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India backs Afghanistan's delay in signing of Bilateral Security Agreement with US

Onboard, Feb 16 (ANI): Union Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid backed Afghanistan President, Hamid Karzai's 'calculations' on signing of long-term security deal with US that would authorize American troops to remain in war-torn country after 2014. The Foreign Minister was speaking to mediapersons onboard after attending the inauguration ceremony of the first National Agriculture University of Afghanistan. Khurshid's visit comes amid a rift between Karzai and the US, jeopardising their proposed bilateral security agreement that is vital for the limited presence of American forces in Afghanistan after the drawdown this year.

India, Pakistan end cross-border trade crisis

Islamabad, Feb 14 (ANI): Pakistan and India reached an agreement to resume trade across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, and to allow trucks to move across the heavily-militarised de facto border. Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told in Islamabad that the steps were taken in the interest of Kashmiris on both sides of the border.

China expresses interest in developing a stronger bond with India

Chinese state councillor, Yang Jiechi, said that China looks forward to strengthen bilateral ties with India and to work in harmony with India on the five principles of peaceful co-existence - a pact formed by the two countries 60 years ago.

Pakistan Government-Taliban Peace Talks - Hypocrisy at Work?

Gilgit Baltistan, February 11, 2014: Pakistani government is talking peace with Militants who don't care to spare women and children, and have blood of innocent citizens of PoK on their hands, in talks between Pakistan Govt and Taliban which took place last week, where many in PoK believes that talks with Taliban reflects the weakness of present Pakistan Government.

Japanese firms provide solutions for safety and environment issues in Asia

Singapore, Feb 11 (ANI): Japanese firms are working to improve the lives of people through technological innovations. NEC Corporation, the Japanese multinational IT services and products provider, recently displayed its products and services at "NEC Innovative Solutions fair 2014" in Singapore. The company has established the regional headquarters of its Asia pacific operations in Singapore.

Pakistan air force will provide training to Iraqi air force

Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, Lt. General Anwer Hamad Ameen Ahmed, who is on a visit to Pakistan with a nine-member delegation, met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A statement issued from the Prime Minister's office said, during the meeting with Sharif, two agreements were signed between PAF and the Iraqi air force.

Pakistan air force to provide training to Iraqi air force

Islamabad, Feb 11 (ANI): Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, Lt. General Anwer Hamad Ameen Ahmed, who is on a visit to Pakistan with a nine-member delegation, met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A statement issued from the Prime Minister's office said, during the meeting with Sharif, two agreements were signed between PAF and the Iraqi air force. According to the first agreement, PAF will provide training to Iraq Air Defence Force personnel in all spheres of modern Air Force concepts pertaining to special Air Defence and Air Crew. The agreement was signed by Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt from the Pakistani side and General Ahmed from the Iraqi side.

Baloch people suspect more mass graves in Balochistan

London/ Quetta, Feb 10: These pictures reflect the growing anger and frustration among the Baloch community as they seek justice for genocide in their homeland. Recently, three mass graves were unearthed in Tutak area of Khuzdar district in Balochistan containing over 150 dead bodies, which were decomposed and beyond recognition. Locals believe they are the corpses of the missing Baloch, who were arrested and later unlawfully killed by Pakistani security agencies. Mahdim H Bor, the UK representative of World Baloch Women's Forum suspects that there are more such graves in Balochistan.

ULFA leader's conviction in Chittagong arms haul case significant for India-Security Expert

New Delhi, Feb 9 (ANI): In a landmark verdict, a metropolitan court in Bangladesh has handed out death penalty to 14 people, including the Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rehman Nizami and prominent leader of separatist Indian outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Paresh Barua in the Chittagong arms haul case.

Bangladesh opposition says 300 men killed, disappeared in a month

Dhaka, Feb 5 (ANI): The head of Bangladesh's largest opposition party, the BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia accused the Awami League government of being involved in the killing or disappearance of more than 300 activists around the time of the country's election. Zia said her party had details of 242 supporters who had been killed and 60 who had disappeared between December 26 and January 27, as well as another 22,000 who had been arrested.

Gilgit under stronghold of Taliban

Gilgit Baltistan, Feb 4, 2014: Gilgit Baltistan is under the grip of Talibanisation... the mushrooming of terror camps and Pakistan's policy of divisiveness has left the region struggling against Talibanisation.

Japanese firms provide allied services to industries in Asia

Bangkok/ Jakarta, Feb 04 (ANI): Industrial growth largely depends on efficient supply and distribution of goods and material. In Thailand, at an industrial park near Bangkok city, there are many companies, including some 500 from Japan. But, they did not have many choices for transportation and delivery of goods. Sagawa Express Thai Container Distribution Service started Less Than Truckload (LTL) courier service in January 2014. It trucks goods from customers and delivers them within a 100km radius of Bangkok. One of Sagawa Express' logistic bases is located about 10km from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Former government advisor of Bangladesh analyses fateful 2014 elections

Dhaka, Feb 04 (ANI): Post the violent elections in Bangladesh conducted on January 05, the Executive Chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and a former Advisor to the caretaker government of Bangladesh, Hossain Zillur Rahman, pinpointed the failures of the elections that were also shunned globally. Rahman said that the low turnout in constituencies was primarily because it was widely perceived that the election was not a competitive one. Rahman said that the question was about the legitimacy of the election.

Second phase of global Islamic congregation concludes in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 3 (ANI): Thousands of Muslims sought peace, forgiveness and blessings for mankind as the second phase of this year's Bishwa Ijtema (world congregation) concluded in Bangladesh, following the final prayer on the bank of the River Turag. Indian religious scholar Maulana Zubairul Hasan led the 20-minute prayer session at the Ijtema, which saw a huge participation of Muslims across the globe, on the bank of river Turag in Tongi near Dhaka.

Ruins of old civilization come alive at Pakistan cultural festival

Mohenjo Daro, Feb 3 (ANI): The ruins of the Indus Valley civilization came alive when modern trends and history were fused at the inaugural ceremony of the Sindh Festival at Mohenjo-daro in southern Pakistan. The two-week festival aims at commemorating the cultural heritage of Sindh province and to spread a message of peace in the violence-plagued country.

Bangladesh journalist expresses discontent over low turnout in elections hit by political turmoil

Dhaka, Jan 31 (ANI): Bangladesh journalist Saleem Samad on Friday expressed discontent over low turnout in the recent violence-plagued elections, which were marred by clashes and strikes as the opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the polls. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League ended with more than two-thirds of seats in a contest that was shunned by international observers as flawed and derided as a farce by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). With fewer than half the seats contested, the outcome was never in doubt. Talking to a reporter in Dhaka, Samad said the polls were first in the last 42 years which were not only low from voter's point of view but also from the candidates'. Samad said the voter turnout was low due to the fear instilled by the opposition.

Pak seeks early solution to intra-Kashmir trade issue

Islamabad, Jan 31 (ANI): Pakistan said it wants early solution to the issue relating to suspension of intra-Kashmir trade, so that the trade on this sector could continue. Efforts by India and Pakistan to increase trade and ease tension in disputed Kashmir have suffered a blow with Indian police saying they had seized more than 100 kilograms (220 lb) of heroin concealed in a truck full of nuts coming from the Pakistan side. Pakistan halted cross-border trade and bus travel across the Himalayan region after the seizure, and after New Delhi summoned Pakistan's acting envoy in protest. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the issue was under discussion between the two countries and it would be resolved soon.

Bangladesh HC orders death sentence to 14 in arms smuggling case

Chittagong, Jan 31 (ANI): A Bangladeshi court sentenced 14 people to death, including an Islamist party leader, Indian militant, a former security agency chief and a former deputy government minister for involvement in the country's biggest ever arms smuggling case. Leader of United Liberation Front of Assam, Paresh Barua, was among those who were awarded death penalty. Police seized 10 truck-loads of weapons in a raid on a state-owned jetty in the port city of Chittagong in 2004.

India, Bangladesh resume bus service as political tensions simmer in Dhaka

Agartala, Jan 30 (ANI): India, Bangladesh resumed the border bus service, which was suspended following violence and strike in Dhaka, ensuring smooth passage of goods and commuters. Commuters hoped for trouble-free passage at the transit points. Earlier, an Indian bus was set ablaze by violent protestors close to Dhaka leading to suspension of service. Bangladesh recently concluded elections that ended with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League winning more than two-thirds of parliament seats.

Obama lays out go-it-alone approach in State of Union speech

Washington DC, Jan 29 (ANI): US. President Barack Obama in his State of the Union address spoke of what unites the country, while laying out his strategy for getting around a divided Congress - a plan that reflects scaled-back legislative ambitions after a tough year. He also made it clear that he would bypass lawmakers to get things done. He spoke of the growing inequality in the country. He pledged to sign an executive order raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for federal contract workers with new contracts. He called on Congress to follow suit by raising the minimum wage for all workers. The President will now embark on a two-day road trip starting on Wednesday including stops in Pennsylvania and Tennessee where he will pitch his message directly to the American people.