1.   

India to set up separate mission for ASEAN

India plans to set up a new mission for ASEAN and would appoint a separate ambassador for the strategically important region as it aims to take forward its relationship with the ten-member block. The announcement for setting up this new mission is likely to be made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the ASEAN-India summit here tomorrow. Singh arrived here today and would attend the ASEAN summit and also the East Asia Summit tomorrow, before leaving for a bilateral visit to Indonesia from October 10-12.

2.   

Indian economy on turnaround path, assures Montek

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said India's GDP will see a turnaround in the coming quarters on account of various steps taken by the government to spur growth as well as good agricultural production. He was speaking on the sidelines of 'Infrastructure Conclave 2013: Fast-Tracking Stalled Projects', organised by industry body PHD Chamber. Ahluwalia said the government has taken steps to push the infrastructure sector and there are signs of improvement in the core sector production performance of steel, power, coal and cement during July and August.

3.   

Joint Pakistan-India business council meet today

Political tensions not withstanding, the second round of Joint Pakistan-India business council (JPIBC) meeting is scheduled to take place here today. A 17-member Pakistan business delegation will be participating in the meeting. "The joint task force of Pakistan India business forum meetings on textile, agriculture products, auto and pharmaceuticals will take place," said Manzoor Ali Memon, Press Attaché High Commission Pakistan.

4.   

Israel to showcase its agro excellence in 10 Indian states by 2015

Israel will have its footprints in 10 Indian states by 2015 as it plans to set up various centres of excellence for floriculture, fruits and vegetables. Emboldened by the success of two such centres — one for vegetables in Karnal and another for fruit orchards in Sirsa - in Haryana, both the countries have decided to have 26 similar set-ups in different states under Indo-Israel agriculture cooperation agreement of 2008.