Journalism of Courage
Culinary contrasts
The culinary element of SAARC summit is quite interesting. Modi is having simple vegetarian food with less spices and less oil, while for Sharif, halal meat dishes are being prepared. In lunch, Modi takes jeera rice with dal and two types of vegetables, besides tawa roti and vegetable soup. He also takes plain curd and masala chaas with his food. In dinner, the Prime Minister prefers khichadi with Gujarati curry, dal and roti. For dessert, he takes mixed fruit. For breakfast, he takes mixed fruits, utappam or idli and digestive biscuits along with tea. As for Sharif, he prefers a special Pakistani fish preparation and takes organic chicken or mutton in lunch and dinner. For dessert, he prefers saffron kheer.
Talk on Terror
In their maiden meeting, PM Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani leaders talked about the terrorist threats faced by the two countries. Ghani had talked against “proxy war” being played out in his country, Modi raised the issue of terrorist threats to the Indian interests in Afghanistan. Ghani is also said to have talked about some technology transfer issues, regarding which he will make concrete proposals later.
Burdwan on agenda
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina met Modi for the second time, after their meeting in September this year, and they had discussions on counter-terrorism cooperation in the wake of the Burdwan blasts. It was a fairly “detailed discussion”, official said. Modi is learnt to have assured Hasina on expediting the Land boundary and Teesta agreements.
Worry over waters
Modi, during meetings with his counterparts from Sri Lanka and Maldives, conveyed that NSA Ajit K Doval will be visiting their countries in the next few days. Doval is being sent to talk about maritime security among other issues. This becomes crucial since the maritime security in the wake of the 6th anniversary of 26/11 terror attacks is a major theme of discussion. Also, the issue of Chinese submarines docking at the Lankan ports have cause some concern in New Delhi.
