Proposal to ban JeM's Azhar to be brought again at UN: France

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) Throwing its weight behind India, France today said it will ensure that the proposal to designate Pakistan-based JeM Chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist is "reintroduced" at the Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.

The strong assertion was made by Jacques Audibert, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Francois Hollande, weeks after China blocked India's move to get the Pathankot attack mastermind banned by the UN.

He also exuded confidence on India becoming member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) notwithstanding stiff opposition by China on admitting India into the 48-nation grouping.

"We will make sure that demand is reintroduced. We are still hopeful that the UN will designate him (Azhar) as a terrorist soon," Audibert told reporters on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue when asked about the Azhar issue.

India has already initiated preliminary discussions with several member countries of the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council on once again brining back the proposal to ban Azhar. France is a member of the Sanctions Committee and has been strongly supporting India on the issue.

On India's NSG bid, Audibert said France supports New Delhi's membership as its entry into the grouping will improve non-proliferation regime.

"We have been supporting India's NSG bid because India is providing necessary guarantee. India's membership of NSG will improve the non-proliferation regime," he said.

Asked about the Scorpene submarine deal with India, Audibert said he did not think the alleged leak of some secret documents has compromised the project.

Earlier, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, he made a veiled reference to China on the South China Sea dispute, saying freedom of navigation and law of the sea needs to be defended by all the states.

"India and France act together to improve stability in the region through their cooperation in maritime security," he said.

He also spoke about right of any country to defend itself against a threat of terrorism.

Naidu comes to the defence of 'Dangal' actress Zaira

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today came to the defence of 16-year old Kashmiri girl Zaira who featured in Dangal movie and was trolled for meeting J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and wondered why "ultra liberals" are silent on the issue.

"Why did she have to tender an apology for meeting the CM of her own state? Why is everyone silent now? Where are the so called ultra liberals now?" Naidu, who holds the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting, questioned.

Naidu, who is also Urban Development Minister, was addressing a function of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) here.

Asserting that the incident clearly shows the irony of the pseudo liberals who vehemently came out to speak against the growing "intolerance" earlier, Naidu urged the people to stand up by her side.

Zaira, who has featured as a young Geeta Phogat in the recently released Bollywood movie Dangal, was trolled after her picture with Mehbooba emerged which triggered a backlash.

Naidu said it is in fact a great achievement that children from Jammu and Kashmir are coming into the mainstream and are showcasing their talent and inspiring thousands of other youngsters.

"Zaira's episode shows how pseudo liberals react to different situations, adopt different standards. What is wrong committed by this young talented artist from Jammu and Kashimir?" he said.

She has shown the path and one should feel proud and appreciate her than trying to be verbally violent, the minister said.

Commenting on the controversy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi replacing Mahatma Gandhi in the 2017 calendar and diary of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Naidu said "creating unnecessary" issues by certain people has become a routine.

"What is the issue, I don't understand? PM Modi has been promoting Khadi from day one. He is appealing to the people to use khadi and its sales has increased over 30 per cent," he said.

Hitting out at those criticising the issue, he said it is the very same people who have never followed the Father of the Nation. "There was no photo of Gandhi ji for 5 years during the Congress regime but they had no objection at that time," he said.

Pak must walk away from terror for talks with India: PM

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) In a clear message amidst the chill in bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked Pakistan to walk away from terror if it wants to have dialogue with India.

Outlining his approach for an integrated neighbourhood, Modi said his vision for country's neighbourhood puts premium on peaceful and harmonious ties with entire South Asia.

"But, India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan's journey to make. Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wants to walk towards dialogue with India," he said while addressing the participants at the government's geo-political flagship initiative "Raisina Dialogue-II".

He also recalled several initiatives taken by him to normalise ties with Pakistan including travelling to Lahore.

There is a deep chill in Indo-Pak ties due to series of cross-border strikes including in Pathankot and Uri by Pakistan-based terror groups.

In an obvious reference to Pakistan, the Prime Minister also asserted that India's belief in delinking terrorism from religion, and rejecting artificial distinctions between good and bad terrorism, are now a global talking point.

"And, those in our neighbourhood who support violence, perpetrate hatred, and export terror stand isolated and ignored"," he said.

Referring to India's ties with China, Modi, at the opening of the three-day Dialogue, said it was not "unnatural" for two large neighbouring powers to have some differences but both sides should show sensitivity and respect for each other's core concerns and interests.

"I see the development of India and China as an unprecedented opportunity, for our two countries and for the whole world. At the same time, it is not unnatural for two large neighbouring powers to have some differences.

"In the management of our relationship, and for peace and progress in the region, both our countries need to show sensitivity and respect for each other's core concerns and interests," Modi said, adding he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have sought to tap the vast area of commercial and business opportunities in the relationship.

Asserting that the century belongs to Asia, he said the sharpest trajectory of change is happening in the continent and there are large and vibrant pools of progress and prosperity that dot the landscape of this region.

"But, rising ambition and festering rivalries are generating visible stress points. The steady increase in military power, resources and wealth in the Asia-Pacific has raised the stakes for its security.

"Therefore, the security architecture in the region must be open, transparent, balanced and inclusive. And, promote dialogue and predictable behaviour rooted in international norms and respect for sovereignty," he said.

In his address, the Prime Minister gave a run down of India's foreign policy priorities, security interests in the Indian Ocean and bilateral engagement with neighbouring countries, Gulf nations and major powers including the US, China and Russia.

He also emphasised that 'Sab Ka Saath; Sab Ka Vikas' is not just a vision for India but a belief for the whole world.

Japan to provide Vietnam new patrol vessels

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) review an honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam January 16, 2017. REUTERS/Luong Thai Linh/Pool

Hanoi, Jan 16 (AP) Japan will provide Vietnam new patrol vessels, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today on the last stop of his four-nation tour to boost his country's trade and security engagements in Asia amid China's rising dominance.

"The two countries will further strengthen security and defense cooperation and this time Japan has decided to provide (Vietnam with) newly built patrol vessels at Vietnam's request," Abe said at a news conference in Hanoi with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. "We will strongly support Vietnam's strengthening its maritime law-enforcement capabilities." 

Vietnam already has six used patrol vessels provided by Japan and how many were in the fresh offer wasn't mentioned.

Both countries have maritime disputes with China Vietnam in the South China Sea and Japan in the East China Sea. The two leaders called for the upholding of international law in resolving disputes in the South China Sea.

"The two sides agreed on the importance of ensuring peace, security and safety of maritime navigation and overflight in the East Sea, promoting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, no use of force or threat to use force," Phuc told reporters, referring to the South China Sea by Vietnamese term.

Phuc said Abe has committed to give Vietnam more development assistance amounting to 123 billion yen ( 1.05 billion) in the fiscal year of 2016 for maritime security, responding to climate change and water treatment.

It's not clear whether the new loans will cover the purchase of new patrol vessels.

The two leaders also pledged to deepen their two countries' strategic partnership.

Japan is one of Vietnam's top investors and trading partners and is the communist country's single largest bilateral donor.

Abe has already visited the Philippines, Australia and Indonesia on his trip.

All 5 Indian-American lawmakers get key Congressional panels

Washington, Jan 16 (PTI) All five Indian-American lawmakers, the highest in the history of the US Congress, have been nominated to influential Congressional panels.

Congressman Ro Khanna representing Silicon Valley has been nominated to the powerful House Budget Committee, while Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, elected to the House of Representatives from Seattle, would serve on yet another powerful House Judiciary Committee.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Chicago's west and northwest suburbs, will serve on the House Education and Workforce Committee, along with the powerful House Democratic Policy and Steering Committee.

Three-term Congressman Ami Bera, the senior most among all Indian-American lawmakers in the House of Representatives, has been renominated to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Science, Space and Technology Committee. He is also the co-chair of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to have been elected to the US Senate, has been made member of four powerful Senate Committees. These are Committee on Budget, Select Committee on Intelligence, Committee on Environment and Public Works and Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

"These four committees will be key battlegrounds in the fight for the future of our country. At a time when so many Californians and Americans are uncertain about our future, I will aggressively fight for our families and the ideals of our nation," Harris said in a statement.

This is the highest number of Indian-Americans in the history of the US Congress.

Kashmiri girl Zaira Wasim of 'Dangal' fame caught up in controversy

Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 16 (PTI) Zaira Wasim, the Kashmiri teen who shot to fame for her stellar role in Aamir Khan's blockbuster "Dangal", was today unwittingly caught up in controversy over her meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in the backdrop of the unrest in the Valley.

16-year-old Zaira first posted an apology for "offending" and "unintentionally hurting" people after her meeting with Mehbooba kicked up a row and trolled online but later deleted the post. She then posted again, this time asking everyone not to blow the issue out of proportion but deleted this post too.

Zaira, who played the younger version of wrestler Geeta Phogat in "Dangal", took to Facebook and tendered an apology apparently over her meeting with the chief minister on Saturday that drew sharp reactions from the youth in the Valley because of the situation there during the last few months.

She also played down her performance in "Dangal", saying she was "not proud of" what she is doing.

"This is an open confession/apology. I know that many people have been offended and displeased by my recent actions or by the people I have recently met," the actress wrote on her Facebook page.

Zaira said she wanted to apologise to "all those people who I have unintentionally hurt and I want them to know that I understand their sentiments behind it especially considering that what had happened over the past six months" apparently referring to the unrest in the Valley which left 86 people dead and thousands injured.

"But I hope people can also understand there are certain circumstances that emerge which one cannot control and I hope people still remember that I'm a just a 16 year old girl and I hope you treat me accordingly. I'm sorry for what I did but it was not a deliberate decision and I really hope people can forgive me," she said.

Zaira also played down her projection as a role model for the youth of Kashmir, saying she does not want anyone to follow in her footsteps.

"There are few more things which are very important and I want to clear them as well. The first and foremost thing is that I am being projected as a role model for Kashmiri Youth.

I want to make it very clear that I do not want anyone to follow in my footsteps or even consider me as a role model.

Zaira later removed her first post and came up with a new one, where she claimed that she has "not been forced into anything by anyone". She, however, deleted that too after sometime.

"Regarding my lst post, I have no idea why this has become such a big issues. I just wanted to make sure that I did not hurt anyone's feelings and all of a sudden it has been turned into national news. Again and again I am telling people that I have not been forced into anything by anyone," she had said in the second post.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said Zaira should not be forced to apologise.

"A 16 year old shouldn't be forced to apologise & that too allegedly for meeting @MehboobaMufti. What are we coming to!!!!!," he tweeted.

"I've a problem with @MehboobaMufti trying to usurp other peoples success to cover up her own failures but why punish/troll people she meets?," he added.

The Zaira issue also figured in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly when a BJP member claimed that the actress had received death threats.

"I have come to know from reliable people that the young girl of our state Zahira Wasim who played a beautiful role in Dangal movie and had recently met the state chief minister has received death threats" Ravinder Raina told the house while raising a "point of information" when the House was discussing the budget,

Winding up the discussion on motion of thanks on governor's address to Joint houses of Legislature, Mehbooba also referred to Zaira's "excellent role" in "Dangal", and said, "our children are showing excellence in the fields of sports and others but unfortunately they don't get the due opportunity and appreciation".

EC allots 'Bicycle' symbol to Akhilesh group, says it is SP

Lucknow, Jan 16 (PTI) Dealing a severe blow to Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Election Commission today gave the symbol 'Bicycle' to the faction headed by Akhilesh Yadav, recognising it as the Samajwadi Party that came as a major boost to the Chief Minister ahead of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

A mere look at the figures of supporting MLAs, MLCs and MPs, National Executive members and National Convention delegates "will evidently demonstrate that Shri Akhilesh Yadav enjoys overwhelming majority support, both among the organisational and legislative wing of the party", the EC said in its order that was reserved on Friday.

The verdict by the three-member Election Commission headed by Nasim Zaidi came on the eve of the filing of nominations when parties will have to give the requisite forms authorising use of symbol to contest the elections.

The EC had reserved the order on January 13 after hearing both the sides for over five hours.

The order set off jubilation in the Chief Minister's camp with hordes of supporters marching to his residence and breaking into celebrations, bursting fire crackers and dancing to the beat of drums.

Welcoming the decision, SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, Akhilesh's uncle and the main strategist of his group, expressed the hope that a grand secular alliance will be formed to fight the elections, an apparent reference to a tie-up with Congress and some other outfits.

"As a logical consequence of the above finding and applying the test of majority approved by the Supreme Court in the case of Sadiq Ali and consistently applied by the Commission thereafter in all cases of disputes in recognised political parties arising before it from time to time for determination in terms of para 15 of the Symbols Order, the Commission hereby answers the issue number 2 by holding that the group led by Shri Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol 'Bicycle' for the purposes of Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment Order, 1968)," the EC said in its 46-page order.

The Commission noted that Akhilesh's faction had filed the affidavits of 205 of the 228 MLAs, 56 out of 68 MLCs, 15 out of 24 MPs, 28 out of 46 National Executive members and 4400 out of 5731 National Convention delegates which accounted for total delegates of 4716 out of 5731.

The order said Mulayam Singh's side did not file any affidavit of MPs or MLAs or any delegates claiming allegiance to it with the SP supremo maintaining that there was no split in the party needing determination of a dispute.

France wants JeM chief to be declared as intl terrorist by UN

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) Days after China blocked India's proposal in the UN, the world body's key member France has pitched for designating Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, saying there are "very strong arguments in favour" of such a move.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who was on a four-day India visit, also sent out a veiled message to China without naming it, saying "the international community's determination to combat terrorism must be the same everywhere, regardless of the threat." 

Pointing out that Azhar's outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad "is already included in the (Sanctions) Committee's list of terrorist organisations", he told PTI in an interview, "therefore, there are very strong arguments in favour of listing its chief, as India has requested".

That's why, he said, France not only supported but also co-sponsored the Indian request at the UNSC.

India had submitted in February last year a proposal to the 15-member 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council to list Azhar as an international terrorist for masterminding the attack on Pathankot Air base.

Since then, China had twice imposed "technical hold" on the Indian proposal and finally on December 30 last, it blocked it, becoming the only country to do so.

"We regret that, despite our joint efforts and wide support from the Committee, unanimity could not be reached," said Ayrault, whose country is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He said France will now discuss with India what should be done. "India knows it can count on our support," he added.

Azhar, a resident of Bahawalpur in Pakistan, was one of the three terrorists freed by India in exchange of 166 hostages of Indian Airlines plane IC-814 which was hijacked to Kandahar in December 1999.

Azhar, at that time, belonged to Harkat-ul Mujahideen, and soon after his release, he floated the new outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan which carried out several attacks in India, including on Parliament on December 13, 2001 and Pathankot Air base. .

Sidhu joins Congress after meeting Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu today joined Congress ahead of assembly poll in Punjab after meeting party Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur had joined Congress in November last year leading to speculation that he may follow suit.

"Indian National Congress (INC) welcomes S Navjot Singh Sidhu into Congress family and we thank Congress Vice President for his visionary approach in bringing together like-minded people on common platform under the Congress umbrella," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement.

"Known for straight taking, ideological commitment to the cause of nationalism as also wit and humour, we are certain that Congress party will be immensely strengthened in Punjab and elsewhere with the entry of Sidhu," said the statement posted on the party twitter handle.

Navjot Kaur along with Pargat Singh, a former Akali Dal legislator who had joined hands with Sidhu to form the outfit Awaaz-E Punjab, had joined Congress after the Sidhus left the BJP.

Earlier, there was speculation that the couple may join Aam Aadmi Party but their talks with AAP leadership failed.

Punjab goes to polls on February 4.

Indo-US 'strategic convergence' at highest point: Obama admn

Washington, Jan 15 (PTI) The Obama Administration has asserted that the Indo-US "strategic convergence" is at its highest point, as it hoped that the incoming Trump government would continue to prioritise the bilateral partnership of "paramount importance" to address global challenges.

"I want to say, particularly (as) I sit in this position in the Department of State, the strategic convergence between the United States and India is at the highest point that it has ever been," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal told PTI in an interview.

"We see that by large we share a world view and we are now increasingly therefore talking to each other about challenges that we see as well as opportunities," she said.

As a political appointee, Biswal's term at the State Department ends on January 20 along with that of Barack Obama as US President when Donald Trump would succeed him as the 45th President of the US.

"The US-India relationship is built on a number of fundamentals that I think are consistent. We have a set of values, for democracy, for a pluralistic society, for a free society," Biswal said.

"We have a number of shared goals, objectives and inheritance to a rule-based international order, a desire to advance through peace and a focus on a shared prosperity," she said.

Biswal said she believes that these fundamentals would continue to define the Indo-US relationship.

"The next administration coming in, comes in with an understanding and appreciation for the important role that India has played and the increasingly consequential role that India will play on the global scene. And that a US India partnership therefore is of paramount importance to those countries in advancing those shared goals and interests," she asserted.

"We have certainly seen that in how President Obama has approached this relationship. It's a relationship that Barack Obama came in on day one focused on and in seeking out to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be his first guest at the White House for a state visit, in calling Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi immediately after the election results were announced and issuing him immediately an invitation to the White House and a desire to partner," Biswal said.

This is because, for Obama, he has seen the important role that India has played and will play moving into the future, she noted.

"The world's oldest and largest democracies that have so much in common should make common cause in advancing both our own goals and for US and for India and for also how we work together to address global challenges," Biswal said.

"We saw that in Paris Agreement, the role that India played, we are seeing that increasingly in how India is becoming a net security provider, a provider of humanitarian relief, how India is becoming a moral, security and strategic economic force for not only India, not only South Asia, but really at a global level," Biswal said. .