India, others stay out of regional tech moot
128
ISLAMABAD: India, Bangladesh and Iran are not participating in a regional conference that began here on Monday under the aegis of the United Nations.
The objective of the conference is to promote innovation for sustainable development and discuss strategy of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT).
The Ministry of Science and Technology is hosting the three-day meeting of the 12th Governing Council of APCTT.
According to sources, all of the 14 member countries of APCTT were invited, but India, Bangladesh and Iran decided not to attend the meeting.
The governing council, which meets once a year, advises on the future and reviews the working of the centre located in India under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The countries attending the meeting are China, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
The three-day meeting will approve projects to be undertaken in 2017. Out of the total five projects, India has submitted one titled “Feed the Future India”. The project is aimed at enhancing food security in selected least-developed countries through the establishment of an agricultural innovation accelerator platform in India with USAID funding of $1.5 million.
Three projects relate to the strengthening of the national innovation system of ESCAP member states, south-south cooperation and an upgrade of the Asia-Pacific tech monitor, a flagship publication of APCTT.
An integrated programme for the dry zone of Myanmar has also been included in the agenda. Pakistan has also submitted a project, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Science of Technology.
Inaugurating the meeting, Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government is giving a priority to the sustainable development goals. He said the government has prepared National Research Agenda 2016 that identifies 13 priority areas.
ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr Shamshad Akhtar said the ability of countries to grow their economies in a globally competitive environment depends on their capacity and preparedness for strengthening the innovation eco-system and supporting technology transfer.
Published in Dawn December 20th, 2016
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On DawnNews
Comments (128) Closed
Dec 20, 2016 07:48am
So-called Big brother is always annoyed because jealousy
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Dec 20, 2016 08:19am
China is leading the way in this region while other countries bring politics into everything.Sad but true.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:24am
Pakistan is going to be a leader in S&T soon and we will share our expertise with friendly nations, countries like India will be at tremendous loss.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:29am
What else can they do ?
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Dec 20, 2016 08:27am
What Iran not sending their team?
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Dec 20, 2016 08:29am
Iran is still hopeful of India developing chabahar port, I pity their gullibility.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:36am
@Saqlain Not jealousy. Once we count on you, beleive on you, we do not have any problem to work with you. We are ok to support you as well. First make yourself countable in a civilized world.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:47am
Oh...not even our Muslim brothers....isn't it a challenge for ummah
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Dec 20, 2016 08:48am
@Kamal you can see the no. of visiting countries so we don't need to show you anything. Secondly we dont need your support as we never had any rather India has always been involved in destabilising pakistan. I have pity that Iran dint attend the summit and believe could have internal problems which we will try to mend.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:53am
@Kamal we are neighbors, need to work together. Problems exist every where, need to embrace opportunities and cooperation. Pakistan is not any less civilized than any other south East Asian countries. Visit Pakistan and see it yourself. It's just a matter of time, Your country will eventually work with Pakistan so why can't they start it now.
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Dec 20, 2016 08:55am
Interesting, Iran's not joining!
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Dec 20, 2016 08:56am
Ohhh but Iran ??
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Dec 20, 2016 09:18am
The sovereign states behaving like kindergarden kids, shy to show up in Islamabad..!
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Dec 20, 2016 09:24am
@Kamal I agree with you.
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Dec 20, 2016 09:28am
Absence of Iran shows real face of so called friend.
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Dec 20, 2016 09:26am
Such type of conference not suits in pakistan...
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Dec 20, 2016 09:28am
"Pakistan has also submitted a project, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Science of Technology." Why the name and details are not being placed? Is there something secret about it.
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Dec 20, 2016 09:32am
Policy makers must seriously consider why neighbouring countries are not happy and must make suitable amends.1
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Dec 20, 2016 09:39am
Srilanka was indian Proxy in the summit, which will feed back about the proceedings there. Good move.
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Dec 20, 2016 09:41am
And we attended and shamed ourself in Amritsar conference what diplomacy pathetic
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Dec 20, 2016 09:57am
I think we need to improve our diplomacy, at least to convince, if not India, other historic friends at least to participate in these events...This is not portraying a good picture at all...
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Dec 20, 2016 09:57am
@deepu .and BRICS meeting is not suitable to host in India that required a lot of matureness
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Dec 20, 2016 10:00am
@kamal pasha
Iran is tired of Pakistan not delivering on its promises and deals being revoked because of Pakistan's constant kowtowing to Saudi Arabia.
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Dec 20, 2016 10:02am
Why would a technology meet be organized in Pakistan in the first place?
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Dec 20, 2016 10:02am
Another failure... REVAMP YOUR FOREIGN POLICIES... We don't have favorable public opinion from within and from with out.. Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none...
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Dec 20, 2016 10:07am
@Niaz khan, try to spell BRICS without India.....
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Dec 20, 2016 10:10am
Good move, well done.
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Dec 20, 2016 10:15am
@warinder singh hahhaha.. Too good bros.
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Dec 20, 2016 10:34am
@Kamal Well well...Mr!! Look at the tally of nations attending the conference and then talk of civilization. 10 nations are attending the conference. Admit it that India has failed miserably to isolate Pakistan
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Dec 20, 2016 10:37am
Iran is busy preparing to join CPEC.
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Dec 20, 2016 10:43am
Excellent decision.
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Dec 20, 2016 10:45am
@Niaz khan far more secure here to hold meetings.
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Dec 20, 2016 11:05am
it surprises me that even iran has decided to tow the line and stay away. Salams
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Dec 20, 2016 11:07am
@kamal pasha Hopefull did you say? Did you know the work has already begun? I pity your lack of knowledge.
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Dec 20, 2016 11:17am
@n : Is there any viel of secrecy on this meeting ????
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Dec 20, 2016 11:23am
Oh well their loss. You snooze you lose! The countries that did parcipate should focus on the task at hands and work to develop this important facet of their respective economies together.
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Dec 20, 2016 11:33am
@Sheraz, your ministry of external affairs know it better.
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Dec 20, 2016 11:32am
@n: Shri Lanka is not India's proxy all are independent nations they decide their own decisions...
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Dec 20, 2016 11:37am
@Niaz khan - Grow up to mature league before taking up words like bricks..
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Dec 20, 2016 11:44am
These kind of conferences are held between states in India
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Dec 20, 2016 11:41am
Cheap propaganda. By the way which proposal Pakistan has placed in the Conference?
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Dec 20, 2016 12:18pm
@RJM Neighbouring countries want's peace,just leave us and let us live
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Dec 20, 2016 12:36pm
@kanwarch True.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:01pm
If India or Iran do not join... it does not matter CPEC will prosper. Iran need more friends... come Trump Iran is going to be in trouble and India will not help Iran. Within few months this honey moon will be over.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:07pm
@kamal pasha irrespective of chabahar india is their largest importer of oil and only country which has taken oil and supplied money during sanctions era on iran
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Dec 20, 2016 01:14pm
India is acting like a Spoiled Brat.
If they continue the time will come nobody is going to take them seriously.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:17pm
@Kamal Last time I counted it was Pakistan hosting and attending this conference where I could also count the presence of progressive countries like China, Malaysia and South Korea. I couldn't "count" India's name in the list of these civil countries!
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Dec 20, 2016 01:16pm
India is doing a great job at isolating...itself!
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Dec 20, 2016 01:21pm
Who cares for those who do not want to participate in the conferences as long as the support of UN is there.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:18pm
India's banglure going to be a next sillicon velly.India will participate and lead any tech moot in normal condition.However without India presence in meeting,still Indian project are on top.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:23pm
India really does not need to participate ,India's tech cities have more than conference can offer.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:33pm
Meanwhile India overtakes UK & becomes 5th largest GDP after USA, China, Japan & Germany."
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Dec 20, 2016 01:39pm
@Zak India is now in the top 5 worlds economy...we dont want to be a part of forum which has bottom 5 economies in it.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:50pm
Good decision by the three nations India,Iran& Bangladesh.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:56pm
Would have been good, if Iran's absence was discussed in a bit of details. As Indian and bangladeshi's are beyond explanation and reasoning by now.
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Dec 20, 2016 01:54pm
Any reason to participate in this conference by India?
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Dec 20, 2016 02:30pm
@Mandy UK has a population of 60 million, India has a population of 1.3 billion, one fifth of humanity. What is so great about overtaking UK. BTW India ranks 131 in the world in per capita GDP...nowhere near to developed countries.
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Dec 20, 2016 02:33pm
India did a mistake
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Dec 20, 2016 02:35pm
@Ghalib let me know when that time comes.
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Dec 20, 2016 02:49pm
"Pakistan has also submitted a project, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Science of Technology."
Yet, no one knows the Title of this alleged project? Even though Pakistan is hosting it on its soil??
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Dec 20, 2016 02:54pm
"Pakistan has also submitted a project, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Science of Technology."
Good one. The host cannot even name the project it has submitted for the gathering??
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Dec 20, 2016 02:58pm
@Zak And you will still be in USA .
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Dec 20, 2016 03:06pm
@Justice .but it require a big heart and maturenes also
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Dec 20, 2016 03:15pm
@Sarwar, USA. Yaar you know all is going to be well with like always. We love Iran and Iran knows how many Pak love Iran. Over the time they are our peaceful neighbors. They will join with us in CPEC or some other joint project. Love the Persian land beautiful people.
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Dec 20, 2016 03:17pm
India is not interested in mingling with under develop County in terms of technology as it's no use for us to be there.. We try to compete will one ahead of like US China Russia and EU not Pakistan...
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Dec 20, 2016 03:19pm
I can see how well it was coordinated and organized, that the senior Official of the Ministry of Science and Technology, cannot even name the project Pakistan, the host, has submitted at this forum??
No wonder Iranians and Indians didn't bother attending this gathering.
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Dec 20, 2016 03:36pm
Here goes Indian advices in the comment section . Pls move aside
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Dec 20, 2016 04:00pm
@true minds I wish them well and hope the economic growth will uplift the local population, not just cheap tools for these big corporations.
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Dec 20, 2016 04:24pm
I am dissappointed that our old friend Iran did not make up
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Dec 20, 2016 04:27pm
India and Bangladesh with their highly hostile governments I understand but what's up with Iran??
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Dec 20, 2016 04:41pm
@N.S Karachi we are growing at 7.5 percent and in coming years with present reforms we will surely cross 9 percent rate. UK will remain well under 1 percent for next decade. same is true for germany and US. Even china is likely to slow to under 6 percent if not more. so in 10 years you can do your maths where we are poised to be... and for refreshing your knowledge India and pakistan started together their journey....do i need to say more..
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Dec 20, 2016 04:52pm
Excellent.
Keep the indians out.
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Dec 20, 2016 05:06pm
Talks without good intentions are waste of time.
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Dec 20, 2016 05:19pm
@arjun Wishing all the best to india but things dont necessarily remain the way they are right now. Growth rates can fluctuate and one country can take over the other. As ofr pak and india starting together, they were never at par with each other economically as india had a strong industrial base even at the time of independence while pakistan received the most backward regions of the former british india. Despite her issues paksitan has come a long way. Many though that pakistan wont be able to survive without india as she was dependent upon india for every other thing right from mills and factories to intellectuals but Pakistan defied that and is no longer dependent upon india. P.S i feel that many indians are acting really arrogant and over confident. I am not denying improvements in your country but india still has a long way to go (Esp compared to USA, China and even Germany and japan or south korea when it comes to standard of living etc.)
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Dec 20, 2016 05:34pm
@arjun Check the figure again, GDP growth down to 7%, will down further 2.5% with demonetization trickle down in coming days. Exports has a huge free fall from 350 billion USD to 260 billion USD this fiscal year. So the high growth figure is due to new Modi/Arun methodology of calculating growth with skewed figures, few Financial firms and institutions believes that high growth figures.
Pakistan inherited zilch at the time of independence, in fact Pakistan GDP growth rate was higher than India for a better part of last 6 decades. It is only recently due to war on terror that Pakistan has fallen behind. Watch in coming days...
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Dec 20, 2016 07:22pm
@Muhammad - can you please enlighten me which sector in Pakistan running smoothly and profitably?
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Dec 20, 2016 07:26pm
@N.S Karachi : Exports has a huge free fall from 350 billion USD to 260 billion USD this fiscal year.
Here is a Comparison of India's Trade for Year the 2014 - 2015 with that in Year 2015-2016 in UD$ Billions :
2014 – 2015 : Exports : 310.33848 - Imports : 448.03341
– Deficit : 137.69494
2015 - 2016 : Exports : 262.29013 – Imports : 381.00663
- Deficit : 118.71650
So Eminent Sir "N. S. Karachi" the Trade Deficit has DECREASED BY US$ 137.69494 MINUS 118.71650 which means AN IMPROVEMENT-SAVING OF US$ 18.97844 BILLION.
This is a Feather in India's Cap. Sorry to spoil your day.
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Dec 20, 2016 07:42pm
@shahbuddin can you please enlighten me as to when did i talekd about the performance of industrial sectors of pakistan? I just said that growth rates of countries can fluctuate and that comparing pakistan and india from day one is not right as India did get a strong industrial and entrepreneurial base which pakistan did not have and it was assumed by many that the country would collapse without indian assistance which did not happen.
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Dec 20, 2016 07:41pm
@Ashif so u do consider china to be ahead of u?
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Dec 20, 2016 07:58pm
Why Iran? What does Iran owe to India?
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Dec 20, 2016 09:26pm
@shahbuddin - "@Muhammad - can you please enlighten me which sector in Pakistan running smoothly and profitably?"
Please don't make blind comments. Read up before commenting. Pakistan has world renown institutes like IM (International Management)and LET (Latest Engineering Technology) involved in training and mentoring. 100% placement is guaranteed. They also provide perfect launchpads for working abroad. This industry is expected to grow 40% YoY.
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Dec 20, 2016 09:46pm
@kamal pasha .India is the biggest customer of oil these days,hence Iran is supporting India.
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Dec 20, 2016 11:27pm
@vij India is only country in this region which can refine the dirty-crude that Iran produces and India refines it and sends back to Iran after keeping for itself.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:07am
@N.S Karachi how u know gdp growth is trigger down to 2.5 percent and for your small brain knowledge the gdp growth rate calculated by un or world bank not bu arun jatley or modi as same in pakistan
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Dec 21, 2016 09:15am
When talking technology, Koreans and Chinese are the ones to talk with. Not Iran, Bangladesh, and even India, which is just consumer and a quick adapter not an innovator.
Why lead off with the news about who did not attend? I would rather hear about what was gained and who attended.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:25am
@bharat.Totally agree. Excellent idea not to come o a tech confernce when you have nothing to contribute. What could India, Bangladesh, and Iran bring to this party with Korea, China, Indonesia and Malaysia already there. A presentation on $1.5M project? That is not even a rounding error.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:23am
India and puppet Bangladesh is understandable. Iran must be some good reason, probably don't have Tech section.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:27am
China is the key for South Asia and Far East Asia. And they are leading with responsibility.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:37am
Out of 14 members only 3 least significant countries are not participating all other Major countries are here good for Pakistan.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:55am
@N.S Karachi
Being a responsible neighbor, I really wish Pakistan best for prosperity and progress. The national theme is consolidation of aspiration of it's people at large.
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Dec 21, 2016 09:58am
When you want to soar high among the eagles dont mix with the ducks.
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Dec 21, 2016 10:11am
@anony Read again. Indians "stayed out" not "kept out"
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Dec 21, 2016 11:15am
very good India.
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Dec 21, 2016 11:46am
@Zak I think it would be a loss to both the nations, Knowledge in any field has to be shared , We can learn something from Pakistan and vice versa , Not attending such summits is very childish .
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Dec 21, 2016 11:50am
Look who is absent: India (can understand), Iran and Bangladesh (do not understand). Shouldn't it be an eye opener?
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Dec 21, 2016 12:31pm
Iran , Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the new Iron Brothers of India.
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Dec 21, 2016 01:30pm
According to Indian Media reports the Indian Delegation dropped out because the Head Delegate suffered food poisoning the day before the meet. India's absence was not because it had .. "decided not to attend." It would be good to accept that and not read hostility into every event and act in order to create a positive atmosphere that would be conducive to improving relations between two important countries of the region.
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Dec 21, 2016 01:39pm
I don't care about India or Iran, I am more concerned about Bangladesh absence. They are still our brothers.
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Dec 21, 2016 02:15pm
I wonder why the three are not attending. Has the host country introduced politics into it. If, so not good.
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Dec 21, 2016 03:14pm
@Kamal
The objective of the conference was to promote innovation.
One does not act civilized by politicizing a innovation discussion.
Specially considering South Korea and China are leading innovation nations and India is not. It could have benefitted from the forum but choose politics instead.
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Dec 21, 2016 03:18pm
@arjun .we also pray for ur people .indi govt should improve life standard of 600 millions below povrty line and shud move them frm footpath to shelter
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Dec 21, 2016 03:49pm
@Mandy quantity doesn't matter, quality matters :p
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Dec 21, 2016 04:21pm
@Taimur For get Bangeladesh. They are in the lap of India. They are gone for ever from the equation.
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Dec 21, 2016 04:41pm
@Ashok Saigal Thanks for sharing this valuable peace of information. This info should be reported by the media to dismiss the wrong perception being built right now
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Dec 21, 2016 04:49pm
@Zak Do you really mean what you are saying?
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Dec 21, 2016 05:31pm
The world has been divided every where it seems human being can not live as one and it seems there is no solution.
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Dec 21, 2016 06:45pm
@warinder singh
RCBS.....Sounds even better.....
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Dec 21, 2016 07:03pm
Almost appears the conference was created to report lack of participants . Now it would be nice to know what was the conference mission and what did it achieve in terms of science and technology. Please don't aim forward and look backward all the time .Also share what other countries in the list agreed to bring forward. The one thing I know is that science and technology have no Relegion or geographical or political boundaries .
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Dec 21, 2016 07:44pm
@Asim
Well. Good luck with taking advantage of China's innovations and inventions.
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Dec 21, 2016 08:24pm
@Arsalan
I agree. But you dont need to convince us. You need to convince those in your own country who are responsible for your bad image in the world.
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Dec 21, 2016 11:41pm
@N.S Karachi Japan only has 150 million people. What's so great about overtaking Japan ? Its not about population. To the contrary, large population site is a huge challenge.
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Dec 21, 2016 11:50pm
11 countries attended, including China. 2 losers stayed out and were not missed. China is the one that matters.
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Dec 21, 2016 11:49pm
@jaydeep sensible comment. But these two have non sensible leaders.
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Dec 21, 2016 11:52pm
GOOD & Strong by India , Zero Tolerance to Terror should continue .
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Dec 22, 2016 12:20am
@Zak APCTT is located in India.
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Dec 22, 2016 12:29am
@Really shy Why is Iran kissing India?
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Dec 22, 2016 12:29am
@Baba Jee Come on guys there is no friend or enemy in foreign relations. Its every countries own interests. So correct yourself.
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Dec 22, 2016 01:56am
@devesh ofcourse, reality is reality. Those who are fed falsehood by their media and govt , end up not understanding reality.
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Dec 22, 2016 02:01am
@Arun JAIL Ya, such bad image that 11 out of 14 came. You all need to read media outside your own country to know the truth and how you are being misled by your media, from reality.
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Dec 22, 2016 02:31am
The words resound "This country never learns!"
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Dec 22, 2016 02:35am
Someone isolating themselves! HAHAHA
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Dec 22, 2016 07:18am
This shows Pakistan is a Science & Technology super power. Pakistan is the leading Technology nation in the region. Pakistan is number one in everything.
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Dec 22, 2016 09:12am
@Pune-India and Sri Lanka came always.
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Dec 22, 2016 05:02pm
@deepu I will recommend you to wake up and see world with Open eyes.. Pakistan is far ahead then what Indian politician trying to show to Indian people..
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Dec 22, 2016 10:38pm
@zafar and 11 participants were in Islamabad.
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Dec 22, 2016 10:39pm
@KN reality hurts. But accept it.
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Dec 22, 2016 11:22pm
It is simply dumb for Iran, Bangladesh and India not to attend this conference regardless of Islamabad politics. This is not a political meet.
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Dec 23, 2016 02:13pm
@SAQLAIN yes you are right ,
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