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In the first session of this 'WION Education Summit', we decoded the national education policy 2020, launched on June 29 by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Prakash Javadekar & Human Resource Development (HRD) minister (now Union Education Minister) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, claiming that this policy aims to overhaul the country’s education system.

WION Education Summit: Decoding National Eduction Policy 2020

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that no BJP leader "directly or indirectly" took state minister Aaditya Thackeray's name in connection with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the inauguration of a COVID-19 hosptial at Baner here, Fadnavis said that surprising revelations are coming up in the case.

Rajput was found hanging at his flat in Mumbai's Bandra on June 14.

The CBI has recently taken over the probe into the case.

"No leader from the BJP has taken the name of Aaditya Thackeray directly or indirectly (in Rajput case). The kind of revelations that are coming up in the case, I think they are surprising," he said.

The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly wondered why all these revelations did not come to light before the CBI took over the probe.

"After 40 days (of the incident), the CBI took over the investigation. What if evidence were destroyed during these 40 days? I have come to know through media reports that eight hard disks were destroyed," Fadnavis said.

"After seeing these things, a question arises whether Maharashtra police was under any political pressure during the investigation," he said.

"I am sure the CBI will bring the truth out. The only thing is that if the truth was investigated earlier, I think the evidence would not have got destroyed and we would have known the culprit," he said.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had recently alleged a conspiracy to link Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray to the actor's death case.

Although Raut did not take any name, he had said that the Opposition cannot digest the fact that the Sena-led government is in power in the state.

Aaditya, son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, had himself also clarified that he was nowhere related to the actor's death case, and that he and his family were being targeted for no reason.

Congress leader Sachin Sawant has tweeted a photo of Fadnavis with film producer Sandeep Singh, whose name has cropped in the investigation.

Sawant sought a probe into the "BJP angle" in the case.

When asked about the tweet, Fadnavis said, "Sawant is in the government. Then why did their Mumbai police keep all the suspects away? Why weren't they questioned?" "Why from the first day, it was termed as a suicide?" he asked.

On the photo, Fadnavis said that he might have been present in some programme, where Singh was also there.

"But the same person was a director or producer of a film on Balasaheb Thackeray," he said.

"It shows that Sachin Sawant does not do his homework. He is saying all these things out of frustration," he said.

Sawant in his tweet said, "@OfficeofUT, @AnilDeshmukhNCP request you to see @BJP4India angle in following request. CBI to qn Mr. Sandeep Singh in drug nexus in #SushantSinghRajputDeathCase."

Singh was a producer of a biopic on PM Narendra Modi, whose poster was launched by Fadnavis.

Talking about the Supreme Court's decision on conducting the final year university exams, the former CM said the petition filed by Yuva Sena and the Maharashtra government has been dismissed.

"The court ruled that without exams, no degrees can be given. The vice chancellors' report to the state government was also in favour of conduct of the exams, but on the Yuva Sena's insistence, Maharashtra state was taking a one-sided decision," he said.

Earlier in the day, the apex court said that states and universities cannot promote students without holding final year exams by September 30.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that no BJP leader "directly or indirectly" took state minister Aaditya Thackeray's name in connection with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that no BJP leader "directly or indirectly" took state minister Aaditya Thackeray's name in connection with Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the inauguration of a COVID-19 hosptial at Baner here, Fadnavis said that surprising revelations are coming up in the case. Rajput was found hanging at his flat in Mumbai's Bandra on June 14. The CBI has recently taken over the probe into the case. "No leader from the BJP has taken the name of Aaditya Thackeray directly or indirectly (in Rajput case). The kind of revelations that are coming up in the case, I think they are surprising," he said. The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly wondered why all these revelations did not come to light before the CBI took over the probe. "After 40 days (of the incident), the CBI took over the investigation. What if evidence were destroyed during these 40 days? I have come to know through media reports that eight hard disks were destroyed," Fadnavis said. "After seeing these things, a question arises whether Maharashtra police was under any political pressure during the investigation," he said. "I am sure the CBI will bring the truth out. The only thing is that if the truth was investigated earlier, I think the evidence would not have got destroyed and we would have known the culprit," he said. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had recently alleged a conspiracy to link Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray to the actor's death case. Although Raut did not take any name, he had said that the Opposition cannot digest the fact that the Sena-led government is in power in the state. Aaditya, son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, had himself also clarified that he was nowhere related to the actor's death case, and that he and his family were being targeted for no reason. Congress leader Sachin Sawant has tweeted a photo of Fadnavis with film producer Sandeep Singh, whose name has cropped in the investigation. Sawant sought a probe into the "BJP angle" in the case. When asked about the tweet, Fadnavis said, "Sawant is in the government. Then why did their Mumbai police keep all the suspects away? Why weren't they questioned?" "Why from the first day, it was termed as a suicide?" he asked. On the photo, Fadnavis said that he might have been present in some programme, where Singh was also there. "But the same person was a director or producer of a film on Balasaheb Thackeray," he said. "It shows that Sachin Sawant does not do his homework. He is saying all these things out of frustration," he said. Sawant in his tweet said, "@OfficeofUT, @AnilDeshmukhNCP request you to see @BJP4India angle in following request. CBI to qn Mr. Sandeep Singh in drug nexus in #SushantSinghRajputDeathCase." Singh was a producer of a biopic on PM Narendra Modi, whose poster was launched by Fadnavis. Talking about the Supreme Court's decision on conducting the final year university exams, the former CM said the petition filed by Yuva Sena and the Maharashtra government has been dismissed. "The court ruled that without exams, no degrees can be given. The vice chancellors' report to the state government was also in favour of conduct of the exams, but on the Yuva Sena's insistence, Maharashtra state was taking a one-sided decision," he said. Earlier in the day, the apex court said that states and universities cannot promote students without holding final year exams by September 30.

No BJP leader took Aaditya Thackeray's name in Sushant case, says Ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

The Goa government plans to focus on the COVID-19 containment zones in the state and urge the recovered patients of coronavirus from these areas to donate their plasma for treatment of others.

Talking to reporters, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday said that next week, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant would hold a meeting with those MLAs, in whose constituencies the containment zones fall, in order to involve them in the plasma donation drive.

"The MLAs, cutting across party lines, would be asked to encourage recovered coronavirus patients in the containment zones in their respective constituencies to come ahead and donate their plasma," he said.

"Plasma therapy is one of the best solutions to treat COVID-19. Time has come for the recovered patients to become saviour for others," the minister said.

Rane said that the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has set up a facility to get plasma from the blood of the recovered patients.

"We will also appeal to the police personnel and people from health sector, who have recovered from the infection, to come ahead and donate plasma," he said.

The minister said that the state government will also involve NGOs and media to encourage people for plasma donation.

The Goa government plans to focus on the COVID-19 containment zones in the state and urge the recovered patients of coronavirus from these areas to donate their plasma for treatment of others.

The Goa government plans to focus on the COVID-19 containment zones in the state and urge the recovered patients of coronavirus from these areas to donate their plasma for treatment of others. Talking to reporters, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday said that next week, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant would hold a meeting with those MLAs, in whose constituencies the containment zones fall, in order to involve them in the plasma donation drive. "The MLAs, cutting across party lines, would be asked to encourage recovered coronavirus patients in the containment zones in their respective constituencies to come ahead and donate their plasma," he said. "Plasma therapy is one of the best solutions to treat COVID-19. Time has come for the recovered patients to become saviour for others," the minister said. Rane said that the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has set up a facility to get plasma from the blood of the recovered patients. "We will also appeal to the police personnel and people from health sector, who have recovered from the infection, to come ahead and donate plasma," he said. The minister said that the state government will also involve NGOs and media to encourage people for plasma donation.

Goa to turn to COVID-19 containment zones for plasma donation

When Indian Army gallantly won Haji Pir Pass but was returned to Pakistan during the Tashkent agreement

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, said that 'states that have turned the production of terrorists as primary export attempted to paint themselves as victims of terrorism'.

EAM S Jaishankar slams Pakistan, says 'Terror exporter behaving like victim'

The issue of conduct of NEET-JEE exams has found itself in legal tussle. After Supreme Court declined to entertain pleas for postponement of NEET and JEE exams, six ministers of Opposition ruled states have approached the top court for a review. These ministers from states of West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have filed a review petition.

The petition, filed through advocate Sunil Fernandes, seeks postponement of exams slated to be held in September in light of coronavirus pandemic.

"Failed to balance the competing but equally important aspects of conducting the examination and securing safety of the student. Fails to ensure that mandatory safeguards are put in place during the conducting of the examinations," said the petition challenging the August 17 order. This has been cited by news agency IANS.

Also Read | <a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/tamil-nadu-health-minister-writes-to-union-minister-seeking-cancellation-of-neet-examination-323277">Tamil Nadu Health Minister writes to Union Minister seeking cancellation of NEET Examination</a>

"The advice of `Life Must Go On` may have sounded very philosophical underpinnings but cannot be a substitute for valid legal reasoning and logical analysis of the various aspects involved in the conduct of the NEET (UG) and JEE exams," the petitioners have argued.&nbsp;

The petitioners say that Central Government had ample time to set up at least one exam centre per district to conduct the examinations.

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"Having at least one centre per district would have minimised the inter-district long travel of the students and thereby reduced the chances of Covid-19 spread," says the petition.

The ministers, who have petitioned the Supreme Court have expressed posibillity of irreparable harm coming to the students as a result of spread of coronavirus. 
&nbsp;

The issue of conduct of NEET-JEE exams has found itself in legal tussle. After Supreme Court declined to entertain pleas for postponement of NEET and JEE exams, six ministers of Opposition ruled states have approached the top court for a review.

The issue of conduct of NEET-JEE exams has found itself in legal tussle. After Supreme Court declined to entertain pleas for postponement of NEET and JEE exams, six ministers of Opposition ruled states have approached the top court for a review. These ministers from states of West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have filed a review petition. The petition, filed through advocate Sunil Fernandes, seeks postponement of exams slated to be held in September in light of coronavirus pandemic. "Failed to balance the competing but equally important aspects of conducting the examination and securing safety of the student. Fails to ensure that mandatory safeguards are put in place during the conducting of the examinations," said the petition challenging the August 17 order. This has been cited by news agency IANS. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Health Minister writes to Union Minister seeking cancellation of NEET Examination "The advice of `Life Must Go On` may have sounded very philosophical underpinnings but cannot be a substitute for valid legal reasoning and logical analysis of the various aspects involved in the conduct of the NEET (UG) and JEE exams," the petitioners have argued. The petitioners say that Central Government had ample time to set up at least one exam centre per district to conduct the examinations. × "Having at least one centre per district would have minimised the inter-district long travel of the students and thereby reduced the chances of Covid-19 spread," says the petition. The ministers, who have petitioned the Supreme Court have expressed posibillity of irreparable harm coming to the students as a result of spread of coronavirus.

NEET-JEE exams: 6 ministers of non-BJP ruled states approach SC for review of order

The ex-husband and son of a 54-year-old Indian-origin woman, who was found dead at her home in Warwickshire in the West Midlands region of England, have been charged with her murder.

Jasbinder Gahir, 57, and Rohan Gahir, 23, were charged with the murder of Balvinder Gahir on Thursday and remanded in custody until their next appearance at Leamington Crown Court on September 1.

Warwickshire Police said emergency services were called to a home at Lillington in the town of Leamington Spa on Monday where the woman was found with serious head injuries and died at the scene.

A tribute statement, released by police on behalf of Balvinder's family along with a request for further privacy at this "difficult time", describes her as an "angel" who will never be forgotten.

The statement read: "She was the light of our life, with a golden kind heart, filled with so much love and happiness, her smile would light up the room with a thousand words, a beauty beyond beauty.

"Words cannot express how much we love you and will miss you. You lived life like there was no tomorrow, you saw many sorrows, yet always stayed positive and smiled and lived for today. You gave us hope and love.

"Our sweetest darling daughter, sister and mum, we hope you can rest in peace now. You will always be in our hearts our darling angel and never forgotten. Until we meet again."

The ex-husband and son of a 54-year-old Indian-origin woman, who was found dead at her home in Warwickshire in the West Midlands region of England, have been charged with her murder.

The ex-husband and son of a 54-year-old Indian-origin woman, who was found dead at her home in Warwickshire in the West Midlands region of England, have been charged with her murder. Jasbinder Gahir, 57, and Rohan Gahir, 23, were charged with the murder of Balvinder Gahir on Thursday and remanded in custody until their next appearance at Leamington Crown Court on September 1. Warwickshire Police said emergency services were called to a home at Lillington in the town of Leamington Spa on Monday where the woman was found with serious head injuries and died at the scene. A tribute statement, released by police on behalf of Balvinder's family along with a request for further privacy at this "difficult time", describes her as an "angel" who will never be forgotten. The statement read: "She was the light of our life, with a golden kind heart, filled with so much love and happiness, her smile would light up the room with a thousand words, a beauty beyond beauty. "Words cannot express how much we love you and will miss you. You lived life like there was no tomorrow, you saw many sorrows, yet always stayed positive and smiled and lived for today. You gave us hope and love. "Our sweetest darling daughter, sister and mum, we hope you can rest in peace now. You will always be in our hearts our darling angel and never forgotten. Until we meet again."

Ex-husband, son charged with murder of Indian-origin woman in UK

Coronavirus cases in India recorded the highest daily jump of 77,266 covid infections on Friday

COVID-19: India records world's highest spike of 77,266 cases in a day

Texas-based Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has entered into a licensing agreement with Indian pharmaceutical company Biological E Limited (BE) for the development of coronavirus vaccine.

According to BCM, BE has licenced the recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed at Baylor.

The company engaged in licence negotiations with the BCM Ventures team after initial discussions on Baylor's technology and how it could possibly inform a vaccine to address the current global pandemic.

The company will leverage its past experience for the further development and commercialisation of the vaccine candidate, which is currently produced using a proven yeast-based expression technology, the Texas-based BCM said.

India has recorded 33,87,500 coronavirus cases and 61,529 fatalities due to the disease, while the US is leading the chart with over 5,869,000 cases and 180,800 deaths.

Dr Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, and his colleagues have already been making SARs and MERS vaccines. "Then, when we got word about COVID-19, we saw that the sequence for the new virus was similar to some of the viruses that we were already making vaccines for," said Hotez, who is also the co-director of Texas Children's Centre for Vaccine Development.

Hotez and his team were able to quickly move on to creating a COVID-19 vaccine, which resulted in the collaboration with a large vaccine producer in India.

The vaccine is still in trials in India with the hope that it will be able to roll out sometime next year.

Meanwhile, the BE in a statement said the partnership with Baylor would help accelerate the development of an affordable vaccine, especially for India and other low- and middle-income nations. 
&nbsp;

Texas-based Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has entered into a licensing agreement with Indian pharmaceutical company Biological E Limited (BE) for the development of coronavirus vaccine.

Texas-based Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has entered into a licensing agreement with Indian pharmaceutical company Biological E Limited (BE) for the development of coronavirus vaccine. According to BCM, BE has licenced the recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed at Baylor. The company engaged in licence negotiations with the BCM Ventures team after initial discussions on Baylor's technology and how it could possibly inform a vaccine to address the current global pandemic. The company will leverage its past experience for the further development and commercialisation of the vaccine candidate, which is currently produced using a proven yeast-based expression technology, the Texas-based BCM said. India has recorded 33,87,500 coronavirus cases and 61,529 fatalities due to the disease, while the US is leading the chart with over 5,869,000 cases and 180,800 deaths. Dr Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, and his colleagues have already been making SARs and MERS vaccines. "Then, when we got word about COVID-19, we saw that the sequence for the new virus was similar to some of the viruses that we were already making vaccines for," said Hotez, who is also the co-director of Texas Children's Centre for Vaccine Development. Hotez and his team were able to quickly move on to creating a COVID-19 vaccine, which resulted in the collaboration with a large vaccine producer in India. The vaccine is still in trials in India with the hope that it will be able to roll out sometime next year. Meanwhile, the BE in a statement said the partnership with Baylor would help accelerate the development of an affordable vaccine, especially for India and other low- and middle-income nations.

US-based BCM ties up with India's BE for COVID-19 vaccine production

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, 84, continues to be in a deep coma and on ventilator support, the Army hospital said today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjees-respiratory-parameters-show-slight-improvement-hospital-321883">Also Read:&nbsp;Pranab Mukherjee's respiratory parameters show slight improvement: Hospital</a>

"He is haemodynamically stable and under intensive care being treated for lung infection and renal dysfunction," the Army Research and Referral(R&amp;R) hospital said.

The former president was admitted to the hospital in the Delhi Cantonment on August 10. Pranab Mukherjee was operated for removal of a clot in his brain earlier and has been in&nbsp;coma ever since.

Pranab Mukherjee was the President of India from 2012 to 2017.&nbsp;

His daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee who is a Congress leader had earlier said that her father had fallen critically ill just a year after he received the 'Bharat Ratna' -- the country's highest civilian award. 
&nbsp;

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, 84, continues to be in a deep coma and on ventilator support, the Army hospital said today. Also Read: Pranab Mukherjee's respiratory parameters show slight improvement: Hospital "He is haemodynamically stable and under intensive care being treated for lung infection and renal dysfunction," the Army Research and Referral(R&R) hospital said.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, 84, continues to be in a deep coma and on ventilator support, the Army hospital said today. Also Read: Pranab Mukherjee's respiratory parameters show slight improvement: Hospital "He is haemodynamically stable and under intensive care being treated for lung infection and renal dysfunction," the Army Research and Referral(R&R) hospital said. The former president was admitted to the hospital in the Delhi Cantonment on August 10. Pranab Mukherjee was operated for removal of a clot in his brain earlier and has been in coma ever since. Pranab Mukherjee was the President of India from 2012 to 2017. His daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee who is a Congress leader had earlier said that her father had fallen critically ill just a year after he received the 'Bharat Ratna' -- the country's highest civilian award.

Pranab Mukherjee continues to be in deep coma and on ventilator support: Hospital

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday slammed Pakistan and without taking the name of the country said, "states that have turned the production of terrorists into a primary export have attempted, by dint of bland denials, to paint themselves as victims of terror."

His comments were in context to the urgent need for adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism(CCIT) that calls on a common definition of terrorism but haven't made much progress as "membership of the UN still wrestling with certain foundational principles" EAM said.

CCIT was proposed by India in 1996 and in his first address to United Nations General assembly since becoming the PM in 2014, PM Modi called for early adoption of the convention.

EAM Jaishankar who was speaking at the 19th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture also recalled the developments of last week over Pakistani flip- flops on the presence of United Nations listed terrorists Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim via its own SRO--Statutory regulatory order.

He said, "we have seen last week, sustained pressure through international mechanisms to prevent the movement of funds for terror groups and their front agencies can work."

Explaining, without referring to Islamabad that "it has eventually compelled a state complicit in aiding, abetting, training and directing terror groups and associated criminal syndicates" &nbsp;to "grudgingly acknowledge the presence of wanted terrorists and organized crime leaders on its territory."

Pakistan after issuing the SRO that listed the United Nations terror list of 1267 committee came out with a clarification that it doesn't mean acceptance of terrorist on its territory or territories occupied by it. The 1267 UN list, which has maximum number of terrorists from Pakistan also mentions the name of Masood Azhar responsible for Pulwama terror attack and Dawood Ibrahim the mastermind of 1993 Mumbai attacks.

While expressing hope that the "struggle against terror and those who aid and abet it is a work in progress", EAM said, "it remains for the international system to create the necessary mechanisms to shut down the structures that support and enable terrorism, whether in South Asia or across the globe. "

He drew parallels between terrorism and the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic saying, "terrorism was not born on 9/11, nor has the Covid-19 been the only pandemic."

Elaborating, that "terrorism is a cancer that potentially affects everyone, just as pandemics potentially impact upon all humanity" and yet "in both cases, globalized focused responses to either challenge have tended to emerge only when there has been sufficient disruption created by a ‘spectacular’ event. " 
&nbsp;

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday slammed Pakistan and without taking the name of the country said, "states that have turned the production of terrorists into a primary export have attempted, by dint of bland denials, to paint themselves as victims of terror.

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday slammed Pakistan and without taking the name of the country said, "states that have turned the production of terrorists into a primary export have attempted, by dint of bland denials, to paint themselves as victims of terror." His comments were in context to the urgent need for adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism(CCIT) that calls on a common definition of terrorism but haven't made much progress as "membership of the UN still wrestling with certain foundational principles" EAM said. CCIT was proposed by India in 1996 and in his first address to United Nations General assembly since becoming the PM in 2014, PM Modi called for early adoption of the convention. EAM Jaishankar who was speaking at the 19th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture also recalled the developments of last week over Pakistani flip- flops on the presence of United Nations listed terrorists Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim via its own SRO--Statutory regulatory order. He said, "we have seen last week, sustained pressure through international mechanisms to prevent the movement of funds for terror groups and their front agencies can work." Explaining, without referring to Islamabad that "it has eventually compelled a state complicit in aiding, abetting, training and directing terror groups and associated criminal syndicates" to "grudgingly acknowledge the presence of wanted terrorists and organized crime leaders on its territory." Pakistan after issuing the SRO that listed the United Nations terror list of 1267 committee came out with a clarification that it doesn't mean acceptance of terrorist on its territory or territories occupied by it. The 1267 UN list, which has maximum number of terrorists from Pakistan also mentions the name of Masood Azhar responsible for Pulwama terror attack and Dawood Ibrahim the mastermind of 1993 Mumbai attacks. While expressing hope that the "struggle against terror and those who aid and abet it is a work in progress", EAM said, "it remains for the international system to create the necessary mechanisms to shut down the structures that support and enable terrorism, whether in South Asia or across the globe. " He drew parallels between terrorism and the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic saying, "terrorism was not born on 9/11, nor has the Covid-19 been the only pandemic." Elaborating, that "terrorism is a cancer that potentially affects everyone, just as pandemics potentially impact upon all humanity" and yet "in both cases, globalized focused responses to either challenge have tended to emerge only when there has been sufficient disruption created by a ‘spectacular’ event. "

Jaishankar slams Pakistan; says 'exporter' of terror painting themselves as 'victims' of terror

India recored highest single-day spike of 77,266 COVID-19 cases pushing virus cases to 33,87,500.

The death toll due to the virus has risen to 61,529 in the country, the government said.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in country stands at 7,42,023, while 25,83,948 people have recovered, the Union health ministry said.

India had recorded 75,760 coronavirus cases on Thursday with the total number of cases rising to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases.

Meanwhile, Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 94,668 with the highest single-day spike of 3,682 fresh cases, while the death toll mounted to 456 as eight more patients succumbed to the disease, a health department official said.

New cases were detected in all the 30 districts of the state, the fatalities were reported from six.

"Regret to inform the demise of eight #COVID-19 positive patients while under treatment in hospitals," the Health and Family Welfare Department said on Twitter.

Of the fresh fatalities, two each were reported from Khurda and Ganjam districts and one patient each from Bargarh, Bhadrak, Bolangir and Rayagada districts.

Ganjam accounted for 185 of the 456 COVID-19 deaths reported in Odisha so far, followed by 59 in Khurda district, of the fresh cases, 2,241 were detected in quarantine centres, while 1,441 people tested positive for the infection during contact tracing, the official said.

Khurda district reported the maximum number of fresh cases at 775, followed by Rayagada (495), Cuttack (369) and Mayurbhanj (272).

The state had registered its previous highest-single day spike of 3,384 new cases on Thursday.

Odisha has 28,836 active cases at present, while 65,323 patients have recovered from the disease so far.

The state has so far tested 16,12,097 samples for COVID-19, including 58,840 on Thursday, the official added.

India recored highest single-day spike of 77,266 COVID-19 cases pushing virus cases to 33,87,500. The death toll due to the virus has risen to 61,529 in the country, the government said.

India recored highest single-day spike of 77,266 COVID-19 cases pushing virus cases to 33,87,500. The death toll due to the virus has risen to 61,529 in the country, the government said. The number of active COVID-19 cases in country stands at 7,42,023, while 25,83,948 people have recovered, the Union health ministry said. India had recorded 75,760 coronavirus cases on Thursday with the total number of cases rising to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases. Meanwhile, Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 94,668 with the highest single-day spike of 3,682 fresh cases, while the death toll mounted to 456 as eight more patients succumbed to the disease, a health department official said. New cases were detected in all the 30 districts of the state, the fatalities were reported from six. "Regret to inform the demise of eight #COVID-19 positive patients while under treatment in hospitals," the Health and Family Welfare Department said on Twitter. Of the fresh fatalities, two each were reported from Khurda and Ganjam districts and one patient each from Bargarh, Bhadrak, Bolangir and Rayagada districts. Ganjam accounted for 185 of the 456 COVID-19 deaths reported in Odisha so far, followed by 59 in Khurda district, of the fresh cases, 2,241 were detected in quarantine centres, while 1,441 people tested positive for the infection during contact tracing, the official said. Khurda district reported the maximum number of fresh cases at 775, followed by Rayagada (495), Cuttack (369) and Mayurbhanj (272). The state had registered its previous highest-single day spike of 3,384 new cases on Thursday. Odisha has 28,836 active cases at present, while 65,323 patients have recovered from the disease so far. The state has so far tested 16,12,097 samples for COVID-19, including 58,840 on Thursday, the official added.

India again records highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases; death toll rises to 61,529

China's Alibaba Group has put on hold plans to invest in Indian companies, two sources aware of the plans told Reuters, amid souring business relations and rising political tension between the two nations after a clash on their Himalayan border.

Alibaba, which has fuelled the growth of several Indian start-ups, will not put in fresh funds to expand its investments in the country for at least six months, the sources said.

However, there are no plans to reduce its stakes or exit investments, they added. The sources declined to be identified as the talks are private.

Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment.

The Chinese conglomerate and its affiliates Alibaba Capital Partners and Ant Group have invested more than $2 billion in Indian companies since 2015 and participated in funding rounds of at least another $1.8 billion, according to data from PitchBook, which tracks private market financing.

Hitting the brakes could slow fundraising plans for some of Alibaba's investee companies in India, which include payments platform Paytm, restaurant aggregator and food delivery service Zomato, and e-grocer BigBasket.

Ant Group, which is preparing for an IPO, on Tuesday called out the challenges it faces in India.

In its IPO filing, Ant said a change in foreign investment rules in India had led to a "further evaluation of the timing" of its additional investment in Zomato.

Ant also said it counted Paytm owner One97 Communications, in which it has a 30% stake, as an associate or joint venture partner over which it has "significant influence".

India, in April, put investments from China and other bordering countries under greater scrutiny to prevent opportunistic takeovers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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&nbsp;

However, a border clash in June, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, escalated tensions, and India imposed stricter curbs on Chinese goods and businesses amid calls for boycotts.

"Alibaba and a few others have put on hold their India investment plans for six months and they are hoping that things would cool off a bit after that," said one of the sources.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/in-a-move-aimed-at-placating-trump-alibaba-claims-to-support-us-businesses-322114">In a move aimed at placating Trump, Alibaba claims to support US businesses</a>

"No one is planning to put their stakes in Indian ventures on the block given the market condition and the fact that there aren't many buyers," the person said.

Indian start-ups are heavily funded by Chinese investors such as Alibaba and Tencent &lt;0700.HK&gt;. Bankers have previously said they were looking to bolster their presence in the country with an aim to grow their revenues outside China.

There is a lot of interest from European and U.S.-based investors to fill the gap left by the Chinese, said Arjun Sinha, partner at Indian law firm, AP &amp; Partners.

"Deal making, however, may take slightly longer as these will be new relationships as opposed to further funding rounds," said Sinha.

China's Alibaba Group has put on hold plans to invest in Indian companies, two sources aware of the plans told Reuters, amid souring business relations and rising political tension between the two nations after a clash on their Himalayan border.

China's Alibaba Group has put on hold plans to invest in Indian companies, two sources aware of the plans told Reuters, amid souring business relations and rising political tension between the two nations after a clash on their Himalayan border. Alibaba, which has fuelled the growth of several Indian start-ups, will not put in fresh funds to expand its investments in the country for at least six months, the sources said. However, there are no plans to reduce its stakes or exit investments, they added. The sources declined to be identified as the talks are private. Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment. The Chinese conglomerate and its affiliates Alibaba Capital Partners and Ant Group have invested more than $2 billion in Indian companies since 2015 and participated in funding rounds of at least another $1.8 billion, according to data from PitchBook, which tracks private market financing. Hitting the brakes could slow fundraising plans for some of Alibaba's investee companies in India, which include payments platform Paytm, restaurant aggregator and food delivery service Zomato, and e-grocer BigBasket. Ant Group, which is preparing for an IPO, on Tuesday called out the challenges it faces in India. In its IPO filing, Ant said a change in foreign investment rules in India had led to a "further evaluation of the timing" of its additional investment in Zomato. Ant also said it counted Paytm owner One97 Communications, in which it has a 30% stake, as an associate or joint venture partner over which it has "significant influence". India, in April, put investments from China and other bordering countries under greater scrutiny to prevent opportunistic takeovers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. × However, a border clash in June, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, escalated tensions, and India imposed stricter curbs on Chinese goods and businesses amid calls for boycotts. "Alibaba and a few others have put on hold their India investment plans for six months and they are hoping that things would cool off a bit after that," said one of the sources. Also Read: In a move aimed at placating Trump, Alibaba claims to support US businesses "No one is planning to put their stakes in Indian ventures on the block given the market condition and the fact that there aren't many buyers," the person said. Indian start-ups are heavily funded by Chinese investors such as Alibaba and Tencent <0700.HK>. Bankers have previously said they were looking to bolster their presence in the country with an aim to grow their revenues outside China. There is a lot of interest from European and U.S.-based investors to fill the gap left by the Chinese, said Arjun Sinha, partner at Indian law firm, AP & Partners. "Deal making, however, may take slightly longer as these will be new relationships as opposed to further funding rounds," said Sinha.

Alibaba puts India investment plan on hold amid China tensions - Sources

Ten members of India's dwindling Great Andamanese tribe have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday, fuelling concerns about the safety of the group and other indigenous people in the remote archipelago.

Six of the 10 have recovered and are inhome quarantine, officials told AFP, while the rest are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Just over 50 Great Andamanese people survive today and live on the tiny Strait Island where the Indian government looks after their food and shelter.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a chain in the Indian Ocean with a population of some 400,000, has reported 2,268 coronavirus cases so far with 37 deaths.

Indian authorities sent a team of health officials to Strait Island on Sunday after six members of the tribe tested positive in the archipelago's capital Port Blair recently.

Some of the tribe's members travel to Port Blair where they have government jobs.

"The team tested 37 samples and four members of the Great Andamanese tribe were found to be positive. They are admitted in hospital," Avijit Ray, a senior health officer in charge of disease management in the Andamans, told AFP.

Sanjiv Mittal, a senior government officer for tribal welfare, told AFP authorities were doing their best to keep all the members safe and healthy.

Extremely vulnerable

Anthropologists and activists for isolated tribal communities say more than 5,000 Great Andamanese lived in the islands when British settlers arrived in the 19th century.

However, hundreds were killed in conflicts as they defended their territories from British invasion, and thousands more were wiped out in epidemics of measles, influenza and syphilis, according to Survival International.

In recent days, concerns have grown for the safety of the Great Andamanese and other tribes, including the remote Jarawa and the Sentinelese people.

Poachers continue to invade their territory despite strict government restrictions.

Last week, eight fishermen were arrested for illegally entering the Jarawa's territory, local media reported.

In 2018, a 26-year-old American missionary seeking to convert the nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe was killed after he secretly visited the North Sentinel island.

His body was never retrieved.

Outsiders are banned from visiting the island, to protect the Sentinelese way of life and avoid exposing them to infectious diseases.

As one of the most isolated tribes in the world, the Sentinelese are extremely vulnerable to diseases from outsiders, especially during a global pandemic such as the coronavirus, experts say.

"The Andaman authorities must act urgently to prevent the virus reaching more Great Andamanese and to prevent infection in the other tribes," said Sophie Grig, a senior researcher with Survival.

"The waters around North Sentinel must be properly policed and no outsiders should enter the territories of any of the Andaman tribes without their consent."

She added: "We've certainly seen in the US, in Brazil, in Peru, indigenous communities (being) disproportionately hit. In Brazil where there are more than a hundred uncontacted tribes still living, (the) fear of the disease is getting into those communities."

The virus has already hit tribes in Brazil and Peru hard, including some of the isolated Amazon tribes.

According to the Brazilian Indigenous Peoples' Association, 26,000 indigenous people have been infected and 690 have died during the country's pandemic.

India is the third worst-hit country in the world behind the US and Brazil, with more than three million coronavirus cases.

There, some 60,000 people have died from the infection so far.

Ten members of India's dwindling Great Andamanese tribe have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday, fuelling concerns about the safety of the group and other indigenous people in the remote archipelago.

Ten members of India's dwindling Great Andamanese tribe have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday, fuelling concerns about the safety of the group and other indigenous people in the remote archipelago. Six of the 10 have recovered and are inhome quarantine, officials told AFP, while the rest are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Just over 50 Great Andamanese people survive today and live on the tiny Strait Island where the Indian government looks after their food and shelter. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a chain in the Indian Ocean with a population of some 400,000, has reported 2,268 coronavirus cases so far with 37 deaths. Indian authorities sent a team of health officials to Strait Island on Sunday after six members of the tribe tested positive in the archipelago's capital Port Blair recently. Some of the tribe's members travel to Port Blair where they have government jobs. "The team tested 37 samples and four members of the Great Andamanese tribe were found to be positive. They are admitted in hospital," Avijit Ray, a senior health officer in charge of disease management in the Andamans, told AFP. Sanjiv Mittal, a senior government officer for tribal welfare, told AFP authorities were doing their best to keep all the members safe and healthy. Extremely vulnerable Anthropologists and activists for isolated tribal communities say more than 5,000 Great Andamanese lived in the islands when British settlers arrived in the 19th century. However, hundreds were killed in conflicts as they defended their territories from British invasion, and thousands more were wiped out in epidemics of measles, influenza and syphilis, according to Survival International. In recent days, concerns have grown for the safety of the Great Andamanese and other tribes, including the remote Jarawa and the Sentinelese people. Poachers continue to invade their territory despite strict government restrictions. Last week, eight fishermen were arrested for illegally entering the Jarawa's territory, local media reported. In 2018, a 26-year-old American missionary seeking to convert the nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe was killed after he secretly visited the North Sentinel island. His body was never retrieved. Outsiders are banned from visiting the island, to protect the Sentinelese way of life and avoid exposing them to infectious diseases. As one of the most isolated tribes in the world, the Sentinelese are extremely vulnerable to diseases from outsiders, especially during a global pandemic such as the coronavirus, experts say. "The Andaman authorities must act urgently to prevent the virus reaching more Great Andamanese and to prevent infection in the other tribes," said Sophie Grig, a senior researcher with Survival. "The waters around North Sentinel must be properly policed and no outsiders should enter the territories of any of the Andaman tribes without their consent." She added: "We've certainly seen in the US, in Brazil, in Peru, indigenous communities (being) disproportionately hit. In Brazil where there are more than a hundred uncontacted tribes still living, (the) fear of the disease is getting into those communities." The virus has already hit tribes in Brazil and Peru hard, including some of the isolated Amazon tribes. According to the Brazilian Indigenous Peoples' Association, 26,000 indigenous people have been infected and 690 have died during the country's pandemic. India is the third worst-hit country in the world behind the US and Brazil, with more than three million coronavirus cases. There, some 60,000 people have died from the infection so far.

Coronavirus hits isolated Great Andamanese tribe, 10 infected

India recorded 75,760 coronavirus cases on Thursday with the total number of cases rising to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russia-seeks-collaboration-with-india-for-manufacturing-covid-19-vaccine-sputnik-v-sources-323068">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia seeks collaboration with India for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V</a> 


The death toll due to the virus in the country has now risen to 60,472 with 1,023 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the total number of coronavirus samples tested so far has jumped to 3,85,76,510 including 9,24,998 samples tested on Wednesday.

The West Bengal government said that restriction on flights coming from six cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedaba&nbsp; -&nbsp;will be partially lifted from September 1.

Flights from these cities can come to the state thrice a week, the West Bengal government declared.

Jharkhand reported 1,137 new coronavirus cases and ten deaths in the last 24 hours with the number of active cases at 10,463, taking the total number of cases to 33,311 and 362 fatalities.

India recorded 75,760 coronavirus cases on Thursday with the total number of cases rising to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases. Also Read: Russia seeks collaboration with India for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V The death toll due to the virus in the country has now risen to 60,472 with 1,023 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

India recorded 75,760 coronavirus cases on Thursday with the total number of cases rising to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases. Also Read: Russia seeks collaboration with India for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V The death toll due to the virus in the country has now risen to 60,472 with 1,023 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the total number of coronavirus samples tested so far has jumped to 3,85,76,510 including 9,24,998 samples tested on Wednesday. The West Bengal government said that restriction on flights coming from six cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedaba - will be partially lifted from September 1. Flights from these cities can come to the state thrice a week, the West Bengal government declared. Jharkhand reported 1,137 new coronavirus cases and ten deaths in the last 24 hours with the number of active cases at 10,463, taking the total number of cases to 33,311 and 362 fatalities.

India records highest ever coronavirus infection rate in 24 hours; death toll rises to over 60,000

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said.

SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court.

A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by justice Ashok Bhushan will pronounce it’s verdict at 10.30 am.

University Grants Commission had asked all universities and colleges to conduct their final year examinations before September 30 as any more delay will result in the loss of an academic year. The exams could be conducted online, offline or both.

Those who won’t be able to appear in the examination because of COVID or other difficulties, as states like Bihar and Assam are reeling under severe flood impacts, will be allowed to take the examinations later.

(With inputs from agencies)

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said. SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court.

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said. SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court. A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by justice Ashok Bhushan will pronounce it’s verdict at 10.30 am. University Grants Commission had asked all universities and colleges to conduct their final year examinations before September 30 as any more delay will result in the loss of an academic year. The exams could be conducted online, offline or both. Those who won’t be able to appear in the examination because of COVID or other difficulties, as states like Bihar and Assam are reeling under severe flood impacts, will be allowed to take the examinations later. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme Court decision on UGC case on final year university exams 2020 on August 28

Heavy rains have lashed Jammu and Kashmir as MeT has predicted more rains in the next 24 hours. At least four people have died in Jammu region due to rainfall which triggered landslides and flash floods, while dozens of livestock perished in Sangiote village near Balakote in the Poonch district area.

Authorities have put men and machinery on high alert and are continuously monitoring the situation.&nbsp;

Meteorological Department has issued advisories of flash floods and landslides in the upper reaches of Jammu &amp; Kashmir while they national highway connecting the valley to the rest of India remains closed.&nbsp;

“Srinagar recorded 44.3 millimetres of rainfall in the last 48 hours, 123 millimetres which are the highest rainfall in the union territory was recorded in Katra area of Jammu, a MeT official said.&nbsp;

The India Air force yesterday saved a life by its timely rescuing a person in rain-battered Naushera in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Alert has been sounded in Reasi, Udhampur due to uninterrupted heavy rains &amp; police have issued numbers while serval people have been rescued from the affected areas.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, three persons, including a woman, were killed in a landslide due to heavy rainfall in Reasi district while a man was killed due to landslide in Rajouri district of Jammu region yesterday.

Heavy rains have lashed Jammu and Kashmir as MeT has predicted more rains in the next 24 hours. At least four people have died in Jammu region due to rainfall which triggered landslides and flash floods, while dozens of livestock perished in Sangiote village near Balakote in the Poonch district area.

Heavy rains have lashed Jammu and Kashmir as MeT has predicted more rains in the next 24 hours. At least four people have died in Jammu region due to rainfall which triggered landslides and flash floods, while dozens of livestock perished in Sangiote village near Balakote in the Poonch district area. Authorities have put men and machinery on high alert and are continuously monitoring the situation. Meteorological Department has issued advisories of flash floods and landslides in the upper reaches of Jammu & Kashmir while they national highway connecting the valley to the rest of India remains closed. “Srinagar recorded 44.3 millimetres of rainfall in the last 48 hours, 123 millimetres which are the highest rainfall in the union territory was recorded in Katra area of Jammu, a MeT official said. The India Air force yesterday saved a life by its timely rescuing a person in rain-battered Naushera in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Alert has been sounded in Reasi, Udhampur due to uninterrupted heavy rains & police have issued numbers while serval people have been rescued from the affected areas. On Tuesday, three persons, including a woman, were killed in a landslide due to heavy rainfall in Reasi district while a man was killed due to landslide in Rajouri district of Jammu region yesterday.

Heavy rains lash J&K, alert issued in areas of Jammu region

India has been insisting that the border standoff with China must be resolved in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols for border management between the two countries.

All standoffs in last decade defused peacefully: EAM S Jaishankar

Over two&nbsp;months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC.&nbsp;

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in his weekly presser while reiterating that "complete disengagement requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC" said, “It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions and...important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides"

Last week the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation &amp; Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place during which focus remained on disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. Just not at the diplomatic level, at the military level also both sides are in touch.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Chinese defence ministry Senior Colonel Wu Qian claimed "progress has been made" on disengagement by frontline troops and "maintaining peace and stability in the border area is not only conducive to both sides' respective development, but also to regional and world peace and stability."

Indian Govt sources, when asked about the "progress" as claimed by Chinese, said, no fresh disengagement has happened by the Chinese side on the ground.

While several areas including the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh has seen disengagement, Chinese forces are maintaining positions from finger 5 to finger 8 areas of Pangong Lake.

And even as both sides engage, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar in an interview recently said any solution "must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally”.

Over two months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC.

Over two months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in his weekly presser while reiterating that "complete disengagement requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC" said, “It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions and...important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides" Last week the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place during which focus remained on disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. Just not at the diplomatic level, at the military level also both sides are in touch. Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Chinese defence ministry Senior Colonel Wu Qian claimed "progress has been made" on disengagement by frontline troops and "maintaining peace and stability in the border area is not only conducive to both sides' respective development, but also to regional and world peace and stability." Indian Govt sources, when asked about the "progress" as claimed by Chinese, said, no fresh disengagement has happened by the Chinese side on the ground. While several areas including the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh has seen disengagement, Chinese forces are maintaining positions from finger 5 to finger 8 areas of Pangong Lake. And even as both sides engage, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar in an interview recently said any solution "must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally”.

India-China disengagement: India calls for reciprocal actions; China says progress made

It is one thing to solve a Rubik’s cube under normal circumstances, but completely another to hold one’s breath and do this skill-intensive activity back-to-back while submerged underwater.&nbsp;

“It took over a year of practice to get the breathing right, while cubing at high speeds” Illayaram Sekar, who holds multiple Guinness worlds records in cubing tells WION. The latest feat is his sixth Guinness world record and his most special yet- Sekar has solved 6 Rubik’s cubes in 2 minutes 17 seconds, while being submerged in an enclosed glass tank.&nbsp;

Sekar’s latest record which was done in 2minutes and 17 seconds was successfully attempted on August 1st 2020, exactly six years after a similar attempt using five cubes by an American was recognized as a Guinness world record in 2014. “I was pursuing my college education and was in my second year back then, I aspired to beat that record as a college student” Sekar recalls. An avid cuber since 2013, he claims to have learnt all of his tricks from the internet, improving them with every record.&nbsp;

Working as a Rubik’s cube trainer at a private school in Chennai, Sekar has many Guinness records to his credit. But the latest one stands out, as the Guinness team had themselves reached out to him and certified this record, after seeing media reports about the same. It is said that it takes a minimum of three months for Guinness to approve a record and announce it, but in Sekar’s case, the team certified it, barely within six days of it being submitted.&nbsp;

Having trained himself to solve hundreds of cubes back-to-back, Sekar still feels that solving six cubes underwater was an all-new experience, with its own set of complications. “It’s easy to hold breath and stay underwater for a couple of minutes, but it is really hard to do so when our mind and fingers are working at rapid speeds for cubing” he told WION. The conditions for the record also strictly mention that every new cube must be revealed only after the previous one is solved, and if a cube slips out of hand and returns to surface, the attempt is not considered. This meant that he had to grip the cubes hard, as opposed to a light grip during normal cubing. For Selvam, solving a cube in under 9 seconds is a cake-walk, but it takes about 20 seconds to do the same while submerged. &nbsp;

So how did he manage to completely solve 6 cubes? His year-long training regimen for breath control included ‘Pranayama’ and a two-hour session of underwater practice every day. “The trick is to keep the mind calm while cubing, as getting agitated will deplete oxygen. It took me months of hard-work to solve every additional cube under water and the progress was slow” Sekar says.&nbsp;

When asked if he trains for enhanced underwater breath control at swimming pools, Sekar laughs, adding that he doesn’t know swimming and always does his practice at the shallow end of the pool. This was among the reasons why he fabricated a 5-feet deep glass tank in 2019 to help in his practice. It was eventually the same tank in which he performed the record attempt.&nbsp;

He believes that cubing can be an extremely satisfying hobby when inculcated at a young age. As a trainer who works with school students, he points out that cubing has immense impact on honing mind-eye-hand coordination. "This is an activity that requires both hands to move extremely fast and is something that requires skill, technique and a sharp-attention" Sekar says.&nbsp;

His earlier Guinness Records involved solving cubes while being suspended heads over heels, while riding a bicycle, among others. He had even trained 4000 students in his school for a mass cubing event, which also was recognized by the Guinness records. So what’s next? He says, he’ll be cubing while riding a unicycle.

It is one thing to solve a Rubik’s cube under normal circumstances, but completely another to hold one’s breath and do this skill-intensive activity back-to-back while submerged underwater.

It is one thing to solve a Rubik’s cube under normal circumstances, but completely another to hold one’s breath and do this skill-intensive activity back-to-back while submerged underwater. “It took over a year of practice to get the breathing right, while cubing at high speeds” Illayaram Sekar, who holds multiple Guinness worlds records in cubing tells WION. The latest feat is his sixth Guinness world record and his most special yet- Sekar has solved 6 Rubik’s cubes in 2 minutes 17 seconds, while being submerged in an enclosed glass tank. Sekar’s latest record which was done in 2minutes and 17 seconds was successfully attempted on August 1st 2020, exactly six years after a similar attempt using five cubes by an American was recognized as a Guinness world record in 2014. “I was pursuing my college education and was in my second year back then, I aspired to beat that record as a college student” Sekar recalls. An avid cuber since 2013, he claims to have learnt all of his tricks from the internet, improving them with every record. Working as a Rubik’s cube trainer at a private school in Chennai, Sekar has many Guinness records to his credit. But the latest one stands out, as the Guinness team had themselves reached out to him and certified this record, after seeing media reports about the same. It is said that it takes a minimum of three months for Guinness to approve a record and announce it, but in Sekar’s case, the team certified it, barely within six days of it being submitted. Having trained himself to solve hundreds of cubes back-to-back, Sekar still feels that solving six cubes underwater was an all-new experience, with its own set of complications. “It’s easy to hold breath and stay underwater for a couple of minutes, but it is really hard to do so when our mind and fingers are working at rapid speeds for cubing” he told WION. The conditions for the record also strictly mention that every new cube must be revealed only after the previous one is solved, and if a cube slips out of hand and returns to surface, the attempt is not considered. This meant that he had to grip the cubes hard, as opposed to a light grip during normal cubing. For Selvam, solving a cube in under 9 seconds is a cake-walk, but it takes about 20 seconds to do the same while submerged. So how did he manage to completely solve 6 cubes? His year-long training regimen for breath control included ‘Pranayama’ and a two-hour session of underwater practice every day. “The trick is to keep the mind calm while cubing, as getting agitated will deplete oxygen. It took me months of hard-work to solve every additional cube under water and the progress was slow” Sekar says. When asked if he trains for enhanced underwater breath control at swimming pools, Sekar laughs, adding that he doesn’t know swimming and always does his practice at the shallow end of the pool. This was among the reasons why he fabricated a 5-feet deep glass tank in 2019 to help in his practice. It was eventually the same tank in which he performed the record attempt. He believes that cubing can be an extremely satisfying hobby when inculcated at a young age. As a trainer who works with school students, he points out that cubing has immense impact on honing mind-eye-hand coordination. "This is an activity that requires both hands to move extremely fast and is something that requires skill, technique and a sharp-attention" Sekar says. His earlier Guinness Records involved solving cubes while being suspended heads over heels, while riding a bicycle, among others. He had even trained 4000 students in his school for a mass cubing event, which also was recognized by the Guinness records. So what’s next? He says, he’ll be cubing while riding a unicycle.

Guinness World Record: Chennai man solves six Rubik’s cubes underwater in one breath

India has dismissed Pakistan's claim that New Delhi hasn't shared enough evidence with the country on the Pulwama terror attack. Earlier this week, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 19 people, out which seven are Pakistani nationals including Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar.&nbsp;

Reminding Islamabad that the organisation and leadership of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the United Nations terror group which had taken the responsibility of Pulwama attack is "in Pakistan".&nbsp;Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava said, "It is regrettable that Masood Azhar, the first accused in the charge sheet, continues to find shelter in Pakistan. Enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan but it continues to evade responsibility."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-confirms-money-was-put-in-pakistan-bank-accounts-of-masood-azhar-before-pulwama-terror-attack-323281">Also read|&nbsp;NIA confirms money was put in Pakistan bank accounts of Masood Azhar before Pulwama terror attack</a>

The 2019 attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died was the worst terror attack on Indian soil.&nbsp;

The MEA said, "The charge sheet has been filed after investigation of a year and a half since the attack took place on 14 February 2019. It has been filed to address the act of terrorism and to bring perpetrators of such a heinous crime to justice."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-files-chargesheet-in-pulwama-attack-jaish-e-mohammed-chief-masood-azhar-his-two-brothers-among-19-named-323023">Also read|&nbsp;NIA files chargesheet in Pulwama attack: Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, his two brothers among 19 named</a>

The development comes after Pakistan reacted to NIA's charge sheet saying India's evidence to it was "incomplete, patchy and unsubstantiated".

New Delhi also recalled Islamabad's inaction on acting against 26/11 Mumbai attack's mastermind saying the country "has not yet taken any credible action against perpetrators of the (attack)..which resulted in loss of 165 innocent lives including 25 foreign nationals."

India has dismissed Pakistan's claim that New Delhi hasn't shared enough evidence with the country on the Pulwama terror attack. Earlier this week, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 19 people, out which seven are Pakistani nationals including Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar.

India has dismissed Pakistan's claim that New Delhi hasn't shared enough evidence with the country on the Pulwama terror attack. Earlier this week, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 19 people, out which seven are Pakistani nationals including Jaish-e-Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar. Reminding Islamabad that the organisation and leadership of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the United Nations terror group which had taken the responsibility of Pulwama attack is "in Pakistan". Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava said, "It is regrettable that Masood Azhar, the first accused in the charge sheet, continues to find shelter in Pakistan. Enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan but it continues to evade responsibility." Also read| NIA confirms money was put in Pakistan bank accounts of Masood Azhar before Pulwama terror attack The 2019 attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died was the worst terror attack on Indian soil. The MEA said, "The charge sheet has been filed after investigation of a year and a half since the attack took place on 14 February 2019. It has been filed to address the act of terrorism and to bring perpetrators of such a heinous crime to justice." Also read| NIA files chargesheet in Pulwama attack: Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, his two brothers among 19 named The development comes after Pakistan reacted to NIA's charge sheet saying India's evidence to it was "incomplete, patchy and unsubstantiated". New Delhi also recalled Islamabad's inaction on acting against 26/11 Mumbai attack's mastermind saying the country "has not yet taken any credible action against perpetrators of the (attack)..which resulted in loss of 165 innocent lives including 25 foreign nationals."

Shared enough evidence with Pakistan on Pulwama: MEA

India has asked Pakistan to take credible action against Dawood Ibrahim wanted for 1993 Mumbai blasts and other terrorist listed by United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in response to a WION question said, “Pakistan has never taken any credible and verifiable action against terror entities or listed individuals, including the most wanted ones... Pakistan must take credible action and ensure that the listed individuals are prosecuted."

The development comes even as Pakistan earlier this month issues a Statutory Regulatory Orders (SRO) reproducing the listed terrorist by 1267 committee of UNSC which included Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim. Pakistani foreign ministry later issued a clarification saying that doesn't mean acceptance of Dawood's presence in the country.

MEA said, "Pakistan’s assertion that the SRO does not mean that it admits to the presence of listed individuals on its territory" on these listed individuals "lays bare the insincerity of Pakistan in responding to legitimate expectations" that Islamabad will "track down international terrorists based on its soil".

Adding," Pakistan has not only maintained its opposition to this international consensus but it has also chosen not to act against them."

The UN list of terrorists, most of them being Pakistani citizens gives details such as passport number, house address. According to the list, Dawood who was listed as an international terrorist in 2003 has 3 houses in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.

India has asked Pakistan to take credible action against Dawood Ibrahim wanted for 1993 Mumbai blasts and other terrorist listed by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in response to a WION question said, “Pakistan has never taken any credible and verifiable action against terror entities or listed individuals, including the most wanted ones.

India has asked Pakistan to take credible action against Dawood Ibrahim wanted for 1993 Mumbai blasts and other terrorist listed by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in response to a WION question said, “Pakistan has never taken any credible and verifiable action against terror entities or listed individuals, including the most wanted ones... Pakistan must take credible action and ensure that the listed individuals are prosecuted." The development comes even as Pakistan earlier this month issues a Statutory Regulatory Orders (SRO) reproducing the listed terrorist by 1267 committee of UNSC which included Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim. Pakistani foreign ministry later issued a clarification saying that doesn't mean acceptance of Dawood's presence in the country. MEA said, "Pakistan’s assertion that the SRO does not mean that it admits to the presence of listed individuals on its territory" on these listed individuals "lays bare the insincerity of Pakistan in responding to legitimate expectations" that Islamabad will "track down international terrorists based on its soil". Adding," Pakistan has not only maintained its opposition to this international consensus but it has also chosen not to act against them." The UN list of terrorists, most of them being Pakistani citizens gives details such as passport number, house address. According to the list, Dawood who was listed as an international terrorist in 2003 has 3 houses in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.

Islamabad must take credible action: India on Dawood Ibrahim's presence in Pakistan

Indian state refiners have stopped buying crude oil from China-linked companies, three sources said, after New Delhi`s recent regulation aimed at restricting imports from countries that it shares a border with.

The new regulation, put in place on July 23, comes after a border clash between India and China that killed 20 Indian soldiers and soured relations between the two neighbours.

Since the new order was issued, state refiners have been inserting a clause in their import tenders on new rules restricting dealings with companies from countries sharing a border with India, the sources said and the tender documents show.

Last week, Indian state refiners decided to stop sending crude import tenders to Chinese trading firm like CNOOC Ltd, Unipec and PetroChina, among others, one of the sources said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/most-serious-situation-after-1962-external-affairs-minister-dr-s-jaishankar-on-india-china-border-clash-323427">Also read|&nbsp;Most serious situation after 1962: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on India-China border clash</a>

To participate in Indian tenders, the July 23 order makes registration with a department in the federal commerce ministry `mandatory` for any bidders from nations sharing a border with India.

India shares borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, but the government statement did not name any specific country.

State refiners, which control 60% of India`s 5 million barrel-per-day refining capacity, regularly tap spot markets for crude.

India is the world`s third biggest oil consumer and importer and imports nearly 84% of its oil needs. China does not export crude to India but Chinese firms are major traders of the commodity globally.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-fires-2-missiles-in-warning-to-us-323320">Also watch|&nbsp;China fires 2 missiles in warning to US</a>

Chinese companies also hold equity stakes in many oilfields across the globe ranging from the Middle East to Africa and the Americas and often submit competitive bids in crude import tenders by Indian state refiners.

National Interest

Indian state refiners have also decided not to deal with China Aviation Oil (Singapore), PetroChina and subsidiaries of Unipec among others for fuel imports, and have stopped chartering Chinese tankers for imports, sources said.

"There is no impact from the tanker ban and refined fuel imports restrictions as we hardly hire Chinese vessels and our (state refiners`) refined fuel imports are also almost nil except for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," a second source said.

State refiners will, however, take delivery of crude in tankers linked to China if the import tender was awarded on a cost, insurance, freight (CIF) basis, where the seller arranges the ships, the sources said.

State refiners Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

CNOOC, PetroChina and Unipec parent Sinopec also did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while China Aviation Oil declined comment.

India has surplus refining capacity. Most refiners are operating their plants at below capacity as COVID-19-related restrictions have dented fuel demand.

"Nowadays our own requirement is very less, so these new rules are not hurting much. But at some point in time we will definitely be impacted by the new conditions. But we need to think of the larger picture and the national interest, also," a third source said.

Indian state refiners have stopped buying crude oil from China-linked companies, three sources said, after New Delhi`s recent regulation aimed at restricting imports from countries that it shares a border with.

Indian state refiners have stopped buying crude oil from China-linked companies, three sources said, after New Delhi`s recent regulation aimed at restricting imports from countries that it shares a border with. The new regulation, put in place on July 23, comes after a border clash between India and China that killed 20 Indian soldiers and soured relations between the two neighbours. Since the new order was issued, state refiners have been inserting a clause in their import tenders on new rules restricting dealings with companies from countries sharing a border with India, the sources said and the tender documents show. Last week, Indian state refiners decided to stop sending crude import tenders to Chinese trading firm like CNOOC Ltd, Unipec and PetroChina, among others, one of the sources said. Also read| Most serious situation after 1962: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on India-China border clash To participate in Indian tenders, the July 23 order makes registration with a department in the federal commerce ministry `mandatory` for any bidders from nations sharing a border with India. India shares borders with China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, but the government statement did not name any specific country. State refiners, which control 60% of India`s 5 million barrel-per-day refining capacity, regularly tap spot markets for crude. India is the world`s third biggest oil consumer and importer and imports nearly 84% of its oil needs. China does not export crude to India but Chinese firms are major traders of the commodity globally. Also watch| China fires 2 missiles in warning to US Chinese companies also hold equity stakes in many oilfields across the globe ranging from the Middle East to Africa and the Americas and often submit competitive bids in crude import tenders by Indian state refiners. National Interest Indian state refiners have also decided not to deal with China Aviation Oil (Singapore), PetroChina and subsidiaries of Unipec among others for fuel imports, and have stopped chartering Chinese tankers for imports, sources said. "There is no impact from the tanker ban and refined fuel imports restrictions as we hardly hire Chinese vessels and our (state refiners`) refined fuel imports are also almost nil except for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," a second source said. State refiners will, however, take delivery of crude in tankers linked to China if the import tender was awarded on a cost, insurance, freight (CIF) basis, where the seller arranges the ships, the sources said. State refiners Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CNOOC, PetroChina and Unipec parent Sinopec also did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while China Aviation Oil declined comment. India has surplus refining capacity. Most refiners are operating their plants at below capacity as COVID-19-related restrictions have dented fuel demand. "Nowadays our own requirement is very less, so these new rules are not hurting much. But at some point in time we will definitely be impacted by the new conditions. But we need to think of the larger picture and the national interest, also," a third source said.

Indian state refiners halt oil imports from Chinese companies: Sources

India is ramping up infrastructure along Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The efforts are on to improve facilities to tackle the menace of cross-border infiltration and terrorism. Some of the areas like Machil did not have electricity at all after independence. But now, government has made arrangements for 24 electricty. Soon, all villages in Machil Sector will get electricity.

Machil Sector falls under Kupwara District and has become the second sector after Keran to get round-thge-clock electricity for the first time after independence.

ALSO READ: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/jammu-and-kashmirs-biggest-yoga-centre-to-come-up-in-udhampur-322509">Jammu and Kashmir's biggest Yoga centre to come up in Udhampur</a>

Currently, 9 villages in Machil Sector have been provided electricty. But the government aims to cover all 20 villages in less than a month.

Prior to government's initiative, 20 villages in Machil Sector used to get electricity through diesel generators. But now the sector is being connected to electricity grid.

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The Himalayan terrain is understandably difficult for any construction activity. It is even a challenge to erect electricity poles. However, the government is taking all measures to ensure that the necessary structures are erected and electricity is made available to people.

Kupwada District Collector Anshul Garg decribed this as second milestone in a month.

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Grid connected power for Macchil area on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LOC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LOC</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AspirationalDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AspirationalDistrict</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kupwara?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kupwara</a> for first time ever; 2nd milestone in a month after Keran area; New era of development begins for over 25,000 people in 9 Panchayats that received only 3 hour power daily through DG sets; <a href="https://twitter.com/NITIAayog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NITIAayog</a> <a href="https://t.co/se1WdVyPWs">pic.twitter.com/se1WdVyPWs</a>
— Anshul Garg (@hello_anshul) <a href="https://twitter.com/hello_anshul/status/1298623678649733121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Principal Secretary (Power) Rohit Kansal made a tweet in this regard as well

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thejourneycontinues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Thejourneycontinues</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Promisefulfilled?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Promisefulfilled</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GridpowertoLoC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GridpowertoLoC</a> 
25,000 people in 9 panchayats of Machhil area in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AspirationalDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AspirationalDistrict</a> Kupwara on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LoC</a> to now get grid power for the first time. Were earlier supplied limited power through DG sets@hello_anshul@manojsinha_@OfficeOfRKSingh <a href="https://t.co/eRoLVi0qBy">https://t.co/eRoLVi0qBy</a>
— Rohit Kansal (@kansalrohit69) <a href="https://twitter.com/kansalrohit69/status/1298669814957965315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

India is ramping up infrastructure along Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The efforts are on to improve facilities to tackle the menace of cross-border infiltration and terrorism.

India is ramping up infrastructure along Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The efforts are on to improve facilities to tackle the menace of cross-border infiltration and terrorism. Some of the areas like Machil did not have electricity at all after independence. But now, government has made arrangements for 24 electricty. Soon, all villages in Machil Sector will get electricity. Machil Sector falls under Kupwara District and has become the second sector after Keran to get round-thge-clock electricity for the first time after independence. ALSO READ: Jammu and Kashmir's biggest Yoga centre to come up in Udhampur Currently, 9 villages in Machil Sector have been provided electricty. But the government aims to cover all 20 villages in less than a month. Prior to government's initiative, 20 villages in Machil Sector used to get electricity through diesel generators. But now the sector is being connected to electricity grid. × The Himalayan terrain is understandably difficult for any construction activity. It is even a challenge to erect electricity poles. However, the government is taking all measures to ensure that the necessary structures are erected and electricity is made available to people. Kupwada District Collector Anshul Garg decribed this as second milestone in a month. Grid connected power for Macchil area on #LOC in #AspirationalDistrict #kupwara for first time ever; 2nd milestone in a month after Keran area; New era of development begins for over 25,000 people in 9 Panchayats that received only 3 hour power daily through DG sets; @NITIAayog pic.twitter.com/se1WdVyPWs — Anshul Garg (@hello_anshul) August 26, 2020 × Principal Secretary (Power) Rohit Kansal made a tweet in this regard as well #Thejourneycontinues#Promisefulfilled#GridpowertoLoC 25,000 people in 9 panchayats of Machhil area in #AspirationalDistrict Kupwara on the #LoC to now get grid power for the first time. Were earlier supplied limited power through DG sets@hello_anshul@manojsinha_@OfficeOfRKSingh https://t.co/eRoLVi0qBy — Rohit Kansal (@kansalrohit69) August 26, 2020 ×

Jammu and Kashmir: Machil Sector in Kupwara gets electricity 74 years after independence

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is most serious after 1962 Indo-China war. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-had-deployed-t-15-tanks-in-tibet-well-ahead-of-galwan-clash-intelligence-report-319729">Also read | China had deployed T-15 tanks in Tibet well ahead of Galwan clash: Intelligence report</a> 
 
"This is surely the most serious situation after 1962. In fact, after 45 years, we have had military casualties on this border. The quantum of forces currently deployed by both sides at the LAC is also unprecedented," Jaishankar said to Rediff.com in an interview ahead of the release of his book 'The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World'. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-chinas-dongfeng-military-vehicle-compromise-pla-at-galwan-valley-319547">Also Read:&nbsp;Did China's Dongfeng military vehicle compromise PLA at Galwan Valley?</a>

“If we look back at the last three decades, this is quite self-evident. Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a tense stand-off in eastern Ladakh for over three-and-half-month despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks,” the foreign minister said.

“There have been several border situations — Depsang, Chumar and Doklam. In a sense, each one was different. This one surely is. But what is also common is that all border situations were resolved through diplomacy,” he added.

“As you know, we are talking to the Chinese both through military channels and diplomatic ones. In fact, they work in tandem,” he said.

Asked how he envisaged the future of India-China ties in the book that was written before the border row erupted, the external affairs minister said it is "an extremely consequential relationship for both and it requires a strategy and a vision".

"What I have said is that the ability of India and China to work together could determine the Asian century. But their difficulties in doing so may well undermine it. So, this is an extremely consequential relationship for both. It has its fair share of problems and I have been forthright in acknowledging them," Jaishankar said.

"We need honest conversations on this, among Indians and between India and China. That is why this relationship requires both a strategy and a vision," he noted.

(With inputs from PTI)

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is most serious after 1962 Indo-China war. Also read | China had deployed T-15 tanks in Tibet well ahead of Galwan clash: Intelligence report "This is surely the most serious situation after 1962.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is most serious after 1962 Indo-China war. Also read | China had deployed T-15 tanks in Tibet well ahead of Galwan clash: Intelligence report "This is surely the most serious situation after 1962. In fact, after 45 years, we have had military casualties on this border. The quantum of forces currently deployed by both sides at the LAC is also unprecedented," Jaishankar said to Rediff.com in an interview ahead of the release of his book 'The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World'. Also Read: Did China's Dongfeng military vehicle compromise PLA at Galwan Valley? “If we look back at the last three decades, this is quite self-evident. Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a tense stand-off in eastern Ladakh for over three-and-half-month despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks,” the foreign minister said. “There have been several border situations — Depsang, Chumar and Doklam. In a sense, each one was different. This one surely is. But what is also common is that all border situations were resolved through diplomacy,” he added. “As you know, we are talking to the Chinese both through military channels and diplomatic ones. In fact, they work in tandem,” he said. Asked how he envisaged the future of India-China ties in the book that was written before the border row erupted, the external affairs minister said it is "an extremely consequential relationship for both and it requires a strategy and a vision". "What I have said is that the ability of India and China to work together could determine the Asian century. But their difficulties in doing so may well undermine it. So, this is an extremely consequential relationship for both. It has its fair share of problems and I have been forthright in acknowledging them," Jaishankar said. "We need honest conversations on this, among Indians and between India and China. That is why this relationship requires both a strategy and a vision," he noted. (With inputs from PTI)

Most serious situation after 1962: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on India-China border clash

Sri Lanka will adopt an "India first approach" as its new foreign policy plank and protect New Delhi's strategic security interests, the country's Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage has said as he sought to allay concerns amid China's growing presence in the island nation.

Admiral Colombage became the first-ever foreign secretary from a military background when he was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to head the Foreign Ministry on August 14.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-china-eyes-sri-lanka-indias-quad-alliance-can-push-back-the-dragon-317066">As China eyes Sri Lanka, India's Quad alliance can push back the Dragon</a>

In an interview published by Daily Mirror on Wednesday, Colombage said Sri Lanka is to adopt an 'India first approach' as its new regional foreign policy plank.

"That means Sri Lanka will not do anything harmful to India's strategic security interests," said Colombage, who was the chief of the Sri Lanka Navy between 2012-14 and later became a foreign policy analyst mostly on the Chinese initiatives in Sri Lanka and the immediate region.

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Colombage said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have an India first approach as the key to strategic security.

''China is the second-largest economy and India is considered the sixth-largest. In 2018 India was the world's fastest-growing economy. That means we are between two economic giants,''&nbsp;he said.

"Sri Lanka cannot afford, should not afford and will not afford any particular country to use it as a staging area to do anything against another country, especially so India," he said.

Commenting on the Chinese investment in the southern port of Hambantota, Colombage says that Sri Lanka had offered India Hambantota first.

India did not undertake it for whatever reason, then it went to a Chinese company,&nbsp;he said.

Now we have given 85 per cent stake of Hambantota port to China Merchant Holding Company. That should be limited to commercial activities. It is zero for military purposes," he said.

Colombage said that despite opposition from port worker trade unions, President Rajapaksa would go ahead with the memorandum of cooperation signed with India on the Colombo Port's Eastern terminal.

Colombo Port is the largest and busiest port in Sri Lanka. Located on the southwestern shores on the Kelani River, it serves as an important terminal in Asia due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean.

The previous Sirisena government had signed a "memorandum of cooperation" (MOC) with India and Japan for a tripartite effort to develop the terminal which is located just next to the USD 500 million Chinese-run Colombo International Container Terminal.

''The President has said that he is ready to honour the agreement. As per the new guidance of the President, no national asset is given with total control to any country," he said.

Colombage said that the Rajapaksa foreign policy shift would mean that Sri Lanka would not be anymore reliant on a West-oriented policy.

The most dynamic foreign office officials would be posted in Sri Lanka's neighbourhood, in the Middle East, Bangladesh, Africa and ASEAN in line with the new foreign policy shift where the emphasis would be on the neighbourhood.

China has been making significant forays into Sri Lanka, especially in the defence field. Beijing's activities have caused regional concerns, especially in India.

Sri Lankan in 2017 handed over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease. There are regional concerns, mostly from India, that China may make a military presence at Hambantota, located on a key sea international shipping route.

Sri Lanka will adopt an "India first approach" as its new foreign policy plank and protect New Delhi's strategic security interests, the country's Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage has said as he sought to allay concerns amid China's growing presence in the island nation.

Sri Lanka will adopt an "India first approach" as its new foreign policy plank and protect New Delhi's strategic security interests, the country's Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage has said as he sought to allay concerns amid China's growing presence in the island nation. Admiral Colombage became the first-ever foreign secretary from a military background when he was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to head the Foreign Ministry on August 14. Also read: As China eyes Sri Lanka, India's Quad alliance can push back the Dragon In an interview published by Daily Mirror on Wednesday, Colombage said Sri Lanka is to adopt an 'India first approach' as its new regional foreign policy plank. "That means Sri Lanka will not do anything harmful to India's strategic security interests," said Colombage, who was the chief of the Sri Lanka Navy between 2012-14 and later became a foreign policy analyst mostly on the Chinese initiatives in Sri Lanka and the immediate region. Colombage said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have an India first approach as the key to strategic security. ''China is the second-largest economy and India is considered the sixth-largest. In 2018 India was the world's fastest-growing economy. That means we are between two economic giants,'' he said. "Sri Lanka cannot afford, should not afford and will not afford any particular country to use it as a staging area to do anything against another country, especially so India," he said. Commenting on the Chinese investment in the southern port of Hambantota, Colombage says that Sri Lanka had offered India Hambantota first. India did not undertake it for whatever reason, then it went to a Chinese company, he said. Now we have given 85 per cent stake of Hambantota port to China Merchant Holding Company. That should be limited to commercial activities. It is zero for military purposes," he said. Colombage said that despite opposition from port worker trade unions, President Rajapaksa would go ahead with the memorandum of cooperation signed with India on the Colombo Port's Eastern terminal. Colombo Port is the largest and busiest port in Sri Lanka. Located on the southwestern shores on the Kelani River, it serves as an important terminal in Asia due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The previous Sirisena government had signed a "memorandum of cooperation" (MOC) with India and Japan for a tripartite effort to develop the terminal which is located just next to the USD 500 million Chinese-run Colombo International Container Terminal. ''The President has said that he is ready to honour the agreement. As per the new guidance of the President, no national asset is given with total control to any country," he said. Colombage said that the Rajapaksa foreign policy shift would mean that Sri Lanka would not be anymore reliant on a West-oriented policy. The most dynamic foreign office officials would be posted in Sri Lanka's neighbourhood, in the Middle East, Bangladesh, Africa and ASEAN in line with the new foreign policy shift where the emphasis would be on the neighbourhood. China has been making significant forays into Sri Lanka, especially in the defence field. Beijing's activities have caused regional concerns, especially in India. Sri Lankan in 2017 handed over the Hambantota port to China on a 99-year lease. There are regional concerns, mostly from India, that China may make a military presence at Hambantota, located on a key sea international shipping route.

Sri Lanka will follow 'India first policy', says Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage

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