Tibetan activist who set himself ablaze breathes his last

A young Tibetan activist, who set himself ablaze during a protest against Chinese president Hu Jintao's India visit, died at a hospital in New Delhi, on Wednesday morning.

Jamyang Yeshi (26) breathed his last in the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital at 7:30 AM, Dr L K Makhija, who was treating him, said.
Yeshi had on Monday set himself on fire in Jantar Mantar where Tibetans were protesting against the visit of Hu Jintao.
At least 29 Tibetans, many of them Buddhist monks and nuns, have have set themselves on fire in Tibet demanding freedom for their homeland.
He became the first Tibetan to die in India after setting himself on fire during protests.
Yeshi had sneaked into India from Tibet in 2006 and had been living in New Delhi for the past six years, activists said.

BRICS Trade & Economic Ministers for cordination and co-operation

Energy Security, situation in Syria, developments in West Asia and economic situation will be high on the agenda of one day BRICS Summit being held in New Delhi tomorrow. The fourth summit of the regional grouping of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will discuss steps to jointly respond to the common challenges. Some agreements are expected to be signed allowing individual development banks to extend credit to other members and boosting cooperation in the development of the infrastructure.

Ahead of the summit level meeting, Trade and Economic Ministers reviewed the global economic situation. In a joint Statement issued at the end of the BRICS Trade Ministers meeting in New Delhi today, the member nations emphasised the need to resist protectionist tendencies and to promote international trade as an engine of economic growth and development and to pursue their legitimate objectives of growth, development and stability. The BRICS Ministers noted that subsidies in agriculture by some developed countries continue to distort trade and undermine the food security and development prospects of developing countries.

The Ministers of BRICS expressed deep concern at the current impasse in the Doha Development Round, and reiterated that they remain fully committed to an early conclusion of the negotiations.
The BRICS Ministers agreed to coordinate their positions at the WTO and in other multilateral fora including G-20 Trade Ministers meet. They also took note of the discussions in the Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues on Russia’s proposal for setting up BRICS Projects, Platforms, technology pool for joint projects developm

Seminar at Swedish Trade Council,New Delhi.

21 March 2012: New Delhi:Eminent speakers and the board of directors of EKN organized a seminar at, The Swedish Chamber of Commerce India, Swedish Trade Council,New Delhi. EKN is a government agency that supports Swedish exports and the internationalisation of Swedish industry.  EKN do by offering exporting companies and banks guarantees for payment and financing, together with advice on business structure and risk management. EKN services provide an extra level of confidence,increased competitiveness and more opportunities for successful export transactions.
Ms. Karin Apelman, the Director General and Head of EKN,  present how EKN can insure Swedish companies in India against the risk of non-payment in export transactions, thereby enabling them to conduct more secure export transactions. 
Director General and Head of EKN, the Swedish Export Credits Guarantee Board  director presented their case study as to how EKN can insure Swedish companies in India against the risk of non-payment in export transactions, thereby enabling them to conduct more secure export transactions.
EKN is a governmental agency which provides companies, banks and financial institutions with state guarantees against losses incurred in export transactions and foreign investment. 
With the support from EKN, Swedish companies and financing banks can offer their customers attractive financial terms and conditions. Long-term credits, high-risk markets, complex transactions, small transactions when there is no cover on the commercial insurance market, EKN’s guarantee is  to help MSME and private sector.


Business in Sweden is constantly evolving, becoming more competitive but always with people and the environment in mind. Sweden;s reputed companies ABB, Volvo Trucks, Astra Zeneca, Ericsson, Atlas Copco, Sandvik and SKF, just to name a few, have strong presencein India. In recent years, several of these companies have also established significant R&D operations in India. In 2011, some 140 Swedish companies had established operations in India. Trade between India and Sweden annually grows at a rate of approximately 20 percent. Textiles and garments make up the main part of Indian exports to Sweden, but manufactured goods, and in particular machinery, are rapidly gaining ground among Swedish imports from India. Indian service exports to Sweden are also growing, in particular in the field of computer and information services.The Swedish Trade Council, which has locations in New Delhi as well as Bangalore, assist those interested in doing business with Swedish companies or has questions regarding Swedish exports. The Swedish Trade Council also works with Swedish companies seeking to establish a presence in India.

Ministry of Finance27-March, 2012 18:31 IST

Disinvestment of NALCO

The disinvestment of 10 per cent Government of India shareholding in NALCO is under active consideration of the Government. The draft proposal has been sent to various ministries including the Ministry of Mines for their comments. The comments from the Ministry of Mines are awaited. Under the prevailing guidelines, for disinvestment of Government of India share holding in CPSEs, the comments of the State Governments are not envisaged. The disinvestment proceeds are channelized into National Investment Fund (NIF) and income from the Fund is used for investment in social sector projects and capital investment in selected profitable/revivable Public Sector Enterprises in order to enlarge their capital base to finance expansion/diversification. In view of the different economic situation caused by the global slowdown of 2008-09 and a severe drought that could adversely affect the 11th Plan growth performance, Government in November 2009 decided to give exemption for utilization of proceeds from disinvestment of CPSEs for a period of three years – from April 2009 to March 2012 – i.e. disinvestment proceeds during this period would be available in full for investment in specific social sector schemes decided by Planning Commission/Department of Expenditure. The same has now been extended by another one year, i.e. from April 2012 to March 2013. However, the existing corpus of the NIF shall remain untouched and continue to be managed by the Fund Managers. The disinvestment proceeds are being used for funding the capital expenditure under the social sector schemes of the Government. This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

BRICS Trade Minister to meet on 28th March

Anand Sharma Expresses Optimism on Growth in BRICS Countries India is hosting the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi 29 March 2012. On the preceding day, i.e. tomorrow the trade Ministers of the five BRICS nations are meeting for the Second Trade Ministers Meeting. 

 

 

The First BRICS Trade Ministers meeting was held in Sanya, China on 13 April 2011 on the sidelines of the 3rd BRICS Summit. Trade Ministers also met on the sidelines of the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in December 2011. Highlighting the context of the meeting, the Union Minister of Commerce Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma said “While the new risks to global economy emanating from euro zone debt crisis and uncertainty in global energy markets will have their impact upon economic growth in the BRICS countries, I am confident BRICS countries will continue to register strong growth.”

Elaborating on the growing momentum of BRICS cooperation Shri Sharma further stated “There is a large untapped growth potential of intra-BRICS trade and investments which we are presently focusing on for exploitation. BRICS Development Banks are in the advance stages of concluding Agreements on Extending Credit Facility in Local Currencies, and Multilateral Letter of Credit Confirmation Facility Agreement to facilitate further consolidation of trade and investment ties. Such intra-BRICS initiatives will not only contribute to enhanced intra-BRICS trade and investments but would also facilitate our economic growth in difficult economic times.” (A copy of last Ministerial Declaration by the BRICS Trade Ministers in Sanya can be seen at http://bricsindia.in/trade.html)
Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) was established following BRICS Trade Ministers meeting in Sanya. The CGETI is entrusted with the task of proposing an institutional framework and concrete measures to expand economic cooperation both among BRICS countries and between BRICS countries and all developing countries, within a South-South perspective. The CGETI has met twice so far i.e. on 2 December 2011, in Beijing, China and on 6-7 March, 2012 in New Delhi.
A number of new areas for deepening intra BRICS cooperation are expected to be discussed at the meeting of the Ministers on 28 March. The recommendations of the Ministers would feed into the Summit being hosted by India on 29 March.

The five Trade Ministers are also expected to jointly inaugurate the Business Forum that is being organized jointly by the three major India Chambers of Commerce and Industry ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI). Over 500 business leaders from the five countries are expected to attend this forum.

As per UNCTAD data the share of BRICS economies in the Global Trade has been increasing over the years. In 2010 it stood at 15 per cent up from 13.7 per cent the year before. In 2010-11 India had total trade worth USD 7519 million with Brazil. During the same period trade with Russia was USD 5179 million, with China USD 63095 million and with South Africa USD 11,125 million.

The last BRICS Summit was held in Sanya, China in April 2011. The theme of the Third Summit was “Broad Vision and Shared Prosperity”. The Sanya Summit was the first after inclusion of South Africa in BRICS. A Framework Agreement on `Financial Cooperation within the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism` was signed on 14 April in Sanya; the agreement envisages extending Line of credits in local currencies. An MoU was also signed at the Business Forum in Sanya establishing permanent business contact points; FICCI signed from India. 

 

 

A Plan of Action was endorsed at the Sanya Summit to strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries in areas of security, finance, business links, agriculture, health, culture, sports, science and technology and green economy.

The Delhi Summit is to build on these measures and also identify new areas for intensive cooperation. The theme of the BRICS summit is Partnership for Stability, Security and Growth.

PM’s statement at the Plenary of the Nuclear Security Summit

by sagarmedia

Prime Minister, Dr, Manmohan Singh, at the Plenary of the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul today.
“I would like to join others in thanking President Lee Myung-bak for hosting this Summit and for the excellent arrangements made.
India fully shares global concerns on nuclear terrorism and clandestine proliferation, which continue to pose serious threats to international security. At the same time, given India’s growing energy demands, we see nuclear energy as an essential component of our energy mix. Strengthening nuclear security, therefore, assists India’s objective of promoting a safe and secure expansion of civil nuclear energy. We must continue to harness the numerous developmental benefits that nuclear science and technology offer, especially for developing countries.
We are in the process of expanding our nuclear energy generation to 62,000 MWs by 2032. We are taking forward our three stage nuclear programme based on a closed fuel cycle, with new safety features and proliferation-resistant technologies.
We are also determined that our expanded nuclear power programme will follow the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, whose synergy is essential to restore public faith in nuclear energy, especially after the tragic events at Fukushima.
We have undertaken comprehensive reviews of nuclear safety measures at our nuclear facilities. India has invited the Operational Safety Review Teams of the IAEA to assist in its own safety reviews and audit. Nuclear safety evaluations are being put in the public domain to enhance transparency and boost public confidence. We are also in the process of setting up a statutory, independent and autonomous Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority. We are strengthening emergency preparedness and response to nuclear accidents.
Nuclear terrorism will remain a potent threat as long as there are terrorists seeking to gain access to nuclear material and technologies for malicious purposes. India is acutely conscious of this threat. Our resolution at the General Assembly on measures to deny terrorists access to weapons of mass destruction has been adopted by consensus since 2002.
We support the extension of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and the work of its Committee and we intend to host a 1540 Workshop during this year to strengthen its implementation.
India is party to the main international legal instruments on nuclear security – the Convention on Physical Protection and its 2005 amendment, as well as the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. We support the universalization of these instruments.
Nuclear security is primarily a national responsibility but there are benefits to be gained by supplementing responsible national actions through sustained and effective international cooperation.
The Washington Communiqué and Work Plan set in place new benchmarks on nuclear security and new frameworks for international cooperation. We welcome the fact that this Summit will expand the scope of such cooperation by greater focus on minimization of High Enriched Uranium, information and transport security, nuclear forensics, preventing illicit nuclear trafficking, assistance for updating national regulations and building capacity for nuclear security.
India has contributed actively to the Nuclear Security Summit process, including by hosting a Sherpa meeting in New Delhi in January this year.
We have made good progress in the establishment of the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, which I announced at the Washington Summit. The physical infrastructure for the Centre is being set up. We have commenced ‘off-campus’ courses. Such courses will be held more frequently in the future. We have signed documents for cooperation on the Global Centre with the United States of America, Russia, France and the IAEA.
India is expanding its technical assistance to developing countries, including by providing our indigenously developed Cobalt teletherapy machines – Bhabhatrons – for cancer treatment.
The IAEA has a central role in strengthening the international global nuclear security architecture. I am happy to announce that India will contribute 1 million US dollars to the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Fund for the years 2012-13.
India will participate in the Agency’s 2013 international coordinating conference of various nuclear security activities, including the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the Global Partnership.
The best guarantee for nuclear security is a world free from nuclear weapons. Our former Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, put forward an Action Plan for global nuclear disarmament in a time-bound framework almost 25 years ago. This remains the most comprehensive and elaborate proposal to achieve this objective.
Attaining the goal of a nuclear weapon-free world will require commitments embedded in an agreed multilateral framework involving all states possessing nuclear weapons. This should include measures to reduce nuclear dangers by reducing the salience of nuclear weapons in security doctrines and by increasing universal restraints on the first use of nuclear weapons.
We also support the early commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
India has never been a source of proliferation of sensitive technologies and we are determined to further strengthen our export control systems to keep them on par with the highest international standards. We have already adhered to the guidelines of the NSG and MTCR. As a like–minded country with the ability and willingness to promote global non-proliferation objectives, we believe that the next logical step is India’s membership of the four export control regimes.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate India’s commitment to strengthen and improve further the effectiveness of its nuclear safety and security systems and make a significant contribution to the enhancement of the global nuclear security architecture.

Jabra unveils 4 new UC-dedicated headsets

Jabra unveils 4 new UC-dedicated headsets Jabra today  unveiled  four new UC-dedicated headsets for cost-effective UC deployments – the Jabra UC VOICETM series.All four headsets are said to be designed specifically for companies looking for a cost-effective means of deploying headsets across an organisation and to accommodate for the different working styles and environments without compromising on quality.

"Today there are approximately 7.8 million users of UC," said Ralph Ede, Managing Director – South Asia Jabra, adding "By 2015 that number is expected to skyrocket to 49.5 million."  "Optimization of these investments by adding the voice dimension to the UC experience and attaching headsets that offer superior sound, comfort and build will have a tremendous impact when wanting to ensure the right ROI," said Ralph Ede, managing director - South Asia Jabra.“In essence, this is a whole new category of cost-effective headsets,” said Ralph Ede. “The four headsets in the Jabra UC VOICETM series are both powerful and economical. They’re simple, durable, have superb audio and come from Jabra’s years of experience creating an award-winning portfolio.  The company said that the expected growth potential in hands-free communications industry is around INR 35-70 billion by 2014, which will mainly driven by the growth of Unified Communications. 

Further to headset solutions for light to heavy users the Jabra UC VOICETM series features a portable headset developed for today's virtual offices that is the industry's first corded UC headset with a behind-the-ear wearing style and discreet form factor for video conferencing.  Dedicated to UC voice deployments, Easy to deploy, Easy to maintain, Superior acoustic clarity,  Fast user adoption,Four designs to accommodate different needs and preferences,Two-year global warranty,Fast return on UC investment.

 To know further about the Jabra UC VOICE series from where to buy the headsets, www.Jabra.com. With a series of easy-to-use UC headsets Jabra's new headsets pave the way for faster end-user adoption of the technology, the company added. Jabra expanded its products range for the mobile workers with the launch of Jabra SUPREME UC.   Jabra SUPREME UC expands the capabilities of the original product to work with all leading Unified Communications applications, including Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, Skype, and several others.