Russia signs $3bn arms deals with India

Russia signs $3bn arms deals with India
Published: 24 December, 2012, 17:36 Edited: 24 December, 2012, 21:00 RT

Russia will sell India military helicopters and military equipment worth about $3bn under a new agreement as bilateral trade might double to $20bn by 2015.

­Russian President Vladimir Putin and India’s PM Manmohan Singh signed a number of arms deals during Putin’s visit to Delhi, which include the supply of 71 military helicopters for $1.3bn and kits to assemble 42 Sukhoi jet fighters for a further $1.6bn.

India is currently the world's largest arms importer, and one of Russia's top clients for arms sales as Russian-made military equipment accounts for 70% of Indian weaponry.

Trade between Russia and India has been growing steadily and is expected to reach around $10bn dollars in 2012, up from $7.5bn in 2009, according to Indian official figures. Ahead of the visit, the Russia President called to increase bilateral trade to $20bn by 2015.

"Our trade turnover has overcome the consequences of the global crisis, and in 2012 we expect to reach record numbers, over $10 billion. Our next goal is to reach $20bn by 2015," Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a meeting at Singh's residence in New Delhi on December 24, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mustafa Quraishi)

The agreements are expected to overcome a recent slowdown in arms procurement as India has shown increased interest in western suppliers. Last month Dehli preferred Boeing over Russia's MiG for a major helicopter contract.

Trade relations with India were complicated by Russian efforts to improve relations with Pakistan. India has also been unhappy with a delay in delivery of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. It was originally due to be delivered in August 2008 but has been postponed to the end of 2013, while the price has more than doubled to $2.3 billion.

In addition to the agreements signed on Monday Russia Helicopters and India's Elcom Systems Private Ltd are to set up a joint venture to manufacture helicopters, according to Indian Foreign Ministry officials.

Despite some negative moments in the two countries’ trade relations, the bigger picture looks much better, according to Professor and Dean at the Jindal School of international affairs in New Delhi Dr. Sreeram Chaulia.

“Both countries have a list of sore points to put it so. Indians want the aircraft career to be delivered faster, and there have been issues about attempting to increase the civilian part of the trade. The civilian part of the trade has unfortunately remained limited to 10 billion dollars per annum and we would like to see it going much faster. India-China for example is over 70 billion dollars,” Dr. Chaulia told RT. “But as I said before, if you look at the big picture in any strong solid special relationship like ours you can find occasional creases here and there which can be ironed out and smoothed out at highest political level.”

President Putin and PM Singh have also discussed security in the region during the meeting in Delhi.
"India and Russia share the objective of a stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, free from extremism," Singh said.

Putin has also met President Pranab Mukherjee, Sonia Gandhi, chairman of India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance, and Sushma Swaraj, leader of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. The leaders meeting was relocated to Singh's residence due to security reasons as massive protests over widespread violence against women in the country took place in Delhi.
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தமிழீழம்- கிளிநொச்சியில் யுத்த வெற்றியைக் கொண்டாடும் நத்தார் மரம்

 

கிளிநொச்சிப் படைத்தலைமையகத் தளபதி மேஜர் ஜெனரல் உதய பெரேராவின் ஏற்பாட்டில், 82 அடி உயரத்தையும், 40 அடி அகலத்தையும் கொண்ட இந்த மரம் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

 

சிறிலங்காவில் மிக உயரமான நத்தார் மரம் கிளிநொச்சியில்
[ ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை, 23 டிசெம்பர் 2012, 01:09 GMT ] [ வவுனியா செய்தியாளர் ]

சிறிலங்காவிலேயே மிகஉயரமான நத்தார் அலங்கார மரம் கிளிநொச்சியில் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

 

கிளிநொச்சிப் படைத்தலைமையகத் தளபதி மேஜர் ஜெனரல் உதய பெரேராவின் ஏற்பாட்டில், 82 அடி உயரத்தையும், 40 அடி அகலத்தையும் கொண்ட இந்த மரம் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
 

சிங்கள அரசபயங்கரவாதிகளின் புதிய புலிவேட்டையில் கைதானோர் 43 ஆக உயர்வு.

43 ஆக உயர்வு

பயங்கரவாத விசாரணைப் பிரிவினரால் கைது செய்யப்பட்டதாகத் தெரிவித்து இதுவரையில் 43 முறைப்பாடுகள் இலங்கை மனித உரிமைகள் ஆணைக்குழுவின் யாழ். பிராந்தியக் கிளையில் பதிவாகியுள்ளதாகப் 
பிராந்திய இணைப்பாளர் த.கனகராஜ் தெரிவித்தார்.

யாழ். குடாநாட்டில் கடந்த மாதம் 27 ஆம் திகதி மாவீரர் தினத்துக்குப் பின்னரான காலப்பகுதியில் பலர் தொடர்ச்சியாகக் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு வருகின்றனர். வவுனியா பயங்கரவாத விசாரணைப் பிரிவினரால் யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் மற்றும் தமிழீழ விடுதலைப்
புலிகளின் முன்னாள் போராளிகள், தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகளால் நிர்வகிக்கப்பட்ட நிறுவனங்களில் பணிபுரிந்தவர்கள் எனப்பலரும் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டு வருகின்றனர்.

வல்வெட்டித்துறைப் பிரதேசத்தில் கடந்த 17 ஆம் திகதி இருவரும், கடந்த 5 ஆம் திகதி  கோப்பாய் பிரதேசத்தில் ஒருவரும், கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் கடந்த 14 ஆம் திகதி ஒருவருமாக 4 பேர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர். இதுதொடர்பான முறைப்பாடுகள் நேற்றுப் புதன்கிழமையே
இலங்கை மனித உரிமைகள் ஆணைக்குழுவின் யாழ். பிராந்தியக் கிளையில் பதிவு  செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.

நேற்றையதினம் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட 4 முறைப்பாடுகளுடன் இதுவரையில் யாழ். குடாநாட்டில் 43 பேர் பயங்கரவாத விசாரணைப் பிரிவினரால் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

இவற்றில் 2 முறைப்பாடுகள் யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் கைது செய்யப்பட்டமை தொடர்பிலும், 4 முறைப்பாடுகள் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் கைது செய்யப்பட்டமை தொடர்பிலும் மனித உரிமைகள் ஆணைக்குழுவில் பதிவாகியுள்ளன.  

நன்றி: யாழ் உதயன்.

Sri Lanka seeks expanded ties with Indian army

Sri Lanka seeks expanded ties with Indian army

English.news.cn   2012-12-20 17:08:07

COLOMBO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka seeks to expand ties with the Indian army particularly
in training, the army said on Thursday.

Indian Army Commander General Bikram Singh, who is on a five- day visit to Sri Lanka, had
discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lankan army media unit said that the discussions centered largely on further expansion of the
newly-established Diyatalawa Army Training Command (ARTRAC) with Indian support at
different levels.

The meeting also explored avenues of receiving more training opportunities for Sri Lankan
officers in India, in addition to ongoing training programs.

During the discussion views were explored on the possibilities of launching one-to-one
correspondence between service regiments of the Sri Lankan army and those of the Indian army
as measures to further broaden the spectrum of military interests, benefiting both countries.

The visiting Indian army chief in response to a request of the Sri Lankan counterpart, pledged to
provide a few horses to the Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) for training
purposes and all possible assistance to further improve training slots to the Sri Lanka Army in
various training programmes.

"Several other military matters of mutual and regional interest, including the present day Sri
Lanka Army's post-conflict nation building roles came under close scrutiny during the meeting,"
the army media unit said.

Jayasuriya and Bikram Singh during discussions also focused on reviving the old practice of
sport programs between the two parties like the past, since such approaches would further help
broaden bilateral understanding and goodwill among officers.

இலங்கையில் `உலகமயமாக்கலின்` விளைவான கேடான காலநிலை

Death toll climbs to 25, nearly 20,000 displaced
 December 20, 2012

The death toll from the extreme weather conditions experienced in most parts of the country over
the past few days has risen to 25, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said today.

A DMC spokesman said that 13 people are still missing, 36 people injured and 18845 people
displaced by the floods and landslides.

The DMC also said that 267525 people have been affected by the bad weather.

The spokesman also said that 358 houses have been fully damaged and 1935 houses partially
damaged.

Meanwhile the Department of Meteorology said that there will be showers or thundershowers at
times in the North-Eastern, Eastern and Southeastern sea areas over the next two days.

Showers or thundershowers can be expected at several places in other sea areas around the island.

Winds will be North-easterly direction and speed will be 30 – 40 km/hr. The speed may increase
up to 50-60 km/hr at times in the Gulf of Mannar sea area and sea areas off Eastern and South-
eastern coasts.

The Gulf of Mannar sea area and sea areas off the Eastern and South-eastern coasts will be rough
at times, the Department of Meteorology said.

ஐ.நா.வின் `லெபனான் சமாதானப் பணிகளில்` தமிழீழப் போர்க்குற்றவாளி சவேந்திரா!

Shavendra in Lebanon as part of UN delegation .
Sunday, 09 December 2012 21:08 ST lk

Sri Lankan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Major General
Shavendra Silva was in Lebanon last week as part of the delegation visiting UN peacekeepers in
Lebanon, media reports.

“The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon informs that Major General Shavendra Silva was
part of the Military-Police Advisers Community (MPAC) delegation visiting the mission from 
Nov 28 - 4 Dec, 2012. The official MPAC programme included briefings and visits to UN
positions. The MPAC is a group comprising permanent missions' military attaches and police
advisers,” the UN based Inner City Press said quoting a statement issued by the office of the UN
Chief’s spokesman.

``யேசு சபை`` ஒன்றின் மீது பிக்கு கும்பல் தாக்குதல் பி.பி.சி.தமிழ் தகவல்

``யேசு சபை`` ஒன்றின் மீது பிக்கு கும்பல் தாக்குதல் பி.பி.சி.தமிழ் தகவல்

தென்னிலங்கை தேவாலயம் ஒன்றின் மீது "பிக்குகள் தலைமையில் வந்த கும்பல் தாக்குதல்"

கடைசியாக பிரசுரிக்கப்பட்டது: 10 டிசம்பர், 2012 - 15:41 ஜிஎம்டி

இலங்கையின் தெற்கே அம்பாந்தோட்டை மாவட்டம் வீரகட்டிய பகுதியில் ஜீவனாலோக சபை என்ற கிறிஸ்தவப் பிரிவைச் சேர்ந்த தேவாலயம் ஒன்று பௌத்த பிக்குகள் தலைமையில் வந்த கூட்டம் ஒன்றினால் ஞாயிறன்று தாக்கி சேதப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதெனக் குற்றம்சாட்டபடுகிறது.

காலை வேளையில் தேவாலயத்தில் பூசை நடந்துகொண்டிருந்த நேரத்தில் பௌத்த பிக்குகள் சுமார் 80 பேர் தலைமையில் வந்த ஆயிரம் பேர் அடங்கிய கும்பல் ஒன்று தேவாலயத்துக்குள் வலுக்கட்டாயமாக நுழைந்து அங்கிருந்த வாகனங்களுக்குத் தீவைத்தும் தேவாலயத்துக்குள் இருந்த கண்ணாடிகளையும் பிற பொருட்களையும் உடைத்து சேதப்படுத்தினர் என்று பெயர் வெளியிட விரும்பாத தேவாலய பிரதிநிதி ஒருவர் பிபிசியிடம் தெரிவித்தார்.

அவர் கேட்டுக்கொண்டதற்கிணங்க அவரது பெயர் இங்கு வெளியிடப்படவில்லை.தாக்குதலின்போது தேவாலயத்தில் பிரார்த்தனை செய்துகொண்டிருந்தவர்கள் சிலர் காயமடைந்துள்ளதாகவும், பலர் உளரீதியாகப் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகவும், ரூபாய் 6 லட்சம்
அளவில் பொருட்சேதங்கள் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளதாகவும் அவர் கூறினார்.
11 வருடங்களாக இத்தேவாலயம் வீரகட்டிய பகுதியில் இருந்துவருகிறது என்றாலும் பௌத்த பிக்குகளின் அனுமதி பெற்றே அது செயலாற்ற முடியும் என்பதுபோன்ற அழுத்தங்களை அது சமீபகாலமாக எதிர்கொண்டு வருகிறது என்று அந்த தேவாலயத்தின் பிரதிநிதி குறிப்பிட்டார்.

இந்த பின்னணியில் ஞாயிறு காலை நடந்த தாக்குதலைப் பொலிசார் தடுத்து நிறுத்த முடியவில்லை என்றாலும் சேதங்கள் மேலும் அதிகமாகாமல் பொலிசார் கட்டுப்படுத்தினர் என்று அவர் கூறினார்.

சம்பவ நேரத்தில் பொலிசாரும், இராணுவத்தினரும் இருந்தனர் என்றபடியால் அவர்கள் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பார்கள் என்ற நம்பிக்கையில் தேவாலய நிர்வாகம் தற்சமயம் இத்தாக்குதல் சம்பந்தமாக எவ்வித சட்ட நடவடிக்கையையும் முன்னெடுக்கவில்லை என்று அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

இராணுவத்தை ஏவி போலி `சர்வஜன வாக்கெடுப்பின்` மூலம் அதிகாரத்தை நிலை நிறுத்த முயல்கிறது மோசி ஆட்சி

Egypt army given temporary power to arrest civilians

By Alistair Lyon and Marwa Awad
CAIRO | Mon Dec 10, 2012 12:09pm EST

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's Islamist president has given the army temporary power to arrest
civilians during a constitutional referendum he is determined to push through despite the risk of
bloodshed between his supporters and opponents accusing him of a power grab.

Seven people were killed and hundreds wounded last week in clashes between the Islamist
Muslim Brotherhood and their critics besieging Mohamed Mursi's graffiti-daubed presidential
palace. Both sides plan mass rallies on Tuesday.

The elite Republican Guard has yet to use force to keep protesters away from the palace, which it
ringed with tanks, barbed wire and concrete barricades after last week's violence.

Mursi, bruised by calls for his downfall, has rescinded a November 22 decree giving him wide
powers but is going ahead with a referendum on Saturday on a constitution seen by his
supporters as a triumph for democracy and by many liberals as a betrayal.

A decree issued by Mursi late on Sunday gives the armed forces the power to arrest civilians and
refer them to prosecutors until the announcement of the results of the referendum, which the
protesters want cancelled.

Despite its limited nature, the edict will revive memories of Hosni Mubarak's emergency law,
also introduced as a temporary expedient, under which military or state security courts tried
thousands of political dissidents and Islamist militants.

But a military source stressed that the measure introduced by a civilian government would have a
short shelf-life.

"The latest law giving the armed forces the right to arrest anyone involved in illegal actions such
as burning buildings or damaging public sites is to ensure security during the referendum only,"
the military source said.

Presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said the committee overseeing the vote had requested the
army's assistance.

"The armed forces will work within a legal framework to secure the referendum and will return
(to barracks) as soon as the referendum is over," Ali said.

Protests and violence have racked Egypt since Mursi decreed himself extraordinary powers he
said were needed to speed up a troubled transition since Mubarak's fall 22 months ago.

The Muslim Brotherhood has voiced anger at the Interior Ministry's failure to prevent protesters
setting fire to its headquarters in Cairo and 28 of its offices elsewhere.

Critics say the draft law puts Egypt in a religious straitjacket. Whatever the outcome of the
referendum, the crisis has polarized the country and presages more instability at a time when
Mursi is trying to steady a fragile economy.

On Monday, he suspended planned tax increases only hours after the measures had been formally
decreed, casting doubts on the government's ability to push through tough economic reforms that
form part of a proposed $4.8 billion IMF loan agreement.

"VIOLENT CONFRONTATION"

Rejecting the referendum plan, opposition groups have called for mass protests on Tuesday,
saying Mursi's eagerness to push the constitution through could lead to "violent confrontation".
Islamists have urged their followers to turn out "in millions" the same day in a show of support
for the president and for a referendum they feel sure of winning with their loyal base and perhaps
with the votes of Egyptians weary of turmoil.

The opposition National Salvation Front, led by liberals such as Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr
Moussa, as well as leftist firebrand Hamdeen Sabahy, has yet to call directly for a boycott of the
referendum or to urge their supporters to vote "no".

Instead it is contesting the legitimacy of the vote and of the whole process by which the
constitution was drafted in an Islamist-led assembly from which their representatives withdrew.
The opposition says the document fails to embrace the diversity of 83 million Egyptians, a tenth
of whom are Christians, and invites Muslim clerics to influence lawmaking.

But debate over the details has largely given way to noisy street protests and megaphone politics,
keeping Egypt off balance and ill-equipped to deal with a looming economic crisis.

"Inevitability of referendum deepens divisions," was the headline in Al-Gomhuriya newspaper on
Monday. Al Ahram daily wrote: "Political forces split over referendum and new decree."
Mursi issued another decree on Saturday to supersede his November 22 measure putting his own
decisions beyond legal challenge until a new constitution and parliament are in place.

While he gave up extra powers as a sop to his opponents, the decisions already taken under them,
such as the dismissal of a prosecutor-general appointed by Mubarak, remain intact.

"UNWELCOME" CHOICE

Lamia Kamel, a spokeswoman for former Arab League chief Moussa, said the opposition
factions were still discussing whether to boycott the referendum or call for a "no" vote.
"Both paths are unwelcome because they really don't want the referendum at all," she said, but
predicted a clearer opposition line if the plebiscite went ahead as planned.

A spokeswoman for ElBaradei, former head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said: "We do not
acknowledge the referendum. The aim is to change the decision and postpone it."
Mahmoud Ghozlan, the Muslim Brotherhood's spokesman, said the opposition could stage
protests, but should keep the peace.

"They are free to boycott, participate or say no, they can do what they want. The important thing
is that it remains in a peaceful context to preserve the country's safety and security."

The army stepped into the conflict on Saturday, telling all sides to resolve their disputes via
dialogue and warning that it would not allow Egypt to enter a "dark tunnel".

A military source said the declaration read on state media did not herald a move by the army to
retake control of Egypt, which it relinquished in June after managing the transition from
Mubarak's 30 years of military-backed one-man rule.

The draft constitution sets up a national defense council, in which generals will form a majority,
and gives civilians some scrutiny over the army - although not enough for critics.

In August Mursi stripped the generals of sweeping powers they had grabbed when he was elected
two months earlier, but has since repeatedly paid tribute to the military in public.

So far the army and police have taken a relatively passive role in the protests roiling the most
populous Arab nation.

(Additional reporting by Edmund Blair and Yasmine Saleh; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

பக்ச பாசிசத்துக்கு பல்லக்கு இழுக்கும் இந்திய விரிவாதிக்க புத்திஜீவி இந்து ராம்.

Rajapaksa Govt, strongest ever Govt in Lanka’s history - Former Hindu Editor N Ram
Gamini Jayalath after Indian tour

There was no government so strong as the one led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and no
government with such strength as the present one, said the former Editor of The Hindu
newspaper N Ram.

He said what the TNA (Tamil National Alliance) should do is to extend their full support to
President Rajapaksa to find a lasting solution to ethnic issue.

Ram said the TNA leadership was silent when the LTTE leadership was acting in similar fashion
to the Pol Pot group. They remained silent until the LTTE was defeated. They did all what the
LTTE commanded of them and today, as the LTTE has been destroyed by the war, the TNA
should use the political freedom for the benefit of the entire country. Hence, the TNA leaders
should join hands with the President and support the Government in finding a lasting solution to
the ethnic issue.

“In 1987, the LTTE declared war against the Indian Peace Keeping Force. In 1991, they
assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This resulted in the people of India distancing
themselves from the LTTE. The LTTE lost any rapport and sympathy they enjoyed up to then
with India,” he pointed out.

”Today, the Indian people and especially people in Tamil Nadu have expressed their dislike
towards the LTTE.

When a group of Sri Lankan Media personnel went over to the Asian Training Centre for
Journalists in India, former Hindu Editor Ram disclosed these facts to them.

However, Ram underscored the fact that the people of Tamil Nadu are of the view that the ethnic
issue needs a strong political solution.

“The statement attributed to former Chief Minister Karunanidhi who led the Toso Conference
that there should be a referendum to resolve the Tamil issue was only a political statement and
no Tamil politician in Tamil Nadu was keen on that, “Ram said.

“Indian Peace Keeping Force Commander Lt. Gen. Digendra Singh said in a interview with the
Hindu newspaper in 1987 that it would take about 30 years to end the war.

He said as he was a government servant at the time and had to side by the Government command.
Ram also pointed out that the enemy of the Tamils of Sri Lanka are the Tamil Diaspora leaders.
He said the International Media seems to be supportive from the weight they give to the ethnic
issue.

Making reference to Arjuna Ranatunga, Ram said although he is a good cricketer, a cricketing
hero, his political policies and principles lack maturity. Ram said the Asian Institute for
Journalists is willing to grant scholarships to youth.

President of the Asian Journalist Association Shashi Kumar and Sri Lanka Deputy
Commissioner R K M A Rajakaruna also attended the function.

Thirty-four-year-old 'Maoist leader'' arrested in Assam

Maoist leader arrested in Assam
PTI

A Maoist leader from Jharkhand Anil Kharwal alias Anandji was arrested along with his brother-
in-law in Tezpur on Thursday, police said.

Thirty-four-year-old Anandji, who is the zonal commander of Latehar, Garwah and Palamau
districts of Jharkhand, was arrested from a hotel in Tezpur town, Sonitpur Additional
Superintendent of Police P.K. Nath said.

His 24-year old brother-in-law, Anil Singh, a former employee of Power Grid Corporation of
India, was also taken into custody though his involvement with the outfit was yet to be
ascertained, Mr. Nath said.

The duo had checked into the lodge last night and was arrested following specific information
received by the police.

Anandji hailed from Dewar village in Latehar district and had joined the outfit in 2002.

There are 18 cases registered against him in Jharkhand and he carried a reward of Rs. 5 lakh on
his head.

He was also jailed for eleven months in 2007.

Police suspected that he had come to Tezpur to organise the outfit in the remote areas of the
district.

Latehar police in Jharkhand have been informed about the arrest.