Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan: Gilani

Islamabad, Sep.20 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yosuf Raza Gilani is back to singing his ‘K-tune’ by describing Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein.

Interacting with a group of political leaders during an Iftaar party at the PM House here, Gilani said Islamabad’s policy on Kashmir was based on Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s stance that “Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan.”

Referring to the government’s recent decision to grant internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilani said Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir would remain unchanged.

“I want to express in clear and unequivocal terms that this decision of the government will not bring any change in Pakistan’s principled stand on Kashmir,” Gilani said.

Gilani blamed India of neglecting the long pending Kashmir issue and said that Pakistan wants a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully and have invited India for negotiations, despite it repeatedly ignoring them,” The Daily times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Gilani said he had categorically told Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during their meeting at the margins of the NAM summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh earlier this year that resolving the issue was very important for establishing peace in the region.

“There could be no peace in the region until the Kashmir dispute was resolved according to the aspirations of its people,” he added. (ANI)

US Ambassador meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Update- US Ambassador)

New Delhi, Sept 18 (ANI): The United States Ambassador to India, Timothy J Roemer, today met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence.

The meeting took place after Roemer met Union Home Minister P. hidambaram.

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Chidambaram, Roemer said bringing the culprits to justice and going after Saeed were important to both India and the United States.

“Swift and mighty punishment for the six Mumbai suspects in Islamabad, is important for United States and is important for India. And going after Saeed is very important and dismantling the infrastructure of LeT in that region is extremely important to the United States and to India,” said Roemer.

The meeting took after reports of two FIR’s against Saeed came late last night.

He has been charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act for making anti-state speeches where he urged activists of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the frontline organisation for LeT that he heads, to wage a ‘jehad’.

Saeed has also been charged for heading a charity collection drive during the Ramazan month according to the police.

Earlier, Roemer had called on Pakistan to take action against Saeed.

“There are five, probably six, suspects currently being held in Islamabad in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. It is extremely important that these six people be brought to justice and put behind bars and receive sentences commensurate with their crimes against India, US and the world,” a news channel quoted Roemer, as saying

“I hope that in future the action on 26/11 includes people like Hafiz Saeed. Recently he was put into an Interpol red flag list,” he added.

The remarks follows Chidambaram’s visit to US, where he had briefed several ministers under the Barack Obama administration about Islamabad’s inaction against perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage.

The attacks, which drew widespread condemnation across the world, began on 26 November 2008 and lasted until 29 November, killing at least 173 people and wounding at least 308. Among the dead were 28 foreign nationals from 10 countries.

Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only attacker who was captured alive, has disclosed that the attackers were members of LeT, which is considered a terrorist organization by the Government of India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among others.

Interpol has also issued a Red Corner Notice against Saeed, and Zaki -ur- Rehman Lakhvi (another mastermind of the 26/11 attacks). The notice was issued after a Mumbai court issued non-bailable warrants against both terrorists. (ANI)

Chidambaram says Maoists seeking alliance with north-east insurgent groups

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that Maoists are seeking an alliance with northeast insurgent groups.

Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day conference on internal security threats, Chidambaram said the Maoists have been sought alliances with secessionists and insurgentse also said that terrorist groups, including the LeT and the JeM, are persisting with their endeavours to launch terror attacks.

“The Communist Party of India-Maoist besides targeting inimical forces was laying a greater emphasis on targeting infrastructure like roads, bridges,” he added

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on Tuesday. He will also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The Intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

DGPS/IGPs conference to deliberate on major internal security issues

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will inaugurate the DGPs/IGPs Confernce-2009 here today.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on the second day and also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference is expected to deliberate on major internal security threats, including left wing extremism, terrorism, coastal security, insurgency in the north-east and circulation of fake currency notes in the country.

The agenda also includes presentations on important policing issues such as the National Police Mission, corporate fraud and security arrangements being planned for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

After Ladakh, Chinese incursions now reported in Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Sep.13 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has reportedly informed the Central Government about possible incursions by the Chinese in his state.

Pokhriyal, quoting reports from locals in Rimkhim in Chamoli district, said the Chinese entered the state on September 5 and left behind biscuit packet wrappers and cigarettes.

He informed both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry about this development and sought their help in curbing what he calls frequent incursions in his state.

He said, “We have shared the information with the Centre and we have demanded for more patrolling force at the Indo-China border.”

About a fortnight ago that the Chinese had ventured as far as the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Chinese military helicopters had air dropped food packets in the region.

In another provocation, Chinese troops entered 1.5 kilometres into Indian Territory near Mount Gya-recognised as International border by India and China. Chinese troops painted rocks, boulders in Indian Territory red and labeled them “China”. The Chinese Government, however, has denied this charge through its foreign ministry.

Private television channel TIMES NOW quotes the Leh Deputy Commissioner as mentioning in a letter every instance of Chinese incursion and threats to sheperds in the region. The letter states that the Chinese are not only disputing territory, they are actually claiming the land as their own.

China has also raised a stink over proposed visit to Tamang in Arunachal Pradesh by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. (ANI)

DGPS/IGPs conference to deliberate on major internal security issues

New Delhi, Sep 11 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will inaugurate the DGPs/IGPs Confernce-2009 on September 14.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on the second day and also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference is expected to deliberate on major internal security threats, including left wing extremism , terrorism, coastal security, insurgency in the north-east and circulation of fake currency notes in the country.

The agenda also includes presentations on important policing issues such as the National Police Mission, corporate fraud and security arrangements being planned for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

Indo-Pak Foreign Secy level talks in September: Pak FO

Islamabad, Aug.29 (ANI): The Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks will be held in mid September in New York, the Pakistan Foreign Office has said.

According to sources, India Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will meet her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on the margins of the 64th UN General Assembly.

Sources said the prime focus in the meeting would be on preparing the agenda for the forthcoming talks between the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

The date and venue for the talks is yet to be finalized, The Dawn reports.

Pakistan’s dilly dallying attitude over prosecuting Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Mohammad Saeed, the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, has cast a shadow over the much awaited dialogue between India and Pakistan.

It may be recalled that the Secretary level talks between both countries in Sharm-el-Sheikh on the margins of the NAM summit had failed to produce any substantial results.

Despite some initial positive signals, the talks which were expected to set the tone of the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, failed to achieve any major breakthrough.

Diplomatic analysts, who are keeping a close watch on the developments, believed that the success of the secretary level talks was directly related to the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue, but for the time being neither country has revealed the future course of action.

Mixed signals coming from Islamabad on the appeal in the Supreme Court against the release of Saeed seem to have done the real damage. (ANI)

Prime Minister to inaugurate anti-corruption conference on Wednesday

New Delhi, Aug.25 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate a two-day Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conference on anti-corruption on Wednesday.

During the conference the issues of corruption and efficacy of the existing legal system in dealing with the menace will be deliberated upon.

The 17th biennial conference of CBI, State anti-corruption bureaux and vigilance agencies attended by their chiefs aims at strengthening the anti-corruption mechanism in the country.

According to an official release, various dimensions of corruption in India and the strategies to effectively handle it and also focus on the efficacy of existing legal instruments and administrative arrangements to deal with the menace will be deliberated upon.

The conference would have seven sessions during which several presentations and discussions on the subjects of topical interest including that about the probe into the multi-crore rupees Satyam scam would be made.

The topics covered during the conference include Anti Corruption Work in Karnataka Lokayukta- A study; Innovation as a tactical tool to combat corruption; Good practices followed by anti-corruption agencies.

Investigation of anti-corruption cases- Technological perspectives; Capacity building for Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and State FSLs; Vigilance aspects in public procurement and tendering processes; Contemporaneous issues (State referred issues) would also figure during the conference. (ANI)

PM to address Second Heads of Missions meeting today

New Delhi, Aug 24 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference of Heads of Indian Missions abroad here today.

Besides Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the conference will also be addressed by External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vyalar Ravi, National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, MP, and other senior government ministers and officers.

The HOMs will also have an interaction with Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Various high level sessions during the conference will cover inter-alia the global financial crisis, the Indian economy and climate change.

A new feature of this year’s conference will be the interactive sessions with some special topical themes. This will enable the Heads of Missions to provide the government with their own experiences gained during the last one year of implementing foreign policy in different countries and regions.

The conference will provide an opportunity for the government to give directions to the envoys on major foreign policy objectives.

This annual interaction between the Government of India and its envoys will help to ensure that the latter are well equipped to shoulder the complex responsibilities that are required to be fulfilled in a rapidly changing global environment.

This is the second such meeting, the first being in December last year in the backdrop of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks when India was on a “diplomatic offensive” against Pakistan. (ANI)

Maldives can always count on India as a well-meaning friend, says Antony

Male’ (Maldives), Aug 22 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony has said India and Maldives are a ‘shining model of how two countries of differing sizes can cooperate with each other as equals’.

Speaking at the concluding session of the India-Maldives Friendship Week here last night, he said: “India would like to share views on issues like climate change, economic development as well as problem areas such as drug trafficking, extremism and the threat of terrorism that is afflicting the region as well as the larger world.”

“We would be happy to work with Maldives in these areas to evolve collaborative and cooperative approaches,” he added.

Antony said: “Both countries have been extremely conscious of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and, at the same time, realize that their destinies are intertwined. Both countries have always emphasized the mutuality of interest and support each other in numerous ways- at the bilateral, regional and International level.”

“India is proud of this partnership and engagement and deeply value the friendship of the people of Maldives. In this quest, the people of Maldives can always count on India as a sincere and well-meaning friend,” he added.

Referring to the democratic transformation that has taken place in Maldives in recent years, he said India would be happy to assist Maldives in any way that is possible in strengthening democracy and democratic institutions that are being built in Maldives.

The event was attended by the top leadership of Maldives including President Maohammed Nasheed.

Meanwhile, Nasheed has agreed to a request from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to be the chief guest at the Technology Development and Transfer Meeting on Climate Change to be held in New Delhi on October 22.

The request of the Prime Minister was conveyed by Antony to Nasheed in Male’ on Thursday. (ANI)

India’s coastline vulnerable but security measures in place: Sureesh Mehta

Mumbai, Aug 20 (ANI): After Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s talked about a possible terror threat to the country, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta has said that the coastline was vulnerable, but adequate security measures were in place.

Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of flagging off a solo expedition of circumnavigating the globe by Commander Dilip Donde in Indian Navy’s yacht ‘Mhadei’, Mehta said, “We have a 7,500 kilometres coastline, so no doubt it will be vulnerable. But that vulnerable should be used in the right sense, that there is possibility of threat coming from here and therefore we have to take measures to ensure that that threat is taken care of.

Mehta also clarified his earlier statement that India had neither the capability nor the intention to match China, force for force.

“The context in which I have said that is that yes they have a much larger navy, larger does not mean better. There are ways to tackle this issue. We do not go counting; we do not say if you have ten ships, I will have ten ships. But may be I have better ships which are able to do that job much better than what somebody else can do. So I have said we need to get smarter, we need to get better outputs form lesser number of platforms rather than working up to increase the strength in such number that they match number for number,” said Mehta.

He further said that building of ports in Sri Lanka and Pakistan by China would create ‘dependency’ for those countries.

“I do believe that there will be some lien on them at times that is may be required, so dependency’s do get created by these kinds of measures. But it is their policy it is in their interest to do it, so they are doing it,” he added. (ANI)

Nepal, India review bilateral ties

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Visiting Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House last evening.

Both leaders discussed and reviewed progress in bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to official sources, the intensification of economic partnership between the two countries remained the focus of the discussions. Investment in the hydro power sector was also considered.

The issue of using Nepal’s territory for anti-India activities is also believed to have come up duirng the talks.

The meeting, lasted for about an hour, and was attended by External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Advisor MK Narayanan.

Later, Prime Minister Singh hosted a banquet in honour of Nepal Prime Minister.

Earlier, the Nepalese Prime Minister invited Indian industry to invest in his country, saying his government would give due priority to such moves.

He assured them of providing a conducive atmosphere for industrial growth.

Candidly admitting to the state of political flux in his country earlier this year, he said he would make sure that the investment from India is given due priority.

He identified hydropower, roads, bridges, and infrastructure, construction, and tourism, agro-processing and financial services as potential areas for investment.

Nepal arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday at the head of a 64-member delegation, including the Finance, Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Energy Ministers. He will leave for Kathmandu on Saturday. (ANI)

Nation pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi on his 65th birth anniversary

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The nation on Thursday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 65th birth anniversary.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with her son and MP Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached “Vir Bhumi” to pay their tributes.

Several functions were organised here, including a special prayer meeting at Vir Bhumi.

The ministry of rural development has convened a high-level meeting here to review the National Rural Employment Guarentee Scheme (NAREGA). It may announce increase in the wages under NAREGA. The number of working days is also likely to be increased under the programme.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will launch a mass awareness campaign.

Titled as Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas, the event advocates the essence of renewable energy in the sectors of bio energy, wind, hydro and solar energy.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. (ANI)

PM to address National Conference of Ministers of Environment and Forests today

New Delhi, Aug 18 (ANI): For a comprehensive stock taking of the implementation of policies and programmes concerning protection of environment, forests and wildlife, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has convened a National Conference of the Ministers of Environment and Forests of all the States and Union Territories here today.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will deliver the inaugural address.

Union Minister of state (Independent charge) Jairam Ramesh, Secretaries of Environment and Forests from all states, Chairman of Central Pollution Control board, Chairman of State Pollution Control Board, Principal Chief Conservators of Forests, Chief Wildlife Wardens, Members, Planning Commission, Chief Ministers, Secretaries, Government of India, Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI, India, NGOs will participate in the conference.

The conference assumes significance in the context of the emerging and continuing challenges in respect of protection of environment, forests and wildlife.

The conference seeks to forge enhanced synergies between the efforts of the Central and State Governments for effective implementation of policies and programmes in this regard.

The conference will deliberate on several items.

They are i. Monitoring compliance with environmental and forestry related laws and regulations and road map for institution building;

ii.River cleaning – innovative models and enhanced co-ordination among the centre, states and local bodies;

iii. Strategies for increasing forest cover and enhancing synergies between Green India Mission, National Afforestation Programme and CAMPA Funds;

iv. Strengthening of State Forest Departments and Capacity Building of Forest Officials;

v. Protection of forests in the context of the implementation of Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006;

vi. Wildlife management including Tiger Conservation and issues related to Man-Animal conflict. (ANI)

PM condoles demise of noted Sikh writer Bhai Patwant Singh

New Delhi, Aug.9 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed grief over the demise of the noted writer, philanthropist and activist Bhai Patwant Singh on Sunday.

In his condolence message, the PM said: “Shri Patwant Singh had made a mark in the literary arena with his creative sensitivities. His vast knowledge on wide ranging issues along with his vision made a difference to innumerable human lives.”

“Shri Patwant Singh’s legacy will continue to live through his writings, the Prime Minister added while offering his condolences to the members of the bereaved family,” the PM’s message further stated.

Patwant Singh passed away in the national capital following a cardiac arrest on Saturday (Aug.8). He was 84.

Singh, who died at his residence, is survived by wife Meher and adopted son Satjiv Singh Chahil.

Singh wrote over 10 books on history, politics and international affairs. His latest ‘Empire of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’ was released in Washington DC on June 18. (ANI)

Manmohan Singh speaks with Azad over swine flu outbreak

New Delhi, Aug 9 (ANI): Taking a serious view of the swine flu outbreak in the country, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today spoke with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and reviewed the situation.

During the conversation, Dr. Singh asked Azad to inform him about any aggravation in the H1N1 virus outbreak. He also asked him to appoint a panel of doctors to remove the false impression about the virus and make the public more aware of the disease.

Dr Singh also asked the Health Ministry to make sure that only doctors in the panel and not health ministry officials be allowed to brief the media over the swine flu situation in the country.

Meanwhile, with three of the country’s four swine flu deaths occurring in Maharashtra, the state government is considering a proposal to restrict movement of people in public places.

The move was discussed at a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

According to sources, the Maharashtra Government is considering the adoption of the ‘Mexican Model’, which endorses restrictions on access to public places.

Under the Mexican Model, schools and colleges are closed down for a specific period of time.

Earlier talking to reporters, Azad had defended the UPA Government’s actions on curbing the spread of the disease. Azad said: “Swine flu has been spreading across the world since April… it came into India later. We have contained the (H1N1) A virus to a big extent.”

“We took steps which other nations didn’t. We screened people coming into India at airports and sea ports,” Azad added. Earlier, a 43-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) died of swine flu at the City Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

With this, the country has seen four deaths from swine flu and the number of infected cases rising to 782.

On Saturday, 53-year-old Fahmida Panwala from Mumbai and 42-year-old teacher Sanjay Tukaram Kokre from Pune had died of swine flu.

Earlier on August 3, a 14-year-old schoolgirl Reeda Shaikh had died in Pune. (ANI)

PM arrives in Egypt for XVth NAM Summit

Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), July 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Egypt late on Tuesday night to attend the two-day XVth Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

Issues like global economic downturn, terrorism, climate change and food security are expected to be on top of the agenda at the Summit.

Other summit themes are international solidarity for peace and development and current economic and financial crisis. It would also focus in comprehensive manner on global regional and sub-regional issues, besides issues relating to development, human rights and social issues.

Dr. Singh will address the plenary session of the NAM Summit, and has already underlined India’s commitment to help revitalise the NAM, which had a renewed role to play in the emerging world order following the end of the Cold War.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Dr. Singh will meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday morning. He will also have other bilateral meetings.

A NAM First Ladies’ Summit would also take place at the initiative of Egypt in which the Prime Minister’s wife, Gurusharan Kaur, would participate. The theme of this meeting would be Women in Crisis Management – Perspectives and Challenges, Best Practices and Lessons Learned.

Egypt’s First Lady Suzane Mubarak would anchor the meeting that would focus on the role of women in the context of the global economic and food, health and humanitarian crises. Heads of UN Agencies: the FAO, the WFP, the WHO, and the ITU are expected to make brief statements during the two separate sessions of the First Ladies’ Summit.

The NAM is an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

The movement is largely the brainchild of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdul Nasser, former president of Egypt and Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. It was founded in April 1955 and as of 2007, it has 118 members.

The purpose of the organization as stated in the Havana Declaration of 1979 is to ensure “the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries” in their “struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics.”

They represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations’s members and comprise 55 percent of the world population, particularly countries considered to be developing or part of the third world. By Smita Prakash (ANI)

Prime Minister arrives in Paris

Paris, July 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Paris late on Monday night to participate in the National Day celebrations of the Republic of France.

Dr. Singh was received by French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Ambassador of France to India Bonnafont. He was presented a Guard of Honour by the republican guards. National anthem of both the countries were also played.

Dr. Singh, who will be the Chief Guest of Honour at France’s National Day celebrations on Tuesday, said: “It’s a great honour and a great privilege for me to be in this beautiful country on France’s National Day.

I am very grateful to President Nicolas Sarkozy for giving me this rare honour. India and France are partners in development. We have very good relations with France. Its my ambition to give a further push to our strategic partnership.”

The Prime Minister is the first Indian leader to be bestowed this honour, as France does not have a tradition of inviting foreign heads of state to be chief guests at their Bastille Day or National Day celebrations.

This day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which was then seen as a symbol of a rising modern nation.

He will witness the contingent of 400 soldiers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air force march down the Champs-Elysees Avenue along with French infantry troops and motorised troops.

This is the for the first time that all the three services – Army, Navy and Air Force will taking part in the National Day celebrations of another country.

Among the 400 personnel, 300 would be part of the marching contingent, while the rest are from the respective bands.

A prominent feature of the band contingent will be the drummers and bagpipers who would be playing Indian martial music.

Inviting friendly nations to send their troops to participate the Bastille Day parade is a recent phenomenon.

In 2004, during the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, British troops comprising of Grenadier Guards, the Cavalry Regiment and Royal Marines and Royal Horse Artillery, led the parade in Paris for the first time.

The Indian armed forces participation will mark the commemoration of Indian army’s association with its French counterpart during the two World Wars.

The parade itself is a gala event held at what can best be described as the Rajpath of Paris. It begins from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

The number of contingents participating in the parade are not as many as seen in the Republic Day parade every January 26 in New Delhi.

While the loudest applause in Delhi is reserved for the ex-servicemen contingent, at the Bastille Day parade it is the fireservice men who get the loudest applause. By Smita Prakash (ANI)

‘India can sustain 8 to 9 per cent growth rate’

On Board special flight, July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said India should be able to sustain with little bit difficulty growth rate of 8 to 9 per cent notwithstanding difficulties on the international front.

Addressing a press conference onboard after attending the G8-G5 summit at L’Aquila in Italy, Dr. Singh said, “India’s saving is 35 per cent with normal capital output 4:1. I am confident that India will come out of this crisis stronger, but it will be a difficult road to travel.”

“Our exports have suffered, capital flows from abroad have declined, and international bank lending to the developing countries have declined. Therefore, challenge for us is to sustain and revive the growth which we have built up in last five years notwithstanding the deterioration,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said: “All available indicators of 2009 points to weakening of US and European economies and therefore one can say that the global environment for development of the countries of third world has undergone on sharp deterioration.”

Earlier, Dr. Singh expressed confidence that the country can achieve eight to nine per cent growth rate in the coming two to three years and the government will be working to achieve it.

The Prime Minister emphasized that though the fiscal deficit is high, there is a need to rapidly expand economy, create jobs and resources for spending on flagship programmes on education, health, rural development and scope for expansion in infrastructure development. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

PM says court’s verdict on Article 377 to be discussed with cabinet

On Board special flight, July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said the matter related to the Delhi High Court’s ruling on gay sex legalization will be discussed with his cabinet colleagues to seek their views in this regard.

Addressing a press conference onboard after attending the G8-G5 Summit at L’Aquila in Italy, Dr. Singh said, “I haven’t discussed the matter with my cabinet colleagues. Therefore, when I will go back, I will seek their views as to which anything further needs to be done or said in this regard.”

In a landmark verdict on July 2, the Delhi High Court legalized the homosexual behavior of consensual youths, which received a lot of opposition from the religious leaders.

It was earlier a criminal offence under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

On July 9, a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice K. G. Balkrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam issued notice to the Union Government to explain its stand on a petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s ruling.

The apex court posted the matter for hearing on July 20.

The Bench said that any interim order against the High Court verdict, if necessary, would be considered only after hearing the parties concerned.

The Bench also said they would hear the opinions of all the parties concerned before giving any interim order in this matter.

The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Suresh Kumar Kaushal, an astrologer. Notices were also issued to NAZ Foundation, and other respondents who were parties before the Delhi High Court. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)