Indian Holocaust My Father`s Life and Time - SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE
Palash Biswas
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Israel stands with India in its struggle against terror!The US on Thursday underlined its commitment to full civilian nuclear cooperation with India as the two countries look to expand their counter-terror cooperation and discuss ways to stabilise the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan region at their second strategic dialogue here next week. The Mumabai Terror Attack kas no Doubt BOOSTED the Strategic Alliance of India with Israel as well as US. US President Lost NO Time to offer support to deal with internal security Problems in India!
Terror Strikes would not impact the Strategic Dialogue with the US !As Power Politics Intensified within the Brahaminical Hegemony!Just 24 hours after 3 blasts ripped through Mumbai, Congress and BJP have locked horns. With the BJP blaming the government policy on terror, saying vote bank politics had weakened the fight against terror, the government asked the Opposition to stop the petty politics.
Condemning the Mumbai serial blasts that claimed 21 lives, Israel today expressed its solidarity with India and said it stands with the country in its struggle against terror.
The US has ruled out any change in secretary of state Hillary Clinton's itinerary during her visit to India next week due to serial blasts in Mumbai.
"Stays as it is planned.....Nothing is going to change due to Mumbai blasts," said US Charge d'Affairs Peter Burleigh when asked if any changes were being made in the travel programme of Clinton.
She is scheduled to arrive here on Monday for the second round of Indo-US strategic dialogue. The secretary of state will also travel to Chennai, where she will attend a public function.
Strongly condemning the Mumbai terror attacks, Burleigh reiterated his country's commitment towards the bilateral relationship and stressed that his country will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with India in combating terrorism.
The US has already offered every possible assistance to India in the wake of yesterday's terror attacks.
Terror attack in Mumbai will lend a sharper edge to the discussions US secretary of state Hillary Clinton will have with Indian leadership next week as part of Indo-US strategic dialogue that will also focus on situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and nuclear cooperation apart from counter-terrorism.
Noting that India and the US were "much closer" and the security exchanges were more frequent, charge d' affaires Peter Burleigh today said both sides are committed to a "long-term" partnership which covers almost every conceivable issue from education to counter-terrorism in the bilateral relationship.
"We are committed to this important relationship with India with regard to cooperation in counter-terrorism and security concerns and we will be as responsive as we can be.
"We have very close relationship with India in counter- terrorism and security issues, that has thickened and broadened dramatically over the past couple of years. The process has been going for several years but particularly after Mumbai attacks in 2008. We have been intimately involved," he told reporters.
Asked if the US had any intelligence input on yesterday's attack, the envoy said, "Not to the best of (my) knowledge" while noting that apart from exchanging views on various groups and challenges that confront both the countries, the US shares any kind of information that "impacts security of India".
On a query whether the US will grant access to India to terrorists David Headley and Tahawwur Rana, currently in custody of the US, he said, "This is something we continue to discuss, US inclination is to be accommodating to Indian request but judicial process makes it more complex.
"We condemn the despicable act of violence designed to provoke fear and division. Those who perpetrated it must know they cannot succeed," she said last night, shortly after the blasts rocked the financial hub of India. more by Barack Obama - 9 hours ago - Economic Times(166 occurrences) |
Now, it's more important to stand with India: Hillary Clinton, after Mumbai blasts Published: Thursday, Jul 14, 2011, 1:44 IST Place: Washington, DC | Agency: PTI | ||||||
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http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_now-it-s-more-important-to-stand-with-india-hillary-clinton-after-mumbai-blasts_1565585
U.S to complete all civil nuclear agreements with India: Burleigh
K. V. PRASADSHARE · COMMENT (1) · PRINT · T+
The United States on Thursday asserted it remains committed to complete all agreements with India in regard to the Civil Nuclear Cooperation and want American companies to have contracts for supply of nuclear power plants like other countries have with New Delhi.
``We want to implement all agreements which include 123 and waiver. No doubt nuclear issue will be discussed [at the meetings during the visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to India]. As far as the U.S, it will fully implement agreements made and move forward…and American companies have contracts like other countries'', the U.S. Charge d'Affaires A. Peter Bulreigh said here.
Mr. Burleigh said this at a media conference ahead of Secretary Clinton's visit to India between July 18-20 for the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which he said covers a wide range of issues like education, science and technology, defence, counter-terrorism and health.
India remains concerned at the changes made to the Nuclear Supplier Group guidelines for sale of Enrichment and Reprocessing (ENR) technology with an Indian official telling The Hindu in Washington that notwithstanding the subsequent reassurance from the United States that the 'clean waiver' granted to India for ENR sales will supersede the wording of the new NSG guidelines, the issue remains important to New Delhi.
Mr. Burleigh said additional discussions were required in the field of higher education on the implementation aspect based on what both countries desire to achieve. As for Defence relations, he said its nature would not be determined by the loss of Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft deal.
Irrespective of the latest bomb blasts in Mumbai which the U.S condemned and offered any assistance in terms of investigation, he said the issue of counter-terrorism is a long plan.
Asked whether India would get access to David Headley and Tahawur Rana, in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case, Mr. Burleigh said "we can genuinely discuss'' but it becomes slightly complicated in view of the judicial process on against them in the United States.
On foreign policy, he said, both sides would discuss the entire gamut of relations as well as East Asia, South East Asia and Africa. The progress in recent talks between India and Pakistan as also the U.S. approach in Afghanistan would come up during the talks.
Ms. Clinton arrives here on July 18 for the official talks scheduled on Tuesday with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna She would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
On July 20, Ms. Clinton would travel to Chennai, which Mr. Burleigh said is the first visit by a Secretary of State. He said the visit is important to the United States which has investments in South India and that a large number of students from the region, particularly Tamil Nadu study in the United States.
Keywords: India-U.S. defence ties
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2226536.ece
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton touches down here July 18 on a three-day visit that also includes a trip to Chennai, the hub of top-billing American investments.
Clinton will hold the second India-US strategic dialogue with external affairs minister SM Krishna in New Delhi on Tuesday that will encompass a broad spectrum of issues ranging from counter-terrorism and security to civil nuclear cooperation, defence and closer cooperation in science and technology.
She will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
On the table will be the fate of the landmark India-US nuclear deal that has become a shade complicated following the Nuclear Suppliers Group's new guidelines adopted at its meeting in the Netherlands last month. The new norms effectively ban the export of enrichment and reprocessing technologies (ENR) to countries which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
"We want to implement all agreements which include 123 (bilateral civil nuclear pact) and waiver (granted by the Nuclear Suppliers Group in September 2008). No doubt nuclear issue will be discussed," US Charge d'Affaires A. Peter Bulreigh told reporters here ahead of Clinton's visit.
"As far as the US is concerned, it will fully implement agreements made and move forward…and American companies will have contracts like other countries," he said.
Clinton is likely to reassure India that the new guidelines will not impact the clean waiver granted by the 46-nation nuclear cartel to India in September 2008 that reopened the doors for global nuclear commerce for New Delhi after a hiatus of 34 years.
Clinton is also expected to share Washington's outreach efforts to help India become a member of the top four multilateral nuclear export regimes, including the NSG, the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
The US diplomat stressed that the US has removed most of Indian entities from the export control list and assured that the existing barriers in the way of high-tech trade will come down soon.
Counter-terror cooperation will be high on the agenda, an issue that has acquired added piquancy following July 13 Mumbai serial blasts that killed 17 people and injured over 130.
US Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper and Deputy Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute will be among those accompanying Clinton to India. They will be discussing issues relating to intelligence-sharing and deepening of counter-terror cooperation.
Terming the Mumbai serial blasts as "despicable", Clinton has made it clear that she would go ahead with her visit to New Delhi for the strategic dialogue and said it is more important than ever to stand with India in the struggle against terrorism.
Issues relating to the stability of Afghanistan-Pakistan region will also figure prominently in the talks.
Clinton is expected to brief India about Washington's negotiations with a section of the Taliban.
"Afghanistan will be an important issue for discussions between the US and India. We have been keeping the Indian government informed about preliminary discussions with a section of the Taliban leadership," said Burleigh while lauding New Delhi's role in the reconstruction of the violence-ravaged country.
India has made it clear that it is ready to accept a peace deal in which only those Taliban who sever links with the Taliban-Al Qaeda combine, renounce violence and accept the Afghan constitution should be accommodated in a future dispensation.
Burleigh added that the US relations with Pakistan and the progress in India-Pakistan peace process will also figure in the discussions.
Indo-US meet: Trade, economic ties to hold key |
Indira Kannan / July 15, 2011, 0:08 IST |
The composition of the US delegation led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to next week's India-US Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi points to the wide-ranging scope of talks between the two countries.
Among the senior American officials who will be part of the delegation for the second round of the Strategic Dialogue will be Director of National Intelligence James R Clapper Jr. Cooperation on counter-terrorism was already scheduled to be a crucial part of the dialogue; Wednesday's terrorist attacks in Mumbai will provide an added impetus to the talks.
India and the US had launched a homeland security dialogue during the visit of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to India in May. Jane Holl Lute, a deputy secretary in that department, will be in the US delegation to carry that interaction forward during the Strategic Dialogue.
The Department of Energy (DoE) will send Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman. The DoE is the issuing authority for the contentious Part 810 authorisation that US suppliers are required to obtain before they can supply nuclear technology to India under the civilian nuclear agreement. The Indian government needs to provide certain assurances before the secretary of energy can issue the Part 810 clearance.
According to the DoE, it requires assurances from India that the nuclear material or technology being acquired will only be used for peaceful and non-explosive purposes, that it will not be transferred to a third-party country without US consent, and that it will be protected in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency's physical protection standards. In addition, in India's case, the Hyde Act requires the DoE to provide detailed reporting on technology transfers and re-transfers to all Indian end-users. The US government must also grant consent before the technology may be transferred from one Indian user to another.
However, there seems to have been little progress on this issue in the past year. Asked about the status of Part 810 applications from US companies, Department of Energy Spokesman Joshua McConaha told Business Standard, "We are working with the applicants and the Government of India to ensure the secretary of energy can authorise their respective proposed activities in accordance with established regulations and law." He said the department would not comment on current applications.
Nearly a year ago, last August, another DoE spokesman had given a very similar response to a question on the status of the applications at that time: "The department of energy is working closely with the various applicants, the department of state, and other interested US agencies to ensure that requests for specific authorisation to transfer technology to India meets the requirements of Part 810 as well as the provisions of the Hyde Act."
When the issue of the assurances first came up in 2009, the Indian government reportedly viewed these as an obstacle to nuclear trade between the two countries.
The US is also looking forward specifically to India's ratification of the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC). US experts had described India's nuclear liability law, passed last year, as inconsistent with the CSC and cautioned that it would make it tough for US companies to enter the Indian market.
Also part of the delegation is the head of the US Federal Aviation Administration. Indian officials in Washington expect the dialogue to produce initiatives in the fields of civil aviation and cyber security.
Several officials including the chairman of the US Export Import Bank will be part of the delegation. The country's lead negotiator on climate talks, Todd Stern, will also travel to New Delhi, as will senior state department officials including Blake, and a senior Indian American in the Obama administration, Aneesh Chopra, who is the US chief technology officer.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/indo-us-meet-trade-economic-ties-to-hold-key/442780/
Dr Singh, who arrived in Mumbai along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take stock of the situation, said he understood the "shock and outrage" of the people of Mumbai and "I share their pain, anguish and anger". more by Manmohan Singh - 23 minutes ago - NDTV.com(22 occurrences) |
"Israel strongly condemns the shocking terrorist attack which claimed 21 lives and injured over 140 innocent people in the heart of Mumbai," a spokesperson of the Israeli foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.
It maintained that the assault was aimed at breaking the spirit of the citizens of Mumbai.
"Israel stands side-by side with India in its relentless struggle against terror and is convinced that the resilience of the Indian people will prevail. These events are once again a reminder to all forward-looking nations that the scourge of terror must be combated and overcome," the spokesperson said.
India and Israel have coordinated closely in the fight against terror, especially after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in which a Chabad House was attacked. A Rabbi and his wife were killed in the attack.
"Israel expresses its solidarity with India and extends its deepest condolences to the victims and their families and offers its full support and assistance to the government of India," the spokesperson said.
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Govt will do everything in its power to prevent future attacks: PM
Press Trust of India, Updated: July 14, 2011 23:07 ISTAds by Google
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Mumbai: Strongly condemning Wednesday's "barbaric" bomb blasts in Mumbai, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the perpetrators must be pursued relentlessly to bring them to justice quickly and promised the government will do everything in its power to prevent such attacks in future. (Pics: Terror revisits Mumbai)
Dr Singh, who arrived in Mumbai along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take stock of the situation, said he understood the "shock and outrage" of the people of Mumbai and "I share their pain, anguish and anger".
The Prime Minister said he had announced ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh each to the family of those killed and Rs. 1 lakh each to those injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund.
"I cannot find words to condemn the barbaric acts of terror that resulted in the senseless killing and injuring of innocent people in Mumbai yesterday," Dr Singh said in a statement. (Read: PM's statement on arrival in Mumbai)
"I have come here in solidarity with the people of Mumbai," he said while extending his "deepest condolences and sympathies to those who suffered in the terrible tragedy". (Read: Understand shock and outrage, says PM in Mumbai)
Dr Singh also said he has asked Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to continue to coordinate their efforts and resources to "relentlessly pursue the perpetrators. They must be brought to justice quickly and be subject to the rule of law that they have sought to subvert."
He sought the cooperation of all citizens in this effort, saying "we owe this" to the grieving families.
He also assured the people that "the government will do everything in its power to prevent such attacks in the future."
Dr Singh and the Congress President also visited the injured in hospitals and shared the feelings of grieving Mumbaikars.
The two leaders, accompanied by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, visited Saifee and JJ Hospitals, to comfort the injured trying who are recovering from the shock and trauma of the triple explosions.
The Prime Minister praised the state administration, saying it had risen remarkably well after the serial blasts last evening.
"The state administration has risen remarkably well on this occasion. Within an hour of the attacks, the injured were rushed to the hospitals," Dr Singh said after visiting the injured.
"There has been a remarkable coordination of efforts. Now, the task is to find out who the culprits are and bring them to justice," he said.
"Terrorists have struck once again. We have to make every effort to ensure that the injured recover their normal self. To those who have lost their dear ones, we express our sympathies."
"This time, there was no prior indication of the attack. Terrorists had the advantage of surprise," he said.
Dr Singh and Sonia Gandhi spent around 25 minutes at Saifee Hospital where 37 of the 131 wounded are undergoing treatment.
They spoke with the patients, most of whom have suffered burn injuries, and wished them speedy recovery, besides inquiring about their condition from the doctors.
Maharashtra government has already announced free treatment for all the injured.
Earlier, he reviewed the security situation in the aftermath of the attack with Governor K Sankaranarayanan, Chief Minister Chavan, his deputy Ajit Pawar, Home Minister R R Patil and other top state officials.
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Story first published:
July 14, 2011 22:57 IST
Tags: Mumbai blasts, terror attack in Mumbai
- Also See
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- PM's statement on arrival in Mumbai
- Govt will do everything in its power to prevent future attacks: PM
- Tale of two diamond traders: A Hindu, a Muslim
- Can't say if dead body with wires was suicide bomber: Rakesh Maria
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/govt-will-do-everything-in-its-power-to-prevent-future-attacks-pm-119377
India's unsolved bomb blast cases Published: Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 on 20:37 IST | |||||||
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http://www.dnaindia.com/india/slideshow_india-s-unsolved-bomb-blast-cases_1565782#top
Advani tore into the government over yesterday's Mumbai serial blasts saying that repeated attacks in India's financial capital is due to failure in policy and not intelligence. Hinting at Pakistan's hand in the Mumbai blasts, Advani added that India should not be ambivalent towards terrorism and adopt a zero tolerance policy and deal with Pakistan sternly.
Strongly condemning the "heinous" Mumbai attacks, India Thursday said the terror strikes would not impact the strategic dialogue with the US and peace talks with Pakistan later this month.
MUMBAI BLASTS 2011 |
Mumbai serial blasts: Who said whathttp://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/mumbai-serial-blasts-who-said-what/1/144879.html
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Why India needs Natgrid
The aim is to use information available on these databases about persons to look for patterns of activity that indicate the possibility of terrorist activity, its planning or supportThe ninth terror attack on Mumbai in the past nine years has claimed 17 lives. Each terror attack is followed by glib condolences and public outrage before amnesia grips the nation again.
The only time the government moved with alacrity is after the November 2008 attack that left 166 people dead. P. Chidambaram was moved to the home ministry. Among the most important decisions he took was to create a National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), which will improve the flow of information to intelligence agencies to help them prevent terror attacks before they threaten the lives of citizens.
The Natgrid project was almost scuttled by privacy activists who live in a world apart from the crowded bylanes of Dadar and Zaveri Bazaar.
Natgrid is nothing more than the linking of existing government databases—those of banks and income tax authorities, to cite two examples. The aim is to use information available on these databases about persons to look for patterns of activity that indicate the possibility of terrorist activity, its planning or support.
The case against Natgrid is based on a flawed premise: that it invades the privacy of citizens. There are two simple arguments against this. Today, data mining to determine patterns of consumption, creditworthiness and habits of Indians is pervasive in the private sector. If anything, this silent business is far more intrusive than any government initiative. There are no protests against this form of invasion of privacy.
More importantly, the danger from not having a sophisticated tool like the Natgrid is that it forces the police to rely on harsh and coercive means to extract information in a crude and degrading fashion. After every terrorist incident, it goes about rounding up suspects, especially Muslims. One needs little imagination to realize what happens to those individuals—most of who are innocent. If, instead, a pattern search and recognition system were in place, these violations of human rights would be much fewer.
The cost of the right to privacy should be measured against the cost of lives lost. Among well-heeled and well-watered New Delhi activists, it seems the former is more important. This attitude is out of place in a terrorist-targeted country such as India. If the government is serious about the threat from terrorist organizations, it should quickly proceed with Natgrid—in all its phases—and let intelligence officials get on with their work.
Should India go ahead with Natgrid? Tell us at views@livemint.com
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Mumbai Blasts : Public Outrage at Politicians... | ||
Mumbai Blasts : Public Outrage at Politicians... Special Correspondent Pics by Rons Bantwal Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai Mumbai, Jul 14 : Though life in Mumbai has come back to normal much earlier than expected, the angry citizens of India's financial hub are yet to come out of shock. The anger, frustration, and fear is palpable in the people, specially those in Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar where the bombs exploded killing atleast 17 people and injuring over 130. It was a heartbreaking sight at the hospitals where the injured are being treated and where the bodies have been kept. There were no words to console the bereaved, no words to express their sorrow. The family of 26-year-old Ashfaq who died at Zaveri Bazar is one of the worst hit in the attack. Ashfaq who married just two months ago, has left behind his bride, his father and mother. His friend Tushar is in tears, but also angry, "Politicians will not understand our pain, because only common people suffer in such attacks. Let some poltician die, then they will wake up from slumber. Why can't the government give enough security to the people...." His words spoke of the pain in losing his friend, and also reflected every Mumbaikar's thought. A brother of another victim at the KEM hostpital had some harsh words for politicians, "These b*****y politicians can protect killer Kasab by spending hundreds of crores, but they have no money to protect innocent people here in Mumbai." "What is the use of congratulating Mumbaikars on being brave and facing the disaster boldly? We do not need any compliments, if at all Mumbaikars are back to normal after the blasts, it is only because we have no other option - we are forced to go to work, if we do not work we cannot feed out family," says Munaf, a 30-year-old who works for a hotel in Dadar, who is angered at the sympathy shown by politicians for Mumbaikars. Shruthi Salve, a 24-year-old software engineer says, "Mumbai is used to facing such tragedies. No one has faith on these politicians, but people are ready to face the situation because there is no other alternative. Only option is to leave the city and run away from here, but we were born and brought up here, where shall we go?" "We only hope and pray that God gives good sense to our corrupt politicians. Frankly, no one is honest is here, neither the ruling party nor the oppostion. They are good for nothing, and we don't want to depend on them," says the young mind. Such outburst from the families and friends of the victims is natural in times of disasters like these. But who do we blame? Government says it is not an intelligence failure while the opposition says it is the government policy that has made Mumbai a soft target for terror attacks. End of the day, it is the common man who suffers, and continues to suffer!
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3 July 2011 Last updated at 23:10 GMT
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On the road with Hillary Clinton
By Kim GhattasBBC News, Washington DCContinue reading the main story
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The Cadillac stops by the nose of the plane. Diplomatic security agents spill out of three vans. Hillary Clinton emerges from the car and walks up the steps.
After dropping off her handbag in her private cabin at the front of the plane, the US secretary of state walks back to chat with the dozen reporters on the plane.
Sitting on an arm rest, she tells us about her evening in the Rose Garden at the state dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Continue reading the main story
Clinton's Retinue
• The secretary of state travels with an immediate entourage of up to 42 people
• Senior staff include: one spokesperson, two deputy chiefs of staff, one senior media adviser, one Pentagon liaison and six to eight senior state department or National Security Council officials
• Seven diplomatic security agents travel on the plane - several dozen more are spread out at points where the plane lands
• Up to 13 journalists join the bubble, along with between two and four communications staff
• Others include: two line officers, one deputy executive secretary, one logistics person, and a staff assistant
It was past 2300 on a recent June night, and Special Air Mission 883 was about to embark on a 30,000-mile journey to the United Arab Emirates, Zambia, Tanzania and Ethiopia, starting off with an air-force-catered meal of chicken wings and crudites.For the next eight days I would be in "the bubble" - "a caravan going from place to place", as Mrs Clinton describes it.
"Sometimes the dogs bark but we still move on. It is for me, a movable adventure," she says.
This was my 16th trip with this American secretary of state, but being part of that bubble remains a special experience.
The proximity to Mrs Clinton, the access to senior American officials and the unguarded moments on the road, provide a rare insight into diplomacy in action and the real people devising American foreign policy.
Economy seats
Watching them try - and sometimes fail - to control the messy world around them is a reminder of the limits of American power.
Continue reading the main story
Find out more
Kim Ghattas' Crossing Continents is on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 14 July at 1100 BST and Monday 18 July at 2030 BST
On this trip I was given rare access to the preparations in Washington, the plane and pilots, and even to the "secure floor" set up in every hotel on the tour, with its guards, cameras and mobile offices.It is an impressive operation run by an army of often earnest staffers with a keen eye for detail who say they feel part of history, even when they are sorting out mundane practicalities.
It can also be an unwieldy, invasive machine with diplomatic security agents, sniffer dogs and motorcades blocking off traffic in cities and disrupting people's lives.
We spend long hours in confined spaces, going from motorcade to hotel to presidential palace and back to the plane.The journalists at the back of the plane get the same food as the secretary and her staff at the front
The journalists are crammed in the back, in economy seats. There are no boarding passes, so before the trip starts we draw lots to assign seats.
We are separated from the front of the plane by a lavatory that marks an invisible barrier called "the line of death". Beyond it are all the senior officials accompanying Mrs Clinton, usually poring over classified documents.
The plane is not fancy, nothing like Air Force One. The 13-year-old Boeing 757 is part of a fleet of four which is at the disposal of Mrs Clinton and others like the vice-president and the first lady.
The private cabin is modest - a fold-out couch, two seats, a desk, a lavatory but no shower, a tall mirror, a map of the world and communications equipment so Mrs Clinton can speak to President Obama or other world leaders while in the air.
'Evergreen'
In the belly of the plane, there is a metal trunk on wheels packed with gifts.
Continue reading the main story
"Start Quote
My friends say, 'Oh my gosh, I saw you on television - you look so tired'... to which I reply, 'Gee, thanks a lot!'"
Hillary Clinton
David Solomon and Katie Jack from the protocol office in Washington will not reveal what Mrs Clinton is taking with her for the presidents and prime ministers she will be meeting. It could cause tension if one leader felt his neighbour got a nicer gift.They do reveal that the lower-level gifts include cufflinks, paperweights and key chains. Mrs Clinton's autobiography, Living History, is apparently a favourite, and always comes with a personal handwritten note.
America is still a superpower, so secretaries of state get to see presidents and kings, unlike most other foreign ministers, who meet only their direct counterparts.
But Mrs Clinton also has personal relations with world leaders dating back to her days as first lady, so they "would see me under any circumstances," she says.
In the White House, the secret service called her "Evergreen", and several incarnations later, the code name remains.
The great advantage of travelling with the secretary is never having to go through passport control or wait by the luggage belt. State department staffers stamp us in and out of countries, and our suitcases are delivered directly to the hotel.
The downside is that while we pay for our seat, we do not get air miles. And while we may go to a lot of exotic, interesting destinations, we cannot fully experience or understand a country while in the bubble.
'Imperfect people'
Exhaustion is guaranteed. Our bodies are vandalised by jet-lag. On the road all day, on the phone to Washington at night, sleep deprivation takes its toll as countries blur into one.
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Grounded in Dubai
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The 13-year-old Boeing 757 used for this trip is part of a fleet of four which is at the disposal of Mrs Clinton and others like the vice-president and the first lady
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On our return trip, a short refuelling stop in Dubai turns into a 15-hour stopover, because a cracked tyre needs changing - we check into a hotel
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It is the third time the plane has suffered problems in two-and-a-half years - Mrs Clinton's staff joke that her relentless travelling has got the better of it
From the very first day on the road, policy planning director Jake Sullivan is already sleep-deprived. The trips may be exhilarating, but how does one devise foreign policy for a superpower, on no sleep?
"Foreign policy is being made by imperfect people who face imperfect choices and have to use an imperfect process to reach decisions," he says.
"All we can do is try to ensure that the decision that is finally arrived at is one that has been carefully considered - and we generally feel comfortable when we finally decide to pull the trigger on something."
Mrs Clinton, too, admits her gruelling scheduling takes its toll.
"I won't lie to you. I'm tired. My friends call and e-mail and say 'Oh my gosh, I saw you on television. You look so tired!' To which I reply, 'Gee, thanks a lot!'"In the mobile offices in hotels, staff have strict instructions as to where they can talk about what
But she feels "we are making a difference, and that keeps me going," she says.
She sleeps a lot on the plane to make up for lost sleep, and goes for long walks or does yoga to recuperate after a lengthy trip.
The relentless travelling may seem unnecessary when the world is shrinking and everybody is a video conference call away.
But the Chinese are everywhere, so are the Indians and the Brazilians, vying for a bigger share of world influence. So Mrs Clinton feels strongly that she needs to be everywhere, too.
She has clocked almost 600,000 miles working to sell America to the world, since taking office in January 2009 - the equivalent of 24 times round the globe.
And despite pressures on government spending, she believes it would be a great mistake for America to say: "Enough with the foreign involvement, let's do nothing but stay right here and tend to our own garden."
Kim Ghattas is the BBC's US state department correspondent. Listen to her Crossing Continents on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 14 July at 1100 BST and Monday 18 July at 2030 BST. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer or the podcast.
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Mumbai blasts: 'No intelligence of attacks'
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Investigators arrive at the scene of the Opera House district in MumbaiContinue reading the main story
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Indian intelligence agencies had detected no threat of any impending attacks on Mumbai before three blasts shook the city on Wednesday.Home Minister P Chidambaram said those who carried it out had "worked in a very clandestine manner".
The three near-simultaneous explosions, during Mumbai's evening rush hour, killed 18 people and injured dozens.
The attacks are the deadliest in India since 2008, when gunmen killed 165 people in a three-day raid in Mumbai.
Indian cities have been placed on high alert and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged the people of Mumbai "to remain calm and show a united face".
Visiting some of the attack victims in Mumbai hospitals, the prime minister vowed those responsible would be tracked down.
Continue reading the main story
Analysis
Soutik BiswasBBC News, Delhi
The authorities are not saying who they think could be behind the bomb attacks in Mumbai. Home Minister P Chidambaram says all groups hostile to India are being looked at.
This obviously includes home-grown militant outfits like the Indian Mujahideen (IM), who have been blamed for a number of blasts in the past. Many security analysts already believe the explosions - possibly caused by improvised bombs - carry the fingerprints of such a group.
The latest attack also raises questions about whether intelligence has again failed Mumbai, a charge Mr Chidambaram denies. He says security measures in the city have been beefed up since the 2008 attacks and local police have foiled a "number of terrorist threats" since then.
But the fact that Mumbai seems to be targeted relentlessly by groups is extremely disquieting news for its residents and authorities alike.
"Perpetrators of [the] Mumbai blasts shall be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice quickly," he said.Pakistan-based militants were blamed for the November 2008 attacks and peace efforts between the two countries were derailed. Pakistan's government was quick to condemn the latest bombings.
The United Nations also condemned the attack, describing it as "heinous".
'All leads followed'
No group has said it planted the bombs but suspicion among some officials and analysts has fallen on the Indian Mujahideen, a group which has claimed to have carried out similar attacks in the past.
"There was no intelligence regarding a militant attack in Mumbai. That is not a failure of intelligence agencies," said Mr Chidambaram.
"[We] know that perpetrators have attacked and have worked in a very, very clandestine manner, maybe a very small group that has not communicated with each other."
But he said it was too early to speculate on who might have been behind the attack.
"All groups that have capacity to carry out such terror attacks are suspect. All angles will be investigated, all leads will be followed," he told reporters.
He described the blasts as a "a co-ordinated attack by terrorists" as they occurred within minutes of one another.
All three bombs were reported within a 15-minute period, starting at around 1850 local time (1320 GMT).
Continue reading the main story
Mumbai attacks
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April 1993 - Serial bomb blasts kill 257 people and about 700 injured
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2003 - Four bomb attacks, including twin blasts on 25 August which killed 52 people
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July 2006 - More than 180 people killed and hundreds wounded in seven orchestrated blasts on commuter trains
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November 2008 - gunmen target six locations in Mumbai killing at least 165 people in a series of co-ordinated attacks
One witness said he had tried to help by getting the wounded onto motorbikes to take them to hospital.
"We came outside, and the area was filled with black smoke. There were bodies lying all over the street, there was lots of blood... We saw many bodies missing arms and missing legs," Aagam Doshi told Reuters news agency.
Another blast, described by the authorities as low intensity, hit the Zaveri Bazaar, an area with many jewellery shops, also in the city's south.
The third hit the Dadar district in the city centre, known for its gold market.
Mr Chidambaram said none of the bombs had been triggered remotely. Police said they were made with ammonium nitrate, an ingredient for fertiliser.
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Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram: ''All angles will be investigated''
Federal commando, forensic and investigation teams have arrived in Mumbai to help the local police.It is hoped security cameras at the gold market and jewellery shops where the two biggest blasts occurred will aid the investigation
The capital, Delhi, Calcutta and several other cities have been put on alert, with a police presence being stepped up at public places like malls, cinemas, parks and transport terminals.
Schools open
On Thursday, the government revised the death toll from the blasts down from 21 to 17, and said 131 people had been injured.
But rescue workers also found a severed head at one of the blast sites which had not yet been identified nor included in casualty figures, Mr Chidambaram said.
Most of Mumbai, however, began to return to normal life as dawn broke on Thursday, with vendors making their usual rounds and schools kept open despite the attack.
Mumbai has been targeted many times in recent years.
The 2008 attacks, which targeted two high-end hotels, a busy train station, a Jewish centre and other sites frequented by foreigners, were blamed on the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group.
The gunmen, nine of whom died in the raid, killed 165 people.
Were you in the area? Did you witness the explosions? Send your comments using the post form below.
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Terrorism
BJP questions govt''s counter terrorismpolicies post 26/11IBNLive.com - 4 hours agoPTI | 07:07 PM,Jul 14,2011 "I am appealing to all the political parties that despite differences on various issues, we should be united on how to deal with the menace of terror," Jaitley said, identifying threat of terrorism as single biggest challenge ... Bharti Axa wants personal accident in Terrorism PoolIndia Infoline.com - 6 hours ago Terror incidents like these do increase the risk perception and demand for higher rates in reinsurance driven terrorism insurance, Sanjay Kedia, CEO of Marsh India has been quoted as saying. Does your insurance policy cover loss due to terror attacks? Moneylife Personal Finance site and magazine Terror cover rates unlikely to go up, say insurers Economic Times all 7 news articles »Email this story Big, busy India finds terrorismhard to preventThe Associated Press - 3 hours ago The South Asia Terrorism Portal, which tracks terror attacks in the region, lists more than 170 terror, extremist or insurgent groups in the country. Video: Is human bomb behind Mumbai attack? NewsX Economics Journal: Mumbai 2011 – What is the Cost of Terrorism? Wall Street Journal (blog) IBNLive.com - Daily News & Analysis -Vancouver Sun - Rediff - Wikipedia: 13 July 2011 Mumbai bombings Indo-US talks on counter-terrorismDaily News & Analysis - 7 hours ago "We are committed to this important relationship with India with regard to cooperation in counter-terrorism and security concerns and we will be as responsive as we can be. Video: US condemns 'despiscable' Mumbai attacks AFP Mumbai terror attack: It's more important to stand with India: Hillary Economic Times IBNLive.com - Hindustan Times - AFP -The Hindu all 633 news articles »Email this story Canada stands by India, says terrorism is 'alive and active'Hindustan Times - 15 hours agoStanding by India in the aftermath of the Mumbai bomb blasts, Canada on Wednesday said terrorism is "alive and active" and the international community should come together to root out this evil. 'Attack reminder that terrorism is alive, active' Rediff all 8 news articles »Email this story Mumbai blasts worst face ofterrorism: GeelaniKashmir Dispatch - 4 hours ago Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Thursday termed Mumbai blasts were the worst face of terrorism. Condemning the blasts, Geelani in a statement said, "Killing of an innocent is unforgivable and perpetrators should be brought to ... Hurriyat condemns Mumbai blastsIBNLive.com Cong defends Rahul for remarks on terrorismIndian Express - 5 hours ago Congress sought to defend Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that it is difficult to stop every single terror attack with party General Secretary Digvijay Singh saying India is "better than Pakistan where blasts take place every day, every week". Video: 99 percent terror attacks stopped: Rahul Gandhi NewsX Government committed to combatingterrorism: Rahul Gandhi DailyIndia.com Outlook - IBNLive.com - indiablooms -Times Now.tv Anti-Terrorism Squad Will Probe Mumbai Blasts : Rakesh Mariawww.newsworms.com - 5 hours ago Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria has said that terrorists behind the Mumbai's triple blasts would not be spared and that they would be brought to book at any cost. Day after, Govt gropes in the dark with no specific clues Hindustan Times NO BREAKTHROUGH YET IN MUMBAI SERIAL BLASTS CASE: MAHARASHTRA ATS CHIEF RAKESH ... India Today Zee News - Asian Age - indiablooms -Star News - Wikipedia: 13 July 2011 Mumbai bombings Soz echoes Rahul''s views on terror attacksIBNLive.com - 2 hours agoTerrorism is not acceptable but there is no point finding faults in the system, the chief minister or police in Mumbai," Soz told PTI on the sidelines of a book release function here. Indian government a bunch of softies, say NRIsStar News - 2 hours ago These politicians are bothered about winning elections and not interested in protecting people from terrorism. I am afraid these attacks will keep happening," said Chicago-based IITian and businessman Ray Mehra. Man accused in terrorism caseSacramento Bee - 1 hour ago AP WASHINGTON -- A federal grand jury has indicted a man in a terrorism case for allegedly using the Internet to promote violence against Americans. Pennsylvania Man Indicted For Online Promotion Of Jihadist Attacks Wall Street Journal 'Homegrown extremist' charged in terror-related indictment CNN International all 102 news articles »Email this story Feds Indict Jihadi Forum Mod for IncitingTerrorismWired News (blog) - Spencer Ackerman - 14 minutes ago"It is best if targeting soldiers or police that they are off duty or out of uniform simply because the investigations will look for 'robbery gone wrong' or 'revenge' than act of terrorism or revolt," Begolly allegedly posted to Ansar al-Mujahideen in ... Under Attack AgainKanglaOnline - 13 hours agoMumbai has once again become a target of terrorism. Three bombs went off at three different busy spots in the city, killing at least 10 and injuring hundreds. Bollywood condemns Mumbai attacksRediff - 9 hours ago 'im so saddened by whats happened in mumbai.. my heart wrenches at the though of what the families of the victims r going thru..its so wrong. why do we have to always accept this terrorism..why r we always told to move on. Bollywood reacts to the Mumbai BlastsIndiaFM Celebs express shock over Mumbai blastsPlanetRadiocity Wikipedia: 13 July 2011 Mumbai bombings all 64 news articles »Email this story 'India can't lower guard against terror'India Today - 5 hours ago Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Thursday slammed the government over Wednesday's Mumbai blasts, saying the attacks showed India can't lower the guard against terrorism. "Mumbai terror attack reminds people that India cannot lower the guard against ... India - Life is cheap Zee News (blog) Mumbai terror attack, failure of policy not intelligence: Advani Economic Times DailyIndia.com - indiablooms -International Business Times -Hindustan Times - Wikipedia: 13 July 2011 Mumbai bombings Blast rocks Mumbai meet on securityTimes of India - 21 hours agoMUMBAI: A high-level team of top police and bureaucrats, including DGP Ajit Parasnis, home secretary Pravin Dixit and anti-terrorism squad chief Rakesh Maria, was deliberating on measures to be taken to tackle terrorism when the commercial capital was ... After terror strike, politicians indulge in blame gameHindustan Times - 2 hours ago "As far as India is concerned, the government must shed its ambivalence towardsterrorism," he added. He demanded a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and wanted no talks with Pakistan till its terrorisminfrastructure was dismantled. Don't just salute Mumbaikars, protect them says Uddhav Thackeray Daily News & Analysis Maharashtra's intelligence setup needs a revampRediff - 6 hours ago With very little information to push the investigations ahead, anti-terrorismagencies are struggling to get a basic strong clue which could lead them to that major breakthrough. Spotlight on Indian Mujahideen Wall Street Journal (blog) Two suspected terrorists of IM arrestedIBNLive.com Exorcising the PainPune Newsline - Kartikeya Ramanathan - 19 hours agoDirectly or indirectly, terrorism has affected the lives of everyone in the world over the past decade. The issue, though a sensitive one, is not an unfamiliar topic for film audiences. BLASTS-PARTIES 2IBNLive.com - 5 hours agoThe idea is that we have to fight terrorism at the local level. We have improved in leaps and bounds. But terrorism is something that it is impossible to stop all the time," he said. | Featured videoIs human bomb behind Mumbai attack?NewsXall 4,408 news articles » Featured photoClinton to visit India as planned despite attacksAFP - 22 hours agoI believe it is more important than ever that we stand with India, deepen our partnership, and reaffirm our commitment to the shared struggl... all 633 news articles » ImagesChristian Scien... AFP IndiaFM International B... Business Today SamayLive Indian Express The Hindu Star News All related images » |
Congress defends Rahul Gandhi's remarksDaijiworld.com - 1 hour agoNew Delhi, July 14 (IANS) The Congress Thursday defended remarks of party leader Rahul Gandhi that it was difficult to stop every single terrorist attack and said there was no failure on part of intelligence agencies in the Mumbai blasts that left 17 ... Mumbai serial blasts: the political blame gameIBNLive.com - 1 hour agoMumbai: Political blame game over the Mumbai blasts begins after Rahul Gandhi said not every terror attack can be prevented. The BJP accuses the Congress of being soft on terror, alleging the ruling party of being bias against the majority and a ... Throw out 'corrupt' Naveen government: Rahul gandhiBusiness Standard - 2 hours agoAII India Congress Committee General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi today blasted the Naveen Patnaik government in Orissa terming it as "corrupt and favouring the rich". He called upon the people of the state to throw out the government in the next election. ...
Orissa is rich, but its people are poor: RahulIBNLive.com - 3 hours agoPTI | 08:07 PM,Jul 14,2011 Giving instances of Congress-ruled states, Gandhi pointed out that poor people in Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh were getting direct benefits from the developmental programmes while they were denied such ... Rahul draws parallel between Bhatta-Parasul & Posco projectEconomic Times - 4 hours agoBHUBANESWAR: Land acquisition issue being his latest weapon, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Thursday drew a parallel between Bhatta-Parasul in Uttar Pradesh and Posco project in Orissa and suggested that the solution could lie in setting it ... Rahul Gandhi's statement condones militancy: BJPHindustan Times - 4 hours agoCriticizing Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the Mumbai serial blasts, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said his statement abets militants in these blatant acts of violence. "The statement made by Mr. Rahul ... Politics over blastsTimes Now.tv - 2 hours agoJust 24 hours after 3 blasts ripped through Mumbai, Congress and BJP have locked horns. With the BJP blaming the government policy on terror, saying vote bank politics had weakened the fight against terror, the government asked the Opposition to stop ... Mumbai blasts: politicos indulge in blame gameIBNLive.com - 3 hours agoNew Delhi: As Mumbai struggled to get back on its feet after serial blasts on Wednesday evening, politicos began the blame game once again over who is responsible for the dastardly act. While Congress defended the Government and claimed that almost 99 ... Rahul visit to boost CongressTimes of India - Jul 11, 2011BHUBANESWAR: Rahul Gandhi's Orissa may be billed as a campaign to woo youths to join politics, but the Congress leadership here is making elaborate preparations for using the party's most sought-after face to establish its own position before the ... Congress leader urges Rahul to visit Posco siteTimes of India - 18 hours agoBHUBANESWAR: Senior Congress leader and former Balikuda MLA Umesh Swain has urged Rahul Gandhi to visit Dhinkia and see for himself the sufferings of villagers whose land is being forcibly acquired for the Posco project. These villagers have been on an ... All 74 related articles » | RelatedRahul GandhiOrissa Bhubaneswar AICC Timeline of articlesNumber of sources covering this story
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Bomb blasts in Mumbai
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