You are my sunshine, India and France tell each other
The winter smog has lifted and the sun is shining brightly over the country. An appropriate time to welcome in Emmanuel Macron, president of a country with whom India shares extremely warm ties. And, an even more appropriate time to host the first summit of the International Solar Alliance, a coming together of 121 solar-rich countries that India and France put together during the Paris Climate Summit in 2015.
The maiden visit of the young president and his wife, Brigitte, is a big occasion for India. Preparations for the visit have been in stark contrast to the recent visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during which India observed basic protocol and no personal flourish. Macron’s tour will have the stamp of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trademark hospitality, complete with a visit to his constituency, Varanasi, where the two will lunch together before visiting Assi Ghat on the banks of the Ganga. Modi and Macron will spend almost two working days together.
France and India have had robust ties. Paris stood staunchly by New Delhi after Pokhran II and helped India enter three nuclear clubs. The bilaterals encompass defence, business, counter-terrorism, technology and geopolitics. It helps that there are very few points of difference between the two countries. There are enough historical ties, but no baggage of diasporic vote banks; and there is no tension over controlled visa regimes.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 18, 2018-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 18, 2018-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state