In major embarrassment for Pakistan, vocal FM Qureshi left dumbfounded

New York, Sep 26 Almost two months since Pakistan had chosen to embarrass India on the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad was faced with a major embarrassment on Thursday at the United Nations after its vocal foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was left dumbfounded in front of waiting journalists.

"....the spokesman will speak to you...," Mr Qureshi merely remarked after he was confronted by journalists and television crew including from India and Pakistan.

Earlier, Mr Qureshi decided to give a miss to Indian Minister Dr S Jaishankar' s speech at the SAARC Foreign Ministers meet convened every year on the sidelines of UNGA.

It is worth mentioning that it is Islamabad which has been keen to open dialogue with India but New Delhi had made it clear that while it is 'not shying away' from the same, Islamabad will have to take concrete actions against terrorists taking shelter in India's western neighbour.

Mr Qureshi, a known hardliner in Indo-Pak relations, arrived late at the SAARC's Council of Ministers meeting and came in after Dr Jaishankar had made his speech and left the venue.
Pakistani authorities led by PM Imran Khan and foreign minister Qureshi had indulged in bravado and big talk on Kashmir since August 5 when the Modi government bifurcated J&K and also abrogated Article 370.

In a rather defensive tune, Imran Khan has lately told Jehadis in his country - ''Anyone, who thinks that he will cross the border to join Kashmiris is a big enemy of them and Pakistan''.
Pakistan had failed to list a resolution by the deadline September 19 at the UN Human Rights Council against India on ‘Kashmir’ and in Bangkok, it got a setback as it has been judged to be very low in terms of taking actions against terror funding.
Pakistan government's worst fear is about being included in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist.
Initial reports said the meeting of the SAARC Foreign Ministers on Thursday was delayed for about 20 minutes at the behest of Pakistani government, and it was only at the later stage that it was made known that Mr Qureshi will be staying away from the meeting.
In a tweet, Pakistan's ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said that Mr Qureshi will not attend Indian Minister Dr Jaishankar's speech.

''FM SM Qureshi refuses to attend Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s statement at the meeting of SAARC Council of Ministers,'' the missive on the micro-blogging site said.

Mr Qureshi, a known hardliner in Indo-Pak relations, arrived late at the SAARC's Council of Ministers meeting and came in after Dr Jaishankar had made his speech and left the venue.
As Mr Qureshi arrived at the venue, he was confronted by journalists. One of the scribes was also heard asking Mr Qureshi in loud voice - ''Why Pakistan has supported Hafiz Saeed?''
The meeting between Mr Qureshi and Dr Jaishankar would have been the first face to face contact between the two foreign ministers after the Government of India abrogated Article 370.

India has said that Article 370 was a temporary provision and strictly India's own domestic matter.
Last year, the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had snubbed Pakistan at the same SAARC Ministers meet as she had immediately left the venue after her speech and did not have any exchange of words with the Pakistani minister.
The Late Minister had also told the meeting that the terrorism was the single largest threat to peace and stability in South Asia.
On September 17 this year at a press meet in New Delhi, Dr Jaishankar has said it was well known to all other members of the SAARC -- Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives -- that who is promoting SAARC and who is against it.
"SAARC is a body for regional cooperation, my message on SAARC will be what you require for regional cooperation. You need trade, you need connectivity...If you are to talk about the future of SAARC, which country is today promoting SAARC and which country is today impeding SAARC?" Dr Jaishankar had said.

Nepal is the convenor of this year's SAARC ministerial meeting here on the sidelines of UNGA.

The last SAARC Summit was hosted by Nepal in November 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif had attended the same.


Although Nepal was supposed to hand over the chair to Pakistan in the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad, the meet was cancelled after India decided to stay away from it protesting the Uri terror attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers.

In what was a clear snub to Pakistan during the swearing in ceremony of his government this year on May 30, the Prime Minister had invited BIMSTEC - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) nations, Mauritius and Kyrgyzstan for his swearing-in ceremony to emphasise the importance of neighbourhood in his government's foreign policy framework.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand are BIMSTEC members.

Qureshi skips Jaishankar speech at SAARC meet: 'Why Pak backed Hafiz Saeed ?' asks journo

 

New York, Sep 26  High drama unfolded at the SAARC Foreign Ministers' meeting after  Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday decided to give a miss to Indian Minister S Jaishankar' s speech.

The episode is largely seen as a victory of Indian diplomacy and yet another mix of goof-up and embarrassment for the Pakistani establishment.


Initial reports said at the behest of Pakistani government, the meeting of the SAARC Foreign Ministers was delayed for about 20 minutes and it was only at the later stage, the Pakistani authorities made it known that Mr Qureshi will be staying away from the meeting.


In a tweet, Pakistan's ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said that Mr Qureshi will not attend Indian Minister Dr Jaishankar's speech.
''FM SM Qureshi refuses to attend Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s statement at the meeting of SAARC Council of Ministers,'' the missive on the micro-blogging site said.


As Mr Qureshi arrived at the venue, he was confronted by journalists. One of the scribes was also heard asking Mr Qureshi in loud voice - ''Why Pakistan has supported Hafiz Saeed?''


Mr Qureshi, a known hardliner in Indo-Pak relations, arrived late at the SAARC's Council of Ministers meeting and came in after Dr Jaishankar had made his speech and left the venue.

The meeting between Mr Qureshi and Dr Jaishankar would have been the first face to face contact between the two foreign ministers after the Government of India abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.


Last year, the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had snubbed Pakistan as she had immediately left the meeting venue after her remarks and did not have any exchange of words with the Pakistani minister.


The Late Minister had also told the meeting that the terrorism was the single largest threat to peace and stability in South Asia.

On September 17 this year at a press meet in New Delhi, Dr Jaishankar has said it was well known to all other members of the SAARC -- Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives -- that who is promoting SAARC and who is against it.


"SAARC is a body for regional cooperation, my message on SAARC will be what you require for regional cooperation. You need trade, you need connectivity...If you are to talk about the future of SAARC, which country is today promoting SAARC and which country is today impeding SAARC?" Dr Jaishankar had said.


Nepal is the convenor of this year's SAARC ministerial meeting here on the sidelines of UNGA.
The last SAARC Summit was hosted by Nepal in November 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif had attended the same.
Although Nepal was supposed to hand over the chair to Pakistan in the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad, the meet was canceled after India decided to stay away from it protesting the Uri terror attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers.

 

SAARC Foreign Ministers' Meet: Will Dr Jaishankar emulate Late Sushma Swaraj

New York, Sep 26 (UNI) Will Dr S Jaishankar, a text book diplomat-turned-External Affairs Minister, follow the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor Late Sushma Swaraj during the SAARC Foreign Ministers' meeting here later in the day?



"We will see when that happens....." - Dr Jaishankar had remarked on September 17 in Delhi when asked at a press conference on how would he interact or give any message to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi when they meet on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly.


Dr Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Mr Qureshi will be face to face for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and in recent past both India and Pakistan have been targeting each other either on the issue of terror or alleged restrictions and human rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir.


During last year's SAARC foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of UNGA, Late Sushma Swaraj had immediately left after her remarks and did not have any exchange the Pakistani minister.



She had also told the meeting that the terrorism was the single largest threat to peace and stability in South Asia.


On September 17 at the press meet in Delhi, Dr Jaishankar also has said - "SAARC is a body for regional cooperation, my message on SAARC will be what you require for regional cooperation. You need trade, you need connectivity...If you are to talk about the future of SAARC, which country is today promoting SAARC and which country is today impeding SAARC?"

Dr Jaishankar also has said - "That's an issue all SAARC nations need to reflect upon and I am pretty confident every other SAARC nation knows what the answer is".

Dr Jaishankar also asserted that Article 370 is not a bilateral issue but strictly an internal issue of India.

In last few days during his stay in the US, Dr Jaishankar has called Pakistan - 'terroristan' and wrote in an article that - "A provision (Article 370) intended to provide temporary comfort to the process of aligning with the rest of the nation was misused for many years. By doing so, it encouraged links between separatist politicians and terrorist groups sponsored by Pakistan".

Global issues may dominate Modi's speech at UNGA apart from Pak-sponsored terror

New York, Sep 26 (UNI) The much-awaited speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) may focus on establishing India's aspiration at the global level apart from talking tough on Kashmir and terrorism emanating from western neighbour Pakistan, says a known India watcher.

''India's ambitions internationally is greater than the issue of Pakistan,'' opined Alyssa Ayres, senior Fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations on a TV channel here.
    
She said that Mr Modi is expected to make a strong pitch on terrorism vis-a-vis Pakistan's role and climate change, adding that the Prime Minister may speak about abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as well.

Apart from Kashmir, Ms Ayres says that Prime Minister Modi's address may cover a wide range of India's other ambitions including maritime and space.
''Space has been an important issue for India certainly in the past couple of decades that are important to India globally,'' she said.
 

Undoubtedly the Kashmir issue will come up, she said, adding ''Any Indian leader will feel obligated to give a reply given the importance Pakistan has given to it. But I do think India's international ambitions are much larger than the very tough issue of Pakistan.''

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday told global business honchos and industry captains that he will "personally act as a bridge" to resolve bottlenecks and other hindrances for foreign companies to make investment in India.
In his Houston address during 'Howdy Modi' show, Prime Minister said back home everything is fine.

Sharing stage with US President Donald Trump and a host of American lawmakers including from Republican and Democratic parties, Mr Modi has said back home everything is fine.
Prime Minister asserted that everything is okay in the country and repeated the phrase in number of Indian languages including Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, Bangla and Hindi.
''We are changing ourselves and challenging ourselves....We are aiming high and achieving higher''.
In order to showcase India as an attractive destination for doing business in front of global world leaders, Prime Minister held a Round Table meet and also held separate meetings with some top business honchos.

Mr Modi has made a strong pitch for investment in India, and invited global business leaders to make India their new and sole destination.

He has been highlighting problems on water and climate change on global fora and  Modi pitched for a global electricity grid.

The Prime Minister also initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA), an alliance of 121 countries, to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Setting the tone of Prime Minister's UNGA speech, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has on Wednesday said "there are deep vested interests" which are resisting the change in Jammu and Kashmir enforced by the Modi government since August 5.

Dr  Jaishankar has also virtually backed the concept of not playing cricket with the western neighbour and said with 'terrorism and suicide bombing' dominating it is hard to sell any other narrative.

Amitabh Bachchan - an angry youngman on screen - who portrayed India of 1970s

New Delhi, Sep 24 Dissatisfaction, they say is very strong element in the life of a middle class citizen and Amitabh Bachchan's films will keep giving refreshing memories to millions of Indians about the roles he played – umpteen number times as Vijay – much befittingly portrayed every Indian's desire of the time that a man always feels that he could have achieved more.

Born on October 11, 1942 in the family of noted Hindi poet, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and socialite mother Teji - also a friend of Indira Gandhi, Amitabh grew up with best of both the upbringing culture – western lifestyle from mother and the oriental values from his father.

Now that the country has bestowed on him, the highest film award of the country and named after Dadasaheb Phalke, it is worth refreshing what Amitabh in later years had said about his father saying, "If you cannot enter a gate, just jump over the wall".

This is precisely, his army of fans believe, what he did to achieve the stardom, and of course retained it even at the ripe age of 75 plus with a finesse not mastered by many in the world of entertainment.
With a brooding look, fire in eyes and ire practically emerging out of his soul, his masterpiece roles in films like 'Zanzeer', 'Deewar' and 'Trishul' mirrored the disillusionment of young Indian of that time reeling under controlled economy vices – the joblessness, antagonized family life, corruption and price rise.
It was not without reason when one film writer rightly wrote once, one look at him on the screen and the audience would believe - there was nothing much in life to sing and dance about.

"Mainey aap jaisa garib zindagi mein nahi dekha ...." - an illegitimate son telling his father in 'Trishul'.

Amitabh dominated the silver screen when romantic films and chocolate cream images of screen heroes were going strong.

His roles were 'swinging' against the stream when he signed for a role as inspector ‘Vijay Khanna’ in Prakash Mehra's 'Zanzeer' in 1973 to record his first milestone performance.

The role came to him only after Dharmendra had rejected it. Grapevine was that with past failures, prior to 'Zanzeer', Amitabh was almost planning to quit Mumbai for good!
Zanzeer was his first film as the leading protagonist to achieve box office success that earned him a Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor.

The same year, he married Jaya Bhaduri on June 3 and around this time they appeared in several films together. Later Bachchan played the role of an industrialist’s son Vikram in the film 'Namak Haraam', a social drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and scripted by Biresh Chatterjee addressing themes of friendship.

His supporting role opposite Rajesh Khanna and Rekha was praised as his angst-laden dialogue delivery and manerism won him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – spelling a tough competition for Rajesh Khanna ahead.

Subsequently 'Anand' had made Amitabh and probably unmade Rajesh Khanna. In 1975, he starred in a variety of film genres from the comedy 'Chupke Chupke', the crime drama 'Faraar' to the romantic drama 'Mili'.

However, 1975 was the year when he appeared in two films which are regarded as important in Hindi cinematic history. He starred in the Yash Chopra directed film ‘Deewar’ opposite Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, and Neetu Singh which earned him a Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor.
The film became a major hit at the box office in 1975. He did not look back since then.

Released on August 15, 1975 was 'Sholay' (meaning Fire) which became the highest grossing film of all time in India earning Rs 2,36,45,00,000 equivalent to USD 60 million, and perhaps another film that made his position practically invincible.
Although with angry young man image, Bachchan cemented his status as Bollywood's pre-eminent action hero, the Big B, as he came to be known later, illustrated that he was flexible in other roles, successfully playing the romantic lead, in films such as 'Kabhie Kabhie' (1976) and comic timing in comedies such as 'Amar Akbar Anthony' (1977) and of course earlier in 'Chupke Chupke' (1975) .

In 1979 for the first time, a multi-facet quality of his came to light when Amitabh was required to use his singing voice for the film 'Mr Natwarlal' which he starred in alongside Rekha. His performance in the film saw him nominated for both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Filmfare Best Male Playback Awards.
In 1979 he also received Best Actor nomination for 'Kaala Patthar' (1979) and then went on to be nominated again in 1980 for the Raj Khosla directed film 'Dostana' in which he starred opposite Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman.

On eve of Trump-Imran meet, Modi says everyone knows where terror thrives

Houston, United States, Sep 22 A day before President Donald Trump meets Pakistani leader Imran Khan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday painted a gloomy and pro-terror image of India's western neighbour and mastered a standing ovation in favour of American battle against terror.


The Prime Minister said whether it is 9/11 in America or Mumbai terror attack of 26/11 in India, ''everybody knows where the conspirators of these terror activities are found''.

In what is seen as taking India's ties with the US to a new scale, Mr Modi also virtually endorsed US President Trump for a second term and echoing his own election slogan said - ‘Abki Baar Trump Sarkar‘.


The presidential polls in the US are due in 2020 and Mr Modi, undoubtedly a popular leader among overseas Indians, making the statement in front of nearly 50,000 Indian-Americans at the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event would signal something big for Mr Trump.

It was for the first time that an incumbent US President has addressed a rally with a foreign leader in the United States.
Mr Modi also hailed Trump's “sense of leadership" and the resolve to make America great again.

“His name is familiar to every person on the planet. His name comes up almost every conversation in the world on global politics...From CEO to commander in chief, from boardrooms to oval office, from studio to global stage. It is my honour and privilege to welcome him here," Mr Modi said at 'Howdy Modi' event amid repeated applause from the capacity crowd.

“When I met him for the first time, he said India has a true friend in White House. Your presence here today is great testimony to that. In these years, our two nations have taken the relationship to new heights,” Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi lashed out at Pakistan for pursuing a policy of hatred against India while President Trump said - ''We are committed to protecting innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism''.
In fact, Mr Trump's remarks drew a 50,000 strong capacity crowd of Indian Americans and US lawmakers stand up in approval.
Without naming Pakistan, Mr Modi said, ''Some people have made it a habit to pursue hatred against India as the nucleus of their politics.''
''There are the same people who thrive in violence and trouble and are sponsors of terrorism...They nurture terrorism and the entire world knows their identity,'' the Prime Minister said amid strong applause from the crowd which has gathered for a rare historic occasion.
''Time has come to fight terrorism and also take decisive steps against those who support terrorism,'' Mr Modi said obviously trying to build a pressure on the US leadership.


''I would like to emphasise that President Trump is firmly with us in this fight," he said and urged the gathering to give a standing ovation to the President for his pledge to fight terror.
Addressing the 'Howdy Modi' gala event here, Mr Modi referred to his government's decision to abrogate the Article 370 and said the new measure will ensure equality and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
''This was an internal matter of India but it has disturbed those people who cannot run their own country," Mr Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi will be leaving for New York and is slated for a crucial bilateral engagement with President Trump on September 24.

Despite ‘Howdy Modi’ sound and fury; focus is on grapes, almonds and cardiac stents

Houston, United States, Sep 22 Notwithstanding the hype about ‘Howdy Modi’ rally at NRG Stadium, the Narendra Modi-Donald Trump bear hug, shake hands and walking hand-in-hand on Sunday could finally end up doing deal about grapes, cardiac stents, pork and almonds.

Apparently much progress has been made in the trade talks between two sides and a big ticket announcement is possibly on the cards.

In the meantime, speculation is rife which among the two – Mr Modi or Mr Mr Trump would bargain hard and give in the maximum to the other side.

The US is eyeing a pact on ethanol among other facets of commercial parleys as well.

The Modi government and Union Commerce Ministry want market access for grapes and some other farm products to export to the United States and in return may give in with lower tariffs on high-end American electronic products.

India has been the largest beneficiary of the US government’s special concession regime GSP, which was enforce since 1970s but the Trump administration earlier this year ended duty-free access for about USD 5.7 billion worth of Indian exports. These included chemicals, plastics, leather and rubber goods, and auto parts. India also responded with higher retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds, apples and walnuts.


India is the second largest importer of US apples and the top buyer of US almonds, paying USD 543 million for more than half of US almond exports in 2018.

The talks are thus focused on US keenness for reduction in agricultural tariffs by India including those for almonds, pork, dairy products, cherries and apples.


The US team led by Trade Representative Robert  also wants the Modi government to remove high pricing barriers on imported medical devices including cardiac stents.

"...The trade problems are normal with people you are closest to since most trade happens with them," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said in Delhi this week.


Giving broad hints that the trade disputes between New Delhi and Washington could be handled, Dr S Jaishankar has told reporters that - "only way not to have trade dispute is not to have trade at all".
Dr Jaishankar also said that "sharper edges" in trade relations between India and the US will be addressed in the "not too distant future".
For his part, President Trump wants better terms of trade from most of the top commercial partners of the United States including India.

Washington has thus also taken up with India’s the issue of new investment rules on e-commerce.

The restrictions are said to have harmed the interest of companies like Amazon.com Inc and Walmart-backed Flipkart which are more than keen to tap the rapidly growing online market set to touch USD 200 billion by next 7-8 years.


Thus as the two quintessential ‘masters of ceremonies’ will take stage, mandarins and experts would be keeping fingers crossed for an early trade pact that will ensure that a powerful market of a combined population of world's largest democracy and most powerful democracy will offer a win-win situation to both the countries.

“Prime Minister Modi will need to show something concrete when he returns to India after a week long tour which has already attracted bitter criticism from opposition Congress and the Left parties in the country,” says a BJP source.

Besides attending 'Howdy Modi' event together, Prime Minister will have a bilateral with President Trump on September 24 in New York.

The bilateral meet between Mr Trump and Mr Modi will be fourth such engagement between the two leaders in last four months.

How PM charms Kashmiri Pandit delegation with 'Namo Namah' remark ?

Houston, United States, Sep 22  Someone who takes pride and also excels in establishing intimate bond with his audience, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left his charm over Kashmiri Pandit delegation here on Sunday.

Prime Minister joined the group which met him here in reciting 'Namaste Sharade Devi' Shloka.

But as the Shloka ended with words 'Namah Namah' and praying for the betterment of humanity including people of Jammu and Kashmir; Prime Minister in his irresistible style added: "again Namo Namah" - throwing the entire group including women into peels of laughter.
The much impressed gathering could not help applauding Prime Minister's sense of wit with a big applause.
As Prime Minister's name is Narendra Modi, he is often given the acronym 'Namo' and the phrase 'Namo Namah' is used more often to lay emphasis either on his unique style of functioning or his much successful career graph. 
One delegation leader S Kaul later said: "We thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the 7 lakh Kashmiri Pandits all over the globe for such a historic decision".

During interaction, Prime Minister told them ".....you have suffered a lot together,  now we have to build a new Kashmir".


Within hours of landing in the United States, Prime Minister met a delegation of Kasmiri Pandit community which ''unequivocally supported'' Government of India's decision to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile development-starved and militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir.
''In Houston, a delegation of the Kashmiri Pandit community met the Prime Minister. They unequivocally supported the steps being taken for the progress of India and empowerment of every Indian, said the PMO in its tweet.


This is Prime Minister's first visit to the US since August 5 when his government decided to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate J&K into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions.
Prime Minister Modi was also felicitated by delegations of Dawoodi Bohra community and the Sikh community here on the very first day of his seven-day trip to the US.

Confident, Global Agenda of Modi as against ‘not so sure’ Imran: Tale of Two PMs

New Delhi/Houston,  Sep 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives here on Saturday – as a confident leader sure of India’s role in framing the global agenda and championing the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and teachings.

In a sharp contrast would be his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, who has tried to indulge in bravado without much substance since August 5 when the Modi government bifurcated the erstwhile militancy-hit and development-starved state of Jammu and Kashmir and abrogated the Article 370.

Imran Khan has lately told Jehadis - ''Anyone, who thinks that he will cross the border to join Kashmiris is a big enemy of them and Pakistan''.

A ‘not so sure’ leader Khan would  not be quite pleased in the manner his diplomats and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have conducted themselves lately. Pakistan has failed even to list a resolution by September 19 at the UN Human Rights Council against India on ‘Kashmir’ and in Bangkok, it got a setback as it has been judged to be very low in terms of taking actions against terror funding.

Thus, Imran Khan’s worst fear is about Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist and thus during his US sojourn, the Pakistan Prime Minister is more expected to hold a series of meetings with a large number of heads of governments in various countries to gather support to keep Pakistan out of the FATF blacklist.

Indian diplomats led by a strong government and a decisive Prime Minister Modi have already started mocking as well as questioning Pakistan’s real intent during the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale dared Pakistan to raise Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, but said Mr Modi will focus on issues as a responsible and emerging economic power only. ''If they wish to dwell on this issue in the speech by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, they are welcome to do so.....Our Prime Minister will focus on what the United Nation General Assembly high level segments means to focus''.

Another senior mandarin, Syed Akbaruddin, the articulate Permanent Representative at UN, told pointedly that “Poison pens do not work for too long”. The reference was to Pakistan's latent support to the Jehadi violence and cross border terrorism.

"We are confident that we will soar. We will soar when they (Pakistan) stoop low," he said adding Pakistan has been a ‘mainstream terrorism’ nation.
Yet another bureaucrat and India’s envoy to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla has written in 'The New York Times' - "What Prime Minister Khan finds difficult to accept is that the Kashmir region is now back on the road to progress and prosperity because the Indian government has repealed an anachronistic and temporary provision of law that has hindered development there”.

He further wrote: "Under Prime Minister Khan’s watch, the people of Pakistan are reeling under economic depression, with inflation at a five-year high, national debt exceeding gross domestic product and an International Monetary Fund bailout for the 22nd time".
Heart in Heart, Imran Khan too would be knowing well, say Indian experts and officials on the difficult economic situation Pakistan has landed. His problems would be mounting further if FATF blacklist finally happens.

In contrast, notwithstanding some domestic challenges like joblessness, Prime Minister Modi has some inherent advantages. The difficult trade relations between US and China have somehow pushed the Trump administration to move closer to New Delhi. Already over 40 US Congress members have urged Trump administration to reinstate the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status to India.
In fact, at Houston during ‘Howdy Modi’ rally, President Trump is likely to make some big ticket announcement.

During his week long tour, PM Modi will interact with CEOs of energy and oil sector global companies on Saturday in Houston and other major corporate houses on September 25 in New York.

Moreover, as BJP leaders in India say, in order to boost the economy, the Modi government is working hard and making efforts. The recent corporate tax reduction is seen as a major move and Prime Minister Modi is keeping fingers crossed with the hope that these initiatives will generate jobs.

BJP chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also said that new measures will help India emerge as a manufacturing hub.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has aptly summed up the ‘differences’ between India and Pakistan in global context and said: while over the years, Pakistan thrived on International Terrorism, India progressed with Information and Technology -- both IT.

Trade pact headway may offer both US and India - a win-win situation

New Delhi, Sep 18 India and the United States are working overtime to finalise an early trade pact and thus ensure that a powerful market of a combined population of world's largest democracy and most powerful democracy will offer a win-win situation to both the sides.

An improved trade ties with India - which is likely to be emphasised yet again in next few days especially during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US - will help Trump administration at a time when it is engaged in trade related confrontation with China.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has already said that both sides are involved in dialogue on a number of issues.

Giving broad hints that the trade disputes between New Delhi and Washington could be handled, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar told reporters here on Tuesday - that "only way not to have trade dispute is not to have trade at all".

Moreover, he said most trade issues crop up only when the relations are sound between two sides.

Dr Jaishankar also said that "sharper edges" in trade relations between India and the US will be addressed in the "not too distant future".

"I will talk about a glass that is 90 per cent full rather than a glass that is 10 per cent empty," he said trying to highlight his optimism and the upward trajectory in bilateral ties.

"...The trade problems are normal with people you are closest to since most trade happens with them," the External Affairs Minister has said and also pointed out that - "there is no facet of the relationship today which has not gone upwards over the past 20 years".

In the past few months, no less than US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tried to forge a 'new kind' of cooperation with India.

Moreover, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer-led team is also on the job.

In terms of perspectives, it is presumed that the US could be expecting from India "easier and business friendly atmosphere" for the American companies to operate in India.

The new pact may also focus on agricultural market access, reduction in IT tariffs and medical device pricing. For its part, the Trump administration may allow India's 're-entry' to Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and thereby help reduce prices of India-made goods in the US.

After Oppn brickbats for 'silence', Mamata raises NRC bogey with Shah

Detractors mock as a mellowed down version of Mamata leaves everyone surprised

New Delhi, Sep 19  The BJP leaders and also others feel it was a 'different' Mamata Banerjee in the national capital when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invited him for a coal block project inauguration in her state and also expressed keenness to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

It was like a 'surrender' by a firebrand leader, say many detractors of Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister.

"It was a case of Mamata Banerjee looking to see a doctor, seeking his help and the senior doctor then deciding to send her to the junior doctor," Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said in reference to Ms Banerjee's decision to meet Mr Shah after her meeting with Prime Minister on Wednesday.

After her meeting with Mr Modi, the West Bengal Chief Minister said she would be keen to meet Mr Shah.

''If I get time, I will meet Mr Shah tomorrow,'' she said.

The proposed meeting between Ms Banerjee and Amit Shah can take place around 1330 hours.
"In natural course, if Mamata Banerjee wanted to discuss only development matters after meeting Prime Minister, she should go to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. So the issue is different," said Mr Chowdhury.
Several other leaders have also flayed Ms Banerjee for taking a 'selfish' route vis-a-vis progress in the probe in the Saradha chit fund case and the interest of the state.

The Left leaders in West Bengal have questioned Ms Banerjee's silence on National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise when she met Prime Minister.
"Only a few days back, Ms Banerjee staged a street protest in Kolkata saying she will not allow NRC in Bengal, but when she met Prime Minister she did not raise the issue and later said NRC is only an issue for the state of Assam. Then why was she protesting over it in Kolkata?," asked CPI-M leader Sujan Chakraborty.

After her meeting with Prime Minister, Ms Banerjee had said that NRC did not figure in talks as it was only an issue for the state of Assam based on the agreement the Assam Accord signed in 1985.
The meeting on Wednesday between Mr Modi and the Chief Minister came within days the CBI dragnet almost touched former police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha chit fund case. The cop is absconding during last few days.
Apparently looking for rapprochement with the central BJP leadership whom she bitterly attacked, Trinamool Congress supremo on Wednesday invited Prime Minister to attend a coal block function in Birbhum district in October and also gave a freehand to the centre to 'make suggestions' for changing the name of West Bengal.
"Keeping the word Bangla, if they some suggestion to make; I will not have any objection to accept it," she has said adding "This was a good meeting....I had not visited Prime Minister after he became Prime Minister for the second time".
However, Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said perhaps the Chief Minister's gesture is coming "too late". Another Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha also made light of her meeting with Prime Minister and said: "Mamata Banerjee did not meet Prime Minster for any state related works. She met him only to save her party (on Saradha chit fund case)".
 

After Oppn brickbats for 'silence', Mamata raises NRC bogey with Shah

 

New Delhi, Sep 19 Under attack for not raising the vexed NRC issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday took up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah but tried to confine the matter vis-a-vis Assam chiefly.

"I have submitted a letter to Home Minister on the fate of 19 lakhs people excluded from Assam NRC,'' Ms Banerjee told reporters trying to imply there was no reference to the controversy on NRC exercise in her state of west Bengal.


In fact, the Left leaders have questioned Ms Banerjee's silence on National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise when she met the Prime Minister.

"Only a few days back, Ms Banerjee staged a street protest in Kolkata saying she will not allow NRC in Bengal, but when she met Prime Minister she did not raise the issue and later said NRC is only an issue for the state of Assam. Then why was she protesting over it in Kolkata?," asked CPI-M leader Sujan Chakraborty.



After her meeting with the Prime Minister, Ms Banerjee had said on Wednesday that the NRC issue did not figure in talks as it was only a matter for the state of Assam based on the agreement - the Assam Accord - signed in 1985.


But later Trinamool sources said Ms Banerjee told Home Minister that there was no logic for NRC exercise in West Bengal as is being propagated by a section of BJP leaders.


"With regard Assam and NRC exercise undertaken in the northeastern state, Mamata Didi pointed out that Hindi, Bengali and Gorkhali speaking people have been left of the exercise," a source told UNI.



Ms Banerjee also said her stand on the NRC in Bengal was the "same" as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as "we do not need NRC in these two states", the sources added.




However, sources maintained the issue of conducting NRC in Bengal in specific sense did not figure at the half-an-hour long meeting.





In her first meeting with Mr Shah, whom she had questioned once saying 'who is Amit Shah to speak about Bengal'; Ms Banerjee said - "lives of NRC affected people are uncertain".



"It was explained to Home Minister that as a Chief Minister of a border state sharing boundaries with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, it was her duty to speak on matters concerning such people," the Trinamool source said.

Ms Banerjee's meeting with Prime Minister Modi and Mr Shah came after the developments related to Saradha Chit fund case in which former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has come under the CBI scanner.

Trinamool detractors, including Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have in last two days alleged that it was like a 'surrender' by a firebrand leader, who has been always trying to champion the cause anti-BJP politics in West Bengal and at the national level.
"It was a case of Mamata Banerjee looking to see a doctor, seeking his help and the senior doctor then deciding to send her to the junior doctor," Mr Chowdhury has said in reference to Ms Banerjee's decision to meet Mr Shah after her meeting with Prime Minister on Wednesday.



The Lok Sabha elections witnessed fiercest of contests between BJP and Trinamool and the rivalry was so intense that even Mr Shah's chopper was denied landing permission in Bengal during the height of election campaign.