Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday took everyone in the Lok Sabha by surprise when he went and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi after tearing into the BJP-led government during the no confidence motion.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said French President Emmanuel Macron had told him that there was no secrecy pact with India on the Rafale jet deal, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had lied to the nation about it.

The US on Friday said that the first edition of the US-India 2+2 strategic dialogue will be held in the national capital on September 6. "The US is pleased to announce that the inaugural US-India 2+2 Dialogue will be held in New Delhi, India, on September 6," a statement said.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members walked out of the Lok Sabha on Friday as the House began a debate on a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modis government.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the discussion on the no trust motion would continue for the entire day and the vote would take place at 6 p.m.

Two persons have died and three others have been buried in rubble on a hillside after a cloud burst triggered heavy rains in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, an official said on Friday.

Ahead of the no-confidence motion against his government moved by the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hoped that MPs will rise to the occasion and ensure a constructive debate.

A 17-year-old student of a government school here died after he was allegedly beaten up by a group of students in the school compound, police said on Thursday.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday said that the rate of pension for sportspersons who have won medals in international competitions and have retired from active sports, has been doubled from April 1.