Page 126 - India

India, Australia sign audio-visual co-production pact for filmmakers

India and Australia on Friday signed an audio-visual co-production agreement that seeks to offer filmmakers financial incentives amounting to up to 30 per cent of the expenditure incurred in the respective countries. The agreement was signed by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra and Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell during the ongoing visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to India. Australia is the 16th country with which India has a co-production agreement that would benefit mainly small filmmakers keen on shooting movies, web series, advertisements or carrying out post-production work or visual effects in that country. "For all qualifying projects, the international film production company can claim a payable cash incentive of up to 30 per cent on qualifying expenditure in India, subject to a maximum of Rs 2 crore," Chandra told reporters here. Australia will also offer reciprocal benefits to Indian filmmakers shooting or engaged in ...

India-Australia to finalise economic cooperation agreement by this year

The MoUs were signed in sports and for audio-visual co-production, while terms of reference for solar taskforce were also exchanged between India and Australia

India's handling of Covid example before world: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar

India's handling of COVID-19 was an example to the world as regards how the country utilised its digital resources to roll out vaccines for such a large population and successfully controlled the disease at home while extending a helping hand to other nations, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Friday. Dhankhar, who inaugurated the "International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment: ISHTA 2023" here, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proactive and timely decision of calling for a people's curfew and the citizens following it so that "what was advised to contain Covid could be translated into action". He further said the prime minister cheered and motivated the Covid warriors and the country was quick to come up with a legislation that accorded them protection. "India's handling of Covid exemplifies the best practices beyond doubt now. In that perspective, when I have gone abroad on two visits, how satisfying it was for me to note that when India was facing Covid, it .

Boeing to set up freight conversion facility in India amid growing demand

Boeing Co will set up in India a facility to convert passenger aircraft into freight planes to capitalise on growing global demand for cargo, executives from the US aviation firm said on Friday

India, US ink MoU on semiconductor supply chain, innovation partnership

India and the US on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership during the Commercial Dialogue 2023 here, the commerce ministry said. On the invitation of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited Delhi between March 7 and 10. During this visit, the India-US Commercial Dialogue was re-launched on March 10 to discuss cooperation for unlocking new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, it said. "During the Dialogue, a MoU on establishing semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership under the framework of India-US Commercial Dialogue was signed between India and US," it said. The MoU seeks to establish a collaborative mechanism between the two governments on semiconductor supply chain resiliency and diversification in view of the US's CHIPS and Science Act and India's Semiconductor Mission. It aims to leverage complementary strengths of

Tendency of categorisation of terrorism based on motive is dangerous: India

India has said that the tendency to categorise terrorism on the basis of motivations behind terrorist acts is dangerous and asserted that all kinds of terror attacks, whether motivated by Islamophobia, anti-Sikh, anti-Buddhist or anti-Hindu prejudices, are condemnable. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said on Thursday that the international community needs to stand guard against new terminologies and false priorities that can dilute its focus of combatting the scourge of terrorism. The tendency of categorisation of terrorism based on the motivations behind terrorist acts is dangerous and goes against the accepted principles that 'terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned and there cannot be any justification for any act of terrorism, whatsoever', she said at the First Reading of the Draft Resolution on 8th Review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS). Underlining that there cannot be good or bad terrorists, Kamboj

India reports 440 new Covid cases, one death; active tally rises to 3,294

India recorded 440 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,294, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll stands at 5,30,779 with one death reported by Rajasthan, one by Karnataka and one fatality reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,89,512). The national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,55,439, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.64 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Anurag Thakur slams NYT, other foreign media for 'defaming' India, PM

He said, "Some foreign media nourishing a grudge against India and our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have long been systematically trying to peddle lies about our democracy and pleuritic society

Cloture motion filed for Garcetti's nomination, step closer to confirmation

The nomination of Eric Garcetti for US Ambassador to India moved a step closer to being confirmed by the Senate as it adopted a cloture motion, indicating that the ruling Democrats have the support of a super-majority for his selection for the key position. Such a move by Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer came a day after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at its business meeting voted 13-8 in favour of his nomination. Garcetti's nomination is pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic posting by President Joe Biden. His nomination was not brought to the Senate floor for a vote during the last Congress as the ruling Democratic Party did not have enough support to get the 52-year-old close aide of Biden through. On Thursday afternoon, a Senate clerk read and brought the nomination of Garcetti to be Ambassador of the US to India on the Senate floor. "I send the cloture motion to the desk," Schumer said on the f

India a global strategic partner of US: State dept spokesperson Ned Price

India is a global strategic partner of the United States, the Biden administration said on Thursday amidst a series of high-level of exchanges between the two countries. "Our message to India and about India is consistent. India is a global strategic partner of the United States. The engagements we've had with our Indian partners at the ministerial level, at the leader level, at all levels has been in furtherance of deepening the already extensive ties between our two countries," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at a news conference here. "These are ties that are political in nature, diplomatic, economic, security and importantly, people-to-people ties," he said. There is a vibrant Indian diaspora in this country, he said, adding that there is quite a bit of interest on the part of the American private sector in India, exchange students. "There are various ways in which our two societies are intertwined. So every time we have an opportunity to meet with our ..

India's inflation seen easing slightly in Feb, still above RBI target: Poll

Rises in food prices, which account for nearly half of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, likely moderated last month

In favour of constructive dialogue, diplomacy between India, Pak: US

The United States supports a constructive dialogue and meaningful conversation between India and Pakistan, the Biden administration said Thursday reiterating that it's for New Delhi and Islamabad to decide on the nature of that dialogue. The US is ready to play its role if they agree, it added. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, in response to a question, refused any meditating role for the US for talks between India and Pakistan. "Because these are decisions for the countries themselves. If they agree on a particular role for the United States, the United States is prepared to, as a partner to both countries, support that process in any way that we responsibly can, Price told reporters at a news conference. "Analysts believe that the United States has the power and authority to mediate between the two partners. Pakistan and India are partners of yours, so why don't you just mediate? he was asked. "Ultimately, it is not for the United States to determine the modalities or th

Pakistan's Chief Justice to skip SCO meeting hosted by India: Report

Pakistan on Thursday announced it's decision to skip the meeting of Chief Justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) scheduled in New Delhi from March 10-12, reported The Express Tribune

India taking steps to counter manufacture of illegal synthetic drugs: INCB

INCB chief Jagjit Pavadia said, "India has witnessed the rise of commercial chemical factories that have been adapted to illicitly manufacture large quantities of synthetic drugs and their precursors"

India jostles with China for April ESPO crude from Russia, prices jump

Indian refiners mostly buy Russian oil on a delivered basis, with the seller arranging for insurance, freight and ship

Apple to put a bigger focus on India by making it a separate region

The shift will mark the first time that India becomes its own sales region at Apple, which has seen demand surge in the country

India, US to launch strategic trade dialogue to address export controls

In a significant move, India and the US on Thursday decided to launch a strategic trade dialogue to address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfers. The decision to launch the new framework of dialogue was taken at a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "The external affairs minister and secretary Raimondo agreed to launch a India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue, led by Foreign Secretary from Ministry of External Affairs of India and Under Secretary, Bureau of Industry and Security in US Department of Commerce," the MEA said. "The Strategic Trade Dialogue will address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfer between the two countries," it said. The MEA said Jaishankar and Raimondo had a productive discussion about the India-US strategic ...

India, US to sign MoU on semiconductors, says US Commerce Secretary

The two nations will map the semiconductor supply chain together and identify opportunities for joint ventures and technology partnerships, Raimondo added

Ind vs Aus 4th Test: Australia reaches 149/2 at tea against India

Australia reached 149 for two at tea against India on the opening day of the series-deciding fourth Test here on Thursday. Usman Khawaja and skipper Steve Smith were batting on 65 and 38, respectively, at the tea break. Earlier, Smith won the toss and opted to bat first. Brief scores: Australia 1st innings: 149/2 in 62 overs (Usman Khawaja 65 batting, Steve Smith 38 batting).

India must prepare to curb volatility risks of int'l rupee: RBI deputy gov

An international currency is one that is freely available to non-residents, essentially to settle cross-border transactions, and in the case of the rupee, this will be achieved by promoting it An inte