Author: India Writes Network

Al Qaeda launches India branch, India on alert

- by India Writes Network

India’s Home Ministry has issued an all-India alert after Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri announced the formation of an Indian branch of his militant group in a new tape released on September 4. In his first videotape in over a year, al Zawahiri says Al Qaeda has not forgotten injustices and oppressions suffered by Muslims “in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir”.
Calling the formation of the “Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent” a glad tiding for Muslims in the region, Zawahiri added that the group will aim to “break all borders created by Britain in India” and “raise the flag of jihad” across the subcontinent.

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China hopes to make President Xi’s visit a success

- by India Writes Network

It’s a competition India will welcome. With Japan unveiling a mammoth $35 billion package for infrastructural development in Asia’s third largest economy, China is also looking to raise the bar for its economic engagement with India during President Xi Jinping’s trip to Delhi later this month.

President Xi is expected to announce big-ticket investments when he comes here for his maiden visit to India around mid-September. “When President Xi visits India, you can expect a sense of camaraderie and the kind of friendship which will bring a complete change in the manner the two neighbors are engaged,” said Nirmala
Sitharaman, India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry September 2, after a day-long meeting with Chinese officials led by her Chinese counterpart Gao Hucheng. Sitharaman was speaking to Beijing-based Indian reporters after the India-China Joint Economic Group meeting.

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Tokyo Calling: Modi drums up India story, promise red carpet, not red tape

- by India Writes Network

No place like India to do business. Blend Japan’s hardware skills and India’s software to create everyday miracles. This is economic diplomacy, with a flourish. Literally, banging the drums in a symbolic “jugalbandi,” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a charm offensive in Tokyo and told Japanese investors that red carpet, not red tape, awaits them if they come to India.

A day after his meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the two nations launched a path-breaking investment partnership, Modi played the chief salesman and choreographer of the India Story.

“There is no other place more suited to you than India,” said Modi at a meeting organised by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) and Nikkei on September 2.

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