Indian Ministry of External Affairs today briefed media in New Delhi regarding PM Modi's Sri Lanka & Maldives visit. Watch this video to know more.

MEA briefs on PM Modi's Sri Lanka & Maldives visit

Ministry of External Affairs of India is briefing media in New Delhi. Watch this video to know more.

Indian External Affairs Ministry briefs media

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday vowed to hold peace talks with arch-rival India following elections in the neighbouring country, after a similar offer from the former cricketer was "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-slams-imrans-remarks-on-kashmir-asks-pakistan-to-dismantle-terror-infrastructure-on-its-soil-172893">rebuffed</a>".

Khan made the announcement during a speech at a Saudi Arabian investment conference where the newly minted leader launched a charm offensive targeting potential investors as Pakistan seeks to secure funds amid a yawning balance of payment crisis. &nbsp;

"When I won the elections and came to power the first thing I tried to do was extend a hand of peace to India," Khan told the crowd at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, saying the overture was later "rebuffed" by Delhi.

"Now what we are hoping is that we wait until the elections then again we will resume our peace talks with India," he added, referring to upcoming nationwide polls scheduled to take place by mid-May.

In September India pulled the plug on a rare meeting between its foreign minister and her Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of a UN summit -- a move that was termed "arrogant" by Khan and unleashed a barrage of insults from both sides.

India has long accused Pakistan of backing militants in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory divided between the two countries but claimed in full by both since independence in 1947.

Delhi has stationed about 500,000 soldiers in the portion of Kashmir it controls, where separatist groups demand independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Khan's call for peace talks comes as his administration is desperately seeking funds from "friendly" countries, including Saudi Arabia, to shore up Pakistan's deteriorating finances.

The prime minister's attendance at the FII comes as leading policy-makers and corporate chiefs shunned the conference in response to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

During his address at the FII Khan confirmed that Pakistan was also in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new bailout.

Since taking power in August Khan has also sought loans from allies such as China and Saudi Arabia, promised to recover funds stolen by corrupt officials, and embarked on a series of high-profile populist austerity measures.

But help has been in short supply and economists' warnings have grown increasingly urgent.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday vowed to hold peace talks with arch-rival India following elections in the neighbouring country, after a similar offer from the former cricketer was "rebuffed".

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday vowed to hold peace talks with arch-rival India following elections in the neighbouring country, after a similar offer from the former cricketer was "rebuffed". Khan made the announcement during a speech at a Saudi Arabian investment conference where the newly minted leader launched a charm offensive targeting potential investors as Pakistan seeks to secure funds amid a yawning balance of payment crisis. "When I won the elections and came to power the first thing I tried to do was extend a hand of peace to India," Khan told the crowd at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, saying the overture was later "rebuffed" by Delhi. "Now what we are hoping is that we wait until the elections then again we will resume our peace talks with India," he added, referring to upcoming nationwide polls scheduled to take place by mid-May. In September India pulled the plug on a rare meeting between its foreign minister and her Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of a UN summit -- a move that was termed "arrogant" by Khan and unleashed a barrage of insults from both sides. India has long accused Pakistan of backing militants in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory divided between the two countries but claimed in full by both since independence in 1947. Delhi has stationed about 500,000 soldiers in the portion of Kashmir it controls, where separatist groups demand independence or a merger with Pakistan. Khan's call for peace talks comes as his administration is desperately seeking funds from "friendly" countries, including Saudi Arabia, to shore up Pakistan's deteriorating finances. The prime minister's attendance at the FII comes as leading policy-makers and corporate chiefs shunned the conference in response to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. During his address at the FII Khan confirmed that Pakistan was also in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new bailout. Since taking power in August Khan has also sought loans from allies such as China and Saudi Arabia, promised to recover funds stolen by corrupt officials, and embarked on a series of high-profile populist austerity measures. But help has been in short supply and economists' warnings have grown increasingly urgent.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan vows to hold peace talks with India

Army Commanders'&nbsp;Conference is being organised from October 09 to October 15, in New Delhi to discuss a number of operations, including logistics among others.

The last Army Commanders'&nbsp;Conference was held in April 2018. A large number of issues ranging from operational challenges, administrative issues, logistics to human resource related issues will be discussed during the conference which will last for seven days.

As part of the conclave, commanders and directorates at Army Headquarters will in a collegiate deliberate on important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges.

There are four studies examining the operational and optimization issues of Army and the headquarters as well as of human resources management aspects, a statement said.

The aim of these studies is to improve the teeth to tail ratio, with the purpose of strengthening the structures within the Army, to make it combat ready for the future.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on September 23 had said that the Indian Army was fit to fight wars.

Speaking to ANI, General Rawat had said, "We have got an organisation which helped us fight the previous wars. If we are looking at future wars, they will necessitate imbibing technology, technologies of all kinds.

Therefore, we have to reorganise ourselves to ensure that technologies and the weaponry and the man behind the weapon are integrated. But it is more important to imbibe the technology and for doing so, you have to carry out some changes in the organisation and you have to ensure that your men understand the need for technology, only then can you move forward."

Army Commanders' Conference is being organised from October 09 to October 15, in New Delhi to discuss a number of operations, including logistics among others. The last Army Commanders' Conference was held in April 2018.

Army Commanders' Conference is being organised from October 09 to October 15, in New Delhi to discuss a number of operations, including logistics among others. The last Army Commanders' Conference was held in April 2018. A large number of issues ranging from operational challenges, administrative issues, logistics to human resource related issues will be discussed during the conference which will last for seven days. As part of the conclave, commanders and directorates at Army Headquarters will in a collegiate deliberate on important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges. There are four studies examining the operational and optimization issues of Army and the headquarters as well as of human resources management aspects, a statement said. The aim of these studies is to improve the teeth to tail ratio, with the purpose of strengthening the structures within the Army, to make it combat ready for the future. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on September 23 had said that the Indian Army was fit to fight wars. Speaking to ANI, General Rawat had said, "We have got an organisation which helped us fight the previous wars. If we are looking at future wars, they will necessitate imbibing technology, technologies of all kinds. Therefore, we have to reorganise ourselves to ensure that technologies and the weaponry and the man behind the weapon are integrated. But it is more important to imbibe the technology and for doing so, you have to carry out some changes in the organisation and you have to ensure that your men understand the need for technology, only then can you move forward."

Army Commanders' Conference to begin in Delhi from today

Uzbekistan wants to establish a new venue for peace talks between the government of neighbouring Afghanistan and the Taliban, it said on Tuesday, having invited the world&rsquo;s top diplomats to a conference later this month.

As per media reports, the conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the &ldquo;Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation&rdquo;, its foreign ministry said in a statement.

It is unclear, however, whether any Taliban representatives will be present at the meeting where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to deliver a keynote speech.

The meeting will be the first such event to be hosted by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 and has pledged to open up the resource-rich nation of 32 million to the outside world.

An extravagant number of high-ranking officials are said to attend the conference including the UN Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamiti Yamamoto and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Magerini will attend the conference.

Other than that, foreign ministers of China, Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to attend the conference.

The representatives are expected to voice their consolidated position at the regional and global levels on the need for the early start of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without any preconditions being put forward.&nbsp;

Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s office said last week that US&nbsp;President Donald Trump supported the conference in a message, saying his &ldquo;administration is considering the composition of the relevant delegation of the United States&rdquo;.

The Uzbek foreign ministry said it expected the meeting to adopt the resolution calling for &ldquo;guaranteed integration of the armed opposition into the political life of Afghanistan&rdquo; while condemning &ldquo;all forms and manifestations of terrorism&rdquo;.

&ldquo;Initiating the Tashkent Conference, Uzbekistan by no means intends to confine itself to arranging it as a one-off event, but to continue with vigorous efforts &ndash; both bilaterally and multilaterally &ndash; to promote a peaceful political process in Afghanistan,&rdquo; it said.

Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic after the death of President Islam Karimov who had run it for more than a quarter of a century.

Tashkent&rsquo;s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government&rsquo;s human rights abuses.

Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the resource-rich nation and has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to bring in much-needed foreign investment.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the 'Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation', its foreign ministry said in a statement

Uzbekistan wants to establish a new venue for peace talks between the government of neighbouring Afghanistan and the Taliban, it said on Tuesday, having invited the world’s top diplomats to a conference later this month. As per media reports, the conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the “Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation”, its foreign ministry said in a statement. It is unclear, however, whether any Taliban representatives will be present at the meeting where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to deliver a keynote speech. The meeting will be the first such event to be hosted by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 and has pledged to open up the resource-rich nation of 32 million to the outside world. An extravagant number of high-ranking officials are said to attend the conference including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamiti Yamamoto and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Magerini will attend the conference. Other than that, foreign ministers of China, Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to attend the conference. The representatives are expected to voice their consolidated position at the regional and global levels on the need for the early start of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without any preconditions being put forward. Mirziyoyev’s office said last week that US President Donald Trump supported the conference in a message, saying his “administration is considering the composition of the relevant delegation of the United States”. The Uzbek foreign ministry said it expected the meeting to adopt the resolution calling for “guaranteed integration of the armed opposition into the political life of Afghanistan” while condemning “all forms and manifestations of terrorism”. “Initiating the Tashkent Conference, Uzbekistan by no means intends to confine itself to arranging it as a one-off event, but to continue with vigorous efforts – both bilaterally and multilaterally – to promote a peaceful political process in Afghanistan,” it said. Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic after the death of President Islam Karimov who had run it for more than a quarter of a century. Tashkent’s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government’s human rights abuses. Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the resource-rich nation and has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to bring in much-needed foreign investment. (With inputs from Reuters)

Uzbekistan seeks bigger role in Afghan-Taliban peace talks

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned regional powers against meddling in Lebanon at an international meeting aimed at fending off pressure on the fragile country from rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attended the talks in Paris with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, whose shock resignation last month - which he has since rescinded - sparked fears of a new crisis in the Middle East.

Opening the meeting, Macron said it was &quot;essential that all of the parties in Lebanon and regional actors respect the cardinal principle of non-interference&quot; in the affairs of other countries.

Representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with Germany, Italy and Egypt, were present for the show of support for Lebanon, which took place against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East.

Hariri and Macron both emphasised their opposition to US President Donald Trump&#39;s announcement Wednesday that he would move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

&quot;It complicates the peace process even more (between Israel and the Palestinians) and creates a new challenge to regional security,&quot; Hariri said in opening remarks at the meeting.

Macron added: &quot;None of the region&#39;s problems will be resolved by unilateral decisions or the strongest imposing their will.&quot;&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim country, is suspected of having pressured Hariri, a longtime ally, to resign as part of its attempts to counter the growing influence of Iran, a Shia Muslim power.

The Saudi kingdom and other Arab states accuse Iran of using armed proxies such as Lebanon&#39;s powerful Hezbollah movement to advance its interests, from Lebanon to Yemen to Syria and Iraq.

In a televised resignation statement from Riyadh on November 4, Hariri accused Tehran and Hezbollah - which has ministers in Hariri&#39;s government - of destabilising his country and the region.&nbsp;

A Lebanese source close to Hariri told AFP that the premier travelled to Riyadh believing he was going to discuss economic projects but instead &quot;found himself faced with a list of economic sanctions brandished by the Saudis against Lebanon.&quot;

Hariri remained in Riyadh for two weeks afterwards, fuelling speculation that he was being held hostage.

Macron then intervened, inviting Hariri to Paris for talks, after which he returned home to a hero&#39;s welcome. Two weeks later, he withdrew his resignation.

The meeting ended with plans for three follow-up conferences: one in Paris in early 2018 on boosting investment in Lebanon; another in Rome on building up Lebanon`s regular army; and a third in Brussels on helping the roughly 1.5 million Syrian refugees that have fled there.

&quot;Lebanon&#39;s stability is not only crucial for its inhabitants but for the entire region,&quot; Macron said Friday, demanding that the sovereignty of the small multifaith country, long a proxy battleground between its bigger neighbours, be respected.

Hariri said the fragile stability enjoyed by his country, which neighbours Syria, &quot;appeared like a small miracle&quot; in a region torn by the Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni conflicts.

&quot;The desire of all in Lebanon is to save our democracy,&quot; he said.

Riyadh&#39;s power play in Lebanon backfired, with the various Lebanese factions coming together in order to avoid a political breakdown.

Hariri announced Tuesday that he would stay on as premier after cabinet members - including from Hezbollah - issued a joint statement to reaffirm their commitment to stay out of regional conflicts.

&quot;Lebanon will respect this principle of keeping its distance (from trouble beyond its borders). You will see,&quot; he vowed Friday, insisting there was &quot;no crisis between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia&quot;.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the principle &quot;applied to all, both inside and outside (Lebanon).&quot;

The International Support Group for Lebanon was launched in September 2013 partly in response to the huge influx of refugees from Syria.

Hariri and Macron both emphasised their opposition to US President Donald Trump's announcement on Wednesday that he would move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned regional powers against meddling in Lebanon at an international meeting aimed at fending off pressure on the fragile country from rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attended the talks in Paris with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, whose shock resignation last month - which he has since rescinded - sparked fears of a new crisis in the Middle East. Opening the meeting, Macron said it was "essential that all of the parties in Lebanon and regional actors respect the cardinal principle of non-interference" in the affairs of other countries. Representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with Germany, Italy and Egypt, were present for the show of support for Lebanon, which took place against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East. Hariri and Macron both emphasised their opposition to US President Donald Trump's announcement Wednesday that he would move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. "It complicates the peace process even more (between Israel and the Palestinians) and creates a new challenge to regional security," Hariri said in opening remarks at the meeting. Macron added: "None of the region's problems will be resolved by unilateral decisions or the strongest imposing their will." Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim country, is suspected of having pressured Hariri, a longtime ally, to resign as part of its attempts to counter the growing influence of Iran, a Shia Muslim power. The Saudi kingdom and other Arab states accuse Iran of using armed proxies such as Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement to advance its interests, from Lebanon to Yemen to Syria and Iraq. In a televised resignation statement from Riyadh on November 4, Hariri accused Tehran and Hezbollah - which has ministers in Hariri's government - of destabilising his country and the region. A Lebanese source close to Hariri told AFP that the premier travelled to Riyadh believing he was going to discuss economic projects but instead "found himself faced with a list of economic sanctions brandished by the Saudis against Lebanon." Hariri remained in Riyadh for two weeks afterwards, fuelling speculation that he was being held hostage. Macron then intervened, inviting Hariri to Paris for talks, after which he returned home to a hero's welcome. Two weeks later, he withdrew his resignation. The meeting ended with plans for three follow-up conferences: one in Paris in early 2018 on boosting investment in Lebanon; another in Rome on building up Lebanon`s regular army; and a third in Brussels on helping the roughly 1.5 million Syrian refugees that have fled there. "Lebanon's stability is not only crucial for its inhabitants but for the entire region," Macron said Friday, demanding that the sovereignty of the small multifaith country, long a proxy battleground between its bigger neighbours, be respected. Hariri said the fragile stability enjoyed by his country, which neighbours Syria, "appeared like a small miracle" in a region torn by the Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni conflicts. "The desire of all in Lebanon is to save our democracy," he said. Riyadh's power play in Lebanon backfired, with the various Lebanese factions coming together in order to avoid a political breakdown. Hariri announced Tuesday that he would stay on as premier after cabinet members - including from Hezbollah - issued a joint statement to reaffirm their commitment to stay out of regional conflicts. "Lebanon will respect this principle of keeping its distance (from trouble beyond its borders). You will see," he vowed Friday, insisting there was "no crisis between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia". French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the principle "applied to all, both inside and outside (Lebanon)." The International Support Group for Lebanon was launched in September 2013 partly in response to the huge influx of refugees from Syria.

President Macron warns against Middle East meddling at Lebanon conference

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested nations to adopt stricter rules on preventing cyberspace from becoming a platform for &#39;dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation,&quot; while addressing the crowd in the cyberspace conference.&nbsp;

&quot;We need to ensure that vulnerable sections of our society do not fall prey to the evil designs of cyber criminals. Alertness towards cyber-security concerns should become a way of life. Nations must also take a responsibility to ensure that the digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Further, the Prime Minister said it was necessary for the global community to approach the issue of cyber-security with conviction.

&#39;Cyber for All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for Sustainable Development&#39; is a two-day event which is being organised for the first time in India.

More than ten&nbsp;thousand delegates have taken part in the conference in person which will also include virtual participation from over 2800 locations across the world that will be connected in an interactive mode.

The conference has been organised to encourage people to take steps to prevent cyber-crime and signify the inclusiveness and human rights in global cyber policy.

&quot;The GCCS 2017 is certainly in accord with the Hon&#39;ble Prime Minister&#39;s vision to transform India into a digitally empowered country. GCCS 2017 will give the world&#39;s cyber community a unique opportunity to learn from global experience and expert insight, and discover more about the technology led transformation being engineered in India,&quot; Ravi Shankar Prasad, Electronics &amp; IT and Law &amp; Justice Minister said on Wednesday, as reported by the media.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will deliver the keynote address at the valedictory function.

&nbsp;

(with input from agencies)&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated 5th Global Conference on 'Cyber Space', a two-day event, in the national capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested nations to adopt stricter rules on preventing cyberspace from becoming a platform for 'dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation," while addressing the crowd in the cyberspace conference. "We need to ensure that vulnerable sections of our society do not fall prey to the evil designs of cyber criminals. Alertness towards cyber-security concerns should become a way of life. Nations must also take a responsibility to ensure that the digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation," he said. Further, the Prime Minister said it was necessary for the global community to approach the issue of cyber-security with conviction. 'Cyber for All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for Sustainable Development' is a two-day event which is being organised for the first time in India. More than ten thousand delegates have taken part in the conference in person which will also include virtual participation from over 2800 locations across the world that will be connected in an interactive mode. The conference has been organised to encourage people to take steps to prevent cyber-crime and signify the inclusiveness and human rights in global cyber policy. "The GCCS 2017 is certainly in accord with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision to transform India into a digitally empowered country. GCCS 2017 will give the world's cyber community a unique opportunity to learn from global experience and expert insight, and discover more about the technology led transformation being engineered in India," Ravi Shankar Prasad, Electronics & IT and Law & Justice Minister said on Wednesday, as reported by the media. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will deliver the keynote address at the valedictory function. (with input from agencies)

Digital space should not become playground for dark forces of terrorism: PM Modi

A new &#39;consumer protection&#39;&nbsp;act is in the making and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gst-how-much-will-household-goods-cost-17468">&#39;consumer empowerment&#39;</a>&nbsp;will be a major part of it and guidelines on &#39;misleading&nbsp;ads&#39;&nbsp;will be made stricter, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Consumer Protection for&nbsp;East, South &amp; South-East Countries in New Delhi.

Government&#39;s priority to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/gst-roll-out-how-does-it-affect-you-4024">consumer protection is in line with our resolve of &#39;New India&#39;</a>&nbsp;and we&#39;ll change it to consumer prosperity on our way ahead, PM added.

Consumer protection in an inseparable part of governance. Our Vedas have an extensive mention of consumer protection, PM Modi said.

Defending the GST, the prime minister said that GST was giving the country a new business culture. &quot;Consumers will be the biggest beneficiary of the new indirect tax regime,&#39;&#39; said Modi.

GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said.&nbsp;

What can be described as an ambitious project, the PM said that the government was working to make sure housing for all by 2022.&nbsp;

According to a PIB release, this is the first time an international conference on consumer protection is being organised by India for countries of the region which account for a majority of the global consumers and share common challenges and experiences. 22 countries from East, South and South-East Asia are participating in the international conference.

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan and Secretary-General, UNCTAD also addressed the participants. Besides the delegates, the inaugural session was attended by the dignitaries from the Centre and States including ministers, heads of consumer commissions, heads of regulatory authorities and senior officials.

The Conference will have six working sessions on the subjects of the United Nations guidelines for consumer protection and implementation, stakeholder participation in consumer protection, protection of online consumers, stakeholders participation, fostering consumer Inclusion in financial services, protection of vulnerable groups of consumers and consumer empowerment through education. Experts from different countries and India will be presenting their papers and views on the occasion.

&nbsp;The Conference will provide a platform to discuss and deliberate upon different aspects of consumer protection in the backdrop of revised UNGCP, aimed at shared learning and will explore a way forward for enhanced regional cooperation on the subject.

GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said.

A new 'consumer protection' act is in the making and the 'consumer empowerment' will be a major part of it and guidelines on 'misleading ads' will be made stricter, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi was speaking at the inauguration of International Conference on Consumer Protection for East, South & South-East Countries in New Delhi. Government's priority to consumer protection is in line with our resolve of 'New India' and we'll change it to consumer prosperity on our way ahead, PM added. Consumer protection in an inseparable part of governance. Our Vedas have an extensive mention of consumer protection, PM Modi said. Defending the GST, the prime minister said that GST was giving the country a new business culture. "Consumers will be the biggest beneficiary of the new indirect tax regime,'' said Modi. GST will boost competition among the companies, which will decrease prices of goods, in turn, benefiting poor and the middle-class consumers, Modi said. What can be described as an ambitious project, the PM said that the government was working to make sure housing for all by 2022. According to a PIB release, this is the first time an international conference on consumer protection is being organised by India for countries of the region which account for a majority of the global consumers and share common challenges and experiences. 22 countries from East, South and South-East Asia are participating in the international conference. The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan and Secretary-General, UNCTAD also addressed the participants. Besides the delegates, the inaugural session was attended by the dignitaries from the Centre and States including ministers, heads of consumer commissions, heads of regulatory authorities and senior officials. The Conference will have six working sessions on the subjects of the United Nations guidelines for consumer protection and implementation, stakeholder participation in consumer protection, protection of online consumers, stakeholders participation, fostering consumer Inclusion in financial services, protection of vulnerable groups of consumers and consumer empowerment through education. Experts from different countries and India will be presenting their papers and views on the occasion. The Conference will provide a platform to discuss and deliberate upon different aspects of consumer protection in the backdrop of revised UNGCP, aimed at shared learning and will explore a way forward for enhanced regional cooperation on the subject.

Consumer protection government's priority, in line with our resolve of 'New India': Modi

Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh&#39;s speech during the seventh SAARC home ministers&#39; meeting held in Pakistan&#39;s capital Islamabad was blacked out. 
 
Members of the Indian media, who had gone to report on the conference, were not allowed to cover the speech. They were reportedly kept at a distance by Pakistani officials, which led to a verbal dual between officials of the two sides. 
 
Only Pakistan state PTV was allowed to cover introductory speeches of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and interior minister&nbsp;Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan. Even private Pakistani media was not allowed to cover the event. 
 
As per reports, Singh has left for Islamabad airport to return to India. Media reports also said that his scheduled news conference at Delhi airport has been cancelled. 
 
During a terse speech in Islamabad, Singh said that there should&nbsp;be strongest of action not only against terrorists but also against organisations, individuals and nations which support terror. He said mere condemnation of terrorism and individual acts by terrorists was not enough as far as India was concerned. 
 
Launching a veiled attack on Pakistan for glorifying Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a martyr, Singh said that there should be no glorification of terrorists, adding there is no good or bad terrorism. 
 
The ongoing strain in Indo-Pak relations was evident when Singh came face- to-face with Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan for the first time today. The two leaders barely shook hands at the entrance of the venue of the conference at the posh Serena Hotel. 
 
Singh arrived in Islamabad yesterday amid protests by supporters of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Harkat ul Mujahideen. The protests were held at a distance of about 10 kilometres from the&nbsp;National Assembly. Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin was also present during the protests. 
 
(ANI)

Members of the Indian media were not allowed to cover the speech. They were reportedly kept at a distance by Pakistani officials

Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh's speech during the seventh SAARC home ministers' meeting held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad was blacked out. Members of the Indian media, who had gone to report on the conference, were not allowed to cover the speech. They were reportedly kept at a distance by Pakistani officials, which led to a verbal dual between officials of the two sides. Only Pakistan state PTV was allowed to cover introductory speeches of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan. Even private Pakistani media was not allowed to cover the event. As per reports, Singh has left for Islamabad airport to return to India. Media reports also said that his scheduled news conference at Delhi airport has been cancelled. During a terse speech in Islamabad, Singh said that there should be strongest of action not only against terrorists but also against organisations, individuals and nations which support terror. He said mere condemnation of terrorism and individual acts by terrorists was not enough as far as India was concerned. Launching a veiled attack on Pakistan for glorifying Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a martyr, Singh said that there should be no glorification of terrorists, adding there is no good or bad terrorism. The ongoing strain in Indo-Pak relations was evident when Singh came face- to-face with Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan for the first time today. The two leaders barely shook hands at the entrance of the venue of the conference at the posh Serena Hotel. Singh arrived in Islamabad yesterday amid protests by supporters of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Harkat ul Mujahideen. The protests were held at a distance of about 10 kilometres from the National Assembly. Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin was also present during the protests. (ANI)

Indian interior minister's speech blacked out at SAARC summit in Pakistan

Turkey, a close ally of Pakistan, today hoped that the Kashmir issue would be resolved through dialogue, while backing Islamabad&#39;s stance to send an Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) team to the Valley to probe the alleged human rights violations. 
 
&quot;Turkey fully supports Pakistan&#39;s position on Jammu and Kashmir,&quot; Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference here with Pakistan prime minister&#39;s advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz. 
 
Cavusoglu said Turkey is an active member of the OIC contact group of Kashmir and attends its meeting. Hopefully its next meeting would be held in September, he said. 
 
&quot;I would like to ask the secretary general of the OIC to mobilise the contact group and send an observer mission. We believe this issue (Kashmir) can be solved through dialogue,&quot; he said. 
 
Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue at the UN, and demanded sending a fact finding team to the valley to probe the alleged human rights violations there.&nbsp;Forty-nine people have been killed in Kashmir in clashes since security forces killed Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8. 
 
Cavusoglu, who is in Pakistan on an important visit after a failed military coup, thanked Islamabad for being the first country to denounce the coup attempt.&nbsp;He said Turkey was taking steps against those involved in the coup staged by supporters of US-based influential Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen. 
 
He said Gulen&#39;s organisations pose a risk or threat to the security and stability of every country. 
 
&quot;This terrorist organisation has a global network of schools, business associations and cultural organisations. In the past, we supported them but we didn&#39;t know they had a hidden agenda, that they were trying to take over power in Turkey through such attempts,&quot; he said. 
 
He said that Pakistan and Turkey supported each other against terrorism.&nbsp;On his part, Aziz pledged Pakistan&#39;s unequivocal support for a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey under the dynamic leadership of President Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
He noted with satisfaction that both sides have agreed to continue to tackle the menace of terrorism and defeat the scourge. The two sides also exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan and the need for a lasting political solution. 
 
Aziz said the two countries share similar views on the migration crisis and the plight of Syrian refugees. He said Pakistan and Turkey host the largest refugee population in the world. 
 
(PTI)

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu extended his support in a press conference in Islamabad

Turkey, a close ally of Pakistan, today hoped that the Kashmir issue would be resolved through dialogue, while backing Islamabad's stance to send an Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) team to the Valley to probe the alleged human rights violations. "Turkey fully supports Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir," Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference here with Pakistan prime minister's advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz. Cavusoglu said Turkey is an active member of the OIC contact group of Kashmir and attends its meeting. Hopefully its next meeting would be held in September, he said. "I would like to ask the secretary general of the OIC to mobilise the contact group and send an observer mission. We believe this issue (Kashmir) can be solved through dialogue," he said. Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue at the UN, and demanded sending a fact finding team to the valley to probe the alleged human rights violations there. Forty-nine people have been killed in Kashmir in clashes since security forces killed Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Cavusoglu, who is in Pakistan on an important visit after a failed military coup, thanked Islamabad for being the first country to denounce the coup attempt. He said Turkey was taking steps against those involved in the coup staged by supporters of US-based influential Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen. He said Gulen's organisations pose a risk or threat to the security and stability of every country. "This terrorist organisation has a global network of schools, business associations and cultural organisations. In the past, we supported them but we didn't know they had a hidden agenda, that they were trying to take over power in Turkey through such attempts," he said. He said that Pakistan and Turkey supported each other against terrorism. On his part, Aziz pledged Pakistan's unequivocal support for a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey under the dynamic leadership of President Tayyip Erdogan. He noted with satisfaction that both sides have agreed to continue to tackle the menace of terrorism and defeat the scourge. The two sides also exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan and the need for a lasting political solution. Aziz said the two countries share similar views on the migration crisis and the plight of Syrian refugees. He said Pakistan and Turkey host the largest refugee population in the world. (PTI)

Turkey backs Pakistan's stand on Jammu and Kashmir

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