Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said there could not be any “substantive” negotiation with Pakistan unless the “biggest problem” of “trust deficit” was overcome.
In his press conference, Dr Singh said India was willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan if that country ensured that its soil was not used for terrorism against India.

Britain is struggling to present a united fro-nt within its coalition Cabinet on Afghanistan after the weekend visit to the war-torn country by foreign secretary William Hague, defe-nce secretary Liam

Expressing concern on the condition of Indian agriculture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid stress on increasing farm productivity in order to ensure food security.
“Addressing key constraints in the modernisation of agriculture and in the expansion of infrastructure need long-term strategies backed by stepped up investment,” said the Prime Minister.

Pakistan and China on Monday agreed to hold joint military exercises, an official statement said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday gave no clear indication on whether the government was considering extending home minister P. Chidambaram’s mandate in dealing with the Naxalite violence or not. Dr Singh said that the issue will be discussed at an appropriate forum.

ONGC Videsh Limited, the global subsidiary of oil major ONGC produced 8.87 million tonnes of oil and gas during FY10, slightly higher than the previous year.
The company has recorded a net profit of Rs 2,115 crore for the year, down 26 per cent over FY09, as crude oil prices fell sharply during the year.

Stating that water is going to be a major issue in the forthcoming years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday rejected Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi’s contention that the Centre was a “mute spectator” in water disputes the state has with its neighbours.

The truce effect — the start of negotiations by Mukesh and Anil Ambani saw their stocks buoyant and outperform the Sensex which was up less than one per cent on Monday.

Denying there was any proposal before the government for creation of new states, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said demands for a separate Telangana are being looked into by a committee headed by Justice B.N. Srikrishna.

Although he took a major pay cut this year, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director, Mr Mukesh Ambani, hasn’t done too badly compared to his peers in the global oil industry.