January, 2014

INDIA AND RUSSIA

India and Russia on 18 November 2013 agreed to expand the range of strategic partnership in a significant manner in Moscow. The two countries will also hold a Joint Air Force Level exercise for the first time in 2014. The decision was taken during the 13th Meeting of the India– Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRITC-MTC) and it was co chaired by AK Antony, the Defence Minister of India and His counterpart of Russia, Sergey Shoigu. This decision was taken by the two countries within two days after commissioning of INS Vikramadatya into Indian Navy.

The Agreements

• The two countries agreed to hold a joint Air Force level exercise for the first time, which will happen in 2014 with a joint Navy Exercise in the Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan. Recently, the armies of the two countries held an Exercise Indra in Rajasthan with a focus on anti-terrorism.

• Agreement was reached between the two ministers on further cooperation at all levels, especially in view of the regional and global challenges and to fight the menace of terrorism jointly. Both sides reviewed the situation in West Asia, especially in Syria and the evolving paradigm in Afghanistan.

• The two sides also agreed on to expand the cooperation not only in product design and development but also to involve various echelons of the Defence establishments in strategizing policies and cooperation in the fast changing global security scenario.The Indian delegation in Russia also laid a wreath at the World War-II memorial at Poklonnaya Gora (Bow- Down Hill) of the Victory Park. A ceremonial guard of honour was also presented. Shoigu has also assured to India that the Indian pilots will be trained by the Naval Aviation Specialists to take offs and landing on the INS Vikramaditya, which may be held in Goa.

INDIA AND MALAYSIA

India and Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 25 November 2013 to strengthen co-operation in public administration and governance as part of the efforts to enhance their strategic partnership. The MoU covers eight areas of co-operation including human resource management, e-governance, public  delivery system, accountability and transparency, skills and capacity building and quality results. The MoU was signed by Malaysia’s Public  Service Department Director- General Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and the Secretary of India’s Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Sanjay Kothari. The MoU envisages cooperation via tours, workshops and conferences, sharing of public administration and governance information and expertise, common project implementation mechanisms and exchange of publications, state.

INDIA AND AUSTRALIA

India and Australia on 18 November 2013 signed two  agreements in New Delhi during the visit of Foreign Minister of Australia, Julie Bishop to India. She was on four days visit to India from 15 November to 18 November 2013. List of documents signed during the visit of Foreign Minister of Australia to India:

BRICS Nations signed the Delhi Accord

The Heads of the Competition Authorities of BRICS Nations signed a Joint Accord namely Delhi Accord on 22 November 2013 at 3rd BRICS International Competition Conference (ICC) at New Delhi. The Delhi Accord was signed to ensure effective enforcement of competition rules, among the BRICS nations and to strengthen the cooperation among their fair trade regulators by exchanging views and boosting communication. BRICS Competition Authorities also considered the need of establishing good communication between the BRICS Competition Authorities on competition law and policy to further improving and strengthening the relationship between the BRICS Competition Authorities. BRICS Competition Authorities, while recognising the benefits of technical cooperation among the competition agencies, in sound and effective enforcement of competition laws expressed their resolve and commitment to exchange views on different aspects of competition policy. The Competition Authorities of BRICS also support the hosting of the Fourth BRICS ICC during 2015 at South Africa. The Delhi Accord was signed by Alessandro Serafin Octaviani Luis, Commissioner, CADE for the Brazilian Competition Policy System, by Andrey Tsarikovsky, Stats Secretary-Deputy Head of the  FAS, Russia for the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, by Ashok Chawla, Chairman, for the Competition Commission of India, by Sun Hongzhi, Vice Minister, for the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and by Tembinkos Bonakele, Acting Commissioner for the Competition Commission of South Africa.

INDIA & BELGIUM

Princess Astrid of Belgium on 28 November 2013 inaugurated the Consulate General of Belgium in Chennai for expansion of the bilateral ties with India. This is the second Consulate General and the third diplomatic mission in India. Princess Astrid is the representative of the King of Belgium, who is on a visit to India from 23-30 November, 2013. At present is leading a high power trade delegation to India. As per the Belgian Ambassador to India, Pierre Vaessen the initiative was part of his country’s efforts to strengthen presence in India, mainly in South India. At present about 160 Belgian companies are operational in India, which of maximum are in South India. India and Belgium generally do trade of 15 billion, which mainly includes diamond business. The trade could also be diversified into different sectors like green technology, renewable energy and chemical and pharmacy industries.

INDIA & BANGLADESH

The first Integrated Check post along Agartala-Akhaura, India- Bangladesh border was jointly inaugurated on 17 November 2013by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir. The chief Mister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar was also present on the occasion. The integrated check post has been created to facilitate easier movement for the goods and passengers across the border and this will help in promoting the relations between India and Bangladesh. The Agartala-Akhaura Integrated checkpost is the first of the seven Land Customs Border Stations has been upgraded by the Land Port Authority of India along the 4096 km border. The Integrated Checkpost houses all regulatory agencies, which includes Immigration, Customs and Border Security and it constitutes a single complex equipped with the state-of-art facilities with dedicated cargo and passenger terminals, warehousing and banking. Trade between India and Bangladesh has improved significantly after India granted zero-customs and zero-quota trade concessions to all Bangladeshi products, except 25 items. Bangladeshi exports to India hit a record of 562 million dollar during 2012-13.

INDIA & REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The 7th India-Republic of Korea (South Korea) Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in New Delhi on 8 November 2013. The Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, while the Republic of Korea (ROK) side was led by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. The two nations did a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, which were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership and acquired range and depth over the past few years. Noting that high level political exchanges had imparted momentum to the relationship, India and South Korea discussed the possibility of a visit to India by ROK President Madame Park Geun-hye in early
2014. The JCM discussed ways to add strategic and economic content to bilateral ties including in the political, security, trade, investment, consular, scientific and cultural spheres. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed. The 8th India-ROK Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient time will be held in Seoul in 2014.

INDIA AND VIETNAM

India and Vietnam signed eight
agreements on 20 November 2013
in areas of defence and security, oil
exploration, civil aviation and scientific research. India will also assist Vietnam in the modernization and training of the defence and security forces
of Vietnam and agreed to give a 100 million dollar line of credit to Vietnam for defence purchases. The agreements
were signed by Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen
Phu Trong in New Delhi after delegation level talks.

India and Vietnam signed Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners

India and Vietnam on 1 November 2013 signed a treaty on transfer of sentenced prisoners in the jails in the two countries. The treaty  would allow prisoners of the two countries to be near their families and they will have to serve the remaining part of their sentences. This process will help to facilitate the process of their social rehabilitation. The treaty was signed from Sushilkumar Shinde,  the Union Home Minister and Tran Dai Quang, the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam. The two sides also held bilateral talks on security matters, issues of training, capacity building, cyber security, cyber crime, trans-national crime, terrorism and disaster management.

INDIA AND JAPAN

India and Japan on 9 November 2013 decided to further strengthen their cooperation in the maritime sector as a part of the overall robust bilateral relations. The two countries agreed to enhance their interaction through the existing forums and through port-to-port exchanges. This was decided during the visit of Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan, to Japan. India explained the developments that were taking place in its Ports sector and assured Japan that concerns regarding infrastructure and connectivity of ports are being addressed expeditiously. The ports in Ennore and Chennai are catering to the Japanese car exporters like Toyota and Nissan who have so far exported about 42000 and 300000 cars respectively from these ports. During the talks, India thanked the Japanese government for its support to various Indian Ports and infrastructure projects through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It also mentioned the possibility of JICA assistance to VOC Port at Thoothukudi for the upcoming Outer Harbour Project. Japan acknowledged the existing cordial relationship between the two nations, assured that it will carry forward the momentum. Japan expressed its interest in shipbuilding and recycling industries in India.

India won election to United Nations Board of Auditors

India on 1 November 2013 won a crucial election to the UN Board of Auditors with its nominee Shashi Kant Sharma, the Comptroller and Auditor General- by 124 votes out of the total 186. Shashi Kant Sharma won 124 votes out of the total 186 cast in the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary questions. India won by a comfortable margin against its closest contender the Philippines, which got
62 votes. Having obtained the required majority and the largest number of votes, Shashi Kant Sharma will be appointed to the UN Board of Auditors for a six year term beginning on 1 July 2014.

About UN Board of Auditors

The General Assembly in 1946 established the UN Board of Auditors to audit of the accounts of the United Nations organisation and its funds and programmes and to report its findings and recommendations to the Assembly through the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions. The Auditors-Generals of UN member states are elected to the Board. India had last sat on the board in 1993 for six years. The United Nations Board of Auditors comprised of the heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions from three Member States, has for more than 60 years provided independent external audit services to the General Assembly. Board has involved certifying the accounts of the UN and its funds and programmes, and providing reports covering a wide array of managerial and value for money issues. The overarching goal of the Board is to use the unique perspective of public external audit to both help the General Assembly to hold UN entities to account for the use of public resources, and add value by identifying ways to improve the delivery of international public
services. The chairmanship of the Board is rotated every two years, and is currently held by Amyas Morse for the period 2013-2014. Amyas Morse is Comptroller and Auditor General, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

INDIA AND KUWAIT

India and Kuwait on 8  November 2013 agreed to expand cooperation in key areas, which includes energy and investment. Five pacts were signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in culture and education during the India visit of the Prime Minister of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah. During this India visit of the Kuwait Prime Minister to India five documents were signed including an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, cooperation in the field of sports and youth affairs and exchange of cultural and information programmes, besides cooperation in the field of education.

INDIA & UKRAINE

The fifth session of India-  Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation held in New Delhi on 13 November 2013. The Commission was chaired by E. Ahamed, the Minister of State for External Affairs. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Ihor Mykolayovych Prasolov, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine. He was accompanied by a 15 member official and 12 member business delegations from Ukraine. During the session current status and future prospects of cooperation in trade and investment, heavy/light industry, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and
healthcare, mining and metallurgy, science and technology, energy (coal, nuclear), transportation, agriculture and food processing, education, culture and tourism were reviewed. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, and the State Administration of Ukraine on Medicinal Products signed the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Joint Ventures and Research and Development in Pharmaceuticals and
Bio-pharmaceuticals. The Ukrainian Business Delegation held an interactive session with Indian business community organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The Ukrainian side agreed to address the concerns of Indian pharmaceutical companies operating in Ukraine. Both sides also agreed to work on an agreement on simplification of visa procedures to ease movement of business people and tourists. The bulk of India’s exports of pharmaceuticals to Ukraine amount to about 375 million US dollars per annum. India and Ukraine also agreed to increase trade beyond the existing level of 3.2 billion US dollars. The fourth session was held in Kyiv in June 2012 and the sixth session of the Commission will take place in 2014 at Kyiv.

INDIA AND CHINA

Indian and Chinese army are set  to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of 5 years. During the exercises the Indian army contingent of 150 people reached the Chengdu city on 4 November 2013 to take part in the anti-terrorism drills. The 10 day drill code has been named hand in hand was inaugurated in the Chengdu city on 5 November 2013. Earlier, the annual exercises began in 2007 and the first exercise was held in Kumming city of China, whereas the second round was held in India at Belgaum in Karnataka in 2008. Further, the next round of exercise was called off by India after the General who headed troops in Jammu and Kashmir was denied the visa on the grounds that the region part of disputed territory. The contact between the two nations was resumed after China withdrew its decision and started issuing the regular visas to residents
of Jammu and Kashmir. This step facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours.

New Highway linking Medog to Zhamog

China on 31 October 2013  opened a new highway that links Medog to Zhamog-located near the border with Arunachal Pradesh. The highway linking Medog, the last roadless county in China, with neighboring Bome county in Tibet formally opened to traffic, ending the county’s isolation from the outside world. The 117-km highway, which cost 950 million yuan (155 million U.S. dollars), links Zhamog Township, the county seat of Bome, and Medog in Nyingchi Prefecture in southeastern Tibet. The road will be accessible for 8 to 9 months per year, barring major natural disasters. The Zhamog-Medog starts along the Number 318 National Road in Zhamog township in Bomi County. It goes through the 4400- meter high Galung La Mountain and cross 6 rivers, to reach Medog.The opening of the Medog road will greatly lower transportation costs and will also improve medical care and educational facilities. With this new highway, every county in Tibet is now linked through the highway network, underlining the widening infrastructure gulf across the disputed border, even as India belatedly pushes forward an upgrading of border roads in more difficult terrain.China first started attempting to build the highway to Medog – a landlocked county in Tibet’s Nyingchi prefecture – in the 1960s, in the aftermath of the 1962 war with India.

INDIA & PHILIPPINES

Government of India on 14 November 2013 dispatched relief package that includes medicines, hygiene and chemicals, tentage, blankets, tarpaulins and ready to eat meals to Hurricane ravaged Philippines by an Indian Air Force C- 130J aircraft to Mactan. The relief package will helped the people of Philippines to meet the urgent needs at the time of trouble like life-saving medical care, food supplies and construction of temporary shelters in this hour of need. A similar aid was provided to Philippines by India in 2006.

The Problem of Philippines    

Super Typhoon Haiyan of category-5 struck Philippines on 8  November 2013 and left behind more than 10000 people dead. It also affected about 4 million people. This was one of the most powerful typhoons to hit Philippines. It pushed winds up to 300 kilometers an hour.

Visa Waiver Agreements with Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania approved by India

The Union Cabinet on 7 November 2013 approved the visa waiver agreements with Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania. This move will help the Indians with diplomatic passports to visit the three countries. The agreements would be signed very soon. The CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) cleared a proposal to disinvest 17 percent of paid up capital for Follow on Public Offering (FPO) of the state owned power grid corporation of India. As per the Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, 13 percent of fresh equity by the Public Sector Company and 4 percent stake sale by the government includes under the FPO. A similar agreement was cleared with Cuba in first week of November 2013.By now India has similar agreements with about 50 countries that include Japan, Russia and Israel.

INDIA & SLOVENIA

India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and Radio-Television of Slovenia (RTV-SLO) on 13 November 2013 signed an MoU to develop and strengthen mutual friendly relations through an increased cooperation in the field of broadcasting. The agreement was signed by head of international department of RTV SLO, Suzana Vidas Karoli and Member Personnel of Prasar Bharati, VAM Hussain. The MoU allows to explore further opportunities in potential projects of production of programmes. It also entails exchange of programmes in the field of culture, education, entertainment, sports and news.

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