A few Current Indian Affairs

ISRO bags Rs 100 crore deal to launch French satellite

           Indian Space Research Organization has signed a deal, believed to be valued at around Rs 100 crore, to launch an 800 kg satellite of ASTRIUM SAS, a company under EADS, France.

          ISRO said in a statement a commercial launch services agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited (ANTRIX), its commercial arm, and ASTRIUM SAS, has been linked but gave no financial details of the said deal.

         This launch services deal signed between ANTRIX and ASTRIUM is a part of the long-term agreement signed between the two agencies in September 2008.

India inducts nuclear submarine ‘Nerpa’ into Navy

              India inducted the Russian-origin nuclear-powered submarine ‘Nerpa’ into the Navy, joining the elite League of Nations having such sophisticated warships.

              Defence Minister A.K. Antony formally commissioned the Akula II class Nerpa, rechristened ‘INS Chakra’, into the Navy at the Ship Building Complex in Visakhapatnam.

               INS Chakra will ensure security and sovereignty of the country, India has earlier leased and operated a Charlie Class Russian nuclear submarine from 1988 for training its personnel on such warships. With the induction of INS Chakra, India has joined the elite group of nations with nuclear-powered submarines after a gap of two decades.

               With INS Chakra and the indigenous INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundaries.

                The Chakra carries a state of art censors and an impressive array of weapons, including cruise missile and torpedoes. Chakra is over 100 meters long and is powered by a 190 mega watt nuclear reactor.

India, Virginia Agree to Boost Trade Tie-ups

            Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao and Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell have agreed to take concrete measures to forge greater trade and investment ties between India and the state.

            The Indian envoy met McDonnell in the State capital of Richmond. She agreed with the governor in stressing the need to constantly nurture the bonds of friendship including through building partnerships especially in the field of education, and between research institutions of the two countries, according to the Indian Embassy.

             Rao emphasized that democracy, freedom from fear, respect for civil liberties and the rule of law provide essential foundations to the great edifice of India-US Strategic Partnership. Rao underlined that India’s economic reforms are progressive and investor friendly. India is open for business and the Government of India, and the embassy in particular, are always ready to facilitate strengthened business partnerships between two countries.