Maldivian President arrives in India

     New Delhi: The President of Maldives, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, arrived here in New Delhi today on six-day visit to India. The Minister of State for External Affairs, Ediapakkath, received the visiting President. The Maldivian President is set to have delegation-level talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh followed by signing of agreements between the two countries. India and Maldives, members of the regional South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), enjoy close and cordial relations. India has played an active role in the field of public health and human resources development in Maldives. Maldives has appreciated India's prompt and effective assistance during the recent tsunami disaster. The present high-level visit is expected to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative ties that exist between the two countries. Reports said New Delhi might ask Gayoom, Asia's longest serving leader, to address opposition protests over violation of human rights. Gayoom, 67, has ruled the small Indian Ocean nation of islands, with a population of just about 30,000, since 1978. Gayoom last visited India in August 2000.

NSCN (I-M) cadres overrun NSCN (K) camp (Go To Top)

     Dimapur: Senior police officials today informed that large number of armed NSCN (I-M) cadres have occupied the designated camp of the NSCN (K) on the outskirts of Suruhoto. The NSCN (I-M) cadres walked into the designated camp of its arch-rival after cadres of its rival the NSCN (K) made a "tactical retreat" in the early hours today from its designated camp. The NSCN (I-M) had been able to overrun the rival's camp because they were successful in reinforcing their strength quickly after receiving a blow, couple of days back when at least five of its cadres were killed. Meanwhile, reports from Athibung also speak of NSCN (K) cadres withdrawing from their camp after coming under pressure from NSCN (I-M) cadres. The NSCN (K) cadres are now reportedly reinforcing in and around Mon district to launch a statewide offensive operation against its rival.

India to consider buying military equipments from US: Pranab (Go To Top)

     Kolkata: Union Minister for Defence, Pranab Mukherjee today said that India will consider buying military equipment from the United States. The announcement of the minister comes two days after New Delhi protested a U.S. decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to rival Pakistan. Washington, on Friday, announced that it was lifting a ban on sales of F-16 fighters to Pakistan -- imposed in 1990 as a sanction against its nuclear weapons programme -- to demonstrate support for a major ally in the war on terrorism. India expressed "great disappointment", saying it "could have negative consequences for India's security environment", but later added India and the United States had agreed to a series of steps to boost defence and energy ties. The foreign ministry said as part of the agreement, Washington had approved U.S. defence companies to bid for combat aircraft that India might want to buy and was considering offering India technology for civilian nuclear energy. "The positive development in this respect is that for the first time we have received an offer from the US, though earlier we used to have some equipment or technology, but never before such an offer of such sophisticated equipment, including planes," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters at Kolkata.

      Mukherjee, however, ruled out an arms race with Pakistan. "One point I would like to emphasize, we have no intention of joining the arms race. Whatever is required for our defence preparedness, keeping in view of that requirement of our three services, we will go in for procuring those equipments only," he added. India and the United States were foes during the Cold War, and India has traditionally bought military hardware from Russia, but in recent years the world's largest democracies have forged a new relationship, expanding defence and economic ties. New Delhi has bought artillery finding radars from the United States that are being deployed on the Line of Control that divides disputed Kashmir with Pakistan, and is eyeing the Patriot missile systems as a deterrent to its nuclear-armed neighbour. India has in the past relied heavily on French and Russian fighters but is now seeking to diversify.

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