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After Khobragade affair, US wants to move India ties forward

January 24, 2014

Kerry_obamaWashington, Jan 24: Putting the Khobragade affair behind them, the United States hopes to move forward the "broad" and "strong" strategic partnership between "the oldest and the largest democracies in the world."

The sentiment was expressed by US Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom Thursday at a reception hosted by Indian Ambassador S. Jaishankar at his residence to celebrate India's 65th Republic Day on Sunday.

Attending the reception "on behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States," the US official said "India's Republic Day reminds us of the strength of India's democratic institutions and traditions."

"And it also reminds us of the strength of the ties between our people and our governments," Higginbottom said. "As we often say, we have a strategic partnership between the oldest and the largest democracies in the world."

Noting that Jaishankar, who played key role in negotiating the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, "has a very long and distinguished history of strengthening the partnership between our two nations," she said: "I look forward to working together with him to continue those efforts."

US and India "have a broad range of joint efforts and shared interests that keep propelling us forward," Higginbottom said listing among others their space cooperation, homeland security dialogue, health initiatives, work on climate and energy issues and education cooperation.

The two countries' "strong trade and investment ties fight poverty and drive growth in both countries," she said noting, "We have reached close to $100 billion in bilateral trade each year - numbers that we expect to see increase in the coming years."

"Beyond our bilateral relations, we are strong partners in building an international framework to underpin continued peace and prosperity," Higginbottom said.

"Our regional dialogues, including the US-India-Japan trilateral exchange and the ASEAN Regional Forum, have helped develop a shared vision for stability in Asia and the Indian and Pacific Oceans."

"The bottom line is that this partnership is broad and it is strong," she said expressing confidence that "this relationship will continue to grow for the benefit of all our people."

Meanwhile, at the State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf noted US Secretary of State John Kerry and Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had met Wednesday on the sidelines of the Geneva II talks.

"I think the fact that the Secretary sat down with his counterpart to discuss the whole range of issues we deal with India on is a sign that the relationship is moving forward and that we have a lot of work to do," she said.

Asked of the khobragade affair was discussed at the two ministers' meeting and its outcome, Harf said: ".we're trying very hard to move past this. And I know the Secretary believes that as well."

"So again, we'll keep having discussions with the Indian Government when they raise them, but we are very focused on moving the relationship forward."

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News Network
May 28,2020

May 28: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday asked the central government to unlock its coffers and help the needy affected by the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

In a video message posted as part of the Congress' 'Speak Up India' campaign, she lamented that even though the country is passing through a serious economic crisis with loss of livelihood due to the pandemic and the lockdown, the central government has not heard the cries of pain and trauma of people.

"We again urge the Centre to unlock its coffers and help the needy. Put direct cash of Rs 7,500 per month in the account of every family for the next six months and provide Rs 10,000 immediately; ensure safe and free travel of labourers back home, employment opportunity and rations; and also increase the number of work days under MNREGA to 200 days to facilitate jobs in villages," Gandhi said.

"Instead of loans, provide financial relief to small and medium industry so that crores of jobs are saved and the country progresses," she said in her video message on the party's social media handles.

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Agencies
May 31,2020

New Delhi, May 31: Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday questioned the Prime Minister on how much money has been given to labourers from the PM-CARES Fund.

"I would like to ask Prime Minister Modi, 'Can you tell us how much money did you give to labourers from your PM-CARES Fund?' I request him to answer this question. Many people died during this period, some died while walking, some died in the train, some died of hunger," Sibal said while addressing a virtual press conference.

The senior Congress leader further asked how much ex gratia did the Prime Minister give to the labourers who died in the corona crisis while negotiating the lockdown.

"I refer you to Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act. It says that ex gratia assistance on account of the loss of life and also assistance for the restoration of livelihood should be provided by the government. Did the government give ex gratia assistance to people who died in the crisis? The act also mentions special provisions for widows and orphans. The government should clarify how much assistance they gave to such people," he said.

Sibal said that the government should keep aside its agenda for the last six years and concentrate on making pro-poor policies.

"In the coming days, our economy is going to go into the negative territory as also confirmed by RBI. There are 45 crore labourers in our country. What will be their state? We have to look at our future. That is why we want to request the government that the agenda that they have run over the last six years should be kept aside and that government should care about the poor and draft policies for them," the Congress leader said.

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News Network
February 27,2020

New Delhi, Feb 27: An Indian Air Force aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan.

The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China.

On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people, including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar.

Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights.

“In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China, in these three flights,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they would help augment the country’s efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak which had been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

“The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year,” it said.

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