Thursday, September 10, 2026
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India, Sri Lanka hold bilateral talks; Modi pledges $15 million grant for Buddhist ties

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a grant assistance of USD 15 million for the promotion of Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka, during first ever India-Sri Lanka Virtual Bilateral Summit.

The grant will assist in deepening people-to-people linkages between the two countries in the sphere of Buddhism, inter-alia, through constructions/renovations of Buddhist monasteries, capacity development, cultural exchanges, archaeological cooperation, reciprocal exposition of Lord Buddha’s relics, strengthening of Buddhist scholarship, and supporting the clergy.

During the summit, PM Modi said that India will facilitate the visit of a delegation of Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka in the first inaugural flight to Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.

PM Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, covering the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and with a focus on further expanding cooperation in key areas.

Modi told the Sri Lankan PM that under the country’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India “gives special priority to relations between the two countries.”

“The relations between India and Sri Lanka are thousands of years old. According to my government’s neighbourhood first policy and SAGAR doctrine, we give special priority to relations between the two countries,” said PM Modi.

Thanking his Sri Lankan counterpart for accepting the invitation for a virtual bilateral summit, PM Narendra Modi congratulated Mahinda Rajapaksa for his election as the prime minister.

Rajapaksa expressed gratitude for India’s work for other countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The operation to douse off the fire on MT New Diamond ship provided an opportunity for greater cooperation between the two countries,” Rajapaksa said.

In a statement following the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa made a special mention of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, an iconic project built with Indian assistance. The Centre is almost ready and PM Rajapaksa extended an invitation to PM Modi to inaugurate the project.”

Furthermore, both the leaders discussed the economic dimension of the challenges posed by COVID-19. They acknowledged the need for close coordination on issues such as trade and investment including the facilitation of an enabling environment for economic enterprises on both sides and deepening the integration of supply chains for mutual benefit.

This bilateral summit was PM Narendra Modi’s first such virtual engagement with a neighbouring country. This was also PM Rajapaksa’s first diplomatic engagement with a leader of a foreign country after he was elected as the prime minister in August.

The virtual bilateral summit is preceded by the state visits of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa to India in November 2019 and February 2020, respectively.

​The members of the Indian delegation who attended the summit included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, including the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay.

PM Rajapaksa was assisted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda as well as other Ministers and senior officials.

-CHK

Gallup poll says world becoming less tolerant of migrants

New Delhi (NVI): The world is becoming less tolerant of migrants, according to a latest poll as Europe prepared to unveil a new asylum plan in the wake of a blaze at an overcrowded camp in Greece that left thousands without shelter.

Overall, the world is slightly less accepting of migrants today than it was three years ago, according to Gallup’s latest update of its Migrant Acceptance Index.

Seven European countries, led by North Macedonia, Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, topped the Gallup index of the world’s least-accepting countries.

But the sharpest changes in attitude were in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, which have seen an influx of Venezuelans fleeing turmoil at home.

Scores dropped more than two full points in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, which have absorbed millions of Venezuelans since 2015.

Peru’s score tumbled to 3.61 from 6.33 in 2016, while the number of Colombians who said migrants living in their country was a good thing dropped to 29 percent from 61 percent.

Canada was the most welcoming country, followed by Iceland and New Zealand, according to the index based on more than 1,40,000 interviews in 145 countries and regions.

The poll asked people their views about having migrants living in their country, becoming their neighbours and marrying into their families.

Index scores ranged from 1.49 in North Macedonia to 8.46 in Canada, just below the maximum possible score of 9.

Between 2016 and 2019, the global score on the index, which gauges people’s acceptance of migrants based on increasing degrees of personal proximity to migrants, declined from 5.34 to 5.21.

Scores also dropped substantially in a number of other countries where migration continues to be a polarizing subject, including European countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, where right-wing, anti-immigration parties continued to gain ground between 2016 and 2019.

Notably, scores also declined in India, where controversial laws went into effect in late 2019 that provided paths to citizenship for migrants — excluding Muslims.

However, acceptance of migrants did not decrease in every part of the world; in fact, it rose by at least one full point in a number of countries.

This small group includes Chile, which has also taken in hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. However, Chile did not absorb as many migrants as Venezuela’s closer neighbors in the region, and initially, the country tended to receive more-educated migrants (including many doctors) who had the means to travel.

In Moldova, which saw the biggest increase, the higher acceptance of migrants may be related to the influx of Turkish, Azerbaijani and Uzbekistani migrant workers into the country. Most of these workers were enrolled in foreign companies that brought in EU funds for different development projects.

Attitudes toward migrants have also notably improved in Poland, which was among several EU countries that voted against the United Nations’ migration pact in 2018. Although the country’s index score is not high, it improved by just under a point within the past three years, rising from 3.31 to 4.21.

-CHK

Aruba invites tourists to take 3-month vacation and work from beaches

New Delhi (NVI): The Caribbean island of Aruba has a new proposal for travelers to come live and work in paradise for up to three months, Evelyna Christina Wever-Croes, Prime Minister of Aruba said.

“As a Caribbean island where 80 per cent of GDP is linked to tourism, Aruba has had to think creatively about how to withstand the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Prime Minister of Aruba at World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit.

The latest offering “One Happy Workation” program is aimed at digital nomads, who can email or Zoom from anywhere, take up vacation of up to three months at the beaches.

As a bonus, Aruba is offering hotel and accommodation packages, which include special rates, complimentary WiFi, and an all-inclusive food and beverage option.

Under this, tourists arriving from countries including the United States and Europe’s Schengen does not need a visa, while the country has a high-tech approach to COVID-19 testing.

Meanwhile, tourists visiting from several other countries are required to upload a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. The test must be uploaded online at least 8 hours before the flight via an app.

Aruba PM further said, “Our ambitions are not only geared towards bouncing back but bouncing forwards with accelerated innovation.”

Globally, the pandemic has hit the travel and tourism industry hard. A worst-case scenario for 2020 predicts USD 5.5 trillion lost in GDP in this year along with almost 200 million job cuts as a result of COVID-19.

“Helping the industry recover will mean focusing on safety, small group trips, access to nature and sustainability, participants in the session agreed,” Christina added.

So far, Aruba has reported over 3,800 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

-RJV

PM greets Manmohan Singh on his B’day

Manmohan Singh

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 88th birthday today, wishing him a long and healthy life.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Birthday greetings to Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray to Almighty that he is blessed with a long and healthy life.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also conveyed his greetings, saying, “Birthday wishes to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray for his long and healthy life.”

Manmohan Singh, who headed the UPA coalition government from 2004 to 2014, turned 88 today. He played a key role in ushering in economic reforms as the finance minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government during 1991-1996.

-RJV

India, Denmark sign MoU on intellectual property cooperation

New Delhi (NVI): India and Denmark today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase intellectual property cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

“Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), signed a MoU, in the field of Intellectual Property Cooperation with the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Kingdom of Denmark,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

The MoU was signed by Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary DPIIT from the Indian side and Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India, it added.

Earlier on September 15, the Union Cabinet in its meeting gave the approval for signing the MoU with Denmark in the field of IP Cooperation.

The MoU aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two countries, by exchange of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP awareness among public, authorities, businesses and research and educational institution of both countries, the ministry noted.

It will also collaborate in training programmes, exchange of experts, technical exchanges and outreach activities.

The exchange of information and best practices on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs and Geographical Indications, as also the protection, enforcement and use of IP rights.

Moreover, the cooperation in the development of automation and implementation of modernization projects, new documentation and information systems in IP and procedures for management of IP to be focused under the MoU. Also, cooperation to understand how traditional knowledge is protected, including the use of traditional knowledge related databases and awareness raising of existing IP systems.

The ministry further said, the two sides will draw up biennial work plan to implement the MoU which will include the detailed planning for carrying out of the co-operation activities, including the scope of action.

This MoU will go a long way in fostering the cooperation between India and Denmark, and provide opportunities to both countries to learn from the experience of each other, especially in terms of best practices followed in the other country.

However, it will be a landmark step forward in India’s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and further the objectives of National IPR Policy, 2016, the ministry added.

-RJV

Another 4.5 magnitude quake hits J&K

Mild earthquake hits Delhi
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale jolted Jammu and Kashmir today, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

The earthquake hit the Union Territory at around 12 pm at a depth of 10 km from the surface.

There were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property due to the earthquake.

Earlier in the day, light intensity earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter Scale hit the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The tremor occurred at 2.14 am at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to NCS data.

-CHK

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate improves further, tops 82%

covid
Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): With a very high number of COVID patients recovering every single day, India’s steady trend of posting high level of recoveries continues with the country recording 93,420 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking the recovery rate to 82.14 per cent today.

With this, the total number of coronavirus recoveries have reached 48,49,584, according to Health Ministry data.

India has maintained its top global ranking in total recoveries with such high successive single day record numbers.

Furthermore, as India records more recoveries than the new cases, the gap between recovered cases and the active cases is continuously widening.

The recovered cases (48,49,584) exceed the active cases (9,60,969) by nearly 39 lakh (38,88,615).

This has also ensured that the active caseload accounts for merely 16.28 per cent of the total positive cases. This has sustained on its steady declining path.

Following the national lead, 24 States/UTs are also reporting higher number of new recoveries than the new cases.

-CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

COVID cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India crossed the 59 lakh-mark today and reached 59,03,933, with another huge surge of 85,362 positive cases in the last 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 93,379 after 1,089 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 13,00,757, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 6,61,458 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 5,69,370 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,759

Andhra Pradesh- 6,61,458

Arunachal Pradesh- 8,671

Assam- 1,67,374

Bihar- 1,75,525

Chandigarh- 11,212

Chhattisgarh- 98,565

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,989

Delhi- 2,64,450

Gujarat- 1,30,229

Goa- 31,071

Haryana– 1,20,578

Himachal Pradesh- 13,679

Jammu and Kashmir- 69,832

Jharkhand- 77,709

Karnataka- 5,57,212

Kerala- 1,60,933

Ladakh- 4,025

Madhya Pradesh- 1,17,588

Maharashtra- 13,00,757

Manipur- 9,791

Meghalaya- 5,158

Mizoram- 1,835

Nagaland- 5,768

Odisha- 2,01,096

Puducherry- 25,489

Punjab- 1,07,096

Rajasthan- 1,24,730

Sikkim- 2,785

Tamil Nadu- 5,69,370

Telangana- 1,83,866

Tripura- 24,408

Uttarakhand- 45,332

Uttar Pradesh- 3,78,533

West Bengal– 2,41,059

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 52

Andhra Pradesh- 5,606

Arunachal Pradesh- 14

Assam- 625

Bihar- 878

Chandigarh- 145

Chhattisgarh- 777

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 5,147

Goa- 386

Gujarat- 3,393

Haryana- 1,273

Himachal Pradesh- 157

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,105

Jharkhand- 661

Karnataka- 8,417

Kerala- 635

Ladakh- 56

Madhya Pradesh- 2,152

Maharashtra- 34,761

Manipur- 63

Meghalaya- 43

Nagaland- 16

Odisha- 767

Puducherry- 494

Punjab- 3,134

Rajasthan- 1,412

Sikkim- 31

Tamil Nadu- 9,148

Telangana- 1,091

Tripura- 268

Uttarakhand- 555

Uttar Pradesh- 5,450

West Bengal- 4,665

There are 9,60,969 active cases in the country now and more than 48 lakh people have recovered.

-CHK

Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Nowshera sector

LoC

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan Army today resorted to unprovoked firing in Nowshehra sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, by firing mortars and small arms, defence officials said.

Officials said at around 11:15 am, Pakistani rangers fired mortars and small arms in a bid to target forward posts of Indian army at Nowshehra sector. “The own troops gave a befitting reply,” a defence official said, adding that “there was no report of any loss to life or property.”

Locals living close to Nowshera sector in Poonch district said “panic gripped the area and people locked themselves and their livestock to stay safe,” a group of residents said.

Todays’ CFV comes just eight days after three soldiers including an Army major were injured in CVF along the LoC at Surankote area of Rajouri district of which one soldier later succumbed later.

Defence sources said that Pakistan started intense shelling post abrogation of Article 370 last year and continues to resort to frequent unprovoked ceasefire violations in both the regions of Kashmir and Jammu since last year post August 5.

“The Indian army has been giving a befitting reply to Pakistan every time it violates ceasefire. Our troops are alert across LoC and are keeping a watch on every attempt made by the neighbour be that ceasefire violation or an infiltration bid,” they said.

According to the official records, since January this year, over 1,840 ceasefire violations have taken place in J&K, majority of them in Poonch, Rajouri, RS Pura, Keran, Tangdhar, Machil and Uri sectors of the J&K UT. An army official said that it is the Pakistan army that violates the 2003 Cease Fire pact every time. “We are always giving them a befitting response. There have been casualties on both sides,” he said, adding that “this year so far, there is a surge in CFV from across the LoC.”

Pertinently, after a long gap of over three decades, the government in the Jammu and Kashmir UT has once again started construction of community bunkers in villages close to LoC in J&K. NVI was the first to break the story about construction of community bunkers in Uri, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla district. The construction of almost 140 bunkers is in a full swing in areas close to LoC.

-RJV

Global COVID-19 death toll may hit 2 million before vaccine comes, says WHO

WHO experts warn of ‘hard road ahead’ to beat COVID pandemic
WHO's emergencies director, Mike Ryan

New Delhi (NVI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the global death toll from COVID-19 could double to two million before a successful vaccine is widely used.

WHO’s emergencies director Mike Ryan said that the coronavirus figures can be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic, according to the reports.

The number of COVID-19 deaths is fast approaching one million – nine months after the outbreak started in China. Speaking at a media briefing, Ryan said, “One million is a terrible number and we need to reflect on that before we start considering a second million, adding that, “are we prepared collectively to do what it takes to avoid that number?”

“If we don’t take those actions…yes, we will be looking at that number and sadly much higher,” Ryan added.

He also highlighted the challenges ahead in funding, producing and distributing any eventual vaccines against the novel coronavirus.

“If we look at losing a million people in nine months and then we just look at the realities of getting a vaccine out there in the next nine months, it’s a big task for for everyone involved,” Ryan added.

The WHO’s prediction comes as the United States crossed seven million confirmed coronavirus cases, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker. The United States now has 7,005,746 cases which is the highest in the world.

Meanwhile, Ryan also urged Europeans to ask themselves whether they had done enough to avoid the need for lockdowns. He questioned whether all the alternatives had been implemented, like testing and tracing, quarantine, isolation, social distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing.

In addition to this, Ryan said, Spain’s capital Madrid earlier brought another eight districts under tougher coronavirus restrictions, which now affect a million people in the city.

“In France, staff from bars and restaurants in the southern city Marseille protested against the closure of their workplaces and in the UK, tougher restrictions were announced in several regions as new daily infections rise,” he added.

The WHO has also asked countries and individuals to come together to tackle the crisis, saying that the prospect of another million deaths is not unimaginable.

-RJV

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