bilateral

A 10-day Indo-German Urban Mela (fair) will unfold in Bangalore from June 22 onwards, to commemorate 60 years of both the countries establishing diplomatic relations and showcase a blend of science, technology, culture and entertainment.

India is Indonesia's fourth-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the countries is expected to zoom from USD20 to USD45 billion by 2015, Indonesian ambassador Andi M Ghalib has said. "India is at number four now, after China, the US and Japan. Very soon, it will overtake Japan and even the US. In the next five years, it will be a major trading partner," Ghalib told IANS in Shimla.

Two trade bodies of India and Pakistan signed an agreement to boost trade and people-to-people contact between the two countries, an official said. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed in Shimla, PHDCCI President Sandip Somany said in a statement.

Indians may soon be able drive down to Myanmar and do business with a country that is perfectly situated to play the role of an economic bridge between India and China and between South and South-East Asia. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went on a three-day official visit to resource-rich Myanmar that ended on May 29 - a trip that saw the inking of a dozen agreements that would improve connectivity, expand trade and forge intellectual links through their think-tanks.