1.   

President calls for technological solutions to agricultural challenges

India's president Pranab Mukherjee called upon the Indian agricultural research system to find technological solutions to challenges being faced by Indian agricultural research and to reach out to the millions of small and marginal farmers. Among the areas that need special focus, the president drew attention to quality seed production, agro-processing and post-harvest handling of farm produce, the development and introduction of genetically-modified crops, and preparing agriculture for climate change.

2.   

India may soon conclude FTA with European Union: Manmohan Singh

Unfazed by hiccups in concluding the long-pending free trade agreement with European Union, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed the hope that the pact would be sealed soon. "We have entered into Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the ASEAN countries as well as the Republic of Korea. We are hoping to conclude a similar agreement with the European Union soon," he said.

3.   

FM leaves for G-20 meet today

Finance Minister P Chidambaram leaves on Friday for Moscow, venue of the two-day G-20 grouping meet of of finance ministers and central bank governors. Among other things, he’ll be discussing trade and investment issues with heads of the South Korean delegation there. The meeting was requested by their government, said officials here. Their Finance Minister, Hyun Oh-Seok, will attend.

4.   

Indian-Americans can play key role in India-US ties: Joe Biden

Indian-Americans can play a valuable role in the India-US relationship as they bring unique perspective on issues of common concerns like business and trade, climate change and energy, US Vice President Joe Biden has said. Biden made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Indian-Americans at the White House yesterday during which he discussed his upcoming trip to India. "The Vice President emphasised the Administration's ongoing commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and the importance of our bilateral relationship with India," a White House official said.