POLITICAL

IRAN

India defends diplomatic ties with Iran in talks with Rex Tillerson

New Delhi, Wednesday, 25 October 2017

Sushma Swaraj tells US Secretary of States Rex Tillerson that India wants to retain its embassy in North Korea and Iran as it believes diplomatic presence is necessary to keep the lines of communication open. Source: Livemint

Oil payment, other issues with Iran resolves, says Jaitley

Washington, Sunday, 15 October 2017 

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is in Washington for the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, met his Iranian counterpart Masoud Karbasian and observed: “There were several pending issues with Iran particularly relating to the oil payment. Most of them have been resolved.” Source: The Hindu

India & Kabul play new round in Great Game: Chabahar

New Delhi, Tuesday, 31 October 2017

The much-awaited Chabahar route for Indo-Afghan trade, has finally taken off and the first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan has left Kandla port for Chabahar port in Iran, and then would be transferred through the land route via Iran to Afghanistan. Source: Indian

IRAQ

EAM collecting samples of Indian Men in Iraq

Amritsar, Sunday, 22 October 2017

The Ministry of External Affairs has started collecting DNA samples of relatives of the 39 Indian men who were missing in Iraq since June 2014. This has triggered both hope and apprehension among the relatives who feel that the government finally has some information about the missing men. Source: Times of India

KUWAIT

Kuwait releases 22 Indian prisoners; commutes sentences of 97

Dubai, Monday, 2 October 2017

The Emir of Kuwait has freed 22 Indian prisoners and commuted the sentences of 97 others lodged in jails, according to India's Embassy in Kuwait City. Source: The Economic Times

OMAN

Oman eases visa rules for tourists from India, China and Russia

Dubai, Sunday, 1 October 2017

Oman has eased visa requirements for tourists from India following a similar strategy its Gulf neighbours have implemented to attract travellers, a statement from the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) said. Source: Arab News

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Aramco plans 'mega investment' in India

New Delhi, Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Saudi Arabian Oil Co aims to create a fully integrated business in India and is interested in partnering on a planned refinery project on the west coast, CEO Amin Nasser said Monday in New Delhi. Saudi Arabia is competing with Iraq to be India's top oil supplier. Source: The Economic Times

CULTURAL

BAHRAIN

Art BAB Debuts in India With it’s First Exhibition in New Delhi

New Delhi, Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Eighteen selected Bahraini artists enthralled art aficionados & other guests with the display of their exclusive artworks under the theme The Unsaid, curated by the famous Indian artist Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi. Source: Business World

EGYPT

Indian Embassy in Cairo celebrates Gandhi’s 148th birthday

New Delhi, Monday, 2 October 2017

The embassy organized a lecture on Gandhi’s peace principles and a caricature exhibition of his spirit is to be launched. Source: Outlook India

ECONOMIC

EGYPT

Egypt President Sisi desires to take ties with India to higher level: MJ Akbar

New Delhi, Sunday, 22 October 2017 

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi desired to take the Egypt-India ties to a higher level, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar has said. Akbar, who called on President in Cairo on Saturday, described his meeting as “excellent”. Source: Hindustan Times

KUWAIT

Kuwait's Al Arfaj group plans 600,000 bpd oil refinery in India

New Delhi, Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Kuwait’s Al Arfaj Group plans to build 600,000 barrels per day oil refinery and a 10 million tonnes a year liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Andhra Pradesh, the state’s chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday. Al Arfaj Holding Co has signed a MoU with Andhra’s Economic Development Board for the project, which also includes a petrochemical complex. Source: Reuters India

MOROCCO

Morocco looks to diversify ties with India; eyes strategic partnership 
New Delhi, Saturday, 28 October 2017

Morocco is keen to diversify its cooperation with India including in tourism sector targeting high-end tourists and filmmakers. Source: The Economic Times

MISCELLANEOUS

EGYPT

Indian paddler Selena Selvakumar wins gold in Egypt

Sharm el-sheikh, Friday, 13 October 2017

India's young paddler Selena Selvakumar put up an impressive show in the Junior Girls' Team event to win the 2017 Egypt Junior and Cadet Table-Tennis Open title here. The 17-year-old Chennai girl teamed up with local duo of Riman Hesham and Waad Ibrahim to upset the top seeded Egypt A team 3-2. Source: Times of India.

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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