April 2013

India announced an assistance of 2.5 million US dollars to Syria on 30 January 2013 at the High-level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait. Syria continues to face acute crisis as the impasse has become explosive and could engulf the region. India has strongly expressed its concern on the steep escalation of violence and has called upon all sides in Syria particularly the Syrian leadership to abjure violence and resolve all issues peacefully through discussions taking into account the aspirations of the people of Syria. India is extremely concerned about the security situation in Syria and the increasing violence. India considers that the only acceptable way to resolve the internal crisis in Syria is through urgent peaceful negotiations with participation of all parties taking into account the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians.

INDIA AND USA

India and the United States inaugurated the first triangular India-US-Africa partnership in agricultural training at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, on 6 January 2013 for 30 trainees from three African countries – Kenya, Liberia and Malawi. The three-year triangular partnership program aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, and support market institutions in Kenya, Liberia, and Malawi. Supported by the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture of India, and implemented by two of India’s leading agricultural training institutes - National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, and the Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur, the program will train 180 mid-level African Government and private sector agriculture professionals from Kenya, Malawi, and Liberia in agricultural extension practices, agri-business, and agricultural marketing. The training will include classroom sessions, group work, field trips, and interaction with industry experts. After their training, these professionals will go home with new knowledge, skills, and potential innovations to address their domestic challenges in food and nutrition security.

INDIA & ITALY

The Supreme Court of India on 18 January 2013 decided that Kerala had no jurisdiction to investigate into the matter of Italian Marines shooting incident in which two fishermen were killed on 15 February 2012. The Union Government was directed by the Supreme Court bench of two Judges comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and J. Chelameswar for setting up of a special court for proceeding ahead with the trials of the two Italian Marines namely Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, accused of shooting the two fishermen. The highest judiciary body of India described that the Union Government of India had the jurisdiction to move ahead with the process of investigation and trial on the two Italian Marines.

Conditions Put Forward by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court bench in its decision lifted the orders of the High Court of Kerala that restricted the movement of the marines form the state and report to the City Commissioner of Kochi Police Station but also ordered that the same will be regulated for them at Delhi in which they can leave Delhi only after taking a leave from the court and reporting to the Station House Commissioner at Chanakyapuri Police Station, New Delhi once in a week, the relaxation may be extended further. The Court also ordered that the petitioner marines would remain under the control of Italian Embassy at Delhi and their movements will be monitored by it. The embassy will be responsible for making the duo report to the trial court when ever required to do so. Their passport, which has been surrendered to the trial court at Kollam would be transferred to the Union Home Ministry by the Court itself. The Apex Court also directed the Special Court to be constituted to carry on with the matter following the provisions enshrined in the Maritime Zones Act, 1976, the Indian Penal Code, the Cr.P.C. The Court also directed the Special Court that in situations of conflict between the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and the domestic law, it should follow the provisions mentioned in the UNCLOS.

Italy’s Stand on the Issue

• The Republic of Italy is also carrying proceedings as per the penal provisions of available in the country against the two accused marines. The available panel provisions of Italy can result into the sentence of 21 years of imprisonment to the marines.

• Italy has also been declaring its right in carrying out the prosecution of the two marines, since very beginning.

India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh on 28 January 2013 signed two landmark agreements on extradition of criminals and terrorists and liberalising the visa regime. However, refusal provisions were incorporated into the extradition treaty. If extradition of someone poses a threat to national security, a nation has the right to refuse the deportation request. Moreover, no political detainee will be brought under the purview of the extradition treaty. In case of a controversy during an extradition process, the matter will be resolved according to the laws of the country concerned. The other agreement has provision for a friendlier visa regime for citizens of Bangladesh. Businessmen will be provided a five-year, multiple-entry visa. Those travelling on medical grounds will be eligible for a two-year, multiple-entry visa, which could be extended for one more year. Three attendants of a patient will also be given visa. Until now, India was granting Bangladeshi tourists visas for up to six months and had allowed one person to accompany a patient.

Rail Link Projects

India and Bangladesh decided in the third week of January 2013, to speed up its rail link projects in order to increase the contact among the people of two neighbouring nations. As of now, there are four ongoing rail link projects and these are Chilahati (Bangladesh)-Haldibari (India), Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India), Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) and Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)- Mahishashan (India). The senior railway officials from the two countries decided in the joint meeting to also examine feasibility of establishment of rail link between Feni (Bangladesh) and Belonia (India). Railway delegations from India and Bangladesh discussed about the operational, technical as well as financial matters as well. Discussions on reforming inter-country freight train operations, improving functioning of Maitree Express, upgrading the infrastructure as well as establishment of even more rail connectivity points, were held. Delegations from India and Bangladesh also agreed in the meanwhile to increase frequency of the Maitree Express as well as introduction of the system of return tickets. Working group which includes government officials from India and Bangladesh were formed in order to check the range of issues such as operational, financial, commercial as well as security of the Maitree Express.

INDIA & PAKISTAN

Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan on water sharing, scheduled to begin in Islamabad on 28 January 2013, were postponed. The new dates for the talks are yet to be decided. The two-day talks were cancelled in the wake of tension between the two countries over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. The two countries were scheduled to discuss the Tulbul navigation project-Wullar Barrage issue during the talks. This is the second high-level bilateral interaction that has been put off because of tension between India and Pakistan over ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. In January 2013, Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom. Amin Fahim called off a scheduled visit to India to attend a business meet in Agra.

India and Pakistan

DGMOs (Director Generals of Military Operations) of India and Pakistan on 16 January 2013 agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with the Pakistan Army asking its troops to observe ceasefire strictly and exercise restraint. The ways to defuse the tension on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which was triggered by the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army, were discussed during a telephonic conversation between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two sides. The Pakistan Army DGMO conveyed that orders have been passed to troops to strictly observe the ceasefire and exercise restraint.

India and Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Units List as a Part of the Agreement

India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units’ lists on 1 January 2013, as it is customary since 20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between India and Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from aiming the nuclear installations of each others’ nations. The exchange of the list of nuclear units has been going on, on 1 January every year since 1992. This is a customary action as a part of Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities which was signed in December 1988. The external affairs ministry of India announced that the two countries exchanged the list of nuclear installations through their diplomatic channels at Islamabad and New Delhi. Apart from this list, the two nations, as a part of another bilateral agreement signed back in 2008, share the list of each others’ prisoners in the jails of two countries. The bilateral agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in May 2008, according to which a complete list of the citizens of both the countries living in the jails of other country should be exchanged two times every year on 1 January and in July.

INDIA & VIETNAM

India and Vietnam on 15 January 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which is directly meant for building capacity and developing institutional framework and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in Vietnam. The MoU was signed during the 4 day state visit of Vice President Hamid Ansari to Vietnam.

Significance of the MoU

• The MoU signed would be focusing on building capacity for developing policy and institutional framework through exchange of experts for the development of MSMEs, and conducting industrial surveys and feasibility studies to identify thrust areas and opportunities for development of MSMEs in Vietnam.

• It ideates the promotion of partnership projects and institutional cooperation between the two countries, organising exhibitions and trade fairs for marketing the products of MSMEs, exchange of business missions to initiate transfer of technology and business alliance, and providing training for improvement of managerial and technical skills for MSMEs.

The MoU is part of India’s efforts to further strengthen economic ties with Vietnam. The two countries have set a trade and investment target of7billion dollars by 2015. A Joint Committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (Vietnam) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (India) is going to monitor the implementation of the MoU.

INDIA AND SRI LANKA

India and Sri Lanka after the 8th round meet of the Joint India-Sri Lanka Commission on 22 January 2013 at New Delhi inked two agreements.

The signed agreements are:

1. Agreement on Combating International Terrorism and Illicit Drug Trafficking; and

2. Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

The External Affairs Ministers of India, Salman Khurshid and Sri Lanka, G L Peiris signed the following Agreements. The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting at the level of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on 21 January 2013.

During the Joint Commission meet both the sides discussed bilateral relations that included development cooperation, trade, investment, power, science and technology, health, agriculture, connectivity, people to people contacts, culture and education.

Major discussions decisions made during India-Sri Lanka 8th Joint Commission Meet

• Both the nations recognized the need of creating a special economic partnership framework to achieve the shared goals of poverty alleviation, job creation and economic development for the people of the two countries, the two sides decided to take several steps to further deepen trade, tourism and investment relations. In relation to the same, an agreement was reached to encourage closer economic and trade linkages between all stakeholders with a view to double the bilateral trade to 10 billion US dollar, in next three years. For initiation of this the two nations, agreed to initiate a dialogue between the Commerce Secretary of India and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Sri Lanka at an early date, so that a framework for a special economic partnership between the two countries can be evolved.

• Both sides noted the impressive growth of tourism traffic between the two countries both ways. India currently contributed the largest number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka and over 250,000 Sri Lankans visited India in 2011-2012. India and Sri Lanka agreed towards enhancement of connectivity, people to people exchanges and movement of goods and services, the two sides would meet at the earliest to explore the possibility of finalizing and signing a revised Air Services Agreement. They also agreed to work towards the resumption of ferry services between Talaimannar and Rameswaram for which the Joint Committee on Ferry Services would meet at the earliest. Decision was also made to hold the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism in the first quarter to 2013 to identify potential areas of cooperation, including marketing and capacity-building.

• Sri Lanka and India made decisions to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of New and Renewable energy, and in this context agreed to conclude a MoU on Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy. They also decided to cooperate in establishing three power plants of aggregate capacity of 15 MW using biomass fuel, and enhance cooperation in wind and solar energy sectors. The two nations also agreed towards enhancement of bilateral cooperation in the fields of oil and gas, civil nuclear energy, science and technology and space technology was also made.

• The Joint Commission noted that both sides are committed to decrease incidents pertaining to fishing on the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Both countries agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and reiterated in this regard the importance of continuing to extend humane treatment to all fishermen. Both sides welcomed the decisions arrived at the two meetings of the Joint Working Group on Fishing held in March 2011 and January 2012 respectively, and encouraged senior officials to meet regularly to continue the dialogue to strengthen cooperation on fishing related issues.

• The Joint Commission took note of the collaborative initiatives in the field of Information & Communication Technology, education, human resources development, training and capacity building, among others. To support the cause an agreement was reached to encourage the finalisation of the MoU between the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Department of Open Distance Learning in Sri Lanka, organisation of more Education Fairs in Sri Lanka, setting up Provincial Centres for English Language Training and finalisation of the MoU for cooperation in connection with the Ten Year Presidential Initiative to Steer Sri Lanka towards a Trilingual Society by 2020.

• Expressing satisfaction at cooperation in the field of culture, both sides reviewed and positively assessed the progress of work for restoration of Thiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar, renovation of the Duraiappah Stadium, and Jaffna Culture Centre. Both sides agreed to jointly celebrate the 150th birth anniversaries of Swami Vivekananda (in 2013-14) and of Anagarika Dharmapala (in 2014-15).

• Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector and to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of relevance to the bilateral relationship. The Joint Commission noted that the trilateral cooperation mechanism between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives was an important initiative to promote maritime security in the region.

Both the sides, Sri Lanka and India also expressed satisfaction at the substantive developments in bilateral relations between the two countries in existence after the 7th session of the Joint Commission held at Colombo on 26 November 2010.

INDIA & BRICS

The group set up by the BRICS nation to exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings. The Health Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in the second week of January 2013 decided to set up a Technical Working Group (TWG). As per the Agreed Action Plan released by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, member countries will nominate their respective Nodal Officers to work jointly for the Working Group. The group will exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings.

INDIA AND AUSTRALIA

India and Australia on 28 January 2013 agreed to concentrate on priority areas like energy and food security for mutual benefit of the two countries. At the 14th Session of the India - Australia Joint Ministerial Commission held in New Delhi, the two sides underlined the importance of a solid institutional framework to facilitate future growth in bilateral trade and investment. The Commission was co-chaired by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma and his Australian counterpart, Craig Emerson. India and Australia welcomed the positive momentum in the India-Australia relationship, based on shared values, converging interests and growth in economic links. The successful state visit to India by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in October 2012 underlined both countries deep commitment to advance the Strategic Partnership agreed in November 2009. The Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr, held the 8th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue on the 21 January 2013, to review the bilateral relations and build on the momentum achieved by Prime Minister Gillard’s visit. The two countries also met at Ministerial level to advance Agriculture, Energy, Education and Science & Technology links.

India and Australia emphasised the importance of closer trade and investment relations as a critical component of the strategic partnership. Both nations underlined the importance of a solid institutional framework to facilitate future growth in bilateral trade and investment. In this context, they highlighted the priority they placed on the conclusion of a mutually beneficialComprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The countries welcomed progress through four rounds of negotiations to date, including the exchange of goods offers. They looked forward to a future exchange offers on services. Ministers reiterated that a comprehensive, high quality equitable agreement would broaden the base of merchandise trade, remove non-tariff barriers that impede trade in services, and facilitate and encourage investment. India and Australia welcomed the growth in the bilateral investment relationship and agreed on the importance of strong bilateral investment flows particularly in priority areas such as mining, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, clean technology and tourism.
India and Australia recognized the critical role played by industry in driving trade and investment between the two countries. In this regard, they expressed their strong support for the initiatives of the India Australia CEO Forum. Both nations welcomed the outcomes from the second forum meeting on 16 October 2012 held in New Delhi including agreement to promote skills training, increased mutual cooperation on infrastructure development, promotion of services trade, and the creation of investment champions to identify opportunities and navigate government processes. The nations commended the important work under way in the Forum. The nations welcomed the third meeting of the Forum to be held in Australia in March 2013.

Other areas of mutual interests are as following:

• The nations discussed Australia and India‘s mutual interests in the effectiveness of global and regional economic institutions.

• The nations welcomed the launch of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations towards a modern, comprehensive, high quality, and mutually beneficial regional economic partnership agreement. They discussed their mutual commitment to strengthening the East Asia Summit (EAS) as a forum that incorporated all the major economies in the India-Pacific region.

• The nations discussed the importance of consolidating the G20 as the pre-eminent global economic forum.

• The nations underlined their commitment to reinforce the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), both during India‘s remaining period as chair and Australia‘s two year term as chair from November 2013.

• The nations reaffirmed their commitment to finding ways to break through the current impasse in the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations.

• The nations welcomed the inaugural Ministerial-level dialogue on energy security in December 2012 as a significant step in developing a strategic relationship on energy and resources.

• The nations acknowledged the critical importance of education and skills development in helping to achieve both countries targets for innovation, productivity and economic growth and welcomed efforts underway to strengthen the bilateral knowledge partnership.

• The nations noted the contribution of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.

• The nations highlighted research work underway to lift agricultural productivity and make crops more disease-resistant. India and Australia agreed that the next Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Australia in 2014.

INDIANS & NIGERIA

India on 19 January 2013 issued an advisory to its citizens in Nigeria, asking them to limit their exposure to areas where radical Islamic sect Boko Haram is active. The Indian High Commission in an advisory placed on its website also warned Indian crew-members to be careful while plying their ships in Gulf of Guinea, dominated by pirates.

The advisory also mentioned some Indians who were victims of recent violence caused by Islamic fundamentalists Boko Haram in the northern city of Kano. It was the first time in recent years that Indian nationals and their establishments were targeted for attack. Northern part of oil rich Nigeria came under terrorist attacks by Boko Haram which killed many people through shootings and suicide attacks.

INDIA & MYANMAR

The 18th National Level Meeting between Myanmar and India was held on 28 -29 December, 2012 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by A.K Mangotra, Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. While the Myanmar delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The major area of Discussion was that of drug trade, arms smuggling and extremism/terrorism.

A.K Mangotra highlighting the shared culture and traditionally close relationship between India and Myanmar, expressed India’s dedication to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries to eliminate the nexus between the drug trade, arms smuggling and extremism/terrorism. Mangotra wanted Myanmar’s cooperation for co-ordinated patrolling along the Indo –Myanmar border and dismantling IIGs camps in Myanmar for peace and economic prosperity in the region. While Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint deputy minister of Myanmar assured that Myanmar is never going to allow insurgents and negative elements to use its own territory for activities inimical to its neighbour India.

Highlights of the discussion Held Between India and Myanmar:

• Both sides discussed and agreed to cooperate closely on issues like insurgent Groups along the border, arms Smuggling & drug trafficking, border management issues, Myanmar Fishermen in A&N jails, illegal smuggling of wild life parts, inspection and verification of pillars etc.

• Both sides expressed satisfaction over opening of a third Border Liaison Office (BLO) between Changlang, India and Pangsau, Myanmar.

• Both the leaders emphasized on nurturing BLOs to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies of both the countries for peace and tranquility along the border. It was decided to open a fourth BLO in Nagaland sector between Ukhrul, Manipur, India and Somra, Myanmar.

Go Back To Main Page