INDIA & THE WORLD BILATERAL AFFAIRS MARCH 2015
- India and China talks to resolve boundary issue
India and China begin the 18th round of talks in New Delhi to resolve the contentious boundary issue. It's the first round of talks on the issue between Special Representatives Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. The fresh round of discussion is taking place nearly six months after Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India last year.
The high-profile visit was overshadowed by Chinese incursions into Chumar which ended after both sides simultaneously agreed to withdraw into their own territory. This is Ajit Doval's first meeting since he was appointed India's Special Representative in November last year while his Chinese counterpart led the meeting with former NSA Shiv Shankar Menon as well.
China's claim is that the border dispute is confined only to 2,000 kms mostly in Arunachal Pradesh whereas India says China occupies 38,000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west. Apart from this in a so-called Sino-Pakistan Boundary agreement of 1963, Pakistan handed over 5180 square kilometers of illegally captured land in Pak Occupied Kashmir to China. The other sticky issue between India and China is the issuing of stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh by China.
Agreed to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas: India and China have agreed to maintain peace in border areas till their decades-old boundary problem is resolved in the discussions on 24th March. China’s Yang Jiechi and India’s Ajit Doval met and also agreed to discuss counterterrorism, maritime security, climate change, reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energy cooperation, the ministry’s statement said. It was the 18th round of talks between special representatives of the two countries since a framework was adopted in 2003. - India and Qatar sign 6 agreements to strengthen bilateral ties
India and Qatar have signed 6 agreements to strengthen bilateral ties following delegation level talks. The pacts include agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Under this agreement, Indian prisoners convicted in Qatar can be brought to India to serve the remaining part of their sentence. Similarly Qatari Citizens convicted in India can be sent to his home country to serve their sentence. This agreement would enable the sentenced persons to be near their families and would help in the process of their social rehabilitation.
The second MoU pertains to cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology. The pact would provide enhanced business opportunities for Indian IT industry in Qatar.
Qatar has embarked on an ambitious programme for overall development as part of their Qatar 2030 vision and has created a dedicated Ministry of Information and Communication Technology for capacity building in ICT.
The third MoU was signed between Ministry of Earth sciences and Qatar Meteorological Department for Scientific and Technical cooperation Qatar Meteorological Department under the Civil Aviation Authority, Qatar.
The scientific collaboration between India and Qatar will be beneficial to improve atmospheric & Oceanic capacity in both the countries.
The fourth MoU was inked between Diplomatic Institute of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar and Foreign Service Institute, MEA.
This MoU would help in exchange of trainees, students, faculty members and experts between India and Qatar to enhance their skills and improve the training programme in both the countries.
The fifth MoU pertains to cooperation in the field of Radio and Television... This MoU is aimed at encouraging regular exchange of radio and TV programmes and material between Prasar Bharati of India and Qatar Media Cooperation. The final pact was signed for mutual Cooperation and Exchange of News.
The agreement between Qatari News Agency and United News Agency would enhance and develop bilateral cooperation in the field of exchange of English-language news on daily basis and free of charge. - PM Modi unveils plaque for Jaffna Cultural Centre
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the foundation plaque of the Jaffna Cultural Centre and handed over homes built for civil war displaced families in Jaffna as 27000 homes have been built by India as part of a flagship cooperation project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the foundation plaque of the Jaffna Cultural Centre which will come up near the iconic Jaffna library. - India, East Africa set to tap joint business opportunities
Businesses in India and East Africa are set to collaborate in sectors such as cotton and textiles, IT, leather, oil meal, spices, medical equipment and coffee under a programme rolled out by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The Export Import (EXIM) Bank of India and industry body CII have partnered with ITC — a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations for enhancing trading capacities of developing countries — to identify potential trade partners from India and finance the ventures.
While ITC’s effort is to help African countries improve scale, technology and productivity, Indian investors too stand to gain a stronger foothold in the African market, which has been growing at 6-7 per cent over the last decade. “It makes sense for Indian companies to help African companies build these markets,” she said. Indian businesses, especially mid-size ones, have shown a lot of interest in the five East African countries ever since discussions on the programme began six months ago.
Businesses in both countries and the EXIM Bank have identified sectors with potential such as cotton & textiles, IT, pulses, leather and medical equipment for possible cooperation.
ITC and the Central government are helping to explain to the East African countries the export opportunities in India under the Duty Free Quota Free programme of the WTO for Least Developed Countries. Financing investments of Indian companies in Africa will also not be a problem, as the EXIM Bank has existing lines of credit that could be tapped. India’s exports to East African countries in 2013-14 were $10 billion, over 3 per cent of its total exports, while imports were stood at only $1 billion (0.23 per cent of total imports) - No more policy hurdles to India, US nuke deal
The India-US Nuclear Contact Group has acknowledged that all policy hurdles for the implementation of the civil nuclear deal between India and the US no longer exist.
The Contact Group was established with a view to advance the implementation of India-US civil nuclear cooperation and was set up after a decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barrack Obama during Modi’s visit to the US. - India and Mauritius announce security cooperation pact
India and Mauritius announced a new security cooperation agreement on 11th March, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Indian Ocean outreach.
In Port Louis, on the second leg of his three-nation tour to the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, Mr. Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Aneerood Jugnauth signed five agreements, one on opening up the “ocean economy”, or “blue economy”.
Another is a key memorandum of understanding that will see India taking over responsibility to build transport infrastructure (sea and air links) for the Agalega Islands.
This agreement would give India a strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean region, working closely with the Mauritius Defense Forces guarding the outer islands. In addition, India has extended a $500-million Line of Credit for development or security projects that Mauritius will decide on.
The highlight of India’s push for maritime heft during the visit will be the commissioning of a 1,300-tonne, Indian-built coastal patrol vessel, MCGS Barracuda , on 12th March. The ship will showcase India’s commitment on maritime security, particularly along the African coast that faces the threat of piracy. It is also part of the government’s “Make in India” programme. Ahead of Mr. Modi’s visit, two Indian warships, the destroyer INS Delhi and the hydrographic survey ship INS Sarvekshak , have arrived off the coast of Port Louis as further evidence of Indian presence and assistance in the region.
India’s security cooperation agreements in the Seychelles have set the course for Mr. Modi’s foreign policy initiative for India to become a “net security provider” in the Indian Ocean region, in a bid to counter China’s increasing influence there. - India, Seychelles sign 4 pacts including hydro-graphic survey
Cementing its strategic partnership with Seychelles, India on 11th March signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation to boost security and maritime partnership.
Agreements are in the fields of military, maritime, hydrographic survey and air services advancing economic and maritime cooperation between both the countries. - Coastal surveillance radar system unveiled
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Seychelles. The operationalising of the system marks an important step in the maritime security cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister showed keen interest in learning the working of the system and also made inquiries from the coast guard about it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also promised to provide another Dornier aircraft to Seychelles.
He is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Seychelles in 33 years. Bolstering defense and maritime security cooperation is high on the agenda of Prime Minister Modi's visit. - Four pacts signed between India and Sri Lanka
PM Modi met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe and agreements on visa, customs, youth development and agreement to build Rabindranath Tagore Memorial has been signed. Prime Minister Modi holds delegation level talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
An agreement to build Rabindranath Tagore Memorial has also been signed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a long term solution to address the fishermen issue.
Terming the decision of setting up a joint task force on ocean economy as significant, PM Modi has said that ocean economy is a new frontier that holds enormous promise for both India and Sri Lanka.
PM Modi has said the agreement on cooperation between the custom authorities will simplify trade and reduce non-tariff barriers on both sides.
PM at Anuradhapura: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14th March visited Sri Lanka's ancient capital Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi tree.
Legend has it that the southern branch of the holy Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which Buddha was said to have attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BC by Princess Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.
It was planted in Anuradhapura and is venerated to this day by the Buddhists from many countries of the world. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Fig tree and is the oldest living tree in documented history of the world. - Gandhiji statue unveiled
A historic bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled on 14th March at the Parliament Square in London in a rare honor bestowed by the British government
Gandhi’s 9-foot statue was unveiled jointly by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
Gandhi is the first Indian and the only person never to have been in a public office to be honored with a statue at the Square. - India, US finalize new defense pact
India and USA have finalized the new Framework Agreement on Defense Cooperation which would replace the existing Framework Agreement on Defense Cooperation expiring in June 2015.
A dialogue has been established between both countries under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) for co-development and co-production of unique and exceptional technologies of mutual interest. There is no joint production of weapons with USA at present. - Jaishankar arrives in Bhutan on first leg of 'SAARC yatra
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on 1st March called on Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay soon after arriving here on the first leg of his 'SAARC yatra'. Jaishankar SAARC Yatra begins. His Bhutan trip will be followed by Bangladesh on March 2, Pakistan on March 3 and Afghanistan on March 4.
During the visit to the SAARC capitals, Jaishankar will review various initiatives for the region, including SAARC satellites and regional university, as were proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nepal for SAARC Summit last year.
Jaishankar will travel to Pakistan seven months after India cancelled foreign secretary-level talks because the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatists
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on 2nd March discussed on border with Bangladesh in part of bilateral relations with SAARC countries. This is his visit to Bangladesh as a part of the SAARC yatra.
Secretary level talks with Pak: As part of his SAARC Yatra, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on 3rd March visited Islamabad. He met his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhary, the Foreign Secretary said the talks were constructive and positive. Both the sides engaged on each other's concerns and interests in an open manner and agreed to work together to find common ground and narrow differences. The foreign secretary also met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif- India would like to work with Pakistan to help the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) achieve its potential.
- This is the first official meeting between the foreign secretaries of the neighbours since August last year.
- Talks between the two countries were called off with India expressing anger over a meeting last year between the Pakistani High Commissioner in India and Kashmiri separatist leaders ahead of a scheduled interaction of the two foreign secretaries.
- Jaishankar is in Pakistan as part of a tour of SAARC member countries.
- The decision to send the foreign secretary on the regional tour was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 after he telephonically spoke with the presidents of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and the prime ministers of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in Afghanistan for Talks:
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrived in Kabul on 4th March to hold talks with the Afghan leadership as part of his 'SAARC Yatra' aimed at firming up India's ties with members of the grouping while reviewing regional and bilateral cooperation.
During his meetings, Afghan leaders welcomed India being partner of choice for Afghanistan and briefed Jaishankar about their views on India's involvement in furthering the cause of stability and security in the country.
According to officials, the main thrust during the meetings was on India's development projects in Afghanistan, ways to improve connectivity and the security situation in the war-ravaged country.
The Foreign Secretary also called on Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani besides former president Hamid Karzai. Jaishankar also met Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and held extensive talks. - Varanasi-Kathmandu bus service
A direct AC bus service between Varanasi and Kathmandu was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Varanasi on 4th March. The Varanasi to Kathmandu service is called the “Bharat-Nepal Maitri Bus Seva” (India-Nepal Friendship Bus Service). Ten buses of the rural bus service dubbed as Lohia Gramin Bus Seva were also flagged off by the Chief Minister.
- Sushma discussions ahead of PM’s visit
Foreign Minister SushmaSwaraj met Sri Lankan President MaitripalaSirisena and discussed whole gamut of bilateral issues. The meeting was ahead of visit of Prime Minister NarendraModi’s to Sri Lanka.
India and Sri Lanka have revived the traditionally close relations since the election of President Maithripala in January. It is understood that the two leaders agreed that economic relations between the two countries should be enhanced and serious efforts should be made to address issues relating to imbalance in bilateral trade. Indian developmental assistance to Sri Lanka was also reviewed at the meeting.
Humanitarian solution sought: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who met Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe on 7th March, underscored the need to recognize the humanitarian dimension to the fishermen issue which, she said, was essentially a question of livelihoods.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister had said in the interview that it was legitimate to “shoot fishermen” if they trespassed into the Sri Lankan waters.
Mr. Wickramasinghe’s tough stance appears to have struck a sour note with New Delhi, coming just a week ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka on March 13 and 14.
FERRY SERVICES
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera the possibility of resuming ferry services between the two countries.
In addition to discussing agreements to be inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit, the leaders discussed the possible resumption of ferry services in detail.
The service between Colombo and Tuticorin was operational in 2011 but had to be suspended as it was not found to be commercially viable. The ferry service between Rameswaram and Thalaimannar came to a halt in the 1980s, during the war.
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