British Prime Minister Theresa May will visit India next month with an ambition to forge new global role for Britain after it leaves the European Union, May&#39;s Downing Street office said in a statement.

&nbsp;

The November 6-8 trip will be her first ever bilateral visit to a country outside Europe after she took office in July, international news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A number of commercial deals are expected to be signed &nbsp;between India and Britain as the heads of the two states -- May and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- meet to inaugurate a tech summit in Delhi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;As we embark on the trade mission to India we will send the message that the UK will be the most passionate, most consistent, and most convincing advocate for free trade,&quot; May was quoted as saying.

&nbsp;

Liam Fox, Britain&#39;s secretary of state for international trade, will join the visit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp; 
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A number of commercial deals are expected to be signed ?between India and Britain during May's visit

British Prime Minister Theresa May will visit India next month with an ambition to forge new global role for Britain after it leaves the European Union, May's Downing Street office said in a statement. The November 6-8 trip will be her first ever bilateral visit to a country outside Europe after she took office in July, international news agency Reuters reported. A number of commercial deals are expected to be signed between India and Britain as the heads of the two states -- May and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- meet to inaugurate a tech summit in Delhi. "As we embark on the trade mission to India we will send the message that the UK will be the most passionate, most consistent, and most convincing advocate for free trade," May was quoted as saying. Liam Fox, Britain's secretary of state for international trade, will join the visit. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Britain's PM May to visit India in first trade mission after taking office

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and India&#39;s ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party have been at each other&#39;s throat&nbsp;over the boycott of a film featuring an actor from Pakistan.

A day after film &#39;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&#39; was banned in four Indian states by an exhibitors&#39; association, Kashyap said that by the same logic Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also apologise&nbsp;for his impromptu meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on December 25, 2015, since it was&nbsp;the same day when the boycotted movie was being filmed as well.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retaliated by condemning Kashyap, saying that such comments were harming the country as the government has been trying to &quot;isolate Pakistan&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Making these statements when the Prime Minister and the government are isolating Pakistan doesn&#39;t go with the national mood. Somewhere I feel that pride of the nation is missing and pride of a movie has taken over Anurag Kashyap,&quot; BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said.

Kashyap took to Twitter again to defend himself. He also took a swipe at the &quot;blind fanatics&quot;&nbsp;who stop others from having a conversation with the prime minister.

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I refuse to live in the fear created by blind fanatics that you cannot have a conversation with your PM or question him or expect from him
&mdash; Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/787595552552849413">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Kashyap also urged the prime minister to offer the film industry more &quot;protection&quot; since it has always been a soft target.&nbsp;

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We have been vulnerable for long, and have been paying the price by being used by every one to find any kind of standing..
&mdash; Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/787592719950614528">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The 44-year-old filmamker, who has made critically acclaimed movies such as Dev D and Gangs of Wasseypur, also questioned the nature of democracy if people were not allowed to pose uncomfortable questions to the government.

The movie &#39;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&#39; was banned following strident calls from nationalist political parties in India.&nbsp;

The political outfits demanded that no movie&nbsp;starring Pakistani artistes should be released following the Uri attack on an army installation in Kashmir, which left 19 soldiers dead.

India has claimed that the perpetrators, four in total, were supported by Pakistan and have since then tried to put diplomatic pressure on their neighbours.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was attacked by Bharatiya Janata Party for posing uncomfortable questions to PM Narendra Modi

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and India's ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party have been at each other's throat over the boycott of a film featuring an actor from Pakistan. A day after film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' was banned in four Indian states by an exhibitors' association, Kashyap said that by the same logic Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also apologise for his impromptu meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on December 25, 2015, since it was the same day when the boycotted movie was being filmed as well. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retaliated by condemning Kashyap, saying that such comments were harming the country as the government has been trying to "isolate Pakistan". "Making these statements when the Prime Minister and the government are isolating Pakistan doesn't go with the national mood. Somewhere I feel that pride of the nation is missing and pride of a movie has taken over Anurag Kashyap," BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said. Kashyap took to Twitter again to defend himself. He also took a swipe at the "blind fanatics" who stop others from having a conversation with the prime minister. I refuse to live in the fear created by blind fanatics that you cannot have a conversation with your PM or question him or expect from him — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) October 16, 2016 × Kashyap also urged the prime minister to offer the film industry more "protection" since it has always been a soft target. We have been vulnerable for long, and have been paying the price by being used by every one to find any kind of standing.. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) October 16, 2016 × The 44-year-old filmamker, who has made critically acclaimed movies such as Dev D and Gangs of Wasseypur, also questioned the nature of democracy if people were not allowed to pose uncomfortable questions to the government. The movie 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' was banned following strident calls from nationalist political parties in India. The political outfits demanded that no movie starring Pakistani artistes should be released following the Uri attack on an army installation in Kashmir, which left 19 soldiers dead. India has claimed that the perpetrators, four in total, were supported by Pakistan and have since then tried to put diplomatic pressure on their neighbours. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's ruling party, filmmaker at loggerheads over boycott of film

Speaking at the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that geographical barriers and borders no longer limit the threat that terrorism, radicalisation and transnational crimes present to our societies.&nbsp;

Modi said all nations in South Asia and BIMSTEC, the seven-member bloc consisting of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal, barring one are motivated to pursue a path of peace and development.&nbsp;

In the indirect attack on Pakistan, Modi said, &quot;unfortunately, this country in India&#39;s neighbourhood embraces and radiates the darkness of terrorism. Terrorism has become its favourite child and the child, in turn, has come to define the essential character and nature of its parents. The time for condemning the state-sponsored terrorism is long gone.&quot; He stressed that all member states and the world community must stand up and take bold actions against terrorism and those who nurture it.

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PM:To those who nurture philosophy of terror &amp; seek to dehumanize mankind,we must send clear msg-mend ways or b isolated in civilized world <a href="https://t.co/SDNsR9qt2f">pic.twitter.com/SDNsR9qt2f</a>
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/787654731606794241">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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BIMSTEC nations supported Modi&#39;s views of the need for a joint effort to combat the global menance of terrorism. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said peace is an important element for economic prosperity in the region. He assured the nation&#39;s committment to fight terrorism. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina too emphasised, &quot;we all must&nbsp;join hands to deal with violent extremism and terrorism&quot;.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Modi made another indirect reference to Pakistan&nbsp;while addressing the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations saying that the &quot;terror module around the world is linked to this mothership (Pakistan)&quot;, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

Stressing that BRICS nations must speak in one voice against this threat, Modi said that the &quot;direct threat to our economy is terror&quot;. &nbsp;&quot;This country (Pak) shelters not just terrorists but nurtures mindset which proclaims that terror is justified for political gains. &nbsp;It is a mindset that we strongly condemn and against which we as BRICS need to stand and act together,&quot; &nbsp;he was quoted as saying by PTI.&nbsp;

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The growing arc of terrorism today threatens Middle East, West Asia, Europe and South Asia: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRICSSummit?src=hash">#BRICSSummit</a> in Goa <a href="https://t.co/FbceuOhQhU">pic.twitter.com/FbceuOhQhU</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/787535171989872641">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Modi urged security and counter-terrorism cooperation among BRICS nations, saying we need &quot;a comprehensive approach to tackling terror&quot; and &quot;safeguard the lives of our citizens&quot;. Cautioning against a selective approach to terrorists, individuals and organisations, Modi warned that the terror network around the world has &quot;only grown more lethal&quot; and such a&nbsp;such a strategy &quot;will not only be futile but also counter-productive&quot;. The Prime Minister underscored the need for close coordination on tracking sources of terror financing, their weapons supply, training and political support and systematically cutting off the ties.&nbsp;

Indian news agency ANI also reported about the developments of the restricted meeting of the leaders in western Indian state of Goa&nbsp;in a series of tweets.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRICS?src=hash">#BRICS</a> leaders restricted meeting underway in Goa, PM Modi says BRICS nations have been a voice for peace, reform,reason &amp; purposeful action <a href="https://t.co/Yg1RRLEhvn">pic.twitter.com/Yg1RRLEhvn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/787532600982155264">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Salcete: Welcome ceremony of BRICS leaders in Goa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRICSSummit?src=hash">#BRICSSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/ANG3PmEO1C">pic.twitter.com/ANG3PmEO1C</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/787530975328645120">October 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Putting the global economy back on track was another focus point of the deliberations,&nbsp;PM Modi said, &quot;I think through a&nbsp;common vision and collective action we will create and sustain deeper bonds among BRICS nations.&quot; Exhorting the BRICS Business Council to work with member countries for strengthening mutual trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it will help to generate greater business awareness, promote innovation and remove bottlenecks to intra-BRICS commerce. At the end of the summit, the leaders adopted the Goa declaration that lays a comprehensive vision for cooperation within BRICS and on several international issues.

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a clear reference to Pakistan, Indian PM Narendra Modi said terrorism has become the favourite child of one South Asian nation

Speaking at the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that geographical barriers and borders no longer limit the threat that terrorism, radicalisation and transnational crimes present to our societies. Modi said all nations in South Asia and BIMSTEC, the seven-member bloc consisting of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal, barring one are motivated to pursue a path of peace and development. In the indirect attack on Pakistan, Modi said, "unfortunately, this country in India's neighbourhood embraces and radiates the darkness of terrorism. Terrorism has become its favourite child and the child, in turn, has come to define the essential character and nature of its parents. The time for condemning the state-sponsored terrorism is long gone." He stressed that all member states and the world community must stand up and take bold actions against terrorism and those who nurture it. PM:To those who nurture philosophy of terror & seek to dehumanize mankind,we must send clear msg-mend ways or b isolated in civilized world pic.twitter.com/SDNsR9qt2f — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 16, 2016 × BIMSTEC nations supported Modi's views of the need for a joint effort to combat the global menance of terrorism. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said peace is an important element for economic prosperity in the region. He assured the nation's committment to fight terrorism. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina too emphasised, "we all must join hands to deal with violent extremism and terrorism". Earlier in the day, Modi made another indirect reference to Pakistan while addressing the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations saying that the "terror module around the world is linked to this mothership (Pakistan)", Indian news agency PTI reported. Stressing that BRICS nations must speak in one voice against this threat, Modi said that the "direct threat to our economy is terror". "This country (Pak) shelters not just terrorists but nurtures mindset which proclaims that terror is justified for political gains. It is a mindset that we strongly condemn and against which we as BRICS need to stand and act together," he was quoted as saying by PTI. The growing arc of terrorism today threatens Middle East, West Asia, Europe and South Asia: PM Modi #BRICSSummit in Goa pic.twitter.com/FbceuOhQhU — ANI (@ANI_news) October 16, 2016 × Modi urged security and counter-terrorism cooperation among BRICS nations, saying we need "a comprehensive approach to tackling terror" and "safeguard the lives of our citizens". Cautioning against a selective approach to terrorists, individuals and organisations, Modi warned that the terror network around the world has "only grown more lethal" and such a such a strategy "will not only be futile but also counter-productive". The Prime Minister underscored the need for close coordination on tracking sources of terror financing, their weapons supply, training and political support and systematically cutting off the ties. Indian news agency ANI also reported about the developments of the restricted meeting of the leaders in western Indian state of Goa in a series of tweets. #BRICS leaders restricted meeting underway in Goa, PM Modi says BRICS nations have been a voice for peace, reform,reason & purposeful action pic.twitter.com/Yg1RRLEhvn — ANI (@ANI_news) October 16, 2016 × Salcete: Welcome ceremony of BRICS leaders in Goa #BRICSSummit pic.twitter.com/ANG3PmEO1C — ANI (@ANI_news) October 16, 2016 × Putting the global economy back on track was another focus point of the deliberations, PM Modi said, "I think through a common vision and collective action we will create and sustain deeper bonds among BRICS nations." Exhorting the BRICS Business Council to work with member countries for strengthening mutual trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it will help to generate greater business awareness, promote innovation and remove bottlenecks to intra-BRICS commerce. At the end of the summit, the leaders adopted the Goa declaration that lays a comprehensive vision for cooperation within BRICS and on several international issues. (WION with inputs from agencies)

BIMSTEC nations vow to combat global terror threat, India points to 'mother ship' Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan is ready for talks with India if New Delhi was serious to resolve the Kashmir issue which, he said, is the &quot;main cause of unrest&quot; in the region. Pakistan had offered talks on outstanding issues several times but India did not reciprocate, he told reporters in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he wrapped up a three-day visit.

&quot;Kashmir was (the) main cause of unrest in the region and India must show seriousness for resolution of the issue and honour its commitment under United Nations Security Council Resolutions,&quot; Sharif was quoted as saying by Associated Press.&nbsp;

Pakistan was committed to peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, he said. Sharif dismissed India&#39;s allegations that Pakistan was behind the attack on an Indian army base camp in Uri, saying India levelled allegations against Pakistan within six hours of the incident. He said no infiltration took place across the Line of Control (LoC).

Sharif&#39;s statement comes amid strains in the relations between Pakistan and India in the wake of the Uri terror attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed last month.

(PTI)

Pakistan had offered talks on outstanding issues several times but India did not reciprocate, Sharif said

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan is ready for talks with India if New Delhi was serious to resolve the Kashmir issue which, he said, is the "main cause of unrest" in the region. Pakistan had offered talks on outstanding issues several times but India did not reciprocate, he told reporters in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he wrapped up a three-day visit. "Kashmir was (the) main cause of unrest in the region and India must show seriousness for resolution of the issue and honour its commitment under United Nations Security Council Resolutions," Sharif was quoted as saying by Associated Press. Pakistan was committed to peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, he said. Sharif dismissed India's allegations that Pakistan was behind the attack on an Indian army base camp in Uri, saying India levelled allegations against Pakistan within six hours of the incident. He said no infiltration took place across the Line of Control (LoC). Sharif's statement comes amid strains in the relations between Pakistan and India in the wake of the Uri terror attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed last month. (PTI)

Pakistan ready for talks only if India is serious about Kashmir: Nawaz Sharif

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met today&nbsp;for the ninth time in over two years but the salubrious weather in western Indian state of Goa&nbsp;did not appear to bridge the chasm that divides the two Asian neighbours.

&nbsp;

Modi and Xi agreed to disagree on issues that are of immediate concern to India, namely India&#39;s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the proposed United Nations ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who India accuses of having had a hand in a series of terrorist attacks in India, including the September 18 Uri attack in northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir.

&nbsp;

Indian ministry of external affairs spokesperson, Vikas Swarup, told reporters that Modi spoke &quot;frankly&quot; about the need for finding a common ground on the proposed UN ban on Masood Azhar.

&nbsp;

&quot;China has proposed that second round of consultations on the NSG issue will be held soon. Also, Chinese state councillor Yanj Jiechi can be expected to hold talks with national security adviser AK Doval,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

India, Swarup added, has had a &quot;continuous dialogue&quot; with China on terrorism and it remains hopeful of China&#39;s cooperation on these and other issues bilateral, regional and global issues of interest to both Beijing and New Delhi.

&nbsp;

Modi has pursued high-velocity diplomacy, logging frequent flyer miles along the way but his attempts to forge a modus vivendi with Beijing has come unstuck and in the process exposed the limits of his personalised diplomacy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In fact, in the run-up to the Modi-Xi Goa meet, Beijing pre-empted New Delhi by iterating its positions on NSG and Masood Azhar, partly in deference to the sentiments of its all-weather ally Pakistan but also as a lever to pin India down geopolitically in South Asia.

&nbsp;

Modi&#39;s first meeting with Xi after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power was at the BRICS Summit hosted by Brazil in July 2014. &nbsp;Modi invited Xi to Gujarat&nbsp;in September the same year in an apparent effort to extricate the Sino-Indian ties from a diplomatic cul-de-sac and introduce an element of personalised diplomacy into India&#39;s foreign policy.

&nbsp;

Although Modi has met both Xi and US President Barack Obama eight times each, his personal chemistry with Xi couldn&#39;t really take off. This, in spite of Modi and Xi sharing some similarities. For one, both have risen to the pinnacle of their political careers around the same time. Both appear to revel in popular nationalism.

&nbsp;

As Avinash Godbole writes in a paper for the New Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Xi and Modi enjoy a significant mandate as the leaders of their respective constituents. &quot;There is [also] the case of their overlapping foreign policies that focus on neighbourhoods and a vocal approach to engagements,&quot; Godbole points out.

&nbsp;

However, Modi&#39;s engagements with Putin stand in sharp contrast to Xi. Modi and Putin share some personality traits, including their penchant for a muscular approach to diplomacy -- Ukraine in the case of Putin and Pakistan so far as Modi is concerned. It helps that India&#39;s ties with Russia stand on a different pedestal than China.

&nbsp;

As foreign secretary of India, S Jaishankar points out, Russia has been a time-tested partner and friend of India and it is reflected in Putin&#39;s &quot;unequivocal condemnation&quot; of terrorism directed against India. Diplomats everywhere are not seldom given to making off-the-cuff remarks, so when Jaishankar uses the phrase &quot;a meeting of minds&quot; to describe the Modi-Putin talks, it assumes a special significance of its own.

&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

Indian PM and Chinese President met today and agreed to disagree on issues that are of immediate concern to India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met today for the ninth time in over two years but the salubrious weather in western Indian state of Goa did not appear to bridge the chasm that divides the two Asian neighbours. Modi and Xi agreed to disagree on issues that are of immediate concern to India, namely India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the proposed United Nations ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who India accuses of having had a hand in a series of terrorist attacks in India, including the September 18 Uri attack in northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian ministry of external affairs spokesperson, Vikas Swarup, told reporters that Modi spoke "frankly" about the need for finding a common ground on the proposed UN ban on Masood Azhar. "China has proposed that second round of consultations on the NSG issue will be held soon. Also, Chinese state councillor Yanj Jiechi can be expected to hold talks with national security adviser AK Doval," he said. India, Swarup added, has had a "continuous dialogue" with China on terrorism and it remains hopeful of China's cooperation on these and other issues bilateral, regional and global issues of interest to both Beijing and New Delhi. Modi has pursued high-velocity diplomacy, logging frequent flyer miles along the way but his attempts to forge a modus vivendi with Beijing has come unstuck and in the process exposed the limits of his personalised diplomacy. In fact, in the run-up to the Modi-Xi Goa meet, Beijing pre-empted New Delhi by iterating its positions on NSG and Masood Azhar, partly in deference to the sentiments of its all-weather ally Pakistan but also as a lever to pin India down geopolitically in South Asia. Modi's first meeting with Xi after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power was at the BRICS Summit hosted by Brazil in July 2014. Modi invited Xi to Gujarat in September the same year in an apparent effort to extricate the Sino-Indian ties from a diplomatic cul-de-sac and introduce an element of personalised diplomacy into India's foreign policy. Although Modi has met both Xi and US President Barack Obama eight times each, his personal chemistry with Xi couldn't really take off. This, in spite of Modi and Xi sharing some similarities. For one, both have risen to the pinnacle of their political careers around the same time. Both appear to revel in popular nationalism. As Avinash Godbole writes in a paper for the New Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Xi and Modi enjoy a significant mandate as the leaders of their respective constituents. "There is [also] the case of their overlapping foreign policies that focus on neighbourhoods and a vocal approach to engagements," Godbole points out. However, Modi's engagements with Putin stand in sharp contrast to Xi. Modi and Putin share some personality traits, including their penchant for a muscular approach to diplomacy -- Ukraine in the case of Putin and Pakistan so far as Modi is concerned. It helps that India's ties with Russia stand on a different pedestal than China. As foreign secretary of India, S Jaishankar points out, Russia has been a time-tested partner and friend of India and it is reflected in Putin's "unequivocal condemnation" of terrorism directed against India. Diplomats everywhere are not seldom given to making off-the-cuff remarks, so when Jaishankar uses the phrase "a meeting of minds" to describe the Modi-Putin talks, it assumes a special significance of its own. (WION)

Modi-Xi talks hint at limits of personalised diplomacy

China will sign off on loans adding up to over $24 billion to Bangladesh during Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s visit to the country, the first by a Chinese head of state to the country in 30 years, Reuters reported Friday.

The loans are Dhaka&#39;s biggest line of credit to date&nbsp;and will be used to&nbsp;help strengthen Bangladesh&#39;s infrastructure.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in May last year offered Bangladesh a $2 billion line of credit.&nbsp;

The Chinese President is visiting Bangladesh on his way to the BRICS summit beginning October 16 in Goa, India.&nbsp;

The money will be used to invest in 25 infrastructure&nbsp;projects, including a 1,320 MW power plant. The funds will also be used to develop highways and information technology, and build a deep sea port, Bangladesh junior finance minister MA Mannan told Reuters.&nbsp;

&quot;Our infrastructure needs are big, so we need huge loans,&rdquo; Mannan said.&nbsp;

Zero sum game

The move has led to speculation&nbsp;of a zero-sum being played out&nbsp;between India and China over Bangladesh. &nbsp;

According to Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, however,&nbsp;&ldquo;Bangladesh welcomes both Chinese and Indian investment&rdquo;, Reuters reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh has also expressed support for&nbsp;&quot;China&#39;s One belt, One Road&rdquo; initiative, which&nbsp;aims to enhance connectivity and increase trade among countries between China and the rest of Eurasia, which India sees as a power-seeking move.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The line of credit will be the country's largest and will be used to build power plants, a seaport and railways

China will sign off on loans adding up to over $24 billion to Bangladesh during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country, the first by a Chinese head of state to the country in 30 years, Reuters reported Friday. The loans are Dhaka's biggest line of credit to date and will be used to help strengthen Bangladesh's infrastructure. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in May last year offered Bangladesh a $2 billion line of credit. The Chinese President is visiting Bangladesh on his way to the BRICS summit beginning October 16 in Goa, India. The money will be used to invest in 25 infrastructure projects, including a 1,320 MW power plant. The funds will also be used to develop highways and information technology, and build a deep sea port, Bangladesh junior finance minister MA Mannan told Reuters. "Our infrastructure needs are big, so we need huge loans,” Mannan said. Zero sum game The move has led to speculation of a zero-sum being played out between India and China over Bangladesh. According to Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, however, “Bangladesh welcomes both Chinese and Indian investment”, Reuters reported. Bangladesh has also expressed support for "China's One belt, One Road” initiative, which aims to enhance connectivity and increase trade among countries between China and the rest of Eurasia, which India sees as a power-seeking move. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

China tops India's $2 bn for Bangladesh with $24 bn loan

Russia and India will sign a multi-billion dollar deal for S-400 &#39;Triumf&#39; long-range air defence missile systems on Saturday following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Goa, state media in Moscow reported on Thursday.

&quot;Following the results of the negotiations between our president and (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, an agreement will be signed on the delivery of S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India, as well as some other documents,&quot; Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. India is interested in getting five systems of the most modern air defence system, capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets.

It has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. If India signs the deal, it would be the second customer of the prized missile system after China which had struck a $3 billion (Rs 20,054 crore) contract last year.

The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300, had previously only been available to the Russian defence forces. It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007.

Ushakov said part of the documents will be signed behind closed doors. The Kremlin aide declined to comment on the details of the deal, suggesting that first the document should be signed. Russia also plans to sign an agreement on building Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy and setting up a Russian- Indian joint venture to produce Kamov Ka-226T helicopters, the agency reported.

Following the results of their talks, Putin and Modi will adopt a joint statement to reflect their common approaches towards solving various global and regional issues. Both sides will also approve a roadmap of measures timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Overall, Russia and India are set to sign about 18 documents, he said.

The Russian presidential aide said Putin and Modi will hold their talks in Goa ahead of the summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping of leading emerging economies. The Russian and Indian leaders are first expected to talk in a narrow format and then negotiations will be held at the level of delegations.

Russia&#39;s delegation will also be represented by Vice- Premier Dmitry Rogozin, the heads of the Industry and Trade, Energy and Economics Ministries, state civil nuclear power corporation Rosatom and others.

After the talks, the Russian and Indian leaders will take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation for the third and fourth power units of India&#39;s Kudankulam nuclear power plant via a video conference, make statements for the media and hold a tete-a-tete lunch.

(PTI)

India aims to build a modern air defence by procuring five systems capable of firing three types of missiles and engaging 36 targets

Russia and India will sign a multi-billion dollar deal for S-400 'Triumf' long-range air defence missile systems on Saturday following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Goa, state media in Moscow reported on Thursday. "Following the results of the negotiations between our president and (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, an agreement will be signed on the delivery of S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India, as well as some other documents," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. India is interested in getting five systems of the most modern air defence system, capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. It has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. If India signs the deal, it would be the second customer of the prized missile system after China which had struck a $3 billion (Rs 20,054 crore) contract last year. The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300, had previously only been available to the Russian defence forces. It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007. Ushakov said part of the documents will be signed behind closed doors. The Kremlin aide declined to comment on the details of the deal, suggesting that first the document should be signed. Russia also plans to sign an agreement on building Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy and setting up a Russian- Indian joint venture to produce Kamov Ka-226T helicopters, the agency reported. Following the results of their talks, Putin and Modi will adopt a joint statement to reflect their common approaches towards solving various global and regional issues. Both sides will also approve a roadmap of measures timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Overall, Russia and India are set to sign about 18 documents, he said. The Russian presidential aide said Putin and Modi will hold their talks in Goa ahead of the summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping of leading emerging economies. The Russian and Indian leaders are first expected to talk in a narrow format and then negotiations will be held at the level of delegations. Russia's delegation will also be represented by Vice- Premier Dmitry Rogozin, the heads of the Industry and Trade, Energy and Economics Ministries, state civil nuclear power corporation Rosatom and others. After the talks, the Russian and Indian leaders will take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation for the third and fourth power units of India's Kudankulam nuclear power plant via a video conference, make statements for the media and hold a tete-a-tete lunch. (PTI)

Russia, India to sign $5 billion S-400 missile deal ahead of BRICS summit

India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday&nbsp;vowed to combat the &quot;virus&quot; of terrorism in a speech delivered on a festival that traditionally symbolises the victory of good over evil. The PM&#39;s speech on the festival of &#39;Dussehra&#39; comes in the wake of the Uri terror attack in Kashmir and the ensuing attacks&nbsp;against Pakistani terrorists across the Line of Control.

&quot;If you think that we are free from terrorism, then you are wrong. It is a virus affecting our society,&quot; PM Modi said while addressing the&nbsp;rally in the Uttar Pradesh state capital of Lucknow.&nbsp;

Drawing references from the Indian scripture Ramayana, the PM compared the scourge of terrorism to a demon that should be &quot;uprooted and destroyed&quot;.&nbsp;

Calling terrorism an &quot;enemy of humanity&quot;, the PM asked his country to &quot;fight out terrorism collectively&quot;.

He said, &quot;(If) we, one and a quarter billion Indians, come together and be vigilant against terrorists, terrorists cannot succeed.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Elements involved in terrorist activities should be uprooted and destroyed. And, at the same time, the powers backing terrorist activities should be punished,&quot; he told the gathering at the city&#39;s Aishbagh Ramleela Ground.

&quot;There is an urgent need to uproot and punish the elements that promote and indulge in terrorist activities.This festival is about the victory of good over evil, and terrorism is an enemy of humanity. Everyone needs to speak in one voice against terrorism. So, when we burn Ravana (Indian demon), we should remember that humanity can&#39;t be saved unless we fight out terrorism together.&quot;&nbsp;

He said that while Indians couldn&#39;t be the popular Lord Ram, they could try to be demi-god Jatayu who was the first to fight terrorism while trying to save the honour of a goddess.

&quot;From the times of Lord Ram our nation has been fighting terrorism as it was Jatayu (a demi-god who had the form of a Vulture), who fought the first fight against terrorism by trying to save goddess Sita when she was being abducted by Ravana.&nbsp;Ramayana stands a witness that the first fighter against terrorism was Jatayu, who fought for a woman&#39;s honour, Even if all of us can&#39;t be Lord Ram, we can all try to be Jatayu, and keep terrorism at the bay,&quot; the PM said.

Modi also compared India to the land of Krishna, another popular god, who as per mythology&nbsp;wiped out people with his weapon, &quot;Sudarshan Chakra&quot;.

&quot;This is the nation of `Chakradhari Mohan (Krishna) and the land of Buddha. We believe in peace, but if needed we can fight against the evil as well,&quot; said Prime Minister Modi.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Indian Prime Minister looked to ancient myths to inspire citizens to defeat terrorism

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday vowed to combat the "virus" of terrorism in a speech delivered on a festival that traditionally symbolises the victory of good over evil. The PM's speech on the festival of 'Dussehra' comes in the wake of the Uri terror attack in Kashmir and the ensuing attacks against Pakistani terrorists across the Line of Control. "If you think that we are free from terrorism, then you are wrong. It is a virus affecting our society," PM Modi said while addressing the rally in the Uttar Pradesh state capital of Lucknow. Drawing references from the Indian scripture Ramayana, the PM compared the scourge of terrorism to a demon that should be "uprooted and destroyed". Calling terrorism an "enemy of humanity", the PM asked his country to "fight out terrorism collectively". He said, "(If) we, one and a quarter billion Indians, come together and be vigilant against terrorists, terrorists cannot succeed." "Elements involved in terrorist activities should be uprooted and destroyed. And, at the same time, the powers backing terrorist activities should be punished," he told the gathering at the city's Aishbagh Ramleela Ground. "There is an urgent need to uproot and punish the elements that promote and indulge in terrorist activities.This festival is about the victory of good over evil, and terrorism is an enemy of humanity. Everyone needs to speak in one voice against terrorism. So, when we burn Ravana (Indian demon), we should remember that humanity can't be saved unless we fight out terrorism together." He said that while Indians couldn't be the popular Lord Ram, they could try to be demi-god Jatayu who was the first to fight terrorism while trying to save the honour of a goddess. "From the times of Lord Ram our nation has been fighting terrorism as it was Jatayu (a demi-god who had the form of a Vulture), who fought the first fight against terrorism by trying to save goddess Sita when she was being abducted by Ravana. Ramayana stands a witness that the first fighter against terrorism was Jatayu, who fought for a woman's honour, Even if all of us can't be Lord Ram, we can all try to be Jatayu, and keep terrorism at the bay," the PM said. Modi also compared India to the land of Krishna, another popular god, who as per mythology wiped out people with his weapon, "Sudarshan Chakra". "This is the nation of `Chakradhari Mohan (Krishna) and the land of Buddha. We believe in peace, but if needed we can fight against the evil as well," said Prime Minister Modi. (WION with inputs from agencies)

On Indian festival, PM Modi asks Indians to 'wipe out virus of terrorism'

Days after he praised India&#39;s prime minister Narendra Modi for the surgical strikes across the Line of Control, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today accused Modi of exploiting the strikes for political gains.&nbsp;

&quot;You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong,&quot; Gandhi said at a rally in the poll-bound state of northern Uttar Pradesh state.&nbsp;

&quot;The Indian army has done its job for the country, you do yours,&quot; the Congress Vice President said at the rally which marked the conclusion of his month-long &#39;Deoria to Delhi &nbsp;kisan yatra&#39; in the state.&nbsp;

On September 30, the Congress vice-president had said he had &nbsp;supported Modi&#39;s midnight operation against five terrorist launchpades across the Line of Control (LoC), the defacto border between India and Pakistan, &nbsp;calling it his &#39;first action worthy of prime minister.&#39; &nbsp;

He also accused India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) &nbsp;of neglecting the cause of farmers and soldiers. &quot;You should help the farmers of the country. You should provide more money to the 
Indian Army under the 7th Pay Commission, that is your responsibility. This is why people 
of India have elected you and this is the truth,&quot; he said.

 
&#39;New low in Indian politics&#39;&nbsp;

BJP hit back, calling Gandhi&#39;s remarks &quot;highly irresponsible&quot; and &quot;a new low in Indian politics.&quot; The party also alleged that Gandhi was frustrated with the praise the PM was getting from everywhere for conducting the strikes.&nbsp;

Sidharth Nath Singh, the party&#39;s national secretary, said: &quot;His statement is a new low in Indian politics. It is not only condemnable but highly irresponsible coming from the vice president of Congress party which fought for independence. Surgical strikes happened across the LoC but Rahul Gandhi has done surgical strike on his party.&quot;

&quot;It is most shameful. Such remarks reflect his mental bankruptcy. The army and the Prime Minister are getting praise from everywhere for the surgical strikes. Modi is being praised for his decision and he is unable to digest it. Rahul Gandhi is in frustration,&quot; Shrikant Sharma, also the party&#39;s national secretary, said.

He added that being a &#39;broker&#39; was the nature of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi referring to a number of like the 2G spectrum scam, the Commonwealth Games Scam, and the Coal Scam involving the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which, as per him, ran into 12 lakh crores of &nbsp;rupees.

He alleged that Gandhi himself was out on bail in the National Herald scam of Rs 5000 crore. Referring to controversial comments of some leaders of the Congress, including Sanjay Nirupam, Sharma said the Opposition party was confused as they had been attacking Modi after the January terrorist attack in Pathankot and last month&#39;s Uri terror attacks and did not know how to react after he ordered the surgical strikes.

&quot;Congress and other political parties may be nervous because of courage and will power shown by Modi government in backing armed forces decision to go for surgical strike across LOC. The aim of a responsible govt is to back armed forces which defend the nation and not use them for political gains, Singh said.

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The Congress vice-president had initially lauded PM Modi for the Indian Army's surgical strikes against terrorist launch pads across the LoC

Days after he praised India's prime minister Narendra Modi for the surgical strikes across the Line of Control, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today accused Modi of exploiting the strikes for political gains. "You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong," Gandhi said at a rally in the poll-bound state of northern Uttar Pradesh state. "The Indian army has done its job for the country, you do yours," the Congress Vice President said at the rally which marked the conclusion of his month-long 'Deoria to Delhi kisan yatra' in the state. On September 30, the Congress vice-president had said he had supported Modi's midnight operation against five terrorist launchpades across the Line of Control (LoC), the defacto border between India and Pakistan, calling it his 'first action worthy of prime minister.' He also accused India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of neglecting the cause of farmers and soldiers. "You should help the farmers of the country. You should provide more money to the Indian Army under the 7th Pay Commission, that is your responsibility. This is why people of India have elected you and this is the truth," he said. 'New low in Indian politics' BJP hit back, calling Gandhi's remarks "highly irresponsible" and "a new low in Indian politics." The party also alleged that Gandhi was frustrated with the praise the PM was getting from everywhere for conducting the strikes. Sidharth Nath Singh, the party's national secretary, said: "His statement is a new low in Indian politics. It is not only condemnable but highly irresponsible coming from the vice president of Congress party which fought for independence. Surgical strikes happened across the LoC but Rahul Gandhi has done surgical strike on his party." "It is most shameful. Such remarks reflect his mental bankruptcy. The army and the Prime Minister are getting praise from everywhere for the surgical strikes. Modi is being praised for his decision and he is unable to digest it. Rahul Gandhi is in frustration," Shrikant Sharma, also the party's national secretary, said. He added that being a 'broker' was the nature of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi referring to a number of like the 2G spectrum scam, the Commonwealth Games Scam, and the Coal Scam involving the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which, as per him, ran into 12 lakh crores of rupees. He alleged that Gandhi himself was out on bail in the National Herald scam of Rs 5000 crore. Referring to controversial comments of some leaders of the Congress, including Sanjay Nirupam, Sharma said the Opposition party was confused as they had been attacking Modi after the January terrorist attack in Pathankot and last month's Uri terror attacks and did not know how to react after he ordered the surgical strikes. "Congress and other political parties may be nervous because of courage and will power shown by Modi government in backing armed forces decision to go for surgical strike across LOC. The aim of a responsible govt is to back armed forces which defend the nation and not use them for political gains, Singh said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hits out at Indian Prime Minister over surgical strikes in Pak-administered Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of bilateral discussions.&nbsp;Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted about the meeting at Hyderabad House in India&#39;s capital.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Furthering partnerships with a valued neighbour. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> meets Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe <a href="https://twitter.com/RW_UNP">@RW_UNP</a> at Hyderabad House <a href="https://t.co/MJ25yWUedX">pic.twitter.com/MJ25yWUedX</a>
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/783577356430553088">October 5, 2016</a></blockquote>

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is in India on a three-day bilateral visit. He will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee while he&#39;s in India.

On Tuesday, India&#39;s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had met Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka became the fifth country to pull out of the regional SAARC summit on September 30. India was the first country to pull out of the SAARC summit, a move made in response to the&nbsp;attack&nbsp;of an Army camp in&nbsp;Kashmir, near the town of&nbsp;Uri, by&nbsp;terrorists from&nbsp;Pakistan. It was a step to diplomatically isolate Islamabad.

As the New Indian Express reports,&nbsp;Sri Lanka&nbsp;encouraged&nbsp;India and Pakistan to work towards peace, saying&nbsp;the future of the regional grouping SAARC may hang in the balance. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Cross-border terrorism is on the table. SAARC has to look at it and discuss what has happened (cancellation of the SAARC meet). How we are going to handle it...SAARC has to decide on two issues:&nbsp;cross-border terrorism and areas in which we can work together.&nbsp;If we don&#39;t do it, there is no future for SAARC,&quot; Wickremesinghe said following his&nbsp;meeting with the Indian Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also agreed that the India-Pakistan rivalry had already impacted the functioning of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

After India pulled out of&nbsp;this year&#39;s&nbsp;SAARC summit, so too did&nbsp;Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan, leaving only the current SAARC chair Nepal, and the host country Pakistan and the Maldives.&nbsp;The 19th SAARC summit was scheduled to be held from 9th to 10th November 2016 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

(WION)

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is in India on a three-day visit, where he spoke of the impact of the recent terrorist strikes from Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Wednesday ahead of bilateral discussions. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted about the meeting at Hyderabad House in India's capital. Furthering partnerships with a valued neighbour. PM @narendramodi meets Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe @RW_UNP at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/MJ25yWUedX — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) October 5, 2016 Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is in India on a three-day bilateral visit. He will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee while he's in India. On Tuesday, India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had met Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka became the fifth country to pull out of the regional SAARC summit on September 30. India was the first country to pull out of the SAARC summit, a move made in response to the attack of an Army camp in Kashmir, near the town of Uri, by terrorists from Pakistan. It was a step to diplomatically isolate Islamabad. As the New Indian Express reports, Sri Lanka encouraged India and Pakistan to work towards peace, saying the future of the regional grouping SAARC may hang in the balance. "Cross-border terrorism is on the table. SAARC has to look at it and discuss what has happened (cancellation of the SAARC meet). How we are going to handle it...SAARC has to decide on two issues: cross-border terrorism and areas in which we can work together. If we don't do it, there is no future for SAARC," Wickremesinghe said following his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also agreed that the India-Pakistan rivalry had already impacted the functioning of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. After India pulled out of this year's SAARC summit, so too did Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan, leaving only the current SAARC chair Nepal, and the host country Pakistan and the Maldives. The 19th SAARC summit was scheduled to be held from 9th to 10th November 2016 in Islamabad, Pakistan. (WION)

Indian PM Modi meets Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: &quot;India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying during an event. &nbsp;He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18&nbsp;soldiers were killed. India had&nbsp;hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan&#39;s side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said,&nbsp;&quot;The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud.&quot;

&nbsp;

The minister also insisted to&nbsp;&quot;just wait and watch&quot; in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as &quot;black propaganda&quot; for showing &quot;morphed images&quot;, Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister's statement comes as tensions continue to fester between India, Pakistan after Uri attack and ensuing surgical strikes

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country. The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: "India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War." "In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too," Modi was quoted as saying during an event. He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18 soldiers were killed. India had hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan's side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night. India's interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said, "The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud." The minister also insisted to "just wait and watch" in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out. Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened. Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as "black propaganda" for showing "morphed images", Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Modi: India never attacked another country, coveted territory

India will sign the Paris climate deal today (October 2), according to its environment minister.

India&#39;s ratification is crucial for the climate deal, which seeks to combat global warming.&nbsp;

The climate pact needs approval from 55 per cent of the world&#39;s carbon emitters for it to be legally binding. It currently stands at a little over 47 per cent. Inclusion of India, which is responsible for four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, will help the deal move closer to the legal threshold.&nbsp;

So far, 61 countries, including the United States and China (they account for 40 per cent of global carbon emissions),&nbsp;have agreed to the deal.

Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to ratify the deal on October 2, the 147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

&quot;We will ratify the Paris deal in the UN&nbsp;tomorrow. The President has signed it. The Union Cabinet has already approved it,&quot; environment minister Anil Madhav Dave said, admitting there was &quot;international pressure&quot; because India&#39;s carbon emission figures&nbsp;were surging as it is &quot;fast becoming a superpower&quot;.&nbsp;

But India has maintained it will sign the pact but function in the context of its national laws.&nbsp;

&quot;While agreeing to ratify the Paris agreement, the Cabinet has also decided that India should declare that it will treat its national laws, its development agenda, availability of means of implementation, its assessment of global commitment to combating climate change, and predictable and affordable access to cleaner source of energy as the context in which the agreement is being ratified,&quot; an official statement had earlier said.

The Paris agreement doesn&#39;t want&nbsp;global temperatures to increase by more than 2 degrees Celcius. It will also provide $100 billion to developing nations from 2020 onwards to help them cope with the side-effects that are likely to crop up due to less utilisation of carbon-based fuels.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

India's inclusion will help the climate pact move closer towards legislation

India will sign the Paris climate deal today (October 2), according to its environment minister. India's ratification is crucial for the climate deal, which seeks to combat global warming. The climate pact needs approval from 55 per cent of the world's carbon emitters for it to be legally binding. It currently stands at a little over 47 per cent. Inclusion of India, which is responsible for four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, will help the deal move closer to the legal threshold. So far, 61 countries, including the United States and China (they account for 40 per cent of global carbon emissions), have agreed to the deal. Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to ratify the deal on October 2, the 147th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. "We will ratify the Paris deal in the UN tomorrow. The President has signed it. The Union Cabinet has already approved it," environment minister Anil Madhav Dave said, admitting there was "international pressure" because India's carbon emission figures were surging as it is "fast becoming a superpower". But India has maintained it will sign the pact but function in the context of its national laws. "While agreeing to ratify the Paris agreement, the Cabinet has also decided that India should declare that it will treat its national laws, its development agenda, availability of means of implementation, its assessment of global commitment to combating climate change, and predictable and affordable access to cleaner source of energy as the context in which the agreement is being ratified," an official statement had earlier said. The Paris agreement doesn't want global temperatures to increase by more than 2 degrees Celcius. It will also provide $100 billion to developing nations from 2020 onwards to help them cope with the side-effects that are likely to crop up due to less utilisation of carbon-based fuels. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India will ratify Paris climate deal today

In a&nbsp;further embarrassment for Islamabad, the current SAARC Chair,&nbsp;Nepal&nbsp;has decided to move the annual summit out of Pakistan, Indian newspaper, The Hindu, reported. &nbsp;

A senior diplomat source in Kathmandu told the Hindu that Nepal has decided to find an alternate venue for the summit.&nbsp;

A formal announcement is expected soon. The move to shift the summit out of Islamabad was taken after four nations raised objections to the meet being held in Pakistan.&nbsp;

&ldquo;There is no question of holding the summit if four countries declare their unwillingness to participate. As the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has the responsibility of seeking a solution to such pre-summit disputes but under the current circumstances nothing much can be attempted. We will do the due formalities and will declare the summit of 2016 should be cancelled due to non-participation of member states,&rdquo; the Kathmandu-based diplomatic source told The Hindu.&nbsp;

According to reports, a high-level meeting was called by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in an effort to salvage the SAARC summit.&nbsp;

Since India said last night that it would not be attending the SAARC summit in Pakistan in November, three more countries have followed suit.&nbsp;

Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan have all conveyed to Nepal -- the current SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) chair -- that they too will not be attending.&nbsp;

&quot;The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016,&quot; Bangladesh said in a statement.

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<h5>The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016&#39;</h5>
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&quot;Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad,&quot; it added.

Bhutan said it is committed to the SAARC process but the &quot;recent escalation of terrorism in the region... has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016.

&quot;Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances.&quot;

Afghanistan followed up with: &quot;Due to the increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit.&quot;&nbsp;

The SAARC summit was of course over the minute India pulled out -- the by-laws governing the association insist on consensus and it can take absolutely no decision without all 8 countries agreeing.&nbsp;

India had pulled out after 18 of its soldiers lost their lives in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India blames terrorists nurtured on Pakistani soil for the attack, and has been looking for ways to &quot;respond&quot; to the attack ever since.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting yesterday to review the Indus Waters treaty. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 and it has survived three wars between the two countries so far.&nbsp;

The treaty gives Pakistan up to 80% of the waters of six rivers shared by the two countries, and is in India of often thought of as being too soft on Pakistan. Consequently, there have been numerous calls in India for the scrapping of the treaty.&nbsp;

&quot;Blood and water cannot flow together,&quot; Mr Modi is reported to have said at the meeting.&nbsp;

Mr Modi has called another meeting tomorrow to review the Most Favoured Nation status India gave Pakistan in 1999 -- Pakistan does not give the same back to India -- and will for that be meeting with officials from the foreign and commerce ministries.&nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Nepal said it will find an alternate venue for the summit after four nations decided to boycott meet in Pakistan

In a further embarrassment for Islamabad, the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has decided to move the annual summit out of Pakistan, Indian newspaper, The Hindu, reported. A senior diplomat source in Kathmandu told the Hindu that Nepal has decided to find an alternate venue for the summit. A formal announcement is expected soon. The move to shift the summit out of Islamabad was taken after four nations raised objections to the meet being held in Pakistan. “There is no question of holding the summit if four countries declare their unwillingness to participate. As the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has the responsibility of seeking a solution to such pre-summit disputes but under the current circumstances nothing much can be attempted. We will do the due formalities and will declare the summit of 2016 should be cancelled due to non-participation of member states,” the Kathmandu-based diplomatic source told The Hindu. According to reports, a high-level meeting was called by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in an effort to salvage the SAARC summit. Since India said last night that it would not be attending the SAARC summit in Pakistan in November, three more countries have followed suit. Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan have all conveyed to Nepal -- the current SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) chair -- that they too will not be attending. "The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016," Bangladesh said in a statement. The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016' × "Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it added. Bhutan said it is committed to the SAARC process but the "recent escalation of terrorism in the region... has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016. "Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances." Afghanistan followed up with: "Due to the increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit." The SAARC summit was of course over the minute India pulled out -- the by-laws governing the association insist on consensus and it can take absolutely no decision without all 8 countries agreeing. India had pulled out after 18 of its soldiers lost their lives in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India blames terrorists nurtured on Pakistani soil for the attack, and has been looking for ways to "respond" to the attack ever since. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting yesterday to review the Indus Waters treaty. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 and it has survived three wars between the two countries so far. The treaty gives Pakistan up to 80% of the waters of six rivers shared by the two countries, and is in India of often thought of as being too soft on Pakistan. Consequently, there have been numerous calls in India for the scrapping of the treaty. "Blood and water cannot flow together," Mr Modi is reported to have said at the meeting. Mr Modi has called another meeting tomorrow to review the Most Favoured Nation status India gave Pakistan in 1999 -- Pakistan does not give the same back to India -- and will for that be meeting with officials from the foreign and commerce ministries. (WION)

SAARC chair Nepal seeks new venue for November summit: Report

India will expedite the construction of three dams on River Chenab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided in a high-level meeting he chaired in New Delhi today to review the sharing of water as per the Indus treaty with Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
The three dams are Pakul Dul, Sawalkot and Bursar Dam on the Chenab river. India has also decided to use its legal rights in the Indus treaty to the fullest. An inter-ministerial task force for Indian rights will be formed for western rivers under the treaty. India will also use the potential of 18,000 megawatt of power from the western rivers under Indus water treaty, official sources told WION. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
IndiaBlood and water cannot flow together: PM tells a meeting on Indus Water Treaty.
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/780366392008650753">September 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 
The decision follows the attack, called the worst in two decades, on an army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Uri on September 18 in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed. Following the terror attack there was an immediate clamour for a retaliation against Pakistan that is widely believed to be behind the ambush in Uri in India, but PM Modi brushed aside all talk of war.&nbsp; 
 
Amid India&#39;s increasing efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically on the issue of &quot;exporting terror&#39;&#39;, India&#39;s review of the Indus Treaty is another step in exerting more pressure on Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
The Indus Water Treaty was signed between the two South Asian neighbours in 1960. The meeting looked at the pros and cons of the treaty under which India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers.&nbsp; 
 
The treaty&nbsp;gives up to 80 per cent of the water from six rivers &mdash; the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum &mdash; shared by the two countries&nbsp;to Pakistan, and has,&nbsp;therefore, been called in India&nbsp;&quot;too soft&quot; on Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
National security advisor (NSA), foreign secretary, water resources secretary, and senior PMO officials were present in the meeting on Indus Treaty.&nbsp; 
 
Water ministry sources said a presentation was given to the Prime Minister about the implications of the treaty on India-Pakistan relations.&nbsp; 
 
Officials at the Pakistan foreign ministry are still waiting for any official intimation with regards to the Indus Water Treaty. &quot;There are commissioners on both sides that communicate with each other. We will see what changes India is proposing. They cannot do anything that is not in the agreement, and the World Bank is guarantor to that,&quot; the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp; 
 
He stressed upon the fact that the treaty took 12 years to finalise. &quot;Pakistan and India negotiated for twelve years to settle on this agreement. A lot of effort went into it,&quot; the official added. 
 
Meanwhile, some commentators have taken to the social media reminding &#39;India that if it wages a water war on Pakistan, China - Pakistan&#39;s all-weather friend will do the same with India and use water as war tool.&#39; 
 
Last week, India&#39;s foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that there were differences between the two neighbours on implementing the Indus Waters Treaty. 
 
He had also said that any cooperative arrangement requires goodwill and mutual trust on both sides.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Eighty per cent of water from 6 rivers is given to Pakistan, India's review of the treaty is a step in exerting pressure on its neighbour

India will expedite the construction of three dams on River Chenab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided in a high-level meeting he chaired in New Delhi today to review the sharing of water as per the Indus treaty with Pakistan. The three dams are Pakul Dul, Sawalkot and Bursar Dam on the Chenab river. India has also decided to use its legal rights in the Indus treaty to the fullest. An inter-ministerial task force for Indian rights will be formed for western rivers under the treaty. India will also use the potential of 18,000 megawatt of power from the western rivers under Indus water treaty, official sources told WION. IndiaBlood and water cannot flow together: PM tells a meeting on Indus Water Treaty. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2016 The decision follows the attack, called the worst in two decades, on an army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri on September 18 in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed. Following the terror attack there was an immediate clamour for a retaliation against Pakistan that is widely believed to be behind the ambush in Uri in India, but PM Modi brushed aside all talk of war. Amid India's increasing efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically on the issue of "exporting terror'', India's review of the Indus Treaty is another step in exerting more pressure on Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty was signed between the two South Asian neighbours in 1960. The meeting looked at the pros and cons of the treaty under which India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers. The treaty gives up to 80 per cent of the water from six rivers — the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — shared by the two countries to Pakistan, and has, therefore, been called in India "too soft" on Pakistan. National security advisor (NSA), foreign secretary, water resources secretary, and senior PMO officials were present in the meeting on Indus Treaty. Water ministry sources said a presentation was given to the Prime Minister about the implications of the treaty on India-Pakistan relations. Officials at the Pakistan foreign ministry are still waiting for any official intimation with regards to the Indus Water Treaty. "There are commissioners on both sides that communicate with each other. We will see what changes India is proposing. They cannot do anything that is not in the agreement, and the World Bank is guarantor to that," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He stressed upon the fact that the treaty took 12 years to finalise. "Pakistan and India negotiated for twelve years to settle on this agreement. A lot of effort went into it," the official added. Meanwhile, some commentators have taken to the social media reminding 'India that if it wages a water war on Pakistan, China - Pakistan's all-weather friend will do the same with India and use water as war tool.' Last week, India's foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that there were differences between the two neighbours on implementing the Indus Waters Treaty. He had also said that any cooperative arrangement requires goodwill and mutual trust on both sides. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India to build 3 dams on Chenab: PM Modi reviews Indus treaty with Pakistan

As tensions continue to fester between India and Pakistan following the September 18 Uri attack that left at least 18 Indian soldiers dead, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now called for a meeting to review the Most Favoured Nation status to the neighbouring country.

&nbsp;

After insisting that &quot;blood and water cannot flow together&quot; while referring to the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan during a meeting held yesterday, Modi will now hold a review meet on Thursday to discuss the Most Favoured Nation Status.

&nbsp;

Officials from the Indian ministry of external affairs and commerce ministry, along with other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, local media reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Indian minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj also talked tough&nbsp;on Monday while addressing the United Nations and said that Kashmir Valley is an integral part of India.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

What is MFN status?&nbsp;

MFN status is when a country enjoys the best trade terms given by its trading partner, according to the World Trade Organisation.&nbsp;This also means that the favoured nation also receives the lowest tariffs, lesser number of trade barriers, and highest import quotas (or none at all).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In other words, it may be said, that all &#39;Most Favoured Nation&#39; trade partners must be treated equally.

&nbsp;

Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. This principle is known as Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment.

&nbsp;

India&ndash;Pakistan trade relations, however,&nbsp;are abysmally low accounting for less than half a per cent of India&rsquo;s total global trade involving both exports and imports, India&#39;s apex industry body ASSOCHAM has said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agenies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

After talking tough on Indus Water Treaty, Indian Prime Minister will now hold a review meeting on Thursday to review the MFN status

As tensions continue to fester between India and Pakistan following the September 18 Uri attack that left at least 18 Indian soldiers dead, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now called for a meeting to review the Most Favoured Nation status to the neighbouring country. After insisting that "blood and water cannot flow together" while referring to the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan during a meeting held yesterday, Modi will now hold a review meet on Thursday to discuss the Most Favoured Nation Status. Officials from the Indian ministry of external affairs and commerce ministry, along with other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, local media reported. It's pertinent to mention that Indian minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj also talked tough on Monday while addressing the United Nations and said that Kashmir Valley is an integral part of India. What is MFN status? MFN status is when a country enjoys the best trade terms given by its trading partner, according to the World Trade Organisation. This also means that the favoured nation also receives the lowest tariffs, lesser number of trade barriers, and highest import quotas (or none at all). In other words, it may be said, that all 'Most Favoured Nation' trade partners must be treated equally. Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. This principle is known as Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) treatment. India–Pakistan trade relations, however, are abysmally low accounting for less than half a per cent of India’s total global trade involving both exports and imports, India's apex industry body ASSOCHAM has said. (WION with inputs from agenies)

India to review Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its satellite SCATSAT-1 for ocean and weather related studies from Sriharikota in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh today. 
 
Carrying the 377 kg SCATSAT-1 and seven other satellites, India&#39;s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C35, lifted off from ISRO&#39;s first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 9.12 AM. 
 
Lauding ISRO for the historic feat, President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the organisation. 
 
Echoing similar sentiments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this was a moment of immense joy and pride for India. 
 
&quot;Our space scientists keep scripting history. Their innovative zeal has touched the lives of 125 crore Indians &amp; made India proud worldwide,&quot; he said in a tweet. 
 
This was the first mission of PSLV in which it launched its payloads into two different orbits. The co-passenger satellites were from the US, Canada and Algeria besides from Indian Universities. 
 
ISRO&#39;s SCATSAT-1 can generate accurate data on wind patterns over the ocean surface. It is a continuity mission for the Oceansat-2, which has exhausted its operational life. The expected lifespan of SCATSAT-1 is expected to be five years. 
 
The seven other co-passengers in today&#39;s mission included three small satellites from Algeria meant for earth observation, remote sensing and technology demonstration, a commercial high resolution imaging micro-satellite of an US agency, the nano-satellite NLS-19 of Canada to experiment on reduction of space debris and two nano-satellites of IIT, Bombay and the PES University, Bengaluru.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

This is the first time that payloads were launched into two different orbits in what is the agency's longest mission so far

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its satellite SCATSAT-1 for ocean and weather related studies from Sriharikota in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh today. Carrying the 377 kg SCATSAT-1 and seven other satellites, India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C35, lifted off from ISRO's first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 9.12 AM. Lauding ISRO for the historic feat, President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the organisation. Echoing similar sentiments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this was a moment of immense joy and pride for India. "Our space scientists keep scripting history. Their innovative zeal has touched the lives of 125 crore Indians & made India proud worldwide," he said in a tweet. This was the first mission of PSLV in which it launched its payloads into two different orbits. The co-passenger satellites were from the US, Canada and Algeria besides from Indian Universities. ISRO's SCATSAT-1 can generate accurate data on wind patterns over the ocean surface. It is a continuity mission for the Oceansat-2, which has exhausted its operational life. The expected lifespan of SCATSAT-1 is expected to be five years. The seven other co-passengers in today's mission included three small satellites from Algeria meant for earth observation, remote sensing and technology demonstration, a commercial high resolution imaging micro-satellite of an US agency, the nano-satellite NLS-19 of Canada to experiment on reduction of space debris and two nano-satellites of IIT, Bombay and the PES University, Bengaluru. (ANI)

ISRO's PSLV launches SCATSAT-1, seven other satellites into orbit mission

As Kashmir unrest enters day 79, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the Valley want peace and normalcy to return.&nbsp; 
 
During his monthly &#39;Mann ki Baat&#39; radio address, he gave a message to the people of Kashmir saying: &nbsp;&quot;Peace, unity and harmony are the ways to resolve problems and move towards development.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Farmers in Valley are worried for their crops and locals are recognising anti-state players here,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying by Indian news agency IANS.&nbsp; 
 
He also referred to the September 18 attack in Uri sector of Kashmir and praised Indian Army saying: &quot;While politicians speak, military shows bravery; we are proud of our army.&quot; 
 
&quot;Recently our 18 bravehearts laid down their lives in Uri. Such a cowardice attack was enough to stir the nation. I am sure that our soldiers would keep foiling such acts in the future.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack in Uri and called for the&nbsp;isolation of the country on the international front, the neighbouring country has refuted the allegations.&nbsp; 
 
Lockdown in Valley&nbsp; 
 
Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir today, more than two months after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8 triggering worst unrest in the Valley in about six years.&nbsp; 
 
Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town of the northernmost Indian state this morning following clashes between a mob and police, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
Detention of three people under the Public Safety Act (PSA) triggered agitation and stone pelting in the area, &nbsp;according to the news agency.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town and other nearby areas around 0400 hours (local time) today as a precautionary measure&quot;, senior superintendent of police, Kishtwar, Sandeep Wazir told PTI. 
 
The three persons were detained last night in Kishtwar over attempts of trying to &quot;disrupt peace&quot;, he said.&nbsp; 
 
Violent protests in the Valley have claimed at least 80 lives leaving about 7,000 people injured in the past three months. 
 
Parts in the Valley have been shut down for a third consecutive month now in response to a protest call given by separatist leaders, who demand freedom for the Valley, Reuters reports.&nbsp;Markets, schools and colleges remain shut in most parts.&nbsp; 
 
According to the international news agency, the separatists have extended their protest programme to September 29.&nbsp; 
 
In the wake of Uri attack, the security forces have stepped up vigil, according to Reuters. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

During his monthly radio address, Modi praised Indian Army recalling Uri attack and said Kashmiris are 'recognising anti-state players'

As Kashmir unrest enters day 79, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the Valley want peace and normalcy to return. During his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, he gave a message to the people of Kashmir saying: "Peace, unity and harmony are the ways to resolve problems and move towards development." "Farmers in Valley are worried for their crops and locals are recognising anti-state players here," Modi was quoted as saying by Indian news agency IANS. He also referred to the September 18 attack in Uri sector of Kashmir and praised Indian Army saying: "While politicians speak, military shows bravery; we are proud of our army." "Recently our 18 bravehearts laid down their lives in Uri. Such a cowardice attack was enough to stir the nation. I am sure that our soldiers would keep foiling such acts in the future." While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack in Uri and called for the isolation of the country on the international front, the neighbouring country has refuted the allegations. Lockdown in Valley Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir today, more than two months after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8 triggering worst unrest in the Valley in about six years. Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town of the northernmost Indian state this morning following clashes between a mob and police, Indian news agency PTI reported. Detention of three people under the Public Safety Act (PSA) triggered agitation and stone pelting in the area, according to the news agency. "Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town and other nearby areas around 0400 hours (local time) today as a precautionary measure", senior superintendent of police, Kishtwar, Sandeep Wazir told PTI. The three persons were detained last night in Kishtwar over attempts of trying to "disrupt peace", he said. Violent protests in the Valley have claimed at least 80 lives leaving about 7,000 people injured in the past three months. Parts in the Valley have been shut down for a third consecutive month now in response to a protest call given by separatist leaders, who demand freedom for the Valley, Reuters reports. Markets, schools and colleges remain shut in most parts. According to the international news agency, the separatists have extended their protest programme to September 29. In the wake of Uri attack, the security forces have stepped up vigil, according to Reuters. (WION with inputs from agencies)

People of Kashmir want peace, says Indian PM as unrest enters day 79?

Speaking at a national meet of his party the BJP&nbsp;in India&#39;s southern state of Kerala on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to directly address the people of Pakistan. 
 
The Indian Prime Minister&nbsp;challenged the people of Pakistan to a fight -- but one to end poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy in his first speech after the Uri attack in Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers had been killed. 
 
&quot;Let us see which country wins, India or Pakistan,&quot; he said. 
 
Modi said both India and Pakistan will win when they stand together and&nbsp;speak in one voice. 
 
But while he extended an olive branch to the people of&nbsp;Pakistan, it wasn&#39;t all sugary sweet. Prime Minister Modi also adopted a harder tone, and warned Pakistan that the Uri attack would not be forgotten by India. 
 
&quot;Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans (soldiers) will not go in vain,&quot; Modi said at a public meeting held on the Kozhikode beach on the sidelines of the BJP&#39;s national meet. 
 
Referring to the country again, he said: &quot;India has never bowed before terrorists, and it never will. Because of one country, the entire continent of Asia is beleaguered with terrorism. The country wants blood, wants to kill innocents and is stuck to doing that.&rdquo; 
 
And he blamed Pakistan for &quot;exporting&quot;&nbsp;the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Indian army camp in Kashmir last Sunday. 
 
&quot;The leaders of the neighbouring country who read out scripts written by terrorists are singing the Kashmir song. Today from here, I want to talk to people of Pakistan directly. I want to remind them that before 1947, your forefathers had saluted this land,&quot; he said. 
 
He went on to add that every terrorist attack in South Asia -- be it&nbsp;Bangladesh or Afghanistan -- can be traced back to Pakistan. And that the country was responsible for harbouring terrorists. 
 
&quot;Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world. 
 
&quot;Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror,&quot; he said. 
 
Mr Modi asked the people of Pakistan to question their leaders. 
 
&quot;You should ask your leaders why they were not able to handle PoK, erstwhile Bangladesh, Pakhtunistan, Gilgit and Balochistan and were trying to mislead you by talking about Kashmir,&quot; he said. 
 
He told them their government&nbsp;cannot &quot;handle&quot;&nbsp;Pakistan-controlled&nbsp;Kashmir but misleads its own people by talking about Kashmir. 
 
&quot;Ask them,&nbsp;you can&#39;t handle Gilgit, PoK, Balochistan which is with you, then why mislead people by talking of Kashmir?&rdquo; 
 
The 21st&nbsp;century is Asia&#39;s century, Mr Modi said, but that added that&nbsp;one country was hindering the continent&#39;s success. He was of course referring again to Pakistan. 
 
&quot;All countries in Asia is working forward to make sure that 21st century becomes Asia&#39;s 21st century except one country. There is one nation in Asia whose aim is this century does not become Asia&#39;s and is associated with terrorism. Question is not only about India, everywhere this is one country which is exporting terrorism everywhere,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION, with inputs from DNA and PTI)

He challenged them to a fight -- but one to end poverty and unemployment. Then got tough, said 'India will never forget Uri attack'

Speaking at a national meet of his party the BJP in India's southern state of Kerala on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to directly address the people of Pakistan. The Indian Prime Minister challenged the people of Pakistan to a fight -- but one to end poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy in his first speech after the Uri attack in Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers had been killed. "Let us see which country wins, India or Pakistan," he said. Modi said both India and Pakistan will win when they stand together and speak in one voice. But while he extended an olive branch to the people of Pakistan, it wasn't all sugary sweet. Prime Minister Modi also adopted a harder tone, and warned Pakistan that the Uri attack would not be forgotten by India. "Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans (soldiers) will not go in vain," Modi said at a public meeting held on the Kozhikode beach on the sidelines of the BJP's national meet. Referring to the country again, he said: "India has never bowed before terrorists, and it never will. Because of one country, the entire continent of Asia is beleaguered with terrorism. The country wants blood, wants to kill innocents and is stuck to doing that.” And he blamed Pakistan for "exporting" the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Indian army camp in Kashmir last Sunday. "The leaders of the neighbouring country who read out scripts written by terrorists are singing the Kashmir song. Today from here, I want to talk to people of Pakistan directly. I want to remind them that before 1947, your forefathers had saluted this land," he said. He went on to add that every terrorist attack in South Asia -- be it Bangladesh or Afghanistan -- can be traced back to Pakistan. And that the country was responsible for harbouring terrorists. "Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world. "Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror," he said. Mr Modi asked the people of Pakistan to question their leaders. "You should ask your leaders why they were not able to handle PoK, erstwhile Bangladesh, Pakhtunistan, Gilgit and Balochistan and were trying to mislead you by talking about Kashmir," he said. He told them their government cannot "handle" Pakistan-controlled Kashmir but misleads its own people by talking about Kashmir. "Ask them, you can't handle Gilgit, PoK, Balochistan which is with you, then why mislead people by talking of Kashmir?” The 21st century is Asia's century, Mr Modi said, but that added that one country was hindering the continent's success. He was of course referring again to Pakistan. "All countries in Asia is working forward to make sure that 21st century becomes Asia's 21st century except one country. There is one nation in Asia whose aim is this century does not become Asia's and is associated with terrorism. Question is not only about India, everywhere this is one country which is exporting terrorism everywhere," he said. (WION, with inputs from DNA and PTI)

In first public address after Kashmir terror strike, Indian PM Modi addresses people of Pakistan

India is negotiating with US Export-Import Bank for an $8-9 billion loan to finance six Westinghouse Electric nuclear reactors, two sources familiar with the talks said, although a lending freeze at the trade agency threatens progress. 
 
The mega-project, the result of warming US-India ties in recent years, could open up billions of dollars of further investment in India&#39;s nuclear power sector, which was for decades shut out of the global market. 
 
India now targets a tenfold expansion in capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032, and US, French and Russian companies are among those chasing the business. 
 
The Westinghouse deal, however, is contingent on financing and Ex-Im cannot approve loans of more than $10 million, owing to a row in the US Congress over board appointments stemming from a campaign by conservatives to close the government lender. 
 
Only two of five seats on Ex-Im&#39;s board are filled and the appointment of a third director - the minimum needed to clear board decisions - is on hold due to opposition from the Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Republican Richard Shelby. 
 
&quot;Financing of the reactors is the critical piece; everything is down to this,&quot; said one source involved in protracted negotiations to build the reactors in Andhra Pradesh. 
 
The source, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said Indian negotiators and Ex-Im officials were trying to set the terms of the financial package in the hope that the freeze on the bank, affecting potential sales of several major US companies, would lift soon. 
 
Westinghouse is owned by Japan`s Toshiba Corp but is based in the United States. 
 
In addition to US Ex-Im, India is also seeking funding from Japan and South Korea for the reactors to be built in Kovvada, two sources familiar with the talks said. 
 
Ex-Im had asked a&nbsp;South Korean export credit agency if it would be interested in partly financing the Westinghouse deal, since some of the nuclear equipment and materials are expected to come from South Korea, an&nbsp;official at the agency with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. 
 
The agency was willing to fund a part if a Korean contractor was involved, with Ex-Im providing the majority of the total, the official said. 
 
The US bank had not made any request to its Japanese counterpart to extend loans to the nuclear project in India, a source with direct knowledge said in Tokyo. 
 
Leadership lobby&nbsp; 
 
Both US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been promoting the nuclear deal, which was stuck for years because of an Indian law that made nuclear equipment suppliers liable in case of an accident, and not just the plant operators as is the global norm. 
 
India has since set up an insurance pool to indemnify suppliers, and both Westinghouse and India&#39;s state-run operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) are working to a June 2017 deadline to sign the contract laid down by Obama and Modi. 
 
&quot;The goal right now is to get that financing done during President Obama&#39;s tenure, knowing full well that it may or may not stick in a new administration following the ... presidential election,&quot; said industry veteran Vijay Sazawal, principal of International Atomic Energy Consulting in Washington D.C. 
 
While negotiators are unlikely to nail down a contract under Obama, who steps down in January, their challenge will be to come up with concessional financing terms that will make Westinghouse`s AP1000 reactors affordable. 
 
Westinghouse did not respond to a request for comment, while a US Ex-Im Bank spokeswoman declined to comment. An NPCIL official said the firm had nothing to say at this stage. 
 
Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress were pushing this week to include a provision in a must-pass spending measure that would lift the board quorum requirement for deals above $10 million. 
 
But negotiations between party leaders were dragging on and congressional aides and lobbyists said on Tuesday it was unclear whether the Ex-Im provision would prove too controversial to make it into the final spending extension package, needed to avoid a government shutdown on October 1. 
 
The deal with Westinghouse would be the first since a landmark 2008 US-India nuclear pact that allowed New Delhi access to foreign technology and finance even though it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and runs an active weapons programme. 
 
Under the rules of non-proliferation, no US or Japanese firm could engage in nuclear trade with a non-signatory, but since Washington made an exception for India, Tokyo has also signalled its assent. 
 
The nuclear agreement crafted by the George W. Bush administration was seen initially as an attempt to build India into a military and economic power to counter China, but has since become linked to Washington`s effort to wean major economies such as India off fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy. 
 
India is also in talks with Russia to build four more reactors on top of the two already completed in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, as well as with France&#39;s EDF&nbsp;for the construction of six reactors of 1650 MW each in western India, which would be the world&#39;s biggest nuclear power complex. 
 
But talks with Westinghouse are more advanced than those with the French, with the two sides aiming to sign an early works agreement next month, sources familiar with their progress said. 
 
A delegation from the US-based firm visited New Delhi earlier this month to finalise the pact that would include the timeline and up-front costs such as land acquisition and site preparation, said a source familiar with the matter.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

India seeks funds to finance six Westinghouse Electric nuclear reactors, however, a lending freeze at the trade agency threatens progress

India is negotiating with US Export-Import Bank for an $8-9 billion loan to finance six Westinghouse Electric nuclear reactors, two sources familiar with the talks said, although a lending freeze at the trade agency threatens progress. The mega-project, the result of warming US-India ties in recent years, could open up billions of dollars of further investment in India's nuclear power sector, which was for decades shut out of the global market. India now targets a tenfold expansion in capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032, and US, French and Russian companies are among those chasing the business. The Westinghouse deal, however, is contingent on financing and Ex-Im cannot approve loans of more than $10 million, owing to a row in the US Congress over board appointments stemming from a campaign by conservatives to close the government lender. Only two of five seats on Ex-Im's board are filled and the appointment of a third director - the minimum needed to clear board decisions - is on hold due to opposition from the Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Republican Richard Shelby. "Financing of the reactors is the critical piece; everything is down to this," said one source involved in protracted negotiations to build the reactors in Andhra Pradesh. The source, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said Indian negotiators and Ex-Im officials were trying to set the terms of the financial package in the hope that the freeze on the bank, affecting potential sales of several major US companies, would lift soon. Westinghouse is owned by Japan`s Toshiba Corp but is based in the United States. In addition to US Ex-Im, India is also seeking funding from Japan and South Korea for the reactors to be built in Kovvada, two sources familiar with the talks said. Ex-Im had asked a South Korean export credit agency if it would be interested in partly financing the Westinghouse deal, since some of the nuclear equipment and materials are expected to come from South Korea, an official at the agency with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. The agency was willing to fund a part if a Korean contractor was involved, with Ex-Im providing the majority of the total, the official said. The US bank had not made any request to its Japanese counterpart to extend loans to the nuclear project in India, a source with direct knowledge said in Tokyo. Leadership lobby Both US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been promoting the nuclear deal, which was stuck for years because of an Indian law that made nuclear equipment suppliers liable in case of an accident, and not just the plant operators as is the global norm. India has since set up an insurance pool to indemnify suppliers, and both Westinghouse and India's state-run operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) are working to a June 2017 deadline to sign the contract laid down by Obama and Modi. "The goal right now is to get that financing done during President Obama's tenure, knowing full well that it may or may not stick in a new administration following the ... presidential election," said industry veteran Vijay Sazawal, principal of International Atomic Energy Consulting in Washington D.C. While negotiators are unlikely to nail down a contract under Obama, who steps down in January, their challenge will be to come up with concessional financing terms that will make Westinghouse`s AP1000 reactors affordable. Westinghouse did not respond to a request for comment, while a US Ex-Im Bank spokeswoman declined to comment. An NPCIL official said the firm had nothing to say at this stage. Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress were pushing this week to include a provision in a must-pass spending measure that would lift the board quorum requirement for deals above $10 million. But negotiations between party leaders were dragging on and congressional aides and lobbyists said on Tuesday it was unclear whether the Ex-Im provision would prove too controversial to make it into the final spending extension package, needed to avoid a government shutdown on October 1. The deal with Westinghouse would be the first since a landmark 2008 US-India nuclear pact that allowed New Delhi access to foreign technology and finance even though it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and runs an active weapons programme. Under the rules of non-proliferation, no US or Japanese firm could engage in nuclear trade with a non-signatory, but since Washington made an exception for India, Tokyo has also signalled its assent. The nuclear agreement crafted by the George W. Bush administration was seen initially as an attempt to build India into a military and economic power to counter China, but has since become linked to Washington`s effort to wean major economies such as India off fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy. India is also in talks with Russia to build four more reactors on top of the two already completed in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, as well as with France's EDF for the construction of six reactors of 1650 MW each in western India, which would be the world's biggest nuclear power complex. But talks with Westinghouse are more advanced than those with the French, with the two sides aiming to sign an early works agreement next month, sources familiar with their progress said. A delegation from the US-based firm visited New Delhi earlier this month to finalise the pact that would include the timeline and up-front costs such as land acquisition and site preparation, said a source familiar with the matter. (Reuters)

India in talks with US Ex-Im bank for $8-9 billion nuclear loan amid snags

Indian government on Tuesday announced the third list of 27 cities to be financed under the flagship Smart City Mission. The temple town of Varanasi, which is also Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s parliamentary constituency, made the cut to the third list.&nbsp; 
 
As he announced the list, Indian urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that a total investment of Rs 1,44, 742 crores has been proposed by 60 cities under smart city plans, Indian news agency ANI reported.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Sixty three cities have so far participated in three rounds of competition, 27 of 63 participating cities have qualified. 27 new batch of smart cities are from 12 states,&quot; &nbsp; 
 
According to the government, the mission aims to develop 100 cities across the country by making them citizen-friendly and sustainable. The scheme aims to &quot;drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens&quot;. 
 
The list of the 27 Smart cities includes: Agra, Ajmer, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Gwalior, Hubli-Dharwad, Jalandhar, Kalyan-Dombiwali, Kanpur, Kohima, Kota, Madurai, Mangaluru, Nagpur, Namchi ,Nashik, Rourkela, Salem, Shivamogga, Thane, Thanjavur, Tirupati,Tumakuru, Ujjain, Vadodara, Varanasi and Vellore. 
 
As per the Mission guidelines, as many as 40 cities have to be announced during this financial year, as the government had already announced 13 cities in May. 
 
The Indian government in January had already announced a list of 20 cities for partial funding to be developed as smart cities, which would have facilities such as assured water and power supply, sanitation and solid waste management systems, efficient urban mobility and public transportation, IT connectivity and e-governance, among other facilities. 
 
Each city will receive an assistance of Rs 200 crores from the central government in the first year and Rs &nbsp;100 crores over the three subsequent financial years. 
 
State governments and respective urban local bodies will also match the Centre&#39;s contribution. The Government aims to transform about 100 cities by 2019-20, with the Centre providing financial support of Rs. 48,000 crores over five years.

Under the Smart City Mission, 100 cities across the country will be developed to make them citizen-friendly and sustainable

Indian government on Tuesday announced the third list of 27 cities to be financed under the flagship Smart City Mission. The temple town of Varanasi, which is also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, made the cut to the third list. As he announced the list, Indian urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that a total investment of Rs 1,44, 742 crores has been proposed by 60 cities under smart city plans, Indian news agency ANI reported. "Sixty three cities have so far participated in three rounds of competition, 27 of 63 participating cities have qualified. 27 new batch of smart cities are from 12 states," According to the government, the mission aims to develop 100 cities across the country by making them citizen-friendly and sustainable. The scheme aims to "drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens". The list of the 27 Smart cities includes: Agra, Ajmer, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Gwalior, Hubli-Dharwad, Jalandhar, Kalyan-Dombiwali, Kanpur, Kohima, Kota, Madurai, Mangaluru, Nagpur, Namchi ,Nashik, Rourkela, Salem, Shivamogga, Thane, Thanjavur, Tirupati,Tumakuru, Ujjain, Vadodara, Varanasi and Vellore. As per the Mission guidelines, as many as 40 cities have to be announced during this financial year, as the government had already announced 13 cities in May. The Indian government in January had already announced a list of 20 cities for partial funding to be developed as smart cities, which would have facilities such as assured water and power supply, sanitation and solid waste management systems, efficient urban mobility and public transportation, IT connectivity and e-governance, among other facilities. Each city will receive an assistance of Rs 200 crores from the central government in the first year and Rs 100 crores over the three subsequent financial years. State governments and respective urban local bodies will also match the Centre's contribution. The Government aims to transform about 100 cities by 2019-20, with the Centre providing financial support of Rs. 48,000 crores over five years.

India announces third list of 27 cities to be developed under flagship Smart City mission

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s presence in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Pakistan remains doubtful amid strained Indo-Pak ties in the wake of Uri attack in Kashmir on Sunday and ongoing unrest in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
No decision has been taken as yet on Modi&#39;s participation in the summit scheduled to start on November 8 in Islamabad, Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting sources.&nbsp; 
 
At least 17 soldiers were killed and four militants were shot dead when gunmen attacked an Indian Army base &nbsp;in Uri area of Kashmir Valley on Sunday.&nbsp; 
 
While Modi condemned the attacks and assured that the perpetrators will not go &#39;unpunished&#39;, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh branded Pakistan as a &#39;terrorist state&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has asserted that neighbouring country, Pakistan, will have to bear the brunt of Uri attacks in Kashmir, one of the deadliest raids on Indian Army base, that left at least 17 soldiers dead.&nbsp; 
 
Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi condemned the Uri terror attack and said: &nbsp;&quot;Today&#39;s incident of Uri is very unfortunate and painful. Now it is very clear from the observations of the military establishment that the terrorists were trained from Pakistan and they were heavily armed with well-equipped planning.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Following the terror strike, Indian Army claimed that weapons recovered from the site had Pakistan markings on them. Initial investigations by the Indian Army indicate the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan based&nbsp;terrorist group. Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations.&nbsp; 
 
The two countries have been at loggerheads with each-other following the outbreak of unrest in Kashmir Valley after death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
 
UN chief condemns Uri attacks&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the terror strike has evoked widespread condemnation. &nbsp;UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he hopes the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life. 
 
&quot;The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace,&quot; a statement issued by Ban&#39;s spokesperson here said. 
 
He &quot;hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability,&quot; the statement said. 
 
Expressing his &quot;deepest sympathy and condolences&quot; to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India, Ban wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. 
 
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), also expressed solidarity with the people of India &quot;who have suffered a terrorist attack.&quot;, Indian news agency PTI reported today.&nbsp; 
 
 
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister pays tributes to martyrs 
 
Meanwhile, led by the chief minister of northernmost Jammu and Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti, senior Indian Army and police officials paid tributes at the wreath laying ceremony for the 17 soldiers killed in the militant attack on an Army base in Uri. 
 
&quot;Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti laid wreaths on the coffins of the martyred soldiers at a somber ceremony held at headquarters of the Chinar Corps here at Badamibagh,&quot; an Army official was quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI.&nbsp; 
 
The chief minister later visited the soldiers, injured in yesterday&#39;s attack, at the 92 Base Hospital of the Army, the official said. 
 
Following directions of Indian defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, the Army has made arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of all the martyrs directly to their respective hometowns. 
 
While two of the 17 soldiers hail from Jammu and Kashmir, rest of them belong to Uttar Pradesh (four), Bihar (three), Maharashtra (three), West Bengal (two), Jharkhand (two) and Rajasthan, according to the Indian news agency.&nbsp; 
 
Anti-Pakistan protests were also reported in the Jammu area of the northernmost state follow the terror attacks. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

The terror strike in Uri on Sunday that killed at least 17 Indian soldiers has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Pakistan remains doubtful amid strained Indo-Pak ties in the wake of Uri attack in Kashmir on Sunday and ongoing unrest in the Valley. No decision has been taken as yet on Modi's participation in the summit scheduled to start on November 8 in Islamabad, Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting sources. At least 17 soldiers were killed and four militants were shot dead when gunmen attacked an Indian Army base in Uri area of Kashmir Valley on Sunday. While Modi condemned the attacks and assured that the perpetrators will not go 'unpunished', Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh branded Pakistan as a 'terrorist state'. The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has asserted that neighbouring country, Pakistan, will have to bear the brunt of Uri attacks in Kashmir, one of the deadliest raids on Indian Army base, that left at least 17 soldiers dead. Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi condemned the Uri terror attack and said: "Today's incident of Uri is very unfortunate and painful. Now it is very clear from the observations of the military establishment that the terrorists were trained from Pakistan and they were heavily armed with well-equipped planning." Following the terror strike, Indian Army claimed that weapons recovered from the site had Pakistan markings on them. Initial investigations by the Indian Army indicate the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan based terrorist group. Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations. The two countries have been at loggerheads with each-other following the outbreak of unrest in Kashmir Valley after death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. UN chief condemns Uri attacks Meanwhile, the terror strike has evoked widespread condemnation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he hopes the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life. "The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson here said. He "hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability," the statement said. Expressing his "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India, Ban wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), also expressed solidarity with the people of India "who have suffered a terrorist attack.", Indian news agency PTI reported today. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister pays tributes to martyrs Meanwhile, led by the chief minister of northernmost Jammu and Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti, senior Indian Army and police officials paid tributes at the wreath laying ceremony for the 17 soldiers killed in the militant attack on an Army base in Uri. "Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti laid wreaths on the coffins of the martyred soldiers at a somber ceremony held at headquarters of the Chinar Corps here at Badamibagh," an Army official was quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI. The chief minister later visited the soldiers, injured in yesterday's attack, at the 92 Base Hospital of the Army, the official said. Following directions of Indian defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, the Army has made arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of all the martyrs directly to their respective hometowns. While two of the 17 soldiers hail from Jammu and Kashmir, rest of them belong to Uttar Pradesh (four), Bihar (three), Maharashtra (three), West Bengal (two), Jharkhand (two) and Rajasthan, according to the Indian news agency. Anti-Pakistan protests were also reported in the Jammu area of the northernmost state follow the terror attacks. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Uri terror attack: Indian Prime Minister's SAARC appearance remains doubtful

Jaish-e-Mohammed is responsible for the fidayeen (guerilla) attack&nbsp;on an army brigade headquarters in Uri, Kashmir, the Indian Army has said. 
 
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh said the weapons recovered from the slain terrorists had Pakistan marking.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Four AK 47s, four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers and other war like stores were recovered from the four terrorists who were killed. All the weapons had Pakistan marking,&rdquo; Singh said in a press statement. 
 
The Army&#39;s statement means this will be JeM&#39;s second deadly attack on Indian forces in the last nine months. Indian intelligence agencies believed the group also had a hand in the attack on Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, which had resulted in deaths of six soldiers. 
 
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is a Kashmir-based Islamist militant group. The group is viewed by the Indian intelligence agencies as the principal terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
The group, helmed by Maulana Masood Azhar, has been deemed as a terror outfit by India and United States.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on the army brigade headquarters in Uri. 
 
He also promised to punish the perpetrators for the &quot;despicable&quot; and &quot;cowardly&quot; attack on the army base. 
&nbsp; 
Seventeen Indian soldiers were killed after four suicide gunmen attacked the army&#39;s battalion headquarters in Uri. The armed men were later neutralised, Indian authorities said. 
 
India&#39;s defence ministry said a total of 35 soldiers had been wounded in the attack which began at 4 am local time. 
 
&quot;We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,&quot; Modi said in a tweet following the raid.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/777417302912430080">September 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh has accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack. &quot;Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be&nbsp;identified&nbsp;and isolated as such,&quot; the senior minister said, PTI reported. 
 
He also said the militants were &quot;highly trained&quot; and &quot;heavily armed&quot;.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
There are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped.
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/777430864200278016">September 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
Singh also chaired a crisis meeting in New Delhi to assess the situation in the state. He has cancelled his trips to Russia and the US.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have apprised the PM Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> regarding the deliberations of the security review meeting held at my residence this afternoon
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/777433143259168768">September 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
India&#39;s defence minister Manohar Parrikar will travel to Kashmir to probe the attacks, the deadliest since 2014 which also took place in Uri. 
 
India&#39;s army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag rushed to Kashmir in the wake of the attack. 
 
A senior home ministry official said the attack was &quot;clearly a case of cross-border terror attack&quot;.
According to reports by Indian media, an alert was generated on September 15 by the Intelligence Bureau about a possible Fidayeen attack in Uri sector. 
 
The alert was sent to everyone in the &quot;crisis loop&quot; including all the Army command units in the state, media reports said.
Pakistan has reacted strongly to India&#39;s claims.&nbsp;&quot;India immediately puts the blame on Pakistan without doing any investigation. We reject this,&quot; Reuters quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria as saying. 
 
Meanwhile, Pakistan military&#39;s media wing issued a statement saying that Pakistan and Indian army&#39;s DGMO have established a hotline on India&#39;s request. 
 
The media wing refuted India&#39;s suggestion of the Uri attack being orchestrated from across the border. &quot;No infiltration is allowed from Pakistani soil because water tight arrangements are in place,&quot; it said. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s DGMO has asked his Indian counterpart to &quot;share any actionable intelligence&quot;, Pakistan military further said. 
 
In 2001, JeM terrorists had stormed in India&#39;s Parliament in New Delhi, killing 5 security personnel. 
 
Watch: Major JeM attacks in India since 2000 
 
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Timeline of Uri attack 
 
5:30 am: Four heavily armed men sneak into the army camp in Uri town before dawn and target soldiers 
 
8:00 am: The Army sends three choppers from Indian Army&rsquo;s 19 divisional headquarters in Baramulla to Uri 
 
8:10 am: Interior Minister Rajnath Singh postpones visit to Russia and the US&nbsp; 
 
8:50 am: Rajnath Singh calls for an emergency meeting of concerned officials over the ongoing encounter in Uri&nbsp; 
 
9:00 am: Rajnath Singh speaks to the governor and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir 
 
9:57 am: High-level security meet to take place at Rajnath Singh&rsquo;s residence at 12:15pm. Senior home ministry and defence ministry officials to attend the meet 
 
10:15 am: All four terrorists gunned down by the Army. Search operation under way 
 
10:59 am: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh to visit Kashmir in the wake of the terror attack 
 
11:00 am: 17 soldiers killed in Uri terror attack: Indian Army 
 
11:01 am: Indian Defence Minister Parrikar to visit Srinagar 
 
11:36 am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi condemns Uri attack 
 
11.54 am: Ministry of home affairs issues alert for all airports across the country 
 
12:04 pm: Interior Minister Rajnath Singh briefs Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Uri&nbsp; 
 
12:48 pm: Congress President Sonia Gandhi expresses shock and deep distress over the martyrdom of Indian soldiers&nbsp; 
 
12:52 pm: Rajnath Singh chairs high-level security meet&nbsp; 
 
1:19 pm: Army chief General Dalbir Singh reaches Srinagar, will meet soldiers injured in Uri attack 
 
1:30 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns Uri attack 
 
1:50 pm: Home ministry and defence ministry officials leave home minister&rsquo;s residence after the high-level meeting 
 
2:25 pm: Interior minister Rajnath Singh calls Pakistan a terrorist state and says it should be identified and isolated as such 
 
2:45 pm: US strongly condemns Uri attack 
 
5:20 pm: Army indicates JeM responsible for the attack 
 
Watch: Uri attack as it unfolded 
 
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(WION with inputs from agencies)

The weapons recovered from the slain terrorists are from Pakistan, senior Army official Ranbir Singh said

Jaish-e-Mohammed is responsible for the fidayeen (guerilla) attack on an army brigade headquarters in Uri, Kashmir, the Indian Army has said. Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh said the weapons recovered from the slain terrorists had Pakistan marking. "Four AK 47s, four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers and other war like stores were recovered from the four terrorists who were killed. All the weapons had Pakistan marking,” Singh said in a press statement. The Army's statement means this will be JeM's second deadly attack on Indian forces in the last nine months. Indian intelligence agencies believed the group also had a hand in the attack on Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, which had resulted in deaths of six soldiers. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is a Kashmir-based Islamist militant group. The group is viewed by the Indian intelligence agencies as the principal terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. The group, helmed by Maulana Masood Azhar, has been deemed as a terror outfit by India and United States. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on the army brigade headquarters in Uri. He also promised to punish the perpetrators for the "despicable" and "cowardly" attack on the army base. Seventeen Indian soldiers were killed after four suicide gunmen attacked the army's battalion headquarters in Uri. The armed men were later neutralised, Indian authorities said. India's defence ministry said a total of 35 soldiers had been wounded in the attack which began at 4 am local time. "We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished," Modi said in a tweet following the raid. We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2016 India's interior minister Rajnath Singh has accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack. "Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such," the senior minister said, PTI reported. He also said the militants were "highly trained" and "heavily armed". There are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016 Singh also chaired a crisis meeting in New Delhi to assess the situation in the state. He has cancelled his trips to Russia and the US. I have apprised the PM Shri @narendramodi regarding the deliberations of the security review meeting held at my residence this afternoon — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016 India's defence minister Manohar Parrikar will travel to Kashmir to probe the attacks, the deadliest since 2014 which also took place in Uri. India's army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag rushed to Kashmir in the wake of the attack. A senior home ministry official said the attack was "clearly a case of cross-border terror attack". According to reports by Indian media, an alert was generated on September 15 by the Intelligence Bureau about a possible Fidayeen attack in Uri sector. The alert was sent to everyone in the "crisis loop" including all the Army command units in the state, media reports said. Pakistan has reacted strongly to India's claims. "India immediately puts the blame on Pakistan without doing any investigation. We reject this," Reuters quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan military's media wing issued a statement saying that Pakistan and Indian army's DGMO have established a hotline on India's request. The media wing refuted India's suggestion of the Uri attack being orchestrated from across the border. "No infiltration is allowed from Pakistani soil because water tight arrangements are in place," it said. Pakistan's DGMO has asked his Indian counterpart to "share any actionable intelligence", Pakistan military further said. In 2001, JeM terrorists had stormed in India's Parliament in New Delhi, killing 5 security personnel. Watch: Major JeM attacks in India since 2000 Timeline of Uri attack 5:30 am: Four heavily armed men sneak into the army camp in Uri town before dawn and target soldiers 8:00 am: The Army sends three choppers from Indian Army’s 19 divisional headquarters in Baramulla to Uri 8:10 am: Interior Minister Rajnath Singh postpones visit to Russia and the US 8:50 am: Rajnath Singh calls for an emergency meeting of concerned officials over the ongoing encounter in Uri 9:00 am: Rajnath Singh speaks to the governor and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir 9:57 am: High-level security meet to take place at Rajnath Singh’s residence at 12:15pm. Senior home ministry and defence ministry officials to attend the meet 10:15 am: All four terrorists gunned down by the Army. Search operation under way 10:59 am: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh to visit Kashmir in the wake of the terror attack 11:00 am: 17 soldiers killed in Uri terror attack: Indian Army 11:01 am: Indian Defence Minister Parrikar to visit Srinagar 11:36 am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi condemns Uri attack 11.54 am: Ministry of home affairs issues alert for all airports across the country 12:04 pm: Interior Minister Rajnath Singh briefs Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Uri 12:48 pm: Congress President Sonia Gandhi expresses shock and deep distress over the martyrdom of Indian soldiers 12:52 pm: Rajnath Singh chairs high-level security meet 1:19 pm: Army chief General Dalbir Singh reaches Srinagar, will meet soldiers injured in Uri attack 1:30 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns Uri attack 1:50 pm: Home ministry and defence ministry officials leave home minister’s residence after the high-level meeting 2:25 pm: Interior minister Rajnath Singh calls Pakistan a terrorist state and says it should be identified and isolated as such 2:45 pm: US strongly condemns Uri attack 5:20 pm: Army indicates JeM responsible for the attack Watch: Uri attack as it unfolded (WION with inputs from agencies)

Jaish-e-Mohammed responsible for attack on Uri military base: Indian Army

The 66th birthday of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was marked by setting of three world records at Navsari in Navsari, Gujarat. 
 
Last evening, 989 people lit earthen lamps within 30 seconds, which was a world record for most people lighting lamps within half-a-minute, senior minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said. 
 
Today, in Modi&#39;s presence, two world records were made:&nbsp;1,000 differently-abled persons making a formation on wheelchairs at a single venue creating the largest wheelchair logo&nbsp;and 1,700 deaf persons being distributed 3,400 hearing aid machines at one place. 
 
&quot;The records were made in the presence of representatives of the Guinness World Records,&rdquo; the minister said. 
 
Modi, born in 1950, had a busy schedule on his birthday. He started the day by visiting his 97-year-old mother Heeraben Modi in the morning. He then met the new Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and other senior leaders of his party before flying to Dahod where he addressed tribals in the area. 
 
His final destination was Navsari where he witnessed two world records being made. 
 
The day was not without its share of controversies as Dalit activist Jignesh Mewani was detained overnight to ensure no untoward incident took place. Mewani had led the Una protests in Gujarat. 
 
Meanwhile, there was a torrent of birthday wishes for the Indian premier as the clock struck twelve. People from all walks of life including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Biocon CEO Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and former Indian&nbsp;cricketer Virender Sehwag wished Modi on his birthday.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

The Indian premier had a hectic schedule on his birthday ? from meeting his mother to addressing rallies in his home state of Gujarat

The 66th birthday of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was marked by setting of three world records at Navsari in Navsari, Gujarat. Last evening, 989 people lit earthen lamps within 30 seconds, which was a world record for most people lighting lamps within half-a-minute, senior minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said. Today, in Modi's presence, two world records were made: 1,000 differently-abled persons making a formation on wheelchairs at a single venue creating the largest wheelchair logo and 1,700 deaf persons being distributed 3,400 hearing aid machines at one place. "The records were made in the presence of representatives of the Guinness World Records,” the minister said. Modi, born in 1950, had a busy schedule on his birthday. He started the day by visiting his 97-year-old mother Heeraben Modi in the morning. He then met the new Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and other senior leaders of his party before flying to Dahod where he addressed tribals in the area. His final destination was Navsari where he witnessed two world records being made. The day was not without its share of controversies as Dalit activist Jignesh Mewani was detained overnight to ensure no untoward incident took place. Mewani had led the Una protests in Gujarat. Meanwhile, there was a torrent of birthday wishes for the Indian premier as the clock struck twelve. People from all walks of life including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Biocon CEO Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag wished Modi on his birthday. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Three world records made on Indian PM Narendra Modi's birthday, says minister

In an effort to bolster bilateral ties, the two South Asian neighbours India and Nepal on Friday inked three agreements following delegation-level talks in the Indian capital, New Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
The talks chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Puhspa Kamal Dahal will add fresh impetus to Nepal&#39;s development.&nbsp; 
 
Modi asserted that India&#39;s friendship with Nepal is time-tested and unique and that the two countries have shared objectives of peace and stability.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other&#39;s achievements. As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability, and eco prosperity of Nepal is our shared objective,&quot; he said in a joint statement with his Nepalese counterpart. 
 
India has extended a fresh $750-million credit line to Nepal for post-earthquake reconstruction. It is above the $1 billion aid that India had announced following the devastating earthquake in the Himalayan nation last April. 
 
The two sides also signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) for project management consultancy services for upgradation and improvement of road infrastructure in Nepal&#39;s Tarai area.&nbsp; 
 
Another agreement was inked on the first amendatory dollar credit line for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in the country. 
 
Prime Minister Modi emphasised on continued cooperation in the fields of defence and security to guard the open borders.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our security interests are interlinked. We agreed that securing our societies is essential for achieving shared objectives of development and growth,&quot; he added. 
 
Modi said he was confident these discussions will help cement the centuries-old relationship and write a new and glorious chapter in their friendship.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised on continued defence cooperation to safeguard open borders and achieve the shared objectives

In an effort to bolster bilateral ties, the two South Asian neighbours India and Nepal on Friday inked three agreements following delegation-level talks in the Indian capital, New Delhi. The talks chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Puhspa Kamal Dahal will add fresh impetus to Nepal's development. Modi asserted that India's friendship with Nepal is time-tested and unique and that the two countries have shared objectives of peace and stability. "We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other's achievements. As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability, and eco prosperity of Nepal is our shared objective," he said in a joint statement with his Nepalese counterpart. India has extended a fresh $750-million credit line to Nepal for post-earthquake reconstruction. It is above the $1 billion aid that India had announced following the devastating earthquake in the Himalayan nation last April. The two sides also signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) for project management consultancy services for upgradation and improvement of road infrastructure in Nepal's Tarai area. Another agreement was inked on the first amendatory dollar credit line for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in the country. Prime Minister Modi emphasised on continued cooperation in the fields of defence and security to guard the open borders. "Our security interests are interlinked. We agreed that securing our societies is essential for achieving shared objectives of development and growth," he added. Modi said he was confident these discussions will help cement the centuries-old relationship and write a new and glorious chapter in their friendship. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India, Nepal cement bilateral ties, ink three agreements

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s decision to skip the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Venezuela has raised eyebrows.&nbsp;Modi would only be the second Indian Prime Minister to not attend the NAM summit since its inception in 1961.&nbsp; 
 
Indian vice-president Hamid Ansari on Friday sought to downplay the decision saying there was no shift in India&#39;s foreign policy.&nbsp; 
 
Ansari will be leading the Indian delegation to the summit in Porlamar on September 17-18. 
 
&quot;India is participating. NAM is not a conference of prime ministers. They have been going, but there have been occasions when prime minister, for a variety of reasons, has not been able to go but India&#39;s participation remains,&quot; Ansari said. 
 
Venezuela foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez had personally handed over the invitation to Indian government. 
 
Ansari asserted that terrorism remains the biggest concern for India and will be taken up at the summit. India has urged the movement to set up a &#39;Working Group on Terrorism&#39; to coordinate their positions in the international forum.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Priorities of this conference also, if I remember correctly, are peace, sovereignty and solidarity for development. Basic point is how do you devote your energies to development,&quot; Ansari added. 
 
A large number of NAM delegations have supported setting up of a working group. But Pakistan quickly opposed India&#39;s proposal on counter-terrorism. 
 
Pakistani representative Tasneem Aslam questioned why a working group was suggested only for terrorism and not for other issues. 
 
It remains to be seen whether the proposal will be included in the final statement of the 17th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Vice-President Ansari to lead Indian delegation, downplays PM Modi's decision to skip summit. Not a meet for just PMs, he said

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to skip the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Venezuela has raised eyebrows. Modi would only be the second Indian Prime Minister to not attend the NAM summit since its inception in 1961. Indian vice-president Hamid Ansari on Friday sought to downplay the decision saying there was no shift in India's foreign policy. Ansari will be leading the Indian delegation to the summit in Porlamar on September 17-18. "India is participating. NAM is not a conference of prime ministers. They have been going, but there have been occasions when prime minister, for a variety of reasons, has not been able to go but India's participation remains," Ansari said. Venezuela foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez had personally handed over the invitation to Indian government. Ansari asserted that terrorism remains the biggest concern for India and will be taken up at the summit. India has urged the movement to set up a 'Working Group on Terrorism' to coordinate their positions in the international forum. "Priorities of this conference also, if I remember correctly, are peace, sovereignty and solidarity for development. Basic point is how do you devote your energies to development," Ansari added. A large number of NAM delegations have supported setting up of a working group. But Pakistan quickly opposed India's proposal on counter-terrorism. Pakistani representative Tasneem Aslam questioned why a working group was suggested only for terrorism and not for other issues. It remains to be seen whether the proposal will be included in the final statement of the 17th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. (WION with inputs from agencies)

NAM summit: India urges talk on terror, Pakistan sole opponent

As he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani lashed out at Pakistan for its extremely &ldquo;shortsighted&rdquo; approach for dealing with terrorism in his address at the Institute of Defence and Analyses in Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
He also said that &ldquo;Pakistan celebrates every single of its defeat as victory and every single one of its intelligence failure as a confirmation of conspiracy theory&rdquo;. 
 
&ldquo;They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond,&quot; a joint statement said without naming Pakistan, a nation that both countries accuse of sponsoring terror. 
 
The Afghan President added that countries that feel threatened by increasing cooperation between India and Afghanistan &ldquo;need to change their outlook and not blame others&rdquo;. 
 
He emphasised on the need to put an end to terrorism for achieving political aims and condemned Pakistan&#39;s myopic stance on &ldquo;good terrorists and bad terrorists&rdquo;.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;&quot;We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously shortsighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it,&rdquo; he said. 
 
Ghani stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one country&#39;s response is &quot;totally insufficient&quot;. 
 
Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need to worry as there is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that. 
 
However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves. 
 
Told that they are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

On Pakistan blocking India's trade route to Afghanistan, Ghani said, 'those who try to block the two nations will be blocked themselves'

As he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani lashed out at Pakistan for its extremely “shortsighted” approach for dealing with terrorism in his address at the Institute of Defence and Analyses in Delhi. He also said that “Pakistan celebrates every single of its defeat as victory and every single one of its intelligence failure as a confirmation of conspiracy theory”. “They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond," a joint statement said without naming Pakistan, a nation that both countries accuse of sponsoring terror. The Afghan President added that countries that feel threatened by increasing cooperation between India and Afghanistan “need to change their outlook and not blame others”. He emphasised on the need to put an end to terrorism for achieving political aims and condemned Pakistan's myopic stance on “good terrorists and bad terrorists”. “"We see that there is a distinction between good and bad terrorists. Good terrorists are the ones that attack your neighbours, bad terrorists are the ones who attack you. This type of approach is enormously shortsighted. The blowback phenomenon is going to be bad. Terrorism will bite, like a snake, who feeds it,” he said. Ghani stressed on the need for regional cooperation to fight terrorists and said one country's response is "totally insufficient". Asked about Pakistan blocking road route to Afghanistan via the Wagah border, Ghani said both countries need to worry as there is air connectivity and efforts are on to increase that. However, he said those who try to block two great nations, will be blocked themselves. Told that they are reports that he had warned Pakistan that their export to central Asian countries through Afghanistan will be blocked, Ghani said he speaks sternly. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan has a shortsighted approach to terrorism: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

By Praveen Sharma&nbsp; 
 
For once, it is the government, which has moved with lightning speed in its race to meet the GST rollout deadline of April 1,2017, while India Inc seems to be biting its nails and wondering how will it be able to keep pace with it. 
 
On Monday, the union cabinet led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the formation of GST Council, which was another major milestone in the journey of implementation of goods and services tax (GST) law, which will unify all existing indirect taxes to create a single nationwide market. 
 
The speed with which the government has moved till now on the crucial tax law it is well on track for the final destination, but corporates have expressed their inability to meet the deadline, which they have asked to be pushed back by a quarter or two. 
 
&quot;Industry bodies have been asking for more time. They want it to be delayed by a quarter or two. They would like to see the fine print and then prepare for the GST regime,&quot; said Mahesh Jaising, partner, BMR &amp; Associates LLP,&nbsp; 
 
And a fine-print wouldn&#39;t emerge before November or December. Jaising said in many overseas markets, where GST has been introduced, corporates were given about a year to tune their system to new tax regime. 
 
However, Jaising&#39;s colleague Rajeev Dimri, leader, indirect tax, BMR &amp; Associates LLP, said there was &quot;no case&quot; for India Inc to be in &quot;wait and watch&quot; any more. 
 
&quot;There is no case anymore for India Inc to remain in the wait and watch mode. It&#39;s high time that businesses roll up their sleeves to work towards creating a GST compliant internal set up by the go-live date,&quot; he said in a statement issued by BMR &amp; Associates LLP, a consulting firm.&nbsp; 
 
As per the article 279A (1) of the amended Indian constitution, the GST Council has to be formed within 60 days after it comes into force (Monday). 
 
The council will make recommendations on matters such as standard GST rate, model GST laws, principles that will govern the place of supply, threshold limits, goods and services that could be exempted from the levy and other matters relating to the indirect tax. 
 
It will be chaired by Indian&nbsp;finance minister while minister of state for finance and state finance ministers will be its members. The central government will have 1/3rd vote and the states will have two-third vote in the Council. Any decision will need 3/4 majority. 
 
Monday also saw Cabinet appointing the revenue secretary as the ex-officio secretary to the Council. The next meeting of the Council is slated to be held on September 22 and September 23. 
 
&quot;We are fully geared up for April 1, 2017, deadline for GST rollout,&quot; Hashmukh Adhia, revenue secretary in the finance ministry told the press after Cabinet meeting. 
 
Once the GST Council works out the details of the GST laws, it will have to be approved in the Parliament in the winter session, which is expected to be reportedly moved ahead by fortnight and held in the first week of November, to meet the deadline of April next fiscal. 
 
Two bills related to biggest tax reform will be taken up in the Parliament&#39;s next session &ndash; Central GST or CGST bill and the Integrated GST bill. States will approve their own GST bills. 
 
Prashant Deshpande, partner, Deloitte Haskins &amp; Sells LLP, said the &quot;immediate agenda&quot; of the Council would be to finalise the GST rate and exemptions; &quot;without a fix on which the stakeholder consensus would be difficult to achieve.&quot; 
 
Pratik Jain, leader - indirect tax, PwC India, also said implementation of GST from April 1, next fiscal would be contingent upon the speed at which the Council is able to build a consensus on issues such as rates, exemptions, dual control etc. 
 
BMR &amp; Associates LLP&#39;s Dimri said with the enforcement of section 12 of the Indian constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, the two months&#39; clock for setting up of the GST Council has started ticking. 
 
&quot;As soon as the Council gets formed it will have a platter full of important and critically time-driven deliverables. The most important of them being reaching consensus amongst all states regarding several aspects of levy and administration of GST in India viz. tax rates, list of goods to be exempt / taxable on merit rates of GST, determining the threshold for taxable turnover for goods and services, and so on,&quot; he said. 
 
The Constitutional amendment Bill for GST was passed in both Houses of the Parliament in the Monsoon Session this year after much delay. After being cleared there, it has been ratified by 17 states till now. It needed 15, or half of India&#39;s 29 states to approve it. Last week, it got the Presidential assent.

 
(This report first appeared on DNA)&nbsp;

The Cabinet led by PM Modi approved the formation of GST Council on Monday, a major milestone towards the implementation of the bill

By Praveen Sharma For once, it is the government, which has moved with lightning speed in its race to meet the GST rollout deadline of April 1,2017, while India Inc seems to be biting its nails and wondering how will it be able to keep pace with it. On Monday, the union cabinet led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the formation of GST Council, which was another major milestone in the journey of implementation of goods and services tax (GST) law, which will unify all existing indirect taxes to create a single nationwide market. The speed with which the government has moved till now on the crucial tax law it is well on track for the final destination, but corporates have expressed their inability to meet the deadline, which they have asked to be pushed back by a quarter or two. "Industry bodies have been asking for more time. They want it to be delayed by a quarter or two. They would like to see the fine print and then prepare for the GST regime," said Mahesh Jaising, partner, BMR & Associates LLP, And a fine-print wouldn't emerge before November or December. Jaising said in many overseas markets, where GST has been introduced, corporates were given about a year to tune their system to new tax regime. However, Jaising's colleague Rajeev Dimri, leader, indirect tax, BMR & Associates LLP, said there was "no case" for India Inc to be in "wait and watch" any more. "There is no case anymore for India Inc to remain in the wait and watch mode. It's high time that businesses roll up their sleeves to work towards creating a GST compliant internal set up by the go-live date," he said in a statement issued by BMR & Associates LLP, a consulting firm. As per the article 279A (1) of the amended Indian constitution, the GST Council has to be formed within 60 days after it comes into force (Monday). The council will make recommendations on matters such as standard GST rate, model GST laws, principles that will govern the place of supply, threshold limits, goods and services that could be exempted from the levy and other matters relating to the indirect tax. It will be chaired by Indian finance minister while minister of state for finance and state finance ministers will be its members. The central government will have 1/3rd vote and the states will have two-third vote in the Council. Any decision will need 3/4 majority. Monday also saw Cabinet appointing the revenue secretary as the ex-officio secretary to the Council. The next meeting of the Council is slated to be held on September 22 and September 23. "We are fully geared up for April 1, 2017, deadline for GST rollout," Hashmukh Adhia, revenue secretary in the finance ministry told the press after Cabinet meeting. Once the GST Council works out the details of the GST laws, it will have to be approved in the Parliament in the winter session, which is expected to be reportedly moved ahead by fortnight and held in the first week of November, to meet the deadline of April next fiscal. Two bills related to biggest tax reform will be taken up in the Parliament's next session – Central GST or CGST bill and the Integrated GST bill. States will approve their own GST bills. Prashant Deshpande, partner, Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, said the "immediate agenda" of the Council would be to finalise the GST rate and exemptions; "without a fix on which the stakeholder consensus would be difficult to achieve." Pratik Jain, leader - indirect tax, PwC India, also said implementation of GST from April 1, next fiscal would be contingent upon the speed at which the Council is able to build a consensus on issues such as rates, exemptions, dual control etc. BMR & Associates LLP's Dimri said with the enforcement of section 12 of the Indian constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, the two months' clock for setting up of the GST Council has started ticking. "As soon as the Council gets formed it will have a platter full of important and critically time-driven deliverables. The most important of them being reaching consensus amongst all states regarding several aspects of levy and administration of GST in India viz. tax rates, list of goods to be exempt / taxable on merit rates of GST, determining the threshold for taxable turnover for goods and services, and so on," he said. The Constitutional amendment Bill for GST was passed in both Houses of the Parliament in the Monsoon Session this year after much delay. After being cleared there, it has been ratified by 17 states till now. It needed 15, or half of India's 29 states to approve it. Last week, it got the Presidential assent. (This report first appeared on DNA)

Indian government closer to major tax reform law, corporates want more time

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that ASEAN is central to India&#39;s &#39;Act East&#39; policy. 
 
While addressing the 14th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India summit in &nbsp;Laos, Vientiane, Modi said: &quot;Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Enhancing connectivity was central to India&#39;s partnership with ASEAN, he told the 10-member grouping attended by heads of the states. 
 
&quot;Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity,&quot; Modi said. 
 
Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are &quot;life lines of global trade&quot;. 
 
Laotian premier Thongloun Sisoulith complimented India&#39;s Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction.&nbsp; 
 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that the National Democratic Alliance-led Indian government has made&nbsp;its relations with East Asian neighbours a foreign policy a priority under the &#39;Act East&#39; policy.&nbsp; 
 
Indian ambassador to ASEAN, Suresh Kumar Reddy had earlier said India-ASEAN summit will set the agenda for further strengthening of ties which will help India achieve its objectives for socio-economic growth.&nbsp; 
 
The summit will also provide valuable partners who can bring technology, resources and who can support Indian industries, he had told the Indian news agency ANI.&nbsp;Areas in which further cooperation is required includes agriculture, climate change, security and strengthening connectivity between the ASEAN countries, he said.&nbsp; 
 
Modi refers to Pakistan again while talking about terror&nbsp; 
 
Days after telling the G20 nations that &#39;one nation in South Asia is spreading terror&#39; as he made a veiled attack at Pakistan, Modi today sought the cooperation of ASEAN members at the ongoing summit in Laos, Vientiane to combat the &#39;menace of terror&#39; while making a reference to the neighbouring country again.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels,&quot; Modi said as he expressed concern about the rising &#39;export of terror&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats, the Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
He said that in the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. 
 
&quot;We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism,&quot; Modi asserted.&nbsp; 
 
Day-2 ASEAN summit highlights&nbsp; 
 
The second day of the ASEAN summit was focused on the issue of South China Sea.&nbsp; 
 
On Wednesday, China came under fire over &#39;&#39;illegal&#39;&#39; island-building in the disputed South China Sea.&nbsp; 
 
China refuted the claims saying it had not started building at the shoal. Philippines on Wednesday released photos which showed Chinese ships in the area, AFP reported. 
 
Just hours after the pictures were released, Thailand which has remained neutral regarding this issue, said it &quot;supports China&#39;s efforts&quot; to maintain maritime peace in South China Sea. 
 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed concern over Beijing&#39;s dominating claims in the South China Sea, which is also claimed by philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. 
 
Tokyo is also in loggerheads with Beijing over disputed islands in East China Sea. 
 
&quot;I am seriously concerned with the continuing attempts to change unilaterally the status quo in the East and South China Sea and I hope that both parties to the dispute in the South China Sea will abide by the ruling by the China-Philippines tribunal court, which legally binds the parties to the dispute, and it will lead to a peaceful settlement of the dispute,&quot; Abe said, according to a briefing by foreign press secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura. 
 
Abe pledged $440 million to aid Asian countries to combat terrorism.&nbsp; 
 
US President Barack Obama yet again warned today that the international tribunal&#39;s ruling was &quot;binding&quot;. &nbsp;&quot;The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region,&quot; Obama told a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective,' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that ASEAN is central to India's 'Act East' policy. While addressing the 14th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India summit in Laos, Vientiane, Modi said: "Our engagement driven by common priorities bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region." Enhancing connectivity was central to India's partnership with ASEAN, he told the 10-member grouping attended by heads of the states. "Seamless digital connectivity between India and Southeast Asia is a shared objective. India committed to Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity," Modi said. Securing seas was a shared responsibility, he said, adding that sea lanes are "life lines of global trade". Laotian premier Thongloun Sisoulith complimented India's Act East policy and its contribution to ASEAN and hoped the summit will provide future direction. It's pertinent to mention that the National Democratic Alliance-led Indian government has made its relations with East Asian neighbours a foreign policy a priority under the 'Act East' policy. Indian ambassador to ASEAN, Suresh Kumar Reddy had earlier said India-ASEAN summit will set the agenda for further strengthening of ties which will help India achieve its objectives for socio-economic growth. The summit will also provide valuable partners who can bring technology, resources and who can support Indian industries, he had told the Indian news agency ANI. Areas in which further cooperation is required includes agriculture, climate change, security and strengthening connectivity between the ASEAN countries, he said. Modi refers to Pakistan again while talking about terror Days after telling the G20 nations that 'one nation in South Asia is spreading terror' as he made a veiled attack at Pakistan, Modi today sought the cooperation of ASEAN members at the ongoing summit in Laos, Vientiane to combat the 'menace of terror' while making a reference to the neighbouring country again. "The threat is local, regional, and transitional at the same time. Our partnership with ASEAN seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels," Modi said as he expressed concern about the rising 'export of terror'. While addressing the 14th ASEAN-India summit here, the Prime Minister also noted that growing radicalism through the ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence are the other security threats, the Indian news agency PTI reported. He said that in the face of growing traditional and non-traditional challenges, political cooperation has emerged as key in relations. "We are willing to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation in cyber security, de-radicalisation and counterterrorism," Modi asserted. Day-2 ASEAN summit highlights The second day of the ASEAN summit was focused on the issue of South China Sea. On Wednesday, China came under fire over ''illegal'' island-building in the disputed South China Sea. China refuted the claims saying it had not started building at the shoal. Philippines on Wednesday released photos which showed Chinese ships in the area, AFP reported. Just hours after the pictures were released, Thailand which has remained neutral regarding this issue, said it "supports China's efforts" to maintain maritime peace in South China Sea. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed concern over Beijing's dominating claims in the South China Sea, which is also claimed by philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. Tokyo is also in loggerheads with Beijing over disputed islands in East China Sea. "I am seriously concerned with the continuing attempts to change unilaterally the status quo in the East and South China Sea and I hope that both parties to the dispute in the South China Sea will abide by the ruling by the China-Philippines tribunal court, which legally binds the parties to the dispute, and it will lead to a peaceful settlement of the dispute," Abe said, according to a briefing by foreign press secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura. Abe pledged $440 million to aid Asian countries to combat terrorism. US President Barack Obama yet again warned today that the international tribunal's ruling was "binding". "The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped clarify maritime rights in the region," Obama told a summit of Asian leaders in Laos. (WION with inputs from agencies)

ASEAN central to India's 'Act East' policy: PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama will hold a bilateral meeting today on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. 
 
At the gala dinner hosted by Laos Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith on Wednesday, the two world leaders were seen bonding. 
 
President Obama also met Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte&nbsp;on Wednesday, after their initial meeting was cancelled by the White House on account of Duterte&nbsp;insulting Obama. 
 
Dutarte&#39;s outburst was in response to comments by Obama&#39;s aides that the President planned to raise concerns about Duterte&#39;s drug war that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. 
 
&quot;You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum,&quot; he said. 
 
Meanwhile, Philippines&#39; foreign minister Perfecto Yasay said, &quot;I&#39;m very happy that it happened,&quot; referring to their brief meeting. 
&quot;It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong.&quot; 
 
(dna) 
&nbsp;

At the gala dinner hosted by Laos Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister and US President were seen bonding

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama will hold a bilateral meeting today on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. At the gala dinner hosted by Laos Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith on Wednesday, the two world leaders were seen bonding. President Obama also met Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, after their initial meeting was cancelled by the White House on account of Duterte insulting Obama. Dutarte's outburst was in response to comments by Obama's aides that the President planned to raise concerns about Duterte's drug war that has claimed 3,000 lives in just over two months. "You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum," he said. Meanwhile, Philippines' foreign minister Perfecto Yasay said, "I'm very happy that it happened," referring to their brief meeting. "It all springs from the fact that the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong." (dna)

US, India to hold bilateral talks in Laos

Ahead of&nbsp;his visit to the 14th Indian-ASEAN summit in Laos, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the summit an imperative for the economic development of &nbsp;India&#39;s northeast. 
 
&ldquo;ASEAN is a key partner for our &#39;Act East&#39; policy. Our strategic partnership with ASEAN is important for safeguarding and promoting our security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
Modi will also meet Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern and hold discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region.&nbsp; 
 
The India-Asean summit will be attended by the leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations &mdash; Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. 
 
Modi also emphasised on the need to enhance the physical and digital connectivity with the South East Asian nations, giving a simultaneous boost to his Digital India campaign.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We wish to enhance our physical and digital connectivity; to see greater people to people links; to strengthen our institutional linkages; and, to leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of all our people,&quot; the Prime Minister said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

'ASEAN is a key partner of our Act East policy and is important for safeguarding and promoting security concerns

Ahead of his visit to the 14th Indian-ASEAN summit in Laos, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the summit an imperative for the economic development of India's northeast. “ASEAN is a key partner for our 'Act East' policy. Our strategic partnership with ASEAN is important for safeguarding and promoting our security interests and countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region," he said. Modi will also meet Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, to discuss bilateral issues of mutual concern and hold discussions on the challenges and opportunities before the Asia Pacific region. The India-Asean summit will be attended by the leaders of 10 southeast Asian nations — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. Modi also emphasised on the need to enhance the physical and digital connectivity with the South East Asian nations, giving a simultaneous boost to his Digital India campaign. "We wish to enhance our physical and digital connectivity; to see greater people to people links; to strengthen our institutional linkages; and, to leverage the modern interconnected world for the mutual benefit of all our people," the Prime Minister said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian PM Narendra Modi calls ASEAN a 'key for northeast India's development'

The Balochistan government will send a delegation of parliamentarians to international forums, including the United Nations, to draw the attention of the world on the situation in the province, local media reported today.&nbsp; 
 
The govenment has decided to send the lawmakers to friendly to raise the issue of India&rsquo;s involvement&nbsp;in fomenting violence in the province, a report by Pakistan daily The Express Tribune said.&nbsp; 
 
Balochistan chief minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri reportedly spoke to the media in Lahore on Sunday and said he is planning to write to&nbsp; the UN Secretary-General in this regard.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;These international institutions talk of democracy all the time. The parliamentarians are the true representatives of the Balochistan people and when they talk at these forums their voce carry weight,&rdquo; he was quoted as saying by another Pakistan daily, The Nation, while referring to the negative propaganda of enemies of Pakistan at international level.&nbsp; 
 
During the Indian&nbsp;Independence Day address last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had &quot;thanked&quot; the people of Balochistan, the people of Gilgit and the people of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir for &quot;the goodwill they have showed towards him&quot;.&nbsp; 
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<h5>During the Indian&nbsp;Independence Day address last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had &quot;thanked&quot; the people of Balochistan, the people of Gilgit and the people of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir for &quot;the goodwill they have showed towards him&quot;.&nbsp;</h5>
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&quot;Time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against people in Balochistan and PoK,&quot; he had earlier said at an all-party meeting on Kashmir Valley.&nbsp; 
 
However, his remarks were clearly rejected by Pakistan following which Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formed a team of 22 members of parliament as special envoys to &quot;travel to various countries and highlight the situation on the Kashmir issue&quot; and &quot;cement Pakistan&#39;s stand in the long-standing Kashmir dispute&quot;. 
 
People in Balochistan recently took to streets against Modi&#39;s remark, Zehri pointed out.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;Why did even ten persons had not gathered anywhere in Balochistan to support Mr Modi&rsquo;s assertions? The reason is simple. The so-called separatist elements do not enjoy any public support.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The chief minister also accused the separatist leader of provoking the youth.&nbsp; 
 
(WION) 
 
&nbsp;

A delegation of lawmakers from the state in Pakistan would also try to draw world's attention towards the province, said local media reports

The Balochistan government will send a delegation of parliamentarians to international forums, including the United Nations, to draw the attention of the world on the situation in the province, local media reported today. The govenment has decided to send the lawmakers to friendly to raise the issue of India’s involvement in fomenting violence in the province, a report by Pakistan daily The Express Tribune said. Balochistan chief minister Sardar Sanaullah Zehri reportedly spoke to the media in Lahore on Sunday and said he is planning to write to the UN Secretary-General in this regard. “These international institutions talk of democracy all the time. The parliamentarians are the true representatives of the Balochistan people and when they talk at these forums their voce carry weight,” he was quoted as saying by another Pakistan daily, The Nation, while referring to the negative propaganda of enemies of Pakistan at international level. During the Indian Independence Day address last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "thanked" the people of Balochistan, the people of Gilgit and the people of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir for "the goodwill they have showed towards him". During the Indian Independence Day address last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "thanked" the people of Balochistan, the people of Gilgit and the people of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir for "the goodwill they have showed towards him". "Time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against people in Balochistan and PoK," he had earlier said at an all-party meeting on Kashmir Valley. However, his remarks were clearly rejected by Pakistan following which Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formed a team of 22 members of parliament as special envoys to "travel to various countries and highlight the situation on the Kashmir issue" and "cement Pakistan's stand in the long-standing Kashmir dispute". People in Balochistan recently took to streets against Modi's remark, Zehri pointed out. “Why did even ten persons had not gathered anywhere in Balochistan to support Mr Modi’s assertions? The reason is simple. The so-called separatist elements do not enjoy any public support." The chief minister also accused the separatist leader of provoking the youth. (WION)

Balochistan chief minister likely to write to UN head over 'India meddling'

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