. If children prefer to spend time on smartphones rather than inter‑ acting with others in a social set‑ ting, they are just phub‑ bing. Are they just talking to friends or doom scrolling the content in social media platforms? What happens if phubbing continues? A recent study*, published in the Current Psychology journal, sheds light on the psy‑ chological and behavioural as‑ pects of phubbing, and reveals its profound impact on inter‑ personal communication and well‑being.Smartphones are an indispensable part of our daily lives. Even as they help us stay connected and productive, smart‑ phone use has given rise to troubling social behaviour: Phubbing or the act of ignoring people around us, focusing on our phone.The study surveyed 938 undergrad‑ uate students in the US, 48.4% men and 51.6% women, to explore how social media addiction, Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) and personality traits contrib‑ ute to phubbing. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleSocial media addiction emerged as the strongest predictor of phubbing behavior.Students who scored high on the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) — a tool used to assess social media habits — were more likely to engage in phubbing, underscoring the addictive pull of platforms that thrive on constant en‑ gagement.FOMO also played a notable role. Defined as the persistent anx‑ iety that others are enjoying rewarding experiences without us, FOMO drives individuals to com‑ pulsively check their phones. This need for digital connectedness often comes at the ex‑ pense of real‑world relationships. While FOMO was less pre‑ dictive than social media addiction, it still contributes to phub‑ bing tendencies.Personality traits added another layer of complexity. Students who were more conscientious, organised, disciplined, and mindful, were less likely to dis‑ rupt conversations with phone use. Similarly, extroverts, who thrive on face‑to‑face interactions, showed lower levels of phubbing compared to their in‑ troverted peers.Conversely, lower emotional stabili‑ ty correlated with higher phone obsession, suggest‑ ing that individuals strug‑ gling with social isolation or anxiety may turn to their devices as compensa‑ tory tools.Men reported high‑ er phubbing scores than women. This may be linked to broader patterns of ad‑ dictive behaviours, which tend to be more prevalent among men.The implications are clear. Phub‑ bing is not a trivial annoyance, but a behaviour rooted in psychological vul‑ nerabilities and digital dependencies. It undermines communication, weakens trust and erodes the quality of relation‑ ships. In social contexts, the act of diverting attention to phone signals disengagement, leaving companions feeling undervalued and ignored. Phubbing is clearly a paradox of modern connectivity: While smart‑ phones promise closeness, they often fos‑ ter isolation.This study confirms that social media addiction is the most powerful driver of phubbing, with FOMO and certain per‑ sonality traits amplifying the risk. As so‑ ciety grapples with the costs of constant connectivity, recognising and curbing phubbing may be essential to promote genuine human interactions. (The phubbing phenomenon: A cross-sectional study on the relationships among social media addiction, fear of missing out, personality traits, and phubbing behavior, by Li-Chiu Chi, Tseng-Chung Tang & Eugene Tang)About the AuthorShelley SinghIt’s been a roller coaster ride of more than two decades in journalism across two magazines and three newspapers. I have been at The Economic Times for more than a decade and in June 2021 I joined ET Prime. I have written features across topics including technology, digital disruption, social media, telecom, startups, e-commerce, strategy, management and private equity.  I have also moderated various panel discussions on business and technology matters. I was the first winner from India of the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award, Columbia University, 2015. I have also won the Shriram Award for Journalism in 2019, the Polestar award for business & tech journalism and the British Chevening Scholarship in 2002. Twitter: @shelley_singh1 | E-mail: shelley.singh1@timesinternet.inRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

. If children prefer to spend time on smartphones rather than inter‑ acting with others in a social set‑ ting, they are just phub‑ bing. Are they just talking to friends or doom scrolling the content in social media platforms? What happens if phubbing continues? A recent study*, published in the Current Psychology journal, sheds light on the psy‑ chological and behavioural as‑ pects of phubbing, and reveals its profound impact on inter‑ personal communication and well‑being.Smartphones are an indispensable part of our daily lives. Even as they help us stay connected and productive, smart‑ phone use has given rise to troubling social behaviour: Phubbing or the act of ignoring people around us, focusing on our phone.The study surveyed 938 undergrad‑ uate students in the US, 48.4% men and 51.6% women, to explore how social media addiction, Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) and personality traits contrib‑ ute to phubbing. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleSocial media addiction emerged as the strongest predictor of phubbing behavior.Students who scored high on the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) — a tool used to assess social media habits — were more likely to engage in phubbing, underscoring the addictive pull of platforms that thrive on constant en‑ gagement.FOMO also played a notable role. Defined as the persistent anx‑ iety that others are enjoying rewarding experiences without us, FOMO drives individuals to com‑ pulsively check their phones. This need for digital connectedness often comes at the ex‑ pense of real‑world relationships. While FOMO was less pre‑ dictive than social media addiction, it still contributes to phub‑ bing tendencies.Personality traits added another layer of complexity. Students who were more conscientious, organised, disciplined, and mindful, were less likely to dis‑ rupt conversations with phone use. Similarly, extroverts, who thrive on face‑to‑face interactions, showed lower levels of phubbing compared to their in‑ troverted peers.Conversely, lower emotional stabili‑ ty correlated with higher phone obsession, suggest‑ ing that individuals strug‑ gling with social isolation or anxiety may turn to their devices as compensa‑ tory tools.Men reported high‑ er phubbing scores than women. This may be linked to broader patterns of ad‑ dictive behaviours, which tend to be more prevalent among men.The implications are clear. Phub‑ bing is not a trivial annoyance, but a behaviour rooted in psychological vul‑ nerabilities and digital dependencies. It undermines communication, weakens trust and erodes the quality of relation‑ ships. In social contexts, the act of diverting attention to phone signals disengagement, leaving companions feeling undervalued and ignored. Phubbing is clearly a paradox of modern connectivity: While smart‑ phones promise closeness, they often fos‑ ter isolation.This study confirms that social media addiction is the most powerful driver of phubbing, with FOMO and certain per‑ sonality traits amplifying the risk. As so‑ ciety grapples with the costs of constant connectivity, recognising and curbing phubbing may be essential to promote genuine human interactions. (The phubbing phenomenon: A cross-sectional study on the relationships among social media addiction, fear of missing out, personality traits, and phubbing behavior, by Li-Chiu Chi, Tseng-Chung Tang & Eugene Tang)About the AuthorShelley SinghIt’s been a roller coaster ride of more than two decades in journalism across two magazines and three newspapers. I have been at The Economic Times for more than a decade and in June 2021 I joined ET Prime. I have written features across topics including technology, digital disruption, social media, telecom, startups, e-commerce, strategy, management and private equity. I have also moderated various panel discussions on business and technology matters. I was the first winner from India of the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award, Columbia University, 2015. I have also won the Shriram Award for Journalism in 2019, the Polestar award for business & tech journalism and the British Chevening Scholarship in 2002. Twitter: @shelley_singh1 | E-mail: shelley.singh1@timesinternet.inRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

If children prefer to spend time on smartphones rather than inter‑ acting with others in a social set‑ ting, they are just phub‑ bing. Are they just talking to friends or doom scrolling the content in social media platforms? What happens if phubbing continues? A recent study*, published in the Current Psychology journal, sheds light…

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File photo NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the West Bengal government over its objection to the maintainability of the Enforcement Directorate’s plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a January 8 raid at I-PAC, asking what remedy ED officers would have if their rights were allegedly violated.As per news agency PTI, a Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N V Anjaria said some ED officers had also moved the court in their individual capacity, raising the issue of whether they cease to be citizens merely because they serve in the agency.Court asks state to focus on ED officers’ rightsDuring the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, argued that a petitioner invoking Article 32 must clearly show which fundamental right has been violated.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleHe submitted that the ED officer who filed the writ petition had not specifically pleaded any violation of fundamental rights and said the ED itself was not even a “person” for the purpose of such a petition.At this stage, Justice Mishra told the state to look beyond the agency as an institution and focus on the officers who had also approached the court.“Please concentrate on the fundamental rights of the officers of the ED with whom the offence has been committed. Otherwise, you will miss the point. You can’t forget the second petition which is preferred by individual officers who are the victims of the offence. You will be in difficulty, I am telling you. Don’t just say ED, ED, ED,” Justice Mishra observed, as quoted by Bar and Bench.Bar and Bench similarly reported that the court asked whether ED officers cease to be citizens of India merely because they are officers of the agency.The Court further said “different political parties govern centre and states. If some chief minister of the other side does this in 2030 and 2031 and you come in power in central government and their chief minister does this, what will be your reaction?”Kapil Sibal says obstruction of statutory duty is not a fundamental rights issueSibal argued that obstruction in the performance of a statutory duty cannot automatically be treated as a violation of a fundamental right.He said, “If someone obstructs a police officer, he can’t file a petition under Article 32. He also can’t file a 226 petition. There will be a prosecution launched for the obstruction of violating his right to discharge his functions.”As quoted by Bar and Bench, Sibal also told the court, “Any obstruction in performance of a statutory duty is not in violation of a fundamental right. If someone obstructs a police officer, he can’t file a 32 petition. There is a statutory remedy. Otherwise every police officer will file a 32. We can’t interpret a law in the context of a particular situation and then open a Pandora’s box inconsistent with the basic features of criminal law.”He further argued that an ED officer has only a statutory right to investigate, not a “fundamental right” to do so. “He (ED officer) only has a right under a statute to investigate. And violation of that right is not a violation of fundamental right,” Bar and Bench quoted him as saying.Bench questions whether ED should seek remedy from CM-led stateThe Bench also raised a sharp question over the practical consequence of the state’s argument.“If the CM barges into an ED investigation and commits an offence, your idea of remedy for the ED is to go to the state government which is headed by the CM and inform them about it and seek remedy?” Justice Mishra asked.Sibal responded that the court was presuming the Chief Minister had committed an offence. “Your lordships are assuming that the chief minister has committed an offence,” he said, according to PTI.Justice Mishra clarified that the Bench was not making any finding and was only referring to the allegations in the plea.“We are not assuming anything. That is the allegation. Do not mistake us. Every allegation is based on some facts, if there are no facts, there is no need to be investigated. That is what they are praying for, for CBI to investigate,” the judge said.Sibal also argued that if ED officers came across another offence while investigating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they should inform the concerned agency — in this case the state government — under Section 66 of PMLA.Court rejects suggestion to defer hearing due to electionsThe Supreme Court also firmly pushed back against a suggestion that the case be postponed because of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.According to Bar and Bench, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for Banerjee, referred to an earlier instance where a judge had declined to hear a matter due to elections.The Bench, however, made it clear it would not entertain such a request.“We don’t want to be party to election, we don’t want to be party to any crime also. We know the timing of the court. We know the timing of the decision,” Justice Mishra said, as reported by Bar and Bench.Kalyan Banerjee also argued that the state’s consent is required for a CBI investigation, though constitutional courts have the power in appropriate cases.Hearing remains inconclusive, next date on April 14The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on April 14.The matter centres on the ED’s plea alleging interference and obstruction by the West Bengal government, including Mamata Banerjee, during its January 8 search at the I-PAC office and the premises of its director Pratik Jain in connection with an alleged coal-pilferage scam.The agency has sought a CBI probe and also challenged the FIRs lodged in West Bengal against its officers.Case stems from January 8 I-PAC raid in coal smuggling probeBanerjee allegedly entered the I-PAC office and the residence of its co-founder while ED officers were conducting searches in connection with a money laundering investigation and allegedly removed documents and electronic devices from the premises.She reportedly claimed the material related to her political party. I-PAC has been associated with the Trinamool Congress since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.The ED has said the searches were linked to its probe into a 2020 money laundering case against businessman Anup Majee, accused of involvement in coal smuggling.The agency alleged that a coal smuggling syndicate led by Majee illegally excavated coal from Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) leasehold areas in West Bengal and sold it to various factories and plants in the state, with a large part allegedly sold to the Shakambhari Group of companies.Earlier, SC had termed obstruction allegations ‘very serious’On January 15, the top court had described the allegations against the Chief Minister as “very serious” and agreed to examine whether a state’s law-enforcing agencies can interfere with a central agency’s investigation into a serious offence.It stayed the FIRs filed against ED officials who carried out the raid and directed the West Bengal Police to preserve the CCTV footage of the operation.The court had also issued notices to Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal government, former DGP Rajeev Kumar and senior police officials on the ED’s petitions seeking a CBI probe.Tthe Bench also questioned where the ED would go if it could not move the Supreme Court under Article 32 or a High Court under Article 226, observing that “there cannot be a vacuum.”State says ED plea under Article 32 is not maintainableThe West Bengal government has consistently opposed the ED’s move under Article 32.The state argued the searches at I-PAC were not obstructed, and that the ED’s own panchnama showed this.It also contended that an Article 32 petition can be filed only by citizens alleging a violation of fundamental rights, and therefore the ED’s petition against a state government is not maintainable.The state warned allowing a central government department to file a writ petition against a state government could be dangerous to the federal structure.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should knowVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balance123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

File photo NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the West Bengal government over its objection to the maintainability of the Enforcement Directorate’s plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a January 8 raid at I-PAC, asking what remedy ED officers would have if their rights were allegedly violated.As per news agency PTI, a Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N V Anjaria said some ED officers had also moved the court in their individual capacity, raising the issue of whether they cease to be citizens merely because they serve in the agency.Court asks state to focus on ED officers’ rightsDuring the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Banerjee, argued that a petitioner invoking Article 32 must clearly show which fundamental right has been violated.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleHe submitted that the ED officer who filed the writ petition had not specifically pleaded any violation of fundamental rights and said the ED itself was not even a “person” for the purpose of such a petition.At this stage, Justice Mishra told the state to look beyond the agency as an institution and focus on the officers who had also approached the court.“Please concentrate on the fundamental rights of the officers of the ED with whom the offence has been committed. Otherwise, you will miss the point. You can’t forget the second petition which is preferred by individual officers who are the victims of the offence. You will be in difficulty, I am telling you. Don’t just say ED, ED, ED,” Justice Mishra observed, as quoted by Bar and Bench.Bar and Bench similarly reported that the court asked whether ED officers cease to be citizens of India merely because they are officers of the agency.The Court further said “different political parties govern centre and states. If some chief minister of the other side does this in 2030 and 2031 and you come in power in central government and their chief minister does this, what will be your reaction?”Kapil Sibal says obstruction of statutory duty is not a fundamental rights issueSibal argued that obstruction in the performance of a statutory duty cannot automatically be treated as a violation of a fundamental right.He said, “If someone obstructs a police officer, he can’t file a petition under Article 32. He also can’t file a 226 petition. There will be a prosecution launched for the obstruction of violating his right to discharge his functions.”As quoted by Bar and Bench, Sibal also told the court, “Any obstruction in performance of a statutory duty is not in violation of a fundamental right. If someone obstructs a police officer, he can’t file a 32 petition. There is a statutory remedy. Otherwise every police officer will file a 32. We can’t interpret a law in the context of a particular situation and then open a Pandora’s box inconsistent with the basic features of criminal law.”He further argued that an ED officer has only a statutory right to investigate, not a “fundamental right” to do so. “He (ED officer) only has a right under a statute to investigate. And violation of that right is not a violation of fundamental right,” Bar and Bench quoted him as saying.Bench questions whether ED should seek remedy from CM-led stateThe Bench also raised a sharp question over the practical consequence of the state’s argument.“If the CM barges into an ED investigation and commits an offence, your idea of remedy for the ED is to go to the state government which is headed by the CM and inform them about it and seek remedy?” Justice Mishra asked.Sibal responded that the court was presuming the Chief Minister had committed an offence. “Your lordships are assuming that the chief minister has committed an offence,” he said, according to PTI.Justice Mishra clarified that the Bench was not making any finding and was only referring to the allegations in the plea.“We are not assuming anything. That is the allegation. Do not mistake us. Every allegation is based on some facts, if there are no facts, there is no need to be investigated. That is what they are praying for, for CBI to investigate,” the judge said.Sibal also argued that if ED officers came across another offence while investigating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they should inform the concerned agency — in this case the state government — under Section 66 of PMLA.Court rejects suggestion to defer hearing due to electionsThe Supreme Court also firmly pushed back against a suggestion that the case be postponed because of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.According to Bar and Bench, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for Banerjee, referred to an earlier instance where a judge had declined to hear a matter due to elections.The Bench, however, made it clear it would not entertain such a request.“We don’t want to be party to election, we don’t want to be party to any crime also. We know the timing of the court. We know the timing of the decision,” Justice Mishra said, as reported by Bar and Bench.Kalyan Banerjee also argued that the state’s consent is required for a CBI investigation, though constitutional courts have the power in appropriate cases.Hearing remains inconclusive, next date on April 14The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on April 14.The matter centres on the ED’s plea alleging interference and obstruction by the West Bengal government, including Mamata Banerjee, during its January 8 search at the I-PAC office and the premises of its director Pratik Jain in connection with an alleged coal-pilferage scam.The agency has sought a CBI probe and also challenged the FIRs lodged in West Bengal against its officers.Case stems from January 8 I-PAC raid in coal smuggling probeBanerjee allegedly entered the I-PAC office and the residence of its co-founder while ED officers were conducting searches in connection with a money laundering investigation and allegedly removed documents and electronic devices from the premises.She reportedly claimed the material related to her political party. I-PAC has been associated with the Trinamool Congress since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.The ED has said the searches were linked to its probe into a 2020 money laundering case against businessman Anup Majee, accused of involvement in coal smuggling.The agency alleged that a coal smuggling syndicate led by Majee illegally excavated coal from Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) leasehold areas in West Bengal and sold it to various factories and plants in the state, with a large part allegedly sold to the Shakambhari Group of companies.Earlier, SC had termed obstruction allegations ‘very serious’On January 15, the top court had described the allegations against the Chief Minister as “very serious” and agreed to examine whether a state’s law-enforcing agencies can interfere with a central agency’s investigation into a serious offence.It stayed the FIRs filed against ED officials who carried out the raid and directed the West Bengal Police to preserve the CCTV footage of the operation.The court had also issued notices to Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal government, former DGP Rajeev Kumar and senior police officials on the ED’s petitions seeking a CBI probe.Tthe Bench also questioned where the ED would go if it could not move the Supreme Court under Article 32 or a High Court under Article 226, observing that “there cannot be a vacuum.”State says ED plea under Article 32 is not maintainableThe West Bengal government has consistently opposed the ED’s move under Article 32.The state argued the searches at I-PAC were not obstructed, and that the ED’s own panchnama showed this.It also contended that an Article 32 petition can be filed only by citizens alleging a violation of fundamental rights, and therefore the ED’s petition against a state government is not maintainable.The state warned allowing a central government department to file a writ petition against a state government could be dangerous to the federal structure.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should knowVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balance123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the West Bengal government over its objection to the maintainability of the Enforcement Directorate’s plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a January 8 raid at I-PAC, asking what remedy ED officers would have if their rights were allegedly violated.As per news agency PTI, a…

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UPSSSC AGTA Group C Recruitment 2026 notification released for 2759 agriculture posts; apply here

UPSSSC AGTA Group C Recruitment 2026 notification released for 2759 agriculture posts; apply here

The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Technical Assistant Group C posts under the Agriculture Department. This recruitment provides 2759 vacancies for candidates who have qualified PET 2025 and are seeking government job opportunities in Uttar Pradesh. The online application window will open from 22…

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Will Ajay Devgn’s Rohit Jugraj horror be titled ‘Griha Pravesh’? – Deets Here

Will Ajay Devgn’s Rohit Jugraj horror be titled ‘Griha Pravesh’? – Deets Here

Ajay Devgn returns to horror post-Shaitaan, with Rohit Jugraj directing. Tentative title: Griha Pravesh. Casting mixes fresh and established stars; shoots in UK from July. Meanwhile, he’s filming Golmaal 5 for 2027 release. Ajay Devgn has long contributed to the horror genre. He first plunged into it with ‘Bhoot’ (2003) and later starred in several…

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LeBron James’ one-of-one Mercedes-Maybach S-Class revealed with custom ivory finish and personalised interior: Know key details and pricing

LeBron James’ one-of-one Mercedes-Maybach S-Class revealed with custom ivory finish and personalised interior: Know key details and pricing

In a recent Instagram video, James personally guides viewers through the unique features of his custom-built Maybach, highlighting both exterior and interior refinements. The vehicle boasts a rare light ivory exterior, contrasted by dark blue leather, along with personalised touches such as the custom logo. The S-Class combines opulent interiors with a powerful V12 engine,…

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Delhi court sentences Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi to life in UAPA case; two associates jailed for 30 years

Delhi court sentences Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi to life in UAPA case; two associates jailed for 30 years

Asiya Andrabi (extreme right) and her three young students. (TOI file photo) NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.Her two associates, Fehmeeda and Nasreen, were sentenced to 30 years in prison in the same case.On January…

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‘Sharia Law has…’: Tucker Carlson says Islamic societies are ‘more advanced’ than Western societies, draws flak

‘Sharia Law has…’: Tucker Carlson says Islamic societies are ‘more advanced’ than Western societies, draws flak

A viral clip of US commentator Tucker Carlson has stirred a row after he suggested that societies governed by Sharia law are “more advanced” than those in the West.The remarks were made during one of his episodes of The Tucker Carlson Show.In the segment, Carlson says: “There’s not a single Western city that’s thriving… They’re…

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AIADMK general secretary and leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly NEW DELHI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday released the party’s Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, unveiling 297 promises ahead of the April 23 polls.The manifesto put welfare measures at the centre of the party’s campaign, including a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 for female heads of households and a special assistance of Rs 10,000 for every family.EPS also promised the ‘Kula Vilakku Scheme’ for women. Under the scheme, the monthly assistance will be given to all ration cardholders and deposited directly into the bank account of the female head of the household.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumble”To foster economic equilibrium within society, a monthly assistance allowance of Rs 2,000 will be provided to all ration cardholders through the ‘Kula Vilakku Scheme.’ This amount will be deposited directly into the bank account of the female head of the household.”The manifesto said the Rs 10,000 special assistance was meant to help families cope with rising prices and higher taxes.”Under the administratively incompetent Stalin-led DMK regime–characterised by its lack of vision–the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed over the past five years. Consequently, the public has been severely affected. Furthermore, various taxes–including property tax, house tax, electricity tariffs, and water charges–have been hiked. As a result, the daily financial burden on households has increased manifold. Therefore, with the aim of alleviating this burden on the people, a special assistance sum of Rs. 10,000 will be provided to every family,” the manifesto read.Among other promises, the party said ration card holders would receive lentils along with rice and refrigerators. It also promised to extend the free bus travel scheme to men in addition to women and provide three free cooking gas cylinders a year to every ration cardholder.Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.Under the NDA seat-sharing agreement, the AIADMK-led alliance will contest more than 170 seats. The BJP has been allotted 27 seats, followed by PMK with 18 and AMMK with 11.Meanwhile, the AIADMK is speeding up talks to finalise an alliance with G.K. Vasan’s TMC (M) and other smaller parties before the end of Tuesday.The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the NDA led by AIADMK with the BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with TVK, making the election a likely three-way contest.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

AIADMK general secretary and leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly NEW DELHI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday released the party’s Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, unveiling 297 promises ahead of the April 23 polls.The manifesto put welfare measures at the centre of the party’s campaign, including a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 for female heads of households and a special assistance of Rs 10,000 for every family.EPS also promised the ‘Kula Vilakku Scheme’ for women. Under the scheme, the monthly assistance will be given to all ration cardholders and deposited directly into the bank account of the female head of the household.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumble”To foster economic equilibrium within society, a monthly assistance allowance of Rs 2,000 will be provided to all ration cardholders through the ‘Kula Vilakku Scheme.’ This amount will be deposited directly into the bank account of the female head of the household.”The manifesto said the Rs 10,000 special assistance was meant to help families cope with rising prices and higher taxes.”Under the administratively incompetent Stalin-led DMK regime–characterised by its lack of vision–the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed over the past five years. Consequently, the public has been severely affected. Furthermore, various taxes–including property tax, house tax, electricity tariffs, and water charges–have been hiked. As a result, the daily financial burden on households has increased manifold. Therefore, with the aim of alleviating this burden on the people, a special assistance sum of Rs. 10,000 will be provided to every family,” the manifesto read.Among other promises, the party said ration card holders would receive lentils along with rice and refrigerators. It also promised to extend the free bus travel scheme to men in addition to women and provide three free cooking gas cylinders a year to every ration cardholder.Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.Under the NDA seat-sharing agreement, the AIADMK-led alliance will contest more than 170 seats. The BJP has been allotted 27 seats, followed by PMK with 18 and AMMK with 11.Meanwhile, the AIADMK is speeding up talks to finalise an alliance with G.K. Vasan’s TMC (M) and other smaller parties before the end of Tuesday.The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the NDA led by AIADMK with the BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with TVK, making the election a likely three-way contest.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

AIADMK general secretary and leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly NEW DELHI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday released the party’s Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, unveiling 297 promises ahead of the April 23 polls.The manifesto put welfare measures at the centre of the party’s campaign, including a monthly assistance of…

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‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ India release: OTT platform, runtime, cast reunion starring Miley Cyrus revealed

‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ India release: OTT platform, runtime, cast reunion starring Miley Cyrus revealed

In an exclusive special now available on JioHotstar in India, Miley Cyrus takes a nostalgic journey back to her days as ‘Hannah Montana.’ This captivating 58-minute tribute marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Disney series, featuring nostalgic sets, heartfelt discussions with Alex Cooper, and an electrifying new musical number. The ‘Hannah Montana’ 20th Anniversary…

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5 high-return investment zones you should know

5 high-return investment zones you should know

As per government records from the Ayodhya Stamp and Registration Department (under IGRS Uttar Pradesh), property registrations in the city have increased by nearly 120% between 2017 and 2022. Registrations in 2023 crossed 35,000. Similarly, price trend also boomed: Ayodhya’s land prices before 2019 ranged between ₹400 and ₹2,000 per sq ft. But after the…

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As Google strengthens partnership with Pentagon, Google DeepMind VP Tom Lue ‘reminded’ employees at townhall that the company has..

As Google strengthens partnership with Pentagon, Google DeepMind VP Tom Lue ‘reminded’ employees at townhall that the company has..

Google DeepMind is significantly increasing its involvement in national security contracts, a shift confirmed by a VP. The company has revised its AI principles, removing previous restrictions on weapons development and surveillance, now prioritizing benefits over risks. Google DeepMind VP of global affairs Tom Lue told employees in a January town hall that the company…

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NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasising the strategic importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor in a post on X said: “President Donald Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. They discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.”The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where disruptions to the vital maritime corridor could impact global oil supplies and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass, remains a critical chokepoint for international trade.More details awaited. About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasising the strategic importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor in a post on X said: “President Donald Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. They discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.”The conversation comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where disruptions to the vital maritime corridor could impact global oil supplies and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass, remains a critical chokepoint for international trade.More details awaited. About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia123PhotostoriesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasising the strategic importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor in a post on X…

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