India on Tuesday shared the coordinates of the crossing point of the Kartarpur corridor along the International Border with Pakistan. New Delhi also proposed two sets of dates, February 26 and March 7 2019, for the visit of Pakistan delegation to New Delhi to discuss and finalise the modalities on the corridor.&nbsp;

The development comes a day after Islamabad said that it shared the draft on Kartarpur with New Delhi and appointed Director-General (South Asia &amp; SAARC) Mohammad Faisal, as the focal person on Pakistan's side on the Kartarpur.

On 15th of January, a high-level meeting happened at the home ministry to discuss the modalities on Kartarpur corridor which was chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and attended by Punjab Chief Secretary, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, DG BSF R K Mishra and officials from the Road and Transport Ministry.

WION had then reported that India is likely to propose a formal meeting on the Kartarpur corridor to Pakistan.

The Indian cabinet last year on November 22, 2018, approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor on the Indian side from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border and asked Pakistan to build the corridor on its side too. The development came ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be celebrated this year.

India's Vice President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone for the corridor on the Indian side on November 26, 2018, while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on November 28. 2 union ministers-- Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri represented India at the ceremony on Pakistan side.

India on Tuesday shared the coordinates of the crossing point of the Kartarpur corridor along the International Border with Pakistan. New Delhi also proposed two sets of dates, February 26 and March 7 2019, for the visit of Pakistan delegation to New Delhi to discuss and finalise the modalities on the corridor.

India on Tuesday shared the coordinates of the crossing point of the Kartarpur corridor along the International Border with Pakistan. New Delhi also proposed two sets of dates, February 26 and March 7 2019, for the visit of Pakistan delegation to New Delhi to discuss and finalise the modalities on the corridor. The development comes a day after Islamabad said that it shared the draft on Kartarpur with New Delhi and appointed Director-General (South Asia & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal, as the focal person on Pakistan's side on the Kartarpur. On 15th of January, a high-level meeting happened at the home ministry to discuss the modalities on Kartarpur corridor which was chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and attended by Punjab Chief Secretary, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, DG BSF R K Mishra and officials from the Road and Transport Ministry. WION had then reported that India is likely to propose a formal meeting on the Kartarpur corridor to Pakistan. The Indian cabinet last year on November 22, 2018, approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor on the Indian side from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border and asked Pakistan to build the corridor on its side too. The development came ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be celebrated this year. India's Vice President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone for the corridor on the Indian side on November 26, 2018, while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on November 28. 2 union ministers-- Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri represented India at the ceremony on Pakistan side.

Kartarpur corridor: India shares coordinates of crossing point, dates to discuss modalities

Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launch pad to Central Asia. The president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice&nbsp;in the last four months. First on a state visit in September last year and then last week for Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar.&nbsp;

Our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Uzbek Ambassador Farhod Arziev on a range of issues from Chabahar,&nbsp;Afghanistan to&nbsp;India-Uzbek trade relations.

WION: How do you see connectivity between the two countries?

Farhod Arziev: I would like to inform you just before the visit of President, we have hosted important event India Central Asia dialogues at the level of foreign ministers in which foreign minister of Afghanistan also participated.

For the first time, such format was created and the meeting took place in Samarkand. And&nbsp;foreign ministers of central Asia, India and Afghanistan participated. One of the key items of discussion was to expand areas of connectivity between India and central Asia and use transit potential of Afghanistan.

So now, discussion among the parties, among Central Asia and India is going on to increase the connectivity opportunities which will create new corridors between Uzbekistan, central Asia and India. We see great transit potential of Afghanistan in this regard. And we believe, this will have practical implication and it will be beneficial for all parties.

WION: How do you see the role of Chabahar port?

Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked. Any projects that can help Uzbekistan to reach the international market we see positively. The projects like Chabahar creates an opportunity for central Asia. We believe it will play a very important practical role in expanding trade and economic relations.

WION: How do you see ties between two countries?

Farhod Arziev: For the past four months, we have had the highest level visits.

The second time our president visited on January 17, 18 and attended the Vibrant Gujarat investment summit. I would like to stress the intensity of visit at the highest level shows how close and how the dynamic relationship between the two countries are. Our relations are getting&nbsp;closer&nbsp;at various levels - political, economic,&nbsp;trade and cultural.

In all areas, it is a comprehensive character. We had a country pavilion where we showed 'made in Uzbekistan'&nbsp;products. Our president gave a speech (at Vibrant Gujarat) to highlight key areas of cooperation.

Our president highlighted the importance of connectivity between India and Uzbekistan as a means to expand investment. The idea is to establish a railway line project that can connect Uzbekistan and India via &nbsp;Afghanistan through the Chabahar port.

We believe in expanding connectivity through which trade options will increase. Regional cooperation was also highlighted. &nbsp;

WION: How do you see investment ties? &nbsp;

Farhod Arziev: Investment and economic cooperation is an important part of Uzbek-India dialogue. The investment was an important part of the agenda of our President when he came on the state visit in last year in October.

This time in his talks with PM Modi, important investment cooperation was highlighted separately. And I am happy to inform you as part of the visit, a very important and strategic agreement on the supply of Uzbek uranium to India and exchange of documents took place in front of two leaders in Vibrant Gujarat summit hall.

And also to encourage investment project we have signed an agreement between EXIM bank of India and state investment committee of Uzbekistan. They have inked framework agreement on the line of credit. We are talking about a soft loan.

We are getting a line of credit at the volume of $200 million&nbsp;to implement social and infrastructure project. We working with the private sector in India.

Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launch pad to Central Asia. The president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice in the last four months. First on a state visit in September last year and then last week for Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar.

Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launch pad to Central Asia. The president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice in the last four months. First on a state visit in September last year and then last week for Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar. Our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Uzbek Ambassador Farhod Arziev on a range of issues from Chabahar, Afghanistan to India-Uzbek trade relations. WION: How do you see connectivity between the two countries? Farhod Arziev: I would like to inform you just before the visit of President, we have hosted important event India Central Asia dialogues at the level of foreign ministers in which foreign minister of Afghanistan also participated. For the first time, such format was created and the meeting took place in Samarkand. And foreign ministers of central Asia, India and Afghanistan participated. One of the key items of discussion was to expand areas of connectivity between India and central Asia and use transit potential of Afghanistan. So now, discussion among the parties, among Central Asia and India is going on to increase the connectivity opportunities which will create new corridors between Uzbekistan, central Asia and India. We see great transit potential of Afghanistan in this regard. And we believe, this will have practical implication and it will be beneficial for all parties. WION: How do you see the role of Chabahar port? Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked. Any projects that can help Uzbekistan to reach the international market we see positively. The projects like Chabahar creates an opportunity for central Asia. We believe it will play a very important practical role in expanding trade and economic relations. WION: How do you see ties between two countries? Farhod Arziev: For the past four months, we have had the highest level visits. The second time our president visited on January 17, 18 and attended the Vibrant Gujarat investment summit. I would like to stress the intensity of visit at the highest level shows how close and how the dynamic relationship between the two countries are. Our relations are getting closer at various levels - political, economic, trade and cultural. In all areas, it is a comprehensive character. We had a country pavilion where we showed 'made in Uzbekistan' products. Our president gave a speech (at Vibrant Gujarat) to highlight key areas of cooperation. Our president highlighted the importance of connectivity between India and Uzbekistan as a means to expand investment. The idea is to establish a railway line project that can connect Uzbekistan and India via Afghanistan through the Chabahar port. We believe in expanding connectivity through which trade options will increase. Regional cooperation was also highlighted. WION: How do you see investment ties? Farhod Arziev: Investment and economic cooperation is an important part of Uzbek-India dialogue. The investment was an important part of the agenda of our President when he came on the state visit in last year in October. This time in his talks with PM Modi, important investment cooperation was highlighted separately. And I am happy to inform you as part of the visit, a very important and strategic agreement on the supply of Uzbek uranium to India and exchange of documents took place in front of two leaders in Vibrant Gujarat summit hall. And also to encourage investment project we have signed an agreement between EXIM bank of India and state investment committee of Uzbekistan. They have inked framework agreement on the line of credit. We are talking about a soft loan. We are getting a line of credit at the volume of $200 million to implement social and infrastructure project. We working with the private sector in India.

Rail line through Afghanistan can connect Uzbekistan with Chabahar: Uzbekistan ambassador Arziev

An Indian fishing boat was fired on and then rammed by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA ) on January 17 at 7 am near Mitha Port in Gujarat. Seven fishermen fell overboard, of whom six were rescued by the Indian coast guard.&nbsp;

The fishing boat sank about 64 nautical miles southwest of Mitha port.&nbsp;

The one fisherman missing is presumed dead.

India raised the matter with Islamabad on January 19 through a note verbale sent from the Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi said in the note verbale: "India condemned in the strongest term such deplorable and unprofessional act by PMSA of firing at a fishing vessel and later ramming and sinking it".

The note verbale added that "such acts are in contravention of all international laws, conventions and the established humanitarian norms and practices."

India also called on Pakistan to "investigate the heinous act and instruct" its forces to "desist from such acts immediately".

This is the first such incident to come to light in recent years. An Indian fisherman was killed In 2015 in Pakistani firing.&nbsp;

The issue of Indian fishermen has been one of the key matters India has been raising with Pakistan. According to India, Pakistan has in its custody 418 fishermen who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. Since 2014, India has got back 1,699 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats from Pakistan.&nbsp;

Speaking in Parliament on the issue of Indian fishermen in Pakistani custody, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh had said, "Government regularly takes up the issue of early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their boats with the Pakistan authorities."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

An Indian fishing boat was fired on and then rammed by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA ) on January 17 at 7 am near Mitha Port in Gujarat. Seven fishermen fell overboard, of whom six were rescued by the Indian coast guard.

An Indian fishing boat was fired on and then rammed by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA ) on January 17 at 7 am near Mitha Port in Gujarat. Seven fishermen fell overboard, of whom six were rescued by the Indian coast guard. The fishing boat sank about 64 nautical miles southwest of Mitha port. The one fisherman missing is presumed dead. India raised the matter with Islamabad on January 19 through a note verbale sent from the Ministry of External Affairs. New Delhi said in the note verbale: "India condemned in the strongest term such deplorable and unprofessional act by PMSA of firing at a fishing vessel and later ramming and sinking it". The note verbale added that "such acts are in contravention of all international laws, conventions and the established humanitarian norms and practices." India also called on Pakistan to "investigate the heinous act and instruct" its forces to "desist from such acts immediately". This is the first such incident to come to light in recent years. An Indian fisherman was killed In 2015 in Pakistani firing. The issue of Indian fishermen has been one of the key matters India has been raising with Pakistan. According to India, Pakistan has in its custody 418 fishermen who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. Since 2014, India has got back 1,699 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats from Pakistan. Speaking in Parliament on the issue of Indian fishermen in Pakistani custody, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh had said, "Government regularly takes up the issue of early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their boats with the Pakistan authorities."

Pakistan fires on Indian fishing boat; 1 fisherman dead

Hours after Pakistan said it has sent a draft on Kartarpur corridor to New Delhi, India has said it is yet to receive a draft. Pakistan on Monday issued a press release saying it has shared the draft Agreement between "Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of India" on Kartarpur with the Government of India through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.&nbsp;

Pakistan further said that it has appointed Director-General (South Asia &amp; SAARC) at Pakistan foreign ministry Mohammad Faisal as the focal person on Pakistan's side on Kartarpur corridor and requested India to also "India designate a focal person at its end."

The release further added that the "Government of Pakistan also invited the Government of India" to "urgently" send a "delegation to Islamabad to negotiate and finalize the Agreement. "

The Pakistani foreign office spokesperson also twitted picture Kartarpur corridor under construction on its side.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Keeping promises - Work in progress on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kartarpurcorridor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kartarpurcorridor</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> side (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/GySTjWmDWd">pic.twitter.com/GySTjWmDWd</a>
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1087327576979374080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Last Thursday during Pakistan's foreign office weekly briefing their spokesperson said they have not received any invite for Indo Pak talks on Kartarpur from India.

The development comes even as a high-level meeting happened at the home ministry a few days ago to discuss the modalities on Kartarpur corridor which was chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and attended by Punjab Chief Secretary, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, DG BSF R K Mishra and officials from the Road and Transport Ministry.&nbsp;

India on 22nd November approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor on the Indian side from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border. The announcement came ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be celebrated this year. Pakistan later announced that it will also build a corridor on its side of the border from the holy Gurudwara till the border.&nbsp;

India's Vice President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone for the corridor on the Indian side on 26 November 2018 while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on 28th November on its side of the border. India was represented by 2 union ministers-- Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri at the ceremony on Pakistan side.

Hours after Pakistan said it has sent a draft on Kartarpur corridor to New Delhi, India has said it is yet to receive a draft. Pakistan on Monday issued a press release saying it has shared the draft Agreement between "Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of India" on Kartarpur with the Government of India through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Hours after Pakistan said it has sent a draft on Kartarpur corridor to New Delhi, India has said it is yet to receive a draft. Pakistan on Monday issued a press release saying it has shared the draft Agreement between "Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of India" on Kartarpur with the Government of India through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Pakistan further said that it has appointed Director-General (South Asia & SAARC) at Pakistan foreign ministry Mohammad Faisal as the focal person on Pakistan's side on Kartarpur corridor and requested India to also "India designate a focal person at its end." The release further added that the "Government of Pakistan also invited the Government of India" to "urgently" send a "delegation to Islamabad to negotiate and finalize the Agreement. " The Pakistani foreign office spokesperson also twitted picture Kartarpur corridor under construction on its side. Keeping promises - Work in progress on #kartarpurcorridor on #Pakistan side (1/2) pic.twitter.com/GySTjWmDWd — Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) January 21, 2019 × Last Thursday during Pakistan's foreign office weekly briefing their spokesperson said they have not received any invite for Indo Pak talks on Kartarpur from India. The development comes even as a high-level meeting happened at the home ministry a few days ago to discuss the modalities on Kartarpur corridor which was chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and attended by Punjab Chief Secretary, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, DG BSF R K Mishra and officials from the Road and Transport Ministry. India on 22nd November approved the building of Kartarpur Corridor on the Indian side from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border. The announcement came ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be celebrated this year. Pakistan later announced that it will also build a corridor on its side of the border from the holy Gurudwara till the border. India's Vice President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone for the corridor on the Indian side on 26 November 2018 while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on 28th November on its side of the border. India was represented by 2 union ministers-- Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State (IC) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri at the ceremony on Pakistan side.

Kartarpur Corridor: India says yet to receive draft

A major incident of harassment of Indian<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-says-indian-high-commission-in-islamabad-functioning-without-certificate-of-completion-191744"> staff at the Indian mission in Islamabad</a> has come to light. The incident took place on January 15th at 10am when two staff member the Indian High Commission in Pakistan while going from the mission to world mart market in the diplomatic enclave were intercepted by Pakistan agency personnel and questioned about an alleged incident. The agency further threatened mission officials that Pakistan "would reciprocate on the same way."

India has raised the matter with the Pakistani foreign ministry and a note verbale was sent from the Indian mission on January 18th. In the note verbale, New Delhi requested Pakistani foreign ministry to investigate the incident and instructed the "relevant agency to ensure that such incidents do not recur". It also asked Islamabad to share the results of the investigation with the High Commission.

India in the note verbale added that such incidents of harassment of family members of diplomats are a violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations of 1961 and that "safety and security of Indian High Commission, its officers, staff members and their families is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan"

The development comes even as the capital development authority of Pakistan demanded a "completion certificate" from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on a new compound.&nbsp;

The authority has said the Indian mission has constructed, occupied and is functioning from the new building without a completion certificate. The capital development authority is the nodal body for providing municipal services in Islamabad capital territory. This has also been raised with Pakistan by Indian officials.

India&nbsp;raises terror issue with Pakistan

New Delhi has also raised the issue of terror with Pakistan. A note verbale sent on January 18th from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to the Pakistan High Commission about an address in Lahore on January 14th by "Amir of Ansar ul Ummah alias Harkat Ul Mujahideen", a UN-designated terror entity, "advocating terror and violence against India".

In the note verbale, the external affairs ministry registered "its strong protest at the use of Pakistan controlled territory by extremist and terrorist elements to freely propagate violence and terror against India".

The note verbale further added that "New Delhi once again calls upon the government of Pakistan to fulfil its international obligations" and abide by its "bilateral commitment to not allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India, in any manner".

A major incident of harassment of Indian staff at the Indian mission in Islamabad has come to light. The incident took place on January 15th at 10am when two staff member the Indian High Commission in Pakistan while going from the mission to world mart market in the diplomatic enclave were intercepted by Pakistan agency personnel and questioned about an alleged incident.

A major incident of harassment of Indian staff at the Indian mission in Islamabad has come to light. The incident took place on January 15th at 10am when two staff member the Indian High Commission in Pakistan while going from the mission to world mart market in the diplomatic enclave were intercepted by Pakistan agency personnel and questioned about an alleged incident. The agency further threatened mission officials that Pakistan "would reciprocate on the same way." India has raised the matter with the Pakistani foreign ministry and a note verbale was sent from the Indian mission on January 18th. In the note verbale, New Delhi requested Pakistani foreign ministry to investigate the incident and instructed the "relevant agency to ensure that such incidents do not recur". It also asked Islamabad to share the results of the investigation with the High Commission. India in the note verbale added that such incidents of harassment of family members of diplomats are a violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations of 1961 and that "safety and security of Indian High Commission, its officers, staff members and their families is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan" The development comes even as the capital development authority of Pakistan demanded a "completion certificate" from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on a new compound. The authority has said the Indian mission has constructed, occupied and is functioning from the new building without a completion certificate. The capital development authority is the nodal body for providing municipal services in Islamabad capital territory. This has also been raised with Pakistan by Indian officials. India raises terror issue with Pakistan New Delhi has also raised the issue of terror with Pakistan. A note verbale sent on January 18th from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to the Pakistan High Commission about an address in Lahore on January 14th by "Amir of Ansar ul Ummah alias Harkat Ul Mujahideen", a UN-designated terror entity, "advocating terror and violence against India". In the note verbale, the external affairs ministry registered "its strong protest at the use of Pakistan controlled territory by extremist and terrorist elements to freely propagate violence and terror against India". The note verbale further added that "New Delhi once again calls upon the government of Pakistan to fulfil its international obligations" and abide by its "bilateral commitment to not allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India, in any manner".

India raises terror issue with Pak as harassment of Indian diplomats continues

Pakistan has dug up another issue in the ongoing saga of harassment of Indian mission and diplomats in Islamabad.&nbsp;

This time it is the Capital development authority of Pakistan that had demanded "completion certificate" from the Indian high commission in Islamabad on the new compound.&nbsp;

The authority has said the Indian mission has constructed, occupied and is functioning from the new building without a completion certificate.&nbsp;

Capital Development Authority is the nodal body for providing municipal services in Islamabad Capital Territory.&nbsp;

The Pakistani foreign ministry has raised the matter with India via a note verbale. India has taken up this matter with Pakistani high commission officials in Delhi.

The development comes, even as harassment of Indian diplomats continues. There were 4 major incidents of harassment of India diplomats in December of 2018.&nbsp;

On December 4 2018, the Indian high commissioner and deputy high commissioner were aggressively kept watched by Pakistani agencies during an event in Islamabad.&nbsp;

On December 10 someone tried to forcibly barge into the house of an Indian diplomat, on December 21 Indian High Commission team was questioned for 4 hours on the road in Peshawar and on December 25 electricity was cut for 4 hours at the house of an Indian diplomat.&nbsp;

Other than this there was a hacking attempt of social media accounts of Indian diplomats. India has sent note verbale to Pakistani foreign ministry and raised the matter many times with them.&nbsp;

In the last 2 weeks, Indian High commissioner Ajay Bisaria has met with Pakistan's foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and Pakistani high commissioner Sohail Mahmood has met Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale to discuss a range of issues from Karatarpur corridor to harassment of diplomats.

Pakistan has dug up another issue in the ongoing saga of harassment of Indian mission and diplomats in Islamabad. This time it is the Capital development authority of Pakistan that had demanded "completion certificate" from the Indian high commission in Islamabad on the new compound.

Pakistan has dug up another issue in the ongoing saga of harassment of Indian mission and diplomats in Islamabad. This time it is the Capital development authority of Pakistan that had demanded "completion certificate" from the Indian high commission in Islamabad on the new compound. The authority has said the Indian mission has constructed, occupied and is functioning from the new building without a completion certificate. Capital Development Authority is the nodal body for providing municipal services in Islamabad Capital Territory. The Pakistani foreign ministry has raised the matter with India via a note verbale. India has taken up this matter with Pakistani high commission officials in Delhi. The development comes, even as harassment of Indian diplomats continues. There were 4 major incidents of harassment of India diplomats in December of 2018. On December 4 2018, the Indian high commissioner and deputy high commissioner were aggressively kept watched by Pakistani agencies during an event in Islamabad. On December 10 someone tried to forcibly barge into the house of an Indian diplomat, on December 21 Indian High Commission team was questioned for 4 hours on the road in Peshawar and on December 25 electricity was cut for 4 hours at the house of an Indian diplomat. Other than this there was a hacking attempt of social media accounts of Indian diplomats. India has sent note verbale to Pakistani foreign ministry and raised the matter many times with them. In the last 2 weeks, Indian High commissioner Ajay Bisaria has met with Pakistan's foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and Pakistani high commissioner Sohail Mahmood has met Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale to discuss a range of issues from Karatarpur corridor to harassment of diplomats.

Pak says Indian High Commission functioning without completion certificate

External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath opened the Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) on Monday.&nbsp;

Member of Parliament from Norway Himanshu Gulati and Member of Parliament from New Zealand Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi were the chief guests at the Youth PBD in Varanasi.

Speaking at the Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, EAM Sushma lauded the role of the Indian diaspora and said, "Whether it is Sundar Pichai of Google, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, Ajay Banga of Mastercard, or Geeta Gopinath of IMF – it is indisputable that Indians are leading the world today. Our diaspora has dramatically changed the world’s perception of Indians, and of India as well."

She invited the young member of the diaspora to contribute to India's development and saying "I would like you to contribute to the Higher Education and Research and Development sectors with your technical expertise and knowledge sharing, and help India harness its huge demographic dividend."

Adding, " We not only want to connect our youth diaspora to their ancestral land of India, and to teach them to take pride in their history and civilizational heritage but most importantly, we also want to engage you to participate in transforming India."

India has one of the largest diasporas in the world at almost 31 million which is spread throughout the world.

She said the Indian government is just one click away if any member of Indian overseas community in distress and explained, "we have pioneered the use of digital platforms and social media to actively enhance our outreach to the Indian Diaspora. Today we are present on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Google+, Soundcloud and Flick as well as LinkedIn" Adding further, "Our embassies have been proactive on the digital media, providing consular help and guidance. Whether it is Facebook or Twitter, help is just a message away from any Indian National in distress."

She also addressed the concerns of Indian students studying abroad saying to address their grievances Ministry of external affairs has constituted an Expert Group comprising Ambassadors of Foreign Missions in Delhi, where the majority of Indian students are pursuing higher education. In 2018 two meetings were held and the recommendations of the meetings are currently being considered. &nbsp;Presently, about 7.5 lakh Indian students are pursuing higher education in research and innovation abroad. &nbsp;

The 3-day event will be formally opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday with Mauritius prime minister Pravind Jugnauth the chief guest.

External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath opened the Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) on Monday. Member of Parliament from Norway Himanshu Gulati and Member of Parliament from New Zealand Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi were the chief guests at the Youth PBD in Varanasi.

External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath opened the Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) on Monday. Member of Parliament from Norway Himanshu Gulati and Member of Parliament from New Zealand Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi were the chief guests at the Youth PBD in Varanasi. Speaking at the Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, EAM Sushma lauded the role of the Indian diaspora and said, "Whether it is Sundar Pichai of Google, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, Ajay Banga of Mastercard, or Geeta Gopinath of IMF – it is indisputable that Indians are leading the world today. Our diaspora has dramatically changed the world’s perception of Indians, and of India as well." She invited the young member of the diaspora to contribute to India's development and saying "I would like you to contribute to the Higher Education and Research and Development sectors with your technical expertise and knowledge sharing, and help India harness its huge demographic dividend." Adding, " We not only want to connect our youth diaspora to their ancestral land of India, and to teach them to take pride in their history and civilizational heritage but most importantly, we also want to engage you to participate in transforming India." India has one of the largest diasporas in the world at almost 31 million which is spread throughout the world. She said the Indian government is just one click away if any member of Indian overseas community in distress and explained, "we have pioneered the use of digital platforms and social media to actively enhance our outreach to the Indian Diaspora. Today we are present on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Google+, Soundcloud and Flick as well as LinkedIn" Adding further, "Our embassies have been proactive on the digital media, providing consular help and guidance. Whether it is Facebook or Twitter, help is just a message away from any Indian National in distress." She also addressed the concerns of Indian students studying abroad saying to address their grievances Ministry of external affairs has constituted an Expert Group comprising Ambassadors of Foreign Missions in Delhi, where the majority of Indian students are pursuing higher education. In 2018 two meetings were held and the recommendations of the meetings are currently being considered. Presently, about 7.5 lakh Indian students are pursuing higher education in research and innovation abroad. The 3-day event will be formally opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday with Mauritius prime minister Pravind Jugnauth the chief guest.

Indians leading the world today: Sushma Swaraj on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who is on a week-long visit to India, will be the chief guest.

"On the 22nd evening, there will be a program on Ganga by Hema Malini," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said ahead of the event.&nbsp;

The attendees will be taken to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela on January 24, on the 25th they will be brought to Delhi for sightseeing, and on the 26th they will watch the Republic Day parade in the capital.&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions for the stay of the attendees — they will be put up at people's homes in Varanasi and at a tent city in Prayagraj.&nbsp;

"Under Varanasi Aatithya and to give the diaspora members the feel of Indian hospitality, families in Varanasi have opened their doors. PM wanted this and to facilitate this, people have registered and we have selected families where NRIs can stay," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.&nbsp;

A Youth PBD will take place on the first day of the gala and at which the chief guests will be Himanshu Gulati, member of parliament from Norway, and Kamaljeet Bakshi, member of parliament from New Zealand. Thirty people will be honoured by the President with Pravasi Samman awards on the last day.

The decision to hold a Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was first taken by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first PBD took place under his prime ministership from January 9 to 11, &nbsp;2003. To honour Vajpayee, the auditorium in which PBD 2019 will take place has been named after him. An exhibition is also being organised to remember him.

Asked how the PBD will increase diplomatic outreach, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh — he was speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference, said, "The amount of money that our diaspora members send to India, which is not visible to everybody, the amount of remittances that we get back to India, that is not visible to everybody but their effect is not obviously visible to everybody. Whatever we spend on we do it after much deliberations and what I believe that the message that we put across through this and the way we have structured the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, it definitely improves our outreach."

The chief ministers of Haryana and Uttarakhand will be participating in the PBD.

This is the third PBD being organised by the Modi government. The first was held in January 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the second in January 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In 2015, the Modi government turned the PBD into a biennial event.

The PBD begins every year on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's arrival back in India from South Africa in 1915. It was moved back to the January 21 this year to align it with the Kumbh Mela and Republic Day so that the diaspora could experience India's culture at Prayagraj and its grandeur at Rajpath.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday.

The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who is on a week-long visit to India, will be the chief guest. "On the 22nd evening, there will be a program on Ganga by Hema Malini," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said ahead of the event. The attendees will be taken to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela on January 24, on the 25th they will be brought to Delhi for sightseeing, and on the 26th they will watch the Republic Day parade in the capital. The Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions for the stay of the attendees — they will be put up at people's homes in Varanasi and at a tent city in Prayagraj. "Under Varanasi Aatithya and to give the diaspora members the feel of Indian hospitality, families in Varanasi have opened their doors. PM wanted this and to facilitate this, people have registered and we have selected families where NRIs can stay," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said. A Youth PBD will take place on the first day of the gala and at which the chief guests will be Himanshu Gulati, member of parliament from Norway, and Kamaljeet Bakshi, member of parliament from New Zealand. Thirty people will be honoured by the President with Pravasi Samman awards on the last day. The decision to hold a Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was first taken by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first PBD took place under his prime ministership from January 9 to 11, 2003. To honour Vajpayee, the auditorium in which PBD 2019 will take place has been named after him. An exhibition is also being organised to remember him. Asked how the PBD will increase diplomatic outreach, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh — he was speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference, said, "The amount of money that our diaspora members send to India, which is not visible to everybody, the amount of remittances that we get back to India, that is not visible to everybody but their effect is not obviously visible to everybody. Whatever we spend on we do it after much deliberations and what I believe that the message that we put across through this and the way we have structured the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, it definitely improves our outreach." The chief ministers of Haryana and Uttarakhand will be participating in the PBD. This is the third PBD being organised by the Modi government. The first was held in January 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the second in January 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In 2015, the Modi government turned the PBD into a biennial event. The PBD begins every year on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's arrival back in India from South Africa in 1915. It was moved back to the January 21 this year to align it with the Kumbh Mela and Republic Day so that the diaspora could experience India's culture at Prayagraj and its grandeur at Rajpath.

Fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to begin Monday in Varanasi, Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth will be chief guest

On the first day of the 9th edition of Vibrant Gujarat in Gandhi Nagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with four world leaders and discussed everything from investment to geopolitics to artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

Modi met Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Malta Dr Joseph Muscat and Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis. The three-day investment summit from 18th to 20th January is a biannual event which was started in 2003 when PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat.&nbsp;

Uzbekistan: India focus on Afghanistan&nbsp;

Uzbekistan's President and PM discussed the first India-Central Asia Dialogue which took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last week. According to a statement released by the ministry of external affairs (MEA), Prime Minister thanked President Mirziyoyev for his support for the First India-Central Asia Dialogue "where important discussions also took place on support to peace and development in Afghanistan". While President Mirziyoyev said the dialogue "demonstrated India's positive impact on &nbsp;Central Asia and the joint quest of the participant countries for peace in Afghanistan." Uzbekistan's Novoi Minerals &amp; Metallurgical Company signed an agreement with Department of Atomic Energy on the long-term supply of Uranium Ore Concentrate for India's energy requirements. This is the second visit of Uzbekistan's President to India in 6 months. He was in India from September 30 to October 1 for a state visit.

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Deep rooted relationship radiating warmth 
 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met with Uzbek <a href="https://twitter.com/president_uz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@president_uz</a> Shavkat Mirziyoyev on <a href="https://twitter.com/VibrantGujarat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VibrantGujarat</a> margins in Ahmedabad. Good discussion on upgrading bilateral relationship, specially in trade &amp; investment, healthcare, pharma, agriculture &amp; IT. <a href="https://t.co/a072oYIhdj">pic.twitter.com/a072oYIhdj</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1086117541305565184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Denmark: Second Nordic leader in two weeks in India

With Denmark's PM, India focused on technology cooperation. Rasmussen is the second Nordic leader to visit India this month after the visit by Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg two weeks ago. Ties between the two countries had taken a dip after no progress in the extradition of Kim Davy but both India and Denmark agreed to revive ties, especially after the first India Nordic summit in Stockholm last year when PM Rasmussen met PM Modi.&nbsp;

Around 130 Danish companies have invested in India in areas such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture and food processing.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met the Prime Minister of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Denmark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Denmark</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/larsloekke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@larsloekke</a> on the margins of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VibrantGujaratSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VibrantGujaratSummit</a>. Took stock of the bilateral relationship, specially in trade &amp; investment, renewable energy, waste management, agriculture and food processing. <a href="https://t.co/rzzzOozPtX">pic.twitter.com/rzzzOozPtX</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1086216016709984261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Malta: Artificial intelligence, blockchain&nbsp;

Indian Pharma, IT industry especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominated talks between Malta's PM and PM Modi. Malta's PM invited India to cooperate with his country on advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain and financial technologies. Malta which has been unofficially known as the "1st blockchain island" last year brought in formal legislation on blockchain technology and sees Indian IT playing an important role.

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A partner in EU &amp; Mediterranean 
 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> &amp; Maltese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/JosephMuscat_JM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JosephMuscat_JM</a> met on <a href="https://twitter.com/VibrantGujarat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VibrantGujarat</a> margins. Discussed growing economic linkages and agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in sectors such renewable energy, pharmaceuticals &amp; healthcare, air connectivity &amp; tourism. <a href="https://t.co/ubXctakEWY">pic.twitter.com/ubXctakEWY</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1086105902221090816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Czech Republic: Investment focus&nbsp;

During his interaction with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, PM Modi invited Czech companies to invest in defence, automotive and railway sectors. &nbsp;Czech PM invited nomination of an Indian scientist for its Research &amp; Development Council. President Ram Nath Kovind visited the central European country in September last year.&nbsp;

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Deepening economic relations 🇮🇳🇨🇿 
 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babiš on <a href="https://twitter.com/VibrantGujarat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VibrantGujarat</a> margins.Talks focused on trade, technology &amp; investment;cooperation in defence, high-tech manufacturing, heavy engineering, automotive industry &amp; civil aviation <a href="https://t.co/X7hzCPA12s">pic.twitter.com/X7hzCPA12s</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1086216015980023808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, The Netherlands, UAE and Uzbekistan are the 15 countries partnering this year's Vibrant Gujarat.&nbsp;

On the first day of the 9th edition of Vibrant Gujarat in Gandhi Nagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with four world leaders and discussed everything from investment to geopolitics to artificial intelligence.

On the first day of the 9th edition of Vibrant Gujarat in Gandhi Nagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with four world leaders and discussed everything from investment to geopolitics to artificial intelligence. Modi met Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Malta Dr Joseph Muscat and Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis. The three-day investment summit from 18th to 20th January is a biannual event which was started in 2003 when PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. Uzbekistan: India focus on Afghanistan Uzbekistan's President and PM discussed the first India-Central Asia Dialogue which took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last week. According to a statement released by the ministry of external affairs (MEA), Prime Minister thanked President Mirziyoyev for his support for the First India-Central Asia Dialogue "where important discussions also took place on support to peace and development in Afghanistan". While President Mirziyoyev said the dialogue "demonstrated India's positive impact on Central Asia and the joint quest of the participant countries for peace in Afghanistan." Uzbekistan's Novoi Minerals & Metallurgical Company signed an agreement with Department of Atomic Energy on the long-term supply of Uranium Ore Concentrate for India's energy requirements. This is the second visit of Uzbekistan's President to India in 6 months. He was in India from September 30 to October 1 for a state visit. Deep rooted relationship radiating warmth PM @narendramodi met with Uzbek @president_uz Shavkat Mirziyoyev on @VibrantGujarat margins in Ahmedabad. Good discussion on upgrading bilateral relationship, specially in trade & investment, healthcare, pharma, agriculture & IT. pic.twitter.com/a072oYIhdj — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 18, 2019 × Denmark: Second Nordic leader in two weeks in India With Denmark's PM, India focused on technology cooperation. Rasmussen is the second Nordic leader to visit India this month after the visit by Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg two weeks ago. Ties between the two countries had taken a dip after no progress in the extradition of Kim Davy but both India and Denmark agreed to revive ties, especially after the first India Nordic summit in Stockholm last year when PM Rasmussen met PM Modi. Around 130 Danish companies have invested in India in areas such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture and food processing. PM @narendramodi met the Prime Minister of #Denmark @larsloekke on the margins of #VibrantGujaratSummit. Took stock of the bilateral relationship, specially in trade & investment, renewable energy, waste management, agriculture and food processing. pic.twitter.com/rzzzOozPtX — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 18, 2019 × Malta: Artificial intelligence, blockchain Indian Pharma, IT industry especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominated talks between Malta's PM and PM Modi. Malta's PM invited India to cooperate with his country on advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain and financial technologies. Malta which has been unofficially known as the "1st blockchain island" last year brought in formal legislation on blockchain technology and sees Indian IT playing an important role. A partner in EU & Mediterranean PM @narendramodi & Maltese PM @JosephMuscat_JM met on @VibrantGujarat margins. Discussed growing economic linkages and agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in sectors such renewable energy, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, air connectivity & tourism. pic.twitter.com/ubXctakEWY — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 18, 2019 × Czech Republic: Investment focus During his interaction with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, PM Modi invited Czech companies to invest in defence, automotive and railway sectors. Czech PM invited nomination of an Indian scientist for its Research & Development Council. President Ram Nath Kovind visited the central European country in September last year. Deepening economic relations 🇮🇳🇨🇿 PM @narendramodi met with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babiš on @VibrantGujarat margins.Talks focused on trade, technology & investment;cooperation in defence, high-tech manufacturing, heavy engineering, automotive industry & civil aviation pic.twitter.com/X7hzCPA12s — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 18, 2019 × Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, The Netherlands, UAE and Uzbekistan are the 15 countries partnering this year's Vibrant Gujarat.

Geopolitics, AI dominate agenda as PM Modi meets 4 foreign leaders at Vibrant Gujarat 

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando said Sri Lanka has a "relationship of relationships" with India while China is a "friend."&nbsp;

Fernando spoke to WION diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibbal on a host of issues such as debt crisis, India's help to the island nation, among others. This is his first interview to an Indian media channel after becoming Sri Lanka's envoy to India. Fernando was present at&nbsp;the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC) in New Delhi.

WION: Status of Sri Lanka-India ties?

Fernando: The relationship is at a very high level of cooperation, friendship. As I always say, we are not only neighbours and friends. We have a relation. Relationship of relationships.&nbsp;

WION: Any development expected in the repatriation of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/need-serious-dialogue-for-repatriation-of-lankan-refugees-in-tamil-nadu-sri-lankan-envoy-191330">Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees living in India</a>? Will u be talking to people in Delhi or in Tamil Nadu?

Fernando: Yes, we will talk to people. I have been talking to Chandrahasan, he is one person who has been involved with these people for a long time... he has been working with them. Then I want to have a chat with him along with DHC Krishnamoorthy and others... like the UN. We will be talking to many people.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's support?&nbsp;New Delhi has launched an ambulance service, thoughts on that?&nbsp;

Fernando: An ambulance service is one of the very very successful things that is happening in Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

WION: Your ties with China?

Fernando: I think, China is also a friend. They have been helping us. We have been having a long-standing relationship with them. But as I have said earlier. You are our relation.

WION: Is debt issue a big concern for Sri Lanka?

Fernando: It's a problem of financial management. And now we trying to manage it in a different way. We are getting money. We are negotiating for $1 billion from the RBI. Then we are looking for Samurai loan from the Japanese, panda loan from China. Getting some from Germany. Banks are trying to get 200-300 million from borrowings. We have a crisis. It is a reserve problem.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando said Sri Lanka has a "relationship of relationships" with India while China is a "friend.

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando said Sri Lanka has a "relationship of relationships" with India while China is a "friend." Fernando spoke to WION diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibbal on a host of issues such as debt crisis, India's help to the island nation, among others. This is his first interview to an Indian media channel after becoming Sri Lanka's envoy to India. Fernando was present at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC) in New Delhi. WION: Status of Sri Lanka-India ties? Fernando: The relationship is at a very high level of cooperation, friendship. As I always say, we are not only neighbours and friends. We have a relation. Relationship of relationships. WION: Any development expected in the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees living in India? Will u be talking to people in Delhi or in Tamil Nadu? Fernando: Yes, we will talk to people. I have been talking to Chandrahasan, he is one person who has been involved with these people for a long time... he has been working with them. Then I want to have a chat with him along with DHC Krishnamoorthy and others... like the UN. We will be talking to many people. WION: How do you see India's support? New Delhi has launched an ambulance service, thoughts on that? Fernando: An ambulance service is one of the very very successful things that is happening in Sri Lanka. WION: Your ties with China? Fernando: I think, China is also a friend. They have been helping us. We have been having a long-standing relationship with them. But as I have said earlier. You are our relation. WION: Is debt issue a big concern for Sri Lanka? Fernando: It's a problem of financial management. And now we trying to manage it in a different way. We are getting money. We are negotiating for $1 billion from the RBI. Then we are looking for Samurai loan from the Japanese, panda loan from China. Getting some from Germany. Banks are trying to get 200-300 million from borrowings. We have a crisis. It is a reserve problem.

Our debt crisis is problem of financial management, seeking help from RBI: Sri Lankan envoy to WION

India has said that its partnership with Africa is based on the "principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit."&nbsp;

While speaking on the occasion of Africa Day at Vibrant Gujarat 2019 in Gandhinagar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "We take pride in our model of cooperation with Africa which is demand-driven, consultative, participative, involves local resources, builds capacity and is based on Africa’s own prioritisation of its needs."

Swaraj further said India views its "substantive engagement" with the African countries through "the prism of our own experience."

"When we became independent, we found that external assistance came with conditionality, both overt and covert, with prescriptions that would have constricted our sovereignty and independence," Swaraj added.&nbsp;

China's debt practices have come under criticism around the world including in Africa. Bejing has been involved in large scale infrastructure in Africa, putting many countries in massive debt which they are unable to repay.&nbsp;

India is focusing on its historical ties with Africa to promote ties. Speaking at the event, the external affairs minister said, "India has always shared a special bond with the people of Africa and supported their liberation from colonialism and from apartheid."&nbsp;

India will be opening 18 new embassies and High Commissions in Africa in the next few years which will take the number of Indian missions in Africa to 47. Last year, India opened its mission in Rwanda.

The development comes days before India's Republic Day wherein South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been invited as the chief guest.&nbsp;

India is the fifth largest investor in Africa with cumulative investments of $54 billion. Indian Lines of Credit are being used to develop 189 projects in 42 African countries for nearly $ 11.4 billion. In 2015, the third India-Africa summit took place in New Delhi and was one of the biggest diplomatic events under the Modi government in the last four years.

&nbsp;

India has said that its partnership with Africa is based on the "principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit." While speaking on the occasion of Africa Day at Vibrant Gujarat 2019 in Gandhinagar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "We take pride in our model of cooperation with Africa which is demand-driven, consultative, participative, involves local resources, builds capacity and is based on Africa’s own prioritisation of its needs.

India has said that its partnership with Africa is based on the "principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit." While speaking on the occasion of Africa Day at Vibrant Gujarat 2019 in Gandhinagar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "We take pride in our model of cooperation with Africa which is demand-driven, consultative, participative, involves local resources, builds capacity and is based on Africa’s own prioritisation of its needs." Swaraj further said India views its "substantive engagement" with the African countries through "the prism of our own experience." "When we became independent, we found that external assistance came with conditionality, both overt and covert, with prescriptions that would have constricted our sovereignty and independence," Swaraj added. China's debt practices have come under criticism around the world including in Africa. Bejing has been involved in large scale infrastructure in Africa, putting many countries in massive debt which they are unable to repay. India is focusing on its historical ties with Africa to promote ties. Speaking at the event, the external affairs minister said, "India has always shared a special bond with the people of Africa and supported their liberation from colonialism and from apartheid." India will be opening 18 new embassies and High Commissions in Africa in the next few years which will take the number of Indian missions in Africa to 47. Last year, India opened its mission in Rwanda. The development comes days before India's Republic Day wherein South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been invited as the chief guest. India is the fifth largest investor in Africa with cumulative investments of $54 billion. Indian Lines of Credit are being used to develop 189 projects in 42 African countries for nearly $ 11.4 billion. In 2015, the third India-Africa summit took place in New Delhi and was one of the biggest diplomatic events under the Modi government in the last four years.

India plans to open 18 new missions in Africa: Sushma Swaraj

Pentagon's missile defence review (MDR) 2019 has said the United States has discussed "potential missile defence cooperation" with India. The MDR 2019 said the discussion is part of "natural outgrowth" of India’s status as a major defence partner and "a key element of our Indo-Pacific Strategy." The talks between Washington and New Delhi happen even as "number of states in South Asia are developing an advanced and diverse range of ballistic and cruise missile capabilities," the review added.

MDR describes the policies, strategies, and capabilities that will guide the Pentagon's missile defence programs for the coming year.

The development comes months after India and Russia signed the S400 deal during President Putin's India visit last year.

The 108-page document talks about Washington's alliance in the Indo Pacific region adding that the cornerstone of "our security and diplomacy in Indo-Pacific region is our strong bilateral alliances with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, "and emerging security relationships with others such as India."

In 2018, US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1). Both New Delhi and Washington signed the COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement).&nbsp;

India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from the US.

The COMCASA, is an India specific foundational legal arrangement which helps New Delhi get real-time classified information, especially on maritime development. It was signed in New Delhi during the maiden 2+2 dialogue between American and Indian Defence and foreign diplomats.

The review focused on China and Russia. On China, the review said Beijing "seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and reorder the region to its advantage."

"Offensive missiles play an increasingly prominent role in China’s military modernisation, its coercive threats, and efforts to counter US military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific." The review says China has "deployed 75-100 intercontinental ballistic missiles" and possesses 4 advanced JIN class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).&nbsp;

On Russia, it said that the country is developing "S-500 as an even more modern and technologically advanced air and missile defence system," in addition to this, Moscow "has transferred missile defence technology to China and Iran" both of which are "expanding and modernizing mobile missile defence capabilities."

Russia and China are also developing Potential Adversary Missile Defense and Antisatellite (ASAT) capabilities that could "threaten US space-based assets."

Japan and South Korea are already working with the US to build missile defence systems that are interoperable with US defences. Australia participates in a trilateral discussion on missile defence with the United States and Japan. The United States and Australia meet annually to discuss bilateral missile defence cooperation.&nbsp;

Pentagon's missile defence review (MDR) 2019 has said the United States has discussed "potential missile defence cooperation" with India. The MDR 2019 said the discussion is part of "natural outgrowth" of India’s status as a major defence partner and "a key element of our Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Pentagon's missile defence review (MDR) 2019 has said the United States has discussed "potential missile defence cooperation" with India. The MDR 2019 said the discussion is part of "natural outgrowth" of India’s status as a major defence partner and "a key element of our Indo-Pacific Strategy." The talks between Washington and New Delhi happen even as "number of states in South Asia are developing an advanced and diverse range of ballistic and cruise missile capabilities," the review added. MDR describes the policies, strategies, and capabilities that will guide the Pentagon's missile defence programs for the coming year. The development comes months after India and Russia signed the S400 deal during President Putin's India visit last year. The 108-page document talks about Washington's alliance in the Indo Pacific region adding that the cornerstone of "our security and diplomacy in Indo-Pacific region is our strong bilateral alliances with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, "and emerging security relationships with others such as India." In 2018, US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1). Both New Delhi and Washington signed the COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement). India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from the US. The COMCASA, is an India specific foundational legal arrangement which helps New Delhi get real-time classified information, especially on maritime development. It was signed in New Delhi during the maiden 2+2 dialogue between American and Indian Defence and foreign diplomats. The review focused on China and Russia. On China, the review said Beijing "seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and reorder the region to its advantage." "Offensive missiles play an increasingly prominent role in China’s military modernisation, its coercive threats, and efforts to counter US military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific." The review says China has "deployed 75-100 intercontinental ballistic missiles" and possesses 4 advanced JIN class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). On Russia, it said that the country is developing "S-500 as an even more modern and technologically advanced air and missile defence system," in addition to this, Moscow "has transferred missile defence technology to China and Iran" both of which are "expanding and modernizing mobile missile defence capabilities." Russia and China are also developing Potential Adversary Missile Defense and Antisatellite (ASAT) capabilities that could "threaten US space-based assets." Japan and South Korea are already working with the US to build missile defence systems that are interoperable with US defences. Australia participates in a trilateral discussion on missile defence with the United States and Japan. The United States and Australia meet annually to discuss bilateral missile defence cooperation.

US discussed missile defence cooperation with India: Pentagon

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Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.