India Offers for Turkmenistan

To Build IT and Educational Infrastructure 
On the second day of his two day visit to Turkmenistan, the Minister for Communications & IT Sh Mr. Kapil Sibal held bilateral discussions with the leaders of Turkmenistan in-charge of Education/IT and Transport/Communications. 

In his meeting with Mr. Sapardurdy Toyliev, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of Education and Information Technologies, Sh Sibal reiterated India’s support in building infrastructure for providing better education through ICT application and services. Promising to provide technology and capacity building initiatives, Mr. Sibal offered India’s help in setting up an Educational Satellite which will be inter -connected to National Knowledge Network through which professors from top Indian Universities can deliver direct lectures to Turkmenistan students. 

Offering, the low cost tablet “AKASH” to Turkmenistan students, Sh Sibal said a joint venture between Indian and Turkmenistan companies can be formed which may manufacture the low cost tablet in India. Indian side will design the necessary hardware and software of the tablet fulfilling the needs of Turkmenistan. Besides supplying the low cost tablet to Turkmenistan , the joint venture Company can market the product to other International markets too. 

During the meeting, Sh Sibal also offered India’s help in setting up International Schools in Turkmenistan. Central Board of Secondary Education International (CBSEI) schools may be set up in Turkmenistan where students can be imparted education by Indian teachers who may be deputed from India to Turkmenistan for this purpose. 

In his reply, Mr. Sapardurdy Toyliev suggested taking forward these ideas for mutual cooperation through experts of both sides who can met in the near future to work out the modalities. 

Sh Sibal also met Mr. Rozymyrat Seyitkulyev, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Transport & Communication. He said India can help Turkmenistan in setting up its Satellite system, OFC network, GPS network for navigation for Shipping Industry etc. Mr. Bayramgeldi Ovezov, Minister of Communications was also present in the meeting.(PIB) 19-September-2012 12:05 IST 

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Joint Press Communique

Ministry of Defence, Republic of India and
The Ministry of National Defence, People's Republic of China
At the invitation of Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony, General Liang Guanglie, State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China is on an official visit to the Republic of India from 02 to 06 September,2012.

Defence Minister Liang and his delegation visited Mumbai and Delhi. He inspected a Guard of Honour at South Block, New Delhi.

The two Defence Ministers had an extensive exchange of views on defence and military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed the regional security situation and international issues of common interest and concern. Both Ministers agreed that expanding bilateral cooperation between the Defence Ministries and Armed Forces of India and China helps enhance mutual trust, deepens friendship and promotes comprehensive development of the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. The two Defence Ministers agreed to work together to enhance mutual trust in the security field and continue to maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas. They noted that the leaders of India and China have designated 2012 as the Year of India-China Friendship and Cooperation.

The two Ministers reached the following consensus on defence and military exchanges and cooperation to be conducted in 2012 and beyond:

(a) Strengthen high level exchanges between the two Defence Ministries and the Armed Forces of both sides. The Chinese side invited the Defence Minister of India to visit China in 2013. RakshaMantri thanked the Chinese Defence Minister for the invitation and conveyed that the timing of his visit could be settled through diplomatic channels.

(b) Promote exchange of visits by personnel at different levels and in various fields.

(c) Establish a mechanism for exchange of visits by young officers from the Armed Forces of both sides.

(d) Conduct the next round of joint military exercises at the earliest.

(e) Strengthen border security cooperation between the border troops of the two sides so as to enhance and maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas.

(f) Strengthen exchanges in personnel training, academic research and between educational institutions of the Armed Forces of both sides.

(g) Promote port calls by naval ships of the two sides and conduct joint maritime search and rescue exercises.

(h) Further enhance and strengthen cooperation between the Naval forces of both sides, in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

(i) Work together to maintain peace and stability of the Asia- Pacific region.

The Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie called on Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The Minister of National Defence, People's Republic of China, General Liang expressed appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended by the Ministry of Defence, Republic of India during the visit. (PIB)   05-September-2012 11:52 IST

An operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan

Combined Force Arrests Suspected Taliban Explosives DealerCompiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2012 - An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a suspected Taliban explosives dealer during an operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The detained explosives dealer is believed to be responsible for
coordinating the purchase and transfer of explosives and other bomb-making equipment for Taliban insurgents throughout the region, officials said.

Prior to his arrest, the suspect had acquired several components for building homemade bombs, officials said.

The Afghan special operations unit also detained three other suspected insurgents and seized more than 40 pounds of illegal narcotics as a result of this operation.

In another Afghanistan operation today, a combined force arrested a suspected Taliban IED expert, detained several other suspects and seized military uniforms, firearms and explosives in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The arrested IED expert is believed to be a leading figure in the movement and provision of explosives for attacks against coalition and Afghan security forces throughout eastern Nangarhar province.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Shabeer, a Haqqani network leader, following a Sept. 2 precision airstrike in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. Shabeer was believed to have been coordinating a high-profile attack using vehicle-borne bombs and other weapons. A post-strike assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized Afghan army uniforms, an assault rifle and IED components during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized a firearm during a search for a Taliban leader in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province.

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents in Logar's Pul-e Alam district.

In Sept. 2 operations:

-- In the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force troops found and destroyed 1,190 pounds of wet and dry opium and detained four people.

-- During a search for a Taliban leader in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province, a combined force killed multiple insurgents and seized an 82 mm recoilless rifle.

-- A coalition airstrike killed multiple armed insurgents during an operation in Logar's Pul-e Alam district.

Also on Sept. 2, Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the Aug. 30 arrest of a Taliban insurgent in the Hisarak district of Nangarhar province. The insurgent is accused of using his status as a member of the Afghan National Police to conduct a May attack that killed two coalition service members. Prior to his capture, officials said, he was attempting to join the Afghan army.

In Sept. 1 operations:

-- A combined force killed an insurgent, detained numerous suspects and destroyed an explosives and weapons cache during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktia province.

-- In the Wali Muhammad Shahid Khugyani district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader.

-- A combined force detained numerous suspects during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Washer district of Helmand province.

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

The Governance and taxation structure

   Punjab needs to fundamentally change-PPP A meeting of the Sanjha Morcha was held this morning at the residence of former Chief Minister S. Surjit Singh Barnala.

     The decision of Government of Punjab to impose punitive and savage taxes on the people of Punjab was discussed threadbare. The Sanjha Morcha is of the considered view that Punjab needs to fundamentally change the governance and taxation structure.

      It was felt that the piecemeal imposition of taxes is not a solution to the debt and deficit faced by the Government. It only distorts the economy and makes it uncompetitive while burdening the common man with unconscious able taxes

        Punjab needs a political solution to come out of this economic mess. It was also felt that before imposition of taxes, Government of Punjab must decrease its lavish and unproductive expenditure base.

        Therefore, it was decided that a memorandum will be presented by the leadership of Sanjha Morcha to the Hon. Governor on 14th September, 2012 requesting him to ask the Government of Punjab to withdraw these taxes immediately failing which it was decided to launch a Jail Bharo agitation on the lines of call given by the Morcha at the Barsi of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. The Morcha activists will court arrest at all district headquarters on 21st of September, 2012. We will build an “Andolan” on this issue as we feel that there are more taxes in the pipeline.

      Insofar as the call given by the Congress Party to join their Dharna, it was felt that the time is too short for us to be a part of this Dharna. However, we are thankful to the Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh for this invite and view this step as a development in the struggle to build up consensus against the anti people policies of the Punjab Government.

       Besides S. Manpreet Singh Badal, President of the Peoples’ Party of Punjab, the meeting was attended by S. Gurpreet Singh Bhati, Senior Vice President, Shri Bhagwant Mann, Sh. Abhey Singh Sandhu, S. Kuldip Singh Dhose of the PPP and Dr.  Joginder Dyal and Bant Singh Brar of CPI and Com. Charan Singh Virdi, Ranbir Singh Virk and Vijay Mishra of CPI(M). Smt. Surjit Kaur Barnala , S. Gaganjit Singh Barnala with S. Baldev Singh Mann represented SAD (Longowal), said Arunjot Singh Sodhi spokesman PPP.