Tens of millions of public sector workers have gone on a day-long strike across India, protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies, particularly his plans to push for greater privatisation.

Thousands of state-run banks, government offices and factories were closed on Friday, and public transport disrupted, in the strike called by 10 trade unions.

"This strike is against the central government, this strike is for the cause of the working people," said Ramen Pandey, of the Indian National Trade Union Congress.

"Our strike will be 100 percent successful ... we will prove that this strike is the world's largest ever."

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Union officials said about 180 million workers, including state bank employees, school teachers, postal workers, miners and construction workers, were participating, but the figure could not be independently verified.

The strike was called after talks with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley broke down, with union leaders rejecting his offer to raise the minimum wage for unskilled workers from 6,396 rupees ($96) a month to 9,100 rupees ($136).

Workers are demanding the government dump plans to close unproductive factories, raise foreign investment caps in some industries and sell off stakes in state-run companies - over fears that creeping privatisation will jeopardise jobs.

The unions said the government should guarantee both social security and healthcare for all, and should be hiking the minimum wage to double what it is offering in order to keep up with inflation.

Indian media said transport and essential services such as power and water supplies were not affected in major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. Private banks were operating and schools and colleges were open.

According to broadcaster NDTV, the strike had its greatest impact in the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala, ruled by the opposition Indian National Congress and Left Democratic Front respectively.

Daily life was also hit in the eastern state of Bihar, where shop and business establishments were shut and train and road services were disrupted by union activists.

More than 20 protesters were arrested after they damaged two government buses in West Bengal, senior police official Anuj Sharma told the AFP news agency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a landslide victory in May 2014 general elections, promising business-friendly reforms to boost the economy.

According to the latest budget, the government aims to raise about $8.3bn through privatisation in 2016-17 and shut down some state-run firms, after losses exceeded $4bn in the last financial year.</s>Modi had held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, widely seen as an effort to reboot ties between New Delhi and Beijing.

Pursuing an approach of multiple engagements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised U.S. President Barack Obama for his leadership of the G20 and asserted that the grouping in the future would succeed if it pursued a “collective, coordinated and target oriented” approach.

Earlier in the morning, Mr. Modi had held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, widely seen as an effort to reboot ties between New Delhi and Beijing.

In his intervention during the first session of the G20, Mr. Modi underscored that all members of the grouping faced a common set of opportunities and challenges. “To benefit all, G20 would need to act decisively. This will also require strong network of partnerships”, he observed.

The Prime Minster stressed that “connected machines, digital revolution and new technology was laying the foundation for the next generation of global growth”.

He highlighted that India aimed to improve its financial system, boost domestic production, enhance infrastructure investment and create a pool of human capital in the country.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup earlier tweeted that during his intervention, President Obama lauded Mr. Modi for successfully marshalling the legislation for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), by pointing out that India’s tax reforms were an “example of bold policy in an otherwise difficult global economic scenario”. He added that during the informal evening programme later in the evening, the two leaders had yet another opportunity of exchanging views.

Earlier, the Prime Minister held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud. Official sources said that Mr. Modi singled out maritime industry, infrastructure, low cost housing among the items for joint collaboration between New Delhi and Riyadh.

India, he said, could also become a source of food security for the oil rich desert Kingdom, supplementing energy tie ups in the future. The Prime Minister invited greater Saudi investment in infrastructure development, especially modernisation of railway stations. The two leaders also had a detailed discussion on the reforms of the United Nations Security Council, including its expansion with the inclusion of new members.</s>Modi, who reached in Hangzhou after a two-day maiden visit to Hanoi, begins his programme on Sunday morning by holding talks with Mr. Xi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flew into this Chinese city for the crucial G20 summit and talks with top world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping on irritants in bilateral ties like India’s NSG bid and the CPEC, which runs through PoK.

“Hello Hangzhou! PM lands in China to attend the G20 Summit,” Mr. Modi tweeted, along with a photo showing Mr. Modi shaking hands with officials after landing.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup also tweeted about the Prime Minister’s arrival in China, saying: “Morning in Hanoi, night in Hangzhou.”

Mr. Modi, who reached in Hangzhou after a two-day maiden visit to Hanoi, begins his programme on Sunday morning by holding talks with Mr. Xi, in their second meeting in less than three months.

The two leaders had last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in June in Tashkent.

Sunday’s meeting is viewed as important in the backdrop of steady decline in the bilateral relations over a raft of issues including the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The two leaders, who enjoy a good rapport, would discuss contentious issues, which will also include listing of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations in the UN and China stalling India’s membership at the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

This would be followed by a meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders ahead of the G20 summit, which would begin later in the day.

Mr. Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

He will attend the G20 summit that begins on Sunday with this year’s theme of “Strengthening Policy coordination and Breaking a new path for growth” followed by a number of cultural programmes organised by the Chinese government.

On Monday, he will take part in the second and concluding session of the G20 and hold bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister Theresa May and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri before returning to Delhi.

In all, he would reside in this picturesque city for about 48 hours, officials said.

A meeting between Mr. Modi and US President Barack Obama is, however, not on the cards during this trip, they said.</s>New Delhi (AP) — Millions of public sector workers across India went on strike Friday to protest economic reforms, saying the government’s plan for raising the country’s minimum wage for unskilled workers did not go far enough.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government says the reforms, including opening some sectors to private and foreign investment, are needed to boost growth.

About a dozen of the country’s labor unions said the government should guarantee both social security and health care for all, and should be hiking the minimum wage to double what it is offering in order to keep up with inflation. Some states including Kerala and the territory of Delhi already have minimum wage levels that are higher than the new monthly target of 9,100 rupees to 13,598 rupees, or $136 to $204.

“The strike is on. We are getting good response,” said Tapan Kumar Sen, head of the Center for Indian Trade Unions, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.

The unions are also unhappy about government plans to pull investments from public services and allow more foreign direct investment in certain sectors.

While the capital of New Delhi and the financial hub of Mumbai saw little impact from the one-day strike, normal life was severely affected elsewhere, including Kerala, where the state government led by the opposition Communist Party of India backed the protest. In badly affected regions, public transportation and government offices were shut down.

Union officials said about 180 million workers — including state bank employees, school teachers, postal workers, miners and construction workers — were participating, but the figure could not be independently verified.

The strike did not affect private banks or businesses.</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stressed to China’s President Xi Jinping that it was of “paramount importance” for bilateral relations that Beijing respected India’s concerns on key strategic issues.

Officials said these include Chinese investment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.

The PM raised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor issue during his bilateral meeting with Xi, his first meeting in Hangzhou, which was held before the G20 Summit opened on Sunday afternoon.

Modi also stressed the need to address the root causes of terrorism emanating from the neighbourhood, leaving little doubt that his message was aimed at getting China to pressure Pakistan, rather than preventing international action on its “all-weather friend” as it has recently done by placing holds on UNSC sanctions on terrorists such as Masood Azhar.

The PM also made what officials described as “a strong intervention” on terrorism during the informal BRICS leaders' summit that followed his bilateral talks with Xi.

“Terrorists in South Asia or anywhere for that matter do not own banks or weapons factories,” he said.

His meeting with Xi was seen by both sides as an opportunity to set ties on track. While officials said specific issues were not discussed in detail, the idea was to convey a clear message on the way forward for ties, and for more sensitivity to each other’s core concerns.

New Delhi’s message to Beijing in recent meetings was that it could not delink bilateral ties from its positions that often oppose India in international fora such as the NSG, where China has sought to delay India’s entry.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup declined to say if the NSG issue was specifically raised with Xi, pointing out that a summit-level meeting was aimed “to provide overall guidance and direction” to Indo-China relations.

However, he added: “If you read between the lines when we are talking about our strategic interests, concerns and aspirations, it is not that China is unaware of our strategic interests, concerns or aspirations, or that we are unaware of theirs. It is something that both sides are aware of.”

The issue has emerged as another thorn in India’s ties with China. But hopes are that some progress will be made soon, with the director generals of their disarmament departments holding talks to bridge differences.

Mentioning the recent attack on the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the PM stressed to Xi that it was “yet another proof of the continuing scourge of terrorism”.

Modi also stressed this message during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull. Modi said Afghanistan, Russia, and China were suffering from the “destabilising” effects of terror.

Hence, it was “important for us to identify suppliers, exporters and financiers of terrorism, otherwise the world will face a huge challenge and problem in coming weeks and months” was the PM’s message, said Swarup.

The PM also thanked Turnbull for Australia’s “proactive support” for India’s membership to the NSG.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday exchanged pleasantries with US President Barack Obama and other world leaders attending the G20 summit. Modi met Obama briefly when they were on stage to pose for photographs at a venue in the eastern Chinese city.

Earlier in the day, Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman and held discussions on enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.

According to the PM’s website, the leaders held discussions about boosting bilateral ties.

“Another bilateral follows first session at G20. PM meets Mohammad bin Salman, Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted soon after the meeting.

Mohammad, who is the son of Saudi King Salman, also holds the key defence and economic policy portfolios of the oil-rich Gulf Kingdom.

China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound ties and further strengthen bilateral cooperation, President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, as the two leaders held talks amid differences over a raft of issues.

“China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance their cooperation,” state-run Chinese Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying. The half-hour meeting was their second in less than three months.

Xi’s comments came against the backdrop of a raft of differences between the two countries.</s>Prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday raised with French president Francois Hollande the leak of confidential data on the Indian Scorpene Class submarines being built in Mumbai in collaboration with French defence company DCNS on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here.



 On the second and final day of the summit in this east Chinese city, Modi held separate "pull-aside" meetings with Hollande and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom he discussed India's NSG membership.



 Prior to those meetings, Modi met Britain's new prime minister Theresa May and held discussions on "building opportunities" in the aftermath of UK's decision to exit the European Union.



 In his meeting with Hollande, Modi raised the leak of sensitive data related to Scorpene Class submarines. "This issue has also figured (in the talks)," external affairs ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters.



 Over 22,000 pages of secret data on the capabilities of six highly-advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with French defence company DCNS were leaked. The data leak reportedly happened overseas.



 In his meeting with Erdogan, the prime minister discussed the issue of India's membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Swarup said.



 The discussion with Erdogan on NSG was significant as Turkey was among the few countries -- along with China -- which had stalled India's bid to join the elite grouping at its plenary meeting in June in Seoul.



 China had then raised objection saying India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).



 Turkey too raised its concern over the presence of supporters of dissident muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen in India. Turkey accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed July coup attempt.



 Swarup said enhancing civil aviation cooperation with Turkey also figured during the discussions.



 With May, the prime minister underlined that even after UK's exit from the EU, "Britain remains an important partner" for India.



 "May also referred to the recent passage of GST (bill) which would further boost trade and investment ties with the UK. She supported PM's reform agenda and the UK is keen to participate in Make in India, Smartcity and Skill India initiatives," he said.



 The two leaders discussed further enhancing of the defence partnership and Modi invited UK firms to India.



 They also talked about the challenges of terrorism, calling it "the biggest threat and danger to the world with no boundaries," Swarup said.



 Modi also invited May to visit India in her new capacity. May accepted the invitation and said would like to make as early a visit to India as possible, sources said.



 "Modi also touched upon UK's visa policy. In particular he said that the new UK regulations could have negative impact on Indian working professionals wishing to visit UK for short term business visits," the sources said.



 Modi told May that the recent meeting of India-UK joint group on counter-terrorism was very useful and called for greater collaboration in cyber-security, intelligence sharing and information gathering.



 Modi sought May's suggestions on further strengthening the partnership particularly trade and investment ties.



 In this context, he referred to the recent launch of the HSBC Corporate Rupee bond on the London Stock Exchange which has been very successful, Swarup said.



 Both leaders also looked forward to an early visit by defence minister Manohar Parrikar to UK, Swarup said. 



 May said she was very keen to support Modi's vision for India including the broader strategic partnership, the spokesperson said. 



 She underlined the importance Britain attaches to India and Indian diaspora and refereed to the recent visits paid by three UK ministers Preeti Patel, Alok Sharma and Greig Clark to India.



 In his last bilateral meeting of the day, Modi met Argentine president Mauricio Macri and invited him to India.



 Modi said he would like to personally take him to the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, for whom president Macri has always had a special place in his heart, Swarup said.



 Thanking Modi for the invitation, Macri recalled his two previous visits to India, as a tourist and as a Mayor.



 Modi thanked Macri for Argentina's strong support for India's NSG membership and said it was important in the context of India's clean energy needs, Swarup said.



 Macri said Argentina was keen to support India's nuclear energy needs and stressed on the need to diversify Argentina's exports to India while inviting Indian companies to participate in the exploration of shale gas reserves in Argentina.



 They also discussed India's draft for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, solar energy, mining and hydro carbons.



 Modi also congratulated Argentina on being the next host of G20 summit.</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi says 'a terrorist is a terrorist'; raises Scorpene data leak with Hollande

In a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, said “one single nation” in South Asia is spreading “agents of terror”, as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, and not rewarded.

“Indeed one single nation in South Asia is spreading these agents of terror in countries of our region,” Mr. Modi said.

The Prime Minister said India appreciates the G20’s initiative on combating the financing of terrorism and asserted that all countries should meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.

“The growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge. There are some nations that use it as an instrument of state policy. India has a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism. Because anything less than that is not enough,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi’s comments at G20 come against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the unrest in the Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces.

Mr. Modi also raised with French President Francois Hollande the leak of confidential data on the Indian Scorpene-Class submarines being built in Mumbai in collaboration with French defence company DCNS on the sidelines of the Summit.

Mr. Modi held separate meetings with Mr. Hollande and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom he discussed India’s NSG membership.

Prior to those meetings, Mr. Modi met Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May and held discussions on “building opportunities” in the aftermath of the U.K.’s decision to exit the European Union.

Underlining that fighting corruption and blackmoney is key to effective financial governance, Mr. Modi also asked G20 leaders to act to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, unconditionally extradite money launderers and end excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt.

“G20’s efforts should be for zero-tolerance for corruption and black money; zero administration, policy and treaty loopholes; zero barriers and full commitment to action,” Mr. Modi said.

A stable global economic and financial system is imperative for development as it promotes inclusive and sustainable growth, the Prime Minister said. He also called for further strengthening of the global financial safety net.</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a joint press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam on Saturday. Photo: @MEAIndia

India offers a grant of $5 million to set up a software park in Vietnam; New Delhi to provide $500 million credit line for Vietnam for defence cooperation.

India on Saturday extended $500 million Line of Credit to Vietnam for facilitating deeper defence cooperation with the south east Asian nation, as the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to respond to emerging regional challenges.

“Our decision to upgrade our Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership captures the intent and path of our future cooperation. It will provide a new direction, momentum and substance to our bilateral cooperation,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc here.

He said the two sides recognised the need to cooperate in responding to emerging regional challenges.

Vietnam had earlier Strategic Partnership only with Russia and China.

Mr. Modi, who arrived here on Friday on his maiden visit to the country, described his talks with Vietnamese counterpart as “extensive and very productive” and said they covered the full range of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

“I am also happy to announce a new Defence Line of Credit for Vietnam of $500 million for facilitating deeper defence cooperation,” he said.

“Our common efforts will also contribute to stability, security and prosperity in this region,” he said.

The two countries signed 12 agreements in a wide range of areas covering IT, space, double taxation and sharing white shipping information.

An agreement on construction of offshore patrol boats was also signed by the two sides, signalling a step to give concrete shape to defence engagement between the two nations.

“The range of agreements signed just a while ago point to the diversity and depth of our cooperation,” Mr. Modi said, adding the agreement on construction of offshore patrol boats is one of the steps to give concrete shape to bilateral defence ties.

He said as the two important countries in this region, India and Vietnam feel it necessary to further their ties on regional and international issues of common concern.

Mr. Modi also announced a grant of $5 million for the establishment of a Software Park in the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang.

“We agreed to tap into the growing economic opportunities in the region,” said Modi, the first Indian premier to visit the country in 15 years.

Noting that enhancing bilateral commercial engagement is the strategic objective of the two nations, he said, “For this, new trade and business opportunities will be tapped to achieve the trade target of $15 billion by 2020.”</s>India-Vietnam partnership will benefit Asia and the rest of the world, says PM.

India and Vietnam must have stronger economic and people-to-people ties, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he left for Hanoi, part of his East Asian outreach, which will take him to Vietnam, China and Laos over the next week.

“India-Vietnam partnership will benefit Asia and the rest of the world. We wish to forge a strong economic relationship with Vietnam that can mutually benefit our citizens. Strengthening the people-to-people ties will also be my endeavour during the Vietnam visit,” Mr. Modi said in a social media post on Friday, released before he landed in Hanoi.

During the one-day visit to Vietnam, the PM is expected to meet with his counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang. Officials said their agreements would include a cultural pact on archaeological support, as well as to boost bilateral trade to double its current levels.

“The bilateral trade between our two countries is around $ 8 billion; it has grown 400 per cent in the last six to seven years. The two leaderships have set a target of $ 15 billion by the year 2020,” Indian Ambassador to Vietnam P. Harish told ANI news agency on Friday.

But the PM’s visit will be watched most closely for any statements on defence cooperation as well as how their joint statement tackles tensions with China in the wake of the South China Sea tribunal award in favour of the Philippines on July 12.

India has issued several statements since then, calling on “all states” notably China to accept the tribunal award. In addition, India’s plans to provide the BrahMos Missile as well as boost Vietnam’s maritime capabilities in the South China Sea would be of most interest.

Analysts says that during his visit Mr. Modi might have to take a less strident tone given that he will be travelling to China straight after Vietnam for the G-20 summit on Saturday where he will meet President Xi Jinping. “It will be a balancing act for India, and I am sure the PM won’t allow it to appear as if his visit is directed at any other country,” explained Alka Acharya, Associated Professor of Chinese Studies in the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Among the important issues to be taken up in the meeting with President Xi are India’s hopes for a membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. India is also keen on gaining support on terrorism issues ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session where a battle is brewing with Pakistan over the violence in Kashmir, and India wants China to lift the technical hold China has placed on banning JeM chief Masood Azhar. Mr. Modi’s recent statements on Balochistan have been viewed with concern by analysts in Beijing for their possible impact on the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which China is building via Balochistan.

On its part, China will seek reassurance from India on its growing military ties with the United States, which saw the logistics LEMOA agreement being signed this week in Washington, even as Secretary of State John Kerry spent the week in New Delhi.</s>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a new defence Line of Credit of US$ Five Hundred million for Vietnam to facilitate deeper defence cooperation with the country.

The Prime Minister also announced grant of US$ 5 million for the establishment of a Software Park in the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, after his talk with his counterpart Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc here.

The Prime Minister held extensive talk with Mr Phuc during which the two leaders covered a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

The two countries also concluded an agreement on space coopearation which the PM said “would allow Vietnam to join hands with Indian Space Research Organisation to meet its national development objectives”.

Mr Modi said “Enhancing bilateral commercial engagement is also India’s strategic objective. For this, new trade and business opportunities will be tapped to achieve the trade target of fifteen billion dollars by 2020”.
Around 180 million people are claimed to be striking in India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic privatization plans. The strike is allegedly the largest in human history.