India on Wednesday said it will continue discussions with China to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas at an early date.

In responding to a question in Lok Sabha on whether China has admitted the loss of lives of their commandos in the Galwan encounter, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the Central Military Commission of China on February 19 announced awarding posthumously honorary titles and merit citations to Chinese soldiers.

"As per the announcement, these titles were awarded for the role of these soldiers in the faceoff at Galwan Valley in June 2020," he said.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the fierce hand-to-hand combat in the Galwan Valley clash, an incident that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

For the first time, China officially acknowledged last month that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clash with the Indian Army.

"Government will continue discussions with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas at an early date," Muraleedharan said.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies erupted on May 5 following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

In his response, Muraleedharan also referred to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement in Parliament on February 11 that India and China reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong Lake.

"The disengagement in the Pangong Lake area has been completed," he said.

After completion of the disengagement process in Pangong lake areas, senior military commanders of India and China held another round of talks on February 20 with a focus on taking forward the disengagement process in other friction points.

In the talks, India pitched for a faster disengagement process in areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the region.

India on Wednesday said it will continue discussions with China to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas at an early date.

India on Wednesday said it will continue discussions with China to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas at an early date. In responding to a question in Lok Sabha on whether China has admitted the loss of lives of their commandos in the Galwan encounter, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the Central Military Commission of China on February 19 announced awarding posthumously honorary titles and merit citations to Chinese soldiers. "As per the announcement, these titles were awarded for the role of these soldiers in the faceoff at Galwan Valley in June 2020," he said. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the fierce hand-to-hand combat in the Galwan Valley clash, an incident that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades. For the first time, China officially acknowledged last month that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clash with the Indian Army. "Government will continue discussions with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas at an early date," Muraleedharan said. The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies erupted on May 5 following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement. In his response, Muraleedharan also referred to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement in Parliament on February 11 that India and China reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong Lake. "The disengagement in the Pangong Lake area has been completed," he said. After completion of the disengagement process in Pangong lake areas, senior military commanders of India and China held another round of talks on February 20 with a focus on taking forward the disengagement process in other friction points. In the talks, India pitched for a faster disengagement process in areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the region.

Will continue discussions with China to resolve remaining issues: Centre on Ladakh standoff

"Mark Twain said politics is the last resort of the scoundrels and we're here to change that," said actor and politician Kamal Haasan, as he announced his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam's first list of 70&nbsp;candidates who are to contest the upcoming Assembly polls. While the actor's name was not in this list, the notable names include former Tamil Nadu IT secretary Dr Santhosh Babu and V. Ponraj who served as an advisor to President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.&nbsp;

Speaking at the event, the actor said that the DMK was portraying itself wrongly as the saviour of Tamils and that the incumbent AIADMK was accusing the DMK of being a dynasty party. He added that the BJP was making attempts to divide the state into communal lines.&nbsp;

Haasan said that even as a politician he would continue to be a firm defender of the Freedoms of language, speech and culture, keeping in line with his views as an actor.&nbsp;

Introducing the candidates, who included a considerable number of women, Haasan said that almost all of them were self-employed. He added that winning and entering the legislative assembly was not their end goal, but that they aspired to fulfil at least 50 per cent of their promises during their tenure if elected.&nbsp;

Lashing out at the DMK and AIADMK which had made announcements (lifted from Kamal Haasan's plan) on providing income for Homemakers, he said that the Makkal Needhi Maiam was not meant to make lists of ideas for the two Dravidian majors, but was meant to oust them.&nbsp;

Makkal Needhi Maiam's candidates will be contesting from 154 seats, whereas their allies AISMK and IJK will be contesting 40 seats each. In addition to this, the actor's party is also said to be in talks with the SDPI for an alliance.

"Mark Twain said politics is the last resort of the scoundrels and we're here to change that," said actor and politician Kamal Haasan, as he announced his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam's first list of 70 candidates who are to contest the upcoming Assembly polls.

"Mark Twain said politics is the last resort of the scoundrels and we're here to change that," said actor and politician Kamal Haasan, as he announced his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam's first list of 70 candidates who are to contest the upcoming Assembly polls. While the actor's name was not in this list, the notable names include former Tamil Nadu IT secretary Dr Santhosh Babu and V. Ponraj who served as an advisor to President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Speaking at the event, the actor said that the DMK was portraying itself wrongly as the saviour of Tamils and that the incumbent AIADMK was accusing the DMK of being a dynasty party. He added that the BJP was making attempts to divide the state into communal lines. Haasan said that even as a politician he would continue to be a firm defender of the Freedoms of language, speech and culture, keeping in line with his views as an actor. Introducing the candidates, who included a considerable number of women, Haasan said that almost all of them were self-employed. He added that winning and entering the legislative assembly was not their end goal, but that they aspired to fulfil at least 50 per cent of their promises during their tenure if elected. Lashing out at the DMK and AIADMK which had made announcements (lifted from Kamal Haasan's plan) on providing income for Homemakers, he said that the Makkal Needhi Maiam was not meant to make lists of ideas for the two Dravidian majors, but was meant to oust them. Makkal Needhi Maiam's candidates will be contesting from 154 seats, whereas their allies AISMK and IJK will be contesting 40 seats each. In addition to this, the actor's party is also said to be in talks with the SDPI for an alliance.

Tamil Nadu Assembly polls: Kamal Haasan unveils his party's first list of 70 candidates 

India is receiving praise from every quarter for its ability to ramp up production of the COVID-19 vaccine. IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath said that India's COVID-19 vaccination drive actually one of the best in the world.

Take a bow: World lauds India's vaccination program

A 103-year-old woman received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Bengaluru on Tuesday. With this, J Kameshwari became the oldest woman in India to have received the COVID19 vaccine as per available data, said Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road.

The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination crossed 2.40 crore coverage, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday.

The Central government has been ramping up the Covid-19 vaccination drive across states as it started the next phase of vaccination from March 1.

In this phase, those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with co-morbidities are eligible to register and receive a Covid-19 jab.

According to an official release, a total of 2,40,37,644 vaccine doses were administered in the country, as per the provisional report till 7 pm on Tuesday.

"These include 71,13,801 health care workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 38,51,808 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 69,02,006 front line worker (FLWs) who have taken the first dose and 4,44,199 FLWs who have taken the second dose, 8,00,287 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities and 49,25,543 beneficiaries more than 60 years old," the release said.

It added that a total of 10,28,911 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm today, the 53rd day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination.

"Out of which 7,98,354 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 2,30,557 HCWs and FLWs received 2nd dose of vaccine as per the provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight," the Ministry added.&nbsp;

A 103-year-old woman received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Bengaluru on Tuesday. With this, J Kameshwari became the oldest woman in India to have received the COVID19 vaccine as per available data, said Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road.

A 103-year-old woman received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Bengaluru on Tuesday. With this, J Kameshwari became the oldest woman in India to have received the COVID19 vaccine as per available data, said Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road. The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination crossed 2.40 crore coverage, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday. The Central government has been ramping up the Covid-19 vaccination drive across states as it started the next phase of vaccination from March 1. In this phase, those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with co-morbidities are eligible to register and receive a Covid-19 jab. According to an official release, a total of 2,40,37,644 vaccine doses were administered in the country, as per the provisional report till 7 pm on Tuesday. "These include 71,13,801 health care workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 38,51,808 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 69,02,006 front line worker (FLWs) who have taken the first dose and 4,44,199 FLWs who have taken the second dose, 8,00,287 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities and 49,25,543 beneficiaries more than 60 years old," the release said. It added that a total of 10,28,911 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm today, the 53rd day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination. "Out of which 7,98,354 beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and 2,30,557 HCWs and FLWs received 2nd dose of vaccine as per the provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight," the Ministry added.

103-year-old becomes oldest woman in India to get COVID-19 vaccine

How do we ensure that future generations work towards a sustainable future, and use the precious resources of the planet responsibly? The answer is, catch them young.

Mobius Foundation is setting up World Environment School, the first-ever such institution in India and South Asia to take a leading role in promoting Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development.

Located in Kodagu, India, the school will open its doors to students in April 2021.

With the objective of creating awareness among students and providing quality education with respect to the environment, the school aims to provide value-based education in flexible and innovative learning spaces. It will have an international curriculum with a regional and global focus.

WES will create leaders dedicated to environmental custodianship, who will become global citizens, empathetic in the use of natural resources and totally committed to the principles of sustainability.

With a focus on academic excellence, environmental consciousness and character development, WES is committed to educating the whole person in a school of warm-heartedness.

WES will strive to nurture tomorrow’s leaders through experiential education, where students achieve more than they think is possible. It is open to all students who wish to share the school’s vision.

The school, set alongside a lively community and a natural setting, will extend a safe, stimulating environment that will instil in students an awareness of the fragility of our natural world and a sense of appreciation of the larger community that we inhabit. With a dedication to achieve the highest standards of education, the school will keep the needs of the students at the forefront so that they can flourish and find independence of thought.

Imbued with the magic of India, the students will be kept in touch with their local traditions and roots, so that they can appreciate the heritage and cultural richness of the country.

The school environment will foster excellence by challenging students to explore and find themselves intellectually, physically, creatively and spiritually.

A creative and challenging curriculum will allow students to learn about the global issues that plague the environment, in order to inculcate in them a compassionate mindset to stay self-motivated and make a difference in the world. 
WES’s academic spaces will be centred around a state of the art library and learning centre.

The academic departments will be divided into ‘pods’ for Mathematics, Physical and Environmental Sciences; English; Languages; Social Sciences; Design and Innovation Centre; Expressive and Performing Arts.

There will be comprehensive facilities like spacious boarding houses, a fully equipped medical centre, a central dining room, a 500-seating main hall as well as extensive sporting and outdoor education spaces including a swimming pool and indoor sports centre.

How do we ensure that future generations work towards a sustainable future, and use the precious resources of the planet responsibly? The answer is, catch them young.

How do we ensure that future generations work towards a sustainable future, and use the precious resources of the planet responsibly? The answer is, catch them young. Mobius Foundation is setting up World Environment School, the first-ever such institution in India and South Asia to take a leading role in promoting Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development. Located in Kodagu, India, the school will open its doors to students in April 2021. With the objective of creating awareness among students and providing quality education with respect to the environment, the school aims to provide value-based education in flexible and innovative learning spaces. It will have an international curriculum with a regional and global focus. WES will create leaders dedicated to environmental custodianship, who will become global citizens, empathetic in the use of natural resources and totally committed to the principles of sustainability. With a focus on academic excellence, environmental consciousness and character development, WES is committed to educating the whole person in a school of warm-heartedness. WES will strive to nurture tomorrow’s leaders through experiential education, where students achieve more than they think is possible. It is open to all students who wish to share the school’s vision. The school, set alongside a lively community and a natural setting, will extend a safe, stimulating environment that will instil in students an awareness of the fragility of our natural world and a sense of appreciation of the larger community that we inhabit. With a dedication to achieve the highest standards of education, the school will keep the needs of the students at the forefront so that they can flourish and find independence of thought. Imbued with the magic of India, the students will be kept in touch with their local traditions and roots, so that they can appreciate the heritage and cultural richness of the country. The school environment will foster excellence by challenging students to explore and find themselves intellectually, physically, creatively and spiritually. A creative and challenging curriculum will allow students to learn about the global issues that plague the environment, in order to inculcate in them a compassionate mindset to stay self-motivated and make a difference in the world. WES’s academic spaces will be centred around a state of the art library and learning centre. The academic departments will be divided into ‘pods’ for Mathematics, Physical and Environmental Sciences; English; Languages; Social Sciences; Design and Innovation Centre; Expressive and Performing Arts. There will be comprehensive facilities like spacious boarding houses, a fully equipped medical centre, a central dining room, a 500-seating main hall as well as extensive sporting and outdoor education spaces including a swimming pool and indoor sports centre.

World Environment School is geared toward shaping a future generation for a green planet

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

In the Phase I, 48 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of Sonipat and Panipat districts of Haryana. These camps were held between June 2018 and March 2019 to create awareness about the importance of healthcare and hygiene among 2,000 households.&nbsp;

Around 23 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of UP – Durana, Sirsad, Ramghar, Mandi, Naulhta and Gohana in the Mobile Health Camps Phase II. &nbsp;

Be it students, youth, women or farmers, all sections of the society in these areas took active participation in these camps. Over 1,700 patients were treated in these camps this year.&nbsp;

Established in 2015, Mobius Foundation has been catering to the long-standing demands of basic healthcare facilities of different communities. &nbsp;

Considering it as the need of the hour, Mobius Foundation has been making concerted efforts to ensure these camps are successfully able to bring a positive change in the society.&nbsp;

Through different projects, Mobius Foundation aims to instil a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst Indian citizens. “Through these camps, the foundation is looking at the larger objective of creating awareness about health and hygiene amongst the villagers, which will ultimately lead to happiness and well-being,” said Pradip Burman, chairman, Mobius Foundation.&nbsp;

With education, environment and population stabilisation as its core focus, the Mobius Foundation is committed to support environmental sustainability, strengthening systems with empowering technologies and encouraging healthy behaviour.&nbsp;

To instil the importance of sustainable consciousness in Indian citizens, Mobius Foundation looks to collaborate with a diverse range of public and civil partners.&nbsp;

The Mobius Foundation is leaving no stone unturned to make sound health as the basis of the overall well-being of a person.

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. In the Phase I, 48 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of Sonipat and Panipat districts of Haryana. These camps were held between June 2018 and March 2019 to create awareness about the importance of healthcare and hygiene among 2,000 households. Around 23 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of UP – Durana, Sirsad, Ramghar, Mandi, Naulhta and Gohana in the Mobile Health Camps Phase II. Be it students, youth, women or farmers, all sections of the society in these areas took active participation in these camps. Over 1,700 patients were treated in these camps this year. Established in 2015, Mobius Foundation has been catering to the long-standing demands of basic healthcare facilities of different communities. Considering it as the need of the hour, Mobius Foundation has been making concerted efforts to ensure these camps are successfully able to bring a positive change in the society. Through different projects, Mobius Foundation aims to instil a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst Indian citizens. “Through these camps, the foundation is looking at the larger objective of creating awareness about health and hygiene amongst the villagers, which will ultimately lead to happiness and well-being,” said Pradip Burman, chairman, Mobius Foundation. With education, environment and population stabilisation as its core focus, the Mobius Foundation is committed to support environmental sustainability, strengthening systems with empowering technologies and encouraging healthy behaviour. To instil the importance of sustainable consciousness in Indian citizens, Mobius Foundation looks to collaborate with a diverse range of public and civil partners. The Mobius Foundation is leaving no stone unturned to make sound health as the basis of the overall well-being of a person.

Mobile health camps held to sensitise people over healthcare, hygiene

In collaboration with ‘Logical Indian’ and Marta Vanduzer Snow, Mobius Foundation has taken several crucial steps to set up eco toilets in the villages of Uttar Pradesh (UP). &nbsp;

The foundation has funded Marta, who has been working in the villages of UP under ‘Better Village Better World’ project, to set up five demonstration units of eco toilets in Kakrana, Dhaulana and Ghaziabad in October 2018. The foundation has also helped her in Jagatpur village, Uttar Pradesh. &nbsp;

Understanding the repercussions of open defecation prevalent in several areas on health, the foundation is looking to come up eco-friendly toilets, which are low-maintenance, safe and hygienic.&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, nearly 600 million people lack access to adequate sanitation, clean water and proper sewage infrastructure in India. This has led to open defecation and a long list of health and social issues.&nbsp;

Open defecation can be credited to contamination of food and water, transmitting diarrhea-related diseases. It has also been leading to mental and cognitive stunting in young children.&nbsp;

Thus, there is a need to provide low-cost and easy-to-operate alternatives to traditional waste disposal models to the general public. It is highly crucial for the success of the initiative.&nbsp;

An American native living in India, Marta has built 143 cost-efficient eco toilets so far. These 10-feet-wide toilets are equipped with 122-metre-long permeable roads and French drains that help in rainwater harvesting. A unit can be constructed at a cost of Rs 10,639, while a normal toilet under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan costs Rs 17,000.&nbsp;

In order to bring down the cost of construction of these toilets, broken bricks and recycled materials are used wherever possible, including fly ash bricks and used tires.&nbsp;

The eco toilets are based on the scientific model of evapotranspiration, which is self-cleansing and requires less land.&nbsp;

These green toilets are crucial in generating awareness about sanitation among the masses and gaining community support, realising the ultimate goal of a sustainable India.&nbsp;

These toilets can also be operated at low cost as it only needs the occasional cleaning of the squatting platform. In the unlined twin pit toilet model, the toilet tank is filled with waste and later emptied.&nbsp;

In the general toilets, the opening in the septic tank helps the urine and fecal matter enter the soil, leading to several health issues. Instead, these toilets based on evapotranspiration are self-cleaning and the waste is filtered without human intervention.&nbsp;

These eco toilets are also onsite sanitation systems for chemical and biological treatment, and reuse household black-water. It has been developed and popularised over two decades by permaculture practitioners in several countries, such as the US and Brazil.&nbsp;

The substructure layers of these toilets use anaerobic digestion, capillary action, evaporation and transpiration processes to filter, release and absorb the waste matter. The anaerobic digestion converts a portion of the human excreta into biogas, exiting out the back-standpipe. The digested matter travels up and out through capillary action. The nutrients leave the system by incorporating into the plants’ biomass through mineralisation and absorption through its roots, while evapotranspiration removes the liquid, either transpiring through the plants or evaporating at the surface of the soil.

In collaboration with ‘Logical Indian’ and Marta Vanduzer Snow, Mobius Foundation has taken several crucial steps to set up eco toilets in the villages of Uttar Pradesh (UP).

In collaboration with ‘Logical Indian’ and Marta Vanduzer Snow, Mobius Foundation has taken several crucial steps to set up eco toilets in the villages of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The foundation has funded Marta, who has been working in the villages of UP under ‘Better Village Better World’ project, to set up five demonstration units of eco toilets in Kakrana, Dhaulana and Ghaziabad in October 2018. The foundation has also helped her in Jagatpur village, Uttar Pradesh. Understanding the repercussions of open defecation prevalent in several areas on health, the foundation is looking to come up eco-friendly toilets, which are low-maintenance, safe and hygienic. If reports are to be believed, nearly 600 million people lack access to adequate sanitation, clean water and proper sewage infrastructure in India. This has led to open defecation and a long list of health and social issues. Open defecation can be credited to contamination of food and water, transmitting diarrhea-related diseases. It has also been leading to mental and cognitive stunting in young children. Thus, there is a need to provide low-cost and easy-to-operate alternatives to traditional waste disposal models to the general public. It is highly crucial for the success of the initiative. An American native living in India, Marta has built 143 cost-efficient eco toilets so far. These 10-feet-wide toilets are equipped with 122-metre-long permeable roads and French drains that help in rainwater harvesting. A unit can be constructed at a cost of Rs 10,639, while a normal toilet under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan costs Rs 17,000. In order to bring down the cost of construction of these toilets, broken bricks and recycled materials are used wherever possible, including fly ash bricks and used tires. The eco toilets are based on the scientific model of evapotranspiration, which is self-cleansing and requires less land. These green toilets are crucial in generating awareness about sanitation among the masses and gaining community support, realising the ultimate goal of a sustainable India. These toilets can also be operated at low cost as it only needs the occasional cleaning of the squatting platform. In the unlined twin pit toilet model, the toilet tank is filled with waste and later emptied. In the general toilets, the opening in the septic tank helps the urine and fecal matter enter the soil, leading to several health issues. Instead, these toilets based on evapotranspiration are self-cleaning and the waste is filtered without human intervention. These eco toilets are also onsite sanitation systems for chemical and biological treatment, and reuse household black-water. It has been developed and popularised over two decades by permaculture practitioners in several countries, such as the US and Brazil. The substructure layers of these toilets use anaerobic digestion, capillary action, evaporation and transpiration processes to filter, release and absorb the waste matter. The anaerobic digestion converts a portion of the human excreta into biogas, exiting out the back-standpipe. The digested matter travels up and out through capillary action. The nutrients leave the system by incorporating into the plants’ biomass through mineralisation and absorption through its roots, while evapotranspiration removes the liquid, either transpiring through the plants or evaporating at the surface of the soil.

Organisations come together to set up eco toilets in UP villages

Delhi recorded 370 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;cases on Wednesday, the highest daily count in nearly two months, even as the positivity rate rose to 0.52 per cent, according to data shared by the Health Department.

The death toll rose to 10,931 with three more fatalities, the latest health bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department stated.

Delhi had recorded 320 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths due to the disease on Tuesday, breaching the 300-mark again after a gap of two days.

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On Sunday and Monday, 286 and 239 cases, respectively, were recorded in the national capital. The city had registered 321 coronavirus cases and a death last Saturday, and 312 cases and a fatality on Friday.

A total of 585 cases were reported on January 1 and 384 on January 4. The daily count had dropped to 306 on January 11 and risen again to 386 on January 12, according to official figures.

The numbers had started to come down in February, and on February 26, 256 cases were recorded, the highest daily count in that month.

On Wednesday, 370 new coronavirus cases were recorded, taking the infection tally to 6,42,030, the bulletin said.

The number of active cases of the disease in the city rose to 1,900 on Wednesday from 1,812 on Tuesday, while the positivity rate rose to 0.52 per cent from 0.48 per cent on Tuesday.

Health experts and doctors have attributed this sudden rise&nbsp;to complacency in people and not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and assuming all is well now.

The total number of tests conducted on Tuesday stood at 71,153, including 45,322 RT-PCR tests and 25,831 rapid antigen tests, the bulletin said.

The number of people under home isolation on Wednesday rose to 982 from 952 on Tuesday, the bulletin said, adding that over 6.29 lakh people have recovered from the infection till date.&nbsp;

Delhi recorded 370 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the highest daily count in nearly two months, even as the positivity rate rose to 0.52 per cent, according to data shared by the Health Department.

Delhi recorded 370 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the highest daily count in nearly two months, even as the positivity rate rose to 0.52 per cent, according to data shared by the Health Department. The death toll rose to 10,931 with three more fatalities, the latest health bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department stated. Delhi had recorded 320 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths due to the disease on Tuesday, breaching the 300-mark again after a gap of two days. Also read | New travel rules for international arrivals: Testing increased at Delhi airport for new Covid-19 variant On Sunday and Monday, 286 and 239 cases, respectively, were recorded in the national capital. The city had registered 321 coronavirus cases and a death last Saturday, and 312 cases and a fatality on Friday. A total of 585 cases were reported on January 1 and 384 on January 4. The daily count had dropped to 306 on January 11 and risen again to 386 on January 12, according to official figures. The numbers had started to come down in February, and on February 26, 256 cases were recorded, the highest daily count in that month. On Wednesday, 370 new coronavirus cases were recorded, taking the infection tally to 6,42,030, the bulletin said. The number of active cases of the disease in the city rose to 1,900 on Wednesday from 1,812 on Tuesday, while the positivity rate rose to 0.52 per cent from 0.48 per cent on Tuesday. Health experts and doctors have attributed this sudden rise to complacency in people and not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and assuming all is well now. The total number of tests conducted on Tuesday stood at 71,153, including 45,322 RT-PCR tests and 25,831 rapid antigen tests, the bulletin said. The number of people under home isolation on Wednesday rose to 982 from 952 on Tuesday, the bulletin said, adding that over 6.29 lakh people have recovered from the infection till date.

370 fresh COVID-19 cases in Delhi, highest in nearly two months

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination for Nandigram assembly seat, where she will take on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and exuded confidence of winning it saying she has never returned empty-handed from the land of anti-farm land acquisition movement.

Accompanied by TMC president Subrata Bakshi, Banerjee filed her papers at the Haldia sub-divisional office here after taking part in a 2-km roadshow. She offered prayers at a temple before filing her nomination, and at another after doing so.

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"I am confident about my victory from the Nandigram assembly seat. I could have easily contested from Bhawanipur seat (which she represents).

"When I had visited Nandigram in January, there was no MLA from here as the sitting MLA had resigned. I looked at the faces of the common people and decided to contest from here," she said after filing her paper.

Deputy chairman of East Midnapore zilla parishad Sheikh Sufiyan has been appointed as Banerjee's election agent.

"I have never returned empty-handed from here. Nandigram is not just a name, it is the name of a movement. Bhulte pari sobar naam, bhulbo nako Nandigram (I can forget everyone's name, but can never forget Nandigram). That's the significance of this place for me," the TMC supremo said.

Banerjee said that she had made up her mind this time to contest either from the Singur or Nandigram - the cradles of the anti-farm land acquisition movement which had catapulted her to power in 2011.

"My feeling is very clear - no one can divide this place along religious lines. During the Nandigram movement all the communities had participated in it. Those who are lecturing now about its legacy were nowhere when violence was unleashed here. I was fighting alone," she said.

The feisty TMC chief will contest from Nandigram for the first time after relinquishing her Bhowanipore constituency in Kolkata.

She has rented a house in Nandigram and will campaign from there.

Nandigram assembly constituency is set for a high octane battle with Banerjee deciding to contest from the seat against Adhikari, who recently switched over to the saffron camp.

Adhikari, who will file his nomination paper for the seat on a later date, called her an "outsider" to Nandigram and himself a "bhoomiputra" (son of the soil).

He had won the Nandigram seat in the 2016 assembly poll, while another TMC candidate emerged victorious from the constituency in 2011.

Adhikari had quit TMC and resigned from the assembly late last year to join BJP following differences with the state's ruling party.

Both the leaders were prominent figures in the anti-farm land acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007 that had catapulted Banerjee to power in West Bengal in 2011 ending the 34-year-long rule of the Left Front.

The little-known rural area, which had witnessed one of the bloodiest movements against the government's acquisition of cultivable land for industrialisation, had then changed the political landscape of West Bengal.

Now after more than a decade of peace, Nandigram, home to 70 per cent Hindus and 30 per cent Muslims, is witnessing political and communal polarisation.

The Muslims are firmly behind TMC that has controlled the area for the last 15 years.

The constituency mainly comprises two blocks -- Nandigram I and Nandigram II -- with the first having 30 per minority population and the second almost 15 per cent.

Election in Nandigram is slated to be held on April 1.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination for Nandigram assembly seat, where she will take on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and exuded confidence of winning it saying she has never returned empty-handed from the land of anti-farm land acquisition movement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination for Nandigram assembly seat, where she will take on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and exuded confidence of winning it saying she has never returned empty-handed from the land of anti-farm land acquisition movement. Accompanied by TMC president Subrata Bakshi, Banerjee filed her papers at the Haldia sub-divisional office here after taking part in a 2-km roadshow. She offered prayers at a temple before filing her nomination, and at another after doing so. Also read | Mamata Banerjee releases TMC list for 291 assembly seats "I am confident about my victory from the Nandigram assembly seat. I could have easily contested from Bhawanipur seat (which she represents). "When I had visited Nandigram in January, there was no MLA from here as the sitting MLA had resigned. I looked at the faces of the common people and decided to contest from here," she said after filing her paper. Deputy chairman of East Midnapore zilla parishad Sheikh Sufiyan has been appointed as Banerjee's election agent. "I have never returned empty-handed from here. Nandigram is not just a name, it is the name of a movement. Bhulte pari sobar naam, bhulbo nako Nandigram (I can forget everyone's name, but can never forget Nandigram). That's the significance of this place for me," the TMC supremo said. Banerjee said that she had made up her mind this time to contest either from the Singur or Nandigram - the cradles of the anti-farm land acquisition movement which had catapulted her to power in 2011. "My feeling is very clear - no one can divide this place along religious lines. During the Nandigram movement all the communities had participated in it. Those who are lecturing now about its legacy were nowhere when violence was unleashed here. I was fighting alone," she said. The feisty TMC chief will contest from Nandigram for the first time after relinquishing her Bhowanipore constituency in Kolkata. She has rented a house in Nandigram and will campaign from there. Nandigram assembly constituency is set for a high octane battle with Banerjee deciding to contest from the seat against Adhikari, who recently switched over to the saffron camp. Adhikari, who will file his nomination paper for the seat on a later date, called her an "outsider" to Nandigram and himself a "bhoomiputra" (son of the soil). He had won the Nandigram seat in the 2016 assembly poll, while another TMC candidate emerged victorious from the constituency in 2011. Adhikari had quit TMC and resigned from the assembly late last year to join BJP following differences with the state's ruling party. Both the leaders were prominent figures in the anti-farm land acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007 that had catapulted Banerjee to power in West Bengal in 2011 ending the 34-year-long rule of the Left Front. The little-known rural area, which had witnessed one of the bloodiest movements against the government's acquisition of cultivable land for industrialisation, had then changed the political landscape of West Bengal. Now after more than a decade of peace, Nandigram, home to 70 per cent Hindus and 30 per cent Muslims, is witnessing political and communal polarisation. The Muslims are firmly behind TMC that has controlled the area for the last 15 years. The constituency mainly comprises two blocks -- Nandigram I and Nandigram II -- with the first having 30 per minority population and the second almost 15 per cent. Election in Nandigram is slated to be held on April 1.

Mamata files nomination from Nandigram, exudes confidence of winning the seat 

Sweden's envoy to India Klas Molin has said that his country "congratulates" India for being the pharmacy of the world even as it notes how "production and rollout of vaccines" is taken place in India and also how "bilaterally, what India is doing to help its neighbours." Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Klas spoke about the recent India Sweden virtual summit and explained that both have "very active partnership".

Sweden congratulates India for being the pharmacy of the world: Envoy Klas

Indian Navy’s third stealth Scorpene class submarine INS Karanj commissioned

Klas Molin, Sweden's envoy to India,&nbsp;has said that his country "congratulates" India for being the pharmacy of the world, and appreciated how production and rollout of Covid-19 vaccines&nbsp;is taking&nbsp;place in India and&nbsp;how it is helping its neighbours.

Speaking to WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent&nbsp;Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal, Klas talked about the recent India- Sweden virtual summit and explained that both have "very active partnership".

The two countries held a virtual summit last week, making&nbsp;Sweden the second Nordic country with which Indian PM Narendra Modi has held such a summit, after last year's India-Denmark virtual summit.&nbsp;

Modi had gone to&nbsp;Sweden in 2018 on a bilateral visit as well as for the first India-Nordic summit. The second India-Nordic summit is expected to take place later this year in Denmark.

On recent allegations of a Swedish company being involved in bribes in India, the envoy said, "these issues are taken very seriously by the Swedish govt as well as the Indian govt, am sure relevant authorities will look at this". Swedish news channel SVT reported on Tuesday that Swedish truck maker Scania had allegedly paid bribes to win contracts in India.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: How was the India Sweden virtual summit? The key outcomes?</h2>

Klas Molin: The virtual summit is the latest of five interactions between our Prime Ministers in recent years. They had a good working relationship, during the Covid times. This is the mode they have to follow, which is virtual. It was a good opportunity to run through what is a very active partnership. They have a joint action plan together and also an innovation partnership. This summit really gave a wonderful opportunity to run through the priorities, which remain the same. We have very strong cooperation in trade and investment, various kinds of research on health, a number of key issues like climate change is another area that they discussed. Sweden has decided to join the International Solar Alliance. Our Prime Ministers are partners in lead IT group, which is a leadership group on Industrial transition, which is looking at new production methods down line in industries that have been key emitters. These are some examples.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: How are both countries cooperating to deal with Covid crisis, particularly the vaccines?</h2>

Klas Molin: We had interaction with our health ministers over the year and we had a number of other interactions of experts from both sides. We have a health MoU, in effect over a decade. Our minister for health and social affairs was here two years ago with a big delegation. Under the MoU, one of the keys that was discussed and highlighted last Friday was a health hub that has been created at AIIMS, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This is the latest manifestation of cooperation. Of course, Covid is an obvious discussion point at this time and I believe and it's fair to say, Sweden is congratulating India for the work it is doing in so many areas including being the pharmacy to the world in producing vaccines. It's true, AstraZeneca is here in a big way, cooperating with the Serum Institute in Pune. We are watching both the production and rollout of vaccines for vaccination in India, also internationally efforts under Covax, and also bilaterally, what India is doing to help its neighbours. Ghana was the first country that received Indian vaccines under the Covax. So very impressive and this was recognised.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: How has the progress been on the innovation dialogue that was announced in 2018?</h2>

Klas Molin: We have an innovation partnership, it's part of the joint action plan, but it's also a standalone partnership. So we have excellent cooperation between our research foundations, our funding agencies. The PM of Sweden is personally very engaged in innovation. He chairs the national innovation council himself. When the state visit took place in late 2019 here in India, the King and Queen came, we also had the first innovation dialogue. The PM and King of Sweden jointly inaugurated the first dialogue. It is a way to learn from each other and also have our agencies, ministries but not least both the private sector, research and academia involved in innovation. It is a collective effort for everything that is going on and is an innovation partnership for a sustainable future. It needs to be sustainable in terms of climate and also in job creation, which is always an important factor for India, Sweden and globally.

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: Was Myanmar discussed during the virtual summit?</h2>

Klas Molin: The Prime ministers expressed concerns, definite and strong concerns over recent developments in last month as the new Parliament was about to take their seats, the govt was overtaken by military authorities. It is particularly troubling, given the last 10 years of democratic change, the opportunities, the free elections for 2015, the elections in Nov 2020, that had given an increasing clear majority for a party and civilian rule. The leaders acknowledged how serious they view it and how important is for the international community to step in and denounce the development.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: Any update on the India Nordic summit?</h2>

Klas Molin: The first summit happened in Stockholm, back-to-back with PM Modi's visit in April and we were very happy and honored to host that. I think it is a very useful way of combining, I mean the Nordic countries have a long history of cooperation, we are neighbours, cousins and similar, both when it comes to many of the policy issues. Also, the focus of our economies, being sustainable, being green and very heavily into information and technology. If I may speak for India, it is very clearly a useful way of meeting several leaders who happen to be similar in focus. We of course are independent countries, some of us members of the EU, some are outside, but in one stop you get chance to meet five heads of government&nbsp;and you can set out ways of cooperation which are similar to bilateral aims, but also have multiplying effects. When it comes to population, fairly humble, but economic output and interest in cooperating with India is huge and benefit for us&nbsp;and for India is definitely there, and that is why PM and Indian government&nbsp;see it in interest to approach us in the group, combined with bilateral relations.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sidhant&nbsp;Sibal: Reports have emerged in Swedish media on a Swedish company being allegedly involved in paying bribes in India. Any reaction?</h2>

Klas Molin: I haven't seen it, I have seen the headlines. I think it's a news story, if there is anything to allegations that are being made, sure relevant authorities will be looking into this. But naturally, these issues are taken very seriously by the Swedish govt as well as the Indian govt, am sure relevant authorities will look at this and we will see what they have to say if there is anything to say. &nbsp;

Klas Molin, Sweden's envoy to India, has said that his country "congratulates" India for being the pharmacy of the world, and appreciated how production and rollout of Covid-19 vaccines is taking place in India and how it is helping its neighbours.

Klas Molin, Sweden's envoy to India, has said that his country "congratulates" India for being the pharmacy of the world, and appreciated how production and rollout of Covid-19 vaccines is taking place in India and how it is helping its neighbours. Speaking to WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Klas talked about the recent India- Sweden virtual summit and explained that both have "very active partnership". The two countries held a virtual summit last week, making Sweden the second Nordic country with which Indian PM Narendra Modi has held such a summit, after last year's India-Denmark virtual summit. Modi had gone to Sweden in 2018 on a bilateral visit as well as for the first India-Nordic summit. The second India-Nordic summit is expected to take place later this year in Denmark. On recent allegations of a Swedish company being involved in bribes in India, the envoy said, "these issues are taken very seriously by the Swedish govt as well as the Indian govt, am sure relevant authorities will look at this". Swedish news channel SVT reported on Tuesday that Swedish truck maker Scania had allegedly paid bribes to win contracts in India. Sidhant Sibal: How was the India Sweden virtual summit? The key outcomes? Klas Molin: The virtual summit is the latest of five interactions between our Prime Ministers in recent years. They had a good working relationship, during the Covid times. This is the mode they have to follow, which is virtual. It was a good opportunity to run through what is a very active partnership. They have a joint action plan together and also an innovation partnership. This summit really gave a wonderful opportunity to run through the priorities, which remain the same. We have very strong cooperation in trade and investment, various kinds of research on health, a number of key issues like climate change is another area that they discussed. Sweden has decided to join the International Solar Alliance. Our Prime Ministers are partners in lead IT group, which is a leadership group on Industrial transition, which is looking at new production methods down line in industries that have been key emitters. These are some examples. Sidhant Sibal: How are both countries cooperating to deal with Covid crisis, particularly the vaccines? Klas Molin: We had interaction with our health ministers over the year and we had a number of other interactions of experts from both sides. We have a health MoU, in effect over a decade. Our minister for health and social affairs was here two years ago with a big delegation. Under the MoU, one of the keys that was discussed and highlighted last Friday was a health hub that has been created at AIIMS, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This is the latest manifestation of cooperation. Of course, Covid is an obvious discussion point at this time and I believe and it's fair to say, Sweden is congratulating India for the work it is doing in so many areas including being the pharmacy to the world in producing vaccines. It's true, AstraZeneca is here in a big way, cooperating with the Serum Institute in Pune. We are watching both the production and rollout of vaccines for vaccination in India, also internationally efforts under Covax, and also bilaterally, what India is doing to help its neighbours. Ghana was the first country that received Indian vaccines under the Covax. So very impressive and this was recognised. Sidhant Sibal: How has the progress been on the innovation dialogue that was announced in 2018? Klas Molin: We have an innovation partnership, it's part of the joint action plan, but it's also a standalone partnership. So we have excellent cooperation between our research foundations, our funding agencies. The PM of Sweden is personally very engaged in innovation. He chairs the national innovation council himself. When the state visit took place in late 2019 here in India, the King and Queen came, we also had the first innovation dialogue. The PM and King of Sweden jointly inaugurated the first dialogue. It is a way to learn from each other and also have our agencies, ministries but not least both the private sector, research and academia involved in innovation. It is a collective effort for everything that is going on and is an innovation partnership for a sustainable future. It needs to be sustainable in terms of climate and also in job creation, which is always an important factor for India, Sweden and globally. Sidhant Sibal: Was Myanmar discussed during the virtual summit? Klas Molin: The Prime ministers expressed concerns, definite and strong concerns over recent developments in last month as the new Parliament was about to take their seats, the govt was overtaken by military authorities. It is particularly troubling, given the last 10 years of democratic change, the opportunities, the free elections for 2015, the elections in Nov 2020, that had given an increasing clear majority for a party and civilian rule. The leaders acknowledged how serious they view it and how important is for the international community to step in and denounce the development. Sidhant Sibal: Any update on the India Nordic summit? Klas Molin: The first summit happened in Stockholm, back-to-back with PM Modi's visit in April and we were very happy and honored to host that. I think it is a very useful way of combining, I mean the Nordic countries have a long history of cooperation, we are neighbours, cousins and similar, both when it comes to many of the policy issues. Also, the focus of our economies, being sustainable, being green and very heavily into information and technology. If I may speak for India, it is very clearly a useful way of meeting several leaders who happen to be similar in focus. We of course are independent countries, some of us members of the EU, some are outside, but in one stop you get chance to meet five heads of government and you can set out ways of cooperation which are similar to bilateral aims, but also have multiplying effects. When it comes to population, fairly humble, but economic output and interest in cooperating with India is huge and benefit for us and for India is definitely there, and that is why PM and Indian government see it in interest to approach us in the group, combined with bilateral relations. Sidhant Sibal: Reports have emerged in Swedish media on a Swedish company being allegedly involved in paying bribes in India. Any reaction? Klas Molin: I haven't seen it, I have seen the headlines. I think it's a news story, if there is anything to allegations that are being made, sure relevant authorities will be looking into this. But naturally, these issues are taken very seriously by the Swedish govt as well as the Indian govt, am sure relevant authorities will look at this and we will see what they have to say if there is anything to say.

Exclusive: Sweden congratulates India for being the pharmacy of the world

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

Connectivity has been a key focus point of talks between the two countries and both India and Uzbekistan are already engaging on the Chabahar project. They formed a core group involving Iran, India and Uzbekistan on Chabahar port after the virtual summit between PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in December 2020. Chabahar port in Iran is key to India's connectivity westwards and New Delhi has heavily invested in it.

Speaking to WION, Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "Chabahar is a very important port. An important route for us in connectivity in the trade area, for our regions and between Uzbekistan and India. This was also discussed during the virtual summit between our leaders. We created a trilateral working group and to discuss the possibility of joint use of the port."

Uzbekistan had earlier announced its intent to join the international north-south transport corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow. The invite for the mega connectivity summit was personally handed over by Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during his Delhi visit from February 24 to 25.

Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "the main goal of the summit is to elevate the cooperation between two regions and countries of two neighbouring regions into a new level. Elevation of close historical ties between the region in a mutually beneficial manner in areas like economic, trade, investment, transport, innovations and technologies, culture, tourist exchanges and security areas."

The international conference named "Central Asia and South Asia regional connectivity: Challenges and opportunities" is being organized which is the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit will have three common themes of discussion - economic, cultural, security- connectivity and aims to refresh historical ties. This is the first such initiative to bring leaders of central and South Asia together.

The summit will focus on connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia. The heads of states, governments and ministers of foreign affairs of Central and South Asia and other foreign countries, heads of leading international organizations, financial institutions, investment funds and companies as well as world research and analytical centres will be invited to the summit.

All leaders of both the regions, including the leadership and representatives of Russia, Iran, China, the US, and the EU will be invited to the summit.

Uzbekistan is the only central Asian country with which India has held a virtual summit so far. In strategic space and defense both sides are set to increase engagement. India and Uzbekistan are holding military exercises Dustlik-2 from March 9 to 21 Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.&nbsp;

Indian PM Narendra Modi had visited Uzbekistan twice, the first being &nbsp;2015 and the second in 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited India twice in 2018 and in 2019. Uzbekistan is the only country in the region to host two private Indian universities.&nbsp;

The Bukhara state medical institute opened its branch at a university in Noida. An MoU on cooperation has been signed between Gujarat and the Andijan region of Uzbekistan and next in the line is India's Haryana state and Fergana.

Amid the pandemic, the air bubble agreement has also been given a green light to restart air travel between the two countries.&nbsp;

Recently the chief of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had visited Uzbekistan to increase the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. Connectivity has been a key focus point of talks between the two countries and both India and Uzbekistan are already engaging on the Chabahar project. They formed a core group involving Iran, India and Uzbekistan on Chabahar port after the virtual summit between PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in December 2020. Chabahar port in Iran is key to India's connectivity westwards and New Delhi has heavily invested in it. Speaking to WION, Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "Chabahar is a very important port. An important route for us in connectivity in the trade area, for our regions and between Uzbekistan and India. This was also discussed during the virtual summit between our leaders. We created a trilateral working group and to discuss the possibility of joint use of the port." Uzbekistan had earlier announced its intent to join the international north-south transport corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow. The invite for the mega connectivity summit was personally handed over by Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during his Delhi visit from February 24 to 25. Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "the main goal of the summit is to elevate the cooperation between two regions and countries of two neighbouring regions into a new level. Elevation of close historical ties between the region in a mutually beneficial manner in areas like economic, trade, investment, transport, innovations and technologies, culture, tourist exchanges and security areas." The international conference named "Central Asia and South Asia regional connectivity: Challenges and opportunities" is being organized which is the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit will have three common themes of discussion - economic, cultural, security- connectivity and aims to refresh historical ties. This is the first such initiative to bring leaders of central and South Asia together. The summit will focus on connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia. The heads of states, governments and ministers of foreign affairs of Central and South Asia and other foreign countries, heads of leading international organizations, financial institutions, investment funds and companies as well as world research and analytical centres will be invited to the summit. All leaders of both the regions, including the leadership and representatives of Russia, Iran, China, the US, and the EU will be invited to the summit. Uzbekistan is the only central Asian country with which India has held a virtual summit so far. In strategic space and defense both sides are set to increase engagement. India and Uzbekistan are holding military exercises Dustlik-2 from March 9 to 21 Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. Indian PM Narendra Modi had visited Uzbekistan twice, the first being 2015 and the second in 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited India twice in 2018 and in 2019. Uzbekistan is the only country in the region to host two private Indian universities. The Bukhara state medical institute opened its branch at a university in Noida. An MoU on cooperation has been signed between Gujarat and the Andijan region of Uzbekistan and next in the line is India's Haryana state and Fergana. Amid the pandemic, the air bubble agreement has also been given a green light to restart air travel between the two countries. Recently the chief of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had visited Uzbekistan to increase the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

As ties strengthen, Uzbekistan invites India for mega connectivity summit

The war in Afghanistan is called the forever war. Is India prepared to join it? India has been asked to not fight the war but to help end it. The others on the talking table could be Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, the US, the Afghan government and the Taliban.

For four decades now, Afghanistan has been locked in a state of war. A dialogue for peace began last year. People hoped that peace would follow. So far, that hasn't happened. The peace dialogue is stalled. The war is very much on. Violence has only increased. The promise of a ceasefire was never fulfilled.

This brings us to the second proposal. Blinken wants a United Nations-led peace conference for a peace deal in Afghanistan. The US secretary of state wants the UN to convene a foreign ministers'&nbsp;meeting. This will have representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and India plus&nbsp;the Afghan government,&nbsp;the Taliban and the US.

With no peace deal yet, there is a growing threat of a 'spring offensive' by the Taliban. Apparently, they could make rapid military gains once the American troops are gone. The US is now making a big push to restart the dialogue for peace.

And Washington wants India's help.

It wants regional powers to have a greater say in the process. At the same time, it wants the Taliban to have a seat at the table.

That's not all, it wants the Taliban to join the government in Afghanistan. So, what is Joe Biden's plan for peace in Afghanistan? And how far is India prepared to go?

Since taking office, Joe Biden and his aides have been conducting a review. They have been assessing the work done by the Trump administration. Over the weekend, Team Biden began taking its first steps towards resuming the dialogue.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter.&nbsp;It was addressed to Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani. A copy of this was shared by a local broadcaster in Afghanistan. This letter offers clues on what America plans to do.

The first move will be to accelerate the peace talks. They went on the backburner after the American presidential election. So the dialogue that began between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban will move ahead. But, they won't be the only ones involved. The dialogue will have more players.&nbsp;

Blinken believes regional powers "share an abiding common interest in a stable Afghanistan."

That's why he wants India involved. Soon after that letter got out, reports said US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the man leading the negotiations from America, dialled S Jaishankar, India's external affairs minister.

While both sides have not said much about what was discussed, It's safe to assume that Afghan peace process came up.

Why is this significant?

This is a major shift. The Trump administration kept India out. Trump said all India had done was build a library in Afghanistan. He undermined the contribution of regional powers. He was criticised for depending far too much on Pakistan for a peace deal in Afghanistan.

The Biden administration is looking to change that. Secretary of State Blinken is quite direct in his letter to the Afghan president. The US wants India to participate in the peace dialogue. New Delhi should welcome the proposal. It's always better to have a say than to observe from the sidelines.

Now, the most contentious part of America's plan is this one:&nbsp;An interim power-sharing agreement between the Taliban and the elected leaders of Afghanistan. In other words, the US wants the Taliban to join the Afghan government.

That's a huge concession for a group that has not stopped violent attacks. That's giving legitimacy to terrorism as an instrument of power grab.

Reports say there is a proposal to establish a 'Transitional peace government of Afghanistan',&nbsp;with representatives from both sides.

This will be followed by national elections. It seems like Afghanistan's president does not like this idea.

Two days ago,&nbsp;Ghani said&nbsp;he is ready to talk. But he believes the only way to form a government should be through an election.

"We stand ready to discuss holding free, fair and inclusive elections under the auspices of international community. We can also talk about the date of the elections and reach a conclusion," he said.

"I advise those who go to this or that gate to gain power, is that political power in Afghanistan has a gate, and the key is the vote of the Afghan people."

So Kabul is sticking to its guns, and rightly so. It wants a democratic setup. Why should the Taliban be rewarded with a role in the govt after all that they've done?

What is the guarantee that they will end the attacks?

What explains America's concession? Its desire to exit this war. They turned a whole country into a war laboratory and now, want terrorists to join the government,&nbsp;so that the US can stick to its deadline of withdrawing troops.

Yes, there are no easy options for Joe Biden. His government is caught between a rock and a hard place. But this is a situation of America's making, as much as anybody else's.

The war in Afghanistan is called the forever war. Is India prepared to join it? India has been asked to not fight the war but to help end it. The others on the talking table could be Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, the US, the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The war in Afghanistan is called the forever war. Is India prepared to join it? India has been asked to not fight the war but to help end it. The others on the talking table could be Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, the US, the Afghan government and the Taliban. For four decades now, Afghanistan has been locked in a state of war. A dialogue for peace began last year. People hoped that peace would follow. So far, that hasn't happened. The peace dialogue is stalled. The war is very much on. Violence has only increased. The promise of a ceasefire was never fulfilled. This brings us to the second proposal. Blinken wants a United Nations-led peace conference for a peace deal in Afghanistan. The US secretary of state wants the UN to convene a foreign ministers' meeting. This will have representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and India plus the Afghan government, the Taliban and the US. With no peace deal yet, there is a growing threat of a 'spring offensive' by the Taliban. Apparently, they could make rapid military gains once the American troops are gone. The US is now making a big push to restart the dialogue for peace. And Washington wants India's help. It wants regional powers to have a greater say in the process. At the same time, it wants the Taliban to have a seat at the table. That's not all, it wants the Taliban to join the government in Afghanistan. So, what is Joe Biden's plan for peace in Afghanistan? And how far is India prepared to go? Since taking office, Joe Biden and his aides have been conducting a review. They have been assessing the work done by the Trump administration. Over the weekend, Team Biden began taking its first steps towards resuming the dialogue. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter. It was addressed to Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani. A copy of this was shared by a local broadcaster in Afghanistan. This letter offers clues on what America plans to do. The first move will be to accelerate the peace talks. They went on the backburner after the American presidential election. So the dialogue that began between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban will move ahead. But, they won't be the only ones involved. The dialogue will have more players. Blinken believes regional powers "share an abiding common interest in a stable Afghanistan." That's why he wants India involved. Soon after that letter got out, reports said US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the man leading the negotiations from America, dialled S Jaishankar, India's external affairs minister. While both sides have not said much about what was discussed, It's safe to assume that Afghan peace process came up. Why is this significant? This is a major shift. The Trump administration kept India out. Trump said all India had done was build a library in Afghanistan. He undermined the contribution of regional powers. He was criticised for depending far too much on Pakistan for a peace deal in Afghanistan. The Biden administration is looking to change that. Secretary of State Blinken is quite direct in his letter to the Afghan president. The US wants India to participate in the peace dialogue. New Delhi should welcome the proposal. It's always better to have a say than to observe from the sidelines. Now, the most contentious part of America's plan is this one: An interim power-sharing agreement between the Taliban and the elected leaders of Afghanistan. In other words, the US wants the Taliban to join the Afghan government. That's a huge concession for a group that has not stopped violent attacks. That's giving legitimacy to terrorism as an instrument of power grab. Reports say there is a proposal to establish a 'Transitional peace government of Afghanistan', with representatives from both sides. This will be followed by national elections. It seems like Afghanistan's president does not like this idea. Two days ago, Ghani said he is ready to talk. But he believes the only way to form a government should be through an election. "We stand ready to discuss holding free, fair and inclusive elections under the auspices of international community. We can also talk about the date of the elections and reach a conclusion," he said. "I advise those who go to this or that gate to gain power, is that political power in Afghanistan has a gate, and the key is the vote of the Afghan people." So Kabul is sticking to its guns, and rightly so. It wants a democratic setup. Why should the Taliban be rewarded with a role in the govt after all that they've done? What is the guarantee that they will end the attacks? What explains America's concession? Its desire to exit this war. They turned a whole country into a war laboratory and now, want terrorists to join the government, so that the US can stick to its deadline of withdrawing troops. Yes, there are no easy options for Joe Biden. His government is caught between a rock and a hard place. But this is a situation of America's making, as much as anybody else's.

India asked to lend a hand in Afghanistan

While Pakistan struggles, it's iron brother&nbsp;China is keen on giving more headaches to New Delhi. China has cleared a hydropower project in Tibet, close to the border with India.&nbsp;

These dams will be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra on the Chinese side.&nbsp;

So, let's understand why India has a reason to worry. The Mekong river, which flows through the Thai-Lao border, has vanished or gone dry in two years. &nbsp;

What happened to the Mekong can be understood from satellite images, where Chinese dams have been hoarding the water of the Mekong, while South East Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are longing for its water.&nbsp;

Now, those living along the banks of the Brahmaputra could meet a similar fate. Reports say that&nbsp;Beijing has greenlighted the construction of dams on the river. They could be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra, which fall inside Tibet. Other major projects include the construction of coastal nuclear power plants and power transmission channels.&nbsp;

These plans are part of the 14th five-year plan of China. Reports say Beijing could build up to 60 giga watts of power generation capacity on the river, making it the biggest hydropower project in the world. One that would overtake China's own Three Gorges dam that produces 22.5 giga watts of power.&nbsp;

India is said to be considering its own plans to build a dam on the Brahmaputra, while there is concern that Beijing wants to control the flow of waters towards India. &nbsp;

Bigger problems could be in store. According to a report, environmental groups and Tibetan rights activists are against these Chinese projects. They believe the dams could 'wreak environmental havoc' and have a severe impact on downstream water supplies. One analyst fears that the constant construction could lead to earthquakes and landslides and even submerge land and forests under water and endanger wildlife.&nbsp;

The dams pose a threat to human life too. Case in point: the Three Gorges dam. Beijing touted this project as the world's largest dam. It ended up flooding 13 cities, 140 towns and more than 1,000 villages. According to one estimate, more than one million people were displaced. Now, similar concerns are being raised about the Chinese dams on the Brahmaputra. Experts fear that they could lead to floods or droughts and cause immense environmental destruction.&nbsp;

While Pakistan struggles, it's iron brother China is keen on giving more headaches to New Delhi. China has cleared a hydropower project in Tibet, close to the border with India.

While Pakistan struggles, it's iron brother China is keen on giving more headaches to New Delhi. China has cleared a hydropower project in Tibet, close to the border with India. These dams will be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra on the Chinese side. So, let's understand why India has a reason to worry. The Mekong river, which flows through the Thai-Lao border, has vanished or gone dry in two years. What happened to the Mekong can be understood from satellite images, where Chinese dams have been hoarding the water of the Mekong, while South East Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are longing for its water. Now, those living along the banks of the Brahmaputra could meet a similar fate. Reports say that Beijing has greenlighted the construction of dams on the river. They could be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra, which fall inside Tibet. Other major projects include the construction of coastal nuclear power plants and power transmission channels. These plans are part of the 14th five-year plan of China. Reports say Beijing could build up to 60 giga watts of power generation capacity on the river, making it the biggest hydropower project in the world. One that would overtake China's own Three Gorges dam that produces 22.5 giga watts of power. India is said to be considering its own plans to build a dam on the Brahmaputra, while there is concern that Beijing wants to control the flow of waters towards India. Bigger problems could be in store. According to a report, environmental groups and Tibetan rights activists are against these Chinese projects. They believe the dams could 'wreak environmental havoc' and have a severe impact on downstream water supplies. One analyst fears that the constant construction could lead to earthquakes and landslides and even submerge land and forests under water and endanger wildlife. The dams pose a threat to human life too. Case in point: the Three Gorges dam. Beijing touted this project as the world's largest dam. It ended up flooding 13 cities, 140 towns and more than 1,000 villages. According to one estimate, more than one million people were displaced. Now, similar concerns are being raised about the Chinese dams on the Brahmaputra. Experts fear that they could lead to floods or droughts and cause immense environmental destruction.

China's hydropower project in Tibet a reason to worry for India 

The first-ever Quad, India, Japan, Australia and US leaders' summit will take place virtually on March 12, the Friday marking a significant geopolitical moment. The summit will see participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga and US President Joseph R Biden.&nbsp;

India's ministry of external affairs, in a statement said, "The leaders will discuss regional and global issues of shared interest, and exchange views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region".&nbsp;

It explained, "the Summit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on contemporary challenges, such as resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, and climate change."&nbsp;

Covid vaccines will be a key focus, with leaders discussing 'ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic' and 'explore opportunities for collaboration in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region', the release mentioned.&nbsp;

So far, three foreign ministers' level conversations have taken place, two of them physical meetings--one in New York in 2019, another in Tokyo last year and one telephonic conversation just last month. Last month's telephonic conversation between the four foreign ministers, US State Secretary Blinken, Japan FM Motegi Toshimitsu, Australian FM Marise Payne and EAM Dr S Jaishankar saw key focus being on Myanmar.&nbsp;

Last week, Australian PM Scott Morrison confirming plans of the meet, said, "I am looking forward to that first gathering of quad leaders. It will be the first-ever gathering of quad leaders. I already had bilateral discussions with Narendra Modi and Yoshihide Suga, the PM of Japan and PM of India."&nbsp;

He pointed that such meets would become a 'feature of the Indo Pacific engagement' but it will "not have a big bureaucracy, with a big secretariat. it will be four leaders, four countries working together constructively for the peace, prosperity, and stability of the Indo pacific."&nbsp;

Quad is seen very suspiciously by China, which has termed it 'Asian Nato' something that has been dismissed by the grouping. The dialogue was first initiated in 2007 by the then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe but lost support only to re-emerge in 2017 when leaders of the grouping had met. Last year, saw Australia being invited to Malabar exercises which saw all four Quad countries coming under one umbrella for naval exercises in the Indian ocean. Amid the covid pandemic, Quad plus meetings happened at the foreign secretary-level to exchange best practices.&nbsp;

The first-ever Quad, India, Japan, Australia and US leaders' summit will take place virtually on March 12, the Friday marking a significant geopolitical moment. The summit will see participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga and US President Joseph R Biden.

The first-ever Quad, India, Japan, Australia and US leaders' summit will take place virtually on March 12, the Friday marking a significant geopolitical moment. The summit will see participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga and US President Joseph R Biden. India's ministry of external affairs, in a statement said, "The leaders will discuss regional and global issues of shared interest, and exchange views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region". It explained, "the Summit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on contemporary challenges, such as resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, and climate change." Covid vaccines will be a key focus, with leaders discussing 'ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic' and 'explore opportunities for collaboration in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region', the release mentioned. So far, three foreign ministers' level conversations have taken place, two of them physical meetings--one in New York in 2019, another in Tokyo last year and one telephonic conversation just last month. Last month's telephonic conversation between the four foreign ministers, US State Secretary Blinken, Japan FM Motegi Toshimitsu, Australian FM Marise Payne and EAM Dr S Jaishankar saw key focus being on Myanmar. Last week, Australian PM Scott Morrison confirming plans of the meet, said, "I am looking forward to that first gathering of quad leaders. It will be the first-ever gathering of quad leaders. I already had bilateral discussions with Narendra Modi and Yoshihide Suga, the PM of Japan and PM of India." He pointed that such meets would become a 'feature of the Indo Pacific engagement' but it will "not have a big bureaucracy, with a big secretariat. it will be four leaders, four countries working together constructively for the peace, prosperity, and stability of the Indo pacific." Quad is seen very suspiciously by China, which has termed it 'Asian Nato' something that has been dismissed by the grouping. The dialogue was first initiated in 2007 by the then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe but lost support only to re-emerge in 2017 when leaders of the grouping had met. Last year, saw Australia being invited to Malabar exercises which saw all four Quad countries coming under one umbrella for naval exercises in the Indian ocean. Amid the covid pandemic, Quad plus meetings happened at the foreign secretary-level to exchange best practices.

First Quad leaders summit this Friday 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday held talks for 40 minutes with key focus on Quad, a grouping of four&nbsp;countries including India, Japan, Australia and the United States.

The talks between the two&nbsp;leaders come, just days before the first-ever Quad leaders' summit is expected to take place.

The Indian statement said during the talks, both "emphasized that their engagement with like-minded countries" such as Australia and the US. in the form of Quad "holds the value" and "agreed that these useful discussions must continue."

The Japanese readout also spoke on similar lines. It said, two leaders shared the "recognition" that cooperation towards "realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific" is becoming "increasingly important and to this end" and shared the view to "steadily advance both Japan-India bilateral cooperation and Japan-Australia-India-U.S. quadrilateral cooperation."

So far, three&nbsp;foreign ministers' level conversations have taken place, two&nbsp;of them physical meetings, one in New York in 2019, another in Tokyo last year and one&nbsp;telephonic&nbsp;conversation just last month. The grouping is seen suspiciously by Beijing, even terming it "Asian Nato".

During the talks, the discussion was also on the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project or the bullet train which PM Modi said is a "shining example of India-Japan bilateral strategic partnership and expressed his commitment to its successful implementation."

Japan PM is expected to visit India for the annual India Japan summit. The summit has been postponed two&nbsp;times in the last two&nbsp;years.

The Japanese readout pointed that during the talks, Prime Minister Suga expressed "serious concerns" regarding "unilateral attempts" to change the status quo in the East and the South China Sea, China’s Coast Guard Law and the situation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Importantly, both leaders discussed the situation in Myanmar also, a key global issue. The country saw a coup in February and since then visuals of the violent crackdown have emerged, sparking international concerns.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday held talks for 40 minutes with key focus on Quad, a grouping of four countries including India, Japan, Australia and the United States.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday held talks for 40 minutes with key focus on Quad, a grouping of four countries including India, Japan, Australia and the United States. The talks between the two leaders come, just days before the first-ever Quad leaders' summit is expected to take place. The Indian statement said during the talks, both "emphasized that their engagement with like-minded countries" such as Australia and the US. in the form of Quad "holds the value" and "agreed that these useful discussions must continue." The Japanese readout also spoke on similar lines. It said, two leaders shared the "recognition" that cooperation towards "realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific" is becoming "increasingly important and to this end" and shared the view to "steadily advance both Japan-India bilateral cooperation and Japan-Australia-India-U.S. quadrilateral cooperation." So far, three foreign ministers' level conversations have taken place, two of them physical meetings, one in New York in 2019, another in Tokyo last year and one telephonic conversation just last month. The grouping is seen suspiciously by Beijing, even terming it "Asian Nato". During the talks, the discussion was also on the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project or the bullet train which PM Modi said is a "shining example of India-Japan bilateral strategic partnership and expressed his commitment to its successful implementation." Japan PM is expected to visit India for the annual India Japan summit. The summit has been postponed two times in the last two years. The Japanese readout pointed that during the talks, Prime Minister Suga expressed "serious concerns" regarding "unilateral attempts" to change the status quo in the East and the South China Sea, China’s Coast Guard Law and the situation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Importantly, both leaders discussed the situation in Myanmar also, a key global issue. The country saw a coup in February and since then visuals of the violent crackdown have emerged, sparking international concerns.

With Quad in focus, PM Modi, Japan PM Suga hold talks

In an unprecedented development, India on Tuesday summoned UK's high commissioner to Delhi Alex Ellis to lodge a strong protest after a discussion in UK Parliament over India's farm laws. The meeting took place in the UK house of commons Westminster hall in response to an e-petition campaign.

The UK HC, in a rare summoning by India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, was handed over a demarche or diplomatic note of protests over "unwarranted and tendentious discussion" on "agricultural reforms" in India in the British Parliament.

The readout by India's Ministry of External Affairs said that the foreign secretary "made clear" that this "represented a gross interference in the politics of another democratic country" advising that British MPs should "refrain from practising vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially concerning another fellow democracy."

The strongly-worded statement comes even as the Indian high commission in London, just hours before had slammed the "one-sided discussion" of UK MPs calling out the "false assertions - without substantiation or facts - were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions."

This is not the first time such developments have happened. In the past also, Westminster hall has seen similar discussions. The discussion saw several MPs speaking against India, which included Pakistan origin UK MP Khalid Mahmood, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi.

Dhesi said, "Imagine our collective pain when we see scenes of tear gas and water cannon and brute force being used against farmers". Jeremy Corbyn, who was the leader of the labour party till last year highlighted the "unprecedented nature" of protest which is the biggest ever "industrial dispute".

The British government had strongly defended the Indian government during the discussion with the UK government's Minister of State for Asia, Nigel Adams pointing out that "India's agriculture reforms are India's internal matter."

India and UK have seen high-level engagement; with UK PM Boris Johnson expected to visit India and Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit UK for the G7 summit later this year.

In an unprecedented development, India on Tuesday summoned UK's high commissioner to Delhi Alex Ellis to lodge a strong protest after a discussion in UK Parliament over India's farm laws.

In an unprecedented development, India on Tuesday summoned UK's high commissioner to Delhi Alex Ellis to lodge a strong protest after a discussion in UK Parliament over India's farm laws. The meeting took place in the UK house of commons Westminster hall in response to an e-petition campaign. The UK HC, in a rare summoning by India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, was handed over a demarche or diplomatic note of protests over "unwarranted and tendentious discussion" on "agricultural reforms" in India in the British Parliament. The readout by India's Ministry of External Affairs said that the foreign secretary "made clear" that this "represented a gross interference in the politics of another democratic country" advising that British MPs should "refrain from practising vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially concerning another fellow democracy." The strongly-worded statement comes even as the Indian high commission in London, just hours before had slammed the "one-sided discussion" of UK MPs calling out the "false assertions - without substantiation or facts - were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions." This is not the first time such developments have happened. In the past also, Westminster hall has seen similar discussions. The discussion saw several MPs speaking against India, which included Pakistan origin UK MP Khalid Mahmood, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi. Dhesi said, "Imagine our collective pain when we see scenes of tear gas and water cannon and brute force being used against farmers". Jeremy Corbyn, who was the leader of the labour party till last year highlighted the "unprecedented nature" of protest which is the biggest ever "industrial dispute". The British government had strongly defended the Indian government during the discussion with the UK government's Minister of State for Asia, Nigel Adams pointing out that "India's agriculture reforms are India's internal matter." India and UK have seen high-level engagement; with UK PM Boris Johnson expected to visit India and Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit UK for the G7 summit later this year.

'Unwarranted discussion': India summons British envoy over debate on farm laws in UK Parliament

India the world's biggest pharmacies at the forefront of fighting pandemic, this is what IMF economist Geeta Gopinath has said about India's COVID vaccination drive.

India is at the forefront of fighting the pandemic: IMF economist Geeta Gopinath

In a development that bore wells for the Indian govt's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" policy that aims at self-sufficiency, the country has seen a reduction of 65% split AC or air conditioners being imported. The policy that has been put in place calls for ACs that use local refrigerants.

In October of 2020, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification under which import of Air conditioners with refrigerants was prohibited.

According to DGFT data, the October-November period of 2019 saw ACs worth 150 core Rs being imported, while October- November 2020 period saw only 52 ACs worth 52 crore Rs being imported, leading to a dramatic fall. And the trend continues. As per industry information by Volza, as against the import of 5,53,000 units of room air conditioners in January 2020, only 74,000 kits were imported in January of 2021, a reduction of 87%.

India is focusing on domestic manufacturing of ACs with its PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme. The PLI scheme aims to give companies incentives on products being manufactured in India. Around 15-20 companies are waiting for PLI, with some already making announcements. Among the companies interested in setting up manufacturing is Japan's Panasonic. Essentially the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy aims to reduce dependency on China.

In a development that bore wells for the Indian govt's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" policy that aims at self-sufficiency, the country has seen a reduction of 65% split AC or air conditioners being imported.

In a development that bore wells for the Indian govt's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" policy that aims at self-sufficiency, the country has seen a reduction of 65% split AC or air conditioners being imported. The policy that has been put in place calls for ACs that use local refrigerants. In October of 2020, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification under which import of Air conditioners with refrigerants was prohibited. According to DGFT data, the October-November period of 2019 saw ACs worth 150 core Rs being imported, while October- November 2020 period saw only 52 ACs worth 52 crore Rs being imported, leading to a dramatic fall. And the trend continues. As per industry information by Volza, as against the import of 5,53,000 units of room air conditioners in January 2020, only 74,000 kits were imported in January of 2021, a reduction of 87%. India is focusing on domestic manufacturing of ACs with its PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme. The PLI scheme aims to give companies incentives on products being manufactured in India. Around 15-20 companies are waiting for PLI, with some already making announcements. Among the companies interested in setting up manufacturing is Japan's Panasonic. Essentially the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy aims to reduce dependency on China.

Under India's Atmanirbhar policy, import of air conditioners decrease

Aircrew will be medically unfit for flying for 48 hours after the Covid-19 vaccination, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation watchdog, said on Tuesday in its guidelines for 'Temporary Unfitness for Flying'.

In the guidelines, the DGCA said Aircrew will be monitored for 30 minutes at the COVID-19 vaccination centre for any anaphylactic or idiosyncratic reaction.

"Aircrew will be "Medically Unfit for Flying for 48 hours after vaccination...If there are no symptoms after 48 hours, the aircrew is fit to resume 'unrestricted' flying duties," the guidelines stated.

"If, after 48 hours, the pilots experience any symptoms," DGCA said they will be reviewed by the treating physician.

"Such pilots can be declared fit for flying duties provided they are asymptomatic without any medications and a medical cure certificate to this effect to be obtained," it added.

The guidelines said that if the medical unfitness period of aircrew member post COVID-19 vaccination is more than 14 days, then a special medical examination will be required to ascertain fitness for flying of the aircrew.

The vaccination drive for persons above 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities is already going on.

Aircrew will be medically unfit for flying for 48 hours after the Covid-19 vaccination, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation watchdog, said on Tuesday in its guidelines for 'Temporary Unfitness for Flying'.

Aircrew will be medically unfit for flying for 48 hours after the Covid-19 vaccination, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation watchdog, said on Tuesday in its guidelines for 'Temporary Unfitness for Flying'. In the guidelines, the DGCA said Aircrew will be monitored for 30 minutes at the COVID-19 vaccination centre for any anaphylactic or idiosyncratic reaction. "Aircrew will be "Medically Unfit for Flying for 48 hours after vaccination...If there are no symptoms after 48 hours, the aircrew is fit to resume 'unrestricted' flying duties," the guidelines stated. "If, after 48 hours, the pilots experience any symptoms," DGCA said they will be reviewed by the treating physician. "Such pilots can be declared fit for flying duties provided they are asymptomatic without any medications and a medical cure certificate to this effect to be obtained," it added. The guidelines said that if the medical unfitness period of aircrew member post COVID-19 vaccination is more than 14 days, then a special medical examination will be required to ascertain fitness for flying of the aircrew. The vaccination drive for persons above 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities is already going on.

Aircrew 'medically unfit' for flying for 48 hours post Covid-19 vaccination: DGCA

The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) has shipped its satellite components to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a joint satellite mission known as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR).

This joint mission, which is under development aims to provide earth observation data, that would&nbsp;help in the better management of natural resources and hazards. It is also meant to help scientists study the extent and pace of climate change.&nbsp;

According to ISRO, NISAR is a collaboration for a dual-frequency S-Band and L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar for earth observation. On March 4th, ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan virtually flagged off the Indian-made S-Band payload from the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad.

At the NASA facility, this S-Band radar will be integrated with the American L-Band radar, following which it would be sent to India, for further assembly, integration and launch.&nbsp;

“Once ready, NASA would send the payload to India and it will be entirely assembled as a satellite at the UR Rao Space Center in Bengaluru. We have not finalized the launch date, but it is likely to be around the end of 2022 or early 2023, onboard a GSLV Mark-II rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center” Dr.K Sivan told WION.&nbsp;

NASA says that the NISAR mission will use advanced radar imaging that will provide an unprecedented, detailed view of Earth. “The satellite is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes.

These include ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides” reads NASA’s NISAR page. It also adds that the project data would reveal information about the evolution and state of Earth’s crust.&nbsp;

It was on On Sept. 30, 2014, that NASA and ISRO signed a partnership to collaborate on and launch NISAR. NASA is providing the mission’s L-band synthetic aperture radar, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder and payload data subsystem. ISRO is providing the spacecraft bus, the S-band radar, the launch vehicle and associated launch services.

NASA adds that NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) to measure changes in our planet's surface less than a centimetre across.&nbsp;

The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) has shipped its satellite components to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a joint satellite mission known as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR).

The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) has shipped its satellite components to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a joint satellite mission known as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR). This joint mission, which is under development aims to provide earth observation data, that would help in the better management of natural resources and hazards. It is also meant to help scientists study the extent and pace of climate change. According to ISRO, NISAR is a collaboration for a dual-frequency S-Band and L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar for earth observation. On March 4th, ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan virtually flagged off the Indian-made S-Band payload from the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. At the NASA facility, this S-Band radar will be integrated with the American L-Band radar, following which it would be sent to India, for further assembly, integration and launch. “Once ready, NASA would send the payload to India and it will be entirely assembled as a satellite at the UR Rao Space Center in Bengaluru. We have not finalized the launch date, but it is likely to be around the end of 2022 or early 2023, onboard a GSLV Mark-II rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center” Dr.K Sivan told WION. NASA says that the NISAR mission will use advanced radar imaging that will provide an unprecedented, detailed view of Earth. “The satellite is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes. These include ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides” reads NASA’s NISAR page. It also adds that the project data would reveal information about the evolution and state of Earth’s crust. It was on On Sept. 30, 2014, that NASA and ISRO signed a partnership to collaborate on and launch NISAR. NASA is providing the mission’s L-band synthetic aperture radar, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder and payload data subsystem. ISRO is providing the spacecraft bus, the S-band radar, the launch vehicle and associated launch services. NASA adds that NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) to measure changes in our planet's surface less than a centimetre across.

NASA-ISRO Earth observation satellite launch on GSLV Mk II by Jan 2023

Delhi`s overall air quality entered the `moderate` category on Tuesday as the city`s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 173, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Yesterday, the national capital had recorded an AQI of 269, in the `poor` category. Areas near Lodhi Road (183), Pusa Road (166) reported moderate air quality today. An AQI between 0-50 is marked good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101- 200 is moderate, 201- 300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is considered severe.

"The overall Delhi air quality is in the Moderate category. Surface winds are east-northeasterly and moderate. Lower-level winds are likely to be easterly-northeasterly for the next three days. A marginal decrease in surface winds is forecasted for the next 24 hrs. AQI is likely to marginally deteriorate but in the higher end of the Moderate to Poor category for the next two days. An increase in dust concentration is likely in the coming days," informed SAFAR.

Meanwhile, as per the Regional Meteorological Department in Delhi, the maximum temperature can go up to 32 degree Celsius.

"A partly cloudy sky with mist in the morning" is likely in Delhi as per the Meteorological Department.Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain is also likely in Delhi and nearby areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also informed in a tweet: "Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over adjoining areas of isolated places of West, North, Southwest Delhi, Jhajjar, Bawal during next 2 hours."&nbsp;

Delhi`s overall air quality entered the `moderate` category on Tuesday as the city`s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 173, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Delhi`s overall air quality entered the `moderate` category on Tuesday as the city`s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 173, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Yesterday, the national capital had recorded an AQI of 269, in the `poor` category. Areas near Lodhi Road (183), Pusa Road (166) reported moderate air quality today. An AQI between 0-50 is marked good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101- 200 is moderate, 201- 300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is considered severe. "The overall Delhi air quality is in the Moderate category. Surface winds are east-northeasterly and moderate. Lower-level winds are likely to be easterly-northeasterly for the next three days. A marginal decrease in surface winds is forecasted for the next 24 hrs. AQI is likely to marginally deteriorate but in the higher end of the Moderate to Poor category for the next two days. An increase in dust concentration is likely in the coming days," informed SAFAR. Meanwhile, as per the Regional Meteorological Department in Delhi, the maximum temperature can go up to 32 degree Celsius. "A partly cloudy sky with mist in the morning" is likely in Delhi as per the Meteorological Department.Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain is also likely in Delhi and nearby areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also informed in a tweet: "Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over adjoining areas of isolated places of West, North, Southwest Delhi, Jhajjar, Bawal during next 2 hours."

Delhi's air quality improves, enters 'moderate' category

As many as 15,388 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the country to 1,87,462, the Health Ministry informed on Tuesday.

With this, the total number of positive cases now stands&nbsp;at 1,12,44,786, and the death toll stands at 1,57,930. A total of 1,08,99,394 recoveries, including 16,596 in the last 24 hours have been reported so far.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 22,27,16,796 samples have been tested for the coronavirus so far, including 7,48,525 in the last 24 hours. 
 
As many as 2,30,08,733 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far. Maharashtra, one of the worst-affected states in the country, reported as many as 8,744 new COVID-19 cases, 9,068 discharges and 22 deaths in the last 24 hours. 
 
The total number of cases in the state now stands at 22,28,471, including 97,637 active cases. The death toll stands at 52,500. Kerala, another state that has seen high numbers over the last few weeks, currently has 40,867 active COVID-19 cases, taking the total active cases to 4,300. As many as 10,77,327 positive cases have been reported in the state far.&nbsp;

As many as 15,388 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the country to 1,87,462, the Health Ministry informed on Tuesday.

As many as 15,388 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the country to 1,87,462, the Health Ministry informed on Tuesday. With this, the total number of positive cases now stands at 1,12,44,786, and the death toll stands at 1,57,930. A total of 1,08,99,394 recoveries, including 16,596 in the last 24 hours have been reported so far. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 22,27,16,796 samples have been tested for the coronavirus so far, including 7,48,525 in the last 24 hours. As many as 2,30,08,733 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far. Maharashtra, one of the worst-affected states in the country, reported as many as 8,744 new COVID-19 cases, 9,068 discharges and 22 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 22,28,471, including 97,637 active cases. The death toll stands at 52,500. Kerala, another state that has seen high numbers over the last few weeks, currently has 40,867 active COVID-19 cases, taking the total active cases to 4,300. As many as 10,77,327 positive cases have been reported in the state far.

15,388 new COVID-19 cases reported in India, active cases at 1,87,462

India has reacted sharply to the meeting of UK MPs on India's farm laws and press freedom, expressing its "deep regret" and describing it as a "one-sided discussion" than a "balanced debate".

The meeting&nbsp;took place in the Westminster hall of the British House of Commons in&nbsp;response to an e-petition campaign.

"False assertions - without substantiation or facts - were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions," the Indian high commission said in a statement.

What was raised are the remit of well-established independent democratic institutions&nbsp;in India, it said, while expressing concern over "comments...made to mislead the British Indian community, raising doubts about treatment of minorities in India, alleged human rights violations in ‘Kashmir’ etc."

This is not the first time such developments have happened. In the past also, Westminster hall has seen discussion on the matter.

The statement by the mission said that "normally (it would) refrain from commenting on an internal discussion involving a small group of parliamentarians in a limited quorum", but when "aspersions are cast on India by anyone, irrespective of their claims of friendship and love for India or domestic political compulsions, there is a need to set the record straight."

During the discussion,&nbsp;UK govt's Minister of State for Asia, Nigel Adams, had come in strong support of New Delhi, saying, "India's agriculture reforms are India's internal matter."

He said, "Our officials from British High commission in India have monitored and reported back on the protests in response to the agriculture reform laws...we are also aware that government has met with farmers union on several union, but these talks remain inconclusive and ongoing"

"Understandably, these events have caused alarm and uncertainty for many British people who have family ties to farming community in India...Agriculture policy is domestic matter for Indian government."

India and UK have seen high level engagement, with UK PM Boris Johnson set to visit India and Indian PM Narendra Modi set to attend&nbsp;the G7 summit hosted by Britain later this year.&nbsp;

The discussion saw several MPs speaking against India, which included&nbsp;Pakistan-origin lawmaker Khalid Mahmood and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi. Dhesi said, "imagine our collective pain when we see scenes of tear gas and water cannon and brute force being used against farmers".

Jeremy Corbyn, who was the leader of the opposition Labor party till last year, highlighted the "unprecedented nature" of protests, which is the biggest ever "industrial dispute".

Conservative party lawmaker Bob Blackman, in a separate statement said, "farming laws have been the process of 20 years of negotiations covering many different Indian governments, and it's quite clear, new farming laws will benefit small farmers and low income farmers".

India has reacted sharply to the meeting of UK MPs on India's farm laws and press freedom, expressing its "deep regret" and describing it as a "one-sided discussion" than a "balanced debate".

India has reacted sharply to the meeting of UK MPs on India's farm laws and press freedom, expressing its "deep regret" and describing it as a "one-sided discussion" than a "balanced debate". The meeting took place in the Westminster hall of the British House of Commons in response to an e-petition campaign. "False assertions - without substantiation or facts - were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions," the Indian high commission said in a statement. What was raised are the remit of well-established independent democratic institutions in India, it said, while expressing concern over "comments...made to mislead the British Indian community, raising doubts about treatment of minorities in India, alleged human rights violations in ‘Kashmir’ etc." This is not the first time such developments have happened. In the past also, Westminster hall has seen discussion on the matter. The statement by the mission said that "normally (it would) refrain from commenting on an internal discussion involving a small group of parliamentarians in a limited quorum", but when "aspersions are cast on India by anyone, irrespective of their claims of friendship and love for India or domestic political compulsions, there is a need to set the record straight." During the discussion, UK govt's Minister of State for Asia, Nigel Adams, had come in strong support of New Delhi, saying, "India's agriculture reforms are India's internal matter." He said, "Our officials from British High commission in India have monitored and reported back on the protests in response to the agriculture reform laws...we are also aware that government has met with farmers union on several union, but these talks remain inconclusive and ongoing" "Understandably, these events have caused alarm and uncertainty for many British people who have family ties to farming community in India...Agriculture policy is domestic matter for Indian government." India and UK have seen high level engagement, with UK PM Boris Johnson set to visit India and Indian PM Narendra Modi set to attend the G7 summit hosted by Britain later this year. The discussion saw several MPs speaking against India, which included Pakistan-origin lawmaker Khalid Mahmood and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi. Dhesi said, "imagine our collective pain when we see scenes of tear gas and water cannon and brute force being used against farmers". Jeremy Corbyn, who was the leader of the opposition Labor party till last year, highlighted the "unprecedented nature" of protests, which is the biggest ever "industrial dispute". Conservative party lawmaker Bob Blackman, in a separate statement said, "farming laws have been the process of 20 years of negotiations covering many different Indian governments, and it's quite clear, new farming laws will benefit small farmers and low income farmers".

'One-sided discussion': India regrets UK House of Commons meeting on farm laws

Representatives of 30 nations meet on Tuesday to seek ways to save fast-depleting tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean as demand in Asia and the West soars for sushi and tinned fish.

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which groups coastal countries from Australia to Kenya plus major fishing region the European Union, was convening virtually over five days to debate yellowfin tuna quotas.

Environmentalists say the warm water species is at risk of depletion as over-fishing compounds other threats from climate change and pollution.

There is corporate concern too: British supermarkets Tesco and Co-op and Belgian retailer Colruyt pledged last year to stop buying Indian Ocean yellowfin unless the U.N.-mandated commission adopts a plan to rebuild stocks.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has for nearly a decade had the species on its "Red List".

Yet the total global catch has risen by about a third, to nearly 450,000 metric tons annually, according to the London-based Blue Marine Foundation advocacy group.

It estimates yellowfin tuna stocks could "collapse" - meaning they would go beyond the minimum size needed for recovery - within the next five years if the catch is not cut.

French and Spanish fishing fleets take the majority of fish, using industrial methods such as "purse seine" with huge nets that often net juvenile yellowfin yet to begin reproducing.

Coastal nations want to limit Europe's distant-water fleets.

Kenya and Sri Lanka, for example, want more curbs on devices such as fish aggregators: floating objects that attract tuna and other species towards nets.

"They are the visitors," said Will McCallum, Head of Oceans at environmental group Greenpeace UK, of the European fleets. "They are fishing at a far larger capacity than anybody else, and it's not an equitable state of affairs."

The Maldives wants the yellowfin catch to be cut by 15% from 2015 levels, when IOTC scientists first agreed they were being overfished.

The IOTC had last year recommended cutting the catch by 20% from 2014 levels, but rowed back in January, saying that was distorted by projections from the 2018 stock assessment.

Given that a new stock assessment will not be ready until the end of 2021, the commission may postpone new measures, according to the Blue Marine Foundation.

"For a stock that is at risk of collapse, this delay could prove catastrophic," it said in a statement.

The European Union proposes a total catch reduction from nearly 438,000 metric tons in 2019 to around 380,000.

Demand for yellowfin is booming as its light meat is widely used for tinned fish and in sushi in North America, Europe and Asia. The global yellowfin market in 2018 was worth $15.8 billion, the second-highest value of the seven tuna species, according to a report by the world's largest canned tuna company, Thai Union Group PCL.

Greenpeace's McCallum said the over-fishing issue had stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic and drastic action was needed now to avoid irrecoverable damage to the species.

Representatives of 30 nations meet on Tuesday to seek ways to save fast-depleting tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean as demand in Asia and the West soars for sushi and tinned fish.

Representatives of 30 nations meet on Tuesday to seek ways to save fast-depleting tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean as demand in Asia and the West soars for sushi and tinned fish. The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which groups coastal countries from Australia to Kenya plus major fishing region the European Union, was convening virtually over five days to debate yellowfin tuna quotas. Environmentalists say the warm water species is at risk of depletion as over-fishing compounds other threats from climate change and pollution. There is corporate concern too: British supermarkets Tesco and Co-op and Belgian retailer Colruyt pledged last year to stop buying Indian Ocean yellowfin unless the U.N.-mandated commission adopts a plan to rebuild stocks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has for nearly a decade had the species on its "Red List". Yet the total global catch has risen by about a third, to nearly 450,000 metric tons annually, according to the London-based Blue Marine Foundation advocacy group. It estimates yellowfin tuna stocks could "collapse" - meaning they would go beyond the minimum size needed for recovery - within the next five years if the catch is not cut. French and Spanish fishing fleets take the majority of fish, using industrial methods such as "purse seine" with huge nets that often net juvenile yellowfin yet to begin reproducing. Coastal nations want to limit Europe's distant-water fleets. Kenya and Sri Lanka, for example, want more curbs on devices such as fish aggregators: floating objects that attract tuna and other species towards nets. "They are the visitors," said Will McCallum, Head of Oceans at environmental group Greenpeace UK, of the European fleets. "They are fishing at a far larger capacity than anybody else, and it's not an equitable state of affairs." The Maldives wants the yellowfin catch to be cut by 15% from 2015 levels, when IOTC scientists first agreed they were being overfished. The IOTC had last year recommended cutting the catch by 20% from 2014 levels, but rowed back in January, saying that was distorted by projections from the 2018 stock assessment. Given that a new stock assessment will not be ready until the end of 2021, the commission may postpone new measures, according to the Blue Marine Foundation. "For a stock that is at risk of collapse, this delay could prove catastrophic," it said in a statement. The European Union proposes a total catch reduction from nearly 438,000 metric tons in 2019 to around 380,000. Demand for yellowfin is booming as its light meat is widely used for tinned fish and in sushi in North America, Europe and Asia. The global yellowfin market in 2018 was worth $15.8 billion, the second-highest value of the seven tuna species, according to a report by the world's largest canned tuna company, Thai Union Group PCL. Greenpeace's McCallum said the over-fishing issue had stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic and drastic action was needed now to avoid irrecoverable damage to the species.

Talks start to protect Indian Ocean's depleting tuna

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