Page 1770 - Politics
Following are the top foreign stories ar 2000 hours
India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG: China Beijing: India must sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty to gain entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China said Thursday, asserting that "patient negotiations" were required for New Delhi's admission into the group as there is no precedent for the inclusion of non-NPT countries. By K J M Varma PAK-INDIA-LD SUMMON Pak summons Indian envoy; protests summoning of its top diplomat over Qureshi-Mirwaiz phone call Islamabad: In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan summoned India's high commissioner here on Thursday to lodge a protest over the summoning of its envoy in New Delhi following Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's telephonic conversation with a separatist Kashmiri leader and maintained that it would continue to extend support to the people of Kashmir. By Sajjad Hussain FGN25 UNSC-PAK-INDIA Pak criticises India's bid for UNSC permanent seat United Nations: A day after India proposed that UN member states should seek new ways to ...
Alok Verma may face departmental action for defying govt order: officials
Ousted CBI director Alok Verma is likely to face departmental action for defying a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services on Thursday, the day of his superannuation, and this may include suspension of pensionary benefits, officials said. According to the officials, this non-compliance of the directive amounted to violation of service rules for all India services officers. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday. As Verma did not take up the new assignment as directed, he is likely to face departmental action which may include suspension of pensionary benefits, MHA officials said. Attempts to reach Verma for a comment did not fructify. In a letter sent to Verma Wednesday, the MHA said, "You are directed to join the post of DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards immediately". This communication was seen as a rejection of his plea in a letter
SAD skips NDA meeting over interference in gurdwara, package for farmers
The BJP's oldest ally SAD Thursday said it skipped the meeting of the NDA as the regional party was "extremely upset" over RSS' interference in the management of gurdwaras and also demanded a package for farmers in the country. Shiromani Akali Dal's Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Naresh Gujral said the party wanted to attend the meeting of NDA leaders, held on Thursday, to chalked out a strategy for the Budget Session, but "skipped" it over the issue of interference of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in management of gurdwaras. "We are extremely upset and hurt by what is happening in Hazur Sahib in Nanded. The RSS should not interfere in the religious issues related to the Sikhs. We have also been demanding a package for the farmers," Gujral said. When asked about the SAD not attending the meeting of floor leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the BJP's ally in advance had informed that it will not attend the ...
Nepal pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary
Several Nepali leaders, diplomats, academicians and students paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary during a programme held here. A talk on "Mahatma Gandhi: Peace, Non Violence and Humanity" was organised by the Embassy of India and DR Memorial Library Development Board here on Wednesday. The speakers on the occasion highlighted the importance of Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence and inclusiveness in today's world. Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Dr Ganga Prasad Upreti said Mahatma Gandhi was born in India but he was a globally recognised figure. "Gandhi's commitment towards truth, non violence and humanity is very important in human history to maintain permanent peace in the world," Upreti said. India's Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri said Gandhi was far ahead from his time. "The relevance of Gandhi then and now for India, Nepal and other countries of the world is same," he pointed out. Ambassador Puri and Upretti also released a bilingual version .
CBI questions Mamata Banerjee's aide in Saradha scam
The CBI has questioned a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Manik Majumdar, in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam, officials said Thursday. The agency had given a notice to Majumdar, who has been Banerjee's secretary since her early days in politics, to appear before it, the officials said in New Delhi. But he had expressed his inability to come to the agency's Salt Lake city office in Kolkata citing his age and health, they said. Considering his application, the CBI team reached Majumdar's residence near the famous Kalighat temple in Kolkata to question him and record his statement Thursday, they said. The sources said the CBI suspected that Majumdar was a key player in managing funds of the party who had knowledge about the purchase of Banerjee's paintings by Sudipta Sen, the promoter of Saradha group. The Supreme Court had ordered a probe into the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam and transferred the case to CBI in 2014. Thousands of investors were left in .
Pak statement on Qureshi's phone call to Mirwaiz anguished India: Govt sources
India reacted sharply to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's phone call to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and subsequent statement by Pakistan Foreign Office on it primarily to send a "very strong" message that certain "red lines" must not be breached, government sources said Thursday. India was particularly anguished over Pakistan's statement on Tuesday, sharing details of the conversation that centred around the Kashmir issue, they said. Though Pakistani leaders may have telephoned separatists in Kashmir in the past but perhaps, it was the first time in recent years that Islamabad put out a statement highlighting the talking points which New Delhi felt was a clear case of violation of the red lines, the sources said. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale Wednesday night summoned Pakistan envoy Sohail Mahmood and categorically told him that Qureshi's action was a "brazen attempt" to subvert India's unity and territorial integrity. He was also "cautioned" that persistence of such ...
Gujarat: After criticising Cong, Alpesh Thakor meets Vijay Rupani
Congress MLA and prominent OBC leader from Gujarat, Alpesh Thakor, who has expressed unhappiness with his party's state leadership, met Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar on Thursday. The meeting triggered speculation in the political circles. However, Rupani tried to play it down, saying Thakor came to discuss issues concerning his constituency. "He came as an MLA to make a representation about the issues (concerning his constituency). All Congress legislators meet me for that purpose. Nothing else," the chief minister told reporters in Sabarkantha district's Idar town. Thakor, who represents Radhanpur seat in Patan district, was not available for comment. The meeting comes weeks after Thakor claimed that his community and supporters were feeling "cheated" and "ignored" in the Congress. Without taking any names, he had said some "weak leaders" were at the helm of party affairs in Gujarat, an apparent reference to state Congress chief Amit Chavda. In an open threat to the ...
Jind bypoll victory shows people's faith in Haryana govt: Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Thursday the BJP's win in the Jind by-election indicated the people's faith in his government and predicted that the party would win all Lok Sabha seats in the state. "The comprehensive win of the BJP in the bypolls is a clear indication of the increasing faith of the people in the state government's transparent and graft-free governance and uniform development policy," Khattar told reporters here. "The people of Jind also continued with the same trend as was followed during the massive victory of the BJP in elections to five municipal corporations held recently. I'm confident that the party will win all the 10 seats from the state in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," the chief minister said. The Bharatiya Janata Party won the high-stakes bypoll, which also saw the newly-floated Jannayak Janata Party scoring convincingly higher than parent party Indian National Lok Dal and Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala settling for the ..
Def Ministry clears Rs 40,000 crore project to construct 6 submarines
The Defence Ministry Thursday approved indigenous construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of over Rs 40,000 crore, officials said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement, they said. The project will be implemented under the strategic partnership model which provides for roping in private firm to build select military platforms in India in partnership with foreign defence manufacturers, the officials said.
India closely following Afghan peace process: Government
India is closely following the Afghan peace process undertaken by different stakeholders and supports all such efforts, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.
Brexit could be delayed if new deal reached with EU: UK minister
The UK could delay its exit from the European Union if negotiations are reopened and a new deal is reached with Brussels by the end of March, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday.
Only new alternative can defeat BJP in Haryana: Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the by-election result from Jind shows that the Congress cannot defeat the BJP in Haryana but only a new political alternative can.
Alok Verma may face departmental action for defying govt order
Ousted CBI director Alok Verma may face departmental action for defying a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, officials said on Thursday. According to the officials, this non-compliance of the directive amounted to violation of service rules for all India services officers. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday, the day of his superannuation. As Verma did not take up the new assignment as directed, he is likely to face departmental action which may include suspension of pensionary benefits, home ministry officials said. Attempts to reach Verma for his comment did not fructify. In a letter sent to Verma Wednesday, the MHA said, "You are directed to join the post of DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards immediately" which was seen as rejection of his letter addressed to Secretary Department of Personnel .
Budget Session: Opposition insists govt to take up non-controversial Bills in Parliament
The Opposition has asked the government not to take up any controversial Bills for passage in Parliament in the Budget Session, said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday."We should take up only those Bills which are not controversial and on which there is total unanimity. We, the Opposition would like to discuss issues like safety of women, inflation, unemployment and farmers' issue. We are expecting that the government will not bring any controversial Bill. We will only cooperate on those Bills which are non-controversial," Azad told media after attending the all-party meeting here.The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that the government has assured to present an interim budget only.TMC leader Derek O'Brien also said, "The government talks about women all the time but have not listed Women Reservation Bill. We have asked the government not to take up any controversial Bill in Parliament".The Budget Session of Parliament will .
India hopes UK will keep sensitivities in mind and not allow Kashmir conference
India on Thursday expressed hope that Britain will keep its sensitivities in mind and not allow the proposed conference on Kashmir, which is expected to be attended by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated this a day after India lodged a strong protest over Qureshi's phone call to Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during which he invited him to the conference.With India taking strong objection to the telephone call, the Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale summoned Pakistan High Commissioner last night and told his country to desist from such actions as the persistence of such behaviour will have implications. "UK is aware of the sensitivities in the matter, both as a friendly country as well as a strategic partner. We hope that the Government of United Kingdom will address our concerns, which we have explained, possibly on the proposed conference, very clearly intended to undermine the unity, ...
India says not extending Feb. 1 deadline for e-commerce norms
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India will not extend beyond Feb. 1 a deadline for the implementation of modified foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for its e-commerce sector, it said in an official notification on Thursday.
BJD in BJP's pocket & Cong in BJD pocket in Odisha: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday alleged the Naveen Patnaik government continues to be in power in Odisha due to the absence of an opposition, as the BJD, the BJP and the Congress are hand in glove with each other to "share the booty". He was addressing a meeting of 'Samajik Nyaya Abhijan', promoted by former Union minister Srikant Jena, who was expelled from Congress recently. Kejriwal alleged the three major parties have an "unseen alliance" and they do not oppose each other because of which the state failed to develop despite being endowed with rich minerals and natural resources. "All of them are sharing the booty for which there is no real opposition," the president of Aam Admi Party (AAP) alleged. "Here in Odisha, there is no opposition to the state government which continued for long. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is in the pocket of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress in the state is in the BJD's pocket," Kejriwal, who was accompanied by party MP Sanjay
Number of women legislators in Raj Assembly rises to 24
With the victory of Congress's Shafia Zubair in the Ramgarh poll on Thursday, the number of women legislators in the Rajasthan Assembly has increased to 24. In the 200-member House, the Congress has 12 women legislators, the BJP 10, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party one and one is independent. Women legislators of the BJP include former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and former minister Anita Bhadel. With the victory of Shafia Zubair, there are eight Muslim MLAs and all of them are from the Congress party. The Congress had fielded 27 female candidates in the assembly elections in December. Zubair secured 44.77 per cent votes against BJP candidate Sukhwant Singh's 38.20 per cent, according to officials of the state election department. Election to Ramgarh seat, which was won by the BJP in 2013-assembly elections, could not be held along with other constituencies due to the death of the BSP candidate ahead of December 7 assembly elections.PTI SDA -- Sandeep ...
Pak successfully test-fires short range ballistic missile 'Nasr'
Pakistan Army on Thursday successfully test-fired the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile 'Nasr' which it claimed can defeat any ballistic missile defence system now available in the country's neighbourhood or any other system being developed. Nasr, with a strike range of about 70-km, is a high precision, shoot and scoot weapon system with the ability of in-flight maneuverability, according to the Pakistan Army. The missile was already tested last week. "The 2nd phase of this exercise was aimed at testing the extreme inflight maneuverability, including the end flight maneuverability; capable of defeating, by assured penetration, any currently available BMD system in our neighborhood or any other system under procurement/development," it said. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officers from the Army Strategic Forces Command, scientists and ...
Trump upbeat on China trade talks but wants to meet Xi to cinch deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Thursday about high-level trade talks with Chinese officials in Washington but said no final deal would be made until he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.