Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in the Rajya Sabha amid sloganeering by opposition MPs, accused the Congress of past failures and “protecting infiltrators,” and witnessed a walkout soon after his speech began.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he advised Prime Minister not to come to the House during the President’s Address debate after receiving inputs about a possible inappropriate incident near the PM’s chair, saying the move helped prevent disorder.The ministry of external affairs said India’s oil import decisions are guided by national interest and energy security, dismissing claims that New Delhi has agreed to stop buying Russian crude.India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team will follow the ICC schedule for the World Cup clash against Pakistan, adding that India has not refused to play and its flight to Colombo is already booked.Union minister Amit Shah launched the cooperative-led ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi, saying it will expand across India within three years.Here are the top 5 news of the day:’Thak gaye, chale gaye’: PM Modi attacks opposition in Rajya Sabha as MPs stage walkoutPrime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his speech in the Rajya Sabha amid sloganeering and a walkout by opposition members. Targeting the Congress, Modi said the NDA government had spent much of its decade in power correcting “mistakes of the past,” including on economic management and infiltration. As Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding that the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak. PM Modi taunted Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that he should consider “sitting” and raising slogans, given his age. The opposition staged a walkout shortly after the speech began. Follow live updates hereSpeaker Om Birla says he asked PM Modi to skip House over disruption fearsLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he had requested Prime Minister Modi not to attend the House during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, citing intelligence inputs about a possible “inappropriate incident” near the Prime Minister’s chair. Birla said the decision was taken to prevent disorder and protect parliamentary traditions, adding that the Prime Minister agreed to the request in the interest of maintaining decorum. Read full story hereIndia’s energy security is top priority, says MEA on Russian oilThe ministry of external affairs said India’s energy security remains its core priority, responding to claims by US President Donald Trump that India may stop buying Russian oil. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s oil import decisions are guided by national interest, market conditions and global developments. He added that India has not publicly committed to halting Russian oil purchases or shifting supplies to the US or Venezuela.His remarks came after Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases as part of a broader trade understanding, and that India could increase imports from the US and possibly Venezuela. Read full story hereT20 World Cup: India will go to Colombo for Pak match, says SuryaIndia T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team will stick to the ICC schedule for its World Cup clash against Pakistan in Colombo, despite uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation. He said India has not refused to play and that the team’s travel plans are already in place. “Our flight to Colombo is booked. We are going,” Surya said, adding that further clarity will emerge closer to the match. Read full story hereAmit Shah launches ‘Bharat Taxi’, nationwide rollout plannedUnion home and cooperation minister Amit Shah launched ‘Bharat Taxi’, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, following a successful pilot. The service has been rolled out in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and is expected to expand across the country within three years.”In three years, Bharat Taxi will be rolled out across the country, from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari and Dwarka to Kamakhya,” Shah said while launching the platform. The platform is owned by drivers themselves, with profits to be shared directly with them, and stressed that the government is not entering the taxi business, he added. Read full story hereAbout 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’Women MPs Near PM’s Chair’: Speaker Om Birla Reveals Why PM Modi Skipped Lok Sabha Speech’India Open To Explore Commercial Merits Of Venezuela Oil Import’: MEA On Trump’s Russian Oil ClaimIndia Shifts Trade Focus To Gulf Bloc After US And EU Deals, Piyush Goyal Announces Fresh FTA PushRajya Sabha Explodes As Nadda, Mallikarjun Kharge Trade Barbs Over Rahul Gandhi, ‘Gag’ On OppositionArt of the deal: How India turned from Maharaja of tariffs to king of dealsIndia And US Close In On Trade Deal, Union Minister Piyush Goyal Says Signing Likely By Mid-MarchMumbai-Pune Expressway Nightmare Ends After 32 Hours Exposing Gaps In Emergency ResponseLok Sabha Passes President’s Address Without PM’s Reply For The First Time Since 2004 Amid StandoffIndia Can Wait Out Trump: Ajit Doval Warned Marco Rubio Against Bullying On Trade Deal, Says ReportIndia’s AI Rise Gets Global Push As UN Chief Praises Leadership, Nvidia CEO Predicts Job Surge123Photostories5 countries where tourist travel is extremely restrictedZeenat Aman, Rekha, Waheeda Rehman, Madhubala: Rare, unseen moments of Bollywood’s most iconic leading ladiesAnanya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, Mouni Roy and Raveena Tandon: Celebrities who proudly display their Shiv bhakti sideAbhishek Bachchan birthday special: Must-watch films on OTT including ‘Guru’, ‘Dasvi’, ‘Manmarziyaan’, ‘Ludo’ and ‘Ghoomer’Kangana Ranaut is owning Parliament style again: 5 saree looks that made everyone stop scrollingValentine’s Week 2026: 7 romantic desserts to celebrate every day leading up to Valentine’s DayFrom Kirron Kher to Hina Khan: TV celebrities who fought and survived cancerWhat is RERA and what role it plays in the Real Estate sectorExclusive photos that will shock you: Gas tanker crash chokes Pune–Mumbai expressway for 32 hours7 animals with the strangest and weirdest eyes in the animal kingdom123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNBA Trade NewsNBA Trade UpdateNew Jersey Devils TradeStefon DiggsFramber ValdezWPL Final PreviewHarmanpreet KaurDeontay WilderBrad MarchandChris Paul
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in the
Rajya Sabha amid sloganeering by opposition MPs, accused the Congress of past failures and “protecting infiltrators,” and witnessed a walkout soon after his speech began. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he advised Prime Minister not to come to the House during the President’s Address debate after receiving inputs about a possible inappropriate incident near the PM’s chair, saying the move helped prevent disorder.- The ministry of external affairs said India’s oil import decisions are guided by national interest and
energy security , dismissing claims that New Delhi has agreed to stop buying Russian crude. - India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team will follow the ICC schedule for the World Cup clash against Pakistan, adding that India has not refused to play and its flight to Colombo is already booked.
- Union minister Amit Shah launched the cooperative-led ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi, saying it will expand across India within three years.
Here are the top 5 news of the day:
‘Thak gaye, chale gaye’: PM Modi attacks opposition in Rajya Sabha as MPs stage walkout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his speech in the Rajya Sabha amid sloganeering and a walkout by opposition members. Targeting the Congress, Modi said the NDA government had spent much of its decade in power correcting “mistakes of the past,” including on economic management and infiltration. As Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding that the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak. PM Modi taunted Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that he should consider “sitting” and raising slogans, given his age. The opposition staged a walkout shortly after the speech began. Follow live updates here
Speaker Om Birla says he asked PM Modi to skip House over disruption fears
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he had requested Prime Minister Modi not to attend the House during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, citing intelligence inputs about a possible “inappropriate incident” near the Prime Minister’s chair. Birla said the decision was taken to prevent disorder and protect parliamentary traditions, adding that the Prime Minister agreed to the request in the interest of maintaining decorum. Read full story here
India’s energy security is top priority, says MEA on Russian oil
The ministry of external affairs said India’s energy security remains its core priority, responding to claims by US President Donald Trump that India may stop buying Russian oil. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s oil import decisions are guided by national interest, market conditions and global developments. He added that India has not publicly committed to halting Russian oil purchases or shifting supplies to the US or Venezuela.His remarks came after Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases as part of a broader trade understanding, and that India could increase imports from the US and possibly Venezuela. Read full story here
T20 World Cup: India will go to Colombo for Pak match, says Surya
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team will stick to the ICC schedule for its World Cup clash against Pakistan in Colombo, despite uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation. He said India has not refused to play and that the team’s travel plans are already in place. “Our flight to Colombo is booked. We are going,” Surya said, adding that further clarity will emerge closer to the match. Read full story here
Amit Shah launches ‘Bharat Taxi’, nationwide rollout planned
Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah launched ‘Bharat Taxi’, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, following a successful pilot. The service has been rolled out in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and is expected to expand across the country within three years.“In three years, Bharat Taxi will be rolled out across the country, from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari and Dwarka to Kamakhya,” Shah said while launching the platform. The platform is owned by drivers themselves, with profits to be shared directly with them, and stressed that the government is not entering the taxi business, he added. Read full story here