In Pics | Indian PM Narendra Modi and US Vice President Kamala Harris hold their first in-person meeting

The announcement of the new military alliance between the United States and United Kingdom has created quite a stir among the democratic alliances especially in France and Russia. Should India be concerned? Listen in to what Navdeep Singh Suri, a former diplomat has to say on this.

Is AUKUS a concern for other nations? How will it affect India? | WION-USA Direct

India will be seeking clarity on four Ts at the upcoming QUAD summit: Terror, travel, trade and tyranny. Will the alliance finally define its objectives and name China? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas US Edition: What is India hoping for at the QUAD summit?

During his ongoing visit to the US, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

During his ongoing visit to the US, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. As a special gesture, the PM Modi gave gifts to all of them. He presented US Vice President Kamala Harris with a copy of old notifications related to her grandfather, Shri PV Gopalan in a wooden handicraft frame. Shri PV Gopalan was a senior and respected government official who served in various positions. He also gifted Vice President Harris with a Gulabi Meenakari chess set. The intricate details on each piece on this chess set show that it is remarkably handcrafted. The bright colours reflect the vibrancy of Kashi which is one of the oldest cities in the world. Prime Minister Modi gifted a silver Gulabi Meenakari ship to his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison. The ship is distinctly handcrafted, reflecting Kashi’s dynamism. To his Japanese counterpart, PM Modi gifted a sandalwood Buddha statue. Buddhism in Japan is practised since the sixth century. Also, it plays a major role in bringing India and Japan together. During his previous visits to Japan, PM Modi had visited Buddhist temples. Earlier as well, the PM had performed such gestures during his meetings with the former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Queen Elizabeth, and former President of Iran Hassan Rouhani. On his trip to Israel, PM Modi presented Netanyahu with replicas of 2 sets of copper plates from Kerala believed to be inscribed in 9-10th century CE. Also, he presented the British monarch with some award-winning Darjeeling tea from the Makaibari tea estate in West Bengal. He gifted this along with organic honey from J&K. For Rouhani, the PM presented specially commissioned reproductions of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib’s collection of poetry in Persian, known as the Kulliyat-e-Farsi-e-Ghalib. On meeting former US President Donald Trump, PM Modi presented a variety of gifts. This included a handcrafted Himachali silver bracelet, tea and honey from Kangra Valley, hand-woven shawls from Jammu and Kashmir. The collection of gifts also comprised a wooden chest with an intricate inlay pattern.

PM Modi presents unique gifts to world leaders during his ongoing visit to US

The marathon schedule has begun after the back-to-back meetings with the global CEOs, the Indian PM Modi is all set for the big bilateral meets ahead, here's a list of his significant meets.

Indian PM Narendra Modi's US visit begins, big bilaterals and QUAD summit lined up | WION-USA Direct

China & Pakistan are aligning their policies to make the Taliban sway to their tunes. What does this nexus mean for South Asia? How worried should India be? Palki Sharma discusses the security repercussions with a special panel of guests.

Gravitas US Edition: What does the China-Pak-Taliban nexus mean for South Asia?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again raised the Kashmir issue at the UN. India has responded in kind, by calling world leaders to respect UN resolutions on the Cyprus dispute. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas US Edition: Erdogan raises Kashmir again at United Nations

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday.

Watch:&nbsp;

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In a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence sector, the order will also be a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India, which has been envisioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-talking-technology-with-leading-american-ceos-from-key-sectors-415274" hreflang="en">PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors</a>

The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank. Designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability, the tank has been infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant. Besides precise target engagement during day and night, it can also ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, the defence ministry said in a release.

The Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/differently-abled-people-with-restricted-mobility-to-get-covid-vaccine-jabs-at-homes-indian-govt-415275" hreflang="en">Differently-abled, people with restricted mobility to get Covid vaccine jabs at homes: Indian Govt</a>

This production order to HVF, Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies.&nbsp;

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday.

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order worth Rs 75.23 billion with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on Thursday. Watch: × In a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence sector, the order will also be a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, or self-reliant India, which has been envisioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi 'talking technology' with leading American CEOs from key sectors The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank. Designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability, the tank has been infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant. Besides precise target engagement during day and night, it can also ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, the defence ministry said in a release. The Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army. Also Read | Differently-abled, people with restricted mobility to get Covid vaccine jabs at homes: Indian Govt This production order to HVF, Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies.

In boost to self reliance, India’s defence ministry orders 118 main battle tanks Arjun Mk-1A for army

French President Emmanuel Macron has discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as France deals with the fallout from Australia’s cancellation of a $40bn French submarine order.

Macron and Modi discusses Indo-Pacific, vow to ‘act jointly’ after submarine dispute

Britain has added Covishield to its list of recognized vaccines. But fully vaccinated Indian citizens will still have to quarantine. Reports say Britain is suspicious of India's vaccine certificates. Palki Sharma tells you why it's less about authenticity and more about British arrogance.

Gravitas US Edition | British arrogance: Indian vaccine certificates rejected

More than 600,000 white flags have been planted at the National Mall as a tribute to America's COVID-19 victims. The death toll has now crossed that of the Spanish Flu in 1918. How did the world's most advanced nation succumb to a virus? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas US Edition: India v/s US: The vaccination story

At the UN, President Joe Biden declared that the US is opening an era of relentless diplomacy in Afghanistan. But, countries in South Asia are facing the consequences. Today, India seizes $2.7 billion of heroin from Afghanistan in Gujarat. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas US Edition: India seizes $2.7 billion of heroin from Afghanistan in Gujarat

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a visit to the United States on Wednesday. PM Modi and US President Joe Biden will meet on Friday for their first in-person discussion at the White House. The Indian PM will also address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25.

Modi-Biden meet: Both leaders to discuss trade, defence and clean energy

US President Joe Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their first in-person bilateral meeting at the White House on September 24. WION brings you a quick recap of the friendship that the two leaders share.

The Modi-Biden Friendship: Biden will host Modi at the White House on September 24

Ford will be winding up operations in India after a 25-year stint. How did one of the world's largest car-makers fail in India? Did Ford under-estimate the Indian market? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Ford's ignominious India exit

Ford&nbsp;Motor Co will stop manufacturing in India and take a hit of about $2 billion as it does not see a path to profitability in the country, becoming the latest automaker to leave a major growth market dominated by Asian rivals.

The decision by&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;comes after it struggled for years to win over Indian consumers and turn a profit. The carmaker entered India 25 years ago but has a less than 2% share of the passenger vehicles market.

In its statement,&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;said it accumulated operating losses of more than $2 billion in 10 years in India and demand for its new vehicles had been weak.

"Despite (our) efforts, we have not been able to find a sustainable path forward to long-term profitability,"&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;India head Anurag Mehrotra said in the statement.

"The decision was reinforced by years of accumulated losses, persistent industry overcapacity and lack of expected growth in India's car market," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-send-warships-to-pacific-on-extended-deployment-411788">Also read |&nbsp;UK to send warships to Pacific on extended deployment</a>

Ford&nbsp;follows other US carmakers such as General Motors and Harley Davidson which have already left India, a market that had once promised exponential growth. The country is dominated by mainly low-cost cars made by Suzuki Motor Corp and Hyundai Motor.

As part of the plan,&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;India will wind down operations at its plant in Sanand in the western state of Gujarat by the fourth quarter of 2021 and vehicle and engine manufacturing in its southern Indian plant in Chennai by 2022.

The U.S. automaker will continue to sell some of its cars in India through imports and it will also provide support to dealers to service existing customers, it said. Around 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision.

The decision to stop production in India comes after&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;and domestic carmaker Mahindra &amp; Mahindra failed to finalise a joint venture partnership&nbsp;that would have allowed&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;to continue producing cars at a lower cost than currently but cease its independent operations.

The company said the decision to cease production was made after considering several other options including partnerships, platform sharing, contract manufacturing and the possibility of selling its manufacturing plants, which is still under review.

Ford Motor Co will stop manufacturing in India and take a hit of about $2 billion as it does not see a path to profitability in the country, becoming the latest automaker to leave a major growth market dominated by Asian rivals.

Ford Motor Co will stop manufacturing in India and take a hit of about $2 billion as it does not see a path to profitability in the country, becoming the latest automaker to leave a major growth market dominated by Asian rivals. The decision by Ford comes after it struggled for years to win over Indian consumers and turn a profit. The carmaker entered India 25 years ago but has a less than 2% share of the passenger vehicles market. In its statement, Ford said it accumulated operating losses of more than $2 billion in 10 years in India and demand for its new vehicles had been weak. "Despite (our) efforts, we have not been able to find a sustainable path forward to long-term profitability," Ford India head Anurag Mehrotra said in the statement. "The decision was reinforced by years of accumulated losses, persistent industry overcapacity and lack of expected growth in India's car market," he said. Also read | UK to send warships to Pacific on extended deployment Ford follows other US carmakers such as General Motors and Harley Davidson which have already left India, a market that had once promised exponential growth. The country is dominated by mainly low-cost cars made by Suzuki Motor Corp and Hyundai Motor. As part of the plan, Ford India will wind down operations at its plant in Sanand in the western state of Gujarat by the fourth quarter of 2021 and vehicle and engine manufacturing in its southern Indian plant in Chennai by 2022. The U.S. automaker will continue to sell some of its cars in India through imports and it will also provide support to dealers to service existing customers, it said. Around 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision. The decision to stop production in India comes after Ford and domestic carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra failed to finalise a joint venture partnership that would have allowed Ford to continue producing cars at a lower cost than currently but cease its independent operations. The company said the decision to cease production was made after considering several other options including partnerships, platform sharing, contract manufacturing and the possibility of selling its manufacturing plants, which is still under review.

Ford to end manufacturing in India, take $2 billion hit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a visit to the United States on Wednesday. During his trip from September 22-25, PM Modi will be meeting US President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Japanese Premier Yoshihide Suga.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his US visit

You may have heard about a lot of countries that are experimenting with drone delivery operations. The good news is that India is also among them. The government has overhauled the civil drone regime and some exciting pilot programmes are underway. Watch the video for more details.

Tech It Out: India's big bet on drones

After facing intense criticism over its flawed covid-19 travel restrictions, the United Kingdom has now claimed that talks are underway between London and New Delhi for recognition of India's vaccine certificate.

Covid-19: UK's travel laws draw criticism in India, talks underway

The US on Monday briefed India on its new trilateral AUKUS military pact with the UK and Australia to take on the challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific, stressing it will not detract from either the bilateral cooperation with New Delhi or multilateral ones like the `Quad’.Watch this report for more details.

United States tells India: AUKUS won't impact QUAD

India is trying to determine its place in the new world order. But, if India has to play the role of an influencer on the world stage, it will have to reinvent its approach. For that, India needs to define its allies and adversaries. Palki Sharma brings you a special report from Washington DC.

Gravitas US Edition: Is India ready to define its allies and adversaries?

As France's relation with United States takes an uncertain turn, French president Emmanuel Macron called up Indian PM Narendra Modi and discuss the Indo-pacific cooperation between the two countries.

French Prez Emmanuel Macron hold talks with Narendra Modi amid rift with US

US President Joe Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for their first bilateral meeting on September 24. Later on that day, Biden will host the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit at the White House

WION-USA Direct: Biden to host Modi at White House, counter terrorism & Afghan situation on agenda

Ahead of the general debate at the 76th UNGA session, India's External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar will be meeting UK's newly-appointed Foreign minister Liz Truss to evaluate the strategic 2030 roadmap.

WION USA Direct: India EAM S Jaishankar to meet UK counterpart, work closely on 'Roadmap 2030'

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