US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will pay a fresh visit to North Korea on Sunday and meet leader Kim Jong Un as the administration's hopes rise of a denuclearisation deal, the State Department said.

The rare advance announcement of a meeting with the young strongman came hours after North Korea raised the stakes in negotiations, saying it would not give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for a peace treaty.

Pompeo, who is trying to arrange a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump, will also head to US allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's chief ally China with which the United States is engaged in escalating trade and diplomatic disputes.

It will be the fourth trip by Pompeo to longtime US pariah North Korea as the Trump administration looks to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

"I think it shows forward progress and momentum that the secretary is making his fourth trip in less than a year," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters.

"Everyone recognises that we have a ways to go and a lot of work that is left to be done," she said.

"But obviously these conversations are going in the right direction and we feel confident enough to hop on a plane to head there to continue the conversations."

Pompeo has already met twice with Kim, including once when he headed the CIA. But Pompeo did not meet Kim on his last visit in July, when the North Korean leader instead was photographed touring a potato farm.

Another visit by Pompeo was announced in August but was abruptly cancelled by Trump.

Trump 'in love' with Kim 
Kim, who as leader has rarely travelled outside of North Korea, met in June in Singapore with Trump in the first-ever summit between the two countries that have never signed a formal treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War.

On Saturday, Trump lavished praise on Kim -- considered by human rights groups to be one of the world's most repressive leaders -- and said they had fallen "in love" after an exchange of letters.

If the love is reciprocated, Kim is more reticent in his words.&nbsp;

His foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, on Saturday told the United Nations General Assembly that there was a "deadlock" in the denuclearization talks as the United States "relies on coercive measure that are lethal to trust-building."

The official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday said that a peace treaty "can never be a bargaining chip," calling an end to war "not just a gift from one man to another."

Nauert played down the remarks, saying: "Other countries sometimes will say things that are more colourful than the United States will, and that's just fine, too."

Trump paints rapprochement with North Korea as a signature foreign policy achievement, although critics question whether Kim would really give up nuclear weapons which his dynasty has defiantly pursued for decades.

Consulting allies and China 
The United States has insisted on maintaining tight UN sanctions against North Korea during the diplomatic drive, while Beijing has said it is time to start easing sanctions.

The top US diplomat announced last week that he was ready to return to North Korea after meeting Ri, his counterpart, at the United Nations.

Pompeo will open his trip on Saturday in Tokyo, where he will meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has long championed a hard line on North Korea but recently said he was willing to meet Kim.

After the talks in Pyongyang, Pompeo will head later Sunday to Seoul, where he will meet President Moon Jae-in, a dove who has helped spearhead the reconciliation efforts with North Korea.

Nauert said Pompeo would head afterward to Beijing for meetings with unspecified officials.

Trump last week slapped $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods and has accused Beijing of interfering in the upcoming US election because of his hard line on trade.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will pay a fresh visit to North Korea on Sunday and meet leader Kim Jong Un as the administration's hopes rise of a denuclearisation deal, the State Department said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will pay a fresh visit to North Korea on Sunday and meet leader Kim Jong Un as the administration's hopes rise of a denuclearisation deal, the State Department said. The rare advance announcement of a meeting with the young strongman came hours after North Korea raised the stakes in negotiations, saying it would not give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for a peace treaty. Pompeo, who is trying to arrange a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump, will also head to US allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's chief ally China with which the United States is engaged in escalating trade and diplomatic disputes. It will be the fourth trip by Pompeo to longtime US pariah North Korea as the Trump administration looks to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. "I think it shows forward progress and momentum that the secretary is making his fourth trip in less than a year," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters. "Everyone recognises that we have a ways to go and a lot of work that is left to be done," she said. "But obviously these conversations are going in the right direction and we feel confident enough to hop on a plane to head there to continue the conversations." Pompeo has already met twice with Kim, including once when he headed the CIA. But Pompeo did not meet Kim on his last visit in July, when the North Korean leader instead was photographed touring a potato farm. Another visit by Pompeo was announced in August but was abruptly cancelled by Trump. Trump 'in love' with Kim Kim, who as leader has rarely travelled outside of North Korea, met in June in Singapore with Trump in the first-ever summit between the two countries that have never signed a formal treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War. On Saturday, Trump lavished praise on Kim -- considered by human rights groups to be one of the world's most repressive leaders -- and said they had fallen "in love" after an exchange of letters. If the love is reciprocated, Kim is more reticent in his words. His foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, on Saturday told the United Nations General Assembly that there was a "deadlock" in the denuclearization talks as the United States "relies on coercive measure that are lethal to trust-building." The official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday said that a peace treaty "can never be a bargaining chip," calling an end to war "not just a gift from one man to another." Nauert played down the remarks, saying: "Other countries sometimes will say things that are more colourful than the United States will, and that's just fine, too." Trump paints rapprochement with North Korea as a signature foreign policy achievement, although critics question whether Kim would really give up nuclear weapons which his dynasty has defiantly pursued for decades. Consulting allies and China The United States has insisted on maintaining tight UN sanctions against North Korea during the diplomatic drive, while Beijing has said it is time to start easing sanctions. The top US diplomat announced last week that he was ready to return to North Korea after meeting Ri, his counterpart, at the United Nations. Pompeo will open his trip on Saturday in Tokyo, where he will meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has long championed a hard line on North Korea but recently said he was willing to meet Kim. After the talks in Pyongyang, Pompeo will head later Sunday to Seoul, where he will meet President Moon Jae-in, a dove who has helped spearhead the reconciliation efforts with North Korea. Nauert said Pompeo would head afterward to Beijing for meetings with unspecified officials. Trump last week slapped $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods and has accused Beijing of interfering in the upcoming US election because of his hard line on trade.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet Kim Jong-Un on Sunday

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-and-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-in-china-reports-135511">second meeting</a> with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8.

Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-kim-summit-could-be-delayed-138979">Trump says Kim summit could be delayed</a>

"I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said.

Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said.

"The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting.

"Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked.

"I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. 
 
"The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said.

"Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said.

"It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.&nbsp;

'I think that President Xi is a world-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised,' Trump said

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8. Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that. Also read: Trump says Kim summit could be delayed "I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said. Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said. "The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting. "Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked. "I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. "The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said. "Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said. "It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.

Trump says Kim Jong Un's attitude changed after meeting China's Xi

Andhra Pradesh ruling party- Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will hold a public meeting on April 30 against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over its failure to grant Special Category Status to the state.

The party has called the "Nammaka Droham-Kutra Rajakeeyalapai Dharma Porata Bahiranga Sabha" (Fight against Betrayal and Collusion Politics -Public Meeting) in order to remind how Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to keep the promises he made four years ago on the same day standing at the Lord Balaji temple in Tirupati.

Prime Minister Modi during 2014 general elections went to offer prayers in Lord Balaji temple, in Tirupati and had promised the people of Andhra Pradesh, to soon grant the state a Special Category Status.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will also address the gathering by showing visuals of Prime Minister Modi making promises to Andhra four years ago from the temple premises.

"BJP has colluded with a tainted party, YSR Congress to do injustice to 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh. Our fight will continue against them until justice gets delivered and there is no compromise on that," Naidu said.

The TDP has been fighting against the Centre for the rights of people of Andhra, demanding it to fulfil assurances made in Rajya Sabha including SCS and provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Last month, the party quit the BJP-led NDA alliance over the same.&nbsp

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will also address the gathering by showing visuals of Prime Minister Modi making promises to Andhra four years ago from the temple premises

Andhra Pradesh ruling party- Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will hold a public meeting on April 30 against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over its failure to grant Special Category Status to the state. The party has called the "Nammaka Droham-Kutra Rajakeeyalapai Dharma Porata Bahiranga Sabha" (Fight against Betrayal and Collusion Politics -Public Meeting) in order to remind how Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to keep the promises he made four years ago on the same day standing at the Lord Balaji temple in Tirupati. Prime Minister Modi during 2014 general elections went to offer prayers in Lord Balaji temple, in Tirupati and had promised the people of Andhra Pradesh, to soon grant the state a Special Category Status. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will also address the gathering by showing visuals of Prime Minister Modi making promises to Andhra four years ago from the temple premises. "BJP has colluded with a tainted party, YSR Congress to do injustice to 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh. Our fight will continue against them until justice gets delivered and there is no compromise on that," Naidu said. The TDP has been fighting against the Centre for the rights of people of Andhra, demanding it to fulfil assurances made in Rajya Sabha including SCS and provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Last month, the party quit the BJP-led NDA alliance over the same.

TDP to hold public meeting over Special Category Status tomorrow

Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes.

"Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies," President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website.

"The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations," he added.

U.S., British and French forces pounded Syria with more than 100 missiles early on Saturday in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Putin said the U.S. actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians.

"Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism," Putin said.

MISSILES FOR SYRIA

Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and "other countries", Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday.

Russia had "refused" supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, "taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners".

Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, "we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well," Rudskoi said.

Syria's air defence system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added.

"In the past year and a half Russia has fully restored Syria's air defence system and continues to further upgrade it," Rudskoi said.

'The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations,' Russian President Vladimir Putin said

Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes. "Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies," President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website. "The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations," he added. U.S., British and French forces pounded Syria with more than 100 missiles early on Saturday in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Putin said the U.S. actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians. "Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism," Putin said. MISSILES FOR SYRIA Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and "other countries", Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday. Russia had "refused" supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, "taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners". Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, "we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well," Rudskoi said. Syria's air defence system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added. "In the past year and a half Russia has fully restored Syria's air defence system and continues to further upgrade it," Rudskoi said.

Syria strikes: Russia calls for emergency UN meeting to discuss 'aggressive actions'

U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s condition for meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is that there be no nuclear or missile testing, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday.

&quot;There shouldn&#39;t be confusion,&quot; Mnuchin told NBC&#39;s &quot;Meet the Press&quot; program, when asked about White House press secretary Sarah Sanders&#39; statement on Friday that there would be no meeting without concrete and verifiable actions by North Korea.

&quot;The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there&#39;s no nuclear testing and there&#39;s no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting.&quot;

After months of escalating tensions over North Korea&#39;s advancing nuclear and missile programs, Trump decided on Thursday to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korea&#39;s leader.

On Saturday, Trump said his meeting could fizzle without an agreement or it could result in &quot;the greatest deal for the world&quot; with a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Mnuchin dismissed criticism that Trump&#39;s decision to meet elevates the North Korean leader&#39;s international standing. He said the Republican president has also been criticized for not using more diplomacy to contain Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear ambitions.

&quot;Now we have a situation where the president is using diplomacy but we&#39;re not removing the maximum pressure campaign,&quot; Mnuchin said. &quot;That&#39;s the big difference here. The sanctions are staying on. The defence posture is staying the same as it is, so the president is going to sit down and see if he can cut a deal.&quot;

Mnuchin said denuclearisation of the peninsula is the objective of a meeting between the two leaders.

&quot;We&#39;ve been very clear ... that&#39;s the objective and that&#39;s what we&#39;re going to accomplish,&quot; he said.

He said he was confident the meeting would take place.

'The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there's no nuclear testing and there's no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting,' the Treasury Secretary said

U.S. President Donald Trump's condition for meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is that there be no nuclear or missile testing, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday. "There shouldn't be confusion," Mnuchin told NBC's "Meet the Press" program, when asked about White House press secretary Sarah Sanders' statement on Friday that there would be no meeting without concrete and verifiable actions by North Korea. "The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there's no nuclear testing and there's no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting." After months of escalating tensions over North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs, Trump decided on Thursday to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korea's leader. On Saturday, Trump said his meeting could fizzle without an agreement or it could result in "the greatest deal for the world" with a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Mnuchin dismissed criticism that Trump's decision to meet elevates the North Korean leader's international standing. He said the Republican president has also been criticized for not using more diplomacy to contain Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. "Now we have a situation where the president is using diplomacy but we're not removing the maximum pressure campaign," Mnuchin said. "That's the big difference here. The sanctions are staying on. The defence posture is staying the same as it is, so the president is going to sit down and see if he can cut a deal." Mnuchin said denuclearisation of the peninsula is the objective of a meeting between the two leaders. "We've been very clear ... that's the objective and that's what we're going to accomplish," he said. He said he was confident the meeting would take place.

Trump's condition for Kim meeting is no nuclear, missile test: Mnuchin

Congress leader and film producer T Subbarami Reddy organised a condolence meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday for late actress Sridevi, calling her demise a shock for the nation.

The meet was held at a hotel on Sunday evening in memory of the actress, who featured in two of Reddy&#39;s co-productions &#39;Chandni&#39; and &#39;Lamhe&#39;, a statement said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/boney-kapoor-recalled-last-moments-with-sridevi-trade-analyst-34606">Boney Kapoor recalled last moments with Sridevi: Trade analyst</a>

Other actors and filmmakers who were present at the meeting will included Chiranjeevi, Mohan Babu, Nagarjuna, Jayaprada, K. Raghavendra Rao, Ram Gopal Varma, Suresh Babu and Allu Aravind.&nbsp;

&quot;Her untimely demise is shocking for everybody in the nation,&quot; said Reddy in Banjara Hills.

On February 24, veteran <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sridevi-funeral-cremation-last-rites-body-brought-to-celebration-sports-club-34289">Sridevi passed away</a> in Dubai, where she was attending a family wedding. According to the forensic report, the 54-year-old Indian actress died of accidental drowning in her hotel room&#39;s bathtub after suffering a dizzying spell. According to reports, traces of alcohol were found in her body too.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sridevi-1963-2018-bollywoods-chandni-gone-too-soon-33963">&nbsp;Remembering Sridevi (1963-2018): Bollywood&#39;s &#39;Chandni&#39; gone too soon</a>

The meet will be held at a hotel on Sunday evening in memory of the actress, who featured in two of Reddy's co-productions 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe', a statement said

Congress leader and film producer T Subbarami Reddy organised a condolence meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday for late actress Sridevi, calling her demise a shock for the nation. The meet was held at a hotel on Sunday evening in memory of the actress, who featured in two of Reddy's co-productions 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe', a statement said. Also read: Boney Kapoor recalled last moments with Sridevi: Trade analyst Other actors and filmmakers who were present at the meeting will included Chiranjeevi, Mohan Babu, Nagarjuna, Jayaprada, K. Raghavendra Rao, Ram Gopal Varma, Suresh Babu and Allu Aravind. "Her untimely demise is shocking for everybody in the nation," said Reddy in Banjara Hills. On February 24, veteran Sridevi passed away in Dubai, where she was attending a family wedding. According to the forensic report, the 54-year-old Indian actress died of accidental drowning in her hotel room's bathtub after suffering a dizzying spell. According to reports, traces of alcohol were found in her body too. Also read: Remembering Sridevi (1963-2018): Bollywood's 'Chandni' gone too soon

Condolence meet for Sridevi held at Hyderabad

Pakistan has now said there was a metal object in Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife&#39;s shoes, news reports said Thursday.&nbsp;

The reports said Pakistan was claiming the object was either a hidden camera or a recording chip.

The shoes had earlier been sent for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-sends-shoes-of-jadhavs-wife-for-forensic-testing-27860" target="_blank">forensic testing</a>.&nbsp;

Jadhav&#39;s wife&#39;s -- Chetna -- shoes had been confiscated when she and her mother-in-law, Avanti, had gone to meet Kulbhushan in Islamabad on Monday.&nbsp;

The women had also been asked to change their clothes and were finally allowed to speak to Jadhav only through a glass panel.&nbsp;

India had raised strong objections to the manner in which the meeting finally took place.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said the &quot;cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;Under the pretext of security precautions, the cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded. This included the removal of mangal sutra, bangles and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security,&quot; Kumar added.&nbsp;

He had also mentioned the shoes, saying,&nbsp;&quot;For some inexplicable reason, despite her repeated requests, the shoes of the wife of Jadhav were not returned to her after the meeting. We would caution against any mischievous intent in this regard,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Chetna and Avanti had also been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/killer-son-played-holi-with-blood-of-pakistanis-jadhavs-wife-mother-heckled-by-media-in-islamabad-27829">heckled</a> by the Pakistani media.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-office-thanks-media-for-jadhav-family-meet-coverage-27852" target="_blank">Pakistan foreign office </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-office-thanks-media-for-jadhav-family-meet-coverage-27852" target="_blank">thanks</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-office-thanks-media-for-jadhav-family-meet-coverage-27852" target="_blank"> media persons for covering Jadhav&#39;s family meet in &#39;responsible way&#39;</a>

Several MPs in India have created outrage and adopted anti-Pakistan slogans for their inappropriate behaviour with Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother during the meeting.&nbsp;

Indian MPs across the board have slammed Pakistan for &quot;harassing&quot;&nbsp;Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother.&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be making a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-to-speak-on-kulbhushan-jadhavs-family-meet-in-parliament-tomorrow-27861">statement</a> on the case in the Lok Sabha today.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan said the metal object was either a hidden camera or a recording chip

Pakistan has now said there was a metal object in Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife's shoes, news reports said Thursday. The reports said Pakistan was claiming the object was either a hidden camera or a recording chip. The shoes had earlier been sent for forensic testing. Jadhav's wife's -- Chetna -- shoes had been confiscated when she and her mother-in-law, Avanti, had gone to meet Kulbhushan in Islamabad on Monday. The women had also been asked to change their clothes and were finally allowed to speak to Jadhav only through a glass panel. India had raised strong objections to the manner in which the meeting finally took place. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said the "cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded". "Under the pretext of security precautions, the cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded. This included the removal of mangal sutra, bangles and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security," Kumar added. He had also mentioned the shoes, saying, "For some inexplicable reason, despite her repeated requests, the shoes of the wife of Jadhav were not returned to her after the meeting. We would caution against any mischievous intent in this regard," he added. Chetna and Avanti had also been heckled by the Pakistani media. Also read: Pakistan foreign office thanks media persons for covering Jadhav's family meet in 'responsible way' Several MPs in India have created outrage and adopted anti-Pakistan slogans for their inappropriate behaviour with Jadhav's wife and mother during the meeting. Indian MPs across the board have slammed Pakistan for "harassing" Jadhav's wife and mother. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be making a statement on the case in the Lok Sabha today.

Jadhav's wife's shoes contained metal object, says Pakistan

Pakistan&nbsp;foreign office on Wednesday thanked the Pakistani media, for covering the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/killer-son-played-holi-with-blood-of-pakistanis-jadhavs-wife-mother-heckled-by-media-in-islamabad-27829" target="_blank">Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s family meeting in a very responsible way</a>.&nbsp;

The officials sent a thank you note to the media persons expressing their gratitude.

&quot;Extremely glad to have worked with a team of responsible media. Very much thankful for cooperation and tolerance from all of you today,&quot; the statement read.

&quot;Hats off to a great teamwork on both sides and you may see the result.&quot;

&quot;Our media has made Dr. Faisal trending on Twitter. Let&#39;s keep this mutual coordination and respect for all times and events to come,&quot; it further added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-was-something-in-them-pakistan-answer-to-why-jadhavs-wifes-shoes-were-taken-27839">&#39;There was something in them&#39;: Pakistan&#39;s answer to why Jadhav&#39;s wife&#39;s shoes were taken</a>

Jadhav&#39;s Mother Avanti and wife Chetankul Jadhav reached Islamabad on Monday to meet him.&nbsp;

The Indian national met his family from behind a glass barrier at the Pakistan foreign ministry in Islamabad.

It was Jadhav&#39;s first meeting with his family, more than a year after he was arrested by the Pakistani Army over alleged espionage and spying activities in March last year.

The two were accompanied to the Pakistani ministry by Indian deputy high Commissioner JP Singh and three Indian foreign ministry officials.&nbsp;

Only Jadhav&rsquo;s family was allowed into the room where he was sitting, while Singh and other officials monitored the meeting from outside the room. 
&nbsp;

The officials sent a thank you note to the media persons expressing their gratitude.

Pakistan foreign office on Wednesday thanked the Pakistani media, for covering the Kulbhushan Jadhav's family meeting in a very responsible way. The officials sent a thank you note to the media persons expressing their gratitude. "Extremely glad to have worked with a team of responsible media. Very much thankful for cooperation and tolerance from all of you today," the statement read. "Hats off to a great teamwork on both sides and you may see the result." "Our media has made Dr. Faisal trending on Twitter. Let's keep this mutual coordination and respect for all times and events to come," it further added. Also read: 'There was something in them': Pakistan's answer to why Jadhav's wife's shoes were taken Jadhav's Mother Avanti and wife Chetankul Jadhav reached Islamabad on Monday to meet him. The Indian national met his family from behind a glass barrier at the Pakistan foreign ministry in Islamabad. It was Jadhav's first meeting with his family, more than a year after he was arrested by the Pakistani Army over alleged espionage and spying activities in March last year. The two were accompanied to the Pakistani ministry by Indian deputy high Commissioner JP Singh and three Indian foreign ministry officials. Only Jadhav’s family was allowed into the room where he was sitting, while Singh and other officials monitored the meeting from outside the room.

Pakistan foreign office thanks media persons for covering Jadhav's family meet in 'responsible way'

Over 50 days after announcing demonetisation, with the situation yet to return to normalcy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss the impact of the note-ban with senior ministers on Tuesday, the Hindustan Times reported.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister will discuss the steps taken by the government so far. &nbsp;

&ldquo;The focus will be more on the slew of measures announced by the PM on the eve of the new year,&rdquo; a minister told the daily.

The report added that Modi will start a five day-long series of meetings with the secretaries of 10 ministries.

Addressing the nation on the eve of the new year, the Prime Minister had announced a slew of sops and praised the efforts of bankers post demonetistion.&nbsp;

&quot;My effort is to take the banking system to normalcy as fast as possible in the new year. I have asked all concerned officers in government to focus their attention to this task,&quot; he had said.

He also asked banks to work proactively, especially in rural and remote areas, to ease people&#39;s difficulties.

Meanwhile, a day ago, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation.&nbsp;

&quot;On the day of announcement of demonetization, Modi was saying with great confidence and telling people to see what happens on December 30, but nothing has happened,&quot; he told reporters.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

Modi will reportedly also start a five day-long series of meetings with the secretaries of 10 ministries

Over 50 days after announcing demonetisation, with the situation yet to return to normalcy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss the impact of the note-ban with senior ministers on Tuesday, the Hindustan Times reported. At the meeting, the Prime Minister will discuss the steps taken by the government so far. “The focus will be more on the slew of measures announced by the PM on the eve of the new year,” a minister told the daily. The report added that Modi will start a five day-long series of meetings with the secretaries of 10 ministries. Addressing the nation on the eve of the new year, the Prime Minister had announced a slew of sops and praised the efforts of bankers post demonetistion. "My effort is to take the banking system to normalcy as fast as possible in the new year. I have asked all concerned officers in government to focus their attention to this task," he had said. He also asked banks to work proactively, especially in rural and remote areas, to ease people's difficulties. Meanwhile, a day ago, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation. "On the day of announcement of demonetization, Modi was saying with great confidence and telling people to see what happens on December 30, but nothing has happened," he told reporters. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Demonetisation: To review impact, PM Modi calls meeting of senior ministers

Vice President Hamid Ansari today left for Mongolia leading an Indian delegation to the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.&nbsp;The two-day ASEM Summit will be held in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia from tomorrow. 
 
The theme for the Summit is &quot;20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity&quot;.&nbsp;At the Summit, India&#39;s efforts would be inclined towards more successful outcomes and the building of a resilient and multidimensional web of interconnectivity between the two continents - Asia and Europe, officials said ahead of the meeting. 
 
ASEM comprises of 53 entities - 51 countries from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies - the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.&nbsp;It represents around 62.3 per cent of the world&#39;s population, 57.2 per cent of the global GDP and almost 60 per cent of the world&#39;s trade. 
 
ASEM is a unique platform that serves to bridge the two continents of Asia and Europe for constructive partnership and exchange, under the three key pillars of political dialogue, economic collaboration and socio-cultural exchanges, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. 
 
The 11th ASEM Summit assumes special importance in view of the fact, that 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the dialogue forum, officials said.&nbsp;Since the Summit is the first ever international event of such stature that Mongolia is hosting, the participation of Vice President Ansari signifies the importance India attaches to its strategic partnership with Mongolia, they said. 
 
Ansari will also hold bilateral meetings with a few other participating leaders on the sidelines of the Summit. 
 
(PTI)

India signals the importance it attaches to its partnership with host Mongolia by sending its VP

Vice President Hamid Ansari today left for Mongolia leading an Indian delegation to the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit. The two-day ASEM Summit will be held in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia from tomorrow. The theme for the Summit is "20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity". At the Summit, India's efforts would be inclined towards more successful outcomes and the building of a resilient and multidimensional web of interconnectivity between the two continents - Asia and Europe, officials said ahead of the meeting. ASEM comprises of 53 entities - 51 countries from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies - the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. It represents around 62.3 per cent of the world's population, 57.2 per cent of the global GDP and almost 60 per cent of the world's trade. ASEM is a unique platform that serves to bridge the two continents of Asia and Europe for constructive partnership and exchange, under the three key pillars of political dialogue, economic collaboration and socio-cultural exchanges, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The 11th ASEM Summit assumes special importance in view of the fact, that 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the dialogue forum, officials said. Since the Summit is the first ever international event of such stature that Mongolia is hosting, the participation of Vice President Ansari signifies the importance India attaches to its strategic partnership with Mongolia, they said. Ansari will also hold bilateral meetings with a few other participating leaders on the sidelines of the Summit. (PTI)

Indian Vice President heads to Mongolia for 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the &quot;deteriorating situation&quot; in violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out a &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue. 
&quot;The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani,&quot; the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said in a statement. 
The meeting at Governor House in Lahore will discuss the &quot;rapidly deteriorating situation&quot; in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out a &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue, it said. 
The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned the Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed the &quot;strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces.&quot; 
It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN &quot;regarding atrocities of the security forces.&quot; 
India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing &quot;shock&quot; at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. 
Sharif today said the &quot;voice and struggle&quot; of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of &quot;brutal force and human rights abuses&quot;. 
He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. 
During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the &quot;human rights violations&quot; by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. 
Rehman said the &quot;Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times&quot;, according to an official statement. 
Sharif said, &quot;The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may.&quot; 
&quot;The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,&quot; Sharif said. 
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. 
In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against &quot;the blatant human rights violations&quot; of Kashmiri Muslims. 
The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

It will discuss the 'oppressive actions of Indian security forces' and the overall situation after the 'brutal assassination of Burhan Wani'

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the "deteriorating situation" in violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out a "future course of action" on the issue. "The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The meeting at Governor House in Lahore will discuss the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out a "future course of action" on the issue, it said. The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned the Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed the "strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces." It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN "regarding atrocities of the security forces." India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing "shock" at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Sharif today said the "voice and struggle" of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of "brutal force and human rights abuses". He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the "human rights violations" by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Rehman said the "Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times", according to an official statement. Sharif said, "The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may." "The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices," Sharif said. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against "the blatant human rights violations" of Kashmiri Muslims. The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings. (PTI)

Pakistan PM calls special Cabinet meeting on Friday to discuss Kashmir situation

China and Poland have agreed on Monday to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s&nbsp;visit to the country.

The move was made as Xi met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in a bid to further promote cooperation across the board and benefit the two peoples.

Xi said at the meeting that the two peoples have enjoyed lasting friendship since the two countries established diplomatic relations 67 years ago.

The two countries have borne fruitful results in high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation, especially since they established a strategic partnership in 2011, said Xi.

He added that China has cherished the traditional friendship with Poland and stands ready to work with Poland to push forward the bilateral relations in a sound and steady way.

Xi also called for efforts to enhance mutual trust, align development strategies of the two countries and boost interconnectivity and production cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative.

Bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture, science and technology should be promoted, according to Xi.

Hailing the bilateral ties, Duda said that Poland is willing to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Sino-Polish comprehensive strategic partnership in various areas including the Belt and Road initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and people-to-people exchanges.

A joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership was inked after the meeting, as well as a memorandum of understanding on a bilateral cooperation blueprint.

Poland is the second leg of Xi&#39;s Eurasia tour. Before visiting Poland, Xi visited Serbia from June 17 to June 19.

After visiting Poland, Xi will travel to Uzbekistan for a state visit and attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 
 
(Reuters)

A bunch of cooperation agreements signed covering various aspects, including infrastructure construction, education, culture and aerospace

China and Poland have agreed on Monday to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country. The move was made as Xi met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in a bid to further promote cooperation across the board and benefit the two peoples. Xi said at the meeting that the two peoples have enjoyed lasting friendship since the two countries established diplomatic relations 67 years ago. The two countries have borne fruitful results in high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation, especially since they established a strategic partnership in 2011, said Xi. He added that China has cherished the traditional friendship with Poland and stands ready to work with Poland to push forward the bilateral relations in a sound and steady way. Xi also called for efforts to enhance mutual trust, align development strategies of the two countries and boost interconnectivity and production cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative. Bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture, science and technology should be promoted, according to Xi. Hailing the bilateral ties, Duda said that Poland is willing to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Sino-Polish comprehensive strategic partnership in various areas including the Belt and Road initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and people-to-people exchanges. A joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership was inked after the meeting, as well as a memorandum of understanding on a bilateral cooperation blueprint. Poland is the second leg of Xi's Eurasia tour. Before visiting Poland, Xi visited Serbia from June 17 to June 19. After visiting Poland, Xi will travel to Uzbekistan for a state visit and attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. (Reuters)

China, Poland to lift ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

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