India - Partner In Growth
Greetings from the Embassy of India in Washington D.C.!
Welcome to the  August 23, 2018, edition of our weekly newsletter, bringing you important policy and high-impact news about India.
I hope you find it useful.
-- Shambhu Hakki, First Secretary, Press, Information and Culture

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KEY POLICY DECISIONS
India Turns to U.S. to Guard Delhi Against Air Threats
 
The Indian Defense Ministry recently approved the purchase of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II) worth around $1 billion from the U.S., which will protect Delhi against threats from the air.





Indian Defense Secy. Sitharaman to Get Hotline to U.S. Defense Secy. Mattis

India and the U.S. have agreed to set up a dedicated hotline between their defense ministers, Nirmala Sitharaman and James N. Mattis, respectively, for real-time communication on global security issues and coordination between the first- and the fourth-strongest militaries in the world.



 
PM Modi Says India Will Send an Astronaut into Space by 2022

India will send a manned flight into space by 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced as part of India's Independence Day celebrations. He said India will become the fourth country after Russia, the U.S. and China to achieve the feat and its astronaut could be a man or a woman.



 
National Healthcare Plan - for 500 Million People -- to be Rolled Out by Sept. 25
 
Prime Minister Modi announced that his Government will launch an ambitious healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) also dubbed as Modicare, on September 25 that will benefit 500 million citizens.


 
PM Modi: I Share President Trump's Vision of Prosperity for India, U.S.

In an interview, Prime Minister Modi said: "I share with him the vision of prosperity of our peoples through a strong India-U.S. partnership, based on important convergences, inter alia, in combating terrorism and promoting stability and development in the Indo-Pacific."



 
HIGH-IMPACT NEWS
Celebration of India's 72nd Independence Day at Embassy in Washington D.C.

India's 72nd Independence Day was celebrated in Washington D.C. with a flag-hoisting ceremony on the morning of August 15, 2018, at the Embassy Residence. The ceremony was attended by members of the Indian community in large numbers.



 
NYC Hosts Parade for India's Independence Day

New York City hosted the largest annual celebration of Indian independence outside of India. Tens of thousands of people showed up Sunday for the noon parade down Madison Avenue. The 2018 festivities featured nearly 40 floats, 20 marching groups and six bands. There was also Indian food, merchandise, dancing and music.



After Flipkart Acquisition, Walmart is Ready for Round 2 in India

Having completed the world's largest e-commerce acquisition, Walmart is now all set to tap the twin opportunity of wholesale and online retail in India. The investment will see Walmart push its low prices-a strategy it follows across its stores worldwide-in India via Flipkart.




Secretary Pompeo: India Has Set Example for South Asian Democracy

India has set an example for South Asia and the world by supporting democracy, diversity and the rule of law, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, while greeting India on its Independence Day.




PM Modi Offers Condolences on Passing of Former PM Vajpayee

Prime Minister Modi said: "India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti."




TRANSFORMING INDIA
India's 1st All-Female SWAT Team Hits the Streets in Delhi

India's first all-female Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team took to the streets of New Delhi this week. The SWAT team will be part of the city's police force and responsible for providing support during hostage crises, terrorist attacks and other high-profile threats in the Indian capital.
 

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