An Indian scientist points to a patch of genetically modified (GM) rapeseed crop under trial in New Delhi February 13, 2015. Photo credit: Reuters On a fenced plot not far from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home, a field of mustard is in full yellow bloom, representing his government's reversal of an effective ban on field trials of genetically modified (GM) food crops. The GM mustard planted in the half-acre field in the grounds of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi is in the final stage of trials before the variety is allowed to be sold commercially, and that could come within two years, scientists associated with the project say. India placed a moratorium on GM aubergine in 2010 fearing the effect on food safety and biodiversity. Field trials of other GM crops were not formally halted, but the regulatory system was brought to a deadlock. But allowing GM crops is critical to Modi's goal of boosting dismal farm productivity in India, where urbanization … [Read more...] about Modi bets on GM crops for India’s second green revolution
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Modi vows bank accounts for poor with zero imports for India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to provide bank accounts and life insurance for millions of poor people while seeking to revive manufacturing in the country to reduce reliance on imports. Modi announced the plan to give bank accounts and 100,000 rupees ($1,643) of life insurance to poor families during a wide-ranging Independence Day speech in Delhi in which he hailed women's rights, denounced religious violence and urged a clean environment. He also called for foreign companies to set up manufacturing facilities in India. "I want to see an India which has zero imports and all exports," Modi said at the Red Fort today. "We should stress on zero defect while manufacturing products. We should strive to make products which are accepted globally and also should not harm the environment." Modi is seeking to revive Asia's third-biggest economy after taking office in May with India's biggest electoral mandate in 30 years. The rupee has been Asia's second-worst performer since … [Read more...] about Modi vows bank accounts for poor with zero imports for India
Joint Statement on the state visit of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India
NDO - Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung accompanied by his spouse paid a State Visit to the Republic of India from 27-28 October 2014 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Dung was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and laid a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. Prime Minister Modi held official talks with Prime Minister Dung and hosted a banquet in his honour. Prime Minister Dung called on President of India, Pranab Mukherjee and met Vice President Hamid Ansari, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Prime Minister Dung also visited the holy city of Bodh Gaya. He had a meeting with the Chief Minister of Bihar, Jitan Ram Manjhi. A Conclave of business leaders from both countries was held during the visit. … [Read more...] about Joint Statement on the state visit of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India
Obama, Modi work to deepen improving U.S.-India ties
U.S. President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on Tuesday to deepen U.S.-Indian cooperation on maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation in what amounts to a response to China's naval muscle-flexing in Asia. The agreement emerged from two days of talks between Obama and the new Indian prime minister as they worked to revitalize a relationship hurt by a heated diplomatic dispute at the turn of the year and flagging optimism about India as a place to do business before the reform-minded Modi came to power in May. … [Read more...] about Obama, Modi work to deepen improving U.S.-India ties
First India-China talks since Modi win focus on economic ties
India and China focused on boosting economic ties in the first formal talks between the two countries holding more than a third of the world's people since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in New Delhi last month. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in India's capital yesterday for more than three hours, Syed Akbaruddin, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in New Delhi. The top diplomats talked about increasing Chinese investment into Indian industrial parks, he said, without specifying if border issues or Tibet came up. … [Read more...] about First India-China talks since Modi win focus on economic ties