National
US Defence Secretary’s visit: Afghanistan, terror and defence deals on table
New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Security situation in the South Asian region including Afghanistan and terrorism, and high ticket defence deals are set to be on table as US Defense Secretary James Mattis meets Indian leadership on his official visit to India that starts Tuesday.
This is the first US Cabinet-level visit to India under President Donald Trump’s administration. It would also be the first major interaction for Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with a foreign counterpart after taking charge of the crucial portfolio.
According to the US embassy, Mattis will arrive in India on Monday evening, and will hold a series of meetings and attend several events between September 26 to 28.
Welcoming Mattis, Sitharaman and hoped India-US engagement will continue to grow.
“Welcoming Hon’ble Defence Secretary of the USA, Gen James Mattis to India. Hope our engagement will strengthen strategic and defence cooperation between our two great democracies,” she said in a tweet on Monday.
On Tuesday, Mattis will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman, apart from other leaders and officials.
He will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, and will be accorded a Guard of Honour at the lawns of South Block, which homes the Defence Ministry.
According to officials of the US embassy, Mattis’ visit emphasises that the US views India as a valued and influential partner, with broad mutual interests extending well beyond South Asia.
“The Secretary during his visit will also express US appreciation for India’s important contributions toward Afghanistan’s democracy, stability, prosperity, and security,” an official said.
The situation in Afghanistan is likely to figure prominently in the talks, which come a month after the US unveiled its latest Afghanistan policy that held a warning that US will take action if Pakistan did not stop backing terrorists battling American forces. In a first, Trump also asked India “to help us more with Afghanistan”.
According to sources, in its ambit, the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan’s soil will also be discussed during Mattis’ visit. The situation in the South China sea, and China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region is also likely to figure in the talks.A
Apart from the regional security scenario, US is likely to push for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to India, with Lockheed Martin tying up with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd to produce F-16 fighters in India, shifting its Fort Worth, Texas plant here.
Discussions are also likely on sale of Sea Guardian remotely-piloted vehicles, other pending deals as well as the US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, and other bilateral agreements.
–IANS
ao/vd
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.