AIR World Service English

India and Australia held their first ever virtual bilateral Summit in the midst of lockdowns and travel bans imposed worldwide due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The Summit came in place of two actual visits that were to take place in January 2020 and in May 2020 to further strengthen the bilateral ties. As the pandemic has placed restrictions on physical movement, the Summit was held through the virtual mode between the leaders.  The core focus of the Summit was the enhancement of bilateral ties between the two countries to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During the Summit both countries signed nine agreements that cover a range of economic and security ties. At the economic level the two countries have robust trade relations with the two way trade amounting to nearly US $ 30 billion. As India has deepened its economic integration across the Indo-Pacific, Australia is now India’s eighth largest trading partner.  On the issue of addressing the chal...

India will get its growth back with more structural reforms that would change the course of our country to cope with the challenges of Covid-19 with private sector as a partner in the development journey. This was the salutary message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a video conference to the 125th Annual Session of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in the capital. Without mincing words, Mr. Modi reassured the captains of the industry that “together we will definitely get our growth back”. By way of instilling confidence in the beleaguered domestic entrepreneurs, the Prime Minister asserted that his unflinching trust in the country’s capabilities and crisis management, in India’s diverse talents and technology, in its innovation and intellect, in the toiling farmers of the nation and the vital cogs in the economy—the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) all make him hopeful in getting the growth bounce back before long. With the MSME segment accounting for 30...

Addressing the people in the monthly “Mann Ki Baat” programme broadcast on the All India Radio network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the battle against Coronavirus is being fiercely waged in the country through collective efforts. He urged people to be more alert and careful in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic even as a major segments of the Indian economy has been opened up. Prime Minister said, 200 train services have resumed with adequate precautionary measures. He added that air services have also resumed and industry too is returning to normalcy. He cautioned that there should be no laxity and suggested people to maintain two yards distancing, wear face masks and stay at home to the extent possible. Mr. Modi stressed that after so many hardships, the country’s deft handling of the situation should not go in vain. The Indian Prime Minister hailed the spirit of service shown by our people and called it the biggest strength. He said, we are familiar with the dictum- ‘Sewa Para...

My dear countrymen, Namaskar! Our Mann ki Baat too has not remained untouched by the effect of Corona. The last time I spoke to you through ‘Mann Ki Baat' , passenger train services, busses and flights had come to a standstill. This time around much has resumed-Shramik special trains are operational; other special trains too have begun. With utmost precautions, flights have resumed; industry too is returning to normalcy; thus, opening up a major segment of the economy. In such a scenario, we need to be even more alert and careful. Whether it’s the mandatory two yards distancing, wearing face masks or staying at home to the best extent possible, there should be no laxity on our part in complete adherence.  The battle against Corona is being fiercely waged in the country through collective efforts. When we glance at the world, we can actually experience the magnitude of the achievements of the people of India. Our population itself is many times that of most countries. The chal...

India and Nepal share a land border of 1750 kilometers with Nepal touching five states of India – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Most of this border was fixed by the Treaty of Sugauli signed in 1816 between the East India Company and the Nepalese Royal Court. It marked the Kali (Mahakali) River as Nepal’s western extremity, i.e. Nepal’s territory only lay to the east of the Kali. Nepal had recently launched an ‘updated’ map of its territory claiming roughly 400 square kilometers of territory in the areas of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh, which have always been recorded as being West of the Kali and in India. Kathmandu claims that these areas lie to the east of the major tributary of the Kali and hence belong to Nepal. This is even though surveys and maps for over 150 years, including maps of Nepal, maintained that the main source of the Kali is the stream coming from Kalapani which means that these areas are west of the Kali. The areas ar...

On Monday, 532 flights after over two months soared high on the Indian skies, leaving an unmistakable proof that no challenge can overwhelm the Indian resolve to prevail over any adversity. Airports and passengers demonstrated that India is well prepared to contain the deadly Covid-19, as they minimized the scope for the virus to find hosts to multiply. A five year old boy, wearing a mask, flew alone from New Delhi to Bengaluru, illustrating people’s confidence that life can soon return to normalcy. In the course of over two months of the lockdown, India has arguably sensitized citizens and agencies on ways to deny the scope of transmission to the virus. That the passengers complied with social distancing norms at the airports and took benefits of the ‘Aarogya Setu’ Application would truly further ease operations of flights. The air transport mode indeed followed the government allowing special trains to operate to connect scores of destinations. Lakhs of people availed t...

India has extended her medical assistance to help authorities abroad in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Till now, India has helped 125 countries with essential supplies, medicines, teams of medical experts and also in some cases evacuation of foreign citizens to their home countries. New Delhi has already delivered consignments in 29 countries spread out over the South Asian region, the Indian Ocean region, the Gulf (Kuwait), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Ukraine) and even remotely located countries like Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Six more African countries have received hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and paracetamol as well. Apart from medical aid, India has also sent teams of medical personnel called Rapid Response Teams to Kuwait and Maldives, set up mobile health check-up centres, conducted webinars to train personnel in other countries and extended technical assistance in other formats. India took the lead by setting up a $ 10 million COVID-19 fund for S...