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Last Week's News Analysis

  • Positive Movement on NK, Many Hurdles Remain (March 19, 2007)
    The United States (U.S.) and North Korea (NK) seem to have resolved a dispute over $25 million of frozen funds, a key point that stopped the progress in negotiations to dismantle the NK nuclear weapons program.<More>

  • China's Non-Energy Focus (March 19, 2007)
    Beijing promised to transform itself from a high energy consumer to sustainable development practices to reduce the 15 per cent of the world consumption rate to contribute 5.5 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP).<More>

  • Govt Panicking on Wheat (March 19, 2007)
    In a series of moves that includes undue hikes in procurement price and import plans despite strong forecasted production, the government is sending messages that it is anticipating large shortages in wheat.<More>

  • China's Lunar Satellite (March 19, 2007)
    According to the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defence (COSTIND), China is apparently ready to launch its first lunar satellite in September and forms the first step in its three phase moon program.<More>

  • U.S. Trade Court Dismisses Shrimp Anti-Dumping Charges (March 19, 2007)
    In a significant loss for U.S. charges of anti-dumping against Indian shrimp exporters, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) dismissed US Bureau of Customs Border Protection (CBP) directives for bonds matching the duty as security.<More>

  • Textile Exports to Double (March 19, 2007)
    With the abolition of the quota system in developed nations and development subsidy of Rs, 942 crore (USD 214 million), the Federal Minister of State for Textiles E V K S Elangovan estimated that the textile exports will double in the next three years.<More>

  • NABARAD Bonds Worth Rs. 5000 cr (March 19, 2007)
    The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) plans to raise Rs. 5000 crore (USD 1.13 billion) through capital gains bonds to provide refinance to cooperative institutions for stepping up farm and rural credit.<More>

  • SEZs Exports Nearly USD 5B (March 19, 2007)
    The Industry and Commerce Ministry has projected exports from 63 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) operational since February 2006 to be about Rs. 21,631 crore (USD 5 billion) out of an investment of Rs. 13,435 crore (USD 3 billion).<More>

  • Reliance and Nova Talk JV (March 19, 2007)
    Reliance Industries (RIL) Group is apparently talking to USD 6.5 billion U.S. based plastics and petrochemicals major Nova Chemicals about a joint venture (JV) that would include product swaps and infrastructure sharing.<More>

  • The Britannia Breakup (March 19, 2007)
    Collaboration between Groupe Danone and Wadia family owned Bombay Dyeing in running Britannia India and Wadia BSN is dead and the entities are breaking up these companies to settle accounts.<More>

  • Heidelberg in Gujarat (March 19, 2007)
    World's fourth largest cement maker, German company Heidelberg Cement said that it is planning a two million ton cement plant in Gujarat to augment the 3.5 million tons it already produces in India.<More>

  • Iran Stalemate Intensifies With More Sanctions (March 15, 2007)
    So called permanent U.N. powers and Germany, weary of Iran's hardening position on its nuclear program, agreed "in principle" on a new set of sanctions on Tehran for continuing to defy world demands to abandon its enrichment program.<More>

  • Ore Export to China Hit (March 13, 2007)
    Responding to concerns from environmental groups, domestic steel businesses, and manufacturing houses, the federal government had imposed an export duty of Rs. 300 per ton but Chinese importers are boycotting Indian ore demanding exporters absorb the duty.<More>

  • Largest NATO Offensive in Afghanistan (March 13, 2007)
    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops launched its largest operation since 2001 against a resurgent Taliban specifically targeting drug lords and rebel leaders in the opium heartland Halmand Province.<More>

  • Wal-Mart and Bharti Plan 3 Retail Brands (March 13, 2007)
    U.S. retail major Wal-Mart and Bhrati Group are planning to use three brand names and store formats for the Indian market including a cash and carry, front-end retail outlets, and franchisee-owned stores.<More>

  • Glenmark's Expansion in Brazil (March 13, 2007)
    Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is planning to double the production capacity and headcount of its manufacturing unit in Brazil in two years and use this production to reach South American markets.<More>

  • Toshiba-L&T in Power Generation (March 13, 2007)
    Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp said it is talking to Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Ltd to start a joint-venture to make equipment specifically for and create new coal-fired power generation plants.<More>

  • Largest NATO Offensive in Afghanistan (March 13, 2007)
    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops launched its largest operation since 2001 against a resurgent Taliban specifically targeting drug lords and rebel leaders in the opium heartland Halmand Province. <More>

  • Chola's Overseas Fund (March 13, 2007)
    DBS Chola Mutual Fund plans to launch a scheme to invest exclusively in overseas assets to allow investors to spread their risks better and reduce country risk and this fund provides a unique opportunity to Indian investors.<More>

  • Teleradiology in Singapore JV (March 13, 2007)
    Bangalore based Teleradiology solution announced a joint venture with Singapore 's National Healthcare Group (NHC) where Teleradiology will tap global market through NHG which in turn will tap Teleradiology for manpower.<More>

  • Germany, Singapore Take Stake in BSE (March 13, 2007)
    Deutsche Börse and Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX) have negotiated minor stakes in Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (BSE) that is seen as positioning the nation better in a global-economy.<More>

  • Pak Alienating Neighbors, World Powers (March 12, 2007)
    Despite signs of souring relations with Tehran and strained relations with Washington, Pakistan has asserted that it will not allow its territory to be used by the U.S. for anti-Iran operations.<More>

  • Child Welfare Continues to be Neglected (March 12, 2007)
    Despite children forming one-third of India's population and continued independent reports on their neglected state, programs that hope to prevent and protect their rights received a paltry allocation of Rs. 90 crore (USD 20 million).<More>

  • Medicine Abuse Rising in India (March 12, 2007)
    A recent United Nations International Narcotics Control Board report expressed concern over the rise in the use of cocaine and excessive abuse of painkiller and cough syrups medicines.<More>

  • Moon Mission on Track (March 12, 2007)
    The federal government sanctioned Rs. 100 crore (USD 22 million) for the Chandrayaan-I project that will see the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch the spacecraft 100 kilometers from the Lunar orbit in March 2008.<More>

  • BMW from Chennai by March (March 12, 2007)
    BMW India announced plans to roll out its first car (BMW 320ia) from the Chennai manufacturing hub by the end of March and also disclosed plans to manufacture the 5 series from India.<More>

  • Maxis Budgets Rs. 2000 Crore (March 12, 2007)
    Malaysian company Maxis Communications owning 74 per cent stake in mobile telecommunications operator Aircel Cellular plans to invest Rs. 2000 crore (USD 454 million) and reach eight million subscribed in 2007-08.<More>

  • Indians Buying Malaysia Property (March 12, 2007)
    About 700 rich Indians, businessmen, and film stars seem to buying property for residential properties in Kuala Lumpur after Malaysian Government modification of rules regarding foreign ownership of property in December 2006.<More>

  • India No. 2 Investor in Bavaria (March 12, 2007)
    According to foreign trade and location marketing of German state of Bavaria Thies Claussen, India may soon assume the second largest foreign investor in the state known for technology and industry.<More>

  • Jindal's Bolivian Steel Plants for USD 2.1B (March 12, 2007)
    Steel major Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) announced agreements with Bolivia to invest USD 2.1 billion to set up a six million tonne sponge iron plant, 10 million pellet plant, and 1.7 million ton steel plant.<More>

  • India Set to Become No 2 in Telecom (March 12, 2007)
    According to Telecommunications Minister Dayanidhi Maran, India will overtake the U.S. and assume the second position in subscriber terms in 20 months.<More>

  • Essar Looking at Minor Stake in Libyan Oil (March 12, 2007)
    The Essar Group is looking to pick up a minor stake of 20 per cent in Phoenix Libya, oil and gas field, with rights to increase stakes to 50 per cent.<More>

  • US State of Georgia Trade Office in Bangalore (March 12, 2007)
    The U.S. State of Georgia is planning to extend trade office by Fulton County and set up a full-fledged trade office in Bangalore to find new markets for Georgia-made products, attracting new investments, and promoting tourism.<More>

  • Suzlon Buys REpower for €1.02B (March 12, 2007)
    World's fifth largest wind turbine marker Suzlon Energy outbid French Areva offer by 20 per cent to buy Germany-based REpower Systems on an all-cash deal worth €1.02 billion along with Portugal's largest builder Mota Engil.<More>

  • Next Terror Attack on U.S. From Pak (March 06, 2007)
    As the first India-Pakistan Joint Mechanism on Terrorism (JMT) concluded its first meeting at Islamabad, the most anti-India organization, the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) seems to be operating with impunity and continues to spew venom on the peace-process.<More>

  • IAEA Cannot Certify Iranian Program "Peaceful" (March 06, 2007)
    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Mohammed El Baradei reported that his agency "cannot provide the required assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program."<More>

  • India Rises on "Positive Influence" (March 06, 2007)
    A survey by BBC World Service radio of 28,000 people in 27 countries found Japan, France, the European Union and Canada to have the most positive influence while India was the only nation to have vastly improved its global stature last year.<More>

  • Multi-Nation Naval Exercise in Pak (March 06, 2007)
    The Pakistan Navy is hosting a 27-nation naval exercise that includes ships from Britain, France, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh as part of the AMAN 07 exercise in the North Arabian Sea.<More>

  • Indo-Sino Tourism Expected to Rise (March 06, 2007)
    Indian and Chinese tour operators are offering special tour packages and expect a 15-20 per cent jump in outbound travel.<More>

  • Sunni-Shia Consensus? (March 05, 2007)
    Iranian hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz have reportedly agreed to stem increasing rift between Sunni and Shia Muslims that is dragging West Asia into crisis.<More>

  • Massive Increase in China Defense Budget (March 05, 2007)
    Ahead of the National People's Congress (NPC), China revealed a new defense budget that was 17.8 per cent or USD 45 billion higher that last year raising fears in Western and neighboring capitals on its motivations.<More>

  • Indo-Pak Anti-Terror Meet (March 05, 2007)
    India and Pakistan will meet for the first time in Islamabad to further the anti-terror mechanism devised on the sidelines of the NAM summit in Havana (Cuba) in September 2006 and after it was formally construed last November.<More>

  • Naxals Kill JMM MP (March 05, 2007)
    Suspected Naxal terrorists shot dead a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Sunil Kumar Mahato, two security guards, and a party secretary.<More>

  • Canadian Animation Tie-up with Indian Schools (March 05, 2007)
    Canadian technical institutes seemed to have noticed a sharp shortage of skilled manpower to work on computer animation in India and are tying up with Indian animation schools to offer their courses.<More>

  • India is Pneumonia Capital (March 05, 2007)
    A World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that India has 44 million pneumonia cases making it the pneumonia capital of the world.<More>

  • WB, Orissa, Assam Most Hungry (March 05, 2007)
    A recent survey of household consumer expenditure in India by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) for the period July 2004-June 2005 found that West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam have the most households without enough food.<More>

  • Moon Mission Progresses (March 05, 2007)
    With higher allocation of funds for space research, Indian space scientists have started integrating satellites for the moon mission Chandrayaan-1 which is a scientific investigation spacecraft.<More>

  • China, Sri Lanka Deal to Develop Hambantota (March 05, 2007)
    Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse visited China and signed a landmark deal allowing Beijing to develop a harbor, bunkering system, and tank farm in Hambantota district in a "friendship city relationship.<More>

  • U.S. Prelim Anti-Dumping Duty on Shrimp (March 05, 2007)
    The U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary anti-dumping duty (averaging 10.54%) on shrimp from India, China, Vietnam, Brazil, Ecuador, and Thailand.<More>

  • Malaysia Expects 400K Indian Tourists (March 05, 2007)
    As part of its "Visit Malaysia Year 2007," Malaysia is pitching for a 25 per cent rise in tourists from India to reach 400,000 this year using easier visa regimes, prizes, and shopping discounts.<More>

  • UK Bank to Close Direct Interface Call Center (March 05, 2007)
    The United Kingdom's largest consumer loan provider, Lloyds TSB Group, has capitulated to domestic union and labor demands to stop off shoring activities to India and closed its direct interface operations.<More>

  • India Willing but Cautious on WTO (March 05, 2007)
    In a one-to-one meeting, Minister for Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath has reportedly told his European Union counterpart Peter Mandelson that India is willing to restart the stalled Doha Round but is unwilling to rush into a deal.<More>

  • US Tech Spending from India to Increase (March 05, 2007)
    A Deloitte survey reported that the U.S. will increase its technology services procurement from India and China over the next three years with banks leading increasing its spend of 6% of annual IT spend of USD 44 billion to 30% by 2010.<More>

  • Essar Negotiating 20% Stake in Libyan Oil Field (March 05, 2007)
    The Essar group is negotiating with Phoenix Libya (a subsidiary of Phoenix AG) to buy 20 percent stake with rights to buy up to 50 per cent in an oil and gas field in Libya and also plans to take oil and gas blocks in Iran, Papua New Guinea, and Libya.<More>

  • BG-ONGC $1B Investment in KG (March 05, 2007)
    British major BG Group Plc and Indian major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) announced plans to invest USD 1 billion in the Krishna Godavari basin oil and gas block.<More>

  • TVS Unit Sold to Finnish Company (March 05, 2007)
    TVS Electronics is planning to divest its electronic contract manufacturing services business to Finland based Incap Corporation for Rs. 50-60 crore (USD 11-13 million) to re-focus on its core peripherals business.<More>

  • Hindalco's Novelis Offer (March 05, 2007)
    Hindalco Industries announced that it will make a preferential allotment worth Rs 2,600 crore (about $565 million) to part-finance the company's recent acquisition of US aluminium company Novelis.<More>

  • Informatica Plans Expansion (March 05, 2007)
    The USD 325 million data integration software products company Informatica, is planning to grow its customer support services business from its India centre in Bangalore and handling one-third of its customer services.<More>

  • Congress Party Loses State Elections (February 27, 2007)
    Main coalition partner of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governing the federal government, the Congress Party, lost several key states including economically rich Punjab and militarily rich Uttarakhand.<More>

  • Japan's New Spy Satellite Network (February 27, 2007)
    With a successful launch of the last of a fleet of four reconnaissance satellites, Japan has finally managed to realize a decade of hard work aimed at creating a network of spy satellites that can focus, peer, and poke any place in the world.<More>

  • Populist Railways Budget (February 27, 2007)
    Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented a populist budget that cut prices across the board with the claim that increased traffic will bring in more revenue but critics have castigated him on adopting policies that will ruin Railways.<More>

  • Indo-EU Talks Focus on Labor, Ecology (February 27, 2007)
    Reports indicate that the European Union is keen to introduce "sustainable development" in its investment agreement with India and would like to introduce labor and environment targets despite the fact that both sides had agreed to exclude these topics.<More>

  • Suicide Attempt on Cheney (February 27, 2007)
    A Taliban suicide bomber failed in his attempt to assassinate visiting U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in Afghanistan after bad weather forced him to stay back in a military base after he concluded discussions on the threat of al Qaeda and the Taliban.<More>

  • MiG-21s to Stay Longer (February 27, 2007)
    Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief-designate Air Marshal F.H. Major said that the MiG-21s will stay longer through mid-life up-gradation as new aircraft are inducted over the next eight to nine years.<More>

  • China to Buy India Coffee (February 27, 2007)
    Specialty Coffee Association of Hong Kong & the People's Republic of China Director Barry Yuen said that China has an estimated five million coffee drinkers whose needs are mostly met through imports.<More>

  • PowerGrid to Raise Rs. 3800 Cr Debt (February 27, 2007)
    The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is planning to raise Rs. 3,800 crore (USD 863 million) through debt instruments such as bonds and loans during the fiscal year 2007-2008.<More>

  • Cheney in Surprise Pak Visit (February 26, 2007)
    In a surprise move, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney visited Pakistan on his way to Kabul carrying a message from President George Bush that Islamabad will lose its financial aid if it cannot manage its border with Afghanistan.<More>

  • Drug Control in Afghan (February 26, 2007)
    The Afghanistan Government has launched a renewed eradication campaign, particularly in Halmand Province which accounted for 40 per cent of 2006's opium yield of 6,725 tons, to stem an estimated USD 3 billion economic activity.<More>

  • Manipur Ambush, Army on Hunt (February 26, 2007)
    After 40-50 heavily armed terrorists ambushed and killed 16 policemen in Manipur, security forces are combing the area to catch the perpetrators and have recovered a large cache of weapons.<More>

  • Tens of Thousands of Maoists in UN Camps (February 26, 2007)
    U.N. officials revealed that 30,852 former Maoist rebels in Nepal registered themselves in relief camps and submitted 3,428 weapons as part of a peace process to end conflict in the Himalayan state.<More>

  • EU Monitors Say 4000 Dead in Lanka (February 26, 2007)
    European Union cease-fire monitors project that nearly 4,000 people have been killed in the past 15 months in Sri Lanka and called on the government and rebels to adhere to the cease-fire and avoid unnecessary killing.<More>

  • Long-Range Pak Missile Tested (February 26, 2007)
    Pakistan successfully test-fired a new version of its long-range nuclear-capable missile called Shaheen II that has a range of 1,245 miles as part of its "process of validation and technical improvement." <More>

  • India Bans Nuclear Exports to Iran (February 26, 2007)
    Ahead of a tough message expected from the so-called permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and responding to Tehran's continue rejection of UNSC demands, India banned export of nuclear material, equipment, and technology to Iran.<More>

  • Myanmar Arrests Protestors (February 26, 2007)
    Protestors demanding better health care, education, and economic conditions were arrested on the outskirts of Yangon and state-run media warned that other protests that break the law will trigger a crackdown.<More>

  • Trilateral Conference Concludes in Delhi (February 19, 2007)
    The first structured and sixth trilateral conference between India, Russia, and China ended in New Delhi with an emphasis on cooperation rather than confrontation should govern approaches to regional and global affairs."<More>

  • U.S. Says Natanz Plan has Khan Links (February 19, 2007)
    The U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that the Iranian nuclear facility at Natanz has "unexplained ties" with the disgraced Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan's proliferation network.<More>

  • India, Saudi Youth Initiatives (February 19, 2007)
    Taking forward the cooperation agreement between India and Saudi Arabia signed during the visit of King Abdullah to India in January 2006, the two nations have agreed to hold bilateral exchange programs involving students, youth, and sportspersons.<More>

  • UN Peacekeepers for Chad (February 19, 2007)
    Oxfam and Human Rights Watch called on urgent action by the United Nations to consider dispatching peacekeepers to Chad to prevent a spillover of Darfur crisis and furthering the humanitarian tragedy.<More>

  • Italian Training for Indian Archeologists (February 19, 2007)
    In a recent interview with The Times of India, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Culture and Tourism Francesco Rutelli said that Italy will be "training Indian archaeologists in the field of preservation and restoration."<More>

  • Renovated Nalanda Memorial, Students at VIT (February 19, 2007)
    Estranged nations India and China trying to rebuild past friendship and trust coalesced to renovate Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) Memorial Hall in Nalanda in hopes that the friendship they shared for centuries may also be rebuilt.<More>

  • Pak Interested to Close Siachen (February 19, 2007)
    Pakistan Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting acknowledged the futility of fighting in "one of the highest battlefields" where neither side "has gained anything" and indicated willingness to find closure to stalled talks
    .<More>

  • Nobel Laureate Yunus in Politics (February 19, 2007)
    Nobel Laureate Mohammed Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and champion of poverty allieviation and sustainable development, announced plans to enter politics in Bangladesh to help the nation overcome the "terrible political leadership."<More>

  • Indo-French Air Exercise (February 19, 2007)
    India and France kicked off the third air combat exercise with India field Sukhoi-30s, Mirage-2000s and MiG-27s and France its Mirage-2000D and Mirage-2000V for mutual exposure to "fighter tactics" and "build interoperability."<More>

  • Vodafone Headsets in India (February 19, 2007)
    China's leading telecom gear maker the $7.3-billion ZTE Corp has reportedly met with Vodafone Group to set up a world-class GSM handset manufacturing hub in India to meet low-cost handset requirements for Indian, Brazil, and Russian markets.<More>

  • Swiss Triumph to Expand 5000 (February 19, 2007)
    Switzerland headquartered innerwear brand Triumph International revealed plans to employ 5000 workers at its new manufacturing facility near Chennai to produce 15-20 million lingerie units.<More>

  • Low-Cost US Motels to India (February 19, 2007)
    US-based Patel Motels along with others such as Super8 Motels, Country Hearth, Best Inns, and Best Value Inn are to enter India through the franchisee route and develop at least 20 Greenfield properties in metros and secondary cities.<More>

  • Tariff Cut Plans to ASEAN Levels (February 19, 2007)
    The government is reportedly planning to cut peak customs tariff from the present 12.5% to a possible 10% in the upcoming budget but senior functionaries are reportedly interested to drop the tariff to ASEAN levels of 6-7%.<More>

  • Italian Haute Couture Line in India (February 19, 2007)
    Italian USD 833 million Sixty Group revealed plans to enter the Indian market through exclusive nine-year franchising and trading partnership with Delhi-based Indus Clothing.<More>

  • Apollo Hospitals in Yemen (February 19, 2007)
    The Apollo group of hospitals has signed an agreement with Hayel Saeed Anam group (HSA) to jointly run a USD 25 million super-specialty hospital at Taiz in Yemen by September this year.<More>

  • AP- Ras Al Khaimah Ceramic Tile Project (February 19, 2007)
    The Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has signed an agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) to invest Rs. 9,000 crore (USD 2 billion) to set up an alumina plant and aluminum smelter unit to be used to produce ceramic tiles.<More>

  • Toyota's Small Car Plant (February 19, 2007)
    Japanese car major Toyota Motor Corporation is reportedly planning an investment of USD 330-420 million to set up a small car plant near its existing facility near Bangalore with an initial capacity to manufacture 100,000 cars a year.<More>

  • Norwegian Orkla Buys MTR (February 19, 2007)
    The USD 8.8 billion branded consumer goods, speciality materials and financial investments Norwegian company Orkla has reportedly bought out MTR Foods at a price of USD 100 million.<More>

  • ONGC-ENI Energy Swap Deal (February 19, 2007)
    The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Iralian ENI SpA signed an energy swap deal where ONGC will take a 20-25 per cent stake in a Congo block that ENI owns in return for a 30-35 per cent stake in Mahanadi basin block.<More>

  • Disappointing Cauvery Verdict (February 14, 2007)
    After 17 years of deliberation and unimplemented awards, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal passed a disappointing verdict where not only were the four states unhappy but also disappointing those who were looking for a broader direction.<More>

  • Pakistan Terrorist Attacks (February 14, 2007)
    As the assailant failed to explode a bomb inside the Islamabad airport another succeeded earlier to explode one at the Marriot Hotel often used by foreigners and diplomats for meetings has once again brought focus into the issue of terrorism from Pakistan.<More>

  • BSF Wants No Habitation on Bangla Border (February 09, 2007)
    The Border Security Force (BSF) has proposed a "no-habitation zone" of 150 yards along the long Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura so it can effectively manage it and stop illegal infiltration.<More>

  • Disinvestment Has Morphed, Restarted (February 09, 2007)
    In a bid to restart disinvestment policy stalled by allies of the government, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said that the cabinet has approved the offload of a small part of its holding in three public sector power companies.<More>

  • 40 More Sukhoi Jets, 126 MRCA Plan is On (February 09, 2007)
    The Indian Air Force (IAF) clarified that it plans to get 40 more Sukhoi-30MKIs from Russia as well as faster indigenous production of 140 of these fighters in addition to the 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).<More>

  • ONGC Gets 24 of 52 NELP VI Blocks (February 09, 2007)
    India approved 52 oil and gas blocks and and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) bagged 24 of them.<More>

  • India to Joins Madrid Trade Mark System (February 09, 2007)
    The Federal cabinet approved Indian's accession to the Madrid Protocol on International Registration of Marks to provide better and extensive protection abroad for Indian marks owners.<More>

  • BrahMos on Naval Aircraft (February 09, 2007)
    The Navy is in the process of fitting its long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft such as IL-38, IL-76 and TU-142 with supersonic BrahMos missiles enhancing their capability to include striking power at identified targets.<More>

  • Achieving a Sustainable Economic Growth Rate (February 08, 2007)
    In yesterday's piece "Is the Economic Growth Sustainable?" we showed that the Indian economy has excellent fundamentals but is also riddled with risk. In this article, we will list various fixes that are necessary to ensure that the growth rate continues.<More>

  • China's African Safari, US Plans Military Center (February 08, 2007)
    Abandoned by European colonists, used as pawns by the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War, and ignored for the last decade and a half, Africa nations are back in favor for engagement because of Chinese involvement in that continent.<More>

  • No Accord over Palestine Control (February 08, 2007)
    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh continued their discussions in the Islamic holy city of Mecca to make peace and reach understanding over disagreement on Israel and averting a civil war.<More>

  • NK May Back Off Nuclear Brink (February 08, 2007)
    After months of insisting that it is a nuclear weapons state and would not give up its new status, Pyongyang seems to walk away from the brink in return for financial aid, energy benefits, and security guarantees.<More>

  • U.S. Aid to Nepal to Continue (February 08, 2007)
    The U.S. will continue to provide financial aid to the interim Nepali government even though it has accommodated the terrorists Maoists in the administration.<More>

  • Indians 3rd Largest Immigrants to Australia (February 08, 2007)
    Indians have overtaken Chinese population in Australia to become the third largest settlers in that continent after Britain (23,320) and New Zealand (20,250).<More>

  • Treaty to Ban Weapons in Space (February 08, 2007)
    Responding to criticism on its recent test to destroy satellites in space, Beijing said that it was ready to work on an agreement to prevent an arms race in space.<More>

  • Pakistan, Turkey Initiative on W Asia (February 08, 2007)
    Visiting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer reveled plans to work together to bring peace to the West Asia "and the Muslim world."<More>

  • Is the Economic Growth Sustainable? (February 07, 2007)
    If economic reforms keep pace, in the next several years, the Indian economy is expected to pass Italy, France, and the UK and become the fifth largest in the world spurred by more efficient industries competing with the global system.<More>

  • Manipur Terror Law Questioned (February 07, 2007)
    Latest killing of a Manipuri youth by Army personnel has brought into focus the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) being questioned by human rights groups and put to test by voters later this week to elect a new Assembly.<More>

  • Large Fighter Jet Order by Mid-2007 (February 07, 2007)
    A senior defense official said that India would release a tender seeking to buy 126 fighter planes valued at USD nine billion by mid-2007 and coveted by many giants of military fighter manufacturers.<More>

  • 19 Bangla Politicians Jailed (February 07, 2007)
    The interim Bangladesh government arrested nineteen politicians and sent them to jail for a month on charges of corruption and anti-state activities.<More>

  • New Environmental Body (February 06, 2007)
    France has proposed a new environmental body that could police, monitor, and hold responsible nations that over-use resources in the name of development and received support of several nations but not the US, China, India, and Russia.<More>

  • New Environmental Body (February 06, 2007)
    France has proposed a new environmental body that could police, monitor, and hold responsible nations that over-use resources in the name of development and received support of several nations but not the US, China, India, and Russia.<More>

  • New Environmental Body (February 06, 2007)
    France has proposed a new environmental body that could police, monitor, and hold responsible nations that over-use resources in the name of development and received support of several nations but not the US, China, India, and Russia.<More>

  • India, China Set up Hotline (February 06, 2007)
    When Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visits India next week, India and China have decided to set up a hotline between their foreign ministers as part of a roadmap to implement the 10-point action plan to boost strategic cooperation.<More>

  • Bhutto to Return? (February 06, 2007)
    Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in a self-exile in the United Kingdom is reportedly planning to return to Pakistan in October or November of this year to challenge the army's rule.<More>

  • India on EU Project to Study Universe (February 06, 2007)
    India will join one of the largest physics project, championed by the EU, to study the evolution of the Universe seconds after the Big Bang during the India-EU Ministerial Science Conference this week.<More>

  • Over 1000 BrahMos from Russia (February 06, 2007)
    India's Russian partner NPO Mashinostroyenie revealed that it would soon ship over 1,000 supersonic BrahMos missiles to defense forces within the next few years bringing to fruition the 1999 project.<More>

  • NK Accuses US of Preemptive Attack Plans (February 06, 2007)
    A senior North Korean official accused the US of planning a pre-emptive strike to neutralize the nuclear facilities after reports emerged of a large deployment of stealth fighters by the US in South Korea ostensibly for "training" purposes.<More>

  • SLG Invites, TNA Declines (February 06, 2007)
    The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse invited the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and later the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for talks on power sharing; but his peppered invitation was spurned by the TNA asking it to deal with the LTTE directly.<More>

  • Govt to Buy SBI, NABARD off RBI (February 06, 2007)
    In a surprising move, the government has decided to buy India's largest bank State Bank of India (SBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) from the current holders Reserve Bank of India (RBI).<More>

  • RBI Squeezes Money Supply (February 06, 2007)
    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiked the Repo Rate to control money supply making loans more expensive and also limiting risky credit exposure in sensitive areas-this key rate is the rate at which banks lend against government bonds.<More>

  • Iran's Herbal Remedy against AIDS (February 06, 2007)
    Iran announced that its scientists have produced a herbal medicine that boosts the immune system but "not medication to kill the virus" and is intended to be used as an alternative to "anti-retroviral drugs."<More>

  • Russia Supports Natural Gas Cartel Idea (February 05, 2007)
    Russia has proposed a gas producing cartel idea from Iran along the lines of the oil producing cartel so natural has exporters can come under a banner to control output to keep prices at higher levels.<More>

  • Fake Encounters for Personal Gain (February 05, 2007)
    Elements of the Indian army and paramilitary cooperated with rogue police officers to perpetrate several cold-blooded murders of innocent civilians in Kashmir and faking them as counter-insurgency encounters for personal recognition and awards.<More>

  • Farmers to Co-Own SEZs (February 05, 2007)
    With increased opposition from farmers over arbitrary allocation of farm land for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) industrialization, the federal government seems to have evolved a formula where the dispossessed farmers may co-own SEZs.<More>

  • HIV Drug Trial Stopped (February 05, 2007)
    Joint trials of a microbicide to prevent HIV infections during sex conducted in India and Africa were aborted after safety reasons cited by an independent scientific committee concluded that there was increased risk of HIV infection for women.<More>

  • New Copter-UAV for Navy (February 05, 2007)
    India is trying to create an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter capable of slipping into "danger zones" below the radar.<More>

  • Massive Naval War-Game (February 05, 2007)
    The Navy has amassed a large number of ships, submarines, aircraft carrier, and helicopters in the Arabian Sea to conduct a "theatre readiness operational exercise" called "Tropex."<More>

  • Pak Mulls Emergency Option (February 05, 2007)
    Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is considering an option to postpone elections by declaring emergency.<More>

  • GDP Growth Projected at 9%, RBI Hikes Rate (February 02, 2007)
    The government raised the country's gross national product (GDP) growth to nine percent up from 8.4 percent because of higher than expected agriculture output this fiscal year but the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiked short-term rates to check inflation.<More>

  • US Warning over India-Iran Relations (February 02, 2007)
    As pointed out in previous editions, the US has politely reminded India about a decade old legislation that could impose punitive sanctions against any country entering substantial business ties with Iran.<More>

  • Optimism on Kashmir (February 02, 2007)
    Returning from a nine-day trip to Pakistan, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that an "honourable solution to the Kashmir problem" was achievable shortly and "would be in line with the aspirations of the people."<More>

  • Indian Women Keeping Peace (February 02, 2007)
    The first women-only peacekeeping contingent of 100 Indian policewomen arrived in Liberia as part of the UN peacekeeping force and participates in the 15,000 UN force already on the ground.<More>

  • NK Warns Second Nuclear Test (February 02, 2007)
    As US Treasury officials resumed dialogue with Pyongyang in Beijing, North Korea (NK) sounded impatient when it warned that it will test another nuclear device if Washington does not quickly resolve its financial dispute.<More>

  • Nepal Protests Continue (February 02, 2007)
    Disregarding an emotional appeal by Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Madhesis of the Terai region continued their peaceful protests until they actually see reform that will gain them proportional representation and electoral reform.<More>

  • Scientists Fear Antarctica Damage (February 02, 2007)
    A United Nations climate report claiming the loss of 1000 square miles due to global warming has evoked a massive controversy among scientists with many saying that the report has not gone far enough while others discounting the impact projections as conjecture.<More>

  • Nepal Invites Madhesis, Promises Federalism (February 01 , 2007)
    The Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has invited agitating Madhesi groups, Nepalis of Indian origin, to eschew violence and negotiate with his government to maintain “peace and harmony.”<More>

  • SC Asks for OBC Quota Justification (February 01 , 2007)
    Accepting a public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the rationale for the quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC), the Supreme Court (SC) has asked the federal government to provide justification for the legislation.<More>

  • Indian exports to Saudi up by 28% (February 01, 2007)
    Since the visit of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah to India last January, Indian exports to that nations has jumped 28 per cent valued at USD 3.44 billon with packaged food items being the largest exported but experts say that this is vastly below potential.<More>

  • India-ASEAN Relations at “High Point” (February 01, 2007)
    The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Ong Keng Yong said that his organization has “gone beyond” characterizing “China as the best economy and India as a secondary economy” and has now accepted India “as a strong economy.”<More>

  • Elections Postponed, Media Curbs in Bangladesh (February 01, 2007)
    A court forced the postponement of elections in Bangladesh by three months or till electoral rolls are revamped and the government has banned political and trade union activities and restricted "provocative news.”<More>

  • LCA Prototype-5 Validation by August (February 01, 2007)
    The fifth prototype of the two-seater Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is projected to fly by August in line with expectation that the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) will be completed by 2008-09 for induction into the Air Force by 2009-10.<More>

  • Medical Code of Ethics Not Enforced (February 01, 2007)
    Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss admitted that the Medical Council of India (MCI) “Code of Ethics is not being enforced” and said that “It is unethical to advertise for cures that have not been tested and scientifically validated.”<More>