1.   

Pranab lauds Indian agri research system on ICAR's 85th Foundation Day

Addressing a gathering of agricultural scientists and policy-makers on the occasion of the 85th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India's president Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the body and the country's agricultural research system for the services rendered by them for the last eight-and-a-half decades. “ICAR was set up with an important mandate to plan and promote education, research and its application in agriculture, agro-forestry, animal husbandry, home science, fisheries and allied sciences.

2.   

Improve cold chain network: Pawar

Emphasising the need to reduce post-harvest losses in the horticulture sector, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said a robust cold chain network would help domestic growers. “We need to attach importance to cold chain infrastructure and implement the recommendations of the Saumitra Chaudhuri report so that we can effectively compete with the supply chain for imported apples, pears, grapes, kiwis and cherries, which is posing a major challenge to domestic growers,” Pawar said at the inauguration of the national horticulture conference.

3.   

Biden to deliver policy speech on India's role in Asia-Pacific

US Vice President Joe Biden will deliver a US foreign policy speech today reflecting India's growing role in the Asia-Pacific region before leaving for his maiden visit to India. "The Vice President will focus on the United States' enduring commitment to the rebalance toward Asia, India's growing role in the Asia-Pacific region, and the critical importance of deepening US trade relationships and building constituencies for shared economic values," said the White House.

4.   

India, US to negotiate Bilateral Investment Treaty

The Government of India has communicated its willingness to negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the Obama Administration. The Indian Government has signaled its acceptance and positive response towards a BIT, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said at a press conference after meeting US Trade Representative Mr. Michael Froman in Washington.