The hectic political campaign in five states has not stopped Prime Minister Modi from keeping a busy schedule on the diplomatic front.

After visiting Singapore and Maldives during the Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh campaign, the Prime Minister today is travelling to Argentina to attend the G20 summit, in the midst of campaigning for the Rajasthan and Telangana elections.

In fact, from November 23, the Prime Minister has been on the campaign trail every day. Beginning with Mizoram on the 23rd, the Prime Minister has campaigned across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana in the last six days.

November 28 saw him address two election rallies in Rajasthan, in the course of a seven-hour journey. Barely 90 minutes after landing in Delhi, the Prime Minister emplaned for Argentina.

The journey from Delhi to Buenos Aires involves two legs of nearly 12-hour duration each, with a short technical halt in Cape Town, South Africa. The total travel time to Buenos Aires is 25 hours, and consequently, the to and fro trips will involve a combined journey time of nearly 50 hours.

In between these two trips, the Prime Minister will be in Buenos Aires for just over 50 hours. This time period includes two nights. In the space of these 50 hours, the Prime Minister has over 25 scheduled engagements. These include the various sessions of the G20 summit, sideline meetings including the BRICS informal meeting, and bilateral meetings with various world leaders. Besides these scheduled engagements, the Prime Minister may engage informally with other leaders as well.

An important item on his itinerary is to attend and address a "Yoga for Peace" event in Buenos Aires.

The Prime Minister will return to India in the wee hours of December 3, only to take off again within 12 hours to resume his political campaigning in Rajasthan and Telangana for the next two days. On December 3, PM Modi will campaign in Jodhpur and Hyderabad.

The hectic political campaign in five states has not stopped Prime Minister Modi from keeping a busy schedule on the diplomatic front. After visiting Singapore and Maldives during the Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh campaign, the Prime Minister today is travelling to Argentina to attend the G20 summit, in the midst of campaigning for the Rajasthan and Telangana elections.

The hectic political campaign in five states has not stopped Prime Minister Modi from keeping a busy schedule on the diplomatic front. After visiting Singapore and Maldives during the Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh campaign, the Prime Minister today is travelling to Argentina to attend the G20 summit, in the midst of campaigning for the Rajasthan and Telangana elections. In fact, from November 23, the Prime Minister has been on the campaign trail every day. Beginning with Mizoram on the 23rd, the Prime Minister has campaigned across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana in the last six days. November 28 saw him address two election rallies in Rajasthan, in the course of a seven-hour journey. Barely 90 minutes after landing in Delhi, the Prime Minister emplaned for Argentina. The journey from Delhi to Buenos Aires involves two legs of nearly 12-hour duration each, with a short technical halt in Cape Town, South Africa. The total travel time to Buenos Aires is 25 hours, and consequently, the to and fro trips will involve a combined journey time of nearly 50 hours. In between these two trips, the Prime Minister will be in Buenos Aires for just over 50 hours. This time period includes two nights. In the space of these 50 hours, the Prime Minister has over 25 scheduled engagements. These include the various sessions of the G20 summit, sideline meetings including the BRICS informal meeting, and bilateral meetings with various world leaders. Besides these scheduled engagements, the Prime Minister may engage informally with other leaders as well. An important item on his itinerary is to attend and address a "Yoga for Peace" event in Buenos Aires. The Prime Minister will return to India in the wee hours of December 3, only to take off again within 12 hours to resume his political campaigning in Rajasthan and Telangana for the next two days. On December 3, PM Modi will campaign in Jodhpur and Hyderabad.

From Assembly polls to G20 summit, tracking PM Modi's schedule

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-insight-lands-on-mars-to-peer-into-planets-deep-interior-179634">NASA's InSight spacecraft lands on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-insight-lands-on-mars-to-peer-into-planets-deep-interior-179634">Mars,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-insight-lands-on-mars-to-peer-into-planets-deep-interior-179634"> will study planet's deep interior</a>

NASA's InSight spacecraft, the first robotic lander designed to study the deep interior of a distant world, touched down safely on the surface of Mars on Monday with instruments to detect planetary seismic rumblings never measured anywhere but Earth.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/my-advice-to-pm-he-should-exercise-due-restraint-on-use-of-language-manmohan-singh-179639">My advice to PM Modi is, exercise due restraint on language: Manmohan Singh</a>

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra suggesting that PM Modi must exercise due restraint and not use the "type of language which has now become common practice," news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

The former PM added that the prime minister of a country must set an example for others.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-expects-to-raise-china-tariffs-likely-to-be-placed-on-laptops-and-iphones-179635">Trump says he is going to raise tariffs further on China imports</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he expected to move ahead with raising tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent and repeated his threat to slap tariffs on all remaining imports from China.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal four days ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Argentina, Trump said it was "highly unlikely" he would accept China's request to hold off on the increase, which is due to take effect on January 1.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/there-were-children-says-migrant-mother-tear-gassed-at-us-border-179650">'There were children,' says migrant mother tear-gassed at US border</a>

A migrant mother photographed running with her daughters from tear gas at the US-Mexico border said she never expected the US Border Patrol to fire gas canisters at children and families.

Three tear gas canisters shot from the US side landed around Maria Meza and her children, who range in age from toddlers to teenagers, she said in an interview at a Tijuana migrant shelter.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aamir-khan-on-thugs-of-hindostan-failure-we-went-wrong-and-i-take-full-responsibility-for-it-179641">Aamir Khan takes 'full responsibility' for Thugs Of Hindostan debacle</a>

t takes courage to accept failure on a public platform. On Monday, Aamir Khan admitted that his last release 'Thugs Of Hindostan' had failed to live up to the expectations and took full resp[onsibility for the film's failure.&nbsp;

“I take full responsibility for 'Thugs....' not working with the audience. I think we went wrong but I would like to take full responsibility of that. You can be sure we tried our level best."

NASA's InSight spacecraft lands on Mars, will study planet's deep interior NASA's InSight spacecraft, the first robotic lander designed to study the deep interior of a distant world, touched down safely on the surface of Mars on Monday with instruments to detect planetary seismic rumblings never measured anywhere but Earth.

NASA's InSight spacecraft lands on Mars, will study planet's deep interior NASA's InSight spacecraft, the first robotic lander designed to study the deep interior of a distant world, touched down safely on the surface of Mars on Monday with instruments to detect planetary seismic rumblings never measured anywhere but Earth. My advice to PM Modi is, exercise due restraint on language: Manmohan Singh Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra suggesting that PM Modi must exercise due restraint and not use the "type of language which has now become common practice," news agency ANI reported. The former PM added that the prime minister of a country must set an example for others. Trump says he is going to raise tariffs further on China imports US President Donald Trump said on Monday he expected to move ahead with raising tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 per cent from the current 10 per cent and repeated his threat to slap tariffs on all remaining imports from China. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal four days ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Argentina, Trump said it was "highly unlikely" he would accept China's request to hold off on the increase, which is due to take effect on January 1. 'There were children,' says migrant mother tear-gassed at US border A migrant mother photographed running with her daughters from tear gas at the US-Mexico border said she never expected the US Border Patrol to fire gas canisters at children and families. Three tear gas canisters shot from the US side landed around Maria Meza and her children, who range in age from toddlers to teenagers, she said in an interview at a Tijuana migrant shelter. Aamir Khan takes 'full responsibility' for Thugs Of Hindostan debacle t takes courage to accept failure on a public platform. On Monday, Aamir Khan admitted that his last release 'Thugs Of Hindostan' had failed to live up to the expectations and took full resp[onsibility for the film's failure. “I take full responsibility for 'Thugs....' not working with the audience. I think we went wrong but I would like to take full responsibility of that. You can be sure we tried our level best."

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistani PM Imran Khan to invite PM Modi for SAARC meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago.&nbsp;

"A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted.&nbsp;

"Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families," the tweet read.&nbsp;

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Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. 
 
Our solidarity with the bereaved families. 
 
A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1066890229158678528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered the "supreme sacrifice" of police and security personnel stating, "Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice and defeating terrorism," his tweet read.&nbsp;

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Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1066866758902935552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Taj Hotels, in a statement, noted that on the 10th anniversary of the "darkest days," they choose to "celebrate the heroes."

"It was a day that united us. Today, we stand stronger, and shine brighter than ever before," Taj Hotels tweeted out.&nbsp;

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In Memoriam. 26.11.2008 <a href="https://t.co/szB7wxqp3V">pic.twitter.com/szB7wxqp3V</a>
— Taj Hotels (@TajHotels) <a href="https://twitter.com/TajHotels/status/1066897063462481921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ten years ago on this day, 10 heavily-armed terrorists sailed into the city, carrying out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-decade-of-mumbai-terror-attack-what-all-happened-during-attacks-and-in-years-to-follow-179407">a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city</a>.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x51A0mI3b5Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The ghastly attacks lasted for four days killing 166 people and injuring over 300. After sailing to the city under the cover of darkness, the terrorists targeted major landmarks of Mumbai with first attack taking place at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago. "A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago. "A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted. "Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families," the tweet read. Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families. A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2018 × President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered the "supreme sacrifice" of police and security personnel stating, "Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice and defeating terrorism," his tweet read. Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 26, 2018 × Taj Hotels, in a statement, noted that on the 10th anniversary of the "darkest days," they choose to "celebrate the heroes." "It was a day that united us. Today, we stand stronger, and shine brighter than ever before," Taj Hotels tweeted out. In Memoriam. 26.11.2008 pic.twitter.com/szB7wxqp3V — Taj Hotels (@TajHotels) November 26, 2018 × Ten years ago on this day, 10 heavily-armed terrorists sailed into the city, carrying out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city. The ghastly attacks lasted for four days killing 166 people and injuring over 300. After sailing to the city under the cover of darkness, the terrorists targeted major landmarks of Mumbai with first attack taking place at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station.

'Nation bows to those who valiantly fought': PM Modi, President Kovind pay tribute to 26/11 victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, on Sunday hailed the youth of the country for being catalysts of change.&nbsp;

"The one to bring about the change in the society are the youth. If we are able to materialise their ideas and give them an environment to express themselves, a positive change can be initiated in the country," he stated.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister thanked the national media for highlighting the many issues that were discussed during various editions of Mann Ki Baat.&nbsp;

"No politician has ever been satisfied with media, either he got inadequate coverage or was portrayed negatively, but I thank the media for highlighting the issues discussed in Mann ki Baat," the PM added.&nbsp;

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It is a good thing our youth are asking questions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat50?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat50</a> <a href="https://t.co/jFPRxMImzA">pic.twitter.com/jFPRxMImzA</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1066570439428923393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He said that he didn't decide that politics will not be a part of his radio programme when it first started in October 2014.&nbsp;

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Our youth is all set to scale new heights of glory. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat50?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat50</a> <a href="https://t.co/FdDfKwYvHP">pic.twitter.com/FdDfKwYvHP</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1066570581980692481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I decided that politics will not be a part of it, it’ll neither have the praises of the government nor my name. I got the inspiration and strength to stay true to my resolution from all of you," he noted.&nbsp;

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When it comes to youngsters- accept rather than expect. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat50?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat50</a> <a href="https://t.co/Aturec0GE4">pic.twitter.com/Aturec0GE4</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1066570269039448064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Prime Minister went on to praise and thank the many participants who became the callers on the programme or sent their letters from all across the country.&nbsp;

He urged people to continue participating and listen to the programme in regional languages.&nbsp;

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Thank you to friends in the media. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat50?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat50</a> <a href="https://t.co/XsrxHYVlC9">pic.twitter.com/XsrxHYVlC9</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1066569257712934912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi's monthly radio address started months after him taking over as the Prime Minister. The very first edition went on air in October 2014.

Toll-free telephone lines were introduced in September to enable more people, especially the differently abled, to connect with the broadcast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, on Sunday hailed the youth of the country for being catalysts of change.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat, on Sunday hailed the youth of the country for being catalysts of change. "The one to bring about the change in the society are the youth. If we are able to materialise their ideas and give them an environment to express themselves, a positive change can be initiated in the country," he stated. The Prime Minister thanked the national media for highlighting the many issues that were discussed during various editions of Mann Ki Baat. "No politician has ever been satisfied with media, either he got inadequate coverage or was portrayed negatively, but I thank the media for highlighting the issues discussed in Mann ki Baat," the PM added. It is a good thing our youth are asking questions. #MannKiBaat50 pic.twitter.com/jFPRxMImzA — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2018 × He said that he didn't decide that politics will not be a part of his radio programme when it first started in October 2014. Our youth is all set to scale new heights of glory. #MannKiBaat50 pic.twitter.com/FdDfKwYvHP — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2018 × "I decided that politics will not be a part of it, it’ll neither have the praises of the government nor my name. I got the inspiration and strength to stay true to my resolution from all of you," he noted. When it comes to youngsters- accept rather than expect. #MannKiBaat50 pic.twitter.com/Aturec0GE4 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2018 × The Prime Minister went on to praise and thank the many participants who became the callers on the programme or sent their letters from all across the country. He urged people to continue participating and listen to the programme in regional languages. Thank you to friends in the media. #MannKiBaat50 pic.twitter.com/XsrxHYVlC9 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2018 × PM Modi's monthly radio address started months after him taking over as the Prime Minister. The very first edition went on air in October 2014. Toll-free telephone lines were introduced in September to enable more people, especially the differently abled, to connect with the broadcast.

In 50th edition, Modi thanks media for highlighting issues he spoke of on Mann ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat today.

Prime Minister's address can be heard by tuning in to the All India Radio broadcast at 11am. The broadcast can also be streamed live on YouTube channels of the Prime Minsiter's Office, Information and Broadcasting Ministry.&nbsp;

During his last radio address, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-49th-edition-of-man-ki-baat-pm-modi-urges-nation-to-run-for-unity-173961">which was aired on October 28</a> -- the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister urged the country to "Run for Unity."

PM Modi also recalled the contribution of Sardar Patel in uniting the country. He said the leader ensured "the merger of all princely states with the Dominion of India".

Further hailing the victory of the athletes in Asian Para Games PM Modi said, "India created a new record in these games by winning 72 medals. I was privileged to meet the talented para-athletes who participated in Asian Para Games held in Jakarta. Their spirit to overcome all adversaries is exemplary and inspiring."

He also praised the country's soldier saying that "our soldiers showed the world that they are second to none when it comes to war."

PM Modi's monthly radio address started months after him taking over as the Prime Minister. The very first edition went on air in October 2014.

Toll-free telephone lines were introduced in September to enable more people, especially the differently abled, to connect with the broadcast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat today. Prime Minister's address can be heard by tuning in to the All India Radio broadcast at 11am.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the 50th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat today. Prime Minister's address can be heard by tuning in to the All India Radio broadcast at 11am. The broadcast can also be streamed live on YouTube channels of the Prime Minsiter's Office, Information and Broadcasting Ministry. During his last radio address, which was aired on October 28 -- the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister urged the country to "Run for Unity." PM Modi also recalled the contribution of Sardar Patel in uniting the country. He said the leader ensured "the merger of all princely states with the Dominion of India". Further hailing the victory of the athletes in Asian Para Games PM Modi said, "India created a new record in these games by winning 72 medals. I was privileged to meet the talented para-athletes who participated in Asian Para Games held in Jakarta. Their spirit to overcome all adversaries is exemplary and inspiring." He also praised the country's soldier saying that "our soldiers showed the world that they are second to none when it comes to war." PM Modi's monthly radio address started months after him taking over as the Prime Minister. The very first edition went on air in October 2014. Toll-free telephone lines were introduced in September to enable more people, especially the differently abled, to connect with the broadcast.

PM Modi to deliver 50th episode of his Mann ki Baat radio programme today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that the Congress is so confused by its chief ministerial candidates in Rajasthan, that the party itself will fuse.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking at a campaign rally in Alwar. Rajasthan goes to the polls next month on December 7, and the results will be out on December 11.&nbsp;

There has been a fair amount of confusion in Rajasthan over whether&nbsp;

"Aaj kal har gali mohalle mai mukhyamantriyo ko ghuma rahe hain, jaha jaye ye hamara Mukhyamantri, vahaa jaye vo humara Mukhyamantri. Unki puri party Mukhyamantri pe itni confuse hai, neta itna confuse hai, to party fuse hogi nahi to kya hoga," ANI quoted Modi as saying.&nbsp;

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Aaj kal har gali mohalle mai mukhyamantriyo ko ghuma rahe hain, jaha jaye ye hamara Mukhyamantri, vahaa jaye vo humara Mukhyamantri. Unki puri party Mukhyamantri pe itni confuse hai, neta itna confuse hai, to party fuse hogi nhi to kya hoga: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar <a href="https://t.co/91PTui4mvq">pic.twitter.com/91PTui4mvq</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1066595771477368832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Modi also mentioned Ayodhya, where the VHP is holding a massive "Dharam Sabha" today which it says as many as 300,000 people may attend.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions on the Ram Temple, which the Congress has said should not be heard before the 2019 elections. In Alwar, Modi asked whether it was appropriate for the Congress to drag politics into justice. &nbsp;

"Jab Ayodhya ka case chal raha tha, Congress ke neta Rajya Sabha ke sadasya kehte hain ki 2019 tak case mat chalao kyunki 2019 mein chunaav hai. Desh ke nyayatantra ko is prakaar se rajneeti mein ghaseetna uchit hai kya?" Modi asked.&nbsp;

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Jab Ayodhya ka case chal raha tha, Congress ke neta Rajya Sabha ke sadasya kehte hain ki 2019 tak case mat chalao kyunki 2019 mein chunaav hai. Desh ke nyayatantra ko is prakaar se rajneeti mein ghaseetna uchit hai kya? : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bkolydem2X">pic.twitter.com/Bkolydem2X</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1066597521982742529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Jab SC ka koi judge Ayodhya jaise gambheer samvedansheel maslo mein, desh ko nyaya dilane ki disha mein sabko sunna chahte hain to Congress ke Rajya Sabha ke vakeel SC ke nyaayamurtiyo ke khilaf impeachment la kar ke unko darate dhamkate hain: PM Narendra Modi in Alwar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> <a href="https://t.co/YftHIkv2k1">pic.twitter.com/YftHIkv2k1</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1066599818972274688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Congress ke neta meri ma ko gaali de, koi meri jaati ko leke sawal puchhe. Mujhe aascharya nahi hota hai, ye bolne wala koi bhi ho lekin bulwane wala to ‘naamdar’ hi hota hai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/ff5z9QFtj5">pic.twitter.com/ff5z9QFtj5</a>
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And finally he took a potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that he was not surprised by what Congress people might say about him — Modi said they abuse his mother, talk about his caste — but that it is the "naamdaar" Rahul who has told them to say it.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that the Congress is so confused by its chief ministerial candidates in Rajasthan, that the party itself will fuse. Modi was speaking at a campaign rally in Alwar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that the Congress is so confused by its chief ministerial candidates in Rajasthan, that the party itself will fuse. Modi was speaking at a campaign rally in Alwar. Rajasthan goes to the polls next month on December 7, and the results will be out on December 11. There has been a fair amount of confusion in Rajasthan over whether "Aaj kal har gali mohalle mai mukhyamantriyo ko ghuma rahe hain, jaha jaye ye hamara Mukhyamantri, vahaa jaye vo humara Mukhyamantri. Unki puri party Mukhyamantri pe itni confuse hai, neta itna confuse hai, to party fuse hogi nahi to kya hoga," ANI quoted Modi as saying. Aaj kal har gali mohalle mai mukhyamantriyo ko ghuma rahe hain, jaha jaye ye hamara Mukhyamantri, vahaa jaye vo humara Mukhyamantri. Unki puri party Mukhyamantri pe itni confuse hai, neta itna confuse hai, to party fuse hogi nhi to kya hoga: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar pic.twitter.com/91PTui4mvq — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × Modi also mentioned Ayodhya, where the VHP is holding a massive "Dharam Sabha" today which it says as many as 300,000 people may attend. The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions on the Ram Temple, which the Congress has said should not be heard before the 2019 elections. In Alwar, Modi asked whether it was appropriate for the Congress to drag politics into justice. "Jab Ayodhya ka case chal raha tha, Congress ke neta Rajya Sabha ke sadasya kehte hain ki 2019 tak case mat chalao kyunki 2019 mein chunaav hai. Desh ke nyayatantra ko is prakaar se rajneeti mein ghaseetna uchit hai kya?" Modi asked. Jab Ayodhya ka case chal raha tha, Congress ke neta Rajya Sabha ke sadasya kehte hain ki 2019 tak case mat chalao kyunki 2019 mein chunaav hai. Desh ke nyayatantra ko is prakaar se rajneeti mein ghaseetna uchit hai kya? : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar #RajasthanElections pic.twitter.com/Bkolydem2X — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × Jab SC ka koi judge Ayodhya jaise gambheer samvedansheel maslo mein, desh ko nyaya dilane ki disha mein sabko sunna chahte hain to Congress ke Rajya Sabha ke vakeel SC ke nyaayamurtiyo ke khilaf impeachment la kar ke unko darate dhamkate hain: PM Narendra Modi in Alwar #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/YftHIkv2k1 — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × Congress ke neta meri ma ko gaali de, koi meri jaati ko leke sawal puchhe. Mujhe aascharya nahi hota hai, ye bolne wala koi bhi ho lekin bulwane wala to ‘naamdar’ hi hota hai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Alwar #RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ff5z9QFtj5 — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × And finally he took a potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that he was not surprised by what Congress people might say about him — Modi said they abuse his mother, talk about his caste — but that it is the "naamdaar" Rahul who has told them to say it.

Congress confused by who will be CM, party will fuse: Modi in Rajasthan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Kartarpur corridor will act as a bridge for the people of India and Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion of Guru Purab PM Modi said, "Kisne socha that ki Berlin ki deewar gir sakti hai? Shayad Guru Nanak Dev Ji ke aashirwad se, Kartarpur ka corridor sirf corrdior nahi, jan jan ko jodne ka bahut bada karan ban sakta hai (Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji , Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people)."

''We do not wish bad for anyone…we believe in Vasudhev Kutumbkam,'' Modi said and added that the sacrifices of the Sikh gurus have built and protected the country.

This is the first comment by PM Modi on the Kartarpur corridor.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will jointly lay the foundation stone of the corridor project in Dera Baba Nanak area of Gurdaspur district on November 26.

The Union Cabinet had on Thursday decided to develop the corridor from Gurdaspur in Punjab to the International Border (IB) to facilitate the passage of pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, next year.

The Centre also clarified that India's decision was not in response to any proposal from Pakistan.

"1947 me jo hua so hua.. kuchh aisi batein jo shayad sarkron aur senaon key beech hota hoga.. lekin jan jan ka judaw.. people to people contact ki ek takat hoti hai (Whatever happened in 1947, there are some things...Whatever happens between the governments, the armies happens.. but people to people contact has a power)," the Prime Minister said on Friday.

The Kartarpur Corridor project will be implemented as an integrated development project with funding by Government of India. India had approached Pakistan through its high commission in Delhi and urged it develop the corridor. Pakistan has also announced the development of corridor on its side of the border.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while briefing the Pakistani National Assembly on Friday, announced that Islamabad has decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor for the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak next year. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold the groundbreaking ceremony on the Pakistan side on November 28, 2018.

The gurdwara is significant for the Sikh community since Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life in Kartarpur till he died in 1539.

It is located around 2 km from the IB between both countries and can be seen from the Indian side.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Kartarpur corridor will act as a bridge for the people of India and Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion of Guru Purab PM Modi said, "Kisne socha that ki Berlin ki deewar gir sakti hai?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Kartarpur corridor will act as a bridge for the people of India and Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion of Guru Purab PM Modi said, "Kisne socha that ki Berlin ki deewar gir sakti hai? Shayad Guru Nanak Dev Ji ke aashirwad se, Kartarpur ka corridor sirf corrdior nahi, jan jan ko jodne ka bahut bada karan ban sakta hai (Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji , Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people)." ''We do not wish bad for anyone…we believe in Vasudhev Kutumbkam,'' Modi said and added that the sacrifices of the Sikh gurus have built and protected the country. This is the first comment by PM Modi on the Kartarpur corridor. President Ram Nath Kovind and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will jointly lay the foundation stone of the corridor project in Dera Baba Nanak area of Gurdaspur district on November 26. The Union Cabinet had on Thursday decided to develop the corridor from Gurdaspur in Punjab to the International Border (IB) to facilitate the passage of pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, next year. The Centre also clarified that India's decision was not in response to any proposal from Pakistan. "1947 me jo hua so hua.. kuchh aisi batein jo shayad sarkron aur senaon key beech hota hoga.. lekin jan jan ka judaw.. people to people contact ki ek takat hoti hai (Whatever happened in 1947, there are some things...Whatever happens between the governments, the armies happens.. but people to people contact has a power)," the Prime Minister said on Friday. The Kartarpur Corridor project will be implemented as an integrated development project with funding by Government of India. India had approached Pakistan through its high commission in Delhi and urged it develop the corridor. Pakistan has also announced the development of corridor on its side of the border. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while briefing the Pakistani National Assembly on Friday, announced that Islamabad has decided to open the Kartarpur Corridor for the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak next year. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold the groundbreaking ceremony on the Pakistan side on November 28, 2018. The gurdwara is significant for the Sikh community since Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life in Kartarpur till he died in 1539. It is located around 2 km from the IB between both countries and can be seen from the Indian side.

Kartarpur corridor will act as a bridge for people of India and Pakistan: PM Modi 

Breaking News: PM Modi hails Kartarpur corridor

WION Exclusive: In conversation with BJP president Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday laid foundation stones to mark the beginning of work for CNG supply to automobiles and piped cooking gas to kitchens in 129 districts of 18 states, covering over a quarter of India's population.

Keen to cut emissions through a greater share of environment-friendly natural gas as auto and cooking fuel, Modi also launched the 10th round of bidding for award of city gas licenses in 124 new districts, which have been clubbed into 50 Geographical Areas (GAs).

"This is an important step in developing infrastructure," he said, adding once 10th round is completed, natural gas as fuel will cover 400 districts and 70 per cent population.

Modi said households with piped cooking gas connections would reach 2 crore after network in cities awarded up to 10th round is completed.&nbsp;

Currently there are over 32 lakh piped consumers.

He said CNG stations too would more than double to 10,000.

Downstream regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) had just a few weeks back awarded licenses for 78 out of the 86 GAs put on offer in the 9th round of bidding.

Of the GAs awarded in the 9th round, Modi laid foundation stones for work in 65 GAs, made up of 129 districts, while leaving out the ones in election-bound states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana due to the model code of conduct.

The license winners of 61 GAS out of these 65 GAs organised functions in their respective areas, which were connected to Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital through video conferencing, where the prime minister formally launched the city gas works.

With an annual consumption of 142 million standard cubic meters per day, the share of natural gas in India's energy mix is just 6.2 per cent. This compares to a world average of 24 per cent. Gas accounts for 25 per cent share in Gujarat's energy mix.

Speaking on the occasion, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the city gas licensing rounds are a step towards making India a gas-based economy.

Gas is an environment-friendly fuel which is cheaper than not just liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel but is also cheaper than subsidised LPG.

City gas distribution (CGD) networks entail building pipelines from the gas supply source to the doorstep of consumers as well as setting up CNG dispensing stations to supply the fuel to automobiles.

PNGRB had offered 106 GAs in the previous eight bid rounds, of which 56 were awarded. 35 GAs were authorised by the government prior to incorporation of PNGRB.

The 91 GAs existing prior to the 9th round covered 11 per cent of the country's area and about 19 per cent of the population. Over 3.2 million vehicles are served in these GAs by 1,349 CNG stations as compared to over 63,000 petrol pumps. As many as 4.6 million households are connected with piped cooking gas.

In the 10th bid round for giving licences to retail CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas to household kitchens, 50 geographical areas or GAs spread over 124 districts in 14 states, covering 24 per cent of India's population and 18 per cent of its area, are being offered, PNGRB Chairman Dinesh K Sarraf said.

In the ninth bid round, 86 GAs spread over 174 districts in 22 states and union territories and covering 26 per cent of India's population and 24 per cent of its area was offered. Of these, 78 GAs have been awarded to companies like Adani Gas, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Torrent Gas.

"Of the 86 GAs of 9th bid round, five GAs have been excluded as they are under litigation. Another 16 GAs fall in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana where assembly elections are on and so have been excluded because of model code of conduct," he said.

First CNG station or a piped natural gas connection in the GAs awarded in the previous round will take at least 1-2 years to become operational.

"In the two rounds (9th and 10th), we have covered 50 per cent of India's population and 42 per cent of the area," he said.

Bids for the 10th round will close on February 5 and areas will be awarded by the end of February, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday laid foundation stones to mark the beginning of work for CNG supply to automobiles and piped cooking gas to kitchens in 129 districts of 18 states, covering over a quarter of India's population.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday laid foundation stones to mark the beginning of work for CNG supply to automobiles and piped cooking gas to kitchens in 129 districts of 18 states, covering over a quarter of India's population. Keen to cut emissions through a greater share of environment-friendly natural gas as auto and cooking fuel, Modi also launched the 10th round of bidding for award of city gas licenses in 124 new districts, which have been clubbed into 50 Geographical Areas (GAs). "This is an important step in developing infrastructure," he said, adding once 10th round is completed, natural gas as fuel will cover 400 districts and 70 per cent population. Modi said households with piped cooking gas connections would reach 2 crore after network in cities awarded up to 10th round is completed. Currently there are over 32 lakh piped consumers. He said CNG stations too would more than double to 10,000. Downstream regulator Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) had just a few weeks back awarded licenses for 78 out of the 86 GAs put on offer in the 9th round of bidding. Of the GAs awarded in the 9th round, Modi laid foundation stones for work in 65 GAs, made up of 129 districts, while leaving out the ones in election-bound states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana due to the model code of conduct. The license winners of 61 GAS out of these 65 GAs organised functions in their respective areas, which were connected to Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital through video conferencing, where the prime minister formally launched the city gas works. With an annual consumption of 142 million standard cubic meters per day, the share of natural gas in India's energy mix is just 6.2 per cent. This compares to a world average of 24 per cent. Gas accounts for 25 per cent share in Gujarat's energy mix. Speaking on the occasion, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the city gas licensing rounds are a step towards making India a gas-based economy. Gas is an environment-friendly fuel which is cheaper than not just liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel but is also cheaper than subsidised LPG. City gas distribution (CGD) networks entail building pipelines from the gas supply source to the doorstep of consumers as well as setting up CNG dispensing stations to supply the fuel to automobiles. PNGRB had offered 106 GAs in the previous eight bid rounds, of which 56 were awarded. 35 GAs were authorised by the government prior to incorporation of PNGRB. The 91 GAs existing prior to the 9th round covered 11 per cent of the country's area and about 19 per cent of the population. Over 3.2 million vehicles are served in these GAs by 1,349 CNG stations as compared to over 63,000 petrol pumps. As many as 4.6 million households are connected with piped cooking gas. In the 10th bid round for giving licences to retail CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas to household kitchens, 50 geographical areas or GAs spread over 124 districts in 14 states, covering 24 per cent of India's population and 18 per cent of its area, are being offered, PNGRB Chairman Dinesh K Sarraf said. In the ninth bid round, 86 GAs spread over 174 districts in 22 states and union territories and covering 26 per cent of India's population and 24 per cent of its area was offered. Of these, 78 GAs have been awarded to companies like Adani Gas, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Torrent Gas. "Of the 86 GAs of 9th bid round, five GAs have been excluded as they are under litigation. Another 16 GAs fall in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana where assembly elections are on and so have been excluded because of model code of conduct," he said. First CNG station or a piped natural gas connection in the GAs awarded in the previous round will take at least 1-2 years to become operational. "In the two rounds (9th and 10th), we have covered 50 per cent of India's population and 42 per cent of the area," he said. Bids for the 10th round will close on February 5 and areas will be awarded by the end of February, he said.

PM Modi lays foundation stone for city gas work in 122 districts

The 21st special representative (SR) border talks between India and China will take place on November 23, 24. The talks on border issues between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will happen in Chengdu, Sichuan province of China this year.&nbsp;

The talks will take place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G20.

Announcing the visit, Chinese foreign minister spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "Two sides attach great importance to it. The two Special Representatives will have an in-depth exchange of views on border-related issues. They will follow the guidance of the consensus reached by the two leaders bearing in mind the general picture of bilateral ties on the basis of the outcomes that have been achieved to actively promote the negotiations. At the same time, will promptly manage differences and uphold the peace and tranquillity of the border areas."

This meeting is the first after Wang Yi took over as a special representative. The SR talks this year are happening in the backdrop of three bilateral meetings between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the famous informal Wuhan summit that took place in April this year.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang added, "under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, the Indo-China relations have maintained sound growth with ever deepening exchanges and cooperation in all areas. The two sides have maintained close communication and correlation in border-related affairs. We have promptly managed differences through dialogue and consultation. The border areas have on the whole maintained stability."

The 20th SR talks took place in Delhi in 2017 with the meeting between NSA Doval and the then Chinese special representative Yang Jiechi. The talk that year took place under the shadow of the Doklam crisis.

SR talks, a mechanism came into existence in 2003 and happens alternatively between India and China every year.

The 21st special representative (SR) border talks between India and China will take place on November 23, 24. The talks on border issues between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will happen in Chengdu, Sichuan province of China this year.

The 21st special representative (SR) border talks between India and China will take place on November 23, 24. The talks on border issues between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will happen in Chengdu, Sichuan province of China this year. The talks will take place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G20. Announcing the visit, Chinese foreign minister spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "Two sides attach great importance to it. The two Special Representatives will have an in-depth exchange of views on border-related issues. They will follow the guidance of the consensus reached by the two leaders bearing in mind the general picture of bilateral ties on the basis of the outcomes that have been achieved to actively promote the negotiations. At the same time, will promptly manage differences and uphold the peace and tranquillity of the border areas." This meeting is the first after Wang Yi took over as a special representative. The SR talks this year are happening in the backdrop of three bilateral meetings between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the famous informal Wuhan summit that took place in April this year. Spokesperson Geng Shuang added, "under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, the Indo-China relations have maintained sound growth with ever deepening exchanges and cooperation in all areas. The two sides have maintained close communication and correlation in border-related affairs. We have promptly managed differences through dialogue and consultation. The border areas have on the whole maintained stability." The 20th SR talks took place in Delhi in 2017 with the meeting between NSA Doval and the then Chinese special representative Yang Jiechi. The talk that year took place under the shadow of the Doklam crisis. SR talks, a mechanism came into existence in 2003 and happens alternatively between India and China every year.

21st Indo-China special representative border talks to take place on November 23, 24

Contrary to conventional notions of a harmonious diplomatic relationship, there is a sharp difference in the way Nepal and India view each other. Following Independence, India emulated Britain’s approach in having a treaty-based relationship with Nepal, which led to Nepal’s grudging acceptance of India’s dominion.&nbsp;

To be sure, China’s engagement in Nepal is not new. More importantly—and contrary to how it is portrayed in Nepal—it is not entirely positive. However, the engagement is crucial, since China’s newfound economic power is as yet unmatched.

This challenges India’s privileged position in Nepal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken various initiatives and has indicated that he intends to address Nepal’s concerns regarding India.

Nepal’s eagerness to engage with China has been of interest to observers and largely misinterpreted as Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s strategy to acquire more from India.&nbsp;

However, the current approach fits perfectly in Nepal’s long tradition of pursuing a diversified foreign policy and partners, taking advantage of its key geostrategic position. Oli’s government aims to keep Nepal’s relationship with China independent of the one it shares with India. The question to ask is whether Nepal will be able to achieve this, given India’s discomfort with the increasing Chinese proximity.

New Delhi was for long perceived in Kathmandu as “hawkish” in dealing with sensitive matters.&nbsp;

The most notable instances of this include different river treaties, reluctance to respond to regular border-encroachment complaints, high-structure build-up along the border, inundation complaints, trade and transit crises and embargoes.

There are historical reasons that explain the dynamics of the Indo-Nepal bilateral relationship. To maintain a sphere of influence, India needs sufficient soft power, as well as hard power, along with the confidence to act.&nbsp;

Indeed, the nature of India-Nepal relations has always been a mixed bag. Due to its provisions and protocols, the 1950 treaty quickly became controversial and set the conflictive tone of the bilateral relationship. The provisions of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty constrained Nepal as an ally and a state under India’s security umbrella.&nbsp;

Given the asymmetrical size of the two countries, and Nepal’s reservations towards India due to the treaty-based unequal treatment, the open border has always been a crucial area of contention, except for communities and business groups that benefit from it directly.

Nepal’s largest trading partner is India (the total trade accounting for 65 per cent), with whom Nepal runs the largest trade deficit. There was an improvement following the amendment of the trade commerce treaty with India in 1996, as exports increased and the deficit dropped.&nbsp;

While, on paper, Nepal remains an ally of India, it has constitutionally asserted that its foreign policy is “based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, principles of Panchsheel (and) international law.”

Despite Oli’s “ultranationalist” election rhetoric, he has responded positively to Modi’s and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s overtures. Modi and Oli have established a relationship of trust, negotiating some important agreements during their visits. The agreement on the controversial Arun III hydel project, and their cooperation in revitalising the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC, are some of these indicators.&nbsp;

The recent joint communiqués between India and Nepal seem to have all the right words and tone for a constructive move forward in their bilateral relations. Immediately after the successive visits of Modi and Oli to Nepal, there has been unprecedented progress in several areas.&nbsp;

Regarding China’s inroads into Nepal, an option for India would be to defend the status quo by attempting to block Nepal’s options to diversify its cooperation with neighbours, through projects such as the infrastructure development by Chinese investment.&nbsp;

India must introduce new economic, developmental and infrastructure initiatives with Nepal that will not only bring tangible benefits to Nepali citizens, but also address the vulnerabilities that will emerge in Nepal as the country engages with China.&nbsp;

As things are, Nepal cannot dispense with its reliance on India. India is and will remain vital for the country in many ways. However, Nepal is now a member of China’s massive BRI, which puts India in a difficult position.&nbsp;

Disregarding India’s traditional muscular diplomacy, PM Modi seems to have been following this line of cooperative diplomacy. The results are evident: the rapport between Modi and Oli, and Nepal’s increasing cooperation in Modi’s initiatives, which would have been impossible just a year ago. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-pm-modi-has-changed-tack-cooperated-closely-with-nepal-2687307">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Contrary to conventional notions of a harmonious diplomatic relationship, there is a sharp difference in the way Nepal and India view each other. Following Independence, India emulated Britain’s approach in having a treaty-based relationship with Nepal, which led to Nepal’s grudging acceptance of India’s dominion.

Contrary to conventional notions of a harmonious diplomatic relationship, there is a sharp difference in the way Nepal and India view each other. Following Independence, India emulated Britain’s approach in having a treaty-based relationship with Nepal, which led to Nepal’s grudging acceptance of India’s dominion. To be sure, China’s engagement in Nepal is not new. More importantly—and contrary to how it is portrayed in Nepal—it is not entirely positive. However, the engagement is crucial, since China’s newfound economic power is as yet unmatched. This challenges India’s privileged position in Nepal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken various initiatives and has indicated that he intends to address Nepal’s concerns regarding India. Nepal’s eagerness to engage with China has been of interest to observers and largely misinterpreted as Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s strategy to acquire more from India. However, the current approach fits perfectly in Nepal’s long tradition of pursuing a diversified foreign policy and partners, taking advantage of its key geostrategic position. Oli’s government aims to keep Nepal’s relationship with China independent of the one it shares with India. The question to ask is whether Nepal will be able to achieve this, given India’s discomfort with the increasing Chinese proximity. New Delhi was for long perceived in Kathmandu as “hawkish” in dealing with sensitive matters. The most notable instances of this include different river treaties, reluctance to respond to regular border-encroachment complaints, high-structure build-up along the border, inundation complaints, trade and transit crises and embargoes. There are historical reasons that explain the dynamics of the Indo-Nepal bilateral relationship. To maintain a sphere of influence, India needs sufficient soft power, as well as hard power, along with the confidence to act. Indeed, the nature of India-Nepal relations has always been a mixed bag. Due to its provisions and protocols, the 1950 treaty quickly became controversial and set the conflictive tone of the bilateral relationship. The provisions of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty constrained Nepal as an ally and a state under India’s security umbrella. Given the asymmetrical size of the two countries, and Nepal’s reservations towards India due to the treaty-based unequal treatment, the open border has always been a crucial area of contention, except for communities and business groups that benefit from it directly. Nepal’s largest trading partner is India (the total trade accounting for 65 per cent), with whom Nepal runs the largest trade deficit. There was an improvement following the amendment of the trade commerce treaty with India in 1996, as exports increased and the deficit dropped. While, on paper, Nepal remains an ally of India, it has constitutionally asserted that its foreign policy is “based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, principles of Panchsheel (and) international law.” Despite Oli’s “ultranationalist” election rhetoric, he has responded positively to Modi’s and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s overtures. Modi and Oli have established a relationship of trust, negotiating some important agreements during their visits. The agreement on the controversial Arun III hydel project, and their cooperation in revitalising the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC, are some of these indicators. The recent joint communiqués between India and Nepal seem to have all the right words and tone for a constructive move forward in their bilateral relations. Immediately after the successive visits of Modi and Oli to Nepal, there has been unprecedented progress in several areas. Regarding China’s inroads into Nepal, an option for India would be to defend the status quo by attempting to block Nepal’s options to diversify its cooperation with neighbours, through projects such as the infrastructure development by Chinese investment. India must introduce new economic, developmental and infrastructure initiatives with Nepal that will not only bring tangible benefits to Nepali citizens, but also address the vulnerabilities that will emerge in Nepal as the country engages with China. As things are, Nepal cannot dispense with its reliance on India. India is and will remain vital for the country in many ways. However, Nepal is now a member of China’s massive BRI, which puts India in a difficult position. Disregarding India’s traditional muscular diplomacy, PM Modi seems to have been following this line of cooperative diplomacy. The results are evident: the rapport between Modi and Oli, and Nepal’s increasing cooperation in Modi’s initiatives, which would have been impossible just a year ago. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

PM Modi has changed tack, cooperated closely with Nepal

WION Gravitas: Resetting India-Maldives ties; Maldives won't return Indian choppers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with top industrialists and policymakers over India's vision to break into the top 50 in the World Bank's ease of doing business index.&nbsp;

Addressing the crowd at the meeting 'Reflections on Ease of Doing Business', PM Modi lauded India's efforts towards economic growth and over improvement in quality of life. The Prime Minister stated that all sectors of economy need to improve to take India to the 5 trillion club.

"As per the analysis of Moody and World Economic Forum the position of India has either gone up or is rising. Now our efforts are to take India to the 5 trillion dollar club. To achieve this, we have to improve in all the sectors of the economy," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

India's rank rose 23 places to the 77th spot in the 'Doing Business' rankings released on October 31.

India was ranked 100th in the World Bank's Doing Business Report last year.

"Before 2014, those who had seen instability in policies and policy paralysis, for them it was impossible to believe that India can earn a rank in world’s Top 100 countries," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

"But within 4 years, there has been 180 degree change in the country. We are at 77 rank from 142 rank in ‘Ease of Doing Business’. It’s a record for the country," he added.&nbsp;

The meeting 'Reflections on Ease of Doing Business' was organised by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion as the government gears up for India's ranking to leapfrog on the 'Doing Business' index next year and boost the country's investment attractiveness.

Modi also informed that local leaders have been empowered and that implementation of ranking systems is underway on a district level in order to encourage better performance.&nbsp;

"There is a need for infrastructure, development, growth, man force and an increase in per capita income, which will only happen through investments," PM Modi stressed.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with top industrialists and policymakers over India's vision to break into the top 50 in the World Bank's ease of doing business index.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with top industrialists and policymakers over India's vision to break into the top 50 in the World Bank's ease of doing business index. Addressing the crowd at the meeting 'Reflections on Ease of Doing Business', PM Modi lauded India's efforts towards economic growth and over improvement in quality of life. The Prime Minister stated that all sectors of economy need to improve to take India to the 5 trillion club. "As per the analysis of Moody and World Economic Forum the position of India has either gone up or is rising. Now our efforts are to take India to the 5 trillion dollar club. To achieve this, we have to improve in all the sectors of the economy," PM Modi said. India's rank rose 23 places to the 77th spot in the 'Doing Business' rankings released on October 31. India was ranked 100th in the World Bank's Doing Business Report last year. "Before 2014, those who had seen instability in policies and policy paralysis, for them it was impossible to believe that India can earn a rank in world’s Top 100 countries," PM Modi said. "But within 4 years, there has been 180 degree change in the country. We are at 77 rank from 142 rank in ‘Ease of Doing Business’. It’s a record for the country," he added. The meeting 'Reflections on Ease of Doing Business' was organised by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion as the government gears up for India's ranking to leapfrog on the 'Doing Business' index next year and boost the country's investment attractiveness. Modi also informed that local leaders have been empowered and that implementation of ranking systems is underway on a district level in order to encourage better performance. "There is a need for infrastructure, development, growth, man force and an increase in per capita income, which will only happen through investments," PM Modi stressed.

Our efforts are to take India to the 5 trillion dollar club: PM Modi

A letter containing what police claimed was the phone number of senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was made part of the charge sheet against 10 activists arrested for alleged Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, a senior official said today.

"The phone number they are mentioning is avaible to everyone via Rajya Sabha's portal. I haven't used it since last four years. If I am involved in any kind of anti-national activities then Modi Ji, Rajnath Ji &amp; Fadnavis Ji can take action against me,"&nbsp;Singh said.

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The phone number they are mentioning is avaible to everyone via Rajya Sabha's portal. I haven't used it since last four years. If I am involved in any kind of anti-national activities then Modi Ji, Rajnath Ji &amp; Fadnavis Ji can take action against me: Digvijaya Singh, Congress <a href="https://t.co/dIFD53fO1q">pic.twitter.com/dIFD53fO1q</a>
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The letter was seized during nationwide raids conducted by the Pune police in connection with the case following which these activists were arrested, he said.

The Pune police recently filed its charge sheet against five activists - Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhavale, who were arrested in June.

The letter in question, dated September 25, 2017, is addressed to Surendra (who police claim is Surendra Gadling) by one comrade Prakash, the official said.

A portion of the letter reads, "We must intensify nationwide protests using students. State forces will be soft against students which will gradually put the state at a disadvantage while acting against us. Congress leaders are very much willing to assist in this process and have also agreed to fund further agitations.... In this regard, you can contact our friend at (the phone number of Digvijaya Singh as per police)".

A senior official associated with the probe said the letter had been made part of the charge sheet and is under investigation.

Asked if Digvijaya Singh would be summoned for questioning, senior police officer in Pune Suhas Bavche said several numbers had cropped up in the letters seized during the raids and the ownership of these numbers and their roles in the case are being probed.

"If someone's role is established, whatever is needed to be done as part of the investigation, will be done," Bavche said.

Shivaji Bodakhe, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order) informed that, as of now, no notice had been issued to any one.

The prosecution had yesterday told court that charges related to "sedition and waging war against the state" had been added against all the accused arrested for Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad.

Government pleader Ujjwala Pawar had told court yesterday that sections 124 (A) (sedition), 121 (waging or attempting to wage war) and 121 (A) (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had been added to the charge sheet.

The Elgar Parishad was held on December 31, 2017 in Pune to commemorate 200 years of the 1818 Koregaon Bhima battle in which East India Company forces, comprising a large number of Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army.

(With inputs from agencies)

A letter containing what police claimed was the phone number of senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was made part of the charge sheet against 10 activists arrested for alleged Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, a senior official said today.

A letter containing what police claimed was the phone number of senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was made part of the charge sheet against 10 activists arrested for alleged Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, a senior official said today. "The phone number they are mentioning is avaible to everyone via Rajya Sabha's portal. I haven't used it since last four years. If I am involved in any kind of anti-national activities then Modi Ji, Rajnath Ji & Fadnavis Ji can take action against me," Singh said. The phone number they are mentioning is avaible to everyone via Rajya Sabha's portal. I haven't used it since last four years. If I am involved in any kind of anti-national activities then Modi Ji, Rajnath Ji & Fadnavis Ji can take action against me: Digvijaya Singh, Congress pic.twitter.com/dIFD53fO1q — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2018 × The letter was seized during nationwide raids conducted by the Pune police in connection with the case following which these activists were arrested, he said. The Pune police recently filed its charge sheet against five activists - Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhavale, who were arrested in June. The letter in question, dated September 25, 2017, is addressed to Surendra (who police claim is Surendra Gadling) by one comrade Prakash, the official said. A portion of the letter reads, "We must intensify nationwide protests using students. State forces will be soft against students which will gradually put the state at a disadvantage while acting against us. Congress leaders are very much willing to assist in this process and have also agreed to fund further agitations.... In this regard, you can contact our friend at (the phone number of Digvijaya Singh as per police)". A senior official associated with the probe said the letter had been made part of the charge sheet and is under investigation. Asked if Digvijaya Singh would be summoned for questioning, senior police officer in Pune Suhas Bavche said several numbers had cropped up in the letters seized during the raids and the ownership of these numbers and their roles in the case are being probed. "If someone's role is established, whatever is needed to be done as part of the investigation, will be done," Bavche said. Shivaji Bodakhe, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order) informed that, as of now, no notice had been issued to any one. The prosecution had yesterday told court that charges related to "sedition and waging war against the state" had been added against all the accused arrested for Maoist links in connection with the Elgar Parishad. Government pleader Ujjwala Pawar had told court yesterday that sections 124 (A) (sedition), 121 (waging or attempting to wage war) and 121 (A) (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had been added to the charge sheet. The Elgar Parishad was held on December 31, 2017 in Pune to commemorate 200 years of the 1818 Koregaon Bhima battle in which East India Company forces, comprising a large number of Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army. (With inputs from agencies)

Elgar Parishad probe: Digvijaya Singh denies Maoist links, challenges PM Modi to take action

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Zakia, the wife of&nbsp;Ehsan Jafri, an ex-Congress lawmker&nbsp;who was killed in one of the worst incidents during the riots, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision.

A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said, "The matter will take some time for hearing. The plea will be heard on November 26".

At the outset, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the SIT, said Zakia's plea was not maintainable and social activist Teesta Setalvad cannot be the second petitioner in the case.

The bench said it will look into the application before hearing the matter on making Setalvad as the second petitioner in Ms Jafri's plea.

During the previous hearing, Ms Jafri's counsel had said that notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to the aspect of alleged "larger conspiracy" during the period from February 27, 2002 and May 2002 and had also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report in the case before a trial judge, a protest was filed by the petitioner which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits".

On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving the clean chit to PM Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them.

"The present Special Leave Petition is filed before this Court against the final judgement and order dated October 5, 2017 passed by the High Court of Gujarat...which erroneously upheld the order of the magistrate accepting the closure report filed by the Special Investigative Agency appointed by this Court concerning the violence in Gujarat in 2002," Zakia, in her plea filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, submitted.

The plea had further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station.

Zakia had sought an interim order to the SIT to carry out further investigation and the evidence provided by her before the magistrate through the protest petition.

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Zakia, the wife of Ehsan Jafri, an ex-Congress lawmker who was killed in one of the worst incidents during the riots, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision. A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said, "The matter will take some time for hearing. The plea will be heard on November 26". At the outset, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the SIT, said Zakia's plea was not maintainable and social activist Teesta Setalvad cannot be the second petitioner in the case. The bench said it will look into the application before hearing the matter on making Setalvad as the second petitioner in Ms Jafri's plea. During the previous hearing, Ms Jafri's counsel had said that notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to the aspect of alleged "larger conspiracy" during the period from February 27, 2002 and May 2002 and had also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report in the case before a trial judge, a protest was filed by the petitioner which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits". On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving the clean chit to PM Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them. "The present Special Leave Petition is filed before this Court against the final judgement and order dated October 5, 2017 passed by the High Court of Gujarat...which erroneously upheld the order of the magistrate accepting the closure report filed by the Special Investigative Agency appointed by this Court concerning the violence in Gujarat in 2002," Zakia, in her plea filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, submitted. The plea had further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station. Zakia had sought an interim order to the SIT to carry out further investigation and the evidence provided by her before the magistrate through the protest petition.

Supreme Court defers Zakia Jafri’s plea hearing in Gujarat riots till Monday

Ibrahim Solih sworn-in as the 6th president of Maldives

A tussle for dominance has ended in Maldives, at least for the time being.&nbsp;Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/solih-sworn-in-as-maldives-president-replacing-pro-china-leader-177868"> inaugurated on Saturday</a> as the new president of the country after the opposition unity dislodged the&nbsp;pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen in September elections.

With <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-modi-meets-maldives-president-ibrahim-mohamed-solih-in-male-177884">PM Modi</a> as the highest ranking visitor at the inauguration ceremony of the new president Mohd Solih in the Maldives - and with the defeat of Abdulla Yameen -- India is hoping to regain lost ground.

Solih has promised an 'India first policy' and his team is reviewing millions of dollars worth of investment from China - as well as debt and how to restructure it to reduce its dependence on the Chinese.

But while he plans to tighten his grip, he also hopes to get at least 200 to 300 million from friendly nations - like India, Saudi Arabia, and the US to pay back China it's whopping US 1.5 billion of debt - which is more than a quarter of the country's gross domestic product.

How will the Maldives pay back the debt? And until its paid, are the Chinese very much the stakeholder?

This year alone - the Chinese have completed a mile-long China-Maldives friendship bridge Which connects the airport on one island to the capital on another.

The Chinese are also expanding the airport itself. The airport development is an especially sore point with India after the Maldivian government canceled a US $511 million deal with India's GMR Infrastructure and later gave the contract to Beijing.&nbsp;

The Chinese also own many lagoons and islands with the Maldives archipelago

It could take months to rid the Maldives of the Chinese influence and many of these deals are enveloped in secrecy.

But India is willing to help and has in the past provided a US $75 million credit line of which a third had been utilised before the diplomatic chill set in with the previous administration.

There is also currency swap agreement between the two nations and defence deals which have seen several recent setbacks under the Yameen administration who withdrew from agreements and sent back Indian military helicopters as well.

So India will hope to get back some of those defense agreements and access to key ports and islands which are strategically important to India.

But China remains a big player. Which means the relationship is unlikely to completely unravel anytime soon.

A tussle for dominance has ended in Maldives, at least for the time being. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was inaugurated on Saturday as the new president of the country after the opposition unity dislodged the pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen in September elections.

A tussle for dominance has ended in Maldives, at least for the time being. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was inaugurated on Saturday as the new president of the country after the opposition unity dislodged the pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen in September elections. With PM Modi as the highest ranking visitor at the inauguration ceremony of the new president Mohd Solih in the Maldives - and with the defeat of Abdulla Yameen -- India is hoping to regain lost ground. Solih has promised an 'India first policy' and his team is reviewing millions of dollars worth of investment from China - as well as debt and how to restructure it to reduce its dependence on the Chinese. But while he plans to tighten his grip, he also hopes to get at least 200 to 300 million from friendly nations - like India, Saudi Arabia, and the US to pay back China it's whopping US 1.5 billion of debt - which is more than a quarter of the country's gross domestic product. How will the Maldives pay back the debt? And until its paid, are the Chinese very much the stakeholder? This year alone - the Chinese have completed a mile-long China-Maldives friendship bridge Which connects the airport on one island to the capital on another. The Chinese are also expanding the airport itself. The airport development is an especially sore point with India after the Maldivian government canceled a US $511 million deal with India's GMR Infrastructure and later gave the contract to Beijing. The Chinese also own many lagoons and islands with the Maldives archipelago It could take months to rid the Maldives of the Chinese influence and many of these deals are enveloped in secrecy. But India is willing to help and has in the past provided a US $75 million credit line of which a third had been utilised before the diplomatic chill set in with the previous administration. There is also currency swap agreement between the two nations and defence deals which have seen several recent setbacks under the Yameen administration who withdrew from agreements and sent back Indian military helicopters as well. So India will hope to get back some of those defense agreements and access to key ports and islands which are strategically important to India. But China remains a big player. Which means the relationship is unlikely to completely unravel anytime soon.

The Maldives win: What it means for India

PM Modi meets Maldivian president after swearing-in ceremony

PM Modi's first official visit to Maldives; Solih sworn in as 6th president of Maldives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Male on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September.&nbsp;

This is Modi's first visit to the Maldives as prime minister. The last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Indian Ocean island nation was by Manmohan Singh in 2011.&nbsp;

"I will convey to the new Maldivian Government of Mr Solih the desire of the Indian Government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity &amp; human resource development," Modi said in a series of tweets ahead of the visit.

He said the recent elections in the Maldives represent the collective aspirations of the people for democracy, rule of law and a prosperous future.&nbsp;

"We in India strongly desire to see a stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Republic of Maldives," the prime minister said.

Modi also congratulated Solih on his victory in the recent elections and wished him "the very best for his tenure".&nbsp;

"India and the Maldives share a strong partnership rooted in history, strong bonds between our peoples, and their shared aspiration for peace and prosperity. My Government's vision of inclusive development "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' extends to all our neighbours too," he said.&nbsp;

Modi also said he will convey to Solih his wish to work with the new Maldives government in different areas to boost bilateral ties.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Solih, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate who surprisingly emerged victorious over incumbent president Yameen in the election held on September 23, had extended the invitation during a phone call by Modi.

The Maldives is the only South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC country that Modi has not visited. His visit to the Maldives, a strategically vital island and a popular tourist destination, was cancelled in March 2015 due to the volatile political situation then.

India-Maldives ties came under strain under Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi.&nbsp;

Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Male on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Male on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who surprisingly defeated strongman Abdulla Yameen in September. This is Modi's first visit to the Maldives as prime minister. The last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Indian Ocean island nation was by Manmohan Singh in 2011. "I will convey to the new Maldivian Government of Mr Solih the desire of the Indian Government to work closely for realisation of their developmental priorities, especially in areas of infrastructure, health care, connectivity & human resource development," Modi said in a series of tweets ahead of the visit. He said the recent elections in the Maldives represent the collective aspirations of the people for democracy, rule of law and a prosperous future. "We in India strongly desire to see a stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Republic of Maldives," the prime minister said. Modi also congratulated Solih on his victory in the recent elections and wished him "the very best for his tenure". "India and the Maldives share a strong partnership rooted in history, strong bonds between our peoples, and their shared aspiration for peace and prosperity. My Government's vision of inclusive development "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' extends to all our neighbours too," he said. Modi also said he will convey to Solih his wish to work with the new Maldives government in different areas to boost bilateral ties. Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi arrives in Malé. PM Modi is on a visit to Maldives to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Malé. pic.twitter.com/IQPUZ4dVAI — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2018 × Solih, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's candidate who surprisingly emerged victorious over incumbent president Yameen in the election held on September 23, had extended the invitation during a phone call by Modi. The Maldives is the only South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC country that Modi has not visited. His visit to the Maldives, a strategically vital island and a popular tourist destination, was cancelled in March 2015 due to the volatile political situation then. India-Maldives ties came under strain under Yameen who was perceived to be close to China. Some decisions by Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi. Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.

PM Modi arrives in Maldives to attend President-elect Solih's inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule.&nbsp;

Addressing a rally here ahead of the November 28 polls in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said the Congress, which was seeking an account of the BJP government's performance, should explain what it did for the state during its over five-decade rule.

"It is clear before you, 15 years (of the BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh) versus 55 years (of the Congress rule). And I am surprised! You should also seek an account of (the performance of) Modi. I insist on it.&nbsp;

"What have the governments of four generations of a family given to the nation and what has a chaiwala given in four years. Come on, let there be a contest," he added.

Modi said his government has ensured that every poor in the country has a bank account and it was done in just four years, while the Congress gave the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eradicate poverty) in early 1970s, but did nothing.

"Indira Gandhi had carried out nationalisation of banks with an aim to ensure that all have access to the banking facilities. But the poor did not benefit.

"Now this government has ensured that all poor have bank accounts and we did it in just four years," he said.

"What they were unable to do in 55 years, we have done in four years including in (providing) electricity, LPG and roads, among other things," he said, listing the achievements of his government.

Calling Congress leaders "jhooth ke shehanshah" (king of lies), he alleged that their actions belie their words and it was "part of the Congress' character".

Without naming anyone, Modi said, "In Parliament, too, Congress leaders talk of love, but express anger in Madhya Pradesh."

Speaking on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 20 this year, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had targeted Modi and projected the RSS, BJP and its top leaders as agents of "anger and hatred" and "thanked" them for making him understand the meaning of being a Congressman, an Indian and a Hindu and enabling him to have only "love" for them. Gandhi had reated a flutter when he went across to the treasury benches and embraced the Prime Minister.

Accusing the Congress of spreading lies, Modi on Friday said he was surprised as to how the country's oldest political party could get elected "for so many years". Modi said it was because the opposition was less powerful then and the media was not as vibrant as it is now.

"Hence, whatever lies they would serve, those would percolate down. And people would buy the lies as being truths. Now, we learn how much lies the 'shehanshah of lies' speaks, how many times and where. They must be blabbering lies when asleep," he quipped.

Hitting back at Gandhi, who termed demonetisation as the biggest scam in the history of independent India during a rally in the state, Modi said "only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying" over the note ban and not the common man.

Modi said that the common man was no longer hassled due to the note-ban exercise announced by him on November 8, 2016.

"They did face problems earlier and even we have said so, but not now," he said.

He asked the audience whether they were still facing problems due to the scrapping of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and they replied in the negative. Modi also asked whether or not it was not right to bring the money "lying under the pillows and elsewhere" into the banking system.

"Post-demonetisation only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying and not the common man," he said.

Modi hailed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state for building roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure facilities.

The PM said the Centre was working towards achieving the goal of housing for all by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its independence.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule. Addressing a rally here ahead of the November 28 polls in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said the Congress, which was seeking an account of the BJP government's performance, should explain what it did for the state during its over five-decade rule. "It is clear before you, 15 years (of the BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh) versus 55 years (of the Congress rule). And I am surprised! You should also seek an account of (the performance of) Modi. I insist on it. "What have the governments of four generations of a family given to the nation and what has a chaiwala given in four years. Come on, let there be a contest," he added. Modi said his government has ensured that every poor in the country has a bank account and it was done in just four years, while the Congress gave the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eradicate poverty) in early 1970s, but did nothing. "Indira Gandhi had carried out nationalisation of banks with an aim to ensure that all have access to the banking facilities. But the poor did not benefit. "Now this government has ensured that all poor have bank accounts and we did it in just four years," he said. "What they were unable to do in 55 years, we have done in four years including in (providing) electricity, LPG and roads, among other things," he said, listing the achievements of his government. Calling Congress leaders "jhooth ke shehanshah" (king of lies), he alleged that their actions belie their words and it was "part of the Congress' character". Without naming anyone, Modi said, "In Parliament, too, Congress leaders talk of love, but express anger in Madhya Pradesh." Speaking on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 20 this year, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had targeted Modi and projected the RSS, BJP and its top leaders as agents of "anger and hatred" and "thanked" them for making him understand the meaning of being a Congressman, an Indian and a Hindu and enabling him to have only "love" for them. Gandhi had reated a flutter when he went across to the treasury benches and embraced the Prime Minister. Accusing the Congress of spreading lies, Modi on Friday said he was surprised as to how the country's oldest political party could get elected "for so many years". Modi said it was because the opposition was less powerful then and the media was not as vibrant as it is now. "Hence, whatever lies they would serve, those would percolate down. And people would buy the lies as being truths. Now, we learn how much lies the 'shehanshah of lies' speaks, how many times and where. They must be blabbering lies when asleep," he quipped. Hitting back at Gandhi, who termed demonetisation as the biggest scam in the history of independent India during a rally in the state, Modi said "only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying" over the note ban and not the common man. Modi said that the common man was no longer hassled due to the note-ban exercise announced by him on November 8, 2016. "They did face problems earlier and even we have said so, but not now," he said. He asked the audience whether they were still facing problems due to the scrapping of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and they replied in the negative. Modi also asked whether or not it was not right to bring the money "lying under the pillows and elsewhere" into the banking system. "Post-demonetisation only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying and not the common man," he said. Modi hailed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state for building roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure facilities. The PM said the Centre was working towards achieving the goal of housing for all by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its independence.

Let there be contest to assess performance of 'family' and 'chaiwala': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the Congress party a "manufacturer of lies".

The Prime Minister while addressing an election rally here said, "These elections are not about who would win or who would not win. These elections are about welfare of people of Madhya Pradesh."

"What did the four generations of a party do for our country? However, a tea-seller, did what not in just four years? "he added.

Underlining the initiatives taken by the Madhya Pradesh Government-led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the past 15 years, the Prime Minister said that the Congress would never speak of the good work Chouhan did during his three tenures.

He said that the Congress party was in power in Madhya Pradesh for so long, but did not do anything for the development of the people. One cannot draw a comparison between the development work done by the Congress party and the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

"How can anyone trust Congress? When they were in power in MP and Chhattisgarh, they did not fulfill even what they had promised in their election manifesto," he added.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly will go to polls on November 28 and the counting will be held on December 11.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the Congress party a "manufacturer of lies". The Prime Minister while addressing an election rally here said, "These elections are not about who would win or who would not win.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the Congress party a "manufacturer of lies". The Prime Minister while addressing an election rally here said, "These elections are not about who would win or who would not win. These elections are about welfare of people of Madhya Pradesh." "What did the four generations of a party do for our country? However, a tea-seller, did what not in just four years? "he added. Underlining the initiatives taken by the Madhya Pradesh Government-led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the past 15 years, the Prime Minister said that the Congress would never speak of the good work Chouhan did during his three tenures. He said that the Congress party was in power in Madhya Pradesh for so long, but did not do anything for the development of the people. One cannot draw a comparison between the development work done by the Congress party and the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. "How can anyone trust Congress? When they were in power in MP and Chhattisgarh, they did not fulfill even what they had promised in their election manifesto," he added. The 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly will go to polls on November 28 and the counting will be held on December 11.

Congress a manufacturer of lies: PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh

PM Modi will be visiting the Maldives on Saturday to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of new president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He will be leaving Delhi around noon time. The oath-taking ceremony will be taking place at 5 pm local time. Among the foreign leaders present in the oath ceremony, India's representation is amongst the highest level.&nbsp;

Announcing the visit MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had last week said, "Prime Minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure. In keeping with her Neighborhood First policy, India looks forward to closely working with the Maldives in further deepening our partnership. PM will return to New Delhi on the same night"&nbsp;

Welcoming Indian PM's participation, Mariya Didi, Spokesperson of President-elect Solih had tweeted - "Delighted to hear that the Indian PM @narendramodi @PMOIndia has accepted President-Elect @ibusolih’s invitation and will attend the Presidential inauguration. We look forward to a new era of friendship and co-operation with India in the years ahead @PresElectMv @AkhileshIFS"

PM Modi had called Solih after his election victory and congratulated him on his victory in the Presidential elections. Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his "good wishes for the strengthening of democracy, peace and prosperity in the Maldives" under the leadership of Solih.&nbsp;

Experts believe visit by India PM to the Maldives sends a message. A message that India fully backs in new government in the Maldives. Interestingly, Maldives is the only SAARC country that Modi has not visited since taking over in 2014. The 2nd Quad meeting that took place in Singapore this year also discussed the Maldives with statements from Washington, Canberra and Tokyo all calling to support the new govt in the Maldives.&nbsp;

Sigh of relief for Delhi

Since the change in Maldives due to the elections, its a sigh of relief in Delhi because India-Maldives relations under President Yameen had suffered. President Yameen junked "India First" policy and was pro-China. Yameen allowed a number of Chinese Infrastructure projects in the country and gave a go-ahead to Maldives China Free trade agreement.&nbsp;

Under Yameen, people to people ties also suffered from visas and work permit being denied to Indians. Former President Nasheed speaking to WION had slammed Yameen's informal ban on Indians and said, "that will have a negative impact on the Maldives as most of the skilled force come from India". &nbsp;

Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives with an approximate strength of around 22,000. Of the country’s approximately 400 doctors, over 125 are Indians. Similarly, around 25 per cent of teachers in the Maldives are Indians

Recently Dunya Maumoon, daughter of Abdul Gayoom who was the longest-serving president of Maldives and architect of democracy in the country visited New Delhi.

She met India's external affairs minister during the visit. Speaking to WION during her Delhi visit, she lambasted Yameen and said, "While he brought some development, mostly a lot of people lived in fear and in an environment of a lot of political persecution. Using the court he was able to lock up and convict a lot of innocent people under various charges this included my father who at his age and given his health, it was a difficult time for him personally. My mother, my family. My brother, my brother in law were imprisoned. And many many other political figures with whom he was threatened were put in jail."

China, Japan to send representatives&nbsp;

Both China &amp; Japan are also sending representatives. China will be sending President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy and Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang who is already in the country.

Japan will be sending the member of the House of Representatives and President of the Japan-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship League, Wataru Takeshita. He is going to Male as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

PM Modi will be visiting the Maldives on Saturday to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of new president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He will be leaving Delhi around noon time.

PM Modi will be visiting the Maldives on Saturday to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of new president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He will be leaving Delhi around noon time. The oath-taking ceremony will be taking place at 5 pm local time. Among the foreign leaders present in the oath ceremony, India's representation is amongst the highest level. Announcing the visit MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had last week said, "Prime Minister has accepted the invitation with pleasure. In keeping with her Neighborhood First policy, India looks forward to closely working with the Maldives in further deepening our partnership. PM will return to New Delhi on the same night" Welcoming Indian PM's participation, Mariya Didi, Spokesperson of President-elect Solih had tweeted - "Delighted to hear that the Indian PM @narendramodi @PMOIndia has accepted President-Elect @ibusolih’s invitation and will attend the Presidential inauguration. We look forward to a new era of friendship and co-operation with India in the years ahead @PresElectMv @AkhileshIFS" PM Modi had called Solih after his election victory and congratulated him on his victory in the Presidential elections. Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his "good wishes for the strengthening of democracy, peace and prosperity in the Maldives" under the leadership of Solih. Experts believe visit by India PM to the Maldives sends a message. A message that India fully backs in new government in the Maldives. Interestingly, Maldives is the only SAARC country that Modi has not visited since taking over in 2014. The 2nd Quad meeting that took place in Singapore this year also discussed the Maldives with statements from Washington, Canberra and Tokyo all calling to support the new govt in the Maldives. Sigh of relief for Delhi Since the change in Maldives due to the elections, its a sigh of relief in Delhi because India-Maldives relations under President Yameen had suffered. President Yameen junked "India First" policy and was pro-China. Yameen allowed a number of Chinese Infrastructure projects in the country and gave a go-ahead to Maldives China Free trade agreement. Under Yameen, people to people ties also suffered from visas and work permit being denied to Indians. Former President Nasheed speaking to WION had slammed Yameen's informal ban on Indians and said, "that will have a negative impact on the Maldives as most of the skilled force come from India". Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the Maldives with an approximate strength of around 22,000. Of the country’s approximately 400 doctors, over 125 are Indians. Similarly, around 25 per cent of teachers in the Maldives are Indians Recently Dunya Maumoon, daughter of Abdul Gayoom who was the longest-serving president of Maldives and architect of democracy in the country visited New Delhi. She met India's external affairs minister during the visit. Speaking to WION during her Delhi visit, she lambasted Yameen and said, "While he brought some development, mostly a lot of people lived in fear and in an environment of a lot of political persecution. Using the court he was able to lock up and convict a lot of innocent people under various charges this included my father who at his age and given his health, it was a difficult time for him personally. My mother, my family. My brother, my brother in law were imprisoned. And many many other political figures with whom he was threatened were put in jail." China, Japan to send representatives Both China & Japan are also sending representatives. China will be sending President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy and Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang who is already in the country. Japan will be sending the member of the House of Representatives and President of the Japan-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship League, Wataru Takeshita. He is going to Male as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In PM Modi's presence at Solih's oath taking ceremony Delhi sends a message

India's former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari is currently the general secretary of the foreign affairs department of the Congress. He spoke to WION on the current foreign policy initiative of the BJP government.

Q: How will you evaluate PM Modi’s foreign policy initiative?

A: PM has done something unique. He has turned diplomacy and mass outreach into a spectacle which has not yielded any dividends for India.

Q: Why have our relationships deteriorated in South Asia?

A: India today stands very isolated in its neighbourhood. This government over the past four years has had no policy towards Pakistan. The blockade of Nepal was absolutely ill-conceived.

In so far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the government is not on top of the rapid developments which are taking place on the island. There has been a genuine growing Chinese influence in South Asia which the government has not been able to push back.

Q: Is India safer today?

A: If the question is that if India’s security concerns are being&nbsp;better taken care of then in the past, then the answer is no. It is because at the moment India has unsettled strategic situation in both the eastern and western borders.

Q: Does India require a new strategic framework with China?

A: India requires a new strategic framework so far as its foreign policy is concerned. The UPA government and those that&nbsp;preceded it understood the global power dynamic and were successful in balancing competing world powers like US, Russia, China or even Japan.

Q: Prime Minister Modi conducted meetings with his Chinese and Russian counterparts which had no structured agendas. Do such meetings work?

A: If PM believes that non-structured summit review of global events and developments helps to enhance his personal understanding as to how leadership in China and Russia view regional and other developments then it is entirely within his purview.&nbsp;

However, the point is India’s strategic objectives cannot be served by such opaque conversations in which the establishment or other stakeholders of Indian foreign policy do not find a place or are not even given a readout on what has actually transpired.

Q: Did the Indian engagement with China substantially change under Narendra Modi?

A: There has been a substantial deterioration and Doklam was the high point of that deterioration.

In the past three decades there had not been stand-off of that dimension with China. After the breakthrough in relations with China under Rajiv Gandhi, successive prime minister’s like PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh took the relationship forward.

There was an anticipation that this relationship would actually consolidate and grow from strength to strength but what you really see is an estrangement of another dimension which is being played out.

Q: Has "cultural diplomacy" worked which has been the hallmark of this administration?

A: Soft power can only complement hard power. India has been a soft power in terms of its music, films and traditional arts and culture but that has not been utilised in an optimal manner.

The reason is that when you have reports on social divisiveness splashed across papers in the western world, whatever soft power you may try would falter. People understand that there is a huge difference between what is your intent back at home and what you want to project as India’s image abroad.

Q:&nbsp;Is&nbsp;our foreign policy becoming hostage to domestic politics?

A: Unfortunately, yes. Our&nbsp;foreign policy initiatives and strategic initiatives are being used to score domestic brownie points and both have become a casualty.

Q: Did surgical strikes restore deterrence with Pakistan?

A: Many surgical strikes took place before the much publicised surgical strike two year ago. The intention was to change the behaviour of Pakistan. Post-Uri, the cross-border operation seemed to be aimed at domestic audiences rather than at Pakistan and that is why nothing much altered including incursions from across the border.

Q: &nbsp;Has Indian QUAD and South East Asian initiative worked?

A: To be fair to this government, they have tried to reach out to various governments with similar concerns on the&nbsp;South China Sea which is witnessing aggressive manifestation of the Chinese state. How far we have been able to secure the concerns is an open issue.

&nbsp;

India's former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari is currently the general secretary of the foreign affairs department of the Congress. He spoke to WION on the current foreign policy initiative of the BJP government.

India's former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari is currently the general secretary of the foreign affairs department of the Congress. He spoke to WION on the current foreign policy initiative of the BJP government. Q: How will you evaluate PM Modi’s foreign policy initiative? A: PM has done something unique. He has turned diplomacy and mass outreach into a spectacle which has not yielded any dividends for India. Q: Why have our relationships deteriorated in South Asia? A: India today stands very isolated in its neighbourhood. This government over the past four years has had no policy towards Pakistan. The blockade of Nepal was absolutely ill-conceived. In so far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the government is not on top of the rapid developments which are taking place on the island. There has been a genuine growing Chinese influence in South Asia which the government has not been able to push back. Q: Is India safer today? A: If the question is that if India’s security concerns are being better taken care of then in the past, then the answer is no. It is because at the moment India has unsettled strategic situation in both the eastern and western borders. Q: Does India require a new strategic framework with China? A: India requires a new strategic framework so far as its foreign policy is concerned. The UPA government and those that preceded it understood the global power dynamic and were successful in balancing competing world powers like US, Russia, China or even Japan. Q: Prime Minister Modi conducted meetings with his Chinese and Russian counterparts which had no structured agendas. Do such meetings work? A: If PM believes that non-structured summit review of global events and developments helps to enhance his personal understanding as to how leadership in China and Russia view regional and other developments then it is entirely within his purview. However, the point is India’s strategic objectives cannot be served by such opaque conversations in which the establishment or other stakeholders of Indian foreign policy do not find a place or are not even given a readout on what has actually transpired. Q: Did the Indian engagement with China substantially change under Narendra Modi? A: There has been a substantial deterioration and Doklam was the high point of that deterioration. In the past three decades there had not been stand-off of that dimension with China. After the breakthrough in relations with China under Rajiv Gandhi, successive prime minister’s like PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh took the relationship forward. There was an anticipation that this relationship would actually consolidate and grow from strength to strength but what you really see is an estrangement of another dimension which is being played out. Q: Has "cultural diplomacy" worked which has been the hallmark of this administration? A: Soft power can only complement hard power. India has been a soft power in terms of its music, films and traditional arts and culture but that has not been utilised in an optimal manner. The reason is that when you have reports on social divisiveness splashed across papers in the western world, whatever soft power you may try would falter. People understand that there is a huge difference between what is your intent back at home and what you want to project as India’s image abroad. Q: Is our foreign policy becoming hostage to domestic politics? A: Unfortunately, yes. Our foreign policy initiatives and strategic initiatives are being used to score domestic brownie points and both have become a casualty. Q: Did surgical strikes restore deterrence with Pakistan? A: Many surgical strikes took place before the much publicised surgical strike two year ago. The intention was to change the behaviour of Pakistan. Post-Uri, the cross-border operation seemed to be aimed at domestic audiences rather than at Pakistan and that is why nothing much altered including incursions from across the border. Q: Has Indian QUAD and South East Asian initiative worked? A: To be fair to this government, they have tried to reach out to various governments with similar concerns on the South China Sea which is witnessing aggressive manifestation of the Chinese state. How far we have been able to secure the concerns is an open issue.

Government has no policy towards Pak, India isloated in its neighbourhood: Congress leader Manish Tewari to WION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday that financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians as he pitched India as a favourite destination for investment at the Fintech Festival here.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-pm-narendra-modi-delivers-the-keynote-address-at-fintech-festival-177192">Also read: Fintech can be used to make the world a better place, says PM Modi in Singapore</a>

Modi became the first world leader to address the festival which was launched in 2016 and is in its third edition.

"Financial inclusion has become reality for 1.3 billion Indians. We have generated more than 1.2 billion biometric identities- Aadhaar or foundation- in just a few years," Modi said at the event.

The Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) is already the world's largest event on financial technology&nbsp;or fintech. In 2017, the event drew as many as 30,000 participants from over 100 countries.

The SFF involves a three-day conference, and exhibition of FinTech firms and capabilities, a global competition of FinTech solutions and a platform for matching entrepreneurs and investment capital.

Modi said through Aadhaar and cellphones, his government has launched Jan Dhan Yojana and opened 330 million new bank accounts in three years.

"These are 330 million sources of identity, dignity and opportunities. Less than 50 per cent of Indian had bank accounts in 2014. Now, it is nearly universal. So today, more than a billion biometric identities, more than a billion bank accounts and more than a billion cell phones give India by far the biggest public infrastructure in the world," Modi said.

"We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. From desktop to cloud, from Internet to social media, from IT Services to Internet of Things, we have come a long way in short time," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday that financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians as he pitched India as a favourite destination for investment at the Fintech Festival here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday that financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians as he pitched India as a favourite destination for investment at the Fintech Festival here. Also read: Fintech can be used to make the world a better place, says PM Modi in Singapore Modi became the first world leader to address the festival which was launched in 2016 and is in its third edition. "Financial inclusion has become reality for 1.3 billion Indians. We have generated more than 1.2 billion biometric identities- Aadhaar or foundation- in just a few years," Modi said at the event. The Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) is already the world's largest event on financial technology or fintech. In 2017, the event drew as many as 30,000 participants from over 100 countries. The SFF involves a three-day conference, and exhibition of FinTech firms and capabilities, a global competition of FinTech solutions and a platform for matching entrepreneurs and investment capital. Modi said through Aadhaar and cellphones, his government has launched Jan Dhan Yojana and opened 330 million new bank accounts in three years. "These are 330 million sources of identity, dignity and opportunities. Less than 50 per cent of Indian had bank accounts in 2014. Now, it is nearly universal. So today, more than a billion biometric identities, more than a billion bank accounts and more than a billion cell phones give India by far the biggest public infrastructure in the world," Modi said. "We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. From desktop to cloud, from Internet to social media, from IT Services to Internet of Things, we have come a long way in short time," he said.

Financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians, says PM Modi at Fintech festival in Singapore

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-pm-narendra-modi-delivers-the-keynote-address-at-fintech-festival-177192">Live: Fintech can be used to make the world a better place, says PM Modi in Singapore</a>

We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. The character of the global economy is changing. Technology is defining competitiveness and power in the new world. And it is creating boundless opportunities to transform lives: PM Modi in Singapore

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-climbs-to-48-in-californias-most-lethal-wildfire-disaster-177208">Death toll climbs to 48 in California's most lethal wildfire disaster</a>

The remains of six more victims were found on Tuesday in and around a northern California town overrun by flames last week, raising the death toll to 48 in a wildfire disaster already ranked as California's most lethal and destructive in state history.

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US President Trump while celebrating Diwali at the White House joked that Indians are "very good traders" and "very good negotiators".

"I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi. We are trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators, the best," the US president said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/harry-winston-jeweller-buys-pink-legacy-diamond-for-record-50-million-christies-177180">Harry Winston jeweller buys 'Pink Legacy' diamond for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/harry-winston-jeweller-buys-pink-legacy-diamond-for-record-50-million-christies-177180">record</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/harry-winston-jeweller-buys-pink-legacy-diamond-for-record-50-million-christies-177180"> $50 million</a>

The "Pink Legacy", a diamond weighing just under 19 carats, fetched a record 50.375 million Swiss francs ($50 million), purchased by US-based luxury jeweller Harry Winston, Christie's said on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-to-hold-hearing-on-cnns-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-177175">US judge to hold </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-to-hold-hearing-on-cnns-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-177175">hearing</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-to-hold-hearing-on-cnns-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-177175"> on CNN's lawsuit against Trump administration</a>

A federal judge said he would hold a hearing on Wednesday on CNN's lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking the speedy reinstatement of press credentials for White House correspondent Jim Acosta, a frequent target of President Donald Trump.

Live: Fintech can be used to make the world a better place, says PM Modi in Singapore We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. The character of the global economy is changing.

Live: Fintech can be used to make the world a better place, says PM Modi in Singapore We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. The character of the global economy is changing. Technology is defining competitiveness and power in the new world. And it is creating boundless opportunities to transform lives: PM Modi in Singapore Death toll climbs to 48 in California's most lethal wildfire disaster The remains of six more victims were found on Tuesday in and around a northern California town overrun by flames last week, raising the death toll to 48 in a wildfire disaster already ranked as California's most lethal and destructive in state history. Indians are very good traders and negotiators, says Trump during Diwali celebrations US President Trump while celebrating Diwali at the White House joked that Indians are "very good traders" and "very good negotiators". "I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi. We are trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators, the best," the US president said. Harry Winston jeweller buys 'Pink Legacy' diamond for record $50 million The "Pink Legacy", a diamond weighing just under 19 carats, fetched a record 50.375 million Swiss francs ($50 million), purchased by US-based luxury jeweller Harry Winston, Christie's said on Tuesday. US judge to hold hearing on CNN's lawsuit against Trump administration A federal judge said he would hold a hearing on Wednesday on CNN's lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking the speedy reinstatement of press credentials for White House correspondent Jim Acosta, a frequent target of President Donald Trump.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel is believed to have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week in a bid to work out a solution on contentious issues that have been flash point between the central bank and the government during the last few weeks.

Sources said Patel was in the national capital on Friday and met senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The meetings, which some said also included with the Prime Minister, came amid a face-off between the central bank and the finance ministry over issues ranging from the appropriate size of reserves that RBI must maintain to ease of lending norms to step up growth in an election year.

Sources said there are indications that the RBI may create a special dispensation for lending to small and medium enterprises, but it was not immediately clear if an agreement has been worked out to ease liquidity situation for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and the RBI parting with its substantial part of its surplus.

Tensions between the RBI and the government have escalated recently, with the Finance Ministry initiating discussion under the never-used-before Section 7 of the RBI Act which empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI Governor.

RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had in a speech last month talked about the independence of the central bank, arguing that any compromise could be "potentially catastrophic" for the economy.

Last week, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg had said the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

He further said the only proposal "under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore reserves.

Patel's meetings at the PMO came days before the RBI's crucial board meeting on November 19 during which contentious issues are likely to come up for discussion.

Sources said the government nominee directors and a few independent directors could raise the issue of interim dividend along with the capital framework of RBI.

However, any change in the central bank's economic capital framework can be carried out only after making amendments to the RBI Act, 1934.

Other issues which could be raised include alignment of capital adequacy norms with those in advanced countries and some relaxation in the Prompt Corrective Action framework, sources said, adding more measures to enhance lending to MSMEs and NBFCs may also be discussed.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel is believed to have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week in a bid to work out a solution on contentious issues that have been flash point between the central bank and the government during the last few weeks.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel is believed to have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week in a bid to work out a solution on contentious issues that have been flash point between the central bank and the government during the last few weeks. Sources said Patel was in the national capital on Friday and met senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The meetings, which some said also included with the Prime Minister, came amid a face-off between the central bank and the finance ministry over issues ranging from the appropriate size of reserves that RBI must maintain to ease of lending norms to step up growth in an election year. Sources said there are indications that the RBI may create a special dispensation for lending to small and medium enterprises, but it was not immediately clear if an agreement has been worked out to ease liquidity situation for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and the RBI parting with its substantial part of its surplus. Tensions between the RBI and the government have escalated recently, with the Finance Ministry initiating discussion under the never-used-before Section 7 of the RBI Act which empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI Governor. RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had in a speech last month talked about the independence of the central bank, arguing that any compromise could be "potentially catastrophic" for the economy. Last week, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg had said the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore. He further said the only proposal "under discussion is to fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI". Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore reserves. Patel's meetings at the PMO came days before the RBI's crucial board meeting on November 19 during which contentious issues are likely to come up for discussion. Sources said the government nominee directors and a few independent directors could raise the issue of interim dividend along with the capital framework of RBI. However, any change in the central bank's economic capital framework can be carried out only after making amendments to the RBI Act, 1934. Other issues which could be raised include alignment of capital adequacy norms with those in advanced countries and some relaxation in the Prompt Corrective Action framework, sources said, adding more measures to enhance lending to MSMEs and NBFCs may also be discussed.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel had met PM Modi possibly to sort out differences with Centre

PM Modi leaves for Singapore to attend 13th ASEAN summit

Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms.

After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today. I enjoyed our conversation about the importance of global conversation. Also: thanks for the ideas for Twitter!"

In response, Modi said: "Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you're leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I've made great friends and see every day the creativity of people."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delighted to meet you <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jack</a>! Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twitter</a>. 
 
I enjoy being on this medium, where I’ve made great friends and see everyday the creativity of people. <a href="https://t.co/aUElNJyahk">https://t.co/aUElNJyahk</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1062355963590729729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Dorsey, who is on his maiden trip to India, has already met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Twitter, which counts India among its priority markets, has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections.

The company has also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season.

Addressing a townhall at IIT-Delhi Monday, Dorsey vowed to check the spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix"&nbsp;solution for the "multi-variable" problem. Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country.

"In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," Dorsey had said Monday.

He had added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading.&nbsp;

Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms. After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today.

Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms. After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today. I enjoyed our conversation about the importance of global conversation. Also: thanks for the ideas for Twitter!" In response, Modi said: "Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you're leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I've made great friends and see every day the creativity of people." Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I’ve made great friends and see everyday the creativity of people. https://t.co/aUElNJyahk — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2018 × Dorsey, who is on his maiden trip to India, has already met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Twitter, which counts India among its priority markets, has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections. The company has also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season. Addressing a townhall at IIT-Delhi Monday, Dorsey vowed to check the spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix" solution for the "multi-variable" problem. Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country. "In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," Dorsey had said Monday. He had added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading.

Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading: PM Modi meets Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey

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