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France seeks to seal big submarine deal with India

       New Delhi: France sought today to speedily conclude a multi-billion dollar defence deal to sell submarines to the Indian navy saying it had been under negotiations for many years now. The deal, estimated to be worth about 1.8 billion dollars, involves the manufacture of six Scorpene SSK-class submarines at a naval dockyard in Mumbai. Though the Indian navy has approved the submarine and the two countries agreed in 2001 to go in for joint production, New Delhi is yet to give its final clearance and sign the contract. The French minister held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the deal was expected to be discussed with them, officials said. Indian defence officials were not immediately available for comment. If approved, the contract would likely be handled by French company Armaris. Armaris is the marketing arm of state-owned DCN International, the main naval contractor for France, and Thales SA , one of the world's largest defence electronics firms. Paris had expected to seal the deal by the end of 2003 but early national elections in India and a subsequent change of government in New Delhi delayed the mega arms purchase. The military, has launched a massive programme of modernisation, ordering trainer and fighter jets, airborne warning and control systems and a refurbished aircraft carrier. The Indian navy operates one of the largest forces in the Indian Ocean with a fleet of 140 vessels but many of its ships and submarines are old and are due for replacement. The deal will be the first time the Indian navy will be buying submarines from France, which has sold submarines to nuclear rival Pakistan. India operates a largely Russian fleet and a few German-built submarines.

French Foreign Minister on two-day visit to India (Go To Top)

       New Delhi: As part of strengthening bilateral ties between India and France, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, is on a two-day visit to India from today. During his visit Barnier will hold discussions with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh on the entire gamut of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. He will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the evening, besides calling on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of opposition L.K. Advani. Besides sharing fundamental values of freedom and democracy, India and France are strategic partners who believe in an effective multipolar world. France supports India's candidature for permanent membership of an enlarged UN Security Council and the two countries have extensive coordination on counter terrorism.

KSO strike affects normal life in Manipur (Go To Top)

       Imphal: Normal life came to a halt in Manipur today as the state was witnessing a 24-hour general strike called by the Kuki Students Organisation to protest against the killing of three Kuki students by police here on Monday. While shops, markets and business establishments remained closed today, attendance at the government offices was also very thin. According to the sources, all transport services in the state and between Manipur and neighbouring states were also disrupted due to the strike. The organisation has threatened to launch an agitation from tomorrow to protest against the killings and demanded a proper inquiry into the incident and punishment for the culprits. Meanwhile aecurity arrangements have been tightened all across the state to prevent any untoward incident. The incident had occurred on Monday night when the three youths were returning home after attending a function at the Kuki Christian church at Dewlaland here.

Ram Temple construction at Ayodhya inevitable: Advani (Go To Top)

       New Delhi: BJP President L.K. Advani today said that the environment that made the Ayadhoya temple movement powerful has changed and the Hindu anger has given way to a patient wait for the temple whose construction is inevitable. "A great deal has changed since the day I began the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra 14 years ago," said Advani in his presidential address at BJP's National Council. "The Ayodhya movement ensured that Hindus can no longer be either taken for granted or their sentiments blatantly disregarded. The nation eagerly looks forward to the day the makeshift temple at Ram Janmabhoomi is replaced by a structure befitting the greatness of Lord Rama. At the same time we must be candid enough to recognise that the Hindu anger that exploded on the streets in the early nineties has given way to a patient wait for the new temple whose construction is, I feel, inevitable," Advani said. Dismissing fears that it had abandoned its ideology, the former Deputy Prime Monister admitted the slow progress on the temple issue also affected the party in the elections. "BJP is a party of nationalism and cultural nationalism. As party president my priority is to mould BJP into a battle worthy organisation capable of taking on the challenges of the Congress and the Left, both on the ideological and political fronts. Collectively we will set the stage for a resounding NDA majority in the 15th Lok Sabha," he said.

Two killed, five injured in extremist attack in Tripura (Go To Top)

        Agartala: At least two people were reportedly killed and five others injured when extremists stopped a passenger jeep and opened fire on them. The incident occurred in the Tulasikhar brick kiln area under Champar police station of Khowai sub-division in the West Tripura at around 7: 00 'o' clock in the morning. Although it's not yet known as to which outfit the militants belonged to, the area is dominated by the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). Further details are awaited.

'Restoring democracy in Pak is US's primary concern' (Go To Top)

        Islamabad: The US Ambassador-designate to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker has said that Pakistan's relations with the US depended on the former's inclination, sincerity and consequently its whole hearted efforts to restore democracy in Pakistan. The News quoted Crocker, as having told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that Islamabad's progress toward full democracy was a key factor for Washington in building and sustaining a strong positive relationship with Pakistan. He reiterated that even President Bush has repeatedly said that supporting continued progress towards democracy in Pakistan was critical not for the establishment of a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan, but also for the success of the global 'War on Terror' and Indo-Pak relations.

UK raises age limit for Asians to end forced marriages (Go To Top)

       London: In an indirect move to curb forced marriages within the Asian community in Britain, the country's Foreign and Home Offices have decided to raise the minimum age for such marriages from 16 to 18. This tough approach is not aimed at arranged marriages per say, but more against such relationships being promoted and encouraged within the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. The measures, to be announced today, coincide with a Commons debate on domestic violence laws, reports The Telegraph. Ministers in charge of these two offices are also considering making it a criminal offence to arrange a forced marriage. The Home Office is amending immigration law to increase the minimum age for marriage entry clearance outside the EU from 16 to 18. Immigration rules were changed earlier this year to prevent under-18s sponsoring a husband or wife to come to Britain from outside the European Union. However, the new immigration rules will apply to all non-EU marriages, whether forced, arranged or mutually agreed. An additional entry clearance officer is to be posted to Islamabad in Pakistan to help girls who find themselves in difficulties.

S Africa announces team for India tour (Go To Top)

       Durban: The United Cricket Board of South Africa on Wednesday announced a 14-member squad for its tour of India. Prolific opener Herschelle Gibbs has decided to skip the tour while spinner Nicky Boje has conditionally agreed to be part of the squad for the two-test tour of India that starts next month. Gibbs and Boje had chosen to keep their options about touring open after the Delhi Police refused to give an undertaking that they would not be interrogated in connection with a match-fixing scam that took place four years ago. Interestingly, Boje has been named as the new vice-captain of the team in place of veteran wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who was dropped alongwith four others, including Lance Klusener, who were part of the squad for the Sri Lanka series recently. If Boje decides not to go to India, Boeta Dippenaar will take over the vice-captain's role and Charl Langeveld will join the squad as an extra bowler. The team is as follows: Team: Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje, Hashim Amla, Zander de Bruyn, Boeta Dippenaar, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Thami Tsolekile, Alfonso Thomas, Martin van Jaarsveld.

India 146 for 5 at stumps on day 2 (Go To Top)

       Nagpur: Mohd Kaif and Parthiv Patel, the last recognised pair of batsmen tried to steady the innings after the Australian bowlers stifled the Indian chase by taking wickets at regular intervals. Mohd Kaif, eyeing his second Test half-century, was unbeaten on 47. Earlier, Glenn McGrath struck in his 16th over to send back the India stand-in-captain Rahul Dravid for a patient 21 off 140 balls. Sachin Tendulkar also failed to impress as Australia reduced India to 146 for five in reply to their first innings 398 at tea on the second day of the third Test on Wednesday.