Rafale papers, secret documents recovered from Robert Vadra's friend Bhandari: BJP

The BJP on Sept 25 Tuesday stepped up attack against Congress party for its alleged proximity with 'arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari - an associate of Robert Vadra' - and alleged that even Rafale aircraft deal related papers were recovered by government agencies during raids in 2016.
"After Modi government came to power, we started action against Sanjay Bhandari and his company. Starting as Rs 1 lakh worth company, Offset India Solutions slowly turned big with Robert Vadra's help. There were raids in 18 places across India in 2016 and important papers including on Rafale were recovered," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra told reporters here.

The documents also included 'confidential documents of Ministry of Defence'. "The papers also included proposals to buy mid-air refuellers and defence acquisition council papers. There were minutes of deliberations of the Contract Negotiations Committee".

Life and Times of Ex French President Hollande and women

Ever since former French President Francois Hollande hit headlines and sparked off a major political row on India's politics vis-a-vis Rafale deal, there is also another version to the story going on in India and that's about his personal life and 'girlfriend' Julie Gayet.
"Hollande has allegedly proved more successful in his love life than in the opinion polls" - reported the UK-based 'The Telegraph' once.

The French magazine Mediapart says there are suspicions on the "circumstances" by which  Reliance Group was assigned as Dassault Aviation’s partner in the building of the Rafale jets. 

"At the very time the deal was struck, Reliance provided funding for a film produced by Hollande’s personal partner, the actress Julie Gayet," says the magazine to whom in an interview Hollande - knowingly or unknowingly - has given a fresh ammunition to Congress President Rahul Gandhi and others to strike at the Modi government - which otherwise by its various anti-corruption crusades have tried to corner Gandhi, his mother Sonia, brother in law Robert Vadra and also colleagues like P Chidambaram.

Mr Gandhi - obviously - wasted no time and tweeted on Thursday evening: "The PM (Modi) personally negotiated & changed the Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani".

P Chidambaram was not far behind and wrote in the micro blogging site: "In the NDA negotiated Rafale aircraft deal, we have got no aircraft, we have got only lies. What is the new lie that the government will put out in response to Mr Hollande?"

"Although many know her as the girlfriend of former French President Francois Hollande, Gayet is a successful actress-turned-producer who co-produced, through her Paris-based Rouge Intl., two movies that were nominated for an Oscar earlier this year — Ziad Doueiri’s “The Insult” and Agnes Varda’s “Faces Places”," says a report in popular magazine 'Variety'. Gayet also figured in the list of
'Rising Female French Producers' who have made their mark.

According to BBC report, the 45-year-old Gayet also has acted in film 'Quai d'Orsay' - a 2013 satirical film centred on the French foreign ministry.
"Her filmography also includes the titles 'Shall We Kiss?' and 'My Best Friend' among dozens of others," the report says. According to various international reports, the possibility of Rafale business for Reliance Defence could be linked to the 'timing' of Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment striking a deal for sponsoring the film 'Tout là-haut (English title, 'To the top'). "The film deal happens in January 24, 2016 and two days later the then French president Hollande arrives India for Republic Day parade and inks the deal....The rest is perhaps more than a history," says a JD(U) leader.

BJP's allies do not want to either defend the government or put pressure on the Prime Minister as of now and would mainly waiting in the wings and testing the ground.

But media reports says Hollande's chequered political life has had dose of number of other women too in his life.

"French President Francois Hollande has appointed his former partner, Segolene Royal, to the cabinet, two months after separating from his official partner, Valerie Trierweiler," the BBC said in a 2014 report. In June 2012, another woman in Hollande's life Valerie Trierweiler used Twitter to back a candidate who was pitted against Hollande's preferred Segolene Royal.
In 2014, Valerie Trierweiler also attended Nelson Mandela’s memorial service with President Hollande and other world leaders. 

The reputed magazine 'The Spectator' once summed up the story well for Mr Hollande: ".....the truth is that Mr Hollande is a bachelor: he’s never been married; he’s not technically an adulterer. That gives him, you’d think, a bit of leeway on the sexual front; the fact he’s never made any vows to anyone (which says something about him) and so hasn’t broken any".

French Govt comes in aide of Modi regime : Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs

Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Paris, 21 September 2018

The intergovernmental agreement signed on 23rd September 2016 between the French and Indian governments for supplying India with 36 Rafale aircraft concerns the obligations of the French government solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of this equipment.

The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies. In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard.

As it happens, agreements have already been signed by French companies with many Indian firms, both public and private, under the framework of Indian laws.

'TRUE FACE OF NEW PAK PM IMRAN KHAN IS REVEALED' : India dumps talk offer from Pak

In a candid and crystal clear statement that Pakistan will "not mend its ways", India on Friday dumped the talks offer by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and said the proposed meeting between the two Foreign Ministers stands cancelled.

MEA statement saying no to Sushma-Qureshi talks

PRESS RELEASE (Sep 21, 2018)

Since yesterday’s announcement of a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New York later this month, two deeply disturbing developments have taken place. The latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of twenty postage stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism confirm that Pakistan will not mend its ways. 

The decision to agree to Pakistan’s proposal for a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New York later this month was in response to the spirit reflected in the letters from the new Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

The letter from the Prime Minister of Pakistan had spoken of, inter alia bringing a positive change and mutual desire for peace as also readiness to discuss terrorism.

Now, it is obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been revealed to the world in his first few months in office. Any conversation with Pakistan in such an environment would be meaningless. 

In view of the changed situation, there will be no meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New York.

ends

"In view of the changed situation, there will be no meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New York," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said here referring to Pakistani side release of postage stamps glorifying a terrorism and terror menace and also on the attack on J&K police personnel. "Since yesterday’s announcement of a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New York later this month, two deeply disturbing developments have taken place. The latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of twenty postage stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism confirm that Pakistan will not mend its ways," the statement said.

He said, "The decision to agree to Pakistan’s proposal for a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New York later this month was in response to the spirit reflected in the letters from the new Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan. The letter from the Prime Minister of Pakistan had spoken of, inter alia bringing a positive change and mutual desire for peace as also readiness to discuss terrorism."

The statement further said - "Now, it is obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been revealed to the world in his first few months in office".Therefore, the MEA statement said, "Any conversation with Pakistan in such an environment would be meaningless".

India had agreed to the meeting between Foreign Ministers after letters from Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi to his Indian counterpart and also Pak PM Imran Khan's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his missive to Mr Modi, new Pakistan Prime Minister and a former cricket icon Imran Khan in his September 14 letter remained particularly firm about the possibility of meeting between the two Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meet in New York later this month.

"Would be better if the two countries' foreign ministers (Sushma Swaraj and Shah Mahmood Qureshi) can meet on the sidelines of UNGA in order to initiate a formal dialogue process that has been pending for long," Mr Imran Khan wrote in his letter.

Addressing his Indian counterpart as 'Modi Sahab', said he appreciates PM Modi's stance that "the only way forward" for the two countries lies in constructive engagement.

"Yeh sirf meeting hae, yeh koi talks nahi hae...yeh koi resumption of talks nahi hae (This is just a meeting, these are no talks...This is neither resumption of talks)," the Spokesman said, making it clear that the Sushma-Qureshi meet will take place only because there have been persistent requests from Pakistani side for that.

"I must distinguish between a meeting and a dialogue. This should be not confused with resumption of any dialogue, this is a meeting which we have agreed to, based on the request, which we have got from the Pakistani side. This does not indicate any change in the policy as far as our stand on terrorism and cross-border terrorism is concerned," Mr Kumar has said.

Ms Swaraj is expected to travel to New York next week for the annual UN General Assembly.

The timing and venue for the proposed and much expected Sushma-Qureshi meet is yet to be finalised, the MEA said.

Congress leader Sibal said he saw no justification in the meeting between Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart, just because Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter.

"Just because Imran Khan has written a letter, you feel enthused to talk to them....," Mr Sibal said and maintained that all these were perhaps only part of the 'double standard politics' of BJP.

Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has been insisting for dialogue between two sides.

"Pakistan se baat kya karenge aap (What really you want to talk to Pakistan)," Mr Sibal told reporters here.

"Will you remain 'maun (silent)' in that meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister," he said 

For his part, even Imran Khan tweeted on August 21 in support of Mr Sidhu and called him an ambassador of peace.  "Those in India who targeted him are doing a great disservice to peace in the subcontinent," Mr Khan had tweeted.

To certain quarters, however, Pakistani regime's stance is not quite surprising. A source in the BJP pointed out that there were "merits" when Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) V K Singh had said recently that Imran Khan was only "propped" up the Pakistan army and it remained to be seen whether perceptible change really comes in that country vis-a-vis terrorism or not.

ends 

India concedes to Pak plea for Sushma-Qureshi meet: Says 'no resumption' of talks

New Delhi, Sep 20 : India on Thursday strongly condemned Pakistani forces for what it says "barbaric" incident in which Pakistani troops have slit the throat of BSF head constable Narendra Kumar along the international border near Jammu.
MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar though confirmed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will meet her counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New York later this month, the development should not be dubbed as a step forward to resume the stalled talks.

The Indian government also remained firm on its stance on cross border terrorism and indicated that it still has strong reservation on attending the SAARC Summit to be hosted by Islamabad.

MEA spokesman in Delhi Raveesh Kumar asserted while Ms Swaraj will be meeting her counterpart in New York - in no way "it indicates any change in the policy on our stand on terrorism or cross border terrorism".

"On the SAARC itself, our position has been very clear and consistent....Time and again we have said that the atmosphere in the region is not conducive for the SAARC Summit and this is not only India, which has felt in this manner. There are number of other countries in the region who also feel that under the shadow of terrorism and cross border terrorism, it is difficult to hold the Summit".

"We are ascertaining facts....This is a barbaric incident which not only defies logic, not only defies civilised behaviour but also is against all international norms," Kumar told reporters here on the attack on BSF jawan.

"I understand that the BSF has strongly taken up the matter with Pakistani side," MEA spokesman said in reference to the attack on the BSF personnel.
Official sources said the body of Kumar also bore three bullet wounds and it could be retrieved from a spot ahead of the Indo-Pak fence only after over six hours of search.
While the spokesman Mr Kumar confirmed about Sushma-Qureshi meet, he was particularly cautious to declare that - "Isey sirf Mulaqat maniye (You may consider it just a meeting only)".

The MEA spokesman, however, said during her meeting with Mr Qureshi the Indian foreign Minister will raise the issue of 'Kartarpursahib Gurudwara corridor".
"Yeh sirf meeting hae, yeh koi talks nahi hae...yeh koi resumption of talks nahi hae (This will be just a meeting, this is no talks...This is neither resumption of talks)," the spokesman said.
He also maintained that the meeting is taking place following requests from Pakistani side.
In a series of messages during last few days, Pakistan requested Indian side for resuming stalled talks. Both the countries have not held any substantial talks since 2012.
The last interactions between foreign ministers of both the countries took place in December 2015 when Ms Swaraj had visited Islamabad.

The chances of resumption of parleys did not yield expected results as Pathankot attack took place no sooner in January 2016.

On Thursday, Pakistan foreign ministry made a strong case for resuming dialogue with India and said - "Let's talk and resolve all issues."Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has in a letter -dated September 14 - to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi offered to resume stalled dialogues and said he is looking forward to work with Prime Minister Modi "for the benefit of people of both of our countries".

Pakistan Prime Minister in his missive made a special request about the possibility of meeting between the two Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meet in New York later this month."Would be better if the two countries' foreign ministers (Sushma Swaraj and Shah Mahmood Qureshi) can meet on the sidelines of UNGA in order to initiate a formal dialogue process that has been pending for long," Mr Imran Khan wrote in his letter.

Addressing his Indian counterpart as 'Modi Sahab', said he appreciates PM Modi's stance that "the only way forward" for the two countries lies in constructive engagement.

Mr Khan also invoked the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and suggested there is a need for "bringing positive change" in the bilateral relationship.Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal took to micro blogging site and wrote: "We await formal response from India".

Discounting Pak factor, India for closer bond with major global players

Is Pakistan already in the lap of China?

Pakistan’s strong bonding with China is a well known phenomenon and deep rooted and thus to imply that India’s growing ties with the United States or Russia could drag Islamabad ‘closer’ to Beijing could be erroneous. This is what is underlined by a government source here even as it maintains that New Delhi’s more recent foreign policy cannot be called ‘neo Non Alignment either”.

In this context, the source maintains without ambiguity that - “Irrespective of whatever the impact on Pakistan, we have to develop relations with all the major players”. “Pakistan toh China ki god mein baitha hua hae (Pakistan is already sitting on the lap of China),” the source said rather in a lighter sense clarifying recent boost to Indo-US and India-Russia ties have nothing to do with it.

The source insisted that the Modi government’s policy is to “be close to all countries”.

“Someone asked whether the current government’s policy is neo-Non Alignment.....My answer is very simple. I said it’s not Non Alignment as Non Alignment means equi distance from all....But the current government decision is to stay closer to all countries,” the source said – however adding that it is also firm about “taking independent decision on India's national interest”.

“That means we could align with quite a few countries on various issues but only on national interests not on ideological issue.....So there is a very fundamental difference between non-alignment and the policy the government is following,” the source said.

A rather detailed analysis on these lines have been made by an official when asked to comment whether India’s growing proximity with Russia and the United States could easily drag Pakistan into the ‘lap’ of China.

Commenting on the issue, in fact an old hand in India’s foreign policy said the subject matter given its complexity and geo-political significance deserves more detailed analysis perhaps even in the form of a book.

The observations come within weeks, Pakistan – snubbed by the United States and also penalised for not taking adequate actions against terror – has made overtures and tried to move closer to China.

In fact, a day after India hosted the inaugural ‘2 Plus 2 Dialogue’ with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US Secretary Defence James Mattis, Islamabad hosted China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for a three-day meet from September 7.

China has already pledged $ 57 billion in loans for Pakistan as part of its Belt and Road initiative.

Wang further said the Pakistani portion of the Belt and Road initiative, known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would help funds-starved new regime in Pakistan ‘increase economic growth by 1-2 per cent’. "CPEC has not inflicted a debt burden on Pakistan, rather when these projects get completed  these will create considerable returns”.

‘Urban Naxals’ a reality, Maoists get help from intellectuals: Jharkhand cops

The ‘urban Naxalism’ menace is a reality and often the human right activists and intellectuals back the Maoists and their nefarious movement to the hilt but on the other hand they also seek to weaken the resolve to eradicate Naxalites, top Jharkhand police officials have said here.

Blogger in onetime Naxal hub

“I can give you live example....sometime back when the new Surrender Policy of the Jharkhand government was announced and that fetched rich dividends, there was a PIL in the High Court opposing the Surrender Policy. The message was clear,” R L Mallick, ADG Operation and Law and Order, told a visiting group of journalists from Delhi.

Mr Mallick said most often ‘money too’ plays a part as the intellectuals stance in favour of the Maoists vis-a-vis alleged government high handedness is not “voluntary” always. “Moreover, the timing factor in crucial....We have followed these developments. As a trend we have seen the hue and cry by the intellectuals, the columns in newspapers and so on would increase whenever the Maoists or Naxal elements are under stress,” said Mr Mallick.

“Financial return cannot be ruled out as the actions from the intellectuals are often not out of altruistic and philanthropic approach,” he said. To strengthen his argument, Mr Mallick said the Naxal elements in the state have come extreme stress after about 100 of their cadres including at the level of Special Area Committee member have surrendered in last three years.

In June this year, the state cabinet gave its nod to frame the new Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy for Maoists enabling more and more rebels to join the mainstream. “For surrender of a Maoist who has been member of the Special Area Committee the government also announced that entire reward amount of R 25 lakh would go to the surrendered Naxal,” Mr Mallick said.

As per the revised policy, family of a surrendered Maoist will get all benefits given to a common man, in case he is killed in Naxal violence, besides getting increased incentives.

According to sources in Jharkhand Jaguar, the special force to foght Maoists’ menace, the changes were made to make surrender policy more simple and attractive so that more and more Maoists shun violence and get back into the mainstream. "Under the revised policy, one of his (surrendered Naxal) nearest eligible kin will also get a government job, in case a surrendered Maoist is killed by his former colleagues," police sources said.

Ashish Batra, IG Operations, said there were 39 surrenders in 2016 and 47 in 2017 as against 12 in2014 and 13 in 2015. In this context, he said these figures can be linked to number of Naxal related violent incidents too. “Compared to 2007 and 2008 when Naxal related incidents were 478 and 436 respectively, there was gradual decline in number of incidents in 2017 – the number dropping to 196,” he said. Mr Batra also said the Naxals have been trying to enter the student bodies, trade unions and other pressure groups to often camouflage their actions and create public sentiments in favour of the movement or present the state and the police forces as enemies of the society. “Therefore, we say while Maoisn has come down in Jharkhand, yet the challenges remain...,” he remarked.

In this context, he said the one pro-Naxal group MSS organised meetings in a college inviting senior Maoists leaders and sympathisers. But the organisation was banned. “However, in no time Vidasthan Virodhi Andolan too has come up....,” he said. In fact, central government sources too have said in the past that  various mass organisations mostly operating under the garb of human rights NGOs are organically linked to the CPI (Maoist) structure but maintain separate identities.

Mr Batra said, the Mazdoor Sangathan Samiti (MSS) was banned in January by the Jharkhand government under the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act as it was allegedly found to be ‘frontal organization of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)’.  President of Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) Vara Vara Rao wasted no time in condemning the move. But Mr Batra said “the trade union’s offices in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Dalton Gunj and Girdi” were raided and about Rs 27 lakh was recovered too.

Mr Mallick said the Maoists in running their structured organisations do use ‘intellectuals and educated’ sympathisers but hesitate to give them pro-active role in higher committees or so. “This is because the educated class cannot be good footsoldiers....In the process, they start banking mostly on semi literates and also uneducated cadres. But when senior Maoists die, there comes leadership crises...So that inherent contradiction is also a reality,” he said.

Magical Number 181 and a 'Dabang' CM

Once underestimated and someone who kept away from media glare, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das is emerging as a most performing administrator in the region. The 'performing' Chief Minister has suspended officials sitting in video conferences with complainants and at times even ordered probe against retired DIG for not paying the manual labourers their due.
Just a year to go for next year's assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls before that, the Chief Minister is on the move. According to senior government officials, all that's in focus is 'no non sense image of Raghubar Das or a 'Dabang Chief Minister' as he is caustically described for his strict orders for 'time bound' actions and delivery.

"Chalo inko suspend karo.....aisey log nahi chahiye," he would often say.

In pursuing this image of the Chief Minister, the Number 181 dial for the Call Centre Mukhya Mantri Jansamvad Kendra (MJSK) is having a magical influence, say state government officials and also some beneficiaries.

"The traditional role of civil service, police and others as administrators, providers and controller of development activities has been revived and given a new life in our state," says Lohardaga based youth Ashutosh, whose brother was killed by Naxals.

Good Times ! Bad Times : Rahul has links with Hawala operator, says BJP

BJP releases video showing Manmohan saying his Govt 'keen' to help Kingfisher Airlines 

The ruling BJP on Thursday released video footage wherein the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had during the UPA dispensation told journalists that if private airlines get into difficulties, the government had the responsibility to "find ways to help them" tide over the crisis.

Movers & Shakers

Displaying the video footage, BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporter that besides Dr Singh even the then Civil Aviation Vyalar Ravi also spoke on similar vein and had said spoken to then finance minister saying - "we (UPA government) has to do something".

Farewell SICKULARISM: Ajay Bharat - Atal Bhajpa: BJP vows to capture power for 50 years

"Aao mil ke kamal khilayen (Come, Let us make the Lotus bloom)’, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh moving the political resolution wherein the BJP National Executive highlighted its achievements in terms of putting a check to terror menace and working for faceless Indians. BJP has certainly got into poll mode. Thinking Big, now the saffron party vowed to capture power for 50 years. Critics could easily call it 'arrogance'.

Modi: With Atal family

That's a good way to start the conversation. 

As the subject suggests - the research and findings about Modi, BJP and secular India - for me - have been intriguing. Things have been provocative too. Godhra train inferno happened in 2002. Thus after 16 years, we have a fairly expansive canvas. 

The kind of political fallout, speeches, media reportage....often selective amnesia. Political opportunism. Double standards etc...Historians and journalists have defined the events one way or the other. There is an accepted version, perhaps the easier one. There is also an unusual one. I always tried to do pure reportage and hence in effect both sides could be annoyed! But generally I have been tagged as a 'Modi Bhakt'.

One friend says I have been a  'Modi Bhakt plus' prior to 2014 and says - how you are changing a bit! Am I ?

I had named first book 'Godhra - A Journey to Mayhem'. That is the journey all about. From easy scapegoat of all follies to the mega star...a popular 'Hindu' leader - Narendra Modi has seen that all.

Importantly for me, how Modi actually overcome the hurdles. Did he use the disadvantages and gave a different narrative to turn the table?

Man on his Toes

Amit Shah says Modi has not lost elections since 2001. This is partly correct as BJP lost in Delhi and Bihar. He cannot absolve Modi of all the blames for the defeats. 

Essentially pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charishma against the onslaught of 'opposition unity' and gearing to deal with issues like fuel price and unrest among its core voters the upper castes, the BJP National Executive meet here on Sunday adopted a resolute declaration that it will bounce back to power with a bigger mandate than that of 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the charge from the front saying he sees "no challenge", while BJP chief Amit Shah known for his organisational skills and efficacy in poll management asserted that if voted to power in 2019, the saffron party will rule for next 50 years.

"Prime Minister said he sees no challenge in the country today," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters briefing the media about Mr Modi's valedictory address made at a closed door meeting of all senior leaders including Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, BJP chief Amit Shah and office bearers drawn from across the country.

In 2014 polls, BJP recorded an unprecedented victory winning as many as 282 seats recording clean sweep in a number of states like Gujarat and Rajasthan and had won as many as 71 seats in Uttar Pradesh. To take the battle to the enemy camp, Prime Minister said the grand alliance parties were not willing to accept the leadership of Congress. "It is a mater of regret that those who failed in government (the Congress and others) are also failure in opposition," Mr Modi said.

2014 Spirit

"2019 hum jeetengey....aur jeetne ke baad pachas sal tak humey hatane wala koi nahi hae (We will
win 2019 definitely and once we win the next year's polls none can remove us from 50 years)," Mr Shah told the party's National Executive meet.

Mr Shah, whose tenure was extended on September 8, 2018 with the leadership deciding to go to polls under the organisational leadership of the incumbent BJP president, said: "I am not making such an assertion by sheer arrogance, but I making the statement based on our works".

The BJP president also announced that before the next year's polls, Prime Minister will travel across all Lok Sabha constituencies. "Mr Modi has already visited 300 Lok Sabha constituencies....the remaining ones will be also covered," Union Minister Prasad said.

HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said: “Despite four-and-a-half years in power, Prime Minister's popularity has not gone down due to his vision, passion and direct communication with people".

However, some leaders remained skeptical about all that 'India shining' type claims and pointed out 'privately' at the strong protest from upper-caste people in many BJP-ruled states.

The protesters have demanded that the policy of reservation should be rolled back and the 'restrictions' on misuse of the SC-ST law be "re-introduced".

Senior leaders reportedly apprised the party leadership that the caste-based organisations influential in their own right - Swaran Sena, Brahman Mahasabha, Rajput Samiti, Kshtriya Mahasabha and Sawarn Sangathan have taken to the streets.

For his part, BJP chief Mr Shah, however,  told the National Executive: "There has been an attempt to create confusion regarding SC/ST issue, but that will not cause any impact on 2019 elections".

He also rested immense confidence in "the fragrance of good governance" under Prime Minister Modi and asserted that the "charisma of Modiji" will fetch party convincing and 'bigger' victories in 2019 as well as ensuing state assembly polls in five states.

On Saturday, Amit Shah said BJP will do well in all 19 states where it has government and will also sweat it out encashing anti-incumbency wave in West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana. 

NOW THE POLITICS OF IT

Important question is can he repeat the success story?

Sycophancy is the brain-eating amoeba of politics - anywhere India, Pakistan or even in tiny state called Nagaland - my original constituency. Those of us who believe Modi can WIN are now in minority - at least in the intellectual clubs of Delhi. For a decade and now last four years, it is fashionable to be anti-Modi.

So yours sincerely this blogger is 'out of fashion'. Nevertheless, one does have a few questions to ponder about while analysing the possibility that Modi is playing a game - that he is sure to win!

The 'Godhra hero or villain' its all in the eyes of the beholder.

Chief protagonist of Gujarat politics and today's India 'Modi' deserve a closer scrutiny. The 'Moditva' is perhaps also a game of surprise.Once Modi told Mallikarjun Kharge: "mere ko jan ne ke liye aap ko aur shodhan karna parega (You have to do lot more research to know me)

My take has been our intellectuals, politicians and political scientists all seem to have awful lot of thoughts about Modi. There was a motive to discredit him in more ways than one. And of course I too have thought about him....

Also my fear has been a section of Indian intellectuals has been in training...and perhaps often paid to slam him. Frankly, for me it is also a matter of concern that media has become a tool for propaganda.

Are we surprised, today Modi is making use of that tool and doing it very well.

Modi gets some of my sympathies...I have no hesitation to admit about it. He fought since 2002 and is still fighting.  

In 2013 ....urban naxalism was a national threat. The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was equally vocal about it. Today it is an NGO ...do u get my point! 

One more, why did Congress call Bharat Bandh on a day there was High Court ruling on tax evasion case.

Pompeo pushes for greater India-US role in promoting peace in Indo Pacific region

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes the inaugural '2 Plus 2 Indo US Dialogue' as "very productive", Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has underlined the need for 'reinforcing' the shared interest by both countries to promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region."Before leaving India I met with PM Narendra Modi to reinforce our shared interest in promoting peace and prosperity across the Indo Pacific region," Mr Pompeo said in a tweet.

Opening Remarks at the U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue: Secy Pompeo, Sushma Swaraj and 2 Def Ministers

Opening Remarks at the U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue

September 6, 2018

MINISTER SWARAJ: Secretary of State Mr. Michael Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mr. James Mattis, my esteemed colleague Nirmala Sitharaman, Excellencies: I extend a very warm welcome to you to India. We are delighted to have both of you here for the very first meeting of Indo-U.S. 2+2 Dialogue.
Secretary Pompeo and I met briefly yesterday upon his arrival in New Delhi on his first official visit here. Secretary Mattis has been here earlier, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to my ministry. Both of you are strong supporters of the India-U.S. relationship, and it is only right that we are meeting in New Delhi with the both of you.

The 2+2 mechanism has been created in accordance with a decision taken by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump in Washington, D.C., in June last year. It reflects the growing maturity of our strategic partnership. It will facilitate even greater synergies in our engagement in defense and economically (inaudible).

India attaches the highest priority to its strategic partnership with the United States. It is a partnership based on shared democratic values, growing convergence of interests, and robust people-to-people linkages. We see the United States as the partner of choice in our efforts to achieve rapid social economic transformation of India. We believe that the U.S. continued economic prosperity and leadership in world affairs is in India’s interest.

Similarly, India’s great political, economic, and security role can reinforce U.S. efforts to promote stability in the region. Partnership between India and the U.S. will not only benefit our two peoples but is also necessary to effectively tackle regional and global challenges. As Prime Minister Modi described at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, it is, I quote, “a global strategic partnership [which] continues to deepen across the extraordinary breadth of our relationship.”

During their meeting last year in June, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump set the future direction for our relationship. I am happy to note that there has been significant progress in all of the areas of our engagement, however the potential for what we can do together is a lot more. I am confident that our discussions today and the decisions that we will take will help us unleash the untapped potential of our relations and further elevate the level of our partnership.

I would now recognize His Excellency, Secretary of State Mr. Pompeo, to make his opening remarks. This will be followed by opening remarks by my colleague, Defense Minister Sitharaman (inaudible), and then by Secretary of Defense Mr. Mattis.

Secretary Pompeo.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Minister, thank you. Thank you for hosting us both. Thank you for hosting this important engagement. I am delighted to be making my first trip to India as the Secretary of State now 16 weeks into my time, and especially because I’m here for this important first 2+2 Strategic Dialogue between our two countries. It is a clear demonstration the United States places in terms of priority on the relationship between the United States and India.

Our partnership has been steadily growing since Prime Minister Modi visited the White House last June. President Trump is eager for it to continue, and he told Secretary Mattis and I that before we departed. We fully support India’s rise as a leading global power, and we welcome India’s equal commitment to our partnership.

Our two nations are united by shared values of democracy, respect for individual rights, and a shared commitment to freedom. Given those values, India and the United States have a natural starting point for advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. We should continue to ensure the freedom of the seas and the skies; uphold the peaceful resolution of territorial maritime disputes; promote market-based economics; support good governance, fundamental rights, and liberties; and prevent external economic coercion.

We know the threats to stability that exist in the region, and the United States seeks to ensure that both of our peoples can live in peace and in freedom. For years now, our counterterrorism cooperation has deepened, with progress on terrorist designations and information sharing, and is solidified through regular bilateral counterterrorism joint working group meetings. I hope we can continue to make progress on counterterrorism today.

We also hope to discuss how India can further work with the United States to achieve the final, fully verifiable, denuclearization of North Korea, and we should explore ways to partner on holding this outlaw regime in Iran responsible for all of its malign activity.

Together our nations can achieve our shared vision of prosperity and security as we build a relationship that will help shape the 21st century.

Thank you, Madam Minister.

MINISTER SWARAJ: Thank you, Secretary Pompeo. Now I invite my colleague, (inaudible).

MINISTER SITHARAMAN: Thank you, Madam. Secretary James Mattis, Secretary Michael Pompeo. It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome both of you, Secretary Mattis and Secretary Pompeo, in Delhi this morning. I extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Ministry of Defense of India.

Today’s meeting marks a defining moment in our bilateral ties. The commencement of the first-ever ministerial 2+2 between India and the United States is a concrete manifestation of the bold vision of our leaders, Prime Minister Modi and President Donald Trump, to take the India-U.S. relationship to an even higher trajectory.

This meeting is also a reflection of the tremendous focus that we have made in developing our ties over the past few years. At the same time, it is a strong recognition of the immense potential of our bilateral partnership for the benefit of our peoples, the region, and beyond.

As Secretary Mattis and I agreed during our brief interaction this morning, defense cooperation has established itself as one of the most significant dimensions of our relationship. It is now a key driver of our strategic partnership. India-U.S. cooperation in the field of defense reflects the growing maturity of our partnership, which is also a testament to our shared democratic values and common interests of both of our great nations.

As we continue to make progress in our defense and security ties, with each step that brings our defense forces and our security entities closer to each other, we add to the growing layers of mutual trust and confidence. Today, India’s defense forces carry out more training and joint exercises with the United States than with any other foreign partner. We have acquired various advanced weapons platforms from the U.S. We are thus partners in building defense capability in the broadest sense of the term.

Together we are also putting in place an enabling form a framework of closer cooperation between our militaries and our defense establishments. With the announcement of the U.S. designation of India as a major defense partner of the United States and the recent decision to elevate India to STA Tier-1 status for access to advanced U.S. dual-use items, we are hopeful that our defense industry cooperation can also move forward faster in tandem with other dimensions of the defense partnership.

We are transitioning from a buyer-seller relationship to one that is more balanced, mutually beneficial, and sustainable. The Government of India has introduced major reforms to promote defense manufacturing in India, including the establishment of defense manufacturing corridor. I invite U.S. companies to become our active partners in this effort. We have identified cooperation in defense innovation as a major area of emphasis for the future. The Memorandum of Intent between our defense innovation agencies is the first significant step that we are making in this direction.

I look forward to our discussions today, and now would (inaudible) Secretary Mattis.

MINISTER SWARAJ: Thank you. Nirmala. Now I invite Secretary Mattis to deliver his opening remarks.

SECRETARY MATTIS: Well, Minister Swaraj and Minister Sitharaman, thank you for hosting this inaugural 2+2, and I echo your words: We embrace on the American side this opportunity, and we share in your confidence in strengthening this top-priority relationship.

At this point, I do want to express our condolences for the lives lost here in the Kerala floods, but I must also applaud the Indian military’s role in saving so many lives in the midst of that tragedy. Even today as we sit here, our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones.

In our two nations, as reservoirs of religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity, and as proud maritime peoples, we see the U.S.-India relationship as a natural partnership between the world’s two largest democracies, a partnership that is based on convergence of enduring strategic interests and shared respect for the rules-based order.

Our discussion today is a testament to the power of free peoples. I note that over seven decades ago this week, the United States established diplomatic relations with India, prior to its formal independence. Today, our partnership has become one of the most consequential in the region and in the world.

As Prime Minister Modi said at Shangri-La last June, “A commitment to common values must be shared…the foundation upon which we build a shared destiny.” The U.S. and India already have that foundation in our commitment to a safe, secure, prosperous, and free Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty of all nations is respected, international norms are upheld, disputes are resolved peacefully, and nations freely transit international waters and airspace, and further to borrow Prime Minister Modi’s words again, nations are free from impossible debt burdens imposed by others.

We welcome your insights on how to uphold our shared commitment to the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific, and certainly counterterrorism looms large. We note that 2018 marks 10 years since the Mumbai attacks, where innocent citizens from both of our nations as well as 10 other nations perished at the hands of international terrorism, and we do not forget.

India’s leadership in the world supports our shared democratic values regionally and globally. We also recognize the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, renaming U.S. Pacific Command to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. With India as a major defense partner, we are elevating our defense relationship to be on a par with our closest allies as we deepen the broader U.S.-India relationship, enhancing our interoperability, our defense trade, our technology innovation and industrial collaboration, and bolstering our people-to-people bonds.

I appreciate the transparency in our interactions because it reflects the trust we must share for both our nations to benefit from this relationship, and you will not find our military operating outside the framework of our diplomatic – set by our diplomats.

To conclude, fellow ministers, thank you again for your initiatives in seizing this unique moment with us, and I look forward to hearing your vision for our strategic partnership, and we are ready to work alongside you to take it upon a higher trajectory. Thank you.

MINISTER SWARAJ: Thank you

India, US make Defence new driver in bilateral ties: Pompeo sees greater role in Indo Pacific

India and the United States on September 6 (2018) leaped forward to a new level of relationship by making defence cooperation a "key driver" of overall bilateral relationship and both sides also saw a lot of convergence vis-a-vis their role in the Indo Pacific region.
The visiting Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who along with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis took part in an historic and the inaugural 2 Plus 2 Dialogue with Indian counterparts Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman here, said both sides discussed about how "we can cooperate for a free and open Indo Pacific". He said both India and the US actually have a "responsibility" to promote a free and open Indo Pacific and the values both the nations value - like "the rule of law and national sovereignty".

Modi: With Pompeo & Mattis

The Indo Pacific reference in as many words and more do reflect America's anxious moments vis-a-vis China's influence in the Indo Pacific region. The words from Mr Pompeo, therefore, should be weighed in that context.

Mr Pompeo mentioned about the need to promote good governance, the protection of fundamental freedoms, rights and liberties, free air and reciprocal trade relationship and peaceful resolution to territorial and maritime disputes.

"We know our people's ability to exercise their economic and personal freedom is based on strong, stable and secured environment," he said to that end both the countries through the deliberations under the aegis of 2 Plus 2 Dialogue has embarked on an ambitous plan to "elevate our security cooperation across a number of areas".
It is worth mentioning that experts in China too has been keeping an eye on growing Indo-US ties.
"The subtext of this strategy of the United States is that it hopes India can play an essential role in balancing the rise of China," commented a Chinese observer in a recent article.  
"Does India really want to play the role that the US expects? Don't forget that this strategy has a strong military stance against China. At the very least, it is re-dividing Asia-Pacific with Cold War thinking," the article had said.

Secretary Pompeo - for his part said - "Today our countries entered into an ambitious plan to elevate our security cooperation across a number of areas. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement is a major step forward in our defence collaboration and coordination. It will allow us to better protect freedom in the Indo-Pacific.”

Just two days before the inaugural Indo-US '2 Plus 2 Dialogue', a top Indian official had said on Tuesday that: "On Indo-Pacific we (India and the US) may not have complete identical views, there are several similarities however".

India, he said, sees Indo Pacific as key to its future from "economic and security sense".

"The Indo-Pacific as such is not a mechanism or even an architect ....... It is concept and an idea in which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this government believe is linked to India's future in an economic and security sense....Because this is going to be the growth corridor of 15 or thirty years," the official has said.
In her remarks, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "The defence cooperation has emerged as the most significant dimension of the strategic partnership between two sides".
This will be also a "key driver of our overall bilateral relationship", she said.
"The momentum in defence partnership has given an immense positive energy that has elevated India-US relationship to unprecedented heights," she said.
In this context, she also referred to the remarks made by Mr Modi during his address to the US Congress that the relationship between the two countries has "overcome the hesitation of history".

"Nowhere this is more true than the defence," she said.

Sushma cites Modi-Trump friendship for a favourable response on H1B Visa

The US delegation during the crucial 2 Plus 2 Indo-US Dialogue on Thursday acknowledged the growing role being played by the Indian diaspora in the American polity even as

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj forcefully gave a push urging the US administration to appreciate Indian stance on the vexed Visa issue.

“I have mentioned to Secretary Pompeo that on the basis of the friendship which exists between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, Indian people believe that the US administration will not work against their interest. I believe the the trust of Indians will be upheld,” Ms Swaraj said later.

Sources said US representatives in general appreciated India's stance that the diaspora in the US have been playing key role in the American society and politics. The Indian side was assured that there is a 'review' process on the entire US immigration system and the Visa issue is not yet settled or closed.

The issue was raised by Ms Swaraj underlining the importance of Indian diaspora and she pointed out that addressing the issue will be crucial for people to people relationship.

India, US to establish hotline connections between Defence and Foreign Ministers

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) India and the United States on Thursday agreed to establish a hotline between their Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers and also worked out a move to undertake tri-services joint military exercises off India's eastern coast in 2019.

"We have agreed to closely monitor the implementation of the decisions taken today. Secretary Pompeo and I decided to remain in touch regularly through the new hotline between the Foreign Ministers that we will establish," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the end of the first 2 Plus 2 Dialogue between two countries.

She said similarly, there will be hotline connection two defence ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and her US counterpart Secretary of Defence James Mattis.

In his remarks, Mr Mattis said both sides will  continue working together to enhance and expand India's role as "a primary, major defense partner to elevate our relationship to a level commensurate with our closest allies and partners".

Ms Sitharaman said to enhance the synergies in defence ties, Ms Sitharaman said: "We have decided to carry out for the first time a Tri-services joint exercise with the United States off the eastern coast of India in 2019".

"Our discussions were today marked by deep friendship that characterises the relations between two great democracies of the world," she said.

“The commencement of first ever ministry of 2+2 between India & US is a concrete manifestation of the work vision of our leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump to take the relationship to even higher trajectory,” the Minister said.

Both the two countries were "partners" in building defense capability in the broadest sense of the term, Ms Sitharaman remarked.“We have acquired advanced defence platforms from the US," she said.She also said the two countries were putting in place an 'enabling framework' for closer cooperation between defense establishments. She invited US companies to become active partners in India’s efforts to promote local defense industry.

Indo-US talks 'purposeful', Defence the new driver in  bilateral ties: Nirmal

India on Thursday said the inaugural '2 Plus 2 Indo US Dialogue' has been "most productive, positive and purposeful" deliberations and that defence will be henceforth a key driver in the overall relationship. Speaking at the end of the talks, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: " The defence cooperation has emerged as the most significant dimension of the strategic partnership between two sides".This will be also a "key driver of our overall bilateral relationship", she said.

"The momentum in defence partnership has given an immense positive energy that has elevated India-US relationship to unprecedented heights," she said and credited the two leaderships Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for the same.       

In this context, she referred to the remarks made by Mr Modi during his address to the US Congress that the relationship between the two countries has "overcome the hesitation of history".
"Nowhere this is more true than the defence," she said.

To enhance the synergies in defence ties, Ms Sitharaman said: "We have decided to carry out for the first time a Tri-services joint exercise with the United States off the eastern coast of India in 2019".
"Our discussions were today marked by deep friendship that characterises the relations between two great democracies of the world," she said.

“The commencement of first ever ministry of 2+2 between India & US is a concrete manifestation of the work vision of our leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump to take the relationship to even higher trajectory,” she said. 

India endorses Trump's South Asia policy : Indo-US talks target Pak

India endorsed US President Donald Trump's 'South Asia policy' and said Washington's call to Pakistan to stop "supporting cross border terrorism" is reflective of New Delhi's stand.

"We discussed the situation in South Asia in some detail. India supports President Trump’s South Asia Policy," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in her remarks at the end of the inaugural '2 Plus 2 Dialogue' between two sides.

"His (Trump's) call for Pakistan to stop its policy of supporting cross-border terrorism finds resonance with us," Ms Swaraj said.

Both sides discussed the ongoing efforts by India and the United States in "promoting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan government-controlled reconciliation process", she said adding that  would bring together all ethnic groups and political formation in that country.

"Our counter-terrorism cooperation has acquired a new qualitative edge and purpose," Ms Swaraj remarked and maintained that both the countries also recognized the value of the Terrorists Designations Dialogue established last year as well as other mechanisms to promote cooperation in counter-terrorism and homeland security.

"We have agreed to deepen our cooperation in international forums like the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force," the Minister said.

She also welcomed the recent designations of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists by the United States and said such moves in effect "underscore the international community’s scrutiny over the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan".

The terrorism emanating from across the border has "affected India and the United States alike", she said.

"In the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, we recognized the importance of justice and retribution for the masterminds behind this terrorist attack," the Minister said in reference to the deadly terror attack carried out by Pakistan-supported militants in Mumbai in November 2008.

Ms Swaraj referred to the H1B Visa regime and said, "I sought Secretary Pompeo’s support to nurture our people-to-people links. Specifically, I conveyed our expectation for a non-discriminatory and predictable approach to the H1B visa regime, given its high impact on innovation, competitiveness and people-to-people partnership, all of which are a vital source of strength for our relationship".

The United States said that the visiting delegation is excited about the inaugural 2 Plus 2 Indo-US Dialogue being held here and maintained that the bilateral talks between US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was "excellent"."Excellent meeting with Secretary Pompeo and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on ways to strengthen US India strategic partnership," US Ambassador to India Ken Juster tweeted.Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, Secretary Pompeo said he was "excited to be in Delhi" to engage with the "strategic partner India", sources said. 

ends

written on the eve of 2 Plus 2 Dialogue

India firm on Iran policy, keen to 'know' from US on alternative sources of crude 

Sep 5 (UNI) India is firm about its policy on Iran vis-a-vis both the vexed and pressing issues of the oil import and also its nuclear programme and has time and again made its position clear that the government would take 'independent' decision on procuring oil.

Hours before the crucial inaugural of Indo-US 2+2 dialogue on Thursday to be held between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and their respective counterparts US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Defence Secretary James Mattis here, a senior official said here: "Our position has been quite clear on Iran....We have said that we would not like to see Iran become a nuclear weapon state. This is also a concern for the international community, not just the United States".

At the meeting, India would like to sensitise the US team on certain key aspects and would like the visiting term inform about other sources of crude and also the alternative payment mechanisms.

"Firstly, the US side will be sensitised that we are heavily energy-import reliant country..... Eighty three per cent of our energy comes from external sources and out of this, 25 per cent is Iranian crude," he said.

India is also keen to understand from the United States if the oil import is stopped from Iran or reduced, what would be other sources of crude.

"We would also like to know the sources and also the prices....Prices are vital because this will impact consumers and overall economic scenario too".

However, New Delhi is also firm about one thing that Iran "should have access" to usage of civilian nuclear energy.

The observations have their own significance as the India-US high level political interactions covering wide range of issues including strategic and geo-political situation would also dwell at length on Iran.

In June this year, the United States said it will impose sanctions against 'all importers of Iranian oil' by November 4. More than appearing to tough, the announcement was also surprising as it stunned the oil markets and perhaps also likely to alienate the US allies and adversaries further.

On his part, Secretary Pompeo has hinted that while India buying a missile defence system from Russia and oil from Iran would not be the primary focus of the dialogue.

"They will certainly come up, but I don't think they will be the primary focus....Those decisions [Russian missile defence systems and Iran oil export to India] are important to the relationship but I don't see us resolving those or having even intention to resolve those during this set of meetings of strategic dialogue," Pompeo said.

At the parleys on Thursday, it is understood, the Indian side would like to impress upon the visiting US delegation and top leaders that Iran is a "major relation" for New Delhi in the region.

"Our view remains that we support the UN Security Council resolution of 2015 but if there are any issues within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (on Iran's nuclear programme) then it is for the parties who negotiated the JCPoA to work that out," the source said.

Seeking to clarify the government of India stand on the US threat of sanctions which could come into force from November this year, the source said: "it will have a global impact".

"We are not the only country....even countries like Japan, China, Kore and European Union are talking about it. Similar to them, India is also engaged in talks with the United States on it," the source said.

At the meeting, Indian side would also tell the US leaders and delegation that there are certain 'functional and technical requirements issues'.

"Some of our refineries in India are dependent on certain kinds of crude oil," the source said.

"The idea is to have a discussion with them in which Indian side would try to understand from the US side what their requirements and understanding are. What are their expectations and we explain to them what are our expectations," the official remarked.

Nirmala and Mattis: Defence Guards