delhi would have sent a strong message to the West.
But what exactly did Delhi and Moscow get out of the visit? Here's our take:
By Steve Rosenberg
First, about the welcome Vladimir Putin received.
The Russians loved it.
A cavalcade, volleys of cannons and a marble throne room," wrote the ultra pro-Kremlin news site Komsomolskaya Pravda on Friday. "How Vladimir Putin was greeted in an Indian palace with 340 rooms.
So much for Western efforts to turn President Putin into a pariah for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
When it comes to deals done, there are fewer of those than rooms in the palace.
But still enough for Russia and India to be able to trumpet their "special and privileged strategic partnership" and for President Putin to hail efforts to expand cooperation.
Agreements like the Russia-India economic cooperation programme.
An agreement involving critical minerals and supply chains.
Pharmaceuticals, too. A Russian-Indian pharmaceutical factory will be built in Russia's Kaluga region.
But what about the most talked about - and sensitive - issues?
First, oil.
India has been buying large volumes of Russian oil. These purchases have been a major support for Russia's sanctioned economy.
Much to the annoyance of America. It accuses India of helping to finance the Kremlin's war chest. So, through heavy tariffs on Indian goods, the Trump administration has been exerting pressure on Delhi to stop purchasing Russian energy.
On Friday, Putin emphasised that Moscow is ready to ensure uninterrupted oil supplies to India.
But no details have been announced. It feels like the ball is in India's court to decide what comes next.
Then there's the question of Russian weapons and defence systems.
Ahead of Putin's visit, there was much speculation: Is India about to purchase state-of-the-art Russian fighter jets and air defence systems?
No defence deal was announced.
That may be a sign of the balancing act India has to perform - between its relationship with Moscow and ties with Washington.
On Friday, all eyes were on the pomp and ceremony (and palaces) and deals done and announced.
But I'd love to know what was discussed last night in what the Russians are calling the "informal dinner" between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi.
According to Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, that was "one of the key points of the visit".
Ushakov told the Russian government paper Rossiyskaya Gazeta that "during such confidential face-to-face contacts, the most urgent, most sensitive and most important issues of both bilateral relations and the international situation are discussed".
Politics is made at these kind of meetings.
By Vikas Pandey
The visit was high on optics - it all started with the famous Modi hug at the airport. It's not usual for the Indian prime minister to receive global leaders at the airport but he did that for Putin.
That shows how much Modi values India's time-tested partnership with Russia, as well as his bonhomie with Putin.
But the pomp and show of big ceremonies didn't result in big deals. There was no major defence deal, or an agreement to enable India to continue importing discounted Russian crude.
After the ceremonies, it was time for the leaders to give their remarks.
As they read out their statements, what stood out first was the conspicuous display of mutual respect. The second was the absence of any blockbuster announcement.
But what became clearer from their remarks was that trade was at the epicentre of this visit.
Russia is reeling under Western sanctions and India is facing 50% tariffs from Washington.
They both need alternative markets to boost their economies. Both countries see each other as big markets and there also seems to be an understanding that their economic partnership has underperformed for decades.
Their current trade volume of $68.72bn, up from $8.1bn in 2020, has hugely relied on India's purchase of discounted Russian oil.
Russia would like this to continue but when Putin said that Moscow was ready to continue "uninterrupted shipments" of fuel, it was a gentle nudge to Modi and India to not give into the White House's demands.
India is under pressure from Trump to stop buying oil from Russia. Now it will be interesting to see how Modi manages to achieve the impossible - that is to continue buying oil from Russia and get a trade deal with Trump at the same time.
But beyond defence and oil, the two countries announced many deals in other sectors.
Deals and memorandums have been signed in shipbuilding, training of Indian seafarers to operate in polar waters, investments in new shipping lanes, civil nuclear energy, visa-free travel and critical minerals.
Modi stressed a lot on boosting business ties between the two countries which reflects India's quest to find newer markets.
He also mentioned the progress made in concluding India's potential free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
When concluded, the deal will enable Russia, India and other members to explore each other's markets.
The leaders also spoke about a five-year economic framework that will enable the two countries to reach their target of $100bn in bilateral trade.
It's an ambitious target, especially if discounted oil is taken out of the equation. And that could be the reason why there was so much stress on boosting bilateral trade in many different areas.
And finally, the absence of a big-ticket defence deal doesn't limit Russia's role in Indian armed forces. Moscow will continue to be the most important player for India's defence needs, as it has been for decades.
What is worth noting is that India hasn't said much publicly about its intention to buy the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, which it needs to fill critical gaps in its air force.
What India might have demanded is the timely delivery of its defence orders. The delivery of the remaining units of its current order of the S-400 air defence system is running late.
But that's something Russia might find hard to promise, given that vast amounts of its defence resources are being spent in Ukraine at the moment.
That, however, doesn't mean that their negotiations about the jet or other major defence deals are not continuing in the background.
It's just that this visit seems to be all about trade.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Russian President Vladimir Putin Likely To Visit India At The End Of August Vladimir Putin Terms EU's Attempts To Seize Russian Assets As 'Robbery' When was Vladimir Putin’s last visit to India Vladimir Putin in India Vladimir Putin to visit India on December 4 Kremlin says Vladimir Medinsky to lead Russian delegation at Ukraine peace talks in Geneva from February 17 The real collusion between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Did Trump tell Vladimir Putin about Iran strikes in advance Donald Trump’s gift to Vladimir Putin Trump says ‘major point of contention’ in Vladimir Putin Alaska meeting was
Gold rate today: Prices fall amid US war on Iran, 24K at ₹1.53 lakh; check latest rates in your cityOver the past week, 24-carat gold has eased by 0.41%, while it is down 5.74% over the past month. Updated on: Apr 17, 2026 12:29 PM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link Gold prices declined on
6 hours ago
A 10-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Thursday (April 16, 2026), as U.S. President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries. The truce, which Mr
6 hours ago
Vivo Y600 Pro has been officially teased in China, with the brand revealing key details about its design and positioning. The most interesting aspect of this phone is that it will pack the largest battery ever seen on a Vivo phone. Here’s a look at what to expect from it
6 hours ago
China is using social media platforms like Douyin to spread messages from Taiwanese opposition figures. These clips are then shared on platforms popular in Taiwan, aiming to discredit President Lai Ching-te's government. The campaign seeks to weaken Taiwan's resolve and discourage defense spending
6 hours ago
Nearly 20% of the 1,478 candidates contesting the first phase of the West Bengal polls are crorepatis, with a significant share belonging to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), while the poorest candidate has declared assets of just ₹500, according to an analysis of poll affidavits
6 hours ago
The round of job losses, the biggest at the BBC since 2011, is being set in motion before the former top Google executive Matt Brittin takes over as director general next month. BBC Layoffs: UK media giant British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Wednesday announced that it has planned to axe as
6 hours ago
A new space race is unfolding as the United States and China compete for lunar dominance. Both nations are pushing for crewed Moon landings, with the US Artemis program and China's 2030 goal. They are also vying to set the rules for future lunar governance
6 hours ago
The 2026 Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid has been launched at Rs 76,500 for the base model(drum), and the top variant(disc) will set you back by Rs 95,200. The new updates include newly sculpted tail section, redesigned taillights, flashers, and distinctive V‑iconic taillight design
6 hours ago
A viral video showing Donald Trump handing a $100 tip to a DoorDash delivery worker inside the White House has taken over social media, but even he now admits it didn’t quite land the way it was meant to. Speaking at a roundtable in Las Vegas, Trump addressed the moment directly
6 hours ago
'The camel dreams of cottonseed...': Iran mocks Trump's peace deal claimsThe Iran state media also shared a Persian proverb: "The camel dreams of cottonseed; sometimes gulping it down, sometimes eating it grain by grain" Updated on: Apr 17, 2026 12:29 PM IST By Karishma Ayaldasani Share via Copy
6 hours ago
Chinese carmaker Seres has been granted a patent for what it calls an "in-vehicle toilet" that slides under a passenger's seat for visits to the loo while on the road. The feature is meant to "satisfy users' toilet needs on long journeys, while camping or while staying in the car"
6 hours ago
Chennai's Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency sees a key contest between Udhayanidhi Stalin and Adhi Rajaram. Stalin seeks re-election from this DMK stronghold. Rajaram aims to end the DMK's dominance and promises development. Other candidates are also in the fray
6 hours ago
Clashes erupted between police personnel and protesters in Manipur’s Imphal West district after thousands defied orders prohibiting public gatherings to take out a torch rally against a recent attack that killed two children, India Today NE reported
6 hours ago
The Supreme Court on Friday (April 17, 2026) cautioned the Madhya Pradesh government that it would order the deployment of paramilitary forces to curb rampant illegal sand mining in the ecologically fragile and protected National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary if the State failed to initiate prosecution
6 hours ago
India has entered summer, and some parts of the country are already facing harsh weather conditions. The heat of the summer season is slowly but surely getting unbearable. When the mercury crosses 40°C, which has been predicted to happen this month
6 hours ago
World Athletics on Thursday rejected applications from 11 elite athletes seeking to transfer their allegiance to Turkey, dealing a major blow to the country’s medal prospects at the 2028 Olympics. Four leading Jamaicans, including 2024 Olympic men’s discus gold medallist Roje Stona
6 hours ago
The Indian rupee gains against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by easing geopolitical tensions, positive domestic equity markets and fresh foreign fund inflows. The Indian rupee strengthened by 39 paise to 92.75 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday
6 hours ago
India has slipped from the world’s fifth-largest economy to sixth place in 2025, according to the latest International Monetary Fund estimates, even as it continues to remain the fastest-growing major economy globally. The decline in ranking is not because India’s economy shrank in real terms
6 hours ago
Viral video shows Hyderabad security guard working under mosquito net at night, raises questions on dignity of labourA Hyderabad security guard was seen sitting under a mosquito net on night duty, sparking debate over poor working conditions and lack of basic facilities. Published on: Apr 17
6 hours ago
Alia Bhatt's sister Shaheen Bhatt gets engaged to boyfriend Ishaan Mehra, actor says she is ‘currently weeping’Shaheen Bhatt announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Ishaan Mehra, on Instagram. Check out how Alia Bhatt reacted. Apr 17, 2026
6 hours ago
As India’s AI ecosystem moves from experimentation to execution, the need to recognise real, measurable innovation has become critical. The ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026 is designed to evaluate AI products based on architecture, deployment, and business impact across startups, SMEs
6 hours ago
Google Gemini now uses Photos to understand your taste and create custom imagesGoogle adds Personal Intelligence to Gemini, letting it auto-use Google Photos to create personalised AI images without manual uploads or detailed prompts. Updated on: Apr 17
6 hours ago
Shruti Haasan looks stunning in a crimson cocktail saree as she poses with a suited Kamal Haasan at INCA Awards 2026The father and daughter turned heads on the red carpet as they posed in dapper outfits. Here's a closer look at what Shruti Haasan and Kamal Haasan wore. Updated on: Apr 17
6 hours ago
, India’s fourth-largest software services exporter, reported a decline in attrition to 13.8% from 14.2% in the fourth quarter on Thursday.After a net addition of 6,529 employees in the December quarter, the company added only 136 staff between January and March, taking its total headcount to 242
6 hours ago
IGPL South Africa: Red-hot Mane fires flawless 64 to take six-shot leadIGPL South Africa: Red-hot Mane fires flawless 64 to take six-shot lead Updated on: Apr 17, 2026 1:58 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Johannesburg, Continuing his red-hot form
6 hours ago
In 2025, Alia Bhatt’s sister, Shaheen Bhatt, made her relationship with fitness coach Ishaan Mehra Instagram official. Since then, the duo has been giving major couples on social media. Interestingly, the couple is now engaged. On April 17, Shaheen took to social media and shared a series of
6 hours ago
Brent crude slipped toward $98 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $93, partially reversing previous session’s sharp gains Oil prices eased after US President Donald Trump struck a more optimistic tone on the prospects of a lasting ceasefire with Iran
6 hours ago
