POLITICAL ISSUES
KUWAIT
1. MOU on medical cooperation signed by India and Kuwait
New Delhi, Monday, 23 April 2012
India signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuwait on cooperation in medical sector. With a large number of Indian doctors and nurses employed in Kuwaiti hospitals, both signed the MoU to finalize an institutional framework for developing medical cooperation between the two countries.
Source: www.newsreporter.in

IRAN
2. Israeli diplomat attack case: India seeks access to Iranians
New Delhi, Sunday, 1 April 2012
Over a month after the wife of an Israeli diplomat was targeting by the car she was travelling in attacked by a "sticky bomb", India has asked for access to three Iranians who are reported to behind the attack.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

3. India, Russia, China discuss Iran, North Korea, terrorism
Moscow, Friday, 13 April 2012
The Foreign Ministers of India, Russia and China on Friday held discussions on key regional and international issues, including situation in Iran during a trilateral meet in Moscow.
Source: DNA, Mumbai

ISRAEL
4. India, Israel to launch research in cyber-security
Tel Aviv, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
India and Israel have agreed to launch a long-term joint programme worth US$10 million annually to facilitate research and academic activities benefiting them in areas like renewable and sustainable energies, bio-medical sciences and cyber-security.
Source: Zee News, New Delhi

5. India, Israel commit to academic research programme
New Delhi, Friday, 6 April 2012
In a bid to strengthen academic research, India and Israel have decided to launch a joint programme to the tune of $5 million from both sides annually over a three-year period. The broader contours of the long-term programme were agreed upon during a meeting between Minister of Human Resource Development  Kapil Sibal, who is currently on a visit to Israel, and Israeli leaders.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

6. Haryana, Israel to constitute working groups
Chandigarh, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Haryana and Israel today agreed to constitute working groups to further promote agricultural cooperation. Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who recently held a meeting with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Orit Noked.
Source: DNA, Mumbai

7. Defence Minister A.K. Anthony cracks whip on murky arms deal
New Delhi, Tuesday, 17 April 2012
The Defence Ministry has punished Israeli Military Industries (IMI) by encashing bank guarantees of Rs. 224 crores for violating an integrity pact in the contract to set up a plant to produce bi-modular charge systems, a propellant for 155 mm guns, at Nalanda in Bihar.
Source:  India Today, New Delhi

8. “TNT used in bombing of Israeli diplomat's car”
New Delhi, Tuesday, 24 April 2012
The Delhi Police have received a report from the Central Bureau of Investigation's Central Forensic Science Laboratory stating that trinitrotoluene (TNT) had been used in the improvised magnetic device to trigger the blast in the Israeli Embassy's car here over two months ago.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

LIBYA
9. Libya, Syria turmoil posing problems for economy, Pranab Mukherjee says
Kolkata, Sunday, 1 April 2012
India is concerned about the political turmoil in Libya and Syria as unstable situations in there are posing serious problems for the Indian economy, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

QATAR
10. Emir of Qatar to visit India; LNG, crude oil supply on agenda
New Delhi, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Key strategic bilateral issues, including import of larger quantities LNG, crude oil and LPG and status on the reported move of Taliban opening its office in Qatar are expected to be taken up by India during the visit of Qatari Emir.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

11. India and Qatar take forward initiatives in mutual investments
New Delhi, Monday, 9 April 2012
India and Qatar largely eschewed discussions of a political nature such as Taliban's opening of an office in Doha and the situation in nearby Syria and Bahrain. At a meeting, the Emir of Qatar, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took forward the initiatives on mutual investments agreed upon during their previous detailed interaction in 2008.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

12. India and Qatar ink oil and gas pact amid Iran pressure
New Delhi, Tuesday, 10 April 2012
India and Qatar have signed a pact to increase cooperation in the field of oil and gas exploration. The deal comes as India looks for more sources of oil and gas to meet its growing energy demands.
Source: BBC, UK; See Also: The Indian Express, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA
13. No tax cuts for Indians working in Saudi
Hyderabad, Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Bringing relief to thousands of Indians working in Saudi Arabia, the Shura Council has rejected a proposal to levy income tax on Indian and other foreign workers in the country.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

SYRIA
14. Impartiality key to U.N. mission in Syria: India
New Delhi, Sunday, 15 April 2012
While voting with all other United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members in favour of a U.N. team monitoring the ceasefire between the government and rebels in Syria, India underlined the importance of the mission observing the principles of integrity by being impartial and independent.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

15. Annan thanks India for help
Moscow, Sunday, 15 April 2012
Joint U.N.-Arab League special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan has thanked India for help in setting up his mission.  Annan called External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to express his appreciation of the efforts of India's U.N. envoy Hardeep Singh Puri.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

TUNISIA
16. Cooperation Agreement Signed Between Tunisian and Indian Radio
New Delhi, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
On the 11th session of the Tunisian-Indian Joint Commission, a cooperation agreement was signed between Tunisian and Indian radio.
Source: Tunisialive.com

UAE
17. Indian authorities' clearance must for work contract in UAE
New Delhi, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Indians seeking to migrate to UAE for employment can now expect an assured salary package and better work environment with both countries today introducing a system under which work contracts of prospective employees will have to be endorsed by Indian authorities.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi; See Also: DNA, Mumbai

18. Krishna to co-chair India-UAE economic cooperation meet
Dubai, Friday, 13 April 2012
Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna is visiting the UAE on a three-day visit during which he will co-chair the 10th session of the India- UAE Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation.
Source: Dubai News

19. India, UAE discuss roadmap for future
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 April 2012
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday sketched out the broad outlines of a roadmap, centred around a new partnership in the fields of energy security and investments, which would help steer their ties in the future.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

20. India signs taxation, consular agreements with the UAE
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 April 2012
India and UAE on Monday signed agreements to amend the double taxation avoidance treaty that will pave the way for greater sharing of tax related information between the two countries and also agreed to set up a joint committee to look after consular issues.
Source: DNA, Mumbai

YEMEN
21. Yemen, India sign agreements on higher education cooperation
Sana’a, Tuesday, 3 April 2012
On Monday (2 April) Yemeni Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Yahia al-Shayibi and the Indian ambassador signed executive cooperation agreements between the two friendly countries in the field of higher education and scientific research.
Source: The Yemen Post, Sana’a

ECONOMIC ISSUES
IRAQ
22. Iraq tenders to buy 30,000 tons of basmati rice: Government
Baghdad, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Iraq has issued a tender to buy a minimum of 30,000 tons of basmati rice from India and Pakistan origin, the trade ministry said.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

ISRAEL
23. Dumping duty on phosphoric acid from Israel, Taiwan
New Delhi, Monday, 9 April 2012
India has imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on phosphoric acid imports from Israel and Taiwan for five years. The duty would be applicable on all grades of phosphoric acid, other than agriculture and fertilizer, according to the Revenue Department.
Source: The Hindu Business Line, Chennai

OMAN
24. Oman imposes ban on import of Indian poultry
New Delhi, Monday, 30 April 2012
The Indian Government said Oman has imposed a ban on import of Indian live birds and their by-products such as poultry meat and eggs. The reason for restricting the import was on grounds of detection of highly Pathogenic Avain Influenza (HPAI) virus Sero type H5.
Source: The Financial Express

SAUDI ARABIA
25. India MRPL raises Saudi import deal to 49,000 bpd-sources
New Delhi, Tuesday, 17 April 2012
State-run Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd has raised further its annual crude import deal with Saudi Arabia by nearly 17 percent to make up for planned lowering of imports from Iran.
Source: Reuters, US

TURKEY
26. Turkey's Celebi bids in Mumbai airport tender
Ankara, Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Turkey's Celebi Hava Servisi , a ground handling company, said on Tuesday its Indian unit had made a joint bid in consortium with NAS Aviation Services India Private Limited for a tender to build a domestic cargo terminal at Mumbai's international airport.
Source: The Reuters, US

UAE
27. Punj Lloyd bags contract to build bulk oil terminal in Dubai
Dubai, Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Engineering and construction firm Punj Lloyd has bagged a contract from Horizon Terminals, an Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) subsidiary, to build a bulk oil terminal.
Source: The Hindu Business Line, Chennai

28. Ras Al Khaimah woos Kerala businessmen
Kochi, Wednesday, 18 April 2012
The head of India liaison office of Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Bissoon Surnam has invited Kerala businessmen to look at the prospect of expanding their business in the UAE.
Source: The Hindu Business Line, Chennai

ENERGY ISSUES
IRAN
29. Iran crucial to India's energy needs but Delhi has global obligations, says U.S. official
New Delhi, Tuesday, 3 April 2012
A senior U.S. official on Monday said Washington did not want to jeopardize India's energy security by asking it to reduce its dependence on Iranian oil, but made it clear that New Delhi was expected to join the West's attempts to pressure Tehran into accepting conditions on the nuclear issue.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

30. India offers tax breaks on Iran exports despite US pressure
New Delhi, Thursday, 5 April 2012
The Indian government will offer tax incentives to exporters for sales in rupees to Iran, in a latest effort to bolster exports in return for oil from the Islamic Republic squeezed by Western sanctions, a finance ministry official said.
Source: The Reuters, US; See Also: DNA, Mumbai

31. India replaces China as Iran's top oil buyer
New Delhi, Thursday, 12 April 2012
India has vaulted to the top of the list of Iran's oil customers, overtaking China, in a first quarter buying surge ahead of tighter sanctions against Tehran this summer, data published by a leading industry consultant showed.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi; See Also: The Reuters, US

32. India says importing 14 million tons of oil from Iran
Washington, Monday, 23 April 2012
India, the second-largest consumer of Iranian oil after China, said it was now importing 14 million tons of crude from Iran and has "substantially" reduced its imports from the country as the deadline to comply with Western sanctions against Tehran looms.
Source: The Reuters, US; See Also: www.moneycontrol.com

33. Indian shipping firms to carry Iran crude despite reduced insurance
New Delhi, Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Indian shipping firms will continue to transport Iranian crude even if limited insurance coverage due to tightening Western sanctions leaves them financially exposed to a spill or accident, a top executive and industry sources said.
Source: The Reuters, US

OMAN
34. Oman cuts gas price to $1.5 per mmBtu, but with riders
New Delhi, Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Oman has halved the price at which it will sell natural gas to an Indian fertilizer plant in the Gulf nation to $1.5 per mmBtu but has added an annual escalation clause. Oman, which had previously proposed to raise rates of gas sold to OMIFCO's urea manufacturing facility at Sur to $3 per million British thermal unit instead of present price of $0.77 per mmBtu, has revised its offer to charge $1.5 per mmBtu.
Source: Business Standard

35. India gives Oman nod to hike gas price for fertilizer plant
New Delhi, Saturday, 28 April 2012
The Union Cabinet is understood to have cleared the proposal by Oman to hike the gas price for an Indian fertilizer plant in the Gulf nation to $1.5 per million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu), a move that will ensure uninterrupted supply of urea to the Indian market.
Source: The Hindu Business Line, Chennai

QATAR
36. India rejects Qatar's offer for LNG supply
New Delhi, Tuesday, 3 April 2012
India has rejected the price sought by Qatar for supplying an additional 5 million ton a year of gas in ships (LNG or liquefied natural gas), saying it is too stiff for domestic consumers.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

37. India requests Qatar for immediate supply of 3 million ton of LNG
New Delhi, Tuesday, 24 April 2012
India has requested Qatar for immediate supply of 3 million ton of LNG to India to be imported by Petronet LNG Ltd and GAIL. The requested amount will increase to 15 million tons in the next 3-4 years, commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said in a meeting with Qatari minister of energy & industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada at Doha.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi; See Also: DNA, Mumbai and NDTV Profit

38. India mulls investments from Qatar into energy sector
New Delhi, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
India is mulling inviting Qatar to invest in the country’s energy sector, and may offer equity stake to the Gulf nation in NTPC’s gas-based project in Kerala, in lieu of assured fuel supply for the plant.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

SPORTS
BAHRAIN
39. Bahrain Grand Prix 2012: Two Force India workers fly home after mechanics escape Molotov cocktail attack
Manama, Thursday, 19 April 2012
After weeks of intense speculation regarding the wisdom of returning to the Gulf kingdom so soon after last year’s bloody civil unrest, two Force India team members flew home following an incident in which a hire car carrying four mechanics was caught in the middle of a clash between police and protesters.
Source: The Telegraph, UK; See Also: BBC, UK

ISRAEL
40. Gritty Gopal shines for India in India-Israel chess match
New Delhi, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Grandmaster G N Gopal came up with his best performance, defeating counterpart Tal Baron 4-0 to guide India to an emphatic 9.5-6.5 triumph over Israel in the first round of the India-Israel chess match.
Source: DNA, Mumbai

MISCELLANEOUS
IRAQ
41. Ram dhun to resonate in Karbala!
Bhavnagar, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
The holy Muslim city of Karbala will witness a Ram katha. Renowned religious preacher Morari Bapu plans to hold a Ram katha at a hotel near Imam Hussein shrine in the Iraqi city.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

OMAN
42. An Indian ends life every 6th day in Oman
Dubai, Monday, 30 April 2012
In a worrying sign, an Indian living in Oman has been found to commit suicide every sixth day, owing to financial stress or personal issues, official data shows.
Source: The Financial Express

SAUDI ARABIA
43. Indian shepherd to return from Saudi Arabia after 18 years
Dubai, Monday, 9 April 2012
An Indian man, who went to work in Saudi Arabia as a shepherd in 1994 but could never return as his sponsor withheld his salary and did not allow him a vacation, is finally set to return home following intervention of the local police.
Source: DNA, Mumbai

44. New platform for Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia
Dubai, Saturday, 14 April 2012
Aiming to bring on a common platform the large number of Indians working in Saudi Arabia, a group of Indian professionals has launched its chapters in different Saudi cities where Indian expatriates are employed.
Source: Zee News

UAE
45. Goa eyeing UAE, Iran tourists
Panaji, Sunday, 22 April 2012
Encouraged by the increasing number of tourists to Goa from the United Arab Emirates and Iran, the tourism department has decided to participate in the Arabian Travel Mart to tap potential tourists to the state.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

Note: One Crore = 10 millions.

Compiled by Dipanwita Chakravortty

Dipanwita Chakravortty is pursuing her M Phil degree in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy