N-deal: Pranab Mukherjee set to visit US

The civil nuclear deal, touted as the ''symbolic centerpiece'' of bilateral relationship by the Bush administration will be the focus of talks External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will have during his visit to the US next month. ''We are looking forward to his (Mukherjee's) visit next month,'' Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said.

The dates are yet to be fixed, the top official who is the US points man for the nuclear deal, said after a meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. ''Secretary of State (Condoleezza) Rice is looking forward to welcoming Foreign Minister Mukherjee to the United States and obviously we want to focus on the major issues in our relationship, our regional cooperation in South Asia, Afghanistan, our civilian nuclear accord, energy cooperation, our space cooperation and our relationship across the board,'' Burns said.

Pressing India to move ahead on civilian nuclear cooperation, Burns, who will step down in March but will continue as special envoy for the nuclear deal said, ''this will be the symbolic centerpiece of the relationship. It also ends India's 35 years of isolation in the civilian nuclear field and to be treated fairly and equitably by the international community.'' In his formal remarks at the Council meeting, Burns argued that the ''United States could not and should not go alone in the world'' and that the strategic focus of Washington has changed with more attention to Middle East and South Asia. ''We have to play in all fields, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia,'' he said. I hope that something useful comes out of this visit and also improves the Indo-US relationship. This news is from NDTV 24x7 through my DirecTV connection.

US for strong military ties with India

The controversial Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and expansion of US military sales to India are expected to figure during the two-day visit of Defence Secretary Robert Gates from Tuesday. During the security dialogue, the two sides will review their strategic cooperation in various fields and explore ways to enhance the ties, the sources said. Gates will hold talks with Defence Minister A K Antony on bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest considering growing threat from terrorism emanating from India's neighbourhood. To be accompanied by a 50-member military-cum-business delegation, Gates is also likely to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.

The two sides are expected to discuss the progress on signing of LSA, under which the two countries will provide their bases, fuel and other kinds of logistic support to each other's fighters and warships. The agreement has been under negotiation for over a year, with India insisting that it be renamed. The pact is pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for clearance. The Left parties have opposed this agreement, arguing that it will make India a party to America's ''wrong'' designs. The US has, however, sought to allay fears, insisting that it would ''not bind'' India but benefit its military by improving its ''operational ability''.

Mulford said the defense relations between the two countries had witnessed ''enormous growth'' over the last few years, marked by exchange of visits and joint exercises. The US is looking forward to having cooperation on joint production of C-130J transport planes besides eyeing the contract for 126 multi-role fighter planes. It looks like Indo-US ties are getting stronger which is a good thing. I hope that India takes a good decision when they sign these pacts to avoid being binded under unnecessary policies. I received this news from NDTV 24x7 through my DirecTV connection.

India will achieve rubber export target: Board

Even though the domestic prices are ruling high, India’s natural rubber export target of 50,000 tonnes this year was met. According to Sajen Peter, chairman of the Rubber Board, the target could be achieved because the traders have entered into several contracts already.

Addressing a meeting of the exporters convened at the Rubber Board here, he said since the international price was ruling high, the rate of export has increased recently. In the current fiscal, 37,880 tonnes were exported till February 19. Of this 18,800 tonnes were exported during December-February. The meeting suggested stringent measures to ensure the quality of the rubber exported. I am glad to hear this piece of news that I received from NDTV 24x7 through DirecTV. There are two reasons for my happiness, one that India has achieved its target and two that we are well on our way to achieving our next target. India is growing so fast to be a super power and when I listen to news like this I feel proud to be an Indian.

Sanju Marriage: Court seeks report

A Mumbai court Wednesday afternoon directed the Mumbai police to submit by February 25 its report on inquiry into Meraj-ur-Rehman's claim that he is the first husband of Manyata, now wife of Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt. Meraj, is in police custody for sending obscene messages to Bollywood actresses, has in a written complaint to the Bandra metropolitan magistrate contended that Manyata's marriage to Sanjay Dutt February 11 was illegal, as he has not divorced her yet. According to Meraj, he married Manyata in 2003 and has a son from her. The son is now in Dubai with Manyata's relatives.

This is not the only complication that the newly married Dutt couple is facing. Sanjay and Manyata first had a registered marriage in Goa and then a Hindu ritual marriage in Mumbai.

However, the Goa district administration last week ordered re-examination of the marriage registration papers. For a registered marriage in Goa, at least one person must be a Goa resident for a minimum six months. When Goa authorities learnt that the domicile certificate Manyata submitted was false, they served a show-cause notice on her last week and asked her why this certificate should not be canceled.

It is good that justice is for everyone. Celebrities must not be spared from the long hands of justice and if the Dutt couple is found guilty then they should face the same punishment that would be given to the common man in their place. I watched this news on NDTV 24x7 through my DirecTV connection.

We need US for nuke business: Saran

The UPA government is trying hard to sell the nuke deal to the Left. Special envoy Shyam Saran has said that while the deal will help India do nuclear commerce with several countries, it cannot be done without America.

Saran, who was the lead negotiator for the deal, did not name the Left but said whatever reservations there maybe about ties with the US, the fact is that no other country can take the lead at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The deal has been a key point of difference between the Left and the Congress. And at one point of time the Left had threatened to withdraw support to the government. The US has also been pushing to get the deal passed. I have been closely following the Indo-US nuclear deal on NDTV 24x7 through DirecTV and am anticipating the way things will turn out.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss fuel prices

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the Cabinet is likely to meet on Monday to consider raising petrol and diesel prices due to an increase in international crude oil prices. On the other side Petroleum Minister Murli Deora is opposed to any increase in fuel prices and is seeking a cut in excise duties on petrol and diesel.

When the group of ministers met last week it was understood that they have narrowed down to two options one is raising petrol price by Rs 4 or Rs 2 a litre and second, diesel by Rs 2 or Re 1 per litre.

Considering the volatile crude oil prices in here in the US I can keep abreast of the fuel and oil prices on the Indian front by watching NDTV 24x7 news on DirecTV. I choose DirecTV because of their practical and good picture service. Even the sound is very clear compared to other TV services.