News

Modi in America: On First Day, Modi Gets Rockstar Welcome [PHOTOS]

Scores of Indians thronged the hotel where he is staying.

Sep 27, 2014

America lobbying to be India s best friend: Indian American on Modi s US visit

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): Indian American Hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal said that America was lobbying to be India's best friend now while earlier they used to pay more attention to Pakistan. He applauded Modi's smart move as he visited Japan and Brazil and met with the Chinese Premier in India before coming to US. Chatwal also said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government exudes confidence as it came to power with absolute majority. He also said that Indian American, he and other community is expecting good relations between India and US so that the country becomes investment friendly.

Sep 27, 2014

Politicos criticize Pak PM Sharif for raising Kashmir issue at UNGA

New Delhi, Sept 27 (ANI): Cutting across party lines, leaders of various political parties criticized Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said that all issues between the two Asian neighbours have to be addressed bilaterally. BJP leader Nalin Kohli said it reflected that Pakistan was not at all serious as far as resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir was concerned. Congress leader echoing similar sentiments said that Pakistan raised this issue to divert the attention from its internal disasters. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar on his part said that it is an old tactic of Pakistan. Addressing the UNGA in New York, Sharif said that his nation was disappointed at the cancellation of the Foreign Secretary-level talks with India and called on the international community to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sep 27, 2014

Pakistan Puts Kashmir on the Table at United Nations; Will Modi Touch it?

It is now to be seen whether Modi addresses the issue during his speech today or chooses instead to block out Pakistan from his address entirely

Sep 27, 2014

PM Modi and New York mayor discussed megacity policing: MEA

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): India's foreign ministry said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed issues of anti-terror squads and megacity policing with New York Mayor Bill De Blasio during his one to one talks. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Syed Akbaruddin, said both mayor Blasio and the director of US National Cancer Institute, Harold Varmus, hailed Modi's recent decision of increasing the minimum age of smoking from 18 to 25 in the country. The foreign ministry spokesperson said Modi will speak in Hindi during his speech at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday and will take on militancy. Akbaruddin also talked about the Indian delegates who will be accompanying the prime minister during his dinner at the White House with US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama.

Sep 27, 2014

Indian experts condemn Pak PM after he raises Kashmir issue at UNGA

New York /New Delhi, Sept 27 (ANI): Indian experts condemned Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as he raked up Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly. Sharif on Friday raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and blamed India for "another missed opportunity" to address outstanding issues by cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks. India's Foreign Policy expert Kamal Aga termed the move as unfortunate to raise sensitive issue in front of international community. Security Expert, Uday Bhaskar said that it should not come as surprise after India cancelled the foreign secretary level talks. He added that Pakistan was looking for an opportunity and the UNGA is an appropriate platform to raise the issue. Another security expert, Alok Bansal, said that Sharif could not have survived if he had not raised the questions especially at a time when he has been going through a tricky situation within the country.

Sep 27, 2014

PM Modi meets Mayor of New York City

New York, Sept 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio on the first day of his visit to the United States. Modi also met Professor Harold Varmus, director of the United States of America's National Cancer Institute. The Prime Minister arrived in New York on Friday. Modi will pay tributes at the 9/11 memorial and museum on Saturday and then meet United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at the UN Headquarters. Prime Minister Modi will address the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today. Prime Minister Modi earlier greeted his well-wishers and supporters outside the New York Palace Hotel, where he will be staying for the next three days.

Sep 27, 2014

India will handle issue procedurally: MEA on US summons against PM Modi

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): India has reacted cautiously to the summons issued against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots and said that it will handle the issue procedurally. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that India's sovereign representative is ring-fenced and that there is no question of anyone serving summons on India's sovereign representative. The MEA had earlier expressed its disappointment over the summons issued against Prime Minister Modi and termed the allegations to be baseless.

Sep 27, 2014

Expatriate Indians hail PM Modi as he arrives in US

New York, Sept 27 (ANI): Expatriate Indians hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived in New York on his maiden visit to the United States. Supporters shouted slogans welcoming Modi, raised banners and placards and praised him. They said they are proud of Modi as he is the most dynamic leader who can bring a change in India. Modi arrived in New York on Friday on his maiden visit to the United States, aiming to woo corporate titans and crown a burst of investment-focused diplomacy. Several members of Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with supporters of Modi gathered on the streets of New York and welcomed the Indian prime minister with much fanfare.

Sep 27, 2014

Nawaz Sharif addresses UN General Assembly, rakes up 'Kashmir issue' blaming India for cancellation

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised the issue of Kashmir at the UN General Assembly in New York and blamed India for "another missed opportunity" to address outstanding issues by cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks. Sharif urges United Nations to 'peacefully settle' the conflicted issue of Kashmir. He said that his government had sincerely embarked on negotiation process with India for peaceful resolution of all disputes. Further, he also talked about the national calamity faced by Pakistan recently and also other issues of natural changes in the world. Sharif also congratulated Afghanistan on its election results.

Sep 27, 2014

PM Modi gets 'rockstar like welcome' at New York Hotel on his arrival

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): Crowds greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by chanting his name and blowing the conch shell in triumph on the streets of New York as he arrived at the hotel. PM Modi arrived in New York on Friday on his maiden visit to the United States, aiming to woo corporate titans and crown a burst of investment-focused diplomacy. Crowds were shouting pro-Modi slogans as he took walk to the hotel surrounded by water-tight security. Several posters and placards bearing Modi's name and photo also greeted the Indian prime minister. Modi's schedule lists about 35 engagements during a 100-hour trip, including a rock-star-like address at New York's Madison Square Garden, a speech to the United Nations and an appearance at a Central Park festival that features rap star Jay Z.

Sep 27, 2014

India will remain committed to Afghanistan: Expert

New Delhi, Sept 27 (ANI): Afghanistan is in a state of transition and during this crucial period in national life of Afghan people, India will remain a strategic partner of Afghanistan. The recent visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Afghanistan has drawn two points, the first being that India will remain committed to Afghanistan and second that India will continue with the aid and assistance training programmes, believes Vishal Chandra, a fellow at the Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses, a Delhi-based think-tank. India has been partner with Afghanistan since the overthrowing of Taliban regime in 2001. India's effort is a part of wider international effort to help to rebuild Afghan capacities, capabilities and institutions.

Sep 27, 2014