Page 86 - India

India, Philippines underline commitment to strengthen bilateral relations

The Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said India and the Philippines are working together to amplify their voices for the developing world in the global discourse

What a powerful idea: US Ambassador on PM Modi's 'not an era of war' remark

The Prime Minister made a 'not an era of war' comment while talking with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in September 2022 during an SCO summit

Want to strike truly ambitious trade deal with India: UK PM Rishi Sunak

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday evening reiterated his commitment to a truly ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) with India as he hosted a special reception to celebrate India Global Forum's UK-India Week 2023 in the garden of 10 Downing Street here. The 43-year-old British Indian leader interacted with business leaders and celebrities, including boxing champion Mary Kom, musicians Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussain, and Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, as part of what he dubbed as the start of an Indian summer for the UK. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modiji and I agree there's huge potential here. We're making great progress together on the 2030 roadmap and we want to strike a truly ambitious trade deal that benefits both our nations, bringing tremendous opportunities to businesses and consumers, both in India and here at home, said Sunak, who was joined at the garden party by wife Akshata Murty and mother-in-law Sudha Murty. It's not just UK-India Week, but a whole ...

PM Modi meets Goldman Sachs leadership, highlights India's potential

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Goldman Sachs' key leadership here on Wednesday and highlighted India's potential and opportunities to the leading global banking and investment firm. "Had a fruitful discussion with the members of the Board and key leadership of Goldman Sachs. Highlighted India's vast potential for growth, fuelled by recent reforms and a conducive business environment," the prime minister said in a tweet. Modi said he also spoke about the opportunities being offered by India for global firms.

India pushes back plan to collect 20% tax on overseas spending beyond cap

In May, the government had said it would only impose 20% tax on overseas spending of above 700,000 rupees through international debit and credit cards in a financial year

ICA to hold international cooperative conference in India in June 2024

In a first, Belgium-based International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) will organise a global cooperative conference and its general assembly meeting in India in June 2024. A decision in this regard was taken following a proposal presented by IFFCO's Managing Director U S Awasthi during an ongoing ICA Board meet in Brussels, Belgium. "The ICA Board unanimously approved the same," IFFCO said in a statement, and added, this is a historic move for Indian cooperatives. The board has "unanimously" decided to hold ICA Global Board, General Assembly, and an International Conference for the first time in the 128-year history of ICA at New Delhi in June 2024, the statement said. ICA represents more than 310 cooperative organisations from 107 countries across the world as its members. "It is a proud moment for IFFCO and cooperative businesses in India.... It will open up new opportunities in the cooperative sector where Indian cooperatives can associate and participate in global businesses," ..

Sapne sakar karna: US ambassador on realising potential of Indo-US ties

India and the US can work jointly in resisting "coercion" and deploy ships and air forces together in the Indo-Pacific to ensure freedom of the skies and the seas, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday, explaining how the two largest democracies have the power to build a more peaceful world. In an address at an event in IIT-Delhi, the envoy said the two countries are poised to further deepen co-production of military equipment and cited the planned work in aero-engines, artillery and ground vehicles as just a few examples. Touching on the issues relating to human rights, Garcetti said the US will continue to engage with India on it "as we have always done, and as we do in all countries around the world." He also quoted Mahatma Gandhi: "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization." The US ambassador said India and the US together can build a bulwark against the "might makes right" mentality, in comments seen as an oblique reference

When India speaks on international platforms now, people listen: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India was earlier looked upon as "weak" and the "land of poor", while asserting that when the country speaks on international platforms now, people listen to it. Addressing a rally here, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also said in the nine years of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, no one could level corruption charges against any of his cabinet colleagues. Singh also said a communal angle is being given when the government is trying to implement a Uniform Civil Code in the country. "Isn't there one country, one legislation?" he asked the gathering.

We want 'robust' defence partnership with India: Filipino foreign secretary

The Philippines wants to develop a "very robust" defence partnership with India and is looking forward to procuring military hardware from it, Filipino Foreign Secretary Enrique A Manalo said on Wednesday amid concerns in Manila over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea. Delivering a lecture at a leading think tank here a day ahead of his talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Manalo said his country has "repeatedly" challenged Chinese presence in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the Philippines in the South China sea and will continue to do so. The Filipino foreign secretary, on a four-day visit to India, said the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and China have been engaged to formulate a code of conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea, but he appeared unsure about a positive outcome. The code is envisioned to prevent any military conflict in the South China Sea, a region that has overlapping territorial claims

Nothing announces pre-order for Phone (2) ahead of launch: Details here

Nothing had previously said that the Phone (2) will be manufactured in India for Indian consumers

India produces 27 mn vehicles, valued at $108-bn in FY23: Report

The Indian automobile industry produced a whopping 2.7 crore vehicles across segments and types, worth around USD 108-billion (Rs 8.7-lakh crore) in FY23, with passenger vehicle segment accounting for 57 per cent at Rs 5-lakh crore in the total value, a report said on Wednesday. Also, in the total 2.7 lakh crore vehicles churned out last fiscal, the commercial vehicle segment, which includes small 4-wheel carrier with less than 2-ton capacity to large tractor trailers and specialty vehicles like tippers, share stood at 10-lakh vehicles, generating a value of Rs 1.7-lakh crore, management consulting services firm Primus Partners said in its report. The CV segment accounted for 4 per cent in the total volume and 19 per cent in value terms, it said. According to Primus Partners, the production of two-wheelers is closely matched by China, with 20-million two-wheelers coming out of the manufacturing facilities in the country, accounting for 77 per cent of the volume share. The overall .

India ranked 67th globally on Energy Transition Index, Sweden on top: WEF

The World Economic Forum on Wednesday ranked India at the 67th place globally on its Energy Transition Index and said it is the only major economy with energy transition momentum accelerating across all dimensions. Sweden topped the list and was followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland in the top five on the list of 120 countries. Releasing the report published in collaboration with Accenture, the WEF said the global energy transition has plateaued amid the global energy crisis and geopolitical volatilities, but India is among the countries that have made significant improvements. "India is the only major economy with energy transition momentum accelerating across the Energy Transition Index's equitable, secure and sustainable dimensions," the WEF said. "For example, despite continued economic growth, India has successfully reduced the energy intensity of its economy and the carbon intensity of its energy mix, while achieving universal energy access and effectively ...

Two official teams from India, EU to discuss carbon tax issues: Official

India and the European Union have constituted two teams to discuss issues pertaining to the EU's carbon tax, which will kick in from October this year, a government official said. The European Union (EU) is introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from October 1 this year. It would have an impact on seven carbon-intensive sectors, including steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium and hydrocarbon products. India raised these issues in the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting between the two regions in Brussels in May. In that meeting, the official said, India presented the problems which would be faced by domestic MSMEs due to this tax and also matters related to modalities to comply with that. "So now they have agreed that there will be a channel opened for discussions. So there will be a team from their side and our side discussing this. The two teams would discuss about the implications of the notification of the EU," the official, who did not wish to be named

Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023: India defeats Korea and Chinese Taipei

Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 began yesterday, June 27, in Busan, Republic of Korea. India began their journey on a winning note defeating Korea and Chinese Taipei on day 1

'In-country renewal of H-1B visas by US to boost India's services exports'

The US announcement to introduce in-country renewable of H-1B visas will help swift movement of Indian IT professionals and promote services exports, SEPC said on Wednesday. Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) said that the decision would allow easier on-site client engagement by domestic IT professionals. "When Indian IT professionals can quickly travel to client locations abroad, they can better understand client requirements, build stronger relationships, and deliver tailored solutions. This direct engagement can lead to increased client satisfaction, repeat business, and ultimately, higher IT exports," SEPC Chairman Sunil H Talati said. He said that as the US is the major market for India's IT exports, this development will have a significant positive impact on the export of IT services from India. "The earlier estimates for IT exports growth have been in the range of 8-12 per cent however with this particular push the exports growth in IT can further stride in the range o

Rupee gains 5 paise to 81.97 against US dollar on foreign fund inflows

The rupee strengthened by 5 paise to 81.97 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday on foreign fund inflows and gains in domestic equities. The currency opened higher by 2 paise at 82 at the interbank foreign exchange market and moved in a tight range of 82.01 to 81.97 in early trade. The rupee was trading at 81.97 against the US dollar at 9.35 am, registering a gain of 5 paise over the previous close of 82.02. Foreign portfolio investments into equities and overnight losses in the US dollar in global markets boosted the rupee sentiment in early trade, analysts said. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was almost flat at 102.58. Global crude oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.69 per cent higher USD 72.76 per barrel. In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced by 199.06 points or 0.31 per cent to 63,615.09 points while the broader Nifty gained 62.75 points to 18,880.15 points. Foreign Portfo

Govt to not allow SL to be used as base for any threats against India: Prez

Assuring that Sri Lanka will not be utilised as a base for any threats against India, Wickremesinghe emphasised that his nation is a neutral one

Indian firm used toxic industrial-grade ingredient in cough syrups

The two sources said the syrup was made with industrial-grade PG, a toxic material widely used in liquid detergents, antifreeze, paints or coatings, and to enhance the effectiveness of pesticides

Muslim-dominated Arab countries have good relations with PM Modi: MoS

On Sunday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also hit out at Obama and said that under his reign, the United States had bombed six Muslim-dominated countries

New Delhi Hall at SCO Secretariat in Beijing depicts 'mini India': EAM

Ahead of next month's SCO summit to be held for the first time under India's Presidency, India on Tuesday inaugurated an exquisitely designed 'New Delhi Hall' here at the headquarters of the eight-member grouping, which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said depicted a mini-India. The Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan is located in the high-end diplomatic area in Beijing. While the six founding members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have their halls highlighting their cultures and unique features, India is the first to add its own 'New Delhi Hall' which is officially opened ahead of the July 4 SCO summit to be held in virtual format. Pakistan may have to await its turn to set up its hall. In his video address, Jaishankar said, I am delighted to inaugurate the New Delhi Hall at the SCO Secretariat today amidst the august presen