The three Mi-35 multi-role helicopters India donated to Afghanistan have made a big difference in the offensive against militants in the war-torn country, the outgoing commander of US forces in Afghan China Fiberglass insulated ladder suppliers The three Mi-35 multi-role helicopters India donated to Afghanistan have made a big difference in the offensive against militants in the war-torn country, the outgoing commander of US forces in Afghanistan has said. In January, three multi-role Mi-35 attack helicopters donated by India were inducted into the Afghan Air Force, giving the country’s security forces a much-needed lethal teeth against militants groups like the Taliban.. They’ll have a fourth one coming in pretty soon that will add to their inventory as well and that’ll make a great difference,” Gen. John Campbell told the House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan on Thursday.The Mi-35, a comprehensive upgrade of the Mi-24, is a versatile helicopter gunship with troop carrying capabilities. "They do have three Mi-35s from India

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Talking about regional groupings like SAARC and BIMSTEC, he made it clear that there is no possibility of cooperation among SAARC member-states under the shadow of terrorrism. (Photo: PTI) China Order made Aluminum ladder manufacturers India is interested in peace, stability and progress of Nepal, said Mukherjee, who is first Indian President to visit Nepal in 18 years.""Also, we do not see any competition between cooperation under the rubric of different regional and sub-regional organisations," he said, responding to questionsBIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal; Pakistan, a member of SAARC, is not included." "But we do manage any such differences with sensitivity, goodwill and utmost understanding of each other's vital interests.The 19th SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad this month had to be cancelled after India opted out following an attack on an army base in Uri in September by terrorists backed by Pakistan.India is interested in peace, stability and progress of Nepal, said Mukherjee, who is first Indian President to visit Nepal in 18 years. "Going forward, I firmly believe that India and Nepal need to do more to work together for our common goal of development, peace, economic prosperity and well being of our two peoples," he said. "An essential dimension of 'neighbourhood-first' policy is enhancing connectivity in the region physical connectivity, digital connectivity, trade and transit facilitation, and exchange of ideas," he said. As close friends, we, therefore, welcome all efforts that lead to enduring peace and stability in Nepal," he said.."We have also taken new measures to facilitate movement of goods between Nepal and Bangladesh through India," he said."

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Essentially built in teak, the house is surrounded by a double colonnaded gallery that protects it from the sun and allows for improved ventilation. A perfect end to an exciting adrenaline-filled morning.Defined by azure skies and waters, Mauritius is much more than a picturesque postcard island (Photo: Wikimedia) Defined by azure skies and waters, Mauritius is much more than a picturesque postcard islandI’m standing on a powdery white beach, sipping a rum-laced cocktail, garnished with a paper parasol. Inside the home has a Victorian feel with magnificent antiques, bone china and furniture that remind us of how the early colonists lived in pomp and style. 

A freak thunderstorm ensures boots replace my bikini as I reluctantly trek to ‘The Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes’, a unique park in the South, filled with lush vegetation, an insectarium and 2,000 Nile crocodiles and the largest captive group of Aldabra tortoises in the world! Unlike a zoo or aquarium, the best part of this park is its interactive feel — whether its feeding the giant tortoises as they amble along or clutching a tiny croc. Four hundred years of colonial experimentation has created a montage of Hindu temples, mosques and Chinese pagodas, set amid waterfalls and volcanic peaks.Rain, rain go awaySometimes the best-laid plans go awry and all hopes of me spending a lazy week on the beach come to a halt as the weather gods have other plans. Even the resorts are evenly spread across this 28-mile wide paradise. 

Travelling across the length and breadth of the island (it only takes about China aluminum scaffold manufacturers two hours) one cannot escape its multi-cultural past; several hundred years as a Dutch, French, and then English colony and its 60 per cent plus Indian population adds another unique cultural dimension giving it a Caribbean-Creole meets Arabian nights feel. Even Mark Twain was moved to admit that "Heaven was copied after Mauritius,” so who are we to argue If dare devilry is not your cup of Vanilla tea (the national drink after rum) then a visit to Chateau Labourdonnais is a must.Street markets that lurk away from the glitzy resorts are the best places to sample these savoury treats. But wait, I’ve saved the best for last — the croc fixation doesn’t just end there.Mouth-watering MauritiusFinally my favourite part — I also judge a country by its cuisine because truly great nations produce truly great cooks. Beyond me the ocean roars as a palette of blues and cobalts merge in perfect unison.

Another must-do is a visit to the 60-acre Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens where the giant Victoria water lilies and 80 different types of palm (many planted by Indian PMs) are worth a dekko. Sustainable sunshineLuckily, the independent government (since 196 chooses to flaunt and promote its multi-cultural heritage and is determined that tourism in Mauritius does not suffer the same fate as the dodo, its national symbol! Tourism flourishes alongside a sensible and enlightened policy of ecotourism and preservation (a policy that has won the government many international awards) ensuring the island’s pristine beauty remains untouched. 

On my last day I head to Port Louis, the Capital to dine on the national snack of Dhollpuri — a flour-based chapatti stuffed with dal (like a savoury version of the Maharashtrian puran poli) and topped with a mild curry, pickles and vegetables all rolled up like a desi Frankie — tangy, spicy yet delicious much like the soul of Mauritius itself!Fareeda is a travel writer and enthusiast. The resorts in Mauritius are spread across this 28-mile wide paradise and designed keeping in mind the island’s colonial past and heritage with turn-of-the-century plantation houses decked out in teak furniture, evocative shutters and a pastel colour scheme. Adrift in the Indian Ocean, 1,250 miles off the South-East of Africa, the island of Mauritius has a truly multicultural soul. Back at the uber chic Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort, I’m pleased to see the sun peaking out of the clouds so I race to soak on the beach for a while as originally planned.After my close encounter of the scary kind, the assorted iguanas, monkeys and bats seem tame as I bravely venture across the Ebony-tree infested park. Women in sarees and men in lungis float magically past us, as do thatched cottages straight out of a Goan palm-fringed village. 

Indian curries and pickles are served alongside European favourites like Bouillon de Crabe, which is a clear but flavourful crab soup and stir-fried noodles from China, all using locally available ingredients,” she informs. I’m fortunate to have a local friend Rubeena Vayid Ismail, an expert on Mauritian food who guides me through the culinary landscape of the country. I’ve finally found a destination to escape to when the ‘world gets too much’ and solitude and pampering are the order of the day. "Mauritian food is a mix of native African, French, Chinese and Indian, with many endemic dishes available only here. At the Park’s restaurant, I find myself ordering crocodile fritters (yes, you read it correctly) for lunch

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You should be rest assured that there was a sense that both sides would address each other’s concerns very seriously,” the foreign secretary said."Entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation was discussed,” said Mr Jaishankar.Relations between India and China has witnessed a downturn owing to differences over a series of issues, incl-uding China blocking India’s move to get Jaish-e-Moh-ammed chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN, its opposition to India’s bid for NSG membership and China’s Belt and Road initiative. 

 Astana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored the need to respect each others "core concerns” and appropriately handle the disputes as he held "cordial” talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid tensions in ties over a host of issues including the CPEC and India’s NSG bid.It is learnt that Mr Modi and Mr Xi discussed importance of connectivity including the Bangladesh, China, India Myanmar Corridor (BCIM) but there was no direct reference to OBOR. It is their first meeting after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month in which 29 world leaders took part.India abstained from the forum to highlight its concerns over the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and passes through Gilgit and Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Giving broad outcome of the meeting, foreign secretary S. 

He said issues relating to trade and investment were a major highlight.The two leaders met in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. BCIM is part of the Chinas multi-billion dollar Belt and Road initiative (BRI).The Indian side is grateful for China’s support for India’s accession to the SCO and will work closely with China in the organisation, Mr Modi said..During the meeting, Mr Modi said the two sides should tap their potential in cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs, respect each others core concerns and appropriately handle their disputes.Asked whether the NSG, OBOR and Azhar were rai-sed, Mr Jaishankar did not give a direct reply and said the meeting was for taking a broad assessment of the relationship. Jaishankar said the broad thrust of it was that at the time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability and as the world becomes more multi-polar it was important for the two countries to work together more closely."India should focus more on cooperation and work alongside to provide assistance to each others developmental goals,” Ms Hua said."There was an understanding that where we have differences, it is important that differences should not become disputes and in fact if they were handled well, could even be opportunities,” Mr Jaishankar told reporters, describing the meeting as "cordial” and "very positive”.She also said the two sides should press ahead in a major way on Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar Corridor (BCIM) besides tourism, culture and other fields.In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing that both the countries "should also address sensitive and major issues” as she highlighted the issues figured in the meeting.The meeting between Modi and Xi came after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month.”When asked whether the recent airspace violation by China was raised by the Indian side, he evaded a reply, saying "you people must see this summit level meeting for what it is."The two sides should strengthen the complementarities of the development strategies and press ahead with the major cooperation projects such as energy and railways,” Ms Hua said. the Asian Infrastructure Invest-ment Bank and the BCIM Corridor came up for discussion,” he said when asked if China raised the issue of India’s boycott of the OBOR."There was discussion on connectivity, how we could work together.Mr Jaishankar said Mr Modi and Mr Xi also deliberated on defence exchanges, counter-terrorism cooperation and security cooperation.e. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.Asked about the Chinese stand on Mansarovar Yatra, he said the broad signal from the Chinese side was that "they accord us facilities which are very appreciated by the public in India and they understand that and they would continue to facilitate and expand its possibility.He said both the countries may have differences, but it is important to find "common grounds” and address each others concerns "with a degree of seriousness”

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