CCIT | India Writes

Buoyed by Bollywood, India, Armenia to focus on trade, tourism & connectivity

April 26, 2017April 30, 2017 - by Manish Chand

Mixing business, Bollywood, culture and diplomacy, India and Armenia, a strategically located country in the Caucasian region between Asia and Europe, have opened a new chapter in their bilateral ties by firming up a roadmap for upscaling economic partnership that will include greater trade, connectivity and tourism.
Building upon their cultural connections spanning centuries, the two countries signed three pacts in areas of peaceful uses of outer space, cultural connections and youth exchanges. The pacts were inked after wide-ranging talks in Yerevan between India’s vice-president Hamid Ansari and Armenia’s top leadership, which included including President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian.
The vice-president’s visit has brought a new vigour and opened a new chapter in bilateral ties as the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Preeti Saran, secretary (east) in India’s external affairs ministry, told Indian journalists in the Armenian capital on April 25.
The two sides zeroed in on agriculture, jewellery, stone-cutting and watch-making as focus areas for enhancing economic engagement. They also agreed on a series of steps, including the holding of a business conclave and liberalisation of visas, to enhance the quantum of trade and investment.
Given the surging popularity of Indian films in Armenia, Bollywood is set to play the role of a catalyst in boosting tourism. “Armenia has invited Indian film industry to shoot films in their country. A team from Bollywood is expected to come Armenia to explore the possibility,” said Ms Saran.
Armenian president told Mr Ansari that Bollywood films are popular in his country and his grand-daughter was fond of Bollywood music.
Against the backdrop of proliferation of radical Islamist terrorist groups in the Eurasian region, the two countries converged on a unified response to international terrorism.

India to Pakistan: Abandon your futile quest, J& K is and will remain India’s integral part

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 - by India Writes Network

Abandon your futile quest and stop abusing international fora for Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. This is India’s strongly-worded message to Pakistan which continues to rake up the Kashmir issue to divert the world’s attention from its relentless pursuit of terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

“Our response to Pakistan is consistent. Abandon your futile quest. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so,” India’s Permanent Representative to UN Syed Akbaruddin said during a General Assembly debate on ‘Report of the Secretary General on the Work of the Organisation’ at the 71st session of the UNGA.

Ansari backs Mali’s reconstruction: ‘India’s ties with Africa not transactional’

September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 - by India Writes Network

India’s outreach to Francophone Africa has acquired a new ballast with the first high-level visit from New Delhi to the land-locked West African nation, home to scholars, musicians and historians.

India has strongly rallied in solidarity with Mali, the gritty West African nation ravaged by terrorism, but is determined to script its resurgence. In a defining speech at the National Assembly of Mali, Vice-President Hamid Ansari underscored key pillars of the burgeoning India-Africa partnership and pledged India’s unstinting support for the reconstruction of Africa’s seventh largest state. Mr Ansari underlined that India’s relations with Africa go beyond merely transactional partnership, but is rooted in emotive people-to-people connections, political solidarity and an emerging contemporary partnership animated by mutual resurgence. Here are key highlights/excerpts of Vice-President Hamid Ansari’s speech at Mali’s parliament on September 30:

In recent years we have sought to close the distance that separates us physically. We were happy to welcome His Excellency President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta when he participated in the 3rd India – Africa Forum Summit hosted by India in October last year. We value the contribution of Mali to the success of the Summit.

‘Seamless structure’ needed to tackle global terrorism: India

May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 - by India Writes Network

India has said that the world community has failed to address the menace of terror, and that there is the need for a ‘seamless structure’ to tackle global terrorism.

Riyadh Calling: Modi visit to script 2.0 India-Gulf ties

April 1, 2016April 2, 2016 - by Manish Chand

Spiritual home of Islam and the energy powerhouse in the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia has rolled out the red carpet to welcome India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to the country that will cohere New Delhi’s ‘Think West’ policy and Riyadh’s Act East policy to spawn a new strategic vision for this crucial partnership.

Brussels attacks: India, EU to step up counter terror cooperation

March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 - by India Writes Network

In the aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks, India and the European Union (EU) will be looking to step up their counter-terror cooperation, which will be a key theme at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s summit with the EU leaders on March 30.

Combating terror: Modi seeks support of Africa for CCIT

October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 - by India Writes Network

In the backdrop of growing extremism and violence in Africa and India, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the support of African countries for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. …

India to Pakistan: There’s only one point, give up terror for talks

October 2, 2015October 2, 2015 - by India Writes Network

Hitting back at Pakistan in the United Nations, India sent home a strong message to Pakistan to give up terror if it wants to resume talks with India. In a hard-hitting speech at the UN on October 1, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj lashed out at Pakistan saying it must give up terror if the two countries must sit down and talk.

BRICS foreign ministers emphasise on equitable international order

September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 - by India Writes Network

NEW YORK: In the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approving text-based negotiations in reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC), the BRICS countries have stressed on the need …

Modi connects with Egypt, Jordan: Terror, IS tops agenda

September 26, 2015September 26, 2015 - by India Writes Network

With the world grappling with rising extremism and violence, West Asia and North Africa have never been more important as a region for India. In a one-on-one meeting with the leaders of Egypt and Jordan, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on enhancing security and economic cooperation with the two key players in the Arab world.