India WATCH
POLITICAL ISSUES
IRAN
1. Closely consulting with India on Iran: US
Washington, Friday, 16 November 2012
United States is consulting closely with India and other countries on the issue of Iran, a senior State Department official has said.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

2. Iranian scholar held for taking photos near Israel embassy
New Delhi, Friday, 23 November 2012
A UK based Iranian research scholar who came to India for a seminar at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, was detained twice by the police and subjected to questioning after Israeli embassy officials found him taking pictures near the embassy and handed him over to the cops.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

ISRAEL
3. India, Israel Defence Secretary-level talks from 3 Dec
New Delhi, Tuesday, 27 November 2012
India and Israel are expected to discuss progress in their joint military projects including air defence systems and specialized radars during Defence Secretary-level talks starting on 3 December.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

4. Israel pips US in anti-tank guided missile supply to India
New Delhi, Thursday, 29 November 2012
Israel has upstaged the US in the ongoing race to bag the huge deal to supply third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to the Indian Army, in a project estimated at US$1 billion.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

LIBYA
5. India, Libya ink agreement on electoral cooperation
New Delhi, Friday, 30 November 2012
India signed a MoU for electoral cooperation with Libya, which has evinced interest in seeking training and electoral assistance from the Election Commission.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

6. Proliferation of weapons in Libya is a threat: India
United Nations, Thursday, 8 November 2012
Pointing out that proliferation of weapons in a post-conflict Libya poses serious threat to stability in Libya and in the larger Middle East region, India called on the international community to assist the nation to achieve stability and socio-economic development.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

OMAN
7. Sultan of Oman to be chief guest at Republic Day
New Delhi, Friday, 2 November 2012
Sultan Qaboos Said bin Said, ruler of Oman would be the chief guest at the next Republic Day, putting a seal on their bilateral relations.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

PALESTINE
8. Defuse tension in Gaza: India
Phnom Penh, Monday, 19 November 2012
India has called for immediate de-escalation of tension around Gaza and urged direct talks between the Palestine Authority and Israel.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

ECONOMIC ISSUES
9. India has trade deficit with 48 countries: Sharma
New Delhi, Monday, 26 November 2012
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma disclosed that India has trade deficit with 48 countries during the last three years and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq and Qatar figure among the top 10 countries.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

IRAN
10. India seeks clear norms from Iran for wheat export
New Delhi, Friday, 23 November 2012
India has asked Iran to lay down clear norms for wheat imports to avoid further delays by the Iranian quarantine department, which is yet to give quality clearance to Indian shipments.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

11. Foreign bank mulled closing New India Assurance a/c: Finance Minister
New Delhi, Thursday, 29 November 2012
The government informed the Rajya Sabha that a foreign bank threatened to close down the account of state-owned New India Assurance Ltd if the latter did not stop providing insurance cover to ships ferrying oil from Iran.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

OMAN
12. Oman again bans import of eggs, chicken from India
Namakkal, Thursday, 15 November 2012
Citing health conditions Oman, the biggest egg-export market for India, has once again passed an official decree banning import of eggs and chicken from India.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai; See Also: Business Standard, New Delhi

13. Oman ban affects broiler exporters
Coimbatore, Monday, 19 November 2012
Following Oman’s ban on import of poultry products from India after outbreak of bird flu in Karnataka in October, broiler exporters in this region are exploring opportunities in other countries.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

TURKEY
14. Turkey now a tourism magnet
Chennai, Thursday, 22 November 2012
The number of Indians coming to Turkey has increased with the number touching 100,000 last year according to Osman Ayik, President of Turkish Hoteliers Federation.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

TUNISIA
15. Coromandel hit with US$30 million cost overrun in Tunisian project
Chennai, Monday, 12 November 2012
The Murugappa Group company Coromandel International Ltd said, the delay in commissioning the Tunisian Indian Fertilizers Company Limited’s (TIFERT’s) plant has resulted cost overrun to the extent of US$30 million.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
BAHRAIN
16. Indian killed in Bahrain blasts
Dubai, Tuesday, 6 November 2012
An Indian was killed and another was injured as five explosions rocked parts of Bahrain’s capital Manama.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

EGYPT
17. Egyptian kids awarded for Indian painting competition
Cairo, Monday, 26 November 2012
Over 100 Egyptian children who participated in a painting competition to commemorate the birthdays of Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Jawaharlal Nehru have been given prizes and awards.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

IRAN
18. Iranian in Barmer jail waits for country’s clearance to return
Jaisalmer, Tuesday, 27 November 2012
An Iranian intruder, who is in Barmer jail for the past seven-and-a half years, has been waiting for clearance from his country to return home.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

ISRAEL
19. Hebrew play from Israel runs into trouble
New Delhi, Sunday, 4 November 2012
The first ever performance of a Hebrew-language play by an Israeli troupe in India has provoked a controversy, with the Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which demanded the cancelation of the event.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

20. West Bengal, Israel Embassy organize pilgrimage for Christians
Kolkata, Tuesday, 6 November 2012
The West Bengal government and Israel joined hands to make provisions for Christians from the State to go on a pilgrimage to places associated with the life of Jesus Christ.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

21. State financial assistance for Jerusalem pilgrimage
Chennai, Thursday, 22 November 2012
The Government of Tamil Nadu announced that Christians wishing to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem could avail of the special financial assistance of Rs. 20,000.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

TURKEY
22. 43rd International Film Festival of India
Panaji, Saturday, 10 November 2012
The 43rd International Film Festival of India has announced Turkey as its 'Country Focus'. The section, which highlights handpicked cinema from the culture and society of Turkey, will present a package of eight films.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

UAE
23. Chandy writes to Khurshid on UAE amnesty
Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday, 17 November 2012
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has written to Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Salman Khurshid urging him to help Keralites make use of the amnesty announced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for those who have overstayed in the country.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

YEMEN
24. Koevermans names 20-member list for Yemen friendly
New Delhi, Thursday, 8 November 2012
National football coach Wim Koevermans today named his squad of 20 for the international friendly against Yemen, scheduled to play in Guwahati on 14 November.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

Compiled by Manjari Singh

Manjari Singh 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