New Delhi, Oct 15 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today welcomed the South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who are in New Delhi to take part in the ongoing third India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Summit.

“We are honoured that President Motlanthe’s first visit overseas after assuming office is to India for the IBSA Summit. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record, on behalf of all of us, our deep appreciation for the contribution made by President Thabo Mbeki in supporting and taking IBSA forward,” Dr. Singh said.

New Delhi, Oct 15 : Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora met Miguel Jorge, Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil here today.

During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed measures to strengthen further ties of cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector.

They also exchanged views on the use of ethanol in transport sector.

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) has significant presence in Brazil, having invested in the year 2006 an offshore block (BC 10) in Campos Basin of Brazil and acquired exploration rights of two offshore blocks in Brazil in March thisyear

Hyderabad, Oct 15 : Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today opened the country''s first International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation "India Aviation 2008" here today.

Inaugurating the exhibition at the Begumpet Airport here, Patel said India would need an investment of 200-300 million dollars in the next 10-15 years in the entire spectrum of the aviation sector, including procurement of planes and airport infrastructure.

''''Once aviation recovers in the world sector, India will be counted among the top 3-4 aviation countries in years to come,'''' he added.

He also said that some issues needed immediate attention with jet fuel prices being the primary one.

New Delhi - Indian equities fell by more than 3 per cent in early trade on Wednesday after a two-day rally, following cues from stock exchanges in New York and Tokyo.

The 30-share Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange lost 373.68 points on funds selling metal, information technology and banking stocks, following weakening markets.

The index which had gained 955 points over the past two sessions fell to 11,109.72, a loss of 3.25 per cent at 11:55 am (0625 GMT).

Similarly, the broader 50-share Nifty index fell by 84.95 points to 3433.70, a decline of 2.41 per cent.

Market analysts said weakness at the US markets and similar trends in other Asian bourses including the Tokyo stock exchange pulled down trading sentiment.

Srinagar/Jammu, Oct 15: Politicians and residents have given mixed reactions to the Election Commission''s decision to buy more time to decide on the poll dates in Jammu and Kashmir.

Leaders of the state's National Conference party backed the decision.

"I think it is a right decision because Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive state. Here, whenever elections are held it should be credible one. There is no doubt that the security situation is improving, but the Election Commission should ensure that there should be people participation as only when people participation is there we will consider elections as credible," said Raheem Rather, a senior leader of National Conference.

Hyderabad, Oct 15 : The country''s first International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation “India Aviation 2008” will begin here today.

The four-day event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the FICCI, with the United States being the partner country.

The exhibition, to be held at city’s Begumpet Airport, will showcase the development of Indian Civil Aviation sector and a theme pavilion displaying rare photographs and models will highlight its past, present and future.