February 2020 India and the World

• India & Sri Lanka signed MoU for up-gradation of infrastructure in plantation schools
  On February 21, 2020 India and Sri Lanka have signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for up-gradation of infrastructure in plantation schools for estate workers of Indian origin.
  
  The MoU was signed between Mr. Vinod K Jacob, acting High Commissioner of India and Secretary, Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka, Mr. N.H.M Chithrananda at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  
  Key Points:
  i.About Project: The project is implemented to upgrade the infrastructure of 9 plantation schools as identified by Sri Lanka under an Indian grant assistance of Rs 30 crores.
  
  ii.GOI (Government of India) has been implementing several projects in the field of education for deepening India-Sri Lanka cooperation in the education sector.
  
  iii.Under Indian grant assistance, construction & renovation of many school buildings in Northern Province of Sri Lanka is also being undertaken.
  
  iv.India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around 3.5 billion US (United States) dollars, of which 560 million US dollars under grants.
  
  
• Extensive talks between PM Modi& US Prez Trump underway at Hyderabad house in New Delhi
  Extensive talks are underway at Hyderabad house in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
  
  Discussion is being held on wide range of bilateral and regional issues including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism, energy security and situation in the Indo-Pacific. India and the US are set to sign bilateral agreements including in the defence and energy sectors following the talks.
  
  
• US surpasses China to become India's top trading partner
  The United States has surpassed China to become India's top trading partner. According to the Commerce Ministry data, the bilateral trade between the US and India stood at nearly 88 billion dollars in 2018-19 fiscal. During the period, India's trade with China was at 87.1 billion dollars.
  
  Similarly, during April-December 2019-20, the bilateral trade between the US and India stood at 68 billion dollars against a nearly 65 billion dollars trade with China in the same period.
  
  America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. On the other hand, India has a huge trade deficit with China.
  
  In 2018-19, India has a trade surplus of 16.9 billion dollars with America, while it has a deficit of 53.6 billion dollars with the neighbouring country. The data showed that China was India's top trading partner since 2013-14 till 2017-18.
  
  
• India’s Ambassador to Qatar to attend the signing of the peace deal between the US and Taliban
  India's Ambassador to Qatar P. Kumaran is to attend the signing of the peace deal between the US and the Afghan Taliban in Doha on 29th February.
  
  Peace deal:
  The Peace deal will allow for the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan.
  
  There are more than 12,000 US troops in Afghanistan. A report stated that 2,448 Americans have died in combat there since the invasion in October 2001.
  
  India has been invited by the Qatar government for the singing ceremony India has been a key stakeholder in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
  
  This will be the first time India will officially attend an event involving the Taliban.
  
  Countries including the US, Russia, and Iran have been reaching out to the Taliban as part of efforts to push the stalled Afghan peace process.
  
  In November 2018, India had sent two former diplomats in non-official capacity to a conference on the Afghan peace process in Moscow, Russia. The peace deal conference was organized by Russia. It was attended by a high-level Taliban delegation, representatives of Afghanistan and from several other countries, including the US, Pakistan, and China.
  
  
• India and Norway to work jointly towards mitigating marine plastic litter and microplastics
  India marks the beginning of super year of Biodiversity 2020 with the hosting of the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme, from 17th to 22nd February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
  
  On the side-lines of the COP, the Union Minister met a delegation led by Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, H.E. Mr. Sveinung Rotevan.
  
  India and Norway agreed to jointly tackle concerns related to oceans, environment and climate matters.
  
  Both countries discussed ways to ensure that the coming decade will be of rapid global action on the Environment. India and Norway have formed joint working groups on Blue economy with sustainable development.
  
  
• External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stresses on more cooperation between India and EU
  External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has stressed on more cooperation between India and the European Union, EU.
  
  There is a lot of scope for cooperation between India and the EU and it should be part of the conversation.
  
  It is also stressed for better, stronger and more forthright security conversations.
  
  Big challenges like connectivity, technology, international norms and laws should be part of the conversation.
  
  
• India rejects all references on J&K by Turkish President
  India has criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for raking up the Kashmir issue during his address at the Pakistan Parliament, and asked him to desist from interfering in India's internal affairs.
  
  India rejects all references made by the Turkish President on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the union territory is an integral and inalienable part of India.
  
  Proper understanding of the facts, including the grave threat posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan to India and the region should be developed before making any such references.
  
  
• SAMPRITI-IX: Indo-Bangladesh joint military exercise concludes in Meghalaya
  Over the past two weeks, with effect from 03rd February to 16th February 2020, Armies of India and Bangladesh participated in joint military exercise SAMPRITI-IX at Umroi, Meghalaya.
  
  As the 9th edition of the Joint Exercise SAMPRITI reached its culmination day on 16 February 2020.
  
  The exercise was aimed at strengthening the military relations between the two countries, which allowed the two armies to understand each other's tactical drills and operating techniques.
  
  The exercise provided an ideal platform for the personnel of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations and providing aid to civil authorities for disaster management especially in the jungle and semi-urban terrain.
  
  SAMPRITI series of the joint exercise is a very important military & diplomatic initiative between both the nations and the edifice of the trust and friendship between India & Bangladesh which has been nurtured with the sweat and toil of Officers and soldiers of contingents participating in each edition.
  
  Besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, it further helped in strengthening ties between India and Bangladesh.
  
  
• India offers assistance to China to deal with Coronavirus outbreak
  India has offered assistance to China to deal with the novel Coronavirus outbreak. Official sources said, in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with the president and the people of China over the outbreak of the virus in the country.
  
  He expressed his condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed to President Xi Jinping his appreciation for facilitating the evacuation of Indian citizens from the Hubei province.
  
  
• Vietnam Vice President arrives in India, to hold bilateral delegation level talks
  Vice President of Vietnam Dang Thai Ngoc Thinh will hold bilateral delegation level talks with Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. She arrived in New Delhi on 10 February, 2020 on a three-day state visit to India.
  
  During the visit, Ms. Dang Thai Ngoc Thinh will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Vietnamese Vice-President is scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya.
  
  India-Vietnam relations are built on the firm foundation of close cultural, historical, civilizational links. The relations are marked by mutual trust and understanding as well as strong cooperation in regional and international fora.
  
  
• India strongly condemns terrorist attack in Afghanistan
  India has strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack in Afghanistan which led to casualties of a number of people in Kabul on 11 February, 2020. India has expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased and the injured and to the government and people of Afghanistan.
  
  External Affairs Ministry said in a release that the international community must unite in the fight against terrorism and hold the perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to account. At least five people were killed in a suicide attack that rocked the Afghan capital early yesterday.
  
  
• Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to arrive in New Delhi
  President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will arrive in New Delhi tomorrow on a four-day State visit to India.
  
  This will be President Marcelo’s first visit to India. The last visit by a President of Portugal to India was in 2007.
  
  India’s relations with Portugal are marked by warmth and friendship and have assumed dynamism in recent years.
  
  Recent high-level political exchanges include the visit of Prime Minister Antonio Costa to India in December, 2019 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Portugal in June 2017.
  
  The two countries have active and growing cooperation in the field of economy and business, science, culture and education. They share considerable convergences on international issues.
  
  The visit will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review progress in various sectors of bilateral relations and pursue new avenues of cooperation and exchange views on international issues of common interest.
  
  
• India-Sri Lanka double taxation avoidance pact strengthened
  A protocol amending the Agreement between India and Sri Lanka for avoidance of double taxation has also been approved by the Cabinet.
  
  The agreement also prevents fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income has.
  
  It also gave its nod to an MoU between India and Iceland in the field of Sustainable Fisheries Development.
  
  
• USTR takes India off developing country list
  The U.S. government has changed an administrative rule making it easier for it to impose countervailing duties (CVDs) on goods from India and certain other countries.
  
  The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has published a notice, amending lists of developing and least-developed countries that are eligible for preferential treatment with respect to CVD investigations.
  
  Country classification
  To harmonise U.S. law with the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement, the USTR had, in 1998, come up with lists of countries classified as per their level of development. These lists were used to determine whether they were potentially subject to U.S. countervailing duties. The 1998 rule is now “obsolete” as per the USTR notice.
  
  A CVD investigation must be terminated if the offending subsidy is de minimis (too small to warrant concern) or if import volumes are negligible.
  
  India was, until February 10, on the developing country list and therefore eligible for these more relaxed standards. It has now been taken off of that list.
  
  The new lists consist of 36 developing countries and 44 least developed countries.
  
  The de minimis standard is usually a subsidy of 1% or less ad valorem and 2 percent for special cases.
  
  If a country’s goods constitute less than 3% of all imports of that good into the U.S., it meets the ‘negligible import volumes’ standard. For special cases it is 4%. Imports do not meet the standard, if, individual volumes are less than 3% (special cases: 4%) but the aggregate volume of imports into the U.S. is 7% of all such goods.
  
  
• India, Maldives sign five MoUs for establishing Addu Tourism zone
  India and Maldives on 2 February, 2020 signed five MoUs for establishing the Addu Tourism zone in five islands of Addu atoll at a cost of 2.49 million dollars.
  
  The MOUs were signed between the High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Addu City Council.
  
  A 6th MoU to set up a bottled water plant in Hoarafushi was also signed. All six projects are grant projects falling under India’s High Impact Community Development Scheme (HICDP). These projects are driven by the needs of communities on the islands.
  
  
• Ninth edition of India-Bangladesh joint military exercise begins in Meghalaya
  The ninth edition of Indo-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise SAMPRITI-IX commenced at Umroi, Meghalaya. The main focus of this edition of the fourteen days joint exercise is on Counter-Terrorism Operations in mountainous and jungle terrain.
  
  Defence Ministry has said that a delegation comprising of 31 officers and 138 other ranks of Bangladesh Army and a company group of Indian Army will participate in the joint military exercise.
  
  The Bangladesh Army contingent is led by Brigadier General Md Shafiul Azam. Both armies will familiarize each other in various tactical drills and procedures.
  
  The exercise started with gala opening ceremony which included an impressive parade by both the army contingents and mesmerizing band display.
  
  The joint exercise will culminate on 16th Feb after a validation exercise.
  
  
• Rajasthan CM to dedicate UNESCO world heritage site certificate for Jaipur at historical Albert Hall today (5th Feb)
  Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will dedicate the UNESCO world heritage site certificate for Jaipur to the people at a function to organize at historical Albert Hall this evening (5th Feb). UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will be felicitated on the occasion.
  
  UNESCO declared the Walled City of Jaipur world heritage site in July last year which is famous for its grid plan-based architecture and buildings constructed with the pink façade.
  
  The International Council on Monuments and Sites had earlier inspected the city in 2018 after its nomination. It took into account the architecture of the streets with colonnades, which intersect the center, creating large public squares called chaupars.
  
  
• India’s Ambassador to UAE assumes responsibility of India’s Co-Chair of Expo-2020 Dubai Committee
  India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri has assumed the responsibility of India’s Co-Chair of the Expo-2020 Dubai Committee. Mr Suri was also a recipient of the UAE's Order of Zayed II honour.
  
  FICCI is the industry partner of the Indian Government for its participation in Expo-2020 Dubai.
  
  India is one of the few countries which have been awarded to create a permanent structure at the Expo-2020 and proposes to showcase the country’s strengths in innovation and start-ups in the hi-tech sector.
  
  After retiring from the Indian Foreign Service in September, 2019, Mr Suri became a Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.
  
  Expo-2020 is a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai. It is scheduled to open on 20th October, 2020.
  
  The Bureau International des Expositions General Assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host on 27th November, 2013.
  
  Through its theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and its three sub-themes - Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability - Expo-2020 aims to unlock the potential of each visitor while encouraging collaboration and presenting opportunities for all to make a difference towards the future development of humanity.
  
  
• Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in India for 5-day visit
  Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi on 7 February, 2020 on a five-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore ways to further boost bilateral ties.
  
  After his official engagement in Delhi, Mr Rajapaksa will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Tirupati.
  
  A host of issues, including fulfilling the aspirations of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, the situation in the Indian Ocean Region and ways to boost defence and trade ties, are expected to figure in the talks between PM Modi and the Sri Lankan prime minister.

Published date : 29 Feb 2020 05:08PM