Mumbai, April 27: Amazon Publishing has announced a global deal for the next six books by best-selling author Chetan Bhagat, whose previous books were published by Rupa publications.

The deal includes three fiction and three nonfiction titles. Amazon Publishing will publish these books globally in print, eBook and audio formats, with the first title out in October 2018. The title or any other details about the first book are yet to be disclosed. 

According to Amazon, all the books are planned to also be available in multiple Indian language translation versions. Westland, an Amazon company, will distribute the print editions in India.

"Amazon Publishing is excited to work with Chetan and publish his books to a wider audience including readers both in India and abroad," said Jeff Belle, Vice President, Amazon Publishing. 

"Millions of readers have enjoyed Chetan's work for over a decade. His books deftly weave together the everyday life of youngsters with the prevalent social milieu of our time," he added. 

Bhagat expressed his delight over the deal for his upcoming books. 

"Amazon's online advantage and their commitment to reach every corner of India ties in well with my goals of inspiring every Indian read books. Further, Amazon's global reach, especially with Kindle eBooks, will give me readers worldwide. Ever since my books were made available on Kindle, I get emails from readers in places like Africa and Europe, something that did not happen earlier. 

"My new fiction novel is scheduled for release during the festive season in October 2018. While I will reveal details later, I am very excited about it. It will be my first book in both eBook and print formats with Amazon Publishing and it will be something different from what I have done before," he said. 

Amazon acquired Westland Publications Pvt Ltd, a leading trade books publisher, in January 2017. Westland is the official distributor of Amazon Publishing titles in India and works with India's top book distributors, book retail chains, independent book retailers and online marketplaces. 

Bhagat arrived in the Indian literary space with a bang and has so far published nine blockbuster books. These include seven novels -- "Five Point Someone" (2004), "One Night @ the Call Center" (2005), "The 3 Mistakes of My Life" (2008), "2 States" (2009), "Revolution 2020" (2011), "Half Girlfriend" (2014) and "One Indian Girl" (2016) and two non-fiction titles -- "What Young India Wants" (2012) and "Making India Awesome"(2015).

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New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.

The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.

The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.

"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.

Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.

"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.

It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.

It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.

"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.

It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.