Page 92 - India

India is open to negotiate trade agreement with Africa: Piyush Goyal

India has expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Africa with an aim to boost economic ties between the two regions. This was stated by commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his interaction with fifteen ambassadors from several countries of the Africa region here on Thursday. "India is open to FTA negotiations bilaterally or individually with African countries or Africa as a whole," he said. India would act as a trusted partner to expand trade, commerce, business, investment and opportunities with Africa, he said. In such agreements, two or more trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they ease norms for promoting trade in services and attract investments. The 15 ambassadors are from countries, including Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. T

India, New Zealand hold meeting, agree to work on areas of mutual interests

India and New Zealand have held first round table joint meeting, where both sides acknowledged huge potential in a mutual partnership and need for bringing in synergy for enhanced economic relations

Over 8.3 mn cataract surgeries performed in 5 months, says official

More than 83 lakh cataract surgeries have been performed in the country from January 17 this year till date under a special campaign to clear the backlog created during the Covid pandemic, officials said on Thursday. This has led to the decline in the blindness cases caused due to cataract, they said. Cataract surgeries were largely affected under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) during the pandemic. Therefore, the Union health ministry planned a special campaign for the backlog and targeted to conduct at least 75 lakh cataract surgeries. All the states and UTs were directed to speed up the procedure of cataract surgeries, said a health ministry official. "But we have surpassed the target as over 83 lakh cataract surgeries have been performed since January 17 till now," the official said. According to the NPCBVI carried out from 2015-2019, the prevalence of blindness had declined to 0.36 per cent in 2019. Under the National Health Polic

India's May fuel consumption scales record high on robust manufacturing

India's delayed monsoons also supported diesel consumption by translating into better construction activity overall, Katona said

India, France, UAE begin maiden joint maritime exercise in the Gulf of Oman

The two-day maritime exercise will involve a wide range of naval operations, including surface warfare and helicopter cross-deck landing operations

World used Article 370 to keep India off balance, says EAM Jaishankar

He further added that while doing so, the government also fought lots of false narratives which emanated from within the country

Miss World 2023 beauty pageant set to return to India after 27 years

India is set to host the Miss World 2023 competition, as the coveted international beauty pageant makes its return to the country after nearly three decades. The much anticipated 71st edition of Miss World is expected to take place in November this year, the final dates of which are yet to be ascertained. India had last hosted the international pageant in 1996. "I am delighted to announce India as the new home of the 71st Miss World Final... We cannot wait to share your unique and diverse culture, world class attractions and breathtaking locations with the rest of the world. "The 71st Miss World 2023 will showcase the Achievements of 130 National champions in their one-month journey across 'Incredible India' as we present the 71st and most spectacular Miss World final ever," said Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of Miss World organization at a press conference on Thursday. The month-long event, which would witness contestants from over 130 countries, will feature a series of rigo

India does not get swayed by coercion, false narratives: Jaishankar

India does not get swayed by coercion, inducements and false narratives, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday while citing the country's approach towards the situation along the Northern border and its opposition to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Addressing a press conference on nine years of Modi government, Jaishankar also said that India has de-legitimised cross-border terrorism. In his remarks, the minister highlighted various aspects of Indian foreign policy, including its handling of different situations as well as the country's ties with key countries. Jaishankar said large parts of world now see India as a development partner and that the Global South perceives India as a reliable partner. The external affairs minister also said that India is making significant economic impact that has been recognised globally.

China-Pakistan collab in Shaksgam Valley poses threat to India: Report

China's traditional aggression across the LAC in fact diverts India's attention from China's illegal land grab in PoK, this is a strategic reality to be faced with in the medium future

Trade body USIBC applauds launch of US India Strategic Trade Dialogue

Applauding the launch of the US-India Strategic Trade Dialogue ahead of the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a top American trade body on Wednesday said the amount of energy and political capital being dedicated by both sides to address export controls and tech releasability sends signals of confidence to key business sectors and civil society. We were very proud to have been part of the process to launch the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) at the US Chamber of Commerce in January and are delighted that both sides have started this Strategic Trade Dialogue under the aegis of that initiative, President of the US India Business Council (USIBC) Atul Keshap said. The inaugural India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue (IUSSTD) held here Tuesday is a key mechanism to take forward the strategic technology and trade collaborations envisaged under the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The Indian delegation was led by Foreign ...

India recognised as responsible partner, voice of Global South: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that India is recognised as a responsible development partner and a voice of the Global South on the global stage, reflecting the country's quest towards becoming a leading power. Addressing the Indian community in the Serbian capital, President Murmu also said that new infrastructure is coming up across India at a breathtaking pace and the country hopes to be a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence. "India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. With a GDP approaching USD 3.5 trillion, we are on the way to becoming the world's third biggest economy before the end of this decade. India is confidently pursuing its ambition to be a developed country by 2047," she said soon after her arrival here on a state visit. On the global stage, India is recognised as a responsible development partner, a First Responder, and a voice of the Global South, she said. "Each of these aspects reflects our quest towards becoming

Meta rolls out verified account service in India for Rs 699 per month

Social media giant Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has started verified service in India at a monthly subscription price of Rs 699 for mobile apps, the company said on Wednesday. Meta is planning to roll out verified service on the web in the coming months at a subscription price of Rs 599 per month. "Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in India starting today. People can purchase a monthly subscription for Rs 699 on iOS and Android. In the coming months, we'll also introduce a web purchase option for Rs 599 a month," the company said in a statement. For a verified account subscription, Facebook and Instagram users will need to verify their account with a government ID. The verified account will provide impersonation protections and account support. "We're expanding our test of Meta Verified to India after seeing good results from our early testing in several countries globally. We'll also continue honouring verified badges th

India undergoing rapid, unprecedented transformation: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that India is undergoing a rapid and unprecedented transformation and the country is on the way to become the world's third-largest economy before the end of the decade. Addressing the Indian community in the Serbian capital, President Murmu also said that new infrastructure is coming up across India at a breathtaking pace and the country hopes to be a developed nation by 2047. "India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. With a GDP approaching USD 3.5 trillion, we are on the way to becoming the world's third biggest economy before the end of this decade. India is confidently pursuing its ambition to be a developed country by 2047," she said soon after her arrival here on a state visit. She said that early indications suggest that India's gender ratio is in favour of women and cited the results of the civil services exam in which top four positions were achieved by women. Noting that India and Serbia are both ancient lands, th

India rejects Chinese ploy of creating buffer zones in easter Ladakh

The offer was made after the Chinese army had already disturbed the status quo by moving deep into territories within the Indian side of the earlier Line of Actual Control

India's green goal offers companies $500 bn opportunity, says ReNew CEO

ReNew has plans to invest in the entire decarbonization chain. The company, with about 8 gigawatts of operational capacity, is among India's top renewables producers

Adani to slow down on acquisitions to focus on existing projects: Report

While the group will continue to review acquisition opportunities, the Adani spokesperson said high debt costs will weigh

India is winning at every single front, says Pakistani American businessman

India is winning on every single front and the world needs to learn from this, an eminent Pakistani American businessman has said while lamenting that the political and economic situation back home was "sad and dire". Sajid Tarar, a pro-Donald Trump Republican Party leader, also said the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US later this month is going to be a landmark one. Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. It will be a landmark visit of Modi to the US. And imagine the foreign policy of India, that they (the United States) are offering it NATO Plus membership. India is not interested in it because they want to enjoy its relationship with Russia," he said on Tuesday. Tarar was referring to the recent resolution passed by the Select China Committee of the House of Representatives which has recommended that India be included in NATO Plus membership. "At the same time, they already have BRICS (Brazil, ..

1st India-Sri Lanka defence exhibition in Colombo to boost bilateral ties

The High Commission of India organised the first India-Sri Lanka Defence Seminar and Exhibition here on Wednesday to promote and identify newer areas of cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the defence sector. The event will witness participation from the Indian Defence Industry, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Police and Special Task Force, the High Commission said on Wednesday. "The grand event includes a seminar highlighting the capability and capacities of the two countries in defence equipment manufacturing and would also exhibit a wide variety of defence products," the release said. The exhibition organised with the aim to deepen ties with Sri Lanka through inclusive and collaborative engagement, aims to identify newer areas of cooperation for economic revival whilst ensuring capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces. The High Commission also said that the Sri Lanka Armed forces have been successfully operating a wide range of Indian

Centre, states urged to increase number of endometriosis health experts

On an average 1 in 10 women suffers from endometriosis and a total of over 42 million women in India are presently suffering

Starbucks brews up cheaper drinks in India as domestic rivals expand

Its new offerings are unique to India and unavailable in China, Singapore and the United States