Our extraordinary bilateral partnership in the energy sector focuses on clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency. I also thank President Obama for his positive response to my call for a global public partnership for developing affordable clean energy sources that will enable faster adoption of clean energy across the world. We should work together to advance that goal. And, it is equally important to develop mechanisms to ensure that the affordable also become accessible to those who need it the most. We look forward to comprehensive and concrete outcome in Paris with a positive agenda on combating climate change, which also focuses on access to finance and technology for the developing world, especially the poor countries and small island states. I thanked President Obama for U.S. support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council. I also sought U.S. support to complete the reform process within a fixed time frame. I expressed our appreciation for continued U.S. support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes within our targeted time frame.

Our partnership addresses a broad range of strategic and security concerns.Our defence cooperation, including defence trade and training, is expanding. As existing terrorism threats grow and new ones emerge, we have resolved to further deepen cooperation on counter terrorism and radicalism. We have just had a successful cyber security dialogue. We have agreed to further strengthen our consultation and cooperation on helping the Afghan people combat terrorism and build a peaceful, stable and prosperous future of their nation. I welcomed the progress in giving shape to our Joint Strategic Vision on Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions as also our joint engagement with regional partners like Japan. This will also strengthen our maritime security cooperation. To further increase our strategic engagement in the region, I look forward to working with the U.S. for India’s early membership of Asian Pacific Economic Community. Our economic partnership is a key driver of our relationship. I have had excellent meetings with business leaders in New York and San Jose. I am very pleased with their confidence in India and value their constructive feedback and suggestions. We will also continue to work towards a stronger bilateral framework of economic cooperation, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty and Totalisation Agreement.
This meeting and my engagements in the U.S. demonstrate the extraordinary depth and diversity of our relationship. Our meeting today was very productive in advancing some of our immediate priorities as also our broader strategic partnership.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs 3674.77 per bbl on 10.07.2015 as compared to Rs 3650.55 per bbl on 09.07.2015. Rupee closed stronger at Rs 63.38 per US$ on 10.07.2015 as against Rs 63.51 per US$ on 09.07.2015. The table below gives details in this regard:

The Asian country cancelled its moratorium on the death penalty in the aftermath of the deadly Peshawar school attack in December 2014 which left over 100 people dead, the majority of whom were schoolchildren.

“Pakistan has gone from zero to 154 executions in just six months, making it the third most prolific executioner in the world,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein stated in a press release.

“I share Pakistan’s outrage and grief at the senseless killing of 145 people, including 132 schoolchildren, by the Pakistani Taliban in December last year, but I am very disturbed that the response of the Pakistani authorities has been to execute just as many people in the six months that have passed since the massacre,” he added.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner (OHCHR), more than 8,000 people remain on death row in Pakistan, of whom approximately 800 were reportedly juveniles at the time of the offense. The Government initially lifted the moratorium only for terrorism-related crimes but in March 2015 ended the moratorium for all capital offences.

Mr. Zeid dismissed the idea that mass executions could deter the kinds of “heinous crimes” committed in Peshawar as “deeply flawed and misguided” and warned that such an approach risked compounding injustice as “no justice system in the world is infallible.”

“Experience has clearly shown that the use of the death penalty cannot and does not debunk violent extremist ideologies,” the High Commissioner continued. “More often than not, the masterminds and financiers of such attacks remain at large – and may even use examples of possible miscarriages of justice as tools to recruit more individuals to their twisted causes.”

To that point, he acknowledged the massive challenges faced by Pakistan in combatting terrorism but stressed that the country’s response must be rooted in international human rights law.

“The best deterrents of serious crimes lie in ensuring respect for the rule of law and due process; ensuring that those suspected of such crimes are promptly and properly investigated and prosecuted; and in ensuring that the authorities engage closely with the communities affected by such violence,” he concluded. “Compromising on human rights may foster a sense of impunity and injustice, potentially leading to increased radicalisation towards violence and ultimately undermining the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures.”

]]> http://delhinewsagency.com/un-rights-chief-urges-pakistan-govt-to-reintroduce-death-penalty-moratorium/feed/ 0 http://delhinewsagency.com/bangladesh-liberation-war-honour-on-former-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ http://delhinewsagency.com/bangladesh-liberation-war-honour-on-former-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayee/#comments Sun, 07 Jun 2015 11:40:35 +0000 http://delhinewsagency.com/?p=4178 भारत के और बांग्लादेश के आदरणीय महानुभाव,
मेरे लिए आज ये सौभाग्य का पल है, भारतवासियों के लिए गौरव का पल है। जिस महापुरुष ने अपना संपूर्ण जीवन देश की सेवा में खपा दिया, सामान्य मानवी की जिंदगी में बदलाव आए उसके लिए जीवन भर वे जूझते रहे, और राजनीतिक दृष्टि से मेरे जैसे लाखों कार्यकर्ताओं के लिए वे प्रेरणामूर्ति रहे – ऐसे मां भारती के सपूत भारत रत्न श्रीमान अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी को आज बांग्लादेश सम्मानित कर रहा है। और बांग्लादेश की जंग के समय मूक्ति योद्धाओं के साथ भारत के सैन्य ने, जो अपना रक्त बहाया था और हर भारतीय नागरिक इस समय एक प्रकार से बांग्लादेश के सपने को साकार करने के लिए जूझता था, उस समय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी को जो नेतृत्व मिला, उनका मार्गदर्शन मिला – विपक्ष में रहते हुए देश की राजनीतिक को दिशा देने का जो उन्होंने निरंतर प्रयास किया, उसका आज गौरवपूर्ण स्मरण हो रहा है, इसके लिए मैं बांग्लादेश का बहुत-बहुत आभारी हूं।

वाजपेयी जी का अगर स्वास्थ्य ठीक होता और आज स्वंय यहां मौजूद होते तो इस अवसर को चार चाँद लग जाते। और आप सबने प्रार्थना की है अटल जी के स्वास्थ्य के लिए, मुझे विश्वास है कि आपकी प्रार्थनी फलेगी, और अटल जी स्वस्थ होकर के फिर से हम सब का मार्गदर्शन भी करेंगे। आज के इस अवसर पर ये सबसे बड़े आनंद का विषय है कि उस युद्ध की स्मृति में award दिया जा रहा है और महामहिम राष्ट्रपति जी के हाथों से दिया जा रहा है, जो स्वंय एक गौरवशाली मुक्ति योद्धा रहे हैं और उनके हाथों से सम्मान हो रहा है, ये अपने आप में एक बड़े गौरव की बात है। और दूसरी बात बंग-बंधु, जिनके नेतृत्व में, जिनके मार्गदर्शन में, बांग्लादेश ये लड़ाई लड़ा और जीता, उनकी बेटी की उपस्थिति में ये सम्मान प्राप्त हो रहा है। और तीसरी एक बात जो शायद मैंने पहले कभी बताई नहीं है वो मुझे आज बताते हुए जरा गर्व होता है। मैं राजनीतिक जीवन में तो बहुत देर से आय़ा। ’98 के आखिरी-आखिरी काल खंड में आय़ा लेकिन एक नौजवान activist के नाते, एक युवा worker के रूप में जो कि मैं राजनीतिक दल का सदस्य नहीं था, मैं भारतीय जनसंघ का कभी कार्यकर्ता नहीं रहा – लेकिन जब अटल जी के नेतृत्व में भारतीय जनसंघ ने बांग्लादेश के निर्माण के समर्थन के लिए एक सत्याग्रह किया और जिसका उल्लेख इस annotation में है, उस सत्याग्रह में एक volunteer के रूप में मैं मेरे गांव से दिल्ली आया था। और जो एक गौरवपूर्ण लड़ाई आप लोग लड़े थे और जिसमें हर भारतीय आपके सपनों को साकार होते देखना चाहता था, उन करोड़ों सपनों में एक मैं भी था, उस समय उन सपनों को देखता था।

आज मैं इस अत्यंत पवित्र अवसर पर वाजपेयी जी ने 6 दिसंबर 1971 को भारत की संसद में एक विपक्ष के एम.पी. के रूप में जो भाषण दिया था, उसका एक पेराग्राफ मैं पढ़ना चाहता हूं। दीर्घदृष्टा नेतृत्व क्या होता है, यह 6 दिसंबर के 1971 के उनके भाषण से हमें याद कर सकते हैं। उनके भाषण से मैं उनका ही quote बोल रहा हूं – “देर से ही सही बांग्लादेश को मान्यता प्रदान करके, एक सही कदम उठाया गया है। इतिहास को बदलने की प्रक्रिया हमारे सामने चल रही है। और नियति ने इस संसद को, इस देश को ऐसे महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र में रख दिया है जब हम न केवल मुक्ति संग्राम में अपने जीवन की आहूति देने वालों के साथ लड़ रहे हैं, लेकिन हम इतिहास को एक नई दिशा देने का भी प्रयत्न कर रहे हैं। आज बांग्लादेश में अपनी आजादी के लिए लड़ने वालों और भारतीय जवानों का रक्त साथ-साथ बह रहा है। यह रक्त ऐसे संबंधों का निर्माण करेगा जो किसी भी दबाव से टूटेंगे नहीं, जो किसी भी कूटनीति का शिकार नहीं बनेंगे। बांग्लांदेश की मुक्ति अब निकट आ रही है।“

यह वाजपेयी जी ने 6 दिसंबर, 1971 हिंदुस्तान की पार्लियामेंट में बोला था। आज जब मैं वाजपेयी जी को दिया हुआ सम्मान स्वीकार कर रहा हूं तब इस सम्मान के साथ हमारे संबंधों की दिशा जो वाजपेयी जी ने दो वाक्यों में कही है, उसके लिए भी संकल्प करने का यह समय है और उन्होंने उस दिन अपने भाषण में कहा था, जो मैंने पहले पढ़ा, वो मैं दोबारा पढ़ रहा हूं। उन्होंने कहा था – “यह रक्त ऐसे संबंधों का निर्माण करेगा जो कभी भी, किसी भी दबाव से टूटेंगे नहीं”। और दूसरा उन्होंने कहा था “जो कभी भी कहीं भी किसी कूटनीति का शिकार नहीं बनेंगे”।

वाजपेयी जी की इन दोनों बातों को हमने आगे नई पीढि़यों तक देना है ताकि भारत और बांग्लादेश के संबंध अटूट बने रहे, हमारे सपने साकार होते चले। एक दूसरे के सहयोग से होते चले, यही शुभकामनाओं के साथ मैं फिर एक बार आदरणीय राष्ट्रपति जी का, आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री जी का, बांग्लादेश सरकार का और बांग्लादेश की जनता का हृदय से आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। और भारत रत्न अटल बिहारी बाजपेयी जी को जो आपने सम्मान दिया इसके गौरव के साथ मैं अपनी बात को पूर्ण करता हूं।

I am deeply honoured and touched by your special gestures for my visit that dream prospers through the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the genius of the people of Bangladesh. Earlier today, we launched two bus services that will connect our citizens more easily and our two nations more closely. We were privileged to have with us the Chief of Minister of West Bengal. These two events highlight our shared values and inter-connected destinies. My first visit to Bangladesh is a special moment for me. My personal journey has been enriched by the good wishes from countless people here.

We are not just neighbours. We are two nations bound by the threads of history, religion, culture, language and kinship – and, of course, passion for cricket. We have the emotional bonds of shared struggles and sacrifices that bring us together as sovereign and equal nations. Now, we are successful fellow travelers on the road to development. Our growing cooperation is a picture of my deeply held belief in the shared prosperity of neighbours. That is why the future I dream for India is the future I wish for Bangladesh. As we deepen our political engagement and celebrate our rich inheritance, as our economies get more integrated and our people better connected, our nations will become more prosperous.

It will also open new economic doors for India’s Northeast. And, it will enable our two countries to integrate South Asia and connect it with the dynamic East. The vision of SAARC is a gift of Bangladesh. We are also among the largest contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping. And, we can also make our region safer and more prosperous, and the seas more secure. This is a relationship of great importance for us and our region. The visit is at a historic moment. We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary. It will make our borders more secure and people’s life there more stable.

Our Parliament’s approval of Land Boundary Agreement reflects the consensus in India on relations with Bangladesh. We accepted the settlement of the maritime boundary last year. It is evidence of the maturity of our ties and our shared commitment to international rules. So, we stand at a moment of huge opportunity in our relationship. Prime Minister and I recognise that. We will work together to harness the rich potential of our relationship. And, we will address our challenges in a spirit of friendship and from a position of mutual trust and confidence.

Our agreements reflect this vision and commitment. We have renewed existing trade and transport agreements. We have added new dimensions to our economic ties. The coastal shipping agreement will boost bilateral trade. The Indian Economic Zone will promote Indian investments in Bangladesh. The new border haat at Kamalasagar will reinforce traditional economic links. And, the agreement on blue economy and maritime cooperation opens a new area of economic opportunities. We should now extend our frontiers of cooperation to Space.

I am conscious of the huge trade imbalance, despite duty free and quota free access to Bangladesh in India on all but 25 items. Yet, I have assured Prime Minister that we will do everything we can to bridge the deficit. Indian investments in Bangladesh will help. I will also try to make trade smoother and easier, including at the border. The agreement on standards and testing is a step in that direction. Power supply from India to Bangladesh will grow from 500 MW to 1100 MW within two years. The 1320 MW Rampal power project is making progress in accordance with your laws and regulation. We can do more together in power sector, here and in India.

Connectivity is the catalyst for deeper engagement. Bangladesh’s decision to allow transit of power equipment and food-grain to the Northeast echoes the strength of your human values and our shared economic opportunities.
Connectivity by road, rail, rivers, sea, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines and digital links will increase. Today, we have unveiled some of the pathways to this future. As I have said before, we will deepen regional connectivity and cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. There is a natural logic to this arrangement. Our development partnership is scaling new heights. The quick implementation of the line of credit of 800 million U.S. dollars and full disbursement of 200 million dollars in grant is a tribute to our cooperation. We are pleased to extend another line of credit of 2 billion U.S. dollars to support infrastructure and other development activities in Bangladesh. As the three agreements on human trafficking, fake Indian currency and maritime safety show, our security cooperation is growing.

I am confident that we both have the political will and mutual confidence to further improve border management and coordination to prevent illegal activities, trafficking and movements. Our rivers should nurture our relationship, not become a source of discord. Water sharing is, above all, a human issue. It affects life and livelihood on both sides of the border. We have shown political resolve and mutual goodwill with the Land Boundary Agreement. I am confident that with the support of state governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni Rivers. We should also work together to renew and clean our rivers.Excellency, people in India admire your nation’s progress despite many challenges. We want you to succeed in your Mission 2021 and 2041. The success of Bangladesh is important for the region and the world. So is the success of our partnership. We are two nations defined by our youth. We owe it to them to set new directions and scale new heights in our relations. I am confident that we have done that today.

Several Dutch companies have a long presence in India. They are as likely to be seen as Indian as Dutch. Today, the Netherlands is the fifth largest source of investments in India. India is also the fifth largest source of investments in the Netherlands. It is a reflection of its competitive and open business environment. The Netherlands has emerged as an important platform for Indian companies in the European Union, which is one of our largest markets. So, I am pleased that Prime Minister Rutte is visiting us. We had a comprehensive and productive dialogue today. We discussed bilateral relations as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest. We were later joined by 35 business leaders from both sides for a working lunch.

We agreed that we both stand to benefit from closer bilateral and multilateral collaboration, including in areas such as countering terrorism and extremism, defence, maritime security and cyber security. We have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, which will hold its first meeting on 19th June.I thanked Prime Minister Rutte for Dutch support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. I also thanked him for his support for India’s candidature for the Security Council in 2021-22.

Our agreements today are closely aligned with India’s economic priorities. Prime Minister Rutte expressed support for our Make in India Mission, including in the defence sector. The agreement on manufacturing of dredgers in India at the Cochin Shipyard is a welcome step in our efforts to develop Indian shipyards. Similarly, the agreement on manufacturing of Measles, and Rubella Vaccine in India, with transfer of technology, represents yet another step to develop India’s manufacturing sector, and improve healthcare. We have also agreed to leverage Dutch expertise in developing coastal roads and metro lines in India.

We have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Skill Development. In the renewable energy sector, I am happy that we are partnering in developing joint pilot projects for an electric vehicle ecosystem in India. We are setting up centres of excellence in areas like horticulture and animal husbandry. These are areas of strong Dutch competence.We will soon host a Dutch team to draw up a road-map for collaboration in the National Clean Ganga Mission.

More broadly, the Joint Statement outlines our road-map for cooperation in priority sectors of mutual interest, including infrastructure development, shipping, ports and inland waterways; renewable energy; science & technology; health and sports. Our discussion with business leaders was helpful in understanding their perspectives and future plans. I was greatly encouraged by the keen interest and enthusiasm on both sides to form deeper partnerships. I also conveyed our decision to include the Netherlands in India’s Electronic Tourist Visa scheme. This will boost Dutch tourism in India and enhance our people-to-people ties. Our productive interactions today reaffirm my view of the Netherlands as a key partner in India’s economic development.Your visit has set the stage to take our ties to the next level and realise the full potential of our relationship