Modi ministry

India's cabinet on May 24 approved a long-awaited policy to boost local manufacturing of high-tech defense equipment and cut down reliance on expensive imports.

Under the new Strategic Partnership model, the government will pick Indian companies to tie up with foreign organizations to manufacture fighter jets, armored vehicles, helicopters and submarines locally.

In order to encourage foreigners to visit India, the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi has decided to provide foreign nationals with local SIM cards upon their arrival in the South Asian country.

Sartaj Aziz, the National Security Adviser (NSA) of Pakistan, has hinted that he may visit India soon to "normalise" ties.

India plans to send senior ministers to 68 countries by the end of 2016 as a part of the Narendra Modi government's massive outreach programme to boost bilateral ties and explore new areas of co-operation.

Before leaving for China via Vietnam on Friday evening, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held crucial talks with visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on Iran by the US and other Western powers has opened up new horizons for India. For the last few months, India has been trying hard to boost its ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries in West Asia in an attempt to stamp its authority in the Indian Ocean (which currently bears only its name).