Following are the top foreign stories at 1715 hours

FGN42: INDIA-OMAN-TRADE-LD PACT

India, Oman aiming to seal mega trade deal soon Muscat: India and Oman are looking at sealing a broad trade and investment pact this year that will cut tariffs on each other's goods and boost the overall trade basket in line with renewed vigour in the relations, especially in the economic sphere.

FGN39: US-BIDEN-INDIA

Elevated relations with India, started iCET and launched Quad: WH on 4 years of Biden Washington: The White House on Wednesday said that the United States "elevated" its relationship with India, kicked off the pathbreaking iCET dialogue and launched Quad during the impactful tenure of President Joe Biden.

FGN38: US-BIDEN-LETTER

Four years later, America is stronger, more prosperous and secure: Biden in letter to countrymen Washington: Coming out of the worst pandemic in a century and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the United States in four years under Joe Biden's leadership has emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure, the outgoing US President said in a letter Wednesday.

FGN37: BANGLA-INDIA-LD ULFA

Bangladesh HC commutes ULFA leader’s life term to 14 years imprisonment Dhaka: Bangladesh High Court has commuted the life imprisonment of separatist ULFA leader Paresh Baruah to 14 years imprisonment in a case under the country’s Arms Act while acquitting several others.

FGN29: BANGLA-ZIA

Bangladesh Supreme Court acquits former prime minister Khaleda Zia Dhaka: Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a corruption case, overturning the High Court’s earlier 10-year prison sentence.

FGN17: US-ADANI

Republican Congressman demands preservation of all Adani prosecution records Washington: A Republican lawmaker has asked the US Department of Justice to preserve all records in connection with the "selective prosecution" of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and his group of companies by the Biden administration.

FGN16: US-CONGRESS-TAMIL

Resolution introduced in US Congress to designate January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month Washington: Fifteen lawmakers, led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives to designate January as Tamil Language and Heritage Month.

PTI GSP

Source: PTI