The Ministry of External Affairs and Uttar Pradesh government hosted 72 heads of mission, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, on Saturday in Prayagraj. The visit was to showcase the preparedness for grand Kumbha Mela that is to be organised in the city in January.&nbsp;

Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 will take place at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from 15th January to March 2019. Minister of State, External Affairs General V K Singh led the delegation of diplomats.

Speaking to WION, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, said, "The visit was extremely well prepared and organised by the UP government as well as the MEA. Kudos to the chief of protocol, MEA MOS General VK Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for having the vision for this group visit by the head of mission to go to Kumbh Mela and personally experience what so many of our citizens come to India to experience."

Dean of the diplomatic corps is the representative of the diplomatic missions, a person who deals with the government on behalf of the diplomatic community of a country. Dean of the diplomatic corps is an ambassador of a particular country. Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos is the Ambassador of Dominican Republic to India.

He said all heads of mission were satisfied and "staff of MEA went above and beyond the call of duty in making this visit a successful one." He added that the visit will "bring more confidence in travellers from our country when they visit here (Kumbh Mela). When they ask our embassy for an opinion if they should go to Kumbh. UP govt is working with central govt to better develop the facility, to better develop the area."

Castellanos thanked Prime Minister Modi and said that "it was a personal decision of him to make sure that we as heads of mission posted in India have this experience."

The Kumbh Mela was inscribed on the list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2017.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, External Affairs VK Singh, speaking to reporters after the visit, said the reaction of the ambassadors and high commissioners was a "positive one" and the ministry was able to "clarify all concerns on safety and security." The basic purpose of the visit, he said, was to "showcase the preparations that go into Kumbh Mela preparations."

The Ministry of External Affairs and Uttar Pradesh government hosted 72 heads of mission, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, on Saturday in Prayagraj. The visit was to showcase the preparedness for grand Kumbha Mela that is to be organised in the city in January.

The Ministry of External Affairs and Uttar Pradesh government hosted 72 heads of mission, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, on Saturday in Prayagraj. The visit was to showcase the preparedness for grand Kumbha Mela that is to be organised in the city in January. Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 will take place at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from 15th January to March 2019. Minister of State, External Affairs General V K Singh led the delegation of diplomats. Speaking to WION, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, said, "The visit was extremely well prepared and organised by the UP government as well as the MEA. Kudos to the chief of protocol, MEA MOS General VK Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for having the vision for this group visit by the head of mission to go to Kumbh Mela and personally experience what so many of our citizens come to India to experience." Dean of the diplomatic corps is the representative of the diplomatic missions, a person who deals with the government on behalf of the diplomatic community of a country. Dean of the diplomatic corps is an ambassador of a particular country. Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos is the Ambassador of Dominican Republic to India. He said all heads of mission were satisfied and "staff of MEA went above and beyond the call of duty in making this visit a successful one." He added that the visit will "bring more confidence in travellers from our country when they visit here (Kumbh Mela). When they ask our embassy for an opinion if they should go to Kumbh. UP govt is working with central govt to better develop the facility, to better develop the area." Castellanos thanked Prime Minister Modi and said that "it was a personal decision of him to make sure that we as heads of mission posted in India have this experience." The Kumbh Mela was inscribed on the list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2017. Meanwhile, Minister of State, External Affairs VK Singh, speaking to reporters after the visit, said the reaction of the ambassadors and high commissioners was a "positive one" and the ministry was able to "clarify all concerns on safety and security." The basic purpose of the visit, he said, was to "showcase the preparations that go into Kumbh Mela preparations."

Heads of missions visit Prayagraj to witness Kumbh Mela preparations

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her France counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed a host of issues from counter-terror, cooperation in Africa to increasing people to people ties.&nbsp;

The French Foreign minister is on a two-day visit to India.&nbsp;

The two ministers also issued a joint press statement in which French Foreign minister said his meeting with India's external affairs minister was marked by a "great convergence of views and shared ambition".&nbsp;

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20 years of a dynamic and multi-faceted strategic partnership! 
 
EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> welcomed Foreign Minister of France <a href="https://twitter.com/JY_LeDrian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JY_LeDrian</a> ahead of the delegation-level talks. This is their second bilateral meeting in six months continuing the momentum of high-level exchanges! <a href="https://t.co/pdQR8dlm0Y">pic.twitter.com/pdQR8dlm0Y</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1073817180423274496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"France and India are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year is not by chance. It's because we attach the same importance to multilateralism, respect for the rule of law, the same ambition to usher in a just and sustainable world," he said.&nbsp;

Exuding confidence in India France ties, Le Drian said, "India knows that in France it has a partner that has never failed it and on which it can count on in the future."

Sushma Swaraj said both India and France will take forward cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Defence ties between both countries are deep and multifaceted.

Both India and France discussed counter terror with EAM Sushma saying "India and France have cooperation on counter-terror especially at FATF". French FM talked about the "shared commitment to fighting terrorism, as we mark ten years since the deadly Mumbai attacks."

Both countries are also planning to launch joint projects in Africa. On people to people front, France plans to host 10,000 Indian students annually by 2020.

This is the second meeting between the External Affairs Minister and French foreign minister this year. They earlier met this year during EAM's visit to Paris. 
&nbsp; 
The French Foreign Minister also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Earlier Le Drian visited Mumbai where he met Bollywood producers and conferred the French honour of Knight of the National Order of Merit on producer Ashok Amritraj.

French company Atos and India's Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed MoU for developing supercomputers in India on the occasion.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her France counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed a host of issues from counter-terror, cooperation in Africa to increasing people to people ties.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her France counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed a host of issues from counter-terror, cooperation in Africa to increasing people to people ties. The French Foreign minister is on a two-day visit to India. The two ministers also issued a joint press statement in which French Foreign minister said his meeting with India's external affairs minister was marked by a "great convergence of views and shared ambition". 20 years of a dynamic and multi-faceted strategic partnership! EAM @SushmaSwaraj welcomed Foreign Minister of France @JY_LeDrian ahead of the delegation-level talks. This is their second bilateral meeting in six months continuing the momentum of high-level exchanges! pic.twitter.com/pdQR8dlm0Y — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 15, 2018 × "France and India are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year is not by chance. It's because we attach the same importance to multilateralism, respect for the rule of law, the same ambition to usher in a just and sustainable world," he said. Exuding confidence in India France ties, Le Drian said, "India knows that in France it has a partner that has never failed it and on which it can count on in the future." Sushma Swaraj said both India and France will take forward cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Defence ties between both countries are deep and multifaceted. Both India and France discussed counter terror with EAM Sushma saying "India and France have cooperation on counter-terror especially at FATF". French FM talked about the "shared commitment to fighting terrorism, as we mark ten years since the deadly Mumbai attacks." Both countries are also planning to launch joint projects in Africa. On people to people front, France plans to host 10,000 Indian students annually by 2020. This is the second meeting between the External Affairs Minister and French foreign minister this year. They earlier met this year during EAM's visit to Paris. The French Foreign Minister also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier Le Drian visited Mumbai where he met Bollywood producers and conferred the French honour of Knight of the National Order of Merit on producer Ashok Amritraj. French company Atos and India's Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed MoU for developing supercomputers in India on the occasion.

In France, India has a partner that has never failed it: French Foreign Minister

India is all set to roll out the red carpet for the New Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who will be on a 3-day India visit from Sunday.&nbsp;

Solih arrives in India at 2 pm on Sunday. The 3-day visit from 16-18th will see the President meeting Indian business leaders, being accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and address a joint press conference&nbsp;with Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.&nbsp;

He will also visit Agra during his India visit.&nbsp;

This will be President Solih's first visit abroad after assuming office and comes exactly a month after PM Modi visited Maldives to attend his&nbsp;swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

Solih took charge as the new President of the Indian Ocean Island country on 17 November and PM Modi was the only head of state invited for the ceremony.

Earlier, speaking to WION on President's visit, Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid said, "President will bring a message of goodwill of returning India-Maldives relation to normalcy. We recognise the long-standing generosity of the Indian government that will be the message, President Solih will bring"&nbsp;

Shahid also told WION&nbsp;that both countries will sign a visa agreement to ease people to people contact&nbsp;between both the countries.&nbsp;

"Visa agreement will ease difficulties faced by parents of Maldivian students studying in India &amp; Maldivians who travel to India for medical treatment," he said.

The previous Abdulla Yameen government not only junked the pro-India "India First Policy" but had decreased work permits or visas to Indians impacting people to people contact between the two countries.

Yameen, who was pro-Beijing, had signed a free trade agreement with China and allowed a number of Chinese infrastructure projects to be developed in the island country.

The Maldives has already started to reverse anti-India policies of former President Yameen.

Speaking to WION just a day after being made defence minister Mariya Didi she said two Indian helicopters which Yameen had asked New Delhi to take back the helicopter, will stay in the Maldives.&nbsp;

"It’s not in our culture to ask neighbours to take back what they give. The helicopters can be put to good use for medical evacuations &amp; for search and rescue," she said.

India also plans to increase infrastructure financing in the South Asian country which is approximately 1000 kilometres away from India's Malabar coast. India already been a leading development partner of Maldives and has established many of the leading institutions of Maldives.

When the tsunami struck the Maldives on December 26, 2004, India was the first country to rush relief and aid to the Maldives.&nbsp;

India is all set to roll out the red carpet for the New Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who will be on a 3-day India visit from Sunday. Solih arrives in India at 2 pm on Sunday.

India is all set to roll out the red carpet for the New Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who will be on a 3-day India visit from Sunday. Solih arrives in India at 2 pm on Sunday. The 3-day visit from 16-18th will see the President meeting Indian business leaders, being accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and address a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. He will also visit Agra during his India visit. This will be President Solih's first visit abroad after assuming office and comes exactly a month after PM Modi visited Maldives to attend his swearing-in ceremony. Solih took charge as the new President of the Indian Ocean Island country on 17 November and PM Modi was the only head of state invited for the ceremony. Earlier, speaking to WION on President's visit, Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid said, "President will bring a message of goodwill of returning India-Maldives relation to normalcy. We recognise the long-standing generosity of the Indian government that will be the message, President Solih will bring" Shahid also told WION that both countries will sign a visa agreement to ease people to people contact between both the countries. "Visa agreement will ease difficulties faced by parents of Maldivian students studying in India & Maldivians who travel to India for medical treatment," he said. The previous Abdulla Yameen government not only junked the pro-India "India First Policy" but had decreased work permits or visas to Indians impacting people to people contact between the two countries. Yameen, who was pro-Beijing, had signed a free trade agreement with China and allowed a number of Chinese infrastructure projects to be developed in the island country. The Maldives has already started to reverse anti-India policies of former President Yameen. Speaking to WION just a day after being made defence minister Mariya Didi she said two Indian helicopters which Yameen had asked New Delhi to take back the helicopter, will stay in the Maldives. "It’s not in our culture to ask neighbours to take back what they give. The helicopters can be put to good use for medical evacuations & for search and rescue," she said. India also plans to increase infrastructure financing in the South Asian country which is approximately 1000 kilometres away from India's Malabar coast. India already been a leading development partner of Maldives and has established many of the leading institutions of Maldives. When the tsunami struck the Maldives on December 26, 2004, India was the first country to rush relief and aid to the Maldives.

New Maldivian president Solih arrives in India on Sunday; visa pact on the cards

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Remember, this was one of the outcomes agreed upon during the Wuhan informal summit which took place in China earlier this year.&nbsp;

According to the Ministry of External Affairs release, "the High-Level Mechanism reflects the desire on both the sides to build greater synergies in the people-to-people ties between the two countries through enhanced exchanges in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports and academic and youth exchanges."

The release added that the High-Level Mechanism "will bring all the existing bilateral cultural and people-to-people engagements between India and China under one umbrella and, thus, add more substance and purpose to the efforts on both sides to promote greater cultural and people-to-people exchanges between them."

Several events will also be held on the sidelines of the meeting of the High-Level Mechanism, including an India-China think tanks forum and a High-Level media forum.

This year saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting for a record four times. They first met at the Informal Wuhan Summit in China, followed by a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China and BRICS summit in South Africa. The two leaders finally met in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The development comes in the backdrop of the worst stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces at the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan.

During the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-summit-in-wuhan-removed-several-misconceptions-between-india-and-china-indian-envoy-177673">informal meet in China's Wuhan</a>, India and China also agreed on taking up joint projects in Afghanistan. The first one was the joint training of Afghan Diplomats in Delhi and Bejing which took place in the month of April.&nbsp;

India and China, earlier this month, resumed the joint military exercise "Hand In Hand" in which Indian and Chinese forces were seen sharing lighter moments and doing the Bhangra together.&nbsp;

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Remember, this was one of the outcomes agreed upon during the Wuhan informal summit which took place in China earlier this year. According to the Ministry of External Affairs release, "the High-Level Mechanism reflects the desire on both the sides to build greater synergies in the people-to-people ties between the two countries through enhanced exchanges in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports and academic and youth exchanges." The release added that the High-Level Mechanism "will bring all the existing bilateral cultural and people-to-people engagements between India and China under one umbrella and, thus, add more substance and purpose to the efforts on both sides to promote greater cultural and people-to-people exchanges between them." Several events will also be held on the sidelines of the meeting of the High-Level Mechanism, including an India-China think tanks forum and a High-Level media forum. This year saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting for a record four times. They first met at the Informal Wuhan Summit in China, followed by a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China and BRICS summit in South Africa. The two leaders finally met in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The development comes in the backdrop of the worst stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces at the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan. During the informal meet in China's Wuhan, India and China also agreed on taking up joint projects in Afghanistan. The first one was the joint training of Afghan Diplomats in Delhi and Bejing which took place in the month of April. India and China, earlier this month, resumed the joint military exercise "Hand In Hand" in which Indian and Chinese forces were seen sharing lighter moments and doing the Bhangra together.

Indian, Chinese foreign ministers to meet in Delhi on December 21

Bollywood and&nbsp;supercomputers are in focus as French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian begins his&nbsp;two-day visit to&nbsp;India from December 14 to 15.

During his visit, Drian will be visiting Delhi and Mumbai.&nbsp;

In Mumbai, he will be interacting with&nbsp;Bollywood producers Aashish Singh of Balaji Telefilms, Ashok Amritraj of Hyde park entertainment and Kabir khan of Kabir khan productions as France is keen on getting Bollywood on board.&nbsp;

Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor starrer Befikre movie was extensively shot in Paris.

"During the visit, Minister Le Drian will travel to Mumbai on 14 December where he will meet senior state government officials as well as interact with Indian and French personalities from the film, television and tourism industries. Minister Le Drian will also call on the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, &nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis," said a release from Ministry of External Affairs, India.

He will be in Delhi on 15 when he will hold delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.&nbsp;

"The two sides will review the broad gamut of the multi-faceted India-France bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," according to the MEA.

The French foreign minister will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India and France will also sign a contract for cooperation between Atos (a European IT services corporation with its headquarters in Bezons, France) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for the development of supercomputers in India.

Indian Prime Minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina on 1 December.

The visit by French foreign minister comes a day after India and France held two round of talks on "Indo-French Dialogue on Africa".&nbsp;

The dialogue, according to MEA, is aimed to develop institutional, technical and cooperative synergies between India and France to identify developmental projects in Africa in accordance with the African priorities.

In the dialogue, India was represented by Dr Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East&amp;Southern Africa) and France by Rémi Maréchaux, Head of the Africa Department of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;

The French delegation, accompanied by the French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler, also called on Secretary (Economic Relations), T.S. Tirumurti and exchanged views on the progress of the dialogue.

Bollywood and supercomputers are in focus as French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian begins his two-day visit to India from December 14 to 15. During his visit, Drian will be visiting Delhi and Mumbai.

Bollywood and supercomputers are in focus as French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian begins his two-day visit to India from December 14 to 15. During his visit, Drian will be visiting Delhi and Mumbai. In Mumbai, he will be interacting with Bollywood producers Aashish Singh of Balaji Telefilms, Ashok Amritraj of Hyde park entertainment and Kabir khan of Kabir khan productions as France is keen on getting Bollywood on board. Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor starrer Befikre movie was extensively shot in Paris. "During the visit, Minister Le Drian will travel to Mumbai on 14 December where he will meet senior state government officials as well as interact with Indian and French personalities from the film, television and tourism industries. Minister Le Drian will also call on the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis," said a release from Ministry of External Affairs, India. He will be in Delhi on 15 when he will hold delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "The two sides will review the broad gamut of the multi-faceted India-France bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," according to the MEA. The French foreign minister will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India and France will also sign a contract for cooperation between Atos (a European IT services corporation with its headquarters in Bezons, France) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for the development of supercomputers in India. Indian Prime Minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina on 1 December. The visit by French foreign minister comes a day after India and France held two round of talks on "Indo-French Dialogue on Africa". The dialogue, according to MEA, is aimed to develop institutional, technical and cooperative synergies between India and France to identify developmental projects in Africa in accordance with the African priorities. In the dialogue, India was represented by Dr Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East&Southern Africa) and France by Rémi Maréchaux, Head of the Africa Department of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The French delegation, accompanied by the French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler, also called on Secretary (Economic Relations), T.S. Tirumurti and exchanged views on the progress of the dialogue.

Bollywood, supercomputers in focus as French foreign minister's India visit begins from Friday

A leaked seven-minute phone conversation between Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and a purported staffer of the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence has been reported in the Bangladeshi media.&nbsp;

The conversation seems to indicate Pakistan might be interfering in Bangladesh's internal matters.&nbsp;

The leaked conversation, which WION has accessed, suggests Mosharraf Hossain, who is also a member of the BNP standing committee, was hoping for Chinese money.&nbsp;

"I will meet your man here… you can get the message. But now what I like to request you that, from your side...if you can cooperate with China. Then in Bangladesh, it will be useful before the election," Mosharraf Hossain says in the conversation.&nbsp;

Explaining that his situation is not good, Moshaarraf Hossain says, "We are really now in crisis. I have several cases. And with the excuse of one case… my passport is seized. I can’t go out of the country. This is my position."

Ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan have not been good.&nbsp;

Bangladesh recently refused to accept Saqlain Syedah as the Pakistani High Commissioner. Bangladesh even boycotted the 2016 SAARC summit which was to take place in Islamabad.&nbsp;

Reacting to the development, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said, "It has been reported that one of the BNP leaders is directly in touch with known ISI agent. Well, in Bangladesh for the last few years, allegation have been there that BNP and Jamaat, who were the direct collaborators of Pak military junta during the liberation war, for having a good connection with Pak intelligence network. It's election season, still connectivity going on to block the electoral process."

BNP is largely seen as an anti-India Party with links to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, according to the Dhaka Tribune, Mosharraf has said in a statement that the telephone conversation is "baseless" and has been aired on "purpose to tarnish his image".&nbsp;

The development comes ahead of the December 30 polls.&nbsp;

The Shiekh Hasina-led Awami League is hoping to win another term while the BNP is under pressure with its chief Khaleda Zia being barred from standing for the polls.&nbsp;

Here is the full transcript of the conversation between BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and the purported ISI staffer:&nbsp;

Mosharrof: Hello Assalamualaikum brother!

Mehmood: Assalamualaikum brother. How are you?

Mosharrof: Fine, Thank you.

Mehmood: I am really pleased to hear you after a long time...

Mosharrof: Yeah! Yeah! You remember we met last time in Islamabad? Hotel...

Mehmood: Yes… yes!

Mosharrof: And... you know that with whom you visited me?

Mehmood: Yes… yes!

Mosharrof: How are you? Where are you now?

Mehmood: I am Alhamdulillah fine and I am here at Dubai now. So...I think… we can…&nbsp; 
sometimes… whenever you are available… whenever you manage… we can… you need to meet me first! If it is possible for you.

Mosharrof: Yes… Can I explain? You know that… we are really now in crisis. I have several cases. And with the excuse of one case… my Passport is seized. I can’t go out of the country. This is my position.

Mehmood: I think… once you met one of our office holders there also. Am I &nbsp;right?

Mosharrof: Yes...yes. I met your man here.

Mehmood: Yeah… It’s Okay. But it is necessary… if you manage to come one day...

Mosharrof: Yeah… I would love to do that… and I know that if I could come, it would be more fruitful! But what I want to tell you i this opportunity is that… from your side, you can try to help us. We are in crisis. You know everything.

Mehmood: Yes…

Mosharrof: You know everything I think...

Mehmood: Sure! That’s why… that’s why… I said… you are our only friend there now. We wanted to discuss all this with you...

Mosharrof: Yes… I want to be… and I am still what you think! But practical connection… communication is impossible for me to come out! I know that it would be fruitful… but what I want to mean that… I will meet your man here… you can get the message. But now what I like to request you that, from your side...if you can cooperate with China. Then in Bangladesh it will be useful before the election.&nbsp;

Mehmood: Yes, absolutely! That is already on the table. And it is being done. That’s why, we wanted to do….as a representative whenever it is possible to visit the places it would have been better. Because, in person...you would have talked to them also. But now as you are saying that...it is not possible for you…

Mosharrof: Personally if you want from your this office....if you want any alternative person...I can arrange. But for me...it is not possible.&nbsp;

Mehmood: Okay...okay! I understood your point. And along with this...keep trying… may be one… sometime...if it is possible for you to come over for some reasons...may be on medical reason… or may be on Omrah etc. So we can arrange meeting with you there. But meanwhile...we will try to contact you through somebody there at our office. Is it okay?

Mosharrof: Yes. If you can assign somebody from your office here, I can try and different time I can communicate to you or your side.&nbsp;

Mehmood: Yeah...sometimes...we will continue to each other. I got your point what you have told me. I will definitely convey this to my boss, and he will work on this. And I will apprise you about it. And at the same time...we will see how to remain in communication from your place. And continue finding the possibility outside also...right..

Mosharrof: Thank you very much...Thank you!

Mehmood: Thank you very much...and very kind! And kindly remain in touch! Because, it is crucial time for all of us. And we have to cooperate; and move forward for our aim to achieve In Sha Allah!

Mosharrof: Yes! What we also think very seriously...that we need to cooperate each other. We are in crisis, we need help!

Mehmood: Yes… yes! We understand that. Is is already on the table...and that’s why we said...we thought...why not to...sometime finding the possibility to meet you? But as you suspect it is not possible...it is little difficult. So we will find out how to communicate with you. And at the same time continue our effort, to meet you sometime...somewhere. Okay?

Mosharrof: Okay...Thank you! I will also try. I’ll keep trying to get my Passport back, so that we can arrange that.

Mehmood: Yes…

Mosharrof: And I can communicate with your man here.

Mehmood: Okay...I’ll you know about this option also...communicating with the man there. And at the same time...we’ll remain in communication In Sha Allah!

Mosharrof: Yes...I want to add contact with you. And you can consider me as your old friend.&nbsp;

Mehmood: Yes...yes! That’s why you know...I have made an effort to contact you…!

Mosharrof: Thank you very much for your cooperation! And I know that you did not forget us! That’s why you have tried your best to communicate with me.

Mehmood: Yes...Yes…

Mosharrof: I will be in communication with you. Through our friend, we will be in contact.

Mehmood: In Sha Allah...And regards to you and your family

Mosharrof: Thank you very much...Allah hafez!

Mehmood: Allah hafez! Asssalamualaikum!

A leaked seven-minute phone conversation between Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and a purported staffer of the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence has been reported in the Bangladeshi media.

A leaked seven-minute phone conversation between Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and a purported staffer of the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence has been reported in the Bangladeshi media. The conversation seems to indicate Pakistan might be interfering in Bangladesh's internal matters. The leaked conversation, which WION has accessed, suggests Mosharraf Hossain, who is also a member of the BNP standing committee, was hoping for Chinese money. "I will meet your man here… you can get the message. But now what I like to request you that, from your side...if you can cooperate with China. Then in Bangladesh, it will be useful before the election," Mosharraf Hossain says in the conversation. Explaining that his situation is not good, Moshaarraf Hossain says, "We are really now in crisis. I have several cases. And with the excuse of one case… my passport is seized. I can’t go out of the country. This is my position." Ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan have not been good. Bangladesh recently refused to accept Saqlain Syedah as the Pakistani High Commissioner. Bangladesh even boycotted the 2016 SAARC summit which was to take place in Islamabad. Reacting to the development, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said, "It has been reported that one of the BNP leaders is directly in touch with known ISI agent. Well, in Bangladesh for the last few years, allegation have been there that BNP and Jamaat, who were the direct collaborators of Pak military junta during the liberation war, for having a good connection with Pak intelligence network. It's election season, still connectivity going on to block the electoral process." BNP is largely seen as an anti-India Party with links to Pakistan. Meanwhile, according to the Dhaka Tribune, Mosharraf has said in a statement that the telephone conversation is "baseless" and has been aired on "purpose to tarnish his image". The development comes ahead of the December 30 polls. The Shiekh Hasina-led Awami League is hoping to win another term while the BNP is under pressure with its chief Khaleda Zia being barred from standing for the polls. Here is the full transcript of the conversation between BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and the purported ISI staffer: Mosharrof: Hello Assalamualaikum brother! Mehmood: Assalamualaikum brother. How are you? Mosharrof: Fine, Thank you. Mehmood: I am really pleased to hear you after a long time... Mosharrof: Yeah! Yeah! You remember we met last time in Islamabad? Hotel... Mehmood: Yes… yes! Mosharrof: And... you know that with whom you visited me? Mehmood: Yes… yes! Mosharrof: How are you? Where are you now? Mehmood: I am Alhamdulillah fine and I am here at Dubai now. So...I think… we can… sometimes… whenever you are available… whenever you manage… we can… you need to meet me first! If it is possible for you. Mosharrof: Yes… Can I explain? You know that… we are really now in crisis. I have several cases. And with the excuse of one case… my Passport is seized. I can’t go out of the country. This is my position. Mehmood: I think… once you met one of our office holders there also. Am I right? Mosharrof: Yes...yes. I met your man here. Mehmood: Yeah… It’s Okay. But it is necessary… if you manage to come one day... Mosharrof: Yeah… I would love to do that… and I know that if I could come, it would be more fruitful! But what I want to tell you i this opportunity is that… from your side, you can try to help us. We are in crisis. You know everything. Mehmood: Yes… Mosharrof: You know everything I think... Mehmood: Sure! That’s why… that’s why… I said… you are our only friend there now. We wanted to discuss all this with you... Mosharrof: Yes… I want to be… and I am still what you think! But practical connection… communication is impossible for me to come out! I know that it would be fruitful… but what I want to mean that… I will meet your man here… you can get the message. But now what I like to request you that, from your side...if you can cooperate with China. Then in Bangladesh it will be useful before the election. Mehmood: Yes, absolutely! That is already on the table. And it is being done. That’s why, we wanted to do….as a representative whenever it is possible to visit the places it would have been better. Because, in person...you would have talked to them also. But now as you are saying that...it is not possible for you… Mosharrof: Personally if you want from your this office....if you want any alternative person...I can arrange. But for me...it is not possible. Mehmood: Okay...okay! I understood your point. And along with this...keep trying… may be one… sometime...if it is possible for you to come over for some reasons...may be on medical reason… or may be on Omrah etc. So we can arrange meeting with you there. But meanwhile...we will try to contact you through somebody there at our office. Is it okay? Mosharrof: Yes. If you can assign somebody from your office here, I can try and different time I can communicate to you or your side. Mehmood: Yeah...sometimes...we will continue to each other. I got your point what you have told me. I will definitely convey this to my boss, and he will work on this. And I will apprise you about it. And at the same time...we will see how to remain in communication from your place. And continue finding the possibility outside also...right.. Mosharrof: Thank you very much...Thank you! Mehmood: Thank you very much...and very kind! And kindly remain in touch! Because, it is crucial time for all of us. And we have to cooperate; and move forward for our aim to achieve In Sha Allah! Mosharrof: Yes! What we also think very seriously...that we need to cooperate each other. We are in crisis, we need help! Mehmood: Yes… yes! We understand that. Is is already on the table...and that’s why we said...we thought...why not to...sometime finding the possibility to meet you? But as you suspect it is not possible...it is little difficult. So we will find out how to communicate with you. And at the same time continue our effort, to meet you sometime...somewhere. Okay? Mosharrof: Okay...Thank you! I will also try. I’ll keep trying to get my Passport back, so that we can arrange that. Mehmood: Yes… Mosharrof: And I can communicate with your man here. Mehmood: Okay...I’ll you know about this option also...communicating with the man there. And at the same time...we’ll remain in communication In Sha Allah! Mosharrof: Yes...I want to add contact with you. And you can consider me as your old friend. Mehmood: Yes...yes! That’s why you know...I have made an effort to contact you…! Mosharrof: Thank you very much for your cooperation! And I know that you did not forget us! That’s why you have tried your best to communicate with me. Mehmood: Yes...Yes… Mosharrof: I will be in communication with you. Through our friend, we will be in contact. Mehmood: In Sha Allah...And regards to you and your family Mosharrof: Thank you very much...Allah hafez! Mehmood: Allah hafez! Asssalamualaikum!

Leaked phone conversation seems to suggest Pak might be meddling in Bangladesh elections

A report by Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on public security has highlighted how Khalistani extremists remain&nbsp;a threat to the country.&nbsp;

The report stated that Canada not only faces threats from Khalistani extremists but some Canadians continue to support the extremist organisation.

"Canada continues to face threats from individuals inspired to commit violence based on other forms of extremism, including from right-wing, Shia Islamist, and Sikh (Khalistani) extremists," the report said.

The 1985 Air India bombing by Khalistani terrorists in which 331 people were killed remains the deadliest terrorist plot ever in Canada's history.&nbsp;

The report comes at a time when India has been raising the issue of Khalistan extremism with Trudeau government in bilateral meetings, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement in the Parliament.&nbsp;

The report highlighted how some Canadians continue to support Khalistani extremism.

''Some individuals in Canada continue to support Sikh (Khalistani) extremist ideologies and movements. While attacks around the world in support of this movement have declined, support for the extreme ideologies of such groups remains," the report added.

"Shia and Sikh (Khalistani) extremism also remain a concern because while their attacks in Canada have been extremely limited, some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing," according to the report.

In Canada, two key Sikh organizations __ Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation __ have been identified as being associated with terrorism and remain listed terrorist entities under the Criminal Code.

Canada’s National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, as set in early October 2014 – meaning a violent act of terrorism could occur.

The Khalistan terror issue had dominated Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to India earlier this year.

Presence of Jaspal Atwal, a Canadian with links with Khalistan groups, made the trip a disastrous and embarrassing one for the Canadian Prime Minister. &nbsp;

A report by Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on public security has highlighted how Khalistani extremists remain a threat to the country.

A report by Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on public security has highlighted how Khalistani extremists remain a threat to the country. The report stated that Canada not only faces threats from Khalistani extremists but some Canadians continue to support the extremist organisation. "Canada continues to face threats from individuals inspired to commit violence based on other forms of extremism, including from right-wing, Shia Islamist, and Sikh (Khalistani) extremists," the report said. The 1985 Air India bombing by Khalistani terrorists in which 331 people were killed remains the deadliest terrorist plot ever in Canada's history. The report comes at a time when India has been raising the issue of Khalistan extremism with Trudeau government in bilateral meetings, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement in the Parliament. The report highlighted how some Canadians continue to support Khalistani extremism. ''Some individuals in Canada continue to support Sikh (Khalistani) extremist ideologies and movements. While attacks around the world in support of this movement have declined, support for the extreme ideologies of such groups remains," the report added. "Shia and Sikh (Khalistani) extremism also remain a concern because while their attacks in Canada have been extremely limited, some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing," according to the report. In Canada, two key Sikh organizations __ Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation __ have been identified as being associated with terrorism and remain listed terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Canada’s National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, as set in early October 2014 – meaning a violent act of terrorism could occur. The Khalistan terror issue had dominated Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to India earlier this year. Presence of Jaspal Atwal, a Canadian with links with Khalistan groups, made the trip a disastrous and embarrassing one for the Canadian Prime Minister.

Canada faces threats from Khalistani extremists: Trudeau govt report

The Ministry of External Affairs has allocated Rs. 5 crore budget to propagate Hindi globally and a pact with United Nations (UN) to increase Hindi content on UN activities.&nbsp;

Responding to the question, &nbsp;Minister of State at the External Affairs Ministry V K Singh said, "Under Ministry’s budget an amount of Rs. 5 crore has been allocated in the current financial year 2018-19 for the propagation of Hindi abroad."

The Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a pilot project with the United Nations to increase the volume of content on United Nations activities produced by the United Nations Secretariat in Hindi. The MoU is for an initial period of 2 years, Singh added.&nbsp;

As part of this project, the United Nations Secretariat has increased the audio, video and text content in Hindi and started social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for disseminating information in Hindi.&nbsp;

UN also planning to begin a multi-media website in Hindi in 2019, he said.

The Ministry of external affairs regularly organises World Hindi Conference and Regional Hindi Conferences in different parts of the world in cooperation with the local governments, universities and organizations. The 11th World Hindi Conference was successfully organized in Mauritius from 18-20 August 2018 in association with the Government of Mauritius.&nbsp;

The permanent building of the World Hindi Secretariat was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2018. It was set up in Mauritius to promote Hindi worldwide.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations or ICCR has established 26 Hindi Chairs in different countries. It has deployed India based Hindi teachers at its six Indian Cultural Centres and Hindi teaching facilities are also provided by local teachers in its five centres.&nbsp;

ICCR publishes a bi-monthly Hindi magazine “Gagananchal”, which is circulated to 122 Indian Missions and Posts and 37 Indian Cultural Centres abroad. ICCR spends an amount of Rs. 990 lakhs on Chairs, Rs. 360 lakhs on India based Hindi teachers at Indian Cultural Centres and Rs. 18 lakhs on the publication of Hindi magazine annually.

The Ministry of External Affairs has allocated Rs. 5 crore budget to propagate Hindi globally and a pact with United Nations (UN) to increase Hindi content on UN activities.

The Ministry of External Affairs has allocated Rs. 5 crore budget to propagate Hindi globally and a pact with United Nations (UN) to increase Hindi content on UN activities. Responding to the question, Minister of State at the External Affairs Ministry V K Singh said, "Under Ministry’s budget an amount of Rs. 5 crore has been allocated in the current financial year 2018-19 for the propagation of Hindi abroad." The Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a pilot project with the United Nations to increase the volume of content on United Nations activities produced by the United Nations Secretariat in Hindi. The MoU is for an initial period of 2 years, Singh added. As part of this project, the United Nations Secretariat has increased the audio, video and text content in Hindi and started social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for disseminating information in Hindi. UN also planning to begin a multi-media website in Hindi in 2019, he said. The Ministry of external affairs regularly organises World Hindi Conference and Regional Hindi Conferences in different parts of the world in cooperation with the local governments, universities and organizations. The 11th World Hindi Conference was successfully organized in Mauritius from 18-20 August 2018 in association with the Government of Mauritius. The permanent building of the World Hindi Secretariat was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2018. It was set up in Mauritius to promote Hindi worldwide. Indian Council for Cultural Relations or ICCR has established 26 Hindi Chairs in different countries. It has deployed India based Hindi teachers at its six Indian Cultural Centres and Hindi teaching facilities are also provided by local teachers in its five centres. ICCR publishes a bi-monthly Hindi magazine “Gagananchal”, which is circulated to 122 Indian Missions and Posts and 37 Indian Cultural Centres abroad. ICCR spends an amount of Rs. 990 lakhs on Chairs, Rs. 360 lakhs on India based Hindi teachers at Indian Cultural Centres and Rs. 18 lakhs on the publication of Hindi magazine annually.

Rs 5 crore budget to propagate Hindi globally in FY 18-19: VK Singh

Days after United States President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan for providing safe haven to Osama Bin Laden and justified the aid cut to the country, the outgoing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-postponed-us-talks-because-they-werent-ready-nikki-haley-176424">American ambassador</a> to United Nation <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nikki-haley-resigns-from-trump-cabinet-speculation-is-she-may-run-against-him-in-2020-170533">Nikki Haley</a> has said that country continues to harbour terrorist and Washington should not give them any money.

In an interview to The Atlantic, Nikki Haley said, "look at Pakistan. Giving them over a billion dollars, and they continue to harbour terrorists that turn around and kill our soldiers—that’s never okay. We shouldn’t even give them a dollar until they correct it. Use the billion dollars. That’s not a small amount of change.".

Haley's response came on a question by The Atlantic's Uri Friedman asking, what does she feel about "What America’s role is?"

Talking about American Aid, Haley said, "We don’t need to be giving money to countries that say “Death to America.” We don’t need to be giving money to countries that go behind our back and try and stop us from doing things. We don’t need to be giving money to those that don’t want to be our partners, because there’s a lot of countries that do want to be our partners, and we just need to be smart about it."

Remember, In an interview to Fox news channel US President Trump had said Pakistan doesn't &nbsp;"do a damn thing for us." and slammed Islamabad for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden.

The first tweet this year by US President was on Pakistan aid cut and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on 1 January that "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

In an email reply to WION, the Pentagon had confirmed that the US had suspended, Coalition Support Funds (CSF) security assistance that Washington provides to Pakistan, last January. The suspension remains in place totalling approximately $1.66 billion in security assistance dollars to Pakistan that has been frozen to date.&nbsp;

US-Pakistan relations have&nbsp;deteriorated due to inaction by Pakistan on terror groups in its territory. US President and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a Twitter spat in which Khan said the US is making Islamabad a scapegoat due to its failures in Afghanistan.

The development comes days after, India slammed Pakistan at United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) for destabilising Afghanistan and continuing to provide sanctuaries to terror organisations in its territory.&nbsp;

Indian Diplomat Eenam Gambhir while delivering India's statement in UNGA said, " Offensives are planned and launched by those who are harboured in safe havens in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan. These sanctuaries have, for years, provided safety for the dark agendas of ideologically and operationally-fused terror networks like the Taliban, Haqqani network, Daesh, Al-Qaeda and its prescribed affiliates such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed".

Days after United States President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan for providing safe haven to Osama Bin Laden and justified the aid cut to the country, the outgoing American ambassador to United Nation Nikki Haley has said that country continues to harbour terrorist and Washington should not give them any money.

Days after United States President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan for providing safe haven to Osama Bin Laden and justified the aid cut to the country, the outgoing American ambassador to United Nation Nikki Haley has said that country continues to harbour terrorist and Washington should not give them any money. In an interview to The Atlantic, Nikki Haley said, "look at Pakistan. Giving them over a billion dollars, and they continue to harbour terrorists that turn around and kill our soldiers—that’s never okay. We shouldn’t even give them a dollar until they correct it. Use the billion dollars. That’s not a small amount of change.". Haley's response came on a question by The Atlantic's Uri Friedman asking, what does she feel about "What America’s role is?" Talking about American Aid, Haley said, "We don’t need to be giving money to countries that say “Death to America.” We don’t need to be giving money to countries that go behind our back and try and stop us from doing things. We don’t need to be giving money to those that don’t want to be our partners, because there’s a lot of countries that do want to be our partners, and we just need to be smart about it." Remember, In an interview to Fox news channel US President Trump had said Pakistan doesn't "do a damn thing for us." and slammed Islamabad for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. The first tweet this year by US President was on Pakistan aid cut and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on 1 January that "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" In an email reply to WION, the Pentagon had confirmed that the US had suspended, Coalition Support Funds (CSF) security assistance that Washington provides to Pakistan, last January. The suspension remains in place totalling approximately $1.66 billion in security assistance dollars to Pakistan that has been frozen to date. US-Pakistan relations have deteriorated due to inaction by Pakistan on terror groups in its territory. US President and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a Twitter spat in which Khan said the US is making Islamabad a scapegoat due to its failures in Afghanistan. The development comes days after, India slammed Pakistan at United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) for destabilising Afghanistan and continuing to provide sanctuaries to terror organisations in its territory. Indian Diplomat Eenam Gambhir while delivering India's statement in UNGA said, " Offensives are planned and launched by those who are harboured in safe havens in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan. These sanctuaries have, for years, provided safety for the dark agendas of ideologically and operationally-fused terror networks like the Taliban, Haqqani network, Daesh, Al-Qaeda and its prescribed affiliates such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed".

Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists: Nikki Haley

India is helping build two schools for girls in Afghanistan's Herat province.&nbsp;The foundations of the schools — the Baba Zangi Ata High School and Amani High School in Herat and Enjil Districts of Herat province — have already been laid and construction will be completed in eight months' time.&nbsp;

The development comes after Afghan MP Naheed Farid requested <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-vs-afghanistan-pm-modi-congratulates-people-of-afghanistan-over-historic-test-match-144311">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> for help in December 2017. The schools were at the time functioning from tents.&nbsp;

She said she told Modi that "60 per cent of (Herat) schoolgirls are studying under the tents or under open skies. Surprised at my answer, PM Modi asked me how can India help them to which I proposed for construction of two schools in Herat. Excellency Modi assured me to help the Afghan students and also asked me to submit a concept note. It was puzzling for me as to why Excellency Modi asked me about Herat girls only to realise later that Herati girls performed the national anthem of India in Hindi during his visit to Herat for inauguration of Salma Dam project."&nbsp;

The total cost of the school project is US$ 450,000 of which India will be paying $315,000. India is paying 70% of the cost of the project, while 30 per cent is being borne by (Naheed Farid's) Farid Foundation.&nbsp;

Farid was elected to the Afghan parliament at the age of 27, thereby becoming the country's youngest parliamentarian.&nbsp;

India's High Commissioner to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar expedited the project once the PMO flagged off the issue with the Indian embassy in Kabul.

The laying of the foundations of the two schools was done in the presence of Deputy Minister of Education Sardar Mohd Rahimi, who was chief guest at the ceremony, along with Herat's Deputy Governor Monisa Hassanzada, Farid, and Consul General of India to Herat Kumar Gaurav.

Speaking to WION, Gaurav said, "Students of Afghanistan want to study. We have to give them a conducive environment. Madam Farid visited India and met Hon’ble PM Modi and presented a concept note. Madam Farid has been a beacon light of hope for Afghan citizens. She has been doing a fantastic job in Afghanistan. We need so many Naheed Farids in Afghanistan. I hope these schools will produce such Naheed Farids which will take Afghanistan from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledgeable society, and from violence to peace and prosperity. India’s commitment towards the educational reconstruction of Afghanistan is unwavering and absolute”.

In time, the Indian embassy in Kabul said, as many as 10,000 students are expected to benefit from the two schools. The Baba Zangi High School will be the largest school in the province with 24 classrooms while the Amani High School will have 12 classrooms.

Herat is the same province in which the Afghan-India Friendship Dam is located.&nbsp;

Thanking PM Modi for the dam, Farid said, "I profusely thanked India for construction of Salma Dam which illuminated thousands of houses, while construction of Parliament Building would deepen the roots of democracy in Afghanistan. I also thanked Excellency PM Modi for empowering Afghan citizens through various capacity-building programmes while cooperation on Chabahar will give access to sea for Afghan goods which will only bring welfare and prosperity for Afghan citizens."

Modi visited Herat in western Afghanistan in June 2016 and he and President Ghani jointly inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier called the Salma Dam. About 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers and other professionals worked in difficult conditions to build the dam.&nbsp;

PM Modi first visited Afghanistan on December 25, 2016 at which time he inaugurated the newly-built Afghan Parliament, announced 500 scholarships for the children of Afghan security forces personnel killed in action, and gifted four Mi-25 attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force.&nbsp;

India has taken up 116 high-impact community development projects in 31 provinces of Afghanistan. New Delhi has been involved in a number of education, capacity building, skill and human resource development programmes in Afghanistan. It is one of the largest such programmes in the world, and will continue for a further period of five years from 2017 to 2022. 
&nbsp;

India is helping build two schools for girls in Afghanistan's Herat province. The foundations of the schools — the Baba Zangi Ata High School and Amani High School in Herat and Enjil Districts of Herat province — have already been laid and construction will be completed in eight months' time.

India is helping build two schools for girls in Afghanistan's Herat province. The foundations of the schools — the Baba Zangi Ata High School and Amani High School in Herat and Enjil Districts of Herat province — have already been laid and construction will be completed in eight months' time. The development comes after Afghan MP Naheed Farid requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help in December 2017. The schools were at the time functioning from tents. She said she told Modi that "60 per cent of (Herat) schoolgirls are studying under the tents or under open skies. Surprised at my answer, PM Modi asked me how can India help them to which I proposed for construction of two schools in Herat. Excellency Modi assured me to help the Afghan students and also asked me to submit a concept note. It was puzzling for me as to why Excellency Modi asked me about Herat girls only to realise later that Herati girls performed the national anthem of India in Hindi during his visit to Herat for inauguration of Salma Dam project." The total cost of the school project is US$ 450,000 of which India will be paying $315,000. India is paying 70% of the cost of the project, while 30 per cent is being borne by (Naheed Farid's) Farid Foundation. Farid was elected to the Afghan parliament at the age of 27, thereby becoming the country's youngest parliamentarian. India's High Commissioner to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar expedited the project once the PMO flagged off the issue with the Indian embassy in Kabul. The laying of the foundations of the two schools was done in the presence of Deputy Minister of Education Sardar Mohd Rahimi, who was chief guest at the ceremony, along with Herat's Deputy Governor Monisa Hassanzada, Farid, and Consul General of India to Herat Kumar Gaurav. Speaking to WION, Gaurav said, "Students of Afghanistan want to study. We have to give them a conducive environment. Madam Farid visited India and met Hon’ble PM Modi and presented a concept note. Madam Farid has been a beacon light of hope for Afghan citizens. She has been doing a fantastic job in Afghanistan. We need so many Naheed Farids in Afghanistan. I hope these schools will produce such Naheed Farids which will take Afghanistan from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledgeable society, and from violence to peace and prosperity. India’s commitment towards the educational reconstruction of Afghanistan is unwavering and absolute”. In time, the Indian embassy in Kabul said, as many as 10,000 students are expected to benefit from the two schools. The Baba Zangi High School will be the largest school in the province with 24 classrooms while the Amani High School will have 12 classrooms. Herat is the same province in which the Afghan-India Friendship Dam is located. Thanking PM Modi for the dam, Farid said, "I profusely thanked India for construction of Salma Dam which illuminated thousands of houses, while construction of Parliament Building would deepen the roots of democracy in Afghanistan. I also thanked Excellency PM Modi for empowering Afghan citizens through various capacity-building programmes while cooperation on Chabahar will give access to sea for Afghan goods which will only bring welfare and prosperity for Afghan citizens." Modi visited Herat in western Afghanistan in June 2016 and he and President Ghani jointly inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier called the Salma Dam. About 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers and other professionals worked in difficult conditions to build the dam. PM Modi first visited Afghanistan on December 25, 2016 at which time he inaugurated the newly-built Afghan Parliament, announced 500 scholarships for the children of Afghan security forces personnel killed in action, and gifted four Mi-25 attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. India has taken up 116 high-impact community development projects in 31 provinces of Afghanistan. New Delhi has been involved in a number of education, capacity building, skill and human resource development programmes in Afghanistan. It is one of the largest such programmes in the world, and will continue for a further period of five years from 2017 to 2022.

Two girls' schools being built in Afghanistan's Herat after local MP asks PM Modi for help

President Ram Nath Kovind will be on a three-day visit to Myanmar from 11th to 13th December. This will be the first visit to Myanmar by an Indian President in 12 years. The last visit was in the year 2006.

This is President Kovind’s eighth state visit and seventh and final visit of the year 2018. This is also his first visit to a country with which India shares a land border.&nbsp;

Putting the visit in perspective Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Myanmar is a close neighbour. It is also, by virtue of being an ASEAN country, the only one to which we are linked by land and sea. Therefore, it serves us as a link to South East Asia and for these reasons it is a country to which India attaches importance from the strategic perspective, from an economic perspective and from the cultural perspective given our cultural linkages and diaspora present in Myanmar."

During the visit, the President and the first lady will be hosted by the President of Myanmar. During his trip, the President Kovind will visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Shri Kali Temple and the Mazaar of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The President will also meet veterans of the Indian National Army and the surviving members of the INA.

Giving more details of the visit, Press Secretary to the President, Ashok Malik said, "It is the second visit after the Vietnam visit. President Kovind will be engaging with the Government and Leadership of Myanmar on a wide variety of issues ranging from connectivity to investment, people to people ties and agriculture."

The President will be accompanied by a three-member political delegation comprising Rajan Gohil, Minister of State for Railways; Ramprasad Sharma, Lok Sabha member from Tezpur, Assam, and K Bhavnanda Singh who is a Rajya Sabha member from Manipur. The delegation comprises parliamentarians from North East states and according to the press secretary is a "recognition of the fact that the development of the North East is interlinked with the development of Myanmar."

The visit comes even as the Rohingya issue continues to dominate the region's discourse. Hoping that Myanmar Bangladesh will soon implement the Rohingya repatriation agreement, Foreign Secretary said, "The government of India has noted that governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar have recently reached a bilateral understanding and, as the only country that neighbours both Bangladesh and Myanmar, we believe it is in our interest and in the interest of the region that this bilateral understanding is implemented as soon as possible and that the displaced persons return to their homeland as soon as possible."

Late last year, India signed the Rakhine State Development Program with Myanmar. The program is designed to assist the Government of Myanmar in Rakhine state to build housing infrastructure for the return of displaced persons. 250 units were planned for the first phase and by virtual means, the President of India will be handing over the first 50 units to the Myanmar side.&nbsp;

India won't join Chinese post at Kyaukphyu

Connectivity will be a major focus area. Remember, India is building a trilateral highway, which will eventually connect India to Thailand through Myanmar, and Kaladan Multimodal Project that will connect Kolkatta with Sittwe port in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. India is now in the process of floating tenders to appoint a permanent port operator from Myanmar for the port. Efforts are also underway to connect Sittwe port by road to the Myanmar-Mizoram border.

Replying to whether India will be keen to link Kaladan project with Chinese port being built at Kyaukphyu, the Foreign Secretary said, "there is no plan to connect Kyaukphyu port to any of our projects as of now."

Last month, it was announced that China will be developing the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Myanmar. The port is near Sittwe port and the development comes even as China develops ports in other South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

President Ram Nath Kovind will be on a three-day visit to Myanmar from 11th to 13th December. This will be the first visit to Myanmar by an Indian President in 12 years.

President Ram Nath Kovind will be on a three-day visit to Myanmar from 11th to 13th December. This will be the first visit to Myanmar by an Indian President in 12 years. The last visit was in the year 2006. This is President Kovind’s eighth state visit and seventh and final visit of the year 2018. This is also his first visit to a country with which India shares a land border. Putting the visit in perspective Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Myanmar is a close neighbour. It is also, by virtue of being an ASEAN country, the only one to which we are linked by land and sea. Therefore, it serves us as a link to South East Asia and for these reasons it is a country to which India attaches importance from the strategic perspective, from an economic perspective and from the cultural perspective given our cultural linkages and diaspora present in Myanmar." During the visit, the President and the first lady will be hosted by the President of Myanmar. During his trip, the President Kovind will visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Shri Kali Temple and the Mazaar of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The President will also meet veterans of the Indian National Army and the surviving members of the INA. Giving more details of the visit, Press Secretary to the President, Ashok Malik said, "It is the second visit after the Vietnam visit. President Kovind will be engaging with the Government and Leadership of Myanmar on a wide variety of issues ranging from connectivity to investment, people to people ties and agriculture." The President will be accompanied by a three-member political delegation comprising Rajan Gohil, Minister of State for Railways; Ramprasad Sharma, Lok Sabha member from Tezpur, Assam, and K Bhavnanda Singh who is a Rajya Sabha member from Manipur. The delegation comprises parliamentarians from North East states and according to the press secretary is a "recognition of the fact that the development of the North East is interlinked with the development of Myanmar." The visit comes even as the Rohingya issue continues to dominate the region's discourse. Hoping that Myanmar Bangladesh will soon implement the Rohingya repatriation agreement, Foreign Secretary said, "The government of India has noted that governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar have recently reached a bilateral understanding and, as the only country that neighbours both Bangladesh and Myanmar, we believe it is in our interest and in the interest of the region that this bilateral understanding is implemented as soon as possible and that the displaced persons return to their homeland as soon as possible." Late last year, India signed the Rakhine State Development Program with Myanmar. The program is designed to assist the Government of Myanmar in Rakhine state to build housing infrastructure for the return of displaced persons. 250 units were planned for the first phase and by virtual means, the President of India will be handing over the first 50 units to the Myanmar side. India won't join Chinese post at Kyaukphyu Connectivity will be a major focus area. Remember, India is building a trilateral highway, which will eventually connect India to Thailand through Myanmar, and Kaladan Multimodal Project that will connect Kolkatta with Sittwe port in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. India is now in the process of floating tenders to appoint a permanent port operator from Myanmar for the port. Efforts are also underway to connect Sittwe port by road to the Myanmar-Mizoram border. Replying to whether India will be keen to link Kaladan project with Chinese port being built at Kyaukphyu, the Foreign Secretary said, "there is no plan to connect Kyaukphyu port to any of our projects as of now." Last month, it was announced that China will be developing the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Myanmar. The port is near Sittwe port and the development comes even as China develops ports in other South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

India hopes Myanmar, Bangladesh implement Rohingya repatriation agreement: Foreign Secretary

In a first, India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited US Indo Pacific command in Hawaii. The visit comes months after the US changed the name of Pacific command, its largest command in the world, to Indo Pacific command. She was hosted by Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Phil Davidson who said, “Our two democratic nations are committed to upholding a rules-based international order, which has brought decades of peace, stability, and prosperity. We are global partners on defense and security and this exemplifies our mutual cooperation to assure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

India's defence minister also visited the historic Pearl Harbour and boarded US Guided Missile Destroyer USS Michael Murphy. The visit coincided with the 77th anniversary of the 1941 attack on pearl harbour by Japanese forces, the attack which is considered a turning point in world war 2 and eventually led to the defeat of Japanese forces in the region. Nirmala Sitharaman is on an official visit to the US from December 2-7, at the invitation of US Secretary of Defence James N. Mattis.

The visit by Defence minister comes at a time when India and US have been engaging to expand the Indo Pacific concept. At the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, PM Modi said that Indo Pacific is inclusive and "India's vision for the Indo-Pacific Region is a positive one" with "ASEAN centrality and unity".

<img alt="Defence Minister in Hawaii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0b9f176-546a-4686-913f-1c1901c7cd71" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/defence%20minister%201.JPG" />

<img alt="Defence Minister in Hawaii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="411bbed3-edda-4b14-baae-c44177ce16a9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/defence%20minister%203.JPG" />

The United States and India have been major defense partners since 2016. During the recently concluded inaugural US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi in September, New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA or Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement. Air forces of India and the US are currently conducting a 12-day military exercise in Kalaikunda and Panagarh air bases in West Bengal, with an aim to enhance operational coordination, according to India Air Forces officials. The 'Ex Cope India-18' will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral drills between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force.

<img alt="Defence Minister in Hawaii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="922bc0f3-81e4-49f3-85ad-8264c672adaa" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/defence%20minister%204.JPG" />

In a first, India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited US Indo Pacific command in Hawaii. The visit comes months after the US changed the name of Pacific command, its largest command in the world, to Indo Pacific command.

In a first, India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited US Indo Pacific command in Hawaii. The visit comes months after the US changed the name of Pacific command, its largest command in the world, to Indo Pacific command. She was hosted by Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Phil Davidson who said, “Our two democratic nations are committed to upholding a rules-based international order, which has brought decades of peace, stability, and prosperity. We are global partners on defense and security and this exemplifies our mutual cooperation to assure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” India's defence minister also visited the historic Pearl Harbour and boarded US Guided Missile Destroyer USS Michael Murphy. The visit coincided with the 77th anniversary of the 1941 attack on pearl harbour by Japanese forces, the attack which is considered a turning point in world war 2 and eventually led to the defeat of Japanese forces in the region. Nirmala Sitharaman is on an official visit to the US from December 2-7, at the invitation of US Secretary of Defence James N. Mattis. The visit by Defence minister comes at a time when India and US have been engaging to expand the Indo Pacific concept. At the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, PM Modi said that Indo Pacific is inclusive and "India's vision for the Indo-Pacific Region is a positive one" with "ASEAN centrality and unity". The United States and India have been major defense partners since 2016. During the recently concluded inaugural US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi in September, New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA or Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement. Air forces of India and the US are currently conducting a 12-day military exercise in Kalaikunda and Panagarh air bases in West Bengal, with an aim to enhance operational coordination, according to India Air Forces officials. The 'Ex Cope India-18' will be the fourth edition in the series of bilateral drills between the Indian Air Force and the US Air Force.

Defence minister visits US Indo-Pacific command in Hawaii

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Siddhant Sibal

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