1.   

To strengthen ties, PM Manmohan Singh to visit US in September

The US has finally confirmed the dates for PM Manmohan Singh's visit from September 25 to 30, government sources said. Singh will participate in the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in New York but the highlight of his visit will be his bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington DC. The confirmation of the dates has come as a huge relief for the Indian side as south block wanted the bilateral meeting to take place during Singh's visit for United Nations General Assembly.

2.   

Will promote trade, business with India: Pakistan PM

Relations between India and Pakistan should be like that of two neighbours, with the focus being on trade and business, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday. Sharif made the remarks while interacting with reporters during a rare visit to Karachi, Pakistan's financial hub. Asked by a journalist about the state of ties with India, he said relations "should be like how relations are between two neighbours".

3.   

Australia to host second round of RCEP talks in September

The second round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a mega trade agreement comprising 16 countries including India and China, is scheduled to take place in Australia in September.During the East Asian Summit in Phnom Penh last year, leaders announced the launch of negotiations for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP comprises China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, apart from the 10-member Asean.

4.   

'India's admission to TPP would be an economic coup'

Noting that growing trade and investment continue to drive the US-India partnership forward, leading South Asia experts have said the two countries should not let trade issues complicate their relationship even as they welcomed India's admission to the trans-Pacific trade treaty as an "economic coup". During his recent visit to India, Vice President Joe Biden addressed the key issues that stand out for policymakers on both sides of the US-India relationship, the lone Indian Congressman Ami Bera and South Asia expert Karl Inderfurth, noted in a commentary.