Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron before a meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington on April 1, 2016.— AP/PTI

Washington, April 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart David Cameron here on the sidelines of Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), during which the two leaders discussed defence co-operation and Make in India issues.

“My meeting with PM David Cameron focused on defence cooperation, make in India and other key issues,” Modi said in a tweet before he left for Saudi Arabia after two days of engagement with world leaders during the NSS here.

Briefing reporters, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vikas Swarup said during the meeting yesterday both leaders recalled Modi’s visit to London last year, during which India and the UK had signed deals worth 9-billion pounds and inked a civil nuclear pact.

Modi said that ties between the two countries had become “richer and deeper”.

Defence cooperation came up for discussion and Prime Minister Modi mentioned that Britain could be a partner in the ‘Make in India’ initiative, especially in the defence sector.

Visa issues also came up for discussion, Swarup said.

Both the leaders also reviewed the decisions that had been taken during Modi’s visit to Britain last year in particular the decision to launch rupee bonds at the London Stock Exchange.

Cameron expressed happiness that it was proceeding very well.

“He also said that we need to increase our partnership in defence. Prime Minister said that high-tech defence production has now been opened up to 100 per cent FDI, India had skilled manpower, cheap labour was also available and as such UK can become very important partner in the Make in India initiative particularly in the defence sector,” Swarup said.

The two leaders discussed some of the other pending issues between them including terrorism.

“Prime Minister also raised the issue of Tier II visas for IT companies. He said skilled professionals should not find it difficult to come to work in the UK. And, in this context the recommendations made by the migration advisory committee could caste a negative light,” Swarup said.

“Cameron promised to take a look at it. He said we do not want to disadvantage bonafide IT companies, but at the same time we would also want to ensure that the UK system is not misused,” the spokesman said. — PTI

—Reuters file photo

Washington, April 26

The US military conducted “freedom of navigation” operations against 13 countries last year, including several to challenge  China’s claims in the South and East China seas, according to an annual Pentagon report released on Monday.The operations were against China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Oman, the Philippines and Vietnam, the report said.It did not specify how many such operations were conducted against each of those countries. The US military carried out single operations against Taiwan, Nicaragua and Argentina, for a total of 13 countries, the department said in the two-page report.The freedom of navigation operations involves sending US Navy ships and military aircraft into areas where other countries have tried to limit access. The aim is to demonstrate that the international community does not accept such restrictions.The US military has repeatedly conducted operations disputing China’s maritime claims in recent years and did so again in 2015, a year in which Beijing’s island-building activity in the resource-rich areas of the South China Sea led to rising tensions in the region.A US guided-missile destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation patrol near one of China’s man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago in October. US military flights near the islands have been warned off.US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the Navy would continue to operate in the region despite China’s condemnation of the patrols.China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on its website late on Monday that it was deeply concerned by such operations.”The United States carries out militarisation in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation and overflight, threatens coastal nations’ sovereignty and security and destroys regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.It made the comment in response to what it said were reports of recent US military flights near Scarborough Shoal – known by Beijing as Huangyan Island – an area China seized control of after a stand-off with the Philippine coast guard in 2012.Admiral Harry Harris, the head of US Pacific Command, said this year the Navy would step up the freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea because of concerns China is attempting to assert its dominance by building military facilities there.US freedom of navigation operations last year also challenged China’s claims of jurisdiction in the airspace above its maritime Exclusive Economic Zone as well as restrictions it has tried to impose on aircraft flying through an Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea.The number of countries the United States challenged last year was down from 2014, when it targeted 19 countries. That was the largest number in more than a decade.Iran and the Philippines have been the most frequently challenged countries over the years, mainly because they sit astride busy sea lanes whose use they have tried to limit or govern. —Reuters

Mumbai, March 21

The world’s highest rail bridge being constructed over the Chenab river in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir will be “terror attack-proof” and is expected to be completed by early 2019, the Konkan Railway has said.“Apart from being safe from all possible disasters, including earthquakes, this bridge will be absolutely safe to sustain terror strike and every precautionary step is being considered to make it foolproof,” Konkan Railway Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Gupta told reporters, who visited the bridge site.“I want to assure you all that this bridge will be most safe and the perfect way to travel,” said Gupta.He said almost 60 per cent of the work was done, and after completion, the maximum permissible limit for a train over the bridge would be 90 kmph. An 18-coach train can tolerate wind speed of 80 kmph while passing through it.“We are making the bridge terror-proof. We have taken logistical support of DRDO officials and when completed, the bridge’s pillars and other parts can withstand a jolt created by 40 kg of RDX with no immediate adverse effect on the operation of the trains,” said another senior official.The construction of the 359-m high and 1,315-m long rail bridge started in 2005 and it was initially slated to be completed in December 2009.However, in 2008 the work was stopped amid fears over its stability and safety. Its construction restarted in 2010 and officials hope to complete it by early 2019.The bridge is part of the much-awaited 326-km-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link that will connect the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country. — PTI

‘Can withstand 40-kg RDX blast’

• The world’s highest rail bridge (359 metre high and 1,315 metre long) is being constructed over the Chenab river in Reasi district. It is expected to be completed by early 2019
• The Railways has taken logistical support of DRDO officials. The bridge can withstand a jolt created by 40 kg of RDX with no immediate adverse effect on the operation of the trains, said a railway official

New Delhi, April 8

Two former top officials of Italian aerospace and defence group Finmeccanica have been convicted by a court in Italy for corruption in the sale of 12 VVIP choppers to India for Rs 3,727 crore.Giuseppe Orsi, former CEO of Finmeccanica, and Bruno Spagnolini, former head of AgustaWestland (a Finmeccanica subsidiary) were yesterday sentenced to over four years in prison, PTI reported.All eyes are now on the CBI, which had registered a case against 13 persons and six firms. Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi and two Chandigarh-based firms are among those booked by for alleged bribery. — TNS

Recruits during a passing-out parade on the outskirts of Srinagar. Tribune Photo: Yawar Kabli

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 29

Over 140 youth from the state were inducted in Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) regiment at a colourful passing out parade on Tuesday.A defence spokesperson here said: “143 recruits successfully completed strenuous training regime of 11 months at the JAKLI Regiment Centre at Rangreth.”“The passing-out-parade was attended by over 2,500 parents and relatives of the young soldiers from the state along with a number of civil and military dignitaries. The parade was reviewed by Major General BK Jain,” the spokesperson added.Major General Jain congratulated the young soldiers for their immaculate parade and impressed upon selfless service towards the nation.He also praised their contribution towards encouraging more and more youth from J&K to come forward to join the security forces and also highlighted the vital role played by the parents in motivating their wards to join the noble profession.Major General Jain also presented awards to the meritorious recruits, who excelled in various facets of training, said the spokesperson.Shabir Ahmed of Reasi received the Chewang Rinchen Medal. He was adjudged ‘best in firing’. Iftikar Beigh of Jammu was conferred the Bana Singh Medal for being ‘best in drill’.The JAKLI Regiment came into being as Jammu and Kashmir Militia in 1948 when the volunteers rallied to the clarion call given by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah from the historical Lal Chowk for fighting the Pakistan-backed raiders.