Trump nominates Barbara Barrett as Air Force secretary

India on Thursday welcomed the New Zealand Parliament’s passage of legislation giving effect to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in New Delhi on April 27. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand upon entry into force and create opportunities in services, investment and professional, student and youth mobility.

The high-level meeting took place during Wagle's first official visit to India since assuming office as Nepal's Finance Minister. India's Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs also attended the discussions.

US President Donald Trump plans to sign a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran, a White House official has told ANI, after the legislation cleared both chambers of Congress.

Marking the commencement of the annual cleanliness drive, the Foreign Secretary administered the official ‘Swachhata Pledge’ to MEA personnel, planted saplings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ environmental initiative, and participated directly in Shramdaan (voluntary labor) to maintain tidy office surroundings. 

He observed that "it was passed with the support of some Democrats who normally have been very supportive of India," noting that key lawmakers "opted to join hands with their Republicans, and it was passed. So it's nothing you can do about it; it has been passed."