India is using 95 per cent of waters from three eastern rivers - Ravi, Sutlej and Beas - under the Indus Water Treaty. India on Thursday announced that it will be diverting waters of the three rivers <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-cant-unilaterally-end-indus-water-treaty-islamabad-on-new-delhis-move-to-stop-sharing-water-flow-to-pakistan-198841">to stop its flow to Pakistan</a>.&nbsp;

New Delhi now wants to make sure it utilizes the entire water share of the rivers and is working on three projects to achieve the same - Shahpurkandi project, Ujh multipurpose project and second Ravi Beas link.

33 million acre-feet (MAF) of the three rivers are allocated to India for exclusive use. India has the full right to waters from the three eastern rivers under the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960 between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pak President Ayub Khan.&nbsp;

Currently, about 2 MAF of water flows unutilized to Pakistan from river Ravi.&nbsp;

Shahpurkandi project

The Shahpurkandi project will help utilize water from Ranjit Sagar Dam on river Ravi and will help irrigate 37,000 hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. It will also help generate 206 MW of power.

It was to be completed by September 2016 but due to a disagreement between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab government, the project was suspended. On September 8, both the states came to an agreement and the project's construction was resumed.

Ujh multipurpose project

The project is on river Ujh which is a tributary of Ravi river and will create storage of 781 million cubic meters and is expected to irrigate 31,380 ha of Kathua, Hiranagar and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The project was approved in July 2017 at the total cost of Rs 5850 crore.

Second Ravi Beas link below Ujh

The project involves constructing a barrage on Ravi river for diverting water through a tunnel link to Beas basin. This will help India tap excess water flowing to Pakistan from Ravi even after constructing the Ranjit Sagar dam.

India has been able to use 95% of the waters from the three rivers with the help of four dams and three projects. While 4 dams - Bhakra Dam on Satluj, Pong and Pandoh Dam on Beas and Ranjit Sagar dam on Ravi - help India store water, projects such as Beas-Sutlej link, Madhopur-Beas link and Indira Gandhi Nahar project help New Delhi utilise 95% of the water share.

After the Uri attack, Prime minister Narendra Modi had chaired a high-level meeting in which it was decided that New Delhi will be using its full right on the three eastern rivers. PM had said in the meeting, "blood and water cannot flow together".&nbsp;

Pakistan, under the Indus Water Treaty, has the right to three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab - whose water average around 135 million acre-feet (MAF). India can use the water from the western rivers for domestic use, non-consumptive use, agricultural use and for the generation of hydroelectric power with certain conditions as provided in the Treaty.

India is using 95 per cent of waters from three eastern rivers - Ravi, Sutlej and Beas - under the Indus Water Treaty. India on Thursday announced that it will be diverting waters of the three rivers to stop its flow to Pakistan.

India is using 95 per cent of waters from three eastern rivers - Ravi, Sutlej and Beas - under the Indus Water Treaty. India on Thursday announced that it will be diverting waters of the three rivers to stop its flow to Pakistan. New Delhi now wants to make sure it utilizes the entire water share of the rivers and is working on three projects to achieve the same - Shahpurkandi project, Ujh multipurpose project and second Ravi Beas link. 33 million acre-feet (MAF) of the three rivers are allocated to India for exclusive use. India has the full right to waters from the three eastern rivers under the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960 between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pak President Ayub Khan. Currently, about 2 MAF of water flows unutilized to Pakistan from river Ravi. Shahpurkandi project The Shahpurkandi project will help utilize water from Ranjit Sagar Dam on river Ravi and will help irrigate 37,000 hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. It will also help generate 206 MW of power. It was to be completed by September 2016 but due to a disagreement between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab government, the project was suspended. On September 8, both the states came to an agreement and the project's construction was resumed. Ujh multipurpose project The project is on river Ujh which is a tributary of Ravi river and will create storage of 781 million cubic meters and is expected to irrigate 31,380 ha of Kathua, Hiranagar and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The project was approved in July 2017 at the total cost of Rs 5850 crore. Second Ravi Beas link below Ujh The project involves constructing a barrage on Ravi river for diverting water through a tunnel link to Beas basin. This will help India tap excess water flowing to Pakistan from Ravi even after constructing the Ranjit Sagar dam. India has been able to use 95% of the waters from the three rivers with the help of four dams and three projects. While 4 dams - Bhakra Dam on Satluj, Pong and Pandoh Dam on Beas and Ranjit Sagar dam on Ravi - help India store water, projects such as Beas-Sutlej link, Madhopur-Beas link and Indira Gandhi Nahar project help New Delhi utilise 95% of the water share. After the Uri attack, Prime minister Narendra Modi had chaired a high-level meeting in which it was decided that New Delhi will be using its full right on the three eastern rivers. PM had said in the meeting, "blood and water cannot flow together". Pakistan, under the Indus Water Treaty, has the right to three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab - whose water average around 135 million acre-feet (MAF). India can use the water from the western rivers for domestic use, non-consumptive use, agricultural use and for the generation of hydroelectric power with certain conditions as provided in the Treaty.

India uses 95% of water share provided under Indus Water Treaty; aims to utilise full by building 3 projects

In a major development and victory for India's diplomatic campaign against Pakistan, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has not only condemned <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/pulwama-attack-cannot-be-allowed-to-go-unanswered-198875">the Pulwama terror attack </a>but also mentioned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM), the group responsible for the attack. The motion for the press statement was moved by the United States.

UN Security Council in a press statement said, "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing... for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility".

The resolution was adopted unanimously by the UNSC (permanent and non permanent members). It contains specific language that India had proposed via partner countries including on the naming of JeM, and bring perpetrators to justice.

This is significant since China is one of the 5 permanent members of UNSC. The other 4 are - US, Russia, UK and France. China did try to create issues due to which negotiations were prolonged.

China has been blocking the listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under 1267 committee of UNSC and has blocked India's bid to list him many times citing lack of consensus. France is expected again to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-couple-of-days-france-to-move-proposal-at-un-to-ban-jem-chief-masood-azhar-198359">propose his listing</a>.

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A statement with many firsts takes more time than expected. 
 
In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zerotolerance4terror?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zerotolerance4terror</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaiHind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaiHind</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ZbIg1wYh0">pic.twitter.com/2ZbIg1wYh0</a>
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/AkbaruddinIndia/status/1098787124751618049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The members of the Security Council also expressed their "deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims" as well as to the "Indian people and the government of India, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured."

Further, reaffirming that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold the "perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice".

Without taking names, the UN body urged all states to cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The UNSC reiterated that any acts of terrorism are "criminal and unjustifiable" regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.&nbsp;

Last week's terror that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel was the worst in the state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir in more than 2 decades.

India in the aftermath of Pulwama attack has withdrawn the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-most-favoured-nation-status-accorded-to-pakistan-after-pulwama-attack-197540">Most Favoured Nation</a> (MFN) status to Islamabad, hiking customs duty on Pak imports by 200% and has unleashed a diplomatic campaign to isolate the country.

New Delhi has briefed more than 30 foreign envoys from ASEAN, Africa, Central Asia, permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nation Security Council about Pakistan's involvement in the terror attack.

In a major development and victory for India's diplomatic campaign against Pakistan, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has not only condemned the Pulwama terror attack but also mentioned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM), the group responsible for the attack.

In a major development and victory for India's diplomatic campaign against Pakistan, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has not only condemned the Pulwama terror attack but also mentioned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM), the group responsible for the attack. The motion for the press statement was moved by the United States. UN Security Council in a press statement said, "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing... for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility". The resolution was adopted unanimously by the UNSC (permanent and non permanent members). It contains specific language that India had proposed via partner countries including on the naming of JeM, and bring perpetrators to justice. This is significant since China is one of the 5 permanent members of UNSC. The other 4 are - US, Russia, UK and France. China did try to create issues due to which negotiations were prolonged. China has been blocking the listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under 1267 committee of UNSC and has blocked India's bid to list him many times citing lack of consensus. France is expected again to propose his listing. A statement with many firsts takes more time than expected. In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never. #zerotolerance4terror#JaiHind pic.twitter.com/2ZbIg1wYh0 — Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) February 22, 2019 × The members of the Security Council also expressed their "deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims" as well as to the "Indian people and the government of India, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured." Further, reaffirming that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold the "perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice". Without taking names, the UN body urged all states to cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard. The UNSC reiterated that any acts of terrorism are "criminal and unjustifiable" regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. Last week's terror that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel was the worst in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in more than 2 decades. India in the aftermath of Pulwama attack has withdrawn the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Islamabad, hiking customs duty on Pak imports by 200% and has unleashed a diplomatic campaign to isolate the country. New Delhi has briefed more than 30 foreign envoys from ASEAN, Africa, Central Asia, permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nation Security Council about Pakistan's involvement in the terror attack.

Pulwama attack: UN Security Council condemns 'heinous and cowardly suicide bombing'

A day after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-nsc-meeting-pakistan-bans-hafiz-saeed-led-jud-charity-wing-falah-e-insaniat-foundation-198808">Pakistan banned 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind</a> Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (Jud) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), New Delhi reacted saying these are just cosmetic response which Pakistan is scrambling to put.&nbsp;

Top sources in New Delhi told WION, "Pakistan's scrambling to put together a response, even this cosmetic response is evidence of the coordinated diplomatic campaign that India has undertaken across multiple capitals and in Delhi".

Adding further, sources said due to rising diplomatic pressure from New Delhi, "Pakistan is increasingly getting isolated globally and is acting in desperation to be seen as taking action."

In the wake of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/pulwama-attack-cannot-be-allowed-to-go-unanswered-198875">Pulwama terror attack</a> that killed over 40 CRPF personnel, India has started a diplomatic campaign to isolate Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs has briefed envoys of over 30 countries from ASEAN, Africa, permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about Pakistan's involvement in the gruesome terror attack.

The source added, "Many countries have unequivocally condemned the Pulwama attack with a number of them directly calling for JeM to be held accountable".&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/members-of-council-condemn-heinous-and-cowardly-suicide-bombing-unsc-on-pulwama-terror-attack-198830">UNSC has also condemned the attack</a> and named Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) - Pakistan-based terror outfit&nbsp;which took responsibility for last week's attack. It is interesting to know the banning by Pakistan of the terrorist group comes when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is due to meet in Paris.&nbsp;

Sources said, "This diplomatic campaign has seen a specific thrust at the United Nations with the Security Council's condemnation of the attack. India worked behind the scenes and at the FATF where a current review of Pakistan's status as a country sponsoring and abetting terrorism is under review."

Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list last year which means the country comes under financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT) -- simply put, for&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;financing of terror.

&nbsp;

A day after Pakistan banned 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (Jud) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), New Delhi reacted saying these are just cosmetic response which Pakistan is scrambling to put.

A day after Pakistan banned 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (Jud) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), New Delhi reacted saying these are just cosmetic response which Pakistan is scrambling to put. Top sources in New Delhi told WION, "Pakistan's scrambling to put together a response, even this cosmetic response is evidence of the coordinated diplomatic campaign that India has undertaken across multiple capitals and in Delhi". Adding further, sources said due to rising diplomatic pressure from New Delhi, "Pakistan is increasingly getting isolated globally and is acting in desperation to be seen as taking action." In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel, India has started a diplomatic campaign to isolate Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs has briefed envoys of over 30 countries from ASEAN, Africa, permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about Pakistan's involvement in the gruesome terror attack. The source added, "Many countries have unequivocally condemned the Pulwama attack with a number of them directly calling for JeM to be held accountable". The UNSC has also condemned the attack and named Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) - Pakistan-based terror outfit which took responsibility for last week's attack. It is interesting to know the banning by Pakistan of the terrorist group comes when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is due to meet in Paris. Sources said, "This diplomatic campaign has seen a specific thrust at the United Nations with the Security Council's condemnation of the attack. India worked behind the scenes and at the FATF where a current review of Pakistan's status as a country sponsoring and abetting terrorism is under review." Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list last year which means the country comes under financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT) -- simply put, for supporting financing of terror.

Pakistan is getting globally isolated; move to ban JuD, FIF is cosmetic response to our diplomatic campaign: India

The International Olympic Committee have suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi.&nbsp;

India denied&nbsp;entry visas for two Pak shooters who were due to take part in a World Cup event in New Delhi this weekend. The move followed last week's deadly terror attack by a Pakistan-based militant group in the Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama which killed over 40 CRPF personnel.

India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to control the militant groups responsible for the Kashmir attacks. Pakistan has denied any involvement.

The IOC said the refusal of visas for competitors went against the principles of the Olympic charter relating to discrimination and political interference from the host country.&nbsp;

"Since becoming aware of the issue, and in spite of intense last-minute ... efforts ... and discussions with the Indian government authorities, no solution has been found to allow the Pakistani delegation to enter India in time to compete," the IOC statement said.

"As a result, the IOC Executive Board also decided to suspend all discussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in India," it said.&nbsp;

The body also urged all international sports federations not to hold events in India, or grant hosting rights to the country for future competitions, until the government had provided "clear written guarantees" to ensure access for all athletes.

The Indian Olympic Association last year laid out an ambitious roadmap to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2032.&nbsp;

The shooters were scheduled to take part in the 25m pistol event and the IOC said two spots at next year's Tokyo Olympics that had been up for grabs in that competition had been revoked.

The International Shooting Sport Federation said on Wednesday it faced "an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition" because of the Kashmir attack.

The IOC said Olympic berths would still be up for grabs in other events.

"The IOC restricted the withdrawal of recognition as an Olympic qualification event to the 25m rapid fire pistol competition in which the two Pakistani athletes were supposed to participate," it said.

"This happened in the interest of the other 500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the other events who are already in India for their competition."

The International Olympic Committee have suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi.

The International Olympic Committee have suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi. India denied entry visas for two Pak shooters who were due to take part in a World Cup event in New Delhi this weekend. The move followed last week's deadly terror attack by a Pakistan-based militant group in the Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama which killed over 40 CRPF personnel. India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to control the militant groups responsible for the Kashmir attacks. Pakistan has denied any involvement. The IOC said the refusal of visas for competitors went against the principles of the Olympic charter relating to discrimination and political interference from the host country. "Since becoming aware of the issue, and in spite of intense last-minute ... efforts ... and discussions with the Indian government authorities, no solution has been found to allow the Pakistani delegation to enter India in time to compete," the IOC statement said. "As a result, the IOC Executive Board also decided to suspend all discussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in India," it said. The body also urged all international sports federations not to hold events in India, or grant hosting rights to the country for future competitions, until the government had provided "clear written guarantees" to ensure access for all athletes. The Indian Olympic Association last year laid out an ambitious roadmap to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2032. The shooters were scheduled to take part in the 25m pistol event and the IOC said two spots at next year's Tokyo Olympics that had been up for grabs in that competition had been revoked. The International Shooting Sport Federation said on Wednesday it faced "an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition" because of the Kashmir attack. The IOC said Olympic berths would still be up for grabs in other events. "The IOC restricted the withdrawal of recognition as an Olympic qualification event to the 25m rapid fire pistol competition in which the two Pakistani athletes were supposed to participate," it said. "This happened in the interest of the other 500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the other events who are already in India for their competition."

Olympics: IOC punishes India, urges isolation after New Delhi denied visas to Pak athletes over Pulwama

Iran is to launch a three-day annual navy drill from Friday in a vast area of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean including a sensitive global shipping route, state TV reported on Thursday.

"The drill will be held in the waters of Strait of Hormuz, Makran coast, Oman Sea and the north of the Indian Ocean, covering 2 million square kilometres and going on for three days," said Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, Iran's navy commander.

The exercise aims to evaluate the navy's equipment, practice launching weapons and "enable the troops to gain readiness for a real battle," he added.

The strait at the mouth of the Gulf is crucial to global energy supplies, with about a third of the world's seaborne oil passing through it every day.

The show of military might comes at a time of heightened tensions with Iran's main regional rival Saudi Arabia and with Washington, which last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The Strait of Hormuz is an international transit route where American forces routinely pass and which has seen tense encounters between them and Iranian forces in the past.

Dubbed as "Velayat 97," the drill will showcase Iran's submarines, warships, helicopters and drones, according to the admiral.

The exercise will also include missile launches from the vessels, Khanzadi added. 
&nbsp;

Iran is to launch a three-day annual navy drill from Friday in a vast area of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean including a sensitive global shipping route, state TV reported on Thursday.

Iran is to launch a three-day annual navy drill from Friday in a vast area of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean including a sensitive global shipping route, state TV reported on Thursday. "The drill will be held in the waters of Strait of Hormuz, Makran coast, Oman Sea and the north of the Indian Ocean, covering 2 million square kilometres and going on for three days," said Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, Iran's navy commander. The exercise aims to evaluate the navy's equipment, practice launching weapons and "enable the troops to gain readiness for a real battle," he added. The strait at the mouth of the Gulf is crucial to global energy supplies, with about a third of the world's seaborne oil passing through it every day. The show of military might comes at a time of heightened tensions with Iran's main regional rival Saudi Arabia and with Washington, which last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The Strait of Hormuz is an international transit route where American forces routinely pass and which has seen tense encounters between them and Iranian forces in the past. Dubbed as "Velayat 97," the drill will showcase Iran's submarines, warships, helicopters and drones, according to the admiral. The exercise will also include missile launches from the vessels, Khanzadi added.

Iran announces 3-day navy drill from Gulf to Indian Ocean

Shortly after India decided to stop sharing water with Pakistan, the neighbouring South Asian nation reacted calling New Delhi's move a political one.&nbsp;

Government sources told WION that Pak Indus Water Commissioner has reacted over the report of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-has-decided-to-stop-share-of-water-which-flowed-to-pak-will-divert-water-from-eastern-rivers-and-supply-in-jk-punjab-gadkari-198788">India cutting water supply to Pakistan from its eastern rivers</a>.&nbsp;

Pakistan maintained that according to the Indus Water Treaty, India cannot stop the water flow to Pakistan from the rivers, the amount of which belongs to Pakistan under the treaty, sources informed WION.

"On the western rivers, India cannot intervene under any circumstances. India cannot unilaterally end the Indus Water Treaty,"&nbsp;sources told WION citing Pak Indus Water Commissioner.&nbsp;

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The construction of dam has started at Shahpur- Kandi on Ravi river. Moreover, UJH project will store our share of water for use in J&amp;K and the balance water will flow from 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link to provide water to other basin states.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1098567046848221186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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According to government sources, Pakistan is likely to take up the matter formally with the World Bank, seeking its intervention.&nbsp;

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that the central government had decided to stop sharing water with Pakistan.

"Our government has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan. We will divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab," Gadkari said.

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All the above Projects are declared as the National projects.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1098567049423568896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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India has blamed Pakistan for the Pulwama terrorist attack which occurred last week even as the Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) took responsibility for it.

A water ministry official told WION, "This is not a new decision. Mantriji is simply reiterating what he has always said. He is talking about diverting India's share of Indus water which was going to Pakistan - and he has always been saying this."

India and Pakistan have been trying to arrive at a consensus over the Indus water dispute. Last month, committees from both nations had met to evolve a compromise over the contentious water issue.

In August 2018, during the 115th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission in Lahore, India and Pakistan agreed to undertake the treaty-mandated tours of the Indus basin on both sides.&nbsp;

The three projects include the Shahpur Kandi dam project, a second Sutlej-Beas link in Punjab and the Ujh Dam project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the Indus Waters Treaty, waters flowing in three of Indus tributaries - the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - have been allotted to India; while the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus waters have been allotted to Pakistan.

Shortly after India decided to stop sharing water with Pakistan, the neighbouring South Asian nation reacted calling New Delhi's move a political one. Government sources told WION that Pak Indus Water Commissioner has reacted over the report of India cutting water supply to Pakistan from its eastern rivers.

Shortly after India decided to stop sharing water with Pakistan, the neighbouring South Asian nation reacted calling New Delhi's move a political one. Government sources told WION that Pak Indus Water Commissioner has reacted over the report of India cutting water supply to Pakistan from its eastern rivers. Pakistan maintained that according to the Indus Water Treaty, India cannot stop the water flow to Pakistan from the rivers, the amount of which belongs to Pakistan under the treaty, sources informed WION. "On the western rivers, India cannot intervene under any circumstances. India cannot unilaterally end the Indus Water Treaty," sources told WION citing Pak Indus Water Commissioner. The construction of dam has started at Shahpur- Kandi on Ravi river. Moreover, UJH project will store our share of water for use in J&K and the balance water will flow from 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link to provide water to other basin states. — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 21, 2019 × According to government sources, Pakistan is likely to take up the matter formally with the World Bank, seeking its intervention. Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that the central government had decided to stop sharing water with Pakistan. "Our government has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan. We will divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab," Gadkari said. All the above Projects are declared as the National projects. — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 21, 2019 × India has blamed Pakistan for the Pulwama terrorist attack which occurred last week even as the Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) took responsibility for it. A water ministry official told WION, "This is not a new decision. Mantriji is simply reiterating what he has always said. He is talking about diverting India's share of Indus water which was going to Pakistan - and he has always been saying this." India and Pakistan have been trying to arrive at a consensus over the Indus water dispute. Last month, committees from both nations had met to evolve a compromise over the contentious water issue. In August 2018, during the 115th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission in Lahore, India and Pakistan agreed to undertake the treaty-mandated tours of the Indus basin on both sides. The three projects include the Shahpur Kandi dam project, a second Sutlej-Beas link in Punjab and the Ujh Dam project in Jammu and Kashmir. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, waters flowing in three of Indus tributaries - the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - have been allotted to India; while the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus waters have been allotted to Pakistan.

India can't unilaterally end Indus Water Treaty: Islamabad on New Delhi's move to stop sharing water flow to Pakistan

An Indian parliamentary panel has summoned representatives of Facebook Inc, its messaging services WhatsApp and photo-sharing app Instagram to appear before it early next month and discuss how to safeguard citizens' rights on social media.

Social media in the world's largest democracy have become a hotbed for circulation of fake political news and tech firms face intense scrutiny ahead of a general election due before May, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a second term.

In a circular late on Thursday, the parliamentary committee on information technology, chaired by Anurag Thakur, said it would hear the views of officials from Facebook and its units on March 6.

The subject would be "safeguarding citizens' rights on social or online news media platforms," it added.

It was not immediately clear whether the panel had asked Indian or global executives of the three firms to appear.

Facebook declined to comment, while WhatsApp and Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The panel has previously summoned social network Twitter Inc's Chief Executive Jack Dorsey to appear on Monday to discuss the same topic.

"These are issues for all Internet services globally," Twitter said on Friday, adding that Colin Crowell, its global vice president of public policy, is to meet the panel on Monday.

Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have overhauled policies to boost transparency ahead of the general election and rein in misinformation.

Alphabet Inc's Google this week launched a programme to train journalists in areas such as online verification and fact checking before the polls. 
&nbsp;

An Indian parliamentary panel has summoned representatives of Facebook Inc, its messaging services WhatsApp and photo-sharing app Instagram to appear before it early next month and discuss how to safeguard citizens' rights on social media.

An Indian parliamentary panel has summoned representatives of Facebook Inc, its messaging services WhatsApp and photo-sharing app Instagram to appear before it early next month and discuss how to safeguard citizens' rights on social media. Social media in the world's largest democracy have become a hotbed for circulation of fake political news and tech firms face intense scrutiny ahead of a general election due before May, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a second term. In a circular late on Thursday, the parliamentary committee on information technology, chaired by Anurag Thakur, said it would hear the views of officials from Facebook and its units on March 6. The subject would be "safeguarding citizens' rights on social or online news media platforms," it added. It was not immediately clear whether the panel had asked Indian or global executives of the three firms to appear. Facebook declined to comment, while WhatsApp and Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The panel has previously summoned social network Twitter Inc's Chief Executive Jack Dorsey to appear on Monday to discuss the same topic. "These are issues for all Internet services globally," Twitter said on Friday, adding that Colin Crowell, its global vice president of public policy, is to meet the panel on Monday. Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have overhauled policies to boost transparency ahead of the general election and rein in misinformation. Alphabet Inc's Google this week launched a programme to train journalists in areas such as online verification and fact checking before the polls.

Indian lawmakers summon Facebook officials over citizens' rights protection

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday ended his two-day visit to South Korea. The key highlights of the last day of his visit included bilateral talks with President Moon Jae-in and the Seoul Peace Prize ceremony.

PM Modi on Friday was honoured with the Seoul Peace Prize, becoming the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-becomes-first-indian-to-receive-seoul-peace-prize-198887">14th recipient of the award</a> since 1990 when the award was established to commemorate the 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea. The Peace Prize was conferred in recognition of PM's efforts for regional stability, world peace and economic policies that have improved the lives of Indians. He also becomes the first Indian ever to receive the award.&nbsp;

While accepting the award, the Prime Minister said, "this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India" for the "the success that India has achieved in less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of one point three billion Indians".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-has-to-move-beyond-talks-on-terror-pm-modi-in-south-korea-198869">Highlighting the issue of cross border terror while receiving the peace prize</a>, PM said, "Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been de-railed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders.".

Calling on those who "believe in humanity to join hands" to completely "eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, terrorist ideology and propaganda" PM said, "Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development; and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace."

India has been highlighting the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan to the world community in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack for which Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has taken the responsibility.

On the Korean peace process, PM Modi lauded South Korean President Moon Jae-in and said he deserves "all the praise for the role he has played in overcoming the legacy of mutual distrust and suspicion between DPRK and the international community and bringing them on the discussion table" which is "no small achievement." He also stated the Indian government's "strong support to the ongoing dialogue process" between the two Koreas, the DPRK and the US.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is all set to met US President Donald Trump for the second US-North Korea summit in Vietnam on February 27 and 28. They met last year in Singapore for the first summit.

The Prime Minister also spoke on India's economic success saying "India’s growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world" since "We live in an increasingly connected world."

Previous recipients of the award include German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Nation chiefs like Ban Ki-Moon, Kofi Annan. Four of the recipients of the Seoul Peace Prize later got the Nobel Peace Prize. $200,000 (1 crore 35 lakh rupees) award money will be given for 'Namami Gange' project for the cleaning of river Ganga.

Earlier in the day, PM held a bilateral meeting with President Moon at the Blue House which is the official residence of the South Korean President. In the press statement, PM Modi thanked "President Moon for his support" on the issue of denouncing terror and said that the "world has to move beyond just talks now." President Moon Jae-In also condemned the Pulwama terror attack.&nbsp;

India's Home Ministry and South Korea's national police signed an MoU on "Transnational crimes and police cooperation" to act tough on terror. PM Modi emphasised economic cooperation and stated, "the South Korean model is the best for India"

India is among the top 10 trade partners of South Korea and the 6th largest export destination for Korean goods. The trade volume between the two nations reached 21.5 billion dollars for the calendar year 2018 with both aiming to achieve $50 billion trade by 2030. Both sides have also fast-tracked the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The Prime Minister further said, "India's Act East and Korea's new southern policy is strengthening and giving depth to the strategic partnership between the two countries".&nbsp;

PM Modi reiterated India's policy on the inclusivity and centrality of the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN. The MoUs between India and South Korea were signed in the field of trade and industry, startup, communication.

The Prime Minister started his day by paying his respects at the National Cemetery in Seoul.&nbsp;

On day one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed South Korean business leaders, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Seoul Campus of the Yonsei University and interacted with the Indian community in the country.

Addressing the Indian community in the evening, a permanent fixture in his agenda overseas, he talked about economic reforms brought about by his government and how Goods and Service Tax (GST) united the country economically. He said, "India is the brightest spot for investment in the world".

At the Seoul Campus of the Yonsei University the Prime Minister, in the presence of the South Korean President, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.

Speaking at the unveiling event the PM said, "the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi can show the way in dealing with issues like climate change and terror."&nbsp;

PM Modi also addressed South Korean business leaders at the India-Korea Business Symposium and launched the India-Korea Startup Hub.

The Prime Minister also gifted a sapling of holy Bodhi tree to the people of Kimhae through the mayor of Kimhae Heo Seong Gon. Kimhae city has a historic connect with India, it is believed that Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya had gone there in 48 CE and married Korean King Suro and started a dynasty. Princess Suriratna is known as Heo Hwang-ok in South Korea.&nbsp;

PM Modi had visited South Korea in May 2015 while South Korean president Moon Jae-in visited India in July 2018.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday ended his two-day visit to South Korea. The key highlights of the last day of his visit included bilateral talks with President Moon Jae-in and the Seoul Peace Prize ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday ended his two-day visit to South Korea. The key highlights of the last day of his visit included bilateral talks with President Moon Jae-in and the Seoul Peace Prize ceremony. PM Modi on Friday was honoured with the Seoul Peace Prize, becoming the 14th recipient of the award since 1990 when the award was established to commemorate the 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea. The Peace Prize was conferred in recognition of PM's efforts for regional stability, world peace and economic policies that have improved the lives of Indians. He also becomes the first Indian ever to receive the award. While accepting the award, the Prime Minister said, "this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India" for the "the success that India has achieved in less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of one point three billion Indians". Highlighting the issue of cross border terror while receiving the peace prize, PM said, "Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been de-railed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders.". Calling on those who "believe in humanity to join hands" to completely "eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, terrorist ideology and propaganda" PM said, "Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development; and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace." India has been highlighting the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan to the world community in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack for which Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has taken the responsibility. On the Korean peace process, PM Modi lauded South Korean President Moon Jae-in and said he deserves "all the praise for the role he has played in overcoming the legacy of mutual distrust and suspicion between DPRK and the international community and bringing them on the discussion table" which is "no small achievement." He also stated the Indian government's "strong support to the ongoing dialogue process" between the two Koreas, the DPRK and the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is all set to met US President Donald Trump for the second US-North Korea summit in Vietnam on February 27 and 28. They met last year in Singapore for the first summit. The Prime Minister also spoke on India's economic success saying "India’s growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world" since "We live in an increasingly connected world." Previous recipients of the award include German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Nation chiefs like Ban Ki-Moon, Kofi Annan. Four of the recipients of the Seoul Peace Prize later got the Nobel Peace Prize. $200,000 (1 crore 35 lakh rupees) award money will be given for 'Namami Gange' project for the cleaning of river Ganga. Earlier in the day, PM held a bilateral meeting with President Moon at the Blue House which is the official residence of the South Korean President. In the press statement, PM Modi thanked "President Moon for his support" on the issue of denouncing terror and said that the "world has to move beyond just talks now." President Moon Jae-In also condemned the Pulwama terror attack. India's Home Ministry and South Korea's national police signed an MoU on "Transnational crimes and police cooperation" to act tough on terror. PM Modi emphasised economic cooperation and stated, "the South Korean model is the best for India" India is among the top 10 trade partners of South Korea and the 6th largest export destination for Korean goods. The trade volume between the two nations reached 21.5 billion dollars for the calendar year 2018 with both aiming to achieve $50 billion trade by 2030. Both sides have also fast-tracked the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The Prime Minister further said, "India's Act East and Korea's new southern policy is strengthening and giving depth to the strategic partnership between the two countries". PM Modi reiterated India's policy on the inclusivity and centrality of the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN. The MoUs between India and South Korea were signed in the field of trade and industry, startup, communication. The Prime Minister started his day by paying his respects at the National Cemetery in Seoul. On day one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed South Korean business leaders, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Seoul Campus of the Yonsei University and interacted with the Indian community in the country. Addressing the Indian community in the evening, a permanent fixture in his agenda overseas, he talked about economic reforms brought about by his government and how Goods and Service Tax (GST) united the country economically. He said, "India is the brightest spot for investment in the world". At the Seoul Campus of the Yonsei University the Prime Minister, in the presence of the South Korean President, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. Speaking at the unveiling event the PM said, "the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi can show the way in dealing with issues like climate change and terror." PM Modi also addressed South Korean business leaders at the India-Korea Business Symposium and launched the India-Korea Startup Hub. The Prime Minister also gifted a sapling of holy Bodhi tree to the people of Kimhae through the mayor of Kimhae Heo Seong Gon. Kimhae city has a historic connect with India, it is believed that Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya had gone there in 48 CE and married Korean King Suro and started a dynasty. Princess Suriratna is known as Heo Hwang-ok in South Korea. PM Modi had visited South Korea in May 2015 while South Korean president Moon Jae-in visited India in July 2018.

PM Modi wraps two-day visit to South Korea, highlights issue of cross-border terror 

Even as India Saudi Arabia joint statement called for "need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption" of India Pakistan dialogue, WION has learnt that Riyadh agrees with India that it's Islamabad which has to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.&nbsp;

Sources told WION that, "Pakistan has to create a conducive environment for the talks, that means they have to denounce terrorism and Saudi Arabia agreed with this on India. And there was no ambiguity"

Modi government's official policy on talks with Pakistan has been that talks and terror cant go together.

Sources told WION that the visit added "substance" to India Saudi strategic partnership with Riyadh showing "considerable sensitivity on terror" and "recognised India's position on J&amp;K"

The Saudi prince indicated an understanding of the threat India is facing.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir last week, New Delhi's focus has been the isolation of Pakistan and for that, it's has been briefing foreign envoys about the country's involvement in the terror attack.

Saudi Arabia and India will be starting joint Naval exercises this year as part of defence cooperation.&nbsp;

Both sides have agreed to cooperate and collaborate in joint defence production of spare parts for Naval and Land systems in line with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vision 2030’.

On the business front, the source told WION, the $ 100 billion earmarked for India shows confidence the West Asian enjoys in the "Indian growth story", adding further that "India can be the centre of there investment in the region particularly petrochemical"

50 Saudi entities were present at the India Saudi business forum which met on Wednesday.11 MoUs were signed during the forum meet with the crown prince meeting a select group of CEOs.

At Rashtrapati Bhawan, speaking to media after the ceremonial reception on Wednesday, Crown prince described PM Modi as "elder brother" and said, "I am his younger brother, I admire him" 
&nbsp;

Even as India Saudi Arabia joint statement called for "need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption" of India Pakistan dialogue, WION has learnt that Riyadh agrees with India that it's Islamabad which has to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

Even as India Saudi Arabia joint statement called for "need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption" of India Pakistan dialogue, WION has learnt that Riyadh agrees with India that it's Islamabad which has to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue. Sources told WION that, "Pakistan has to create a conducive environment for the talks, that means they have to denounce terrorism and Saudi Arabia agreed with this on India. And there was no ambiguity" Modi government's official policy on talks with Pakistan has been that talks and terror cant go together. Sources told WION that the visit added "substance" to India Saudi strategic partnership with Riyadh showing "considerable sensitivity on terror" and "recognised India's position on J&K" The Saudi prince indicated an understanding of the threat India is facing. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir last week, New Delhi's focus has been the isolation of Pakistan and for that, it's has been briefing foreign envoys about the country's involvement in the terror attack. Saudi Arabia and India will be starting joint Naval exercises this year as part of defence cooperation. Both sides have agreed to cooperate and collaborate in joint defence production of spare parts for Naval and Land systems in line with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vision 2030’. On the business front, the source told WION, the $ 100 billion earmarked for India shows confidence the West Asian enjoys in the "Indian growth story", adding further that "India can be the centre of there investment in the region particularly petrochemical" 50 Saudi entities were present at the India Saudi business forum which met on Wednesday.11 MoUs were signed during the forum meet with the crown prince meeting a select group of CEOs. At Rashtrapati Bhawan, speaking to media after the ceremonial reception on Wednesday, Crown prince described PM Modi as "elder brother" and said, "I am his younger brother, I admire him"

Saudi Arabia agrees with India that Pak should act on terror, create atmosphere for talks: Sources 

The 16th Russia, India, China or RIC foreign minister meet will take place on 27th in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. The meet will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Announcing the meet, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "During this meeting, the foreign ministers of the three countries will take the implementation of the important consensus of the leaders as the main thrust, focus on the current international landscape, exchange in-depth views on major regional and international issues of mutual interest and deepen third-party cooperation. We believe that the concerted efforts of the three parties will deliver positive outcomes."

RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was claimed by Pakistan based terror group Jaish e Mohammad(JEM). India has been trying to declare the chief of JEM Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nation Security Council but has been blocked many times China.

Asked about listing of Azhar, the spokesperson said China will engage in relevant discussions in a "constructive and responsible manner" and "keep close communication and coordination with India and other parties concerned."

France will soon come up with a new proposal to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

The 16th Russia, India, China or RIC foreign minister meet will take place on 27th in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. The meet will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

The 16th Russia, India, China or RIC foreign minister meet will take place on 27th in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. The meet will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Announcing the meet, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "During this meeting, the foreign ministers of the three countries will take the implementation of the important consensus of the leaders as the main thrust, focus on the current international landscape, exchange in-depth views on major regional and international issues of mutual interest and deepen third-party cooperation. We believe that the concerted efforts of the three parties will deliver positive outcomes." RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was claimed by Pakistan based terror group Jaish e Mohammad(JEM). India has been trying to declare the chief of JEM Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nation Security Council but has been blocked many times China. Asked about listing of Azhar, the spokesperson said China will engage in relevant discussions in a "constructive and responsible manner" and "keep close communication and coordination with India and other parties concerned." France will soon come up with a new proposal to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

Russia, India and China foreign ministers meet on February 27

Saudi Crown Prince Arrives In India

Pakistan Tuesday summoned India's Acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia to lodge a protest against a demonstration held close to its High Commission in New Delhi following the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-india-blaming-pakistan-without-evidence-says-imran-khan-198266">Pulwama terror attack</a>.

It also condemned a move by Rajasthan's Bikaner district officials directing the Pakistani citizens to leave the district in 48 hours as it may create law and order problem in the wake of the attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that Special Secretary (Asia Pacific) Imtiaz Ahmad summoned the Acting Indian High Commissioner to lodge a "strong protest" against the anti-Pakistan demonstration in New Delhi.

It claimed that "protestors were allowed to reach and jolt the gate of the Pakistan House despite the presence of Indian security officials.

The Special Secretary reiterated Pakistan's demand to the Government of India for a "comprehensive, immediate investigation of this serious breach of security, taking foolproof measures for safety and security of the Pakistan House, High Commission and its officers/officials and their families in New Delhi."

Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan expects "India to comply with inter-state norms and ensure absolute safety and security of all Pakistanis there."&nbsp;

Pakistan Tuesday summoned India's Acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia to lodge a protest against a demonstration held close to its High Commission in New Delhi following the Pulwama terror attack.

Pakistan Tuesday summoned India's Acting High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia to lodge a protest against a demonstration held close to its High Commission in New Delhi following the Pulwama terror attack. It also condemned a move by Rajasthan's Bikaner district officials directing the Pakistani citizens to leave the district in 48 hours as it may create law and order problem in the wake of the attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. In a statement, the Foreign Office said that Special Secretary (Asia Pacific) Imtiaz Ahmad summoned the Acting Indian High Commissioner to lodge a "strong protest" against the anti-Pakistan demonstration in New Delhi. It claimed that "protestors were allowed to reach and jolt the gate of the Pakistan House despite the presence of Indian security officials. The Special Secretary reiterated Pakistan's demand to the Government of India for a "comprehensive, immediate investigation of this serious breach of security, taking foolproof measures for safety and security of the Pakistan House, High Commission and its officers/officials and their families in New Delhi." Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan expects "India to comply with inter-state norms and ensure absolute safety and security of all Pakistanis there."

Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over anti-Pak protest in New Delhi

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will land in New Delhi Tuesday, and India is expected to raise the spectre of Pakistan-sponsored terror with him.&nbsp;

Salman has just visited Pakistan. He returned to Riyadh on Monday night however since India, the news agency PTI quoted government sources as saying, had reservations about him travelling to the country from Pakistan.&nbsp;

The Saudi Arabian crown prince — the second-most important person in the country after the king — announced investments of $20 billion in Pakistan but India, in the wake of the Pulwama attack, is hoping Saudi Arabia will curtail funding to Pakistan should it not rein in the terror groups on its soil. (India may be drawing a distinction between investments and bailouts, like the $6 billion loan Saudi Arabia gave Pakistan in 2018. It is also expected that India will make little or no mention of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/leading-us-senator-blames-saudi-prince-salman-for-khashoggi-death-172688">the killing of Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi</a>.)&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/awantipora-crpf-convoy-hit-by-explosives-laden-vehicle-several-jawans-killed-197418">Over 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack</a> which was claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Jaish is headed by Masood Azhar who is a Pakistani national.&nbsp;

Ahead of the crown prince's visit, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad on Monday that Riyadh will try to "de-escalate" tensions between India and Pakistan.

Official sources said Saudi Arabia was no longer accepting Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism and that India will forcefully raise the issue of Pakistan's support to terror groups during delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the crown prince on Wednesday.

They said the joint statement to be issued after talks between the two sides is likely to have strong reference about terrorism and ways to deal with it.

Secretary, Economic Affairs in the External Affairs Ministry TS Tirumurti said both sides are expected to sign five agreements in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting during the Saudi leader's visit.

"We are confident that this visit will open a new chapter in India-Saudi bilateral relationship," he said.

Referring to cross-border terrorism, he said, "Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned and denounced the terrorist attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama on 14 February. We appreciate kingdom's cooperation in security and counter terrorism areas over the years."&nbsp;

Official sources said there has been a "change" in the way Saudi Arabia looked at relations between India and Pakistan and that the powerful Gulf nation has a better understanding of the cross-border terrorism.&nbsp;

"India has been identified as one of the eight strategic partners with whom Saudi Arabia intends to deepen partnership in areas of political, security, trade and investment and culture," said Tirumurti.&nbsp;

"As part of this engagement, we are finalising the setting up of 'Strategic Partnership Council' between the two countries at ministerial level. We are confident that this will give greater thrust to our strategic partnership and take forward our discussions in a focussed and action-oriented manner," he said.

The sources said the two sides are looking at a joint exercise between their navies, besides significantly ramping up overall defence cooperation.

They said Saudi Arabia has been providing India information and intelligence about various terror networks. The two countries had inked a pact on the&nbsp;exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism during Modi's visit to Riyadh in 2016.

The crown prince will be accompanied by a high-level official team as well as a large business delegation.

Modi will host a lunch in honour of the crown prince at Hyderabad House on Wednesday.

The crown prince will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and he will host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary&nbsp;

During PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in 2016, an MoU on cooperation in exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing was signed.

India's bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia was USD 27.48 billion in 2017-18, making the West Asian country its fourth-largest trading partner.

Saudi Arabia is also a key pillar of India's energy security, being the source of 17 per cent or more of India's crude oil and 32 per cent of its LPG requirements.&nbsp;

Recently, Saudi ARAMCO in partnership with ADNOC of UAE agreed to partner in the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petro-Chemical project Ltd which is a joint venture worth $44 billion. The Indian partners are IOC, BPCL and HPCL.&nbsp;

"We hope to transform this buyer-seller relationship in energy to a broad-based partnership," Tirumurti said.

He said other areas of interest for joint collaboration were fertilisers, food security, infrastructure, renewable energy, etc.&nbsp;

"We are also looking forward to greater collaboration in the area of civil aviation, where there is considerable potential for enhanced links, especially in the context of increasing trade, tourism and in enhancing convenience of travel," Trimurti said.

He also added that Saudi Arabia has conveyed to India that it will be joining International Solar Alliance&nbsp;initiative.

The crown prince is expected to travel to China from India.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will land in New Delhi Tuesday, and India is expected to raise the spectre of Pakistan-sponsored terror with him. Salman has just visited Pakistan.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will land in New Delhi Tuesday, and India is expected to raise the spectre of Pakistan-sponsored terror with him. Salman has just visited Pakistan. He returned to Riyadh on Monday night however since India, the news agency PTI quoted government sources as saying, had reservations about him travelling to the country from Pakistan. The Saudi Arabian crown prince — the second-most important person in the country after the king — announced investments of $20 billion in Pakistan but India, in the wake of the Pulwama attack, is hoping Saudi Arabia will curtail funding to Pakistan should it not rein in the terror groups on its soil. (India may be drawing a distinction between investments and bailouts, like the $6 billion loan Saudi Arabia gave Pakistan in 2018. It is also expected that India will make little or no mention of the killing of Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi.) Over 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack which was claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Jaish is headed by Masood Azhar who is a Pakistani national. Ahead of the crown prince's visit, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad on Monday that Riyadh will try to "de-escalate" tensions between India and Pakistan. Official sources said Saudi Arabia was no longer accepting Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism and that India will forcefully raise the issue of Pakistan's support to terror groups during delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the crown prince on Wednesday. They said the joint statement to be issued after talks between the two sides is likely to have strong reference about terrorism and ways to deal with it. Secretary, Economic Affairs in the External Affairs Ministry TS Tirumurti said both sides are expected to sign five agreements in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting during the Saudi leader's visit. "We are confident that this visit will open a new chapter in India-Saudi bilateral relationship," he said. Referring to cross-border terrorism, he said, "Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned and denounced the terrorist attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama on 14 February. We appreciate kingdom's cooperation in security and counter terrorism areas over the years." Official sources said there has been a "change" in the way Saudi Arabia looked at relations between India and Pakistan and that the powerful Gulf nation has a better understanding of the cross-border terrorism. "India has been identified as one of the eight strategic partners with whom Saudi Arabia intends to deepen partnership in areas of political, security, trade and investment and culture," said Tirumurti. "As part of this engagement, we are finalising the setting up of 'Strategic Partnership Council' between the two countries at ministerial level. We are confident that this will give greater thrust to our strategic partnership and take forward our discussions in a focussed and action-oriented manner," he said. The sources said the two sides are looking at a joint exercise between their navies, besides significantly ramping up overall defence cooperation. They said Saudi Arabia has been providing India information and intelligence about various terror networks. The two countries had inked a pact on the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism during Modi's visit to Riyadh in 2016. The crown prince will be accompanied by a high-level official team as well as a large business delegation. Modi will host a lunch in honour of the crown prince at Hyderabad House on Wednesday. The crown prince will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and he will host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary During PM Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in 2016, an MoU on cooperation in exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing was signed. India's bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia was USD 27.48 billion in 2017-18, making the West Asian country its fourth-largest trading partner. Saudi Arabia is also a key pillar of India's energy security, being the source of 17 per cent or more of India's crude oil and 32 per cent of its LPG requirements. Recently, Saudi ARAMCO in partnership with ADNOC of UAE agreed to partner in the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petro-Chemical project Ltd which is a joint venture worth $44 billion. The Indian partners are IOC, BPCL and HPCL. "We hope to transform this buyer-seller relationship in energy to a broad-based partnership," Tirumurti said. He said other areas of interest for joint collaboration were fertilisers, food security, infrastructure, renewable energy, etc. "We are also looking forward to greater collaboration in the area of civil aviation, where there is considerable potential for enhanced links, especially in the context of increasing trade, tourism and in enhancing convenience of travel," Trimurti said. He also added that Saudi Arabia has conveyed to India that it will be joining International Solar Alliance initiative. The crown prince is expected to travel to China from India. (With inputs from PTI)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman lands in Delhi today, India to take up Pakistan-sponsored terror with him

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-hopes-pakistan-india-will-exercise-restraint-engage-in-dialogue-says-china-on-pulwama-tensions-198315">Pulwama attack</a> that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

France's decision came after a discussion between Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

In 2016, India had requested the Security Council Committee, established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1267, to include Masood Azhar in the list of "designated sanctioned entities", declaring him an international terrorist.

China has been blocking his listing citing lack of consensus.

Just a day after the ghastly Pulwama attack, India asked China again if it will support Azhar's listing as an international terrorist; Bejing reiterated its stance.

Spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said, "the UN Security Council 1267 Committee has detailed criteria for the listing and designation procedures for terrorist entities or individuals. China will continue to deal with the relevant listing issue in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jem-has-been-included-in-security-council-counter-terrorism-list-we-have-dealt-with-masood-azhar-issue-professionally-china-197566">constructive and responsible manner</a>. We will also keep in close communication with all relevant parties on this issue."

Paris will also be backing Pakistan's continuation on the FATF greylist. Islamabad was put on the greylist last year after which the South Asian nation came under the financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT).

India has started a diplomatic campaign against Pakistan to isolate the country as a fallout of Pulwama terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of more 30 countries over Islamabad's involvement in Pulwama&nbsp;terror attack and its continued support to terror as a state policy.

Meanwhile, Iran has named a Pakistani national in connection to last week's terror attack which killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards. Local media reported that Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ground Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Hafiz Mohammad Ali, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-bomber-who-killed-27-members-of-irans-guards-was-pakistani-guards-commander-198313">Pakistani national, was behind the terror attack</a>.

Over the weekend, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-india-iran-lashes-out-on-pakistan-on-terror-front-summons-pak-envoy-197945">Iran summoned its envoy to Pakistan</a> and lodged a strong protest against the terror attack. Tehran also highlighted the growing number of terrorist attacks "designed in and led from Pakistan including the latest terrorist attack", according to a release from Iranian foreign ministry.

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. France's decision came after a discussion between Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday morning. In 2016, India had requested the Security Council Committee, established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1267, to include Masood Azhar in the list of "designated sanctioned entities", declaring him an international terrorist. China has been blocking his listing citing lack of consensus. Just a day after the ghastly Pulwama attack, India asked China again if it will support Azhar's listing as an international terrorist; Bejing reiterated its stance. Spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said, "the UN Security Council 1267 Committee has detailed criteria for the listing and designation procedures for terrorist entities or individuals. China will continue to deal with the relevant listing issue in a constructive and responsible manner. We will also keep in close communication with all relevant parties on this issue." Paris will also be backing Pakistan's continuation on the FATF greylist. Islamabad was put on the greylist last year after which the South Asian nation came under the financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). India has started a diplomatic campaign against Pakistan to isolate the country as a fallout of Pulwama terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of more 30 countries over Islamabad's involvement in Pulwama terror attack and its continued support to terror as a state policy. Meanwhile, Iran has named a Pakistani national in connection to last week's terror attack which killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards. Local media reported that Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ground Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Hafiz Mohammad Ali, a Pakistani national, was behind the terror attack. Over the weekend, Iran summoned its envoy to Pakistan and lodged a strong protest against the terror attack. Tehran also highlighted the growing number of terrorist attacks "designed in and led from Pakistan including the latest terrorist attack", according to a release from Iranian foreign ministry.

Pressure mounts on Pakistan as France decides to move proposal to ban JeM chief Masood Azhar at UN 

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to arrive tonight for a 2-day visit to India

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that India was blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-anyone-who-has-picked-up-a-gun-will-be-killed-says-indian-army-198231">without any evidence</a>".&nbsp;

Khan, who made a televised address saying his message was for the "Indian government", asked why Pakistan would do such a thing — mastermind <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-seeks-urgent-un-intervention-to-de-escalate-fresh-tensions-with-india-198228">the Pulwama attack</a> — just before the visit of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman. "Why would we want to draw attention from that to this?"&nbsp;

He also asked what there was in it for Pakistan? &nbsp;

"Why will Pakistan do this right now when it is heading towards stability?" Khan asked.&nbsp;

Khan said Pakistan had also borne the brunt of terrorism — losing 70,000 people over 15 years to violence.&nbsp;

Khan also warned India that Pakistan would be forced to retaliate if India should attack it.&nbsp;

"If you (Indian govt) thinks you will attack us and we will not think of retaliating, we will retaliate," he said. "We all know starting a war is in the hands of humans, where it will lead us only god knows."

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Pakistan PM Imran Khan's statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pulwama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pulwama</a> terrorist attack: My statement is for the Indian government. You (Indian govt) have blamed the Pakistan government without any evidence. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/yOVFFamT28">pic.twitter.com/yOVFFamT28</a>
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"It is in our interest that nobody from our soil spreads violence. I want to tell Indian govt that we will take action if evidence is found against anyone from Pakistan," he added.&nbsp;

Over 40 CRPF personnel died last Thursday in the Pulwama attack after a local youth, Adil Adhmad Dar, rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus ferrying Central Reserve Police Force personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.&nbsp;

The attack was later claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group which is headed by Pakistani national Masood Azhar.&nbsp;

Azhar has been living in Pakistan ever since India released him after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in December 1999.&nbsp;

Speaking about Kashmir on Tuesday, Khan said India is guilty of "one-dimensional oppression".

He said New Delhi Islamabad should talk, while referencing the current peace talks in Afghanistan.

"After 17 years, everyone has agreed&nbsp;there is no military solution in Afghanistan," said Khan.&nbsp;

Since the Pulwama attack, India has raised custom duties on Pakistani imports by 200% making trade between the neighbours virtually impossible.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India and Pakistan meanwhile have both called back their envoys for consultations.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that India was blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "without any evidence". Khan, who made a televised address saying his message was for the "Indian government", asked why Pakistan would do such a thing — mastermind the Pulwama attack — just before the visit of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that India was blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "without any evidence". Khan, who made a televised address saying his message was for the "Indian government", asked why Pakistan would do such a thing — mastermind the Pulwama attack — just before the visit of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman. "Why would we want to draw attention from that to this?" He also asked what there was in it for Pakistan? "Why will Pakistan do this right now when it is heading towards stability?" Khan asked. Khan said Pakistan had also borne the brunt of terrorism — losing 70,000 people over 15 years to violence. Khan also warned India that Pakistan would be forced to retaliate if India should attack it. "If you (Indian govt) thinks you will attack us and we will not think of retaliating, we will retaliate," he said. "We all know starting a war is in the hands of humans, where it will lead us only god knows." Pakistan PM Imran Khan's statement on #Pulwama terrorist attack: My statement is for the Indian government. You (Indian govt) have blamed the Pakistan government without any evidence. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/yOVFFamT28 — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019 × "It is in our interest that nobody from our soil spreads violence. I want to tell Indian govt that we will take action if evidence is found against anyone from Pakistan," he added. Over 40 CRPF personnel died last Thursday in the Pulwama attack after a local youth, Adil Adhmad Dar, rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus ferrying Central Reserve Police Force personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. The attack was later claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group which is headed by Pakistani national Masood Azhar. Azhar has been living in Pakistan ever since India released him after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in December 1999. Speaking about Kashmir on Tuesday, Khan said India is guilty of "one-dimensional oppression". He said New Delhi Islamabad should talk, while referencing the current peace talks in Afghanistan. "After 17 years, everyone has agreed there is no military solution in Afghanistan," said Khan. Since the Pulwama attack, India has raised custom duties on Pakistani imports by 200% making trade between the neighbours virtually impossible. India and Pakistan meanwhile have both called back their envoys for consultations.

Pulwama attack: India blaming Pakistan 'without any evidence', says Imran Khan

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist.

President Arif Alvi will award Mohammad bin Salman the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), the foreign office said in a statement, before the crown prince leaves the country for his next stop, Islamabad's arch-rival India.&nbsp;

Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes the huge deals signed over the two-day visit -- seven separate agreements and memorandums of understanding -- will boost its struggling economy.

The tour coincides with a spike in regional tensions: India and Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran -- both bordering Pakistan -- have accused Islamabad of backing militant groups which have carried out bloody suicide attacks on their soil in recent days.

Hours ahead of the crown prince's arrival Sunday, Pakistan dismissed Delhi's accusations as "well-rehearsed tactics from (the) Indian playbook after such incidents in the past".

The crown prince, widely known as "MBS", got a warm welcome in Pakistan, including a 21-gun salute and an honour guard.

He is staging the visit just five months after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul ignited a diplomatic crisis.&nbsp;

The Saudis, after initially denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance, finally acknowledged that a team killed him inside the consulate, but described it as a rogue operation that did not involve the crown prince.

Turkey said Friday it has not yet revealed all the information it has uncovered in the case, which launched a global wave of revulsion and tarnished the crown prince's reputation.

Analysts have said the tour is part of a Gulf pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market, but also a timely demonstration to the West that MBS is not an international pariah.

The crown prince's tour is expected to finish with two days in China on Thursday and Friday.

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist.

Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour on the Saudi crown prince on Monday, a day after he signed investment deals worth $20 billion on the first stop of an Asian tour clouded by his alleged role in the grisly murder of a dissident journalist. President Arif Alvi will award Mohammad bin Salman the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), the foreign office said in a statement, before the crown prince leaves the country for his next stop, Islamabad's arch-rival India. Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes the huge deals signed over the two-day visit -- seven separate agreements and memorandums of understanding -- will boost its struggling economy. The tour coincides with a spike in regional tensions: India and Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran -- both bordering Pakistan -- have accused Islamabad of backing militant groups which have carried out bloody suicide attacks on their soil in recent days. Hours ahead of the crown prince's arrival Sunday, Pakistan dismissed Delhi's accusations as "well-rehearsed tactics from (the) Indian playbook after such incidents in the past". The crown prince, widely known as "MBS", got a warm welcome in Pakistan, including a 21-gun salute and an honour guard. He is staging the visit just five months after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul ignited a diplomatic crisis. The Saudis, after initially denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance, finally acknowledged that a team killed him inside the consulate, but described it as a rogue operation that did not involve the crown prince. Turkey said Friday it has not yet revealed all the information it has uncovered in the case, which launched a global wave of revulsion and tarnished the crown prince's reputation. Analysts have said the tour is part of a Gulf pivot to rising Asia as a growing oil market, but also a timely demonstration to the West that MBS is not an international pariah. The crown prince's tour is expected to finish with two days in China on Thursday and Friday.

After $20 billion deals, Pakistan to award Saudi crown prince with 'highest civilian honour'

Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Monday met Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar in Kabul. During the meeting, both the sides discussed a range of issues including the Pulwama terror attack.&nbsp;

During the meet, the Afghan FM called terror a global threat and "asked for a serious struggle of all countries against this phenomenon," according to a release by Afghan foreign ministry.

The Afghan government had condemned the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama and expressed their condolences for the loss.

Both sides discussed the expansion of trilateral cooperation between Afghanistan, India and China; the Afghan peace talks and the upcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan.

During the informal summit last year between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, both agreed to work in Afghanistan and initially decided to train Afghan diplomats jointly.

On Sunday, the Indian ambassador met Afghan President’s Special Envoy and CEO of the High Peace Council, M Umer Daudzai, to discuss the Afghan peace process.

India has been engaging with Afghanistan and with neighbouring countries like Iran, Russia and Saudi Arabia on the peace process in the South Asian country. India's official policy on the Afghan peace process is that it should be "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled".

Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Monday met Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar in Kabul. During the meeting, both the sides discussed a range of issues including the Pulwama terror attack.

Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Monday met Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar in Kabul. During the meeting, both the sides discussed a range of issues including the Pulwama terror attack. During the meet, the Afghan FM called terror a global threat and "asked for a serious struggle of all countries against this phenomenon," according to a release by Afghan foreign ministry. The Afghan government had condemned the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama and expressed their condolences for the loss. Both sides discussed the expansion of trilateral cooperation between Afghanistan, India and China; the Afghan peace talks and the upcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan. During the informal summit last year between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, both agreed to work in Afghanistan and initially decided to train Afghan diplomats jointly. On Sunday, the Indian ambassador met Afghan President’s Special Envoy and CEO of the High Peace Council, M Umer Daudzai, to discuss the Afghan peace process. India has been engaging with Afghanistan and with neighbouring countries like Iran, Russia and Saudi Arabia on the peace process in the South Asian country. India's official policy on the Afghan peace process is that it should be "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled".

Indian envoy to Afghanistan meets Afghan FM; discusses terror, peace process

Terror, investment and welfare of the Indian community will on the agenda during Saudi Arabian Crown Prince <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saudi-arabia-vows-to-try-to-de-escalate-tensions-between-india-and-pakistan-198124">Mohammad bin Salman's two-day visit to India</a> starting Tuesday. The terror attack in Pulwama will also be a topic of discussion between Prime Minister Modi and the Crown Prince.

Prince Salman was on a two-day state visit to Pakistan from February 17 to 18 where he has announced investments of $20 billion. Saudi Arabia had last year given a $6 billion bailout to Pakistan.

Asked about the recent announcement of $20 billion investment, a top government source told WION, "Can't compare ties Saudi has with India, to Pakistan. When they invest in India, they invest in a robust economy. They are not here to bail out India."

Adding further the source noted, "Our relationship has radically transformed in the last few years. We are looking at joint naval exercise. Someone who should be worried, it is Pakistan."

On terror, the source said, "Saudi has a far better understanding of our position on Kashmir and the kind of terrorism we have been facing."

India is hoping that Saudi Arabia will curtail its funding to Pakistan should it not curb its support to terror groups based on its soil.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the Crown Prince did not head to India straight after concluding his Pak visit. Instead, he went back to Riyadh and will reach New Delhi on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

This will be the second meeting between PM Modi and the Saudi Crown Prince in a span of three months. They last met on November 29 in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit.&nbsp;

"One the issues which could come up for discussion is trade. Investment, defence, security including counter-terrorism are the others. Renewable energy which is something that is coming up as an important area of cooperation," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said during his briefing last week.

Prime Minister Modi had visited Riyadh in April 2016. Saudi Arabia's King Salman had honoured him with the "Sash of King Abdulaziz", the highest civilian decoration awarded by the West Asian country.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner after China, the US and Japan. India imports 17 per cent of its crude oil requirement from the kingdom. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia stood at $27.48 billion in 2017-18, a year-on-year increase of 9.56 per cent.&nbsp;

Crown Prince Salman is Saudi Arabia's second-most important person after the king and his designated successor. Saudi Arabia, of course, is one of the world's largest oil producers.

A 2.7 million-strong Indian community lives in Saudi Arabia. The Haj pilgrimage is an important component of the bilateral relations between the two countries. In 2018, Riyadh increased the Indian Haj quota by 5,000, enabling 1,75,025 Indians to undertake the pilgrimage last year. 
&nbsp;

Terror, investment and welfare of the Indian community will on the agenda during Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's two-day visit to India starting Tuesday.

Terror, investment and welfare of the Indian community will on the agenda during Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's two-day visit to India starting Tuesday. The terror attack in Pulwama will also be a topic of discussion between Prime Minister Modi and the Crown Prince. Prince Salman was on a two-day state visit to Pakistan from February 17 to 18 where he has announced investments of $20 billion. Saudi Arabia had last year given a $6 billion bailout to Pakistan. Asked about the recent announcement of $20 billion investment, a top government source told WION, "Can't compare ties Saudi has with India, to Pakistan. When they invest in India, they invest in a robust economy. They are not here to bail out India." Adding further the source noted, "Our relationship has radically transformed in the last few years. We are looking at joint naval exercise. Someone who should be worried, it is Pakistan." On terror, the source said, "Saudi has a far better understanding of our position on Kashmir and the kind of terrorism we have been facing." India is hoping that Saudi Arabia will curtail its funding to Pakistan should it not curb its support to terror groups based on its soil. Interestingly, the Crown Prince did not head to India straight after concluding his Pak visit. Instead, he went back to Riyadh and will reach New Delhi on Tuesday evening. This will be the second meeting between PM Modi and the Saudi Crown Prince in a span of three months. They last met on November 29 in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. "One the issues which could come up for discussion is trade. Investment, defence, security including counter-terrorism are the others. Renewable energy which is something that is coming up as an important area of cooperation," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said during his briefing last week. Prime Minister Modi had visited Riyadh in April 2016. Saudi Arabia's King Salman had honoured him with the "Sash of King Abdulaziz", the highest civilian decoration awarded by the West Asian country. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth-largest trading partner after China, the US and Japan. India imports 17 per cent of its crude oil requirement from the kingdom. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia stood at $27.48 billion in 2017-18, a year-on-year increase of 9.56 per cent. Crown Prince Salman is Saudi Arabia's second-most important person after the king and his designated successor. Saudi Arabia, of course, is one of the world's largest oil producers. A 2.7 million-strong Indian community lives in Saudi Arabia. The Haj pilgrimage is an important component of the bilateral relations between the two countries. In 2018, Riyadh increased the Indian Haj quota by 5,000, enabling 1,75,025 Indians to undertake the pilgrimage last year.

With us they invest in our robust economy, in Pakistan they bailout: India on Riyadh's $20 billion investment in Pak

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-shows-time-for-talks-over-now-world-have-to-act-pm-narendra-modi-198108">Pulwama attack shows time for talks over, now </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-shows-time-for-talks-over-now-world-have-to-act-pm-narendra-modi-198108">world</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-shows-time-for-talks-over-now-world-have-to-act-pm-narendra-modi-198108"> has to act: PM Narendra Modi</a> 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Pulwama terror attack has shown that time for talks is over and hesitation to take action against terrorism and those who support it is akin to encouraging the menace.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-encounter-fierce-gun-battle-underway-dig-south-kashmir-injured-198102">Pulwama encounter: Fierce gun battle underway; DIG south Kashmir injured</a> 
 
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police South Kashmir range, Amit Kumar, who was injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists, has been shifted to Army hospital. His condition is stated to be stable.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-pakistan-embarrassed-to-disclose-charges-against-jadhav-says-india-at-icj-198089">Pakistan embarrassed to disclose charges against Kulbhushan Jadhav, says India at ICJ</a> 
 
India's began its argument on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice at The Hague on Monday with former solicitor general of India Harish Salve asserting that "Pakistan was using the platform for propaganda purposes".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maldives-court-orders-arrest-of-ex-president-yameen-on-money-laundering-charges-198101">Maldives: Court orders arrest of ex-President Yameen on money laundering charges</a> 
 
Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen will be arrested and detained on money laundering charges, as per the order by a Maldivian court on Monday, news agency AFP reported.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/judgment-cant-be-taken-based-purely-on-empathy-uk-home-secretary-on-return-of-shamima-begum-who-married-is-terrorist-in-syria-198104">Judgment can't be taken based purely on empathy: UK home secretary on Shamima Begum's return</a>

A British teenager, Shamima Begum, who left the United Kingdom to join terror outfit Islamic State in 2015 is now hoping to return home. Begum makes it clear that she does not regret her decision of joining the terror group.

Pulwama attack shows time for talks over, now world has to act: PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Pulwama terror attack has shown that time for talks is over and hesitation to take action against terrorism and those who support it is akin to encouraging the menace.

Pulwama attack shows time for talks over, now world has to act: PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Pulwama terror attack has shown that time for talks is over and hesitation to take action against terrorism and those who support it is akin to encouraging the menace. Pulwama encounter: Fierce gun battle underway; DIG south Kashmir injured Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police South Kashmir range, Amit Kumar, who was injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists, has been shifted to Army hospital. His condition is stated to be stable. Pakistan embarrassed to disclose charges against Kulbhushan Jadhav, says India at ICJ India's began its argument on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice at The Hague on Monday with former solicitor general of India Harish Salve asserting that "Pakistan was using the platform for propaganda purposes". Maldives: Court orders arrest of ex-President Yameen on money laundering charges Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen will be arrested and detained on money laundering charges, as per the order by a Maldivian court on Monday, news agency AFP reported. Judgment can't be taken based purely on empathy: UK home secretary on Shamima Begum's return A British teenager, Shamima Begum, who left the United Kingdom to join terror outfit Islamic State in 2015 is now hoping to return home. Begum makes it clear that she does not regret her decision of joining the terror group.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Saudi Arabia on Monday vowed to try to “de-escalate” tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pulwama by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to head to New Delhi from Islamabad.&nbsp;

The terror attack happened when a suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near a convoy of CRPF buses in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing 41 CRPF soldiers.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday. Officials said that Qureshi briefed him in detail about the situation after the Pulwama attack in Kashmir.

Tensions have been mounting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours amidst the war of words and diplomatic brinkmanship over the attack. “Our objective is to try to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, neighbouring countries, and to see if there is a path forward to resolving those differences peacefully,” Jubeir told the media.

He also said both countries were facing similar challenges, including the scourge of terrorism. “We want both countries to resolve their conflicts and have peaceful relations,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has influence over Pakistan and the Crown Prince during two-day visit inked at least seven MoUs and agreement to make investments of worth $20 billion. The Kingdom also provided $3 billion loans and another $3 billion oil facility on deferred payment during the past three months.

Jubei’s remarks to make efforts for reducing tensions came as Pakistan on Monday called back its envoy from India for consultations. Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was on Friday summoned in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale who lodged a strong protest. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was also called to New Delhi for consultations in the wake of the attack.

Saudi Arabia on Monday vowed to try to “de-escalate” tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pulwama by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to head to New Delhi from Islamabad.

Saudi Arabia on Monday vowed to try to “de-escalate” tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pulwama by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to head to New Delhi from Islamabad. The terror attack happened when a suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near a convoy of CRPF buses in Pulwama district on Thursday, killing 41 CRPF soldiers. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday. Officials said that Qureshi briefed him in detail about the situation after the Pulwama attack in Kashmir. Tensions have been mounting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours amidst the war of words and diplomatic brinkmanship over the attack. “Our objective is to try to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, neighbouring countries, and to see if there is a path forward to resolving those differences peacefully,” Jubeir told the media. He also said both countries were facing similar challenges, including the scourge of terrorism. “We want both countries to resolve their conflicts and have peaceful relations,” he said. Saudi Arabia has influence over Pakistan and the Crown Prince during two-day visit inked at least seven MoUs and agreement to make investments of worth $20 billion. The Kingdom also provided $3 billion loans and another $3 billion oil facility on deferred payment during the past three months. Jubei’s remarks to make efforts for reducing tensions came as Pakistan on Monday called back its envoy from India for consultations. Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was on Friday summoned in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale who lodged a strong protest. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was also called to New Delhi for consultations in the wake of the attack.

Saudi Arabia vows to try to ‘de-escalate’ tensions between India and Pakistan

The Government Railway Police (GRP) Sunday apprehended three illegal Rohingya Muslims from Lumding railway junction, more than 150 km from here, an official said.

According to the Superintendent of Railway Police Hemanta Kumar Das, the three Rohingyas spotted and apprehended by the GRP personnel in the afternoon, were being interrogated at present.

The three have been identified as Samshu Alam (51), Shamsu Alam (32) and Shabir Ahmed (64), Das said.

On January 21, 30 Rohingya Muslims, including 12 children, were apprehended along the Tripura-Assam border.

Five members of a Rohingya family were deported to Myanmar on January 3, exactly three months after seven others were handed over to the authorities of the neighbouring country.

On October 3 last year, seven Myanmar nationals, who were in detention in Cachar Central Jail in Silchar, were deported from Assam.&nbsp;

The Government Railway Police (GRP) Sunday apprehended three illegal Rohingya Muslims from Lumding railway junction, more than 150 km from here, an official said.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) Sunday apprehended three illegal Rohingya Muslims from Lumding railway junction, more than 150 km from here, an official said. According to the Superintendent of Railway Police Hemanta Kumar Das, the three Rohingyas spotted and apprehended by the GRP personnel in the afternoon, were being interrogated at present. The three have been identified as Samshu Alam (51), Shamsu Alam (32) and Shabir Ahmed (64), Das said. On January 21, 30 Rohingya Muslims, including 12 children, were apprehended along the Tripura-Assam border. Five members of a Rohingya family were deported to Myanmar on January 3, exactly three months after seven others were handed over to the authorities of the neighbouring country. On October 3 last year, seven Myanmar nationals, who were in detention in Cachar Central Jail in Silchar, were deported from Assam.

Three Rohingyas arrested from Lumding railway station in Assam

The CRPF has decided to tweak the standard operating procedures (SOPs) framed to secure its convoys, in the wake of a "new threat" where an explosives-laden vehicle was detonated by a terrorist alongside the force's bus in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mission-to-isolate-pakistan-india-raises-pulwama-terror-attack-issue-at-munich-conference-197912">Pulwama killing 40 personnel</a>, the chief of the paramilitary force said Sunday.

"We have decided to add new features to our convoy movement to and from Kashmir," CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar told PTI after undertaking a two-day tour of the Valley in the wake of the February 14 attack, the worst against security forces in Jammu and Kashmir in three decades.

"Apart from traffic control, there will be changes in the timings of the convoys, their halt locations and movement in coordination with other security forces like the Army and the J-K police," he told the news agency.

He said two convoys have been run after the attack at Latoomode in Pulwama and these new measures are being tested and implemented as part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, after his tour to the Valley post the blast, had said it has been decided that movement of civilian vehicles will be restricted when convoys of security forces move in Jammu and Kashmir.

The DG said over the last two days he and his commanders in Kashmir have "discussed an laid down a new strategy" to not only secure the movement of convoys but also to enhance security measures for regular operations.

"I would not like to go into the specifics but we are formulating some strategies. This is something that we have done in the past and these things are dynamic.

"In view of this new threat, where a suicide bomber is suspected to have come close to our vehicle and detonated explosives, strategies are being worked upon," Bhatnagar said.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) chief said there was no ambush on any CRPF convoy in the last two years and the effort is to neutralise such threats as much as possible.

Asked if there was an intelligence input suggesting that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) could be used by terrorists in Kashmir to hit the forces, Bhatnagar said that he would not talk about things related to operations and intelligence."

A senior official, however, said there was no "specific input" and such an attack was completely new for the security forces in the Valley.

The DG, when asked about sending all troops from Jammu to Srinagar on aircraft to avoid the vulnerability of road movement, said there is "no alternative" to convoys.

Air courier service for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has been increased by adding flights from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu and back in 2018, he said.

Many times the helicopters and planes of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are also used to airlift CAPF troops to the Kashmir Valley, the DG said.

"As the Jammu-Srinagar Highway was closed due to landslides, the convoy operated on February 14 after a gap of 10 days and there was a large backlog of personnel who were to be transported to Srinagar from the transit camp of the CRPF in Jammu," a CRPF official based in Srinagar said.

"Thus, running of the convoy has very little to do with the availability of air effort, which can only supplement the convoys and not replace them," Bhatnagar said.

The proposal for introducing Delhi-Srinagar-Delhi fight (seven days a week) and a separate Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu flight (four days a week) has also been sanctioned by the home ministry and would soon be operational, the DG said.

This would more than double the present capacity to 1,892 seats per week for the forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley, he said.

During his visit to the Valley, the CRPF chief also met his troops at various units in and around Srinagar and also went to the blast site, about 20 km from Srinagar.

The CRPF is the lead counter-terrorism force in the state and has deployed about 65,000 troops as part of 61 battalions there.

The CRPF has decided to tweak the standard operating procedures (SOPs) framed to secure its convoys, in the wake of a "new threat" where an explosives-laden vehicle was detonated by a terrorist alongside the force's bus in Pulwama killing 40 personnel, the chief of the paramilitary force said Sunday.

The CRPF has decided to tweak the standard operating procedures (SOPs) framed to secure its convoys, in the wake of a "new threat" where an explosives-laden vehicle was detonated by a terrorist alongside the force's bus in Pulwama killing 40 personnel, the chief of the paramilitary force said Sunday. "We have decided to add new features to our convoy movement to and from Kashmir," CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar told PTI after undertaking a two-day tour of the Valley in the wake of the February 14 attack, the worst against security forces in Jammu and Kashmir in three decades. "Apart from traffic control, there will be changes in the timings of the convoys, their halt locations and movement in coordination with other security forces like the Army and the J-K police," he told the news agency. He said two convoys have been run after the attack at Latoomode in Pulwama and these new measures are being tested and implemented as part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Home Minister Rajnath Singh, after his tour to the Valley post the blast, had said it has been decided that movement of civilian vehicles will be restricted when convoys of security forces move in Jammu and Kashmir. The DG said over the last two days he and his commanders in Kashmir have "discussed an laid down a new strategy" to not only secure the movement of convoys but also to enhance security measures for regular operations. "I would not like to go into the specifics but we are formulating some strategies. This is something that we have done in the past and these things are dynamic. "In view of this new threat, where a suicide bomber is suspected to have come close to our vehicle and detonated explosives, strategies are being worked upon," Bhatnagar said. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) chief said there was no ambush on any CRPF convoy in the last two years and the effort is to neutralise such threats as much as possible. Asked if there was an intelligence input suggesting that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) could be used by terrorists in Kashmir to hit the forces, Bhatnagar said that he would not talk about things related to operations and intelligence." A senior official, however, said there was no "specific input" and such an attack was completely new for the security forces in the Valley. The DG, when asked about sending all troops from Jammu to Srinagar on aircraft to avoid the vulnerability of road movement, said there is "no alternative" to convoys. Air courier service for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has been increased by adding flights from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu and back in 2018, he said. Many times the helicopters and planes of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are also used to airlift CAPF troops to the Kashmir Valley, the DG said. "As the Jammu-Srinagar Highway was closed due to landslides, the convoy operated on February 14 after a gap of 10 days and there was a large backlog of personnel who were to be transported to Srinagar from the transit camp of the CRPF in Jammu," a CRPF official based in Srinagar said. "Thus, running of the convoy has very little to do with the availability of air effort, which can only supplement the convoys and not replace them," Bhatnagar said. The proposal for introducing Delhi-Srinagar-Delhi fight (seven days a week) and a separate Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu flight (four days a week) has also been sanctioned by the home ministry and would soon be operational, the DG said. This would more than double the present capacity to 1,892 seats per week for the forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley, he said. During his visit to the Valley, the CRPF chief also met his troops at various units in and around Srinagar and also went to the blast site, about 20 km from Srinagar. The CRPF is the lead counter-terrorism force in the state and has deployed about 65,000 troops as part of 61 battalions there.

Have decided to add new features to convoy movement to and from Kashmir: CRPF DG

After every terror attack in India, people want the government to take action against Pakistan the way Israel would in such circumstances. This feeling is further accentuated by the narrative built by mass media which, in turn, pressurises the state to fall back on the Indian Army.&nbsp;

Israel, that way, has behaved very differently from many states that find themselves surrounded by hostile neighbours. Instead of relying on its Army for all its covert operations, Israel's other agencies also carry out operations across the world. Israel reacts to threats in a continuous mode unlike in India where a punitive strike is always an after-thought.

Israel has carried out hits all over the world to protect its citizens and demolish organisations like the PLO and Hamas including those who stood in opposition to Israeli interest.&nbsp;

India, on the other hand, has never exercised such an approach. Rather, it begs the question of how our intelligence agencies lost their teeth after the glorious 1971 victory which led to the creation of independent Bangladesh.&nbsp; 
India has never been known to carry out such deep hits. Its peace-keeping mission in Sri Lanka also ended up in disaster as Indian forces became a victim of internecine politics of Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Israel, on the other hand, has gone all over the world to eliminate those who opposed its interests. The best example would that be of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi who was part of Adolf Hitler's key leadership.&nbsp;

Eichmann was responsible for killing thousands of Jews in Europe and was part of Hitler’s favourite project - Final Solution. When Nazis started to lose the war, Eichmann first decamped in Germany and then fled to British occupied area under a false identity in 1950 from Italy. He fled to Argentina which was a preferred place for the Nazis to disappear after Reich had fallen. His family joined him in 1952. &nbsp;It did not break the resolve of Israel. They looked for him all across South America till they abducted him in 1960 in Argentina and got him back to Israel for a trial. He was tried in Jerusalem and sentenced to death in 1961.&nbsp;

Another example would that be of the Munich Massacre of 1972 where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by a Palestinian terror outfit called Black September. Under Golda Meir’s leadership, operation ‘Wrath of God’ was launched by Israel whose code word was 'Bayonet'. The hit team involved individuals from Mossad and special forces operatives from Israel Defence Forces.&nbsp;

The team hunted individuals associated with planning the attack across Europe and West Asia. The team also made mistakes and put down the wrong person in Norway in 1973 sparking international outrage. As a result, PM Meir had to suspend the operation for a while only to have it revived in 1979. This time around, Israel successfully located Ali Hassan Salameh, known as Red Prince, who was the operational head of the terrorist group Black September. He was put down in Beirut the same year.

In 1962, Israel targeted German scientist working for a rocket programme under the leadership of Egyptian leader Gamal Abdul Naseer. The operation was called Operation Damocles. Egyptians were forced to close down the programme, the scientists were intimidated. The operation damaged Egypt’s effort to build bigger, better rockets to target Israel.

Israel also targeted important functionaries of the &nbsp;Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas throughout West Asia. Israel enjoys an audacious record of carrying deep strikes on countries like Syria, Jordan and Lebanon against terror groups.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The best recent example would that be of Isreal's national intelligence agency Mossad’s Dubai Operation in 2010. The agents neutralized chief weapons buyer of Hamas. Though agents were caught by CCTV cameras all over the place, the message which Israel sent was loud and clear. Israel reinforced that they will hunt down its enemies in any part of the world.&nbsp;

India has not been able to covertly target the key people of Pakistan Army whereas Pakistan has targeted important people of Indian Defence Forces and the police forces across India with impunity. We have not been able to send the message that we mean business when it comes to targeting us. We have failed to send the message to the enemies that we will get them at any cost. It is also because we have not built capacities like Israel. Also, political parties did not evolve a consensus on geopolitical realities. Till 2001, Indian politicians were not able to gauge the problem of Islamic fundamentalism.

In the absence of skill and assets abroad, the political party in power falls back on conventional tactics to counter Pakistan; a move that has its own limits. This too, disproportionately, falls on the shoulder of the Indian Army. &nbsp;

If India wants to behave like Israel, then it will have to build capacity and hit out at Pakistan across the world.

&nbsp;This is being said when India’s geopolitical reality is very different from that of Israel. In past, Israel received continuous backing from the US, unlike India.&nbsp;

Today, Pakistan is extremely close to China which is asserting itself all over the world. Doklam is an example in that case. It is a reality not shared by Israel. India shares a boundary with two nuclear-capable nations.

Pakistan has already forced America's hands in pushing them to talk to the Taliban in Qatar which has made them even bolder.&nbsp;

Also, Kashmir is an integral part of India, unlike the Palestinian areas which for Israel stand as enemy regions. Lastly, Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation. Any conventional war will have the possibility of the nuke power being misused by the Pakistan Army. In this case, India must do two things which Pakistan.

Firstly, India must hit at Pakistan's interests all over the world. The Centre should also kick-start the political process in Jammu and Kashmir as India cannot afford to have alienated population in the Valley when Pakistan is openly attacking Indian forces.&nbsp;

Finally, India's response against Pakistan must be continuous until and unless the South Asian nation is forced to ask for time. In absence of it, we may end up repeating Operation Parakram which did not change the DNA of the Pakistani state.&nbsp;

All that has happened in the last five years signals the fact that we have simply consumed the idea of a powerful India. We consumed surgical strikes for electoral ends. All of this has ended up creating hysteria across the nation, demanding war. One has to go to Syria and Afghanistan to understand how a full-fledged war affects a country.&nbsp;

The bottom line? Simply put, in the multi-polar world, India’s engagement with Pakistan will be bloody and we will have to take them to war rather than bleeding and fighting it out on our own land. For this, the only answer is harnessing the covert capability to strike at Pakistan's deep state - its Army.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

After every terror attack in India, people want the government to take action against Pakistan the way Israel would in such circumstances. This feeling is further accentuated by the narrative built by mass media which, in turn, pressurises the state to fall back on the Indian Army.

After every terror attack in India, people want the government to take action against Pakistan the way Israel would in such circumstances. This feeling is further accentuated by the narrative built by mass media which, in turn, pressurises the state to fall back on the Indian Army. Israel, that way, has behaved very differently from many states that find themselves surrounded by hostile neighbours. Instead of relying on its Army for all its covert operations, Israel's other agencies also carry out operations across the world. Israel reacts to threats in a continuous mode unlike in India where a punitive strike is always an after-thought. Israel has carried out hits all over the world to protect its citizens and demolish organisations like the PLO and Hamas including those who stood in opposition to Israeli interest. India, on the other hand, has never exercised such an approach. Rather, it begs the question of how our intelligence agencies lost their teeth after the glorious 1971 victory which led to the creation of independent Bangladesh. India has never been known to carry out such deep hits. Its peace-keeping mission in Sri Lanka also ended up in disaster as Indian forces became a victim of internecine politics of Sri Lanka. Israel, on the other hand, has gone all over the world to eliminate those who opposed its interests. The best example would that be of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi who was part of Adolf Hitler's key leadership. Eichmann was responsible for killing thousands of Jews in Europe and was part of Hitler’s favourite project - Final Solution. When Nazis started to lose the war, Eichmann first decamped in Germany and then fled to British occupied area under a false identity in 1950 from Italy. He fled to Argentina which was a preferred place for the Nazis to disappear after Reich had fallen. His family joined him in 1952. It did not break the resolve of Israel. They looked for him all across South America till they abducted him in 1960 in Argentina and got him back to Israel for a trial. He was tried in Jerusalem and sentenced to death in 1961. Another example would that be of the Munich Massacre of 1972 where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by a Palestinian terror outfit called Black September. Under Golda Meir’s leadership, operation ‘Wrath of God’ was launched by Israel whose code word was 'Bayonet'. The hit team involved individuals from Mossad and special forces operatives from Israel Defence Forces. The team hunted individuals associated with planning the attack across Europe and West Asia. The team also made mistakes and put down the wrong person in Norway in 1973 sparking international outrage. As a result, PM Meir had to suspend the operation for a while only to have it revived in 1979. This time around, Israel successfully located Ali Hassan Salameh, known as Red Prince, who was the operational head of the terrorist group Black September. He was put down in Beirut the same year. In 1962, Israel targeted German scientist working for a rocket programme under the leadership of Egyptian leader Gamal Abdul Naseer. The operation was called Operation Damocles. Egyptians were forced to close down the programme, the scientists were intimidated. The operation damaged Egypt’s effort to build bigger, better rockets to target Israel. Israel also targeted important functionaries of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas throughout West Asia. Israel enjoys an audacious record of carrying deep strikes on countries like Syria, Jordan and Lebanon against terror groups. The best recent example would that be of Isreal's national intelligence agency Mossad’s Dubai Operation in 2010. The agents neutralized chief weapons buyer of Hamas. Though agents were caught by CCTV cameras all over the place, the message which Israel sent was loud and clear. Israel reinforced that they will hunt down its enemies in any part of the world. India has not been able to covertly target the key people of Pakistan Army whereas Pakistan has targeted important people of Indian Defence Forces and the police forces across India with impunity. We have not been able to send the message that we mean business when it comes to targeting us. We have failed to send the message to the enemies that we will get them at any cost. It is also because we have not built capacities like Israel. Also, political parties did not evolve a consensus on geopolitical realities. Till 2001, Indian politicians were not able to gauge the problem of Islamic fundamentalism. In the absence of skill and assets abroad, the political party in power falls back on conventional tactics to counter Pakistan; a move that has its own limits. This too, disproportionately, falls on the shoulder of the Indian Army. If India wants to behave like Israel, then it will have to build capacity and hit out at Pakistan across the world. This is being said when India’s geopolitical reality is very different from that of Israel. In past, Israel received continuous backing from the US, unlike India. Today, Pakistan is extremely close to China which is asserting itself all over the world. Doklam is an example in that case. It is a reality not shared by Israel. India shares a boundary with two nuclear-capable nations. Pakistan has already forced America's hands in pushing them to talk to the Taliban in Qatar which has made them even bolder. Also, Kashmir is an integral part of India, unlike the Palestinian areas which for Israel stand as enemy regions. Lastly, Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation. Any conventional war will have the possibility of the nuke power being misused by the Pakistan Army. In this case, India must do two things which Pakistan. Firstly, India must hit at Pakistan's interests all over the world. The Centre should also kick-start the political process in Jammu and Kashmir as India cannot afford to have alienated population in the Valley when Pakistan is openly attacking Indian forces. Finally, India's response against Pakistan must be continuous until and unless the South Asian nation is forced to ask for time. In absence of it, we may end up repeating Operation Parakram which did not change the DNA of the Pakistani state. All that has happened in the last five years signals the fact that we have simply consumed the idea of a powerful India. We consumed surgical strikes for electoral ends. All of this has ended up creating hysteria across the nation, demanding war. One has to go to Syria and Afghanistan to understand how a full-fledged war affects a country. The bottom line? Simply put, in the multi-polar world, India’s engagement with Pakistan will be bloody and we will have to take them to war rather than bleeding and fighting it out on our own land. For this, the only answer is harnessing the covert capability to strike at Pakistan's deep state - its Army. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pulwama terror attack: Can India respond like Israel?

The time is indeed now to lean into game-changing defence partnerships with India, global aerospace giant Lockheed Martin's top American executive has said.

Vivek Lall, Lockheed Martin's vice president of strategy and business development, said that the US and India are natural partners with shared interests across numerous political, economic and security issues.

A world-renowned aerospace and defence leader, he has been instrumental in several crucial India-US defence deals in the past one decade.

He would be leading the executive delegation of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) to Aero-India show 2019 from February 20-24.

"The time is indeed now to lean into game-changing defence partnerships. India-US ties are growing ever closer and we are very encouraged by the positive trend we're seeing in US-India relations, particularly on the defence and security front," Lall told PTI.

"Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics service is our leader this year and we are also pleased to have USIBC's new Chairman of our Defence and Aerospace Committee Mr Rich Weir of Northrop Grumman in attendance," USIBC said in a statement.

Aero India is a wonderful opportunity for USIBC members and Lockheed Martin to meet with senior US and Indian government officials, participate in business-to-business networking activities and attend seminars that provide insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with doing business in India's aerospace and defence sector, Lall said.

"Aero India is also an ideal venue to highlight Lockheed Martin's suite of security solutions and partnerships that support India's defence needs, Make in India and India-US ties," Lall said in response to a question.

Officials from the US Department of Defence are also scheduled to attend the annual aero show in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

The time is indeed now to lean into game-changing defence partnerships with India, global aerospace giant Lockheed Martin's top American executive has said. Vivek Lall, Lockheed Martin's vice president of strategy and business development, said that the US and India are natural partners with shared interests across numerous political, economic and security issues.

The time is indeed now to lean into game-changing defence partnerships with India, global aerospace giant Lockheed Martin's top American executive has said. Vivek Lall, Lockheed Martin's vice president of strategy and business development, said that the US and India are natural partners with shared interests across numerous political, economic and security issues. A world-renowned aerospace and defence leader, he has been instrumental in several crucial India-US defence deals in the past one decade. He would be leading the executive delegation of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) to Aero-India show 2019 from February 20-24. "The time is indeed now to lean into game-changing defence partnerships. India-US ties are growing ever closer and we are very encouraged by the positive trend we're seeing in US-India relations, particularly on the defence and security front," Lall told PTI. "Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics service is our leader this year and we are also pleased to have USIBC's new Chairman of our Defence and Aerospace Committee Mr Rich Weir of Northrop Grumman in attendance," USIBC said in a statement. Aero India is a wonderful opportunity for USIBC members and Lockheed Martin to meet with senior US and Indian government officials, participate in business-to-business networking activities and attend seminars that provide insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with doing business in India's aerospace and defence sector, Lall said. "Aero India is also an ideal venue to highlight Lockheed Martin's suite of security solutions and partnerships that support India's defence needs, Make in India and India-US ties," Lall said in response to a question. Officials from the US Department of Defence are also scheduled to attend the annual aero show in Bengaluru.

Time has come for game-changing defence pacts with India: Lockheed official 

India's diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday as diplomats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) were briefed at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) post-<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jem-commanders-responsible-for-pulwama-terror-attack-identified-traced-in-tral-sources-197758">Pulwama terror attack</a> that killed 40 CRPF personnel.&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and secretaries strongly rejected the denial by Pakistan of its involvement in the attack and highlighted how Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy.&nbsp;

Diplomats from over 15 countries were briefed about Pakistan's involvement in the terror attack and its continued support to terrorism by providing safe havens to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). JeM has taken responsibility for the attack which has been billed as the worst ever in over two decades.

Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos was also present during the MEA briefing. Dean is the main representative of diplomatic corps and the longest serving ambassador in a country.

An ambassador, on the condition of anonymity, told WION, "this time it's much more than statements".

On Friday, India briefed 25 envoys from P-5 (Permanent Five of the United Nations Security Council) countries, South Asian countries and nations like Japan, Germany and South Korea.&nbsp;

After the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on Friday, it was decided that India will be calling on the international community to isolate Pakistan owing to its support to terror. After the Uri attack, India and other South Asian countries in the region boycotted the SAARC summit in Islamabad.&nbsp;

India's focus will now be on highlighting Pakistan's support to terror at the&nbsp; 
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting that begins from Sunday in Paris. Remember, Pakistan was put on the greylist last year by the group.

I am here for a while: Indian High Commissioner&nbsp;

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was at MEA for the consultations. He was at the ministry for over an hour. Speaking to reporters after the meet he said, "I am here for consultations". "I don't know for how many days but I am here for a while," Bisaria added.&nbsp;

There may be some special declaration on Pulwama attacks by the President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during his India visit which will begin Sunday.

US backs India's right to self-defence

Meanwhile, the United States has said it will back India's "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-us-supports-indias-right-to-self-defence-offers-help-to-bring-perpetrators-to-justice-197721">right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism</a>". In a phone call from US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton to India's NSA Ajit Doval, Washington "offered all assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice," an MEA release said.

Both the NSAs "vowed to work together" to ensure that Pakistan "cease to be a safe haven" for Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and other terrorist groups.

New Delhi and Washington also "resolved to hold Pakistan to account" for its "obligations under UN resolutions and to remove all obstacles to designating" JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

India had approached United Nation Security Council's 1267 Committee three years ago to designate Azhar as an international terrorist but Bejing blocked it citing lack of consensus.&nbsp;

The United States was one of the first countries to condemn the terror attack and called on Pakistan not to provide safe haven to terrorists. The White House called on "Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil".

US State Department called on "all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, expressions of strong condemnations continue to pour in from across the world. Around 50 countries have condemned the terror attacks so far, including US, Germany, Russia, France, China, EU, Australia, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, among other nations.&nbsp;

Iran comes hard on Pakistan

As India mounts pressure on Islamabad, Iran also hit out and called for action on terror groups responsible for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/iran-general-says-pakistan-backs-group-behind-suicide-bomb-197757">terror attack that killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards</a> on Wednesday in south-eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province.&nbsp;

"If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders ... based on international law and will retaliate to punish the terrorists", Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted by the state media.

India's diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday as diplomats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) were briefed at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) post-Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.

India's diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday as diplomats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) were briefed at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) post-Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and secretaries strongly rejected the denial by Pakistan of its involvement in the attack and highlighted how Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy. Diplomats from over 15 countries were briefed about Pakistan's involvement in the terror attack and its continued support to terrorism by providing safe havens to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). JeM has taken responsibility for the attack which has been billed as the worst ever in over two decades. Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos was also present during the MEA briefing. Dean is the main representative of diplomatic corps and the longest serving ambassador in a country. An ambassador, on the condition of anonymity, told WION, "this time it's much more than statements". On Friday, India briefed 25 envoys from P-5 (Permanent Five of the United Nations Security Council) countries, South Asian countries and nations like Japan, Germany and South Korea. After the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on Friday, it was decided that India will be calling on the international community to isolate Pakistan owing to its support to terror. After the Uri attack, India and other South Asian countries in the region boycotted the SAARC summit in Islamabad. India's focus will now be on highlighting Pakistan's support to terror at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting that begins from Sunday in Paris. Remember, Pakistan was put on the greylist last year by the group. I am here for a while: Indian High Commissioner Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was at MEA for the consultations. He was at the ministry for over an hour. Speaking to reporters after the meet he said, "I am here for consultations". "I don't know for how many days but I am here for a while," Bisaria added. There may be some special declaration on Pulwama attacks by the President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during his India visit which will begin Sunday. US backs India's right to self-defence Meanwhile, the United States has said it will back India's "right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism". In a phone call from US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton to India's NSA Ajit Doval, Washington "offered all assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice," an MEA release said. Both the NSAs "vowed to work together" to ensure that Pakistan "cease to be a safe haven" for Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and other terrorist groups. New Delhi and Washington also "resolved to hold Pakistan to account" for its "obligations under UN resolutions and to remove all obstacles to designating" JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. India had approached United Nation Security Council's 1267 Committee three years ago to designate Azhar as an international terrorist but Bejing blocked it citing lack of consensus. The United States was one of the first countries to condemn the terror attack and called on Pakistan not to provide safe haven to terrorists. The White House called on "Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil". US State Department called on "all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists". Meanwhile, expressions of strong condemnations continue to pour in from across the world. Around 50 countries have condemned the terror attacks so far, including US, Germany, Russia, France, China, EU, Australia, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, among other nations. Iran comes hard on Pakistan As India mounts pressure on Islamabad, Iran also hit out and called for action on terror groups responsible for the terror attack that killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday in south-eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province. "If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders ... based on international law and will retaliate to punish the terrorists", Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted by the state media.

Pulwama attack: India continues its diplomatic campaign; briefs Gulf, ASEAN and African envoys 

India’s diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jem-commanders-responsible-for-pulwama-terror-attack-identified-traced-in-tral-sources-197758">Pulwama terror attack</a>. Here's taking a quick look at some of the major diplomatic developments so far.&nbsp;

1. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-continues-its-diplomatic-campaign-for-second-day-briefs-gulf-asean-and-african-envoys-197780">India briefed envoys</a> of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC). New Delhi briefed 25 envoys on Friday.&nbsp;

2. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told envoys that Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy. One envoy on the condition of anonymity told WION, "this time it is much more than statements".

3. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, was at the MEA for over an hour and said, "I don't know for how many days but I am here for a while".

4. Pak foreign office tweeted, "Kashmiri students being systemically targeted in India". Top government sources slammed Islamabad, told WION, "Pakistan appears to be floundering. Their statements, evidenced by this last one, appear to be getting more ridiculous by the hour". Till now, neither PM Imran Khan nor FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi has condemned the attack.

5. US NSA John Bolton said Pakistan must crack down on JeM and all terrorists operating from its territory. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-us-supports-indias-right-to-self-defence-offers-help-to-bring-perpetrators-to-justice-197721">Bolton called NSA Doval and supported India's right to self-defence</a> against cross-border terrorism. Washington offered all "assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice," MEA noted.

6. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to take place from February 17 to 22. Pakistan was greylisted last year due to inaction on terror front. India to raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan.&nbsp;

New Delhi also decided to give a dossier to FATF to expose the neighbouring country's links with terrorism and seeking its blacklisting.&nbsp;

7. Special declaration on Pulwama attacks expected by President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during his India visit starting Sunday.

8. India raised customs duty on all <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/customs-duty-on-all-goods-imported-from-pakistan-hiked-to-200-arun-jaitley-197808">goods imported from Pakistan to 200 per cent</a> with immediate effect on Saturday. The move came a day after India scrapped MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status to Pakistan.

9. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/iran-general-says-pakistan-backs-group-behind-suicide-bomb-197757">Iran came hard on Pakistan</a> after a terror attack on Wednesday killed 27 Revolutionary Guard in south-eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province. "If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders", Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted by the state media.

Around 50 countries have condemned the terror attacks so far, including US, Germany, Russia, France, China, EU, Australia, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, among other nations.&nbsp;

10. Saudi Crown prince postponed his Pakistan visit by a day. Will be in the country from February 17 to 18. Was initially supposed to be in the country from February 16 to 17.&nbsp;

India’s diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday over Pulwama terror attack. Here's taking a quick look at some of the major diplomatic developments so far.

India’s diplomatic campaign continued for the second day on Saturday over Pulwama terror attack. Here's taking a quick look at some of the major diplomatic developments so far. 1. India briefed envoys of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Central Asia, ASEAN, Africa and non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC). New Delhi briefed 25 envoys on Friday. 2. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told envoys that Pakistan has been using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy. One envoy on the condition of anonymity told WION, "this time it is much more than statements". 3. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, was at the MEA for over an hour and said, "I don't know for how many days but I am here for a while". 4. Pak foreign office tweeted, "Kashmiri students being systemically targeted in India". Top government sources slammed Islamabad, told WION, "Pakistan appears to be floundering. Their statements, evidenced by this last one, appear to be getting more ridiculous by the hour". Till now, neither PM Imran Khan nor FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi has condemned the attack. 5. US NSA John Bolton said Pakistan must crack down on JeM and all terrorists operating from its territory. Bolton called NSA Doval and supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. Washington offered all "assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice," MEA noted. 6. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to take place from February 17 to 22. Pakistan was greylisted last year due to inaction on terror front. India to raise the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan. New Delhi also decided to give a dossier to FATF to expose the neighbouring country's links with terrorism and seeking its blacklisting. 7. Special declaration on Pulwama attacks expected by President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during his India visit starting Sunday. 8. India raised customs duty on all goods imported from Pakistan to 200 per cent with immediate effect on Saturday. The move came a day after India scrapped MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status to Pakistan. 9. Iran came hard on Pakistan after a terror attack on Wednesday killed 27 Revolutionary Guard in south-eastern Sistan-Baluchistan province. "If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders", Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari was quoted by the state media. Around 50 countries have condemned the terror attacks so far, including US, Germany, Russia, France, China, EU, Australia, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, among other nations. 10. Saudi Crown prince postponed his Pakistan visit by a day. Will be in the country from February 17 to 18. Was initially supposed to be in the country from February 16 to 17.

Pulwama terror attack: Top 10 diplomatic developments 

Argentine President Mauricio Macri will be visiting India on Sunday. The visit comes after PM Modi's visit to the South American country last year in November for the G20 Summit. Ahead of the visit, WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Argentina's envoy to India Daniel Chuburu.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see bilateral ties with India?

Chuburu: As you know, this year is the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Argentina and India. So it is a great occasion to think about the relationship where it stands and where we are looking to go with all the partnership we have with India. Let me tell you, we are good friends with India, and have worked politically for many many years in a lot of different places. We firmly believe the potential our relations can achieve is not being done. We have small trade, concentrated in one product; we have to step up the relationship, strengthen it and step up on the quality of the relationship.&nbsp;

WION: What is the programme of the President?&nbsp;

Chuburu: The official programme is on February 18 when he is in Delhi. On February 19 he will be in Mumbai. First is a protocol visit, meeting with the PM, dinner with the President, lunch with the PM. In addition to that, a series of discussions between the two delegations will take place. We have to make a strategic partnership. Three issues will be discussed: One is sectoral agricultural on food security. One is in the field of energy, taking into consideration energy security. The third one is in cooperation with high technology. We will be discussing the agreement in the areas of defence, nuclear energy, in the peaceful use of outer space. The President will take part in the business forum.&nbsp;

WION: What is the focus area during the visit?&nbsp;

Chuburu: Common focus is to have a strategic partnership. We can't do anything about the distance (over 15,000kms) that separate both of the countries, that is the reality of life. We are working on an MoU on air services. We have to work on the quality of the relationship. &nbsp;

WION: You hosted G20, any suggestion for India?&nbsp;

Chuburu: We are at the disposal of India to share any kind of and all the experience that we have. When you have the summit you have 30 leaders visiting your country. Summit is just the last expression. Question is how you plan the whole year. It is a lot of work. India will do it pretty well, you have a lot of experience. There will be no problem.&nbsp;

Argentine President Mauricio Macri will be visiting India on Sunday. The visit comes after PM Modi's visit to the South American country last year in November for the G20 Summit.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri will be visiting India on Sunday. The visit comes after PM Modi's visit to the South American country last year in November for the G20 Summit. Ahead of the visit, WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Argentina's envoy to India Daniel Chuburu. WION: How do you see bilateral ties with India? Chuburu: As you know, this year is the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Argentina and India. So it is a great occasion to think about the relationship where it stands and where we are looking to go with all the partnership we have with India. Let me tell you, we are good friends with India, and have worked politically for many many years in a lot of different places. We firmly believe the potential our relations can achieve is not being done. We have small trade, concentrated in one product; we have to step up the relationship, strengthen it and step up on the quality of the relationship. WION: What is the programme of the President? Chuburu: The official programme is on February 18 when he is in Delhi. On February 19 he will be in Mumbai. First is a protocol visit, meeting with the PM, dinner with the President, lunch with the PM. In addition to that, a series of discussions between the two delegations will take place. We have to make a strategic partnership. Three issues will be discussed: One is sectoral agricultural on food security. One is in the field of energy, taking into consideration energy security. The third one is in cooperation with high technology. We will be discussing the agreement in the areas of defence, nuclear energy, in the peaceful use of outer space. The President will take part in the business forum. WION: What is the focus area during the visit? Chuburu: Common focus is to have a strategic partnership. We can't do anything about the distance (over 15,000kms) that separate both of the countries, that is the reality of life. We are working on an MoU on air services. We have to work on the quality of the relationship. WION: You hosted G20, any suggestion for India? Chuburu: We are at the disposal of India to share any kind of and all the experience that we have. When you have the summit you have 30 leaders visiting your country. Summit is just the last expression. Question is how you plan the whole year. It is a lot of work. India will do it pretty well, you have a lot of experience. There will be no problem.

India will do pretty well in hosting G20 summit 2022: Argentine envoy to WION

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reject-insinuation-by-india-to-link-pulwama-attack-to-pak-without-investigation-pak-government-197496">Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan</a> following <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel</a> in which at least 40 lost their lives.&nbsp;

India had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1994. Under it, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota. Pakistan never granted India MFN.

India will be also taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.&nbsp;

Briefing the media after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-ccs-meet-gets-underway-to-discuss-security-situation-in-jk-197529">Cabinet Committee on Security meet</a> in New Delhi on Friday, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the ''complete isolation'' of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident"

India will also ask the world to form a consensus on comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation.

Finance minister said," MEA will also with International Community to make sure that Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism lying with UN is now adopted"

The CCS took an assessment of the situation and discussed the incident in which a large number of CRPF died, Jaitly said.&nbsp;

Jaitley added, ''Security forces will take all possible take steps to ensure full security is maintained and ensure those who committed this heinous crime are made to pay a heavy cost''.&nbsp;

According to Jaitley, CRPF will make detailed arrangements to transport the bodies of the deceased to their relatives.&nbsp;

The CCS observed a two-minute silence before the meeting and expressed its condolences to the victims of the heinous attack.

Meanwhile, Rajnath will leave for Srinagar along with several officials in order to take stock of the situation.&nbsp;

After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad.

Several countries have condemned the Pulwama attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. The United States called on Pakistan to act on terrorist groups operating on its soil but China still hasn't reacted.&nbsp;

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan following Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel in which at least 40 lost their lives.

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan following Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel in which at least 40 lost their lives. India had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1994. Under it, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota. Pakistan never granted India MFN. India will be also taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. Briefing the media after Cabinet Committee on Security meet in New Delhi on Friday, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the ''complete isolation'' of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident" India will also ask the world to form a consensus on comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation. Finance minister said," MEA will also with International Community to make sure that Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism lying with UN is now adopted" The CCS took an assessment of the situation and discussed the incident in which a large number of CRPF died, Jaitly said. Jaitley added, ''Security forces will take all possible take steps to ensure full security is maintained and ensure those who committed this heinous crime are made to pay a heavy cost''. According to Jaitley, CRPF will make detailed arrangements to transport the bodies of the deceased to their relatives. The CCS observed a two-minute silence before the meeting and expressed its condolences to the victims of the heinous attack. Meanwhile, Rajnath will leave for Srinagar along with several officials in order to take stock of the situation. After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad. Several countries have condemned the Pulwama attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. The United States called on Pakistan to act on terrorist groups operating on its soil but China still hasn't reacted.

India withdraws 'Most Favoured Nation' status accorded to Pakistan after Pulwama attack

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.&nbsp;

At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.&nbsp;

The Indian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly terrorist attack on India's brave security forces in Pulwama, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, it said.

This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by the Pakistani government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under Pakistan's control and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity, the MEA said.

The Indian government is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security, it said.

"We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory, and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries," the statement said.

"We express our sincere condolences to the family members of our fearless security personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice," the MEA said.&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil. India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. The Indian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly terrorist attack on India's brave security forces in Pulwama, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, it said. This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by the Pakistani government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under Pakistan's control and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity, the MEA said. The Indian government is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security, it said. "We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory, and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries," the statement said. "We express our sincere condolences to the family members of our fearless security personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice," the MEA said. Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

Stop supporting terrorists, dismantle terror safe havens: India to Pakistan

Indonesia will host <a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan/cash-strapped-pakistan-to-host-saudi-crown-prince-197175">Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a> for a state visit next week, Jakarta said Thursday, part of an Asian tour that includes stops in Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

His two-day visit to the world's biggest Muslim majority country kicks off Monday, the prince's second official visit to the archipelago, but Jakarta supplied few details about his itinerary.

"He will arrive in Indonesia on February 18, and meet the president on February 19," presidential spokesman Johan Budi told AFP.

The crown prince is scheduled to visit Pakistan and Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-saudi-crown-prince-india-visit-cabinet-gives-nod-for-mous-on-investment-tourism-with-riyadh-197257">then he heads to India</a>.

Salman last visited Indonesia with his father King Salman in 2017 as part of an Asian tour seeking investment opportunities.

At that time, Jakarta and Riyadh signed a range of agreements from trade and aviation to boosting cooperation in science, health and fighting crime.

They also inked an agreement involving state-owned energy firms Aramco and Indonesia's Pertamina to expand a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in the Southeast Asian nation.

Next week's trip comes as the crown prince continues to be tarnished by his alleged links to the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The CIA has concluded the Saudi operation was likely directed by the powerful crown prince, but the White House has sidestepped that finding amid strenuous denials by Riyadh.

Indonesia will host Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a state visit next week, Jakarta said Thursday, part of an Asian tour that includes stops in Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

Indonesia will host Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a state visit next week, Jakarta said Thursday, part of an Asian tour that includes stops in Pakistan, India and Malaysia. His two-day visit to the world's biggest Muslim majority country kicks off Monday, the prince's second official visit to the archipelago, but Jakarta supplied few details about his itinerary. "He will arrive in Indonesia on February 18, and meet the president on February 19," presidential spokesman Johan Budi told AFP. The crown prince is scheduled to visit Pakistan and Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia and then he heads to India. Salman last visited Indonesia with his father King Salman in 2017 as part of an Asian tour seeking investment opportunities. At that time, Jakarta and Riyadh signed a range of agreements from trade and aviation to boosting cooperation in science, health and fighting crime. They also inked an agreement involving state-owned energy firms Aramco and Indonesia's Pertamina to expand a multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in the Southeast Asian nation. Next week's trip comes as the crown prince continues to be tarnished by his alleged links to the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA has concluded the Saudi operation was likely directed by the powerful crown prince, but the White House has sidestepped that finding amid strenuous denials by Riyadh.

Saudi crown prince Salman to visit Indonesia next week

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