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You can argue by saying that Bollywood has made "different" films, but I don't want to see a movie with Adolf and the Nazis with the usual romance+comedy+cheap humour+dance numbers+villain routine.
 
How he will look dancing around the lady singing in hindi ???
 
India, Sri Lanka sign 7 pacts, discuss Tamil settlement

June 09, 2010

India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday inked seven agreements, including key pacts on security and power, as Colombo reassured New Delhi about its plans to quickly resettle displaced Tamils and to seek a political solution to the ethnic issue.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and conveyed India's concerns over the plight of displaced Tamils and pressed for a political settlement of the Tamil issue, official sources said.

The two leaders also discussed a host of bilateral and global issues, including an expansion of economic ties, energy security and increased cooperation in areas of development and counter-terrorism.

Rajapaksa reassured Singh about Colombo's plan to expeditiously resettle the displaced Tamils who continue to live in refugee camps.

He briefed Singh about steps taken by his government to forge a consensus on a political solution to the ethnic conflict revolving around devolution of powers to the minorities, the sources said.

After the talks, the two sides signed seven pacts to boost bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including security, energy, railways and cultural exchange.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on interconnecting electricity grids of the two countries could mean power supply of 1,000 MW will go a long way in improving the situation in power-starved island country.

The pact envisages conducting feasibility studies to ensure power supply to Sri Lanka that continues to suffer due to war-ravaged electricity infrastructure. Deep sea power cables could be used to integrate the grids of the two countries.

Two MoUs were inked on the transfer of sentenced persons and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters that aim at enhancing counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.

A pact on laying Talaimannar-Madhu rail link was also signed. Increased development cooperation was reflected across other pacts that included an MoU on special projects and setting up of a women's trade facilitation and community learning centre by SEWA, an Ahmedabad-based NGO.

Rajapaksa arrived in India on a four-day visit on Tuesday evening, his first trip to New Delhi since being re-elected Sri Lanka's president in January this year.

He began his state visit to India with a ceremonial reception accorded to him at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.

Around 80,000 displaced Tamils continue to live in relief camps over a year after the Sri Lankan troops militarily crushed the insurgency led by Tamil Tigers.

Although the Sri Lankan government had promised to resettle all 300,000 war displaced within six months of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, it has now set August as the deadline for closure of relief camps housing the refugees.

India, Sri Lanka sign 7 pacts, discuss Tamil settlement- Hindustan Times
 
World Cup 2010: President Jacob Zuma Invites Sonia Gandhi To The World Cup
Department of Ministry Of External Affairs confirms the same...
By Vaibhav Agarwal
09-Jun-2010 1:52:00 PM

South African President Jacob Zuma has put forward an invitation to Congress Party chairman Sonia Gandhi to come and witness the World Cup spectacle in South Africa which begins on June 11.

The Department of Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the same. They said that Zuma had invited the United Progressive Alliance chairperson, when she called to congratulate him on hosting the World Cup.

However, it is still unclear whether the UPA chairperson has accepted the invitation or not. She has also been invited to the centenary celebrations of the African National Congress in 2012.

Meanwhile, as we wait and see whether the Congress Party chairman accepts the invitation or not, many Bollywood stars have stated their desire to go and watch the spectacle in South Africa.

The list includes Abhishek Bacchan, Bipasha Basu, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone amongst others. SRK stated via Twitter that he would be going to South Africa with his kids and family to watch the World Cup.

Mr. Ram Gopal Varma, if you're hearing this, why don't you now produce a movie titled "Bollywood Disasters In South Africa", the 5th degree of torture maybe.

World Cup 2010: President Jacob Zuma Invites Sonia Gandhi To The World Cup - Goal.com :cheers:
 
India welcomes Sri Lanka President with Guard of Honour

Wed, Jun 9, 2010

India's President Pratibha Patil and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh warmly welcomed Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at the President's Palace, the Rasthrapathi Bawan today.

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India, Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for IDPs in island-nation

New Delhi, June 9, 2010

India and Sri Lanka today announced a major initiative for the construction of 50,000 houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.

At talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here, India also said it would take up several projects for the reconstruction of the island-nation's North and East, including the rebuilding of railway infrastructure and rehabilitation of the Kankesanthurai harbour and Palaly airport.


The measures also include the construction of a cultural centre in Jaffna and several vocational training centres, renovation of the Duraiappah stadium and rehabilitation of war widows, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told journalists after the talks between the two delegations.

In order to assist setting up of the NTPC-CEB joint venture of a 500 MW Thermal Power Plant at Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, India will extend a line of credit of $ 200 million. The relevant agreements to set up the power plant will be concluded within three months, Ms Rao said.

She said the two sides had also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for the inter-connection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids.

Ms Rao said both countries had decided to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Thalaimannar and Rameswaram in keeping with the desire to restore traditional links between the two countries.

She said India would also also establish Consulates General in Jaffna and Hambantota.

The two leaders noted the progress achieved under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and agreed that it would be timely to build on this achievement through a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation. They have directed officials to hold intensive consultations on such a framework.

The two sides agreed to launch a CEOs Forum to involve the business community in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic partnership.

Another significant initiative announced by the two leaders was the India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative. Under it, the Government of India will support the University of Colombo to establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies.

India has announced a major expansion of its scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka. It will assist in English language education in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the newly-established Sri Lanka-India Centre for English Language Training at Kandy and its regional and provincial centres.

India will also provide technical assistance for the Presidential initiative on Trilingual Society in Sri Lanka and collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province, Ms Rao said.

Dr Singh and Mr Rajapaksa agreed that the 2600th Year of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha (Sumbuddhatva Jayanthi) would be commemorated through joint activities. India has also agreed to assist in the restoration of the Tiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar, Sri Lanka.

In order to explore way to strengthen the safety and security of fishermen, the two sides agreed to resume the discussions under the Joint Working Group on Fishing and promote contacts between the fishermen’s association on both sides.

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its support for the candidature of India as a Permanent Member of an expanded UN Security Council, as also for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012.

Mr Rajapaksa, who arrived here yesterday on a State Visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.

The Sri Lankan President is accompanied by Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa and a high-level delegation, including three Cabinet Ministers.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were amonst those who called on him today. He also met a delegation of members of Parliament (MPs) from Tamil Nadu this afternoon.

Mr Rajapaksa had a one-on-one meeting with Dr Singh, followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides, after which seven agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed.

Ms Rao said the talks between Dr Singh and Mr Rajapaksa were wide-ranging and encompassed a range of issues reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the bilateral relationship.

She said the two leaders shared their vision of the future of India-Sri Lanka relations and agreed that President Rajapaksa’s visit provided an opportunity to lay the foundation for a forward-looking comprehensive agenda for bilateral engagement.

Dr Singh emphasised that Sri Lanka’s emergence from decades of conflict offered a historic opportunity to spearhead an era of reconciliation where all communities can come together to realise a political settlement.

The Prime Minister also observed that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for this purpose. In particular, he emphasised the need for urgent steps to resettle the remaining IDPs and urged Sri Lanka to undertake speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.

Dr Singh also referred to the extensive assistance being provided by India for these efforts including Rs.500 crores as grant and about US$ 800 million as lines of credit for railway projects.

India, Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for IDPs in island-nation | NetIndian | India News | Latest News from India | Breaking News from India | Latest Headlines
 
India, Sri Lanka pact raises hopes for Indian prisoners

June 9th, 2010

By T.G. Biju

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) India and Sri Lanka Wednesday signed an agreement on exchange of sentenced prisoners, an important step that has raised hopes for at least 40 Indians languishing in Sri Lankan jails.

The agreement was signed on a day Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

IANS had first reported July 22, 2009 that some 40 Indian prisoners languishing in Sri Lanka’s prisons were seeking humane treatment, alleging that Indian officials in Sri Lanka appear deaf to their pleas and complaints.

FULL STORY: India, Sri Lanka pact raises hopes for Indian prisoners
 
India's Congress Party leader and Tamil Nadu MPs call on Sri Lanka's President

Wed, Jun 9, 2010

Jun 09, New Delhi: Chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance in the Lok Sabha and the leader of India's Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Maurya Hotel in New Delhi today.

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The two leaders discussed a variety of bilateral issues of interest. Plight of Sri Lanka's displaced Tamil civilians and reconciliation were a major point of discussion.

A delegation of 21 Tamil Nadu parliamentarians of the Lok Sabha headed by DMK Parliamentary Party leader T.R. Baalu also met the President Rajapaksa at the same venue to discuss the resettlement of about 80,000 displaced Tamil civilians remaining in the camps.

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Ministers Prof G.L Peiris, Douglas Devananda, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Finance Secretary. Dr. P.B Jayasundara and Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam accompanied the President at the meetings.
 
NEW DELHI - India and Bhutan will discuss strengthening defense ties during a June 7-11 visit to the Himalayan kingdom by the Indian Army chief, Gen. V.K. Singh. Defense ties between the two neighbors are restricted only to training at Indian defense establishments.

The visit to Bhutan is of special significance, said a senior Indian Defence Ministry official. India and Bhutan began military-to-military exchanges in 1962 with the establishment of the Indian Military Training Team. However, defense ties never grew beyond that level.
Singh is scheduled to meet Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his military counterpart, Maj. Gen. Batoo Tshering.

Bhutan is of strategic importance to New Delhi, as it is located between India and China. It is in India's interest to have better relations with Bhutan, said Mahindra Singh, retired Indian Army major general and independent defense analyst.

Bhutan helped New Delhi track down insurgents operating in India's northeast from their hideouts in Bhutan over the last three years, a sign that relations between the two neighbors can mature into strategic ties one day, said Singh.

As part of the policy to improve ties, India and Bhutan signed several agreements, including four on hydropower during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bhutan to attend the 16th Saarc summit.

Source - Click here

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Railway Track Blown up in Southern India

2010-06-12 11:24:47 Xinhua Web Editor: Jiang Aitao

A railway track at the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu was blown up by improvised explosive device early Saturday morning, causing the emergency halting of a train from southern Tamil Nadu to the state capital Chennai, reported local TV CNN-IBN.

The incident took place near Villupram of the state and no one was killed or injured in the blast, said the TV channel quoting police sources.

Police suspect forces sympathetic to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could be behind the blast, as they were protesting the visit by Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse to India earlier this week, according to the report.


Railway Track Blown up in Southern India
 
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