Narendra Modi

Mohammad Zubair was on his way home from a local mosque in northeast New Delhi when he came across a large crowd. He turned towards an underpass to avoid the commotion; it proved to be a mistake.   

At least 19 people have been killed in the Indian capital during violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups over a new citizenship law, a senior hospital official told Reuters, although there was an eerie calm on Feb. 26 in the riot-torn areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 25 that India will buy $3 billion worth of military equipment, including attack helicopters, as the two countries deepen defence and commercial ties in an attempt to balance the weight of China in the region.

Voting began for a crucial state election in India's capital on Feb. 8 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party trying to regain power after a 22-year gap and major victories in a national vote.

Residents lined up in long queues across New Delhi neighborhoods, where a total of 14.6 million voters are registered to cast ballots.

India is already able to defeat Pakistan in less than 10 days in every new war with its rival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, AFP reported.

The neighbouring country's nuclear-weapon nations have fought three wars and last February came close to a fourth with tit-for-tat airstrikes sparked by an attack on Indian troops in Kashmir.

India on Jan. 26 showcased its military strength at an event marking the country's 71st Republic Day.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the event held in the capital New Delhi.
This was the third time that India invited a Brazilian president as the chief guest at the Republic Day event.

Nearly 250 million workers strike in India in protest of Modi's economic policies, AFP reported.

Banking and other sectors of the economy across India have suffered damage as millions of workers strike in protest against the economic policies of the Hindu nationalist government, especially against the planned sale of several state-owned companies, including Air India.

Hundreds of thousands of workers affiliated to trade unions led a strike in parts of India on Jan. 8, disrupting transport and banking services in a protest against privatisation and the growing impact of an economic slowdown on jobs.

Violent protests against India's citizenship law that excludes Muslim immigrants swept the country over the weekend despite the government's ban on public assembly and suspension of internet services in many parts, raising the nationwide death toll to 23, police said.

Thousands of people joined fresh rallies against a contentious citizenship law in India on Dec. 21, with 20 killed so far in the unrest.    

The death toll jumped after demonstrations turned violent on Dec. 20 in the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, leaving at least 11 dead including an eight-year-old boy, who was trampled.