Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on Saturday for a “cooperative rather than a confrontationist approach” in the world and underlined that societies “cannot be reordered from outside through military force”, drawing attention in general to India’s approach, abilities and actions which, in its eyes,

India made clear on Wednesday that it has basic differences of perception with the major Western powers, including the US, over sensitive questions pertaining to Iran and recent developments in the Arab world involving efforts at regime change and the use of force.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves on Wednesday for New York to attend the session of the UN General Assembly after a gap of three years so that his presence at the forum may impart focus and energy to this country’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a key reform of the UN system that India seeks.

Knowledgeable sources here believe India has a strong case for the Haji Gak bid. If it wins the deal, Sail proposes an integrated steel plant with coal from Darai Suf, which is not too distant.

A strategic tilt in a positive direction, with a viable regional impact, is likely in Indo-Afghan ties if India wins the bid to commence iron ore mining operations in Afghanistan, well-placed sources

A strategic tilt in a positive direction, with a viable regional impact, is likely in Indo-Afghan ties if India wins the bid to commence iron ore mining operations in Afghanistan, well-placed sources

Foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai has quite literally been through a trial by fire recently.

Fortunately for the US mainland, the 10 years since the game-changing September 11 of 2001 have passed without a successful terror strike, though several have been attempted by Al Qaeda.

Not content with just fasting, it appears Anna Hazare now wishes to be himself associated with any further discussions with the government, instead of leaving matters to his high-profile lieutenants on the Jan Lokpal question.

Civil society sources who have been advocating more give and take between the government and the Hazare campaign on Thursday said a “fracas” appeared to have broken out on the Ramlila Maidan frontline with Anna Hazare expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.