chinese-ambassador-to-india-meets-foreign-secretary-s-jaishankar-before-sushma-swarajs-visit-to-c

Chinese Ambassador to India meets Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar before Sushma Swaraj's visit to C

New Delhi, Jan 30 (ANI): Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng on Friday met India's newly appointed Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar before Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj's visit to China. After the meeting, Yucheng said that they talked about bilateral relations among other things. He also said that the nation is optimistic about the future of relations between India and China and the cooperation between the two nations. Jan 30, 2015
was-very-much-part-of-decision-to-appoint-jaishankar-as-foreign-secretary-sushma-swaraj

Was very much part of decision to appoint Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Jan 30 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she was aware of the plans to replace Sujatha Singh with S Jaishankar, but the swift decision of the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday night to sack India's top diplomat has clearly taken her ministry by surprise. Swaraj said the abrupt appointment took place since the former was retiring on January 31. Swaraj tweeted, “I was very much a part of the decision to appoint Dr. Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary. Since Dr. Jaishankar was retiring on January 31, we had to issue orders of his appointment before that date. I told her that the Government wanted to appoint Dr.Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary,” Swaraj further added. However, Singh, in a letter written to her IFS colleagues, said she had sought early retirement from government service. Jan 30, 2015
india-does-not-qualify-for-unsc-permanent-membership-pak-foreign-ministry

India does not qualify for UNSC permanent membership: Pak Foreign Ministry

Islamabad, Jan 30 (ANI): Pakistan said given its track record of human rights violation in Indian-administered Kashmir, India does not qualify for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Reacting on US President Barack Obama’s approval for India bring permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the issue of Security Council Reform is of vital national importance for all the United Nations Member States. However, she said, a reformed Security Council should reflect interests of the wider UN membership, and in Pakistan’s view, “the idea of new permanent members creates new centers of power and privileges, and could make the UNSC even more undemocratic.” Aslam expressed concern over the continual rise of India’s defence budget, and its “massive acquisition of conventional weapons.” Jan 30, 2015
india-needs-predictable-tax-regime-says-jayant-sinha

India needs 'predictable' tax regime, says Jayant Sinha

New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI): India needs a 'simple, predictable and fair' tax regime to restore foreign investor confidence, said Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court dismissed a tax notice amounting to Rs 3,200 crore sent against Vodafone, ruling that there is no taxable income on share premium received on the issue of shares. After the ruling, the Centre decided to not appeal against the judgement, however stressing that while many cases are currently sub-judice, every case has to be looked at differently. Jan 29, 2015
foreign-secretary-dr-s-jaishankar-meets-eam-sushma-swaraj

Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar meets EAM Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in her office on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Dr S Jaishankar took charge as the new Foreign Secretary, replacing Sujatha Singh whose tenure has been curtailed by nearly seven months. The decision was taken last night by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Dr Jaishankar will have tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge. Meanwhile, Sujatha Singh's two-year tenure was to end in August this year. Jan 29, 2015
govt-defends-decision-to-slash-foreign-secretary-sujatha-singhs-tenure

Govt defends decision to slash foreign secretary Sujatha Singh's tenure

New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI): The BJP on Thursday claimed there is no politics involved in appointing S Jaishankar as the new foreign secretary. Jaishankar, India's Ambassador to the US, was on Wednesday suddenly appointed as the Foreign Secretary by Narendra Modi government, replacing Sujatha Singh, who has in effect been sacked. Singh's tenure was abruptly "curtailed" by nearly eight months. Jan 29, 2015