Page 137 - India

India targets 7% growth this year, expects to cross it in 5 years: EAM

Jaishankar also spoke about migration mobility and said, "We've seen a very substantial movement of Indian talent to Australia. We have roughly about a million students staying in here"

India's procurement of Russia's oil at low price furthering G7 policy: US

By driving a hard bargain with Russia in procuring crude oil at the lowest price possible, India is furthering the policy of G7 nations to reduce Russian oil revenues and Washington is comfortable with New Delhi on issues relating to energy security, a top Biden administration official has said. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey R Pyatt told PTI in an exclusive interview that there is "no contradiction at all" in India remaining one of the key global partners of the United States and the country's increasing procurement of discounted Russian crude oil. The comments are seen as the first such clear articulation of the Biden administration's position on India's increasing procurement of discounted crude oil from Russia. Pyatt, during his February 16-17 visit to New Delhi, said India is a critical partner for the US on everything around energy transition and both sides are looking at an array of options to significantly expand the collaboration, including in th

India setting up $4 billion fund to backstop corporate debt market

During times of stress, the backstop fund could step into the market to buy relatively illiquid investment grade bonds

Uncertainty on US Fed's stance, actions can impact demand in India: RBI

The uncertainty around the actions and stance by the US Federal Reserve will have a detrimental impact on the aggregate demand in India, a paper written by Reserve Bank of India executives said on Friday. Making it clear that the article published in the monthly bulletin does not represent the RBI views, the paper also asked major central banks to be circumspect on their actions and communication, saying the same have a bearing on emerging markets. Changes in the monetary policy stance of the US Federal Reserve tend to impact the Indian economy, altering domestic output and inflation, it said. "Heightened uncertainty around the stance and actions of the US Federal Reserve is estimated to reduce aggregate demand in the Indian economy," the paper added. The country's economic growth is widely expected to decline to 6 per cent or even lower in FY24. The US Fed has been hiking interest rates to record levels in order to cool inflation. The paper termed cross-border transmission of ...

India's deepwater exploration has vast investment potential: Research

He also tweeted that "Could India be the licensing wildcard of 2023" and added that this also means there's alignment & agreement from PM's office down to DGH that more offshore exploration is needed

Special event organised to celebrate signing of India-UAE CEPA in Abu Dhabi

A special business event was organised on Friday to celebrate the completion of one year of the signing of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi.Marking a successful year of CEPA signing, a Special Business Event was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in association with the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, Consulate General of India, Dubai and Dubai Chambers on 17th February 2023 at Dubai, read the press release of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE.The event was participated in by more than 200 leading businesses from India and the UAE, added the release.India and UAE on February 18th, 2022 signed a historical Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).The CEPA was signed during the virtual summit in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Addressing the gathering at the special business event, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE ...

India can attract over $ 20 bn investment in renewables in 2023: Experts

India has the potential to attract an investment of over USD 20 billion in renewables in 2023 and requires a strong framework for sustainable power, say industry experts at the renewable energy conference REConIndia 2023 on Friday. Based on the discussion at REConIndia 2023, a white paper will be prepared on solar power challenges, roadmap to make green hydrogen viable, propelling wind energy and state of green financing in India, a statement said. The conference was organised by Blue Circle on Friday, where experts, stakehoders and industry leaders deliberated on the key issues, challenges and opportunities in renewable energy in India. Founder and CEO of Blue Circle Siddharth Anand said, "The industry estimates investment in excess of USD 20 billion in 2023". Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh in December 2022 also pegged the investment in renewables at around USD 25 billion in 2023. Anand also stated that the REConIndia 2023 brought together key ...

India, Russia finalise protocol on cooperation in civil aviation sector

India and Russia on Friday formalised a protocol on cooperation in the civil aviation sector. In a tweet, the civil aviation ministry shared pictures of the meeting between the delegations from India and Russia as part of the ninth session of the India-Russia Sub-Group on Cooperation in Civil Aviation. "A delegation from Ministry of Civil Aviation lead by Secretary, CA met Russian delegation from Ministry of Transportation of the Russian Federation lead by Deputy Minister in Moscow on 17 February, 2023, and formalized a protocol on cooperation in the civil aviation sector," the ministry said. It also retweeted a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Russia that said fruitful discussions were held in Moscow as part of the session and that the meeting was chaired by Rajiv Bansal & Russian Deputy Minister of Transport Igor Chalik. Details about the protocol could not be immediately ascertained.

Two NDRF teams deployed in earthquake-hit Turkiye return to India

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams that undertook rescue operations in earthquake-hit Turkiye returned to India on Friday, officials said. A total of three NDRF teams were sent to the quake-affected country on February 7 following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to offer all possible assistance to that country. "Two teams comprising about 100 personnel have come back from Turkiye onboard IAF aircraft on Friday. The last team that has about 50 rescuers is expected to be here by Saturday," NDRF deputy inspector general (DIG) Mohsen Shahedi told PTI. Another officer said the NDRF rescuers, along with four canines, landed at the Hindon Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Ghaziabad after they were de-inducted from operation 'Dost' in Turkiye. As per official figures, the NDRF personnel brought out two survivors, girls aged 6 and 8, and retrieved 85 bodies from the flattened buildings in Nurdagi in Gaziantep province of Turkiye. They also provided medical assistance t

Relocation of cheetah to India a measure of goodwill between BRICS partners

The "historic" relocation of 12 cheetahs from South Africa to India on Saturday is a measure of "goodwill" between the two BRICS partners to share the gene pool to ensure the survival of a species, senior officials from both countries have said. India originally initiated plans to bring the cheetahs to the country by mid-2022, but a delay in finalising a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments led to a postponement, with the animals continuing with their quarantine at a reserve in Limpopo province. "This is a historic MoU. It is a transcontinental location from wild to wild. Normally animals do move, but this has been a challenge for both countries, said Dr Amit Mallick, Inspector-General of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Flora Mokgohloa, Deputy Director General for Biodiversity and Conservation in the South African Department of Forestry, Fishing and the Environment, said the financial value of the cheetahs being sent to India by South Africa was ...

Over 30 countries expected to participate in Technotex 2023: Government

More than 250 buyers from over 30 countries, including Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, Guinea (South Africa), South Korea, Russia, and Luxembourg, are expected to participate in technical textiles show 'Technotex 2023', the government said on Friday. The show, to be held from February 22-24 in Mumbai, will be based on the theme 'Envisioning Indian Technical Textiles@ 2047'. "We are expecting more than 250 buyers from more than 30 countries," Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary in the Textiles Ministry told reporters here. He said that the three-day event will feature B2B (business-to-business) meetings, conferences and seminars along with a CEO Forum to be chaired by Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal on February 24. Saxena said that some agreements are expected to be signed for making technical textiles in India. "Participation is studded with dignitaries from various countries and state governments. Maharashtra is the host state for the event and Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Mad

India now aid giver, lauded for relief operations worldwide: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said India has now emerged as an aid giver that rushes to help nations in need and its efforts in disaster relief operations have been lauded worldwide. "The new India is now extending help to others. India's stature and capabilities have changed. This is the face of transforming India, the face of an empowered India," Thakur said after releasing a book 'Operation Ganga' authored by senior IAS officer Tarun Pithode, on the relief operations mounted to evacuate Indian nationals, mostly students, after war broke out in Ukraine last year. Thakur said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi says this is not an era of war, the world pays attention. "Today, the world looks at India as a land of opportunities, whether it be the International Solar Alliance or our Mission LiFE," he said. In the time of crisis, India has extended help everywhere, be it Nepal, Afghanistan or Sri Lanka, Thakur said. The minister said during the Ukraine

India's post-harvest infrastructure needs to be improved, say experts

India's post-harvest infrastructure including storage facilities should be improved for strengthening the plantation sector, said experts here on Friday. They were speaking at a seminar held on the sidelines of Plantation Expo', organised by the newly set up Plantation Directorate, Government of Kerala, here. According to a recent survey, the country's available storage facility is sufficient to keep only 10 per cent of India's plantation products. And this in turn results in 6-18 per cent wastage of fruits during the post-harvest period, an official release said. It has been noted, as consumers have realised the nutritional value of fruits, the market demand for fruits has shown a remarkable hike during the post-pandemic period. And in India, 80% of fruits are sold as fresh fruits, said Sanjib Kumar Sahoo of IG International. Pointing to the major challenges faced by the sector in the seminar, themed Income augmentation in plantation sector through diversification and value ...

Indian Army shows interest in locally-made jetpack on display at Aero India

An indigenously-developed jetpack has elicited interest of the defence forces, especially the Indian Army which has called for a demonstration, the device manufacturer said on Friday. Absolute Composites Private Limited which manufactures Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) has come up with the jetpack propelled by turbojet engines. "It is a working model. We have trained pilots also," Raghav Reddy, managing director of the company, told PTI. He said the firm has not yet received orders but the Indian armed forces evinced interest. "Next week, there will be a demonstration in a hilly terrain where they will evaluate the configuration and its functionality. If we are able to tick their boxes of requirement, then they may look at buying but as of now it's a Request For Proposal (RFP)," Reddy explained. Stating that the jetpack is a prototype, the company MD said he was confident that their product will qualify. According to him, the jetpack has endurance of seven to eight minutes and it

India setting up $4 billion fund to backstop corporate debt market

The government will provide 90% of the money for the fund, and other asset managers would contribute the rest, deputy managing director D.P. Singh said

India will strengthen international bodies to promote Hindi, says MEA

The announcement of the language laboratory was made by Muraleedharan ji. With this, teachers will be able to get training. Right now we are focusing on software

Most Indians see families' financial security top life goal: Survey

Career, travelling abroad and caring for ageing parents other important goals

India, Fiji sign MoU on visa exemption for official passport holders

India and Fiji on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka witnessed the MoU exchange.Jaishankar on the occasion said: "I just signed and exchanged the visa waiver agreement. It will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between our two countries."Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called the MoU exchange a landmark achievement and said positive discussions were held today to further advance mutual cooperation in key areas of development notably in health and education."On behalf of the government of Fiji, I thank the government of India for realising this important cooperation. I'm confident that we will witness many more such initiatives unfolding through the deepening of our cooperation," Rabuka said.As a result of the visa exemption, diplomatic and official passport holders in India and Fiji will now be able to enter, ...

Top-order worries remain as India eye another win in Pujara's 100th Test

KL Rahul's prolonged run of failures remains a worry but India will still start as overwhelming favourites for another three-day finish when they take on Australia in the second Test here from Friday. The match will be one of Indian cricket's understated warrior Cheteshwar Pujara's 100th Test, a feat achieved after 13 years of sweat and toil. While Pujara would like to savour the momentous personal milestone with a 20th Test ton, one can't but paper over the concerns around India's top-order. Save skipper Rohit Sharma, who was regal in attack and classical in defence during his hundred on a slow turner in Nagpur, the others failed to get going in the opener. Besides Rahul, the list of strugglers includes the peerless Virat Kohli and, to an extent, Pujara. Kohli is leaving no stone unturned to up the ante while facing the spinners. Round two of Kohli versus Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy could be equally enticing. Rahul and his woes ============ Time is running out for Rahul as Vira

India stood by us in times of need, will always be special friend: Fiji PM

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday said India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner