2100 HRS. 
20-05-2013

THE HEADLINES:

• India and China agree for early settlement of border issue; The two countries to expand cooperation on trans-border rivers.
• New Delhi and Beijing to step up bilateral trade to one hundred billion Dollars.
• Delhi Police recover 20 lakh rupees from arrested match fixer Ajit Chandila's relatives in Faridabad; Ranji player Baburao Yadav questioned in spot-fixing scandal .
• Gold plunges 330 rupees, to a 21-month low of 26,370 rupees per ten grams.     And in Sports
• India's Mandeep Jangra wins gold medal in International Limassol Boxing Cup tournament in Cyprus.

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India and China today agreed for early settlement of differences on border perceptions, expand cooperation on trans-border rivers and increase bilateral trade. The two countries signed eight pacts including an MOU on sharing of information on water flow in river Brahmaputra. This followed the delegation-level talks between the visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi this afternoon. The other pacts are in areas of trade, commerce, agriculture, education, literature, enhancing people to people contacts and providing facilities for Kailash Mansarovar yatris who travel to Tibet.In his press statement, Dr Singh said that peace and tranquility on the borders are the basis for expansion of ties between New Delhi and Beijing. Stating that economic cooperation constitutes an important part of the bilateral relationship, Dr Singh said the growth potential of the two economies can provide the engine for greater cooperation.

Economic Co-operation constitutes a very important part of our relationship. And the growth potential of our two economies can provide the engines of greater cooperation. There are many on going areas of cooperation that we will carry forward as out lying the joint statement. I conveyed to primarily our concerned about the trade deficit and start increase market acts to China for our export and investment.

Chinese Premier, in his media interaction, said that he shared the hydrological information with India and the two neighbours are ready to set up communication with regard to water projects. He stressed that both sides have more common interests than differences.

Since we are strategic partners and we are good friends that I speak to each other. So we do not deny that there are some problems between the two sides, both sides belief. This regard to the boundry question. One that is left over by history. The two sides have overtime estabilished the principles for settling this question.

Briefing newsmen on the delegation level talks between the two sides, Indian Ambassador to China, S. Jayshanker said, the two countries have already exchanged draft proposals of Border cooperation agreement for early settlement. The special representative of both countries will be meeting soon to take the process forward. Mr. Jayshanker also said, the Defence Minister A. K Antony will be visiting China.

On the bilateral side, I think the follow up which we are working at the Defence Minister would be going to China soon. The dates will be announced and when they are ready. N.S.A. Mr. Menon also be going to China as special representative to meet at his counterpart. There will be meeting of the strategic economic dialogue which is headed on our side by Mr. Ahulwalia Dy. Chairman of Planning Commission.

Both India and China also agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime security and also agreed to hold the joint military exercises later this year. A study will also be conducted on the proposed Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar trade corridor.India and China have agreed to take steps to realize the bilateral trade turn-over target of one hundred billion Dollars in the next two years.

Our Correspondent reports that trade deficit between India and China

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Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has said that the Indian economy is entering a new phase of strong growth supported by transparent and effective institutions. Delivering the annual day lecture at a function organised by Competition Commission of India, in New Delhi this evening, the Finance Minister expressed confidence that the Commission has contributed significantly towards the goal of strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.The Finance Minister also said that India deserves a rating upgrade in view of improvement in macro-economic situation. Expressing concern over widening current account deficit (CAD), the minister indicated that government could take more steps to check gold imports.

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Delhi Police has recovered 20 lakh rupees from arrested match fixer Ajit Chandila's relatives in Faridabad. Sources also said that the voice samples of the Rajasthan Royals player Ajit Chandila and two bookies have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory for testing. The Delhi Police has also detained a former Ranji Player Babu Rao Yadav from Delhi in connection with IPL spot fixing case. Police sources said Yadav is being questioned by the Special Cell of Delhi Police.Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals management has filed a complaint against its three cricketers S. Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila with Delhi Police.

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A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking setting up of a Special Investigation Team to probe spot fixing and other alleged irregularities in the IPL, apart from a stay on the remaining matches. The petition alleges that there are many irregularities in the IPL beginning from the auction of players.

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Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Savitha Indra Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao who resigned in connection with disproportionate assets case of YSR Congress President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy today asserted that they are innocent and their honesty would be proved in the court. Talking to reporters in Hyderabad today, after meeting the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, both Ministers confirmed that they had put in resignation papers. They said they have decided to resign keeping in view the interests of the government as well as the Congress party.

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In Uttar Pradesh, Lokayukta Justice NK Mehrotra today indaited 199 persons including BSP general secretary and ex-minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui and former minister Babu Singh Kushwaha. They have been charged with the financial irregularities to the tune of 1,410 Crore Rupees in the construction of parks and memorials built during Mayawati regime.AIR Lucknow correspondent quoting official sources reports that the Lokayukta today handed over the report to UP Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, who will take the decision on the filing of FIRs against those named in the probe report.

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Central Excise Intelligence has registered a case of tax evasion of 24 crore rupees against a Maharashtra based private company Bhushan Steels. According to an official release, the action was taken following extensive searches conducted at 14 places across Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The authorites also seized some incriminating documents and unaccounted cash.

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THIS IS ALL INDIA RADIO, GIVING YOU THE NEWS

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In a major shake up, Congress today removed all the eight zonal presidents in Uttar Pradesh including two Union Ministers R P N Singh and Jitin Prasada and CWC member Rasheed Masood and brought in local leaders in their place. Zonal presidents who faced the axe included senior leaders like P L Punia and Rajaram Pal. Their removal comes in the wake of complaints of 'non-performance.

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In Assam, a total of 4 candidates including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have filed their nominations for 2 seats of Upper House. Polling, if necessary will be held on 30th of this month. Today was the last day of filing nominations.

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In Assam, voting for 28 seats of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council ended this evening. Initial reports of State Election Commission say above 60 percent voting has been reported. Counting will be held on the 24th of this month.

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In Himachal Pradesh, the Manali- Leh national highway crossing from the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti has been opened for light vehicles by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) today. This stretigically important road was closed since last seven months.

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Heat wave continues to sweep several parts of the country.Rajasthan remained under the grip of intense heat with mercury soaring to 48.2 degree Celsius in Churu district.In Madhya Pradesh, the heat wave crossed 45 degrees in several places.In Uttar Pradesh, Agra remained hottest place where maximum temperature was recorded at 45.5 degrees celsius during past 24 hours.

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The Business World.

Snapping a four-session rally, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange declined 62 points, or 0.3 percent, to close at 20,224, today, on profit-booking by investors. The Nifty fell 30 points, to 6,157. The rupee depreciated 23 paise, to a nearly five-month low of 55.11 against the dollar. Gold plunged 330 rupees, to a 21-month low of 26,370 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver plummeted 1,530 rupees, to a 31-month low of 42,170 rupees per kilo. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News)

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Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra has won a gold medal in the International Limassol Boxing Cup tournament in Cyprus. In 69 kg category Mandeep thrashed Vega Blang of Spain 21-2 in the final encounter to clinch the yellow metal.

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Two 21-year-old Indian sisters have ed history by becoming the first twins ever to conquer the summit of Mount Everest together. Tashi and Nancy Malik from Dehra Dun achieved this feat by successfully reaching the world's highest mountain peak at 8,848 meters, an official at Nepal's Ministry of Tourism and Culture said.

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Journalists’ Forum in Assam today urged Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to investigate the attack on a local media house in Agartala in which three people including a journalist were killed yesterday. Motorcycle-borne assailants barged into the office of 'Dainik Ganadoot' newspaper in Agartala yesterday and stabbed to death the office manager, a proof reader and a driver.

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The peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan will come up for discussion during the Afghan President Hamid Karzai's discussions with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi tomorrow. The two leaders are expected to focus on security and infrastructure developments in the war torn country. Mr. Hamid Karzai who reached on the first leg of his visit to Punjab this afternoon was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the President Pranab Mukherjee. During his three day visit, he will also discuss issues of bilateral and regional concerns.

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A Pakistani court in Rawalpindi today granted bail to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the 2007 Benazir Bhutto assassination case. Judge Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman of the anti-terrorism court granted bail to Musharraf against two surety bonds of Rs 10 lakh each.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly "PUBLIC SPEAK" programme will bring you a discussion tonight on "Water Conservation and our Responsibilities." This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies at 9.30 p.m. Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our studio on telephone number: 011-2331-4444. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.

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Visitors to Rashtrapati Bhawan and Mughal Gardens have to pay nominal registration charges of 25 rupees from 1st of August this year. An official release said these charges will enable Rashtrapati Bhavan maintain and improve its services to public.The registration charges will not apply during the opening of the Mughal Gardens to the public in February/March every year.

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