FirstUp: India hosts Colombo Security Conclave, Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM...The news today

It's a busy Thursday indeed.

India is all set to host the Colombo Security Conclave, where the national security advisers of six nations will discuss advancing cooperation on regional security priorities. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will chair the meeting.

The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with a 60-member business delegation, will visit Israel to review the progress of the India-Israel free trade agreement.

Infosys will kick off its largest-ever share buyback programme, worth Rs 18,000 crore. According to the regulatory filing, the subscription will open today and will close on November 26.

Let’s take a closer look at all the events:

All eyes on Colombo Security Conclave

The 7th Meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will be held in New Delhi today. Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser, will host his counterparts from various Member states, including the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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For this event, Malaysia has been invited as a guest, and Seychelles will participate as an Observer State.

The formation of the Colombo Security Conclave aimed to promote cooperation between member states on key matters of security and partnership. 

Bihar CM oath ceremony

Following the landmark victory of the NDA in the Bihar assembly polls, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar will take the oath as chief minister for the tenth time at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital Patna.

JD(U) party members celebrate as the NDA alliance wins the Bihar Assembly elections. (Image: PTI)

The BJP has named Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha as the new deputy chief ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be in attendance.

The oath-taking ceremony will also be attended by the top brass of the BJP, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries. 

Former US VP Dick Cheney's funeral

The former US Vice President Dick Cheney's funeral service is set to be held at the Washington National Cathedral in the United States capital today.

Cheney, who was a former American businessman, died on November 3 of complications of cardiac and vascular disease, according to his family.

The 84-year-old politician, who served under George W. Bush, was considered one of the most powerful and also one of the most controversial men to hold the role.

Former President George W. Bush is scheduled to speak at the memorial. However, it is not yet known whether President Donald Trump will attend the event.

Other former presidents, such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have not confirmed their presence at the funeral either, as per USA TODAY.

Piyush Goyal to visit Israel

The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with a 60-member business delegation, will visit Israel to review the progress of the India-Israel free trade agreement. 

The visit aims to strengthen the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations. 

The minister will also hold discussions with senior executives from major Israeli companies operating in various fields, including agriculture, cybersecurity, infrastructure and others.

Infosys' Rs 18,000 cr share buyback opens today

This is Infosys' largest ever share buyback programme, worth Rs 18,000 crore. According to the regulatory filing, the subscription will open today and will close on November 26.

Infosys asserted that "The Buyback is being undertaken by the company after taking into account the strategic and operational cash needs of the company in the medium term and for returning surplus funds to the shareholders effectively and efficiently in line with its capital allocation policy." 

Mumbai Airport to close for 6 hours

Mumbai Airport to be shut for 6 hours today as part of the maintenance plan.

The Mumbai International Airport said that the scheduled runway closure is planned to ensure continued safety and reliability with global aviation standards.

Both cross-runways – 09/27 and 14/32 – will remain temporarily non-operational today from 11 am to 5 pm, according to the private airport operator.

With inputs from agencies