Indo Pacific

The US bolstering its alliances in the region to counter China puts India's strategic autonomy to the test

FTA, Free Trade Agreement, Trade Ties, Deals, Partnership

To enable easy exit of members from a pact

James Marape, PM Modi, (Photo: Twitter)

PM Modi's visit to Papua New Guinea is the first-ever tour by any Indian Prime Minister to the Pacific island country

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Columbian counterpart Alvaro Leyva Duran

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Columbian counterpart Alvaro Leyva Duran and discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Jaishankar arrived here in Colombia's capital from Panama on Wednesday. He is the first external affairs minister to have visited Columbia.
"Met Foreign Minister @AlvaroLeyva of Colombia this morning. Exchanged views on expanding our bilateral cooperation, especially in health, agriculture and digital domains," he tweeted about his meeting on Wednesday.
"Proposed greater exchanges and stronger collaboration, especially in capacity building. Also spoke about global issues, including the Indo-Pacific. Addressed the issue of Reformed Multilateralism," he said.
The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific. The evolving situation in the strategic Indo-Pacific region in the wake of .

Indo-Pacific trade

The United States hopes to deepen trade ties with Japan as it fortifies cooperation on economic security with its Asian allies and partners, the top US trade envoy said Wednesday.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's visit to Tokyo follows a trip to the Philippine capital, Manila, that she said highlighted a newly emerging partnership among the three countries as they build both economic and defence ties.
Tai met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to discuss making supply chains more resilient and secure, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Tai also reviewed the status of negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, a new trade pact proposed by Washington, emphasising the importance of cooperation with Japan, it said.
The framework has 13 members, including the US, that account for 40 per cent of global gross domestic product: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, 

US flag, US, united states

There is no stronger people-to-people ties between any country than what the US enjoys with India, a top White House official has said and observed that in many areas, governments need to get out of the way and let people from the two democracies work together.
Kurt Campbell, the Indo Pacific Coordinator of US National Security Council, also said that the over the years the tow countries have built a "stronger relationship" that will only get better.
"This is not just a meeting of elites. It is not just about technology. It's not just about working together on security issues. This is a relationship that is based at the people-to-people level. There is no stronger people-to-people ties between any country that the US enjoys than with India," he said while addressing a gathering of hundreds of Indian Americans at an event organised here by the Indian Embassy to celebrate the country's diversity.
"This is the most powerful connectivity between two people I've ever experienced. In many

Quad countries, Foreign Ministers

The foreign ministers of Quad countries on Friday reaffirmed the grouping's commitment for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and said it strongly supports the principles of rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Quad foreign ministers carried out a comprehensive review of the situation in the Indo-Pacific at a meeting presided over by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and Australia's Penny Wong.
The meeting came in the backdrop of growing global concerns over increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
"Our meeting today reaffirms the Quad's steadfast commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive and resilient," a joint statement said.
"We strongly support the principles of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threat or use of

Indo Pacific Economic Forum, IPEF, Indo Pacific

A former Indian commerce secretary, under condition of anonymity, said India might have consciously decided to participate as an observer since it might not be ready for this agreement right now

Joe Biden

The framework has 13 members including Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

china coast

Construction on the tiny island of Kanton would offer China a foothold deep in territory that had been firmly aligned to the US.

Asserting that America's Indo-Pacific pivot is in full swing under Biden admin, experts believe that Quad summit at White House next week is a natural culmination of a process restarted in 2017

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

US on Tuesday said it supports India's emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in efforts to ensure that strategic Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity

India Pacific alliance meeting

India looks forward to continuing its engagements with the Pacific Alliance, said the MEA on the 10th anniversary of the alliance

India, France explore ways to strengthen cooperation in Indo-Pacific

India and France explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including under a trilateral mechanism with Australia to address emerging challenges in the maritime and space domains.

Narendra Modi

Commenting on India''s ties with the US, Menon and Ranade emphasised that it is a critical relationship

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea

IPG Mediabrands ties up with Nielsen to improve data capabilities in India

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region

Not thinking about an IPO as of now, says chairman

Dr Krishna Ella

Higher discounts on Russian oil this month may help Indian refiners reduce crude sourcing costs and trim fuel marketing losses even as Brent crude crosses $95/barrel, weakening the country's finances

oil refinery, crude oil, oil

India's rage is misplaced and hardly serves to endear the country to those appalled by the idea that it may have had a Canadian citizen killed

India Canada

Electronics & IT Minister says India can emerge as a global leader in this category

Ashwini Vaishnaw

NABARD to issue social sector bonds on Tuesday

Bonds, Govt bond

The Booker Prize comes with a cash prize of GBP 50,000, a trophy. The winner will be unveiled on November 26 at an award ceremony in London

Books

Officials said that ministries will have to expand their capacity to support the growing number of startups in the country

startups

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking an audit of the software used in electronic voting machines (EVMs) used by the Election Commission.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said no actionable material that the poll panel acted in breach of constitutional mandate in holding polls has been placed before it.
The Election Commission is entrusted with the control over elections. Presently, the petitioner places no actionable material before this court to show that the poll panel has acted in breach of its constitutional mandate. There is no material before us which casts doubt on EVMs, the bench said.
Before filing the petition, PIL petitioner Sunil Ahya had made representations to the Election Commission seeking an independent audit of the source code of the EVMs.
The source code is the brain behind the EVM and it is about survival of democracy, Ahya said.

The VVPAT machines, which will be attached to the EVMs, will allow voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate. (Photo: pib.nic.in)

VVPAT machines, VVPAT, EC, voting, EVMs,vote

Chandrayaan-3: Isro is gearing up to wake the Vikram lander and Pragyan from 'sleep mode' to face the sun's rays after they were put into deep sleep having completed their set tasks

Chandrayaan-3 Lander, ISRO

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would list pleas on the issue of marital rape for hearing in mid-October. The pleas raise the legal question of whether a husband enjoys immunity from prosecution for the offence of rape if he forces his wife, who is not a minor, to have sex.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandarchud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of lawyer Karuna Nundy that the pleas needed to be heard.
We are in midst of constitution bench hearings. We can list this after the constitution bench matters are wrapped up, the bench said and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and other lawyers how much time they would take in advancing their arguments.
I will take two days. This (issue) has social ramifications, the law officer said. A counsel for the petitioners said they would like to argue for three days.
Then it can be listed for hearing in April next year! the CJI quipped and later said the pleas would be listed for hearing in .

Supreme Court, Manipur violence

Sharks are back with another season of Shark Tank India. Shark Tank India's official Instagram account shared the information. The show is likely to start in December or January

Shark Tank season 3 shooting begins

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Naval Academy Examination (II) and National Defence Academy 2023 result can be accessed at upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in

Results, Exam results

The CBI has registered a fresh FIR against IL&FS Transportation Network Ltd and its step-down subsidiary Spain-based Elsamex SA for allegedly misappropriating credit facilities to the tune of Rs 239 crore by cheating and diverting funds, officials said on Monday.
India Exim Bank had sanctioned a credit limit of Euro 35 million to Elsamex which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based ITNL International Pte Ltd in 2015 for securing and executing overseas contracts.
IL&FS Transportation is already facing a CBI probe for causing a loss of over Rs 6,524 crore to a Canara Bank-led consortium.
In 2016, a consortium of Elsamex and ITNL won the bid for an Ethiopian project to design, manage and maintain the work of the Nekemte Bure Road upgrading project under an output and performance-based road contract.
The project needed disbursal of certain mobilisation advances, which were to be secured by guarantees sanctioned by Exim Bank. So, Euro 32.60 million was allocated under

financial fraud investigation, audit and analysis

Amazon Great Indian Festival sale page is now live. The date of the festive sale is not officially announced yet. It is expected that the sale may begin on October 11, 2023

Amazon

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids at several locations linked to former members of the banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) across the state.
Searches are underway at various places in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Wayanad districts of the state, police said.
The houses of former PFI leaders Abdul Samad and Latheef were also searched in Wayanad and Thrissur districts, they said.
According to sources, the raids were launched to ascertain the alleged source of funding for the banned outfit.
The central government had on September 28, 2022 declared the PFI as an 'unlawful association' under UAPA and imposed a ban on it for five years.

Indo pacific ties

The Indo-Pacific power play

IPEF may bring 3-year exit clause to allow members to move out of deal

As a mark of respect, Papua New Guinea PM touches PM Modi's feet; see video

EAM discusses situation in Indo-Pacific with his Colombian counterpart

US trade rep deepens economic security ties in Asia, reviews IPEF

India-US people-to-people ties to get stronger, better: WH official

Foreign ministers of Quad countries meet in Delhi, reaffirm commitments

India's observer status raises questions about its IPEF plans

Explained: What's in Biden's proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

Pacific most likely to see 'strategic surprise': US official on China role

US' Indo-Pacific pivot in full swing under Biden administration: Experts

US supports India's emergence as leading global power: State Department

India looks forward to continuing engagements with Pacific Alliance: MEA

India, France explore ways to strengthen cooperation in Indo-Pacific

India is critical to American strategy in Indo-Pacific region: Experts

Indo-Pacific epicentre of 'great power competition' with China: Esper

India, US, Aus, Japan debate issues of common interest in Indo-Pacific area