Two killed in gas cylinder explosion at restaurant in UAE are Indian and Pakistani: report
Dubai (PTI): An Indian national and a Pakistani citizen were killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a restaurant in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi early this week that also left 120 others injured, including 106 Indians, according to a media report.
The incident happened on Monday afternoon in a restaurant in Abu Dhabi in which a total of 120 people were injured. The two killed, included an Indian and a Pakistani, the Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday.
Two people an Indian and a Pakistani expat died and 120 people, including 106 Indians were injured in the gas explosion at a restaurant in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, the report said.
The Indian Embassy also confirmed that one of the deceased was an Indian.
As per information provided by the UAE authorities, one Indian national is among those deceased and 106 Indian nationals suffered injuries, the report said, quoting a statement from the Indian Embassy.
It said that it is in regular contact with the local authorities for early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.
The embassy is in regular contact with the local authorities for early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased and has been assured of all support by the UAE authorities. Embassy officials have reached out to the family of the deceased and are extending every assistance in an expeditious manner.
The embassy is also closely monitoring the condition of the injured admitted to hospitals in the emirate. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has also confirmed the nationality of the second deceased and said the official paperwork is being done.
Indians and Pakistani make up much of the foreign workforce that powers the Emirates.
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India & Israel elevate ties to special strategic partnership, vow to soon conclude free trade deal
Jerusalem (PTI): India and Israel on Thursday elevated their "time-tested" relationship to a special strategic partnership and agreed to soon firm up a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly backed the Gaza peace initiative, asserting that humanity must never become a victim of conflict.
Following talks between Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the two sides inked a plethora of agreements to expand cooperation in areas of trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment.
India and Israel also vowed to expand their already close defence partnership by working towards joint development and joint production of military hardware under the framework of the transfer of technologies.
In his media statement, Modi said India's security interest is linked to peace and stability in the Middle East, adding that New Delhi fully supports the Gaza Peace Initiative.
"India's stance is clear: humanity must never become a victim of conflict. A path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan. India has fully supported these efforts," he said.
"In the future as well, we will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries," he said.
PM Modi landed in Israel on Wednesday on a two-day visit. It is his second visit to Israel in nine years.
In his remarks, the prime minister said India and Israel have a united view that there is no place for terrorism in the world and both sides stand shoulder-to-shoulder in countering terrorism and its supporters.
"Our relationship is founded on the strong bedrock of deep trust, shared democratic values, and human sensitivities. Our bond has stood the test of every trial of time," he said.
"Today, we have taken the historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to the status of a 'Special Strategic Partnership'," he said.
The prime minister also announced the establishment of an India-Israel critical and emerging technologies partnership to impart a new momentum for cooperation in areas of artificial intelligence, quantum, and critical minerals. "I am pleased that an agreement has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel," he said.
The prime minister, referring to the threat of terrorism, said India and Israel will continue to confront the menace unitedly.
"India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. In any form, in any expression, terrorism cannot be accepted," he said.
"We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so," he added.
India and Israel also discussed the implementation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and cooperation under the framework of I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA).
