Diplomacy

Nawaz Sharif’s surprise birthday gift: Modi in Lahore

December 25, 2015December 26, 2015 - by Manish Chand

It’s the mother of all surprises – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to do what his predecessor could only dream about – breakfast in Kabul, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Delhi. In an intriguing tweet, Mr Modi announced that he will be stopping over in Lahore and meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his way back from Kabul.
Mr Modi’s sudden announcement of his trip to Lahore is in keeping with secretive out-of-the-box diplomacy that’s becoming his signature style vis-à-vis relations with Pakistan.

Modi intones hymn to democracy in Kabul, warns against mentors of terror

December 25, 2015December 25, 2015 - by India Writes Network

It’s a hymn to democracy and an ode to the timeless India-Afghanistan friendship. A dream that was born more than a decade ago has turned real, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the India-built Afghan Parliament building in Kabul on December 25.
The parliament building, constructed by India at a cost of $90 million, epitomises the aspirations of Afghanistan for a democratic inclusive future and India’s faith in scripting afresh a narrative of opportunity in the violence-beset country.
In a veiled swipe at Pakistan’s propaganda blitz about Indian consulates being used as listening posts, Mr Modi warned against rivalries and Afghanistan being used as a theatre of completion.

Russia boosts Make in India with nuclear, defence deals

December 25, 2015December 25, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Amid the deepening Moscow chill, India and Russia reignited their time-tested partnership, and the warmth between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin was all too visible, with Moscow giving a big push to Make in India project of national renewal.
Dispelling any notion of a drift in this special relationship, India and Russia signed 16 pacts across the spectrum, with Moscow emerging as New Delhi’s prime partner in indigenising civil nuclear and defence sectors. The two landmark agreements on Russia assisting in building 12 nuclear reactors in India and joint manufacture of 200 Kamov 226 helicopters under the Make in India programme have laid down a solid basis for transforming special and privileged partnership in years to come. The significance of these pacts is clear from the fact that Russia will be the first country to be involved in major Make in India projects in nuclear and defence sectors.