India and the World | India Writes

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.

Tolerance/Intolerance debate: Dialogue of the deaf?

December 23, 2015December 23, 2015 - by India Writes Network

“Sare jahan se achha Hindostan hamara…” This ode to India by iconic poet Allama Iqbal still remains the most eloquent tribute to this country that is now attracting so much …

Rise of Islamic State in Southeast Asia: What it means for the region

December 23, 2015December 24, 2015 - by India Writes Network

The arrest of four former members of the Jemaah Islamiyah, an Indonesia terror network affiliated to Al Qaeda and proclaiming allegiance to ISIS, has put the spotlight on the threat of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

India welcomes Nepal’s amendment proposals, Madhesis play hardball

December 22, 2015December 23, 2015 - by India Writes Network

In an important step to defuse the festering three-month crisis in the Himalayan state, the Nepali government has agreed to accept some of key demands of Madhesis, including proportional representation and delimitation of constituencies.

Strategic shift: India, US explore giving access to each other’s ports, bases

December 21, 2015December 22, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Signalling a strategic shift, India agreed to reopen talks with the US on a pact to allow each other access to their military bases and ports. Earlier, India was ambivalent about …

Modi’s Moscow Mission: How to reignite India-Russia ties

December 20, 2015December 20, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on his second visit during the current year to Russia for the annual Summit with President Putin on 24th Dec, 2015. He earlier toured Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan in Russia on 8-10th July for the SCO and BRICS Summits.

Obama signs new law raising H-1B visa fee: Setback for Indian IT companies

December 19, 2015December 19, 2015 - by India Writes Network

The H-1B visa issue continues to haunt the Indian tech companies, with US President Barack Obama on December 18 signing into law a USD 1.8 trillion spending package which, among other things, introduces a hefty USD 4,000 fee for certain categories of H-1B visa and USD 4,500 for L1 visa.

US Fed rate hike: What it means for India

December 19, 2015December 19, 2015 - by India Writes Network

In a major move that could bolster the investor sentiment in the developed countries, the US Federal Reserve hiked the benchmark short-term interest rates by 0.25 percent. This has been done for the first time in over seven years after the 2008 financial crisis had forced the US Central Bank to make the interest rates at zero to ease the liquidity crunch.

India ready to fight the IS under UN flag

December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Amid intelligence reports about a potential threat to India from the radical Islamic State, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has signalled India’s willingness to participate in an anti-IS offensive, but only under the UN flag.

Bank on India, where ideas are born & tested: Google CEO Pichai

December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 - by India Writes Network

It’s a hymn to India, blending commerce, technology, innovation and ingenuity. Google’s India-born CEO Sundar Pichai has unveiled an ambitious transformative agenda for one of the world’s fastest growing economies and the laboratory of new ideas.