<p>A team of 20 Indian doctors is expected to visit Pakistan to examine mentally unsound, women, children and elderly people who are locked up in Pakistan prisons. The prisoners have been waiting for repatriation since early March 2018. The countries are in talks over the issue of visas. However, sources say that Pakistan may deny giving Visas to such a large number of doctors. Before arriving at any decision, Indian has laid out four crucial conditions including an immediate end to harassment of Indian diplomats, unhindered movement of Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria outside the Pakistan capital, construction of Indian residents in Islamabad and to allow Indian diplomats membership of Islamabad Club. The move came after the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with the Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood in October 2017. Swaraj in the meeting had initiated of undertaking humanitarian measures related to elderly, women, children and mentally unsound prisoners.</p>


A team of 20 Indian doctors is expected to visit Pakistan to examine mentally unsound, women, children and elderly people who are locked up in Pakistan prisons

A team of 20 Indian doctors is expected to visit Pakistan to examine mentally unsound, women, children and elderly people who are locked up in Pakistan prisons. The prisoners have been waiting for repatriation since early March 2018. The countries are in talks over the issue of visas. However, sources say that Pakistan may deny giving Visas to such a large number of doctors. Before arriving at any decision, Indian has laid out four crucial conditions including an immediate end to harassment of Indian diplomats, unhindered movement of Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria outside the Pakistan capital, construction of Indian residents in Islamabad and to allow Indian diplomats membership of Islamabad Club. The move came after the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with the Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood in October 2017. Swaraj in the meeting had initiated of undertaking humanitarian measures related to elderly, women, children and mentally unsound prisoners.

20 Indian doctors may visit Pakistan to examine Indian prisoners

<p>The kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announced that they would hold&nbsp;a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Saturday.</p>

<p>The Brother-in-law of one of the Indian killed in Iraq said that &quot;we&#39;ve given govt time till tomorrow morning to announce a compensation to secure future of families of deceased. If they aren&#39;t able to do it then we&#39;ll protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow.&quot;</p>

<p>Sister of Manjinder Singh, Gurpidner Kaur also claimed that the government is not responding to the demands even External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has not replied to the &#39;repeated attempts of contact.&#39;</p>

<p>&nbsp;&quot;We won&#39;t do a violent protest, we&#39;ll just sit peacefully. Union govt hasn&#39;t contacted us yet. EAM Sushma Swaraj has not replied to us even after repeated attempts to contact and meet her: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday about the 39 kidnapped Indians&nbsp;who had gone missing since 2014 in Iraq are dead. Most of them were from Punjab.</p>

<p>All of them were shot in the head.The bodies have also been recovered from a mound in Badush village near Mosul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 39 Indians were kidnapped in 2014. On Wednesday Swaraj said they had been killed by the Islamic State.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh has flown to Mosul to bring back the bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government has come under much flak for its handling of the case. The families of the 39 killed have said they heard about the deaths when Swaraj made her speech in Parliament, and that they were not told beforehand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition meanwhile has said the government knew about the deaths beforehand but had been misleading the public.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announce to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Friday

The kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announced that they would hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Saturday. The Brother-in-law of one of the Indian killed in Iraq said that "we've given govt time till tomorrow morning to announce a compensation to secure future of families of deceased. If they aren't able to do it then we'll protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow." Sister of Manjinder Singh, Gurpidner Kaur also claimed that the government is not responding to the demands even External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has not replied to the 'repeated attempts of contact.' "We won't do a violent protest, we'll just sit peacefully. Union govt hasn't contacted us yet. EAM Sushma Swaraj has not replied to us even after repeated attempts to contact and meet her: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq," she said. Sushma Swaraj informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday about the 39 kidnapped Indians who had gone missing since 2014 in Iraq are dead. Most of them were from Punjab. All of them were shot in the head.The bodies have also been recovered from a mound in Badush village near Mosul. The 39 Indians were kidnapped in 2014. On Wednesday Swaraj said they had been killed by the Islamic State. Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh has flown to Mosul to bring back the bodies. The government has come under much flak for its handling of the case. The families of the 39 killed have said they heard about the deaths when Swaraj made her speech in Parliament, and that they were not told beforehand. The opposition meanwhile has said the government knew about the deaths beforehand but had been misleading the public.

Families of Indians killed in Iraq to hold a protest in Delhi over compensation demand

<p>After informing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">Parliament</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/politics-over-deaths-shameful-sushma-swaraj-on-indians-killed-in-mosul-36498"> on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosu</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">l, Iraq</a>, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren&#39;t found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush.</p>

<p>&quot;The bodies were buried<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478"> in a mound</a> in Badush,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said at a press conference.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj criticised the Congress for &quot;politicising&quot; the issue, declaring that Congress&#39;s behaviour in Parliament &quot;condemnable&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress had resorted to &quot;hungama&quot; in Parliament, she said, while asserting that the Upper House of Parliament had heard her patiently.</p>

<p>&quot;It was my duty to inform Parliament first,&quot; she said,&nbsp;adding that the Indian government did not want to declare the deaths of Indians in haste.</p>

<p>Earlier, as Sushma Swaraj announced in Parliament on the fate of the missing Indians who were allegedly abducted by the ISIS in Mosul, the Opposition protested alleging that the House was &quot;misled&quot; by the government, however, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh defended the government&#39;s decision in Parliament as the ruckus led the Speaker to adjourn the House till Wednesday.</p>

<p>&quot;Of the 39 bodies, 27 were from Punjab and 4 belonged to Himachal, while 6 bodies belonged to Bihar, 1 body was from West Bengal,&quot; Sushma Swaraj told reporters.</p>

<p>&quot;1 body is yet to be identified,&quot; she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Long hair and a&nbsp;Sikh &quot;kada&quot; was recovered,&quot; the external affairs minister said while asserting that the government &quot;did not keep anyone in the dark.&quot;</p>

<p><br />
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<p>Sushma Swaraj informed reporters that minister of state for external affairs VK Singh would be going to Iraq to get the mortal remains of Indians in Mosul.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sushma Swaraj criticised the Congress for "politicising" the issue, declaring that Congress's behaviour in Parliament "condemnable".

After informing Parliament on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren't found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush. "The bodies were buried in a mound in Badush," Sushma Swaraj said at a press conference. Sushma Swaraj criticised the Congress for "politicising" the issue, declaring that Congress's behaviour in Parliament "condemnable". "Congress had resorted to "hungama" in Parliament, she said, while asserting that the Upper House of Parliament had heard her patiently. "It was my duty to inform Parliament first," she said, adding that the Indian government did not want to declare the deaths of Indians in haste. Earlier, as Sushma Swaraj announced in Parliament on the fate of the missing Indians who were allegedly abducted by the ISIS in Mosul, the Opposition protested alleging that the House was "misled" by the government, however, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh defended the government's decision in Parliament as the ruckus led the Speaker to adjourn the House till Wednesday. "Of the 39 bodies, 27 were from Punjab and 4 belonged to Himachal, while 6 bodies belonged to Bihar, 1 body was from West Bengal," Sushma Swaraj told reporters. "1 body is yet to be identified," she added. "Long hair and a Sikh "kada" was recovered," the external affairs minister said while asserting that the government "did not keep anyone in the dark." Sushma Swaraj informed reporters that minister of state for external affairs VK Singh would be going to Iraq to get the mortal remains of Indians in Mosul.

Government did not keep anyone in the dark over the death of 39 Indians in Mosul: Sushma Swaraj

<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-did-not-keep-anyone-in-the-dark-over-the-deaths-of-39-indians-in-mosul-sushma-swaraj-36505"> 39 kidnapped Indians,</a> who had gone missing in Iraq since 2014, are dead, external affairs minister<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/39-indians-missing-in-iraq-dead-sushma-swaraj-36459"> Sushma Swaraj </a>told the Rajya Sabha today. Swaraj said that the Islamic State (IS) had killed all the Indian nationals.</p>

<p>After informing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">Parliament</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/politics-over-deaths-shameful-sushma-swaraj-on-indians-killed-in-mosul-36498">&nbsp;on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosu</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">l, Iraq</a>, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren&#39;t found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush.</p>

<p>PM Modi condemned the incident and recently tweeted: &quot;MEA and particularly my colleagues Sushma Swaraj Ji and VK Singh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul. Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The MEA and particularly my colleagues <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> Ji and <a href="https://twitter.com/Gen_VKSingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gen_VKSingh</a> Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul.<br />
<br />
Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/976072562621886465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover,&nbsp;Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to Sushma Swaraj expressing his shock on the deaths of 39 Indians and has requested for financial assistance for families of the kin, informaing&nbsp;that 24 of those deceased were from Punjab and that Rs 20,000 were already being provided to the families by the government.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh writes to EAM Sushma Swaraj expressing shock on the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq, requests for financial assistance for families of the kin <a href="https://t.co/u2Y2A9X9a8">pic.twitter.com/u2Y2A9X9a8</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976058381948645382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The sister of Manjinder Singh, who was among the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/39-indians-missing-in-iraq-dead-sushma-swaraj-36459">39 Indians killed by the Islamic State</a>&nbsp;in Iraq, demanded the DNA reports of those killed, saying that the matter has been politicised, adding that the families should be been immediately contacted with the information.</p>

<p>Further, she criticised Swaraj and said that all she cared about was her reputation&nbsp;and had no ounce of sorrow over the loss of lives.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We demand from govt to provide us DNA reports. It&#39;s being politicised. We had been running from pillar to post since 4 yrs &amp; now we&#39;re being told via TV that we lost one of our own: Gurpinder Kaur,sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq&#39;s Mosul <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amritsar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amritsar</a> <a href="https://t.co/hWMp49ROSL">pic.twitter.com/hWMp49ROSL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976050924727783424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, she was supposed to announce this in Parliament first but he was part of our family. All she cared about was her reputation. She used to say they&#39;re like her children, if that&#39;s the case where&#39;s her sorrow?: Gurpinder,sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed <a href="https://t.co/VGZyj9HvGY">pic.twitter.com/VGZyj9HvGY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976060277237125120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kaur accused her of lying about the status of her brother and said: &quot;Why did she keep saying they&#39;re alive &amp; she&#39;ll bring them back? She could&#39;ve said she&#39;ll bring them back only if they&#39;re alive. I want to see DNA reports. We&#39;ll get answers only after meeting her&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We should have been contacted as soon as they received the information. Had that been done it would not have been such a huge blow. We feel betrayed from all sides: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976060281301368833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Kamaljeet Kaur, wife of Roop Lal, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq&#39;s Mosul, also expressed her distress over the news and said: &quot;He had left for Iraq 7 years ago. We last talked to each other in 2015. They had taken DNA samples 2-3 months back. I don&#39;t know what to say.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He had left for Iraq 7 years ago. We last talked to each other in 2015. They had taken DNA samples 2-3 months back. I don&#39;t know what to say: Kamaljeet Kaur, wife of Roop Lal who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq&#39;s Mosul (Nakodar, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Punjab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Punjab</a>) <a href="https://t.co/8gDgC76mpX">pic.twitter.com/8gDgC76mpX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976052354062737409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


After informing Parliament on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren't found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush

The 39 kidnapped Indians, who had gone missing in Iraq since 2014, are dead, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha today. Swaraj said that the Islamic State (IS) had killed all the Indian nationals. After informing Parliament on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren't found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush. PM Modi condemned the incident and recently tweeted: "MEA and particularly my colleagues Sushma Swaraj Ji and VK Singh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul. Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas." The MEA and particularly my colleagues @SushmaSwaraj Ji and @Gen_VKSingh Ji left no stone unturned in trying to trace and safely bring back those we lost in Mosul. Our Government remains fully committed towards ensuring the safety of our sisters and brothers overseas. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2018 × Moreover, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to Sushma Swaraj expressing his shock on the deaths of 39 Indians and has requested for financial assistance for families of the kin, informaing that 24 of those deceased were from Punjab and that Rs 20,000 were already being provided to the families by the government. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh writes to EAM Sushma Swaraj expressing shock on the deaths of 39 Indians in Iraq, requests for financial assistance for families of the kin pic.twitter.com/u2Y2A9X9a8 — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × The sister of Manjinder Singh, who was among the 39 Indians killed by the Islamic State in Iraq, demanded the DNA reports of those killed, saying that the matter has been politicised, adding that the families should be been immediately contacted with the information. Further, she criticised Swaraj and said that all she cared about was her reputation and had no ounce of sorrow over the loss of lives. We demand from govt to provide us DNA reports. It's being politicised. We had been running from pillar to post since 4 yrs & now we're being told via TV that we lost one of our own: Gurpinder Kaur,sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul #Amritsar pic.twitter.com/hWMp49ROSL — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × Yes, she was supposed to announce this in Parliament first but he was part of our family. All she cared about was her reputation. She used to say they're like her children, if that's the case where's her sorrow?: Gurpinder,sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed pic.twitter.com/VGZyj9HvGY — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × Kaur accused her of lying about the status of her brother and said: "Why did she keep saying they're alive & she'll bring them back? She could've said she'll bring them back only if they're alive. I want to see DNA reports. We'll get answers only after meeting her". We should have been contacted as soon as they received the information. Had that been done it would not have been such a huge blow. We feel betrayed from all sides: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × Meanwhile, Kamaljeet Kaur, wife of Roop Lal, who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul, also expressed her distress over the news and said: "He had left for Iraq 7 years ago. We last talked to each other in 2015. They had taken DNA samples 2-3 months back. I don't know what to say." He had left for Iraq 7 years ago. We last talked to each other in 2015. They had taken DNA samples 2-3 months back. I don't know what to say: Kamaljeet Kaur, wife of Roop Lal who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul (Nakodar, #Punjab) pic.twitter.com/8gDgC76mpX — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 ×

'We demand govt to provide DNA reports' families of 39 killed in Iraq express angst

<p>&nbsp;National Conference leader Omar Abdullah today said it was &quot;unpardonable&quot; that the families of 39 Indians, killed in captivity in Iraq, had to learn about their heartbreaking loss from television channels instead of the government.</p>

<p>&quot;Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable (sic),&quot; Omar said in a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable.</p>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/976051772283334656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>All the 39 Indians, who were abducted by the ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said today.</p>

<p>As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by the terrorist organisation from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a suo motu statement in Rajya Sabha.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Senior people in MEA, if not the Minister &amp; her junior minister themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public.</p>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/976052278149906432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The remaining 39 Indians were taken to Badoosh and killed.</p>

<p>Abdullah said senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs should have personally informed each of the 39 families before the news was made public.</p>

<p>&quot;Senior people in MEA, if not the Minister &amp; her junior minister themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public,&quot; he tweeted.</p>


All the 39 Indians, who were abducted by the ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah today said it was "unpardonable" that the families of 39 Indians, killed in captivity in Iraq, had to learn about their heartbreaking loss from television channels instead of the government. "Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable (sic)," Omar said in a tweet. Nothing Govt of India says can make up for the sheer heartlessness displayed today. Using Parliament as an excuse for the families of 39 dead Indians having to learn of their heartbreaking loss from TV channels is unpardonable. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 20, 2018 × All the 39 Indians, who were abducted by the ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago, were killed and their bodies have been recovered, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said today. As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by the terrorist organisation from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a suo motu statement in Rajya Sabha. Senior people in MEA, if not the Minister & her junior minister themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 20, 2018 × The remaining 39 Indians were taken to Badoosh and killed. Abdullah said senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs should have personally informed each of the 39 families before the news was made public. "Senior people in MEA, if not the Minister & her junior minister themselves, should have spoken to each of the 39 families before the news of the deaths was made public," he tweeted.

'Families learning about deaths in Mosul from TV is unpardonable,' says Omar Abdullah

<p>The 39 kidnapped Indians, who had gone missing in Iraq since 2014, are dead, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj said that the Islamic State (IS) had killed all the Indian nationals.</p>

<p>&quot;I had said that I will not declare anyone dead without substantive proof... Today I have come to fulfil that commitment,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&quot;I had said that closure will be done with full proof. And when we will, with a heavy heart, give the mortal remains to their kin, it will be a kind of closure.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;With full proof I can say these 39 are dead,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said.<br />
<br />
A group of 40 Indian workers, mostly from Punjab, and some Bangladeshi, were taken hostage by IS&nbsp;when it overran Iraq&#39;s second largest city Mosul in 2014.</p>

<p>Of the 40 Indians, one Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur had managed to escape and had claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others. But the government rejected it.</p>

<p>&quot;His was a cock-and-bull story,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said adding he had managed to flee the IS by faking his identity as a Muslim from Bangladesh.</p>

<p>The Indians were first kept at a textile factory in Mosul and after Masih escaped, they were moved to a prison in Badosh.</p>

<p>Relentless search for them led to a mass grave in Badosh village in Iraq.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister said that deep penetration radar was used to spot a mass grave and it was confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed from a mount in Badosh village.</p>

<p>&quot;We used a deep penetration satellite to see a mass grave. We requested that the bodies be brought out, exhumed,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said.</p>

<p>&quot;It was a most difficult task to get the proof. Such a barbaric terror organisation, there were mass graves. It was a pile of bodies. To track down the bodies of our people and take them to Baghdad to test was a huge task,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister said that the mortal remains of the labourers were sent to Baghdad and for verification of the bodies the DNA samples of the relatives were sent there. She said that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched entirely with their relatives and the DNA sample of the 39th person matched 70 per cent.</p>

<p>Giving details, Sushma Swaraj said most Iraqis left Mosul when it was captured by the Islamic State but Indian and Bangladeshi workers stayed back.</p>

<p>Inquiries from a caterer revealed that the IS caught them when they were coming back after meals. They were first taken to a textile factory where Bangladeshi workers were separated and sent to the city of Erbil.</p>

<p>The caterer stated that he had received a call from one &#39;Ali&#39; who claimed that he is from Bangladesh and should be moved to Erbil as commanded by the IS, she said, adding Masih had called her up from Erbil but could not say how he had reached there.</p>

<p>&quot;He had escaped by faking as Ali in the van arranged by caterer&quot; to transport Bangladeshi to Erbil, she said.&nbsp;When next day, a count of Indians found one of them missing, they all were moved to Badosh.</p>

<p>The minister said that her deputy, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh visited Iraq in search of the missing Indians once Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State last year.</p>

<p>VK Singh, along with an Indian Ambassador and an Iraqi official searched the Badosh prison, the last known location of the 39 Indians.</p>

<p>Commending VK Singh for his efforts, she said the three had to sleep on floor of a small house during the search operations.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj had told the families of the workers last year that an Iraqi official, quoting intelligence sources, had told VK Singh that the Indians were made to work at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm before they were put in a jail in Badosh.</p>

<p>General VK Singh will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains of Indians killed in Iraq. The special plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata, Sushma Swaraj said.</p>

<p>The Rajya Sabha observed a minute&#39;s silence after the announcement by the external affairs minister and was subsequently adjourned for the day following a ruckus.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj wanted to make a similar statement in the Lok Sabha but could not do so because of ruckus created by opposition members.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)</p>


The external affairs minister said that deep penetration radar was used to spot a mass grave and it was confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed

The 39 kidnapped Indians, who had gone missing in Iraq since 2014, are dead, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha today. Sushma Swaraj said that the Islamic State (IS) had killed all the Indian nationals. "I had said that I will not declare anyone dead without substantive proof... Today I have come to fulfil that commitment," she said. "I had said that closure will be done with full proof. And when we will, with a heavy heart, give the mortal remains to their kin, it will be a kind of closure." "With full proof I can say these 39 are dead," Sushma Swaraj said. A group of 40 Indian workers, mostly from Punjab, and some Bangladeshi, were taken hostage by IS when it overran Iraq's second largest city Mosul in 2014. Of the 40 Indians, one Harjit Masih from Gurdaspur had managed to escape and had claimed to have witnessed the massacre of the others. But the government rejected it. "His was a cock-and-bull story," Sushma Swaraj said adding he had managed to flee the IS by faking his identity as a Muslim from Bangladesh. The Indians were first kept at a textile factory in Mosul and after Masih escaped, they were moved to a prison in Badosh. Relentless search for them led to a mass grave in Badosh village in Iraq. The external affairs minister said that deep penetration radar was used to spot a mass grave and it was confirmed that all Indians were dead after all bodies were exhumed from a mount in Badosh village. "We used a deep penetration satellite to see a mass grave. We requested that the bodies be brought out, exhumed," Sushma Swaraj said. "It was a most difficult task to get the proof. Such a barbaric terror organisation, there were mass graves. It was a pile of bodies. To track down the bodies of our people and take them to Baghdad to test was a huge task," she said. The external affairs minister said that the mortal remains of the labourers were sent to Baghdad and for verification of the bodies the DNA samples of the relatives were sent there. She said that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched entirely with their relatives and the DNA sample of the 39th person matched 70 per cent. Giving details, Sushma Swaraj said most Iraqis left Mosul when it was captured by the Islamic State but Indian and Bangladeshi workers stayed back. Inquiries from a caterer revealed that the IS caught them when they were coming back after meals. They were first taken to a textile factory where Bangladeshi workers were separated and sent to the city of Erbil. The caterer stated that he had received a call from one 'Ali' who claimed that he is from Bangladesh and should be moved to Erbil as commanded by the IS, she said, adding Masih had called her up from Erbil but could not say how he had reached there. "He had escaped by faking as Ali in the van arranged by caterer" to transport Bangladeshi to Erbil, she said. When next day, a count of Indians found one of them missing, they all were moved to Badosh. The minister said that her deputy, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh visited Iraq in search of the missing Indians once Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State last year. VK Singh, along with an Indian Ambassador and an Iraqi official searched the Badosh prison, the last known location of the 39 Indians. Commending VK Singh for his efforts, she said the three had to sleep on floor of a small house during the search operations. Sushma Swaraj had told the families of the workers last year that an Iraqi official, quoting intelligence sources, had told VK Singh that the Indians were made to work at a hospital construction site and then shifted to a farm before they were put in a jail in Badosh. General VK Singh will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains of Indians killed in Iraq. The special plane carrying mortal remains will first go to Amritsar, then to Patna and then to Kolkata, Sushma Swaraj said. The Rajya Sabha observed a minute's silence after the announcement by the external affairs minister and was subsequently adjourned for the day following a ruckus. Sushma Swaraj wanted to make a similar statement in the Lok Sabha but could not do so because of ruckus created by opposition members. (With inputs from agencies)

Bodies recovered, 39 Indians missing in Iraq killed by Islamic State: Sushma Swaraj

<p>Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday disallowed for the third time no-confidence motions against the government, citing a disorderly House.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj announced in the Rajya Sabha that all the 39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq are dead.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics! : Lok Sabha Speaker to MPs raising slogans when EAM wanted to deliver statement on death of 39 Indians in Iraq&#39;s Mosul <a href="https://t.co/fHrQ5XlKAF">pic.twitter.com/fHrQ5XlKAF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975985530851807232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>She said that the mortal remains of the labourers were sent to Baghdad and for verification of the bodies the DNA samples of the relatives were sent there. She said that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched entirely with their relatives and the DNA sample of the 39th person matched 70 per cent.</p>

<p>Minister of state for external affairs, General VK Singh, will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains, the minister said.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister, however, couldn&rsquo;t make a statement in the Lok Sabha as loud slogans were shouted by the opposition members when she sought the Speaker&rsquo;s permission to speak on the issue. The House was adjourned till Wednesday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Agencies)</em></p>


Sushma Swaraj announced in the Rajya Sabha that all the 39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq are dead

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday disallowed for the third time no-confidence motions against the government, citing a disorderly House. Sushma Swaraj announced in the Rajya Sabha that all the 39 Indians who were kidnapped in Iraq are dead. This is not proper, do not be so insensitive, please do not indulge in such politics! : Lok Sabha Speaker to MPs raising slogans when EAM wanted to deliver statement on death of 39 Indians in Iraq's Mosul pic.twitter.com/fHrQ5XlKAF — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × She said that the mortal remains of the labourers were sent to Baghdad and for verification of the bodies the DNA samples of the relatives were sent there. She said that the DNA samples of 38 people have matched entirely with their relatives and the DNA sample of the 39th person matched 70 per cent. Minister of state for external affairs, General VK Singh, will go to Iraq to bring back mortal remains, the minister said. The external affairs minister, however, couldn’t make a statement in the Lok Sabha as loud slogans were shouted by the opposition members when she sought the Speaker’s permission to speak on the issue. The House was adjourned till Wednesday. (With inputs from Agencies)

39 Indians missing in Iraq killed:  MPs continue protesting, Sushma not allowed to speak in Lok Sabha

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-did-not-keep-anyone-in-the-dark-over-the-deaths-of-39-indians-in-mosul-sushma-swaraj-36505">Government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-did-not-keep-anyone-in-the-dark-over-the-deaths-of-39-indians-in-mosul-sushma-swaraj-36505"> did not keep anyone in the dark over the death of 39 Indians in Mosul: Sushma Swaraj</a></p>

<p>After informing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">Parliament</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/politics-over-deaths-shameful-sushma-swaraj-on-indians-killed-in-mosul-36498">&nbsp;on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosu</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">l, Iraq</a>, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren&#39;t found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush. &quot;The bodies were buried<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-information-was-given-to-us-sister-of-indian-killed-in-iraq-36478">&nbsp;in a mound</a>&nbsp;in Badush,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said at a press conference.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sexual-harassment-case-jnu-professor-arrested-36512">Sexual harassment case: JNU professor arrested</a></p>

<p>Delhi Police has arrested Professor Atul Johri of JNU on Tuesday after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him by students.&nbsp;Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students, had been protesting outside the Vasant Kunj police station, demanding JNU professor&#39;s arrest in an alleged sexual harassment case, accused the police of &quot;inaction&quot; in the matter.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-spent-36-million-rupees-to-install-air-purifiers-in-pm-offices-36516">Modi government spent over Rs 35 lakh on installing air purifiers in offices: Report</a></p>

<p>According to unpublished government data, the Modi government spent as much as rupees 35 lakh to buy and install air purifiers for Prime Minister&#39;s offices and other federal departments and government agencies like NITI Aayog between the year 2014 and 2017.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/building-us-mexico-border-to-keep-the-damn-drugs-out-trump-36495">Building US-Mexico border to &#39;keep the damn drugs out&#39;: Trump</a></p>

<p>United States President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the building of US-Mexico border would help to stem the flow of illegal drugs, such as heroin and narcotics into the country. While speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, which has been the primary city exposed to opioid deaths Trump came up with the decision to build the wall to &quot;keep the damn drugs out&quot; and has come up with numerous ways to fight the epidemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-gloom-why-facebook-is-in-huge-mess-36501">Beginning of gloom? Why Facebook is in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-gloom-why-facebook-is-in-huge-mess-36501">huge mess</a></p>

<p>Mark Zuckerberg- led Facebook has been slammed on various occasions in the past for failing to maintain user privacy, but this time social media giant finds itself amid a scandal of much bigger proportion.</p>


Government did not keep anyone in the dark over the death of 39 Indians in Mosul: Sushma Swaraj After informing Parliament on the deaths of 39 Indians in Mosul, Iraq, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the bodies of Indians weren't found in mass graves but in a mound in Badush. "The bodies were buried in a mound in Badush," Sushma Swaraj said at a press conference. Sexual harassment case: JNU professor arrested Delhi Police has arrested Professor Atul Johri of JNU on Tuesday after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him by students. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students, had been protesting outside the Vasant Kunj police station, demanding JNU professor's arrest in an alleged sexual harassment case, accused the police of "inaction" in the matter. Modi government spent over Rs 35 lakh on installing air purifiers in offices: Report According to unpublished government data, the Modi government spent as much as rupees 35 lakh to buy and install air purifiers for Prime Minister's offices and other federal departments and government agencies like NITI Aayog between the year 2014 and 2017. Building US-Mexico border to 'keep the damn drugs out': Trump United States President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the building of US-Mexico border would help to stem the flow of illegal drugs, such as heroin and narcotics into the country. While speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, which has been the primary city exposed to opioid deaths Trump came up with the decision to build the wall to "keep the damn drugs out" and has come up with numerous ways to fight the epidemic. Beginning of gloom? Why Facebook is in huge mess Mark Zuckerberg- led Facebook has been slammed on various occasions in the past for failing to maintain user privacy, but this time social media giant finds itself amid a scandal of much bigger proportion.

WION Evening News Brief, March 20, 2018

<p>Former Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday in Delhi with a controversial remark that forced his new party to issue a disclaimer.</p>

<p>Once a close aide to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Agarwal lost out in the race for re-nomination to the upper house to actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan.</p>

<p>Angry over the loss, Agarwal, without taking Jaya&#39;s name, said he was compared with those who dance and work in films.</p>

<p>&quot;I have been compared with those who dance and work in films,&quot; Agrawal said, leaving the BJP leaders on the dais squirming.</p>

<p>The remark did not go well with the BJP party, which immediately distanced itself from the remark.&nbsp;</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too took to her Twitter handle to condemn the remark.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable,&quot; she tweeted.</p>

<p>The BJP, on Monday, fielded 11 candidates for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in UP to make a contest of it.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Agarwal was once a close aide to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

Former Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday in Delhi with a controversial remark that forced his new party to issue a disclaimer. Once a close aide to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Agarwal lost out in the race for re-nomination to the upper house to actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan. Angry over the loss, Agarwal, without taking Jaya's name, said he was compared with those who dance and work in films. "I have been compared with those who dance and work in films," Agrawal said, leaving the BJP leaders on the dais squirming. The remark did not go well with the BJP party, which immediately distanced itself from the remark. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too took to her Twitter handle to condemn the remark. "Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable," she tweeted. The BJP, on Monday, fielded 11 candidates for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in UP to make a contest of it.

'Improper and unacceptable': Sushma Swaraj on Naresh Agrawal's remark on Jaya Bachchan

<p>As India and China vigorously jostle for influence in the tiny Himalayan nation, Nepal&rsquo;s new Prime Minister KP Oli has a hard task at hand to do a balancing act. But his early days as prime minister indicate a tectonic shift towards China. Even during elections, he maintained an aggressive pro-China line so as to reduce dependence on India. He used nationalism as a major election plank, which many believe went down well with the masses who voted the left alliance to a comfortable majority, causing discomfiture in the Indian establishment. This was wary of the return of the communist regime. In fact, there are reports that China played a crucial role in ensuring the victory of the left alliance in the elections.</p>

<p>In keeping with his words during electioneering, Oli has dropped enough hints of his government&rsquo;s pro-China tilt. In an interview to Hong Kong&#39;s South China Morning Post, he was more forthcoming when he said that he wanted to &ldquo;deepen&rdquo; ties with China and get more leverage in his dealings with India &ldquo;in keeping with the times&rdquo;. &nbsp;The statement will certainly not please the Indian establishment which had sent its foreign minister Sushma Swaraj immediately after the election results to mend ways with the new government.</p>

<p>The crafty Oli seems to have made a well-thought-out statement to drive a hard bargain with India. The election manifesto of the left alliance speaks volumes about the intent of the new government. It says that the India-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 will be scrapped and a new treaty will be negotiated. &nbsp;The two countries are deadlocked over the issue for several years whether to amend the treaty or replace it completely.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ties between India and Nepal deteriorated during Oli&rsquo;s first stint as prime minister when he blamed India for the unofficial economic blockade which stopped essential goods from entering Nepal from India, a charge New Delhi denied. &nbsp;An angry Oli then signed a trade and transit agreement with China with an aim to end India&rsquo;s monopoly over Nepal&rsquo;s supply of daily essentials which further created bitterness between the two countries. Oli was also miffed with India&rsquo;s diplomatic intervention in the country&rsquo;s constitutional process in 2015 when New Delhi sought to accommodate demands of the Madhesis who launched a violent struggle to have greater say in the federal system. He often blamed New Delhi for the circumstances which led to his resignation following the political crisis over the Madhesi issue.</p>

<p>Therefore, there is no element of surprise as Oli plays the China card shrewdly. &nbsp;&quot;We have great connectivity with India and an open border. All that&#39;s fine and we&#39;ll increase connectivity even further, but we can&rsquo;t forget that we have two neighbours. We don&#39;t want to depend on one country or have one option,&quot; he said in the same interview. It should be recalled that Oli in his previous avatar as prime minister had inked a deal with China to extend Tibet rail network to Kathmandu and created special economic zones for Chinese firms, infuriating India.</p>

<p>Oli should realize that he can&rsquo;t afford to keep all his eggs in one basket. He will need to be pragmatic to balance both India and China. &nbsp;India is still Nepal&rsquo;s biggest trade partner. In fact, the two-thirds of Nepal&rsquo;s trade remains with India and the Himalayan nation is heavily dependent on the latter for its everyday needs. Therefore when asked how he wanted to work out relations with India, Oli said: &nbsp;&quot;We&#39;ve always had excellent relations with India. There were some elements in the Indian establishment that caused some misunderstanding, but Indian leaders have assured us that there will be no interference in the future and we will respect each other&#39;s sovereign rights&rdquo;. &nbsp;There is no doubt that he is still smarting from his unceremonious ouster and yet to reconcile.</p>

<p>Oli is aware that both India and China want to expand their influence in the region and he would like to use this to his country&rsquo;s advantage. The only difference is while India has always considered Nepal as a natural ally based on the close historical ties, China is ensnaring the region by dolling out lollipops to the world&rsquo;s one of the most impoverished countries by building roads, and trade and transit corridors. But Oli would do well to be careful and understand China&rsquo;s designs. In the past, several countries like the Maldives and Sri Lanka cosied up to China eyeing massive investments but ended up into a debt-trap.</p>

<p>Both India and Nepal need to reconcile and a make a fresh rapprochement to iron out their differences and bring the ailing relations back on track. Given the historic and cultural ties, the two countries can&rsquo;t afford to be like oil and water.</p>

<p>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</p>


Given the historic and cultural ties, Nepal will need to be pragmatic to balance both India and China.

As India and China vigorously jostle for influence in the tiny Himalayan nation, Nepal’s new Prime Minister KP Oli has a hard task at hand to do a balancing act. But his early days as prime minister indicate a tectonic shift towards China. Even during elections, he maintained an aggressive pro-China line so as to reduce dependence on India. He used nationalism as a major election plank, which many believe went down well with the masses who voted the left alliance to a comfortable majority, causing discomfiture in the Indian establishment. This was wary of the return of the communist regime. In fact, there are reports that China played a crucial role in ensuring the victory of the left alliance in the elections. In keeping with his words during electioneering, Oli has dropped enough hints of his government’s pro-China tilt. In an interview to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, he was more forthcoming when he said that he wanted to “deepen” ties with China and get more leverage in his dealings with India “in keeping with the times”. The statement will certainly not please the Indian establishment which had sent its foreign minister Sushma Swaraj immediately after the election results to mend ways with the new government. The crafty Oli seems to have made a well-thought-out statement to drive a hard bargain with India. The election manifesto of the left alliance speaks volumes about the intent of the new government. It says that the India-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 will be scrapped and a new treaty will be negotiated. The two countries are deadlocked over the issue for several years whether to amend the treaty or replace it completely. The ties between India and Nepal deteriorated during Oli’s first stint as prime minister when he blamed India for the unofficial economic blockade which stopped essential goods from entering Nepal from India, a charge New Delhi denied. An angry Oli then signed a trade and transit agreement with China with an aim to end India’s monopoly over Nepal’s supply of daily essentials which further created bitterness between the two countries. Oli was also miffed with India’s diplomatic intervention in the country’s constitutional process in 2015 when New Delhi sought to accommodate demands of the Madhesis who launched a violent struggle to have greater say in the federal system. He often blamed New Delhi for the circumstances which led to his resignation following the political crisis over the Madhesi issue. Therefore, there is no element of surprise as Oli plays the China card shrewdly. "We have great connectivity with India and an open border. All that's fine and we'll increase connectivity even further, but we can’t forget that we have two neighbours. We don't want to depend on one country or have one option," he said in the same interview. It should be recalled that Oli in his previous avatar as prime minister had inked a deal with China to extend Tibet rail network to Kathmandu and created special economic zones for Chinese firms, infuriating India. Oli should realize that he can’t afford to keep all his eggs in one basket. He will need to be pragmatic to balance both India and China. India is still Nepal’s biggest trade partner. In fact, the two-thirds of Nepal’s trade remains with India and the Himalayan nation is heavily dependent on the latter for its everyday needs. Therefore when asked how he wanted to work out relations with India, Oli said: "We've always had excellent relations with India. There were some elements in the Indian establishment that caused some misunderstanding, but Indian leaders have assured us that there will be no interference in the future and we will respect each other's sovereign rights”. There is no doubt that he is still smarting from his unceremonious ouster and yet to reconcile. Oli is aware that both India and China want to expand their influence in the region and he would like to use this to his country’s advantage. The only difference is while India has always considered Nepal as a natural ally based on the close historical ties, China is ensnaring the region by dolling out lollipops to the world’s one of the most impoverished countries by building roads, and trade and transit corridors. But Oli would do well to be careful and understand China’s designs. In the past, several countries like the Maldives and Sri Lanka cosied up to China eyeing massive investments but ended up into a debt-trap. Both India and Nepal need to reconcile and a make a fresh rapprochement to iron out their differences and bring the ailing relations back on track. Given the historic and cultural ties, the two countries can’t afford to be like oil and water. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Will KP Oli be able to humour both India and China?

<p>Two Hyderabad women, who were stuck in Saudi Arabia in search of a job, have now safely returned to India.</p>

<p>Rehana and Noor had gone to Saudi Arabia with a promise of employment but were forced to work as domestic help.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their sister Farzana had written to the Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stating that her sisters were being tortured and must return to India.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telangana: Hyderabad woman who had gone to Saudi Arabia for a job &amp; thrashed &amp; sexually assaulted there, returned to India on 25th January. Her daughter says, I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma&#39;am, Indian Embassy and Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother&#39;. <a href="https://t.co/2NMLwn7r6c">pic.twitter.com/2NMLwn7r6c</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957254653648842753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The two women safely returned to India on January 25, shortly after Farzana&#39;s&nbsp;appeal for their safe return.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;women, who went to Saudi Arabia in February 2017, claim that they were thrashed and sexually assaulted during their employment&nbsp;period.</p>

<p>&quot;I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide,&quot; noted one of the sisters.</p>

<p>The daughter of one of the victims&nbsp;thanked Sushma Swaraj saying that &quot;I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma&#39;am, the Indian Embassy and the Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was thrashed and sexually assaulted. I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide. My children told me they are trying to bring me back and asked me not to lose hope. I then received a call from Indian Embassy &amp; today I am here: Woman <a href="https://t.co/2LuLHcNi4R">pic.twitter.com/2LuLHcNi4R</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957254656626900993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier in January,&nbsp;Farzana had claimed that her&nbsp;sisters were being held in Saudi Arabia on a pretext of employment.</p>

<p>She asked the External Affairs Minister to initiate the process of safe return of her sisters.</p>

<p>&quot;They were taken to Saudi through an agent on the promise of a beautician job, but are now forced to work as domestic help,&quot; Farzana noted previously.</p>

<p>According to media reports, the women were promised a salary&nbsp;of 1200 Saudi Riyal but received only one Saudi Riyal during the course of their employment.</p>


The women claim to have been thrashed and sexually assaulted in Saudi Arabia

Two Hyderabad women, who were stuck in Saudi Arabia in search of a job, have now safely returned to India. Rehana and Noor had gone to Saudi Arabia with a promise of employment but were forced to work as domestic help. Their sister Farzana had written to the Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stating that her sisters were being tortured and must return to India. Telangana: Hyderabad woman who had gone to Saudi Arabia for a job & thrashed & sexually assaulted there, returned to India on 25th January. Her daughter says, I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma'am, Indian Embassy and Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother'. pic.twitter.com/2NMLwn7r6c — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 × The two women safely returned to India on January 25, shortly after Farzana's appeal for their safe return. The women, who went to Saudi Arabia in February 2017, claim that they were thrashed and sexually assaulted during their employment period. "I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide," noted one of the sisters. The daughter of one of the victims thanked Sushma Swaraj saying that "I thank Sushma Swaraj Ma'am, the Indian Embassy and the Hyderabad police for bringing back my mother". I was thrashed and sexually assaulted. I was not given food to eat. I even tried committing suicide. My children told me they are trying to bring me back and asked me not to lose hope. I then received a call from Indian Embassy & today I am here: Woman pic.twitter.com/2LuLHcNi4R — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2018 × Earlier in January, Farzana had claimed that her sisters were being held in Saudi Arabia on a pretext of employment. She asked the External Affairs Minister to initiate the process of safe return of her sisters. "They were taken to Saudi through an agent on the promise of a beautician job, but are now forced to work as domestic help," Farzana noted previously. According to media reports, the women were promised a salary of 1200 Saudi Riyal but received only one Saudi Riyal during the course of their employment.

Hyderabad sisters stuck in Saudi Arabia return, daughter thanks Sushma Swaraj

<p>Amid all the tension between India and Pakistan, Union Minister Sushma Swaraj yet again came to the rescue to help get Lucknow boy married to a Pakistan girl.</p>

<p>Naqi Ali Khan, 27, who hails from Lucknow is an engineer from Agha Mir Deodhi area near City Station. The bride, Sabahat Fatima, 24, is from Karachi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their marriage was fixed two years ago but cross-border tension caused visa hassles for the bride.</p>

<p>Fatima, after many efforts, finally took to social media last year to seek Swaraj&#39;s help. The minister then helped the bride in granting her a visa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two got solemnised by senior Shia cleric and vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq.</p>

<p>They got married on Friday and had their reception on Saturday, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Media reports quoted the couple saying that they were grateful for Swaraj&#39;s help and hoped that the government will soon grant Sabahat Indian nationality too.&nbsp;</p>


Their marriage was fixed two years ago but cross-border tension caused visa hassles for the bride

Amid all the tension between India and Pakistan, Union Minister Sushma Swaraj yet again came to the rescue to help get Lucknow boy married to a Pakistan girl. Naqi Ali Khan, 27, who hails from Lucknow is an engineer from Agha Mir Deodhi area near City Station. The bride, Sabahat Fatima, 24, is from Karachi. Their marriage was fixed two years ago but cross-border tension caused visa hassles for the bride. Fatima, after many efforts, finally took to social media last year to seek Swaraj's help. The minister then helped the bride in granting her a visa. The two got solemnised by senior Shia cleric and vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq. They got married on Friday and had their reception on Saturday, reports said. Media reports quoted the couple saying that they were grateful for Swaraj's help and hoped that the government will soon grant Sabahat Indian nationality too.

Sushma Swaraj helps Lucknow boy and Pakistan girl get married

<p>Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party&#39;s election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday.</p>

<p>Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won&nbsp;in 1999 Assembly polls&nbsp;defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi&#39;s 1999 campaign&nbsp;noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president.</p>

<p>Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will&nbsp;be visiting Koppal&#39;s Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening.</p>

<p>The four-day campaign will&nbsp;involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers.</p>

<p>Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a &quot;very key&quot; campaigner for the Congress in the state.</p>

<p>Countering criticism of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-continue-temple-run-in-karnataka-30075">Gandhi visiting temple</a> during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi&#39;s visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing &#39;&#39;soft&nbsp;Hindutva&#39;&#39; card.</p>


The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers

Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party's election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday. Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won in 1999 Assembly polls defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi's 1999 campaign noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president. Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Koppal's Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening. The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers. Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a "very key" campaigner for the Congress in the state. Countering criticism of Gandhi visiting temple during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi's visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank. Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing ''soft Hindutva'' card.

Rahul Gandhi to kickstart election campaign in Karnataka from today

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabia</a> <a href="https://t.co/KE2G1uQEXC">pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960850489276583936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.</p>

<p>She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival &#39;Janadriyah&#39;, at which India is the guest of honour country.</p>

<p>The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia&#39;s rich tapestry of culture and heritage.</p>

<p>&quot;Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s valued strategic partner,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</p>

<p>Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow.</p>

<p>Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.</p>

<p>&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.</p>

<p>The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.&nbsp;</p>


During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday on her maiden visit to Saudi Arabia during which she will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival of the Gulf Kingdom, which is home to over three million Indians. EAM Sushma Swaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival in Riyadh for Janadriyah festival. #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/KE2G1uQEXC — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2018 × During the three-day visit, Swaraj will meet with the Saudi leadership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival 'Janadriyah', at which India is the guest of honour country. The festival, organised by the National Guard, exhibits Saudi Arabia's rich tapestry of culture and heritage. "Warm welcome reflecting our relationship! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received by Saudi officials and Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed on her arrival at Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is India's valued strategic partner," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival tomorrow. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had earlier said that India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years especially after the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Gulf Kingdom in April 2016. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one- fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at $ 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the $ 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Swaraj in Saudi Arabia on three-day visit

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today.</p>

<p>Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.</p>

<p>Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India&#39;s participation in the festival will be multi-faceted.</p>

<p>&quot;We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>India has been invited to the festival as a guest country.</p>

<p>&quot;We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India&#39;s participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights,&quot; Mr Singh said.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia is India&#39;s fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE.</p>

<p>The country is a major source of India&#39;s energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India&#39;s crude oil requirement.</p>

<p><br />
The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.</p>


Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Saudi Arabia from February 6-8 during which she will inaugurate a prestigious festival of the Gulf nation, the external affairs ministry said today. Ms Swaraj will inaugurate the Janadriyah festival on February 7, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Addressing a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India's participation in the festival will be multi-faceted. "We will have an Indian pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The pavilion will comprise glimpses of traditional and modern India," he said. India has been invited to the festival as a guest country. "We greatly value our close and deep-rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...I have no doubt that India's participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights," Mr Singh said. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3 million Indian people and ties between the two countries are on an upswing in the last few years. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trade partner after China, the US and the UAE. The country is a major source of India's energy requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth of India's crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade during 2016-17 was recorded at USD 25.079 billion, a slight decrease from the USD 26.71 billion in 2015-16.

Sushma Swaraj's three-day visit to Saudi Arabia begins from Tuesday

<p>External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj met former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal here on Friday.</p>

<p>The minister, who reached Kathmandu on Thursday, met <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-oli-most-likely-next-pm-wins-parliament-seat-26385" target="_blank">Chairman of CPN-UML K.P Sharma Oli</a> in her first engagement and congratulated him on his party`s victory in the recent elections. &quot;The two held wide ranging discussions on ways to take the special relationship between India and Nepal forward,&quot; EAM spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had tweeted.</p>

<p>Swaraj is on a two-day official visit to Nepal in an effort to reach out to the country`s political leadership ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance.</p>

<p>This is Swaraj`s seventh visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014. However this is her first visit to Nepal after the three-tier elections ended here in December.</p>

<p>The timing of the visit comes at a time when India wants to improve its relations with Oli and his party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML).</p>

<p>Relations between the two sides are often described as &quot;patchy&quot;, where Oli criticised India`s constant hindrance over Nepal`s new constitution in 2015, which did not recognise the rights of the Madhesis.</p>

<p>On January 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Oli and congratulated him in advance on his win in the just-concluded Nepal elections and invited each other to visit their respective countries.&nbsp;</p>


India's External Affairs Minister is on a two-day visit to the country

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj met former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal here on Friday. The minister, who reached Kathmandu on Thursday, met Chairman of CPN-UML K.P Sharma Oli in her first engagement and congratulated him on his party`s victory in the recent elections. "The two held wide ranging discussions on ways to take the special relationship between India and Nepal forward," EAM spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had tweeted. Swaraj is on a two-day official visit to Nepal in an effort to reach out to the country`s political leadership ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance. This is Swaraj`s seventh visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014. However this is her first visit to Nepal after the three-tier elections ended here in December. The timing of the visit comes at a time when India wants to improve its relations with Oli and his party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML). Relations between the two sides are often described as "patchy", where Oli criticised India`s constant hindrance over Nepal`s new constitution in 2015, which did not recognise the rights of the Madhesis. On January 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Oli and congratulated him in advance on his win in the just-concluded Nepal elections and invited each other to visit their respective countries.

Sushma Swaraj calls on Prachanda in Nepal

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Thursday and congratulated him on his party&#39;s victory in the recent elections in Kathmandu.</p>

<p>Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter to inform about the meeting.</p>

<p>&quot;In her first engagement, EAM @SushmaSwaraj met Mr K.P Sharma Oli, Chairman of CPN-UML and congratulated him on his Party&#39;s victory in the recent elections. The two held wide ranging discussions on ways to take the special relationship between India and Nepal forward&quot;, he tweeted.</p>

<p>Swaraj is on a two-day official visit to Nepal in an effort to reach out to the country&#39;s political leadership ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance.</p>

<p>Addressing the media at Tribhuvan International airport, Swaraj said that her visit will strengthen the India-Nepal friendship.</p>

<p>Raveesh tweeted, &quot;Delighted to visit Nepal - India&#39;s close friend. Our relationship is of such a nature that we don&#39;t need an excuse to visit each other. My visit to Nepal is to meet friends from all political parties and strengthen (India-Nepal) friendship&quot;.</p>

<p>Earlier today, Swaraj met Udaya Shumsher Rana, Minister of State (Finance) Nepal.</p>

<p>Swaraj will hold meetings with Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and outgoing Nepali prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.</p>

<p>She will also meet with Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Madhesi leaders.</p>

<p>This is Swaraj&#39;s seventh visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014.</p>


Addressing the media at Tribhuvan International airport, Swaraj said that her visit will strengthen the India-Nepal friendship

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Thursday and congratulated him on his party's victory in the recent elections in Kathmandu. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter to inform about the meeting. "In her first engagement, EAM @SushmaSwaraj met Mr K.P Sharma Oli, Chairman of CPN-UML and congratulated him on his Party's victory in the recent elections. The two held wide ranging discussions on ways to take the special relationship between India and Nepal forward", he tweeted. Swaraj is on a two-day official visit to Nepal in an effort to reach out to the country's political leadership ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance. Addressing the media at Tribhuvan International airport, Swaraj said that her visit will strengthen the India-Nepal friendship. Raveesh tweeted, "Delighted to visit Nepal - India's close friend. Our relationship is of such a nature that we don't need an excuse to visit each other. My visit to Nepal is to meet friends from all political parties and strengthen (India-Nepal) friendship". Earlier today, Swaraj met Udaya Shumsher Rana, Minister of State (Finance) Nepal. Swaraj will hold meetings with Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and outgoing Nepali prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. She will also meet with Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Madhesi leaders. This is Swaraj's seventh visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014.

Nepal: Sushma Swaraj meets CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, congratulates for elevation win

<p>Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj will be on a two-day visit to Nepal starting Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj&#39;s visit comes ahead of the formation of a new Nepalese government by a Communist alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She will be accompanied by the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale and Sudhakar Dalela, Joint Secretary (North) of the EAM.</p>

<p>In her first trip post the three-tier elections in December, the external affairs minister will meet Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Nepal&#39;s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.</p>

<p>She is also expected to meet with CPL-UML chief Oli, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Madhesi leaders.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


Swaraj's visit comes ahead of formation of new Nepalese government by a Communist alliance

Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj will be on a two-day visit to Nepal starting Thursday. Swaraj's visit comes ahead of the formation of a new Nepalese government by a Communist alliance. She will be accompanied by the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale and Sudhakar Dalela, Joint Secretary (North) of the EAM. In her first trip post the three-tier elections in December, the external affairs minister will meet Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. She is also expected to meet with CPL-UML chief Oli, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Madhesi leaders. (With inputs from ANI)

Sushma Swaraj's two-day trip to Nepal begins this Thursday

<p>Calling terrorism the &quot;mother of all disruptions&quot;, India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj&nbsp;said that the challenge of terrorism was even more serious in the digital age when there was a greater propensity for radicalisation.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister was speaking at the General Rawat was speaking at India&#39;s flagship geo-political conference, Raisina Dialogue, in New Delhi.</p>

<p>&quot;Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. Our attitude towards terrorism has evolved in the last few decades. The challenge of terrorism is even more serious in the digital age with greater propensity to radicalisation,&quot; the external affairs minister said.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj also said that terrorism was no longer viewed as &quot;other&#39;s problem&quot; or a &quot;law and order situation&quot; and was also used as an instrument of statecraft, stating &quot;that time has gone long by&quot;.<br />
<br />
Also Read -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/need-to-identify-nations-who-are-sponsors-of-terrorists-army-chief-at-raisina-dialogue-29797">Need to identify nations who are sponsors of terrorists: Army chief at Raisina Dialogue</a><br />
<br />
She also said that after the 9/11 attack, &quot;we associate terrorism with ungoverned spaces.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We are all now clear that terrorism anywhere can threaten societies anywhere,&quot; she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The external affairs minister said that terrorism from governed spaces is much more dangerous and said that the problem will not spare its originators and practitioners.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj concluded by saying that the message was particularly relevant for those who feel that terrorism can be an instrument of convenience.</p>


Calling terrorism the 'mother of all disruptions', India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, said that the challenge of terrorism was even more serious in the digital age when there was a greater propensity for radicalisation

Calling terrorism the "mother of all disruptions", India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that the challenge of terrorism was even more serious in the digital age when there was a greater propensity for radicalisation. The external affairs minister was speaking at the General Rawat was speaking at India's flagship geo-political conference, Raisina Dialogue, in New Delhi. "Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. Our attitude towards terrorism has evolved in the last few decades. The challenge of terrorism is even more serious in the digital age with greater propensity to radicalisation," the external affairs minister said. Sushma Swaraj also said that terrorism was no longer viewed as "other's problem" or a "law and order situation" and was also used as an instrument of statecraft, stating "that time has gone long by". Also Read - Need to identify nations who are sponsors of terrorists: Army chief at Raisina Dialogue She also said that after the 9/11 attack, "we associate terrorism with ungoverned spaces." "We are all now clear that terrorism anywhere can threaten societies anywhere," she said. The external affairs minister said that terrorism from governed spaces is much more dangerous and said that the problem will not spare its originators and practitioners. Sushma Swaraj concluded by saying that the message was particularly relevant for those who feel that terrorism can be an instrument of convenience.

Terrorism anywhere can threaten societies anywhere: Sushma Swaraj at Raisina Dialogue

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held &quot;productive&quot; talks with her Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Asim amidst a strain in bilateral ties over a number of issues, including the signing of an FTA between Maldives and China.</p>

<p>&quot;Swaraj met Mohamed Asim, Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of the President of Maldives. Both had productive discussions to strengthen bilateral relationship keeping in mind &#39;India first&#39; policy of Maldives and our policy of &#39;Neighbourhood first&#39;,&quot; the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</p>

<p>It is understood that the Maldivian leader reiterated that the Maldives would not undertake any activity which would harm Indian interests and it would also be conveyed that the country was &quot;sensitive&quot; to India&#39;s concerns over peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.</p>

<p>India had already made it clear that it expected that as a close and friendly neighbour, the island nation would be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its &#39;India First&#39; policy. The Indian statement had come in response to a query on Maldives-China free trade agreement (FTA).</p>


External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held 'productive' talks with her Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Asim amidst a strain in bilateral ties over a number of issues, including the signing of an FTA between Maldives and China

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held "productive" talks with her Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Asim amidst a strain in bilateral ties over a number of issues, including the signing of an FTA between Maldives and China. "Swaraj met Mohamed Asim, Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of the President of Maldives. Both had productive discussions to strengthen bilateral relationship keeping in mind 'India first' policy of Maldives and our policy of 'Neighbourhood first'," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. It is understood that the Maldivian leader reiterated that the Maldives would not undertake any activity which would harm Indian interests and it would also be conveyed that the country was "sensitive" to India's concerns over peace and security in the Indian Ocean region. India had already made it clear that it expected that as a close and friendly neighbour, the island nation would be sensitive to its concerns in keeping with its 'India First' policy. The Indian statement had come in response to a query on Maldives-China free trade agreement (FTA).

Sushma Swaraj holds 'productive' talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister: MEA

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India was not eyeing on anyone`s territory as the country`s focus has always been on capacity building and resource development.&quot;We do not intend to exploit anyone`s resources, nor we are eyeing anyone`s territory.</p>

<p>Our focus has always been on capacity building and resource development.</p>

<p>Thousands of Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the two World Wars, and never did India eye an inch of foreign territory,&quot; Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference in Delhi.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister lauded Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for taking care of not only Indian citizens but also the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).&quot;Sushma Swaraj not only takes care of Indian citizens but also the NRIs.</p>

<p>Under her, our ministry of external affairs keeps an eye on problems of NRIs 24 by 7 with a real-time monitoring system,&quot; he said.He also stated that country`s ethos even in grave situations have always been a part of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (whole world is a family).&quot;During the earthquake in Nepal, flood in Sri Lanka, water problems in the Maldives; India was the first to respond.</p>

<p>When crisis struck Yemen, we saved our 4,500 people as well as 2000 others. India`s humanity even in grave situations like these is a part of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,&quot; he added.Prime Minister Modi said, &quot;We have strengthened our relationship with ASEAN countries. India is the top contributor to UN peacekeeping corps.</p>

<p>The 21st century is being considered the Asian century and India will be a major player in this with the growing stature of our country and you shall feel proud about our growth.&quot;External Affairs Minister Swaraj delivered the opening remarks at the conference by saying India has become a country which decides global policy.&quot;If India is dominating the world today, credit goes to Prime Minister Modi.</p>

<p>India has become a country which decides global policy. When Prime Minister goes to G-20, he brings black money to centre stage and takes brave decisions like demonetisation and the GST back home,&quot; she said.As many as 124 Members of Parliament and 17 mayors from 23 countries participated in this conference.</p>

<p>Rajya Sabha deputy chairman PJ Kurien, Lok Sabha deputy chairman Thambidurai, Union Ministers VK Singh and MJ Akbar, and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar were also present at the event.</p>

<p>Every year, January 9 is celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), an annual celebratory day that marks the contribution of overseas persons of Indian origin (PIO) towards their homeland.This is the first PIO-Parliamentary Conference and is a way of reaching out to the Indian community overseas by the government.</p>


Our focus has always been on capacity building and resource development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India was not eyeing on anyone`s territory as the country`s focus has always been on capacity building and resource development."We do not intend to exploit anyone`s resources, nor we are eyeing anyone`s territory. Our focus has always been on capacity building and resource development. Thousands of Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the two World Wars, and never did India eye an inch of foreign territory," Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentary Conference in Delhi. The Prime Minister lauded Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for taking care of not only Indian citizens but also the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)."Sushma Swaraj not only takes care of Indian citizens but also the NRIs. Under her, our ministry of external affairs keeps an eye on problems of NRIs 24 by 7 with a real-time monitoring system," he said.He also stated that country`s ethos even in grave situations have always been a part of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (whole world is a family)."During the earthquake in Nepal, flood in Sri Lanka, water problems in the Maldives; India was the first to respond. When crisis struck Yemen, we saved our 4,500 people as well as 2000 others. India`s humanity even in grave situations like these is a part of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he added.Prime Minister Modi said, "We have strengthened our relationship with ASEAN countries. India is the top contributor to UN peacekeeping corps. The 21st century is being considered the Asian century and India will be a major player in this with the growing stature of our country and you shall feel proud about our growth."External Affairs Minister Swaraj delivered the opening remarks at the conference by saying India has become a country which decides global policy."If India is dominating the world today, credit goes to Prime Minister Modi. India has become a country which decides global policy. When Prime Minister goes to G-20, he brings black money to centre stage and takes brave decisions like demonetisation and the GST back home," she said.As many as 124 Members of Parliament and 17 mayors from 23 countries participated in this conference. Rajya Sabha deputy chairman PJ Kurien, Lok Sabha deputy chairman Thambidurai, Union Ministers VK Singh and MJ Akbar, and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar were also present at the event. Every year, January 9 is celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), an annual celebratory day that marks the contribution of overseas persons of Indian origin (PIO) towards their homeland.This is the first PIO-Parliamentary Conference and is a way of reaching out to the Indian community overseas by the government.

India not eying anyone's territory, says PM Modi

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday inaugurated the 5th Round Table of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) India Network of Think Tanks in Indonesia.</p>

<p>Speaking at the inauguration Swaraj said, &quot;The 5th Round Table meeting taking place at a very important juncture as in less than three weeks from now, India will host the ASEAN-India commemorative summit to mark the 25 years of India-ASEAN relations.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Taking ASEAN-India relationship in the commemorative year! EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> met with Mr. Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General, ASEAN and Ms. Retno Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActEastPolicy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ActEastPolicy</a>. <a href="https://t.co/CRDqfe3zcF">pic.twitter.com/CRDqfe3zcF</a></p>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/949462475870691328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Therefore, the discussions are timely and opportunely. It will provide useful inputs to our leaders, when they will meet on 25th January in New Delhi for the summit,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Swaraj urged the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation and suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational and cultural co-operation.</p>

<p>&quot;I look forward to new India where both India and ASEAN can work together to bring development and prosperity to the region,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>The External Affairs Minister said it will be an honour and prestige for India to host all 10 ASEAN leaders as the guest of honours for the Republic Day.</p>

<p>&quot;Their presence in New Delhi on this day will place India-ASEAN relations at centre stage,&quot; she said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I urge the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation &amp; suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational &amp; cultural co-operation. I look forward to new India where both India &amp; ASEAN can work together to bring development &amp; prosperity to the region: Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://t.co/EXAuEitJL7">pic.twitter.com/EXAuEitJL7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949492307828486144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier today, Swaraj, who is on a two-day visit to Indonesia, met with the ASEAN Sectary General Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta.</p>

<p>Later in the day, she will address the Indian community in the capital city.</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, India and Indonesia condemned all forms of terrorism at the 5th Joint Commission meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries.</p>

<p>&quot;We unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms. We expressed our strong opposition to any selective approach to deal with this group of menace and called upon all the countries to stop providing state sponsorship to terrorism and prevent their territories to stop being used for establishing terrorist safe havens,&quot; Swaraj said.</p>

<p>The two leaders also reviewed trade, energy ties, defence cooperation and people to people links in the meeting.</p>


Swaraj urged the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation and suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational and cultural co-operation.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday inaugurated the 5th Round Table of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) India Network of Think Tanks in Indonesia. Speaking at the inauguration Swaraj said, "The 5th Round Table meeting taking place at a very important juncture as in less than three weeks from now, India will host the ASEAN-India commemorative summit to mark the 25 years of India-ASEAN relations." Taking ASEAN-India relationship in the commemorative year! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met with Mr. Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General, ASEAN and Ms. Retno Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia. #ActEastPolicy. pic.twitter.com/CRDqfe3zcF — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 6, 2018 × "Therefore, the discussions are timely and opportunely. It will provide useful inputs to our leaders, when they will meet on 25th January in New Delhi for the summit," she added. Swaraj urged the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation and suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational and cultural co-operation. "I look forward to new India where both India and ASEAN can work together to bring development and prosperity to the region," she said. The External Affairs Minister said it will be an honour and prestige for India to host all 10 ASEAN leaders as the guest of honours for the Republic Day. "Their presence in New Delhi on this day will place India-ASEAN relations at centre stage," she said. I urge the Think-Tanks to strengthen consultation & suggest ways to enhance maritime, commercial, educational & cultural co-operation. I look forward to new India where both India & ASEAN can work together to bring development & prosperity to the region: Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta pic.twitter.com/EXAuEitJL7 — ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2018 × Earlier today, Swaraj, who is on a two-day visit to Indonesia, met with the ASEAN Sectary General Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi in Jakarta. Later in the day, she will address the Indian community in the capital city. Earlier on Friday, India and Indonesia condemned all forms of terrorism at the 5th Joint Commission meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries. "We unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms. We expressed our strong opposition to any selective approach to deal with this group of menace and called upon all the countries to stop providing state sponsorship to terrorism and prevent their territories to stop being used for establishing terrorist safe havens," Swaraj said. The two leaders also reviewed trade, energy ties, defence cooperation and people to people links in the meeting.

Sushma Swaraj urges ASEAN Think Tanks to enhance maritime cooperation

<p>A major hurdle in the dream of a 17-year-old girl to pursue her higher education in the USA was cleared after Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervened to facilitate in getting her visa confirmed from the US Embassy.</p>

<p>The visa was confirmed yesterday after the intervention of the union minister, a Rajasthan government release said today.</p>

<p>Bhanupriya Haritwal of Jalalpur village, who was one of the three girls given a Rs 1 crore scholarship by the Rajasthan government to study abroad for securing a rank in the Class 10 state board exams in 2015, will now pursue computer science from the California State University in the USA, it said.</p>

<p>She had secured the second rank in the examination following which she got the scholarship for the four-year course, the release said.</p>

<p>Haritwal, whose father Sohan Lal is a teacher at a private college in Sikar district, had applied for the visa, but the application was rejected twice by the embassy, it said.</p>

<p>&quot;The girl had cleared the internal test conducted by the California State University and then applied for the visa. But, it was rejected twice by the US Embassy.</p>

<p>&quot;The family had approached me, and I took up the case with the external affairs minister who helped her securing the visa yesterday,&quot; Sikar MP Swami Sumedhanand told PTI.</p>

<p>The girl is talented and will now pursue her higher education from the university, the MP said.</p>

<p>Haritwal after clearing her class 12 board exam had secured good scores in SAT and IELTS to secure admission at the California State University.</p>

<p>From a middle-class family, she completed school education in Hindi medium, the release said.</p>

<p>&quot;The girl had cleared the internal test conducted by the California State University and then applied for the visa. But, it was rejected twice by the US Embassy.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;The family had approached me, and I took up the case with the external affairs minister who helped her securing the visa yesterday,&quot; Sikar MP Swami Sumedhanand told news agency PTI.</p>

<p>The girl is talented and will now pursue her higher education from the university, the MP said.</p>

<p>Ms Haritwal, after clearing her class 12 board exam, had secured good scores in SAT and IELTS to secure admission at the California State University.</p>

<p>She is from a middle-class family and completed school education in Hindi medium, the release said.</p>


Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervened to facilitate in getting her visa confirmed from the US Embassy

A major hurdle in the dream of a 17-year-old girl to pursue her higher education in the USA was cleared after Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervened to facilitate in getting her visa confirmed from the US Embassy. The visa was confirmed yesterday after the intervention of the union minister, a Rajasthan government release said today. Bhanupriya Haritwal of Jalalpur village, who was one of the three girls given a Rs 1 crore scholarship by the Rajasthan government to study abroad for securing a rank in the Class 10 state board exams in 2015, will now pursue computer science from the California State University in the USA, it said. She had secured the second rank in the examination following which she got the scholarship for the four-year course, the release said. Haritwal, whose father Sohan Lal is a teacher at a private college in Sikar district, had applied for the visa, but the application was rejected twice by the embassy, it said. "The girl had cleared the internal test conducted by the California State University and then applied for the visa. But, it was rejected twice by the US Embassy. "The family had approached me, and I took up the case with the external affairs minister who helped her securing the visa yesterday," Sikar MP Swami Sumedhanand told PTI. The girl is talented and will now pursue her higher education from the university, the MP said. Haritwal after clearing her class 12 board exam had secured good scores in SAT and IELTS to secure admission at the California State University. From a middle-class family, she completed school education in Hindi medium, the release said. "The girl had cleared the internal test conducted by the California State University and then applied for the visa. But, it was rejected twice by the US Embassy." "The family had approached me, and I took up the case with the external affairs minister who helped her securing the visa yesterday," Sikar MP Swami Sumedhanand told news agency PTI. The girl is talented and will now pursue her higher education from the university, the MP said. Ms Haritwal, after clearing her class 12 board exam, had secured good scores in SAT and IELTS to secure admission at the California State University. She is from a middle-class family and completed school education in Hindi medium, the release said.

Swaraj intervenes, 17-yr-old girl's US dream to come true

<p>On the&nbsp;second day of her visit to South East Asia,&nbsp;External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia.</p>

<p>Swaraj here called on the country to play a crucial role in South East Asia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said &quot;Indonesia is one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy and the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to&nbsp;play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.&quot;</p>

<p>Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi&#39;s invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations.</p>

<p>Widodo will be accompanied by&nbsp;other ASEAN Heads of States and Heads of Governments in New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indonesia, as one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy &amp; the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indonesia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indonesia</a> <a href="https://t.co/vPz4yqnGNR">pic.twitter.com/vPz4yqnGNR</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949240515412676608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I express my appreciation that President Joko Widodo accepted PM Modi&#39;s invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of Honor at India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations along with other ASEAN Heads of States &amp; Heads of Govts in New Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ww6nhK6nlg">pic.twitter.com/Ww6nhK6nlg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949243003700355072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj also stressed on developing relations with ASEAN Region as crucial for the country&#39;s Act East Policy.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For India, relations with ASEAN Region is a key priority. It is at the core of our Act East Policy: EAM Sushma Swaraj in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jakarta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jakarta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indonesia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indonesia</a> <a href="https://t.co/qe4pW9Xqlp">pic.twitter.com/qe4pW9Xqlp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/949243006422368257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sushma Swaraj is on a four-day visit to South East Asia.</p>

<p>She arrived in Indonesia from Thailand on the second day of her three-nation tour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Union minister will visit Singapore next.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations

On the second day of her visit to South East Asia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Indonesia. Swaraj here called on the country to play a crucial role in South East Asia. She said "Indonesia is one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy and the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region." Swaraj also thanked Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, for accepting PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations. Widodo will be accompanied by other ASEAN Heads of States and Heads of Governments in New Delhi. Indonesia, as one of the largest country, the most diverse democracy & the biggest economy in ASEAN Region, has a critical role to play in evolution of the new security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta #Indonesia pic.twitter.com/vPz4yqnGNR — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × I express my appreciation that President Joko Widodo accepted PM Modi's invitation to join ASEAN special commemorative summit as Guest of Honor at India's Republic Day celebrations along with other ASEAN Heads of States & Heads of Govts in New Delhi: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta pic.twitter.com/Ww6nhK6nlg — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × Swaraj also stressed on developing relations with ASEAN Region as crucial for the country's Act East Policy. For India, relations with ASEAN Region is a key priority. It is at the core of our Act East Policy: EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Jakarta #Indonesia pic.twitter.com/qe4pW9Xqlp — ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2018 × Sushma Swaraj is on a four-day visit to South East Asia. She arrived in Indonesia from Thailand on the second day of her three-nation tour. The Union minister will visit Singapore next.

Indonesia to play critical role in Indo Pacific region: Sushma Swaraj

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