1.   

See India-ASEAN FTA benefiting all countries: Anand Sharma

The India-ASEAN commemorative summit was held in Delhi over the week. The India-ASEAN free trade agreement was signed in 2010. According to Commerce Minister, Anand Sharma, the agreement should be operationalised within a year. "We have seen, that once we operationalise the FTA in merchandised trade, the numbers speak for themselves too. There were many naysayers that time also and I have no doubt that all the countries will benefit from this comprehensive economic cooperation agreement, because that is what it will get converted into," he says.

2.   

India’s exports to US make up 155% of its imports from there

India’s exports to the US cover 155.1 per cent of its imports from the world’s largest economy. In contrast, the world’s largest economy’s earnings from exports to India can only service 52.3 per cent of the goods and services it imports from the world’s largest democracy. On the other hand, India’s exports to China can only service 33.5 per cent of its import bill from that country, whereas China can import twice as much from India while still maintaining a trade surplus.

3.   

Russian nod for India’s bid to link south with central Asia

India's pet project to link south with central Asia got support from Russian president Vladimir Putin. During their talks in New Delhi last week, Singh and Putin agreed to unfreeze the north-south corridor through Iran within the next year. India has taken the lead role in pushing for the completion of this project. Indian officials said they would push for the completion of the corridor and were willing to step in, if Iran found it difficult to accomplish the task.

4.   

Indo-Pak experts', policy makers' ties to benefit both nations

Constructive ties between experts and policy makers of Indian and Pakistani Punjab would benefit both nations in addressing the daunting challenges of food security, water and poverty. Addressing the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology on Saturday, Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture he lauded the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for donating an Indian tractor to UAF that was handed over to him during the visit of Deputy Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal as guest of Punjab Government in September this year.