Two closely watched elections, in Haryana and the turbulent Jammu and Kashmir, kept the surprises coming after this summer’s shocking national outcome.

The BJP is in the lead in the state of Haryana which borders the capital Delhi, but trails in the federal territories of Jammu and Kashmir, which are seeing their first election results in a decade. The first local elections in India since Mr Modi’s party lost its outright majority in parliament,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the people of Haryana have voted against falsehood and ensured the victory of truth, development and good governance as the BJP registered its third consecutive victory in the state.

India has stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China.

India has stepped up its financial support to the Maldives following talks between visiting President Muizzu and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday

Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu with First Lady of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed, his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands for a picture after his ceremonial reception at the forecourt of India's Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India, October 7, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi