India's forex reserves down $1.16 billion

Mumbai: India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves decreased by $1.16 billion to $291.07 billion for the week ended Jan 31, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. The foreign exchange reserves had increased by $157.3 million to $292.23 billion for the week ended Jan 24.

According to the RBI's weekly statistical supplement foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, fell by $1.48 billion to $264.56 billion. 
The foreign currency assets had risen by $1.20 billion to $265.93 billion in the previous week.

RBI said that the foreign currency assets, expressed in US dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies held in reserve such as the pound sterling, euro and yen.

India's forex reserves down $1.16 billion

Mumbai: India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves decreased by $1.16 billion to $291.07 billion for the week ended Jan 31, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. The foreign exchange reserves had increased by $157.3 million to $292.23 billion for the week ended Jan 24.

According to the RBI's weekly statistical supplement foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, fell by $1.48 billion to $264.56 billion. 
The foreign currency assets had risen by $1.20 billion to $265.93 billion in the previous week.

RBI said that the foreign currency assets, expressed in US dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies held in reserve such as the pound sterling, euro and yen.

US extends legal rights for same-sex spouses

The US is to make changes to the justice system to give greater legal recognition to same-sex marriages.In a speech at a gay rights event in New York, Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department had a role in 'confronting discrimination'.

Benefits will include couples being exempt from having to testify against each other in court, and having equal rights to visits in federal prisons. Same-sex marriages are currently legal in 17 US states and in Washington DC.

Other states grant some marital benefits to gay couples, while others have banned gay marriage outright. However, the new ruling will apply to federal matters in all states, whether or not they recognise gay unions, as long as the couple married legally in a state which does. 'Tackling discrimination'

In his speech on Saturday at a Human Rights Campaign dinner, Mr Holder said he would issue a memorandum on Monday 'that will for the first time in history formally instruct all Justice Department employees to give lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition to the greatest extent possible under the law'.

The instructions would apply 'In every courthouse, in every proceeding, and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stands on behalf of the United States', he said.

Same-sex couples will now be able to file jointly for bankruptcy and have equal entitlement to federal benefits paid to surviving partners of police officers killed on duty. They will have equal rights to visit a spouse in federal prison, to be allowed out of prison on compassionate grounds to care for a spouse or attend their funeral.

The principal of 'spousal privilege' will also apply, allowing them to refuse to testify against each other in court. Mr Holder said the role of the Justice Department in confronting discrimination 'must be as aggressive today' as it was during the civil rights era.

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the announcement would 'change the lives of countless committed gay and lesbian couples for the better'. 'Today, our nation moves closer toward its ideals of equality and fairness for all,' the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

The move comes after the Supreme Court last year struck down part of a law which denied federal benefits to gay couples.That ruling only applied to states which do recognise same-sex unions, and opponents said the new measures interpreted it too loosely.

Peter Sprigg of conservative lobby group the Family Research Council told the BBC the move created a conflict between state and federal law. 'It is doing something which the Supreme Court actually said the federal government should not do, which is the federal government putting a thumb on the scale and trying to influence the state's definition of marriage,' he said.

US extends legal rights for same-sex spouses

The US is to make changes to the justice system to give greater legal recognition to same-sex marriages.In a speech at a gay rights event in New York, Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department had a role in 'confronting discrimination'.

Benefits will include couples being exempt from having to testify against each other in court, and having equal rights to visits in federal prisons. Same-sex marriages are currently legal in 17 US states and in Washington DC.

Other states grant some marital benefits to gay couples, while others have banned gay marriage outright. However, the new ruling will apply to federal matters in all states, whether or not they recognise gay unions, as long as the couple married legally in a state which does. 'Tackling discrimination'

In his speech on Saturday at a Human Rights Campaign dinner, Mr Holder said he would issue a memorandum on Monday 'that will for the first time in history formally instruct all Justice Department employees to give lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition to the greatest extent possible under the law'.

The instructions would apply 'In every courthouse, in every proceeding, and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stands on behalf of the United States', he said.

Same-sex couples will now be able to file jointly for bankruptcy and have equal entitlement to federal benefits paid to surviving partners of police officers killed on duty. They will have equal rights to visit a spouse in federal prison, to be allowed out of prison on compassionate grounds to care for a spouse or attend their funeral.

The principal of 'spousal privilege' will also apply, allowing them to refuse to testify against each other in court. Mr Holder said the role of the Justice Department in confronting discrimination 'must be as aggressive today' as it was during the civil rights era.

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the announcement would 'change the lives of countless committed gay and lesbian couples for the better'. 'Today, our nation moves closer toward its ideals of equality and fairness for all,' the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

The move comes after the Supreme Court last year struck down part of a law which denied federal benefits to gay couples.That ruling only applied to states which do recognise same-sex unions, and opponents said the new measures interpreted it too loosely.

Peter Sprigg of conservative lobby group the Family Research Council told the BBC the move created a conflict between state and federal law. 'It is doing something which the Supreme Court actually said the federal government should not do, which is the federal government putting a thumb on the scale and trying to influence the state's definition of marriage,' he said.

Devyani seeks dismissal of visa fraud case in US court

New York: Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade has sought dismissal of the visa fraud case against her on the ground that the indictment was filed in a court here a day after the US accorded her full diplomatic immunity and the country did not have criminal jurisdiction over her.

Khobragade's lawyer Daniel Arshack submitted her reply, in a federal court here, to Manhattan federal prosecutor Preet Bharara's memorandum that had opposed her motion to dismiss the indictment.

Khobragade was present in the US at the time the indictment was returned and "the State Department's recognition of her diplomatic position with the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations conferred diplomatic immunity upon her requiring that the entire 'proceeding or action' be dismissed," Arshack said in his 17-page motion filed late Friday.

"The instant indictment was returned and filed with the Court prior to Khobragade's departure (from the US) when she was still recognised as a diplomat and still imbued with diplomatic immunity...The prosecution could not then and cannot now proceed further on that invalid instrument," Arshack said.

He, however, acknowledged that the prosecution is not prevented from prosecuting Khobragade in future but insisted that the current case against her be dismissed since she had diplomatic immunity when the indictment was filed.

Arshack's motion comes a week after Bharara submitted a US State Department declaration that Khobragade did not enjoy immunity from arrest or detention at the time of her arrest and she does not presently enjoy immunity from prosecution for the crimes charged in the indictment.

Arshack said the indictment must be dismissed because the immunity bestowed upon Khobragade "applied retroactively".

The court could now order to hear arguments on the motions.

Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12 on visa fraud charges, strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.

Khobragade was indicted on visa fraud and making false statements by a US grand jury. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the US by the State Department.

Arshack said the "pertinent" facts in the case are that Khobragade was given full diplomatic status by the Department of State at 5:47 pm (local time) on January 8 when it approved her appointment as Counsellor to the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

The grand jury returned the indictment on January 9 "after she was already cloaked with diplomatic immunity".

"It is acknowledged that the prosecution is not forever precluded from prosecuting the defendant. Our application is only that this proceeding must be dismissed. The prosecution is clearly legally able to seek a new indictment at this time or at some point in the future now that Khobragade no longer possesses such?diplomatic status and immunity, but it may not proceed further with this case," Arshack said.

He said in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the case should have been dismissed on January 9, because Khobragade did not become a "former" diplomat until later that evening when she left the country.

"The proceeding must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction because at the time the indictment was issued, the US did not have criminal jurisdiction over Khobragade," he said.

Arshack rebutted Bharara's allegation that Khobragade had employed her domestic worker in her personal capacity and not as India's Deputy Consul General in New York, which made her not immune to criminal prosecution.

"The prosecution goes to great lengths in its opposition to make inapposite distinctions between the immunity conferred upon consular officials versus diplomats under the respective Vienna Conventions as the ostensible basis to deny the requested relief. Such distinctions are a clear effort to obfuscate, are irrelevant and do not assist the Court in resolving this matter," Arshack argued.

Devyani seeks dismissal of visa fraud case in US court

New York: Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade has sought dismissal of the visa fraud case against her on the ground that the indictment was filed in a court here a day after the US accorded her full diplomatic immunity and the country did not have criminal jurisdiction over her.

Khobragade's lawyer Daniel Arshack submitted her reply, in a federal court here, to Manhattan federal prosecutor Preet Bharara's memorandum that had opposed her motion to dismiss the indictment.

Khobragade was present in the US at the time the indictment was returned and "the State Department's recognition of her diplomatic position with the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations conferred diplomatic immunity upon her requiring that the entire 'proceeding or action' be dismissed," Arshack said in his 17-page motion filed late Friday.

"The instant indictment was returned and filed with the Court prior to Khobragade's departure (from the US) when she was still recognised as a diplomat and still imbued with diplomatic immunity...The prosecution could not then and cannot now proceed further on that invalid instrument," Arshack said.

He, however, acknowledged that the prosecution is not prevented from prosecuting Khobragade in future but insisted that the current case against her be dismissed since she had diplomatic immunity when the indictment was filed.

Arshack's motion comes a week after Bharara submitted a US State Department declaration that Khobragade did not enjoy immunity from arrest or detention at the time of her arrest and she does not presently enjoy immunity from prosecution for the crimes charged in the indictment.

Arshack said the indictment must be dismissed because the immunity bestowed upon Khobragade "applied retroactively".

The court could now order to hear arguments on the motions.

Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12 on visa fraud charges, strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.

Khobragade was indicted on visa fraud and making false statements by a US grand jury. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the US by the State Department.

Arshack said the "pertinent" facts in the case are that Khobragade was given full diplomatic status by the Department of State at 5:47 pm (local time) on January 8 when it approved her appointment as Counsellor to the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

The grand jury returned the indictment on January 9 "after she was already cloaked with diplomatic immunity".

"It is acknowledged that the prosecution is not forever precluded from prosecuting the defendant. Our application is only that this proceeding must be dismissed. The prosecution is clearly legally able to seek a new indictment at this time or at some point in the future now that Khobragade no longer possesses such?diplomatic status and immunity, but it may not proceed further with this case," Arshack said.

He said in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the case should have been dismissed on January 9, because Khobragade did not become a "former" diplomat until later that evening when she left the country.

"The proceeding must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction because at the time the indictment was issued, the US did not have criminal jurisdiction over Khobragade," he said.

Arshack rebutted Bharara's allegation that Khobragade had employed her domestic worker in her personal capacity and not as India's Deputy Consul General in New York, which made her not immune to criminal prosecution.

"The prosecution goes to great lengths in its opposition to make inapposite distinctions between the immunity conferred upon consular officials versus diplomats under the respective Vienna Conventions as the ostensible basis to deny the requested relief. Such distinctions are a clear effort to obfuscate, are irrelevant and do not assist the Court in resolving this matter," Arshack argued.

'India, US should deal with differences in constructive manner'

Washington: The US, in an apparent reference to the Devyani Khobragde issue, Saturday said such "challenges" should not be allowed to derail the future of its important relationship with India and the two countries needed to deal with differences in a constructive manner.

"Every meaningful partnership between powerful nations encounters setbacks. And, obviously, recent events have drawn more attention to our disagreements than to our cooperative efforts," National Security Advisor Susan Rice said in an apparent reference to the issue of the arrest of the Indian diplomat which created tension between the two countries.

"But, those difficulties should be minor compared to the breadth of our relationship and the magnitude of what we can accomplish together," she said in her address to the Aspen Institute US-India Dialogue being held in Washington.

"We must also deal with our differences in a constructive manner, commensurate with a relationship of this importance. We cannot allow such challenges to derail the future we are working diligently to build a future of greater prosperity, greater security, and consistent adherence to our shared values," Rice said, reiterating the commitment of the Obama Administration to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two largest democracies of the world.

Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12 on visa fraud charges, strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.

Khobragade was indicted on visa fraud and making false statements by a US grand jury. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the US by the State Department.

"The relationship between India and the United States can and should be, as President Obama has said many times, 'one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century'. And, as I've experienced firsthand, it can also be one of our most productive partnerships," she said.

Rice said she has built a productive relationship with her Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon.

Given the hard work done by the governments of the two countries in the last two decades, Rice exuded confidence that the India-US relationship would continue to grow irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming elections.

"For almost two decades, in both India and the United States, Presidents and Prime Ministers and political parties have come together and worked to overcome old schisms. Piece by piece, we're establishing a lasting partnership that's equipped to tackle today's global challenges.
  

'India, US should deal with differences in constructive manner'

Washington: The US, in an apparent reference to the Devyani Khobragde issue, Saturday said such "challenges" should not be allowed to derail the future of its important relationship with India and the two countries needed to deal with differences in a constructive manner.

"Every meaningful partnership between powerful nations encounters setbacks. And, obviously, recent events have drawn more attention to our disagreements than to our cooperative efforts," National Security Advisor Susan Rice said in an apparent reference to the issue of the arrest of the Indian diplomat which created tension between the two countries.

"But, those difficulties should be minor compared to the breadth of our relationship and the magnitude of what we can accomplish together," she said in her address to the Aspen Institute US-India Dialogue being held in Washington.

"We must also deal with our differences in a constructive manner, commensurate with a relationship of this importance. We cannot allow such challenges to derail the future we are working diligently to build a future of greater prosperity, greater security, and consistent adherence to our shared values," Rice said, reiterating the commitment of the Obama Administration to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two largest democracies of the world.

Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12 on visa fraud charges, strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.

Khobragade was indicted on visa fraud and making false statements by a US grand jury. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the US by the State Department.

"The relationship between India and the United States can and should be, as President Obama has said many times, 'one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century'. And, as I've experienced firsthand, it can also be one of our most productive partnerships," she said.

Rice said she has built a productive relationship with her Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon.

Given the hard work done by the governments of the two countries in the last two decades, Rice exuded confidence that the India-US relationship would continue to grow irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming elections.

"For almost two decades, in both India and the United States, Presidents and Prime Ministers and political parties have come together and worked to overcome old schisms. Piece by piece, we're establishing a lasting partnership that's equipped to tackle today's global challenges.
  

Nido's parents vow to fight against discrimination

Itanagar: The parents of Nido Tania, the Arunachal Pradesh student allegedly beaten to death in New Delhi, have said they will continue their fight against discrimination against the Northeast community in other parts of the country.

"Our son would never come back again from his heavenly abode but his sacrifice should never go in vain," Parliamentary Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Nido Pavitra and his wife Marina Nido told reporters here yesterday.

"We'll be going to Delhi along with a team of lawmakers led by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki soon to press for enactment of an anti-racial law, installing his statue in the national capital as a symbol of anti-racism and initiating all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incident in any part of the country," they said.

Nido Tania, first year student of a college, died after being allegedly beaten by shopkeepers in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar market on January 29 last.
 

Nido's parents vow to fight against discrimination

Itanagar: The parents of Nido Tania, the Arunachal Pradesh student allegedly beaten to death in New Delhi, have said they will continue their fight against discrimination against the Northeast community in other parts of the country.

"Our son would never come back again from his heavenly abode but his sacrifice should never go in vain," Parliamentary Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Nido Pavitra and his wife Marina Nido told reporters here yesterday.

"We'll be going to Delhi along with a team of lawmakers led by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki soon to press for enactment of an anti-racial law, installing his statue in the national capital as a symbol of anti-racism and initiating all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incident in any part of the country," they said.

Nido Tania, first year student of a college, died after being allegedly beaten by shopkeepers in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar market on January 29 last.