Modi for Bimstec cooperation in anti-terror operations, natural disasters
Kathmandu, Aug 30 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sought cooperation among all seven Bimstec member-nations in anti-terror operations as well as during natural disasters in the region.
Addressing the 4th summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec), Modi said that there was no nation which was not affected by terrorism, adding that India was also facing problems like drug trafficking and transnational crimes.
"India is ready to host a conference on these issues," he said.
"This region is linked with the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal, and time and again it faces natural disasters like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. In this context, we should extend cooperation in humanitarian efforts for disaster relief. We have to cooperate and coordinate with each other," Modi said.
Kerala and Nagaland states in India have been affected by floods, while Myanmar is grappling with a similar situation after a dam breach. Several deaths have been reported in Nepal due to landslides.
Modi also invited all member-states to attend the International Buddhist Conclave in India in August 2020.
The Prime Minister added that India was committed to connecting its national knowledge network through digital connectivity with neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
He also promised to set up a centre for Bay of Bengal studies in the Nalanda University in Bihar to conduct research focused on Bimstec region.
"We not only have diplomatic relations with all seven Bimstec countries, but are strongly connected by civilisation, history, art, language, cuisine and a shared culture," he added.
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World No. 1 Chakravarthy achieves career-best rating in ICC T20I bowler rankings
Dubai (PTI): India spinner Varun Chakravarthy on Wednesday consolidated his position at the top of the ICC Men's T20I Bowler Rankings, reaching a career-best rating following a stellar show in the ongoing T20 series against South Africa.
The 34-year-old Chakravarthy earned a new best rating of 818 points on the back of his third consecutive two-wicket haul in five-game home series.
The right-armer has six wickets across the first three matches of the series, with his spell of 2/11 from four economical overs in the most recent contest in Dharamsala proving pivotal in India's clinical seven-wicket triumph.
Chakravarthy (818 rating points) now holds a 119-point advantage over his closest rival in New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy (699) in second-place, while also moveing inside the top 10 for the best rating of all-time for T20I bowlers.
Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh also improved four places to 16th overall on the rankings for T20I bowlers on the back of his Player of the Match heroics against the Proteas in the third game.
For South Africa, Marco Jansen (up 14 spots to 25th), Lungi Ngidi (up 11 rungs to 44th) and Ottneil Baartman also improved, reaching 68th from outside the top 100.
Among T20I batters, India now boast two players inside the top five on the rankings, with Tilak Varma gaining two spots to move to fourth overall after a trio of decent innings against South Africa.
Teammate Abhishek Sharma maintains a decent buffer at the top, while South Africa duo Aiden Markram (up eight places to 29th) and Quinton de Kock (up 14 spots to 43rd) made good ground following some decent recent efforts.
Pakistan's Saim Ayub has a narrow lead at the top of the rankings for T20I all-rounders despite not playing any international matches across the last week, with India's Shivam Dube the big mover on this list as he improves two places to 16th.
