US President Joe Biden will deliver his first speech on September 21 before the United Nations General Assembly since he took office. Biden is set to travel to New York City, home to the UN headquarters, on Tuesday.

WION-USA Direct: Joe Biden to deliver first UNGA speech as President on September 21

All eyes are on New York where world leaders will gather for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. WION's Siddhant Sibbal explains Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda and expectations from the high-level meeting.

WION-USA Direct: Indian PM Modi to address 76th session of the UNGA summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden will meet in-person for the first time this week for the Quad summit, along with leaders of Japan and Australia. The bilateral talks between Modi and Biden will focus more on Afghanistan, Pakistan and China.

WION-USA Direct: First in-person Modi-Biden bilateral meet

Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in India on Saturday on a three-day visit during which he is expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan as well ways to boost bilateral ties.

Saudi foreign minister begins 3-day India visit, to discuss Afghanistan & bilateral issues

Amid diminishing COVID cases, India is considering opening its doors to foreign tourists for the first time in over a year. Almost 5 lakh foreigntourists will be provided visas free of cost to revive the tourism sector that was badly hit due to the COVID pandemic. India had closed its borders in March 2020 when the nationwide lockdown was announced.

India considers opening its borders to foreign tourists

The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has claimed that the suicide bomber, who had attacked Kabul airport last month, was caught in Delhi five years ago. They also revealed that after serving in a prison in India, he was deported to Afghanistan.

ISIS-K: Suicide bomber who attacked Kabul airport was held in Delhi

Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud arrives in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden during his visit to the United States. He will also participate in the first in-person QUAD leaders' summit in Washington on Sept 24th. On September 25, he will address the UN general debate of the UN General Assembly at its 76th session.

WION-USA Direct: Indian PM Modi to hold bilateral meeting with President Biden in Washington

India recorded 30,773 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 13.7 per cent lower than cases registered on Saturday, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry.

The daily positivity rate stood at 1.97 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 20 days As of 8 am on Sunday, the total caseload reached 3,34,48,163, the health ministry said.

In the last 24 hours, 309 people died due to COVID-19 in the country, pushing the total death toll to 4,44,838.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-all-set-to-visit-us-this-week-for-quad-key-bilateral-meetings-on-the-anvil-414076">Also read |&nbsp;PM Modi all set to visit US this week for Quad; key bilateral meetings on the anvil</a>

As per the health ministry, the weekly positivity rate for the COVID-19 in the country stood at 2.04 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 86 days.

Around 86.6 per cent of the new cases are reported from states including, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram, with Kerala alone responsible for 62.8 per cent of the new cases.

India recorded 30,773 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 13.7 per cent lower than cases registered on Saturday, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry.

India recorded 30,773 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 13.7 per cent lower than cases registered on Saturday, according to the data released by the Union Health Ministry. The daily positivity rate stood at 1.97 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 20 days As of 8 am on Sunday, the total caseload reached 3,34,48,163, the health ministry said. In the last 24 hours, 309 people died due to COVID-19 in the country, pushing the total death toll to 4,44,838. Also read | PM Modi all set to visit US this week for Quad; key bilateral meetings on the anvil As per the health ministry, the weekly positivity rate for the COVID-19 in the country stood at 2.04 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 86 days. Around 86.6 per cent of the new cases are reported from states including, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram, with Kerala alone responsible for 62.8 per cent of the new cases.

India records 30,773 new COVID-19 cases

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive. It is aimed at transforming an outmoded agricultural industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which is seeking to ensure food security in the world’s second-most populous nation, has signed preliminary agreements with the three US titans and a slew of local businesses.&nbsp;

Modi is betting the private sector can help farmers boost yields with apps and tools built from information such as crop output, soil quality and landholdings.

As per the government, io Platforms Ltd, which is controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., and tobacco giant ITC Ltd are among local powerhouses that have signed up for the programme.

With the project, the Modi government seeks to usher in long-due reforms to makeover a farm sector that employs almost half of the nation’s 1.3 billion people and contributes about a fifth of Asia’s third-biggest economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-pm-modi-inaugurates-new-defence-offices-slams-central-vista-critics-413481">Also read |&nbsp;Indian PM Modi inaugurates new defence offices, slams Central Vista critics</a>

Ankur Pahwa, a partner at consultancy EY India, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "This is a high impact industry and private players are sensing the opportunity and want to be a large part of it".

He further added, "India has a very high amount of food wastage because of lack of technology and infrastructure. So there’s a huge upside to the program.”

The idea is to seed all the information such as crop pattern, soil health, insurance, credit, and weather patterns into a single database and then analyse it through AI and data analytics.&nbsp;

After that, the goal is to develop personalised services for a sector replete with challenges such as peaking yields, water stress, degrading soil and lack of infrastructure including temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated trucks.

As of now, the government has seeded publicly available data for more than 50 million farmers of the 120 million identified land-holding growers. Some of the local companies that have signed up include Star Agribazaar Technology, ESRI India

Technologies, yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Organic Research Institute and Ninjacart. However, the success rate is far from guaranteed.&nbsp;

The plan to rope in big corporations is already drawing criticisms from critics.&nbsp;

As per the critics, the move comes as another attempt by the government to give the private sector a greater sway.

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive.

Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems Inc. are among technology giants which are lining up to utilise data from India’s farmers in an ambitious government-led productivity drive. It is aimed at transforming an outmoded agricultural industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which is seeking to ensure food security in the world’s second-most populous nation, has signed preliminary agreements with the three US titans and a slew of local businesses. Modi is betting the private sector can help farmers boost yields with apps and tools built from information such as crop output, soil quality and landholdings. As per the government, io Platforms Ltd, which is controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., and tobacco giant ITC Ltd are among local powerhouses that have signed up for the programme. With the project, the Modi government seeks to usher in long-due reforms to makeover a farm sector that employs almost half of the nation’s 1.3 billion people and contributes about a fifth of Asia’s third-biggest economy. Also read | Indian PM Modi inaugurates new defence offices, slams Central Vista critics Ankur Pahwa, a partner at consultancy EY India, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "This is a high impact industry and private players are sensing the opportunity and want to be a large part of it". He further added, "India has a very high amount of food wastage because of lack of technology and infrastructure. So there’s a huge upside to the program.” The idea is to seed all the information such as crop pattern, soil health, insurance, credit, and weather patterns into a single database and then analyse it through AI and data analytics. After that, the goal is to develop personalised services for a sector replete with challenges such as peaking yields, water stress, degrading soil and lack of infrastructure including temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated trucks. As of now, the government has seeded publicly available data for more than 50 million farmers of the 120 million identified land-holding growers. Some of the local companies that have signed up include Star Agribazaar Technology, ESRI India Technologies, yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Organic Research Institute and Ninjacart. However, the success rate is far from guaranteed. The plan to rope in big corporations is already drawing criticisms from critics. As per the critics, the move comes as another attempt by the government to give the private sector a greater sway.

Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco among tech giants to utilise data from India’s farmers

India is taking another step towards reforms in the country's banking sector and giving a much-needed boost to bad asset resolution. Finance Minister Sitharaman has announced the setting up of a bad bank.

World Business Watch: India Announces Formation Of 'Bad Bank'

According to an independent investigation the World Bank leaders including then CEO and current IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva, have applied in fact undue pressure on staff to boost china's ranking in banks doing business 2018 report.

World Business Watch | Report: Georgieva pressured employees to favour China

Will the new US-Australia-UK alliance sideline the QUAD? Has Europe lost out in the battle for dominance in the Indo-Pacific? Palki Sharma tells you how the world reacted to AUKUS.

Gravitas: What does AUKUS mean for India?

India has now administered more than two million covid-19 vaccines in a single day, a huge milestone in the country's fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

India administers 20 million Covid-19 jabs to mark PM Modi's birthday

During the virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for developing a template by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to effectively deal with the challenges of extremism and radicalisation.

News Alert | SCO Summit 2021: Indian PM Narendra Modi warns against radicalisation

The central government on Wednesday approved a ₹26,058 crore scheme to encourage the production of automobiles, auto parts, and drones.

World Business Watch | India: Incentives for auto, Drone production

According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the first-ever in-person summit of Quad leaders in the US on September 24.

'PM Modi to attend first in-person Quad summit', says Indian Foreign Ministry

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia.

The good&nbsp;part was India's delegate to the UNGA, Mijito Vinito, left the UNGA hall as soon as the recorded address of Khan's began playing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-delegate-walks-out-of-unga-hall-over-pak-pms-usual-kashmir-diatribe-330306">Also read |&nbsp;India's delegate walks out of UNGA hall over Pak PM's usual Kashmir diatribe</a>

<img alt="Indian delegate leaves" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea7b61e-bf05-4538-95b0-cab862f17a2d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Indian%20delegate%20leaves.jpg" />

"Muslims continue to be targeted with impunity in many countries. Our shrines are being destroyed; our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) insulted; the Holy Quran burnt – and all this in the name of freedom of speech," Khan said in his unsual demeanour, adding, "and the one country in the world today where, I am sad to say, the state sponsors Islamophobia, is India. The reason behind this is RSS ideology that unfortunately rules India today."

To this end, Khan urged the Assembly to declare an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and build a coalition to fight this scourge.

He continued, "This extremist ideology was founded in 1920s. The RSS founding fathers were inspired by the Nazis and they adopted their concepts of racial purity and supremacy. While the Nazis hate was directed at the Jews, the RSS directs it towards the Muslims and to a lesser extent towards the Christians."

"They believe that India is exclusively for Hindus and others are not equal citizens. The secularism of Gandhi and Nehru has been replaced by the dream of creating a Hindu Rashtra by subjugating, even cleansing India’s 200 million Muslims and other minorities."

"In 1992, the RSS destroyed the Babri Mosque; in 2002, some 2000 Muslims were slaughtered in Gujarat, and this was under the watch of Chief Minister Modi; and in 2007, over 50 Muslims were burnt alive by RSS arsonists aboard the Samjhota Express Train.&nbsp;

"The Hindutva ideology is set to marginalize almost 300 million human beings – Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. This is unprecedented in history and this does not augur well for the future of India as we all know that marginalisation of human beings leads to their radicalization. "

Imran Khan even appropriated the ill-famous Tablighi Jamaat episode and abused it for his own purpose. He said, "Muslims were falsely blamed, vilified and victimised for spreading the coronavirus. They were denied medical attention on many occasions, their businesses were boycotted."

Nothing is true.

And then came, his more-than-usual Kashmir diatribe.

"For over 72 years, India has illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and in blatant violation of the resolutions of the Security Council and indeed its own commitments to the people of Kashmir," he said.

"On 5th August last year, India illegally and unilaterally sought to change the status of the occupied territories and deployed additional troops, bringing the total number to 900,000, to impose a military siege on 8 million Kashmiris. All Kashmiri political leaders were incarcerated; about 13,000 Kashmiri youth were abducted and thousands tortured; a complete curfew was imposed, accompanied by a total communications blackout.&nbsp;

"The international community must investigate these grave violations and prosecute the Indian civil and military personnel involved in state terrorism and serious crimes against humanity, being perpetrated, I am sad to say, with complete impunity."

He continued, "The brave Kashmiri people will never submit to Indian occupation and oppression. Their struggle is indigenous. They are fighting for a just cause and generation after generation have laid down their lives to rid themselves of Indian occupation. 
The government and people of Pakistan are committed to standing by and supporting their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for self-determination.&nbsp;

"In order to divert attention from its illegal actions and atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is playing a dangerous game of upping the military ante against Pakistan in a nuclearised environment.&nbsp;

"There will be no durable peace and stability in South Asia until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved on the basis of international legitimacy. Kashmir has been rightly described as a 'nuclear flash point'.

Pakistan has always called for a peaceful solution. To this end, India must rescind the measures it has instituted since 5 August 2019, end its military siege and other gross human rights violations, and agree to resolve the Jammu &amp; Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and of course the wishes of the people of Kashmir."

Pakistan's false claims did not stop here. The prime minister said Islamabad wanted a peaceful solution in Afghanistan too.

"I have consistently maintained over the past two decades that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. The only way forward was and is a political settlement which involves the full spectrum of Afghanistan’s political actors," he said.

Khan added, "Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the responsibility. The Afghan leaders must now seize this historic opportunity to achieve reconciliation and restore peace in their war-torn country." 
&nbsp; 
Khan batted for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.&nbsp;

He said, "Pakistan continues to support a two-state solution – in line with the UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, within the internationally agreed parameters, and they are ; pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Capital of a united, contiguous and independent Palestinian state."

Imran Khan said he considered Pakistan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as a success story.

"However, we are still not out of the woods, like no country is out of the woods today," he added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday did what he loves doing -- unnecessarily targetting India. He, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), termed New Delhi as a 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia. The good part was India's delegate to the UNGA, Mijito Vinito, left the UNGA hall as soon as the recorded address of Khan's began playing. Also read | India's delegate walks out of UNGA hall over Pak PM's usual Kashmir diatribe "Muslims continue to be targeted with impunity in many countries. Our shrines are being destroyed; our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) insulted; the Holy Quran burnt – and all this in the name of freedom of speech," Khan said in his unsual demeanour, adding, "and the one country in the world today where, I am sad to say, the state sponsors Islamophobia, is India. The reason behind this is RSS ideology that unfortunately rules India today." To this end, Khan urged the Assembly to declare an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and build a coalition to fight this scourge. He continued, "This extremist ideology was founded in 1920s. The RSS founding fathers were inspired by the Nazis and they adopted their concepts of racial purity and supremacy. While the Nazis hate was directed at the Jews, the RSS directs it towards the Muslims and to a lesser extent towards the Christians." "They believe that India is exclusively for Hindus and others are not equal citizens. The secularism of Gandhi and Nehru has been replaced by the dream of creating a Hindu Rashtra by subjugating, even cleansing India’s 200 million Muslims and other minorities." "In 1992, the RSS destroyed the Babri Mosque; in 2002, some 2000 Muslims were slaughtered in Gujarat, and this was under the watch of Chief Minister Modi; and in 2007, over 50 Muslims were burnt alive by RSS arsonists aboard the Samjhota Express Train. "The Hindutva ideology is set to marginalize almost 300 million human beings – Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. This is unprecedented in history and this does not augur well for the future of India as we all know that marginalisation of human beings leads to their radicalization. " Imran Khan even appropriated the ill-famous Tablighi Jamaat episode and abused it for his own purpose. He said, "Muslims were falsely blamed, vilified and victimised for spreading the coronavirus. They were denied medical attention on many occasions, their businesses were boycotted." Nothing is true. And then came, his more-than-usual Kashmir diatribe. "For over 72 years, India has illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and in blatant violation of the resolutions of the Security Council and indeed its own commitments to the people of Kashmir," he said. "On 5th August last year, India illegally and unilaterally sought to change the status of the occupied territories and deployed additional troops, bringing the total number to 900,000, to impose a military siege on 8 million Kashmiris. All Kashmiri political leaders were incarcerated; about 13,000 Kashmiri youth were abducted and thousands tortured; a complete curfew was imposed, accompanied by a total communications blackout. "The international community must investigate these grave violations and prosecute the Indian civil and military personnel involved in state terrorism and serious crimes against humanity, being perpetrated, I am sad to say, with complete impunity." He continued, "The brave Kashmiri people will never submit to Indian occupation and oppression. Their struggle is indigenous. They are fighting for a just cause and generation after generation have laid down their lives to rid themselves of Indian occupation. The government and people of Pakistan are committed to standing by and supporting their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for self-determination. "In order to divert attention from its illegal actions and atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India is playing a dangerous game of upping the military ante against Pakistan in a nuclearised environment. "There will be no durable peace and stability in South Asia until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved on the basis of international legitimacy. Kashmir has been rightly described as a 'nuclear flash point'. Pakistan has always called for a peaceful solution. To this end, India must rescind the measures it has instituted since 5 August 2019, end its military siege and other gross human rights violations, and agree to resolve the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and of course the wishes of the people of Kashmir." Pakistan's false claims did not stop here. The prime minister said Islamabad wanted a peaceful solution in Afghanistan too. "I have consistently maintained over the past two decades that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. The only way forward was and is a political settlement which involves the full spectrum of Afghanistan’s political actors," he said. Khan added, "Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the responsibility. The Afghan leaders must now seize this historic opportunity to achieve reconciliation and restore peace in their war-torn country." Khan batted for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. He said, "Pakistan continues to support a two-state solution – in line with the UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, within the internationally agreed parameters, and they are ; pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the Capital of a united, contiguous and independent Palestinian state." Imran Khan said he considered Pakistan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as a success story. "However, we are still not out of the woods, like no country is out of the woods today," he added.

Pak PM targets India at UNGA, terms it 'state sponsor' of Islamophobia

India has slammed Pakistan as well as the organization of Islamic cooperation or the OIC for raising the Kashmir issue at the UN Human Rights Commission.

India hits out at Pakistan, OIC for raising Kashmir issue

The Quad meet comes at a time when the US is in touch with India regarding the over horizon support. Over the horizon capabilities that the US repeatedly mentions include identifying and striking terrorists with aerial surveillance and drones launched from outside the country.

US in touch with regarding 'Over-The-Horizon' support: Blinken

India's cabinet on Wednesday (September 15) approved an incentive&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;for the automobile sector aimed at&nbsp;boosting production of electric and hydrogen&nbsp;fuel-powered&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;and promoting the manufacture of drones.

The government will give about $3.5&nbsp;billion in incentives to auto companies and drone manufacturers over a five-year period, Anurag Thakur, minister of information and broadcasting, told reporters.

"The incentive&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;has been designed to help&nbsp;India&nbsp;become a global player in the automobile sector," Thakur said, adding it would also&nbsp;boost&nbsp;local manufacturing.

The proposal comes at a time when annual car sales in&nbsp;India&nbsp;have fallen to their lowest in a decade due to the pandemic which followed an economic slowdown in 2019. Sales of electric&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;(EVs) make up a fraction of the total.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-citizens-to-pay-more-for-organic-eggs-amid-a-trade-dispute-with-india-413302">US citizens to pay more for organic eggs amid a trade dispute with India</a>

Several years ago,&nbsp;India&nbsp;was tipped to become the world's third-largest car market by 2020, after China and the United States, with sales of 5 million a year. Instead, car sales stagnated at around 3 million a year even before the pandemic.

Ford Motor Co last week joined General Motors and Harley Davidson in retreating from&nbsp;India, where it has accumulated losses of $2&nbsp;billion. The US&nbsp;automaker said it would stop making cars in&nbsp;India, taking a further $2&nbsp;billion&nbsp;hit.

The government said in a statement the incentive&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;was expected to help attract new investment of about 425&nbsp;billion&nbsp;rupees in the auto sector.

The incentives will range from 8% to 18% of the sales value of the&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;or components, and will be given to companies if they meet certain conditions such as a minimum investment over five years and 10% growth in sales each year.

Carmakers, for instance, would need to invest 20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;rupees over the period, while auto parts companies must invest 2.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;rupees, the government said.

The original plan was to spend $8&nbsp;billion&nbsp;to incentivise auto and auto part makers to build mainly gasoline&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;and their components for domestic sale and export, with some added benefit for EVs.

However, the&nbsp;scheme's focus was redrawn&nbsp;to incentivise&nbsp;clean&nbsp;fuel&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;as Tesla Inc gears up to enter&nbsp;India.

Auto parts makers will get incentives to produce components for&nbsp;clean&nbsp;cars as well as for investing in advanced technologies like sensors and radars used in connected cars, automatic transmission, cruise control and other electronics.

Sunjay Kapur, president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of&nbsp;India&nbsp;(ACMA), said that with global economies de-risking their supply chains, the&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;will help develop the country into "an attractive alternative source of high-end auto components".

India&nbsp;sees&nbsp;clean&nbsp;auto technology as central to its strategy to reduce oil dependence and cut debilitating air pollution in its major cities, while also meeting its emissions commitment under the Paris Climate Accord.

Domestic automaker Tata Motors is the largest seller of electric cars in&nbsp;India, with rival Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and motor-bike maker TVS Motor firming up their EV plans.&nbsp;India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, however, has no near-term plan to launch EVs.

Girish Wagh, executive director at Tata Motors, said in a statement the&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;would accelerate "the country's progress towards green mobility" and help attract foreign investment.

India's cabinet on Wednesday (September 15) approved an incentive scheme for the automobile sector aimed at boosting production of electric and hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles and promoting the manufacture of drones.

India's cabinet on Wednesday (September 15) approved an incentive scheme for the automobile sector aimed at boosting production of electric and hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles and promoting the manufacture of drones. The government will give about $3.5 billion in incentives to auto companies and drone manufacturers over a five-year period, Anurag Thakur, minister of information and broadcasting, told reporters. "The incentive scheme has been designed to help India become a global player in the automobile sector," Thakur said, adding it would also boost local manufacturing. The proposal comes at a time when annual car sales in India have fallen to their lowest in a decade due to the pandemic which followed an economic slowdown in 2019. Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) make up a fraction of the total. ALSO READ | US citizens to pay more for organic eggs amid a trade dispute with India Several years ago, India was tipped to become the world's third-largest car market by 2020, after China and the United States, with sales of 5 million a year. Instead, car sales stagnated at around 3 million a year even before the pandemic. Ford Motor Co last week joined General Motors and Harley Davidson in retreating from India, where it has accumulated losses of $2 billion. The US automaker said it would stop making cars in India, taking a further $2 billion hit. The government said in a statement the incentive scheme was expected to help attract new investment of about 425 billion rupees in the auto sector. The incentives will range from 8% to 18% of the sales value of the vehicles or components, and will be given to companies if they meet certain conditions such as a minimum investment over five years and 10% growth in sales each year. Carmakers, for instance, would need to invest 20 billion rupees over the period, while auto parts companies must invest 2.5 billion rupees, the government said. The original plan was to spend $8 billion to incentivise auto and auto part makers to build mainly gasoline vehicles and their components for domestic sale and export, with some added benefit for EVs. However, the scheme's focus was redrawn to incentivise clean fuel vehicles as Tesla Inc gears up to enter India. Auto parts makers will get incentives to produce components for clean cars as well as for investing in advanced technologies like sensors and radars used in connected cars, automatic transmission, cruise control and other electronics. Sunjay Kapur, president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), said that with global economies de-risking their supply chains, the scheme will help develop the country into "an attractive alternative source of high-end auto components". India sees clean auto technology as central to its strategy to reduce oil dependence and cut debilitating air pollution in its major cities, while also meeting its emissions commitment under the Paris Climate Accord. Domestic automaker Tata Motors is the largest seller of electric cars in India, with rival Mahindra & Mahindra and motor-bike maker TVS Motor firming up their EV plans. India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, however, has no near-term plan to launch EVs. Girish Wagh, executive director at Tata Motors, said in a statement the scheme would accelerate "the country's progress towards green mobility" and help attract foreign investment.

India approves $3.5 billion scheme to boost clean fuel vehicles

The New Delhi police have busted a terror module which is said to have been organized by Pakistan. Six suspects have been arrested in the national capital including two terrorists trained in Pakistan.

India: Six terror suspects arrested in New Delhi

India’s federal cabinet on Wednesday approved an aid package for its cash-strapped telecommunications sector, including a four-year moratorium on radio wave payments owed to the government, the country’s telecommunications minister said.

The deferred payment cycle will begin in October. On January 1, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a press conference, giving Debt-burdened Vodafone Idea, which previously said it risks a shutdown without government help, more time to pay off bills. dues.

Vodafone Idea shares rose 2.9 per cent on the news, while Bharti Airtel closed 4.5 per cent in a broader Mumbai market that closed 0.8 per cent higher.

Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio said the move will boost growth in the telecommunications industry. Vodafone Idea did not respond to a request for comment.

India’s telecoms sector struggled in late 2016 with the entry of billionaire Mukesh Ambani Reliance Jio, sparking a price war that forced some rivals to exit the market and turned profits into losses.

Vaishnaw said the government was changing the controversial definition of adjusted gross income (AGR) to count only telecommunications income.

India had long argued that even companies’ non-telecom revenue was part of AGR, leading to a lengthy legal battle that culminated in 2019 with the Supreme Court sided with government opinion and led to a hefty bill of approximately $ 13 billion for wireless carriers. .

All telecom reforms will apply in the future and not retroactively, Vaishnaw said, meaning that Indian operators have yet to settle billions of dollars in outstanding AGR payments to the government.

Respect for the idea of Vodafone

The measures, which also include a four-year deferral in the payment of AGR dues, will likely alleviate the cash crisis at Vodafone Idea.

The Supreme Court had ordered the companies to settle AGR quotas by 2031.

Vodafone Idea, a combination of Britain’s Vodafone Group’s Indian unit and the national telecommunications firm Idea Cellular, has paid the government $ 1.07 billion(78.54 billion rupees) in AGR installments, but still owes roughly 500 billion.

It has a net debt of 1.91 trillion rupees and the resignation of its billionaire president last month sparked fears that India could be left with just two major operators.

On Wednesday, Vaishnaw said the government did not want a duopoly.

"We believe that there must be healthy competition in the sector. And for that there will be more reforms when the 5G spectrum is auctioned … so that more and more players can enter this sector," said Vaishnaw.

Bharti Airtel has said he paid fees estimated at Rs 180 billion and government figures show he owes another Rs 259.76 billion.

India’s newest operator, Reliance Jio, has already paid its small share of AGR’s fees.

The cabinet also allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the sector through the automatic route, Vaishnaw said, a move that will allow easy investment in the sector without independent government approvals.

The measures announced in the telecommunications package include increasing the tenure of radio waves in the hands of companies to 30 years from the current 20 years, eliminating the charge for use of radio waves acquired through future auctions and sharing the spectrum completely free to operators, Vaishnaw said.

"The relief comes just in time and, at the very least, it will help telecommunications companies navigate the market," said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at the law firm KS Legal &amp; Associates.

India’s federal cabinet on Wednesday approved an aid package for its cash-strapped telecommunications sector, including a four-year moratorium on radio wave payments owed to the government, the country’s telecommunications minister said.

India’s federal cabinet on Wednesday approved an aid package for its cash-strapped telecommunications sector, including a four-year moratorium on radio wave payments owed to the government, the country’s telecommunications minister said. The deferred payment cycle will begin in October. On January 1, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a press conference, giving Debt-burdened Vodafone Idea, which previously said it risks a shutdown without government help, more time to pay off bills. dues. Vodafone Idea shares rose 2.9 per cent on the news, while Bharti Airtel closed 4.5 per cent in a broader Mumbai market that closed 0.8 per cent higher. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio said the move will boost growth in the telecommunications industry. Vodafone Idea did not respond to a request for comment. India’s telecoms sector struggled in late 2016 with the entry of billionaire Mukesh Ambani Reliance Jio, sparking a price war that forced some rivals to exit the market and turned profits into losses. Vaishnaw said the government was changing the controversial definition of adjusted gross income (AGR) to count only telecommunications income. India had long argued that even companies’ non-telecom revenue was part of AGR, leading to a lengthy legal battle that culminated in 2019 with the Supreme Court sided with government opinion and led to a hefty bill of approximately $ 13 billion for wireless carriers. . All telecom reforms will apply in the future and not retroactively, Vaishnaw said, meaning that Indian operators have yet to settle billions of dollars in outstanding AGR payments to the government. Respect for the idea of Vodafone The measures, which also include a four-year deferral in the payment of AGR dues, will likely alleviate the cash crisis at Vodafone Idea. The Supreme Court had ordered the companies to settle AGR quotas by 2031. Vodafone Idea, a combination of Britain’s Vodafone Group’s Indian unit and the national telecommunications firm Idea Cellular, has paid the government $ 1.07 billion(78.54 billion rupees) in AGR installments, but still owes roughly 500 billion. It has a net debt of 1.91 trillion rupees and the resignation of its billionaire president last month sparked fears that India could be left with just two major operators. On Wednesday, Vaishnaw said the government did not want a duopoly. "We believe that there must be healthy competition in the sector. And for that there will be more reforms when the 5G spectrum is auctioned … so that more and more players can enter this sector," said Vaishnaw. Bharti Airtel has said he paid fees estimated at Rs 180 billion and government figures show he owes another Rs 259.76 billion. India’s newest operator, Reliance Jio, has already paid its small share of AGR’s fees. The cabinet also allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the sector through the automatic route, Vaishnaw said, a move that will allow easy investment in the sector without independent government approvals. The measures announced in the telecommunications package include increasing the tenure of radio waves in the hands of companies to 30 years from the current 20 years, eliminating the charge for use of radio waves acquired through future auctions and sharing the spectrum completely free to operators, Vaishnaw said. "The relief comes just in time and, at the very least, it will help telecommunications companies navigate the market," said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at the law firm KS Legal & Associates.

India announces measures to prop up telecom sector; respite for Vodafone Idea

The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has converted an 18th-century building, earlier used as the civil secretariat, into the first Art and Cultural centre in Srinagar.

India: Kashmir gets an art gallery

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