Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi to debate; Amit Shah counters with SIR challenge

A political face-off has intensified between the BJP and Congress over allegations of external interference in Indian elections. Rahul Gandhi has challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a debate on foreign media influence, market support and the Adani issue. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has countered by challenging Gandhi to debate electoral roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Parliament. BJP leaders have also raised questions about Rahul Gandhi's foreign travel, Sonia Gandhi's citizenship records and the Opposition's alleged links with political activists, triggering a heated exchange involving party spokespersons Sanju Verma and Adil Singh Bhoparai, along with analyst Aarti Jerath.

The programme also tracks political and economic developments in the US, including President Donald Trump's policies, rising fuel prices and Washington's foreign policy in the Middle East. On the national security front, the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force have carried out a joint operation to rescue an Iranian vessel from pirates in the Arabian Sea. Separately, Border Security Force personnel came under attack during an anti-smuggling operation in Tripura's Sepahijala district.