<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the "special gesture" of United States President Donald Trump to participate in one of the largest Indian diaspora event in Houston, Texas on 22nd of September.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi will address the event, Howdy Modi, which will see the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-modi-addressing-howdy-modi-event-reflects-personal-chemistry-between-two-indian-us-envoy-249891">participation of 50,000 people</a>, mostly Indian Americans.</p>

<p>In a tweet, PM said&nbsp;the participation "highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy."</p>

<p>The event will take place in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on September 22 8.30 pm.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A special gesture by <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>, signifying the special friendship between India and USA!<br />
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Delighted that President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> will join the community programme in Houston on the 22nd.<br />
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Looking forward to joining the Indian origin community in welcoming him at the programme.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1173449532769632261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, the White House confirmed Donald Trump's participation saying it underscores the important partnerships between the United States and India.</p>

<p>In a statement, White House said, "In Houston, President Trump will participate in an event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The event, “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures,” is expected to draw tens of thousands of people."</p>

<p>Explaining, "It will be a great opportunity to emphasize&nbsp;the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship."</p>

<p>The event, bigger than the Madison Square Garden diaspora event in New York in 2014, is being hosted by Texas India Forum.</p>

<p>Calling the development "unconventional and unique", Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "It reflects not only closeness and comfort levels in the relationship but also personal chemistry and friendship between PM Modi &amp; President Trump."</p>

<p>India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in US between September 21 and 27 during which he will also address the United Nations General Assembly, meet US CEOs and hold several bilaterals with many world leaders. This is the second Modi will be addressing the UNGA.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the "special gesture" of United States President Donald Trump to participate in one of the largest Indian diaspora event in Houston, Texas on 22nd of September.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the "special gesture" of United States President Donald Trump to participate in one of the largest Indian diaspora event in Houston, Texas on 22nd of September. PM Modi will address the event, Howdy Modi, which will see the participation of 50,000 people, mostly Indian Americans. In a tweet, PM said the participation "highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy." The event will take place in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on September 22 8.30 pm. A special gesture by @POTUS, signifying the special friendship between India and USA! Delighted that President @realDonaldTrump will join the community programme in Houston on the 22nd. Looking forward to joining the Indian origin community in welcoming him at the programme. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2019 × Earlier, the White House confirmed Donald Trump's participation saying it underscores the important partnerships between the United States and India. In a statement, White House said, "In Houston, President Trump will participate in an event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The event, “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures,” is expected to draw tens of thousands of people." Explaining, "It will be a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship." The event, bigger than the Madison Square Garden diaspora event in New York in 2014, is being hosted by Texas India Forum. Calling the development "unconventional and unique", Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "It reflects not only closeness and comfort levels in the relationship but also personal chemistry and friendship between PM Modi & President Trump." India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in US between September 21 and 27 during which he will also address the United Nations General Assembly, meet US CEOs and hold several bilaterals with many world leaders. This is the second Modi will be addressing the UNGA.

PM Modi hails Trump's 'special gesture' towards Houston diaspora event 'Howdy Modi'

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/biggest-address-20-bilaterals-and-meeting-with-trump-pm-modis-jam-packed-us-schedule-250601">PM Modi will be meeting US President Donald Trump</a> on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 24. This is the third time this year when both the leaders will be meeting. Modi and Trump first met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka followed by their meeting during the G7 Summit in France.</p>

<p>Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday said, "with the United States, the engagements are with multiple stakeholders, obviously with President Trump, with congressional leaders, business leaders and with the Indian community".</p>

<p>His first engagement will be a roundtable with US energy companies in Houston, Texas on Saturday evening. A key highlight on Sunday will be the diaspora 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston. This will be the third and the largest diaspora event in the US which PM Modi will address.</p>

<p>"We are expecting 50,000 people from the diaspora... we are delighted that President Trump, as well as senior democratic leadership of the United States, will also be at this event, this includes several elected Congressional representatives from both parties," Gokhale said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi will be addressing UNGA for the second time since 2014.</p>

<p>Gokhale added, "the Prime Minister will focus on what the United Nations General Assembly high-level segment is meant to focus - which is as an important economy, as an important country, as a responsible member of the UN, PM will flag what we are doing for development, peace and security".</p>

<p>It will be a packed week for PM Modi. On Monday, the prime minister will participate in UN-hosted climate change, universal health care summits and leaders' dialogue on Strategic Responses to Terrorist and Violent Extremist Narrative which will be jointly hosted by the King of Jordan, Prime Minister of New Zealand, President of France and Secretary-General of UN António Guterres.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, PM Modi will be at a lunch event hosted by the secretary-general of the UN. He will also attend the commemoration of 150 anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN which will be attended by leaders from Bangladesh, New Zealand, Singapore, Jamaica among other nations. The day will end with PM Modi receiving an award by Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation for leading the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. On Wednesday, the PM will take part in the Government of India-backed investment roundtable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On September 24, the prime minister will meet 12 leaders of Pacific countries during the third India-Pacific Island Summit. On September 25, the prime minister will meet 14 leaders of Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries for the first India-Carribean Summit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Overall, the prime minister is expected to meet 20 leaders including diplomats from South Asia and Latin America. India will also announce the collation of disaster resilience infrastructure in New York which - an idea proposed by PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi will be meeting US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 24. This is the third time this year when both the leaders will be meeting.

PM Modi will be meeting US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 24. This is the third time this year when both the leaders will be meeting. Modi and Trump first met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka followed by their meeting during the G7 Summit in France. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday said, "with the United States, the engagements are with multiple stakeholders, obviously with President Trump, with congressional leaders, business leaders and with the Indian community". His first engagement will be a roundtable with US energy companies in Houston, Texas on Saturday evening. A key highlight on Sunday will be the diaspora 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston. This will be the third and the largest diaspora event in the US which PM Modi will address. "We are expecting 50,000 people from the diaspora... we are delighted that President Trump, as well as senior democratic leadership of the United States, will also be at this event, this includes several elected Congressional representatives from both parties," Gokhale said. PM Modi will be addressing UNGA for the second time since 2014. Gokhale added, "the Prime Minister will focus on what the United Nations General Assembly high-level segment is meant to focus - which is as an important economy, as an important country, as a responsible member of the UN, PM will flag what we are doing for development, peace and security". It will be a packed week for PM Modi. On Monday, the prime minister will participate in UN-hosted climate change, universal health care summits and leaders' dialogue on Strategic Responses to Terrorist and Violent Extremist Narrative which will be jointly hosted by the King of Jordan, Prime Minister of New Zealand, President of France and Secretary-General of UN António Guterres. On Tuesday, PM Modi will be at a lunch event hosted by the secretary-general of the UN. He will also attend the commemoration of 150 anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN which will be attended by leaders from Bangladesh, New Zealand, Singapore, Jamaica among other nations. The day will end with PM Modi receiving an award by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for leading the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. On Wednesday, the PM will take part in the Government of India-backed investment roundtable. On September 24, the prime minister will meet 12 leaders of Pacific countries during the third India-Pacific Island Summit. On September 25, the prime minister will meet 14 leaders of Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries for the first India-Carribean Summit. Overall, the prime minister is expected to meet 20 leaders including diplomats from South Asia and Latin America. India will also announce the collation of disaster resilience infrastructure in New York which - an idea proposed by PM Modi.

PM Modi to meet US President Donald Trump on September 24 in New York 

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he will aim to present India as a global leader and boost ties with the US. The prime minister's comments came ahead of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/houston-all-set-to-welcome-pm-modi-for-howdy-modi-event-despite-heavy-rains-250752">week-long visit to the US</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his departure statement, the prime minister said, "I am confident that my visit would present India as a vibrant land of opportunities, a reliable partner and a global leader and will also help impart new energy to our relations with the US."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I thank the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for conferring upon me the Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019. Over the last five years India has taken many efforts to improve cleanliness and sanitation, fulfilling Gandhi Ji's dream of a Swachh Bharat.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1175037634319544320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi will be meeting around 45 world leaders from India's immediate neighbourhood to Latin America. He will be meeting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hails-trumps-special-gesture-towards-houston-diaspora-event-howdy-modi-249898">US President Trump</a> on Tuesday in New York for a bilateral. This will be his third bilateral meet with US President this year after meeting him on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Japan and the G7 Summit in France. PM Modi in the statement said he looks forward to meeting with Trump in Houston and New York.</p>

<p>"The US is a vital partner for our national development with rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation and an enabler for India in economic growth and national security... Working together, we can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world".</p>

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<p>Overall there will be three main focus points of Prime Minister's visit -multilateral engagements at United Nations, Bilateral component in the United States--which include meeting with businesses, diaspora and US political leadership and bilateral meeting in New York.</p>

<p>Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh V Shringla speaking to media in the Houston said, "the prime minister has a comprehensive programme in the US. He arrives in Houston this Saturday and soon after he arrives he has an event to meet the top CEOs of energy companies. Houston is the global hub for energy. Our cooperation with the US has increased significantly because of our interest in US crude oil and energy."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Key events I would be attending at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> are the Climate Action Summit, an event on Universal Health Coverage, and opening plenary of the Bloomberg Global Business Forum. These forums will give opportunities to showcase India’s efforts to build peaceful and prosperous world.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1175037629059878917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi's first stop will be Houston where his first engagement will be to meet the CEOs of top energy companies. Houston, the capital city of Texas, is the fourth most populous city of the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, PM Modi will be participating in the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tulsi-gabbard-welcomes-pm-modi-to-us-says-sorry-for-not-being-able-to-attend-howdy-modi-event-250719">Howdy Modi" event</a> wherein he will address the local India diaspora. It will be the largest gathering of people for a visiting democratically elected leader. According to the organisers, 50,000 people have registered for the event, mostly Indian-Americans. US President Donald Trump, along with senior democratic leadership, will be present at the event.</p>

<p>The prime minister will be in New York from Monday and will be speaking nine times at various events throughout the week that will be broadcast live. Monday will see him address climate change and health care summit and a leaders' dialogue on 'strategic responses to terrorist and violent extremists narrative'.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In New York City, a large part of the programmes will be at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a>. Since its inception, India has been actively participating in various programmes and initiatives of the UN, reflecting our unwavering commitment to multilateralism. My address at the UNGA would be on the 27th.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1175037627231166471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Tuesday, the focus will be on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with the launch of Gandhi solar park in United Nations headquarters premises. Gandhi solar park has 193 panels representing the UN member nations and has been built with Indian government's grant of one million dollars. Solar panels gifted from India will be installed on the roof of the UN headquarters. The panels are powered up to reach max 50 KW of generation power. With an output of 86244 Kwh, it equals to 61 metric tons of CO2 or 30,242 kilograms of coal burned carbon sequestered from 1,008 tree seedlings grown over 10 years. A UN postage stamp will also be released and Gandhi peace garden will be inaugurated at the New York State University.</p>

<p>PM Modi will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27 anytime after 8 pm India time.</p>

<p>Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "This is PM's first visit to the United States after the re-election of the government and the prime minister is going to UNGA with solid achievements in previous five years in sustainable development goals. Our intention is to showcase the progress made on climate change, universal health coverage, sanitation et cetera and convey expectation from other countries and understand their aspirations".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I look forward to my meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>.<br />
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Shared values, convergent interests and complementary strengths provide the strong foundations for a natural partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1175037625532502022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The PM is also of the view that it is important to play the role that his expected of India in shaping the global agenda - both political and socio-economic. The PM will again reiterate a position India has been saying for a long time and that is multilateralism is at the centre of global politics and it should remain so".</p>

<p>Two important summits will take place while PM Modi will be in the United States - the third India-Pacific Island Summit and the first India Caribbean Summit. The focus will also be on investments with PM meeting CEOs of 45 US companies like Amway Corp, Bank of America, Coca Cola, Deloitte, IBM, Cisco Systems Inc, JPMorgan &amp; Chase, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, MasterCard, Microsoft, Visa, Walmart Retail.</p>

<p>This is the first visit to the US by PM Modi in his second term. In his first term, the prime minister visited the US twice - once in 2014 and then in 2015.</p>

<p>No meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan will take place. Khan will also be in New York for the UNGA week.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he will aim to present India as a global leader and boost ties with the US. The prime minister's comments came ahead of his week-long visit to the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he will aim to present India as a global leader and boost ties with the US. The prime minister's comments came ahead of his week-long visit to the US. In his departure statement, the prime minister said, "I am confident that my visit would present India as a vibrant land of opportunities, a reliable partner and a global leader and will also help impart new energy to our relations with the US." I thank the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for conferring upon me the Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019. Over the last five years India has taken many efforts to improve cleanliness and sanitation, fulfilling Gandhi Ji's dream of a Swachh Bharat. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2019 × PM Modi will be meeting around 45 world leaders from India's immediate neighbourhood to Latin America. He will be meeting US President Trump on Tuesday in New York for a bilateral. This will be his third bilateral meet with US President this year after meeting him on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Japan and the G7 Summit in France. PM Modi in the statement said he looks forward to meeting with Trump in Houston and New York. "The US is a vital partner for our national development with rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation and an enabler for India in economic growth and national security... Working together, we can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world". × Overall there will be three main focus points of Prime Minister's visit -multilateral engagements at United Nations, Bilateral component in the United States--which include meeting with businesses, diaspora and US political leadership and bilateral meeting in New York. Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh V Shringla speaking to media in the Houston said, "the prime minister has a comprehensive programme in the US. He arrives in Houston this Saturday and soon after he arrives he has an event to meet the top CEOs of energy companies. Houston is the global hub for energy. Our cooperation with the US has increased significantly because of our interest in US crude oil and energy." Key events I would be attending at the @UN are the Climate Action Summit, an event on Universal Health Coverage, and opening plenary of the Bloomberg Global Business Forum. These forums will give opportunities to showcase India’s efforts to build peaceful and prosperous world. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2019 × PM Modi's first stop will be Houston where his first engagement will be to meet the CEOs of top energy companies. Houston, the capital city of Texas, is the fourth most populous city of the US. On Sunday, PM Modi will be participating in the "Howdy Modi" event wherein he will address the local India diaspora. It will be the largest gathering of people for a visiting democratically elected leader. According to the organisers, 50,000 people have registered for the event, mostly Indian-Americans. US President Donald Trump, along with senior democratic leadership, will be present at the event. The prime minister will be in New York from Monday and will be speaking nine times at various events throughout the week that will be broadcast live. Monday will see him address climate change and health care summit and a leaders' dialogue on 'strategic responses to terrorist and violent extremists narrative'. In New York City, a large part of the programmes will be at the @UN. Since its inception, India has been actively participating in various programmes and initiatives of the UN, reflecting our unwavering commitment to multilateralism. My address at the UNGA would be on the 27th. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2019 × On Tuesday, the focus will be on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with the launch of Gandhi solar park in United Nations headquarters premises. Gandhi solar park has 193 panels representing the UN member nations and has been built with Indian government's grant of one million dollars. Solar panels gifted from India will be installed on the roof of the UN headquarters. The panels are powered up to reach max 50 KW of generation power. With an output of 86244 Kwh, it equals to 61 metric tons of CO2 or 30,242 kilograms of coal burned carbon sequestered from 1,008 tree seedlings grown over 10 years. A UN postage stamp will also be released and Gandhi peace garden will be inaugurated at the New York State University. PM Modi will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27 anytime after 8 pm India time. Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "This is PM's first visit to the United States after the re-election of the government and the prime minister is going to UNGA with solid achievements in previous five years in sustainable development goals. Our intention is to showcase the progress made on climate change, universal health coverage, sanitation et cetera and convey expectation from other countries and understand their aspirations". I look forward to my meeting with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. Shared values, convergent interests and complementary strengths provide the strong foundations for a natural partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2019 × "The PM is also of the view that it is important to play the role that his expected of India in shaping the global agenda - both political and socio-economic. The PM will again reiterate a position India has been saying for a long time and that is multilateralism is at the centre of global politics and it should remain so". Two important summits will take place while PM Modi will be in the United States - the third India-Pacific Island Summit and the first India Caribbean Summit. The focus will also be on investments with PM meeting CEOs of 45 US companies like Amway Corp, Bank of America, Coca Cola, Deloitte, IBM, Cisco Systems Inc, JPMorgan & Chase, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, MasterCard, Microsoft, Visa, Walmart Retail. This is the first visit to the US by PM Modi in his second term. In his first term, the prime minister visited the US twice - once in 2014 and then in 2015. No meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan will take place. Khan will also be in New York for the UNGA week.

'Will present India as global leader,' says PM Modi ahead of US visit

<p>President Donald Trump on Friday announced new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-government-to-substantially-increase-iran-sanctions-250415">sanctions on Iran</a>'s central bank, calling the measures the "highest" sanctions ever imposed on a foreign country by the United States.</p>

<p>"We have just sanctioned the Iranian national bank," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, later clarifying that he was referring to the Iranian central bank.</p>

<p>"These are the highest sanctions ever imposed on a country," he said.</p>

<p>Trump earlier this week announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran, in response to what US officials say was likely<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-says-abundantly-clear-iran-was-behind-saudi-oil-attacks-250674"> Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Saudi Arabia presents proof against Iran</strong></p>

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<p>The United States already enforces widespread sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, including attempting to shut down its major oil export industry.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he exited a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program.</p>

<p>In response, Iran has gradually scaled back its commitments to limit uranium enrichment activity under the pact and plans to further breach it if European signatories fail to keep their promises to shield Iran's economy from US penalties.</p>


President Donald Trump on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran's central bank, calling the measures the "highest" sanctions ever imposed on a foreign country by the United States.

President Donald Trump on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran's central bank, calling the measures the "highest" sanctions ever imposed on a foreign country by the United States. "We have just sanctioned the Iranian national bank," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, later clarifying that he was referring to the Iranian central bank. "These are the highest sanctions ever imposed on a country," he said. Trump earlier this week announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran, in response to what US officials say was likely Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities. Watch: Saudi Arabia presents proof against Iran × The United States already enforces widespread sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, including attempting to shut down its major oil export industry. President Donald Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he exited a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program. In response, Iran has gradually scaled back its commitments to limit uranium enrichment activity under the pact and plans to further breach it if European signatories fail to keep their promises to shield Iran's economy from US penalties.

Trump announces new US sanctions on Iran, highest ever on any country

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - Sept 20th, 2019

Know about 3 main pillars of Indian PM's U.S Visit.

3 main pillars of Indian PM's U.S Visit

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the afternoon - Sept 20th, 2019

O'Brien is currently the State Department's special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

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Gravitas: U.S. Support for Saudi Arabia: The Irony of Ironies

<p>Even as Pakistan has denied an overflight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight, India has said it, "hopes (Pakistan) will realise the folly of its actions".</p>

<p>Calling Islamabad's action as "unfortunate", foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale in response to a question said, "as far as going to an international organisation is concerned, it will take look at that. So far there is no intention to do so. If they are in violation of the regulation of civil aviation organisation, that is a possibility we can certainly consider".</p>

<p>The rejection can be considered as a violation of ICAO or International Civil Aviation Organization charter. Under the charter, unless its war, denying the use of airspace by singling out cannot be done by any country.</p>

<p>New Delhi can take Pakistan to ICAO where the country can be slapped with a heavy fine.</p>

<p>This is the second time in a month that Pakistan has denied an overflight to an Indian VVIP. Earlier this month, Islamabad denied permission to President Ram Nath Kovind's plane during his Europe visit.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, strongly reacting to Islamabad's decision, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action."</p>

<p>PM Modi will be in the United States from September 21 to 27 for big-ticket events like the diaspora event in Houston and the address to United Nations General Assembly.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Even as Pakistan has denied an overflight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight, India has said it, "hopes (Pakistan) will realise the folly of its actions". Calling Islamabad's action as "unfortunate", foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale in response to a question said, "as far as going to an international organisation is concerned, it will take look at that.

Even as Pakistan has denied an overflight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight, India has said it, "hopes (Pakistan) will realise the folly of its actions". Calling Islamabad's action as "unfortunate", foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale in response to a question said, "as far as going to an international organisation is concerned, it will take look at that. So far there is no intention to do so. If they are in violation of the regulation of civil aviation organisation, that is a possibility we can certainly consider". The rejection can be considered as a violation of ICAO or International Civil Aviation Organization charter. Under the charter, unless its war, denying the use of airspace by singling out cannot be done by any country. New Delhi can take Pakistan to ICAO where the country can be slapped with a heavy fine. This is the second time in a month that Pakistan has denied an overflight to an Indian VVIP. Earlier this month, Islamabad denied permission to President Ram Nath Kovind's plane during his Europe visit. On Wednesday, strongly reacting to Islamabad's decision, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "Pakistan should reflect upon its decision to deviate from well established international practice, as well as reconsider its old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action." PM Modi will be in the United States from September 21 to 27 for big-ticket events like the diaspora event in Houston and the address to United Nations General Assembly.

Hope Pakistan realises its folly: India on Islamabad's denial to PM Modi's overflight 

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 19th, 2019

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-government-to-substantially-increase-iran-sanctions-250415">US President Donald Trump</a> on Wednesday said that his earlier decision not to attack Iran was a sign of strength as it's always easier to attack than to withhold a strike.</p>

<p>The US president said that he had many options on the table regarding how to respond to Tehran's alleged involvement in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacks-on-aramco-oil-facility-unquestionably-sponsored-by-iran-saudi-arabia-250445">attack on Saudi refineries</a> on 14 September, Sputnik reported.</p>

<p>His remarks came days after the US pointed fingers on Iran being responsible for the attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, a claim which Iran has denied.</p>

<p>Trump said Washington has not learned much recently about the strikes on the Saudi Aramco facilities last week and claimed that the US already knows what exactly happened that day. The President said the US would wait to decide on response until after Riyadh finishes its own investigation and identifies the "culprit".</p>

<p><strong>Saudi Oil Field Attacks: Pompeo heads to Saudi as US Blames Iran</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-oil-field-attacks-pompeo-heads-to-saudi-as-us-blames-iran-250397/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Sputnik also quoted the Saudi Defence Ministry as saying that an Iranian cruise missile and Delta Wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used in the attack on Saudi Aramco facilities.</p>


US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that his earlier decision not to attack Iran was a sign of strength as it's always easier to attack than to withhold a strike.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that his earlier decision not to attack Iran was a sign of strength as it's always easier to attack than to withhold a strike. The US president said that he had many options on the table regarding how to respond to Tehran's alleged involvement in the attack on Saudi refineries on 14 September, Sputnik reported. His remarks came days after the US pointed fingers on Iran being responsible for the attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, a claim which Iran has denied. Trump said Washington has not learned much recently about the strikes on the Saudi Aramco facilities last week and claimed that the US already knows what exactly happened that day. The President said the US would wait to decide on response until after Riyadh finishes its own investigation and identifies the "culprit". Saudi Oil Field Attacks: Pompeo heads to Saudi as US Blames Iran Sputnik also quoted the Saudi Defence Ministry as saying that an Iranian cruise missile and Delta Wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used in the attack on Saudi Aramco facilities.

Decision not to strike Iran earlier, a sign of strength: US President Donald Trump

<p>The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants.</p>

<p>The House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to force Zalmay Khalilzad to appear after it complained about being kept in the dark over the negotiating process.</p>

<p>"We have reached an accommodation... to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in a classified briefing," Eliot Engel, the committee chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday, adding the subpoena had been withdrawn.</p>

<p>"While I would have preferred to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in an open setting, I'm glad our members will have this long-overdue opportunity to press for answers on the peace plan."</p>

<p>Trump said on September 7 that he had called off "peace negotiations" with the Taliban, and revealed that he had arranged but cancelled talks with the Islamist militants at his Camp David presidential retreat.</p>

<p>Khalilzad held nine rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, saying little in public about the negotiations.</p>

<p>He later said he had reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban in which the United States would pull out troops and the militants would promise to break with Al-Qaeda.</p>

<p>Trump has been eager to end America's longest war, launched 18 years ago after the September 11 attacks on the United States.</p>

<p>But he accused the Taliban of bad faith for launching an attack in Kabul that killed a US soldier, and others, on the eve of the Camp David talks.</p>


The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants.

The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban will testify behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants. The House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to force Zalmay Khalilzad to appear after it complained about being kept in the dark over the negotiating process. "We have reached an accommodation... to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in a classified briefing," Eliot Engel, the committee chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday, adding the subpoena had been withdrawn. "While I would have preferred to hear from Ambassador Khalilzad in an open setting, I'm glad our members will have this long-overdue opportunity to press for answers on the peace plan." Trump said on September 7 that he had called off "peace negotiations" with the Taliban, and revealed that he had arranged but cancelled talks with the Islamist militants at his Camp David presidential retreat. Khalilzad held nine rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, saying little in public about the negotiations. He later said he had reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban in which the United States would pull out troops and the militants would promise to break with Al-Qaeda. Trump has been eager to end America's longest war, launched 18 years ago after the September 11 attacks on the United States. But he accused the Taliban of bad faith for launching an attack in Kabul that killed a US soldier, and others, on the eve of the Camp David talks.

US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad to testify before lawmakers

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<p>Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday outlined <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-didnt-act-alone-on-article-370-it-was-the-disclosure-of-sentiments-of-130-crore-indians-pm-modi-in-nashik-250596">PM Modi</a>'s schedule during his trip to the United States this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gokhale said that on September 22, the prime minister will hold his biggest address ever in the United States. PM Modi will be addressing the Indian diaspora at the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, Texas which will see the attendance of over 50,000 people.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: On the 22nd of September, the highlight would be the Prime Minister's address to the Indian community. We are delighted that President Trump will also be there. <a href="https://t.co/o0VB84kcqL">https://t.co/o0VB84kcqL</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1174634710028308481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The prime minister's previous addresses in the US were at the Madison Square Garden in 2014 and California in the year 2015.</p>

<p>The prime minister will hold a business event which will be a roundtable of CEOs of the energy sector.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: On 24th September, in the late afternoon we organise our event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, in the UN. This event is titled 'Leadership matters: Relevance of Gandhi in contemporary times'. <a href="https://t.co/mcfZ4p4Ow9">pic.twitter.com/mcfZ4p4Ow9</a></p>
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<p>"PM Modi will also interact with members of US Congress during his visit," Gokhale added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On the 23rd, PM Modi will head to New York wherein he will take part in multilateral events". He will meet with the US president Donald Trump on September 24 in New York.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: We are delighted that the Prime Minister will be joined by some heads of govt, these include President of the Republic of Korea, PM of Singapore, PM of New Zealand, PM of Bangladesh, PM of Jamaica as well as the UN Secretary General. <a href="https://t.co/AIWPGOcecR">https://t.co/AIWPGOcecR</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1174635779378647041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi will take part in an event on climate change wherein he will talk about the efforts taken to combat climate change. "Terrorism is not the focus this time and will only be part of the discussion," Gokhale said adding that India will not raise the matter of Article 370 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prime minister will hold as many as 20 bilaterals in the United States.</p>

<p>PM Modi visit will also see three launches taking place. One such lauch will be that of Gandhi solar park - installation of solar panels on the rooftop of the UN headquarters in New York - from a grant of $US 1 million that India has given to promote renewable energy and showcase India's commitment to using of solar energy</p>

<p>This year Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation's 'Global Goalkeeper's Award' will be given to PM Modi for his leadership in the field of sanitation through 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. Every year, the award is given to a world leader for achievements in a specific sustainable development goal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India will also be commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary at the UN.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi will reach United States on September 21.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;</em>&nbsp;</p>


Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday outlined PM Modi's schedule during his trip to the United States this week. Gokhale said that on September 22, the prime minister will hold his biggest address ever in the United States.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday outlined PM Modi's schedule during his trip to the United States this week. Gokhale said that on September 22, the prime minister will hold his biggest address ever in the United States. PM Modi will be addressing the Indian diaspora at the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, Texas which will see the attendance of over 50,000 people. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: On the 22nd of September, the highlight would be the Prime Minister's address to the Indian community. We are delighted that President Trump will also be there. https://t.co/o0VB84kcqL — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019 × The prime minister's previous addresses in the US were at the Madison Square Garden in 2014 and California in the year 2015. The prime minister will hold a business event which will be a roundtable of CEOs of the energy sector. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: On 24th September, in the late afternoon we organise our event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, in the UN. This event is titled 'Leadership matters: Relevance of Gandhi in contemporary times'. pic.twitter.com/mcfZ4p4Ow9 — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019 × "PM Modi will also interact with members of US Congress during his visit," Gokhale added. "On the 23rd, PM Modi will head to New York wherein he will take part in multilateral events". He will meet with the US president Donald Trump on September 24 in New York. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: We are delighted that the Prime Minister will be joined by some heads of govt, these include President of the Republic of Korea, PM of Singapore, PM of New Zealand, PM of Bangladesh, PM of Jamaica as well as the UN Secretary General. https://t.co/AIWPGOcecR — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019 × PM Modi will take part in an event on climate change wherein he will talk about the efforts taken to combat climate change. "Terrorism is not the focus this time and will only be part of the discussion," Gokhale said adding that India will not raise the matter of Article 370 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The prime minister will hold as many as 20 bilaterals in the United States. PM Modi visit will also see three launches taking place. One such lauch will be that of Gandhi solar park - installation of solar panels on the rooftop of the UN headquarters in New York - from a grant of $US 1 million that India has given to promote renewable energy and showcase India's commitment to using of solar energy This year Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's 'Global Goalkeeper's Award' will be given to PM Modi for his leadership in the field of sanitation through 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. Every year, the award is given to a world leader for achievements in a specific sustainable development goal. India will also be commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary at the UN. PM Modi will reach United States on September 21. (With inputs from ANI)

Biggest address, 20 bilaterals and meeting with Trump: PM Modi's jam-packed US schedule 

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<p>US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Solomon Islands was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solomon-islands-has-switched-relations-to-china-our-diplomatic-relations-terminated-taiwan-249995">sixth country to switch allegiance to China</a> since 2016.</p>

<p>Self-ruled Taiwan has accused China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, of trying to meddle in its upcoming elections.</p>

<p>Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had asked Pence in July for a meeting, the senior administration official told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity.</p>

<p>The meeting was to have taken place this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or afterwards in Washington.</p>

<p>"But the decision by the Solomon Islands to change its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China has consequences. They're hurting a historically strong relationship by doing this," the official said.</p>

<p>"It's a setback, and it's prioritizing short-term gain with China over long-term commitment with the US," the official said.</p>

<p>The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy, officially recognizing Beijing and not Taipei, while assisting Taiwan.</p>

<p>Washington and Beijing are embroiled in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-war-to-knock-05-points-off-global-growth-french-finance-minister-247859">trade war</a>, slapping tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods.</p>

<p>The United States is also pushing to restrict Chinese state-owned telecom companies over concerns about espionage, allegations rejected by China.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump's administration is also considering confronting China over its detention of some 1 million Muslims in remote Xinjiang province at next week's UN meeting.</p>

<p>Pence has criticized China for what he calls "debt-trap" lending practices to small countries, pushing them into debt and compromising their sovereignty. China denies those charges.</p>

<p>"Countries that establish closer ties to China primarily out of the hope or expectation that such a step will stimulate economic growth and infrastructure development often find themselves worse off in the long run," the US official told Reuters.</p>

<p>After the Solomon Islands decision, Taiwan has formal relations with only 16 countries, many of them small, less-developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.</p>

<p>The Solomons, a former British protectorate that is home to about 600,000 people, had been the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to airfields and deepwater ports dating back to World War Two.</p>

<p>After his July phone call with Pence, Sogavare sent him a letter, saying he was "favourably disposed of" to ask his Cabinet to defer a decision on its Taiwan ties until later in the year.</p>

<p>Sogavare emphasized that he needed help from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan to develop infrastructure, a critical domestic issue for his government - according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Reuters.</p>

<p>"It is the one agenda that has the potential to split the cabinet and could potentially cause the government to fall," Sogavare said in the letter.</p>

<p>Beijing said on Tuesday that the Solomon Islands would have unprecedented development opportunities after cutting ties with Taiwan.</p>

<p>China had offered $8.5 million in development funds to the Solomons ahead of its decision.</p>


US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday. The Solomon Islands was the sixth country to switch allegiance to China since 2016. Self-ruled Taiwan has accused China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, of trying to meddle in its upcoming elections. Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had asked Pence in July for a meeting, the senior administration official told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The meeting was to have taken place this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or afterwards in Washington. "But the decision by the Solomon Islands to change its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China has consequences. They're hurting a historically strong relationship by doing this," the official said. "It's a setback, and it's prioritizing short-term gain with China over long-term commitment with the US," the official said. The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy, officially recognizing Beijing and not Taipei, while assisting Taiwan. Washington and Beijing are embroiled in a trade war, slapping tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods. The United States is also pushing to restrict Chinese state-owned telecom companies over concerns about espionage, allegations rejected by China. President Donald Trump's administration is also considering confronting China over its detention of some 1 million Muslims in remote Xinjiang province at next week's UN meeting. Pence has criticized China for what he calls "debt-trap" lending practices to small countries, pushing them into debt and compromising their sovereignty. China denies those charges. "Countries that establish closer ties to China primarily out of the hope or expectation that such a step will stimulate economic growth and infrastructure development often find themselves worse off in the long run," the US official told Reuters. After the Solomon Islands decision, Taiwan has formal relations with only 16 countries, many of them small, less-developed nations in Central America and the Pacific. The Solomons, a former British protectorate that is home to about 600,000 people, had been the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to airfields and deepwater ports dating back to World War Two. After his July phone call with Pence, Sogavare sent him a letter, saying he was "favourably disposed of" to ask his Cabinet to defer a decision on its Taiwan ties until later in the year. Sogavare emphasized that he needed help from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan to develop infrastructure, a critical domestic issue for his government - according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Reuters. "It is the one agenda that has the potential to split the cabinet and could potentially cause the government to fall," Sogavare said in the letter. Beijing said on Tuesday that the Solomon Islands would have unprecedented development opportunities after cutting ties with Taiwan. China had offered $8.5 million in development funds to the Solomons ahead of its decision.

Pence rebuffs Solomon Islands PM after nation cuts ties with Taiwan

<p>President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran in the first response to what US officials say was likely <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-need-middle-east-oil-gas-but-will-help-our-allies-says-trump-after-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-aramco-250005">Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities</a>.</p>

<p>"I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!" Trump said in a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1174305447513186304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The United States already enforces widespread sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, including attempting to shut down its major oil export industry.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif reacting to the announcement said, United States' newly announced sanctions against Iran showed it was aiming at civilians.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump's move was an "admission that (the) US is DELIBERATELY targeting ordinary citizens," Zarif wrote on Twitter, adding the measures were "illegal" and "inhuman".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Escalating US economic WAR on Iranians, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> ordered SoT "to substantially increase sanctions against the COUNTRY of Iran!"<br />
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It’s admission that US is DELIBERATELY targeting ordinary citizens: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EconomicTerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EconomicTerrorism</a>, illegal &amp; inhuman.<br />
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ُStop war &amp; terror. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Security4All?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Security4All</a>.</p>
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<p>Trump's comments come after weekend drone strikes on two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which slashed the country's oil production by half and led both the kingdom and the United States to announce they may tap into their strategic reserves.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Saudi oil field attacks - Pompeo heads to Saudi as US blames Iran</strong></p>

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<p>Tehran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is bogged down in a five-year war, have claimed responsibility.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he exited a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program.</p>

<p>In response, Iran has gradually scaled back its commitments to limit uranium enrichment activity under the pact and plans to further breach it if European signatories fail to keep their promises to shield Iran's economy from US penalties.</p>


President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran in the first response to what US officials say was likely Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he said would be substantial new sanctions against Iran in the first response to what US officials say was likely Iranian involvement in an attack on Saudi oil facilities. "I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!" Trump said in a tweet. I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019 × The United States already enforces widespread sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, including attempting to shut down its major oil export industry. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif reacting to the announcement said, United States' newly announced sanctions against Iran showed it was aiming at civilians. President Donald Trump's move was an "admission that (the) US is DELIBERATELY targeting ordinary citizens," Zarif wrote on Twitter, adding the measures were "illegal" and "inhuman". Escalating US economic WAR on Iranians, @realDonaldTrump ordered SoT "to substantially increase sanctions against the COUNTRY of Iran!" It’s admission that US is DELIBERATELY targeting ordinary citizens: #EconomicTerrorism, illegal & inhuman. ُStop war & terror. #Security4All. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 18, 2019 × Trump's comments come after weekend drone strikes on two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which slashed the country's oil production by half and led both the kingdom and the United States to announce they may tap into their strategic reserves. Watch: Saudi oil field attacks - Pompeo heads to Saudi as US blames Iran × Tehran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is bogged down in a five-year war, have claimed responsibility. President Donald Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he exited a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program. In response, Iran has gradually scaled back its commitments to limit uranium enrichment activity under the pact and plans to further breach it if European signatories fail to keep their promises to shield Iran's economy from US penalties.

Trump administration to 'substantially increase' Iran sanctions

<p>US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named his point man for hostage situations, Robert O'Brien, to replace his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-asked-nsa-john-bolton-to-resign-tweets-us-president-donald-trump-248901">hawkish national security advisor</a> sacked just as relations with Iran are entering a new crisis point.</p>

<p>"I have worked long &amp; hard with Robert. He will do a great job!" Trump tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I have worked long &amp; hard with Robert. He will do a great job!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1174312984522309633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Last week, Trump abruptly fired John Bolton, a vigorous proponent of using US military force abroad and one of the main hawks in the administration on Iran.</p>

<p>O'Brien has until now served as Trump's envoy for situations involving US hostages abroad.</p>

<p>He comes into the new job with backing from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Republicans in Congress.</p>

<p>Bolton, by contrast, was a highly controversial figure in Washington. His instincts for an aggressive, interventionist foreign policy were at odds with Trump's more isolationist stance.</p>

<p>Bolton "wasn't getting along with people in the administration who I consider very important" and "wasn't in line with what we were doing," Bolton said.</p>

<p>O'Brien will become the fourth national security advisor in Trump's tumultuous first term.</p>

<p>He arrives just as Trump is coming under pressure from some in Washington to go to war with Iran in retaliation for an attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia last weekend that has been blamed on Tehran.</p>

<p>Moments before naming O'Brien as his new advisor, Trump announced he was ordering "substantially" increased sanctions against Iran, which is already buckling under US economic pressure.</p>

<p><strong>Hard edge</strong></p>

<p>A longtime lawyer and foreign policy advisor to Republicans, O'Brien has become one of Trump's favourites for his work on behalf of Americans held prisoner in far-flung places including North Korea and Turkey.</p>

<p>"I think he's fantastic," Trump said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>While such cases are termed "hostages" by Trump, this is far from always true. In the most unusual episode, O'Brien was dispatched to US ally Sweden to attend the trial of US rapper ASAP Rocky, who was accused of assault.</p>

<p>Although Bolton was seen as the ultimate representative of the neo-con wing in the Republican party, cheering for war in Iraq and pushing for regime change in Iran, O'Brien will bring his own hard edge to foreign policy.</p>

<p>In his 2016 book "While America Slept," O'Brien criticized what he called then outgoing president Barack Obama's attempt to present a more collaborative, dovish United States.</p>

<p>This meant "autocrats, tyrants, and terrorists were emboldened," he argued.</p>

<p>"In the face of rising challenges around the world, it is time to return to a national security policy based on 'peace through strength,'" he wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A strong America will be a nation that our allies will trust and our adversaries will not dare test."</p>

<p>O'Brien will find a stacked in-tray waiting for him at the White House, with Iran at the top of the pile.</p>

<p>While there are loud voices in Washington calling for the bombing of Iran following the Saudi oil facility strikes, Trump's instinct so far has been to resist expanding US foreign military entanglements.</p>

<p>Another vexing item for Trump is Afghanistan, where he has repeatedly said he wants to wind down the two-decade US military presence.</p>

<p>Peace talks with the Taliban and a surprise planned meeting between the insurgents and Trump himself, something apparently opposed by Bolton, were scrapped earlier this month.</p>

<p>Even bigger, if not such immediately combustible foreign policy headaches include the huge trade war with China and fears of a new arms race with Russia.</p>


US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named his point man for hostage situations, Robert O'Brien, to replace his hawkish national security advisor sacked just as relations with Iran are entering a new crisis point.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named his point man for hostage situations, Robert O'Brien, to replace his hawkish national security advisor sacked just as relations with Iran are entering a new crisis point. "I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job!" Trump tweeted. I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019 × Last week, Trump abruptly fired John Bolton, a vigorous proponent of using US military force abroad and one of the main hawks in the administration on Iran. O'Brien has until now served as Trump's envoy for situations involving US hostages abroad. He comes into the new job with backing from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Republicans in Congress. Bolton, by contrast, was a highly controversial figure in Washington. His instincts for an aggressive, interventionist foreign policy were at odds with Trump's more isolationist stance. Bolton "wasn't getting along with people in the administration who I consider very important" and "wasn't in line with what we were doing," Bolton said. O'Brien will become the fourth national security advisor in Trump's tumultuous first term. He arrives just as Trump is coming under pressure from some in Washington to go to war with Iran in retaliation for an attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia last weekend that has been blamed on Tehran. Moments before naming O'Brien as his new advisor, Trump announced he was ordering "substantially" increased sanctions against Iran, which is already buckling under US economic pressure. Hard edge A longtime lawyer and foreign policy advisor to Republicans, O'Brien has become one of Trump's favourites for his work on behalf of Americans held prisoner in far-flung places including North Korea and Turkey. "I think he's fantastic," Trump said on Tuesday. While such cases are termed "hostages" by Trump, this is far from always true. In the most unusual episode, O'Brien was dispatched to US ally Sweden to attend the trial of US rapper ASAP Rocky, who was accused of assault. Although Bolton was seen as the ultimate representative of the neo-con wing in the Republican party, cheering for war in Iraq and pushing for regime change in Iran, O'Brien will bring his own hard edge to foreign policy. In his 2016 book "While America Slept," O'Brien criticized what he called then outgoing president Barack Obama's attempt to present a more collaborative, dovish United States. This meant "autocrats, tyrants, and terrorists were emboldened," he argued. "In the face of rising challenges around the world, it is time to return to a national security policy based on 'peace through strength,'" he wrote. "A strong America will be a nation that our allies will trust and our adversaries will not dare test." O'Brien will find a stacked in-tray waiting for him at the White House, with Iran at the top of the pile. While there are loud voices in Washington calling for the bombing of Iran following the Saudi oil facility strikes, Trump's instinct so far has been to resist expanding US foreign military entanglements. Another vexing item for Trump is Afghanistan, where he has repeatedly said he wants to wind down the two-decade US military presence. Peace talks with the Taliban and a surprise planned meeting between the insurgents and Trump himself, something apparently opposed by Bolton, were scrapped earlier this month. Even bigger, if not such immediately combustible foreign policy headaches include the huge trade war with China and fears of a new arms race with Russia.

Robert C O'Brien to be new US National Security Advisor: Trump

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid7F97xzhKRJpC" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Known for acting on impulse, President Donald Trump has adopted an uncharacteristically go-slow approach over whether to hold Iran responsible for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, showing little enthusiasm for confrontation as he seeks re-election next year.</p>

<p>After state-owned Saudi Aramco's plants were struck on Saturday, Trump did not wait long to fire off a tweet that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran.</p>

<p>But four days later, Trump has no timetable for action. Instead, he wants to wait and see the results of investigations into what happened and is sending Pompeo to consult counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week.</p>

<p>"There's plenty of time," Trump told reporters on Monday. "You know, there's no rush. We'll all be here a long time. There's no rush."</p>

<p>Two US&nbsp;officials told on Tuesday that Washington believes the attack was launched from Iran, with one of them saying it originated in Iran's southwest.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;officials say Trump, who is famously skeptical of his intelligence community, wants to ensure the culprit is positively identified in a way that will pass muster not only with him but with the American people.</p>

<p>"In responding to the greatest attack on the global oil markets in history, I think not rushing to respond and ensuring everybody is on the same page is where we should be," said a US&nbsp;official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>

<p>Trump's stance today is in stark contrast to 2017, less than three months into his presidency, when he waited only two days before launching air strikes to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces for a chemical weapons attack.</p>


Known for acting on impulse, President Donald Trump has adopted an uncharacteristically go-slow approach over whether to hold Iran responsible for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, showing little enthusiasm for confrontation as he seeks re-election next year.

Known for acting on impulse, President Donald Trump has adopted an uncharacteristically go-slow approach over whether to hold Iran responsible for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, showing little enthusiasm for confrontation as he seeks re-election next year. After state-owned Saudi Aramco's plants were struck on Saturday, Trump did not wait long to fire off a tweet that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran. But four days later, Trump has no timetable for action. Instead, he wants to wait and see the results of investigations into what happened and is sending Pompeo to consult counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this week. "There's plenty of time," Trump told reporters on Monday. "You know, there's no rush. We'll all be here a long time. There's no rush." Two US officials told on Tuesday that Washington believes the attack was launched from Iran, with one of them saying it originated in Iran's southwest. US officials say Trump, who is famously skeptical of his intelligence community, wants to ensure the culprit is positively identified in a way that will pass muster not only with him but with the American people. "In responding to the greatest attack on the global oil markets in history, I think not rushing to respond and ensuring everybody is on the same page is where we should be," said a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Trump's stance today is in stark contrast to 2017, less than three months into his presidency, when he waited only two days before launching air strikes to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces for a chemical weapons attack.

Wary of conflict with Iran, Trump takes go-slow approach to attack on Saudi oil

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 18th, 2019

The U.S. vs Edward Snowden: the U.S. sues ex-spy agency employee Snowden

U.S. sues ex-spy agency employee Snowden

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Indian-Americans at Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas on September 22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a major diplomatic development, President Donald Trump will also attend the event which will celebrate&nbsp;the contributions of Indian-Americans.&nbsp;The diaspora summit is being organised by the Texas India Forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is a big diplomatic boost for India and shows the proximity between the two leaders. Trump's participation also symbolises that the ties between India and the US remain intact and strategic partnership continues to grow despite the countries facing some tensions like the trade conflict.</p>

<p>Trump and Modi are expected to discuss ways to deepen the energy and trade ties between the world's oldest and largest democracies</p>

<p>It will also be a good opportunity for Trump to interact with a strong crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans who are an influential voter base in the US.</p>

<p>Elections are due in the US in 2020 and Texas is estimated to have more than 2.5 lakh Indian-Americans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also means clear support to India on the Kashmir issue. Earlier at G7 Summit in August, Trump had clarified that the US considers Kashmir a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.</p>

<p>This will certainly give jitters to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who had claimed a victory after Trump on July 22 had announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to meditate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan stands isolated on the global front. Ignoring Khan's appeal, Islamic countries have also maintained that Kashmir is India's integral issue. Left with no choice, Imran Khan and his ministers have been threatening India with a Nuclear War.</p>

<p>The event will give&nbsp;a clear message to Pakistan ahead of annual UN General Assembly session on September 27 when Modi and Imran are scheduled to address global leaders on Kasmir issue.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;</em></p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Indian-Americans at Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas on September 22. In a major diplomatic development, President Donald Trump will also attend the event which will celebrate the contributions of Indian-Americans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing Indian-Americans at Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas on September 22. In a major diplomatic development, President Donald Trump will also attend the event which will celebrate the contributions of Indian-Americans. The diaspora summit is being organised by the Texas India Forum. It is a big diplomatic boost for India and shows the proximity between the two leaders. Trump's participation also symbolises that the ties between India and the US remain intact and strategic partnership continues to grow despite the countries facing some tensions like the trade conflict. Trump and Modi are expected to discuss ways to deepen the energy and trade ties between the world's oldest and largest democracies It will also be a good opportunity for Trump to interact with a strong crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans who are an influential voter base in the US. Elections are due in the US in 2020 and Texas is estimated to have more than 2.5 lakh Indian-Americans. It also means clear support to India on the Kashmir issue. Earlier at G7 Summit in August, Trump had clarified that the US considers Kashmir a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. This will certainly give jitters to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who had claimed a victory after Trump on July 22 had announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to meditate. Pakistan stands isolated on the global front. Ignoring Khan's appeal, Islamic countries have also maintained that Kashmir is India's integral issue. Left with no choice, Imran Khan and his ministers have been threatening India with a Nuclear War. The event will give a clear message to Pakistan ahead of annual UN General Assembly session on September 27 when Modi and Imran are scheduled to address global leaders on Kasmir issue. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How 'Howdy, Modi' event benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump - and upsets Imran Khan

<p>Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, steadying after Saudi Arabia said it will restore by the end of the month production lost in weekend attacks on its facilities.</p>

<p>Prices plummeted 6 per cent on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia's energy minister said the country had managed to restore oil supplies to customers to where they stood before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-aramco-pursues-ipo-planning-despite-attack-damage-doubts-250228">attacks</a> on its facilities that shut 5 per cent of global oil output by drawing from its huge inventories.</p>

<p>But tension in the region remained elevated after the United States said it believed the attacks on the world's top oil exporter originated in southwestern Iran. Iran has denied involvement in the strikes.</p>

<p>Brent crude oil futures were flat at $64.55 a barrel by 0732 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 15 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $59.19 a barrel, after sinking 5.7 per cent on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"Considering limited spare (production) capacity outside Saudi Arabia and risks of renewed attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure, a risk premium is likely to stay on oil prices in the foreseeable future," UBS analysts said in a note.</p>

<p>Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday that average oil production in September and October would be 9.89 million barrels per day and that the world's top oil exporter would ensure full oil supply commitments to its customers this month.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-aramco-trading-arm-wants-refined-products-after-attacks-sources-250148">Saudi Aramco</a> has informed some Asian refiners that it will supply full allocated volumes of crude oil in October, albeit with some changes.</p>

<p>Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear accord last year and reimposed sanctions on its oil exports.</p>

<p>Tehran on Tuesday ruled out talks with Trump.</p>

<p>"The oil market is facing challenging times. Recent attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia have painfully demonstrated the risks to oil supply, which is why short-term price spikes are possible at any time," Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said.</p>

<p>Still, fundamental supply and demand balances in the oil market are deteriorating, Fritsch added, forecasting Brent oil prices of $60 a barrel next year.</p>

<p>"Demand growth is weakening, oil supply outside OPEC is rising significantly and OPEC+'s production discipline has recently faded," he said.</p>

<p>The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and a number of other producing nations including Russia agreed last year to cut output by 1.2 million bpd to reduce global stocks and prop up prices.</p>

<p>US crude inventories rose by 592,000 barrels in the week ended Sept. 13 to 422.5 million, data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed on Tuesday. Analysts had expected a decrease of 2.5 million barrels.</p>

<p>Official US government data will be released later on Wednesday.</p>


Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, steadying after Saudi Arabia said it will restore by the end of the month production lost in weekend attacks on its facilities.

Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, steadying after Saudi Arabia said it will restore by the end of the month production lost in weekend attacks on its facilities. Prices plummeted 6 per cent on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia's energy minister said the country had managed to restore oil supplies to customers to where they stood before the attacks on its facilities that shut 5 per cent of global oil output by drawing from its huge inventories. But tension in the region remained elevated after the United States said it believed the attacks on the world's top oil exporter originated in southwestern Iran. Iran has denied involvement in the strikes. Brent crude oil futures were flat at $64.55 a barrel by 0732 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 15 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $59.19 a barrel, after sinking 5.7 per cent on Tuesday. "Considering limited spare (production) capacity outside Saudi Arabia and risks of renewed attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure, a risk premium is likely to stay on oil prices in the foreseeable future," UBS analysts said in a note. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday that average oil production in September and October would be 9.89 million barrels per day and that the world's top oil exporter would ensure full oil supply commitments to its customers this month. Saudi Aramco has informed some Asian refiners that it will supply full allocated volumes of crude oil in October, albeit with some changes. Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear accord last year and reimposed sanctions on its oil exports. Tehran on Tuesday ruled out talks with Trump. "The oil market is facing challenging times. Recent attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia have painfully demonstrated the risks to oil supply, which is why short-term price spikes are possible at any time," Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said. Still, fundamental supply and demand balances in the oil market are deteriorating, Fritsch added, forecasting Brent oil prices of $60 a barrel next year. "Demand growth is weakening, oil supply outside OPEC is rising significantly and OPEC+'s production discipline has recently faded," he said. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and a number of other producing nations including Russia agreed last year to cut output by 1.2 million bpd to reduce global stocks and prop up prices. US crude inventories rose by 592,000 barrels in the week ended Sept. 13 to 422.5 million, data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed on Tuesday. Analysts had expected a decrease of 2.5 million barrels. Official US government data will be released later on Wednesday.

Oil steadies after Saudi pledges to restore output lost in attacks

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidQm5yuexg5GRV" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Iran will never hold one-on-one talks with the United States, but could engage in multilateral discussions if Washington returns to the 2015 nuclear deal, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday, according to state TV.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump has said he could meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, possibly at the UN General Assembly in New York later in September.</p>

<p>"Iranian officials, at any level, will never talk to American officials ... this is part of their (US) policy to put pressure on Iran ... their policy of maximum pressure will fail," state TV quoted Khamenei as saying.</p>

<p>"If America changes its behaviour and returns to (Iran's 2015) nuclear deal, then it can join multilateral talks between Iran and other parties to the deal", Khamenei added, according to the report.</p>

<p>Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he withdrew from the nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers.</p>

<p>"If we yield to their pressure and hold talks with Americans ... This will show that their maximum pressure on Iran has succeeded. They should know that this policy has no value for us," said Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters.</p>

<p>Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked following a weekend attack on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia that the United States said Iran was responsible for. Iran denies the charge.</p>


Iran will never hold one-on-one talks with the United States, but could engage in multilateral discussions if Washington returns to the 2015 nuclear deal, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday, according to state TV.

Iran will never hold one-on-one talks with the United States, but could engage in multilateral discussions if Washington returns to the 2015 nuclear deal, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday, according to state TV. US President Donald Trump has said he could meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, possibly at the UN General Assembly in New York later in September. "Iranian officials, at any level, will never talk to American officials ... this is part of their (US) policy to put pressure on Iran ... their policy of maximum pressure will fail," state TV quoted Khamenei as saying. "If America changes its behaviour and returns to (Iran's 2015) nuclear deal, then it can join multilateral talks between Iran and other parties to the deal", Khamenei added, according to the report. Trump has stepped up sanctions against Iran since last year when he withdrew from the nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers. "If we yield to their pressure and hold talks with Americans ... This will show that their maximum pressure on Iran has succeeded. They should know that this policy has no value for us," said Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked following a weekend attack on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia that the United States said Iran was responsible for. Iran denies the charge.

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei rejects one-on-one talks with United States

Donald Trump to meet Indian and Pak PM soon. Watch video to know more.

Donald Trump to meet Indian and Pak PM soon

<p>US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours.</p>

<p>While Trump said that he will be addressing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hails-trumps-special-gesture-towards-houston-diaspora-event-howdy-modi-249898">&nbsp;`Howdy, Modi!`</a> event along with PM Modi, he did not say when and where he will be meeting Khan.</p>

<p>Replying to a question about his participation in `Howdy, Modi!` event in Houston this Sunday, Trump said, "I will see Prime Minister Modi and I will be meeting with India and Pakistan and I think a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-modi-addressing-howdy-modi-event-reflects-personal-chemistry-between-two-indian-us-envoy-249891"> lot of progress</a> has been made there...lot of progress".</p>

<p>Earlier White House had confirmed the participation of Trump in &nbsp;`Howdy, Modi!` event, believed to be one of the largest events to welcome a foreign head of government ever in the history of the United States.</p>

<p>It will mark the first time that the two leaders would meet outside of either capital Washington DC or New York, where the United Nations is headquartered.</p>

<p>Over 50,000 people have already been registered for the event, which will be hosted by the Texas India Forum.</p>

<p>Tensions have heightened between India and Pakistan after India rescinded Article 370 from the Indian constitution and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.&nbsp;</p>


US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, Texas and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amid rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. While Trump said that he will be addressing the `Howdy, Modi!` event along with PM Modi, he did not say when and where he will be meeting Khan. Replying to a question about his participation in `Howdy, Modi!` event in Houston this Sunday, Trump said, "I will see Prime Minister Modi and I will be meeting with India and Pakistan and I think a lot of progress has been made there...lot of progress". Earlier White House had confirmed the participation of Trump in `Howdy, Modi!` event, believed to be one of the largest events to welcome a foreign head of government ever in the history of the United States. It will mark the first time that the two leaders would meet outside of either capital Washington DC or New York, where the United Nations is headquartered. Over 50,000 people have already been registered for the event, which will be hosted by the Texas India Forum. Tensions have heightened between India and Pakistan after India rescinded Article 370 from the Indian constitution and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

US President Trump says he will meet Modi, Imran Khan soon amid 'a lot of progress' in Kashmir

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 17th, 2019

Watch in WION Dispatch: Russia says It's ready to help Saudi.

WION Dispatch: Russia says It's ready to help Saudi

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidQm5yuexg5GRV" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>US President Donald Trump said on Monday said it looked like Iran was behind attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia but stressed he did not want to go to war, as the attacks sent oil prices soaring and raised fears of a new Middle East conflict.</p>

<p>Iran has rejected US charges it was behind the strikes on Saturday that damaged the world's biggest crude-processing plant and triggered the largest jump in crude prices in decades.</p>

<p>Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear accord last year and reimposed sanctions over Tehran's nuclear and ballistic programs. Washington also wants to pressure Tehran to end its support of regional proxy forces, including in Yemen where Saudi forces have been fighting Iran-backed Houthis for four years.</p>

<p>The United States was still investigating if Iran was behind the Saudi strikes, Trump said, but "it's certainly looking that way at this moment."</p>

<p>Trump, who has spent much of his presidency trying to disentangle the United States from wars he inherited, made clear, however, he was not going to rush into a new conflict on behalf of Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>"I'm somebody that would like not to have war," Trump said.</p>

<p>Several US Cabinet members, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Energy Secretary Rick Perry, have blamed Tehran for the strikes. Pompeo and others will travel to Saudi Arabia soon, Trump said.</p>

<p>A day after saying the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond to the incident, Trump said on Monday there was "no rush" to do so.</p>

<p>"We have a lot of options but I'm not looking at options right now. We want to find definitively who did this," he said.</p>

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the strikes were carried out by "Yemeni people" retaliating for attacks by a Saudi-led military coalition in a war with the Houthi movement.</p>

<p>"Yemeni people are exercising their legitimate right of defence," Rouhani told reporters during a visit to Ankara.</p>

<p>Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi called the allegations "unacceptable and entirely baseless."</p>

<p>The attacks cut 5% of world crude oil production.</p>

<p>Oil prices surged by as much as 19% after the incidents but later came off their peaks. The intraday jump was the biggest since the 1990-91 Gulf crisis over Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.</p>

<p>The market eased from its peak after Trump said he would release U.S.&nbsp;</p>

<p>emergency supplies and producers said there were enough stocks stored up worldwide to make up for the shortfall. Prices were around 12% higher by afternoon in the United States.</p>


US President Donald Trump said on Monday said it looked like Iran was behind attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia but stressed he did not want to go to war, as the attacks sent oil prices soaring and raised fears of a new Middle East conflict.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday said it looked like Iran was behind attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia but stressed he did not want to go to war, as the attacks sent oil prices soaring and raised fears of a new Middle East conflict. Iran has rejected US charges it was behind the strikes on Saturday that damaged the world's biggest crude-processing plant and triggered the largest jump in crude prices in decades. Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear accord last year and reimposed sanctions over Tehran's nuclear and ballistic programs. Washington also wants to pressure Tehran to end its support of regional proxy forces, including in Yemen where Saudi forces have been fighting Iran-backed Houthis for four years. The United States was still investigating if Iran was behind the Saudi strikes, Trump said, but "it's certainly looking that way at this moment." Trump, who has spent much of his presidency trying to disentangle the United States from wars he inherited, made clear, however, he was not going to rush into a new conflict on behalf of Saudi Arabia. "I'm somebody that would like not to have war," Trump said. Several US Cabinet members, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Energy Secretary Rick Perry, have blamed Tehran for the strikes. Pompeo and others will travel to Saudi Arabia soon, Trump said. A day after saying the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond to the incident, Trump said on Monday there was "no rush" to do so. "We have a lot of options but I'm not looking at options right now. We want to find definitively who did this," he said. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the strikes were carried out by "Yemeni people" retaliating for attacks by a Saudi-led military coalition in a war with the Houthi movement. "Yemeni people are exercising their legitimate right of defence," Rouhani told reporters during a visit to Ankara. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi called the allegations "unacceptable and entirely baseless." The attacks cut 5% of world crude oil production. Oil prices surged by as much as 19% after the incidents but later came off their peaks. The intraday jump was the biggest since the 1990-91 Gulf crisis over Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The market eased from its peak after Trump said he would release U.S. emergency supplies and producers said there were enough stocks stored up worldwide to make up for the shortfall. Prices were around 12% higher by afternoon in the United States.

US President Trump says he does not want war after attack on Saudi oil facilities

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