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<a href="http://wionews.com/world/3-killed-as-philippines-warns-of-hazards-due-to-powerful-typhoon-threatens-120-bn-damage-to-asia-165809">Super typhoon Mangkhut kills three in </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/3-killed-as-philippines-warns-of-hazards-due-to-powerful-typhoon-threatens-120-bn-damage-to-asia-165809">Philippines</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/3-killed-as-philippines-warns-of-hazards-due-to-powerful-typhoon-threatens-120-bn-damage-to-asia-165809">, risks $120 billion in damage</a>

A strong typhoon tore through the northern tip of the Philippines on Saturday packing winds of more than 200 kph (124 mph) along with torrential rain, killing three people and causing floods, landslides and power outages.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/russia-holds-naval-drills-in-sea-of-japan-despite-tokyos-concerns-165801">Russia holds naval drills in </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/russia-holds-naval-drills-in-sea-of-japan-despite-tokyos-concerns-165801">Sea</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/russia-holds-naval-drills-in-sea-of-japan-despite-tokyos-concerns-165801"> of Japan, despite Tokyo's concerns</a>

Russian troops taking part in the country's largest-ever war games on Saturday held drills in the Sea of Japan, despite Tokyo's concerns about a Russian military buildup in the area.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/kerala-nun-rape-case-bishop-franco-mulakkal-asked-to-appear-for-interrogation-on-september-19-165788">Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal asked to appear before Kerala police on September 19</a>

The Jalandhar Police has served a notice to&nbspBishop Franco Mulakkal to appear for interrogation before the Kerala Police on September&nbsp19. A criminal case has also been registered against the Missionaries of Jesus for publishing a letter as well as a photo of the victim nun.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/at-least-13-dead-in-indonesia-ferry-accident-165805">At least 13 dead in Indonesia ferry accident</a>

At least 13 people have been killed and eight are still missing after a ferry caught fire and sank in central Indonesia, an official said Saturday.&nbsp The boat was believed to be carrying nearly 150 passengers off the coast of Sulawesi province on Friday when the blaze started.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/entertainment/blackbuck-case-more-trouble-for-sonali-saif-tabu-165797">Blackbuck case: Rajasthan govt to appeal against </a><a href="http://wionews.com/entertainment/blackbuck-case-more-trouble-for-sonali-saif-tabu-165797">acquittal</a><a href="http://wionews.com/entertainment/blackbuck-case-more-trouble-for-sonali-saif-tabu-165797"> of Saif, Sonali, Tabu and Neelam</a>

The state government on Saturday said it will appeal before the Rajasthan High Court against the acquittal of actors Sonali Bendre, Neelam Kothari, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan and others in the Blackbuck poaching case.

&nbsp

Super typhoon Mangkhut kills three in Philippines, risks $120 billion in damage A strong typhoon tore through the northern tip of the Philippines on Saturday packing winds of more than 200 kph (124 mph) along with torrential rain, killing three people and causing floods, landslides and power outages. Russia holds naval drills in Sea of Japan, despite Tokyo's concerns Russian troops taking part in the country's largest-ever war games on Saturday held drills in the Sea of Japan, despite Tokyo's concerns about a Russian military buildup in the area. Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal asked to appear before Kerala police on September 19 The Jalandhar Police has served a notice to&nbspBishop Franco Mulakkal to appear for interrogation before the Kerala Police on September&nbsp19. A criminal case has also been registered against the Missionaries of Jesus for publishing a letter as well as a photo of the victim nun. At least 13 dead in Indonesia ferry accident At least 13 people have been killed and eight are still missing after a ferry caught fire and sank in central Indonesia, an official said Saturday. The boat was believed to be carrying nearly 150 passengers off the coast of Sulawesi province on Friday when the blaze started. Blackbuck case: Rajasthan govt to appeal against acquittal of Saif, Sonali, Tabu and Neelam The state government on Saturday said it will appeal before the Rajasthan High Court against the acquittal of actors Sonali Bendre, Neelam Kothari, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan and others in the Blackbuck poaching case.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Between 1990 and 2017, India's life expectancy at birth increased by nearly 11 years, with even more significant gains in expected years of schooling, according to the Human Development Report (HDR) released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Today's Indian school-age children can expect to stay in school for 4.7 years longer than in 1990.

The report states that on an average, people are living longer, are more educated, and have greater income today as is evident in the rise in average HDI levels since 1990 at 22 per cent globally.

According to the 2018 findings, between 1990 and 2017, India’s HDI value increased from 0.427 to 0.640, an almost 50 per cent increase, which is “an indicator that millions have been lifted out of poverty”.&nbsp;

At the same time, in what signals the glaring inequality in the country, the HDI value declines by more than a fourth when adjusted for inequality.&nbsp; 
The value of India’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) falls to 0.468, a 26.8 per cent decrease, far worse than the global average decrease in the global HDI value due to inequality at 20 per cent.

India climbed one spot to 130 among 189 countries in the latest human development index released Friday by the United Nations Development Programme.

On the global front, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and Germany led the ranking, while Niger, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad and Burundi have the lowest scores in the HDI’s measurement of national achievements in health, education and income.

Whereas, India's gross national income per capita increased by a staggering 266.6 per cent between 1990 and 2017.

The HDI is measured in three basic dimensions of human development for assessing long-term progress: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

The report states that on an average, people are living longer, are more educated, and have greater income today as is evident in the rise in average HDI levels since 1990 at 22 per cent globally.

Between 1990 and 2017, India's life expectancy at birth increased by nearly 11 years, with even more significant gains in expected years of schooling, according to the Human Development Report (HDR) released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Today's Indian school-age children can expect to stay in school for 4.7 years longer than in 1990. The report states that on an average, people are living longer, are more educated, and have greater income today as is evident in the rise in average HDI levels since 1990 at 22 per cent globally. According to the 2018 findings, between 1990 and 2017, India’s HDI value increased from 0.427 to 0.640, an almost 50 per cent increase, which is “an indicator that millions have been lifted out of poverty”. At the same time, in what signals the glaring inequality in the country, the HDI value declines by more than a fourth when adjusted for inequality. The value of India’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) falls to 0.468, a 26.8 per cent decrease, far worse than the global average decrease in the global HDI value due to inequality at 20 per cent. India climbed one spot to 130 among 189 countries in the latest human development index released Friday by the United Nations Development Programme. On the global front, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and Germany led the ranking, while Niger, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad and Burundi have the lowest scores in the HDI’s measurement of national achievements in health, education and income. Whereas, India's gross national income per capita increased by a staggering 266.6 per cent between 1990 and 2017. The HDI is measured in three basic dimensions of human development for assessing long-term progress: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

Indians live 11 years longer now as compared to 1990, says UN report

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday.

Parrikar, who has been undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment, is being examined by a team of doctors at the premier hospital, a source at AIIMS said.

"He is being examined by a team of doctors and will undergo a few tests," the source said.

Parrikar, 62, was flown to the national capital owing to his declining health.

Parrikar had returned from the US in the first week of September following which he was admitted to the hospital at Candolim. Earlier this year, he had undergone a three-month-long treatment in the US. 
&nbsp; 
Sources stated that Parrikar had Friday spoken to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah over the phone, who enquired about his health.

The Goa BJP had held a meeting of its state-level core committee on Friday. The core committee members had later met Parrikar.&nbsp;

Parrikar, who has been undergoing treatment for pancreatic ailment, is being examined by a team of doctors at the premier hospital.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday. Parrikar, who has been undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment, is being examined by a team of doctors at the premier hospital, a source at AIIMS said. "He is being examined by a team of doctors and will undergo a few tests," the source said. Parrikar, 62, was flown to the national capital owing to his declining health. Parrikar had returned from the US in the first week of September following which he was admitted to the hospital at Candolim. Earlier this year, he had undergone a three-month-long treatment in the US. Sources stated that Parrikar had Friday spoken to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah over the phone, who enquired about his health. The Goa BJP had held a meeting of its state-level core committee on Friday. The core committee members had later met Parrikar.

Goa CM Manohar Parrikar flies to Delhi, admitted to AIIMS for treatment

Charging Prime Minister Narendra Modi with “showing no interest” for the welfare of people and the nation at large, AICC General Secretary Mukul Wasnik Saturday sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the modalities adopted in the Rafale aircraft deal.

He also said a probe by JPC would bring out the whole truth in the multi-billion dollar fighter jet deal.

Addressing party cadres at a rally here to condemn the “corrupt practices” adopted by the NDA government in the purchase of Rafale combat aircraft, Wasnik said, “the country had never seen such a big scam as was witnessed in the purchase of the aircraft.”

“Modi is showing no interest in the welfare of the people and development of the nation.. His interest is in office and power and the RSS,” he alleged.

Questioning the ‘propriety’ of the Prime Minister pampering a business tycoon in the Rafale deal causing ‘big drain’ on the coffers, Wasnik said, “we should protect India.”

Led by the Congress, opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government alleging it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The Congress has said the UPA finalised a price of Rs 526 crore per fighter while negotiating a deal to buy 126 Rafale jets, but the current government is buying each aircraft at Rs 1,670 crore when the weapons and avionics onboard the jets will be of the same configuration.

In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale jets at an estimated cost of Rs 58,000 crore.

In his address, Sanjay Dutt, in charge of the Congress in Tamil Nadu said the Centre was trying to cause trouble to the Narayanasamy-headed Congress government in Puducherry.

“We will not buckle under any pressure and will overcome everything successfully,” he said.

Chief Minister Narayanasamy also spoke on the occasion.

AICC General Secretary Mukul Wasnik sought a JPC to go into the modalities adopted in the Rafale aircraft deal.

Charging Prime Minister Narendra Modi with “showing no interest” for the welfare of people and the nation at large, AICC General Secretary Mukul Wasnik Saturday sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the modalities adopted in the Rafale aircraft deal. He also said a probe by JPC would bring out the whole truth in the multi-billion dollar fighter jet deal. Addressing party cadres at a rally here to condemn the “corrupt practices” adopted by the NDA government in the purchase of Rafale combat aircraft, Wasnik said, “the country had never seen such a big scam as was witnessed in the purchase of the aircraft.” “Modi is showing no interest in the welfare of the people and development of the nation.. His interest is in office and power and the RSS,” he alleged. Questioning the ‘propriety’ of the Prime Minister pampering a business tycoon in the Rafale deal causing ‘big drain’ on the coffers, Wasnik said, “we should protect India.” Led by the Congress, opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government alleging it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost. The Congress has said the UPA finalised a price of Rs 526 crore per fighter while negotiating a deal to buy 126 Rafale jets, but the current government is buying each aircraft at Rs 1,670 crore when the weapons and avionics onboard the jets will be of the same configuration. In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale jets at an estimated cost of Rs 58,000 crore. In his address, Sanjay Dutt, in charge of the Congress in Tamil Nadu said the Centre was trying to cause trouble to the Narayanasamy-headed Congress government in Puducherry. “We will not buckle under any pressure and will overcome everything successfully,” he said. Chief Minister Narayanasamy also spoke on the occasion.

Rafale row: Congress seeks JPC to probe fighter jet deal

A massive fire broke out in Srinagar's Pamposh Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday afternoon.

The entire top floor of the hotel was engulfed in the fire.

The&nbsp;fire started in the attic of the six-storey building and spread fast.

The building houses offices of several news channels.

About eight people had sustained minor injuries in the incident, a fire official said.

Also, a member of fire services was injured and sent to the hospital,&nbsp;the District Commissioner of Srinagar said.

"There are offices of several media houses here. 20-22 fire tenders, teams of fire and emergency services, disaster mgmt, SDRF are here. There's no loss of life, people have been evacuated. A member of fire services was injured and sent to hospital", the DM said.

About 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, a police&nbsp;official said.

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There are offices of several media houses here. 20-22 fire tenders, teams of fire&emergency services, disaster mgmt, SDRF are here. There's no loss of life, people have been evacuated. A member of fire services was injured & sent to hospital: DC Srinagar on fire in Pamposh Hotel <a href="https://t.co/MhhMQqhgr2">pic.twitter.com/MhhMQqhgr2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040912737616838657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>: Latest visuals from Srinagar where a fire broke out at Hotel Pamposh today. Fire fighting operations are underway. Fire Officer says 'Eight people have sustained minor injuries. 20 fire tenders are present here.' <a href="https://t.co/sZozcmOFjf">pic.twitter.com/sZozcmOFjf</a>
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Firefighting operations to douse the fire is underway.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

No incident of death or injuries was reported from the site.

A massive fire broke out in Srinagar's Pamposh Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday afternoon. The entire top floor of the hotel was engulfed in the fire. The fire started in the attic of the six-storey building and spread fast. The building houses offices of several news channels. About eight people had sustained minor injuries in the incident, a fire official said. Also, a member of fire services was injured and sent to the hospital, the District Commissioner of Srinagar said. "There are offices of several media houses here. 20-22 fire tenders, teams of fire and emergency services, disaster mgmt, SDRF are here. There's no loss of life, people have been evacuated. A member of fire services was injured and sent to hospital", the DM said. About 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, a police official said. There are offices of several media houses here. 20-22 fire tenders, teams of fire&emergency services, disaster mgmt, SDRF are here. There's no loss of life, people have been evacuated. A member of fire services was injured & sent to hospital: DC Srinagar on fire in Pamposh Hotel pic.twitter.com/MhhMQqhgr2 — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 × #JammuAndKashmir: Latest visuals from Srinagar where a fire broke out at Hotel Pamposh today. Fire fighting operations are underway. Fire Officer says 'Eight people have sustained minor injuries. 20 fire tenders are present here.' pic.twitter.com/sZozcmOFjf — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 × Firefighting operations to douse the fire is underway.

J&K: Massive fire breaks out in Srinagar's Pamposh Hotel

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O P Rawat said on Saturday the present set of laws are “inadequate” to tackle the menace of black money in elections, and noted that Cambridge Analytica like “machinations” of data theft, data harvesting and fake news pose a potent threat to the electoral process in the country.

Rawat, speaking on ‘challenges to India electoral democracy’ at a symposium, said democracy does not run on whims and it requires traits such as courage, character, integrity and knowledge that are diminishing and are on the “verge of extinction” in the country.

The CEC, underlining a number of issues and challenges that face the electoral body, said clean elections are like a “wellspring of legitimacy” for the leadership and the people of the country and if this was contaminated by such issues, the common man becomes “cynical” about the entire system, which is an area of concern.

“With the rise of fake news, with the rise of make-believe things, with the rise of all kind of machinations like data theft, data harvesting, profiling, targeted communication affecting not only communication but referendum world over and changing the outcome of any process which is meant to translate popular will in (taking) a healthy decision, in (choosing) a healthy representative government. That’s the potent threat every democracy in the world is facing,” Rawat said at the event organised by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi.

The CEC said the EC was well aware of these issues amongst many others similar to them.

“Here in our country, the Commission is seized of issues such as cybersecurity, securing our data so that Cambridge Analytica kind of things do not happen over elections, about misuse and abuse of social media platforms, about fake news, about all kinds of ills that get into whether it is management of electoral rolls, campaign finance, polling process and technology,” he said.

Specifically talking about the use of money power during polls, the top EC functionary said current laws were not of much help for them to ensure a complete check at this abuse and that is why “state funding” of polls was not possible in India at present.

“Abuse of money is the main concern for India and in Indian elections. There has been a lot of talk for bringing about transparency in campaign finance, even people talk about state funding.

“But, whatever legal framework is available as on date today, is not adequate to address this issue. And therefore, the commission has been suggesting a number of reforms in this direction,” the CEC said.

On state funding, he said, the commission feels that “it won’t serve the purpose effectively because so long as you have torrents of money from such sources flowing into the election arena, the state funding is just like a fig leaf trying to control that torrent.”

Rawat said the effective use of media and curbing use of fake news and paid news were an important area on which the poll body has been working upon.

“…major challenge is about management of media including social media. That is multiple dimensions, starting from ownership of media.

“If you study the ownership of media, you will find that enormous change has come about and whatever we could think in terms of freedom of the press, that “press” is maybe, just a minuscule part languishing in some corner of the whole media spectrum,” he said.

“So, instead of treating it as a monolith, if we analyse in media component terms and focus ourselves on assuring the freedom of press to the real constituents to the hilt, I think all these ills which have emerged in form of fake news, paid news, etc. will automatically evaporate,” Rawat said.

He advised media outfits in the country to look at some best practices in international media that have started bringing out a regular column — what was fake last week — on the internet, in the media and ‘fact checker reports’.

“These things really highlight as to what we were believing was totally fake. These are the things which will go a long way in warding off the threat from media management side to the elections,” he said.

The CEC, during his speech, underlined purification of electoral rolls was a major and important task before the Election Commission and it will go on till the poll body is fully “satisfied” about it.

The CEC said this was largely happening as most people registered (in the electoral rolls) at the new place of registration forget to get their name deleted at the old place of residence.

“That is why the duplicates are generated. All these attempts (to purify the electoral rolls) have delivered rich dividends and has constituted in considerable enhancing of the percentage of polling, besides our electoral participation efforts.

“This is one initiative that has given us a lot satisfaction…this will continue till the commission is satisfied that it is perfect all over the country,” he said.

He said he was surprised to see during Karnataka election, in Bengaluru, the polling percentage was lowest.

“We investigated and we found that because of IT (information and technology) industry, job hopping was taking place and this (incorrect electoral rolls) was happening. Names were there but people are not there, that is why polling was just 52-54 per cent,” the CEC said.

O P Rawat said the present set of laws are "inadequate" to tackle the menace of black money in elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O P Rawat said on Saturday the present set of laws are “inadequate” to tackle the menace of black money in elections, and noted that Cambridge Analytica like “machinations” of data theft, data harvesting and fake news pose a potent threat to the electoral process in the country. Rawat, speaking on ‘challenges to India electoral democracy’ at a symposium, said democracy does not run on whims and it requires traits such as courage, character, integrity and knowledge that are diminishing and are on the “verge of extinction” in the country. The CEC, underlining a number of issues and challenges that face the electoral body, said clean elections are like a “wellspring of legitimacy” for the leadership and the people of the country and if this was contaminated by such issues, the common man becomes “cynical” about the entire system, which is an area of concern. “With the rise of fake news, with the rise of make-believe things, with the rise of all kind of machinations like data theft, data harvesting, profiling, targeted communication affecting not only communication but referendum world over and changing the outcome of any process which is meant to translate popular will in (taking) a healthy decision, in (choosing) a healthy representative government. That’s the potent threat every democracy in the world is facing,” Rawat said at the event organised by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi. The CEC said the EC was well aware of these issues amongst many others similar to them. “Here in our country, the Commission is seized of issues such as cybersecurity, securing our data so that Cambridge Analytica kind of things do not happen over elections, about misuse and abuse of social media platforms, about fake news, about all kinds of ills that get into whether it is management of electoral rolls, campaign finance, polling process and technology,” he said. Specifically talking about the use of money power during polls, the top EC functionary said current laws were not of much help for them to ensure a complete check at this abuse and that is why “state funding” of polls was not possible in India at present. “Abuse of money is the main concern for India and in Indian elections. There has been a lot of talk for bringing about transparency in campaign finance, even people talk about state funding. “But, whatever legal framework is available as on date today, is not adequate to address this issue. And therefore, the commission has been suggesting a number of reforms in this direction,” the CEC said. On state funding, he said, the commission feels that “it won’t serve the purpose effectively because so long as you have torrents of money from such sources flowing into the election arena, the state funding is just like a fig leaf trying to control that torrent.” Rawat said the effective use of media and curbing use of fake news and paid news were an important area on which the poll body has been working upon. “…major challenge is about management of media including social media. That is multiple dimensions, starting from ownership of media. “If you study the ownership of media, you will find that enormous change has come about and whatever we could think in terms of freedom of the press, that “press” is maybe, just a minuscule part languishing in some corner of the whole media spectrum,” he said. “So, instead of treating it as a monolith, if we analyse in media component terms and focus ourselves on assuring the freedom of press to the real constituents to the hilt, I think all these ills which have emerged in form of fake news, paid news, etc. will automatically evaporate,” Rawat said. He advised media outfits in the country to look at some best practices in international media that have started bringing out a regular column — what was fake last week — on the internet, in the media and ‘fact checker reports’. “These things really highlight as to what we were believing was totally fake. These are the things which will go a long way in warding off the threat from media management side to the elections,” he said. The CEC, during his speech, underlined purification of electoral rolls was a major and important task before the Election Commission and it will go on till the poll body is fully “satisfied” about it. The CEC said this was largely happening as most people registered (in the electoral rolls) at the new place of registration forget to get their name deleted at the old place of residence. “That is why the duplicates are generated. All these attempts (to purify the electoral rolls) have delivered rich dividends and has constituted in considerable enhancing of the percentage of polling, besides our electoral participation efforts. “This is one initiative that has given us a lot satisfaction…this will continue till the commission is satisfied that it is perfect all over the country,” he said. He said he was surprised to see during Karnataka election, in Bengaluru, the polling percentage was lowest. “We investigated and we found that because of IT (information and technology) industry, job hopping was taking place and this (incorrect electoral rolls) was happening. Names were there but people are not there, that is why polling was just 52-54 per cent,” the CEC said.

Current laws inadequate to check abuse of money in polls, says CEC O P Rawat

Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a Kerala nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016, has decided to stand down on Saturday. The bishop is also expected to leave for Kerala soon.

"I am likely to be called for further clarifications by investigating officer in Kerala, appoint Rv, Fr Joseph Thekkumkattil & Rev Fr Subin Thekkedathu," he stated in a letter according to news agency ANI.

The nun in a letter to the Vatican recently accused Mulakkal of raping her.

The case has now been brought to the notice of the Vatican and the representative from India is in Rome to discuss the issue, ANI report said.

The church representative is also expecting an intervention in the coming days, ANI reported quoting sources.&nbsp;

The Kerala High Court on Thursday had expressed satisfaction over the police investigation in the case.

Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a protest outside Kerala secretariat demanding action against the Bishop.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Trivandrum: BJP workers stage protest outside Kerala secretariat demanding action against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal <a href="https://t.co/JEmht8i1ct">pic.twitter.com/JEmht8i1ct</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040856711660269568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The case has now been brought to the notice of the Vatican and the representative from India is in Rome to discuss the issue, ANI report said.

Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a Kerala nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016, has decided to stand down on Saturday. The bishop is also expected to leave for Kerala soon. "I am likely to be called for further clarifications by investigating officer in Kerala, appoint Rv, Fr Joseph Thekkumkattil & Rev Fr Subin Thekkedathu," he stated in a letter according to news agency ANI. The nun in a letter to the Vatican recently accused Mulakkal of raping her. The case has now been brought to the notice of the Vatican and the representative from India is in Rome to discuss the issue, ANI report said. The church representative is also expecting an intervention in the coming days, ANI reported quoting sources. The Kerala High Court on Thursday had expressed satisfaction over the police investigation in the case. Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a protest outside Kerala secretariat demanding action against the Bishop. Trivandrum: BJP workers stage protest outside Kerala secretariat demanding action against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal pic.twitter.com/JEmht8i1ct — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 ×

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal steps down, likely to leave for Kerala soon

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Friday said the BJP-led government at the centre "keeps lowering the bench mark with amazing regularity" as he reacted to Union Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks that the Opposition "does not deserve to be engaged" on Rafale deal.

"The arrogance on display here is breath taking. No government should refuse to engage with opposition parties. The current government keeps lowering the bench mark with amazing regularity," Abdullah tweeted.

Sitharaman ruled out calling the opposition parties for a meeting to allay their concerns over the Rafale deal, saying they are "throwing an allegation" without any basis as well as showing no concern for operational preparedness of the air force.

In an interview to PTI, the Defence Minister ruled out any engagement with the opposition on issues relating to the multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal, saying they do not deserve to be involved after throwing muck on a very sensitive issue concerning India's defence preparedness.

<iframe data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>Sitharaman said the government decided to go for procuring only two squadrons of Rafale jets as an emergency measure in the wake of China and Pakistan significantly ramping up their air power by inducting stealth fighters.

"Is there any point of calling them and explaining? They are misleading the country with something which was not even agreed to during the UPA government. You are throwing an allegation saying there is a fraud. You did not care for operational preparedness of the air force," she said.

Sitharaman said the government decided to go for procuring only two squadrons of Rafale jets as an emergency measure in the wake of China and Pakistan significantly ramping up their air power by inducting stealth fighters.

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Friday said the BJP-led government at the centre "keeps lowering the bench mark with amazing regularity" as he reacted to Union Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks that the Opposition "does not deserve to be engaged" on Rafale deal. "The arrogance on display here is breath taking. No government should refuse to engage with opposition parties. The current government keeps lowering the bench mark with amazing regularity," Abdullah tweeted. Sitharaman ruled out calling the opposition parties for a meeting to allay their concerns over the Rafale deal, saying they are "throwing an allegation" without any basis as well as showing no concern for operational preparedness of the air force. In an interview to PTI, the Defence Minister ruled out any engagement with the opposition on issues relating to the multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal, saying they do not deserve to be involved after throwing muck on a very sensitive issue concerning India's defence preparedness. Sitharaman said the government decided to go for procuring only two squadrons of Rafale jets as an emergency measure in the wake of China and Pakistan significantly ramping up their air power by inducting stealth fighters. "Is there any point of calling them and explaining? They are misleading the country with something which was not even agreed to during the UPA government. You are throwing an allegation saying there is a fraud. You did not care for operational preparedness of the air force," she said.

Omar Abdullah jabs centre over refusal to talk with opposition on Rafale

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday kicked off party's election campaign in Telangana by accusing chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao of vote bank and appeasement in the state.&nbsp;

He questioned KCR's&nbsp;stand on&nbsp;'one nation, one poll' and said that the party, which supported the plan initially, has unfortunately gone ahead to disrupt it and dissolve the Assembly.

"KC Rao had supported one nation, one election but today his party has changed its stand and has forced a small state to bear expense of two polls (state assembly&Lok sabha). I want to ask Telangana CM, why have you put such an expense on the people of Telangana?," ANI quoted Shah as saying.

The BJP chief said that the party will fight elections from all seats in Telangana and emerge as a strong and decisive force.

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BJP will fight on all seats in Telangana and emerge as a strong and decisive force in in the state: BJP President Amit Shah in Hyderabad <a href="https://t.co/IX7qhgSET3">pic.twitter.com/IX7qhgSET3</a>
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Shah accused TRS of doing politics of vote bank and said that if the party comes to power yet again, it will continue to play the same way.

"Is it not appeasement politics to propose 12 per cent&nbsp;reservation for the minority? They know that our constitution does not allow reservation based on religion. If the same govt comes back to power, vote bank politics will continue in the state," he said.&nbsp;

Shah arrived in Telangana on a day-long visit on Saturday morning and is scheduled to give directions to the BJP&nbsp;state leaders on poll strategy and election manifesto.

According to BJP's Telangana unit president K Laxman, the BJP president will conduct meetings with various groups.

Shah will also visit a temple in the old city of Hyderabad.

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Hyderabad: BJP President Amit Shah cleans Bheema Maidan road near NTR stadium in Domalguda as a part of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwachhataHiSeva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwachhataHiSeva</a> movement. <a href="https://t.co/gInCnaK8ZB">pic.twitter.com/gInCnaK8ZB</a>
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&nbsp;

He questioned KCR on his stand of 'one nation, one poll' and said that the party, which supported the plan initially, has unfortunately gone ahead to disrupt it and dissolve the Assembly.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday kicked off party's election campaign in Telangana by accusing chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao of vote bank and appeasement in the state. He questioned KCR's stand on 'one nation, one poll' and said that the party, which supported the plan initially, has unfortunately gone ahead to disrupt it and dissolve the Assembly. "KC Rao had supported one nation, one election but today his party has changed its stand and has forced a small state to bear expense of two polls (state assembly&Lok sabha). I want to ask Telangana CM, why have you put such an expense on the people of Telangana?," ANI quoted Shah as saying. The BJP chief said that the party will fight elections from all seats in Telangana and emerge as a strong and decisive force. BJP will fight on all seats in Telangana and emerge as a strong and decisive force in in the state: BJP President Amit Shah in Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/IX7qhgSET3 — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 × Shah accused TRS of doing politics of vote bank and said that if the party comes to power yet again, it will continue to play the same way. "Is it not appeasement politics to propose 12 per cent reservation for the minority? They know that our constitution does not allow reservation based on religion. If the same govt comes back to power, vote bank politics will continue in the state," he said. Shah arrived in Telangana on a day-long visit on Saturday morning and is scheduled to give directions to the BJP state leaders on poll strategy and election manifesto. According to BJP's Telangana unit president K Laxman, the BJP president will conduct meetings with various groups. Shah will also visit a temple in the old city of Hyderabad. Hyderabad: BJP President Amit Shah cleans Bheema Maidan road near NTR stadium in Domalguda as a part of #SwachhataHiSeva movement. pic.twitter.com/gInCnaK8ZB — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 ×

Amit Shah kicks off BJP campaign in Telangana, lambastes KCR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 5 for the 19th Indo-Russian Summit in New Delhi. The last meeting of the two leaders was in Johannesburg on July 26 at the BRICS summit. Earlier, they met in Qingdao in June at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and at Sochi, on the Black Sea, in May. 
 
The last Indo-Russian summit was held in St Petersburg, Russia on July 31, 2017. It is India’s turn to host this year’s summit. These top-level summits constitute the highest level of diplomatic engagement between India and Russia. Naturally, there are several preparatory and smaller but quite important exchanges in between.

One of these was the “Third International Conference of Indologists” at the St Petersburg State University in April this year. Organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, it explored the theme of Indo-Russian relations in the context of Indological studies. I was present at this conference, moderating a panel, as well as speaking on the fascinating trans-continental and trans-generational Roerich connection with India. In the galaxy of extraordinary figures who contributed to the Indian renaissance, Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947), his wife Helena (1879-1955), their sons, George (1902-1960) and Svetoslav (1904-1993), and the latter’s wife Devika Rani (1908-1994) played important, albeit understudied parts.

The Roerichs, following Nicholas’s and Helena’s combination of the practical and visionary, belonged to a small group of international savants, that also included the seer of Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo, and his spiritual partner, the Mother (Mira Richard). These yogi-mystics believed in and worked for a fundamental change in human consciousness which would also result in a new global political order. The Roerichs were thus participants in multiple and intersecting narratives involving spirituality, millennial transformation, art, poetry, and, above all, the union of the East and West, as also of the United States, Russia, and India — all in the service of a better future for humanity.

The follow-up of the St Petersburg Indological conference is currently taking place at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. Focusing on “India-Russia in the 21st Century: Enhancing the Special Privileged Strategic Partnership,” it brings together ministers, diplomats, economic advisors, and academics. Speaking of the importance of Indo-Russian economic ties at the inaugural session, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that Russia was India’s top investment destination in the oil and gas sector. “I believe that our time-tested relationship has no expiry date. Russia will always be a priority in India’s foreign and energy policy and both our countries will remain as a role model for global communities,” he added.

Indeed, ever since the inaugural Indo-Russian summit in 2000 led from the Indian side by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the two countries have enjoyed what was termed a “special and privileged strategic partnership”. This is not surprising because Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier, with several big-ticket deals, including air-defence missiles, frigates, and make-in-India AK-103 assault rifles, under consideration. What is stressed in these smaller meetings leading up to the major summit is a reiteration of the special relationship, strategic, economic, historical, and cultural, that the two powers enjoy.

Arguably, these meetings also signify an attempt on India’s part to rectify its perceived tilt towards the US. India is keen, and rightly so, to emphasise that our growing ties with the latter are not at the expense of our age-old partnership with Russia. After all, it makes much more sense to rely on time-tested partners in our own neighbourhood rather than distant and changeable new friends. In this regard, the appointment of Pankaj Saran as the Deputy National Security Advisor after his last posting as India’s ambassador to Russia acquires added significance. Of course, Indo-US and Indo-Russian ties, thus, need not be toggled together but must be understood and seen in terms of India’s own self-interests and priorities.

What is special, even unique about these conferences, is the manner in which culture and soft power are included in the larger strategic and diplomatic entente. Nicholas Roerich considered Russia an Eastern rather than a Western civilisation. He was looking for a way to revive and reestablish the old Russian but authentic religious society. In vast and onerous travels and adventures, he tried to find the secret origins of all Eurasian religious traditions in the mythical land of Shambhala. Whether or not he found it in the central Asian or Tibetan highlands remains moot. But he and his wife finally settled in Naggar, bang in between Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. There, he produced an extraordinary series of paintings, writings, and ideas, which we can still learn and draw inspiration from. Can the tripartite friendship among Trump, Putin, and Modi make Roerich’s dream come true?

(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-why-indo-russian-partnership-is-likely-to-strengthen-2663228">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Ever since the inaugural Indo-Russian summit in 2000, led from the Indian side by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the two countries have enjoyed what was termed a “special and privileged strategic partnership”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 5 for the 19th Indo-Russian Summit in New Delhi. The last meeting of the two leaders was in Johannesburg on July 26 at the BRICS summit. Earlier, they met in Qingdao in June at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and at Sochi, on the Black Sea, in May. The last Indo-Russian summit was held in St Petersburg, Russia on July 31, 2017. It is India’s turn to host this year’s summit. These top-level summits constitute the highest level of diplomatic engagement between India and Russia. Naturally, there are several preparatory and smaller but quite important exchanges in between. One of these was the “Third International Conference of Indologists” at the St Petersburg State University in April this year. Organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, it explored the theme of Indo-Russian relations in the context of Indological studies. I was present at this conference, moderating a panel, as well as speaking on the fascinating trans-continental and trans-generational Roerich connection with India. In the galaxy of extraordinary figures who contributed to the Indian renaissance, Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947), his wife Helena (1879-1955), their sons, George (1902-1960) and Svetoslav (1904-1993), and the latter’s wife Devika Rani (1908-1994) played important, albeit understudied parts. The Roerichs, following Nicholas’s and Helena’s combination of the practical and visionary, belonged to a small group of international savants, that also included the seer of Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo, and his spiritual partner, the Mother (Mira Richard). These yogi-mystics believed in and worked for a fundamental change in human consciousness which would also result in a new global political order. The Roerichs were thus participants in multiple and intersecting narratives involving spirituality, millennial transformation, art, poetry, and, above all, the union of the East and West, as also of the United States, Russia, and India — all in the service of a better future for humanity. The follow-up of the St Petersburg Indological conference is currently taking place at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. Focusing on “India-Russia in the 21st Century: Enhancing the Special Privileged Strategic Partnership,” it brings together ministers, diplomats, economic advisors, and academics. Speaking of the importance of Indo-Russian economic ties at the inaugural session, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that Russia was India’s top investment destination in the oil and gas sector. “I believe that our time-tested relationship has no expiry date. Russia will always be a priority in India’s foreign and energy policy and both our countries will remain as a role model for global communities,” he added. Indeed, ever since the inaugural Indo-Russian summit in 2000 led from the Indian side by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the two countries have enjoyed what was termed a “special and privileged strategic partnership”. This is not surprising because Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier, with several big-ticket deals, including air-defence missiles, frigates, and make-in-India AK-103 assault rifles, under consideration. What is stressed in these smaller meetings leading up to the major summit is a reiteration of the special relationship, strategic, economic, historical, and cultural, that the two powers enjoy. Arguably, these meetings also signify an attempt on India’s part to rectify its perceived tilt towards the US. India is keen, and rightly so, to emphasise that our growing ties with the latter are not at the expense of our age-old partnership with Russia. After all, it makes much more sense to rely on time-tested partners in our own neighbourhood rather than distant and changeable new friends. In this regard, the appointment of Pankaj Saran as the Deputy National Security Advisor after his last posting as India’s ambassador to Russia acquires added significance. Of course, Indo-US and Indo-Russian ties, thus, need not be toggled together but must be understood and seen in terms of India’s own self-interests and priorities. What is special, even unique about these conferences, is the manner in which culture and soft power are included in the larger strategic and diplomatic entente. Nicholas Roerich considered Russia an Eastern rather than a Western civilisation. He was looking for a way to revive and reestablish the old Russian but authentic religious society. In vast and onerous travels and adventures, he tried to find the secret origins of all Eurasian religious traditions in the mythical land of Shambhala. Whether or not he found it in the central Asian or Tibetan highlands remains moot. But he and his wife finally settled in Naggar, bang in between Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. There, he produced an extraordinary series of paintings, writings, and ideas, which we can still learn and draw inspiration from. Can the tripartite friendship among Trump, Putin, and Modi make Roerich’s dream come true? (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why Indo-Russian partnership is likely to strengthen

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit denied Saturday reports in a section of media that he had forwarded to the Centre the state government's recommendation to release all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The Governor said a decision on the issue would be taken in a "just and fair manner" in accordance with the Constitution.

"A section of media has been reporting that in the matter of the release of the convicted prisoners undergoing life imprisonment for involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a reference has been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India," a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.

Also, some television channels have been holding debates on this "assumption", it said.

"It is clarified that no reference has been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the matter. The case is a complex one and involves the examination of legal, administrative and constitutional issues," the statement by Joint Director-Public Relations of the Raj Bhavan said.

Noting that voluminous records on the matter were being received from the state government, the Raj Bhavan said court judgments on connected matters were handed over to it only on September 14.

"All efforts will be taken to process the papers scrupulously. Necessary consultation may be carried out, when required, in due course. The decision will be taken in a just and fair manner and in accordance with the Constitution," the Raj Bhavan said.

On September 9, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet had recommended the release of all the seven Rajiv case convicts, including Nalini and her husband Sriharan alias Murugan.

All the seven prisoners are in jail since 1991.

Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a blast at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near here on May 21, 1991. Fourteen others, including Dhanu, the assassin, were also killed.

Tamil outfits Friday claimed that Purohit had sent the recommendation to the Centre for its advice and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi announced a protest demonstration on September 26 in this regard.&nbsp

The Governor said a decision on the issue would be taken in a "just and fair manner" in accordance with the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit denied Saturday reports in a section of media that he had forwarded to the Centre the state government's recommendation to release all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The Governor said a decision on the issue would be taken in a "just and fair manner" in accordance with the Constitution. "A section of media has been reporting that in the matter of the release of the convicted prisoners undergoing life imprisonment for involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a reference has been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India," a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said. Also, some television channels have been holding debates on this "assumption", it said. "It is clarified that no reference has been made to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the matter. The case is a complex one and involves the examination of legal, administrative and constitutional issues," the statement by Joint Director-Public Relations of the Raj Bhavan said. Noting that voluminous records on the matter were being received from the state government, the Raj Bhavan said court judgments on connected matters were handed over to it only on September 14. "All efforts will be taken to process the papers scrupulously. Necessary consultation may be carried out, when required, in due course. The decision will be taken in a just and fair manner and in accordance with the Constitution," the Raj Bhavan said. On September 9, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet had recommended the release of all the seven Rajiv case convicts, including Nalini and her husband Sriharan alias Murugan. All the seven prisoners are in jail since 1991. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a blast at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near here on May 21, 1991. Fourteen others, including Dhanu, the assassin, were also killed. Tamil outfits Friday claimed that Purohit had sent the recommendation to the Centre for its advice and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi announced a protest demonstration on September 26 in this regard.

Rajiv case convicts' release issue not referred to Centre: Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan

'Swachhata hi seva movement' aimed&nbsp;at fulfilling Bapu's dream of ''clean India'', said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sweeps & cleans the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Delhi's Paharganj as a part of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwachhataHiSeva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwachhataHiSeva</a> movement. <a href="https://t.co/sqjN7zxGmg">pic.twitter.com/sqjN7zxGmg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040851089644388353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speaking at the&nbsp;launch of 'swachhata hi seva movement' in Delhi, Modi said people from all sections have joined the mission&nbsp;and added that from today till Gandhi Jayanti, let us re-dedicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu's dream of Clean India.&nbsp;

Modi lauded the immense contribution of the women towards 'Swacch Bharat Mission' which he had kickstarted&nbsp;four years ago.&nbsp;

As part of the launch the prime minister interacted with a cross-section of people from 18 locations across the country, via video conferencing.

The people with whom he interacted include school-children, jawans, spiritual leaders, members of milk and agricultural cooperatives, media persons, local government representatives, railway employees, self-help groups, and Swachhagrahis, among others.

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Prime Minister sweeps the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj as a part of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwachhataHiSeva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwachhataHiSeva</a> movement. <a href="https://t.co/ky55AHCQix">pic.twitter.com/ky55AHCQix</a>
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Youngsters are ambassadors of social change and the way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable, Modi said.&nbsp;

The youth are at the forefront of a ''positive change'' in India, he added.&nbsp;

Modi also extended his greetings to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel on the occasion.&nbsp;

Industrialist and chairman of the Tata Group Ratan Tata and actor Amitabh Bachchan also recalled their contribution to 'Swachh Bharat Mission' on the occasion.&nbsp;

''Four years ago, you introduced the Swachh Bharat Mission and I also became a part of it as an Indian citizen. I've been associated with various cleanliness campaigns including a campaign to clean a beach in Mumbai,'' said Bachchan.

''The Tata Trust is actively supporting the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and our support will continue in the years to come especially in bringing more technology,'' said Tata.&nbsp;

As part of the campaign, Modi picked up a broom and swept and cleaned the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Delhi's Paharganj along with the students. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students at Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwachhataHiSeva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwachhataHiSeva</a> <a href="https://t.co/CHOuP4Ly23">pic.twitter.com/CHOuP4Ly23</a>
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&nbsp;

Modi lauded the immense contribution of the women towards 'Swacch Bharat Mission' which he had kickstarted four years ago.

'Swachhata hi seva movement' aimed at fulfilling Bapu's dream of ''clean India'', said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sweeps & cleans the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Delhi's Paharganj as a part of #SwachhataHiSeva movement. pic.twitter.com/sqjN7zxGmg — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 × Speaking at the launch of 'swachhata hi seva movement' in Delhi, Modi said people from all sections have joined the mission and added that from today till Gandhi Jayanti, let us re-dedicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu's dream of Clean India. Modi lauded the immense contribution of the women towards 'Swacch Bharat Mission' which he had kickstarted four years ago. As part of the launch the prime minister interacted with a cross-section of people from 18 locations across the country, via video conferencing. The people with whom he interacted include school-children, jawans, spiritual leaders, members of milk and agricultural cooperatives, media persons, local government representatives, railway employees, self-help groups, and Swachhagrahis, among others. Prime Minister sweeps the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj as a part of #SwachhataHiSeva movement. pic.twitter.com/ky55AHCQix — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 × Youngsters are ambassadors of social change and the way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable, Modi said. The youth are at the forefront of a ''positive change'' in India, he added. Modi also extended his greetings to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel on the occasion. Industrialist and chairman of the Tata Group Ratan Tata and actor Amitabh Bachchan also recalled their contribution to 'Swachh Bharat Mission' on the occasion. ''Four years ago, you introduced the Swachh Bharat Mission and I also became a part of it as an Indian citizen. I've been associated with various cleanliness campaigns including a campaign to clean a beach in Mumbai,'' said Bachchan. ''The Tata Trust is actively supporting the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and our support will continue in the years to come especially in bringing more technology,'' said Tata. As part of the campaign, Modi picked up a broom and swept and cleaned the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Delhi's Paharganj along with the students. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students at Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj #SwachhataHiSeva pic.twitter.com/CHOuP4Ly23 — ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018 ×

Watch: Modi launches Swachhata hi seva movement, picks up broom, interacts with students

The Supreme Court on Friday modified its previous order that provided for setting up of a committee to deal with complaints of dowry harassment. &nbsp &nbsp

The top court had on April 23 reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking revisiting of a judgement that had reduced the severity of the anti-dowry law on the offence of subjecting a married woman to cruelty by spouse and in-laws.

"We have protected pre-arrest or anticipatory bail provision in dowry harassment cases," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.&nbsp

The apex court, while modifying the verdict given by its two-judge bench, said that there is no scope for courts for constitutionally filling up gaps in penal law.&nbsp

"There should be gender justice for women as dowry has a chilling effect on marriage on the one hand. On the other hand, there is the right to life and personal liberty of the man," the bench had said while reserving its verdict.&nbsp

A two-judge bench of the apex court in July last year had voiced concern over "abuse" of section 498 A (subjecting a married woman to cruelty) and passed a slew of directions, including that no arrest should "normally be effected" without verifying allegations as violation of human rights of innocents could not be brushed aside.&nbsp

The bench was hearing a plea filed by an NGO 'Nyayadhar', an organisation formed by a group of women advocates of Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, seeking sharpness in section 498A, claiming that the otherwise "helpful instrument" in the hands of victim women has become "valueless".&nbsp

The bench was hearing a plea filed by an NGO 'Nyayadhar', an organisation formed by a group of women advocates of Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district

The Supreme Court on Friday modified its previous order that provided for setting up of a committee to deal with complaints of dowry harassment. The top court had on April 23 reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking revisiting of a judgement that had reduced the severity of the anti-dowry law on the offence of subjecting a married woman to cruelty by spouse and in-laws. "We have protected pre-arrest or anticipatory bail provision in dowry harassment cases," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud. The apex court, while modifying the verdict given by its two-judge bench, said that there is no scope for courts for constitutionally filling up gaps in penal law. "There should be gender justice for women as dowry has a chilling effect on marriage on the one hand. On the other hand, there is the right to life and personal liberty of the man," the bench had said while reserving its verdict. A two-judge bench of the apex court in July last year had voiced concern over "abuse" of section 498 A (subjecting a married woman to cruelty) and passed a slew of directions, including that no arrest should "normally be effected" without verifying allegations as violation of human rights of innocents could not be brushed aside. The bench was hearing a plea filed by an NGO 'Nyayadhar', an organisation formed by a group of women advocates of Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, seeking sharpness in section 498A, claiming that the otherwise "helpful instrument" in the hands of victim women has become "valueless".

Supreme Court modifies its order on dowry harassment

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ruled out any engagement with the Opposition on issues relating to the multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal, saying they do not deserve to be involved after throwing muck on a very sensitive issue concerning India's defence preparedness.

Sitharaman said the government decided to go for procuring only two squadrons of Rafale jets as an emergency measure in the wake of China and Pakistan significantly ramping up their air power by inducting stealth fighters.

"Is there any point of calling them and explaining? They are misleading the country with something which was not even agreed to during the UPA government. You are throwing an allegation saying there is a fraud. You did not care for operational preparedness of the air force," she told PTI in an interview.

The defence minister was asked whether the government will engage with opposition parties the way the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 had taken the Opposition into confidence and addressed their apprehensions to pave way for finalising the nuclear deal with the US.

"It (Rafale deal) is an inter-governmental agreement. You (Opposition) have asked us questions and I have given answers to them in Parliament. Then what am I calling them for? What am I going to tell them when I call them?" she said.

The defence minister also asserted that the Rafale deal cannot be equated with the Bofors issue at all as was being attempted by the Opposition, as she has rid the defence ministry from middlemen entirely.

Led by Congress, opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government alleging it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.&nbsp

Congress has said the UPA finalised a price of Rs 526 crore per fighter while negotiating a deal to buy 126 Rafale jets, but the current government is buying each aircraft at Rs 1,670 crore when the weapons and avionics onboard the jets will be of the same configuration.

Sitharaman said the weapon systems, avionics and other key add-ons to the Rafale aircraft will be "much superior" in comparison to what was negotiated by the UPA.

In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale jets at an estimated cost of Rs 58,000 crore.&nbsp

Asked whether the controversy surrounding Rafale will hit the flow of foreign funds into the defence sector, she said it will not have any impact as it is very clear that allegations are baseless.&nbsp&nbsp &nbsp

Sitharaman also rejected the Opposition charge that the government was trying to benefit Reliance Defence Ltd from the deal under the offset requirement, saying the government has no role in selecting an offset partner of Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale.

Under India's offset policy, foreign defence entities are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components or setting up of research and development facilities.&nbsp

Sitharaman said, officially, she does not know which company Dassault Aviation is partnering with to execute the offset obligations.

"I have not got to know who is Dassault's offset partner... It is a commercial decision. There are laid down the procedure to check the process of fulfilment of offset obligations. Neither I can accept, nor I can suggest, nor I can reject anybody from going with anybody," she said.

On October 27, last year, Dassault Aviation and Reliance Defence laid the foundation for manufacturing facility near Nagpur to manufacture aerospace components and fulfil offset obligation connected to the Rafale deal.

The Opposition has been asking how RDL, with no experience in the aerospace sector, can be chosen as an offset partner while the government has been maintaining that it was officially ignorant of the fact that Dassault has joined hands with RDL to execute offset obligations.

Rejecting charges of corruption in the Rafale deal, the defence minister said the people of the country have put a closure on this "non-issue" as they have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp

Is there any point of calling them and explaining? They are misleading the country with something which was not even agreed to during the UPA government: Sitharaman.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ruled out any engagement with the Opposition on issues relating to the multi-billion dollar Rafale fighter jet deal, saying they do not deserve to be involved after throwing muck on a very sensitive issue concerning India's defence preparedness. Sitharaman said the government decided to go for procuring only two squadrons of Rafale jets as an emergency measure in the wake of China and Pakistan significantly ramping up their air power by inducting stealth fighters. "Is there any point of calling them and explaining? They are misleading the country with something which was not even agreed to during the UPA government. You are throwing an allegation saying there is a fraud. You did not care for operational preparedness of the air force," she told PTI in an interview. The defence minister was asked whether the government will engage with opposition parties the way the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 had taken the Opposition into confidence and addressed their apprehensions to pave way for finalising the nuclear deal with the US. "It (Rafale deal) is an inter-governmental agreement. You (Opposition) have asked us questions and I have given answers to them in Parliament. Then what am I calling them for? What am I going to tell them when I call them?" she said. The defence minister also asserted that the Rafale deal cannot be equated with the Bofors issue at all as was being attempted by the Opposition, as she has rid the defence ministry from middlemen entirely. Led by Congress, opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government alleging it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost. Congress has said the UPA finalised a price of Rs 526 crore per fighter while negotiating a deal to buy 126 Rafale jets, but the current government is buying each aircraft at Rs 1,670 crore when the weapons and avionics onboard the jets will be of the same configuration. Sitharaman said the weapon systems, avionics and other key add-ons to the Rafale aircraft will be "much superior" in comparison to what was negotiated by the UPA. In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale jets at an estimated cost of Rs 58,000 crore. Asked whether the controversy surrounding Rafale will hit the flow of foreign funds into the defence sector, she said it will not have any impact as it is very clear that allegations are baseless. Sitharaman also rejected the Opposition charge that the government was trying to benefit Reliance Defence Ltd from the deal under the offset requirement, saying the government has no role in selecting an offset partner of Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale. Under India's offset policy, foreign defence entities are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components or setting up of research and development facilities. Sitharaman said, officially, she does not know which company Dassault Aviation is partnering with to execute the offset obligations. "I have not got to know who is Dassault's offset partner... It is a commercial decision. There are laid down the procedure to check the process of fulfilment of offset obligations. Neither I can accept, nor I can suggest, nor I can reject anybody from going with anybody," she said. On October 27, last year, Dassault Aviation and Reliance Defence laid the foundation for manufacturing facility near Nagpur to manufacture aerospace components and fulfil offset obligation connected to the Rafale deal. The Opposition has been asking how RDL, with no experience in the aerospace sector, can be chosen as an offset partner while the government has been maintaining that it was officially ignorant of the fact that Dassault has joined hands with RDL to execute offset obligations. Rejecting charges of corruption in the Rafale deal, the defence minister said the people of the country have put a closure on this "non-issue" as they have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

No question of engaging Opposition on Rafale deal: Nirmala Sitharaman

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday granted compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, who was arrested in an alleged spy scandal in 1994. The apex court observed that the arrest of Narayanan was "needless" and "unnecessary".

A three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra, also announced setting up of a committee which would be headed by retired Supreme Court judge DK Jain to investigate the role of Kerala police officials in the arrest of Narayanan.

After the announcement of the compensation, Narayanan told ANI, "I am yet to see the judgment. All I know is that Rs 50 lakh will be given as compensation and a judicial inquiry will be conducted."

In its 32-page order, the Supreme Court observed that keeping in view of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report on the case, suitable compensation has to be awarded, without any trace of doubt.

"We think it appropriate to direct the State of Kerala to pay a sum of Rs 50 lakh towards compensation to the appellant, S&nbspNambi Naraynan. The said amount shall be paid within eight weeks by the State," the Supreme Court observed.

V&nbspGiri, senior counsel appearing for appellant Narayan, submitted that the grant of compensation is not the solution in a case of the present nature. He also argued that the authorities who were responsible to cause such kind of harrowing effect on the mind of the appellant should face legal consequences.

"A human being cries for justice when he feels that the insensible act has crucified his self-respect. That warrants a grant of compensation under the public law remedy," the top court said.

"There can be no scintilla of doubt that the appellant, a successful scientist having a national reputation, has been compelled to undergo immense humiliation. The lackadaisical attitude of the State police to arrest anyone and put him in police custody has made the appellant suffer the ignominy," the apex court noted.&nbsp

A three-judge bench of the top court also announced setting up of a committee which would investigate the role of Kerala police officials in Narayanan's arrest.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday granted compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, who was arrested in an alleged spy scandal in 1994. The apex court observed that the arrest of Narayanan was "needless" and "unnecessary". A three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra, also announced setting up of a committee which would be headed by retired Supreme Court judge DK Jain to investigate the role of Kerala police officials in the arrest of Narayanan. After the announcement of the compensation, Narayanan told ANI, "I am yet to see the judgment. All I know is that Rs 50 lakh will be given as compensation and a judicial inquiry will be conducted." In its 32-page order, the Supreme Court observed that keeping in view of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report on the case, suitable compensation has to be awarded, without any trace of doubt. "We think it appropriate to direct the State of Kerala to pay a sum of Rs 50 lakh towards compensation to the appellant, S&nbspNambi Naraynan. The said amount shall be paid within eight weeks by the State," the Supreme Court observed. V&nbspGiri, senior counsel appearing for appellant Narayan, submitted that the grant of compensation is not the solution in a case of the present nature. He also argued that the authorities who were responsible to cause such kind of harrowing effect on the mind of the appellant should face legal consequences. "A human being cries for justice when he feels that the insensible act has crucified his self-respect. That warrants a grant of compensation under the public law remedy," the top court said. "There can be no scintilla of doubt that the appellant, a successful scientist having a national reputation, has been compelled to undergo immense humiliation. The lackadaisical attitude of the State police to arrest anyone and put him in police custody has made the appellant suffer the ignominy," the apex court noted.

SC announces compensation for ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader DD Lapang has resigned from the party.

In a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Lapang said, "Lately, All India Congress Committee (AICC) has been embarking upon a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people. In my opinion, it means that their service and contribution of the senior and the elderly people is no longer useful to the party."

"Since the spirit and enthusiasm to work for the people is still burning inside me, this restriction made me frustrated and compelled me to be no longer comfortable to be in the party," the letter added.

He also said that he resigned from the party with a heavy heart. "Reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, I would like to discontinue my dedication towards the Congress Party and I tender my resignation with immediate effect," the former Chief Minister said.

Lapang served as the Chief Minister of the state four times. After becoming the Chief Minister for the first time in 1992, he held the position again in 2003, 2007 and 2009.&nbsp

Lapang served as the Chief Minister of the state four times.

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader DD Lapang has resigned from the party. In a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Lapang said, "Lately, All India Congress Committee (AICC) has been embarking upon a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people. In my opinion, it means that their service and contribution of the senior and the elderly people is no longer useful to the party." "Since the spirit and enthusiasm to work for the people is still burning inside me, this restriction made me frustrated and compelled me to be no longer comfortable to be in the party," the letter added. He also said that he resigned from the party with a heavy heart. "Reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, I would like to discontinue my dedication towards the Congress Party and I tender my resignation with immediate effect," the former Chief Minister said. Lapang served as the Chief Minister of the state four times. After becoming the Chief Minister for the first time in 1992, he held the position again in 2003, 2007 and 2009.

Former Meghalaya CM DD Lapang resigns from Congress

A week after the "highly successful" first India-US 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Washington to hold meetings with top Trump Administration officials.

Doval, who is held in high regard by the Trump Administration, is scheduled to meet the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department today.

In addition to his meeting with his American counterpart John Bolton, Doval is also likely to meet officials from the US Department of Defense and from a top think-tank community.

However, the Indian Embassy in Washington and the White House did not immediately respond to questions about Ajit Doval's visit and his meetings.

"India is a very close friend of the United States," the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference. She had accompanied Mike Pompeo to New Delhi last week for the two-plus-two Dialogue.

"We have among the strongest people-to-people ties. I think there are more than three million Indian-Americans living here in the United States, so that was certainly part of the meetings and the conversations," she said in response to a question.

The signing of the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement or COMCASA last week, she said, was something important that had been in the making for a long time, she said.

"So we were pleased to have signed that (COMCASA) with the Indian Government because that not only supports jobs but also supports better military-to-military cooperation. They also agreed to doing more work on the military-to-military front. So that was part of the conversation but also to go over there and thank the new government for our strong friendship that we have,"&nbspNauert said.

During the meetings discussions are likely to be primarily focused on bilateral and security in the Af-Pak (Afghanistan-Pakistan) region, in particular those related to counter-terrorism. It is understood that the visit is likely to lay the ground work of the potential visit of the US President Donald Trump to India.

Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India. The two sides are currently looking at various dates including President Trump as Chief Guest at the mega Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2019.

Responding to a question on Mike Pompeo's trip to Pakistan, the spokesperson said the Secretary of State had some meaningful and important meetings with the new government. Looking forward to forging a relationship with that new government, recognising that there are, of course, some tensions and some areas where the government can work harder. "And so those were the types of meetings that we had and we were pleased to have gone," she said. 
&nbsp

Doval, who is held in high regard by the Trump Administration, is scheduled to meet the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department today.

A week after the "highly successful" first India-US 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Washington to hold meetings with top Trump Administration officials. Doval, who is held in high regard by the Trump Administration, is scheduled to meet the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department today. In addition to his meeting with his American counterpart John Bolton, Doval is also likely to meet officials from the US Department of Defense and from a top think-tank community. However, the Indian Embassy in Washington and the White House did not immediately respond to questions about Ajit Doval's visit and his meetings. "India is a very close friend of the United States," the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference. She had accompanied Mike Pompeo to New Delhi last week for the two-plus-two Dialogue. "We have among the strongest people-to-people ties. I think there are more than three million Indian-Americans living here in the United States, so that was certainly part of the meetings and the conversations," she said in response to a question. The signing of the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement or COMCASA last week, she said, was something important that had been in the making for a long time, she said. "So we were pleased to have signed that (COMCASA) with the Indian Government because that not only supports jobs but also supports better military-to-military cooperation. They also agreed to doing more work on the military-to-military front. So that was part of the conversation but also to go over there and thank the new government for our strong friendship that we have,"&nbspNauert said. During the meetings discussions are likely to be primarily focused on bilateral and security in the Af-Pak (Afghanistan-Pakistan) region, in particular those related to counter-terrorism. It is understood that the visit is likely to lay the ground work of the potential visit of the US President Donald Trump to India. Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India. The two sides are currently looking at various dates including President Trump as Chief Guest at the mega Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2019. Responding to a question on Mike Pompeo's trip to Pakistan, the spokesperson said the Secretary of State had some meaningful and important meetings with the new government. Looking forward to forging a relationship with that new government, recognising that there are, of course, some tensions and some areas where the government can work harder. "And so those were the types of meetings that we had and we were pleased to have gone," she said.

Following 2+2 dialogue, Ajit Doval to meet US Secretary of State, other top officials

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday assured that the Majerhat Bridge that collapsed earlier this month will be reconstructed within a year.

Addressing the media, Banerjee said, "Majerhat Bridge will be demolished completely and a new bridge will be constructed within a year."

Holding the Public Works Department (PWD) responsible for the bridge collapse, the chief minister said, "PWD was informed about the condition of Majerhat Bridge in 2016 and was asked to begin maintenance. Since PWD did not start working, the responsibility for the collapse lies with them."

"The investigation committee even mentioned metro construction as a reason behind the collapse along with the negligence of PWD. Action will be taken against the guilty," the Chief Minister added.

A portion of the Majerhat Bridge collapsed in south Kolkata on September 4, killing three people and injuring several others. On September 5, it came into light that the PWD floated a tender document for the repair work of the bridge in April, four months before the bridge collapsed.

According to information sourced from PWD, the work was supposed to begin in August and end within six to seven months from the day of commencement. However, sources said that the work could not begin as the project did not take off.&nbsp

Addressing the media, Banerjee said, 'Majerhat Bridge will be demolished completely and a new bridge will be constructed within a year.'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday assured that the Majerhat Bridge that collapsed earlier this month will be reconstructed within a year. Addressing the media, Banerjee said, "Majerhat Bridge will be demolished completely and a new bridge will be constructed within a year." Holding the Public Works Department (PWD) responsible for the bridge collapse, the chief minister said, "PWD was informed about the condition of Majerhat Bridge in 2016 and was asked to begin maintenance. Since PWD did not start working, the responsibility for the collapse lies with them." "The investigation committee even mentioned metro construction as a reason behind the collapse along with the negligence of PWD. Action will be taken against the guilty," the Chief Minister added. A portion of the Majerhat Bridge collapsed in south Kolkata on September 4, killing three people and injuring several others. On September 5, it came into light that the PWD floated a tender document for the repair work of the bridge in April, four months before the bridge collapsed. According to information sourced from PWD, the work was supposed to begin in August and end within six to seven months from the day of commencement. However, sources said that the work could not begin as the project did not take off.

Mamata assures rebuilding of Majerhat bridge in one year

India will ease overseas borrowing norms for the manufacturing sector, its finance minister said after an economic review meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Friday, as the government announced a slew of measures to stem a sharp fall in the rupee.

The rupee has been the worst performing Asian currency this year. Despite strong GDP growth, the currency has weakened about 11 per cent this year amid higher oil prices and a broad sell-off in emerging markets, widening India's current account deficit and a worsening balance of payments that slipped into the red in April-June for the first time in six quarters.&nbsp;

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Removal of exposure limit of 20% of Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) corporate bonds portfolio to a single corporate group will be reviewed: FM Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/9mnYULKhpN">https://t.co/9mnYULKhpN</a>
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said manufacturing entities will be permitted to avail external commercial borrowings (ECBs) of up to $50 million with a minimum maturity of one year, down from three years earlier.

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There will be removal of restrictions on Indian Banks market making in Masala bonds including restriction on underwriting of Masala bonds: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/cRX5dtLQaQ">pic.twitter.com/cRX5dtLQaQ</a>
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He said India will also relax rules to raise masala bonds or rupee-denominated overseas bonds, for banks and will take measures to cut down "non-necessary" imports.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said manufacturing entities will be permitted to avail external commercial borrowings (ECBs) of up to $50 million.

India will ease overseas borrowing norms for the manufacturing sector, its finance minister said after an economic review meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Friday, as the government announced a slew of measures to stem a sharp fall in the rupee. The rupee has been the worst performing Asian currency this year. Despite strong GDP growth, the currency has weakened about 11 per cent this year amid higher oil prices and a broad sell-off in emerging markets, widening India's current account deficit and a worsening balance of payments that slipped into the red in April-June for the first time in six quarters. Removal of exposure limit of 20% of Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) corporate bonds portfolio to a single corporate group will be reviewed: FM Arun Jaitley https://t.co/9mnYULKhpN — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 × Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said manufacturing entities will be permitted to avail external commercial borrowings (ECBs) of up to $50 million with a minimum maturity of one year, down from three years earlier. There will be removal of restrictions on Indian Banks market making in Masala bonds including restriction on underwriting of Masala bonds: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi pic.twitter.com/cRX5dtLQaQ — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 × He said India will also relax rules to raise masala bonds or rupee-denominated overseas bonds, for banks and will take measures to cut down "non-necessary" imports.

Arun Jaitley outlines measures to stem decline in rupee

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday stated that the government will take necessary steps to cut down non-essential imports to curb the expanding current account deficit (CAD), news agency ANI reported.

According to reports, Jaitley also said that the government will boost exports to check the widening CAD.

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PM held a meeting today in which RBI's governor & deputy governor, officials of finance ministry & PMO officials were present. In the meeting RBI Guv gave a detailed presentation about the condition of world's economy & external factors which can affect Indian economy: A.Jaitely <a href="https://t.co/67BJnFTDpK">pic.twitter.com/67BJnFTDpK</a>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a meeting which was attended by the RBI governor, deputy governor, officials from the finance ministry and Prime Minister's office.&nbsp;

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To address the issue of expanding CAD (Current Account Deficit) the govt will take necessary steps to cut down non-essential imports and also increase exports: FM Arun Jaitley in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/ZlfU1JZQLR">pic.twitter.com/ZlfU1JZQLR</a>
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"In the meeting, the RBI governor gave a detailed presentation on the condition of world's economy and external factors which can affect Indian economy," Jaitley stated.&nbsp;

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Our growth rate as compared to other countries of the world is quite high. Inflation in our country stays in a range & that range is moderate: FM Arun Jaitley in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/BplEpa4b5y">pic.twitter.com/BplEpa4b5y</a>
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Jaitley further added that India's growth rate "as compared to other countries of the world is quite high". "Inflation in our country stays in a range and that range is moderate," Jaitley stated.&nbsp;

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Will take measures to cut down non-essential imports to curb the expanding current account deficit: Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday stated that the government will take necessary steps to cut down non-essential imports to curb the expanding current account deficit (CAD), news agency ANI reported. According to reports, Jaitley also said that the government will boost exports to check the widening CAD. PM held a meeting today in which RBI's governor & deputy governor, officials of finance ministry & PMO officials were present. In the meeting RBI Guv gave a detailed presentation about the condition of world's economy & external factors which can affect Indian economy: A.Jaitely pic.twitter.com/67BJnFTDpK — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a meeting which was attended by the RBI governor, deputy governor, officials from the finance ministry and Prime Minister's office. To address the issue of expanding CAD (Current Account Deficit) the govt will take necessary steps to cut down non-essential imports and also increase exports: FM Arun Jaitley in Delhi pic.twitter.com/ZlfU1JZQLR — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 × "In the meeting, the RBI governor gave a detailed presentation on the condition of world's economy and external factors which can affect Indian economy," Jaitley stated. Our growth rate as compared to other countries of the world is quite high. Inflation in our country stays in a range & that range is moderate: FM Arun Jaitley in Delhi pic.twitter.com/BplEpa4b5y — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 × Jaitley further added that India's growth rate "as compared to other countries of the world is quite high". "Inflation in our country stays in a range and that range is moderate," Jaitley stated.

Government will boost exports to check widening current account deficit: Arun Jaitley

The negotiations for procurement of 126 Rafale jets under the UPA government fell through as state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), did not have the required capability to produce the jets in India in collaboration with French company Dassault Aviation, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.

Sitharaman also said that an unprecedented intervention in 2013 by the then Defence Minister A.K. Antony when the cost negotiation committee was giving final touches to the deal put the final nail in the coffin.

After rounds of negotiations with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Dassault Aviation felt that the cost of the Rafale jets will escalate significantly if they were to be produced in India, she said during an interaction with PTI editors and reporters at the agency’s headquarters here.

“Dassault could not progress in the negotiations with HAL because if the aircraft were to be produced in India, a guarantee for the product to be produced was to be given. It is a big ticket item and the IAF would want the guarantee for the jets. HAL was in no position to give the guarantee,” she said.

The defence minister said the then government could have come forward and pumped in resources into HAL, but they did not.

She said she has no intention of undermining HAL, but “why could not the then defence minister say that we will pump in all the required resources into the HAL. He could have done it. That was not done,” Sitharaman said, adding that the current government was initiating steps to strengthen the state-run aerospace company.

On Antony’s intervention, Sitharaman claimed he held back the file at a stage where he did not have any role to play. However, she did not elaborate on reasons for Antony’s action.

‘RAFALE PLANS WILL BE&nbsp9% CHEAPER’

Sitharaman said the weapon systems, avionics and other key add-ons to the Rafale aircraft, expected to be delivered beginning September 2019, will be “much superior” than that negotiated by the UPA, and her government is getting the planes for 9 per cent cheaper than what was earlier agreed upon.

The previous UPA government started negotiating in 2012 with French Dassault Aviation to buy 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).

The plan was for Dassault Aviation to supply 18 Rafale jets in fly-away condition while 108 aircraft were to be manufactured in India by the company along with HAL. However, the deal could not be sealed.

In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been alleging irregularities in the deal.

Rebutting charges of corruption in the deal, Sitharaman also asserted that people of the country have put a closure on the issue as they have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There is a trust in the prime minister. He is not going to be corrupt. So with all this, I think mentally, people of India have reached a closure on it, saying there is no corruption here,” she said.

Sitharaman ruled out calling the opposition parties for a meeting to allay their concerns over the Rafale deal, saying they are “throwing an allegation” without any basis as well as showing no concern for operational preparedness of the air force.

The Congress has repeatedly criticised the deal for the 36 Rafale jets, alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government.

Sitharaman said the Rs. 526 crore figure refers to the bare aircraft, capable of just flying and landing, and does not take into account the avionics, arsenal and other associated technologies that make it a complete fighting machine.

Sitharaman said that an unprecedented intervention in 2013 by the then Defence Minister A.K. Antony when the cost negotiation committee was giving final touches to the deal put the final nail in the coffin

The negotiations for procurement of 126 Rafale jets under the UPA government fell through as state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), did not have the required capability to produce the jets in India in collaboration with French company Dassault Aviation, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. Sitharaman also said that an unprecedented intervention in 2013 by the then Defence Minister A.K. Antony when the cost negotiation committee was giving final touches to the deal put the final nail in the coffin. After rounds of negotiations with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Dassault Aviation felt that the cost of the Rafale jets will escalate significantly if they were to be produced in India, she said during an interaction with PTI editors and reporters at the agency’s headquarters here. “Dassault could not progress in the negotiations with HAL because if the aircraft were to be produced in India, a guarantee for the product to be produced was to be given. It is a big ticket item and the IAF would want the guarantee for the jets. HAL was in no position to give the guarantee,” she said. The defence minister said the then government could have come forward and pumped in resources into HAL, but they did not. She said she has no intention of undermining HAL, but “why could not the then defence minister say that we will pump in all the required resources into the HAL. He could have done it. That was not done,” Sitharaman said, adding that the current government was initiating steps to strengthen the state-run aerospace company. On Antony’s intervention, Sitharaman claimed he held back the file at a stage where he did not have any role to play. However, she did not elaborate on reasons for Antony’s action. ‘RAFALE PLANS WILL BE&nbsp9% CHEAPER’ Sitharaman said the weapon systems, avionics and other key add-ons to the Rafale aircraft, expected to be delivered beginning September 2019, will be “much superior” than that negotiated by the UPA, and her government is getting the planes for 9 per cent cheaper than what was earlier agreed upon. The previous UPA government started negotiating in 2012 with French Dassault Aviation to buy 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). The plan was for Dassault Aviation to supply 18 Rafale jets in fly-away condition while 108 aircraft were to be manufactured in India by the company along with HAL. However, the deal could not be sealed. In 2016, the Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been alleging irregularities in the deal. Rebutting charges of corruption in the deal, Sitharaman also asserted that people of the country have put a closure on the issue as they have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “There is a trust in the prime minister. He is not going to be corrupt. So with all this, I think mentally, people of India have reached a closure on it, saying there is no corruption here,” she said. Sitharaman ruled out calling the opposition parties for a meeting to allay their concerns over the Rafale deal, saying they are “throwing an allegation” without any basis as well as showing no concern for operational preparedness of the air force. The Congress has repeatedly criticised the deal for the 36 Rafale jets, alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government. Sitharaman said the Rs. 526 crore figure refers to the bare aircraft, capable of just flying and landing, and does not take into account the avionics, arsenal and other associated technologies that make it a complete fighting machine.

Nirmala Sitharaman blames HAL, A K Antony for UPA’s Rafale deal collapse

Fuel price jumped to an all-time high on Friday, with petrol being sold at Rs 81.28 per litre and diesel at Rs 73.30 per litre in the national capital.

The petrol price was increased by 28 paise per litre, while the diesel saw a hike of 22 paise per litre in the national capital, informed the Indian Oil Corporation.

On the other hand, the price of petrol rose to Rs 88.67 per litre in Mumbai, while diesel is being sold at 77.82 per litre.

The continuous hike in the fuel price is being witnessed from the past few days, causing much trouble to the common people.

"Don't know what the government is doing? It should reduce fuel prices. Achhe din kab aayenge?" Mumbai residents said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the soaring fuel price, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier said that the hike in fuel price in the country is due to international factors, and not under the Centre's control.

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Petrol and diesel prices in Mumbai are Rs 88.67/litre and Rs 77.82/litre respectively, locals say, "Don't know what the government is doing? It should reduce fuel prices. Achhe din kab aayenge?" <a href="https://t.co/zCSIVQdxCF">pic.twitter.com/zCSIVQdxCF</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040428072607141894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The price of petrol rose to Rs 88.67 per litre in Mumbai, while diesel is being sold at 77.82 per litre.

Fuel price jumped to an all-time high on Friday, with petrol being sold at Rs 81.28 per litre and diesel at Rs 73.30 per litre in the national capital. The petrol price was increased by 28 paise per litre, while the diesel saw a hike of 22 paise per litre in the national capital, informed the Indian Oil Corporation. On the other hand, the price of petrol rose to Rs 88.67 per litre in Mumbai, while diesel is being sold at 77.82 per litre. The continuous hike in the fuel price is being witnessed from the past few days, causing much trouble to the common people. "Don't know what the government is doing? It should reduce fuel prices. Achhe din kab aayenge?" Mumbai residents said. Meanwhile, speaking about the soaring fuel price, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier said that the hike in fuel price in the country is due to international factors, and not under the Centre's control. Petrol and diesel prices in Mumbai are Rs 88.67/litre and Rs 77.82/litre respectively, locals say, "Don't know what the government is doing? It should reduce fuel prices. Achhe din kab aayenge?" pic.twitter.com/zCSIVQdxCF — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 ×

'When are good times coming?' ask Mumbai residents as fuel prices spiral

An arrest warrant has been issued by Maharashtra's Dharmabad Court against Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, AP irrigation minister and 14 others, according to news agency ANI.&nbsp;

The warrant was issued in connection with an agitation held by TDP in 2010 against the Maharashtra government&nbsp;opposing the construction of Babhali project, the report further said.

The judicial first class magistrate of Dharmabad in Nanded district, N R Gajbhiye, issued the order, directing police to arrest all the accused and produce them in the court by September 21.

Naidu and others, then in the opposition in the united Andhra Pradesh, had been arrested and lodged in a jail in Pune in connection with the agitation staged by them near the Babli project site in Maharashtra, opposing it on the ground that it would affect the people downstream.

All were released later though they did not seek bail.

The court order, dated July 5 and supposed to be executed by August 16 but corrected to September 21, was issued on a petition filed by a Maharashtra resident.

TDP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar described the warrant as ''unfortunate'' and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of conspiring against Naidu.&nbsp;

 
''It is unfortunate that an arrest warrant has been issued against Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It appears that there is some conspiracy by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah,'' added Dinakar.

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It is unfortunate that an arrest warrant has been issued against Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It appears that there is some conspiracy by Narendra Modi & Amit Shah: TDP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar <a href="https://t.co/uKLderXKu3">pic.twitter.com/uKLderXKu3</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040459218644549632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The warrant was issued in connection with an agitation held by TDP in 2010 against the Maharashtra govt opposing the construction of Babhali project

An arrest warrant has been issued by Maharashtra's Dharmabad Court against Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, AP irrigation minister and 14 others, according to news agency ANI. The warrant was issued in connection with an agitation held by TDP in 2010 against the Maharashtra government opposing the construction of Babhali project, the report further said. The judicial first class magistrate of Dharmabad in Nanded district, N R Gajbhiye, issued the order, directing police to arrest all the accused and produce them in the court by September 21. Naidu and others, then in the opposition in the united Andhra Pradesh, had been arrested and lodged in a jail in Pune in connection with the agitation staged by them near the Babli project site in Maharashtra, opposing it on the ground that it would affect the people downstream. All were released later though they did not seek bail. The court order, dated July 5 and supposed to be executed by August 16 but corrected to September 21, was issued on a petition filed by a Maharashtra resident. TDP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar described the warrant as ''unfortunate'' and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of conspiring against Naidu. ''It is unfortunate that an arrest warrant has been issued against Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It appears that there is some conspiracy by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah,'' added Dinakar. It is unfortunate that an arrest warrant has been issued against Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It appears that there is some conspiracy by Narendra Modi & Amit Shah: TDP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar pic.twitter.com/uKLderXKu3 — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2018 ×

Maharashtra court issues warrant against AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and 15 others

Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of India, which is engulfed in a "swirling epidemic of non-communicable diseases", to have prioritised universal health coverage as part of his political platform under the 'Ayushman Bharat' programme, a noted UK-based medical journal has said.

Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the 'The Lancet', said the prime minister has grasped the importance of health not only as a natural right of citizens, but also as a political instrument to meet the growing expectations of India's emerging middle class.&nbsp

He, however, was critical of Rahul Gandhi, and said the Congress chief was "yet to match Modicare".

"Rahul Gandhi seeking to resurrect the Congress and prove that India's greatest political dynasty still has something to offer, despite his promises to help lower castes, tribal communities and rural poor, is yet to match Modicare,"

Horton said in an article published in the journal.

The Lancet editor-in-chief asserted that health will be a decisive issue in next year's general election in the country.

With reference to five India-specific disease burden studies on non-communicable diseases published in The Lancet group of journals on Wednesday, Horton said, "...as the BJP and Congress set out competing and contrasting visions for India's future, health will rightly become a decisive issue in next year's general election". &nbsp

Referring to&nbspGandhi's statement of 'There is a full-blown crisis in India' at the London School of Economics last month, The Lancet editor-in-chief said the Congress president was referring to a "job crisis", but the five papers published across three Lancet specialty journals have revealed that there was also a "health crisis" in India.

"After years of neglect, the Indian Government has at last recognised the perils of public discontent about health. Under a new initiative called Ayushman Bharat launched this year, Prime Minister Modi has implemented two new flagship programmes.

"Ayushman Bharat has two pillars -- the creation of 1,50,000 health and wellness centres across the country to provide a spine of primary care facilities to deliver universal health coverage and the National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), a health insurance aimed at providing coverage of&nbspRs&nbsp5 lakh per family annually, thus benefiting more than 10 crore poor families," said the article.

"Together, these twin programmes should improve access to quality health services and reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures," it said.

Horton said the five Lancet papers have also revealed a dangerously rapid epidemiological transition with Ischaemic heart disease being the leading individual cause of disease burden in India, while the contribution of cardiovascular diseases to total deaths has almost doubled since 1990.

"While India is engulfed in this swirling epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the country is also in the grip of a mental health emergency. India could claim 18 per cent of the world's population in 2016, yet it accounted for 37 per cent of global suicide deaths among women and 24 per cent among men," the article added.

Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the 'The Lancet', said the prime minister has grasped the importance of health not only as a natural right of citizens, but also as a political instrument to meet the growing expectations of India's emerging middle class.

Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of India, which is engulfed in a "swirling epidemic of non-communicable diseases", to have prioritised universal health coverage as part of his political platform under the 'Ayushman Bharat' programme, a noted UK-based medical journal has said. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the 'The Lancet', said the prime minister has grasped the importance of health not only as a natural right of citizens, but also as a political instrument to meet the growing expectations of India's emerging middle class. He, however, was critical of Rahul Gandhi, and said the Congress chief was "yet to match Modicare". "Rahul Gandhi seeking to resurrect the Congress and prove that India's greatest political dynasty still has something to offer, despite his promises to help lower castes, tribal communities and rural poor, is yet to match Modicare," Horton said in an article published in the journal. The Lancet editor-in-chief asserted that health will be a decisive issue in next year's general election in the country. With reference to five India-specific disease burden studies on non-communicable diseases published in The Lancet group of journals on Wednesday, Horton said, "...as the BJP and Congress set out competing and contrasting visions for India's future, health will rightly become a decisive issue in next year's general election". Referring to&nbspGandhi's statement of 'There is a full-blown crisis in India' at the London School of Economics last month, The Lancet editor-in-chief said the Congress president was referring to a "job crisis", but the five papers published across three Lancet specialty journals have revealed that there was also a "health crisis" in India. "After years of neglect, the Indian Government has at last recognised the perils of public discontent about health. Under a new initiative called Ayushman Bharat launched this year, Prime Minister Modi has implemented two new flagship programmes. "Ayushman Bharat has two pillars -- the creation of 1,50,000 health and wellness centres across the country to provide a spine of primary care facilities to deliver universal health coverage and the National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), a health insurance aimed at providing coverage of&nbspRs&nbsp5 lakh per family annually, thus benefiting more than 10 crore poor families," said the article. "Together, these twin programmes should improve access to quality health services and reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures," it said. Horton said the five Lancet papers have also revealed a dangerously rapid epidemiological transition with Ischaemic heart disease being the leading individual cause of disease burden in India, while the contribution of cardiovascular diseases to total deaths has almost doubled since 1990. "While India is engulfed in this swirling epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the country is also in the grip of a mental health emergency. India could claim 18 per cent of the world's population in 2016, yet it accounted for 37 per cent of global suicide deaths among women and 24 per cent among men," the article added.

PM Modi first Indian PM to prioritise health coverage, says UK journal

India and the US spent a greater part of the Cold War (1945-91) as being ‘estranged’ democracies and this was driven by their divergent security interests and the mismatch in their world view at the time. For the US and its allies, the containment of Communism was the overriding objective and countries were either with the US or against it. India, with its commitment to non-alignment, fell into a fuzzy grey zone. To put it mildly, the two nations and their officials were wary of each other even if people-to-people contact was more robust and forthcoming.

The nuclear issue was the principal bone of contention and finally, this was resolved in an innovative manner in September 2008, primarily because of the political resolve and sagacity of the then US President George Bush and PM Manmohan Singh. In the intervening decade, the two democracies have embarked upon a path of cooperation in the defence and military domain and the transmutation in the relationship has been quite remarkable.

This was reflected in New Delhi on September 6, when the two nations met at the ministerial level in an innovative 2+2 format, one that brings the foreign and defence minister equivalents of both nations together at one forum. This is a distinctive framework for both nations, meaning that they do not have a similar format with any other nation.

The first 2+2 was held in New Delhi after being postponed more than once, and at the time there was considerable speculation in the media and in think-tanks that this was a reflection of the reality that the “estrangement” had not really gone and that the political sub-text remained strained.

However, the reality was more mundane (scheduling issues, given the fact that the time-lines of four Cabinet ministers had to be harmonised) and the inaugural meeting had some significant takeaways. After much delay, India finally inked a military communication protocol termed the COMCASA. This unwieldy acronym stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement and is India-specific.

This is part of three foundational agreements that the US enters into with all nations that it provides military platforms and equipment to, and the other two pertain to logistics and the sharing of geospatial data. India had signed the logistic agreement in August 2016 which allows the two nations to exchange and share each other’s logistic facilities as and when required.

India’s deeply ingrained reluctance to enter into any formal agreement with the US, in particular, merits review. There is a deep historical animus on both sides going back to the nuclear agreements of the 1960s and the ‘Atoms for Peace’ project that became the confrontational ‘Tarapur Syndrome’ after India’s peaceful nuclear explosion of May 1974. Betrayal of trust, breach of contract — the allegations flew fast and furious from both sides and very soon the US introduced its country-specific NNPA (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act) of 1978 and the denial of technology sanctions that followed.

Against this backdrop, the wariness on the Indian side to enter into any military-related agreement with the US was predictable. Congress-led governments at the Centre were doubly cautious — more so due to the criticism that was expected from the Opposition parties (Left and BJP) of capitulating to Uncle Sam.

It was then PM Vajpayee who began the rapprochement with the US, paradoxically by carrying out the Shakti nuclear tests of May 1998, and it was this radical outreach to the Beltway that led to the first steps in a defence and strategic partnership. Consequently, the first of the foundational agreements was mooted in 2003 and the actual signing took place in 2016 under another BJP-led government.

COMCASA signed in New Delhi will allow India to maximise the full communication and surveillance potential of US-supplied platforms, and the P8 maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the heavy-duty C-130J transport aircraft are the cases in point. Though the Indian military was no doubt operating the platforms before inking the COMCASA, they were not able to utilise the full spectrum of the communication and surveillance equipment without the encrypted security provisions. Modern warfare is predicated on the speed and security of sharing information through a dedicated network that brings together many participants/platforms and the term network-centric warfare symbolises this capability.

Thus, at the tactical plane, the inking of COMCASA will enhance the operational capability of existing US-origin platforms in the Indian military. Concurrently, this will allow for greater interoperability between the military services on both sides and this could have considerable value in HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief), as also at the next Malabar exercise that will see the two navies engaging with each other. Is there a geopolitical signal here? The answer is, yes.

Furthermore, signing COMCASA can open up other windows with US entities for long-term cooperation in the communication-surveillance technology domain that is undergoing rapid transformation. However, this is a work in progress and there are many banana peels that need to be avoided.

Critics of COMCASA have suggested that India’s communication networks, including the strategic forces (nuclear weapons and missiles), will be compromised and subject to US intrusion. This is not a tenable assertion and does little justice to the professionalism of the Indian security establishment. India has entered into a defence partnership with the US and historical misgivings should not be allowed to morph into deep mistrust. New Delhi’s stake in this relationship is greater than that of the Beltway.

 
(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-military-edge-to-india-us-ties-2662928">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp

&nbsp

The inking of COMCASA will enhance the operational capability of existing US-origin platforms in the Indian military

India and the US spent a greater part of the Cold War (1945-91) as being ‘estranged’ democracies and this was driven by their divergent security interests and the mismatch in their world view at the time. For the US and its allies, the containment of Communism was the overriding objective and countries were either with the US or against it. India, with its commitment to non-alignment, fell into a fuzzy grey zone. To put it mildly, the two nations and their officials were wary of each other even if people-to-people contact was more robust and forthcoming. The nuclear issue was the principal bone of contention and finally, this was resolved in an innovative manner in September 2008, primarily because of the political resolve and sagacity of the then US President George Bush and PM Manmohan Singh. In the intervening decade, the two democracies have embarked upon a path of cooperation in the defence and military domain and the transmutation in the relationship has been quite remarkable. This was reflected in New Delhi on September 6, when the two nations met at the ministerial level in an innovative 2+2 format, one that brings the foreign and defence minister equivalents of both nations together at one forum. This is a distinctive framework for both nations, meaning that they do not have a similar format with any other nation. The first 2+2 was held in New Delhi after being postponed more than once, and at the time there was considerable speculation in the media and in think-tanks that this was a reflection of the reality that the “estrangement” had not really gone and that the political sub-text remained strained. However, the reality was more mundane (scheduling issues, given the fact that the time-lines of four Cabinet ministers had to be harmonised) and the inaugural meeting had some significant takeaways. After much delay, India finally inked a military communication protocol termed the COMCASA. This unwieldy acronym stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement and is India-specific. This is part of three foundational agreements that the US enters into with all nations that it provides military platforms and equipment to, and the other two pertain to logistics and the sharing of geospatial data. India had signed the logistic agreement in August 2016 which allows the two nations to exchange and share each other’s logistic facilities as and when required. India’s deeply ingrained reluctance to enter into any formal agreement with the US, in particular, merits review. There is a deep historical animus on both sides going back to the nuclear agreements of the 1960s and the ‘Atoms for Peace’ project that became the confrontational ‘Tarapur Syndrome’ after India’s peaceful nuclear explosion of May 1974. Betrayal of trust, breach of contract — the allegations flew fast and furious from both sides and very soon the US introduced its country-specific NNPA (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act) of 1978 and the denial of technology sanctions that followed. Against this backdrop, the wariness on the Indian side to enter into any military-related agreement with the US was predictable. Congress-led governments at the Centre were doubly cautious — more so due to the criticism that was expected from the Opposition parties (Left and BJP) of capitulating to Uncle Sam. It was then PM Vajpayee who began the rapprochement with the US, paradoxically by carrying out the Shakti nuclear tests of May 1998, and it was this radical outreach to the Beltway that led to the first steps in a defence and strategic partnership. Consequently, the first of the foundational agreements was mooted in 2003 and the actual signing took place in 2016 under another BJP-led government. COMCASA signed in New Delhi will allow India to maximise the full communication and surveillance potential of US-supplied platforms, and the P8 maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the heavy-duty C-130J transport aircraft are the cases in point. Though the Indian military was no doubt operating the platforms before inking the COMCASA, they were not able to utilise the full spectrum of the communication and surveillance equipment without the encrypted security provisions. Modern warfare is predicated on the speed and security of sharing information through a dedicated network that brings together many participants/platforms and the term network-centric warfare symbolises this capability. Thus, at the tactical plane, the inking of COMCASA will enhance the operational capability of existing US-origin platforms in the Indian military. Concurrently, this will allow for greater interoperability between the military services on both sides and this could have considerable value in HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief), as also at the next Malabar exercise that will see the two navies engaging with each other. Is there a geopolitical signal here? The answer is, yes. Furthermore, signing COMCASA can open up other windows with US entities for long-term cooperation in the communication-surveillance technology domain that is undergoing rapid transformation. However, this is a work in progress and there are many banana peels that need to be avoided. Critics of COMCASA have suggested that India’s communication networks, including the strategic forces (nuclear weapons and missiles), will be compromised and subject to US intrusion. This is not a tenable assertion and does little justice to the professionalism of the Indian security establishment. India has entered into a defence partnership with the US and historical misgivings should not be allowed to morph into deep mistrust. New Delhi’s stake in this relationship is greater than that of the Beltway. (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Military edge to India-US ties

Indian-American Bimal Patel has been nominated to a key administrative position in the Treasury Department by US President Donald Trump.

Patel, from Georgia, has been nominated to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for the Financial Stability Oversight Council.&nbsp

Prior to joining the US Department of the Treasury, Patel was a partner and head of the Financial Advisory and Regulation practice in the Washington, D.C., office of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, the White House said.

Patel previously served as a senior advisor to Director Jeremiah O. Norton on the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.&nbsp

Additionally, he has served as an adjunct associate professor at Stanford University, teaching an undergraduate course on banking regulation.&nbsp

Patel earned his B.A. From Stanford University, M.P.P. From the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and J.D. From the Georgetown University Law Center.

Patel, from Georgia, has been nominated to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions

Indian-American Bimal Patel has been nominated to a key administrative position in the Treasury Department by US President Donald Trump. Patel, from Georgia, has been nominated to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Prior to joining the US Department of the Treasury, Patel was a partner and head of the Financial Advisory and Regulation practice in the Washington, D.C., office of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, the White House said. Patel previously served as a senior advisor to Director Jeremiah O. Norton on the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct associate professor at Stanford University, teaching an undergraduate course on banking regulation. Patel earned his B.A. From Stanford University, M.P.P. From the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and J.D. From the Georgetown University Law Center.

Trump nominates Indian-American to key administration post

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