Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/high-drama-at-saarc-meet-as-pakistans-foreign-minister-qureshi-boycotts-jaishankars-statement-252290">SAARC </a>has made progress, greater collaboration needed to act against the scourge of terrorism.

In a message on the 35th SAARC charter day, PM Modi said, "SAARC has made progress but more needs to be done. Our efforts for greater collaboration have repeatedly been challenged with threats and act of terrorism".

Highlighting how terrorism "impedes our shared objective of realizing the full potential of SAARC", PM Modi said, "it is critical that all countries in the region take effective steps to defeat the scourge of terrorism" and the "forces that support it" which will "generate greater trust and confidence to build a stronger SAARC".

The prime minister in the letter said the organisation was set up&nbsp;"to build a connected and integrated South Asia" and aims to promote "development and progress of all countries in the region" and New Delhi will continue to "support various initiatives to achieve closer cooperation in diverse areas"&nbsp;

The 19th SAARC summit was to happen in Islamabad in 2016 but it was boycotted by India along with --Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan after the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. 
&nbsp; 
Founded in Dhaka, SAARC, even though comprises just 3 per cent&nbsp;of the world area, it includes 21 per cent&nbsp;of the world population.

After 2016, New Delhi is focusing more on the BIMSTEC grouping as part of its "Act&nbsp;East"&nbsp;policy and had invited the leaders of the grouping during the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi for his second term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said while SAARC has made progress, greater collaboration needed to act against the scourge of terrorism. In a message on the 35th SAARC charter day, PM Modi said, "SAARC has made progress but more needs to be done.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said while SAARC has made progress, greater collaboration needed to act against the scourge of terrorism. In a message on the 35th SAARC charter day, PM Modi said, "SAARC has made progress but more needs to be done. Our efforts for greater collaboration have repeatedly been challenged with threats and act of terrorism". Highlighting how terrorism "impedes our shared objective of realizing the full potential of SAARC", PM Modi said, "it is critical that all countries in the region take effective steps to defeat the scourge of terrorism" and the "forces that support it" which will "generate greater trust and confidence to build a stronger SAARC". The prime minister in the letter said the organisation was set up "to build a connected and integrated South Asia" and aims to promote "development and progress of all countries in the region" and New Delhi will continue to "support various initiatives to achieve closer cooperation in diverse areas" The 19th SAARC summit was to happen in Islamabad in 2016 but it was boycotted by India along with --Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan after the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Founded in Dhaka, SAARC, even though comprises just 3 per cent of the world area, it includes 21 per cent of the world population. After 2016, New Delhi is focusing more on the BIMSTEC grouping as part of its "Act East" policy and had invited the leaders of the grouping during the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi for his second term.

SAARC needs greater collaboration to act against terrorism: PM Narendra Modi

India wanted to replicate Dr Tetsu Nakamura traditional Japanese technique to divert water in Salma Dam or India Afghan Friendship dam in Herat. Nakamura was assassinated last week by unknown assailants in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

India wanted to replicate Dr Tetsu Nakamura traditional Japanese technique to divert water in Salma Dam or India Afghan Friendship dam in Herat. Nakamura was assassinated last week by unknown assailants in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Amar Sinha, India's former envoy to Afghanistan and member of National Security Advisory Board said, "He was a very simple, humble man who had brought traditional Japanese technique to divert water. It was completely barren land. I wanted to replicate his technique in Salma dam.” Salma dam in western Herat Province was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani in 2016. Nakamura was a Japanese doctor, who did humanitarian work in Afghanistan and is considered national hero of the landlocked South Asian country. His killing has plunged the country into grief with candlelight vigils being held in Kabul, Nangarhar, Khost and other locations of the country. Nakamura was bestowed with honorary citizenship of Afghanistan by Ghani. He was also a recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award which is also referred to as Asia's Nobel Prize. A candlelight vigil was held at the Afghan mission in Delhi in memory of Dr Tetsu Nakamura. Afghan chief of mission Tahir Qadiry in a tweet said, "This great Japanese-Afghan personality dedicated his life in the service & upliftment of Afghans through his relentless efforts. May his great soul Rest In Peace!" Adding, "He lived & died as a proud Japanese-Afghan" Tahir, along with other Afghan embassy officials paid a visit to Japanese Embassy in Delhi to convey condolences to Japanese envoy to India Satoshi Suzuki on the demise of Dr. Nakamura.

Nakamura assassination: India mulled over his technique to divert water from Salma dam 

Lithuanian foreign secretary Laimonas Talat Kelpsa is in India and speaks in Hindi. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lithuanian foreign secretary said Hindi and Lithuanian language have many common and similar sounding words.&nbsp;

In fact, his name Laimonas means "Laxman", the FS informed. Both languages have approximately 1,500 common words, despite miles of difference between Lithuania in north Europe and India in South Asia. Here is the full interview.

WION: Can you speak in Hindi, something everyone wants to hear in India?

Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: Thora thora Hindi bolta hun, do saal Delhi mai raha, toh Hindi mushkil hai, but tora thora ata hai(I speak little Hindi, I have stayed in India for two years. Hindi is difficult but I speak a little)

Watch: Lithuania's Hindi speaking foreign secretary says Hindi is key to future

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WION: What is the key reason you learnt Hindi?

Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We need to give credit that Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. One billion people have Hindi as their official and native language and looking into the future, we have to accept this fact and learn in advance for the world which is coming. Another reason is that Lithuanian and Hindi have a close connection. Both our languages originate from&nbsp;Sanskrit. We have words that sound identical.&nbsp;

WION: What are the common words between Hindi &amp; Lithuania...if you give an example?

Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We can make comparisons. In Hindi we have Vayu, in Lithuanian we have Vayas. Deva in Hindi, we say Devas. Agni in Hindi, we say ugnis for fire. Shakha means branch of a bank which means the same in Hindi and Lithuanian. Every layer of society from the human body to students to religion to the social aspect, you will find common sounding words.

WION: So how did the common connect happen? You are in northern Europe and we here in South Asia...

Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: Why is that so, its a mystery. Linguistic are building theories and trying to verify them. It is how the connection happened. The research is on for the last two hundred years.

Probably, our forefathers at some point lived in the same territory, part of them migrated south to India, other part migrated north to Lithuania. Realy unique, our language has remained rather intact and have connections which are recognisable.

French researchers have said, if you want to learn how Indian people speak, how Sanskrit is spoken, you go to a Lithuanian village and see how a peasant speaks.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see ties between both countries?

Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We believe India is playing an increasingly important role. Lithuania, which is a member of NATO and EU, we understand we need to redefine our ties with countries in Asia including India.

From this perspective, we have a good starting point, no recognizable differences, we have so many similarities we share. The linguistic similarity is one thing, we have historical connect as well.

The first Lithuanian visited India 400 years ago and we would be soon celebrating the occasion. Our independence movement 30 years ago was inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, so we believe, we have a huge potential.

Lithuanian foreign secretary Laimonas Talat Kelpsa is in India and speaks in Hindi. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lithuanian foreign secretary said Hindi and Lithuanian language have many common and similar sounding words.

Lithuanian foreign secretary Laimonas Talat Kelpsa is in India and speaks in Hindi. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lithuanian foreign secretary said Hindi and Lithuanian language have many common and similar sounding words. In fact, his name Laimonas means "Laxman", the FS informed. Both languages have approximately 1,500 common words, despite miles of difference between Lithuania in north Europe and India in South Asia. Here is the full interview. WION: Can you speak in Hindi, something everyone wants to hear in India? Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: Thora thora Hindi bolta hun, do saal Delhi mai raha, toh Hindi mushkil hai, but tora thora ata hai(I speak little Hindi, I have stayed in India for two years. Hindi is difficult but I speak a little) Watch: Lithuania's Hindi speaking foreign secretary says Hindi is key to future × WION: What is the key reason you learnt Hindi? Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We need to give credit that Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. One billion people have Hindi as their official and native language and looking into the future, we have to accept this fact and learn in advance for the world which is coming. Another reason is that Lithuanian and Hindi have a close connection. Both our languages originate from Sanskrit. We have words that sound identical. WION: What are the common words between Hindi & Lithuania...if you give an example? Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We can make comparisons. In Hindi we have Vayu, in Lithuanian we have Vayas. Deva in Hindi, we say Devas. Agni in Hindi, we say ugnis for fire. Shakha means branch of a bank which means the same in Hindi and Lithuanian. Every layer of society from the human body to students to religion to the social aspect, you will find common sounding words. WION: So how did the common connect happen? You are in northern Europe and we here in South Asia... Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: Why is that so, its a mystery. Linguistic are building theories and trying to verify them. It is how the connection happened. The research is on for the last two hundred years. Probably, our forefathers at some point lived in the same territory, part of them migrated south to India, other part migrated north to Lithuania. Realy unique, our language has remained rather intact and have connections which are recognisable. French researchers have said, if you want to learn how Indian people speak, how Sanskrit is spoken, you go to a Lithuanian village and see how a peasant speaks. WION: How do you see ties between both countries? Laimonas Talat Kelpsa: We believe India is playing an increasingly important role. Lithuania, which is a member of NATO and EU, we understand we need to redefine our ties with countries in Asia including India. From this perspective, we have a good starting point, no recognizable differences, we have so many similarities we share. The linguistic similarity is one thing, we have historical connect as well. The first Lithuanian visited India 400 years ago and we would be soon celebrating the occasion. Our independence movement 30 years ago was inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, so we believe, we have a huge potential.

Lithuania's Hindi-speaking foreign secretary says Hindi is key to the future

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at the Mediterranean Dialogue 2019 in Italy, said that in Indian or Asian traditions, countries don't comment on the internal affairs of other countries and highlighted the perils of taking "positions" which looks like double standards.

He said, "There is an Indian or Asian view on how inter-state relations should be conducted. Whatever your view is about what is happening around the world, you are very cautious about commenting on the internal affairs of people. That has been the Indian or the Asian tradition."

While he said he is aware that such traditions are not there in Europe and North America, the EAM added that "the problem is when you start being judgemental... danger is that you will be selective" with demonstrations somewhere being fine but if one has stakes, similar demonstrations will not be liked.

Explaining with an example, he said, "around the time of 9/11 we had a dictatorship towards the east of India and a dictatorship towards the west of India. The dictatorship towards the east of India was Myanmar which had sanctions by the US and Europe while dictatorship towards the west of India was Pakistan under General Musharraf who was hailed as the ally of the west". 
&nbsp; 
The comments come with an increasingly vocal West on the situation in Kashmir which has been calling New Delhi to remove restrictions imposed after August 5. The restrictions were imposed to prevent any law and order situation or, as the government in Delhi says, to prevent any situation which may be exploited by Pakistan to fan cross-border terror in the valley.

Jaishankar also highlighted the proactive role played by India in the region as the first responders in Nepal, Yemen and on the climate action front especially by bridging the gap between the developing and the developed world.

"In about a decade we will be the third largest economy; in 5 years we will be the most populous country. India is externalising at a faster rate," Jaishankar said. 
&nbsp; 
This is the first time India has been invited for the Mediterranean Dialogue. The dialogue was launched in 1994 for bolstering co-operation between the NATO and 7 countries of the Mediterranean - Egypt, Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at the Mediterranean Dialogue 2019 in Italy, said that in Indian or Asian traditions, countries don't comment on the internal affairs of other countries and highlighted the perils of taking "positions" which looks like double standards.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at the Mediterranean Dialogue 2019 in Italy, said that in Indian or Asian traditions, countries don't comment on the internal affairs of other countries and highlighted the perils of taking "positions" which looks like double standards. He said, "There is an Indian or Asian view on how inter-state relations should be conducted. Whatever your view is about what is happening around the world, you are very cautious about commenting on the internal affairs of people. That has been the Indian or the Asian tradition." While he said he is aware that such traditions are not there in Europe and North America, the EAM added that "the problem is when you start being judgemental... danger is that you will be selective" with demonstrations somewhere being fine but if one has stakes, similar demonstrations will not be liked. Explaining with an example, he said, "around the time of 9/11 we had a dictatorship towards the east of India and a dictatorship towards the west of India. The dictatorship towards the east of India was Myanmar which had sanctions by the US and Europe while dictatorship towards the west of India was Pakistan under General Musharraf who was hailed as the ally of the west". The comments come with an increasingly vocal West on the situation in Kashmir which has been calling New Delhi to remove restrictions imposed after August 5. The restrictions were imposed to prevent any law and order situation or, as the government in Delhi says, to prevent any situation which may be exploited by Pakistan to fan cross-border terror in the valley. Jaishankar also highlighted the proactive role played by India in the region as the first responders in Nepal, Yemen and on the climate action front especially by bridging the gap between the developing and the developed world. "In about a decade we will be the third largest economy; in 5 years we will be the most populous country. India is externalising at a faster rate," Jaishankar said. This is the first time India has been invited for the Mediterranean Dialogue. The dialogue was launched in 1994 for bolstering co-operation between the NATO and 7 countries of the Mediterranean - Egypt, Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

We don't comment on internal affairs of other countries: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 

Ecuador has said that it has denied self-styled godman Nithyananda's request for refuge and that currently, he has left the country "presumably" for Haiti.

The Ecuadorian embassy in Delhi, in a statement, said, "Ecuador denied the request for international personal protection (refuge) made by Mr Nithyananda".

The mission "categorically" denied reports that Nithyananda was given "asylum by Ecuador or has been helped by the government of Ecuador in purchasing any land or island in South America near or far from Ecuador".&nbsp;

Nithyananda, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is accused of rape, kidnapping and had left the country in mysterious circumstances. He claims to have formed a Hindu nation 'Kailaasa' on an island of Ecuador. 
&nbsp;

Ecuador has said that it has denied self-styled godman Nithyananda's request for refuge and that currently, he has left the country "presumably" for Haiti. The Ecuadorian embassy in Delhi, in a statement, said, "Ecuador denied the request for international personal protection (refuge) made by Mr Nithyananda".

Ecuador has said that it has denied self-styled godman Nithyananda's request for refuge and that currently, he has left the country "presumably" for Haiti. The Ecuadorian embassy in Delhi, in a statement, said, "Ecuador denied the request for international personal protection (refuge) made by Mr Nithyananda". The mission "categorically" denied reports that Nithyananda was given "asylum by Ecuador or has been helped by the government of Ecuador in purchasing any land or island in South America near or far from Ecuador". Nithyananda, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is accused of rape, kidnapping and had left the country in mysterious circumstances. He claims to have formed a Hindu nation 'Kailaasa' on an island of Ecuador.

Ecuador denies Nithyananda's request for refuge; says he may be heading to Haiti 

India can engage with the Taliban if the group engages with the Afghan government and is acceptable to Afghan people, India's former ambassador to Afghanistan and member of the National Security Advisory Board Amar Sinha said at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-needs-to-create-its-own-club-focus-on-indian-ocean-region-ram-madhav-at-wion-world-order-event-266452">WION's World Order event</a> in New Delhi today.&nbsp;

"The only way forward is through a ceasefire and the Taliban engaging with the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Once they engage with them, India will have no hesitation with engaging with the Taliban," Sinha said.

Sinha added, "let the Afghan people accept them. We have stood behind the Afghan govt. It is a good policy to carry and it is a matter of a month when we would be engaging, as they say, very popular Hindi song, 'Apna time agayega', our time will come. Afghanistan is not going away".

India's official policy on the Afghan peace process has been "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" with the Afghan government playing a key role.&nbsp;

Sinha further said that India won't be forgiving the Taliban easily and its links with Pakistan are well known. He highlighted that its "deputy leader is Haqqani which is an ISI agency and has carried out all the attacks in Kabul and against India. So, I don't think we should forgive them as easily."

India, as per its policy, doesn't engage with the Taliban. The only contact that happened was during the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airline IC 814 when the plane was taken to Kandahar and Afghanistan was under the control of the Taliban. 
&nbsp; 
Asked, if New Delhi should engage with the Taliban like other countries as part of the peace process, Sinha said, "not engaging with the Taliban has not boomeranged at all".

"We have absolutely zero equity with the Taliban. All our equity is with the Republic of Afghanistan and the young and modern Afghanistan, where we have a very good standing," he said.&nbsp;

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Sinha said that India's "position has been very mature" and if one looks around "what is happening... just about everyone is following a me-too policy". While countries like China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran have been talking with the Taliban "what has been achieved is nothing, the violence level is as high."

Amar Sinha, along with former Indian envoy to Pakistan TCA Raghavan in 2018 represented India at a "non-official" level at Moscow talks on Afghanistan wherein the Taliban was also present but no statement was made by any of the Indian diplomats.

Last week, US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan and announced that Washington will start talks with the Taliban. One of the pre-condition, Trump said, would be a be ceasefire by the grouping which means putting an end to violence by the group on the landlocked South Asian country.&nbsp;

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will "rejoin talks" with the Taliban in Doha according to the US State Department that could "lead to intra-Afghan negotiations and a peaceful settlement of the war, specifically a reduction in violence that leads to a ceasefire".

President Trump cancelled the talks with the Taliban in September after an attack killed a US soldier in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India can engage with the Taliban if the group engages with the Afghan government and is acceptable to Afghan people, India's former ambassador to Afghanistan and member of the National Security Advisory Board Amar Sinha said at WION's World Order event in New Delhi today.

India can engage with the Taliban if the group engages with the Afghan government and is acceptable to Afghan people, India's former ambassador to Afghanistan and member of the National Security Advisory Board Amar Sinha said at WION's World Order event in New Delhi today. "The only way forward is through a ceasefire and the Taliban engaging with the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Once they engage with them, India will have no hesitation with engaging with the Taliban," Sinha said. Sinha added, "let the Afghan people accept them. We have stood behind the Afghan govt. It is a good policy to carry and it is a matter of a month when we would be engaging, as they say, very popular Hindi song, 'Apna time agayega', our time will come. Afghanistan is not going away". India's official policy on the Afghan peace process has been "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" with the Afghan government playing a key role. Sinha further said that India won't be forgiving the Taliban easily and its links with Pakistan are well known. He highlighted that its "deputy leader is Haqqani which is an ISI agency and has carried out all the attacks in Kabul and against India. So, I don't think we should forgive them as easily." India, as per its policy, doesn't engage with the Taliban. The only contact that happened was during the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airline IC 814 when the plane was taken to Kandahar and Afghanistan was under the control of the Taliban. Asked, if New Delhi should engage with the Taliban like other countries as part of the peace process, Sinha said, "not engaging with the Taliban has not boomeranged at all". "We have absolutely zero equity with the Taliban. All our equity is with the Republic of Afghanistan and the young and modern Afghanistan, where we have a very good standing," he said. × Sinha said that India's "position has been very mature" and if one looks around "what is happening... just about everyone is following a me-too policy". While countries like China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran have been talking with the Taliban "what has been achieved is nothing, the violence level is as high." Amar Sinha, along with former Indian envoy to Pakistan TCA Raghavan in 2018 represented India at a "non-official" level at Moscow talks on Afghanistan wherein the Taliban was also present but no statement was made by any of the Indian diplomats. Last week, US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan and announced that Washington will start talks with the Taliban. One of the pre-condition, Trump said, would be a be ceasefire by the grouping which means putting an end to violence by the group on the landlocked South Asian country. US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will "rejoin talks" with the Taliban in Doha according to the US State Department that could "lead to intra-Afghan negotiations and a peaceful settlement of the war, specifically a reduction in violence that leads to a ceasefire". President Trump cancelled the talks with the Taliban in September after an attack killed a US soldier in Afghanistan.

If Taliban engages with Afghan government, India can drop its hesitations: Former ambassador to Afghanistan

The upgrade work&nbsp;of MiG-29 fleet is in its final stages, with modern customisations&nbsp;capable of prolonging their life by&nbsp;40 years.

A source told WION, “IAF and HAL have completely mastered the technology of upgrading MiG-29 fighter jets into MiG-29 UPG."

The source further added, "The project, which incorporates delivery of modernisation kits from Russia, technology transfer and personnel training is divided into two stages: first,&nbsp;the overhaul of the plane, then, the upgrade process itself envisaging the modernisation of the airframe, instalment of new systems and adding new capabilities."

Currently, all planes are being&nbsp;modified only in India. The capabilities of the upgraded MiG-29s which included improving&nbsp;electronic equipment have been significantly augmented and new weapons can be fitted in.

"MiG-29UPG has gained not only increased efficiency but also has much more leverage in hitting the ground and naval targets (both static and moving) with high-precision weapons in any meteorological conditions both day and night'', the source added.

This has made it possible for the local refurbishment of aircraft, leaving the choice of using either Indian origin or international aerial weapons to Indian Air Force.&nbsp;Other than this, the fuel payload has been increased&nbsp;and the operating range has been improved.

The upgrade work of MiG-29 fleet is in its final stages, with modern customisations capable of prolonging their life by 40 years. A source told WION, “IAF and HAL have completely mastered the technology of upgrading MiG-29 fighter jets into MiG-29 UPG.

The upgrade work of MiG-29 fleet is in its final stages, with modern customisations capable of prolonging their life by 40 years. A source told WION, “IAF and HAL have completely mastered the technology of upgrading MiG-29 fighter jets into MiG-29 UPG." The source further added, "The project, which incorporates delivery of modernisation kits from Russia, technology transfer and personnel training is divided into two stages: first, the overhaul of the plane, then, the upgrade process itself envisaging the modernisation of the airframe, instalment of new systems and adding new capabilities." Currently, all planes are being modified only in India. The capabilities of the upgraded MiG-29s which included improving electronic equipment have been significantly augmented and new weapons can be fitted in. "MiG-29UPG has gained not only increased efficiency but also has much more leverage in hitting the ground and naval targets (both static and moving) with high-precision weapons in any meteorological conditions both day and night'', the source added. This has made it possible for the local refurbishment of aircraft, leaving the choice of using either Indian origin or international aerial weapons to Indian Air Force. Other than this, the fuel payload has been increased and the operating range has been improved.

MiG-29 upgrade allows weapon customisation, improves operating range

As part of India's neighbourhood first policy, four&nbsp;projects will be jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and Maldives President&nbsp;Ibrahim Mohamed Solih which include lighting up the city of Male with over 2500 LED lights today.&nbsp;Other than lighting the city, 2,00,000 LED bulbs have already been distributed to households across the country. The other three&nbsp;projects include&nbsp;the launch of RuPay card, gifting&nbsp;Fast Interceptor Craft and three&nbsp;Fish processing plants.PM Modi and President Solih will inaugurate the project at 4 pm via video conferencing.&nbsp;

The other three&nbsp;projects are&nbsp;the launch of RuPay card, gifting Fast Interceptor Craft and 3 Fish processing plants. PM Modi and President Solih will inaugurate the project at 4 pm via video conferencing.&nbsp;

With the launch of RuPay card, Maldives will join the growing list of countries, Singapore, Bhutan, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia where RuPay is acceptable.&nbsp;

RuPay which is India’s version of Master Card and Visa is wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices and e-commerce websites across India. There are close to 500 million RuPay cards in circulation in India.&nbsp;

India will also gift Fast Interceptor Craft Vessel to Maldives national defence force (MNDF) which will help the Indian ocean Island country patrol its exclusive economic zone.&nbsp;

India has been strengthing the MNDF and earlier this year, India built Coastal Surveillance Radar System and a composite training facility for the defence force was inaugurated during PM Modi's visit to the country, earlier this year.&nbsp;

As part of the growing engagement between Male and New Delhi, &nbsp;PM Modi visited the Maldives as his first foreign destination in his second term.&nbsp;

Last year, that is November 2018, he visited the country during the oath-taking ceremony of President Solih. December this year marks one year since the visit of President Solih to India, his first foreign visit abroad after being elected as President.

Other than assistance and infrastructure development, India is also helping human resource development by training Maldiving civil servants and BCCI coaching the Maldives Men and women cricket team.

As part of India's neighbourhood first policy, four projects will be jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih which include lighting up the city of Male with over 2500 LED lights today.

As part of India's neighbourhood first policy, four projects will be jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih which include lighting up the city of Male with over 2500 LED lights today. Other than lighting the city, 2,00,000 LED bulbs have already been distributed to households across the country. The other three projects include the launch of RuPay card, gifting Fast Interceptor Craft and three Fish processing plants.PM Modi and President Solih will inaugurate the project at 4 pm via video conferencing. The other three projects are the launch of RuPay card, gifting Fast Interceptor Craft and 3 Fish processing plants. PM Modi and President Solih will inaugurate the project at 4 pm via video conferencing. With the launch of RuPay card, Maldives will join the growing list of countries, Singapore, Bhutan, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia where RuPay is acceptable. RuPay which is India’s version of Master Card and Visa is wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices and e-commerce websites across India. There are close to 500 million RuPay cards in circulation in India. India will also gift Fast Interceptor Craft Vessel to Maldives national defence force (MNDF) which will help the Indian ocean Island country patrol its exclusive economic zone. India has been strengthing the MNDF and earlier this year, India built Coastal Surveillance Radar System and a composite training facility for the defence force was inaugurated during PM Modi's visit to the country, earlier this year. As part of the growing engagement between Male and New Delhi, PM Modi visited the Maldives as his first foreign destination in his second term. Last year, that is November 2018, he visited the country during the oath-taking ceremony of President Solih. December this year marks one year since the visit of President Solih to India, his first foreign visit abroad after being elected as President. Other than assistance and infrastructure development, India is also helping human resource development by training Maldiving civil servants and BCCI coaching the Maldives Men and women cricket team.

Male to get lit with Indian LED bulbs, get vessel for patrolling from India

India will be building a cancer hospital and a cricket stadium in the Maldives. This was announced by PM Modi during his video conference with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih when four projects were inaugurated by India in the island nation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"India is committed to the Maldives for democracy and development. We will also enhance our cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region," PM Modi said.

India gifted in-shore patrol vessel CGS Kaamiyaabu to Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard which President Solih said will be a "valuable asset" to protect the maritime border.&nbsp;

Five executives and three technicians of the 28-meter vessel were trained in India as part of the pre-commission training. The Maldives had requested for the vessel during its defence minister's visit to India. Other than this, India will help develop fish processing plants in country's three islands of Addu City.

The Maldives also joined the growing list of countries - like Bhutan, Singapore, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia - to allow the use of RuPay payment mechanism which seen as India's answer to Visa or Master Card.

To deal with the issue of climate change, which was mentioned by President Solih, Male city will be lit by LED bulbs from today. The LED streetlights are gifted as part of the collaboration between the two countries in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

India will be building a cancer hospital and a cricket stadium in the Maldives. This was announced by PM Modi during his video conference with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih when four projects were inaugurated by India in the island nation.

India will be building a cancer hospital and a cricket stadium in the Maldives. This was announced by PM Modi during his video conference with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih when four projects were inaugurated by India in the island nation. "India is committed to the Maldives for democracy and development. We will also enhance our cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean region," PM Modi said. India gifted in-shore patrol vessel CGS Kaamiyaabu to Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard which President Solih said will be a "valuable asset" to protect the maritime border. Five executives and three technicians of the 28-meter vessel were trained in India as part of the pre-commission training. The Maldives had requested for the vessel during its defence minister's visit to India. Other than this, India will help develop fish processing plants in country's three islands of Addu City. The Maldives also joined the growing list of countries - like Bhutan, Singapore, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia - to allow the use of RuPay payment mechanism which seen as India's answer to Visa or Master Card. To deal with the issue of climate change, which was mentioned by President Solih, Male city will be lit by LED bulbs from today. The LED streetlights are gifted as part of the collaboration between the two countries in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

India to build cancer hospital, cricket stadium in Maldives 

Japan has dismissed Pakistan foreign ministry statement on India-Japan 2+2 dialogue and asked Islamabad to take "resolute action" on terror and make efforts on "concerns of the international community".

Islamabad on Monday had issued a strongly worded statement on it being mentioned in India-Japan 2+2&nbsp;statement after the latter called on Pakistan to act on terror.

Speaking to WION exclusively from Tokyo, Atsushi Kaifu Deputy Press Secretary, Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy, Japanese foreign ministry, said, "International community has been so far calling upon Pakistan to take resolute actions in countering terrorism."

Atsushi said: "The wordings in the related paragraph of the Japan-India 2+2&nbsp;dialogue reflects which reiterates the position of the government of Japan to hope Pakistan to continue to make its utmost effort to sweep concerns of the international community away."

The maiden India-Japan 2+2 joint statement mentioned Pakistan by name, calling on the country to take action against terror groups and "fully comply with international commitments including to FATF".&nbsp;

The move perturbed Islamabad, which on the Monday evening statement said that the "reference is gratuitous and completely unwarranted."

The statement from Islamabad said Japan hasn't taken "objective and balanced view" of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and Tokyo should refrain "from endorsing positions that are one-sided &amp; divorced from ground realities".

India-Japan maiden 2+2&nbsp;dialogue took place on November and saw the participation of India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar, defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart&nbsp;Taro Kono.

Japan has dismissed Pakistan foreign ministry statement on India-Japan 2+2 dialogue and asked Islamabad to take "resolute action" on terror and make efforts on "concerns of the international community".

Japan has dismissed Pakistan foreign ministry statement on India-Japan 2+2 dialogue and asked Islamabad to take "resolute action" on terror and make efforts on "concerns of the international community". Islamabad on Monday had issued a strongly worded statement on it being mentioned in India-Japan 2+2 statement after the latter called on Pakistan to act on terror. Speaking to WION exclusively from Tokyo, Atsushi Kaifu Deputy Press Secretary, Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy, Japanese foreign ministry, said, "International community has been so far calling upon Pakistan to take resolute actions in countering terrorism." Atsushi said: "The wordings in the related paragraph of the Japan-India 2+2 dialogue reflects which reiterates the position of the government of Japan to hope Pakistan to continue to make its utmost effort to sweep concerns of the international community away." The maiden India-Japan 2+2 joint statement mentioned Pakistan by name, calling on the country to take action against terror groups and "fully comply with international commitments including to FATF". The move perturbed Islamabad, which on the Monday evening statement said that the "reference is gratuitous and completely unwarranted." The statement from Islamabad said Japan hasn't taken "objective and balanced view" of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and Tokyo should refrain "from endorsing positions that are one-sided & divorced from ground realities". India-Japan maiden 2+2 dialogue took place on November and saw the participation of India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar, defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono.

Tokyo dismisses Pak statement on India-Japan 2+2 dialogue; asks Islamabad to take 'resolute action' on countering terror

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).&nbsp;

The 2+2 meeting saw the participation of Japanese defence and foreign ministers and Indian counterparts—Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External affairs minister S Jaishankar.

&nbsp;Speaking at the 1st Tokyo Global Dialogue earlier today, Toshimitsu said, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India."

&nbsp;Though he explained, "whether we can keep India in the RCEP we cannot yet tell for certain at this moment", he added, "what is driving our efforts in Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean."

&nbsp;While RCEP was discussed during the Japanese ministers' meetings in Delhi, including with PM Modi, New Delhi reiterated its position for not joining the pact.&nbsp;

&nbsp;India had withdrawn from the pact during the RCEP meet in Thailand in November saying its outcome is not balanced and provides inadequate protection against import surge among other things.

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The 2+2 meeting saw the participation of Japanese defence and foreign ministers and Indian counterparts—Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External affairs minister S Jaishankar. Speaking at the 1st Tokyo Global Dialogue earlier today, Toshimitsu said, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India." Though he explained, "whether we can keep India in the RCEP we cannot yet tell for certain at this moment", he added, "what is driving our efforts in Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean." While RCEP was discussed during the Japanese ministers' meetings in Delhi, including with PM Modi, New Delhi reiterated its position for not joining the pact. India had withdrawn from the pact during the RCEP meet in Thailand in November saying its outcome is not balanced and provides inadequate protection against import surge among other things.

Japan backs India's presence at RCEP

The European Union special envoy on Afghanistan Roland Kobia and Uzbekistan's special envoy on Afghanistan Irgashev Ismatulla Raimovich will be visiting New Delhi next week.

The European Union special envoy on Afghanistan Roland Kobia and Uzbekistan's special envoy on Afghanistan Irgashev Ismatulla Raimovich will be visiting New Delhi next week. While Raimovich will be visiting on December 2-3, Kobia will be visiting on 3-4. The visit highlights the role played by New Delhi, especially development, in the landlocked South Asian country, and how other countries are eager to understand India's view on the future of Afghanistan. "India had a position on the developments in Afghanistan and it engages with all International partners for exchange of views", a source told WION. India is building major infrastructure projects in Afghanistan including the Afghan parliament in Kabul and the India Afghan friendship dam in Herat province and will soon start work on Shatoot dam in Kabul for which Geotechnical survey is started. Additionally, New Delhi has committed to take up 116 high impact community development projects in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. With the help of Chabahar port and the India Afghan air corridor, new Delhi has increased connectivity to Afghanistan, which was otherwise was being denied by Pakistan. The visit by special envoys comes even as US President Donal Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan last week and announced resumption of dialogues with the Taliban. Earlier in September, the US president had cancelled talks with the group after an attacked killed US Solider. India's official policy has been an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process and has backed the government in Kabul.

EU, Uzbek special envoys on Afghanistan to visit India next week 

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Sidhant Sibal

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