The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the police clearance certificate (PCC) issued to Mehul Choksi -- wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank fraud and who has now taken citizenship in Antigua -- by the Regional Passport Office, Mumbai, "was as per extant instructions".


MEA clarifies on police clearance certificate issued to Choksi (Lead, Correcting intro)


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The Congress on Friday said that "complicity and connivance" of the government in the escape of jeweller Mehul Choksi, an accused in the PNB fraud, has been "exposed" after the Antigua government came clear on granting citizenship to Choksi.


Antigua agency's statement nails Modi government's lie: Congress


The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the police clearance certificate (PCC) issued to Mehul Choksi -- wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab and Sind Bank fraud and who has now taken citizenship in Antigua -- by the Regional Passport Office, Mumbai, "was as per extant instructions".


MEA clarifies on police clearance certificate to Choksi


Sao Paulo, Aug 3 (IANS/WAM) With the attendance of diplomatic and cultural figures, authors and publishers, the 25th Sao Paulo International Book Fair began its 10-day celebration of books and literature, with Sharjah taking the centre stage as its first-ever guest of honour, reflecting the growing cultural ties between the UAE and Brazil.


Sharjah promotes Emirati in Latin America


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday called North Korea's actions to continue building missiles inconsistent with its promise of dismantling its nuclear weapons.


Pyongyang's actions at odds with denuclearization: Pompeo


Signifying the growing strategic partnership between two leading armies of the world, Lt. Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, Deputy Commander, US-Indo Pacific Command, called on Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, at its headquarters in Fort William here on Friday, an official said.


US Army Lt. Gen. calls on Eastern Command GOC-in-C


Fugitive Indian jeweller Mehul Choksi, wanted in a Rs 13,500 crore bank fraud, was given Antiguan citizenship after "stringent background checks" and a clearance certificate from the Indian authorities, the Antiguan government has said.


Choksi given citizenship after NOC from India : Antigua


China and the EU agreed here on Friday to join hands to promote multilateralism and support free trade.


China, EU to jointly promote multilateralism, free trade


India and Kazakhstan agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade and defence and security following delegation-level talks headed by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov here on Friday.


India, Kazakhstan agree to boost trade, defence cooperation


The Antigua government has said fugitive Indian jeweller Mehul Choksi was given citizenship of the Carribean country after "stringent background checks" and clearance certificate by Mumbai Police and the External Affairs Ministry.


Choksi citizenship after India's certificate: Antigua


The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump has responded to a new letter from Kim Jong Un, top leader of North Korea, and Trump's letter will be delivered "shortly".


Trump responds to Kim's letter, reply to be delivered 'shortly': WH


Fugitive Indian diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted by Indian authorities in Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is in Antigua and Berbuda, CBI sources said on Thursday.


Mehul Choksi is Antigua: CBI sources


Japan has decided to lower the level of travel advisory to its people who would like to visit tourist destinations in four districts of Meghalaya, a government official said on Thursday.


Japan lowers level of travel advisory visiting Meghalaya


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bangladesh on Thursday signed agreements for $500 million in loans to develop a state-of-the-art 800-megawatt (MW) power plant in the country's Khulna region, along with associated connections to natural gas and power transmission facilities.


ADB provides $500m for Bangladesh power plant


The US is playing hard and soft tactics with China on the trade issue, but such a two-faced approach is doomed to be futile and will disappoint countries and regions opposing the trade war, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.


US tariff plan doomed to be futile: China


The government on Thursday expressed "deep anguish" at the killing of an Indian national, along with two of his colleagues working in an international company in Afghanistan, and condemned the incident in the strongest terms.


India condemns Indian national's killing in Afghanistan


China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed on a draft code of conduct that will lay the foundation for talks over the disputed South China Sea, the Foreign Ministers of Singapore and China announced on Thursday.


China, Asean agree on draft South China Sea code of conduct


Prashanti Tiwari, the activist and architect of globally acknowledged Bandhan Tod strategy against child marriage, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help her in getting justice in her complaint against UNFPA India Representative Diego Palacios.


UNFPA sexual harassment case: Complainant writes to Modi


The US Senate has passed a bill that gives India a partial waiver relief from sanctions against Russian firms and oligarchs, allowing it to keep buying Russia-made weapons in a landmark decision that is seen as a big diplomatic win for New Delhi.


India all set to get waiver relief from US sanctions against Russia


A ceremonial border personnel meeting has taken place between the Indian and Chinese armies on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region, an official said on Thursday.


Indian, Chinese troops hold ceremonial border meeting


Remains of what are believed to be 55 US soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War arrived on Wednesday in the US after North Korea returned them a few days ago under agreements reached between the leaders of both countries.

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