1.   

India expects "strong political thrust" by Germany for India-EU FTA

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold comprehensive talks, including on India-European Union FTA with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during his visit to Berlin from Wednesday with India hoping for a "strong political thrust" from Germany for early inking of the pact. Singh will also clarify to the German leader the large number of steps and reforms process taken up by India to improve investment in the country, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said.

2.   

Anand Sharma Defends IP Flexibilities for Developing Countries at WIPO

Addressing a High Level Policy Dialogue at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Headquarters in Geneva today, the Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma defended flexibilities for developing nations in honouring their international Intellectual Property (IP) commitment to meet their social challenges. Shri Sharma pointed out that the countries of the South which bear a disproportionate burden of poverty, hunger and disease for historical reasons have an aspiration to provide affordable healthcare solutions for their citizens.

3.   

Liberia: India Business Delegation Begins Visit Today

The Honorary Consul General of India, Upjit Singh Sachedva (Jeety) in Liberia has announced that a high profile Indian Business Delegation, comprising representatives of Indian businesses from a wide range of industrial, agricultural related, Information Technology, and commercial sectors, will be visiting Liberia today. The business delegation is coming to Liberia to explore business and investment possibilities in the country.

4.   

India, US to launch joint research collaboration on wheat

India and the US will launch a multi-million dollar joint research collaboration to develop wheat varieties, which can tolerate high temperatures. The need for such varieties is being felt urgently in view of the global warming and rise in temperatures, which experts and scientist feel could adversely affect the production of important crops like wheat. Led by an Indian American scientist from the Washington State University, the project involving scientists from both countries will be supported by US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR).