Diplomacy

Iraqi water minister meets Indian counterpart (19:32)
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Iraq's Water Resources Minister Mohanad Salman Al-Sady Thursday met his Indian counterpart Harish Rawat to discuss proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the area of water management between the two countries.

56,700 Indians face deportation from Saudi Arabia: Khurshid (19:32)
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) As many as 56,700 Indians face deportation from Saudi Arabia in the next one-and-half months and ten officials have been despatched to the kingdom to help the Indian mission prepare emergency certificates for their exit, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Thursday.

Australia, India sign MoU on agriculture cooperation (18:22)
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Australia and India Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and strengthen cooperation in skills training in the agriculture sector, said a statement.

India to be 'cautious' vis-a-vis Pakistan (17:46)
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) India will take "cautious and incremental steps" in the peace process with Pakistan because of past experiences, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Thursday.

China to support Pakistan for stability, development: Li (17:22)
Islamabad, May 23 (IANS) The Chinese government will unswervingly stick to its friendly policy toward Pakistan and support the South Asian nation in realising stability and better development, visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Thursday.

Belarus dismisses US report on religious freedom (03:12)
Minsk, May 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Belarusian foreign ministry has dismissed part of the Religious Freedom Report published by the US State Department about the country as "outdated" and failing to take into account the current situation in the country.

UAE leaders hold talks with foreign officials (02:12)
Abu Dhabi, May 23 (IANS/WAM) Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have met senior officials of the US, the Czech Republic and Kenya and held talks on enhancing ties.

Japan to help raise institute of design in Haryana (22:40)
Chandigarh, May 22 (IANS) The country's second National Institute of Design will come up in Haryana's Kurukshetra district and Japan will provide technological assistance for the same, a minister said Wednesday.

With Sonia backing, PM vows to build better India (Roundup) (22:36)
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Marking nine years of the UPA government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday promised to build "an economically resurgent and socially just India" and unveil a transparent regime to do away with corruption.

'India will do everything to promote security, stability in Afghanistan' (20:24)
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) In the backdrop of reports that Afghan President Hamid Karzai may have sought increased security assistance from New Delhi during his two-day visit, his third in two years, India said Wednesday it would do everything within its means to promote stability and security in that country.

India, China favour more cooperation in health sector (20:04)
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) India and China Wednesday decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation, specially in the fields of maternal and child health, infectious diseases and other emerging health challenges, officials said here.

Sri Lanka denies scuttling power devolution (16:44)
Colombo, May 22 (IANS) Sri Lanka denied Wednesday plans to roll back power sharing mechanisms with the Tamil minority despite attempts to stop long overdue elections in the former war-torn north.

Indian vice president visit to Ethiopia (16:14)
By Hadra Ahmed
Addis Ababa, May 22 (IANS) Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari will visit Ethiopia to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (AU) on May 25.

China to consolidate Pakistan ties: Li (Lead) (16:12)
Islamabad, May 22 (IANS) China would firmly consolidate and develop ties with Pakistan "no matter how the international and regional situation changes", said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who arrived here Wednesday on an official visit to Pakistan.

When Li had prawn kaseong, kung pao vegetables (15:56)
Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Sliced lamb with onions, shredded chicken in red and green pepper, prawns kaseong, and kung pao vegetables -- the dinner table was set Tuesday at Mumbai's iconic Hotel Taj Mahal Palace for visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Chinese premier fascinated by Hotel Taj (15:54)
By Quaid Najmi
Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who stayed a brief 15 hours in Mumbai, felt "fascinated" by his sojourn in the iconic Taj Mahal and Palace Hotel, officials said here Wednesday.

India always had consensus on Palestine: Khurshid (15:32)
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Pointing out the centrality of Palestine in India's foreign policy, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Tuesday underlined its vital significance for the Indian nation.

Chinese premier arrives in Pakistan (14:42)
Islamabad, May 22 (IANS) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to Pakistan, aiming to deepen friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

Manmohan to visit Thailand (14:42)
Bangkok, May 22 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pay an official visit to Thailand from May 30 to 31, the Thai foreign ministry announced here Wednesday.

`China-Pakistan have all-weather strategic ties' (12:06)
Islamabad, May 22 (IANS) Li Keqiang left India for Pakistan Wednesday, the second stop of his first overseas trip as China's premier. Xinhua described the Islamabad-Beijing ties as an "all-weather strategic partnership".

Indian film festival to be held in Seoul (11:26)
Seoul, May 22 (IANS) An Indian film festival, where hugely popular Bollywood movies like "Lage Raho Munnabhai" will be screened, is to be held here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea.

India, US to cooperate on law enforcement issues (10:34)
Washington, May 22 (IANS) India and the US have agreed to work together institutionally to ensure the best possible outcomes within the laws of the two countries on issues relating to law enforcement, counter terrorism and judicial processes.

India, US seek elimination of terror havens (09:16)
Washington, May 22 (IANS) India and the US have called upon all nations - without naming any country - to take effective steps to work toward eliminating sanctuaries and infrastructure that supports terrorism and to increase efforts to counter violent extremism.

UAE, Singapore discuss global development (09:08)
Abu Dhabi, May 22 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore have held talks over international development.

UAE, China discuss economic relations (08:06)
Abu Dhabi, May 22 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China have held talks over their bilateral economic relations.