The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 14, 2012

Today's Headlines

1927-2012: The king of ghazal is dead

Our correspondents

His is not the story of a typical star.
Mehdi Hassan, the undisputed king of ghazal – who left one too many applauses unheard and many a tributes unacknowledged in his lifetime – passed away at the age of 85 at 12:15 pm on Wednesday after suffering from multiple problems, including massive bleeding from the stomach, and lung and chest infections at the Agha Khan hospital in Karachi.

'Ridiculing' the judiciary: Riaz summoned over public diatribe

Azam Khan

A day after real-estate magnate Malik Riaz unleashed a salvo of serious allegations against the judiciary, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son in particular, the Supreme Court took notice of his 'explosive' news conference.

Elements other than apology keeping GLOCs closed: Panetta

Huma Imtiaz

As a US Senate subcommittee heard from top American generals and members of the defense setup over the resumption of Nato supply routes and a possible US apology to Pakistan over the November check post attack, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that the administration has already expressed regret over the incident, however there were other elements at play which prevented the supply route from being reopened.

Deadly suicide bombings declining in Pakistan: Report

Ema Anis

The trend of deadly suicide bombings in Pakistan took its toll in the year 2009 with 90 incidents, but subsequently declined in the following years, according to an analysis by Pakistan Body Count. The year 2011 saw 44 suicide bombings, while the current year has seen 16 bombings as yet.

 

Business

Short circuit: NAB investigates factors that sparked energy crisis

Zafar Bhutta

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), in an attempt to determine the factors that have led to the energy crisis, has launched an investigation into kickbacks allegedly taken by government high-ups in allocating gas supply to powerful lobbies of different sectors, which eventually caused gas shortage for power companies, resulting in widespread load-shedding.

Vertical integration: PSO to set up refinery in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Our Correspondents

Pakistan State Oil's (PSO) two-year old plan to enter the refining business has finally made some headway as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has agreed to allot 400 acres of land to set up a refinery.

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Sports

Swimming: Israr up against mighty waves

Natasha Raheel

Israr Hussain applied to be part of the army aged 18. Little did he know that all his battles would take place in the swimming pool – the 25-year-old was one of the two Olympics wild-card beneficiaries in Pakistan.

Cricket: PCB to question Malik after Delhi turn-up

Fawad Hussain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will ask former captain Shoaib Malik to explain his participation in a Delhi event without seeking either of the board's permission.

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Life & Style

A tribute to the king

Aaker Patel

The remarkable thing about ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan was that he fashioned, along with Begum* Akhtar, a style of singing that did not exist before them.

Traditional footwear: Cuckoo for khussas?

Hani Taha

While diamante sandals and kohla puri inspiredchappals may be in vogue everywhere else in Karachi, traditional kohla puris and khussas still retain their old school popularity. One place in Karachi that is still boasting this footwear is the city's once popular shopping joint Uzma Display Centre, a treat for khussa lovers.

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Opinion

Dual nationals cannot be loyal to either country

Haider Nizamani

Part-time Pakistanis

Dr Niaz Murtuza

The real 'mad men'

Nadir Hassan

The revolution is not being televised

Arif Rafiq

Are our cities exclusionary?

Ahmad Rafay Alam
 

Blogs

You were our star Mehdi Hassan

Raza Rumi

Kill me, for I have spoken

Hashim Nauman

36 A's or a 4.0 GPA won't make you a genius

Hussain Nadim

Magnum Chocolate Party: Royal indulgence

Natasha Carim

 

Poll

Is the strike by CNG association justified?

No (60%, 221 Votes) 

Yes (40%, 145 Votes) 

Total Voters: 366

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Dunya TV

Dunya TV


Miranshah: US drone attack kills three

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A US drone strike has killed three people in Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern tribal area of North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The attack took place early on Thursday when the drone fired two missiles on a building in the central market of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;A US drone fired two missiles on the first floor of a shop in the main market and at least three militants were killed,&quot; a senior official said</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There has been a dramatic increase in US drone strikes in Pakistan since a NATO summit in Chicago ended last month without a deal to end a six-month blockade on NATO supplies crossing into Afghanistan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>At least four people had been killed in another US drone attack on the same town on Wednesday.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Security beefed up in Islamabad

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the sources the security has be increased in the capital due to appearaince of Malik Riaz in the Supreme Court and all the vehicles entering the capital are being thoroughly checked.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Heavy contingents of police have been deployed at all the entry and exit points of the federal capital and no one is allowed to enter Islamabad without CNIC.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Balochistan Govt denies Malik Riaz claims

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A spokesman of Balochistan government has denied Malik Riaz charges that Arsalan Iftikhar was staying at Balochistan House in Islamabad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Malik Riaz had claimed in Dunya News programme &lsquo;Dunya Special&rsquo; that Dr Arsalan was staying at a suite of Balochistan House.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The spokesman informed that there is no suite of chief minister at the Balochistan House. He said that there is only an annexy which is vacant at moment.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan, Sri Lanka 3rd ODI abandoned

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The third one-day international between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was abandoned due to rain in Colombo on Wednesday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan were 12-2 off 6.2 overs after electing to bat when play was called off, with Asad Shafiq unbeaten on five and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq yet to open his account.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pacemen Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara each bagged one wicket for Sri Lanka.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sri Lanka made one change from the team which played the last game as they rested left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and brought in debutant Sajeewa Weerakoon.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan replaced paceman Rahat Ali with Shafiq.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The five-match series is currently tied 1-1, with Pakistan winning the opening one-dayer by six wickets and Sri Lanka winning the second game by 76 runs in Pallekele.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The fourth one-dayer will be played in Colombo on Saturday.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Germany beat Holland 2-1 in Euro 2012

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Two goals from Mario Gomez gave Germany a 2-1 victory over Netherlands in their Euro 2012 Group B match on Wednesday, putting them on the brink of the quarter-finals while the Dutch face a potential early exit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Gomez fired the Germans into a 24th minute lead after turning in the area and firing past keeper Maarten Stekelenburg following a superb Bastian Schweinsteiger pass.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The pair combined again 14 minutes later, with Gomez thundering in his third goal in two matches from the right before Dutch forward Robin van Persie cut the deficit in the 73rd with his first goal of the tournament.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Locals supporting Germany in the fan zone in Kharkiv were delighted with the scoreline.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The result lifted Germany to six points from two games, following their 1-0 opening win over Portugal, while the Netherlands teeter on the brink of elimination after two defeats in the group following their opening loss to Denmark.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On a hot and humid evening in eastern Ukraine, Germany, who had lost their second group games in the last two major tournaments, put in a performance worthy of their title favourites tag.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Yet it was the Dutch who had the first chance, midfielder Mark van Bommel sending English Premier League top scorer Van Persie clear but he was unable to beat keeper Manuel Neuer.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That chance triggered an instant reaction from Germany with Mesut Ozil&nbsp;s volley rattling the foot of the post and the ball rolling into Stekelenburg&nbsp;s hands.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Gomez, who scored the goal against Portugal, then took matters into his own hands again and, courtesy of another well-timed Schweinsteiger pass, spun in the area and coolly slotted the ball home to give Germany the lead.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The forward, who again started ahead of Miroslav Klose, added a second in the 38th with a fine drive from a tight angle.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk brought on Bundesliga top scorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart at the start of the second half to add some urgency going forward but it was the Germans who kept piercing the Dutch defence at will.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But Neuer was called to the rescue, palming a Van Persie shot wide, while Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder&nbsp;s curled effort on the hour sailed wide.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Van Persie was not yet done, though, firing into the net after 73 minutes to set up a nervous finale although the Germans held on for the victory.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Portugal have three points after beating Denmark, who also have three points, 3-2 in the earlier group game.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Portugal beat Denmark 3-2 in thriller

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Silvestre Varela came off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner as Portugal beat Denmark 3-2 in a Euro 2012 thriller on Wednesday (June 13) and put themselves right back in the Group B mix.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Portugal, beaten 1-0 by Germany in their opener, went ahead after 24 minutes when Pepe glanced in a header from a corner and doubled their lead in the 36th with simple finish by Helder Postiga from a low Nani cross.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nicklas Bendtner pulled one back in the 41st minute and, after Cristiano Ronaldo had missed a glorious chance to make it 3-1, looked to have secured a point for the Danes when he headed his second after 80.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Varela had the final word, however, when, at the second attempt, he smashed in the winner three minutes after coming on.<br />&nbsp;</p>


We should apologize to Pakistan for Salala incident: US Senator

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Chairperson of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, has called upon the US administration to extend an apology to Pakistan for Salala firing incident on November 26 last year, which resulted in the death of 24 soldiers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>She was speaking during a hearing of Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Defense Wednesday, in which US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey were testifying.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;I understand that mistakes were made on both sides in November 26 incident. ISAF commander, Gen. John Allen has identified 6-7 steps to rectify the problem,&quot; she recalled while referring to a meeting of US Senators with Gen. Allen, in which the latter took the legislators into confidence with regards to the events that led to the Salala incident.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;GLOCs problem could be solved with some civilian acceptance of mistakes by the US,&quot; she said while referring to the ground supply routes for NATO forces from northwest Pakistan that were suspended as a mark of protest by the host government after the Nov 26 incident.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;The US administration would do well to apologize for its mistakes in the firing incident,&quot; she said adding that this would also help in the reopening of GLOCs. &quot;National security of the United States will be better served with a positive relationship with Pakistan,&quot; she emphasised in a rare show of positive gesture towards Pakistan on the Capitol Hill.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, responding to the Senator, termed the US relationship with Pakistan &lsquo;complicated, but important&rsquo;. &quot;It&nbsp;s a complicated relationship but it is a necessary relationship, by virtue of our security needs in that area,&quot; he opined.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Issue of apology is also one of the points being discussed with Pakistan, although mistakes were made on both sides,&quot; he conceded. &quot;We offered condolences, but that is not the only issue now, they are asking for something else too,&quot; he said hinting at a possible high tariff per truck demanded by Pakistan for such communication in future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;GLOCs are still under negotiations, and discussions continue as to how we can resolve it,&quot; he said adding that apology was not the only sticking point in the negotiations for ground supply routes. &quot;Other elements are also in these negotiations that need to be resolved for reopening of GLOCs,&quot; he clarified.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Secretary Panetta also revealed that the closure of routes from Pakistan had forced US to reply on expensive northern network. &quot;Expensive northern route are being used because closure of ground routes from Pakistan is a problem,&quot; he said adding that the &quot;US is incurring 100 million dollars per month additional because of closure of GLOCs from Pakistan.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When Senator Lindsay Graham (R-South Carolina) asked Secretary Panetta about his views regarding cutting-off aid to Pakistan altogether, the Secretary adopted a cautious approach. &quot;Would you recommend shutting-down aid to Pakistan?&quot; asked Senator Graham. &quot;I&nbsp;ll be very careful about shutting down aid to Pakistan. I would expect them to do what they have to do,&quot; Secretary Panetta responded.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Senator Dan Coats (R-Indiana) again raised the issue of Pakistan-based Haqqani network during the proceedings. &quot;Haqqani network in Pakistan represents a threat,&quot; he said while adding that similar groups in Somalia, Yemen and other countries were a similar threat, which required a rapid response force.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;There are still significant challenges from Al Qaeda, although they are seriously weakened. We continue to have threats from Iran and North Korea,&quot; Secretary Panetta said. &quot;There are challenges in Asia and Africa as well as Middle East. Nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks are also a threat to global security,&quot; he went on to add.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC<br />&nbsp;</p>


SC to be responsible for any harm to me: Malik Riaz

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>In an interview with Dunya News, he said that he was receiving threats, and he is without any security cover.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He also complained that he had requested a grace time of two minutes, which were refuted by the Apex Court; &ldquo;hence, running out of all options, I had to resort to a press conference, since I was under sheer mental duress since past two years,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;I still respect the CJP and have strong faith and trust in rest of Judiciary,&rdquo; he declared.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Putting forth the fourth question to CJP, he said that during the movement for restoration for judiciary (and CJP), which was also actively participated by Chaudhry Aitazaz Ahsan and Hamid Khan, it was decided that no meeting would be held with any messenger, yet why did CJP met him (Malik Riaz) and even did not bother to inform his colleagues?&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Malik Riaz said that during his talks with CJP, both CJP&rsquo;s son Arsalan Iftikhar and Registrar Supreme Court were also present, while he (Malik Riaz) had &lsquo;pleaded with CJP to avoid running a parallel government, by avoiding any confrontation with PPP&rsquo;.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said that doing business in Pakistan was quite a tough job, while he severely lambasted PML-N&rsquo;s Chaudhry Nisar, asking the opposition leader about his offspring studying abroad, and numerous farmhouses, in face of mysterious means of income.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Stressing that he was &lsquo;helping Pakistan, if helping the government&rsquo;, he cited the important role of various businessmen in such cases like Bhutto-Indira meeting, Musharraf-Nawaz meeting etc.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He also said that yesterday (Tuesday) night, the Registrar Supreme Court, sought the services of Rehman Malik to accommodate Arsalan Iftikhar.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Arsalan case: Zardari bars party leaders from issuing statement

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A meeting of heads of allied parties was held in the Presidency Wednesday night with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair and discussed coalition matters and the current situation in the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>President Asif Ali Zardari barred party leaders from issuing statement regarding Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case. He was of the view that the country cannot afford any confrontation. He said that his party respects judiciary.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting was attended by Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Senator Haji Adeel Ahmed Khan, Senator Afrasiab Khattak, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Senator Babar Khan Ghouri, Senator Mir Israrullah Zehri, Senator Abbas Khan Afridi and Munir Khan Orakzai. Spokesperson to President Senator Farhatullah Babar was also present.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Rawalpindi: No oxygen in Benazir Hospital, 5 patients die

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the heirs of the patients, the deaths were caused due to unavailability on oxygen in the hospital and even simple operations have been postponed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, MS Benazir Hospital Dr Asif Mir said that the deaths were not caused due to unavailability on oxygen. He informed that two patients died after undergoing going operation while two other died due to blood clotting. He said the fifth patient was brought to hospital after he attempted to commit suicide. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Sharjeel Memon re-appointed Sindh Information Minister

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan administered oath to Sharjeel Memon during a ceremony held at the Governor House, Karachi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sharjeel Memon served as information minister for Sindh in the past. With Memon taking oath of the information minister the strength of the Sindh cabinet has become 49. <br /><br />&nbsp;</p>


Karachi violence claims 3 more lives

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to details, some unidentified persons riding on motorcycles opened fire in Federal B Area in Karachi and critically wounded two people. The injured were sifted to a nearby hospital where one of the injured died.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In another incident of target killing, a man was shot dead in Manghu Pir area while some unidentified persons riding on motorcycles shot dead 25-year-old Awais. The dead body of Awais was shifted to Civil Hospital.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Car bombs targeting Shiites kill 72 in Iraq

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A coordinated wave of car bombs struck Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad and several other cities Wednesday, killing at least 72 people and wounding more than 200 in one of the deadliest days in Iraq since US troops withdrew from the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The bloodshed comes against a backdrop of political divisions that have raised tensions and threatened to provoke a new round of the violence that once pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war. Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they bore the hallmarks of Sunni insurgents who frequently target Shiites in Iraq.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wednesday&nbsp;s blasts were the third this week targeting the annual pilgrimage that sees hundreds of thousands of Shiites converge on a golden-domed shrine in Baghdad&nbsp;s northern neighborhood of Kazimiyah to commemorate the eighth century death of a revered Shiite saint, Imam Moussa al-Kadhim. The commemoration culminates on Saturday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Puddles of blood and shards of metal clogged a drainage ditch at the site of one of the bombings in the city of Hillah, where hours before pilgrims had been marching. Soldiers and dazed onlookers wandered near the charred remains of the car that had exploded and ripped gaping holes in nearby shops.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Most of the 16 separate explosions that rocked the country targeted Shiite pilgrims in five cities, but two hit offices of political parties linked to Iraq&nbsp;s Kurdish minority in the tense north. Authorities had tightened security ahead of the pilgrimage, including a blockade of the mainly Sunni area of Azamiyah, which is near the twin-domed Shiite shrine.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The level of violence has dropped dramatically in Iraq since peaking in 2006-2007 as the country faced a Sunni-led insurgency and retaliatory sectarian fighting that broke out after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. But Iraqis still face near-daily attacks and Shiite pilgrimages are often targeted.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Political divisions also have only deepened, paralyzing the country since the Americans withdrew all combat troops in mid-December.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been accused of trying to monopolize power, and tensions spiked after Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi the highest-ranking Sunni in Iraq&nbsp;s leadership was charged with running death squads. The government began his trial in absentia since al-Hashemi was out of the country, drawing allegations the charges were part of a vendetta by the Shiite-led government.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The political stagnation has set back hopes for stability in Iraq and stalled efforts to rebuild the country after eight years of US occupation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;These violent acts reflect the depth of the political crisis in the country and the escalation of political differences among blocs,&quot; said politician Abdul-Sataar al-Jumaili of the Sunni political bloc Iraqiya.<br />&nbsp;</p>


US holds talks with India, seeks action on trade

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for the US and key Asian partner India to translate their increasingly close ties into benefits for their peoples by boosting trade and investment, expected to top $100 billion this year.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The two governments held their annual strategic dialogue in Washington on Wednesday, seeking to boost relations that have blossomed in recent years but have yet to meet US hopes for greater market access for its companies.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;It&nbsp;s not enough just to talk about cooperation on issues ranging from civil nuclear energy, attracting US investment to India or defending human rights or promoting women&nbsp;s empowerment,&quot; Clinton said in an opening statement, alongside India&nbsp;s foreign minister, S.M. Krishna.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;We have to follow through so that our people, citizens of two, great pluralistic democracies, can see and feel the benefits.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>One obstacle to improving ties was lifted ahead of the dialogue, as the US on Monday dropped the threat of US sanctions against India for its large yet declining oil imports from Iran. That is one of various diplomatic issues on which Washington and New Delhi proud of its independence in foreign policy have not always seen eye-to-eye. That&nbsp;s despite their shared strategic interests in areas such as fighting Islamic militancy and managing the rise of China.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Clinton said India understands the importance of denying Iran a nuclear weapon, and credited New Delhi&nbsp;s efforts to diversify its sources of crude oil to rely less on Iran.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Two years ago, President Barack Obama has declared that the US-India relationship would be a defining partnership of the 21st century. Security cooperation and defense sales have grown rapidly, and Washington looks to New Delhi as a partner in the economic development of Afghanistan, but some analysts say the relationship is being oversold.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Krishna echoed Wednesday Obama&nbsp;s sentiment it was a defining partnership. He said notwithstanding some inevitable problems between the two countries, the challenge now is &quot;how to harness the full potential&quot; of the relationship.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The dialogue attests to the breadth of US-India cooperation, including on education, energy and climate change, science and technology, and health. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited India earlier this month, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will become the fifth Cabinet-level US official to do so this year when he travels at the end of June.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But India has struggled to deliver on the kinds of economic reforms that Washington wants, changes that would provide more opportunities for US businesses. In November, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh&nbsp;s government backtracked on plans to allow foreign investment by such companies as Wal-Mart in its supermarket or &quot;multibrand&quot; retail sector after it ran into domestic opposition.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Clinton said two-way trade and investment has grown 40 percent since 2009, but declared there is &quot;a lot of room for further growth.&quot; She said the US looked forward to advancing negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty to reduce barriers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>She welcomed the signing, announced Wednesday, of an agreement between Westinghouse Electric Co. and the Nuclear Power Company of India Ltd. allowing preliminary site development for future construction of nuclear power plants in western India.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The US increasingly looks to India as a partner in developing Afghanistan, where New Delhi has provided some $2 billion in assistance. Washington also wants India to play a more active role in training Afghan security forces as the US and its NATO allies plan to withdraw combat forces by 2014.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>India will be looking for reassurance that the US will retain a substantial presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 because of concerns for that country&nbsp;s stability as Western forces withdraw after a decade of fighting the Taliban and al-Qaida.<br />&nbsp;</p>


US says NATO expenditure rose after Pak ban

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>US Defence Minister Leon Paneeta Wednesday said that NATO had to adopt an alternative route which increased the cost of transportation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said al-Qaeda had been weakened but there were still dangers for the United States.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He informed the Defence Committee that Iran and North Korea were threats for the world. <br />&nbsp;</p>


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