India's UPI and Singapore's PayNow has launched the realtime cross border payment systems linkage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong has launched the cross-border connectivity between Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and PayNow of Singapore on Tuesday.

UPI-PayNow

The UPI Integration with PayNow enables Low-cost, Faster and 24*7 cross border payments using Google Pay, Paytm and other digital payments to transfer money instantly through mobile number to people  in Singapore and Vice versa. UPI was developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). UPI process will eliminate the risk of sharing bank account details creation through Virtual Payment Address (VPA).

PayNow is just like UPI in which users can send/receive payments in Singapore easily with the Mobile number.People in both the countries will be able to send/receive payments in real time using QR code scanner or just by entering Mobile number.

This facility will benefit Students and Migrant workers as it allows cost effective, faster and efficient fund transfer between both the countries. It also creates a new path in the development of next generation infrastructure for cross border payments between India and Singapore.

     

I2U2 Leadership Summit -- Global leaders announced major smart innovatives on Food security and Renewable Energy Parks in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayad Al Nahyan and USA President Joe Biden jointly announced major projects in Food Security and Clean Energy sectors at I2U2 summit on Thursday. A 300 MW hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat and $ 2 billion investment by  UAE home international Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and host of COP2B23 for developing integrated food parks across India.

I2U2 Leaders Summit

The I2U2 summit primarily focus on the food security crisis.. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Multi grouping  and cooperation of various countries was a good model at this time of increasing global uncertainties. He describes I2U2 vision and agenda as practical, positive and progressive and this was truly a  meeting of various strategic partners  that explores the mutual strengths of the various member nations capital expertise and markets that makes a valuable contribution to the global economy. USA President Bin Laden said growing food insecurity and unstable energy market conditions that had been made worse by Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine.

The announcement of food parks was also described as the India--UAE food corridor backed by technology from Israel  and USA is most notable for India.  It is also expected to increase crop yields and also income for farmers while strengthening the food security in South Asia. The integrated state of the are climate smart technologies will reduce food waste and spoilage along with fresh water conserves that employ the best possible renewable energy resources.'

Indian government provides the land for the project and facilitate farmers integration in to the food parks. US and Israeli sectors will be invited to bestow their expertise and other innovative solutions that contributes to the overall sustainability of the project. All these investments will increase crop yields that helps to handle food insecurity conditions in Middle East and South Asia. The leaders discussed the innovative ways to ensure long term, more diversified food production and delivery systems that can manage in a better way.

The I2U2 group will advance a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat that comprises of 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity accompanied by a battery storage system. The US Trade and Development Agency funded a feasibility study for the $330 million USD Project. UAE based companies are exploring various opportunities to serve as  important expository knowledge and investment partners for the projects.

India and Australia meeting strengthens the ties with deeply shared value deals

India and Australia have strengthened their relations with deeply shared Value deals after the Virtual Summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Australia-India

India and Australia have signed two bilateral defence and military agreements as a first step of strengthening the relationship between the Indo- Pacific regions to support the freedom of navigation over peaceful cooperation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is rapidly committed to strengthening the relations with Australia and it is important not only for Indo-Pacific regions but also for the entire world.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that  Australia is also committed to Open and inclusive Indo-pacific region prosperity and India is going to play a key role in this region for the coming years.

Both Australia and India will continue to deepen the defence cooperation by enhancing the scope of  Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and Defence Science and Technology Implementations activities to address the shared security challenges.

US government expressed willingness to Mediate between India and China on raging border disputes

The United States of America President Donald Trump tweeted that the US is willing and able to mediate between India and China countries. The US is willing to resolve the raging border disputes between India and China. For the few weeks, The Indian and Chinese armies are locked in standoff situations in the Line of Actual Control. The standoffs begin earlier this month between two countries following by the soldier's clash.

US President Donald Trump

Including Ladakh, both the Indian and Chinese Army is currently in standoff positions at a few points along the Line of Control. Earlier this month the Chinese troops entered into a physical confrontation near the Pangong Lake. The troops reportedly saw the use of stones and sticks even though no shots were fired but finding injured soldiers on both sides. It remains unclear regarding the number of troops are engaged on both sides of the Line of Actual Control.

India said that China troops have attempted to obstruct the Indian Soldier's activities who have been on the Indian side of Line of Actual. Control. India has also confessed to the Ladakh lake brawl, criticizing on contradicting perceptions of the Line of Actual Control between the two sides. Indian government has also rejected the Chinese allegations of Indian soldiers crossing the Line of Actual Control

Australian Government announced $6.3 million dollars worth projects for India.

Australian Government on Wednesday announced 19 grants worth $6,30,000 dollars for several projects with India in various fields like Science, Education, arts and culture. The Foreign Minister Mr Julie Bishop said " I announce the recipients of grants funded by Australia- India Council. 

India - Australia

The Successful grants include an exchange between TAFE NSW and Indian's Centurion University to share and expertise for training indigenous learners, collaboration between University of New South Wales and Indian Scientists to develop effective new water purification systems for the country's water supply". 

Ths Successful grants also includes the development of Website by Women's Legal Service Tasmania and TRS Law offices in India. This Website comprises of young Indian Women with information about their rights. She also said that " Both India and Australia are going to undertake Sports Programme jointly in India by Hockey Australia and Dabang Mumbai Hockey Club to share expertise in Hockey Training."

The grant has assigned to a project by Soft Tread Enterprises to tell the story of historical links between Australia and India through theatrical and literary performances and for a collaboration between Queensland university of Technology and KM Music Conservatory Chennai to develop new approach to music curriculum and facilitate ongoing exchanges with new combo plan students.

India beat Australia by 37 Runs in First Twenty20 at Adelaide Oval

India beat Australia by 37 Runs in the first Twenty 20 International game at Adelaide Oval.Chasing a Massive target of 189 Australia were bowled out for 151 in 19.3 overs. Debutant Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with the best figures 3-23 in the match.The Second Twenty 20 International match was played at Melbourne on January 29.

Indian Team at Adelaide Oval

Earlier Australian Twenty20 Skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and put India to bat first.Indian batting continued their dream run as Rohit Sharma started off to the flier followed  by Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina put on a 134  run stand for the third wicket. Kohli remained unbeaten on 90 off 55 Balls with 2 big sixes and 9 fours ,This is Kohli's highest twenty20 score. He got good support from Raina who scored 41 off 34 balls with a six and three fours  which helped India to reach a respectable score of 188/3 in 20 overs.

Aaron Finch and David Warner provided a blistering start to the innings by scoring 34 runs of 3 overs.Bumrah strikes early in the innings by dismissing David Warner for 17 then Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin strikes twice in quick session which triggered Australian collapse of nine wickets in the span of 62 runs. Kohli was awarded as the Man of the Match.

India and Pakistan agrees to keep their communication channels alive through reconciliation process

India and Pakistan agreed to restraint and keep their communication channels alive through reconciliation process. On Chakan-Da-Baag of Poonch District of Jammu & Kashmir Tuesday Both India and Pakistan Senior Army Officers held a battalion Commander level flag meeting.

India-Pakistan Talks

The Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said  "The flag level meeting  was held in a cordial atmosphere which lasted for nearly an hour and half and we are ready to take forward the confidence building measures initiated the brigrade commander level flag meeting in september between two nations. Both the officers leading the respective delegations acknowledged each others efforts in maintaining peace and tranquility on the line of control in the past ".

He also said that the representatives of the both the nations deliberated on a host of issues , including  cease fire violations ,returns of the civilians who cross the border inadvertently,air space violations and constructions,activity close to the Line of control. 

Both the nations mutually agreed to the importance of exercising restraint on LoC and keeping the communication channels alive through reconciliation process.The meeting ended in a positive note between two countries where in both sides exchanged pleasantries and sweets at the Zero Line.

India to take on New Zealand on their First match of ICC Twenty 20 World Cup 2016

India to host ICC Twenty20 World cup which is about to start next year.Matches will be staged across 8 venues in India from March 8 to April 3. A total of 58 Matches which includes 35 Men's Matches and 23 Women's matches On Friday The ICC has announced the group schedule on Mumbai.

ICC 20-20 World Cup

India will open their battle against New Zealand in Nagpur on March 15 followed by India Pakistan match on March 19th at Dharmasala.India in tough group with New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan.Srilanka,SouthAfrica,WestIndies and England are in other pool of group.

Indian's Womens will take on Bangladesh in Bengaluru on March 15th.In Women's group India,England,Westindies,Pakistan and Bangladesh are in one pool and Australia,South Africa,New Zealand,Srilanka and Ireland.The Women's semi-finals and final will be followed by Men's matches.

New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-final matches on March 30 and March 31 respectively.While Eden Gardens, Kolkata will host the Big Final on April 3.There will be reserved day for the Final.

India Register's emphatic Test series victory against South Africa with a historic margin in Delhi

India beats South Africa by 337 Runs in fourth test at Firozshah kotla stadium in Delhi. In the fourth and final test at Delhi India with a brilliant performance registers the biggest historic margin against proteas in the Final session on the final day of the testmatch.

India  wins Paytm Trophy

India put an end to Southafrica's dogged resistance with  solid defensive strategy to save the test match before they bowled out for 143 in 143.1 overs.The last five wickets of the SouthAfrican Innings fell dramatically for just seven runs.Chasing the huge target of 481 SouthAfrica were bowled out for an excellent spell produced by Ravichandran Ashwin (5-61) ,Ravindra Jadeja(2-26) and also from Pacer Umesh Yadav(3-9). With this powerful victory India also enabled to climb up to No.2 in ICC Test Rankings.

Rahane was declared Man of the match Award.He dedicated it to the people in chennai who are suffering from severe floods and also to Indian Army who is helping them out.Ravichandran Ashwin with 31 Wickets is declared as Man of the Series Award.He told The Test match finish was a fitting finale to the wonderful series for the boys.He expressed his happiness towards the Performance of the boys and also in climbing second position in ICC Test Rankings.

Kohli said the series win credit goes to all the 11 guys and he liked the south african's approach in defending Indian Bowlers with out loosing their patience .He thanked the support and over whelming response of the Crowd during the five days of the test match.

India took a very important lead of 213 runs after dismissing South Africa for 121 in first Innings

Ravindra Jadeja's Recorded Five wicket haul and Rahane's fifth hundred as India took command and put India in drivers seat after restricting Southafrica to 121 in the first innings. India took a very important lead of 213 Runs in fourth and final test match in Delhi.Earlier India was all out for 334 in first innings.

Jadeja and Rahane

Rahane(127) crafted his first century in the low scoring series against South Africa.Resuming the play on day two with 231-7  Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin together put 98 stand for 8th wicket partnership, the highest in the series.Ashwin also made a wonderful fifty in the innings.Abbott took 5-40 to dismiss India for 334.

Umesh yadav started the collapse by dismissing the Elgar (17) to take first wicket then Jadeja's turn to wrap up the innings by the end of day two.India decided not to enforce follow on but bad light prevented further play even though they are leading by 213 runs in first innings.

India won the third test against South Africa by 124 runs on Nagpur and take unassailable 2-0 Lead

India won the third test against South Africa by 124 runs on Nagpur Today and clinch the Four Match Series with unassailable 2-0 Lead. A first Home series win for Indian Test Captain Virat Kohli credited Ashwin for win.Ravichandran Aswin was declared as Paytm Man of the Match by scalping seven wickets for 66 in the Second Innings and a total of 12 wickets for 98 in the Test match.

India Vs South Africa

Chasing a Massive Target of 310 ,South Africa managed to 185 in 89.5 overs in the second innings in the final session of third days play.Earlier in the first innings South Africa were bowled out for 79.India made 215 and 173 respectively in both the Innings.

India needed eight wickets on the third day.Apart from Hashim Amla and Faf Du plessis no other batsman could pose any challenge for Indian spinners.This is first away test series loss in nine years.Ashwin said " Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja Bowled well.

Virat Kohli said "It is very pleasing to beat a tough time like South Africa.We have been positive through out and top in the entire series.Ravichandran Ashwin is a world class spinner probably the best in the world.This is the reason why we are winning matches consistently."

Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading wicket taker of 2015 with 55 wickets in eight tests at a magnificent average of 17.87.

Zaheer Khan Announces his retirement from International Cricket

India's Left Arm Fast Bowler Zaheer Khan announced his retirement from International Cricket on Thursday.Zaheer Khan Played a key role in lifting the World cup for India in 2011.He also said that the decision was not easy and it is the toughest call in a cricketing career to walk away from the game completely.

Zaheer Khan Retires from International Cricket

"As I was training for the upcoming season, it dawned on me that my shoulder may not last the rigours of bowling nearly 18 overs a day, and that's when I knew it was time. With immediate effect I bid adieu to my career in international cricket. I look forward to signing off my last season in domestic cricket at the conclusion of the Indian Premier League season 9," Zaheer said.His greatest cricketing moment was lifting the world up as part of team india and creating history and his part of journey of India as a top ODI side was very fulfilling.

Zaheer Played his last test in February 2014 against New Zealand in wellington and then he was away from the team due to Injuries and Fitness issues.Zaheer will continue to play domestic cricket till the end of IPL 2016.

 

India and US Proclaim 'Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go' for Joint endeavour for Prosperity and Peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a vision statement in Washington  "Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together we go Joint endeavour for prosperity and peace between two nations India and US.Through Intense consultations and joint excercises and shared technology  for the benefit of world safety and security.

Both Nations decided to combat terrorist threats and also to respond expeditiously to humanitarian disasters and crisis.

"As leaders of two great democratic nations with diverse traditions and faiths, we share a vision for a partnership in which the United States and India work together, not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world," the White House said in a statement.

Narendra Modi at CFR

India -US

"We will prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and remain committed to reducing the salience of nuclear weapons, while promoting universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament," it said.

Asserting that the US and India will have a transformative relationship as trusted partners in the 21st century, the White House said, "Our partnership will be a model for the rest of the world".

"Acknowledging that the two countries have vastly different histories, but both our founders sought to guarantee freedoms that allow our citizens to determine their own destiny and pursue their personal aspirations."

"Our strategic partnership rests on our shared mission to provide equal opportunity for our people through democracy and freedom," said the White House.

According to the vision statement, the two countries will support an open and inclusive rules-based global order, in which India assumes greater multilateral responsibility, including in a reformed United Nations Security Council.

Observing that climate change threatens both the countries, the vision statement said they will join together to mitigate its impact and adapt to the changing environment.

"We will address the consequences of unchecked pollution through cooperation by our governments, science and academic communities.

"We will partner to ensure that both countries have affordable, clean, reliable, and diverse sources of energy, including through our efforts to bring American-origin nuclear power technologies to India," the vision statement said.

The US and India commit to expand and deepen their strategic partnership in order to harness the inherent potential of the two democracies and the burgeoning ties between their people, economies, and businesses.

"Together we seek a reliable and enduring friendship that bolsters security and stability, contributes to the global economy, and advances peace and prosperity for our citizens and throughout the world.