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Tuesday,
October 22, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Buildup gave right message: George
Indo-US air force exercises on ‘Perceived’ LAC violations by China detected |
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BJP-RSS meeting this week India, Iran discuss
pipeline issue
Warrant against
Sonali cancelled
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Buildup gave right
message: George New Delhi, October 21 This, he said, would help meet urgent requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He pointed out that resources for the ongoing projects and acquisition as also the future acquisition plans had not been a constraint. He was addressing Air Force commanders on the inaugural day of the week-long, bi-annual commander conference. The minister also assured support to the IAF proposals for a light attack helicopter on the ALH platform, and for upgrading airfield security from within the existing manpower of the IAF and the visit of the Suryakiran aerobatics team of the IAF to perform abroad. Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, outlined the consolidation of IAF capabilities during the past one year. The Air Chief said the induction of new aircraft and systems was progressing well. |
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Indo-US air force exercises on New Delhi, October 21 The exercise is the biggest one to be held here between the two countries in terms of both the number of personnel participating and the equipment being used. This is also the first time that only the air force element of both the countries is jointly conducting the exercises, without the involvement of other services. The IAF here said nearly 150 personnel from the US air force and approximately 300 from India would be participating in the exercises which would be touching upon newer operational areas. In terms of equipment, the USA would be using five of its Hercules C 130 aircraft while the IAF would be putting to use seven AN 32 and two IL 76 aircraft. The exercises are being undertaken to prepare the two air forces to undertake joint operations. This is the second Indo-US military exercises to be held at Agra this year. The Indian forces also just returned last week from Alaska after taking part in joint exercises with the US forces. Men from both the IAF and the Indian Army participated in the exercises at Alaska. Among the new areas to be explored would be the dropping of specialised loads keeping in view various contingencies. The thrust would also be on contingency management and deployment of special forces in the shortest possible time. In a bid to achieve greater operational understanding between the two air forces, the Indian pilots would be sharing the cockpits with their US counterparts. The exercise would also be repeated on the Indian aircraft with the US pilots sharing the cockpit of AN 32s and IL 76. The two countries have also deployed a total of 45 observers with the view to finetune whatever shortcomings the pilots from the two countries might face during the exercises. |
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‘Perceived’ LAC violations by China detected New Delhi, October 21 “Our personnel came across some perceived violations of the LAC by Chinese troops, particularly around the area of Pangong Lake, which is 135 km long and 45 km wide,” ITBP Director-General S.C. Chaubey told newspersons here today. He, however, quickly added that these “perceived violations”, which never exceeded beyond a few metres, were not something “out of the ordinary” and never led to any clash or conflict between the two sides. “Whenever we come across such violations, the government authorities are promptly informed,” he said, while briefing newspersons about the relay LRP that covered about 2,600 km from Karakoram pass in Ladakh to Lipulekh Pass in Kumaon between July 29 and October 14. Most of the violations took place in the Ladakh sector, but a few violations had also been noticed in the Garhwal sector, Mr Chaubey said. India and China had formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) to resolve the long-standing issue and the group met here a few months back. The ITBP chief also stressed the need for a “road network” on the Indian side along the LAC with China and a separate air wing for more effective surveillance. The ITBP Director-General said the proposal for an air wing for the force had not been sanctioned due to “financial constraints”. On the “one border one force” proposal, Mr Chaubey said the ITBP was still awaiting the government’s nod. |
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BJP-RSS meeting this week New Delhi, October 21 While the meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, it is being rescheduled in the wake of the BJP election campaign committee meeting being held on October 23 in Gandhinagar. Though a meeting between the two was long overdue, it became necessary in view of the recent attack on Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Brajesh Mishra by Vishva Hindu Parishad working president Ashok Singhal. While Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu and party general secretary Sanjay Joshi will participate in the meeting on BJP’s behalf, sangh chief K. Sudarshan, RSS joint general secretary Madandas Devi and RSS spokesman M. Bhagwat would represent the RSS. If Mr Sudarshan is unable to attend the meeting Mr H.Y. Sheshadhari would be present at the meeting. |
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India, Iran discuss
pipeline issue New Delhi, October 21 Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal led the Indian team for the strategic dialogue on October 19 and 20, Mr Navtej Sarna, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters today. While the proposed North-South international corridor is aimed at boosting Indian exports to Iran and through Iran to Central Asian countries, the Indo-Iran pipeline project envisages taking the two countries’ relations in the energy sector to new heights. Feasibility studies on the pipeline project are being conducted and India is keeping “all options open” on whether the pipeline would be overland, underground or under-sea. Security considerations are of paramount importance to both Iran and India as the Taliban and Al-Qaida continue to have pockets of influence in southern Iran. |
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Charge sheet filed against Salman Mumbai, October 21 Salman’s bail petition was rejected by Metropolitan Magistrate S.Y. Sisode, on the ground that he had no jurisdiction to grant bail. The actor would once again move the Sessions Court for bail. His bail plea was rejected for the fourth time.
PTI |
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Warrant against
Sonali cancelled Mumbai, October 21 The warrant was cancelled by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Gate after the actress appeared before him on October 16. The actress was asked to pay a penalty of Rs 100 for not appearing before the court earlier. Her advocates assured the magistrate that Sonali would appear before the court as and when she was called. The court had issued a non-bailable warrant against the actress as she failed to turn up on October 14 for framing of charges against her.
PTI |
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Dates for SAARC summit not fixed New Delhi, October 21 A Foreign office spokesman said here today that the exact dates for the summit were to be decided after consultation among all member countries. He denied any knowledge of Pakistan proposing any set of dates for the summit. |
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Khatami R-Day chief guest likely New Delhi, October 21 Well-placed sources here told The Tribune today that the consultation process in this regard was still on and a concrete decision was likely to take place soon. |
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