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At a time when collective cooperation in the South Asian body, SAARC, is stalled due to the indifference of Pakistan, the bonhomie between India and Bangladesh has become necessary not only for the region but also for cooperation in the Indian Ocean rim and in bodies like BIMSTEC that connects South Asia to the ASEAN countries. Connectivity between the two countries can help in the prosperity and development of India’s remote north-eastern states. As the operationalisation of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) for movement of goods and passengers between member countries is delayed, both the countries have agreed to work towards a bilateral India-Bangladesh Motor Vehicle Agreement. Similar arrangements can be made between member countries which are willing and ready.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received the first Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) in Paris on October 8, the foundation day of the Indian Air Force. The loyal mass media is eulogizing it as a “game changer” as Pakistan has no fighter aircraft comparable to Rafale. It should be borne in mind that Rafale was selected by the Congress-led UPA Government as far back as January, 2012. The contract was for 126 aircraft. Behind the whole media build-up over Rafale now, there is a not-so-subtle attempt at giving all the credit to the Modi Government, while the truth is that the decision to acquire Rafale was taken by the UPA.

Economic slowdown is affecting all sections of society. But corporate lobby and the rich are taking advantage of the slowdown to extract benefits and press for favourable structural changes from the government that they have helped to come to power. The government is either clueless about slowdown or was in denial mode for a long time but now has become proactive and extending benefits to corporates and rich, defending its policies by insisting that these concessions will encourage investment and generate employment.

Mamallapuram, the ancient port town near Chennai, is getting ready to host the Chinese President XI Jinping for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narenda Modi this weekend (October 11-13). After winning his second term, Modi formally extended an invitation to Xi in June at the Bishkek summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the latter responded positively. The optics would show Modi receive Xi near the Arjuna Penance and the photo sessions would cover the Five Raths (chariots), Krishna’s butterball and the Shore Temple as they stroll along the premises.

For the 28th consecutive year, Cuba will be asking the United Nations General Assembly on November 7 to approve a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade of Cuba. Every year, in preparation for this vote, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry delivers a comprehensive report to the various national delegations represented in the Assembly. It updates them on adverse effects of the blockade, especially new ones.

After former chief of Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee Sanjay Nirupam, it was ex chief of Haryana PCC Ashok Tanwar who levelled serious charges against the party leadership. Both the leaders, at two separate places, one in Mumbai and other in Haryana, ventilated the same feeling; “Senior leaders close to Sonia Gandhi have evolved a conspiracy to eliminate leaders groomed by Rahul Gandhi.” They also alleged; "Congress is going through an existential crisis, not because of its political opponents but because of serious internal contradictions".

LUCKNOW: There is virtual no opposition to Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh. There is complete demoralisation in the rank and file of main opposition parties following near surrender by top leadership.

New Delhi: India can address its concerns over China's growing hypersonic missile arsenal by seeking cooperation with Russia in developing similar missiles through the bilateral BrahMos cruise missile programme, a security analyst has said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered the European Union a proposed “best and final offer” Brexit deal Wednesday, saying it encapsulates a real compromise for both sides and urged EU leaders to hold “rapid negotiations towards a solution” after years of squabbling.

The upcoming by-elections assume special significance given the record number of 51 seats assembly seats across 16 states and one union territory going to polls around the same time.