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Noting the strides the country has made in the field of financial inclusion, banking and digital payments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India was building a digital infrastructure to connect over 1.3 billion Indians.

“We are using digital technology to transform lives in all sectors of governance from health and welfare to inclusion and empowerment,” he said inaugurating the Semicon India Conference 2022.

At the outset, the PM underlined the critical role of semiconductors in today’s world and said; “It is our collective aim to establish India as one of the key partners in global semiconductor supply chains. We want to work in this direction based on the principle of Hi-tech, high quality and high reliability.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who offered her country's main seaport - Chittagong Port - to India's northeastern states like Assam and Tripura to enhance connectivity between the two neighbours.

Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday on a brief official visit, handed over an invitation to Hasina on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's behalf to visit New Delhi.

"Thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her warm reception. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Our bilateral relations are moving from strength to strength under the guidance of the two leaders," Jaishankar tweeted.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has submitted to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission that he has no allegation against any political agenda in connection with the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district, but called for the IPC's sedition provision to be repealed or stop its "misuse".

Pawar filed an additional affidavit before the probe panel on April 11, a copy of which was made available on Thursday. He had earlier submitted an affidavit before the commission on October 8, 2018.

The commission on Wednesday issued summons to Pawar, asking him to appear before it on May 5 and 6 for recording of evidence.

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its orders on the Centre's petition to refer to a larger Constitution Bench the dispute involving the Delhi Government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) regarding control over services.

The Delhi government, in its petition, contended that the amended Act violates the 'basic structure of the Constitution' and that the Centre, through the amendments, has given more power to the Lieutenant-Governor than the elected government of Delhi.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said, "We are reserving our orders on the issue."

Congress on Wednesday said its doors were always open for individuals and suggestions, as it tried to play down the breakdown in talks with election strategist Prashant Kishor.

Faced with questions if the party's chapter with Kishor was closed, and why the talks had failed, Congress spokesman Pawan Khera, in an indirect answer, said, "The doors and windows of Congress party are always open."

It appeared an olive branch to the pollster a day after the shocking snapping of talks following days of public spectacle of presentations by Kishor and party's internal discussions on his proposals. The two were in talks about Kishor joining Congress, and the party had indicated that it was a high possibility.