Nepal Prime Minister KP&nbsp;Sharma Oli's government on Saturday recommended the president to call winter session of upper house of Nepal's Parliament on January 1, nearly a week after the lower house was dissolved. On last Sunday, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved House of Representatives and announced dates for fresh elections. These will be mid-term elections in Nepal. The recommendation to dissolve the lower house was given by Nepal PM Oli.

The decision has sparked political protest as well as street protests as a section of Oli's own Nepal Communist Party and various opposition parties differed with the PM.

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The ruling Nepal Communist Party has now been virtually divided more than two years after it was formed following the merger of CPN-UML led by Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in May 2018.

A Cabinet meeting held on Friday evening decided to recommend that the president summon the winter session of the National Assembly on January 1, Hridayesh Tripathi, who was made minister for health earlier on Friday, told Kathmandu Post.

The meeting was held after Prime Minister Oli reshuffled the Cabinet to induct eight ministers, five of them former Maoist leaders, and change the portfolio of five of his ministers.

Oli and Prachanda factions are at war within the Nepal Communist Party and Oli is understood to be on the backfoot.

On Sunday, after the dissolution of the House of Representatives, seven ministers close to Prachanda-led faction had resigned from their posts.

The budget session of Parliament was prorogued on July 2 by the president on the recommendation of the government.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/constitutional-bench-to-hear-petitions-challenging-nepal-pm-olis-move-to-dissolve-parliament-352286">Constitutional bench to hear petitions challenging Nepal PM Oli's move to dissolve Parliament</a>

According to the Constitution of Nepal, the gap between the two house sessions cannot exceed six months. 
Oli, who was increasingly under pressure from his opponents in the NCP to resign, was also facing pressure to call the winter session of Parliament.

Instead, Oli on Sunday decided to dissolve the lower house, in a move that has been widely criticised by experts on constitutional matters as unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court is hearing as many 13 writs against the house dissolution.

On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice to the Oli government, asking it to submit a written clarification over its decision to abruptly dissolve the 275-member House of Representatives.

(With PTI inputs)

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government on Saturday recommended the president to call winter session of upper house of Nepal's Parliament on January 1, nearly a week after the lower house was dissolved.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government on Saturday recommended the president to call winter session of upper house of Nepal's Parliament on January 1, nearly a week after the lower house was dissolved. On last Sunday, Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved House of Representatives and announced dates for fresh elections. These will be mid-term elections in Nepal. The recommendation to dissolve the lower house was given by Nepal PM Oli. The decision has sparked political protest as well as street protests as a section of Oli's own Nepal Communist Party and various opposition parties differed with the PM. https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nepal-kp-sharma-oli-defends-decision-to-dissolve-parliament-351471 × The ruling Nepal Communist Party has now been virtually divided more than two years after it was formed following the merger of CPN-UML led by Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in May 2018. A Cabinet meeting held on Friday evening decided to recommend that the president summon the winter session of the National Assembly on January 1, Hridayesh Tripathi, who was made minister for health earlier on Friday, told Kathmandu Post. The meeting was held after Prime Minister Oli reshuffled the Cabinet to induct eight ministers, five of them former Maoist leaders, and change the portfolio of five of his ministers. Oli and Prachanda factions are at war within the Nepal Communist Party and Oli is understood to be on the backfoot. On Sunday, after the dissolution of the House of Representatives, seven ministers close to Prachanda-led faction had resigned from their posts. The budget session of Parliament was prorogued on July 2 by the president on the recommendation of the government. Also Read | Constitutional bench to hear petitions challenging Nepal PM Oli's move to dissolve Parliament According to the Constitution of Nepal, the gap between the two house sessions cannot exceed six months. Oli, who was increasingly under pressure from his opponents in the NCP to resign, was also facing pressure to call the winter session of Parliament. Instead, Oli on Sunday decided to dissolve the lower house, in a move that has been widely criticised by experts on constitutional matters as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is hearing as many 13 writs against the house dissolution. On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice to the Oli government, asking it to submit a written clarification over its decision to abruptly dissolve the 275-member House of Representatives. (With PTI inputs)

Nepal: Oli recommends calling Parliament winter session on January 1

Connection between vaping cannabis and respiratory health issues were not known fully before but a recent study has found that yound adults who vape cannabis are at increased risk of getting Bronchitis and other issues. The study has found that vaping cannabis at any frequency increases the likelihood of respiratory diseases and even Covid-19 infection in teens around the age of 19.

Towards the end of 2019, mysterious cases of lung injury associated with vaping came to be noticed in the US. The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said that More than 2,800 people from all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands died due to respiratory issues arising from vaping or e-cigarettes.

COVID-19 virus attacks a person's respiratory system and affects lungs.

Jessica Braymiller, the study's first author said that these mysterious illnesses were seen in people who had vaped nicotine or cannabis

During the course of the study, more than 2000 young adults, who responded to an online questionnaire reported history of vaping and smoking behaviours and respiratory problems.

Those who had vaped cannabis had stronger link to symptoms of Bronchitis, cough and wheezing compared to those who had never vaped cannabis.

Connection between vaping cannabis and respiratory health issues were not known fully before but a recent study has found that yound adults who vape cannabis are at increased risk of getting Bronchitis and other issues.

Connection between vaping cannabis and respiratory health issues were not known fully before but a recent study has found that yound adults who vape cannabis are at increased risk of getting Bronchitis and other issues. The study has found that vaping cannabis at any frequency increases the likelihood of respiratory diseases and even Covid-19 infection in teens around the age of 19. Towards the end of 2019, mysterious cases of lung injury associated with vaping came to be noticed in the US. The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said that More than 2,800 people from all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands died due to respiratory issues arising from vaping or e-cigarettes. COVID-19 virus attacks a person's respiratory system and affects lungs. Jessica Braymiller, the study's first author said that these mysterious illnesses were seen in people who had vaped nicotine or cannabis During the course of the study, more than 2000 young adults, who responded to an online questionnaire reported history of vaping and smoking behaviours and respiratory problems. Those who had vaped cannabis had stronger link to symptoms of Bronchitis, cough and wheezing compared to those who had never vaped cannabis.

Young adults vaping cannabis more likely to get Bronchitis, says study

Today in history: First recorded Christmas celebration, Gorbachev resigns

France on Thursday announced measures to support fishermen after European Union and UK reached a post-Brexit trade agreement. The aid includes up to 30,000 euros in individual aid. UK And EU haggled hard on access to Britain's rich fishing waters.

"Fishermen and wholesalers will be able to benefit from a flat-rate aid of up to 30,000 euros depending on their dependence on products caught in British waters," the French fisheries ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The government will soon present its complete plan to support French fishermen," Minister Annick Girardin said.

The aid plan provides compensation for a limited period for a part of turnover losses that companies dependent on British waters would face.

Other measures include investment aid under a recovery plan and "fleet exit plan" will be available for vessels dependent on British waters that want to stop activity.

Britain had insisted it wanted to take back full control of its waters while EU coastal states sought guarantees their fleets could keep fishing in UK waters.&nbsp;

The two sides reached a compromise that will see European boats gradually relinquish 25 percent of their current quotas during a five-and-a-half year transition period.&nbsp;

After that there will be annual negotiations on the amount of fish EU vessels can take from British waters -- and if Brussels is not satisfied it can impose economic measures against the UK.

(With AFP inputs)

France on Thursday announced measures to support fishermen after European Union and UK reached a post-Brexit trade agreement. The aid includes up to 30,000 euros in individual aid.

France on Thursday announced measures to support fishermen after European Union and UK reached a post-Brexit trade agreement. The aid includes up to 30,000 euros in individual aid. UK And EU haggled hard on access to Britain's rich fishing waters. "Fishermen and wholesalers will be able to benefit from a flat-rate aid of up to 30,000 euros depending on their dependence on products caught in British waters," the French fisheries ministry said in a statement. "The government will soon present its complete plan to support French fishermen," Minister Annick Girardin said. The aid plan provides compensation for a limited period for a part of turnover losses that companies dependent on British waters would face. Other measures include investment aid under a recovery plan and "fleet exit plan" will be available for vessels dependent on British waters that want to stop activity. Britain had insisted it wanted to take back full control of its waters while EU coastal states sought guarantees their fleets could keep fishing in UK waters. The two sides reached a compromise that will see European boats gradually relinquish 25 percent of their current quotas during a five-and-a-half year transition period. After that there will be annual negotiations on the amount of fish EU vessels can take from British waters -- and if Brussels is not satisfied it can impose economic measures against the UK. (With AFP inputs)

After Brexit, France offers aid to fishermen

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked Philippines on Friday, US Geological Survey said. Residents of Manila reported buildings shaking and Christmas Day masses were interrupted. There were no reports of damage.

The earthquake struck Batangas province on Luzon island at a depth of 114 kilometres. The quake struck at 23:43 GMT.

The agency initially said the quake's strength was 6.2 and 108 kilometres deep.&nbsp;

In the coastal city of Calatagan, about 90 kilometres south of Manila and near the epicentre, people attending mass remained calm as the earthquake hit, police chief Major Carlo Caceres told AFP.

"There was a pause in the church service, but the people did not panic," Caceres said.

"This area is quake-prone and people are more or less used to them."

There were no reports of damage or casualties in the area, he added.

"The office furniture and equipment swayed, but nothing was broken," said policeman Allan Megano in the nearby town of Balayan.&nbsp;

The Philippines is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

(With AFP inputs) 
&nbsp;

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked Philippines on Friday, US Geological Survey said. Residents of Manila reported buildings shaking and Christmas Day masses were interrupted.

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked Philippines on Friday, US Geological Survey said. Residents of Manila reported buildings shaking and Christmas Day masses were interrupted. There were no reports of damage. The earthquake struck Batangas province on Luzon island at a depth of 114 kilometres. The quake struck at 23:43 GMT. The agency initially said the quake's strength was 6.2 and 108 kilometres deep. In the coastal city of Calatagan, about 90 kilometres south of Manila and near the epicentre, people attending mass remained calm as the earthquake hit, police chief Major Carlo Caceres told AFP. "There was a pause in the church service, but the people did not panic," Caceres said. "This area is quake-prone and people are more or less used to them." There were no reports of damage or casualties in the area, he added. "The office furniture and equipment swayed, but nothing was broken," said policeman Allan Megano in the nearby town of Balayan. The Philippines is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. (With AFP inputs)

Earthquake rocks Philippines on Christmas Day

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama.

"Our air defences intercepted an Israeli attack on the Masyaf area" in rural Hama, SANA reported.

Syrian state TV aired footage purporting to show air defences responding to the Israeli attack.

As per AFP, Israeli warplanes were heard flying over neighbouring Lebanon just before the strikes.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported strikes on Masyaf, saying Israel was "likely responsible".

The war monitor said the attack targeted "positions of regime forces and Iran-backed militias," without providing additional details.&nbsp;

Israel, which did not immediately comment on the reports, has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011.

It has targeted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

It rarely confirms details of its operations in Syria, but says Iran's presence in support of President Bashar al-Assad is a threat and that it will continue its strikes.

(With AFP inputs)

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama.

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama. "Our air defences intercepted an Israeli attack on the Masyaf area" in rural Hama, SANA reported. Syrian state TV aired footage purporting to show air defences responding to the Israeli attack. As per AFP, Israeli warplanes were heard flying over neighbouring Lebanon just before the strikes. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported strikes on Masyaf, saying Israel was "likely responsible". The war monitor said the attack targeted "positions of regime forces and Iran-backed militias," without providing additional details. Israel, which did not immediately comment on the reports, has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011. It has targeted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. It rarely confirms details of its operations in Syria, but says Iran's presence in support of President Bashar al-Assad is a threat and that it will continue its strikes. (With AFP inputs)

Israeli strike intercepted in Syria, says Syrian state media

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached properties worth Rs 4109 crore&nbsp;in an alleged ponzi scheme involving Agri Gold group. The three promoters were arrested on Tuesday. The scam duped 32 lakh investors to the extent of Rs 6380 crore in Telangana, Andhra and Karnataka.

Company chairman Avva Venkata Rama Rao and directors Avva Venkata Seshu Narayana Rao and Avva Hema Sundara Vara Prasad were produced in special ED court that has granted the agency their custody from December 27 to January 5.

"The attached assets include 2,809 landed properties, Haailand Amusement Park in the name of Arka Leisure and Entertainments Private Limited in Andhra Pradesh (spread over 48 acres) and shares of various companies, plants and machinery," said ED in official statement.

The investigation has been taken up under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on the basis of FIRs lodged in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Agri Gold Group group set up 150 companies and collected deposits from investors promising them developed plots, farm lands or returns at high rate on maturity or pre-term.

The group employed thousands of commission agents for collection of money from 32.02 lakh investor accounts.

The names of Agri Gold promoters was also there in paradise paper leaks.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached properties worth Rs 4109 crore in an alleged ponzi scheme involving Agri Gold group. The three promoters were arrested on Tuesday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday attached properties worth Rs 4109 crore in an alleged ponzi scheme involving Agri Gold group. The three promoters were arrested on Tuesday. The scam duped 32 lakh investors to the extent of Rs 6380 crore in Telangana, Andhra and Karnataka. Company chairman Avva Venkata Rama Rao and directors Avva Venkata Seshu Narayana Rao and Avva Hema Sundara Vara Prasad were produced in special ED court that has granted the agency their custody from December 27 to January 5. "The attached assets include 2,809 landed properties, Haailand Amusement Park in the name of Arka Leisure and Entertainments Private Limited in Andhra Pradesh (spread over 48 acres) and shares of various companies, plants and machinery," said ED in official statement. The investigation has been taken up under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on the basis of FIRs lodged in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Agri Gold Group group set up 150 companies and collected deposits from investors promising them developed plots, farm lands or returns at high rate on maturity or pre-term. The group employed thousands of commission agents for collection of money from 32.02 lakh investor accounts. The names of Agri Gold promoters was also there in paradise paper leaks.

Properties worth Rs 4109 crore attached in Agri Gold scam spread in 3 states

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday.

"Delighted to report that I have just signed the regulation authorising the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Ireland. The first delivery will be St Stephen`s Day, first vaccinations December 30," Donnelly said on Twitter.

Saint Stephen`s Day is celebrated on December 26. On Tuesday, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced new restrictions that took effect on Thursday and will last through January 12, which will include shutting down restaurants, pubs, museums, galleries and libraries, while gyms and pools will be opened only for individual training. Movement between the Irish counties will be banned after Saturday

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday.

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday. "Delighted to report that I have just signed the regulation authorising the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Ireland. The first delivery will be St Stephen`s Day, first vaccinations December 30," Donnelly said on Twitter. Saint Stephen`s Day is celebrated on December 26. On Tuesday, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced new restrictions that took effect on Thursday and will last through January 12, which will include shutting down restaurants, pubs, museums, galleries and libraries, while gyms and pools will be opened only for individual training. Movement between the Irish counties will be banned after Saturday

Ireland approves use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, rollout to begin on Dec 30

Canada has received the first batch of the coronavirus vaccine from Moderna just one day after the government`s approval, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.On Wednesday, the national agency Health Canada authorised the use of the Moderna vaccine against the COVID-19 virus in the country`s immunisation campaign.

"The first doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Canada. These are part of the 168,000 doses we will be getting before the end of the month, and part of the 40 million doses we are guaranteed from Moderna overall," Trudeau tweeted late on Thursday.

According to Public Services Minister Anita Anand, these vaccine batches would be the first to be deployed to the country`s north.Apart from the Moderna vaccine, Canada has secured up to 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus, expecting 1.2 million doses from both manufactures to be delivered to the country by the end of next month.The government expects to vaccinate up to three million of its citizens in early 2021.

Canada has received the first batch of the coronavirus vaccine from Moderna just one day after the government`s approval, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Canada has received the first batch of the coronavirus vaccine from Moderna just one day after the government`s approval, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.On Wednesday, the national agency Health Canada authorised the use of the Moderna vaccine against the COVID-19 virus in the country`s immunisation campaign. "The first doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Canada. These are part of the 168,000 doses we will be getting before the end of the month, and part of the 40 million doses we are guaranteed from Moderna overall," Trudeau tweeted late on Thursday. According to Public Services Minister Anita Anand, these vaccine batches would be the first to be deployed to the country`s north.Apart from the Moderna vaccine, Canada has secured up to 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus, expecting 1.2 million doses from both manufactures to be delivered to the country by the end of next month.The government expects to vaccinate up to three million of its citizens in early 2021.

Canada gets first batch of 168,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses

Japanese health ministry panel on Friday, said that those aged 65 or older should get priority for COVID-19 vaccination. The Japanese government is setting guidelines that are expected to prioritise frontline healthcare workers and people with medical conditions. The panel also recommended that chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic kidney disease should be considered as underlying conditions that should determine priority for the vaccine.

The recommendations of the panel would include &nbsp;36 million elderly people and 8.2 million people with medical conditions. These may be the first groups to receive coronavirus vaccine.

Another government panel this week recommended that priority be given to frontline medical professionals and workers at elderly care facilities, while the elderly and those with underlying health conditions should also receive priority.

Japan has a population of 126 million. The country has struck deals to buy 290 million vaccine doses from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna. The vaccines are enough to be made available for 145 million people.

Japan is currently facing a third wave of coronavirus infections, putting the nation`s medical system under heavy strain.

Five national groups of doctors and other medical workers made an emergency request on Friday to Suga and Health Minister Norihisa Tamura, asking for strong anti-infection measures and support for the medical sector.

With hospitals equipped for COVID-19 patients filling up, other hospitals are being forced to accept them, said Tsuyoshi Masuda, president of the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions, one of the groups.

(With Reuters inputs)

Japanese health ministry panel on Friday, said that those aged 65 or older should get priority for COVID-19 vaccination. The Japanese government is setting guidelines that are expected to prioritise frontline healthcare workers and people with medical conditions.

Japanese health ministry panel on Friday, said that those aged 65 or older should get priority for COVID-19 vaccination. The Japanese government is setting guidelines that are expected to prioritise frontline healthcare workers and people with medical conditions. The panel also recommended that chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic kidney disease should be considered as underlying conditions that should determine priority for the vaccine. The recommendations of the panel would include 36 million elderly people and 8.2 million people with medical conditions. These may be the first groups to receive coronavirus vaccine. Another government panel this week recommended that priority be given to frontline medical professionals and workers at elderly care facilities, while the elderly and those with underlying health conditions should also receive priority. Japan has a population of 126 million. The country has struck deals to buy 290 million vaccine doses from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna. The vaccines are enough to be made available for 145 million people. Japan is currently facing a third wave of coronavirus infections, putting the nation`s medical system under heavy strain. Five national groups of doctors and other medical workers made an emergency request on Friday to Suga and Health Minister Norihisa Tamura, asking for strong anti-infection measures and support for the medical sector. With hospitals equipped for COVID-19 patients filling up, other hospitals are being forced to accept them, said Tsuyoshi Masuda, president of the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions, one of the groups. (With Reuters inputs)

COVID vaccination: Japan panel recommends priority for ages 65 and above

The Trump administration has significantly invested in its relationship with India over the past four years, seeing the country as a crucial partner in counterbalancing the rise of China.

Military cooperation and a personal friendship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India — both domineering nationalists — have pushed New Delhi and Washington closer.

Now, as President-elect Joe Biden is set to move into the White House, U.S. diplomats, Indian officials and security experts are resetting their expectations for relations between the world’s two largest democracies.

On one hand, experts said, Biden’s administration will most likely pay more attention to India’s contentious domestic developments, where Modi’s right-wing party has been steadily consolidating power and becoming overtly hostile toward Muslim minorities. Trump has largely turned a blind eye.

Others believe that the United States cannot afford to drastically alter its policy toward New Delhi because the United States needs its help to counter China and increasingly values India as a military and trade partner.

“The real opening between the United States and India began under President Clinton, it accelerated under President Bush, it continued under President Obama, and it’s accelerating again under our president, President Trump,” Stephen Biegun, the deputy secretary of state, said in October. “One of the constants in U.S.-India relations has been that every presidential administration here in the United States has left the relationship in even better shape than the one it inherited.”

Most experts agree that China will be the driving force behind how India’s relationship with Washington morphs in a Biden administration.

“We need India for various reasons,” said Ashley J. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. “Most important of which is balancing Chinese power in Asia.”

This year, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the worst border clash between India and China in decades. As relations between New Delhi and Beijing soured, India strengthened its commitment to a multilateral partnership with the United States, India, Japan and Australia — known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad.

China has castigated this forum as an Asian version of NATO, one that is directly aimed at counterbalancing its interests. India, leery of formal alliances and upsetting trade relations with Beijing, was initially hesitant to fully engage.

Biden, who once spoke optimistically of China’s emergence “as a great power,” has become increasingly tough on Beijing, and some analysts said his administration would most likely use the Quad as a way to ensure that the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region does not tilt too far toward China.

“They’ll keep the Quad going,” said Richard Fontaine, chief executive of the Center for a New American Security, adding that the partnership had gone from largely being considered “a meeting in search of an agenda to something real that is doing things.”

But some Indian officials are concerned that the next administration will not be as tough on China as the current one and that Biden will adopt a more nuanced and less favorable position toward India, analysts said.

“If he’s seen as pursuing a softer approach with China, it will make New Delhi have second thoughts about a soft alliance,” said Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the Center for Policy Research, a think tank in New Delhi.

Biden’s administration will inherit a growing military relationship with India. In recent months, the United States and India have shared more intelligence and conducted more coordinated military training exercises. The military cooperation is closest among the navies of the two countries; Kenneth J. Braithwaite, the Navy secretary, visited India last week.

The United States has been trying to increase arms sales to India, but the country's history of buying weapons from nations such as France, Israel and Russia has complicated that effort. American officials are concerned about providing equipment to India if there is a risk that members of the Russian military or other foreign agents would then have access. American and Indian officials signed an agreement to share real-time geographical data through satellite images when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited India in October.

Despite the warming ties, though, Indian officials also worry that Biden might be less critical of Pakistan, the country's archrival, than Trump has been. Biden may even reach out to Islamabad for support as the United States draws down troops in Afghanistan. Early in his presidency, Trump suspended military aid to Pakistan, accusing it of supporting terrorists and giving the United States “nothing but lies and deceit.”

In contrast, Trump has said little about the increasing hostility toward Muslims in India and the divisive politics of Modi’s Hindu nationalist party. The Trump administration has kept largely quiet about Modi’s crackdown on Kashmir last year and the passage of a new, blatantly anti-Muslim citizenship law. And Modi’s recent pro-market agricultural policies have fueled a farmer rebellion that has snarled daily life in the capital and stirred up more anti-government feeling.

Both Biden — who is considered a strong friend of India since his days as a senator when he worked to approve the country’s landmark civil nuclear agreement in 2008 — and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are likely to be more critical of India’s human rights record, both in private and in public, experts said.

Harris, whose mother was Indian and who has remained close to that side of her family, has already indicated that she is concerned about Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim area that has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan.

Biden’s campaign documents specifically called on the Indian government to “take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people” in Kashmir. His campaign added that he was also “disappointed” in Modi’s citizenship law.

Some American activists want the Biden administration to go even further and warn Indian officials that discontent over some of its current policies could imperil how strong a partner India might be for the United States.

“Human rights first is equally important,” said Simran Noor, chairwoman of South Asian Americans Leading Together, an advocacy group in the United States. “The impacts of not addressing it now could lead to a lot worse conditions in the future.”

Another challenging issue is visas. Trump this year suspended H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, a major setback for U.S. technology companies, which employ many Indians, and the wider Indian diaspora in the United States.

The two countries have also struggled to sign a comprehensive trade agreement, with talks hung up over imports of U.S. dairy products and medical devices such as coronary stents. After two decades of India loosening its trade restrictions, Western officials say the country has been tightening them over the past two years, embracing Modi’s push for a “self-reliant India.”

And many of Biden’s priorities — including climate change — will most likely require India’s cooperation, ensuring that New Delhi remains front of mind for Biden’s chief diplomats.

“There is no relationship today between any two countries that is as important as the relationship between the U.S. and India,” said Nisha D. Biswal, President Barack Obama’s assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs. “Neither of us can go it alone.”

The Trump administration has significantly invested in its relationship with India over the past four years, seeing the country as a crucial partner in counterbalancing the rise of China.

The Trump administration has significantly invested in its relationship with India over the past four years, seeing the country as a crucial partner in counterbalancing the rise of China. Military cooperation and a personal friendship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India — both domineering nationalists — have pushed New Delhi and Washington closer. Now, as President-elect Joe Biden is set to move into the White House, U.S. diplomats, Indian officials and security experts are resetting their expectations for relations between the world’s two largest democracies. On one hand, experts said, Biden’s administration will most likely pay more attention to India’s contentious domestic developments, where Modi’s right-wing party has been steadily consolidating power and becoming overtly hostile toward Muslim minorities. Trump has largely turned a blind eye. Others believe that the United States cannot afford to drastically alter its policy toward New Delhi because the United States needs its help to counter China and increasingly values India as a military and trade partner. “The real opening between the United States and India began under President Clinton, it accelerated under President Bush, it continued under President Obama, and it’s accelerating again under our president, President Trump,” Stephen Biegun, the deputy secretary of state, said in October. “One of the constants in U.S.-India relations has been that every presidential administration here in the United States has left the relationship in even better shape than the one it inherited.” Most experts agree that China will be the driving force behind how India’s relationship with Washington morphs in a Biden administration. “We need India for various reasons,” said Ashley J. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. “Most important of which is balancing Chinese power in Asia.” This year, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the worst border clash between India and China in decades. As relations between New Delhi and Beijing soured, India strengthened its commitment to a multilateral partnership with the United States, India, Japan and Australia — known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad. China has castigated this forum as an Asian version of NATO, one that is directly aimed at counterbalancing its interests. India, leery of formal alliances and upsetting trade relations with Beijing, was initially hesitant to fully engage. Biden, who once spoke optimistically of China’s emergence “as a great power,” has become increasingly tough on Beijing, and some analysts said his administration would most likely use the Quad as a way to ensure that the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region does not tilt too far toward China. “They’ll keep the Quad going,” said Richard Fontaine, chief executive of the Center for a New American Security, adding that the partnership had gone from largely being considered “a meeting in search of an agenda to something real that is doing things.” But some Indian officials are concerned that the next administration will not be as tough on China as the current one and that Biden will adopt a more nuanced and less favorable position toward India, analysts said. “If he’s seen as pursuing a softer approach with China, it will make New Delhi have second thoughts about a soft alliance,” said Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the Center for Policy Research, a think tank in New Delhi. Biden’s administration will inherit a growing military relationship with India. In recent months, the United States and India have shared more intelligence and conducted more coordinated military training exercises. The military cooperation is closest among the navies of the two countries; Kenneth J. Braithwaite, the Navy secretary, visited India last week. The United States has been trying to increase arms sales to India, but the country's history of buying weapons from nations such as France, Israel and Russia has complicated that effort. American officials are concerned about providing equipment to India if there is a risk that members of the Russian military or other foreign agents would then have access. American and Indian officials signed an agreement to share real-time geographical data through satellite images when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited India in October. Despite the warming ties, though, Indian officials also worry that Biden might be less critical of Pakistan, the country's archrival, than Trump has been. Biden may even reach out to Islamabad for support as the United States draws down troops in Afghanistan. Early in his presidency, Trump suspended military aid to Pakistan, accusing it of supporting terrorists and giving the United States “nothing but lies and deceit.” In contrast, Trump has said little about the increasing hostility toward Muslims in India and the divisive politics of Modi’s Hindu nationalist party. The Trump administration has kept largely quiet about Modi’s crackdown on Kashmir last year and the passage of a new, blatantly anti-Muslim citizenship law. And Modi’s recent pro-market agricultural policies have fueled a farmer rebellion that has snarled daily life in the capital and stirred up more anti-government feeling. Both Biden — who is considered a strong friend of India since his days as a senator when he worked to approve the country’s landmark civil nuclear agreement in 2008 — and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are likely to be more critical of India’s human rights record, both in private and in public, experts said. Harris, whose mother was Indian and who has remained close to that side of her family, has already indicated that she is concerned about Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim area that has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan. Biden’s campaign documents specifically called on the Indian government to “take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people” in Kashmir. His campaign added that he was also “disappointed” in Modi’s citizenship law. Some American activists want the Biden administration to go even further and warn Indian officials that discontent over some of its current policies could imperil how strong a partner India might be for the United States. “Human rights first is equally important,” said Simran Noor, chairwoman of South Asian Americans Leading Together, an advocacy group in the United States. “The impacts of not addressing it now could lead to a lot worse conditions in the future.” Another challenging issue is visas. Trump this year suspended H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, a major setback for U.S. technology companies, which employ many Indians, and the wider Indian diaspora in the United States. The two countries have also struggled to sign a comprehensive trade agreement, with talks hung up over imports of U.S. dairy products and medical devices such as coronary stents. After two decades of India loosening its trade restrictions, Western officials say the country has been tightening them over the past two years, embracing Modi’s push for a “self-reliant India.” And many of Biden’s priorities — including climate change — will most likely require India’s cooperation, ensuring that New Delhi remains front of mind for Biden’s chief diplomats. “There is no relationship today between any two countries that is as important as the relationship between the U.S. and India,” said Nisha D. Biswal, President Barack Obama’s assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs. “Neither of us can go it alone.”

Biden expected to expand US-India relationship while stressing Human Rights

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec. 31.

British lawmakers had haggled for years over the divorce, known as Brexit. Britain formally left the European Union on Jan. 31, closing the book on nearly half a century of close ties with Europe, but it continued to follow the bloc’s rules during a transition period intended to give the two sides time to negotiate the trade deal struck this week.

Here are the basic terms of that deal.

It saves Britain from crashing out of the EU

British companies have long been able to move goods to and from the European Union without paying taxes or tariffs. Had the two sides failed to reach a deal before the Dec. 31 deadline, tariffs would have been imposed, raising the price on cars considerably and making it much more difficult for British farmers to sell meat, for example, to the European market.

A no-deal separation also looked likely to create gridlock at British ports and strand trucks on either side of the border.

The new agreement means that Britain avoids onerous tariffs or quotas on goods. But problems at the border could still emerge, with checks increasing and traders having to complete new customs declarations.

And commercial relations face more restrictions. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that gross domestic product in Britain could be 4% lower cumulatively over the next 15 years than it would have been had Britain remained in the European Union. Without a deal, that drop was projected to be even larger.

The agreement was not entirely a surprise. To some commentators, a no-deal Brexit had always looked more like useful leverage for political purposes than a probable outcome of negotiations.

Both sides compromised on fish, a major sticking point

The number of people employed in Britain’s fishing industry has fallen in recent decades, and the British government cast its split from the European Union as a chance to revive the industry by cutting European companies’ access to British waters. Britain originally sought an 80% reduction in the share of fish that European Union boats would be allowed to catch in British waters.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain made significant concessions on that point: The European Union’s fishing quota in British waters will be cut by 25%. But Brussels also compromised: That quota reduction will come into effect over 5 1/2 years, roughly half as long as the European Union originally wanted.

British workers, unhappy not to have exclusive access to fish in British waters, may complain about the deal. But analysts have said that British boats would not have the capacity to catch everything that once went to European boats, even if they had the opportunity to do so.

A no-deal scenario would also have forced tariffs on British fishing companies, making it more difficult for them to sell what they caught to the European Union at competitive prices.

Pro-Brexit lawmakers got many of their wishes

Citizens of European Union member states can look for jobs elsewhere in the bloc, work there without needing special permits and stay after they have left their jobs. But the trade deal ends the free movement of people between Britain and the continent. And it also ended Britain’s involvement in the popular Erasmus student exchange program, which since 1987 saw hundreds of thousands of people each year traveling abroad for study, work experience and apprenticeships.

As both a single market and a customs union, the European Union also agreed to adopt the same rules and regulations so that goods, services and capital can move freely across borders of countries within the bloc. And it agreed to apply the same taxes on goods from outside the bloc, meaning that they can be shipped within the European Union without facing additional tariffs.

But Britain will now leave both the single market and the customs union and can pursue trade deals with other countries. Those points were among the demands made by the most aggressive anti-Europe lawmakers in Britain.

But the European Union won assurances, too

In return for allowing British companies to avoid tariffs, the European Union wanted to ensure that those companies would not gain unfair advantages over their European rivals. The bloc’s leaders worried that Britain would give its own companies a leg up through additional state aid or by lowering environmental or labor standards.

Britain did not want the European Union to be able to automatically impose sanctions if it decided to depart from European rules. So the two sides worked to devise a mechanism by which either could raise a complaint if it had evidence that one had changed regulations in a way that put the other’s businesses at a disadvantage.

As a last resort, if Britain and the European Union could not find common ground in such a scenario, tariffs could be imposed to ensure that one side did not have too big of an advantage.

The British economy faces enormous hurdles

The trade deal was primarily concerned with goods crossing borders. But the British economy is enormously reliant on its services sector, and the deal did not immediately make it easier for British companies to sell financial and other services to its European neighbors.

Once the transition period ends Dec. 31, traders in London will leave the European Union’s single market for financial services.

Both have said they each wanted to be able to evaluate in the future whether the other side’s financial services regulations were equally stringent, and whether they could continue to easily buy and sell services across borders.

But that system will not be as straightforward for banks and traders as the current one.

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec.

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec. 31. British lawmakers had haggled for years over the divorce, known as Brexit. Britain formally left the European Union on Jan. 31, closing the book on nearly half a century of close ties with Europe, but it continued to follow the bloc’s rules during a transition period intended to give the two sides time to negotiate the trade deal struck this week. Here are the basic terms of that deal. It saves Britain from crashing out of the EU British companies have long been able to move goods to and from the European Union without paying taxes or tariffs. Had the two sides failed to reach a deal before the Dec. 31 deadline, tariffs would have been imposed, raising the price on cars considerably and making it much more difficult for British farmers to sell meat, for example, to the European market. A no-deal separation also looked likely to create gridlock at British ports and strand trucks on either side of the border. The new agreement means that Britain avoids onerous tariffs or quotas on goods. But problems at the border could still emerge, with checks increasing and traders having to complete new customs declarations. And commercial relations face more restrictions. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that gross domestic product in Britain could be 4% lower cumulatively over the next 15 years than it would have been had Britain remained in the European Union. Without a deal, that drop was projected to be even larger. The agreement was not entirely a surprise. To some commentators, a no-deal Brexit had always looked more like useful leverage for political purposes than a probable outcome of negotiations. Both sides compromised on fish, a major sticking point The number of people employed in Britain’s fishing industry has fallen in recent decades, and the British government cast its split from the European Union as a chance to revive the industry by cutting European companies’ access to British waters. Britain originally sought an 80% reduction in the share of fish that European Union boats would be allowed to catch in British waters. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain made significant concessions on that point: The European Union’s fishing quota in British waters will be cut by 25%. But Brussels also compromised: That quota reduction will come into effect over 5 1/2 years, roughly half as long as the European Union originally wanted. British workers, unhappy not to have exclusive access to fish in British waters, may complain about the deal. But analysts have said that British boats would not have the capacity to catch everything that once went to European boats, even if they had the opportunity to do so. A no-deal scenario would also have forced tariffs on British fishing companies, making it more difficult for them to sell what they caught to the European Union at competitive prices. Pro-Brexit lawmakers got many of their wishes Citizens of European Union member states can look for jobs elsewhere in the bloc, work there without needing special permits and stay after they have left their jobs. But the trade deal ends the free movement of people between Britain and the continent. And it also ended Britain’s involvement in the popular Erasmus student exchange program, which since 1987 saw hundreds of thousands of people each year traveling abroad for study, work experience and apprenticeships. As both a single market and a customs union, the European Union also agreed to adopt the same rules and regulations so that goods, services and capital can move freely across borders of countries within the bloc. And it agreed to apply the same taxes on goods from outside the bloc, meaning that they can be shipped within the European Union without facing additional tariffs. But Britain will now leave both the single market and the customs union and can pursue trade deals with other countries. Those points were among the demands made by the most aggressive anti-Europe lawmakers in Britain. But the European Union won assurances, too In return for allowing British companies to avoid tariffs, the European Union wanted to ensure that those companies would not gain unfair advantages over their European rivals. The bloc’s leaders worried that Britain would give its own companies a leg up through additional state aid or by lowering environmental or labor standards. Britain did not want the European Union to be able to automatically impose sanctions if it decided to depart from European rules. So the two sides worked to devise a mechanism by which either could raise a complaint if it had evidence that one had changed regulations in a way that put the other’s businesses at a disadvantage. As a last resort, if Britain and the European Union could not find common ground in such a scenario, tariffs could be imposed to ensure that one side did not have too big of an advantage. The British economy faces enormous hurdles The trade deal was primarily concerned with goods crossing borders. But the British economy is enormously reliant on its services sector, and the deal did not immediately make it easier for British companies to sell financial and other services to its European neighbors. Once the transition period ends Dec. 31, traders in London will leave the European Union’s single market for financial services. Both have said they each wanted to be able to evaluate in the future whether the other side’s financial services regulations were equally stringent, and whether they could continue to easily buy and sell services across borders. But that system will not be as straightforward for banks and traders as the current one.

5 takeaways from the post-Brexit trade deal

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

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