November 2018 India and the World

Sakshi Education

India, China agree to maintain border tranquility
India and China have agreed to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas.

The talks were constructive and focussed on taking forward the India-China Closer Developmental Partnership

The Special Representatives resolved to intensify their efforts to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question at an early date.

Both sides emphasized the importance of approaching the boundary question from the strategic perspective of India-China relations.
India-China amends double taxation avoidance treaty
India and China have signed a protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

Ministry of Finance in a statement said, besides other changes, the protocol has d the existing provisions for exchange of information to the latest international standards.

The protocol also incorporates changes required to implement treaty related minimum standards under the Action reports of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project in which India had participated on an equal footing.
Release of Joint Communication on India-EU partnership welcomed
India has welcomed the release of the Joint Communication by the European Commission on India-EU partnership.

The vision strategy titled ‘‘A Partnership for Sustainable Modernization and Rules-based Global Order'' was released on 20th November. It covers India-EU partnership over the next 10 to 15 years.

External Affairs Ministry said in a release that the Joint Communication refers to India as an emerging global power that plays a key role in the current multi-polar world and a factor of stability in a complex region.

The report recognized India’s consistent economic growth, demographic dynamism and modernization drive and called for greater India-EU political, security and defense cooperation.

India’s engagement with the EU has substantially intensified since the establishment of strategic ties in 2004.

India-EU cooperation now spans over 30 dialogue mechanisms, covering areas like foreign policy and security issues, trade and investment, sustainable development and modernization.

The EU is India’s largest trading partner with a bilateral goods and services turnover in excess of 100 billion dollars.
India, China ink protocol on hygiene & inspection requirements for exports
India and China have signed a protocol on hygiene and inspection requirements for the exports.

The commerce ministry said in a statement that a protocol on hygiene and inspection requirements for the exports was signed

The move would enable India to commence export of fish meal and fish oil to China. The neighbouring country has so far not allowed these exports by India. China imports fish oil to the tune of USD 143.29 million per year and fish meal worth USD 263.43 million.

Various issues of market access for different products like milk and milk products, agricultural goods like soy meal, fruits and vegetables, tobacco and pharmaceuticals were disussed.

India has been seeking market access for these items from China. China has earlier permitted imports of rice from India.
India’s economy grows at 7.1 per cent for 2nd part of 2018-19
India's economy grew at 7.1 per cent for the second quarter of 2018-19 according to data released by Central Statistics Office on 30 November, 2018.

The CSO estimates state that GDP at constant prices was 33.98 lakh crore rupees for second quarter this fiscal, which is a marked increase from 31.72 lakh crore rupees for the same period in 2017-18.
AIFF to launch school-level project with FIFA
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will launch a school-level project by March-April 2019 in association with the game's world governing body FIFA.

This was stated by AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das at the Star Sports India Football Forum 2018 organised by SportzPower in Mumbai on 30 November, 2018.
India, Russia to build stealth frigates
India on 20 November, 2018 signed a $500 million deal with Russia to locally manufacture two stealth frigates with technology transfer. The agreement was signed between Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Rosoboron export of Russia.

“The $500 million deal is for material, design and specialists assistance from Russia for the two ships.

India recently signed a $1 billion deal with Russia for direct purchase of two frigates. The basic structures of the two frigates are already ready at Yantar shipyard in Russia and will be finished now.

In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for four Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates — two to be procured directly from Russia and two to be built by GSL. Of late, GSL has maintained a good track record. It has delivered 28 ships ahead of schedule in the last four years.
MEA Sushma Swaraj to co-chair 9th Meeting of India-Lao PDR Joint Commission on Bilateral Co-operation
India External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will co-chair the 9th Meeting of India-Lao PDR Joint Commission on Bilateral Co-operation with her counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith in Vientiane.

The two sides will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations covering areas of Defence, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Science and IT, Energy and Mining among others.
India and Morocco sign agreement on mutual legal assistance
India and Morocco have signed an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The agreement will strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance effectiveness and provide a broad legal framework for prevention, investigation and prosecution of crimes as well as in tracing, restraint and confiscation of funds meant to finance terrorist acts.

Both the Ministers reiterated their resolve to jointly counter the threats posed by organized crime and terrorism.
China calls for synergy between OBOR, India's Act East policy amid tensions
A synergy between India's Act East Policy and China's 'One Belt One Road' could be built keeping in mind the focus on economic cooperation between the two countries, Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui said.

He said there is a need to take concrete measures to enhance youth exchanges between India and China and noted that the future of relations between the two countries lies in their hands.

Speaking at the China-India Youth Dialogue, Luo said India and China relations are at "one of the best periods in history".

The dialogue was organised jointly by the Chinese embassy and the Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL).
India, South Korea sign MoU on cooperation in sports
India and South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in sports in New Delhi.

Sports Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea Do Jong-hwan signed the MoU.

The objective of the MoU is to establish a framework to facilitate and promote cooperation between the two countries on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

The two countries will encourage exchanges and cooperative actions between sports authorities, sports federations and other sports bodies in the different areas of cooperation.

Such initiatives will broaden the cooperation between the two countries not only in the field of sports but also in other areas.

Both sides must also collaborate in sports such as Archery and Taekwondo where South Korea is one of the pioneer countries.

The best practices in the management of sports infrastructure, governance of sports followed by South Korea need to be studied for improvement in our system.
India, Malawi sign MoUs in Extradition Treaty, Atomic Energy and VISA Waiver
India and Malawi have signed three MoUs on Extradition Treaty, cooperation in the field of Atomic Energy for peaceful purposes and VISA Waiver for Diplomatic and Official Passports.

India will also extend a new Line of credit of 215 million US dollars to Malawi for 18 water projects.
Italian PM Giuseppe Conte to arrive in New Delhi on day long visit to India
Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte will arrive in New Delhi on 30 October, 2018 on a day long official visit to India.

Mr Giuseppe Conte will be accompanied by a high level delegation. During the visit, the Italian Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Both leaders will also attend the India-Italy Technology Summit which is being organised by Department of Science and Technology in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Japan agrees to 316 Billion Yen loan for seven major infrastructure projects in India
Jaya singh Japan has agreed to provide loans of about 316 Billion Yen for seven major infrastructure projects in India.

These include Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, projects in Delhi, North East and Chennai. This was announced after the 13th India Japan Annual Bilateral Summit led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Tokyo 29 October, 2018 evening.

Both the sides discussed wide range of issues of mutual interest and reviewed the prevailing regional and international situations.

After the summit, both countries announced that an agreement has been made for establishing a 22 mechanism in which the defence and foreign ministers of both the countries could interact on furthering cooperation.

Another agreement on having greater cooperation and exchange of information in Maritime domain awareness between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force was also signed by the two nations.

After the summit the two sides exchanged 32 MoUs.

57 Japanese companies conveyed their decision to make an investment of about 2.5 billion US Dollars in India. 15 Indian companies have also come forward to invest in Japan.

India and Japan also concluded a 75 billion dollar Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement with a view to enhance financial and economic cooperation.

In a major fillip to the International Solar Alliance, Japan announced that it has ratified the framework agreement for the International Solar Alliance.

Japan is the 71st country to sign the agreement to join the global alliance and the 48th to ratify it. The Prime Minister has since returned home on 30 October, 2018 morning.
EAM Sushma Swaraj to hold several meetings with leaders of Kuwait to bolster bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold several bilateral meetings with the leaders of Kuwait with the aim to bolster ties between the two countries on 31 October, 2018. She will meet her counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah and will also call on Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Ms Swaraj reached Kuwait last evening on the second and final leg of her visit to West Asia. She interacted with the Indian Community and paid floral tributes at Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the Indian Embassy. This is Ms Swaraj's maiden visit to the Gulf nation.

The External Affairs Minister reached Kuwait from Doha where she met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and her counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and signed a declaration to establish Joint Commission at the level of Foreign Minister to periodically review progress in various cooperation initiatives.

This is Sushma Swaraj's first official visit to Kuwait. Kuwait is home to around 10 lakh Indians, who form the largest expatriate community in the Gulf nation. The strong Indian community contributes significantly to the economic and scientific development of Kuwait. The visit to the two West Asian countries is in pursuit of India's objective of enhanced engagement with the Gulf region, which is in India's extended neighbourhood.