Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li><keyword id="160091" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="USIBC">USIBC</keyword> has urged the Indian government not to tighten e-commerce rules and not to make any more material restrictive changes to e-commerce investment rules.</li><li><keyword id="853920" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAIT">CAIT</keyword> has sent a strongly-worded letter to USIBC President Nisha Biswal stating that USIBC's intervention is unwarranted and runs against the interests of the 85 million traders of India.</li><li>CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the intervention of USIBC shows both <keyword id="18635" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and <keyword id="80487" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="walmart">Walmart</keyword> are trying every route for an embargo over proposed changes in Press Note.</li></ul>New Delhi, The <keyword id="76562" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) has strongly criticised US-based lobby group <keyword id="181958" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-India-Business-Council">US-India Business Council</keyword> (USIBC) for objecting to an initiative of DPIIT to reframe the Press Note 2 of <keyword id="44528" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword> policy. "The uncalled-for intervention of USIBC shows utter desperation of US companies like Amazon and Walmart and which are part of this lobby group, as they have understood that their sinister game of controlling and dominating e-commerce and retail trade of India will soon be over and they are trying to block initiative of DPIIT for bringing a new Press Note and e-commerce policy," CAIT said. "However, the 85 million-strong business community of India will ensure that reforms in e-commerce landscape should take place as soon as possible," the trader's body said. The CAIT has sent a strongly-worded letter to USIBC President Nisha Biswal stating that without knowing the true facts and under pressure of Amazon, Walmart and others, USIBC's intervention is unwarranted which runs against the interests of the 85 million traders of India. USIBC has urged the Indian government not to tighten e-commerce rules and not to make any more material restrictive changes to e-commerce investment rules as it will limit e-commerce firms from leveraging their scale. CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that at a time when in a recent judgement, the Delhi High Court has found Amazon guilty of violation of FDI policy and FEMA, the intervention of USIBC shows both Amazon and Walmart are trying every route for an embargo over proposed changes in Press Note. Bhartia and Khandelwal said that such a hue and cry is not understandable. CAIT said the government is not bringing any new law or policy and it is just trying to include Dos and Don'ts of the Press Note. Further scaling of any business can't be stopped by law or any policy. However, the scaling or growth in business has to be within the purview and parameters as defined in the policy or the law. "Why any entity should worry when the government is clarifying the policy?" CAIT asked. Bhartia and Khandelwal said that USIBC is mistaken in terming the business of these companies as an investment in India. The capital which these companies are using is meant to operate their business activities whose return in shape of revenue is accrued by these companies as their profit. Therefore, terming such capital as investment is factually wrong. CAIT said they are using this so-called investment as burning of capital to support their unethical business practices and also to violate the FDI policy of the government and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). In a recent judgement of Delhi High Court, the court has taken on record that Amazon is violating FDI policy and FEMA, it added. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/one-thing-we-now-know-for-sure-is-in-the-budget-proposals-a-new-infra-lending-institution/articleshow/80600438.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">One thing we now know for sure is in the budget proposals⁠— a new infra lending institution</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/nirmala-sithraman-union-budget-2021-date-time-schedule-and-other-details-you-should-know/articleshow/80598178.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2021: Date, time, schedule and other details you should know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/a-golden-chance-for-startups-to-raise-a-funding-of-2-million-in-just-10-minutes-at-iit-bombays-e-summit-2021/articleshow/80598283.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A golden chance for startups to raise a funding of ₹2 million in just 10 minutes at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2021</a>

CAIT miffed with USIBC for intervening in India's e-commerce policy

India is emerging as the most sought after developing market and an important partner for the US. According to a survey conducted by PwC and Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), the bilateral trade between the two countries is likely to touch $500 billion by 2025. 
 
Even ahead of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=modi+us+visit">Prime Minister Narendra Modi's</a> visit to <keyword id="6357722" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword>, the <keyword id="181958" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-India-Business-Council">US-India Business Council</keyword> (<keyword id="160091" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="USIBC">USIBC</keyword>) had expressed support for his key initiatives such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=digital+india">Digital India</a>, Start up India, Stand up India, and Skill India. 
 
The trade between the two countries has the potential to grow up to $500 billion through concerned efforts from all stakeholders - government leaders and investors, corporates, businesses and entrepreneurs. 
 
Shashank Tripathi, Strategy Consulting leader at PwC India, said, "India continues to emerge as one of the most important markets in the developing world and an important trading partner for the US. This is evident by the four-fold growth in the India-US trade since 2006 to $100 billion in 2014." 
 
Tripathi further added that the drivers to achieve this trade growth would be the five key sectors: 
· Aerospace and defence (A&amp;D) 
· Infrastructure and logistics 
· Energy 
· Manufacturing 
· Services 
 
"These sectors are of the utmost importance to the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=indo+us+relationship">Indo-US relationship</a>," said Tripathi said. 
 
As per the report, there is a large space to release the real potential of the trade in order to strengthen strategic relationship between the two countries. 
 
According to Tripathi, "This is increasingly important, since in the new world order, economic interests drive strategic partnerships to the mutual benefit of the world's largest and oldest democracies. The two nations should initiate more trade missions and remove barriers that affect the trade and investment among other initiatives from the government and corporates." 
 IACC secretary general Ranjana Khanna said, "Both the governments need to improve the business environment, provide tax incentives and simplify regulations. Positive signs are already emerging with the government's focus on the Make in India initiative, bilateral shared forum on manufacturing, and the <keyword id="338363" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-US-CEO">India-US CEO</keyword> Forum." 
 
She further said strategic trading relationship is only the first step in creating a more meaningful partnership between two of the largest democracies in the world. 
 
This relationship may lead the two nations to work together in areas such as space exploration, climate change and counter-terrorism. Apart from these, both the US and India can also build a stronger people partnership and can together solve some of the grave issued that the world is facing today. 
 
While roadblocks may arise in the course of time, the commonalities of interests are immense for growth in trade between India and the US, she said. 
(Image: Reuters)

India-US bilateral trade likely to reach $500-billion mark by 2025

Concerned about the failure of bringing back the <keyword id="6356023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Black-Money">black money</keyword>, noted lawyer <keyword id="38062" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ram-Jethmalani">Ram Jethmalani</keyword> has urged the US in helping India to bring back the money stacked overseas. He has put the blame for the failure on Union Finance Minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword>. The former law minister has alleged that Jaitley has not been sincere and honest to peruse <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> Modi's goal of bringing back the black money, as per a PTI report. In a key-note address at an event organised by the <keyword id="236377" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="US-India-Business-Council">US India Business Council</keyword> and <keyword id="2384805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-National-Bar-Association">Indian National Bar Association</keyword> in Washington, Jethmalani congratulated the US for taking strong and assertive actions against those who held black money overseas and in the process prosecuting several <keyword id="47116" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Swiss-Banks">Swiss banks</keyword>. 

	He further said the US has access to the information about list of names of people who have black money in Swiss banks. 
 

	The United States should help India by sharing the names of those Indian nationals, he said. 
 The former BJP leader said he was "deeply disappointed" over the approach of the <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi government</keyword> in bringing black money to India, which he argued is not possible under current circumstances. 

	In a hard-hitting address, Jethmalani criticized Arun Jaitley. "My disappointment with Modi started the day he appointed his Cabinet. I am highly critical of the people who he has appointed as minister of finance," he said. 
	 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

Blaming Arun Jaitley for the failure of bringing back black money, Jethmalani seeks US help

On his 5-day visit to the United States, Urban Development Minister M <keyword id="74369" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Venkaiah-Naidu">Venkaiah Naidu</keyword> said that India's economy is back on track and the country's growth rate is likely to cross eight per cent in the coming years. 
 
While inviting foreign investors to India, Naidu told them to take advantage of the existing business-friendly atmosphere of the country. 
 "Public life in India is undergoing a rapid transformation. The economy is back on track, inflation is under control, and growth rate is likely to cross eight per cent in the coming years," Naidu, 66, said in his interaction with the American industry leaders at a round table organised by the <keyword id="236377" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-India-Business-Council">US India Business Council</keyword> (USIBC). 
 While talking about the initiatives <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi government</keyword> has undertaken, Naidu had also mentioned social security schemes and affordable housing programs that could be launched anytime soon. 
 Naidu also invited corporations to invest in Smart Cities, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and <keyword id="2130852" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Urban-transformation">Urban Transformation</keyword> (AMRUT) projects, a USIBC statement said. 
 
As per an Economic Times report, Naidu also explained the smart cities to them and said that the smart cities will incorporate the use of solar energy, rain water harvesting, good sanitation, drinking water and smart public transportation. Guidelines on selection of the cities, financing mechanisms and incentives for private sector participation were also explained. 
 Expressing optimism in Naidu's vision, USIBC President <keyword id="1085906" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Aghi">Mukesh Aghi</keyword> said, "Flagship programs such as Smart Cities, AMRUT and Housing for All reflect the Indian government's dedication to innovation and technology while not overlooking the urgent need to provide all citizens with access to basic necessities such as sanitation, water, power and means to earning a livelihood". 
Image: indiatimes

The economy is back on track, says Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi, Feb 21 () The US-India Business Council on Friday said it has appointed Vijay Advani as new Chair of its Global Board of Directors.Advani has taken the charge as Board Chair at a time of significant growth inUS-India bilateral trade, which reached USD 160 billion in 2019.Prior to assuming his current role as Executive Chairman in January 2020, Advani served as the CEO of Nuveen. Earlier, he was also Co-President of Franklin Templeton Investments.Advani has spent over a decade at the World Bank, advising governments on developing financial markets and arranging equity, quasi-equity and debt financing."I am humbled and truly excited to serve as Chairman of Global Board of Directors at this critical juncture of the relationship between the US and India in trade, defence, manufacturing and culture," Advani said.The council also announced two new members of the Global Board of Directors -- Lockheed Martin International Senior Vice President Tim Cahill and GE South Asia President &amp; CEO Mahesh Palashikar.As Senior Vice President, Tim Cahill leads Lockheed Martin's development and execution of international business strategy across 70 countries. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Integrated Air and Missile Defense, where he was responsible for programme execution of the entire portfolio, including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System, Patriot PAC-3 Missile, TLVS, and Falcon Ground Based Air Defense among others.He previously served as vice president of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems and Engineering &amp; Technology for Lockheed Martin Space.Palashikar is a 20-year GE veteran who has worked in a variety of roles focused on manufacturing operations, global supply chains, quality, lean six sigma, sales, projects and services within GE's Healthcare, Power and Renewable Energy businesses.Most recently, he served as CEO of GE's Onshore Wind business for the Asia Pacific region.US India Business Council (USIBC) represents top global companies operating across the United States, India, and Indo-Pacific. RSN BAL

USIBC appoints Vijay Advani as new Chair of Global Board

Amidst the ongoing <keyword id="3257018" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jnu-crisis">JNU crisis</keyword> and the raging nationalism debate, US Ambassador <keyword id="581550" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Richard-Verma">Richard Verma</keyword> has said that "universities are laboratories for thoughts" and that the "hallmark of democracies like India and America are diversity of thought and speech". 
 
While Verma didn’t refer to JNU directly, he said that college campuses in India and the US have very diverse viewpoints. While referring to Indian and American constitutions, he said that speech is the central tenet to both democracies. 
 
He, however, avoided any controversial remark during an interaction on India-US strategic ties. 
 
When he was asked about his thoughts on the current sedition debate in India, he said that India and the US share values and mentioned the diversity in India. 
 
"It is hard to find a country more diverse than India. I have travelled to over 20 towns in India and this country presents huge diversity," the US envoy said. 
 
He expressed optimism about US businesses in India which have proven their mettle in 2015. As per Verma, there are 500 US companies in India and the two countries are hoping that bilateral trade will reach $500 billion a year. 
 
<a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/E1ziTGySLsc/maxresdefault.jpg">Image source</a>

Diversity of thought and speech is the hallmark of India, says US Ambassador Richard Verma

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Kevin Lamarque/Reuters</div></div></div>President Donald Trump's biggest gatherings of business leaders fell apart, and according to reports Trump's own comments are to blame.As detailed by reports, the decision to finally disband the council came after Trump's comments over the weekend that did not explicitly denounce neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups at the heart of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.The Strategic and Policy Forum was announced in December 2016 for business leaders to have a direct line to Donald Trump and influence his policies going forward. Critics argued it was a simple way for Trump to display a stable, pro-business face. Steve Schwarzman, the Forum's leader and CEO of private equity giant Blackstone, said at the time that it was an opportunity to help shape the new president's policies."The Forum, which is composed of some of America's most highly respected and successful business leaders, will be called upon to meet with the president frequently to share their specific experience and knowledge as the president implements his plan to bring back jobs and Make America Great Again," said <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-strategic-and-policy-forum-includes-dimon-iger-schwarzman-2016-12">a release announcing the formation of the council.</a><h3><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/strategic-and-policy-forum-trump-business-council-disbanded-scrapped-2017-8">For a full list of members, check out this post »</a></h3>There was only <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-meeting-worlds-biggest-ceos-2017-2">one official meeting of the Forum</a> on February 3, at which Trump promised "exciting times ahead" and said his administration was "coming out with a tax bill soon and a healthcare bill even sooner."Following the violence in Charlottesville and Trump's initial reaction in which he said "many sides" were to blame for the events. His remarks prompted the demise of the council. Here's a breakdown of how the council fell apart according to reports from <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/16/inside-the-dramatic-decision-by-corporate-giants-to-rebuke-trump.html">CNBC's Patti Domm and Dominic Chu</a> and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-16/behind-ceo-s-trump-rift-48-frantic-hours-of-calls-calculation">Bloomberg's </a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-16/behind-ceo-s-trump-rift-48-frantic-hours-of-calls-calculation">Melissa Mittelman, Jennifer Kaplan, Jing Cao, and Zachary Tracer</a>:<ul><li>Sunday night: PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi began to ask other members about whether the Forum remained a good idea.</li><li>Sunday night/Monday morning: General Motors CEO Mary Barra and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty joined Nooyi in calling the other members and gauging the reaction to Trump's comments.</li><li>Monday morning: Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier quits an unrelated council of manufacturing business leaders, prompting a wave of departures from that group and ramping up public pressure among the other members of Trump's various business groups.</li><li>Monday afternoon: Trump's statement Monday condemning white supremacists and neo-Nazis cooled the nervousness of the Forum's members.</li><li>Tuesday afternoon: The straw that broke the camel's back. Trump's wild press conference walked back much of his statement from Monday and was seen by many as support for some members of the white nationalist protestors. "They were appalled by what has happened since Charlottesville and yesterday was the tripwire," one Forum member told CNBC.</li><li>Tuesday evening: Calls began again between members. Barra, Rometty, Nooyi, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink decided they will leave the Forum if it is not dissolved.</li><li>Wednesday morning, around 3 a.m. ET: Schwarzman requested all Forum members join a conference call in the morning.</li><li>Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. ET: On the call, the members agreed to end the council. As many as 10 of the 12 members on the council agreed.</li><li>Wednesday afternoon: Schwarzman got in contact with the administration to inform them of the decision, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-16/behind-ceo-s-trump-rift-48-frantic-hours-of-calls-calculation">according to Bloomberg</a> the Blackstone CEO spoke with White House adviser Jared Kushner.</li><li>Wednesday 1:14 p.m ET: Despite the CEOs coming to the agreement to disband the group themselves, Trump preempts a joint statement announcing the end of the council and tweets that it was his decision to end the Forum and the manufacturing council.</li></ul>And so the first so-called CEO president lost the counsel of the leaders of some of the world's most influential companies."There was such a firestorm. You don't know what's coming next or what he's going to say or do next," <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/16/inside-the-dramatic-decision-by-corporate-giants-to-rebuke-trump.html">one Forum member told CNBC</a>. "It's striking when the president loses the confidence of America's CEOs." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-holy-hell-attorney-general-jeff-sessions-mueller-donald-trump-2017-7">'There will be holy hell to pay': Graham warns Trump not to fire AG Jeff Sessions</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Here's how Trump's council of business titans fell apart

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Google Finance</div></div></div>Markets are rolling over after the members of US President Donald Trump's main business council agreed to disband the group shortly before the president tweeted he was scrapping the group himself.All three major indices slipped after the news, but still remained in the green.Here was the scoreboard at 1:27 p.m. ET:<ul><li>Dow: up by 0.1% after being up by as much as 0.64%</li><li>S&amp;P 500 up by 0.1% after being up by 0.4%</li><li>Nasdaq: up by 0.1% after being up by 0.4%</li></ul><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/16/business/trumps-council-ceos.html">According to the New York Times' David Gelles, Landon Thomas Jr., and Kate Kelly</a>, the members of the Strategic and Policy Forum held a phone call on Wednesday to discuss the future of the council and their relationship with the White House.The group hoped to inform the White House before publicly announcing the decision, according to Bloomberg.The discussion comes two days after the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/merck-ceo-kenneth-frazier-resigns-from-trump-manufacturing-council-2017-8">departure of Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier</a> from Trump's manufacturing council, another one of the White House's meetings of business leaders, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-manufacturing-council-whos-still-in-2017-8">set off a wave of departures from that group</a>. Frazier and other business leaders cited Trump's muddled response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia as the impetus for the exits.The Strategic and Policy Forum features a diverse group of leaders including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. Steve Schwarzman, CEO of private equity giant Blackstone, is the leader of the council.<h3><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/strategic-and-policy-forum-trump-business-council-disbanded-scrapped-2017-8">Head over to Business Insider's full story here</a>.</h3> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-bottom-line-stock-market-records-apple-tesla-tech-earnings-jim-glassman-economy-2017-8">THE BOTTOM LINE: New record highs for stocks and a deep dive into Apple's iPhone</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Markets are rolling over as Trump scraps his business council

<keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> would have to wait longer now for securing a permanent seat in an expanded <keyword id="55859" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-Security-Council">UN Security Council</keyword> as the US along with Russia and China has opposed reformation of the powerful UN body, refusing to contribute to a text that will form the basis for the long-drawn reform process. <keyword id="107187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-General-Assembly">UN General Assembly</keyword> President <keyword id="13318" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sam-Kutesa">Sam Kutesa</keyword> contributed a text to UN members that will form the basis for the negotiations on the reform of the Security Council. Kutesa had appointed Jamaica's Permanent Representative <keyword id="2997880" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Courtenay-Rattray">Courtenay Rattray</keyword> to chair on his behalf the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform. 

	Kutesa, in a letter dated July 31 to all UN members, said he is also circulating letters containing the positions of groups and Member States that indicated they did not wish their proposals to be included in the body of the negotiating text. These countries include US, Russia and China.
 American Ambassador to the UN <keyword id="1697895" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Samantha-Power">Samantha Power</keyword> said in her letter to Kutesa that the US is "open in principle" to a "modest" expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members but the condition that "any consideration of an expansion of permanent members must take into account the ability and willingness of countries to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations." 

	Power added that "we believe that consideration of new permanent members must be country-specific in nature."
 

	She also reiterated that the US remains opposed to "any alteration or expansion of the veto".
 Sources told PTI that the US opposition to aspects of the reform process can be perceived as”duplicity" since President <keyword id="15962" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Barack-Obama">Barack Obama</keyword> has reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member. 

	Russia, which has also supported India's candidacy as permanent member, said in its letter to Kutesa that the "prerogatives of the current Permanent Members of the Security Council, including the use of the veto, should remain intact under any variant of the Council reform".
 

	"The intergovernmental negotiations on the UN Security Council reform should proceed in a calm, transparent and inclusive atmosphere free from artificial deadlines," it said.
 

	India has maintained that the process to expand the powerful UN body "cannot be seen to be an exercise ad infinitum" and a results-based timeline is crucial to achieve a concrete outcome.
 

	"Those who ask for not imposing artificial timelines may be advised to desist from inflicting artificial delays on this process," India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Kumar Mukerji had said in the past.
 

	Sources said that India feels that the 70th anniversary of the UN, being commemorated this year, is an appropriate milestone to propel the reform process, which should be completed within the next one year.
 

	Russia said that in the situation when positions of the main groups of states - those who support the idea of the UN Security Council's expansion in both categories and those who do not - remain polar, one can advance in the negotiating process only by searching for a compromise.
 

	It said that while it supports broader representation of the developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America on a reformed Security Council, it is important to maintain compact composition of the Council in order for it to provide an adequate and prompt reaction to new challenges.
 

	"The number of members in an enlarged UNSC should not exceed a reasonable level of low twenties," it added.
 

	On improvement of the working methods of the Security Council, Russia said the leading role in this process should belong to the Security Council itself as the "only legitimate master of its own procedures and working methods."
 

	China said UNSC reform is "multifaceted", covering not only issues such as enlarging the Council's membership and strengthening representation, but also increasing efficiency and improving working methods. It added that Member States are still seriously divided on the Security Council reform and no general agreement has been reached on any solution so far.
 

	UNSC "reform should not be carried out at the expense of the unity of Member States. All member States should remain committed to the intergovernmental negotiations process, adopt a flexible and pragmatic attitude, gradually build mutual trust and meet each other halfway.
 

	No solution on which Member States are seriously divided or approach that may cause division among Member States will have China's Support," it said.
 

	"Member states still need to engage in patient consultations to find a solution that accommodates each other's interests and concerns," it said, a position different from that of India which has stressed that the 2015 "is a year for decisive action" and for it, another round of the IGN with business like the earlier rounds would "not be acceptable."
 

	India has said it would then find it very difficult to meaningfully engage with the process.
 

	China also stressed that new seats of the Security Council should be reasonably distributed. It also noted that any solution or reform model should enjoy general consensus.
 

	"The five clusters of key issues concerning Security Council reform are interrelated, and should not be addressed in isolation of each other. It is imperative to stick to the approach of a package solution. The 'piecemeal' or 'step-by-step' approach is not conducive to accommodating the interests and concerns of Member States," China said.
 

	India has received support from France and the UK, the two remaining permanent members of Security Council. The two nations along with Kazakhstan and Romania have specifically named in the negotiating text Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and an African representation to be included among the permanent members of a reformed UNSC.

	 
	 
	(Image credits: Indiatimes)

India’s wait to secure a permanent seat in UN Security Council becomes longer

New Delhi, Dec 12 () The India Design Council on Thursday launched two initiatives, Design Education Quality Mark (DEQM) and Chartered Designs of India (CDI), to support and set standards for the design profession.
 The DEQM will benchmark design education programmes on predetermined standards and will accord a quality mark to institutions that meet the standards.
 The mark will be granted to institutions that undergo a review process and meet or exceed the expectations for quality and standards as prescribed in the Quality Code. It will communicate that an institution has a guaranteed minimum level of quality and standards and has undergone a third-party and neutral review process.
 The mark, which includes a trademark-protected logo, will help students choose the right design programme and aid prospective employers to understand the standing of the design institute.
 In 2007, India became one of the few countries to adopt a National Design Policy (NDP) and the government in March 2009 announced establishment of the India Design Council.
 The CDI is an institution that will establish and uphold the professional standards of design practice in India.
 "The need for a Quality Code was felt as there has been an exponential growth in the number of institutions providing design qualifications in India, necessitating the creation of a guiding framework that represents a common rationale/ philosophy for design curricula and its implementation.
 "The aim is to harmonise the different education systems whilst taking into account their great diversity," an official statement said. RSN HRS

India Design Council launches initiatives to support design

New Delhi, Dec 12 () The US-India Business Council and internet and mobile players' body IAMAI have flagged concerns about certain provisions in the Personal Data Protection Bill, saying that these will impinge on privacy of Indian citizens and create challenges for businesses. 
The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, and the government proposed sending the Bill to a joint select committee of both Houses of Parliament amid protests by the opposition.
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) said the Bill in its current form "compromises" on privacy of Indian citizens as "it has built in far too many exceptions for government agencies to access personal information of the citizens".
The Bill proposes that personal data will not be processed without consent of the owner of the information, and that no personal data will be processed except for clear and lawful purpose. 
 However, one of the provisions of the Bill will "empower the central government to exempt any agency of the government from application of the proposed legislation" - which experts say will give sweeping powers to government agencies to collect data of citizens.
The Bill also states that the Centre can direct any data processor to "provide any personal data anonymised or other non-personal data to enable better targeting of delivery of services or formulation of evidence-based policies by the central government".
The US-India Business Council (USIBC) said the Bill contains several new provisions outside the core issue of data privacy that raises serious concerns for the private sector, particularly the inclusion of requirements around non-personal data and social media intermediary liabilities. 
"These two issues are distinct from personal data issues and are complex in their own right. Given the need for additional discussion, we urge the government to remain focused on essential data privacy issues and to take up these matters as part of existing policy efforts taking place in parallel to the Bill," it added. 
IAMAI pointed out that the provision for the Centre to seek anonymised and non-personal data from any data fiduciary via the Data Protection Authority (DPA) - along with the fact that insights derived from personal data are also considered as personal data - raises issues of undermining Intellectual Property Rights of businesses engaged in data services. 
The association also raised concerns over the fact that the government itself today offers many services in competition to private service providers. The right of the government over data assets of private businesses risks creating unlevel playing field for private businesses, it said.
The USIBC recommended that the Bill be revised to provide ample time for establishing a new DPA and strengthening the DPA's independence and effectiveness. 
"We remain committed to working closely with the government as the Bill moves through the parliamentary process... we will continue to seek opportunities for industry and India's leading trading partners to share their views as new policy takes shape," it added.
IAMAI highlighted that the requirement to get a certification from the DPA in order to do business in India, would create a "restrictive Certification and Licensing regime" for organisations to operate in India. 
"IAMAI highlighted that the world wide web (WWW) is borderless with many services originating in other countries and still being accessible to a global audience including India. Such a provision risks isolating India as service providers who do not get certification from the DPA cannot offer their services in India," it said. SR ANU

Industry bodies concerned over data protection Bill, says it "compromises" on privacy

In an effort to give a further boost to partnership, India, and the US signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (<keyword id="19914814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MoU" source="keywords">MoU</keyword>), which will enable the Micro, Small and medium enterprises (<keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="MSMEs" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword>) of the two countries to participate in <keyword id="19908188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-markets" source="keywords">global markets</keyword> and foster trade. "<keyword id="20233690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-US" source="keywords">India-US</keyword> joining hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote on X. "Today, India-US signed a landmark MoU that enables MSMEs of the two countries to participate in global markets, drive innovation, foster trade, and support <keyword id="19930409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-entrepreneurs" source="keywords">women entrepreneurs</keyword>," he added. S. C. L. Das, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator, <keyword id="21149255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-business-administration" source="keywords">Small Business Administration</keyword> (SBA), United States of America, signed the MoU here in New Delhi. The MoU provides a framework for both sides to discuss issues concerning micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and explore possibilities for cooperation. It envisages the exchange of expertise between the two sides on issues related to improving MSME participation in the global marketplace through mutual visits as well as webinars and workshops on topics including access to trade and export finance, technology and digital trade; green economy, and trade facilitation. The MoU also provides for the joint conduct of programmes for women entrepreneurs to empower them and facilitate trade partnerships between women-owned small businesses in the two countries. Recognising the crucial role that MSMEs play in advancing <keyword id="20421749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-growth" source="keywords">inclusive growth</keyword>, expanding exports, and boosting employment, the two sides also agreed to explore the development of a "Business Matching Digital Platform" to boost <keyword id="20035864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-opportunities" source="keywords">business opportunities</keyword>.

India-US join hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6354458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="US">US</keyword> moved a draft resolution, supported by France and the UK, today in the United Nations <keyword id="159214" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Security-Council">Security Council</keyword> to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. </li><li>This was the second proposal in less than two weeks to add the tag of a ‘global terrorist’ to Azhar, the man who masterminded the <keyword id="43212" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pulwama">Pulwama</keyword> attacks in <keyword id="6354495" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> on February 14th. </li><li>On March 13th, <keyword id="1334" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> blocked the proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee - the fourth time it had done so in the past 10 years. </li></ul>Washington and Beijing have largely been on the same side of the war on terror for over a decade now, except on one issue that has now led to a heated exchange of words between the two administrations. The US <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/us-moves-draft-resolution-in-un-to-blacklist-jem-chief-masood-azhar/article26661588.ece">moved a draft resolution</a>, supported by France and the UK, today in the United Nations Security Council to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. This was the second proposal in less than two weeks to add the tag of a ‘global terrorist’ to Azhar, the man who masterminded the Pulwama attacks in Kashmir on February 14 in which over 40 Indian security personnel were killed. The proposal on March 13th was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-un/china-foils-bid-to-blacklist-kashmir-attacker-us-india-vow-to-keep-pushing-idUSKCN1QU2S2">blocked </a>by China. The second proposal today has been followed by an exchange of barbs between officials from both Washington and Beijing. Speaking on the draft resolution, the US Secretary of State was quick to denounce China. “On one hand, China abuses more than a million Muslims at home, but on the other, it protects violent Islamic terrorist groups from sanctions at the UN.” <keyword id="3861312" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pompeo">Pompeo</keyword> <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/china-shameful-hypocrisy-unsc-jem-chief-masood-azhar-global-terrorist-mike-pompeo-us-britain-france-jaish-pulwama-attack-muslims-xinjiang-uyghur/390125">said in a press briefing</a>. This is reportedly the first time the three countries have moved a draft resolution directly to the Security Council for the blacklisting of Azhar, according to <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/us-moves-draft-resolution-in-un-to-blacklist-jem-chief-masood-azhar/article26661588.ece">PTI.</a> In response to the latest resolution, China alleged that the US had circumvented UN procedures in directly filing and circulating the resolution since it had <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-bypassed-1267-un-sanctions-committee-to-blacklist-masood-azhar-alleges-china-5646992/">bypassed the UN’s Sanctions Committee</a>. As opposed to a “hold” on a proposal to the Sanctions Committee, a veto by China will make its stance on Azhar very clear. So, why are US and China sparring over Masood Azhar? Masood Azhar is the mastermind behind the Islamic fundamentalist group JeM, which mainly operates in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> has repeatedly accused JeM for training youths to be terrorists and sending them across to the Indian side as attackers. One such suicide bomber was behind the attack in Pulwama last month. The political and military reactions to the attack nearly triggered a war between India and <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword>. While the US was able to intervene [hyperlink] and tone down the tension just in time, India escalated its diplomatic assault and accused Pakistan of sheltering terrorists. New Delhi has been trying to blacklist Azhar for years, having got the support of all the UN’s permanent members except China. China’s support for Azhar stems from its purported <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/03/all-weather-friendship-but-is-pakistan-relying-too-heavily-on-china">“all-weather friendship” </a> with Pakistan. The question in front of Beijing is the cost it is willing to bear for its tactical stance to back Pakistan against India in South Asia. Meanwhile, the irony in China’s labelling of the Dalai Lama as <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/dalai-lama-a-terrorist-china-20080403-gds7w3.html">a terrorist </a> while protecting Masood Azhar has become a popular joke in India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/france-freezes-assets-of-jaish-chief-masood-azhar/articleshow/68425202.cms">France stands by India, freezes assets of Jaish chief Masood Azhar</a>

The US and China are at a crossroads in the war against terror — all over one man in Pakistan

New Delhi, Jan 23 () HCL CEO C Vijayakumar and Citi India CEO Ashu Khullar have joined the Global Board of Directors of US-India Business Council, the top advocacy group said on Thursday.
 Other high-powered additions to the board include Procter &amp; Gamble President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Magesvaran Suranjan; TransUnion President for International David Neenan; and Bharat Forge Deputy MD Amit Kalyani.
 "Bringing on leaders of this caliber ensures that USIBC can deliver on an ambitious and wide-ranging advocacy agenda," said USIBC President Nisha Biswal. RSN SID SHW
SHW

You Searched For "US India Business Council" and got 14 results

CAIT miffed with USIBC for intervening in India's e-commerce policy

IANS

India-US bilateral trade likely to reach $500-billion mark by 2025

BI India Bureau

Blaming Arun Jaitley for the failure of bringing back black money, Jethmalani seeks US help

BI India Bureau

The economy is back on track, says Venkaiah Naidu

BI India Bureau

USIBC appoints Vijay Advani as new Chair of Global Board

PTI

Diversity of thought and speech is the hallmark of India, says US Ambassador Richard Verma

BI India Bureau

Here's how Trump's council of business titans fell apart

Bob Bryan

Markets are rolling over as Trump scraps his business council

Elena Holodny

India’s wait to secure a permanent seat in UN Security Council becomes longer

BI India Bureau

India Design Council launches initiatives to support design

PTI

Industry bodies concerned over data protection Bill, says it "compromises" on privacy

PTI

India-US join hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs

ANI

The US and China are at a crossroads in the war against terror — all over one man in Pakistan

Dilsher Dhillon

HCL chief Vijayakumar, other sr executives join USIBC

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides