January 2020 India and the World

Sakshi Education

India and Brazil exchange 15 agreements
India and Brazil inked 15 agreements to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas like trade and investment, oil and gas, cyber security and information technology.

The agreements were exchanged after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro.

Calling Brazil a valuable partner in India's economic growth, the Prime Minister also said both the countries are together on various global issues despite geographical distance.

The two countries have further consolidated already strong ties by signing 15 agreements providing for cooperation in a range of areas.
India reaffirms its call for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
India reaffirmed its call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and asked both sides to resolve all issues through direct negotiations. In response to a query, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has been consistently supportive of the Palestinian cause and has called for a two-state solution to the issue.

India's reiteration of its views on the issue came a day after US President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East peace plan.

India urged the parties to engage with each other, including on the recent proposals put forward by the United States and find an acceptable two-state solution for peaceful coexistence.

India will continue to follow developments in the region and engage with the parties concerned.
European Parliament defers vote on anti-CAA resolution
The European Parliament has decided not to conduct a vote on 30th January, 2020 on a resolution against India's new citizenship law. Government sources called the deferment of the voting on the Citizenship Amendment Act a diplomatic victory.

They said that friends of India prevailed over the friends of Pakistan in the European Parliament. India reached out to almost all countries of the powerful bloc, trying to persuade them against going ahead with the resolution against the CAA.

The European lawmakers agreed to delay the voting to get a direct perspective about the CAA from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is scheduled to visit Brussels to prepare the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in mid-March.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had written to European Parliament President David Maria Sassoli over the resolutions moved against the CAA. In his letter, Mr Birla said it is inappropriate for one legislature to pass judgement on another and the practice can be misused by vested interests.
India bans exports of all kinds of personal protection equipment
India has banned exports of all kinds of personal protection equipment, including clothing and masks used to protect people from air borne particles.

The move assumes significance as there could be a spurt in demand for such products due to outbreak of novel Coronavirus that has claimed more than 200 lives in China while the number of confirmed cases reached near 10 thousand.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, DGFT in a notification said, export of all varieties of personal protection equipment including clothing and masks used to protect the wearer from air borne particles or any other respiratory masks or any other personal protective clothing including coveralls and N95 masks is prohibited with immediate effect.
India opens its First Mahatma Gandhi convention centre in Niger
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou on 21st January, 2020 jointly inaugurated the first convention centre established in Africa by India to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) is a landmark for India-Niger friendship, as also a symbol of India's firm commitment towards Africa.

It is the first centre to be established in Africa by India to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th Birth Anniversary was observed last year. The convention centre has been designed as a spacious, modern and eco-friendly facility, including a 2,000 capacity Plenary Hall, to witness high-level and wide-ranging participation from African Union member states and other high-level conventions.

Mr. Jaishankar, the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit the West African country, arrived in Niamey on Monday (20 January, 2020) on the first leg of his three-day two-nation trip to Niger and Tunisia. The tour is his first outreach to the African continent after becoming Foreign Minister last year.
Thermal Screening of passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong at 7 airports across India
Thermal Screening of passengers arriving from China including Hong Kong has expanded to seven airports in view of threat of Novel Corona Virus Disease in Wuhan, China. These airports are Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin. Civil Aviation Ministry has directed for all logistics support and arrangements to be made immediately with regard to screening of passengers arriving in India from China including Hong Kong.

The Ministry has called for immediate implementation of the action plan and strict adherence by identified airports and all concerned airlines. In order to facilitate early isolation, in-flight announcements to be made by the airlines requesting passengers with history of fever and cough and history of travel to Wuhan City in last 14 days. All passengers and crew who are healthy should be allowed to continue their onward journey. If the ill passenger or crew member is confirmed as a probable case of Wuhan Corona Virus, public health authorities should be notified about the contacts using the Passenger Locator Form.
Brazil President Bolsonaro to be chief guest at 71st Republic Day
President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro will arrive in New Delhi on a four-day state visit to India.

President Bolsonaro will be the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day Parade at Raj Path in the national capital on January 26.

He will be accompanied by a delegation comprising of seven Ministers, Chairman of Brazil-India Friendship Group in the Brazilian Parliament, senior officials and a large business delegation.
Mansukh Mandaviya participated in UNAIDS roundtable at WEF, Davos
The Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya participated in the High-level roundtable of The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland on 21 January 2020.

Theme:
The theme of the roundtable is Access for all: Leveraging Innovations, Investments, and Partnerships for Health.

Highlights:
- The officials discussed the health needs that are to be accessible for all and innovative technologies and solutions can play a key role, including in bridging economic inequalities.
- Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and Ayushman Bharat aiming to Affordable Quality Healthcare for all.
- He also described various schemes initiated by the GoI under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.
Cabinet approves agreement between India and Brazil on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
PM Shri Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet approved the Agreement between India and the Federative Republic of Brazil on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters has to be signed.

Agreement Provision:
- The Agreement aims to enhance the effectiveness of both the countries in investigation and prosecution of crime through cooperation and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
- The Agreement will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation with the Federative Republic of Brazil in investigation and prosecution of crime and in tracing, restraint and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime and the fund meant to finance terrorist acts.
India, Brazil to sign Bilateral Investment Treaty and Strategic Action Plan
India and Brazil will be signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during the visit of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as the Chief Guest of the Republic Day celebrations from 24-27 January 2020. Around 20 agreements are to be signed.

Action plan:
- The two countries aim to upgrade the strategic partnership with an action plan.
- The Strategic Partnership Action Plan will serve as an umbrella agreement for the plans the two countries will make in order to increase defence cooperation, technology sharing, and a logistics agreement.
- Also, the Bilateral Investment Treaty is expected to take the partnership between the countries to the next level
- The countries are committed to foster economic growth in both countries.
India, Bangladesh sign agreement to upgrade Ashuganj-Akhaura road into 4-lane highway
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement on 23rd January, 2020 to upgrade the 50.58-kilometre long road between Ashuganj river port and the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane highway. The deal to upgrade the 39 km long road between Ashuganj river ports to Dharhar area was signed between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and an Indian Company Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The RHD and an India-Bangladesh joint venture firm will take up the work of upgrading the remaining part of the road from Dharhar to Akhaura.

The project is part of the USD 2 billion second line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh in 2016. The project will boost connectivity between Bangladesh and North-eastern part of India which will facilitate sub-regional connectivity among South and South-east Asian countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said development cooperation is an important aspect of India-Bangladesh relations. She said both governments have identified 46 projects in Bangladesh that would improve connectivity within the country and out of the country. Road Transport and Bridges Minister of Bangladesh Obaidul Quader hoped that the work would be completed on time and quality would be maintained.
PM Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin resolves to further develop India-Russia privileged strategic relationship
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders expressed their principled intent to further develop the India-Russia privileged strategic relationship. They also discussed some international matters including the developments in the Persian Gulf region and in Libya.

Mr Modi and Mr Putin also confirmed new face to face meetings, including during the Moscow events to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and during the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits in St. Petersburg.
India-China bilateral trade continues to make steady growth in 2019
India-China bilateral trade has continued to make steady growth in 2019. As per Chinese official data released to media, China-India bilateral trade stood at 639.52 billion yuans in 2019 which is 1.6 per cent increase year on year. However, in US dollar terms, it has dipped by 3 billion US dollars as compared to 2018 as overall global trade was moderated in 2019. Bilateral trade is projected to be about 92.68 billion dollars in 2019 while it was 95.7 billion US dollars in 2018, a record high till now. India’s Trade deficit with China also declined to about 56.77 billion US dollars in 2019 as compared to about 58 billion US dollars in 2018.

Vice Minister of General Administration of Customs of China Zou Zhiwu told Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent that China’s exports to India was 515.63 billion yuans (about 74.72 billion US dollars) in 2019, an increase of 2.1 % and China’s import from India was 123.89 billion yuans (about 17.95 billionUS dollars), a decrease of 0.2%.

Trade deficit has become a major concern in India-China bilateral relations. It is India’s biggest single trade deficit running with any country. India’s trade deficit is two-pronged, the sheer size of the deficit and its continuous widening year after year to reach 58.04 billion US dollars in 2018. During second informal summit in Chennai last year, the two leaders have agreed to set up new mechanism led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua to discuss trade, investment and services, first meeting of which is expected to take place this year.
1st Session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade & Investment Held in New Delhi
The first Session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade & Investment (DTI) was convened in New Delhi on 15-16 January, 2020.

The session was based on the Terms of Reference (ToR) signed between India and Norway on 8th January, 2019 in New Delhi, during the visit of Prime Minister of Norway. This was the first meeting after the signing of DTI.

The first Session was preceded by an industry interaction on 15th January, 2020 with the representatives from Indian industry, where discussions were held on various areas of mutual interest like blue economy, shipping & maritime, ICT, renewable energy, fisheries and MSME.
Indo-Japanese joint exercise ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ begins off Chennai Coast
Indian and Japanese coast guards participated in a joint exercise ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ on January 16.

The aim behind ‘Sahyog-Kaijin’ is to strengthen the bond between the two countries.

One ship of the Japanese Coast Guard and four ships and an aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard participated in the joint exercise. The drill is a five-day event.
India asks Pakistan to take action against perpetrators of violence against minorities
India has strongly condemned the targeted killing of a minority Sikh community member at Peshawar in Pakistan.

This incident follows the recent vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and the unresolved case of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl.

India has called upon the Pakistan government to stop prevaricating and to take immediate action to apprehend and give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts.

The Pakistan Government should act in defense of their own minorities instead of preaching sermons about this to other countries.
Art Exhibition inaugurated to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Bangladesh
A ten-day-long art exhibition commemorating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated on 7 January, 2020 in Dhaka.

The art exhibition has been organised by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh in association with the Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy.

The exhibition was inaugurated with a floral tribute paid by MP from Noakhali H.M. Ibrahim and MP from Jamalpur Mirza Azam.

The two Gandhi Ashrams in Bangladesh are located at Jamalpur and Noakhali.

The exhibition will promote appreciation of Mahatma Gandhi’s life of simplicity and devotion to truth.

The exhibition is the culmination of art camp held in Sreemangal in Sylhet Division last month where 15 young artists worked on the exhibition under the guidance of the renowned artist Prof. Rokeya Sultana.

The exhibition also featured unique photographs of Mahatma Gandhi since his days in South Africa to various movements in India.
Sri Lankan foreign minister Dinesh Gunawardena arrives in Delhi on two day visit to India
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena arrived in Delhi on 8 Jnauary, 2020 for a two-day visit to India.

The minister, leading a high-level delegation, will arrive late evening on his first visit abroad since he took over as foreign minister last November after formation of new government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

He will have delegation-level meeting with External affairs minister Dr. S. Jaishankar tomorrow during which a gamut of bilateral issues will come up for discussion.

Cooperation in economic projects, investment by Indian companies, issue of fishermen and stability in the Indian Ocean region are among the main issues likely to be discussed during the two leaders.

Mr. Gunawardena, who holds charge of skill development and labour relations, will also have meeting with his Indian counterparts during his stay.

He is also scheduled to visit Mahabodhi temple society on 10 Jnauary, 2020 before returning home.
BRICS an important player in international affairs against unilateralism and power politics: China
China has said that the current international situation is very complicated with headwinds of protectionism, unilateralism, power politics and bullying practices.

Highlighting the importance of BRICS in such a scenario, the world is watching closely the constructive role played by BRICS countries.

China's comments came at a time when the situation in the Gulf region is very tensed after the US killed an Iranian military leader in an airstrike.

India, China and Russia have urged calm and restraint from all sides and to de-escalate the tension in the region.

They have advocated that peace and stability in West Asia and the Gulf region must be upheld.

In recent years, the BRICS has shown greater solidarity and deepening practical cooperation and influence to achieve multi-polar world order and it has become an increasingly important force in international affairs.
India calls for restraint as tension between US, Iran increase
India has called for restraint as tensions between the US and Iran are increasing. The increase in tensions between both nations has alarmed the world and it is vital that the situation does not escalate further.

That peace, stability and security in the region is of utmost importance.

India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so.