Page 106 - India

Spurred border tensions: India's military spending rose by 6% in 2022

China, the second highest military spender, is estimated to have spent $292 billion last year, the report added

World recognising capabilities, contributions of 'New India': Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the world is recognising the capabilities and contributions of a 'New India' as he underscored that there is a feeling that today's India has the ability to serve as a "bridge" between differing opinions and help find solutions to difficult issues. During an interaction with the Indian community members in Bogota on Tuesday, Jaishankar also said that the world today is acknowledging the changes in India and getting more ready for India. Jaishankar, the first External Affairs Minister to visit Columbia, also shared with the community members India's transformation into 'New India' and its global implications. "Underlined how the world is recognising the capabilities and contributions of a New India," he said. Citing the Ukraine conflict or problems which deal with the developed world and the developing world, he told the Indian diaspora that "in all of this from all quarters, there is today that feeling that India is a country whic

India, EFTA member countries discuss resumption of talks for trade pact

India and the four-nation bloc EFTA on Wednesday discussed ways to resume negotiations for a free trade agreement with a view to strengthening economic ties between the two regions. The subject came up for discussion during a meeting of high-level representatives from India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) here. Both sides "discuss the prospects of resuming their negotiations towards a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)," the commerce ministry said in a statement. Free trade agreements between the two regions are officially dubbed TEPA. Under such pacts, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides easing norms to promote trade in services and investments. The high-level delegations were composed of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway; Helene ..

Nepal to give priority to enhancing relations with both India, China

Nepal's new government, led by a communist prime minister, will give priority to enhancing relations with both of its giant neighbours, India and China, but won't use them against each other for its own benefit, the newly appointed foreign minister said Wednesday. Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud told The Associated Press in an interview that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is set to make his first official trip abroad to India since taking power earlier this year. Nepal is bordered on three sides by India and shares an open border, while the highest Himalayan peaks are divided between Nepal and China. Saud, however, said the government will continue to maintain good relationships with both countries and would not do anything to hamper ties with either of the neighbors. "We will never use the two nations against each other for our own benefit. We will not interfere with the internal matters of their countries, and we would also want that no other country should interfere wit

World is recognising capabilities and contributions of new India: Jaishanka

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the world is recognising the capabilities and contributions of a 'New India' as he underscored that there is a feeling that today's India has the ability to bridge the difficult issues. During an interaction with the Indian community members in Bogota on Tuesday, Jaishankar also said that the world today is acknowledging the changes in India and getting more ready for India. Jaishankar also shared with the community members India's transformation into 'New India' and its global implications. "Underlined how the world is recognising the capabilities and contributions of a New India," he said. Citing the Ukraine conflict or problems which deal with the developed world and the developing world, he told the Indian diaspora that "in all of this from all quarters, there is today that feeling that India is a country which in some way or the other can serve as a bridge as a someone who brings differing opinions together (and) helps to fin

Indo-Korea bilateral trade grows 17% to record $27.8 bn in 2022: Kotra

The bilateral trade between India and Korea grew by 17.3 per cent to USD 27.8 billion in 2022, according to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). In 2021, the value of bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 23.7 billion. Korea's exports to India increased by 21 per cent to USD 18.9 billion, while imports increased by 10.5 per cent to USD 8.9 billion. Addressing India-Korea Future Industry Partnership Event 2023, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India Chang Jae-bok on Wednesday said, "India and Korea must focus on the critical issue of green energy and learn from each other's strengths. Green energy, hydrogen energy, and EVs are the future, and Korea's leadership in producing EVs since 2005 is an excellent example for India". The two-day event is organised as part of a 50-year celebration of the India-Korea diplomatic relationship. Through collaboration and cooperation, both countries can further emphasise the importance of adopting green energy and

India-UK to sign pact to cut red tape for greater science, tech tie-ups

Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh arrived here on Wednesday for a five-day trip to the UK to enhance the scale of bilateral collaboration in the field of scientific research and development and will kick-start the visit by signing a memorandum of understanding with his British counterpart. The programmes covered by the new MoU, to be agreed at a ministerial-level Science and Innovation Council meeting, will include the establishment of a new UK-India Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre focusing on industrial decarbonisation and launching the first ever UK-India scientific deep sea voyage. "The visit seeks to enhance scale of bilateral collaboration in diverse fields ranging from scientific R&D, Startups, Industry and Academia," Dr Singh tweeted. Following his meeting with UK Science Minister George Freeman within the UK Parliament complex in London, he is scheduled to sign the joint MoU on research between the two countries which the UK government said .

India asks for cooperation among SCO members to deal with global challenges

Amid fears of a global recession, India on Wednesday underlined the need for greater cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members for combating challenges relating to food and energy security. Addressing the Council Meet of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium (IBC), Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi said as part of India's contribution to mitigating the above challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched global mission LIFE' which stands for Lifestyle for Environment. LIFE envisions replacing the prevalent 'use-and-dispose' economygoverned by mindless and destructive consumptionwith a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful utilization of resources, he said in his inaugural address. "Today, when the world is facing challenges of a looming economic recession, a closer cooperation among SCO member states shall play a pivotal role in combating global challenges such as food and energy security concerns," he said. Observing that India is incli

India world's fourth largest defence spender in 2022, says SIPRI report

India was the world's fourth largest military spender in 2022, with its defence spending increasing by around six percent as compared to 2021, a report by Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said. The military expenditure report said around 23 percent of the total spending by India was towards funding equipment and infrastructure, including that along the China border where tension continues. However, a major part of the spending was on expenditures like salaries and pensions. With military expenditure of USD 81.4 billion (one billion=100 crore), India's spending was up by six per cent from 2021 and by 47 per cent as compared 2013. "The increase in India's spending shows the effects of its border tensions with China and Pakistan," the report released on Monday said. Expenditure on capital outlays, which funds equipment upgrades for the armed forces and to the military infrastructure along its disputed border with China, amounted to 23 per cen

Vivo launches new 'X90' series smartphone with ZEISS camera in India

The Vivo X90 Pro comes in Legendary Black colour, whereas the Vivo X90 comes in Breeze Blue and Asteroid Black

Operation Kaveri: How India is rescuing its citizens amid crisis in Sudan

India launched 'Operation Kaveri' in Sudan to bring back its citizens from strife-torn Sudan

India records 9,629 new Covid-19 cases, active infections at 61,013

India has logged 9,629 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 61,013 from 63,380, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,398 with 29 deaths, which includes 10 reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 5.38 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 5.61 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore. The active cases now comprise 0.14 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.68 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,43,23, 045 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

G20 presidency came at a time when polarization is 'very strong', says EAM

"The underlying theme of our presidency is Vasudaiva Kutumbakum, which means the world is a family. And again, we have sought to translate this into practical action," he added

Tide to sponsor business trip of 16 small players from India, UK in 2023-24

The initiative aims to unlock opportunities for millions of existing and budding entrepreneurs who might want to export to and from India and the UK

Contaminated cough syrup made in India found in Western Pacific: WHO

The new alert follows three similar warnings issued last year by the WHO about contaminated cough syrups for children

Chinese defence minister to visit India this week to attend SCO meet

China on Tuesday announced that its Defence Minister General Li Shangfu will visit India this week to attend the meeting of SCO defence ministers from April 27 during which he is expected to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on ending the prolonged eastern Ladakh standoff which has severely strained bilateral ties. Considered a close associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Gen. Li's India visit is regarded significant as it comes amid the vexed standoff between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh since May 2020. Upon invitation, Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister General Li Shangfu will attend the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in New Delhi, India, from April 27-28, China's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said in a statement. During the meeting, General Li will address the conference and meet with the heads of delegations from relevant countries to ...

India rules out immediate impact of WTO panel ruling on IT tariffs

As per the available Dispute Settlement procedures, India is taking the necessary steps, and is also exploring options available in light of its WTO rights and obligations, the government said

India right to ask for major course correction of UNSC: Indian envoy Kamboj

India is right in demanding a major course correction of the UN Security Council when the world's largest democracy is kept out of the global decision making, the country's UN envoy has said. India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the Security Council, saying it rightly deserved a place as a permanent member of the United Nations. Currently, the UNSC has five permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution. India was a founding signatory to the UN Charter when it was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco. Seventy-seven years later, when we see the world's largest democracy, along with entire continents of Africa and Latin America, being kept out of global decision making, we rightly call for a major course correction, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said in the UN Security Council on Monday. She was addressing the Security ...

Indian not allowed to bring pregnant Sudanese wife home, cries for help

An Indian national in crisis-torn Sudan has been left in a spot after the Indian mission in Khartoum approved his evacuation request but left behind his pregnant wife who is a Sudanese national

Can India realise its demographic dividend & outperform an ageing China?

In a world-historical shift, India is surpassing China to become the world's most populous country. But the question often heard in recent days - whether India can realize its demographic dividend?