New Delhi, Nov 3 : To deepen understanding and strengthen mutual confidence between the armed forces of India and China, Air Chief Marshal FH Major is in China for strengthening Air Force to Air Force cooperation.

Air Chief Marshal Major arrived in Beijing, at the invitation of General Xu Qiliang, Commander of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLA AF), for a visit to China from November 2-6.

New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensitive Index jumped 585 points Monday, buoyed by weekend interest rate cuts announced by the country's central bank.

The 30-share Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange closed at 10337.68, 5.62 per cent above its previous close.

The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange rose 5.48 per cent to 3,043.85.

New Delhi - Businesses and schools shut down Monday in India's north-eastern state of Assam as part of a strike called to protest serial bombings there last week, which left 81 people dead and more than 300 injured, news reports said.

The 11-hour dawn-to-dusk strike was called by the influential All Assam Students' Union, which has accused the government of failing to fight terrorism.

New Delhi, Nov 3 : King of Belgium Albert II arrived in New Delhi today on a ten day State visit to India.

Economic and academic relationship between Belgium and India are expected to get a major boost during the visit of King Albert.

A series of commercial agreements between Belgian and Indian companies will be signed during the visit.

Queen Paola, Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht and high-level business and academic delegation including CEOs of key Belgian companies and top officials of universities of the European nation will accompany the King.

The King will meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and hold discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Nov 3 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said the government will take all necessary monetary and fiscal steps to protect the growth rate in the wake of global economic meltdown.

While addressing the captains of Industry in New Delhi, Dr. Singh said, the first priority of the government is to protect the country''s financial system from the possible loss of confidence due to the ongoing global economic crisis.

Dr. Singh also said a constant vigil needs to be maintained on the evolving situation as the crisis has affected the Indian economy as well.

New Delhi, Nov 3 : Prime Minister Dr.