China will set up a 'Line of Separation' at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from the Tibetan and Nepalese sides. Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has been hit by coronavirus cases since late April.

China to set up a 'Line of Separation' at Mount Everest Summit

US President Joe Biden will join a virtual summit of eastern European NATO states held in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Monday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said, with a focus on security in the Black Sea region and Ukraine. &nbsp;

The summit of the Bucharest Nine, a group of European countries on the eastern edge of NATO, will be jointly hosted by Iohannis and Poland's President Andrzej Duda and aims at coordinating the security positions of countries in the region.&nbsp;

"Glad to welcome Joe Biden to the Bucharest9 Summit, which I host in Bucharest today," Iohannis said on his Twitter account.&nbsp;

"Together with President Andrzej Duda we'll also welcome ... Jens Stoltenberg in preparation of NATO Summit, focusing on Transatlantic ties, NATO 2030, defence and deterrence on the eastern flank."&nbsp;

Biden, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the presidents of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia will video-conference into the gathering. &nbsp;

"In ... the statement that the nine will publish after the meeting there will be the issue of security in the Black Sea region and the related security issues in Ukraine," the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Pawel Soloch, told reporters.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Washington said it could increase security help for Kyiv after Russia moved troops near its border with Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, where Ukrainian troops are in conflict with Moscow-backed separatists.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

US President Joe Biden will join a virtual summit of eastern European NATO states held in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Monday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said, with a focus on security in the Black Sea region and Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden will join a virtual summit of eastern European NATO states held in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Monday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said, with a focus on security in the Black Sea region and Ukraine. The summit of the Bucharest Nine, a group of European countries on the eastern edge of NATO, will be jointly hosted by Iohannis and Poland's President Andrzej Duda and aims at coordinating the security positions of countries in the region. "Glad to welcome Joe Biden to the Bucharest9 Summit, which I host in Bucharest today," Iohannis said on his Twitter account. "Together with President Andrzej Duda we'll also welcome ... Jens Stoltenberg in preparation of NATO Summit, focusing on Transatlantic ties, NATO 2030, defence and deterrence on the eastern flank." Biden, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the presidents of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia will video-conference into the gathering. "In ... the statement that the nine will publish after the meeting there will be the issue of security in the Black Sea region and the related security issues in Ukraine," the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Pawel Soloch, told reporters. Earlier this month, Washington said it could increase security help for Kyiv after Russia moved troops near its border with Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, where Ukrainian troops are in conflict with Moscow-backed separatists. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden to join eastern European NATO states summit, focus seen on Ukraine 

Ahead of the India-UK virtual summit to be chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian PM Narendra Modi, the former has announced one billion pounds of new UK-India trade deals which includes an investment of 240 million pounds&nbsp;by Pune-based Serum Institute of India&nbsp;(SII).

The investment by SII, according to the UK government, will be into their vaccine business and a new sales office that will generate new business worth one billion pounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of the summit, Johnson said, "Like every aspect of the UK-India relationship, the economic links between our countries make our people stronger and safer."&nbsp;

All in all, the announcement on a trade deal will create 6,500 new jobs in the UK and includes over £533&nbsp;million&nbsp;of new Indian investment into the UK.&nbsp;£200&nbsp;million&nbsp;of these deals will support low carbon growth.&nbsp;

One of the key focus areas of the virtual summit will be the launching of the Comprehensive Roadmap 2030. The roadmap aims to expand and deepen India-UK cooperation in the next decade in five areas:&nbsp;people-to-people relationship, trade and prosperity,&nbsp;defence&nbsp;and security, climate action and healthcare.&nbsp;

The UK sees New Delhi as its key partner in a post-Brexit world and as part of its Indo-Pacific tilt, has been increasing engagement. In fact,&nbsp;the&nbsp;UK PM was very keen on visiting India and both times,&nbsp;in January and April, it got postponed due to the Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, as the Covid crisis in India leaves unimaginable devastation, London has been quick to send assistance.

Last week,&nbsp;it became the first country to send planeloads of assistance to New Delhi and so far, it&nbsp;has sent £6 million worth of medical supplies.

The British Asian Trust raised over £1.6mn in the last week through their emergency appeal&nbsp;and&nbsp;UK business leaders have&nbsp;mobilised&nbsp;in response to the Indian High Commission’s request for vital equipment.&nbsp;

Ahead of the India-UK virtual summit to be chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian PM Narendra Modi, the former has announced one billion pounds of new UK-India trade deals which includes an investment of 240 million pounds by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).

Ahead of the India-UK virtual summit to be chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian PM Narendra Modi, the former has announced one billion pounds of new UK-India trade deals which includes an investment of 240 million pounds by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII). The investment by SII, according to the UK government, will be into their vaccine business and a new sales office that will generate new business worth one billion pounds. Ahead of the summit, Johnson said, "Like every aspect of the UK-India relationship, the economic links between our countries make our people stronger and safer." All in all, the announcement on a trade deal will create 6,500 new jobs in the UK and includes over £533 million of new Indian investment into the UK. £200 million of these deals will support low carbon growth. One of the key focus areas of the virtual summit will be the launching of the Comprehensive Roadmap 2030. The roadmap aims to expand and deepen India-UK cooperation in the next decade in five areas: people-to-people relationship, trade and prosperity, defence and security, climate action and healthcare. The UK sees New Delhi as its key partner in a post-Brexit world and as part of its Indo-Pacific tilt, has been increasing engagement. In fact, the UK PM was very keen on visiting India and both times, in January and April, it got postponed due to the Covid pandemic. Meanwhile, as the Covid crisis in India leaves unimaginable devastation, London has been quick to send assistance. Last week, it became the first country to send planeloads of assistance to New Delhi and so far, it has sent £6 million worth of medical supplies. The British Asian Trust raised over £1.6mn in the last week through their emergency appeal and UK business leaders have mobilised in response to the Indian High Commission’s request for vital equipment.

Modi-Boris virtual summit brings deals worth 1 billion pounds, enhanced trade partnership  

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington.&nbsp;

Putin's attendance signals he is still open to dialogue with the United States even though the two countries have imposed new sanctions on each other in the past few days. He has yet to accept or decline a separate invitation from Biden to a bilateral summit.&nbsp;

Biden has invited 40 world leaders to the climate summit, part of his effort to make the fight against global warming a top priority.&nbsp;

Putin, in his speech, will "outline Russia's approaches in the context of forging broad international cooperation aimed at overcoming the negative effects of global climate change," the Kremlin said.&nbsp;

Washington imposed new sanctions on Russia on last Thursday for alleged malign activity including interfering in last year's US election, cyber hacking and bullying neighbouring Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russia denied the accusations and retaliated with sanctions of its own the following day.&nbsp;

The United States has warned Russia, there will be further consequences if Alexei Navalny, an opposition politician, who has been on hunger strike in prison for nearly three weeks, were to die. Russia has said it is ready to impose more 'painful' measures against Washington if tensions escalate further.&nbsp;

Relations slumped to a new post-Cold War low last month after Biden said he thought Putin was a 'killer' and Moscow recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate change summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Kremlin said, despite a deep crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington. Putin's attendance signals he is still open to dialogue with the United States even though the two countries have imposed new sanctions on each other in the past few days. He has yet to accept or decline a separate invitation from Biden to a bilateral summit. Biden has invited 40 world leaders to the climate summit, part of his effort to make the fight against global warming a top priority. Putin, in his speech, will "outline Russia's approaches in the context of forging broad international cooperation aimed at overcoming the negative effects of global climate change," the Kremlin said. Washington imposed new sanctions on Russia on last Thursday for alleged malign activity including interfering in last year's US election, cyber hacking and bullying neighbouring Ukraine. Russia denied the accusations and retaliated with sanctions of its own the following day. The United States has warned Russia, there will be further consequences if Alexei Navalny, an opposition politician, who has been on hunger strike in prison for nearly three weeks, were to die. Russia has said it is ready to impose more 'painful' measures against Washington if tensions escalate further. Relations slumped to a new post-Cold War low last month after Biden said he thought Putin was a 'killer' and Moscow recalled its ambassador to Washington for consultations.

Putin to address Biden's climate summit despite crisis in US-Russia ties 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country. On the issue of "terrorism, extremism, and radicalism", PM Modi said, "We have some concerns" and similar views on "regional security situation".&nbsp;

Mentioning the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, he said, "it should be afghan led afghan owned afghan controlled and gains of last 2 decades should be preserved"

Both India and Uzbekistan have been involved in the Afghan Peace process, with a focus on connectivity with the country. India via the Chabahar port in Iran and the India Afghanistan air corridor and Uzbekistan via a planned rail project connecting the 2 countries.&nbsp;

PM said, as civilizations, "we have connections to each other" and a lot of "similarities in our approaches" leading to strong ties.

India and Uzbekistan have been engaging under various formats including India Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister's level. Under the line of credit announced by India during the virtual FMs meet earlier this year, a number of projects are being mulled in the country. PM said, “India will provide expertise in according to country's development needs" like in infrastructure, IT, training, capacity building, education, health.

India's western Gujarat state and Uzbekistan's Andijan already have cooperation and now the focus is on cooperation between the Haryana and Fergana.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the summit said, "You are a reliable and close friend...and the summit has confirmed the highest level of India and Uzbekistan strategic partnership" and thanked India for support amidst the covid pandemic.

Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Afghanistan and counter-terror at the India Uzbekistan virtual summit, the first such summit with any central Asian country. On the issue of "terrorism, extremism, and radicalism", PM Modi said, "We have some concerns" and similar views on "regional security situation". Mentioning the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, he said, "it should be afghan led afghan owned afghan controlled and gains of last 2 decades should be preserved" Both India and Uzbekistan have been involved in the Afghan Peace process, with a focus on connectivity with the country. India via the Chabahar port in Iran and the India Afghanistan air corridor and Uzbekistan via a planned rail project connecting the 2 countries. PM said, as civilizations, "we have connections to each other" and a lot of "similarities in our approaches" leading to strong ties. India and Uzbekistan have been engaging under various formats including India Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister's level. Under the line of credit announced by India during the virtual FMs meet earlier this year, a number of projects are being mulled in the country. PM said, “India will provide expertise in according to country's development needs" like in infrastructure, IT, training, capacity building, education, health. India's western Gujarat state and Uzbekistan's Andijan already have cooperation and now the focus is on cooperation between the Haryana and Fergana. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the summit said, "You are a reliable and close friend...and the summit has confirmed the highest level of India and Uzbekistan strategic partnership" and thanked India for support amidst the covid pandemic. Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

Afghanistan, counter-terror top focus by PM Modi at India-Uzbekistan virtual summit

WION is India's first international news channel dedicated to putting forth India's perspective on impactful global issues and the annual conclave, WION Global Summit, is a platform for global leaders to come together at a single platform and have a dialogue on a common global agenda affecting the world - news that shook the world. This year we highlight the critical challenges of climate change, global governance, economic slowdown, and global crisis that threatens to become the new normal.

WION Global Summit 2020: Balancing and Recalibrating Pakistan's Diplomatic Strategy

WION Global Summit 2020: Global Thinkers Forum: Leaders who Matter

National general secretary of BJP Ram Madhav spoke at the WION Global Summit 2020 in Dubai. He said, India has arrived, it is no longer the old reticent India anymore. We are a pragmatic, proactive nation and more importantly, we are a very ambitious nation today." Watch the video to listen more:

India is a very ambitious nation today | Ram Madhav | WION Global Summit | Dubai

Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke at the WION Global Summit 2020 in Dubai. He said, "The world is suddenly experiencing an unprecedented, multi-area transition ever since the industrial revolution which started 200 years ago....." Watch the video to listen more.

World is suddenly experiencing unprecedented changes | Ranil Wickremesinghe | WION Global Summit

Climate&nbsp;summit&nbsp;host&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;and said the upcoming UN&nbsp;meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair."

With wildfires from the United States and Australia plus flooding in Europe all being linked to&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change, public pressure is rising on governments to find urgent solutions at the United Nations'&nbsp;summit&nbsp;in Madrid on December&nbsp;2-13.

Spain's acting energy minister told Reuters delegates must combine enthusiasm with credible proposals to implement the Paris pact on curbing emissions enough to limit temperature rises to within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels.

"This is not a trade fair, a showcase of who is doing more, it is about consolidating what is being done to be able to do more," Teresa Ribera said at her ministry in Madrid.

"Sadly, those making progress get criticised more than the people who stay silent," said the 50 year-old, who headed the France-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations think-tank before becoming a minister under Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez.

"The worst thing in a situation like ours is silent complicity. And that is all around us."

To the frustration of environmental activists and many scientists, there is high-level global disagreement over the causes and solutions for environmental warming.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/saudi-arabia-policy-shift-a-rare-donald-trumps-foreign-policy-success-252387">President Donald Trump</a> has begun withdrawing the United States from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-begins-formal-exit-from-paris-climate-pact-259963">Paris Agreement</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-246177">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a> has taken heat for accelerated rainforest destruction.

"It has not been easy to work with Brazil on this subject in recent years," acknowledged Ribera, warning that losing Amazon forest cover would be a "carbon bomb" for the world.

"But things are changing and there is responsiveness which we must work with."

China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has made no statements against the Paris Agreement but is bringing back projects related to new coal-fired plants, she said.

"This is worrying. All the effort to close thermoelectric plants in the rest of the world would reach a dead end if China started building new plants again."

A UN-led global trading system for carbon emissions would be excellent, but must not be rushed, Ribera said.

Her country stepped in to&nbsp;host&nbsp;the&nbsp;summit&nbsp;after riots over inequality prompted Chile to withdraw.

That change obliged Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who refuses to fly, to set out on a catamaran across the Atlantic.

Ribera said she expected the 16-year-old to arrive on time.

Climate summit host Spain criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental crisis and said the upcoming UN meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair.

Climate summit host Spain criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental crisis and said the upcoming UN meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair." With wildfires from the United States and Australia plus flooding in Europe all being linked to climate change, public pressure is rising on governments to find urgent solutions at the United Nations' summit in Madrid on December 2-13. Spain's acting energy minister told Reuters delegates must combine enthusiasm with credible proposals to implement the Paris pact on curbing emissions enough to limit temperature rises to within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels. "This is not a trade fair, a showcase of who is doing more, it is about consolidating what is being done to be able to do more," Teresa Ribera said at her ministry in Madrid. "Sadly, those making progress get criticised more than the people who stay silent," said the 50 year-old, who headed the France-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations think-tank before becoming a minister under Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez. "The worst thing in a situation like ours is silent complicity. And that is all around us." To the frustration of environmental activists and many scientists, there is high-level global disagreement over the causes and solutions for environmental warming. President Donald Trump has begun withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has taken heat for accelerated rainforest destruction. "It has not been easy to work with Brazil on this subject in recent years," acknowledged Ribera, warning that losing Amazon forest cover would be a "carbon bomb" for the world. "But things are changing and there is responsiveness which we must work with." China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has made no statements against the Paris Agreement but is bringing back projects related to new coal-fired plants, she said. "This is worrying. All the effort to close thermoelectric plants in the rest of the world would reach a dead end if China started building new plants again." A UN-led global trading system for carbon emissions would be excellent, but must not be rushed, Ribera said. Her country stepped in to host the summit after riots over inequality prompted Chile to withdraw. That change obliged Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who refuses to fly, to set out on a catamaran across the Atlantic. Ribera said she expected the 16-year-old to arrive on time.

Summit host Spain chides 'silent complicity' in climate crisis

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said.

The long-awaited withdrawal of troops in the conflict-riven Donetsk and Lugansk regions is a precondition for the first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Paris summit, whose date has yet to be confirmed, will be mediated by the leaders of France and Germany.

"The disengagement of troops and weaponry has begun" between the villages of Petrivske in the separatist-controlled zone and Bogdanivka in Kiev-controlled territory in the Donetsk region, said a senior Ukrainian army representative, Bogdan Bondar.

Donetsk separatists also confirmed the start of the withdrawal of forces.

The warring sides signalled their intention to withdraw by firing flares, an AFP correspondent said from the scene.&nbsp;

OSCE monitors were observing the disengagement which could be spread over several days.

The warring sides held a similar pullback in the Lugansk region in October.&nbsp;

Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky has sought to establish dialogue with Russian leader Putin and revive a peace process to end a five-year-old separatist conflict.

The war in eastern Ukraine broke out a month after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and has claimed some 13,000 lives.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of giving financial and military backing to separatists, which Russia denies.

"The Normandy format aims to renew dialogue, which can bring us closer to the complete end of the war," Zelensky said this week, referring to the four-way talks.

The summit has been repeatedly postponed for a number of reasons including the failure of earlier attempts to disengage forces.

The withdrawal of forces would be the "final precondition" for organising the four-way summit, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said this week.

He has expressed hope that the meeting, the first at such a high level since 2016, could take place in Paris in November.

Russia has said it backs a new summit but refused to commit to a timetable.

"We want to hold the summit as soon as possible, but at the same time we consider this summit has to be well organised to ensure it gets the necessary results," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He added it was "too early to say" whether the meeting could take place this year because "many questions" remained unresolved.

Zelensky's peace plan including the troop pullback has been strongly criticised by many in Kiev, especially war veterans and nationalists.

In the run-up to the planned summit, Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators also agreed on a roadmap that envisages a special status for the separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said.

The Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists on Saturday launched the last phase of a troop pullback ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russia, the warring sides said. The long-awaited withdrawal of troops in the conflict-riven Donetsk and Lugansk regions is a precondition for the first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The Paris summit, whose date has yet to be confirmed, will be mediated by the leaders of France and Germany. "The disengagement of troops and weaponry has begun" between the villages of Petrivske in the separatist-controlled zone and Bogdanivka in Kiev-controlled territory in the Donetsk region, said a senior Ukrainian army representative, Bogdan Bondar. Donetsk separatists also confirmed the start of the withdrawal of forces. The warring sides signalled their intention to withdraw by firing flares, an AFP correspondent said from the scene. OSCE monitors were observing the disengagement which could be spread over several days. The warring sides held a similar pullback in the Lugansk region in October. Since coming to power in May, comedian-turned-president Zelensky has sought to establish dialogue with Russian leader Putin and revive a peace process to end a five-year-old separatist conflict. The war in eastern Ukraine broke out a month after Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and has claimed some 13,000 lives. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of giving financial and military backing to separatists, which Russia denies. "The Normandy format aims to renew dialogue, which can bring us closer to the complete end of the war," Zelensky said this week, referring to the four-way talks. The summit has been repeatedly postponed for a number of reasons including the failure of earlier attempts to disengage forces. The withdrawal of forces would be the "final precondition" for organising the four-way summit, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said this week. He has expressed hope that the meeting, the first at such a high level since 2016, could take place in Paris in November. Russia has said it backs a new summit but refused to commit to a timetable. "We want to hold the summit as soon as possible, but at the same time we consider this summit has to be well organised to ensure it gets the necessary results," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added it was "too early to say" whether the meeting could take place this year because "many questions" remained unresolved. Zelensky's peace plan including the troop pullback has been strongly criticised by many in Kiev, especially war veterans and nationalists. In the run-up to the planned summit, Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators also agreed on a roadmap that envisages a special status for the separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

Ukraine foes begin key troop pullback in war-torn east before summit with Russia

Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja is on track to make history after Chinese authorities granted him a special permit Tuesday to climb the final mountain of a 14-peak quest despite closing the peak for the season.

Purja, 36, who served in the British special forces, embarked in April on his ambitious "Project Possible" to scale the 14 peaks above 8,000 metres on Earth in seven months, starting with Nepal's Annapurna.

But his plans hit a roadblock after the Chinese government decided to close the 8,027 metre&nbsp;Mount Shishapangma for the season.&nbsp;

A permit was granted after intensive lobbying including from the Nepali government.

"I'm full of mixed emotions. I am thankful everyone is helping, treating it like their own project," Purja told AFP, confirming he had received the permit.&nbsp;

Purja hopes to summit Shishapangma by October 23, a month ahead of his target.

It took Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka seven years, 11 months and 14 days to complete the same feat.

South Korean Kim Chang-ho completed the challenge one month less than Kukuczka, although unlike the other two climbers he did not use supplementary oxygen.

In the first part of his record attempt, Purja climbed&nbsp;Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu, among the highest of the so-called "8000ers" peaks, in just one month.&nbsp;

A month later, he headed to Pakistan for the second part, where he first tackled the notorious Nanga Parbat at 8,125 metres.

Battling sleep deprivation to meet his target, Purja said he was almost sprinting up and down five of Pakistan's highest peaks including Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and K2, the second tallest in the world.

Twenty-three days later he was standing atop Broad Peak, his fifth and final mountain of the second phase.

Purja began his final push in September, reaching the tops of Cho Oyu and Manaslu within a week.

The phenomenal mountaineer already set several speed climbing records during the quest.

Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja is on track to make history after Chinese authorities granted him a special permit Tuesday to climb the final mountain of a 14-peak quest despite closing the peak for the season.

Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja is on track to make history after Chinese authorities granted him a special permit Tuesday to climb the final mountain of a 14-peak quest despite closing the peak for the season. Purja, 36, who served in the British special forces, embarked in April on his ambitious "Project Possible" to scale the 14 peaks above 8,000 metres on Earth in seven months, starting with Nepal's Annapurna. But his plans hit a roadblock after the Chinese government decided to close the 8,027 metre Mount Shishapangma for the season. A permit was granted after intensive lobbying including from the Nepali government. "I'm full of mixed emotions. I am thankful everyone is helping, treating it like their own project," Purja told AFP, confirming he had received the permit. Purja hopes to summit Shishapangma by October 23, a month ahead of his target. It took Polish climber Jerzy Kukuczka seven years, 11 months and 14 days to complete the same feat. South Korean Kim Chang-ho completed the challenge one month less than Kukuczka, although unlike the other two climbers he did not use supplementary oxygen. In the first part of his record attempt, Purja climbed Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu, among the highest of the so-called "8000ers" peaks, in just one month. A month later, he headed to Pakistan for the second part, where he first tackled the notorious Nanga Parbat at 8,125 metres. Battling sleep deprivation to meet his target, Purja said he was almost sprinting up and down five of Pakistan's highest peaks including Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and K2, the second tallest in the world. Twenty-three days later he was standing atop Broad Peak, his fifth and final mountain of the second phase. Purja began his final push in September, reaching the tops of Cho Oyu and Manaslu within a week. The phenomenal mountaineer already set several speed climbing records during the quest.

Nepali climber set for final summit in record 14-peak bid

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the government is committed to provide energy security to India.

"....Here is the government which is committed for energy security for India. Energy security, which is not blindly using non-environment friendly sources," Sitharaman said addressing India Energy Forum CERAWeek Summit here.

The third India Energy Forum by CERAWeek has been organised in association with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas from October 13 to 15.

The Summit, gives a platform to examine the fundamental challenges and opportunities to provide sustainable, secure and affordable energy choices to the people of India.

Stating that India's energy sector and energy commitment pose a lot of challenges, the Finance Minister gave a reference of thermal units which are still dependent on coal and said that the concerned Ministry is "moving away from coal base to open renewable sources of energy".

"We have a leadership politically committed to make sure that every Indian gets the basic energy requirements as shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said.

The Union Minister asserted that the government has achieved the target of providing electricity connection to 12 crores families and Liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas cylinders to 8 crores households, which was just a dream for 70 years.

Highlighting the government's efforts to facilitate a friendly environment to investors, she said: "The atmosphere to invest is going to be friendlier in terms of reducing the regulatory mechanisms and their calibrations."

"The BJP government at the Centre announced 'cooperative tax cut' with an intention to make India an attractive destination, Sitharaman said adding that now investors can move towards a newer regime which better and attractive.

On September 20, the Finance Minister made a deep cut in corporate tax rates, from 30 per cent to 22 per cent. She further said that amendments are being made to Company Act so it does not look punitive and driving towards punishment but more towards compliance.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the government is committed to provide energy security to India. "....Here is the government which is committed for energy security for India.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the government is committed to provide energy security to India. "....Here is the government which is committed for energy security for India. Energy security, which is not blindly using non-environment friendly sources," Sitharaman said addressing India Energy Forum CERAWeek Summit here. The third India Energy Forum by CERAWeek has been organised in association with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas from October 13 to 15. The Summit, gives a platform to examine the fundamental challenges and opportunities to provide sustainable, secure and affordable energy choices to the people of India. Stating that India's energy sector and energy commitment pose a lot of challenges, the Finance Minister gave a reference of thermal units which are still dependent on coal and said that the concerned Ministry is "moving away from coal base to open renewable sources of energy". "We have a leadership politically committed to make sure that every Indian gets the basic energy requirements as shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said. The Union Minister asserted that the government has achieved the target of providing electricity connection to 12 crores families and Liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas cylinders to 8 crores households, which was just a dream for 70 years. Highlighting the government's efforts to facilitate a friendly environment to investors, she said: "The atmosphere to invest is going to be friendlier in terms of reducing the regulatory mechanisms and their calibrations." "The BJP government at the Centre announced 'cooperative tax cut' with an intention to make India an attractive destination, Sitharaman said adding that now investors can move towards a newer regime which better and attractive. On September 20, the Finance Minister made a deep cut in corporate tax rates, from 30 per cent to 22 per cent. She further said that amendments are being made to Company Act so it does not look punitive and driving towards punishment but more towards compliance.

Government committed to provide eco-friendly energy security to India: Nirmala Sitharaman

Bilaterals, trilaterals, pull-asides, informal multi-lateral talks, PM Modi had a jampacked day at the G20 summit at Osaka in Japan today. The increased engagement exemplifies the importance of India at the global stage. Palki summarises.

Gravitas: G20 Summit: India rises on the global stage

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-g20-agreement-if-paris-climate-change-not-mentioned-macron-230595">combatting climate change</a>, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text.&nbsp;

The arguments are a reprise of tussles over global warming that have stymied talks in multilateral forums since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to limit the effects of climate change.&nbsp;

The latest draft, seen by Reuters, includes language supporting implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and saying the accord signed by 200 nations is "irreversible".&nbsp;

An earlier draft, also seen by Reuters, did not include such language at the insistence of the United States, two sources familiar with the discussions over the communique told Reuters.&nbsp;

Further changes to the communique are likely before the final adoption of the text on Saturday by Group of 20 leaders in Osaka for this week's summit, but the inclusion of stronger language came as French President Emmanuel Macron said France will not accept a text that does not mention the Paris agreement.&nbsp;

"If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don`t get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals and France will not be part of this," he said in Tokyo on Wednesday before heading to Osaka.&nbsp;

France was one of the main drivers behind the Paris accord and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.&nbsp;

"Negotiations on the topic of climate will be especially difficult this time," a German government official said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Nations in Paris agreed to limit the global average rise from pre-industrial temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

Current policies, though, put the world on track for at least a 3C rise by the end of the century, according to a United Nations report in 2016.&nbsp;

Investors managing more than $34 trillion in assets, nearly half the world`s invested capital, piled pressure on G20 leaders on Wednesday, demanding urgent action from governments on climate change.&nbsp;

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday also urged G20 countries to back more ambitious climate goals, among other international initiatives.&nbsp;

Summit host Japan has been criticized for backing the continued use of coal for power generation, one of the biggest sources of gas emissions that cause global warming.&nbsp;

G20 leaders will meet on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp;

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on combatting climate change, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text.

G20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on combatting climate change, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text. The arguments are a reprise of tussles over global warming that have stymied talks in multilateral forums since US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to limit the effects of climate change. The latest draft, seen by Reuters, includes language supporting implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, and saying the accord signed by 200 nations is "irreversible". An earlier draft, also seen by Reuters, did not include such language at the insistence of the United States, two sources familiar with the discussions over the communique told Reuters. Further changes to the communique are likely before the final adoption of the text on Saturday by Group of 20 leaders in Osaka for this week's summit, but the inclusion of stronger language came as French President Emmanuel Macron said France will not accept a text that does not mention the Paris agreement. "If we don't talk about the Paris Agreement and if we don`t get an agreement on it amongst the 20 members in the room, we are no longer capable of defending our climate change goals and France will not be part of this," he said in Tokyo on Wednesday before heading to Osaka. France was one of the main drivers behind the Paris accord and the French parliament is now debating an energy bill that targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. "Negotiations on the topic of climate will be especially difficult this time," a German government official said on Wednesday. Nations in Paris agreed to limit the global average rise from pre-industrial temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Current policies, though, put the world on track for at least a 3C rise by the end of the century, according to a United Nations report in 2016. Investors managing more than $34 trillion in assets, nearly half the world`s invested capital, piled pressure on G20 leaders on Wednesday, demanding urgent action from governments on climate change. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday also urged G20 countries to back more ambitious climate goals, among other international initiatives. Summit host Japan has been criticized for backing the continued use of coal for power generation, one of the biggest sources of gas emissions that cause global warming. G20 leaders will meet on Friday and Saturday.

G20 members at odds over climate change for summit meeting: Sources

Overcrowding on Mount Everest has taken another life. So far 11 people have died. Crowds of climbers have been stuck in a queue to the summit. Watch the full report from Gravitas.

Gravitas: "Traffic Jam" On Mount Everest Takes 11 Lives

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain.

More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness.

An American and Indian climber are the latest fatalities, their expedition organisers said, on one of the busiest-ever days on the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak.

Donald Lynn Cash, 55, collapsed at the summit on Wednesday as he was taking photographs, while Anjali Kulkarni, also 55, died while descending after reaching the top.

Kulkarni's expedition organiser, Arun Treks, said heavy traffic at the summit had delayed her descent and caused her death.&nbsp;

"She had to wait for a long time to reach the summit and descend," said Thupden Sherpa. "She couldn't move down on her own and died as Sherpa guides brought her down."

Pasang Tenje Sherpa, of Pioneer Adventure, told AFP that Cash collapsed on the summit and died close to Hillary Step as guides were bringing him back.&nbsp;

The deaths take the toll on Everest to four this season, after an Indian climber died last week and an Irish mountaineer is presumed dead after he slipped and fell close to the summit.

Mountaineering in Nepal has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953.&nbsp;

The Himalayan nation has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this year's spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days.

Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks.

At least 140 others have been granted permits to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit.

Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May.

At least six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks this season, while two are missing.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain. More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness.

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain. More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness. An American and Indian climber are the latest fatalities, their expedition organisers said, on one of the busiest-ever days on the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak. Donald Lynn Cash, 55, collapsed at the summit on Wednesday as he was taking photographs, while Anjali Kulkarni, also 55, died while descending after reaching the top. Kulkarni's expedition organiser, Arun Treks, said heavy traffic at the summit had delayed her descent and caused her death. "She had to wait for a long time to reach the summit and descend," said Thupden Sherpa. "She couldn't move down on her own and died as Sherpa guides brought her down." Pasang Tenje Sherpa, of Pioneer Adventure, told AFP that Cash collapsed on the summit and died close to Hillary Step as guides were bringing him back. The deaths take the toll on Everest to four this season, after an Indian climber died last week and an Irish mountaineer is presumed dead after he slipped and fell close to the summit. Mountaineering in Nepal has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953. The Himalayan nation has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this year's spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days. Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks. At least 140 others have been granted permits to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit. Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. At least six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks this season, while two are missing.

'Traffic jam' on Everest as two more climbers die reaching summit

The third Investment Summit began in Kathmandu on Friday.

The Government of Nepal is showcasing as many as 77 viable projects worth the US $ 31.93 billion in two-day summit.

"With India, we have duty free arrangements for most of our products, both primary and industrial goods while China has granted a significant number of our tariff lines duty free access to its market," Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said while addressing the inaugural session of the Summit.

"Modern alternative port has helped reduce hassle at crowded Kolkata-Haldia port. Digital tracking and transhipment systems, introduced recently, has eased the transportation process. A new transit route through the use of inland waterways is under progress," he said.

"This will not only provide an alternative transit route, but will also connect landlocked Nepal to the sea through the waterways," Prime Minister Oli informed the investors about the latest trade technique which Nepal has adopted with the help of India.

The two-day summit is being attended by foreign delegates from over 40 countries out of which 120 are from India and 265 from China.

The Himalayan nation was rattled by a strong earthquake of 7.9 Richter scale in the year of 2015.

In a bid to rebuild the nation, the government at that time had organised an Investment Summit in 2017.

A total of US $ 13.51 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) was committed by participating nations at that time. India has solely committed a total of US $ 317 million for Nepal.&nbsp;

The third Investment Summit began in Kathmandu on Friday. The Government of Nepal is showcasing as many as 77 viable projects worth the US $ 31.93 billion in two-day summit.

The third Investment Summit began in Kathmandu on Friday. The Government of Nepal is showcasing as many as 77 viable projects worth the US $ 31.93 billion in two-day summit. "With India, we have duty free arrangements for most of our products, both primary and industrial goods while China has granted a significant number of our tariff lines duty free access to its market," Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said while addressing the inaugural session of the Summit. "Modern alternative port has helped reduce hassle at crowded Kolkata-Haldia port. Digital tracking and transhipment systems, introduced recently, has eased the transportation process. A new transit route through the use of inland waterways is under progress," he said. "This will not only provide an alternative transit route, but will also connect landlocked Nepal to the sea through the waterways," Prime Minister Oli informed the investors about the latest trade technique which Nepal has adopted with the help of India. The two-day summit is being attended by foreign delegates from over 40 countries out of which 120 are from India and 265 from China. The Himalayan nation was rattled by a strong earthquake of 7.9 Richter scale in the year of 2015. In a bid to rebuild the nation, the government at that time had organised an Investment Summit in 2017. A total of US $ 13.51 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) was committed by participating nations at that time. India has solely committed a total of US $ 317 million for Nepal.

Nepal's 2-day investment summit starts with high hopes

North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for summit

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-must-make-meaningful-gesture-to-see-sanctions-ease-trump-198678">summit in Vietnam next week</a>, a US official said Thursday.

The two leaders, who met for the first time in Singapore last June, are due to hold talks in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27-28.

Trump is seeking to persuade the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear arsenal.

A US officials said next week's meeting would be "similar in format to what we saw last June in Singapore... there will be an opportunity for the two leaders to see one another one-on-one" before holding meetings with their respective teams.

Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy to Pyongyang, is already in Hanoi holding talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol.

US officials have declined to speculate on what elements might be included in a joint statement at the end of the meeting.

On Wednesday, Trump again praised his relationship with the North Korean leader but said he would have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see sanctions lifted.

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said Thursday.

US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said Thursday. The two leaders, who met for the first time in Singapore last June, are due to hold talks in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on February 27-28. Trump is seeking to persuade the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear arsenal. A US officials said next week's meeting would be "similar in format to what we saw last June in Singapore... there will be an opportunity for the two leaders to see one another one-on-one" before holding meetings with their respective teams. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy to Pyongyang, is already in Hanoi holding talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol. US officials have declined to speculate on what elements might be included in a joint statement at the end of the meeting. On Wednesday, Trump again praised his relationship with the North Korean leader but said he would have to make a "meaningful" gesture on the nuclear front if he wants to see sanctions lifted.

Trump and Kim to have one-on-one meeting at Vietnam summit

Vietnam is preparing for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-blocks-north-korean-air-traffic-revival-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit-sources-198208">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday.

It could take Kim at least two and a half days to travel the thousands of kilometres through China by train, from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Vietnam, meaning he would have to set off later this week in time for his planned Feb. 25 arrival.

Kim's train will stop at the Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang, where he will disembark and drive 170 km (105 miles) to Hanoi by car, the sources said.

Separately, three other sources with direct knowledge of the summit preparations told Reuters the preferred location for the Feb. 27-28 meeting between Trump and Kim is the Government Guesthouse, a colonial-era government building in central Hanoi.

All five sources who spoke to Reuters said the plans were subject to change. The sources were not authorised to speak to the media because of the sensitivities surround the secretive North Korean leader's travel plans.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the summit organising committee on Tuesday that security during the summit was "top priority", Vietnam's government said on its website on Wednesday.

The Metropole Hotel, opposite the Government Guesthouse, will be a backup location for the summit, two of the sources said.

On Saturday, a Reuters witness saw Kim Jong Un's close aide, Kim Chang Son, visiting the Government Guesthouse and the Metropole and Melia hotels in the centre of the capital.

Kim could possibly stay in the Melia hotel during his visit, one of the sources said.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Travel by train has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-uns-train-fresh-lobster-lady-conductors--french-wine-from-paris-126807">a favourite mode of transport for Kim Jong Un</a>, and his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

North Korea experts have remarked on how Kim Jong Un's overseas visits, such as his state visit to China in January, are reminiscent of Kim Il Sung.

"(His father) Kim Jong Il was very reclusive. He didn't like meeting foreign delegations, and he didn't really enjoy going to foreign countries," said Thae Yong Ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to Britain, who defected to South Korea in 2016, told media on Tuesday.

"But Kim Jong Un is a bit like Kim Il Sung. He really likes overseas activity," said Thae.

Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, visited Vietnam twice, in 1958 and 1964.

In 1958, Kim Il Sung went from Pyongyang to Beijing by plane, then from Beijing to Guangzhou by train, then he appears to have crossed the border from China to Hanoi by plane, South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on Tuesday citing archived Chinese media reports.

In 1964, Kim Il Sung visited Vietnam using a Vickers Viscount aircraft provided by China that was the personal plane of Mao Zedong's second-in-command Lin Biao, Kyunghyang reported.

Vietnam is preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday.

Vietnam is preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to arrive by train for his summit in Hanoi next week with President Donald Trump, two sources with direct knowledge of security and logistics planning told Reuters on Wednesday. It could take Kim at least two and a half days to travel the thousands of kilometres through China by train, from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Vietnam, meaning he would have to set off later this week in time for his planned Feb. 25 arrival. Kim's train will stop at the Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang, where he will disembark and drive 170 km (105 miles) to Hanoi by car, the sources said. Separately, three other sources with direct knowledge of the summit preparations told Reuters the preferred location for the Feb. 27-28 meeting between Trump and Kim is the Government Guesthouse, a colonial-era government building in central Hanoi. All five sources who spoke to Reuters said the plans were subject to change. The sources were not authorised to speak to the media because of the sensitivities surround the secretive North Korean leader's travel plans. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told the summit organising committee on Tuesday that security during the summit was "top priority", Vietnam's government said on its website on Wednesday. The Metropole Hotel, opposite the Government Guesthouse, will be a backup location for the summit, two of the sources said. On Saturday, a Reuters witness saw Kim Jong Un's close aide, Kim Chang Son, visiting the Government Guesthouse and the Metropole and Melia hotels in the centre of the capital. Kim could possibly stay in the Melia hotel during his visit, one of the sources said. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON Travel by train has been a favourite mode of transport for Kim Jong Un, and his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. North Korea experts have remarked on how Kim Jong Un's overseas visits, such as his state visit to China in January, are reminiscent of Kim Il Sung. "(His father) Kim Jong Il was very reclusive. He didn't like meeting foreign delegations, and he didn't really enjoy going to foreign countries," said Thae Yong Ho, North Korea's former deputy ambassador to Britain, who defected to South Korea in 2016, told media on Tuesday. "But Kim Jong Un is a bit like Kim Il Sung. He really likes overseas activity," said Thae. Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, visited Vietnam twice, in 1958 and 1964. In 1958, Kim Il Sung went from Pyongyang to Beijing by plane, then from Beijing to Guangzhou by train, then he appears to have crossed the border from China to Hanoi by plane, South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on Tuesday citing archived Chinese media reports. In 1964, Kim Il Sung visited Vietnam using a Vickers Viscount aircraft provided by China that was the personal plane of Mao Zedong's second-in-command Lin Biao, Kyunghyang reported.

North Korea's Kim to travel to Vietnam for Trump summit by train, could take him over 2 days to get there

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-back-from-north-korea-after-talks-on-trump-kim-summit-196109">summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a>, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-with-kim-to-take-place-in-hanoi-196131"> preparatory talks </a>in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28.

Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

"We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here.

"We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive."

Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit.

The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks.

Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim &amp; advancing the cause of peace."

At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula".

But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means.

Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV".

On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim.

"He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him &amp; fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday. Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of preparatory talks in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28. Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. "We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here. "We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive." Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit. The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks. Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim & advancing the cause of peace." At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula". But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means. Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV". On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

Hard work still needed before Kim-Trump summit: US envoy

Leaders of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nato-treated-us-unfairly-says-trump-during-state-of-the-union-address-195468">NATO allies will hold a summit</a> in December in London, Jens Stoltenberg, the Western military alliance's secretary general, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The choice of location has added symbolism, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union next month while asserting that it will retain a key role in the continent's security.

The last NATO summit, at the alliance's Brussels headquarters in July, saw <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-in-vietnam-on-february-27-28-trump-in-state-of-the-union-address-195467">US President Donald Trump</a> unsettle many European allies, including Germany, with demands that they spend more on their own defence and reduce what he called their dependence on Russia for much of their energy needs.

Stoltenberg said: "We are grateful to the United Kingdom for agreeing to host this meeting in NATO's 70th anniversary year.''

"London was the home of NATO's first headquarters. The United Kingdom was one of the Alliance’s twelve founding members and continues to play a key role in the Alliance, making essential contributions to our shared security.

"The meeting in London will be an opportunity ... to address the security challenges we face now and in the future, and to ensure that NATO continues to adapt in order to keep its population of almost one billion people safe."

Leaders of the NATO allies will hold a summit in December in London, Jens Stoltenberg, the Western military alliance's secretary general, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Leaders of the NATO allies will hold a summit in December in London, Jens Stoltenberg, the Western military alliance's secretary general, said in a statement on Wednesday. The choice of location has added symbolism, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union next month while asserting that it will retain a key role in the continent's security. The last NATO summit, at the alliance's Brussels headquarters in July, saw US President Donald Trump unsettle many European allies, including Germany, with demands that they spend more on their own defence and reduce what he called their dependence on Russia for much of their energy needs. Stoltenberg said: "We are grateful to the United Kingdom for agreeing to host this meeting in NATO's 70th anniversary year.'' "London was the home of NATO's first headquarters. The United Kingdom was one of the Alliance’s twelve founding members and continues to play a key role in the Alliance, making essential contributions to our shared security. "The meeting in London will be an opportunity ... to address the security challenges we face now and in the future, and to ensure that NATO continues to adapt in order to keep its population of almost one billion people safe."

NATO announces December summit in London

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahagathbandhan-is-not-against-me-but-people-of-india-pm-modi-in-gujarat-191429">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday said films and society are a reflection of each other and like cinema, India too is changing with times.&nbsp;

The prime minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Museum of Indian Cinema here.

"The country is changing and finding its own solutions. If there are a million problems, there are also a billion solutions," the PM said.&nbsp;

"Films have an important role in India's soft power," Modi said while narrating how he was struck by the popularity of Indian films overseas when he met and interacted with the leaders of foreign countries.

He assured the film industry that effective steps are being taken to curb piracy and "camcording".

"A single-window system for obtaining permissions for film shoots and related matters are on the anvil," he said.

Like the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, there could be a global film summit in India, the prime minister suggested.

"Films also play a big role in the growth of the tourism sector, which gives employment to even the poorest people, even 'chaiwala' makes money when tourism grows," he said.

The prime minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Museum of Indian Cinema here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said films and society are a reflection of each other and like cinema, India too is changing with times. The prime minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Museum of Indian Cinema here. "The country is changing and finding its own solutions. If there are a million problems, there are also a billion solutions," the PM said. "Films have an important role in India's soft power," Modi said while narrating how he was struck by the popularity of Indian films overseas when he met and interacted with the leaders of foreign countries. He assured the film industry that effective steps are being taken to curb piracy and "camcording". "A single-window system for obtaining permissions for film shoots and related matters are on the anvil," he said. Like the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, there could be a global film summit in India, the prime minister suggested. "Films also play a big role in the growth of the tourism sector, which gives employment to even the poorest people, even 'chaiwala' makes money when tourism grows," he said.

For million problems in India, there are billion solutions: PM Modi

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-anil-ambanis-rcom-over-contempt-petition-by-ericsson-188738&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi_lcjT9fbfAhVMro8KHUzxBX0QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3R549pm0LLcBn7jPZabuIW">Ambani</a> Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps against 'data colonisation', especially by global corporations, stating that Indian data must be owned by Indians.&nbsp;

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's movement against political colonisation, Ambani said India now needs a new movement against data colonisation.&nbsp;

"Gandhiji led India's movement against political colonisation. Today, we have to collectively launch a new movement against data colonisation," he said here at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

Stressing that, in this new world, data is new wealth, Ambani said, "India's data must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, especially global corporations."&nbsp;

He further said, "For India to succeed in this data-driven revolution, we will have to migrate the control and ownership of Indian data back to India. In other words, give Indian wealth back to every Indian."

Stating that the "entire world has come to recognise" Modi "as a man of action", Ambani said, "Honorable Prime Minister, am sure you will make this one of the principal goals of your digital India mission."&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps against 'data colonisation', especially by global corporations, stating that Indian data must be owned by Indians.

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps against 'data colonisation', especially by global corporations, stating that Indian data must be owned by Indians. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's movement against political colonisation, Ambani said India now needs a new movement against data colonisation. "Gandhiji led India's movement against political colonisation. Today, we have to collectively launch a new movement against data colonisation," he said here at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Stressing that, in this new world, data is new wealth, Ambani said, "India's data must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, especially global corporations." He further said, "For India to succeed in this data-driven revolution, we will have to migrate the control and ownership of Indian data back to India. In other words, give Indian wealth back to every Indian." Stating that the "entire world has come to recognise" Modi "as a man of action", Ambani said, "Honorable Prime Minister, am sure you will make this one of the principal goals of your digital India mission."

Mukesh Ambani urges PM to take steps against data colonisation

G20 Summit: Second India-China- Russia trilateral meet after 12 years

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/13th-g20-summit-from-trade-wars-to-terror-to-south-south-cooperation-focus-on-consensus-making-179885">G20 summit in Buenos Aires</a>, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries. Argentina will be hosting this year's G20 summit form November 30 to December 1, becoming the first South American country to do so. Chuburu added that the focus will be on terror, trade wars and cryptocurrency.

WION:&nbsp;What will be the focus of this year's G20 summit?

Daniel Chuburu:&nbsp;The main theme has been— during this year— it has been the fact of trying to get consensus. That was something that came very clearly from last years summit in Germany in which there was a need to have a consensus. So we felt the question of consensus has to be clearly&nbsp;spoken. Argentina, India come from the south. We are developing countries. The question of sustainable development is something that is very important. We believe sustainable development that can give us the greater benefit. The very important question of fairness. We believe the world has been doing well in the last years, a lot of growth coming to a lot of countries, but the benefits of growth have not been fairly distributed.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;What will the G20 summit in Argentina be remembered for?

Daniel Chuburu: As far as we can be credible to the theme we develop, we would like to be remembered for that. Unfortunately, this has been the year of trade wars that have been on the first page of newspapers for a long time. So this is one of the issues that are there in the mind of everyone for the summit. There have been a lot of discussions. The process of G20 happens through the summit, 20 G20 leaders, 30 Leaders in total. This is a whole year process. We had more than 60 meetings, 10 at minister levels. During the meet, we prepare what is discussed. The bureaucracy goes in one direction, then 20 leaders get together to discuss. It's not a strict agenda. We have to give leaders the possibility to sit down and discuss. We firmly believe G20 document should be short, final, action-oriented document. G20 doesn’t have a secretariat. G20 is not an international organization. G20 is an informal mechanism whose main expression is leaders summit.

 
WION: How can G20 bring viability to South America?

Daniel Chuburu: That was one of the main preoccupations of the government of Argentina since we took office in December last year. Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries. We have stressed that and we have been transmitting the idea in all the meets. There is not such a thing or a single answer to any problem. Tried to put the perspective of region and countries.

WION: How much will the focus be on cryptocurrency?

Daniel Chuburu: Argentina has accepted that issue is to be discussed. It was discussed by the minister of finance and presidents of the central bank in July this year. They have interpreted that it is not a threat but have to keep eye on it. It touches a very sensitive area. The question of illegality brings me to clarify that there is not yet such a consensus on G20 on a need to establish a regulation on it. The decision has to be taken. Yes, the consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror, transparency of the market. No clear consensus on regulation.

 
WION: How much will terror be the issue?

Daniel Chuburu: I believe terror is one of the issues that are on the international agenda. But not a specific group dealing with it in G20. So I guess it will be in the final document. It will reflect the concern that a lot of countries and region within G20 have especially on the financing of terror.

 
WION: Will you be calling neighbours?

Daniel Chuburu: Chile has been invited. Netherland has been invited. Two countries, Argentina has invited themselves. Chair of international groupings like ASEAN with Singapore and African Union with Rwanda invited. So, seven countries have been invited. Spain is always invited to G20. Participation of every region. South Africa has been invited. Some countries do have representation in their own region and they are part of the G20.

 
WION: How do you see the future of G20?

Daniel Chuburu: We believe the composition of G20 plus do represent the changes that have taken place in the world. Its a place where you can discuss world problems and the impacts of the different crisis. It's not an international organisation. It is an informal mechanism. They further take it to an international organisation. We don’t intend to take a further step on formalisation or institutionalisation of G20.

WION: Any update on bilaterals at the summit?

Daniel Chuburu:&nbsp;I can’t confirm you any bilateral. We can deal with meeting that we are going to deal bilaterally. Difficult to keep track of bilateral. Will reassure you that a lot of bilateral will take place.

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries.

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries. Argentina will be hosting this year's G20 summit form November 30 to December 1, becoming the first South American country to do so. Chuburu added that the focus will be on terror, trade wars and cryptocurrency. WION: What will be the focus of this year's G20 summit? Daniel Chuburu: The main theme has been— during this year— it has been the fact of trying to get consensus. That was something that came very clearly from last years summit in Germany in which there was a need to have a consensus. So we felt the question of consensus has to be clearly spoken. Argentina, India come from the south. We are developing countries. The question of sustainable development is something that is very important. We believe sustainable development that can give us the greater benefit. The very important question of fairness. We believe the world has been doing well in the last years, a lot of growth coming to a lot of countries, but the benefits of growth have not been fairly distributed. WION: What will the G20 summit in Argentina be remembered for? Daniel Chuburu: As far as we can be credible to the theme we develop, we would like to be remembered for that. Unfortunately, this has been the year of trade wars that have been on the first page of newspapers for a long time. So this is one of the issues that are there in the mind of everyone for the summit. There have been a lot of discussions. The process of G20 happens through the summit, 20 G20 leaders, 30 Leaders in total. This is a whole year process. We had more than 60 meetings, 10 at minister levels. During the meet, we prepare what is discussed. The bureaucracy goes in one direction, then 20 leaders get together to discuss. It's not a strict agenda. We have to give leaders the possibility to sit down and discuss. We firmly believe G20 document should be short, final, action-oriented document. G20 doesn’t have a secretariat. G20 is not an international organization. G20 is an informal mechanism whose main expression is leaders summit. WION: How can G20 bring viability to South America? Daniel Chuburu: That was one of the main preoccupations of the government of Argentina since we took office in December last year. Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries. We have stressed that and we have been transmitting the idea in all the meets. There is not such a thing or a single answer to any problem. Tried to put the perspective of region and countries. WION: How much will the focus be on cryptocurrency? Daniel Chuburu: Argentina has accepted that issue is to be discussed. It was discussed by the minister of finance and presidents of the central bank in July this year. They have interpreted that it is not a threat but have to keep eye on it. It touches a very sensitive area. The question of illegality brings me to clarify that there is not yet such a consensus on G20 on a need to establish a regulation on it. The decision has to be taken. Yes, the consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror, transparency of the market. No clear consensus on regulation. WION: How much will terror be the issue? Daniel Chuburu: I believe terror is one of the issues that are on the international agenda. But not a specific group dealing with it in G20. So I guess it will be in the final document. It will reflect the concern that a lot of countries and region within G20 have especially on the financing of terror. WION: Will you be calling neighbours? Daniel Chuburu: Chile has been invited. Netherland has been invited. Two countries, Argentina has invited themselves. Chair of international groupings like ASEAN with Singapore and African Union with Rwanda invited. So, seven countries have been invited. Spain is always invited to G20. Participation of every region. South Africa has been invited. Some countries do have representation in their own region and they are part of the G20. WION: How do you see the future of G20? Daniel Chuburu: We believe the composition of G20 plus do represent the changes that have taken place in the world. Its a place where you can discuss world problems and the impacts of the different crisis. It's not an international organisation. It is an informal mechanism. They further take it to an international organisation. We don’t intend to take a further step on formalisation or institutionalisation of G20. WION: Any update on bilaterals at the summit? Daniel Chuburu: I can’t confirm you any bilateral. We can deal with meeting that we are going to deal bilaterally. Difficult to keep track of bilateral. Will reassure you that a lot of bilateral will take place.

Perspective of developing countries to be put forward at G20: Argentina envoy to WION

Trade wars between the United States and China will be the top focus at the 13the G20 summit even as host Argentina will focus on South-South cooperation and India on highlighting the issue of terror, especially in its region. Speaking to WION ahead of the G20 summit that will take place in Argentina’s capital&nbsp;Buenos Aires, India’s sherpa or top negotiator at the grouping, Shaktikanta Das, said, “On FATF (Financial Action Task Force) leaders will spell out what kind of appeal or political message they would like to give to FATF. Not just passing laws to deal with terror but the actual implementation of FATF principals by all countries”.&nbsp;

This comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s inaction on 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed who roams the streets of that country freely and even wanted to contest the general elections. Earlier this year, Pakistan was blacklisted for failing to take strong action, especially against financial support to terror groups.

In the previous G20 summit held in Hamburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given an 11-point agenda on terror.

Prime Minister Modi will&nbsp;meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for the fourth time this year on the sidelines of G20. They first met at the famous informal Wuhan summit in April followed by meetings on the sidelines of SCO and BRICS summit in China and South Africa.

In a pre-departure statement, Modi said, "I look forward to meeting leaders from other G-20 countries to review the work of G-20 in the last ten years of its existence and chart the ways and means to meet the new and upcoming challenges of the coming decade. We will deliberate on the situation of global economy and trade, international financial and tax systems, the future of work, women empowerment, infrastructure and sustainable development."

Prime Minister&nbsp;Modi is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump. The expected meet will be the first one since the S400 deal was signed between India and Russia.&nbsp;India hasn’t confirmed the meet with Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale saying New Delhi is “Currently working on several bilateral meetings”.&nbsp;

Both India and the US have been focusing on terror emanating from Pakistan. The Indian prime minister&nbsp;had raised the issue with US Vice-President Mike Pence when the two met on the sidelines of the 13th East Asian summit just two weeks ago. Last week, US President Trump made known his displeasure with Islamabad when he justified his aid cut saying that the country does not do a single “damn thing”. He also came down on Pakistan for providing safe haven to Osama bin Laden&nbsp;who was killed by US forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad in 2011.

India’s sherpa also told WION that India would call for “greater international cooperation on economic offences and offenders, especially fugitive economic offenders” and “economic offences pose a major threat to global economy”. This comes even as Nirav Modi, the man behind the infamous scam at Punjab National Bank and Vijay Mallya who owes billions of rupees to India’s public sector banks continue to stay in the&nbsp;UK, a fellow G20 country.

A BRICS meeting will also take place.&nbsp;A similar BRICS summit&nbsp;followed the&nbsp;2017 G20 summit&nbsp;during which the talks between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping helped in defusing the Doklam crisis.

All in all, New Delhi will be using the high table to raise awareness about issues that concern today's increasingly fragile world.&nbsp;Meanwhile, host, Argentina will be focusing on giving perspective on&nbsp;south-south&nbsp;cooperation and raising the issue of cryptocurrency. Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu spoke to WION and said, “consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror”

Argentina is the first South American country to host the G20 summit. This is the 13th G20 summit and comes on the 10th anniversary of leaders summit which took place on the backdrop of financial crisis in 2008.

On South-South cooperation, Argentinian ambassador said, “Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries.”

But this year summit will have a lot of big bilaterals. US President Donald Trump will be meeting Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. With Xi, Trump will be focusing on solving the current trade wars that have broken between world’s number one and number two economy. No solution means global growth can suffer in 2019. With Russian president, with whom he will be meeting for the second time this year, the focus will be on Syria and the current crisis in Ukraine.

The long shadow of Khashoggi murder will also have an impact some uncomfortable moments are expected when Turkish President&nbsp;Recep Tayyip Erdogan&nbsp;and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman come face to face for the first time since the news of&nbsp;Khashoggi's&nbsp;killing came.

Trade wars between the United States and China will be the top focus at the 13the G20 summit even as host Argentina will focus on South-South cooperation and India on highlighting the issue of terror, especially in its region.

Trade wars between the United States and China will be the top focus at the 13the G20 summit even as host Argentina will focus on South-South cooperation and India on highlighting the issue of terror, especially in its region. Speaking to WION ahead of the G20 summit that will take place in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, India’s sherpa or top negotiator at the grouping, Shaktikanta Das, said, “On FATF (Financial Action Task Force) leaders will spell out what kind of appeal or political message they would like to give to FATF. Not just passing laws to deal with terror but the actual implementation of FATF principals by all countries”. This comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s inaction on 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed who roams the streets of that country freely and even wanted to contest the general elections. Earlier this year, Pakistan was blacklisted for failing to take strong action, especially against financial support to terror groups. In the previous G20 summit held in Hamburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given an 11-point agenda on terror. Prime Minister Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for the fourth time this year on the sidelines of G20. They first met at the famous informal Wuhan summit in April followed by meetings on the sidelines of SCO and BRICS summit in China and South Africa. In a pre-departure statement, Modi said, "I look forward to meeting leaders from other G-20 countries to review the work of G-20 in the last ten years of its existence and chart the ways and means to meet the new and upcoming challenges of the coming decade. We will deliberate on the situation of global economy and trade, international financial and tax systems, the future of work, women empowerment, infrastructure and sustainable development." Prime Minister Modi is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump. The expected meet will be the first one since the S400 deal was signed between India and Russia. India hasn’t confirmed the meet with Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale saying New Delhi is “Currently working on several bilateral meetings”. Both India and the US have been focusing on terror emanating from Pakistan. The Indian prime minister had raised the issue with US Vice-President Mike Pence when the two met on the sidelines of the 13th East Asian summit just two weeks ago. Last week, US President Trump made known his displeasure with Islamabad when he justified his aid cut saying that the country does not do a single “damn thing”. He also came down on Pakistan for providing safe haven to Osama bin Laden who was killed by US forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad in 2011. India’s sherpa also told WION that India would call for “greater international cooperation on economic offences and offenders, especially fugitive economic offenders” and “economic offences pose a major threat to global economy”. This comes even as Nirav Modi, the man behind the infamous scam at Punjab National Bank and Vijay Mallya who owes billions of rupees to India’s public sector banks continue to stay in the UK, a fellow G20 country. A BRICS meeting will also take place. A similar BRICS summit followed the 2017 G20 summit during which the talks between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping helped in defusing the Doklam crisis. All in all, New Delhi will be using the high table to raise awareness about issues that concern today's increasingly fragile world. Meanwhile, host, Argentina will be focusing on giving perspective on south-south cooperation and raising the issue of cryptocurrency. Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu spoke to WION and said, “consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror” Argentina is the first South American country to host the G20 summit. This is the 13th G20 summit and comes on the 10th anniversary of leaders summit which took place on the backdrop of financial crisis in 2008. On South-South cooperation, Argentinian ambassador said, “Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries.” But this year summit will have a lot of big bilaterals. US President Donald Trump will be meeting Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. With Xi, Trump will be focusing on solving the current trade wars that have broken between world’s number one and number two economy. No solution means global growth can suffer in 2019. With Russian president, with whom he will be meeting for the second time this year, the focus will be on Syria and the current crisis in Ukraine. The long shadow of Khashoggi murder will also have an impact some uncomfortable moments are expected when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman come face to face for the first time since the news of Khashoggi's killing came.

At G20 summit, India will call for greater cooperation on fugitive economic offenders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for a two-day visit during which he will attend the East Asia Summit, an ASEAN-India informal meet, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit and hold a meeting with US vice president Mike Pence.

Modi’s first engagement here would be to deliver the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Summit, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a tweet. “The Prime Minister landed in Singapore a short while ago. He will be joining a series of programmes through the day, beginning with the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Festival,” PMOIndia@PMOIndia said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The Prime Minister landed in Singapore a short while ago. He will be joining a series of programmes through the day, beginning with the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Festival. <a href="https://t.co/tDICqJkvTX">pic.twitter.com/tDICqJkvTX</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1062472447507611648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Before leaving for Singapore, Modi said in New Delhi that his participation in the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits symbolised India’s “continued commitment” to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN members and with the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Modi also said he was confident that his visit to Singapore would impart fresh momentum to New Delhi’s growing partnership with ASEAN and East Asia Summit nations. The prime minister will have a number of high-profile multilateral and bilateral meetings with global leaders including US vice president Pence and Singapore premier Lee Hsein Loong.

Pence will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the White House said Tuesday releasing the schedule of the Vice President Pence on the eve of the meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to take place 12.30pm local Singapore time, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and a common vision for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for a two-day visit during which he will attend the East Asia Summit, an ASEAN-India informal meet, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit and hold a meeting with US vice president Mike Pence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for a two-day visit during which he will attend the East Asia Summit, an ASEAN-India informal meet, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit and hold a meeting with US vice president Mike Pence. Modi’s first engagement here would be to deliver the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Summit, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a tweet. “The Prime Minister landed in Singapore a short while ago. He will be joining a series of programmes through the day, beginning with the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Festival,” PMOIndia@PMOIndia said. The Prime Minister landed in Singapore a short while ago. He will be joining a series of programmes through the day, beginning with the keynote address at the Singapore Fintech Festival. pic.twitter.com/tDICqJkvTX — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 13, 2018 × Before leaving for Singapore, Modi said in New Delhi that his participation in the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits symbolised India’s “continued commitment” to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN members and with the wider Indo-Pacific region. Modi also said he was confident that his visit to Singapore would impart fresh momentum to New Delhi’s growing partnership with ASEAN and East Asia Summit nations. The prime minister will have a number of high-profile multilateral and bilateral meetings with global leaders including US vice president Pence and Singapore premier Lee Hsein Loong. Pence will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the White House said Tuesday releasing the schedule of the Vice President Pence on the eve of the meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place 12.30pm local Singapore time, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and a common vision for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House said.

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Singapore for RCEP Summit

Asian&nbsp;leaders gathered for a a summit on Tuesday amid warnings that the post-World War Two international order is in jeopardy and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a "domino effect" of protectionist measures by other countries.

Malaysian Prime Mahathir Mohamad told a business forum ahead of the summmit in Singapore that other developed countries would take a cue from the United States and China if their tit-for-tat tariff war is allowed to spiral.

"The trade tension between the two world powers is bound to create a domino effect that will affect trade reactions and will be a reason for other developed countries to adopt protective measures against developing countries, including the ASEAN countries," Mahathir said, referring to the 10-nation Association of Southeast&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;Nations (ASEAN).

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang - for a second day - struck a conciliatory note on the trade spat, saying he was hopeful that the two sides will find a way to prevent it escalating further.

"I still hope we can hold talks based on mutual respect, balance and mutual benefits to resolve the issue. There are no winners in a trade war," Li said before his meeting with the ASEAN leaders.

US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence will attend the Singapore meetings instead of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly panned existing multilateral trade pacts as unfair and has railed against China over intellectual property theft, entry barriers to American businesses and a yawning U..trade gap.

It was not clear if Li and Pence would meet separately on the sidelines in Singapore, which would be a prelude to a summit scheduled between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month in Buenos Aires.

Before he arrived in Singapore on Monday, Li said China would further open its economy in the face of rising protectionism, though he did not refer directly to China's bruising trade war with the United States.

"RIVAL BLOCS"

Mahathir, a veteran strongman of the region who in May returned to the prime minister's office he had occupied for 22 years, told reporters that the United States is "a colonial power" that uses "economic pressure to cow people".

In his speech, he said "the rise of trade protectionism, resurgent nationalistic movements and inward-looking policies" seemed to be emerging even among ASEAN nations.

That was echoed by summit host Singaporean Prime Lee Hsien Loong, who told a welcome ceremony for his ASEAN counterparts that "the international order is at a turning point".

"The existing free, open and rules-based multilateral system which has underpinned ASEAN's growth and stability has come under stress," he said, adding that it was unclear if the international order would break up into rival blocs.

Returning to the theme as the leaders sat down to dinner, he said: "Countries are becoming insular, retreating from multilateralism and globalisation, which has been the cornerstone of ASEAN peace and stability."

China's Li is expected to rally support at the Singapore meetings for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade pact that will encompass more than a third of the world’s GDP.

"Free trade has, in some aspects, prevented war effectively," he said in a speech on Tuesday. "We are willing to negotiate with all sides to push ahead with free trade internationally, and we're also willing to discuss a fairer system."

The RCEP agreement includes 16 countries, including ASEAN nations, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, but not the United States.

The draft of a statement to be issued by RCEP nations later in the week, which was reviewed by Reuters, said the group would instruct "ministers and negotiators to work toward the full conclusion of the RCEP negotiations in 2019".

SOUTH CHINA SEA DEAL

Li said that Beijing hoped a consultation with Southeast&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;nations on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea would be completed in three years, and that such an deal would bolster free trade.

China and ASEAN agreed in August on a working text to continue long drawn-out negotiations over the code of conduct.

Some ASEAN members and China have overlapping claims to islands in the sea, one of the world's busiest waterways. For years, they have been discussing a pact to prevent an escalation of disputes.

"It is China's hope that the COC (code of conduct) consultation will be finished in three years time so that it will contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea," Li said. "China and ASEAN countries will benefit in that process, it will also be conducive to free trade and go on to serve the interests of other parties."

Last week, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged their Chinese counterparts to halt militarisation of the South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US&nbsp;warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

Asian leaders gathered for a a summit on Tuesday amid warnings that the post-World War Two international order is in jeopardy and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a "domino effect" of protectionist measures by other countries.

Asian leaders gathered for a a summit on Tuesday amid warnings that the post-World War Two international order is in jeopardy and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a "domino effect" of protectionist measures by other countries. Malaysian Prime Mahathir Mohamad told a business forum ahead of the summmit in Singapore that other developed countries would take a cue from the United States and China if their tit-for-tat tariff war is allowed to spiral. "The trade tension between the two world powers is bound to create a domino effect that will affect trade reactions and will be a reason for other developed countries to adopt protective measures against developing countries, including the ASEAN countries," Mahathir said, referring to the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Chinese Premier Li Keqiang - for a second day - struck a conciliatory note on the trade spat, saying he was hopeful that the two sides will find a way to prevent it escalating further. "I still hope we can hold talks based on mutual respect, balance and mutual benefits to resolve the issue. There are no winners in a trade war," Li said before his meeting with the ASEAN leaders. US Vice President Mike Pence will attend the Singapore meetings instead of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly panned existing multilateral trade pacts as unfair and has railed against China over intellectual property theft, entry barriers to American businesses and a yawning U..trade gap. It was not clear if Li and Pence would meet separately on the sidelines in Singapore, which would be a prelude to a summit scheduled between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month in Buenos Aires. Before he arrived in Singapore on Monday, Li said China would further open its economy in the face of rising protectionism, though he did not refer directly to China's bruising trade war with the United States. "RIVAL BLOCS" Mahathir, a veteran strongman of the region who in May returned to the prime minister's office he had occupied for 22 years, told reporters that the United States is "a colonial power" that uses "economic pressure to cow people". In his speech, he said "the rise of trade protectionism, resurgent nationalistic movements and inward-looking policies" seemed to be emerging even among ASEAN nations. That was echoed by summit host Singaporean Prime Lee Hsien Loong, who told a welcome ceremony for his ASEAN counterparts that "the international order is at a turning point". "The existing free, open and rules-based multilateral system which has underpinned ASEAN's growth and stability has come under stress," he said, adding that it was unclear if the international order would break up into rival blocs. Returning to the theme as the leaders sat down to dinner, he said: "Countries are becoming insular, retreating from multilateralism and globalisation, which has been the cornerstone of ASEAN peace and stability." China's Li is expected to rally support at the Singapore meetings for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade pact that will encompass more than a third of the world’s GDP. "Free trade has, in some aspects, prevented war effectively," he said in a speech on Tuesday. "We are willing to negotiate with all sides to push ahead with free trade internationally, and we're also willing to discuss a fairer system." The RCEP agreement includes 16 countries, including ASEAN nations, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, but not the United States. The draft of a statement to be issued by RCEP nations later in the week, which was reviewed by Reuters, said the group would instruct "ministers and negotiators to work toward the full conclusion of the RCEP negotiations in 2019". SOUTH CHINA SEA DEAL Li said that Beijing hoped a consultation with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea would be completed in three years, and that such an deal would bolster free trade. China and ASEAN agreed in August on a working text to continue long drawn-out negotiations over the code of conduct. Some ASEAN members and China have overlapping claims to islands in the sea, one of the world's busiest waterways. For years, they have been discussing a pact to prevent an escalation of disputes. "It is China's hope that the COC (code of conduct) consultation will be finished in three years time so that it will contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea," Li said. "China and ASEAN countries will benefit in that process, it will also be conducive to free trade and go on to serve the interests of other parties." Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged their Chinese counterparts to halt militarisation of the South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

Warnings of a 'domino effect' of protectionism as Asian leaders meet

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering.

Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia.

Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China.

His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment.

The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest.

Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP.

She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points.

The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies.

The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang.

Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant.

Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials.

"We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats.&nbsp;

"That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration."&nbsp;

Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday.

She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme.&nbsp;

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since.

Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region.

Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade.&nbsp;

The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.&nbsp;

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering. Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia. Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China. His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment. The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest. Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP. She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points. The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies. The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang. Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant. Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials. "We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats. "That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration." Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday. She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since. Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region. Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade. The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.

China-backed trade deal centre stage at summit as US retreats

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