Quad countries discuss ocean security

The Quad grouping is one of the many avenues for interaction among India, Australia, Japan and the U.S. and should not be seen in an exclusive context, a senior Japanese diplomat said on Wednesday.

WhatsApp CEO gets India’s wish list

Stepping up efforts to clamp down on the spread on “sinister” messages through WhatsApp, the Union government on Tuesday asked the instant messaging platform to implement three measures in India: set up a local corporate entity; appoint a grievance officer in India; and find a solution to trace the origin of a fake message.

Taliban plans to take part in Afghan talks

The Taliban plans to take part in Afghanistan peace talks in Moscow on September 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency on Tuesday.

Kashmir backs India-Pak. dialogue

Major political parties and the Hurriyat in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday expressed support for a Kashmir-centric dialogue between India and Pakistan, welcoming the intent for “constructive engagement” expressed by the former and “uninterrupted dialogue” by the latter.

Revise trade laws, tariffs: U.S. Ambassador

Calling upon India to rethink trade barriers, tariffs and regulations in order to become a “hub” for innovation and production, U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Juster says that India and the U.S. need to see trade relations as an “important strategic element” of their ties.

Modi recalls Annan’s role in pushing development goals

Nobel Peace Laureate and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was “a conscience keeper of international peace and security”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as many Indian leaders expressed condolences over Mr. Annan’s death on Saturday.