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India, China discuss joint projects in Afghanistan
Russia showcases naval power
French burqa ban goes before Parliament
Two women appointed Shariah court judges
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India, China discuss joint projects in Afghanistan
Beijing, July 4 National Security Adviser (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special envoy began his high-level engagements by holding talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi today.
After talks at the Foreign Ministry here, Yang accompanied by Menon told the Indian media that “talks went off very very well... we have a tour of the whole horizon” of issues. A significant part of the discussions between Menon and Yang reportedly centred on economic issues and the booming trade between the two countries that is expected to touch a new of high of $60 billion this year. Apparently issues relating to Pakistan and the visit of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to China beginning from July 6 reportedly to firm up cooperation to build two nuclear power plants figured in the talks. “We also went to specifics about certain aspects of our relationship,” Yang said without directly referring to Pakistan and India’s concerns to the two nuclear reactors. These issues were expected to figure in Menon’s scheduled talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and state councillor Dai Bingguo tomorrow. India has expressed reservations over China’s proposed nuclear deal with Pakistan under which it will provide two nuclear reactors to Pakistan. “We talked a lot about high-level exchanges and visits and (steps) to further boost trade volume to create even better conditions for mutual investment, cooperation and even talked about the possibility of cooperation on certain subjects in other countries and let us have three or four party collaborative projects in the economic field as well,” he said. Yang’s reference to projects in third country was interesting as the two sides apparently discussed collaborative projects including in Afghanistan where they want to tap trillions of dollars worth mineral resources jointly with other countries. Recent reports said huge deposits of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium were large enough to transform Afghanistan into one of the most important mining centres in the world. India, China, the United States and a vast number of European countries, which are present in Afghanistan, could work out a joint initiative to tap the resources which could change the face of poverty-stricken Afghanistan reeling under a Taliban insurgency. The two sides also discussed having preparatory meetings before top international conferences like the just- concluded G-20 summit to work out common positions on vital issues. Over all Yang in his brief talk with the media painted a positive picture of ties between the two countries. “What is more important is that over all tone of our relationship is very positive. There is lot in common between us. I believe that Menon’s visit will really pave the ground to a large extent for further our strategic partnership,” he said. Yang also said China wants more student-related and cultural exchanges between the two neighbours. “I mentioned given the size of respective populations, students and cultural exchange between the two countries so far have not really added too much. There is a lot we can do. Good beginning has been made. But we really have to pitch in and do lot more together to further consolidate the social basis to further our relationship,” he said. — PTI
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Moscow, July 4
Medvedev watched the impressive drills of the Russian Navy as part of the strategic Vostok-2010 (Orient-2010) wargames from the nuclear-powered “Pyotr Veliky” cruiser sailing in the sea of Okhotsk. “Russia was and remains a great naval power capable of accomplishing tasks in the problem regions and is ready to defend its interests,” Medvedev said praising the servicemen for “displaying high professionalism.” Over 20,000 men and 70 combat aircraft, 1,000 military hardware and 30 warships, including battleships of Black, Baltic, Pacific and Northern fleets, are taking part in Vostok-2010, the biggest ever war games in the Far East on the ‘Chinese front’ since the Soviet collapse in 1991. As the supreme commander of the armed forces Medvedev sailed in to the Sea of Okhotsk on board the ‘Pyotr Veliky’ (Peter- the- Great) cruiser, famous as ‘killer of aircraft carriers’, Russian media reported. The President watched how two Kamov Ka-27 helicopters dropped into sea sonar buoys to search in the operation to search and destroy “enemy” submarines. The wargames began on June 29 and are to conclude on July 28 and involve the Russian military might stationed in the Eurasian part of the country from Ural Mountains, Siberia and Far Eastern military areas. In the course of the war games Russia for the first time deployed its frontline Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-34 combat jets from the central parts to the far eastern parts 8,000 km away. “For the first time ever, we have tested in practice the capability for fighter jets to fly from aerodromes in the European part of Russia to eastern airfields in the Far Eastern district without landing, with in-flight refuelling and the delivery of strikes according to assignments received during the flight,” Chief of General Staff, Army General Nikolai Makarov said. During the six hour non-stop flight the fighter aircraft crew could accumulate experience in mid-air refuelling and going into action thousands of kilometres away from home base, Defence Ministry’s Zvezda (Star) TV channel reported. — PTI
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French burqa ban goes before Parliament
Paris, July 4 The legislation would make it illegal to wear the face-covering veil anywhere in public and impose fines of $190 dollars to women caught in attire that President Nicolas Sarkozy has described as degrading to women. The debate opening Tuesday at the National Assembly caps months of public wrangling over a move that is fraught with risk. Defending the move, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Muslims who wear face coverings are “hijacking Islam” by providing a “dark and sectarian image” of the religion that is “the opposite of the French Islam that you have contributed to build.” The bill, set to go to the Senate in September for a final vote, would make it illegal for reasons of security for anyone to cover their face in public. To avoid stoking tensions, the law would, however, give police some leeway to waive penalties and instead order offenders to enroll in a “citizenship course” to better understand French secularism. Husbands who force their wives or daughters to wear the full veil face a fine of up to 30,000 euros and a one-year jail term, according to the draft bill. No penalties will be applied in the first six months after its adoption. — AFP
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Two women appointed Shariah court judges
Kuala Lumpur, July 4 This showed that women in the country enjoyed equal treatment as men, he said. “Even in Islam, the religion does not limit women to advance. Their status is protected.” He was commenting on the appointment of Suraya Ramli, 31, and Rafidah Abdul Razak, 39, who were made Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur Shariah Court judges, respectively, in mid-May. On Saturday, Najib was quoted saying that the appointments were made to enhance justice in cases involving families and women’s rights and to meet current needs. To a question on whether there were plans to increase the number of women Shariah judges in other states, Najib said it would be up to the state authorities. —
PTI
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Washington Diary
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes on a trip to Washington last week noted with gratitude India’s contribution to his country.In a roundtable discussion at the Heritage Foundation, Quayes said it was only quite natural that Bangladesh and India should have the “closest of relations.” He then cited a bit of history to underscore his point. “During our war of liberation, our freedom fighters fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Indian soldiers... A few thousand Indian soldiers died in our war of liberation. That is a contribution we cannot forget ... and time and again remember with gratitude,” he said. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina Wazed visited India in January. Quayes described the visit as a major breakthrough in the bilateral relationship. Destination India
Senator Chris Dodd, Connecticut Democrat, heads to India this week. In New Delhi, Dodd has meetings scheduled with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia. In Mumbai he will meet members of the Reserve Bank of India.On the agenda will be US-India relations and the global economic crisis. “India is an important economic partner and has been a true friend to America for many years,” said Dodd. “I look forward to visiting Delhi and Mumbai and meeting with officials to discuss current issues affecting both countries and how to further strengthen US-India relations.” Where’s the caucus?
The much-touted India Caucus on Capitol Hill has become conspicuous by its absence. Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the US Congress have formed pro-India caucuses in both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate. It is common practice for lawmakers to form caucuses in order to provide a forum for issues and legislative agendas. These caucuses cover a wide range of issues from political causes to boating. (Yes, there is a Congressional Boating Caucus.) On a recent visit to the US, a retired Indian official who’s career included a high-profile stint in Washington, noted that the India caucus had turned silent over the years. “Where’s the caucus?” he asked. A common complaint heard from critics of such groupings is that lawmakers often sign up simply to pad their resumes. In the lawmakers’ defence, there have of late been no prickly issues that require the caucus’ muscle. The historic yet controversial civilian nuclear deal was the last time members of the caucus were looked to for support. Not running...
A record number of Indian Americans-at least eight-are running for political office in the US. Prominent among them is Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, a Republican who is tipped to win the election for governor of South Carolina, Manan Trivedi, a doctor and Iraq war veteran running for a seat in Congress representing eastern Pennsylvani, Raj Goyle (he is fighting for a seat in Congress representing his hometown of Wichita, Kansas) and many more.
However, Dr Rajiv Shah, the Indian American USAID administrator, wants you to know that despite his meteoric rise he had no intention of running for the highest office in the United States of America. In a light-hearted moment at an event at the National Press Club recently, Shah, 37, addressed the non-existent rumours. Describing Shah’s remarkable career path, event moderator and National Press Club President Alan Bjerga said, “You worked at the Gates Foundation, you worked for the US Department of Agriculture as its chief scientist, you are the head of USAID, but for some people in this room that is not enough.... Development experts have said the USAID chief position should be elevated to Cabinet status or to a seat on the [National Security Council]. Do you agree?”Shah responded tongue firmly in cheek. “I thought you were going a different place with that question,” he said, “In case anybody wants to know, I really wasn’t running for president at all.” The remark got a chuckle from his audience.
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