India, USA and Australia

India, the United States and Australia in the third week of May 2013 came together to develop new climate-resilient varieties of rice and wheat, two of the major crops in the world.The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will work in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) and India’s Vibha Agrotech.This collaboration will seek to develop new rice and wheat varieties having greater tolerance to drought and salinity. Now, farmers can have more stable production in wake of sudden drought and salt water intrusion. The new technology will be first developed in Australia and India, but it will be made available to developing countries in South Asia and at world level where adverse climate conditions impact cereal yields, so that farmers could have a good harvest, even as climate change creates more unpredictable growing environments. The ambitious program is part of Feed the Future, the US Government’s global hunger and food security initiative.

India and Germany

India and Germany on 6 June 2013 signed an umbrella agreement on financial and technical cooperation in fields of energy, environment and management of natural resources. 

This agreement displays the commitment of both nations towards strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two in field of development co-operation.

Earlier, India and Germany had negotiated about 723 million Euros worth projects in 2012 as part of a pact on development cooperation between them. The umbrella agreement was signed by German Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Cord Meier-Klodt and Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs Rajesh Khullar. Germany also made a commitment to support the expansion plans of renewable energy in India with one billion Euros. The Agreement on Financial and Technical Cooperation generally contains priority areas such as energy, environmental issues and management of natural resources.

India and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka and India on 24-25 June 2013 held discussion in Colombo on trade, investment and economic cooperation. It is aimed at doubling the bilateral trade volume to the tune of 10 billion US dollars in the next three years. India is Sri Lanka’s leading trade partner and that bilateral trade between the two countries has now reached 5 billion US dollars.

During the talks, India and Sri Lanka decided to expand the bilateral trade in a balanced way by utilising the opportunities available between the two neighbouring nations. The talks included economic, trade and development related issues between the two countries. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Sri Lanka was the first ever bilateral trade agreement for both nations.

It was signed in 1998 and enforced since 2000. India is considered as Sri Lanka’s foremost development partner in public investment strategy. India has provided the assistance and credit totaling 1.75 billion US dollars to Sri Lanka.

India is responsible for construction of 50000 houses in the north-east area of Sri Lanka.  India is also assisting in public transport network infrastructure rebuilding.
India, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation

Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce & Industry, led an official delegation on 19-22 June, 2013, to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2013. The fourth India-Russia Business Dialogue was organized in the framework of SPIEF 2013 which was co-chaired by Anand Sharma and Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry & Trade of the Russian Federation.

The Business Dialogue was attended by many prominent Indian as well as Russian companies. Both India and Russia expressed satisfaction in the progress of our bilateral trade and economic relations. Presentation on Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor was also made, highlighting the opportunities available for Russian companies in the infrastructure sector and stress placed on Russian companies availing of the vast opportunities available in infrastructure as well as in other identified areas. On the sidelines of SPIEF 2013, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was discussed between India and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. India mentioned that there is significant potential for cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, aviation, power generation, energy, information technology, bio and nano technologies, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, etc.

India and Nepal

India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the third week of June 2013 to provide assistance for construction of a three – storied school building under India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. The MoU was signed between Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, District Development Committee, Kapilvastu and Shree Higher Secondary School. As per the MoU, India would grant 4.14 crore Nepali rupees for construction of School building in Kapilvastu District under India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. The Indian grant will help in creation of better facilities in the new building of the Shree Higher Secondary School is situated at Barkalpur, Kapilvastu District that was established in 1979. This building will accommodate more than 1000 students with fifty percent population of girls.

India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme

The programme of India-Nepal economic cooperation was launched in 1951. The objective of this programme was and remains to supplement the efforts of the Government of Nepal in the national development of the country. India’s assistance programme in Nepal is guided by the vision that alongside progress in political process in Nepal, it is equally important to ensure that economic deliverables, particularly in the areas of education, health and infrastructure, must reach the people without any pre-conditions in a smooth, quick and unencumbered manner.

India and Nepal on 1 June 2013 agreed to address each other’s security concerns and curb illegal activities across the open border. The agreement took place during the annual Home Secretary-level talks held in Kathmandu. Both nations agreed to increase vigilance and cooperation in border areas against criminal activities such as human and drug trafficking, smuggling of Indian counterfeit currency and trade in illegal substances. The Indian Delegation was led by Home secretary RK Singh, while the Nepali delegation was led by his counterpart Navin Kumar Ghimere. India also drew Nepal’s attention to the continued trade in banned red sandalwood from India to Tibet via Nepali routes.

India and Myanmar

India and Myanmar set three billion dollar trade target by 2015 during the meeting of India’s energy minister Anand Sharma with his Myanmar counterpart U Than Htay in New Delhi held on 6 June 2013. India conveyed the interest of Indian banks in setting up their branches in Myanmar. It also conveyed its interest in deepening cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and natural gas. Improving air, road and water connectivity between the two countries was also discussed during the meeting. Myanmar expressed keen interest in building linkages with the textiles sector of India. It has immense potential for Myanmar. It also sought India’s help in developing a full value chain for silk production in her country. Myanmar is India’s important neighbor and the relations between the two countries have broadened and deepened in the last two years. India is ready to extend all necessary assistance to Myanmar in its development efforts.

India and Iraq

Salman Khurshid, the Union External Affairs Minister was on a two-day visit to Iraq from 19 to 20 June 2013. The aim of this visit of Khurshid to Iraq was to enhance cooperation in oil and hydrocarbon sector.  During this visit Khurshid held talks on issues of bilateral and mutual interests including import of oil for energy security along with the avenues of partnership, with the top Iraqi leaders. A decision to take the relationship to a higher level between the two countries by enhancing cooperation in hydro carbon sector was also made.  The two countries agreed on holding a meet of Joint Commission in Baghdad before Ramadan that will begin in second week of July 2013.

The joint commission meet will look forward for the revival of the ties between the two nations and will be attended by the Union Oil Minister Veerappa Moily.  Government of Iraq assured Khurshid that supply of oil to India to fulfill its future requirements will be continued. At present, Iraq is the second largest supplier of crude oil to India despite of the sanctions on it. Iraq supplies about 12 percent of crude oil to India and stands next to Saudi Arabia.

Iraq is looking forward to increase its overall production capacity to 9 million barrels per day by 2017 from 2.6 million barrels per day, which it exports at present.  During his visit to Iraq, Khurshid met with the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki and handed him over the letter of invitation to visit India by Prime Minsiter of India Union, Dr. Manmohan Singh. He also met with his counterpart Hoshyar Zebari and Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister of Iraq Hussein al-Shahristani. This is the first visit of any Minister from Indian Union to Iraq after 23 years in the war-raved country. Before Salman Khurshid, Former Prime Minister of India, Inder Kumar Gujral visited Iraq in 1990 during his tenure as an External Affairs Minister of Indian Union.

He visited Iraq to check the procedures of evacuation of Indians in the wake of Gulf war.

India and Oman

During the five-year period from 2008-09 to 2012-13, India-Oman bilateral trade increased by 129 percent as per the data released by Ministry of External affairs of India. India has been a major exporter to Oman and emerged as the fourth largest source of imports into Oman after Japan, USA and Saudi Arabia in 2012.The balance of trade is in India’s favour due to increase in export of mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation. Besides traditional items from India like tea, coffee, spices, rice and meat products and seafood are among other commodities in great demand in Oman.

India imports urea, Liquefied Natural Gas through spot purchase, polypropylene, lubricating oil, dates and chromites ore from Oman. In terms of FDI inflows from the GCC Countries, Oman is the second biggest investor in India having put in investments worth 340 million US dollars in the country.

More than 7.18 lakh expatriate Indians are living in Oman in various sectors contributing a lot towards strong India-Oman ties.

India and North Korea

India on 3 June 2013 added some more items, including gems and jewellery to its list of items prohibited for trade with North Korea, directly or indirectly. The decision was taken keeping into view UN sanctions against North Korea because of its nuclear programme. It is worth Mentioning here that a UN resolution against North Korea was adopted on 7 March 2013.

A notification was issued by Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in this regard enlisting the new items that are barred for trade with North Korea. The Prohibited items include a particular kind of lubricant, corrosion—resistant material and certain chemicals which can be used for nuclear and missile technology. It also includes luxury goods like gems, jewellery, precious stones, yachts, luxury vehicles, racing cars and station wagons.

India and Thailand

India and Thailand on 30 May 2013 signed a treaty for the extradition of runaways wanted for terrorism, transnational crimes, economic offences and other serious crimes which will shortly eliminate a safe refuge for criminals wanted in India and Thailand.  The extradition treaty between India and Thailand was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s first bilateral visit to Thailand.

With the signing of extradition treaty, India is supposed to put forward its requests to Thailand for the extradition of criminals like fugitive Syed Musakir Mudassar Hussain alias Munna Zingada who is wanted in India for underworld activities. Actually Munna Zingada is presently in a Thai prison for his involvement in the attack on underworld don Chhota Rajan here in 2001.

Highlights of the Extradition Treaty

• The Treaty provides the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders, including those involved in terrorism, transnational crimes, economic offences etc. 

• Treaty provides for the extradition of any person who is wanted for trial or for the imposition or enforcement of a sentence by one Contracting State and is found in the territory of the other Contracting State. 

• The treaty will help both the countries in expedited extradition of fugitives. This Treaty would further strengthen the relationship between two law enforcement agencies by providing a firm legal basis for their bilateral cooperation.

The extradition treaty concluded after two decades of negotiations, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in anti-money laundering, gives a major signal of India’s shared commitment in combating terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and counterfeiting.

India and Hungary

Gujarat Info Petro Ltd (GIPL), the subsidiary of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement with Cason Engineering Plc, Hungary, for gas monitoring system. This agreement was in accordance with the MoU signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2013. This agreement was signed between VK Sharma, CEO, Gujarat Info, and Ferenc Szakács, Chairman and CEO of Cason. Gujarat Info Petro Ltd offers the IT services to government departments, corporate houses, corporations as well as boards. Cason Engineering Plc, on the other hand, is the Hungary-based technology company which offers services such as implementation, manufacturing as well as development of the systems which are responsible for gas distribution network monitoring. It also developed as well as installed new solutions that are equipped with leading technologies. These are meant for large oil pipeline operators in various countries as well as Europe.  The aim of the agreement is providing automation services for oil as well as gas companies in India. This will provide joint technical solutions, which will generate fast accessibility as well as ease for development of city gas distributor industry.  Primary advantages of these joint technical solutions are to provide the tool in order to control the sales procedures as well as procurement procedures of daily purchased gas volume. Also, these solutions will provide access for stakeholders to everyday business data along with the technology reports and alarms through the Web-based applications. Apart from this, the special pipeline monitoring system as well as leak detection for leading oil pipeline operators will also be offered. This would result in less number of accidents as well as incidences such as pilferages and thefts. This will also help in solutions for disaster management as well as security issues of cross-country pipelines. The Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban will visit India in October 2013 in order to launch the product.

India and Saudi Arabia

India and Saudi Arabia on 26 May 2013 decided to further strengthen and deepen their counter-terrorism cooperation.  This was decided during the 4-day visit of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to Saudi Arabia. The counter-terrorism issue is emerging as a key area of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia deported deported Abu Jundal, wanted in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack about a year back. Saudi is concerned about the rise of extremism in the region, including in Pakistan, notwithstanding their close ties. Both nations discussed the menace of terrorism the world continues to face and agreed to further strengthen our counter-terrorism cooperation which is an essential element of the Riyadh Declaration signed in 2010.  India held talks with Saudi Arabia on a number of issues including the controversial ‘Nitaqat’ law, counter-terrorism measures and energy security. Saudi Arabia also tried to allay India’s fears over the Nitaqat law and stated that the procedures are being taken in the best interest of Indian workers.The Nitaqat law and the ongoing drive to identify workers who are overstaying in the Arab Kingdom was one of the main area of focus during the talks held between the two nations. Khurshid’s visit is the first by an Indian External Affairs Minister in the last five years to Saudi Arabia, India’s biggest supplier of oil.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh on 21 June 2013 appealed the migrant Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to avail concessions granted by the Saudi authorities and get the exit passes issued to return to India or to get their job or visa or residency status in the country corrected by the deadline of 3 July 2013. About 60000 Indian nationals have approached to the embassy to avail the concessions announced by the Saudi Authorities. About 30000 out passes were issued for the Indian nationals who wished to return back to India. More than 20000 migrated Indian Nationals have applied for visa or the legal resident status corrected. About 10000 persons are in a process of getting their job status corrected.

About 200 companies have approached to the Embassy with job opportunities for eligible Indians in past two months.  Earlier on 6 May 2013, Authorities of Saudi Arabia announced that there would be no extension over the three month grace for foreigners staying in the country illegally. The Interior Ministry has urged people to take advantage of the grace period provided to them for regularization of their situation.

India and Singapore

India and Singapore on 3 June 2013 reaffirmed their strong and long-standing defence ties as they renewed a bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint army training and exercises.

The agreement was signed after visiting Defence Minister A K Antony held bilateral talks with his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen. The Agreement for the Conduct of Joint Army Training and Exercises was first established on 12 August 2008. Its renewal allows the Singapore Army to train and exercise with the Indian Army in India for another five years. The armies of India and Singapore jointly conducted bilateral armour and artillery exercises, codenamed Ex Bold Kurukshetra and Ex Agni Warrior respectively. The bilateral exercise was successfully conducted in March 2013 and a combined artillery live-firing was carried out in December 2012.

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