Tag: India

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrates Republic Day
27Jan By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrates Republic Day

On the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, hoisted the national flag at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.According to an official statement, the Ambassador felicitated Veer Nari, war widows, and next of kins of deceased soldiers by disbursing their dues worth Rs 3.68 crore and a blanket to each.The embassy also gifted books to 50 libraries and educational institutions spread across all the provinces of Nepal.Kwatra also hosted a reception at India House. Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, according to the statement.On this occasion, the former Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav launched India-Nepal Alumni Network ‘Sampark’ along with website www.samparkbharatnepal.com.The event was...
Read More
Russia removes travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam, Qatar
27Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Russia removes travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam, Qatar

The travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam and Qatar imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic have been removed by Russia.Confirming the news, the Russian Embassy tweeted: "For citizens of Finland, Vietnam, #India & Qatar the restrictions on entry to Russia, imposed due to spread of COVID19, are being lifted. The corresponding order was signed by Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin on January 25, 2021”.The Russian government's press statement specified that citizens of these states and those who have a residence permit will be allowed to enter Russia through air checkpoints. Russian citizens, in turn, can also fly to any of these countries.Russia had imposed travel restrictions on March 16, 2020, amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country. Russia has reg...
Read More
IMF projects 11.5% growth rate for India in 2021
27Jan By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China, Market

IMF projects 11.5% growth rate for India in 2021

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday projected a strong rebound in the Indian economy with an impressive 11.5 per cent growth rate in 2021.The IMF’s growth projections for India in its latest World Economic Outlook Update released on Tuesday makes India the only major economy of the world to register a double-digit growth this year amidst the coronavirus pandemic.“In its latest update, the IMF projected an 11.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2021. This makes India the only major economy of the world to register a double-digit growth in 2021,” it said. “China is next with 8.1 per cent growth in 2021 followed by Spain (5.9 per cent) and France (5.5 per cent).”The IMF said that in 2020, the Indian economy is estimated to have contracted by eight per cent. China is the only majo...
Read More
China’s dam-building over Brahmaputra risks water war with India
25Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China, World

China’s dam-building over Brahmaputra risks water war with India

In a move which could lead to conflicts between China and India, Beijing is planning to build a mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbao, the world's highest river, which flows through Tibet and eventually becomes the Brahmaputra when it enters India.   The Yarlung Zangbao Dam plan is moving ahead without China discussing or entering into water-sharing agreements with downstream India or Bangladesh. Bangladesh, which maintains cordial relations with China, too protested over the Yarlung Zangbao Dam.Bertil Linter, a Swedish journalist, in an opinion piece wrote that precise technical details regarding the mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River are lacking, but regional media reports indicate it will likely dwarf the massive Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River and generate three times as much electri...
Read More
Pakistan continues ignore terrorism organisations despite FATF’s February deadline
23Jan By TheGreenZoneNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan continues ignore terrorism organisations despite FATF’s February deadline

As Pakistan continues financing and supporting terrorist organisations, it appears that the country will be pushed into the black list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) during next month’s Plenary to assess the country’s progress in curbing the financing of terrorist organisations.During October’s review, FATF president Marcus Pleyer had said that there were “very serious deficiencies” in Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorist financing and gave the country until the February 19-21 Plenary to resolve these issues as they cannot wait “forever.”“As long as we see that the country is progressing with the action items, and we have seen progress with Pakistan, we give them a chance to repair the outstanding issues, but we don’t do this forever,” Pleyer had said.Although Pakistani decis...
Read More
India, Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation to help promote movement of skilled workers
19Jan By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India, Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation to help promote movement of skilled workers

With an aim to promote the movement of skilled workers from India to Japan, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on “Basic Framework for Partnership” was signed by New Delhi and Tokyo on Monday.The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the MoC covers 14 categories of specified skills under which skilled workers from India who meet the skills requirement and Japanese language tests would be eligible for employment in Japan on a contractual basis.“Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary and Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Government of India and Government of Japan on a Basic Framework for Partnership for Proper Operation of the System Pertaining to ‘Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)’ on 18 January 2021 in New Delhi...
Read More
India, US have common interest in promoting security in Indo-Pacific: MEA
15Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

India, US have common interest in promoting security in Indo-Pacific: MEA

Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India and US have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region and that the ability of two countries to work together has a positive impact in effectively addressing the regional and global challenges.“India and US share comprehensive global strategic partnership and given our substantial bilateral agenda, our growing engagement and convergence on strategic and security interest, both countries have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Our ability to work together has a positive impact in effectively addressing the regional and global challenges,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing.He was answering a query about t...
Read More
China’s PLA now has precision 3D maps of India border
14Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

China’s PLA now has precision 3D maps of India border

For the first time, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has completed 3D mapping of its western border including the disputed part with India to pin-point accuracy, according to state media reports.The PLA’s western theatre command (WAC) has begun to deploy the newly built precision “spatial datum” system covering China’s western borders, which will help in building both combat capability and infrastructure.“The PLA recently started deploying China’s first panoramic, high-precision spatial datum that covers the uncharted western border region of the country,” a state media report said.The completion of the two-year PLA project and the deployment comes amid the ongoing months-long Sino-India border friction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.It wasn’t immediately cl...
Read More
India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan
6Jan By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan

Setting an institutional mechanism for coordination between India and Japan, the Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan, on a basic framework for the partnership for proper operation of the system pertaining to “Specified Skilled Worker.”According to an official statement, the present Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) will set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan. These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” by Japan.“The MOC would enhance p...
Read More
US values India as multilateral partner: Pompeo
6Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

US values India as multilateral partner: Pompeo

Citing cooperation between the United States and India, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that Washington values India as a multilateral partner.“Pompeo said the US values India as a multilateral partner, whether it is through the Quad, through new cooperation on Mekong regional issues, making Afghan peace negotiations successful, or working together during India’s upcoming term on the United Nations Security Council,” the US Department of State said in a tweet.On Wednesday, Pompeo had praised External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar for his role in making US-India ties stronger.Earlier on Monday, India’s flag was installed at the UNSC stakeout as the country begins its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the powerful UN body for the 2021-22 period.
Read More