Exit polls predict sweep for BJP in Delhi, AAP staring at rout

New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The BJP could be headed for a landslide victory in the Delhi municipal polls with two exit polls predicting the party finishing way ahead of the AAP and the Congress with over 200 of the 270 wards where polling was held today.

Going by the projected figures, the AAP could well be staring at a rout on its home turf, barely two years into its rise to power bagging a staggering 67 of the 70 Assembly seats, while the Congress' attempt to regain ground may come a cropper.

According to the India Today-Axis exit poll, the BJP may bag anything between 202 and 220 seats, while the AAP and the Congress will score something around 23-35 and 19-31 respectively.

The CVoter-ABP exit poll claimed the BJP was likely to sweep Delhi with 218 seats, limiting the AAP and the Congress to 24 and 22 seats respectively.

Polling was held in 270 wards of the three municipal corporations. The election to two wards has been postponed due to the death of candidates.

PM delivers closing remarks at 3rd Meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi chairing the 3rd Governing Council Meeting of the NITI Aayog, in New Delhi on April 23, 2017. 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today called upon State Governments to work with the Union Government, as “Team India,” to build the India of the dreams of our freedom fighters by 2022, the 75th anniversary of independence. Delivering the closing remarks at the third meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, he urged States, local Governments and all Government and Non-Government organizations to decide goals for 2022, and work in mission mode towards achieving them. 

Describing the discussions at today’s meeting as constructive, the Prime Minister said that the circulated vision document is a draft, and all suggestions given by the Chief Ministers will be taken into account before finalizing it. He laid emphasis on good governance and said it leads to optimum utilization of resources, even when resources are less than desired. 

The Prime Minister noted that the theme of regional imbalance was raised by a number of Chief Ministers. He agreed that this has to be addressed on priority, both nationally, and within States. 

Noting the invitation given by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister suggested that States could organize events there. He also seconded the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s suggestion that States should take interest in the students from her State who are studying in other States. He urged States to reach out to these students from time to time. 

The Prime Minister reiterated that the legislative arrangements at the State-level for GST should be put in place without delay. 

The Prime Minister called upon States to use the GeM platform – Government e-Marketplace, to reduce corruption and increase transparency in Government procurement. He said the use of technologies such as BHIM and Aadhaar would result in significant savings for the States. 

Shri Narendra Modi said that the District Mineral Fund, the CAMPA Fund, and the construction workers welfare fund, would provide significant boost to the resources of the State. He asked NITI Aayog to come up with a roadmap for better utilization of such funds by the States. 

The Prime Minister urged States to join the Ek-Bharat, Shresth Bharat initiative, which was launched on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary last year. He said India’s richness of culture and heritage should no longer be ignored. 

The Prime Minister said a constructive discussion has begun on the subject of holding Union and State elections simultaneously. The Prime Minister said that for long, India had suffered from economic and political mismanagement. He said that because of poor time management, many good initiatives and schemes had failed to deliver the anticipated results. He emphasized on the need to develop robust arrangements that could function amidst diversity. 

The Prime Minister mentioned the advancing of the budget presentation date. Stating that in a country where agricultural income is exceedingly important, budgets should be prepared immediately after the receipt of agricultural incomes for the year. He said that there have been suggestions to have the financial year from January to December. He urged States to take the initiative in this regard. 

India-US ties more stronger, matured: Jaitley

Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) India-US ties have significantly improved over the last few decades, becoming more "stronger" and "matured" and defying changes in governments in both the countries, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.

Jaitley, speaking at a reception hosted by India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, said the Indian government is looking forward to working with the Trump Administration to strengthen the various dimensions of the bilateral ties.

Stressing that India-US relationship has bipartisan support in both the countries, he said, "In one sense it is a bipartisan relationship. I am sure it would be a great privilege for us to continue with the new administration to strengthen the various dimensions of this relationship.

Jaitley yesterday met US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the first cabinet-level interaction between the two countries under the Trump Administration.

"The US-India relationship over the last few decades has significantly improved. It is far stronger, far matured. It defied the changes in the government whether in the US or in India," he said.

"There is a little more optimism this year than I have seen in the last three years. This seems to be the good news, as far as these meetings are concerned," he said.

"I met the (US) Commerce Secretary yesterday. I will meet the (US) Treasury Secretary tomorrow. This would be the first contact at that level between the new Administration and the Government of India," he said.

During the meeting with US Commerce Secretary yesterday, Jaitley strongly raised India's concerns over the Trump administration's move to tighten the H-1B visa regime, highlighting the key role played by Indian professionals in boosting the American economy.

President Donald Trump this week signed an executive order for tightening the rules of the H-1B visa programme to stop its "abuse" and ensure that the visas are given to the "most-skilled or highest paid" petitioners, a decision that would impact India's USD 150 billion IT industry.

Jaitley outlined the significant contributions the skilled Indian professionals have made to the US economy and expressed the hope that the US administration will take this aspect into consideration while taking any decision.

Jaitley, leading an Indian delegation, arrived here On April 20, to attend the annual Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In addition to his meetings and presentations at the annual Spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, Jaitley is also scheduled to attend meetings of other multilateral forums including that of the G-20 finance ministers.

Speaking about India's growth story, he said, "In the last three years even in the midst of slowdown across the world, India has been able to grow in the range of seven to eight per cent. That is the rate of growth that we have fairly maintained. Our all other economic parameters seems to be fairly well under control." 

"The significant part of our economy today is, that there is perhaps for the first time, a huge amount of popular support as far as economic reforms are concerned," he said.

"India has become one of the most open economies of the world. Most of our sectors are open for international investment. And we have been attracting one of the largest investments that any country has been attracting in the world.

"And it is combination of this investment which is coming into India, coupled with higher public spending, even as the private sector spending was a little low, that has kept the Indian growth process going," he said.

He said the environment for doing business has considerably smoothened.

"India has learned from its past experiences. And this itself has helped in cleaning up the entire process. We have now undertaken a very ambitious reform of cleaning up the system of political funding in India, something which had been eluding Indian democracy for quite sometime," he said.

“Quality Mark” Award Scheme for Dairy Cooperatives initiated by NDDB

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is in the process of registering the quality mark logo under Trademarks Act, 1998

As part of the innovative initiatives under the “White Revolution” umbrella Schemes, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has supported the National Dairy Development Board(NDDB) developed initiative of “Quality Mark” Award Scheme for dairy Cooperatives to promote and encourage enhancement of safety, quality and hygiene of milk and milk products manufactured by dairy cooperatives. It is aimed at bringing about process improvement in the entire value chain from producer to the consumer to ensure availability of safe and quality of milk and products both for the domestic and foreign market. The Quality Mark” Award Scheme for dairy Cooperatives in the country has been initiated to instill confidence in the consumers for the quality of milk being marketed by them by ensuring availability of safe and good quality milk and milk products. The quality mark scheme was rolled out on 6th January-2016 after deliberating on the process and award mechanism for over a year. The initiative does not propose any new/ additional system for Food Safety and Quality Management but lays down minimum standards against each link of the processes required for ensuring quality and safety.

The NDDB is in the process of registering the quality mark logo under Trademarks Act, 1998. The Dairy units which meet the criteria for award of quality mark will be allowed to use the logo on the package containing milk and milk products and the award of the quality mark shall be specific for location of the dairy unit as well as for the process for a particular product. The mark may be applied to the packaging or printed on a label affixed to the package. The logo/symbol of quality mark on milk and milk product packages indicates that the dairy unit has adopted and implemented all the processes required as per the food safety and quality management system for manufacture of milk and milk products as per the set quality parameters.

The assessment is a two-step process involving pre-assessment and a final assessment. The pre-assessment largely covers the village level procurement and processing infrastructure availability, training manpower and the retail sales. Only those dairy units that score over 70% in the preliminary assessment are considered for final assessment which is done by a team of three experts of which one is an external expert. The final assessment is made for the evaluation of 45 critical and 97 major parameters that influence the quality of the processed milk and milk products. The award of Quality Mark shall be valid for three years subject to maintenance of quality, food safety standards and compliance with terms and conditions of the agreement.

The guideline document for award of quality mark was finalized based on the discussions of the working group in the meetings at Anand and Delhi in November, 2014 and August 11, 2015. Thereafter, comments were sought from the members which were discussed during the roll out meeting at Anand, on 6th January, 2016 by incorporating the feedback from different stakeholders. After the finalization of quality mark documents, it was circulated to the State Milk Federations & District Milk Unions. The interested State Milk Federations /Cooperative Dairies /Educational Institutions / Govt. Dairy Units are required to apply for the award of Quality Mark Management (QM) document. The document has been finalized after a series of deliberations which began in November, 2014 and was rolled out in January 2016.

An eleven member Management Committee has been envisaged to oversee the activities of the Quality Mark. The Management Committee has members including the representatives of DADF, FSSAI and Managing Directors of four State Milk Federations representing the regions and two Experts in Dairying. The first meeting of the Management Committee of the Quality Mark was held at Anand on March 15, 2017. Representative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority & DADF also attended the meeting. In the meeting the formal nationwide launch of the Quality Mark was discussed and it was recommended to have a formal launch of the Quality Mark after the current Parliament Session by the Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Since roll out of quality mark initiative by NDDB, on 6th January, 2016, NDDB has so far received 53 applications (comprising Karnataka-13, Mother Dairy-8, Punjab-4, Tamil Nadu-5, Haryana-4, Bihar-11, Maharashtra-4, MP-4) for award of the Quality Mark. Out of 53, 30 applications have been assessed and 13 Dairy Units have been found eligible for award of Quality Mark logo by NDDB. 

Nitish meets Sonia, calls for opposition unity to take on BJP

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi here and is learnt to have advocated unity among opposition parties to take on the BJP-led NDA.

JD(U) also used the meeting to call for a joint opposition candidate for the election to the President's post and urged Gandhi to take the lead in the matter.

Its spokesperson K C Tyagi, however, insisted that the issue of presidential election was not discussed in the meeting and added it was his party's view that a strong joint opposition candidate will be in national interest.

"There should a joint opposition candidate for the top Constitutional post and Sonia Gandhi being the leader of the largest opposition party should take the lead," he said.

Kumar has already taken up the matter with leaders of the Left parties and received a good response, he said.

Another senior JD(U) leader said Kumar's visit to Gandhi's residence was a courtesy call as the Congress is the party's ally in Bihar and also because Gandhi had been ill for some time.

"He did speak about the need for unity among opposition parties," he added.

Kumar has been calling for forging an alliance of secular parties at the national level on the lines of the 2015 electoral grand alliance or 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar to take on the BJP-led NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress is a partner in the Bihar government with Kumar's JD-U and Lalu Prasad's RJD, after the three parties contested and won the assembly elections as part of the grand alliance.

Sensex extends gains, up 86 pts on bargain hunting

Mumbai, Apr 20 (PTI) Markets finished higher for the second straight session Thursday, with benchmark Sensex rising 86 points as investors snapped up recently beaten down counters amid upbeat global cues.

Brokers said a mixed trend at other Asian markets after crude oil prices rebounded from an overnight sell-off and Japan reported stronger-than-expected exports in March bolstered sentiments.

Back home, mid and small-cap stocks attracted value buying after a week-long consolidation, which added to the momentum.

The Sensex opened strong and shuttled between 29,453.06 and 29,341.68, before ending at 29,422.39, a gain of 85.82 points, or 0.29 per cent.

The barometer had gained 17.47 points in Wednesday's trade.

On similar lines, the 50-share NSE Nifty stayed in the green throughout the session and hit a high of 9,143.90, before closing at 9,136.40, up 32.90 points or 0.36 per cent.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) net sold shares worth Rs 673.38 crore during Wednesday's trading session, as per provisional data.

"Though large-caps remained sluggish, mid and small-caps remained higher after a week-long consolidation attracted value buying.

"IT stocks' recovery amid rupee giving away some of its gains, lent market support, while European markets' rally ahead of French presidential elections also boosted sentiments, said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.

The BSE Mid-Cap index provisionally rose 0.66 per cent, while the Small-Cap index gained 1.14 per cent.

IT stocks, that had lost ground on disappointing quarterly earnings, recovered on value-buying at existing lower levels.

Infosys, which lost about 5 per cent since the company announced a lower-than-expected revenue guidance, recovered by 0.96 per cent to Rs 927.65, while TCS rose 1.16 per cent to Rs 2,328.35. Wipro too rose 0.36 per cent to Rs 500.

Private sector lender Yes Bank plunged 3.76 per cent after it Wednesday reported rise in NPA levels for the quarter ended March, even though net profit grew 30.2 per cent to Rs 914.12 crore.

ICICI Bank and Axis Bank too were under pressure and lost up to 2.90 per cent.

Globally, Asian markets ended mixed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.97 per cent, while Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.04 per cent. Japan's Nikkei ended a shade lower.

In Europe, France's Paris CAC 40 was up 1.02 per cent, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 gained 0.23 per cent. However, London's FTSE was down 0.09 per cent in early deals.

Of the 30-share Sensex pack, 21 scrips ended higher while 9 declined.

Major gainers were Gail (2.02 per cent), Adani Ports (1.83 per cent), HDFC (1.82 per cent), Asian Paints (1.37 per cent), Maruti (1.17 per cent), TCS (1.16 per cent), Lupin (1.15 per cent), M&M (1.13 per cent), HDFC Bank (1.03 per cent), Infosys (0.96 per cent), Bajaj Auto (0.70 per cent) and HUL (0.65 per cent).

However, ICICI Bank fell 2.90 per cent, Axis Bank 2.26 per cent, Sun Pharma 1.28 per cent, Power Grid 1.21 per cent, NTPC 0.97 per cent, Coal India 0.78 per cent and ONGC 0.22 per cent.

Among BSE sectoral and industry indices, realty rose 2.14 per cent, consumer durables 1.23 per cent, IT 0.99 per cent, teck 0.96 per cent, industrials 0.85 per cent, auto 0.70 per cent, capital goods 0.69 per cent and FMCG 0.55 per cent.

However, Bankex fell 0.53 per cent, energy 0.30 per cent, power 0.17 per cent and healthcare 0.14 per cent.

The market breadth remained positive as 1,829 stocks ended higher, 1,040 closed lower while 166 ruled steady.

The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 4,028.59 crore, higher than Rs 3,364.37 crore registered during the previous session.

Cabinet approves procurement of VVPAT Units for use in the General Elections, 2019

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for procurement of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Units for use in the General Elections, 2019 for

a) purchase of 16,15,000 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Units at a tentative unit cost of Rs.19,650, and at a total estimated cost of Rs. 3173.47 crore (excluding taxes and freight as applicable) during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19 from M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore and M/s Electronics Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad;

b) directing the Price Negotiation Committee to negotiate with M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd and M/s Electronics Corporation of India Ltd to rationalise the final unit price expeditiously;

c) allocation of additional funds to the tune of Rs. 1600 crore in the current financial year in the supplementaries/Revised Estimates for meeting the cash outgo envisaged for purchase of EVMs (Control Units & Ballot Units) and VVPAT Units during the year 2017-18, payment of 40% of the said amount as advance to the manufacturers and for provision of balance amount as may be required in the BE 2018-19; and

d) placement of Order by the Election Commission to the two manufacturers depending upon their production capacity so that all the VVPAT Units can be procured by September, 2018.

The decision of the Government would enable the Election Commission of India to deploy VVPAT Units in all pooling booths in the General Elections, 2019, which will act as an additional layer of transparency for the satisfaction of voters, allaying any apprehension in the minds of the voters as to the fidelity and integrity of the EVMs. This would also result in compliance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 8thOctober, 2013.

Background:

The idea of an additional layer of transparency for the satisfaction of voters in the form of a ‘voter verifiable paper trail’ was suggested by the political parties in a meeting taken by the ECI on 4th October, 2010. Accordingly, introduction of the VVPAT was facilitated by amending the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 vide Notification dated 14th August, 2013. Thereafter, 20,300 VVPAT Units were purchased by the ECI in 2013. Since then, these units are being deployed in elections in select Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies. Subsequently, order for 67,000 additional Units was placed in 2015, out of which 33,500 Units have been supplied by the manufacturers. Requisite funds for purchase of the aforesaid number of VVPAT Units were provided by the Government as and when requested by the Election Commission.

VVPAT device functions like a printer to be attached to the ballot unit and kept inside the voting compartment. When the voter presses the button against the name of the candidate of his choice on the Ballot Unit, the VVPAT unit generates a paper slip, called Ballot Slip. This paper slip contains the name, serial number and symbol of the chosen candidate. The voter can see this slip through a screened window where it stays for seven seconds, and then it automatically gets cut and falls down into a sealed drop box. In this process, the slip will not go into the hands of the voter nor will others be able to see it.

Civil Appeal No.9093/2013 was filed by Dr. Subramanian Swamy pleading for directions to the Election Commission to use VVPAT Units in all polling booths. It wasalleged in the said Petition, that the Electronic Voting Machines are not reliable and that there should be some device by which the voter should get a confirmation that the vote cast by him has been recorded in favour of the candidate of his choice. In deference to the plea of the petitioner in the aforesaid CA, the Election Commission submitted that it has no objection to the introduction of VVPAT Units for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections. The Supreme Court in its Order dated 8th October, 2013 directed that for implementation of such a system of VVPAT in phased manner Government of India may provide required financial assistance for procurement of requisite number of VVPAT Units.

The Seventh Pay Review Commission in Education Institutes

Prakash Javadekar assures University and College Teachers for getting justice in their Salary related matters

Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar has assured the teacher fraternity and staff of Education Institutions, University and Colleges of getting justice in their remuneration related matters. Addressing media persons here in New Delhi, the Minister said the Seventh Pay Review Commission for implementing the recommendations in educational institute, University and Colleges has submitted its report to the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Accordingly, a Committee headed by Secretary Higher Education has been constituted. The Committee will have officials from Finance Ministry and other relevant offices and it will submit its final recommendations which will go to Cabinet.
Shri Prakash Javadekar hoped that the Professors, Staff and every individual in education sector will definitely get benefited. He said ‘those who had some doubt whether government is moving or not in this direction, let me dispel their doubts that we have already started action and soon they will get good news’. He further urged the education fraternity to try more vigorously to improve the quality of education at all levels and concentrate on study, examination and assessment work.

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan chairs 31st Meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council

Centre working on mechanism to stop adulteration in packaged water: Shri Paswan

Department of Consumer Affairs to launch 6 Regional Consumer Helpline in next 3 months

Consumer Awareness Yatra from 15th August 2017 to 24th December 2017

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan releasing a booklet at a press conference after the 31st Meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council, in New Delhi on April 17, 2017. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary and the Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Preeti Sudan are seen.

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has said that the government is working on mechanism to stop adulteration in packaged water. Shri Paswan said that Department of Consumer Affairs has requested FSSAI to prepare a low cost testing machine which can be useful to check adulteration in various food products. It was stated by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan while briefing the media after chairing the 31st meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) held today at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, in New Delhi.

Shri Paswan further stated that Department of Consumer Affairs will launch 6 Regional Consumer Helpline in next 3 months. State Governments have been requested to provide necessary support for establishment of Regional Consumer Helpline. Shri Paswan also informed that the Department will organize Consumer Awareness Yatra involving the States/UTs and the voluntary consumer organisations from 15th August 2017 to 24th December 2017.

Shri C.R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Vice-President of the Council, also addressed the members of the Council. Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, highlighted about the legislative changes and the activities being undertaken by the Ministry, including a number digital initiatives, towards protection of the rights of the consumers and asked the Members of the Council to play significant role in taking forward the consumer movement.

The topics discussed in the meeting included the points put forth by the Members on challenges in combating adulteration, strengthening the enforcement machinery and testing Infrastructure, training and capacity Building of all stakeholders, consumer advocacy, capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other Rural Development Functionaries to spread consumer awareness in the rural areas, setting up a Regulatory Authority for E-Commerce and National Consumer Awareness Yatra.

Suggestions from the Members were also sought on issues like service charges being charged by hotels and restaurants, awareness on wastage of food, legal metrology activities such as sale at less than MRP, Jagrook Grahak Kendra and rising awareness, issues related to food adulteration and fake and spurious goods.

The Officers from the Central Government Regulatory Agencies including FSSAI, BIS and officers from State Governments and representatives from Voluntary Consumer Organisations participated in the meeting.

The Central Council emphasized that the Working Groups constituted with its members should continue working on issues affecting the consumers and make recommendations/suggestions for consideration of the Government. 

US nudges Pak to 'confront' terror in all its forms

Islamabad, Apr 17 (PTI) The US today asked Pakistan to "confront" terrorism in all its forms as America's National Security Adviser held talks with the top civilian and military leadership here during an unannounced visit, the first by a top Trump administration official to this country.

US National Security Adviser (NSA) H R McMaster, who arrived here earlier in the day, held talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan NSA Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.

"McMaster expressed appreciation for Pakistan's democratic and economic development, and stressed the need to confront terrorism in all its forms," said a US Embassy statement on McMaster's meeting with the top civilian and military leadership here.

The two sides discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues, it said.

During McMaster's call on, Sharif, while talking about Indo-Pak ties, reiterated his "firm conviction" to sustained dialogue and meaningful engagement as the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement here said.

Sharif welcomed President Trump's willingness to help India and Pakistan resolve their differences particularly on Kashmir and noted that this could go a long way in bringing sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the region, the statement said.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful neighbourhood and apprised the US NSA of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan, the statement said.

Sharing his concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the continuing impasse, Sharif conveyed Pakistan's readiness to work with the international community to explore ways in which the Afghan crisis can be resolved, it said.

McMaster's visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan comes just days after the US dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb targeting an Islamic State complex in Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan.

This was McMaster's first visit to Pakistan as the US NSA and the first formal high-level exchange between the US and Pakistan under the new Donald Trump Administration.

During his meeting with McMaster, Sharif stated that across-the-board consensus was achieved by his government to combat extremism and terrorism, the PMO statement said.

Sharif said that as a longstanding friend and a partner, Pakistan was looking forward to forging a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the US and to working with the new administration, to promote peace and security in the region and beyond, the statement said.

In his call on with Sharif, McMaster conveyed President Trump's greetings and assured the Prime Minister that the new administration was committed to strengthening bilateral ties and working with Pakistan, to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan and in the wider South Asian region, it said.

The visiting delegation included US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale, Acting US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller, Senior Director for South Asia Lisa Curtis and Director Pakistan in the National Security Council Jay Wise.

The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Aziz, Fatemi, Janjua, and other senior officials.

Earlier, McMaster also met Aziz, who gave a detailed briefing on the policies being pursued by the Pakistan government that have resulted in improved security environment and the "economic turnaround" in Pakistan, the Foreign Office here said in a statement.

The Pakistani side also shared its perspective on the "plight of Kashmiris" in India and the status of relations with New Delhi, the statement said.

Aziz reiterated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and commitment to dialogue and engagement while also apprising the visiting US delegation of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan, it said.

On terrorism, Aziz noted that "impressive gains" had been made in eliminating terrorists and Pakistan remained determined to continue this fight as part of the National Action Plan until the scourge of terrorism is completely eliminated from its soil, the Foreign Office said.

Conveying Pakistan's concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Aziz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working with the international community to support efforts for peace and reconciliation in the war-torn country.

He also highlighted the importance of effective border management as part of the actions required to achieve sustainable peace in the region.

On his part, McMaster thanked Aziz and acknowledged Pakistan's "sacrifices" in combating extremism and terrorism, the statement said.

The US NSA also renewed the commitment of the new Trump administration to work closely with Pakistan in strengthening mutually beneficial relations and also work towards the shared objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

McMaster's visit was a part of regional consultations that included a stop in Kabul yesterday.