A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan. Furthermore, the survey accounting for 1,000 respondents also perceived China as the biggest military threat to New Delhi. Notably, Indians also place greater blame on Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine than on Russian President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

According to the survey, published on Tuesday, some 43 per cent of the 1,000 participants viewed China as the biggest military threat followed by the US at 22 per cent and Pakistan and Russia at 13 per cent. “While the world’s two largest democracies would seem to make for natural partners, especially given their mutual mistrust of China, Indians have strategic reasons to be wary of the world’s Western superpower,” said Sonnet Frisbie and Scott Moskowitz, who oversaw the survey, reported Bloomberg.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indians-among-top-earners-in-us-surpass-other-asian-groups-report-553585">Indians among top earners in US, surpass other Asian groups: Report &nbsp;</a>

The duo also noted that with a rise in tensions between US and China, Indians might be worried about getting in the middle of a possible conflict between the two countries that “destabilises regional security, putting India at risk.” The poll conducted back in October also found that at least 60 per cent of respondents want the Indian government to continue the purchase of Russian oil.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, some 48 per cent of participants said that India should choose Russia as New Delhi’s preferred military equipment provider as opposed to the US. In the context of respondents blaming Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine as opposed to Putin, the report noted that this “should not be taken as a sign that Indians approve of Russia’s actions”. As prior to the conflict, said Frisbie and Moskowitz, the “net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults was around 30 percentage points higher than net favorability toward NATO”, which was also similar to the US.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-indian-startups-cut-about-1600-jobs-daily-553582">WION Fineprint: Indian startups cut about 1,600 jobs daily</a>

However, the net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults has plunged while the favorability of NATO and the United States is much less affected in comparison, said the report. New Delhi has managed to remain neutral in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv despite pressure from Western countries which could be attributed to India and Russia’s long-standing relationship and historic ties formed during the Cold War and India’s post-independence period.&nbsp; 
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A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan.

A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan. Furthermore, the survey accounting for 1,000 respondents also perceived China as the biggest military threat to New Delhi. Notably, Indians also place greater blame on Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine than on Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the survey, published on Tuesday, some 43 per cent of the 1,000 participants viewed China as the biggest military threat followed by the US at 22 per cent and Pakistan and Russia at 13 per cent. “While the world’s two largest democracies would seem to make for natural partners, especially given their mutual mistrust of China, Indians have strategic reasons to be wary of the world’s Western superpower,” said Sonnet Frisbie and Scott Moskowitz, who oversaw the survey, reported Bloomberg. ALSO READ | Indians among top earners in US, surpass other Asian groups: Report The duo also noted that with a rise in tensions between US and China, Indians might be worried about getting in the middle of a possible conflict between the two countries that “destabilises regional security, putting India at risk.” The poll conducted back in October also found that at least 60 per cent of respondents want the Indian government to continue the purchase of Russian oil. Meanwhile, some 48 per cent of participants said that India should choose Russia as New Delhi’s preferred military equipment provider as opposed to the US. In the context of respondents blaming Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine as opposed to Putin, the report noted that this “should not be taken as a sign that Indians approve of Russia’s actions”. As prior to the conflict, said Frisbie and Moskowitz, the “net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults was around 30 percentage points higher than net favorability toward NATO”, which was also similar to the US. ALSO WATCH | WION Fineprint: Indian startups cut about 1,600 jobs daily However, the net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults has plunged while the favorability of NATO and the United States is much less affected in comparison, said the report. New Delhi has managed to remain neutral in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv despite pressure from Western countries which could be attributed to India and Russia’s long-standing relationship and historic ties formed during the Cold War and India’s post-independence period. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey

The Vice President of the West African nation of Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof passed away after a short illness in India, said the country’s President Adama Barrow, on Wednesday (January 18). The 65-year-old took office last year as the vice president and had served as Gambia’s education minister from 2017 to 2022.&nbsp;

The announcement was made by the West African nation’s president on Twitter who said that Joof passed away “after a short illness” but did not provide any further details about his health condition.&nbsp;

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Fellow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gambians?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gambians</a>, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing away of my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VicePresident?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VicePresident</a>, His Excellency, Badara Alieu Joof. The sad event took place in India after a short illness. May Allah grant him Jannahtul Firdawsi.
— President Barrow (@BarrowPresident) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarrowPresident/status/1615622485772304386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This comes after the VP left Gambia three weeks ago to seek medical treatment and was reportedly not seen in public for months before his trip. The late VP had also worked in Gambian civil service as well as in the World Bank as an Education Specialist for West and Central Africa, reported Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

According to local media reports, rumours about his deteriorating health had begun circulating in December last year. He was appointed as the VP by Barrow who became the president after a historic win in the 2016 election against Yahya Jammeh. Joof was sworn in a year after the incumbent president won his re-election bid in 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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The Vice President of the West African nation of Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof passed away after a short illness in India, said the country’s President Adama Barrow, on Wednesday (January 18).

The Vice President of the West African nation of Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof passed away after a short illness in India, said the country’s President Adama Barrow, on Wednesday (January 18). The 65-year-old took office last year as the vice president and had served as Gambia’s education minister from 2017 to 2022. The announcement was made by the West African nation’s president on Twitter who said that Joof passed away “after a short illness” but did not provide any further details about his health condition. Fellow #Gambians, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing away of my #VicePresident, His Excellency, Badara Alieu Joof. The sad event took place in India after a short illness. May Allah grant him Jannahtul Firdawsi. — President Barrow (@BarrowPresident) January 18, 2023 × This comes after the VP left Gambia three weeks ago to seek medical treatment and was reportedly not seen in public for months before his trip. The late VP had also worked in Gambian civil service as well as in the World Bank as an Education Specialist for West and Central Africa, reported Al Jazeera. According to local media reports, rumours about his deteriorating health had begun circulating in December last year. He was appointed as the VP by Barrow who became the president after a historic win in the 2016 election against Yahya Jammeh. Joof was sworn in a year after the incumbent president won his re-election bid in 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gambian vice-president Badara Alieu Joof passes away in India after ‘short illness’

Security has been beefed up across the Kashmir valley ahead of Republic Day on January 26. Border Security Forces (BSF) Inspector General, Ashok Yadav while interacting with the media said that not only has security been increased in the city but also&nbsp;along the Line of Control (LoC). Vigilance in all the districts of Kashmir valley has been increased and&nbsp; security&nbsp;personnel have been deployed on the ground to keep a check. More barricades have also been put up in several places across the valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/makkis-un-blacklisting-to-help-indias-efforts-to-dismantle-terror-infrastructure-mea-553591">Makki's UN blacklisting to help India's efforts to dismantle terror infrastructure: MEA</a>

“There are two sides to it. One is the Line of Control, whenever there is a national day celebration in India, we beef up the security grid on the LoC. We have also increased patrolling on the borders. A lot of our companies are involved in law and order also and we are very much alert, and we will make sure it goes smoothly,"&nbsp;said Inspector General of BSF, Ashok Yadav.&nbsp;

The Border Security Force had organised a band show under the aegis of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” programme. The Brass and Jazz Band of the BSF, Kashmir Frontier displayed a symphony of martial music at Nishat Bagh on the banks of the iconic Dal Lake to spread a message of unity and solidarity among the people of Kashmir valley and to showcase the glorious history of BSF.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-terrorists-belonging-to-let-killed-in-budgam-encounter-553422">Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists belonging to LeT killed in Budgam encounter</a>

The visitors, tourists, locals and children witnessed and experienced the rich music and skilful play of the BSF Band and enjoyed it. The audience also liked the BSF song “Hum Seema Ke Prahari Hain” played by the Brass and Jazz Band in a wonderful tuning with heart-touching lyrics. IG of BSF Ashok Yadav said that the BSF displayed its band by playing patriotic songs, “There are many people here like locals and tourists. We want to recognise the contribution of every citizen.”

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Security has been beefed up across the Kashmir valley ahead of Republic Day on January 26. Border Security Forces (BSF) Inspector General, Ashok Yadav while interacting with the media said that not only has security been increased in the city but also along the Line of Control (LoC).

Security has been beefed up across the Kashmir valley ahead of Republic Day on January 26. Border Security Forces (BSF) Inspector General, Ashok Yadav while interacting with the media said that not only has security been increased in the city but also along the Line of Control (LoC). Vigilance in all the districts of Kashmir valley has been increased and security personnel have been deployed on the ground to keep a check. More barricades have also been put up in several places across the valley. ALSO READ | Makki's UN blacklisting to help India's efforts to dismantle terror infrastructure: MEA “There are two sides to it. One is the Line of Control, whenever there is a national day celebration in India, we beef up the security grid on the LoC. We have also increased patrolling on the borders. A lot of our companies are involved in law and order also and we are very much alert, and we will make sure it goes smoothly," said Inspector General of BSF, Ashok Yadav. The Border Security Force had organised a band show under the aegis of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” programme. The Brass and Jazz Band of the BSF, Kashmir Frontier displayed a symphony of martial music at Nishat Bagh on the banks of the iconic Dal Lake to spread a message of unity and solidarity among the people of Kashmir valley and to showcase the glorious history of BSF. ALSO READ | Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists belonging to LeT killed in Budgam encounter The visitors, tourists, locals and children witnessed and experienced the rich music and skilful play of the BSF Band and enjoyed it. The audience also liked the BSF song “Hum Seema Ke Prahari Hain” played by the Brass and Jazz Band in a wonderful tuning with heart-touching lyrics. IG of BSF Ashok Yadav said that the BSF displayed its band by playing patriotic songs, “There are many people here like locals and tourists. We want to recognise the contribution of every citizen.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Security beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day; LoC on high alert

Addressing a session amid the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, 2023 in Davos, Switzerland on ‘Ending Tuberculosis’, the Indian Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said that New Delhi extends its full support for a global plan for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025. Similarly, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also announced plans to speed up the licensing and use of novel vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) and the creation of the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, on Tuesday (January 17).&nbsp;

“Just as vaccines were a game-changer in the battle against COVID, Global Plan calls for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025 and making it available to adults and adolescents in TB-affected nations,” said Mandaviya, as per PTI. He added, “India is fully prepared and in an advanced stage for taking this forward.” The Indian Health minister also noted how more than 1.6 million across the world lost their lives because of TB in 2021 and it was the leading cause of death from infectious diseases before the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Initiatives taken by the Indian government&nbsp;to fight TB

The health minister also spoke about how under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country has been at the forefront of the global fight against TB including the recently launched ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’. The campaign of community engagement aims to provide nutritional diagnostic and vocational support to TB patients delivered through the community, said Mandaviya.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-asia-diary-after-covid-19-india-turns-to-tuberculosis-468381">South Asia Diary | After Covid-19, India turns to Tuberculosis</a>

The initiative has also already seen over 50,000 Ni-kshay Mitras adopting over 1.3 million TB patients, said the health minister. He added, “We have taken several initiatives to intensify case finding, ensure medicine supply including tele consultation services to every TB patient.” In 2021, the Modi government said they aim to eliminate TB from India by 2025.&nbsp;

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Just as vaccines were a game-changer 
in battle against COVID, Global Plan calls for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025 &amp; making it available to adults &amp; adolescents in TB-affected nations. 
 
🇮🇳 is fully prepared &amp; in an advanced stage for taking this forward: Dr <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MansukhMandviya</a>
— Office of Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@OfficeOf_MM) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOf_MM/status/1615370942947151872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The Indian health minister who is also the Chair of the ‘Stop TB Partnership Board’ said he has an additional responsibility towards TB management efforts globally. “Full implementation of the global plan developed by Stop TB Partnership requires US$250 billion over next 8 years, the equivalent of just US$4 per person, per year worldwide,” said Mandaviya.&nbsp;

This would deliver an economic return of US$40 for every dollar invested, the Indian health minister added. He also reiterated the importance of ensuring sufficient funds for the initiative as we would end up paying a much higher price later.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-delhi-end-tb-summit-today-35575">PM Modi to inaugurate Delhi End TB Summit today</a>

WHO launches ‘TB Vaccine Accelerator Council’&nbsp;

Director-General of the WHO, Tedros also addressed the ongoing WEF in Davos and said, “The challenges presented by TB and COVID-19 are different, but the ingredients that accelerate science, research and innovation are the same: urgent, up-front public investment; support from philanthropy; and engagement of the private sector and communities.”&nbsp;

He also noted how one of the most important lessons from the COVID-19 response is that innovative health interventions can be delivered fast if they are prioritized politically and financed sufficiently. Therefore, in order to speed up the licensing and use of vaccines against TB Tedros announced the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. The council will include funders, global agencies, governments and those with TB, in identifying and overcoming barriers to vaccine development, said the UN.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-tuberculosis-making-a-deadly-comeback-529263">Gravitas: Is Tuberculosis making a deadly comeback?&nbsp;</a>

As of today, there is only one licensed vaccine for TB which is the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, developed in 1921. Notably, no new TB vaccines have been licensed in a century despite how adversely the disease has impacted human health. According to the UN agency, TB remains the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 and the 13th leading cause of death worldwide.&nbsp;

It is also both curable and preventable but even with global commitments to end the disease by 2030, the epidemic has shown no signs of slowing down, said WHO. In 2021, over 10 million people were infected with the disease. Additionally, the global health agency also noted, drug resistance continues to be a major problem with at least half a million people developing drug-resistant TB every year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Addressing a session amid the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, 2023 in Davos, Switzerland on ‘Ending Tuberculosis’, the Indian Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said that New Delhi extends its full support for a global plan for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025.

Addressing a session amid the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, 2023 in Davos, Switzerland on ‘Ending Tuberculosis’, the Indian Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said that New Delhi extends its full support for a global plan for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025. Similarly, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also announced plans to speed up the licensing and use of novel vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) and the creation of the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, on Tuesday (January 17). “Just as vaccines were a game-changer in the battle against COVID, Global Plan calls for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025 and making it available to adults and adolescents in TB-affected nations,” said Mandaviya, as per PTI. He added, “India is fully prepared and in an advanced stage for taking this forward.” The Indian Health minister also noted how more than 1.6 million across the world lost their lives because of TB in 2021 and it was the leading cause of death from infectious diseases before the COVID-19 pandemic. Initiatives taken by the Indian government to fight TB The health minister also spoke about how under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country has been at the forefront of the global fight against TB including the recently launched ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’. The campaign of community engagement aims to provide nutritional diagnostic and vocational support to TB patients delivered through the community, said Mandaviya. ALSO WATCH | South Asia Diary | After Covid-19, India turns to Tuberculosis The initiative has also already seen over 50,000 Ni-kshay Mitras adopting over 1.3 million TB patients, said the health minister. He added, “We have taken several initiatives to intensify case finding, ensure medicine supply including tele consultation services to every TB patient.” In 2021, the Modi government said they aim to eliminate TB from India by 2025. Just as vaccines were a game-changer in battle against COVID, Global Plan calls for approving a new TB vaccine by 2025 & making it available to adults & adolescents in TB-affected nations. 🇮🇳 is fully prepared & in an advanced stage for taking this forward: Dr @MansukhMandviya — Office of Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@OfficeOf_MM) January 17, 2023 × The Indian health minister who is also the Chair of the ‘Stop TB Partnership Board’ said he has an additional responsibility towards TB management efforts globally. “Full implementation of the global plan developed by Stop TB Partnership requires US$250 billion over next 8 years, the equivalent of just US$4 per person, per year worldwide,” said Mandaviya. This would deliver an economic return of US$40 for every dollar invested, the Indian health minister added. He also reiterated the importance of ensuring sufficient funds for the initiative as we would end up paying a much higher price later. ALSO READ | PM Modi to inaugurate Delhi End TB Summit today WHO launches ‘TB Vaccine Accelerator Council’ Director-General of the WHO, Tedros also addressed the ongoing WEF in Davos and said, “The challenges presented by TB and COVID-19 are different, but the ingredients that accelerate science, research and innovation are the same: urgent, up-front public investment; support from philanthropy; and engagement of the private sector and communities.” He also noted how one of the most important lessons from the COVID-19 response is that innovative health interventions can be delivered fast if they are prioritized politically and financed sufficiently. Therefore, in order to speed up the licensing and use of vaccines against TB Tedros announced the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. The council will include funders, global agencies, governments and those with TB, in identifying and overcoming barriers to vaccine development, said the UN. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Is Tuberculosis making a deadly comeback? As of today, there is only one licensed vaccine for TB which is the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, developed in 1921. Notably, no new TB vaccines have been licensed in a century despite how adversely the disease has impacted human health. According to the UN agency, TB remains the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 and the 13th leading cause of death worldwide. It is also both curable and preventable but even with global commitments to end the disease by 2030, the epidemic has shown no signs of slowing down, said WHO. In 2021, over 10 million people were infected with the disease. Additionally, the global health agency also noted, drug resistance continues to be a major problem with at least half a million people developing drug-resistant TB every year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India to deliver global plan for TB vaccines by 2025, says health minister

In Pics | Indian startups fire more than 1,000 since the beginning of this year

Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Abdul Rehman Makki has been blacklisted as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Makki, who is the deputy chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit, has been blacklisted under the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. This means his name has been added to the list of individuals and entities subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China shields Pakistani terrorist at UNSC

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UN in a statement announced, “on 16 January 2023, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities approved the addition of the entry specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021) and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.”&nbsp;

As per the sanctions committee, the LeT deputy chief was involved in planning, raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youth to unleash violence on India; particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-eam-jaishankar-slams-china-for-putting-hold-on-listing-of-pakistan-based-terrorist-518815">At UNSC, EAM Jaishankar slams China for putting hold on listing of Pakistan-based terrorist</a>

This comes just months after China blocked a June 2022 attempt by India and the United States to list Makki under the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. The two nations have already listed him as a terrorist under their respective domestic laws.&nbsp;

Responding to the news, Indian former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti, under whose tenure India and the US had made the 2022 pitch, called the listing a “huge success”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-blocks-india-us-proposal-to-designate-pak-based-terrorist-abdul-rehman-makki-under-unsc-sanctions-488989">India slams China for blocking UN listing of Pak based terrorist Makki, calls it 'unfortunate'</a>

Talking to PTI, the former ambassador said, it was the “first terrorist listing proposal by India in the Security Council to be approved and, further, expressly mentioning terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir emanating from Pakistan. India’s presence in the Council and as Chair of the Counter-terrorism Committee has considerably enhanced the focus on terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Abdul Rehman Makki has been blacklisted as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Makki, who is the deputy chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit, has been blacklisted under the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.

Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Abdul Rehman Makki has been blacklisted as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Makki, who is the deputy chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit, has been blacklisted under the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. This means his name has been added to the list of individuals and entities subject to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. Watch | Gravitas: China shields Pakistani terrorist at UNSC UN in a statement announced, “on 16 January 2023, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities approved the addition of the entry specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021) and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.” As per the sanctions committee, the LeT deputy chief was involved in planning, raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youth to unleash violence on India; particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Also read | At UNSC, EAM Jaishankar slams China for putting hold on listing of Pakistan-based terrorist This comes just months after China blocked a June 2022 attempt by India and the United States to list Makki under the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. The two nations have already listed him as a terrorist under their respective domestic laws. Responding to the news, Indian former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti, under whose tenure India and the US had made the 2022 pitch, called the listing a “huge success”. Also read | India slams China for blocking UN listing of Pak based terrorist Makki, calls it 'unfortunate' Talking to PTI, the former ambassador said, it was the “first terrorist listing proposal by India in the Security Council to be approved and, further, expressly mentioning terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir emanating from Pakistan. India’s presence in the Council and as Chair of the Counter-terrorism Committee has considerably enhanced the focus on terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Huge success' for India's diplomatic efforts: UNSC blacklists LeT Dep. chief Abdul Makki as global terrorist

Siemens has signed a $3.25 billion contract to supply India with its service freight trains, the biggest locomotive deal in its history.

Under the deal, the German Engineering company will deliver around 1,200 electric locomotives and provide service for 35 years under the agreement, which is the biggest ever in India.

Siemens has designed 9,000 horsepower trains with a top speed of 120 km/hr that will be assembled in India's Railways Factory in Gujarat over the next 11 years, with deliveries starting in the next 24 months.

As stated by Siemens mobility CEO Michael Peter in a press note, the new locomotives would easily be able to replace 500,000 to 800,000 trucks over their lifecycle.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionnews.com/world/siemens-ready-to-fix-the-leaks-in-the-nord-stream-1-pipeline-says-gazprom-512680" hreflang="en">Siemens ready to fix the leaks in Nord Stream 1 pipeline, claims Gazprom</a>

According to Michael Peter, who spoke to Reuters, the contract was a significant move for Siemens in India. He noted that the business had previously been very strong in rolling stock in North America and central Europe but mostly provided components and infrastructure in India.

"India is looking for technology, better efficiency, and a longer lifespan for its trains," he said in an interview. "In the past, India built their own trains, but they want to increase reliability and average speeds."

Keeping demand in mind, New Delhi is keen on increasing freight transport to 40-45 per cent from its current 27 per cent, while Siemens seeks this opportunity to increase its revenue, which is touted to rise 6 to 9 per cent.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionnews.com/videos/indian-railway-suspends-passenger-services-across-india-freight-trains-will-continue-287881" hreflang="en">Indian railway suspends passenger services across India, freight trains will continue</a>

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Although the Indian contract will primarily manifest as orders in 2023, Siemens CEO Peter was optimistic about achieving Siemens's aim of raising revenue at the mobility division.

In India, the largest rail market in the world with 24 million passengers per day travelling on more than 22,000 trains, he claimed Siemens was also considering other train contracts.

That India deal comes as another bumper contract for the German Engineering company, which signed a deal with Australia in December.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Siemens has signed a $3.25 billion contract to supply India with its service freight trains, the biggest locomotive deal in its history. Under the deal, the German Engineering company will deliver around 1,200 electric locomotives and provide service for 35 years under the agreement, which is the biggest ever in India.

Siemens has signed a $3.25 billion contract to supply India with its service freight trains, the biggest locomotive deal in its history. Under the deal, the German Engineering company will deliver around 1,200 electric locomotives and provide service for 35 years under the agreement, which is the biggest ever in India. Siemens has designed 9,000 horsepower trains with a top speed of 120 km/hr that will be assembled in India's Railways Factory in Gujarat over the next 11 years, with deliveries starting in the next 24 months. As stated by Siemens mobility CEO Michael Peter in a press note, the new locomotives would easily be able to replace 500,000 to 800,000 trucks over their lifecycle. Also Read | Siemens ready to fix the leaks in Nord Stream 1 pipeline, claims Gazprom According to Michael Peter, who spoke to Reuters, the contract was a significant move for Siemens in India. He noted that the business had previously been very strong in rolling stock in North America and central Europe but mostly provided components and infrastructure in India. "India is looking for technology, better efficiency, and a longer lifespan for its trains," he said in an interview. "In the past, India built their own trains, but they want to increase reliability and average speeds." Keeping demand in mind, New Delhi is keen on increasing freight transport to 40-45 per cent from its current 27 per cent, while Siemens seeks this opportunity to increase its revenue, which is touted to rise 6 to 9 per cent. Watch | Indian railway suspends passenger services across India, freight trains will continue Although the Indian contract will primarily manifest as orders in 2023, Siemens CEO Peter was optimistic about achieving Siemens's aim of raising revenue at the mobility division. In India, the largest rail market in the world with 24 million passengers per day travelling on more than 22,000 trains, he claimed Siemens was also considering other train contracts. That India deal comes as another bumper contract for the German Engineering company, which signed a deal with Australia in December. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Siemens signs historic $3.25 billion locomotive deal with India

The Calcutta High Court has finally reached a resolution in one of the oldest pending cases in the nation. This week, a panel of India's oldest high court—whose current Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava was born ten years after the case was initially filed in 1951—decided the country's longest legal dispute.

Although the dispute surrounding the dissolution of the former Berhampur Bank Limited has finally been resolved, Calcutta High Court has still two of the five oldest pending cases to resolve. All the cases were filed in 1952, The Times of India reported.

The Madras high court is currently hearing a case, while the other remaining cases are civil lawsuits being handled in the civil courts of Malda, Bengal, Satlok Express News reported. In an effort to settle these disputed matters, the Malda courts have scheduled hearings for March and November.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionnews.com/india-news/there-will-be-no-court-cases-in-india-if-we-have-a-happy-lot-of-citizens-chief-justice-ranjan-gogoi-239700" hreflang="en">There will be no court cases in India if we have a happy lot of citizens: Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi</a>

The National Judicial Data Grid lists the Berhampur case as the oldest case heard in any Indian court as of January 9. On January 1, 1951, a petition questioning the decision to shut down the Berhampur Bank was submitted, and on the&nbsp;same day, it was registered as "Case No. 71/1951." Several lawsuits were filed against debtors by Berhampur Bank in an effort to recover lost funds, many of whom filed court documents contesting the bank's claims.

The petition challenging the bank's liquidation was scheduled for two hearings before the HC last September, but no one showed up, according to court records.

Justice Kapur then asked the court's liquidator to provide a report. On September 19, the assistant liquidator notified the court that the matter had been resolved in August 2006. It was found that this was not corrected in the records, which is why the case was still listed as pending.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Calcutta High Court has finally reached a resolution in one of the oldest pending cases in the nation. This week, a panel of India's oldest high court—whose current Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava was born ten years after the case was initially filed in 1951—decided the country's longest legal dispute.

The Calcutta High Court has finally reached a resolution in one of the oldest pending cases in the nation. This week, a panel of India's oldest high court—whose current Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava was born ten years after the case was initially filed in 1951—decided the country's longest legal dispute. Although the dispute surrounding the dissolution of the former Berhampur Bank Limited has finally been resolved, Calcutta High Court has still two of the five oldest pending cases to resolve. All the cases were filed in 1952, The Times of India reported. The Madras high court is currently hearing a case, while the other remaining cases are civil lawsuits being handled in the civil courts of Malda, Bengal, Satlok Express News reported. In an effort to settle these disputed matters, the Malda courts have scheduled hearings for March and November. Also Read | There will be no court cases in India if we have a happy lot of citizens: Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi The National Judicial Data Grid lists the Berhampur case as the oldest case heard in any Indian court as of January 9. On January 1, 1951, a petition questioning the decision to shut down the Berhampur Bank was submitted, and on the same day, it was registered as "Case No. 71/1951." Several lawsuits were filed against debtors by Berhampur Bank in an effort to recover lost funds, many of whom filed court documents contesting the bank's claims. The petition challenging the bank's liquidation was scheduled for two hearings before the HC last September, but no one showed up, according to court records. Justice Kapur then asked the court's liquidator to provide a report. On September 19, the assistant liquidator notified the court that the matter had been resolved in August 2006. It was found that this was not corrected in the records, which is why the case was still listed as pending. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India’s oldest pending case reaches resolution after 72 years

Egypt Ambassador Wael Hamed has said that the upcoming visit of&nbsp;Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be "groundbreaking" and both countries are "going to have a strategic relationship".&nbsp; Egypt, for the first time, has been invited as a guest country for India's republic day on January 26.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the ambassador said, "What we have here is a new opening, a new beginning to not only bring back the heydays of relations between Egypt, India and to break new grounds, to reach even higher potentials in the relationship".

On defence relationships, the ambassador said that his country is looking to "extend the areas of defence cooperation...Not only maritime exercises, in other areas, in air defence, land combat, this month we will have first-ever exercises between special forces of both countries".

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the country last year during which a pact on defence cooperation was also signed.&nbsp;IAF pilots trained Egyptian pilots from the 1960s until 1984. Two officers from Egyptian Navy participated in Multilateral Indian Naval Exercise MILAN-2022 held from 25 Feb-04 Mar 2022.

Egypt has traditionally been one of India’s most important trading partners in the African continent. Inviting Indian investors, Ambassador Wael highlighted, "Egypt.. has FTA with the EU, Arab world and the whole of Africa. So this means by coming to Egypt, India will be able to reach and get duty free access to all these markets in the region". Full interview. 
&nbsp;

WION: It is the first time Egypt has been invited for India's Republic day, how will it help in bilateral ties?

Wael Hamed: This is a historic relationship, historic because we are the 2 oldest civilizations, civilizational countries. We say the heyday of Egypt-India relations was the 1950s, and 1960s. the period of then-president Nasser in Egypt, and then-PM Nehru in India. But even at the time of Nasser&nbsp;and Nehru, an Egyptian president never had the honor of being in India for republic day. I see it as a truly historic moment in our relationship. Let us not forget, President Sisi and PM Modi, both came in 2014, so came together at the same time. They share the same vision and priority of putting their countries first, trying to achieve development, and modernizing the countries in the rightful place at the international stage. What we have here is a new opening, a new beginning to not only bring back the heydays of relations between Egypt, India and to break new grounds, to reach even higher potentials in the relationship and therefore, we are working together a strategic relationship between the 2 countries. In all respects, it will be a historic visit. Especially, as I said our president has not been at this occasion before.

&nbsp;

WION: &nbsp;What will be the key focus of the Egyptian President in terms of deliverables?

Wael Hamed: This is going to be a groundbreaking visit, we are going to have a strategic relationship. A strategic relationship is built on several pillars. If we speak about the pillar of Defence and security, we always have to remember, India as the biggest country in the Indian Ocean is very much in the security of the Indian ocean. But the security of the Indian ocean starts with the entrance to the ocean in the red sea. For Egypt, the entrance is the Suez&nbsp; Canal. The security of the Suez Canal starts with the Indian Ocean as well. So in the area of security, it is very important for both countries to come together and discuss how things are developing in the world around us in an era of an ever-changing perspective. The defence will be an important area.

Trade and investment will be extremely important. Over the past year, our bilateral trade relations reached appox $7bn and agreed it will reach the level of $12 bn. So the potentials are present and even the $7bn last year was achieved in spite of the pandemic, and disruption of the supply chain because of the disruption of the supply chain. The potential is huge. Indian investments in Egypt have reached 1.5 bn US dollars, but lately, we have reached several deals especially renewable energy which will bring the volume to $20 billion something. So we are very much interested in the economic aspect of the relationship and what we always say Egypt should be India's natural partner. With this kind of geographical location bridges Asia and Europe, bringing India closer to the EU with all its markets.

Usually, when we speak about India, it's a huge country and by the end of the year will be the most populated country. Egypt relatively might be smaller, but let us not forget, for Indian investors, they will be able to tap into a large market, and consumers in Europe, and Africa in a region with which we have Free trade pacts. For any investor, investing in Egypt means he has the opportunity to go duty-free into areas--from higher income levels in the northern EU to medium and low income in the middle east and Africa. Important for India as well. By locating to Egypt, you come closer to all these markets, closer geographically and cut the distance in half and that will cut in half the cost of freight, insurance, and time. Egypt is very strategically located. The 3rd area of common interest will be IT, Energy, pharma and several fields and both countries have enormous potential to work together.

&nbsp;

WION: Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh was in Egypt earlier this year, what kind of engagement will both sides see on the defence side?

Wael Hamed: What we are looking for is to extend the areas of defence cooperation in all fields. Not only maritime exercises, in other areas, in air defence, land combat, this month we will have the first-ever exercises between special forces of both countries. So the areas are enormous, the idea of joint production of military equipment is also there, and it will be discussed, and it was the focus of the visit of his excellency Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh in Cairo in September last year. So areas are huge, for sure this year we will discuss this potential, especially since we are going to have a joint military working group sometime later this year.

&nbsp;

WION: Is Egypt interested in India's Tejas?

Wael Hamed: I think this is something, I will leave it up to the minister to discuss with the air force and see what they can do about it. But for sure we are keeping a very close eye on the advancement that India is achieving in its defence industry especially when it comes to fighter planes, missiles and many things India has proved to be a successful country.

&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: On the agriculture front we saw Egypt allowing Indian wheat, how do you see the future going?

Wael Hamed: I would like to put it in the context of food security, and it's not only about wheat. Wheat is important for Egypt, and we have approved India as an exporter. Unfortunately, Because of the climate change issue, heatwave India has to ban wheat, something we understand but we hope this ban is lifted soon so that we can resume our trade relations with India when it comes to Wheat. On the other hand, India is in need of fertilizer, to guarantee its supply of fertilizer, Egypt is one of the main producers of fertilizer in the region and has enormous potential in it. So the idea of mutual benefit is there and also in terms of market access, so many agricultural exports that India can export to Egypt as well and we can export to India. So market access is very important in the general context of food security.

&nbsp;

WION: So will we see an elevation of ties between India, Egypt as a strategic partners?

Wael Hamed: This is something, I hope we are going to announce during this visit and will details be worked out.

&nbsp;

WION: How can Egypt be a gateway for Africa and the Arab world for India?

Wael Hamed: Egypt is one of the countries that has many free trade agreements with many countries, we have FTA with the EU, Arab world and the whole of Africa. So this means by coming to Egypt, India will be able to reach and get duty free access to all these markets in the region. By virtue of its location, it is very important for India to secure a place in Egypt. The kind of opportunity India will have, investors can have. The many incentives we provide for investors in the Suez canal economic zone, it has proven to be an attractive location for foreign investors. We are inviting foreign investors, who really have interest in trapping markets of EU, Africa, Middle east, to come to Egypt, enjoy access to these regions and strategic locations.

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;How can President Sisi, and PM Modi chalk a path in the global south, something we have seen in the past?

Wael Hamed: What we are seeing in the international arena is proving that Egypt and India are extremely important players. For example, Egypt has been invited by India for the G20 summit as a guest country. This proves that these 2 important developing countries can come together and can speak out for the global south. Let us not forget, India is on its way to becoming the biggest developing country and Egypt is the biggest country in the region and traditionally had relations with Africa, the Arab world etc. Just like in the past, PM Nehru and President Nasser lead the NAM, I think Egypt and India can lead the developing world and bring the voice of the developing countries to the G20.

&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;India has invited Egypt to the G20 summit, how do you see it?

Wael Hamed: Invitation of Egypt as the guest country to the G20 is very much appreciated from our side and something that adds value to the work grouping. Let us not forget, COP27 happened in Egypt and we discussed climate change and other things related to it including projects. Projects need finance and when G20 comes they will be discussing the economic situation including the possibility of making finance available to developing countries. It seems to me a natural continuation and natural thing to invite Egypt as a guest country. 
&nbsp;

Egypt Ambassador Wael Hamed has said that the upcoming visit of Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be "groundbreaking" and both countries are "going to have a strategic relationship".

Egypt Ambassador Wael Hamed has said that the upcoming visit of Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be "groundbreaking" and both countries are "going to have a strategic relationship". Egypt, for the first time, has been invited as a guest country for India's republic day on January 26. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the ambassador said, "What we have here is a new opening, a new beginning to not only bring back the heydays of relations between Egypt, India and to break new grounds, to reach even higher potentials in the relationship". On defence relationships, the ambassador said that his country is looking to "extend the areas of defence cooperation...Not only maritime exercises, in other areas, in air defence, land combat, this month we will have first-ever exercises between special forces of both countries". Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the country last year during which a pact on defence cooperation was also signed. IAF pilots trained Egyptian pilots from the 1960s until 1984. Two officers from Egyptian Navy participated in Multilateral Indian Naval Exercise MILAN-2022 held from 25 Feb-04 Mar 2022. Egypt has traditionally been one of India’s most important trading partners in the African continent. Inviting Indian investors, Ambassador Wael highlighted, "Egypt.. has FTA with the EU, Arab world and the whole of Africa. So this means by coming to Egypt, India will be able to reach and get duty free access to all these markets in the region". Full interview. WION: It is the first time Egypt has been invited for India's Republic day, how will it help in bilateral ties? Wael Hamed: This is a historic relationship, historic because we are the 2 oldest civilizations, civilizational countries. We say the heyday of Egypt-India relations was the 1950s, and 1960s. the period of then-president Nasser in Egypt, and then-PM Nehru in India. But even at the time of Nasser and Nehru, an Egyptian president never had the honor of being in India for republic day. I see it as a truly historic moment in our relationship. Let us not forget, President Sisi and PM Modi, both came in 2014, so came together at the same time. They share the same vision and priority of putting their countries first, trying to achieve development, and modernizing the countries in the rightful place at the international stage. What we have here is a new opening, a new beginning to not only bring back the heydays of relations between Egypt, India and to break new grounds, to reach even higher potentials in the relationship and therefore, we are working together a strategic relationship between the 2 countries. In all respects, it will be a historic visit. Especially, as I said our president has not been at this occasion before. WION: What will be the key focus of the Egyptian President in terms of deliverables? Wael Hamed: This is going to be a groundbreaking visit, we are going to have a strategic relationship. A strategic relationship is built on several pillars. If we speak about the pillar of Defence and security, we always have to remember, India as the biggest country in the Indian Ocean is very much in the security of the Indian ocean. But the security of the Indian ocean starts with the entrance to the ocean in the red sea. For Egypt, the entrance is the Suez Canal. The security of the Suez Canal starts with the Indian Ocean as well. So in the area of security, it is very important for both countries to come together and discuss how things are developing in the world around us in an era of an ever-changing perspective. The defence will be an important area. Trade and investment will be extremely important. Over the past year, our bilateral trade relations reached appox $7bn and agreed it will reach the level of $12 bn. So the potentials are present and even the $7bn last year was achieved in spite of the pandemic, and disruption of the supply chain because of the disruption of the supply chain. The potential is huge. Indian investments in Egypt have reached 1.5 bn US dollars, but lately, we have reached several deals especially renewable energy which will bring the volume to $20 billion something. So we are very much interested in the economic aspect of the relationship and what we always say Egypt should be India's natural partner. With this kind of geographical location bridges Asia and Europe, bringing India closer to the EU with all its markets. Usually, when we speak about India, it's a huge country and by the end of the year will be the most populated country. Egypt relatively might be smaller, but let us not forget, for Indian investors, they will be able to tap into a large market, and consumers in Europe, and Africa in a region with which we have Free trade pacts. For any investor, investing in Egypt means he has the opportunity to go duty-free into areas--from higher income levels in the northern EU to medium and low income in the middle east and Africa. Important for India as well. By locating to Egypt, you come closer to all these markets, closer geographically and cut the distance in half and that will cut in half the cost of freight, insurance, and time. Egypt is very strategically located. The 3rd area of common interest will be IT, Energy, pharma and several fields and both countries have enormous potential to work together. WION: Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh was in Egypt earlier this year, what kind of engagement will both sides see on the defence side? Wael Hamed: What we are looking for is to extend the areas of defence cooperation in all fields. Not only maritime exercises, in other areas, in air defence, land combat, this month we will have the first-ever exercises between special forces of both countries. So the areas are enormous, the idea of joint production of military equipment is also there, and it will be discussed, and it was the focus of the visit of his excellency Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh in Cairo in September last year. So areas are huge, for sure this year we will discuss this potential, especially since we are going to have a joint military working group sometime later this year. WION: Is Egypt interested in India's Tejas? Wael Hamed: I think this is something, I will leave it up to the minister to discuss with the air force and see what they can do about it. But for sure we are keeping a very close eye on the advancement that India is achieving in its defence industry especially when it comes to fighter planes, missiles and many things India has proved to be a successful country. Sidhant Sibal: On the agriculture front we saw Egypt allowing Indian wheat, how do you see the future going? Wael Hamed: I would like to put it in the context of food security, and it's not only about wheat. Wheat is important for Egypt, and we have approved India as an exporter. Unfortunately, Because of the climate change issue, heatwave India has to ban wheat, something we understand but we hope this ban is lifted soon so that we can resume our trade relations with India when it comes to Wheat. On the other hand, India is in need of fertilizer, to guarantee its supply of fertilizer, Egypt is one of the main producers of fertilizer in the region and has enormous potential in it. So the idea of mutual benefit is there and also in terms of market access, so many agricultural exports that India can export to Egypt as well and we can export to India. So market access is very important in the general context of food security. WION: So will we see an elevation of ties between India, Egypt as a strategic partners? Wael Hamed: This is something, I hope we are going to announce during this visit and will details be worked out. WION: How can Egypt be a gateway for Africa and the Arab world for India? Wael Hamed: Egypt is one of the countries that has many free trade agreements with many countries, we have FTA with the EU, Arab world and the whole of Africa. So this means by coming to Egypt, India will be able to reach and get duty free access to all these markets in the region. By virtue of its location, it is very important for India to secure a place in Egypt. The kind of opportunity India will have, investors can have. The many incentives we provide for investors in the Suez canal economic zone, it has proven to be an attractive location for foreign investors. We are inviting foreign investors, who really have interest in trapping markets of EU, Africa, Middle east, to come to Egypt, enjoy access to these regions and strategic locations. WION: How can President Sisi, and PM Modi chalk a path in the global south, something we have seen in the past? Wael Hamed: What we are seeing in the international arena is proving that Egypt and India are extremely important players. For example, Egypt has been invited by India for the G20 summit as a guest country. This proves that these 2 important developing countries can come together and can speak out for the global south. Let us not forget, India is on its way to becoming the biggest developing country and Egypt is the biggest country in the region and traditionally had relations with Africa, the Arab world etc. Just like in the past, PM Nehru and President Nasser lead the NAM, I think Egypt and India can lead the developing world and bring the voice of the developing countries to the G20. WION: India has invited Egypt to the G20 summit, how do you see it? Wael Hamed: Invitation of Egypt as the guest country to the G20 is very much appreciated from our side and something that adds value to the work grouping. Let us not forget, COP27 happened in Egypt and we discussed climate change and other things related to it including projects. Projects need finance and when G20 comes they will be discussing the economic situation including the possibility of making finance available to developing countries. It seems to me a natural continuation and natural thing to invite Egypt as a guest country.

President El-Sisi's visit to India will be groundbreaking, says Egypt Ambassador Wael Hamed

The Japanese defence ministry confirmed that the first-ever joint fighter jet drill between Japan and India began on Monday. The exercises, which are being conducted at the Air Self-Defence Force’s (ASDF) Hyakuri Air Base in the northeastern Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, will end on January 26.

The motive of the drills is to “promote mutual understanding, strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces” and enhance the force's tactical skills, the ASDF said in a statement, Japan Times reported.

The military exercises are being carried out in a bid to fortify defence and security ties amid China's expanding military power in the Indo-Pacific area.

While Japan's ASDF is anticipated to field four F-2 and four F-15 planes for the 11-day air combat training, the Indian Air Force is planning to send four Su-30MKI fighters, two C-17 Globemaster transport planes, an IL-78 aerial refuelling tanker, and nearly 150 personnel, as per Kyodo News.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionnews.com/india-news/malabar-exercise-involving-india-japan-us-and-australia-culminates-in-seas-off-japan-534859" hreflang="en">Malabar Exercise involving India, Japan, US and Australia culminates in seas off Japan</a>

The exercise, which will train participants for a variety of "air combat missions in a complex environment," will strengthen a “long-standing bond of friendship” and pave the way for greater communication between the two air forces, the Indian defence ministry said.

As Tokyo broadens its network of security allies across the world, India has now joined the United States, Australia, Britain and Germany as the fifth nation to send fighter jets to Japan for joint exercises. Joint exercises between Indian and Japanese ground and maritime self-defence troops have already been held.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/videos/wion-dispatch-india-japan-agree-to-hold-military-drills-and-defence-co-operation-514180" hreflang="en">India, Japan agree to hold military drills and defence co-operation</a>

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The drills which were first agreed upon in November 2019 during a security meeting were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both nations decided to intensify their security cooperation through measures, such as joint manoeuvres, towards a “common strategic goal of achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive and resilient, based on the rule of law and free from coercion,” La Prensa Latina reported.

Japan and India are members of the Quad, along with Australia and the US. Quad is a multilateral security arrangement designed to thwart Beijing's expanding influence in the area. The last Quad summit was held in May 2022 in Tokyo.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Japanese defence ministry confirmed that the first-ever joint fighter jet drill between Japan and India began on Monday. The exercises, which are being conducted at the Air Self-Defence Force’s (ASDF) Hyakuri Air Base in the northeastern Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, will end on January 26.

The Japanese defence ministry confirmed that the first-ever joint fighter jet drill between Japan and India began on Monday. The exercises, which are being conducted at the Air Self-Defence Force’s (ASDF) Hyakuri Air Base in the northeastern Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, will end on January 26. The motive of the drills is to “promote mutual understanding, strengthen defence cooperation between the air forces” and enhance the force's tactical skills, the ASDF said in a statement, Japan Times reported. The military exercises are being carried out in a bid to fortify defence and security ties amid China's expanding military power in the Indo-Pacific area. While Japan's ASDF is anticipated to field four F-2 and four F-15 planes for the 11-day air combat training, the Indian Air Force is planning to send four Su-30MKI fighters, two C-17 Globemaster transport planes, an IL-78 aerial refuelling tanker, and nearly 150 personnel, as per Kyodo News. Also Read | Malabar Exercise involving India, Japan, US and Australia culminates in seas off Japan The exercise, which will train participants for a variety of "air combat missions in a complex environment," will strengthen a “long-standing bond of friendship” and pave the way for greater communication between the two air forces, the Indian defence ministry said. As Tokyo broadens its network of security allies across the world, India has now joined the United States, Australia, Britain and Germany as the fifth nation to send fighter jets to Japan for joint exercises. Joint exercises between Indian and Japanese ground and maritime self-defence troops have already been held. Watch | India, Japan agree to hold military drills and defence co-operation The drills which were first agreed upon in November 2019 during a security meeting were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both nations decided to intensify their security cooperation through measures, such as joint manoeuvres, towards a “common strategic goal of achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive and resilient, based on the rule of law and free from coercion,” La Prensa Latina reported. Japan and India are members of the Quad, along with Australia and the US. Quad is a multilateral security arrangement designed to thwart Beijing's expanding influence in the area. The last Quad summit was held in May 2022 in Tokyo. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India, Japan begin first joint fighter jet drill near Tokyo:  Japanese Defence Ministry

Every year India celebrates Army Day on January 15 to commemorate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/army-day-field-marshal-cariappa-became-chief-of-indian-army-on-january-15th-29563/amp">Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa</a> who became the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949 replacing his British predecessor. This year, the country is celebrating its 75th Army Day where for the first time the events will take place outside the national capital Delhi since they began over seven decades ago. The Army Day parade, which is the main highlight of the day, was held in India's southern state of Karnataka’s capital city Bengaluru, “in order to give wider visibility and participation of citizens,” as shared by the Ministry of Defence, in a statement.&nbsp;

Why is this day commemorated?

Celebrated across India, Army Day is dedicated to remembering those who fight relentlessly to protect our nation and its people. It also marks an important day which recognises army personnel and celebrates their achievements.&nbsp;

The day January 15, 1949, after the country gained independence, signifies the formal taking over of the Indian Army formally known as the British Indian Army by its first Indian commander-in-chief Field Marshal Cariappa.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/75th-army-day-celebrations-underway-in-bengaluru-552754">75th Army Day: Celebrations underway in Bengaluru</a> 
 
The British Indian Army under the administration of the British government was established in 1858. Field Marshal Cariappa, who was a Lieutenant General at the time, succeeded the last British Army Chief Officer, General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher on this day over 70 years ago. Therefore, this day is a significant one for India as despite gaining independence in 1947, we did not have an Indian commander-in-chief until 1949.&nbsp;

How is it celebrated?

Every year, the celebrations are marked with several events on the day, including the main Army Day parade which is typically held at the Cariappa Parade Ground in the Delhi Cantonment. In the weeks leading up to January 15, the Indian Army organises outreach programmes and other events like weapons and equipment displays, band performances, quiz competitions, and painting and essay writing competitions in schools and colleges and remote villages, across the nation.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-you-need-to-know-about-army-day-444954">What you need to know about Army Day</a>

Additionally, Sena medals and gallantry awards are also distributed on Army Day to recognise the achievements of army personnel.&nbsp;

Indian Army Day 2023

As mentioned earlier, this is the first time that this event of national importance is held outside the capital. Noting the significance of this change, the Defence Ministry, last month in a statement said, “While the conduct of this historical event at Bengaluru is in recognition of the valour, sacrifices and services of the people of Southern India for the nation, it is also an apt tribute to Field Marshal KM Cariappa who hails from Karnataka.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-india-celebrates-75th-army-day-on-january-15-552810#drone-of-army-flies-past-the-army-day-parade-552807">In pics | India's spectacular celebrations at 75th Army Day on January 15</a>

This year’s Army Day parade is taking place at Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre in Bengaluru with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest. While the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande would review the parade and present the gallantry awards. Additionally, preceding the parade, on early Sunday, he also laid a wreath and paid his respects to soldiers who lost their lives in service of the nation.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-service-before-self-75-years-of-the-indian-army-552157">WION Wideangle | 'Service Before Self: 75 Years of the Indian Army'</a>

Addressing the media, earlier today, Major General Ravi Murugan, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Karnataka and Kerala sub-area, said that the Army Day parade this year will witness the participation of “eight marching contingents, including a horse-mounted contingent from the Army Service Corps and a military band composed of five regimental brass bands. Each of these contingents represents regiments with glorious histories and unique traditions.”&nbsp;

He added, “The Army Day Parade will be supported by a fly-past of the Army Aviation Dhruv and Rudra helicopters.”&nbsp;This year’s celebrations also took place under the supervision of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, which is headquartered in the state of Maharashtra’s city of Pune.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/army-day-10-things-to-know-about-indias-elite-fighting-force-356830/#india-pakistan-war-349938">Army Day: 10 things to know about India's elite fighting force</a>

A day before the Army Day parade which was set to commence early Sunday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan along with Army Chief Pande, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar laid wreaths at National War Memorial to mark Army Day in Delhi to honour the bravehearts and pay homage to the fallen soldiers. &nbsp;

The parade while highlighting the Indian Army’s strength, efforts, and prowess will showcase its transformation into a technologically driven, lethal, and future-ready force. According to reports, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) unit will also be awarded for their exceptional performance, valour and meritorious service.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-indian-army-chief-on-situation-at-the-lac-says-situation-stable-but-unpredictable-552020">WION Dispatch: Indian Army Chief on situation at the LAC, says 'situation stable but unpredictable'</a>

Additionally, several weapons and equipment of the Indian Army including Pinaka Rockets, 190 mm Bofors Guns, T-90 Tanks, and so on, will be on display. Furthermore, media reports suggest that the event will also feature skydiving by the paratroopers, a flypast by Army aviation helicopters, band displays, motorcycle stunts and so on, following the parade.&nbsp;

Indian PM, President, and Defence Minister extend greetings on Army Day

Earlier today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,&nbsp;the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and extended their best wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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On Army Day, I convey my best wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families. Every Indian is proud of our Army and will always be grateful to our soldiers. They have always kept our nation safe and are widely admired for their service during times of crisis. <a href="https://t.co/EJvbkb9bmD">pic.twitter.com/EJvbkb9bmD</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1614461043832655873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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On Army Day, let us recall countless stories of Indian Army soldiers’ sacrifices! They have always pushed the frontiers of valour and courage, and also acted as saviours in times of calamities. I salute all brave soldiers of Indian Army and their families on this occasion.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1614453611786014723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmyDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmyDay</a> 2023 
 
The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Droupadi Murmu <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentOfIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentOfIndia</a> extends warm felicitations to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianArmy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianArmy</a> on the occasion of 75th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmyDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmyDay</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnPathToTransformation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnPathToTransformation</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmritMahotsav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmritMahotsav</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rashtrapatibhvn</a> <a href="https://t.co/7LsP75dUHo">pic.twitter.com/7LsP75dUHo</a>
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) <a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1614423413010960388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Greetings to all Indian Army personnel and their families on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArmyDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArmyDay</a>. The nation salutes their indomitable courage, valour, sacrifices and service. We are proud of the Indian Army’s efforts to keep India safe and secure. <a href="https://t.co/I7tqRyULma">pic.twitter.com/I7tqRyULma</a>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1614445459774525443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Every year India celebrates Army Day on January 15 to commemorate Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa who became the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949 replacing his British predecessor.

Every year India celebrates Army Day on January 15 to commemorate Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa who became the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949 replacing his British predecessor. This year, the country is celebrating its 75th Army Day where for the first time the events will take place outside the national capital Delhi since they began over seven decades ago. The Army Day parade, which is the main highlight of the day, was held in India's southern state of Karnataka’s capital city Bengaluru, “in order to give wider visibility and participation of citizens,” as shared by the Ministry of Defence, in a statement. Why is this day commemorated? Celebrated across India, Army Day is dedicated to remembering those who fight relentlessly to protect our nation and its people. It also marks an important day which recognises army personnel and celebrates their achievements. The day January 15, 1949, after the country gained independence, signifies the formal taking over of the Indian Army formally known as the British Indian Army by its first Indian commander-in-chief Field Marshal Cariappa. ALSO WATCH | 75th Army Day: Celebrations underway in Bengaluru The British Indian Army under the administration of the British government was established in 1858. Field Marshal Cariappa, who was a Lieutenant General at the time, succeeded the last British Army Chief Officer, General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher on this day over 70 years ago. Therefore, this day is a significant one for India as despite gaining independence in 1947, we did not have an Indian commander-in-chief until 1949. How is it celebrated? Every year, the celebrations are marked with several events on the day, including the main Army Day parade which is typically held at the Cariappa Parade Ground in the Delhi Cantonment. In the weeks leading up to January 15, the Indian Army organises outreach programmes and other events like weapons and equipment displays, band performances, quiz competitions, and painting and essay writing competitions in schools and colleges and remote villages, across the nation. ALSO WATCH | What you need to know about Army Day Additionally, Sena medals and gallantry awards are also distributed on Army Day to recognise the achievements of army personnel. Indian Army Day 2023 As mentioned earlier, this is the first time that this event of national importance is held outside the capital. Noting the significance of this change, the Defence Ministry, last month in a statement said, “While the conduct of this historical event at Bengaluru is in recognition of the valour, sacrifices and services of the people of Southern India for the nation, it is also an apt tribute to Field Marshal KM Cariappa who hails from Karnataka.” ALSO READ | In pics | India's spectacular celebrations at 75th Army Day on January 15 This year’s Army Day parade is taking place at Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre in Bengaluru with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest. While the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande would review the parade and present the gallantry awards. Additionally, preceding the parade, on early Sunday, he also laid a wreath and paid his respects to soldiers who lost their lives in service of the nation. ALSO WATCH | WION Wideangle | 'Service Before Self: 75 Years of the Indian Army' Addressing the media, earlier today, Major General Ravi Murugan, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Karnataka and Kerala sub-area, said that the Army Day parade this year will witness the participation of “eight marching contingents, including a horse-mounted contingent from the Army Service Corps and a military band composed of five regimental brass bands. Each of these contingents represents regiments with glorious histories and unique traditions.” He added, “The Army Day Parade will be supported by a fly-past of the Army Aviation Dhruv and Rudra helicopters.” This year’s celebrations also took place under the supervision of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, which is headquartered in the state of Maharashtra’s city of Pune. ALSO READ | Army Day: 10 things to know about India's elite fighting force A day before the Army Day parade which was set to commence early Sunday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan along with Army Chief Pande, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar laid wreaths at National War Memorial to mark Army Day in Delhi to honour the bravehearts and pay homage to the fallen soldiers. The parade while highlighting the Indian Army’s strength, efforts, and prowess will showcase its transformation into a technologically driven, lethal, and future-ready force. According to reports, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) unit will also be awarded for their exceptional performance, valour and meritorious service. ALSO WATCH | WION Dispatch: Indian Army Chief on situation at the LAC, says 'situation stable but unpredictable' Additionally, several weapons and equipment of the Indian Army including Pinaka Rockets, 190 mm Bofors Guns, T-90 Tanks, and so on, will be on display. Furthermore, media reports suggest that the event will also feature skydiving by the paratroopers, a flypast by Army aviation helicopters, band displays, motorcycle stunts and so on, following the parade. Indian PM, President, and Defence Minister extend greetings on Army Day Earlier today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter and extended their best wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families. On Army Day, I convey my best wishes to all army personnel, veterans and their families. Every Indian is proud of our Army and will always be grateful to our soldiers. They have always kept our nation safe and are widely admired for their service during times of crisis. pic.twitter.com/EJvbkb9bmD — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2023 × On Army Day, let us recall countless stories of Indian Army soldiers’ sacrifices! They have always pushed the frontiers of valour and courage, and also acted as saviours in times of calamities. I salute all brave soldiers of Indian Army and their families on this occasion. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 15, 2023 × #ArmyDay 2023 The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Droupadi Murmu #PresidentOfIndia extends warm felicitations to #IndianArmy on the occasion of 75th #ArmyDay. #OnPathToTransformation#AmritMahotsav @rashtrapatibhvn pic.twitter.com/7LsP75dUHo — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 15, 2023 × Greetings to all Indian Army personnel and their families on #ArmyDay. The nation salutes their indomitable courage, valour, sacrifices and service. We are proud of the Indian Army’s efforts to keep India safe and secure. pic.twitter.com/I7tqRyULma — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 15, 2023 × (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India celebrates its 75th Army Day: Here's everything you need to know

Switzerland's ambassador to India Dr. Ralf Heckner has backed strong trading and political ties with India hoping that the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) free trade talk will "accelerate" soon. European Free Trade Association is a free trade area between 4 countries--Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.&nbsp;

Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Heckner said, the Swiss "state secretary for economic affairs will visit Delhi at the beginning of February and both sides will look into negotiations and try to figure out how to accelerate the negotiations and try to wrap them up." He also indicated that the President of the Swiss confederation will be visiting India later this year and for this, both sides are in contact.

On the issue of illicit money issue, he pointed to the 2018 India-Switzerland automatic exchange pact and on the basis of that "on a yearly basis between September-October, both countries are exchanging information on bank accounts". Switzerland, for the first time in its history also became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a time frame of 2 years on 1st January 2023. The ambassador listed priorities for his country including peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Asked about India's bid for UNSC, he said, "India is now aspiring for the next non-permanent membership of the security council. We will look into that very favourably". Other than the key aspiration to be a permanent member of the UNSC in the long term, India has also bid to be a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-29 time frame. The ambassador also spoke on reforms of the UNSC Sanctions regime, tourism and other ties.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: How will you characterize India, Switzerland ties? This year both countries are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023.&nbsp;

Dr. Ralf Heckner:&nbsp;Maybe before 2023, let's talk about 2022 from where we are coming and where we would like to go when it comes to our bilateral relations. Our bilateral relations were on steroids. We had a number of high-ranking officials from Switzerland, we had the minister of finance, trade, innovation, President of the Swiss national bank in Mumbai. He took 3-4 days out of his schedule to have a discussion on Fintech and meeting the governor of the Reserve bank of India and in the last 6 months of last year, we had 12 delegations coming to town. That is the interest from the Swiss side, but there was also good and important interest when it comes to the Indian side. 
 
We had the trade minister in Davos, Geneva. We had the health minister in Geneva too, both met counterparts on Swiss soil and we had an important railway delegation. If you look at last year, we discussed G20, we discussed fintech, digitization, trade, innovation, and railways, so a huge number of issues were discussed at the highest level. For me, it was important that our people-to-people relations were up and running. I think my colleagues at the visa centre here in the Swiss embassy did a good job. Some of my ambassadors here had to excuse themselves over Visa not delivered, or not delivered on time or not delivered at all. I received praise from the external ministry. Our people-to-people relations are very high, several visa applications were dealt with. People can fly throughout the year, connecting Delhi, Mumbai to Zurich. We got a green light from civil aviation authorities by the end of 2021. Also, Zurich airport is a functioning airport on European soil, things that made Switzerland an attractive destination. 
 
We are very positioned for 2023, I would say we have 3 important things we would like to move forward. First I would like to see a very high level of bilateral relations accelerated, 75 years of friendship. India had chosen Switzerland as the very first country India signed a friendship treaty after independence. So on August 14, 1948, we had the first friendship treaty of India with any given country of India and that was Switzerland. If you look at the world, it is important that friendly countries work together and we celebrate our friendship and cater to our bilateral relations. And then, when it comes to getting things, there are two&nbsp;things. I was very much impressed last year to see how India is growing and climbing up the ladder when it comes to the world innovation index. India's trajectory is very clear on the world innovation index, ambition is also to be among the top 20. Switzerland is also the most innovative country according to the world innovation index and has been for the last 10 years. The more India turns into an innovative country, the more interest India and Switzerland are covering when it comes to innovation. I would like to see our innovation relationship being directed in a more strategic way. 
 
We would like to create a platform of the best universities, companies and align the scientific policies of India and Switzerland accordingly. This will be the first time Switzerland will try to create an innovative platform of that kind worldwide. If we are able to do that in India, we will be able to replicate that in 20 other states. That is the innovation trajectory we have. When it comes to innovation, the more innovative India is becoming the more intellectual property rights will be important for India. That is also something where I see convergence. A more innovative India means, India that attaches importance to intellectual property rights, something that Switzerland also attaches as a small country with an innovative community. 
 
There is also convergence happening. The most important thing will also be that our trade relations will be accelerated. We have been negotiating with India for a number of years, we have seen India is open for business when it comes to trade deals. The proof of the pudding was given last year when India had pacts with Australia and UAE. Switzerland together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the European Free trade association countries, have a clear ambition to accelerate the trade negotiation. For that, the state secretary for economic affairs will visit Delhi at the beginning of February and both sides will look into negotiations and try to figure out how to accelerate the negotiations and try to wrap them up. So those are the three things, to cater to friendly countries which are incredibly important to the current international situation. Then moving our innovation relations to a more strategic level and accelerating our trade relations.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Can we expect any high-level visits this year? 
 
Dr. Ralf Heckner: Actually we are expecting the President of the Swiss confederation to come to town. We are in contact to make this happen. This would for sure be the highlight of this year and be part of celebrating 75 years of our friendship but also a moment to move our economic relations forward. What is the potential of a trade deal as well, because if you understand the potential of a trade deal, you will also have the ambition to wrap up a trade deal. So Switzerland is number 20 when it comes to worldwide economies. Our GDP is 900 billion dollars, India's GDP is 3.2 trillion dollars. So three and a half times bigger than Switzerland. We are one of the most important financial centres, we are one of the most important innovative countries. This is just to set the stages. 
 
Let's talk about the numbers, the potential we have. There are 330 Swiss businesses physically present in India. In China there are 1000, so that means we have triple the presence of Swiss companies in India, if we take China as one of the reference points. In China, we were able to wrap up a free trade pact years back, including one on intellectual property. If you have a look at the US, which is the biggest economy in the world, we are one of the biggest countries to put FDI in the US. We are talking about 300 billion US dollars, invested in the US. We are talking about 10 billion US dollars invested in India from Switzerland. In the US its, 300 billion. Only the research and development investment from Switzerland into the US is 10 billion US dollars. So sky's the limit when it comes to the potential of Swiss businesses here and when it comes to foreign direct investment into India. So once you grasp the potential, the ambition to wrap up trade deals will come with it as well.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: India is the President of the G20 grouping this year, and is inviting Switzerland to take part in the Sherpa track. Your comments on that...

Dr. Ralf Heckner: We are very grateful to the Indian government that Switzerland is invited again as a permanent invitee to the finance track. We have been part of the finance track since 2016. It can be explained, we are one of the biggest financial centres and I think what we bring to the table is the know-how to new technology, Fintech. We are sharing that with India. I referred to the visit of the President of the Swiss national bank with a keen interest in India's fintech space. One thing I see, is the major contribution of Switzerland is sustainability. PM Modi is very much focused on turning India into a green country when it comes to energy and the economy. The Swiss govt also had a vision, a vision for Switzerland's financial sector, to turn into a sustainable international financial sector. We are not talking about the billions of dollars that will be invested in climate change adaptation, and mitigation like at COP27 but we are talking about trillions of dollars in Swiss pension funds, insurance, and banks, that would be invested in sustainable businesses and solutions. There we have a huge opportunity to work with India. 
 
It is the right thing to have Switzerland at the table when it comes to the G20 finance track. I think overall, and the most important thing when it comes to India's G20 presidency and Switzerland is the focus of India on peace. The PM wrote an OP-ED and made it clear that this is not a time of war and made it clear we are talking about "One family, one world, One future". If you look at Switzerland's security council priorities-- we are for the first time in our history non-permanent members of the security council--the number one priority is sustainable peace. Whenever war breaks out in the last 10-20 years, there is no peace that follows. The most important thing is we keep peace where it is and then try to foster peace where war is. This is an overarching alignment where the objectives of India's G20 presidency and we would like to achieve in New York.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: India has been focusing on automatic exchange of information when it comes to illicit money. On the bilateral aspect if you can talk about that?

Dr. Ralf Heckner: So, in 2018 India and Switzerland signed a pact on automatic exchange of bank information. So on a yearly basis between September-October, both countries are exchanging information on bank accounts. With that, the whole issue of banking information being exchanged is being catered for. I have been here in India for 2 years now, and I have never heard anything that is of importance when it comes to our relations and transparency in the banking sector. So no clouds on the horizon in our bilateral ties on the contrary. But it was dealt with in 2018.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What are Switzerland's priorities when it comes to its non-permanent time frame at the UNSC which has just started. You have already talked about peace, but what are the other priorities?

Dr. Ralf Heckner: Other Priorities are very Swiss priorities based on our foreign policy priorities. One is the protection of civilians in armed conflict, Switzerland attaches importance to protection and international humanitarian law with the founding of the International Committee of Red Cross in the 19th century. Unfortunately, if you look at the world in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, the protection of civilians is really an issue. This is our second priority. The 3rd priority will be the link between climate change and security and the 4th one, very much in line with the reform objectives of India. We would like to see an effective and transparent security council.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Reforms of the UNSC are also something India has been talking about, what is your view on how UNSC should reflect the current geopolitical realities and will you support India's bid for a permanent seat at a reformed UNSC?

Dr. Ralf Heckner: Already the fact that we support India's candidacy for 2021-22 security council membership is an indication, India is now aspiring for the next non-permanent membership of the security council. We will look into that very favourably. I think Switzerland and India are coming from 2 different sides to the same issue, that is the reform of the security council and international institutions as a whole. We are trying to change things in the current circumstances and hoping and working for a real reform. For that reason, we are talking about the effectiveness and transparency of the security council. 
 
If you look at what Switzerland has pushed forward and moved forward in the last years in that specific file, we have made it clear that we are of the opinion that P5 with a veto power should refrain from using the veto power whenever they are involved in a war. I think Ukraine is an example why Switzerland's proposal for a restrained use of a veto power is the right one. When it comes to India, once the conditions are ripe, I am sure Switzerland will look very favourable into India's candidacy. If you look at the world, it is very clear that India is an important country growing in influence and Switzerland attaches a lot of importance to our bilateral relations and which direction it will go.

Sidhant Sibal: What is your view on the reform of the sanctions regime? Sanctions regimes looked politicised and China has blocked the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists.

Dr. Ralf Heckner: I cannot tell you how we will vote, once things are on the table of my colleagues in the Swiss government in New York. But Switzerland is adhering to UN Sanctions, sanctions being taken by UNSC and that is clear. So Switzerland is implementing sanctions of the security council and will do so in the future. 
 
When it comes to sanctions and terrorism, just have a look at how Switzerland, decisions last year. India invited a number of countries to an extraordinary session of the UNSC sanctions committee. We were there with one person from New York and another from Berne. This shows the importance we attach to the sanctions regime and then no money for the terror conference, we had the deputy state secretary of financial affairs in town for those 2 days. Our message was a clear one that we would like to see all international states adhering and implementing the international standards when it comes to fight against terrorism. They are very much aligned with India and working with India on one of the priorities of India's security council membership 2021-2022.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Switzerland has had a cultural impact due to movies, how do you see it? There seems to be a lull in that, but how do you plan to take it forward?

Dr. Ralf Heckner: I am so impressed to see how one person, Mr Chopra and a friend of his, a Swiss farmer in Berne, were at the beginning of an incredible people to people relationship. The fact that the biggest visa centre worldwide of our network is in India, shows you the vibrancy of our people to people relations. It is not lull, if you look at 2 things–shooting a move in Switzerland that is still being done which is being done in a lot of other countries and then there is social media. Switzerland tourism is working very much with popular figures in India, Shah Rukh Khan or now the Olympic gold medal winner Neeraj Chopra. That is how we try to keep the attention level of our Indian friends when it comes to visiting Switzerland as a tourist destination. But what I think is important is that Indian people, Indian administration understand what Switzerland has to offer beyond the beautiful landscape and cable cars and trains, that is our country is the most innovative country on our planet. 
 
If you want to tap into the most innovative country on this planet, you can do that in Switzerland, if you want to have a relationship with one of the biggest FDI investors, that is Switzerland. That is something people do not see that much. The economic muscle Switzerland has as an FDI investor and also when it comes to innovation and research and that is where I would like to direct the attention of the Indian public but I am very happy Indian tourists are visiting Switzerland and by the way a lot of Swiss tourists are also visiting India. Before the pandemic, My friends in the Indian embassy in Berne were issuing 40-50,000 visas so it's a two-way relationship. 
 
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Switzerland's ambassador to India Dr. Ralf Heckner has backed strong trading and political ties with India hoping that the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) free trade talk will "accelerate" soon.

Switzerland's ambassador to India Dr. Ralf Heckner has backed strong trading and political ties with India hoping that the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) free trade talk will "accelerate" soon. European Free Trade Association is a free trade area between 4 countries--Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Heckner said, the Swiss "state secretary for economic affairs will visit Delhi at the beginning of February and both sides will look into negotiations and try to figure out how to accelerate the negotiations and try to wrap them up." He also indicated that the President of the Swiss confederation will be visiting India later this year and for this, both sides are in contact. On the issue of illicit money issue, he pointed to the 2018 India-Switzerland automatic exchange pact and on the basis of that "on a yearly basis between September-October, both countries are exchanging information on bank accounts". Switzerland, for the first time in its history also became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a time frame of 2 years on 1st January 2023. The ambassador listed priorities for his country including peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Asked about India's bid for UNSC, he said, "India is now aspiring for the next non-permanent membership of the security council. We will look into that very favourably". Other than the key aspiration to be a permanent member of the UNSC in the long term, India has also bid to be a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-29 time frame. The ambassador also spoke on reforms of the UNSC Sanctions regime, tourism and other ties. Sidhant Sibal: How will you characterize India, Switzerland ties? This year both countries are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023. Dr. Ralf Heckner: Maybe before 2023, let's talk about 2022 from where we are coming and where we would like to go when it comes to our bilateral relations. Our bilateral relations were on steroids. We had a number of high-ranking officials from Switzerland, we had the minister of finance, trade, innovation, President of the Swiss national bank in Mumbai. He took 3-4 days out of his schedule to have a discussion on Fintech and meeting the governor of the Reserve bank of India and in the last 6 months of last year, we had 12 delegations coming to town. That is the interest from the Swiss side, but there was also good and important interest when it comes to the Indian side. We had the trade minister in Davos, Geneva. We had the health minister in Geneva too, both met counterparts on Swiss soil and we had an important railway delegation. If you look at last year, we discussed G20, we discussed fintech, digitization, trade, innovation, and railways, so a huge number of issues were discussed at the highest level. For me, it was important that our people-to-people relations were up and running. I think my colleagues at the visa centre here in the Swiss embassy did a good job. Some of my ambassadors here had to excuse themselves over Visa not delivered, or not delivered on time or not delivered at all. I received praise from the external ministry. Our people-to-people relations are very high, several visa applications were dealt with. People can fly throughout the year, connecting Delhi, Mumbai to Zurich. We got a green light from civil aviation authorities by the end of 2021. Also, Zurich airport is a functioning airport on European soil, things that made Switzerland an attractive destination. We are very positioned for 2023, I would say we have 3 important things we would like to move forward. First I would like to see a very high level of bilateral relations accelerated, 75 years of friendship. India had chosen Switzerland as the very first country India signed a friendship treaty after independence. So on August 14, 1948, we had the first friendship treaty of India with any given country of India and that was Switzerland. If you look at the world, it is important that friendly countries work together and we celebrate our friendship and cater to our bilateral relations. And then, when it comes to getting things, there are two things. I was very much impressed last year to see how India is growing and climbing up the ladder when it comes to the world innovation index. India's trajectory is very clear on the world innovation index, ambition is also to be among the top 20. Switzerland is also the most innovative country according to the world innovation index and has been for the last 10 years. The more India turns into an innovative country, the more interest India and Switzerland are covering when it comes to innovation. I would like to see our innovation relationship being directed in a more strategic way. We would like to create a platform of the best universities, companies and align the scientific policies of India and Switzerland accordingly. This will be the first time Switzerland will try to create an innovative platform of that kind worldwide. If we are able to do that in India, we will be able to replicate that in 20 other states. That is the innovation trajectory we have. When it comes to innovation, the more innovative India is becoming the more intellectual property rights will be important for India. That is also something where I see convergence. A more innovative India means, India that attaches importance to intellectual property rights, something that Switzerland also attaches as a small country with an innovative community. There is also convergence happening. The most important thing will also be that our trade relations will be accelerated. We have been negotiating with India for a number of years, we have seen India is open for business when it comes to trade deals. The proof of the pudding was given last year when India had pacts with Australia and UAE. Switzerland together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the European Free trade association countries, have a clear ambition to accelerate the trade negotiation. For that, the state secretary for economic affairs will visit Delhi at the beginning of February and both sides will look into negotiations and try to figure out how to accelerate the negotiations and try to wrap them up. So those are the three things, to cater to friendly countries which are incredibly important to the current international situation. Then moving our innovation relations to a more strategic level and accelerating our trade relations. Sidhant Sibal: Can we expect any high-level visits this year? Dr. Ralf Heckner: Actually we are expecting the President of the Swiss confederation to come to town. We are in contact to make this happen. This would for sure be the highlight of this year and be part of celebrating 75 years of our friendship but also a moment to move our economic relations forward. What is the potential of a trade deal as well, because if you understand the potential of a trade deal, you will also have the ambition to wrap up a trade deal. So Switzerland is number 20 when it comes to worldwide economies. Our GDP is 900 billion dollars, India's GDP is 3.2 trillion dollars. So three and a half times bigger than Switzerland. We are one of the most important financial centres, we are one of the most important innovative countries. This is just to set the stages. Let's talk about the numbers, the potential we have. There are 330 Swiss businesses physically present in India. In China there are 1000, so that means we have triple the presence of Swiss companies in India, if we take China as one of the reference points. In China, we were able to wrap up a free trade pact years back, including one on intellectual property. If you have a look at the US, which is the biggest economy in the world, we are one of the biggest countries to put FDI in the US. We are talking about 300 billion US dollars, invested in the US. We are talking about 10 billion US dollars invested in India from Switzerland. In the US its, 300 billion. Only the research and development investment from Switzerland into the US is 10 billion US dollars. So sky's the limit when it comes to the potential of Swiss businesses here and when it comes to foreign direct investment into India. So once you grasp the potential, the ambition to wrap up trade deals will come with it as well. Sidhant Sibal: India is the President of the G20 grouping this year, and is inviting Switzerland to take part in the Sherpa track. Your comments on that... Dr. Ralf Heckner: We are very grateful to the Indian government that Switzerland is invited again as a permanent invitee to the finance track. We have been part of the finance track since 2016. It can be explained, we are one of the biggest financial centres and I think what we bring to the table is the know-how to new technology, Fintech. We are sharing that with India. I referred to the visit of the President of the Swiss national bank with a keen interest in India's fintech space. One thing I see, is the major contribution of Switzerland is sustainability. PM Modi is very much focused on turning India into a green country when it comes to energy and the economy. The Swiss govt also had a vision, a vision for Switzerland's financial sector, to turn into a sustainable international financial sector. We are not talking about the billions of dollars that will be invested in climate change adaptation, and mitigation like at COP27 but we are talking about trillions of dollars in Swiss pension funds, insurance, and banks, that would be invested in sustainable businesses and solutions. There we have a huge opportunity to work with India. It is the right thing to have Switzerland at the table when it comes to the G20 finance track. I think overall, and the most important thing when it comes to India's G20 presidency and Switzerland is the focus of India on peace. The PM wrote an OP-ED and made it clear that this is not a time of war and made it clear we are talking about "One family, one world, One future". If you look at Switzerland's security council priorities-- we are for the first time in our history non-permanent members of the security council--the number one priority is sustainable peace. Whenever war breaks out in the last 10-20 years, there is no peace that follows. The most important thing is we keep peace where it is and then try to foster peace where war is. This is an overarching alignment where the objectives of India's G20 presidency and we would like to achieve in New York. Sidhant Sibal: India has been focusing on automatic exchange of information when it comes to illicit money. On the bilateral aspect if you can talk about that? Dr. Ralf Heckner: So, in 2018 India and Switzerland signed a pact on automatic exchange of bank information. So on a yearly basis between September-October, both countries are exchanging information on bank accounts. With that, the whole issue of banking information being exchanged is being catered for. I have been here in India for 2 years now, and I have never heard anything that is of importance when it comes to our relations and transparency in the banking sector. So no clouds on the horizon in our bilateral ties on the contrary. But it was dealt with in 2018. Sidhant Sibal: What are Switzerland's priorities when it comes to its non-permanent time frame at the UNSC which has just started. You have already talked about peace, but what are the other priorities? Dr. Ralf Heckner: Other Priorities are very Swiss priorities based on our foreign policy priorities. One is the protection of civilians in armed conflict, Switzerland attaches importance to protection and international humanitarian law with the founding of the International Committee of Red Cross in the 19th century. Unfortunately, if you look at the world in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, the protection of civilians is really an issue. This is our second priority. The 3rd priority will be the link between climate change and security and the 4th one, very much in line with the reform objectives of India. We would like to see an effective and transparent security council. Sidhant Sibal: Reforms of the UNSC are also something India has been talking about, what is your view on how UNSC should reflect the current geopolitical realities and will you support India's bid for a permanent seat at a reformed UNSC? Dr. Ralf Heckner: Already the fact that we support India's candidacy for 2021-22 security council membership is an indication, India is now aspiring for the next non-permanent membership of the security council. We will look into that very favourably. I think Switzerland and India are coming from 2 different sides to the same issue, that is the reform of the security council and international institutions as a whole. We are trying to change things in the current circumstances and hoping and working for a real reform. For that reason, we are talking about the effectiveness and transparency of the security council. If you look at what Switzerland has pushed forward and moved forward in the last years in that specific file, we have made it clear that we are of the opinion that P5 with a veto power should refrain from using the veto power whenever they are involved in a war. I think Ukraine is an example why Switzerland's proposal for a restrained use of a veto power is the right one. When it comes to India, once the conditions are ripe, I am sure Switzerland will look very favourable into India's candidacy. If you look at the world, it is very clear that India is an important country growing in influence and Switzerland attaches a lot of importance to our bilateral relations and which direction it will go. Sidhant Sibal: What is your view on the reform of the sanctions regime? Sanctions regimes looked politicised and China has blocked the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists. Dr. Ralf Heckner: I cannot tell you how we will vote, once things are on the table of my colleagues in the Swiss government in New York. But Switzerland is adhering to UN Sanctions, sanctions being taken by UNSC and that is clear. So Switzerland is implementing sanctions of the security council and will do so in the future. When it comes to sanctions and terrorism, just have a look at how Switzerland, decisions last year. India invited a number of countries to an extraordinary session of the UNSC sanctions committee. We were there with one person from New York and another from Berne. This shows the importance we attach to the sanctions regime and then no money for the terror conference, we had the deputy state secretary of financial affairs in town for those 2 days. Our message was a clear one that we would like to see all international states adhering and implementing the international standards when it comes to fight against terrorism. They are very much aligned with India and working with India on one of the priorities of India's security council membership 2021-2022. Sidhant Sibal: Switzerland has had a cultural impact due to movies, how do you see it? There seems to be a lull in that, but how do you plan to take it forward? Dr. Ralf Heckner: I am so impressed to see how one person, Mr Chopra and a friend of his, a Swiss farmer in Berne, were at the beginning of an incredible people to people relationship. The fact that the biggest visa centre worldwide of our network is in India, shows you the vibrancy of our people to people relations. It is not lull, if you look at 2 things–shooting a move in Switzerland that is still being done which is being done in a lot of other countries and then there is social media. Switzerland tourism is working very much with popular figures in India, Shah Rukh Khan or now the Olympic gold medal winner Neeraj Chopra. That is how we try to keep the attention level of our Indian friends when it comes to visiting Switzerland as a tourist destination. But what I think is important is that Indian people, Indian administration understand what Switzerland has to offer beyond the beautiful landscape and cable cars and trains, that is our country is the most innovative country on our planet. If you want to tap into the most innovative country on this planet, you can do that in Switzerland, if you want to have a relationship with one of the biggest FDI investors, that is Switzerland. That is something people do not see that much. The economic muscle Switzerland has as an FDI investor and also when it comes to innovation and research and that is where I would like to direct the attention of the Indian public but I am very happy Indian tourists are visiting Switzerland and by the way a lot of Swiss tourists are also visiting India. Before the pandemic, My friends in the Indian embassy in Berne were issuing 40-50,000 visas so it's a two-way relationship. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Switzerland Envoy Heckner backs strong trade, political ties with India

The United States-based tech giant and Facebook parent company Meta appoints former Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit as the Director of Global Business Group in India. In the new role, Purohit will lead Meta’s strategic relationship with various brands and agencies in bolstering the company's digital tools for revenue growth in India's business.

Vikas Purohit comes with over 20 years of experience in business, sales and marketing and astute knowledge of the market, given his Indian Institute of Management (IIM) education. He has worked previously with big league brands such as Tata Cliq, Amazon, Reliance brands, Aditya Birla group and Tommy Hilfiger.

Last month, he paid homage to his mentors on the popular social network Linkedin. Purohit will be succeeding Ajit Mohan who last year joined Snap Inc, which is the social media platform Snapchat’s parent company as the president of APAC to lead its business in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/metas-india-head-ajit-mohan-resigns-after-four-years-in-the-role-might-join-snap-530989">Meta's India head Ajit Mohan resigns after four years in the role, may join Snap</a>

As he steps into the new role, his responsibilities lie in engaging with brands and agencies, leading partnership initiatives with media and creating ecosystems to increase the adoption of Meta’s tools.

He would handle the company's key business verticals, including the agency teams and business solutions teams. Purohit will report to Arun Srinivas, the director and head of ads business for Meta in India.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ex-tata-cliq-ceo-vikas-purohit-takes-charge-as-metas-new-global-head-in-india-551133">Ex-Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit takes charge as Meta's new global head in India</a>

“I am thrilled to welcome Vikas as he joins our team to shape the role that Meta platforms can play in enabling businesses, supporting India's economic growth, and building the digital advertising ecosystem of the country,” said Srinivas in a statement.&nbsp;

India remains an indispensable market for tech giants such as Meta, with targeted ads and the adoption of new digital advertisement models, they aim to create a campaign to garner consumer interest.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sandhya-devanathan-appointed-as-metas-new-india-head-everything-about-her-535121">Sandhya Devanathan appointed as Meta's new India head: What does her new role entail?</a>

In FY22, Meta's gross ad revenue rose by 74% YoY to 1.9 billion, based on the increase in the adoption of its digital ad tools. 
 
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The United States-based tech giant and Facebook parent company Meta appoints former Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit as the Director of Global Business Group in India.

The United States-based tech giant and Facebook parent company Meta appoints former Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit as the Director of Global Business Group in India. In the new role, Purohit will lead Meta’s strategic relationship with various brands and agencies in bolstering the company's digital tools for revenue growth in India's business. Vikas Purohit comes with over 20 years of experience in business, sales and marketing and astute knowledge of the market, given his Indian Institute of Management (IIM) education. He has worked previously with big league brands such as Tata Cliq, Amazon, Reliance brands, Aditya Birla group and Tommy Hilfiger. Last month, he paid homage to his mentors on the popular social network Linkedin. Purohit will be succeeding Ajit Mohan who last year joined Snap Inc, which is the social media platform Snapchat’s parent company as the president of APAC to lead its business in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. ALSO READ | Meta's India head Ajit Mohan resigns after four years in the role, may join Snap As he steps into the new role, his responsibilities lie in engaging with brands and agencies, leading partnership initiatives with media and creating ecosystems to increase the adoption of Meta’s tools. He would handle the company's key business verticals, including the agency teams and business solutions teams. Purohit will report to Arun Srinivas, the director and head of ads business for Meta in India. ALSO WATCH | Ex-Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit takes charge as Meta's new global head in India “I am thrilled to welcome Vikas as he joins our team to shape the role that Meta platforms can play in enabling businesses, supporting India's economic growth, and building the digital advertising ecosystem of the country,” said Srinivas in a statement. India remains an indispensable market for tech giants such as Meta, with targeted ads and the adoption of new digital advertisement models, they aim to create a campaign to garner consumer interest. ALSO READ | Sandhya Devanathan appointed as Meta's new India head: What does her new role entail? In FY22, Meta's gross ad revenue rose by 74% YoY to 1.9 billion, based on the increase in the adoption of its digital ad tools. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Meta hires former Tata Cliq CEO Vikas Purohit as Director of Global Business Group in India

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence, on Tuesday (January 10) said they have approved three capital acquisition proposals amounting to nearly $526 million (Rs. 4,300 crores) for the Indian Army and Navy. This comes after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by the country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) of two proposals by the Indian Army and one by the Navy.&nbsp;

In line with the Indian government's push for Make in India initiative, the three proposals are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which refers to a category of acquisition of products from an Indian vendor that has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured with a minimum of 50 per cent Indigenous Content (IC).&nbsp;

“The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated to the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH),” said the defence ministry, in the statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-avani-chaturvedi-becomes-first-iaf-woman-fighter-pilot-to-participate-in-aerial-wargames-abroad-550494">India: Avani Chaturvedi becomes first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad</a> 
 
Additionally, they also said how the procurement of anti-tank guided missiles is an essential part of weaponising ALHs in “countering enemy threats”. Notably, HELINA is said to be one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world and the defence ministry said that its integration&nbsp;will boost the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities.&nbsp;

The DAC also approved the procurement of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed and developed, VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system. It is said to be “man-portable”, and robust and with its quickly deployable system, it can be swiftly used on rugged terrain as well as in the maritime domain.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/captain-shiva-chouhan-becomes-first-indian-army-woman-officer-to-be-posted-at-siachen-glacier-549311">Captain Shiva Chauhan becomes first Indian Army woman officer to be posted at Siachen Glacier</a>

The statement also mentioned how it would strengthen the Air Defence (AD) capabilities, especially in the context of the recent developments along India’s northern borders.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indian-government-cuts-economic-growth-outlook-sharply-ahead-of-union-budget-550704">Indian government cuts economic growth outlook sharply ahead of Union Budget</a>

The procurement of the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Indian Navy’s Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) has also been approved by the DAC. “With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels,” said the defence ministry.&nbsp; 
 
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In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence, on Tuesday (January 10) said they have approved three capital acquisition proposals amounting to nearly $526 million (Rs.

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence, on Tuesday (January 10) said they have approved three capital acquisition proposals amounting to nearly $526 million (Rs. 4,300 crores) for the Indian Army and Navy. This comes after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by the country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) of two proposals by the Indian Army and one by the Navy. In line with the Indian government's push for Make in India initiative, the three proposals are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which refers to a category of acquisition of products from an Indian vendor that has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured with a minimum of 50 per cent Indigenous Content (IC). “The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated to the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH),” said the defence ministry, in the statement. ALSO READ | India: Avani Chaturvedi becomes first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad Additionally, they also said how the procurement of anti-tank guided missiles is an essential part of weaponising ALHs in “countering enemy threats”. Notably, HELINA is said to be one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world and the defence ministry said that its integration will boost the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities. The DAC also approved the procurement of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed and developed, VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system. It is said to be “man-portable”, and robust and with its quickly deployable system, it can be swiftly used on rugged terrain as well as in the maritime domain. ALSO WATCH | Captain Shiva Chauhan becomes first Indian Army woman officer to be posted at Siachen Glacier The statement also mentioned how it would strengthen the Air Defence (AD) capabilities, especially in the context of the recent developments along India’s northern borders. ALSO READ | Indian government cuts economic growth outlook sharply ahead of Union Budget The procurement of the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Indian Navy’s Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) has also been approved by the DAC. “With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels,” said the defence ministry. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Defence ministry approves proposals of equipment worth over $500mn for Army, Navy

A 16-year-old girl was arrested in India’s national capital, Delhi after she shot and injured a 50-year-old woman and mother of a man who had allegedly raped her&nbsp;two years ago, said reports in the Hindustan Times, citing police sources.&nbsp;

The incident took place on Saturday evening after which the 50-year-old victim, later identified as Khursheeda, a resident of Subhash Mohalla in North East Delhi, was taken to the hospital, said a senior police officer.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-we-know-so-far-in-delhi-sultanpuri-horror-549740">EXPLAINED: What we know so far about the Delhi Sultanpuri horrific case</a>

The injured woman runs a grocery store. Her 25-year-old son had been accused of rape, which allegedly happened in 2021. It was during the initial investigation that the police found that the minor girl had filed an FIR against the victim’s son two years ago.&nbsp;

The Deputy Commissioner of Delhi police (northeast), Sanjay Kumar Sain, said that the police control room received a call about gunshots being fired at about 5:30 pm. “It has come to the fore that the girl had alleged that she was raped by the woman’s son in 2021, after which a case on charges of rape and under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered,” as per reports in the Hindustan Times, about the incident.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-girl-case-victim-was-not-alone-the-other-girl-fled-the-crime-spot-as-soon-as-the-car-hit-their-scooty-548931">Delhi girl case: Victim was not alone, the other girl fled the crime spot as soon as the car hit their scooty</a>

It added, “The 25-year-old son was then arrested and is still lodged in jail.” The girl aged 16 has been detained and the police have also reportedly recovered the pistol which she used. Additionally, they also said that after the primary treatment, Khursheeda was shifted to another hospital and legal action against the minor girl has been initiated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A 16-year-old girl was arrested in India’s national capital, Delhi after she shot and injured a 50-year-old woman and mother of a man who had allegedly raped her two years ago, said reports in the Hindustan Times, citing police sources.

A 16-year-old girl was arrested in India’s national capital, Delhi after she shot and injured a 50-year-old woman and mother of a man who had allegedly raped her two years ago, said reports in the Hindustan Times, citing police sources. The incident took place on Saturday evening after which the 50-year-old victim, later identified as Khursheeda, a resident of Subhash Mohalla in North East Delhi, was taken to the hospital, said a senior police officer. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: What we know so far about the Delhi Sultanpuri horrific case The injured woman runs a grocery store. Her 25-year-old son had been accused of rape, which allegedly happened in 2021. It was during the initial investigation that the police found that the minor girl had filed an FIR against the victim’s son two years ago. The Deputy Commissioner of Delhi police (northeast), Sanjay Kumar Sain, said that the police control room received a call about gunshots being fired at about 5:30 pm. “It has come to the fore that the girl had alleged that she was raped by the woman’s son in 2021, after which a case on charges of rape and under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered,” as per reports in the Hindustan Times, about the incident. ALSO READ | Delhi girl case: Victim was not alone, the other girl fled the crime spot as soon as the car hit their scooty It added, “The 25-year-old son was then arrested and is still lodged in jail.” The girl aged 16 has been detained and the police have also reportedly recovered the pistol which she used. Additionally, they also said that after the primary treatment, Khursheeda was shifted to another hospital and legal action against the minor girl has been initiated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: 16-year-old rape survivor in Delhi shoots rapist’s mother; arrested

For the first time an Indian Air Force (IAF) female fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, will participate in aerial war games which are to be held aboard. She will be a part of the Indian contingent for the maiden ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ joint exercise between India and Japan which will be hosted by the latter at the Hyakuri Air Base from January 12 to 26.&nbsp;

According to ANI, the exercise will be carried out by Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), at the aforementioned air Base in Japan and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, and the Iruma Air Base in Sayama.&nbsp;The Indian contingent will consist of 139 personnel including a woman medical officer, said a report by Hindustan Times citing anonymous official sources. Earlier today, they were scheduled to leave for Japan.&nbsp;

Who is Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi?

IAF’s Avani Chaturvedi was a part of the first batch of women to be commissioned as fighter pilots in the country’s air force almost seven years ago. This time as a squadron leader her participation in the air drills marks the first time that a female fighter pilot of the IAF is a part of an international joint exercise abroad.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fighter-jet-doesnt-care-if-pilot-a-man-or-woman-avani-chaturvedi-35140/amp">Fighter jet doesn't care if pilot a man or woman: Avani Chaturvedi</a>

While Chaturvedi is a Sukhoi-30 fighter pilot she is also qualified in MiG-21 Bison fighter jet and completed her training on Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and became one of the first woman combat pilots along with Mohana Singh Jitarwal and Bhawana Kanth. Notably, the IAF is the only one among the three defence arms of India to allow women in combat positions.&nbsp;

Born in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, she attended a school in Deoland, a small town in the same state. However, prior to joining the IAF, Chaturvedi finished her degree in Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from Banasthali University in Rajasthan. Her passion to conquer the skies also led her to join the Flying Club in her college.&nbsp;

Subsequently, she underwent six months of intensive training at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy in Telangana, before being inducted into the IAF fighter squadron in June 2016. Today, there are 17 female fighter pilots in the IAF and squadron leader Chaturvedi along with her batchmate Kanth flies the Russian-origin Sukhoi fighter jet at the air force’s Jodhpur air base.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/avani-chaturvedi-to-be-first-iaf-woman-fighter-pilot-to-participate-in-aerial-wargames-abroad-550431">Avani Chaturvedi to be first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad</a>

In 2018, as a flying officer, she also created history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly solo. Notably, she had flown a MiG-21 Bison fighter jet in Gujarat in her first training solo sortie. According to media reports, Chaturvedi was inspired by her brother who is in the Indian Army.&nbsp;

Notably, there are more than 145 female helicopter and transport aircraft pilots in the Indian Armed Forces which include the Army, Navy and the IAF. Out of which at least 30 have been deployed on the frontline warships while another 100 have been trained as military police women for the Army. However, female officers are still not allowed to serve in the armed forces’ main combat arms or Navy’s submarines said a report by Times of India.&nbsp;

What is the Veer Guardian 2023?

It is a joint Air Exercise between India and Japan to bolster air defence cooperation between the two countries. In a statement, India’s air force said, “IAF will participate with four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemasters &amp; an IL-78 tanker.” Meanwhile, the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 and four F-15 fighter jets, the statement added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/malabar-exercise-involving-india-japan-us-and-australia-culminates-in-seas-off-japan-534859">Malabar Exercise involving India, Japan, US and Australia culminates in seas off Japan</a>

This comes after the second 2+2 meeting of defence and foreign ministers in Tokyo last year when India and Japan had first unveiled their plans to conduct the joint exercise. “This exercise will thus be another step towards deepening strategic ties and defence cooperation between the two countries,” said the IAF.&nbsp;

The IAF added, “The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two air forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices.” According to the statement, experts from both countries will also discuss and share their expertise on “varied operational aspects.”

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-and-japan-to-hold-joint-air-exercise-to-promote-defence-cooperation-550407">India and Japan to hold joint air exercise to promote defence cooperation</a>

In September, six Indian ships, one submarine and P8I, Mig-29K and a Dornier aircraft participated in bilateral exercise JIMEX 22 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Izumo and Takanami in India. Last year, New Delhi and Tokyo also held the multilateral exercise Malabar with the United States and Australia between November 8 and 15 at Yokosuka, Japan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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For the first time an Indian Air Force (IAF) female fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, will participate in aerial war games which are to be held aboard.

For the first time an Indian Air Force (IAF) female fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, will participate in aerial war games which are to be held aboard. She will be a part of the Indian contingent for the maiden ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ joint exercise between India and Japan which will be hosted by the latter at the Hyakuri Air Base from January 12 to 26. According to ANI, the exercise will be carried out by Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), at the aforementioned air Base in Japan and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, and the Iruma Air Base in Sayama. The Indian contingent will consist of 139 personnel including a woman medical officer, said a report by Hindustan Times citing anonymous official sources. Earlier today, they were scheduled to leave for Japan. Who is Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi? IAF’s Avani Chaturvedi was a part of the first batch of women to be commissioned as fighter pilots in the country’s air force almost seven years ago. This time as a squadron leader her participation in the air drills marks the first time that a female fighter pilot of the IAF is a part of an international joint exercise abroad. ALSO READ | Fighter jet doesn't care if pilot a man or woman: Avani Chaturvedi While Chaturvedi is a Sukhoi-30 fighter pilot she is also qualified in MiG-21 Bison fighter jet and completed her training on Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and became one of the first woman combat pilots along with Mohana Singh Jitarwal and Bhawana Kanth. Notably, the IAF is the only one among the three defence arms of India to allow women in combat positions. Born in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, she attended a school in Deoland, a small town in the same state. However, prior to joining the IAF, Chaturvedi finished her degree in Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from Banasthali University in Rajasthan. Her passion to conquer the skies also led her to join the Flying Club in her college. Subsequently, she underwent six months of intensive training at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy in Telangana, before being inducted into the IAF fighter squadron in June 2016. Today, there are 17 female fighter pilots in the IAF and squadron leader Chaturvedi along with her batchmate Kanth flies the Russian-origin Sukhoi fighter jet at the air force’s Jodhpur air base. ALSO WATCH | Avani Chaturvedi to be first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad In 2018, as a flying officer, she also created history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly solo. Notably, she had flown a MiG-21 Bison fighter jet in Gujarat in her first training solo sortie. According to media reports, Chaturvedi was inspired by her brother who is in the Indian Army. Notably, there are more than 145 female helicopter and transport aircraft pilots in the Indian Armed Forces which include the Army, Navy and the IAF. Out of which at least 30 have been deployed on the frontline warships while another 100 have been trained as military police women for the Army. However, female officers are still not allowed to serve in the armed forces’ main combat arms or Navy’s submarines said a report by Times of India. What is the Veer Guardian 2023? It is a joint Air Exercise between India and Japan to bolster air defence cooperation between the two countries. In a statement, India’s air force said, “IAF will participate with four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemasters & an IL-78 tanker.” Meanwhile, the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 and four F-15 fighter jets, the statement added. ALSO READ | Malabar Exercise involving India, Japan, US and Australia culminates in seas off Japan This comes after the second 2+2 meeting of defence and foreign ministers in Tokyo last year when India and Japan had first unveiled their plans to conduct the joint exercise. “This exercise will thus be another step towards deepening strategic ties and defence cooperation between the two countries,” said the IAF. The IAF added, “The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two air forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices.” According to the statement, experts from both countries will also discuss and share their expertise on “varied operational aspects.” ALSO WATCH | India and Japan to hold joint air exercise to promote defence cooperation In September, six Indian ships, one submarine and P8I, Mig-29K and a Dornier aircraft participated in bilateral exercise JIMEX 22 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Izumo and Takanami in India. Last year, New Delhi and Tokyo also held the multilateral exercise Malabar with the United States and Australia between November 8 and 15 at Yokosuka, Japan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Avani Chaturvedi becomes first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad

During his maiden visit to Vienna, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr S Jaishankar, on Monday (December 2) addressed a press conference with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg. In response to questions, he also spoke about New Delhi’s stance on a range of issues including the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as called Austria a “serious and consequential partner” in terms of bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;

In a separate interview, with&nbsp;Austria’s National Public Broadcaster, ORF the EAM also spoke about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and India’s ties with Russia, and called out Europe for their energy imports from Moscow. Additionally, he also addressed issues regarding Pakistan and China in the context of terrorism and recent&nbsp;skirmishes along the LAC.&nbsp;

Jaishankar about India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine&nbsp;

The interview was taken on the channel’s ‘ZIB2 Program’ which is reportedly one of the most-watched TV shows in Austria where the EAM was questioned by an&nbsp;Austrian anchor about a range of issues concerning India including, its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Pakistan, and China.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-eam-s-jaishankar-takes-on-europes-charges-calls-out-china-548995">&nbsp;India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China</a> 
 
In several instances, the foreign minister responded by evoking history and reiterated some of his sharp responses against Europe, China and Pakistan. The EAM was asked why India never publicly condemned Russia’s “assault and invasion into the neighbouring country (Ukraine),” and if the situation is really “complicated” as he had called it in the context of international relations.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">“We have always taken the position that the way out for the countries concerned is to get back to dialogue and diplomacy…I can give you many instances of countries who have violated the sovereignty of another country and if I were to ask where Europe stood on a lot of those. I’m afraid I’ll get a long silence”, said Jaishankar, in response to the anchor.&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">He added, “We make judgments in foreign policy based on what we think are our long-term interests and what is good for the world”. Subsequently, Jaishankar was questioned about his and the Indian PM’s call for “dialogue and diplomacy” and urging both sides to negotiate, “However, can one really urge Ukraine to stop defending itself? After all there are no Ukrainian tanks in Russia but Russian planes, tanks and missiles destroying Ukraine,” asked the anchor.&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-says-indias-trade-with-russia-is-quite-small-compared-to-european-nations-540283">Jaishankar says India's trade with Russia is 'quite small' compared to European nations</a> 
 
In response, Jaishankar called this a “misrepresentation”, referring to India’s calls for dialogue and diplomacy and said, “There was dialogue and diplomacy in the early days of the conflict so it’s not like it did not happen. So it is not for us to put conditions and to say this country is equal to that country, that’s your judgement.” He added that this war is not in “anybody’s interest” including Russia’s.&nbsp;</div>

During the interview with Austria’s national broadcaster, the EAM was yet again questioned about India “financing Russia’s war” by not participating in Western sanctions and New Delhi’s imports from Moscow being “increased five times” since the beginning of the invasion, last year.&nbsp;

“Europe imported, in the same period, six times the energy which India did…if it is a matter of principle why didn’t Europe cut on the first day? Why didn’t on 25th February, a complete cut off of energy imports from Russia?”, the EAM questioned. He added, “You can’t say it’s my principle but by the way, I will do it by my timing”. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-purchases-for-the-month-would-be-less-than-what-europe-does-in-an-afternoon-jaishankar-on-russian-oil-470374">Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil</a>

When the Austrian anchor attempted to talk about the difference between increased imports by India and Europe trying to decrease theirs, Jaishankar swiftly shut him down by saying that they have managed to do so in a manner that is “comfortable for Europe”.&nbsp;

He added, “If 60,000 euros or whatever your per capita income is, if you are so caring about your population, I have a population at $2,000 which also needs energy…The price of oil has doubled and Europe also moving into the Middle East and diverting their production into Europe and raising prices…putting pressure on global oil markets and on my imports as well.”

Therefore, if European political leadership understands this and "would like to soften the impact on their population, it is a privilege that they should extend to other political leaderships as well”, said Jaishankar. Subsequently, the Austrian anchor questioned if India is reluctant to criticise Moscow because it is New Delhi’s “biggest supplier of weapons and military equipment?” To which the EAM responded with a history lesson on how Russia and India ties came to be.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Austrian Anchor: Russia is the most important supplier of weapons.. 
 
EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a>: &amp; therefore 
 
Anchor: Are u reluctant to criticize moscow? 
 
EAM: We have a relationship.. relationship built when western democracies used to arm military dictatorship called Pakistan 
 
©️🇦🇹ORF <a href="https://t.co/ADUowoxGQ3">pic.twitter.com/ADUowoxGQ3</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1610147137316347907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-jaishankar-sets-the-record-straight-in-moscow-532372">Gravitas: Jaishankar sets the record straight in Moscow</a>

Jaishankar on calling Pakistan the ‘epicentre of terrorism’

The Austrian anchor questioned the EAM about calling Pakistan the “epicentre of terrorism” and being <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/yearender-2022-a-year-of-s-jaishankars-undiplomatic-replies-that-laid-out-indias-foreign-policy-542080">“undiplomatic”</a> several weeks ago to which Jaishankar said, “Well, I did it again today without using the word ‘Pakistan’”, referring to the press conference held, earlier, on Monday.&nbsp;

“Because you’re a diplomat, doesn’t mean you are untruthful…I could use much harsher words than an ‘epicentre’...considering what has been happening to us ‘epicentre’ is a very diplomatic word,” said Jaishankar to Austria’s ORF. Subsequently, he went on to blame Pakistan for the attack on the Indian Parliament which happened in 2001 as well as the terrorist attacks in the country’s financial capital, Mumbai in 2008.&nbsp;

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"Bcz u'r a diplomat, u'r untruthful, I could use much harsher words", EAM Jaishankar when an Austrian anchor questions on usage of term 'terror epicenter' for Pakistan. 
 
Vdo ctsy: Austria's ORF <a href="https://t.co/UP1cPFD0wD">pic.twitter.com/UP1cPFD0wD</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1610110602206380032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“If you control your sovereign space…if terrorist camps operate in broad daylight in cities with recruitment and financing. Can you really tell me that the Pakistani state doesn’t know what is going on?”, the EAM questioned. He added, “When we speak about judgement and principles…why don’t I hear sharp European condemnation of these practices which have been going on for multiple decades”.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-jaishankar-counters-pakistan-china-with-facts-543516">Gravitas: Jaishankar counters Pakistan &amp; China with facts</a>

When asked if the world should be concerned about a potential war between India and Pakistan, Jaishankar said, “I think the world needs to be concerned about terrorism…because if you pose it the way you do it gives a free pass to terrorism”.&nbsp;

Jaishankar on&nbsp;China’s possible&nbsp;intervention in Taiwan and relations with India

The Austrian anchor asked the EAM if India shared concerns like many others across the world that in the near future, China may intervene “militarily” in Taiwan. In response, Jaishankar said there is a “larger concern” based on New Delhi’s experience which is not having agreements signed between the two countries observed.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-evokes-hillary-clintons-snake-in-the-backyard-analogy-to-slam-pakistan-543593">India's Jaishankar evokes Hillary Clinton's 'snake' analogy to slam Pakistan on terror</a>

He spoke about agreements signed between India and China which said that they would not mass force within their borders which the EAM has said consequently led to the current tension along the borders. Additionally, Jaishankar also spoke about the agreement between New Delhi and Beijing about not changing the LAC unilaterally “which they have attempted to do”.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Austrian Anchor: China can say India did not agree different agreements 
 
EAM Jaishankar: It's difficult for China to say that, record is very clear 
 
Vdo ctsy: Austria's ORF <a href="https://t.co/qZcEOreLmV">pic.twitter.com/qZcEOreLmV</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1610111705090256896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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As a foreign minister, Jaishankar said that he would be hesitant to predict publicly where else might this status quo change and can only speak from the experiences that India had witnessed. However, from his personal experience, “written agreements were not observed and we have seen military pressures in our view have no justification”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-un-jaishankar-lays-out-indias-norms-for-multilateral-reforms-543141">At UN, Jaishankar reprimands Pak, China on terrorism, lays out India's 'NORMS' for reforms</a>

“China would say the opposite and say that India has not observed the different agreements…”, said the Austrian anchor. In response, Jaishankar said, “It is difficult for China to say that…the record is very clear, because today there is a lot of transparency of satellite pictures and you can see who moved the forces to the border areas first, the record would be very clear.”&nbsp;

India is ‘deeply concerned’ about the conflict in Ukraine: EAM&nbsp;

In a press conference ahead of the aforementioned interview, the EAM&nbsp;in response to a question about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine the Indian foreign minister said, India remains “deeply concerned” and that a “return to dialogue and diplomacy” is imperative. Jaishankar also said that he spoke about threats to international peace and security posed by terrorism with Austrian leaders. This also included its cross-border practices, violent extremism, radicalisation and fundamentalism.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tawang-skirmish-china-stepped-up-efforts-for-improved-access-near-lac-says-australian-think-tank-544999">Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank</a>

“Their effects cannot be contained within a region especially so when they are deeply connected to narcotics and illegal weapons trade, and other forms of international crime. Since the epicentre is located so close to India, naturally our experiences and insights are useful to others,” said the EAM in an apparent attack on neighbouring Pakistan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words that today's era is not of war he called for both countries to resolve their differences at the negotiation table. “With regard to the Ukraine conflict, let me underline that India remains deeply concerned. We sincerely believe that this is not the era of war. Differences must be settled on the negotiating table. It is imperative that there is a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” said the EAM while addressing a press conference with his Austrian counterpart.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/austria-terms-india-a-close-and-trusted-partner-ahead-of-eam-jaishankars-visit-547575">Austria terms India a close and trusted partner ahead of EAM Jaishankar's visit</a>

The EAM also spoke about the Indian PM being in touch with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, and “pressing our point of view in that regard”. He added, “We are increasingly anxious about the knock-on effects of the conflict in terms of accessibility and affordability of fuel, food and fertilisers, this is a growing concern for the global south.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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During his maiden visit to Vienna, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr S Jaishankar, on Monday (December 2) addressed a press conference with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg.

During his maiden visit to Vienna, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr S Jaishankar, on Monday (December 2) addressed a press conference with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg. In response to questions, he also spoke about New Delhi’s stance on a range of issues including the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as called Austria a “serious and consequential partner” in terms of bilateral cooperation. In a separate interview, with Austria’s National Public Broadcaster, ORF the EAM also spoke about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and India’s ties with Russia, and called out Europe for their energy imports from Moscow. Additionally, he also addressed issues regarding Pakistan and China in the context of terrorism and recent skirmishes along the LAC. Jaishankar about India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine The interview was taken on the channel’s ‘ZIB2 Program’ which is reportedly one of the most-watched TV shows in Austria where the EAM was questioned by an Austrian anchor about a range of issues concerning India including, its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Pakistan, and China. ALSO WATCH | India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China In several instances, the foreign minister responded by evoking history and reiterated some of his sharp responses against Europe, China and Pakistan. The EAM was asked why India never publicly condemned Russia’s “assault and invasion into the neighbouring country (Ukraine),” and if the situation is really “complicated” as he had called it in the context of international relations. “We have always taken the position that the way out for the countries concerned is to get back to dialogue and diplomacy…I can give you many instances of countries who have violated the sovereignty of another country and if I were to ask where Europe stood on a lot of those. I’m afraid I’ll get a long silence”, said Jaishankar, in response to the anchor. He added, “We make judgments in foreign policy based on what we think are our long-term interests and what is good for the world”. Subsequently, Jaishankar was questioned about his and the Indian PM’s call for “dialogue and diplomacy” and urging both sides to negotiate, “However, can one really urge Ukraine to stop defending itself? After all there are no Ukrainian tanks in Russia but Russian planes, tanks and missiles destroying Ukraine,” asked the anchor. ALSO READ | Jaishankar says India's trade with Russia is 'quite small' compared to European nations In response, Jaishankar called this a “misrepresentation”, referring to India’s calls for dialogue and diplomacy and said, “There was dialogue and diplomacy in the early days of the conflict so it’s not like it did not happen. So it is not for us to put conditions and to say this country is equal to that country, that’s your judgement.” He added that this war is not in “anybody’s interest” including Russia’s. During the interview with Austria’s national broadcaster, the EAM was yet again questioned about India “financing Russia’s war” by not participating in Western sanctions and New Delhi’s imports from Moscow being “increased five times” since the beginning of the invasion, last year. “Europe imported, in the same period, six times the energy which India did…if it is a matter of principle why didn’t Europe cut on the first day? Why didn’t on 25th February, a complete cut off of energy imports from Russia?”, the EAM questioned. He added, “You can’t say it’s my principle but by the way, I will do it by my timing”. ALSO READ | Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil When the Austrian anchor attempted to talk about the difference between increased imports by India and Europe trying to decrease theirs, Jaishankar swiftly shut him down by saying that they have managed to do so in a manner that is “comfortable for Europe”. He added, “If 60,000 euros or whatever your per capita income is, if you are so caring about your population, I have a population at $2,000 which also needs energy…The price of oil has doubled and Europe also moving into the Middle East and diverting their production into Europe and raising prices…putting pressure on global oil markets and on my imports as well.” Therefore, if European political leadership understands this and "would like to soften the impact on their population, it is a privilege that they should extend to other political leaderships as well”, said Jaishankar. Subsequently, the Austrian anchor questioned if India is reluctant to criticise Moscow because it is New Delhi’s “biggest supplier of weapons and military equipment?” To which the EAM responded with a history lesson on how Russia and India ties came to be. Austrian Anchor: Russia is the most important supplier of weapons.. EAM @DrSJaishankar: & therefore Anchor: Are u reluctant to criticize moscow? EAM: We have a relationship.. relationship built when western democracies used to arm military dictatorship called Pakistan ©️🇦🇹ORF pic.twitter.com/ADUowoxGQ3 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 3, 2023 × ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Jaishankar sets the record straight in Moscow Jaishankar on calling Pakistan the ‘epicentre of terrorism’ The Austrian anchor questioned the EAM about calling Pakistan the “epicentre of terrorism” and being “undiplomatic” several weeks ago to which Jaishankar said, “Well, I did it again today without using the word ‘Pakistan’”, referring to the press conference held, earlier, on Monday. “Because you’re a diplomat, doesn’t mean you are untruthful…I could use much harsher words than an ‘epicentre’...considering what has been happening to us ‘epicentre’ is a very diplomatic word,” said Jaishankar to Austria’s ORF. Subsequently, he went on to blame Pakistan for the attack on the Indian Parliament which happened in 2001 as well as the terrorist attacks in the country’s financial capital, Mumbai in 2008. "Bcz u'r a diplomat, u'r untruthful, I could use much harsher words", EAM Jaishankar when an Austrian anchor questions on usage of term 'terror epicenter' for Pakistan. Vdo ctsy: Austria's ORF pic.twitter.com/UP1cPFD0wD — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 3, 2023 × “If you control your sovereign space…if terrorist camps operate in broad daylight in cities with recruitment and financing. Can you really tell me that the Pakistani state doesn’t know what is going on?”, the EAM questioned. He added, “When we speak about judgement and principles…why don’t I hear sharp European condemnation of these practices which have been going on for multiple decades”. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Jaishankar counters Pakistan & China with facts When asked if the world should be concerned about a potential war between India and Pakistan, Jaishankar said, “I think the world needs to be concerned about terrorism…because if you pose it the way you do it gives a free pass to terrorism”. Jaishankar on China’s possible intervention in Taiwan and relations with India The Austrian anchor asked the EAM if India shared concerns like many others across the world that in the near future, China may intervene “militarily” in Taiwan. In response, Jaishankar said there is a “larger concern” based on New Delhi’s experience which is not having agreements signed between the two countries observed. ALSO READ | India's Jaishankar evokes Hillary Clinton's 'snake' analogy to slam Pakistan on terror He spoke about agreements signed between India and China which said that they would not mass force within their borders which the EAM has said consequently led to the current tension along the borders. Additionally, Jaishankar also spoke about the agreement between New Delhi and Beijing about not changing the LAC unilaterally “which they have attempted to do”. Austrian Anchor: China can say India did not agree different agreements EAM Jaishankar: It's difficult for China to say that, record is very clear Vdo ctsy: Austria's ORF pic.twitter.com/qZcEOreLmV — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 3, 2023 × As a foreign minister, Jaishankar said that he would be hesitant to predict publicly where else might this status quo change and can only speak from the experiences that India had witnessed. However, from his personal experience, “written agreements were not observed and we have seen military pressures in our view have no justification”. ALSO READ | At UN, Jaishankar reprimands Pak, China on terrorism, lays out India's 'NORMS' for reforms “China would say the opposite and say that India has not observed the different agreements…”, said the Austrian anchor. In response, Jaishankar said, “It is difficult for China to say that…the record is very clear, because today there is a lot of transparency of satellite pictures and you can see who moved the forces to the border areas first, the record would be very clear.” India is ‘deeply concerned’ about the conflict in Ukraine: EAM In a press conference ahead of the aforementioned interview, the EAM in response to a question about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine the Indian foreign minister said, India remains “deeply concerned” and that a “return to dialogue and diplomacy” is imperative. Jaishankar also said that he spoke about threats to international peace and security posed by terrorism with Austrian leaders. This also included its cross-border practices, violent extremism, radicalisation and fundamentalism. ALSO READ | Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank “Their effects cannot be contained within a region especially so when they are deeply connected to narcotics and illegal weapons trade, and other forms of international crime. Since the epicentre is located so close to India, naturally our experiences and insights are useful to others,” said the EAM in an apparent attack on neighbouring Pakistan. Meanwhile, speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words that today's era is not of war he called for both countries to resolve their differences at the negotiation table. “With regard to the Ukraine conflict, let me underline that India remains deeply concerned. We sincerely believe that this is not the era of war. Differences must be settled on the negotiating table. It is imperative that there is a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” said the EAM while addressing a press conference with his Austrian counterpart. ALSO READ | Austria terms India a close and trusted partner ahead of EAM Jaishankar's visit The EAM also spoke about the Indian PM being in touch with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, and “pressing our point of view in that regard”. He added, “We are increasingly anxious about the knock-on effects of the conflict in terms of accessibility and affordability of fuel, food and fertilisers, this is a growing concern for the global south.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EAM Jaishankar defends India's stance on Russia-Ukraine, calls out Europe on its ‘long silence’

Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade. Prior to his departure, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday, spoke to Qin over the phone about US-China ties and “maintaining open lines of communication”.&nbsp;

The 56-year-old, Qin, was appointed for the role, on December 30, and is said to be a trusted aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The decision was made by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday, said a report by Global Times. Additionally, Qin will replace the 69-year-old Wang who will reportedly remain the state councillor in charge of diplomacy.

Following the conversation between Blinken and his incoming Chinese counterpart, the US official took to Twitter and said, “Spoke by phone this morning with incoming People's Republic of China Foreign Minister Qin Gang as he departs Washington for his new role. We discussed the US-PRC relationship and maintaining open lines of communication.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-top-diplomats-reach-consensus-on-not-seeking-new-cold-war-on-the-sidelines-of-g20-summit-495735">US-China top diplomats reach consensus on not seeking new 'Cold War' on sidelines of G20 summit</a>

Notably, Qin’s 17-month stint as the Chinese ambassador to Washington has been marked by escalating tensions between the two countries on a range of issues from trade, to the ongoing “chip war”, and Taiwan. In response to Blinken, Qin also took to the microblogging platform and said, “I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.”&nbsp;

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Called <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecBlinken</a> to say goodbye. I appreciate several candid, in-depth and constructive meetings with him during my tenure. I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.
— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbQinGang/status/1609627011261005825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/what-is-china-taiwan-conflict-role-of-us-518832">issue of Taiwan</a> has also become a point of contention between the two countries with China claiming Taiwan as a breakaway province under Beijing’s rule and Taiwan identifying itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-battle-over-semiconductors-503123">US-China battle over semiconductors</a>

Earlier this year, in his first one-on-one interview after assuming his post in Washington, Qin had also warned that the US could face “military conflict” with China over the status of Taiwan. “If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict,” said Qin to NPR.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Qin about India-China relations

In an op-ed article titled, “How China Sees the World” written, on December 26, four days before he was named Beijing's new foreign minister, Qin in reference to “border issues” with India said that the status quo is that both sides are “willing to ease the situation”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tawang-skirmish-china-stepped-up-efforts-for-improved-access-near-lac-says-australian-think-tank-544999">Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank</a>

“China’s development means a stronger force for peace, not a growing power poised to ‘break the status quo’, as some call it,” wrote the incoming foreign minister in the US magazine National Interest. He added, “As to the border issues between China and India, the status quo is that both sides are willing to ease the situation and jointly protect peace along their borders.”

Notably, the article was written weeks after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector on December 9.&nbsp;

Subsequently, in a statement, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command spokesman, said the Chinese troops “were obstructed by the Indian army who illegally crossed the Line (of Actual Control),” reported AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rejects-chinese-objections-on-indo-us-military-exercise-near-lac-539273">India rejects Chinese objections on Indo-US military exercise near LAC</a>

On the other hand, Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, addressing the parliament days after the incident said that China unilaterally attempted to change the status quo along the LAC, and it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/garud-commandos-deployed-at-lac-with-cutting-edge-weapons-545609">Indian troops’</a> timely intervention which shunned away the Chinese PLA.&nbsp;

He went on to seemingly blame the US for changing the status quo in Taiwan and defended Beijing and said that tensions in the Taiwan Strait are not created by them, “breaking the status quo, but by ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and external forces continually challenging the status quo of ‘one China’,” wrote Qin.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-will-park-fighter-jets-50km-from-lac-near-china-530647">India will park fighter jets 50km from LAC near China</a>

Similarly, he went on to blame Japan for “altering” the status quo in the South China Sea and wrote, “In the case of the East China Sea, it was Japan who attempted to ‘nationalize’ Diaoyu Dao ten years ago, altering the ‘status quo’’ between China and Japan of agreeing to put aside differences. In the South China Sea, the status quo is that regional countries are consulting on a code of conduct that will lead to meaningful and effective rules for the region.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade.

Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade. Prior to his departure, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday, spoke to Qin over the phone about US-China ties and “maintaining open lines of communication”. The 56-year-old, Qin, was appointed for the role, on December 30, and is said to be a trusted aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The decision was made by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday, said a report by Global Times. Additionally, Qin will replace the 69-year-old Wang who will reportedly remain the state councillor in charge of diplomacy. Following the conversation between Blinken and his incoming Chinese counterpart, the US official took to Twitter and said, “Spoke by phone this morning with incoming People's Republic of China Foreign Minister Qin Gang as he departs Washington for his new role. We discussed the US-PRC relationship and maintaining open lines of communication.” ALSO READ | US-China top diplomats reach consensus on not seeking new 'Cold War' on sidelines of G20 summit Notably, Qin’s 17-month stint as the Chinese ambassador to Washington has been marked by escalating tensions between the two countries on a range of issues from trade, to the ongoing “chip war”, and Taiwan. In response to Blinken, Qin also took to the microblogging platform and said, “I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.” Called @SecBlinken to say goodbye. I appreciate several candid, in-depth and constructive meetings with him during my tenure. I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship. — Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) January 1, 2023 × The issue of Taiwan has also become a point of contention between the two countries with China claiming Taiwan as a breakaway province under Beijing’s rule and Taiwan identifying itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. ALSO WATCH | US-China battle over semiconductors Earlier this year, in his first one-on-one interview after assuming his post in Washington, Qin had also warned that the US could face “military conflict” with China over the status of Taiwan. “If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict,” said Qin to NPR. × Qin about India-China relations In an op-ed article titled, “How China Sees the World” written, on December 26, four days before he was named Beijing's new foreign minister, Qin in reference to “border issues” with India said that the status quo is that both sides are “willing to ease the situation”. ALSO READ | Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank “China’s development means a stronger force for peace, not a growing power poised to ‘break the status quo’, as some call it,” wrote the incoming foreign minister in the US magazine National Interest. He added, “As to the border issues between China and India, the status quo is that both sides are willing to ease the situation and jointly protect peace along their borders.” Notably, the article was written weeks after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector on December 9. Subsequently, in a statement, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command spokesman, said the Chinese troops “were obstructed by the Indian army who illegally crossed the Line (of Actual Control),” reported AFP. ALSO READ | India rejects Chinese objections on Indo-US military exercise near LAC On the other hand, Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, addressing the parliament days after the incident said that China unilaterally attempted to change the status quo along the LAC, and it was Indian troops’ timely intervention which shunned away the Chinese PLA. He went on to seemingly blame the US for changing the status quo in Taiwan and defended Beijing and said that tensions in the Taiwan Strait are not created by them, “breaking the status quo, but by ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and external forces continually challenging the status quo of ‘one China’,” wrote Qin. ALSO WATCH | India will park fighter jets 50km from LAC near China Similarly, he went on to blame Japan for “altering” the status quo in the South China Sea and wrote, “In the case of the East China Sea, it was Japan who attempted to ‘nationalize’ Diaoyu Dao ten years ago, altering the ‘status quo’’ between China and Japan of agreeing to put aside differences. In the South China Sea, the status quo is that regional countries are consulting on a code of conduct that will lead to meaningful and effective rules for the region.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, talks to his counterpart in Washington about US-China ties

India's Supreme Court on Monday, in a 4-1 majority ruling, backed the&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's 2016 decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations.&nbsp;The five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court passed its judgement and said that the decision could not be faulted just because it was initiated by the central government.&nbsp;

The bench headed by supreme court Justice S A Nazeer had taken a batch of 58 petitions challenging several different aspects of the&nbsp; Modi government’s demonetisation decision. According to reports, the petitions also called for the apex court to strike the decision.&nbsp;

Justice BR Gavai, reading out the SC order by the bench said that whether the objective of the move was achieved or not, is “not relevant”. “There has to be great restraint in matters of economic policy. Court cannot supplant the wisdom of the executive with its wisdom,” the court order added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-supreme-court-to-examine-2016-demonetisation-decision-asks-for-affidavits-524831">India's Supreme Court to examine 2016 demonetisation decision, asks govt, RBI to file affidavits</a>

However, one judge, Justice BV Nagarathna, expressed strong dissent and called the note ban by the government “vitiated and unlawful”. Justice Nagarathna based her argument on the government’s 2016 decision citing its powers under section 26(2) of the RBI Act and said that the Reserve Bank of India should have independently recommended demonetisation as opposed to basing it on the Centre’s advice.&nbsp;

She said, “After perusing the documents and records submitted by Centre and RBI, phrases like ‘as desired by Centre government’ show there was no independent application of mind by RBI.” Meanwhile, the other judges said that the Centre is required to act in consultation with the RBI and noted that there was at least a six-month back and forth between the two entities before the decision was announced.&nbsp; 
 
“The central government's decision was after RBI board’s approval which shows in-built safeguard against centre’s powers. It cannot be said that there is excessive delegation of power under the RBI Act to the Centre which is answerable to the Parliament,” the apex court noted.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Additionally, since the move is an executive’s economic policy it cannot be reversed. In this case, Justice Nagarathna also said that the decision could have been initiated through the Parliament as opposed to being an executive order.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/five-years-of-demonetisation-what-has-changed-in-the-indian-economy-427634">Five years of demonetisation: What has changed in the Indian economy?&nbsp;</a>

The supreme court justice Nagarathna also went on to call demonetisation with a doubt, “well-intentioned” as it “targeted evils” such as black money, terror funding, and counterfeiting. However, “Best intention and noble objects are not under question. The measure has been regarded as unlawful only on a purely legal analysis, and not on the objects of demonetisation,” she noted.&nbsp;

In addition to the three aforementioned Justices Nazeer, Gavai and Nagarathna, the other members of the five-judge bench of the apex court were Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. The SC also argues that the exercise cannot be struck down as it was not hit by the doctrine of proportionality and that a period of 52 days given to exchange the notes was “not unreasonable”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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India's Supreme Court on Monday, in a 4-1 majority ruling, backed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's 2016 decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs.

India's Supreme Court on Monday, in a 4-1 majority ruling, backed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's 2016 decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations. The five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court passed its judgement and said that the decision could not be faulted just because it was initiated by the central government. The bench headed by supreme court Justice S A Nazeer had taken a batch of 58 petitions challenging several different aspects of the Modi government’s demonetisation decision. According to reports, the petitions also called for the apex court to strike the decision. Justice BR Gavai, reading out the SC order by the bench said that whether the objective of the move was achieved or not, is “not relevant”. “There has to be great restraint in matters of economic policy. Court cannot supplant the wisdom of the executive with its wisdom,” the court order added. ALSO READ | India's Supreme Court to examine 2016 demonetisation decision, asks govt, RBI to file affidavits However, one judge, Justice BV Nagarathna, expressed strong dissent and called the note ban by the government “vitiated and unlawful”. Justice Nagarathna based her argument on the government’s 2016 decision citing its powers under section 26(2) of the RBI Act and said that the Reserve Bank of India should have independently recommended demonetisation as opposed to basing it on the Centre’s advice. She said, “After perusing the documents and records submitted by Centre and RBI, phrases like ‘as desired by Centre government’ show there was no independent application of mind by RBI.” Meanwhile, the other judges said that the Centre is required to act in consultation with the RBI and noted that there was at least a six-month back and forth between the two entities before the decision was announced. “The central government's decision was after RBI board’s approval which shows in-built safeguard against centre’s powers. It cannot be said that there is excessive delegation of power under the RBI Act to the Centre which is answerable to the Parliament,” the apex court noted. × Additionally, since the move is an executive’s economic policy it cannot be reversed. In this case, Justice Nagarathna also said that the decision could have been initiated through the Parliament as opposed to being an executive order. ALSO READ | Five years of demonetisation: What has changed in the Indian economy? The supreme court justice Nagarathna also went on to call demonetisation with a doubt, “well-intentioned” as it “targeted evils” such as black money, terror funding, and counterfeiting. However, “Best intention and noble objects are not under question. The measure has been regarded as unlawful only on a purely legal analysis, and not on the objects of demonetisation,” she noted. In addition to the three aforementioned Justices Nazeer, Gavai and Nagarathna, the other members of the five-judge bench of the apex court were Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. The SC also argues that the exercise cannot be struck down as it was not hit by the doctrine of proportionality and that a period of 52 days given to exchange the notes was “not unreasonable”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Supreme Court upholds government’s demonetisation decision with a 4-1 majority

Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, high commissioner Shaheeb said, "Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity."&nbsp;

Several direct flights link Indian cities to the national capital of Maldives Malé and the focus is to connect southern India to the country with ferries.&nbsp;

On tourists from India, the high commissioner pointed out, "To see the love, to be in the Maldives for Indians, that is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go."&nbsp;

He highlighted that, "It is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well."&nbsp;

Indians were the number one travelers to the country in 2022 for the third year in a row. This year, they accounted for 15% of the tourists. An Indian was the 1.6 millionth tourist to the country this year and was welcomed with much fanfare. The country has kept a target of 1.6 million tourists for 2022. The High commissioner also spoke on issues like the usage of national currencies for trade, action against elements calling for attack on the Indian mission and India's infrastructure support for the country.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India-Maldives ties?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: When we talk about the close relationship we have between the two countries, I would like to point out that the relationship is not only about just high level, it is deeply rooted with people as well. We had interactions way before our independence as well.&nbsp;

Interaction between the people is very symbolic for us and that relationship still continues. When you talk about close relationships at a high level, I would like to point out the visit of PM Modi in 2018 for the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that was a very welcome and a good gesture to start building a relationship.&nbsp;

I would also like to point out, PM Modi visited the Maldives in 2019 after his re-election in his 2nd term. This was his first foreign visit. Our president visited India very recently, in August this year. That visit has shown a close relationship at the highest level and the relationship continues down the line as well.&nbsp;

We can see that relationships are time-tested. During the pandemic both countries worked very closely to fulfill the needs of the people and the society. I would like to point out and thank the Govt of India. Indian govt assisted Maldivians who were stranded in Wuhan when the pandemic started, Indian govt also assisted in the transportation of essential drugs to Maldives, the govt has continued to provide financial assistance, air travel bubble has been made between the two&nbsp;countries, gifting of vaccines. These are some of the things I can name, the list goes on but these things have helped build a relationship and give us new momentum on the relationship which I intend to continue during my time as well.&nbsp;

WION: What will be your focus during your tenure?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: My focus will be building upon the relationship that both leaders have started. One of the areas would be to boost trade between the two countries.&nbsp;

During the recent visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, business interaction took place between the two countries. I intend to expand that relationship and continue the B2B interaction because initial steps have been taken and we are moving forward. I intend to introduce Maldivian cuisines into the Indian market. I believe this could be another avenue where we could promote trade between the two&nbsp;countries. Tourism is another area I will focus on.&nbsp;

As you know, during the pandemic, Maldives was able to gain the trust of international travelers because of the travel bubble we had with India. Indian tourists came in. They constitute major number of tourist market&nbsp;in Maldives but it also gave confidence to the international travellers to travel to Maldives. We are very grateful for that. I intend to expand that, increasing travel from India to Maldives. As you know, it is not only about Indians travelling to Maldives, Maldivians travel a lot to India as well for essential or advanced medical treatment, for tourism, for education, so these are the areas we will be looking at during my term here.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's infrastructure projects in Maldives?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: India is supporting one of the largest infrastructure projects, the greater Malé connectivity project. It links Malé to Thilafushi and within that 4 islands are connected, Malé city, Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.&nbsp;

This project is geared to be one of the biggest projects which will bring a lot of economic benefits to the Maldives. We are grateful to the Indian govt for giving us both a line of credit and grant assistance for this project. Apart from that there is another project that is going on which we call a high-impact development project. 25 projects that are ongoing, some of the projects have completed and others are in the final stages of completion. These projects have directly impacted the community and the development of the community. People have received these projects well. We hope to continue these projects because it has a direct impact on the community. People are looking forward to these projects.&nbsp;

WION: Connectivity is another key area, Maldivians come regularly to India as you pointed and vice versa. What are the projects in the pipeline when it comes to connectivity, especially southern India?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity. As you know direct flights fly between Malé to Delhi and Malé to Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, Mumbai and other cities.&nbsp;

This air connectivity has helped "people to people" travel as well as businesses at the same time, southern India -- Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a sea ferry project was started. We are trying our best to restore and continue the project.&nbsp;

Hopefully we will be able to increase that connectivity as well but having said that I would like to point out, India is one of the biggest trading partners of Maldives which mainly comes through sea as well. We will continue to expand connectivity during my time as well.&nbsp;

WION: India has been focusing on usage of national currencies, what is status like between India and Maldives when it comes to usage of national currencies?&nbsp;

High Commissioner Shaheeb: As you know, during PM Modi's 2018 visit, an MoU was signed between India and the Maldives for recognition of RuPay, the implementation stages are in the process, and I believe it is in the final stages.&nbsp;

Once both financial institutions make final amendments to regulations, we will be able to implement it. Once it is implemented, I am sure that travel will increase, trade will increase and it will be beneficial to both sides as well. Apart from that, we will continue to find ways in which we can increase trade, travel between two countries through exchange of these financial mechanisms.&nbsp;

WION: Use of RuPay card has been agreed on but on usage of national currencies, have both sides held talks?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: Well, discussions have been going on and we continue to explore ways in which we can cooperate. I am sure I will continue the discussion in the years ahead.

WION: In Maldives, we saw elements calling for an attack on the Indian High Commission. This raises concern. We saw action by the Maldives police and also statements by Maldives foreign ministry and political parties, your reaction?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: From the Maldivian point of view, safety and security of diplomats and diplomatic missions is a high priority. We will not tolerate any sort of incitement into these things, and as you rightly said, we have taken necessary actions and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Police have arrested the person who tried to incite&nbsp;violence, we will continue to monitor and provide safety for all diplomats. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Indians like to go to Maldives, Indian celebrities have been regularly posting pictures on Instagram, how do you view this love or popularity for Maldives in India?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: This is a good sign of our relationship that we have had over the years. It is only very recently we see so many Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives.&nbsp;

I am very delighted to be here at a time when India is the number one tourist market for Maldives.&nbsp;

To see the love, to be in Maldives for Indians, is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go and it is very close by as well.&nbsp;

If you think of Delhi, it is just a four-hour flight away. There are direct flights to Male as well, so connectivity is very convenient now and at the same time, for me to convince people that Maldives is affordable is something I want to promote. A lot of the time when I meet people they say, nice place but it is expensive.&nbsp;

I would like to point out, Maldives has places where everyone can afford to go, it is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well. Very recently, the government has introduced homestays as well, these are avenues where everyone can visit the Maldives and see&nbsp;beauty of it. I very proudly say, pictures can be deceiving and it is only when you travel to the Maldives and see by yourself, you see the beauty of it.

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Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year.

Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, high commissioner Shaheeb said, "Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity." Several direct flights link Indian cities to the national capital of Maldives Malé and the focus is to connect southern India to the country with ferries. On tourists from India, the high commissioner pointed out, "To see the love, to be in the Maldives for Indians, that is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go." He highlighted that, "It is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well." Indians were the number one travelers to the country in 2022 for the third year in a row. This year, they accounted for 15% of the tourists. An Indian was the 1.6 millionth tourist to the country this year and was welcomed with much fanfare. The country has kept a target of 1.6 million tourists for 2022. The High commissioner also spoke on issues like the usage of national currencies for trade, action against elements calling for attack on the Indian mission and India's infrastructure support for the country. WION: How do you see India-Maldives ties? High Commissioner Shaheeb: When we talk about the close relationship we have between the two countries, I would like to point out that the relationship is not only about just high level, it is deeply rooted with people as well. We had interactions way before our independence as well. Interaction between the people is very symbolic for us and that relationship still continues. When you talk about close relationships at a high level, I would like to point out the visit of PM Modi in 2018 for the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that was a very welcome and a good gesture to start building a relationship. I would also like to point out, PM Modi visited the Maldives in 2019 after his re-election in his 2nd term. This was his first foreign visit. Our president visited India very recently, in August this year. That visit has shown a close relationship at the highest level and the relationship continues down the line as well. We can see that relationships are time-tested. During the pandemic both countries worked very closely to fulfill the needs of the people and the society. I would like to point out and thank the Govt of India. Indian govt assisted Maldivians who were stranded in Wuhan when the pandemic started, Indian govt also assisted in the transportation of essential drugs to Maldives, the govt has continued to provide financial assistance, air travel bubble has been made between the two countries, gifting of vaccines. These are some of the things I can name, the list goes on but these things have helped build a relationship and give us new momentum on the relationship which I intend to continue during my time as well. WION: What will be your focus during your tenure? High Commissioner Shaheeb: My focus will be building upon the relationship that both leaders have started. One of the areas would be to boost trade between the two countries. During the recent visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, business interaction took place between the two countries. I intend to expand that relationship and continue the B2B interaction because initial steps have been taken and we are moving forward. I intend to introduce Maldivian cuisines into the Indian market. I believe this could be another avenue where we could promote trade between the two countries. Tourism is another area I will focus on. As you know, during the pandemic, Maldives was able to gain the trust of international travelers because of the travel bubble we had with India. Indian tourists came in. They constitute major number of tourist market in Maldives but it also gave confidence to the international travellers to travel to Maldives. We are very grateful for that. I intend to expand that, increasing travel from India to Maldives. As you know, it is not only about Indians travelling to Maldives, Maldivians travel a lot to India as well for essential or advanced medical treatment, for tourism, for education, so these are the areas we will be looking at during my term here. WION: How do you see India's infrastructure projects in Maldives? High Commissioner Shaheeb: India is supporting one of the largest infrastructure projects, the greater Malé connectivity project. It links Malé to Thilafushi and within that 4 islands are connected, Malé city, Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. This project is geared to be one of the biggest projects which will bring a lot of economic benefits to the Maldives. We are grateful to the Indian govt for giving us both a line of credit and grant assistance for this project. Apart from that there is another project that is going on which we call a high-impact development project. 25 projects that are ongoing, some of the projects have completed and others are in the final stages of completion. These projects have directly impacted the community and the development of the community. People have received these projects well. We hope to continue these projects because it has a direct impact on the community. People are looking forward to these projects. WION: Connectivity is another key area, Maldivians come regularly to India as you pointed and vice versa. What are the projects in the pipeline when it comes to connectivity, especially southern India? High Commissioner Shaheeb: Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity. As you know direct flights fly between Malé to Delhi and Malé to Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, Mumbai and other cities. This air connectivity has helped "people to people" travel as well as businesses at the same time, southern India -- Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a sea ferry project was started. We are trying our best to restore and continue the project. Hopefully we will be able to increase that connectivity as well but having said that I would like to point out, India is one of the biggest trading partners of Maldives which mainly comes through sea as well. We will continue to expand connectivity during my time as well. WION: India has been focusing on usage of national currencies, what is status like between India and Maldives when it comes to usage of national currencies? High Commissioner Shaheeb: As you know, during PM Modi's 2018 visit, an MoU was signed between India and the Maldives for recognition of RuPay, the implementation stages are in the process, and I believe it is in the final stages. Once both financial institutions make final amendments to regulations, we will be able to implement it. Once it is implemented, I am sure that travel will increase, trade will increase and it will be beneficial to both sides as well. Apart from that, we will continue to find ways in which we can increase trade, travel between two countries through exchange of these financial mechanisms. WION: Use of RuPay card has been agreed on but on usage of national currencies, have both sides held talks? High Commissioner Shaheeb: Well, discussions have been going on and we continue to explore ways in which we can cooperate. I am sure I will continue the discussion in the years ahead. WION: In Maldives, we saw elements calling for an attack on the Indian High Commission. This raises concern. We saw action by the Maldives police and also statements by Maldives foreign ministry and political parties, your reaction? High Commissioner Shaheeb: From the Maldivian point of view, safety and security of diplomats and diplomatic missions is a high priority. We will not tolerate any sort of incitement into these things, and as you rightly said, we have taken necessary actions and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Police have arrested the person who tried to incite violence, we will continue to monitor and provide safety for all diplomats. WION: Indians like to go to Maldives, Indian celebrities have been regularly posting pictures on Instagram, how do you view this love or popularity for Maldives in India? High Commissioner Shaheeb: This is a good sign of our relationship that we have had over the years. It is only very recently we see so many Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives. I am very delighted to be here at a time when India is the number one tourist market for Maldives. To see the love, to be in Maldives for Indians, is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go and it is very close by as well. If you think of Delhi, it is just a four-hour flight away. There are direct flights to Male as well, so connectivity is very convenient now and at the same time, for me to convince people that Maldives is affordable is something I want to promote. A lot of the time when I meet people they say, nice place but it is expensive. I would like to point out, Maldives has places where everyone can afford to go, it is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well. Very recently, the government has introduced homestays as well, these are avenues where everyone can visit the Maldives and see beauty of it. I very proudly say, pictures can be deceiving and it is only when you travel to the Maldives and see by yourself, you see the beauty of it. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb bats for more connectivity & tourists from India

It is interesting that even before arriving at any definition of the kind of welfare state India should aim to become, the debate has been reduced to political rhetoric that equates welfare measures with freebies. To make matters worse and cloud the issue, the government has involved the judiciary in a matter that is the executive’s policy prerogative. &nbsp;

From Australia to America and East Asia to Europe, examples abound of successful welfare states. Unfortunately, the experiences of welfare states—liberal, conservative, social democratic or even authoritarian—are not being drawn upon or discussed in terms of the lessons they may hold for India to be developed as a welfare state suited to Indian needs and conditions.&nbsp;

In this respect, it might be instructive for India to look at the experience of Australia which, like the US, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, may be described as a ‘liberal’ welfare state in so far as these countries have not sought to win over the people from the market for the state. India, which has adopted the path of neo-liberal economics for growth, may not be able to create the kind of structures for welfare that the social democratic states of Europe have put in place. Nor has it looked at the East Asian countries, particularly Malaysia, which are quite advanced as welfare states.&nbsp;

The principles underlying a welfare state, as perceived here, are the equitable distribution of wealth, equality of opportunity and public responsibility towards those who cannot afford necessities and lack the minimal provisions of a good life.&nbsp;

Social security, in Australia, refers to a system of social welfare payments by the government to eligible citizens, permanent residents and limited international visitors.&nbsp;

Informed observers say that in Australia, 'welfare' in its broadest sense means the well-being of individuals, families and the community; and, welfare is one yardstick of looking at how it is faring as a nation. Governments in Australia spent $195.7 billion on welfare services and support in 2019–20, according to figures put out in September 2021.&nbsp;

Welfare in Australia covers housing, healthcare, education and skills; employment and income; and, social support, justice, and safety. Besides services to help people: secure and maintain stable employment; with disability (and their carers) participate in society; and, elderly people with their living arrangements. There are schemes for the poor and unemployed that help pay for their food, housing and healthcare.&nbsp;

All of these, as Indian-origin scholars here point out, may sound strange to most better-off Indians who think that welfare is a waste of ‘taxpayer’ money and not essential in the development journey of a nation. Such an outlook may be attributed to a lack of knowledge and exposure to the social systems of advanced countries.&nbsp;

A leading Indian think tank, the Australia India Institute in Melbourne is facing criticism over alleged academic interference under pressure from sections of the government in India. This is nothing new because governments, regardless of their political colour, have been known to be touchy when it comes to critical scholarly works.&nbsp;

According to observers, such controversies that mar the prestige and standing of the AII (Australia India Institute)&nbsp;and other overseas institutions, can be avoided by getting them to work on India’s social development agenda in a mission mode with a sense of national purpose. Such pursuits may take away the aura of scholarly excellence associated with these institutions. But at least they would be able to do work that is not suppressed by partisan politics because the output could serve as a basis for better governance back home.&nbsp;

A study of social development and welfare measures in other countries with a view to making India a welfare state would be more useful than a futile debate over what constitutes freebies. One political party’s welfare measure is a rival’s freebie, just as one country’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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It is interesting that even before arriving at any definition of the kind of welfare state India should aim to become, the debate has been reduced to political rhetoric that equates welfare measures with freebies.

It is interesting that even before arriving at any definition of the kind of welfare state India should aim to become, the debate has been reduced to political rhetoric that equates welfare measures with freebies. To make matters worse and cloud the issue, the government has involved the judiciary in a matter that is the executive’s policy prerogative. From Australia to America and East Asia to Europe, examples abound of successful welfare states. Unfortunately, the experiences of welfare states—liberal, conservative, social democratic or even authoritarian—are not being drawn upon or discussed in terms of the lessons they may hold for India to be developed as a welfare state suited to Indian needs and conditions. In this respect, it might be instructive for India to look at the experience of Australia which, like the US, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, may be described as a ‘liberal’ welfare state in so far as these countries have not sought to win over the people from the market for the state. India, which has adopted the path of neo-liberal economics for growth, may not be able to create the kind of structures for welfare that the social democratic states of Europe have put in place. Nor has it looked at the East Asian countries, particularly Malaysia, which are quite advanced as welfare states. The principles underlying a welfare state, as perceived here, are the equitable distribution of wealth, equality of opportunity and public responsibility towards those who cannot afford necessities and lack the minimal provisions of a good life. Social security, in Australia, refers to a system of social welfare payments by the government to eligible citizens, permanent residents and limited international visitors. Informed observers say that in Australia, 'welfare' in its broadest sense means the well-being of individuals, families and the community; and, welfare is one yardstick of looking at how it is faring as a nation. Governments in Australia spent $195.7 billion on welfare services and support in 2019–20, according to figures put out in September 2021. Welfare in Australia covers housing, healthcare, education and skills; employment and income; and, social support, justice, and safety. Besides services to help people: secure and maintain stable employment; with disability (and their carers) participate in society; and, elderly people with their living arrangements. There are schemes for the poor and unemployed that help pay for their food, housing and healthcare. All of these, as Indian-origin scholars here point out, may sound strange to most better-off Indians who think that welfare is a waste of ‘taxpayer’ money and not essential in the development journey of a nation. Such an outlook may be attributed to a lack of knowledge and exposure to the social systems of advanced countries. A leading Indian think tank, the Australia India Institute in Melbourne is facing criticism over alleged academic interference under pressure from sections of the government in India. This is nothing new because governments, regardless of their political colour, have been known to be touchy when it comes to critical scholarly works. According to observers, such controversies that mar the prestige and standing of the AII (Australia India Institute) and other overseas institutions, can be avoided by getting them to work on India’s social development agenda in a mission mode with a sense of national purpose. Such pursuits may take away the aura of scholarly excellence associated with these institutions. But at least they would be able to do work that is not suppressed by partisan politics because the output could serve as a basis for better governance back home. A study of social development and welfare measures in other countries with a view to making India a welfare state would be more useful than a futile debate over what constitutes freebies. One political party’s welfare measure is a rival’s freebie, just as one country’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

WION Spotlight | Many ways to becoming a welfare state

The unprecedented benefits expected to flow both ways from the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which comes into force today, are by now well-known in the two countries. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Both India and Australia are upbeat about the ECTA, called the Unity Agreement, as a ground-breaking measure for intensifying bilateral commerce across a range of sectors and taking economic cooperation to an altogether new level. Under the ECTA, Indian exports, especially of labour-intensive sectors, will benefit from preferential zero-duty market access in Australia. Australia would also facilitate market access and mobility for more Indian professionals. &nbsp;

For its part, India will provide preferential access to Australia on over 70 per cent of its tariff lines. Interestingly, because the ECTA takes effect at the year-end, some exports will get a second tariff reduction on January 1, followed by annual cuts until their duties are eliminated.&nbsp;

Watch | India-Australia trade agreement to help bilateral trade cross $45-50 billion

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The Unity Agreement is almost certain to be followed soon by an upgraded Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. &nbsp;

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that he would visit India in March with a business delegation committed to improving trade. Trade Minister Don Farrell, who may travel to New Delhi with Albanese, said that India was already “chomping at the bit” to discuss a second-round trade deal for gaining greater access to Australia’s employment market. &nbsp;

If ECTA reflects Australia’s commitment to diversify exports and strengthen the partnership with India, the comprehensive agreement will push for deeper market access on both sides and cover new areas such as digital trade and state procurement.&nbsp;

For all the mutual advantages flowing from the upgraded bilateral relationship, Australia’s drive to expand, deepen and intensify its economic and commercial partnership is not limited to India.&nbsp;

Australia is aggressively pursuing deals to cement deeper and stronger economic and trade ties with others, too, notably, China, the UK and the European Union. China-Australia ties are warming up after a three-year hiatus, thanks to a path-breaking pre-Christmas visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. &nbsp;

To follow-up the breakthrough achieved by Wong, Farrell plans to visit China as early as February. He has already extended the olive branch and offered to withdraw disputes before the WTO if China shows “goodwill” by revoking its trade bans against Australia.&nbsp;

According to The Australian, the country’s wine exports to China crashed by nearly $1bn in 2020 amid crippling tariffs of more than 100 per cent, while an 80 per cent duty on Australian brewers’ barley smashed that $1.2bn market. “Non-tariff barriers also devastated Australian beef, lamb, lobster, cotton, timber and coal exports to China, as Beijing punished the Morrison government for leading an international push for an investigation into the origins of Covid-19”.&nbsp;

Now, the Albanese government is seeking to overturn the bans and move on to reviving and boosting its economic and trade partnership with China. At the same, time Australia is also pushing for free trade agreements with the EU and the UK. By current reckoning, Australia expects to have all these deals, including the comprehensive pact with India, wrapped up in the first half of 2023.&nbsp;

As one of the Quad, along with the US and Japan, New Delhi can be expected to closely follow the terms of trade emerging between Australia and other major economies, especially China, keeping in mind the strategic importance and priorities of its own developing partnership.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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&nbsp;

The unprecedented benefits expected to flow both ways from the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which comes into force today, are by now well-known in the two countries.

The unprecedented benefits expected to flow both ways from the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which comes into force today, are by now well-known in the two countries. Both India and Australia are upbeat about the ECTA, called the Unity Agreement, as a ground-breaking measure for intensifying bilateral commerce across a range of sectors and taking economic cooperation to an altogether new level. Under the ECTA, Indian exports, especially of labour-intensive sectors, will benefit from preferential zero-duty market access in Australia. Australia would also facilitate market access and mobility for more Indian professionals. For its part, India will provide preferential access to Australia on over 70 per cent of its tariff lines. Interestingly, because the ECTA takes effect at the year-end, some exports will get a second tariff reduction on January 1, followed by annual cuts until their duties are eliminated. Watch | India-Australia trade agreement to help bilateral trade cross $45-50 billion × The Unity Agreement is almost certain to be followed soon by an upgraded Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that he would visit India in March with a business delegation committed to improving trade. Trade Minister Don Farrell, who may travel to New Delhi with Albanese, said that India was already “chomping at the bit” to discuss a second-round trade deal for gaining greater access to Australia’s employment market. If ECTA reflects Australia’s commitment to diversify exports and strengthen the partnership with India, the comprehensive agreement will push for deeper market access on both sides and cover new areas such as digital trade and state procurement. For all the mutual advantages flowing from the upgraded bilateral relationship, Australia’s drive to expand, deepen and intensify its economic and commercial partnership is not limited to India. Australia is aggressively pursuing deals to cement deeper and stronger economic and trade ties with others, too, notably, China, the UK and the European Union. China-Australia ties are warming up after a three-year hiatus, thanks to a path-breaking pre-Christmas visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. To follow-up the breakthrough achieved by Wong, Farrell plans to visit China as early as February. He has already extended the olive branch and offered to withdraw disputes before the WTO if China shows “goodwill” by revoking its trade bans against Australia. According to The Australian, the country’s wine exports to China crashed by nearly $1bn in 2020 amid crippling tariffs of more than 100 per cent, while an 80 per cent duty on Australian brewers’ barley smashed that $1.2bn market. “Non-tariff barriers also devastated Australian beef, lamb, lobster, cotton, timber and coal exports to China, as Beijing punished the Morrison government for leading an international push for an investigation into the origins of Covid-19”. Now, the Albanese government is seeking to overturn the bans and move on to reviving and boosting its economic and trade partnership with China. At the same, time Australia is also pushing for free trade agreements with the EU and the UK. By current reckoning, Australia expects to have all these deals, including the comprehensive pact with India, wrapped up in the first half of 2023. As one of the Quad, along with the US and Japan, New Delhi can be expected to closely follow the terms of trade emerging between Australia and other major economies, especially China, keeping in mind the strategic importance and priorities of its own developing partnership. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

WION Spotlight: Unity Agreement to boost India-Australia ties

Amid the thousands of images created by using Artificial Intelligence making rounds on social media, recently, an artist named Madhav Kohli has also taken to Twitter to share portraits of what men and women from different Indian states would 'stereotypically'&nbsp;look like.&nbsp;

The artist has also shared the definition of a “stereotype” after facing some criticism about certain images.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/S2mtpT7ehG">pic.twitter.com/S2mtpT7ehG</a>
— Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) <a href="https://twitter.com/mvdhav/status/1608025017237004302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The two Twitter threads each consisting of at least 30 images each showing men and women from states including, Delhi,&nbsp;Goa, Maharashtra,&nbsp;West Bengal,&nbsp;Kerala, and so on,&nbsp;were created by an AI-powered tool ‘midjourney’, which generates images using prompts entered by the user.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/explained-what-is-lensa-ai-and-should-we-be-concerned-about-it-542409">Explained: What is Lensa AI and should we be concerned about it?</a>

The first set of images posted on Tuesday (December 27) depicting, “Indian men created using stereotypes and AI” beginning with Delhi, has since garnered thousands of views and likes on the microblogging platform.&nbsp;

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Indian men created using Stereotypes and ai 
 
First, Delhi <a href="https://t.co/BVoa4GRSBt">pic.twitter.com/BVoa4GRSBt</a>
— Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) <a href="https://twitter.com/mvdhav/status/1607617644592771073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Subsequently, the artist on Thursday and Friday also took to Twitter to post the second set of AI-generated images with the caption, “Indian women, made using stereotypical descriptions and AI.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/open-ais-point-e-turns-text-prompts-into-3d-models-heres-what-you-need-to-know-545673">Open AI’s Point-E turns text prompts into 3D models: Here's what you need to know</a>

In this thread, the artist has used stereotypical features associated with women from different states to create images. This is what some of them looked like:&nbsp;

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Indian women, made using stereotypical descriptions and ai. 
 
First, Delhi <a href="https://t.co/MAHTWg992g">pic.twitter.com/MAHTWg992g</a>
— Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) <a href="https://twitter.com/mvdhav/status/1608318634551840769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The artist has also indicated that he will be creating a third Twitter thread&nbsp;on “other anomalies.” Kohli later explained, “There will be one last thread for stereotypes tomorrow and then we're done. This will not be based on regionality but instead on anomalies, characteristics, and motives. A lot more interesting, a lot less infuriating.”&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Amid the thousands of images created by using Artificial Intelligence making rounds on social media, recently, an artist named Madhav Kohli has also taken to Twitter to share portraits of what men and women from different Indian states would 'stereotypically' look like.

Amid the thousands of images created by using Artificial Intelligence making rounds on social media, recently, an artist named Madhav Kohli has also taken to Twitter to share portraits of what men and women from different Indian states would 'stereotypically' look like. The artist has also shared the definition of a “stereotype” after facing some criticism about certain images. pic.twitter.com/S2mtpT7ehG — Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) December 28, 2022 × The two Twitter threads each consisting of at least 30 images each showing men and women from states including, Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, and so on, were created by an AI-powered tool ‘midjourney’, which generates images using prompts entered by the user. ALSO READ | Explained: What is Lensa AI and should we be concerned about it? The first set of images posted on Tuesday (December 27) depicting, “Indian men created using stereotypes and AI” beginning with Delhi, has since garnered thousands of views and likes on the microblogging platform. Indian men created using Stereotypes and ai First, Delhi pic.twitter.com/BVoa4GRSBt — Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) December 27, 2022 × Subsequently, the artist on Thursday and Friday also took to Twitter to post the second set of AI-generated images with the caption, “Indian women, made using stereotypical descriptions and AI.” ALSO READ | Open AI’s Point-E turns text prompts into 3D models: Here's what you need to know In this thread, the artist has used stereotypical features associated with women from different states to create images. This is what some of them looked like: Indian women, made using stereotypical descriptions and ai. First, Delhi pic.twitter.com/MAHTWg992g — Madhav Kohli (@mvdhav) December 29, 2022 × The artist has also indicated that he will be creating a third Twitter thread on “other anomalies.” Kohli later explained, “There will be one last thread for stereotypes tomorrow and then we're done. This will not be based on regionality but instead on anomalies, characteristics, and motives. A lot more interesting, a lot less infuriating.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

AI-generated images depicting Indian men, women from different states go viral on Twitter

Earlier this year, in November, amid the Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in Indonesia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the leaders present to step and stop the Russian invasion of Kyiv.&nbsp;

It was then that he first mentioned his 10-point peace plan which Zelensky said would end the conflict, “justly and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law”. Since then the Ukrainian president has spoken about his plan with the United States President Joe Biden during his&nbsp;visit to Washington, last week.&nbsp;

Recently, he also sought help from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during their call, for the implementation. This was preceded by Zelensky calling upon world leaders to hold a Global Peace Summit based on the plan.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-slammed-the-west-for-trying-to-tear-apart-russia-546534">Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin slams the West for trying to 'tear apart' Russia</a>

Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan:&nbsp;

1. Radiation and nuclear safety, focusing on restoring security around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, which is now Russian-occupied.

2. Food security, including protecting and ensuring Ukraine’s grain exports to the world’s poorest nations.

3. Energy security, with a focus on price restrictions on Russian energy resources, as well as aiding Ukraine with restoring its power infrastructure, half of which has been damaged by Russian attacks.

4. Release of all prisoners and deportees, including war prisoners and children deported to Russia.

5. Restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia reaffirming it according to the UN Charter, which Zelenskyy said is “not up to negotiations”.

6. Withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of hostilities, the restoration of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia.

7. Justice, including the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.

8. The prevention of ecocide, and the protection of the environment, with a focus on demining and restoring water treatment facilities. 
 
9. Prevention of an escalation of conflict and building security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine.

10. Confirmation of the war’s end, including a document signed by the involved parties.

What does the proposal miss?

A report by The i, a British national newspaper, said that while the analysts have called the list “maximalist” and unrealistic, it also offers better scope for negotiations moving forward. Notably, while Ukraine has emphasised on “territorial integrity”, it fails to mention Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-zelenskys-peace-plan-demands-punishment-for-russia-518849">Gravitas: Zelensky's "peace plan" demands punishment for Russia</a>

Furthermore, while the Ukrainian president has previously shown interest in negotiations with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, his officials have also reportedly called for his ouster. On December 25, Putin during his interview with state television, Rossiya 1 said, “We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them - we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are.”

Subsequently, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, Mykhailo Podolyak took to Twitter and said, “Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens…Russia doesn't want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility.”&nbsp;

Notably, Kyiv also broke away from the tradition where both countries celebrate Christmas on January 7 as opposed to December 25, in line with the Russian Orthodox Church which follows the ancient Julian calendar.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukrainian-president-zelensky-seeks-help-from-pm-modi-in-peace-keeping-formula-547047">Ukrainian President Zelensky seeks help from PM Modi in peace keeping formula</a>

Additionally, the Ukrainian president also called out Putin for speaking about negotiations and continuing to target and hit power stations, leaving millions without electricity and heat amidst freezing winter conditions.&nbsp;

Therefore, despite what the Russian president might have claimed for the second time, the evidence points to the contrary, who also in turn blamed Ukraine and its Western allies for the lack of talks, a stance which the West had rejected as Moscow's posturing as it continues to attack Kyiv.&nbsp;

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, on Monday, said that Kyiv wants a peace summit within two months at the United Nations with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as mediator. He also spoke about how Russia must face the consequences for its alleged war crimes before direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-to-sign-elusive-grain-deal-to-resume-ukraine-black-sea-exports-499586">Ukraine and Russia to sign grain deal resuming Black Sea exports</a>

Furthermore, Ukraine’s foreign minister also invited other countries’ participation in the potential peace talks citing the example of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-president-erdogan-hopeful-to-extend-grain-deal-which-is-set-to-expire-on-november-19-534712">Turkey’s role</a> in the grain agreement. Meanwhile, the UN has given a cautious response and said, “As the secretary-general has said many times in the past, he can only mediate if all parties want him to mediate,” said UN spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez, on Monday.&nbsp;

How has Russia reacted to Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan?

Earlier this month, Russia had rejected Zelensky’s peace proposal and said that Ukraine needs to accept new territorial “realities”, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, which also included taking four Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson) under Moscow as its “new subjects”.&nbsp;

He also said that there is “no question” about Russia pulling out its troops from Ukraine by the end of this year. “They appeared as a result of referendums that took place in these territories. Without taking these new realities into account, no kind of progress is possible,” said Peskov. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-zelenskys-peace-plan-must-include-annexed-regions-says-kremlin-547406">Ukraine war: Zelensky's peace plan must include annexed regions, says Kremlin</a> 
 
Similarly, late Monday, Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reiterated that the proposal of “demilitarisation and denazification of the territories controlled by the regime, the elimination of threats to Russia's security emanating from there, including our new lands, are well known to the enemy,”&nbsp;

He added, “The point is simple: Fulfil them for your own good. Otherwise, the issue will be decided by the Russian army,” as per the Russian news agency, TASS. Furthermore, while Washington has given Ukraine billions of dollars in military aid, the country has been cautious with its approach to Zelensky’s peace plan as well as the proposed summit.&nbsp;

Ukrainian President talks to Indian PM over the phone

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Ukrainian president and Indian PM spoke on the phone for the fourth time since the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, in February, earlier this year. Subsequently, Zelensky had also taken to Twitter and said that he spoke to PM Modi during which he wished for a successful G20 presidency.&nbsp;

“It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India's participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” said the Ukrainian president.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-ukraine-relations-president-zelensky-pm-modi-hold-fourth-phone-conversation-this-year-547078">India-Ukraine Relations: President Zelensky, PM Modi hold fourth phone conversation this year</a>

Additionally, the Indian government also mentioned PM Modi’s main priorities for India's G20 Presidency which include giving a voice to the concerns of developing nations on issues like food and energy security.&nbsp;

While India has repeatedly been criticised by Western countries for its import of oil from Russia at a discounted price, New Delhi has defended its stance of putting its people first. Furthermore, India has also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence in Russia-Ukraine but has not outright condemned the conflict but maintained that the crisis is solved through dialogue and diplomacy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Earlier this year, in November, amid the Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in Indonesia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the leaders present to step and stop the Russian invasion of Kyiv.

Earlier this year, in November, amid the Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in Indonesia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the leaders present to step and stop the Russian invasion of Kyiv. It was then that he first mentioned his 10-point peace plan which Zelensky said would end the conflict, “justly and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law”. Since then the Ukrainian president has spoken about his plan with the United States President Joe Biden during his visit to Washington, last week. Recently, he also sought help from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during their call, for the implementation. This was preceded by Zelensky calling upon world leaders to hold a Global Peace Summit based on the plan. ALSO READ | Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin slams the West for trying to 'tear apart' Russia Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan: 1. Radiation and nuclear safety, focusing on restoring security around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, which is now Russian-occupied. 2. Food security, including protecting and ensuring Ukraine’s grain exports to the world’s poorest nations. 3. Energy security, with a focus on price restrictions on Russian energy resources, as well as aiding Ukraine with restoring its power infrastructure, half of which has been damaged by Russian attacks. 4. Release of all prisoners and deportees, including war prisoners and children deported to Russia. 5. Restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia reaffirming it according to the UN Charter, which Zelenskyy said is “not up to negotiations”. 6. Withdrawal of Russian troops and the cessation of hostilities, the restoration of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia. 7. Justice, including the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes. 8. The prevention of ecocide, and the protection of the environment, with a focus on demining and restoring water treatment facilities. 9. Prevention of an escalation of conflict and building security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine. 10. Confirmation of the war’s end, including a document signed by the involved parties. What does the proposal miss? A report by The i, a British national newspaper, said that while the analysts have called the list “maximalist” and unrealistic, it also offers better scope for negotiations moving forward. Notably, while Ukraine has emphasised on “territorial integrity”, it fails to mention Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Zelensky's "peace plan" demands punishment for Russia Furthermore, while the Ukrainian president has previously shown interest in negotiations with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, his officials have also reportedly called for his ouster. On December 25, Putin during his interview with state television, Rossiya 1 said, “We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them - we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are.” Subsequently, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, Mykhailo Podolyak took to Twitter and said, “Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens…Russia doesn't want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility.” Notably, Kyiv also broke away from the tradition where both countries celebrate Christmas on January 7 as opposed to December 25, in line with the Russian Orthodox Church which follows the ancient Julian calendar. ALSO WATCH | Ukrainian President Zelensky seeks help from PM Modi in peace keeping formula Additionally, the Ukrainian president also called out Putin for speaking about negotiations and continuing to target and hit power stations, leaving millions without electricity and heat amidst freezing winter conditions. Therefore, despite what the Russian president might have claimed for the second time, the evidence points to the contrary, who also in turn blamed Ukraine and its Western allies for the lack of talks, a stance which the West had rejected as Moscow's posturing as it continues to attack Kyiv. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, on Monday, said that Kyiv wants a peace summit within two months at the United Nations with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as mediator. He also spoke about how Russia must face the consequences for its alleged war crimes before direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow. ALSO READ | Ukraine and Russia to sign grain deal resuming Black Sea exports Furthermore, Ukraine’s foreign minister also invited other countries’ participation in the potential peace talks citing the example of Turkey’s role in the grain agreement. Meanwhile, the UN has given a cautious response and said, “As the secretary-general has said many times in the past, he can only mediate if all parties want him to mediate,” said UN spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez, on Monday. How has Russia reacted to Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan? Earlier this month, Russia had rejected Zelensky’s peace proposal and said that Ukraine needs to accept new territorial “realities”, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, which also included taking four Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson) under Moscow as its “new subjects”. He also said that there is “no question” about Russia pulling out its troops from Ukraine by the end of this year. “They appeared as a result of referendums that took place in these territories. Without taking these new realities into account, no kind of progress is possible,” said Peskov. ALSO READ | Ukraine war: Zelensky's peace plan must include annexed regions, says Kremlin Similarly, late Monday, Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reiterated that the proposal of “demilitarisation and denazification of the territories controlled by the regime, the elimination of threats to Russia's security emanating from there, including our new lands, are well known to the enemy,” He added, “The point is simple: Fulfil them for your own good. Otherwise, the issue will be decided by the Russian army,” as per the Russian news agency, TASS. Furthermore, while Washington has given Ukraine billions of dollars in military aid, the country has been cautious with its approach to Zelensky’s peace plan as well as the proposed summit. Ukrainian President talks to Indian PM over the phone Meanwhile, on Monday, the Ukrainian president and Indian PM spoke on the phone for the fourth time since the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, in February, earlier this year. Subsequently, Zelensky had also taken to Twitter and said that he spoke to PM Modi during which he wished for a successful G20 presidency. “It was on this platform that I announced the peace formula and now I count on India's participation in its implementation. I also thanked for humanitarian aid and support in the UN,” said the Ukrainian president. ALSO WATCH | India-Ukraine Relations: President Zelensky, PM Modi hold fourth phone conversation this year Additionally, the Indian government also mentioned PM Modi’s main priorities for India's G20 Presidency which include giving a voice to the concerns of developing nations on issues like food and energy security. While India has repeatedly been criticised by Western countries for its import of oil from Russia at a discounted price, New Delhi has defended its stance of putting its people first. Furthermore, India has also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence in Russia-Ukraine but has not outright condemned the conflict but maintained that the crisis is solved through dialogue and diplomacy. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: What is Zelensky's 10-point peace plan which seeks world leaders’ support?

As the cold wave continues to batter north Indian states, accompanied by dense fog, there is no news of relief from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD director stated that the cold weather would continue to prevail in Delhi and neighbouring states for the next two days.&nbsp;

The IMD has stated that the day temperatures will plunge due to cold north-western winds travelling through the plains. For the next two days, parts of north India will receive reduced sunshine due to foggy weather, said the report.&nbsp;

"Dense fog conditions will remain in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other parts of the country. It will continue for the next two days," stated IMD. 
Also read|&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/world/global-cold-wave-live-updates-snowstorms-in-us-canada-extreme-cold-waves-in-india-sinking-temperatures-in-uk-europe-brings-world-to-a-standstill-546960">Global cold wave LIVE updates: Snowstorms in US, Canada, extreme cold waves in India, sinking temperatures in UK, Europe brings world to a standstill</a>

The prime weather station in the national capital, Safdarjung observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. It was three gaps down the normal one.&nbsp;

The extreme cold weather and fog have affected day-to-day life in Rajasthan. On Monday, Sikar's Fatehpur, the coldest place in Rajasthan, recorded a temperature of minus 1.5 degrees. Churu and Pilani follow in second and third place, where the registered temperature was 0 degrees Celsius and 0.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday.&nbsp;

IMD predicted snowfall in five regions of Himachal Pradesh on December 29, 2022. As a result, many tourists are rushing towards the hill state. 
Watch|&nbsp;At least 60 killed in U.S. due to devastating winter storm

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The meteorological department has predicted cold weather in several parts of Punjab and Haryana. Narnaul will be the coldest region of the upper belt, with a forecasted temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

Although the minimum temperature has risen in Kashmir, it remains below the freezing temperature. However, after a small wet spell this week, the valley has no forecasts for rain.&nbsp;

In Bihar's Patna, the government has ordered to shut the schools for students up to grade 8, as the district magistrate said in a notice.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

As the cold wave continues to batter north Indian states, accompanied by dense fog, there is no news of relief from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD director stated that the cold weather would continue to prevail in Delhi and neighbouring states for the next two days.

As the cold wave continues to batter north Indian states, accompanied by dense fog, there is no news of relief from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD director stated that the cold weather would continue to prevail in Delhi and neighbouring states for the next two days. The IMD has stated that the day temperatures will plunge due to cold north-western winds travelling through the plains. For the next two days, parts of north India will receive reduced sunshine due to foggy weather, said the report. "Dense fog conditions will remain in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other parts of the country. It will continue for the next two days," stated IMD. Also read| Global cold wave LIVE updates: Snowstorms in US, Canada, extreme cold waves in India, sinking temperatures in UK, Europe brings world to a standstill The prime weather station in the national capital, Safdarjung observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. It was three gaps down the normal one. The extreme cold weather and fog have affected day-to-day life in Rajasthan. On Monday, Sikar's Fatehpur, the coldest place in Rajasthan, recorded a temperature of minus 1.5 degrees. Churu and Pilani follow in second and third place, where the registered temperature was 0 degrees Celsius and 0.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday. IMD predicted snowfall in five regions of Himachal Pradesh on December 29, 2022. As a result, many tourists are rushing towards the hill state. Watch| At least 60 killed in U.S. due to devastating winter storm The meteorological department has predicted cold weather in several parts of Punjab and Haryana. Narnaul will be the coldest region of the upper belt, with a forecasted temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh, recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius. Although the minimum temperature has risen in Kashmir, it remains below the freezing temperature. However, after a small wet spell this week, the valley has no forecasts for rain. In Bihar's Patna, the government has ordered to shut the schools for students up to grade 8, as the district magistrate said in a notice. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India's northern states to combat severe cold wave conditions

India’s financial capital&nbsp;Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514. Meanwhile, the infection tally in Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, was 1,162, as of Friday while the death toll was 20, said a report by PTI.&nbsp; 
 
What is Measles?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is an acute viral respiratory illness which is preceded by a high fever, malaise and the three “Cs” which are cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. It takes at least 14 days for the rash to develop after a person is exposed to the virus and a person is considered to be contagious from four days before and four days after the rash appears.&nbsp; 
 
Furthermore, infants and children aged less than five years are at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles. It is also one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases and transmits by direct contact when a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes after which the virus stays in the air for up to two hours even after the infected person has left the area.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/40-mn-children-missed-measles-vaccine-in-2021-disease-is-now-an-imminent-global-threat-warns-cdc-and-who-536929">40mn children missed measles vaccine in 2021; disease is now an imminent global threat, warn CDC and WHO</a>

Therefore, isolation of infected children is necessary. Since there is no specific treatment for measles typically over-the-counter medicines and Vitamin A are administered to alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, as the body needs time to recover, which typically happens within 10 to 15 days.

However, the condition of an infected child turns severe due to poor nourishment, Vitamin A deficiency and if the child is immunocompromised. While death due to the infection is caused by complications which also stem from the disease and include, blindness, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and so on.&nbsp; 
 
What are some of the reasons for this sudden uptick in cases?

The recent uptick in the number of cases&nbsp;has predominantly been attributed to a reduction in vaccination rates while other reasons could also include living conditions and maintenance of vaccination records. There is a particular emphasis on vaccination since the disease is almost entirely preventable through it.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-11-new-cases-one-suspected-death-as-measles-outbreak-in-mumbai-538910">India: 11 new cases, one suspected death as measles outbreak in Mumbai</a>

At least a 95 per cent vaccine coverage rate is required to create herd immunity against the disease which would consequently halt community spread. However, once the vaccination rates fall in a particular area the increased number of unvaccinated children can spread the disease triggering an outbreak. Furthermore, children who do not receive measles immunisation are at the highest risk of getting infected as well as being exposed to complications including death.&nbsp;

Drop in vaccination rates

As of November 24, earlier this year, the city had reported 252 confirmed cases which was a huge jump at the time from 25 cases of measles that the city witnessed in 2019 and only nine cases in 2020. However, the city has seen over 500 cases since the beginning of this year, as of Saturday.

“The start of the outbreak was indicated in October when the city reported 60 cases as against a mere 25 in September this year,” Dr Mangala Gomare, Executive Health Officer, BMC had told WION back in November. She added, “Our survey report suggested that only 41 per cent of the eligible children had taken vaccination.”&nbsp;

To put this number into perspective, only 41 per cent of children eligible for the vaccine had received both doses until October, compared to 90 per cent in 2019-2022, reported the DW citing the state’s public health department data.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-scrambles-to-contain-measles-outbreak-as-virus-kills-12-children-537137">Mumbai scrambles to contain measles outbreak as virus kills 10 children</a>

The report also attributed this plunge in vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns and diversion of resources to Covid vaccination which disrupted routine childhood immunisation programmes. At least 20,000 missed their measles vaccine, as WION reported earlier.&nbsp;

Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy and negligence are also prevalent in informal settlements in Mumbai, “In some of the communities, in particular, they are not coming forward for vaccination, they are not bringing their children for vaccination,” said Gomare, while several media reports citing local health workers echoed a similar sentiment. One of the reasons reportedly includes parents being worried about their children falling sick due to the vaccine.&nbsp;

The World Health Health Organization (WHO) recommends two doses of measles vaccine either as a single vaccine or a measles-rubella (MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination. In India, the measles vaccine is administered under the national childhood immunisation programme with the first dose at 9-12 months of age and the second dose at 16-24 months of age.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cases-of-measles-have-increased-by-80-and-other-diseases-may-follow-un-474732">Cases of measles have increased by 80%, and other diseases may follow: UN</a>

Living conditions

As mentioned earlier, since there is no particular treatment for measles infection, vaccines and isolation seem to be the best way to contain an outbreak and get&nbsp;infected. However, affected communities in the Indian financial capital have blamed the unsanitary living conditions and lack of clean drinking water regularly causing them to become sick, said a report by DW citing a Govandi resident.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, the area&nbsp;was one of seven hotspots in the city&nbsp;which included, Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, Mahim, Bandra, and Matunga, reporting the maximum number of cases in the cities.&nbsp;

The issue of vaccination records

Another issue outlined amid the ongoing outbreak is the maintenance of vaccination records under the country’s immunisation programme is tracing back the children after inoculation due to the absence of digital records, said a report by the Indian Express citing people with the knowledge on the matter.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-685-dead-in-zimbabwe-due-to-measles-outbreak-anti-vaxxers-remain-a-roadblock-512693">700 children dead in Zimbabwe due to measles outbreak, anti-vaxxers remain a roadblock</a>

If a child in Mumbai gets vaccinated in the public sector they are given a “mother and child card” which tracks all their vaccinations along with the date of inoculation. However, many people either lose the card or forget to bring it to their follow-up appointment, said the report. While none of these records is maintained on a centralised server.&nbsp;

Gomare also noted how the city has a high number of migrant workers most of whom had left the city during the pandemic lockdowns which led to their children missing the routine immunisations.&nbsp;

“A digital health record for each individual is a must. It’s high time that we invest in newer technologies and build health records,” said a letter by Rais Shaikh, the&nbsp;MLA for the city's Bhiwandi area, to the BMC commissioner and National Health Mission, reported the Indian Express.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unicef-warns-against-global-measles-outbreaks-after-cases-surge-across-the-globe-474750">UNICEF warns against global measles outbreaks after cases surge across the globe</a>

Additionally, the official also demanded that these individual health cards be linked with Aadhar cards or birth certificates in physical as well as digital forms. However, one of the problems with digitisation remains the lack of internet connectivity in the slums in Mumbai which causes the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), which was launched a few years ago to mitigate the problem, portal to crash when healthcare workers try to enter the data, said the media&nbsp;report, citing local healthcare workers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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India’s financial capital Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514.

India’s financial capital Mumbai is in the midst of a measles outbreak since October. On Saturday, city officials reported two new cases, taking the total infection tally to 514. Meanwhile, the infection tally in Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, was 1,162, as of Friday while the death toll was 20, said a report by PTI. What is Measles? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is an acute viral respiratory illness which is preceded by a high fever, malaise and the three “Cs” which are cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. It takes at least 14 days for the rash to develop after a person is exposed to the virus and a person is considered to be contagious from four days before and four days after the rash appears. Furthermore, infants and children aged less than five years are at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles. It is also one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases and transmits by direct contact when a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes after which the virus stays in the air for up to two hours even after the infected person has left the area. ALSO READ | 40mn children missed measles vaccine in 2021; disease is now an imminent global threat, warn CDC and WHO Therefore, isolation of infected children is necessary. Since there is no specific treatment for measles typically over-the-counter medicines and Vitamin A are administered to alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, as the body needs time to recover, which typically happens within 10 to 15 days. However, the condition of an infected child turns severe due to poor nourishment, Vitamin A deficiency and if the child is immunocompromised. While death due to the infection is caused by complications which also stem from the disease and include, blindness, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and so on. What are some of the reasons for this sudden uptick in cases? The recent uptick in the number of cases has predominantly been attributed to a reduction in vaccination rates while other reasons could also include living conditions and maintenance of vaccination records. There is a particular emphasis on vaccination since the disease is almost entirely preventable through it. ALSO WATCH | India: 11 new cases, one suspected death as measles outbreak in Mumbai At least a 95 per cent vaccine coverage rate is required to create herd immunity against the disease which would consequently halt community spread. However, once the vaccination rates fall in a particular area the increased number of unvaccinated children can spread the disease triggering an outbreak. Furthermore, children who do not receive measles immunisation are at the highest risk of getting infected as well as being exposed to complications including death. Drop in vaccination rates As of November 24, earlier this year, the city had reported 252 confirmed cases which was a huge jump at the time from 25 cases of measles that the city witnessed in 2019 and only nine cases in 2020. However, the city has seen over 500 cases since the beginning of this year, as of Saturday. “The start of the outbreak was indicated in October when the city reported 60 cases as against a mere 25 in September this year,” Dr Mangala Gomare, Executive Health Officer, BMC had told WION back in November. She added, “Our survey report suggested that only 41 per cent of the eligible children had taken vaccination.” To put this number into perspective, only 41 per cent of children eligible for the vaccine had received both doses until October, compared to 90 per cent in 2019-2022, reported the DW citing the state’s public health department data. ALSO READ | Mumbai scrambles to contain measles outbreak as virus kills 10 children The report also attributed this plunge in vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns and diversion of resources to Covid vaccination which disrupted routine childhood immunisation programmes. At least 20,000 missed their measles vaccine, as WION reported earlier. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy and negligence are also prevalent in informal settlements in Mumbai, “In some of the communities, in particular, they are not coming forward for vaccination, they are not bringing their children for vaccination,” said Gomare, while several media reports citing local health workers echoed a similar sentiment. One of the reasons reportedly includes parents being worried about their children falling sick due to the vaccine. The World Health Health Organization (WHO) recommends two doses of measles vaccine either as a single vaccine or a measles-rubella (MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination. In India, the measles vaccine is administered under the national childhood immunisation programme with the first dose at 9-12 months of age and the second dose at 16-24 months of age. ALSO READ | Cases of measles have increased by 80%, and other diseases may follow: UN Living conditions As mentioned earlier, since there is no particular treatment for measles infection, vaccines and isolation seem to be the best way to contain an outbreak and get infected. However, affected communities in the Indian financial capital have blamed the unsanitary living conditions and lack of clean drinking water regularly causing them to become sick, said a report by DW citing a Govandi resident. Earlier this year, the area was one of seven hotspots in the city which included, Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, Mahim, Bandra, and Matunga, reporting the maximum number of cases in the cities. The issue of vaccination records Another issue outlined amid the ongoing outbreak is the maintenance of vaccination records under the country’s immunisation programme is tracing back the children after inoculation due to the absence of digital records, said a report by the Indian Express citing people with the knowledge on the matter. ALSO READ | 700 children dead in Zimbabwe due to measles outbreak, anti-vaxxers remain a roadblock If a child in Mumbai gets vaccinated in the public sector they are given a “mother and child card” which tracks all their vaccinations along with the date of inoculation. However, many people either lose the card or forget to bring it to their follow-up appointment, said the report. While none of these records is maintained on a centralised server. Gomare also noted how the city has a high number of migrant workers most of whom had left the city during the pandemic lockdowns which led to their children missing the routine immunisations. “A digital health record for each individual is a must. It’s high time that we invest in newer technologies and build health records,” said a letter by Rais Shaikh, the MLA for the city's Bhiwandi area, to the BMC commissioner and National Health Mission, reported the Indian Express. ALSO WATCH | UNICEF warns against global measles outbreaks after cases surge across the globe Additionally, the official also demanded that these individual health cards be linked with Aadhar cards or birth certificates in physical as well as digital forms. However, one of the problems with digitisation remains the lack of internet connectivity in the slums in Mumbai which causes the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), which was launched a few years ago to mitigate the problem, portal to crash when healthcare workers try to enter the data, said the media report, citing local healthcare workers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: India’s financial capital Mumbai battles measles outbreak, over 500 infected

The Government of Serbia has decided to end visa-free travel for Indians. From January 1, 2023, Indian passport holders will no longer be able to enter Serbia without a visa. The latest decision has been taken by the central European nation keeping in mind the requirements of European Union visa policy.

“The existing arrangement of visa-free entry into Serbia for all Indian passport holders for staying in Serbia up to 30 days has been withdrawn by the Government of Serbia,” said the government in a statement.

Previously, Indian passport holders were able to enter the country without visa. Indians could live visa-free for a period of 30 days in a year. But this facility will be withdrawn in the new year.

The Indian embassy in Serbian capital Belgrade has issued a travel advisory for Indians. The embassy has asked holders of ordinary Indian passports to obtain visa from Serbian Embassy in Belgrade prior to travel to the country after January 1.

Indians who currently hold a valid UK, US or Schengen visa would still be able to enter Serbia visa-free for a period of 90 days.

In addition to Indians, Serbia has terminated visa-free travel facility to citizens of Guinea-Bissau, Tunisia and Burundi. For these countries, however, the facility has been withdrawn from November 20.

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The Government of Serbia has decided to end visa-free travel for Indians. From January 1, 2023, Indian passport holders will no longer be able to enter Serbia without a visa.

The Government of Serbia has decided to end visa-free travel for Indians. From January 1, 2023, Indian passport holders will no longer be able to enter Serbia without a visa. The latest decision has been taken by the central European nation keeping in mind the requirements of European Union visa policy. “The existing arrangement of visa-free entry into Serbia for all Indian passport holders for staying in Serbia up to 30 days has been withdrawn by the Government of Serbia,” said the government in a statement. Previously, Indian passport holders were able to enter the country without visa. Indians could live visa-free for a period of 30 days in a year. But this facility will be withdrawn in the new year. The Indian embassy in Serbian capital Belgrade has issued a travel advisory for Indians. The embassy has asked holders of ordinary Indian passports to obtain visa from Serbian Embassy in Belgrade prior to travel to the country after January 1. Indians who currently hold a valid UK, US or Schengen visa would still be able to enter Serbia visa-free for a period of 90 days. In addition to Indians, Serbia has terminated visa-free travel facility to citizens of Guinea-Bissau, Tunisia and Burundi. For these countries, however, the facility has been withdrawn from November 20. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Indians will no longer be able to travel visa-free to this country

After the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-lac-intrusion-attempt-set-to-rock-indian-parliament-542512">recent skirmish</a>&nbsp;along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, the former may have approved the procurement of over 100 ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles. The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missiles will likely be deployed near India’s borders with China and Pakistan.&nbsp;

“A high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry cleared the acquisition of around 120 missiles for the armed forces and their deployment along the borders,” said a report by ANI citing senior defence sources. Additionally, it also suggests that the missiles will first be provided to the Indian Air Force followed by the Indian Army.&nbsp;

This comes after India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pralay missile last year. If confirmed, this would also mark the first time that the Defence Ministry has cleared the use of ballistic missiles in tactile roles.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tawang-skirmish-china-stepped-up-efforts-for-improved-access-near-lac-says-australian-think-tank-544999">Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank</a>

What are some of the notable features of the ‘Pralay’ missile?

Developed by the DRDO, the ‘Pralay’ ballistic missile is a canisterised tactical, surface-to-surface, and short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) for battlefield use. It can hit targets from a distance of 150 to 500 km and is extremely difficult to intercept by enemy interceptor missiles, said a report by ANI. It added that the missile is being further upgraded and its range can be extended significantly.&nbsp; 
 
Pralay is a Hindi word which means “apocalypse” or “to cause great destruction” or “damage”. The missile is designed to destroy enemy radar, communication installations, command centres and airfields and follows a Quasi Ballistic Trajectory which means the object takes a low curved path after being shot. Furthermore, in addition to its high accuracy, the missile can also change direction and range after being launched up to a certain distance.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pralay-ballistic-missiles-cleared-for-armed-forces-to-be-deployed-along-china-border-546520">Pralay ballistic missiles cleared for armed forces; to be deployed along China border</a>

Pralay is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor and is a high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead that weighs somewhere between 350 kg to 700 kg which also accounts for its&nbsp;Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) and Runaway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS). It also has a speed of at least 2,000 km per hour and its missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics.&nbsp;

Additionally, like most tactical ballistic missiles it is mobile which means it can be used quickly on the battlefield. Pralay also has the ability to evade any anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptors by performing mid-air manoeuvres by using a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle. When a high-explosive warhead, like the one Pralay missile is equipped with, explodes, its pieces are thrown at a high speed which can inflict heavy damage.&nbsp;

Furthermore, the PCB bomb in the tactical ballistic missile is meant to blast through underground targets like military bunkers while the RDPS bombs damage airport runways rendering them useless for flights to take off or land. The surface-to-surface missile is also reportedly intended to match China’s Dong Feng 12 (CSS-X-15) missile and can be compared to the Russian 9k 720 Iskander missile or the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-chinese-troops-clash-in-arunachals-tawang-sector-542463">Gravitas: Indian, Chinese troops clash in Arunachal's Tawang sector</a>

What has happened till now?

The DRDO began developing the Pralay missile in 2015 after being pushed for by the late General Bipin Rawat who served as India’s Chief of Army Staff. It was tested twice on two consecutive days, December 21 and December 22, last year. The launch took place from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island and met all the mission objectives, said the DRDO after which it was deemed a successful launch.&nbsp;

The second launch tested Pralay with a heavier payload and a different range, “to prove the precision and lethality of the weapon”, said the DRDO. They added that the launch on December 22 was also monitored by a range of sensors and instruments including telemetry, radar, and electro-optic tracking system deployed across the eastern coast and the downrange ships positioned near the impact point.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-india-successfully-test-fires-surface-to-surface-ballistic-missile-pralay-439001">Watch: India successfully test-fires surface-to-surface ballistic missile Pralay</a>

Last week, ANI quoting defence sources had also claimed that the proposal for procurement of the Pralay missile has been moved up to an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken up for clearance this week by the government. This also comes after India recently permitted the use of ballistic missiles in tactical roles. Therefore, the acquisition of these ballistic missiles is considered a significant development for the nation. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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After the recent skirmish along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, the former may have approved the procurement of over 100 ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles.

After the recent skirmish along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, the former may have approved the procurement of over 100 ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles. The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missiles will likely be deployed near India’s borders with China and Pakistan. “A high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry cleared the acquisition of around 120 missiles for the armed forces and their deployment along the borders,” said a report by ANI citing senior defence sources. Additionally, it also suggests that the missiles will first be provided to the Indian Air Force followed by the Indian Army. This comes after India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pralay missile last year. If confirmed, this would also mark the first time that the Defence Ministry has cleared the use of ballistic missiles in tactile roles. ALSO READ | Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank What are some of the notable features of the ‘Pralay’ missile? Developed by the DRDO, the ‘Pralay’ ballistic missile is a canisterised tactical, surface-to-surface, and short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) for battlefield use. It can hit targets from a distance of 150 to 500 km and is extremely difficult to intercept by enemy interceptor missiles, said a report by ANI. It added that the missile is being further upgraded and its range can be extended significantly. Pralay is a Hindi word which means “apocalypse” or “to cause great destruction” or “damage”. The missile is designed to destroy enemy radar, communication installations, command centres and airfields and follows a Quasi Ballistic Trajectory which means the object takes a low curved path after being shot. Furthermore, in addition to its high accuracy, the missile can also change direction and range after being launched up to a certain distance. ALSO READ | Pralay ballistic missiles cleared for armed forces; to be deployed along China border Pralay is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor and is a high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead that weighs somewhere between 350 kg to 700 kg which also accounts for its Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) and Runaway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS). It also has a speed of at least 2,000 km per hour and its missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics. Additionally, like most tactical ballistic missiles it is mobile which means it can be used quickly on the battlefield. Pralay also has the ability to evade any anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptors by performing mid-air manoeuvres by using a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle. When a high-explosive warhead, like the one Pralay missile is equipped with, explodes, its pieces are thrown at a high speed which can inflict heavy damage. Furthermore, the PCB bomb in the tactical ballistic missile is meant to blast through underground targets like military bunkers while the RDPS bombs damage airport runways rendering them useless for flights to take off or land. The surface-to-surface missile is also reportedly intended to match China’s Dong Feng 12 (CSS-X-15) missile and can be compared to the Russian 9k 720 Iskander missile or the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Indian, Chinese troops clash in Arunachal's Tawang sector What has happened till now? The DRDO began developing the Pralay missile in 2015 after being pushed for by the late General Bipin Rawat who served as India’s Chief of Army Staff. It was tested twice on two consecutive days, December 21 and December 22, last year. The launch took place from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island and met all the mission objectives, said the DRDO after which it was deemed a successful launch. The second launch tested Pralay with a heavier payload and a different range, “to prove the precision and lethality of the weapon”, said the DRDO. They added that the launch on December 22 was also monitored by a range of sensors and instruments including telemetry, radar, and electro-optic tracking system deployed across the eastern coast and the downrange ships positioned near the impact point. ALSO WATCH | Watch: India successfully test-fires surface-to-surface ballistic missile Pralay Last week, ANI quoting defence sources had also claimed that the proposal for procurement of the Pralay missile has been moved up to an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken up for clearance this week by the government. This also comes after India recently permitted the use of ballistic missiles in tactical roles. Therefore, the acquisition of these ballistic missiles is considered a significant development for the nation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Indian armed forces may deploy ‘Pralay’ missile along Pakistan, China border

Amid a spike in Covid cases in some countries, India on Saturday made RT-PCR tests mandatory for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. Speaking to news agency ANI, India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said "The RT-PCR test will be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand."

Mandaviya added on arrival if any passenger from these five countries is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid, then he or she will be put under quarantine. The government's Air Suvidha form filling to declare the current health status will also be made mandatory for passengers coming from these countries.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-three-cases-of-omicron-subvariant-bf7-ministry-steps-up-measures-545157">Covid: India reports 3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is ravaging China now</a>

The announcement comes a day after Mandaviya chaired a virtual meeting with the health ministers of all states to review the pandemic situation in India. During the meeting, he said that the country needs to be on alert and be fully prepared to manage Covid. Mandaviya asked the health ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all infrastructure and ensure adequate stock of essential medicines in their respective states.&nbsp;

He also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour given the upcoming festive season in the country, ANI reported.&nbsp;

In the last 24 hours, India recorded 201 Covid cases and the overall recovery rate stands at 98.8%. The active cases stand at 3,397.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-steps-up-measures-amidst-china-covid-explosion-expert-says-hybrid-immunity-will-help-country-544957">India steps up measures amidst China Covid explosion, expert says 'hybrid immunity' will help country</a>

Even though the daily cases are less at present, the worsening pandemic situation in the above five countries, particularly China, can cause a spike in infections and deaths in India.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Indian government decided to subject two per cent of the passengers arriving on international flights to random Covid tests starting from Saturday (December 24).

And yesterday, the country's civil aviation ministry asked airport operators to ensure compliance with government guidelines and told airlines to instruct their crew to lead and bring identified two per cent of international arriving passengers to the testing facility at the respective airports.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid a spike in Covid cases in some countries, India on Saturday made RT-PCR tests mandatory for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Amid a spike in Covid cases in some countries, India on Saturday made RT-PCR tests mandatory for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. Speaking to news agency ANI, India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said "The RT-PCR test will be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand." Mandaviya added on arrival if any passenger from these five countries is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid, then he or she will be put under quarantine. The government's Air Suvidha form filling to declare the current health status will also be made mandatory for passengers coming from these countries. ALSO READ | Covid: India reports 3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is ravaging China now The announcement comes a day after Mandaviya chaired a virtual meeting with the health ministers of all states to review the pandemic situation in India. During the meeting, he said that the country needs to be on alert and be fully prepared to manage Covid. Mandaviya asked the health ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all infrastructure and ensure adequate stock of essential medicines in their respective states. He also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour given the upcoming festive season in the country, ANI reported. In the last 24 hours, India recorded 201 Covid cases and the overall recovery rate stands at 98.8%. The active cases stand at 3,397. ALSO READ | India steps up measures amidst China Covid explosion, expert says 'hybrid immunity' will help country Even though the daily cases are less at present, the worsening pandemic situation in the above five countries, particularly China, can cause a spike in infections and deaths in India. On Thursday, the Indian government decided to subject two per cent of the passengers arriving on international flights to random Covid tests starting from Saturday (December 24). And yesterday, the country's civil aviation ministry asked airport operators to ensure compliance with government guidelines and told airlines to instruct their crew to lead and bring identified two per cent of international arriving passengers to the testing facility at the respective airports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid scare: India makes RT-PCR tests mandatory for arrivals from China, four other nations

Things have come a long way for the world since 1954 when India and China agreed on the so-called Panchsheel agreement. Newly minted cooperation between developing countries was then fashionable in the shadow of colonialism. Sovereignty of countries with the clause of "mutual non-interference" was in vogue as various nations and half-made countries progressed gingerly towards a dignified world order.

It is now time to re-open the "non-interference" clause because it is pertinent to ask if naked aggression (Russia in Ukraine), terrorism (Pakistan as a base for Islamist radicals), suppression of women (Iran and Afghanistan) and denial of basic human freedoms (China) should be bracketed in the 'non-interference' clause that seems rather absurd in the 21st century when there seems to be a broader, deeper global consensus on human welfare. We already have a track record of a stuttering but successful fight against racism in South Africa, which should serve as a pointer to what things can be.

Things have reached a new point of absurdity with the latest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-heartbreaking-video-of-wailing-afghan-girls-goes-viral-after-ban-on-female-education-545516">ban&nbsp;on university education for women</a> in Afghanistan ostensibly on the ground that the students do not follow an austere Islamic dress code prescribed by the Taliban regime.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantles their Right to Education campus after campus</a>

There is good and bad news here.&nbsp;

While the bad news is that the United States is now a pale shadow of its superpower self and the European economy is in deep crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the good news (sort of) comes from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, whose governments have stood up to condemn the Taliban. There are, of course, nuances here. Both Riyadh and Ankara have Islamist governments and Saudi Arabia has had its own dismal track record on women's rights.

Saudi Arabia has only recently allowed women to have passports, travel abroad, and live independently without a male guardian. A male relative is still required to give permission for a woman to marry or start certain types of business enterprises.&nbsp;

Turkey is not doing much better. A UN-appointed special rapporteur said this year that officially, around one in four women in Turkey has suffered physical or sexual abuse by their partners and there are hundreds of femicides reported every year.

In such a context, it is interesting to see Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu describing the Afghan ban on university education for women as “neither Islamic nor humane". You could partially attribute this to diplomatic hypocrisy, but equally to the fact that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have strong links with the West in some way or the other -- links that they cannot afford to ruin. Turkey used to be a regular secular republic before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to take the Islamist route. The Saudis have been long-time allies of the West, especially the US, thanks to crude oil exports -- much as that shows warts in Washington's foreign policy that talks of human rights everywhere but not in the places that serve its domineering geopolitical goals or business interests.

Now let us look at the US, weakened by its increasing focus on helping Ukraine and limitations of domestic politics in which President Joe Biden faces carping by right-wing activists even as the fear of a return of Trumpism with its brash, inward-looking approach looms large.

The relatively progressive signals from Riyadh and Ankara are best viewed as silver linings in the cloud. Widespread anti-hijab protests in Iran are also a pointer to how the Islamic thought process is undergoing a sea change. Personally I am sure the Afghan protests against the Taliban's education ban have been inspired or emboldened by events in Iran.

Fissures within the Muslim world as a whole suggest that women's rights is an idea whose time has come. Pakistan, with its hiccupping yet surviving democracy, is also relatively progressive if one looks at the emergence of a new middle class that values the emancipation of women.

This is precisely an opportunity for India and the West to co-engage on the issue. The term "constructive engagement" was once used by US President Ronald Reagan's administration to deal with the apartheid regime in South Africa, but his intentions and actions were both suspect. He used the term more to delay the end of racist rule. We don't quite want that in Afghanistan. What India, with its newfound role in the presidency of the Group of 20 elite nations of the world, needs to do is to offer its diplomatic services as a progressive country with its own track record of helping women's rights and equality.

Admittedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's track record and philosophy may be criticised when it comes to religious minorities, but his role in women's rights (whatever the political motives) has been credible.&nbsp;

If India aspires to be not just a voice of the "Global South" at the G-20 Presidency but look beyond to seek a higher role in the United Nations, it can craft an engagement matrix on women's rights. The way to do it is to push its own Muslim scholars, intellectuals and thought leaders in the forefront for a new kind of soft diplomacy.

This might enhance Modi's credibility at many levels while giving India a toehold to raise its profile in world affairs. What is clear to me is that the old-world Panchsheel approach of non-interference is passe. Democracy, human freedoms, women's rights, and sustainability must be part of a new order.&nbsp;

This means putting one's domestic politics in order so as to not invite accusations of doublespeak or hypocrisy. But there is little doubt that India has an opportunity to engage as a new, credible interlocutor on the world stage. The flip side of this is that Turkey and Pakistan may oppose or frown at India's new role. However, if the cards are played well, at home and abroad, this can dramatically raise India's stature. A perk would be that India would stand out in contrast to China as well.&nbsp;

Picture it like an Argentina moment for Indian diplomacy, now that we seem to have had big surprises in World Cup football.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Things have come a long way for the world since 1954 when India and China agreed on the so-called Panchsheel agreement. Newly minted cooperation between developing countries was then fashionable in the shadow of colonialism.

Things have come a long way for the world since 1954 when India and China agreed on the so-called Panchsheel agreement. Newly minted cooperation between developing countries was then fashionable in the shadow of colonialism. Sovereignty of countries with the clause of "mutual non-interference" was in vogue as various nations and half-made countries progressed gingerly towards a dignified world order. It is now time to re-open the "non-interference" clause because it is pertinent to ask if naked aggression (Russia in Ukraine), terrorism (Pakistan as a base for Islamist radicals), suppression of women (Iran and Afghanistan) and denial of basic human freedoms (China) should be bracketed in the 'non-interference' clause that seems rather absurd in the 21st century when there seems to be a broader, deeper global consensus on human welfare. We already have a track record of a stuttering but successful fight against racism in South Africa, which should serve as a pointer to what things can be. Things have reached a new point of absurdity with the latest ban on university education for women in Afghanistan ostensibly on the ground that the students do not follow an austere Islamic dress code prescribed by the Taliban regime. Also Read | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantles their Right to Education campus after campus There is good and bad news here. While the bad news is that the United States is now a pale shadow of its superpower self and the European economy is in deep crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the good news (sort of) comes from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, whose governments have stood up to condemn the Taliban. There are, of course, nuances here. Both Riyadh and Ankara have Islamist governments and Saudi Arabia has had its own dismal track record on women's rights. Saudi Arabia has only recently allowed women to have passports, travel abroad, and live independently without a male guardian. A male relative is still required to give permission for a woman to marry or start certain types of business enterprises. Turkey is not doing much better. A UN-appointed special rapporteur said this year that officially, around one in four women in Turkey has suffered physical or sexual abuse by their partners and there are hundreds of femicides reported every year. In such a context, it is interesting to see Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu describing the Afghan ban on university education for women as “neither Islamic nor humane". You could partially attribute this to diplomatic hypocrisy, but equally to the fact that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have strong links with the West in some way or the other -- links that they cannot afford to ruin. Turkey used to be a regular secular republic before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to take the Islamist route. The Saudis have been long-time allies of the West, especially the US, thanks to crude oil exports -- much as that shows warts in Washington's foreign policy that talks of human rights everywhere but not in the places that serve its domineering geopolitical goals or business interests. Now let us look at the US, weakened by its increasing focus on helping Ukraine and limitations of domestic politics in which President Joe Biden faces carping by right-wing activists even as the fear of a return of Trumpism with its brash, inward-looking approach looms large. The relatively progressive signals from Riyadh and Ankara are best viewed as silver linings in the cloud. Widespread anti-hijab protests in Iran are also a pointer to how the Islamic thought process is undergoing a sea change. Personally I am sure the Afghan protests against the Taliban's education ban have been inspired or emboldened by events in Iran. Fissures within the Muslim world as a whole suggest that women's rights is an idea whose time has come. Pakistan, with its hiccupping yet surviving democracy, is also relatively progressive if one looks at the emergence of a new middle class that values the emancipation of women. This is precisely an opportunity for India and the West to co-engage on the issue. The term "constructive engagement" was once used by US President Ronald Reagan's administration to deal with the apartheid regime in South Africa, but his intentions and actions were both suspect. He used the term more to delay the end of racist rule. We don't quite want that in Afghanistan. What India, with its newfound role in the presidency of the Group of 20 elite nations of the world, needs to do is to offer its diplomatic services as a progressive country with its own track record of helping women's rights and equality. Admittedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's track record and philosophy may be criticised when it comes to religious minorities, but his role in women's rights (whatever the political motives) has been credible. If India aspires to be not just a voice of the "Global South" at the G-20 Presidency but look beyond to seek a higher role in the United Nations, it can craft an engagement matrix on women's rights. The way to do it is to push its own Muslim scholars, intellectuals and thought leaders in the forefront for a new kind of soft diplomacy. This might enhance Modi's credibility at many levels while giving India a toehold to raise its profile in world affairs. What is clear to me is that the old-world Panchsheel approach of non-interference is passe. Democracy, human freedoms, women's rights, and sustainability must be part of a new order. This means putting one's domestic politics in order so as to not invite accusations of doublespeak or hypocrisy. But there is little doubt that India has an opportunity to engage as a new, credible interlocutor on the world stage. The flip side of this is that Turkey and Pakistan may oppose or frown at India's new role. However, if the cards are played well, at home and abroad, this can dramatically raise India's stature. A perk would be that India would stand out in contrast to China as well. Picture it like an Argentina moment for Indian diplomacy, now that we seem to have had big surprises in World Cup football. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Talking Turkey with regressive Afghanistan: India can emerge as new-age interlocutor

Bhutan's Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji, in an exclusive interaction with WION, said that his country is holding discussion on railway connectivity with India, something that will "integrate trade and commerce". This is the first ever public acknowledgement in years of the talks of railway connectivity between the two countries. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the minister also dismissed reports of Chinese intrusions inside Bhutan’s territory and maintained that "Royal Government has categorically denied these reports on several occasions."

He also spoke about impact of Covid on his country and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict along with opening of his country to tourists. The country opened to international tourists in September this year after being closed to the world due to the Covid pandemic. Within these two months 14,473 tourists have already visited Bhutan. Half of these tourists, 7217, are Indian.

WION: Bhutan has opened to the world, how has the tourist inflow been?

Dr Tandi Dorji: Bhutan reopened its borders to tourists September 23, 2022 onwards with a renewed focus on the sustainability of the sector. The standards and certification process for service providers, including hotels, guides, tour operators, and drivers, as well as other businesses such as handicraft shops are being revised. The new requirements are more robust and ensure a minimum quality standard across the tourism sector. Persons employed in the industry will be required to undergo skill training where necessary. The intent is to provide quality service for our guests and enhance their experience. The inflow of visitors has been steadily increasing over the past months since the reopening, and we expect it to continue. Moreover, we are carrying out proactive and rigorous advertising and promotional activities to heighten Bhutan’s presence in the travel industry. We aim to establish Bhutan as a high value destination based on authentic experiences, Bhutanese hospitality, and interactive travel. The figures of tourism inflow are encouraging. So far, we have received more than 14000 tourists (as of 27th Nov, 14,473 tourists - 7,217 Indians and 7,256 others)

WION: Please tell us more about Bhutan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how India and Bhutan supported each other during the difficult times.

Dr&nbsp;Tandi Dorji: Bhutan’s response to the pandemic was characterised by a quick and proactive approach. The people’s morale as usual was upheld by the exemplary leadership of His Majesty The King during the difficult times and cultivation of trust by the government led by medical and health specialists and the health authorities. All sections of the society came together in solidarity and provided their support right from following the Covid protocols to providing volunteer services and other contributions. People of Bhutan followed all the health directives and cooperated to ensure the success of the Covid response. The people and the Royal Government of Bhutan are profoundly grateful to the people and the Government of India (GoI) for the unconditional and generous support provided by GoI to Bhutan in its efforts in managing the pandemic. The support of 690,000 doses of Covishield vaccine enabled Bhutan to launch the first nationwide vaccination programme in March/April last year, and GoI’s support in terms of medical supplies significantly supported Bhutan in its effective response efforts. During one of the most difficult times, India, under Prime Minister Modi provided admirable leadership to fight the virus through innovative initiatives such as SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Vaccine Maitri. India’s role in vaccine production and distribution, and its resolute commitment to reach out to other countries during this world crisis, was critical to Bhutan’s success in combating the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Government of India has also been very supportive in ensuring smooth passage of essential food, medical and other items all through the pandemic despite strict border control. The Government of India also supported Bhutan in evacuating stranded Bhutanese abroad and in India.

WION: Any plans to increase connectivity in the region? Any plans of a rail link between India and Bhutan?

Dr Tandi Dorji: Discussions for railway connectivity between India and Bhutan are underway. The railway initiative, which will be a historical milestone in the Bhutan-India relations, will further integrate trade and commerce as well as people to people relationships.

WION: When it comes to opening of Bhutan, a fee has been imposed on International as well as Indian tourists. Don't you think that will be seen as something like a barrier? What is the rationale for it?

Dr Tandi Dorji: The Sustainable Development Fee is not a new levy, it is a revision of the Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020. The fees for Indians has remained the same and for international tourist, it has been increased from US$ 65 to US$ 200. The increase was necessary given the fact that it had been revised only once since the 1970s when Bhutan started receiving tourists. The tourism industry in Bhutan was founded on the principle of ‘High value, Low volume’ and the SDF was introduced since the start of tourism business in the country in 1974.&nbsp;

Bhutan’s reopening was a good opportunity for us to reset our tourism sector and go back to our roots of ‘high value, low volume’ tourism. We have unveiled a new tourism strategy, underpinned by transformations in three key areas: enhancements to our sustainable development policies, infrastructure upgrades, and the elevation of the guest experience. We need tourism to not only benefit Bhutan economically, but socially as well, while maintaining our low, sustainable footprint. The goal of our new strategy is to create high value experiences for guests, in addition to well-paying and professional jobs for our citizens. As such, we see tourism as a vital strategic driver of long-term transformation and opportunities for our people, so we are fully invested in its success. This is our moment of evolution, and we invite our guests to become our partners in this process. Further, our country is situated in a vulnerable location that makes it highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, therefore we need to be extra cautious of our actions and policies.&nbsp;

We welcome all guests to Bhutan and believe that they are well positioned to understand the value and beauty of the Himalayan region and its fragile ecosystem. The SDF funds go to the national exchequer and are allocated to various projects that enhance infrastructure, services and facilities for nationals and guests who visit Bhutan. It enables investment in preserving our culture, traditions, and heritage, and protecting our environment, as well as funding free healthcare and education.

WION: How does Bhutan see the Russia-Ukraine conflict, its impact on you?

Dr&nbsp;Tandi Dorji: Bhutan is a peace-loving country, firmly committed to international law for peaceful coexistence and good neighbourly relations between states, and therefore, attaches importance to the UN Charter Principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of any State. Rising fuel and food prices are being felt by all countries including Bhutan. The impact is more pronounced as it comes at a time when the global economy has already been devastatingly hit by the Covid -19 Pandemic.

WION: China, another neighbour of yours has been a worry for countries in the region. How do you see ties with China, even though officially you don't have ties with any of the P5 countries?

Dr Tandi Dorji: As neighbours, Bhutan and China have enjoyed friendly relations. Friendly engagement and cooperative exchange between us are increasing.

WION: Reports suggest China is sitting on some of the Bhutanese territory even as it claims some.

Dr Tandi Dorji: Media reports of Chinese intrusions inside Bhutan’s territory are not true and the Royal Government has categorically denied these reports on several occasions. Media reports were based on open-source information, which may not be reliable. Any issues that arise along the Bhutan-China border are resolved through dialogue based on the 1988 Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Bhutan-China Boundary Issues and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity in Bhutan-China Border Areas.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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Bhutan's Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji, in an exclusive interaction with WION, said that his country is holding discussion on railway connectivity with India, something that will "integrate trade and commerce".

Bhutan's Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji, in an exclusive interaction with WION, said that his country is holding discussion on railway connectivity with India, something that will "integrate trade and commerce". This is the first ever public acknowledgement in years of the talks of railway connectivity between the two countries. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the minister also dismissed reports of Chinese intrusions inside Bhutan’s territory and maintained that "Royal Government has categorically denied these reports on several occasions." He also spoke about impact of Covid on his country and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict along with opening of his country to tourists. The country opened to international tourists in September this year after being closed to the world due to the Covid pandemic. Within these two months 14,473 tourists have already visited Bhutan. Half of these tourists, 7217, are Indian. WION: Bhutan has opened to the world, how has the tourist inflow been? Dr Tandi Dorji: Bhutan reopened its borders to tourists September 23, 2022 onwards with a renewed focus on the sustainability of the sector. The standards and certification process for service providers, including hotels, guides, tour operators, and drivers, as well as other businesses such as handicraft shops are being revised. The new requirements are more robust and ensure a minimum quality standard across the tourism sector. Persons employed in the industry will be required to undergo skill training where necessary. The intent is to provide quality service for our guests and enhance their experience. The inflow of visitors has been steadily increasing over the past months since the reopening, and we expect it to continue. Moreover, we are carrying out proactive and rigorous advertising and promotional activities to heighten Bhutan’s presence in the travel industry. We aim to establish Bhutan as a high value destination based on authentic experiences, Bhutanese hospitality, and interactive travel. The figures of tourism inflow are encouraging. So far, we have received more than 14000 tourists (as of 27th Nov, 14,473 tourists - 7,217 Indians and 7,256 others) WION: Please tell us more about Bhutan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how India and Bhutan supported each other during the difficult times. Dr Tandi Dorji: Bhutan’s response to the pandemic was characterised by a quick and proactive approach. The people’s morale as usual was upheld by the exemplary leadership of His Majesty The King during the difficult times and cultivation of trust by the government led by medical and health specialists and the health authorities. All sections of the society came together in solidarity and provided their support right from following the Covid protocols to providing volunteer services and other contributions. People of Bhutan followed all the health directives and cooperated to ensure the success of the Covid response. The people and the Royal Government of Bhutan are profoundly grateful to the people and the Government of India (GoI) for the unconditional and generous support provided by GoI to Bhutan in its efforts in managing the pandemic. The support of 690,000 doses of Covishield vaccine enabled Bhutan to launch the first nationwide vaccination programme in March/April last year, and GoI’s support in terms of medical supplies significantly supported Bhutan in its effective response efforts. During one of the most difficult times, India, under Prime Minister Modi provided admirable leadership to fight the virus through innovative initiatives such as SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Vaccine Maitri. India’s role in vaccine production and distribution, and its resolute commitment to reach out to other countries during this world crisis, was critical to Bhutan’s success in combating the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Government of India has also been very supportive in ensuring smooth passage of essential food, medical and other items all through the pandemic despite strict border control. The Government of India also supported Bhutan in evacuating stranded Bhutanese abroad and in India. WION: Any plans to increase connectivity in the region? Any plans of a rail link between India and Bhutan? Dr Tandi Dorji: Discussions for railway connectivity between India and Bhutan are underway. The railway initiative, which will be a historical milestone in the Bhutan-India relations, will further integrate trade and commerce as well as people to people relationships. WION: When it comes to opening of Bhutan, a fee has been imposed on International as well as Indian tourists. Don't you think that will be seen as something like a barrier? What is the rationale for it? Dr Tandi Dorji: The Sustainable Development Fee is not a new levy, it is a revision of the Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020. The fees for Indians has remained the same and for international tourist, it has been increased from US$ 65 to US$ 200. The increase was necessary given the fact that it had been revised only once since the 1970s when Bhutan started receiving tourists. The tourism industry in Bhutan was founded on the principle of ‘High value, Low volume’ and the SDF was introduced since the start of tourism business in the country in 1974. Bhutan’s reopening was a good opportunity for us to reset our tourism sector and go back to our roots of ‘high value, low volume’ tourism. We have unveiled a new tourism strategy, underpinned by transformations in three key areas: enhancements to our sustainable development policies, infrastructure upgrades, and the elevation of the guest experience. We need tourism to not only benefit Bhutan economically, but socially as well, while maintaining our low, sustainable footprint. The goal of our new strategy is to create high value experiences for guests, in addition to well-paying and professional jobs for our citizens. As such, we see tourism as a vital strategic driver of long-term transformation and opportunities for our people, so we are fully invested in its success. This is our moment of evolution, and we invite our guests to become our partners in this process. Further, our country is situated in a vulnerable location that makes it highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, therefore we need to be extra cautious of our actions and policies. We welcome all guests to Bhutan and believe that they are well positioned to understand the value and beauty of the Himalayan region and its fragile ecosystem. The SDF funds go to the national exchequer and are allocated to various projects that enhance infrastructure, services and facilities for nationals and guests who visit Bhutan. It enables investment in preserving our culture, traditions, and heritage, and protecting our environment, as well as funding free healthcare and education. WION: How does Bhutan see the Russia-Ukraine conflict, its impact on you? Dr Tandi Dorji: Bhutan is a peace-loving country, firmly committed to international law for peaceful coexistence and good neighbourly relations between states, and therefore, attaches importance to the UN Charter Principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of any State. Rising fuel and food prices are being felt by all countries including Bhutan. The impact is more pronounced as it comes at a time when the global economy has already been devastatingly hit by the Covid -19 Pandemic. WION: China, another neighbour of yours has been a worry for countries in the region. How do you see ties with China, even though officially you don't have ties with any of the P5 countries? Dr Tandi Dorji: As neighbours, Bhutan and China have enjoyed friendly relations. Friendly engagement and cooperative exchange between us are increasing. WION: Reports suggest China is sitting on some of the Bhutanese territory even as it claims some. Dr Tandi Dorji: Media reports of Chinese intrusions inside Bhutan’s territory are not true and the Royal Government has categorically denied these reports on several occasions. Media reports were based on open-source information, which may not be reliable. Any issues that arise along the Bhutan-China border are resolved through dialogue based on the 1988 Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Bhutan-China Boundary Issues and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity in Bhutan-China Border Areas. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Railway connectivity with India being discussed, says Bhutan Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji

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