The number of tourists from Britain to Goa has declined by 30 percent, but Russian tourists have swelled by more than 200 percent over the last two years, the State Assembly was told on August 2. According to data tabled in the house by the Tourism Ministry, the top arrivals at Goa's sunny beaches in 2010 and 2011 were from European countries, namely Germany, Finland, France, Switzerland and Sweden, apart from Russia and Britain.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan from July 22-27, following an invitation from Tokyo. Modi's visit will 'further strengthen the ties between Gujarat and Japan in the context of the global strategic partnership which Japan and India enjoy', the Japanese embassy said.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has agreed to visit Pakistan in the near future, at the request of Asif Ali Zardari, Pak President Zardari visited India on April 8 to pay his respects at the Sufi shrine in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He also met with Singh during his visit to India.

World Bank Group President Robert B Zoellick will begin his fourth official visit to India from March 26, to take stock of the efforts to overcome poverty and other development related projects on the eve of the beginning of the 12th Five Year Plan.