Sakshi Education
- India to organize 'Gandhi March' in Netherlands
India will organize 'Gandhi March' from the iconic Peace Palace at the Hague to Grote Kerk on 23rd September, 2018 to launch the two-year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, marked as International Day of Non-Violence, five other events will be held in The Hague, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Zoetermeer.
The Netherlands has a special connection to India and Mahatma Gandhi. There are around thirty streets in the country named after Mahatma Gandhi.
- India, China to sign internal security cooperation agreement
India and China to sign an internal security cooperation agreement during the forth coming visit of China's Minister of Public Security, marking a new beginning in bilateral relations.
An agreement on internal security cooperation between the two countries will be signed.
The proposed pact is expected to cover areas of intelligence sharing, exchange programme, sharing of best practices, and cooperation in disaster mitigation besides others.
- EAM Sushma Swaraj holds bilateral talks with leaders from Fiji, Estonia and Suriname
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 25th September, 2018 held bilateral talks with leaders from Fiji, Estonia and Suriname and discussing diverse issues including defense cooperation, trade and capacity building.
Sushma Swaraj met Mikser and “had a good exchange of views on intensifying cooperation in IT, trade and investment, culture, education, tourism and multilateral fora.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in capacity building, traditional medicine and, pharma. Later in the day, Sushma Swaraj will also participate in the G4 meeting with her counterparts from Brazil, Germany and Japan.
- India, Uzbekistan to cement economic ties
Issues including tariff reduction to promote trade, setting up of a business council, and expansion of economic relation will be discussed during the upcoming visit of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to India.
The first visit of the Uzbek President will take place early next week.
"As part of intensification of economic dialogue, we plan to create a joint Uzbek-Indian Business Council, prepare the ground to mutually reduce customs tariffs, implement large-scale projects in free economic zones," Uzbekistan Ambassador Farhod Arziev said.
Arziev said Uzbekistan is also interested in expanding cooperation in areas such as innovation, increasing bilateral investments, education, culture, and arts.
" We are also planning to increase the supply of different types of agricultural products to Indian market," he said.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at a meagre USD 235 million in 2017-18. It was USD 155.5 million in 2016-17.
Arzeiv said Uzbekistan has enormous potential to supply several products to the Indian markets such as agri goods, fertilisers, non-ferrous and rare metals, textiles, and petrochemicals.
Over 300 business leaders from sectors including automobile, railway, energy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, leather, and textile are expected to attend the business forum meet.
On increasing cooperation to promote innovation, the Ambassador said they are planning to launch Uzbekistan-India Innovation Forum, and Indian Technology Parks in Uzbekistan.
Further, he said the Uzbek President will also announce the partnership between Samarkand and Agra, to promote tourism industry.
"Daily flights from Delhi and Amritsar to Tashkent connect both countries and by the end of October, we are launching Mumbai-Tashkent air route, which will operate three times a week. I believe this will further increase tourism between India and Uzbekistan and further boost business opportunities," he added.
- PM Narendra Modi, Afghan President review progress of bilateral strategic partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani reviewed and positively assessed the progress of the multi-faceted bilateral strategic partnership.
Both leaders expressed determination to strengthen connectivity, including through Chabahar port and Air-Freight Corridor.
They also expressed satisfaction at the increase in bilateral trade that has crossed the one billion dollar mark.
Mr Narendra Modi reiterated India's support to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process. He unequivocally condemned terrorist attacks and violence in Afghanistan which have caused immense loss of precious human lives.
Sources said, the Prime Minister also raised concern over abducted Indian nationals in Afghanistan with Mr Ashraf Ghani during their meeting.
The Afghan President has assured that efforts are being made to ensure the safe release of the Indian nationals.
- India, Romania agree to intensify cooperation at UN, other multilateral fora to address global challenges
India and Romania have agreed to intensify cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral fora in order to address global challenges.
This was stated in a joint statement issued after one to one talks between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Werner Lohannisin Bucharest.
Mr. Naidu appreciated Romania for its support to India’s bid for permanent membership of United Nations Security Council.
There is a need to fight the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and work together to eliminate the financing of terror and safe havens for terrorists and their sponsors.
- India welcomes denuclearization agreement between North and South Koreas
India has welcomed the just concluded Inter-Korean Summit meeting held in Pyongyang on September 18-20.
India has been constantly supportive of all such efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.
New Delhi hoped that such continued engagement will help reduce tensions and pave the way for lasting peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula and also address India's concerns about proliferation linkages extending to India’s neighbourhood.
- India and Morocco sign Air Services Agreement
India and Morocco signed the revised Air Services Agreement between the two countries enabling greater connectivity through a modernized agreement.
Benefits:
Greater air connectivity between India and Morocco and will enable the airlines of each side to enter into code share with airlines of other party, as well as provide greater freedom in mounting direct flights.
These developments in the Civil Aviation sector will enable the people of each country to travel to the other country leading to better economic and cultural ties.
- Exercise Aviaindra-18 conducted
Exercise Aviaindra is Air Force level exercise between India and Russia. It was conducted for first time in 2014 and since then it is conducted bi-annually (twice a year) in both countries.
To focus towards anti-terrorist operations in a bi-lateral scenario. The exercise would further enhance the co-operation and understanding each other’s Concept of Operations. There would be formal interactions, discussions, exchange of ideas and friendly sports matches to enhance bonhomie between the two Air Forces.
- India calls off foreign minister-level meeting with Pakistan
India has called off the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New York.
The meeting between the two Ministers was scheduled to take place in New York later this month on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly- UNGA.
The decision was taken in view of the brutal killings of India's security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of twenty postage stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism.
These incidents confirm that Pakistan will not mend its ways.
It is obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been revealed to the world in his first few months in office.
- India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurate three projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, and Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Tripura on 10 September, 2018 jointly inaugurated three projects in Bangladesh via video conferencing.
These include 500 MW additional power supply from India to Bangladesh, Akhaura - Agartala Rail Link and Rehabilitation of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways.
Prime Minister Modi recalled Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of restoring connectivity to the way it was before 1965.
Both countries have increased power connectivity, and started two projects to increase railway connectivity.
Mr Narendra Modi recalled that during his visit to Bangladesh in 2015, it had been decided to supply an additional 500 MW power to Bangladesh. He said this is being done using the transmission link between West Bengal and Bangladesh, and thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her facilitation in completion of this work. He said that with the completion of this project, 1.16 Gigawatts of power is now being supplied from India to Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said that Akhaura-Agartala rail connectivity will provide another link in the cross-border connectivity between the two countries.
- African countries will continue to be the highest priority for India: EAM Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said African countries will continue to be the highest priority for India.
Mrs Sushma Swaraj witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Ministry and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, (TCIL) on the implementation of e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati--Network Project in New Delhi.
India has been investing in African nations for their development. The Minister said India's diplomatic presence in Africa has increased further in recent times.
Agreement which has been signed 10th September, 2018 will bridge the knowledge gap and promote capacity building in the field of education and health services.
- SLINEX-2018’ joint exercise between navies of India and Sri Lanka underway
The joint exercise between the navies of India and Sri Lanka titled SLINEX-2018 is underway in Trincomalee. Three Navy ships from each side along with around 1,000 naval personnel from both countries are participating in the joint drill.
Two Dornier air crafts and a helicopter of Indian Navy are also participating. SLINEX which was previously held once in two years is scheduled to be held as an annual event from 2018 onwards.
It is primarily focused on fleet work, seamanship, communication, replenishment at sea, joint training, helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft operations, search and rescue and maneuvers at sea.
It also involves sports fixtures and cultural events which would provide an opportunity for personnel from both navies to learn from each other. The week-long exercise will conclude on 13th September, 2018 (Thursday).
- Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu invites Russian companies to explore business opportunities in India
India has invited Russian companies to explore business opportunities in the country and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
An official release said, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu invited the Governors of the Far East Regions to lead business delegations to India and explore partnerships with Indian businesses.
Mr Suresh Prabhu recently concluded his visit to Vladivostok in Russia where he attended the Eastern Economic Forum meeting.
Commerce minister held discussions with his Russian counterpart on enhancing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
Discussions were held on possibilities of mutual cooperation in sectors like mining, agriculture and tourism.
- India, Russia working towards simplification of visa rules
India and Russia are working towards simplification of visa rules. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Moscow that new areas of co-operation were identified during her meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov on 14th September, 2018. She said, India is keen to enhance co-operation with Russia in the field of space.
Mrs Sushma Swaraj and Mr Yuri Borisov also chaired the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) 14th September, 2018.
IRIGC-TEC is a standing body which annually meets and reviews ongoing activities of bilateral co-operation in the fields of bilateral trade and investment, science and technology, culture and other issues of mutual interest.
- India talks on for logistics deal with Russia
India and Russia are in the process of concluding a logistics agreement, with both sides targeting to conclude consultations before the annual summit in October between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The proposed agreement follows a series of such agreements India has signed since the first logistics agreement with the U.S.
India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), with the U.S. in August 2016 after a decade of negotiations.
Since then it has concluded several such agreements with France, Oman, Philippines, and Singapore and for access to the Sabang port in Indonesia.
Australia too has sent a draft agreement.
Why Logistics agreement?
Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing operational turnaround of the military when operating away from India.
- India, US discuss ways to resolve trade related issues & boost economic ties
India and the US have held detailed deliberations on ways to resolve trade related issues and boost economic ties. In a tweet, Department of Commerce said, India-US Commercial Dialogue Intersessional meeting was held in New Delhi on 07th September, 2018.
The meeting assumes significance as India has announced hike in customs duties on as many as 29 products, including pulses, iron and steel products, imported from the US as a retaliatory action against the tariff hikes by Washington.
India is pressing for exemption from high duty imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products and resumption of export benefits to certain domestic items under their Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
As many as 3,500 Indian products from sectors such as chemicals and engineering get duty-free access to the US market under the GSP, introduced in 1976.
India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at 47.9 billion dollars, while imports were 26.7 billion dollars. The trade balance is in favor of India.
- India and France sign an implementation agreement on “MOBILISE YOUR CITY” (MYC)
India and France have signed an implementation agreement on “MOBILISE YOUR CITY” (MYC)
Mobilise Your City (MYC) is part of an international initiative which is supported by the French and the German Governments and was launched at 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) meeting in December, 2015.
Based on a proposal made by AFD in 2015, the European Union has agreed to provide funds of Euro 3.5 million through the AFD to contribute to specific investments and technical assistance components within the Mobilise Your City (MYC) programme in India.
The MYC aims at supporting three pilot cities viz. Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad in their efforts to reduce their Green House Gas (GHG) emissions related to urban transport by implementing urban mobility plans at local level and to help India at national level to improve their sustainable transport policy.
The three pilot cities selected under the programme as well as MoHUA will benefit from the Technical Assistance activities.
The main components of the proposed assistance are:
- to support planning and implementation of sustainable urban transport projects
- support to strengthening institutional capacity for regulating, steering and planning urban mobility, and
- Learning and exchange formats with other cities across India for exchanges on best practices.
- IRDAI to set timeline for LIC to cut stake in IDBI Bank to 15 per cent
(IRDAI, timeline for LIC, to cut stake in IDBI Bank, fifteen per cent)
On 07th September, 2018, The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India said it will set the timeline to reduce LIC's shareholding in IDBI Bank from 51 per cent to 15 per cent.
This move will take place only after looking at LIC’s business plan post-acquisition of 51 per cent in debt-ridden IDBI Bank.
LIC holds 7.98 % in IDBI bank and is in process of increasing its stake to 51 %, which would help it enter the banking space.
Currently, the permissible limit for insurance companies to hold stake in any listed entity is 15 %.
IRDAI has the powers to give relaxations in specific cases if they are justified. He further said All India IDBI Officers Association had challenged the LIC's move to acquire 51 per cent stake in IDBI Bank in the Delhi High Court. It had sought withdrawal of the approval given by the IRDAI to the transaction.
Meanwhile, talking about the government's flagship national health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, the insurance model will be more effective as the oversight in the model is better than the trust model.
Published date : 24 Sep 2018 05:21PM
More Articles
Most Read
