

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, on becoming Thailand's new prime minister and expresses his eagerness to work with her to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. This comes after her Royal endorsement and election by Parliament following a court decision to remove her predecessor. Under the leadership of another Shinawatra, India and Thailand can expect to build upon their strong foundations of cultural, civilisational and people-to-people ties.
India-Thailand Relations Flourish Under New Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, following her election as Thailand's new Prime Minister. This marks a significant milestone in India-Thailand relations and opens up new avenues for further cooperation between the two nations.
Background:
Thailand and India have enjoyed a long and historic relationship dating back centuries. Both countries are active members of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). India is Thailand's fourth-largest trading partner, and Thailand is India's fifth-largest trading partner in ASEAN.
New Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra:
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the youngest prime minister in Thai history at the age of 47. She is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former Thai Prime Minister who was deposed in a coup in 2006. She is a member of the Pheu Thai Party, which has won the majority of seats in Parliament in the 2023 general election.
PM Modi's Congratulations:
In a statement, PM Modi said, "I congratulate Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her election as Prime Minister of Thailand. India and Thailand share a strong cultural and historical bond, and I look forward to working with Prime Minister Shinawatra to further strengthen our close ties."
Areas of Cooperation:
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinawatra, India and Thailand are expected to enhance cooperation in the following areas:
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra? She is the daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the newly elected Prime Minister of Thailand.
2. What is her political affiliation? She is a member of the Pheu Thai Party, which won the majority of seats in the recent parliamentary election.
3. What are her goals as Prime Minister? Her goals include strengthening the economy, improving infrastructure, and promoting social welfare.
4. How does her election impact India-Thailand relations? It is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues for cooperation.
5. What is the significance of the Shinawatra family in Thai politics? The Shinawatra family has been influential in Thai politics for decades, with Thaksin Shinawatra serving as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first election rally in Bihar and expressed confidence in winning the upcoming polls. He mocked the opposition INDIA bloc and praised the unity within NDA, highlighting leaders like Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha. Modi also criticized the 'jungle raj' under RJD and Congress and highlighted Bihar's progress under Nitish Kumar's tenure. Despite the upcoming Chhath festival, the PM thanked the crowd for attending and described the recent GST rate revision as a 'festival of savings'.

The suspension of Praveen Kumar K P, a PDO serving in Sirwar taluk of Raichur district, for participating in an RSS rally has sparked controversy in Karnataka. BJP leaders have condemned the move and promised to fight it legally, claiming that the officer's right to participate in such events is protected by law. Meanwhile, the state's Rural Development Minister has written to the Chief Minister for a ban on RSS activities on government premises, further intensifying the issue.

In a heated verbal exchange, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil accused NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal of attempting to create a rift between the OBC and Maratha communities for political gain. During a recent OBC rally in Beed, Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde attacked Jarange, with Pankaja Munde, a BJP OBC leader, watching from the sidelines. Jarange also praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Pankaja Munde for staying away from the rally and emphasized the unity of the OBC community. Bhujbal, on the other hand, warned Jarange against challenging the community's rights and vowed to stand up against any attempts to divide them.

On the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav transferred a total of 44,900 crore directly into the bank accounts of 1.27 crore women beneficiaries under the Ladli Bahna Yojana. This initiative aims to support and empower women in the state, with each eligible woman set to receive 1,500 per month from November onwards. During the special program at the Chief Minister's residence, Yadav extended his wishes for a happy Bhai Dooj, emphasizing the importance of the brother-sister relationship and the government's commitment towards ensuring the safety and well-being of Ladli Bahnas in the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the Gujarati New Year and his 62nd birthday in his hometown of Ahmedabad, surrounded by senior political leaders, party members, and well-wishers. Shah's rise in public life through the RSS and his partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have shaped Gujarat's and India's political narrative. His sharp organisational mind, efficient approach, and booth-level political management have been key in building the "Gujarat model" that gave the BJP an enduring edge. Despite transitioning to national politics, Shah's political heart still beats in Ahmedabad, as evident in his New Year celebrations and plans to meet the newly appointed ministers of the Gujarat cabinet.

In a recent incident at the Vasai Fort in Maharashtra, a man dressed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got into a heated argument with a security guard over language. The man, who was recording a video, berated the guard for not speaking Marathi and disrespecting the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. Social media users were divided in their opinions, with some criticizing the man's behavior while others felt the guard needed to be taught a lesson.

In a significant moment for gender equality, President Droupadi Murmu became the first woman to visit the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala. Accompanied by her team, she performed Darshan and Puja at the shrine, praying for the well-being and prosperity of her fellow citizens. Her visit symbolized the Supreme Court's decision to lift the ban on menstruating women entering the temple, reminding us that devotion knows no gender barriers.

With early voting just days away, the three major candidates vying to become New York City's next mayor are gearing up for the final debate in what could be their last chance to sway voters. The debate, hosted by Spectrum NY1, The City, and WNYC/Gothamist, will cover issues such as affordability, crime, and the role of former President Donald Trump in the city's politics. With the stakes high and the clock ticking, Democrats Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa will need to make a strong case for themselves to secure the future of New York City.

CM Yogi Adityanath's statement about the role of "political Islam" in undermining Sanatan Dharma has sparked controversy and discussion throughout the nation. During an event organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he highlighted the struggles of Indian warriors against political Islam, claiming that this aspect of history is often overlooked. Adityanath's remarks have renewed debates on the representation of India's historical narrative and the impact of colonialism and political Islam.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks questioning the government's spending on Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, and his comparison to Christmas festivities worldwide, have sparked controversy. While the BJP has accused Yadav of being envious of Ayodhya's success, the Vishva Hindu Parishad has criticized him for undermining Indian culture. The comments highlight the tension between political parties over religious and cultural events.