Australian police have scored the biggest cocaine bust in the country's history after seizing 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a fishing boat that had broken down off the coast of Queensland. The authorities have arrested 13 people, including two juveniles who were allegedly part of a drug-smuggling syndicate.

The drugs have been valued at an estimated A$760 million&nbsp;($490mn), which could have been distributed across 11.7 million street deals.

According to CNN, the boat experienced a suspected mechanical breakdown, leaving the accused stranded 18 kilometres (11 miles) off the northeastern tip of K’gari island on November 30. The boat was on its way to deliver the drugs to a larger mothership.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombian-navy-seizes-8-billion-worth-of-cocaine-in-narco-submarine-bust-780003">Colombian navy seizes cocaine worth $8 billion in narco-submarine bust</a>

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had been tracking the recreational fishing boat and boarded it after it broke down.

While two men were arrested onboard the boat, the other 11 were arrested on shore, waiting for the shipment and in nearby areas.

AFP has said one of the men is identified as the Brisbane vice president of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, who is accused of violence, trafficking, and extortion.

The recent cocaine bust was part of an extensive investigation into the notorious gang, which started last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnamese-tycoon-behind-massive-bank-fraud-now-needs-9bn-to-save-her-life-781042">Vietnamese tycoon behind massive bank fraud now needs $9bn to save her life</a>

All the arrested are accused of being a part of a criminal syndicate and charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of drugs, which has a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Authorities have said that the shipment came from an unknown South American country, according to BBC.

Last week, the Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible transporting illegal drugs to Australia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian police have scored the biggest cocaine bust in the country's history after seizing 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a fishing boat that had broken down off the coast of Queensland.

Australian police have scored the biggest cocaine bust in the country's history after seizing 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a fishing boat that had broken down off the coast of Queensland. The authorities have arrested 13 people, including two juveniles who were allegedly part of a drug-smuggling syndicate. The drugs have been valued at an estimated A$760 million ($490mn), which could have been distributed across 11.7 million street deals. According to CNN, the boat experienced a suspected mechanical breakdown, leaving the accused stranded 18 kilometres (11 miles) off the northeastern tip of K’gari island on November 30. The boat was on its way to deliver the drugs to a larger mothership. Also read | Colombian navy seizes cocaine worth $8 billion in narco-submarine bust The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had been tracking the recreational fishing boat and boarded it after it broke down. While two men were arrested onboard the boat, the other 11 were arrested on shore, waiting for the shipment and in nearby areas. AFP has said one of the men is identified as the Brisbane vice president of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, who is accused of violence, trafficking, and extortion. The recent cocaine bust was part of an extensive investigation into the notorious gang, which started last month. Also read | Vietnamese tycoon behind massive bank fraud now needs $9bn to save her life All the arrested are accused of being a part of a criminal syndicate and charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of drugs, which has a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Authorities have said that the shipment came from an unknown South American country, according to BBC. Last week, the Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible transporting illegal drugs to Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli Minister Barkat sees significant increase in commercial ties with India

Italy's minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso, who is on an India visit, has said that India&nbsp;and Italy are working together in space and the nuclear domains. Italy will soon nominate a space attache at its consulate in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Minister Adolfo who is also minister for "Made in Italy" said, "We believe that Italy and India, who already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences."

He was also hopeful about the development of the India-Middle East Europe corridor, which the Italians also call the "Cotton Route". The corridor was announced at the Delhi G20 summit and aims to link India with Europe via West Asia through a series of infrastructure projects.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-jaishankar-set-for-3-day-italy-visit-to-join-g7-foreign-ministers-meet-778800">Also read:&nbsp;India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative</a>

The comment&nbsp;comes a month after India and Italy unveiled the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029 after the meeting of PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Brazil summit.&nbsp;

The action plan calls for regular political dialogue, economic cooperation, connectivity, defence, and expansion of cooperation between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

 
Sidhant Sibal: Italy's view on India Middle East Europe Corridor?

Adolfo Urso: &nbsp;It is essential and crucial for Italy and India both, representing two natural docks for Europe and for the wider Indo-Pacific continent that will be able to get access through Italy and India. It is central for goods, for maritime traffic&nbsp;but central also to connecting through optical fiber wires and spreading information and data. It is the economy of the future.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: But do you see challenges, with the war in Gaza, Syria?

Adolfo Urso: We obviously work as G7 President&nbsp;towards de-escalation aiming at turning down tensions to get back to co-exist. It is with no doubt of paramount importance in those territories but for us all too. In order to build with them through the cotton route, the route of development, peace and coexistence.

Sidhant Sibal: Italy has decided to appoint a space attache at its consulate in Bengaluru&nbsp;if you can elaborate on it?

Watch |&nbsp;Italian Navy's Amerigo Vespucci Anchors In Mumbai For A Five-Day Visit

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Adolfo Urso: We believe that Italy and India, which already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences. Earth observation is crucial for the territory's governance and the exploration of space, first on the moon and then on Mars. Also to understand what best can be used for the development of our planet. We can and we have to do it together because we believe that this could be the way forward towards development.

Sidhant Sibal: And are you looking at nuclear cooperation?

Adolfo Urso: Italy, the Italian government has decided to revive the nuclear journey in a major way, characterized by Italian science to build the new plants, the small reactors, the fourth generation nuclear reactors, such plants on an industrial scale which are compatible, easy to move. This for sure can be done in synergy with India that plans to use nuclear energy production in order to build the energy of the future. This is safe, clean, compatible and industrially advanced.&nbsp;

Italy's minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso, who is on an India visit, has said that India and Italy are working together in space and the nuclear domains. Italy will soon nominate a space attache at its consulate in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.

Italy's minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso, who is on an India visit, has said that India and Italy are working together in space and the nuclear domains. Italy will soon nominate a space attache at its consulate in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Minister Adolfo who is also minister for "Made in Italy" said, "We believe that Italy and India, who already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences." He was also hopeful about the development of the India-Middle East Europe corridor, which the Italians also call the "Cotton Route". The corridor was announced at the Delhi G20 summit and aims to link India with Europe via West Asia through a series of infrastructure projects. Also read: India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative The comment comes a month after India and Italy unveiled the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029 after the meeting of PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Brazil summit. The action plan calls for regular political dialogue, economic cooperation, connectivity, defence, and expansion of cooperation between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Sidhant Sibal: Italy's view on India Middle East Europe Corridor? Adolfo Urso: It is essential and crucial for Italy and India both, representing two natural docks for Europe and for the wider Indo-Pacific continent that will be able to get access through Italy and India. It is central for goods, for maritime traffic but central also to connecting through optical fiber wires and spreading information and data. It is the economy of the future. Sidhant Sibal: But do you see challenges, with the war in Gaza, Syria? Adolfo Urso: We obviously work as G7 President towards de-escalation aiming at turning down tensions to get back to co-exist. It is with no doubt of paramount importance in those territories but for us all too. In order to build with them through the cotton route, the route of development, peace and coexistence. Sidhant Sibal: Italy has decided to appoint a space attache at its consulate in Bengaluru if you can elaborate on it? Watch | Italian Navy's Amerigo Vespucci Anchors In Mumbai For A Five-Day Visit × Adolfo Urso: We believe that Italy and India, which already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences. Earth observation is crucial for the territory's governance and the exploration of space, first on the moon and then on Mars. Also to understand what best can be used for the development of our planet. We can and we have to do it together because we believe that this could be the way forward towards development. Sidhant Sibal: And are you looking at nuclear cooperation? Adolfo Urso: Italy, the Italian government has decided to revive the nuclear journey in a major way, characterized by Italian science to build the new plants, the small reactors, the fourth generation nuclear reactors, such plants on an industrial scale which are compatible, easy to move. This for sure can be done in synergy with India that plans to use nuclear energy production in order to build the energy of the future. This is safe, clean, compatible and industrially advanced.

Italy to work with India in space, nuclear domains

UAE's ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali has said that his country will be happy to host any India-Pakistan Champions Trophy matches in 2025. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the ambassador said, "We have always been hosting cricket matches. We are very big on cricket."&nbsp;

The comments come at a time when Pakistan has been creating a deadlock over the Indian proposal of Indo-Pak matches on a neutral venue (hybrid model). Pakistan will be hosting the Champions Trophy next year &amp; India has said that it will not send its cricket team to the neighbouring country over deteriorating security conditions.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/bgt-2024-25-head-coach-gautam-gambhir-flies-back-to-australia-as-india-mull-second-test-team-combination-780948">Head coach Gautam Gambhir flies back to Australia as India mull second Test team combination</a>

The ambassador pointed, "UAE is always going to be open to business and open to sports and matches. We would be happy to host it (Indo-Pakistan Champions Trophy matches)."

UAE has previously hosted cricket matches involving both teams, especially when there's been a need for a neutral venue. For instance, during the 1980s and 1990s, Sharjah in the UAE became famous for hosting cricket tournaments where India and Pakistan frequently played each other. UAE is seen as a neutral venue for Indo-Pakistan matches, as it&nbsp;has significant diaspora from both countries which provides for the large audience. Full interview:

Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India, UAE relationship going forward?

Abdulnasser Alshaali: Much stronger, it will always be stronger. You know, it's always challenging to think of new ways to do things between the two countries, because we have done too much, and we have done so much already, and I think this is always going to be something that would keep us working hard.

Sidhant Sibal: UAE is a country where cricket matches have been played in the past. Now, when it comes to the Champions Trophy, there is a bit of controversy. But what's your view regarding any India, Pakistan match? Any proposals of India, Pakistan match in UAE? How will you see it as?

Abdulnasser Alshaali: We have always been hosting cricket matches. We are very big on cricket, and we're very big on sports generally. And the UAE is always going to be open to business and open to sports and matches. We would be happy to host it.

Sidhant Sibal: So you will be happy to host any India, Pakistan Champions Trophy match in UAE? 
Abdulnasser Alshaali: Of course.

Sidhant Sibal: Now talking about India, UAE relationship, something we have been talking about, about the aviation bit, if you can elaborate as to what is the status, given the fact that you are very keen to have more aviation linkages with India.

Abdulnasser Alshaali: So we do have a plan. Just need to sit and discuss it with Indian government officials, aviation industry. I do believe, I truly do believe, that it will create a situation for both countries. We have considered all angles. We have made sure that this is a strong proposal, a very fair proposal. And I do believe that once they have presented this proposal and discussed it with stakeholders, they will see what we are trying to do.

Sidhant Sibal: Are there any high level visits being planned? The EAM was in UAE. Are there any plans for the visit of the UAE foreign minister?

Abdulnasser Alshaali: So there are always plans for high level visits. Next month, we are expecting the deputy prime minister and the foreign minister of UAE, and hopefully also 2025 we will have more high level visits.

Sidhant Sibal: My final question on the India, Middle East, Europe corridor that was launched here in New Delhi, UAE, India linkages, what is the update?

Abdulnasser Alshaali: Meetings are happening. Discussions are taking place. They're just looking at the moment, at infrastructure that will connect all of those ports and the logistics of it across all the countries of both and to see that they should all be at a similar level of cooperation. The conversation is going on, but we're also, what we have also, have also done recently is that we started talking about the IMEE corridor as part of UFI, the UAE, France, India, trilateral dialog. So that we make sure that we are looking at every single aspect of it, every single angle, making sure that we are covered in terms of connectivity, in terms of even having alternate routes in case there was disruption somewhere in the region. So this is all going, it hasn't stopped for whatever reason, as I'm sure over the coming year or so, you will see some progress.

UAE's ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali has said that his country will be happy to host any India-Pakistan Champions Trophy matches in 2025. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the ambassador said, "We have always been hosting cricket matches.

UAE's ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali has said that his country will be happy to host any India-Pakistan Champions Trophy matches in 2025. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the ambassador said, "We have always been hosting cricket matches. We are very big on cricket." The comments come at a time when Pakistan has been creating a deadlock over the Indian proposal of Indo-Pak matches on a neutral venue (hybrid model). Pakistan will be hosting the Champions Trophy next year & India has said that it will not send its cricket team to the neighbouring country over deteriorating security conditions. Also Read: Head coach Gautam Gambhir flies back to Australia as India mull second Test team combination The ambassador pointed, "UAE is always going to be open to business and open to sports and matches. We would be happy to host it (Indo-Pakistan Champions Trophy matches)." UAE has previously hosted cricket matches involving both teams, especially when there's been a need for a neutral venue. For instance, during the 1980s and 1990s, Sharjah in the UAE became famous for hosting cricket tournaments where India and Pakistan frequently played each other. UAE is seen as a neutral venue for Indo-Pakistan matches, as it has significant diaspora from both countries which provides for the large audience. Full interview: Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India, UAE relationship going forward? Abdulnasser Alshaali: Much stronger, it will always be stronger. You know, it's always challenging to think of new ways to do things between the two countries, because we have done too much, and we have done so much already, and I think this is always going to be something that would keep us working hard. Sidhant Sibal: UAE is a country where cricket matches have been played in the past. Now, when it comes to the Champions Trophy, there is a bit of controversy. But what's your view regarding any India, Pakistan match? Any proposals of India, Pakistan match in UAE? How will you see it as? Abdulnasser Alshaali: We have always been hosting cricket matches. We are very big on cricket, and we're very big on sports generally. And the UAE is always going to be open to business and open to sports and matches. We would be happy to host it. Sidhant Sibal: So you will be happy to host any India, Pakistan Champions Trophy match in UAE? Abdulnasser Alshaali: Of course. Sidhant Sibal: Now talking about India, UAE relationship, something we have been talking about, about the aviation bit, if you can elaborate as to what is the status, given the fact that you are very keen to have more aviation linkages with India. Abdulnasser Alshaali: So we do have a plan. Just need to sit and discuss it with Indian government officials, aviation industry. I do believe, I truly do believe, that it will create a situation for both countries. We have considered all angles. We have made sure that this is a strong proposal, a very fair proposal. And I do believe that once they have presented this proposal and discussed it with stakeholders, they will see what we are trying to do. Sidhant Sibal: Are there any high level visits being planned? The EAM was in UAE. Are there any plans for the visit of the UAE foreign minister? Abdulnasser Alshaali: So there are always plans for high level visits. Next month, we are expecting the deputy prime minister and the foreign minister of UAE, and hopefully also 2025 we will have more high level visits. Sidhant Sibal: My final question on the India, Middle East, Europe corridor that was launched here in New Delhi, UAE, India linkages, what is the update? Abdulnasser Alshaali: Meetings are happening. Discussions are taking place. They're just looking at the moment, at infrastructure that will connect all of those ports and the logistics of it across all the countries of both and to see that they should all be at a similar level of cooperation. The conversation is going on, but we're also, what we have also, have also done recently is that we started talking about the IMEE corridor as part of UFI, the UAE, France, India, trilateral dialog. So that we make sure that we are looking at every single aspect of it, every single angle, making sure that we are covered in terms of connectivity, in terms of even having alternate routes in case there was disruption somewhere in the region. So this is all going, it hasn't stopped for whatever reason, as I'm sure over the coming year or so, you will see some progress.

Happy to host India-Pak Champions Trophy matches: UAE Ambassador Alshaali

Denmark's ambassador to India Freddy Svane has said that his country's ties with India have no limits as there are several areas where both sides can work, including climate change.

Denmark's ambassador to India Freddy Svane has said that his country's ties with India have no limits as there are several areas where both sides can work, including climate change. Speaking at WION Podcast to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Freddy said, " I don't see any limits to where we can walk hand in hand with India...we do not see any limits to our relationship or our friendship". In 2022, PM Modi visited the country, with a focus on strengthening ties with Copenhagen on a range of issues, from climate change to renewables, to innovation. Pointing to how both sides are working on dealing with climate change under the "India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership", the ambassador said, "We understand that India has to move 1.4 billion people who would like to have access to power. The demand for power is increasing drastically in the coming years". Ambassador Freddy Svane, who is concluding his India tenure, is credited for bringing a turnaround in India-Denmark ties. The ties, which were once seen through the lens of the Purulia arms drop case (its key mastermind being Kim Davy a Danish national) are more about increasing economic, sustainable development and green partnership. Freddy Svane was the first European diplomat to have an engagement with Narendra Modi, in 2011, when the latter was the chief minister of Gujarat. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India and Denmark's relationship? Freddy Svane: The relationships between Denmark and India have grown over the years. No doubt about that. We came from a kind of icy context to a very warm context, and I don't see any limits to where we can walk hand in hand with India. What is important for us is that we can partner with India. I'm a strong supporter of it, because, of course, there are political connotations to it. But the whole idea of moving 1.4 billion people from where they are, to what they should become, economically, socially and so forth, is so so important. So therefore we do not see any limits to our relationship or our friendship. Sidhant Sibal: You are closing your tenure, and it's a long tenure, you have served previously as well here in India. So if you can talk about your tenure, something that you want to cherish, something that perhaps you'll miss Freddy Svane: First and foremost, when we came to India, the first time there was in mid 2010 we had never been to India. I came with a commercial background. So the whole idea was to tap into the huge potential of India. We came to the posh new airport in India- the Indira Gandhi International Airport- like everywhere in the world. Then we got out, and so the Indian cows, with cows, potholes, two-wheelers, everything in a mess, and so forth. But then we started understanding India. So I think the first inning was about moving from country to nation, and then living civilization. And obviously throughout all these years, these years, we have seen a lot of improvements. I have been crisscrossing India many times. The number of new expressways, new airports, new ports, whatever, has really changed everything. So India is really constantly on the move. It's a massive move across all sectors. Sidhant Sibal: Where do you see India's role in the world? Freddy Svane: No doubt, with the present regime, with the present Prime Minister, India has taken up an unprecedented proactive, very active role in global affairs. We love, I love, and I support the idea of an independent but also extremely strong India. India, where India is geographically placed, will have an impact on geostrategic, and strategic affairs, as well as geopolitical and geo-economic affairs. So an India who is proactive, not just sitting at home and discussing what to do and what not to do, that's not good enough. And therefore I'm really, really pleased to see India playing an increasingly important role. And we saw the G20 summit last year here, and India maintained, really, or secured, the G20 as a multilateral forum remained intact and also brought in the African Union. So India plays a role. The honourable Prime Minister plays an important role globally, and regionally, and that is what we would like to see, a strong India defining his own national interest. Sidhant Sibal: So, coming back to India, Denmark relationship. What is there when it comes to India, and Denmark's relationship, in terms of collaboration? I mean, your country is well known for dealing with issues like climate change. India is a country which can sway the debate on climate change. So how can Denmark help? Freddy Svane: I think I'll answer you a very brilliant question in the following way. Under my watch, we have had three one-liners "no teaching, no preaching". So we are not the ones telling India to stop using coal. Coal is the base load out here. So why can't we come and tell you to stop the use of coal? So "no teaching, no preaching". Denmark would like to be a source of inspiration. It's like a menu card. We tell you what we are good at, and then it's for your side to decide. Can we use that in an Indian context? But we also like to be inspired by India, and most importantly, also when it comes to climate and many other issues. I'm not into what I will call "day-trading diplomacy". I have to work for the long perspective, and therefore this Vikshit Bharat is very dear to my heart, but also the kind of compass needle that we are trying to fix. So that's important. And I mean, we understand that India has to move 1.4 billion people who would like to have access to power. The demand for power is increasing drastically in the coming years. And of course, we would like to come with our menu cut and say, Okay, we were happy doing this. That had this impact. It generated jobs and so forth. So that's for you to look into, and wherever it makes sense, like offshore wind and all that biogas coming up, we have been, I think, very strong partners for India in the future. Sidhant Sibal: I think the green partnership is something that is the defining part of the relationship. Freddy Svane: So right, you are. I mean, that came because we were sitting discussing how our relationship could be, given the fact that we're only 60 lakh people, so it's a drop of Delhi and so forth. So how could we take our relationship to a strategic level and then define this, I did because my idea literally that we embarked upon this green strategic partnership, and luckily and great, there was great interest on the Indian side. So that's why we moved and it has served as a very important framework for whatever we are doing in water, energy, green financing, climate and many, many other topics. So that has served us very, very well. Sidhant Sibal: I believe your country is a world leader when it comes to dairy products and dealing with dairy India has its own brand when it comes to dairy products. How can your country help India? You have the technology. India has a scale. Freddy Svane: I mean, years back in the 1960s we brought in living cows and semen even to India, and so we were cross-breeding cows, and so that also helped increase the yield of milk from cows and so forth. Nowadays we are much more into the transfer of technology. So we have a centre of excellence coming up in Himachal Pradesh. International tender has just been announced, so we will secure the transfer of our expertise, but also our technologies. So we are there, and we are also helping you to cope with all the big challenges that we have been facing. Sidhant Sibal: Challenges like...? Freddy Svane: climate.I mean, if you have a big dairy industry, there's also an impact on climate. What kind of food, how much protein do you need, and so forth, and how do you ensure that the right consistency of water is being used and so forth. What forth. We can transfer ideas. Sidhant Sibal: You talked about platforms, and there is one platform where not only India and Denmark work together, but the Nordics work together, as the Indian Nordic Summit. We saw the summit happening in Copenhagen as well, for which the Indian Prime Minister travelled to your country in 2022 so if you can talk about the future of this platform. Freddy Svane: The Nordic countries, combine the five Nordic countries, if you put together all our economic strengths and all our competences and it goes without saying, I don't think, from my point of view, we have a kind of hidden geopolitical agenda. We are what we tend to be, and we can be met at face value. So in that context, obviously being very much aligned, we will be a good, good and strong platform for collaboration. And I think India has also moved towards saying that we need to group countries and then we'll work with them. So, therefore, my expectations for the upcoming Indo-Nordic summit in Norway will be extremely high. But we have to get out of the idea that it's only a kind of dot and then a couple of years later, we put it on the map and so forth. So we have to develop a common strategy, and perhaps the green strategic partnership could be lifted to the Nordic platform. Some will also argue that the Baltics should be included. And we talked about all these things, the Kingdom of Denmark is not only Denmark, it is also Greenland, the Faroe Islands and so forth. So I think a lot of new reflection will have to go into it. And I think on the Indian side, which I'm in full support of, you see these kinds of reflections as more strategic thinking. So hopefully the Indo-Nordic summit will turn into a new platform, which will ensure that we are combining all our resources for the benefit of the world, but also to India, but also obviously our own people. Sidhant Sibal: So my last question to you is about Denmark. So if you can, to our viewers, many of whom will be watching your interview, talk about Denmark's foreign policy. What is Denmark's foreign policy? Freddy Svane: Denmark was a founding member of NATO so today, and of course, in view of this unprovoked attack by Russia, it has made NATO even stronger. We saw Finland and Sweden as very neutral, they joined NATO. So Denmark was a founding member of NATO. And you know, our experience was based on the challenges of the First World War, and more importantly, also the Second World War. So we had to deal with that. Then later we joined the European Union, or the communities that were called in the 1970s and we did that because the UK applied for membership, and the UK was our most important market. So Denmark's foreign policy is to be pragmatic, but also realistic and secure that the right values that we cherish will have a say in global politics. But we have also realized that we can't sit in Europe and just define our own interests. It has to be a proactive, interactive relationship, including with India. And therefore India, in our foreign policy, plays a huge, important strategic goal, and I don't see any limits to it. So Denmark is strong. We only have 60 lakh people, but we are an open economy. Two-thirds of our GDP is generated from free trade and trade globally in India is increasingly becoming a very important partner. All our companies are now really looking into really increasing their investments in India. So the benefit of job creation, Skilling and transfer opportunities so India, dear friends here in India, we are with you.

No limits to our relationship with India: Denmark Ambassador Freddy Svane

Eminent missile scientist Dr Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi has taken charge as the new CEO &amp; MD of BrahMos Aerospace. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia aimed at developing and producing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.&nbsp;

Established in February 1998, the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. It is a venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM).

Dr&nbsp;Joshi brings with him over three decades of experience and has been instrumental in shaping India’s missile programme with his contributions&nbsp;to the development of the Prithvi and Agni missile systems.

He is best known for his leadership roles in the development of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems—two projects that have significantly enhanced India’s strategic defence capabilities.

His tenure as Programme Director for LRSAM was marked by the successful integration of indigenous missile systems into the Indian Navy’s fleet, including the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.

Dr Joshi has been instrumental in training professionals&nbsp;in radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and penetrant testing and led initiatives to improve the technical capabilities in the defence industry as the Chairman of the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT).

He has received several accolades, such as the DRDO Scientist of the Year Award, and the Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Award.

Additionally, he is a Distinguished Alumnus of NIT Warangal and holds Fellowships with prestigious institutions like the Royal Aeronautical Society, London, and the Indian National Academy of Engineering.

Analysts suggest that BrahMos’ potential lies in its ability to leverage Dr. Joshi’s experience to push the envelope, particularly on innovation. “BrahMos is a symbol of India’s defence capabilities, and under Dr. Joshi’s leadership could cement its position as a global leader in missile technology,” said a senior defence expert familiar with the organisation.

Dr&nbsp;Joshi takes the reins of BrahMos at a critical juncture, when the organisation faces increasing competition in the global defence market, with nations vying for dominance in missile technology.

Eminent missile scientist Dr Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi has taken charge as the new CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia aimed at developing and producing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.

Eminent missile scientist Dr Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi has taken charge as the new CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia aimed at developing and producing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. Established in February 1998, the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. It is a venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM). Dr Joshi brings with him over three decades of experience and has been instrumental in shaping India’s missile programme with his contributions to the development of the Prithvi and Agni missile systems. He is best known for his leadership roles in the development of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems—two projects that have significantly enhanced India’s strategic defence capabilities. His tenure as Programme Director for LRSAM was marked by the successful integration of indigenous missile systems into the Indian Navy’s fleet, including the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. Dr Joshi has been instrumental in training professionals in radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and penetrant testing and led initiatives to improve the technical capabilities in the defence industry as the Chairman of the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT). He has received several accolades, such as the DRDO Scientist of the Year Award, and the Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Award. Additionally, he is a Distinguished Alumnus of NIT Warangal and holds Fellowships with prestigious institutions like the Royal Aeronautical Society, London, and the Indian National Academy of Engineering. Analysts suggest that BrahMos’ potential lies in its ability to leverage Dr. Joshi’s experience to push the envelope, particularly on innovation. “BrahMos is a symbol of India’s defence capabilities, and under Dr. Joshi’s leadership could cement its position as a global leader in missile technology,” said a senior defence expert familiar with the organisation. Dr Joshi takes the reins of BrahMos at a critical juncture, when the organisation faces increasing competition in the global defence market, with nations vying for dominance in missile technology.

Dr Jaiteerth R Joshi takes over as BrahMos Aerospace chief

Norway's Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener has said that her country can help India get more green energy and "support the very ambitious goals that the Indian government has". Norway is a world leader in green energy, being Europe's largest producer of hydropower, expanding its onshore wind capacity, and giving a significant push to Green Hydrogen.&nbsp;

Speaking at WION Podcast, to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, she said, "when it comes to the climate change goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is very clear for us in Norway, and should be also in a lot of other countries, that if India does not reach its goals, the world will not reach its goals".

The ambassador listed the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) as a milestone for Norway. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organization which has Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and &nbsp;Switzerland as its members.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-norway-grants-98-of-indian-exports-zero-customs-duties-under-tepa-698883">Also read:&nbsp;Exclusive: Norway grants 98% of Indian exports zero customs duties under TEPA</a>

Stener&nbsp;pointed out that Norway will ratify the trade agreement soon. She explained that because of this, "a lot of goods will get easier access, and they will be cheaper", giving the example of Norwegian Solomon.&nbsp;

She also spoke about her country's foreign policy, Norwegian&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;Jonas Gahr Støre and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;meeting in Brazil, among other things. Stener&nbsp;is the first foreign envoy to be at the WION Podcast. Here's the full interview:

Sidhant Sibal: My first question to you is about the India-Norway relationship if you can give us a broader picture...

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: I would say the Indian-Norway relationship is really growing. It's getting more important by the day. And this year, 2024 has been a really important year. We managed to conclude the Free Trade Agreement, the trade and economic partnership agreement, in March, together with the other EFTA countries. And now we are just looking into the ratification in Norway, which will happen in the next couple of months and that is the cornerstone, a milestone for us, as a very good basis for our businesses.

Sidhant Sibal: You talked about EFTA, if you can talk about in detail, about the positive aspects in terms of how it will help not only the EFTA country but also India?&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Norway Chairwoman of the standing committee speaks to WION | Exclusive Interview

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Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it will help the EFTA countries, and I can talk about my own country, Norway, in the sense that a lot of goods will get easier access, and they will be cheaper. For example, Norwegian salmon, there is already quite a high toll on that, which will go down to zero in a few years. So Norwegian salmon will be cheaper, and that will also cause a great interest from the Norwegian seafood industry to look to India as a market. And mentioning market India is, and will be, the biggest consumer market in the world. So, of course, for us as Norway, this is of tremendous importance. And also, that's why I'm saying Norwegian interests, Norwegian businesses have a lot of interest. The agreement, though, also, I think, is beneficial for India, when, when it eases a trade between our countries and some of the goods that are going to Norway will also be cheaper to export. But first and foremost, I think this treaty is the first one to have an investment chapter, and that investment chapter is very important, and it's important for us in Norway and Norwegian businesses who want to invest in India. But I also think it's a very big advantage for India to have those measures on the investment.

Sidhant Sibal: What kind of investments we can expect from Norway, especially from your sovereign wealth fund to India and any domains which you expect.&nbsp;

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund will not be included by the agreement, because we're talking about foreign direct investments here. So I can say about the sovereign wealth fund, though they are also growing in India, and their investments are growing, and probably that will also continue. But on the foreign direct investment, those areas that are of priority for Norway and India in our relationship, particularly on green energy, and also on the maritime sector and the maritime industries. We have very particular technologies in Norway, because we have been an energy superpower, because we found oil and gas in the 1970s and we're now transforming it all to green energy, and we're using a lot of the same technologies, and we are quite cutting edge there. And also we have been a big shipping nation, and therefore we also have quite a good technology to contribute in that area as well. And then coming into India, this is offering something that we can't really find anywhere else, it's the scale that is here. So therefore these companies, with these cutting-edge technologies, will be really interested in investing. And that we see also is of interest here in India, in your growth, in your growth stories.

Sidhant Sibal: Norwegian technology and India scale, they can come together, and Norway is a leader when it comes to technology, clean energy. How can Norway help India in meeting its goal, especially when it comes to climate change goals?&nbsp;

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, when it comes to the climate change goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is very clear for us in Norway, and should be also in a lot of other countries, that if India does not reach its goals, the world will not reach its goals. And this is important to stop the climate change that we are seeing and to keep our planet. So, you know that scheme, this is something that we should all worry about, and I think it's really important that we succeed and that we actually also will be able to work on these issues together and to get more green energy into India and to support the very ambitious goals that the Indian government has.&nbsp; 
 
Sidhant Sibal: We have a platform called the India Nordic Summit. It happened in Stockholm. Then it happened in Copenhagen. Is expected to happen in your country. How do you see this platform in furthering the goals between India and the Nordic region as a whole, which you're part of?

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, the Nordic Region, we are composed of countries. We have a lot of the same history. We work very closely together in the Nordic Council, some of us share more or less the same language, and it's a platform where we are cooperating a lot in many areas. Still combined, we are population-wise, quite small compared to India, but the economies of the Nordic countries combined, we are between 10 to 12 in the world. So we do have a lot to offer. And I think also India sees that, because we are also getting the interest back. And as you have been saying, there have been two Nordic India summits, and we are now looking into having the next one in Oslo quite soon.

Sidhant Sibal: Now many of our viewers will be watching this interview. If you can explain the Norwegian foreign policy to them. What is the Norwegian policy all about, if you can, perhaps, in a concise format, tell this to our viewers.

Ambassador May-Elin Stener:&nbsp;Well, the Nordic well, we are a country far up in the north. We are a small country. We are neighbouring Russia in the north, this is, of course, important points in our foreign policy, in the current climate that we see, we are staunch supporters of Ukraine, and we are condemning the full-scale invasion of Russia, because we see that this is wrong. A country cannot invade that it's not allowed according to international law. But also for us as a neighbouring country, we of course, feel this even more closely than we also had a very, very close relations in the Middle East, some of the viewers might remember, if they are old enough, the Oslo Accords from 1993 that was brokered by Norway between Israel and the Palestinians. And the most important in those Accords, maybe, were the two-state solutions. And it does not look very good for the two-state solution these days, but we are still working on trying to get the parties in the Middle East together so that we are able to see that we still think that there is no other way to two-state&nbsp;solution between. So those are two important pillars. When we look at the world how it is today, we already spoke about the climate change and working, working in the framework of the United Nations on the Paris Agreement, and discussing and seeing how we can get action to solve those problems and to look towards the cleaner future for everyone and below the 1.5% Celsius goal is, of course, also very important. So those are some issues important in our foreign policy. Apart from that, also, of course, we want to see ourselves, as a bridge leader. We've had, I mentioned the Middle East, but we've also had, had roles in peace, building and mediating roles between parties in conflicts in many places in the world, and that's an experience that we have used, and are also used in the world today, which is quite full of conflicts.

Sidhant Sibal: It's a very volatile world. But ma'am, my last question to you is about India's role. How does Norway seize India which is a large country in Asia, a democratic country, and a country which is rising very fast?

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it's exactly that we see India as a country that is rising very fast. The economy is now the fifth largest in the world, and it's also the fastest-growing economy. You soon looking to be the third largest, which makes you a big power in itself, but we also see that the way India is conducting its foreign policy, it's growing in importance, and it's a country that a lot of other countries, including mine, are looking to and want to have close relations with, for sure.

Sidhant Sibal: In addition to this, both the prime ministers met in Brazil at the G20 Summit. Anything specific that came out, we saw the Indian read-out talking about the various sectors. Anything from the Norwegian side. What do we expect, or what was the purpose of that very important meeting?

Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it was indeed a very important meeting, and it was really good to see that the two prime ministers met, my prime minister with Prime Minister Modi, and as I understand, they had a very good meeting and discussed precisely those issues that have been mentioned here, because they are peers in our bilateral relationship, particularly how to trade and economic partnership agreement implemented and to work on that. They also reconfirmed the importance of the Nordic India summit that will happen in Oslo next time. So it definitely just showed how important this relationship clearly is.

Norway's Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener has said that her country can help India get more green energy and "support the very ambitious goals that the Indian government has".

Norway's Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener has said that her country can help India get more green energy and "support the very ambitious goals that the Indian government has". Norway is a world leader in green energy, being Europe's largest producer of hydropower, expanding its onshore wind capacity, and giving a significant push to Green Hydrogen. Speaking at WION Podcast, to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal, she said, "when it comes to the climate change goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is very clear for us in Norway, and should be also in a lot of other countries, that if India does not reach its goals, the world will not reach its goals". The ambassador listed the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) as a milestone for Norway. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organization which has Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland as its members. Also read: Exclusive: Norway grants 98% of Indian exports zero customs duties under TEPA Stener pointed out that Norway will ratify the trade agreement soon. She explained that because of this, "a lot of goods will get easier access, and they will be cheaper", giving the example of Norwegian Solomon. She also spoke about her country's foreign policy, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting in Brazil, among other things. Stener is the first foreign envoy to be at the WION Podcast. Here's the full interview: Sidhant Sibal: My first question to you is about the India-Norway relationship if you can give us a broader picture... Ambassador May-Elin Stener: I would say the Indian-Norway relationship is really growing. It's getting more important by the day. And this year, 2024 has been a really important year. We managed to conclude the Free Trade Agreement, the trade and economic partnership agreement, in March, together with the other EFTA countries. And now we are just looking into the ratification in Norway, which will happen in the next couple of months and that is the cornerstone, a milestone for us, as a very good basis for our businesses. Sidhant Sibal: You talked about EFTA, if you can talk about in detail, about the positive aspects in terms of how it will help not only the EFTA country but also India? Watch | Norway Chairwoman of the standing committee speaks to WION | Exclusive Interview × Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it will help the EFTA countries, and I can talk about my own country, Norway, in the sense that a lot of goods will get easier access, and they will be cheaper. For example, Norwegian salmon, there is already quite a high toll on that, which will go down to zero in a few years. So Norwegian salmon will be cheaper, and that will also cause a great interest from the Norwegian seafood industry to look to India as a market. And mentioning market India is, and will be, the biggest consumer market in the world. So, of course, for us as Norway, this is of tremendous importance. And also, that's why I'm saying Norwegian interests, Norwegian businesses have a lot of interest. The agreement, though, also, I think, is beneficial for India, when, when it eases a trade between our countries and some of the goods that are going to Norway will also be cheaper to export. But first and foremost, I think this treaty is the first one to have an investment chapter, and that investment chapter is very important, and it's important for us in Norway and Norwegian businesses who want to invest in India. But I also think it's a very big advantage for India to have those measures on the investment. Sidhant Sibal: What kind of investments we can expect from Norway, especially from your sovereign wealth fund to India and any domains which you expect. Ambassador May-Elin Stener: The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund will not be included by the agreement, because we're talking about foreign direct investments here. So I can say about the sovereign wealth fund, though they are also growing in India, and their investments are growing, and probably that will also continue. But on the foreign direct investment, those areas that are of priority for Norway and India in our relationship, particularly on green energy, and also on the maritime sector and the maritime industries. We have very particular technologies in Norway, because we have been an energy superpower, because we found oil and gas in the 1970s and we're now transforming it all to green energy, and we're using a lot of the same technologies, and we are quite cutting edge there. And also we have been a big shipping nation, and therefore we also have quite a good technology to contribute in that area as well. And then coming into India, this is offering something that we can't really find anywhere else, it's the scale that is here. So therefore these companies, with these cutting-edge technologies, will be really interested in investing. And that we see also is of interest here in India, in your growth, in your growth stories. Sidhant Sibal: Norwegian technology and India scale, they can come together, and Norway is a leader when it comes to technology, clean energy. How can Norway help India in meeting its goal, especially when it comes to climate change goals? Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, when it comes to the climate change goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is very clear for us in Norway, and should be also in a lot of other countries, that if India does not reach its goals, the world will not reach its goals. And this is important to stop the climate change that we are seeing and to keep our planet. So, you know that scheme, this is something that we should all worry about, and I think it's really important that we succeed and that we actually also will be able to work on these issues together and to get more green energy into India and to support the very ambitious goals that the Indian government has. Sidhant Sibal: We have a platform called the India Nordic Summit. It happened in Stockholm. Then it happened in Copenhagen. Is expected to happen in your country. How do you see this platform in furthering the goals between India and the Nordic region as a whole, which you're part of? Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, the Nordic Region, we are composed of countries. We have a lot of the same history. We work very closely together in the Nordic Council, some of us share more or less the same language, and it's a platform where we are cooperating a lot in many areas. Still combined, we are population-wise, quite small compared to India, but the economies of the Nordic countries combined, we are between 10 to 12 in the world. So we do have a lot to offer. And I think also India sees that, because we are also getting the interest back. And as you have been saying, there have been two Nordic India summits, and we are now looking into having the next one in Oslo quite soon. Sidhant Sibal: Now many of our viewers will be watching this interview. If you can explain the Norwegian foreign policy to them. What is the Norwegian policy all about, if you can, perhaps, in a concise format, tell this to our viewers. Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, the Nordic well, we are a country far up in the north. We are a small country. We are neighbouring Russia in the north, this is, of course, important points in our foreign policy, in the current climate that we see, we are staunch supporters of Ukraine, and we are condemning the full-scale invasion of Russia, because we see that this is wrong. A country cannot invade that it's not allowed according to international law. But also for us as a neighbouring country, we of course, feel this even more closely than we also had a very, very close relations in the Middle East, some of the viewers might remember, if they are old enough, the Oslo Accords from 1993 that was brokered by Norway between Israel and the Palestinians. And the most important in those Accords, maybe, were the two-state solutions. And it does not look very good for the two-state solution these days, but we are still working on trying to get the parties in the Middle East together so that we are able to see that we still think that there is no other way to two-state solution between. So those are two important pillars. When we look at the world how it is today, we already spoke about the climate change and working, working in the framework of the United Nations on the Paris Agreement, and discussing and seeing how we can get action to solve those problems and to look towards the cleaner future for everyone and below the 1.5% Celsius goal is, of course, also very important. So those are some issues important in our foreign policy. Apart from that, also, of course, we want to see ourselves, as a bridge leader. We've had, I mentioned the Middle East, but we've also had, had roles in peace, building and mediating roles between parties in conflicts in many places in the world, and that's an experience that we have used, and are also used in the world today, which is quite full of conflicts. Sidhant Sibal: It's a very volatile world. But ma'am, my last question to you is about India's role. How does Norway seize India which is a large country in Asia, a democratic country, and a country which is rising very fast? Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it's exactly that we see India as a country that is rising very fast. The economy is now the fifth largest in the world, and it's also the fastest-growing economy. You soon looking to be the third largest, which makes you a big power in itself, but we also see that the way India is conducting its foreign policy, it's growing in importance, and it's a country that a lot of other countries, including mine, are looking to and want to have close relations with, for sure. Sidhant Sibal: In addition to this, both the prime ministers met in Brazil at the G20 Summit. Anything specific that came out, we saw the Indian read-out talking about the various sectors. Anything from the Norwegian side. What do we expect, or what was the purpose of that very important meeting? Ambassador May-Elin Stener: Well, it was indeed a very important meeting, and it was really good to see that the two prime ministers met, my prime minister with Prime Minister Modi, and as I understand, they had a very good meeting and discussed precisely those issues that have been mentioned here, because they are peers in our bilateral relationship, particularly how to trade and economic partnership agreement implemented and to work on that. They also reconfirmed the importance of the Nordic India summit that will happen in Oslo next time. So it definitely just showed how important this relationship clearly is.

Norway ready to boost India's green energy goals: Ambassador Stener

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to travel to India from December 15th onwards, with the key day of engagement being December 16th, when&nbsp;he will meet top Indian leadership, including PM Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

This will be Dissanayake's first foreign visit abroad after taking charge as president in September this year.

The November parliamentary&nbsp;elections in Sri Lanka saw Dissanayake's National People's Power (NPP) coalition getting a landslide victory. The coalition got 159 seats out of the 225 seats, transforming the political landscape of the country since it is for the first time that a Sinhala-Buddhist party has&nbsp;won in the predominantly Tamil areas in the north.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lanka-australia-woo-indian-tourists-with-new-initiatives-778776">Also read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka, Australia woo Indian tourists with new initiatives</a>

He is the first top leader of Sri Lanka who is not from the nation's political elites, and his victory is seen as a sea change in the country's post-colonial political history.

After his win in the parliamentary elections, the Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha had met him. After congratulating him on his election victory, the Indian high commissioner also extended an invitation to the Sri Lankan leader to visit India.

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HC <a href="https://twitter.com/santjha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@santjha</a> called on President &amp; Leader of NPP <a href="https://twitter.com/anuradisanayake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anuradisanayake</a> to congratulate on NPP’s victory in 🇱🇰 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParliamentaryElections2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParliamentaryElections2024</a>. As a fellow democracy,🇮🇳 welcomes the mandate &amp; remains committed to further strengthening bilateral ties for the benefit of our peoples. <a href="https://t.co/1qMEBn3uSO">pic.twitter.com/1qMEBn3uSO</a>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1857383289688031352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Indian high commissioner had also called on Dissanayake when he became president and congratulated him on "winning the people's mandate". Both times, the Indian high commissioner was the first foreign envoy to meet him, which shows the strong ties between the two countries and continued engagement as well.

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HC <a href="https://twitter.com/santjha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@santjha</a> called on 🇱🇰 President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/anuradisanayake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anuradisanayake</a>. Conveyed greetings from India’s leadership and congratulated him on winning the people’s mandate. 🇮🇳 as 🇱🇰’s civilisational twin is committed to further deepen ties for the prosperity of the people of our two countries. <a href="https://t.co/l5qUxmAcA1">pic.twitter.com/l5qUxmAcA1</a>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1837893440685621539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Anura Kumara Dissanayake, often referred to by his initials AKD, visited India in early 2024 and met India's external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval. His upcoming visit will be as the President of Sri Lanka, with a big parliamentary majority.&nbsp;

In October, India's external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar, had visited Sri Lanka, which was the first high-level engagement&nbsp;between India and Sri Lanka after the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka's New Parliament Convened, Speaker &amp; Others Elected

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During the visit, EAM Jaishankar met&nbsp;President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.&nbsp;

AKDs' visit will be key in continuing the India and Sri Lanka engagement with a focus on economic recovery and connectivity—both physical with talks of a land bridge&nbsp;and a petroleum pipeline to financial connectivity with India's UPI being extended to Sri Lanka.

India played a key role in the economic recovery of Sri Lanka during the massive economic crisis with bailout support of $4 billion.&nbsp;

Delhi provided currency swaps to help Sri Lanka manage its foreign exchange shortages and supplied diesel, petrol, and other essentials like food grains through credit lines, which were crucial for maintaining basic services.

However, the fishing issue remains a point of contention between the two nations. Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody have been an irritant, though both countries have sought to resolve it under the Joint Working Group mechanism.

India has also been calling for reconciliation on the Tamil issue and implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that aims to give autonomy to the country's Tamil community.

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to travel to India from December 15th onwards, with the key day of engagement being December 16th, when he will meet top Indian leadership, including PM Narendra Modi.

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to travel to India from December 15th onwards, with the key day of engagement being December 16th, when he will meet top Indian leadership, including PM Narendra Modi. This will be Dissanayake's first foreign visit abroad after taking charge as president in September this year. The November parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka saw Dissanayake's National People's Power (NPP) coalition getting a landslide victory. The coalition got 159 seats out of the 225 seats, transforming the political landscape of the country since it is for the first time that a Sinhala-Buddhist party has won in the predominantly Tamil areas in the north. Also read: Sri Lanka, Australia woo Indian tourists with new initiatives He is the first top leader of Sri Lanka who is not from the nation's political elites, and his victory is seen as a sea change in the country's post-colonial political history. After his win in the parliamentary elections, the Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha had met him. After congratulating him on his election victory, the Indian high commissioner also extended an invitation to the Sri Lankan leader to visit India. HC @santjha called on President & Leader of NPP @anuradisanayake to congratulate on NPP’s victory in 🇱🇰 #ParliamentaryElections2024. As a fellow democracy,🇮🇳 welcomes the mandate & remains committed to further strengthening bilateral ties for the benefit of our peoples. pic.twitter.com/1qMEBn3uSO — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 15, 2024 × The Indian high commissioner had also called on Dissanayake when he became president and congratulated him on "winning the people's mandate". Both times, the Indian high commissioner was the first foreign envoy to meet him, which shows the strong ties between the two countries and continued engagement as well. HC @santjha called on 🇱🇰 President-elect @anuradisanayake. Conveyed greetings from India’s leadership and congratulated him on winning the people’s mandate. 🇮🇳 as 🇱🇰’s civilisational twin is committed to further deepen ties for the prosperity of the people of our two countries. pic.twitter.com/l5qUxmAcA1 — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) September 22, 2024 × Anura Kumara Dissanayake, often referred to by his initials AKD, visited India in early 2024 and met India's external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval. His upcoming visit will be as the President of Sri Lanka, with a big parliamentary majority. In October, India's external affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar, had visited Sri Lanka, which was the first high-level engagement between India and Sri Lanka after the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Watch | Sri Lanka's New Parliament Convened, Speaker & Others Elected × During the visit, EAM Jaishankar met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. AKDs' visit will be key in continuing the India and Sri Lanka engagement with a focus on economic recovery and connectivity—both physical with talks of a land bridge and a petroleum pipeline to financial connectivity with India's UPI being extended to Sri Lanka. India played a key role in the economic recovery of Sri Lanka during the massive economic crisis with bailout support of $4 billion. Delhi provided currency swaps to help Sri Lanka manage its foreign exchange shortages and supplied diesel, petrol, and other essentials like food grains through credit lines, which were crucial for maintaining basic services. However, the fishing issue remains a point of contention between the two nations. Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody have been an irritant, though both countries have sought to resolve it under the Joint Working Group mechanism. India has also been calling for reconciliation on the Tamil issue and implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that aims to give autonomy to the country's Tamil community.

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake's India visit begins on December 15

Moldova's education minister Dan Perciun, who is on an India visit, is hoping to get more Indian students to choose his country as a destination for higher education. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, minister Perciun said, "What we are offering is high-quality education at an affordable price, in a safe place, in internationally accredited universities...". The minister will be meeting his Indian counterpart very soon.

The Moldovan minister, who visited WION headquarters, explained, "We are looking to welcome more Indian students to Moldova, to make ourselves more known here. And we have to say, there is a lot of interest, and we are very, very glad to acknowledge that."&nbsp;

The minister is accompanied by chiefs of top Moldova’s universities who are participating in Education Worldwide India - Education Summit 2024.

The country is home to around 3000 Indian students, many of them doing medical education. In fact, when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022, Moldova provided refuge to many Indian students. Full interview.

Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India&nbsp;and Moldova relations?

Dan Perciun: It has indeed been growing very fast. We will soon have a high-level visit, the visit of the foreign minister. We had the agricultural minister, who is visiting India. So we are looking to develop the economic side of the relationship, also the cultural side. And, of course, the educational element is very, very important to us. We are looking to welcome more Indian students to Moldova, to make ourselves more known here. And we have to say, there is a lot of interest, and we are very, very glad to acknowledge that.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: If you can talk about how many Indian students are there in Moldova, and what are the facilities for these Indian students in Moldova that they are there, and they find Moldova as a place, a good place to study for higher education?

Dan Perciun: So far, we have around 3000 Indian students. But you have to know that Moldova has a population of 2.6 million. So that is actually the largest student population, international student population, that we have. So we are very happy to have that many Indian students already. They have come so far for about 10 years, mostly for medicine. But the purpose of our visit here is also to diversify and see how we can attract more to other specialties, be it medicine, veterinary medicine, be it economics, business, psychology, law and so on. So really, this is the purpose of this visit. What we have to offer is high-quality, affordable and safe education. I have been meeting Indian students recently. I've asked them exactly this, Why have you chosen to come? And they said the main reasons are because it's safe and it's affordable and it's good quality.&nbsp;I really believe there is way, way more that can be done. We've been to an educational fair this week. We will be meeting Indian officials to make ourselves better known and to convince more Indian students to explore Moldova as a very good, very good educational option.

Sidhant Sibal: So your visit is the first visit by a Moldovan minister to Delhi. So what are the key focus areas? And as you pointed out that you want to meet the officials here. So if you can elaborate on the agenda of your Delhi visit.

Dan Perciun: Well, we are meeting the education&nbsp;minister very soon, since I really believe it has to be a two-way street. So yes, indeed, we are looking for more Indian students, but we are very happy to explore how more Moldovan students could come to India as well. I think international education in this day and age, with all the geopolitical strides that exist, is very important to build long-lasting peace, improve cultural relations, and to get to know each other better. That's why it's not only about Indians coming to Moldova. It's also about Moldovans coming here and developing that kind of relationship, which will be the foundation for future growth for all our countries. At the same time, we'll be meeting the department for husbandry. It's another important meeting we are looking forward to, since we are looking to get Indian accreditation for our veterinary medicine, which is in progress, and I'm sure that as a result of these high-level meetings, we will move more swiftly. We have also been to an educational fair, met Indian students, talked to them, and listened to them. We've come with a large delegation. There are 15 of us here. We've brought the rectors, and vice rectors of the largest universities in the country. So that is also very, very important to us. And of course, you're also meeting some recruiters.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What are the areas when it comes to higher education, where Indian students can go and study, whether it's STEM or whether it's humanities, if you can talk about that, and particularly universities, if you can point out that how important these universities are for not only Moldova, but if an Indian student goes to a particular university, he will get better opportunities, not only in Moldova but in Europe and in the West.&nbsp;

Dan Perciun: Well, what you have to know is our universities are internationally accredited by European institutions. Our Medical University has also been accredited by a US accreditation body, something which we're very proud of. Medicine has been a long-standing opportunity that has been out there and is most popular among Indian students. So the testimony from the Medical University is definitely on the map. We are putting now on the map our Technical University for software engineering, animation, for veterinary medicine. They joined us on this trip as well. Also with us here is the Academy of Economic Sciences, our Pedagogical University. So we brought really the best that we have

Sidhant Sibal: When the invasion of Ukraine started by Russia in 2022 your country provided a lot of refuge to a lot of people, including Indian students. Perhaps you can shed light on how Moldova provided a safe place for many of these Indian students.&nbsp;

Dan Perciun: Well, indeed, when the war started, we had, over a very short period of time, nearly half a million refugees that had passed from Moldova. Many of them stayed. We've all welcomed everyone. We've assisted with housing, food, and travel arrangements for those who wanted to return back to their countries, and Indian students were amongst them, because many of them chose to study in Ukraine, as you well know, and we've catered all to all their needs. There has been very good collaboration with the authorities to assist with travel. Actually, to this day, because of the war, we still have Indian students in Ukraine, who are gradually relocating to Moldova and coming to our universities to continue their studies.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What message will you give to many of the Indian students or their parents who will be watching your interview as to why they should choose Muldo as a destination for higher studies?&nbsp;

Dan Perciun: Indian society is a society that puts a lot of value on education, and it is wonderful to see how much recognition there is of the power of education, social and economic, personal, and family level, but also for the country. What we are offering is high-quality education at an affordable price, in a safe place, in internationally accredited universities, with the possibility to come back to India, of course, for those who wish to do so, or for those who are looking for international careers and opportunities to be able to continue further on. We are investing a lot in our universities. At the moment, Moldova is looking to become a member country of the European Union. By 2030 we are already a candidate country, which means that our standards are aligning to European standards. And there is the financial investment also there to have the laboratories, to have the practical experience, which is so much asked for by Indian students, and actually by Moldovan students as well. You know, one of the conversations we had at the fair with a young Indian girl. She was saying, I really want a very practical higher education, not so much theory, I want to develop the skills which are asked for in the labor market, and that is something that we can provide.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: So you mentioned affordability, and that is something that many Indians will be watching closely. So in terms of affordability, say, for example, a student goes to study engineering, how much it will cost, including the stay, relative to perhaps other countries?&nbsp;

Dan Perciun: Well, so for a semester, because obviously this is how you count things. Here it would be about 90,000 local currency, and then in dollars, it would be about $1,300, per semester.

Sidhant Sibal: My last question to you is, while the relationship is growing substantially, your embassy is functioning very well here, India does not have an embassy in your country. It's working from a neighboring country. So what will be your request for the Indian government, because the presence of an Indian Embassy is always helpful for the local Indian population, the Indian students if you can perhaps talk about this issue.&nbsp;

Dan Perciun: Well, I have to say the Indian authorities have been extraordinary. We have been able to have these high-level visits, and high-level meetings, which we are very grateful for. But of course, going forward, once our embassy here is officially launched in December, we would very much welcome an Indian Embassy in Moldova. As the relationships grow, as more Indians are coming, and as the exchanges intensify, I think there are a lot of shared opportunities.&nbsp;

Moldova's education minister Dan Perciun, who is on an India visit, is hoping to get more Indian students to choose his country as a destination for higher education.

Moldova's education minister Dan Perciun, who is on an India visit, is hoping to get more Indian students to choose his country as a destination for higher education. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, minister Perciun said, "What we are offering is high-quality education at an affordable price, in a safe place, in internationally accredited universities...". The minister will be meeting his Indian counterpart very soon. The Moldovan minister, who visited WION headquarters, explained, "We are looking to welcome more Indian students to Moldova, to make ourselves more known here. And we have to say, there is a lot of interest, and we are very, very glad to acknowledge that." The minister is accompanied by chiefs of top Moldova’s universities who are participating in Education Worldwide India - Education Summit 2024. The country is home to around 3000 Indian students, many of them doing medical education. In fact, when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022, Moldova provided refuge to many Indian students. Full interview. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India and Moldova relations? Dan Perciun: It has indeed been growing very fast. We will soon have a high-level visit, the visit of the foreign minister. We had the agricultural minister, who is visiting India. So we are looking to develop the economic side of the relationship, also the cultural side. And, of course, the educational element is very, very important to us. We are looking to welcome more Indian students to Moldova, to make ourselves more known here. And we have to say, there is a lot of interest, and we are very, very glad to acknowledge that. Sidhant Sibal: If you can talk about how many Indian students are there in Moldova, and what are the facilities for these Indian students in Moldova that they are there, and they find Moldova as a place, a good place to study for higher education? Dan Perciun: So far, we have around 3000 Indian students. But you have to know that Moldova has a population of 2.6 million. So that is actually the largest student population, international student population, that we have. So we are very happy to have that many Indian students already. They have come so far for about 10 years, mostly for medicine. But the purpose of our visit here is also to diversify and see how we can attract more to other specialties, be it medicine, veterinary medicine, be it economics, business, psychology, law and so on. So really, this is the purpose of this visit. What we have to offer is high-quality, affordable and safe education. I have been meeting Indian students recently. I've asked them exactly this, Why have you chosen to come? And they said the main reasons are because it's safe and it's affordable and it's good quality. I really believe there is way, way more that can be done. We've been to an educational fair this week. We will be meeting Indian officials to make ourselves better known and to convince more Indian students to explore Moldova as a very good, very good educational option. Sidhant Sibal: So your visit is the first visit by a Moldovan minister to Delhi. So what are the key focus areas? And as you pointed out that you want to meet the officials here. So if you can elaborate on the agenda of your Delhi visit. Dan Perciun: Well, we are meeting the education minister very soon, since I really believe it has to be a two-way street. So yes, indeed, we are looking for more Indian students, but we are very happy to explore how more Moldovan students could come to India as well. I think international education in this day and age, with all the geopolitical strides that exist, is very important to build long-lasting peace, improve cultural relations, and to get to know each other better. That's why it's not only about Indians coming to Moldova. It's also about Moldovans coming here and developing that kind of relationship, which will be the foundation for future growth for all our countries. At the same time, we'll be meeting the department for husbandry. It's another important meeting we are looking forward to, since we are looking to get Indian accreditation for our veterinary medicine, which is in progress, and I'm sure that as a result of these high-level meetings, we will move more swiftly. We have also been to an educational fair, met Indian students, talked to them, and listened to them. We've come with a large delegation. There are 15 of us here. We've brought the rectors, and vice rectors of the largest universities in the country. So that is also very, very important to us. And of course, you're also meeting some recruiters. Sidhant Sibal: What are the areas when it comes to higher education, where Indian students can go and study, whether it's STEM or whether it's humanities, if you can talk about that, and particularly universities, if you can point out that how important these universities are for not only Moldova, but if an Indian student goes to a particular university, he will get better opportunities, not only in Moldova but in Europe and in the West. Dan Perciun: Well, what you have to know is our universities are internationally accredited by European institutions. Our Medical University has also been accredited by a US accreditation body, something which we're very proud of. Medicine has been a long-standing opportunity that has been out there and is most popular among Indian students. So the testimony from the Medical University is definitely on the map. We are putting now on the map our Technical University for software engineering, animation, for veterinary medicine. They joined us on this trip as well. Also with us here is the Academy of Economic Sciences, our Pedagogical University. So we brought really the best that we have Sidhant Sibal: When the invasion of Ukraine started by Russia in 2022 your country provided a lot of refuge to a lot of people, including Indian students. Perhaps you can shed light on how Moldova provided a safe place for many of these Indian students. Dan Perciun: Well, indeed, when the war started, we had, over a very short period of time, nearly half a million refugees that had passed from Moldova. Many of them stayed. We've all welcomed everyone. We've assisted with housing, food, and travel arrangements for those who wanted to return back to their countries, and Indian students were amongst them, because many of them chose to study in Ukraine, as you well know, and we've catered all to all their needs. There has been very good collaboration with the authorities to assist with travel. Actually, to this day, because of the war, we still have Indian students in Ukraine, who are gradually relocating to Moldova and coming to our universities to continue their studies. Sidhant Sibal: What message will you give to many of the Indian students or their parents who will be watching your interview as to why they should choose Muldo as a destination for higher studies? Dan Perciun: Indian society is a society that puts a lot of value on education, and it is wonderful to see how much recognition there is of the power of education, social and economic, personal, and family level, but also for the country. What we are offering is high-quality education at an affordable price, in a safe place, in internationally accredited universities, with the possibility to come back to India, of course, for those who wish to do so, or for those who are looking for international careers and opportunities to be able to continue further on. We are investing a lot in our universities. At the moment, Moldova is looking to become a member country of the European Union. By 2030 we are already a candidate country, which means that our standards are aligning to European standards. And there is the financial investment also there to have the laboratories, to have the practical experience, which is so much asked for by Indian students, and actually by Moldovan students as well. You know, one of the conversations we had at the fair with a young Indian girl. She was saying, I really want a very practical higher education, not so much theory, I want to develop the skills which are asked for in the labor market, and that is something that we can provide. Sidhant Sibal: So you mentioned affordability, and that is something that many Indians will be watching closely. So in terms of affordability, say, for example, a student goes to study engineering, how much it will cost, including the stay, relative to perhaps other countries? Dan Perciun: Well, so for a semester, because obviously this is how you count things. Here it would be about 90,000 local currency, and then in dollars, it would be about $1,300, per semester. Sidhant Sibal: My last question to you is, while the relationship is growing substantially, your embassy is functioning very well here, India does not have an embassy in your country. It's working from a neighboring country. So what will be your request for the Indian government, because the presence of an Indian Embassy is always helpful for the local Indian population, the Indian students if you can perhaps talk about this issue. Dan Perciun: Well, I have to say the Indian authorities have been extraordinary. We have been able to have these high-level visits, and high-level meetings, which we are very grateful for. But of course, going forward, once our embassy here is officially launched in December, we would very much welcome an Indian Embassy in Moldova. As the relationships grow, as more Indians are coming, and as the exchanges intensify, I think there are a lot of shared opportunities.

Moldova aims to attract more Indian students: Education minister Dan Perciun

In an era where naval diplomacy shapes international relations, the Indian Navy is playing a key role by extending its expertise in ship maintenance to neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

The maintenance and repair of Maldivian Coast Guard (MCGS) CGS Huravee and Mauritius Coast Guard vessel, MCGS Valiant is being undertaken at the request of their respective governments by the Indian Navy. These refits are conducted at no cost to the host countries, which shows India's commitment to regional security cooperation.

Originally commissioned by India in 2016, Maldivian Coast Guard (MCGS) CGS Huravee was ceremonially handed over to the Maldives in 2023.

Its refit is currently underway at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai and focuses on critical repairs and upgrades to enhance its operational capabilities. The decision to refit the Maldives vessel was taken during the state visit of Maldives President Muizzu in October to India.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-addresses-party-workers-from-bjp-hq-following-maharashtra-win-778699">'Nation only wants development,' PM Modi hails historic win in Maharashtra polls</a>

A statement from the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said, "The refit of CGS Huravee would be undertaken at an approximate cost of over $4 million, which would be borne by the government of India... It reflects deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation between our 2 countries".

Mauritius Coast Guard vessel MCGS Valiant, constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd for the Mauritius Coast Guard in 2017, is now in Visakhapatnam for its scheduled four-month refit, aimed at ensuring its readiness for patrolling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue missions.

The Indian Navy's engagement doesn't end at maintenance. In a broader outreach, it has also provided maritime assets to countries in need. Earlier this month, India gifted two Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) to Mozambique in East Africa.

The FICs were delivered via the Indian Navy ship INS Gharial and were formally handed over to the Mozambique government by the Indian High Commissioner to the country, Robert Shetkintong.

These Fast Interceptor Craft will significantly aid Mozambique in its efforts to combat maritime terrorism and ongoing insurgency in

Cabo Delgado province. Earlier, to bolster the efforts of the Mozambique government for maritime security, the Indian government had gifted two large interceptor boats in 2019, followed by two FICs of the same class in Jan 2022.

The engagement doesn't end at maintenance but also includes providing maritime assets to countries that require them. Last year, the Indian&nbsp;Navy vessel INS Kripan was transferred to the Vietnam Navy as both countries firmed up defence ties. It was the first time that an active warship was given by India to a friendly country as part of naval cooperation.&nbsp;

This "Womb to Tomb" support by the Indian Navy is part of the Indian government's "Neighbourhood First" policy and its vision for "Security And Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR).

In an era where naval diplomacy shapes international relations, the Indian Navy is playing a key role by extending its expertise in ship maintenance to neighbouring countries.

In an era where naval diplomacy shapes international relations, the Indian Navy is playing a key role by extending its expertise in ship maintenance to neighbouring countries. The maintenance and repair of Maldivian Coast Guard (MCGS) CGS Huravee and Mauritius Coast Guard vessel, MCGS Valiant is being undertaken at the request of their respective governments by the Indian Navy. These refits are conducted at no cost to the host countries, which shows India's commitment to regional security cooperation. Originally commissioned by India in 2016, Maldivian Coast Guard (MCGS) CGS Huravee was ceremonially handed over to the Maldives in 2023. Its refit is currently underway at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai and focuses on critical repairs and upgrades to enhance its operational capabilities. The decision to refit the Maldives vessel was taken during the state visit of Maldives President Muizzu in October to India. Also read: 'Nation only wants development,' PM Modi hails historic win in Maharashtra polls A statement from the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said, "The refit of CGS Huravee would be undertaken at an approximate cost of over $4 million, which would be borne by the government of India... It reflects deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation between our 2 countries". Mauritius Coast Guard vessel MCGS Valiant, constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd for the Mauritius Coast Guard in 2017, is now in Visakhapatnam for its scheduled four-month refit, aimed at ensuring its readiness for patrolling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue missions. The Indian Navy's engagement doesn't end at maintenance. In a broader outreach, it has also provided maritime assets to countries in need. Earlier this month, India gifted two Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) to Mozambique in East Africa. The FICs were delivered via the Indian Navy ship INS Gharial and were formally handed over to the Mozambique government by the Indian High Commissioner to the country, Robert Shetkintong. These Fast Interceptor Craft will significantly aid Mozambique in its efforts to combat maritime terrorism and ongoing insurgency in Cabo Delgado province. Earlier, to bolster the efforts of the Mozambique government for maritime security, the Indian government had gifted two large interceptor boats in 2019, followed by two FICs of the same class in Jan 2022. The engagement doesn't end at maintenance but also includes providing maritime assets to countries that require them. Last year, the Indian Navy vessel INS Kripan was transferred to the Vietnam Navy as both countries firmed up defence ties. It was the first time that an active warship was given by India to a friendly country as part of naval cooperation. This "Womb to Tomb" support by the Indian Navy is part of the Indian government's "Neighbourhood First" policy and its vision for "Security And Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR).

Indian Navy helps in maintenance of Maldives, Mauritius Coast Guard vessels

Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched&nbsp;a unique&nbsp;package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which&nbsp;is associated with the Hindu epic.

These include Seeta Amman Temple, where Mata Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, to Rumassala hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed&nbsp;to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. 
&nbsp; 
Launching the trail officially over the weekend in Delhi, the Sri Lankan high commissioner said, "The Ramayan is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating&nbsp;culture, spirituality, and heritage. It has been a source of inspiration, guidance, fostering a connection between India &amp; Sri Lanka...Sri Lankan Airlines is not only offering the opportunity to discover significant&nbsp;locations"&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Sri Lankan Airlines is the country's national&nbsp;carrier, and the initiative comes at a time when India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was extended to the country, which enhances digital financial connectivity. It not only facilitates cross-border transactions, and digital connectivity but also helps the Indian tourists travelling to the country. &nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Howzat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Howzat</a> for a holiday? 🏖️ 
As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorderGavaskarTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BorderGavaskarTrophy</a> kicks off, <a href="https://twitter.com/TourismAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TourismAus</a>'s latest campaign invites 🇮🇳 travellers to explore 🇦🇺’s iconic destinations-beyond the cricket grounds. Join <a href="https://twitter.com/patcummins30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@patcummins30</a> &amp; Ruby the Kangaroo🦘in discovering the best of 🇦🇺! 
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— Philip Green OAM (@AusHCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/AusHCIndia/status/1859522577179214126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, Richard Nuttall said, "Our Gurus came with this wonderful&nbsp;idea, that it was time for the Ramayana trail. We are really proud to promote this concept and bring the trail to India. We hope this will take tourism from India to Sri Lanka to a new level". 
&nbsp; 
Indians were the largest group of foreign tourists to travel to Sri Lanka in October 2024. With a share of 26.8%, around 36000 Indians travelled to the country also known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". The next largest number of tourists were from Russia, at just 7.6% share. From November 1-20th 2024, 26,700 Indian tourists travelled to the country, according to Sri Lankan govt data. 
&nbsp; 
The pull exists "down under" Australia, where&nbsp;Tourism Australia launched a new campaign "Howzat for a holiday?" to get more Indian tourists coinciding with the Border Gavaskar trophy. With Australian Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, as the face of the campaign, the aim is to encourage Indian travellers to visit the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop29-nearly-200-countries-approve-300-billion-for-poor-nations-in-climate-deal-778749">Nearly 200 countries approve $300 billion for poor nations in climate deal</a> 
&nbsp; 
Senator Don Farrell, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism in a statement said, "With tens of millions of people across India tuning in to watch the Test cricket series here in Australia, we have an opportunity to showcase to a huge audience why there is no place like Australia for a holiday."&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The number of Indian travellers visiting Australia already exceeds 2019 levels and, according to Tourism Research Australia, arrivals from India are forecast to double pre-pandemic levels by 2028.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison pointed out, "With a population of more than 1.4 billion people and more Indians looking to travel, the potential in the Indian market is endless and we see the Test series as our chance to get on the front foot and promote our country to a captive TV audience." 
&nbsp; 
According to a report by the International Trade Administration (ITA), Indian tourists are one of the highest spenders per visit abroad,&nbsp;which&nbsp;contributes to the economies of the countries they visit. The number of Indian travellers is not only increasing in numbers but is expected to overtake Chinese travellers in the coming years.&nbsp;

Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched a unique package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which is associated with the Hindu epic.

Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched a unique package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which is associated with the Hindu epic. These include Seeta Amman Temple, where Mata Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, to Rumassala hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. Launching the trail officially over the weekend in Delhi, the Sri Lankan high commissioner said, "The Ramayan is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating culture, spirituality, and heritage. It has been a source of inspiration, guidance, fostering a connection between India & Sri Lanka...Sri Lankan Airlines is not only offering the opportunity to discover significant locations" Sri Lankan Airlines is the country's national carrier, and the initiative comes at a time when India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was extended to the country, which enhances digital financial connectivity. It not only facilitates cross-border transactions, and digital connectivity but also helps the Indian tourists travelling to the country. #Howzat for a holiday? 🏖️ As the #BorderGavaskarTrophy kicks off, @TourismAus's latest campaign invites 🇮🇳 travellers to explore 🇦🇺’s iconic destinations-beyond the cricket grounds. Join @patcummins30 & Ruby the Kangaroo🦘in discovering the best of 🇦🇺! 📽️ https://t.co/sSX1jm74wa pic.twitter.com/rxnAHaI0kX — Philip Green OAM (@AusHCIndia) November 21, 2024 × Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, Richard Nuttall said, "Our Gurus came with this wonderful idea, that it was time for the Ramayana trail. We are really proud to promote this concept and bring the trail to India. We hope this will take tourism from India to Sri Lanka to a new level". Indians were the largest group of foreign tourists to travel to Sri Lanka in October 2024. With a share of 26.8%, around 36000 Indians travelled to the country also known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". The next largest number of tourists were from Russia, at just 7.6% share. From November 1-20th 2024, 26,700 Indian tourists travelled to the country, according to Sri Lankan govt data. The pull exists "down under" Australia, where Tourism Australia launched a new campaign "Howzat for a holiday?" to get more Indian tourists coinciding with the Border Gavaskar trophy. With Australian Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, as the face of the campaign, the aim is to encourage Indian travellers to visit the country. Also read: Nearly 200 countries approve $300 billion for poor nations in climate deal Senator Don Farrell, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism in a statement said, "With tens of millions of people across India tuning in to watch the Test cricket series here in Australia, we have an opportunity to showcase to a huge audience why there is no place like Australia for a holiday." The number of Indian travellers visiting Australia already exceeds 2019 levels and, according to Tourism Research Australia, arrivals from India are forecast to double pre-pandemic levels by 2028. Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison pointed out, "With a population of more than 1.4 billion people and more Indians looking to travel, the potential in the Indian market is endless and we see the Test series as our chance to get on the front foot and promote our country to a captive TV audience." According to a report by the International Trade Administration (ITA), Indian tourists are one of the highest spenders per visit abroad, which contributes to the economies of the countries they visit. The number of Indian travellers is not only increasing in numbers but is expected to overtake Chinese travellers in the coming years.

Sri Lanka, Australia woo Indian tourists with new initiatives

As the world's focus shifts toward the Indo-Pacific, India’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) have become a pivotal force safeguarding Delhi's maritime interests and increasing its strategic influence in the very volatile region.

As the world's focus shifts toward the Indo-Pacific, India’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) have become a pivotal force safeguarding Delhi's maritime interests and increasing its strategic influence in the very volatile region. Indo-Pacific is home to critical sea lanes, but also fast emerging as a region of escalating geopolitical tensions, piracy and Houthi attacks. 2024 was the year when the Indian Navy's MARCOS came to the forefront amid increased volatility in the western Indian Ocean, especially near Yemen, the Gulf of Aden. The elite force played a key role in rescuing the crew of hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk, securing MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack by Houthis, rescuing Iranian hostages on board fishing vessel FV Iman from Somalian pirates, similar operation to rescue Pakistani crew from fishing vessel AL Naeemi & operation to rescue Lorenzo Putha from Somali pirates during January of this year. A similar operation was carried out in March of this year to rescue crew from pirates from MV Ruen. The 37-year-old force, raised in 1987, has a history dating back to 1987 Operation Pawan to deal with outlawed LTTE in Sri Lanka, Operation Cactus in 1998 that prevented the coup to topple then Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to other anti-piracy operations. In the country, the force has had a major role, including the role during the 26/11 terror attacks. In fact, the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks became a defining moment, bringing MARCOS into the national spotlight. The precision in neutralising terrorists during the operation showcased their ability in urban counter-terrorism scenarios, something for which they were lauded. Also read: Navy vessel collides with fishing vessel off Goa coast The role has been from anti-piracy missions to counter-terror operations and hostage rescue to amphibious warfare and Island defence. In regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, MARCOS provides a critical deterrent against hostile powers eyeing strategic chokepoints. Their ability to conduct amphibious landings and secure maritime territories highlights India’s readiness to defend its interests in contested spaces like the South China Sea. They have also participated in joint exercises such as Exercise Sangam with the U.S. Navy SEALs and multilateral drills like RIMPAC. MARCOS was modelled after the United States Navy SEALs and the United Kingdom’s Special Boat Service (SBS). The force has evolved from a focus on amphibious warfare and counterterrorism to tackle a wide range of threats, including piracy, insurgency, and grey-zone operations, that increasingly define the Indo-Pacific. MARCOS operators undergo rigorous training that is designed to push physical & psychological limits. The journey begins with a seven-day aptitude test, where only 15–20% of candidates succeed. This is followed by a gruelling two-week screening at the Naval Special Warfare Training and Tactical Centre (NSWTTC) in Goa. Ultimately, just 10–15 candidates remain to complete the full training cycle. Training includes a diverse range of skills, including underwater demolitions, combat diving, sniping, and combat free-fall. They also specialise in amphibious operations, high-altitude warfare, and security of offshore assets. The preparation ensures MARCOS operators are among the most versatile special forces in the world, from deep-sea insertions to urban counterterrorism. A unique and key moment in their training is the oath-taking ceremony, where commandos pledge to serve their nation with a symbolic cut on their thumb using their commando dagger. MARCOS force is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of India’s naval diplomacy. The deployments demonstrate India’s capacity to project power and contribute to regional stability, aligning operations with foreign policy objectives. MARCOS will remain integral to India’s ambitions of building a blue-water navy capable of projecting power across oceans. In a region where maritime dominance is synonymous with geopolitical influence, their ability to operate “far and deep” ensures India’s prominence in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific. Human Cost of Excellence: Life as a MARCOS Operator The life of a MARCOS operator is marked by physical and mental challenges and even after deployment to counter-insurgency areas or high-altitude operations like Pangong Tso, they continue rigorous training to maintain peak readiness. Bodily injuries and psychological strain are constant companions, yet their resilience and sense of purpose drive them forward. These sacrifices often go unseen but are central to MARCOS’s operational excellence. The MARCOS motto, “The Few, The Fearless,” is not just a tagline—it encapsulates their ethos and commitment to protecting India’s maritime interests and legacy.

Navy's MARCOS: India’s strategic commandos in the Indo-Pacific

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UK India Business Council, Dickie McCallum, is hopeful on the early conclusion of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). Earlier this week, Indian PM Modi and UK PM Sir Keir Starmer met on the sidelines of G20 Brazil summit and agreed on resumption of India-UK Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said, "our members would like to see some limited tariff reductions in a limited range of areas, automotive and spirits and so on."

The general elections in both India and the UK have influenced the timeline of the FTA. The talks were paused during these periods but are set to resume with a priority status from both sides. Dickie McCallum pointed to the British role in the Indian economy. He pointed that, "UK is a top five investor and has been over the last 20 years in India, in terms of FDI. India is now the second-largest investor in the UK."

The UKIBC CEO also put emphasis on defence business ties. He pointed, "we understand India's ambition, which is to mature its defense market, to ensure a supply of critical capability and technology and to grow exports from that sector as well"

WION: Where do you see India, UK relations?

Dickie McCallum: So the UK and India enjoy a very healthy trade and investment relationship at the moment. The UK is a top five investor and has been over the last 20 years in India, in terms of FDI. India is now the second-largest investor in the UK. There are about 950 Indian companies in the UK with turnover of about 50 billion pounds. And equally in India, there's about 670 UK companies here with turnovers of about 50 billion pounds, and they employ about half a million people, five lakh people in this country right now.

WION: What are the strategic areas of collaboration between India and the UK?&nbsp;

Dickie McCallum: While the UK considers India to be a strategic partner, you have to focus on certain areas if you're going to really succeed, right. So I think the areas where the UK and India are collaborating right now, where there's huge potential, include things like finance and fintech. So the City of London is a considerable source of finance for India, and potentially green finance, lots of FinTech companies in the UK who want to work in India, climate and energy. So this is very much 2 way. Defense is another area of huge collaboration. I mean, India wants to indigenize defense manufacturing. The UK has considerable defense capability and technology that it wants to bring here, you know, it wants to co create and co develop in India. And more generally, I think technology. In July, when our Foreign Secretary visited India, he signed something called the technology security initiative, and that's an agreement with India to work on the technologies of the future, things like quantum and AI and advanced materials. So that's a very exciting new development for the relationship.

WION: What opportunities and challenges do both sides face with the free trade agreement, especially considering the ongoing talks have lasted for months?

Dickie McCallum: What I would say here is that when the fifth and the sixth-largest economies in the world view a comprehensive trade agreement, it's really important they take the time to get that right. And so, you know, while I'm not at the negotiating table, we do talk to officials on both sides, and I'm really reassured by conversations I've had with ministers on both sides about their commitment to making this Free Trade Agreement a reality. Our members would like to see some limited tariff reductions in a limited range of areas, automotive and spirits and so on. But I think it's important to consider that this FTA is, is the start of something, it's not the conclusion of something. So I'm very hopeful that we can get it done and then start to build momentum from there.

WION: Do you have any hopes of its conclusion?

Dickie McCallum: We did 13 rounds, and the 14th round was paused because we had elections in the UK. So you can understand why there was a break in the negotiation, because we had a general election in the UK. There was also an election in India, and we have a new government in the UK, but the new government in the UK has been very clear that it wants to pursue the FTA. So I think now that both governments are securely in place, we will see a progression in these negotiations, and I'm hopeful that they'll conclude successfully soon.

WION: How does the UK IBC see the investment climate in India?&nbsp;

Dickie McCallum: I've been living in this country for the last nearly 20 years, and it's in terms of business climate. It's unrecognizable from when it was when I came here. The government here has done an incredible job in terms of easily doing business, in terms of reform, and I think it's the most exciting economic story in the world. Lots of UK companies are now looking to base their research and engineering and development centers in India, because it's such an exciting place to be, because of the talent here, because of India's ability to scale.

WION: Can you tell us more about the tech event you're hosting?

Dickie McCallum: Picking up on that theme, I mentioned the technology security initiative. We want to showcase what Indian and British companies are doing together today in terms of technology collaboration. We also want to talk about the future. So it's a technology futures conference, because there's so much more that these 2 countries, companies, inside the countries and the universities, can be doing together. You know, powering Vikshit Bharat, the development of India, to 2047, the UK can play a really great role in that. I think there's a lot of technology, a lot of capability research in the UK. So yeah, we're exploring that. We've got a number of sort of side seminars going on around that, in terms of FinTech and energy transition and technology collaboration. So it's very exciting.

WION: What role can the UK play in developing India's workforce, and supporting "Make in India"?

Dickie McCallum: Well, there's two questions there, one around skills and capacity building, and one around making India and sort of operating landscape. So in terms of skills, UK universities are very interested in India. You recently had the announcement of Southampton setting up in India. I think that universities from the UK, you're going to see much more of this kind of thing. They're excited about partnering with Indian universities and potentially for campuses, and they will bring new things to India in terms of skills and potentially employability training. So I'm very hopeful that the UK can play a role in that capacity building. Now, in terms of "make in India" look, I do a lot of work in defense right now. British companies, and we understand India's ambition, which is to mature its defense market, to ensure a supply of critical capability and technology and to grow exports from that sector as well. We understand that, yeah, sure, there are some areas where we think it could be refined so that technology can flow into India a bit quicker. I think you can scale this, you can grade this perhaps a little bit more slowly, to get what you want from foreign companies quicker. But I think generally speaking, you know, UK companies, we're encouraging them to think of India as a strategic partner, part of their supply chain, talent chain, technology chain.

WION: Where does the British defense industry stand when it comes to India as a market?&nbsp;

Dickie McCallum: You're absolutely right. The UK hasn't gone from very significant market share, it's come down to a very small market share. We're behind the curve on some of this in terms of our peer competitors, but I see the strategy that the UK Government has and the British business has now as changing that. There are, I can't talk about them here, for obvious reasons, but like under the radar, there are some really exciting new prospects where UK and Indian companies and the forces are working together on certain areas of capability development. So I think that's going to change. I think we have the right strategy for it, and eventually that's going to change. You're going to see the results.

WION: My final question is about sustainable development. India is a growing economy, but with that growth comes increased pollution. Having lived here for 20 years, you must have noticed the rising pollution levels in Delhi, the National Capital. So, in terms of sustainable development, how does the UK position itself as an important partner for India?

Dickie McCallum: We've all got our sustainability challenges. I think the UK can learn from India in this respect, in some areas. And equally, the UK has technology and finance that can help India's development towards its SDG and sustainability objectives. The UK is a world leader in things like clean technology and wind and so on. So I think there are areas where we can definitely work together to meet our objectives.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UK India Business Council, Dickie McCallum, is hopeful on the early conclusion of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UK India Business Council, Dickie McCallum, is hopeful on the early conclusion of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). Earlier this week, Indian PM Modi and UK PM Sir Keir Starmer met on the sidelines of G20 Brazil summit and agreed on resumption of India-UK Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said, "our members would like to see some limited tariff reductions in a limited range of areas, automotive and spirits and so on." The general elections in both India and the UK have influenced the timeline of the FTA. The talks were paused during these periods but are set to resume with a priority status from both sides. Dickie McCallum pointed to the British role in the Indian economy. He pointed that, "UK is a top five investor and has been over the last 20 years in India, in terms of FDI. India is now the second-largest investor in the UK." The UKIBC CEO also put emphasis on defence business ties. He pointed, "we understand India's ambition, which is to mature its defense market, to ensure a supply of critical capability and technology and to grow exports from that sector as well" WION: Where do you see India, UK relations? Dickie McCallum: So the UK and India enjoy a very healthy trade and investment relationship at the moment. The UK is a top five investor and has been over the last 20 years in India, in terms of FDI. India is now the second-largest investor in the UK. There are about 950 Indian companies in the UK with turnover of about 50 billion pounds. And equally in India, there's about 670 UK companies here with turnovers of about 50 billion pounds, and they employ about half a million people, five lakh people in this country right now. WION: What are the strategic areas of collaboration between India and the UK? Dickie McCallum: While the UK considers India to be a strategic partner, you have to focus on certain areas if you're going to really succeed, right. So I think the areas where the UK and India are collaborating right now, where there's huge potential, include things like finance and fintech. So the City of London is a considerable source of finance for India, and potentially green finance, lots of FinTech companies in the UK who want to work in India, climate and energy. So this is very much 2 way. Defense is another area of huge collaboration. I mean, India wants to indigenize defense manufacturing. The UK has considerable defense capability and technology that it wants to bring here, you know, it wants to co create and co develop in India. And more generally, I think technology. In July, when our Foreign Secretary visited India, he signed something called the technology security initiative, and that's an agreement with India to work on the technologies of the future, things like quantum and AI and advanced materials. So that's a very exciting new development for the relationship. WION: What opportunities and challenges do both sides face with the free trade agreement, especially considering the ongoing talks have lasted for months? Dickie McCallum: What I would say here is that when the fifth and the sixth-largest economies in the world view a comprehensive trade agreement, it's really important they take the time to get that right. And so, you know, while I'm not at the negotiating table, we do talk to officials on both sides, and I'm really reassured by conversations I've had with ministers on both sides about their commitment to making this Free Trade Agreement a reality. Our members would like to see some limited tariff reductions in a limited range of areas, automotive and spirits and so on. But I think it's important to consider that this FTA is, is the start of something, it's not the conclusion of something. So I'm very hopeful that we can get it done and then start to build momentum from there. WION: Do you have any hopes of its conclusion? Dickie McCallum: We did 13 rounds, and the 14th round was paused because we had elections in the UK. So you can understand why there was a break in the negotiation, because we had a general election in the UK. There was also an election in India, and we have a new government in the UK, but the new government in the UK has been very clear that it wants to pursue the FTA. So I think now that both governments are securely in place, we will see a progression in these negotiations, and I'm hopeful that they'll conclude successfully soon. WION: How does the UK IBC see the investment climate in India? Dickie McCallum: I've been living in this country for the last nearly 20 years, and it's in terms of business climate. It's unrecognizable from when it was when I came here. The government here has done an incredible job in terms of easily doing business, in terms of reform, and I think it's the most exciting economic story in the world. Lots of UK companies are now looking to base their research and engineering and development centers in India, because it's such an exciting place to be, because of the talent here, because of India's ability to scale. WION: Can you tell us more about the tech event you're hosting? Dickie McCallum: Picking up on that theme, I mentioned the technology security initiative. We want to showcase what Indian and British companies are doing together today in terms of technology collaboration. We also want to talk about the future. So it's a technology futures conference, because there's so much more that these 2 countries, companies, inside the countries and the universities, can be doing together. You know, powering Vikshit Bharat, the development of India, to 2047, the UK can play a really great role in that. I think there's a lot of technology, a lot of capability research in the UK. So yeah, we're exploring that. We've got a number of sort of side seminars going on around that, in terms of FinTech and energy transition and technology collaboration. So it's very exciting. WION: What role can the UK play in developing India's workforce, and supporting "Make in India"? Dickie McCallum: Well, there's two questions there, one around skills and capacity building, and one around making India and sort of operating landscape. So in terms of skills, UK universities are very interested in India. You recently had the announcement of Southampton setting up in India. I think that universities from the UK, you're going to see much more of this kind of thing. They're excited about partnering with Indian universities and potentially for campuses, and they will bring new things to India in terms of skills and potentially employability training. So I'm very hopeful that the UK can play a role in that capacity building. Now, in terms of "make in India" look, I do a lot of work in defense right now. British companies, and we understand India's ambition, which is to mature its defense market, to ensure a supply of critical capability and technology and to grow exports from that sector as well. We understand that, yeah, sure, there are some areas where we think it could be refined so that technology can flow into India a bit quicker. I think you can scale this, you can grade this perhaps a little bit more slowly, to get what you want from foreign companies quicker. But I think generally speaking, you know, UK companies, we're encouraging them to think of India as a strategic partner, part of their supply chain, talent chain, technology chain. WION: Where does the British defense industry stand when it comes to India as a market? Dickie McCallum: You're absolutely right. The UK hasn't gone from very significant market share, it's come down to a very small market share. We're behind the curve on some of this in terms of our peer competitors, but I see the strategy that the UK Government has and the British business has now as changing that. There are, I can't talk about them here, for obvious reasons, but like under the radar, there are some really exciting new prospects where UK and Indian companies and the forces are working together on certain areas of capability development. So I think that's going to change. I think we have the right strategy for it, and eventually that's going to change. You're going to see the results. WION: My final question is about sustainable development. India is a growing economy, but with that growth comes increased pollution. Having lived here for 20 years, you must have noticed the rising pollution levels in Delhi, the National Capital. So, in terms of sustainable development, how does the UK position itself as an important partner for India? Dickie McCallum: We've all got our sustainability challenges. I think the UK can learn from India in this respect, in some areas. And equally, the UK has technology and finance that can help India's development towards its SDG and sustainability objectives. The UK is a world leader in things like clean technology and wind and so on. So I think there are areas where we can definitely work together to meet our objectives.

UKIBC CEO Dickie McCallum hopeful on early conclusion of India-UK FTA

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