New Delhi, Jan. 12 : Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz, and his Indian counterpart, Minister for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Sharad Pawar, will meet in New Delhi on January 13, 2009, and sign the first comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agriculture between Canada and India.

The bilateral MoU on agricultural cooperation encourages sharing of knowledge on emerging technologies, agricultural marketing, and animal development. This cooperation will lead to increased exports between the countries by creating new marketing opportunities for farmers from both countries.

New Delhi, Jan 12 : A meeting of the State Transport Ministers will be held here today to solve the situation arising out of the truckers strike.

A State Transport Ministers'' meeting will discuss the prevailing situation and steps required to ensure uninterrupted movement of essential commodities across the country.

The Central Government will take up the issue of national permit with the States and would emphasise that it would help in smooth inter-State movement of goods.

As the strike entered the eighth day today, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) Vice-President Amolak Singh Bhatia said: "The strike is on, and the solution lies completely in the hands of the Government."

New Delhi, Jan 12 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the plenary session of Petro-Tech 2009 here today.

The theme of the conference is "Energy Independence with Global Cooperation: Challenges and Solutions"''.

Countries like Iran, Libya, Sudan and Afghanistan are participating in the conference.

The conference got underway yesterday with the inauguration of an exhibition by Petroleum Secretary R S Pandey.

New Delhi, Jan 12 : Afghan President Hamid Karzai will meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today and hold discussion on the latest developments related to the terror strikes.

President Karzai arrived here on a two-day visit last evening against the backdrop of chill in Indo-Pak relations.

The Prime Minister is expected to share evidence about involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other Pakistan-based elements in the Mumbai attacks.

According to sources, the two leaders will hold discussion on bilateral cooperation to defeat terrorism.

New Delhi, Jan 11 : Union Surface Transport and Shipping Mminister T R Baalu will convene a meeting on Monday with the Ministers of Transport of States to solve the situation arising out of the truckers strike.

On Saturday, Baalu had a meeting with the representatives of the All India Federation of Goods Vehicle Owner Association and expressed government''s readiness to negotiate with truck operators who have been on a strike since Monday.

New Delhi, Jan 11: Afghan President Hamid Karzai will arrive on a two-day visit here this evening against the backdrop of chill in Indo-Pak relations.

During his visit, President Karzai will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and hold discussion on the latest developments related to the terror strikes.

The Prime Minister is expected to share evidence about involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other Pakistan-based elements in the Mumbai attacks.