New Delhi, December 4
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that Russia being a great power could use its influence to convince Pakistan that the strategy of using terror as an instrument of state policy against India was counter-productive.

“On our part, if Pakistan’s territory ceases to be used by terrorists, we see immense opportunities for the two countries to work together in cooperation. There are immense opportunities of expanding trade, investment and technology flow between the two nations,” he told Russian journalists ahead of his three-day visit to Moscow beginning Sunday.

Stressing that India and Russia could work together to devise effective counter-terror strategies through coordinated intelligence and information system, the PM said the Indian subcontinent faced the onset of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by ‘our neighbour’.

In the wide-ranging interview, Manmohan spoke at length about historic India-Russia ties, global economic crisis and other issues.

He sought to dispel the impression gaining ground that India was tilting more towards the US, while ignoring its long-standing relationship with Moscow. “We are clear that our growing engagement with the rest of the world cannot be at the cost of our time tested ties with Russia. Russia is an important factor of peace, stability and security in the world,” said Manmohan.

Admitting that there were still certain obstacles to be crossed before India and Russia could clinch the deal over Admiral Gorshkov carrier, the PM expressed confidence that the two countries could find practical solutions to the problems. “Collaboration between our two countries in the field of defence is a very vital aspect of our development. It will stay that way for many years to come.”

Cooperation in the field of nuclear energy had been a very important pillar of the India-Russia cooperation. India had identified new sites for collaboration with Russia for nuclear power projects. The PM was in favour of liberalising the bilateral visa regime so as to develop the closest possible business and people-to-people contact between the two countries.

Referring to the impact of the global economic crisis on the Indian economy, the PM said the immediate effect was that the growth rate declined to around 6.7 per cent. This year, the government expected the growth rate to be about 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent. In two to three years’ time, the PM was confident that the Indian economy could bounce back to the growth rate of about nine per cent per annum.

Meanwhile, there were indications that India and Russia could sign an atomic energy agreement on the lines of the 123 agreement that has been inked by India and the United States recently. The pact would cover a broad spectrum of bilateral nuclear trade. Although, India has a nuclear pact with Russia, it is confined to the construction of nuclear sites.

Russia is already building four nuclear energy reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and two additional sites have been allocated for new reactors in Haripur and West Bengal.

In 2008, Russia was the third country to sign a nuclear deal with India after the latter’s pact with the US. During the visit, the two sides are also expected to sign agreements for enhancing cooperation in the health and culture sectors.

New Delhi, December 4
The political battle between the Trinamool Congress and Left parties in West Bengal reverberated in the corridors of Parliament today with both parties leading separate delegations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Continuing with her tirade against the Left Front government, Trinamool Congress leader and Railway Minister Mamata Banerji submitted documents to the Prime Minister detailing the excesses committed by the state authorities, but rejected the demand for imposition of Central rule in West Bengal. Instead, she made a case for the deployment of the Army in three affected districts.

Left leaders met Manmohan Singh and presented him with “evidence” to expose the nexus between the Trinamool Congress and Maoists in West Bengal.

"The Prime Minister has been repeating that the Maoists are the biggest threat to India's internal security. But on the other hand, members of his own Cabinet and the Trinamool Congress are patronising the Maoists," CPM leader Sitaram Yechury told mediapersons after the meeting with the Prime Minister. He further said the Trinamool Congress was resorting to violence to expand the party’s political base in the state.

The Left leaders maintained that the Prime Minister had assured them that he would forward the documents and CDs submitted by them to the Home Ministry for a “proper and thorough” probe.

Although Mamata Banerji has made periodic demands for the dismissal of the West Bengal government, she retracted on her previous statement today, saying she did not favour Central rule in the state but wanted the law and order sitaution to be controlled.

She was also unhappy with the Home Ministry's team which went to West Bengal to assess the law and order situation but did not go beyond Kolkata.

"We don't want Article 356 to be imposed so that elections are advanced. But the state government must follow raj dharma. A state government cannot kill people like this. We have handed over all documents to the Prime Minister, including how 35 Trinamool workers have been killed," she said.

Both Banerji and Yechury maintained the Prime Minister had assured them all help.The Marxist leader quoted the Prime Minister as saying that he favoured steps to restore the civic administration in the affected districts and that talks with Maoists could only begin if they abjured violence.

New Delhi, December 4
Discussion on the Liberhan report has been rescheduled once more both in Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It will now be held on December 7-8 in the Lower House and December 9-10 in the House of Elders.

Also since the debate will be held on two days and the Opposition will get more time, the party is fielding three speakers each in both Houses. In the Lok Sabha, apart from BJP president Rajnath Singh, deputy leader Sushma Swaraj and Ananth Kumar will also speak. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitely will initiate and the other two BJP speakers will be M Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The debate was earlier scheduled for December 1 in the Lok Sabha but shifted to December 9 because Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav had protested that he had not received the Hindi copies and, therefore, he could not participate in the debate. It was then put off to December 9-10 in the LS and December 14 was fixed for the Rajya Sabha.

Home Minister P Chidambaram tabled copies of Hindi translation of the report in Parliament yesterday. Sources said after this Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was approached by Rajya Sabha members, who were unhappy with the debate in their House being put off to third week of December.

Soon after Bansal spoke to Sushma Swaraj seeking her consent to advance the date to December 7-8.

Chandigarh, December 4
Justice Mukul Mudgal takes over as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday.

Justice Mudgal will be sworn in as the Chief Justice at Punjab Raj Bhavan at 1 pm.

Punjab Governor Gen S.F.Rodrigues (retd) will administer the oath of office to the new CJ. The announcement comes a month before Justice Mudgal’s birthday. Born on January 4, 1949, Justice Mudgal was appointed as a Judge of the Delhi High Court on March 2, 1998.

Justice Mudgal has done his schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, and B.Sc. (Hons) from Hindu College, before doing his LL.B from Law Faculty, Delhi University.

He successfully represented eight banned cricketers in the Supreme Court as a counsel in 1989 and appeared as amicus curiae in matters of public interest, including prison reforms and environment law cases.

Enrolled as an advocate on October 11, 1973, he practised in the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court in civil, criminal, constitutional and labour laws.

New Delhi, December 4
The government’s decision to unilaterally reduce its carbon emission by 20-25 per cent today evoked a strong reaction from the BJP, which charged the UPA of being arm-twisted by the developed countries into revising its climate change policy.

Expressing strong reservations about environment minister Jairam Ramesh’s announcement yesterday, BJP leader Arun Jaitley maintained it was bad negotiating strategy to announce a unilateral decision before the negotiations at the multi-lateral forum have even begun. Drawing attention to a similar unilateral announcement by China, Jaitley said India’s decision to follow suit suggests that the government got carried away by the “bandwagon effect” of some countries.

“It is poor strategy to announce unilateral stance on the eve of Copenhagen summit without waiting for the approach of the developed countries,” Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaitley told mediapersons, stating that by doing so, India had only weakened its position.

The BJP leader also found it “curious” that leaders of developed countries were insisting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should attend the forthcoming conference on climate change in Copenhagen and wondered if this could be because they felt the PM could be easily persuaded.

To a specific question on the reason behind the government’s decision, Jaitley said the government had given in to pressure from developed countries.

“It could be pressure from the United States and China...I am not very sure,” he said, adding that India had consequently deviated from the basic premise that a “polluter must pay.” He said the factual matrix of India and China was not identical as the per capita pollution of China was much higher.

New Delhi, December 4
Government proposes to set up a centralised system to monitor communications on mobiles, landline phones and Internet in an effort to track terror plots faster.

The Telecom and IT ministry is expected to put up the proposal for a clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) following which the project would be launched. Government is hoping to launch a pilot project of the Central Monitoring System (CMS) by June, 2010.The Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) is envisaged to be implemented by the Department of Telecom to strengthen the security environment in the country.

According to the Ministry of Telecom in the existing system, secrecy can be compromised because of manual intervention at many stages.

In CMS, there will be minimum manual intervention and functions will be performed on secured electronic link.

Interception through CMS will be instant while it takes rather long in the existing system. Central and regional database will help central and state-level law enforcement agencies in interception and monitoring.

CMS will also help in direct electronic provisioning of target numbers by the government agencies without any manual intervention from telecom service providers.

New Delhi, December 4
In what will address apprehension among political parties over the sensitive issue of India’s role in battling terrorism in Afghanistan, the US has, so far, not sought any ground-level role for the Indian armed forces. US Pacific Command Chief Admiral Robert F Willard, who is responsible for the entire Asia-Pacific region, today said no proposal of joint Indo-US operations in Afghanistan has been discussed during his present visit to India. Meeting a group of news persons here in the national capital, Admiral Willard, however, made it clear that US, which leads the collation forces, favours a significant role for India in ensuring peace in the trouble-torn region.

Terming India as one of the most important military partner of the US, the Admiral, said the pacific command will foster that relationship. The Admiral, who took over as the command some six-weeks ago, said “it is for the Indian military and the Indian government to decide ( its own role in Afghanistan)”

India has to decide whether it wants a military presence in the war-ravaged country, and also a role in the period when US troops withdraw. President Barack Obama has said withdrawal will commence in the summer of 2011, but not put an end date on the withdrawal, Willard pointed out. He was replying to questions if US was satisfied with Indian participation in the Afghan peace process and also India military presence once US troops withdraw.

The Commander said the US and India have discussed the latter’ role in Afghanistan and Pakistan during every engagement, including during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent talks with President Obama in Washington.

On the possibility of a trilateral India-US-China military arrangement in the Asia-Pacific region, Willard said it was “premature,” while adding that US China military engagement lags behind and the US is looking to improve military dialogue with China. The US continues to engage China and so does India.

Asked about China building an aircraft carrier, the US commander said Beijing had shown “intent on operationalising the warship by 2015, for which “dedication and commitment" was required as it was "an expensive and complex" process.

When asked if the long-tanding Indo-Russian military relationship was a hindrance to US relationship with India, Admiral Willard said “there were no such invisible walls”.

“In fact, the US is also improving relations with Russia,” he added.

New Delhi, December 4
India said today that it was keen on revival of the political process and speedy resettlement of Sri Lankan Tamils displaced in the northern region of the island nation, besides an inclusive dialogue in the country.

Replying to a calling attention motion in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said while he knew that the Lankan government might not be in a position to live up to its promise of resettlement in 180 days, "We cannot expect that our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka will remain in camps for a long time." Recalling the victory of the Sri Lankan government over the LTTE, he said the victors "must be magnanimous" and take proactive and positive steps to protect the weak.

Making a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Krishna said New Delhi had also been assured by Colombo that all people, displaced by the two-decade-long civil war, would be resettled by the end of January, 2010.

To a question by BJP Deputy Leader Sushma Swaraj, who had moved the calling attention motion, Krishna said the government would "certainly consider" sending another team of MPs to Sri Lanka.

Krishna noted that the issue of resettlement of the Sri Lankan Tamils was discussed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a recent visit of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Colombo.

Krishna also outlined the measures taken by India to help provide relief to nearly 3,00,000 internally displaced persons in northern Sri Lanka. “We continue to work with the Sri Lankan government to ensure the resettlement of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),” Krishna said.

He said it was crucial that the IDPs were given immediate humanitarian attention and that urgent steps were taken to resettle them in their original places of habitation.

He informed the Upper House that after India conveyed its concern over the issue, the Sri Lanka government had “agreed that the bulk of the IDPs” would be resettled within 180 days.

In making the statement, the government avoided the calling attention motion which some MPs from the southern states had submitted.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu had objected to this move just before Krishna got up to read the four-page statement.

The Minister said India was keen to see the revival of the political process in Sri Lanka that would meet the legitimate interests and aspirations of all communities, including Tamils and Muslims, within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Four de-mining teams are currently in the island nation, with another three to be sent after suggestion made by the Indian parliamentary delegation.

India has donated 2,600 tonnes of shelter material, with another consignment of similar amount to be sent soon. India also plans to supply cement as well as a project to rehabilitate war widows, Krishna said.

Sri Lanka should focus on issues of relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and reconciliation, he noted. “We have consistently urged the government of Sri Lanka to quicken the pace of rehabilitation and resettlement,” he said.

New Delhi, December 4
The three chiefs of Defence staff today, on the occasion of Navy Day paid their homage to the martyrs at the national war memorial at India Gate. Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor and Air Chief Marshal PV Naik paid floral tributes to the soldiers at the war memorial. The Navy, the smallest of India’s defence forces operates one of the largest forces in the Indian Ocean with a fleet of more than 155 vessels, but many of its ships are old and due for replacement.

There were presently 40 ships and submarines on order, according to the Navy Chief. The Indian Navy is acquiring a number of platforms-frigates, destroyers, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, mini counter vessels, fast interceptors and tankers, while finalising the design for the landing platform dock on the lines of INS Jalashwa.

The Navy Chief had said earlier that the Navy plans to increase its fleet strength from 130 to 170 warships within the next decade in a bid to establish itself in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

Naval Chief had said 60 more aircraft and 60 helicopters would also be inducted in the aviation wing of the fleet during the same period.

Admiral Verma had said recently that the Indian Navy would be acquiring 40 warships and new fighter jets indigenously and from abroad.

The Indian cabinet committee on security had recently approved the formation of ‘Sagar Prahari Bal’ or SPB, a new naval force formed to protect coastlines and naval bases of India. The 1,000 officers and sailors of the Indian Navy forming part of SPB will commence their three-week training from January 11 at Kochi. — ANI

Jamshedpur, December 4
Extending support to statehood movements for "all round development", former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma today said he was in favour of carving out smaller states.

"I am strongly in favour of more small states in the country. I am supporting the demands of a separate Telengana, Bundelkhund, Gorkhaland and likewise," the NCP general secretary told news persons here.

"I will even support trifurcation of Uttar Pradesh and bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh", he said adding "In fact, I am in favour of division of big states into smaller ones for rapid development and to check regional disparity".

Sangma, who was in the steel city to campaign for NCP candidates in Kolhan region of Jharkhand in the ensuing assembly election, favoured a "true" federal system over the prevailing quasi-federal set up in the country for all round development. The NCP leader advocated setting up another state re-organisation committee to look into the small state demand.

Commenting on the spurt in Naxalism and insurgency in the country, Sangma said the educated youth were being lured to take up arms because they were not getting jobs.

Referring to Shiv Sena supreme Bal Thakeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thakeray's alleged anti north Indian stance, Sangma said this was probably due to the migration of people from northern India to the more developed western and southern states in search of livelihood. Sangma suggested that states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should make attempt to prevent people from migrating by providing employment within the state itself. — PTI

Patna, December 4
They may be arch rivals in Bihar politics. The war of words between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav not only amuse their supporters but also their detractors. But the voters of Jharkhand are missing all this in the election meetings being addressed by the RJD chief and JD(U) strongman. Both Lalu and Nitish prefer to attack the Congress there instead of pulling each other’s leg.

Lalu has virtually pitched his tent at Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand, ever since he began the election campaign in the tribal

land for seeking votes for his party candidates as well as his allies-LJP and the left. Interestingly, the Congress has become his punching bag instead of the BJP and NDA now. The RJD chief blames the party at the helm in Centre for all the ills that has plagued this newly carved state beside the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

According to him, "Congress is a party of opportunists who believe in the policy of use and throw". Calling himself a victim of this policy, Lalu tells the voters "You all are well aware of my unconditional support to the Congress when they needed it the most but Look what they have done to me now".

On his part, Nitish has also been charging the Congress with giving a step motherly treatment to both Bihar and Jharkhand. He also blames

the Congress for patronising and supporting the corrupt government of Madhu Koda for almost two years. In his own inimitable style, Nitish

takes a dig at the Congress on Madhu Koda issue by asking the voters "when it came to licking Madhu (Honey) they were all friends but now they do not want to take the Koda (whip-lash)."

The sudden aggressive posture of Lalu against the Congress has not surprised the political observers. According to them, the RJD chief orNitish would never wish to see the Congress growing stronger in Jharkhand lest it would affect the voting pattern in neighbouring

Bihar too. In their opinion, Lalu is working overtime in Jhakhand elections to ensure that there is a hung assembly so that his supportbecomes crucial for the government formation by the Congress. In that case he can once again align with the Congress for the Bihar electionsscheduled next year. Similarly, Nitish would never want the Congress to form the government in Jharkhand else the upper caste and theminority voters in Bihar may go back to the grand old party.

Lucknow, December 4
In memory of the centuries old Buddha statues which were pulled down in Bamiyan by Taliban, a private trust is setting up the tallest Lord Buddha statue in India at the pilgrimage centre of Sarnath.

The 90-feet-tall statue which is almost 80 per cent complete would be installed next year, Mrigday Van Mahavihara society secretary Dharam Rashmi said The statue, estimated to cost Rs 1.5-2 crore, is an effort by Buddhist followers to commemorate the destruction caused by the Taliban about eight years ago. It will be installed in the Sarnath Thai temple, near Varanasi, Rashmi said. — PTI