Evening news wrap: PM Modi to skip G7 summit in Canada; Salman Khurshid's message to critics, and more

For the first time in six years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, amid diplomatic strain. In domestic politics, Congress leader Salman Khurshid questioned political loyalties at home while promoting unity abroad. Meanwhile, Tesla has no plans to manufacture in India, focusing instead on showrooms, as clarified by the Heavy Industries minister. Union Minister Chirag Paswan signalled a possible return to Bihar state politics. On the international front, Ukraine’s Operation “Spider’s Web” targeted multiple Russian airbases, damaging 41 aircraft.

Prime Minister Modi unlikely at G7 summit, in a first in 6 years

For the first time in 6 years, PM Narendra Modi is unlikely to be a part of the G7 summit that is being hosted this year by Canada June15-17.

There’s no official invitation yet from Canada for the meeting in Alberta but Modi in all likelihood would not have travelled to the North American country in any case, especially when India still isn’t sure the new government in Ottawa will be more receptive to its concerns about the activities of Khalistan separatists. Read full story

Salman Khurshid's message to 'people at home': 'Is it so difficult to be patriotic?'

Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Monday sent a strong message to "people at home" over political allegiances, even as his recent remarks on Article 370 appeared to deepen discomfort within his party.

Khurshid expressed concern over political divisions in India, even as a multi-party delegation travels abroad to highlight the country’s united stand against terrorism. Read full story

Elon Musk-led Tesla is not interested in ‘Make in India’ for its electric cars; Heavy Industries minister says only showrooms coming up

Elon Musk-led Tesla is not interested in manufacturing electric cars in India, Heavy Industries minister Kumara Swamy said on Monday. The minister added that Tesla is only keen to set up showrooms in India.

Interestingly, US president Donald Trump has time and again said that it would be ‘very unfair’ if Tesla were to set up a manufacturing base in India. Read full story

'Don't see myself in national politics for long': Chirag Paswan on contesting Bihar assembly polls

Union minister Chirag Paswan on Monday said that he is prepared to return to state politics in Bihar, explaining that his original motivation for entering politics was to contribute to the development of Bihar."

He said, "I have said this previously, that I don't see myself in national politics for long. The only reason I came into politics was Bihar and Biharis. My vision has always been 'Bihar first, Bihari first', and I always want Bihar to prosper and be at par with other developed states." Read full story

Smuggled drones, hid them in roofs: How Ukraine pulled off Operation 'Spider's Web' from 'office' next to Russian intel HQ

Ukraine's Operation "Spider's Web", one of the largest drone attacks carried out by the war-torn nation, hit 41 Russian planes stationed at military airfields on Sunday. In a bold intelligence feat, the operation was coordinated from an office located directly next to local Russian intelligence headquarters.

For the first time, Russia officially acknowledged the attack and reported that the Olenogorsk airfield in the Murmansk region and the Sredny airfield in Irkutsk, Siberia, were attacked from nearby spots using trailer trucks as launch platforms. Read full story