Diplomacy

Rebuilding quake-hit Nepal: India unveils $1 billion assistance

- by India Writes Network

Underscoring India’s unstinting contribution for creating a resilient Nepal in the aftermath of the quake, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has pledged an assistance package of $1 billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the nascent Himalayan democracy.

Speaking at the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction, Sushma Swaraj said: “Keeping with our very special relationship that I am happy to announce Government of India’s pledge for Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepali Rupees 10,000 crores, equivalent to one billion US dollars.”

She emphasised that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with 1.25 billion Indian citizens, are committed to shoulder their responsibilities towards India’s oldest and closest friend and neighbour in the wake of the April 25 earthquake that devastated Nepal.

“Let us take inspiration from ancient philosophy of Yoga and join hands to create a more resilient Nepal,” said the minister

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From hometown diplomacy to home truths: China blocks India’s UN move against Pakistan

- by Manish Chand

Call it home truths, if you will. After much-hyped hometown diplomacy by the leaders of India and China, the first time at Sabarmati Asharam in Gandhinagar and then at Xian, the city of famed Terracotta Warriors, home truths are staring New Delhi as it engages Beijing. Barely weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, conjuring up a seductive narrative of major power relations and all that sweet talk of an Asian Century, Beijing is now drawing its own red lines. And this red line is definitely a red rag to New Delhi.
Belying Beijing’s talk of jointly countering terrorism, the Chinese representative has blocked India’s move in the UN demanding action against Pakistan for releasing the Mumbai mayhem mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi from jail on the ground that India has not provided “sufficient information”. The legal subterfuge deployed by China to shield Pakistan’s action (or lack of action against the architect of 26/11) reinforces the red line drawn by Beijing in its relations with New Delhi. Put simply, it means that China is ready to pump in $20 billion into India, build industrial parks and smart infrastructure, but if it means going against its all-weather acolyte Pakistan

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Afghan President lauds parliament attack hero, UN envoy hails Afghan forces

- by India Writes Network

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has lauded Esa Khan, the Afghan soldier who killed six of the seven insurgents who tried to storm parliament on June 22, as a hero and honoured him by presenting him with a new home.
Mr Ghani tweeted a picture of himself greeting the soldier, Esa Khan, who will be promoted and given a medal. The Afghan security forces also got rich praise from the UN envoy to Afghanistan.
After a Taliban suicide bomber and six gunmen carried out a brazen attack on Afghanistan’s parliament on June 22, which killed two and injured dozens, the United Nations Envoy to Afghanistan Nicholas Haysom said that Afghan security forces were undeniably stretched amid ongoing threats from Taliban insurgents and Islamic State militants for establishing their foothold in the country.

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Taliban targets Afghan parliament, India condemns despicable attack

- by India Writes Network

A massive explosion rocked the Afghanistan parliament in Kabul on June 22, eliciting outrage across world capitals. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined in the global chorus of condemnation, terming the attack as a “despicable and cowardly act” underlined India’s solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

“The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable & cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy,” Mr Modi tweeted.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

There are no reports of any Indian being injured in Taliban’s attack on Afghanistan Parliament in Kabul, Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha said.

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