Piracy and terrorism topped the agenda of the European Union’s chief diplomat, Catherine Ashton, on her four day visit to India. Ashton said the EU has proposed that India consider working closer with the 10-nation Atalanta flotilla or the NATO fleet fighting pirates off Somalia. “These have rotating command structures at different levels,” she said and said India could consider being part of such a system.

India’s rapid ascent to tourism stardom has been acknowleged by the record number of local brands nominated in this year’s World Travel Awards. Companies in with a chance of picking up the highest accolade in travel and tourism include the Indian Maharaja for “Asia’s Leading Luxury Train”, and the Taj Lake Palace for “Asia’s Leading Resort”.

The trial of two men accused of killing British teenager Scarlett Keeling has been halted for the second time in a week in Goa. The case was adjourned following a decision by the judge hearing the case that Goa children’s court would start hearing evidence on alternate afternoons from April 5th.

The Indian Union Ministry of Tourism has unveiled one of the largest pavilions at ITB Berlin, offering guests a chance to explore the nation’s travel offering. While the Commonwealth Games are sure to top the agenda, medical, wellness, rural, MICE, and caravan tourism are also vying for space.

Fishermen in the regions of Kovalam and Vizhinjam in the southern Indian state of Kerala have urged authorities to halt the construction of an artificial reef funded by central government Tsunami Rehabilitation Funds. In an attempt to attract surfers to the area and turn Kovalam into a year-round tourism destination, the state government plans to build the reef 150 metres from the tourist beach.

The software developer will provide FCm India with graphics-rich e-mail airline tickets and itineraries that leverage the Internet to make agents a one-stop resource for all things travel.