Political News – Newsletter for December 16, 2010

Hotline between Indian, Chinese PMs starts

NEW DELHI – The much talked about hotline between the Indian and Chinese prime ministers got operational “three or four days ago”, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Thursday.

Rao made the announcement at a press conference after the conclusion of bilateral level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and China’s Wen Jiabao whose three-day visit … Original article on : Hotline between Indian, Chinese PMs starts.

Sino-Indian relations are stable, says Rao

NEW DELHI – Disagreeing with the assessment of China’s ambassador who said that Sino-Indian ties were fragile, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Thursday that relations between the two countries were actually “far more stable” compared to two or three decades ago.

“They have become stronger, the foundation of this relationship has become much more …. Original article  : Sino-Indian relations are stable, says Rao.

Kashmir visa row should be discussed, says Wen

NEW DELHI – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao suggested Thursday that Indian and Chinese officials should discuss New Delhi’s demand that Beijing should not give stapled visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

Rao told a news conference that Wen, on the second day of his three-day India visit, brought up …. Original source  : Kashmir visa row should be discussed, says Wen.

India, China foreign ministers to meet regularly

NEW DELHI – The foreign ministers of India and China are going to meet annually from now on, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Thursday.

Rao said on the second day of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s India visit that a “strong personal chemistry” was evident in the interactions between Wen and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan …. Original source  : India, China foreign ministers to meet regularly.

Chhattisgarh minister sends notice to Congress legislator

RAIPUR – A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister in Chhattisgarh has sent a legal notice to a Congress legislator after the latter alleged that he had tried to protect an accused in a murder case.

The notice was sent by Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ramvichar Netam to Congress legislator T.S. Singhdev after … Read : Chhattisgarh minister sends notice to Congress legislator.

India, China ink six pacts, activate hotline between PMs

NEW DELHI – India and China Thursday signed six agreements in diverse areas ranging from media and cultural exchanges to green technologies and agreed to activate a hotline between their prime ministers.

New Delhi and Beijing scaled up their bilateral target to $100 billion by 2015 and agreed to take steps to promote Indian exports … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India, China ink six pacts, activate hotline between PMs.

Jayalalithaa blames DMK for medical entrance exam

CHENNAI – AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Thursday blamed DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for not opposing the common medical entrance exam and for the Rs.3 hike in petrol price.

Referring to the Supreme Court order permitting the Medical Council of India (MCI) to conduct a common entrance exam for medical …. Original article  : Jayalalithaa blames DMK for medical entrance exam.

Rapid economic growth has opened opportunities for India, China: PM

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said that rapid economic growth had opened new opportunities for long term partnership between India and China, and added that this would contribute to stability in Asia and the world.

In an opening statement issued ahead of one-to-one talks and bilateral discussions at the …. Original article  : Rapid economic growth has opened opportunities for India, China: PM.

Hopes of fresh impetus to ties as PM, Wen begin talks (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – India and China Thursday began crucial delegation level talks here with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday hoping for “strategic consensus” and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stating that a strong partnership would contribute to long term peace and security in Asia.

Wen, who arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit, pitched for taking …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hopes of fresh impetus to ties as PM, Wen begin talks (Second Lead).

China, India against trouble on border: daily

BEIJING – The Sino-Indian border row is real but neither country wants to use “military force”, said a Chinese daily, adding the dispute was not the most urgent item on either country’s agenda”.

The Global Times editorial appeared Thursday, the second day of the Dec 15-17 visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India.
… Read more : China, India against trouble on border: daily.

Strong India-China ties will lead to long-term peace: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said a “strong partnership between India and China will contribute to long term peace and security in Asia” as he began talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here.

Rapid economic growth had opened up new opportunities for cooperation, Manmohan Singh said in his opening remarks before … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Strong India-China ties will lead to long-term peace: PM.

Manmohan, Wen begin delegation level talks

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday began wide ranging talks aimed at building trust and addressing India’s concerns on a host of issues, including stapled visas for residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

The two leaders shook hands warmly before going in for delegation level talks at the Hyderabad [..] Read the original article: here.

US to have multi-agency ties with emerging powers like India

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is set to reform US diplomacy by turning ambassadors into corporate-like CEOs tasked with establishing productive multi-agency relationships with emerging powers like India, China and Brazil.

The reforms at the State Department and the US Agency for International Development, (USAID) “will fundamentally change the way we …. Original source  : US to have multi-agency ties with emerging powers like India.

BJP rally will be X-Mas spoiler, say Jammu residents

JAMMU – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may be gearing up for its haha rally here on Christmas Eve, but upset Jammu residents say it will be a big spoiler for the festive spirit.

The top BJP leadership, including L.K. Advani, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, will be addressing a rally here … Original source on Gaea Times at : BJP rally will be X-Mas spoiler, say Jammu residents.

Wen hopeful of reaching ’strategic consensus’

NEW DELHI – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday pitched for taking friendship between India and China to a higher level and hoped that his visit would lead to “strategic consensus” over important issues.

“With our joint efforts, we will be able to take out friendship and cooperation to a higher level in the 21st century,” …. Read the original article  : here.

TIBETANS BURN EFFIGY OF CHINESE PRIME MINISTER IN INDIA’S NATIONAL CAPITAL

NATURAL WITH ENGLISH AND HINDI SPEECH

DURATION: 2.32

SOURCE: ANI

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS BBC

Tibetans burn effigy of Chinese Prime Minister in India’s national capital.

Tibetan youths burn the effigy of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao ahead of his three days visit to India’s New Delhi, shouting slogans for Tibetan independence.

SHOWS:

NEW DELHI, INDIA (DECEMBER 15, 2010) (ANI-NO …. Source article  : TIBETANS BURN EFFIGY OF CHINESE PRIME MINISTER IN INDIA’S NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Wen gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

NEW DELHI – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that he had come to India to expand bilateral strategic ties.

Wen, who was given a ceremonial welcome by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, said: “We will be able to reach strategic consensus.”
“I have come …. Source  : Wen gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

US to create cyber security coordinator

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that a new coordinator for cyber security will be created at the State Department to help ensure classified material remains protected.

The new post was being created as part of a larger plan to reform the department and US diplomacy to make it more streamlined, … Read more »»».

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Visit with Saudi King Abdullah’s Family

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Earlier today, Vice President Biden made an unannounced visit to the hospital in New York City where Saudi King Abdullah is recuperating from surgery. …. Read the original article  : here.

Statement by the President on the House Passage of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

I applaud the House for passing, with bipartisan support, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.  Legislative repeal is supported by the …. Read the original article  : here.