India, Pakistan to become full members in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Dollar Business Bureau India and Pakistan's admission as full members to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be formalised at the political and security grouping's summit in Kazakhstan next week, China announced today, while hoping that they would "strictly follow" its charter. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying hoped that the admission of India and Pakistan as full members would help improve their bilateral relations. "Hope India and Pakistan strictly follow the charter of the SCO and the idea of good neighbourliness, uphold the SCO spirit, improve their relations and inject new impetus to the development of the SCO," Hua told a media briefing here. She confirmed that the lengthy process of their admission into the group, which took years ...
Mahindra launches Gusto scooter in 8 more states
The Dollar Business Bureau Mahindra Two Wheelers, a part of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, on Wednesday launched the all-new Mahindra Gusto scooter in 125cc variation in 8 more states, priced between Rs.48,410 and Rs.55,110 respectively (ex-showroom). The company had earlier launched the Gusto 125 model in southern states including Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Now, it will be available across dealers in 8 northern states of Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan before being rolled out all across the country, Mahindra Two Wheelers said in a statement. Vinod Sahay, Chief Operating Officer, Mahindra Two Wheelers said, “Since its launch last year, Gusto has grown consistently and we are now excited about extending the Gusto brand to include new consumer ...
GHIAL welcomes worlds largest cargo aircraft
The Dollar Business Bureau GMR Hyderabad International Airport (P) Ltd (GHIAL) welcomes the largest cargo aircraft in the world, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya, on Wednesday, the company said in a statement. Having almost 240 world records in its name, the aircraft with huge body is propelled by six turbofan engines and is the heaviest and longest airplane ever made. The aircraft can lift a takeoff weight of 640 metric tonnes, it said. GHIAL or Rajiv Gandhi International Airport was selected over other airports in India for the landing of AN 225 Myria or the Dream, because of the airport’s technical prowess based on various factors including runway length, technical facilities, ground maneuvering area, air traffic density and closeness to the transcontinental air route. The ...
Chabahar Trilateral Agreement finalises
The Dollar Business Bureau India, Afghanistan and Iran have finalised the text of the trilateral agreement of Chabahar (Chabahar Agreement) for developing international transport transit corridor, which will provide India access to Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar. The text has been finalised, in the 2nd technical meeting between the representatives of the three countries on April 11, New Delhi. Situated in Sistan and Baluchistan province of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Port of Chabahar will help in facilitating maritime trade between the countries of the region. The port will also considerably reduce the transportation cost of commercial goods in the region. Situated in the Gulf of Oman, the route via Chabahar port to Afghanistan will provide India the much-needed access ...
TAPI gas pipeline to bridge energy gap between South, Central Asia
The Dollar Business Bureau Work on the much awaited TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India) gas pipeline has begun with the leaders of all four countries committing to ensure technical and commercial viability of the project. The construction work of the 1,800-km pipeline will be carried out by Turkmenistan’s state-run company Turkmengaz. The project worth $7.6 billion will carry gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh field to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan. On Sunday, Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow pushed the start button of the project. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Mary—the ancient city of Turkmenistan, Ansari said that the launch of the gas pipeline project marks the ...
Pakistans plan to import 4,000 MW electricity from India stalled
Source: PTI Energy-starved Pakistan's plan to import up to 4,000 megawatts of electricity from India has been stalled amid rising anti-Pakistan and extremist sentiments in India, a media report said. “How can we push for electricity import (from India) when those at the helm of affairs in India are taking an extremely anti-Pakistan posture,” a senior official from the Ministry of Water and Power told Dawn newspaper. The Narendra Modi administration is not only taking a hawkish stance against Pakistan, but is also refusing to come to the negotiating table and is encouraging extremist groups to attack Pakistani visitors, including singers, writers and sportsmen, he said. Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif told the Senate last week that Pakistani and Indian officials ...
China cautioned over Silk Road projects in disputed regions
Source: PTI As China went ahead with its economic corridor project with Pakistan through PoK disregarding India's objections, a Chinese think tank in a rare criticism on Wednesday cautioned the government to exercise "prudence" in pushing Silk Road projects. In an article titled “China must tread lightly with its 'one belt, one road' initiative” in the South China Morning Post on Wednesday, Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations and strategic studies at China's Renmin University specially referred to the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Maritime Silk Road (MSR). “Above all, prudence is required in dealing with the problems that may arise during the initiative, as well as with regard to other strategic projects including ...
TAPI Gas Pipeline the most significant initiative between India & Turkmenistan: PM
Source: PIB, Government of India The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Press Statements, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on July 11, 2015. Source: PIB, Government of India The TAPI Gas Pipeline could transform regional economic cooperation and bring prosperity along the route. The above statement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of a media statement in Turkmenistan. He also said to the Turkmenistan President that both the countries should explore multiple options, including the additional possibility of land-sea route through Iran. The PM also said - I conveyed our interest in long term investment in the energy sector in Turkmenistan. We welcome the decision by ONGC Videsh Limited to open an office in ...
