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PM may formalise strategic
partnership with EU

What is India News Service, Monday, 8 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today said the country was likely to formalise a "strategic partnership" with the European Union during the two-day summit at The Hague. 

Before his departure to attend the 5th India-European Union summit, he addressed the media at his 7 Race Course Road residence, where he was seen off by the United Progressive Alliance Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, Cabinet Ministers, including Pranab Mukherjee and Arjun Singh, chiefs of the three Services and senior officials. 

Dr. Singh said: "The European Union is emerging as a politically influential, economically powerful and demographically diverse regional entity in the world. It is not only India's largest trading partner, but also our largest source of foreign direct investment. Our relations are based on shared values \97 democracy, pluralism, rule of law, free press and independent judiciary. Our partnership has evolved over the years from economic and development cooperation to a broad-based engagement on a wide range of issues \97 globalisation, terrorism, proliferation, energy and environment." 

Manmohan defends petrol price hike: Describing the recent increase in the prices of petrol and diesel as a "painful necessity," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the decision was the only one possible.

Geelani's son-in-law shot at: The son-in-law of hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was on Monday injured when unidentified gunmen fired on him at Buchpora in Srinagar.

India, Lanka to sign defence agreement: India has promised full support to Sri Lanka in seeking a comprehensive settlement to the island\92s ethnic conflict and restoring peace to the nation.

Dhanush missile successfully test-fired: India today successfully test-fired the 350-km-range Dhanush missile, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, from INS Subhadra along the east coast. 

No need for unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir, says Patil: Ruling out the need for a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the channels of communication would be kept open.

Pak prisoners walk to freedom for Id: Pakistan prisoners have been languishing in jails for more than a decade and their release could not have come at a more opportune occasion than Id.

PM rules out third party mediation on Kashmir: India is willing to look at "all possible ways" of resolving Kashmir and other outstanding issues so long as Pakistan ensures territory under its control will not be allowed to promote cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said. 

Pakistan stalling talks with separatists?: The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that Pakistan is exerting pressure on the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (Ansari group) not to resume dialogue with the Indian Government till it (Pakistan) is involved in the talks.

Naxals set deadline to distribute land to poor: Police alleged that Rs 30 lakh seized by them from two naxal sympathisers last week was the cash extorted in North Telangana region.

Osama brings FBI, CBI closer: With the pressure increasing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to nab Osama bin Laden, the agency had opened its gates for the Indian intelligence agencies. FBI for the first time shared its information with the Indian agencies vis-a-vis the hijacking of the IC-814 plane. 

Chaturvedi pulls up babus on sub-standard Cabinet notes: Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi has told his bureaucrats heading the ministries that the Cabinet notes prepared by them are bad in "quality and content". In a recent communique to the Secretaries to the Union Government, Mr Chaturvedi has reminded them that brevity and clarity is the soul of it.

IAF wants latest technology: The IAF is going full steam ahead to exploit information technology and space satellites in order to become a more lethal and potent force capable of adopting offensive and defensive postures in shortest possible time.

 
States

Kidwai to seek opinion of Attorney-General: A constitutional controversy has erupted in Haryana following the reported move of the Governor, Dr A.R. Kidwai, to seek the opinion of the Attorney-General of India, Mr Milon Banerjee, on the three Bills passed by the Assembly in its last session.

PMO asks Army to cooperate in Manorama Devi probe: The Prime Minister\92s Office has reportedly asked the Army to fully co-operate with the Manipur police in punishing the guilty in the alleged rape and custodial death of Manorama Devi.

\91Rail roko\92 in Orissa demanding separate Kosala state: The long-standing demand for a separate Kosala state has intensified with organisations adopting different strategies to convince the Centre and state government.

End to North Karnataka water problems in sight: A \9124/7\92 water supply project proposes to bring round-the-clock water to Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwad and Gulbarga cities.

Tension as police foil Janashakti meet: Police in Karimnagar foiled the Janashakti group's martyrs' memorial meeting. The naxalite outfit had earlier secured permission from the High Court for organising the meeting on the outskirts of the town between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Cong on stronger wicket, says UPCC ex-chief: Outgoing UPCC President Jagdambika Pal in a lastditch battle to salvage his image declared that he was handing over a stronger Congress to his successor Salman Khurshid.

Revamp nursery admission procedure, says NIEPA: The NIEPA wants children to be admitted in schools on the basis of lots, which the Delhi Public School Society says, is akin to \91gambling\92.


Neighbours

Afghan kidnappers want 26 Taliban freed: Militants claiming to hold three foreign UN workers met Afghan officials on Sunday and gave them a list of 26 prisoners whom they want to swap for their hostages, a spokesman for the group said.

Talks with tribal leaders resume: Afghanistan authorities in South Waziristan have resumed talks with elders of the Yargulkhel tribe to persuade them to sign an agreement guaranteeing safety of security forces in the troubled areas, sources said.

Baloch to go to any lengths for rights: Mir Suleman Dawood Khan, the Khan of Kalat, that the main purpose behind Islamabad building cantonments was to control the Baloch people.


View from abroad

PM arrives at the Hague: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here tonight to participate in the India-European Union summit during which a proposal for a strategic partnership will be finalised.

Netherlands PIOs to get dual citizenship: Regretting that the promise of dual nationality to persons of Indian origin is taking a long time to materialise, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced that Indians residing in The Netherlands will be eligible for dual citizenship.

British town gets ready for Diwali: Diwali in Leicester, about 100 km from London, has always been a gala affair. After all, it is the biggest market operated by Indians outside the Asian continent. This year, the festivities are expected to be all the more lavish, what with Pakistanis likely to join them in a big way, now that there is less tension between the parent countries.

Overall:

PM went on tour: He is at the Hague, and on the verge of a strategic agreement with the European Union.