Page 2704 - Politics
India needs to be self-reliant in defence production: Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat Thursday said India cannot be assured about its security without becoming self-reliant in defence production, while underlining that the country should purchase defence equipment from international market on its own terms. Bhagwat was delivering his annual Vijyadashmi speech at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. The Sangh was founded on the occasion of Vijyadashmi in 1925, and its chiefs' annual speech has been used to put out the organisation's perspectives on issues of national and social importance. Bhagwat's remarks on defence production assume significance as the BJP-led government is under attack from the Congress over the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. "The country cannot be assured about its security without becoming self-reliant in defence production," Bhagwat said. He said that to sell its products in the international market, sometimes a country needs to purchase something from a foreign nation. Thus, buying defence ...
US officials optimistic on US-China military ties
After a rocky few months, Pentagon officials say they sense that relations with the Chinese military may be stabilizing. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis was meeting Thursday with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, on the sidelines of an Asian defence ministers' conference. Just weeks ago, Mattis had planned to travel to Beijing for talks with Wei, but that fell through when the Chinese made it known that Wei would be unavailable -- one of several signs that tension in the overall US-China relationship was spilling over into the military arena. Wei and Mattis were in Singapore this week for an Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference where China's increasing assertiveness on the world stage was an expected topic. The Pentagon's top policy official for Asia and the Pacific, Randall G. Schriver, told reporters on Wednesday that the Chinese had requested the Singapore meeting with Mattis. He said U.S. officials took this as a sign that the Chinese are interested in stabilizing .
Nepal PM to invite PM Modi to attend Bibaha Panchami in December
Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli will invite his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to attend the "Bibaha Panchami" celebrations in December during the latter's state visit to the Himalayan nation."Bibaha Panchami' held annually in Janakpur, the birth land of Goddess Sita. As the festive season is going on we are yet to make a detailed programme and inform our other officials regarding it," an aide to the Nepal Prime Minister confirmed to ANI."His visit invitation for the Bibaha Panchami on December 12 this year is confirmed as Bishnu Rimal has earlier confirmed. A detailed report about it will be released as soon as the festive season is over," he added.Along with the visit to Janakpur, Prime Minister Modi will also be inaugurating the railway bridge between Janakpur and Bihar's Jainagar, which is being constructed with the aid from India and had been stalled since 2014 over an upgrade. Previously, Prime Minister Modi was confirmed to be visiting the Himalayan nation at
Hindu brothers don't call me for campaigning now: GN Azad
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has stated that the number of Hindu candidates inviting him to campaign for them has reduced.Azad pointed at the fact, that since his days as a youth leader he has been campaigning across the country for a number of party candidates belonging to the Hindu community."Since the days of the Youth Congress, I have been campaigning across the country from Andaman Nicobar to Lakshadweep. 95 per cent of those who used to call me were Hindu brothers and leaders, and just five per cent were Muslim brothers," he said.Further, Azad asserted that the figure has dropped to a significant low as Hindu candidates fear losing out on votes if he campaigns for them."But in the last four years, I have observed that the figure of 95 has dropped to just 20 per cent. This means that there is something wrong. Today people hesitate in calling me, thinking that it would affect their vote banks," Azad explained.The leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha indirectly charged ...
Bhagwat cautions against "urban Maoism" and "neo-Left"
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Thursday said Maoism has always been "urban" and the neo-Left doctrine of urban Naxals is to establish an "anti-national" leadership with blind followers solely committed to them. He charged that "urban Maoism" was propagating falsehood and spreading hatred in the society. Maoism has always been urban which used neglected sections of society to further its agenda, he said. "These people (Maoists) take strength from the country's enemies and always malign the nation wherever they go," he charged in his annual Vijayadashmi address at the RSS headquarters at Reshimbagh here. To establish an anti-national leadership with blind followers solely committed to them is the 'neo-Left' doctrine of these urban Naxals, he said. Their cohorts already established in social media, intellectual circles and other institutions are associated with such activities, he added. Through the manufacturing of a vicious atmosphere that weakens the ...
Khashoggi warns in last column of free rein to silence media
The Washington Post has published a new column by missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in which he warns that governments in the Middle East "have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate." The Post published the column Wednesday, more than two weeks after Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and only hours after a gruesome account in Turkey's Yeni Safak newspaper alleged that Saudi officials cut off Khashoggi's fingers and then decapitated him inside the consulate while his fiancee waited outside. The Saudi government, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has denied any involvement. In a note affixed to the top of the column, Post Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah said she received the essay from Khashoggi's translator and assistant a day after he was reported missing. Khashoggi first began writing for the Post's opinion section in September 2017, and his columns criticized the prince and the direction of the ...
EU dismisses Brexit summit in November, citing lack of progress
The leaders of the 27 countries that will remain in the European Union (EU) after Britain's withdrawal called off an extraordinary summit on the Brexit in November due to insufficient progress to organise the meeting.
Growing nervousness over Chinese behaviour brought India closer to US, says Carter
India's growing nervousness over China's behaviour in the region played a pivotal role in bringing it closer to the US, according to former US defence secretary Ashton Carter. Carter, who in his various capacities at the Pentagon including as defence secretary played a key role in cementing India-US defence relationship, said in a major policy paper on Wednesday that China stands isolated and India has emerged as a key and dependable ally of the United States in the region. India, he said, is an example of how the strategic benefits of the principled, inclusive network can overcome hesitation. "Once deeply skeptical of US influence in South Asia, India became a more active participant in regional security during my two years as Secretary of Defence than at any time in its history," he said. Currently director of Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, Carter said many factors led to India's decision to seek closer ties with the US: its ...
Conte, Moon express 'deep concern' at global protectionism threat
Rome, Oct 18 (IANS/AKI) Amid an escalating trade war between the United States and China, Italy's premier Giuseppe Conte and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday voiced "deep concern" at the danger of resurgent protectionism after they held talks in Rome.
Pompeo to undertake 2-day visit to Panama, Mexico
United States (US) Secretary of State Micheal R. Pompeo is slated to travel to Panama City and Mexico City on October 18 and 19, respectively, to advance priority issues in bilateral relationships with Panama and Mexico.In Panama City, Pompeo will meet with President Juan Carlos Varela and Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado on Thursday to discuss the ongoing US-Panama collaboration on regional priorities, including defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua, and on issues including counternarcotics, counterterrorism, and illegal migration, as per an official statement.The US Secretary of State will then proceed to Mexico City on Friday, where he will meet with President Enrique Peña Nieto and Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso, as well as with Foreign Secretary-designate Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon.During the meeting, Pompeo will reaffirm the US' commitment to cooperate with both the current administration and the incoming administration of ...
Mizoram will soon witness corruption free, pro-development govt: Amit Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah, who has kick-started campaigning in poll-bound Mizoram, said that the state will soon witness a corruption free and a pro-development government in the state.Addressing statewide booth level workers at Aizawl's R Dengthuama Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, the BJP chief said, "In Nagaland, Meghalaya, wherever BJP contested, it won. I am quite confident that the BJP will win the forthcoming state election and Mizoram will soon see a corruption free, the pro-development government in the state."Shah, who also inaugurated the Mizoram BJP headquarters, announced that the party will contest all the 40 seats on its own. "We will not go with the Congress or the Mizo National Front (MNF). We will fight all seats on the basis of the strength of our workers," he said. Shah also inducted senior Congress leader BD Chakma into the party.Hitting out at the Congress, Shah said that poll-bound Mizoram has lots of possibilities in hydro-power and .
Pak ISI, Army have hijacked hopes of people: Ex-Afghan intelligence chief
Former National Directorate of Security (NDS) Chief Amrullah Saleh stated that Pakistan's intelligence services and army have "hijacked the hopes of the people" of both Afghanistan and Pakistan by supporting terrorist organisation Taliban and influencing the situation in Afghanistan through violence."We have been suffering many of these years because Pakistan has unleashed, in the words of my President, an undeclared war on the Afghan state. They (Pakistan) created the Taliban, and they still continue to provide training, equipment, logistical support and sanctuary for the Taliban. Even the Taliban leaders who travelled to Doha to meet the US envoy for negotiations, they travelled from Pakistan," Saleh told ANI.The politico further opined that had there been no Pakistan support for Taliban, Afghanistan would have been a peaceful country. "The Afghan people have always desired a normal relationship with Pakistan, but unfortunately Pakistan Army, Pakistan intelligence services have ...
Reshuffle in Bihar cabinet expected after Durga Puja
After Durga Puja, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government's cabinet is likely to be reshuffled and expanded.The Janata Dal (United), the ruling party in Bihar, is expected to focus on leaders like Shyam Razak and Ashok Choudhary with an aim to garner votes from the scheduled caste community. Razak, who was a prominent face for JD (U), failed to get a ministry last time and was hence unhappy with the Nitish Kumar government.According to sources, former Congress president of Bihar unit, Ashok Choudhary, who later joined the JD (U), is expected to get an important portfolio in the state cabinet.Meanwhile, JD (U)'s ally BJP is focusing on upper caste or Hinduvadi image leaders who can attract votes from the higher castes in the upcoming elections.A few days back, political strategist Prashant Kishor had officially taken the plunge and joined the JD (U). It is speculated that Kishor may be entrusted with a key portfolio in this reshuffle.The Chief Minister reportedly said at the JD (U)'s ...
In Turkey, Pompeo discusses Iranian oil consumption, Khashoggi's disappearance
United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues of bilateral importance.Pompeo, while interacting with travelling media persons, stated that he had a "good, constructive" conversation with the Turkish President, where the statesmen talked about Iran and the sanctions which are supposed to be levied on the nation. The US Secretary of State outlined how the US would like Turkey to buy "less" Iranian crude oil than they do at the moment and mentioned that working groups have been engaged to cater to the issues surrounding this.He further said that the return of Pastor Brunson to the US "opens up a lot of opportunities" for US-Turkey relations. He also indicated that there may be "logic" in removing Brunson-related sanctions on Turkey while stating that no final decision has been made.The two leaders also discussed the Jamal Khashoggi case, during which Erdogan assured Pompeo that Saudi Arabia is ...
VP Naidu arrives in Brussels for 12th ASEM Summit
Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Brussels on Thursday ahead of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.During his visit, the Vice President is slated to participate in the Plenary Session of the Summit and hold interactions with various stakeholders. He will also call on His Majesty, the King of the Belgians and have bilateral meetings with the heads of state/government from Austria, Portugal, Switzerland and other countries on the sidelines of the Summit.Naidu will also address the Indian Diaspora at the Jain Culture Centre in Wilrijk, Antwerp and offer a floral tribute at a sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi located in the Governorate at Antwerp.This will be the first multi-lateral summit the Vice President will be attending after assuming office in August last year.The theme of this year's ASEM Summit is 'Global Partners for Global Challenges'. The bi-annual event is considered the highest platform for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe in the areas of ...
BJP lodges complaint against Kamal Nath for tweeting fake photo
Madhya Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed a police complaint against Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath for tweeting a picture of a road from Bangladesh on October 15 and passing it off as one from Madhya Pradesh to allegedly malign Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government.In the run-up to the assembly elections, the BJP has requested to take action against Nath.The tweet, originally written in Hindi by the Congress leader, alleged widespread corruption in the incumbent Madhya Pradesh government. The image, which was tweeted by Nath from a verified account titled 'Office of Kamal Nath' on October 14, shows a man rolling up a just laid road made up of tar like a carpet while some bemused kids watched.It was later observed that the picture was originally tweeted in 2016 by a Bangladeshi user, who criticised the Bangladeshi government for the poor condition of roads.After Nath's post went viral, Chouhan highlighted that the photograph was fake. He also .
UK, EU agree to take more Brexit time after no-result summit
European Union leaders gave themselves several more weeks perhaps until the end of the year to clinch a friendly divorce with Britain before their separation, after a Brexit summit Wednesday avoided any friction but also produced no tangible results. British Prime Minister Theresa May provided none of the substantial new proposals that EU Council chief Donald Tusk had urged her to bring to the table, giving the 27 other leaders little more than a plea for goodwill. "The last stage will need courage, trust and leadership on both sides," May told her EU counterparts. Officials said there were hints that Britain might consider extending a post-Brexit transition period beyond the proposed 21 months to make talks on a future trade relationship easier. But the meeting that had been painted as a make-or-break moment for a Brexit deal ended with a whimper. "Nothing new tonight," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said after an evening when not exacerbating divisions with Britain was seen as a .
Joseph Dunford meets Pak counterpart, discusses South Asia's security environment
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford has met his Pakistani counterpart General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and discussed the current security environment in South Asia, the Pentagon has said. Dunford this week hosted the Counter Violent Extremist Chiefs of Defence Conference in which over 80 international chiefs of defence participated at Joint Base Andrews to discuss countering violent extremist organisations. Gen Hayat also attended the conference. "The senior leaders (Dunford and Hayat) discussed the current security environment in South Asia," Joint Staff Spokesperson Colonel Patrick S Ryder. "The senior military leaders participated in discussions that reinforced the main themes of the conference, to include security cooperation and capacity building, applying military pressure and countering violent extremists," the Pentagon said in a statement. Throughout the conference, Dunford highlighted the need to expand the military network and build upon past ...
U.S. eyes more Venezuelan sanctions, but oil on backburner - U.S. official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to turn up sanctions pressure on Venezuela but sees less need to immediately target its energy sector, given sagging production from the OPEC member's state-run oil company, a senior U.S. administration official said on Wednesday.
Two Indian-Americans gain momentum ahead of mid-term Congressional polls
Two Indian-American candidates have increased their winning chances in the November 6 mid-term elections as the Democratic committee has added them to the 'Red to Blue' programme which is for the most viable and high-impact campaigns. Hiral Tipirneni is running for the US House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament called Congress, from Arizona's 8th Congressional District and Sri Kulkarni from Texas' 22nd Congressional District. On November 6, Americans will vote for members of both chambers of Congress -- the US House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as for governors in 36 out of the 50 states. All 435 seats in the House are up for election while 35 out of the 100 seats are being contested in the Senate. Republicans currently control the House and the Senate. 'Red to Blue' designation by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)'s is for the most viable and high-impact campaigns. Earlier this year, the party had recognised Aftab Pureval from Ohio's