With Joe Biden at the US' helm, how is the transatlantic relationship expected to evolve with China emerging as a threat? Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European commissioner (migration and home affairs), speaks to WION on how the West can counter China.

WION Exclusive: China's aggressive policies needs to be countered says Former European Commissioner

WION speaks in this exclusive conversation with the Indian-origin chief operating officer of Japan's Nissan Motor. He talks about the new trends that could emerge in the automotive world post-COVID-19, battling global chip shortage, the importance of the market for the Japanese auto major, and the future of electric cars and hybrid cars.

WION Exclusive: Nissan's Global COO Ashwani Gupta on global automaker market

While speaking to WION, Mehul Choksi's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal said that he never leave Antigua voluntarily, he was picked up forcibly and taken in a vessel in Dominica. Fugitive Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 14000 crore PNB fraud case and had fled to the country in 2018, with India seeking to extradite him.

WION Exclusive | Vijay Aggarwal: Choksi never leave Antigua voluntarily, he was abducted

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne says that climate change is a problem for all humanity and it requires global cooperation and global solidarity.

Global solidarity and cooperation required in fighting climate change says Gaston Browne

Has coronavirus pandemic led to increase in child trafficking? How will COVID-19 third wave impact children? How to address mental health issues among kids? WION's Palki Sharma discusses with Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel laureate & child rights activist.

The Interview: Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel laureate & child rights activist, speaks to WION

International Vaccine Institute Director General Dr Jerome Kim talks to WION on WHO (World Health Organisation) ruling out Wuhan lab leak theory but remaining silent on the origin of the Coronavirus.

The  Interview: IVI Chief Dr Jerome Kim says WHO can't rule out Wuhan lab leak theory

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, High Commissioner Barry lauding India's vaccine production capacity and said, "there are many vaccine manufacturers around the world, only one country has the manufacturing capacity to supply the world that is India."

Exclusive: Australian envoy Barry O'Farrell speaks about assistance to India, Indo Pacific | WION

Calling India, EU Leadership summit of 8th May a "turning point" in ties, the European Union's envoy to India Ugo Astuto has said, "we want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda". This is the 2nd time this format of one world leader and all 27 EU member states meet happened, the first was with US President in March this year.

India, EU leadership summit 'turning point' in ties says EU envoy Ugo Astuto

Calling his country as "heart of the Indian ocean", Maldives Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has called for a "peaceful, prosperous and stable" which is an "essential factor" for the "prosperity of Maldives". Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal during his ongoing Delhi visit, FM Abdulla said, "we will work with all our neighbors in making sure" the region continues to be peaceful."

"Important to have peaceful Indian Ocean", says Maldives FM Abdulla Shah

Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, speaks to Susan M. Tehrani on Beijing's role in the military coup, prevailing anti-China sentiment in the country, and the road ahead.

WION Exclusive | The Interview: Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar's Ambassador to the UN

Slovenia's foreign minister Anže Logar has batted for strong ties with India while calling for European Union to increase engagement with countries in the Indo Pacific. Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibbal, Logar said, "India is a very interesting and very welcome partner for cooperation...see many common positions that we can take together".

Exclusive: Slovenia foreign minister bats for stronger ties with India

The Afghan envoy to India, Farid Mamundzay in his first-ever interview to any media has batted for India's inclusion in all Afghan related peace process--like the troika, UN-facilitated, or Turkey process, calling "Delhi an important capital". Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Mamundzay said, "we want India's involvement in almost every peace fora....We hope India would be given its rightful place in all those talks, in all those meetings".

Exclusive: New Afghan Envoy Farid Mamundzay speaks to WION

Speaking to WION Diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibbal, Ethiopian envoy Tizita Mulugeta to India said," Ethiopian side took an opportunity to explain to Indian side" regarding the existing political situation in the country especially the conflict in Tigray and humanitarian assistance being delivered to the Tigrayan people at this moment".

Exclusive:  Ethiopian envoy Tizita Mulugeta to India says, "humanitarian aid being delivered"

Lobsang Sangay, Tibet's Prime Minister in Exile, tells exclusively to WION, what role does Tibet want New Delhi to play in highlighting China's human rights abuses.

What should be India's approach to highlight China's human rights abuses? Lobsang Sangay tells

Watch in this video, Poland's envoy Adam Burakowski exclusively speaks to WION on diplomatic ties with India and China.

Exclusive: Poland's envoy Burakowski speaks to WION on diplomatic ties with India and China

WION brings you an exclusive interview with the authors of 'A New Idea Of India'. Harsh Madhusudan and Rajeev Mantri propose their idea of what India is and what India should aspire to be.

Conversation with the authors of 'A New Idea Of India'

Golfing. Fishing. Mountain biking. Join Wion's Johan Castell as he explores Pahalgam, an adventurer's paradise on #Kashmir Connect, a WION special series.

Kashmir Connect: Exploring Pahalgam

Myanmar's Ambassador to India Moe Kyaw Aung has said that his country won't allow any insurgents to use its territory against India. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Myanmar envoy Moe Kyaw Aung said, "Myanmar maintains good neighborliness and you know, we will never allow our territory to be used by insurgents against other neighbouring countries and we will never support them". He recalled how last year, Myanmar handed over 22 insurgents to India after a security operation.

Myanmar envoy to Delhi: Myanmar won't allow insurgents to use its territory against India

Myanmar's Ambassador to India Moe Kyaw Aung has said that his country won't allow any insurgents to use its territory against India. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Myanmar envoy Moe Kyaw Aung said, "Myanmar maintains good neighborliness and you know, we will never allow our territory to be used by insurgents against other neighbouring countries and we will never support them".

WION Dispatch: WION exclusive conversation with Myanmar Envoy to India

Atta Mohammad Noor, an influential Afghan politician, once a key leader of the Northern Alliance that fought against the Taliban in the 1990s has said India should engage with the Taliban. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Atta Noor said, "India has the right and engages the Taliban and in line with their national interests".

WION exclusive with Former Northern Alliance leader, Atta Noor

Speaking exclusively to WION, Former CIA Director Leon Panetta said that India was an ally in going after Osama Bin Laden. He also shared his views over the upcoming Presidential election in United States of America.

WION Exclusive: Former CIA Director Leon Panetta, the man who got Osama Bin Laden

Hamas and Israel reached a Qatari brokered deal on August 31. This came after tension grew in the Gaza strip with incendiary balloons lighting fires in Israel in an effort to force it to ease the siege in place on Gaza since 2006. Will the 14 year old siege end? What has been Gaza under siege? Watch WION Exclusive Ground Report from the Gaza Strip.

Wion Exclusive: How life changed since Israel blockaded the Gaza Strip?

Take a look at the 29 seconds of the shock for Beirut residents at a shopping complex. CCTV captures the raw moments just before and ahead of the explosion which hit Beirut at 6.09 PM local time.

WION Exclusive: Visuals capturing Beirut explosion wreaking havoc on shopping complex

This is what it looks like a week after the explosion that devasted Beirut as repair work underway at a shopping complex.

WION Exclusive: Repair work continues at Beirut explosion-hit shopping complex

Israeli warplanes hit several Hamas sites in central and southern Gaza Strip early Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Israel strikes Hamas sites after Gaza rocket intercepted

What is Pakistan planning on the first anniversary of India's Kashmir decision? WION has accessed exclusive details of Pakistan's information war campaign. On the 5th of August - the Imran Khan government is planning a series of events to protest India's Kashmir move.

Gravitas Exclusive: One year of India's Kashmir decision, Pakistan plans propaganda campaign

The Coronavirus Pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games by exactly a year and India's shooters bore the brunt of that move. The Indian shooting team famously drew a blank at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the National Rifle Association of India, NRAI, was pinning its hopes on redemption at Tokyo.

The Coronavirus Pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games by exactly a year and India's shooters bore the brunt of that move. The Indian shooting team famously drew a blank at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the National Rifle Association of India, NRAI, was pinning its hopes on redemption at Tokyo. India's shooters dominated the international shooting calendar in 2019 and the expectations were high from a youthful team. With the pandemic still raging in India, national camps are still not being held and international competitions have been written off. NRAI President Raninder Singh spoke to WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo on the way forward for his team and the rocky road to Tokyo 2021. Digvijay Singh Deo: Raninder thank you for joining us, you have been up in the mountains since march and while that is definitely a safe place a busy man like you must be finding it difficult to sit at one place. Raninder Singh: I have been keeping busy, we have been helping the Punjab government in the fight against the coronavirus. We have helped publish two research papers on how to counter the spread and hopefully, it will aid the Punjab government in controlling the disease. This period has been a great learning experience for me. DSD: I have been told that you are in touch with your coaches and players on a regular basis so straight up Raninder when can camps begin again? Raninder Singh: Given today's circumstances, I don't know when that will be possible. Anyone who says otherwise would be irresponsible in making such a statement. It is very unfortunate that the Olympics have been postponed because I believe that our shooters were prepared to surpass all expectations at the 2020 Tokyo games. Nonetheless, nothing is lost, a year's delay shouldn't make that much of a difference. The talent is still there and we must ensure that they remain fit. In terms of shooting this year in India, as things stand, it is very unlikely that domestic competitions will take place. The executive board of the NRAI will hold a meeting later this month and further discuss the possibility of holding national camps. Fortunately, we have plenty of time before the Olympics. Shooting is not a power sport where you need intense muscular training. Our shooters are very professional and they are working with their coaches and physios. Fortunately, most of our athletes have some shooting facility at home. We are looking to begin a camp for the Olympic squad and the plan should be finalised on July 15. The Olympic squad has been announced and we want to put them in the best position to excel at next year's games. I don't think we will see full-fledged international competitions this year because of various constraints that have been imposed by the IOC and governing bodies. However, the NRAI has proposed the holding of bilateral series to keep our shooters in touch with the sport in the lead up to the Olympics, this will depend on the rules that the government of India has in place. All federations and athletes will have to adapt to the new normal now, there is no other choice. I can assure you, if the Olympic games are held next year, our athletes will be in the best possible physical and mental shape to compete. DSD: You have made it clear that you do not want your shooters to train abroad but surely things change post this pandemic. If training is happening in Europe or Australia why not have a quarantine camp there to ensure your shooters are in the thick of it. There are costs obviously but considering no travel has happened this year isn't that something that can be looked at. Raninder Singh: It does make sense theoretically to send the shooters abroad, but it is not feasible. I cannot put the health of our shooters at risk while they are representing India. One cannot afford to take the coronavirus lightly. What the NRAI is trying to organise is a highly controlled and quarantined camp for the shooters. It is not practical to send our shooters abroad because there is no competition happening in other countries as well. We have to make the best of the situation and we will come up with something that involves domestic competition. Our Olympic athletes have plenty of time to prepare and they have enough talent and experience to overcome this period. But our younger generation could suffer because of the lack of action and it might hurt us a few years down the line. We have some of the best young shooting talents in the world here in India and their development might be hit, but we will try to make up for this period in the future. DSD: As president of the shooting federation you have a larger responsibility but is it time to take some tough calls and prioritise just the Olympic squad for the time being. That might mean that the younger shooters who are in the pipeline for the 2024 Olympics will have to suffer. Raninder Singh: I think by the time the next Olympic cycle begins for the 2024 games, we will be well on our way towards recovery. At the moment, there are at least 4,000 different clinical trials that are ongoing for a vaccine or a treatment for the coronavirus. I think we can safely say that even if a vaccine isn't developed, effective treatment to the coronavirus will be found in two years. There is a possibility that the spread of the virus will decrease substantially in the near future. I certainly believe that the world's scientific community will find a solution for the COVID-19 virus. However, all of us have to be on our toes because this virus has long-term effects on the body. DSD: Have you thought of maybe having three different venues for camps, rifle at one place, pistol at one place and shotgun at one place to minimise the risk when you begin the camps? Raninder Singh: At the moment, I don't think it will be possible to hold different camps for different disciplines because that will only increase the risk of transmission, given the current state of affairs. If the situation does improve and the curve flattens, then we can think of holding multiple national camps. Currently, the risk of holding multiple camps is too high and we as a governing body have a responsibility to protect our athletes. If and when a national camp takes place, I will personally be present at the location to oversee that all relevant health and safety protocols are followed. DSD: The fact remains you have an extremely young team. I have spoken to a few of them and they have been shooting at home. But you know there is no substitute for the competition so how do you keep them sharp. Raninder Singh: The only way we can ensure that there is high-level competition for our shooters is by holding bilateral international events. The pressure that one feels at a full-fledged competition cannot be replicated in a trial or in an online shootout. Hopefully, we will be able to invite a nation that is of a similar international standard to India and hold an event. Once the government of India gives the go-ahead, then we will further draw up the plans and start shortlisting the nations who can be invited. Unfortunately, there will no elaborate process for the selection of the Indian team for the bilateral event and we will have to stick with the team we have. I realise it is unfair on the other athletes but we do not have any other option. DSD: Abhinav Bindra and Manavjit Sandhu, two of your most decorated shooters told me that it is the wiser and more experienced shooters who will negotiate this stoppage better. A majority of your Olympic probables are between 16-24, so how do you keep them focussed? Raninder Singh: Abhinav Bindra and Manavjit Sandhu are two legends of Indian shooting and I have the utmost respect for them. However, I believe that youngsters are more adaptable than the old guard. The young ones have more hunger in them, therefore they are more willing to adapt. The more experienced shooters are there to guide their younger colleagues and hopefully, they will be able to overcome this period of strife together. The lack of competition will hurt the young shooters and that is why we are looking to organise bilateral events so that they can get back in the groove ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year. DSD: You also are a pretty senior member of the international body ISSF. What are the plans to resume sport internationally and can it only happen when every participating country is able to send shooters without any quarantine norms to follow? Raninder Singh: If an international event takes place, then athletes will have to follow the quarantine protocols that are present in the concerned nation to participate, there is no other option. I am not authorised to speak on behalf of the ISSF, but in my opinion, since the IOC has said that all nations must get an equal opportunity, it means that no events that are connected to Olympic qualification will be held. However, that doesn't mean that other international events cannot take place. So it just a case of getting all concerned parties on board and ensuring the health and safety of all involved. DSD: is this an opportunity for shooting to move away from established tradition. We are seeing how formula one has adapted with back to back races. Europe has overcome the worst of the pandemic and can host events. Why not design a calendar that follows a similar model of chartered flights, bio bubbles or is it not possible financially? Raninder Singh: any kind of modification that is made to the format or event, has to be sanctioned by the international federation first. I am not against any change in format that will make holding events easier during or after the coronavirus period, but these decisions cannot be taken unilaterally. ISSF is actually one of the most flexible and adaptive bodies in world sport. Having said that, athletes can't be sitting at home and this matter will be discussed within the ISSF in the near future. With regard to online competitions, I have no problem with it, but we cannot take a decision unilaterally. The NRAI must be authorised to do so by the ISSF. An Olympic event itself cannot be changed drastically and that will lead to problems. Otherwise, any decision that leads to the growth of the sport will be supported by us. DSD: How do you ensure that the young athletes are not mentally scarred by this shutdown? Raninder Singh: I come back again to the same point, that bilateral arrangements are the only way forward, not just for India but for every federation in the world. DSD: There is another factor that cannot be ignored. We still don’t know if the Olympics will happen. You were the first Indian administrator to call for the postponement of the Tokyo games and what do you think will be the factors that see the Olympics going ahead next year. Raninder Singh: There has to be a qualitative treatment available that essentially makes the coronavirus far less dangerous and contagious than it is right now. A treatment that allows doctors to treat a patient effectively in a short span of time, which also doesn't adversely affect the long term health of the individual. At the moment, we do not have such treatment available to us. DSD: Is this the biggest challenge for you as a sports administrator, to get the sport back on track amid the coronavirus pandemic and turn shooting into a television sport? Raninder Singh: I think this is the biggest opportunity we have because this situation has compelled everyone in the shooting fraternity to turn to the television, therefore we have an audience available to us. The international federation now has to guide us on how to take advantage of this situation.

WION Exclusive| Raninder Singh: Hosting bilateral events only option to keep Olympic team sharp

WION exclusively spoke with German envoy to India Walter Lindner and EU envoy to India Ugo Astuto. Both the envoys came together and spoke on Europe's world view for 2020, a year that saw the biggest crisis since world war 2, the COVID crisis, and call for more multilateralism and cooperation.

WION exclusive conversation with German, EU envoy to India

Bishnu Rijal, Deputy Chief of Department of Foreign Affairs, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) spoke to WION in an exclusive conversation. He addressed the current tensions prevailing among India and Nepal.

WION exclusive conversation with Nepal Communist Party's Bishnu Rijal

2-time Olympic Champion and President, World Athletics Lord Sebastian Coe believes sport has to return in any possible form after the pandemic which could mean newer formats and lesser races in athletics. Coe also admitted that the decision to resume competition will ultimately be one that sporting bodies have to take And it could be against the prevailing advice of health experts and governments.

Seb Coe: Olympic speculation not fair on athletes | WION Exclusive

It has been nearly two months since football leagues across Europe were indefinitely postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Slowly clubs are recalling players to resume training and the German Bundesliga could be the first major European league to kickoff again. Football coach and pundit Matt Holland believes that if the german attempt is successful then it could trigger off a domino effect.

WION Exclusive: Football coach Matt Holland on restarting football leagues

wion-exclusive

Wion Exclusive, News on Wion Exclusive, stories on Wion Exclusive, articles on Wion Exclusive, Wion Exclusive stories at Wion, Wion Exclusive news, Wion Exclusive latest news