Highlights: PM Modi expresses anguish over China plane crash

"Cooperation between India and Australia increasing at rapid pace in areas of critical minerals, water management and renewable energy," PM Modi told Scott Morrison.

Screen grab from the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed shock over the plane crash in China that carried 133 passengers.

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the crash of the passenger flight MU5735 with 132 on board in China’s Guangxi. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the crash and their family members," Modi tweeted.

BJP announced on Monday that Pushkar Singh Dhami will remain the Cheif Minister of Uttarakhand for another term.

PM Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a virtual summit today (March 21) to boost bilateral ties. During the summit, Modi told Morrison that significant progress in diverse sectors has been witnessed in India-Australia ties in the last few years.

"Cooperation between India and Australia increasing at a rapid pace in areas of critical minerals, water management and renewable energy," PM Modi said.

He added, "Our collaboration reflects the commitment to free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific."

21 March 2022

22:32 PM

List of documents signed during the India-Australia virtual summit

Ministry of External Affairs on Monday released the list of documents signed during the India-Australia virtual summit. Establishment of General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme & return of artefacts by Government of Australia, announced. 

Ministry of External Affairs announces the list of documents signed during the India-Australia virtual summit.

Establishment of General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme & return of artefacts by Government of Australia, announced. pic.twitter.com/k6S9oZNJln

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

21:31 PM

Congress approves the proposal of the appointment of Anisha Bagul as the President of Mumbai Regional Mahila Congress, with immediate effect.

Congress approves the proposal of the appointment of Anisha Bagul as the President of Mumbai Regional Mahila Congress, with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/qkxxevfwdu

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

20:56 PM

China thanks PM Modi for message condoling China plane crash

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong thanks PM Modi; tweets "Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search & rescue efforts and proper settlement to the aftermath"

20:27 PM

Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulates Goa CM-delegate Pramod Sawant

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday congratulated Pramod Sawant on being elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party in Goa.

Heartiest congratulations @DrPramodPSawant ji on being elected as the leader of BJP Legislative Party in Goa.

I'm confident you will steer the beautiful State towards a new era of growth & development.

My best wishes!

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 21, 2022

20:26 PM

Sec 144 to be imposed in Kota from tomorrow in view of 'The Kashmir Files' screening

Section 144 will be imposed in Kota from tomorrow, March 22, till April 21, in view of maintaining law & order with the screening of 'The Kashmir Files', announced Kota District Collector and District Magistrate.

Rajasthan | Section 144 will be imposed in Kota from tomorrow, March 22, till April 21, in view of maintaining law & order with the screening of 'The Kashmir Files': Kota District Collector & District Magistrate pic.twitter.com/iSJXC1ud8B

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

20:21 PM

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland meets Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at Hyderabad House.

Delhi | US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland meets Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at Hyderabad House. pic.twitter.com/eoRuRXK9BO

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

20:09 PM

More time to see positive results of abrogation of Article 370 in J&K: BJP

It will take some more time to see positive results of abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, said BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.

20:04 PM

Goa CM-designate Pramod Sawant and other BJP leaders & MGP MLAs meet Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and stake claim to form the Government in the state.

20:03 PM

PM Modi expresses shock over China plane crash

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the crash of the passenger flight MU5735 with 132 on board in China’s Guangxi. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the crash and their family members," tweeted Modi.

Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the crash of the passenger flight MU5735 with 132 on board in China’s Guangxi. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the crash and their family members.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2022

19:48 PM

SC reserves order on extending time limit for claiming Covid death compensation

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its orders in the application filed by the Central government seeking a time limit for submitting claims for ex-gratia payment from authorities on the death of kin due to Covid-19 and also seeking measures to monitor fake claims.

19:12 PM

Threat of Omicron not gone: Joint Health Secretary

The threat of the Omicron variant has not gone away from India, but we have been able to successfully manage as high as 23 times better than the world's overall management of Covid-19 when it comes to saving precious lives, said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, MoHFW.

19:10 PM

CDS General Bipin Rawat posthumously honoured with Padma Vibhushan

CDS General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year, was honoured with Padma Vibhushan posthumously.

His daughter received the award.

CDS General Bipin Rawat honoured with Padma Vibhushan posthumously, his daughters receive award

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/93e0UH4cQv#cdsbipinrawat #padmaawards pic.twitter.com/0HKWpTw6FJ

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 21, 2022

18:02 PM

Union Cabinet approves continuation of National AIDS & STD Control Programme

Union Cabinet on Monday approved the continuation of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme, Phase-V from 1st April'21 to 31st March'26. Annual new HIV infections in India has declined by 48% against the global average of 31% and annual AIDS-related deaths declined by 82% against the global average of 42%

17:48 PM

Swami Sivananda receives Padma Shri award

Swami Sivananda on Monday received the Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind, for his contribution in the field of Yoga.

#WATCH Swami Sivananda receives Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind, for his contribution in the field of Yoga. pic.twitter.com/fMcClzmNye

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

17:47 PM

Pushkar Singh Dhami elected as new Uttarakhand CM

Pushkar Singh Dhami has been elected as the Leader of the Legislative Party. This will be his second term in the office.

I congratulate him, I am confident that under his leadership Uttarakhand will make rapid progressRajnath Singh, Defence Minister and BJP's central observer for Uttarakhand, in Dehradun

17:17 PM

We'll not be silent, will take up agitation: Telangana CM KCR

We'll not be silent, will take up the agitation. We'll fight till we get a 100% procurement order. I had earlier told that BJP seats will come down in UP, that has happened. We demand centres to buy crops through MSP, you buy paddy & pay MSP as you are doing in Punjab, said KCR.

We are demanding the centre to buy the Yasangi crop. Our ministers will go to Delhi tomorrow to ask the centre for the same. The food sector is an important sector in India. There has to be a uniform food grain policy in the country, he added.

17:15 PM

Ghulam Nabi Azad receives his Padma Bhushan award

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday received his Padma Bhushan award, in the field of Public Affairs.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad receives his Padma Bhushan award, in the field of Public Affairs pic.twitter.com/Y5BGatts4q

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

16:57 PM

Bhagwant Mann keeps the Punjab Home ministry

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has kept the Home Dept of the state. Harpal Cheema was appointed as the state's Finance Minister, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer was appointed as Education Minister, Dr Vijay Singla was appointed as the Health Minister, Harjot S Bains appointed as the Law and Tourism Minister.

16:47 PM

PM Narendra Modi congratulates N Biren Singh on being sworn-in as Manipur CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated N Biren Singh on being sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Manipur.

"I am confident his team and he would take Manipur to newer heights of progress and continue the good work done in the last five years," tweeted Modi.

16:44 PM

Pramod Sawant reaches BJP office, ahead of BJP's legislature party meeting

Caretaker CM Pramod Sawant reached the party office, ahead of BJP's legislature party meeting on Monday.

Goa | Caretaker CM Pramod Sawant reach party office, ahead of BJP's legislature party meeting today. pic.twitter.com/aGOD1tMHB7

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

16:23 PM

Kultar Singh Sandhwan is the new Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Kultar Singh Sandhwan was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann proposed the name of Sandhwan as the Speaker which was seconded by Cabinet Minister Harpal Cheema, announced Punjab CMO.

16:19 PM

Punjab ministers declare criminal cases against themselves

Seven of 11 newly sworn-in ministers in Punjab have declared criminal cases against themselves, with 4 of them facing serious charges, said Poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms.

16:13 PM

First step is to make Manipur corruption-free: N Biren Singh

My Government's first step will be to make it a corruption-free state. I would work day and night to wash out corruption from the state. The next step will be to wash out any kind of drug-related matter from the state, Manipur CM N Biren Singh told ANI in Imphal.

16:01 PM

BJP Uttarakhand Legislative meeting on March 23

BJP's central observers for Uttarakhand, Rajnath Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, and state’s poll affairs in-charge Pralhad Joshi reach Dehradun to attend the meeting of the party's newly-elected MLAs to decide the name of the next CM.

16:01 PM

J&K Lt Gov Manoj Sinha meets MBBS students returned from Ukraine

J&K Lt Gov Manoj Sinha met MBBS students of the UT who have returned from Ukraine, at Jammu Raj Bhawan. He assured the students that GoI & UT govt is deeply concerned about their future & working on a policy so they can complete their studies in the country.

15:36 PM

Chargesheet filed against accused, scientist Bharat Bhushan Kataria in the case of a low-intensity explosion at Rohini Court Complex in December last year.

15:31 PM

N Biren Singh becomes Manipur CM

BJP's N Biren Singh took oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur in Imphal on Monday

15:17 PM

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa resigns from Rajya Sabha membership

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday resigned from the membership of Rajya Sabha after being elected to the Punjab State Assembly in the recently concluded state elections.

15:06 PM

BJP Goa Legislative Party meeting to begin shortly

The BJP Legislative Party meeting will be held today at 4 pm. The name of Goa CM will be decided unanimously in the meeting, said Narendra Singh Tomar, BJP Central observer.

15:04 PM

UP among 3 poorest states in India: Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh is among 3 poorest states in India as per Niti Aayog's multidimensional poverty index (MPI) ranking, says Akhilesh Yadav attacking the BJP govt.

13:13 PM

Former Punjab CM meets present Chief Minister

Punjab's former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi today met and congratulated the state's new CM Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh.

Punjab's former CM Charanjit Singh Channi met and congratulated the state's new CM Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh earlier today. pic.twitter.com/08jZlb4t85

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

13:07 PM

PM Modi thanks Morrison for returning Indian antiquities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for repatriating 29 antiquities to India. 

"I thank you for the initiative to return the Indian antiquities. Antiquities sent by you include hundreds of years old artefacts and photos that were illegally taken out of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and other states. On behalf of all Indians, I thank you," PM Modi told Morrison during the India-Australi second virtual summit.

Celebrating the Cultural Glory of Ancient India! PM @narendramodi inspects 29 antiquities that have been repatriated to India by Australia. #BringingOurGodsHome pic.twitter.com/A0wAyHWrYf

— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) March 21, 2022

The 29 antiquities inspected by PM Modi, primarily sculptures and paintings executed in a variety of materials - sandstone, marble, bronze, brass, paper, represent a large Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal: PMO pic.twitter.com/0zG6Z0g7Rv

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2022

13:04 PM

PM Modi-Australian PM Scott Morrison hold virtual summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison held a second virtual summit.

"In the past few years, our relations have seen remarkable growth. Trade and investment, defence and security, education and innovation, science and technology - in all these sectors we've very close cooperation," PM Modi told Morrison.

My remarks at the India-Australia virtual summit with PM @ScottMorrisonMP https://t.co/TLBmappqgI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2022

12:01 PM

AAP MLA Kultar Sandhwan becomes Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker

Two-time Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kultar Singh Sandwan has been unanimously elected as Speaker of the 16th Punjab Legislative Assembly. Sandhwan's name was proposed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the House.

Sandhwan, 46, won from the Kotkapura assembly seat after defeating Congress candidate Ajaipal Singh Sandhu by a margin of 21,130 votes in the Punjab Assembly polls. He is the grandnephew of former President Giani Zail Singh and succeeds former Speaker Rana K P Singh.

11:57 AM

Uttarakhand's newly-elected MLAs sworn in as members of Legislative Assembly

Uttarakhand's newly-elected MLAs have taken the oath of office at a ceremony that took place at the Uttarakhand Assembly in Dehradun. The MLAs were administered the oath of office and secrecy by protem speaker Banshidhar Bhagat. 

Dehradun | Uttarakhand's newly-elected MLAs swearing-in as members of the Legislative Assembly

MLAs administered the oath of office and secrecy by protem speaker, Bansidhar Bhagat. pic.twitter.com/QvPoB0Wxij

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 21, 2022

Earlier in the day, Banshidhar Bhagat was also sworn in as the protem speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly. The oath of office was administered by Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh at a function at Raj Bhawan which was attended by caretaker chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary SS Sandhu, Principal Secretary Ananad Vardhan and secretary to the governor, Ranjit Kumar Sinha.

11:00 AM

AAP to nominate Harbhajan Singh to Rajya Sabha

The Aam Aadmi Party will nominate cricketer Harbhajan Singh to Rajya Sabha from Punjab. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party will also nominate Delhi MLA Raghav Chadha and Dr Sandeep Pathak to the upper house from Punjab.

10:47 AM

PM Modi-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to hold virtual summit shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison will hold a virtual summit shortly. During the summit, the two leaders will take stock of progress made on various initiatives under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

"The virtual summit will lay the way forward on new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors between India and Australia. The leaders are expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility, and education, among others," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

At 1230 IST today,PM @narendramodi & Australian PM @ScottMorrisonMP will hold the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit.

Our relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 1st Virtual Summit in Jun’20. Join us for a brief look at our transformed ties. pic.twitter.com/kzX5Jur2ne

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 21, 2022

10:34 AM

Qatar Airways flight from Delhi diverted to Pakistan's Karachi

A Qatar Airways flight QR579 from Delhi to Doha has been diverted to Karachi after having declared an emergency due to the indication of smoke detected in the cargo hold.

"Aircraft landed safely in Karachi where it was met by emergency services and passengers disembarked," Qatar Airways said in a statement.

"The incident is currently under investigation and a relief flight is being arranged to transport passengers onwards to Doha. We apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers who will be assisted with their onward travel plans," the carrier added.

10:32 AM

Biren Singh to take oath as Manipur CM for a second term today

N Biren Singh, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader who was unanimously elected leader of the legislature party in Manipur on Sunday, will take oath as Chief Minister of the state for a second term today (March 21) at 3 pm.

The BJP retained power in the northeastern state by winning an absolute majority with 32 seats in the 60-member House in the recently concluded Assembly polls.