India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over demolishing of a Hindu Temple in Pakistan. The protest was lodged on Thursday with Islamabad via diplomatic channels.

Highlighting the "repeated instances of similar nature" involving "atrocities against the members of the minority community", Indian government sources told WION, that they expect, "Government of Pakistan to investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible for this vandalization and demolition of the temple."

Sources said, "our message reiterated that the Government of Pakistan, in discharge of its responsibilities, is expected to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities including protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage."

India has also asked Pakistan&nbsp;to share the investigation report on the incident.&nbsp; 
 
Earlier this week, a Hindu temple was burnt down by a mob in Karak, in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The Pakistani Hindu community staged protest in the aftermath of the demolishment of the temple which was over 100 years old. 
 
Many arrests have been made by local authorities in connection to the incident. The Pakistani Supreme Court has also taken note of the development and takes up the case next week. 
 
Interestingly, the provincial government is ruled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is also the ruling Party of the country. 
 
The temple has been target of attack in the past as well. It was demolished in 1997 and later reconstructed again in 2015.&nbsp;

The demolishing of temple comes even as situation of the minorities in the country continue to deteriorate. Multiple cases of abduction of Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls have been dominating headlines all throughout 2020.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over demolishing of a Hindu Temple in Pakistan. The protest was lodged on Thursday with Islamabad via diplomatic channels.

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over demolishing of a Hindu Temple in Pakistan. The protest was lodged on Thursday with Islamabad via diplomatic channels. Highlighting the "repeated instances of similar nature" involving "atrocities against the members of the minority community", Indian government sources told WION, that they expect, "Government of Pakistan to investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible for this vandalization and demolition of the temple." Sources said, "our message reiterated that the Government of Pakistan, in discharge of its responsibilities, is expected to look after the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities including protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage." India has also asked Pakistan to share the investigation report on the incident. Earlier this week, a Hindu temple was burnt down by a mob in Karak, in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The Pakistani Hindu community staged protest in the aftermath of the demolishment of the temple which was over 100 years old. Many arrests have been made by local authorities in connection to the incident. The Pakistani Supreme Court has also taken note of the development and takes up the case next week. Interestingly, the provincial government is ruled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is also the ruling Party of the country. The temple has been target of attack in the past as well. It was demolished in 1997 and later reconstructed again in 2015. The demolishing of temple comes even as situation of the minorities in the country continue to deteriorate. Multiple cases of abduction of Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls have been dominating headlines all throughout 2020.

India lodges protest with Pakistan over temple demolition

India on Friday said that the case of 39 Indians stranded in Chinese waters has been pursued "vigorously" and expected China to provide assistance in "an urgent, practical and time-bound manner".&nbsp;

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said since June 13 bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand has been on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China with 23 Indian sailors.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pawns-of-war-sailors-crew-members-of-australian-ships-stranded-in-china-353015">'Pawns of war': Sailors, crew members of Australian ships stranded in China</a>

MV Anastasia, another vessel with 16 Indian nationals is on anchorage since September 20 near Caofeidian port in China, the MEA spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mystery-as-argentine-sailors-infected-with-virus-after-35-days-at-sea-313138">Mystery as Argentine sailors infected with virus after 35 days at sea</a>

He also said that there is growing stress among the crew due to a long delay for discharging the cargo.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously," Srivastava told media persons as reported by news agency PTI.&nbsp;

He also said that Beijing has expressed "willingness" to offer help and New Delhi expects that the help will be given in a "time-bound" and "urgent" manner as there is a "grave humanitarian situation"

"We have noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance in this matter. We expect that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner, given the grave humanitarian situation that is developing on board the ships," the MEA spokesperson said.

Srivastava said that Indian Embassy in Bejing is working closely and continually with Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin and added that even MEA is following up the matter through the Chinese embassy for an "early resolution".

 
&nbsp;

India on Friday said that the case of 39 Indians stranded in Chinese waters has been pursued "vigorously" and expected China to provide assistance in "an urgent, practical and time-bound manner".

India on Friday said that the case of 39 Indians stranded in Chinese waters has been pursued "vigorously" and expected China to provide assistance in "an urgent, practical and time-bound manner". Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said since June 13 bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand has been on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China with 23 Indian sailors. Also read | 'Pawns of war': Sailors, crew members of Australian ships stranded in China MV Anastasia, another vessel with 16 Indian nationals is on anchorage since September 20 near Caofeidian port in China, the MEA spokesperson said. Also read | Mystery as Argentine sailors infected with virus after 35 days at sea He also said that there is growing stress among the crew due to a long delay for discharging the cargo. "Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously," Srivastava told media persons as reported by news agency PTI. He also said that Beijing has expressed "willingness" to offer help and New Delhi expects that the help will be given in a "time-bound" and "urgent" manner as there is a "grave humanitarian situation" "We have noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance in this matter. We expect that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner, given the grave humanitarian situation that is developing on board the ships," the MEA spokesperson said. Srivastava said that Indian Embassy in Bejing is working closely and continually with Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin and added that even MEA is following up the matter through the Chinese embassy for an "early resolution".

India says case of 39 sailors stranded in China for months pursued 'vigorously'

Vaccine expert committee in India met today. Dry run for coronavirus vaccination in India is on January 2. Watch this video to know more.

India: Dry run for coronavirus vaccination on January 2

Pakistan and India on Friday conducted the annual practice of exchanging the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities.

The exchange was made in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, signed on December 31, 1988, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement here.

It said that 'the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, at 1100 hrs (PST).'

"The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi handed over the list of Indian Nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission at 1130 hrs (IST)," it added.

The agreement contains the provision that both countries inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 every year.

This has been done consecutively since January 1, 1992, according to the FO.

The exchange of information comes despite the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

The relationship dipped after India's war planes pounded a terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

Tensions between the two nations spiked further after New Delhi abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.

Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and expelled the Indian high commissioner following the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.

Asserting that the abrogation of Article 370 was its "internal matter", India has defended the imposition of restrictions in the Kashmir Valley on the grounds that they were put to prevent Pakistan from creating more mischief through proxies and terrorists.

Pakistan and India on Friday conducted the annual practice of exchanging the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities.

Pakistan and India on Friday conducted the annual practice of exchanging the list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities. The exchange was made in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, signed on December 31, 1988, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement here. It said that 'the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, at 1100 hrs (PST).' "The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi handed over the list of Indian Nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission at 1130 hrs (IST)," it added. The agreement contains the provision that both countries inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 every year. This has been done consecutively since January 1, 1992, according to the FO. The exchange of information comes despite the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The relationship dipped after India's war planes pounded a terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Tensions between the two nations spiked further after New Delhi abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories. Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and expelled the Indian high commissioner following the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. Asserting that the abrogation of Article 370 was its "internal matter", India has defended the imposition of restrictions in the Kashmir Valley on the grounds that they were put to prevent Pakistan from creating more mischief through proxies and terrorists.

India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations

The government has allowed import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation, in order to ensure speedy clearance and distribution.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the regulations to facilitate the import/export of COVID-19 vaccines through courier, at locations where the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) is operational.

"Imports of and exports of vaccines in relation to COVID-19 has been allowed without any value limitation," said the amended Courier Imports and Exports (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Amendment Regulations, 2020.

The CBIC said that COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to Customs and other administrations the world over and efficient clearance and distribution of vaccines would be a critical requirement in the collective fight against the pandemic.

"The challenges in doing so is heightened by the fact that the vaccines need to be stored and transported under controlled temperatures and there are multiple stakeholders involved in this process. This necessitates putting in place efficient cross-border procedures for speedy evacuation of the vaccines," the CBIC said.

The regulation further states that since the vaccines will be imported in durable containers equipped with the requisite temperature monitoring and tracking devices, the export of the durable container including accessories thereof, imported in relation to COVID-19 vaccines has also been permitted.

"Importers may be advised to indicate the unique identifier of the container and the accessories during import in the Courier Bill of Entry (CBE-V) and also at the time of re-export in the Courier Shipping Bill (CSB IV) for facilitating clearance," it added.

The CBIC, in a letter to field offices, said since multiple stakeholders will be involved in the process of clearance of the vaccines, effective coordination among the stakeholders would be necessary.

It also asked for setting up of a task force, headed by a Joint/ Additional Commissioner of Customs rank officer and comprising relevant stakeholders, for a coordinated approach for efficient clearance of vaccines relating to COVID-19.

AMRG &amp; Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said global pharmaceutical companies are in advanced stages of bulk deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.

"Eyeing global logistics and custom clearance challenges, the government has made some changes in Courier Imports and Exports Regulations, which includes permission to import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation," Mohan added.

The government has allowed import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation, in order to ensure speedy clearance and distribution. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the regulations to facilitate the import/export of COVID-19 vaccines through courier, at locations where the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) is operational.

The government has allowed import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation, in order to ensure speedy clearance and distribution. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the regulations to facilitate the import/export of COVID-19 vaccines through courier, at locations where the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) is operational. "Imports of and exports of vaccines in relation to COVID-19 has been allowed without any value limitation," said the amended Courier Imports and Exports (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Amendment Regulations, 2020. The CBIC said that COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to Customs and other administrations the world over and efficient clearance and distribution of vaccines would be a critical requirement in the collective fight against the pandemic. "The challenges in doing so is heightened by the fact that the vaccines need to be stored and transported under controlled temperatures and there are multiple stakeholders involved in this process. This necessitates putting in place efficient cross-border procedures for speedy evacuation of the vaccines," the CBIC said. The regulation further states that since the vaccines will be imported in durable containers equipped with the requisite temperature monitoring and tracking devices, the export of the durable container including accessories thereof, imported in relation to COVID-19 vaccines has also been permitted. "Importers may be advised to indicate the unique identifier of the container and the accessories during import in the Courier Bill of Entry (CBE-V) and also at the time of re-export in the Courier Shipping Bill (CSB IV) for facilitating clearance," it added. The CBIC, in a letter to field offices, said since multiple stakeholders will be involved in the process of clearance of the vaccines, effective coordination among the stakeholders would be necessary. It also asked for setting up of a task force, headed by a Joint/ Additional Commissioner of Customs rank officer and comprising relevant stakeholders, for a coordinated approach for efficient clearance of vaccines relating to COVID-19. AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said global pharmaceutical companies are in advanced stages of bulk deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. "Eyeing global logistics and custom clearance challenges, the government has made some changes in Courier Imports and Exports Regulations, which includes permission to import and export of COVID-19 vaccines without any value limitation," Mohan added.

Indian govt allows import/export of COVID-19 vaccine without any value limitation

The cold wave sweeping Kashmir intensified on Thursday as the mercury fell several notches to settle well below the freezing point across the valley, officials said here.

Srinagar city -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- recorded a low of minus 5.9 degrees Celsius, which was over three degrees below the previous night's minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg tourist destination in north Kashmir recorded 10.4 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's low of minus 11 degrees Celsius, the officials said.

They said Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the valley. Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp for annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund the gateway town to the valley recorded the minimum of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara, in the north, registered a low of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius and Kokernag, in the south, minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, the officials said.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the 40-day harshest winter period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.

The chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall, the officials said.

While 'Chillai-Kalan', which began on December 21, will end on January 31, the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day-long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).

The cold wave sweeping Kashmir intensified on Thursday as the mercury fell several notches to settle well below the freezing point across the valley, officials said here.

The cold wave sweeping Kashmir intensified on Thursday as the mercury fell several notches to settle well below the freezing point across the valley, officials said here. Srinagar city -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- recorded a low of minus 5.9 degrees Celsius, which was over three degrees below the previous night's minus 2.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg tourist destination in north Kashmir recorded 10.4 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's low of minus 11 degrees Celsius, the officials said. They said Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the valley. Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp for annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius. Qazigund the gateway town to the valley recorded the minimum of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara, in the north, registered a low of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius and Kokernag, in the south, minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, the officials said. Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the 40-day harshest winter period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley. The chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall, the officials said. While 'Chillai-Kalan', which began on December 21, will end on January 31, the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day-long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).

Cold wave conditions in Kashmir, Srinagar freezes at minus 5.9 degrees Celsius

The last day of the year is to remember India's doctors, health and frontline Covid warriors, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while saluting people who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of AIIMS at Rajkot in Gujarat, via video conferencing.

During the ceremony PM Modi said," The number of new cases of covid-19 infection in the country are decreasing now. We are preparing to run the world's largest vaccination program in the next year."

"This last day of the year is to remember India's millions of doctors, health warriors, sanitation workers, and front line corona warriors. I salute the frontline warriors who have given their lives fulfilling their duty. This year has shown that how effectively we can cope with the most difficult crisis when we are all united," said PM Modi.

"Swasthya hi sampada hai (health is wealth), the year 2020 has taught us this well. It has been a year full of challenges. Farewell to the year 2020 with this new National Health Facility highlights this year's challenges and also marks the New Year's priority," said PM Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister added that when there is any health injury, every aspect of life gets severely affected. Not just the family but the whole social circle is affected.

"Today, another link strengthening the medical infrastructure of the country is being added," PM Modi said.

"The number of new cases of COVID-19 is decreasing in the country now. We are preparing to run the world's largest vaccination programme in the next year," he added.

Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said AIIMS Hospital in Rajkot is being built in 200-acre area, at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore.

(With inputs from agencies)

The last day of the year is to remember India's doctors, health and frontline Covid warriors, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while saluting people who gave their lives in the line of duty.

The last day of the year is to remember India's doctors, health and frontline Covid warriors, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while saluting people who gave their lives in the line of duty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of AIIMS at Rajkot in Gujarat, via video conferencing. During the ceremony PM Modi said," The number of new cases of covid-19 infection in the country are decreasing now. We are preparing to run the world's largest vaccination program in the next year." "This last day of the year is to remember India's millions of doctors, health warriors, sanitation workers, and front line corona warriors. I salute the frontline warriors who have given their lives fulfilling their duty. This year has shown that how effectively we can cope with the most difficult crisis when we are all united," said PM Modi. "Swasthya hi sampada hai (health is wealth), the year 2020 has taught us this well. It has been a year full of challenges. Farewell to the year 2020 with this new National Health Facility highlights this year's challenges and also marks the New Year's priority," said PM Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister added that when there is any health injury, every aspect of life gets severely affected. Not just the family but the whole social circle is affected. "Today, another link strengthening the medical infrastructure of the country is being added," PM Modi said. "The number of new cases of COVID-19 is decreasing in the country now. We are preparing to run the world's largest vaccination programme in the next year," he added. Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said AIIMS Hospital in Rajkot is being built in 200-acre area, at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Health is wealth’, the year 2020 has taught us this well: PM Modi 

In a first, Indian and Afghan Islamic religious scholars or Ulemas have decried the actions of the Taliban and called it "illegitimate". The scholars called for an "immediate nationwide ceasefire" even as the group has stepped up attacks in the country. The development comes after Islamic religious scholars and ulemas from both the countries met in the first such meet.

Mentioning the "war and violence perpetrated against the government and people" of Afghanistan by Taliban, a joint declaration after the meet said, " targeting of civilian institutions and public infrastructures by the Taliban goes against the basic teachings of Islam and therefore it is illegitimate and has no religious justification."

The gathering had ulemas from various Islamic institutions from India and Afghanistan. In all 14 Islamic religious scholars participated in the meet, 7 each from both sides.

The joint declaration on "War in Afghanistan" called on both Taliban and the Afghan government to "rise to the occasion and seize this rare opportunity" to "accelerate their negotiations for establishing a just and lasting peace in Afghanistan. They extended "support" to the "steps taken by the government of Afghanistan to pave the way for reaching an enduring peace"

2020 saw two&nbsp;key developments vis a vis Afghanistan, the Taliban, and US government pact and the start of the intra Afghan talks between Taliban and Afghan govt. And while pacts and talks took place, Pentagon announced a reduction in US troop levels in the country by January, and the Taliban stepping up attacks. The fear is, the situation might destabilize the country in an eerie parallel to developments of the 1990s with the Taliban in control.

The joint declaration recalled the "remarkable progress" and "hard-gained achievements" made in the last 19 years which should be "preserved and protected."

The statement called on "other Ulema and Islamic scholars" to come forward in "support of the peace process in Afghanistan" and "raise their voice against the heinous attacks on innocent people and to call on the Taliban to agree to a nationwide ceasefire and embrace peace."

The people to people engagement comes in as a shot in the arm, even as New Delhi and Kabul continue the high-level engagement. India has been a major supporter of the Afghan govt and has been involved in major infrastructure projects in the country like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, the Afghan parliament. India and Afghanistan will soon sign an agreement on the building of the Shatoot dam that will provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of the national capital Kabul.

In a first, Indian and Afghan Islamic religious scholars or Ulemas have decried the actions of the Taliban and called it "illegitimate". The scholars called for an "immediate nationwide ceasefire" even as the group has stepped up attacks in the country.

In a first, Indian and Afghan Islamic religious scholars or Ulemas have decried the actions of the Taliban and called it "illegitimate". The scholars called for an "immediate nationwide ceasefire" even as the group has stepped up attacks in the country. The development comes after Islamic religious scholars and ulemas from both the countries met in the first such meet. Mentioning the "war and violence perpetrated against the government and people" of Afghanistan by Taliban, a joint declaration after the meet said, " targeting of civilian institutions and public infrastructures by the Taliban goes against the basic teachings of Islam and therefore it is illegitimate and has no religious justification." The gathering had ulemas from various Islamic institutions from India and Afghanistan. In all 14 Islamic religious scholars participated in the meet, 7 each from both sides. The joint declaration on "War in Afghanistan" called on both Taliban and the Afghan government to "rise to the occasion and seize this rare opportunity" to "accelerate their negotiations for establishing a just and lasting peace in Afghanistan. They extended "support" to the "steps taken by the government of Afghanistan to pave the way for reaching an enduring peace" 2020 saw two key developments vis a vis Afghanistan, the Taliban, and US government pact and the start of the intra Afghan talks between Taliban and Afghan govt. And while pacts and talks took place, Pentagon announced a reduction in US troop levels in the country by January, and the Taliban stepping up attacks. The fear is, the situation might destabilize the country in an eerie parallel to developments of the 1990s with the Taliban in control. The joint declaration recalled the "remarkable progress" and "hard-gained achievements" made in the last 19 years which should be "preserved and protected." The statement called on "other Ulema and Islamic scholars" to come forward in "support of the peace process in Afghanistan" and "raise their voice against the heinous attacks on innocent people and to call on the Taliban to agree to a nationwide ceasefire and embrace peace." The people to people engagement comes in as a shot in the arm, even as New Delhi and Kabul continue the high-level engagement. India has been a major supporter of the Afghan govt and has been involved in major infrastructure projects in the country like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, the Afghan parliament. India and Afghanistan will soon sign an agreement on the building of the Shatoot dam that will provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of the national capital Kabul.

In a first, Indian, Afghan Ulemas condemn Taliban; call its actions illegitimate

Terming the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK as a "big step forward", AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that India will have the COVID-19 vaccine within days.

"This is very good news that AstraZeneca got approval for its vaccine by UK regulatory authorities. They have robust data and in India and the same vaccine is being developed by the Serum Institute of India. This is a big step forward not only for India but many parts of the world," Dr Guleria told ANI in an interview.

"This vaccine can be stored at two to eight degrees centigrade. Therefore it would be easy to store and transportation. Storage can be done using a simple fridge rather than what is required in the Pfizer vaccine of minus 70 degrees centigrade," All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Director Dr Guleria said.

On the issue of COVID-19 vaccination drive in India, he said, "India to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for a large part of the country and therefore we will see the vaccine available in our country in the very near future."

When asked about how much time is needed for the roll-out of COVID vaccine in the country, Dr Guleria said, "Now, we have a data, and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved based on the studies in UK, Brazil and South Africa. There is also data from Serum Institute of India (SII). I think, once the data is shown to the regulatory authority, we should get approval for the vaccine in the county within a few days. I would say days rather than weeks or months." Dr Guleria, who is a member of the national task force on Covid-19 management, said that the country has a "robust plan as far as the vaccination is concerned".

"We vaccinate children and pregnant women as part of our universal immunization program. Using the same platform to store vaccines at 2 to 8 degrees centigrade, it will be easier for us to store COVID-19 vaccines," he added while emphasising on the easy storage process in comparison to Pfizer vaccine of minus 70 degrees centigrade.

Meanwhile, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India has sought emergency approval for the vaccine--Covishield-- developed along with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

In what could be termed as New Year gift, Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India on Monday said 40-50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have already been stockpiled, adding that Covishield rollout is expected in January.

Terming the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK as a "big step forward", AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that India will have the COVID-19 vaccine within days.

Terming the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK as a "big step forward", AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that India will have the COVID-19 vaccine within days. "This is very good news that AstraZeneca got approval for its vaccine by UK regulatory authorities. They have robust data and in India and the same vaccine is being developed by the Serum Institute of India. This is a big step forward not only for India but many parts of the world," Dr Guleria told ANI in an interview. "This vaccine can be stored at two to eight degrees centigrade. Therefore it would be easy to store and transportation. Storage can be done using a simple fridge rather than what is required in the Pfizer vaccine of minus 70 degrees centigrade," All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Director Dr Guleria said. On the issue of COVID-19 vaccination drive in India, he said, "India to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for a large part of the country and therefore we will see the vaccine available in our country in the very near future." When asked about how much time is needed for the roll-out of COVID vaccine in the country, Dr Guleria said, "Now, we have a data, and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved based on the studies in UK, Brazil and South Africa. There is also data from Serum Institute of India (SII). I think, once the data is shown to the regulatory authority, we should get approval for the vaccine in the county within a few days. I would say days rather than weeks or months." Dr Guleria, who is a member of the national task force on Covid-19 management, said that the country has a "robust plan as far as the vaccination is concerned". "We vaccinate children and pregnant women as part of our universal immunization program. Using the same platform to store vaccines at 2 to 8 degrees centigrade, it will be easier for us to store COVID-19 vaccines," he added while emphasising on the easy storage process in comparison to Pfizer vaccine of minus 70 degrees centigrade. Meanwhile, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India has sought emergency approval for the vaccine--Covishield-- developed along with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University. In what could be termed as New Year gift, Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India on Monday said 40-50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have already been stockpiled, adding that Covishield rollout is expected in January.

India will have Covid-19 vaccine within days: AIIMS Director

U.S. trade officials said on Wednesday they were increasing tariffs on certain European Union products, including aircraft-related parts and wines from France and Germany, amid an ongoing civil aircraft dispute between Washington and Brussels.

US increases tariffs on French and German wines, aircraft parts amid EU dispute

Many areas of England are now moving into the toughest Tier 4 restrictions from 0001 GMT on Thursday (December 31). Everton will not be allowed to welcome fans on Friday (January 1) when they host West Ham United, while their FA Cup third-round tie with Rotherham United on Jan. 9 will also be behind closed doors.

UK increases COVID-19 restrictions, raises doubts for Premier League

After making its entry in several nations, a monolith has been spotted in a forest park in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.&nbsp;

The metallic structure was discovered at the Symphony Forest Park in Thaltej, surrounded by many development projects, reports The Indian Express.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-after-utah-romania-monolith-disappears-too-347034/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Looking at this monolith closely will reveal few numbers inscribed on one of the sides, but, it has not been decoded yet what these numbers mean.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/monolith-christmas-edition-because-this-one-is-made-of-gingerbread-352528">Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread</a>

After the structure started to create some noise on social media, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's assistant director of parks and gardens said that it was installed by a private firm that developed and maintained the park.&nbsp;

"It has been given on a public private partnership (PPP) mode for a period of five years on a deposit," Patel told Indian Express. 
&nbsp; 
The artist, who wishes to stay anonymous for installing the monolith said that the idea behind this structure was for people to have a "deeper understanding of life".

"It allows them to have a deeper understanding of life and that is the essence of the sculpture," the artist said.&nbsp;

The monoliths that started to appear in countries like the US, UK, Romania, and others from late November led to rumours of aliens' visitations because of its resemblance to the one seen in a "2001: A Space Odyssey", a science fiction film.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

After making its entry in several nations, a monolith has been spotted in a forest park in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. The metallic structure was discovered at the Symphony Forest Park in Thaltej, surrounded by many development projects, reports The Indian Express.

After making its entry in several nations, a monolith has been spotted in a forest park in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. The metallic structure was discovered at the Symphony Forest Park in Thaltej, surrounded by many development projects, reports The Indian Express. Watch | Looking at this monolith closely will reveal few numbers inscribed on one of the sides, but, it has not been decoded yet what these numbers mean. Also read | Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread After the structure started to create some noise on social media, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's assistant director of parks and gardens said that it was installed by a private firm that developed and maintained the park. "It has been given on a public private partnership (PPP) mode for a period of five years on a deposit," Patel told Indian Express. The artist, who wishes to stay anonymous for installing the monolith said that the idea behind this structure was for people to have a "deeper understanding of life". "It allows them to have a deeper understanding of life and that is the essence of the sculpture," the artist said. The monoliths that started to appear in countries like the US, UK, Romania, and others from late November led to rumours of aliens' visitations because of its resemblance to the one seen in a "2001: A Space Odyssey", a science fiction film.

After trips across the world, monolith makes India debut

India which has consolidated its position as the "pharmacy of the world" amid covid crisis has sent the Maldives 2400 vials of BCG vaccine.

The dispatched supply of vaccines that have been gifted by India reaches the country today, just ahead of the dawn of the new year. New Delhi "urgently dispatched" the vaccine,&nbsp;administered to babies to prevent&nbsp;tuberculosis,&nbsp;to bridge a shortfall in the National Immunization Programme of the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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In picture: One of the boxes of the&nbsp;BCG vaccines gifted by India to Maldives

The vaccines were&nbsp;procured by India's&nbsp;Ministry of Health and Ministry of External Affairs and coordinated with Maldives High Commission in Delhi,&nbsp; Honorary Consul of the Maldives in Mumbai, and the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the entire process.&nbsp;

A statement by the Indian high commission in the Maldives said, "India’s Neighbourhood First foreign policy has demonstrated time and again, willingness and ability to assist Maldives with speed and scale, in times of need."

Adding, "Under the leadership of PM Modi and President Solih, the India-Maldives bilateral partnership based on mutual respect, trust and understanding has been infused with renewed vigour for the benefit of our peoples. "

Earlier this year in January, India sent&nbsp;30,000 doses of the measles-Rubella vaccine. In 2020, as the covid pandemic wreaked the world, India has reached out the Maldives by sending a medical team and gifting&nbsp;5.5 tonnes of essential medicines. Under the operation Sanjeevani, Indian Air force airlifted&nbsp;6.3 tonnes of essential medicines and consumables from various cities in India in April 2020.

That time, Indian High commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir said the operation is a "growing example of India's neighbourhood first policy and reciprocation of Maldives' India first policy. Friendship in action!"

Another key focus has been capacity building with the training of&nbsp;Maldivian healthcare official. Additionally, under Mission Sagar one of the Indian Navy to reach out to countries with COVID aid, India sent food to 5 Indian ocean countries including the Maldives just before the onset of Ramzan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In fact, India sent 600 tonnes of food items to the Maldives via Indian Naval Ship Kesari. The package includes 200 tonnes of rice, 140 tonnes of wheat flour, 120 tonnes of yellow dal, 80 tonnes of sugar, 26 tonnes of onions and 14 tonnes of Potato.

India which has consolidated its position as the "pharmacy of the world" amid covid crisis has sent the Maldives 2400 vials of BCG vaccine. The dispatched supply of vaccines that have been gifted by India reaches the country today, just ahead of the dawn of the new year.

India which has consolidated its position as the "pharmacy of the world" amid covid crisis has sent the Maldives 2400 vials of BCG vaccine. The dispatched supply of vaccines that have been gifted by India reaches the country today, just ahead of the dawn of the new year. New Delhi "urgently dispatched" the vaccine, administered to babies to prevent tuberculosis, to bridge a shortfall in the National Immunization Programme of the country. In picture: One of the boxes of the BCG vaccines gifted by India to Maldives The vaccines were procured by India's Ministry of Health and Ministry of External Affairs and coordinated with Maldives High Commission in Delhi, Honorary Consul of the Maldives in Mumbai, and the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the entire process. A statement by the Indian high commission in the Maldives said, "India’s Neighbourhood First foreign policy has demonstrated time and again, willingness and ability to assist Maldives with speed and scale, in times of need." Adding, "Under the leadership of PM Modi and President Solih, the India-Maldives bilateral partnership based on mutual respect, trust and understanding has been infused with renewed vigour for the benefit of our peoples. " Earlier this year in January, India sent 30,000 doses of the measles-Rubella vaccine. In 2020, as the covid pandemic wreaked the world, India has reached out the Maldives by sending a medical team and gifting 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines. Under the operation Sanjeevani, Indian Air force airlifted 6.3 tonnes of essential medicines and consumables from various cities in India in April 2020. That time, Indian High commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir said the operation is a "growing example of India's neighbourhood first policy and reciprocation of Maldives' India first policy. Friendship in action!" Another key focus has been capacity building with the training of Maldivian healthcare official. Additionally, under Mission Sagar one of the Indian Navy to reach out to countries with COVID aid, India sent food to 5 Indian ocean countries including the Maldives just before the onset of Ramzan. In fact, India sent 600 tonnes of food items to the Maldives via Indian Naval Ship Kesari. The package includes 200 tonnes of rice, 140 tonnes of wheat flour, 120 tonnes of yellow dal, 80 tonnes of sugar, 26 tonnes of onions and 14 tonnes of Potato.

New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives

With 21,821 new coronavirus infections and 299 deaths in the past 24 hours, India`s overall tally stood at 1,02,66,674 on Thursday, while the death toll touched 1,48,738, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

The tally of active cases stands at 2,57,656 while the total recoveries have reached 98,60,280.

A total of 1,48,738 people have succumbed to coronavirus in the country, according to MoHFW.

Kerala has reported 65,572 active COVID-19 cases while Maharashtra has reported 54,206 active cases.

Delhi has reported 5,838 active cases, 6,08,434 recoveries and 10,523 fatalities.

In a major development, terming the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK as a "big step forward", AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that India will have the COVID-19 vaccine within days.

Meanwhile, a total of 17,20,49,274 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to December 30. Of these, 11,27,244 samples were tested yesterday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

(With inputs from agencies)

With 21,821 new coronavirus infections and 299 deaths in the past 24 hours, India`s overall tally stood at 1,02,66,674 on Thursday, while the death toll touched 1,48,738, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

With 21,821 new coronavirus infections and 299 deaths in the past 24 hours, India`s overall tally stood at 1,02,66,674 on Thursday, while the death toll touched 1,48,738, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. The tally of active cases stands at 2,57,656 while the total recoveries have reached 98,60,280. A total of 1,48,738 people have succumbed to coronavirus in the country, according to MoHFW. Kerala has reported 65,572 active COVID-19 cases while Maharashtra has reported 54,206 active cases. Delhi has reported 5,838 active cases, 6,08,434 recoveries and 10,523 fatalities. In a major development, terming the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK as a "big step forward", AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said that India will have the COVID-19 vaccine within days. Meanwhile, a total of 17,20,49,274 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to December 30. Of these, 11,27,244 samples were tested yesterday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (With inputs from agencies)

21,821 new cases take India's COVID-19 tally to 1,02,66,674

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that a total of 38 people have been found positive since coming to Delhi from the UK recently, and kept in a separate institutional isolation unit in the LNJP Hospital premises.

"Four such patients have been found infected with the new UK strain of COVID-19. The persons who came in their contact have been also traced and tested, and its not in them. So, only these four cases of new strain in Delhi so far," he said.

"Flights have been stopped and those who came before that are being traced and tested rigorously," he added.

Delhi recorded 677 COVID-19 cases and 21 new fatalities on Wednesday, even as the positivity rate dropped to 0.8 per cent, authorities said.

"Positivity rate has dropped to 0.8 per cent from 15.26 per cent on November 7. About 85 per cent beds are vacant, so the situation has improved a lot. And, so, it had been decided to make LNJP Hospital and GTB Hospital, partial COVID-19 facilities now. All services, including the OPD will be soon resumed gradually," Jain said.

On the preparedness for the vaccination, he said, work is on to set up 1,000 vaccination centres.

Jain said the night curfew has been imposed as the situation is under control right now, but huge gatherings could spell trouble again.

The Delhi government has imposed night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am on December 31 and January 1 to avoid large gatherings during New Year celebrations due to COVID-19 and its highly transmissible UK strain.

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that a total of 38 people have been found positive since coming to Delhi from the UK recently, and kept in a separate institutional isolation unit in the LNJP Hospital premises.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that a total of 38 people have been found positive since coming to Delhi from the UK recently, and kept in a separate institutional isolation unit in the LNJP Hospital premises. "Four such patients have been found infected with the new UK strain of COVID-19. The persons who came in their contact have been also traced and tested, and its not in them. So, only these four cases of new strain in Delhi so far," he said. "Flights have been stopped and those who came before that are being traced and tested rigorously," he added. Delhi recorded 677 COVID-19 cases and 21 new fatalities on Wednesday, even as the positivity rate dropped to 0.8 per cent, authorities said. "Positivity rate has dropped to 0.8 per cent from 15.26 per cent on November 7. About 85 per cent beds are vacant, so the situation has improved a lot. And, so, it had been decided to make LNJP Hospital and GTB Hospital, partial COVID-19 facilities now. All services, including the OPD will be soon resumed gradually," Jain said. On the preparedness for the vaccination, he said, work is on to set up 1,000 vaccination centres. Jain said the night curfew has been imposed as the situation is under control right now, but huge gatherings could spell trouble again. The Delhi government has imposed night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am on December 31 and January 1 to avoid large gatherings during New Year celebrations due to COVID-19 and its highly transmissible UK strain. (With inputs from agencies)

38 UK returnees found positive for COVID in Delhi; new strain detected in four patients: Health Minister

The Union Health Ministry has said that India has crossed a significant milestone in its fight against coronavirus, with the national COVID-19 recovery rate crossing 96 per cent, one of the highest globally.

"The total recovered cases have crossed 98.6 lakhs (98,60,280), the highest globally. The gap between active cases and recoveries is continuously increasing and stands at 96,02,624," the ministry highlighted.

Further, the active cases have drastically declined to 2.57 lakh.

The total positive cases of the country are 2,57,656 and now comprise merely 2.51 per cent of the total cases.

"With a high number of COVID patients recovering every day and the sustained fall in the mortality rate, India's steady trend of registering dipping active cases continues," the ministry said.

A total of 21,822 new confirmed cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours in the country whereas 26,139 new recoveries were registered in the same period.

It has led to a net decline of 4,616 cases from the total active caseload, the ministry underlined.

Of the new recovered cases, 77.99 per cent are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs.

Kerala has reported the maximum number of single-day recoveries with 5,707 newly recovered cases, 4,913 people recovered in Maharashtra followed by 1,588 in Chhattisgarh.

The ministry said that 79.87 per cent of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs.

Kerala has reported the highest daily new cases at 6,268. It is followed by Maharashtra with 3,537 new cases.

Also, 299 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours with ten states and UTs accounting for 80.60 per cent of these.

Maharashtra reported maximum casualties with 90 new fatalities.

Kerala and West Bengal both follow with 28 daily deaths.

India's COVID-19 caseload increased to 1,02,66,674 with &nbsp;21,822 new infections being reported in a day while the death toll rose to 1,48,738 with 299 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Union Health Ministry has said that India has crossed a significant milestone in its fight against coronavirus, with the national COVID-19 recovery rate crossing 96 per cent, one of the highest globally.

The Union Health Ministry has said that India has crossed a significant milestone in its fight against coronavirus, with the national COVID-19 recovery rate crossing 96 per cent, one of the highest globally. "The total recovered cases have crossed 98.6 lakhs (98,60,280), the highest globally. The gap between active cases and recoveries is continuously increasing and stands at 96,02,624," the ministry highlighted. Further, the active cases have drastically declined to 2.57 lakh. The total positive cases of the country are 2,57,656 and now comprise merely 2.51 per cent of the total cases. "With a high number of COVID patients recovering every day and the sustained fall in the mortality rate, India's steady trend of registering dipping active cases continues," the ministry said. A total of 21,822 new confirmed cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours in the country whereas 26,139 new recoveries were registered in the same period. It has led to a net decline of 4,616 cases from the total active caseload, the ministry underlined. Of the new recovered cases, 77.99 per cent are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs. Kerala has reported the maximum number of single-day recoveries with 5,707 newly recovered cases, 4,913 people recovered in Maharashtra followed by 1,588 in Chhattisgarh. The ministry said that 79.87 per cent of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala has reported the highest daily new cases at 6,268. It is followed by Maharashtra with 3,537 new cases. Also, 299 case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours with ten states and UTs accounting for 80.60 per cent of these. Maharashtra reported maximum casualties with 90 new fatalities. Kerala and West Bengal both follow with 28 daily deaths. India's COVID-19 caseload increased to 1,02,66,674 with 21,822 new infections being reported in a day while the death toll rose to 1,48,738 with 299 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid recovery rate in India crosses 96%, decline in active cases

China feels that it should control religious institution in Tibet and due to this a greater crisis will emerge with the eventual demise of 14th Dalai Lama as there will be a major power struggle over who will get to choose the religious leaders of Tibet, according to a report in Taiwan Times.

China, which had installed their puppet Panchen Lama in 90s to control Tibet, is expected to use him to legitimise the appointment of their own selected Chinese candidate as the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism (the 15th Dalai Lama), write Tsewang Paljor in Taiwan Times.

Ninety-nine per cent of Tibetans do not accept Chinese appointed Panchen Lama as the real or true Panchen Lama, Paljor stated. They regard him as false Panchen Lama.

The Chinese government occupied Tibet in 1950 and has ever since tried to control the region.

The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and the 10the Panchen Lama (Lobsang Trinley Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen) stayed behind in Tibet. He spoke against Chinese rule many times and wrote a report chronicling Tibet's famines in the 1960s.

He was then arrested and spent more than eight years in jail. He died in 1989, due to the atrocities committed by the Chinese authorities, said Paljor

As per the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama was requested by the search team of the 11th Panchen Lama headed by Chadrel Rinpoche to identify the (reincarnated) Panchen Lama from a list of possible candidates.

On May 15, 1995, the Dalai Lama announced Gedhun as the 11th Panchen Lama. Two days later, the Chinese government abducted the child and his family.

"None of them have ever been seen or heard from again. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who had just turned six, became the world's youngest political prisoner. Chinese authorities even arrested Chadrel Rinpoche and his assistant Jampa Chung for finding Gedhun and disclosing his information to the Dalai Lama. They were imprisoned for six - and four years respectively for 'selling state secrets' and 'colluding with separatist forces abroad," he wrote.

The Chinese government rejected the Dalai Lama's choice of Panchen Lama stating that his ascendance was "illegal and invalid" and, six months after Gedhun's abduction, China announced that it had found the "real" reincarnation of 10th Panchen Lama named Gyaltsen Norbu, a Tibetan boy - the son of two Communist Party members - as the 11th Panchen Lama.

However, Tibetans have not accepted the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama. 'Tashi Lhunpo' monastery University is the real seat of Panchen Lamas but Gyaltsen Norbu never stays in Tashi Lhunpo".

Defying government orders, local Tibetan officials refused to participate in preparations for the visit. This was not the first time Gyaltsen Norbu had faced popular boycotts by Tibetans.

Similar mass public boycotts were witnessed a few years ago when the Chinese authorities brought Gyaltsen Norbu to Labrang monastery.

Time and again, Tibetans have also proved that they are not going to accept him as their religious leader, Paljor noted.

"Chinese now feel that Tibet is a part of China and that the control of its religious institutions should be in their hands. It is a major power struggle over who will get to choose the religious leaders of Tibet. And, of course, the greater crisis will emerge with the eventual demise of the 14th Dalai Lama," he wrote.

"However, in order to checkmate China, the Dalai Lama has declared that he will be reborn outside Tibet in exile. And so on his demise, there will be a massive search by the Chinese and a massive search by the exile community held simultaneously to find a new Dalai Lama," he added.

China feels that it should control religious institution in Tibet and due to this a greater crisis will emerge with the eventual demise of 14th Dalai Lama as there will be a major power struggle over who will get to choose the religious leaders of Tibet, according to a report in Taiwan Times.

China feels that it should control religious institution in Tibet and due to this a greater crisis will emerge with the eventual demise of 14th Dalai Lama as there will be a major power struggle over who will get to choose the religious leaders of Tibet, according to a report in Taiwan Times. China, which had installed their puppet Panchen Lama in 90s to control Tibet, is expected to use him to legitimise the appointment of their own selected Chinese candidate as the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism (the 15th Dalai Lama), write Tsewang Paljor in Taiwan Times. Ninety-nine per cent of Tibetans do not accept Chinese appointed Panchen Lama as the real or true Panchen Lama, Paljor stated. They regard him as false Panchen Lama. The Chinese government occupied Tibet in 1950 and has ever since tried to control the region. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and the 10the Panchen Lama (Lobsang Trinley Lhundrup Choekyi Gyaltsen) stayed behind in Tibet. He spoke against Chinese rule many times and wrote a report chronicling Tibet's famines in the 1960s. He was then arrested and spent more than eight years in jail. He died in 1989, due to the atrocities committed by the Chinese authorities, said Paljor As per the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama was requested by the search team of the 11th Panchen Lama headed by Chadrel Rinpoche to identify the (reincarnated) Panchen Lama from a list of possible candidates. On May 15, 1995, the Dalai Lama announced Gedhun as the 11th Panchen Lama. Two days later, the Chinese government abducted the child and his family. "None of them have ever been seen or heard from again. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who had just turned six, became the world's youngest political prisoner. Chinese authorities even arrested Chadrel Rinpoche and his assistant Jampa Chung for finding Gedhun and disclosing his information to the Dalai Lama. They were imprisoned for six - and four years respectively for 'selling state secrets' and 'colluding with separatist forces abroad," he wrote. The Chinese government rejected the Dalai Lama's choice of Panchen Lama stating that his ascendance was "illegal and invalid" and, six months after Gedhun's abduction, China announced that it had found the "real" reincarnation of 10th Panchen Lama named Gyaltsen Norbu, a Tibetan boy - the son of two Communist Party members - as the 11th Panchen Lama. However, Tibetans have not accepted the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama. 'Tashi Lhunpo' monastery University is the real seat of Panchen Lamas but Gyaltsen Norbu never stays in Tashi Lhunpo". Defying government orders, local Tibetan officials refused to participate in preparations for the visit. This was not the first time Gyaltsen Norbu had faced popular boycotts by Tibetans. Similar mass public boycotts were witnessed a few years ago when the Chinese authorities brought Gyaltsen Norbu to Labrang monastery. Time and again, Tibetans have also proved that they are not going to accept him as their religious leader, Paljor noted. "Chinese now feel that Tibet is a part of China and that the control of its religious institutions should be in their hands. It is a major power struggle over who will get to choose the religious leaders of Tibet. And, of course, the greater crisis will emerge with the eventual demise of the 14th Dalai Lama," he wrote. "However, in order to checkmate China, the Dalai Lama has declared that he will be reborn outside Tibet in exile. And so on his demise, there will be a massive search by the Chinese and a massive search by the exile community held simultaneously to find a new Dalai Lama," he added.

China wants to control Tibet, major power struggle expected after demise of 14th Dalai Lama: Report

India has extended until January 7 its suspension of flights with Britain as the nation reported 20 cases of a new infectious strain of coronavirus first detected in the United Kingdom.

"Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to &amp; from the UK till 7 January 2021. Thereafter, strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly," Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Wednesday on Twitter, declaring the week-long extension.

The flights will resume in a "strictly regulated" manner thereafter, he added.

The Civil Aviation Ministry had last week suspended all flights between the European country and India from December 23 to December 31 as a mutated variant of the coronavirus was detected there.

A number of European nations among others have shut off travel ties to Britain after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that the new strain of the coronavirus was a danger to the country.

Britain is one of the 23 countries that India shares an "air bubble" with, as part of temporary bilateral arrangements after regular international flights were suspended after the pandemic hit.

India has extended until January 7 its suspension of flights with Britain as the nation reported 20 cases of a new infectious strain of coronavirus first detected in the United Kingdom.

India has extended until January 7 its suspension of flights with Britain as the nation reported 20 cases of a new infectious strain of coronavirus first detected in the United Kingdom. "Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021. Thereafter, strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly," Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Wednesday on Twitter, declaring the week-long extension. The flights will resume in a "strictly regulated" manner thereafter, he added. The Civil Aviation Ministry had last week suspended all flights between the European country and India from December 23 to December 31 as a mutated variant of the coronavirus was detected there. A number of European nations among others have shut off travel ties to Britain after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that the new strain of the coronavirus was a danger to the country. Britain is one of the 23 countries that India shares an "air bubble" with, as part of temporary bilateral arrangements after regular international flights were suspended after the pandemic hit.

India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7

India's envoy to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat has said that Chabahar can become a "fulcrum of transit" between India and Central Asia. The comments of the envoy come even as India, Uzbekistan, and Iran held the first trilateral talks on the use of the Chabahar project in Iran.

Speaking to WION's&nbsp;principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Uzbekistan capital Tashkent, the envoy said, "While transit through railways and trucks already takes place from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port to Central Asian countries, the need is to develop the infrastructure to connect Central Asia to the Chabahar port."

India built the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar as part of the India, Iran, Afghanistan 2016 agreement to increase its connectivity with Afghanistan and beyond to central Asia. &nbsp;The Indian envoy spoke on the recent India-Uzbekistan virtual summit, pointing out that it was, "India’s first virtual summit with an important partner in Central Asia and it was Uzbekistan’s first-ever bilateral virtual summit with any country. "

During the virtual summit, the first with any central Asian country, New Delhi approved 448 million lines of credit for four projects developmental projects in the country--two in road construction and one each in sewerage treatment and information technology.

WION: Key outcomes of the India-Uzbekistan virtual meet. While it was the seventh&nbsp;such virtual summit, it was the first such virtual summit with a central Asian country. Why Uzbekistan was chosen for the first such meet in that region?

Manish Prabhat: India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership has grown by leaps and bound thanks to the regular exchanges of VVIP visits in the last few years. Prime Minister visited Uzbekistan in 2015 and 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s first visit to India took place in October 2018 and soon after he visited again in January 2019 to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.&nbsp;

This year Prime Minister’s visit to Uzbekistan was on cards. However, in the situation of the ongoing pandemic, the visit was not possible. It was decided to hold a virtual summit between the two leaders to continue the momentum of our exchanges. Indeed, it became India’s first virtual summit with an important partner in Central Asia and it was Uzbekistan’s first-ever bilateral virtual summit with any country. Both sides were very satisfied with the results of the summit. The state of bilateral relations is excellent.

Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers have met and are working on a range of issues. Our multilateral cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and in the India-Central Asia Dialogue format is set to further strengthen. Our positions on important issues like terrorism and Afghanistan are similar. India’s term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-22 and Uzbekistan’s first-ever stint as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-23 gives rise to new possibilities of cooperation. Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC. Both countries also called for reformed multilateralism including comprehensive reforms of the UN structures.&nbsp;

Both India and Uzbekistan have cooperated closely in tackling the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister assured of India’s continued commitment to support Uzbekistan in its fight against the pandemic. Uzbekistan is very interested in Indian vaccines for Covid-19 and has sought our support in bringing these vaccines to Uzbekistan. India is keen to expand its development partnership with Uzbekistan. India has already declared a USD one billion line of credit for development projects in Uzbekistan.

In the framework of the India-Central Asia Dialogue also, India has offered another line of credit of USD one billion for projects in the region. Both sides also signed an MoU on High Impact Community Development Projects to be undertaken in Uzbekistan under India’s grant assistance. In order to boost bilateral investment and trade, both sides are already engaged in negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and finalizing a Joint Feasibility Study which would pave the way for starting negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement. These will bring further dividends as Uzbekistan has recently become an Observer in the Eurasian Economic Union, a market of more than 200 million people.

Both India and Uzbekistan seek to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of USD one billion but have actually reached only one-third of that landmark. A major factor inhibiting the development of closer trade and economic relationship is the absence of economic and efficient surface connectivity. Both sides believe that the Chabahar route can be the key to address this problem. A total of nine agreements and MoUs on cooperation were signed during the summit including on the line of credit, information technology, cybersecurity, solar energy, customs, standardisation, mass communication, etc. Space and civil nuclear energy are also upcoming areas of our bilateral cooperation.

WION: On connectivity, a trilateral happened between on Chabahar between India, Iran, and Uzbekistan. Chabahar is India built port, how do you see, Central Asia benefitting from it?

Manish Prabhat:&nbsp;As we are all aware, India has been pushing for encouraging the use of the Chabahar port by all Central Asian countries.&nbsp; Even during the first India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in January 2019 in Samarkand, then External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj had put forth the idea of the use of Chabahar for establishing greater connectivity between India and Central Asia.&nbsp;

It is heartening to see that Uzbekistan fully supports this idea and has taken the initiative to host the first trilateral dialogue among Uzbekistan, India, and Iran on the possibilities of the joint use of Chabahar port.&nbsp; The trilateral meeting took place on 14 December at the level of Deputy Ministers of the three countries concerned with transport and logistics relating to the Chabahar port.&nbsp;

The three sides discussed the possibility of developing joint platforms and establishing commercial parameters to encourage the transit of goods through the Chabahar port.&nbsp; The idea, when taken further, would need customs administrations of the three countries, freight forwarding companies, and other stakeholders to work together.&nbsp; We would need the participation of Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries to have a wider reach for this proposal.&nbsp; While transit through railways and trucks already takes place from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port to Central Asian countries, the need is to develop the infrastructure to connect Central Asia to the Chabahar port. This will further make the route between India and Central Asia shorter and economical for the movement of containers.&nbsp;

The Chabahar port is already successfully handling the movement of goods between India and Afghanistan.&nbsp; Its success has already shown that it has the potential to become the fulcrum of transit between India and Central Asia.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;Uzbekistan is the first country in Central Asia with which we have started our development partners in terms of extending Lines of Credit. We have now listed 4 projects for the partnership, can you give details?

Manish Prabhat:&nbsp;As per the request of the Government of Uzbekistan, the Government of India has approved four projects to be undertaken under India’s Line of Credit in Uzbekistan.&nbsp; These projects are in the sectors of road construction, sewerage, and supply of IT equipment for education and are worth USD 448 million. These projects are also spread over different regions of Uzbekistan.&nbsp; More such projects will also be identified in the future as our total commitment is of USD 1 billion of Line of Credit.&nbsp; The Government of Uzbekistan is expected to soon make us available the Detailed Project Reports so that they could be studied and examined from a technical and financial point of view. The implementation of projects can begin soon thereafter.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see future cooperation. We have with Gujarat and Andijan, also plans for Haryana and Fergana. IT is another sector which has seen cooperation.

Manish Prabhat:&nbsp;Establishing cooperation between identified pairs of regions of Uzbekistan and states of India could become a good model for encouraging investment and projects between the two sides.&nbsp; We have been encouraged by the results of the visit of the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Rupani who led a strong business delegation of Gujarat-based companies to the Andijan region of Uzbekistan in October 2019. Gujarat and Andijan have a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.&nbsp; Shortly after the visit of Shri Rupani, a strong Uzbek business delegation paid a return visit to Gujarat.&nbsp; As a result of these visits, more than 20 B2B Agreements and documents were signed, especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, education and agriculture, and agri-processing.&nbsp;

Cadila has announced a major investment in Andijan to manufacture pharmaceuticals.&nbsp; Andijan has opened a special Free Pharmaceuticals Zone to attract Indian companies.&nbsp; Both India and Uzbekistan seek to further expand this model of cooperation and are taking further steps to encourage cooperation between the Fergana region and the state of Haryana.&nbsp; Development of various contours of cooperation would depend on the respective strengths of the identified regions and the states and their potential. IT certainly continues to be a major sector of our bilateral cooperation.&nbsp; It may be noted that the Uzbek government invited an expert from the Software Technology Parks of India to be stationed in Uzbekistan and provide technical expertise to establish IT parks in the country.&nbsp; As a result, Uzbekistan’s first-ever IT Park was opened in Tashkent in early 2019 and more IT parks have since been opened in other regions of Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan government is upbeat about attracting Indian IT companies to Uzbekistan to help with various digitization and e-governance activities in the country. The Uzbek side would also like to benefit from India’s experience in helping startups to grow.&nbsp;

WION: Uzbek Parliament has also constituted an India Friendship Group in their Parliament, is it the first such Parliament in the region to do so?

Manish Prabhat:&nbsp;Oliy Majlis, the Parliament of Uzbekistan has expressed its strong desire to expand cooperation with the Indian Parliament and benefit from the study of India’s parliamentary practices given our strong credentials of being the largest democracy in the world.&nbsp;

As per the parliamentary practices in Uzbekistan, Parliamentary Friendship Groups for India have already been established in both Houses of the Oliy Majlis and they would like to have interaction with their counterpart groups in the Indian Parliament.&nbsp; There have also been proposals to have online interaction between parliamentarians from both sides on topics of mutual interest and exchange of visits in the future once the pandemic situation improves.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both India and Uzbekistan would like to strengthen their inter-parliamentary cooperation. With the ongoing reforms in various spheres in Uzbekistan, including in the fields of governance, media, economy and finance, there is interest in the Uzbek Parliament to study the practices of developed democracies to learn how their parliaments support such initiatives.&nbsp;

India's envoy to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat has said that Chabahar can become a "fulcrum of transit" between India and Central Asia. The comments of the envoy come even as India, Uzbekistan, and Iran held the first trilateral talks on the use of the Chabahar project in Iran.

India's envoy to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat has said that Chabahar can become a "fulcrum of transit" between India and Central Asia. The comments of the envoy come even as India, Uzbekistan, and Iran held the first trilateral talks on the use of the Chabahar project in Iran. Speaking to WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Uzbekistan capital Tashkent, the envoy said, "While transit through railways and trucks already takes place from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port to Central Asian countries, the need is to develop the infrastructure to connect Central Asia to the Chabahar port." India built the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar as part of the India, Iran, Afghanistan 2016 agreement to increase its connectivity with Afghanistan and beyond to central Asia. The Indian envoy spoke on the recent India-Uzbekistan virtual summit, pointing out that it was, "India’s first virtual summit with an important partner in Central Asia and it was Uzbekistan’s first-ever bilateral virtual summit with any country. " During the virtual summit, the first with any central Asian country, New Delhi approved 448 million lines of credit for four projects developmental projects in the country--two in road construction and one each in sewerage treatment and information technology. WION: Key outcomes of the India-Uzbekistan virtual meet. While it was the seventh such virtual summit, it was the first such virtual summit with a central Asian country. Why Uzbekistan was chosen for the first such meet in that region? Manish Prabhat: India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership has grown by leaps and bound thanks to the regular exchanges of VVIP visits in the last few years. Prime Minister visited Uzbekistan in 2015 and 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s first visit to India took place in October 2018 and soon after he visited again in January 2019 to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. This year Prime Minister’s visit to Uzbekistan was on cards. However, in the situation of the ongoing pandemic, the visit was not possible. It was decided to hold a virtual summit between the two leaders to continue the momentum of our exchanges. Indeed, it became India’s first virtual summit with an important partner in Central Asia and it was Uzbekistan’s first-ever bilateral virtual summit with any country. Both sides were very satisfied with the results of the summit. The state of bilateral relations is excellent. Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers have met and are working on a range of issues. Our multilateral cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and in the India-Central Asia Dialogue format is set to further strengthen. Our positions on important issues like terrorism and Afghanistan are similar. India’s term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-22 and Uzbekistan’s first-ever stint as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-23 gives rise to new possibilities of cooperation. Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC. Both countries also called for reformed multilateralism including comprehensive reforms of the UN structures. Both India and Uzbekistan have cooperated closely in tackling the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister assured of India’s continued commitment to support Uzbekistan in its fight against the pandemic. Uzbekistan is very interested in Indian vaccines for Covid-19 and has sought our support in bringing these vaccines to Uzbekistan. India is keen to expand its development partnership with Uzbekistan. India has already declared a USD one billion line of credit for development projects in Uzbekistan. In the framework of the India-Central Asia Dialogue also, India has offered another line of credit of USD one billion for projects in the region. Both sides also signed an MoU on High Impact Community Development Projects to be undertaken in Uzbekistan under India’s grant assistance. In order to boost bilateral investment and trade, both sides are already engaged in negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and finalizing a Joint Feasibility Study which would pave the way for starting negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement. These will bring further dividends as Uzbekistan has recently become an Observer in the Eurasian Economic Union, a market of more than 200 million people. Both India and Uzbekistan seek to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of USD one billion but have actually reached only one-third of that landmark. A major factor inhibiting the development of closer trade and economic relationship is the absence of economic and efficient surface connectivity. Both sides believe that the Chabahar route can be the key to address this problem. A total of nine agreements and MoUs on cooperation were signed during the summit including on the line of credit, information technology, cybersecurity, solar energy, customs, standardisation, mass communication, etc. Space and civil nuclear energy are also upcoming areas of our bilateral cooperation. WION: On connectivity, a trilateral happened between on Chabahar between India, Iran, and Uzbekistan. Chabahar is India built port, how do you see, Central Asia benefitting from it? Manish Prabhat: As we are all aware, India has been pushing for encouraging the use of the Chabahar port by all Central Asian countries. Even during the first India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in January 2019 in Samarkand, then External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj had put forth the idea of the use of Chabahar for establishing greater connectivity between India and Central Asia. It is heartening to see that Uzbekistan fully supports this idea and has taken the initiative to host the first trilateral dialogue among Uzbekistan, India, and Iran on the possibilities of the joint use of Chabahar port. The trilateral meeting took place on 14 December at the level of Deputy Ministers of the three countries concerned with transport and logistics relating to the Chabahar port. The three sides discussed the possibility of developing joint platforms and establishing commercial parameters to encourage the transit of goods through the Chabahar port. The idea, when taken further, would need customs administrations of the three countries, freight forwarding companies, and other stakeholders to work together. We would need the participation of Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries to have a wider reach for this proposal. While transit through railways and trucks already takes place from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port to Central Asian countries, the need is to develop the infrastructure to connect Central Asia to the Chabahar port. This will further make the route between India and Central Asia shorter and economical for the movement of containers. The Chabahar port is already successfully handling the movement of goods between India and Afghanistan. Its success has already shown that it has the potential to become the fulcrum of transit between India and Central Asia. WION: Uzbekistan is the first country in Central Asia with which we have started our development partners in terms of extending Lines of Credit. We have now listed 4 projects for the partnership, can you give details? Manish Prabhat: As per the request of the Government of Uzbekistan, the Government of India has approved four projects to be undertaken under India’s Line of Credit in Uzbekistan. These projects are in the sectors of road construction, sewerage, and supply of IT equipment for education and are worth USD 448 million. These projects are also spread over different regions of Uzbekistan. More such projects will also be identified in the future as our total commitment is of USD 1 billion of Line of Credit. The Government of Uzbekistan is expected to soon make us available the Detailed Project Reports so that they could be studied and examined from a technical and financial point of view. The implementation of projects can begin soon thereafter. WION: How do you see future cooperation. We have with Gujarat and Andijan, also plans for Haryana and Fergana. IT is another sector which has seen cooperation. Manish Prabhat: Establishing cooperation between identified pairs of regions of Uzbekistan and states of India could become a good model for encouraging investment and projects between the two sides. We have been encouraged by the results of the visit of the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Rupani who led a strong business delegation of Gujarat-based companies to the Andijan region of Uzbekistan in October 2019. Gujarat and Andijan have a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation. Shortly after the visit of Shri Rupani, a strong Uzbek business delegation paid a return visit to Gujarat. As a result of these visits, more than 20 B2B Agreements and documents were signed, especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, education and agriculture, and agri-processing. Cadila has announced a major investment in Andijan to manufacture pharmaceuticals. Andijan has opened a special Free Pharmaceuticals Zone to attract Indian companies. Both India and Uzbekistan seek to further expand this model of cooperation and are taking further steps to encourage cooperation between the Fergana region and the state of Haryana. Development of various contours of cooperation would depend on the respective strengths of the identified regions and the states and their potential. IT certainly continues to be a major sector of our bilateral cooperation. It may be noted that the Uzbek government invited an expert from the Software Technology Parks of India to be stationed in Uzbekistan and provide technical expertise to establish IT parks in the country. As a result, Uzbekistan’s first-ever IT Park was opened in Tashkent in early 2019 and more IT parks have since been opened in other regions of Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan government is upbeat about attracting Indian IT companies to Uzbekistan to help with various digitization and e-governance activities in the country. The Uzbek side would also like to benefit from India’s experience in helping startups to grow. WION: Uzbek Parliament has also constituted an India Friendship Group in their Parliament, is it the first such Parliament in the region to do so? Manish Prabhat: Oliy Majlis, the Parliament of Uzbekistan has expressed its strong desire to expand cooperation with the Indian Parliament and benefit from the study of India’s parliamentary practices given our strong credentials of being the largest democracy in the world. As per the parliamentary practices in Uzbekistan, Parliamentary Friendship Groups for India have already been established in both Houses of the Oliy Majlis and they would like to have interaction with their counterpart groups in the Indian Parliament. There have also been proposals to have online interaction between parliamentarians from both sides on topics of mutual interest and exchange of visits in the future once the pandemic situation improves. Both India and Uzbekistan would like to strengthen their inter-parliamentary cooperation. With the ongoing reforms in various spheres in Uzbekistan, including in the fields of governance, media, economy and finance, there is interest in the Uzbek Parliament to study the practices of developed democracies to learn how their parliaments support such initiatives.

Chabahar can be fulcrum of transit between India and Central Asia, says Indian envoy to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat

With 20,550 new coronavirus infections and 286 deaths in the past 24 hours, India's overall tally stood at 1,02,44,853 on Wednesday, while the death toll touched 1,48,439, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

Till now, 9,83,4141 have recovered. Currently, there are 2,62,272 active cases. The recovery rate stands at 95.99 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent.

Kerala currently has the highest number of active cases at 65,039, while Maharashtra currently has 55,672 active coronavirus cases.&nbsp;

Delhi has 6,122 coronavirus cases, while the death toll in the national capital stands at 10,502.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, a total of 17,09,22,030 samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far, including 11,20,281 COVID-19 samples in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

With 20,550 new coronavirus infections and 286 deaths in the past 24 hours, India's overall tally stood at 1,02,44,853 on Wednesday, while the death toll touched 1,48,439, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

With 20,550 new coronavirus infections and 286 deaths in the past 24 hours, India's overall tally stood at 1,02,44,853 on Wednesday, while the death toll touched 1,48,439, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. Till now, 9,83,4141 have recovered. Currently, there are 2,62,272 active cases. The recovery rate stands at 95.99 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent. Kerala currently has the highest number of active cases at 65,039, while Maharashtra currently has 55,672 active coronavirus cases. Delhi has 6,122 coronavirus cases, while the death toll in the national capital stands at 10,502. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, a total of 17,09,22,030 samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far, including 11,20,281 COVID-19 samples in the last 24 hours. (With inputs from agencies)

India reports 20,550 new COVID-19 cases, 286 deaths

Taking strong objection to the comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau related to farmers’ protest in India Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that no leader of a country should speak about India's internal affairs.

"First of all, I would like to say about prime minister of any country that comment should not be made about India's internal affairs. India does not require any outside interference. We will sort out issues by ourselves. It is an internal matter of India. No country in the world has the right to comment on India's internal affairs," Rajnath Singh said.

"India is not any other country that someone can say anything," he added.

He was asked about criticism in some countries and Trudeau's remarks concerning protest by farmers on farm laws.

He said attempts had been made to mislead "our farmer brothers" and the same thing is going on.

He urged farmers to hold clause by clause discussions on the three laws and said the government will not take any step against their interests.

Trudeau had expressed concern about the farmers' protest in India against three farm laws.

Speaking during a Facebook video interaction organised by a Canadian MP to mark Gurupurab or the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, Trudeau had said Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest.

India had also called the remarks by foreign politicians on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" saying that the issue pertains to internal affairs of the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taking strong objection to the comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau related to farmers’ protest in India Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that no leader of a country should speak about India's internal affairs.

Taking strong objection to the comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau related to farmers’ protest in India Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that no leader of a country should speak about India's internal affairs. "First of all, I would like to say about prime minister of any country that comment should not be made about India's internal affairs. India does not require any outside interference. We will sort out issues by ourselves. It is an internal matter of India. No country in the world has the right to comment on India's internal affairs," Rajnath Singh said. "India is not any other country that someone can say anything," he added. He was asked about criticism in some countries and Trudeau's remarks concerning protest by farmers on farm laws. He said attempts had been made to mislead "our farmer brothers" and the same thing is going on. He urged farmers to hold clause by clause discussions on the three laws and said the government will not take any step against their interests. Trudeau had expressed concern about the farmers' protest in India against three farm laws. Speaking during a Facebook video interaction organised by a Canadian MP to mark Gurupurab or the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, Trudeau had said Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest. India had also called the remarks by foreign politicians on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" saying that the issue pertains to internal affairs of the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajnath Singh hits out at Justin Trudeau, says PM of another country shouldn't comment on India's internal affairs

Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria warned that any serious India-China conflict is not good for China on the global front.

Indian IAF Chief: Conflict not good for China on world stage

India has recorded 14 fresh cases of new coronavirus mutant strain, which was first reported in the UK- taking the total number of such cases to 20.

20 cases of UK strain found in India as the country steps up testing

Launching a scathing attack on at Congress leade, Union minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know anything about farming.

Speaking over Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on the farm laws, Rajnath Singh said he knows more about agriculture than the Congress leader as he was born in an agriculture family and his parents were both farmers.

In an interview with ANI, he said that agriculture laws were in favour of farmers and talks should not be held with "yes or no" mindset.

The remarks of the minister came ahead of the sixth round of talks between the government and the farm unions protesting against the new farm laws enacted by the government.

The minister said that farmers should hold clause by clause talks on the three laws and the government will make amendments if there is a need to do so. 
Rajnath Singh, a former union agriculture minister, said the government is totally sensitive towards farmers and the poor of the country and "their pain is our pain".

He said the government cannot take decisions which are not in the interest of farmers.&nbsp;

"Rahulji is younger to me and I know more than him about agriculture. Because I have been born from womb of a farmer-mother. I am the son of a farmer and we cannot take decisions against the farmers. Our Prime Minister was also born from the womb of a poor mother. I want to say this only and there is no need to say anything else," Singh said.

He was asked about Rahul Gandhi meeting President Ram Nath Kovind and presenting a memorandum with over two crore signatures for repeal of three farm laws. The minister said there have been attempts by "some forces to create doubts in the minds of farmers regarding the farm laws".

"We are trying to remove these doubts. We have talked to many farmers and humbly, I want to say it again that talk with government clause by clause on the law. I think talks should not be held in `yes` or `no`. There should talks based on logic. If the government realizes that there is a need to do amendment in any clause, it will do that," he added.

He appealed to farmers of Punjab not to vandalise communication towers."It should not happen. I think farmers of Punjab should think about it. If anyone is involved in this, then it should be stopped," he said.

The minister said that the contribution of Sikh brothers in protecting the country`s self-respect and its culture will always be remembered."India can never forget the sacrifice of Sikh brothers in protecting the self-respect of the country, its culture," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Launching a scathing attack on at Congress leade, Union minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know anything about farming. Speaking over Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on the farm laws, Rajnath Singh said he knows more about agriculture than the Congress leader as he was born in an agriculture family and his parents were both farmers.

Launching a scathing attack on at Congress leade, Union minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know anything about farming. Speaking over Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on the farm laws, Rajnath Singh said he knows more about agriculture than the Congress leader as he was born in an agriculture family and his parents were both farmers. In an interview with ANI, he said that agriculture laws were in favour of farmers and talks should not be held with "yes or no" mindset. The remarks of the minister came ahead of the sixth round of talks between the government and the farm unions protesting against the new farm laws enacted by the government. The minister said that farmers should hold clause by clause talks on the three laws and the government will make amendments if there is a need to do so. Rajnath Singh, a former union agriculture minister, said the government is totally sensitive towards farmers and the poor of the country and "their pain is our pain". He said the government cannot take decisions which are not in the interest of farmers. "Rahulji is younger to me and I know more than him about agriculture. Because I have been born from womb of a farmer-mother. I am the son of a farmer and we cannot take decisions against the farmers. Our Prime Minister was also born from the womb of a poor mother. I want to say this only and there is no need to say anything else," Singh said. He was asked about Rahul Gandhi meeting President Ram Nath Kovind and presenting a memorandum with over two crore signatures for repeal of three farm laws. The minister said there have been attempts by "some forces to create doubts in the minds of farmers regarding the farm laws". "We are trying to remove these doubts. We have talked to many farmers and humbly, I want to say it again that talk with government clause by clause on the law. I think talks should not be held in `yes` or `no`. There should talks based on logic. If the government realizes that there is a need to do amendment in any clause, it will do that," he added. He appealed to farmers of Punjab not to vandalise communication towers."It should not happen. I think farmers of Punjab should think about it. If anyone is involved in this, then it should be stopped," he said. The minister said that the contribution of Sikh brothers in protecting the country`s self-respect and its culture will always be remembered."India can never forget the sacrifice of Sikh brothers in protecting the self-respect of the country, its culture," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

I’m a farmer’s son, know more about agriculture than Rahul Gandhi: Rajnath Singh

India's Subject Expert Committee (SEC) in Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) met on Wednesday to consider coronavirus vaccines for emergency use authorisation (EUA) requested by Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-sec-to-decide-on-approving-serum-institute-of-indias-covishield-vaccine-for-emergency-use-authorisation-353405">Serum Institute of India(SII)</a>.

The government said Pfizer-BioNTech requested more time as the SEC analysed additional data and&nbsp;information presented by SII &amp; Bharat Biotech.

The SEC said it was persuing additional data&nbsp;and will meet again on January 1, 2021.

The UK had earlier in the day approved the&nbsp;Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said: "This is great and encouraging news. We will wait for the final approval from Indian regulators."

The SII has entered into a collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine. The Pune-based company has already stocked nearly 50 million dosages of the vaccine and aims to produce up to 100 million dosages per month by March, 2021.

India has the second-largest cases<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-virus-strain-detected-in-two-people-in-uttar-pradeshs-meerut-noida-353422"> coronavirus </a>cases in the world with over 10.2 million cases and over 148, 439 deaths.

Amid the rising number of cases, Tamil Nadu today reported 945 new coronavirus cases with 17 deaths in the last 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 12,109 and the number of active cases rising to 8,615.

In Karnataka, there were 973 new coronavirus cases including 7 deaths in the past 24 hours with the number of active cases rising to 11,610. The total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 9,18,544 in the state.

Maharashtra which is one of the hardest-hit states with the virus recorded &nbsp;3,537 new coronavirus cases and 70 fatalities on Wednesday with the total death toll rising to 49,463 and the number of cases rising to 19,28,603.

India's Subject Expert Committee (SEC) in Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) met on Wednesday to consider coronavirus vaccines for emergency use authorisation (EUA) requested by Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India(SII).

India's Subject Expert Committee (SEC) in Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) met on Wednesday to consider coronavirus vaccines for emergency use authorisation (EUA) requested by Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India(SII). The government said Pfizer-BioNTech requested more time as the SEC analysed additional data and information presented by SII & Bharat Biotech. The SEC said it was persuing additional data and will meet again on January 1, 2021. The UK had earlier in the day approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said: "This is great and encouraging news. We will wait for the final approval from Indian regulators." The SII has entered into a collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine. The Pune-based company has already stocked nearly 50 million dosages of the vaccine and aims to produce up to 100 million dosages per month by March, 2021. India has the second-largest cases coronavirus cases in the world with over 10.2 million cases and over 148, 439 deaths. Amid the rising number of cases, Tamil Nadu today reported 945 new coronavirus cases with 17 deaths in the last 24 hours with the total death toll rising to 12,109 and the number of active cases rising to 8,615. In Karnataka, there were 973 new coronavirus cases including 7 deaths in the past 24 hours with the number of active cases rising to 11,610. The total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 9,18,544 in the state. Maharashtra which is one of the hardest-hit states with the virus recorded 3,537 new coronavirus cases and 70 fatalities on Wednesday with the total death toll rising to 49,463 and the number of cases rising to 19,28,603.

Pfizer-BioNTech requests more time, India's SEC to meet on January 1 to authorise SII, Bharat Biotech vaccines

A two-year-old girl who recently returned to Meerut with her parents from the UK has been found to be infected with the new Covid-19 strain. 
 
This is the first such case in Uttar Pradesh of the new variant of Covid 19 virus which is said to be 70 per cent more transmissible than its previous form. 
 
The parents of the two-year-old, however, have been found to be infected with the old Covid-19 variant, the health officials in Meerut said. 
 
The child is in an isolation ward with her parents at Meerut`s Subharti Medical College. 
 
"A girl, who recently returned from the UK, has tested positive for the new Covid-19 strain in Meerut as per the reports received on Tuesday evening. Her parents have tested positive for Covid-19 too, but it is not the new strain. She has been kept in isolation," said Meerut`s Chief Medical Officer Akhilesh Mohan. 
 
Four members of the family had tested positive for Coronavirus earlier after which their samples were sent to Delhi to confirm the new strain. 
 
Out of the four samples, the two-year-old girl`s sample has tested positive for the new Coronavirus strain. 
 
The family belongs to Sant Vihar of TP Nagar Police Station area. Their locality has been sealed while locals in the area are being monitored. 
 
There has been several cases of the new strain including people who had recently returned from the UK to India and tested positive -- three in Karnataka, one each in Pune and Tamil Nadu and two in Hyderabad. 
 
The new strain reportedly spreads at a much faster pace and has sent alarm bells ringing across the world. 
 
Like many countries, India has suspended flights from Britain, where cases have soared because of the variant. People arriving from Britain before the ban came into force are being tested. 
 
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to upgrade testing systems and prepare to check the spread of the new virus variant.

A two-year-old girl who recently returned to Meerut with her parents from the UK has been found to be infected with the new Covid-19 strain. This is the first such case in Uttar Pradesh of the new variant of Covid 19 virus which is said to be 70 per cent more transmissible than its previous form.

A two-year-old girl who recently returned to Meerut with her parents from the UK has been found to be infected with the new Covid-19 strain. This is the first such case in Uttar Pradesh of the new variant of Covid 19 virus which is said to be 70 per cent more transmissible than its previous form. The parents of the two-year-old, however, have been found to be infected with the old Covid-19 variant, the health officials in Meerut said. The child is in an isolation ward with her parents at Meerut`s Subharti Medical College. "A girl, who recently returned from the UK, has tested positive for the new Covid-19 strain in Meerut as per the reports received on Tuesday evening. Her parents have tested positive for Covid-19 too, but it is not the new strain. She has been kept in isolation," said Meerut`s Chief Medical Officer Akhilesh Mohan. Four members of the family had tested positive for Coronavirus earlier after which their samples were sent to Delhi to confirm the new strain. Out of the four samples, the two-year-old girl`s sample has tested positive for the new Coronavirus strain. The family belongs to Sant Vihar of TP Nagar Police Station area. Their locality has been sealed while locals in the area are being monitored. There has been several cases of the new strain including people who had recently returned from the UK to India and tested positive -- three in Karnataka, one each in Pune and Tamil Nadu and two in Hyderabad. The new strain reportedly spreads at a much faster pace and has sent alarm bells ringing across the world. Like many countries, India has suspended flights from Britain, where cases have soared because of the variant. People arriving from Britain before the ban came into force are being tested. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to upgrade testing systems and prepare to check the spread of the new virus variant.

2-year-old in Uttar Pradesh tests positive for new coronavirus strain

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‘Health is wealth’, the year 2020 has taught us this well: PM Modi

In a first, Indian, Afghan Ulemas condemn Taliban; call its actions illegitimate

India will have Covid-19 vaccine within days: AIIMS Director

US increases tariffs on French and German wines, aircraft parts amid EU dispute

UK increases COVID-19 restrictions, raises doubts for Premier League

After trips across the world, monolith makes India debut

New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives

New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives

21,821 new cases take India's COVID-19 tally to 1,02,66,674

38 UK returnees found positive for COVID in Delhi; new strain detected in four patients: Health Minister

Covid recovery rate in India crosses 96%, decline in active cases

China wants to control Tibet, major power struggle expected after demise of 14th Dalai Lama: Report

India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7

Chabahar can be fulcrum of transit between India and Central Asia, says Indian envoy to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat

India reports 20,550 new COVID-19 cases, 286 deaths

Rajnath Singh hits out at Justin Trudeau, says PM of another country shouldn't comment on India's internal affairs

Indian IAF Chief: Conflict not good for China on world stage

20 cases of UK strain found in India as the country steps up testing