World Travel News

India, Pakistan differ on joint terror mechanism

The anti-terrorism joint mechanism agreed between India and Pakistan has already run into rough weather even before its maiden meeting.

Indications available here are that Islamabad sees Jammu and Kashmir as outside the scope and purview of this joint mechanism.

Even more outrageous, from the Indian point of view, is the line being taken by Islamabad that it may be prepared to include terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the joint mechanism on terror, but definitely not the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

More : tribuneindia.com

Senators trade blame over India deal delay

Republican and Democratic leaders on Tuesday blamed each other for the U.S. Senates delay in approving the landmark U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement.

Despite overwhelming congressional support for the deal and a multimillion-dollar lobbying campaign by India and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a bill making key changes in U.S. law to let India buy nuclear reactors and fuel remains stymied, senators and other sources said.

While the Senate, due to adjourn at weeks end, could take up the bill when it returns for a lame duck session after the November elections, other approvals are needed beyond that and likely will push the deals final fate into 2007, they said.

More : washingtonpost.com

India-U.K. air exercises in Agra, Gwalior

For the first time in 40 years, the Indian Air Force will hold a joint exercise with its British counterpart at the Gwalior and Agra airbases from October 2 to 16, according to official sources.

Exercise Indradhanush will see the IAF deploying Sukhoi-30, Bison and MiG-27 aircraft along with mid-air refuelling aircraft. The Royal Air Force will participate with Tornado F-3 aircraft along with VC-10 Tanker and E3-D AWACS eye in the sky aircraft.

The aim is to enhance mutual operational understanding and refine procedural aspects of the two air forces. The exercise will familiarise the crew with each others operational and technical practices.

Source : hindu.com

BMW to drive topless in India

German luxury car maker BMW is preparing to unleash a range of convertibles — including its top-end 6-Series — on the Indian roads. These cars, which are expected to cost upwards of Rs 40 lakh, will be part of the companys fully-built imported car portfolio for India.

Thats not all. The German marque is also planning to introduce the concept of factory-fitted individualised cars — vehicles built to customer tastes and preference — in India, BMW India president Peter Kronschnabl said.

BMW Individual will be introduced in India, initially as a factory-fitted option. We will option customers choices like sports fitment and other factory options that are available in our international portfolio,Kronschnabl said.

More : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

TODAY’S EDITORIAL: Celebrate India

It has been said that Indianspropensity to celebrate festivals is a drag on the economy. Not only does each of Indias many religions contribute its share of holidays, but cities are virtually shut down during events like Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai or Durga Puja in Kolkata.

However, theres another way of looking at this. Indias many colourful festivals can be an economic asset if India is sold to tourists as a nation of festivals.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries worldwide, and every rupee invested in tourism generates the largest number of jobs for skilled, semi-skilled as well as unskilled labour.

More : timesofindia.indiatimes.com