PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. articles from January 2004

PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. archives from January 2004

WHO asks int community to help Iran quake victims.
January 1, 2004... New York, Jan 1 (PTI) The World Health Organisation has urged the international community for 3.5 million dollars to enable it to buy relief supplies and rehabilitate health facilities for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Iran which...

UNICEF identifies five chief concerns facing children.
January 1, 2004... New York, Jan 1 (PTI) Calling on the international community to do more to save children in developing countries, the United Nations Children's Fund has identified five top concerns facing them in 2004 - AIDS, war, child abuse, life expentancy...

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 (PTI) Dr. V.V. Raddhakrishnan,.
January 1, 2004... professor and head of the Department of Pathology at the Sree Chithra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology here has been selected by the University Grants Comission (UGC) for the Jagdish Chandra Bose Award for Life Sciences for...

Benazir, Sharif denounce Musharraf-MMA deal on constitution.
January 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Pakistan's mainstream opposition Thursday said Pervez Musharraf would remain an "unconstitutional" President despite winning the trust vote in Parliament through an agreement with the Muthahida Majlis...

India aims to fly hypersonic plane in 2007.
January 1, 2004... Bangalore, Jan 1 (PTI) Indian defence scientists are aiming to fly an indigenous "hypersonic plane" in 2007, designed to cruise three times faster than existing fighter aircraft by consuming lesser fuel. An eight-metre technology...

Stakes high for both teams in Sydney encounter.
January 1, 2004... Ashish Shukla Sydney, Jan 1 (PTI) With the series tantalisingly poised at 1-1, India go into the decider fourth cricket Test here Friday against a determined Australia who have got back to their winning ways and are preparing to give their...

Sino-Indian ties will take new strides in 2004: China.
January 1, 2004... Anil K Joseph Beijing, Jan 1 (PTI) Noting that Sino-Indian relations witnessed a "sound momentum" in the year gone by, China Thursday said bilateral ties were poised to take new strides in 2004 if both sides grasp the "historic...

India will emerge as a leading nation in few years: Advani.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) India's Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani Thursday said the year that went by has given people confidence to make India emerge as a leading nation among the developing countries in the next few years. "The feeling of...

Exports record double-digit growth in Nov 2003.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) India's export figures brought cheers in the new year as they bounced back to a double digit growth at 13.74 per cent in November, 2003. The monthly trade data released Thursday showed exports of 4.494 billion dollar...

Ample scope for cooperation between Britain and TN: Swraj Paul.
January 1, 2004... Chennai, Jan 1 (PTI) Leading Non Resident Industrialist industrialist and Britain's Business Ambassador Lord Swraj Paul Thursday met Chief Minister of south Indian state J Jayalaithaa and said there was ample scope for cooperation between...

India interested in making ceasefire a permanent one: Sinha.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 01 (PTI) India is interested in making the open-ended ceasefire with Pakistan a "permanent" one, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said Thursday. Before emplaning a special IAF Boeing-737 aircraft for Islamabad for...

Infiltration bid foiled, army captain among three killed.
January 1, 2004... Jammu, Jan 1 (PTI) Three people, including an army captain, were killed in different encounters in Poonch and Udhampur districts of northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir where security forces also foiled an infiltration bid since Wednesday...

Wright urges players to "nail" situations in final Test.
January 1, 2004... Ashish Shukla Sydney, Jan 1 (PTI) Indian coach John Wright Thursday asked his players to be "fiercely clinical" in their approach in the series-deciding fourth cricket Test against Australia starting here Friday. Wright does not want...

Iraq, Afghanistan to remain on U S agenda for 2004.
January 1, 2004... Washington, Jan 1 (PTI) Iraq and Afghanistan are to remain the focus of American foreign policy in 2004, even as efforts would be made to turn the goal of a "free and democratic" Middle East into a reality, U S Secretary of state Colin Powell...

Plenty of time to form alliance to defeat BJP coalition: Sonia.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Asserting that she would continue efforts to unite like-minded secular forces, Congress President Sonia Gandhi Thursday said there was plenty of time to firm up a "formidable alliance" to defeat the ruling Bhartiya Janata...

Monica Bedi makes move for asylum in Portugal.
January 1, 2004... Sumir Kaul New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Little-known Bollywood actress and girlfriend of underworld don Abu Salem, Monica Bedi, has approached Supreme Court of Portugal against her extradition to India ordered by the High Court in Lisbon. ...

CRME will colloborate with WHO.
January 1, 2004... Madurai, Jan 1 (PTI) The Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) in this southern Indian city will colloborate with World Health Organisation in its project on 'control of bancroftian filariasis', Director General of Indian Council of...

Ganguly questions Lee, Gillespie's fitness.
January 1, 2004... Sydney, Jan 1 (PTI) Indian captain Sourav Ganguly Thursday said Australia would be taking a big risk by picking injury-prone pacers Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee in the series-deciding cricket Test and sought to put the pace duo on the backfoot...

India interested in making ceasefire permanent: Sinha.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) In yet another move towards building trust and confidence with Pakistan, India Thursday said it was interested in making the existing open-ended ceasefire "permanent" even as it urged South Asian Association for Regional...

Top expelled JKLF leader hints at split.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front appears to be on the verge of a split with two expelled leaders protesting the move and deciding "not to compromise" on their ideology. "We are prepared to give up our positions and...

SA airliner says no need for skymarshalls on US-bound flights.
January 1, 2004... Durban, Jan 1 (PTI) South Africa's national carrier, SAA, Thursday said there was no need for employing air marshalls on board its planes flying to the United States as it has introduced adequate security measures. Following America's...

Waugh's farewell Test not to distract India: Ganguly.
January 1, 2004... Sydney, Jan 1 (PTI) The Indian team has planned a "warm send-off" for Steve Waugh but Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said the Australian captain's farewell Test would not distract his team's effort to record a historic series win. "It's...

India, Pak exchange lists of nuclear facilities.
January 1, 2004... Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) India and Pakistan Thursday exchanged upgraded lists of nuclear facilities and installations under a a bilateral agreement for the 13th year in succession, three days ahead of the SAARC summit. Pakistan Foreign...

Swraj Paul upbeat about prospects of UK investments in TN.
January 1, 2004... Chennai, Jan 1 (PTI) Observing that there was vast potential for Britain's investment in south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, its Business Ambassador Lord Swraj Paul Thursday promised full help to facilitate creation of recreation and fashion...

"I am fit and ready" for Lok Sabha polls: PM.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan.1 (PTI) Observing that he was "fit and ready" for elections, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said nothing has been decided about who would lead the Bhartiya Janat Party in the Lok Sabha polls (federal polls). ...

PM optimistic about solution of Kashmir issue in his lifetime.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Expressing optimism that a solution to Kashmir issue was possible during his lifetime, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, however, made it clear today that no meaningful discussions can be held on this unless...

Contemplating nuclear war is madness: Vajpayee.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Is there a nuclear button? Is there a possibility of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee pressing it? "The only button I will press is of an electronic voting machine," says Vajpayee. The Prime Minister...

People in India, Pak look with hope at SAARC Summit: Mufti.
January 1, 2004... Srinagar, Jan 1 (PTI) Asserting that there was no question of stepping back on the peace process, Chief Minister of northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Thursday said the people in India and Pakistan look forward to...

China not to shelter insurgents against India.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Taking note of reports that some Indian insurgents may move northward from Bhutan and enter Chinese territory to seek shelter, China Thursday assured India that it will closely monitor the situation and not allow its...

Jamaat quits Hurriyat.
January 1, 2004... Srinagar, Jan 1 (PTI) Jamaat-e-Islami, founder constituent of the Kashmiri separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference, Thursday formally announced its decision to dissociate from the amalgam, led by Maulana Abbas Ansari, and not to extend...

Lanka govt ready for polls, discusses aid freeze with Norway.
January 1, 2004... Colombo, Jan 1 (PTI) Sri Lanka's government Thursday said it was ready for local council elections and planned to turn the vote into a referendum on President Chandrika Kumaratunga's attempted power grab, even as it began informal talks with...

No talk with ULFA on sovereignty issue: Gogoi.
January 1, 2004... Guwahati, Jan 1 (PTI) Chief Minister of north-eastern Indian state of Assam, Tarun Gogoi Thursday ruled out any talk with the proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam on the issue of 'sovereignty of the state' and said he had written to the...

32 killed in Bhutan operation.
January 1, 2004... Guwahati, Jan 1 (PTI) Thirty-two United Liberation Front and National Democratic Front of Bodoland ultras have been killed and 72 others apprehended in the ongoing operation against the militants by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) in the Himalayan...

Musharraf wins trust vote from parliament, state legislatures.
January 1, 2004... Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday won a vote of confidence from Parliament and four provincial assemblies of the country, giving legitimacy his Presidency until 2007 amid protest from mainstream...

Indo-Pak talks unlikely before general elections: Shashank.
January 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Indicating that Indo-Pak composite dialogue was unlikely to begin before the general elections this year, India Thursday said it needed time to assess the impact of anti-terrorism measures taken by...

Kunte beats Nielsen to register first victory.
January 1, 2004... From a PTI Correspondent Hastings (England), Jan 1 (PTI) Indian Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte ended the year 2003 on a high defeating GM Peter Heine Nielsen of Denmark in the fourth round of Hastings International Chess Congress here. Top...

I am here to stay - Blair.
January 1, 2004... London, Jan 1 (PTI) In a stern warning to his detractors in the party, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair Thursday asserted that he intends to remain as Prime Minister until at least 2010 because his job of transforming the country into a...

PIA flight arrives, Indo-Pak airlinks resume after two years.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Raising hopes of normalisation of relations, a green and white Boeing 737 of the Pakistan International Airlines touched down at the Indira Gandhi International airport in Indian capital on Thursday marking resumption of...

Kashmir-Blast.
January 1, 2004... JeM militant killed in explosion, seven civilians injured Srinagar, Jan 1 (PTI) A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad militant died when an Improvised Explosive Device he was carrying on a bicycle exploded accidentally in the downtown area of...

India to fight out the shrimp case in US.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) India would "fight it out" against the "very unfair" case of alleged dumping of Indian shrimps on US market, the Government said Thursday. "We will fight it out... We are all geared up to fight the case and industry...

SAD rejects setting up CoI to probe charges against CM's son.
January 1, 2004... Chandigarh, Jan 01 (PTI) Principal opposition party in northern Indian state of Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal Thursday rejected state government's decision to set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the hawala deal (illegal transfer of money)...

Plan to sell Kashmiri trout to Britain.
January 1, 2004... London, Jan 1 (PTI) Buoyed by the success of Indian distilleries exporting whisky to Scotland, India is now planning to sell Kashmiri trout to British supermarkets, a leading daily reported Thursday. Fish farms were developed in Jammu and...

SAARC Foreign Secys make progress on protocol on terrorism.
January 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Despite differences over definition of terrorism, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Foreign Secretaries have made progress on finalising the additional protocol on terrorism ahead of the...

PIA flight lands in Delhi, IAF plane touches down in Islamabad.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Amidst growing detente, passenger flights resumed Thursday between India and Pakistan for the first time since aviation links between them snapped following the terrorist attack on Parliament. A Pakistan...

US for "freeze" of Israeli settlements, not dismantlement.
January 1, 2004... Washington, Jan 1 (PTI) The United States is currently calling for a "freeze" of unauthorised Israeli settlements on Arab territory captured by Israel in war, not their dismantlement, State Department Deputy Spokesman J. Adam Ereli has said....

Bangalore team in Iran to help quake victims.
January 1, 2004... Bangalore, Jan 1 (PTI) A 15-member Art of Living (AOL) team of volunteers comprising teachers and doctors from here has reached Iran to help the victims of the devastating earth quake there. The team which is carrying medical supplies,...

No bilateral meetings fixed with Pakistani leaders: Sinha.
January 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Observing that India and Pakistan have made gestures to create a "positive environment", External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Thursday said no bilateral meetings have been fixed during the...

SAARC Foreign Secys finalise protocol on terrorism.
January 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) In a major breakthrough ahead of the SAARC summit, Foreign Secretaries from the seven-member grouping Thursday night reached an understanding on additional protocol on terrorism and narrowed down...

70 new crop varieties developed.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Indian government on Thursday said more than 70 new crop varieties had been developed for commercial release to give a boost to agricultural production. These include more than six varieties of wheat, five cotton,...

Over 200 dead as cold tightens grip over North India.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) The cold wave tightened its grip over Northern India, claiming 22 lives overnight to raise the season's countrywide toll to 216 even as dense fog forced cancellation of trains and disrupted flights on new year day. ...

12 New Year revellers killed, 46 injured.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Twelve New Year revellers were killed and 46 injured in separate road accidents in three states as people ushered in 2004 in party mood. Seven fatalities occurred in eastern Indian state of Orissa and two in northern...

Karunakaran rejects compromise formula.
January 1, 2004... Angamaly, Jan 1 (PTI) Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran Thursday rejected the compromise formula, which reportedly envisages Deputy Chief Ministership to his son K Muraleedharan, mooted by UDF constituents to resolve the crisis in Kerala...

Maha prepares a bill to monitor pvt foreign universities.
January 1, 2004... Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) Government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra is bringing in a bill to monitor the functioning of the private foreign universities which would be opening their branches in the state from next year. "The private...

SAARC Foreign Ministers approve SAFTA and additional protocol.
January 1, 2004... on terrorism K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) In a momentous decision in the New Year, Foreign Ministers of SAARC countries on Thursday approved the framework treaty for free trade in the region by 2006 and adopted an additional...

Pak changes minister-in-waiting for Vajpayee; India has no.
January 1, 2004... role in it: Shashank Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) In a last-minute decision, Pakistan has replaced the minister-in-waiting for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to Islamabad for attending the SAARC summit beginning on Sunday...

Revised guidelines under FCCBs announced.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Indian government on Thursday night announced revisions and modifications in the operative guidelines for Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds under which FCCBs exceeding 50 million Dollars would be permitted only for...

Sonia speaks to Mayawati who backs Cong chief's PM candidature.
January 1, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Pressing ahead with efforts to put together an anti-BJP alliance in coming Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Sonia Gandhi spoke to BSP chief Mayawati who asserted the foreign origin of the Leader of the Opposition would...

US foreign policy focus on Russia, India, China: Powell.
January 2, 2004... Washington, Jan 2 (PTI) The US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said, within the broad parameters of keeping the best of relationship with all, U S foreign policy more concentratedly focus on major powers like India, China and Russia with...

Bush hopes India, Pak will begin dialogue during SAARC summit.
January 2, 2004... T V Parasuram Washington, Jan 2 (PTI) US President George W Bush has expressed the hope that India and Pakistan will initiate a dialogue on a variety of issues during the SAARC summit beginning Sunday. "The Indians and Pakistanis in...

US not to let Iran off the hook, says aid an act of compassion.
January 2, 2004... Washington, Jan 2 (PTI) US President George W Bush has said that American aid to quake-hit Iran was a humanitarian gesture and not a sign of softening of stance towards that country and asked Tehran to "listen to the voices demanding freedom"....

Putin files nomination for Russian Presidential polls.
January 2, 2004... Moscow, Jan 2 (PTI) Nine candidates including incumbent Vladimir Putin have filed their nominations for the March 14 presidential polls in Russia. Along with Putin, former Duma Speaker Ivan Rybkin, drug manufacturer Vladimir Bryntsalov,...

Fencing not attempt to settle Kashmir unilaterally: Vajpayee.
January 2, 2004... Islamabad, Jan 2 (PTI) Dismissing Pakistan's objections to India building fences along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said the step was an "operational requirement" to stop infiltration of...

Lord Paul for high degree of accountability.
January 2, 2004... A Saj Mathews Chennai, Jan 2 (PTI) Leading NRI industrialist and Britain's business ambassador Lord Swraj Paul Friday underlined the need for a high degree of accountability and maximum transparency in the Indian system to achieve success...

Terrorism biggest obstacle in Indo-Pak ties: Vajpayee.
January 2, 2004... Islamabad Jan 2 (PTI) Asserting that the current peace initiative with Pakistan was his "last attempt", India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said terrorism was the biggest obstacle in the way of solving Kashmir and other issues...

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 (PTI): The Kerala government.
January 2, 2004... Thursday issued No Objection Certificates to 96 new B. Ed colleges, according to an official state- ment here. The state Cabinet during a meeting had decided to give NOCs to 75 colleges, Education Ministry said and added that the 21...

Six NLFT outlaws nabbed in Bangladesh: report.
January 2, 2004... Dhaka, Jan 2 (PTI) Bangladesh Rifles reportedly arrested six activists believed to be members of the National Liberation Front of Tripura insurgent group, active in north-east India, in a border village of Habiganj district. The action...

pak-ld Vajpayee.
January 2, 2004... Improve ties beore taking up Kashmir issue, PM tells Pak From K J M Varma Islamabad, Jan 2 (PTI) On the eve of his visit to Pakistan to attend the SAARC Summit, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said an acceptable solution...

Tendulkar breaks lean patch as India take early control.
January 2, 2004... Ashish Shukla Sydney, Jan 2 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar batted his way out of a prolonged form slump with a defiant unbeaten 73 as India laid the foundation for a big first innings total in the series-deciding cricket Test against Australia...

Police conduct extensive raids at violence-hit Marad.
January 2, 2004... Kozhikode, Jan 2 (PTI) Police Friday launched extensive combing operations at nearby Marad in Kerala to pre-empt attempts to unleash violence in the area to re-enact communal clashes that took place two years back claiming five lives. ...

SAARC-FMs.
January 2, 2004... SAARC Foreign Ministers begin two-day meeting Islamabad Jan 2 (PTI) The SAARC Foreign Ministers Friday began their two-day conference ahead of the January 4 Summit to finalise draft pacts on a host of issues, including the Free Trade...

Chopra satisfied with his contribution to the team.
January 2, 2004... Sydney, Jan 2 (PTI) Indian opener Aakash Chopra on Friday said he did not really mind missing out on a big knock as long as he was contributing to the team's cause by weathering the Australian new-ball attack. Chopra has been one of the...

Heavy security in Islamabad for SAARC Summit.
January 2, 2004... Islamabad, Jan 2 (PTI) The Pakistani capital on Friday boomed with drills of police and paramilitary forces, as more than 10,000 personnel were deployed to ensure foolproof security for the 12th SAARC Summit beginning on January four. ...

Railways presents travel pass to Pt Ravi Shankar.
January 2, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) India's Railway Ministry on Friday presented a complimentary rail travel pass to renowned sitar player Pt Ravi Shankar here. The pass was presented by S M Singla, Member Staff Railway Board, to Pt Shankar at the...

Competition, innovation to take Wi-fi to new highs in 2004.
January 2, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Attractive price points and new technology will increase the acceptability of Wi-fi or public wireless LAN around the world and make it a commercial proposition, according to European research agency Ovum. "Wi-fi is...

EIGHT INJURED IN GRENADE ATTACKS IN J-K.
January 2, 2004... SRINAGAR, JAN 2 (PTI) STEPPING UP ATTACKS AHEAD OF THE SAARC SUMMIT IN ISLAMABAD, MILITANTS CARRIED OUT TWO GRENADE ATTACKS SINCE THURSDAY NIGHT ON THE OFFICE OF INDIAN BORDER SECURITY FORCE'S DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL AND AN INDO-TIBETAN BORDER...

PIA flight lands at Mumbai airport.
January 2, 2004... Mumbai, Jan 2 (PTI) A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight from Karachi on Friday landed at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here at 0800 hrs GMT. There were 161 passengers on board the Airbus A-300 flight, airport...

Key operative in fake stamp paper scam arrested.
January 2, 2004... Hyderabad, Jan 2 (PTI) A key operative in the multi-billion fake stamp paper scam Raez Quadri was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police here and remanded to police custody today. Quadri, a close associate of the kingpin Abdul Kareem Telgi, was...

No united front with Cong, says CPI leader.
January 2, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2 (PTI) A senior CPI leader has said even though his party considered the BJP as 'prime enemy' it cannot be part of a united front with the Congress so long as that party practised 'soft Hindutva' and toed the same...

Ten killed in road mishap in Kerala.
January 2, 2004... Kozhikode, Jan 2 (PTI) At least 10 persons were killed and several injured, when a private bus in which they were travelling skidded off the road and rolled into a nearby field at Mananthavadi in neighbouring Wyanad district on Friday. ...

Nevirapine administered on 10 new-born babies.
January 2, 2004... Madurai, Jan 2 (PTI) 'Nevirapine', a drug which reportedly prevented transmission of the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) from mothers to their children, has been given to 10 new-born babies at the Government Rajaji Hospital in this southern...

Bush hopes India, Pak will begin talks on various issues.
January 2, 2004... T V Parasuram Washington, Jan 2 (PTI) Commending the leaders of India and Pakistan for taking steps towards a peaceful reconciliation of major issues, US President George W Bush has said he hoped the two countires would be able to initiate...

Delhi sees coldest night of season, mercury dips to 4.2 degree.
January 2, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Delhi experienced the coldest night of the season even as dense fog continued to affect air, rail and road services on Friday. The Indian capital recorded 4.2 degrees celsius temperature Friday night, about four...

Former Czech President Havel to receive Gandhi peace prize.
January 2, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Former President of Czech Republic Vaclav Havel will receive the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize on January five. Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam will confer the Rs 10 million award on Havel, who has been selected...

Indian tea to get a boost with SAFTA.
January 2, 2004... New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) With SAARC countries looking resolved to create a South Asian Free Trade Area by 2006, Indian tea industry, hit hard by depressed global prices, has never been closer to bagging the big Pakistani market. Pakistan,...