INDIA-U.S. 3.0’

‘What exactly does that mean? In contrast to the earlier Bush administration, where the focus seemed to be exclusively on strategic affairs, the recent Hilary’s visit revealed that the US wants ties with India to be on a broader basis, with an equal emphasis on trade as much as strategic relations. HILLARY’S VISIT TO INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
The purpose behind Ms Clinton’s visit was twofold. First, to build new structures of engagement that might bring Indian thinking on major global issues like climate change, trade and disarmament in line with the "strong and constructive positions" the U.S. takes and away from the alternative consensus India is trying to build at different forums like BRIC, IBSA, G-20, G-77 and NAM. This she did by proposing a strategic dialogue consisting of "five pillars," ranging from non-proliferation and climate change to trade, investment and agriculture. The second purpose was transactional: how to translate the strategic partnership with India into commercial gains for American businesses.
NEW MALAYSIAN INDIAN ‘PRO-TEM’ PARTY ANNOUNCED
The formation of a new "pro-tem party," for championing the "rights" of Malaysia’s ethnic Indian minority, was announced. The pro-tem "Human Rights Party" is yet to be granted official recognition. P. Uthayakumar, who took the initiative for this political move, was recently set free after 514 days in detention under Malaysia’s tough Internal Security Act. He was arrested, along with four other activists for organising an "illegal" mass protest against what they described as systemic discrimination of the two-million-strong ethnic Indians.
TURKEY EXTENDS SMOKING BAN TO BARS, RESTAURANTS
 Turkey — a nation of smokers —extended a ban on indoor public smoking to bars, restaurants, and even to traditionally smoke-filled village coffeehouses.The ban came into effect despite protests from bar and coffeehouse owners who fear it will ruin businesses that have already been hit hard by the economic crisis. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamic-oriented government barred smoking in offices,  public transport and other public places in May 2008 in an effort to reduce the country’s high smoking rates and the effects of secondhand smoke on people’s health. INDIA, IRAN AND PAKISTAN PIPELINE PROJECT The Indian government asserted that India would not bow to external pressure, including from the United States, in deciding on its participation in the $7.4-billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project. However, several issues hampered progress.
The problems included finalisation of tariff, transportation cost and security concerns, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora said in the Rajya Sabha, but expressed hope that these would be overcome.
"Energy needs of the country are paramount. There is no question of *our+ succumbing to any external pressure as far as energy security is concerned. We are very sure that the pipeline project is good for India, Iran and Pakistan. The project has been considerably delayed as we have not been able to decide on the price of gas with Iran,"
Besides, transportation tariff for wheeling gas through the section of the pipeline passing through Pakistan had not been finalised yet. The transit fee payable to it for allowing the passage was not finalised, nor had the project structure been decided. India wanted guaranteed supply of gas and to take delivery at its border with Pakistan, but Tehran and Islamabad had agreed on handing over custody of gas at the Iran-Pakistan border, the Minister said. Custody transfer at the Pakistan-India border would make Iran liable for safe passage of gas through Pakistan’s territory.