POLITICAL ISSUES
JORDAN
1. AP’s major role in Jordan’s Parliamentary elections
Hyderabad, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Andhra Pradesh had a major contribution in the successful conduct of the polling for the Parliamentary elections in Jordan. The training was given to the election officials by Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

KUWAIT
2. India seeks stronger ties with Kuwait, peace in Syria
Dubai, Thursday, 31 January 2013
Speaking about bilateral relations with Kuwait, Minister of States for External Affairs E Ahamed said that the bonds of friendship between the two countries have resulted in close political understanding and strong economic and cultural ties. He also expressed India's strong concern over the rising violence in war-torn Syria and appealed to all parties to work towards peace in the region.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

MOROCCO
3. Translated Letters Rogatory sent to Morocco for Headly's estranged wife
New Delhi, Sunday, 20 January 2013
Continuing its efforts to expose the role of state actors in Pakistan and the LeT chief in 26/11 attacks, India has again sent a fresh Letters Rogatory (LR) to Morocco for questioning of Faiza Outalha, the estranged wife of Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley. The Union Home Ministry cleared a fresh LR after the Government of Morocco returned the previous one asking for a French translation of the same document and as per the rule of the requested country.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi; See Also: The Times of India, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA
4. Conspiracy was hatched in Saudi Arabia, submits ATS
Pune, Wednesday, 2 January 2013
The conspiracy to cause serial bomb blasts on Jangli Maharaj Road was hatched by the seven arrested suspects in Saudi Arabia, the state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) told the court.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

5. Indians worried about changes in labour laws in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Friday, 4 January 2013
A new labour law, which came into force in November in Saudi Arabia, is affecting the Indian expatriates, who form the largest group of foreign workers. As of 15 November, Saudi employers having a workforce of less than 50 per cent of Saudi nationals must pay a monthly fee of US$54 for each extra foreign worker. While workers are worried that their employers would make them pay for the extra expat fee, the employers are concerned about losing their foreign staff.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

6. Open house for Indian workers' grievances in Riyadh
Dubai, Thursday, 17 January 2013
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh held an open house for the community, a move aimed at addressing the grievances of distressed Indian workers in the Gulf kingdom.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

7. Akhilesh Yadav invites Saudi envoy to Agra summit
Lucknow, Friday, 25 January 2013
Uttar Pradesh can look forward to foreign investment from Saudi Arabia in agriculture, education, and tourism. A dialogue to this effect took place between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Saudi Ambassador Saud Mohammad Alsati during a courtesy meeting. The Saudi envoy also met UP Governor B L Joshi.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

8. Fasih seeks bail as charges not framed
New Delhi, Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Suspected Indian Mujahedeen terrorist Fasih Mohammed, who was deported from Saudi Arabia last year and is accused in terror strikes in India, sought bail from a trial court.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

SYRIA
9. Syrian crisis: India to pledge Rs 14 crore for humanitarian needs
New Delhi, Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Deeply concerned about the hardships and sufferings of the people of Syria because of unabated violence there, India pledged about Rs 14 crore towards humanitarian assistance in a UN conference that was held in Kuwait. This assistance would be in the form of life saving drugs, food and other essential items required by the people of Syria, Ministry of External Affairs said.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

10. All sides should resolve issues peacefully: India on Syria
Dubai, Thursday, 31 January 2013
"As a responsible member of the international community, India considers it a duty to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. All sides should work for peace in Syria," Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in Kuwait.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

UAE
11. Few Indian workers in UAE turn up for taking amnesty
Dubai, Tuesday, 5 January 2013
Only a few Indians are queuing up to avail themselves of the two-month amnesty announced by the UAE for all foreign nationals whose visas have expired. “Around 2,000 people only have so far sought out passes,” said M.K. Lokesh, India’s Ambassador to the UAE.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

12. 17 Indians in UAE murder case can finally return home now
Dubai/ Patiala, Thursday, 17 January 2013
Decks had finally been cleared for the release of 17 Indians, who were awarded death sentence for the killing of a Pakistani man in Sharjah, where a local court wrapped up the case by ordering compensation to two people injured in the incident. According to a lawyer handling the case, the court has ordered payment of Dirhams 100,000 in compensation to the two injured people who had asked for compensation.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

ECONOMIC ISSUES
BAHRAIN
13. Batelco plans to re-enter India through acquisition
Dubai, Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Bahrain Telecommunication Company (Batelco) is looking to re-enter India through acquisition of a telecom company. According to daily 'The National', Batelco CEO Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa stated that the company is not interested in participating in the upcoming 2G spectrum auctions in India to secure licences but could set up a new joint venture in India.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

IRAN
14. CalPERS dumps Indian oil stocks on Iran concerns
New Delhi, Monday, 7 January 2013
The US-based California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), one of the world’s largest pension funds, has flagged concerns over investments in shares of various Indian oil companies, including Oil India and Petronet LNG, due to their Iran-related business interests.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

OMAN
15. Oman looks to India for developing dairy industry in Gulf
Anand, Monday, 21 January 2013
Oman is seeking help of India, world's largest milk producer, to develop dairy industry in the Gulf. A four-member delegation from Oman recently visited the headquarters of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in milk city-Anand to seek the Board's assistance.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

QATAR
16. Qatar Airways interested in picking up stake in Indian carrier
Dubai, Monday, 14 January 2013
Qatar Airways, the Middle East's second-largest carrier, is interested in purchasing a stake in an Indian airline, chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said. "India is a huge market; India is a potentially lucrative market,” he added.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

17. SpiceJet confirms interest from foreign investors; shares soar
Mumbai, Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Amid reports of Gulf carrier Qatar Airways holding talks to acquire stake in SpiceJet, the Indian low-cost carrier today said some foreign players have evinced interest in the company but did not name its suitors.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

18. Qatar Airways denies talks to buy SpiceJet stake
New Delhi/Doha, Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Qatar Airways is not interested in buying a stake in Indian budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd or any other Indian airline, its chief executive said.
Source: Reuters, UK; See Also: The Economic Times, New Delhi

OMAN
19. Indian hospital to set up centre in Oman
Dubai, Wednesday, 30 January 2013
An Indian hospital is planning to set up two referral centres in Oman, a first of its kind initiative in the Gulf nation. Genesis International, in association with Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH), one of the leading hospitals in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, plans to set up the referral centres in Bausher and Sohar.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA
20. Indians move to Gulf countries again on signs of economic recovery
Dubai, Sunday, 13 January 2013
The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries host over six million Indians, most of whom are blue-collar workers in construction, health care, transport and domestic sectors from the state of Kerala.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

UAE
21. UAE's TAQA buys stake in India hydro plant
Abu Dhabi, Sunday, 13 January 2013
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company TAQA.AD said it has acquired a minority interest in the developer of a 100 mega-watt hydroelectric plant in northern India, with plans to fully acquire the firm later.
Source: Reuters, UK; See Also: The Economic Times, New Delhi

22. Air India appoints passenger general sales agents for UAE
Dubai, Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Air India has decided to appoint passenger General Sales Agents (GSA) for sale of Passenger Air Transportation in the territory of the UAE, as per the new policy approved by the Board.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

SPORTS
OMAN
23. Uttarayan, a beach sport for Oman's Gujaratis
Ahmadabad, Thursday, 17 January 2013
For non-resident Gujaratis, the heart does not get to soar as high as a kite on Uttarayan in foreign shores, but a club in Muscat has achieved just that. Indian Social Club, Kachchhi Wing that was formed in 2009, is the first to have organized the kite flying festival in Oman and has completed two years this Uttarayan.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

PALESTINE
24. Koevermans names 23-member squad for Palestine friendly
New Delhi, Tuesday, 29 January 2013
National football coach Wim Koevermans has named his squad of 23 for the international friendly against Palestine, scheduled to be played in Kochi on 6 February.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi; See Also: Business Standard, New Delhi

QATAR
25. Indian national wins $1 million cash prize in Qatar
Dubai, Monday, 7 January 2013
An Indian national working in Qatar has hit the jackpot by winning a whopping one million dollar cash prize in a lucky-draw in Doha. Satheesa Babu, a 50-year-old father of two, won the draw conducted inside the Qatar Duty Free retail area at Doha International Airport.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

ENTERTAINMENT
MOROCCO
26. 'Race 2' to release in over 50 countries
Mumbai, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Abbas-Mustan's Bollywood action-thriller "Race 2" is set to release in more than 50 countries, including Morocco.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

UAE
27. UAE to get a taste of authentic Dum Pukht from India
Dubai, Thursday, 31 January 2013
Gourmet Abu Dhabi is scheduled for 5 to 20 February across UAE's leading restaurants, and the Indian chef would treat food lovers to his culinary abilities during the time.  Born into a family of legendary chefs to Mughul Emperors, going back to over 200 years, Chef Qureshi will be the guest chef at the five-star Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi's Indigo restaurant from 16 to 19 February.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

MISCELLANEOUS
OMAN
28. Funeral service of Indians who died in Muscat held in Mangalore
Mangalore, Wednesday, 2 January 2013
The funeral service of two Mangaloreans who were found dead in their room in an under-construction building in Yimti, about 125 km from Oman's capital Muscat, on December 23, was held at their respective parish churches.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

29. Indian stuck for 30 years in Oman dies before getting exit-pass
Dubai, Tuesday, 29 January 2013
A 56-year-old Indian, who had been stuck in Oman for 30 years while awaiting an exit pass from the Gulf nation, died hours before he got signed documents proving his Indian nationality.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

Note: One crore= Ten millions

Compiled by Manjari Singh

Manjari Singh is pursuing her M Phil degree in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy