Japan has agreed to fund the first high-speed railway corridor in India. Projects such as these might make it under the new guidelines.

• NEW DELHI: In a decision whose significance will play out over time, the Modi government on Wednesday made it easier for India to accept bilateral aid from foreign countries, hoping it would attract investment in infrastructure and boost the 'Make in India' project.For starters, India will now accept assistance from countries other than the five on the official list.

• In 2003, then finance minister Jaswant Singh announced India would henceforth only accept aid from five countries -- UK, USA, Russia, Germany, Japan and European Union.

• That list will now be expanded further.Under the new rules, bilateral assistance will be accepted for a minimum of $1 billion, of which 50 per cent should be untied or normal loans, which can be accepted for capital intensive projects and other projects of special nature.

• "Individual projects with a minimum project cost of USD 250 million will only qualify for such special loans," a government statement said.Japan has agreed to fund the first high-speed railway corridor in India.

Here are some other news items:^{credits to u-sr33}

• Govt eases bilateral aid norms to spur investments in infra projects

• 2015 Global Agenda for Economic Freedom

• Pension plans should be allowed under Sec 80CCD:PNB Metlife

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