Having rung in the New Year with two major acquisitions in the metals space, India Inc is set to execute more such deals, albeit in automotive, pharma and IT sectors, with companies in Europe being the targets.

In his first official foray to Washington, DC as India's foreign secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon, besides providing senior US officials with an update as to where India stands on the bilateral civilian nuclear cooperative agreement -- also known as the 123 Agreement that has remained stalled since last December -- will also brief the Bush administration on External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Iran, particularly regarding the discussions over Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

In a major confidence-building measure, India and Pakistan on Wednesday signed an agreement to reduce the risk from accidental use of nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Prof. Romano Prodi, today affirmed their commitment to work towards the establishment of a strategic partnership based on the close understanding and excellent political dialogue between the two countries, and enhanced cooperation on economy and trade, defense, culture, science & technology, higher education and research, space and the environment.

1. VII Cultural Exchange Programme between Government of the Republic of India and Government of the Republic of Italy for the Years 2007-2009.

The Fourth Session of the India-Malaysia Joint Commission will be held in New Delhi on February 16, 2007. The Malaysian delegation will be led by H.E. Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and the Indian delegation will be led by H.E. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India.

During the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka in November 2005, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, put forth a bold new vision of an interconnected South Asia. Emphasizing the need for reconnecting the countries of the subcontinent, and then reconnecting the subcontinent to the larger Asian neighbourhood, he offered transit facilities on a reciprocal basis to all the SAARC countries, including on open skies policy. He proposed that we organise a South Asian Car Rally in the run up to the next SAARC Summit, in New Delhi. The Rally would symbolize our regional identity, highlight our regional connectivity and draw attention to the need to improve our SAARC transport infrastructure.

Your Excellency, Mr. Li Zhaoxing,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China,
Smt. Ambika Soni, Minister of Tourism and Culture,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

The Sixth India-Russia-China Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting took place today in a very frank and cordial atmosphere. It was the second time that the three Foreign Ministers met exclusively for a trilateral meeting after the first one in Vladivostok in June 2005. In July 2006, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, President of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao met in St. Petersburg for the first summit level trilateral meeting. We will issue a Joint Communique which covers the nature of today’s discussions and the shared views of the three countries.

A trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of India, the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China was held in New Delhi on February 14, 2007.

The Ministers noted that the mechanism of trilateral meetings is a manifestation of enhanced mutual understanding and trust among the three countries and positively assessed the outcome of their meetings. They agreed that the Summit level trilateral meeting held in St. Petersburg on July 17, 2006 on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit demonstrated the willingness of the three sides to carry forward consultations on issues of shared interest, at the highest political level, with the aim of promoting the development objectives of the three countries as well as peace, security and stability in the region and the world. They reaffirmed that trilateral cooperation was not directed against the interests of any other country and was, on the contrary, intended to promote international harmony and understanding and find common ground amidst divergent interests. They also emphasized the strong commitment of India, Russia and China to multilateral diplomacy.

At the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will pay an official visit to India from February 11-14, 2007. The External Affairs Minister and Chinese Foreign Minister will hold bilateral discussions on February 13. The Foreign Minister will participate in India-China-Russia Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on February 14. During the visit, he will also call on the Prime Minister.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak before this distinguished audience on an issue that is of direct relevance to India’s security. I propose to address the issue of financing of terrorism in the context of a sustained and multi-pronged combat against international terrorism.