Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Rashtrapati Bhava. PM Modi also held bilateral talks with the Greek PM Mitsotakis in New Delhi.

Mitsotakis, who is on a State visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. Notably, the Greek PM is the chief guest and main speaker at the Raisina Dialogue, scheduled from February 21 to 23.

After holding bilateral talks with Mitsotakis, PM Modi expressed his happiness over the Greek PM Mitsotakis’s arrival to India with his delegation and called it historic as the Greek PM visited India after 16 years. He further expressed his happiness as India headed toward doubling the bilateral trade by 2030.

PM Modi also appreciated Greece’s active participation and positive role in the Indo-Pacific. Asserting that, PM Modi said that it is a matter of happiness that Greece has decided to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.  India agreed that all disputes and tensions should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi added.

To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Greece next year, the Modi government has decided to prepare an action plan that will enable India to showcase the common heritage of the two countries in science and technology, innovation and other areas on the global stage, PM Modi further asserted.

After talks, the Greek PM Mitsotakis said this was his first official visit to India and he emphasised the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship of the two countries will continue.

On a joint declaration that both India and Greece signed a few months ago in Athens, adding that, he said the declaration upgraded the relationship between the two countries to a strategic level, which is already being put into practice, the Greek PM added.

He also agreed with what PM Modi said about the two countries that are making significant progress towards deepening the strategic cooperation in all spheres- security and defence, investment and trade, science and technology, cyberspace, education, culture, tourism, agriculture.

Both PM Modi and Greek PM Mitsotakis issued a joint press statement on India’s candidacy to the UN Security Council for the period of 2028-29. On this, the Greek PM asserted that his country supports and participates in the border dialogue about reforming the UN itself in order to make it more representative of the shifting patterns of development and global order.

After snubbing off the Centre’s proposal of procuring pulses, maize and cotton at Minimum Support Price (MSP) by government agencies for five years, the farmers resumed their Delhi Chalo march on Wednesday. The farmers argued that the proposal was not in their favour. 

The agitating farmers have gathered near the Punjab-Haryana border carrying heavy machinery, including hydraulic canes and earthmovers. The Central government affirmed that nearly 14,000 farmers along with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars and 10 mini buses have gathered along aforesaid border. 

As the farmers resumed their protest, Union Minister Arjun Munda who was part of the previous meeting affirmed that after the fourth round of talks, the central government is set to discuss all the issues such as MSP demand, crop diversification, stubble issue, FIR in the fifth round. The Union Minister also invited the farmer leaders for discussion, adding that it is important for them to maintain peace.

Notably, the farmers have demanded a legally bound Minimum Support Price Law, withdrawal of cases filed nationwide against agitators during the 20-21 farmer’s protest, justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence victims, repeal of the Electricity Amendment Act 2023, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, waiving off the loans on entire farming and laborer community nationwide, reducing import duty on agricultural goods, and review Pre- 2013 Land Acquisition Act among others.

Meanwhile, during the protest on Wednesday, police fired tear gas to scatter protesting farmers, equipped with cranes and excavators. In an attempt to escape the stinging gas and clouds of smoke, thousands of farmers, some wearing medical masks, ran into the fields surrounding their gathering-point on a highway about 200 km (125 miles) north of New Delhi.

Nonetheless, Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmers leader asserted today that the protests will be called off and the Delhi Chalo march will end if Centre says they will bring an MSP law.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X on Tuesday and shared a video of a Sikh police officer accusing BJP workers of calling him a Khalistani. Jaspreet Singh was deputed at Dhamakhali to prevent West Bengal leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari from visiting Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas.

Singh got agitated after a group of BJP workers allegedly called him a Khalistani. In the video shared by the West Bengal Chief Minister, a senior police official said he will take action on this. He added just because he was wearing a turban, they are saying this. Singh asked the BJP workers if he would not have worn a turban would they call him a Khalistani? The Police officer warned them that they could not talk about his religion in this manner.

Singh can be heard saying in the shared video that he did not talk about their religion and the BJP workers cannot talk about his religion in this manner. He even asked them why did they call him a Khalistani? He was shocked to hear this and asked them if this is their level?

The West Bengal Chief Minister slammed BJP workers for their behaviour and captioned the video Today the BJP’s divisive politics has shamelessly overstepped all constitutional boundaries. She added as per BJP4India every person wearing a turban is a Khalistani.

The Chief Minister wrote she vehemently condemns this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of Sikh brothers & Sisters, revered for their sacrifices and unwavering determination to the nation. The West Bengal chief Minister added she stands in protecting Bengal’s social harmony and will take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul denied the allegation and accused the police officer of not performing his duty as per constitution.