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3:53 PM

Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation have signed two MoUs: Foreign Secretary

3:49 PM

Ukraine recaptures city of Brovary near Kyiv

Ukrainian officials say their forces have recaptured the city of Brovary, 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of the capital Kyiv. Brovary's mayor said during a televised address on Friday evening that Russian occupants have now left practically all of the Brovary district.

 

He added that the Ukrainian forces would begin working to clear the region of remaining Russian soldiers there as well as "military hardware, and possibly from mines.

 

The mayor said that many Brovary residents had already returned to the city, and that shops and businesses were reopening. Earlier on Friday, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said that satellite towns northwest of Kyiv were being targeted after Ukrainian fighters pushed back Russian troops, and that fighting had also taken place in Brovary.

3:41 PM

President Kovind discusses issues of bilateral, regional cooperation with Turkmenistan president

India and Turkmenistan signed four agreements for cooperation, including in disaster management and financial intelligence, as President Ram Nath Kovind met his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov and discussed issues of bilateral and regional cooperation here on Saturday.

 

President Kovid was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour here on Friday as he began his three-day state visit to Turkmenistan during which he will meet the leadership of the resource-rich Central Asian country and discuss ways to boost bilateral ties.

 

This is the first-ever visit of the President of India to independent Turkmenistan and comes just after the inauguration of new Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov.

3:31 PM

India, Aus ink trade pact; thousands of Indian goods to get duty-free access

India and Australia on Saturday signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Canberra would provide duty-free access in its market for over 6,000 broad sectors of India, including textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery.

 

The agreement is likely to be implemented in about four months.

 

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was inked by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

3:24 PM

Turkmenistan an important partner in India–Central Asia Summit framework: Kovind

3:23 PM

President Ram Nath Kovind held a detailed discussion with Turkmen President

3:22 PM

India supplies 6000 MT of fuel to Sri Lanka

Indian Oil Corporation subsidiary in Sri Lanka on Saturday has supplied 6,000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board, to help ease the power crisis in the island country which is witnessing acute power cuts. The consignment of fuel is part of US 500 million oil line of credit extended by India.

 

"Standing with #Srilanka!!! @LankaIOCPLC supplied 6000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board today," the High Commission of India in Colombo posted today.

 

The island nation is reeling from the worst economic crisis since its independence. Triggered by a lack of foreign exchange, apart from fuel shortages and power outages there is also a severe shortage of essential commodities like cooking gas, food and medicines.

3:15 PM

Most significant outcome of the visit has been in energy sector: Foreign Secy on Nepal PM's meeting with Modi

3:08 PM

Nepal PM Deuba applauds India's Covid-19 response

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba hailed his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's leadership, saying Kathmandu has seen his visionary and effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic while also receiving the first vaccine aid as well as medicines, equipment and logistics.

 

The two Prime Ministers jointly launched multiple projects which are likely to boost connectivity between the two countries while they expressed hope that the key initiatives being taken by them would take India-Nepal relations to new heights.

 

"I admire the progress that India is making under the visionary leadership of PM Modi. We've seen India's effective management in battling COVID-19 and Nepal received the first vaccine aid from India as well as medicines, medical equipment and logistics to combat the virus," he said.

2:58 PM

Sudden lifting of curbs not wise: Covid-19 task force member

The sudden lifting of Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour and other related restrictions are not good as the pandemic is not yet over, Dr Sunila Garg, Member Lancet Commission and Covid-19 Task Force said on Saturday.

"Mask mandates must continue at crowded places. Since everybody is tired of wearing masks, not fining them would lead to more people ditching it, which is not good as the pandemic is yet not over. Some parts of world are facing another outbreak threat", Dr Garg told IANS.

Dr Garg said that there should be an integrated approach on lifting the Covid restrictions. "Mask doesn't stop Covid infection only, but it also prevents other airborne infections, pollution and other respiratory illnesses. Masks must be continued", she said.

2:41 PM

India-Australia Trade Pact expected to create 1 mn jobs over next 5 yrs: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the newly signed trade pact with Australia is expected to take bilateral trade from the existing USD 27 billion to nearly USD 45-50 billion in the next five years and the government expects one million jobs to be created in India in the next four to five years.

 

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was signed by commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his counterpart Australian trade, tourism and investment minister Dan Tehan in a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison today.

 

2:39 PM

India-Aus trade pact to facilitate exchange of students, professionals, tourists: PM Modi

The economic cooperation and trade agreement signed between India and Australia will enable the two countries to fully leverage the existing opportunities, besides facilitating the exchange of students, professionals and tourists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

 

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Australian counterpart Dan Tehan in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a virtual ceremony.

 

Modi said signing of the pact in such a short span of time reflects the depth of the mutual confidence between the countries.

2:39 PM

India-Aus trade pact to facilitate exchange of students, professionals, tourists: PM Modi

The economic cooperation and trade agreement signed between India and Australia will enable the two countries to fully leverage the existing opportunities, besides facilitating the exchange of students, professionals and tourists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

 

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Australian counterpart Dan Tehan in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a virtual ceremony.

 

Modi said signing of the pact in such a short span of time reflects the depth of the mutual confidence between the countries.

2:34 PM

Russia registers nasal version of Sputnik V

The Russian Health Ministry has registered the nasal version of its Covid-19 jab, Sputnik V, which is said to be the world's first nasal vaccine against the virus.

"Russian Health Ministry registers the nasal version of Sputnik V, the world's first nasal vaccine against Covid-19," Sputnik V wrote on Twitter.

In January, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the nasal vaccine against Covid-19 will be in civil circulation and available for Russians in three to four months.

2:18 PM

Pak Army Chief calls for dialogue to resolve all disputes with India

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa while addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue has called for dialogue to resolve all disputes with India.

 

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the dialogue on Friday. The conference brought together Pakistani and international policy experts to discuss emerging challenges in international security under the theme "Comprehensive Security: Reimagining International Cooperation".

 

The Islamabad Security Dialogue is hosting 17 international speakers from the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, European Union, Japan, Philippines and others.