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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Storm brews over fuel price hikes
India?s govt. faces strong political opposition over hike in fuel prices announced in budget. Page 5
Key political risks to watch in India
India?s budget attempts to support the poor ahead of swift pro-market reforms. Page 11
?Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?
Directed by Ashwni Dhir, the film stars Ajay Devgn, Konkona Sen Sharma and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles. Page 22
Sachin breaks ODI record, slams 200
India?s Sachin Tendulkar became the first man ever to hit 200 in a one-day international. Page 28
INDEX
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Saturday, March 6, 2010
Vol. 6 No. 11 Biweekly Midwest Edition www.indiabulletinusa.com
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India seeks closer ties with Saudi Arabia to fuel recovery
By Souhail Karam RIYADH - India said it expects its economy to rebound to 9-percent annual growth rates within two years and wants to expand its energy ties with top OPEC exporter Saudi Arabia to help fuel the recovery. During a meeting between two rounds of talks on Saturday with Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged Saudi businessmen to invest more in India?s energy, agricultural, tourism and telecommunications sectors. The two countries already have close links with 2 million Indian workers in Saudi Arabia -- the majority of whom work in the services industry -- providing India with the second-biggest source of remittances after the United States. For its part, Saudi Arabia wants to develop closer ties with Asian countries, such as India, as it seeks to diversify its oil-reliant economy. Singh -- the first Indian prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia in almost 30 years -- said Indian companies are well-placed to develop the country?s economy. ?We believe that conditions are ripe for moving beyond a traditional (oil) buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive energy partnership,? Singh told the gathering. Singh also proposed new partnerships between the two countries in the area of renewable energy through sharing of clean technologies and joint ventures. Indian investment in Saudi Arabia stands at more than $2 billion, covering 500 joint ventures, and India wants Saudi Arabia to also invest in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals as well as energy, Singh said. Singh said bilateral trade reached almost $25 billion in the 2008-09 fiscal year. CRUDE BOOST Indian Oil Minister Shri Murli Deora said Riyadh is willing to increase crude supplies to India to 40 million tons from about currently 25.5 million tonnes to meet rising energy demand of the Saudi Arabia?s King Abdullah (R) welcomes India?s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh upon his arrival at the Royal Palace in Riyadh on February 28, 2010. south Asian country. India will add 1 million barrels per day within two years to its 3.5-million bpd refining capacity which would increase Saudi crude exports by 500,000 Continued on Page 6
Rivals India and Pakistan agree to ?keep in touch?
By Bappa Majumdar NEW DELHI - The first official talks between India and Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks ended last Thursday with only an agreement to ?keep in touch?, signalling that relations between the nuclear-armed rivals India?s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao (L) shakes hands with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir before their meeting in New Delhi on Feb. 25. The top diplomats of India and Pakistan began last Thursday their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but hopes of progress remain limited as the rival neighbours seek to end a diplomatic freeze. Entertainment........... Page 22 Business................... Page 26 Sports....................... Page 28 Health....................... Page 29 Community................ Page 36
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On Comcast Cable Ch. 110 Illinois/Indiana Sat. 9am-10am & Sat. 9pm-12am Hindi Movie For more information, call: 847-679-2722 Continued on Page 6 Thought of the Week: ?If you?re never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.? - Julia Sorel
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REUTERS/B Mathur REUTERS/ Saudi Press Agency/Handout remain frosty. The meeting also marks a tiny step in improving the outlook for stability in Afghanistan, where India and Pakistan have long battled for influence, complicating regional security, but many obstacles remain. The two nations? top diplomats met in a former princely palace in a heavily guarded New Delhi neighbourhood and agreed to ?remain in touch? to build trust with each other. ?We went into today?s talks with an open mind but fully
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