<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the &#39;Uttar Pradesh Investors&#39; Summit 2018 on Wednesday and hailed the Uttar Pradesh government&#39;s effort of &#39;One district One product&#39; scheme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi, while addressing the crowd of 5,000 people in Lucknow &quot;Potential + Policy + Planning+ Performance leads to Progress. Now UP too is ready to give Super-Hit Performance.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;The Uttar Pradesh government is making different policies for different sectors, for example, it is combining the industrial investment with, job opportunities. One district one product scheme is a game changer,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>During the summit, 25 MOUs worth Rs&nbsp;55,000 crores were also signed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also announced a defence industrial corridor in the Bundelkhand region to bring development in one of the most backward regions of Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>&quot;One of the two defence industrial corridors mentioned in the budget, one is proposed in the Bundelkhand region of the state which will bring an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and generate employment avenues for 2.5 lakh people,&quot; the Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>Modi also said that his government will ensure that the benefits of the ongoing structural and policy changes reach to those at the lowest rung of the society.</p>

<p>&quot;The Yogi government is fulfilling promises made to the farmers, the women of the state and youth,&quot; the Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>A total of 30 sessions have been planned for the two-day summit, to be attended by many central ministers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been personally overseeing the preparations for the investors&#39; summit.</p>

<p>The two-day &#39;Uttar Pradesh Investors&#39; Summit 2018,&#39; aims at showcasing business and investment potential of the state.</p>

<p>The event, claimed to be the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday along with industry leaders from India and abroad, chief ministers, union ministers, policy makers&nbsp;and academics.</p>


Modi, while addressing the crowd of 5,000 people in Lucknow "Potential + Policy + Planning+ Performance leads to Progress. Now UP too is ready to give Super-Hit Performance."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Uttar Pradesh Investors' Summit 2018 on Wednesday and hailed the Uttar Pradesh government's effort of 'One district One product' scheme. Modi, while addressing the crowd of 5,000 people in Lucknow "Potential + Policy + Planning+ Performance leads to Progress. Now UP too is ready to give Super-Hit Performance." "The Uttar Pradesh government is making different policies for different sectors, for example, it is combining the industrial investment with, job opportunities. One district one product scheme is a game changer," he added. During the summit, 25 MOUs worth Rs 55,000 crores were also signed. He also announced a defence industrial corridor in the Bundelkhand region to bring development in one of the most backward regions of Uttar Pradesh. "One of the two defence industrial corridors mentioned in the budget, one is proposed in the Bundelkhand region of the state which will bring an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and generate employment avenues for 2.5 lakh people," the Prime Minister said. Modi also said that his government will ensure that the benefits of the ongoing structural and policy changes reach to those at the lowest rung of the society. "The Yogi government is fulfilling promises made to the farmers, the women of the state and youth," the Prime Minister said. A total of 30 sessions have been planned for the two-day summit, to be attended by many central ministers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been personally overseeing the preparations for the investors' summit. The two-day 'Uttar Pradesh Investors' Summit 2018,' aims at showcasing business and investment potential of the state. The event, claimed to be the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday along with industry leaders from India and abroad, chief ministers, union ministers, policy makers and academics.

PM Modi addresses the 'Uttar Pradesh Investors' Summit

<p>Justin Trudeau is in India on a seven-day state visit but nobody will blame you if you haven&#39;t yet noticed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Canadian Prime Minister flew into India with his wife and three children on Saturday and he has a fairly bulky -- if light on substance -- itinerary but the very popular Trudeau has been little more than a blip on the Indian media scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, Trudeau did all the things one usually does in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He visited Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s Sabarmati Ashram, the Akshardham Temple, and will at 3 pm participate in an armchair discussion on education and investment opportunities at the Indian Institute of Management.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Candian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustinTrudeau?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustinTrudeau</a> along with his wife Sophie and children Xavier, Hadrien &amp; Ella-Grace at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. <a href="https://t.co/GfuuuCUZ7t">pic.twitter.com/GfuuuCUZ7t</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965469168345763840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Sunday, the Trudeau family had visited the Taj Mahal:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was about Xav&#39;s age when I first visited the Taj Mahal almost 35 years ago... and it&#39;s amazing to be back with him &amp; the family on Day 1 of our trip to India. <a href="https://t.co/EN6VnkYBU2">pic.twitter.com/EN6VnkYBU2</a></p>
&mdash; Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/965241885903040512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Which is all well and good -- these are the sort of things visiting state leaders usually do. The only difference is they are usually closely accompanied by an Indian bigwig.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Remember Modi and Netanyahu?&nbsp;Even Modi and China&#39;s Xi, sitting on a jhoola in Ahmedabad?&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Modi and Xi in Ahmedabad. (Twitter)</p>
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<p>Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/can-trudeau-and-modi-hit-it-off-trudeau-family-shares-modis-passion-for-yoga-8453" target="_blank">Can Trudeau and Modi hit it off?</a></p>

<p>When Netanyahu visited the Taj, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had shown him around the eternal monument to love.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had also received Netanyahu personally at the airport. He was of course only returning the favour; the Israeli PM had done the same for Modi when he visited Israel in July 2017.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When Trudeau arrived in Delhi however, he was met by minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The message is clear at the airport : India sent minister of state for agriculture to invite Trudeau . That&rsquo;s like a parl sec in Canada ! Don&rsquo;t think anyone so junior ever been sent to ANY foreign leader ! Wow. That&rsquo;s how bad Canada -India relations are now . <a href="https://t.co/kIOQILcRNk">pic.twitter.com/kIOQILcRNk</a></p>
&mdash; Vijay Sappani (@VJsapps) <a href="https://twitter.com/VJsapps/status/964885451197722625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>News outlets have been quick to pick up the &quot;snub&quot;, blaming it on Trudeau appointing Canadian Sikh leaders with links to the separatist Khalistan movement to his cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau has reportedly also said the Sikh leaders are entitled to support independence for Khalistan.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On official state visits to India, PM Modi personally greets and welcomes the Israeli PM, UAE Crown Prince and US President. For PM Trudeau, he sends a low-ranking official. &ldquo;Canada is back&rdquo; <a href="https://t.co/ezsMtFTPzr">pic.twitter.com/ezsMtFTPzr</a></p>
&mdash; Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) <a href="https://twitter.com/CandiceMalcolm/status/964970680142897152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The government however has been quick to deny the reports of a snub, with news reports quoting sources in the government as saying the prime minister cannot possibly personally accompany every single visiting head of state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


News reports quoted sources in the government as saying Prime Minister Modi cannot personally accompany every visiting head of state

Justin Trudeau is in India on a seven-day state visit but nobody will blame you if you haven't yet noticed. The Canadian Prime Minister flew into India with his wife and three children on Saturday and he has a fairly bulky -- if light on substance -- itinerary but the very popular Trudeau has been little more than a blip on the Indian media scene. On Monday, Trudeau did all the things one usually does in Ahmedabad. He visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, the Akshardham Temple, and will at 3 pm participate in an armchair discussion on education and investment opportunities at the Indian Institute of Management. Candian PM #JustinTrudeau along with his wife Sophie and children Xavier, Hadrien & Ella-Grace at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/GfuuuCUZ7t — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × On Sunday, the Trudeau family had visited the Taj Mahal: I was about Xav's age when I first visited the Taj Mahal almost 35 years ago... and it's amazing to be back with him & the family on Day 1 of our trip to India. pic.twitter.com/EN6VnkYBU2 — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 18, 2018 × Which is all well and good -- these are the sort of things visiting state leaders usually do. The only difference is they are usually closely accompanied by an Indian bigwig. Remember Modi and Netanyahu? Even Modi and China's Xi, sitting on a jhoola in Ahmedabad? Modi and Xi in Ahmedabad. (Twitter) × Also watch: Can Trudeau and Modi hit it off? When Netanyahu visited the Taj, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had shown him around the eternal monument to love. Modi had also received Netanyahu personally at the airport. He was of course only returning the favour; the Israeli PM had done the same for Modi when he visited Israel in July 2017. When Trudeau arrived in Delhi however, he was met by minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The message is clear at the airport : India sent minister of state for agriculture to invite Trudeau . That’s like a parl sec in Canada ! Don’t think anyone so junior ever been sent to ANY foreign leader ! Wow. That’s how bad Canada -India relations are now . pic.twitter.com/kIOQILcRNk — Vijay Sappani (@VJsapps) February 17, 2018 × News outlets have been quick to pick up the "snub", blaming it on Trudeau appointing Canadian Sikh leaders with links to the separatist Khalistan movement to his cabinet. Trudeau has reportedly also said the Sikh leaders are entitled to support independence for Khalistan. On official state visits to India, PM Modi personally greets and welcomes the Israeli PM, UAE Crown Prince and US President. For PM Trudeau, he sends a low-ranking official. “Canada is back” pic.twitter.com/ezsMtFTPzr — Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) February 17, 2018 × The government however has been quick to deny the reports of a snub, with news reports quoting sources in the government as saying the prime minister cannot possibly personally accompany every single visiting head of state.

Canada seems to think India is snubbing Trudeau, govt says no

<p>Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him &quot;every day&quot;.</p>

<p>Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah&#39;s home turf at a rally in Mysore,&nbsp;Modi said he had earlier called his administration a &quot;10 per cent commission government&quot; but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more.</p>

<p>In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: &quot;Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Recalling his Bengaluru remark that &quot;it is a 10 per cent commission business,&quot; Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. &quot;They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe.&quot;</p>

<p>Contending that no state can function like this, he said, &quot;They don&#39;t care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system.&quot;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said &quot;Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path.&quot; &quot;He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction.&quot;</p>

<p>Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading &quot;lies repeatedly&quot; and asked the people to question its record. &quot;Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?&quot; he said, attacking the Congress.</p>

<p>&quot;They don&#39;t even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. &quot;You are talking from a wrong place; the country can&nbsp; never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer....&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as &quot;bumps&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. &quot;Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka..&quot; Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently.</p>

<p>Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore.</p>

<p>He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line&nbsp; between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen&nbsp; Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway.</p>

<p>The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers.</p>

<p>Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.&nbsp;</p>


Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more

Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him "every day". Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more. In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: "Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?" Recalling his Bengaluru remark that "it is a 10 per cent commission business," Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. "They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that," he said. "Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka," Modi said. He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state. "Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe." Contending that no state can function like this, he said, "They don't care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system." Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said "Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path." "He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction." Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading "lies repeatedly" and asked the people to question its record. "Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?" he said, attacking the Congress. "They don't even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. "You are talking from a wrong place; the country can never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer...." he said. Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as "bumps", he said. Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said. "The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. "Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka.." Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently. Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore. He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway. The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers. Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.

Modi takes on Siddaramaiah on his home turf

<p>The story of China starts with economies of scale offered by the country to the western industrial world so that they could outsource their manufacturing to China. With consequent exponential economic rise, came the conceit and hubris, particularly, in absence of political opposition, prompting the Chinese polity to nurture ambitions of acquiring a status of a world power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the Chinese are known for visualisation of their plans looking beyond hundreds of years, they apparently have set their eyes on world leadership role in the seemingly impractical short time span. The current Chinese leadership is obviously in hurry, prompting them to use the military to push their politico-economic agenda. As a result, they have disturbed the global geopolitical canvas, spreading negative political synergies all around.</p>

<p>A country like China, which is thriving on industrial production has a compulsion to seek and nurture the markets for her goods and services. In that, Chinese vulnerabilities lie in her geographical location on a distant flank with a limited communication network, energy inadequacy, and external political linkages to their manufacturing sector. Therefore, it essentially requires a secure and viable communication network for ease of logistics, cooperative approach to market competition, and mutual respect and accommodation to interests of other stakeholders. However, there is an apparent conceptual deficit as regards to all these parameters, when it comes to China.</p>

<p>China happens to be literally a landlocked entity with exception of the eastern flank, which opens to the high seas. Then there are a number of contentious political issues with her neighbours, primarily due to Chinese political manipulations and cultural hubris. As a result, China has to transit through circuitous and not so friendly Indo-Pacific region. Hence, they nurture deep-seated insecurities and apprehensions which have shaped Chinese political conduct. In that, they seem to have chosen to use selective coercive diplomacy and confrontationist attitude instead of cooperative accommodation to achieve their national objectives.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such a political brinkmanship, however, have no place in current globalised corporate culture. Somewhere in their political psyche China continues to nurture a medieval mindset, which may turn out to be a probable cause of nemesis for their ambitions.</p>

<p>China has embarked upon BRI scheme to take care of their economic insecurities and increase their political influence world over. Chinese military overtures in the South China Sea and &ldquo;Strings of Pearls&rdquo; in the&nbsp;Indian Ocean are operative part of their expansionist strategy.&nbsp; China, in pursuit of their economic colonisation, intends investing in the improvement of logistics infrastructure as well as establish industrial and power corridors in impoverished countries of Chinese interests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the Western flank, the CPEC scheme seems to be running into rough weather due to Chinese insensitivity in trespassing Indian sovereignty and security situation in Af-Pak region which happens to be the most disturbed areas as on date. Geopolitical interests coupled with the physical presence of extra-regional powers in Afghanistan have further complicated the political situation which is unlikely to be resolved in near future. Within Pakistan also, there is a political dissent in face of Chinese hegemonic tendencies. Rebellious Baluchistan and Northern Areas add to the friction areas for smooth operation of the scheme.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the Eastern flank, China has chosen to use military overtures in staking their claims over the South China Sea(SNS) based on unsubstantiated historical linkages. They have also refused to obey directives of international court on the law of seas at Hague. It has led to militarisation of the South China Sea with an occasional show of force and coercive military diplomacy. It surely has increased political opposition amongst the larger part of international community impinging on Chinese credibility as a responsible emerging power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There have been scathing diplomatic statements targeting China from various world forums in favour of a free flow of trade in international waters. Naval exercises the Malabar and Quad consisting of US, India, Australia and Japan are part of military diplomacy to convey coercive political signals to China.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Southern flank, though much away from their mainland, Chinese expansionist pattern is reflective in the desire to come up with a &ldquo;Strings of Pearls&rdquo; in the Indian Ocean region, the latest one being reported to be on&nbsp; Pakistani coastline. In that, China has been exploiting small countries with a lure of economic goodies in return for permitting the establishment of Chinese military bases to safeguard their maritime interests. It has increased the military ante in the IOR as the region happens to be the link between two most frequented oceans for international trade and commerce.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>India, with her domination of the IOR, is a matter of concern for China. They see India as an impediment to their hegemonic intent of pushing their economic agenda.&nbsp; Hence, a deep set of insecurities have shaped Sino-Indian relations wherein China sees India as a rival who needs to be given a punch and not a handshake.</p>

<p>Consequently, China has been indulging in military overtures against their regional rivals so to make them submit to their political dictates. The Doklam standoff followed by an increase in military incursions along the Sino-Indian LAC is part of their high handedness and coercive diplomacy. They keep issuing similar coercive warnings to countries in regions of the South China Sea and South East Asia.&nbsp; China, obviously, wants to keep the water warm but not boiling through such a politico-military psychological warfare.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Overall the strategic audit is indicative of Chinese failure in &ldquo;team building&rdquo; due to their self-centered exclusivity, insensitive conduct and absence of political social grace expected of a responsible leader in making. Therefore, the&nbsp; Chinese vision does not seem to be in sync with appropriate strategic outlook. The rhythm of their ongoing political tango is not conducive towards achieving their aspirations. Hence, China needs an urgent mid-course correction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


China seems to have chosen to use coercive diplomacy and confrontationist attitude instead of cooperative accommodation to achieve their national objectives.

The story of China starts with economies of scale offered by the country to the western industrial world so that they could outsource their manufacturing to China. With consequent exponential economic rise, came the conceit and hubris, particularly, in absence of political opposition, prompting the Chinese polity to nurture ambitions of acquiring a status of a world power. While the Chinese are known for visualisation of their plans looking beyond hundreds of years, they apparently have set their eyes on world leadership role in the seemingly impractical short time span. The current Chinese leadership is obviously in hurry, prompting them to use the military to push their politico-economic agenda. As a result, they have disturbed the global geopolitical canvas, spreading negative political synergies all around. A country like China, which is thriving on industrial production has a compulsion to seek and nurture the markets for her goods and services. In that, Chinese vulnerabilities lie in her geographical location on a distant flank with a limited communication network, energy inadequacy, and external political linkages to their manufacturing sector. Therefore, it essentially requires a secure and viable communication network for ease of logistics, cooperative approach to market competition, and mutual respect and accommodation to interests of other stakeholders. However, there is an apparent conceptual deficit as regards to all these parameters, when it comes to China. China happens to be literally a landlocked entity with exception of the eastern flank, which opens to the high seas. Then there are a number of contentious political issues with her neighbours, primarily due to Chinese political manipulations and cultural hubris. As a result, China has to transit through circuitous and not so friendly Indo-Pacific region. Hence, they nurture deep-seated insecurities and apprehensions which have shaped Chinese political conduct. In that, they seem to have chosen to use selective coercive diplomacy and confrontationist attitude instead of cooperative accommodation to achieve their national objectives. Such a political brinkmanship, however, have no place in current globalised corporate culture. Somewhere in their political psyche China continues to nurture a medieval mindset, which may turn out to be a probable cause of nemesis for their ambitions. China has embarked upon BRI scheme to take care of their economic insecurities and increase their political influence world over. Chinese military overtures in the South China Sea and “Strings of Pearls” in the Indian Ocean are operative part of their expansionist strategy. China, in pursuit of their economic colonisation, intends investing in the improvement of logistics infrastructure as well as establish industrial and power corridors in impoverished countries of Chinese interests. On the Western flank, the CPEC scheme seems to be running into rough weather due to Chinese insensitivity in trespassing Indian sovereignty and security situation in Af-Pak region which happens to be the most disturbed areas as on date. Geopolitical interests coupled with the physical presence of extra-regional powers in Afghanistan have further complicated the political situation which is unlikely to be resolved in near future. Within Pakistan also, there is a political dissent in face of Chinese hegemonic tendencies. Rebellious Baluchistan and Northern Areas add to the friction areas for smooth operation of the scheme. On the Eastern flank, China has chosen to use military overtures in staking their claims over the South China Sea(SNS) based on unsubstantiated historical linkages. They have also refused to obey directives of international court on the law of seas at Hague. It has led to militarisation of the South China Sea with an occasional show of force and coercive military diplomacy. It surely has increased political opposition amongst the larger part of international community impinging on Chinese credibility as a responsible emerging power. There have been scathing diplomatic statements targeting China from various world forums in favour of a free flow of trade in international waters. Naval exercises the Malabar and Quad consisting of US, India, Australia and Japan are part of military diplomacy to convey coercive political signals to China. On Southern flank, though much away from their mainland, Chinese expansionist pattern is reflective in the desire to come up with a “Strings of Pearls” in the Indian Ocean region, the latest one being reported to be on Pakistani coastline. In that, China has been exploiting small countries with a lure of economic goodies in return for permitting the establishment of Chinese military bases to safeguard their maritime interests. It has increased the military ante in the IOR as the region happens to be the link between two most frequented oceans for international trade and commerce. India, with her domination of the IOR, is a matter of concern for China. They see India as an impediment to their hegemonic intent of pushing their economic agenda. Hence, a deep set of insecurities have shaped Sino-Indian relations wherein China sees India as a rival who needs to be given a punch and not a handshake. Consequently, China has been indulging in military overtures against their regional rivals so to make them submit to their political dictates. The Doklam standoff followed by an increase in military incursions along the Sino-Indian LAC is part of their high handedness and coercive diplomacy. They keep issuing similar coercive warnings to countries in regions of the South China Sea and South East Asia. China, obviously, wants to keep the water warm but not boiling through such a politico-military psychological warfare. Overall the strategic audit is indicative of Chinese failure in “team building” due to their self-centered exclusivity, insensitive conduct and absence of political social grace expected of a responsible leader in making. Therefore, the Chinese vision does not seem to be in sync with appropriate strategic outlook. The rhythm of their ongoing political tango is not conducive towards achieving their aspirations. Hence, China needs an urgent mid-course correction. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: China's military adventures are not in sync with its political ambition

<p>The recently concluded visit by Iranian President Rouhani to India was full of optics: his visit to the Qutub Shahi mosque at Hyderabad, then his address at the ORF (Delhi based think tank) hit all the right notes but if we look at the joint communique released at the end of the &ldquo;substantive&rdquo; talks we find that the visit accomplished less than what was being promised from both the sides.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The joint statement has laid stress on &ldquo;connectivity&rdquo;. It seems that the bilateral relations revolve around the port project and the subsequent advantages it will have not only for Afghanistan but to larger Central Asian Region. India has invested a lot of capital and now wants to benefit from the project, not only in terms of trade but also strategically. But if we closely follow the developments w.r.t. Chabahar, we find that the pace of development is sluggish. The port is only partially operational. India has been trying to develop the port as its answer to Gwadar and China&rsquo;s Belt and Road initiative in the region by providing an alternate route for trade and commerce with Central Asia and Afghanistan. India&rsquo;s biggest weakness lies not in striking of agreements and deals, but in follow-up and execution of those deals and projects. There are a large number of irritants which have repeatedly stalled the project.</p>

<p>The biggest irritant has been funding as well as the role international sanctions have played throughout this whole process. Despite our commitment to the project and its eventual realisation, India has been apprehensive about the US and its response to JCPOA; and its eventual impact on our investments in Iran. We have ignored the fact that French and German firms have made large investments and have been trying to court maximum areas for their benefit as Iran opens up its economy for international investment. The whole purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade ties and the visit appears to have come short on the promise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has also not yet allowed Iranian banks to open their branches in India. However, in a welcome move, investment in Iran in Rupee terms has been allowed. The Indian investments in Rupees will get converted into Iranian Rial through banking mechanism allowing investments from here, including in the Chabahar Port complex.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The visit further failed to address the pending issue of ensuring Indian investments in the Farzad-B gas field. It was announced that India and Iran need to move away from the traditional buyer-seller relationship when it comes to the energy sector but no measure to finish decade-old negotiations on Farzad gas field has been announced. Instead, we hear that the pace of negotiations needs to be increased for enhanced energy cooperation. The delay in completion of Chabahar project, the roadblock over Farzad-B gas block should not be allowed to act as hindrances in the development of bilateral ties.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Although, the visit did achieve few things; the finalisation of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is welcomed as a step that would promote business environment but both sides need to work on lowering bilateral trade tariffs: negotiations on Preferential Trade Agreement as well as conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty in a fixed time frame need to be accomplished.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The unanimity of thought on the security front was also witnessed. Both the countries have a common stance on confronting terrorism and extremism, and are determined to confront terrorism and extremism through cultural interaction and the exchange of information and experience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The outcome from the visit is debatable but it cannot be denied that progress in the right direction has been made, however, the journey is far from over and we have a long way to go to accomplish our strategic goals in the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


The whole purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade ties but President Rouhani's visit appears to have come short on the promise.

The recently concluded visit by Iranian President Rouhani to India was full of optics: his visit to the Qutub Shahi mosque at Hyderabad, then his address at the ORF (Delhi based think tank) hit all the right notes but if we look at the joint communique released at the end of the “substantive” talks we find that the visit accomplished less than what was being promised from both the sides. The joint statement has laid stress on “connectivity”. It seems that the bilateral relations revolve around the port project and the subsequent advantages it will have not only for Afghanistan but to larger Central Asian Region. India has invested a lot of capital and now wants to benefit from the project, not only in terms of trade but also strategically. But if we closely follow the developments w.r.t. Chabahar, we find that the pace of development is sluggish. The port is only partially operational. India has been trying to develop the port as its answer to Gwadar and China’s Belt and Road initiative in the region by providing an alternate route for trade and commerce with Central Asia and Afghanistan. India’s biggest weakness lies not in striking of agreements and deals, but in follow-up and execution of those deals and projects. There are a large number of irritants which have repeatedly stalled the project. The biggest irritant has been funding as well as the role international sanctions have played throughout this whole process. Despite our commitment to the project and its eventual realisation, India has been apprehensive about the US and its response to JCPOA; and its eventual impact on our investments in Iran. We have ignored the fact that French and German firms have made large investments and have been trying to court maximum areas for their benefit as Iran opens up its economy for international investment. The whole purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade ties and the visit appears to have come short on the promise. India has also not yet allowed Iranian banks to open their branches in India. However, in a welcome move, investment in Iran in Rupee terms has been allowed. The Indian investments in Rupees will get converted into Iranian Rial through banking mechanism allowing investments from here, including in the Chabahar Port complex. The visit further failed to address the pending issue of ensuring Indian investments in the Farzad-B gas field. It was announced that India and Iran need to move away from the traditional buyer-seller relationship when it comes to the energy sector but no measure to finish decade-old negotiations on Farzad gas field has been announced. Instead, we hear that the pace of negotiations needs to be increased for enhanced energy cooperation. The delay in completion of Chabahar project, the roadblock over Farzad-B gas block should not be allowed to act as hindrances in the development of bilateral ties. Although, the visit did achieve few things; the finalisation of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is welcomed as a step that would promote business environment but both sides need to work on lowering bilateral trade tariffs: negotiations on Preferential Trade Agreement as well as conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty in a fixed time frame need to be accomplished. The unanimity of thought on the security front was also witnessed. Both the countries have a common stance on confronting terrorism and extremism, and are determined to confront terrorism and extremism through cultural interaction and the exchange of information and experience. The outcome from the visit is debatable but it cannot be denied that progress in the right direction has been made, however, the journey is far from over and we have a long way to go to accomplish our strategic goals in the region. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Iranian President Rouhani came but offered little to India

<p>Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal blamed the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO) for the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-fraud-came-to-light-due-to-alertness-of-nda-govt-says-union-minister-prakash-javadekar-33092" target="_blank">&nbsp;PNB Bank fraud</a>.</p>

<p>While addressing a press conference he said the Finance Ministry and the PMO&nbsp;were aware of the scam and they &quot;turned a blind eye&quot; to&nbsp;it.&nbsp;He said, &quot; they were aware that our country was being looted and they are aware even now&quot;.</p>

<p>He also asked the government to release the details of the people who are in debts in jewellery&nbsp;business.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at the &quot; ease of doing business&quot;&nbsp; he&nbsp;said &quot;anyone can come and borrow loans from our banks and evade without repaying it. This is not the kind of ease of business that we want from our country&#39;&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also blamed the Prime Minister for encouraging &#39;&#39;crony capitalism&#39;&#39; in the country and&nbsp;said that the PM institutionalised c<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-a-type-of-crony-capitalism-cpi-m-33028" target="_blank">rony capitalism</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hitting out at PM Modi&#39;s pakoda comment, Sibal said &quot; Our guard is very busy these days in giving advice to the people for making pakodas&nbsp;but while he is asleep the thief managed to slip away&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Humaare desh ke jo chowkidar hain, woh pakode banaane ki salah de rahe hain. Aaj ki paristithi yeh hai ki chowkidar so raha hai aur chor bhaag gaya hai: Kapil Sibal, Congress. <a href="https://t.co/mPDsuy3NcX">pic.twitter.com/mPDsuy3NcX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964758299139805184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sibal responded to the allegations on previous UPA government for&nbsp;PNB Bank fraud case and said that the credit given before 2014 was not outstanding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While speaking on the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-allahabad-bank-director-says-he-resigned-as-he-was-pressured-to-give-loan-to-gitanjali-gems-33085" target="_blank"> resignation of the Former bank director</a>, Dinesh Dubey, Sibal said: &quot; Today anything can be made to say by the help of police, One should check his resignation letter to know the reality&quot;.</p>

<p>Sibal also assured that they will bring the reality of the case in case the&nbsp;NDA&nbsp;fails to do so.</p>


While addressing a press conference he said the Finance Ministry and the PMO were aware of the scam and they 'turned a blind eye' to it

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal blamed the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for the PNB Bank fraud. While addressing a press conference he said the Finance Ministry and the PMO were aware of the scam and they "turned a blind eye" to it. He said, " they were aware that our country was being looted and they are aware even now". He also asked the government to release the details of the people who are in debts in jewellery business. Taking a jibe at the " ease of doing business" he said "anyone can come and borrow loans from our banks and evade without repaying it. This is not the kind of ease of business that we want from our country''. He also blamed the Prime Minister for encouraging ''crony capitalism'' in the country and said that the PM institutionalised crony capitalism. Hitting out at PM Modi's pakoda comment, Sibal said " Our guard is very busy these days in giving advice to the people for making pakodas but while he is asleep the thief managed to slip away". Humaare desh ke jo chowkidar hain, woh pakode banaane ki salah de rahe hain. Aaj ki paristithi yeh hai ki chowkidar so raha hai aur chor bhaag gaya hai: Kapil Sibal, Congress. pic.twitter.com/mPDsuy3NcX — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × Sibal responded to the allegations on previous UPA government for PNB Bank fraud case and said that the credit given before 2014 was not outstanding. While speaking on the resignation of the Former bank director, Dinesh Dubey, Sibal said: " Today anything can be made to say by the help of police, One should check his resignation letter to know the reality". Sibal also assured that they will bring the reality of the case in case the NDA fails to do so.

Kapil Sibal blames FM, PMO for PNB Bank fraud

<p>Canada is a blessed nation with stunning geographical beauty, abundant natural resources, huge territory, scanty population, remarkable ethnic and linguistic diversity and wonderful people. But for its extreme weather, Canada would have been the most habitable nation on the planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indians started trickling into Canada in the late 19th century and currently comprise over 3.6 percent of her population. Industrious, law-abiding, educated and affluent, they have carved out a niche for themselves. Canada prides itself in being a salad-bowl instead of a melting-pot, and Indians constitute a vibrant hue, in the Canadian tapestry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>India and Canada enjoy remarkable synergies including complimentary economies. Both nations are members of G-20. Despite ebbs and flows in the ties for a variety of reasons, a buoyancy has sought to be injected through high-level exchanges in the last decade or so.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi paid a highly successful visit to Canada in April 2015. He was addressing an audience of over 10,000 in Toronto, when a CEO of a leading Canadian conglomerate, with sizeable investments in India, got so swayed by the electrifying atmosphere, that he said to the author, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t understand Hindi, but listen, I am buying whatever your Prime Minister is selling!&rsquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is remarkable that cash-rich Canadian Pension Funds and giants like Brookfield Asset Management, encouraged by the Indian growth story, have invested some CAD 12 to 15 billion (precise figures are difficult to compute) in the last 3 to 4 years, in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, financial services, distressed assets, modern logistics facilities and e-commerce. Early conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) which has been under discussion for several years, should spur greater investment in both directions. Indian companies have so far invested some $ 2 billion in Canada in the IT, software, steel and natural resources sectors.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement. While investments are growing, trade remains sluggish at a mere US$ 6 billion last year, with $ 2 billion in Canada&rsquo;s favour. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), under negotiation for a while, should give it a fillip but is nowhere in sight.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since 2015, we have been sourcing Uranium from Canada regularly. Canada has huge reserves of hydrocarbons but, currently, it is proving uneconomic for India to import or exploit them. Canada also has strengths in renewable energy, an area in which we can step-up collaboration. A number of small and medium size Canadian companies, which have successfully developed clean-tech and green-tech applications are expanding their footprint in India.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Canada is one of the global hubs of vocational and higher education. Of late, Indian students have been making a beeline to the country. Since 2015, India has emerged as the second largest source of international students for Canada. 2017 saw an unprecedented 60% increase in the number of Indian students to a total of 125,000. They pumped-in some CAD 5 billion into the host nation&rsquo;s economy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additional areas in which we can enhance cooperation to mutual benefit include, agri-tech, IT, innovation, S&amp;T, aviation and outer space, infrastructure especially railways, cold-climate warfare, cyber-security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and tourism.</p>

<p>&nbsp;On the flip side there is the Khalistani issue which hangs over the bilateral ties. Goes without saying that getting it out of the way, will go a long way in deepening mutual attraction and trust.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is in this background that the important 7-day state visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking place from 17 to 24 February. He would be accompanied by an impressive official and business delegation, and would be travelling to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Agra. Several officials, business, public and cultural engagements are being scheduled for the guest who last came to India as a 12-year old, with his father (Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) in 1983.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Trudeau will witness a different India &ndash; aspirational and confident &ndash; but as welcoming as in 1983, for we accord considerable weightage to our relationship with Canada and stand ready to qualitatively strengthen it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>

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Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement.

Canada is a blessed nation with stunning geographical beauty, abundant natural resources, huge territory, scanty population, remarkable ethnic and linguistic diversity and wonderful people. But for its extreme weather, Canada would have been the most habitable nation on the planet. Indians started trickling into Canada in the late 19th century and currently comprise over 3.6 percent of her population. Industrious, law-abiding, educated and affluent, they have carved out a niche for themselves. Canada prides itself in being a salad-bowl instead of a melting-pot, and Indians constitute a vibrant hue, in the Canadian tapestry. India and Canada enjoy remarkable synergies including complimentary economies. Both nations are members of G-20. Despite ebbs and flows in the ties for a variety of reasons, a buoyancy has sought to be injected through high-level exchanges in the last decade or so. Prime Minister Modi paid a highly successful visit to Canada in April 2015. He was addressing an audience of over 10,000 in Toronto, when a CEO of a leading Canadian conglomerate, with sizeable investments in India, got so swayed by the electrifying atmosphere, that he said to the author, ‘I don’t understand Hindi, but listen, I am buying whatever your Prime Minister is selling!’ It is remarkable that cash-rich Canadian Pension Funds and giants like Brookfield Asset Management, encouraged by the Indian growth story, have invested some CAD 12 to 15 billion (precise figures are difficult to compute) in the last 3 to 4 years, in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, financial services, distressed assets, modern logistics facilities and e-commerce. Early conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) which has been under discussion for several years, should spur greater investment in both directions. Indian companies have so far invested some $ 2 billion in Canada in the IT, software, steel and natural resources sectors. Cooperation in Economic, Energy and Educational sectors are emerging as the 3 key elements or the 3Es of India Canada engagement. While investments are growing, trade remains sluggish at a mere US$ 6 billion last year, with $ 2 billion in Canada’s favour. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), under negotiation for a while, should give it a fillip but is nowhere in sight. Since 2015, we have been sourcing Uranium from Canada regularly. Canada has huge reserves of hydrocarbons but, currently, it is proving uneconomic for India to import or exploit them. Canada also has strengths in renewable energy, an area in which we can step-up collaboration. A number of small and medium size Canadian companies, which have successfully developed clean-tech and green-tech applications are expanding their footprint in India. Canada is one of the global hubs of vocational and higher education. Of late, Indian students have been making a beeline to the country. Since 2015, India has emerged as the second largest source of international students for Canada. 2017 saw an unprecedented 60% increase in the number of Indian students to a total of 125,000. They pumped-in some CAD 5 billion into the host nation’s economy. Additional areas in which we can enhance cooperation to mutual benefit include, agri-tech, IT, innovation, S&T, aviation and outer space, infrastructure especially railways, cold-climate warfare, cyber-security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and tourism. On the flip side there is the Khalistani issue which hangs over the bilateral ties. Goes without saying that getting it out of the way, will go a long way in deepening mutual attraction and trust. It is in this background that the important 7-day state visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking place from 17 to 24 February. He would be accompanied by an impressive official and business delegation, and would be travelling to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Agra. Several officials, business, public and cultural engagements are being scheduled for the guest who last came to India as a 12-year old, with his father (Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) in 1983. PM Trudeau will witness a different India – aspirational and confident – but as welcoming as in 1983, for we accord considerable weightage to our relationship with Canada and stand ready to qualitatively strengthen it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Economy, energy, education are 3 pillars of Indo-Canadian relationship

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for an International Airport in Mumbai on Sunday.</p>

<p>The foundation stone will be laid in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA Ground) in Navi Mumbai at 3 pm.</p>

<p>The PM will also inaugurate a Summit and an Exhibition in the MMRDA Ground at 5:45 pm and 7:15 pm, respectively.</p>

<p>A meeting is also scheduled between the Prime Minister&nbsp;and the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis&nbsp;where they will interact with the CEOs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Prime Minister will conclude his day by attending a cultural event at 7:45 pm in the MMRDA Ground.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The foundation will be laid in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA Ground) in Navi Mumbai at 3 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for an International Airport in Mumbai on Sunday. The foundation stone will be laid in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA Ground) in Navi Mumbai at 3 pm. The PM will also inaugurate a Summit and an Exhibition in the MMRDA Ground at 5:45 pm and 7:15 pm, respectively. A meeting is also scheduled between the Prime Minister and the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis where they will interact with the CEOs. The Prime Minister will conclude his day by attending a cultural event at 7:45 pm in the MMRDA Ground.

PM to lay foundation stone for International Airport in Mumbai

<p>India and Oman signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), including pacts on tourism and military cooperation.</p>

<p>On Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour, the MoUs signed during the visit to Oman`s Muscat were:</p>

<p>1) Agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters.</p>

<p>2) Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports.</p>

<p>3) MoU on cooperation in the field of Health.</p>

<p>4) MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.</p>

<p>5) MoU on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic Institute.</p>

<p>6) MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.</p>

<p>7) MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman.</p>

<p>8) Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi arrived in Muscat on Sunday.On his arrival, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial reception at the Royal Airport by Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers of Oman.Prime Minister Modi will return to India on February 12.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Eight agreements signed between India and Oman including those on tourism cooperation &amp; military cooperation <a href="https://t.co/dd1YiyaTWn">pic.twitter.com/dd1YiyaTWn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962757170168201216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour was Oman

India and Oman signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), including pacts on tourism and military cooperation. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s last destination of his four-nation tour, the MoUs signed during the visit to Oman`s Muscat were: 1) Agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. 2) Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports. 3) MoU on cooperation in the field of Health. 4) MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. 5) MoU on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic Institute. 6) MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 7) MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman. 8) Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Muscat on Sunday.On his arrival, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial reception at the Royal Airport by Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers of Oman.Prime Minister Modi will return to India on February 12. Eight agreements signed between India and Oman including those on tourism cooperation & military cooperation pic.twitter.com/dd1YiyaTWn — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018 ×

India, Oman sign eight MoUs

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arun-jaitley-chairs-pre-budget-meeting-in-delhi-29924" target="_blank">Ahead of the Budget Session</a> of Parliament commencing on January 29, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley performed the symbolic &#39;Halwa Ceremony&#39; here on Saturday.</p>

<p>The ceremony, which was performed at North Block in Delhi, marks the inauguration of the formal printing of different documents relating to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/my-governments-only-agenda-for-budget-is-development-pm-modi-to-zee-news-30099" target="_blank">Union Budget</a> for 2018-19.</p>

<p>The &#39;halwa ceremony&#39; is observed to maintain the secrecy of the budget preparation process. As part of the ritual, which has continued for long, &#39;halwa&#39; is prepared in a big &#39;kadhai&#39; or wok and served to the entire staff in the ministry.</p>

<p>The significance of this is the commencement of printing of documents related to the budget. It is said that officials from the ministry are required to stay back at the printing press itself until the Budget is presented in Parliament, barring select senior officials.</p>

<p>Apart from Jaitley, those present at the ceremony were Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, MoS Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and others.</p>


The ceremony, which was performed at North Block in Delhi, marks the inauguration of the formal printing of different documents relating to the Union Budget for 2018-19

Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament commencing on January 29, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley performed the symbolic 'Halwa Ceremony' here on Saturday. The ceremony, which was performed at North Block in Delhi, marks the inauguration of the formal printing of different documents relating to the Union Budget for 2018-19. The 'halwa ceremony' is observed to maintain the secrecy of the budget preparation process. As part of the ritual, which has continued for long, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' or wok and served to the entire staff in the ministry. The significance of this is the commencement of printing of documents related to the budget. It is said that officials from the ministry are required to stay back at the printing press itself until the Budget is presented in Parliament, barring select senior officials. Apart from Jaitley, those present at the ceremony were Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, MoS Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and others.

Jaitley performs 'Halwa' ceremony ahead of Budget Session

<p>China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-arrives-in-zurich-set-to-land-in-davos-shortly-30369"> Davos speech</a> against protectionism as being &ldquo;as dangerous as terrorism,&rdquo; saying that the two countries can fight this practice together.</p>

<p>Modi, while addressing the annual summit of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, compared protectionism to terrorism and talked about the sever concerns facing the world, including terrorism and climate change.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Many countries are becoming inward focused and globalisation is shrinking and such tendencies can&rsquo;t be considered lesser risk than terrorism or climate change,&rdquo; he had said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I noticed that Prime Minister Modi made some remarks on protectionism and his remarks showed that globalisation is the trend of the times and serves the interests of all the countries including developing countries and the fight against protectionism and promoting globalisation,&rdquo; Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/at-davos-chinas-xi-jinping-says-no-point-blaming-economic-globalisation-for-the-worlds-problems-11392">At Davos, China&#39;s Xi Jinping says &#39;no point blaming economic globalisation for the world&#39;s problems&#39; </a></p>

<p>She further mentioned that China looks forward to working with India and other countries to strengthen globalisation process for the benefit of all countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;China and India share a lot of common interests. China would like to enhance coordination and cooperation with all countries including India to steer the economic globalisation towards benefiting world economic growth and well-being of all countries,&rdquo; Hua said.</p>

<p>Asked whether the common position of India and China in opposing protectionism could help improve strained bilateral ties, Hua said &ldquo;Our position is clear. India is a big neighbour of China. As the two largest developing countries and as two close neighbours, of course we hope that we can maintain steady development of bilateral relations. It serves the interests of our two sides&rdquo;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We look forward to working with India to enhance our communication and our mutual trust, properly handle our differences and ensure sound and steady development of our bilateral ties. I believe this is the aspiration of the people of our countries,&rdquo; she said.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-to-become-5-trillion-economy-by-2025-pm-modi-30550">India to become $5 trillion </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-to-become-5-trillion-economy-by-2025-pm-modi-30550">economy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-to-become-5-trillion-economy-by-2025-pm-modi-30550">&nbsp;by 2025: PM Modi</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-in-davos-highlights-of-his-speech-at-wef-30514"> addressed the plenary session</a> of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland.</p>

<p>Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With PTI inputs)</p>


Modi, while addressing the annual summit of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, compared protectionism to terrorism and talked about the sever concerns facing the world, including terrorism and climate change

China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Davos speech against protectionism as being “as dangerous as terrorism,” saying that the two countries can fight this practice together. Modi, while addressing the annual summit of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, compared protectionism to terrorism and talked about the sever concerns facing the world, including terrorism and climate change. “Many countries are becoming inward focused and globalisation is shrinking and such tendencies can’t be considered lesser risk than terrorism or climate change,” he had said. “I noticed that Prime Minister Modi made some remarks on protectionism and his remarks showed that globalisation is the trend of the times and serves the interests of all the countries including developing countries and the fight against protectionism and promoting globalisation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Also read: At Davos, China's Xi Jinping says 'no point blaming economic globalisation for the world's problems' She further mentioned that China looks forward to working with India and other countries to strengthen globalisation process for the benefit of all countries. “China and India share a lot of common interests. China would like to enhance coordination and cooperation with all countries including India to steer the economic globalisation towards benefiting world economic growth and well-being of all countries,” Hua said. Asked whether the common position of India and China in opposing protectionism could help improve strained bilateral ties, Hua said “Our position is clear. India is a big neighbour of China. As the two largest developing countries and as two close neighbours, of course we hope that we can maintain steady development of bilateral relations. It serves the interests of our two sides”. “We look forward to working with India to enhance our communication and our mutual trust, properly handle our differences and ensure sound and steady development of our bilateral ties. I believe this is the aspiration of the people of our countries,” she said. Also read: India to become $5 trillion economy by 2025: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the plenary session of the 48th edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years. (With PTI inputs)

China welcomes PM Modi's speech at Davos, looks forward to working with India

<p>Pakistan-based extremist Islamist group Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) has declared India as its number one enemy.</p>

<p>This declaration was made by Maulana Talha Siaf, the brother of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar at a rally in Larkana, Sindh, recently.</p>

<p>&quot;India is the number one enemy of the JeM. Modi (Indian Prime Minister) is the number one enemy of Maulana Masood Azhar. Al Qalam is being regularly read by Indian Muslims. Al Qalam has been published online on Tuesday/Wednesday, and while you may not be able to receive a copy of this paper, your relatives in India read Al Qalam of Maulana Masood Azhar regularly. Indian media has launched a campaign against Al Qalam, and by this way, our enemy is performing our duties in India,&quot; Maulana Talha Siaf said.</p>

<p>He also incited Muslims to follow the path of `Jihad` to achieve something great in life.</p>

<p>&quot;India is a mini super power of the region that has created problems for Pakistan for the past sixty years, but India`s six lakh forces are facing a tough time in the Kashmir Valley and are unable to announce their victory in Kashmir, said Siaf provocatively.</p>

<p>The JeM is responsible for carrying out several terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other bordering states, including at the Pathankot Air Force base in January 2016.</p>

<p>Maulana Saif said, &quot;Mothers and daughters of Kashmir are calling us and we slaves are unable to cross the borders of infidels, but today, free Mujahideen can cross borders.&quot;</p>

<p>He also raised the issue of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya city, saying, &quot;The Indian government is using its machinery to attempt to build the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque. Maulana Masood Azhar had announced that the Ram Mandir would not be allowed to be constructed at the place of the Babri Mosque. Now, every year, the government announces that on such and such date the Ram Mandir will be built, and again from this side, there is an announcement that they will not allow the construction of the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque, and still the Ram Mandir is not built.&quot;</p>


'India is the number one enemy of the JeM,' Maulana Talha Siaf said

Pakistan-based extremist Islamist group Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) has declared India as its number one enemy. This declaration was made by Maulana Talha Siaf, the brother of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar at a rally in Larkana, Sindh, recently. "India is the number one enemy of the JeM. Modi (Indian Prime Minister) is the number one enemy of Maulana Masood Azhar. Al Qalam is being regularly read by Indian Muslims. Al Qalam has been published online on Tuesday/Wednesday, and while you may not be able to receive a copy of this paper, your relatives in India read Al Qalam of Maulana Masood Azhar regularly. Indian media has launched a campaign against Al Qalam, and by this way, our enemy is performing our duties in India," Maulana Talha Siaf said. He also incited Muslims to follow the path of `Jihad` to achieve something great in life. "India is a mini super power of the region that has created problems for Pakistan for the past sixty years, but India`s six lakh forces are facing a tough time in the Kashmir Valley and are unable to announce their victory in Kashmir, said Siaf provocatively. The JeM is responsible for carrying out several terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other bordering states, including at the Pathankot Air Force base in January 2016. Maulana Saif said, "Mothers and daughters of Kashmir are calling us and we slaves are unable to cross the borders of infidels, but today, free Mujahideen can cross borders." He also raised the issue of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya city, saying, "The Indian government is using its machinery to attempt to build the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque. Maulana Masood Azhar had announced that the Ram Mandir would not be allowed to be constructed at the place of the Babri Mosque. Now, every year, the government announces that on such and such date the Ram Mandir will be built, and again from this side, there is an announcement that they will not allow the construction of the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque, and still the Ram Mandir is not built."

India is 'number one enemy', says Jaish-e-Mohammed

<p>It is hard to imagine that most Americans have survived a year under the weight of a chaotic presidency. A year ago, the American political landscape was permanently transformed when Donald Trump was elected its 45th President. Trump rose to power by channeling the worst xenophobic and misogynist impulses that had, for long, stayed dormant in American society.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>His economic platform was heavily protectionist and the social one, a dog-whistle to white supremacists. He brought with him a history of sexual misconduct, displayed little grace in international diplomacy, demonstrated a shocking ignorance of American and international politics, and in the past year, has essentially ceded much of America&rsquo;s global leadership.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moving forward, the Trump presidency is likely to further damage the credibility of American political institutions and destabilize the liberal international order. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A year into the Trump presidency reveals several dangerous trends.&nbsp;</p>

<p>First, the president has shown little regard for America&rsquo;s most cherished political institutions &ndash; in particular &ndash; a free press and law enforcement. The liberal press has come under heavy attack for seeking accountability on facts. In what has turned into an hourly ritual, the president takes to social media where he attacks, vilifies, and spreads false information about the press, sowing confusion and breeding ignorance among the average American public.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Intelligence officials and law enforcement agencies have faced similar persecution. The unceremonious dismissal of the FBI Director, James Comey, in May 2017, for investigating the Trump presidency&rsquo;s links to Russia, was a remarkable abuse of political power. Donald Trump&rsquo;s strong-arm tactics, threats, and coercion signal a dark new reality. America is slowly but surely embracing authoritarianism. A reckless and power-hungry president with no respect for checks and balances threatens to seriously weaken American institutions and some critics correctly predict a possible constitutional crisis emerging soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Second, the Trump presidency has become synonymous with reclaiming white nationalism, evident in the president&rsquo;s inclination for harsh immigration policies (recall the Muslim ban, &ldquo;building the wall&rdquo; with Mexico) and his recent statements disparaging immigrants from non-white countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A combination of exclusionary policies and toxic rhetoric carries a ringing endorsement that unless you are white, you are not American. The Republican party shows signs of moral decay, failing to call out the president on his actions and is complicit in aiding a white nationalist agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Third, Donald Trump believes America needs a stronger military to win its wars. This means a more muscular approach in foreign policy, sharp increases in defense expenditure, more bombs, more weapons, but little reflection on the lessons of history for America&rsquo;s future conduct of war. While the president swears by the American military, his actual policies and statements on transgender troops and women in the military are deeply prejudiced and will dent the image and professionalism of the American military.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>American civil-military relations often appear to be in tension when the president and his advisors make contradictory statements on matters of national security. While both James Mattis, Secretary of Defense, and H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisor, have shown thought and resolve on pressing national security issues like North Korea and Iraq, it is not entirely clear how much influence they can ultimately exercise in shaping policy independent of the president&rsquo;s political preferences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finally, America&rsquo;s image as the leader of the free world has suffered a major debacle abroad. An understaffed State Department, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and a less prominent role in the United Nations are some of the many diplomatic failings of this presidency pointing to the growing absence of global American leadership.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>What might a Trump presidency mean for India?&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The answer here is hard to predict as little value can be placed on the words of an unpredictable megalomaniac. It is unlikely that the Trump administration will significantly deviate from the Obama administration&rsquo;s approach to India. Cooperation in defense, trade, and technology will continue as before and the two countries will continue to maintain a viable partnership.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The only decisive shift affecting foreign relations of both countries could emerge on the Pakistan front. In recent months and weeks, Trump has taken a much harder line on Pakistan than previous administrations. He has communicated a strong desire to dismantle terrorist groups, called Pakistan a state-sponsor of terrorism, and in the last few weeks, withdrawn aid to the country. Trump&rsquo;s pressure on Pakistan has been welcomed by many of India&rsquo;s top political leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>While this works in favor of Indian security interests, it would be profoundly unwise for India to predicate its Pakistan policy around Donald Trump&rsquo;s plan to isolate Pakistan. As much as Trump believes, in theory, that Pakistan can be backed into a corner, it will be much harder, in fact, for the United States to sever all ties with Pakistan. The United States will require Pakistan&rsquo;s support to fight terrorism in some form and it would be prudent for India to not allow America&rsquo;s relationship with Pakistan to be the defining benchmark of its relationship with both. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A separate and troubling moral question the Trump presidency poses for India is whether India is going to ignore the revival of white nationalism at its own peril to embrace its security interests first. America has a large Indian-American immigrant population who will, undoubtedly, be seriously impacted by Trump&rsquo;s immigration policies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tata Consultancy, India&rsquo;s largest software exporter, has already expressed serious concerns over the administration&rsquo;s unclear and draconian H1-B policy. Since Trump became president, Indian communities have also been threatened and persecuted by resurgent white nationalist groups. Some have even been murdered. Case in point: Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old Indian immigrant who was shot to death in Olathe, Kansas by a white nationalist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are important moral questions for the future of Indians living in America that are equally vital for India to consider in its current relationship with the United States. White nationalism is a scourge and India is no stranger to the legacy of colonialism. To secure a stronger economic future with America, it should not compromise its moral standing in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Trump administration will not significantly deviate from the Obama administration’s approach to India. Cooperation in defense, trade, and technology will continue as before.

It is hard to imagine that most Americans have survived a year under the weight of a chaotic presidency. A year ago, the American political landscape was permanently transformed when Donald Trump was elected its 45th President. Trump rose to power by channeling the worst xenophobic and misogynist impulses that had, for long, stayed dormant in American society. His economic platform was heavily protectionist and the social one, a dog-whistle to white supremacists. He brought with him a history of sexual misconduct, displayed little grace in international diplomacy, demonstrated a shocking ignorance of American and international politics, and in the past year, has essentially ceded much of America’s global leadership. Moving forward, the Trump presidency is likely to further damage the credibility of American political institutions and destabilize the liberal international order. A year into the Trump presidency reveals several dangerous trends. First, the president has shown little regard for America’s most cherished political institutions – in particular – a free press and law enforcement. The liberal press has come under heavy attack for seeking accountability on facts. In what has turned into an hourly ritual, the president takes to social media where he attacks, vilifies, and spreads false information about the press, sowing confusion and breeding ignorance among the average American public. Intelligence officials and law enforcement agencies have faced similar persecution. The unceremonious dismissal of the FBI Director, James Comey, in May 2017, for investigating the Trump presidency’s links to Russia, was a remarkable abuse of political power. Donald Trump’s strong-arm tactics, threats, and coercion signal a dark new reality. America is slowly but surely embracing authoritarianism. A reckless and power-hungry president with no respect for checks and balances threatens to seriously weaken American institutions and some critics correctly predict a possible constitutional crisis emerging soon. Second, the Trump presidency has become synonymous with reclaiming white nationalism, evident in the president’s inclination for harsh immigration policies (recall the Muslim ban, “building the wall” with Mexico) and his recent statements disparaging immigrants from non-white countries. A combination of exclusionary policies and toxic rhetoric carries a ringing endorsement that unless you are white, you are not American. The Republican party shows signs of moral decay, failing to call out the president on his actions and is complicit in aiding a white nationalist agenda. Third, Donald Trump believes America needs a stronger military to win its wars. This means a more muscular approach in foreign policy, sharp increases in defense expenditure, more bombs, more weapons, but little reflection on the lessons of history for America’s future conduct of war. While the president swears by the American military, his actual policies and statements on transgender troops and women in the military are deeply prejudiced and will dent the image and professionalism of the American military. American civil-military relations often appear to be in tension when the president and his advisors make contradictory statements on matters of national security. While both James Mattis, Secretary of Defense, and H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisor, have shown thought and resolve on pressing national security issues like North Korea and Iraq, it is not entirely clear how much influence they can ultimately exercise in shaping policy independent of the president’s political preferences. Finally, America’s image as the leader of the free world has suffered a major debacle abroad. An understaffed State Department, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and a less prominent role in the United Nations are some of the many diplomatic failings of this presidency pointing to the growing absence of global American leadership. What might a Trump presidency mean for India? The answer here is hard to predict as little value can be placed on the words of an unpredictable megalomaniac. It is unlikely that the Trump administration will significantly deviate from the Obama administration’s approach to India. Cooperation in defense, trade, and technology will continue as before and the two countries will continue to maintain a viable partnership. The only decisive shift affecting foreign relations of both countries could emerge on the Pakistan front. In recent months and weeks, Trump has taken a much harder line on Pakistan than previous administrations. He has communicated a strong desire to dismantle terrorist groups, called Pakistan a state-sponsor of terrorism, and in the last few weeks, withdrawn aid to the country. Trump’s pressure on Pakistan has been welcomed by many of India’s top political leaders. While this works in favor of Indian security interests, it would be profoundly unwise for India to predicate its Pakistan policy around Donald Trump’s plan to isolate Pakistan. As much as Trump believes, in theory, that Pakistan can be backed into a corner, it will be much harder, in fact, for the United States to sever all ties with Pakistan. The United States will require Pakistan’s support to fight terrorism in some form and it would be prudent for India to not allow America’s relationship with Pakistan to be the defining benchmark of its relationship with both. A separate and troubling moral question the Trump presidency poses for India is whether India is going to ignore the revival of white nationalism at its own peril to embrace its security interests first. America has a large Indian-American immigrant population who will, undoubtedly, be seriously impacted by Trump’s immigration policies. Tata Consultancy, India’s largest software exporter, has already expressed serious concerns over the administration’s unclear and draconian H1-B policy. Since Trump became president, Indian communities have also been threatened and persecuted by resurgent white nationalist groups. Some have even been murdered. Case in point: Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old Indian immigrant who was shot to death in Olathe, Kansas by a white nationalist. There are important moral questions for the future of Indians living in America that are equally vital for India to consider in its current relationship with the United States. White nationalism is a scourge and India is no stranger to the legacy of colonialism. To secure a stronger economic future with America, it should not compromise its moral standing in the world. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: What might a Trump presidency mean for India and US?

<p>Hitting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s &quot;hug diplomacy&quot; Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the PM calls himself ordinary but will only embrace special people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He tweeted &quot; The one&nbsp;who calls himself ordinary, will only embrace the special ones&quot;</p>

<p>He further wrote asking the prime minister to embrace farmers, labourers and soldiers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">खुद को बताते हैं जो बहुत &lsquo;आम&rsquo;<br />
&lsquo;खास&rsquo; को ही गले लगाना उनका काम<br />
मोदीजी, ऐसी भी क्या मजबूरी<br />
गले लगाने वालों में<br />
किसान मजदूर और जवान का होना भी है ज़रूरी<a href="https://t.co/GXAg36cOIU">https://t.co/GXAg36cOIU</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/955409039134932992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi&#39;s tweet came after PM Modi said he did not have much knowledge about protocols as he was a common man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi said that his open nature was appreciated by world leaders as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier also,&nbsp;the Congress had trolled Narendra Modi for his hug diplomacy by releasing a video on social media.</p>


He tweeted 'The one who calls himself ordinary, will only embrace the special ones'

Hitting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "hug diplomacy" Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the PM calls himself ordinary but will only embrace special people. He tweeted " The one who calls himself ordinary, will only embrace the special ones" He further wrote asking the prime minister to embrace farmers, labourers and soldiers. खुद को बताते हैं जो बहुत ‘आम’ ‘खास’ को ही गले लगाना उनका काम मोदीजी, ऐसी भी क्या मजबूरी गले लगाने वालों में किसान मजदूर और जवान का होना भी है ज़रूरीhttps://t.co/GXAg36cOIU — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 22, 2018 × Gandhi's tweet came after PM Modi said he did not have much knowledge about protocols as he was a common man. Modi said that his open nature was appreciated by world leaders as well. Earlier also, the Congress had trolled Narendra Modi for his hug diplomacy by releasing a video on social media.

PM calls himself 'common man', Rahul takes a dig at Modi

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking on the rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border, Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that amidst all the tensions- present and future, India&#39;s head will always be high.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot; Currently there is tension at India-Pakistan border. Whatever is happening now and whatever will happen in future, I would like to assure you that India&#39;s head will always be held high..today and always.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Currently there is tension at India-Pakistan border. Whatever is happening now &amp; whatever will happen in future, I would like to assure you that India&#39;s head will always be held high... today and always: Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow <a href="https://t.co/gDJO8kxM0W">pic.twitter.com/gDJO8kxM0W</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/954735734417629184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reacting to the three days of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-3-killed-in-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-30130" target="_blank">consecutive ceasefire&nbsp;fire violations by Pakistan</a>, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her grief saying that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are the worst victims of the animosity between the two countries.</p>

<p>She said &quot;Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of J&amp;K are the worst victims of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pak-border-tensions-soar-7879" target="_blank">acrimony between the two neighbouring countries</a>. I pray that the hostility on the borders end s soon. &quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of J&amp;K are the worst victims of the acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. I pray that the hostility on the borders ends soon: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> CM Mehbooba Mufti (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/iaoMvYzAcT">pic.twitter.com/iaoMvYzAcT</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954681198965477376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Former chief minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-never-mind-raising-tricolour-in-pok-first-raise-it-in-srinagar-says-farooq-abdullah-6982" target="_blank">Farooq Abdullah</a> who has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-enemy-is-not-across-border-but-among-ourselves-national-conference-chief-farooq-abdullah-29509" target="_blank">previously been in controversy</a> for his statements on Jammu and Kashmir,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-court-orders-to-file-fir-against-farooq-abdullah-on-charges-of-treason-24146" target="_blank"> PoK</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/you-have-made-one-pakistan-how-many-pakistans-will-you-make-how-many-pieces-will-you-cut-india-into-says-farooq-andullah-24514" target="_blank">Pakistan</a> also raised his concern over the number of deaths resulting from ceasefire violations.</p>

<p>He said &quot;It&#39;s not only BSF jawans but civilians also ...it is tremendous tragedy that it is taking place on our border. I hope our neighbour realises it is not going to take us anywhere other than destruction.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It&#39;s not only BSF jawans but civilians also... It is a tremendous tragedy that is taking place on our border. I hope our neighbor realises it is not going to take us anywhere other than destruction.: Farooq Abdullah in Delhi on ceasefire violations by Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/1zWbGmkAVO">pic.twitter.com/1zWbGmkAVO</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954704465877090304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Civilians in border areas hold strong morals. Matter of concern is statements of those people, who consider themselves mainstream politicians. When in power, they call Kashmir integral part of India but make irresponsible remarks otherwise: Jitendra Singh on ceasefire violations <a href="https://t.co/1YppYkDTX9">pic.twitter.com/1YppYkDTX9</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954672341283356673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He said 'Currently there is tension at India-Pakistan border. Whatever is happening now and whatever will happen in future, I would like to assure you that India's head will always be held high..today and always'

Speaking on the rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border, Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that amidst all the tensions- present and future, India's head will always be high. He said " Currently there is tension at India-Pakistan border. Whatever is happening now and whatever will happen in future, I would like to assure you that India's head will always be held high..today and always." Currently there is tension at India-Pakistan border. Whatever is happening now & whatever will happen in future, I would like to assure you that India's head will always be held high... today and always: Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/gDJO8kxM0W — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 20, 2018 × Reacting to the three days of consecutive ceasefire fire violations by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her grief saying that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are the worst victims of the animosity between the two countries. She said "Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of J&K are the worst victims of the acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. I pray that the hostility on the borders end s soon. " Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of J&K are the worst victims of the acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. I pray that the hostility on the borders ends soon: #JammuAndKashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti (File pic) pic.twitter.com/iaoMvYzAcT — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018 × Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah who has previously been in controversy for his statements on Jammu and Kashmir, PoK and Pakistan also raised his concern over the number of deaths resulting from ceasefire violations. He said "It's not only BSF jawans but civilians also ...it is tremendous tragedy that it is taking place on our border. I hope our neighbour realises it is not going to take us anywhere other than destruction." It's not only BSF jawans but civilians also... It is a tremendous tragedy that is taking place on our border. I hope our neighbor realises it is not going to take us anywhere other than destruction.: Farooq Abdullah in Delhi on ceasefire violations by Pakistan #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/1zWbGmkAVO — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018 × Civilians in border areas hold strong morals. Matter of concern is statements of those people, who consider themselves mainstream politicians. When in power, they call Kashmir integral part of India but make irresponsible remarks otherwise: Jitendra Singh on ceasefire violations pic.twitter.com/1YppYkDTX9 — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018 ×

India's head will always be held high: Rajnath Singh on J&K ceasefire violation

<p>While addressing the World Economic&nbsp;Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the Indian ideology of &quot;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&quot; meaning World is One.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He asked the countries to bridge distances between them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi said, &quot; India has always believed in values of integration and unity, &quot; Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&quot; which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to the topic of the WEF,&quot; Creating a shared future in fractured world&quot;&nbsp;he said the world is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security. &quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said the topic here is &quot; Creating a shared future in a fractured world&quot;. New powers are changing the balance between&nbsp;Economic and Political Strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining&nbsp;peace, stability and security.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He further highlighted the threat of shrinking globalisation and called it a greater threat than terrorism or climatic change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot; Many societies and countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that globalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can&#39;t be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation&nbsp;is fading.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India has always believed in values of integration and unity, &#39;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam&#39; which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances: PM Narendra Modi at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldEconomicForum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldEconomicForum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Davos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Davos</a> <a href="https://t.co/Agf28sd6w2">pic.twitter.com/Agf28sd6w2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955753148148211712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This year the topic here is &#39;Creating a shared future in a fractured world&#39;. New powers are changing the balance between Economic &amp; Political strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability &amp; security: PM <a href="https://t.co/ZghYmYXK55">pic.twitter.com/ZghYmYXK55</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955752265486286848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Many societies &amp; countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that gloabalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can&#39;t be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation is fading: PM <a href="https://t.co/lWtH97NU6A">pic.twitter.com/lWtH97NU6A</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955757018425380864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the Indian ideology of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' meaning World is One

While addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime minister Narendra Modi delivered the Indian ideology of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" meaning World is One. He asked the countries to bridge distances between them. PM Modi said, " India has always believed in values of integration and unity, " Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances". Referring to the topic of the WEF," Creating a shared future in fractured world" he said the world is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security. " He said the topic here is " Creating a shared future in a fractured world". New powers are changing the balance between Economic and Political Strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security. He further highlighted the threat of shrinking globalisation and called it a greater threat than terrorism or climatic change. He said " Many societies and countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that globalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can't be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation is fading." India has always believed in values of integration and unity, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which means the entire world is one family. It is relevant to bridge distances: PM Narendra Modi at #WorldEconomicForum #Davos pic.twitter.com/Agf28sd6w2 — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 × This year the topic here is 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world'. New powers are changing the balance between Economic & Political strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability & security: PM pic.twitter.com/ZghYmYXK55 — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 × Many societies & countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that gloabalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can't be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation is fading: PM pic.twitter.com/lWtH97NU6A — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 ×

Countries to bridge distances between them: PM Modi at Davos

<p>President Donald Trump has completed one year in office. When he entered the Oval Office of the White House in the US capital on 20 January 2017, a large number of Americans within the US and a vast number of countries in the world did not expect business as usual.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many Americans were concerned that if Trump would implement all of his campaign promises, the country would face a political divide that would be difficult to heal for years. The Hispanics, African-Americans, Americans of Muslim faith, immigrants, temporary workers and poor white workers were particularly worried about a White House under the Trump Administration.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uncertainty engulfed the world about the probable US approach to issues of peace, security and development. Both American allies and adversaries faced difficulty in communicating with the new US President. It was because Donald Trump, the presidential candidate, had hardly any positive message for the allies and the perceived US adversaries knew that a Trump Administration would more likely escalate the conflict with them than seek resolution of differences.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>One year after Trump became President, the United States remains socially and politically divided from within. An intense cold war is ravaging on between Trump and the mainstream media. The minorities, immigrants and the poor appear disappointed over Trumpean policies. Many believe that President Trump suffers from personality problem, though the President declares himself to be a &ldquo;stable genius.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In foreign affairs, there is still no clarity over his policy approaches and strategies. Analysts have no clue about the direction of US foreign policy and international engagements. Critics in the US and abroad have kept bombarding the Trump Administration for its frequent shift in policy statements and ambiguous policies over North Korea, China, Iran, NATO, NAFTA etc. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amidst all these complexities and uncertainties, Trump&#39;s followers and admirers have a different take. He is regarded as a leader who has delivered what he promised. He promised to build a wall along the US-Mexican border and seems determined to do so. The US Congress has also authorised a few billion dollars for this purpose.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Secondly, he was a critic of the Iran nuclear deal, calling it a &ldquo;bad deal&rdquo;. He has stuck to his position and not extended his support to it; and, in fact, has sought to isolate the Iranian regime further.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Third, he was dead opposed to the way his predecessors&nbsp;handled the North Korean nuclear programme. He took a very hostile and aggressive stance on the &ldquo;little rocket man&rdquo; of Pyongyang, threatening to demonstrate &ldquo;fire and fury&rdquo; against North Korea and, perhaps, take&nbsp;some credit for Pyongyang&rsquo;s decision to send the athletes to join the Olympics along with South Korean counterparts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fourth, he takes credit for arm-twisting military allies in the Atlantic and the Pacific to pay more for the common defense. He also spoke of his secret plan to eliminate the ISIS during the election campaign and now has been credited for the steady demise of ISIS influence in the Middle East.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He promised to back Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and did so in the face of massive international opposition. Seventh, he criticised Obama for declaring withdrawal deadlines for US military from Afghanistan and, thus, empowering Taliban. Once in office, he reversed that policy, increased the troop&#39;s presence and showed determination to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the domestic arena, Trump Administration takes credit for the improvement in the employment situation, economic growth and for ensuring the passage of the massive tax reform legislation in about 30 years. His tightening of the immigration policy has brought cheers to a section of the American citizens who voted for him.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Trump will remain a controversial figure in the US and elsewhere in the world, his approach towards India has been comparatively quite positive. First, there is no possibility of Trump backing the creation of a G2 world with China. Second, Trump&rsquo;s pressure on Pakistan through aid cutoff may have some positive impact in the region. Third, the chemistry between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi has been quite positive. Fourth, the National Security Strategy Report issued by the Trump Administration has elevated India&rsquo;s position as a great global power and has given the glimpse of its aspiration to deepen strategic and defense partnership with India for maintenance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The strategic concept of Indo-Pacific replaces &ldquo;Asia-Pacific&rdquo; and it is very much in Indian interest. The decision of the Trump White House not to push for a revision of H1B visa rules has augured well for the positive trajectory of Indo-US bilateral relations in coming years.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, both Prime Minister Modi and President Trump give priority of place to economic growth as an important dimension of national security and, thus, Indo-US differences over economic issues are bound to remain and create periodic irritation in bilateral ties.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>


While Trump will remain a controversial figure in the US and elsewhere in the world, his approach towards India has been comparatively quite positive.

President Donald Trump has completed one year in office. When he entered the Oval Office of the White House in the US capital on 20 January 2017, a large number of Americans within the US and a vast number of countries in the world did not expect business as usual. Many Americans were concerned that if Trump would implement all of his campaign promises, the country would face a political divide that would be difficult to heal for years. The Hispanics, African-Americans, Americans of Muslim faith, immigrants, temporary workers and poor white workers were particularly worried about a White House under the Trump Administration. Uncertainty engulfed the world about the probable US approach to issues of peace, security and development. Both American allies and adversaries faced difficulty in communicating with the new US President. It was because Donald Trump, the presidential candidate, had hardly any positive message for the allies and the perceived US adversaries knew that a Trump Administration would more likely escalate the conflict with them than seek resolution of differences. One year after Trump became President, the United States remains socially and politically divided from within. An intense cold war is ravaging on between Trump and the mainstream media. The minorities, immigrants and the poor appear disappointed over Trumpean policies. Many believe that President Trump suffers from personality problem, though the President declares himself to be a “stable genius.” In foreign affairs, there is still no clarity over his policy approaches and strategies. Analysts have no clue about the direction of US foreign policy and international engagements. Critics in the US and abroad have kept bombarding the Trump Administration for its frequent shift in policy statements and ambiguous policies over North Korea, China, Iran, NATO, NAFTA etc. Amidst all these complexities and uncertainties, Trump's followers and admirers have a different take. He is regarded as a leader who has delivered what he promised. He promised to build a wall along the US-Mexican border and seems determined to do so. The US Congress has also authorised a few billion dollars for this purpose. Secondly, he was a critic of the Iran nuclear deal, calling it a “bad deal”. He has stuck to his position and not extended his support to it; and, in fact, has sought to isolate the Iranian regime further. Third, he was dead opposed to the way his predecessors handled the North Korean nuclear programme. He took a very hostile and aggressive stance on the “little rocket man” of Pyongyang, threatening to demonstrate “fire and fury” against North Korea and, perhaps, take some credit for Pyongyang’s decision to send the athletes to join the Olympics along with South Korean counterparts. Fourth, he takes credit for arm-twisting military allies in the Atlantic and the Pacific to pay more for the common defense. He also spoke of his secret plan to eliminate the ISIS during the election campaign and now has been credited for the steady demise of ISIS influence in the Middle East. He promised to back Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and did so in the face of massive international opposition. Seventh, he criticised Obama for declaring withdrawal deadlines for US military from Afghanistan and, thus, empowering Taliban. Once in office, he reversed that policy, increased the troop's presence and showed determination to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. In the domestic arena, Trump Administration takes credit for the improvement in the employment situation, economic growth and for ensuring the passage of the massive tax reform legislation in about 30 years. His tightening of the immigration policy has brought cheers to a section of the American citizens who voted for him. While Trump will remain a controversial figure in the US and elsewhere in the world, his approach towards India has been comparatively quite positive. First, there is no possibility of Trump backing the creation of a G2 world with China. Second, Trump’s pressure on Pakistan through aid cutoff may have some positive impact in the region. Third, the chemistry between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi has been quite positive. Fourth, the National Security Strategy Report issued by the Trump Administration has elevated India’s position as a great global power and has given the glimpse of its aspiration to deepen strategic and defense partnership with India for maintenance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The strategic concept of Indo-Pacific replaces “Asia-Pacific” and it is very much in Indian interest. The decision of the Trump White House not to push for a revision of H1B visa rules has augured well for the positive trajectory of Indo-US bilateral relations in coming years. However, both Prime Minister Modi and President Trump give priority of place to economic growth as an important dimension of national security and, thus, Indo-US differences over economic issues are bound to remain and create periodic irritation in bilateral ties. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Trump shares a cordial relationship with Modi but leaves the world confused

<p>The roads in Uttar Pradesh will soon display saffron coloured boards featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The boards which will be put up on pothole-free roads will have the slogan &quot; sarkar ka sankalp, sadak ka ho kayakalp&quot; which means &quot; Government&#39;s oath to revive the roads&quot;.</p>

<p>Citing PWD officials a media report stated that the department is working on constructing a total of 2.6 lakh kilometres of roads in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Deputy Chief Minister had said that the UP government had inherited 1.21 lakh kilometres of pothole-riddled roads from the previous government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said they have repaired most of the stretches by new techniques improving the age of the road from five to 25 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to him, more than 3 lakh kilometres of roads were constructed by them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After repairing and constructing of the roads, the government will also place unipole which will provide details of the roads and also display information about the assembly,&nbsp;Lok Sabha and constituencies.</p>

<p>Every singleboard that will be put up on each road will cost around Rs 15,000.</p>


The boards which will be put up on pothole-free roads will have the slogan ' sarkar ka sankalp, sadak ka ho kayakal which means 'Government's oath to revive the roads'

The roads in Uttar Pradesh will soon display saffron coloured boards featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. The boards which will be put up on pothole-free roads will have the slogan " sarkar ka sankalp, sadak ka ho kayakalp" which means " Government's oath to revive the roads". Citing PWD officials a media report stated that the department is working on constructing a total of 2.6 lakh kilometres of roads in the state. The Deputy Chief Minister had said that the UP government had inherited 1.21 lakh kilometres of pothole-riddled roads from the previous government. He said they have repaired most of the stretches by new techniques improving the age of the road from five to 25 years. According to him, more than 3 lakh kilometres of roads were constructed by them. After repairing and constructing of the roads, the government will also place unipole which will provide details of the roads and also display information about the assembly, Lok Sabha and constituencies. Every singleboard that will be put up on each road will cost around Rs 15,000.

Pothole-free roads in UP to have 'saffron' boards with Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath pics

<p>Harry Potter was an unheard name, tweeting was done only by birds and Amazon referred to dense forests in 1997, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today to stress upon the changes the world has seen in the past 20 years.</p>

<p>Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Modi said he is the first Indian Prime Minister to come here since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. The Indian economy has changed significantly since then and so has the rest of the world, he noted.</p>

<p>Speaking mostly in Hindi, Modi thanked WEF and the Swiss government for the reception accorded to him.</p>

<p>He also recalled that when Deve Gowda came here in 1997, the theme of the WEF summit was building a networked society. That theme now looks centuries-old as the world today is about big data and so many other new developments, the prime minister said.</p>

<p>Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name.</p>

<p>&quot;Also, chess players did not have any big fear of the computer while Google was not there in cyberspace and Amazon of that time was about dense forests. Tweeting was done by birds at that time and not by humans,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi, however, said at that time also, Davos was ahead of its time and was known for WEF. It is ahead of the times today as well with the theme of &#39;Creating a shared future in a fractured world&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;The world is changing fast today and there are new and serious challenges related to peace and security and various other matters.</p>

<p>&quot;We believe in linking people, not bending them or breaking them. But the challenges the world faces are as numerous as they are daunting.</p>

<p>&quot;Mountains of data are getting created and there is a race to control those as the feeling is that the one who gets control of this data would rule the world,&quot; he said.</p>


Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Modi said he is the first Indian Prime Minister to come here since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. The Indian economy has changed significantly since then and so has the rest of the world, he noted

Harry Potter was an unheard name, tweeting was done only by birds and Amazon referred to dense forests in 1997, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today to stress upon the changes the world has seen in the past 20 years. Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Modi said he is the first Indian Prime Minister to come here since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. The Indian economy has changed significantly since then and so has the rest of the world, he noted. Speaking mostly in Hindi, Modi thanked WEF and the Swiss government for the reception accorded to him. He also recalled that when Deve Gowda came here in 1997, the theme of the WEF summit was building a networked society. That theme now looks centuries-old as the world today is about big data and so many other new developments, the prime minister said. Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name. "Also, chess players did not have any big fear of the computer while Google was not there in cyberspace and Amazon of that time was about dense forests. Tweeting was done by birds at that time and not by humans," he said. Modi, however, said at that time also, Davos was ahead of its time and was known for WEF. It is ahead of the times today as well with the theme of 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world'. "The world is changing fast today and there are new and serious challenges related to peace and security and various other matters. "We believe in linking people, not bending them or breaking them. But the challenges the world faces are as numerous as they are daunting. "Mountains of data are getting created and there is a race to control those as the feeling is that the one who gets control of this data would rule the world," he said.

When tweeting was done by birds and Amazon was a jungle: Modi recalls 1997

<p>On Republic Day eve, France and India will celebrate their ties through a programme called &#39;Bonjour India&#39;, which will showcase a &#39;regatta&#39; and workshops by French theatre groups among other events.<br />
<br />
The Bonjour India events in Puducherry tomorrow are aimed at highlighting the partnership between the two countries.<br />
<br />
Alexandre Ziegler, ambassador of France to India, will inaugurate the programme, a French embassy statement said here.<br />
<br />
The events will include a &#39;regatta&#39;, an innovative e-bike launch, and workshops by renowned French Th tre du Soleil, held in collaboration with Alliance Fran aise de Pondich ry and the French consulate in Puducherry.<br />
<br />
Ambassador Ziegler and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will flag off the &#39;regatta&#39;. The event will see the participation of 50 competitors, including international sailors, based on their boat classes.<br />
<br />
The third edition of Bonjour India 2017-18 is a four- month-long voyage across India for celebrating the Indo-French partnership as well as shaping the next decade of people-to- people contacts between the two countries, the statement said.<br />
<br />
Bonjour India involves 100 projects in 33 cities across the country, between November 2017 and February 2018.<br />
<br />
It serves as a platform for enduring partnerships across the themes of Smart Citizen, High Mobility, Go Green, it added.</p>


The Bonjour India events in Puducherry tomorrow are aimed at highlighting the partnership between the two countries

On Republic Day eve, France and India will celebrate their ties through a programme called 'Bonjour India', which will showcase a 'regatta' and workshops by French theatre groups among other events. The Bonjour India events in Puducherry tomorrow are aimed at highlighting the partnership between the two countries. Alexandre Ziegler, ambassador of France to India, will inaugurate the programme, a French embassy statement said here. The events will include a 'regatta', an innovative e-bike launch, and workshops by renowned French Th tre du Soleil, held in collaboration with Alliance Fran aise de Pondich ry and the French consulate in Puducherry. Ambassador Ziegler and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will flag off the 'regatta'. The event will see the participation of 50 competitors, including international sailors, based on their boat classes. The third edition of Bonjour India 2017-18 is a four- month-long voyage across India for celebrating the Indo-French partnership as well as shaping the next decade of people-to- people contacts between the two countries, the statement said. Bonjour India involves 100 projects in 33 cities across the country, between November 2017 and February 2018. It serves as a platform for enduring partnerships across the themes of Smart Citizen, High Mobility, Go Green, it added.

'Bonjour India' to celebrate Indo-French ties tomorrow

<p>Ahead of the India-ASEAN Summit leaders of the various Southeast Asian countries arrived in India on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Myanmar&#39;s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi,&nbsp;Singaporean Premier Lee Hsien Loong,&nbsp;Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah,&nbsp;Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha,&nbsp;Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak along with his wife and President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte were the leaders to arrive in India Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two-day Summit is organised to mark the 25 years of Indo-ASEAN relations.</p>

<p>The event will start with a leaders&#39; retreat on January&nbsp;25&nbsp;involving their &quot;free and frank&quot; discussion.</p>

<p>The theme of the retreat session is &#39;maritime cooperation and security&#39;.</p>

<p>Following the retreat, a plenary session will be held on the same day.</p>

<p>To be held at the backdrop of increasing Chinese economic and military presence in the region,&nbsp;the meet is expected to boost&nbsp;India- ASEAN cooperation in key areas of counter-terrorism, security and connectivity.</p>

<p>India can utilise the meet as an opportunity to&nbsp;present itself as a powerful ally to these countries in the strategic areas of trade and connectivity.</p>

<p>The leaders from the South East Asian countries will also be guest to India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This will be the first time when ten leaders from different countries will witness the Republic Day celebration as guest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ASEAN constitutes Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a> State Counsellor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AungSanSuuKyi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AungSanSuuKyi</a> arrives in Delhi for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASEANIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASEANIndia</a> meet <a href="https://t.co/QP9adTZsJo">pic.twitter.com/QP9adTZsJo</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956136826720346112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">President of India Ramnath Kovind meets Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. <a href="https://t.co/Vwu0yc6Vfu">pic.twitter.com/Vwu0yc6Vfu</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956140260638928897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to be held on January 25 &amp; 26. <a href="https://t.co/NawHitEyeT">pic.twitter.com/NawHitEyeT</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956146599717085184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to be held on January 25 &amp; 26. <a href="https://t.co/vFDy3ov4Wy">pic.twitter.com/vFDy3ov4Wy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956158321798426624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The two leaders are holding a bilateral meeting. <a href="https://t.co/JZfmflCMfX">pic.twitter.com/JZfmflCMfX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956168490343264256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/EfnUCDxxKJ">pic.twitter.com/EfnUCDxxKJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956177237971165191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. The Summit will be held on January 25 &amp; 26. <a href="https://t.co/FpUzZre6MP">pic.twitter.com/FpUzZre6MP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956179646017499137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MoUs exchanged between India and Vietnam in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/8rD6iBGIXT">pic.twitter.com/8rD6iBGIXT</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956187923124125697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other dignitaries after the exchange of MoUs between the two countries in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/MIT4HippRy">pic.twitter.com/MIT4HippRy</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956188699141828609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte <a href="https://t.co/HubY3OAffK">pic.twitter.com/HubY3OAffK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956192958688083968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from PTI, ANI)</em></p>


The two-day Summit is organised to mark the 25 years of Indo-ASEAN relations

Ahead of the India-ASEAN Summit leaders of the various Southeast Asian countries arrived in India on Wednesday. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Singaporean Premier Lee Hsien Loong, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak along with his wife and President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte were the leaders to arrive in India Wednesday. The two-day Summit is organised to mark the 25 years of Indo-ASEAN relations. The event will start with a leaders' retreat on January 25 involving their "free and frank" discussion. The theme of the retreat session is 'maritime cooperation and security'. Following the retreat, a plenary session will be held on the same day. To be held at the backdrop of increasing Chinese economic and military presence in the region, the meet is expected to boost India- ASEAN cooperation in key areas of counter-terrorism, security and connectivity. India can utilise the meet as an opportunity to present itself as a powerful ally to these countries in the strategic areas of trade and connectivity. The leaders from the South East Asian countries will also be guest to India's Republic Day celebrations on Friday. This will be the first time when ten leaders from different countries will witness the Republic Day celebration as guest. ASEAN constitutes Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei. #Myanmar State Counsellor #AungSanSuuKyi arrives in Delhi for #ASEANIndia meet pic.twitter.com/QP9adTZsJo — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × President of India Ramnath Kovind meets Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. pic.twitter.com/Vwu0yc6Vfu — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Delhi: Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to be held on January 25 & 26. pic.twitter.com/NawHitEyeT — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Delhi: Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to be held on January 25 & 26. pic.twitter.com/vFDy3ov4Wy — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × #Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The two leaders are holding a bilateral meeting. pic.twitter.com/JZfmflCMfX — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/EfnUCDxxKJ — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Delhi: Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor arrive for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. The Summit will be held on January 25 & 26. pic.twitter.com/FpUzZre6MP — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × MoUs exchanged between India and Vietnam in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/8rD6iBGIXT — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other dignitaries after the exchange of MoUs between the two countries in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/MIT4HippRy — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × #Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte pic.twitter.com/HubY3OAffK — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × (With inputs from PTI, ANI)

South Asian leaders arrive in India for Indo-ASEAN Summit

<p>Pitching India as an investment destination at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told world leaders and global CEOs that the country has replaced the infamous bureaucratic red tape with a red carpet for businesses.</p>

<p>Hard selling India as an investment destination at the WEF, Modi said the government is following the principle of reform, perform and transform.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The world applauds 1.3 bn people of India at the <a href="https://twitter.com/wef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wef</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Davos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Davos</a> appreciating the remarkable transformation in improving the business climate. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> interacting with the top global CEOs at the International Business Council event. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaMeansBusiness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaMeansBusiness</a> <a href="https://t.co/AfvfarnKGS">pic.twitter.com/AfvfarnKGS</a></p>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/955795946369179648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;We have made it easier to invest in India, manufacture in India and work in India. We have decided to uproot licence and permit Raj. We are replacing red tape with red carpet,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Stating that hundreds of reforms have been carried out by the central and state governments, the prime minister said 1,400 archaic laws that were becoming roadblocks in India&#39;s growth have been removed and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been implemented, among others.</p>

<p>Inclusive development is key to all government programmes, whether it is Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao or Direct Benefit Transfer through digital infrastructure, he said.</p>

<p>Speaking in Hindi, PM Modi showcased the ease of doing business in India to world leaders and global CEOs, also calling for countries to unite to tackle what he called the three big challenges that the world faces - &quot;climate change, terrorism and a threat to globalisation with powers of protectionism rising.&quot;</p>


PM Modi said the government is following the principle of reform, perform and transform

Pitching India as an investment destination at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told world leaders and global CEOs that the country has replaced the infamous bureaucratic red tape with a red carpet for businesses. Hard selling India as an investment destination at the WEF, Modi said the government is following the principle of reform, perform and transform. The world applauds 1.3 bn people of India at the @wef in #Davos appreciating the remarkable transformation in improving the business climate. PM @narendramodi interacting with the top global CEOs at the International Business Council event. #IndiaMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/AfvfarnKGS — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 23, 2018 × "We have made it easier to invest in India, manufacture in India and work in India. We have decided to uproot licence and permit Raj. We are replacing red tape with red carpet," he added. Stating that hundreds of reforms have been carried out by the central and state governments, the prime minister said 1,400 archaic laws that were becoming roadblocks in India's growth have been removed and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been implemented, among others. Inclusive development is key to all government programmes, whether it is Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao or Direct Benefit Transfer through digital infrastructure, he said. Speaking in Hindi, PM Modi showcased the ease of doing business in India to world leaders and global CEOs, also calling for countries to unite to tackle what he called the three big challenges that the world faces - "climate change, terrorism and a threat to globalisation with powers of protectionism rising."

India replacing 'red tape' with 'red carpet': PM Modi at Davos

<p>All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday said that the BJP is playing pakoda politics.</p>

<p>The comment comes following the ongoing protests over the controversial movie Padmaavat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This is nothing but &#39;pakoda&#39; politics being practised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Prime Minister and his party have laid a red carpet for these people (Padmaavat protesters) who are indulging in violence against children, burning down properties, have become a law into themselves. All this is happening because of tactical support of the BJP. The Prime Minister and his party have meekly surrendered before these people who are protesting.&quot;</p>

<p>He further accused PM Modi of double standards and said: &quot;Prime Minister Modi&#39;s 56-inch chest is only for Muslims. Look at the biasness of their approach that without even consulting any Muslim member from his own Cabinet, without even putting it in the public domain, without even consulting any Muslim organisation, the government is bulldozing triple talaq bill.&quot;</p>

<p>He added, &quot;But, when it comes to this film the name has been changed, the scenes have been cut. And, to satisfy the sentiments of some people the midriff of the heroine has been covered. What kind of politics is this?&quot; Owaisi lamented.</p>

<p>Modi has been the centre of criticism since his comment over employment, in a recent interview, saying that a person earning Rs 200 a day by selling &quot;pakodas&quot; is also employed.</p>

<p>&quot;If someone opened a small shop outside Zee studios, and they earn Rs 200 at the end of the day, isn&#39;t that part of employment generation? These small businesses are not part of the data, but there is growth in the number of such businesses,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The AIMIM leader alleged that it shows that the Constitution and rule of law are not important for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.</p>

<p>Earlier, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-a-chaiwala-can-tell-unemployed-youth-to-sell-snacks-hardik-patel-attacks-pm-modi-30382"> Hardik Patel</a> had also lashed out at PM Modi, saying that &quot;Only a tea seller can tell unemployed youth to sell snacks. An economist would never say something like this.&quot;</p>

<p>The Sanjay Leela Bhansali magnum opus &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721">Padmaavat</a>&#39;, which released on Thursday, has been<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-today-protests-continue-lucknow-man-tries-to-immolate-himself-30690"> embroiled </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-today-protests-continue-lucknow-man-tries-to-immolate-himself-30690">into</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-today-protests-continue-lucknow-man-tries-to-immolate-himself-30690"> controversy</a> since its inception.</p>

<p>The movie, however, was a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-not-to-release-in-4-states-says-multiplex-association-of-india-30677"> no-show in four states.</a> Cinema hall owners in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa have refused to screen the movie saying they fear violence.&nbsp;</p>


The AIMIM leader alleged that it shows that the Constitution and rule of law is not important for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday said that the BJP is playing pakoda politics. The comment comes following the ongoing protests over the controversial movie Padmaavat. "This is nothing but 'pakoda' politics being practised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Prime Minister and his party have laid a red carpet for these people (Padmaavat protesters) who are indulging in violence against children, burning down properties, have become a law into themselves. All this is happening because of tactical support of the BJP. The Prime Minister and his party have meekly surrendered before these people who are protesting." He further accused PM Modi of double standards and said: "Prime Minister Modi's 56-inch chest is only for Muslims. Look at the biasness of their approach that without even consulting any Muslim member from his own Cabinet, without even putting it in the public domain, without even consulting any Muslim organisation, the government is bulldozing triple talaq bill." He added, "But, when it comes to this film the name has been changed, the scenes have been cut. And, to satisfy the sentiments of some people the midriff of the heroine has been covered. What kind of politics is this?" Owaisi lamented. Modi has been the centre of criticism since his comment over employment, in a recent interview, saying that a person earning Rs 200 a day by selling "pakodas" is also employed. "If someone opened a small shop outside Zee studios, and they earn Rs 200 at the end of the day, isn't that part of employment generation? These small businesses are not part of the data, but there is growth in the number of such businesses," he said. The AIMIM leader alleged that it shows that the Constitution and rule of law are not important for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government. Earlier, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel had also lashed out at PM Modi, saying that "Only a tea seller can tell unemployed youth to sell snacks. An economist would never say something like this." The Sanjay Leela Bhansali magnum opus 'Padmaavat', which released on Thursday, has been embroiled into controversy since its inception. The movie, however, was a no-show in four states. Cinema hall owners in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa have refused to screen the movie saying they fear violence.

This is nothing but 'pakoda' politics by BJP: Owaisi lashes out following Padmaavat protest

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-wont-allow-un-sanctions-monitoring-team-access-to-hafiz-saeed-reports-30351" target="_blank">Pakistan won&#39;t allow UN sanctions monitoring team access to Hafiz Saeed: Reports</a></p>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/29908" target="_blank">United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions&nbsp;</a>monitoring team won&#39;t be allowed a direct access to 26/11 Mumbai terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed or his entities, according to a report in a Pakistan media daily.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taste-of-india-pm-modis-kitchen-carrying-1000-kg-masala-to-davos-30355" target="_blank">Taste of India: PM Modi&#39;s kitchen carrying 1,000 kg masala to Davos</a></p>

<p>PM Modi prefers all kinds of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-swiss-president-berset-today-at-davos-30341">food, provided it is vegetarian</a>, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today. A group of 32 chefs including&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">managers catering to Indian&nbsp;</a><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">adda</a></em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">&nbsp;</a>and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prasoon-joshi-to-get-zed-plus-security-during-jaipur-lit-festival-30364" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prasoon-joshi-to-get-zed-plus-security-during-jaipur-lit-festival-30364" target="_blank"> row: Prasoon Joshi to get Z+ security during Jaipur Lit Festival</a></p>

<p>Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi will be provided with zed plus security when he visits Jaipur for the Jaipur Literature Festival.&nbsp; &quot;Required protection will be provided to Joshi from the state government, we are committed to maintain law and order in the state,&quot; home minister Gulab Chand Kataria told a daily</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hold-on-iphone-x-may-soon-be-discontinued-30352" target="_blank">Hold on, iPhone X may soon be discontinued?</a></p>

<p>You may soon see stores without the iPhone X. This is because of the low sales of the highly-anticipated Apple phone.&nbsp;Apple and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kua has revealed that the sales were seriously dropping and are expected to reach just around 18 million units in the first quarter of 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-arrives-in-zurich-set-to-land-in-davos-shortly-30369" target="_blank">Live World Economic Forum: PM Modi arrives in Zurich, set to land in Davos shortly</a></p>

<p>PM Modi will be meeting the Swiss President Alain Berset as he arrives in Davos, after that a welcome reception for the Indian prime minister will be held after his talks with the Swiss president.</p>


Pakistan won't allow UN sanctions monitoring team access to Hafiz Saeed: Reports The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions monitoring team won't be allowed a direct access to 26/11 Mumbai terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed or his entities, according to a report in a Pakistan media daily. Taste of India: PM Modi's kitchen carrying 1,000 kg masala to Davos PM Modi prefers all kinds of food, provided it is vegetarian, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today. A group of 32 chefs including managers catering to Indian adda and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos. Padmaavat row: Prasoon Joshi to get Z+ security during Jaipur Lit Festival Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi will be provided with zed plus security when he visits Jaipur for the Jaipur Literature Festival. "Required protection will be provided to Joshi from the state government, we are committed to maintain law and order in the state," home minister Gulab Chand Kataria told a daily Hold on, iPhone X may soon be discontinued? You may soon see stores without the iPhone X. This is because of the low sales of the highly-anticipated Apple phone. Apple and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kua has revealed that the sales were seriously dropping and are expected to reach just around 18 million units in the first quarter of 2018. Live World Economic Forum: PM Modi arrives in Zurich, set to land in Davos shortly PM Modi will be meeting the Swiss President Alain Berset as he arrives in Davos, after that a welcome reception for the Indian prime minister will be held after his talks with the Swiss president.

WION Evening News brief, January 22, 2018

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