India invokes anti-terror pledge, Pakistan says restart dialogue

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: Indicating its willingness to engage with Pakistan, India on Wednesday said any meaningful dialogue will depend on Islamabad honouring its anti-terror pledge in letter and spirit and stressed that steps to address terrorism would also be in the interest of the neighbouring country. “The composite dialogue had been paused after the terrorist attack on Mumbai. We do sincerely believe it is in our vital interest to engage and normalize our relations with Pakistan,” External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said in response to a question from a journalist on the ministry’s performance in the government’s first 100 days in office.

“At the same time we are very clear that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only be based on fulfillment of its commitment, in letter and spirit, not to allow its territory to be used in any manner for terrorist activities against India,” he added. Therefore, steps to address the issue of terrorism will be in the interest of the bilateral relationship and also in the interest of Pakistan, the minister stressed.

IGNOU to tie up with Indian army

New Delhi,

New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) IGNOU will soon tie up with Indian army to set up community colleges in its cantonments and other defence establishments to impart education in market-driven courses and soft skill programmes.

"The courses will be for army personnel and their family members to help the unemployed members secure employment," varsity officials said, adding the programmes will also be useful for those personnel who are looking to start a new career after retirement.

The faculty will comprise teachers from IGNOU as well as from the defence forces.

Other details of the project and the funds are being worked out, they said.

IGNOU had recently started 100 community colleges in various parts of the country with an aim to help the underprivileged avail quality education, besides targeting drop outs.

PTI

No contact with Andhra CM's chopper: Home Ministry

New Delhi,

New Delhi, Sept 2 (PTI) There has been no contact with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, whose helicopter has been missing for over five hours now now after he took off from Hyderabad this morning, Home Ministry sources here said.

"There has been no no contact established with the helicopter," sources in the ministry said.

They said the situation was being monitored byHome Minister P Chidambaram and top officials who are in touch with

Andhra Pradesh government officials.

The Home Ministry spokesperson said two Air Force helicopters have been dispatched for search operations.

Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar told PTI that there was no no information about the whereabouts of the helicopter. The Home Ministry was coordinating search operations, he said

PTI