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India is an “important partner” of the United Nations in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said, and there are plans to step up cooperation between the two on strengthening capacity in combating terror financing.

Guterres, who will begin a three-day visit to India on Monday, said the planning and implementation of acts of terrorism transcend borders and it is the responsibility of all the States to take action to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism.

“The threat of radicalisation, violent extremism, and terrorism continues to persist and even grow in many parts of the world. Modern-day terrorists are savvy in both technology and social media, successfully exploiting contemporary tools to propagate the narrative of hate and violence to recruit young people and raise funds,” Guterres told PTI in an email interview.

The UN chief emphasised that all nations must prevent and combat incitement to violence, and enforce counter-terrorism measures.

He described India as an important partner of the UN in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

The Government of India’s recent contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism will support the execution of capacity-building projects by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, he said.

“There are also plans for cooperation between India and the United Nations on strengthening capacity in the areas of countering terrorist financing, and on the use of advance passenger information,” the UN Chief said in the email interview.

The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides a solid framework for such joint action, while also calling upon all States to respect international humanitarian and human rights law. As part of India’s continuing commitment to strengthen multilateral efforts to counter terrorism and support the work of the newly established UN Office for Counter-Terrorism (OCT), the Indian government had this year announced a voluntary contribution of USD 550,000 for the OCT.

Guterres noted that though the primary responsibility lies with Member States, the UN Secretariat is fully committed to supporting efforts to tackle terrorism and to helping find multilateral solutions to complex global challenges such as this.

The recently-established United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism is tasked to provide strategic leadership and coordination to United Nations counter-terrorism efforts.

“The Organisation will also enhance its efforts in support of Member States’ developing effective counter-terrorism strategies, through capacity building support and mobilisation of much-needed resources,” he said.

India is an “important partner” of the United Nations in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said, and there are plans to step up cooperation between the two on strengthening capacity in combating terror financing.

India is an “important partner” of the United Nations in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said, and there are plans to step up cooperation between the two on strengthening capacity in combating terror financing. Guterres, who will begin a three-day visit to India on Monday, said the planning and implementation of acts of terrorism transcend borders and it is the responsibility of all the States to take action to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. “The threat of radicalisation, violent extremism, and terrorism continues to persist and even grow in many parts of the world. Modern-day terrorists are savvy in both technology and social media, successfully exploiting contemporary tools to propagate the narrative of hate and violence to recruit young people and raise funds,” Guterres told PTI in an email interview. The UN chief emphasised that all nations must prevent and combat incitement to violence, and enforce counter-terrorism measures. He described India as an important partner of the UN in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. The Government of India’s recent contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism will support the execution of capacity-building projects by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, he said. “There are also plans for cooperation between India and the United Nations on strengthening capacity in the areas of countering terrorist financing, and on the use of advance passenger information,” the UN Chief said in the email interview. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy provides a solid framework for such joint action, while also calling upon all States to respect international humanitarian and human rights law. As part of India’s continuing commitment to strengthen multilateral efforts to counter terrorism and support the work of the newly established UN Office for Counter-Terrorism (OCT), the Indian government had this year announced a voluntary contribution of USD 550,000 for the OCT. Guterres noted that though the primary responsibility lies with Member States, the UN Secretariat is fully committed to supporting efforts to tackle terrorism and to helping find multilateral solutions to complex global challenges such as this. The recently-established United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism is tasked to provide strategic leadership and coordination to United Nations counter-terrorism efforts. “The Organisation will also enhance its efforts in support of Member States’ developing effective counter-terrorism strategies, through capacity building support and mobilisation of much-needed resources,” he said.

UN, India to step up cooperation in counter-terrorism, terror financing, says UN chief

A decade after its signing, the Indo-French nuclear deal has yielded little success in the power sector, but the pact has given India a headway in other areas like research, former top officials said.

The Indo-French cooperation on ‘peaceful use of nuclear energy’ was signed on September 30, 2008, primarily for building the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP).

The 9,900 MW power plant that envisages to have six nuclear reactors of 1,650 MW each is slated to be the biggest nuclear power park in the country.

However, 10 years after signing the deal, the power project is still at negotiations. The deal was signed even before the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement was signed, the officials said.

The multi-billion project had met with a fierce opposition from the locals. In April 2011, one person was killed in police firing as protests against the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant turned violent with agitators setting ablaze a police station.

However, of the recent nuclear power sites earmarked for foreign reactors, except the Kudankulam nuclear power project, Jaitapur remains the only location that has seen completion of the land acquisition.

The plant also has necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), said Sekhar Basu, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of the Atomic Energy, who superannuated this month.

“However, it has taken a longer time than expected,” said R K Sinha, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE.

The negotiations first began with French company Areva, but last year French utility company EDF took over its nuclear reactor business after the former faced financial issues.

So, the negotiations were redone, said Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of the AEC and DAE secretary at the time the Indo-French nuclear deal was signed.

After the EDF took over Areva, negotiations again restarted.

Basu said there have been several factors that were hindering the power plant, which includes the “reference plant”.

A reference plant is a functional power reactor and the Areva had then cited a power reactor at Flamanville.

“That will only happen by 2020,” Basu said.

Since Areva, and now EDF, was bringing in a new technology, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the country nuclear watchdog, asked for a reference plant.

“They have to give a techno-commercial offer that is feasible and tariffs have to be viable,” Basu added.

Tariff has been a key concern, Basu and Sinha said as it has to be within the acceptable limits before going ahead with the deal.

According to the DAE’s response to Parliament, France supplied 300 metric tonnes of natural uranium ore concentrate from 2008-2010, a much-needed fuel for domestic reactors operating under optimum level till then.

Kakodkar, one of the key negotiators of India’s nuclear deal with the US and French, said the Indo-French deal also had delved into several research aspects.

Because of the deal, India could become a member to be a part of the ITER, an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject, due to a backing of France, along with the US.

The deal also focussed on development and nuclear energy applications in fields like agronomy, biology, earth sciences.

More important has been France’s support at international fora. Kakodkar said when India was negotiating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for India-specific safeguards for its nuclear reactors, France, along with the US and Russia helped create a “positive environment”.

France has been a staunch supporter to India’s bid in all four export control regimes — the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missiles Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

A decade after its signing, the Indo-French nuclear deal has yielded little success in the power sector, but the pact has given India a headway in other areas like research, former top officials said.

A decade after its signing, the Indo-French nuclear deal has yielded little success in the power sector, but the pact has given India a headway in other areas like research, former top officials said. The Indo-French cooperation on ‘peaceful use of nuclear energy’ was signed on September 30, 2008, primarily for building the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP). The 9,900 MW power plant that envisages to have six nuclear reactors of 1,650 MW each is slated to be the biggest nuclear power park in the country. However, 10 years after signing the deal, the power project is still at negotiations. The deal was signed even before the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement was signed, the officials said. The multi-billion project had met with a fierce opposition from the locals. In April 2011, one person was killed in police firing as protests against the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant turned violent with agitators setting ablaze a police station. However, of the recent nuclear power sites earmarked for foreign reactors, except the Kudankulam nuclear power project, Jaitapur remains the only location that has seen completion of the land acquisition. The plant also has necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), said Sekhar Basu, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of the Atomic Energy, who superannuated this month. “However, it has taken a longer time than expected,” said R K Sinha, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE. The negotiations first began with French company Areva, but last year French utility company EDF took over its nuclear reactor business after the former faced financial issues. So, the negotiations were redone, said Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of the AEC and DAE secretary at the time the Indo-French nuclear deal was signed. After the EDF took over Areva, negotiations again restarted. Basu said there have been several factors that were hindering the power plant, which includes the “reference plant”. A reference plant is a functional power reactor and the Areva had then cited a power reactor at Flamanville. “That will only happen by 2020,” Basu said. Since Areva, and now EDF, was bringing in a new technology, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the country nuclear watchdog, asked for a reference plant. “They have to give a techno-commercial offer that is feasible and tariffs have to be viable,” Basu added. Tariff has been a key concern, Basu and Sinha said as it has to be within the acceptable limits before going ahead with the deal. According to the DAE’s response to Parliament, France supplied 300 metric tonnes of natural uranium ore concentrate from 2008-2010, a much-needed fuel for domestic reactors operating under optimum level till then. Kakodkar, one of the key negotiators of India’s nuclear deal with the US and French, said the Indo-French deal also had delved into several research aspects. Because of the deal, India could become a member to be a part of the ITER, an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject, due to a backing of France, along with the US. The deal also focussed on development and nuclear energy applications in fields like agronomy, biology, earth sciences. More important has been France’s support at international fora. Kakodkar said when India was negotiating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for India-specific safeguards for its nuclear reactors, France, along with the US and Russia helped create a “positive environment”. France has been a staunch supporter to India’s bid in all four export control regimes — the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missiles Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

Indo-French nuclear deal: 10 years after its signing, power project yield little success

The Trump administration has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council, a senior US official said, emphasizing that the two "global partners" share a commitment to work together on global challenges like denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells said US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at the beginning of the week of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly to build on the momentum of the first 2+2 meeting between the US and India in New Delhi as well as to reaffirm the strategic convergence that Washington sees in the bilateral ties.

"We really are global partners and the meeting (between Hale and Gokhale) reaffirmed our shared commitment to working together on international challenges - from a denuclearised Korean Peninsula to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan," Wells told reporters Friday during a briefing on US priorities in the South and Central Asia Region.

The American diplomat said the US reiterates its support for India's role in a reformed UN Security Council.

The New York meeting was a continuation of the discussion at the 2+2 meeting.

"It's a conversation that really covers the map in terms of how we can work together in Afghanistan, what we are doing to promote free and open Indo-Pacific and also in particular, how we are both very supportive of the democratic developments that we see transpiring in the Maldives," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and congratulated him.

The US too congratulated the people of Maldives, saying they had peacefully raised their voices to determine the future of their country.

During Modi's visit to Washington in June last year, Trump supported India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC and in other multilateral institutions such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

"As global non-proliferation partners, the United States expressed strong support for India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group," a joint statement issued after the meeting between Modi and Trump had said.

The Trump administration has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council, a senior US official said, emphasizing that the two "global partners" share a commitment to work together on global challenges like denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The Trump administration has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council, a senior US official said, emphasizing that the two "global partners" share a commitment to work together on global challenges like denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells said US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at the beginning of the week of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly to build on the momentum of the first 2+2 meeting between the US and India in New Delhi as well as to reaffirm the strategic convergence that Washington sees in the bilateral ties. "We really are global partners and the meeting (between Hale and Gokhale) reaffirmed our shared commitment to working together on international challenges - from a denuclearised Korean Peninsula to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan," Wells told reporters Friday during a briefing on US priorities in the South and Central Asia Region. The American diplomat said the US reiterates its support for India's role in a reformed UN Security Council. The New York meeting was a continuation of the discussion at the 2+2 meeting. "It's a conversation that really covers the map in terms of how we can work together in Afghanistan, what we are doing to promote free and open Indo-Pacific and also in particular, how we are both very supportive of the democratic developments that we see transpiring in the Maldives," she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and congratulated him. The US too congratulated the people of Maldives, saying they had peacefully raised their voices to determine the future of their country. During Modi's visit to Washington in June last year, Trump supported India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC and in other multilateral institutions such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group. "As global non-proliferation partners, the United States expressed strong support for India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group," a joint statement issued after the meeting between Modi and Trump had said.

Trump administration reiterates support for India's role in reformed UNSC

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

Earlier this year, the US had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then.

The US has made it clear that any country that continues to do business with Iran will be blocked from accessing the American banking and financial system.&nbsp;

However, the sanctions are not endorsed by the UN and it has been a traditional policy of India to enforce only UNSC-authorised sanctions.&nbsp;

Though India, one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, has already reduced its import, it has indicated that it is unlikely to go down to zero given its massive energy needs.&nbsp;

"The United States is consulting with all of its friends and partners to discuss the implementation of the sanctions after the snapback...We recognise India has a need for significant oil imports. Part of the conversation is how to ensure that there are alternative supplies of oil so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told.

She said Indian private sector firms are exploring new suppliers of crude oil and the conversation between the US and Indian experts continues on the implementation of the sanctions, adding that America looks forward to continuing what is a very constructive dialogue.

When asked about the impact of the US sanctions on projects such as the Chabahar project, Wells said the issue of Chabahar is under close review.&nbsp;

"We very much appreciate what India has done to provide both assistance to Afghanistan, including through using Chabahar Port for the delivery of wheat. We also very much appreciate what India has done to allow Afghanistan to diversify its trade relationships, and again Chabahar has played a role there. So those factors will certainly be taken under consideration," she said.&nbsp;

The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi.

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.&nbsp;

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected". Earlier this year, the US had withdrawn from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and reimposed a series of tough sanctions on Iran. While the first phase of sanctions is already in place, the sanctions would come into full force on November 4 and the US expects all countries, including India, to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero by then. The US has made it clear that any country that continues to do business with Iran will be blocked from accessing the American banking and financial system. However, the sanctions are not endorsed by the UN and it has been a traditional policy of India to enforce only UNSC-authorised sanctions. Though India, one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, has already reduced its import, it has indicated that it is unlikely to go down to zero given its massive energy needs. "The United States is consulting with all of its friends and partners to discuss the implementation of the sanctions after the snapback...We recognise India has a need for significant oil imports. Part of the conversation is how to ensure that there are alternative supplies of oil so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told. She said Indian private sector firms are exploring new suppliers of crude oil and the conversation between the US and Indian experts continues on the implementation of the sanctions, adding that America looks forward to continuing what is a very constructive dialogue. When asked about the impact of the US sanctions on projects such as the Chabahar project, Wells said the issue of Chabahar is under close review. "We very much appreciate what India has done to provide both assistance to Afghanistan, including through using Chabahar Port for the delivery of wheat. We also very much appreciate what India has done to allow Afghanistan to diversify its trade relationships, and again Chabahar has played a role there. So those factors will certainly be taken under consideration," she said. The Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Exploring alternative oil supplies to 'our friend India': US 

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday suggested that the Indian security forces have taken a strict action in response to the recent killing of BSF's head constable Narendra Kumar in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district by Pakistani troops. At an event on Friday, Singh stated that "something big has happened but I shall not reveal it now."

News agency ANI quoted Singh as saying, "You must have seen what Pakistan has done to one of our BSF soldiers recently. Something has happened, I won't reveal now. It has happened well, you will see what will come next."

Singh was speaking during an event in Uttar Pradesh Muzaffarnagar on Friday. He further shared that he had directed Border Security Forces not to fire at the neighbouring country's troops, "but even if one bullet is fired from their side, then do not even count the bullets you fire," he added.&nbsp;

The Union Minister's remarks came after Pakistani troops brutally killed jawaan Kumar after shooting him along the international border near Jammu on September 19.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: HM says,"Hamare BSF ka ek jawan,abhi uske saath jis tarike se badsalooki ki hai Pak ne, shayad aapne dekha hoga.Kuch hua hai,main bataoonga nahi. Hua hai, theek thaak hua hai, vishwaas rakhna bahut theek thaak hua hai, 2-3 din pehle.Aur aage bhi dekhiega kya hoga." (28.9) <a href="https://t.co/fZbTmrbRUh">pic.twitter.com/fZbTmrbRUh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1045888321790996481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Recently a BSF jawaan was martyred in firing by Pakistan. People may not know but whenever such incident happens we get sleepless nights. Our jawaans are the country's pride," Singh said on Wednesday during an event in Lucknow. &nbsp;

Singh's comments shortly after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ready-another-surgical-strike-action-army-chief-bipin-rawat-167735">Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat spoke to WION</a> noting, "The surgical strikes, which were carried out two years ago, was a well-thought-out plan against the brutality committed in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri. We (the Indian Army) keep devising plans to check infiltration from across the border and will not hesitate to take another similar action if Pakistan doesn't stop supporting terrorists or fails to check infiltration."

We will not let infiltration go on year after year; either Pakistan stops supporting terrorists or we will be forced to take action, he said affirmatively.

"Terrorism emanating from Pakistan is the biggest challenge to the country. But surgical strikes are not the only option we have. The armed forces have several other better options for tackling cross-border infiltration and terrorism," General Rawat said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday suggested that the Indian security forces have taken a strict action in response to the recent killing of BSF's head constable Narendra Kumar in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district by Pakistani troops.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday suggested that the Indian security forces have taken a strict action in response to the recent killing of BSF's head constable Narendra Kumar in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district by Pakistani troops. At an event on Friday, Singh stated that "something big has happened but I shall not reveal it now." News agency ANI quoted Singh as saying, "You must have seen what Pakistan has done to one of our BSF soldiers recently. Something has happened, I won't reveal now. It has happened well, you will see what will come next." Singh was speaking during an event in Uttar Pradesh Muzaffarnagar on Friday. He further shared that he had directed Border Security Forces not to fire at the neighbouring country's troops, "but even if one bullet is fired from their side, then do not even count the bullets you fire," he added. The Union Minister's remarks came after Pakistani troops brutally killed jawaan Kumar after shooting him along the international border near Jammu on September 19. #WATCH: HM says,"Hamare BSF ka ek jawan,abhi uske saath jis tarike se badsalooki ki hai Pak ne, shayad aapne dekha hoga.Kuch hua hai,main bataoonga nahi. Hua hai, theek thaak hua hai, vishwaas rakhna bahut theek thaak hua hai, 2-3 din pehle.Aur aage bhi dekhiega kya hoga." (28.9) pic.twitter.com/fZbTmrbRUh — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2018 × "Recently a BSF jawaan was martyred in firing by Pakistan. People may not know but whenever such incident happens we get sleepless nights. Our jawaans are the country's pride," Singh said on Wednesday during an event in Lucknow. Singh's comments shortly after Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat spoke to WION noting, "The surgical strikes, which were carried out two years ago, was a well-thought-out plan against the brutality committed in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri. We (the Indian Army) keep devising plans to check infiltration from across the border and will not hesitate to take another similar action if Pakistan doesn't stop supporting terrorists or fails to check infiltration." We will not let infiltration go on year after year; either Pakistan stops supporting terrorists or we will be forced to take action, he said affirmatively. "Terrorism emanating from Pakistan is the biggest challenge to the country. But surgical strikes are not the only option we have. The armed forces have several other better options for tackling cross-border infiltration and terrorism," General Rawat said.

Something big has happened: Rajnath Singh hints at action against Pakistan

The number of Indians arrested for illegally entering the United States has nearly tripled so far in 2018, making them one of the largest groups of illegal aliens apprehended, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday.

Paying smuggling rings between $25,000-$50,000 per person, a growing number of Indians are illegally crossing the US-Mexico border and claiming asylum for persecution, CBP spokesman Salvador Zamora said.

Many present viable claims, but a large number are economic migrants with fraudulent petitions that swamp the system and can cause legitimate cases to be "washed out" in the high volume of fraud, Zamora said in an interview.

The Indian embassy in Washington and the Indian consulate in San Francisco did not respond to requests for comment.

Zamora said the CBP expects that the data for the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30 will show "around 9,000" Indian nationals had been apprehended versus 3,162 in fiscal year 2017.&nbsp;

Around 4,000 Indians who entered the United States illegally this year did so over a three-mile stretch of border fence at Mexicali, Zamora said.&nbsp;

"The word got out that Mexicali is a safe border city which favors their crossing into the United States," he said.

Cut and Paste Evidence

Asylum seekers range from lower caste "untouchable" Indians facing death threats for marrying outside their class to Sikhs claiming political persecution, immigration lawyers said.

Fraudulent asylum seekers often present "cut and paste" evidence identical to that of other migrants, Zamora said.

Some 42.2 per cent of Indian asylum cases were denied between fiscal years 2012 to 2017, according to Syracuse University`s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. That compares with denial rates of 79 per cent for El Salvadorans and 78 per cent for Hondurans.

After Mexicans, citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were most likely to enter the United States illegally in 2018, according to Border Patrol data. Indians still have some way to go to outnumber the roughly 30,000 El Salvadorans who entered the United States illegally in 2018, the data showed.

After being held in the United States, Indians are often bonded out of detention by human trafficking rings, Zamora said. They then enter indentured servitude in businesses ranging from hotels to convenience stores to pay off smuggling debts and bond fees, Zamora said.

The number of Indians arrested for illegally entering the United States has nearly tripled so far in 2018, making them one of the largest groups of illegal aliens apprehended, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday.

The number of Indians arrested for illegally entering the United States has nearly tripled so far in 2018, making them one of the largest groups of illegal aliens apprehended, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday. Paying smuggling rings between $25,000-$50,000 per person, a growing number of Indians are illegally crossing the US-Mexico border and claiming asylum for persecution, CBP spokesman Salvador Zamora said. Many present viable claims, but a large number are economic migrants with fraudulent petitions that swamp the system and can cause legitimate cases to be "washed out" in the high volume of fraud, Zamora said in an interview. The Indian embassy in Washington and the Indian consulate in San Francisco did not respond to requests for comment. Zamora said the CBP expects that the data for the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30 will show "around 9,000" Indian nationals had been apprehended versus 3,162 in fiscal year 2017. Around 4,000 Indians who entered the United States illegally this year did so over a three-mile stretch of border fence at Mexicali, Zamora said. "The word got out that Mexicali is a safe border city which favors their crossing into the United States," he said. Cut and Paste Evidence Asylum seekers range from lower caste "untouchable" Indians facing death threats for marrying outside their class to Sikhs claiming political persecution, immigration lawyers said. Fraudulent asylum seekers often present "cut and paste" evidence identical to that of other migrants, Zamora said. Some 42.2 per cent of Indian asylum cases were denied between fiscal years 2012 to 2017, according to Syracuse University`s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. That compares with denial rates of 79 per cent for El Salvadorans and 78 per cent for Hondurans. After Mexicans, citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were most likely to enter the United States illegally in 2018, according to Border Patrol data. Indians still have some way to go to outnumber the roughly 30,000 El Salvadorans who entered the United States illegally in 2018, the data showed. After being held in the United States, Indians are often bonded out of detention by human trafficking rings, Zamora said. They then enter indentured servitude in businesses ranging from hotels to convenience stores to pay off smuggling debts and bond fees, Zamora said.

Indians arrested for illegally entering US nearly triples

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power.

The Congress, however, would not compromise on the ideology and values of the party, Chaturvedi said.

"We are not compelled to compromise on our ideology and values just for the sake of stitching up alliances. We will be reaching out to all political opposition parties and alliance will be formed on the basis of our and their understanding of the situation," said Chaturvedi, a national spokesperson of the party.

Asked whether the Congress's proposed opposition alliance would include the Trinamool Congress too, she said it would include all political parties that believe in basic ethos and idea of our country and do not believe in dividing people of religious and caste lines.

On NCP president Sharad Pawar's comment on Rafale scam, she said Pawar has not given a clean chit to anybody.

"Sharad Pawar has gone on record saying he was misquoted, misrepresented and asked specific questions to the government. He has not at all given any clean chit to the Modi government," she said.

In an interview to a Marathi news channel earlier this week, Pawar said he didn't think that people have doubts about Modi's intentions in the Rafale deal.

Later, the NCP clarified that Pawar had not given any clean chit to Modi on the Rafale issue, and reiterated its demands that the central government disclose the price of the fighter jets and order a JPC probe.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power.

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday said the party would forge an alliance with like minded parties for the 2019 general elections and would return to power. The Congress, however, would not compromise on the ideology and values of the party, Chaturvedi said. "We are not compelled to compromise on our ideology and values just for the sake of stitching up alliances. We will be reaching out to all political opposition parties and alliance will be formed on the basis of our and their understanding of the situation," said Chaturvedi, a national spokesperson of the party. Asked whether the Congress's proposed opposition alliance would include the Trinamool Congress too, she said it would include all political parties that believe in basic ethos and idea of our country and do not believe in dividing people of religious and caste lines. On NCP president Sharad Pawar's comment on Rafale scam, she said Pawar has not given a clean chit to anybody. "Sharad Pawar has gone on record saying he was misquoted, misrepresented and asked specific questions to the government. He has not at all given any clean chit to the Modi government," she said. In an interview to a Marathi news channel earlier this week, Pawar said he didn't think that people have doubts about Modi's intentions in the Rafale deal. Later, the NCP clarified that Pawar had not given any clean chit to Modi on the Rafale issue, and reiterated its demands that the central government disclose the price of the fighter jets and order a JPC probe.

Will form alliance with like minded parties for LS polls: Congress

US President Donald Trump looks forward to visiting India to reflect on the "amazingly positive" trajectory in India-US relationship, a top Trump Administration official said Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Trump to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year.

"President Trump does look forward to visiting India, again to reflect on what has been an amazingly positive trajectory in our relationship," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told PTI in New York&nbsp;in response to a question on when would the US president be able to make a visit to India.&nbsp;

Wells added that she does not have further details as to when the president's trip to India will take place.&nbsp;

President Trump had visited India in 2014 as a businessman. &nbsp;

"I love India, give my regards to my friend PM (Narendra) Modi," Trump had told External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday as they exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics in New York.

India and the US held their first 2+2 Dialogue in Delhi early this month during which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks with Defence Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Modi has met Trump at least twice in the past year&nbsp;the first during a bilateral visit to Washington and then once on the margins of a summit in Manila.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump looks forward to visiting India to reflect on the "amazingly positive" trajectory in India-US relationship, a top Trump Administration official said Friday.

US President Donald Trump looks forward to visiting India to reflect on the "amazingly positive" trajectory in India-US relationship, a top Trump Administration official said Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Trump to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year. "President Trump does look forward to visiting India, again to reflect on what has been an amazingly positive trajectory in our relationship," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Region Alice Wells told PTI in New York in response to a question on when would the US president be able to make a visit to India. Wells added that she does not have further details as to when the president's trip to India will take place. President Trump had visited India in 2014 as a businessman. "I love India, give my regards to my friend PM (Narendra) Modi," Trump had told External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday as they exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics in New York. India and the US held their first 2+2 Dialogue in Delhi early this month during which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks with Defence Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Modi has met Trump at least twice in the past year the first during a bilateral visit to Washington and then once on the margins of a summit in Manila.

Trump looks forward to visit India: US official

Siddhant Sibbal

Exposing Pakistan's duplicity on terror, India lashed out at Islamabad for abetting and aiding terrorist and terrorist groups.&nbsp;

Speaking at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Our neighbour's expertise is not restricted to spawning grounds for terrorism; it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity."

Highlighting how Pakistan gave safe haven to the architect and ideologue of 9/11 &nbsp;Osama Bin Laden, she said, "mastermind of 26/11 Hafiz Saeed still roams the streets of Pakistan with impunity."

Pakistan was recently put on Financial Action Task Force or FATF's grey list making it difficult for the country to take loans from the international market.

New Delhi said that "Pakistan's commitment to terrorism as an instrument of official policy has not abated one bit."

It is interesting to know that India isn't the only neighbouring country to raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan, Afghanistan was the first country.

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah who represented his country at the annual meeting said terror "breeding grounds and sanctuaries" need to be shut but the "response has been sparse."

Talks and terror can't go together

On the recent proposal of talks by the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, EAM said, "We accepted the proposal. But, within hours of our acceptance, news came that terrorists had killed three of our jawans. Does this indicate a desire for dialogue?"

Pakistani PM Imran Khan had proposed a meet between Indian external affairs minister and Pakistan's FM Qureshi on the sidelines of UNGA. India had initially said yes but after the killing of jawans had called off the meet.&nbsp;

This is not the first time India has faced such a situation with Pakistan.&nbsp;

Indian PM Narendra Modi had made a stopover in Lahore on 25th December 2015 but with a week a terror attack took place on Indian army base in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian PM also invited all head of SAARC countries during his swearing-in 2014.

India also slammed Pakistan for glorifying terrorist as so-called freedom fighters, saying "it refuses to see the blood of innocents."

India has been calling common definition on terrorism and had proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in 1996 but that draft has remained a draft, because "we cannot agree on a common language."

The external affairs minister appealed to UNGA "to come to an agreement, soon, on CCIT as one of the necessary measures in a long-running war"

Siddhant Sibbal Exposing Pakistan's duplicity on terror, India lashed out at Islamabad for abetting and aiding terrorist and terrorist groups. Speaking at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Our neighbour's expertise is not restricted to spawning grounds for terrorism; it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity.

Siddhant Sibbal Exposing Pakistan's duplicity on terror, India lashed out at Islamabad for abetting and aiding terrorist and terrorist groups. Speaking at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Our neighbour's expertise is not restricted to spawning grounds for terrorism; it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity." Highlighting how Pakistan gave safe haven to the architect and ideologue of 9/11 Osama Bin Laden, she said, "mastermind of 26/11 Hafiz Saeed still roams the streets of Pakistan with impunity." Pakistan was recently put on Financial Action Task Force or FATF's grey list making it difficult for the country to take loans from the international market. New Delhi said that "Pakistan's commitment to terrorism as an instrument of official policy has not abated one bit." It is interesting to know that India isn't the only neighbouring country to raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan, Afghanistan was the first country. Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah who represented his country at the annual meeting said terror "breeding grounds and sanctuaries" need to be shut but the "response has been sparse." Talks and terror can't go together On the recent proposal of talks by the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, EAM said, "We accepted the proposal. But, within hours of our acceptance, news came that terrorists had killed three of our jawans. Does this indicate a desire for dialogue?" Pakistani PM Imran Khan had proposed a meet between Indian external affairs minister and Pakistan's FM Qureshi on the sidelines of UNGA. India had initially said yes but after the killing of jawans had called off the meet. This is not the first time India has faced such a situation with Pakistan. Indian PM Narendra Modi had made a stopover in Lahore on 25th December 2015 but with a week a terror attack took place on Indian army base in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian PM also invited all head of SAARC countries during his swearing-in 2014. India also slammed Pakistan for glorifying terrorist as so-called freedom fighters, saying "it refuses to see the blood of innocents." India has been calling common definition on terrorism and had proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in 1996 but that draft has remained a draft, because "we cannot agree on a common language." The external affairs minister appealed to UNGA "to come to an agreement, soon, on CCIT as one of the necessary measures in a long-running war"

Sushma Swaraj exposes Pakistan's 'duplicity' on terror at UNGA

Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said former French president Francois Hollande's claims on the Rafale deal have come at a time when he himself was facing allegations that his partner had received "some funds for some purpose."

She was apparently referring to reports which suggested that Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Entertainment had signed a pact to finance a film by French actress producer Julie Gayet, partner of Francois Hollande, in a quid pro quo deal for getting the Rafale offset contract.

Reliance Entertainment has refuted the allegations, saying that no payments were made to her.

The reports had suggested that Reliance Entertainment signed the pact with Gayet's company ahead of Hollande's 2016 India visit and India signing a pact to acquire 36 Rafale fighter aircraft under a government-to-government deal.

Speaking to reporters at the Officers Training Academy here, the defence minister said, "... Here was the former president of France who himself is facing an allegation of his associate having received some funds for some purpose.

It (allegation) may be true or may not be true. But in such a situation, the former president saying this..."

On September 21, a French media report quoted Hollande as purportedly saying that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale jet fighter deal and France did not have a choice.

The defence minister also took a swipe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi's August 30 tweet, saying he seemed to be predicting Hollande's actions well in advance.

"...It is done well in advance. It is very interesting," she said. On August 30, Gandhi tweeted "Globalised corruption. This #Rafale aircraft really does fly far and fast! It's also going to drop some big bunker buster bombs in the next couple of weeks. Modi ji please tell Anil, there is a big problem in France."

To a question on much-delayed S-400 deal with Russia, Sitharaman said the deal was almost at a stage where it could be finalised.

Asked if the 'surgical strike' across the border, the second anniversary of which is being observed RPT observed today, has deterred intrusions, she said a lot of them were being eliminated at the border itself and they were not allowed to come in.

"I would believe that action of this kind would deter Pakistan in training and sending terrorists," she said.

On reports that a defence ministry official had raised objections on-record to the Rafale deal before it was signed in 2016, Sitharaman said various committees hold discussions for every procurement.

"During talks every opinion is recorded, differential opinions are also recorded. But after that, when the decision has to be taken, all of them have to come on the same page and take a call," she said.&nbsp;

Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said former French president Francois Hollande's claims on the Rafale deal have come at a time when he himself was facing allegations that his partner had received "some funds for some purpose.

Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said former French president Francois Hollande's claims on the Rafale deal have come at a time when he himself was facing allegations that his partner had received "some funds for some purpose." She was apparently referring to reports which suggested that Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Entertainment had signed a pact to finance a film by French actress producer Julie Gayet, partner of Francois Hollande, in a quid pro quo deal for getting the Rafale offset contract. Reliance Entertainment has refuted the allegations, saying that no payments were made to her. The reports had suggested that Reliance Entertainment signed the pact with Gayet's company ahead of Hollande's 2016 India visit and India signing a pact to acquire 36 Rafale fighter aircraft under a government-to-government deal. Speaking to reporters at the Officers Training Academy here, the defence minister said, "... Here was the former president of France who himself is facing an allegation of his associate having received some funds for some purpose. It (allegation) may be true or may not be true. But in such a situation, the former president saying this..." On September 21, a French media report quoted Hollande as purportedly saying that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale jet fighter deal and France did not have a choice. The defence minister also took a swipe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi's August 30 tweet, saying he seemed to be predicting Hollande's actions well in advance. "...It is done well in advance. It is very interesting," she said. On August 30, Gandhi tweeted "Globalised corruption. This #Rafale aircraft really does fly far and fast! It's also going to drop some big bunker buster bombs in the next couple of weeks. Modi ji please tell Anil, there is a big problem in France." To a question on much-delayed S-400 deal with Russia, Sitharaman said the deal was almost at a stage where it could be finalised. Asked if the 'surgical strike' across the border, the second anniversary of which is being observed RPT observed today, has deterred intrusions, she said a lot of them were being eliminated at the border itself and they were not allowed to come in. "I would believe that action of this kind would deter Pakistan in training and sending terrorists," she said. On reports that a defence ministry official had raised objections on-record to the Rafale deal before it was signed in 2016, Sitharaman said various committees hold discussions for every procurement. "During talks every opinion is recorded, differential opinions are also recorded. But after that, when the decision has to be taken, all of them have to come on the same page and take a call," she said.

Rafale: Hollande's claims come at time when his associate facing charges, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Hundred Member of Parliaments (MPs) from across India have contributed an amount of Rs 43.66 crore from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for the rehabilitation works in flood-affected areas of Kerala.

The scheme has a provision for MPs to contribute funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the areas affected by severe calamity.

On August 24, an appeal to all MPs was issued by the Minister of Statistics Programme Implementation, DV Sadananda Gowda, to contribute from their MPLADS fund for the rehabilitation work, after the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the flood situation in Kerala as severe in nature.

As per guideline of the scheme, an MP can contribute upto Rs 1 crore from MPLADS fund for rehabilitation works in affected areas.

Out of the total MPs, 56 are from the Rajya Sabha, who have contributed Rs 29.82 crore while the rest Rs 13.84 crore came from 44 Lok Sabha members.

30 MPs have contributed Rs 1 crore including AK Antony, KTS Tulsi, Amar Singh, Prem Chand Gupta, Suresh Prabhu and M J Akhbar among others, 12 MPs contributed Rs 50 lakh or more and 12 MPs contributed Rs. 25 lakh.

Rest of the MPs have contributed between Rs 1 lakh to less than Rs 25 lakh.

Out of the total 100 MPs, six are from Kerala, 14 of Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, nine of Bihar, seven MPs of Gujarat, four each from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, three MPs each from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, two MPs each from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and one MP each of Chandigarh, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

A separate bank account has been already opened by the Government of Kerala to receive this amount.

A month ago, Kerala was hit by the worst floods in nearly a century, which claimed lives of more than 400 people and caused damage to the tune of nearly Rs 20,000 crore.&nbsp;

Hundred Member of Parliaments (MPs) from across India have contributed an amount of Rs 43.66 crore from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for the rehabilitation works in flood-affected areas of Kerala.

Hundred Member of Parliaments (MPs) from across India have contributed an amount of Rs 43.66 crore from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for the rehabilitation works in flood-affected areas of Kerala. The scheme has a provision for MPs to contribute funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the areas affected by severe calamity. On August 24, an appeal to all MPs was issued by the Minister of Statistics Programme Implementation, DV Sadananda Gowda, to contribute from their MPLADS fund for the rehabilitation work, after the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the flood situation in Kerala as severe in nature. As per guideline of the scheme, an MP can contribute upto Rs 1 crore from MPLADS fund for rehabilitation works in affected areas. Out of the total MPs, 56 are from the Rajya Sabha, who have contributed Rs 29.82 crore while the rest Rs 13.84 crore came from 44 Lok Sabha members. 30 MPs have contributed Rs 1 crore including AK Antony, KTS Tulsi, Amar Singh, Prem Chand Gupta, Suresh Prabhu and M J Akhbar among others, 12 MPs contributed Rs 50 lakh or more and 12 MPs contributed Rs. 25 lakh. Rest of the MPs have contributed between Rs 1 lakh to less than Rs 25 lakh. Out of the total 100 MPs, six are from Kerala, 14 of Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, nine of Bihar, seven MPs of Gujarat, four each from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, three MPs each from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, two MPs each from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and one MP each of Chandigarh, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. A separate bank account has been already opened by the Government of Kerala to receive this amount. A month ago, Kerala was hit by the worst floods in nearly a century, which claimed lives of more than 400 people and caused damage to the tune of nearly Rs 20,000 crore.

Kerala: MPs give over Rs 40 crore fund for flood relief

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday launched a frontal attack on neighbouring Pakistan calling them a nation that is not only skilled in spreading terrorism but have also gained expertise in refusing their deeds.&nbsp;

In her address to the General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj described terrorism as an "existential threat" to humanity.

Describing terrorism a major challenge in the world, she said terrorists are called freedom fighters in Pakistan which, she said, is the epicentre of terrorism.

9/11 incident in New York &amp; 26/11 incident in Mumbai ruined the expectations of peace, the external affairs minister said and added ''India has been a victim of terrorism and the challenge of terrorism in India is coming from none other than our neighbouring nation.''

Pakistan's attempt to glorify terrorism will backfire, she said.

Swaraj also took a dig at developed countries in fighting climate change.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: EAM Sushma Swaraj in her address at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA</a> reacts on meeting between her and Pakistan foreign minister on the sidelines of UNGA called off by India <a href="https://t.co/lobY7BKLWj">pic.twitter.com/lobY7BKLWj</a>
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The developed countries who developed themselves by destroying nature shouldn't back out from their responsibilities now, she said and added bigger nations will have to help smaller nations.

US President Donald Trump pulled out of landmark Paris climate accord&nbsp;in July 2017.

Climate change and terrorism are one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today, she said and added the biggest victim of climate change are developing and underdeveloped states, those who don't have the capability to defend themselves, she said.

''I can assure you that India will never let you fail. The pace at which PM Modi has started work to fulfil the goals set for 2030 reflects that we will achieve the goals before time. We are very well equipped to achieve the goals,'' she said.&nbsp;

50 crore people will be given Rs. 5 lakhs per year for medical treatment under 'Ayushman Bharat', she said. &nbsp;

Under 'Jan Dhan Yojana', &nbsp;bank accounts of 32,61,00,000 people have been opened, she said and added that these people hadn't even seen the doors of banks.&nbsp;

Swaraj also extended India's full support to earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia. &nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: EAM Sushma Swaraj says at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA</a>, "our neighbouring nation is not only skilled in spreading terrorism, but have also gained expertise in refusing their deeds. The biggest example of this is that Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan" <a href="https://t.co/l7BlXZH1ms">pic.twitter.com/l7BlXZH1ms</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1046043873708003329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday launched a frontal attack on neighbouring Pakistan calling them a nation that is not only skilled in spreading terrorism but have also gained expertise in refusing their deeds.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday launched a frontal attack on neighbouring Pakistan calling them a nation that is not only skilled in spreading terrorism but have also gained expertise in refusing their deeds. In her address to the General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj described terrorism as an "existential threat" to humanity. Describing terrorism a major challenge in the world, she said terrorists are called freedom fighters in Pakistan which, she said, is the epicentre of terrorism. 9/11 incident in New York & 26/11 incident in Mumbai ruined the expectations of peace, the external affairs minister said and added ''India has been a victim of terrorism and the challenge of terrorism in India is coming from none other than our neighbouring nation.'' Pakistan's attempt to glorify terrorism will backfire, she said. Swaraj also took a dig at developed countries in fighting climate change. #WATCH: EAM Sushma Swaraj in her address at #UNGA reacts on meeting between her and Pakistan foreign minister on the sidelines of UNGA called off by India pic.twitter.com/lobY7BKLWj — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2018 × The developed countries who developed themselves by destroying nature shouldn't back out from their responsibilities now, she said and added bigger nations will have to help smaller nations. US President Donald Trump pulled out of landmark Paris climate accord in July 2017. Climate change and terrorism are one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today, she said and added the biggest victim of climate change are developing and underdeveloped states, those who don't have the capability to defend themselves, she said. ''I can assure you that India will never let you fail. The pace at which PM Modi has started work to fulfil the goals set for 2030 reflects that we will achieve the goals before time. We are very well equipped to achieve the goals,'' she said. 50 crore people will be given Rs. 5 lakhs per year for medical treatment under 'Ayushman Bharat', she said. Under 'Jan Dhan Yojana', bank accounts of 32,61,00,000 people have been opened, she said and added that these people hadn't even seen the doors of banks. Swaraj also extended India's full support to earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia. #WATCH: EAM Sushma Swaraj says at #UNGA, "our neighbouring nation is not only skilled in spreading terrorism, but have also gained expertise in refusing their deeds. The biggest example of this is that Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan" pic.twitter.com/l7BlXZH1ms — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2018 ×

Pakistan attempt to 'glorify terrorism' will backfire, says Sushma Swaraj at UNGA

In a meeting between Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad and his counterpart from Uzbekistan, Shuhrat Sadikov, the former assured that India will help Uzbekistan in setting up technology parks, regarding which a pre-agreement was signed with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

Prasad further said that India will provide all possible technical support from the Indian side in the digital growth of Uzbekistan.

Subsequently, in the presence of both the ministers, two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed.

An agreement was signed between National Informatics Centre (NIC), India and e-Government System development centre of the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan for strengthening e-Governance cooperation.

A Declaration of Intent was also inked between Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), India and Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Uzbekistan for cooperation in the area of capacity building in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

The Uzbek side appreciated India`s achievement under the Digital India programme and expressed interest for cooperation in the area of IT-ITeS trade promotion, e-Governance, HRD and Capacity building, Telemedicine. Further, the Uzbek side showed a keen interest in techno-park cooperation.

The meeting was also aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the ICT sector.The signing of the agreements comes two days ahead of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev`s two-day maiden state visit to India.&nbsp;

In a meeting between Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad and his counterpart from Uzbekistan, Shuhrat Sadikov, the former assured that India will help Uzbekistan in setting up technology parks, regarding which a pre-agreement was signed with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

In a meeting between Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad and his counterpart from Uzbekistan, Shuhrat Sadikov, the former assured that India will help Uzbekistan in setting up technology parks, regarding which a pre-agreement was signed with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Prasad further said that India will provide all possible technical support from the Indian side in the digital growth of Uzbekistan. Subsequently, in the presence of both the ministers, two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed. An agreement was signed between National Informatics Centre (NIC), India and e-Government System development centre of the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan for strengthening e-Governance cooperation. A Declaration of Intent was also inked between Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), India and Tashkent University of Information Technologies, Uzbekistan for cooperation in the area of capacity building in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The Uzbek side appreciated India`s achievement under the Digital India programme and expressed interest for cooperation in the area of IT-ITeS trade promotion, e-Governance, HRD and Capacity building, Telemedicine. Further, the Uzbek side showed a keen interest in techno-park cooperation. The meeting was also aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the ICT sector.The signing of the agreements comes two days ahead of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev`s two-day maiden state visit to India.

India will help Uzbekistan set up technology parks: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Silencing those who demanded evidence to confirm the 2016 surgical strike, former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag&nbsp;on Saturday said videos were not recorded to prove a point to anyone.

In an interview to ANI, Suhag said "Definitely, we carry some means to facilitate our own operations and some of those also have recording devices. When we do an operation we don't think of collecting proof. Instead of a camera, I would give my troops a machine gun. Our footage was not to prove anything to anybody as the details of operation should remain a secret."

Suhag's statement comes in response to allegations leveled by the Congress and other opposition parties, who have been accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of using the surgical strikes for political gains, and even questioned the authenticity of the strike.

Soon after the strike, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, had questioned the authenticity of the government's claim of carrying out surgical strike against terror launch pads along the Line of Control&nbsp;in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati&nbsp;had said that the surgical strike's video which was released in public domain in June was nothing but an attempt by the BJP to distract people

Suhag, who has been part of earlier surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, said that the 2016 operation cannot be compared with previous such operations. "Previously, you may call them strikes or raids but you cannot compare those with what we did in September 2016. Previous actions were actually local actions at unit or formation levels. They were single point actions along the LoC and not the across the LoC, and they did not have political approval, whereas the surgical strike that we executed in September 2016 had political approval and they were not along the LoC&nbsp;but across the LoC in enemy territory," he said adding that the strike was not at a single-point target but multipoint targets striking a large number of terror camps in one night.

The former Army chief also lauded Prime Minister Modi for giving political approval to a bold decision. "Firstly, I will give credit to the Prime Minister who gave political approval after due deliberations, and it was a bold decision. I briefed the Prime Minister on 23 September 2016. Secondly, I give credit to my subordinates, my brave officers and soldiers who executed the strikes successfully and made the nation proud."

It was on September 18, 2016, when four Pakistani terrorists attacked the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. Avenging the attack, on September 29, the Indian Army&nbsp;conducted the surgical strike across LoC&nbsp;destroying terrorist launch pads completely, killing many terrorists, in PoK.

A fresh video of the surgical strike which was released on September 27, showed terror launch pads being bombarded and destroyed by the Indian soldiers. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat recently asserted that another surgical strike should be conducted on terror launch pads across the LoC.

Silencing those who demanded evidence to confirm the 2016 surgical strike, former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday said videos were not recorded to prove a point to anyone.

Silencing those who demanded evidence to confirm the 2016 surgical strike, former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday said videos were not recorded to prove a point to anyone. In an interview to ANI, Suhag said "Definitely, we carry some means to facilitate our own operations and some of those also have recording devices. When we do an operation we don't think of collecting proof. Instead of a camera, I would give my troops a machine gun. Our footage was not to prove anything to anybody as the details of operation should remain a secret." Suhag's statement comes in response to allegations leveled by the Congress and other opposition parties, who have been accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of using the surgical strikes for political gains, and even questioned the authenticity of the strike. Soon after the strike, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, had questioned the authenticity of the government's claim of carrying out surgical strike against terror launch pads along the Line of Control in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati had said that the surgical strike's video which was released in public domain in June was nothing but an attempt by the BJP to distract people Suhag, who has been part of earlier surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, said that the 2016 operation cannot be compared with previous such operations. "Previously, you may call them strikes or raids but you cannot compare those with what we did in September 2016. Previous actions were actually local actions at unit or formation levels. They were single point actions along the LoC and not the across the LoC, and they did not have political approval, whereas the surgical strike that we executed in September 2016 had political approval and they were not along the LoC but across the LoC in enemy territory," he said adding that the strike was not at a single-point target but multipoint targets striking a large number of terror camps in one night. The former Army chief also lauded Prime Minister Modi for giving political approval to a bold decision. "Firstly, I will give credit to the Prime Minister who gave political approval after due deliberations, and it was a bold decision. I briefed the Prime Minister on 23 September 2016. Secondly, I give credit to my subordinates, my brave officers and soldiers who executed the strikes successfully and made the nation proud." It was on September 18, 2016, when four Pakistani terrorists attacked the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. Avenging the attack, on September 29, the Indian Army conducted the surgical strike across LoC destroying terrorist launch pads completely, killing many terrorists, in PoK. A fresh video of the surgical strike which was released on September 27, showed terror launch pads being bombarded and destroyed by the Indian soldiers. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat recently asserted that another surgical strike should be conducted on terror launch pads across the LoC.

Troops carry guns, not cameras: Ex-Army chief

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will arrive in India on Sunday on his maiden state visit to the country, during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost bilateral strategic partnership.

Mirziyoyev, who will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation on the two-day trip, will pay a visit to Agra on September 30, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

On Monday, he will be given an official welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after which he will visit Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Mirziyoyev will then meet Prime Minister Modi and will hold restricted and delegation level talks at the Hyderabad House.

During the visit, the Uzbek president will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"Visit of the president of Uzbekistan will provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reinforce the strategic partnership which exists between India and Uzbekistan," the Ministry of External Affairs said.&nbsp;

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will arrive in India on Sunday on his maiden state visit to the country, during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost bilateral strategic partnership.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will arrive in India on Sunday on his maiden state visit to the country, during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost bilateral strategic partnership. Mirziyoyev, who will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation on the two-day trip, will pay a visit to Agra on September 30, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. On Monday, he will be given an official welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after which he will visit Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Mirziyoyev will then meet Prime Minister Modi and will hold restricted and delegation level talks at the Hyderabad House. During the visit, the Uzbek president will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "Visit of the president of Uzbekistan will provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reinforce the strategic partnership which exists between India and Uzbekistan," the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Uzbek President to arrive on maiden India visit today

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

Referring to the Congress party` Twitter post where it mentioned that the plant, set up in 2014, can produce 72000 units of bottled water per day, the BJP stated that this is "another lie by Congress".

"The Rail Neer plant in Amethi, set up in 2014, has the capacity to produce 72000 units of bottled water per day for Indian Railways. #MadeInAmethi," the Congress party wrote.The tweet received a sharp reaction from the BJP, which claimed that all work for the plant was done by Modi government, but Congress is taking credit for it."

"Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011. In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on February 19.

Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry .on&nbsp;on 02-06-2015

All work done by Modi government, but look who`s taking credit?" BJP tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Another lie by Congress 
 
- Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011 
 
- In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on 19th February 
 
- Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry on 02-06-2015 
 
All work done by Modi govt, but look who's taking credit? <a href="https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc">https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc</a>
— BJP (@BJP4India) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India/status/1045704567684517889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The BJP further said that it is the first Rail Neer Plant set up by the IRCTC on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

"M/s Ion Exchange Purified Drinking Water Pvt. Ltd. is the Developer cum Operator. Fully automatic, state of art plant with eight stage filtration system," it stated.

The plant is located 125 kms away from Lucknow Railway Station at the UPSIDC site in Tikaria in Amethi district. It supplies Rail Neer water to major stations like Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Referring to the Congress party` Twitter post where it mentioned that the plant, set up in 2014, can produce 72000 units of bottled water per day, the BJP stated that this is "another lie by Congress". "The Rail Neer plant in Amethi, set up in 2014, has the capacity to produce 72000 units of bottled water per day for Indian Railways. #MadeInAmethi," the Congress party wrote.The tweet received a sharp reaction from the BJP, which claimed that all work for the plant was done by Modi government, but Congress is taking credit for it." "Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011. In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on February 19. Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry .on on 02-06-2015 All work done by Modi government, but look who`s taking credit?" BJP tweeted. Another lie by Congress - Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011 - In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on 19th February - Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry on 02-06-2015 All work done by Modi govt, but look who's taking credit? https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc — BJP (@BJP4India) September 28, 2018 × The BJP further said that it is the first Rail Neer Plant set up by the IRCTC on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. "M/s Ion Exchange Purified Drinking Water Pvt. Ltd. is the Developer cum Operator. Fully automatic, state of art plant with eight stage filtration system," it stated. The plant is located 125 kms away from Lucknow Railway Station at the UPSIDC site in Tikaria in Amethi district. It supplies Rail Neer water to major stations like Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

BJP accuses Congress of 'taking credit' for Amethi's Rail Neer plant

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also sought a judicial inquiry in the case.

"What else can we expect from UP's BJP government? Numerous fake encounters are taking place in the state," Yadav told mediapersons at Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh.

If the family members demand, a sitting judge should conduct an inquiry into the Lucknow incident, he said. "Uttar Pradesh cannot be saved from fake encounters until inquiry of such incidents is conducted by a sitting judge."

"The Yogi Adityanath government should resign as it is responsible for this incident," he said.

Vivek Tiwari (38) was shot dead early Saturday morning by a policeman when he allegedly refused to stop his car for checking in Lucknow's posh Gomti Nagar area.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also sought a judicial inquiry in the case. "What else can we expect from UP's BJP government? Numerous fake encounters are taking place in the state," Yadav told mediapersons at Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh. If the family members demand, a sitting judge should conduct an inquiry into the Lucknow incident, he said. "Uttar Pradesh cannot be saved from fake encounters until inquiry of such incidents is conducted by a sitting judge." "The Yogi Adityanath government should resign as it is responsible for this incident," he said. Vivek Tiwari (38) was shot dead early Saturday morning by a policeman when he allegedly refused to stop his car for checking in Lucknow's posh Gomti Nagar area.

Akhilesh seeks resignation of UP government over Apple employee shooting

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 89,547 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 5,500 crore) as Tranche 1 on the `Project for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR)` corridor, commonly known as bullet train project.

The objective of MAHSR is to develop a high-frequency mass transportation system by constructing the High-Speed Rail between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using Japan's Shinkansen technology (Bullet Train), thereby enhancing mobility in India and contributing to regional economic development.

The Japanese state-owned funding agency has also signed another agreement to provide ODA loan of 25,903 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 1,600 crore) for building a metro rail system between Howrah Maiden to Salt Lake Sector V, including an underwater section, as a part of the `Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III)`, JICA said in a statement.

The Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III) will mitigate traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, minimize road accidents and make travel smoother for the people in Kolkata.

The Project will connect Howrah Maiden to Salt Lake Sector V through Esplanade and provide an improved access to the public from the west gateway area to the central business district as well as the residential-cum-institutional complex areas.

Both the ODA loan agreements were signed between CS Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, and Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India.

"India has witnessed strong economic growth in recent years, and with this growth has come a sharp rise in the volume of passengers and goods being transported in the country. Both Maharashtra and Gujarat states have been the nation`s growth drivers, and MAHSR is expected to further support such economic pulse as had the Shinkansen done for Japan. With this project, we aim to simplify mobility, ease connectivity and enhance regional economic development with a safe and reliable inter-city transport system," Matsumoto said.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is the Executing Agency of the MAHSR Project. A training institute, which will have the facilities and equipment to help trainees, will be set up so that operational and safety standards, as well as the traveling experience, will match the Shinkansen originals in Japan.

Last year, in September 2017, JICA signed an agreement with India providing an ODA Loan of 10,453 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 640 crore) to develop a training institute at Vadodara, Gujarat.

Talking about the Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III), Matsumoto said: "Kolkata will be the first city to have an underwater section in its metro which will help connect both sides of the river-divided city, responding to the growing traffic demands. The metro line will cover the central business district area and residential cum institutional complex area of Kolkata thereby bringing ease of commuting. Kolkata is an old city with only 5.4 per cent road volume and non-road based Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) system is best suited. JICA`s cooperation will lead to the modal shift from road traffic to public transport system and will eventually lead to balanced regional development and improvement of environmental conditions."

The Executing Agency for the Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III) is Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL).

The project involves an ambitious tunnel crossing below river Ganges in between Howrah and Mahakaran stations which is the first transportation tunnel in India under any mighty river, the statement read.

The elevated portion is planned with the construction of piers mainly on the median of the road, while the underground section is planned with shield tunneling method by using tunnel boring machines and stations by `cut and cover` method.

With signing of this third loan agreement for Kolkata metro project, the cumulative loan amount provided by JICA for metro projects in India (including Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad Metro) exceeds 1.2 trillion Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 73,710 crore).&nbsp;

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 89,547 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 5,500 crore) as Tranche 1 on the `Project for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR)` corridor, commonly known as bullet train project.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 89,547 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 5,500 crore) as Tranche 1 on the `Project for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR)` corridor, commonly known as bullet train project. The objective of MAHSR is to develop a high-frequency mass transportation system by constructing the High-Speed Rail between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using Japan's Shinkansen technology (Bullet Train), thereby enhancing mobility in India and contributing to regional economic development. The Japanese state-owned funding agency has also signed another agreement to provide ODA loan of 25,903 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 1,600 crore) for building a metro rail system between Howrah Maiden to Salt Lake Sector V, including an underwater section, as a part of the `Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III)`, JICA said in a statement. The Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III) will mitigate traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, minimize road accidents and make travel smoother for the people in Kolkata. The Project will connect Howrah Maiden to Salt Lake Sector V through Esplanade and provide an improved access to the public from the west gateway area to the central business district as well as the residential-cum-institutional complex areas. Both the ODA loan agreements were signed between CS Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, and Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India. "India has witnessed strong economic growth in recent years, and with this growth has come a sharp rise in the volume of passengers and goods being transported in the country. Both Maharashtra and Gujarat states have been the nation`s growth drivers, and MAHSR is expected to further support such economic pulse as had the Shinkansen done for Japan. With this project, we aim to simplify mobility, ease connectivity and enhance regional economic development with a safe and reliable inter-city transport system," Matsumoto said. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is the Executing Agency of the MAHSR Project. A training institute, which will have the facilities and equipment to help trainees, will be set up so that operational and safety standards, as well as the traveling experience, will match the Shinkansen originals in Japan. Last year, in September 2017, JICA signed an agreement with India providing an ODA Loan of 10,453 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 640 crore) to develop a training institute at Vadodara, Gujarat. Talking about the Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III), Matsumoto said: "Kolkata will be the first city to have an underwater section in its metro which will help connect both sides of the river-divided city, responding to the growing traffic demands. The metro line will cover the central business district area and residential cum institutional complex area of Kolkata thereby bringing ease of commuting. Kolkata is an old city with only 5.4 per cent road volume and non-road based Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) system is best suited. JICA`s cooperation will lead to the modal shift from road traffic to public transport system and will eventually lead to balanced regional development and improvement of environmental conditions." The Executing Agency for the Kolkata East-West Metro Project (III) is Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL). The project involves an ambitious tunnel crossing below river Ganges in between Howrah and Mahakaran stations which is the first transportation tunnel in India under any mighty river, the statement read. The elevated portion is planned with the construction of piers mainly on the median of the road, while the underground section is planned with shield tunneling method by using tunnel boring machines and stations by `cut and cover` method. With signing of this third loan agreement for Kolkata metro project, the cumulative loan amount provided by JICA for metro projects in India (including Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad Metro) exceeds 1.2 trillion Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 73,710 crore).

Japan International Cooperation Agency provides Rs 5500 crore loan for bullet train project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat.

&nbsp;"They spread lies on Statue of Unity that it is Made in China. I saw false information in which the Congress President (Rahul Gandhi) equated the Sardar Patel statue with shoes Made in China," Modi was quoted as saying during his interaction with BJP workers through video conferencing via NaMo app.&nbsp;

All these years Congress disrespected Patel, Modi said adding: "How far they will to express their disliking for Sardar Patel?"

Modi`s remarks came two days after Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh`s Satna said that the statue being built for him in Gujarat is "Made in China" like the Made in China written on mobile phones, shirts and shoes.

"Modiji had promised to build the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel in Gujarat. But later it was revealed that on the back of the statue it was written Made in China," Gandhi said.

In the last four years, the Congress has only spread lies, it has become arrogant, it has drifted away from the people, it has become insensible and it has failed to perform as an opposition, Modi added.

The Statue of Unity, which is 182 metres from the ground and 240 metres from the river base of Narmada, has been completed. The inauguration of the statue will be done on Vallabhbhai Patel`s 143rd birth anniversary on October 31 by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat. "They spread lies on Statue of Unity that it is Made in China. I saw false information in which the Congress President (Rahul Gandhi) equated the Sardar Patel statue with shoes Made in China," Modi was quoted as saying during his interaction with BJP workers through video conferencing via NaMo app. All these years Congress disrespected Patel, Modi said adding: "How far they will to express their disliking for Sardar Patel?" Modi`s remarks came two days after Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh`s Satna said that the statue being built for him in Gujarat is "Made in China" like the Made in China written on mobile phones, shirts and shoes. "Modiji had promised to build the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel in Gujarat. But later it was revealed that on the back of the statue it was written Made in China," Gandhi said. In the last four years, the Congress has only spread lies, it has become arrogant, it has drifted away from the people, it has become insensible and it has failed to perform as an opposition, Modi added. The Statue of Unity, which is 182 metres from the ground and 240 metres from the river base of Narmada, has been completed. The inauguration of the statue will be done on Vallabhbhai Patel`s 143rd birth anniversary on October 31 by the Prime Minister.

Congress is spreading lies, disrespecting Sardar Patel, says Modi 

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term.

"This governments intention is to provide a good future to the people of the state... We know how to run this government, we will run it," he said while addressing a 'Udyoga Mela' (job fair) organised by the government.

The coalition government has several senior leaders with whose guidance the government would complete its five year term, he said.

"Let there be no apprehensions in this regard," he said.

His statement comes amid speculation that some 'disgruntled' MLAs were being wooed by BJP and there was factionalism in Congress and Janata Dal(S) on several issues that affect the functioning of the government.

"There may be several problems... Some sections of people may feel that the government will fall in 24 hours.

Amid all this, the government with stability, is working for the development of the state, its people, and providing employment to youth," he added.

The chief minister said the government was moving in the right direction to implement people-friendly programmes and taking steps towards industrialisation.

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term.

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term. "This governments intention is to provide a good future to the people of the state... We know how to run this government, we will run it," he said while addressing a 'Udyoga Mela' (job fair) organised by the government. The coalition government has several senior leaders with whose guidance the government would complete its five year term, he said. "Let there be no apprehensions in this regard," he said. His statement comes amid speculation that some 'disgruntled' MLAs were being wooed by BJP and there was factionalism in Congress and Janata Dal(S) on several issues that affect the functioning of the government. "There may be several problems... Some sections of people may feel that the government will fall in 24 hours. Amid all this, the government with stability, is working for the development of the state, its people, and providing employment to youth," he added. The chief minister said the government was moving in the right direction to implement people-friendly programmes and taking steps towards industrialisation.

Congress-JD(S) coalition govt in Karnataka stable: Kumaraswamy

A group of 16 trekkers including 10 foreign nationals are feared to have gone missing due to bad weather conditions while on an expedition here.

The group includes 10 foreigners, three local residents from Lahul-Spiti district and three others. The nationality of the foreigners is still not known.

<ins><img alt="" data-dw-processed-inimage="true" height="0" src="http://wtf2.forkcdn.com/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=0&amp;campaignid=0&amp;zoneid=2815&amp;loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catchnews.com%2Fnational-news%2Fhimachal-pradesh-10-foreign-nationals-among-16-trekkers-feared-missing-134756.html&amp;referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.in%2F&amp;cb=b044d6c295" width="0" /></ins> Confirming the incident, Chamba district's Superintendent of Police (SP) Monika Bhutungru elaborated that contact has been lost with the group who were supposed to return to a lower camp today.

She said, "Contact has been lost with 16 trekkers including 10 foreigners. A team of policemen, local porters and mountaineering experts have gone in their search as they were supposed to reach back today."

The group arrived at Hiltwan area of Pangi Taluk in Chamba district on September 17. They along with 17 local porters then proceeded towards Bhujpatra Range Dhar, reaching there on September 19. The local porters returned from this point on the same day and were asked to meet back on September 29 to accompany the group in their return journey to the lower camp.

The porters who had accompanied the group have also informed that the trekkers had sufficient food material and medicines with them.

Bad weather conditions have been causing difficulty for trekkers in the past. On September 25, a group of 50 trekkers including 35 students of India Institute of Technology (IIT) in Roorkee, were rescued from the rain-hit Lahaul-Spiti district.

A group of 16 trekkers including 10 foreign nationals are feared to have gone missing due to bad weather conditions while on an expedition here. The group includes 10 foreigners, three local residents from Lahul-Spiti district and three others.

A group of 16 trekkers including 10 foreign nationals are feared to have gone missing due to bad weather conditions while on an expedition here. The group includes 10 foreigners, three local residents from Lahul-Spiti district and three others. The nationality of the foreigners is still not known. Confirming the incident, Chamba district's Superintendent of Police (SP) Monika Bhutungru elaborated that contact has been lost with the group who were supposed to return to a lower camp today. She said, "Contact has been lost with 16 trekkers including 10 foreigners. A team of policemen, local porters and mountaineering experts have gone in their search as they were supposed to reach back today." The group arrived at Hiltwan area of Pangi Taluk in Chamba district on September 17. They along with 17 local porters then proceeded towards Bhujpatra Range Dhar, reaching there on September 19. The local porters returned from this point on the same day and were asked to meet back on September 29 to accompany the group in their return journey to the lower camp. The porters who had accompanied the group have also informed that the trekkers had sufficient food material and medicines with them. Bad weather conditions have been causing difficulty for trekkers in the past. On September 25, a group of 50 trekkers including 35 students of India Institute of Technology (IIT) in Roorkee, were rescued from the rain-hit Lahaul-Spiti district.

Himachal Pradesh: 10 foreign nationals among 16 trekkers feared missing

Remembering slain journalist Gauri Lankesh, global writers' body PEN International said Saturday the Indian government should protect its writers, journalists and those exercising freedom of expression.

"The climate for free expression has severely deteriorated in India in the last few years," it said at the end of its 84th Congress held here from September 25 to 29.

Every year, PEN International prepares a "Freedom of Expression Report" on the country where the Congress is held. A report on India was released Saturday.

"The report outlines how dissenting voices, be they journalists, writers, academics or students, face intimidation, harassment, prosecution, online abuse and physical violence," said a release issued by the organisation.

"PEN International calls on the Indian authorities to protect its writers, journalists and all others exercising their right to free expression and to bring its legislation in line with its obligations under the international law," it added.

The release quoted PEN International president and American-Mexican writer Jennifer Clement as saying that the organisation "honours (journalist) Gauri Lankesh, who was shot to death outside her home a year ago".

"Even though we welcome the progress that has been made in the investigation, we are still waiting for justice," Clement said.

"Unless the cycle of impunity is broken, those who want to use violence to silence will be emboldened," she added.

Lankesh was shot dead outside her house in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. The Karnataka police has arrested some members of a right-wing group for allegedly conspiring to kill her.

The release also quoted journalist Salil Tripathi, the Chair of PEN International's Writers in Prison Committee, as saying that laws stifling speech, "an environment hostile to dissenting views" and "emboldened critics online and in the real world" had cast a chill over free expression in India.

"Journalists and writers have been sued, intimidated, threatened and sometimes murdered. There is little political will to amend the laws that prevent free expression or to enforce laws that protect the writer," Tripathi said.

Scholar-writer Ganesh Devy, the director of the Congress, said this was the first such gathering in India since PEN was established 98 years ago and was attended by writers from 87 countries.

"The Congress has also presented a project of translating 100 Indian books into the languages of the world and vice versa," he added.&nbsp;

Remembering slain journalist Gauri Lankesh, global writers' body PEN International said Saturday the Indian government should protect its writers, journalists and those exercising freedom of expression.

Remembering slain journalist Gauri Lankesh, global writers' body PEN International said Saturday the Indian government should protect its writers, journalists and those exercising freedom of expression. "The climate for free expression has severely deteriorated in India in the last few years," it said at the end of its 84th Congress held here from September 25 to 29. Every year, PEN International prepares a "Freedom of Expression Report" on the country where the Congress is held. A report on India was released Saturday. "The report outlines how dissenting voices, be they journalists, writers, academics or students, face intimidation, harassment, prosecution, online abuse and physical violence," said a release issued by the organisation. "PEN International calls on the Indian authorities to protect its writers, journalists and all others exercising their right to free expression and to bring its legislation in line with its obligations under the international law," it added. The release quoted PEN International president and American-Mexican writer Jennifer Clement as saying that the organisation "honours (journalist) Gauri Lankesh, who was shot to death outside her home a year ago". "Even though we welcome the progress that has been made in the investigation, we are still waiting for justice," Clement said. "Unless the cycle of impunity is broken, those who want to use violence to silence will be emboldened," she added. Lankesh was shot dead outside her house in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. The Karnataka police has arrested some members of a right-wing group for allegedly conspiring to kill her. The release also quoted journalist Salil Tripathi, the Chair of PEN International's Writers in Prison Committee, as saying that laws stifling speech, "an environment hostile to dissenting views" and "emboldened critics online and in the real world" had cast a chill over free expression in India. "Journalists and writers have been sued, intimidated, threatened and sometimes murdered. There is little political will to amend the laws that prevent free expression or to enforce laws that protect the writer," Tripathi said. Scholar-writer Ganesh Devy, the director of the Congress, said this was the first such gathering in India since PEN was established 98 years ago and was attended by writers from 87 countries. "The Congress has also presented a project of translating 100 Indian books into the languages of the world and vice versa," he added.

Dissenting voices under attack in India: PEN International

Fuel prices in the national capital continued to rise on Saturday with petrol prices registering an increase of Rs 0.22 paise while diesel shot up by Rs 0.21 paise.

Petrol in Delhi today will be sold at Rs 83.40 per litre whereas diesel amounts to Rs 74.63 per litre.&nbsp;

For Mumbaikars, petrol prices inched further towards the Rs 91-mark at Rs 90.75 per litre, an increase of Rs 0.22 from Friday. Diesel in Mumbai will be sold for Rs 79.23 per litre, up by Rs 0.22 on Saturday.

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Petrol &amp; Diesel prices in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> are Rs 83.40 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22) &amp; Rs 74.63 per litre (increase by Rs 0.21), respectively. Petrol &amp; Diesel prices in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> are Rs 90.75 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22) &amp; Rs 79.23 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22), respectively. <a href="https://t.co/jI6d3dt85c">pic.twitter.com/jI6d3dt85c</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1045835347022667776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Friday, petrol in the national capital amounted to Rs 83.22 per litre while diesel prices stood at Rs 74.42 per litre.

In Mumbai, petrol was priced at Rs 90.57 per litre and diesel was sold at Rs 79.01 per litre respectively. Petrol prices in Mumbai had crossed the Rs 90-mark on Monday.

The rise in international crude prices, which crossed $81 per barrel on Wednesday, has added to India's woes including the effect of a sliding Rupee has led to a large-scale increase in fuel prices.

Earlier this month, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari had admitted that fuel prices were "very high and hurting the public".

Fuel prices in the national capital continued to rise on Saturday with petrol prices registering an increase of Rs 0.22 paise while diesel shot up by Rs 0.21 paise.

Fuel prices in the national capital continued to rise on Saturday with petrol prices registering an increase of Rs 0.22 paise while diesel shot up by Rs 0.21 paise. Petrol in Delhi today will be sold at Rs 83.40 per litre whereas diesel amounts to Rs 74.63 per litre. For Mumbaikars, petrol prices inched further towards the Rs 91-mark at Rs 90.75 per litre, an increase of Rs 0.22 from Friday. Diesel in Mumbai will be sold for Rs 79.23 per litre, up by Rs 0.22 on Saturday. Petrol & Diesel prices in #Delhi are Rs 83.40 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22) & Rs 74.63 per litre (increase by Rs 0.21), respectively. Petrol & Diesel prices in #Mumbai are Rs 90.75 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22) & Rs 79.23 per litre (increase by Rs 0.22), respectively. pic.twitter.com/jI6d3dt85c — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2018 × On Friday, petrol in the national capital amounted to Rs 83.22 per litre while diesel prices stood at Rs 74.42 per litre. In Mumbai, petrol was priced at Rs 90.57 per litre and diesel was sold at Rs 79.01 per litre respectively. Petrol prices in Mumbai had crossed the Rs 90-mark on Monday. The rise in international crude prices, which crossed $81 per barrel on Wednesday, has added to India's woes including the effect of a sliding Rupee has led to a large-scale increase in fuel prices. Earlier this month, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari had admitted that fuel prices were "very high and hurting the public".

Fuel prices continue to rise on fourth day this week, petrol jumps to Rs 83.40 in Delhi

Terrorism, climate change, reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Sustainable Development Goals are some of the issues that External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj is likely to touch upon during her speech at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on Saturday evening.

On terrorism, it is expected that apart from regional and global challenges, Swaraj will also talk about issues related to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. EAM had raised the issue during the meeting of Foreign Ministers of SAARC countries on the sidelines of UNGA&nbsp;also where she emphasised it as "single largest threat to peace and stability" in the region.

A victim of terror attacks, India has been pushing for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) for global cooperation in combating the menace.

CCIT will provide a legal framework to prevent global funding and safe havens to the terror groups. India had proposed CCIT in 1996 and it is, however, still under discussion.

Swaraj is also expected to touch upon the issue of much-needed reforms in the United Nations Security Council. India has been making strong diplomatic efforts for the expansion of the UN body to allow more members in Permanent and Non-Permanent category.&nbsp;

According to sources, the minister may also touch upon SDG and the recent Indian flagship initiatives to achieve these targets. India is also expected to reiterate its obligation on climate change and its commitment to address this

Terrorism, climate change, reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Sustainable Development Goals are some of the issues that External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj is likely to touch upon during her speech at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on Saturday evening.

Terrorism, climate change, reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Sustainable Development Goals are some of the issues that External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj is likely to touch upon during her speech at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on Saturday evening. On terrorism, it is expected that apart from regional and global challenges, Swaraj will also talk about issues related to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. EAM had raised the issue during the meeting of Foreign Ministers of SAARC countries on the sidelines of UNGA also where she emphasised it as "single largest threat to peace and stability" in the region. A victim of terror attacks, India has been pushing for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) for global cooperation in combating the menace. CCIT will provide a legal framework to prevent global funding and safe havens to the terror groups. India had proposed CCIT in 1996 and it is, however, still under discussion. Swaraj is also expected to touch upon the issue of much-needed reforms in the United Nations Security Council. India has been making strong diplomatic efforts for the expansion of the UN body to allow more members in Permanent and Non-Permanent category. According to sources, the minister may also touch upon SDG and the recent Indian flagship initiatives to achieve these targets. India is also expected to reiterate its obligation on climate change and its commitment to address this

Sushma Swaraj likely to focus on terrorism, climate change at UNGA

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exploring-alternative-oil-supplies-ensure-our-friend-indias-economy-not-adversely">Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US&nbsp;</a>

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410">Gun went off accidentally, says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410">cop</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410"> who fatally shot Apple employee</a>

The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-disrespecting-sardar-patel-modi-168441">Congress is spreading lies, disrespecting Sardar Patel, says Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-election-body-endorses-opposition-leader-solihs-victory-amid-threats-168401">Maldives election body endorses opposition leader Solih's victory amid threats</a>

The Elections Commission of Maldives on Saturday officially declared opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih winner of the country's national election, defeating president Abdulla Yameen who had sought a delay in publication of the final results.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/swedish-academy-has-postpones-years-nobel-literature-prize-168421">Swedish Academy postpones this year's Nobel Literature Prize</a>

In tatters after a #MeToo scandal, the Swedish Academy has postponed this year's Nobel Literature Prize, leaving an empty page for 2018 as it attempts to reform the venerable institution.

Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected". Gun went off accidentally, says cop who fatally shot Apple employee The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI. Congress is spreading lies, disrespecting Sardar Patel, says Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat. Maldives election body endorses opposition leader Solih's victory amid threats The Elections Commission of Maldives on Saturday officially declared opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih winner of the country's national election, defeating president Abdulla Yameen who had sought a delay in publication of the final results. Swedish Academy postpones this year's Nobel Literature Prize In tatters after a #MeToo scandal, the Swedish Academy has postponed this year's Nobel Literature Prize, leaving an empty page for 2018 as it attempts to reform the venerable institution.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The police constable&nbsp;who fatally shot the Apple employee&nbsp;Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police-constable Prashant Chaudhary said that Tiwari hit him with his car three times. &nbsp;

"I didn’t shoot at him. The gun went off accidentally. He hit me with his car and drove it over me three times with the intention to kill me. I demand that my FIR must be registered," he said.&nbsp;

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I didn’t shoot at him. The bullet was shot by mistake. He hit me with his car and drove it over me three times with the intention to kill me. I demand that my FIR must be registered: Police constable Prashant Chaudhary who shot at Lucknow resident, Vivek Tiwari. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lucknow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lucknow</a> <a href="https://t.co/lrACHnBgOi">pic.twitter.com/lrACHnBgOi</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1045998085854248965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Ashutosh Tandon said that a new FIR is being registered and the policemen involved in the case have been arrested and expelled from the force.

"Orders were given for rewriting of FIR. Gomti Nagar police won't investigate it, some other police station will probe. DM Lucknow had ordered magisterial inquiry. I have ordered the constitution of SIT. It's a crime. Policemen involved have been arrested and expelled," Tandon said

Tiwari was allegedly shot by Chaudhary&nbsp;at Gomti Nagar area in Lucknow on Friday when he was asked to stop his car.

Tiwari was subsequently taken to Lohia hospital in the city where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, shots fired at Tiwari after he allegedly tried to crush police constable's bike. After being hit by the bullet, the victim's car then met with an accident.

"A case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused. However, exact reason of his death whether he died of accidental injuries or bullet injury would be confirmed only after post-mortem report," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani told ANI.

Kalpana Tiwari, wife of deceased Vivek Tiwari , asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take cognizance of the incident.

"Police had no right to shoot at my husband, demand UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to come here and talk to me," she said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad, meanwhile, told ANI that the investigation into the matter is underway and that actions will be taken against those found guilty.

"Investigation is underway. If an innocent person has been killed by the police probe will be done.Actions will be taken against those found guilty," he said.

The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI.

The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI. Police-constable Prashant Chaudhary said that Tiwari hit him with his car three times. "I didn’t shoot at him. The gun went off accidentally. He hit me with his car and drove it over me three times with the intention to kill me. I demand that my FIR must be registered," he said. I didn’t shoot at him. The bullet was shot by mistake. He hit me with his car and drove it over me three times with the intention to kill me. I demand that my FIR must be registered: Police constable Prashant Chaudhary who shot at Lucknow resident, Vivek Tiwari. #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/lrACHnBgOi — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 29, 2018 × Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Ashutosh Tandon said that a new FIR is being registered and the policemen involved in the case have been arrested and expelled from the force. "Orders were given for rewriting of FIR. Gomti Nagar police won't investigate it, some other police station will probe. DM Lucknow had ordered magisterial inquiry. I have ordered the constitution of SIT. It's a crime. Policemen involved have been arrested and expelled," Tandon said Tiwari was allegedly shot by Chaudhary at Gomti Nagar area in Lucknow on Friday when he was asked to stop his car. Tiwari was subsequently taken to Lohia hospital in the city where he succumbed to his injuries. According to police, shots fired at Tiwari after he allegedly tried to crush police constable's bike. After being hit by the bullet, the victim's car then met with an accident. "A case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused. However, exact reason of his death whether he died of accidental injuries or bullet injury would be confirmed only after post-mortem report," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani told ANI. Kalpana Tiwari, wife of deceased Vivek Tiwari , asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take cognizance of the incident. "Police had no right to shoot at my husband, demand UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to come here and talk to me," she said. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad, meanwhile, told ANI that the investigation into the matter is underway and that actions will be taken against those found guilty. "Investigation is underway. If an innocent person has been killed by the police probe will be done.Actions will be taken against those found guilty," he said.

Gun went off accidentally, says cop who fatally shot Apple employee

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